More on HP TouchSmart IQ504 PC

Below is a video link to a demo that shows the various features of the latest HP TouchSmart PC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=173fPhCyXHE

HP TouchSmart IQ504 PC

I've ordered a new desktop computer - from Staples. I'll write more about the specifics, regarding the purchase, at my next blog post. The link below provides information about this rather unique desktop computer. I saw the first generation TouchSmart last January, at the 2008 CES event in Las Vegas. I rather liked what I saw at CES and the second generation product has several significant improvements that make it even more appealing - and at a lower price than the original. Check it out. My new HP TouchSmart is due to arrive next week.


http://www.elitezoom.com/hp-touchsmart-iq504-touchscreen-pc.html

New Addition to the Family Room

What with the Beijing Olympics being telecast next month, the not too far off football and basketball season within sight, and of course, the new fall season of network shows starting in just a few weeks, I decided that it was time to upgrade the family room television to a digital format. Our 61 inch Sony rear projection set had served us well for the last five years, but the time had come to purchase a HD TV. The questions, as always when considering this kind of purchase, are what size screen will fit best in the viewing room and should the set have a plasma or LCD screen. The 1080p part was a given. There are other factors (such as the brand) to consider, but these are the basic questions that I was trying to address during my extended search for a new TV.

I settled on a LCD screen, but in doing so I made some compromises. First, was regarding screen size. My preference was to buy a unit that had a screen between 58 and 65 inches, but the prices for those units were more than I felt were reasonable - at least compared to TVs a few inches smaller. The cost to value, relating to the screen size, is currently in the 52 inch range. Go larger than 52 inches and the price escalates considerably. Also, screens in the 58 inch and above range tend to be of the plasma type. I did not rule out buying a plasma unit, but my preference was for the LCD format. The LCD screens tend to be brighter and you eliminate the risk of "burn in" with a LCD screen. I found my best value at Sears. Sears had a display model that was steeply discounted and well bench tested (it had been on display for approximately five months), so I went for it. With a little help from my neighbor Al (thanks so much for your help, Al), using his trusty Tahoe truck (great vehicle for hauling a large screen TV), we moved the one hundred and two pound TV home without a hitch. With the HDMI hookup connected to my previously purchased blue ray player (a BEST Buy Insignia brand) and another port connected to my newly acquired Comcast DVR (that now makes for two DVR's), I was ready for the fall TV season.

I really like the Regza. It's not at the top of most HDTV ratings, but it fares extremely well against the Sony XBR, the Sharp Aquos and the Pioneer Elite. Several online reviews have been quite favorable toward the Regza and even more so if you factor in the cost. You can see a picture of the new addition to our family room to the right and at the bottom of the blog page. Can't wait for the Olympics and Kings games to start!!!

Froday Night at the Movies

Our recent Friday Night at the Movies gathering was a lot of fun. Participants brought their spouses, except for Dave - no spouse to bring (we expect that to change in a short time), so the format for our meeting was a little different from the usual session when it's just the guys present. For the special occasion, Nancy and I decided to have a barbecue, with all the fixings. Together we prepared barbecue chicken legs, hot dogs and hamburgers. We also had plenty of fruit (grapes, peaches, bananas, strawberries, plums, cantaloupe), chips, dips, tomatoes and corn on the cob. No one left hungry.

Our movie for the night was "Bucket List". Nicholson and Freeman are still at the top of their game. During our intermission we had dessert. There were two choices - coconut cream pie, or angel food cake with strawberries. If you wanted, you could also add a few more calories by topping your choice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

After the movie, some of the participants stayed for a discussion regarding the movie's script. We bantered about various ways that the Bucket List script might have been rewritten, but eventually we concluded that the movie was very entertaining, and very thought provoking, just as it was written.

Everyone seemed to have a good time and there wasn't as much food left over as I had anticipated. We must be big eaters. All and all - a great gathering!

You Try Eating Cherries With a Big Fork!

5:00 pm - Fourth of July

Regarding that blog picture of me. OK, so what if there is a little cherry juice splattered here and there; you try eating cherries with a big fork! Besides, we're all here at Nana and Richard's house to eat a lot of food and just have a "good ol" time. I went swimming, kicked the ball around the basketball court, danced to some old school songs, watched a few Sponge Bob cartoons and sort of ate my Fourth of July meal with my big fork. Wow, after having so much fun, I'm really exhausted! I'm really starting to feel all of my fifteen months of age. I think it's about time for a nap. I've just got to get some rest before the boys go out front to the driveway to set off their fourth of July fireworks. Later....

9:00 pm

I'm back, and ready for more action, but I really underestimated just how loud and scary fireworks can be when you are seated right next to the location where the boys decided to set them off. Pow- bam- flash-screech! REALLY, REALLY LOUD!!!! That can sure get your attention fast! As a result, Mom decided it might be best to take me inside for a while - you know, just so she wouldn't get too stressed out from all that racket going on.Really, I'm fine. Anyway... some of this stuff is kind of new to me - but I'm sure having a great time checking it all out! Hope you are too! Happy Fourth of July to you all!
Hey Mom - did you bring any earplugs??

Baby Brandon

Casandra's Dream

I usually like Woody Allen movies, but Casandra's Dream was a big disappointment. Woody has recently decided to film in England, rather than his more familiar habitat - New York City. He is a bit of a fish out of water when he leaves New York and Casandra's Dream leaves you hopping that Woody will decide to depart Britain asap and return to his homeland. Casandra's Dream is not the worst movie of the year, but as one reviewer mentioned, it pales in comparison to his earlier films. If you just must see every film that Woody Allen writes, you will probably want to skip the below link which reviews his latest effort - Casandra's Dream. I guess if you don't set your hopes too high, you might enjoy certain parts of this film. I did find some scenes somewhat intriguing. But after seeing the entire film, I kind of felt like I had just watched a rather mediocre "B" movie. Let me know if you agree or disagree. Below is the link to a review of Casandra's Dream:

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cassandras_dream/articles/1706178/cassandras_dream_lacks_energy_and_spark_monotonous_and_simplistic_it_is_definitely_not_worthy_of_woody_allen