Ok, it’s my first smart phone but I’ve had my iPod Touch for some time and other than internet access any time (and any apps that required it), I’m pretty sure that I have a good idea what the iPhone would be like. Along with a close friend who has the iPhone, we both determined that the Droid is so comparable, that we agree that neither can really be considered better than the other.

There are only a few things that either does where the other doesn’t. The rest is just, to the normal person, very minor performance advantage from one or the other. One does a few things better, and the other does a few other things better.

The difference the Droid makes in the things that I use to just “deal” with is amazing. Today I was out to buy Tyler a yoyo and after failing to find one at Target, I grabbed the Droid. I hit the application “Voice Search” which comes on it out of the box, and when prompted within about 4 seconds, I said in to the phone, “Find Toy Stores”.  It deciphered it and after clicking “Go”, Google maps came up with the blue dot indicating my current location and all the red “push pins” in the map showing the toy stores. Tap one and a balloon pops up with the name. Tap the balloon and a new screen comes up with address, email, website, directions, navigation and more…. all one click away. Back page to go back and see others. Or if you want, click navigate and the turn by turn GPS navigation comes on and starts giving you directions how to get you there, with an indicator of your location real time. It’s just on of the many “stock” items that come with the phone.

Another feature I think is great is that of an integration of your Facebook friends and those matching contacts in your Contacts. It pulls in their current avatar photo and any other contact info they have put in their available FB profile.

Of course it has all the things that iPhone had to wait for like copy and pasting, as well as picture messaging. Along with open source OS and with the provided USB cable, you can drag and drop pictures and music (or whatever else) on to the SD card. There’s even a free app to navigate, copy, paste, edit, move files and folders in the phone… not on the SD card. Back ups are said to be a snap ( I know there’s an app for that) but have yet to do one.

There’s more, much more, but you’ll have to research it to truly get an idea of what the phone can do. I spent more than 3 hours researching just the comparison between it and the iPhone which I thought I really wanted, but didn’t want AT&T service. I’m more happy everyday that I have the Droid that I didn’t go with the iPhone. Now, if they can just come out with an extended battery (yes, it’s changeable) that is NOT bigger.

Here’s a few links, not necessarily the ones that I used but there is one surprising thing I found with the Droid. Things like full threaded messaging is a feature of the iPhone but the comparisons show it’s not on the Droid…. it is.

PC World comparison (The difference I notice about the supplied chart, is the number of apps for Droid are much more than 10K, though not 100K)

ThinkDigit

Technically Personal

gadgetophilia

What’s next Racing is a project a friend started just recently and it’s something that I’m very excited about being a part of. The idea scope is still in the works but it’s already big. What’s Next Racing is currently a placeholder for an initiative in progress. What’s Next believes that Superbike Racing is the coolest sport on the planet, and is looking for opportunities to increase visibility to the sport, it’s heroes and supporters.

To start Jack (the founder), Chris Hutchinson, and myself will be conducting interveiws with those involved in motorcycle racing in the USA and get their interpretations of why the sport lacks support in the United States. In Europe race tracks are packed with spectators, litereally hundreds of thousands of fans come out and watch the racing like we do for say the superbowl.

What’s Next Racing has so much potential it’s not just limited to raising the awwareness of the US public, but also can maybe change the general public views of motorcyclists in general, or maybe really figure out what is broken in the current major motorcycle racing organization(s) and start one of our own. One never knows.

I’m looking forward to putting some time in to this project and hopes it makes some real difference.

 At one point I had managed to ride up a steep embankment at an angle so the quad rolled over on it’s side and rested on top of me with my knees on my chest. I couldn’t budge it, and could barely breathe for that matter. Eric showed within about a minute or so and even though standing after being freed was an epic failure, riding soon ensued. A doctors visit confirmed a damaged MCL, basically the inside of the knee for being, well, over bent.Now, 2 weeks later, I’m struggling with swelling and general pain with anything I do. Mobility is greatly reduced with increased pain at the limits and moreso when weight or strength is added. 

Last weekend I had a trackday that I’d purchased and of the eight 20-minute sessions, I could only do 3-4 laps of 4 sessions because of the pain. I’ll be posting video and pistures to the day soon. I just need to be better for the July 18th day at the track or I’ll be screwed for the year. 

