Author Archives: Raoul

About Raoul

With a fairly unusual first name, this is where I have to stress VERY STRONGLY that these posts are my personal opinions and in no way reflect anything at all to do with my employer. For employer-approved content, take a look at my work blog.

Books read

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Raoul

I had meant to keep track of all the books I read last year somewhere.  Since I have got better at maintaining my blog pages in the past few months I added a page here to update and track them.

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Update and clarification on Windows Phone

Posted on January 5, 2015 by Raoul

The last post on my and my mother’s frustration with her new Windows Mobile phone generated the most feedback of any blog post I have ever posted here.  Most of the feedback was well intentioned (I approved every comment that … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Tech | 3 Comments

Windows phone – a disastrous christmas present

Posted on December 29, 2014 by Raoul

My 75 year old mother needed a new cell phone – she travels quite a lot within the UK and lives alone and it was time.  She’s been using an ancient Nokia for years – it’s at least ten years … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Life, Tech | 30 Comments

The sad, confused state of healthcare in the USA 2014

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Raoul

I’m not going to get into the whole messed-up big picture of all that is wrong in the current state of healthcare – just give a micro example of the dysfunction that is endemic. I live in New York, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Fitness, Life, WTF? | Leave a comment

Friends

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Raoul

I had breakfast this morning with an old college friend.  He was in town to run the NY marathon for charity and I reached out to him on twitter and made the time to catch up.  He was my best … Continue reading →

Posted in #100HealthyDays, Friends, Life | Leave a comment

How much is one United MileagePlus mile worth?

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Raoul

I’m winding down my status on any of the airlines because I get pretty much the same benefits on United having their credit card as I do having silver status and its nice to not have to travel as much. … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Travel | Leave a comment

100 Healthy Days – day 43

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Raoul

So I haven’t really been reporting and I have fallen off the wagon a little bit over the last couple of weeks – and then regained focus this week. I do feel like I’ve been paying more attention both to … Continue reading →

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Dishonesty in business – a crisis of late capitalism?

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Raoul

After my latest experience of being lied to and misled by a business (Chase credit cards this time) I reflected on the peculiar pathology that seems to be all around us.  A certain subset of businesses (usually the larger ones, … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Tech, WTF? | 1 Comment

Low carb vegetarian?

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Raoul

On the trip I was reading about a competitive swimmer in his forties who was eating right and training 4+ hours a day and still gaining weight.  I’m not training that hard, but I’ve been eating <1500 cals a day … Continue reading →

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100 Healthy Days – day 21

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Raoul

Back at home after a trip to Maine.  Too much beer drunk and less than optimal diet, but good for the soul and mental health, and that’s an important trade-off.  Lots of walking this weekend – 7+ miles in the … Continue reading →

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