Jan 23 - feeling crabby

I finally pulled the plug on upgrading one of our TV's -- the 42" diagonal plasma that we bought in 2006.  Checking the websites, I found that Best Buy in Altamonte Springs had the Samsung 55" that I was looking at and we headed there, a 45 minute drive.  Once there, the 60" looked more appealing and only $100 more ... so it went in the car.  With Cassie's blanket on top, we headed home.

In the meantime ... Jason had moved from the Orlando area to Daytona Beach and hadn't gotten our message that we'd be home at 2pm  He beat us home but went to Canal Street for some lunch and coffee.

Sandy and I moved the plasma to our bedroom and I setup the Samsung.  I've still got to reprogram the Harmony Remote Control, but it's not going anywhere.

As expected, Satellite TV is not quite as crisp as with the smaller TV.  We're at the limit of the broadcast quality and this is a huge upgrade.  Up north that wouldn't be as much of an issue because we get HD there.  Remember this is Canadian TV.  If we had either local cable or satellite, it would be different.  Roku TV is wonderful, however.  I haven't setup the Smart TV features; this TV doesn't really need the Roku for some streaming services as it has its own connection to the internet.

I may, just may, bring this TV north in the Spring.  That Sony TV, now 15-17 years old, is not crisp or bright.  Hey, that DLP technology was the best at the time, as was the Panasonic Plasma that we bought here almost 10 years ago. 

Once home, Sandy went out for some bread and accompaniments for the crab that we were having for dinner.  She stopped at OceanS Seafood for another pair of crab/lobster tools and asked the experts what they do with frozen crab.  I guess they have an industrial sized steamer; we don't.  Sandy used the roasting pan and did two at a time; I'd cut them in half with my Dad's old cleaver.  Mashed sweet potato, salad and the aforementioned bread completed the picture.

This is not a quick meal, in fact, I'm thinking that it's slower than lobster but probably not.  It was very good.  I'm still full this morning.  Jason and Lorraine headed back to Daytona Beach needing to fulfil their commitment to sitting through another timeshare/condo presentation this morning.  After that, they'll head here for SYC Brunch.

I guess that their "resort" leaves much to be desired.  Sadly in need of upgrading, I guess that there are new owners trying to make it into a higher scale property.  I expect that they'll see some nicely setup model suite.  It's all possible, but you worry that the money can run out.

The reviews of this place on the internet are terrible.  No one in their right mind, having read the reviews, would book there except, as Jason says, Spring Breakers.  They'd initially put them in a studio with a Murphy Bed, but Lo wasn't having any part of that and they were moved to a Queen room.  That reminded me of the time that I stayed at the Century Plaza (Century City, Los Angeles) and got a Murphy Bed.  I called down to the desk and said that there's no bed.  Yes, they said.  No, I said.  They moved me but not before Alice Pao called me as I was waiting for the Bellhop.  

With enough business travel you accumulate some funny stories but it's mostly boring, in contrast to what a non traveler might think.  I should make a list of the most memorable sometime ...

Sheryl and Jim popped in right after Jason and Lorraine arrived.  They were on their way back to their rental (which we haven't seen yet), having visited with several of Jim's cousins in the Ormond Beach area; all (I think) snowbirds.  By the sounds of things they're enjoying the place and have already used the heated pool ... necessary right now for sure ...

My outside thermometer is reading 31F right now.  That may be a hair understated or overstated, but it's cold; not cold enough for a hard frost of the bananas, but cold.  Tomorrow and into Tuesday it's supposed to warm up, getting over 70 on Tuesday, but most of the ongoing temps are in the 60's this time of year. That's expected and ok.  I'll be able to get out on the bike and hopefully we can get Cassie out on the boat.

Onward ?