Mega Gingerbread house in the sky

Just another sf view...

Dec 17 - Happy Birthday Muir Woods

The 1st time I visited Muir Woods, my mom and dad didn't get out of the car. We had a one hour deadline until the Sausalito shops closed, so we drove one lap around the parking lot, and left. The Horror. The 2nd time I visited the woods, I gave it proper rations. Doug and I hiked around the large loop, I hugged some trees (I have the photos to proove it), and wondered about the mysterious beer garden in nearby lands.

It's a great place to have nearby, and I don't think I will disservice it again without proper visitation time and attention.

Muir Woods celebrates first 100 years as national monument

Dec 15 - Digging the box o sling

• I am up and running with the slingox pro. It's so nice to have TV again.
  

Dec 7 - GapTIDINGS for all

• I accidentally moused over this ad on yahoo mail - twice. It caught my attention. Actually, it was Will Arnett and Amy Poehler, the Gap poster couple for the new video greeting holiday campaign, that caught my attention. I'll have to give this a try when I'm feeling a little more festive and have a gap scarf to look cool. Will & Amy's video #1 is my favorite.
  
• I have to admit it's a pretty enticing campaign. Video, community sharing, and hip gap sass. It looks like you can create the videos in the stores as well. Clever gapies.
  
• Rachael's Video Holiday Hello is coming soon to a webpage near you. Stay tuned.
• While I'm on the subject of gifts, I found lots of gift ideas on www.80stees.com - my brother will be the coolest geek on the block decked out in this lovely item.
  

Dec 5 - More home entertainment

• I broke down and bought the Slingbox Pro today from Amazon. I resisted this purchase many times before, as I like to think I can live without TV while I'm away from home. However, now that my projector is in the shop for another week or so (turns out the motor died - note - do NOT buy InFocus projectors - mine wasn't 2 years old so!) So not cool, especially the $$$ needed for its repair. I will go with Epson next time.
• The Slingbox was priced at the same price a 15" LCD Flat panel screen. I figure for the same price, I get to watch TV/DVR on my PC (about 15") or when I'm away from home. It made sense. Now I will have to just try to not watch cable/DVR at all hours of the day, home or away from home :)
• Checking out the restaurant / jazz club Shanghai1930 tonight on Steuart St in SOMA. Our office Holiday Party is there. "A cosmopolitan restaurant modeled after Shanghai between the Great Wars..." sounds very intriguing.
  

Dec 1 Sf tree

Ahhh, hoidays and December have arrived.

Say hello to the dazzle tree downtown San Francisco, across from the Omni Hotel on California and Montgomery. Fa la la la la.

Nov 29 - Clicker Careers Famous Mugs

• Look at our colleagues making their way in today's MarketingVox Email newsletter. Also note the headline story - it sounds like this could have been something DoubleClick also can help with.
  

Nov 20 - SF Turkey Travelers Beware!

• The SF Chronicle has a very good take on just how many SF and Californians are road or plane tripping this Turkey Day. I am adding to those statistics.
  
• I was going to abandon the local Turkey Trot here (warning: link plays annoying music loop!) since it is extensive beach and sand running. However I just checked out the site and due to the terrible oil spill, they moved the race to Golden Gate Park. I'm back in!
• So far my road trip plans are to head up to Inverness, CA and the Point Reyes area (google map) about 1-2 hours north of the city, on the coast. Some beaches will be closed but I am not deterred. I tossed around a trip to Mt. Shasta - but with 5+ hours of driving on Rte 5 on a holiday weekend and gas nearly $4 at the local pumps, for a Jeep Wrangler, Inverness area seemed like a much wiser and economical choice!
• I will be cooking up a traditional feast with the bf tomorrow. Last year we tried to make some fancy dishes. Lets just say its best to stick with basics. I made cranberry sauce tonight and a pumpkin pie this evening. Pure goodness.

