I’ve been blogging for a decade. 10 years already… huh!

While this is certainly an interesting point in a time line, it’s really only an electronic analogue to a diary. I’m sure many people have been keeping diaries for longer. Nonetheless I’m kinda tickled to meet this milestone. I started “blogging” before “blog” was even a noun or a verb; indeed before it was even a popular catchphrase. Indeed I had my first web page back in 1995 (See my “Deep Archive” link above)

That’s a lot of time and bandwidth (timewidth?) dedicated to my own banter. What have I accomplished in that time?

As it turns out quite a bit. I became a true adult (still out for some debate). I had a successful consulting company (official corporation even!) and then transferred clients/closed it after my clients became successful and got gobbled-up by other, bigger corps in what became the dot com bomb. I moved to California and back. I bought a house. Got cats. Sold a house. Bought a condo. Used five different types of blogging software. Stumbled into a great relationship. And generally observed what made me laugh and ranted upon the stuff that irritated.

As I look back at some of my entries it makes me smile and laugh a lot. Also I cringe a lot…was I THAT shrill, really? Or was I THAT stupid, really? But that’s the deliciousness of time and becoming older — the cumulative benefit of your experiences always makes you wiser and wiser.

So what will the next decade have in store? Who knows….That is what is fun, and worth living!

-Garrett

1998:
http://www.gmwnet.com/archive/1998/

1999:
http://www.gmwnet.com/archive/1999/2/
http://www.gmwnet.com/archive/1999/3/
http://www.gmwnet.com/archive/1999/

2000:

http://www.gmwnet.com/archive/2000/1/
http://www.gmwnet.com/archive/2000/2/
http://www.gmwnet.com/archive/2000/3/

2002
http://www.gmwnet.com/archive/2003/1/

2003:
http://www.gmwnet.com/archive/2003/2/

2004:
http://www.gmwnet.com/archive/2004/1/

2005:
http://www.gmwnet.com/archive/2005/1/
http://www.gmwnet.com/archive/2005/2/

2006:
http://www.gmwnet.com/archive/2006/1/

P.S.: I’m going to attempt to add these old entries to my database. So if you subscribe to the RSS feed you may see a slew of new entries. I’ll be careful to set the date in the posts properly, but I’m unsure if they will appear in the RSS feed because they are “new” entries as far as the database is concerned…

Aviation, Capitol Hill Living, Cats, ColdFusion, Downtown Living, Evert, Food, Fun!, Holiday, Holidays, Politics, Rants, Technology, The Condo, The House, Travel, Virtual Aviation, WOW!, geek

Fun!, Travel

The 25th anniversary paint job Horizon Q400. Nice ride…they had Top
Pot donuts for us this morning

Aviation, Travel

img src=”http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2621/3775967354_8857dd4920_m.jpg”>

Finally got to ride today…pretty nice…signage still needs
improvement though

Capitol Hill Living, Travel

While in Atlanta I was able to spend time with my fine looking Southern cuzins Beth & Michelle! We had a great time and they took me to areas of Atlanta I would not otherwise have seen or known about:

Having a “FO” (Frosted Orange) and peach pie at Varisty, a drive-in dive and Atlanta tradition.

Had lunch here — was in the little “alternative” district of Atlanta (Little Five Points? — I forget already — They had good beer, though!). Was totally fun.

Fun!, Travel

I like to compare Belligerent Urban Miscreants (B.U.M.s) in different cities, as there is a distinct difference and local flavor in each municipality’s B.U.M. membership.

Atlanta B.U.M.s are not as absolutely direct as in Boston, ala “Welcome to Boston, care for some crack?”

In Atlanta apparently there is a law that you can not directly ask for anything (as in solicitation of money). So the B.U.M.s have gotten pretty crafty down here out of necessity. They’ve become the “helping tour guide.” They strike up the conversation and then ask you if you need directions and point out new bars and city hot spots. They’re pretty clever and engaging. Then they hit you up for a “contribution” for their services.

