Since getting my console back after having it repaired, due to the red ring of death problem, I haven't played it much. I decided today to sit down and play Assassin's Creed, and about five minutes into it, my screen starts to look posterized. Basically, it looks like the colors are reduced. Think cheesy 80's music video special effects. Here's some shots:

Of course, if I go to XBox.com and look up my repair information, it says I'm out of warranty. Fantastic. A console I hardly play is broken yet again. I'm going to try to call and deal with their customer service people (in India.. ugh.) But I doubt I will be able to get them to fix this for free.

I haven't found any other information online about this problem. I can't be the only one, though.

Stuff I've tried:

- Changing from 1080p to 1080i, 720p, etc. -- no change.

- Jiggling the entire cable, in case there's a short.

- Unplugging/re-plugging in the video cable.

- Performing the "Reset Video Settings" trick per Microsoft's KB article.

How *$()@% frustrating is this? Microsoft really doesn't get it sometimes.

Update: According to users who replied to my XBox.com forum post, the problem appears to be that the GPU is either overheating, or beginning to break away from the motherboard. This is similar to what causes the "Red Ring of Death" errors, but not the same. I think I'm going to just have to bite the bullet and pay for repairs, even though this is clearly a design flaw, and not a problem I caused.

My best friend Jason and I have made lots of videos over the years. These four videos, made for this year's Vacation Bible School at Mountain View Community Church, are a good example of the silliness that ensues when Jason and I make videos. I usually edit, he directs/films. Jason's the guy with the funny lit-up glasses. Enjoy.

My boss recently posted about A-G Sod Farms on his blog, "Kevin Lewis Blog" and it inspired me to do the same. One of the first projects I was introduced to after being hired by LewisTech was a custom accounting system for A-G Sod Farms. They sell sod in brick & mortar stores, and we recently renovated their ability to order sod online.

I have to admit, at first I was a bit nervous with the scope of the project. I had never worked on anything that large before (and something being used at multiple distant locations, by multiple users.) It was a genuine learning experience, and Kevin helped me every step of the way. In the end, as Kevin's entry attests to, we delivered a great product that has helped the company cut paper usage and be "more green". How about that? A sod company, going green...

So next time you're looking for Sod in Riverside, Sod in Los Angeles, Sod in Sacramento, or Sod in any of their other locations, be sure to check them out. I know that when I purchase a home with Heather (hopefully in the next 5 years?) I will be using them for all my sod needs.

The night before my birthday we all went out to Benihana, as you can see. The chef was great, and even shaped the rice in a "Mickey Mouse" head. My wife says he must've known I was coming. Hah.

Then the next day (my birthday), Heather surprised me by taking me out to IHOP for breakfast, then giving me the option of going to see Iron Man or going to the beach. Which one do you think I chose? :) We both really enjoyed Iron Man. After that, she told me she had purchased a yearly pass for her and I for the Wild Animal Park. So on our way home we stopped there and walked around for a bit, just relaxing and checking out things at a casual pace. Since we live so close (about 20 mins or less) to the Wild Animal Park, the passes will come in handy.

All in all it was a great birthday, and I loved being surprised. My wife is amazing. Just thought I'd share!

My friend (and former co-worker) Mike Glanz runs a website called HireAHelper.com which connects people with moving, cleaning, yard and labor helpers. Think of it as a "Expedia", but for stuff you need to get done. You pick the helper and name your hours/price. It couldn't be simpler.

My grandparents are moving this next week, and I'm going to tell them about HireAHelper.com. That's how much I like it!

If you're looking for moving help, researching moving companies, or need some moving labor, please be sure to check out his site:

http://www.hireahelper.com/

Thanks!

The latest (and final) trailer for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, coming out May 22nd, 2008.

I especially love the "rocket sled" part of this trailer, looks like a typical Indiana Jones fight atmosphere. Didn't you just love it when Indy punched that guy into an airplane's propellers on Raiders of the Lost Ark? Can't wait for this movie.

Streaming Version

1080p Quicktime Version

720p Quicktime Version

480p Quicktime Version

"It's all... part of the plan."

Check out the newest (and final) trailer for The Dark Knight, coming out July 18th, 2008. We get a few new glimpses in this trailer, and an interesting shot (near the end) of Harvey Dent's face in some sort of flammable liquid. Two-Face, is that you?

http://www.whysoserious.com/happytrails/