My purchase plan had to update a little, but everything seemed to work out nicely.  I had planned to get the whole package from Best Buy but, if you read my previous crazy rant. You know that didn’t work out.

I ended up watching the Microsoft Store website like a hawk and on Feb 16th, they showed up as available for order again with a projected delivery of March 1. Click! Went my order.  But, just for the tablet. I planned on getting the touch keyboard from Best Buy so I could make use of some store credits.

Then, three days after my birthday, my present arrived! Sadly though, “the man” has kept me from putting it through the ringer until now.

So, here are the boring unboxing pictures:

Sorry for the quality of the pictures, I was excited and grabbed my phone as I was ripping through the box! So, I didn’t take much care with lighting.

This post submitted with the Surface Pro, images transferred to the tablet via Bluetooth.

First impressions?    Beautiful screen, and it gets a little warn during extended use. I attribute that to the i5 processor.

More to follow..

© 2013, Robert Owen. All rights reserved.

I’ve been looking at getting a Microsoft Surface  and was on the fence until they announced that there was a 128GB Pro version that was capable of running full desktop applications.  When I saw that, I had to have it!

I’ve been waiting and watching for the release date of February 9th to come around.  This device in all it’s glory would only be available from 3 locations;  The Microsoft store, Staples and, Best Buy.  None of these retailers offered the ability of pre-order so, I just had to wait until the release day.  No problem, right?

My choice of retailer was made, I chose BestBuy. I chose them for one reason, I had some gift cards.  What makes a cool new gadget better? Using free money to get it! So again, I waited.  No problem, this is Microsoft not Apple.  release day will be fine.  Much like when I purchased the Zune HD on the day it released, I’ll be able to walk in the store and get it, right?

WRONG!

I arrived at BestBuy at 10AM this morning, the 9th, walked in and went straight to the Tablet/PC area.  I didn’t see it.  I didn’t see a display. All I could find was the Surface RT. (not the one I wanted).  Well, since as my wife says “I’m not a good looker”,  I went to a set of clerks and asked, “Do you all have the Surface Pro?”. They looked at me and replied: “Nope. We got a display model, don’t have it out on the floor yet though but no stock to sell.”  I then inquired about other Best Buys around. They checked the computer and replied that “no Best Buys around the are got any stock”

Crap, I thought.  Ok, No problem, I’ll regroup.  Let me go across the parking lot to the Staples.  They too are supposed to have them. I’ll just get it there and use my BestBuy card to buy the type cover.  Entering the Staples, I found much a similar set-up.  I found no display  and no Demo any where near the other Tablets and Laptops.  I went over to the repair counter and there, by the monitors, I saw a Surface RT display.   So, not being a “Good Looker” I asked a clerk.  This clerked sighed at my question and fired off this answer. ‘Nope, we did not get them.  No Demo, and none to sell” and before I could ask, she said and no other staples in Knoxville got any either.

And, we wonder why Microsoft launches seem to fizzle.   A little better planning for these type of releases needs to be done, I think.  Apple sells out on launch days too but, they allow pre-ordering and at least they make sure their retailers have “some” of the items to sell on the release day.

I have hope though.  According the the Surface blog, they are:

We’re working with our retail partners who are currently out of stock of the 128GB Surface Pro to replenish supplies as quickly as possible. Our priority is to ensure that every customer gets their new Surface Pro as soon as possible.

I had planned a series of posts with the unboxing and about its use and performance but, all you get is my crybaby story.    I hope you get some enjoyment from my shallow narrative.

© 2013, Robert Owen. All rights reserved.

It was a normal Saturday morning… I was sitting on my couch working for “The Man” ( as I do constantly now) , when I noticed a post on Twitter from a person I know to live near me that just read:

SSSSSSSSSSSNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, that prompted me to look out the window. And What did I see? I’ll tell you what…. a regular Winter-freakin-wonderland.  Who knew it was supposed to snow?  Not me.  And, if I did, I wouldn’t have believed it.  Nope, can’t trust the weather guy to give you snow when you want it, that’s for sure.  At any rate, here are a few pics of the wondrous white stuff that came falling briefly the other morning.  Enjoy

These next few are up on my flickr page:

These are a bit dark, I think. I’m still trying to figure out Lightroom, they’ll get better when I do. There are lots of pictures on this site now but, don’t you worry, I’ve got some Tech posts in the works. Maybe even a ColdFusion post or two!

© 2013, Robert Owen. All rights reserved.

So, check it out and see what you think.  You’ll have to listen hard for me, I’m the Horn in the brass quintet that comes in and out of the piece.

Enjoy!

© 2013, Robert Owen. All rights reserved.

When I was out, I took a bunch of “pitchures” that you imaginary folks never got forced  er… the pleasure of viewing.  So, I thought I’d start off my “return to web-dom” by linking a few of them here.

They are all quite “artsy” so, if you don’t like them… WHAT DO YOU KNOW!!?!?!  

As I have no time to actually learn to use my camera, these are just lucky shots and images I thought neat.  So, I hope you will as well.  Clicking these images will open the larger version from my Flickr page.

Thanks for looking!

Bees holding “hands” while collecting pollen.

Clouds in a really blue sky.

Down a road, with a tree.

Three is enough for tonight.  I’ll link some more later.

-RO

© 2013, Robert Owen. All rights reserved.

Hello?

Is there anybody out there?  It sure has been a long time.

