Welllll...I think it's time for me to get back into PCApex (when I started my hiatus it was still Pimprig!). I've undergone tons of changes over the past few months. Although I'm sure it will impact absolutely none of you reading this, I wanted to babble. Now get off me...lol

I moved to PA last fall. My wife and I started a divorce (friendly and miraculous), so I came to the northeast by myself. This meant getting an apartment, new furniture, etc.

In an apartment building as quiet as mine, a dremel can be a tad bit annoying to the neighbors, and I don't really have room for a workspace, tools, etc. This put my modding on hold indefinitely. However, it freed up cash for a few upgrades.

I was happy with the PC born of Project Lucy, but I wanted to accessorize. By this, I mean I bought a 32" Sharp Aquos LCD/TV and hooked it up! This was a MAJOR improvement, lemme tell ya'. I added a wireless keyboard/mouse combo (the first attempt sucked, and I'll explain that later), and intended to use the PC as my DVD player as well.

Slowly but surely going down the "how to get a divorce" checklist, I began separating property and finances. I got a new cell phone plan, complete with the black RAZR, and started considering vehicle options. In order to remove the wife's name from my vehicle and vice-versa, we had to refinance them on our own. I had a '99 Ranger which I had tricked out a little bit, but I was in the upgrading mood. So, I bought the 2006 F150. This bad boy is SUHWEET! If you're really bored, check out the thread I'm sure to start in Pimp Rides.

The assignment I have here in PA requires that I travel a lot. I'm also miles away from anyone I want to visit, so I take passes and/or leave whenever I get a chance. All this time away from my computer got to be really annoying, so I finally decided to switch to a laptop. I hated to see Lucy go, but it was time.

That presented a challenge. I refused to lower my standards, and I wanted a laptop that would compete with the desktop. I found ONE. I bought a Gateway that has an AMD 64 4000+, ATI X600 graphics, 1 GB RAM, Dual-Layer DVD/RW, etc etc... I sold Lucy, and set out to integrate the laptop into my home entertainment. The major problem was getting the VGA output to link up with the DVI input on the Aquos. This ended up being solved with a $17 cable from Newegg. WHEW! It worked great, and the X600 will force 1080i (high def) output. The audio runs through the TV as well, being pushed out to Klipsch 2.1 THX speakers.

Now, remember I mentioned how much the Microsoft wireless keyboard/mouse combo sucked? I say this because it had REALLY poor range, and seemed to require you to aim the keyboard and mouse at the receiver. It just wasn't working like I wanted it to. Selling that with Lucy freed me up to get the Logitech diNovo set. Bluetooth, with the MX5000 mouse - Anyone wanting a wireless setup, BUY THIS THING! It has tons of features and the range is outstanding.

So, here I sit...thinking. I'm not going to be carving up any cases or painting the laptop anytime soon, but I'm back in the flash/graphics game! The first step is a new sig for myself, and then it's wide open for anyone looking for anything.

Maybe tonight I'll get a pic of the "pimp center" and post it here...for now, I think I'll go post in Pimp Rides...see you there!

Nice to see you around again hp07, modding or not. Hope things continue to work out for you on all other fronts as well.

Nice to see you posting again.

divorce sucks even if yours may have been a little less painful than others.

Glad to see you back here. Sorry to hear about the divorce. If you travel over North Eastern PA hollar.

Good to have you back, Bro I know how the "Big D' goes as I've been there twice myself.........Sounds like your keeping focused and a good, positive attitude......

Glad to see ya "back", bro! Been wondering what happened to the "Chemical Super Freak"...

woohoo another person who is good at photoshop

Hopefully you dont have any kids, take it from someone who knows, dont put them in the middle. Yea Divorces suck. Bigtime, for both sides AND the children. Im speaking out of context again...

Glad to see you back Though!

Quote: Originally Posted by Nerdz Hopefully you dont have any kids, take it from someone who knows, dont put them in the middle. Yea Divorces suck. Bigtime, for both sides AND the children. Im speaking out of context again... Glad to see you back Though!

Actually, I have two of the best sons a dad could ask for. My wife and I just decided that it's time to face facts. We were opposites when we met, and we're opposites today. We never figured out how to "grow together." That being said, we still talk every night as best friends would, and our boys have yet to shed the first tear. I talk to them nightly, see them on holidays and long weekends, and they will live with me during the summers (until they're old enough for baseball teams with their buddies, etc to interrupt).

At any rate, my divorce is one that I would say only 1 out of ohhh ... every 10,000 get. It's a very friendly, adult process that has made it very smooth for the kids. After all, they come first always.