I never give money to any particular B.U.M. member, but I actually had to break down and do it here in Atlanta after I saw the same guy twice. Last night he gave me some “advice” on a local pub….and I’ll be damned if it actually wasn’t good advice and the pub was really cool. So I gave him a couple dollars when I saw him today; he was appreciative and I felt pretty OK too.

Today I’m touring Atlanta city including The Georgia Aquarium (apparently the largest in the World…who knew!) and CNN. Then just wandering around, seeing what’s up.

Fun!, Travel

Today I drove down to Fort Myers to see my good friends Scott & Paige, whom I’ve known since college, and their adorable kids Pierce (2) & Sloane (6 mo?). Most of you know I hate kids, so this may come as a surprise, but they really are cute. Pierce is talking up a storm and Sloane is the biggest, cutest smiley-girl you’ve ever seen — always a smile (Except when I took away the Tupperware of goldfish crackers from her after she started sucking on it — Ooooh, boy, did I hear protest about that!!)

The Paces are now putting the kids to bed, and I’m downstairs in the kitchen listening to the baby monitors down here — it’s really cute. I found myself singing along “abcdefg, hijklmnop, qrs, tuv, w, x, y and z…”

I’m down here thru Sunday and then I’m off to Atlanta!

Hopefully pictures to come — Pierce looks just like a little Scott!

Fun!, Travel

Another pretty sunset, this time you can also watch the video as the sun drops down below the water and gets applause from the people in the bar below.

Watch the video here

Fun!, Travel

I did dip my toe into the Gulf — it was cccccold. Like, freezing! At least I did it.

So writing this report outside from my balcony, sipping an ice-cold beer and observing interesting people. This part of the beach is devine.

So far…

Favorible impressions of Northwest Airlines
(soon to be Delta…sad to see NWA go…). So far — I haven’t flown NWA in decades, but each flight was spot on time and my bag came out only 10 minutes after arrival. First class was nice (when is it not?!) but actually I thought it was a wee bit better than American, my usual carrier. Food was actually good.

During the flight between MSP & TPA I was graced with a delightful traveling companion sitting next to me. She was from Minneapolis and ya, sure, you betcha — honest to goodness. Her mannerisms and accent were straight from Francis McDormand in the movie Fargo, but she looked EXACTLY like Ennis’s wife when she was blonde later-on from Brokeback Mountain (Was that Anne Hathaway?)! She was my age and travelling to a conference in Tampa — we had a great time talking about everything. It was a hoot.

Favorible impressions of Minneapolis Airport (MSP)
I actually haven’t transferred thru the main terminal at MSP before. It is quite large, and I had a hefty hike between gates, but it’s really nice. Massive mall will all shops you could imagine, incredible food choices. Makes me want to plan longer layovers here — with 2-3 hours you would not be bored in MSP. That said my 40 minute transfer was a bit tight, but worked perfectly — one of those magical layovers where just as you get to your next gate they pick up the mic and start announcing the boarding.

Favorible impressions of the Doubletree North Redington Beach, FL.
Slightly older building, sweetheart staff so far. I think I forget about the Doubletree when I travel — this is as nice as any Sheraton or Marriott I’ve been too, and it’s on the beach and was fairly inexpensive. And they asked, for $20, if I wanted a “welcome” package waiting for me in my room of assorted cheeses, crackers, fruit and beverages. I said yes, expecting a saucer of maybe 3 pieces of cheese and two small, green strawberries (but hey, I’m on vacation…) But then I found it and honestly — the thing is huge! All pretty and wrapped in a bow. I will never be able to eat all this cheese and fruit. It was awesome. Oh, and remember that Doubletree’s also give you a warm cookie upon checkin — yum!! Doubletree gets A+ from me so far…

So-so impressions of the beach.
It’s a nice beach for sure, and nice to look at and the Gulf view from my balcony is fantastic — love that! But, as I had thought, I can already tell that beach life is just not one of those things I’m attracted to. Laying in the sun and doing nothing. Just not my thing. And even off-season just before spring break hits there are still way, way too many people. I don’t like people as a rule. I DO like to lay around and do nothing, but not with people I don’t know and sweat dripping down my backside. Not comfortable! For me, relaxing on my balcony in the shade with a breeze reading my books OVERLOOKING the beach — well, that’s quite another thing. Lovin’ that. And the little lizards are cool.

