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I'mmmm backkk!

Smoke

Smoke

Distributed Computing Elite Member
Greetings to all my DC pals,

Just returned from Italy where I had a great time. DC withdrawal was tough. I really missed all of the chatter.

My SETI front line held up pretty good while I was away with one glaring exception. One of my best machines seems to have run into a little problem with my granddaughter. 🙁 Two days after my departure the computer got "locked up". That generally happens when she visits PawPaw's office and has a go at banging on the keyboard. OH well, that was approximately 50 WUs down the tubes. 🙁

I tried to post to the forums several times while in Italy but on each occassion I got a "you are not authorized to post to this forum" message? Probably something to do with AOL? I opened a new account with AOL because I noticed they had a pop site in Rome. There was a $10 @ Hour surcharge and of course the hotel had to get its share but I was able to logon between 28,800 to 31,200. I had logged in to the AnandTech Forums and appeared to be so "accounted for" but I just couldn't post? I know we have AOL members and I know we have members from all over the world so I'm confused. Anyone got any ideas. I'm now back on my normal BellSouth DSL connection so hopefully this topic WILL post.

Anyway, I home again (/how nice that sounds) and have just read up on some of the latest SETI threads. I see Hellburner, OhioDude, and Eponymous are still keeping up the interest...a tip of my cap to them. I also see there is a possible new recruit from Microsoft with a fantastic portfolio. 🙂

So hey...you'all got any room for me back here?

😀

 
Welcome back!! Of course, we have plently of room for you!

You talked a lot about computers, but nothing about your trip. Do we get a travel report on what sounds like a great holiday!
 
What JWM said, a travel report would be nice😀

BTW, it looks like its AOL's anoymizer (is that right) that is the problem.
I saw a post from a moderator about those account being banned.
Something about misuse🙁

Well, welcome back
 
Well since you asked, 😱

My wife and I flew to Marseilles, France where we bordered the Seabourne Sea Goddess II. We slowly cruised (6 days) to Rome, Italy stopping at some of the poshest European ports: Marseilles, Monaco, PortaFino, Nice, PortoCervo. Some of the yachts in these ports are unbelieveable. Of course, the ship I was on was no turkey itself. 😀

While in PortaFino we anchored right next to Bill Gates' yacht, a converted Ocean Tug. Sort of ugly but I'm sure loaded with all of the latest, greatest gadgets money can buy. Antennas and radar domes sticking out all over the place. No, didn't see Bill but we sent over a bottle of fine wine just to say hello. 😉

Got some nice digital snapshots and if I can figure out how to get them on my FREE website I'll post a link.

We stayed in Rome for seven days. The first hotel, the Westin Excelsior, was supposed to be one of the very best in Rome. There was a problem with their A/C and there were security guards (of all nationalities) combing the hotel. It seems there were several delagations staying there in preparation for the G8 meetings in Genoa. We stayed on the sixth (top) floor and had to walk down past the fifth to get the elevator on the fourth. The entire fifth floor was closed off with security guards and a secretary at at desk where you would walk past going down the stairs. I didn't see him but I was told Colin Powell was there and that Bush was expected at the end of his meetings in Genoa.

After two days of all that bulls..t, I checked out and relocated to the five-star Crowne Plaza Grand Hotel de la Minerva. This hotel was just as nice without all the machine-gun armed security and it was located right smack in the middle of all the historical sites. We walked (and I don't like to walk) to the Vatican, the Colleseum, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps...all just a mile or less away. We stayed right next to the Pantheon and the beautiful (church) Santa Maria sopra Minerva. Santa Maria is a cathederal built right over the remains of an ancient Roman temple dedicated to the goddess Minerva. There was an excavation in the piazza right in front of the church that you could look down and see the ancient columns of the Temple of Minerva.

One of the most fun nights we had was in the Piazza Novona. There were thousands of people just wandering around beautiful fountains and obelisks with sidewalk cafes surrounding the area. This was on a Thursday Evening and it is my understanding that this goes on there every night.

All in all, sort of a boring trip. 😉

But you did ask. 😀
 
Yeah Smokeball is back!!! 😀

Uh-Oh Smokeball is back!!! :Q

TeAm Alien Get back to Crunching!!! 😀 😀

Italy sounds like fun!!! Did you go to Genoa?

 
Negatory on the Genoa. I guess they had enough rabble rousers there and didn't need our crew. 🙂
 
Welcome back, Smokeball! Sounds like you had a great vacation. 🙂

Oh, of course your spot is still open here. 🙂

Rob
 
Nice to have you back!

I spent 2 weeks in Europe last summer. I got lucky and found a few internet cafe's along the way. I was able to keep in touch (though the keyboards were a bit different).

Well, next time you go it sounds like you'll be buddy/buddy with Billy. You won't need to worry about AOL 😉
 
Glad you are back Smokeball, your presence here has been sorely missed! When you get those pics up, but sure to let us know. 🙂
 
The pictures are going to have to wait...priorities and all that. 1st...I've got to attend to my TEAM. 🙂

New TIVO...old one got zapped by lightning.

Thanks to everyone for the welcome back.

🙂🙂🙂

Nice to be home. 😀
 
Welcome back Smokeball 😀 ,sounds like you had a really excellent holiday 😀 ,lucky git 😉.

I'm afraid your 2nd 'inactive' thread has long since fallen down & unfortunatly I've been too busy with other stuff to dig it out(it should still be about I think)🙁.Sorry about that,I nearly did look for it last week but I got waylaid.
 
Sir Assimilator1,

Thanks for the welcome back. The trip was a great one...thought about you when we flew over London. 🙂

I think the thread INACTIVE MEMBERS did some good and IMHO, I don't see much more we can squeeze out of it. I feel we can let it rest for now...however, I've got all the info on spreadsheets if and when we want to give it another go.

Whenever you want to get into it, I suggest we execute the direct email plan.
 
welcome back!

sounds like fun!
i want to go to italy someday, but i think i'd have to learn to gesture first.

i'm all for direct mail.
 
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