Wireless Road Warrior

My Travel Map

2011-02-07T08:38:00.001-07:00

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Sorry about the 'blog-fade'

2010-03-15T16:58:00.002-07:00

I've been working on a new project that has taken the bulk of my 'creative' energies. My apologies that this has detracted from my time and efforts on this more personal blog.

The new site is Wireless LAN Professionals.com and has many resources and tools for those involved in my industry--people who work day-in, day-out with Wireless Networks.
The bulk of the work is in preparing and publishing the Wireless LAN Weekly Podcast.
I'm going to try and remember to keep this site up to date as well. But if you are interested at all in the technology side of what I'm doing, head on over to the new site, listen in on a couple of podcast, and leave comments.

You can also subscribe via iTunes to the Podcasts, or via RSS to the feed (Upper right corner of page)

You can also go to the 'About' page and learn a little bit about what a Podcast is.

I'd also recommend following me on Twitter if you want my daily updates.

I'm not dead...

2010-01-12T21:19:00.001-07:00

Just coming on line to post that I'm not dead.

Quite the contrary, I've just be very busy finishing up the calendar year 2009, holidays, family, and working on a couple new projects.

I'll be announcing these projects in the near future.

I'll try to get back to weekly blogging about the life of a Wireless Road Warrior next week.

Keith

Our Thanksgiving Family Dinner

2009-11-29T09:25:00.000-07:00

Thankfully - our family dinner is best represented by the top scenario. I feel sorry for the bottom family

Things I've Been Posting About...

2009-11-29T09:05:00.004-07:00

Here is a 'Tweet Cloud' - a graphic showing the top words I post to Twitter/Facebook. The larger sizes mean I use those words more. Interesting look back on my last year of posts.

Evolution of Storage

2009-11-28T21:10:00.001-07:00

It's sad... but I've worked with each of these (except for the wax cylinder)

How far back do you go?

Thanksgiving Weekend

2009-11-28T20:47:00.005-07:00

We had a great Thanksgiving meal - Turkey, Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy (my responsibilities) sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, creamed corn, home made 'Lion House' rolls, ham, and lots of deserts!
Jill did a great job getting the table all set nice for the holidays.
Because it was the 'off' year, both sets of our children went to their in-laws this year, and my parents went to my sister's in Houston. So we only had 9 for dinner on Thursday - it was nice, but fairly quiet.

Then on Friday night had the dinner once again, but with more of the kids and the grandkids here to share the meal a second time.

Keeping up with the family tradition, we went to see a movie after the Thanksgiving meal. This year it was A Christmas Carol - 3D version. Obviously made specifically for 3D - but still entertaining, perhaps even a bit too scary for small children. Saturday I picked my parents from the airport then returned home to watch the big BYU -vs- Utah rivalry football game. It was another nail-biter, coming down to a final play in overtime... gratefully BYU pulled it out in the end, winning 26-23!It's sure nice having Karrissa, Joe and the two grand-daughters here in the house. I like having them visit. Too bad this was just for a couple of days. (just a pre-cursor to the couple of weeks over Christmas)

We do have so much to be thankful for - education, family, church, and a loving environment. Yep - pretty wealthy man.

New Moon vs James Bond - a Movie Review

2009-11-24T11:25:00.003-07:00

Last night went to 'New Moon' the second in the Twilight series with Jill and the kids. Though it was an entertaining flick... I woke this morning with a couple of thoughts by way of review.

Again - it was an entertaining movie - and I'm glad I went. But...

Reading my posts in Facebook and/or Twitter

2009-11-24T06:42:00.002-07:00

An Apology: If you follow my posts on Facebook and/or Twitter. You might only see my side of a conversation. That can be difficult to read.

If you want to see both sides of the conversation, follow me in Twitter (@keithparsons) and also follow whomever I'm talking with.

If my post starts with an @name - this means I'm responding to that person. So there was a part of the discussion that went on before.

If my post starts with a 'RT @name' - this means I'm re-quoting something someone else said.
After the quote I might add my own comment.

Sometimes I'll embed a picture in my post. This will look like the following URL http://twitpic.com/qqy53 (BYU Spring Lax Schedule)

Sometimes I'll embed a link to another web site using a 'URL Shortener' service. It looks like this http://tinyurl.com/yabdexb

Remember, you might be reading these posts in reverse order, so start at the bottom of the conversation.

And finally - sometimes I might add a hashtag. So others can follow the topic easier online. These will start with a # followed by a tag.

Sometimes I'll make comments about Technology, sometimes about my Professional Interests, or other times just what I'm doing.

Sometimes I use this forum for 'mini blogs'. Short 140 character comments. If there is more to say I might post a larger blog entry.

If there is a blog entry - I'll post it with a URL so you can link to the larger blog post. At either my personal or professional blogs.

Further questions? You can reply in Facebook, Twitter, or drop me an e-mail to keith at inpnet dot org.

The more you learn...

2009-11-23T10:29:00.002-07:00

I had an open week last week because of a last minute cancellation... so I took advantage of the time to catch up on some updated technology. A chance to 'Sharpen the Saw'.

Turned my home office into a little lab area and tested a variety of new technologies. Wi-Fi access points, baby FTP Servers on a USB drive (for class), beta testing some new software for a variety of vendors, configuring Wi-Fi on a series of netbooks using Linux, XP, Vista, and Windows 7, re-wiring a cradlepoint device to a battery for more MiFi type usage, etc.

Through this experience I was reminded of a thought I've had over the years.

"The more you learn about something, the more you understand how little you really know..."

I've focused most of my professional energies for the last 8 years on learning about, installing, troubleshooting, and testing Wi-Fi. I thought it was wireless networking... but have since learned I can barely stay current with just 802.11 issues, let alone stay current in WiMax, Cellular, etc.

Now I can barely stay current with the equipment from a small subset of vendors. So many vendors in the Wi-Fi space are moving to more propietary solutions -- trying to carve out a niche for themselves -- that it's hard to have hands-on expereince with all of their various interfaces and technological improvements.

How do end-user IT departments expect to be able to decide on one vendor over another. They are all shouting and hawking their wares in the marketplace. Dis'ing one another, scambling to get an 'edge' on the competition.

If I'm having a hard time keeping them all straight--and this is my full time job--how can an IT Professional who has other responsibilites as well, make the correct decision for thier facility?

More and more it falls to the 'Certified Magazine Reader' class of managers and their counterparts in the vendor community (the marketing guys) to make the decisions. Then the IT folks are left trying to implement a wireless network that was never truly analyzed... just purchased.

An Unfair, and Unwise situation for any IT staff to be stuck with. They are now tasked with making a wireless network work... with equipment that may, or may not, be able to meet some undefined goal.

So with this second week of 'prep time' - I'll be looking into more Wi-Fi solutions, finding myself ever further behind on the proprietary techonology curve, but still trying to learn all their is to learn about Wi-Fi.

I do foresee a future where I'll have to focus my knowledge down even further to just one aspect of Wireless Networking... perhaps just Surveying (proving the capabilities of installed systems) - or focus only on designing for 802.11n or something like that with a tight focus.

There is just too much to learn...

Movie Saga

2009-11-23T10:19:00.003-07:00

Jill and some friends went to the 'New Moon' show on Friday morning... But Alysha and her friends had already seen the show - having a bit of a party, watching 'Twilight' at our house, then going to the 12:30am show on Thursday night (Friday Morning).

Jill thought she'd like to see the show again, and so we planned on going Saturday evening - the 5:20pm show... the last of the matinee pricing, and before the evening really gets started. I checked online for the times and we showed up 45 minutes early. I'd thought this would be a 'down time' and we'd be able to get right in.

Wrong!

I'm standing at the ticket counter, and the person responded to my request for New Moon tickets with a guffaw, chuckle, and then amazement that I was serious. So instead he just pointed up to the electronic marquee behind him at the 'Sold Out' - 'Sold Out' - 'Sold Out' - 'Sold Out' on all the New Moon times... doh!

I underestimated the desire of women and girls everywhere to see this vampire/werewolf fantasy.

Instead we got into the new Sandra Bullock movie 'The Blind Side'. It was a very good consolation prize! I can highly recommend this show. "I laughed, I cried" would be a good comment on how this show effected me.
I now have tickets for the 7:00pm showing of New Moon for this evening's Family Home Evening entertainment - taking Alysha and Ryan with us to see it again tonight as a family.

Things you can do with Cable Ties...

2009-11-20T14:33:00.004-07:00

This morning I headed over to Grantsville to pick up a side of beef we bought for the freezer from Jill's Brother-in-Law who owns a cattle ranch out on the Utah/Nevada border. This is *not* your anti-biotic filled corn-fed cow... but one that's been out on the sagebrush ranges of the desert.

The 'quick' drive turned into more of a chore since there was an accident cutting the freeway down to only 2-lanes... in each direction.

Filled three large ice chests, plus another big box to bring it all home.

While there I saw this...
Now this is truly a red-neck's way to run electricity and phone lines... Things you can do with Cable Ties!

Week in Auckland

2009-11-15T08:13:00.006-07:00

I'm now home after being gone for two weeks straight. And Yes, it does feel good to be home.

It was a long flight from SFO to Auckland... but not too bad, just a long night without too much sleep. I don't understand why the airlines think they have to turn up the heat on flights - folks can put a blanket on if they are chilly!

Upon an early morning arrival in New Zealand, I took a taxi to the Hyatt hotel on a hill in Auckland. What followed was my 'technique' for getting rid of problems of international travel - the dreaded Jet Lag.

Here is the technique I've learned for 'resetting' to the local time. (By the way, this works for travel to the Far East or to Europe - same technique either way)

As soon as possible, get to the hotel. Put everything away (that's not part of the technique, just a thing I do every time I show up in a new hotel). Then shut the curtains, get undressed, and prepare for going to bed. Set an alarm for 5-6 hours later, or 3pm local time, whichever is earlier. Then go to bed and sleep! (Don't try to stay awake - just go to sleep as comfortably as possible)

Then the hard part. Wake up... It might be hard to wake up... but just do it. Shower and get ready for the day. Don't stay in the hotel room and lounge, but go outside in the sunshine for a walk. (A perfect time for a bit of sight-seeing) - and then eat dinner at regular time, just like a 'regular' day, just now on the local time.

Try to stay up as late as possible this first night - say midnight or so.Then the next day arise as you would on a 'normal' day and you'll be 'reset' to the local time!

This works for me every single time I travel internationally - I highly recommend it.

_______________

This week I taught some custom courses for a reseller/distributor of Wireless LAN Products in New Zealand called 'Kalooma'. I've been traveling down under to teach for them for the last 5 years or so. Good guys - easy to work with.We met in the Glenn Building - The Business School building of the University of Auckland. It is a very nice new building - all glass and 'artsy' in it's design. Open areas, air bridges between the wings. A pretty slick looking building - and very expensive from what I heard nearly a quarter of a billion NZ dollars!At night I was hosted by different Kalooma employees for dinner - thanks! They were great dinners with a chance to better learn of their experiences and how they all came together at Kalooma.

Though the other dinners were more than fine... the last dinner on Thursday night with both Terrence and Geoff at the French Bistro was by far the best. The place was called St. Tropez - and though it was a bit funny to have the initial hostess try to speak with a faux-french accent - the food was amazing!Every time I head down to New Zealand, I'm impressed that for such a tiny little economy - only 4 Million folks or so... or into perspective, about the size of 1/4 Los Angeles... it is it's own little economy. I hear they do have at least 10 sheep for every person in the country - weird fact of the day.

Then Friday after class back to the airport for the ride home - only to arrive home before I even left. (wonders of the International Date Line

I had previously downloaded the entire first season of Stargate Atlantis - so I watched 14 episodes on the flight home. All on my iPhone. I don't think I would waste my time at home watching these - but they were mildly entertaining as flight fodder goes.

Finding a Laundry in San Francisco

2009-11-06T00:44:00.002-07:00

Tomorrow I'll be flying directly from San Francisco to Auckland New Zealand, landing Sunday morning. Having already been in SF for a week. I thought it would be better to take some time tonight to find a local laundry place and get my clothes ready for next week - easier here than trying to find a place in Auckland on a Sunday.

So I found a place just a couple of blocks away using Google Maps - so I packed up the dirty clothes in my duffle bag and started walking the 5 blocks... but that place was closed - so I fired up the iPhone application iWant and found another only 7 blocks further... and walked some more.

Well - this continued a couple more times... each time finding the laundry was closed, or out of business, and I found myself walking through the Financial District, Chinatown, Italian area, and finally by Union Square.

Then I got smart - and started calling *first* before walking. After trying four unanswered phone calls - I got lucky and found one that was actually open. But it was another 6 blocks away - but all UP HILL.

It had already been an hour of walking from closed laundry to closed laundry - how much worse could it get? I'm not really a 'hiker' and though it was only 1/2 mile or so - it happened to be the highest and steepest hill in San Francisco. (so said the taxi driver on the way home) at the highest part there was a little store called "Top of The Hill" - cute.

