The rule of law

This decision (Supreme Court Blocks Guantanamo Tribunals) could not have made me happier. It has given me the feeling of what it is like to live under a government of laws not of men, a feeling which I have not felt a number of years.

SFO - > PDX

The drive from San Fransico to Portland was long -- and incredibly scenic, even though I went the "quick way" straight up I-5. Everything north of Redding is amazing.

Mt Shasta is downright stunning. And appropriately as I crossed into Oregon it started raining. And got greener.

And when I pulled in early at Salem there was a McMenamins for dinner. And all was right in the world.

I doubt that I've ever had a better days drive - certainly not with traffic and mountains and rain ....

PS: Google proves I'm not the only freak that refers to cities by their Airport Code. I'll say it's a subculture :)

Montevideo Square

BA: Airport

A couple of very long exposure hand helds from the Buenos Aires airport.

A place in Seattle

Today I signed a lease on my new place in Seattle. I'll be moving in early next month.

Audi

It's been a while since I've commuted. Or driven cross-country. And driving cross country alone is different.

Anyhow the Audi is absolutely wowing. Even completely loaded down, it has the power needed for the mountains near Shasta, has it instantly available for LA driving, moves where I want it on the SF Highways and in mountainous curves of southern oregon. Not to mention that is has the lumbar support so need from the long drive across the desert from PHX :)

CastWords in the Economist

In this week's Economist there is a Technology Quarterly, which is always a fun thing. This time much, much, more so as there is an article, Artificial artificial intelligence [subscribers only], which mentions CastingWords , and quotes me. I even get a coveted "Mr. McFarland" back reference though admittedly not for something I recall saying. Though I will admit it's like something I might say... Still using Babblefish and translation as an example - I think not.

Anyhow awesome!

Now CastingWords has been mentioned in the NYTimes and the Economist - that pretty much covers the news papers I pay cash for.

Just wow.

PHX: Matt's Big Breakfast

This morning we went out to Matt's Big Breakfast, in downtown PHX.

It's a nice little diner with room for maybe 30, all orange counters and booths with chrome trim. The food was excellent, hearty well made - heck delicious, diner food. I had 3 mushroom scramble, with hash-browns, coffee and a glass of grapefruit juice. It was well balanced, not too greasy, salty in fact it was without any of the traditional diner food problems, instead it was simple excellent filling food. It was a lovely experience. And lovely place for a sunday breakfast.

Here's nice review.

PHX

I'm in PHX - and it's HOT. Hot, Hot, Hot! But no surprise there.

The drive in was uneventful, and the drive down from Flagstaff was freaking amazingly pretty. First winding down the mountains and then you come out in to the hills around PHX - which are covered in saguaro cactus. The looked like a forest with out leaves :) and as it was around 5pm the shadows pretty much rocked.

On the whole a great drive.

Montevideo