Vacuummmmming

Asurion returned my Dyson today and I vacuumed everywhere. We have fur sufficient for several more dogs if anyone wants one.

It was so nice to be able to do that. Very satisfying. Our entire house on the one charge.

After 3 years of owning a battery Dyson I'm a little conflicted but sure do like having it. The conflict is TCO. I spent about $400 on the Animal V8 and bought the $60 Asurion warranty. The Dyson warranty ends at 2 years (they know how long their battery will last). The Asurion starts when Dyson ends and runs for 3 years covering everything with replacement, if necessary, insurance. So, first three years = $460 or about $150 per year. That's a bunch of change but it is IMHO the best vacuum I've used and it works on our carpets and hardwood and cars and is so easy to just grab and use.

Ours died right at 3 years. Asurion interaction was basically a PIA when it should not have been. But they covered the shipping and the return and I sent it and got it back in the same week so you can't beat that.

The vacuum is tough and so far has given every indication that it will last three more years. If it dies in less than two I'm the big winner. Replacement for free. If after two then I'm out of luck.

If I get three more years out of the battery and the vacuum lives through it then it is $460 / 6 = $77/year TCO. Anything after that is just more gravy. It's going to need a bunch of gravy for me to buy another but it might get there.

The big decision will be if the battery dies at six years. Then I have to decide whether to buy a $130 battery from Dyson or spend < $200 on a Black and Decker that has nearly as good ratings and a battery that I can share with other B&D equipment.

I'm not unhappy that I bought the Dyson. It was one of my new home presents to me. But I'm not sure I'll keep it going when it needs more repair.

I'm not going back to a corded vacuum ever but maybe $77/year is a bit pricey.

We may lose but we're going to sound good doing it

One of the things that separates soccer from any other sport is the way the fans act. At least the MLS fans here in the U.S.

Austin has only been around two years but they started out with a bang and immediately became known as one of the loudest and most fun home stadiums to host a game. The crew fills one end of the stadium and if you sit there (assuming you could get a ticket, which you can't) you will get wet from flying beer when there is a goal. It is hilarious, the most raucous party one can imagine. They are supported by 'La Murga de Austin', a group of Carnival-like supporters that are a circus of sound through the entire game. A little idea of what it is like can be seen here and here

What is amazing is that they were like this at the first game, out of the gate.  They have been practicing for years already knowing that the game would get here.

I've not missed a single Austin FC game.  A lot of them have sucked.  But the music is worth it and unlike most of the NFL mirror gazers, the players on the team invariably say that their goal is to be worthy of La Murga and the fans.  When they lose they say that they feel badly for disappointing.  When they win they give all the credit to the fan support.

What a weird sport.

One of my favorite all time breads

Haven't made it in too long.