But I did eventually find a laundry, get my clothes clean and then take a taxi back to the hotel. Whew! A three hour adventure for one load of laundry!

Crystal City (DC)

2009-11-01T08:51:00.004-07:00

This week I was in Crystal City, teaching AirMagnet classes.

A couple of highlights:

On the flight out, I had to change planes in Cincinnati, I like changing planes there because I get a chance to eat some Goldstar Chili Dogs... mmmmmm. I *really* don't like beans in my Chili and everywhere/everyone seems to use beans in Chili. Not Goldstar - just great flavor and meat - no beans! Love it.Tuesday night I got to go to dinner with my friend Devin Akin (and his co-workers from Aerohive) at the Legal Sea Foods in Crystal City. This is the same restaurant we went to right after Karrissa and Joe started their 'tour/honeymoon' many years ago.

The Salmon was pretty easy to eat with my braces and all... but I actually enjoy the flavors of our home-cooked BBQ Salmon better.Then on Wednesday night I had a little 'adventure' and took a couple of Metro subway rides to the stop 'by' the Washington DC Temple. At least that's what the nice lady on the phone told me to do. She said "you'll come up from the Metro and see the Temple right there, its a close walk"

Needless to say, when I got off the Metro and came up to the real world, there was no Temple to be found. And it wasn't really in a very nice part of town to be walking around in as the sun was setting. Thanks to the GPS on my phone, and Google Maps new Walking Path - I could see it was a mere two miles of walking through a variety a neighborhoods, across some railroad tracks, over the freeway, back under the freeway, and up a big hill... yep, just a "close walk".

I did however get to enjoy some time in the Temple and had a nice 5.5 hour "adventure" getting to and from this very pretty building. It does really stand out when you come around this corner on the freeway - just lit up floating above the nearby forest...

Thriller

2009-10-25T09:02:00.003-07:00

Saturday afternoon we all headed up to see Alysha perform in the Odyssey Dance Theater's production of this year's "Thriller". A series of Halloween oriented dances. Kind of an eclectic mix of classic dances, but set with a somewhat disturbing difference... made for the Halloween season. It was hard to recognize Alysha in all that makeup - but she did a great job and I'm proud of her first dance performance with a professional troupe. Then we returned home for an even worse nightmare... watch BYU get beat-up, trounced, and mangled by the TCU Hornfrogs. It was gruesome.

Internet Connection Speeds and Costs around the world

2009-10-25T08:57:00.000-07:00

I saw this graphic about the various connection speeds and costs around the world for Internet access.

We in the US are no where near the top on this one... shame on us! Not to mention, we are paying too much!

Check it out.

Proud Bird

2009-10-22T23:08:00.004-06:00

Tonight I got to have a nice dinner with my friends Barry and Donna Woodbridge. They came up from Orange County and we went to dinner at a great little place near the LAX airport. You can eat your fine meal, and watch the planes land and take off.The gardens are areas around the restaurant have many older planes on static display. I *really* enjoy old planes. I spent many years dreaming of being a pilot and reading everything I could about flying and planes.

It was fun to recognize and know the names and many specs of all the planes on display. (It took lots of self-control to not spit out all the names and stories about each of the planes...)

A great night at dinner with friends - thanks Barry & Donna.

Hunger Games!

2009-10-22T13:39:00.003-06:00

My daughter Karrissa was telling me about a new book she read called 'Hunger Games'. She loved it, and thought I would too. Then she bought me the book and the sequel for my birthday present a couple of weeks ago. (Thanks Karrissa)

I left them sit on my shelf for the past couple of weeks - waiting for the right week to read them.

I borrowed season one of 'Lie to Me' from my sister Janet - and that has been my 'travel media' on planes for the last couple of weeks.So it wasn't until dinner on Monday night that I thought to take this new book 'Hunger Games' to the restaurant downstairs for something to read during dinner. I started the book, then sat in the restaurant for 2 1/2 hours reading the story, then went up to my room and read the rest of the book till midnight. Great read!

Then with a little less intensity finished the second in the series - Catching Fire over the last two evenings. Tonight I'm going to have 'withdrawals' - there is a third in the trilogy, but it won't be out till next year some time. BUMMER!

So obviously I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this series. It was a great read. If you want to borrow mine - just ask.

Just a work week

2009-10-18T10:36:00.002-06:00

This was just a work week.

Up early on Monday for a flight over to SFO - then a drive down to AirMagnet corporate for a day of meetings with the development team working on some new "hush hush" projects.

The rest of the week was catching up on a variety of work and home projects.

Basically a boring week... nice to have prior to the next 6 weeks on the road.

Braces for the Old Man

2009-10-08T16:45:00.004-06:00

Well, after much teasing from my wife and daughter about the gap between my front teeth... I finally went to an orthodontist to see about getting it fixed. I thought there was something they could do to just pull the front to teeth together.

What I found out was my entire 'bite' was off and getting worse. When I was a teenager I had braces... but that was in Bangkok, Thailand and they took out too many of my upper teeth. Now years later the upper teeth are separating into the left over open space. So not only did I have a little 'gap' problem, but my bite was getting much worse.

So on Tuesday I just bit the bullet and went in and got braces! One of the girls from our church, who's father is the Orthodontist did the actual work in 'gluing' the brackets to the teeth and stringing a temperature sensitive wire in between them. The wire wants to return to its normally straight state, and puts pressure on the teeth to gradually move them into the correct position.

This is going to take between 18 and 24 months! Yeck!

But, hey, 18 months from now I could have straighter teeth, or still be delaying the braces. So I just got it done.

It hurts way more than I remember as a teenager - I've been thinking "What have I got myself into" - but I'm sure that will pass. (Hopefully soon)

Here's the new look:
By the way - it was much harder to take my own picture that I'd have thought. After about 10 shots I finally got one that worked. (Try it sometime - get your teeth in the picture, good lighting, and nothing else in the shot)

A friend on Twitter said I looked like 'Jaws' from the James Bond movie 'Moonraker' - what do you think?

Weekend in Vegas with Family

2009-10-04T23:49:00.008-06:00

The flights back from Indianapolis were delayed - and so I didn't arrive home in Utah until 3:00am on Saturday morning. Jill, Ryan and Alysha drove down to Vegas, then on Saturday morning my Dad drove me to the airport and I also went down to Las Vegas to spend the weekend with Karrissa, Joe and the grand-daughters.

We stopped by the Bellagio hotel to visit their 'conservatory' and look at the flowers, trees, and exhibits. Next door was the world's largest 'Chocolate Fountain' - so we had to stop and also eat some chocolate stuff. We got a crepe. Mmmmm.

Then off to a great Pizza place that served 'real' pizza. Thick 'Chicago Style' pizza, not that thin whimpy stuff they try to foist on folks from New York. (Yes my preference is showing)

Home to Karrissa's for naps for all. Then the men all went to the General Conference Priesthood session at a church nearby with Joe's friend - and the girls went to the new movie 'Fame'.

Last time if Vegas we found a nice restaurant called - Claim Jumper - and really enjoyed it. So we took Ryan and Alysha with us this time. Yes - it was a great as we remembered.

Today we went over to a park called 'Tule Springs'. These springs have been around at least 11,000 years. The Mormon Pioneers stopped here from St. George while getting wood from Mt. Charleston. Then in the early 20th century when Nevada had the easiest divorces in the nation - only 6 weeks residency to qualify for a legal divorce. The springs were a haven for divorce couples to come and rest/recreate while waiting their divorces.

We took lots of pictures and had a good time walking around this 'oasis' in the Las Vegas desert.

Back home we played with the girls - and had another wonderful meal (thanks Jill and Karrissa).

At night Joe invented this new 'ride' in their house. Using an air mattress to slide down their stairs.

It is fun watching our grown kids get along together! Thanks kids - it is very fulfilling to see you all friends.

We sure miss having Brent with us - he has about 11 months left in Brazil before he comes home.

Kids all together at Bellagio

Talking Tree in the Bellagio Conservatory

Ryan is just 'Happy to be here'

Mini Bellagio Model

World's Biggest Chocolate Fountain

Our Chocolate Crepe

My Girls - Karrissa and Alysha

Me and my daughters

Poppa and McKinely playing 'Pooh Sticks'

An 'Oasis' in the Las Vegas desert

McKinley Posing

Kylie Walking

Karrissa Posing

Alysha trying to get a Peacock to spread its feathers

Alysha Posing

Alysha and McKinley

This reminded us that we sure miss Brent

Karrissa and McKinley sliding on Air Mattress

Ryan and McKinely sliding down stairs

Girls after sliding

Homecoming & Indianapolis

2009-10-04T21:35:00.001-06:00

After the great Hot Air Balloon trip - we watched a BYU football game, made and ate wonderful shish-ka-bobs and then also got to take pictures of Alysha and friends going to their High School Homecoming dance.A friend down the street made me a great Chocolate cake for my birthday - Thanks Darla!Then off to Indianapolis for a week.

They have pretty cheap gas

Hard Rock Cafe

Downtown Indianapolis

The 'Weber Grill' - great food

Great 'Real Free WiFi' at the SLC Airport

Hot Air Balloon Ride over Park City, UT

2009-09-26T14:42:00.007-06:00

Jill surprised me with a 2-hour Hot Air Balloon Ride over Park City for my 50th Birthday today!

It was spectacular!

The weather was perfect, the scenery gorgeous, and the fall colors out in all their glory. The company was pretty good as well - thanks Jill!

I can recommend the folks who took care of us. The pilot was professional and experienced, and the ground crew fun, helpful, and friendly.

It took the entire morning - including driving to/from Park City - but a very worthwhile experience. They also use this same balloon to go over Bryce Canyon - I think I just added something else to my list.

I brought along the big Nikon camera to capture some of what we saw and experienced today. Here are the results:

Prepping the balloon - using fans to blow it up

Now using the propane to get lift into the Balloon

Shadow of the balloon just taking off

The Honda Element and the Chase Vehicle

The town of Park City, UT - home of the 2002 Olympics

My beautiful wife looking at the scenery

Colorful Fall Foliage

Looking down at another balloon - and the Cell Tower hill in Park City

Can you spot the plane flying below us?

Soccer players warming up in the early morning light

Coming close to the ground to observe wildlife

We saw this Coyote from the Balloon

Herd of Elk

Other Balloon above Park City

Coming into land in the sagebrush east of Park City near I-80

Down on the ground

Our outfitters

Deer Creek Reservoir and the back side of Timpanogos

Back side of Mt. Timpanogos with Fall Foliage

The front side of Mt. Timpanogos from our front yard

Our Front Yard in the Fall when we returned home

Beta Testing & New USB Case

2009-09-24T14:54:00.005-06:00

This week I've been working from home and the local office doing some 'Beta' testing. This involves signing Non-Disclosure Agreements and then getting a hold of some 'Pre-Release' software/hardware and being a bit of a guinea pig.

Things don't always go right - but that's what beta testing is all about. Its a chance for the developers of the product to get feedback, bugs, and final little changes prior to actually shipping to paying customers.

Documentation isn't completed, problems exist, but it's 'Fun' to be able to play with and interact with equipment and software before the general public. Plus it feels good to be able to have at least a 'smidgen' of input into how products turn out. Beta testing really helps the vendors get some 'wrinkles' out before paying customers get the stuff.

I appreciate when I have a chance to 'beta' test my course content prior to teaching for 'real'. So this is a chance for me to take a 'down week' and do something productive with my time.

I can't wait for some of these products I've been testing are released to the public! I really want to use them in my own practice - but can't until after the NDA is released. Bummer.

It's kind of like being 'teased' a bit - you get to touch, play with, and enjoy the new stuff. Even form some sort of 'bond' through fighting through the trials in pre-release beta stuff. Then, then the vendors don't let you use it. Again, bummer.

It has been nice, however, to be home every day, see the wife and kids and eat dinner together.

______________

On an entirely different note.

I carry with me a bunch of little devices that do different, necessary at specific times, things. I've tried lots of different contraptions and cases trying to get 'just right'. Lately I've been using some cosmetic bags (don't laugh - since they are see-through, they get through TSA security at the airport easier)

But it wasn't 'just right' - So I decided to design up my own solution. I made a pattern out of paper, dummied up a cardboard version, then asked a nice neighbor lady who has sewing skills to make me one. I even went to the fabric store and crafts stores to get the components. (that was almost more embarrassing than buying the cosmetic bags)

Here is the result.It allows me to carry lots of USB devices all at the same time. Folds right up, and velcros shut so everything stays copacetic in my shipping cases during transport. In class, or on a client's site, I just whip this out and all my tools are ready and waiting to go!

I've already got the seamstress working on a couple more. Then on to getting ones designed to hold all the PCMCIA cards I carry as well.

