Category Archives: Trivia

RunKeeper

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It’s been about two years now that I’ve started running regularly. The RunKeeper app for iPhone has been an effective motivator because it offers free training plans. I am doing the sub 55 minute 10K. RunKeeper tracks my route and elevation using GPS. It also has a heart rate monitor using the chest strap from Wahoo. After the run I can analyze the run on RunKeeper.com and see my speed, pace, elevation, heart rate and elapsed time with a pinpoint on a map. So I can see my heart rate and speed change as I climb the killer hill.

I’m up to nine miles now and will run ten next week. Robert Gauthier and I run together occasionally – he’s crazy into running.

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Here’s an audio recording of when my muffler broke on my Toyota Echo. The recorder’s microphone did not capture the bass frequencies. It was much louder than what was recorded. The muffler would have been louder than the audio for my voice.

Muffler

Lost a Netflix DVD

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We lost Monsters Inc, a rented DVD from Netflix. The website has a spot where you can report a shipping or DVD problem. The choices are:

  • I haven’t received the DVD yet
  • I received a mailer without a DVD in it
  • I received the wrong DVD
  • The DVD is damaged, scratched or unplayable
  • I don’t have the white sleeve or red envelope to return the DVD
  • I returned this DVD, but Netflix hasn’t received it
  • I have lost or damaged this DVD and would like to pay for it

So I called Netflix about the matter. By the way, they have an great feature on the website where a code is generated next to the telephone number. By entering the code, the customer service rep has my account information ready without a million questions to verify my identify. The lady said that a lost DVD would cost $14 charged to my account. I was hoping she would have mercy and waive the fee altogether. Here’s the good part, Netflix will refund the fee if the movie is found and returned at a later date. So, I charged the $14 and hoped for the best.

**Before I could finish this blog, Heather found the missing DVD buried under bills on our desk upstairs. We’re not paying the bills – just moving them.

Google’s Sesame Street Doodle – please stop

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Google has been celebrating Sesame Street’s 40th anniversary for about a week now. Their doodle is one of the Sesame characters. Although they are quite cute, I was tired of it on day two. When will they stop? Probably Nov 10, which is Sesame Street’s anniversary.

It doesn’t matter the browser of course, as long as Google is loaded, you will get Sesame Street. Firefox, Google chrome, and Internet Explorer has the doodle graphics. There’s no escaping Google’s reach here. Fortunately, I turned on my iGoogle theme to escape the Cookie Monster. Hopefully the monster will run out of cookies soon so we can get back to a more sophisticated web environment.

Disable Seat Belt Alarm for 2007 Toyota Camry

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It took a lot of searching and experimenting but I finally figured out how to turn off the seat belt alarm on my 07 Toyota Camry. The owner’s manual said to contact the dealer to disable the seat belt chime. After calling three dealers, they all said it could not be done. I considered cutting the wires and then fusing them together – thinking that would simulate a closed (buckled) circuit. But it’s too tight under the seat to work with wires. So, onto the Internet to get a cheat for defeating the seat belt alert – lots of answers.

The one that worked was to disconnect the cables under the seat. There are two bundles of wires, one with white connectors and the other with yellow. Simply disconnect the white connector and the seat belt warning bell is turned off.

The light still displays on the dash so the weight sensors are operable. Everything else works fine.

Yes, we DO wear our seatbelts.

The Last Mowing of the Lawn

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The days have become shorter than the nights, the frost is our frequent friend, and the summer green has left the trees. I blew the leaves off the yard and mowed the grass for the last time this year.

frost on grass

I love mowing the grass. So, it’s a sad event, this last mowing of the grass. The changing of the seasons from life to death to new life again in the spring. Mowing the lawn with my push mower is so simple and good exercise. The smell of fresh cut lawn is invigorating. I like to lean on my deck railing to admire the beauty of the lawn after the mowings. God has given me a wonderful gift in the lawn that we have. Thank you, Lord.

The first mowing on May 17th until today has been just over 5 months. Only 7 more months before I start mowing the grass again. I can’t wait!

Things I’m proud of but didn’t get credit for doing

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What would it look like if a person attempted to take a snapshot photo of someone’s life. Of course, many formal roles and accomplishments would surface. These are the items that appear on a resume, certificate of appreciation, or during a job promotion. Other meaningful items that contribute to the character of a person often go unnoticed.

So, here are some of those hidden yet meaningful things I’m proud of but didn’t get credit for doing.

  • Husband of the world’s most beautiful woman
  • Father of adorable twins
  • Learned new Technology skills such as web design, Adobe software using Total Training DVDs, live sound reinforcement, operation of all technical equipment, etc
  • Built my own house – except the top and garage.
  • Landscaped my vast and beautiful property – including a fountain
  • World traveler to 12 countries
  • Hosted a foreign exchange student from Russia
  • 40% of my responses were chosen as “Best Answer” on Yahoo Questions
  • robsoukup.info ranked #1 in a Google search for “Rob Soukup” in July 2007
  • Taught many teens how to drive a standard transmission car.

Space Heater

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Heather and I wanted to purchase a space heater but not any space heater would do. We want to use it for bath time, to heat the bedroom before sleeping, and for watching a movie in the basement. It has to be small and quiet. Radiant heat is the best because it travels even in our large basement. One by one I purchases heaters. Each one I returned until I found the best heater. Attempt #4 finally got the one we wanted. It’s a radiant heat tower that oscilates no forced air – perfectly cosey and no noise. Nice.

Rob’s First Post

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I’m setting up the blog software by reading the manual. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking, “Who really reads the manual?” Well, I do. I figure that I save time in the long run by setting things up properly.

Well begun is half done.