Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Naked Guy On Spinning Bull?
Tunes in your mobile
I have one of those new phones that stores my mp3's. The only problem is that I have yet to find a decent device that will play my music on the car stereo. Leave it to those forward thinking engineers at Chrysler to put an auxiliary jack right in the front panel of the in dash stereo. Next time you rent a car, ask for the Chrysler. You can plug your mp3 player in and cruise down the road in tuneful bliss.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Southwest Airlines, good rates, feel like cattle
Ah yes, this trip to San Diego reminded me of the Joy of traveling on Southwest Air.
I'm not sure what the reasoning behind this is, but there's no assigned seating.
They way it works is there is an A, B or C printed on your ticket. Then you queue up in your respective line, then they open each gate in alphabetical order, A first, then B, then C.
Then the way it works ism, you kill each other for the best seats. If you're in the C group, you can just suck it up in the middle seat. It really makes you feel like cattle and the vibe when you look at another passenger is more of a "You better not get my aisle seat, you bastard" kind of of a feeling rather than a "Hey fellow road warrior, sup?" state of mind.
I guess the theory is, that it loads and un-loads planes faster, but I just don't see it. Maybe they save 3 or 4 minutes.
Being 6 feet 3 inches tall, I always reserve an aisle seat, on other more civilized airlines, where they allow you to reserve a seat.
The only problem is, Sometimes Southwest has ridiculously low fares, or they have a direct flight to where I need to go when nobody else does. So sometimes you just gotta roll the dice and hope you get the seat you want.
So I'm back from San Diego, off the flying cattle car, and not really ready, but have to anyway, it's back to work. I'll be schlepping around the Pit (Silicon Valley) for the next couple of weeks, and there's a trip to Cleveland, Ohio in there somewhere too. I'm going to go slide on some snow tomorrow in the Sierra's and be back on the road Monday.
Uneventful Travels,
GT
I'm not sure what the reasoning behind this is, but there's no assigned seating.
They way it works is there is an A, B or C printed on your ticket. Then you queue up in your respective line, then they open each gate in alphabetical order, A first, then B, then C.
Then the way it works ism, you kill each other for the best seats. If you're in the C group, you can just suck it up in the middle seat. It really makes you feel like cattle and the vibe when you look at another passenger is more of a "You better not get my aisle seat, you bastard" kind of of a feeling rather than a "Hey fellow road warrior, sup?" state of mind.
I guess the theory is, that it loads and un-loads planes faster, but I just don't see it. Maybe they save 3 or 4 minutes.
Being 6 feet 3 inches tall, I always reserve an aisle seat, on other more civilized airlines, where they allow you to reserve a seat.
The only problem is, Sometimes Southwest has ridiculously low fares, or they have a direct flight to where I need to go when nobody else does. So sometimes you just gotta roll the dice and hope you get the seat you want.
So I'm back from San Diego, off the flying cattle car, and not really ready, but have to anyway, it's back to work. I'll be schlepping around the Pit (Silicon Valley) for the next couple of weeks, and there's a trip to Cleveland, Ohio in there somewhere too. I'm going to go slide on some snow tomorrow in the Sierra's and be back on the road Monday.
Uneventful Travels,
GT
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Shout out to Ubuntu
I had to send the good word out to the groovy people at Ubuntu - Linux for Humans.
I've seen quite a few Linux flavors over the years, but this was easiest installing yet.
It did a better job of automagically recognizing things like my sound and wireless cards than Windoze did.
I got my first cup of Ubuntu when I lost a hard drive on my laptop. I was still able to work on my machine while I waited for my new hard disk by booting Ubuntu off of a CD and writing files to my USB drive.
When I got my new hard drive, I made my machine dual boot and put both Ubuntu and Windoze (Some software I have to use for work, but not much, still only runs under Windoze. I know it's totally barbaric, but hey it's a living).
Overall the whole package has a nice finished feel to it. It has lots of great things already pre-installed, like Open Office, The GIMP, and there's even a Windoze Remote Desktop Client!