Here's a list of what is in the current USB Case:
- CACE Technologies - AirPcap Nx 802.11n Packet Capture
- PowerDsine - Power over Ethernet test tool
- CACE Technologies - AirPcap Tx - 2.4GHz Packet Capture
- three of these so I can scan Channels 1, 6, 11 simultaneously
- MetaGeek - WiSpy 2.4i - Spectrum Analyzer w/3D
- MetaGeek - WiSpy 2.4x - Spectrum Analyzer with External Antenna
- MetaGeek - WiSpy dBx - 2.4GHz and 5GHz Spectrum Analyzer
- NutsAboutNets - AirHorn 2.4GHz Jammer w/External Antenna
- NutsAboutNets - AirHorn 2.4GHz and 5GHz Jammer
- NutsAboutNets - AirHorn 2.4GHz Jammer - small form factor
- Smartronix - LinkCheck - tests 10/100 Ethernet
- Nintendo - WiFi USB Connector - Insidious automatic Rogue AP
- Xyzel - AG-225H - 802.11 abg WiFi Finder, NIC and Soft AP
- NetGear - WNDA3100 802.11n Dual-Band USB Adapter
- Ubiquiti - SR71USB 802.11n Dual-Band USB Adapter

Plus a couple of PCMCIA cards I always have with me:
- Ubiquiti - SRC 300mw abg Card
- Senao - 802.11b (with Prism Chipset)
- AirMagnet - C1060 abgn Card
- AirMagnet - Cognio Spectrum Analysis Card

Utah Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City

2009-09-21T12:13:00.008-06:00

After returning from Denver - Jill planned a little 'adventure' for my birthday (a week early). Just the two of us to go to Cedar City to see a few plays as part of the Utah Shakespearean Festival. She arranged a nice little Bed & Breakfast across the street from the theater. This place was quite charming. Called the Garden Cottage Bed and Breakfast - it was for all intents and purposes a British Garden Cottage. Built in the 1920s and where the proprietors raised their children, it has been a B&B for the last 13 years. Quaint, romantic, and quite 'old school' the place was very enjoyable. (far better than any hotel in Cedar City could have been) Here's their web site - check it out if you ever want to go to Cedar City! I can highly recommend it. We first saw the play 'Tuesdays With Morrie'. I had read the book years ago and thought it was full of nice 'platitudes'. But this was a very moving rendition of the story - told by just two actors on stage, with minimal, yet effective, props.For about the first 20 minutes or so, you were watching actors. But then as the play continued you were just watching the characters and the story unfold. It was a tear-jerker for me. (but I'm a wimp and will cry at just about anything) Highly recommended!

Saturday morning after a great breakfast at the B&B we drove up to see 'Cedar Breaks'. A national monument just 20 miles from Cedar City. We've driven past here on I-15 50+ times... and never took the time to check out the National Monument that close. It wasn't a 'Bryce Canyon' - but close.

The site is above 10,000 feet. From the East you just see high-mountain meadows... then you get to the edge and it drops precipitously carving through the colored layers of soil. Quite impressive.

We then drove toward 'Brianhead' ski resort. But along the way saw the actual Brian Head Peak. Elevation 11,307 - 3,446m. Only about 400 feet lower than the mighty Mount Timpanogos behind our house.

So we drove up there. It was on a gravel road, kind of like driving to Pike's Peak in Colorado. From the top you could see into not only Utah (of course) but Nevada and Arizona as well. There was a man-made little 'hoodoo' out on a little promontory - so I hiked over there and added a couple of rocks to leave my mark.

After passing through the Brianhead ski resort, we took a left turn and traveled back over the mountains via the 'Dry Lakes Byway' a steep, gravel road that winds up and down the mountains cutting due West up and over the mountain range there. More high mountain meadows, dense forests, grand vistas, then dropping down a very steep grade for the final 5 miles to finally join back up with I-15. Good thing we took the 4WD Honda Element on this trip. We saw some amazing country that we'd never seen before.

Brian Head Peak - 11,307' - 3,446m
Here's a 'zoom in' shot of the same Brian Head Peak - Hoodoos on right

Hoodoo out on promontory

Honda Element up at 11,000ft - moonscape

Hoodoo from the side

Trees dying because of Spruce Beetle Infestation

Bristlecone Pine's also hurt by Beetles

Archway in Cedar Breaks

Cedar Breaks from Sunrise View - 10,300ft - dropping off plataeu

Looking South towards Arizona

On 'trail' cutting over mountains looking back at Cedar Breaks

Fall colors starting to show

Then in the afternoon was another play. This one was a comedy - The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) - Three actors. Ninety-seven minutes. All thirty-seven of the Bard’s plays—and the sonnets! Including large doses of clowning, street theatre, and vaudeville thrown in for good measure. This irreverent, hilarious, and lightning-paced overview of the greatest plays of all time left us laughing, jumping up and down, and waving our arms in enjoyment. Jill never had such fun! The boys would have really enjoyed it! Then after watching a very disappointing BYU vs Florida State football game (I only got to watch through half time - but that was more than enough - by the way, I don't want to talk about it) we headed back to the theater for our final play.

It was 'The Lady in Black' - well, we got two good plays out of three. Neither Jill or I enjoyed this one. It was way to slow. There was enough material for about a nice 20 mintute ghost story... and they tried to stretch it to 2 hours. I've never wanted to walk out of a play before... I didn't, but the desire was there.

Overall - it was a very nice weekend with my wife. Thanks Jill!

Denver & Books

2009-09-21T12:01:00.003-06:00

This week I spent three days on an Advanced WLAN Design course by the Denver airport. It was a new venue for us - the Residence Inn. The place worked great - we'll be going back there again. Even without a car - there were multiple choices nearby for food.I chose the Uno Pizzaria for dinner one night. My favorite pizza! I don't understand why people go after that flat - whimpy - New York style pizza, when you could have a real 'Pizza Pie' - done up 'Chicago Style' - I like the Numero Uno!This week's class was a small class - and so we got done a bit early on Thursday. I had a chance to get home 4-hours earlier... but alas - no travel karma that day.

But with the extra time I was able to catch up on some e-mails, and then with the wonder that is the Kindle, went online and purchased Dan Brown's new book 'The Lost Symbol'. I finished it in Cedar City this weekend. I love reading on the Kindle!If you like Dan Brown's other books like Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons - you also like the Lost Symbol. This one is set in Washington DC and focuses on the Masons.

Earlier in the week I'd finished the last of the Abel Jones mysteries set in the Civil War - and was a bit disappointed the series is over. The last line of the book said something about Abel Jones will return for more adventures - but the author hasn't written any in the last couple of years. Bummer.

Manti Temple Trip & THS Football

2009-09-12T07:41:00.004-06:00

Friday morning we stopped by and picked up Mom and Dad on our way down to Manti. Jill and I have never been through a session at the Manti Temple - and since I was home this week... we took a little road trip. The Temple there was beautiful (of course) - this was completed long ago, in 1888, about 5 years before the Salt Lake City Temple. The interior and exterior are both amazing - we even were escorted to see the 76' continuous spiral staircases that make 6 full revolutions.The food in the cafeteria wasn't all that good... but the day was.

Passing through Ephraim, we realized those going to Snow College there are living in a VERY SMALL TOWN indeed!

Then last night I again drove the Honda scooter over to the THS football game. This week was better though, they beat Lehi 44-31. I love sitting outside at the games, watching the sun set on these local mountains, and cheering on the local team. (I guess I'm one of the few folks at these games actually watching the game... most folks are chattering away, talking with neighbors, etc. - But me, I like the game.)
My nephew Michael even got a pass completion for 5 yards, as well as a few really good blocks to help others in their yards after catch.

A good day... yep, a good day.

This week was working from home week... no travel. It amazes me how many little things need to get accomplished on my week's home. Every day my list of 'To Do' items actually grew. As I'd finish one project, I'd think of others that needed to get done.

I finally setup the USB Phonograph - yes, I said "Phonograph". It allows me to 'rip' old LP and 45 records into MP3 format. So I was getting the music off of some old records I picked up in China on my mission there 30 years ago. Listening to the music brought back lots of memories of that place.

Real Free WiFi

2009-09-09T10:14:00.000-06:00

OK, I like Free WiFi.

NOT the kind that makes you pay per minute.
NOT the kind where you watch lots of adverts.
NOT the kind where all web pages go through something that puts an advert on every page.
NOT the kind where you have to put in some special code.
NOT the kind where they block ports so you can't get your e-mail, VPN, etc.
NOT the kind where they throttle the connection to a crawl.
NOT the kind where you can only be in lobby to get net access.

Just REAL Free WiFi!

Oh, I don't mind hitting a web page and clicking 'yes' to their silly legal pages.

What I really like is the kind where you just get fast, easy access to the things you normally do with your laptop/iPhone. That's the kind that will keep me coming back again and again to your establishment.

I think it should be more like a water fountain, or a public bathroom. A service that is provided by businesses freely for their patrons. Not just in hospitality - but in all businesses that work with the public.

Most of the hotel chains have figured this one out. (not the high-end ones - they still charge, but then again they charge a lot for everything)

Now let's get the rest of the business world to come on-board!I've been in business a long time, have a MBA, and have run many companies. So I *do* understand there are costs involved in Free WiFi that have to be paid from somewhere.

Installation costs, maintenance costs, and of course the monthly Internet connection costs. But when you compare the actual cost per user, it will be WAY BELOW what a business would pay for getting a new client/or keeping a client. (compare to marketing and advertising costs)

So the next time you are somewhere with real Free WiFi - thank the management folks and tell them it made a difference in your choice to be there.

And for all those sites who still - "Don't Get It" - and do any of the things on the NOT list above. Remind them there is a better way to offer WiFi to their customers.

What about your own company?
Do you have REAL Free WiFi for your customers?

Weekend of Media

2009-09-08T10:11:00.005-06:00

In reverse order...
_______________

Last night was a chance for Jill and I to go to the final concert in the Scera Shell summer series. It was a Vocal group called 'Take 6' - a group of guys who have 18+ Grammy Awards for their previous work.The 'warm-up' act was David Osmond (son of Alan Osmond who was sitting a couple rows behind us). He was on this year's American Idol and even sang a 'Take 6' song as his audition song.It's obvious he is an entertainer through and through. That guy has got TALENT. He even did an impromptu song with Take 6 during their act.

Then the main act - Take 6. We were sitting on the 2nd row - right near the speakers, so I went up to the snack shop and purchased some ear plugs for Jill and I. (quite helpful)

They did a great job of entertaining - we both enjoyed ourselves. You could 'feel' the entire concert from those seats! These guys did some amazing vocal theatrics and beat-boxing.
______________

Earlier in the day - Jill, Alysha and her friend Brooke went to see The Time Traveler's Wife movie. It was a tear-jerker, entertaining, and a good movie. I just have a bit of trouble with the logic behind any of the Time Travel stories. Logic flaws and inconsistencies abound. But still a good afternoon's entertainment.______________

Earlier this year, a friend recommended a new author to me. Owen Parry. This guy writes mystery novels set in the Civil War - with an unlikely protagonist - Abel Jones. I've now read a couple of these and have 4 more in the series to look forward to. Thanks for the recommendation!

Moved to a New Macintosh

2009-09-05T17:00:00.001-06:00

I just moved my 'main computer' from a MacBook 13" uni-body to a new MacBookPro 13". Now I can have a 'spare' in case anything happens in the future.

I'm using SuperDuper to keep a 'mirror image' of the working hard drive. If anything goes wrong, I can be back up and running very quickly.

The process to 'move' my main computer to the new one was quite simple. (So much easier than the move to a new 'Instructor' computer last week. Thank move from a Dell D630 to a Dell E6400 took over 10 hours of manual work.... whew!)

I purchased a 'spare' 500GB 7200rpm hard drive from NewEgg to be the 'main' HD for the MacBookPro. (I put the 250GB that came with it in a drawer so I can have a 'factory fresh' install whenever I like)

I put the 500GB Drive in a USB enclosure and plugged it into my MacBook Unibody 13" and ran the 'SuperDuper' program (well worth the money) and 'cloned' the internal hard drive to the new external drive. This did take a couple of hours... but no time on my part other than a couple of minutes to get it plugged in and started. I made sure to check the 'Make Disk Startup' when the copying was complete.

Then I opened the case of the new MacBookPro 13" - only needed a small phillips head screwdriver. Removed the factory HD and replaced it with the cloned 500GB HD.

Put everything back together and fired it up.

Other than a little error message that there was a duplicate name on the local area network (the Mac OS automatically made a new suffix to the computer name and moved right on past the error).

I had to do a little bit of 'tweaking' to the system preferences. First configured MobileMe preferences with my account information. Then let the 'Sync' begin. Within 10 minutes I had an identical duplicate of my origional machine.

E-mail, browser, Tweetie, Things, iTunes, etc. Everything ready and working. No more than 15 minutes of my time and the task was completed.

Done!

Soooooo much easier than the same process on a PC.

The MacBookPro is a bit faster - especially at starting up only 35 seconds from a cold boot, compared with 70 seconds on the older version. It also has a much better battery with better than 50% more juice, and not only a Firewire port, but also an SD card reader.