Fun!, Travel

I have arrived. Much satisfaction and enjoyment….more later!!

Fun!, Travel

Karate CHOP! All be damned if priceline.com still has it!

I’ve used priceline in the past when being uber cheap was the name of the game. These days I’ve become a little more, well, fussy, and require control of my travel plans — I’m an admitted “mileage whore” so I like to stick with my favorite airline and hotel programs.

So when planning my March vacation this year to FLORIDA, I got all my favorites lined-up in a row and they satisfied me with good, competitive rates….and more miles! I’m totally happy with that.

But then Florida left me with a somewhat new-ish dilemma; Usually I go to cities that have lots of public transportation and there is NO need for a car. Umm, yeah, not so Florida! Seems like you and us in Washington have something in common other than being “corner” states after all! Damn. Must. Rent. Car.

So I look up the rates — they are atrocious. Ridiculous, even. $60 per DAY is the best I can get on Expedia or Travelocity. I have no loyalty to rental car companies — I don’t care which one, as long as it’s major. There has to be something better. I muse to myself “Hey, what would William Shatner do?!?” So I go to priceline.com and put in an equally ridiculous low price for a car, per day.

$14…. [click]

…your offer has been accepted!

No way! Gaddam, that really was the best exciting thing to happen to me in a while. I got goosebumps. I could talk and go on and on about what a complete cahoots the car companies are in, but I was just glad to get a righteous price.

So cheers to the captain, and priceline really does still have it.

Fun!, Travel

From a trip report I posted to airliners.net.

The actual trip to Vegas was nice — very relaxed. I didn’t even bring my laptop!! Although I later was feeling quite detached from the world. Guess I have Internet addiction, but since I can claim that is my career hopefully I can avoid those nasty visits to the therapist LOL!

___________________________

Bottom lines at the top:

–Nice new airplanes, of course.

–Nice staff, not outlandishly cute, but happy & professional
–Exit row reservation of $15 is worth it
–Upgrade to first class $50 worth it…perhaps
–Red is cool, but needs some work. Holds promise
–Will definitely fly again; all-in-all superior to other competitors that I have flown

In brief…my first time on Virgin America as I was trying their product to see what the fuss was all about after a 3 day quickie in Vegas. I usually fly either Alaska (We’re nearly slaves to it in SEA for west coast stuff) or Southwest for short trips like this.

I forgot my camera — 20 lashes with a noodle, I know.

LAS-SFO VX909
Scheduled: 3:35P
Actual: 3:35P
Load: 85-ish%

Reserved an exit row window on this leg. Found the legroom more than some domestic first class cabins I’ve sat in. Definitely worth the $15 for me. Seats are comfy and did not feel “squashed” into them and I’m a pretty big guy. The side wall does start curving into your headroom if a window seat, though. Not enough to make me unhappy for 1.5 hours. Weather was gorgeous all along the coast, so spot on-time departure. Arrived 40-35 minutes early into SFO!

The Red in-flight entertainment is nice, but still seems buggy — slow screen redraws and artifacts. Google maps is slow. TV is good. Music good (obviously as a Virgin product…) Navigation of the screens was a little confusing, but I’m getting old and analog, so perhaps it’s just me. Once the kinks are worked-out and the final features added it will indeed be killer.

Now had a 4 hour layover in SFO, but that was planned — had dinner with some friends which was fabulous. Returned to the airport an hour before departure only to find a gate change to the other side of the SFO Int’l terminal to G83. Quite long walk — not something you want to do when you have no time.

SFO-SEA VX748
Scheduled: 8:45P
Actual: 8:45P
Load: poor (perhaps 33%?)

Got an upgrade to first class on this leg. After cheap Vegas hotel and no gambling I figured i could afford the $50 upgrade luxury to try it out — I AM an airplane lover after all, so it’s research, at least this is my excuse to myself…

First class is really akin to a good International business class. Unbelievable seat pitch — I could not reach-out and touch the seat in front of me without getting out of my seat. Seat comfy. Only annoying thing was there is no place to rest a single drink glass as the arm rests are padded and contain the tray table on one side and the Red screen on other.

