The Dayton Diaries

content; echo $banner_Content ; /*****************************************************/ /* ------------------------------------------------- */ /* FUNCTION CODE BELOW */ /* ------------------------------------------------- */ /* Read a particular given line in a file. */ function getFileline($filename, $line_number) { $fp = @fopen($filename, "r") or die ("Can't open file $filename on Line: " . __LINE__ . " in File: " . __FILE__); $lnCounter = 0 ; while (!feof ($fp)) { $data = fgets($fp, 1024); If ($lnCounter == $line_number){ $right_data = $data ; return $right_data ; break; } $lnCounter++ ; } } /* Get most Random Value between min & max */ function GetRandomValue($min, $max){ $mtime = ((double)microtime()* 100000) ; $mtime = explode(" ", $mtime); $mtime = doubleval($mtime[1]) + doubleval($mtime[0]) ; mt_srand($mtime); $randval = mt_rand($min, $max); return ($randval) ; } /*****************************************************/ ?>

RAD's Adventures in Dayton, OHIO

Email Richard: rad@rad.net.nz

Friday, January 31, 2003

Posted 09:25 by Rich

I'm now in my own ne bedroom apartment. I'm still lacking some basics but it's coming together. The best thing I have brought is a stereo to play NZ music on. Kettering bought us all a TV, which made me wonder if visitors came to NZ and we bought them one thing for their flat, what would that be? The last few days have been endless meetings and meals out. Today went for lunch at Mamma Disalvo's Italian Restaurant. Amazingly good pasta. After lunch had my driving "test" so I'm cleared for take off in the Kettering car.

Thursday, January 30, 2003

Posted 04:44 by Rich

Heard 'President" Bush's state of the nation address last night. Great humor. I burst out laughing at several places. Yet it ain't funny that the President seems determined to invade and bomb Iraq. The speech was made tolerable by the drinking game. I had to make a drink a mere sip to avoid alcohol poisoning.

Before the speech I went to dinner at a very good Chinese restaurent with colleagues and a prof from Wright State University. This was prior to a talk by colleague Rosa from Cuba "Cuba and the United States: reconciliation and the revolution with James Walker. The Cuban exiles here were very excitable after the talk and quite insulting to Rosa, claiming that she couldn't understand free enterpsrie and the usual myths about poor people came out in the right-wing wrong-headed idiot sitting next to me.

Tuesday, January 28, 2003

Posted 10:07 by Rich

My team lost! I supported the Raiders in the Superbowl since I visited Oakland once in 1999. They were soundly beaten by the Buccs from Florida. I think I understand football. it's a little like rugby league, with 'downs' instead of tackles. it's very stop-start. Overall quite boring, but a good excuse to drink beer and eat pizza, a truly American Must-Do.

Monday, January 27, 2003

Posted 09:25 by Rich

Sat night three of us took a Goodwill tour of Dayton. Goodwill stores were having a half price sale. Took in three stoes. I bought an armchairr, VCR, phone, shot glass andd other stuff for the aprtment. Ben bought nearly 50 shirts.

Today is SuperBowl Sunday. Walked to Church through fresh snow. Around 4 inches overnight and its coniued snowing most of the day. Went to Southminster Presbyterian, which is very close and although only a 5 minute walk there is no footpath. Dayton ain't pedestrian friendly.

Sunday, January 26, 2003

Posted 05:19 by Rich

I repeated the Wal-mart experience at K-Mart yesterday afternoon. Then it was off to the hockey (Ice hockey that is) at the Nutter Center, Wright State University (named afteer the Wright brothers). The Dayton Bombers went down to the Toledo Storm, 4-1. The night was beach party night with a tan compeition, I thought I could win with my summer tan from downunder, but it was only bikini-clad women. Next Friday it is singles night. Picked up a card at the hockey for the Director of Instruction for the Nike Golf Learning Center, Mr Tim A. Hacker.

After the game we headed to Bill's Donut Shop just down the road from the guesthouse. This shop is open 24-7 for coffee and donuts. Thought I might see Homer Simpson there. We got a dozen donuts for $3.70 and took the back to a Fellow's apartment for a late night fat ingestion session.

