Through a door

Seeking food

I'm heading home tomorrow morning, and I opted to stay at a hotel near Heathrow tonight for an easy morning trip to find my flight. I considered finding transportation into London, but it was windy and starting to spit (light) rain, so I figured I'd stay in and pick up a light meal at the hotel. Unsurprisingly, that thought didn't last too long.

I saw a menu for an Indian restaurant in the lobby, asked for directions, and started walking. I didn't find that (named) restaurant, but after a brisk walk the entrance to Achari beckoned. A spicy vegetable dish accompanied by nan made my stomach happy, and I was delighted to find relatively quiet streets for walking so close to the airport.

Tomorrow? It's a flying kind of day...

Word smiles

I work in an industry that insists on making up words. Many are acronyms (and I'm terrible at remembering what those funny letters mean), but others are just odd words.

Today I used the word discombobulated. I got a very funny look from the individual I was talking with; he thought I made up the word. Nope, that's a real one: discombobulate: to confuse or disconcert; upset; frustrate.

Words can be funny, can't they?

Well, that was dumb!

I had an unexpected quiet (as in non-working) evening last night. I headed out to walk at the end of my work day. I walked, stopped for dinner, then walked some more.

And then... I thought I'd log on and clean up a few work items. I started my computer and tried to connect. My computer refused to behave. It told me exactly what was wrong, but somehow I misinterpreted the message. I rebooted, I jumped into the bios settings. Nope, still no wireless. I guess it was time for a quiet non-working evening, a chance to read and relax.

You probably already know what the problem was, don't you? The message indicated there was a bios setting or a hardware switch that had disabled the wireless capabilities. Yup, it was a hardware switch - one that is in plain view on the front edge of my laptop. When I saw the message, I assumed that the hardware switch was inside of the computer. I suppose it's a good thing I didn't have a screwdriver with me because I might have starting taking the computer apart last night. Who knows what a mess I would have created!

Wireless? In perfect working order...

Luminous Motion

A walk with a colleague through the center of Winchester, England led to the view of a very interesting light sculpture. On first glance it is a simple column of stainless steel decorated by flashing lights. The magic? A text message from a mobile phone can be used to change the color and patterns of the lights.

Curious? You can find a couple of photos and the thoughts behind the sculpture on the Peter Freeman Luminous - Motion Winchester - 2002 site. I was also fascinated by some of the projects shown on the artist's home page. I'd love to have the opportunity to see more of them in person. Do you suppose that is a good reason to plan a return trip to England? (Oh, you're right. I don't need a reason, and I will be back.)

Saturday smiles

A weekend day, sunshine, blue skies, fall chill in the air...

A customer service surprise

Very interesting...

There was a letter from Continental Airlines waiting for me this afternoon. The only mail I usually get from airlines is a mileage summary, but this wasn't that - it was a business letter about my flight home from England last month.

It was a good flight, on time, normal.

The letter was an apology for the in-flight entertainment system not working during the flight from Manchester to Boston. I suppose some people were probably bothered by the lack of movie access, but books make me quite happy so I really didn't even notice. It was more than a letter of apology though, it was an offer of a discount on a future flight.

Hey, I think I may take them up on that!

Morning painting

Colors pop as dark approaches

It was really too late for camera play when I got home from work late this afternoon...

Sun-lit colors grabbed my eye as I drove home though, reds & oranges & yellows. I knew the sun was going to disappear quickly. I intended to walk without a camera companion, but somehow my baby Canon jumped into my hand as I walked out of my door. The sun slipped below the horizon very quickly, but somehow, somehow...

Just playing, I thought I'd grab a moving shot of the leaves beneath my feet. Walking, kicking through a carpet of brightly colored leaves, daylight fading. Given the darkness, I'm surprised that I captured anything, although the darkness is what gave my little point & shoot the time to capture the blur of motion.

Late afternoon...

Home again after my wander to the coast... the sun was shining, and my bike was calling. A quick late afternoon ride in warmer temperatures than I would expect for October felt wonderful.