"Technology Traveler" toddecus's Profile

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Technology Traveler

As a boy my parents took me on many trips throughout the united states, Canada, and Mexico. Highlights of my trips included catching a Coho Salmon in Vancouver and scuba diving in San Carlos.

This experience culminated with the incredible scuba diving visit to the Cayman Islands. Perhaps the most peaceful and beautiful piece of ocean I have experienced.

www.betterwebapp.com

Young Adult with an amazing opportunity

I talked my friend into getting passports, "Just in case, you never know". Not more than a year later we both got the call to go and teach Java and e-Business around the world for IBM. While we were on different teams for portions of the year, we both got to travel to an extroadinary list of countries. in 1999 I visited over 31 countries.

A typical work week was two days of teaching one or two days of helping students with laboratory work and one day of site seeing. I am sure we often missed critical places we should have seen. For example only after I returned to the states did I find out that "Den Haague" was "The Hague" and that I was in the center of the International courts world without knowing it.

If I could say a couple of things about the experience:

The perception of Americans was radically off from reality, because of the limited number of Americans that actually travel internationally. The old people and super rich that seem to be most peoples experience of Americans leaves me saddened.

The people the world over were incredibly generous with their time, energy and good will. Food, ideas, places to see, what to do, where to go, were abundant in my experience, whether in Santiago, Dubai, Seol, Warrick, Casa Blanca, or Toronto.

Thank you to those of you who contributed to my incredible experience!

Sept 11th

I am unable to speak on travel without acknowledging the impact this experience has had on me. I was on Royal Jordanian airlines on the way to Shannon Ireland on this fateful day. I shall never forget the experience of being trapped outside my homeland, the limited nature of press in other countries, the generous fealty expressed by the Irish, nor the haunting emptiness of O'Hare when I first landed back in the states.

Alas this will not deter me from future travels, but its mark sits upon my brow.

I am saddened at how poorly our President has handled this event. I am saddened by the association of this event with the Muslim religion, with millions of believers find the action abhorrent yet finding themselves lumped in with the perpetrators. I am proud of the Americans who were entangled in the event, their courage moves me. I am frightened for the mob mentality of the country and its eagerness to surrender its freedom for a false sense of safety.

Travel Today

I speak in "our" terms now as my wife and I began a life together with a trip to New Zealand and the experience of the Kiwi hospitality was wonderful. We hope to do many more trips out into the vast world.

Looking to complete the right of passage of visiting every state in the union. So close yet so far...

Hard at work on St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patty's Day!
Slaving away here at the VT office.

Who Travels when you have this to come home to?

Trinity just had her first birthday! I just hope she has the opportunity in her lifetime to travel as I have.

Kira is our latest addition

The latest Ellermann Rug Rat: Kira

Traveling just got 100% harder :(

Intro Updated Nov 9, 2011
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Personal Pages (1)

Written Jun 21, 2010

3 photos

Jumping in the VT Server Room

1 - 1 of 1

Comments (27)

carol_fooa May 5, 2012 at 4:58 AM Report Abuse

Happy belated birthday Todd ..!

Most important is we live happily daily and have quality life as well !
Usctwin May 1, 2012 at 9:29 AM Report Abuse

Happy birthday, Todd! :)
DaHongHua May 1, 2012 at 1:08 AM Report Abuse

A warm happy birthday greeting from Malaysia.
TrendsetterME Apr 30, 2012 at 10:35 PM Report Abuse

Hey Todd, "Happy Birthday", with all my best wishes .... :)
Donna_in_India Apr 30, 2012 at 6:32 PM Report Abuse

Happy birthday Todd!
Maurizioago Mar 11, 2012 at 10:42 AM Report Abuse

It seems the VT mail is ok now.

Thanks!
jumpingnorman Oct 30, 2011 at 8:41 PM Report Abuse

haha Todd - nice to hear from you and love your profile pic!!! LOL
giampiero6 Oct 13, 2011 at 1:59 PM Report Abuse

Yep...that looks about right...
kevinism Jul 21, 2011 at 4:01 PM Report Abuse

Your profile photo is so tiny!
aussirose May 12, 2011 at 4:23 AM Report Abuse

Hey Todd. Just dropped by because G mentioned you as being part of the wonderful team that is making all these great changes to vt! Just want to say that I appreciate the hard work that you and the others do! ...btw..nice jumping pix mate ;o) Cheers, Ann.