tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247487682012-01-30T06:00:09.044-06:00What is this "parenting" they speak of? Is it painful?Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.comBlogger14191100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-69057732514996729252012-01-30T06:00:00.002-06:002012-01-30T06:00:09.086-06:00

Before I get back on this thread, I do want to acknowledge one thing. When one goes and fixes a problem, the problem is fixed during that time. But, there is no promise of it staying fixed in the future. Suppose there was a poor performing school. And then they bring a new principal that has a different way of handling teachers, students and the parents. And suddenly the school turns around.

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-3105079268686600732012-01-27T15:45:00.001-06:002012-01-27T15:46:15.014-06:00

A few weeks ago, I went to our lame version of Chinatown for some noodles during lunch, and to pick up some Chinese supplies.As I was working my way through the store, I thought:This is Caucasian shopping, but at a slight advantage. I can't read the labels, but I can tell if something is inherently dangerous.Man, I hope [that item I'm looking for] never changes it's labeling because I would be

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-50690738419180107792012-01-26T08:45:00.001-06:002012-01-26T08:45:01.019-06:00

The things I'm pretty good at the Mega-lo-corp are:getting the lay of the land quickly - why are we in this problem in the first place? How bad of shape are we in?figuring out the quirks of individuals - who are slackers, who are winners, who are whiners.finding out who to beg, cajole, or threaten towards a goalWhen my manager asked me to help see if I could reduce this pile of problem tickets

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-60606498197249848172012-01-25T09:15:00.003-06:002012-01-25T09:42:20.606-06:00

How many of you have asked your neighbors or friends to borrow something or to do some small favor for you? Okay, how many of you have asked two or more neighbors / friends for that same something at the same time?Second sourcing is a manufacturing term that says, "Let's not put all our eggs in one basket. If our only supplier decides to hike the price or goes bankrupt, we're not in trouble."

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-29132167170267033402012-01-24T10:15:00.001-06:002012-01-24T10:17:55.357-06:00

I gotta finish this thread because I've left so many other post threads withering on the vine.Some general thoughts that weren't included with the photo recaps.When I was visiting with my grandma, she was asking if I would come back and visit her next year. And the of course, her daughters were gathered around her saying, "Yeah, tell your grandma you'll come back next year!". I answered with

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-45159000749204158312012-01-23T08:09:00.006-06:002012-01-23T08:26:14.938-06:00

I once consulted my culture expert on all things Jewish (okay, when I occasionally bump into her on google-chat) about ways she would like to be perceived. I once asked, "Besides Judaism being a religion, would you consider being Jewish a race?" [I always proceed these type of questions with, "Do you mind if I ask you a dumb question?]She said yes, she herself would consider being Jewish a race

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-11165471342551951782012-01-19T09:45:00.001-06:002012-01-19T09:45:00.485-06:00

Before we had kids, Wifey and I had the time and the money to do more traveling. And so, we decided to pony up the money to join the Admiral's Club since we mostly fly American Airlines. That lasted about 3 years and then budgetary reality set in and we let that membership expire. Although for the first year and a half we had the Girl, it was really convenient to duck into a Club at the

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-56790644893439903702012-01-18T09:30:00.001-06:002012-01-18T09:34:14.783-06:00

So, off to Pingtung! This is where my mother was born and raised. Obviously, I must have been there as a child, but have zero recollection of it. And, I must not have been back there since at least 1969.Train station waiting for the short (30 min) commute to Pingtung.Wikipedia says that Kaohsiung is over 2 Million people whereas Pingtung is over 200,000 (roughly). It is a small town. I

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-48286539302947564882012-01-17T09:00:00.001-06:002012-01-17T09:00:08.876-06:00

After Grandma's party, we went back to spend the night in Kaohsiung.The next morning, here we are following my Mom as she's charging down allyways, with my Dad muttering, "Where are you going? We can't walk there."Eventually, we take a taxi to the soy milk breakfast place.Jumped in a taxi who had his own TV.What really astonished me about Taiwan was the number of scooters. I guess I was still

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-28757864301575069852012-01-16T12:15:00.001-06:002012-01-16T12:23:08.264-06:00

