Stray thoughts on the iPhone

Sitting at Starbucks here in Steglitz and reading the New York Times – no, not the 4 day old paper edition that costs a whopping 10€ at the newstand ( remember this is Germany). No, I’m skimming through the latest news on my iPhone, the data coming off the Wifi that is the staple of every Starbucks in Germany. And since it’s coming from T-Mobile, it doesn’t cost me a cent, being part of the unlimited data plan. It’s quite astonishing if you think of it, even more so if I think of the days before internet.

I have also been playing with the iPhone app of Last.fm. Which, in it’s own right, is quite mind-boggling. Last.fm play all the music I like, real music in excellent quality. All of streamed to my iPhone. Is this is the end of syndicated radio? I dare say yes, at least more likely than the death if newspapers.

And I am blogging this post using the mobile version of WordPress, this is in fact the first post using this medium.

Migrated to WordPress

Yesterday, on the spur of the moment, I decided to give WordPress a try. So I migrated all my postings in my former blog at http://macmerized.blogspot.com to a WordPress blog I had established before my California trip at the beginning of the year. It had lain dormant for some time, and was previously called WhamRap Reloaded – SF to LA and back.

I am just scratching the surface here, but I am beginning to like the features as well as the look-and-feel of the WordPress engine. Hoping for a iPhone app which would easily let me blog while on the go. Have tried out Shozu, but its feature set seems almost like an over-kill

In a Place called Helpup

On my way to Bielefeld to catch the ICE to Berlin in a Diesel-powered semblance of a train (actually it’s more like a bus on wheels. I glance out the window: What the hel? – someone forgot their Hellpupppy jacket. Pity, really.

Oh, and the people who live here are called “Helpuppets”?

The Wait is Over

Received a phone call today that my new Langster bike has finally arrived so that I can pick it up tomorrow. Waited 2 1/2 months now, last time the guy said it was scheduled to arrive in late June. Perhaps I’ll give it a spin very soon now.

What laptop does Steve Ballmer use for his presentations? Right…

What laptop does Steve Ballmer use for his presentations? Right…
Originally uploaded by Paint.It.Black.

Knew it, the hypocrite. Even if he is running Windows on it.

New Bike on its way

Ordered a new bike yesterday, a “collector’s” item, if you so will. It’s the 2008 Specialized Langster, New York edition. As you can see on the picture, it is massively yellow, taking its cue from a New York taxi cab. Even the chain has been colored yellow (although on the stock photo at Specialized no yellow chain is visible).

Aside from the stark yellow and black lettering, this bike is minimalist: one gear, a so-called single speed, no lights, no fenders, no rack. It’s just you, your muscles and the road. If this were a camera it would be the black  manual focus, metal bodied type of camera.

The Langster model also comes in other flavors (Seattle, Boston) in Germany and even more in the US (London, Chicago). I would have preferred the London model (white, with read and blue Union Jack elements). But it was only offered in three types in Germany, unfortunately. The guy a Little John’s bike store here in Berlin was quite knowledgeable and even called in to check on the availability. According to his source, mine was the last Langster in stock. And that for a bike that has not even been delivered to the showrooms of dealers. Perhaps that’s what they meant with “limited”. 

Never bought a bike without seeing it first. I am relying on the insight of the internet masses who have kindly subjected the Langster to critical observation.

Stride with Strida

On my way to visit Olaf today, who lives across the city in Friedrichshain. Just on the spur of the moment I stopped at Rad Kunst in Charlottenburg and just liad down my cash and bought the Strida 5 a bike designed by Mark Sanders – and continued my journey, straddling the Strida. And initiated the bike to the S-Bahn.

Will have to post more details later on, gotta run, eh, stride.

Goodbye, Davis

To those most memorable years -

My first breakfast in SF

Absolutely spellbinding. Service, and the yumminess of these ginger-
cinammon pancakes surpassed my expectations.

The only drawback was that Dottie's True Blue Café was in a seedy part
of the town, the area on the borderline of the tenderloin.

Wash your Hands

This sign was posted outside a Safeway supermarket in Fisherman's
Wharf. What is it there for? I for my part defied the warning and
bought my tortilla chips.