tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128250952024-02-20T11:13:06.632-08:00Where's William?Is he in Seattle? What is he seeing? What films is he watching? What is he reading? What music is he hearing?Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.comBlogger193125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-59270229392904926022009-12-01T18:44:00.000-08:002009-12-02T11:43:32.753-08:00Considering insurance<h4>Travel Considerations Provided by the Following...<br />by Ryan<br /><a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2009/10/considering-travel-2009-08-1910-17.html">Guest Post</a></h4> Traveling for any reason is a gamble, especially when you face the reality that your at-home insurance [might not] touch the medical costs you incur abroad. Much of the headache of the gamble can be mitigated by travel insurance.<br /><br />Travel insurance can cover everything. It can be your medical and dental insurance, your life and accidental death insurance, and your car insurance, all wrapped in one. It even allows for the possibility of trip cancellation and interruption. Also, most travel insurance plans allot tens of thousands of dollars for emergency medical expenses, and hundreds of thousands of dollars for emergency medical transportation. This could be the difference between third-world care in Indonesia and first-world care in Singapore. More importantly, many in-state health plans don't cover injuries and illnesses abroad. Other pluses include accidental death coverage and repatriation of remains. Finally, car insurance: you may be a safe driver, but you haven't seen how some people drive abroad!<br /><br />Other considerations include: coverage of local ambulance services, repatriation of remains (in the event of accidental death), and emergency reunion with relatives. <a href="http://travelguard.com/">Travelguard</a>, <a href="http://www.travelex-insurance.com/quote/buy.aspx">Travelex</a>, and <a href="https://www.mnui.com/">HCC Medical Insurance Services</a> all offer comprehensive coverage options that are as flexible as your budget.Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-81077464342801015912009-11-29T10:34:00.000-08:002009-12-02T11:43:32.754-08:00Considering your health<h4>Travel Considerations Provided by the Following...<br />by Ryan<br /><a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2009/10/considering-travel-2009-08-1910-17.html">Guest Post</a></h4> The inevitable happened. William, who has been traveling to and from Mexico of late, brought back the most obvious stowaway: swine flu. It's made the rounds in the house, but we've survived and managed not to spread it any farther.<br /><br />Though we in the U.S. have had our brush with swine flu, many of us have largely put it behind us. We understand its severity and that we all know someone who's been affected by it--and survived without too much worry. Online, you'll find articles (like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_flu_pandemic">this</a> and <a href="http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/about/current/index.html#global">this</a>) calling this the year of the 2009 flu pandemic. But personally, I'm not too worried about it. Initially, people speculated that swine flu would rival huge-scale and deadly pandemics like the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_flu">Spanish Flu of 1918</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influenza_A_virus_subtype_H2N2#Asian_flu">Asian Flu of 1957</a>, or the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_flu">Hong Kong Flu of 1968</a> (overview <a href="http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/about/current/index.html#global">here</a>). It doesn't appear to be the case anymore. People get sick, then go on with their lives.<br /><br />How is it we've gone from crazy to carefree?<br /><br />My answer is, the same way we forget that malaria, AIDS, cholera, and rabies continue all over the world, largely unnoticed by us. Whatever we have to say about our health care (and recent months have proven that many of us have a lot to say about it, whether we <a href="http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/">understand it</a> or <a href="http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2009/08/sarah_palin_obamas_healthcare.html">not</a>), Americans are generally healthy. We fret over the common cold more than malaria, contracting cancer than AIDS. Diabetes and heart disease are more real evils to us than are famine and pestilence.<br /><br />Changing locales, however, means changing perspectives. Malaria is rampant in many parts of the developing world. Missions to Sub-Saharan Africa to battle poverty inevitably bring AIDS to the forefront. Prepare yourself for the ailments of your destination, rather than those of your origin.<br /><br />Visit a travel clinic, such as <a href="http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/locations/travelclinic.aspx">King County's</a>. Travel clinics are often more prepared for travel questions and concerns than your general practitioner. They also usually have vaccines on hand and can write prescriptions for drugs important to travel. For more information about travel ailments, preventative measures and medicines against them--including where and how to get them while abroad--visit the <a href="http://cdc.gov/">CDC website</a>.<h5>Immunizations, Vaccinations</h5> Get <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immunization">immunized</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccination">vaccinated</a> before you go abroad. Shell out the dough and embrace your right to be healthy all over the world. Here's one preventative measure--a kind of prepaid insurance plan--that could save your life.<br /><br />The vaccines may be costly, but they are most certainly worth it. The rabies vaccine is hundreds of dollars, yet few places in the world are rabies-free. The vaccine allows an infected person more time to get to a facility with the proper treatment. The cost more than makes up for the discomfort, subsequent cost of care, and is worth the extra time it would take to get to a hospital with the cure. [I got it when traveling to places in <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/Africa">Africa</a> with lots of animals and little medical care. --William]<br /><br />It's also important to allow enough time before travel for multiple immunization/vaccination shots, which is the case for the Hepatitis vaccination series. Equally important is the fact that some of these shots cannot be taken one after the other; there is a necessary window between doses of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepatitis_B_vaccine">HepB</a> vaccine, for instance. <h5>Prescriptions</h5> Travel clinicians can prescribe drugs, such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cipro">ciprofloxacin</a> for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traveler%27s_diarrhea">traveler's diarrhea</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetazolamide">acetazolamide</a> for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altitude_sickness">altitude sickness</a>--among others. Your general practitioner can prescribe the same drugs, but they don't always have the right information about a location at their fingertips. Patronize your local travel clinic, because they often suffer from budget cutbacks, though they often offer cheaper services than your own GP. In the event that you run out of a drug abroad, it's possible to get a replacement in-country. Do some research beforehand though. Fake drugs can be found everywhere.Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-85309943146727594842009-10-31T01:17:00.000-07:002009-12-02T11:43:32.755-08:00Considering the place<h4>Travel Considerations Provided by the Following...<br />by Ryan<br /><a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2009/10/considering-travel-2009-08-1910-17.html">Guest Post</a></h4> When traveling abroad, your first course of action is to visit the U.S. Department of State <a href="http://travel.state.gov/">travel page</a>. It has important information about visa requirements and travel advisories, and lets you register your travel itinerary with them.