The party for my grandma's 100th birthday was later in the day. At the crack of dawn, the catering crew came over and started cooking.We took grandma for a stroll in her wheelchair.This was the view of a neighboring farmhouse. Everyone in the neighborhood has known each other for all their lives.Spent the night on the farm. My Dad decided to hang up the mosquito netting. I was surprised as it

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-21992254310404325292012-01-13T15:00:00.001-06:002012-01-13T15:00:02.320-06:00

There are a handful of people I know who appreciate (and are willing) to spend good money on good wine. A couple that come over for dinner often are one of those. The last few years we've ordered 6 bottles of wine and then split those between us - 3 each.We normally have to wait until our "winter" to order because there's nothing more bitter (literally) than having wine from CA shipped to Texas

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-81061909874298861002012-01-13T10:45:00.002-06:002012-01-13T10:47:40.700-06:00

So off to grandma's house!They kept telling me it was a 1.5-2.0 hour car ride. I was reading on the Kindle, so I didn't have a sense of time, but it only seemed about a 45 minute ride from Kaohsiung, but they told me it was closer to 90 minutes.I wanted to take a picture of one of my strong memories of the farm as a child, the pig house.As I was walking over there with my aunt, she told me that

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-39251870172423180042012-01-12T12:41:00.003-06:002012-01-12T12:44:48.194-06:00

Test dictation using Dragon dictation app for the iPhone sending it to my blog postingSent from my iPhone*UpdateI was considering all these bans on texting while driving. Hmmm, I wondered surely they must have some way to convert voice to characters on the iPhone so you can send text to someone while you're driving.I found "Dragon Dictation" which is not hands free but better than

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-70597255281828824592012-01-12T09:00:00.002-06:002012-01-12T09:01:32.891-06:00

I told Wifey when I was preparing for the trip to Taiwan, "Yeah, all I have to do is bring $200 and give it to grandma in a red envelope for her birthday. Everyone else will be taking care of me." Which was all true. I had no idea what city I'd be sleeping in and where - it would just be taken care of for me by my folks and family.When I got to Kaohsiung, my parents and my cousin picked me up

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-85049473637985500412012-01-11T18:02:00.000-06:002012-01-11T18:03:05.430-06:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-83257096646830845512012-01-11T08:30:00.001-06:002012-01-11T08:30:01.626-06:00

I've only been on "First Class" flights only 3 times in my life, until recently. The first one was for our honeymoon. The second time was for the doomed trip to Hawaii when Wifey was pregnant. We used upgrade miles to go from coach to first. It was odd, I would call the airlines from the hospital and say, "Ummm, something has come up...can you push our flight back one day?" And they would

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-85405745163092506162012-01-09T08:40:00.005-06:002012-01-09T08:56:59.137-06:00

Tomorrow is the Boy's 7th birthday. Wifey loves to throw birthday parties (well to be truthful, she likes holidays and special days such as birthdays). So she spent a few weeks months ago twisting herself mentally trying to decide if we should celebrate before his birthday, on his birthday or the Saturday after his birthday.I, as a dutiful husband and father, just nodded my head thoughtfully

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-10751129197631358742012-01-04T16:00:00.003-06:002012-01-04T16:05:21.877-06:00

[I got back from Taiwan last night and had wisely planned a day off from work to recover from travel before "diving into" a work week consisting of Thu and Fri. Woo-hoo on having 5 weeks of vacation!]So, let's talk about the books:"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" [Tattoo]"The Girl Who Played With Fire" [Fire]"The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" [Nest]First, I saw the US movie "Tattoo" before

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-4900498505056189672012-01-03T12:37:00.002-06:002012-01-03T12:42:44.329-06:00

[I'm sitting in the Admiral's Club in LAX during a 4.5 hour layover, coming back from Taiwan]However, I wanted you Kindle cheerleaders to answer some questions and/or do some research for me. Go ahead, defend your LOVE!Does the kindle allow you to change the font size. Like when you've been flying for 10 hours straight and your eyes are bleary and you can't read the tiny characters anymore?

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-81280823439772077432011-12-25T10:28:00.002-06:002011-12-25T10:29:06.187-06:00

Mandatory weapons training for Texas children.

