Hi everyone,

The latest news is that it turns out I’m a moron. Sure, this is no surprise to many of you.. but it’s an absolute letdown to me. I had no idea!  emoticon

No, seriously… here’s the story.  Before we left for Russia in August, I checked 3 or 4 of the "wall wart" power transformers that we were shipping to Corsica, to see if they would work with the different electrical system in Europe.  All the ones I checked showed they would work fine with 220v/50hz power, so I just figured (assumed) that all of them would work.

Wrong, Mr Smart Guy. (Also known as Mr. Perfect, Mr. "The Great", Mr. Wonderful, and sometimes Mr. Amazing.)

The ONE power plug that we actually need… doesn’t work with the electrical system over here. This is the one for my wireless router.. which is needed to "split" our internet line so Cara can have a connection, our VoIp phone can have a connection, and I can have a wireless connection for my laptop (so I can work somewhere besides this damn couch!), etc…

After visiting no less then 5 different electronics stores here on the island, I realized that it just not something I can buy here. Most of the store owners looked at me like I was nuts. Knowing they couldn’t possibly know this to be true, I realized their look actually indicated they didn’t know what I was talking about.  (Yes, there is a subtle difference!)  It appears that not many people move to Corsica and are stupid enough to forget the necessary step-down power transformateur (nice French accept I have, eh?) to make their critical electronics equipment work.

(A step-down power transformer, for those of you who don’t know.. is what converts the electricity here in Europe to work with any electrical devices that need the same type of power from North America.  For any Daystar folks who are reading my blog.. I basically need one of those heavy little white/black things we used for all our concerts in Russia to plug into their power.  Yes, the same little device that continously electrified the sound board and gave me a thrilling shock each time I touched anything metal on it.)

So.. after searching a few online French websites, I found what I needed.  It only would cost 76 Euros, plus 10 for shipping.  That’s over $100 USD. No thanks.  For 10 euros more I can buy a brand new router.

So I checked out English websites, and found the exact same transformer for "only" $9.95 USD plus $30 shipping to France.  A better deal.

To make a long story short, in about 4-6 weeks, after this 5 pound transformer brick arrives, we’ll have our internet phone working, Cara will have her own computer/email, and I’ll be able to get off this couch and work from anywhere in our "house" (even outside!).

I hope everyone is doing well.