I'm in... I just replied to my invite and set-up my Google Voice account.
Welcome to Google Voice! Google Voice gives you a single phone number that rings all your phones, saves your voicemail online, and transcribes your voicemail to text. Other cool features include the ability to listen in on messages while they are being left and the ability to make low cost international calls. To start enjoying Google Voice, just give out your Google Voice number. You can record custom greetings for your favorite callers or block annoying callers by marking them as SPAM. Just click on the settings link at the top of your inbox.
Once it's open to everyone, you can join me!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Got the road trip blues?
On a recent road trip, I realized a lot has changed from similar trips I had taken just a few years ago. I couldn't put my finger on it until I was gearing up for another -- though much shorter -- road trip.
As I was doing my packing, I was downloading some new tunes to my Ipod and, then, it struck me. Portable music devices and video players are ruining the bonding experience that occurs when you have nothing to do than sing songs, play word association games or do other stupid things to pass the time on a long road trip.
On my last road trip, a friend was in the back watching TV shows, music videos and a movie on his Ipod Touch. I was riding shot-gun and spent my time snoozing, checking for Wi-Fi hot-spots during refeuling pit-stops and listing to tunes on my Ipod Touch (which I openly admit that I bought in a bout of jealousy after a friend of mine showed me his). The driver spent most of his time checking for traffic reports, scanning the dial every half hour for the nearest news and trafic radio station.
I will be leaving for the Pacific Ocean tomorrow and decided to burn a CD of my dad's favorite musice (well, at least the music I could stand to listen to). That way, we'll at least be listening to the same thing and -- who knows -- we might even do some father/son bonding along the way.
Tell us about your road trip blues...
As I was doing my packing, I was downloading some new tunes to my Ipod and, then, it struck me. Portable music devices and video players are ruining the bonding experience that occurs when you have nothing to do than sing songs, play word association games or do other stupid things to pass the time on a long road trip.
On my last road trip, a friend was in the back watching TV shows, music videos and a movie on his Ipod Touch. I was riding shot-gun and spent my time snoozing, checking for Wi-Fi hot-spots during refeuling pit-stops and listing to tunes on my Ipod Touch (which I openly admit that I bought in a bout of jealousy after a friend of mine showed me his). The driver spent most of his time checking for traffic reports, scanning the dial every half hour for the nearest news and trafic radio station.
I will be leaving for the Pacific Ocean tomorrow and decided to burn a CD of my dad's favorite musice (well, at least the music I could stand to listen to). That way, we'll at least be listening to the same thing and -- who knows -- we might even do some father/son bonding along the way.
Tell us about your road trip blues...
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Names of gay city employees may be released
Seattle City Light employee Philip Irvin wants the names of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) city employees who are members of a city-sponsored club working on issues of concern to their community.
The City of Seattle concedes that they may have to release the names. Members of the LGBT club have sued to keep their names from being disclosed. They claim there is no legitimate public interest to granting Irvin's request and will infringe on people's privacy.
Irvin claims to have been discriminated against because of his conservative anti-LGBT views. He once attempted to form a city-sponsored group for "ex-Gays."
A city light veteran, who is heterosexual and spoke on the condition of anonymity, told this writer that it is not a matter of discrimination but honoring a city ordinance and internal employee policy that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation among other protected groups. Irvin's actions are contrary to this ordinance and policy which puts him at odds with his co-workers.
King County Superior Court Judge John Erlick could decide the case on Thursday.
My two cents... Irvin's request amounts to harassment. What legitimate purpose could releasing the names serve other than to invite discrimination upon these people or, potentially, "out" them to family, friends and, even, their churches. I don't think a closeted Mormon would be received well by his elders after being "outed".
I don't see the public benefit from knowing the sexual orientation of the person on the other end of the phone line at the City Light customer service call center. All I care about is that the person is knowledgeable enough to answer my questions, take my payment or update me on an outage in my area.
Maybe Irvin should stop meddling in the affairs of his co-workers and go start his "ex-Gay" group somewhere else.
The courts would be wise reject his request.
The City of Seattle concedes that they may have to release the names. Members of the LGBT club have sued to keep their names from being disclosed. They claim there is no legitimate public interest to granting Irvin's request and will infringe on people's privacy.
Irvin claims to have been discriminated against because of his conservative anti-LGBT views. He once attempted to form a city-sponsored group for "ex-Gays."
A city light veteran, who is heterosexual and spoke on the condition of anonymity, told this writer that it is not a matter of discrimination but honoring a city ordinance and internal employee policy that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation among other protected groups. Irvin's actions are contrary to this ordinance and policy which puts him at odds with his co-workers.
King County Superior Court Judge John Erlick could decide the case on Thursday.
My two cents... Irvin's request amounts to harassment. What legitimate purpose could releasing the names serve other than to invite discrimination upon these people or, potentially, "out" them to family, friends and, even, their churches. I don't think a closeted Mormon would be received well by his elders after being "outed".
