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November 30, 2003
Super Fast Gaming
Allen thinks that the Super Mario 3 in 11 minutes is fake (the guy cheated). I think that the insanely fast Tetris is a fake. What do you think?
Posted by Guinevere at 09:43 PM | Comments (9)
November 25, 2003
New Powerbook G4
I'm typing this on my brand new, 1 GHz Powerbook G4 with superdrive, which replaces my 867 MHz Powerbook that I broke. However, it has been a rough beginning. When we got the machine at noon today, I booted it up and immediately noticed that Panther was not installed. It still had Mac OS 10.2.7. An eMac we bought a few weeks ago had Panther installed, so it was strange to me that this did not. No matter, Panther install disks were provided, so I set straight away to install it. However... the Mac would not boot from the install CD. Over the next 3 hours, we tried the following to get it to boot from CD:
- trying to boot by:
- holding down C at startup:
- by launching the installer in the finder and allowing it to restart the Mac (yes the Mac could see the CD fine, but not boot from it)
- by holding option at start-up
- by selecting the CD as the startup disk
- zapping the PRAM
- resetting the PMU
- trying a different set of Panther install disks that I had bought before
- doing a file system check in single user mode
- booting in safe mode
- repairing file permissions with disk utility
- upgrading to 10.2.8 through Software Upgrade and trying to boot from CD after that
- trying to test the hardware with the hardware CD, however it would not boot from this CD either.
The only CD it would boot from was the software restore CD, so I wiped the drive, reinstalled 10.2.7 and tried to upgrade to Panther again. Again, it would not boot from the Panther CD.
At this point, we called Apple.... we stumped the basic tech support guy (as usual when we call in) and he put us on the phone with a "specialist". But in the meantime while we were waiting for the call to transfer - suddenly the Mac booted from the Panther CD and launched the installer! Our happiness was short-lived when the installer hung. Since I had selected the "erase and install" install option, when we went to reboot, there was no system on the hard drive to boot. Fortunately it would boot from CD again, but Panther wouldn't install because it was an upgrade CD and there was no previous OS on the drive. 
Once again, I did a software restore to 10.2.7. The Apple techie advised us to pop out the 512 MB Kensington RAM module we had bought. I was doubtful that possible bad RAM caused this, but we took it out anyway. It still would not boot the Panther CD. We also took out the airport extreme card, just in case. This also didn't help. We did tried booting between the 2 different Panther CDs over and over and finally it booted with the CDs that came with the Powerbook. This time, the install didn't hang! I opted to upgrade instead of erase and install. I didn't want to do another software restore and that option worked fine on my old powerbook. I was really happy it was working, until....
it didn't ask me for the 2nd or 3rd CDs? I had selected to install software on those CDs and had done this before. I knew it should have asked me for them. Well, it rebooted and THEN asked me for CD 2. Okay... but it wouldn't eject CD 1.. no matter what! I had to quit out of the installer and hope it would let me boot from CD again to complete the install on the other 2 CDs. Fortunately, CDs 2 and 3 don't need to be booted from, and I completed the install.
I am writing this on my brand new 1GHz Powerbook G4 with superdrive and (finally) Panther. I'm crossing my fingers that this is the last glitch that Dragonfly (what I named the Mac) gives me. 
Posted by Guinevere at 07:08 PM | Comments (13)
Finding Nemo
OMG, my cousin Joel found Nemo!
Posted by Guinevere at 10:50 AM | Comments (1)
November 24, 2003
Together at last...
Turkey & Gravy soda.... try some, and review it!
Posted by Guinevere at 02:25 PM | Comments (5)
November 21, 2003
Happy Birthday Joshua!
Good morning everybody. Today I would like to wish a fine and happy birthday to my nephew, Joshua who turns 13 today. 
