killy
Things I love about Killy:
The Rittenhouse Hotel
Things I hate about Killy:
It's a stereotypical city of the USA
The Rittenhouse Hotel
Things I hate about Killy:
It's a stereotypical city of the USA
chicago
Weather was actually fairly reasonable in Chicago. Checked into the loverly Ritz Carlton and then immediately headed out to the dojo for some training. Couple of hours and we hit the local Irish pub for dinner.
By then I had a pile of emails from Tokyo and discovered that we are being inspected by the regulators, so was on the phone all night figuring out if I needed to fly back to Tokyo immediately. Final conclusion was that there's no point in coming back early, so I just stayed on email until 3 am, then got up for a reasonably light day of interviews and evening presentation.
After the presentation we had massive killer steaks at Gibson's before heading home.
Now at the airport taking the early morning flight to Killy.
By then I had a pile of emails from Tokyo and discovered that we are being inspected by the regulators, so was on the phone all night figuring out if I needed to fly back to Tokyo immediately. Final conclusion was that there's no point in coming back early, so I just stayed on email until 3 am, then got up for a reasonably light day of interviews and evening presentation.
After the presentation we had massive killer steaks at Gibson's before heading home.
Now at the airport taking the early morning flight to Killy.
el lay
Pretty uneventful flight from SF to LA, but when we got to the Four Seasons it was before noon and our rooms weren't ready yet, so we had to change in the spa and head over to the Bev Wilshire for the lunch presentation.
Good turn out, small presentation room, excellent food. I had two huge plates of salad and steamed vegetables, justifying my over-eating with the fact that it was all reasonably healthful foodstuffs.
Interviews went ok and of course the monster presidential suite at Bev Wilshire does not suck, and they even had wireless. Applause.
Skipped the team dinner and got Korean BBQ with Daboo and N3i. Best meat in LA deep in the heart of K-Town. N3i was dying to get the new Guitar Hero so we went to Best Buy, where they turned the roof parking lot into a rock show (rumor was Slash would be making an appearance) but the store wasn't open. So we went to Daboo's office and played Guitar Hero on the giant projection TV.
That game is SO. MUCH. FUN. As soon as Tonchan is old enough to hold a controller, I must get her a PS2 and we will rock out!
Jak was on a train coming back from San Jose so we couldn' hook up. My bad as originally we were gonna hang out on Sunday but then I changed my flight to Chicago to early Sunday. However all is forgiven because he'll be coming to Japan around new year's so we are totally going to have an enjoyable time of it.
Good turn out, small presentation room, excellent food. I had two huge plates of salad and steamed vegetables, justifying my over-eating with the fact that it was all reasonably healthful foodstuffs.
Interviews went ok and of course the monster presidential suite at Bev Wilshire does not suck, and they even had wireless. Applause.
Skipped the team dinner and got Korean BBQ with Daboo and N3i. Best meat in LA deep in the heart of K-Town. N3i was dying to get the new Guitar Hero so we went to Best Buy, where they turned the roof parking lot into a rock show (rumor was Slash would be making an appearance) but the store wasn't open. So we went to Daboo's office and played Guitar Hero on the giant projection TV.
That game is SO. MUCH. FUN. As soon as Tonchan is old enough to hold a controller, I must get her a PS2 and we will rock out!
Jak was on a train coming back from San Jose so we couldn' hook up. My bad as originally we were gonna hang out on Sunday but then I changed my flight to Chicago to early Sunday. However all is forgiven because he'll be coming to Japan around new year's so we are totally going to have an enjoyable time of it.
and to SF once again
Spent a few days in Stamford with the familials. Did some Tonchan shopping at the mall, ate mama's famous meatballs, got some take out from High Ridge Deli, watched some American TV (is everything a CSI or a Law & Order?)
Tonchan seems reasonably well-adjusted, but being less than one year old she'd rather goof off and play around with her relatives than eat. She did figure out how to climb up the three stairs from the living room to the dining room, but she hasn't got the going down part yet. She continues to dive head first off of anything; stairs, couch, etc.
