back to normal

My laptop crashed after a week here so I have been booting off a linux live cd. Such a pain. Anyway, it's fixed after a re-install and life is almost back to normal. Here's a photo of my rental car



It's so pretty here and the research is really interesting too. The cold is starting to kick in. It's about zero celsius and the thick coats aren't even out yet. It snowed a couple of days ago but it didn't stick and supposed to warm up a little for halloween. People make a big thing of halloween here. Many decorate their front lawn and porch with pumpkins and hanging monsters/witches. It's cute.

If the English talk about the weather all the time, then Americans talk about the economy and politics all the time. It's okay and I guess I bring some variety to the conversation.

View towards Albany from Thacher Park


Leafy steps up from the Indian Ladder Trail


Cohoes Falls

my new car

So I arrived in Albany today where I will be spending the next three months. I picked up the rental car. I was expecting a 4-door Hyundai or similar, as the quote led me to believe. I got a sporty Chevy, 2-door with a high rear and spoiler. I almost could not believe my eyes and thought someone was playing a joke on me. I got into the car and tried to look for the electric jack to plug the tomtom into. Found one but it was much too small. Thankfully the tomtom had some battery power left. (Found the 12V standard electric jack much later.) So I started playing around with the many buttons.

"Ooh, three buttons on the rear-view mirror. I wonder what they do." Press rightmost button with the attractive cross icon.

"Hello, this is the SmartAssist SOS system. How can I help you? blah blah..." I think this was what she said.

I was panicking now. I was expecting the button to change the mirror properties, not get someone on the phone! I pressed another button which seemed to end the call.

But the "phone" rang! And she started talking again. Obviously I was frantic and trying to think of what to say. I could only apologise and that I didn't mean to call her. Instead of reprimanding me for wasting their time, she told me not to worry about it, or something like that, and that they are there if I should need it!

I certainly felt safe. At least I know what to do if the car breaks down *touch wood*.