I dual boot installed my 14 year old daughters machine too with the 64 bit version of Ubuntu and She's loving it. She's in to video and music editing and the package management software makes installing new software a no brainer.
To make a long story short, if you've been thinking about tyring out a new Linux distro, Ubuntu is easy to install, easy to use, and the price is right. It basically the Shiznit!
I've seen quite a few Linux flavors over the years, but this was easiest installing yet.
It did a better job of automagically recognizing things like my sound and wireless cards than Windoze did.
I got my first cup of Ubuntu when I lost a hard drive on my laptop. I was still able to work on my machine while I waited for my new hard disk by booting Ubuntu off of a CD and writing files to my USB drive.
When I got my new hard drive, I made my machine dual boot and put both Ubuntu and Windoze (Some software I have to use for work, but not much, still only runs under Windoze. I know it's totally barbaric, but hey it's a living).
Overall the whole package has a nice finished feel to it. It has lots of great things already pre-installed, like Open Office, The GIMP, and there's even a Windoze Remote Desktop Client!
I dual boot installed my 14 year old daughters machine too with the 64 bit version of Ubuntu and She's loving it. She's in to video and music editing and the package management software makes installing new software a no brainer.
To make a long story short, if you've been thinking about tyring out a new Linux distro, Ubuntu is easy to install, easy to use, and the price is right. It basically the Shiznit!
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Travel Advice for the Un-initiated
I will pass along a few tips I have picked up in my years as a traveler, in the hopes that it will maybe make your life easier. To be honest it's not really out of any altruistic motivation that I impart these pearls of wisdom. It's really in the hope that I won't be stuck behind your sorry, clueless ass because you are fiddle farting around and didn't pay attention. Selfishness aside, lets move on to the reason for this post.
Before You Arrive
---------------------
1. I use Kayak, it has all of the major carriers (except Southwest :( ). You can easily pick the time you want to leave and arrive, put in multiple stops, etc. My boss turned me on to it and it's really the best way I've found on the next to find the right flights and times. NOTE: If the link from Kayak does not go directly to the airlines but instead to Orbitz or Cheap Tickets, get the flight information and book it directly with the airline. If you don't book directly with the airline it gives the airlines one more excuse not to reimburse/compensate you if there's a problem with your flight. The same goes with hotels and rental cars, go straight to the source.
2. Check in on the airline Web Site - Some airlines allow you to check in and print your boarding pass at home. If you can't do that, use the self service terminals near the airline check-in counters. This will save you time. NOTE: Make sure to read all of the fine print. You may not be able to use Web Site check in, if you have checked luggage.
3. Travel Light - Use the roll away luggage that will fit in the overhead bins, don't check luggage and it will cut 30-60 minutes off of your travel time easily. NOTE: Be prepared to "Gate Check" your luggage on smaller planes. Ask at the ticket counter before you get board. Otherwise you'll hold everyone on the plane up after you figure out you can't fit your bag in the plane and have to get back to the front of the plane to give it to the flight attendant to check.
4. Print out or Write down your flight information and have it handy. Get your ID out and have it ready as you will probably need to show it more than once. If you are leaving the country make sure you have your passport.
5. Take a bath. Nobody wants to sit next to your stinky ass all the way from California to New York. And while your at it, that breath mint I'm offering you, it's not because I'm being all nice and sharing, it's because the malodorous stench emanating from your festering gob is about ready to make the hair on my head leave their follicles and migrate to a more hospitable environment.
6. Measure your ass. If you can't fit the bar down that separates one seat from another, you need to purchase enough seat to hold your ass. No offense to fat people, but DAMN! Get your ass outta my seat.
