Cone of Silence » Personal

Living In the Past

Dave — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:28:02 +0000

Those were the days.

My first personal computer was a brand spanking new… TRS-80 Color Computer. It had a whopping 8k of RAM (which I upgraded to 16k by soldering chips on top of existing RAM chips). My input/output device was a cassette recorder. This was state of the art.

In a few years, I upgraded to a used Apple ][+ computer. I still used my state of the art cassette recorder to save work in Applesoft BASIC and load purchased games.

This system was replaced by a brand spanking new Apple ][e, which lasted for several years.

The Apple ][e saw me upgrade to my first floppy drive system. Now I was cookin'! A few years later I added to my system by purchasing my first hard disk. 10MB! How could anyone possibly use ALL THAT space! I had the 10MB external hard disk for about 2 weeks when the 20MB model was released. A phone call and complaint about not knowing the newer model was about to be released saw me swap out the drive. Now I was set. 3 years later I had still not filled that 20MB drive.

Apple released the Apple ||gs and I was on board! This was a phenomenal system. It completely lived up to my expectations and when the day I let it go finally came, I was indeed very sad. I had the hard drive, I had a battery backed RAM drive which allowed me to boot the computer in less than 15 seconds!

But alas, all good things must come to an end. Apple discontinued the Apple ][ line and left me with no real alternative but to move to the fast becoming industry standard, the 80x86 family.

My first foray was a an 80286, then I moved to an 80386, then 80486, then to a Pentium 2, then to a Pentium 4…. and will continue my quest for better processing power a generation or two behind that cutting edge.

I am nostalgic about my TRS-80 Color Computer. It introduced me into the world of telling a machine to do something useful for me.

Man on the Moon

Dave — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:46:33 +0000

I am in wonder as to why, but one of the defining moments in my life was watching men walk on the moon for the very first time.

I remember my eight year old mind being stirred to patriotism, to a sense of being part of humankind who could achieve anything we could put our minds to.

That all seems like a natural outworking of seeing a nation, a world, come together at that moment. What amazes me is as I relate my life to my kids is that I somehow take a personal pride in being part of that moment in history. Part of my identity is wrapped up in this event.

I suppose for other generations it may be some other event but for me I take special pride in relating how my summer school teacher wheeled a television into the classroom so that at 1:18pm PDT I could participate in this great adventure of mankind.

Maybe someday my descendants will hold key the memory of the iPhone 4G. Does nothing for me.

Mexican Riviera Day 7+

Dave — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 21:24:21 +0000

OK, this is not the Mexican Riviera, nor is it about a cruise. BUT this was our last stop before the trek home so I felt it is fitting to “wrap it up.”

What do these two photos have in common?

A clue. The poor shot of the foreboding snake relates to Indiana Jones. The mountain peak altogether too close to the foreground trees is the Matterhorn.

If you still need a hint, forget it. I’m out of them. On July 4th after we debarked the cruise ship we headed to Disneyland for the day, and night. Talk about a no rest vacation!

We had a good and full day. Believe it or not the park was not packed like sardines, until that evening for the fireworks display. All had their fill of rides and we did enjoy significantly shorter lines than our last visit on a weekday in December, 16 years ago. Don’t know what improved but ½ the wait of our last visit was still a nice perk.

Our travels complete. All told we traveled about 2,300 miles in the last 10 days and spent… well let’s just say enough to need a LONG rest from vacation.

Back to the real world.

Mexican Riviera Day 7

Dave — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 03:08:21 +0000

In open water.

Today I decided to spice it up a little and “go up 100 decks” before the day is out. My plan is to ignore all the downs and only count every up. There are only 15 decks accessible to me in one shot – so my plan would require stealth and cunning, as well as accurate counting.

In order to break up the monotony (and not look so foolish) going up and down all those steps I tried to utilize every staircase I could find. Earlier today the captain gave a hint that there was a definite place to view the bridge from. I discovered this place (his hint was pretty obvious) here’s the bridge of the 1,021′ vessel on which I am sailing.

That’s it, that’s everything. The space in which this console is located as room for at least 3 more of these consoles. My guess is the captain plays a little 9-hole on the bridge. Why else would there be so much space?

Then I find out at dinner this is where the captain keeps his moped which I saw him driving through the promenade today. His yellow Harley is stored somewhere deeper within the bowels of the ship and finds it’s way out when the captain heads into a port.

