September 2011 Archives

In my laziness regarding my web site, apparently I missed the boat when it came to my server. I have not had any issues regarding my site since I migrated it back in 2006 to my current host. In the past 5 years, the server company has gone through many changes, and unbeknownst to me, they started offering faster, more reliable servers for users with no additional cost. They only requirement is that you have to do all the legwork in migrating the content to the new server. Once it is all up and running, you can blow away the old one.

Despite the moving 5 times in 16 years, the site still is not as neat and organized as I would like it. There are still some legacy parts - the worst offender being the Trip Diaries section. As many of you know, it has been the bane of my existence over the last 10 years as I have struggled to get the time to completely re-do the site. I have made progress on the redesign, but I have stopped as I am thinking of re-doing the whole concept.

I am going to try and set up Wordpress and migrate the site from Movable Type. Don't get me wrong, I love MT, but it just does not have the templates and themes that WP offers. Part of this new server migration will allow me to start fresh - either just with the Trip Diaries section, or putting the whole site into it.

There is some confusion on my part if I can run several different "blogs" (Gorn, Diaries, Daily Update) with the same install and have different themes for each. I'm thinking that there will be a master "Club Josh" look and feel to most of the site, and then the Gorn and Diaries will become sub-sites with their own look and feel.

The goal is to make my site into something that is easily updated and not saddled by what has been done in the past. That's the goal at least, and with my vacation to Florida and Arizona coming up, my goal would be to get something up and running by the 11th anniversary of the Daily Update in October. Then, who knows, maybe WP will allow me to have a new mobile site that has everything as opposed to just select content!

Stay tuned..

This is actually an entry I started months ago, but never finished..

I have been thinking of where I want to go on vacation. I know, surprise, surprise right? Anyways, It's been awhile since I really sat down and thought the ever-popular question of where I want to go in the world more than anywhere. Part of this thought is because I'm reflecting on the 10th anniversary of actually accomplishing visiting the first place I ever wanted to go more than anything - French Polynesia.

So in no particular order:
New Zealand
Since visiting Australia, NZ is next on my list. Would love to take a motor home and explore the countryside or just stay in the big cities. Definitely want to visit Christchurch after their quake to help bolster their economy. Oh, and visit LOTR sites!

Barcelona, Spain
One of the cities I have always wanted to visit since the 1992 Olympics! Also Costa Blanca and other regions of Spain and Gibraltar

South of France and Monte Carlo
I have a grand tour from Barcelona to Italy that could take care of the this one and the next few. I really want to gamble in a white tux in Monte Carlo. And drive an Aston Martin. And maybe have a Martini. Just sayin'

Amalfi Coast, Italy
So beautiful...Just want to explore all the villages and eat all the good food.

Sicily
Volcano + Homeland of my paternal family..

Greek Islands and Athens
This is someplace I have always wanted to go since I studied Greek Culture. And I am a sucker for beautiful islands..

Switzerland
Big hole in my travel map happens to include the Matterhorn. Duh.

More Europe
Eastern and Central Europe are calling...

Shanghai, China and other bits
They are opening a Disneyland Resort there in 2015 or so. Hopefully I will get paid to go there. If not, still will be awesome to be there when it opens just like I was in Hong Kong back in 2005.

Just the tip of the iceberg folks, I literally could go on forever with places to travel. I think I will do another entry soon on North American places to visit.

Wow, it's already mid-September! What happened to Summer? It was a good summer and a tough summer in different ways. For the good part, I am having a great time at work in the new position. I think that is a big reason why this summer flew by. I actually look forward to going to work and feel like I am contributing something important to the business.

For the difficult part, my family has been getting frequent flier mileage at the local hospitals. 5 members of my family have spent significant time in the hospital or battling tough illnesses. It has been tough keeping up with everyone, but they are all fighters and are powering through. As I get older and older, it seems that more and more people are needing medical care. I thank my fortune that the most I have been worrying about is random moles and getting to the eye doctor. (I really need to get new glasses!)

Even though it is not technically Fall, the season is upon us. Kids are back in school and Jeff Probst is back on my television. I'm always excited for the new season of Survivor and Amazing Race! My other favorite, Doctor Who is winding down its current season, and it has been an amazing one. Can't wait to see how it all wraps up in a few weeks.

Speaking of a few weeks, it's time to visit the AZ family soon in their native habitat. Hoping the thermometer shows mercy on me since the last time it was well over 110 degrees. From there, I will be making a return trip to the Florida Project for the 40th Anniversary of the Magic Kingdom and the Walt Disney World Resort. It's been 4(!!) years since I have been there, and it will be nice to visit. Being a nerd, I am excited to stay in two new Resort Hotels (despite being denied, yet again, to getting a night at the Contemporary Resort - one day my childhood dream will come true).

I will be taking the iPad for it's first trip (outside of the state - it did go on the trip to Sequoia and Yosemite at the beginning of summer) so I am beginning to get some media transferred to it so I can test the battery. I don't usually do a travel diary for WDW, but depending on what inspires me we shall see.

Now that I have broken my summer log jam, I am going to try and pick up the pace around here for the 5 people that might actually still be reading my site.

Oh - quick site news, I actually made good process on the new Trip Diaries! Just need some long nights to get through it all and then finally it will be done.