Yay! Blog! http://www.ssmrocks.com/kimnovak/mt/blog/ Vocalist Kim Novak's not quite daily postings about stuff she's thinking. en-us Kim Novak Copyright 2010 2010-01-09T17:37:36-06:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Class Action http://www.ssmrocks.com/kimnovak/mt/blog/archives3/2010_01.php#003734 I got an e-mail saying I am a member of a class action lawsuit against a popular online flower seller. It said that because I had made a purchase between specific dates and there was a shipping charge, I was entitled to a $10 voucher toward the purchase of flowers there.

Doesn't that seem to benefit the flower seller more than me? You can't get delivered flowers for $10.

I'm suspicious that it's really a promotional e-mail instead of a lawsuit.

]]> 3734@http://www.ssmrocks.com/kimnovak/mt/blog/ I got an e-mail saying I am a member of a class action lawsuit against a popular online flower seller. It said that because I had made a purchase between specific dates and there was a shipping charge, I was entitled to a $10 voucher toward the purchase of flowers there.

Doesn't that seem to benefit the flower seller more than me? You can't get delivered flowers for $10.

I'm suspicious that it's really a promotional e-mail instead of a lawsuit.

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]]> What's Going On? 2010-01-09T17:37:36-06:00 New Austin law prohibits texting while driving and more http://www.ssmrocks.com/kimnovak/mt/blog/archives3/2009_12.php#003733 Austin City Council passed an expanded version of a ban on texting while driving. I'm all for it. They expanded it to include doing anything with your phone besides talking. I'm all for that, too, except I don't see why people need to talk on their phones while driving either.

I don't use my phone in the car, so that part won't affect me. I do use my iPod, though, and even though the ban doesn't include iPods, a cop won't know whether I'm fooling with a phone or an iPod before he pulls me over. I don't want to get pulled over, so I can't be switching from music to podcast on my iPod while driving in Austin anymore. It should be noted, the ban doesn't include time sitting at a stop light, so there will be plenty of opportunities for me to goof around with it in between the mobile segments of an in-town trip.

]]> 3733@http://www.ssmrocks.com/kimnovak/mt/blog/ Austin City Council passed an expanded version of a ban on texting while driving. I'm all for it. They expanded it to include doing anything with your phone besides talking. I'm all for that, too, except I don't see why people need to talk on their phones while driving either.

I don't use my phone in the car, so that part won't affect me. I do use my iPod, though, and even though the ban doesn't include iPods, a cop won't know whether I'm fooling with a phone or an iPod before he pulls me over. I don't want to get pulled over, so I can't be switching from music to podcast on my iPod while driving in Austin anymore. It should be noted, the ban doesn't include time sitting at a stop light, so there will be plenty of opportunities for me to goof around with it in between the mobile segments of an in-town trip.

Comments (3)

Comments on this Entry:

(Rob on Dec 24, 2009 6:24 AM) I'm almost at the point where cell phone usage ought to be so expensive that they would only be used in emergencies. Merry Christmas, Kim.

(kim on Dec 24, 2009 8:32 AM) Merry Christmas, Rob!

(heidi on Dec 25, 2009 11:54 AM) i don't know about that kim, just like drinking if you drink u drink it does not matter how much...(m comparing cell phone 2 ipod)! ps-don't forget 2 light candles for peace

]]> What's Going On? 2009-12-23T15:18:50-06:00 Not selling CDs http://www.ssmrocks.com/kimnovak/mt/blog/archives3/2009_12.php#003731 I've been feeling like removing another layer of clutter around the house. I gathered up 39 of my CDs that I thought I could let go, and went to Secondspin.com to see how much they would pay. Most of them were 10 cents. I'd rather throw the CDs away than sell them for 10 cents, especially when I have to mail them in and pay postage. Ten of them were worth around $2.00. So just for those after postage, I'd get about $16. Doesn't feel worth it.

I've never been big on doing a lot of work to get rid of stuff. I just want it gone. Maybe I'll take them to Goodwill and write them off as a charitable contribution. How much would you value them for charitable purposes? $1 apiece?