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-31806151278695263842011-12-24T23:11:00.003-06:002011-12-24T23:16:06.877-06:00

For some reason, one of my favorite sayings in my head, is taken from a Beatles song. And for some other reason, it seems appropriate for the holidays:And in the endThe love you takeIs equal....To the love you makeMerry Christmas

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-68100564556269174182011-12-23T13:54:00.001-06:002011-12-23T13:54:44.265-06:00

Ummm I actually fell asleep 10 min before intermission

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-15148424114927873382011-12-23T12:42:00.001-06:002011-12-23T12:42:49.223-06:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-66602246138407126512011-12-22T15:05:00.002-06:002011-12-22T15:06:27.346-06:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-67463312381907371832011-12-21T19:53:00.004-06:002011-12-21T20:24:07.945-06:00

So it's coming up on my trip to Taiwan. Since I immigrated to the US in 1969, I've been back twice. Once in 1977 (I remember that due to the 77 in a Star Wars t-shirt I wore that summer before I went to Taiwan. Odd, but that's how I remember).In that trip, my relatives hadn't seen me in such a long time. I didn't remember most of these relatives since I was 5 when I left. I only remember

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-54823495805264977252011-12-20T08:39:00.002-06:002011-12-20T08:58:36.304-06:00

I love movies. I despise live production because I spent a few years working as a stagehand. I can't enjoy any live production because I'm always saying to myself:they missed their cueone of the lights seems off, probably got bumped during maintenancethat gel seems to have burnt off, they need to replace itI can see a crew's head off to the side of the setfollow spot came on too lateI can see

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-13408434650180637192011-12-19T09:03:00.002-06:002011-12-19T09:35:35.900-06:00

Well hmmm, the dogs are a subject that are constantly on our minds. Actually, nightly on our minds as you'll read below.Mr BubbaHe's still alive! Twice in the last six months I've called his vet and talked to her about the fact that it's "almost time" to put him down. Usually it's the case where he can barely walk. He's semi-dragging his back legs along the deck and I'm thinking, "That's no

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-33167345923708715882011-12-18T17:30:00.001-06:002011-12-18T17:37:34.215-06:00

So, I started my winter vacation Thursday. I'm taking off for 3 weeks, which is the longest I've ever taken off. Why so many days? 22 years with the Mega-lo-corp. I have 5 weeks of vacation, plus additional days carried over from last year when I was still working on the hated chocolate ice cream conversion. Back then, I was working off and on the weekends and my old boss kept "gifting" me

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-25896693154465406662011-12-08T09:24:00.002-06:002011-12-08T09:37:20.170-06:00

You know how you see raffles or commercials that tout, "And win a dream vacation to Hawaii!"?Have you ever wondered how raffles or commercials would work in Hawaii? I mean you wouldn't advertise a dream vacation to Hawaii to someone who lives in Hawaii would ya?Being engineer you always have the thought, "It's too good to be true." Maybe it's the reverse. Maybe you're the type of person who

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-55844033576582851122011-12-07T07:00:00.001-06:002011-12-07T07:00:17.329-06:00

Two weeks ago, I had a "skip level" meeting. This is where big, giant corporate America wants the puny bottom feeder employee (me) to feel as if they care about your feelings, blah-blah-blah. So, you get to have a 30 minute interview once a year with your boss's boss. Ha-ha. I once was skipped over for this meeting for 3 years. They were "busy" and forgot.Anyhoo, here was how my phone "

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-68158673742792556442011-12-05T07:00:00.001-06:002011-12-05T07:00:13.531-06:00

The other day, we were shopping at Costco as a family. Wifey said, "Hey Girl, let's go over and take a look at some dresses." And we headed over there.Sigh. Let me backtrack.When we got the Girl 7 years ago, Wifey had this habit of buying her treats or snacks when they went shopping - sometimes grocery shopping, sometimes at Target. The treat might be a little candy bar or a bag of popcorn or

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-24313016780146393872011-12-04T08:26:00.004-06:002011-12-04T08:34:30.741-06:00

I've blogged in the past that the best "lazy" form of do-goodiness for me is Kiva. They're pretty good at sending me "nag notes" telling me that I have money to loan. The money comes from paid back loans.Here's how it works:a) send them a credit card charge of X-dollarsb) they bank it, then let me select $25-increment loans.c) then at the "checkout", they ask me if I want to help contribute to

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-47938415901577335932011-11-27T20:40:00.001-06:002011-11-27T20:41:06.344-06:00

It's too funny and too true not to share.

