Category: Uncategorized

NEW YORK, N.Y. — The cult of Apple seems to be very strong in New York. The vast majority of headphones I see on the subway are iPod headphones and the SoHo Apple Store (two floors!) is packed to the gills. Speaking of Apple, I like their new product releases (the Mac Mini, the iPod Shuffle and iWork). However, that’s at first glance. I’m sure I’ll have a more informed opinion as time goes on.

There’s so much to write about, but not enough time. So until I can correct this in future posts, here’s some thoughts:

– Getting lost in cities.
– Obscure landmarks that only I’m really interested in.
– The irony when Rush Limbaugh says “The problem with listening to complainers is that you’ll eventually become one.”
– Roadside eats.
– Doing stuff for free in NYC.
– Why don’t people put addresses clearly on buildings?
– Not enough time to do stuff.
– Getting places when they’re closed.
– I’m sure there’s stuff I’m missing.
– The Mac Mini — The next low-cost Macintosh LC (generally pretty good) or the next Performa (astonishingly awful)?

More later.

LYNCHBURG, Va. — It’s a really wonderful thing that I don’t gamble very much. If I had money on this past weekend’s NFL games, I would’ve been signing up for the poorhouse (or whatever anyone does at a poorhouse). I went oh-for-four on the weekend’s four games.

It’s true that I was rooting for my favorite teams (San Diego, Denver and Green Bay) to win, but San Diego and Green Bay was favored by many to win. Instead, with Seattle, they were all sent packing (probably not to the poorhouse).

It was an excruciating time to listen to these games on the radio driving down from Michigan. Oh well, that’s why they play the games right? By the way, I’m picking Atlanta to lose all the way to the Super Bowl. 😉

It seems like I just got home and I’m taking off again for parts unknown. There’s a ton of stuff that needs to be done around the house, but I’m basically just throwing my unpacked luggage back into the car and departing.

Good news is that the roads look clear and hopefully there may be opportunities in the path before me (or something like that).

HANCOCK, Mich. — Home again after being in motion for about 21 hours. I thought that digging out my car at Marquette Sawyer Airport and scooping my driveway after such a long day would’ve been a momentous task. It was surprisingly easy to dig out my car — all the snow came right off my windows and there was no ice. I was able to easily unlock my car and open the door (instead of both being iced over). It was sweet.

Getting home wasn’t bad as the roads were clear. Although there was a bit of snow in my parking spot, it was actually quite pleasant (despite some salty chunks of ice) and quite a pick-me-up after such a long day. My parking spot is interesting — it’s the furthest from where I can dump the snow, but it’s sheltered from a lot of drifting snow too.

Memo to self: Don’t start watching a movie after midnight if you’ve got to get up four hours later. D’oh!

More later, but my bed beckons for now and I won’t resist its siren call.

HOUSTON — Well, after nearly two terrific weeks in sunny climate of San Diego, I’ll be back in the snow-covered Copper Country in about 12 hours. In the next couple of days, I’ll reflect on many of the fun things I got to do in San Diego and Poway including visiting the band, New Year’s Eve, the family and getting frisked by the UCSD police.

Until then, here’s just a couple of thoughts on the Houston-George Bush International Airport. First of all, the layout of this airport is as chaotic and hard to navigate as the Minneapolis and Detroit airports. The thing is those airports have tried to implement solutions to try and ease the flyers’ travels through the terminals (through the use of trams). Despite a renovation, Houston doesn’t seem to be going that route just yet with the fleet of mini-cars hauling some of the passengers through the concourses.

Secondly, there’s only a handful of Internet terminals and wireless access is limited to the Presidents’ Club. Again, with a recent renovation underway, adding wireless Internet to the airport would’ve been an easy amenity to provide. Oh well. The Neptune networks terminal that I’m writing this on is fast and responsive. However, with my right arm perched on top of the cash box and my neck craned to the right to read the LCD, it’s not the most ergonomic. Still, I’m addicted and I need my fix.

There’s an interesting commentary from the CBC’s Rex Murphy calling on the people of the “First World” to help those stricken by the disaster (who are typically from the “Third World”).

Some interesting thoughts and I think helps illustrate some of the differences between action and deed. I was especially struck by his last words — “And if an earthquake and a tsunami can’t wake us out of the slumbers of complacency and prosperity, well then there’s nothing that can.”

The news about the aftermath of last week’s earthquake and subsequent tidal waves just continues to get worse. BBC News is reporting that more than 68,000 are confirmed dead and the Red Cross is saying that the toll could be more than 100,000 soon.

Seeing the video of the waves crashing into the resorts is sad — no one on holiday would’ve anticipated such a life-altering disaster. Hopefully, relief organizations can help alleviate the situation soon.

If you’d like to help the recovery effort, this BBC News story links to 10 care organizations.

SAN DIEGO — It’s the Monday after Christmas and most of the stores are packed with shoppers and those seeking to make returns. My family went to Fashion Valley Mall and I naturally went to the Apple Store.

I was very surprised about how many people were at the Apple Store. The line for returns seemed pretty long (for mostly iPod accessories, it seems), But there were big crowds looking at all the shiny new Apples. It’s a wonderful sight.

I hope I’m getting in the holiday mood — I’ve been listening to the soundtrack from A Charlie Brown Christmas for pretty much a whole month now. There’s snow on the ground and I’m desperately trying to think of last-minute gifts for the family.

Since it’s probably my last season in the Copper Country, I’m working on something with a local appeal. I think I’ve got an idea, but it’s going to require a bit of a drive. We’ll see if it pans out.

Until later, have a happy holiday!