Its fair to say my Mac Book is not treated with kid gloves, as the ‘Genius’ behind the counter said, ‘this one has had a fair workout’ as he wrote on the work form ‘numerous deep scratches”.

None the less it was a surprise when the video card cacked it, especially since my first MacBook Pro that I bought two years ago is still going strong. Thankfully it was still 7 days under warranty, and they would fix it for nothing. Its brilliant how every Apple Product has its own serial number, indicating date of purchase. No scrounging for receipts, just bring it in Mr Edwards and we will fix it for you. Try doing that with your generic PC.

The service was efficient at The Apple Store, although they took their time, despite there being numerous stuff. The place is just busy…..all the time. The systems they have in place are very good, and I waved my essential work tool goodbye. The guy on the counter said it might even be fixed that day, but certainly by the next one.

It wasn’t, and after the third day with no Photoshop or Final Cut, the work was piling up. Today I got a little more forceful on the phone, the fourth day without a Mac will do that to you. After some time of probing, we discovered that the microphone was gone as well, and they were waiting on parts. That would have been nice to know, at least I would have known. But to their credit, when it was fixed, they rang me.

Its shiny, its been cleaned, and everything seems to be working.

While the service was not better than I expected, or even what they had promised, the fact I have my computer back fully functioning, at no cost to me, is good. The service is better than any other computer shop, that is for sure.

POSTSCRIPT: NOT HAPPY JAN! After about 5 minutes of use, the MacBook has gone back to the same problem and I have had to take it into the Apple Store again…….aaaargh! Fix it the first time….please

POSTRSCIPT2: UNFORTUNATELY….the second processor (at a cost of over $700 to Apple) was replaced, and you guessed it….same problem. I took it in this morning, and explained, calmly, that this was third time I had brought it in. Another genius had a look, we had a long chat, and looked at when it crashed. It had crashed whenever I used a Adobe product…or watched flash videos. mmmmmm. He installed a fresh install of Lion for free. This seems to have fixed the problem, I am reinstalling CS Design Suite as I type. I really hope that is the fix. I also suspect it may not have needed $1400+ worth of repairs (at Apples cost) if we had done this at first, but I could be wrong.

Informational credit: www.nettoyersonmac.fr/meilleur-antivirus-mac/

Mark Harvey was a well loved and loyal coach of the Fremantle Dockers for the past 6 years.

This week an emotionless and pragmatic Club CEO Steve Rosich sacked him. He only did this when he found out he could hire Ross Lyon, a well credentialed coach and someone who has probably extracted every last ounce of success he could out of St Kilda.

The pragmatic and soulless leadership Rosich has displayed betrays his lack of footy background, or understanding that he is not leading a business, he is leading a community.

The Fremantle Dockers is much more than a business, for whom a premiership means financial sustainability. You don’t choose a club to support, they choose you. Whether it is an affinity with the port, with the Italian heritage, with the much maligned but moving team song and the loyalty and passion of its fans….all things Harris is systematically dismantling.

Talk of members discarding their membership is expected, but not realistic, and Harris in his cynicism, knows this. He knows the ‘rusted on’ members who have seen the high and lows of the erratic Dockers will lay down their hard earned next year, in hope of the elusive success. They, unlike Harris, are loyal.

Harris has finally done something which if it does not come off, will surely dispel his demise. This leaves me in a quandary. I so much want to see my team finally play in that last game…in October. But I would also like to see my club regain its soul, something which Harris has taken away.

Either way, there will be no credit for Harris when we do succeed. No statues or monuments…or even a kind word. He has divided this community. Whatever your opinion on the song, the colours, the new coach….no one can deny Harris has divided the Fremantle. community. He has not brought us with him, in fact he does not care about us, because he knows we will pay up.

When we travel across the Nullabor, we don’t want to have to tow our trailer. I have been looking around for a basket and bag for a long time, and eventually after asking someone on twitter, got this one at a good price.
It came with a good bag, that has straps on it to tie it down to basket.

Rola Basket

The price difference people charge for these things, even for the same product, is extraordinary. I recommend you buy from Auto Extra in Osborne Park and ask for ‘Nitin’. He gave me a better price than list.
The guy up the road (unnamed by me) wanted $500+…until I showed him the list price on the web on my Iphone. He then said…oh $50 more than list cause it needs brackets. I believed him, until when I went to Auto Extra, Nitin told me the brackets were included in the package, which they were. Everything fitted beautifully to the factory Suzuki Roof Racks.

FRANCIS CHAN: “It has taken me 43 years to confess that I have been embarrassed by some of God’s actions. In my arrogance, I believed I could make Him more attractive or palatable if I covered up some of His actions. So I neglected speaking on certain passages, or I would rush through certain statements God made in order to get to the ones I was comfortable with, the ones I knew others would like. I am just now seeing the ugliness of my actions…He does not need nor want me to cover for Him”

More….

One of the much needed modifications for the Grand Vitara 2006+ models is some underbody guards. The original ones are hopelessly inadequate. The first time I took the Zook down the beach, the underbody guard lasted all of 5 minutes. Admittedly I did not have the lift kit at that stage, but even so.

There is only one place in the world that manufactures a proper kit, and fortunately they were happy to deal with me direct. (Giz International) I sent a money order to the Taiwan….and five days later the parts arrived. To say I was impressed with the quick delivery is an understatement. I was also impressed with the quality and fit of the parts. All the bolts and parts were there, sealed and delivered safely. The manufacturer had thought cleverly about how to make it fit up to original mounts, and no drilling was required. Furthermore, it came with all the bolts and allen key bolts you need.

The guard at the front replaces the pathetic two plastic ones.

Front Guard

Then there is a guard which goes over the transfer box in the centre, with a long section.

Transfer Guard Case

And finally there is a simple one for the back diff.

Rear Guard

I got a friend with ramps and mechanical nous to help me install it. While I could have probably done it, this friend was able to do it properly first time, and with the ‘beer’ economy, his help was not exorbitant.

Great video.

Pretty much the theme for me at the moment is that God will provide, and He will get the glory.
As our Church looks to make some large and risky decisions, unless God provides, we wont be able to establish a performing arts centre for emerging artists.

Here and now I say….God will need to provide. And if He does, it will be to His glory, and the lifting of His name.
Let His name be spoken of far and wide.

God provide, advance Your Kingdom here.