• … stopped for gas 51 times (vs. 52 times in ’08)
• … averaged 19.3 mpg with the Highlander (vs. 19.5 mpg in ’08)
• … drove 11,630 miles (vs. 12,235 miles in ’08)
• … spent $1,409 on gas (vs. $2,095 in ’08)
• … paid anywhere from $1.65 to $2.71 for a gallon of gas (vs. $1.64 to $4.09 in ’08)

So, gas was cheaper in 2009, I drove less, stopped for gas less times and spent less on gas.

Ain’t dat some shiznit?

I bought a TechNet subscription (with a coupon code, TYVM) and upgraded yesterday.

I’m finding Windows 7 much faster than Vista, much more intuitive and just all around better. So far, so good.

Looks like Microsoft might have nailed this one down.

About a year ago, when we still subscribed to DirectTV, I did a comparison of our current service to AT&T U-verse. At that time, U-verse would have ended up costing us a couple of dollars more each month than what we were currently paying.

Our situation is different now. We no longer subscribe to pay TV service like cable or satellite, save for Tina’s Netflix subscription and my occasional Amazon Unbox purchase.

And now, AT&T is offering up to $400 back for signing up for U-verse. So, let’s do that math … because, well, I ain’t got nuthin’ else better to do right now.

Currently, we pay…
Cable/Satellite
$0
BellSouth
Unlimited Local & Long Distance : $35
DSL: $18 (6 Mbps/512 Kbps)
Taxes : $15
TOTAL : $68

Comparable service from AT&T U-Verse would look like this…
U200 TV : $64
2 Additional Receivers : $14
Unlimited Local & Long Distance : $30
High Speed Internet: $43 (6 Mpbs/1 Mpbs)
Estimated Taxes : $20
SUBTOTAL : $171
- $67 ($400 rebate ÷ 6 months)
- $10 ($60 auto-pay bill credit ÷ 6 months)
TOTAL : $94

After 6 months, we would cancel the TV service and go back to just phone & Internet service which would be about $88 each month, still higher than we were paying to BellSouth right now for the same stuff.

Since $94 is not less than what we’re currently paying ($68), I guess we’ll keep things the way they are.

I decided not to change the blog theme. I just couldn’t decide on a new one that worked as well as the current one.

Christmas is less than 2 days away now. And, before I know it, it will be 2010.

The CyberCJH Blog is published using WordPress. And, each WordPress blog has a theme. A theme is what makes the blog look the way it does. The theme the CyberCJH Blog currently uses is called the iTheme. We’ve used the same theme since July 15, 2008.

It’s time for a face lift. We’ll ring in the new year with a new look and a new theme.

I’ve narrowed down the new theme choices to just a few. Now, I just have to make my final decision.

Are you all tingly with excitement? I know I am!

]]> http://cybercjh.com/blog/2009/12/23/time-for-a-new-theme/feed/ 1 http://cybercjh.com/blog/2009/12/09/sometimes-i-feel-like-i-work-in-a-dilbert-cartoon/ http://cybercjh.com/blog/2009/12/09/sometimes-i-feel-like-i-work-in-a-dilbert-cartoon/#comments Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:00:45 +0000 cybercjh http://cybercjh.com/blog/?p=2969 I would like to start using a ergonomic keyboard at work. I have my own. I’d like to just bring it in and use it instead of the regular keyboard I have now.

I don’t have Carpel Tunnel yet and I’m trying to keep it that way.

Imagine my surprise when I asked Human Resources to clarify their policy on whether or not I can use an ergonomic keyboard. This is their official stance on the matter:

Our policy states if you need special equipment, we will make a reasonable accommodation based on the medical need.  With that said, below are the requirements the doctor’s note must have to consider a reasonable accommodation for special equipment.

• The note must state your medical condition that requires the specific equipment.
• The request must be medically necessary due to your medical condition.
• The note must be from a specialist related to your condition.
• The note must state the specific equipment needed. In your case the note would need to specify the type of keyboard you would need.

So basically, I’m not allowed to use an ergonomic keyboard at work until I actually get Carpel Tunnel.