]]> 3731@http://www.ssmrocks.com/kimnovak/mt/blog/ I've been feeling like removing another layer of clutter around the house. I gathered up 39 of my CDs that I thought I could let go, and went to Secondspin.com to see how much they would pay. Most of them were 10 cents. I'd rather throw the CDs away than sell them for 10 cents, especially when I have to mail them in and pay postage. Ten of them were worth around $2.00. So just for those after postage, I'd get about $16. Doesn't feel worth it.

I've never been big on doing a lot of work to get rid of stuff. I just want it gone. Maybe I'll take them to Goodwill and write them off as a charitable contribution. How much would you value them for charitable purposes? $1 apiece?

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]]> Music - Other People's 2009-12-06T15:41:31-06:00 UT, Lowes and Christmas http://www.ssmrocks.com/kimnovak/mt/blog/archives3/2009_12.php#003730
  • I worked myself into a frenzy over the UT/Nebraska game. I've been feeling beat up on with home/car repairs, vet bills and office politics. I had it in my head that if UT didn't answer Nebraska's go-ahead field goal at the end, then fate or the gods or whatever really did have it against me. It came down to the very last second. I'm glad they won (duh). Games like that are very hard to watch, and I'm not sure I'm glad I watched it even with the win at the end.
  • I went to Lowes twice today to return plumbing supplies I bought a couple days ago. I also bought some leaf bags. My front yard and driveway are covered.
  • I got some Christmas shopping done. Still more to go, and I hope I get it done early. The hard part is figuring out what to get for people.
    • ]]>     3730@http://www.ssmrocks.com/kimnovak/mt/blog/
  • I worked myself into a frenzy over the UT/Nebraska game. I've been feeling beat up on with home/car repairs, vet bills and office politics. I had it in my head that if UT didn't answer Nebraska's go-ahead field goal at the end, then fate or the gods or whatever really did have it against me. It came down to the very last second. I'm glad they won (duh). Games like that are very hard to watch, and I'm not sure I'm glad I watched it even with the win at the end.
  • I went to Lowes twice today to return plumbing supplies I bought a couple days ago. I also bought some leaf bags. My front yard and driveway are covered.
  • I got some Christmas shopping done. Still more to go, and I hope I get it done early. The hard part is figuring out what to get for people.

    • Comments (1)

    Comments on this Entry:

    (k-sue on Dec 6, 2009 11:08 AM) yay longhorns. after high hopes at the beginning of fb season, my jayhawks crashed and burned. and the coach just resigned. so glad bb season is underway...

    ]]>     Sports 2009-12-05T23:04:12-06:00     Disgusted with Poor Design http://www.ssmrocks.com/kimnovak/mt/blog/archives3/2009_12.php#003729 The first time I had to change the light bulb in a ceiling fan that came with my house, I was thoroughly disgusted. It's designed such that you have to disassemble the entire light kit to get to the bulb. No easy access. I couldn't figure it out, so I had to go to Lowes and ask one of the people there. He had to climb a ladder and look at it and finally determined the bit about disassembling it. I wrote up a procedure and have gotten several e-mails from people thanking me because they couldn't figure it out, either.

    My bathroom faucet.Now the same has happened with my bathroom faucet. One of the supply lines sprung a leak, and I can't figure out how to replace it. Internet research only makes me more frustrated. So this morning, I went to Lowes and studied their display model. It looks like the supply lines are permanently attached to the faucet. The line springs a leak, you have to buy a new faucet. Usually a new line costs about $5, while a new faucet can be 30 times that.

    The Lowes guy suggested I contact the manufacturer, so I went to their Web site. It said they were available for calls 7 days a week between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. eastern time. So I called at noon eastern time. The recording said they are only open Monday - Friday.

    I'll send them an e-mail, but I'm disgusted with the inaccurate information on their Web site and more disgusted with the design of their product. Seriously... when designers design things, they should make maintenance and repair methods obvious. And if I have to purchase a whole new faucet because a $5 part on it is broken, you can bet I'm going to go with a different manufacturer.

