Tonsils

Jessica is going under the knife at 11AM. Of course, this is hospital time! I'll keep you posted.

UPDATE {12:50pm}:

The nurse just came in and said that Jessica would be up in the room in about 15 minutes.  Everything went well.

UPDATE {2:10pm}:

Jessica is in the recovery room - i am trying to get her to drink some drink and eat a popsicle.  After that I've got to figure out how to get her to make my dinner!!!


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Chad Lingafelt
www.chadlingafelt.com

I can't believe it!

It's a few minutes before 11 and I'm sitting at the Layaway desk at Wal-Mart.

I'm doing it. I'm getting a Wii!!!

Walmart is releasing 15 of them at Midnight. This is ridiculous. I can't believe I'm doing this. I'll let you know the outcome.

UPDATE:
We got a Wii!
We were #7 of 20. i am typing this update from my Wii browser.

--
Chad Lingafelt
www.chadlingafelt.com

Forceful Selling

Let me start off by saying that I worked in customer service, and still do for that fact!
I understand "suggestive selling", I was taught this in training sessions when I was 15. I was also taught not to FORCE something to a customer. I also would like to state that I really like Best Buy, I love to shop there, I love to wander around the store and look at technology.

I visited my local Best Buy location to pick up a LCD Monitor Wall Mount for a job I am doing today. I find my item, wander around, look at the Wii, the HP touchsmart computer with Windows Vista, check out extra Hard Drives for my computer, look at monitors, laptops, cameras, basically the usual rounds.....

I finally make it to the checkout, I walk up and the cashier greets me. She then procedes to ask me if I've heard of their "Reward Zone" program. I answered, "Yes, I'm not interested." She procedes with, "are you sure, BLAH BLAH BLAH". I once again, say, "No, Thanks."

So then she procedes to, "Do you need any Gift Cards today?" Now let me pause and say, IF I NEEDED A GIFT CARD, I WOULD HAVE PICKED IT UP ON MY WAY TO THE REGISTER!!!! But, I kindly say, "NO" (again). I really just want to pay and leave, is that a crime? She then tries to sell me a warranty and everything else in the store BEFORE SHE RINGS UP THE PRODUCT.

I was highly aggrivated and pledged to not buy anything else at the store. If I purchase something from them, I will go online.

I don't like to be a Cranky Consumer, but this "forceful selling" is getting out of hand.

I can't go to Target or Kohls or any other retail outlet with out getting hit up for credit cards, reward programs, gift cards, or something else. Can't we just checkout and leave?

Me and Dub.

I found this picture in an old camera of mine.
It was a 1.3 mega pixel with a 32MB Compact Flash Card inside!

This picture was taken in Louisville, Kentucky at the National Quartet Convention. I believe it was in September of either 2002 or 2003.

Downtown

I had the opportunity to access the roof of a building in downtown Charlotte, NC.

I snapped the following shots (actually about 100 shots, but i like these 2).

://chadlingafelt.com

I've updated my website. A few new graphics. Same layout and content.

Also, check out my latest design. Ross Recording's new website is up and running at http://www.rossrecording.com.

Well, that's all my brain can handle for today.

Catch ya on the flip side. Haha.
--
Chad Lingafelt
www.chadlingafelt.com

The Wait Is OVER!

The Nikon D80 Digital SLR Camera that I have been planning for has finally made it's way home.

I have to say that I am very impressed with it's picture taking abilities.
I must first pay my respects to my former camera. The Sony DSC-H1. This 5 MP camera has served me well over the last few years. I have really enjoyed our time together. It won't be too far away. The wife will be keeping it safe for me as she takes pictures of her food.

So - Now on to the BIG DADDY! My Nikon D80. I purchased my camera from Wolf Camera. They really know their stuff and are very friendly.

They had a 2 lens package to tag along with the D80, however, one of the lenses that was in the package is no longer available? The Nikon Nikkor 55mm - 300mm.

So, the kind folks fixed me up with the following.
1 - Nikon D80 Body
1 - Nikon Nikkor AF 28 -80mm lens
1 - Nikon Nikkor DX 55 - 200mm lens


To store my media, I purchased from Best Buy (I had a gift card!)
1 - SanDisk 1gig SD Card
2 - PNY 2gig SD Card

I have plenty of storage for all my useless pictures, and some I may make money with!

That makes 1 happy broke photographer!

Here are a few test shots I have taken.

CES and MacWorld Expo

Well, the buzz around the tech world the last few weeks has been about this small little gadget that nobody knew what it's name was, until today.

Apple's Steve Jobs announce the much anticipated Apple iPhone. Part iPod, part Mac OS, Part Phone, ALL high dollar!

You can read all the tech specs at apple.com/iphone if you are interested.

I believe that although this may not be THE phone of the future, it is the way technology is going. The ALL-IN-ONE machine. Email, Pictures, Music, Calendar, Internet, Maps, and Tele-Communication in one small package. I myself carry a Blackberry 7520, which is a much more primitive model of phone than the iPhone.

Apple, already having somewhat of a Monopoly on the digital media age is just expanded their market share and looking to increase their profit just like the next guy.

The big down fall of the Apple iPhone is that it is a Apple product! I'm a PC guy. That means I like to customize my work environment. I'm not partial to the "out of the box" products. I like to make things my own. While Apple makes a goood product, you better be happy with it, because you can't change too much.

While I won't be running out to get a $500 iPhone this summer from cingular, I will be on the look out for new technology in my price range.

Like the Nikon D80! I look forward to sharing some nice photos with you after I finally get my D80.

Happy Birthday Card

Well, I checked the mailbox today (this is so primitive!).
I received a birthday card from my dad. Obviously an homage to our Christmas dinner.
Thanks for the card and the MOOLAH!