Three days in Toronto

2009-09-04T17:08:00.003-06:00

I spent most of Monday getting to Toronto... then taught an Advanced Wireless Design class for a Canadian Telco called Telus.

I stayed at a nice Hilton in Markham - a suburb north of Toronto. The place is spread out like something in Dallas. I'm glad I had a car this week.
After class Tuesday I headed over to the Toronto Temple for a session. It was a bit older and smaller than I'd thought - but very pretty none-the-less.
The weather this week was clear and just right temperature. I've been in Toronto in the winter - this mild summer was much much better.

Then Thursday after class, did the reverse trip home via Chicago and had Ryan pick me up from the airport.

It is so much easier to have someone drop-off/pick-up when flying internationally since you can't use Skycaps for international flights and it's pretty tough to schlep around all my cases on the shuttle buses.

Good to be home for the next 11 days! Yea!

Last weekend of Summer

2009-08-30T10:05:00.004-06:00

This was the last weekend of our 'summer vacation' spent with Karrissa, Joe and the girls visiting. They came during Joe's 'time off' from Dental School and we spent a week in Seattle, then time since being shared with Joe's family in northern Utah.

We went to the Timpanogos High School football game Friday night. Cousin Michael was playing Wide Receiver, and Alysha's dance team did a number during half-time. I really enjoy the nice fall evenings outside with the crowd at the High School. The mountains made a beautiful backdrop to the night out.I'm looking forward to many more High School and BYU Football games this fall! Saturday we spent the morning getting errands and the like completed, then I took the kids to the movie Julie & Julia. (Grandma was nice enough to watch the grand-daughters so we could go - I'm going to have to take Jill to the movie next week!) I really enjoyed the movie a lot. I enjoyed the story-line of Julia Child, and wished they went more into the rest of her life. Meryl Streep again did a fantastic job! Amy Adams made a much better 'Princess' than whiny New Yorker...

Now I just have to wait for Ryan to make us the Beouf Bourguingnon dish they mentioned a couple of times in the movie...

After the movie, we went home to hand-made custom little pizza's cooked on the BBQ. All freshly prepared ingredients, and home-made pizza dough. Though not quite the 'wood-fired' flavor, cooked this way on the BBQ they turned out way, way good! Thanks to all who helped in the process!

Dallas - CCNA WIreless

2009-08-30T09:55:00.004-06:00

This week was spent in Dallas, doing a CCNA Wireless class.
The hotel was an amazing place - called 'NYLO' - kind of after a New York City Loft-Style place. Exposed concrete everywhere, 'green' furnishing made from bamboo wood and hemp fibers, and a bit 'edgy'. But I liked it. It had a unique feel, and the staff was amazingly helpful and courteous. My son Ryan would have just loved it.I went down knowing I had a cold, or as my Brother-in-law Rich calls it a 'Man-Cold'. I thought I was getting better, but on Tuesday I was stuck in my room most of the day. I was a sick as I've ever been in a hotel, next to the time in San Juan Puerto Rico when I had to have a Doctor come to the hotel room... but that's a different story.

But I did recover and enjoyed the class the rest of the week, getting better than 90% on the exam Friday before coming home. The instructor, Todd Lammle, and I have worked together for many years on different projects - and he had me teach a couple of the sections of the course.

So another certification to go into the 'collection'...

New Garage Floor thanks to Joe!

2009-08-22T12:47:00.003-06:00

I got home last night from Newark to find I wasn't able to park in the garage for seven days... What's that all about? I opened the garage door to find this!I guess my son-in-law Joe worked for three days this past week prepping and painting the garage floor.

Thanks Joe! It looks great.

Trying to get home

2009-08-21T15:13:00.002-06:00

Finished a week of AirMagnet product training (along with an Intro to Wireless LANs) in Newark this week.

Now I'm at the airport trying to get out before the Hurricane gets any closer and grounds me here in New Jersey.

I went over to the local shopping mall by the hotel (actually had to take a shuttle bus from the hotel to the airport, then another shuttle bus over to the mall...) to get some walking in (the heat and humidity here preclude outside walking)

In two nights at the mall I counted on one hand the total number of other white males in the mall. Wow - I'm a minority!

My sister Janet is up babysitting her grand-kids north of Manhattan in Tuckahoe... but without a car it would be a 3-hour trek to go and see her and the kids. So here's a shout out to Sis instead!

They completely shut the airport down for a couple of hours this afternoon - but it's now open, and the plane I'm supposed to fly home on is on the ground... hopefully I'll be home in 6 hours or so.

Moses Lake then on to Newark

2009-08-17T19:33:00.005-06:00

Friday we woke up in Moses Lake Washington - staying at Jill's Brother Ken's lake house. (We like going back there every year for a bit of a vacation - and Jill's family mostly live around there)

A little fishing, boating, jetskis, playing in the water, reading, visiting, etc. Basic vacation stuff when you are by a lake.

We went out and helped Jill's Mom Bev pick and weed her garden (huge gardens by her house - kind of re-claiming the sagebrush by adding some water and chicken-wire to keep the rabbits out)

Dinner at the 'famous' Chico's pizza place, loud - but everyone loves their pizza. Scary how much stuff they can actually load on one pizza.

More of the same on Saturday - and had more cousins and their friends over as well. Plus a big dinner for the entire family at night.

Karrissa and Joe have been reading the first two books in the 'Fablehaven' series - so I confiscated them for awhile and finished them both. I was hoping to get the others in the series at a bookstore, or at the airport, or better yet on the Kindle. But no luck. I like the storyline, and the way the author tells a good tale.Sunday we cleaned up and headed to the Spokane airport for the flights home and the end of a great week 'vacating'. I however took a flight from Spokane, to Chicago, then on to Newark. Of course, Chicago in the late summer, storms, delays, etc. I did *finally* get to the Newark Airport where I'll be staying teaching AirMagnet all this week at about 2:30am... whew!

Joe, Grandpa, cousin Michael and his friend Pat going fishing

Joe, the mighty fisherman, returns with his catch!

Helping Grandma Bev with her garden

The little lizard - McKinley liked this little guy

Karrissa and her girls, Kylie (1) and McKinley (3)

The Family scarfing down pizza at Chico's

Joe & McKinley on the Wave Runner

McKinley playing with an oar off the dock

McKinley on the Jetski (she wishes she could drive it alone)

Grandpa, Ken and Joe fishing

Drive to Moses Lake - via Mt. Rainier

2009-08-14T08:53:00.005-06:00

Rather than just take the 'normal' way over to Moses Lake - via I-90 - we instead went for the scenic route south around Mt. Rainier. I had to go to the Internet to get a picture of it - since it was shrouded in clouds the entire time!

We drove down through Puyallup, up South Hill where we used to live 30 years ago, and down to the south entrance of the Mt. Rainier park. A couple of years ago Jill's nephew was married near this area and we had breakfast at a nice little place right outside the park entrance called Copper Creek Cafe. So we stopped there for a nice lunch before driving into the park. We saw lots of big big trees, ravines, wide river beds, and climbed thousands of feet as we drove up to 'Paradise' on the side of the mountain. All the while, not seeing even an outline of the mountain. About a thousand feet below Paradise we entered into the cloud bank - and from there up to Paradise it was just a 'white out'. Bummer.

We stopped a couple of places along the way to let the girls play and run around - and check out the Mt. Rainier environment.

We took the 'White Pass' road over toward Yakima - and along the way passed by Clear Lake (where we had an Uptain Family Reunion 15 years ago or so)

Coming from the lush verdant rain forest surrounding Mt. Rainier, down through an alpine forest, then out unto the desert around Yakima was quite an outstanding change in just 15 miles or so.

Then the drive from Yakima to Moses Lake - and arrived about 2-3 hours later than if we'd just driven straight here.

Today is going to be fishing for Joe and Grandpa Uptain and then out to the Uptain's house over on Potholes Reservoir.

McKinley's latest 'funny face'

McKinley's "Leap of Faith"

She has no fear - just jumps without hesitation

This is where the mountain should have been...

A 'box canyon' carved out of solid rock

OK, that's a big tree

Karrissa is on "Team Edward"

Winwards and a big tree

McKinley waiting to surprise her dad

The mountain we didn't get to see

Downtown Seattle - Pike Place, Aquarium, Seattle Center

2009-08-12T23:16:00.008-06:00

We stopped by the Alderwood Mall this morning to pick up my Mom's sister Marsha - she was nice to spend the day with us.

We first went to the Pike's Place Market - and enjoyed all the activity, color, and items for sale there. I'm sure the women could have spent many more hours of shopping there, but with a double-wide stroller and two small children... well...

Then off to lunch at The Crab Pot - for a very nice seafood lunch right on the pier.

Finally... in McKinley's eyes... we arrived at the Seattle Aquarium to see all the FISHES! OK, compared to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium we went to a couple of years ago... but it was still a a lot of fun for McKinley. She liked all the fish, but especially liked going back again and again to touch the starfish. She even liked having Aunt Marsha hold her and talk with the docent about a starfish he had in a bowl.

Then off to Seattle Center - Karrissa wanted to return to the Pacific Science Center from her youth. McKinley was still sleeping so Marsha and I waited in the car while the others went into the center and space needle.

Finally dinner at Olive Garden in Lynnwood where Jill's brother Ken joined us for another good meal.

Whew!

See, Kylie *can* be happy!

Karrissa returning to Pacific Science Center

Winwards at the Seattle Center

Space Needle

Marsha helping McKinley with the Starfish

McKinley and a Seal

Family at the Seattle Aquarium

McKinley and Kylie playing with an 'Orca' fin

Karrissa and Kylie happy at the aquarium

Kylie not happy at the aquarium

Karrissa, Joe and McKinley at Aquarium

Marsha waiting and watching sleeping Kylie

Touching a starfish

Washington State Ferry coming in to dock

The Crab Pot for Lunch

Kylie just loved having someone walk her around - thanks Jill

Karrissa striking an 'Alysha' vacation pose

McKinley didn't want to 'kiss the pig'

But she was fine riding the pig.

Grandma Jill bought her this 'Princess Stuff'

Pike Place had loads of flowers for sale pretty cheap

This reminded me of markets all over the world

Winwards at Pike Place Market

Marsha and tasting Pepper Jelly

A view down Pike Place Market

Deception Pass - Whidbey Island - Mukilteo Ferry

2009-08-11T22:31:00.006-06:00

This morning we headed up in the drizzling rain towards Anacortes - hoping the weather would improve. We drove over to the Deception Pass - and walked over the bridge. An impressive place to place a bridge - over the 'pass' where all the water on the land-side of Whidbey Island rushes in and out as the tide changes.

Then down to Cranberry Lake - that is right next to the ocean - and had a picnic lunch before playing with the girls in the water. The tide was out, the winds very low, and the rain went away. So it was fun watching the girls play. OK, fun with McKinley - Kylie wanted to do more than she was capable of. She really wishes she could walk - and we wish she could talk to share with the adults around what she wants.

Then when we asked McKinley if she wanted to come directly home (via the freeway) or the scenic route and over the Clinton-Mukilteo Ferry - of course she chose the 'Ferry Boat' option.

Then dinner with Jill's parents, and brother Scott, along with Ken and Cathy at a local cafe.

Yep - we're tired now.Joe & the Girls on Mukilteo Ferry

Karrissa and Kylie... not a happy girl

McKinley throwing rocks in the ocean

Kylie playing in the sand/rocks

Karrissa and girls and their 'rock castle'

Kylie loved being 'walked' around

Jill resting on the beach

McKinely loved playing in the water

Kylie also loved the water... but hated not getting all the way in

Jill taking Kylie for a 'walk'

Boat moving north under the Deception Pass bridge

McKinley and her Grandma!

Winwards at Deception Pass

Yep - she is a cute little girl!

Looking towards the Deception Pass bridge

At the 'pull-over' by the Deception Pass bridge

Ferry Rides and the Kitsap Peninsula

2009-08-10T22:31:00.005-06:00

This morning we headed out to catch the Edmonds-Kingston Ferry (had to wait a bit in line) to cross over the Puget Sound to the Kitsap Peninsula. McKinley had a hard time figuring out we were really on a boat - when it was soooo big compared to the little water-ski boats she's been on in the past. Until we were actually moving and she could see the water flowing by...

Then a nice lesiurely drive down past the Bangor Sub Base, and the Bremerton Naval Shipyards to my friend Dave Conger's house in Port Orchard. Dave and his family were great hosts and we had a fine lunch and enjoyed catching up and visiting. He'll have three of his girls coming down to Utah to attend BYU this fall. So we'll get to see more of them for Sunday dinners and Thanksgiving dinners and the like.

Then for the Bremerton-Seattle run. This one took a more picturesque journey through the Bremerton waterway before crossing the sound and into Elliot Bay. There was a lot less wind on the back deck so we stayed there with the girls most of the way - but you just 'have to' be at the front for coming up into the docks in Seattle.

Nordstrom's Rack was a pain to find parking for, but eventually we got settled and into the store. Then a long walk back down to the warf area - walking along till we got back near the ferry terminal and had Fish & Chips at the famous Ivar's.

