Long Valley, NJ (GMT- 5)

Has it really been a week?  It's been a whirlwind of activity between Texas and New Jersey getting ready for my adventure.

After a meeting packed 3 days in Texas, returned to NJ mid-day Thursday, 10/28, to start pulling everything together for the next 2-3 months in APJ.  Of course that little thing 'work' kept getting in the way of departure prep and, between Rosie and I (she took off Friday to spend time with me and help), we took numerous mini-trips to pick up the remaining items I'd need for my trip.

At home the evening before the trip begins

In summary:  my passport and China visas arrived as promised on Thursday from CIBT; Rose picked up my new, tailored sports coats from Joseph A Banks; Fred and I submitted and got approved for International roaming with our Blackberries - I'm extremely pleased by that, particularly since I've yet to receive my AT&T calling card; worked all day Friday - mostly on escalations; Meg and Mike came over to see me off on Friday night and we did dinner, and finally; we laid out all of the possible clothes I might need and packed 2 suitcases for my trip.  I'll be carrying on my photography back-pack and work laptop roller.

My boss, Will, called me today to ask if I'd been upgraded to BusinessFirst yet on CO Flt#87 - he had just been alerted to his upgrade... of course, he's a platinum level traveler.  I just made Silver but, due to Continental Airlines' lag times updating individual OnePass programs, I still look like 'Joe' the traveler and therefore don't rate!  I paid 30,000 miles and $400 to upgrade - they took my miles/money - and let me know today that my upgrade could not be confirmed (read, not gonna get it), that I could not check-in online, would have to do so at the airport tomorrow with my bags and, at that time would be put on a waiting list to upgrade to the remaining - if any - BusinessFirst seats...  I'm not holding my breath.  It's going to be a loooonnng, 15hr flight to Shanghai. :-(

I haven't been able to relax today.  Work has been encroaching on my time, still have a lot of packing to do, friends to call, and checklists to check and double-check.  It's also felt strangely like days gone by when I was in the Navy and getting ready to deploy... both Rosie and I have been a little 'peckish' to each other, easy to irritate or snap at the slightest thing - a clear indicator that I'm going away.  It's always easier to leave someone when you're mad at them!  So, we know that, and have tried to laugh about it.  Regardless, I am going to miss her.

Will be getting up early tomorrow to get to the airport in Newark.  The flight doesn't take off until 11am-ish so, my thin thread of a hope for an upgrade is motivating me to leave the house between 0700 and 0730 to check in and get on the standby list as soon as possible.  I purposely tried to change my seat to the very back but, I was not allowed to do so since I have to check in, in person, tomorrow morning.  Oh well... quite the inauspicious start to a highly visible trip!

More later friends and family.

Leia Mais…

Round Rock, TX (GMT- 6)

Safely here at the Hampton Inn on Dell Way.  It's 2115 local.  Just had a turkey sandwich I bought from WalMart for supper (and an ice cream from the Sundry shop here in the hotel :-) ).  Didn't get out to chow with Fred.  We exchanged some texts... his flight out of Florida got delayed.  We'll hook up for breakfast tomorrow morning.

Hampton Inn, RR TX

Arrived at Bergstrom ~1820.  Baggage claim moved fairly quickly, got my new mid-sized bag and made my way to Hertz for my rental.  Was expecting my usual Corolla... lo and behold, I was pleasantly surprised with a fire engine red Ford Mustang!  I've never driven one before - should be fun - believe there are a ton of folks renting from Hertz today.  On the way out of Hertz saw 1 of my team members down for training this week, Kevin.  He'll be joining Shane and Milan for advanced EQLogic training this week.  I hope I can hook up with them but, we have a jam packed 3 days of meetings and team bonding events.

Anyway, feeling a bit tired.  Plan on getting up tomorrow and going to the gym for some sweat equity.  First session starts at 0900 in RR2 - I think.  ;-)

'Nuff for now.

Leia Mais…

Long Valley, NJ (GMT- 5)

Well, feels like I just got home and now leaving forTexas again - for another 3 day session... this time with our partners from Europe MiddleEast Asia (EMEA) and Asia Pacific Japan (APJ).  I look forward to coming out of this week with a clear idea of what we want to set in motion and accomplish while overseas.

