FIRE ACROSS 71

December 31 about 10AM - The end of the year brought a brief flurry of flames whipped by winds across highway 71 from the east entrance. Drivers quickly called 911 and the fire department responded to beat down the flames before they could move beyond the ditch into the scrub and cedars behind.

Despite prohibition on bottle rockets and the like, fireworks tonight could cause spot grass fires throughout Austin given our exceptional drought and low humidity.

MAYE THE GLOW ILLUMINATE YOUR LIFE

MERRY CHRISTMAS

A CHRISTMAS BEE CAVE MYSTERY... SOLVED

I thought what follows may be a hoax, but darn if it doesn't look real. Maybe YOU know and can add a comment. I'll give you the story but omit the contact since that might infringe on someone's privacy, except know that it came from 78738. I am unfamiliar with the road name, but they sprout up so quickly in this fast-growing area. Terri thinks it's on the west side.

'Twas almost the night before Christmas...

"Bob,

We have a wreath on our front door that has fresh fruit in it. Last night this animal crawled up the door and ate the apples. Any idea what it is since we are new to Texas. It looks like a lemur?

It was not aggressive we watched it for about 5 minutes and when it was finished it just walked away. The tail was at least 24 inches and he used it like a monkey would. He was about 18 inches tall when he walked away. I guess it weighed about 20 pounds.

What do you think it is?

Merry Christmas"






I'd say lemur. I wonder if the zoo not very far away has taken a headcount lately? Maybe an escaped pet? What do YOU think? Post your comment!

UPDATE

Click here: Kinkajou -- National Geographic

"This is what was at our house last night. Apparently it has been around the club for about 3 days and the local zoo is trying to catch it. Call Sally Allen if you see it. 431-5130"

TIDINGS

Received fromPam Chandler:

First, let me wish you all a wonderful Holiday season and the best for the New Year!

The Board and I toured the community last week, enjoying all of your festive lights. The choice of a winner was very difficult, because everyone really put forth quite an effort in their decorations.

By unanimous decision of the Board, Mark Calaway, of 11512 Musket Rim was awarded the prize for best decorations! At Mark's request, a donation of $150 has been made to the "Make A Wish Foundation" in his name. Honorable Mentions to the following neighbors:

Sarah & Mike Ciesla, 11908 Musket Rim
Brian & Kelli Hierholzer, 4733 Malaquita Branch
Jim & Kam Morris, 11632 Musket Rim

Thanks to everyone who participated, and let's count on a spectacular display again next year,

Regards,
Pam

TIME WARNER SWITCHED DIGITAL

1- TIME WARNER notifies me the switched digital box is available now. This will allow TiVo with twin cable cards to receive channels I've been paying for but would not work with those cablecards (which cable companies hate because they thwart their PPV.) PayPerView IS available through TiVo if attached to broadband, though through other (i.e.: non-cable company) providers, like Amazon or Netflix.

2- I go get the Switched Digital Box, install. Then re-install, because it doesn't seem to be getting many new channels, just 7.

3- I call TW - their rep asks, "Can I put you on hold?" and double checks that I should be receiving the channels their guide SAYS I should, but cannot. It is deemed correct. They'll have to send a tech. The tech was scheduled for today 8-Noon. I wait. He arrives at 1PM.

4- By 2:45 after much futzing, he says I need a new switched digital box. I politely hurry him out the door and drive to the TW shop to get a replacement. 20 miles. Another hour.

5- The guy at the counter says mine was the first return (uh-oh...)

6- I install the new box.

You know what's coming.

It doesn't work any better than the old one.

What a positive experience. They should change their name to TimeWaster-Warner

Friday, late in afternoon - This just in - they called me - in fact it was today's tech on the phone - he wants to send someone who can really help. I said okay: Monday at 9.

7- Sunday - We get an automated call from the TW computer - it says the tech will be here between 8 and Noon Monday.

8- Monday morning I get a live call at about 9:30 - the tech won't be here til after noon. That then changes under questioning, to after 1:30.