At the Airport
-----------------
1. Paste on a smile and suck it up. Probably the number one rule. I've seen this a hundred times at least. Traveler talks to airline personnel, traveler is justifiably angry and vents anger at airline personnel, airline personnel politely tells traveler that there is nothing they can do to help and they're terribly sorry, as the airline personnel think to themselves "I've got your customer service hangin'". If you paste on the smile, suck it up, and ask them, please if they could assist you with your problem, chances are they'll still think to themselves "I've got it hangin' right here buddy", but at least there is the oft chance that they will actually assist you with your problem and do what they can to help. If you go in with an attitude you reduce your chances of getting help to somewhere around zero. Just remember, when using air travel, not only does shit happen, shit happens ALOT.
2. Have your ID and your boarding pass in your hand and ready when you get to the first checkpoint. Fumbling through your bag or pockets to find your ID or boarding pass is bad form.
3. No you can't take liquids through the checkpoint. No that water bottle can't go. You can technically take bottles of 3 ounces or less in a 1 quart plastic bag. You have to take the plastic bag out all by itself when you get to the x-ray machine, and at some airports you have to present it to a preliminary inspector. I avoid all the hassle and leave the liquids at home. You can take stick deodorant and all your other toiletries, except for: shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and shaving cream. Those things you do not bring, you can get at the hotel on the other end. Make sure you call ahead and that your hotel has what you need before you arrive (most decent ones do).
4. As you approach the X-ray untie your shoes and take your laptops out of the bags. The shoes must go through the X-ray machine and the laptops have to go through all by themselves. Check your pockets for metal, belt buckles, money clips, etc. Having to go through the checkpoint multiple times because you forgot metal on your person increases your chump status in the eyes of your fellow travelers.
5. No you cannot take those lighters through. Check your pockets man!! Toss them before you get to the x-ray machine.
Getting On The Plane
-------------------------
You'd think this would be simple but so many people mess this one up.
1. Yo! Get out of the frickin' aisle! If you are near the front of the plane and there are people that need to get by, step out of the aisle and wait to "F" with putting your stuff in the overhead rack when there is nobody waiting to get by you.
2. Hey that's my stuff in there. When you do put your things in the overhead rack. Be considerate of other peoples stuff. GENTLY, move it aside, but don't smash it to get your stuff in.
3. Get to your seat, sit down and keep your hands and arms inside until the vehicle comes to a complete stop. Don't get up, wander around, talk to your buddy in the seat 5 rows back, or go to the bathroom. Sit down and buckle up.
Getting off the plane
------------------------
For some people this is even harder than getting on, but with practice, it's a skill that can be easily mastered.
1. Yo! Get out of the frickin' aisle! - If you have stuff in the overhead bin and you can get it out quickly, then do so. Otherwise, wait for the people that can operate an overhead luggage bin to pass until you can figure out the operational details of the in-flight luggage storage unit.
2. Yo! Get out the frickin' aisle! - When you get off of the plane, don't stand around in front of the gate exit looking for where to go next. Move along citizen, get out of the way and off to the side before stopping to make sure your head and other body parts are still attached.
I'm Traveling to Sunny (we hope) San Diego next week for a family vaction. I'll post some pictures of our wandering and the interesting folks we meet along the way. Until then these words of wisdom - taken from a poster
It Could Be that the Purpose of Your Life Is Only to Serve as a Warning to Others.
Before You Arrive
---------------------
1. I use Kayak, it has all of the major carriers (except Southwest :( ). You can easily pick the time you want to leave and arrive, put in multiple stops, etc. My boss turned me on to it and it's really the best way I've found on the next to find the right flights and times. NOTE: If the link from Kayak does not go directly to the airlines but instead to Orbitz or Cheap Tickets, get the flight information and book it directly with the airline. If you don't book directly with the airline it gives the airlines one more excuse not to reimburse/compensate you if there's a problem with your flight. The same goes with hotels and rental cars, go straight to the source.
2. Check in on the airline Web Site - Some airlines allow you to check in and print your boarding pass at home. If you can't do that, use the self service terminals near the airline check-in counters. This will save you time. NOTE: Make sure to read all of the fine print. You may not be able to use Web Site check in, if you have checked luggage.
