Roaming at 30k

On my Emirates flight back from Thailand I switched on my phone (changing back to HK SIM) and noticed that I was getting a signal. What? 'Aero Mobile' roaming. Wow. The airline must have a satellite link-up and a local GSM transcevier. Of course I couldn't wait to inquire about the charges (pretty dull, in hindsight) and wanted to see if it worked. Fired off an SMS and received an incoming call (couldn't really hear anything on the latter). Charges were actually not too bad (that's HK$ == US$ / 8):

According to their website: http://www.aeromobile.net/ Telenor is one of the partners (will I get better rates if I have a Telenor connection from Pakistan?). And they also offer data services. 3G is probably not far off.

I guess the only way to disconnect now is to actually pull the plug. Here's a brave story. :)

http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2009/08/geekdad-unwired-screenless/

Home is where?

I think Hong Kong has one of the prettiest city skylines in the world. Took these pictures from my office window. Poor man's wide angle lens with a bad camera phone and terrible lighting, but you get the idea.

When I returned from Thailand last week, it didn't feel like I was coming home -- that little tingling of excitement I always get when going to Lahore and New York. It just felt like my vacation was over and I was returing to work.

So what makes a place feel like home? History. Family and friends. A sense of belonging. I guess I don't feel like I belong here. Yet. Maybe ever? It's a difficult culture to follow, and never really being able to understand the language well enough (even if I try to learn) will make it harder. So should I try? Or is it just easier to go with the flow like every other expat who act like they're always on vacation (even if they've been here ten years).

Sizzle...

I recently upgraded my home Internet connection from 8Mbps to 30Mbs for an extra HK$ 34 (US$ 4; now paying a total of US$ 22 for internet). The results are sizzling! The following using speedtest.net.

Hong Kong server: It actually goes up to ~30Mbps! But more astounding is the upload speed.

Lahore server: appaling ping time, but download upload are still pretty decent. Don't think it can get much better no matter the ISP.

New York server: Download is OK -- not sure if I've gained any advantage by upgrading to 8Mbps (most of the downloading we do is from US servers, right? Unless they are Akamized, of course!). But upload is faster than download? Ha! That's funny.

I also tested from my work PC to the Hong Kong server. Hey look! My home download is better (though that could just be because of the time-of-day that I tested). But the ping and upload numbers are just insane. I should also try the same for a New York server.

My life according to Daughtry

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Pass it on to 15 people you like and include me. You can't use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think! Repost as SOMEONE'S "my life according to (band name)"

Pick your Artist: Daughtry

Gender: Ghost of Me

Describe yourself: There and back again

Describe your job: Breakdown

How do you feel: Crashed

Describe where you currently live: Home

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Long Way

Your favorite form of transportation: Traffic light

Your favorite food: Feels like tonight

Your best friend is: No surprise

You and your best friends are: Supernatural

What's the weather like/Favorite time of day: September

If your life were a TV show, what would it be called: One Last Chance

What is life to you: All these lives

Your relationship: What I want

Your fear: You don't belong

What is the best advice you have to give: Learn my Lesson

Thought for the Day: Open up your eyes