Camera Card Reader Rip Off

Well cats, still no pictures from Jim :-( .

I bought a card reader at a open air market - yeah I like to live
dangerously... The packaging said it would fit my "xD" card, but it did
not. When I looked closely at the device, "xD" was not mentioned in the
list. Oh well, 10 bucks down the tubulacao. (Tube - in brazil, every kind
of pipe is called a tube - I'm sure they have a name for a drain, but I can
say "tube" and they understand me. Tubes are used for water and electrical
here).

Things are going well here, the store is coming along, it does not look
like much now, but the walls will be done on Monday and on Tuesday the
ceiling goes in. That will be a big change here!

I am working for a bit this Saturday morning - you know, the big american
boss making sure everyone is working! Not really - the workers get a lot
done on their own. They work hard.

I found a place that rents bikes, so I am going to rent a bike this
afternoon and ride along the beach on the bike/running path. Its good to
have "butt on bike" time!

Then tonight I am going to the "Lapa" area - its where the traditional
Samba houses are. That should be interesting. He said they don't get
started until 11pm - a little past my bed time, but we will see what
happens...

Tchau cats!

(Via Blackberry)

Heading south!

I'm on my way to Brazil again. This time for one week and 2 days. I just
realized I forgot my camera cord. I may have to look for a cheapo reader in
guatamea (not spelled right) a fancy mall in Sao Paulo

Right now, I'm stuck on the runway at O'hare -theres a thunderstorm and
they are not letting any ramp services guys on the ramp. I know dad would.
be chewing his lips over that one! Or maybe he'd just go out and take care
of everything on his own.

(Via Blackberry)

Flying Boat!

Today we put our boat in the water.  I guess the official word is " we splashed today".  This is a new deal for us - in and out service.   They keep our boat in the building in the back ground.  When we want to go boating, we call and they put the boat in the water for us.  Easy Schmeezy lemon cheesy!  

After one day, we can already tell this is going to be a great thing.  We went boating today and my feet didn't even get wet!  It's so nice to not have to worry about retrieving the boat and trailering it home.  Now we just need a little bit warmer weather!

So if you want to come over to west Michigan for a boat ride, Come on down!!  (Or over or up!)  We'll even provide the Blatz for a day in the sun!

Splash on in Cats!

CNN

Hey if you cats read this on Monday afternoon - check out CNN - I submitted
a picture of Shawn and I bile commuting, and they said they would put it on
the air. 3 minutes of fame!!

(Via Blackberry)

Heading home!

No picture, but I thought I'd send out a note. All is well, accomplished a
lot. Construction on the store is getting a slow start, the guy says all
his tools and supplies are in Rio, but no trucks are allowed on the street
until night time, so tonight they start!

It was a challenge talking to the job foreman, because he did not speak
english and I don't speak portuguese. After a while I pulled out my
blackberry, and went to the "bablefish" translator. Before long I was
typing away and he was under standing everything I said! World travel is
much less scary with technology as your friend!

I have a crazy route home - Rio-Sao Paulo-washington Dullas-chicago-Grand
Rapids - YUCK. I hope I make it in time for my 25k run on saturday!

Catch you "state side" cats!

(Via Blackberry)

Sao Paulo

just a quick posting
of course the standard out-the-window shot. you can see how huge Sao paulo is not a ton of big buildings - the city is really spread out.

The other picture is the store I talked about on my last blog. these out side cafes are very common and seem to be the neighborhood meeting place...It would be nice to live near such a business...

Back to work cats!

Oh the temptation!

I didn't take any pictures while I was out and about in Sao Paulo today - I was pretty busy and got alot done, but didn't have any "wonder around" time...

So instead of a nice brazilian scene, you get this arrangement. I am greeted by this everytime I come to my room. I'm pretty good about keeping out of it, I'm cheap - even when it comes to spending the companies dime (well some times!). The candy/7/11/pop/mini restaurant/coffee shop/bar/ice cream parlor/bakery is right accross the street from the hotel, and I would much rather dine on ice cream than a candy bar.

Crazy thing, it's colder then the last time I was here - quess what? Winter is coming! I don't think it get very cold here, but I know it is cooler at night and it is darker earlier. That is a hard concept to switch back and forth...my mind has to really work at that!

Tchau Cats!