Saturday, January 25, 2003

Posted 06:35 by Rich

Last night went to the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra with another Fellow. The taxis here are really unreliable; the companies seem surprised to get a call at all. The driver, when he did show up, acted as a tour guide. When I asked what to do in Dayton on a Thursday he said go to the airport and get the first plane outahere. He also told us about a road rage shooting in downtown Dayton. Not the cab driver the tourism board would like meeting people at the airport.
apartment

The concert featured the World Premiere of a new Steven Winteregg choral piece written for the bicentennial of powered flight in the USA (of course Richard Pearce was first, as every good kiwi knows). Dayton was the home of the Wright brothers. The concert started with Wagner's Flying Dutchman overture and after intermission we had Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherzade. All good stuff. The cab ride home was just as interesting with a driver who once had a fare from Ohio to Alabama - fare was $3200.

This morning we went to Wal-Mart to get stuff for our apartments. not that impressed by the range of goods or prices but spent loads anyway. Hopefully off to the ice hockey tonight.

Friday, January 24, 2003

Posted 02:36 by Rich

Last night went to the Salvation thrift store. Bought a t-shirt and stuff for my aprartment, lamps, mugs and other items. Back to Ben's place for beer, pizza and a video.

Today is "bitterly cold" with many schools closed, or opening only with a two-hour delay. The wind chill will take temperatures well below zero farenhite. Yikes!!

Thursday, January 23, 2003

Posted 10:52 by Rich

Made to Dayton last night, entering Ohio airspace at dusk to white fields and a red horizon. I was pleased that my pack turned up at when checked in at Tucson the ground staff forgot to put a label on it, snedint he label down stuck to a bin. A buckle on the pack was busted though and they won't fix it.

Had Chinese soon after arriving, complete with a birthday cake for Natalia, another Fellow from Russia. Today I applied for my social secutiry number and opened a bank account at Bank One. Now set up in my office with an iMac and all I need. Email now operating at davis@kettering.org.

Tuesday, January 21, 2003

Posted 13:40 by Rich

Today was my first and last full day in Tucson. After breakfast cousin Bryan and I headed South to the San Xavier Del Bac Mission. This catholic mission was founded in 1692 and was built in 1783. A beautful church. Saw a roadrunner bird out the back amongst the cactus, just like in the cartoon, no coyotes though. Then we headed further South to see the Titan Missile Museum in Green Valley. It is the only ICBM museum in the world, complete with (unarmed) missile. Then it was back to Tucson for lunch at Chiplotes (a Mexian fast food chain owned by McDonalds). After lunch headed down Speedway Blvd (called the ugliest street in America by Alastiar Cooke) and onto the Catalina Mountains for a hike on the Finger Rock trail.

My bag turned up late last night. A great relief as it contained most of my warm clothes for the cold of Ohio. Yesterday when completing my customs form I realised that I wasn't bringing any food with me. Bryan misses Manuka honey, also a favourite of mine. No vegemite either. Perhaps someone will send some ...

Monday, January 20, 2003

Posted 15:45 by Rich

Made it to the USA at last. A hasty pack and off to the airport with sis Chris and the twins. Late leaving Auckland on AirNZ. Saw Americas Cup fleet returning to base flying out toward the Pacific. Got to tucson eventually. Missing one bag though. I love the catus here. Mexican for dinner. strange to be here. It feels like summer but it's dark at 6:30pm. Camera not working. Bugger...

Friday, January 17, 2003

Posted 16:47 by Rich

MLK day in Tucson Arizona next Monday - Celebration Details

Posted 09:44 by Rich

The Kettering Foundation in Dayton, Ohio, USA.

Wednesday, January 15, 2003

Posted 10:25 by Rich

Work out the time to call me:
timeanddate.com

Posted 10:06 by Rich

Weather links for Dayton:

Tuesday, January 14, 2003

Posted 17:22 by Rich

Yay! Got my tickets today for the trip. No thanks to FedEx who first of all couldn't find Murphy Street, Thorndon. Location of the USA Embassy, my flat and the Thorndon Pool.

Posted 14:40 by Rich

Customs for duty and reentry charges

Wednesday, January 08, 2003

Posted 16:40 by Rich