    ]]>     3729@http://www.ssmrocks.com/kimnovak/mt/blog/ The first time I had to change the light bulb in a ceiling fan that came with my house, I was thoroughly disgusted. It's designed such that you have to disassemble the entire light kit to get to the bulb. No easy access. I couldn't figure it out, so I had to go to Lowes and ask one of the people there. He had to climb a ladder and look at it and finally determined the bit about disassembling it. I wrote up a procedure and have gotten several e-mails from people thanking me because they couldn't figure it out, either.

    My bathroom faucet.Now the same has happened with my bathroom faucet. One of the supply lines sprung a leak, and I can't figure out how to replace it. Internet research only makes me more frustrated. So this morning, I went to Lowes and studied their display model. It looks like the supply lines are permanently attached to the faucet. The line springs a leak, you have to buy a new faucet. Usually a new line costs about $5, while a new faucet can be 30 times that.

    The Lowes guy suggested I contact the manufacturer, so I went to their Web site. It said they were available for calls 7 days a week between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. eastern time. So I called at noon eastern time. The recording said they are only open Monday - Friday.

    I'll send them an e-mail, but I'm disgusted with the inaccurate information on their Web site and more disgusted with the design of their product. Seriously... when designers design things, they should make maintenance and repair methods obvious. And if I have to purchase a whole new faucet because a $5 part on it is broken, you can bet I'm going to go with a different manufacturer.

    Comments (2)

    Comments on this Entry:

    (kim on Dec 5, 2009 3:53 PM) Update: Got an e-mail back, and I've been assured the lines are easily replaceable. The guy offered to send me a new set of lines.

    (Paul on Jan 10, 2010 3:26 PM) Hi Kim... any plumbing questions - please ask me, its what I do for a living... :) Hope ya did not buy a new Tap (thats what we call em here) ... edwardpaulgraham@hotmail.com or facebook!.. :)

    ]]>     Homeownership 2009-12-05T11:44:19-06:00     Christmas, Leaks and Football http://www.ssmrocks.com/kimnovak/mt/blog/archives3/2009_12.php#003728
  • I put up Christmas decorations tonight while listening to Christmas music. I'm in the spirit.
  • I discovered a massive leak under my kitchen sink yesterday morning. I called Clarke Kent plumbing, and they were able to send someone out the same day. I was very impressed with Roger, the plumber. I hope I don't have a need to call them again, but if I spring another leak, I will definitely call them.
  • It snowed today a teeny, tiny, itty, bitty bit.
  • The kitchen leak was the result of shoddy plumbing work by the previous owners of the house. I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did. The pipes were ill-fitted after the sink was replaced with a deeper sink. Roger had to rearrange and replace everything under there.
  • I put Christmas lights on one of my fake ficus trees. I might leave them up year-round.
  • I've had a lot of repair/fix-it stuff done lately. I've had to replace a tire on my car, replace a wheel on my hvac unit, have a tree removed and other trees pruned, and plumbing work. I hope things settle down in that department.
  • Big XII Championship game tomorrow evening. Hook 'em Horns!!
    • ]]>     3728@http://www.ssmrocks.com/kimnovak/mt/blog/
  • I put up Christmas decorations tonight while listening to Christmas music. I'm in the spirit.
  • I discovered a massive leak under my kitchen sink yesterday morning. I called Clarke Kent plumbing, and they were able to send someone out the same day. I was very impressed with Roger, the plumber. I hope I don't have a need to call them again, but if I spring another leak, I will definitely call them.
  • It snowed today a teeny, tiny, itty, bitty bit.
  • The kitchen leak was the result of shoddy plumbing work by the previous owners of the house. I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did. The pipes were ill-fitted after the sink was replaced with a deeper sink. Roger had to rearrange and replace everything under there.
  • I put Christmas lights on one of my fake ficus trees. I might leave them up year-round.
  • I've had a lot of repair/fix-it stuff done lately. I've had to replace a tire on my car, replace a wheel on my hvac unit, have a tree removed and other trees pruned, and plumbing work. I hope things settle down in that department.
  • Big XII Championship game tomorrow evening. Hook 'em Horns!!

