tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33885443275669187132007-08-24T16:11:15.234-07:00Always behindJONBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388544327566918713.post-16412465192978062322007-08-07T11:03:00.000-07:002007-08-07T11:06:49.883-07:00The Bird has LandedYup, Jolly Bird is in town. I call her Jolly Bird becasue she once sent me an email and said she felt like a jolly bird flying, and "jolly bird" was in a pink font.<br /><br />She arrived, late, from Shanghai on Thursday August 2nd. We went to the cottage for the weekend. She went out on the Ski Biscuit, and swam way out into the lake. Pretty cool for a girl who says she can't swim very well. Lots of nice pics to post later. I am still torn on the Picassa vs this blog vs facebook. Lately it has been all facebook, hence the lack of posts here....<br /><br />We'll get Cindy set up with her own blog so she can write about her experience of moving to a new country far far from home.<br /><br />JONJONtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388544327566918713.post-87976616669628588602007-06-23T20:45:00.001-07:002007-06-23T21:04:52.365-07:00Some quick updates...When I signed up for the MBA, I did not want to be a consultant. Consultant's (especially in IT!) were just people you paid a bunch of money to , to tell you what you already knew. They were useless and got in the way of real IT people, like me :). I also did not want do finance stuff. I know, they get the big bucks, but the idea of creating monster Excel spreadsheets all day was not appealing.<br /><br />So, of course, I start as consultant, on Wall St. on Monday. Sigh. It's only 18months (in a corporate apartment ;). I'll live.JONtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388544327566918713.post-44351443828271179302007-05-25T02:18:00.000-07:002007-05-25T02:22:25.766-07:00Jessica is right....The Service OPS thing will always be with us. Take the BCE place food court for example. There is a Greek place and Italian place next to each other. Same size serving area, same size seating area. But the Italian place seating area is never more than half full. The Greek place is packed. They are separated by a little fence. The lineups to get food at each place are roughly the same. Clearly the Italians don't have the throughput of the Greeks. Nothing wrong with that, but at least lease some of your seats to the Greeks. Or hire more staff. Or look at the line jumping problem and some better signage so first timers can go the correct line. Sigh. Try the meatball sub, it's great.JONtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388544327566918713.post-28695084246418238352007-05-25T02:16:00.000-07:002007-05-25T02:18:00.439-07:00It's 5am. Do you know where my brain is?Here are the latest pictures from Yixin's (EE-shin) visit to Canada and mine to Shanghai, CN.<br /><br />http://picasaweb.google.com/jon.kimball<br /><br />Three albums. Canada. Shanghai. In laws.JONtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388544327566918713.post-11205664243438984592007-05-09T08:39:00.000-07:002007-05-09T08:47:24.492-07:00Spring, sprungedWow, this is freaky. I seem to be seeing the world in a whole different way. On the weekend we went to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Belleville</span> and Ottawa. We took the patented half day tour of Ottawa. It was pretty looking and freezing-ass cold. The locals were in shorts and having picnics, we wore winter coats. Totally forgot to look up <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ronit</span>. He's out in the burbs anyway.<br /><br />Anyway...<br /># Coming over the bridge into B-town, you can see the bell tower at Albert college. Never noticed this before.<br /># driving from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">deseronto</span> to hwy 14, you go through a neat little town of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Porterville</span>. I think. It was cute. Also a very nice looking campground right on the bay. never knew that was there.<br /># The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">demoretsville</span> dam is still funky. Car looked very manly rolling over all that grass.<br /># the pigs at Campbell orchards are funny<br /># Cindy does not know how to use a swing. Misplaced youth.<br /># the Mall seems brighter and nicer than I remember it. The dingy yellow glow of my youth replaced with indirect lighting and domed ceilings.<br /><a href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="return false;" tabindex="7"><span></span></a><br />There was more. Things just look nicer than I remember.<br /><br />JONJONtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388544327566918713.post-84460193652127032502007-04-17T10:48:00.000-07:002007-04-17T11:03:11.526-07:00Flying the unfriendly skies...I am proud to announce I have not flown United in three years as of Mar 31, 2007. Yay! I would be happier if they just went under and let an airline who cares server their routes, but I take the victories in whatever form I can get them.