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-67579121192070248152011-11-22T14:35:00.002-06:002011-11-22T15:36:58.416-06:00

Anonymous said... In light of the recent "opening" of some adoptions from China, has your approach in how you talk to your kids about their early lives changed? Do they ask?I appreciate how direct you've been about your reasons for choosing a closed international adoption, and that it was the best choice for you and your wife. As your kids are getting older, has your perspective on this

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-48202076426266516342011-11-22T09:07:00.004-06:002011-11-22T09:17:49.294-06:00

When I first saw this movie, the part that has always stayed withe me is the part where the housemaid (now in a retirement home) is just shaking her head that the mentally challenged Chancey Gardner has zoomed up in the national consciousness. The phrase, "All you have to be is White in America to get what you want...."http://youtu.be/FcPQ9gww_qc?t=2m14s

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-64305855147503553872011-11-22T08:27:00.003-06:002011-11-22T08:50:50.004-06:00

Anonymous said... I am a big fan of your point of view here.You had me at "Is it painful?" and BTWYes it is.I have some questions for you. We live in a very white, rural state in the US. Our DD has one friend at school who is half white, half Asian. DD is from China. They are the only Asian kids in that grade. They sit next to each other. They don't look like each otherat all, the

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-2997807727667326282011-11-21T14:14:00.002-06:002011-11-21T14:22:11.868-06:00

Anonymous said... Oh for crying out loud I'll ask a question too.Have you ever cooked a prime rib? If so, did you buy prime or choice? BTW I really enjoyed your blog post where you researched beef grades and I still chuckle at the thought of "canner". I am cooking two 3-bone prime ribs for Thanksgiving and I always use the same recipe; salt and sear in a skillet then slow cook to medium

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-63767196883910113582011-11-21T10:33:00.003-06:002011-11-21T10:47:39.522-06:00

Melissa said... How is the boy doing in school? Does first grade do yellow cards? Is the trip to Italy still on? The Boy is doing well and naughty.We loved his Kinder teacher because she was a hardass. However, we've run into two types of parents who have or have had his Kinder teacher. One sect, like us love her because of her firmness and the fact she communicated to us parents her

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-12862763219671205842011-11-21T09:04:00.002-06:002011-11-21T09:16:14.427-06:00

[Thanks for the questions - I heart you 4 people]Kim said... I have been following your blog for awhile. I like your writing style and also have a duaghter and son from China. I was wondering how you newphew the future engineer was doing? Are you able to offer any guidance? That type of thing. He officially starts school in January. However, your note reminded me that I need to send

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-40698972128632813342011-11-15T08:11:00.002-06:002011-11-15T08:22:29.422-06:00

[Dontcha hate it when someone reposts stuff they wrote on their FB into their blog or vice-versa?]Enjoy!Co-worker: Johnny, I noticed you're working the M-T-W of Thanksgiving week?Me: Yeah, that's my famous "avoid the in-laws by working the week of Thanksgiving plan"MIL, BIL, Sister-IL, Cousin-IL, Aunt-ILSo yeah, the almost yearly procession starts next Sunday with the arrival of Wifey's cousin

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-52884698370862093802011-11-01T06:00:00.001-06:002011-11-01T06:00:12.520-06:00

Last exchange between me and the food service contact at the Four Seasons:Aloha Ms. [Redacted], Our family is about to depart the islands, after a week at the Four Seasons. Today, we took a last trip to the beach and had a last lunch poolside at Manele Bay. We have not had a chance to eat poolside since my correspondence with you earlier in the week. I'm pleased to report what I observed

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-25935371088610775392011-10-31T07:00:00.002-06:002011-10-31T07:00:02.577-06:00

Sunday, we went to a rare Sunday-breakfast at our favorite dive breakfast place, which we typically frequent on Saturday - due to returning from Hawaii mid-day Saturday.As we sat down, across from us were a family of 4:1) Lesbian couple2) Caucasian son, about 63) African American daughter, about 8While we were waiting for our food, I kept sneaking glances at them. I'm sure they are used to this

