Out Like a L.A.M.B.

The forecast for tonight includes 4 to 8 inches of snow. March: in like a lion, out like a Laser Alien Mutant Bovid.

Extra Banana Suggestion

On the countertop: five over-ripe bananas left over from the bunches I brought into work for my birthday. In my cookbook collection: "Perfect Light Desserts: Fabulous Cakes, Cookies, Pies, and More Made with Real Butter, Sugar, Flour, and Eggs, All Under 300 Calories Per Generous Serving". On page 77: Banana Loaf Cake, which uses EXACTLY 5 bananas. I followed the recipe as written, but didn't have the right size loaf pan. So, I used a muffin scoop to portion into 17 cupcakes instead, reducing the baking time to 30 minutes. HOLY COW THESE ARE GOOD!

What My Subconcious is Worried About

Yesterday we watched Robocop - the unrated version - on Blu-ray over at the Pikafoop abode. That is an obscenely violent and completely gross movie. I was a little concerned I'd get nightmares.

Last night I dreamed that I had gone on a trip to explore a jungle canyon and had FORGOTTEN my CAMERA.

A Watched File Never Downloads

In anticipation of my new computer arriving next week, I've been downloading programs ahead of time. I plan on using the downgrade option to XP Professional, and also adding a Linux partition. Here's what I've got collected so far:

Ubuntu and Kubuntu (I'll try both from the Live CD before choosing which one to install)
Bibble Pro for both Windows and Linux (already have it on Mac, they set up the licensing so you only pay once per user for Pro)
Adobe Reader for both Windows and Linux
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
iTunes 8 (my Mac running 10.3.9 is stuck at iTunes 7)
Mpix publishing software
Flickr Uploadr
Lego Digital Designer
TI-89 Titanium applications (NERD!)
Firefox
Thunderbird

I tried to download the Google Pack, but was repeatedly thwarted because I am using my Mac. Google kicks you out of the Windows download area and into a "here's what works on YOUR computer, loser" area if you aren't on a Windows computer. I sent a "suggestion" but if you know somebody who knows somebody who works there, could you point this out? Other sites that auto-detected that I'm using a Mac did let me download the Windows software once I clicked through to a special page. Unless there is some really good reason why the computer the software will be used on is the one that does the downloading, this is an aggravating limitation.

Enough ranting. The main reasons I wrote this post are to document the download links and to ask for more ideas. I use Windows at work (got the MS Office 2007 Enterprise suite through the Home Use Program for $19.95) but just for work-related tasks. (Sure, ProE or Zemax would be fun to have at home, but I'm not rich.) Which Windows applications do you like having and using at home? Which Linux applications should I be sure to install from the Ubuntu CD? Did anything in my list above kick your dog and throw up on your hard drive?

Exciting times. My iBook G4 has given me five good years, but it is time to move on.

Nearly Free Blender

Big shopping score tonight:
This KitchenAid blender at our local Bed Bath and Beyond has a price tag of $119. I used a 20% off coupon from the mail for $24 off. I used three Discover cash-back bonus gift cards for $75 off. AND there is a $20 rebate on the model right now. $24 + $75 + $20 = $119 so I just had to pay sales tax.

Banana-Oatmeal smoothies for breakfast tomorrow!

(My old el-cheapo blender is no longer with us after an ice-cube and frozen-berries mixture didn't blend.)

Abbreviated Trip Report

DSCN1745
Originally uploaded by prismglass

Cozumel was AMAZING. I managed to spend time actually relaxing on an actual beach with an actual tropical drink in my hand. San Miguel is a vibrant, friendly town, fun during the day and still hopping at night. We got to see one of the Carnival parades on our last night there. Hotel Flamingo worked out really well for us. We will NEVER go on a cruise, based on the behavior of the passengers on land and our reaction to a particularly rough ferry ride.

I spoke some Spanish, and some Spanglish, but mostly English. Getting pesos out of the ATM and using those instead of USD saved us a lot of money. Plus, we realized that a bottle of beer was cheaper than a bottle of water at restaurants. I ate fish, shrimp, fish wrapped in banana leaf, shrimp stuffed inside a chile relleno, fish tacos, guacamole, and "Mexican salsa, very hot." You'll even see a few pictures of the cats at the seafood restaurants, begging at the tables for scraps.

We spent one day on the mainland and took a Collectivo (shared taxi) to see the Tulum ruins. There were iguanas all over the place. In the evening we walked down the main drag of Playa Del Carmen. There were Europeans all over the place.

Overall a great vacation - I'd seriously consider going back again to do some things we missed.