December 11, 2008
December 10, 2008
Washington Insiders
Some of y’all know that I am on the board of PGS, a Norwegian Geophysical Services company. What you probably don’t know is that I have to be reappointed every year. And one of the people on the nominating committee is C. Maury Devine, who is currently living in Washington DC, and counts as my one “insider” contact in our government.
Maury is very close with Hillary Clinton, and almost certainly would have been part of her administration had Hillary won.
Maury and Roger O’Neil, our other Nominating Committee member joined us for the Board Dinner. Jens Ulltveit-Moe(our chairman) asked her to talk about the mood in Washington, and how the transition was going.
She was part of the Carter administration and said that she has never seen a better transition than Obama’s. The problem that the Obama team may have had was that they were running as outsiders, and that outsiders just don’t know how Washington works. She said that the Carter and the Clinton transitions were disasters for that reason. Nobody they brought in wanted to work with the folks that were there. (She also confirmed that the Clinton to W transition was extremely ugly. Clinton staffers really did pry the “w” keys off of the computers. She also said that President Bush is being very gracious and helpful to the transition team. He will be able to take some credit for how well this is working)
She also said that the mood is the best she has ever seen it, in spite of the financial crisis and everything else. Obama’s choices, his attitude, his approach are all going to make it better. She said that there is a palpable feeling in DC that this recession can be handled, the war can be handled, everything can be handled. Jens then said “Yes, we can” That has really become a shorthand for an attitude that change is possible. (Last week we went to see Robert Wilson speak in Houston. He used the same phrase to the same effect)
The Europeans at the table were all really happy about Obama, and about what he is doing. Everyone has been very impressed with the quality and speed of his appointments, and the amount of face time he is spending explaining all his decisions.
I asked Maury if she was going to State, and she said no, that she was going to be an advisor. She also said that watching Obama work that she believes he was the absolute right choice.
She also said that this recession will end in September of 2009.
December 9, 2008
waiting at the gate
I got back to Houston about 5:00 pm. I then had to go to my car (leaving security, obviously) to grab my luggage and my coat, and get on a flight to here - Amsterdam.
Now I am waiting to get on a plane to Oslo.
Once in Oslo I go directly to the office and meet with the people who will decide if I should keep this position.
I hope I am awake enough to convince them to say yes.
KLM flight to Oslo
Security here in AMS had a problem with my reading glasses and Parker Sonnet rollerball pen. sort of odd.
We are supposed to be loading directly. As you can see, the plane is here. But no people.
December 8, 2008
December 5, 2008
December 4, 2008
Good and Bad customer service from Sirius Radio
I have Sirius satellite radio in my car. The first year was free, and then last November, they called me up and asked me to resubscribe. Following a good salesman's script, they first asked if I wanted to get a lifetime subscription - but I demurred. They then told me what it would cost to get one year, or two year's subscription. I asked for two year's (you save a bit of money) and charged it to my American Express card. I though that was that.
Until I got a notice today telling me that they were ready to charge my next year's subscription to my Amex card. What? So I called up, and asked what was going on. The first fellow I spoke with said: "Sorry. You only paid for one year. There is nothing I can do" I told him that I felt that they made a mistake, and they should give me the second year's subscription at the incremental price from a one year, to a two year subscription. He said that was impossible, but he would connect me to a supervisor. 20 minutes later, I hung up.
I called back, and told the same story again, a second time. The woman who answered said that they have no record of me asking for a two year subscription, and there was nothing she could. She put me on hold, assuring me that she would come back every two minutes to let me know what was going on. 10 minutes later, I hung up.
SO I called back a third time. Again, I explained to the guy (Paul) who answered what the problem is. He understood immediately, and said, "Let me see what I can do. I want to give you a credit for the delta between the two fees. But I need to put you on hold for a moment to get authorization". He put me on hold, and less that two minutes later he was back and had credited my account the amount between the two charges.
Bad
Bad
Good.
I give them credit for fixing my problem. I only wish it did not take three calls.
