I want to start writing in my journal again, so I’ll try again with a fresh TiddlyWiki. For a customized look, I installed the K2Blog theme from TiddlyThemes.

Sadly, TiddlyWiki doesn’t seem to be popular, so I don’t know of a site with newer themes. Don’t ask.

Do any of you keep a private journal? Online or offline? What program or service?

PRICE CHANGE NOTICE

Attention AT&T High Speed Internet Members: Starting with your March 2010 bill, the monthly rate for your AT&T High Speed Internet Express, Pro or Elite plan will increase $3 (or $3.01) per month. For details and rate information for your specific plan, please go to http://support.att.com/dslupdate or call 1.866.417.6819.

(My emphasis added in bold.)

I have the Pro service for $30/month. So, twelve months from when it starts increasing, it’ll be $66?!

The text is unbelievable. Someone please clarify.

Related: FCC Commissioner Calls For Examination Of Broadband Price Hikes (MediaPost, March 10, 2010)

I choked it by overlooking that a single order of QuikStrips doesn’t include a SensorSwipe. You can only get that with one of the packages and I don’t need Eclipse solution. I emailed Copper Hill Images and Nicholas included it for $10 extra. That was a close one!

A 100-pack of QuikStrips is $8.95 with free shipping. I won’t have to buy a SensorSwipe, so aside from the sensor cleaning solution, that’s $0.09/pad.

Suggestion: I think they should sell the SensorSwipe by itself (or bundled with QuikStrips) for those who are in my position.

Lastly, the shipment from Virginia arrived here in California in two days with USPS Priority Mail. Very cool. I don’t think UPS Ground would’ve been as fast. (Copper Hill Images – Shipping information)

I’ll happily clean my sensor tomorrow. (I guess that means there will be part two: reviewing QuikStrips from Copper Hill Images.)

P.S. Before you ask, I’ve taken my camera to Canon in Irvine to get cleaned. No thanks, I’ll do it myself.

Update 2010-03-19 — This morning, I finally got a reply via email from Photographic Solutions 11 business days later. Horrible.

The last problem with my car: the door ajar light.

I asked the person who installed my aftermarket car alarm to look at it, but he basically ignored me — for several years.

I drove more often a few years ago, so my battery probably didn’t get drained like it did recently because it was always getting charged while driving around.

After getting my third battery (DieHard Gold) had to be replaced within three months of buying it, I was fed up.

Two days ago, I took my car to a local shop (Pro Tint) in Temple City. Their diagnostic service was $25. After waiting three hours, I was told the alarm “brain” circuitry was causing the problem. I was charged $10 more since the removal service was $35. He handed me the “brain” and I went on my way.

I hope that’s the last of my car issues.

Lessons learned:

• When you get a new/used car, find the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule and stick to it. (For my 2003 Toyota Corolla S, I should replace the engine oil/filter every 5,000-7,000 miles and automatic transmission fluid flushed every 30,000 miles.)
• If you think you’ll need immediate support with a product or service, choose a company/person who dedicates their time for that.

Later that afternoon, I tried to take a photo. “Camera start error.” What?!

Fortunately, a search at HowardForums brought me to this thread. Applying pressure around the lens area fixed the problem. (I didn’t hear any snaps or pops, but I’ll take it.)

The only way to see my freshest photos are from Flickr. I don’t upload to my Zenfolio account regularly unless a photo is pretty epic or it’s for a customer.

I need to change that. All Narfed Up is a melting pot of randomness.

My business cards point to Bryan Villarin.com, which has been a hub to find all my sites. But, I’ve been neglecting the blog section (bad from a business standpoint).

Not anymore. I’m going to use Bryan Villarin.com as my dedicated photography blog while All Narfed Up is for everything else.

While I won’t be transferring any content, I’ll probably link to older photography-related posts at All Narfed Up.

See you over there!

Bryan Villarin | Subscribe via RSS

Now, 3RVX gives me a slick on screen volume indicator like Macs. Sweet! (Hat tip: Lifehacker)