Big Day

Today, I told both our Realtor and our landlord that we were moving. So, regardless, we have until 10/31 until there is no more roof in SF. Also, Shannon signed a lease in Melbourne. It's exciting, because we'll have actual bedrooms this time! And more than one!

So come visit, huh?

Things I'll Miss in San Francisco, Part 4

After work mountain bike rides.



















'Nuff said.

Things I'll Miss in San Francisco, Part 3

Architecture.









There really is a ton of great architecture in this city, and some of the buildings are painted just wonderfully. I find new, great buildings all the time going around town, and I'll miss that, for sure.

Things I'll Miss in San Francisco, Part 2

Excess.









San Francisco City Hall is a great image for the political shenanigans that go on here. Gold plated rotunda? This building is way more extravagant than the Sacramento City Hall or California Capitol Building. LA's a close second though...

Butterfly Sex

Another trip to Melbourne. This time, I had company. My mom and Fred joined me on the journey down. Business down, because some flight attendant showed up at the absolute last second. No worries though - those are good seats.

Spent the time checking out various parts of town, including a few apartment inspections at the very beginning. Shannon did her usual excellent job of driving on the strangely wrong side of the road. Three cheers.

Also spent some time at the Melbourne Zoo. This was my second trip, but everyone else's first. The platypus continued to be a wonderful sight - as playful as ever. This time, half of the wallaby exhibit was closed to make it something else, and the giant red 'roos didn't do anything but lay there looking like they wanted to watch a footy match, but we did see Kangaroo Island kangaroos hop, and we saw joeys in pouches. It was really amazing; a truly different perspective on reproduction and development, and just damn cool to see a head pop out of basically a stomach.









Also, the giant tortoises were out, as opposed to last time when it was too cold to see them. And, in the spirit of the post's title, we saw some butterflies taking care of mother nature's business.









Also, on the way back (where this entry was written) I got a great view of a full moon over the clouds of the Pacific, just west of Nadi at 33,000 feet. It was amazing.

PS - I love First Class. I don't know how I'll ever be able to slum it again. I've been spoiled.

I Told The Boss...

Today was the big day - I told United that Shannon and I were moving. I was pleased that I wasn't let go on the spot. My boss was really understanding, despite being a bit surprised. I suppose that was to be expected though.

We are going to try to work something out so I can work remotely. More to come this week, I'm sure...

Wildlife Sightings

I went up to Seattle this weekend to go see Megan, since she just moved there. She has a cool roommate, and a cool house, and a cool coffee shop, and Seattle is neat (as usual).

I had a fantastic cougar sighting at the coffee shop. Blonde woman, 35-40 rolls up in a black Ferrari. She gets out and meets similarly aged beautiful people. She's got her shirt unbuttoned way to far, and is flirting with anything that moves. The car was one day old, and she got it because "she wanted it." She didn't even know how to lock it yet. Alimony?

Also, on the way up, I got a nice view of Crater Lake.

Aussie Humor

This kind of stuff should keep me entertained while in Australia...

Things I'll Miss in San Francisco, Part 1

There is no better way to spend the afternoon than a cross ride in Golden Gate Park. There's a remarkable amount of dirt to ride, and there are hidden treasures everywhere. Where else can you stay in the city, escape from the city, ride your bike, and hang with Bison?

Visas

Last week, I rolled down to Melbourne (as one is wont to do), to see Shannon and pick up my visa. Here it is. I think the important details have been blurred to protect the guilty.










Also, if you believe everything in the picture, it appears that you are to buy Williams wheels, go to the Fillmore, and get cereal the next time you go to the grocery.

This is exciting stuff, at least for me. A visa to live abroad. Wow. So, really, all that's left to do is:
1) Shannon take the job
2) Tell my boss and work "something" out
3) Sell Shannon's car
4) Move halfway around the world.

In the words of my former coworker, "Check."

I learned that Shibuya can be located in Melbourne. I was sort of surprised, but the pictures don't lie. I'm also pretty positive this will only mean something if you've been to Japan.










Also, this is what brought me home. Isn't she a beaut? Good thing she's one of the six for sale. So, if you need a good deal on a 747-400, minus a bit of paint, do call United Services. I'm sure we'd all be appreciative.

A Brief History of the Last Three Years

Most everyone knows that ever since I moved to San Francisco, I've worked for United Airlines. While not a perfect job (show me one that is), it has let me go all over the world, for
essentially nothing.

In retrospect, I should have done a much better job of journaling the trips I made and the places I've been. I can't even count all the domestic places I went (not to slight them, but it's a long list, including Hawaii three times), but I'll try to make a note of the international destinations that I've gone on while working at UA to date. This list excludes my two trips to Vancouver that were used to get me home (international trips under six hours don't count), but includes one intentional trip to Vancouver.

I guess this one of those key times when "you should have listened to your mother" runs through your head. She told me to write it down years ago.

Kyoto, Japan









London, England












Paris, France









Nuremberg, Germany









Munich, Germany












Kyoto, Japan









Amsterdam, The Netherlands









Buxtehude, Germany









Tokyo, Japan









Vancouver, Canada
What happened to my pictures?

Busan, Korea









Kyoto, Japan












Nagoya, Japan









Melbourne, Australia









Sydney, Australia









Seoul, South Korea

Getting Started

It looks like Shannon and I are going to be moving to Melbourne. And I don't mean Florida.

It's been in the works for a while, but things are starting to look like they are going to work out. Shannon has been down there for about a month. I've been to visit, after a little exploratory trip back in June. I'm excited. She's excited.

So, to follow in the footsteps of some others that have spent a long time in Oz, I'm going to start a blog. Much like my predecessors, I'll do my best to keep it updated in a timely manner, but much like my predecessors, we'll see how it goes.