Until I got a notice today telling me that they were ready to charge my next year's subscription to my Amex card. What? So I called up, and asked what was going on. The first fellow I spoke with said: "Sorry. You only paid for one year. There is nothing I can do" I told him that I felt that they made a mistake, and they should give me the second year's subscription at the incremental price from a one year, to a two year subscription. He said that was impossible, but he would connect me to a supervisor. 20 minutes later, I hung up.
I called back, and told the same story again, a second time. The woman who answered said that they have no record of me asking for a two year subscription, and there was nothing she could. She put me on hold, assuring me that she would come back every two minutes to let me know what was going on. 10 minutes later, I hung up.
SO I called back a third time. Again, I explained to the guy (Paul) who answered what the problem is. He understood immediately, and said, "Let me see what I can do. I want to give you a credit for the delta between the two fees. But I need to put you on hold for a moment to get authorization". He put me on hold, and less that two minutes later he was back and had credited my account the amount between the two charges.
Bad
Bad
Good.
I give them credit for fixing my problem. I only wish it did not take three calls.
November 25, 2008
The Decline of the American Military
Download the book here.
The authors go into the history of the US Military, as well as what is wrong now and how to fix it.
I thought this was a great quote from chapter 1:
"By the end of the Thirty Years’ War in 1648 Europe had had enough. The Thirty Years’ War began as a Central European religious struggle between Protestants and Catholics but ended as a purely political contest. Germany in particular was devastated. Europeans wanted order, stability and security, and the Treaty of Westphalia gave it to them. It defined the nation-state as the new governing entity, and decreed that it alone would have the power to make war. All other war-making entities were illegitimate and those who fought for them would be treated not as soldiers but as outlaws. The confinement of lawful violence to states would bring the stability needed for commerce and industry to flourish, learning and science to advance, and for people to feel secure for themselves and their property."
The authors go into the history of the US Military, as well as what is wrong now and how to fix it.
I thought this was a great quote from chapter 1:
"By the end of the Thirty Years’ War in 1648 Europe had had enough. The Thirty Years’ War began as a Central European religious struggle between Protestants and Catholics but ended as a purely political contest. Germany in particular was devastated. Europeans wanted order, stability and security, and the Treaty of Westphalia gave it to them. It defined the nation-state as the new governing entity, and decreed that it alone would have the power to make war. All other war-making entities were illegitimate and those who fought for them would be treated not as soldiers but as outlaws. The confinement of lawful violence to states would bring the stability needed for commerce and industry to flourish, learning and science to advance, and for people to feel secure for themselves and their property."
November 24, 2008
November 23, 2008
Great map showing an interesting correlation
330 - From Pickin’ Cotton to Pickin’ Presidents « Strange Maps
I enjoy this website that often has interesting map based insights on current events
I enjoy this website that often has interesting map based insights on current events
That is NOT me on the right
This is Doreen and the detail inside the British Mueseum of Natural Science. It is an amazing building with plenty of details such as this one.
We went there to see an exhibit of Darwin's effermeria. Animals he actually collected, the notebooks in which he actually wrote. Amazingly moving.
November 22, 2008
Heading home
There is an odd change in Continental's preflight drinks - they are now serving those little champagne 'pops' rather than opening a whole bottle. I think they are only 6 or 8 oz, which means we barely get a sip, as they split one between the two of us. Maybe I will write a letter.
This was a good trip, and I am looking forward to getting home.
November 21, 2008
November 20, 2008
in a Canterbury pub
On the train to Canterbury
We took a bus to Victoria Station, and the station master told us to get on the train on track #6. We jumped on, and it left.
Now it appears that we have to move to a different car, as they divide the train at Faversham, and we are on the wrong side.
