mDerrickDavis.com

History Has A Way Of Repeating Itself...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 19:25:00 +0000

From Vietnam to Iraq, the song is still relevant. I'm thankful the troops will be home this holiday season.

We Settled With An Apple TV...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 08:49:00 +0000

Last month, I wrote about cutting the cord and our choice to move forward without cable or satellite service. Surprisingly, it's been an easy transition, and I'm happy with our decision.

Originally, we purchased a Boxee Box, but I wasn't thrilled with the interface and the device was returned within a couple days. While I can see the appeal, it seemed cluttered and had a significat amount of C-rated content that I simply wasn't interested in.

I got the impression Boxee was trying to be everything to everyone.

Also, I've learned there isn't a device that can single-handily replace cable. Boxee promised to stream our favorite shows from websites of the major networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox) and include content from Comedy Central and other cable channels.

Streaming from the network sites was less than user-friendly, and content from Comedy Central was more about clips than episodes. To Boxee's defense, I've learned that cable companies seem willing to put their content on your computer because it likely won't replace television, but they draw the line when a device is designed to put the content on your TV through your internet connection.

So we've settled on two devices in our living room: an Apple TV and digital antenna. The antenna allows us to get about 20 channels, including ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, CW, MyNetwork, PBS, and several others (including lots of Spanish content I've deleted). The channels are in HD and the clarity is better than anything I ever received from Time Warner, Comcast, or Dish Network.

I've learned that we download most of the content we watch on the computer, which has made Apple TV the perfect choice for us. If you download through Apple TV, you pay for the content you choose to watch, and our television watching has become more productive, which is great.

But we haven't missed "Grey's Anatomy," "Law & Order: SVU," and I've become a big fan of "Breaking Bad." Soon, I plan to add "Hell on Wheels" to our list.

Another added benefit to Apple TV is the integration we have in our home. With a MacBook, iPod Touch, Apple Time Capsule, and Apple TV, everything works together. Next on our list are two iPhones, and iPad, and iMac. The seamless integration makes all the sense in the world. All of our music and videos are streamed from our computer to Apple TV with the smallest amount of setup; it literally comes out of the box, is enabled to share, and *boom*, it works.

I have missed two things: live sports and 24-hour news, but even sports has been less problematic. The digital antenna gives us Sunday football, and we caught the World Series, as well. The Astros will be on Fox Sports Net, so we won't see them, and now that basketball season is set to return, I won't catch the ESPN/TNT games, either.

Also, I've started getting my news from the YouTube interface on Apple TV, Podcasts, CNN.com, the radio, and the TV at the restaurant during the day.

I imagine there will be a day we turn the cable or satellite back on, but there's certainly a possibility we won't. I truly don't feel like we're missing anything. As a matter of fact, if Apple TV would include Hulu or Hulu Plus, we might just be set for good.

Tomorrow, We Cut The Cord...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 06:22:00 +0000

We were tired of paying nearly $80 a month for Dish Network. Even though we enjoyed the service (including the customer service), it just seemed ridiculous to pay so much money for television we didn't watch. Having 200 channels is nice, but since we only watched between 8 - 10 of them, it seemed like a waste. Really, who watches the Angel One network or Free Speech TV?

Moving to Houston has given us an opportunity for a clean break... or at least an attempt to cut the cord from cable/satellite providers.

I've spent the last two days searching for the best alternatives that (1) are easy for my wife to use since she's not a techie, (2) easily allow my daughter to watch her children's programming like Sesame Street, (3) allow us to rent moves, if we like, and (3) provide the most content.

I've considered all the front-line candidates:

Apple TV
Boxee Box
Roku 2
Google TV

Apple TV & Google TV both seem very limited, and I didn't love the interface of Roku and would prefer a web browser be included. Boxee Box seems to be the consensus winner, but I have hesitations about this device, as well.

So tomorrow I'm purchasing two things: an antenna for the TV, and a Boxee Box [What's Boxee Box? Click here.].