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-44705294434065055662011-10-30T13:28:00.002-06:002011-10-30T13:47:03.251-06:00

We're back! Just as we were adjusting to the 5 hour time difference, it was time to go home. Thankfully, the Boy did sleep during the red-eye flight back from Honolulu to Houston (7:45 length of time). During this trip, a lot of thoughts bubbled in my head, especially a long one about Wifey and my dream of retiring to the islands, but that's for another time.[I received 117 emails during 5 days

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-57623803214703579152011-10-28T17:36:00.000-05:002011-10-28T17:37:07.179-05:00

Lately the Boy has taken to sobbing at the end of some event, like a visit from his cousins. He's now thinking about leaving Lanai. Me too buddy.

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-77290290162082690922011-10-28T14:43:00.001-05:002011-10-28T14:43:47.462-05:00

A last morning trip to the beach before the long ride home

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-6766733481596352192011-10-28T01:15:00.000-05:002011-10-28T01:16:14.119-05:00

10 years!

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-9942534769932237452011-10-26T15:16:00.000-05:002011-10-26T15:50:54.324-05:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-72468966146450658162011-10-25T20:42:00.001-05:002011-10-25T20:42:35.348-05:00

A martini to ease the sore tush

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-59662580541896541262011-10-25T18:40:00.000-05:002011-10-25T18:41:05.422-05:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-26579929185283006642011-10-25T12:21:00.000-05:002011-10-25T12:22:07.751-05:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-64077812126417729082011-10-25T12:12:00.001-05:002011-10-25T12:12:46.816-05:00

It's kinda gross, in a way

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-71845643739820559682011-10-25T12:09:00.001-05:002011-10-25T12:09:24.873-05:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-50228408886150581742011-10-25T12:08:00.001-05:002011-10-25T12:08:52.548-05:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-60135323333940624302011-10-25T10:58:00.003-05:002011-10-25T11:06:48.663-05:00

Late in the day, this response showed up in my email:Aloha Mr. [Blog], Thank you for your email. I appreciate you bringing this experience to our attention and politely inform that we do your feedback very seriously. We sincerely apologize to note your lunch service at the pool-side what was disappointing and not level of service you would expect to have from a Four Seasons Resort. I have

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-44849358850390482562011-10-24T23:39:00.001-05:002011-10-24T23:39:39.183-05:00

Like taking a stroll on Mars (minus the green bush)

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-63156015124001795672011-10-24T18:23:00.001-05:002011-10-24T18:23:27.660-05:00

The lodge is near cloud line level. Mostly dark and cloudy but for some reason we love it

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-71069290993945980662011-10-24T16:17:00.001-05:002011-10-24T16:17:28.960-05:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-35168090251648182442011-10-24T15:11:00.000-05:002011-10-24T15:24:22.017-05:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-45644247460942590342011-10-24T14:40:00.001-05:002011-10-24T14:40:43.156-05:00

Bittersweet memories

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-29076158108880656012011-10-24T14:09:00.001-05:002011-10-24T14:09:49.104-05:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-60027608390748356122011-10-24T14:05:00.001-05:002011-10-24T14:06:00.019-05:00

Small town USA

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-32162887927130754182011-10-24T10:17:00.003-05:002011-10-24T10:20:19.438-05:00

[For you Rhonda!]This morning, I sent a note to food service. The trip thus far has been 90% spectacular. You just have to let management of the other 10% know they are part of the 10%.Dear Ms. [redacted], You and I exchanged some emails about changing restaurant reservations last week. Now, we are inLanai this week! I wanted to bring up something to your attention since you are in the

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-61237445255447628742011-10-24T00:49:00.001-05:002011-10-24T00:50:44.172-05:00

So it took a while, since the staff was so tight-lipped here. But the couple who got married here in Lanai were also listed in the NYT weddings section.