<br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal">As a result of my “I would rather hitchhike than rely on United rule”<span style=""> </span>My air miles are expiring. The question is, what do I do with the 39705 miles? I wanted to use them somehow. Preferably every single one. I can’t use them for anything on Air <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region> even though they are supposed to be in the same network – the Star Alliance. <span style=""> </span>Not even upgrades. Next.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Their online store looks good and I spend some time browsing the products. Lots of brand name stores.<span style=""> </span>I am surprised it is so well done for a United endeavor.<span style=""> </span>On checkout I was informed it is only useable by preferred members. Definitely not me. Next.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>They have a mileage transfer system. Cool. I get Brent’s United number. Then at the end of that process, I was informed there is a just a small convenience fee for transferring the miles. In my case, $180.<span style=""> </span>Next.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">They have a deal with Sony to buy albums in the Sony Connect store. 10,000 miles for 10 albums or 100 singles. Seems reasonable. I buy 20 albums and 100 singles. I get the coupon codes in an email.<span style=""> </span>I log into Sony Connect. The coupons don’t work on the Canadian site. They do work on the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> site. So I log in there using my <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> mailing address. <span style=""> </span>I pick a few albums I have been meaning to get and put them in my basket. When I try to download, I was informed that I can’t download from the <st1:country-region st="on">US</st1:country-region> site because I am physically in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region> at the time. Emails to support give generic, useless advice.<span style=""> </span>I try a few anonymizer type tools. Anonymizer works very well for web stuff but doesn’t fool the Sony SoundStage software.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>I give up and just bittorrent the albums I wanted. Whatever.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Then I get an e-updste from United. My 9705 miles expire in 2010 now. Apparently any kind of transaction is enough to reset the timer. I did not need to spend them all after all.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>I donate the rest to Ronald McDonald house. At least that was free.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>I am still downloading albums from the internet…it’s just easier than trying to pay for them!</p>JONtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388544327566918713.post-87284100110605038902007-03-22T19:57:00.000-07:002007-03-22T20:01:08.809-07:00Ugh. Urk. Not good.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.buckethead.org/uploaded_images/Jon_1-733344.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.buckethead.org/uploaded_images/Jon_1-732754.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /> OK. I wa supposed to go the gym tonight. But my back was still alittle sore from my previous workout. Then I debated doing abs and some cardio. Nah. I walked on by. I walked home.<br /><br />I felt guilty so I ate a whole sleeve of saltines with cream cheese. Ugh. What am I going to do with the three remaining sleeves?<br /><br />JON<br /><br />BTW no name saltines suck. avoid.<br /><br />P.S me snowboarding last weekend.JONtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388544327566918713.post-22227704940018487512007-03-07T07:42:00.000-08:002007-03-07T07:46:16.884-08:00China trip pics...finallyYeah yeah yeah.<br /><br />It starts in Bangkok, then moves to the jungles of Cambodia. Then in a rather jarring transition (hello neon!) enters western China. Some amazing scenery (can you spot the LENS 'top ten' sunset shot?) and finally into Hong Kong where things look familiar.<br /><br />I picked these out to show my parents this weekend, so there are quite a few shots, of, well, me.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jon.kimball/Asiatour06_07?authkey=6a7j4rfTxy4">Asia Tour 06/07 photo montage </a><br /><br />I love how, by putting 06/07 it implies I was gone for a long time. Ha ha.<br /><br />I booked my return flight for May14th. Yeah, I have a few things to finish off before I am done with China...