We were served a BBQ chicken salad, which I poked thru as I was stuffed from dinner, but it was good and appropriate for the quite late hour. All-in-all for this short flight the $50 wasn’t particularly worth it when I knew from the first flight that $15 extra scores an outstanding seat totally sufficient for 1-3 hour coastal flights.

I later sat in a “normal” coach seat for a few minutes. It did feel more constricted, obviously, but I would not hesitate to sit in one of these either. As good or better than other airlines.

Oh, and we arrived 30 minutes early in SEA as well. Must have been the excellent weather, I’m sure. Vividly shows you, however, how much delay airlines pad into schedules some times (yet still are late…I know, a huge other topic!

Summary:
IMHO this is a superior product compared to the normal airlines I endure when doing quick flights on the west coast. Perhaps not mind-blowingly so, but definitely a noticeable step above the rest. If Virgin America flies to a destination I want to go to I will choose them over anyone else from now on; let’s hope that network of theirs is expanded. I think they have the potential to really take-on a certain airlines if they can hang in there during the tough times and passengers take notice.
________________

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/trip_reports/read.main/135267/

Aviation, Fun!, Travel

OK, I’m late to the party… (big surprise!)

This commercial that United aired during the Olympics is simply a masterpiece. It is an epic film in 60 seconds.

Normally I’m not a huge sappy guy, but this one softens even my hard edges. It is so nuanced and heartfelt — literally; the way the heart gets cut-out and slipped in a pocket. They way you see the light thru the empty heart during the presentation. They way the bird flies thru it and the score is outstanding. Plus just a hint of United’s famous use of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” at the end, which has to be one of the most effective, and really great, corporate identities out there.

Just too bad United is really going through some rough times, as obviously they have some incredible talent and feeling somewhere in that leviathan body. This is beautiful.

Anyways, here it is…

Aviation, Fun!, Travel

And no, it’s not mine!

http://www.bsideblog.com/travel/

This guy is hysterical — he writes about his travel experiences. He’s an awesome writer (apparently what he does for a living) and he says it like it is! The travel section of his blog is just a part of his other subjects. But it’s the one’s that I identify with the most.

He used the word “gauche” in a post. Always a plus in my book.

He’s also obviously a Child of the 80’s like me, For example, on JetBlue’s videos channel:

“Anyway, I’ve watched a good number of videos on the three-headed monster that is MTV-VH1-VH1 Classic. Highlights have included “No Air” by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown (my new guilty pleasure), “We Built This City” by Starship (my all time favorite guilty pleasure), “Foolish Beat” by Debbie Gibson (a guilty pleasure I didn’t even realize was a guilty pleasure until it came on), “Wishing Well” by Terrence Trent D’Arby (a smooth pleasure), “Love Song” by Sara Bareilles (a goddamn pleasure), and “Touch My Body” by Mariah Carey (a funny video pleasure). I should note that for whatever reason, I was oddly compelled to sing along to “We Built This City,” but I restrained myself out of respect for the passengers and/or any small animals that may be aboard. I should also note that while I’ve seen the video many, many times in my life, this was the first time that I carefully studied Grace Slick’s dance moves, and let me say that while rhythm might not be her strong suit, no one can touch her when it comes to teetering over on her side / clapping oddly.”

I especially loved the first few points of his “Top Ten Worst Baggage Claim Annoyances.”

Say it, man, say it!

Fun!, Travel

My Dad was quite successful in his latest endeavor — gone fishin’. Here’s the results:

This was significantly larger than the 2″ minnow we caught at Cranberry Lake while camping decades ago!

Fun!, Travel

So enjoying a weekend away at the beach. Even if it is a little cool, it hasn’t rained much although the wind has been fierce. I got a great little condo unit right on the beach in Moclips, which is around 20 miles north of Ocean Shores. Other than an excursion to Ocean Shores itself, I’ve seen maybe 10 people. The beach is wide-open. Me likey!