November 19, 2008
November 18, 2008
November 17, 2008
November 16, 2008
Paddington Express
we spent about an hour in a 'yotel' in the airport thanks to Continental.
very nice
November 15, 2008
Review of a local restaurant
Money quote:
"Brunch at Beaver’s can be a ton of fun too. I am the worlds most pathetic drinker, but even I couldn’t refuse the Squealing Mary made with bacon infused vodka, rimmed with bacon salt and finished with… a slice of bacon."
chefy bits at Beaver’s at Tasty Bits
"Brunch at Beaver’s can be a ton of fun too. I am the worlds most pathetic drinker, but even I couldn’t refuse the Squealing Mary made with bacon infused vodka, rimmed with bacon salt and finished with… a slice of bacon."
chefy bits at Beaver’s at Tasty Bits
November 14, 2008
FastTech 50
I am remiss in not mentioning that OpenSpirit has made the Fast Tech 50 again:
click here
This is our fourth time. I may not apply next year, though. We are getting to the size where the confidentiality of the numbers may matter.
click here
This is our fourth time. I may not apply next year, though. We are getting to the size where the confidentiality of the numbers may matter.
On our way to London
Doreen and I are heading to London tomorrow for a week. I will be attending (and oddly enough, hosting) the Oil & Gas Exchange London 2008.
After that, we will be taking a few days to see The Changing of the Guard and enjoy London.
We will be seeing our friend Keith, who will be moving back to the US next summer.
Then we are back next weekend, just in time for Thanksgiving.
After that, we will be taking a few days to see The Changing of the Guard and enjoy London.
We will be seeing our friend Keith, who will be moving back to the US next summer.
Then we are back next weekend, just in time for Thanksgiving.
November 12, 2008
November 10, 2008
November 9, 2008
loading the plane
November 8, 2008
November 5, 2008
It is over
The election is over. What has been a two year interview process has culminated with us, the American People giving the job to Barak Obama. Whether you voted for him or voted against him, he will soon be your President. That is the way Democracy works. You may not like it, but I would defy you to find a better system.
And now we all have a choice. We can sit on our hands, cry in our beds, complain and threaten to leave the country, or we can fight for what we believe. It does not matter if you believe that Obama will be a great President or an awful failure. If you do not fight for your country, you have no right to call yourself patriotic.
The US faces some horrible challenges. Some are a result of the current administration; some are the result of outside forces. When BHO started his campaign, he engaged people down to the very grass roots to make a change. If you disagree with him, and what he is hoping to accomplish, you can help put forward your own agenda the same way. Vote for local officials, Donate money to the party of your choice. Get active in party politics.
If you support him and want him to succeed, it does not end here, either. There are plenty of opportunities to become part of the process, and more frequently than once every four years. He will need help, all of our elected officials will need help, to pull us out of this mess.
He has my support. But as with all elected officials he needs to prove himself worthy of that support. I will help where and when I can. And I will continually be measuring him against the ideals that I have set.
And now we all have a choice. We can sit on our hands, cry in our beds, complain and threaten to leave the country, or we can fight for what we believe. It does not matter if you believe that Obama will be a great President or an awful failure. If you do not fight for your country, you have no right to call yourself patriotic.
The US faces some horrible challenges. Some are a result of the current administration; some are the result of outside forces. When BHO started his campaign, he engaged people down to the very grass roots to make a change. If you disagree with him, and what he is hoping to accomplish, you can help put forward your own agenda the same way. Vote for local officials, Donate money to the party of your choice. Get active in party politics.
If you support him and want him to succeed, it does not end here, either. There are plenty of opportunities to become part of the process, and more frequently than once every four years. He will need help, all of our elected officials will need help, to pull us out of this mess.
He has my support. But as with all elected officials he needs to prove himself worthy of that support. I will help where and when I can. And I will continually be measuring him against the ideals that I have set.
November 3, 2008
Vote for Obama
For the first time in my voting career - and that would be 1976 when Carter ran against Ford, I am voting for a major party candidate whom I think will win.
Historically I have voted for the Libertarian candidate, as that is the party with whom I generally share the most ideals. But I think that in this election it is too important to throw away your vote. Even in as red a state as Texas, I want people to know that I have voted for a candidate I think will make a difference, both to the United States domestically and to our standing in the world.
Call me naive or call me foolish, but there is only one candidate in this election who stand for individual freedoms as well as international sanity, and that candidate is Barack Obama. I know that I am voting for higher taxes on me and my family, but that is inevitable. McCain is simply lying to us if he thinks he can do all he claims and not raise taxes.
