Friday at last!
Barrett’s birthday dinner yesterday was thwarted by the intense rain. He called around and let people know it was rescheduled for next Wednesday. I wasn’t feeling well anyway, so it looked like everything was working out toward a nice evening at home with early sleep. Right. So, I’m finishing the work day and I get an IM from Jennifer (Barrett’s bride-to-be) about sneaking into town and surprising him at dinner. Even though it wasn’t “the” dinner with his whole family, she was taking him out somewhere close to their place for his birthday. Of course I said yes… and because I have a big ‘ole truck, I offered to ferry our mutual friend Georgia as well should she want in on the surprise. That’s how it started, but it ended up being everyone that was going to the original dinner sans grandfather. For an inpromtu surprise dinner, it was a smashing success. There were mariachis, sombreros, and margaritas galore. I’m sure there will be evidence photos turning up somewhere. I even received a very cool b-day gift last night too. Georgia had a star named “Sir Henry” for me and gave me all the charts/starmaps and certificate last night. I’m certain Henry would be much more interested if it were in the “cookie constellation”, but I thought it was super cool.
Guy Forsyth was playing at The Mucky Duck last night. I didn’t go due to the dinner conflict, but I love seeing him perform at that venue. I’ve stated it several times before, but it’s one of my favorite pubs in Houston. I did lose a couple of cool points however, when I found out they used one of my photos without permission on their live music calendar this month. This one actually:
By the time we wrapped up dinner, the show at The Duck was long over, but the night was young… even if a school night… so we met James and Allison over at Truluck’s for cocktails. A good time was had by all. I got all Dr. Phil on people at one point because I can’t stand to see people make silly relationship mistakes. Why do people continue to screw up something that is so easy? We ended up closing the place down. I should get out more often.
I ran some really quick lens tests before heading out last night and I’m pretty sure at this point that the IR hotspot issue only manifests during long exposures. I took 3 lenses reportedly “bad” for infrared due to the center spot phenomenon and tried them on the converted body. You be the judge.
EF 50mm f/1.4
EF 85mm f/1.2L
EF 200mm f/2.8L IS
I had a meeting downtown yesterday morning, so I dropped my truck off at the dealer and asked them to look into why my back window would no longer roll down. I can hear a faint click as if the motor is trying to engage when I depress the button, but it just doesn’t work. They proceed to tell me it will be $91.00 for them to look at it… that is their “check out” fee… you know, to check stuff out. /sigh It’s highway robbery, but whatever. I need to get it done. Mid-day, they call me to let me know I need a new motor and the part plus labor was $586.00. Fucking hell! I’m already into for almost a hundred bucks so I tell them to go ahead and do it if they can have it done by five pee emm. At four o’clock they ring me back to tell me that they quoted me the wrong part and that the correct part was not only out of stock, but a couple hundred dollars more. They could have it there in the morning, but the total was now just shy of $800. I’m mildly frustrated at this ridiculousness. I tell them I need the truck back for the evening and I’d just plan on bringing it in another time. I wasn’t happy about losing the $91.00, but at least I know what is needed, right? Riiiiight. So then, just before I hang up… after I’ve decline continuing down the path of replacing the motor (because they said it needed to be replaced)… the guy says, “Well, it’s working now. Our service guy beat on it a little when he was checking it out and it started working… been working since. Maybe it will stay working.” Sonofabitch. He was leading me down the $800 service path knowing full well that the issue was corrected. I don’t care if it isn’t permanent, he has a duty to not withhold information like that from customers. I am completely at his mercy being the “expert” and leveraging that position inappropriately is just… unacceptable.
Anyhoo, I am out of caffeine. I am going to run down to the store and get some coffee. I think the day will be a lot more pleasant when that happens.
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