A long, fun, day visiting around the sound and seeing lots of trees (coming from the deserts of Utah and Nevada watching trees is a pretty cool thing)

Karrissa is "King of the World"

Seagulls followed along with the Ferries

Family on Bremerton Ferry

McKinley Striking a Pose

McKinley relaxing on Kingston Ferry

Kylie looking up to her big sister McKinley

Kylie likes her popcorn

Jill keeping Kylie warm inside on Bremerton Ferry

Karrissa and Joe on Kingston Ferry

Joe and McKinley playing on Bremerton Ferry

Ivar's Fish on the Seattle Waterfront

Ferry crossing Puget Sound
After a fine meal of Fish & Chips at Ivar's

Start of Family Vacation to Seattle

2009-08-10T09:42:00.011-06:00

Saturday morning early we bundled all our stuff, Jill, Joe, Karrissa and the two girls and heading to the Airport. We had lots of luggage to check, with the girl's car seats, pack&play, and suitcases for all. A quick trip up to Seattle - the girls didn't fall asleep until after landing...

We got a rental 'van' in order to hold everything and then headed up to Alki Beach. The girls liked playing in the sand and putting their feet in the cold Puget Sound. We then drove around the point and took the 'scenic' route back to Burien for a lunch at King Wha's Chinese. You can't go to Seattle and *not* do King Wha's!

We are spending a couple of days at Jill's brother's house in Bothell. Thanks Ken & Cathy!

For dinner we drove out to the indian reservation to their Snoqualamie Casino for the all-you-can-eat buffet. Jill and Joe enjoyed their crab, crab, and more crab. I was still full from the Chinese earlier in the day, so I enjoyed having a sleeping McKinley on my lap. We enjoyed visiting with Cathy's family, remembering times we spent together 15 years ago when we lived up here as their neighbors.

After dinner we drove over to Snoqualamie Falls to take in the sights. The water was way down from what we remember. But still an impressive sight. Twice as tall at Niagara Falls - but way less water volume. A unique form of electrical generation with the tunnels bored right through the rocks below the falls.

Sunday morning was Church back in our old Ward here in Bothell. Jill had a great time visiting with friends from 'the old days'!

After a little nap for the girls we heading into Seattle to Woodland Park Zoo. We saw lots of animals, took lots of pictures, and enjoyed a warm sunny day in Seattle - glad for all the trees and shade in the Zoo.

In the end though, Kylie was just too tired and sad/crying so we bundled back up and headed down through Ballard to the Crittendon Locks.

Karrissa remembered rolling down the grassy slopes on the sides of the locks. This time McKinley was sleeping, so I stayed with her in the stroller and the others did the Fish Ladder and watched the boats loading and leaving the locks. It's always a fun experience.

We were going to get some dinner down by Lake Union... but with the girls quietly asleep in their car seats... we just drove up to Red Robin in Lynnwood - then back to Ken & Cathy's house for the evening.

Jill and I with Grand-Daughters at Salty's looking back at Seattle

Val, Debbie, Cathy, McKinley, Jill, Kylie, Joe, Karrissa, Craig, Jeff

Snoqualamie Falls

Seagull fishing in stream

Flight up to Seattle

McKinley and her sea-shell

McKinley with Otters

McKinley showing what the Bats do

Getting ready for a great lunch at King Wha's

Just a bit more luggage than I'm used to

Kylie at Snoqualamie Falls

Kylie at Alki Beach - liking the sand

Karrissa & Kylie at the Locks - a Papparazzi Shot!

Kylie looking at the fish

Joe & McKinley watching animals at the zoo

Joe and Kylie at Alki Beach

McKinley and Joe at Alki Beach

Jill and the Grand-Daughters at Zoo

Lounging Hippo

Giraffe

Closeup of Giraffe - what's that on the forehead anyway?

Fish preparing to climb the 'ladder' up to lake level

Fish 'ladder'

Just a family on a walk in the zoo

Boats entering locks to be floated up to lake level

Bald Eagle

McKinley napping at Dinner

Teaching McKinley to count tree rings

Boats entering the locks from the ocean side

Grizzly Bear looking a bit 'mean'

Three days in Dallas

2009-08-07T09:09:00.004-06:00

I spent Monday-Wednesday in Dallas teaching at the Meridian Business Center just off of 635 in Farmer's Branch. The class was a small group of folks for an Advanced Wireless Design course. The class went well.

Since I got in 'trouble' from Jill last week for going to a movie without asking her... this week I went to a movie I *knew* she wouldn't want to see. In fact during the last movie with her, when this preview came up - well, let's just say I *knew* she wouldn't want to see it.

I went to see the 3D version of G-Force! (I really needed the 3D glasses for a lab experiment in my antenna section on polarization... yeah, right)

I enjoyed it completely, total escapism entertainment.I also finally finished up the 17th episode of 'The Last Detective' a BBC show staring Peter Davison. The series follows Detective Constable "Dangerous" Davies who is seen as a joke by his colleagues but is committed to his work. As the series progress, his reputation improves with his colleagues and his estranged wife. The series is based on the Dangerous Davies series of novels written by Leslie Thomas. It has been enjoyable watching these on my iPhone on flights over the past couple of weeks. Kind of sad to be over.Just a slight weather delay on the flight home, and tomorrow starts a week-long vacation with Jill, Karrissa, Joe and the cute little grand-daughters to Seattle and Moses Lake.

Then straight from there to New Jersey for an AM-115 class the following week.

Off to have some fun with the g-kiddies! They will be driving in tonight!

What If?

2009-08-06T08:29:00.003-06:00

I didn't write this... but it is very telling... so here it goes.

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What If?

What If George W. Bush had given British Prime Minister Gordon Brown a set of inexpensive and incorrectly formatted DVDs, after Gordon Brown had given him a thoughtful and historically significant gift, would you have approved?

What If George W. Bush had given the Queen of England an iPod containing videos of his speeches, would you have thought this embarrassingly narcissistic and tacky?

What If George W. Bush had bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia, would you have approved?

What If George W. Bush had visited Austria and made reference to the non-existent "Austrian language," would you have brushed it off as a minor slip?

What If George W. Bush had filled his cabinet and circle of advisers with people who cannot seem to keep current on their income taxes, would you have approved?

What If George W. Bush had been so Spanish illiterate as to refer to “Cinco de Cuatro” in front of the Mexican ambassador when it was the fourth of May (Cuatro de Mayo), and continued to flub it when he tried again, would you have winced in embarrassment?

What If George W. Bush had misspelled the word advice would you have hammered him for it for years like Dan Quayle and potatoe as “proof” of what a dunce he is?

What If George W. Bush had burned 9,000 gallons of jet fuel to go plant a single tree on “Earth Day”, would you have concluded he’s a hypocrite?

What If George W. Bush’s administration had okayed Air Force One flying low over millions of people followed by a jet fighter in downtown Manhattan causing widespread panic, would you have wondered whether they actually “get” what happened on 9-11?

What If George W. Bush had been the first President to need a teleprompter installed to be able to get through a press conference, would you have laughed and said this is more proof of how he inept he is on his own and is really controlled by smarter men behind the scenes?

What If George W. Bush had failed to send relief aid to flood victims throughout the Midwest with more people killed or made homeless than in New Orleans , would you want it made into a major ongoing political issue with claims of racism and incompetence?

What If George W. Bush had ordered the firing of the CEO of a major corporation, even though he had no constitutional authority to do so, would you have approved?

What If George W. Bush had proposed to double the national debt, which had taken more than two centuries to accumulate, in one year, would you have approved?

What If George W. Bush had then proposed to double the debt again within 10 years, would you have approved?

What If George W. Bush had reduced your retirement plan’s holdings of GM stock by 90% and given the unions a majority stake in GM, would you have approved?

What If George W. Bush had sent his wife and daughters on a shopping trip to London on Air Force One, would you have approved?

What if George W. Bush had spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to take Laura Bush to a play in NYC, would you have approved?

So, tell me again, what is it about Obama that makes him so brilliant and impressive?

Can't think of anything? Don't worry. He's done all this in just 6 months -- so you'll have three and a half years to come up with an answer.

No common sense, naïve, incompetent, uninformed voters did this to themselves. Insanity is wide spread. Gratefully a few Real Americans are waking up.

Two last questions...
- - Are you stimulated yet?
- - How's that 'Hope' working out for you?

Week in Toronto

2009-08-01T08:08:00.003-06:00

I spent this week at the Marriott hotel by the Toronto airport teaching an AirMagnet AM-115 course.
It was just a work week.

Each evening I watched another DVD from the 'War and Remembrance' series - after the start of World War II.

The first part of the week the hotel was full of Mary Kay cosmetics reps on their annual pilgrimage (sales conference) and the last two days had 300+ screaming young teens there for the national Field Hockey tournament.

The flight home was a bit of a travel adventure. The airplane that was supposed to take us to Cincinnati developed a mechanical problem of some kind - and we were late an hour leaving Toronto - and since there was only a 45 minute window to transfer to the Salt Lake City flight I was a bit worried about having to stay another night on the road in Cincinnati... but after running to the other gate - did make it to the SLC flight - then waited on the ground and extra hour for some passengers flying in from Europe.

Sorry that Jill and Rory had to wait an extra hour in the parking lot at the airport.

Alysha had her fun little 'girls trip' down to Vegas and stayed with Karrissa with her friends - shopping, swimming, and watching their TV shows together. Next week is just 3-days in Dallas.

Computer Support Travel Kit

2009-07-29T21:51:00.007-06:00

I do travel a lot... and like to get as much work done as possible, whether it be in the airport, hotel, or just about anywhere. After all these years of traveling - over 2 million miles and 1500 flights... let me share with you what I've finally coalesced on the near perfect travel kit for computers.

All of this fits in the front pocket of my backpack - is easy to use, easy to pack up, and makes for a consistently successful work environment for me.

Of course I have other stuff for in-flight entertainment, like my Amazon Kindle2 for reading, my iPhone 3GS for music and watching movies, and my wonderful Dr. Dre Noise Canceling Headphones. Those all go in the larger section of my backpack with my MacBookPro 13" Unibody laptop.

The below travel kit is the 'supporting stuff' that makes working away from home and office 'work'. After many attempts at finding the 'just right' bag for hauling stuff around I finally have ended up with a neoprene bag made for carrying charger bricks... I use it as a place to house most of this kit in one place. Easy to pickup - use - and put back. Enclosed in that kit are the following items - tucked into one of the six soft pockets of the bag.

AT&T USB Connect 881 - this 3G device lets me get Internet connection even when there is no WiFi available. As long as there is Digital Cell service - I can get on the 'net'. Syncharger Dual cable - allows for me to charge USB powered devices, my iPhone and also sync my iPhone when needed. Spare Cat5 Cable to connect either wired Ethernet, or the Apple Extreme to be able to share wired Internet wirelessly. DisplayPort to VGA adapter so I can project my Mac to a TV or LCD projector when needed.APC 4-port USB port - so I can have multiple USB devices all sharing a single USB port - Small and compact. Two Zio Shorty USB cables - one to 'mini' port and one extension. Apple 45w Power supply for MacBookPro - with 'stub' power so I don't need another power cord. Apple AirPort Extreme N - supports 802.11n and allows me to 'share' wirelessly wired connection. Great for running Skype or a SIP phone on the iPhone when overseas - and have multiple computers share a single hotel Internet connection. Invaluable! Kindle2 Power Charger - Not just for the Kindle2, but I use the USB power base to charge other USB items with differnet cables. Monster Power2Go - a 4-port power strip - small and the power cable folds back on itself for compact storage.In the bottom of the front backpack pocket I aslo put the following items:

Two Western Digital 'Passport' 500GB drives - one that contains a full backup of my MacBookPro, and the other with 'working' documents, all my MP3 files, and hundreds of movies - both with Zio Shorty USB cables placed in a Case Logic portable hard drive case.

A Stanley 12' extension cord - very useful in hotel rooms without power by the desk, or to get power while waiting in an airport.

My latest addition is the amazing Kbex portable speaker systems from a previous post. This thing really works!

So that's what I carry with me. It helps a lot to have the right items with you when working on the road.

Yo Yo Ma Cello Music for the week

2009-07-25T21:25:00.003-06:00

This week while working on my many computers - doing beta testing work, doing technical edit work on a couple of upcoming books, reviewing sets of exam questions, etc. I would leave my iTunes running in the background.

This week's music of choice was a few Yo Yo Ma Cello albums (well, not actually albums, but MP3s)

Very relaxing music - that man is sure talented. I like the music of the softer, lower sounds of the Cello when compared to violins.

Week at Home

2009-07-25T21:01:00.003-06:00

The 'calm before the storm' - I was able to spend this week at home catching up on a bunch of small projects for work. Jill had to work a lot this week so I did the staying up with the summertime kids late into the evenings, walked Rory in the mornings, etc.