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-83443608553946405652011-10-23T19:32:00.001-05:002011-10-23T19:32:21.006-05:00

They had a bucket of bubbly down at the Bay and now up at the Lodge another bucket (for our anniversary)Love this place

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-77243841958367336752011-10-23T17:08:00.001-05:002011-10-23T17:08:20.771-05:00

Checked temps back home - going to be 90 F this week. Here? 77 every day. Ahhhhh

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-22783159856811579692011-10-23T13:53:00.001-05:002011-10-23T13:53:23.710-05:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-24433960316599907372011-10-23T13:38:00.001-05:002011-10-23T13:38:33.995-05:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-88572102193213836662011-10-23T11:50:00.000-05:002011-10-23T11:51:12.290-05:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-87368346973872355732011-10-23T11:47:00.001-05:002011-10-23T11:47:30.344-05:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-31175092512311805382011-10-23T11:46:00.000-05:002011-10-23T11:47:02.560-05:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-24799994128337155902011-10-23T11:43:00.000-05:002011-10-23T11:44:08.995-05:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-68707506737791979502011-10-23T11:38:00.002-05:002011-10-23T11:39:01.529-05:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-23298435004774142552011-10-23T11:38:00.001-05:002011-10-23T11:38:45.347-05:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-63258823675888415412011-10-23T11:13:00.001-05:002011-10-23T11:13:57.965-05:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-3877993827614358362011-10-23T10:57:00.001-05:002011-10-23T10:57:55.337-05:00

My kids are like me, early risers. Coffee secured, watching them learning to play foosball. Life is good.

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-58237844868996991632011-10-23T09:02:00.002-05:002011-10-23T09:05:33.178-05:00

It's 4:00 in the morning and I've been up since 3:30, which would normally be "late" for me (8:30 am) if I were in Texas. I'm at the business center surfing the web with another gentleman who is on mainland time as well. Usually they have pots of coffee ready in the morning, but not for another 1:30. Gah!Went to bed around 7:30 pm (12:30 am Texas time) and Wifey is still sleeping (woman could

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-9472729400895634182011-10-22T21:11:00.001-05:002011-10-22T21:11:29.752-05:00

Yes!

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-12177177004993320342011-10-22T20:26:00.001-05:002011-10-22T20:26:59.721-05:00

Small

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-87013900958277688522011-10-22T20:25:00.001-05:002011-10-22T20:25:28.490-05:00

Finally here after 15 hours of travel

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-50378693642803120602011-10-22T19:41:00.001-05:002011-10-22T19:41:21.405-05:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-35434753330989505462011-10-22T19:11:00.001-05:002011-10-22T19:11:56.698-05:00

Just finished 5 hour flight 1 more 30 min hop

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-24330562088233119382011-10-22T18:21:00.000-05:002011-10-22T18:22:07.067-05:00

Just landed in Hawaii

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-57041721086840199592011-10-22T12:49:00.001-05:002011-10-22T12:49:52.328-05:00

Tried to board plane we booked last Dec and got rerouted to alt flight leaving 4 mins later. We're okay but bunch of other very pissed off United customers who have been jerked around since yesterday. Typical UnitedSent from my iPhone

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-30599140785274988322011-10-22T11:19:00.001-05:002011-10-22T11:19:54.168-05:00

M3, lunch?

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-35830892987585560302011-10-22T11:18:00.001-05:002011-10-22T11:18:56.178-05:00

He loves to do homework

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-46800311818471087892011-10-22T07:42:00.001-05:002011-10-22T07:42:51.015-05:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-75312522178328040152011-10-22T07:21:00.001-05:002011-10-22T07:21:09.695-05:00

1. Boy suddenly barfs his breakfast while sitting waiting for checking2. Wanders off wrong direction from women's restroom while Wifey cleaning him offSent from my iPhone

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-65998359567721960602011-10-22T05:25:00.001-05:002011-10-22T05:25:24.647-05:00

Start of a long day

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-31932928425320909052011-10-21T07:00:00.005-05:002011-10-21T07:00:08.831-05:00

Do you pay much attention to the number of Mega-Pixels the latest cameras offer? I don't really do much anymore other than that the more pixels you get out of the camera, the lower ambient light you can take the picture. But really, once you take a picture, what do you do? You download it from your camera to your computer? You might print out one picture or two, but won't you admit about

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-46226785291189250652011-10-19T07:00:00.004-05:002011-10-19T07:00:12.506-05:00

We're heading to Hawaii for our every-two-year trip to Hawaii. Wifey and I are planners and savers. People ask how we can afford to go to Hawaii every two years. It's easy, I say, "You save for TWO YEARS." And then, they change the subject. The concept of planning that far ahead and having the discipline to do that is beyond most people's comprehension.This year is a special one. We're