3. Travel Light - Use the roll away luggage that will fit in the overhead bins, don't check luggage and it will cut 30-60 minutes off of your travel time easily. NOTE: Be prepared to "Gate Check" your luggage on smaller planes. Ask at the ticket counter before you get board. Otherwise you'll hold everyone on the plane up after you figure out you can't fit your bag in the plane and have to get back to the front of the plane to give it to the flight attendant to check.
4. Print out or Write down your flight information and have it handy. Get your ID out and have it ready as you will probably need to show it more than once. If you are leaving the country make sure you have your passport.
5. Take a bath. Nobody wants to sit next to your stinky ass all the way from California to New York. And while your at it, that breath mint I'm offering you, it's not because I'm being all nice and sharing, it's because the malodorous stench emanating from your festering gob is about ready to make the hair on my head leave their follicles and migrate to a more hospitable environment.
6. Measure your ass. If you can't fit the bar down that separates one seat from another, you need to purchase enough seat to hold your ass. No offense to fat people, but DAMN! Get your ass outta my seat.
At the Airport
-----------------
1. Paste on a smile and suck it up. Probably the number one rule. I've seen this a hundred times at least. Traveler talks to airline personnel, traveler is justifiably angry and vents anger at airline personnel, airline personnel politely tells traveler that there is nothing they can do to help and they're terribly sorry, as the airline personnel think to themselves "I've got your customer service hangin'". If you paste on the smile, suck it up, and ask them, please if they could assist you with your problem, chances are they'll still think to themselves "I've got it hangin' right here buddy", but at least there is the oft chance that they will actually assist you with your problem and do what they can to help. If you go in with an attitude you reduce your chances of getting help to somewhere around zero. Just remember, when using air travel, not only does shit happen, shit happens ALOT.
2. Have your ID and your boarding pass in your hand and ready when you get to the first checkpoint. Fumbling through your bag or pockets to find your ID or boarding pass is bad form.
3. No you can't take liquids through the checkpoint. No that water bottle can't go. You can technically take bottles of 3 ounces or less in a 1 quart plastic bag. You have to take the plastic bag out all by itself when you get to the x-ray machine, and at some airports you have to present it to a preliminary inspector. I avoid all the hassle and leave the liquids at home. You can take stick deodorant and all your other toiletries, except for: shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and shaving cream. Those things you do not bring, you can get at the hotel on the other end. Make sure you call ahead and that your hotel has what you need before you arrive (most decent ones do).
4. As you approach the X-ray untie your shoes and take your laptops out of the bags. The shoes must go through the X-ray machine and the laptops have to go through all by themselves. Check your pockets for metal, belt buckles, money clips, etc. Having to go through the checkpoint multiple times because you forgot metal on your person increases your chump status in the eyes of your fellow travelers.
5. No you cannot take those lighters through. Check your pockets man!! Toss them before you get to the x-ray machine.
Getting On The Plane
-------------------------
You'd think this would be simple but so many people mess this one up.
1. Yo! Get out of the frickin' aisle! If you are near the front of the plane and there are people that need to get by, step out of the aisle and wait to "F" with putting your stuff in the overhead rack when there is nobody waiting to get by you.
2. Hey that's my stuff in there. When you do put your things in the overhead rack. Be considerate of other peoples stuff. GENTLY, move it aside, but don't smash it to get your stuff in.
3. Get to your seat, sit down and keep your hands and arms inside until the vehicle comes to a complete stop. Don't get up, wander around, talk to your buddy in the seat 5 rows back, or go to the bathroom. Sit down and buckle up.
Getting off the plane
------------------------
For some people this is even harder than getting on, but with practice, it's a skill that can be easily mastered.
1. Yo! Get out of the frickin' aisle! - If you have stuff in the overhead bin and you can get it out quickly, then do so. Otherwise, wait for the people that can operate an overhead luggage bin to pass until you can figure out the operational details of the in-flight luggage storage unit.
