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HTC EVO 4G … More detailed review on the Sprint phone

I have “played” with my new phone for over two months now.  At first, I was hesitated learning something new, especially with the virtual keyboard.  I was used to the QWERTY keyboard with my Palm series of phones.  Now I can say that after two months, I’ve gotten used to the virtual keyboard, even though some of the ways that I have texted my thoughts have frustrated my Sunshine.

I am really impressed by the ability of the phone to browse on the Web, and download most of the Web site as if I was browsing the site on my laptop.  The one thing that impressed me was when my Sunshine and I was in Morristown, Tennessee.  In the area from the Sprint network coverage site, it said that they had “fair” coverage.  In the hotel room we were staying, the phone worked better than my laptop wireless connection card.  As you discovered, I was able to send a few pictures from the hotel after multiple attempts.  And it took a longer time to upload than normal.

I remember testing out the GPS on the phone during the first week after getting the phone.  We tested it more during our trip to the Bristol MotorSpeedway venue.  Now, it may not take you through the most populated areas, and keep my Sunshine and I on the Interstate, as we discovered heading toward the hotel in Morristown, Tennessee, but it did get us where we needed to go!  The Sprint Navigation told us exactly the estimated time we were going to arrive at our destination.  It updated the information in real time when we were stuck in the Bristol traffic leaving the racetrack.  I can recall the few times this might have come in handy when we were lost in the boonies in over the last three years.  (The downside is that someone can find out where I am!)

I appreciate the option of the Android market, also.  There are a few applications that I have downloaded: WeatherBug Elite, Yelp, and as mentioned before the Kindle application has been a great add-on to my phone.  WeatherBug Elite helps to keep me updated on the weather temperature, if a storm cell is on the way.  Yelp helped me find the Hillbilly’s Cabin restaurant.  I hope that it finds the local places that I like to check out and eat when I go traveling.  The only problem this time is that I didn’t plan out the places where we going to eat and it was a little frustrating for my Sunshine, because usually I do so beforehand.

The high-definition video on the over 4-inch screen is clear and enjoyable.  It helps that the phone has a kickstand to keep it in a good viewing position.

I liked the fact that I had quick access over some pictures without busting out my several year old camera.  The Hillbilly’s Cabin restaurant picture was taken with my phone.  Overall, it’s pretty clear.

I have mentioned the only challenging circumstance with the HTC EVO 4G phone is the battery life.  I purchased a Solio Battery Pack to help with the charging throughout the day when I’m not next to an electrical outlet.  It helped to keep my phone charged during the Sprint Cup race.

I enjoy my HTC EVO 4G phone for what it can do, especially with the expanding Android market.  Others can keep on getting on the AT&T and Verizon network.  If you do, where ever I go, I can get better high speed access on my phone and connection card.  Every network has spotty coverage and a network that doesn't work 100% of the time.  Remember, it’s a wireless and it’s dealing with any company that needs to make a profit. 

Let us—my Sunshine and I—tell you a story about Morristown, Tennessee! ... Highlight: Hillbilly's Cabin restaurant

I thought that I would give you a little color of our weekend near Bristol.  It was an interesting location where we stayed.  We left on Friday afternoon.  The plan was leaving on Friday and getting back on Sunday.  The challenge was that the forecast was that there were thunderstorm predictions.  I was thinking the race was going to be postponed for a day … till Sunday.  That would not be good because I was the opening manager on Monday morning.

First, as I mentioned before we stayed in a hotel that had spotty wireless coverage.  The city of Morristown, Tennessee encompassed a population of about 25,000.  I guess you really can’t expect much high-speed coverage in a town out about seven miles away from the 81 Freeway.  The one interesting observation was that from the same network for my wireless phone and connection card, I received faster service from my HTC EVO 4G phone than my connection card.

I couldn’t believe the restaurant service my Sunshine and I received from a restaurant chain than a Mom and Pop diner called Hillbilly’s Cabin restaurant. 

On Friday afternoon after dropping off our “stuff” at the hotel, we drove less than a mile to a restaurant chain to eat before heading to the NASCAR Nationwide race.  We thought it was going to be a good lunch/dinner.  We were disappointed.  The service was horrible at this location.  Our server took a long time to approach our table.  The other servers in the dining room acted to us that we were invisible; they didn’t even acknowledge that we were even there.  She didn’t even seem very interested in serving us.  Even when we were ready to check out, I had to approach the manager to pay for our bill.  Even at that the manager didn’t even come to our table afterward to follow up on our service.