Also got to take a ride in the parent’s motorhome, as they came along as well — stayed in Pacific Beach down the road. Was fun, until my Dad won at mini-golf. My mother and I are still debating his alleged 10-point win

Here’s the photo album

Fun!, Travel

I finally had some time to clean my photo pile and get some of that organized. I downloaded Picasa from Google — and I’ll be if that ain’t the best little utility ever for organizing and creating photo albums (once you find the time).

The scary part, though, was Picasa found everything — and I mean everything. So some editing had to take place!

I organized a bunch of stuff including the full set of photos for my recent Paris trip. Here they are:

Full Paris Compilation:

• Paris Day 1
• Paris Day 2
• Paris Day 3
• Paris Day 4
• Paris Day 5
• Paris Day 6
• Paris Day 7
• Paris Day 8

Misc albums that amused me:

• Cats and Cookies
• Pace Visit 2007
• Flight Simulator
• More Cute Cats

Aviation, Cats, Fun!, Travel, Virtual Aviation

OK, everyone knows I love travel — but I must admit sometimes I get the better of myself. Let’s see, depart Paris at 9 AM Paris time (get up at 6 AM), fly to JFK for 8 hours. 5 hour layover (turned into 6). Fly 5 hours home to Seattle. Arrive at 10 PM Seattle time. 30 minute delay waiting on plane for jetbridge to be fixed. Same day. Hmm — what is that…a 36-hour day? I dunno. Too tired for math. Anyways, I’m home and being mauled by my cats for attention. Still, Paris was fantastic.

Fun!, Travel

So we were going to cook today. Unfortunately the chef mis-scheduled others during the day and couldn’t acommodate us — a truly bummer deal. So we ended up doing some “left-overs” of our own and hit some places we missed or wanted more of.

THEN we set off for our last night at new hotel near the airport, since we have an early morning flight. Below is the video that pretty much sums up my thoughts on the hotel. It was better than I had dreamed of — I’m such an airplane nerd. (Warning: I’m slightly a potty-mouth)

Watch video

Plus here’s the photos:

Facebook album of Day 7 — last day!

Fun!, Travel

Wandering around Paris I went down this ally to a little park as I was waiting for Claire to finish on her own taking some last pictures of the Musee D’Orsay and what do I find out: France discriminates on gymnastic apparatus. Damn. My routine was all ready to go, too.

Here’s the parks where the sign was — cute little thing, but what an interesting welcome. It’s obvious they mean not for you to slide on the railing there or jump it, but still

Fun!, Travel

I had the best ham omlette, of all things, for dinner tonight. The ham was real and tasty, cheese perfect and the eggs — remarkably done, yet tender and fluffy. Amazing something so seemingly simple could be so vastly better than you’ve ever had before.

Today we went to the Centre Pompidou and saw the Mus

Fun!, Travel

OK, so my friends have cajoled and sucked me into using facebook. I must admit their photo page creator is pretty slick, so I used that to upload my photos so far:

My Facebook Photo Album

Fun!, Travel

We had perhaps the last good day of weather in our schedule today, according to the forecasts. So we made the best of it! Click on them for bigger versions.

Fun!, Travel

I have travel stories already. I made it my goal of staying awake the first day until a reasonable hour. Yay — I did it. 10PM and it’s bedtime on this Friday night! I am dog tired!

Speaking of dogs, I had always read and heard that Paris has dog crap laying all over the streets as people didn’t pick up after their dogs. It must be one of those fallacies to keep people away — kinda like Seattle and rain, because I have yet to come across any of this detrius on the streets. As a matter of fact most are pretty clean actually. Hmmpf. Must hunt for this elusive French dogshit. Will take photos. This is my new mission.

And speaking of the French — I have yet to be truly offended by anyone’s rude behavior yet either. I actually got a lot of smiles and good natured-ness even using my extremely limited French phrases. Although you do get a lot of “matter-of-factness” as I call it. Call it a smooth indifference. They absolutely give you what you want, but just no smile. I say — so what?! That’s not rude. That just…is. Which apparently is very French. Definitely not American style. But that’s why you travel, isn’t it — to get out of your comfort zones, explore and witness that there are other ways of doing things just as good as your own.