I'm now back in SF at the as-lovely-as-expected (closer on the spectrum to NY than Toronto) Four Seasons. Full day tomorrow so methinks this evening I'll catch up on email and get some Chinese takeout.
Tonchan seems reasonably well-adjusted, but being less than one year old she'd rather goof off and play around with her relatives than eat. She did figure out how to climb up the three stairs from the living room to the dining room, but she hasn't got the going down part yet. She continues to dive head first off of anything; stairs, couch, etc.
I'm now back in SF at the as-lovely-as-expected (closer on the spectrum to NY than Toronto) Four Seasons. Full day tomorrow so methinks this evening I'll catch up on email and get some Chinese takeout.
manhattan
Went into the city to have dinner with Hibaba and granpa, and then we took a break at Uncle Lee's.
toronto airport
Lovely airport. Except for the US Immigration and customs.
Because the Canada-US flights all fly into US domestic airports which have no customs/immigration, we clear that joyous process here in Canada before checking lugging, going through security, and heading to the gate.
As soon as we lined, it was like we were in America already! They were so rude! They directed us through endless switchbacks for no apparent reason! The signs were unhelpfully confusing, and if you lined up incorrectly, they yell at you!
Even better, they don't care that your flight is about to leave. Never mind that the final flight to the US is at 9:10 pm, and it's always full. Why bother opening up all the immigration lines, or splitting US passport holders into a separate line? That would be far, far to un-nonsensical and efficient. Instead, if you even dare to ASK, you will merely be barked at with a resounding no, and told how much my feet hurt from standing here directly you cattle into the appropriate immigration interrogation. And take your time checking my name and stamping my passport. By all means attempt to make banal small talk with me with what little Japanese you picked up guarding our borders. Take your time!
Because the Canada-US flights all fly into US domestic airports which have no customs/immigration, we clear that joyous process here in Canada before checking lugging, going through security, and heading to the gate.
As soon as we lined, it was like we were in America already! They were so rude! They directed us through endless switchbacks for no apparent reason! The signs were unhelpfully confusing, and if you lined up incorrectly, they yell at you!
Even better, they don't care that your flight is about to leave. Never mind that the final flight to the US is at 9:10 pm, and it's always full. Why bother opening up all the immigration lines, or splitting US passport holders into a separate line? That would be far, far to un-nonsensical and efficient. Instead, if you even dare to ASK, you will merely be barked at with a resounding no, and told how much my feet hurt from standing here directly you cattle into the appropriate immigration interrogation. And take your time checking my name and stamping my passport. By all means attempt to make banal small talk with me with what little Japanese you picked up guarding our borders. Take your time!
15 minutes
One of the guys at the retreat this year was an AP reporter. His story is now all over the place and the photo used looks familiar.
4 season toronto is...not nyc
Well the Four Seasons in NYC has set the bar, high, and Toronto is a lovely city but the hotel is decidedly old school. Nothing particularly wrong with it, but it ain't like New York.
Actually the city of Toronto is very much like New York, if everyone was nice and polite, and everything was clean, and there were more trees everywhere.
Actually the city of Toronto is very much like New York, if everyone was nice and polite, and everything was clean, and there were more trees everywhere.
four seasons nyc does not suck, either
OK so flying out of Logan sucked.
Firstly, we were flying US Airways but booked through United. This time we were smart enough to go check-in at US Airways. Having a first class ticket, I went to the first class check-in. However, there were only two staff serving first class, so everyone lined up behind me actually lined up over at regular check-in and get served first.
Now, in a civilized country that prides itself on service (like say, I dunno...Japan) that does not happen. What usually happens is the first open counter at the regular check-in asks the people lined up at first to come check-in. Because we're better? No, because we've got first class tickets, which cost more. Why do they cost more? Because we are paying for better service. This a concept entirely lacking at Logan Airport.