Yesterday I had the tires mounted. Even though there was a concerning “event” while mounting them I realized that my excitement about finally having some GOOD tires for the track

is overwhelming. I can’t wait to ride on these things.

Today I went to put the wheels on the bike and the rear was flat. The “event” suddenly comes to mind and I call the gentleman who provided them. He was more than supportive.

I refilled the tire and and did the soap and water thing only to show that there is apparently no leak. I then submerged the wheel and again no bubbles anywhere. Meanwhile, my friend was on the phone with his Pirelli contact and was informed that those tires are Sears Point specific tires and that I’d burn them up at Thunderhill in no time.

So what does he do? He steps up and says he’ll replace the set with an appropriate set next week. Problem is, I leave Friday for the track and I’m away this weekend so I’ll have to get over there during the week, providing that the Pirelli rep pulls through.

I’m just a bit stressed about going to the track without tires…

My mom, who also was benefiting from her generousity as well and also is now having to deal. With less than a month left to file, she purchased Turbo Tax and shared it with me (it’s good for up to 5 returns) and I set off to tackle it.

Let me tell you, having the totals for all your individual write-off catagories like cloths for your job, tools for work, etc is a huge time saver. I wrote a program to do just that. However when it’s going so well means that it can only go sown hill. Putting in the main stuff like the W2 information was easy. However because Joann is technically self employed one day a week, that job and it’s income/deductions needs to be set up and filled out. It got confusing when trying to figure out how to input non-reimbersed expenses for jobs with a W2. I struggled with it, in fact I spent most of a Saturday and 3 days after work inputting everything in.

Then the real hair puller. When it came time to file, you’re given the option to e-file or to mail. Well who wouldn’t e-file? I chose that option only to be informed that I can’t e-file federal because of certain forms that can’t be e-filed and state can’t because of some errors that I can fix. So I go through the entire state questions again and fix the error. It approves the state and I go with it. It pops up an account sign up and I input the CC info to pay for the state e-filing and it goes through. It then goes back to the main window where it  offers to choose to mail or e-file and it denies both!!!

So I printed and we mailed today before getting the email confirming that they gladly took my $20 for e-filing. Man, how frustrating. On a good note, Intuit (the company how makes Turbo Tax) has excellent customer service. They had no problem refunding the money.

This whole tax thing sucks. Funny, I don’t remember it asking me for my AGI….

I had to do the entire front room carpet as well as the dining room. Looks better, but you can’t polish a turd

A bit later I took Tyler out and about, he on his quad and me on his razor. He did really well for the first time riding it by himself. Keep in mind that this thing does about 15+ mph and up to this point, all he knew was no throttle and all throttle. He negotiated turns, slowed when needed and I even took the quad off training mode and to normal (more speed) after some instructions. He handled that pretty well, even through all the laughter!

Family should be arriving in about 2 hours and then the real, eh…. fun? should begin.

Must remember, easter eggs are NOT hard boiled!

Here’s a picture that I found in the camera that I thought were worth posting.

Anyway, it’s late and I usually don’t have much to say so why should this be any different.

I’m still looking for more as long are no one is in an unrealistic hurry.

For work, I’ve been in charge of intalling all new security camera around and in the campus at the headquarters of the Guide Dogs For the Blind in San Rafael. Before that’s getting finished I’m also being sent back to Sutter Foundation’s new building in North Santa Rosa, the Landmark Executive building. I was in charge of Phase 2 and now Phase 3 is coming to head. Nothing like another “fire drill” to get things done on time >:^(

Having been on cruises before, I thought 4 days at sea was going to be incredibly broing as I don’t dance or gamble, so I took some home work with me . However, with the kids, even with my mom’s eager help, there was hardly any down time. There was always something going on. we got to see a couple shows/comedians but for the most part was in the room (AKA, “The closet”) by 9pm to try and get AJ, Tyler, or both to sleep. With a room with no outside light, it became increasingly easier for all of us to sleep in longer and longer. Getting back to the normal routing now is really hard.

