Its amazing how so many of us are proud of ourselves in everything we do yet when it comes to smiling for the camera, we look for the nearest fire exit.

In a way, it is the right approach. What's a guy to do when a Canon Rebel toting, self proclaimed photographer is intent on making a permanent painful memory out of your otherwise nice sunny day?

Funny, how an expensive camera doesn't make up for lack of common-sense. Whether you are a professional photographer or just beginning to get addicted, please read on ... and spare us some trouble.

We are ‘teh awesome.’ Me and my VAIO I mean. If somebody ever needs to look up step by step guidelines on how to assemble/un-assemble a Sony VAIO (I might), here’s how. Just in case you ‘re wondering How my VAIO ended up like this, my VAIO died in the morning out of over-heating.

I had a restful sleep. Sound sleep. Woke up at 9:35 on Sunday morning. Got a lot of things to do. I walk into my den and find my laptop off. WTF. Power on. Windows starts with the ominous “not shut down properly screen…” Eh, normal … but … the laptop switches off! WTF, is this the way to say “Good Morning?” Try once more. Same thing, the laptop shuts down after 10 or so seconds. Arrgh…

So, it happened sooner than I expected! I knew this was going to happen … but so soon?

I can hear the sound of an impending doom. Loud and clear! My trusty Sony Vaio is making that ominous, about to “crack up,” characteristic humming noise that I can hear miles away. Uh ok, maybe not miles away but its enough to attract glares in an otherwise silent and inconsequential meeting. Got any ideas?

The results are in. The verdict from PG&E says my Electricity bill dropped by $274.39. Phew! if only I knew about this awhile back. Hopefully, this information would be useful to somebody else.

Just to give you an idea of how crazy I feel at the moment to divulge the details of my successful mission to lower energy usage in my home.