Where Is Hawkins?Where travel is cheaper than psychotherapy.

Since I haven’t really discussed a travel whoring topic or been “manic about miles” in a while, here’s the rundown for 2005 a mere two months into the year:

Miles actually flown: 23,524
Miles flown in coach: 308 (it was a regional jet, c’mon)
Miles earned on American Airlines from flying: 52,508 (includes online booking bonuses but no promotions, etc).
Segments: 12
Number of Airports I’ve been in this year: 9
Countries other than the US: 1
Passport stamps: 2
Currencies used other than the US Dollar: 1
Nights in a hotel: 7

I have to admire this guy’s Quixotic effort to sell 303 brass. For more info, go to Gun and Game Forums.

I’m a shameless whore, what can I say? Between Google and A9.com, I am not the first one listed when you search for my name. This needs to change. I want to be on top, and push the MP out.

Let’s look at today’s rankings:
Google.com
Nick Hawkins – #11
“Nick Hawkins” – #13

A9.com
Nick Hawkins – #11
“Nick Hawkins” – #13

There’s a DJ and a MP who is beating me out. This needs to stop. I request shameless linking on your web sites, blogs and whatever else.

I had to write a blurb for my article in PocketPC Magazine. Hopefully it capurted some of the smartass nature of me:

In between travels to Europe, Asia, and Australia, Nick Hawkins is a principal technology architect for a large Chicago hospital, working on mobility solutions and other mad scientist activities within healthcare. When at home, Nick sails yachts and dreams of being able to surf at Bondi Beach without drawing laughter from fellow surfers. His next major technical challenge is to blog from Kilimanjaro using his Dell Axim and an Iridium phone. He can be reached at whereishawkins@gmail.com.

I doubt I’ll get any crazy stalkers from this like I did with the American Airlines thing.

Amanda UnBoomed – I’ve been watching clips from Rocketboom via podcasting and it’s pretty entertaining.

For your time at the office.

1) I’ve been lazy as of late and my body feels like shit. I don’t know what it is.

2) I’ve been casually looking at tickets for Bay To Breakers in May in San Francisco. It makes the Chicago Marathon look puny in comparison and there’s a lot more nude people. I’m just going there for the freakshow.

3) I was supposed to Vancouver the weekend of the 5th but airfare isn’t cooperating. Sucks. I just need to run up there before the end of April.

4) Rome is in 13 days, and I feel like my travel companions aren’t really doing much and expecting me to lead the expedition, which is cool, provided that they don’t bitch.

5) I ran into a dude from high school today at lunch while I was at McDonald’s. Crazy stuff.

6) I’m trying to find a GSM phone that’s tri or quad band but also supports UMTS.

7) Looks like while I’m in Africa that I will be taking a day or two to do go Dar Es Salaam to drop by the African Optimist Championships to swap burgees for the CYC.

So the new girl is going out of town on Wednesday for the weekend and I got blown off for Monday or Tuesday dinner. So perhaps it’s dinner the week of the 28th. Ugh. If that doesn’t give me a resounding “WTF?” then I don’t know what else does.

I am now back to my college freshman pant size.

1) I managed to survive London with my mom, which was better than expected. In a way, it was still demeaning that it was like I had no idea what I was doing there.

2) I went to the Holmes Place in Kensington. It puts the one in Chicago to shame with the nice staff.

3) Rome is coming up – 19 days. Haven’t even thought about it. Oops. That’s what the lengthy plane ride is for.

4) I went out drinking with Jackie and her hot friend that she’s trying to introduce me too. Loyola Law students are fun drinkers.

5) I’ve become a total A9.com whore, just for the fact that I get a super phat 1.57% discount on Amazon.com. Take that!

6) I finished my article for PocketPC Magazine. I figure that I like being a media whore. It’d be nice if I got something for my efforts.

7) And at last, a quiet weekend of volunteering and working out.