Sunday, June 27, 2004
Today's Pictures (Day 9, October 26, 2003)
After five months without a single French Polynesia post, I figured it was about time that I get back on top of it. I've only got a few more days to go, so maybe by the end of the year... 
Dive Log for Day 9:
1st Dive Info:
Location: Tapu, Bora Bora
Time In: 9:41a - 3000 psi Time Out: 10:30a 750 psi
Max Depth: 84 ft Bottom Time: 49 minutes (3 minute safety stop)
Temps - Air: 80 F Surface: 80F Bottom: 79F
Visibility: 40 ft
2nd Dive Info:
Location: Muri Muri, Bora Bora
Time In: 2:36p - 3000 psi Time Out: 3:21p 750 psi
Max Depth: 97 ft Bottom Time: 45 minutes (3 minutes safety stop)
Temps - Air: 81 F Surface: 80F Bottom: 78F
Visibility: 45 ft
This day was the kind of day that swims around diver's dreams. Mao is the Tahitian word for shark. It would turn out to be today's theme.
The driver for Bora Dive picked me up at the hotel at 8:30 in the morning. Michel Condesse, one of the owners of the shop, was driving the van this morning. We stopped at a couple of other hotels and condos to pick up other divers before arriving at their shack on the beach. As is typical with the dive operators in French Polynesia, the smallest of their boats is probably worth 10 times their building.
In typical island style, we took our time in loading the equipment and heading out from the dive shop. We needed to compare stories, comment on each other's equipment, and get a bit more acquainted. Most of the divers were fascinated with my computer since it uses PSI and Feet instead of Bar and Meters. It also acted as a conversation starter. After getting thoroughly prepared, the boat began to cut across the lagoon. After a one more hotel stop, we made our way to Tapu.
Saturday, June 26, 2004
remember 300 baud modems and ascii art?
I don't typically create an entry just to talk about links. But, I've come across some fun and interesting ones in the last few weeks that I felt compelled to pass on. I don't really deserve credit for most of these. The real thanks goes to my daily LockerGnome newsletter. Chris Pirillo and crew have been producing this newsletter for years now. I think it is one of the best tech related newsletters out there. I've been receiving it since it was just text-based; Chris ran everything by himself back then.
The first link I want to mention made me feel quite nostalgic. I was fortunate enough to grow up during the home computer revolution in America. My very first PC was an Atari 400 back in 1980. GUIdebook Graphical User Interface Gallery contains a complete timeline of the Graphical User Interface. I remember all the various implementations - the winners and the losers. Some of the GUI's literally changed the way that we live today.
Beginning to feel old, it started to wonder what was available concerning the history of Bulletin Board Systems. Looking back, BBS's are probably why I work in the computer industry today. I came across the BBS Documentary website. The documentary sounds like something I will need to own. Former BBS'ers be sure to check out the timeline. It is the most thorough compilation I've ever seen! I even found a SysOp resource out there in the BBS Corner.
Found a couple of BBSList from the old days, too. Try the The Textfiles.com BBSList or if you have lots of time, check out the entire Textfiles.com site. Jason Scott has taken the time to compile an impressive archive of text files created and disseminated across the computer world since the '80s. For old time computer nerds like myself, you can spend hours reading and reminiscing.
- Other Cool Links I've Stumbled on Lately:
- Fundrace 2004 - Wonder if your neighbors know you can see whose campaigns they support and by how much...
- Prelinger Archives - over 48,000 ephemeral films - View those health class films again!
- 70's Live Action Kid Vid - Do you remember the Might Isis? I do!
- Wireless Security - Wardriving and Warchalking - For those geeky friends of mine
Hope you enjoy the links!
Friday, June 25, 2004
wedding time
I just wanted to extend congratulations to my friend, Kirthiga, on her upcoming wedding on June 30th. I've worked with her for quite a while now, and it has been a real joy. We were also lucky enough to get to spend last Thanksgiving with her. I wish her and her new husband all the best with the wedding and future endeavors. We'll miss her on the team. However, we are happy for her and know she will succeed with everything in her future. Congratulations again, Kirthiga!
Click here for the pictures. For those of you who've never seen an Indian wedding invitation it is very interesting to see the similarities and differences.
Sunday, June 20, 2004
a wedding on father's day?
Danny, Kelli, and the girls joined us this year on Father's Day. As it so happens, this is also our 11th wedding anniversary. And, just like our actual wedding day, it fell on Father's Day.
It was a great day! We swam through the afternoon, and Danny served up great chicken kebabs for dinner. I just wish we had more opportunities to get together. Click here to see the pictures of us playing in the pool.
I've also finally posted the pictures from Jacob's birthday celebration on April 25th. It was a little late this year; it was the first weekend we could all get together. Click here to view them.
Sunday, June 13, 2004
Thanks to Liz and Bob, my cousin, Danny, and I were lucky enough to get to attend the last evening of the Crossroads Guitar Festival. Eric Clapton started his tour schedule with a 3 day guitar festival featuring some of the best guitar players from around the world. The proceeds will go to benefit his Crossroads Centre at Antigua. He setup this rehabilitation center after his own fight with addiction.
Danny and I met with Bob and Liz at their house and headed out to the Cotton Bowl around 5:00 pm on Sunday, June 6th. After a brief delay waiting on wrist bands required for the field tickets, we headed across Fair Park to the stadium. We could hear Vince Gill playing as we made our way into the classic arena. Bob and Liz headed to their seats and Danny and I began looking for the entrance to the floor currently occupied by a few thousand 30-somethings demonstrating their best air guitar.
The field was dotted with soft drink and beer stands. Of course, you paid the requisite $3 for soft drinks or water and $5 for a beer. They had also lined the perimeter with chemical toilets. Allowing the beer drinkers to continue enjoying the tunes while using the facilities 40 times during the show.
Similar to me, much of this crowd may have stood on the floor of the Cotton Bowl during a Texas Jam in the Eighties. However, our behavior has changed much since then. 20 years ago, I would have been very concerned that one of the portable toilets would have wound up on its side. I guess the adults running the show really were smarter than us!
home
