ierict

Well finally got back from Hawaii an my Google G1 (gPhone) was waiting for me. Here is a quick un-boxing video that I did with my FlipVideo. I will use a better quality camera next time.

Just a quick post to of some Podcamp Hawaii pictures. I will get mine up as soon as possible.

Podcamp Hawaii Zooomed

I am in Hawaii for Podcamp Hawaii 2008 / Wordcamp Hawaii 2008. Things I have noticed since I have been away, which is about 9 months:

• Roads are still messed up on Kapiolani and Kalakaua
• The freaks do come out at night in China Town and this is not a good thing
• Traffic is still bad
• People still drive with Aloha
• The air is still fresh
• People still love their trucks
• Walmart is still always crowded

Would upload some pictures but forgot my USB cable so you will have to wait a bit.

Well I just receive word that my Google G1 phone (AKA the gPhone) is on the way from China or Taiwan (wherever it’s made)!! I am just hoping it gets here before i leave for Hawaii, even though Hawaii wont have it’s 3G turned on yet. My current phone, a T-Mobile Shadow running Windows Mobile, is giving me a headache with it’s lack of ability to render websites correctly or at all.  If I have time I am going to do an unboxing video and walk through the basics of it. Probably do a couple of speed test to test the Seattle 3G.  There are a couple of pages that I navigate to daily that are “heavy” in the size deparment.  Actually, pretty much every site on the web today is not friendly for mobile phones!! Google reader is probably the best option for those that want to check sites for non-3g phones, but that’s only if the site has an RSS feed.

Anyways Look forward to my G1 and i will give you my honest semi Mac FanBoy review of it.

Why is it such a pain in the a__ to travel internationally? While getting ready for my trip to India I realized it’s such a pain in the neck to go there.  Before even leaving I have to make sure I have a visa, even if I was a tourist! What is up with that? I know when you go to Japan you just go and they give you a 3 month travel visa.  Since I usually only travel to Japan, I assumed that this is the norm.  Come to find out that it’s not and that it’s going to cost over $100 to get a darn visa (luckily it’s a business expense)!

Don’t countries want to encourage travel? More tavel equals more money added to the economy, correct? I just don’t get it. I guess the only thing that messes up this would be the whole terrorism thing.

Another thing i noticed is that Hotels wont let you pay in advace. They will let you reserve the room but they want you to pay after the stay. What’s up with that? Now I have to use my personal credit card to pay for a room when my company would happily do it. Now I have to keep my receipts and submit paper work and wait for the accounting department to do all the conversions, and finally pay me.  Hello, technology and big hotel chains!!

Okay that’s enough of my ranting for today. Now I must get a Lonely planet guide to India and decide which of my 3 camear’s I am going to bring.  And to watch the movie “Outsourced”, which my coworker recommended I watch before leaving for India.

Wow, over the next couple of months I am going to be doing a lot of travelling. First I will be going to Hawaii for about a week for Podcamp and Wordcamp Hawaii. 2 days after returning I am going to be going to India on business for 4 WHOLE WEEKS!! It will be my first trip to India so I am really looking forward to it. I don’t know if I really wanted to go for that long on my first trip, but hey what can you do when work calls. Since I will be gone that long I told my wife she might as well plan a trip to visit her parents in Japan. That way she will have some help with our 16 month old son and wont be alone for 5 weeks. If possible I am going to join her in Japan for about a week or so, depending if all things fall into place.
One thing I need to do is get all my bills online so I can pay them from anywhere in the world! Especially, if I am going to be travelling for these long periods of time.
For my Hawaii trip I know I am bringing my DSLR, HD Video Camera, and FlipVideo Camera. For India I am thinking about just bringing a good point and shoot camera that has the ability to shoot video as well. I am getting to the point where it’s a pain to carry all these cameras so I need to figure out a way to minimize my gear. I am thinking that a new higher end point and shoot with a BIG memory card or two is the way to go. What do you think? How are you travelling these days?

Took some pixs at Pikes Market in Seattle.

Gum Wall

Alley

Jacks Fish Spot

I have added a shopping cart to my blog. The first items for sale are some Silicon iPod Nano Covers. There are for the 3rd Gen Nano which are the “fat” ones. I have about 20 of each color and once the items are sold out I wont carry them anymore (because there are new iPod Nanos now). Click on the tab at the top of the blog that says “store”.

Here is a picture of the iPod Nano Silicon Covers for the 3rd Gen (Fat):

I am selling them for $3.00!! Click here to buy

Aloha,
ierict

Heading to the islands for Podcamp Hawaii in a week or so. Check out the commercial all my friends made!!

Kenji Box - Zenjinmito no Zenkoku 47 Todofuken Hikigatari Tour 2007 - 2008 Live & Document [w/ CD, Limited Edition] Review

I knew it was going to be good but it was A LOT better than expected!!

Kenji Box - Zenjinmito no Zenkoku 47 Todofuken Hikigatari Tour 2007 - 2008 Live & Document [w/ CD, Limited Edition]
Cover

The box set includes:
Disc 1: The complete Live performance from his Tokyo concert (DVD)
Disc 2: Documentary of his solo tour around Japan and several live performances
Disc 3: Limited Edition Audio CD (Has only 1 Track)

I cant say enough good things about this DVD box set if you are a fan of Kenji Okahira（岡平健治） and his work, or you like Jpop/Jrock, or if you are an acoustic guitar player. The quality of the video and audio are excellent. The songs he selected take from his collection of older songs and ones off of his newest CD. My favorite part of the set is his performance of “Punk Folk”! He brings a guest guitarist up to play with him and they just ROCK OUT! He plays the hell out of his guitar with a nice funky guitar riff that he plays as if he was the bassist of a funk band or like Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

I don’t remember the actual times on the DVD’s but there is A LOT of content!! You can watch for hours!!

As usual if I am not in Japan or plan on going to Japan and need to get a CD or DVD, I get them from CD Japan! They have the best service and very quick delivery! I have bought from them 2-3 times and have never been disappointed with the results.

Aloha,
ierict