Monthly Archives: December 2010

Twenty four hundred miles the wrong way

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While patiently waiting for my HTC Droid Incredible, I checked my Ontrac tracking number at Amazon Wireless.

Ontrac shipment 2010-12-29

That’s 2,397 miles out of the way.

Ontrac shipment map 2010-12-29

The direct route, which I’d like to expect, is 528 miles.

Non-Ontrac shipment map 2010-12-29

Can you explain this nonsense?

Update 2010-12-30 8:15am PDT – Thanks to Shaun in the comments for the explanation.

It arrives today. Here’s the updated tracking information (note how the earlier tracking is removed):

Update 8:45am PDT – Ontrac left the box on my door step fifteen minutes ago. They didn’t knock and I’m slightly angry. Anyway, the tinkering begins after it’s fully charged.

Upgrading to HTC Droid Incredible

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Nineteen months with an LG Dare (dumb phone) is over. While I was considering waiting for the Apple iPhone coming to Verizon Wireless, I decided to go with the HTC Droid Incredible (Android OS).

I’m glued to Google Voice and my life is in Google Calendar. I also have a Gmail account, but my primary email account (IMAP) is through my web host, Media Temple.

Of course, open source software is big plus.

I’m aware of the awesome Apple iOS apps, but I also see lots of good ones for Android. I won’t necessarily install a lot of Android apps, but it’s nice to have the option.

Most importantly, I still don’t want to leave the Verizon Wireless network.

Over these next two days, I’m importing, consolidating, purging, and organizing my contacts into Google Contacts with tips from:

I’m also looking forward to:

  • a better camera phone, along with the ability to upload full-res photos to Flickr[1. The LG Dare resizes photos before sending.].
  • Pandora Radio (or Slacker Radio, suggested by a friend because of caching)
  • sync plain text files with Dropbox (e.g. future blog post ideas, reference)
  • access to Remember The Milk anywhere
  • the ability to write and post [on my blogs] from anywhere, without a desktop or notebook computer
  • Google Maps

Yes, I have an 10GB Apple iPod (3rd Gen). And a DSLR camera. And paper. And my Kindle.

At the end of the day, I’m just a geek.

Oh, I ordered the HTC Droid Incredible from AmazonWireless for $0.01 with free two-day shipping. They check your account upgrade date. Their purpose (my emphasis added):

AmazonWireless is a new website by Amazon.com that offers cell phones and wireless plans, easy shopping without rebate hassles, and FREE two-day shipping.

TRON: Legacy

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On Tuesday night (12/14), I saw a screening of TRON: Legacy (3D) at Club Nokia in Los Angeles as part of Nokia’s promotion, N8 First Look.

The 3D wasn’t overwhelming, but subtle additions enhanced the experience. If you can’t clearly remember the original version, you’ll be okay. (I’m talking about myself. I didn’t get a chance to re-watch the original TRON.)

While the plot line could have been improved, I loved the film. I recommend it.

Thanks to Donna from WOMWorld/Nokia for the invite!

Meet Brian

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Meet Brian

The first day I went into Downtown Philadelphia, I waited at the airport for the SEPTA train to Market East Station.

An older man walked up the steps, onto the platform, and asked if this train would be going into town. I assured him it would, but not before warning him that I wasn’t a local.

Apparently, he’s lived here most of his life, but hasn’t used the public transportation system.

For the next hour, we chatted Brian told me his life story.

At six years old, Brian and his parents got into a huge car accident. His mother was 33. His father, Bernie, was a captain in the Philadelphia Police Department.

Sadly, his mother lost both of her legs from that accident. He remembered the firefighters trying to pull him out and being confused, unable to compute that his mother’s legs were being amputated within the wreckage.

Both parents recently died at 90 years old.

Brian’s eyes welled up with tears. There was so much pain. There wasn’t anything I could say. He took a breath, apologized, and continued.

Brian theorized that he was probably bipolar after that accident.

For forty years, he was an alcoholic until a horrific vision snapped him out of it. Two feathers are in his wallet as a reminder, and he’s been clean for 18 months.

During Brian’s alcoholism, he had a three-year relationship with a girlfriend, then married her for six years. They had a son and grandson. Sadly, they got divorced because “she wanted to stop partying and he didn’t.” (He hasn’t seen his son or grandson in years. Sad.)

Brian is good with numbers, so he was an electrician for a long time. Now, at 57 years old, he’s trying to get his commercial driver license (CDL) in Philadelphia to be a trucker.

Brian currently lives in Las Vegas, but plans to move to San Diego, CA. He still has two sisters, but I can’t recall if he mentioned where they live.

As Brian spoke, he was calm, peaceful, and positive on life. I was overwhelmed with emotion.

Compared to him, I can’t complain. I was heading on an epic journey around Philadelphia, with my camera, lenses, and Twitter to keep me company.

As quick as the conversation started, he arrived at his station, shook my hand, smiled, and said goodbye.

Good luck, Brian.

Note: If you’re wondering, I took his photo before we boarded the train. I wasn’t sure if he’d keep talking to me, but he did.

View photo on Flickr