OK, I’m nearly hitting the keyboard with my head nodding off to sleep. Pictures to come tomorrow and so does Claire!

Fun!, Travel

J’attends avec int

Fun!, Travel

Or at least that’s what this cool new website, flightmemory.com, says.

This is a website where you enter all the details of your travels and it then spits-out maps and statistics for you. I totally got into this just being lazy today. Spent hours putting in my flights and travels, all from memory.

Then you start to remember trips you forgot! Like I vividly remember flying on Delta Airlines through Cincinnati once, and Northwest via Detroit — but I can’t remember what for!

*Highly* entertaining for an aviation/travel nerd such as myself.

View my Flight memory maps and stats here!

Highlights (And I’m far from complete!):

In Miles 167,658
In Kilometer 269,821
Earth Circumnavigation 6.73 x
Distance to the Moon 0.702 x
Distance to the Sun 0.0018 x
Total Airports 53
Total Airlines 16
Total Aircraft type 28
Total Routes 106

Total Countries 8

Fun!, Technology, Travel

I’m off as a traveller again!

Super excited — I just planned two cool trips. A short trip in December to the Bay Area to see some friends I haven’t seen in ages and then a fantastic trip to Paris in March — my favorite travel month.

I planned the trip to Paris first and then thought — crap, that’s 6 months away! I need a vacation to ease all that waiting…so I planned another.

Hopefully my friend Claire, who’s going back to school on the East coast, will be able to join me as it’s her spring break.

Pssst…I’m flying first class to Paris…yes, hate me…Bahahahaha!

Fun!, Travel

Natalie and I have made it back from our road trip — we covered a lot of territory. Sedona, Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater, Petrified Forest National Park.

I get back home tomorrow.

Check out the photo gallery

Vid: I find rain in Arizona

Vid: Natalie needs a new car

Vid: “Sleep in a Wigwam on route 66″ said the sign! So we did!!

Fun!, Travel

Just reserved tix to reunite with my best co-conspirator, Natalie, in Phoenix. So start saving for my bail money fund now ! We’re planning on taking a road trip through Arizona

Fun!, Travel

In a trial run I’ve decided to add some music clips of what I was listening to on my recent trip. It was kinda fun and I hope you enjoy my weird tastes.

Click here to listen to what’s in my head

Fun!, Travel

So I’m home, and I’m slowly going through photos and writing a trip report. Most of the photos for Toronto are from the CN tower as it was a gorgeous day and any other photos look like any other city. I guess that is the noted curse of Toronto if the city has one — it can stand-in for any big city. And it often does in film. But what “general” city-ness it may have it makes-up for in general appeal. Toronto is a really nice city!

Anyways, more writings later, but Here’s the gallery

Fun!, Travel

Or, puffs actually. This was funny — While visiting the CN Tower in Toronto they have those new security devices that are supposed to detect explosives. It puffs air from your feet to your head and then, I guess, is supposed to sniff for the chemical traces of a bomb.

It was pretty funny — most people were amused more than anything, I think the group think while standing in line was “yeah, right, this really works…”

And the air that blew out at you stank — as you’ll see by the reactions in this video of the sniffer in action!

What will they think of next…

Fun!, Travel

Walked all around again, concentrating on the South side this time. Cute, cute buildings and neighborhoods steeped in history. I’m sure someone will call me on this and say they have been all reconstructed, or somethig like that. So what. The character remains.

Seee the pics here!

I did arrive in Toronto this evening. Already have lots to say, but I am tired! Off to bed and then a jump-start for the morning!

Fun!, Travel

OK, I admit. It’s cold. Rarely do you hear me say that, so soak it in, people!

First day in Boston — walked all around Boston Commons, then through some of downtown, Fanueuil Hall, the North End and back. I was basically a popsicle after this. So I’m back at the hotel with warm cocoa and taking hot shower. Ahh.

Here’s the photos so far!