Posted by Guinevere at 08:52 AM | Comments (4)
November 18, 2003
Shapeshifter
Unsanity sofware released an awesome haxie today - Shapeshifter. This software allows you to safely apply themes (different looks) to your Mac OS X machine. There have been apps that did this already, but this one allows much more customization and doesn't change any system files. Previous ones did, and caused problems for many users, which is why I've never used them. I've missed my Kaleidoscope days from Mac OS 9 and can't wait to start mucking with my desktop once more. What good is a personal computer if you don't personalize it?
Posted by Guinevere at 06:57 PM | Comments (1)
November 17, 2003
Kiteboarding Video
If anyone is not quite sure what I'm talking about with all these posts about kiting lately, here's a video which shows what we're trying to learn to do. 
Thanks to Brad for the link.
Posted by Guinevere at 04:04 PM | Comments (4)
New Toys
I'm at home sick today with a really sore throat, headache, lack of energy, so I might as well blog. 
I got a couple of fun new toys recently. First I got a pair of SMX snowblades to play around with. They look like fun, and they were cheap, so I thought I'd try it out. Also, after my awesome time learning to kiteboard last week, I ordered a kite. It arrived on Saturday. It's an Airush ram air 3 metre training kite. I wanted to try it out that day, but there was absolutely NO wind. Sunday there was also no wind, but I was sick anyway, today same story. Hopefully I can play with it soon!
Posted by Guinevere at 12:48 PM | Comments (1)
November 12, 2003
Happy Birthday Alan!
This is my last (and most important) post of the day. Today is my brother Alan's birthday. Happy birthday big bro! What do you want for your pressy? 
Posted by Guinevere at 04:13 PM | Comments (11)
Kissing in Moscow
There's an initiative to ban kissing in Moscow! Violators will be fined a nominal fee. They claim that kissing is immoral 
and seeing people kiss will corrupt their children.. 
Oh those Russians...
If you find yourself smooching in Moscow and short on cash, check and see if you have any unclaimed money in the bank to pay off your fine.
Posted by Guinevere at 03:50 PM | Comments (4)
Mario Kart
I pre-ordered my copy of Mario Kart : Double Dash for Gamecube today. The game is released on the 19th. I loved Mario Kart on my SNES and N64. This one has the best reviews of them all. Electronic Gaming Monthly reviewers gave it a 10, 10 and 9.5. I can't wait!
Posted by Guinevere at 01:17 PM | Comments (4)
Elliot Smith
I'm a little behind the times. I found out today that an artist I love, Elliot Smith has died. Not familiar with him? Here's some Elliot Smith songs. It looks like he did himself in - the worst way to go, imo. If you know anyone suffering from depression, make sure they get help. It's an illness like any other. You wouldn't let diabetes or cancer go untreated, and depression is just as life-threatening, but effectively treatable.
Posted by Guinevere at 09:48 AM | Comments (0)
November 11, 2003
Pardon the mess
Please excuse the messy look of the site. I was experimenting with the style sheet over lunch and didn't have enough time to complete it before I had to get back to work. I'll finish it as soon as I can.
Posted by Guinevere at 02:25 PM | Comments (1)
November 11th
Today is mine and my boyfriend Allen's anniversary - 9 years! He's absolutely the most wonderful guy there is. I feel lucky and happy to be with him every moment. 
Also today, my brother Brad taught me to "go fly a kite" 
- not the little kites, the BIG kites. Soon we'll be strapping skiis or snowboards to our feet and heading down the frozen lake, powered by the wind. We used a 3 metre training kite, and I couldn't believe how much power we could get out of it. It was the best sport I've ever tried, I was beaming the whole time... and trying to attack my brother with the kite. 
Today is also Remembrance Day in Canada, like Vetran's Day in the U.S.. We take the time to honour those who have fought for our freedom. The following poem usually accompanies Canadians honouring this day:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Posted by Guinevere at 12:54 PM | Comments (8)
November 07, 2003
My First iTunes
Today was a monumental day 
I made my first purchases at the iTunes music store thanks to an American friend who bought a gift certificate for me. The funds are already depleted. 
