Sunday, May 26, 2013

Santa Clara CA University Graduation Event on Memoral Day Weekend

Remember these great finds close to home

I enjoy walking around one of my favorite universities, Santa Clara University, because of the beautiful Mission which is located on the university grounds.  Santa Clara University is one of the oldest "private universities" in California. Many times I get to see the set up or break down of weddings and events held over summer weekends.

This weekend (2013) I saw this behind-the-scenes set up of the Santa Clara University Law School Graduation which took place yesterday.  I don't know any of these graduates personally, I still pause as I know this is an accomplishment for our students.

I looked down the rows of empty seats and my thoughts went to the celebrations taking place with each graduate and their family and friends taking place this weekend. I remember my own graduation celebration with my family ... I didn't know what I would do after that one day, there was the dream of what might be possible...




The green lawn was covered with hundreds of perfect aligned white chairs on both sides of the stage waiting for their arrivals the next day and uniquely placed around the palm trees throughout the area. 







I talked with the kind, friendly security officer, who let me wander a bit behind the closed off areas and on the stage.  





Happy Memorial Day! So much has happened this past year ~ throughout our own country and world, how may we help each other? ~ The Fun Tour Guru



Wednesday, May 15, 2013

3 Most Frequent Questions from Travelers on Trips (FAQ)

What questions do you ask during the trip?

The trip is planned and now you are ready to leave.

I know it is fun to start reading favorite blogs and websites for additional region stories and information.  Yet, I wonder why am I still asked the same, repeat questions from travelers during their trips?


I chose three of the most frequent asked questions that people ask me, whether the trips are for business or leisure.  The answers to these questions are not readily available by social media. 

And remember, if you arrive in the evening or over the weekend, people in tourism and information centers will most likely NOT be available to help. 

Where is the toilet, bathroom, or restroom?


Don't get caught with your pants down...Picture taken at Gilroy Hot Springs, CA Courtesy of DW
I did a Google search for  “how to ask where is the restroom internationally”  and received  about 4,830,000 results (0.38 seconds). 

My tip, don't forget the many variations in each language of “restroom” and “bathroom”. An example is Spanish may be different in Spain and Mexico.  And, the definitions of these 
words are different in each country.  

This is even true when you travel across the USA.  I giggle as I mention this because I know even New York City is very different from Los Angeles and San Francisco.

This is a list of how to ask in five of my favorite languages:
  • German:  Toilette
  • German = Wo ist die Toilette, bitte? (Vo ist dee toy-LETT-uh, BIT-uh?)
  • Spanish:  Bano (North American Counrty)
  • Spanish = Perdone/Disculpe, ¿Dónde está el baño?(Formal) (Per-DON-eh, DOHN-deh es-TAH el BAHN-yo?)
  • Italian:  stanza da bagno
  • Italian = Mi scusi, dov'è il bagno?
  • Greek:  τουαλέτα
  • Greek = Parakalo, pou ine i tualetta? (Πού είναι η τουαλέτα;)
  • French : Salle de bain
  • French = pardon, où sont les toilettes? (pahr-DAW, oo saw lay twah-LETT?)
Do you understand what I mean now? 


Gilroy Hot Springs, Gilroy, CA Courtesy of DW
 The next frequent question… 

Do you have wi-fi? And, how much does internet access cost, what is the code to use to connect?


I admit, I am spoiled living in Silicon Valley and Northern California where most towns offer free (complimentary)  wi-fi , or connection to the internet.  I take it for granted. This is not always provided for you or sometimes a challenge to find the code access.  


Luxury hotels and resorts charge for this additional service.  Less expensive hotels usually provide this service, yet sometimes it is only provided in the lobby. 

On my trips, I ask where the local public libraries, coffee shops, or internet cafes are located.  By doing this, I  get the additional benefit of talking with the local people by doing this. 


Where may I charge my smartphone?


This is an active question now.  Even people locally ask this question when they attend meetings and conferences.  There is not that many electrical outlets available.  And, if you are traveling internationally, you may not have the right plug-in connection.  


Modern airports now have more convenient outlets to use in the sitting areas, how many times do we see someone sitting in a chair next to an outlet yet not using it?  Should we add a sign on the chair saying, 'reserved for those wanting to re-charge'? Or add more re-charge stations per chair?

There are many lightweight, inexpensive, emergency smart phone re-chargers available now. I use these to recharge my phone while on the plane or at dinner.  I keep my phone with me which eliminates a chance of someone stealing the phone.


There was one hotel in Germany that I stayed at with a lobby bar that had phone/computer charging stations in the center of their tables - how cool is this?

I also try to buy equipment like small cameras with re-chargeable batteries. Don't forget the cords! You may put cords in your extra socks and shoes to keep organized.

I hope this helps to get prepared for your next trip! Let’s go! ~ The Fun Tour Guru


More tips - read My Hit and Miss of my Last Trip and Trip Planning Advice


I want to go on vacation now!  My latest trips to go on are at my website.  Ask. 

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Silicon Valley Where Past & Present Collides: Do You Remember National Semiconductor?