THIS supervisor explains that the boxes are new and they still have to work out the bugs. I explain I am not their beta test site and that it would make sense to have the techs who call on these issues to have a certified working box with them. He says they don't do it that way.

9- I explain all of the above and ask for a higher level rep. After being on hold twice I am connected to the service rep on the desk at the office. She offers me $20 - I refuse. She also told me at one point I should come into the office to discuss, that people were waiting. I explained to her I've been waiting several days.

10- I confirm with her the channels I SHOULD receive. I ask twice, am told the same thing twice. I asked twice because a) I don't believe what I am told is accurate and 2) I already get channels I shouldn't get according to what she said, and don't get ones I should.

11- Monday "9AM" tech shows at 1:30. Leaves at 4:50
Problem almost solved, although I still don't recieve all the channels.

12- I have taken up the systemic issues with higher levels of service supervision and hope to reach even higher. Poor scheduling, lack of proper information, lack of tech training, lack of concern for customer's time as ebvidenced by ridiculous conpensation plan.

One item discovered - you cannot use protection on your cable because the Switched Digital Box/Adaptor will not function properly. Good luck in a thunder storm.

ARMADILLO WORLD HEADQUARTERS?

Some neighbors out for an early morning job reported seeing three armadillos in different locations (one running up our driveway) and that, they too, have just bought a trap to try to ctach the one/s which are ripping up THEIR landscaping.

I've reset our trap.

SWITCHED DIGITAL and TiVo and Time-Warner

If you have TiVo and Time Warner you might want to know that their new SWITCHED DIGITAL adaptors are available free. These will allow you to watch the 1600 series channels which somehow through this new adaptor share bandwidth - at least that's how I understand it. It's been frustrating to NOT be able to watch the HD versions of several of the channels we watch (and pay for). I will now go to try to make it work. If anything eventful happens, will report back. Fa la la la laaaaaaa.

OK - it almost works. But here are some qualifiers: you have to have a cable card equipped TV or TiVo - cablecards are ONE WAY devices (eliminating T-W pay per view, though you CAN get that through TiVo and Netflix or Amazon, by broadband connection, but I digress). I think you have to order one of these boxes from Time-Warner - they are free, but I believe they go to those who have formally requested them.

Judging from how many keystrokes the woman behind the counter had to input, there's a lot of info which goes on your permanent record, or she booked herself a flight to Bolivia.

I hooked it up - they only give you minimal instructions, but it's pretty easy provided you can crawl back where the wires live in your TV setup...

...but then I got the (dreaded?) blinking power indicator on the new box. It's supposed to be steady. I got several 'new' channels listed, heretofore unworkable, but not the ones I care most about. I hope that the box is 'initializing' and will try later.

Finally the blinking stopped, and the light went out. I turned it on AGAIN and it stayed on. However, a scan of the channels when I now receive compared to the TW list of channels I should get was out of sync.

A call to the service desk. Tommy, my helpful tech on the line, explored the problem. He couldn't figure it out. Friday a service call will attempt (place your bets) to resolve the problem. In a nutshell, I get channels I am not supposed to get and don't get channels I am supposed to get. Confusing? You bet. Beep beep!

THE COLD FRONT

It was 81 degrees yesterday at about noon. Then a cold front swooped down. Of course all locals know this, but I am writing this post for those who may be elsewhere, blanketed, and who can now warm themselves with envy; or those who own property from afar. Keeping tabs for you is my pleasure. We had a little sleet last night, preceded by some much needed rain.

SEASONS GREETINGS

Where I grew up, bad kids would steal Christmas bulbs from outdoor displays and throw them at cats or each other. It was such a simpler time.

Here in the Gated Community, the Christmas lights are all aglow... even the guard shack lights the daytime with holiday cheer. The HOA manager pimps the commercial house decoration company so you don't have to fall off your own ladder.

And gosh darn it, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Walking the dog this AM I snapped a shot of what mom nature does best with a little freeze, a little water - making electric lights, tinsel and glitter look a little cheesy.