Trailer Update

[bjarvis]

So far, our week-long vacation at the trailer hasn't exactly been what we hoped. At the same time, it's actually everything I had hoped for. Contradictory, but that's life.

It has rained here. A lot. OMG, it has rained. For three days. By definition then, we haven't gone out hiking, sat by the pool or spent a lot of time lounging on the deck. There are probably only 10 people in the entire campground at the moment because (a) it isn't a weekend and (b) the weather, but that largely means fewer distractions. Besides, I come here to relax in a modicum of isolation, not to party all hours of the day & night.

We also discovered the trailer roof leaks in two spots, now repaired. PITA.

I had thought of using various quiet spots around the campground to sit and read but the rain has scuttled that idea. I could still curl up inside the trailer to read.

So far, I've finished:

• MongoDB
  
• What Bugged the Dinosaurs
  
• 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People
  
• The Presentation Secrets Of Steve Jobs
  
• Deep Space Craft
  
• False Economy: A Surprising Economic History of the World
  
• Amazon EC2
  
• Elastic Beanstalk
  
• Google Power Search
  
• Rabies
  
• IPv6 Essentials
  
• Migrating Applications to IPv6

I've also obtained Evernote for my netbook, my Android tablet and my Blackberry Storm and have delighted in porting my misc small notes which have accumulated over the years. I've also watched three movies via my tablet, made some updates to my web site (mostly about dates for upcoming calling gigs), begun organizing another square dance caller workshop chez nous for Oct 29, kept up with a tonne of email, updating my latest to do list and made some minor online purchases.

I haven't read as many books as I had originally planned but we still have five more days here before returning to the real world so there's opportunity yet to catch up.

Verizon is releasing my dream telephone, the Droid Bionic, to the unwashed masses today but I won't be in line unless I drive to DC immediately. While in Moundsville, WV, yesterday, I asked the salescritters what the odds were of finding such a model in the area: she said they probably won't see one for another six months. Seriously, how do people live out here? Lord knows how long I'm going to have to wait when we do get back to DC next Sunday. I wouldn't be surprised if they're sold out & back-ordered for a while. *sigh*

Update: I've been able to order my Droid Bionic online, transferring my existing number and grandfathering in my unlimited data plan, as well as getting a $50 purchase discount and keeping my employer's monthly discount. And by adding wifi hotspot functionality, I can cancel my mobile broadband service too! Unless there's a severe back-order, my new beast should be waiting for me when I get home Sunday.

Update²: My phone has shipped already! I just got the email with the tracking number. Yay!

Comments

[billeyler.livejournal.com]

I think the weather was even worse in Silver Spring. Hope all is okay in hubby-land!

[wescobear.livejournal.com]

I think we're in the same weather pattern. I hallucinated that I was living in Seattle this morning.

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

Could you buy it on Amazon or off VZN's website? That would seem far more civilised than queuing up.

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

I was indeed able to buy it from VZN's website, transferring my old number, getting a $50 discount and grandfathering in my unlimited data service. And I just received email indicating my order has already shipped! Yay!

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

W00t!

See? Much more civilised =)

[weekilter.livejournal.com]

When you say you have "read books" do you mean actual dead tree material books or do you mean e-books?

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

Ebooks. The minivan isn't big enough to carry all of the stuff I brought to read.

[weekilter.livejournal.com]

Are you a pretty good reader? I have to force myself (and I do force myself) to read. Usually do it every day while at the gym. I do read nooz every day through my ESS feeds so I get that as well. I've found the right thing to download so I don't have to deal with the NY Times paywall(sneaky ain'I?) :)

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

I read a lot and frequently but demands on my time seldom allow me much opportunity. I went on vacation this week with the specific plan of writing & planning less and reading a lot, lot more, especially on a number of geeky technical topics to catch up on current developments.

[weekilter.livejournal.com]

With all your discounts and such what will be your outlay for the 'Droid Bionique?

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

Hard to say. I got $50 off as a previous customer so that's easy to calculate, but they don't do unlimited data plans anymore except for those grandfathered in so I can't put a price tag on that easily.

In any case, with the extra accessories I'm buying, I'm getting the phone kit for $230. My monthly fees will be $105 (500 txt messages [unlimited within Verizon], 450 talk minutes, wifi hotspot), of which my office is paying $80/month.

[weekilter.livejournal.com]

In my notifications for "Daily Steals" one offering was for the Droid Bionic for $159 on Verizon.