Life As Nick Starr

Yesterday, despite coming down with a cold (and I have officially lost my voice today), I started a new consultant gig with a company down in Sarasota, Fl. It isn’t that far from St. Pete, but there is the Sunshine Skyway bridge to cross, which is quite the impressive bridge. I’ve decided to just stay down this way instead of the long commute daily.

Yesterday was the first day and from what I saw of the job, it is quite simple and something I can do no problem for the next 4-6-8 weeks. This is also the highest paying job I’ve ever had as well, so it will help in my move fund to San Francisco/San Jose, which I play on doing once this job has ended.

Last night I played poker at the local dog track down here, which has the best looking poker room in all of the Bay area, and ended up walking out with an extra $350. I still plan on going back to Pinellas as I have a few items from Amazon being shipped, and the new Apple Bluetooth Headset looks quite impressive, and hit store shelves yesterday.

As far as I can tell there is little to no 3G coverage down here, so my 3G+ card from AT&T isn’t the most useful, but there are always coffee shops with WiFi. Well, until later, take care.

Well I’ve already arrived at the Apple store here at International Mall (iMall) in Tampa, Fl. Apparently the line is “officially” forming outside, but no one is there yet and I’m enjoying Apple’s free WiFi and these cumfy leather chairs from Leather Express in Tampa.

Once I officially move outside, which weather.com is reporting as 88, but feels like 96, I will be only updating from Twitter to conserve on battery power. I am adding the ability for Twitter to post directly to the blog (NickStarr.com) not here on Life As, so updates on my 30+ hours till the launch will be chronicled for you right on the blog and thru the NickStarr.com rss feed.

My direct twitter account is at Twitter.com/NickStarr if you want to be subscribed to my updates there.

As for my plans, lots of reading RSS, listening to Opie and Anthony, and maybe finally reading iCon Steve Jobs. So stay tuned as the next 30 hours are sure to be eventful.

I “live” in the Tampa Bay area currently, and it is getting to be quite hot. During the day it is barable, mainly because everywhere I go has AC. In the car at night, it just isn’t possible to run the AC all night long. I don’t want to have my windows down, due to bugs getting in or anyone that might be walking by. It isn’t that hot outside at night yet, and there tends to be a breeze, but I don’t benefit from that being in the car all night long.

Last night I woke up 3-4 times to turn the AC on full blast for a few minutes to cool down. I’m not wearing my typical mock turtleneck and bluejeans at night, but rather slip into shorts and a mock turtleneck t-shirt.  I can’t think of any ways to get cool at night without having the windows down.

I was thinking about that headband thing from the 90’s that had fans in it to cool you down, but can’t seem to find it online anywhere. Anyone have any suggestions? I’m thinking of staying at the Hostel I stayed at on Clearwater Beach more often (well I haven’t been there but that one weekend).

When I do get a truck (which keeps looking further and further way), I am going to make sure it has screened in windows in the bed topper, so this won’t be such a problem.