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
On May 31st, my friend Nick came to town. He wasn't coming through to geek out over neon signs like he did last time he entered Tulsa City Limits; he was part of a group of people experiencing Route 66 from a bicycle seat! Twenty-six travelers set out from Amarillo, Texas several days prior on their way to … Continue reading Bikes and Books
"We're going on a secret road trip Saturday," I told Samantha on Wednesday. She asked for a hint; I told her there was a hint in the front yard. She guessed for days. Eureka Springs? A craft show? Some obscure diner in the middle of nowhere? Nothing seemed to tie to the front yard, though. … Continue reading Strawberry Feels
My mother-in-law is in town this weekend. I am thankful that these visits do not come with the stereotypical hand-wringing and stress; I'm always happy when Cindy comes to town from New York. She's a great lady. Additionally, Samantha is on Cloud Nine the entire time; they usually spend most of the time junk-store shopping anyway. … Continue reading Backroad Bridgehunting
Last weekend was the first (hopefully annual) NeonFest in Arcadia, Oklahoma. Several of my roadie friends decided to put on a small festival dedicated to the iconic roadside signage that has lined the Mother Road for decades. People were coming from all over the US to check it out! Arcadia is a town of ~250 and … Continue reading A Buzzing in the Air
When people think of Oklahoma, it's not often their first mental image conjures up a lot of blue. Perhaps the golden tones of the waving wheat, the orange or crimson of our primary college sports teams...or perhaps the emerald tones of the farmland in our northeast corner (locally known as 'Green Country'). However, we do have … Continue reading Okie Blue
I love getting to experience my city for new visitors. I also really enjoy showing people what's so special about Route 66. Today, I was able to do both AND showcase some of Oklahoma's unique landscape for my friend Rose. I met Rose in 2010 when I attended my first DragonCon. If you've never heard of that, … Continue reading Sooner State Show-Off
Rhys' Pieces 