Totally sucks.  I just can't believe it.  Tim's awesome 4Runner was stolen from his work tuesday while he was working.  We are still looking for it, but it's been a few days already.  From what I've been reading, if it's not found in the first two day, it's usually never found.  I'll add some photos here, so if anyone sees it please call the Auburn, CA police department and report it.

Had a blast on the T-Fab run yesterday.  Got to hang out and talk to tons of people.  The WZ ran great and the new bump stops were very nice.

So first thing in the morning, 7am, I got my lazy butt out to the Garage to finish my bump stops.  I had to cut and weld them on.  My original idea didn't pan out too well, so I modified the way I mocked it up to do different.  So, first thing in the morning I'm out there trying to hurry and get it done.  Got it almost done then ran out of welding wire.  Oops.  They were taked pretty good so off I went.

Got to the trail head and figured out what trail everyone was on.  Caught up with everyone and was surprised to see half of them hadn't even made it up the first obstacle yet.  This was about 1pm.  So the fun began.

I pretty much drove the 2nd waterfall in reverse just to show off.  Well, I was backing up to it, then I turned around to do it and everyone was yelling to do it backwards.  So I turned around and did it.

I had a blast.

There is two things that really annoy me on the Mac, and it's not only the Mac that does this.

1. Windows opening up under other windows. Dialogs opening up under other windows. This really irks me. When you open up a new window, it should be front most on the screen. Same with dialog windows. Why do they hide under other windows. And the dialog windows won't show up in expose so you have to start moving windows around trying to find the dialog.

2. When a dialog pops up while you're typing at the moment you press enter. The dialog goes away with the default option, or you you're still typing while it's making the error beep until your fingers slow down. Or you're trying to finish something and a dialog keeps you from it. Dialog windows should come up front most but not take focus until you click them.

These are two things I really miss about my old Linux environment.

If the iPod Touch had a mic, GPS, and a compass then the iPhone would be done. The only reason for picking the iPhone is for those items. If the Touch had them then I would buy that and a Verizon MyFi and use Skype for phone and be done with AT&T. Then I could use my Laptop anywhere also (two for the price of one).

Yeah, I know, I would have to have two devices to make a phone call. But at least I would have 3G at my house and I would have back up internet if my ISP gets slow or goes out. And the MyFi is pretty small.

But sometimes Apple makes poor decisions that help their share holders instead of the customers buying their products. Their business deals may be not so hot, but their hardware and software is top notch. That alone makes up for their bad business sense.

I've been searching google for what seems like months to figure out why I can't get my Merb dev running. Well, the last gem update that I did upgraded Merb and Datamapper. They are not compatible.

So if you see the following error, that is why.

DataMapper::Resource.descendants is deprecated, use DataMapper::Model.descendants instead (/opt/local/ruby-enterprise/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/merb_datamapper-1.0.12/lib/merb_datamapper.rb:59:in `run')

/opt/local/ruby-enterprise/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/merb_datamapper-1.0.12/lib/merb_datamapper.rb:61:in `run': undefined method `merge' for # (NoMethodError)

If you're a programmer and you don't use a Mac, you hate your job.

Creating services with Automator is freaking genius.  So easy and so useful, it's a whole new world of less typing.  Watch some of the Mac Break podcasts on automating Snow Leopard.

I got a copy of Snow Leopard last night.  I installed it last night.  Everything went well with the install...  Until today.

None of my development tools were working.  Here is a running list of issues:

1. MacPorts had to be totally reinstalled (Plus all my ports).
   
   
   
   • Postgres was a bugger to get working.
   
   
   • After reinstalling everything it starting getting easier.
   
   
   
   


2. Ruby Enterprise needed to be reinstalled.


3. All my gems needed to be reinstalled.
   
   
   
   • Of course the pg gem was being a pain.
   
   
   
   

Finally got everything re-installed and now Rails and Merb both are working again.  Whew.

For years we have had issues with our neighbors and they're barking dogs.  Our neighbors are good people, but their dogs drive Jane and I up the wall.

Their poor dogs are just left out day and night with nobody around.  They get no exercise and no companionship.

Just recently our other neighbors got two dogs.  Now they are barking all night long.  I'm not taking a few barks every few hours.  I'm talking constant barking for hours and hours.  Basically all night long.

The dogs sleep all day and bark all night long on both sides of our house now.  It's starting to become unbearable.

I'm not sure what to do.  Asking them to quiet their dogs does not work.  Nothing becomes of it.  I don't know why it doesn't bother them.  They are much closer to their dogs, yet its like they don't hear them.  I can see all their lights on at their house during the night.  They must be up, but why can't they hear the constant barking.

I'm thinking that what I'll do is buy the brightest light I can and aim it right at their house.  Then just flip that thing on all night long.  Maybe even get a blinking light or something.  I wonder if that would even work.  They are probably blind as well as deaf.

The WZ is getting closer to being finished.  Got the last of the panels made and put on.  Thanks Smash!  This weekend I really need to pull the injector pump off and fix the leaks.  I have a full seal kit, I just need to put all the seals in.  It's leaking really bad right now.

Maybe, maybe I'll paint the panels this weekend too.  I really need to get it all one color.  The hood is white, so I'm thinking I'll paint the panels white too.  That should get me by until I finally choose a color for it.  White is a good base color anyway.

Wicked Zuk + all panels

Had a blast wheeling with Werty at Prison Hill today. It was off the hook.