These are my last two weeks with the Danger Hiptop before leaving for the Motorola v600. As I had told Mike and s4xton:

"The email over the past couple days have reminded how much I have enjoyed the Sidekick community. I've made a number of friends and shared quite a few experiences with the great users and developers that make up the Sidekick community. Unfortunately, problems with the T-Mobile network and bureaucracy in dealing with software, sync, and updates, QA issues Danger had with the color Sidekick, and the rapidly evolving PDA/Phone market and technologies has tempered my love for the Sidekick itself.

I'm glad to hear that you'll be staying with the Sidekick long enough to see where it leads. I truly hope the future is bright for T-Mobile, Danger, and the Sidekick. I'll be posting my adventures with the Motorola v600 to compare against, and I'll keep an eye on the Danger hiptop should the next couple generations prove interesting."

I truly think the Sidekick community is without equal. Mikepop's efforts on hiptop Nation, Bananachunk's efforts on SKHolla, May's efforts with Aiyaa!, Appletech's blood-and-sweat on hiptop.com, Mike Lee's consummate eye for detail and the Sidekick's potential, and s4xton's zeal for the Sidekick are but a few examples of why the Sidekick is a great experience. My heart and thanks go out to all of you for making the Danger hiptop possible as a vibrant and rich experience!

My wife's 4-month-old Color Sidekick and aqua cam has an interested hN regular hoping to give it a home.

My 7-month-old Color Sidekick, silver cam, and Belagio case is still looking for a happy home...

If you can find it in your heart to give this Sidekick a place in your life, perhaps you'll find happiness too. While a $120 "adoption fee" is requested, your new addition with accessories and original package will be sent 2-day FedEx to you. E-mail me at foremank@tmail.com if interested...

Save the children, think of the hiptops!

With Vicky and I abandoning the T-Mobile Sidekick for the Motorola v600, we have two Color Sidekicks in very good condition for sale available 6/21.

T-Mobile Color Sidekick (7 months old, good condition) Krylon Mystique Blue/Purple Back Silver Attachment Camera (352x288) leather Bellagio beltcase with clip USB Cable AC Adapter/Charger Original T-Mobile Box asking $120

T-Mobile Color Sidekick (4 months old, very good condition) Aqua Attachment Camera (120x90) original carrying case USB Cable AC Adapter/Charger Original T-Mobile Box asking $100

If you're interested, please e-mail me at foremank@tmail.com ...Vicky and I have enjoyed our time and been honored to be Sidekick users, but we're moving on.

Another commute to the office, my last week at the office before a week in Reno, NV, with Vicky and my family. Another week to go with my Sidekick...

After nearly two years with the T-Mobile Sidekick (first as the Black-and-White Sidekick, and later the Color), my wife and I are abandoning the platform. It has so much potential to be a truly great device, but we have been frustrated with Danger & T-Mobile's inability to deliver on it. We've had numerous network issues, we've played "refurb roulette" six times between us, and like the rest of the Sidekick community, we've waited on features and updates that we either delivered very late (OS Updates, Catalog) or not at all (Sync). Given our continuing frustrations and the end of our T-Mobile contract, we've decided to move on.

We're both looking at getting the Motorola v600. With its VGA (640x480) camera, J2ME, Bluetooth, and being a Class 10 (4+2) GPRS device (faster data rates), it's everything now that the Sidekick has yet to be. My wife and I will be keeping our numbers, but switching to Cingular for 600min/month, unlimited data, and their accelerated data network in the metro DC area. With the higher res camera, Bluetooth, Clie UX-50, and Powerbook, we can continue moblogging with no interruption.

So if anyone is interested in one or both T-Mobile Sidekicks, one aquacam, one silver cam, and a leather Bellagio clip case for the Sidekick plus the original boxes, chargers, and USB cables... Just email me with an offer. It's been truly fun and an honor to be a member of the Sidekick community, but the frustration became too much.

Another commute to the office, my last week at the office before a week in Reno, NV, with Vicky and my family. Another week to go with my Sidekick...

After nearly two years with the T-Mobile Sidekick (first as the Black-and-White Sidekick, and later the Color), my wife and I are abandoning the platform. It has so much potential to be a truly great device, but we have been frustrated with Danger & T-Mobile's inability to deliver on it. We've had numerous network issues, we've played "refurb roulette" six times between us, and like the rest of the Sidekick community, we've waited on features and updates that we either delivered very late (OS Updates, Catalog) or not at all (Sync). Given our continuing frustrations and the end of our T-Mobile contract, we've decided to move on.

We're both looking at getting the Motorola v600. With its VGA (640x480) camera, J2ME, Bluetooth, and being a Class 10 (4+2) GPRS device (faster data rates), it's everything now that the Sidekick has yet to be. My wife and I will be keeping our numbers, but switching to Cingular for 600min/month, unlimited data, and their accelerated data network in the metro DC area. With the higher res camera, Bluetooth, Clie UX-50, and Powerbook, we can continue moblogging with no interruption.

So if anyone is interested in one or both T-Mobile Sidekicks, one aquacam, one silver cam, and a leather Bellagio clip case for the Sidekick plus the original boxes, chargers, and USB cables... Just email me with an offer. It's been truly fun and an honor to be a member of the Sidekick community, but the frustration became too much.

This time next week, Vicky and I will be arriving at Reno, NV. Unfortunately, today in Sterling, VA, is a day of temperatures in the low 60's and steady progression of drizzle and rain. Reno will be a welcome change.

Eck scuuze me, bot I wood liik a tee shoe...

...I ran out of tissues at my office. I work with a Filipina (who introduced my wife and I) who offered me the pictured "tissue box." I like the 2-ply cushiony softness and endless stream of these new tissues. :)

So I made an appointment with the doctor and had my visit this morning. After a lecture on BCBS vs. Aetna and HMO vs. PPO, I was told that my doctor no longer supports Aetna, and I now had Aetna and not BCBS. Ante up $120 for the visit, please.

After detailing my "fun" weekend and phlegm colors, the doctor told me I had a sinus infection brought on by a cold. I was prescribed Rhinocort and Amoxicillin, and told to continue taking Sudafed Cough & Cold. I then dropped her scripts off with the pharmacist for another $54.

So here I am, $174 lighter, but well-medicated...

After five days off, with four of them being spent congested and coughing, it figures that my best day would be the day I drive back to work.

Oh well... Good morning, all!

Just in case you haven't yet had your fill of the Brood X Cicada, here's a few adorning the trees in my back yard. Scientists say their screeching has been measured at 110db close up... I believe it.