The antenna may bring visions of rabbit ears and snowy screens, but in the digital world, this is (supposed) to be a thing of the past. It'll allow us to get the local stations (NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, PBS, and more) in HD content. From my reading, I hear the HD signal is better than the cable company provides. Also, a lot of their content (including Grey's Anatomy) are streamable on their websites to watch on demand.

Boxee Box will then be my wife's center for apps that play movies and other TV shows. Netflix is an app currently available - although we do not have a subscription (and I'm not sure that will change).

Hulu Plus is an app not currently available, but should be available soon. I'm very interested in this app, and because their website says it's coming, I'll purchase the box. However, should it not show up, I'll be quite upset. The app is currently available through Roku, but I'm still gonna pass on that device.

Hopefully tomorrow, I come home with a winner... we'll see.

First Impressions Of Google+...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 04:56:00 +0000

Google+ is a new experiment from Google that's designed to be a competitor to Facebook. This isn't Google's first attempt, with Google Wave and Google Buzz being the two that didn't fare so well.

At this point, Google+ is in "field test" mode (early beta testing?), meaning it's not available to everyone; you must have an invite. Luckily, I was able to snag one - thanks to my friend Jessica! I've been interested in giving this bad boy a shot since it's taken up a lot of traffic on technology websites and blogs.

Before receiving my invite, the feedback seemed mostly positive. The same basic concept from existing social networking sites seemed to remain, but many new features differentiated it from Facebook (which is the only social networking site that really matters).

After playing around with the site, I'm not so sure I'm immediately in love, however, if things fall into place, it could offer some great advantages over Facebook.

While the design is very similar to Facebook, it's central point of focus seems to be Circles. While Facebook lets you believe all friends are created equal, Google+ requires you to separate your friends into Circles, and when you communicate, you do so to a specific group of people, or everyone, should you so choose.

It'll be helpful to people like my mother who doesn't want everyone to see every thing she posts. However, as you read along, you'll understand why I do not believe people like my mother are jumping on board this quickly.

Personally, I see potential in creating a circle specifically for my restaurant staff and being able to communicate to them important information related to my business. And while I imagine some circles will remain static, I'm sure people will find use in creating circles for small groups or projects that are only necessary for a short time.

You begin by seeing your list of Google contacts, and are directed to separate them into the appropriate Circles. Friends, Family, Acquaintances, and Following are the default circles; you can add as many as you'd like. There is, however, a bit of confusion about what exactly I'm doing with my contacts... I'm separating them into circles, and as they sign up for Google+, they'll be in place? What if they choose not to sign up? Do they remain in a circle taking up unnecessary space, and a visual reminder of who has chosen not to play along?

Also, it made me realize how many of my friends I have in my contact list without email addresses (which, at this point, is how their contacted). With nearly every friend I communicate with on Facebook, who needs email addresses? I only use them for business or bills.

At this point, I like what I see, but I'm not sold... yet. While there are features I like, I will first need a few things:

Facebook & Twitter integration. When I open my browser, Facebook is the first site I visit. I have too many friends and family members solidified within Facebook, that I want to know what's going on in their lives, and I doubt they'll make the jump to Plus as an early adopter. As an added bonus, it would be fantastic if I could organize my Facebook contacts into Circles, as well.

Blogger integration. I understand Blogger will be repackaged soon, and I have no specific suggestions, but if there was a way I could 'not' neglect this blog, I would welcome it.

Integration with Google Calendar. I use the calendar regularly. It would be interesting to see shared calendars from friends, that way I can know what's coming up that week, or even where they are now.

At the end of the day, I'm not buying Google+ taking over the world in the immediate future for a number of reasons, and while Circles may be one of the coolest features, I also believe it'll push people away. Geeks love lists and find them valuable, but I do not believe users looking for an easy social networking experience do.

I do not see my wife spending 15 minutes organizing her contact list into sets, mainly because she doesn't have the need or desire, but also because I'm not sure she's ever organized her personal address book!

I've been wrong before... but it's still early. We'll see.

Actually Making It Happen...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 04:01:00 +0000

It's taken me 30 years, but after hearing the same lesson over and over, I believe I finally understand.

It's been said that anyone can have a great idea, but it's the execution of that idea that separates people.

