Delayed at home

It doesn't look like I'll be leaving the Miami area for at least a week. I'm still waiting to hear about my new assignment but since I'll be able to stick around here for a little bit, I'll be able to relax at home and watch TV at night with my wife. Not to mention my cats will probably enjoy me being at home for a little bit because I give them lots of treats and play with them when I'm here. Another big plus, I'm not going to need my coat because I won't be frozen in the North East. :)

Tribune Sold

Some big news today is that Tribune was sold today to some real estate billionaire that used to own Equity Office. Now why am I writing about this? My wife used to work for one of their subsidiary companies so it'll be interesting to see what happens to the different parts of Tribune. The Cubs are going to be sold regardless but I'm looking to see if there are going to be any major job cuts since Tribune has a lot of properties down here in the South Florida area. Should be interesting in the next year or so.....

Verizon is slow

I've been cruising on the net and everywhere I look, there are newer Treo's being added to Sprint and Cingular. TMobile doesn't seem to be interested in Treo's so I'm not going to mention them too much. Almost every new Treo that I see recently in the news is for either Sprint or Cingular.

Lets take a couple examples shall we? First up is the Treo 680, a nice Palm based Treo thats exclusive right now for Cingular. It's been out for a few months already and it's supposed to better than the 700p that is available currently (and for over a year I might add) for Verizon. I haven't seen any plans for this device yet for Verizon. I also just heard that a 755p is coming out for Sprint, again where is the new Treo for Verizon? I know it took almost a year from the Treo 650 release for Verizon to get it. The only thing they ever came out with first was the 700W but since then, the two other carriers have had the great releases.

The Treo that I want is probably going to be a Palm based one, the 755p if I can hold out long enough since I'm eligible to upgrade in about 17 days. Failing that, and if it comes out sooner, I'll get the Treo 750 which is Windows Mobile based since I have this feeling that it'll get to Verizon sooner. What I really want is for Verizon to pick up the pace so that I'm not compelled to switch to Cingular because of roll over minutes and the better phones, oh and GSM too :)

New DVD Burner for me

It would appear that my DVD burner in my beat up Dell has finally decided to die. Well it hasn't died completely yet, its just on its way out. The inner track of all the data and music dvd's are fine but when I try and get stuff thats on the outer track it just doesn't plain read on any compuetr that I use and I have a lot of computers too so I know its the burner. I forget what brand it is, all I know is that its a cheap one and its actually the second one that I've had.

Since its not working, I went out and got a Sony external DVD drive. This is one that I used at my last job and it was only $100. I remember when this particular drive cost somewhere along the lines of $300 when it first came out. It's ultra sweet and looks nice on my desk at home. If I get a new computer, I'm just going to hook this bad boy up as the secondary drive instead of getting an internal one. It doesn't eat my PC's resources when its burning since its doing it all on its own and not really stressing out the PC because its directly attached the the motherboard. Ahh to have good data discs again! :)

Ohio no more

I'm finally free from Ohio! I met a lot of great people while I was working out at my client in Ohio so thats one downer about not giong back but I can fully say that I'm ready for a new assignment. I know where I'm going too, its in the greater Boston area but I'm not actually going to be IN Boston. I'll fly in there but then I'll have to drive about an hour to reach where my client is.

The only thing that I can see as bad is that its COLD up there now. It was getting really nice in Ohio, about 70 degrees almost daily and I looked up the temperature at my next client and they're reporting mid 40's to maybe even lower 30's! A couple weeks ago I bought a winter coat, you know one of those long executive ones from JoS A. Bank and I even left the tags on it thinking I wouldn't need it until next winter. Guess I was wrong on that account! I'm not leaving on Monday because I'm waiting to hear when I'm supposed to go so it'll be nice to not wake up at the crack of dawn and head to the airport.

Fun time at the Fair

This past weekend was pretty enjoyable. I decided to go shopping but I didn't buy anything because they didn't have the sneakers I wanted in my size but the best part of the weekend was going to the fair. Miami-Dade has their own county fair which is a smaller version of the state fair that I attended back in 2004.

