A Yankee in Texas

Today UPS brought me the D-Link DNS-323 and 500 gig hard drive I ordered from Newegg.com. The D-Link DNS-323 is a Network Attached Storage (NAS) enclosure. So what is Network Attached Storage (NAS) anyway? Basically a NAS enclosure has all the software and hardware to make any hard drives or set of hard drives you install in the enclosure accessible on your network.

Most NAS devices targeted at the home networking market also include things like media servers and iTunes servers already installed on them. Which allows the devices to stream media files directly to a device with out needing to go through a computer. As an example you could store all your music files on the NAS and then use a laptop to stream the music to any room in you house. Depending on what servers the NAS device has installed on it you can stream right to the NAS to a network media player like Slim Devices Squeeze Box.

So why do I need a NAS? Well if you recall I have been backing up all the DVD’s I own and in the process filling up every hard drive I can get my hands on. Eventually the realization came to me that it was time to invest in some serious storage. I looked around and the DNS-323 has a very large “hacker” following; meaning there are lots of people messing with and tweaking the device. (I think it runs a version of BSD) To me when something has a fairly dedicated DIY or “hacker” following that’s a good sign that you will find a lot of community support and there is a good chance that even if the manufacturer doesn’t add a certain feature a community member will find a way to add it. (more…)

…before moving back to Austin I have had the same group of ladies, Top Hat Barbershop, cutting my hair for almost 6 years. I basically told them one or twice what I wanted and every proceeding visit they basically cut my hair the same way: #2 on the sides faded into the top. The fading part was never very good, but my hair grows fast so it was never a big deal to me.

I have been in need of a hair cut ever since we moved down. Tonight Nicole and I were in the Lakeline Mall near our apartment just walking around. We passed Mastercuts. When we lived in Austin last time we lived in the same general area and I think I might have gotten a few hair cuts at Mastercuts. So as we pass Mastercuts Nicole suggests I get my haircut. I was like sure. We go in and wait a moment while the woman, Veronica, got her station ready to cut my hair. I was trying to explain to Nicole that I wanted a “normal” haircut and what I meant by normal was not #2 shave all the way up the sides then faded in the last moment, but I didn’t have the words. Luckily Nicole got my drift and explained to Veronica what I wanted.

I think she did a good job. I got her card and I think I will be seeing Veronica again.

– Jeremy

…was one project that was looming over us. We needed to go to our storage unit and get everything set for the movers. Most of the stuff was in tubs so it just needed to be cataloged, shrink wrapped, and numbered… famous last words. So last night right after work we headed over there. It was hot, humid and dusty. It took us 4 hours, but it got done. It was a bit tougher than we had thought to get everything secure.

Nicole and I were both tired and sore. We got home around 10:30. I was beat, but I couldn’t sleep because I was sore. I finally got to bed at 1:30 AM. Ahh… the joys of moving.

– Jeremy

So today we sold our dining table, Nicole wants something smaller, and our TV, we have a smaller Hi-Def TV to replace it. Besides that we moved all the boxes in the dining room and numbered them. (As you can see in the picture.) So far I think we have 16 full boxes. Tomorrow night we are going to the storage unit to get everything over there ready to go. Then Tuesday we’re going to make a strong push to finish up most of th apartment. Wednesday is our wedding anniversary and we are going out to dinner. Thursday we need to make sure all the “loose ends” are cleaned up. Friday the movers come and Saturday we take off for Texas. Monday morning we officially live in Cedar Park, TX.

– Jeremy

It’s amazing how, we humans, get so attached to our stuff even if it’s basically junk. As Nicole and I are packing up I find it funny to see some of the things we choose to keep. I salvaged a small hard drive from an old Rio Karma MP3 player. I doubt I will ever use it for anything, but it looks cool. Tonight while cleaning out one of our closets I found a pair of ginger bread house kits we got on sale at Joann’s or some craft store, but we didn’t assemble them. I was all for pitching them, but Nicole seems to think we will put them together at some point. All I can think about is how stale they must be.

On the other hand going through the closet, which is mainly gifts from our wedding, it’s cool to see we have some nice stuff that we’ve yet to use. Things for decorating that we won’t have to buy and lots of kitchen stuff.

Well I am exhausted and we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.

– Jeremy