Apple Store (Palo Alto) experience

Man, talk about service. I don't think it can beat the Apple store support service. It's awesome! Not like the PC experience. The staff bends backward for you if you request. Put in a new HD for Audrey's Macbook as her drive crashed at MSP. When we arrived at Palo Alto, I went shopping for the OS X disk as well as the new iLife'08. Her computer just would not take the OS X installation disk, called over to the Apple Store, they sneaked me in to take a look; after 15 minutes and an exchange of an open box installation disk (u cannot do that with Bill's stuff I can assure you!), the technical staff basically just installed it via Firewire drive directly; total = 10 minutes! Bill's stuff cannot do that! Granted I have to do updates but so is Bill's. Now, the computer is up and running. I didn't have time leaving the computer for a day and two; and the technical staff made exception. They were trying to save me money by NOT letting me to purchase a new one on the spot! How cool was that?

SFO

Arrived via NWA on time from MSP to SFO. You would have thought that the airport signs are cleared and concise being in a hi-tech place. Wrong!!! This place is so stupid, confusing and convoluted. I am talking about the airport and its road leading out. The car rental place was way out of the airport; take the BLUE line. Not the RED Line; if you follow the signs to pick up your rental car, you maybe utterly confused when you arrive at the train platform. Which train? Umm...... Inside the train, you get no handles to hold on to. So, better practice your Chinese Ku Fu standing. That's the only way to keep your footing while the train is in motion. Leaving the airport... I would follow the sign and then the road led to turn left yet the sign for the highway still pointing to go straight. Go figure. Needless to say, it was to turn left.

WiFi access in YQR AC Lounge

Wow, YQR's AC lounge finally comes of age. The age of WiFi access. No longer do I need to "borrow" unsecured Access Points. Datavalet is the provider, just like any other AC lounges across Canada. After all these years of traveling via YQR, before I leave (almost 25 years later), we have WiFi in Regina. And I don't see any mouse traps !!!

Engagement party....

OK, the party is on the 20th at 630pm at Bick's store. Looks like there will be lots of people. I should mention to Bick hiring some security guards. Ha ha...

As I mentioned to some many moons ago, my stash of wine that I have saving for a special occasion... Well, they are coming out. I found a bottle of South African wine left in the basement that was from my 2000 trip. It will be good.

Come early to help open and sample them; as it needs to breath...

I have two bottles in the 1998 vintage and two from a year after; two Wolfblass and two South African.... Someone will have to drive me home...

Wedding Update Part 3

Vendors booked, location booked, everything is booked. Nice having a wedding planner. We are down to detail things like flower centre piece, colour of the flower bouquet, making up and mailing of the invitations, finalize guest list, wedding program, beverage consumption estimate, post-wedding brunch, etc.... I must be missing something everything seems to be done according to "plan". Ummm....

Now, I can focus on helping Bick to get the engagement party prepared - Aug 20; cancel my various utilities and get ready for the move.

Wedding Update Part Deux

Wedding planner hired. Location booked. It is at Honua Kai Lani Estate. Address: 7750 Makena Road. See map here. This place is on the south side close to Wailea. 15 minutes from Four Seasons Hotel. This is a useful link to Maui accommodation, activities and more.

O yeah, don't forget looking out to the sea as you will see lots of whales. It's February, I was told.

Preliminary schedule for a 3-day festival

Feb 2, 2008
- BBQ in the evening for wedding guests in lieu of a rehearsal dinner

Feb 3, 2008
- 230pm wedding ceremony begins
- 330pm chinese tea ceremony / picture taking
- after the wedding ceremony, reception begins as well ....
- 500pm dinner is served.... babysitters will be on site
- 700pm .... guess will have a DJ
- 1100pm .... lights out ...

Feb 4, 2008
- 1230pm brunch for wedding guests - could be at Four Seasons

Get a Mac for your next computer

It's not a joke. I have just purchased a Windows Vista computer; after 5 minutes with it, the only thing I can say is: Yuck!!!!!! (Along with some censored expressions in both Chinese and English languages.) This operating is really crappy in terms of usability. Maybe we are so accustomed to the XP currently available. But things have changed in the Vista that really not improving anything but cause more problems: 1) You need 2G of RAM to run. Don't be shy when buying a computer, 1G is not enough; remember the good old days when you buy a Windows XP with 512M of RAM? And then you complained things are running slow. Same thing; except now, you need 2G as a barebone minimum. 2) There is no Start, then Run.... It is so intuitively mislabeled as "Search" but you get a nice search box provided. 3) Network connection. You have to read more and carefully in order to understand what the F^&()^&% you are doing. ONLY after you have a IT/computer science degree to understand the verbage. 4) There is no Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel; it is now call Program Feature. 5) When I tried scrolling with a Microsoft wheel mouse, it worked sometimes but not the others on the same F*^$^%)_% screen. 6) Every time you try to do something "administratively", you get an annoying pop-up window asking to "are you sure" or something. 7) Visual cue of double clicking is gone, at least on some screens I was in. OK, OK, I better stop; this is only after 5 minutes of working with it for me without going to the net to seek out answers for simple tasks I could do normally with my eyes closed. Maybe I am old fashion and should be retired from IT. Or this product is just sucked.

Before swiping my credit card for this new Vista laptop, I was seeking high and low looking for a XP Pro machine in Regina - London Drugs and Best Buy; guess what, there are none in plain sight. And when I inquired about one, we were in such a soft voice I thought I was dealing with a less than legit purchase from a "dealer". The policy is "put those XP machines away, pretend they never exists". Hmmm... I wonder how many of those machines are out there.... Microsoft power...... Pretty awesome huh?

So to consider a new machine, take a look at the Mac. It's easier, less problematic, and nicer. If you have problem, I'll fix them for you. The interoperability between some "standardized" files (aka Microsoft standard) are interchangeable now. The only thing is certain games; but hey, not all are ready for Vista anyway....

Quick update

Ok, back from HKG. Got lots done as well as some R & R. Sale definitely was sale! All brand name product like Prada, St John's, Bally, Gucci, etc. were 1/2 price. Even 1/2 price still ran about close to $1,000CAD per piece. I would not know how much the same item costed in Canada; but yikes!

Anyay the wedding is shaping up. The venue may change due to the recommendation of our wedding planner. It's a bit bigger. It is going to be at Honua Kai Lani Estate; it is about 3 acres at the end of Makena which is about 15 minutes from Wailea. See map: here. It's a bit shorter drive than my original location. Will post more info about this new location later.

Audrey and I have agreed to provide babysitting service for the guests at the wedding ground. The wedding planner has couple sitters in mind that will compliment the age, toys and activities. As well, we will provide kid's menu. So when you get your RSVP, kindly promptly reply.

If you are a constant meat eater, our buffet will be vegetarian. And since this will be on a private estate, I will have to do a "beer" run or three to Costco. I will include a wish list to choose from, probably.... O yeah, there will be a BBQ the night before the wedding, everyone welcome. And of course, a brunch the day after.

And the most important piece or two activities - Golf and a visit to the big island to see the lava flowing.... I am thinking of golfing at least twice before the wedding and at least once afterward.

The Outrigger Palms on Wailea, pretty close to Four Seasons, is the choice of stay for the guests.... But feel free to do any other arrangements.

Anyway, that's about it for now.