While on the ship we consumed an impressive and not-to-be-disclosed amount of smuggled on alcohol and got more than our money’s worth of the soda and juice package we purchased immediately. Food was 24/7 but not for us. I knew what can happen on a cruise ship so starting on Christmas day, Jo and I started a daily 30-40 minute cardio workout on the elliptical machine in the gym. With that, I was able to return without gaining more than 2 pounds, if any at all. I will be keepiing this up here at home (Jo’s elliptical is better grade than there’s are) to hopefully get ready for this year’s season. Loss of 20 is the goal.

The first 3 days on the ship were really rough at sea, and the last cruise I went on was worse, this still produced sick passengers as well as crew. None of us got sick which didn’t surprise me as the boys never got car sick. There’s a few pictures of one of the pools which are 5 ft deep on one end and 7 ft on the other. You’ll see an approximate 2′ drop on one end when the ship rocks a certain way, then a huge splash when the water comes back. They closed the pool (never opened it) and eventually pumped the water out until the seas calmed.

Christmas on the boat was pretty good for the kids. There was even snow in the atrium where Santa visited and handed out presents to every child who visited. We had a few gifts for them in mom’s suite but much was here at home waiting for them upon return.

Our first stop was Hilo on Hawaii where we hopped a free shuttle to… yup! Friggin’ Walmart :angry: You’re kidding me right? 2400+ miles just to go where I could have been in 10 minutes here at home? So we got a few supplies that we under estimated and was off to look for old downtown and some walking around. There were some really cool looking trees where we hung out and let the boys run around.

The next day, the next stop, Oahu where we walked around a bit before getting a bit of time in at Waikiki beach. I got a glimpse of Diamond Head but not much of it as there has been hotels built blocking the view unless you’re out about 100 yards off the beach. Sorry, not taking the SLR or the PAS camera out there. Here Tyler wouldn’t get out of the water. He doesn’t know how to swim yet so he’s not out there like you’d think. AJ on the other hand, hates the sand in his toes so he spent most of his time on the blankets and shirts when needed

Next stop was on Kauai where I was done with “shopping” so we hit much less crowded beach and again Tyler spent the whole time playing in the waves lapping up on shore. AJ really started loosening up on the sand traveling and by end of our visit, had no problem walking around without his sandles on. Here they built a sand turtle, played with coconuts, and what have ya.

This was also New Year’s Eve. The build up on the ship was great and the decorations were a plenty. Tyler has been looking forward to it for months. He’s been talking about the count down and learning to count backwards from 10 down to 0 for some time. Well, when the time came, it’s like the guy with the mic was waiting for a break in the somgs playing because a song ended and he blurted out something and went right to 5-4-3-2-1…. :angry: . Talk about a let down! Tyler was so upset. The fireworks in Honolulu where we were off the coast was great to see. The skyline looked incredible with the linguring smoke dimly lit from the city or the fireworks. I didn’t think about bringing the camera so no pics of that.

Our last port was Maui where I guess I was overly clear about the fact I hadn’t actually seen any if the islands, a place where I probably will never return to. So we hired a taxi for 2.5 hours and he took us to a plantation where there was some really nice tropical plants and settings for pictures (there is where the black/yellow spider and spider monkeys are) and then to a valley in the rain forest for some great photo ops. Up to this point, I don’t think we actually ventured far enough from the ship to lose sight of it and that bugged me. I mean, we brought all our dive gear and it never left the suitcase :blush:

After 4 days at sea, we had to stop in Ensenada where I got a few gifts for friends and utilize a cocktail encyclopedia in my iPod at a Banana Club bar where I got a few pics of the kids and the waitress

Then, it’s back to reality. In a nutshell, with much detail left out, that’s our trip. There was few sport bikes on the islands so I snapped a pic of an R1 on one of our stops for everyone here and the F1 car was taken specifically for Paulo . We all know how he is…

The cruise was in some ways not what I’d normally want because of the boys but on the flip side, there was so much that I cherish because of the family that wouldn’t be there otherwise. Good to be back and online and now it’s back to work and catch up on the side work that I need to address.

I took 770+ photos and that’s not including my mom’s. So instead of picking out and converting certain photos, then uploading them one by one, I just flagged some (92 to be exact) and created a slide show. I hope you can muster through it and actually enjoy some of them.

Link: http://tjfdesigns.com/cruise/photos/
(Please note that because I didn’t rename the photos and they are from two different cameras, they don’t appear completely in order)

Happy New Year everyone!

Jim