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-56975768236595466892011-10-17T07:00:00.001-05:002011-10-17T07:09:05.450-05:00

So, the age I'd been dreading is upon us for the Boy. It's time to join the Cub Scouts. I'm of mixed feelings about this. On one hand, I've always wished I could be one of those people confident in outdoor skills like starting a fire with just a spark stick and some dry brush. On the other hand, I had a childhood experience that kinda tarnished me on the Scouts.Let's back up just a bit. When

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-52713072346485593312011-10-17T00:00:00.003-05:002011-10-17T00:05:49.417-05:00

I did my random surf of the front page of Wikipedia and saw that Dennis Ritchie had passed away. Apparently sometime in the middle of last week.Only if you're a computer nerd and you understand large computer systems and the programming language will you understand the contributions of Dennis Ritchie.He invited "C", the programming language while he was at Bell Labs. The verified story was he

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-84844482695109425742011-10-15T07:45:00.001-05:002011-10-15T07:45:00.169-05:00

[This is all about a dictionary]Years ago, we had a very nice, smart and astute third tier manager. Her name was Gerry, which I think was short for Gerradine, but never asked. I got to know her because at that time, they had a program in which people (lowly programmers) were picked to follow around high ranking managers for a week to see what it was like "up there". Also for high level

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-10783720671300717922011-10-10T09:00:00.001-05:002011-10-10T09:00:00.876-05:00

These will just pop up randomly as I think of various odd ways I have of thinking of things.When I was in grad school at State U2, I met and befriended a guy named Randy. Randy was an oddball. He was typical computer nerd, short dumpy and a bit socially inept. We worked together a few semesters in common classes. He was brilliant, but also in a way difficult to get along with - if you were

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-54648891225360312572011-10-09T08:37:00.002-05:002011-10-09T08:41:51.988-05:00

Mr. Job's famous statement was "Think Different", which is great.....except it always sounded grammatically incorrect. Shouldn't it be "Think Differently"? But then, did you know that the original Macintosh name was a mistake? The designer who chose the name was aiming for the "Mcintosh" apple name. Also, a grammatical error created Lands End as well.Anyhoo, I have been thinking of writing a

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-50832129986961224172011-10-08T18:45:00.001-05:002011-10-08T18:45:00.408-05:00

I'd been curious to try making some schnitzel. So, I googled "german pork cutlet recipies" and came up with a simple one that I modified slightly.Take butterfiled pork chopsCut them in half and put into a ziplock back for pounding with a mallet. The meat is about 40% still frozen, which helps in the pounding (it prevents you from going to far and destroying the meat while pounding)After

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-62140297355606892262011-10-07T20:07:00.004-05:002011-10-07T20:18:16.742-05:00

Wifey and I were on the South side of town taking care of some paperwork and we decided to stop by the high end sportsman's store that my good friend works at. He's the firearms manager, who I've written about in the past. He was busy talking to various rich folk to stop by to "talk shop" about very, very expensive weapons, but mostly never buy. But, you have to humor these folks because one

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-35711831403088685262011-09-11T11:59:00.002-05:002011-09-11T12:10:27.538-05:00

10 years ago I was at the office and stopped by with a quick "Hi" to a co-worker. She said, "Hey, did you hear a plane hit the World Trade Center?"Oh, I thought. I wonder if some stupid pilot in a Cessna made an error and smacked himself into a skyscraper? But then, in the back of my mind I thought, "How much of that is wishful thinking? A small plane wandering into Manhattan?"As a computer

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-36141844321698304392011-08-28T09:23:00.004-05:002011-08-28T09:55:54.924-05:00

We had the luncheon for my Dad on Friday, as you could tell by the pictures I was taking and uploading from my phone. What's interesting about Control Theory is how much it affects all our daily lives, but we just don't realize it. Someone asked me once what it was and my answer was that Control Theory is what keeps your car from stalling out if you turn on the A/C in your car as you are going

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24748768.post-65058994584045812492011-08-26T11:59:00.000-05:002011-08-26T12:00:11.614-05:00

Johnnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423885759708774960noreply@blogger.com1