Nov 14 - Search Insider » Blog Archive » Facebook Ad Targeting: From 2007 To 1984

Great article on facebook searching and creative marketing experiments...
Search Insider » Blog Archive » Facebook Ad Targeting: From 2007 To 1984

Nov 12 - SF Yerba Buena Free day - thanks Oracle!

• Oracle has officially taken over San Francisco. At least for a week around the Mascone Center. White and red banners drape buses, sidewalks (they lay their own plastic tiles on every the sidewalk), and busstands. Throw in a street shut down, a police task force, and selling out every hotel within a 7 mile radius, and you have Oracle Open World.
  
• One of the assets of having a few hundred million dollars to finance your own user conference is the ability to have all the local museums agree to be free for a day on Saturday Nov 10th. Since I'm already an SF Moma fan, I skipped that and pressed on to the Museum of African Diaspora (aka MoAD), the California Historical Society, and the Academy of Sciences.
  
• It's amazing who comes out of the woodwork for the low low cost of free. Nonetheless, it was sort of a rush tour, but the rainy Saturday made this museum day a huge success.
  
• My favorite museum hands down was the MoAD. I can't believe I look at it everyday through my tiny windows, and never stepped inside. Open almost 2 years, MoAD has wonderful exhibits. The highlight was the featured exhibit about what the world eats. Globalization takes on an interesting twist on how small most of the world has come when it comes to packaged goods and available food crops. My favorite part was the itemized costs of all the food in local dollars and in USD. A week of food was $500+ USD in Germany, while in Mali it was about $30. It was a great way to spend a Saturday. Thanks Oracle!

Nov 6th - Cast your Vote

• Today is Election Day. Walking through midtown Manhattan drizzle I remembered instantly as the volunteer pollers sat at their kiosk tables with instructions visible in Chinese and Korean. Remember to take 10 minutes out of your day and vote. With all the worldy unrest happening, its important to exercise this right. Vote vote vote! If you are traveling and forgot about voting, register for absentee voting as I have done. There really is no excuse
• It feels good to be back in NYC. I certainly feel like a visitor but am enjoying my short trip.
  

Recent Earthquakes - Map for San Francisco

Recent Earthquakes - Map for San Francisco
It's official - I felt my first earthquake tonight. A 5 on the Richter scale - near San Jose.
At 8:04pm PST, I sat in the chair I do now working and felt my chair sway a bit. This reminded me when you sit on a chair where 3 of the 4 legs are even, and one is off enough you get a gentle rock. This is what I felt, but I realized it was my building , not the chair. 22 seconds later, things simmered down and normalacy returned. It was back to work for me, still intact.

Oct 25 - Facebook and blackberry? SF BIG at the Ritz

- Today's article on CNN is a great insight into how closed platforms like telecom are trying to navigate the open-platform hits like facebook. Great article.
FORTUNE: Tech Daily Facebook’s Blackberry deal «

- I attended the San Francisco BIG (Bay Interactive Group)'s panel on emerging platforms and interactive media this morning. Great panel of 3 high profile women in the area. My colleague even won a new Microsoft Zune! Microsoft shelled out big for this Ritz-catered breakfast. A good sign they are really pushing to be part of the Atlas/online presence.

Oct 20 spectating the Nike marathon

- I didn't quite make it to cheer on the runners at 7am when the gun
went off, but I did catch up with them at mile 15, in Golden Gate Park
to cheer them on.
Note - I ate a banana before watching. I only wish I had saved it for a
runner. Doug thinks it was a selfish act of defiance for not running.
It was a sea of purple and pink rolling towards me. Decked out team and
training members scurried by with Nike ipods. Doug and I cheered them on
and couldn't help but feel like slugs as all we'd done was roll out and
get pete's coffers.
Either way the sold out Nike womens marathon inspired me.

