This is gonna be one busy, fun month!

Hooray! June is finally here! Summer started in the Northwest early this year and we are planning to enjoy every bit of it.

First up, KC and I are watching the Police in concert next Thursday at the Key. Too bad I can't bring a camera in...

Then we are off to Vancouver, BC the week after for sort of a reunion on KC's side of the family. A day in Victoria and a couple in Whistler caps off that trip.

Another trip to Victoria at the end of the month (this time via the ferry in Port Angeles) is scheduled. Hopefully that pushes through.

Dilemma

It's time to upgrade our laptop and I am torn between getting a Mac or sticking with a PC. I know maybe for most people its a no-brainer but I am truly more comfortable using a PC than a Mac. Sure, you can easily install Windows OS on an Apple computer now but I just don't like paying Steve Jobs a premium on a "cool laptop".

I will update as soon as I make a decision.

These sorts of problems I am willing to take. :)

So I climbed Mt. Everest last weekend...

I keep seeing headlines that this and that have climbed the tallest mountain and wait... IT'S A WORLD RECORD!!!! Wow, he is the first person of Chinese descent born in the Philippines below the age of thirty who is single and has a kid who, by the way, is a non-smoker, college graduate of a university in Manila and working as a marketing manager for a huge multinational company who ever reached the summit!

Of course, I'm exagerrating.

Or am I?

I believe that the only record that should stands is that Norgay and Hillary did it first - that's it. But now, climbing Everest could be a family weekend excursion. If you have enough money to go to Nepal or Tibet and hire a sherpa and show off your outdoors gear, I see no doubt that you will be able to climb it as well.

"Kulang na lang magtayo sila ng 5-star hotel sa tuktok!" (The only thing missing is that they build a five star hotel at the peak).

I don't know why I felt saying it in Tagalog but I feel there is more impact.

The magic of climbing a mountain is lost on me. Well, maybe it is a personal achievement for the person who actually climbed it but should it be the headline of national newspapers? Are we so desparate for a feel good story that we should invent world records? We are a country so obsessed with being the best in the world for something so obscure that we will try anything, no matter how stupid, just to be recognized (most people kissing, breastfeeding and biggest shoe comes to mind).

Eleksyon 2007

I feel kinda relieved about the mid term election results in the Philippines. People there are not voting for celebrities as much as they would had a decade ago (Tito Sotto, Freddie Webb, Erap, etc.). Now, showbiz personalities like Richard Gomez and Cesar Montano are not even close to capture Senate seats.

Are we growing up as a nation?

Next up - getting rid of corruption, trapos and political dynasties :D

I'm now on Twitter

FYI, I just signed up for Twitter.

http://twitter.com/jowett

Check it out.

Should internet access be free?

Information is power. And it is sad that access to information is limited to a few percentage of the world's population. Sure, the internet is an excellent source for information but not everybody has ready access to it.

Now, the question is should internet access be free?

Of course telecoms would shiver just in the idea of providing this service gratis, and this is a mistake. Here's why:

1. Following the concept of free TV and free radio, free internet access could be limited to its basic services like email and web surfing. People who use VOIP, P2P, IM and other premium internet service should and would still pay for internet service. It works in television by providing just 5 or so channels for free while charging (a lot!) or other cable channels.

2. Speed to this free access could be limited to 56kbps or lower. Sure, its free and it's probably enough for people who occasionally need to search for recipes, emails, or Wikipedia.

3. Access should be over the air. Technology for this should be as widespread as AM radio signals - but of course, in digital. I am not sure if this technology is available but it should be considered rather than putting wifi access points every 150 feet.

4. Little antennas to access this free OTA should come standard in every computer. Or maybe access over TV. Just plug in a keyboard and a mouse to a TV and instant free internet access - like how it is set up in some hotels.

5. Advertising can easily support this.

6. Filtering websites should be implemented. Sort of like censorship in OTA TV channels.


Internet access should be a right, not a privilege. And I hope it happens in our lifetime.

Spot the sub

We crossed the Hood Canal Bridge earlier and traffic was stopped for about half an hour to let a sub pass. Yes, a SUBMARINE! It was the second time that happened to us - the first time was when Dad was here visiting.

What's wrong with this picture?

I spotted this picture at the NBA.com website and can you spot what is wrong with this picture? It took a while for it to register but if you look closely the two Celtics players are not wearing the same uniform - one says Boston and the other Celtics. Weird.