Traveling again

But I'm back now, so I'll drop a few posts in as I get a chance.

Anything in particular you'd like me to talk about?

Gin Hahn,

T

1,000 miles

My friend asked the other day for an update on the "motorcycle experiment."

As of this week, I have passed the 1,000 mile mark. So it seems like a good time to determine if the bike is breaking even yet.

I spent $800 on the bike. And I've rode it 1,000 miles - lets say that's 1,ooo a didn't put on my car.

Cost of 1,000 miles in gas at 25 mpg and $3.00 a gallon = About $120

Lets assume the bike get 50mpg (It might be a bit higher - I only spend about $5 a week.) so the gas saving there is $60.

Cost to park  a car- $14 a day x 4 days a week x 11 weeks $616 (not counting overages- they charge more if you are there for more than 10 hours, it kicks up to about $20, and happens at least once a week but we won't count it yet.)

Cost to park a bike $5 a day x 4 days a week x 11 weeks = $220 (and no overages) So the parking saving is....$396

So all in all, I've saved about $450, not bad for a guy who generally spends lots and saves very little. And considering we have 1 maybe 2 more months of decent riding weather, I may get to the $800 yet.

Also, you can't put a $ value on how much I'm enjoying it. Or how cool it makes me :)

Gin Hahn,

T

The Boss is Back!

Okay, one of the many things that I can be made fun of is my love for Bruce Springsteen. I've been a fan for longer than I care to admit. ( still I feel like I missed some of the best days) I buy all his records. Even the videos. Even the ones I don't like all that much. Then of course there are others that I can still listen to 15-20 years later and still enjoy, and find something new in.

Many of the tunes have been my soundtrack songs. You know, those songs you listen too to get you through a tough time, or remind you of a good time. (Thunder Road, Lucky Town, One Step Up, 57 Channels and Nothing on... okay not really that one, just seeing if you we're reading or skimming-- I hilighted my favorite versions of those for you from the store.)

Good News! Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band have an album coming out October 2. Better news. They're doing a world tour together. If you get the chance. Go. If they come to your town, see them. You don't have to be  a fan, but you will be rewarded. His past tours with the E Street Band have been like a good old time rock and roll religious tent revival. I'm not sure what that is either, but one thing is certain, you walk out of there feeling like you were just baptized with 20,000 of your closest friends.

Anyway, this week only you can get the single from the new album free on iTunes. I don't love the tune. But I'll bet you your ticket price that I'll love it after seeing it live. 

In the mean time, if you are a Bruce fan like me, and passed over the latest folksy stuff, give the new Live in Dublin album a shot. There are some really good tracks on it.

Gin Hahn,

T

I Wanna Be a RockStar

Do you see me in this video?

Or maybe you?

I can't get this song out of my head, which drives me crazy because in general I find this band extremely annoying.

When they came on the radio (okay Sirius Satellite Radio) I used to shout. "I want my Nickel BACK!"

Now, I find myself shouting.... "I want my Nickelback!

Gin Hahn,

T

Sorry, I'm back.

Apologies for not posting much lately. I was traveling.

I had to visit Milwaukee on a press check for work. My lovely ICE came along and we made a weekend in Chicago out of it. I got back and was so swamped with work, I rarely checked my personal email, let alone visited the net, or my blog.

I'm certain there was tons for me to write about that's gone on lately in the rest of the world, but I really haven't paid that much attention so for the moment- I'll skip that stuff.

In Chicago, we had terrible weather, but we still discovered a few gems. 

They were filming the new Batman movie across the street from our hotel, I saw a Gotham police car- that was kinda cool.

We ate at a cool place called Bin 36 which was really a lot of fun. If you live in the Seattle area, think Purple, but with better service, more wines, a sports bar, and retail store too. If you are from someplace else, then I'll say visit Chi-town and hit Bin 36.

We tried to go to the cool art museum, but it was seriously raining, and we didn't bring rain coats, and there was absolutely no way that we could get from the car to the front door without looking like we just got out of the shower with our clothes on, so we didn't make it. (Good to have a reason to go back)

BTW- if you are over 5 foot 7 and they offer to upgrade your car rental to the convertible PT Cruiser, just say no.

Hmmm, appears that I'm in a rambling mood.

Michael Vick? I'm not really a "pet person" but I was thinking maybe they should just toss him in the ring with the dogs, just once. And I'm glad that I'm not Stephon Marbury's PR guy. Sure he gets prop's for $10 shoes, bet dude... just say no comment.

And just exactly how did they decide on 82 mins? Not 84 or 63, but 82. Did she even have a chance to get into her cell in that amount of time?

Apple is selling refurbished iPhones for $100 less than the others. Over the years I have purchased many refurbished items from Apple. Will this be another?

Gotta run...

Gin Hahn,

T

At least Hooters is honest

They understand and call it a swimsuit pageant. The people at Miss Teen USA will try to tell you its all about scholarships, etc. If its about scholarships, then why was this brainiac third-runner up? I don't think there is really anything more for me to say. The video speaks for itself.

Gin Hahn,

T

Your music, only in a different order

Here''s a cool- free toy to try.

Go over to thefilter.com and download and install their software. Once its loaded, select three songs you like in iTunes and tell it to make a playlist. It will go to YOUR iTunes library and make a playlist for you. It's great. The first time I tried it, Gold! Second time, Gold.

The filter Rocks,

Gin Hahn,

T

3 More Notes to Mom and Dad

Appears someone was reading my blog, and sent me a few more messages from that wonderful european vacation...

Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2005 4:26 PM
Subject: By The Way


Apparently, when you get back, you'll need to work on finding new moorage for the boat, it seems that the marina frowns upon nude sunbathing. Who knew?

Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2005 11:10 PM
Subject: Took a night off...


Hi Guys-
Hope you trip is going well.
Everything here is fine- I decided that I needed a little time off from the non stop fun we've been having in your absence so I don't really have a lot to report, except did you know that if you back up the toilet in the upstairs bathroom it leaks right into the kitchen?
The kids say "Hi"-
XOXO-

Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2005 7:51 PM
Subject: Did you know?


Hi guys,
I know your trip is wrapping up, I hope that it is going well. When I stopped by the house today to make sure all the clean up/repairs were finished I noticed that they were demolishing the house next door. Did you know they were doing this?
Oh well- look forward to hearing all about your trip-

Anyway- I think that's the legacy of the trip... I wonder why no one asks me to housesit?

Gin Hahn,
T

I just want 10%

I often wish that I could get paid just 10% of what I save my company each year. 

Anyway here is further proof that AT&T apparently didn't attend the Live Earth concerts. 

(And that I'm not an employe)

300 Page Phone Bills.

How much does it cost to mail a 300 page phone bill? Apparently about $7. 

(Ex-wife take note, you could have stuffed a lot more stuff in that package -- too bad your imagination ran short.) 

Anyway, I think I'm going to throw my hat in at AT&T maybe I could be one of those "consultants" big companies hire. "So I've got this idea, if we switch our billing default to summary billing, and make it so that customers have to request or sign up for itemized billing, we can save... let me see here 250,000 iPhone customers x $7 postage and lets say $3 printing, times 12 times a year.... carry the one..... $30 million a year in cost saves."

Gin Hahn,

T

And on the bass...

How could I leave this behind?

Spinal Tap Live from Live Earth!

Enjoy- Gin Hahn,

T