Nativity scene in Redwood City

Reading the newspaper last week led me to a nice adventure last night. Tapestry Church in Redwood City has built a model of Bethlehem 2011 years ago and they would be showing it for 3 days ending this past Friday night.

As a Jew, raised Orthodox, I have never been to a nativity scene. Not even a small one. As this seemed like a good time, I chose to go to this nativity scene with my girlfriend. We got there around 7, considering it was open from 6 - 9:30 we thought this to be a good time to get there. We were surprised by the length of the lines of people waiting to get in. The line went about 5 blocks. We were disappointed. We were hungry. We were cold.

After parking, and getting over there, and trying to figure out the logistics of Ann holding the line while I got her heavier coat from the car, and me holding the line while she got some food, we were suddenly distracted by a troupe of Roman soldiers coming our way. At almost the tail end of the line, we stood watching the soldiers as they looked at all of us. Then the captain of this group came over to Ann and decided she would make a good wife for one of his grunts. Naturally I went in to take her back! That was it, we were now being fast-tracked to the front of the line. We actually tried to leave the group at first so we wouldn't lose our spot! Luckily one of the soldiers explained what was happening. This was how we skipped the whole line and got into the nativity scene really quickly.

Once inside, I was surprised to see a menorah lit with 4 candles. We also saw lots of stands (old style wooden shacks) with hebrew signs. מאפייה, פירות וירקות, נגר בניין, קדר, ומיון כיתיכם. They had some 'Jews' each wearing a Tallit, and discussing or possibly teaching Torah. Of course as you moved on, you started to see less Jewish things. There were lots of animals there. All tame (I wonder how they keep them so tame...). Then of course we saw the Nativity Scene! That was a site to see.

There was a row of angels, about 15 or so all standing from end to end over a manger. And of course one lead angel on the top with wings and a very angelic outfit. Inside the manger were the usual participants. The baby would be Jesus, and the rest of them, I'm not really sure. I guess Mary and then perhaps the disciples? That was quite a sight.

I can't see myself attending many more of these, but for a one-time look, it was quite entertaining. Definitely worthwhile seeing.

x220t fingerprint reader driver update

UPDATE: Apparently Lenovo has not found it worthwhile to fix the fingerprint reader software... Still misses some of the times. On those occasions you must input your password

It looks like Lenovo has finally updated the fingerprint software. Given that the fingerprint reader was intermittent, an update is very welcome.

Technically it looks like this reader software is more reliable. This has to do with the weird way the old reader software would have to overtake the default logon screen, and the length of time it would take to be ready. This new software looks smoother and better written.

32 bit:
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/thinkvantage_en/fpr_595_7038_32ww.exe

64 bit:
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/thinkvantage_en/fpr_595_7038_64ww.exe
Enjoy

Issues discussed:

x220t - fingerprint reader not working / broken

More new drivers for x220t

Lenovo's new site is very frustrating!!! But here are the new drivers:

New Ricoh Multi Card Reader Driver:
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles/8ass82ww.exe
Thinkpad Monitor INF File:
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles/79oi26ww.exe
Intel Wireless LAN:
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles/8aw212ww.exe

alternate solution to x220t microphone problem

This solves the broken microphone issue on the x220t. When it is not working, try these steps, and let me know if it solves the problem for you as it does for me. I am using the latest Conexant driver from Lenovo version 8.32.23.0.

Open the registry.
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E96C-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0000\Settings

(If you don't have this key, then it might be different on your system. Search for "AppsUpdates" to try to locate the correct path.)

Under Plugins\Capture\LFX, rename the key {70306ef0-7851-11dc-8314-0800200c9a66} to {70306ef0-7851-11dc-8314-0800200c9a66}.old

Under OEM, rename AppsUpdates to AppsUpdates.old, Flags2 to Flags2.old, and Flags3 to Flags3.old

Reboot

The Flags2 and Flags3 keys cause AppsUpdates to be created with this value: F8 00 0C 00. This value causes some of the input and output devices to be hidden.

The Plugin that I am commenting out is related to ForteMedia.

I am guessing that the Flags2 and Flags3 options were created to be compatible with ForteMedia. I am guessing again that the device that remains is either the wrong one, or ForteMedia is causing it to crash.

Hope this enlightens someone who can actually fix the Conexant driver....

Lenovo updated drivers

Lenovo has sadly created a new website for Thinkpad updates. This site sucks.

There is a new x220t firmware 1.17, Intel AMT Engine driver, and Hotkeys integration utility. Since the site no longer lists the drivers in order, you have to manually go through the menus. What a pain.

support.lenovo.com

X-Men First Class - Great movie

Highly recommended. Did anyone else see Charles Xavier's image through the really tall wine glass? I could swear that they put Patrick Stewart's image in there... Or I could be imagining things...

BMW March 2011 iDrive Bluetooth issues

I bought a new 2011 BMW 335d back in May of 2011. The car is a superb. I love it. My only issue is with the iDrive system. There are design flaws and functionality issues. The Bluetooth system design is at the top of the list.

Scenario:
A potential client has called you as you're getting to your car. You are talking as your open the door to your new BMW. You get in, and you turn on the car. While you're talking, the iDrive system starts up. The Bluetooth module on the car kicks in and immediately grabs your call. Silence... The iDrive system hasn't yet initialized the microphone or the speakers. Seconds pass. 1.. You fumble with your phone to try and see if the call was dropped. 2.. You try to unlock the phone. 3.. Your scrambling to type your iPhone unlock code in. 5.. You see that the call has been routed to your car's Bluetooth. 6 seconds have passed and your caller has hung up just as the iDrive turns on the microphone and the speakers.

This is what would happen to me. I became trained at keeping my phone unlocked and in my hand whenever I was on the phone and starting my car. I would immediately switch the call back to my phone the moment the car would take the call.

The good news is that the BMW dealer can update the software as they did for me. There are virtually no changes other than a different look for the Bluetooth Active Call dialog, and the fix for this issue.

Glad to see that after lots of pushing and prodding, they finally did something to resolve this.