Stephen Colbert: I am running for president - CNN.com

..and...he's running for president! The Larry King Video captures the story of fame well.
Stephen Colbert: I am running for president - CNN.com

Oct 17th - Happy Hump Day

• Horrah for Wikipedia for showcasing Stephen Colbert on its homepage today! God bless you, Nation.
• For all the rowers out there, this coming weekend the largest head race in the world, the Head of the Charles is happening. If you're in Boston, and you know who you are, go grab a date or a dog and head out to the boat races. Be sure to cheer for NYAC with the red and white oars (my former team and fellow racing mates).
  

Oct 14 - SF absentee ballots

• Today I finished the absentee voting for the local SF mayoral and propositions election November 6th. I am a real advocate of permanent absentee ballot voting. I can avoid worrying about
• The high odds I'm out of town that day
  
• I can read up on all the candidates/issues in my very thorough detailed voting reference book (definitely not a leaflet, brochure, or packet - this is one fat book).
• I can vote on my time, when I have time to do so (vs 7am before my client meeting, or instead of another engagement).

• This is the 2nd time I've voted now in my almost 2 years in San Francisco. It's my first mayoral and deputy sherriff vote. I don't think other cities do this, but in SF you can vote for your 1st, 2nd , and 3rd choice on the ballots. I'm not clear why it's necessary to vote for 2nd and 3rd preferences. Don't they tally the votes and come up with their own 1st , 2nd and 3rd places? It's my understanding that these choices are used when there is a tie. A tie? Do they really have ties? I don't buy it, but I suppose after the 2004 presidential election, maybe they do. I did vote for incumbent Gavin Newsom. Based on the several opponents, I thought he was a better choice than the nudist, the nightclub owner, the author, and the shopkeepers. I did like the 2 journalists, so they did get my 2nd and 3rd votes. I do hope that we don't have a tie.
• The other propositions on the ballot are most intriguing. Parking spaces is a hot item. Why is parking such a big deal in this city? It is an any big city. Get over it. I can't imagine voting for private parking in lieu of 750k towards public transportation. I don't even own a car.
• Also on the ballot was a free wi-fi network in San Francisco. After reading the for/against arguments I voted for. I feel bad about the disoriented bees, and yes people are really going to learn about security protection and internet fraud, but that's all part of progress. There also was an argument about "Google knowing more than it even knows now if there happened." Yawn. And who knows maybe we will all suffer radiation sickness from all the silent and hidden wireless spectrum continual pounding we take. There's also the lack of devices to even get on a network for the digital divide have-nots. But I am a futurist. I can't imagine not helping to progress society forward when such an opportunity exists and I can have a say in moving forward.
• The last item on the ballot took some thought as well. Do we allow new advertising space on public buildings and within special zones? The arguments for allowing this, even though it was endorsed by the Republican party, won me over. Advertising can aesthetically appeal if done within what the city sets as limits. It also helps subsidize newsstands and public spaces that otherwise wouldn't be built or maintained.
  
• Many of these issues require deeper looks. If I had 10 minutes at the polls to complete my thoughts and vote on November 6th, I definitely wouldn't feel like I knew the issues enough to cast a knowledgeable vote for many items.
  

• Don't forget to vote in your upcoming elections. As John Quincy Adams said, "Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost"

Oct 12th - Happy Anniversary to me

• Wow, it's hard to believe that 8 years ago on October 12, 1999 I joined DoubleClick. It certainly has gone quick!
• It is one wet day here in San Francisco. Let's hope it gets better for the weekend.
  

October 10 - Oktoberfest San Francisco style

• Oktoberfest is here in San Francisco this weekend in Fort Mason.
  
• I will not be in Munich this year, as I have in the 2005-2006 era. This is as close as I will get. Allow me to get nostaligic a bit here as I relive the smells of roasted rotisserie chickens and freshly brewed malty beverages...
  
• 
  

• My brother Andy arrives today from Boston. It will be great to catch up a bit. He and I ran the Berlin marathon last year, and then hopped a flight to Munich to kick back with the Ompa bands. We wound up detoxing a bit in Venice which is a short overnight train away. Many, many macchiatos were needed.
  