The day began with a dip in the hot tub and ends with trying to fit all that stuff back into my suitcase.

By the way, as of this posting I have traveled UP 99 decks. Only one more to go before I retire tonight.

Mexican Riviera Day 6

Dave — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 07:28:39 +0000

In open water.

This was a slower morning for the travelers on The Mariner of the Seas. I was up at a little after 7am this morning so I ate breakfast and meandered outside to the hot tubs. 4 of them in this area of the ship and all were mine for the choosing. It was a blustery and early. This is the perfect set of conditions to ensure I get it all to myself. After wasting away in the solitude of the hot tub for 45 minutes I get out to read a bit.

Heading up to the interior lounge deck which overlooks the pool, I find a comfortable, sheltered chair that overlooks the pool area 3 decks below. Pulling out my recreational reading, John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, I continue in my study on prayer. Guess I’m an odd duck when it comes to what I do for fun.

After lunch I watched 9 men compete in the International Belly Flop Competition. It was a nice change of pace and well worth standing outside in the brisk sea breeze on this overcast day.

Fortunately, pool maintenance was complete and the pool was refilled before the competition began.

Just for fun I took this photo inside near the forward section of the promenade from the 10th deck looking down on the 5th deck promenade. The spiral stairs lead down to the 4th and 3rd decks.

And… to even out our evening… we were greeted with Mr.Towel Monkey upon arrival to our room.

Mexican Riviera Day 5

Dave — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 03:04:31 +0000

Puerto Vallarta!

The best! Each port has had it’s unique flavor but hands down Puerto Vallarta is a family favorite. I think the impending storm adding a slight misting in the air helped out this port over the top, but to be honest the city was so charming. The hills are so beautifully covered with tropical vegetation. The red roofs and the rocky coastline beckons to mariner to stay for a while.

Did I mention that an iguana had the privilege of sitting on each of our shoulders? The highlight of his day, I am sure.

Our adventures for the day took us out to a local tequila distillery where we enjoyed the deluxe tour by the owners family. We were able to see agave root quartered with an ax right there on the concrete floor. The it is cooked in the pressure cooker, mashed in the masher and poured into the vats. We tasted the mash – kind of like applesauce, or chicken. Don’t worry about the strange fingers in your agave mash, by the time get to that part of the bottle you won’t really care.

We were then taken through the 2 step distilling process. After a short explanation that white tequila was not aged in the oak barrels (which adds color) we moved onto the tasting process. You can see 6 bottles in the picture. From recollections we had 1 shot from each bottle then moved on to mix the variations. Coffee tequila mixed with vanilla tequila tastes like something yummy I’ll want to pour over my French toast or waffles.

It was a pretty slick operation. Empty a few bottles of tequila during the tasting process and introduce us to the cashier. Grandma’s picture is even on the bottle which contains her recipe.

A long a fruitful day. Time to lie out by the pool for a little evening shut-eye under the stars

Mexican Riviera Day 4

Dave — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 07:51:47 +0000

Mazatlan!

I rose early this morning since it was an early morning all the way around. 2 ports 2 days in a row, and a third tomorrow, is a lot when one attempts to maximize the evening shows and admire the sunsets. (I’ll skip mentioning the sunrises – which have yet to be glimpsed by my eyes).

This is where I spent my first 30 minutes of the morning! Two hot tubs I was the sole occupant! Bliss! Just sitting back watching Mazatlan draw closer. It was a nice time of solitude.

The morning begins with a shopping tour. Go figure, people pay for the privilege of being able to spend their money. I kind of like the old fashioned way where I just go out and spend it.

But alas, I spoke too soon. There was a value add. A sightseeing tour and show. We stopped at the oldest cathedral in Mazatlan. Of it’s many claims to fame was one I found the most impressive. The painting above the altar is a portrayal that is very rare indeed. It depicts God the Son, God the Father and the Holy Spirit (left to right). Notice the Holy Spirit is NOT portrayed as a dove, as is traditional. Christian doctrine holds firmly to the personhood of the Holy Spirit so it is a wonderment to me why the person of the Godhead is not normally portrayed in that manner.