I've had a number of, what I believe, are very good ideas related to the company or business I was working for, but for whatever reason, I never executed them.

This will begin to change...

The Good & Bad Of Best Buy, Thanks To My Nook...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 05:09:00 +0000

I own a Nook e-reader from Barnes & Noble that was a gift purchased at Best Buy. About a week ago, I started seeing lines on the screen, so I planned to bring it to Best Buy for repair or replacement.

Wednesday, Rebecca and I were taking Olivia to the beach, so I brought the Nook along to make a stop at the Port Arthur store, since we'd be nearby.

I had my receipt in hand and spoke to the lady at the service counter. She was very friendly and legitimately looking for a way to help me.

Since I didn't purchase a protection plan, she recommend I talk to Geek Squad and see what my options were, and assumed that the 1-year manufacturers warranty would repair my Nook, but they'd likely need to send it away for repairs, leaving me without the device for at least a week or more.

I asked her if an even exchange was possible, so she took my receipt to give it a try. Because I purchased the Nook in February, June was far outside the return policy, but to my surprise, the system would allow an exchange. Unfortunately, there were no Nook readers in stock.

Apparently, Barnes & Noble is releasing a new version, causing the current stock to deplete. According to her computer, there was one available at the Beaumont location.

I thanked her for the help, and left planning to stop by the other location for my exchange. This would be a lot quicker than waiting for the repair to be shipped, fixed, and returned.

The next day, I stopped by the Beaumont location with my receipt, Nook, and power adapter hoping for an easy in-and-out exchange. This would not be the case.

For starters, the item I needed wasn't in stock, meaning I would have to send the product in for repair, or exchange it for in-store credit.

The girl at the register seemed genuine, but said the computer would not process my exchange since it was outside the window for returns or exchanges. I explained that the location in Port Arthur would allow the exchange, and after a brief conversation with her supervisor, she told me I was out of luck and would need to go to Port Arthur for the exchange.

I got the impression she thought I was trying to pull a fast one and was calling my bluff. The broken Nook sitting on the counter apparently wasn't enough for her to believe I had a legitimate problem.

I asked about repairing the device with the manufacturers warranty, but she was also unable to help, saying I needed to contact Barnes & Noble directly. When I mentioned the Port Arthur store recommended I go through Geek Squad, she replied that I could try it, but she didn't know.

At this point, my options are to (1) talk to Geek Squad about repairing the device, (2) ask to speak to her supervisor, but since she said "no" in the beginning, I didn't believe she'd be much help, or (3) return to Port Arthur for the exchange.

I decided I'd travel back to Port Arthur.

After the 20 minute drive, I spoke to the same girl from the day before and explained to her what happened in Beaumont. She rolled her eyes at the ridiculousness of the story, processed my receipt for the exchange, and (since they were still out of stock), gave me a Best Buy gift card for the amount of the original purchase.

I was out the door in 3 minutes.

Since there wasn't a Nook in stock, I decided I'll wait until the next generation hits stores. While I could get mine repaired, it was buggy and a bit clunky.

I imagine they have customers who try to take advantage of the system causing them to by cynical, but I had both a receipt from the original purchase, and a Nook that clearly showed it wasn't readable from the lines on the screen.

When the girl in Port Arthur told me an exchange was possible (causing me to bypass the long wait for the repair from the manufacturer), and the store nearby had the product in stock, it was a no-brainer. Unfortunately, Beaumont wasn't willing to play nice.

It's odd that the same system from different locations would process my receipt differently. Rather it's true or not, something felt 'fishy' about the situation.

Because she was extremely helpful, I will be sending a gift card from my restaurant and a 'thank you' note to the girl in Port Arthur. Also, when the new Nook is released, I will purchase it from her store, as well.

This is both the good and bad from these big box companies - they make corporate policies that allow returns or exchanges very easily, reducing the hassle for the consumer. However, some of your employees are willing to do the right thing for the customer, while some aren't.

I don't believe the girl in Beaumont (or even her supervisor for that matter) was trying to give poor customer service, I believe they were following policy. Unfortunately, that policy just caused this buyer to travel to the other location for future purchases, because they were willing to do right by the customer.