    • Comments (0)

    Comments on this Entry:

    ]]>     Holidays 2009-12-04T22:38:32-06:00     NaSoAlMo - Day Thirty http://www.ssmrocks.com/kimnovak/mt/blog/archives3/2009_11.php#003719 After much tweaking, I uploaded all my new songs to Bandcamp. Enjoy!

    I like Bandcamp. In the stats area (where you can see how many times people started to play your songs and aborted tongue) it has a Defender game. I wasn't ever very good at Defender, but it's still fun to play for a little while.

    I'm pleased with my NaSoAlMo songs this year. Just some stuff about them:

    • I used the tambourine I got last Christmas on Valentino's.
    • I got over my fear (not really fear, but let's go with it) of playing electric guitar. Thanks to my BGFF Shann for challenging me to use it.
    • For the first time ever, I think, I recorded a song that I didn't sing on. It makes me laugh a lot every time I hear it. Probably inside joke style, though. I Just Ate A Carrot features my Lunch with Brian buddy, Brian.
    • I'm tired of NaSoAlMo and I don't know what else to say about it anyway, so bye.
    ]]>     3719@http://www.ssmrocks.com/kimnovak/mt/blog/ After much tweaking, I uploaded all my new songs to Bandcamp. Enjoy!

    I like Bandcamp. In the stats area (where you can see how many times people started to play your songs and aborted tongue) it has a Defender game. I wasn't ever very good at Defender, but it's still fun to play for a little while.

    I'm pleased with my NaSoAlMo songs this year. Just some stuff about them:

    • I used the tambourine I got last Christmas on Valentino's.
    • I got over my fear (not really fear, but let's go with it) of playing electric guitar. Thanks to my BGFF Shann for challenging me to use it.
    • For the first time ever, I think, I recorded a song that I didn't sing on. It makes me laugh a lot every time I hear it. Probably inside joke style, though. I Just Ate A Carrot features my Lunch with Brian buddy, Brian.
    • I'm tired of NaSoAlMo and I don't know what else to say about it anyway, so bye.

    Comments (2)

    Comments on this Entry:

    (k-sue on Dec 3, 2009 9:57 PM) wow, congratulations, kim! :clap i just listened to all the songs. you are really amazing. my favorite this year is things i have left. :hug

    (kim on Dec 4, 2009 8:11 PM) Awww.. thank you, k-sue. :hug :D

    ]]>     NaSoAlMo 2009 2009-11-30T18:22:02-06:00     NaSoAlMo - Day Twenty-Eight http://www.ssmrocks.com/kimnovak/mt/blog/archives3/2009_11.php#003718 I've completed the National Solo Album Month (NaSoAlMo) challenge again this year. Just before the Thanksgiving holiday, an idea came to me to put together a track with my keyboard using one of its pre-programmed beats, creating a melody line and adding sound clips from a Happy Hour with my friend Brian where I took video. The sound quality isn't good on the sound clips, but I think that makes it sound authentic instead of planned.

    Boris the Spider is postponed until later.

    I put the new track, "I Just Ate A Carrot", together this afternoon. I'll still probably monkey around with the other tracks to try to fix some things that make me cringe, but as far as writing and recording 29:09 minutes worth of music, I've done that. I'm at 30:01 right now.

    Progress:

    • NaSoAlMo 1: The Things I Have Left (Done 4:21)
    • NaSoAlMo 2: Orbit (Done 5:07)
    • NaSoAlMo 3: Staycation (Done 4:18)
    • NaSoAlMo 4: When I Awake (Done 3:54)
    • NaSoAlMo 5: Valentino's (Done 4:55)
    • NaSoAlMo 6: Sandman Stories (Done 3:30)
    • NaSoAlMo 7: Q-Tips, Tissues and Tampons (Done 1:42)
    • NaSoAlMo 8: I Just Ate A Carrot (Done 2:14)
    ]]>     3718@http://www.ssmrocks.com/kimnovak/mt/blog/ I've completed the National Solo Album Month (NaSoAlMo) challenge again this year. Just before the Thanksgiving holiday, an idea came to me to put together a track with my keyboard using one of its pre-programmed beats, creating a melody line and adding sound clips from a Happy Hour with my friend Brian where I took video. The sound quality isn't good on the sound clips, but I think that makes it sound authentic instead of planned.