I don't see the public benefit from knowing the sexual orientation of the person on the other end of the phone line at the City Light customer service call center. All I care about is that the person is knowledgeable enough to answer my questions, take my payment or update me on an outage in my area.
Maybe Irvin should stop meddling in the affairs of his co-workers and go start his "ex-Gay" group somewhere else.
The courts would be wise reject his request.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
CatchCon delivers for Deadliest Catch fans
The Discovery Channel's CatchCon, a one-day Deadliest Catch fan festival, at Pier 66 on Saturday was a spectacle. The free event was top-notch from beginning to end.
I began my visit with a free box lunch where I was inches away from Matt Bradley of the Northwestern. I hadn't worked up the courage yet to say anything to him. Instead, I talked about him to my table-mate. That must be weird for him to hear someone at the next table talking about him -- oh, well!
Then, we had a Q & A with the boat captains: Sig Hansen, Keith Colburn, Phil Harris, and Andy and Johnathan Hillstrand. Later, they signed autographs.
I got a fisherman's cap from Verizon's booth and had all the captains, some of the crew and the show's producers sign it. I am going to donate it to a local youth nonprofit for their upcoming auction.
Outside, a helicopter could be heard and many of us went outside to see it. A Coast Guard helicopter was just off the pier giving us a demonstration of a rescue operation. From there, I toured the Wizard and Northwestern, which were docked alongside the pier.
Once back inside, I listened to a Q & A with the show's producers, including Jeff Conroy, co-executive producer. We heard their first-hand accounts of close calls, awnry crew members and the limb numbing challenges of filming at sea.
Finally, we saw exclusive video of the new season of the Deadliest Catch, which includes the the story of Seattle-based Katmai crew and interviews with its surviving crew members.
SPECIAL OFFER: The CatchCon fans also got an exclusive offer to purchase The Deadliest Catch 1-4 season set for a special price. If you don't tell them I told you (LOL)... and enter this promotional code at check-out: CATCHCON
I began my visit with a free box lunch where I was inches away from Matt Bradley of the Northwestern. I hadn't worked up the courage yet to say anything to him. Instead, I talked about him to my table-mate. That must be weird for him to hear someone at the next table talking about him -- oh, well!
Then, we had a Q & A with the boat captains: Sig Hansen, Keith Colburn, Phil Harris, and Andy and Johnathan Hillstrand. Later, they signed autographs.
I got a fisherman's cap from Verizon's booth and had all the captains, some of the crew and the show's producers sign it. I am going to donate it to a local youth nonprofit for their upcoming auction.
Outside, a helicopter could be heard and many of us went outside to see it. A Coast Guard helicopter was just off the pier giving us a demonstration of a rescue operation. From there, I toured the Wizard and Northwestern, which were docked alongside the pier.
Once back inside, I listened to a Q & A with the show's producers, including Jeff Conroy, co-executive producer. We heard their first-hand accounts of close calls, awnry crew members and the limb numbing challenges of filming at sea.
Finally, we saw exclusive video of the new season of the Deadliest Catch, which includes the the story of Seattle-based Katmai crew and interviews with its surviving crew members.
SPECIAL OFFER: The CatchCon fans also got an exclusive offer to purchase The Deadliest Catch 1-4 season set for a special price. If you don't tell them I told you (LOL)... and enter this promotional code at check-out: CATCHCON
Friday, April 24, 2009
Google to revolutionize the phone
Google is not only interesting in revolutionizing the web, but even old technology, such as the telephone.
Google Voice is a service that gives you one number for all your phones, voicemail that is easy as email, and many enhanced calling features like call blocking and screening, voicemail transcripts, call conferencing, international calls, and more.
It is only available to users of GrandCentral at the moment, but Google says it will launch a public beta version soon!
Chris, a Seattlite and one of the fine podcasters from Jupiter Broadcasting, provides an excellent video review of Google Voice.
Google Voice is a service that gives you one number for all your phones, voicemail that is easy as email, and many enhanced calling features like call blocking and screening, voicemail transcripts, call conferencing, international calls, and more.
It is only available to users of GrandCentral at the moment, but Google says it will launch a public beta version soon!
Chris, a Seattlite and one of the fine podcasters from Jupiter Broadcasting, provides an excellent video review of Google Voice.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Your T-mobile suggestions
I lost my T-Mobile Wing. Contacts, appointments, twitter fix... all gone. Now, I need your help choosing the right T-mobile phone. Need the basics: QWERTY keyboard, Internet, and appointment book (Windows synch ideal). Post your recommendations in the comments section or e-mail: SEABlogger@SeattleBlogger.com
Friday, March 27, 2009
Seattle Councilmembers move to name P-I globe a landmark
After the launch of my petition to save the P-I Globe and the considerable news attention it recieved, I think you all know how I feel about the following news item.
Seattle City Councilmembers want to save P-I Globe
The three former news reporters on the Seattle City Council -- Jean Godden, Tim Burgess and Sally Clark -- want the Seattle P-I Globe to be designated a historical landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Board.
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