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Battery Pack In The Freezer: Not A “Cool” Idea

By funny, sarcasm, technology 11 Comments

Oh the perils of technology. Ever think something’s a great idea at the time, and then later on you’re kicking yourself? Yeah, story of my life. I think I killed my digital camera battery. This is a strange story, indeed, but worth a read.

I have a Sony Cyber-shot N1 digital camera. I’ve always had, and probably always will have, Sony digital cameras. They make superb products. Anyway, my last camera had the same proprietary dock port as my current one, meaning the same USB cable should naturally work with both cameras, right? Yeah, you’d think so at least. I misplaced my memory card reader the other day, and so I pulled out the USB cable I still have from my old camera.

As soon as I plugged it in, it killed the battery completely. So, I plugged it into the battery charger, and literally after two minutes the battery was fully charged and operational (which tells me the battery wasn’t drained in all actuality). So anyway, smart one here used the cable again today, thinking it was just an isolated incident, and sure enough it killed the battery again. The only problem this time was that the battery wouldn’t recharge. Why? The battery was already fully charged this time. The charger wouldn’t charge it any further (it’s an aftermarket charger I bought after I lost my factory one), and I therefore couldn’t get the battery working again.

The whole thing about the USB cable killing the battery instantly is strange, I know. But strange or not strange, I needed to take some pictures today for my Downtown Short Pump website. I decided to take matters into my own hands.

I have always heard that lithium ion batteries drain faster in cold environments. This is why many cell phones and iPods, as well as other devices with rechargeable batteries, work for shorter periods of time in the Winter months when used outside. So genius here got what he thought was a bright idea. If the battery won’t charge because it’s already full, why not drain it? And if lithium ion batteries drain quickly in cold conditions, why not stick the battery in the freezer for a bit?

I stuck the thing in the freezer for about an hour. I took it out afterwards and it was cold and covered with condensation. I think it’s shot. Who knows, though, it could have already been done for after using that cable a few times. Why a simple USB cable with no power running through it could affect a battery, or anything else for that matter, is a mystery to me.

Guess I’ll be ordering a generic battery to go with my generic battery charger. Pretty soon I suppose my camera will be generic, as well. It’s about the only Sony brand component left. As much as I like technology, I sure screw a lot of my own electronics up.

Paula Deen Is Crazy, But Entertaining

By funny, sarcasm, videos One Comment

So I spent some time at home with the family last night because it seems I’m always gone. We went out to dinner and then got home and were flipping channels. My mom stopped on the Food Network (big surprise) and we watched the show “Paula’s Party” with Paula Deen. Okay, I wasn’t really watching at first, but then I started noticing all the crazy stuff she was doing. I really should have gone upstairs and hooked my digital cable box to my computer and recorded it, if not to upload to YouTube, just for future entertainment. She’s so over-the-top crazy, at least she was on this episode, I couldn’t believe it.

Now granted she is a likeable woman with southern charm and hospitality, she was ridiculous on this episode. First, she had Billy Joel’s new 20-something wife, Katie Lee Joel, on to help her make some kind of dessert that combined chocolate, caramel, and every other sugary substance known to mankind in a way that should require that it’s served alongside a portable defibrillator. It was pretty much a heart attack on a plate. Well, Paula didn’t waste any time shoving the thing into her mouth and smearing it all over her face as she did it. Nice.

Oh but it gets better. Her next guest was some Austrialian guy that owns “chocolate restaurants” all over the world. He brought these huge slabs of chocolate with him to cook with, which he melted in a bowl. Paula then proceeds to stick her fingers in the bowl and smear chocolate all over his bald head while laughing hysterically (she sounds like a mad hyena or something).

She’s a nice lady and all, but man. She’s a little out of her mind if you ask me. I seriously thought I was watching an SNL or MAD TV sketch. That’s how ridiculous it was. Seriously. She also makes really strange faces all the time as she stuffs the food in her mouth that she just made. This short clip sums up a half hour of them on this episode.