Here's a good shot of the canals. My friend Maria even framed this in her living room (she is Italian)

My brother Andy detoxing with macciatos ...


I know we won't be close to German heimlat (homeland) or Venetian coffees. Prost!

David Beckham's Injury Hurts More Than Just the Soccer Star - WSJ.com

David Beckham's Injury Hurts More Than Just the Soccer Star - WSJ.com


Too bad for everyone on this. I would see LA Galaxy play, but alas the injury. Too bad SF doesn't have a professional league. Maybe I'll venture down to San Jose.

"The latest news is the most significant yet. Mr. Beckham was diagnosed with a sprained right knee, suffered in the Galaxy's Aug. 29 SuperLiga final loss to Pachuca, and will be out of action for as long as 10 weeks, the rest of the Galaxy's season. Make no mistake: His injury is indeed disastrous news for the Galaxy, a nightmare for MLS, and extreme ill fortune for American soccer."

I have a flog!

Facebook killer app! The Flog. Catchy and another LinkedIn Killer.

BlueBobsled makeover

Welcome to my new template.  I find it cleaner and easier on the eye.  I will stick with blue, otherwise bluebobsled schizophrenia would set in!  Do you like? Let me know.

Spears ordered to give kids to Federline - omg! news on Yahoo!

now this is news everyone.

Spears ordered to give kids to Federline - omg! news on Yahoo!

Happy October - Taj Mahal - Oct1

• I have been a negligent blogger. Almost a month since my last post! I will be more consistent, I promise!

• Part of my negligence stems from a 3 week trip. I just returned from India last week. Primarily I was in Delhi and Bangalore. I managed to get a cold, but that certainly does beat Malaria as my co-worker duly pointed out.
• This photo is from my visit to the Taj Mahal. This is such a striking building. Beautiful and majestic like everyone says. Part of it's intrigue is that it is staged on an elevated marble platform - so the background is all sky. Very ingenious.

Yosemite National Park - Current Conditions (U.S. National Park Service)

Yosemite National Park - Current Conditions (U.S. National Park Service)

Yeah I'm going here today!

Aug 9 - Wine TV is for ME

• I'm hooked! This guy makes appearances around the bay area, and worldwide. Check out what he and the Thundercats preach on his site http://tv.winelibrary.com/
  

August 4th - Weekend in SF

• This is the first weekend in 6 weeks that is guest-free and I've not been away. Don't get me wrong, I love my out-of-town visitors who gawk at the cable cars and woh are scenic sponges. But, there is something to be said for a nice solo weekend in San Francisco.
• What will I do with all this me-time in SF? On a typical weekend, I am figuring out where to enjoy some good eats with Doug, or checking out what's playing at the Metreon. Tonight is different. Surprisingly, I have a social agenda. I have two birthday parties to attend. One is in Mill Valley across the bridge, the other back in the city. A whole lot of Leo's will be celebrating themselves in a 30-something crowd in the great outdoors of Marin country, the other is a right of passage into the 30's with a vengence at a trendy downtown bar. Both are good excuses to celebrate. I will enjoy the contrast.
• Speaking of birthdays, mine is ringing in T-26 days and counting...the big 35 is approaching. Will I whoop it up somehow? Sort of. I decided that spending some reflective time at Yosemite over Labor Day provides a perfect excuse to finally get to Yosemite, and enjoy one of our beautiful National Parks. I can party in the great outdoors in my own way.

"I wonder, I fly"

July 17 Sabrina has a close encounter

I'm giving props to my writer / friend Sabrina who had a brush with fame and fortune at a recent DC gathering. Read on to hear more. Way to go Sabrina I am very jealous.