<br /><h5>Visa Requirements</h5> American travelers are lucky. Many countries around the world have friendly, diplomatic relations with us and will happily take our money. High-frequency travel destinations (Japan, Australia, <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2009/05/christchurch-2009-05-18.html">New Zealand</a>, Thailand--and many places in Europe, thanks to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Agreement">Schengen Agreement</a>) have lax visa requirements for American visitors in town for a bit. For everywhere else, there's the Bureau of Consular Affairs.<br /><br />There are gray areas. Online, you'll see it's "easy" to secure a short-term visa in Indonesia. Compared to Japan and Thailand, however, getting an Indonesian visa is not easy. You wait in one line to pay for it. Then you wait in another huge line that take up ninety percent of airport's international receiving room to pick it up. No air-conditioning, no ventilation. Two hours later, you leave the airport, sticky with sweat, visas in hand.<br /><br />Of course, you can always secure a visa for many places in advance online.<br /><h5>Travel Advisories</h5> Check out any international travel advisories before you leave home. It will prepare you for the unknown. Tourist havens aren't exempt; anyone who's had her purse or his wallet stolen knows. Moreover, criminals are often unique to an area. For example, in many places it's best to arrange a cab, e.g. through a hotel, rather than hail one off a street. In Indonesia, you may pay too much. In seedier parts of Mexico, it could cost you your life.<br /><h5>Register Your Itinerary</h5> This may seem a little too "Big Brother" for you, but how else will anyone know you were kidnapped and imprisoned in North Korea? Bill Clinton won't know where to rescue you from. Register your itinerary online, and you'll be in a better position, should you get in hot water.<br /><br />And leave the recreational drugs at home. Singapore would imprison you for even having illegal drugs in your system, let alone on your person. Would you trust an OTC detox kit to save you from prison abroad?Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-55838573804436519512009-10-17T10:25:00.000-07:002009-12-02T11:43:32.756-08:00Considering travel (2009-08-19/10-17)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/4019621647/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2536/4019621647_8f24f91793_o.jpg" alt="Ryan and Buddha at Ayutthaya Historical Park" border="0" /></a><br />Ryan has traveled with me to 10 countries in 6 years (Canada, Mexico, <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/Paris">France</a>, England, Germany, <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2009/05/buying-tickets-2009-05-0708.html">China</a>, <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/Australasia">New Zealand</a>, <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2009/05/buying-tickets-2009-05-0708.html">Indonesia, Thailand, and Japan</a>), and has <a href="http://parisfall2006.blogspot.com/">blogged about Paris</a>. As I have traveled alone for work recently, Ryan has written a series of guest blog posts on items to consider before traveling.<br /><h4>Travel Considerations Provided by the Following...<br />by Ryan<br />Guest Posts</h4>William has been traveling a lot lately, first for fun, now for work. With little notice, he flies off to Sacramento, CA, USA, or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chihuahua,_Chihuahua">Chihuahua</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chihuahua">CH</a>, Mexico. He hopes one day to be sent on assignments in South America--Argentina or Chile--or Europe--especially Spain or Italy, both of which we missed when we were in <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/Paris">Paris</a>, France, for ten weeks in the <a href="http://parisfall2006.blogspot.com/">Fall of 2006</a>.<br />Because of this, we've come up with a kind of regimen for travel. He hates packing, so I often help him, or he waits till the day of to do it. We try to set things in order so that I'll at least have an idea of how things should look when he gets back. Though he drags his feet sometimes, the one thing he doesn't procrastinate about is investigating his destination.<br />It behooves the healthy world-traveler like William to sit down for a little pre-travel planning. It's one thing to bum around the US--where the laws are familiar and people speak English. Not so abroad, even as close as Mexico. Many people assume that, if American tourists are mucking about, the place must be safe. But you might want exercise a little more <span style="font-style: italic;">pre</span>caution...<br /><br />These guest blogposts will address three areas of particular import for the new and seasoned frequent-flyer--tips to lubricate the often sticky wheels that get you to and from your destination safely. They concern the following: first and foremost, the place you'll be spending all your time at; your health; and finally, as a less than obvious extension of the former, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travel_insurance">travel insurance</a>--which will preserve your well being as well as your wallet. Finally, I'll give an example of when all three concerns came into play: my and William's trip around <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/China">China</a> in the Spring of 2008.Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-1872826672414292832009-05-18T10:06:00.000-07:002009-05-18T10:35:02.670-07:00Christchurch (2009-05-18)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/3541908358/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3332/3541908358_c39d99a848.jpg" alt="Tree Near Water Fountain at Christchurch Botanical Gardens" border="0" /></a>After <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2009/05/new-zealand-2009-05-18.html">a day of mostly sitting in airports and airplanes</a>, I was anxious to <a href="http://walkertracker.com/index.php?page=post&id=2866&bid=441872">walk</a>, especially since that is one this trip's <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2009/05/planning-travel-2009-05-0105.html">priorities</a>. Ryan and I roughly followed, in reverse, the walking tour of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christchurch">Christchurch</a> from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Insight-Guides-Zealand-Step-Step/dp/9812588485/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Insight Guides New Zealand Step by Step</span></a>, taking extra time in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christchurch_Botanic_Gardens">Christchurch Botanic Gardens</a>. The garden and surrounding area feel like part of an English city.Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-7623848237223458942009-05-17T17:31:00.001-07:002009-05-18T10:34:23.941-07:00New Zealand (2009-05-18)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2262/3540947640_1280dbcf42.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2262/3540947640_1280dbcf42.jpg" alt="New Zealand Passport Stamp" border="0" /></a>After a full day of traveling we find ourselves visitors somewhere <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/06/reading-25-wildlife-adventures-2006-06.html">new</a>. The day was a 2:37 flight to Los Angeles, 5:13 in LAX, a 12:45 flight to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland_City">Aukland</a>, 2:45 in Aukland going through <a href="http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/">biosecurity</a> and customs, and a 1:20 flight to Christchurch. Traveling took care of Saturday and the <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/International_Date_Line.png">International Date Line</a> took care of Sunday, so Ryan and I arrive Monday the farthest south (approximately <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-43.532778,172.632778&spn=0.1,0.1&t=h&q=-43.532778,172.632778">43°32' S</a>) we have ever been, in New Zealand on a new <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continent#Number_of_continents">continent</a> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zealandia_%28continent%29">Zealandia</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australasia">Australasia</a>). The Boeing 747-400 was empty enough to permit sleeping across seats, so we end up with enough energy to walk Christchurch Monday afternoon.Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-47074655109261901382009-05-13T06:35:00.000-07:002009-05-13T06:40:05.396-07:00Buying tickets (2009-05-07/08)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/3520221102"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3174/3520221102_0dbc4d806a.jpg" alt="William on Lamma Island Path" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2009/05/planning-furlough-2009-04-2730.html">Furlough</a> <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2009/05/planning-travel-2009-05-0105.html">travel</a> plans led me to <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2006/05/buying-air-canada-tickets-2006-05-05.html">once</a> <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2008/05/buying-northwest-tickets-2008-04-30.html">again</a> purchase international flights leaving 2009-05-16 and returning 2009-07-01. Here's the itinerary:<br /><ul><li>New Zealand (Christchurch to Aukland) 2009-05-18/30</li><li>Indonesia (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denpasar">Denpasar</a>, Bali) 2009-05-30/06-13</li><li>Thailand (Bangkok) 2009-06-13/23</li><li>Japan (Tokyo) 2009-06-23/07-01</li></ul>A Circle Pacific ticket appears twice as expensive, so these are changeable (for a fee) and refundable flights, <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2009/05/planning-contigencies-2009-05-06.html">in case</a> we want to go to <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2009/05/resuming-mandarin-2009-05-03.html">China</a> or return to the US.Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-41607051154584130252009-05-10T14:28:00.001-07:002009-05-13T06:40:35.750-07:00Planning contigencies (2009-05-06)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/3519263949/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3621/3519263949_da26591214.jpg" alt="William on Victoria Peak" border="0" /></a>There's the <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2009/05/resuming-mandarin-2009-05-03.html">chance of work in China</a>, but I'm going <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2009/05/planning-travel-2009-05-0105.html">traveling</a> on <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2009/05/planning-furlough-2009-04-2730.html">furlough</a>. It appears it's possible to obtain a <a href="http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/acs_prcvisa.html">Chinese business visa in Hong Kong, where an American citizen can visit for 90 days</a> without a visa. I liked Hong Kong, so a trip there is a contingency plan in case of work in China.Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-22449968933517950322009-05-10T14:24:00.001-07:002009-05-13T06:40:05.397-07:00Planning travel (2009-05-01/05)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/3519298059/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3539/3519298059_ef6b2f140b_m.jpg" alt="William Overlooking Terracotta Army" border="0" /></a><br />There's <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2009/05/planning-furlough-2009-04-2730.html">time</a> to travel. Once again the questions are "<a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/06/reading-25-wildlife-adventures-2006-06.html">Where should William go?</a>" and "<a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/09/reading-year-of-adventures-2007-06-1307.html">What should William do?</a>"<br /><h4>Where Should William Go?</h4>I've been to Asia (<a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/China">China</a>) since I last asked these questions on my <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/">blog</a>. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continent#Number_of_continents">continents</a> (besides Antarctica) that I haven't visited are South America (though of course I live in the Americas) and Australia (though I <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/Oceania">have</a> been to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oceania">Oceania, which includes</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australasia">Australasia</a>). If I went to South America I'd want to practice Spanish. I'm <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2009/05/resuming-mandarin-2009-05-03.html">resuming Mandarin</a>, so Australasia seems good.<br /><br />In fact, it might be fun to <a href="http://www.oneworld.com/ow/air-travel-options/multi-sector-intercontinental-fares/circle-pacific-fare#example-itineraries">circle the pacific</a> (see "<a href="http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/100-countries-or-an-suv/">Part II of the Vision</a>" and "<a href="http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/what-i-talk-about-when-i-talk-about-travel/">How do you arrange your flights?</a>" on <a href="http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/">The Art of Non-Conformity</a>). Previous comments recommended <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/06/reading-25-wildlife-adventures-2006-06.html?showComment=1182873300000#c8784312455516047990">New Zealand</a>, <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/06/reading-25-wildlife-adventures-2006-06.html?showComment=1182038940000#c8959579296306522980">Thailand, and Japan</a>. I've found friends and friends of friends recommend <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Bali">Bali</a>.<br /><h4>What Should William Do?</h4>Below are my travel priorities:<br /><ol><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Photograph wildlife.</span> Since <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasy">fantasy</a> was an early inspiration to travel, why not photograph a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komodo_dragon">dragon</a>? Another possibility is <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/northland/kauri-coast/trounson-kauri-park/activities/">kiwi-spotting in Trounson Kauri Park</a>.<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Walk.</span> While it's <a href="http://www.tourism.net.nz/new-zealand/about-new-zealand/weather-and-climate.html#climate">almost winter in New Zealand</a>, there might be <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_Great_Walks">great walks</a>.<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">See mountains.</span> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/locations"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Lord of the Rings</span></a> <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/06/reading-25-wildlife-adventures-2006-06.html?showComment=1185940320000#c8360663845789894181">movies suggest beautiful mountains</a> in New Zealand. In addition, Ryan offered to climb <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Mount_Fuji">Mount Fuji</a> to persuade me to visit Japan.<br /></li><li>Visit forests.</li><li>Sail.</li><li>Visit ruins.</li><li>See castles.</li></ol>That's a lot to cover! Aside from living in <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/Paris">Paris</a>, my longest trip to date was one month in east <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/Africa">Africa</a>. I'd like to travel longer than a month this time.<br /><br />[Resized photograph.]Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-35345455327261744452009-05-10T14:11:00.000-07:002009-05-12T10:01:02.713-07:00Planning furlough (2009-04-27/30)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/3520167040/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3520167040_ce8f52fd42.jpg" alt="Sign on Trail to Tian Tan Buddha" border="0" /></a><br />Despite the <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2009/05/resuming-mandarin-2009-05-03.html">prospect of work</a> in <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/China">China</a>, there is currently little coaching or development management for me. Consequently my company sent me on furlough. The finances suggest the furlough could stop in 30 to 60 days; sales staff suggest it will stop sooner. Since I've <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2008/08/imagining-financial-planning-2008-08-06.html">saved</a> (expenses and taxes at home average 52% of income), this seems like an opportunity to both help my employer and to <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/travel">travel</a> while I'm still brave enough to do it. I think it is more likely than not that there will be work when I return.<br /><br />[Resized photograph.]Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-56441821738692293082009-05-07T10:48:00.001-07:002009-05-10T14:10:51.131-07:00Resuming Mandarin (2009-05-03)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/3510259437/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3562/3510259437_eb9f2e2ebe.jpg" alt="William in Front of Great Wall at Jīnshānlǐng" border="0" /></a><br />It's a coin toss whether I will <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2008/05/arriving-in-bijng-2008-05-13.html">return</a> to <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/China">China</a> this summer--this time with a business <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2008/05/getting-visas-2008-03-13.html">visa</a> for coaching, consulting, or development. My employer might have an opportunity, and might send me. Asking simple questions before a Friday social (你想喝葡萄酒吗/Nǐ xiǎng hē pútáojiǔ ma/Do you want to drink wine?) suggests <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2008/04/listening-to-mandarin-2008-01-0504-20.html">my rudimentary Mandarin study</a> makes me the best non-native speaker in the office. I would enjoy <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2008/05/buying-northwest-tickets-2008-04-30.html">traveling China</a> again, and I need work, so I have resumed studying in hope of temporarily relocating there.Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-66931532764064842462008-08-06T22:37:00.000-07:002008-08-18T17:10:39.995-07:00Imagining financial planning (2008-08-06)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/2740147357/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/2740147357_e5334cbefb.jpg" alt="Sample Retirement" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2008/08/imagining-travel-writing-2008-08-02.html">Another life I imagine</a> might be some sort of a financial planner. Clearly I like to <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/1558311826/">play</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/1638547860/">with</a> <a href="http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pSdXC4fhIBoz1vXVaC8l1Rw">numbers</a>, and <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/10/reading-rich-dad-poor-dad-2007-10-07.html">review</a> <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/10/rereading-truth-about-money-part-1-2007.html">personal</a> <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/10/rereading-truth-about-money-parts-2-5.html">finance</a> <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/12/reading-four-pillars-of-investing.html">books</a> (e.g., illustrating compound interest and the cost of current gratification, or explaining stocks and bonds). While I'd like further education, I already have some competence with finance, following this advice:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/10/simplifying-on-saturday-2007-10-06.html">Simplify</a> by donating or selling unneeded items.</li><li>Maintain a used car as long as possible (e.g., by <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/12/reviewing-2007-in-seattle-2007-12-31.html">minimizing driving</a>).<br /></li><li>Have no debt--in fact, through budgeting save an emergency fund for one year's expenses.<br /></li><li>Save and research for major purchases (including <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/SIFF">SIFF</a> and <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/travel">travel</a>).</li><li>Pay bills online automatically.<br /></li><li>Almost always pay the full balance on credit cards selected for their features.</li><li>Regularly review three free credit reports.<br /></li><li>Contribute to an (Roth or traditional) IRA.</li><li>Use savings to defer income in order to start a business.<br /></li><li>Research and purchase auto, dental, disability, liability, life, medical, renter's, and vision insurance, combining when possible.<br /></li><li>Have an estate plan.<br /></li><li>Set up a 401(k) and fully fund it.</li><li>Periodically review asset allocation.</li><li>Have written goals and milestones for net worth and retirement.</li></ul>While I'm not (yet) a millionaire, I would be interested in coaching others in Seattle, particularly those starting out in technical fields.<br /><br />[Corrected wording.]Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-75442906199361970892008-08-02T23:00:00.000-07:002008-08-03T14:39:18.982-07:00Imagining travel writing (2008-08-02)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/2729567502/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/2729567502_f9f7c60b58_o.jpg" alt="Inside Cathedral in Germany" border="0" /></a><br />Although it is probably more efficient to make needed money with another <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2008/07/building-sf-atis-2003-06-072004-03-24.html">interest</a> and take time to <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/travel">travel</a>, I sometimes wonder what life would be like as a <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/jobs/becomeauthor.cfm">freelance travel writer</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/">photographer</a>. It's fun to imagine other lives.<br /><br />I would continue <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/06/reading-25-wildlife-adventures-2006-06.html">my quest to visit every continent (except Antarctica), and then visit various regions within each continent</a>. Without worrying about other income, I would also travel more slowly, writing each day--rather than recording only a small portion of the trip afterwards (like <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/China">China</a>, <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/Paris">Paris</a>, <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/Oceania">Hawai`i</a>, east <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/Africa">Africa</a>, or the <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/05/reading-travels-with-charley-2007-05.html">perimeter of the USA</a>) or not at all (like <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/tags/germany/">Germany</a>, Los Cabos, Banff National Park, or Honduras). That way I would finish my recollections before my next trip began! (For example, I don't remember which cathedral in Germany I was in when I took <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/2729567502/">this natural light photograph</a>.)<br /><br />[Edited link.]Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-38255436959296736792008-07-27T10:38:00.000-07:002008-07-27T11:07:53.371-07:00Hiking Boulder River (2008-07-26)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/2707342080/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3147/2707342080_787af1c169.jpg" alt="Boulder River Falls (Upper Part)" border="0" /></a><br />For me, July 2008 has included three short hikes a short drive from Seattle:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=%4047.733273,+-122.256152&ie=UTF8&ll=47.733262,-122.25616&spn=0.019801,0.037251&t=h&z=15">St. Edward's Park</a> with graduate school colleagues on ---05,<br /></li><li>Cougar Mountain (though I considered <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/02/walking-ebeys-landing-2007-02-02.html">Ebeys Landing</a>) with friends on ---12, and</li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/2707341998/map/?view=users">Boulder River</a> with my dad on ---26.