Since I live in nearby Orange, traveling to Port Arthur or Beaumont means I'm on the road the same amount of time. There is no inconvenience.

Except it doesn't look like the new Nook will be in Best Buy stores anytime soon. There's no word of a release date outside Barnes & Noble. I'm not looking forward to the wait.

DC In May...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Tue, 24 May 2011 07:39:00 +0000

Washington DC is a fantastic city. Beautiful monuments, lots of grey buildings, expensive food, heavy security, and culture were main themes of our trip.

It doesn't feel much like a vacation, though, because we walked all day, every day. But that's okay - we saw just about everything we wanted.

A few things we'll take away with us:

We noticed many of the professional women weren't married. Rebecca and I didn't see many wedding rings.
For the large number of pedestrians, there were very few garbage cans along the street. Unless you were in a National Park (like the Mall), they were hard to find.
The size of government is massive. Seeing each department housed in a building that spans multiple blocks adds perspective, and it makes me nervous.
Many conversations we heard from folks around town were about people's travels overseas to England, Japan, China, etc. I left with the impression people were expected to travel abroad; a far cry from families in the south encouraging their children to stay close by.
Everyone walks quite a bit. Many people used public transportation (again, very different from the south), meaning they walk many blocks from the Metro station to their place of employment.
Other than McDonalds, seeing fast food was rare. Finding fried food in restaurants was also rare. Everything was served in small portions.
Very few people had visible weight issues. Obviously a byproduct of the active lifestyle and healthier eating.

It was 8 days that we were glad to spend in DC. For my first time in our nation's capital (and my wife's second), we were able to see a lot in a city that offers something for everyone.

Slowly Becoming Coordinated...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:00:00 +0000

She's slowly getting herself coordinated enough to feed herself. Her first birthday is less than two weeks away, and she's getting smarter every day.

Makin' A Mess...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 07:03:00 +0000

She's learned this laugh, and I hear it often.

It's funny - she makes me smile.

We're Finally Going Home... To Texas...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 04:21:00 +0000

We're moving back to Texas. It's official.

I talked to my boss, asked for a transfer, and he was gracious enough to oblige. We leave Denver August 1st, and we expect to be in Texas by the 4th.

It was a personal decision, based on family. Luckily, my job was helpful.

Rebecca wants this move as much - and maybe more - than I do. She said, however, that the move wouldn't happen if she didn't know her parents would be moving nearby within a couple years. We feel confident that will happen soon.

While Denver will be a place we look back and appreciate, in the end, we never completely committed to living in Colorado. We never cared for the snowy winters, never truly felt welcome, and didn't do the best job of meeting people.

However, we began our lives together in this town. We lived a nice cosmopolitan lifestyle in the heart of uptown Denver that thrives with modern living. I spent two years working in professional sports, which was the thrill of a lifetime for a sports fan like me. Now I'm able to continue my career in the restaurant business that I hope lasts for quite some time. Rebecca was able to complete her education and gain valuable experience in the fashion industry. Most importantly, it was the home of my daughter for the first year of her life.

We'll have positive memories... but it never felt like home. Maybe that was our fault.

But it was never Texas. As a great friend of mine pointed out, "Now Olivia won't grow up in a sissy state."

It's time to go home. Soon enough, we'll be there.

A New Level Of Junkmail...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 05:05:00 +0000

I've received junk email before, but never to this level. It seems like these scam artists are running out of ideas.

You have been targeted for Assassination and the suspects has been Caught on Tape . We are contacting you to come and view or order for the CD to be forwarded to you .This information must not be share with anyone , until we forward this case to Home land Security and FBI to track down suspects involved . To stay safe , you need all the information on tape , as we expect any useful information you might detect from the tape to assist enforcement agency . Your feedback is very important and urgent.

Wow. Thankfully, I don't fall for this sort of thing.

Jim Joyce Costs Armando Galarraga A Perfect Game...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 05:54:00 +0000

I've never been a supporter of instant replay in baseball... until today.