And Barack is a vote against the US Taliban, AKA the Christian Coalition. Republicans are all for Federalism until it touches Gay Marriage, Abortion, Gun Control, Assisted Suicide, Marijuana Laws, or Education. Then they want the big daddy US government to step in. Does anyone care that "Under God" was added to the Pledge in the 1950s? I do. Does anyone care that the Founding Fathers purposefully eliminated a state religion from the constitution? I do. I do not want our government acting like the Stasi in cold war East Germany. We are better than that. Even in Hogans Hero's we abided by the Geneva convention.
Most libertarians I know are voting for Obama. Because we are sick of an elected dictator. One who believes that the Executive branch of government trumps all others. And and Executive who signs legislation "with his fingers crossed" and institutes what he believes to be a line item veto. We have three co-equal branches of Government, and I am ready to have them restored.
I am ready for a federal government of whom I can be proud, both domestically and internationally. I work in an international business, and am I sick and tired of having to apologize for our President and our actions.
I am proud to be an American. I am ready, for the first time in my life, to be proud to be an American under a Democratic President that I voted for.
Vote.
Historically I have voted for the Libertarian candidate, as that is the party with whom I generally share the most ideals. But I think that in this election it is too important to throw away your vote. Even in as red a state as Texas, I want people to know that I have voted for a candidate I think will make a difference, both to the United States domestically and to our standing in the world.
Call me naive or call me foolish, but there is only one candidate in this election who stand for individual freedoms as well as international sanity, and that candidate is Barack Obama. I know that I am voting for higher taxes on me and my family, but that is inevitable. McCain is simply lying to us if he thinks he can do all he claims and not raise taxes.
And Barack is a vote against the US Taliban, AKA the Christian Coalition. Republicans are all for Federalism until it touches Gay Marriage, Abortion, Gun Control, Assisted Suicide, Marijuana Laws, or Education. Then they want the big daddy US government to step in. Does anyone care that "Under God" was added to the Pledge in the 1950s? I do. Does anyone care that the Founding Fathers purposefully eliminated a state religion from the constitution? I do. I do not want our government acting like the Stasi in cold war East Germany. We are better than that. Even in Hogans Hero's we abided by the Geneva convention.
Most libertarians I know are voting for Obama. Because we are sick of an elected dictator. One who believes that the Executive branch of government trumps all others. And and Executive who signs legislation "with his fingers crossed" and institutes what he believes to be a line item veto. We have three co-equal branches of Government, and I am ready to have them restored.
I am ready for a federal government of whom I can be proud, both domestically and internationally. I work in an international business, and am I sick and tired of having to apologize for our President and our actions.
I am proud to be an American. I am ready, for the first time in my life, to be proud to be an American under a Democratic President that I voted for.
Vote.
Andrew Sullivan (November 03, 2008) - Barack Obama For President
Measured and rational support for BHO:
The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan (November 03, 2008) - Barack Obama For President
GO VOTE!!!
The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan (November 03, 2008) - Barack Obama For President
GO VOTE!!!
November 1, 2008
Flatlanders and Jerry Jeff Walker
This evening we went to hear The Flatlanders and Jerry Jeff Walker perform at Miller Outdoor Theater in Houston.
It was a blast.
The Flatlanders is sort of a Texas "Super Group" with Joe Ely, Butch Hancock, and Jimmy Dale Gilmore. If you like Texas music, you should buy at least one of their discs. You will recognize all three voices.'
Jerry Jeff Walker was as good as every. AND he was sober (!) He did a nice mix of old stuff (Redneck Mother, LA Freeway) and some new songs he had written.
This was part of a birthday party for one of Doreen's friends. The party part was OK. The music made it all worthwhile.
It was a blast.
The Flatlanders is sort of a Texas "Super Group" with Joe Ely, Butch Hancock, and Jimmy Dale Gilmore. If you like Texas music, you should buy at least one of their discs. You will recognize all three voices.'
Jerry Jeff Walker was as good as every. AND he was sober (!) He did a nice mix of old stuff (Redneck Mother, LA Freeway) and some new songs he had written.
This was part of a birthday party for one of Doreen's friends. The party part was OK. The music made it all worthwhile.
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