Then it started to get windy and whoa! So I recorded a “Note to self” about traveling in Winter. Maybe sweating and perspiration in a hot climate is not so bad every once and a while.

Watch my confession (Warning: I’m a potty-mouth)

Fun!, Travel

Greetings fellow life travellers — I have arrived in Boston. Flights were pretty good — Chicago to Boston was delayed, so I got in late. So I will hit the streets running tomorrow.

Obviously I had to venture out to get dinner once I checked in. I just settled on the local Rock Bottom. I know — unimaginative — but close to my hotel. My hotel is in the Theatre district of Boston — Anyways so I’m walking back from dinner (only about 3 blocks) and get asked for money. OK big deal. But this guy decides to tag along for the walk. He keeps yammering on and on. This guy was just wacked out — you know the ones — how you know they’re probably harmless and just on something… So I found this rather amusing. There were lots of other people around, 2 more blocks to the hotel — big deal. However, then he asks “So are you gay or straight?” I say “Sorry, not looking” — then he’s like “not that I care. I go both ways. Mr Big takes it up the @$$ and Mr Tiny loves the ladies” “Oh” I said, “OK, thanks!” Then he asks “So, you want an airplane ticket to the moon?!” I Asked “What airline?” He said “Crack pot airlines” and then laughed so hard I thought he was gonna just die right on the street there. I said “Nope, sorry” and he was actually surprisingly cordial and said “no problem” and by that time I was at my hotel.

So if you are looking for a crack-smoking bi-curious homeless Bostontonian I may have your man…

You just can’t make this shit up sometimes…

Fun!, Travel

My March/spring trip is upon me! Since it’s an odd year I usually stick to North America. So this year I’ve decided on Boston and Toronto for a 10-day for-sure winner! Yay for me!!

So I’m a complete aviation geek, so I used some of my miles to upgrade to first class round trip — yes! I’m not expecting much on a domestic trans-con, but it will still be a helluva lot nicer than normal. From Boston I’m winging my way to Toronto for a few days, and might even meet up with my geek friends from airliners.net there. That leaves me 5-6 days in BOS, so I’m actually thinking of going to the Cape for a few days — perhaps Ptown. Who knows. Would be nice to rest in a B&B with a fireplace and read for a couple days while I let the still wintertime weather play it’s course.

Anyways, I’m surely excited!! If anyone has any tips, let me know!

Fun!, Travel

OK, finally got all the Munich photos and stories all done

Click here to read and view them!

As you’ll see, the Berlin stories and photos are in an entry below, and so are all the videos.

Geez, this was as much work as planning the trip almost!

Fun!, Travel

Here is all the best videos I took (from my new camera of all things!!) Lots more photos to come from Munich, Berlin photos are below, but the videos are the funnest…and here’s all of them. Requires Windows Media Player, which most PCs already have, and a high-speed connection

Ride the bus along the Kurfurstendamm in Berlin. Public transport is so awesome, except in Seattle. Berlin buses were the nicest I’ve been on.

Watch German TV. This was a “springer-esque” show — gotta love the announcer guy and the look on the woman’s face at the end!

Watch the Glockenspiel in Munich. I love the crowd’s “ohh, ahh” at the start

More Glockenspiel

Drink with people at the Hofbrauhaus. This was between lunch and dinner, so not much of a crowd, but still really fun!

Hofbrauhaus cheers! Short, but fun as everyone clicks their steins!

Riding the train at 200 KPH. The trains were on-time and comfortable.

My connecting train arriving in Fulda. Or so I thought. This was the wrong train — I got on it by accident. Luckily it was going to Munich as well!

Passing by Wurtzburg on the train. This town looked charming from inside, this video doesn’t do it justice — lots of church spires on the other side of the train (so I couldn’t really shoot those)

A snowy arrival of….something! Obviously some sort of publicity stunt, this was in Munich as I was walking along. Apparently there was some sort of German soccer star there as well — I had no idea. It was funny to watch, though.

What is it? More of this important jewelry unveiling in Munich, complete with TV coverage and motorcycles.

Riding the Munich Subway. The cleanest and nicest system I’ve ever been on (but the Berlin busses were nicer…)

Fun!, Travel

OK, I’m getting some pictures and experiences up here, including some videos!!