Steve from Sex and the City » SMITH Magazine

July 17 Coastline CA Cruising

• I spent the weekend with some NY friends (now Seattle transplants) roadtripping from San Francisco, down to Santa Cruz (surf was too low to embark on our surf lessons), Monterrey, Carmel, Big Sur, San Simeon, and Cambria. Living the vida loca in Carmel meant a plushy 'suite' in central downtown followed by a great bistro meal in comfy Carmel. A morning beach walk was followed by a cruise down the coast in and out of fog patches to Big Sur and Julia Pfeiffer State Park. We hiked a very uphill slope for about 3 miles to catch a glimspe of the ocean that was easily car accessible. The waterfall was also gorgeous even though I had seen it a few years earlier on a similar roadtrip. We spent our 2nd eve camping in San Simeon, which averaged out our budget per night to a much more reasonable number given our stay in Carmel (aka 'the shire' as I like to call it). Before we headed back, we drove through Paso Robles to check out 2 wineries in the area. Somehow, I ended up with more wine than tents and luggage. Firestone winery was very delicious, and we even got a bonus of meeting 'the bachelor' who was featured on the series a few seasons ago. Personally, I thought Twiggy the bull dog stole the show at Firestone, and her favorite recommendation for the Rosé really was a good one. All in all, it was a great trip, and pics are coming soon.
  

MediaPost Publications - PointRoll Introduces One-Stop Ad Serving Shop - 06/27/2007

Pointroll no longer a point player - introduces a adserving solution for all ads

MediaPost Publications - PointRoll Introduces One-Stop Ad Serving Shop - 06/27/2007

TED and Photosynth technology

TED is a great website that contains video, talks, and themes on Technology, Entertainment, and Design. This particular story has some amazing technology from a start up purchased by Microsoft and now part of the labs division. I ended up installing Photosynth myself and played around with the examples of photos that literally can be zoomed in and assembled into 3d pictures. Imagine what this will do when we can make our own collections across the web. Worth a watch!

TED | Talks | Blaise Aguera y Arcas: Jaw-dropping Photosynth demo (video)

After this I proceeded to browse around TED, and stumbled upon an artic explorer Ben Saunders who told his journey of trekking solo across the North Pole. Something never done before from one side to the other. Fascinating and motivational from a great speaker.

June 12th - I heart my wikipedia

Recently I've changed my Firefox home page to the Wikipedia homepage. There is so much information there and everyday it changes. I love it because maybe I learn it's Independence day today in the Philippines, read the top news stories, or dive into a topic that is randomly generated to learn more about.

Today, this photo got me. I'm not one to get nostalgic about London, but I do get nostalgic about my travels. At 15 years old I traveled abroad for the first time to England with my soccer team. This was one of my favorite sites in London and this photo captures the serene beauty of Big Ben and Parliament - quite the contrast of the hustle bustle streets that surround it on the other side.

Check it out: Main Page - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Are you kidding me? Blatant graffiti-er and the fashion police

Walking back from the dentist today (no cavities, thank you very much) I saw something that really made me wince. Right there on a crowded downtown union square street corner (Geary and Stockton) at 3pm, some short punky guy is personalizing the public bus with a purple etch-a-sketch marker. I can't figure out what it says of course, but that's the point of graffiti isn't it? The most remarkable fact was that about 5-10 onlookers were just STANDING there watching him!

As I walked past the stopped bus, trying to figure out why no one was saying anything, the punky guy jogs up to the front of the bus, and proceeds to add more graffitti! It was apparent this guy wasn't concerned about onlookers, or getting caught. I yelled to the bus driver (it was a packed bus so but his door was open), "there's a guy out here de-facing your bus!." Here's the kicker - he didn't get out! Before I could say anything else to yell at the guy (he was 5'4" and pseudo-meek despite his weak facial hair configuration) he jogged off down the street.

