In 2007, I was a technical support manager for Cingular Wireless, soon-to-be AT&T. I'd been with the company six years at that point and had been there for the transition from pagers to one-way-text capable phones to monophonic ringtones to basic internet access. I watched as Blackberry held on to the smartphone market against all … Continue reading iPhone – 10 Years Later
This is the final entry in my series about my time with Michael Wallis on the Midwest leg of his book tour for, "The Best Land Under Heaven: The Donner Party in the Age of Manifest Destiny". If you've missed any previous installment, here they are: Springfield MO & KC Kansas City KC to Columbia … Continue reading On the Road with Michael – Home Again
(other installments of this series here) Tuesday, the final full day of my journey with Michael Wallis. We got off to an early start since we had a drive to Illinois first thing. Before we even left St Louis, though, Michael had a live interview with the Sam Madonia morning radio show in Springfield. The … Continue reading On the Road with Michael – The Best Land Under Heaven
Our last day in St Louis served as a bridge between the Route 66 world that Michael Wallis is so associated with and the western history that serves as the backbone of his literary output. It included a literal bridge, too, as it happens. During the downtime I had on Sunday, I'd made a startling … Continue reading On the Road with Michael – St Louis III
(other installments of this series here) Sunday was another gloriously slow morning. I drank coffee & ate the last two donuts from the Donut Drive-In while I looked out my window at the flower bed. I checked the news, did a little writing, and generally lazed about until about 10:00. I was pleased to see … Continue reading On the Road with Michael – St Louis II
(previous installments of this series here) Saturday got off to a joyously slow start. I'd slept better than expected, considering the fact I could hear conversation in the next room clear as day. We didn't meet up for breakfast until about 10:00 AM. On the way down, I noticed the station Midway had a bunch … Continue reading On the Road with Michael – St Louis
(previous installments of this series here) Friday morning, we slept in. Of course, sleeping in for me (and Michael as well) meant waking up around 8:00 instead of 7:00. I took my time getting ready, puttering around my hotel room with mediocre coffee and a few of our remaining thumbprint cookies. Looking out the window … Continue reading On the Road with Michael – Columbia to St Louis
(other installments of this series here) When I set out to take this trip, I knew I would be updating my blog as we went. I didn't expect to update it every day -- but, as I should have known, our adventures have given me plenty to write about. Although we had no direct book-related … Continue reading On the Road with Michael – KC to Columbia
(other installments of this series here) I had set my alarm for 7:00 AM Wednesday morning, but it turned out that I didn't need it. I woke shortly after sunrise, eager to start the day. I 'enjoyed' a cup of hotel room coffee before joining Michael for breakfast on the 18th floor of the Sheraton. … Continue reading On the Road with Michael – Kansas City
When I went to the Tulsa Historical Society in May to hear author/historian Michael Wallis talk about his new book ("The Best Land Under Heaven: The Donner Party in the Age of Manifest Destiny") I expected to enjoy the presentation, which I did. I expected to visit with my friends and walk out with a … Continue reading On the Road with Michael – Tulsa to KC
Rhys' Pieces 