So I finally get to check-in and she tells me "This is the wrong check-in. You're on a Shuttle flight, which has its own check-in down there." Ah right, of course I was supposed to just know this somehow. So she begrudgingly checks me in, but won't check my buddy's bags. Oh and btw the flight has been cancelled so we're on the next flight, and no first class seat.
We walk down the terminal to the Shuttle check-in line (no first class check-in at all for some reason) and get told: "Ask at the gate for first class, I can't do that here?" Huh? Can you be more specific as to why you can't? Different computer system? What, they have a separate booking and seating system at the gate? What, then, is the purpose of actually having a dedicated Shuttle check-in if you can't actually assign first class seats to a first class ticket holder? This discussion ends quickly with me as the recipient of a blank stare (this is a recurring theme, btw.)
So we go through Security Theatre and to the gate. I hand over my first class ticket and my coach boarding pass and ask for a first class seat.
"There are no first class seats."
[Tickets slid back across the counter. Blank stare.]
...
"Uh...ok. Thank you...umm...so what are my options?" I ask as humbly as possible.
...
[Blank stare...]
...
"You'll have to get a refund of the difference from whomever sold you the ticket."
[Blank stare.]
Wow, service with a smile!
So we got to La Guardia without incident, lined up for a cab with everyone else, and decent in the joy that is riding a NYC cab into Manhattan on a Friday afternoon. After cutting off everyone, crossing 12 lanes to get into the EZPass tunnel entrance, tail-gating a bus, and riding expertly in the blind spot of not one but two limos, we arrived on the island to battle mid-town traffic up 3rd to 57th. Our cabbie displayed his driving prowess by weaving back and forth between lanes as if we were the only car on the road, attempting to crush pedestrians who crossed against the light, who crossed with the light, who stayed on the sidewalk...the 20 minute ride from the airport took an hour before we got to the Four Seasons.
Ah, the Four Seasons. Huge 35th floor suite looking north out of the bedroom complete with park view. Every female at the concierge desk beautiful and Euro-accented, every male chiseled handsome and gay. We attempted to get Two Boots delivered but they wouldn't come up past 51st even with a $50 tip promised, so I went for Chinese takeout and enjoyed my sweet 'n sour pork with shrimp fried rice whilst watching the SciFi Channel in the suite lounge.
Today we had a reasonable schedule of interviews; some non-useless candidates that we may see again. And now gearing up for the evening flight to Toronto.
Firstly, we were flying US Airways but booked through United. This time we were smart enough to go check-in at US Airways. Having a first class ticket, I went to the first class check-in. However, there were only two staff serving first class, so everyone lined up behind me actually lined up over at regular check-in and get served first.
Now, in a civilized country that prides itself on service (like say, I dunno...Japan) that does not happen. What usually happens is the first open counter at the regular check-in asks the people lined up at first to come check-in. Because we're better? No, because we've got first class tickets, which cost more. Why do they cost more? Because we are paying for better service. This a concept entirely lacking at Logan Airport.
So I finally get to check-in and she tells me "This is the wrong check-in. You're on a Shuttle flight, which has its own check-in down there." Ah right, of course I was supposed to just know this somehow. So she begrudgingly checks me in, but won't check my buddy's bags. Oh and btw the flight has been cancelled so we're on the next flight, and no first class seat.
We walk down the terminal to the Shuttle check-in line (no first class check-in at all for some reason) and get told: "Ask at the gate for first class, I can't do that here?" Huh? Can you be more specific as to why you can't? Different computer system? What, they have a separate booking and seating system at the gate? What, then, is the purpose of actually having a dedicated Shuttle check-in if you can't actually assign first class seats to a first class ticket holder? This discussion ends quickly with me as the recipient of a blank stare (this is a recurring theme, btw.)
So we go through Security Theatre and to the gate. I hand over my first class ticket and my coach boarding pass and ask for a first class seat.
"There are no first class seats."
[Tickets slid back across the counter. Blank stare.]
...
"Uh...ok. Thank you...umm...so what are my options?" I ask as humbly as possible.
...
[Blank stare...]
