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Personal

Web-based Tools

Lately I’ve been hearing about a number of web-based tools that replace localized functionality, such as Del.icio.us and web-based news aggregators. Del.icio.us is certainly a winner, and I’ve already started loading my bookmarks in to my account. I’m still searching for any good online RSS newsreaders, so I welcome any suggestions. I’m trying Google’s and Bloglines to see how they turn out.

Categories
Personal

The 2005 Santa Convention

It’s about two months until the 2005 Santa Con, so now is a good time to place your order for a santa costume.

I do intend to attend this year, provided I can convince any other fun-loving friends of mine to tag along. I promise it will be a good, (mostly) safe time.

Categories
News

Daylight Savings

One of the less reported items in the energy bill passed in August included extending daylight savings time by four weeks. Sitting here in the darkness this morning I’m not sure that’s such a good idea, even if I hate driving home in the dark.

Categories
Personal

Rain, Rain

It rained. For the past 24 hours the sky was filled with falling droplets. Sometimes heavy, like last night when I went out for dinner. Sometimes not, like during most of the Rutgers football game (where they lost 27-14 to West Virigina).

Hard to believe that in a little under 24 hours we had over 6 inches of rain, far eclipsing the total rainfall for August and September, with each month not even breaking the 1 inch mark.

Now I just have to contend with the rising river out back.

Categories
Travel

Last Dance in Hawaii

I always thought NJ road signs were bad. They frequently would provide some direction but then end unexpectedly, or not provide enough warning at all. But Hawaii won the race to the bottom on my last day there. When the H1 suddenly split in to three different highways without warning, I was lost, spending the next 30 minutes driving in circles.

Earlier in the day, I drove out along the coast, stopping a few scenic overlooks to catch a view of the ocean. I cut back inland, stopping by Pali Overlook, which provided a fantastic view out over the island. Then it was down to Manoa Falls, a beautiful, breathtaking view of water cascading down in to a small lagoon at the base of the cliff. The hike itself was quiet, with only moderate foot traffic, very likely because of the relatively rough terrain. Then it was back to Waikiki, thanks to the help of two hitchhikers from Seattle I picked up.

And finally, it was time to begin the 18 hour (door to door) process of returning home.

Categories
Travel

Aloha

Another day of fun in the sun here in Hawaii, where I picked up a deep red color all over by shoulders, as well as a wonderful sore feeling all over my upper body. Three hours in the water this morning seemed to do me in.

This evening I decided to head down to Chinatown, hoping to see some activity. The bus ride was the most exciting part of the experience, since nearly everything in Chinatown was shut down by around 5:30 – 6 pm.

But my wonderful resort has everything necessary to entertain!

Categories
Travel

How Far is Heaven

About 5200 miles, according to NW. Hawaii is amazing, and I’ve really not seen anything yet. I was just happy to go swimming in the ocean for the first time in at least nine years today.

Categories
Travel

And People Say I’m Crazy

Over the next 60 days, Marc is planning to earn 1,000,000 miles on Air Canada.

And I’m crazy for flying to Hawaii for three days?

Categories
Travel

Hotels

I usually don’t stay at places like this. I knew it would be an experience when, checking in to the hotel after arriving at the airport, the person greeting me handed me a map of the grounds.

Granted, I do like my fair share of nice hotels, especially those in Asia (great service, reasonable prices). But a resort, full of shops, restaurants, pools, beaches, and something like four or five gigantic towers housing some ridiculous number of people? Who needs to leave the hotel grounds at a place like this? The place nearly reeks of crass commercialism.

The view from the balcony’s not bad, though.