Tragedy strikes! My desktop decided it had had enough; at least the power supply did. I was moving it up north so I could get back to photo editing. I plugged it in, started getting the router hooked up, and POP! I thought it was simply an outlet breaker popping for whatever reason and quickly realized that there was no breaker on any nearby outlet. I got closer to my aging PC and got a whiff of a familiar scent. It was the smell of burnt electronics.
I unplugged all of the cables and took the side cover off. The smell become increasing strong at this point, obviously. As I looked over the motherboard I became concerned that I would not be able to simply spot the problem. I decided the best coarse of action would be to take things apart and start sniffing. First, the power supply. My sniffer didn't even need the unit removed before I knew that that was the source of the odor. I took it out, just to make sure. All was good as far as smells go with the rest of the computer.
Earlier this week I had problems with it and concluded, with a small amount of certainty, that it was my motherboard. I was really hoping that wasn't the case as I would basically need a new system. After today's events, I am glad that I can fix it for under $30, thanks New Egg!
My only concern at this point is that the new power supply will bring a motherboard problem to light. Currently, I don't have a spare unit to do any testing with so I will just have to be patient and hope that all is well.
It shouldn't be long before I can get back to publishing more interesting and insightful posts, such as the plans for that Oriole feeder.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Life Saver and the Serpent
While Life Savers used to be made here in Michigan, they are now a product of Canada if my memory serves me correctly. That being said, and completely irrelevant if I do say so myself, I saved two birds the other day from certain death.
I was rushed awake by the sound of scratching coming from the fireplace, the pipe heading to the roof to be exact. I knew that a creature of some sort had gotten in there, how I do not know. After inspecting the fireplace to see if there was a simple way to save the creature, I heard the distinct sounds of wings flapping. I was unable to find a simple and... clean solution. The only other option available to me was to take the pipe apart. I quickly found a screw driver and began removing the screws that were securing the pipe sections to one another.
Finally! I was able to pull the pipe up far enough to snag the little guy (or girl, I'm from the Midwest, we call everything and everyone guys). I placed the terrified and very very sooty bird into my rat's travel cage. The bird was flapping around, obviously, in the little cage as I walked toward the back door. I noticed that the bird was relatively small, about the size of a sparrow, with a white belly and a blue top portion. He was carrying on as any other bird would and offered me no distinct pattern of sounds.
I opened the door and placed the cage on the deck. I released the two springed hooks holding the wire section to the pan and pulled it off. The little bird, now free, quickly took to the air. He landed a short distance away on a small branch in an oak tree. He spent several minutes cleaning himself before flying to a further branch nearly out of my view.
So, you may be asking yourself, "I thought he said two birds." I did. Upon returning inside I was placing the travel cage back on the floor and replacing the pipe section back into the fireplace. I stepped away for a moment to check to see if the bird was still perched on the branch. Suddenly, I heard a very familiar sound. Scratching. I thought to myself, "no way!" I couldn't imagine that another bird... or worse yet, the same bird, would fly down the pipe again so quickly after I rescued the first one.
Sure enough, another bird. Now, I am almost certain that the second bird was not the same as the first one. I really hope it was not same one for that would force me to conclude that the bird was very dumb. It appeared to me that the second bird, although the same kind of bird as the first, was slightly smaller than the first. I am pretty sure that they were both Grey-Blue Gnat Catchers, however, they could have been Tree Swallows. Gnat Catchers normally do not hang around here but the size and coloring of the birds lead me to that determination. The top feathers were not the dark blue of the Swallows, but the Swallows now have a nest in a nest box just outside. Then again, they were covered with soot so I may have mistaken the colors that way and through the excitement they caused.
Soon after I released the second bird, or the first bird the second time, I placed a screen over the top of the pipe venting outside. I am extremely glad that I was here to rescue them from their doomed visit. I also learned that I need to make sure to keep the area animal friendly. Living in the woods has such wonderful advantages, but also great responsibility.
Since I like to keep these posts shorter than this, normally, I will save the snake encounter for another time. Also, make sure to check back later for great Oriole feeder plans.
