Jan 14
Well, it’s more of a summary than a report … but I’m too tired to give a proper report. I’m tired because I had a good time, and wish I had more energy over the weekend to hang out with the fun folks there.
Dec 31
Like most people, I am taking today to reflect on the past 365 days and wonder “where the bloody hell did the time go?”
While I’m ready to have 2007 come to an end, I’m not entirely sorry it happened. In many ways it’s been a hard year, but it’s also brought me a lot of joy.
Dec 25
It’s been a good Christmas/Solstice/GiftMas Season at the GeekFarm. Friends and family have been called, visited or been visited upon. Good food has been consumed in good company. I have a lot of nice new shirts that I would have never bought for myself, thanks to in-laws who believe my wife’s stories and imagine that I only dress in free polo shorts bearing corporate logos … it’s totally untrue, because sometimes I also wear black t-shirts about computers 
Mostly the season has been about family and the extended family of good friends, as it should be. People are more important to me than things, and the people closest to me are more important than ever. Giving gifts is more of an excuse to see these people a little happier, the gift itself is just a mechanism to make that happen. I hope the New Year’s celebration grants me an excuse to see more friends in various states of happiness.
Stories also make the holiday better. If you need a little sci-fi in your holiday spirit, try Mur Lafferty’s “Citytalkers” at EscapePod (free MP3 download). This is a great take on people pulling together for their city during the holidays … not the people in the city, but the city itself. It’s interesting to think that Charlotte doesn’t love Christmas, New Orleans is a moody bitch and Detroit is exactly how we think Detroit should be. It will all make sense when you listen to the story.
Oct 19
Here, for your amusement, is the strange flight plan of one Brian Richardson … business traveler and cross-country geek.
- Sunday - 2:30pm flight to Austin, TX (booked two days ago thanks to last minute meeting with major computer company)
- Monday - 8:00am meeting at major computer company, scheduled to be done by 10:00am. Return to airport, flight back to Atlanta. Arrive at 6:00pm, have dinner with spouse & friend. Stay at friend’s house because it’s a lot closer to the airport.
- Tuesday - 8:00am flight to Phoenix, AZ (yes, departing at 8:00am). Arrive in Phoenix, drive to Scottsdale. Check into conference for lunch. Attend “networking” event disguised as a four hour off-road vehicle commercial masquerading as a “desert adventure” tour. Dinner with Kat & Sean.
- Wednesday - Full day (8:00am to 10:00pm) with computer folks at an industry meeting
- Thursday - Industry meeting then dinner somewhere (maybe with Michael R. Mennegea).
- Friday - Day off in Phoenix. Visit Jake in Mesa during the day, run off for dinner in the evening. Buy booze for Saturday.
- Saturday - Invade Draco Vista studios at noon for Wingin’ It 3D. I think I need the booze to pay the troll under the bridge at Michael’s moat (how can you afford to keep a moat filled in Arizona, anyway?). WIll probably wear my kilt just because I can. Flight home at 6:00pm (not sure if flying in the kilt is a good plan).
Yes, that’s two round-trip tickets in one week. I am going to kick the crap out of that roaming gnome if I see him anywhere.
Jul 02
Suzan got this great birthday cake from our friend Asai over the weekend (yes, a few days ahead of July 4th, but it’s the cake that counts) . Continue reading »