The Miami-Dade fair was kind of far though, it was all the way in Coral Gables but I did pass through a really lovely neighborhood on my way there that had nice tree lined streets and fabulous looking mansions, you know the kind of houses that I can probably afford by the time I'm 50 or something like that. There was an entrance fee but it was relatively cheap. There was a ton of food everywhere! I think ever other vendor was some sort of food vendor. Like fairs everywhere, the food really isn't that cheap but it was still some really good food none the less. What my wife and I enjoyed were the shows that were playing here and there. We didn't hit up any rides because I really didn't want to go on any. One of the funnier things I did see was the enormous ass of a bear as it made its way into a wading pool. My wife got a cool shirt while we were there but I won't post whats on it since its a surprise. I'll take a pic of her wearing it later on.

This is my last week in Ohio, I think I'm going to Boston next week which should be exciting. I'll take some photo's there and if I'm lucky, maybe even catch a game at Fenway. :)

Hockey Fun

I went out last night with my team from work to a minor league hockey game here in Ohio. It wasn't bad and the place wasn't crowded at all. I had a pretty good time but what was really interesting to see was a group of fans that were really cheering on the home team. One of them had the best jersey that I have ever seen so far. It was a hockey jersey with HecklerFromHell where a name normally goes with a jersey number of 666 on it. To make things even funnier, he wore a Jason goalie mask. I wish I had a camera to take a picture of this guy but he might have noticed me taking his picture and come over to kick my ass or something. Needless to say, it will be one of the more memorable moments I'll save from my time in Ohio. LOL

Airport crowds

This weekend there was a major storm that hit the North East and man were there a lot of people at the airport on Friday. I was in Chicago and it was totally packed with people because of all the canceled flights.

Today when I left for Ohio, the Ft. Lauderdale airport was equally packed with people because they were still trying to get home. I also forgot that it was time for spring break so a lot of people were clogging the security lines. It still went by pretty quickly but over all I didn't like seeing so many people in my way so early in the morning. I'm hoping that since the Ohio airport that I go to is in the middle of no-where that there won't be any spring breakers there to clog up the security lines and delay my getting dinner on Thursday.

A short weekend

This weekend was pretty short. I had a conference to go to for work in Chicago for about two days but it was pretty fun. I was able to meet a lot of the members of my specific organization while I was there and learned a little more about the company that I work for. The only downer was that it reduced the time that I spent at home this weekend. Normally I'm away Monday mornings through Thursday evenings but this time I had to stay away from home an extra day.

Perhaps its just me but there is a lot of extra packing that goes into staying away from home an extra day. I had to pack extra shirts, pants, etc. just to cover the extra day plus I had to bring some other clothes since there were networking and social events while the conference was going on. Those were fun because I got to see a little bit of the night life of Chicago which isn't bad over all. Except for the fact that at night it was bone chilling cold, I had a really good time.

I also got a little bit sick last week so I didn't feel so well this weekend. I mostly tried to stay home and get things done around the house that I normally do before I go away again. I did manage to get some DayQuil and my cold is feeling a lot better but I sort of feel cheated because I wasn't home till after midnight on Friday night. I mean normally I'm home on Thursday nights and work on Fridays from home but coming home at night on Friday seems to cut into the weekend and the time I get to spend with my wife and my cats. Like on Friday's we might go out or something to rent a movie or just hang out at home which is really nice to me now that I'm not home every evening.

On a good note though I did get my new winter coat from JoS A Bank but I didn't bring it with me to Ohio. I didn't think it would be that cold out here but I guess I was wrong, no big deal really. I don't want to lug that thing on the plane if its going to be over 40 something degrees most of the time I'm here. This is also my last week here, so we'll see where they send me next. Maybe something closer to home...............