Jim Joyce missed this call, and doing so, cost Armando Galarraga a place in history. Only 20 perfect games have been thrown in the history of Major League Baseball, and tonight, that number should have been 21.

Unfortunately for Joyce, he'll likely be remembered for this one call, just like Don Denkinger is known for his missed call in the 1985 World Series.

At least he admitted the mistake.

I'm interested to see how baseball will handle the situation.

She's Definitely Not Shy In Front Of The Camera...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Sat, 29 May 2010 06:05:00 +0000

Here's a collection of pictures we've taken over the past few weeks. Some are Olivia-Grace playing around the house, while others were from Rachel's graduation.

Then, tonight - while she's sleeping - I went to check on her when I got in from work. Watching my daughter sleep makes the world seem so peaceful.

Watch Her In Action...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:15:00 +0000

The lighting isn't the best, but it's a pretty decent reflection of our days and nights. Olivia runs around the house (mostly in circles), and we just watch and laugh.

Walking since 8 months, I'd says she's doing pretty good.

Kids These Days...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Wed, 19 May 2010 13:47:00 +0000

Because Fredi Gonzalez didn't play in the big leagues, he doesn't know how to hustle running after a baseball?

You're wrong, Hanley. Be a man and admit it... don't make it worse.

Texas Stadium Imploded...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 15:19:00 +0000

This hurts. Maybe it's necessary, but it feels like it's too soon, almost like seeing your girlfriend of so many years start dating another guy too soon after a breakup.

But I'm sure it's the right move... we gotta move on.

So Houston, what's the plan for the Astrodome?

The Effects Of Bad Health Care Legislation...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 06:16:00 +0000

On Sunday evening, March 21, 2010, the United States House of Representatives narrowly passed the most significant piece of social legislation in decades.

While both the White House and Democrat-led Congress pushed through a health care reform bill that a majority of Americans do not want, it's clear Washington will be more intrusive in our personal and private lives.

While I respect the educated opinions of those who differ from my point of view, lets reverse course momentarily and look at the language and potential affects of the bill.

According to a White House release, if you have health insurance:

You cannot be dropped, which is especially important if you get sick.
You cannot be turned down because of a pre-existing condition.
Out of pocket expenses are capped.
You will not be charged extra for preventative care such as flu shots.

However, if you do not have health insurance:

You can purchase health insurance through "The Exchange," which is a competitive marketplace vying for your dollars.
Tax credits will help you purchase insurance.
Low cost coverage for high risk patience through a pool paid for by the taxpayer.

These are the talking points from the White House.

While in a vacuum, I would love to see everyone with access to medical coverage, I do not believe this piece of legislation is the answer. Setting aside a liberal or conservative agenda, my personal research has found a number of potential weak spots with the current reform bill.

Doctors will become overbooked causing longer lines.
Insurance companies cannot turn down those with pre-existing conditions. Setting aside morality for a moment, companies deny pre-existing conditions for a reason: they cannot afford them. If their forced to pay for them, the cost is passed to others, causing your premiums to rise.
Services will likely be cut to maintain the profit margin.
16 million more Medicaid patients mean more crowded emergency rooms and longer wait times.
There isn't a surplus of doctors to begin with, so people will not see their doctors, they'll see nurse practitioners. The practitioners aren't trained on the new technology that's becoming available causing quality to fall.
New technology is expensive and will not be covered.
Medicare is cut and will begin to look more like Medicaid.
For companies that provide insurance and cover abortion, their employees must pay into the abortion pool; it's a mandate from the federal government.
With the IRS assigned to enforce Obamacare, it's estimated that $10 billion will be needed to hire new workers to enforce the new legislation. Where is that money coming from?

At the risk of getting into partisan bickering, those opposed to George W. Bush were quick to call much of his work - specifically the Patriot Act (which President Obama extended) - unconstitutional.

Conversely, I find myself having a difficult time finding where a requirement to purchase medical coverage or be hit with a penalty is constitutional.

The lack of outrage from those irritated by former President Bush leads me to believe those on the left have an attitude of the ends justifying the means.

