Blog | frasergo.orghttps://www.frasergo.org/blog/2009-09-10T10:06:53+00:00BlogA happy charging laptop2009-09-10T10:06:53+00:00david/blog/author/david/https://www.frasergo.org/blog/2009/09/a-happy-charging-laptop/<p>In a slight break from our normal family news...</p>
<p>Charis experimented with inserting a mini audio jack into the power connector that plugs into my (David's) work Dell laptop.<br />
It produced no auditory success, but bent the pin inside the power connector. I managed to straighten it, but it subsequently came off inside the laptop power socket.</p>
<p>This pin seems to communicate that it is a valid Dell Power supply, and without it being connected properly the battery will not charge. My battery ran so low that I couldn't use suspend when moving the laptop around because I had so little battery power left... (see <a href="http://lists.us.dell.com/pipermail/linux-desktops/2009-August/003186.html">my plea for help</a> if you want the gory details)</p>
<p>I got a new power supply, but still needed to work out how to extract the pin from the laptop (it was not sticking out at all, and there was no way to grab it with tweezers/pliers etc). I was too nervous of breaking the new power supply or something inside the laptop to try and connect the new power supply.</p>
<p>I tried soldering onto the pin so I could then pull out the solder but all I achieved was melting some of the plastic on the outside. I had various suggestions ranging from superglue on a needle to magnets, nitric acid, and drilling it out. I asked my friend Ian who said he'd have a look... he simply pushed the new power cable in, as he said there's usually space behind the pin. Voila. I couldn't believe it was that simple.</p>
<br class="clear" />Joys and blows2008-12-26T07:23:10+00:00david/blog/author/david/https://www.frasergo.org/blog/2008/12/joys-and-blows/<p>This last few weeks it's felt as though emotions ranging from joys to griefs have been running hand in hand...</p>
<p>We had a <b>week away with David's family</b> in Vic Bay. The first time we've all gone away together since we all got married... it was really special to all be together.</p>
<p>Unfortunately we all seemed to contract a <b>stomach bug</b> while we were away, one by one (with the except of Andy and Louise and Mia) - on the Friday night James was throwing up half the night, and again once on Saturday evening; Danielle had it on Sunday afternoon (very relieved that we all made the trip down OK); Charis threw up on Sunday night, and David and James's stomachs have both been out of order most of this week... (they finally seem back to normal now)</p>
<p>On the way back last Sunday we heard the <b>shocking news</b> that <b>Tori</b> (one of James's few fellow child patients at the hospital) had a massive cardiac arrest and <b>died</b>. It left us all reeling... she had an infection and was put in ICU but then seemed to be stabilising - this was totally unexpected and hard to understand.</p>
<p>James still seemed very lethargic after he was over the worst of the bug so Danielle took him back to the paediatrician - his blood tests showed that his <b>liver function is abnormal</b> again, and his white blood cell counts were low. So they've taken him off all his oral chemo for this week (to help his blood recover before his intravenous Vincristine due next week) and his anti-convulsant as well, which should help us see if the liver is being affected by either of those drugs.</p>
<p>James also had an <b>ultrasound</b> of his liver on Tuesday morning and it showed no structural problems which is good news. And Charis and Danielle both went for blood tests at the same time so it was a family outing!</p>
<p>In between all of this we were <b>celebrating Christmas</b>. We had a great time on Christmas morning with the kids reading through the story of how Jesus was born - right from the angel appearing to Elizabeth until John the Baptised baptised Jesus. Charis is convinced that <i>Jesus died on the cross for our fins</i> - you know, the things on a fish like a tail - although she is gradually admitting that that's a joke.</p>
<p>Danielle and I are both feeling quite <b>exhausted and stretched</b>. It's felt like there are months that are easier and harder and this last month or two has definitely been harder! We had some good talks while we were away about how to recharge in times of stress - both of us get our energy from keeping our eyes fixed on a big vision of God - but didn't expect to need that battle to intensify straight away! I've been reading <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/OnlineBooks/ByTitle/1593_Dont_Waste_Your_Life/">Don't Waste Your Life</a> by <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/AboutUs/JohnPiper/">John Piper</a> which has been a refreshing and challenging stimulus.</p>
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<br class="clear" />Weekend away in Betty's Bay2007-05-14T08:14:57+00:00david/blog/author/david/https://www.frasergo.org/blog/2007/05/weekend-away-in-bettys-bay/<p>We went away for the weekend with Ulrik and Andrea and stayed in Betty's Bay. Seems a bit crazy with only 11 days to go now before we leave and much to do - but it was actually brilliant to just have relaxed time with friends and I don't think we would have had that otherwise! James and Charis loved their little Staffy puppy called Mimi. We went for a walk to Disa Kloof and saw some baboons on the way back.</p>
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<a href="http://frasergo.org/node/91"><img alt="Disa Kloof waterfall" src="http://frasergo.org/files/images/DSCF0036.thumbnail.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://frasergo.org/node/92"><img alt="James with Mimi" src="http://frasergo.org/files/images/DSCF0039.thumbnail.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://frasergo.org/node/93"><img alt="Charis trying to eat her pink bunny" src="http://frasergo.org/files/images/DSCF0040.thumbnail.JPG" /></a>
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<p>Our visa application went in and they said everything was fine but they can only issue it a few days before we leave otherwise it will expire too soon (it expires 3 months after issue). We've been making progress getting everything else ready - a very special time, sad to leave here but can't wait to be in Japan</p>
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