Back home again

I'm back home again after another trip out to my client site out in Ohio. I gotta say that it is high time to buy a better coat because dress pants don't offer any protection when it comes to arctic wind gusts. I'm using my ski jacket and normally that would be enough but for some reason it isn't anymore. Maybe it was fine back then because I was also wearing some ski pants that offered plenty of protection that kept me nice and toasty.

So I'm in the market for an over coat. You know one of those long wool ones that you see NY types walking around in all over the city. I didn't think I would need one but my recent travels to Ohio have made me reconsider. Yes the coat is going to be big and bulky but you know what? At least I'll be warm when I'm walking to the office. I'm probably going to get a pair of gloves too. My wife pointed out that I might look a little funny if I was walking around with a nice over coat but wearing ski gloves. So I can see her point in that.

Here's my problem though, I live in Florida so I'm not going to have the easiest time finding a winter over coat down here. I know that I can get one online at JoS A Bank for around $200 which really isn't bad. I went to an actual store after work and they were going for over $400! Holy smokes thats expensive! I'm only at my current assignment for another 2 weeks and after that I'm going to be unassigned again unless I get picked up for another client real soon. I'm hoping for a little warmer locale so I don't end up freezing like I have been recently.

At least its the weekend and I can relax at home.......... I love coming home from Ohio, it makes me appreciate what I have down here :)

Miami Beach Clubbing

Last night my wife and I went out to a club called Mansion in Miami Beach to celebrate my sister-in-laws 25th birthday. The 25th birthday is a pretty big deal, it means you're officially over the hill! LOL

Anyway, the club itself was pretty cool. Lots of loud music, way over priced drinks, and a very nice theme all around. The place opened at 11pm which for me already is pushing things. Normally I'm in dreamland by 1am on the weekends but now that I travel I'm trying to get as much sleep as I can at home. The place was really packed that night but thats to be expected on a Saturday night. There are a lot of clubs on Washington Ave. and there were people everywhere. The parking and the entrance fee is quite expensive but what can you do, it is Miami Beach after all. We only ended up staying till around 3am or so but that was long enough for me. I've come to realize I'm getting too old for this type of stuff. Not to mention it was just way too crowded. Every time I wanted to go somewhere, I had to fight through a crowed to get there. Thats not much fun! I don't think I'll be doing the club thing anymore, its easier to buy booze at a liquor store and get toasted at home if I so have the inclination and I can match any clubs music just by firing up Winamp and tuning into some internet radio station.

Tomorrow I'm off to Ohio again and another work week in the cold. I gotta say that there is a sharp contrast between Ohio and Florida weather wise at this time of year. I think I'm going to need a warmer jacket when I have to take my trip to Chicago, I hear its windy..........

Home again!

I just came back from my first assignment. It'll be another few weeks in Ohio but its still pretty neat that I get to travel to different cities. The amount of miles I'm raking in is insane. I think I'm getting like 3000 miles a week or something at the moment. Now what all these miles and hotel points will net me I have no idea but if I'm lucky, it'll be something good.

Although I must say there's nothing like going back to my wife and the place I like to call home. At least I'll have 3 days with her before I go bouncing back on a plane. Time for some rest and relaxation :)

No liquids allowed

So I'm actually flying back home right now but sadly without my tooth paste and body wash because I didn't have it in a little platic bag as required by the TSA. Surprisingly, this is the only time they actually caught on that it was in my bag. Personally I think its dumb that you can only bring 3.4 oz of liquid with you per container and you have to get it scanned and it has to be wrapped in a platic bag and pass inspection. I was able to go through 3 airports just fine till now. So I'm out five bucks worth of stuff..... Whoop de do!!

I guess I'll have to put the stupid things in a plastic bag now even though its assinine. If someone really had intent they'd blow a hole at the checkpoint and not a plane. More dramatic and all that jazz. Besides if it took the TSA that long for them to finally discover I had 4.2 oz of tooth paste in my bag, obviosly something isn't working right. I'm one person out of millions of travelers and if they missed that many times with just me we're fucked anyway because the odds are clearly not in our favor. If someone wants to blow a hole in an airport with C4 or something similar, I really don't think the FAA or TSA will catch on at the checkpoint except by luck rather than resiliance.

