MagicJack

I bought one of these several years ago thinking I'd save money on my phone bill.

WRONG.

After I received it I realized there wasn't a local area code available, so I set up a 314 area code and number. The problem with this was anyone who called me would be billed for long distance charges. After googling for a solution I discovered a site called Grand Central, now called Google Voice. I applied for an "invite" which would enable me to set up the number of my choice with a local area code. After waiting well over a year they finally sent me an invitation, and then I set up my account online. Long story short, I was able to get the 316 area code, but was limited to a very few numbers in my area.

I emailed my new number to everyone, thinking my problems were finally over.

WRONG.

At first everything was fine, then after a few months the magicjack device would shut off several times a day, and when I was talking to anyone there was horrible static that made it practically impossible to hear the person I was talking to. Googling again, I learned that recent updates caused the device to use more power than was available through my USB port, and that I would need a powered USB port in order for it to work properly. I found one on Ebay for $6.99 with shipping included, received it several days ago and it's been working fine since.

Hopefully this trend continues or I swear to God I'll go postal.


UPDATE:

I'm loading my gun... ; )

Shortly after I put this post up I looked on Magic Jack's website and discovered they had added my area code so I could change my number so it would be correct, and then I wouldn't have a Missouri area code. So, I did it.

BAD MISTAKE.

Now I'm getting 3 or 4 calls a day from people who claim I called them when I didn't. So, I started an online chat with a rep from Magic Jack who says no one else is making the calls, because IT'S MY NUMBER. I told them someone was making the calls and it wasn't me, and could I maybe change the number so I wouldn't receive all these calls? Sure I could, the jerkoff tells me, but it'll cost you 10 dollars. I said no, I won't pay you to fix your problem, so what are you going to do? He said he'd refresh my number on their end and if I have any more problems to get back with them. It obviously didn't work because I've had 2 calls from people who I don't know in the last 10 minutes calling to ask why I'm calling them.

Time to get back with the person from Magic Jack...

UPDATE 2:

OK, several hours later I get into a chat with a different Rep from Magic Jack who tells me I need to contact my internet service provider and have them "disable the automated outboard calling", because Cox is using my number (WTF?) to update services to other customers. So I call Cox and talk to a guy from India (sound familiar?) who is puzzled by what I tell him, so he switches me to a technician who explains this is impossible and that Magic Jack is yanking my chain and pushing their problem onto someone else. He said he had considered getting a Magic Jack but after hearing my problems with it he wasn't so sure now. I told him I was getting what I paid for, heh heh heh.

Time to get back with Magic Jack and tell them they're full of it.

It's That Time of Year (almost)

Several years ago I read a fascinating book about Charles H. Wilber, the Louisiana man who holds the world record for growing tomatoes. I was impressed with the amazing story of his life, his skills as a gardener, and in particular his ability to produce 1,368 pounds of organically grown tomatoes from only four plants! I used my own version of his methods for several years and grew plants that were eight to ten feet tall and produced so many tomatoes I was having trouble finding enough people to give them to! If you're a gardener or just interested in a very entertaining read, I'd highly recommend this book.

It may be a little early for this, but WTF. I saw these healthy plants at the local grocery store yesterday and just had to buy them. I've got Wall 'O Waters to keep them warm for the next month, so unless we have a late spring blizzard in the next few weeks they should be OK.

.


I'll keep everyone updated on how well these do in the weeks and months to come, and will surely post pictures of the BLT's D and I (and Jer!!!!) will be gnawing on later this summer.

Armadillo-Brillo

Saw this little guy a few weeks ago while looking for points at Fall River. I was pretty much ignored until he caught me sneaking up on him while attempting to get a decent picture, and then he started running towards the creek while exhaling loudly and frequently. After a few minutes of solace he decided to come back into the field, and then proceeded to continue digging for insects.

Chautauqua Hills Yummies

Derek and I hiked on the eastern shore of Toronto last winter and encountered all these strange, lovely galls growing on the underside of the blackjack oak tree leaves.

The Gall Wasps lay eggs on the oak leaves and secrete a chemical which causes the leaf to form a spherical shell around the larva, protecting it until it eventually matures and chews its way out.

More information here, at one of my all-time favorite websites:

What's That Bug?

Retro Kansas: Frogs Eat the Darndest Things

In the spring of 2000 I found a floating mass of Bullfrog eggs in my brother's pond and decided to scoop out some of them and put them inside a floating wire basket in my garden pond. They hatched in a matter of days, and by the end of the summer the tadpoles were 2 - 3 inches long, so I dumped them into the pond, and for several years after there were bullfrogs everywhere in my yard. This frog, unlike many of the others, grew to a huge size very soon after he transformed. One day I was in my yard and heard a lot of splashing so I went to have a look, and was amazed to see this frog wrestling with a full grown starling. I watched in fascination as the frog used his front legs to slowly shove the bird down its throat, then realized I should have retrieved a camera to record this moment for posterity. I told several people about the gluttonous frog and got the old "Yeah, Ok..." and an eyeroll from them.

Then a few weeks later, I just happened to be near the pond when a group of starlings came in for a drink, and no sooner than they had landed the bullfrog jumped out of the plants and took one of the starlings underwater. I ran into the house and grabbed my camera, and took several pictures. Here's one:


He sat there very still for a long time and I got bored waiting for him to finish his meal, so I went back to working in the yard. A few hours later I checked on him and he had once again managed to swallow the entire bird! I knew bullfrogs would eat anything that would fit in their mouths, but a full grown starling?