'Screw big insurance companies, they make too much money and control too much.'

Was this really a fight against big insurance companies?

This legislation doesn't immediately hinder insurance companies, it strengthens them. The idea that you punish big insurance by forcing people to purchase their product makes no sense.

Down the road, however, this legislation may very well ruin private insurance. Earlier, I mentioned premium increases for you, the consumer. Consider this:

A reasonably healthy person will pay a couple thousand dollars per year for their premiums. They'll see the doctor and not be a major burden on the system.

Because they have insurance, they're at a lower risk of developing a major illness because they have 'preventative care.'

However, someone with a pre-existing condition immediately costs significantly more than those who are healthy. Instead of minor costs, they now require medical testing, surgeries, and hospital stays which private insurance companies pay for.

With enough of these patience, the insurance company cannot sustain it's business, so it passes the cost to other consumers who purchase their product. Now, the reasonably healthy person sees their costs increase in order to pay for the others.

There are positives in this bill, however.

More people will be covered (even if it bankrupts us).
It provides a safety net: if you lose your job, you can keep your insurance.
More doctors will accept Medicaid.

Over time, more and more pieces of the health care puzzle come into play. The Houston Chronicle had a great article from the Associated Press showing that timeline.

And with the Reconciliation Bill expected to pass, you can find an excellent side-by-side comparison of the changes currently on the table from the USA Today.

At the end of the day, everyone supports the idea that people should have access to health care, but this bill doesn't provide it responsibly.

Just because covering every American is the right thing to do, doesn't mean we should pass bad legislation.

We can find a way to make it work, but the passing of this bill - even with the changes that will likely soon come - isn't the answer.

The New 'Buzz' Around Google...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:41:00 +0000

I've heard of Google Buzz, but with much less time on my hands, I haven't taken the time to really dig into what all the 'buzz' was about. Today, it was released to the world.

Basically, it's Google's version of Twitter.

Like everything else with Google, there's a lot of integration across it's platform, and the very little I've played with it, I like it.

Facebook, Twitter, Picasa, YouTube, and Blogger are what I use most often; Google Buzz will probably join that list. What I like about the others is they're easily integrated, and I hope Buzz follows suit.

Facebook is great because 90% of my friends and family use it. Picasa and YouTube give me a place to post pictures and videos to add to my blog or link to my Facebook account.

Twitter's great because I can see what's going on with the world before it hits the airwaves (i.e. I found out about Michael Jackson's death before the news outlets jumped on board). Plus, it's a great source of information with links to relevant topics (i.e. politics, news, sports, etc.) beyond the typical mainstream sites. I like reading about healthcare from a source other than CNN, Fox News, or the Huffington Post.

With Twitter/Facebook integration, my tweets double as Facebook posts, so I can reach two audiences at once. Then my friends and family comment on Facebook, while other conversations get rolling on Twitter.

As you'll see in the video above, Google Buzz will be a fantastic tool with Google Maps integration, and the 'nearby' feature it offers, specifically in traffic situations as the example shows.

Twitter doesn't offer that level of integration, but it has it's own benefits.

Google Buzz seems the most sophisticated with location tagging which opens a world of possibilities. It would be great if I could buzz from my computer or phone and have my Facebook and Twitter status' updated with the same. Simple integration: that way, my posts get the relevant responses.

It'll be interesting to follow this technology and see where it goes.

...and if you haven't seen Google Goggles, you gotta check it out. With time and technology, this could be a fantastic tool!

It's 2:30am...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 08:54:00 +0000

I just put Olivia back to bed, and by the sounds on the baby monitor, she might be popping up again fairly quick. Instead of going to bed and waking up again, I'll just wait.

In the meantime, here are a few rumblings I've found on the web:

In the market for a new cell phone? No matter which company you've chosen, here's a 'how to' guide to getting the best deal from people within the business.
Nine out of every ten premium PC's sold at US retailers is a Mac. Apple's market share is growing and this article proves that people who have the money, buy a Mac.

Anyone with a Mac already knows the only reasons people don't spend the money to purchase one is because (1) they've never used one, or (2) they don't have the money.