First is my report on Berlin, which is still a bit incomplete, but getting there!

I hope to have my Munich stuff up later today or tomorrow!

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It is so good to be home

I am back from my vacation to Germany. I had an incredible time and both Berlin and Munich gave me some great stories to tell. One thing is for certain, and the reason I travel: you can always find friends wherever you go — just be yourself, share a beer, and viola!

However, it is so good to be home. Really, it is.

I took a lot of pictures and notes, so in-between loads of laundry this week I’ll be uploading and sharing the stories. Stay tuned!

Fun!, Travel

Hello from the “Secret capital of Germany”! I’m in Bavaria after a long train ride from Berlin. It was good that the train ride was long, because I had a lot of recovering to do from a last-night party in Berlin — more later.

Berlin was BIG and spread-out. Thank GOD Munich is compact — and pedestrian friendly!! My feet thank you, Munich! This is my first real day here, and then I’ve got tomorrow and then I come home. Which actually is not that bad. Munich is so compact I’m covering a lot of ground and still having time to enjoy things.

BTW, hello, SNOW!!!!! Munich got dumped on the day before I got here, and there is about a foot of snow on the ground. It’s still snowing now. I love this — it’s perfect for me and the setting of Bavarian Germany.

Just got back from lunch at the Hoffbrauhaus! I drank 2 liters of really good beer, and am now walking off the buzz. Perhaps now I see why Munich is walkable — ahhhh, this all makes sense now. Nice planning Deutchland!

My last night I’m in a really nice hotel by the airport, so I will be uploading my photos then.

Another interesting note: you#ll see that I make fun of the Torino olympic opening ceremony and it#s music — so 80#s. Well, it must be a Europe thing, because it is ALL OVER THE PLACE here — everwhere I go it#s on the loudspeakers — I’m jazzing-out to ‘Celebrate a good time’ right now in the Internet cafe! How funny!!

Tsch

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Greetings froma snowy Berlin!! Its about 32 degrees with light snow flurries. Still getting used to the fact that I am actually here. Flights were long, but the UPGRADE was nice!!! Biz class from Chicago to Brussels — yeah baby!!! Nearly did not make my flight to Berlin — Brussels airport is huge!

So I have walked the Kurfurstendamm already today — to keep the blood flowing. Went all the way to the famous KaDeWe department store. It is Berlin

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In less than a week I shall be back in Europe!! I’m so looking forward to this trip. This weekend I’m going to pack and wednesday I’m off!

So more virtual aviation geek stuff: Not only am I a virtual pilot for a virtual airline, I’m now a virtual air traffic controller! I passed my initial test and I’m now certified for “Tower” for all airports in the Seattle Center area.

http://www.seaartcc.net/ is my home “center.” Next I go for approach control and start vectoring aircrafts all around the sky. HAHAHAHAHA, ahhhhh, the control…

Fun!, Travel, Virtual Aviation

I traveled down to SF to meet my friend Natalie for New Year’s. No bail was needed so we can consider this a successful trip! We also met-up with some friends I know from an aviation discussion board I frequent on the Internet (http://www.airliners.net/). Was fun to see those folks as well.

And the best of all, I got a new camera!! Wooo-whooo! It even has a movie function, soooooo….. without further delay, here is the first test (Windows Media player required)

Click to see THE FARTING TEDDY BEAR

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Just planned my March 2006 vacation. Germany, here I come! Will be visiting Berlin and Munich.

Below is my routing — of course, it’s only one that I could love:

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In New York, New York for the first time!! Not transferring planes. Not attending an all-day meeting. Actually visiting and spending some time. Here’s the pics, in random order, of my hotel room, Uptown, Brooklyn Bridge, Pride 2005, Times Square, etc… I have no idea why the time is so off! Here are the pictures

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Had a fabulous time in Montreal. The weather was cold and snowing — just what I wanted! The hotel was fabulous.

I forgot my camera, so I had to use my cell phone — not bad for nothing! Here are the pictures

Fun!, Travel