I'll have to give her money to buy a new certificate for me.
I missed a classic screen shot opportunity when buying a Velvet Undground song. Here's the next screen that happened...
...but it was funnier when I was buying the song, the screen said, "Purchasing Heroin" 
Posted by Guinevere at 01:31 PM | Comments (5)
November 06, 2003
A BILLION SONGS!
OMG, look at this! McDonalds is going to give away a BILLION songs from Apple's iTunes store. 
In case you don't know, a billion is a lot. Too bad their food sucks!
Posted by Guinevere at 09:26 AM | Comments (1)
November 05, 2003
Mom's Health Update
Since my mom's surgery last month, she's been getting steadily better. It's been quite encouraging. Suddenly last night though, *whamo* she was sick again. Not really responding verbally, wasn't able to walk on her own. Her condition didn't improve overnight and an amulance took her to the hospital this morning. I visited at lunch, but she was still in emergency and blood tests haven't returned, so I can't say much about her condition other than speculation. She has developed an ulcer on her foot, and part of her lower leg is now extremely red and hot to the touch, so it could be related to that. It could also be related to her ongoing digestive system problems however, since at her regular doctor visit yesterday they said the last time her dressings were changed, they found signs of possible infection and they were doing a culture on it. Those results are not yet back either. More updates (in the comments) as I get them.
Posted by Guinevere at 03:46 PM | Comments (7)
November 03, 2003
A new Google feature I don't understand
"Googlism.com will find out what Google.com thinks of you, your friends or anything! Search for your name here or for a good laugh check out some of the popular Googlisms below." That's their description, which left me confused. I guess it picks up any search results which has your name in it and brings back a description. I searched for myself, my boyfriend and my best friend and here were the results:
Guinevere Orvis is the winner of january's random contributors drawing. 
Allen Martin allen martin is in violation to the constitution of the united states pursuant to the 5
allen martin is professor of sociology at the university of texas at tyler and a member of the american association of university professors special
allen martin is a director at the downs rachlin & martin law firm and practices law from the firm's burlington office
allen martin is my "given" or "christian" name
allen martin is a pretty expensive lawyer
allen martin is an associate professor and the director of the consumer resource center
allen martin is a very athletic and outgoing person
allen martin is #724
allen martin is the father of hazel d
allen martin is under investigation by the medical board of california for alleged negligent acts 
Amy Maua Sorry, Google doesn't know enough about amy maua yet. 
Here, try it with your name and see what sort of crazy s*it people have been up to with your namesake. "Allen Martin is under investigation by the medical board of california..." heh heh.
Posted by Guinevere at 12:35 PM | Comments (12)
November 02, 2003
THUG
My boyfriend bought Tony Hawk Underground which was just released on Friday for our Gamecube. It's an awesome next-in-the-series game. The new "story mode" allows gamers to practice when they want, and complete goals when they want, without having to leave the area and switch into "career mode". The tricks are much easier to execute than Tony Hawk 3, but about the same as Tony Hawk 4. There are of course new tricks that couldn't be performed in any of the previous games. Two-player mode is fun as well. Allen and I played against one another with firefighter mode on - you can shoot fireballs at one another! Also brand spanking new in underground, you can get off your skateboard and run around, climb up buildings and execute really cool tricks by jumping off and on your board. You can beat up innocent bystanders and drug dealers in the town and race around in a car! All great additions.
The Playstation 2 version also has an online play option which the Gamecube and Xbox versions don't. I also own a Playstation 2, but it's a really poor machine compared to my Gamecube, so I prefer to buy games for my Gamecube, even if they're lacking certain features.
THUG is the best so far in the Tony Hawk game series. If you liked any of them, pick up this one. IGN has a good review of the game.
Posted by Guinevere at 11:13 AM | Comments (3)