</li></ul>A couple of these let me spend part of a day in the forest--one of my <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/12/reviewing-2007-in-seattle-2007-12-31.html">goals for this year</a>. Only on the most recent hike did I remember my camera. I'm enjoying the <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2008/05/walking-around-seattle-2008-04-2205-10.html">exercise</a>.Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-85520188960982692492008-07-21T21:24:00.000-07:002008-07-21T22:28:44.961-07:00Building SF ATIS (2003-06-07/2004-03-24)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/2691959832/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3066/2691959832_7086a2c669.jpg" alt="Golden Gate Bridge Suspension" border="0" /></a><br />Sending the final invoice this month for maintenance of the <a href="http://traffic.511.org/">real-time Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS) Web site for the San Francisco Bay area</a> has me reflecting on my company's past projects to discern what I would like to do next. I liked managing a team to build the site using <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capability_Maturity_Model#Level_2_-_Repeatable">repeatable</a> processes. I contributed by implementing the site's <a href="http://traffic.511.org/traffic_map.asp?drivingtimes=1">driving times</a> calculations in SQL and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VBScript">VBScript</a>, writing an SQL test suite, and configuring <a href="http://www.bb4.org/">Big Brother</a> monitoring. Often I reviewed code and design documentation. In fact, some days I mostly made decisions. The result was an accessible and easy-to-use map and text system capable of delivering a million page views per day via (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F5_Networks#BIG-IP">BIG-IP</a>) load-balancing two three-server stacks.<br /><br />I'm proud of our ability to rapidly reach this result within a fixed fee and schedule. Our team took less time to revise the requirements and build the site than the previous company had taken to produce the requirements--and did so in the remaining budget!Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-63232926330033556062008-05-27T18:11:00.000-07:002008-07-27T11:13:28.313-07:00Seeing Forbidden City (2008-05-14)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/2498935490/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2356/2498935490_9da67d6508.jpg" alt="Halls and Lions" border="0" /></a><a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2008/05/walking-around-seattle-2008-04-2205-10.html">Walking</a> around in the summer warmth of the famous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_City">Forbidden City</a>, taking <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/tags/forbiddencity/">photographs</a> of the red buildings, I feel the elation of a first meeting with someone beautiful. Forbidden City is a fling, however, as I doubt I could live in Běijīng knowing that the sky is not misty but <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2008/05/arriving-in-bijng-2008-05-13.html">smoggy</a>.<br /><br />There are surprisingly few people in Forbidden City in the early morning as we work our way south to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen_Square">Tiān'ānmén Square</a>. The crowds arrive later and travel north. We hear Spanish in the gift shop and chat with a traveler from Spain.<br /><br />After Forbidden City, Tiān'ānmén Square, and a disappointing lunch, jet lag lures us into a nap before a Peking Roast Duck dinner at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quanjude">Quanjude</a>. A friend of a friend who is in Běijīng working for Microsoft meets us. The duck there is delicious.<br /><br />[Added more links.]Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-37645382421915327312008-05-27T17:51:00.000-07:002008-05-27T18:11:43.137-07:00Arriving in Běijīng (2008-05-13)May 12 we were in the United States of America, and May 13 we were in the People's Republic of China for <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2008/05/buying-northwest-tickets-2008-04-30.html">three weeks of vacation</a> (with no <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2008/05/getting-visas-2008-03-13.html">visa trouble</a>). Two airplanes and a taxi brought us to Běijīng, to Xiyuan Villa. On the way the language around us changed from English to Japanese (changing planes in Tokyo) to <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2008/04/listening-to-mandarin-2008-01-0504-20.html">Mandarin</a>.<br /><br />Běijīng smells burnt. That's my first impression as I sit in the speeding taxi. It's an official Běijīng taxi, from the taxi stand rather than the salesman inside, but still it has no seat belts. The impression of burning stays with me for a week. The back of my throat and my eyes burn. A business associate later says he smokes only in Běijīng. Since he's going to inhale smoke anyway, he says, it might as well taste good. He also doubts the seat belts would save me from anything.<br /><br />[Added explanatory links.]Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-44142977997051098532008-05-26T19:00:00.000-07:002008-05-28T19:07:59.038-07:00Leaving Feistel (2008-05-12)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/2498166294/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2353/2498166294_1c51e762f0_o.jpg" alt="Feistel at Teri's House" border="0" /></a>We <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2006/10/visiting-feistel-2006-09-26.html">once again</a> left our cat with a friend while traveling, this time for <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2008/05/buying-northwest-tickets-2008-04-30.html">three weeks</a> instead of <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2006/05/buying-air-canada-tickets-2006-05-05.html">two months</a>.Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-35637938012417351172008-05-10T17:10:00.000-07:002008-07-27T11:13:28.314-07:00Walking around Seattle (2008-04-22/05-10)After 226 days of <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/09/walking-2007-09-0714.html">walking</a> entered in <a href="http://walkertracker.com/WheresWilliam">Walker Tracker</a>, on April 21 the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OMRON">Omron</a> Health Management Software, while receiving data (using a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Serial_Bus">USB</a> cable from the pedometer to the PC), began reporting "The data transfer failed." I hoped it would eventually download--perhaps after the offending day's data had left the device's memory--but now my Omron HJ-720ITC pedometer has begun showing days with zero steps. Like others who have <a href="http://www.buyzillion.com/B000MN92WM/Reviews/Omron+HJ-720ITC+Pocket+Pedometer+with.html">posted</a> <a href="http://www.echoprice.com/28,3375301,B000MN92WM,Omron-HJ-720ITC-Pocket-Pedometer-with-Advanced-Omron-Health-Management-Software.html">elsewhere</a>, I am "disappointed" at the device failure. "For me the selling point was the USB connection," <a href="http://us.geometry.net/search.php?mode=health&searchtype=list&search=R3QMWJABDM66HW&productname=Most%20Wished-For%20Products%20of%202006">wrote one reviewer</a> (see <a href="http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:Lm256jUhXBMJ:us.geometry.net/search.php%3Fmode%3Dhealth%26searchtype%3Dlist%26search%3DR3QMWJABDM66HW%26productname%3DMost%2520Wished-For%2520Products%2520of%25202006+Omron+HJ-720ITC+%22data+transfer+failed%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us">Google cache</a>). I'll switch pedometers to resume tracking.Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-31781623084753216402008-05-10T08:54:00.000-07:002008-05-10T12:05:25.620-07:00Getting immunized downtown (2008-05-06)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/2481129028/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2368/2481129028_6e748d4e23_o.jpg" alt="Tarangire River" border="0" /></a><br />While I was entering <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarangire_National_Park">Tarangire National Park</a> (March 14, 2000), a tsetse fly bit the back of my hand. Fearing further bites, when I reached the porch of my ridge tent I took off my shirt to spray it with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permethrin">Permethrin</a>--and a tsetse fly bit my back.<br /><br />Later that day I developed diarrhea and a moderate fever. As my temperature rose I worried I would become delirious and no one would discover my condition. This was one of three times in <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/Africa">Africa</a> that I wished I had a traveling companion.<br /><br />My fever stopped rising and finally dropped, I got some rest, and my driver checked with me the next morning. The following day I was well and resumed my safari, taking <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/02/wandering-east-africa-years-ago-2000-03.html">photographs</a> of <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/03/remembering-elephants-2000-03-14.html">elephants</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/271119977/">afternoon storms</a>.<br /><br />This illustrates part of my philosophy of <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/travel">travel</a>. I take whatever precautions are possible, accept that traveling has risks, and then forget my worries and focus on enjoying the experience.<br /><br />Some precautions are medications and vaccinations for vaccine-preventable diseases. Last year I <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/03/reading-dont-lets-go-to-dogs-tonight.html">wrote</a> about anti-malarial medication, mosquito avoidance, and a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/423584372/">red colobus monkey</a>. Vaccinations include routine vaccinations like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MMR_vaccine">MMR</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polio_vaccine">polio</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TDAP">Tdap</a>, as well as vaccinations like hepatitis (A and B), rabies, and typhoid.<br /><br />When I went to Africa, I was <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/06/reading-25-wildlife-adventures-2006-06.html">watching wild animals</a>, so I received rabies vaccinations. For <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2008/05/buying-northwest-tickets-2008-04-30.html">our trip to China</a>, there wasn't time for the series, and we anticipated less time outdoors. For similar reasons we didn't get the Japanese encephalitis vaccinations. In addition, there are <a href="http://www.metrokc.gov/health/immunization/travelclinics.htm#yellowfever">shortages</a> of both of those vaccines. We'll avoid <a href="http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationChina.aspx#mal_risk">malaria-risk areas of China</a> as well. We did go to King County <a href="http://www.metrokc.gov/health/locations/downtown.htm">Downtown Public Health Center</a> <a href="http://www.metrokc.gov/health/immunization/travelclinics.htm">Travel Clinic</a> to update routine vaccinations and get hepatitis and typhoid vaccinations. Finally, Ryan is spraying our clothing with Permethrin. At least this time I'm not traveling alone.Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-90639984888587031842008-05-08T11:27:00.000-07:002008-05-08T12:34:03.638-07:00Buying Northwest Tickets (2008-04-30)At the end of April I bought us tickets to China using <a href="http://www.expedia.com/">Expedia Travel</a>. We depart Seattle May 12, arriving in Tokyo on May 13 and proceeding on to Běijīng. We depart Hong Kong June 2 for Seattle (via Tokyo again). We're excited to <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/09/walking-to-work-2006-10-26.html">again venture abroad</a> to somewhere <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/06/reading-25-wildlife-adventures-2006-06.html">new</a><a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2008/04/listening-to-mandarin-2008-01-0504-20.html"></a>. It's been nearly two years since <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2006/05/buying-air-canada-tickets-2006-05-05.html">we purchased our last international flights</a> to <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/Paris">Paris</a>. I hope they honor our <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2008/05/getting-visas-2008-03-13.html">visas </a>because I'm looking forward to <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2008/04/listening-to-mandarin-2008-01-0504-20.html">learning Mandarin</a> and seeing tourist sights (e.g., <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Palaces">palaces</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Buddhist_temples#China">temples</a>)!Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-13019315943363115172008-05-07T16:15:00.000-07:002008-05-08T12:34:03.639-07:00Getting Visas (2008-03-13)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25409606@N00/2474284613/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2249/2474284613_e355c01030_o.jpg" alt="Tourist Visa to China" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2008/04/listening-to-mandarin-2008-01-0504-20.html">Learning Mandarin</a> leaves me interested in traveling the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PRC">PRC</a>. We filled out the "Visa Application Form of the People’s Republic of China", listing as destinations <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourist_attractions_of_Beijing">Běijīng</a>, <span lang=""><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jinan#Attractions">Jǐnán</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai">Shànghǎi</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangzhou#Tourism">Hángzhōu</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiamen#Tourism">Xiàmén</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guangzhou#Tourist_attractions">Guǎngzhōu</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenzhen#Tourist_attractions">Shēnzhèn</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Hong_Kong#Attractions_and_facilities">Hong Kong</a>, and Aòmén (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macau">Macau</a>).<br /><br />On March 7 I relinquished two passports and US$300 cash to <a href="http://holidaychinachina.com/">Holiday China China</a> in Seattle. A week or so later I retrieved the passports with 12-month multiple-entry <a href="http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84246.htm">tourist (L) visas</a> valid for 60 days each entry.<br /><br />On March 27, according to the <a href="http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/">South China Morning Post</a> (via a thread in <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1585596">Asia - North-East Asia Thorn Tree Travel Forum</a>), the PRC stopped issuing multiple-entry visas, restricting travelers to single- or double-entry visas valid for 30 days. This is especially inconvenient for <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120917750942747113.html?mod=googlenews_wsj">business travelers</a>, one of whom started a <a href="http://thechinavisa.blogspot.com/">blog</a>. A business associate with an apartment in Běijīng wrote, "First time in 15 years I have worried about China immigration." <a href="http://voanews.com/english/2008-05-06-voa26.cfm">Yesterday the PRC said the restrictions on visas are part of its Olympic security measures</a>. I'm glad we applied early, though I'm slightly worried about third-hand rumors of <a href="http://www.allroadsleadtochina.com/index.php/2008/05/02/multiple-entry-chinese-visas-being-canceled-at-border/">multiple entry Chinese visas being canceled at the border</a>.