    Boris the Spider is postponed until later.

    I put the new track, "I Just Ate A Carrot", together this afternoon. I'll still probably monkey around with the other tracks to try to fix some things that make me cringe, but as far as writing and recording 29:09 minutes worth of music, I've done that. I'm at 30:01 right now.

    Progress:

    • NaSoAlMo 1: The Things I Have Left (Done 4:21)
    • NaSoAlMo 2: Orbit (Done 5:07)
    • NaSoAlMo 3: Staycation (Done 4:18)
    • NaSoAlMo 4: When I Awake (Done 3:54)
    • NaSoAlMo 5: Valentino's (Done 4:55)
    • NaSoAlMo 6: Sandman Stories (Done 3:30)
    • NaSoAlMo 7: Q-Tips, Tissues and Tampons (Done 1:42)
    • NaSoAlMo 8: I Just Ate A Carrot (Done 2:14)

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    ]]>     NaSoAlMo 2009 2009-11-28T14:34:49-06:00     Overdrawn! http://www.ssmrocks.com/kimnovak/mt/blog/archives3/2009_11.php#003717 I went to the bank today to get a roll of quarters because I'll be driving on a tollway this week. Instead of humans behind a counter, my bank has humans on closed circuit TVs with pneumatic tubes. It's like a drive-through except inside with no cars. That always puts me in a bad mood. I miss the face to face human interaction.

    So I sent my request for $10 worth of quarters from my savings account, and a lady's visage pops into the TV screen. She says, "Money Market?" I didn't know why, so I started from the beginning: "I would like $10 worth of quarters from my savings account." She replies, "Money market?"

    Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

    After a couple more exchanges, she told me I only had $5 in savings. She could have told me that to begin with. That wasn't too much of a surprise, though, because I don't keep much in that account. So I asked her to take the $10 of quarters out my checking account. She says, "Your checking is overdrawn by $197." Wha??? I'm never overdrawn!!

    She offers to transfer $197 from the money market to the checking to cover. I agreed, but later thought that was really stupid. Bringing my checking account to a $0 balance is no more help than it was when it was $-197. The next debit or check that came through would overdraw it again. tongue

    When I got back to work, I got on my bank Web site and transferred some more money. I looked at the activity and couldn't figure out why I was overdrawn. I had to wait until I got home, and so it was nagging at me all afternoon.

    Turns out I forgot to account for my auto-drawn car payment two months in a row. AND I forgot to reconcile my account at the beginning of this month, or I would have caught it. frown

    The insult to injury? The two $40 penalties they charged me are itemized in my account as "Courtesy Pay." It's better than bouncing the payments, but still... it doesn't *feel* courteous. Jerks.

    ]]>     3717@http://www.ssmrocks.com/kimnovak/mt/blog/ I went to the bank today to get a roll of quarters because I'll be driving on a tollway this week. Instead of humans behind a counter, my bank has humans on closed circuit TVs with pneumatic tubes. It's like a drive-through except inside with no cars. That always puts me in a bad mood. I miss the face to face human interaction.

    So I sent my request for $10 worth of quarters from my savings account, and a lady's visage pops into the TV screen. She says, "Money Market?" I didn't know why, so I started from the beginning: "I would like $10 worth of quarters from my savings account." She replies, "Money market?"

    Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

    After a couple more exchanges, she told me I only had $5 in savings. She could have told me that to begin with. That wasn't too much of a surprise, though, because I don't keep much in that account. So I asked her to take the $10 of quarters out my checking account. She says, "Your checking is overdrawn by $197." Wha??? I'm never overdrawn!!

    She offers to transfer $197 from the money market to the checking to cover. I agreed, but later thought that was really stupid. Bringing my checking account to a $0 balance is no more help than it was when it was $-197. The next debit or check that came through would overdraw it again. tongue

    When I got back to work, I got on my bank Web site and transferred some more money. I looked at the activity and couldn't figure out why I was overdrawn. I had to wait until I got home, and so it was nagging at me all afternoon.