Tuesday night we took the Young Men and Young Women from our ward up to the new Oqurrih Mountain Temple. It was a nice evening out, the Bishop and his wife rode up with us in our car. The Temple was beautiful (of course) - a good time was had by all.Rory has destroyed many parts of the garden boxes I worked on earlier this year - but the tomatoes are doing OK - perhaps I need to water them less (some of the leaves are turning yellow) but we did get one ripe one ready to eat. I was sitting in the breakfast nook after some of Grandpa Carlsen's breakfast of Shredded Apple, Fresh Squeezed Orange, and Sliced Banana for breakfast and had a nice view of the mountain. Later that night I thought to get a picture of it to save the moment. I got in trouble today for going to see the movie 'Up' without asking Jill first. I guess she had wanted to see it and I should have called her at work to ask her before watching it myself. I enjoyed it alot. I think we'll have to take McKinley to see it when she comes up in August.

Acoustic Guitar Music of Kaki King

2009-07-19T11:10:00.003-06:00

Last year I wrote a blog about the movie "August Rush" - I liked the music and the story. While watching a variety of "TED Talks" online, I came across a small video clip from a guitarist named Kaki King. Within seconds, I recognized the genius behind the "August Rush" guitar solos.

So I went online to iTunes and purchased a couple of her albums. I've been listening to these on various flights, and in the hotel rooms. I really like her stuff! If you like well played acoustic guitar music, (NOT that rock riff screeching noise!) - Kaki King will make a nice addition to your collection!Perhaps not that much to look at... but, boy can she play that guitar!

San Jose, Winds of War & Harry Potter

2009-07-19T10:41:00.004-06:00

I spent all last week in San Jose - without a car, at the San Jose Courtyard Marriott. The rental car rate for the week was over $350... so I figured I could use the walks each night.

It was a great little facility, perfect for the AirMagnet week-long training class. Thanks Karrissa!

I was able to catch an earlier flight home than scheduled - and so returned home two hours earlier than planned. To an empty house! Jill and Alysha were still up at Girl's Camp for the week, and Ryan had taken Rory on a long walk up Provo canyon to Bridal Veil Falls.

After doing a bit of 'catch up' on a series of "To Do" items, we packed up the rested and cleaned girls and headed down to watch the new Harry Potter film. As a family we've always enjoyed the Harry Potter series, both in reading, and in watching the films. This one has been a long time coming - Ryan and I both read this on our flights back from Switzerland... and that was a long time ago!We enjoyed the film - but like all the series, think the book version was superior.Then off to a fine dinner at Macaroni Grill where I instituted a new family dinner rule of "no texting" at the table. We're there to enjoy each others company, so we should focus on who's at the table. Right?

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This week I didn't read anything special, but watched the entire series "Winds of War" by Herman Wouk. I remembered watching this series back in 1983... (yes, I'm that old)

It is a nice representation of the things that led up to World War II. This series ends right after Pearl Harbor - I look forward to the "War and Rememberance" sequel.

Truly Amazing Portable Speaker

2009-07-14T22:21:00.004-06:00

A while back I saw a little 'bit' on the Internet about this speaker that worked on any surface. I'm a 'gadget' kind of guy - so I purchased one.

This thing is AWESOME! - I've had lots of little speakers I take with me on the road to listen to music from my iPhone or laptop, or even sometimes watch a movie in the hotel room. I've reverted to using my 'Beats' noise-canceling headphones to get sound I liked to listen to.

Then came along the K-Box from - this thing is amazing. It has over a 20-hour internal rechargeable battery - that charges off a USB port (like all my other portable devices) - and turns on/off by simply plugging in a headphone cable into the device. (simple elegant solution) And it is smaller than a blackboard eraser.

When you hold the little speaker thing in your hand it sounds very 'tinny' and weak. But place it on a flat surface and the internal 'guts' work with a gel pad on the bottom to produce astonishing bass. So much I had to change my iPhone equalizer settings because it was too 'bassy'.

This thing can rumble a room! I was watching the last couple of episodes of 'Winds of War' - and the Pearl Harbor scene made me turn down the volume. That *never* happens with other small portable speakers - they just don't have anything at the bottom end. This little guy, however, ROCKS!

I can wholeheartedly recommend this speaker for anyone who travels (it comes with it's own little travel case) it doesn't weigh much, is easy to use and recharge and best of all - sounds great!
Specs below:

Plug it into your laptop, phone, mp3 or portable gaming device and experience it turn surfaces into sound! Using patented 'gel-audio' technology when placed upon any solid flat surface, a wall, table or even windows, the K-box turns the surface into sound with a truly incredible bass response!
High Quality Audio Full Bass response 40-20KHz Compact and Portable (115x55x20mm) Up to 20 hours battery life (recharge via USB)

Historical and Genealogical Tour of Nauvoo Illinois

2009-07-14T21:52:00.004-06:00

Years ago, Jill wanted to go to Nauvoo, especially to take her parents there. My parents also have wanted to go... so last week we all headed off and got our 'fix' of the "Spirit of Nauvoo".

The trip went off great - flight to St. Louis, dinner down by the famous Arch, then a van ride to Hannibal, MO, and then on to Nauvoo.

We had lots of time to see all the sights, attend all the events, watch the shows, go on horse-drawn carriage and wagon rides, and see all the exhibits.

The highlight was the 'Nauvoo Pagent' - simple superb.

We found both sets of our ancestors owned property in Nauvoo, and probably knew each other. It would have really amazed them to know their descendants ended up marrying, and then with our in-laws returning to where they once lived.

The Church has done a lot of re-construction, and they have done a wonderful job. The place is beautiful, clean and makes you want to live there.

It's hard to imagine that 160 years ago this was a bustling city of 12,000, second only to Chicago in Illinois. Without the reconstruction there would be a mere handful of houses left on the thousands of 1-acre plots that used to all be filled.

It was kind of like a Mormon version of Colonial Williamsburg - with people in period costume, exhibits and buildings reflecting how they once lived back in the 1840s.

We saw Gunsmith, Blacksmith, Tinsmith, Wainwrights, Bakeries, Printers, Farmers, Brickyards, Rope making, candle making, coopering, weaving, etc. - I loved learning of how they lived and worked back then.

We did get a bit 'lost' when I faithfully followed the directions "Annie" the GPS gave for travelling from Nauvoo to Carthage... it sent us way out through and extra 20+ miles of farmland. Around this area of Missouri and Illinois there is farming to the horizon. Hundreds of miles of flat farms in every direction. With NO IRRIGATION! For those of us in the West this is an anachronism. We don't have any growth, any green things, without irrigation. There, they just let the rain take care of it all. Green everywhere, trees, grass, corn, etc. Green, green, green. But we missed having mountains...

Another thing I missed last week. Connectivity!

I'm used to having my cell phone work and my laptop to have Internet when I'm in my hotel. In Nauvoo the only time the cell phone worked was if I was by the Mississippi River and would catch a cell tower from the other side. No quick 'look ups' of items on my iPhone. And then at night I couldn't get my e-mail or do any work because the Internet didn't work in our hotel room - even holding my laptop outside didn't help. So I had to go across the street over to the main hotel to even check my e-mail... this is where you say something like 'poor Keith'....

But this week I'm back 'in the saddle' again - teaching a class in San Jose all week. I kind of liked being on vacation the last 3 out of 4 weeks - one could get used to that lifestyle. Oh... I do need to bring in money to live on still - bummer.

Mississippi Paddle wheel Boat returning in Hannibal, MO

Sunset over the Mississippi

Ken and Bev Uptain with the Perchon Draft Horses - over 2,000 lbs each

Keith and Jill at the Mississippi

Browning's Gunsmith Shop - His son invented the Browning Automatic Rifles

Rebuilt Nauvoo Temple - Original destroyed by Fire and Tornado

My Parents and Jill's Parents overlooking the Mississippi in Hannibal, MO

One of the Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides

View of Temple from the 'city'

Stadium of Fire

2009-07-05T09:30:00.008-06:00

As part of the Freedom Festival - on the night of July 4th - they hold a concert/extravaganza at BYU's Cougar Football Stadium - with lots and lots of fireworks. In order to get you there, and waiting for the fireworks, they have different entertainment options.

Glenn Beck was the Emcee for the show and came in with a theme of "76 Trombones" and gave a pretty good speech on the values on which we started this country.This year they had tributes to the various flags of the United States. With people bringing them into the stadium in period dress.

Then on to the entertainment - first was a girl country singing group - originally from Utah called SHeDAISY. I don't normally like country music, but I think I'll go on iTunes and pick up some of their songs today. I liked their close harmonies, and the had entertainment quality!The next group - and the one all the kids were screaming for - was the Jonas Brothers. A pop Disney sensation. All the kids around us were dancing, screaming, and belting out the words to their songs.There was a short section of fireworks, then Glenn Beck returned and narrated a solemn ceremony to 'retire the flag' - There are proscribed processes to retire a United States flag - and we watched as they brought in the huge Stadium of Fire flag - that is now too old and worn to use for another year. With great pomp they hand-carried the flag in, and placed it in a cauldron to be its final resting place, and burned it. Then on to the main event - Fireworks! Lots of big ones, devices in the south end of the stadium, huge ones that covered most of the sky, and my favorite--big loud ones! I like to 'feel' my fireworks, and this was a great show.

We were able to park close - since the grand-parents went with us, and we had their handicap stickers, we were able to park in the lot just west of the stadium (thankfully). Though it was a bit difficult for them to climb to almost the top of the west stands. But we had chair seats so it was better than the other stadium seats the young folks were in.

And now some photo evidence of the evening. (I didn't get any photos of the 4 F16 fighter jets passing over - couldn't focus on them moving that fast - bummer)

Joe, Karrissa, McKinley Winward - and Alysha Parsons McKinley getting ready for the show The Winwards Richard & Cenia Parsons - My Parents Ken & Bev Uptain - Jill's Parents OK, I didn't get the Jets - but I did get the Helicopters Over 700 dancers, fire dancers, etc. Glenn Beck delivering his speech The stadium was full of spectators for the extravaganza
Mountains in the background of a packed stadium Audience enthralled with the Fireworks displays Photos couldn't do justice to the Fireworks

Ryan's Stylized Photos from Europe

2009-07-04T08:54:00.004-06:00

While in Europe, Ryan and Alysha both liked taking photographs (and being photographed as well)

After returning home, Ryan did some editing and made some 'stylized' photos. Then his sisters took these and printed large copies and mounted them in frames for his birthday.

They are pretty good - so I added them to the blog.

Thanks Ryan

Versailles across the man-made lake

Walking paths at Versailles

From the top of Notre Dame

Stonehenge

Eiffel Tower

Eye of London - Ferris Wheel

Ryan's Birthday at Sundance

2009-07-04T08:49:00.004-06:00

Ryan wanted to go to Sundance - the Grill Room - for his Birthday dinner. So we packed up the kids and headed up for another great dinner. The food was great - and the company as well. McKinley had fun pretending to be our waiter, as well as dancing all over the place.

Of course we had to get 'suckers' for everyone as well.

Afterward the little girls liked walking on the bridge over a little raging stream. It was a perfect time to teach McKinley about the game 'Pooh Sticks'!

Self-Timer on the Bridge Shot of Family

Karrissa and Ryan at Dinner

Alysha and Ryan - I've got good looking kids!

Kylie standing on Bridge

Provo Freedom Festival - Balloon Launch

2009-07-04T08:28:00.005-06:00

Bright and early this morning we headed down to Provo - with Jill and her parents to see the Freedom Festival's Balloon Launch.

Had a little McDonald's breakfast, and watched the balloons take off, then try to return to drop bean-bags on a target, and pop some smaller helium balloons floating at 200'.

The winner dropped their beanbag only 6' from the target, that's pretty amazing since they traveled a couple of miles away before trying to return to the field.

A good time was had by all.

We also saw my daughter Karrissa's friend from High School - Andrea and her children. (along with thousands of other on-lookers)

Jill's Mom and Dad - Bev and Ken Uptain of Othello, WA

Playing 'Hare & Hounds'

Even 'Tony the Tiger' was there

Group photo taking off

Heading south before turning back toward field

Karrissa's Friend - Andrea

Andrea's eldest daughter - Brinley?

Travel Tips

2009-07-03T08:54:00.012-06:00

Having spent two weeks in Europe on a little family vacation - it made me think a bit about some travel tips for those of you who might need to travel for work or holiday.

I've logged nearly 2 million miles in the last 15 years - and have gleaned some experience from all that travel.