<br /></span>Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-34806314017337180822008-04-27T18:52:00.001-07:002008-05-08T12:34:03.640-07:00Listening to Mandarin (2008-01-05/04-20)Today I am intrigued by juxtaposition of contrasts in spoken (and written) Chinese:<br /><ul><li>to ask, "Is it?" say <span style="font-style: italic;">shì bú shì</span> (是不是), putting "is" next to "isn't";</li><li>to refer to "thing," say <span style="font-style: italic;">dōng xi</span> (东西), putting "east" next to "west";</li><li>to ask, "How many?" say <span style="font-style: italic;">duō shao</span> (多少), putting "many" next to "few"; and<br /></li><li>to refer to "size", say <span style="font-style: italic;">dà xiǎo</span>(大小), putting "big" next to "small."</li></ul>Though not in this blog's <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/12/reviewing-2007-in-seattle-2007-12-31.html">goal list</a>, "Chat in Mandarin" is my 2008 non-work mental challenge. I listen daily on my 30 GB iPod to <span style="font-style: italic;">Instant Immersion Mandarin Chinese</span> or <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.simonsays.com/content/index.cfm?sid=128">Pimsleur</a> Chinese (Mandarin) I</span>, usually while doing <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/09/at-caf-on-ave-reviewing-workouts-2007.html">30 minutes of moderate activity</a>. I chose Mandarin because <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/06/reading-25-wildlife-adventures-2006-06.html">Asia would be new</a> to me and because there are <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_languages_by_number_of_native_speakers#Top_20">perhaps 1.05 billion speakers</a>. It's the language with the most native speakers (followed by Spanish and English, which I already speak)--an order of magnitude more speakers than other Chinese languages like Cantonese.<br /><br />I've written about mental <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/04/reading-8th-habit-2007-03-2604-26.html">self-improvement</a> <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/04/rereading-7-habits-of-highly-effective.html">several</a> <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/01/reading-laws-of-simplicity-2007-01-2021.html">times</a>. Recent research into <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroplasticity">neuroplasticity</a> suggests thinking, learning, and acting actually change the brain. One of the activities <span style="font-style: italic;">Mozart's Brain and the Fighter Pilot: Unleashing Your Brain's Potential</span> consequently encourages is memorization. Since Mandarin is not in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-European_languages">Indo-European language family</a> like Spanish and English, it poses a memorization challenge for me (though thankfully not due to noun declensions or verb conjugations).<br /><br />An additional memorization challenge is learning Chinese characters or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanzi"><span style="font-style: italic;">hàn zì</span></a> (汉字). In fact, some <a href="http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/%7Emyl/languagelog/archives/003184.html">recommend against learning characters at first</a>; others think writing is the main reason <a href="http://www.pinyin.info/readings/texts/moser.html">Chinese is so hard</a>. (In contrast, to me the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_Mandarin#Tones">four</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tone_%28linguistics%29">tones</a> don't sound hard so far.) I am studying an average of one <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simplified_chinese">simplified character</a> and compound per day from <a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/periplus/shopping/product_details.php?id=9780804838160"><span style="font-style: italic;">Tuttle Learning Chinese Characters Volume 1: A Revolutionary New Way To Learn And Remember The 800 Most Basic Chinese Characters</span></a>.<br /><br />For flashcards I enter <span style="font-style: italic;">hàn zì</span> into Zhongwen Development Tool (<a href="http://zdt.sourceforge.net/">zdt</a>),a program discussed in <a href="http://www.chinese-forums.com/">Chinese forums</a> that has a plug-in to search the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CEDICT">CEDICT</a> <a href="http://www.mandarintools.com/worddict.html">Chinese-English dictionary</a>. I also downloaded a Pimsleur <a href="http://zdt.sourceforge.net/main/wordlist_index/">word list for zdt</a>. The zdt stores <span style="font-style: italic;">hàn zì</span>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinyin"><span style="font-style: italic;">pīnyīn</span></a> romanization, and English definition. Other information (e.g., <span style="font-style: italic;">Learning Chinese Characters</span> visual imagery), I enter into <a href="http://www.mnemosyne-proj.org/">Mnemosyne</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Instant Immersion Mandarin Chinese</span> came with <span style="font-style: italic;">Talk Now! Plus</span> software from Eurotalk Interactive. However, both of the <a href="http://sourceforge.net/">SourceForge</a> programs (zdt and Mnemosyne), like the <a href="http://www.pimsleur-language.com/method.htm">Pimsleur language learning system</a>, use spaced repetition techniques (an idea I first encountered in Tony Buzan's <span style="font-style: italic;">Use Both Sides of Your Brain</span>). Mnemosyne uses an early version of (and simpler interface to) the <a href="http://www.supermemo.com/">SuperMemo</a> algorithm <a href="http://www.wired.com/medtech/health/magazine/16-05/ff_wozniak">discussed</a> in this month's <a href="http://www.wired.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Wired</span></a>.<br /><br />This juxtaposition of modern research and tools with an ancient language and writing may help my memory, but it also provides direction for <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/09/walking-to-work-2006-10-26.html">travel</a>. True immersion may be available in the People's Republic of China, where the official language is Standard Mandarin and the government uses simplified characters.Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-91809327793393405862008-01-05T11:30:00.000-08:002008-10-26T13:44:33.300-07:00Reading Agile Software Development with Scrum (2007-12-17/2008-01-01)<div style="text-align: center;">"Scrum is built on an empirical process control model which is radically different from the defined model that most processes and methodologies use."<br />--<a href="http://www.controlchaos.com/">Ken Schwaber</a> and Mike Beedle, <span style="font-style: italic;">Agile Software Development with Scrum</span><br /></div><br />This past month I attended a <a href="http://seattlexp.org/cgi-bin/wiki.cgi?NextMeeting">Seattle XP Users Group</a> meeting, read <span style="font-style: italic;">Agile Software Development with Scrum</span> (<a href="http://www.scrumforteamsystem.com/processguidance/v2/FAQ/FAQ.aspx#readMore">one of two books that are primary sources of information</a> about <a href="http://martinfowler.com/articles/newMethodology.html#Scrum">Scrum</a>), and toured <a href="http://www.solutionsiq.com/">SolutionsIQ</a> (a Seattle-area Scrum training and consulting firm). I wanted to see how my company's experience with small teams compares with our colleagues' in the industry. We'd been using <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agile_software_development">agile development methodologies</a> and tools since before starting the company, due to reading <span style="font-style: italic;">Extreme Programming Explained: Embrace Change</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Planning <a href="http://martinfowler.com/articles/newMethodology.html#XpextremeProgramming">Extreme Programming</a></span>, and similar books by Kent Beck and <a href="http://www.martinfowler.com/">Martin Fowler</a>.