The next day, it was different.  We entered the Hillbilly’s Cabin restaurant.  We were greeted immediately.  The place had about an 80-seat capacity restaurant.  On the floor on this day of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race there were only four servers, working hard to take care of all the guests needs.  All four of the ladies working didn’t miss a beat: they took care of everyone, orders were taken, and food was delivered, and drink refills didn’t get empty.  I had to admit they truly demonstrated teamwork to take care of their guests.  If you are ever in Morristown, TN, this is the place to eat for some good `ol country meal.

Is that a fan on the ceiling??? ... A memory about Hillbilly's Cabin restaurant ...

Eating the two meals we did (as we ate there on Sunday morning just before heading home) was the best thing about this town.  The hotel we stayed in wasn’t anything to recommend either.  Most of the other hotels in the chain have a refrigerator in the hotel room.  This one didn’t.  The day we checked out, also, my Sunshine noticed mold on the wall—a small area, but mold nonetheless.

No picture of 1st place, but there are "almost" personal pictures of the 2nd and 3rd place drivers of the Bristol Irwin 500!

I am still working on the series of pictures that I have taken.  I thought that I would post these series of pictures that were taken before the race.  As you well know, I don’t like Kyle Busch, so you won’t find any pictures of him.  But I did take the 2^nd and 3^rd place drivers in the Irwin 500 during this past weekend.

This picture was taken at a sponsor appearance by NASCAR driver, David Reutimann (sitting down in the blue).  He placed 2^nd in the race.  He was battling with Kyle Busch for a long time throughout the race.  The last battle was lap 419 to 429 when David gave up the lead to Kyle.

This was taken as right after driver introduction and they were taking a slow lap around the track.  Jamie McMurray is in the orange on the left, Ryan Newman is in the yellow on the right.  Jamie McMurray placed 3^rd.  At one point in the race at lap 388 to 401 he led.  In fact, I was watching as he closed in on Kyle and passed him for the lead!

A few pictures ...

Here’s a few pictures. …

it's my self-portrait ...

how the racetrack was when we first arrived

near the finish of the race!

No pictures … because I’m out in the boonies!

I was hoping to post some pictures from last night’s NASCAR Nationwide race, however, my connection here at the hotel is somewhat weak in this city of about 25,000 residents.  I don’t know if the connection will be strong enough to send the pictures, because you know how much I would like to share them.

I was really disappointed in the outcome of the NASCAR Nationwide race.  For the second time at Bristol Motorspeedway (the last time, last year in the NASCAR Sprint Cup race), the driver that I didn’t want to win, won!  Once again for those who do not follow NASCAR on a regular basis, I just don’t like Kyle Busch’s style.  He admitted in the post-race interview that he retaliated to cause Brad K. to crash after Brad hit him once.  If the circumstances were reversed, he would have been crying like a baby!

First travels of 2010 … NASCAR in Bristol!

We are about to leave for our first trip outside the immediate area of where we live.  It’s a trip to Bristol Motorspeedway for the NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup race this weekend.  The challenge is the weather.  The forecast got better, though.  It’s now 50% chance of rain.  Yesterday, it was forecasted for thunderstorm for Saturday morning.  It’s a short trip.  It’s back to work on Monday.  I will be posting pictures of the weekend.  Have a good weekend!

It’s a soul-searching week or so …

It’s been a very tough week or so of soul-searching because of challenges at work.  The demands are high and the time is limited.  I know that it’s happening for a reason, and if it’s just to learn what changes I need to make within me to be a “better” individual who will contribute more into society than it’ll be all worth it.  If the challenges at work will open my eyes to understand the improvements or changes needed to get closer to the oneness supported in the Bible to  strengthen my marriage, than I am all for it.  I know that I’ll be a stronger “man” for going through all of this.  I have no doubt about it.

The only sad note that I have in all of this, as it is happening, my Sunshine and I are committed to travel to Bristol, Tennessee for the Nationwide and Cup race this weekend, and our week-long vacation next month to Florida.  Please pray that all things will work out for those who love Jesus. 

What happened to accountability within your circle of influence? … Leaders look for solutions, not blame

In our present culture, I’ve noticed that we have just stopped holding others accountable. 