I was rushed awake by the sound of scratching coming from the fireplace, the pipe heading to the roof to be exact. I knew that a creature of some sort had gotten in there, how I do not know. After inspecting the fireplace to see if there was a simple way to save the creature, I heard the distinct sounds of wings flapping. I was unable to find a simple and... clean solution. The only other option available to me was to take the pipe apart. I quickly found a screw driver and began removing the screws that were securing the pipe sections to one another.
Finally! I was able to pull the pipe up far enough to snag the little guy (or girl, I'm from the Midwest, we call everything and everyone guys). I placed the terrified and very very sooty bird into my rat's travel cage. The bird was flapping around, obviously, in the little cage as I walked toward the back door. I noticed that the bird was relatively small, about the size of a sparrow, with a white belly and a blue top portion. He was carrying on as any other bird would and offered me no distinct pattern of sounds.
I opened the door and placed the cage on the deck. I released the two springed hooks holding the wire section to the pan and pulled it off. The little bird, now free, quickly took to the air. He landed a short distance away on a small branch in an oak tree. He spent several minutes cleaning himself before flying to a further branch nearly out of my view.
So, you may be asking yourself, "I thought he said two birds." I did. Upon returning inside I was placing the travel cage back on the floor and replacing the pipe section back into the fireplace. I stepped away for a moment to check to see if the bird was still perched on the branch. Suddenly, I heard a very familiar sound. Scratching. I thought to myself, "no way!" I couldn't imagine that another bird... or worse yet, the same bird, would fly down the pipe again so quickly after I rescued the first one.
Sure enough, another bird. Now, I am almost certain that the second bird was not the same as the first one. I really hope it was not same one for that would force me to conclude that the bird was very dumb. It appeared to me that the second bird, although the same kind of bird as the first, was slightly smaller than the first. I am pretty sure that they were both Grey-Blue Gnat Catchers, however, they could have been Tree Swallows. Gnat Catchers normally do not hang around here but the size and coloring of the birds lead me to that determination. The top feathers were not the dark blue of the Swallows, but the Swallows now have a nest in a nest box just outside. Then again, they were covered with soot so I may have mistaken the colors that way and through the excitement they caused.
Soon after I released the second bird, or the first bird the second time, I placed a screen over the top of the pipe venting outside. I am extremely glad that I was here to rescue them from their doomed visit. I also learned that I need to make sure to keep the area animal friendly. Living in the woods has such wonderful advantages, but also great responsibility.
Since I like to keep these posts shorter than this, normally, I will save the snake encounter for another time. Also, make sure to check back later for great Oriole feeder plans.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Busy week
I have been 'up north' for the last few days. The weather is beautiful! I love it up here.
Between working my tail off, picking mushrooms, and taking pictures I have had zero time to edit my existing pictures. It has been an utter blast!
I am working with my uncle Walt doing a remodeling job. Previously, the only manual labor type work I had ever done was a paper route. This is actually far more rewarding than I ever thought possible. It is also nice to see the fruits of your labor. Rather than simply looking at a spread sheet with your sales volume, you actually get to see a totally new bathroom, kitchen, or whatever it is you worked on. Granted, someone else gets to enjoy it and you do get paid, but there is some real value there in the work done, at least I feel that way.
Hopefully, tomorrow I'll be able to get time to explain how I saved two blue birds from a horrible death and ran across a snake I have never seen before. I want to find out what it was before I really get into talking about it.
Between working my tail off, picking mushrooms, and taking pictures I have had zero time to edit my existing pictures. It has been an utter blast!
I am working with my uncle Walt doing a remodeling job. Previously, the only manual labor type work I had ever done was a paper route. This is actually far more rewarding than I ever thought possible. It is also nice to see the fruits of your labor. Rather than simply looking at a spread sheet with your sales volume, you actually get to see a totally new bathroom, kitchen, or whatever it is you worked on. Granted, someone else gets to enjoy it and you do get paid, but there is some real value there in the work done, at least I feel that way.
Hopefully, tomorrow I'll be able to get time to explain how I saved two blue birds from a horrible death and ran across a snake I have never seen before. I want to find out what it was before I really get into talking about it.
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