2. Yo! Get out the frickin' aisle! - When you get off of the plane, don't stand around in front of the gate exit looking for where to go next. Move along citizen, get out of the way and off to the side before stopping to make sure your head and other body parts are still attached.
I'm Traveling to Sunny (we hope) San Diego next week for a family vaction. I'll post some pictures of our wandering and the interesting folks we meet along the way. Until then these words of wisdom - taken from a poster
It Could Be that the Purpose of Your Life Is Only to Serve as a Warning to Others.
Travel Tip #101 - Get a room that is empty
On a recent trip to Texas, I got in rather late, or really early, however you want to look at it. I do the credit card/ID dance with the front desk person and stumble blearily to my room.
I take the room key from my pocket and slide it in the door, hear the click of the latch, open the door and see a guy standing there in is BVD's, who says "Hey I'm in here".
Being now fully awake, I make my way back to the front desk and ask the person there if "I can please have a room that does not already have someone in it".
I suppose that if it were a couple of Swedish bikini models in the room I might have thought "Man this new hotel points program is great".
But as it was, I should have asked for my room, without guest. So remember road warriors, your travel tip for the day is, when you check in, make sure you ask for the un-occupied room option. Unless of course you'd like to redeem some of your points..
I take the room key from my pocket and slide it in the door, hear the click of the latch, open the door and see a guy standing there in is BVD's, who says "Hey I'm in here".
Being now fully awake, I make my way back to the front desk and ask the person there if "I can please have a room that does not already have someone in it".
I suppose that if it were a couple of Swedish bikini models in the room I might have thought "Man this new hotel points program is great".
But as it was, I should have asked for my room, without guest. So remember road warriors, your travel tip for the day is, when you check in, make sure you ask for the un-occupied room option. Unless of course you'd like to redeem some of your points..
Driving in Texas
Welcome To My Blog
When I found out that my neighbors cat had a blog, I figured, it was high time to start a blog of my own.
I travel around the US quite a bit in my traveling type job, and I have my handy Treo 700p, so I figured I'd post some pictures from around the country of people and places and share them with the blogsphere.
I've been around in the computer business for 20+ years, Play WoW, Snow-Ski, Disc Golf, and enjoy spending time with my wife and two kids.
I'll probably be bashing the l-user's quite a bit in this blog, and I also enjoy watching the completely insane things people do. Along those lines, you've got to check out fark.com
most likely one of my favorite all time sites.
I'll start out with a couple of technology links that the geeks in the crowd will enjoy.
The Tao of Programming - If you are in the technology business - know it, live it
Simon - BOFH - "What was your user name again?"
Tech Support Nietzsche Style - "Our product is obviously too complex for you"
And leave you with this thought.
There are those that manage what they don't understand, and those that understand what they don't manage, then there are those that just don't manage to understand.
I travel around the US quite a bit in my traveling type job, and I have my handy Treo 700p, so I figured I'd post some pictures from around the country of people and places and share them with the blogsphere.
I've been around in the computer business for 20+ years, Play WoW, Snow-Ski, Disc Golf, and enjoy spending time with my wife and two kids.
I'll probably be bashing the l-user's quite a bit in this blog, and I also enjoy watching the completely insane things people do. Along those lines, you've got to check out fark.com
most likely one of my favorite all time sites.
I'll start out with a couple of technology links that the geeks in the crowd will enjoy.
The Tao of Programming - If you are in the technology business - know it, live it
Simon - BOFH - "What was your user name again?"
Tech Support Nietzsche Style - "Our product is obviously too complex for you"
And leave you with this thought.
There are those that manage what they don't understand, and those that understand what they don't manage, then there are those that just don't manage to understand.
LA Library - Librarian Action Figure with Real Shushing Action!
I found this one while checking out the gift shop at the LA public library. I would think if it was an LA librarian action figure she would also need the Kung-Fu grip.
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