Try Filling an Air Swimmer–Helium is in Short Supply?

The first time we saw one of these videos we put getting one of the Air Swimmers on our To Get list.

Air Swimmers Are Kewl!

We just picked one up this week and low and behold we found out that Helium which cannot be synthesized is in short supply around the world (Bing Search)!

We ended up calling around to the various party stores and party rental places see if we could find some helium to fill up the balloon portion of the Air Swimmer with mixed results.

Apparently no one sells the standalone bottles of helium anymore. We can “rent” a bottle to fill it up and then some but the cost for that was quite expensive.

A gentlemen took the time to fill me in on all aspects of helium and the struggles the party industry has with obtaining it from The Balloon Gang here in Edmonton (Yelp page). He gave us a price to fill up the Air Swimmer that was pretty reasonable.

Since he took the time to explain things we will make sure to support his store when it comes time to fill up the Air Swimmer.

It makes us wonder whether our grandchildren will have the chance to get helium filled balloons for their birthday?

Or perhaps we will see Hydrogen making a comeback? Probably not given its volatile nature.

Another option may be to make a Chinese Lantern and light it outside to watch it float upwards.

For now we will make the trip to The Balloon Gang to fill up the Air Swimmer. :)

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists
Co-Author: SBS 2008 Blueprint Book

*Our original iMac was stolen (previous blog post). We now have a new MacBook Pro courtesy of Vlad Mazek, owner of OWN.

Windows Live Writer

Microsoft Flight Beta Open for Application

Remember Microsoft’s Flight Simulator? We still encounter a lot of folks with time and add-ons invested in that software.

Microsoft has a new beta coming up for Microsoft Flight.

• Microsoft Flight Beta Site

A neat little video from the team:

Hat Tip: The Verge: Microsoft Flight accepting beta applications via fellow MVP David Nickason

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists
Co-Author: SBS 2008 Blueprint Book

*Our original iMac was stolen (previous blog post). We now have a new MacBook Pro courtesy of Vlad Mazek, owner of OWN.

Angry Birds? It’s a Really Neat Game!

I have not played any sort of game on a computer or other device in _years_.

Zuma was the last one that came to mind on MSN’s game site back when.

After seeing all of the discussion in various groups about Angry Birds I downloaded it to my HTC HD7 now Mango phone and played a few levels. It took all of 10 minutes before the game was purchased and levels were unlocked.

My kids love watching while I run through the various levels. We have even collaborated on them too! :D

The game is so successful that it has spawned an entire stuffed toy and t-shirt industry from the looks of their Web site.

Good on them as the game is an awesome brain buster.

It’s even available for PC!

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists
Co-Author: SBS 2008 Blueprint Book

*Our original iMac was stolen (previous blog post). We now have a new MacBook Pro courtesy of Vlad Mazek, owner of OWN.

Windows Live Writer