    Turns out I forgot to account for my auto-drawn car payment two months in a row. AND I forgot to reconcile my account at the beginning of this month, or I would have caught it. frown

    The insult to injury? The two $40 penalties they charged me are itemized in my account as "Courtesy Pay." It's better than bouncing the payments, but still... it doesn't *feel* courteous. Jerks.

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    ]]>     What's Going On? 2009-11-24T22:17:19-06:00     NaSoAlMo - Day Twenty-Three http://www.ssmrocks.com/kimnovak/mt/blog/archives3/2009_11.php#003716 I finished mixing my ode to college days, "Valentino's", so I've just got one more song of 1:22 or more to go. That's for after Thanksgiving, I think.

    I started listening through the other tracks to see what I might do to them. I made some adjustments to fix the muddy guitar or "Orbit," although I'm not sure I was successful. My ears aren't great, and I don't know what I'm doing. heh

    I also added cymbal and gong to "Sandman Stories." I don't have a cymbal or a gong, but I have cymbal and gong sounds on my iPod Touch. The app is called Cowbell Plus. Yee Haw!

    I uploaded the first song I recorded, so if you're ready to start listening, here's The Things I Have Left. It was my first crack at using electric guitar as the main instrument.

    Progress:

    • NaSoAlMo 1: The Things I Have Left (Done 4:21)
    • NaSoAlMo 2: Orbit (Done 5:07)
    • NaSoAlMo 3: Staycation (Done 4:18)
    • NaSoAlMo 4: When I Awake (Done 3:54)
    • NaSoAlMo 5: Valentino's (Done 4:55)
    • NaSoAlMo 6: Sandman Stories (Done 3:30)
    • NaSoAlMo 7: Q-Tips, Tissues and Tampons (Done 1:42)
    • NaSoAlMo 8: Boris the Spider (Maybe!)
    ]]>     3716@http://www.ssmrocks.com/kimnovak/mt/blog/ I finished mixing my ode to college days, "Valentino's", so I've just got one more song of 1:22 or more to go. That's for after Thanksgiving, I think.

    I started listening through the other tracks to see what I might do to them. I made some adjustments to fix the muddy guitar or "Orbit," although I'm not sure I was successful. My ears aren't great, and I don't know what I'm doing. heh

    I also added cymbal and gong to "Sandman Stories." I don't have a cymbal or a gong, but I have cymbal and gong sounds on my iPod Touch. The app is called Cowbell Plus. Yee Haw!

    I uploaded the first song I recorded, so if you're ready to start listening, here's The Things I Have Left. It was my first crack at using electric guitar as the main instrument.

    Progress:

    • NaSoAlMo 1: The Things I Have Left (Done 4:21)
    • NaSoAlMo 2: Orbit (Done 5:07)
    • NaSoAlMo 3: Staycation (Done 4:18)
    • NaSoAlMo 4: When I Awake (Done 3:54)
    • NaSoAlMo 5: Valentino's (Done 4:55)
    • NaSoAlMo 6: Sandman Stories (Done 3:30)
    • NaSoAlMo 7: Q-Tips, Tissues and Tampons (Done 1:42)
    • NaSoAlMo 8: Boris the Spider (Maybe!)

    Comments (3)

    Comments on this Entry:

    (Milo on Nov 24, 2009 11:24 AM) One extra vote for Boris the Spider! :woohoo

    (Kim Brunner on Nov 24, 2009 12:19 PM) Wow, Kim, that's really good! Very beautiful and touching. And I like the electric guitar. :clap Kim Brunner

    (kim on Nov 27, 2009 8:45 PM) @Milo I might put Boris on hold for a bit because I had another silly idea. But I have a three-day weekend ahead, so maybe I'll do both! @Kim Thank you. I hope you had a super Thanksgiving!

    ]]>     NaSoAlMo 2009 2009-11-23T22:45:25-06:00