After this incident, I walked away dumbfounded. Why didn't I try to stop him? Why didn't I say "our" bus? Why did all the other on-lookers turn a blind eye and deface public property, that will be cleaned with all of our tax dollars? I think he might have believed me if I said freeze and read him his rights before placing in the fake call to book him. Then I thought even if I could've reported him, there were no police around to even tell them about it. One never sees police downtown unless you hang out in the tenderloin and witness crackhouse bust-up. The really sad part is, and I kid you not, the only police I saw were literally two women dressed as "fashion police" in front of Virgin Megastore on Market St. Dudded up in pretty navy uniforms, there were doing their diligent duty handing out brochures for make-up. You know it's a real crime when the only cops you can find are the fashion police.

Seriously people, we need to take action and not let punks like this guy ruin the city.

Fortunately, at least there's a site you can blog about your pet-peeves for incidents just like this: Act Locally SF .
This is part of mayor's Gavin Newsom's website: Act Locally. It would be great if he read these. At least you can add your own 2cents or learn more about what else could be improved in our fair city.

Guess the state

Greetings from this 'mystery' state.
This photo pretty much sums it up.

May 2 - Syrian/Turkey traveler missing - Nicole Vienneau, Has Gone Missing in Syria

She's been missing over a month - spreading the word for my foreign arabic speaking friends.
***
Canadian female backpacker gone missing in Syria. Any help from the Digg community in locating her is greatly appreciated.



read more | digg story

April 24 Trade Shows in the Air

• The Mascone Center is hopping today as it kicks of Ad-tech San Francisco. I'm planning to attend tomorrow for a bit to learn about the latest happenings in digital marketing. I am checking out my company's presence as a sponsor, a newly re-branded company, and for the new launch of a product. It's the biggest trade show in the online advertising industry, so there's lots to check out both on the session schedule (jam packed with 3 tracks), industry peer booths, and just all around networking. Last year I went and while I was registering I ran into someone I worked with at my 1st job in NYC over 10 years ago. Once again the networking effect
  

Check out my Slide Show!

April 18 - living without a car

Ok, this article is for anyone out there who is still asking, "but how would I survive without my car?"

Well, if you are in the rural Nebraskan plains, or the desolate Montana Blackfoot territory, then this is probably not for you.

For anyone in a city however, it can be done fairly easily. I personally do not have a car, and really haven't had a need for one since I stopped trekking to the Travers Island, NY boathouse at 5:30am every morning (about 5 years ago).

This article in Wikihow is all about how to do it and why it's a good idea. I love the Wikis.

April 18 - Google & DCLK commentary

One of my trusted media sources, OnlineMediaDaily had this to say and "7 key questions from the DoubleClick Deal":


I agree these are all valid concerns, and as time uncovers each one, I don't think these are going to be major issues that are not resolved.

April 17 - Boston Marathon Bonus Story

Read full coverage of the Pattiann and Aaron Heartbreak hill marriage in today's Boston Globe.

I must say, never have I been to a more unconventional, spontaneous, casual yet very well planned wedding. Certainly tops the list of answers if I'm ever asked, "What is the craziest wedding you have ever been to?"

I'm still in Boston, and it's still raining. It's forecast to rain until I leave, and be nice for the following weekend - or - the 2nd phase of the wedding odessey.

Marraige is a Marathon

• Greetings from Boston MA. Site of the 50th Boston Marathon. Today Aaron and Pattiann, two of my good friends will be married while running the marathon. Mile 21, heartbreak hill, to be exact. It's pouring and cold outside, but their spirits are definitely not dampened. I'm heading out to join them shortly at the tent where Aaron's Mom will be conducting the marriage ceremony.
• Congrats to these two love birds in their marathon-wear wicky tux and white spandex shorts. I am very happy for them and excited to be in the activities
• www.marriageisamarathon.com
  

DoubleClick is purchased

Yours truly is now under the GoogleClick house of pancakes.

amazing ad!

Great link from my co-worker.  This ad was in 1987 with no computer graphics just crazy drivers.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3688185030664621355&q=isuzu 

A good URL

http://electricpulp.com/guykawasaki/arse/

 

Take the ARSE test and see if you need Guy's book. 