I remember I used to have a proclamation when I was a General Manager of a restaurant: When coached about a performance behavior that needs correction or redirection, instead of responding with blame and/or excuses, offer innovative solutions or planned results.

Accountability is so lacking all over, as I observe.  There is no accountability for the front line workers like servers, grill cooks, and prep people by many company’s human resource positions.  Eighteen months into his presidency, our U.S. president is still blaming the previous occupant for the economy, instead of working out on a coalition to solve our economic challenges that competes in the world economy.  It’s the same as assembly line employees at a car manufactures, as the line employees have job security without doing more—just what the unions negotiated.  Thanks for the movement of the unions who have carried the abuse of work conditions too far.  The American people have apathy about holding our elected officials accountable for the votes they cast.  They may do, but the next election cycle the same `ol elected lawmakers are still in office, perpetuating the same `ol policies that haven’t worked! 

We need to do what a taxpayers did confronting a lawmaker.  A taxpayer was asking a U.S. Congressman Pete Stark (D-CA) about the constitutional limits in our citizen’s lives, if the President Obama’s health care passes constitutional muster.

“The federal government yes, can do most anything in this country,” replied U.S. Congressman Pete Stark.

If you don’t believe in what the Congressman said, we, the American people need to stand up against this type of mentality.  We need to stand for rewarding innovations, growth, and hard work.  We shouldn’t reward the movement that everyone demands the same lifestyle.  We do need to help one another on a local level, in small communities, or one-on-one—not being coerced into paying taxes so that the federal government can redistribute our wealth of our nation.

I do admit that on a day-to-day basis, I am constantly held accountable for what happens by my lovely wife.  It’s a new experience, no doubt, for me because I’ve been on my own for most of my adult life.  I also know that I am accountable to the blueprint of the teachings of the Bible.  It’s not living by the dos and don’ts.  It’s a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, understanding what that relationship entails, and knowing that He has grace and peace that surpasses all human understanding when we put Him first!  I know being accountable is good because it’s making me more, custom-made to the image that God would like me to be!

Trip to Bristol Motor Speedway later this month … 20th and 21st!

I purchased the tickets for the NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup series race at Bristol Motor Speedway later this month.

A map of the Bristol Motor Speedway

The tickets are in the Allisons (I believe the “M”) section of the racetrack, row 33.  Last year, we sat in the Waltrip “H” section.  I am awaiting later this month on the 20^th and 21^st to travel north to the racetrack.  It was a fun time last year.  I expect it to be the same this year.

Three suggestions to stop wasting time and money on company-wide rollouts …

One of my colleagues suggested that I should sit on a committee to improve operations in corporate America because I am a thinker.  I agree.  I have now worked at four good restaurant chains, all but one, Boston Market, reaching the least amount states in this country of 28.  I always wondered about “rollouts” implemented at any one of these restaurant concepts, and at times, about a year later, the company decides to pull the plug on their innovative ideas.  I wonder how these decisions are made.  Why not give a “great” idea that gets rollout company-wide, more than one year?  Why not two?  As I have observed with the expenditures spent, I strongly believe two years is worth the financial and personnel investment that I have observed with any company-wide idea.  I am left puzzled of all the lost spent expenditures when supplies and/or products sit on the restaurant shelves or get thrown away.  Most of the time we, as operators, usually have one month or so, to deplete the specialized food product for the particular rolled-out implemented idea.  As the supplies, sometimes it sits on the shelf not getting used, and later get thrown in the dumpster.  I also consider the cost of the training of all personnel affected on any rollout.

I have been an operator for over a decade with hands-on experience of the decisions executives at the corporate home office make.  I know that they don’t know the effects of how it is, as we are the ones dealing one-on-one with the visits by the customers, their negative responses.

This is my suggestion for implementing rollouts that affect the day-to-day operators of a company:

• Create a suggestion panel with 2% of the managers in the field to get feedback on the effects of any rollout implemented before it actually happens.  This will help effectively drive profits to the bottom line, not waste money and time in rollouts, and help managerial morale, therefore, lower managerial turnover.
• Give at least two years on any rollout that happens on a company-wide level.  The money and time to get people trained and the amount of funds spent on supplies will not be wasted, as I have noticed during many rollouts.
• Put on the company portals the opportunity of feedback from all managers, even if they are not on the feedback panel.

I just thought that I would give my two cents.  I know it works.  I hope that many CEOs will take my three cents and invest it.