...
"You'll have to get a refund of the difference from whomever sold you the ticket."
[Blank stare.]
Wow, service with a smile!
So we got to La Guardia without incident, lined up for a cab with everyone else, and decent in the joy that is riding a NYC cab into Manhattan on a Friday afternoon. After cutting off everyone, crossing 12 lanes to get into the EZPass tunnel entrance, tail-gating a bus, and riding expertly in the blind spot of not one but two limos, we arrived on the island to battle mid-town traffic up 3rd to 57th. Our cabbie displayed his driving prowess by weaving back and forth between lanes as if we were the only car on the road, attempting to crush pedestrians who crossed against the light, who crossed with the light, who stayed on the sidewalk...the 20 minute ride from the airport took an hour before we got to the Four Seasons.
Ah, the Four Seasons. Huge 35th floor suite looking north out of the bedroom complete with park view. Every female at the concierge desk beautiful and Euro-accented, every male chiseled handsome and gay. We attempted to get Two Boots delivered but they wouldn't come up past 51st even with a $50 tip promised, so I went for Chinese takeout and enjoyed my sweet 'n sour pork with shrimp fried rice whilst watching the SciFi Channel in the suite lounge.
Today we had a reasonable schedule of interviews; some non-useless candidates that we may see again. And now gearing up for the evening flight to Toronto.
boston
Not entirely sure why we're at The Taj; lovely hotel but not really used to the recruiting we do. We thought we'd have suites to use for interviews, but actually we've got (very small) rooms and one meeting room. Nice location, though. Apparently Newbury Street is kind of like 5th Avenue; lots of FuFu brands and a decent Thai restaurant. Not sure what event we missed out on last night, but the gentlemen in full Scottish kilt were enjoying the piano bar immensely.
More interviews today and then off to NYC.
More interviews today and then off to NYC.
pod
Had dinner in Pod.
When Branson builds his Space Tours lounge, this is probably what it will look like.
The coolest thing was the large 9 button panel on the wall of the "pod" tables. Press the button and the lighting in your pod changes color. Slick. Very uber-modern and trendalicious. Can't see why there isn't ten of these in Manhattan and LA already.
Other than that, the "Asian" food was typical but good, and the modern plastic furniture surprisingly convertible. Conveniently located across the street from UPenn, the bar is apparently where all the beautiful people hang out.
When Branson builds his Space Tours lounge, this is probably what it will look like.
The coolest thing was the large 9 button panel on the wall of the "pod" tables. Press the button and the lighting in your pod changes color. Slick. Very uber-modern and trendalicious. Can't see why there isn't ten of these in Manhattan and LA already.
Other than that, the "Asian" food was typical but good, and the modern plastic furniture surprisingly convertible. Conveniently located across the street from UPenn, the bar is apparently where all the beautiful people hang out.
taxis in LA suck
Stood around UCLA for an hour waiting for our taxi to arrive.
When we went back for the evening presentation, I gave the driver an extra 20 and specifically told him to come back at 7:30 so that we could make it to the airport in time for our Philly flights.
So I'm on the curb at 7:30 and there's no cab. I ask the parking lot attendant and she's all "Oh he just left. He was here since 7." DUDE, did I not give you twenty bucks and say 7:30? My kingdom for a common language spoken by both taxi drivers and riders.
So we called for another cab and it showed up in 15 minutes. LA 15 minutes, which is closer to 45.
And the Russian (?) dude driving (whose car was absolutely infused with a painful garlic odor) proceeded to lament about "the conspiracy" to move people around and rob locals of jobs. And what am I doing in LA? Uh, recruiting. I am the enemy. I work for the man.
Managed to make it to LAX in one piece and had an uneventful flight to Killadelphia.
Got checked in to Rittenhouse Hotel about 6am and slept until noon, then did interviews all afternoon.
Nice suite, btw. Jacuzzi bathtub, full kitchen, and FREE WIRELESS. Thank you, finally.