Early Silicon Valley History with our Semiconductor Industry 

I am active reading local articles in the Mercury News about our Silicon Valley history because of our new neighborhood center construction in Mountain View, CA, The Village at San Antonio Center.  On this land of the new neighborhood plan lies an old, neglected, one story building, which holds the story of a significant event of our technology history. (Editor's Note: this building was torn down - 2016 - we are glad we created this video)

 
Today, Silicon Valley is a blend of companies.  Don't forget that our region was coined Silicon Valley from a journalist because of the many semiconductor companies created through 1940s to 1970s.  


I was on my way home from an event in San Francisco last week, when I looked at the time on my car clock, there was still time to make it, so I decided to go undercover to a city council meeting because I was curious of what was happening with these plans.  I went to the Mountain View City Council Study Meeting. I walked away with a new understanding of their plans.

I listened closely to the members of this City Council as they made valid comments, concerns, and approaches about how the building plans should go forward. They listened to architect planners and to the public.  Most of the members seem to want to keep the same quaint Mountain View flavor and with local retail businesses even as they enter into the new modern neighborhood.


My only focus is to save this one building. I learned a great deal about this awesome new neighborhood transition that is coming and that there were many other concerns too.


I do know there is a way to save and protect one piece of Silicon Valley history, and revitalize the old building of Shockley Semiconductor - keep as a museum where people may learn essential ingredients of how this Valley began - and still build our new neighborhood around our history.  Let people walk and ride their bikes past it everyday. (See photos and video of this site in link above)

The activities on this location led to several developments in the semiconductor industry.  Workers left Shockley Semiconductor and created Fairchild Semiconductor as the second generation of this industry.  Several familiar corporate companies were created from business people who worked at Fairchild.  Three significant companies were Advanced Micro, Intel, and National Semiconductor.


A company I recently watched transition in the past few years is National Semiconductor. It was acquired by yet another company.  I took pictures to remember this. 


From National Semiconductor to Texas Instruments - Image by D West

The National Semiconductor corporate campus is still the same, has new paint and fresh updates, and now a new sign change with new owners. 

Early Days of Technology and Semiconductor Industry

National Semiconductor actually started in 1959 in Danbury, CT, to provide transistors for second generation computers.  They moved to the west coast because of an acquisition of a small integrated circuit company, Molectro. 


A year later, a former executive of Fairchild Semiconductor, Charles Sporck, became CEO and moved into a single-building with a leaking roof in Santa Clara.  Sporck led the team through this early period which made him the CEO with the longest tenure (during this period). 


National Semiconductor on Kifer - Image by D West

Highlights of 1968 - 1983 period
  • Increased revenues to $1 billion by 1983, making National Semiconductor the first Silicon Valley company to surpass the $1 Billion milestone
  • Expansion in Europe and Malaysia
  • Move to the current site on Kifer Road, Santa Clara

Insiders interest: 
National Semiconductor acquired Fairchild Semiconductor sites located in Maine and State of Washington in 1987 


The company was reorganized and transformed in the 1990s.  Today: National Semiconductor was acquired by Texas Instruments in 2011.   


Will our Past and Present get to collide and stay together
 in Silicon Valley? ~ The Fun Tour Guru 

Comments are welcome... 
 


Silicon Valley history dates and stories are from the book "The Making of Silicon Valley : A One Hundred Year Renaissance".



Sunday, April 7, 2013

Still Remembering Santa Cruz, CA: Just Because I Can

Santa Cruz is an escape for me and not a tourist destination.

It is a fun region where I go to explore all of the unfamiliar nooks and crannies that I can find. I have done this for ... well...let's say for many years.  (Remember, I am not a day over 39, and yes, I am borrowing this line from Jack Benny's famous joke).

On my last trip over to Santa Cruz at the end of March, I followed my own advice, and I stepped off my own beaten path or route of my favorite things to do.


On this day I found the streets congested with traffic as it was the Friday before Easter weekend.  I know this community grows beyond its 60,000 residents and happy to share with any of them their fun activities on days like this.  


I followed the local news stories of the passing of our two Santa Cruz police officers, and heros, and there is something which spoke to me this time.  I don't recall any incidents like this through the years I have been going to this small community of Santa Cruz.  I feel safe on these streets.  Even though I may not know everyone directly - I feel I am welcomed to stop to talk to  the locals.   

I saw reminders during this trip.  I took the time to stop at the Santa Cruz Police Department and found these reminders that are still being shared by the public in front.


Santa Cruz Police Dept Tribute

Flags were still lowered ...


Santa Cruz Police Department

Surfers Lighthouse

Would you, as a stranger who is unfamiliar of visiting this region, know what had happened and think to ask someone about this?

What made this trip so different for me this time?



"Remember, we only have today, tomorrow is not here, and yesterday is gone.  I believe we should enjoy every moment and experience that we can.  We have choices, I choose to be happy everyday," as spoken by Jean Jennings Bartik, Eniac Women Pioneer, at the Computer History Museum.


I will share later some of the other fun things I did it did, ~ The Fun Tour Guru

 

Friday, March 22, 2013

Foggy Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

Fun Friday Picture
Bridge to no where?  Do you really want to cross this bridge when you come?

Do you ever have the kind of day where you just do not know what lies ahead or on the other side?  (Disclosure: This picture was not taken today.)

Travel tip:  Be prepared for all weather conditions when in San Francisco. 




One of my favorite quotes:  
"Happiness is found along the way, 
not at the end of the road" ~ The Fun Tour Guru