Keefer Madness

Time Warner Cable Finally Recognizes Raleigh, Adding 4 HD Channels

// October 27th, 2008 // No Comments » // HDTV Bits, Local (Raleigh Durham), TV Talk

I missed this last week. Thankfully, Raleigh-Durham is getting a few more HD channels on my birthday of all days, including Discovery (’bout damn time) and ESPNU. Now the question is whether they’ll be SDV based and inaccessible to those of us with HD TiVos.

But even these four new channels are nothing compared to what Time Warner is giving other regions and areas – San Antonio has like 80 HD channels. We’re really getting shafted in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina in the HD content department.

Time Warner Cable Finally Recognizes Raleigh, Adding 4 HD Channels

Good to Be Back in the Saddle

// October 26th, 2008 // No Comments » // Cycling, Personal Crap

October’s always a busy month in the Keefer household – four birthdays, plus it signals the change of seasons with its cooler and shorter days. That being said, my total cycling mileage always seems to dwindle down during this month because of all the said factors above. Case in point – today was the first day I got some miles in out on the road for the first time in 10 days and it felt good.

With the cooler temperatures, layers and the right balance of them is important and I nailed it today. I was never overheated, nor cold, but it made me realize I’m going to need some more base layers and thicker clothes to keep training through the winter months here in North Carolina.

Falls Lake Loop Training Ride

Will Farrell Returns To SNL as Bush

// October 25th, 2008 // No Comments » // Funny Stuff, TV Talk

In case you missed it Thursday night, Tina Fey and Will Farrell both returned for a really funny opening skit on SNL:

Global HDTV Shipments Exceed SDTVs for First Time

// October 24th, 2008 // No Comments » // HDTV Bits

I’m kinda surprised that it’s taken this long to hit the point where Global HDTV’s outpace standard definition. I’m wondering how long ago that tipped to the HDTV side in the United States? I mean I would think that anyone buying a TV of pretty much any size in the last couple years was getting an HDTV. The other stat I’d love to see is how many of those televisions are actually displaying HD content.

Global HDTV Shipments Exceed SDTVs for First Time

Quest For That Crunchy Tone

// October 23rd, 2008 // No Comments » // Music, Personal Crap

Last week, I got my Peavey EVH Wolfgang restrung and tuned, but I am just unable to get a good distorted tone out of my my little Peavey Classic 20 tube amplifier and its single 10″ speaker. But, this morning a stumbled on the two videos below which using the same amp, he’s able to get a Van Halen-ish tone. Granted, he’s using a different guitar, but my EVH Wolfgang should be able to produce a similar tone with its Edward Van Halen designed setup.

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Tour Plan Raises Armstrong Doubts

// October 22nd, 2008 // No Comments » // Cycling, Sports Stuff

It really sounds like Lance Armstrong’s return to the peloton next year is going to be limited to a few races. Doubts are continuing to mount on Lance returning with Astana to the 2009 Tour de France. Then again, we’re talking about Lance. Only time will tell whether we see Lance again in the premier cycling event in the world in ’09.

Tour Plan Raises Armstrong Doubts

Happy Birthday, Amanda!

// October 22nd, 2008 // 1 Comment » // General Posts

Just wanted to post first thing today, wishing my wife, Amanda a very happy birthday! Too bad we both have to work today. It would be great if we could have a relaxing day together, but I guess that’s what weekends are for (when we’re not knee deep in a home project)

If you have a moment, leave a comment wishing her a happy birthday today! Happy birthday, baby!

Kitchen Backsplash Project Nearing Completion

// October 21st, 2008 // No Comments » // General Posts

So the latest home improvement project is coming to a close and all the hard stuff is done: – all the tumbled marble tile is installed. The first coat of sealant was brushed on yesterday. Tonight, we tackled the grouting – with a nice almond-colored non-sanded grout. It was messy and fairly time consumed, but Amanda and I made a good team again on this step. The grout really pulled it all together nicely.

It also helped bring it all together, replacing the switch/outlet plate covers and putting all the small appliances and other miscellaneous stuff back on the countertops. Granted, it’s all going to have to come back off the counter when we put on the final couple coats of sealant on, but with my family coming over this weekend, we wanted the kitchen back in place both so our table was cleared off, but to also show off our handiwork in its near completed form.

18 Things a New Homeowner Should Do Immediately to Save Money

// October 20th, 2008 // No Comments » // Home Projects

As the economy continues to plummet into the shitter, everyone seems to be looking for ways to trim from their budgets. Some restaurants have seen a 50% decrease in customer traffic. Eating out is an obvious place to trim expenditures. But another place hits closer to home – literally. The article below has some great tips on ways to minimize wasting energy in your home.

18 Things a New Homeowner Should Do Immediately to Save Money

Productive, But Blurred Weekend

// October 19th, 2008 // No Comments » // Home Projects, Personal Crap

Amanda and I tackled a fairly big home improvement project this weekend – installing a tumbled marble backsplash across our kitchen and over the course of about 8 hours yesterday and into this morning (past 1am), we got it all installed.

I’m really impressed and satisfied with its look, our workmanship and the wonderful aesthetics it’s added to our home’s kitchen. I’ll write up a full post about the project and its process, etc. once we’ve sealed, grouted and taken photos of that. In the meantime, check out a few photos of the installation process below.

Backsplash Project Photos