In no particular order:
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Camera Strap - Black Rapid's RS-4
This strap is a new way to carry your D-SLR camera. Instead of a strap going around your neck, making the camera bounce along in front of your stomach - this strap is designed to mount to the tripod mounting hole in the bottom of your camera - and then go over one shoulder/neck, thus the camera rides easily off your back/hip and yet is still very easy to bring your camera up to eye level for a picture.This was a fantastic upgrade to my old Nikon camera strap. Much easier to carry a large camera all day - yet still very user friendly and easy to learn. Highly Highly Recommended!
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Travel Clothing
When teaching - I just wear dockers and a long-sleeve button-down shirt. But then again, those days are spent all inside teaching. But when traveling, or doing sightseeing I like to wear specially made travel clothing. A shirt with two front pockets (passport/tickets/iPhone/glasses) for flying and sight-seeing. Pants with more zipper pockets to help deter pick-pockets and are very lightweight.I've found it to be very difficult for pick-pockets to access shirt pockets that are buttoned - a person is much more protective of the front chest area - especially in a crowded area like the subway. Even with extra zippered pants pockets, I've found pick-pockets now how to work the zippers. So the wallet and cash go in the right front shirt pocket! (and the camera strap also covers right over that area for even extra security)

It might cost a bit more, but it is made for easy care, functional, and nearly wrinkle-free.
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Apple iPhones are Everywhere!
I thought our family was a bit on the edge with most of us having iPhones. But more and more I've been seeing iPhones everywhere. They do have a distinct look, so they are fairly easy to spot. More people on planes, hotel lobbies, and now even all over Europe the iPhones have really taken hold. I really enjoy mine, and find it to be not only a great phone, but a game platform, contact lists, calendars, to do list, Internet access, alarm clock, GPS, iPod for music and portable movie player.
No wonder they are everywhere!

This is also very highly recommended.
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Big Zoom Lens
I've got an older body Nikon D40 as the base... but put the extra money into a very nice lens. The Nikkor 18-200 VR lens is a great single lens to take on a trip. Not only can it let you capture wide-angle panoramic scenes, but lets you zoom way in. As a single lens it does just about all you'd want. And with the Vibration Reduction elements, you can shoot in much lower light conditions, even taking hand-held shots.Some of the shots inside the Cathedrals of Europe where made with just this lens in a hand-held position. A great addition to your camera bag. I'd opt for this upgraded lens and save money on the camera body - oh yeah, I already did that.All the pictures on my personal blog as well as my son Ryan's facebook were taken with this lens.
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England, UK, Britain Confusion
Check out an earlier blog that answers these questions.
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Skype - the ONLY way to call
I pre-loaded Skype on the iPhones before heading off to Europe. On previous trips, I've used a variety of methods to call home. Small WiFi phones, Skype specific phones, headsets and Skype on my laptop. But Skype on the iPhone was very easy to use. My wife Jill and daughter Alysha both have iPhones, and it was a simple transition to just use the Skype App rather than the normal Phone App.This saved us $$$ - especially with the daughter calling home to her boyfriend (they liked to talk...) At only $.02 per minute (an hour-long call only cost $1.20) it was great.In order to make the Skype phone work - you need to have Wireless Network Access. See following note.
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Bring your own Access Point
I travel with an Apple Airport Express - little guy - but packs a pretty good punch. I have it programmed with WPA for security, and it is easily 110v-220v capable. And it is 802.11n to boot!This just plugs into the hotel's Internet - then you do everything via WiFi. This lets us all share WiFi in the hotel. 4 iPhones and three laptops all using one Internet connection.

I've tried 5 other 'travel routers' but this is the smallest, simplest, and easiest to use. At only $99 - don't leave home without it!
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Pack only what you need
You can usually get just about anything you might need locally - if you need it. If you don't need it, why schlep it all over the world?

I use a very nice bag from RedOxx out of Montana. A single bag is a great way to travel. Easy, you can (if you have to) use it as carry-on. (see additional item below on carry-on luggage) - but it can easily hold a week's worth of stuff.Minimize the 'extra' stuff you 'think' you might need. Just learn to live with what you have and be glad for it. If you *really* need anything else - buy it locally.
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Know you own bags!
Another little pet peeve of mine with regards to luggage. At the baggage pickup, when people pick up and check bag after bag, trying to find their own. You just put in on the plane a couple of hours ago, you've already forgotten what it looks like?

If you need to easily identify your bags, just tie a piece of colored yarn or ribbon to the handle (or buy those ridiculous large luggage tags in bright green)
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Airline Carry On
Just because you *can* take a bag on carry on doesn't mean you *should*! Be a bit considerate of others on the plane. The overhead compartments need to be shared by everyone. And me, for one, ALWAYS put my backpack in the overhead compartment. I'm not going to travel uncomfortably with my feet wrapped around a piece of luggage. Don't ask to put your second carry on under my feet - just don't bring it on the plane. They have an entire baggage system to get your bag to where you are going!

Out of 2million miles of travel - I've have the airlines loose my bags on 9 times, and 5 of those were on my way home. So out of hundreds and hundreds of flights I've had to do without my bags 4 times. This is not the risk you are making it out to be. Pack an extra set of underwear in your carry on and be done with it.
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Always have pen and paper with you
I was taught by my father - and hopefully I'll pass it on to all my children - to always carry a pen with you! It is a sign of maturity and preparedness!

Also, within the last couple of years I've also started to carry 3x5 cards in my pocket. These have also been invaluable at times. Someplace to write little notes, take informaiton down, jot down a phone number or address.

Even in the age of iPhones - an index card in your pocket can be a great thing.

Always have a Pen and Paper with you!
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Get money locally
When you travel to different countries - it is so much easier (and way cheaper) to just get money locally from an ATM. They are everywhere. Don't waste your money, nor your time at the money changer places.

You use an ATM for cash at home, use one abroad as well!
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Don't Stink
This is to all the folks in Europe (and a couple in the States) - It is possible to have personal hygiene and not STINK! - Alysha would cover her nose with her hand when on the subways in Europe because all the body odor, and smell of unwashed clothes.

It's not that hard to clean yourself and your clothes! Just do it!

I think I blame the women in Europe. If they wouldn't have anything to do with these stinky men, the men would soon learn to change and worry about personal hygiene. The European women must like that smell of old sweat and wool... yeck!

If you haven't washed up your person or your clothes - don't travel! Sitting next to one of these on flights is nearly unbearable. They don't even seem to notice.
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Have stuff with you
If you need medicines, take them with you in your carry on. If you like to read, have a book with you, watch movies? take along an iPhone of iPod Touch. Just be prepared. Worried they won't have food for you, bring your own.
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Kindle & iPhone
Between these two little devices I can keep myself occupied for hours, even days.

My Kindle has hundreds of books just waiting to be read - waiting for me to have some 'down time' to read them.My iPhone is full of great games, audiobooks, Internet, and videos. If I've got time, I've got a way to spend it.
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Relax
There is usually nothing you can do to change travel fiascos around you - so just be prepared with media of some type and just enjoy the extra time. You can't change anything - so don't let the stress get to you.

Enjoy!

Reading from Europe Trip

2009-07-02T22:32:00.004-06:00

In 1989, Ken Follett astonished the literary world with The Pillars of the Earth, a sweeping epic novel set in twelfth-century England that centered on the building of a cathedral, and on the men, women, and children whose lives it changes forever. I've since have hoped for a sequel. At last, it is here…World Without End

Two centuries after the townspeople of Kingsbridge finished building their exquisite Gothic cathedral, four children slip into the forest and witness a killing… an event that will braid their lives together by ambition, love, greed, and revenge

Another sweeping story set in the middle ages at the time of the great plagues. A good read for the summer.

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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - In 1946, writer Juliet Ashton finds inspiration for her next book in her correspondence with a native of Guernsey, who tells her about the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a book club born as an alibi during German occupation

Funny title - but a heartwarming story set right after World War II - and flashbacks to how this civilian society coped through the war.

A unique form of storytelling - it kind of grows on you.

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Amsterdam in the 1690s - a boom town with Europe's biggest stock exchange and traders who will stop at nothing to get even richer. Lienzo, a Portugese Jew, stumbles across a new commodity - coffee - which, if he plays his cards right, will make him the richest man in Holland. But others stand in his way - rival traders who do all in their power to confuse the exchange and scupper his plans, his brother who is jealous of his financial wizardry and even his brother's beautiful wife who both tempts and spurns him in equal measure.

I've started to really like what David Liss writes in these historical fiction novels! Like his other's I've read - The Coffee Trader works well.

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In an un-put-downable gee-whiz fashion, author Ben Sherwood introduces his readers to researchers, survivors (some, of horrifying events), psychologists, and scientists who look at why some survive a crisis when others don’t. This is one of those useful, lively, fun books that tells you something new and totally fascinating on every page, and I simply couldn’t stop reading it.

Want to live to a ripe old (happy) age? Pick up a copy of The Survivors Club and enjoy.

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"History comes to life" In John Adams - HBO Miniseries. This miniseries is both for those that didn't like or do well in history and those that consider themselves history geeks. Regardless of which category you fall into, either you can learn some of the history that you missed, or be thrilled with the story that is "true to the book and historically accurate." "If all history were taught this way kids would learn more." John Adams "provides a realistic view of what your founding fahters endured both personally and politically," destroying the "romantic idea" of life we have from that time. "A must see for every American."

It was great to watch this entire series on my iPod Touch on the plane ride to Paris. And I thought I knew about early American history.

Ice Age 3 with Family

2009-07-02T21:54:00.004-06:00

Yesterday we went to see the new installment of the Ice Age movies - this is number 3...

The whole family, including the little grand-daughters all came together.

Since it was the first day showing, and the last matinee for the day... I thought it would be very crowded. So we headed down to the Wynnsong theaters in Provo Riverwoods a bit early. (I even paid the extra $1/ticket fee to Fandango just to be sure we got our tickets)

A friend of Alysha - Erin was working the ticket booth and reminded me that it was Wynnsong - we didn't need to use Fandango.

The place was empty! - Our viewing had our family, one other family and a single old lady. That's it! I think the theaters are nice, sloped well, pretty good seats, all DLP projectors with good sound systems. But since the new Cinemark moved into the Mall... as my neice Jenny says - Wynnsong is now 'Ghetto'.

But the movie was great fun. If you liked the other Ice Age movies - you'll also enjoy this one. Yes it was made for kids, but they put in enough little 'zingers' that adults will laugh as well. I busted up on more than one occasion.

Go see it - you'll be glad you did!Family ready for the movie

McKinley does not like the loud sounds in the Movie Theater

Only an 8th Grade Education?

2009-06-30T13:56:00.002-06:00

Remember when grandparents and great-grandparents stated that they only had an 8th grade education? Well, check this out. Could any of us have passed the 8th grade in 1895?

This is the eighth-grade final exam from 1895 in Salina , Kansas , USA. It was taken from the original document on file at the Smokey Valley Genealogical Society and Library in Salina, and reprinted by the Salina Journal.

8th Grade Final Exam: Salina , KS - 1895

Grammar (Time, one hour)
1. Give nine rules for the use of capital letters.

2. Name the parts of speech and define those that have no modifications

3. Define verse, stanza and paragraph

4. What are the principal parts of a verb? Give principal parts of 'lie,''play,' and 'run.'

5. Define case; illustrate each case.

6 What is punctuation? Give rules for principal marks of punctuation.

7. Write a composition of about 150 words and show therein that you understand the practical use of the rules of grammar.

Arithmetic (Time,1 hour 15 minutes)
1. Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic.

2. A wagon box is 2 ft.. Deep, 10 feet long, and 3 ft. Wide. How many bushels of wheat will it hold?

3. If a load of wheat weighs 3,942 lbs., what is it worth at 50cts/bushel, deducting 1,050 lbs. For tare?

4. District No 33 has a valuation of $35,000. What is the necessary levy to carry on a school seven months at $50 per month, and have $104 for incidentals?

5. Find the cost of 6,720 lbs. Coal at $6.00 per ton.

6. Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and 18 days at 7 percent.

7. What is the cost of 40 boards 12 inches wide and 16 ft.. Long at $20 per metre?

8. Find bank discount on $300 for 90 days (no grace) at 10 percent.

9. What is the cost of a square farm at $15 per acre, the distance of which is 640 rods?

10. Write a Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and a Receipt.

U.S. History (Time, 45 minutes)
1. Give the epochs into which U.S. History is divided

2. Give an account of the discovery of America by Columbus

3. Relate the causes and results of the Revolutionary War.

4. Show the territorial growth of the United States

5. Tell what you can of the history of Kansas

6. Describe three of the most prominent battles of the Rebellion.

7. Who were the following: Morse, Whitney, Fulton , Bell , Lincoln , Penn, and Howe?

8. Name events connected with the following dates: 1607, 1620, 1800, 1849, 1865..

Orthography (Time, one hour) I don’t even know what this is….
1. What is meant by the following: alphabet, phonetic, orthography, etymology, syllabication

2. What are elementary sounds? How classified?

3. What are the following, and give examples of each: trigraph, subvocals, diphthong, cognate letters

4. Give four substitutes for caret 'u.'

5. Give two rules for spelling words with final 'e.' Name two exceptions under each rule.

6. Give two uses of silent letters in spelling. Illustrate each.

7. Define the following prefixes and use in connection with a word: bi, dis-mis, pre, semi, post, non, inter, mono, sup.

8. Mark diacritically and divide into syllables the following, and name the sign that indicates the sound: card, ball, mercy, sir, odd, cell, rise, blood, fare, last.