Those could be song lyrics.  Those may be song lyrics.  Who knows? I don’t.  It’s been so long since I paid any attention to my own website, I’m surprised it’s still here on the ‘Interwebs”…  Ok, It has been a long time, for sure.  My last posts came right when I started a new job working for ‘The man”.  I left the free-for-all, stress-less life of a self employed Computer consultant to dive back into the ‘stress-free’ life of  “Working for da Man”.  HA!

What have I been doing you ask?  Well, they call me Honeybadger cause I don’t give-a er… I mean, I am a Senior Network Engineer for Web Systems.  Honeybadger is easier to say.  Basically I support, maintain, improve the infrastructure currently service roughly 300+ websites. And, whatever else they tell me to do.  I know you don’t care, I’m just trying to explain why I’ve left this site idle for so long.  I tried to keep things going, I really did.  I tried to post daily pictures… but I failed.  Oh, I’ve taken plenty of pictures. But, most just got pushed up to my Flickr account.  You’re welcome to go there and take a look.

OK… So, now what’s happening you ask?  Well, I am starting a new!  Starting back on the site! Over the past few years I’ve had many ideas for posts with no time to do them.  I’ve started several but, they just sit unfinished in my drafts box.  So, its time to get things going again.  I wont promise daily posts.  Nope, no way that will happen!  That would be suicide.  As it is now, I’m busier now than ever.  Still playing with the Symphony of the Mountains, The Oak Ridge Symphony, the Knoxville Brass Worx Company and some with the Knoxville Symphony… those coupled with my “job” turn my mental faculties into mush.

My plan for posts remain the same: Funnies, pictures, posts about technology, musical events in the area, self promoting back patting, and of course all the Networky-Servery-Internety type stuffy things I do on a daily basis.  Maybe even an amusing story or two about my struggles with programmers and their secret kin, the “security guys”.  Note:  you should always refer to the “security guys” by making the air quotes. They love it.

So, sit back, relax get a blanket and a cup of Hot Cocoa. It’s gonna be interesting.

-RO

© 2013, Robert Owen. All rights reserved.

Slowly but surely I am resurrecting posts and getting them back into the site. It may take a little time but, I’m determined.

I’ve noticed most are pictures.  A few are Coldfusion related,  some are just general rants and the rest are just glorious reading.

Anyway, hang on they’re coming back.  Don’t worry!  I will be putting them back on the date they were originally published but, those of you who get the Feedburner Feed will probably get notices when they are entered.

So, be patient, all that you missed soon will be replaced. I know it’s difficult.  The expectation is probably too much to bear but, I hope you can find it in yourselves to keep strong and keep the “candle glowing”. Soon, all your hopes will be fulfilled.

© 2011, Robert Owen. All rights reserved.

Let me start off by saying, I have known Gina for many, many years.  All the way back to Middle School.  (I wont say how long that actually is because, I’m not really that old or at least I wont admit it. ) But,  I can safely say that she is one of my “oldest” friends.  (Real and the Facebook kind).

At any rate, Gina is a tremendous person and very dedicated to helping others. Gina is a life coach, facilitator and trainer and is a very “upbeat, positive” person. It truly is a pleasure to know her. So, when Gina asked for help with her website, I was only happy to oblige.   It did take us a while to get started but, once we did, we got her going in spades.  Here’s some info about Gina from her site:

…In her Monday through Friday life, she is a life coach, facilitator and trainer. She has a BA in Organizational Management from Tusculum College and is in graduate school at Capella University, working toward her Master’s in Leadership Coaching Psychology.

“I consider interactions with my network of precious friends to be a vocation of sorts,” Gina says. “My passion — true passion — is walking folks through the process of discovering their bliss. Whether I am working with a close friend, an individual coaching client, a private organization, or a huge statewide system, my candle burns so much brighter when I am able to point people in a positive direction.”

In the artistic realm, her photography has appeared on several magazine covers, she collaborates on watercolor quilts/multi-media collages with Ned Andrew, and she’s endlessly exploring other creative avenues…

So, if you are looking for guidance. Looking for someone to help you meet your goals. Or, you just need a “cheerleader”. Gina can help you.   So, take a minute (or three) and visit her Website.  Take that first step, schedule a 30-minute phone conversation with her. — tell her what you want.

I’d be willing to bet she can find a way to help you out.

© 2011 – 2013, Robert Owen. All rights reserved.

And, in case you didn’t notice, things look a little different around here… With all this “re-doing” of posts I thought I’d take this opportunity to change the layout up a bit.  Things will probably change again soon.  “They” tell me Change is good. We’ll be trying that out for a while.

This little ditty came in my email a long time back.  I thought it was pretty funny and actually pretty accurate.

Enjoy!

Click the image to get a better view.  I’ve actually experienced a similar scenario before and I’m sure you have as well.

Stay tuned for more new, old, content.

© 2011, Robert Owen. All rights reserved.

I have many posts that were/are marked as drafts and wont change so they can be displayed. Not that anyone cares, that is.  But, I’m working on fixing it currently and am sure I will have a thrilling story to tell once I’ve straightened things out. These were all posts prior to my WordPress 3.2 update. But, they seem to have been dead prior to that.

So, If there be a slew of updates tonight… I’m sorry? or… Enjoy?

But who knows if this one will even post.  We’ll see now wont we.

© 2011, Robert Owen. All rights reserved.