Monday, November 29, 2004
Did ya miss me?
I'm posting from the Rochester airport 'cuz when I get home shortly, there may not be electricity. I had the power turned off when I went to Tampa and the utility company doesn't promise "exact day" turn on. I'm not sure that it matters since I'm only here for three nights before heading to India.
Guess I better collect my luggage and pull a wool sports jacket out for the taxi ride home: it's 37°F, half the temperature of Ft. Myers at noon today ;^(
** update **
got electricity and posting from home
6:10 PM
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Friday, November 26, 2004
The demise of Tom...
Poor guy started out at 18 pounds and ended up cannibalized in a boiling cauldron of water.
 
9:04 PM
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Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Not Hollywood, not Bollywood, but Tampawood
Faithful readers may remember my previous posts on theater in Chennai, India. I can't recommend the experience due to cell phones and loud talking, tho I do like India's masala popcorn. Yesterday, I had a chance to treat our Indian guest Karthik to the workings of an American theater. I was driving him back to the hotel after work when I took a chance and pulled into Florida's only IMAX Dome Theater at Tampa's MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry). Years ago, I had been to Toronto's IMAX where the oversized 70mm film, curved screen and Dolby stereo system resulted in an intensely realistic production. By comparison, the flat screen IMAX in Rochester, NY sucks. At the MOSI, a domed ceiling supports the projection screen and I thought the two films seen by Karthik and I had the best effects ever. It was downright dizzying ;^)
** note to reader Peter O: great kayaking and Moody Blues music in the IMAX film "Journey into Amazing Caves" **
 
10:35 PM
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Monday, November 22, 2004
Only in America
While driving guest Kartik to the Gulf of Mexico beaches, I found radio station 102.5 FM, The Bone, perfect for reader Slurpee Slinger. Be sure to check out the station's link to their 11/24 event at 420 Park Place, featuring the Bootie Girls and buckets of Bootie Beer, "America's Entertainment Beer".
Like Karthik, I've never been to Tampa before. I have an International Driving License (available in 10 minutes at AAA), but Karthik doesn't, so by default, I'm the driver and he's the navigator. Navigation hasn't been working, so I tried driving and holding the map over the steering wheel, but imagine my career after I injure our visiting guest. Suddenly, the solution was in front of me: "Next highway exit, Jim's Harley-Davidson dealership". I pulled off, got my bearings, and Karthik got to see (and sit) on his first, real bike.
 
11:44 AM
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Sunday, November 21, 2004
Buc's NFL game, 1PM EST, Section 202, Seats U7 and 8
Right below the pirate ship in Buccaneer's Cove. I'll be the pasty white guy treating India's own Karthik Chandru to American culture. Yesterday, I took him to Indian Shores beach on the Gulf of Mexico where we had discussions on why it's called "Indian", shell collecting, pleasure boating, and bikinis. Last Saturday and Sunday, I took him to Busch Gardens where I taught him the benefit of waiting for front row seats on the various, death-defying rollercoasters ;^)
 
10:30 AM
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Tuesday, November 16, 2004
My 15 minutes?
I noticed a guest here at the Doubletree Hotel is allowed to bring dogs onto the property. I assumed they were service dogs until I met the man: Jack Hanna. There's a tiki bar poolside and while we were chatting, I asked what else he had in the room. He brought out a Siberian Lynx (who took a playful leap at the barmaid). This puddy cat has normal feeling fur, huge tufted ears, and wide paws that support well on snow. At 50 pounds, it's about the same size as a cocker spaniel.
1:04 PM
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Thursday, November 04, 2004
Getting ready to hit the road again this Sunday
Off to Tampa and Ft. Myers, FL thru Thanksgiving. I'll get a chance to see my parents who I missed while I was in Oregon & India this JUL-OCT. My dad had his second knee replaced today, so it will be great to wish him well. I hope to also introduce two visiting co-workers from India to the National Football League's Tampa Bay Buccaneers and maybe Busch Gardens with its world class rollercoasters. My folks are already expecting our foreign guests at Thanksgiving dinner. I plan to take photos of them with a drumstick in one hand and a manhattan in the other. After a quick return to Rochester to pay rent, electric and cell phone, it's off to Chennai, India for DEC-JAN. I'm not looking forward to a return to Chennai's Corporate Guest Pest House and the other inconsiderations.
  
9:45 PM
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