For my thirtieth birthday, I decided that I really wanted to learn how to ride a motorcycle. I've really wanted to do this since I was sixteen, but it's languished on my list of things I've never gotten to until a few months ago.

Okay, I'm frustrated. Last night, I took a lady out to dinner. (this was our third time out.) We had a good time, enjoyed the meal together, and then went for dessert and coffee at a different restaraunt.

I went to Halcyon,a little coffee shop in Downtown Austin, last week; and it looked like I'd walked into an Apple commercial. I counted three iBooks and four PowerBooks (including my own.) There was one guy there with a Dell, and it was the only PC in the room.

Went in for early voting here in Austin yesterday after work. As of now, I'm turning off the TV, and will not be turning it on again until after the election.

My name is Raider_red, and I approved this journal entry.

I had a decidedly 21st century experience watching last night's debate. I spent the entire debate with a notebook computer in my lap, IMing over Yahoo Instant Messenger with a friend in Fort Worth. We had a running commentary going for the entire thing.

Okay, just a few things to add to the Mac diary. The system is working great, and I'm hooked on iTunes. I don't see any reason to buy CDs anymore. I also got an iPod to go with the computer so I can take my music to the office. We are absolutely forbidden from walking in with our own computers. This has led to some interesting issues, like how to get the PowerPoint slides I put together on the airplane a couple of weeks ago into the office to do my presentation. (I burned the file to CD

I'm starting to get used to using Mac OS X for day-to-day business. In the last two weeks, I've adapted iPhoto as my key tool for importing and organizing images from my camera. I've bought my first album on iTunes.

I got home from the Office about 6, after stopping at Comp USA to get a bag for the new PowerBook. I gently worked my way through the packaging, and unbundled the new machine. After plugging it in on my dining room table, I made a cursory inspection of the documentation. Nothing too complex.

Okay, I placed my order with Mac Connection last night after dinner. I opted for overnight figuring I'd receive it Monday. I got an email this morning with package tracking number this morning around 8. On checking, I discovered that they already had it on a truck in Austin. Apparently, their state to state transport is being handled by either Superman or Mr. Scott.

Okay, I've been bitten by the Mac bug. It happened the second time I tried out an OS X machine. I'd always avoided Macs like the plague, but there was something about Mac OS 10.2 that grabbed me. Part of it was the cool graphics. Part of it was the sleek design of the machines. (I think this one was a G3 TiBook) Another thing that grabbed me was when I found the terminal program. I've used Unix workstations for my entire career, and here was one that my mother could use. Add to that a

I've noticed some interesting things the last couple of days. For several months, I've had as my message signature the line "Associate Member of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy." This is of course a joking paeon to a comment made by Hillary Clinton during her husband's perjury investigation.

It's been six weeks since I started my new job in Austin. It's been good so far. I've found a place on the team here. We're getting ready to run our IPO and take the next step toward splitting off from Motorola. Everyone here is fairly excited about that. I'm sure it's not as exciting as it is over at Google right now, but it's still a good feeling.

I'm in my last week at the FAA. I'm trying to stay focused and get things wrapped up properly for whoever ends up inheriting my projects. I think I've got the server issues resolved for now, but I'm leaving recommendations that they bring in Sun to look at our tape-backup system. I'm also hoping they bring in a real sysadmin, instead of sticking the guy who knows how to spell Solaris (me) with the job.

I found a job back in Austin. It looks like I'll be kissing Oklahoma City goodbye, and getting back to my house in Texas. Good timing too, since my last tenant moved out two weeks ago.

I've been having a problem the last month or so with joint pain in my left shoulder, and to a lesser extent in my right. It's been especially bad in the last week and was getting to the point where I had to take ibuprofin every night just to get to sleep.