Pretty busy end of the week here in Jersey.  A lot of running around to pick up 'stuff' that I may need while abroad, such as:  Old Navy sweaters, new t-shirts, new dress shirts, fitted sports coats and luggage with rollers (thanks, Rosie!).  Also, found time to give blood on Friday morning and then go to dinner with our good friends, Russ and Trish, Friday evening at the Black Horse Inn, Mendham, NJ.

Black Horse Inn, Mendham, NJ

Russ & Trish

Fuji & Rose

Saturday, more chores around the house including getting the Honda ATV ready for the winter snow for Rosie and spending a fun evening with Meg and Mike over dinner, a fire outside in our old chiminaya and gazing at the moon and stars through Mike's telescope.  A very nice evening on the mountain... I even got to celebrate X-mas early.  Meg brought me my gifts since I won't be here:  an etiquette book on Asia, adapter and plugs for my e-toys and, a neat passport holder that goes discreetly around my neck on a lanyard.  I really appreciated all the gifts... Thanks, Meg and Mike!

Meg & Mike

Timberlane Place

Woke up this morning and just busied around.  I'll be on the same flight as last Sunday, CO Flt#450, scheduled for takeoff at ~1515, arriving in Austin, TX, around 1815.  Left the house at noon for Newark.  Got to the airport at ~1300, parked in P1, jumped on the Airtrain to Terminal C, checked 1 bag, made it through security OK and strolled over to Gate 73 to await boarding. Our chariot this afternoon, a B737-800.  My seat: 24D.

More once I get to the Hampton Inn in Round Rock.

Leia Mais…

Austin, TX (GMT- 6)

The end of a very busy 3 days...  just sitting here at the airport regretting the fact that I, Tom Lansdale, did not bring a camera along with me on a trip for the 1st time since I can't remember when! I'll make up for it next week when I'm back in town for 3 more days.

I feel the need to state upfront that this blog is intended to capture my thoughts, observations and highlights of my travels abroad and those people I'll meet and the experiences I'll have along the way.  Having said that it will be difficult not to mention, on occasion, those business colleagues of mine I'll be meeting and working with while I'm at specific Dell locations here in the US and APJ - which will help me with the context of my travels.  In order to protect the innocent, I'll use only first names. :-)

Got in a lot of work - I have a lot of ongoing review and study to do prior to leaving on my extended trip - and there's much more on the horizon to get into.  Spent most of the 3 days with my colleagues Fred, Scott, Roy and Tim in small rooms with no windows getting 'in briefed', to as much as they could provide Fred and I with, as to those personnel and projects of interest in our regions.  Was extremely beneficial.

Also got to spend time with 2 of my regional team members who are in training this week from NY and Alberta, CA:  Rick and Shane. Did dinner and coffee.  Enjoyed the opportunity.

Side note:  I was somewhat preoccupied while in RR with gathering up those items required to apply for and obtain my entry Visa for travel into China - have never had to do this on my own before.  All the details as to my travel plans/itinerary were unknown to me until this past Tuesday therefore, contributing to this 'mini-fire drill.'  I brought everything needed to complete said Visa application with me from New Jersey.  I was quite dependent - uncomfortably so - on receiving timely supporting letters from my China and internal contacts in order to complete the necessary application package, not to mention providing proof of my intended travel via hotel confirmations.  I was quite relieved to have finally FedEx'd my package to our partner vendor that provides this service for us, CIBT, early on Wednesday morning.  I look forward to getting my Passport back with Visa next week - or I won't be going to China on Sunday, 10/31.

Leia Mais…

Round Rock, TX (GMT- 6)

So, this is the start of my journey to the far side of the world and, the beginning of a new blog....  

Bit of an odd statement since I only just left Long Valley, NJ, this afternoon at 1530, landed at Austin's Bergstrom International Airport at 1815 and drove the ~23 miles to my hotel, the Hampton Inn, right on Dell Way in Round Rock.

Nonetheless, this is the start.  I'm in Dell's Home Office locale to become as familiar as possible with everything going on in our Asia Pacific & Japan (APJ) business over the next 3 days - before I come back next week to meet face-to-face with my APJ counterparts prior to departing for China - specifically, Shanghai and Beijing.

Should be very interesting.

More later 

Leia Mais…