For 4 1/2 years I’ve lived on this Macbook Pro Laptop, through three different batteries and 3 power cords; To its credit, it has been a dependable, daily workhorse.  It has outlasted my previous 2 Mac laptops I owned.  That’s probably because, unlike the other two, this one has never been dropped on the pavement. To be fair, both laptops I dropped were useable after I dropped them, but the dents were obvious.

Despite the dependability, there have been a few recent problems.  For example, the animation of windows opening or closing would cause the poor thing to freeze, the Safari Browser was crashing daily from Flash (ok, maybe that isn’t all that unusual) and, worst of all, the computer was demonstrating fits of jealousy over the computing power of my Droid phone.  The letters on the keyboard have even become blurry, though after I have a beer they seem easier to read.  Finally, to get the thing to charge requires gymnastics, pagan worship, and constant maintenance.  So, I knew it was time to upgrade.

Fortunately, I was blessed this month with some extra money and pulled the trigger a few days ago, ordering a new 17″ MacBook Pro (http://www.jr.com/apple/pe/APP_MC024LL_SL_A/ — By ordering from J&R I saved $180 on the discount, versus Apple’s list price, plus about $170 in sales tax, for total savings of $350!).  So, I get to reorganize all my files and play with the new system.  Should keep me busy!

See you tomorrow!

I just got done reading about the ‘boom’ in the use of QR codes among business people in Idaho.  I really hadn’t paid attention to this technology, but then i thought that putting these codes on the back of a business card might just make sense.  So, I thought I’d try generating an eWillys code for kicks.

To see what the code does, first you will need a smart phone (despite my fondness for apple computers, I have an Android Galaxy S Phone which I really like).

You will need to install barcode scanner software (I installed Barcode Scanner from ZXing Team, which I read about here).

Once you install the software, open the program and point it at the image above and it should bring up a link to eWillys on your phone.  I thought it was cool!

To generate your own Code for your business (or for any reason), you can drop by kaywa.com.  It takes only a few seconds to generate one.

Specifically, it seems one of my fingers is either broken or dislocated (two different diagnoses) while playing basketball today.  The worst part was that we had just barely started playing.  I had hoped the swelling would decrease enough to allow more efficient typing, but that did not happen.

However, there was some good news.  Not only did I make the shot, but it was the ring finger on my left hand that was damaged, a finger I have no further use for anyway.  That poor finger has been more damaged, on and off the court, than any of my other fingers  :-).

My car broke down on i84 near hermiston tonight. My hose sprung a leak and i lost coolant over a stretch of a few miles. I didnt notice until my warning light voice activated, basically telling me to get off the damn road. After an hour or so Dan, who works for the oregon DOT saw me and offered to help. one thing lead to another and it turns out Dan owned a 1973 cj5. As you can image, jeep talk filled the conversation for the remainder of our time together. After stops at the auto parts store and ace hardware, i got what i needed to put everything back together. So, big THANK YOU to Dan!!!!!
No updates tonight as i wont get home until late. Another day, another adventure!!!

I seem to be driving in the internet’s slow lane tonight, so just a few updates!

Steve forwarded this post to me.  Apparently, he’s had experience with something similar rims and advises that they be avoided!

http://houston.craigslist.org/pts/2165558878.html

I just drove up to Seattle and will be around for the next couple of days (I got a special pic I’ll be posting friday night).  So, no updates tonight, but I plan to do some thurs AM .. will probably be updating throughout the day.

Enjoy your evening!

No pics provided.

“needs a starter and lots of body work. no title included. most of the jeep is there.”

http://lakeland.craigslist.org/cto/2157461491.html

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1000.

This was the seller’s father’s project who recently passed away.

“This Jeep is a 1948 Willys jeep, painted camo. It has a flathead four cylinder engine. This belonged to my dad who bought it planning to restore it, but he recently passed away. We are selling off some of his things. There is no top, just what you see in the picture. I think it ran when he parked it where it sits a couple of years ago. If you are looking for a four wheel drive project or parts for one here is a buy for you. We do not have a title for it. ”

Steve is looking for some rims.