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />JON<br /><br /><br /><br />Here's the link:JONtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388544327566918713.post-6694085730370284082007-02-16T12:07:00.000-08:002007-02-16T12:18:04.950-08:00Consistency...I need to pick a date and time to make a posting. Like a class, every week.<br /><br />This is not the time. Or the day.<br /><br />I'll be back later. Honest.<br /><br />JONJONtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388544327566918713.post-44637366397032695772007-02-06T05:28:00.000-08:002007-02-06T22:53:38.901-08:00Two from Siam Reap<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.buckethead.org/uploaded_images/IMG_0401-720601.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.buckethead.org/uploaded_images/IMG_0401-717983.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.buckethead.org/uploaded_images/IMG_0555_upright-728394.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.buckethead.org/uploaded_images/IMG_0555_upright-725285.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Looks like I can only do two pics at a time. I got the sidebar working though. Rental space available :).<br /><br />Here is two more from Cambodia, One is Ta Phrom, the temple that the jungle is slowly reclaiming. If you've seen Tomb Raider, you've seen this temple. The other is a Cambodian Christmas special. For 500Riels, about 15cents Canadian you can take their picture. There are kids all over Cambodia, it's like one giant nursery school. I went past them 6 hours later, still there, still smiling.<br /><br />JONJONtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388544327566918713.post-67960334091153944492007-02-06T04:54:00.000-08:002007-02-06T05:01:52.487-08:00Top Ten<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.buckethead.org/uploaded_images/IMG_0276-792543.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.buckethead.org/uploaded_images/IMG_0276-788124.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.buckethead.org/uploaded_images/IMG_0351-701839.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.buckethead.org/uploaded_images/IMG_0351-797121.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />This might actually work. I already have my 'top ten' photos picked out. I had to do that to enter the Rotman LENS photo competition. So I'll throw those up first, then get moving on the day by day journal stuff. I should take a moment to plug www.omnis.com as my hosting provider. $7 a month for 15G of space and 250G of transfer. Their customer support is fast, good and respectful. If your hosting provider is a PITA, consider these guys. They make it easy. Wonder if I can sidebar that last one?<br /><br />These twoare from Angkor Wat monument park near Siam Reap, Cambodia.JONtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388544327566918713.post-14332679093239698202007-02-05T15:42:00.000-08:002007-02-05T15:44:48.238-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.buckethead.org/uploaded_images/IMG_0685-772080.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.buckethead.org/uploaded_images/IMG_0685-769597.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Wow, that's pretty cool. Let's try a resizing. Pushing bikes across a river in China. We were slightly off map that day. OK, way off. Nice of the old lady to show us where the river was shallow.JONtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388544327566918713.post-27505852578632959022007-02-05T15:36:00.000-08:002007-02-05T15:42:12.017-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.buckethead.org/uploaded_images/IMG_0687-%28Small%29-785255.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.buckethead.org/uploaded_images/IMG_0687-%28Small%29-783018.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Alright, I got sidetracked with Vista. I have a two year old PC that was supposed to be my new Media machine. I finally got that running and figured I would start with Vista. A new router, a new printer, a few RTM downloads later I have it running. Then I find I only have 15M of disk space on this site. And that the hosting company now offers 50M as the minimum. So I switch plans, update DNS, adjust file structures etc. Now I'm back up.<br /><br />I'll try the Bolgger attachment option and see how that works. Classic Yangshou China sunset shot.<br /><br />JONJONtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388544327566918713.post-76319140463157144302007-02-02T09:09:00.000-08:002007-02-02T09:15:56.077-08:00Trip photos coming soon...Alright, my top 30 (and growing) photo set from the recent Asia tour will be up shortly. Since the highway home is closed, it may even happen this weekend. Bah.<br /><br />I think I figured out how <a href="http://www.beam-out.com">www.beam-out.com</a> works, and this should look similar. Or I may have to *actually* call Brent. Yeah, it happens.<br /><br /><br />JONJON