If they have the money and are familiar with the operating system, they buy one... and never touch a PC again.
There was a time when I said this would be my next phone. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to be coming to T-Mobile in the immediate future, and from the reports I read, it's a bit sluggish. I would be interested in purchasing the Nexus One from Google, but I'm limited on the plan I can choose.

Because I'm looking for an Android phone from T-Mobile with a virtual keyboard that's aesthetically similar to the iPhone, my options are very limited. I don't like what's currently available to me.

...and my little girl's awake.

A Couple Videos...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:46:00 +0000

She's getting big, turning 6 months old yesterday.

Proving The Point, Time After Time...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:44:00 +0000

I'm currently updating the registration on my Mustang.

In Colorado, emissions testing is required before you can register your vehicle, and as you might expect, it's another shining example of our government at work.

The office of motor vehicles comes next, and I'm certainly looking forward to spending half my day waiting in line.

Each experience I have with the government (federal, state, or local level) reminds me why I hope they never take control of health care.

There's no one financially invested with hopes and dreams of improving the product, or making sure customer service is properly executed. No one cares, and the staff's performance proves it.

I challenge any liberal asking for governmental control to tell me they enjoy their experience at the DMV, social security office, or making a phone call to any other government entity. It's a pain, and everyone knows it.

Our healthcare system needs work - no one debates that point - but let's be real careful we don't put the wrong policies in place.

Man... Not Again...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:44:00 +0000

Life can't be a cakewalk all the time, right? It sure would be nice if it was, but it's fair to say "when it rains, it pours."

Rebecca has a tendency to kill the tires on my car. It's never her car - it's always mine. This morning was no different, as she woke me at 7:30am to tell me she was on the side of the road because she ran over something driving to work.

After a trip to Discount Tire, I replace the tire on my Mustang to find a screw in the tire of our Equinox. Now I'm back at the tire shop having it repaired.

Thankfully I don't work until 4:00 tonight.

It's The Smile That I Love...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:15:00 +0000

My aunt, uncle, and cousins took a trip to Steamboat Springs for Christmas, and a slight detour through Denver to visit for a couple days.

Feeling the need to entertain, the seven of us headed to P.F. Chang's for dinner until we realized it was too damn cold to be out of the house.

In the process, Olivia-Grace got her first taste of Dr Pepper and seemed to love it. Watch above for your video evidence.

Come On Man, Cut Me Some Slack...

noreply@blogger.com (M. Derrick Davis) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:36:00 +0000

My wife was in an accident last week, and thankfully wasn't hurt. The car, however, was. She rear-ended a driver in front of her who decided not to stay at the accident scene, but unfortunately for us, our Equinox is not driveable.

That means I'm dealing with insurance.

Thankfully, we have Progressive and they've made the process fairly harmless. The only hold-ups have been by me, not wanting to move forward until I know what the process is, instead of getting a rental replacement and being told we're not covered for this specific circumstance.

But today, I'm living very tight with Murphy's Law:

Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.

Our vehicle was supposed to be released from the tow yard yesterday, but I get a call from the body shop telling me the Equinox has yet to arrive. He says he'll investigate. Progressive calls to tell me the tow yard needs a verbal release from me before they'll let the tow company pick it up.

However, they don't seem to have on file that I verbally released the vehicle yesterday.

And I'm currently waiting for Enterprise to pick me up so I can get our rental, but the driver drove to the wrong location - they're blaming it on Map Quest. They must not be using the same website as I am, because I found it just fine.

I'd recommend Google Maps, but it seems like user error.

With a little down time, I'm completing my medical insurance enrollment through my employer, and as you would imagine, I've run into a snag there, as well. I need to complete a form that is linked on Lincoln Financial Group's website, but the link's broken. Sheesh...

On top of that, I'm installing tile at home, but my drill died before I could put the screws into the sub-flooring.

Now I need a new drill, which isn't too bad. I'll take any opportunity to purchase new power tools.

Thankfully, my daughter returns home tonight with my parents. Let's hope they have no problems or delays with the flight.

At least it gives me time to get the house cleaned.