Archive for July, 2005
The trip to detroit was a typical flight for me… sandwiched between dickheads with a screaming baby behind me the whole flight. I was reminded of the MASH episode where the woman smothers her crying baby to keep the PRK soldiers from discovering the bus… if only we were so lucky.
Now I'm stuck on the tarmac… the #2 radio is out, and we can't leave until it is fixed. Hooray!
Thank Jebus I have an internet connection via bluetooth and my phone.
I've upgraded my [Flickr](http://www.flickr.com) account to a Pro account. It's a pretty sweet deal at $25 a year for essentially unlimited photo storage. The big win is that it's damn easy to use… especially when uploading from a mobile device.
I bought a [Dell Axim X50v](http://www.aximsite.com/articles/link.php?id=200) Pocket PC device… it has bluetooth + WiFi, and a gorgeous screen. I've only had it a few days, but I'm already very impressed. It is very responsive, and the wireless works really well. It puts my Treo 600 to shame.
With it, I should be able to keep in touch while in Japan. Unfortunately, despite having a “World Phone”, my mobile is largely useless in Japan… they don't do GSM. So instead I'll be using email and [Skype](http://www.skype.com), which is fricken amazing… The quality is so good, and you can't beat the price. It works really well on my new PDA. I got a tiny bluetooth wireless headset, the [Bluespoon AX](http://www.pdabuzz.com/Home/tabid/54/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/489/ReviewNextlinkBluespoonAXBluetoothHeadset.aspx). It's wicked tiny. Should be here tomorrow. It will make chatting via Skype even more pleasant.
The other thing I've got coming in the mail is a 2GB compact flash card. Should be plenty of storage for some MP3s, Pictures, and maps.
What's nice is that the X50v also has a Secure Digital card slot, which is the type of memory my camera uses. I'll be able to review, and post photos to Flickr as I go. Way cool. Watch for them here: [My Flickr](http://www.flickr.com/photos/denovich/)
I'm trying to reserve my hotel in Sendai tonight… I think their reservation system must be down for maintainence… at least that's what I think this means:
Error infomation
Error code : PUB012
Now, since a hotel system is maintaining, reservation cannot be accepted. Although humiliated truly, you reserve time anew or please give me reservation by telephone.
It's been pretty quiet on the blog, which generally means I've been having fun. It's a lot easier to find the motivation to rant, than to write about good times.
Happened:
Cool weekend trip to NYC
Joined our company softball team
Foolin' with cars, motorcycles, the yard, the house
Friends visiting
Saved a ton on car insurance (not Geico.)
Filled out all the paperwork for my passport
Soon to happen:
Turning 32 next week
Possibly heading to Montreal on business next week?
Websphere training
Definitely heading to Japan (1-2 weeks) on business in less than two weeks
Summer is always too short…
I'm finally got around to applying for my passport this week. I'm almost ashamed to admit that it will be for my first real trip outside the country (I don't think Windsor, Canada counts.) I'm headed to Japan later this month for business. One of our largest (and I mean BIG) US customers owns a good chunk of a certain Japanese retailer, and is eager to see our product in use there.