“Looking for one or two 16 x 5 inch willys rims. Have some 15 inchers and 16×4.5 inchers to trade. Shipping is expensive so hopefully we can meet some where in the midwest.”

A few nights ago I reached the 10,000 post mark (each story or ad equals a ‘post’). I’ve been looking forward to that milestone for the last few months.  It averages out to about 3,333 posts per year since the launch of eWillys, though actually most have been done in the last 2 years.   If you figure an average of 15 minutes a post, then that’s about 2,500 hours of work (or 10 posts per day or just a little less than 104 days of straight work), though that doesn’t include the email correspondence or old posts that I update.  I think I’ll take Saturday off!

No pics provided, but runs.

“1947 Willys Jeep Runs good $1500. Call Bill 269-948-8887”

http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/2142983623.html

I’ll be taking the next two nights off.  See you next year on the 2nd!  Happy New Year!

One year, I wrapped all the presents using gold and silver aluminum foil into all kinds of shapes.  Another year, I wrapped presents using only recyclable materials.  This year, I made some jeeps and cars :-).  As you can see, I don’t take wrapping too seriously.

Happy Holidays All .. I’ll have my kids for the next week (starting tomorrow morning), so updates will be occasional and arbitrary.

Looks like the side is patched.  Not sure if there is value here or not.

“This 1950 Antique Jeep with plow is ideal for restoration or parts. Please contact John on 908 295 8134. $900 or best offer”

http://newyork.craigslist.org/jsy/cto/2120821068.html

This was supposed to be published last night (sat night) …. but somehow I never hit the “publish” button.  It just goes to show you that it REALLY WAS one of those kind of nights ….

It just seems like one of those type of nights, so I’m going to save updates for the morning.

See, not only did I manage to lose my 3 month old phone tonight (by placing it on my car and driving off), but then I wrote an amusing story about it, only to have the post disappear when I published it.  I think it is time for a beer …  Night all!

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1200

It’s a project, but appears as solid as the seller suggests.

“I BOUGHT TWO WILLYS AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME A FEW MONTHS AGO. I HAD PLANNED TO FIX UP THE 1946 BUT THE WIFE..WELL YOU KNOW…. ” WHY DO YOU NEED TWO JEEPS !! ” OKAY WHATEVER. THE ONE I AM KEEPING DRIVES, BUT NOT IN NEARLY AS GOOD SHAPE AS THE ONE I AM SELLING ! THE BODY IS IN GREAT SHAPE , I HAVE EVERYTHING IT NEEDS TO PUT BACK TOGETHER AND DRIVE EXCEPT AN T90 TRANNY , T18 TRANSFERCASE. THE ENGINE RAN GOOD BEFORE IT WAS PULLED BUT I PLANNED TO PUT A 283 CHEVY V8 IN IT. COMES WITH ALL THE STUFF TO WIRE IT FOR 12 VOLT. TIRES ARE 90% AND THE CHASIS ROLLS EASILY. NO TOP. THANKS , ”

Given it’s the holidays, calling tonight a Silent Night seems appropriate as I found very few jeeps for sale of interest.  So, the few I found I’ll save for tomorrow.

Besides, I’ve been checking out the new Google Books search query and have found some additional family history to add to my geneology research.

Right now I’m doing a search on “Willys Jeep” using Google Books and hope to find something interesting.  If I do, I’ll report it tomorrow.  Enjoy your night!

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was  on eBahy.Topping the list of issues with this “1945” can be seen on the passenger side image ….

“1945 JEEP WILLYS. 1/4 Ton. Engine CJ2. 4×4. Four (4) Cylinders. 45,000 Original Miles. Manual Transmission. Engine and Transmission in perfect conditions. New Military Non-Directional Tires. Military Campaign Equipments attached to the Jeep. All Interior restored. Soft Top.. Everything looks and works perfect. The Jeep has been restored according with the terms to participate in Classic Car Shows.”

No Updates tonight (sat night).

Catch ya tomorrow night …