Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me?

Background Audio Too Loud

2013-07-30T08:41:00.000-07:00

Have you had the problem that you're watching a show and all the background audio is louder than the dialogue? We did while watching Doctor Who recently. We tried changing a lot of the audio settings to no avail. Then I did some research online and found a solution that worked for me. Turned out to have something to do with the surround sound settings on my tv. On mine it was called SAP, I changed that to Stereo and things got a ton better right away. I also read something that said that on your equalizer settings, the central channel is typically the one for dialogue. I adjusted that as well and it's now working much better. Let me know if this helps you out.

My Second Wonderful Redbox Idea

2012-10-22T06:17:00.000-07:00

I had a great idea for Redbox.com a while ago and I think they used it, although I have no way of knowing or proving it. I loved using Redbox, but felt limited by the fact that they only ever had brand new movies. So I suggested to them they carry some of the old classics. A short time later I saw "Redbox Replay" appearing in my local machines. Now I think they just say the movie is "Here Again." So this time, before I send them my idea, I want to have some evidence that I came up with it. So here it is, I call it the "Red List" or the "Red-y List." I like on Hulu and other places how I have a Queue. I want the same thing at Redbox.com. I mainly rent from Redbox online, but it would be useful for the walk up customers too. Here's how I see it working. You login, and browse movies. If you are interested in something, you add it to your List. Now you can search local Redboxes for the movies in your list (and it would save me that head-scratching every time saying, "What was that movie that sounded good to me last time?") or you can walk up to a Redbox and swipe your card that is associated with your account and it will tell you if any of the movies on your list are in that machine. So there you have it! Look for it in a Redbox near you soon! (I mean, they used my last idea, right?)

The Art of Exceptional Living by Jim Rohn

2010-09-21T07:28:00.000-07:00

Dr. Scholls for Back Pain

2010-09-07T05:39:00.000-07:00

My chiropractor started talking to me about orthotics because of my fallen arches and low back pain. Since I couldn't afford the custom made ones, I picked up some of these and they have really helped. It was a good investment.

Who is the best real estate agent in Utah?

2010-06-01T09:46:00.000-07:00

In my opinion, that would be Jerri Snarr. http://www.jerrisnarr.com/ Jerri works off referrals and that is one of the reasons I am recommending her to you now. We found her through some good friends in our condo complex after they sold and moved away. Jerri was able to help us get our condo sold when it didn't look like it was even going to be possible. We loved working with her and think you would be very pleased with the service and results she can deliver for you.

Where can I get customized wall plaques and signs to decorate my home and commemorate special occasions?

2010-05-31T07:51:00.000-07:00

I know the perfect place to get customized wall plaques and signs because my brother is now running a company that does just that. TimberCreekDesign.com They have a number of popular designs all ready to go like President Hinckley's Way to Be aka Be-Attitudes, but they have a set up that is fully customizable. My wife and I visited them and designed our very own plaque with Proverbs 3:5-6. Now that I've seen first hand how the process is done, I am realizing how endless the possibilities could be. We are thinking of creating some art work and I have already started a Transformers board for my son.

Are there any comedians out there that are clean and hilarious?

2010-05-26T21:01:00.000-07:00

I just recently found Brian Regan and all I can tell you is that I haven't laughed that much in a long time. I don't really enjoy comedy that is crude, I find myself cringing rather than laughing. That was definitely not the experience I had with Brian Regan.

How do I convert my Mountain Bike into a Road Bike for very little money?

2010-05-26T20:58:00.000-07:00

I signed up to do a charity ride this year and needed a cheap way to convert my mountain bike to a road bike. I did some research and found the Avenir Streetster Tires. There were the best deal around. They get you up to 80 psi which some of the other cheaper slick tires do not do. I also had to buy additional tubes to fit the 1.5 inch width but they were only about $5 each.

Why aren't my dishes getting clean in the dishwasher?

2010-05-26T20:52:00.000-07:00

When we got our first house, we were frustrated all the time with how dirty the dishes where after going through the dishwasher, even on the pots and pans cycle. It took a little while, but we found out that the detergent you use can make all the difference. I recommend Cascade.

Where can I get movie recommendations and suggestions based on what I like?

2010-05-26T20:47:00.000-07:00

Occasionally you find a movie that you love but that you never heard of before. That is why I love being able to get movie recommendations based on movies I already like. I tried flixster for a while, but there was a lot that made me unhappy with that service. I did the set up on hollywoodvideo, but that went away and all my movie ratings were lost. So where do I suggest you go now. Movielens! movielens.umn.edu/

What are some great classic books?

2010-05-26T20:40:00.000-07:00

When I decided to read some of the classics (see my post on Amusing Ourselves to Death) I would not have thought I would find two books that I would enjoy so much. Alexandre Dumas writes wonderful and exciting adventures and I think you will truly miss out if you don't read The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers.

What is the greatest movie of all time?

2010-05-26T20:34:00.000-07:00

This movie is fantastic. Suspense, Romance and Comedy. I love all the twists and turns and I love watching it with someone who's never seen it to see them react to each new direction the plot takes you. Cary Grant become one of my favorite actors after I saw this movie. Also, you can check out my post about finding movies you will like.

What is a good book about TV and how it has changed us?

2010-05-26T20:30:00.000-07:00

I love this book. It makes you want to throw your television out the window. It is amazing the decrease in vocabulary, attention span and more as compared to common people at the time of Abraham Lincoln. TV has made our world a world of entertainment rather than learning. I would love to see this book updated with a study about our current generation with internet and cell phone texting. No doubt things are only getting worse. This is the book that encouraged me to commit to reading classic literature and I have immensely enjoyed many of the books I've read since this book woke me up.

I wish babies came with an owner's manual, where can I find answers as a new parent?

2010-05-26T17:08:00.000-07:00

I jokingly call this book "The Manual" because to me it is that longed for owner's manual for babies. With our first baby arriving and both sets of grandparents out of the country, we were so glad to have this book and all the information it provided. So many times we had what we felt would be an obscure question, but it would be right there in the index and gave very helpful information.

I need help parenting, how do I get control of my kids?

2010-05-26T17:04:00.000-07:00

If you are a parent, you may have heard people mention Love and Logic. I had, but I had no idea it would have so many good ideas and good information that was easy to start applying the day we started reading the book.