 

I'm a big fan of Guy since almost 10 years now, and I have to say he's right on the money. 

 

I can think of at least a few people who would benefit from this book - how bout you?

Be the change you wish to see

A great quote that I heard today from a distinguised woman, featured on
my good friend Deepika's new startup portal for expatriate women,
Invincibelle.com
Invincibelle.com features women that have made an indelible print on
society and can inspire all of us (especially with quotes like that!)
***

-----Original Message-----
From: Deepika Bajaj [mailto:deepika@invincibelle.com]

Hello Everyone

Today, we have Neerja Raman as our featured Distinguished Invincibelle.

Neerja Raman is an executive in research management. A visionary, she
combines business skills with technical insight to deliver solutions of
global impact. She is a frequent speaker at conferences and lectures on
leadership skills.
While Director of Research, Imaging Technology and Systems, HP Labs,
Neerja was inducted into the prestigious WITI Hall of Fame...

She quotes " Be the change you wish to see"

Want to know more about her, click the following link:

http://www.invincibelle.com/post.php?p=96

Spread the Cheer!

Have a wonderful day!
Deepika

RockYou Out photothings

| View Show | Create Your Own | Playlist

I found this site rockyou (link above) from my co-workers and using the only3 photos on my hard drive, it's the baby-boomer montage! Starring my Mom, my grandmom, and Step-dad! Featured with none other than cheesy Paris Hilton track. Velveeta!

Wesley Clark Interview

Here's an excerpt from my brother Andy who sent this to me a week ago.
Thought I would share it here too.

Here's a really interesting and insightful full interview with very senior (retired) US general... No matter what camps ya sit in, ya have to take his thoughts with some serious weight given the guy's credentials, where he's been, and who he's worked with... This is definitely worth the read (and sharing to any acquaintances that we're doing anything right by being in Iraq)...

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/03/02/1440234
Andy

Scuba Starts Soon!

• Tomorrow I embark on my open water diving certification. I am new to the underwater world with the exception of snokeling and one intro dive I did in the Whitsunday Islands, Australia 2 years ago. I start tomorrow at BambooReef located at 4th and Brannan. Once I finish all the classes, I get to do homework and worksheets and everything! The good news is that the intro dives take place in Monterey Bay. I figure I"ll make a weekend out of it and and check out the aquarium and Cannery Row with Doug, who won't be diving since I'm borrowing all his equipment since he already attended BambooReef and is a proud certified diver.
  

Snowed in at Kirkwood in Tahoe!

Snowed in at Kirkwood in Tahoe!

Happy valentines day

Valentine's Day came and went. As you can see, my boyfriend Doug, seems a bit disgruntled. He is sad because he wants more airtime on this blog. My sincerest apologies - feel free to comment away on my negligence.

Despite the shortcomings of blog stardom, Doug harbored any malcontent and took me out to a fine Irish establishment, The Bitter End in "new" Chinatown. This is one of many Irish pubs on and around Clement St in the Richmond area. It definitely has an element of coziness to it, and the $3.00 happy hour specials of all draft beer left us feeling pretty happy. From there it was on to Burma Superstar (check it out on yelp too), a local favorite with recipes like "rainbow salad" where they mix dozens of ingredients right in front of you, to sesame beer and spicy chicken with basil. Although we waited 1.5 hours for a table, we really didn't mind since we were sipping pintside at The Bitter End, just up the street (if you leave your phone # they'll call you when your table is ready).

It was very busy but the courteous wait staff did their best to accommodate all of their famished patrons, showing up 2 by 2 and sometimes by 3 or 4. Both great places, and overall a very special valentine indeed. So Doug, please find it in yourself to release your disgruntledness and accept this dedicated post as a peace offering!!

- The management

My cool new guns I mean skis!