I’ll spare you the agony of walking into shop after shop with 3 women on a mission in the 95 degree heat with 90% humidity. Did I mention the shops feel a few degrees warmer than standing in the direct sun. Suffice it to say, they were satisfied while I held the bags.

For my hard work I took a plunge from a 65′ high – high dive into a 9 foot pool of water. Had my decent not been perfectly timed with the surging ways it would have been disaster.

Well, to be honest thinking of the decent and splashdown made me think how fortunate I am to go to work in a cubicle for a living rather than support my family on my swimming ability as this young man does. I let some young man take my place. I’m not sure who needs the tips more… he and his family or me after my family goes shopping.

Tomorrow: Puerto Vallarta

Mexican Riviera Day 3

Dave — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 05:59:20 +0000

Cabo San Lucas!

The morning began earlier than yesterday but not quite early enough for my personal taste. Meaning, I enjoy my quiet time in the morning and there was enough activity this morning to shorten that time.

The morning began with breakfast which was followed by a beautiful view of Baja from a topside perch. We looked down and saw a throng of manta rays welcoming the ship to our first port. After watching the ship anchor mid-harbor we hurried down to queue for the tender to shore. It was only 10 minutes of waiting 4 floors up that we discovered we were supposed to be in the line in the forward part of the ship.

Hurry, hurry, hurry. That gained us 3 floors. Now we were only 1 floor up from our debarking point. I’ll wait in the wrong line every time for deals like that!

With a couple hours before our paid excursion, be visited the stores we were brought to port to see. Picking up our free bracelets, charms and gemstones we hurried out of there before we saved thousands of dollars.

Soon we are in the harbor on our parasailing excursion. Our guide and assistant partners the 8 of us up into pairs of two. Of course, I get my lovely bride of 1,008 weeks – truly a treat! I am liking this, sitting back and learning the ropes. He then asks who goes first. I don’t think he finished his sentence before my tandem buddy says, “ME!” Ah well, so much for me sitting back and learning the ropes! Trial by Fire – that’s my lesson for today.

Here were are going out. Notice my legs are raised a bit. I did not come here to get my shoes wet.

Following on our heels are our two daughters. They sure make landing on a moving platform look graceful.

Our captain is so kind to take us on a tour of the sites before heading back in to the pier.

Mexican Riviera Day 2

Dave — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 07:11:18 +0000

Day Two was our first full day at sea. Morning greeted us not with sunshine and blue skies but with overcast and occasional light mist. Oh but the morning was glorious, none the less.

I began my morning with a brisk walk around the track on deck 12. After 1 lap = 1/5mi my conscience kicked and I began a jog. 2 miles was the goal set and achieved. Better than that I calculated my average speed and since nearly half my speed was about 29mph and half at 21mph, I think it safe to say that for the 2 miles I averaged 25mph.

Oh the joy of posting my running speed relative of the earth from a moving vessel! Now if I can only keep up this pace at home.

The day was filled with reading, napping under the sun, which set every cloud packing by early afternoon, and walking up and down a lot of stairs. 2nd deck to 14th deck more than a handful of times.

Dinner tonight was formal. Our gracious co-guests at our table snapped this family photo. My first experience with escargo – better than sushi but not up there with a nice steak.

Our evenings entertainment was a Beattles Tribute Band. Stellar performance and a great show. A nice finish to a great day.

Mexican Riviera Day 1

Dave — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 07:00:38 +0000

The day we have long awaited for has finally arrived! We arrived easily on one time. A special thanks to our scoping out the area last night.

To coin a phrase used by every newbie cruiser, “What a big ship!:

The Mariner of the Seas

Minor stress of not knowing where to go or what to do with all the carry-on baggage as we waited for our room gave way to time to enjoy the beginnings of a week long party.

Our baggage arrived just after the ships drill. We unpacked as if to say we’re staying for a while. Then we dressed for a casual dinner of Sea Bass followed by a nice desert of chocolate cherry cake and coffee. This was nicely topped by the wonderful family we met. Ken & Rebecca sat at our table with their young two daughters. Our two families enjoyed a full table of polite conversation. We look forward to our formal dinner tomorrow evening.

After dinner we did more ship touring. The highlight of the evening was the welcome parade through the promenade. Tomorrow we may enjoy from our cabin window, but for tonight I’m signing off as wait for room service.

Good night from one tired guy trying to get his sea legs.