When we went back for the evening presentation, I gave the driver an extra 20 and specifically told him to come back at 7:30 so that we could make it to the airport in time for our Philly flights.
So I'm on the curb at 7:30 and there's no cab. I ask the parking lot attendant and she's all "Oh he just left. He was here since 7." DUDE, did I not give you twenty bucks and say 7:30? My kingdom for a common language spoken by both taxi drivers and riders.
So we called for another cab and it showed up in 15 minutes. LA 15 minutes, which is closer to 45.
And the Russian (?) dude driving (whose car was absolutely infused with a painful garlic odor) proceeded to lament about "the conspiracy" to move people around and rob locals of jobs. And what am I doing in LA? Uh, recruiting. I am the enemy. I work for the man.
Managed to make it to LAX in one piece and had an uneventful flight to Killadelphia.
Got checked in to Rittenhouse Hotel about 6am and slept until noon, then did interviews all afternoon.
Nice suite, btw. Jacuzzi bathtub, full kitchen, and FREE WIRELESS. Thank you, finally.
sfo
NOT free wireless. And not free at the Mandarin Hotel, either. OK, at the airport I can sort of get it; let tMobile or whomever charge 10 bucks for people sitting around at the gate bored so that they can get some good internets lovin'.
But what is it with the Mandarin, and in fact most reasonably nice hotels, charging $12.95 a day for wired (not even wireless) internet? No problem charging $7 for the Snickers in the minibar; I certainly don't have to eat it. But I'm on bid'ness (you did notice the corporate rate and the corporate Amex card?) -- it's all about teh internets, man. Get me some work done. Check me some emailses. Surf me some websiteses.
So anyway yesterday I landed about 10am and got to the hotel at about 11am. No check-in until 3pm. And there was no request for early check-in (note to self: remind desk assistant to request early check-in when my flight lands anytime before 3pm.)
So I grabbed the blackberry charger an hit the local Starbucks rip-off. Nice Chai lattes, free eletricity, good comfy chair for napping.
After I checked in I got dim sum with the ladies M & E and parentals, then crashed early.
This morning I had some Peets (again a quality soy Chai latte) and a killer brekkie burrito (chicken and bacon: soul mates from the dawn of time) with Petey LongShort and Jensui.
I then headed off to Berkeley to have a chat with the kiddies about life and gainful employment. A summary: remember all those morons you're linked to on Facebook as one of them is gonna give you a job some day.
Next stop: El Lay.
But what is it with the Mandarin, and in fact most reasonably nice hotels, charging $12.95 a day for wired (not even wireless) internet? No problem charging $7 for the Snickers in the minibar; I certainly don't have to eat it. But I'm on bid'ness (you did notice the corporate rate and the corporate Amex card?) -- it's all about teh internets, man. Get me some work done. Check me some emailses. Surf me some websiteses.
So anyway yesterday I landed about 10am and got to the hotel at about 11am. No check-in until 3pm. And there was no request for early check-in (note to self: remind desk assistant to request early check-in when my flight lands anytime before 3pm.)
So I grabbed the blackberry charger an hit the local Starbucks rip-off. Nice Chai lattes, free eletricity, good comfy chair for napping.
After I checked in I got dim sum with the ladies M & E and parentals, then crashed early.
This morning I had some Peets (again a quality soy Chai latte) and a killer brekkie burrito (chicken and bacon: soul mates from the dawn of time) with Petey LongShort and Jensui.
I then headed off to Berkeley to have a chat with the kiddies about life and gainful employment. A summary: remember all those morons you're linked to on Facebook as one of them is gonna give you a job some day.
Next stop: El Lay.
the asswipe chronicles
So Brad wrote about this guy who left the retreat early without even telling anyone: asswipe.
The guy gets into a back-n-forth with Brad via email, and Brad writes about him again.
Seems Mr.Wipe is also posting to a thread on BigDaikon where they take Brad apart.
I find this whole thing amusing on so many levels.
First there's just the basic joy of the teh internets, where shredding people is a sport honed to a fine art and everyone's an expert.