Ok, they're not guns, but they're guns according to Salomon.

http://www.backcountry.com/store/SAL0940/c1/s1/Salomon-Teneighty-Gun-Alpine-Ski.html

 

I got 174's so I hope to try them out in Tahoe soon!

 

They worked great for the few hours I demoed them at Whistler!

 

Hi from work!

I'm finally back from dublin, Paris, NYC, and whistler. Details coming soon!

Hi from Dublin

Sunday Sunday Sunday! Monster Trucks

• Ok call me crazy, but some innate curiosity is tugging at my primative side to go and see monster trucks this Saturday at AT&T park.

It's probably more geared for the WWF age bracket crowd than the 30-something females, but nevertheless, I have to wonder what it's like. My friend Gus went last year, and when I asked him if he'd be up for a 2nd annual trip his response summed it up: "Worth going to once, but a little much for a repeat visit this year...i will wait until i have kids ;) "

I'm heading to my favorite San Francisco neighborhood bar tonight, 111 Minna. Where else can I find my Big Daddy IPA for a very affordable $3? Not DJing tonight, but just catching up with a fellow Fordhamite who also moved out to San Francsico recently. I didn't really know him in NYC, but he's a friend of my friends, so to speak...you know how it goes.

Speaking of beer, I find the disparity between the price of a beer in a SF bar vs. NYC quite astounding, while prices of wine glasses are much more aligned.

For example, at 111 Minna, a hip happening spot, draft beer is $3.
In NYC, the only place one finds $3 pints of good beer is either at McSoreley's Ale House (and it's a 12 oz glass for $2) with the limited selection of "light" or "dark" or...where? I'd say average pint price is $5.00 these days. Beer and Monster Trucks...what better way to end the day!

10/20/30 PPT Rule

As a fan of Guy Kawasaki, I am preaching out to all ye PowerPointer's...follow his advice for winning presentations whether it's for VC, Sales pitches, or arguments sake.

http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2005/12/the_102030_rule.html

I haven't read too much from him lately, but I remember from seeing him speak a few years back to promote his new book (at the time), Rules for Revolutionaries. We should take a hint and learn from him.

Props to Kristen for the blog pic

• http://kristenmitch.blog.co.uk/ - See yours truly skiing in Utah with pals kristen and her roommate Anne. Is Kristen secretly hiding out in the UK?

Some 2006 Stats to Chew On

• Happy New Year 2007! Here's some great US Census bureau stats released today about our consumption of media in the last 365 days.

There's some interesting facts here. For instance, did you know that according to the new U.S. Census Bureau's Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2007, adults and teens will spend nearly five months (3,518 hours) next year watching television, surfing the Internet, reading daily newspapers and listening to personal music devices.

According to projections from a communications industry forecast, people will spend:

• 65 days in front of the TV
• 41 days listening to radio
• A little over a week on the Internet in 2007
• Adults will spend about a week reading a daily newspaper
• Teens and adults will spend another week listening to recorded music
• Consumer spending for media is forecasted to be $936.75 per person

Looks like media is warping at full speed ahead. Read the press release for more facts.

Also, can someone please explain this one to me?

• The retail price of a gallon of milk jumped from $2.79 in 2000 to $3.24 in 2005, while a pound of creamy peanut butter dropped from $1.96 to $1.70. (Table 712)

And this stat really proves the direction I believe we are unfortunately emphasizing too much in school. Are teachers more generous with A's? The likely scenario is that the caliber of students is higher today with more people applying to college more than ever.

• Nearly half (47 percent) of college freshmen enrolled in 2005 had earned an average grade of A in high school, compared to 2-in-10 (20 percent) in 1970. The majority (79 percent) of freshmen in 1970 had an important personal objective of “developing a meaningful philosophy of life.” By 2005, the majority of freshmen (75 percent) said their primary objective was “being very well off financially.” (Table 274)

It's crazy to think that everyone is out there for financial stability. I certainly hope that there's more to college than that for our future generations.