9. Use the following correctly in sentences: cite, site, sight, fane, f ain, feign, vane , vain, vein, raze, raise, rays.

10. Write 10 words frequently mispronounced and indicate pronunciation by use of diacritical marks and by syllabication.

Geography (Time, one hour)
1 What is climate? Upon what does climate depend?

2. How do you account for the extremes of climate in Kansas ?

3. Of what use are rivers? Of what use is the ocean?

4. Describe the mountains of North America

5. Name and describe the following: Monrovia , Odessa , Denver , Manitoba , Hecla , Yukon , St. Helena, Juan Fernandez, Aspinwall and Orinoco

6. Name and locate the principal trade centers of the U.S. Name all the republics of Europe and give the capital of each.

7. Why is the Atlantic Coast colder than the Pacific in the same latitude?

8. Describe the process by which the water of the ocean returns to the sources of rivers.

9. Describe the movements of the earth. Give the inclination of the earth.

Notice that the exam took FIVE HOURS to complete.

Gives the saying 'he only had an 8th grade education' a whole new meaning, doesn't it?! Also shows you how poor our education system has become, and...

NO, I don't have the answers!

McKinley & Scooter

2009-06-30T08:24:00.002-06:00

After family dinner at my sister Janet's on Sunday evening - I drove the scooter home. McKinley wanted to ride with Poppa... so here we go... (Yes - we should have had helmets - but I merely coasted down the hill to our house)

The Saga of House Plumbing

2009-06-28T09:16:00.002-06:00

We moved into this house 16 years ago. Ever since we've had trouble with the water pressure with the indoor plumbing.

On Sunday mornings, and when house guests were visiting, we'd have to 'schedule' the showers to make sure only one shower at a time was running. (kind of hard to communicate from the basement to the 2nd floor)

You couldn't rinse dishes in the kitchen sink and have a shower going at the same time. Before taking a shower you'd have to turn off the clothes washing machine, and make sure the dishwasher wouldn't start on you.

We were 'warned' from the previous owners about this 'little' problem, and learned to cope with it, but still complained mightily about such a simple thing as indoor plumbing not working right.

We did a major house remodel project about 5 years ago. Thinking this was a good time to upgrade and fix this problem. We had the kitchen, master bath, main floor bath, and basement bath pipes all re-plumbed. (Since we had cleared out everything down to the studs, the plumbing was accessible) We also had them put in a brand-new, larger water heater. Thinking more hot water available, perhaps more simultaneous showers.

Still, after the remodel was complete we had even worse water pressure, especially with the 'new' locations.

Since then we've had many many plumbers come by. Some to fix other issues, some just to try and track down the problem with the pressure. Added a water softener/filter system, fixed a couple of leaks, all to no avail. Some plumbers suggested it was NOT inside the house, but coming from the water company's pipes from the street.

So we had the city send out multiple times a water engineer to check the outside water pressure and to make sure all the valves coming from the street were unobstructed. (They have done work on the local streets in front of our house...) The City of Orem water guys proved to me it wasn't on their side.

What to do, what to do. This was *really* bugging Jill, the kids, and anyone who visited. Last weekend after a family dinner my nephews were washing the dishes and couldn't understand how we could live with such low pressure. They were about to get out the pipe wrenchs and 'do something' about it.

Then this week, while a handyman was installing the new 'doggie door' - a larger one that 'fits' Rory now that she is bigger - he also mentioned we shouldn't have to 'live with' the water pressure like that.

He called in a buddy from the plumbing company. Finally a guy who walks in, just asks a couple of questions and then in mere minutes FIXED THE PROBLEM!

It turned out the previous water heater installers switched some of the pipes going into/out of the water heater - seriously depleting the water pressure. Obviously the second replacement water heater installers also missed it, and just installed the replacement just like the original - wrong!

The latest plumber turned off the water to the house, switched these two pipes, turned the water back on and Voila - all better!

We can now take multiple showers, the bathtub fills an order of magnitude faster for the grandkids baths, you can use the sinks AND a shower at the same time. Hallelujah!

So after 16 years of living with this problem... we now have a 'normal' house.

Quick trip to Philly

2009-06-27T13:45:00.003-06:00

On Thursday I took a flight out to Philadelphia, spent the night in the hotel, then on Friday taught a one-day 'make-up' course for the materials I missed during my little 'episode' the last time I was in Philly.

Then... I started on my flight home.

Boarded the flight 30-minutes prior to the scheduled take-off time. (thanks to being Platinum Medallion with Delta I got a free First Class upgrade - Yea!)

Because of a totally full-flight, we were running a bit late pushing back from the gate.

Because of 'weather' we had to wait in line with many many other planes to get in line for a runway.

We were waiting so long, they turned the engines off for over an hour.

Then after two hours, we finally started moving again, and got into the #2 position to take off.

Then... a 'lady' and I use that term loosely, decided to call her lawyer, threaten a law-suit and force the plane back to the terminal to let her off the plane.

They weren't expecting us at the terminal, so no gate was available.

After 45 minutes, we finally were able to let her off. (she missed her connection out of SLC and decided to sleep at home rather than in a hotel by the SLC airport) She would fly back to SLC in the morning.

By the way, she had to endure those 45 minutes with all the other passengers complaining loudly around her about her actions causing over a hundred people on our flight to miss their connections because of her selfish actions! I was ten rows forward, and easily heard those 'comments'.

Since we had idled so long, we now didn't have enough fuel to get to SLC.

But they couldn't refuel us, because there was lightning a couple of miles away.

They were able to find some 'volunteers' to push us back and we decided to fly without too much 'spare fuel'

Then back in line for a runway...

Finally in the air and heading to SLC.

Thus I spent more time getting home from Philadelphia than from Europe!

I'm home all next week! Sweet!

Photos for the Week

2009-06-27T13:22:00.005-06:00

I thought I'd add some photos from the last week's activities.

McKinley, Alysha, Sophie, Jenny and Ayden at Riverside Pool

McKinley, Alsyha, Chuck E. Cheese and Brooke

Kylie and McKinley playing at Chuck E. Cheese

Alysha and McKinley at Chuck E. Cheese

McKinley having Fun!

McKinley in her 'Pillow House' she wanted me to make her

Napping with Rory

Kylie likes playing with Rory - Rory is a good sport!

Lettuce (on fourth cutting) Beans, and Onions

Tomatoes are coming along

Rory gets a new Doggie Door

Watching the Grand Daughters This Week

2009-06-26T05:01:00.006-06:00

Tuesday Jill and I drove the 220 miles down to Cedar City to meet up with our daughter Karrissa and do a little 'transfer'. We took Karrissa's Honda Pilot, with the car seats and DVD player, and let her have my Honda Element to go camping with. She is the 'Young Womens' President in her church and took their church's teenage girls on a 'Girls Camp' this week. So we got the two cute grand-daughters for the rest of this week!

Then another 'quick three hours' driving another 220 miles back to Orem with the girls. Those little girls sure love their Grandma! Jill is great with them!

Wednesday we were able to take them to Cabella's to see the 'Big Animals' and the 'Fishes' - Then on to Chuck E. Cheese's for some 'Pizza' and play with the big toys. McKinley had a great time with her aunt Alysha and Uncle Ryan taking her around to play. (Alysha's friend Brooke also helped out) - Grandma and Grandpa Parsons also stopped by to visit and check out all the 'fun'.I had forgotten how bad the pizza was at Chuck E. Cheese...

Jill, Ryan, and Alysha also got to take the kids yesterday swimming with Janet and her family at the Riverside Country Club. (I was on a flight for 5 hours to Philly to repeat the last day of the class I missed last month)

Karrissa will be up Saturday afternoon to spend next week at the house. Then Joe will join us for the Fourth... Jill's parents will also be down next week from Washington. We're just going to have a 'party' all together!

We'll all be going to see Stadium of Fire at the BYU stadium for the Fourth of July! - Jonas Brothers - SheDaisy - Glenn Beck - and lots of Fireworks. Should be fun!Then we're off on another family vacation. This time Jill and I are taking both sets of our parents back to Nauvoo Illinois for a Church History little trip the week after.

Upgrade to the iPhone 3G S

2009-06-21T00:27:00.005-06:00

I know people call me the 'gadget man' - even to my face sometimes. And so to stay on the 'cutting edge' of gadgetry, I went down on Friday to the local AT&T store and picked up a new iPhone 3G S - only about 15 minutes, in and out.The first thing I did, before even turning it on, was to go to the 'Invisishield' place in the mall to get a little protection put on.

This way I can get a newer phone, Jill can get a much faster phone with more space, and we'll have the 2G to help someone else get onto the iPhone bandwagon. (Perhaps someone who had an iPhone but it somehow stopped working... ;-)

It is a bit faster, has built-in compass, takes videos, and little things like that. It's also 32GB compared to my old 16GB, thus I can carry more videos with me on trips. Additionally, it should have the ability to carry data in the future.

But best of all, it has a much better built-in camera. With auto-focus. It is far superior to the older iPhone 3G I had before.

Here are some comparative photos - things that I use my camera for, like taking pictures of peoples' business cards. (try using this with Evernote to have a great searchable record that's available on you laptop, phone, or via Internet)Now with this better focus, and better resolution this process will be much improved.

Can you tell the difference between the 3G and 3G S?

Palo Alto for Sharkfest

2009-06-20T16:26:00.003-06:00

This week I spent three days over in California, specifically Palo Alto for a conference held on the campus of Stanford University.

(Yes, I know some of you are sadden by the loss of the daily blogs from Europe... but we had to come home sometime...)

The campus of Stanford was simply amazing. I've driven past the entrance many many times, and never thought to enter and look around. The campus is about 3 square miles of prime California property. Built by Leland Stanford (the guy who owned the Central Pacific Railroad over the Sierras) - was Governor of California, Senator, and even drove in the Golden Spike in Promontory Utah.

Having just returned from our trip to Europe, I was greatly impressed with the architecture and stone-work and mosaic work on the campus. The buildings were 'made' of stone, not just as a facade, but like the buildings and cathedrals of Europe. There is no way someone could build such a campus today. There are thousands and thousands of beautiful trees on the property as well. The campus arborists must be very busy taking care of them all. The conference was called Sharkfest - in homage to the product in question - Wireshark. (get it, the whole 'shark' theme)It was a group of techie, nerd, geeks, who like to understand networking from the packet level. Folks who use packet analysis to keep all our networks running smoothly.

It was good to meet face-to-face with many of my contacts and friends who I have worked with for years, but only over the phone or via e-mail.

A more detailed explanation of the course offerings and what I learned is over at my professional blog at http://wlaniconoclast.blogspot.com - if you care...

It is good to be back home, where people speak English with the correct accent ;-)

St. Paul's Cathedral, Millennial Bridge, Natural History Museum

2009-06-12T11:30:00.007-06:00

On our final day here in London - and the last day of our vacation before flying home - we took a subway (yea! they were off strike today!) from our nearby 'Marble Arch' station down to the 'St. Paul's' station. What took us over 3 hours last night, was over in only 10 minutes!

St. Paul's Cathedral is BIG! - now, not as big as St. Peter's Basilica in Rome... but very large none-the-less. You can easily tell this was built hundreds of years after Notre Dame, or Westminster Abby, or even Salisbury Cathedral. The building techniques were much improved, more refined, and more 'finished'.

I'm awestruck at the in ordinate amount of money that goes into buildings such as these. Even the little details were finished ornately and with great expense and labor.

Then a little walk down onto the 'Millennial Bridge' - a pedestrian walkway over the Thames.

Another tube ride and we were back in the Museum area by Harrods. Ryan had wanted to return to the Natural History Museum. Like the Science Museum next door, this was also free, and also very well done! It would take more time than these old feet would want to walk to finish the entire museum. (we're also kind of 'museumed out' after two weeks of vacation)

The architecture of the Natural History Museum was also stunning. I don't know if we will ever build again as a human race with this level of detail and amount of hard laborious work. Each of the columns is carved stone with a different motif. Some have fanciful or grotesque animals, others geometric patterns, and others still more 18th century science motifs.

The others did a bit more shopping - and then back to the hotel. We'll have one last meal - probably our favorite - Italian, and then tomorrow morning off to the airport for the flights home.

7:30am - Leave for Heathrow Airport
10:00am - Flight from London to New York City's JFK airport
1:00pm - Wait in JFK Crown Room
4:00pm - Flight to Salt Lake City
8:00pm - Drive to Orem
9:00pm - Home

So, only about 19 hours of travel time to find our way back home...

Ryan is 'just happy to be in London' - he's faking of course
"Thank you 'Poppa' for taking me to London"
Yes, were are actually by St. Paul's Cathedral in London!
Natural History Museum
Architectural Details - Amazing
OK, I was just 'resting my eyes' because of an allergy attack, alright?
The stone work, brick work, and tile work were simply amazing!
This is a 'Museum' - architecture was wonderful!