Second is the whole expectation vs. reality argument, and I should know because I'm the disciple in the video they discuss. I guess it was one of those you-had-to-be-there experiences. We didn't really practice at all, and Brad had never done a precepts ceremony before, and like I said before it's really quite boring. So we bumbled through it. I guess it "should" have been more sacred and humble and servile and holy and serious so that it meets everyone's expectations about what a "real" Buddhist ceremony is...or something, who knows.
I guess Brad should shave his head, too, and end all his emails with "In Sangha" or "Gassho" or "Asala malekum" or something too.
Third is the Big Question About Zazen: what is "real" Buddhism? Brad has as pretty clear idea, which he got from Nishijima-sensei. Other Buddhist and so-called Buddhists have other ideas. Soto vs. Rinzai. Tibetan vs. Korean. Blah vs. blah.
Bottom line is: you come to a Dogen Sangha retreat, you should expect to do it Dogen Sangha's way.
Forth and final is the general asswipiness of the situation. And I quote:
And that is easily the most fundamentally asswipe thing he did. The year before there were a couple of participants who had misgivings about participating and they had a long chat with Brad and finally decided not to stay until the end. Courteous, honest, and manageable. This guy just walked out and didn't even tell his friend.
So for anyone thinking about coming on the retreat sometime, here's a hint: there is one way to do it: Dogen Sangha's way. It is not a vacation. You are an active participant, and not fulfilling your basic responsibilities (cleaning, meal service, set up, etc.) is just a basic asswipe thing to do.
But what do I know? I'm just a mindless Brad worshiper after all!
The guy gets into a back-n-forth with Brad via email, and Brad writes about him again.
Seems Mr.Wipe is also posting to a thread on BigDaikon where they take Brad apart.
I find this whole thing amusing on so many levels.
First there's just the basic joy of the teh internets, where shredding people is a sport honed to a fine art and everyone's an expert.
Second is the whole expectation vs. reality argument, and I should know because I'm the disciple in the video they discuss. I guess it was one of those you-had-to-be-there experiences. We didn't really practice at all, and Brad had never done a precepts ceremony before, and like I said before it's really quite boring. So we bumbled through it. I guess it "should" have been more sacred and humble and servile and holy and serious so that it meets everyone's expectations about what a "real" Buddhist ceremony is...or something, who knows.
I guess Brad should shave his head, too, and end all his emails with "In Sangha" or "Gassho" or "Asala malekum" or something too.
Third is the Big Question About Zazen: what is "real" Buddhism? Brad has as pretty clear idea, which he got from Nishijima-sensei. Other Buddhist and so-called Buddhists have other ideas. Soto vs. Rinzai. Tibetan vs. Korean. Blah vs. blah.
Bottom line is: you come to a Dogen Sangha retreat, you should expect to do it Dogen Sangha's way.
Forth and final is the general asswipiness of the situation. And I quote:
"And then there was me, the Philosopher King, who was invited by a friend. I didn't have any expectations going into the event. I just wanted to take a holiday, travel and profit from the experience. I did all three."Not sure why anyone would think a zazen retreat is a holiday, but whatever I am honestly glad he profited from the experience, got his holiday and did his travelling. I certainly do NOT think Mr.Wipe had no expectations. In fact he could have confronted his expectations if he spent some more time sitting staring at the wall, alone with his thoughts. But that didn't happen, because by the time I showed up, he had already taken off.
And that is easily the most fundamentally asswipe thing he did. The year before there were a couple of participants who had misgivings about participating and they had a long chat with Brad and finally decided not to stay until the end. Courteous, honest, and manageable. This guy just walked out and didn't even tell his friend.
So for anyone thinking about coming on the retreat sometime, here's a hint: there is one way to do it: Dogen Sangha's way. It is not a vacation. You are an active participant, and not fulfilling your basic responsibilities (cleaning, meal service, set up, etc.) is just a basic asswipe thing to do.
But what do I know? I'm just a mindless Brad worshiper after all!
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