Off to Ohio

I finally got my first assignment!

Because of all the many documents I signed I can't say who I'm working for and all that jazz but I can say that I'm going to Ohio which means its time to break out the winter jacket because its going to be COLD up there. :)

I'll probably blog on the go and maybe even post pictures from my Treo. The only bad part? I have to wake up super early to catch my flight on Monday mornings.

I'm a Mac, I'm a PC advertising failing in UK

My buddy Wyatt sent me this article and its damn funny. I will also say that I am one of the proud PC users on this planet that hate using Mac's so this article almost made me bust a gut. It has to be read with a British accent to get the full effect.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,2006031,00.html

Happy reading!

A really tall ladder

Yesterday I helped my father in law install a chandelier in my sister in laws place. The one thing that was kind of odd with this job was that the ceiling was 15 feet tall! So I went with my father in law to Home Depot and he rented a 14 foot tall A ladder so it would reach the ceiling. This ladder was really heavy and we had to put it on my wife's Xterra so we could transport it to the house. Putting it up didn't seem to be that difficult but thats because my father in law did most of the work. We were going to use the ladder to put up some additional ceiling fans in my house but the ladder was way too tall. My wife made the suggestion to get the Little Giant Ladder that we always see on infomercials on Sunday mornings. I agree that we'll probably need it when hurricane season arrives so we can put up the hurricane shutters that they gave us when we bought the house. Now I just need garage shelves and I think a lot of the major stuff will be done. Then decorating will be the last thing and the house shall be complete!

What happened to the weather?

I don't know what happened with the weather recently but its been pretty cold down here in South Florida. Normally I think people down here are used to temperatures around the mid 60's but its been around the low 50's this weekend which is kind of unusual if you ask me. I mean this is supposed to be one of the warmest areas of the country in the winter but this is just nuts. I know my northern brethren will probably think I'm a wuss because I'm writing how its only the 50's and they're in the single digits but I have nothing else to write about really. Well I have work tomorrow and I have to find a client to get assigned to and finish training.

ATL Link

I traveled to Atlanta this week and the trip to here wasn't bad at all. The only thing I have to complain about is the shuttle service back to the airport. The shuttle was scheduled to be here at 5:15 and right now its after 6:00 and it still hasn't shown up. This kind of poor service seriously pisses me off. If its not here by 6:15, I'm paying the extra cost for a cab because this sucks! Next time I'm renting a car if I'm allowed to or taking a cab.

I spoke too soon........

My iPod died again last night when I was trying to update it. I was just adding some songs to it and then all of a sudden it totally reset and now there are no more songs on it again. I'll try again tonight to re-fill it with songs. I did discover that my wife moved some songs out of my music folders last night by accident so I had to hunt for them on her MP3 player. Good thing Media Monkey is good at scanning my hard drive for new stuff or telling me if something is missing.

I think I still might get an iPod to replace my current one if it totally dies. I went to Best Buy this past weekend just to look at surround sound bundles just in case we wanted to upgrade the sound in the bedroom since the plasma is in there and all that. I decided to look at MP3 players as well and none of them really impressed me that much. The one thing that I will probably hate about getting a new MP3 player is that I'm going to have to buy a lot of accessories along with it again. Since I have most of the accessories that an iPod needs already, it makes sense just to buy a new one. I think I've settled on getting the 8GB Nano because I don't want another hard drive based iPod. Just shaking the thing will cause the needle to hit the platters and thats definitely not a good and I will be doing a bit more traveling too in the near future.

Now all I need to do is get a car with native MP3 support and I'll be in heaven, the Lexus IS350 is looking kinda good right now, it will go well with the Lexus RX350 that my wife wants.... ;)

Strange Weather

This week has been really strange. I think its been un-seasonably cold over the past week at least. I feel bad for my people in the North East because its frigid! -10 windchill, thats pretty intense if you ask me. Although its nothing compared to the 60 degree weather down here ;) LOL