<br /><br />Readers of this <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/">blog</a> may recognize in agile development methodologies the management paradigms I profess. My management methods led my company to agile development methodologies like Scrum and Extreme Programming. My blog posts on <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/management">management</a> <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/book">books </a>provide the following principles:<br /><ol><li>Update opinions from observations. ("<a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/04/rereading-7-habits-of-highly-effective.html#Map">The Map is Not the Territory</a>.")</li><li><a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/03/reading-great-boss-dead-boss-2007-02.html#Reaction">Develop a culture of interdependence</a>. ("<a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/04/rereading-7-habits-of-highly-effective.html#Process">Mature from Dependence to Independence to Interdependence</a>," and "<a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/08/reading-4-hour-workweek-2007-06-1920.html#All">People are smarter than you think. Give them a chance to prove themselves</a>.")</li><li>Prioritize what's important. ("<a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/04/rereading-7-habits-of-highly-effective.html#Priority">Good is the Enemy of Best</a>.")</li><li>Jointly determine the course. (See <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/04/reading-8th-habit-2007-03-2604-26.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">The 8th Habit</span></a>.)<br /></li><li>Set up and manage systems to stay on course. (See <span style="font-style: italic;">The 8th Habit</span>.)</li><li>Focus talents on results, not methods, then get out of people's way and give help as requested. (See <span style="font-style: italic;">The 8th Habit</span>.)</li><li>"<a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/08/reading-4-hour-workweek-2007-06-1920.html#All">Never automate something that can be eliminated, and never delegate something that can be automated or streamlined</a>."<br /></li></ol>The principles above aren't articulated in industry terms, however. Specifically in software development these principles lead to the following practices:<br /><ol><li>Inspect results and update process.</li><li>Rely on people.</li><li>Work on highest priorities.</li><li>Teach self-managing teams.</li><li>Improve processes.</li><li>Remove impediments.</li><li>Automate testing.<br /></li></ol>These practices are agile:<br /><ol><li><span style="font-style: italic;">Agile Software Development with Scrum</span> emphasizes <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empirical_process_%28process_control_model%29">empirical process control</a>.</li><li>Agile methods have a <a href="http://martinfowler.com/articles/newMethodology.html">people-first orientation</a>.</li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrum_%28development%29#Product_backlog_and_sprint_backlog">Product backlog and sprint backlog</a> are prioritized.</li><li>Scrum uses self-managing teams.</li><li>Extreme Programming suggests various process improvements like <a href="http://www.extremeprogramming.org/rules/spike.html">spike solutions</a>, <a href="http://www.extremeprogramming.org/rules/standards.html">coding standards</a>, <a href="http://www.extremeprogramming.org/rules/integrateoften.html">continuous integration</a>.<br /></li><li>A <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrum_%28development%29#Scrum_Master_.28or_Facilitator.29">Scrum Master</a> uses a <a href="http://www.extremeprogramming.org/rules/standupmeeting.html">daily</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stand-up_meeting">stand-up meeting</a> to learn impediments to remove them.</li><li>Extreme Programming emphasizes automated <a href="http://www.extremeprogramming.org/rules/unittests.html">unit</a> (and <a href="http://www.extremeprogramming.org/rules/functionaltests.html">acceptance</a>) tests.<br /></li></ol>I would list examples from our experience (e.g., engineering estimation, comparison to CMM <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capability_Maturity_Model#Level_2_-_Repeatable">Level 2</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capability_Maturity_Model#Key_process_areas">key process areas</a>, serving manufacturing clients, consensus decision-making) but this blog post is already long. However, I'll write that I'm pleased with how agile practice embodies good paradigms and principles.<br /><br />[Updated FAQ link.]Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12825095.post-26491522474019563662007-12-31T08:57:00.000-08:002008-08-07T11:06:11.578-07:00Reviewing 2007 in Seattle (2007-12-31)I'm pleased with 2007 in Seattle, though I'll adjust my goals for 2008 in light of a review of the past year. While I had personal goals--some qualitative--, and even goals for how I help others, there are some quantitative goals I mentioned in this blog. Below is the year in numbers, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harper%27s_Magazine#History">Harper's Index</a> style:<br /><ul><li>Total pages I read for "<a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/">Where's William?</a>" blog: 8,263</li><li>Number of books I wanted to blog in 2007: 50</li><li>Actual number of <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/book">blog posts about books</a> in 2007: 30</li><li>My blogged books score: 60%</li><li>Number of books I want to blog in 2008: 12</li><li>Six-hour days I wanted to spend in the forest in 2007: 6</li><li>Six-hour days I actually spent in the forest in 2007: 5</li><li>My outdoors score: 83%</li><li>Six-hour days I want to spend in the forest in 2008: 6</li><li>Pounds I wanted to lose upon returning from <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/search/label/Paris">Paris</a>: 15</li><li>Pounds I lost and kept off <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/09/at-caf-on-ave-reviewing-workouts-2007.html">at first</a> <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/03/at-ima-2007-01-0303-25.html">through</a> <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/02/at-caf-on-ave-2007-02-14.html">workouts</a> and <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/05/eating-like-thin-hobbit.html">frequent small</a> <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/04/avoiding-hfcs-2007-0104.html">healthy</a> <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/01/reading-omega-diet-2007-01-0928.html">meals</a> and <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/09/walking-2007-09-0714.html">later</a> through <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/10/simplifying-on-saturday-2007-10-06.html">walking</a>: 17</li><li>My weight score: 113%</li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_fat_percentage">Body fat percentage</a> I want to lose in 2008: 4%<br /></li><li>Songs I wanted to perform on the <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2006/11/listening-to-minor-majority-2006-10-18.html">guitar</a> in <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/01/reading-garden-state-soundtrack-2007-01.html">2007</a>: 5</li><li>Songs I performed on the guitar in 2007: 0</li><li>My guitar score: 0%</li><li>Songs I want to perform on the guitar in 2008: 2<br /></li><li><a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/01/reading-laws-of-simplicity-2007-01-2021.html">Maximum miles</a> I wanted my car <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/10/simplifying-on-saturday-2007-10-06.html">driven</a> in 2007: 14,400</li><li>Actual miles my car was driven in 2007: 9,508</li><li>My mileage score: 151%</li><li>Maximum miles I want my car driven in 2008: 9,600<br /></li><li>Days/week <a href="http://whereswilliam.blogspot.com/2007/09/at-caf-on-ave-reviewing-workouts-2007.html"> since 2007-09-06 I wanted 30 minutes of moderate activity</a>: 5</li><li>Days/week since 2007-09-06 I did 30 minutes of moderate activity: 4.2</li><li>My walking score: 84%</li><li>Days/week I want 30 minutes of moderate activity in 2008: 5<br /></li></ul>Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02473242510722023655noreply@blogger.com0