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CEO's Guide to Jetting!

The new JetBlue campaign, The CEO's Guide to Jetting, is absolutely brilliant!  Enjoy!

Welcome Aboard

The Airport

The Flight

Bulldog inspires Phelp's to Record Gold at Olympics

USA Today recently broke the following news:

As spring rounded into the biggest summer of his 19-year-old life, Michael Phelps took a photo with his cell phone of what he really wants.  That way he could see it at the touch of a keypad. He could show it around, hear the oohs and aahs.  An Olympic gold medal? No. Seven Olympic gold medals? Guess again.

"It's a 1-month-old English bulldog," he says after pulling up the photo with the grinning expectancy of a child in a toy store aisle. "I love bulldogs. It's a big dog, but it's a little dog, too. You know what I mean?"

Hell yes!  I knew this guy was all class.  Phelps, My bully, Howie, sends a shout out to you and yours.  Keep kicking ass in China!

Out with RCN | In with Comcast

Finally!!!!!!  I am rid of RCN.  Thanks to Comcast, who worked with my condo's property management company to wire our building for their services, I have been able to break the 5 year siege RCN had on my Cable/High Speed Internet.

If US Air was a cable company, they would be RCN.  Absolutely incompetent.  I used to pay between $300-$500/month to RCN (all on-demand programming....yes, I am a media WHORE).  Then, my service started to go out on a monthly basis.  RCN required that I take a day off of work so that their technicians could come in and fix the problem (which was basically the inability to access the on-demand and PPV catalogs).  This did not happen once....but almost every month.  I finally got so fed up, I stopped trying.  I shifted my $200/month media consumption to the on-demand programming that my AppleTV and XBoxLive provided.  By the way, BUY AN APPLE TV!!!!!!!!  It's AWSOME!

I am psyched to finally have Comcast as my cable and high speed provider!  Thanks a ton for giving me an option that is other than RCN.

Petsmart Bulldog Commercial

Petsmart commercial

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The above video is ADORABLE!!!!  Especially if you are a bullie fan like me.  Howie liked it so much he included it on his Myspace Page.

Big Shrimpy

Big Shrimpy is a manufacturer of beds and blankets for dogs and cats.  The past weekend I bought Howie two new beds from this brand.  His old set, which lasted him for two years and are also Big Shrimpy, are being retired to serve as beds in the New Hampshire condo.  I cant say enough good things about this product.  The beds are very durable, easy to maintain, and visually appealing.   If you live in Boston, you may find a wide selection of Big Shrimpy beds at polkadogbakery.

Spec Products: SkinTight

Many of you know that I recently got a 700w Treo.  Many of you also know that I pretty much despise the device.  That is, until now.   While in St. Maarten a couple of weeks ago, Carmen (who owns a Treo 650) introduced me to an elegant case manufactured by Spec Products called SkinTight.  Three features of this product make it a must have for any Treo owner!!!! 

First, the molded ergo grips and buttons make the device a hell of a lot easier to use  This is especially true with the middle navigation thumb buttons, which I always found impossible. 

Second, the case provides a hinged crystal clear plastic window that not only protects your screen, it also (and I would argue more importantly) disables the annoying touch screen.  Don't get me wrong....I love using the touch screen with my stylus while using the device as a PDA.  I hate it when you hold the devices up to your ear to use it as a phone and your ear changes the time from GMT-5 Eastern US  to GMT-4 Caracas, La Paz; inadvertently sends a txt message; and/or changes a calendar item.  (Note to Treo Engineers......in future models, please provide a hard button to turn off the touch screen). 

Finally, SkinTight's rubber molding acts as barrier for your SD Memory Expansion Card.  Without SkinTight, the SD card sits in a slot at the top of the device, locked in with nothing more then a spring loader that pops the card out if pressed.  This annoying feature caused me to lose my 2 GB card on Friday, resulting in about $150 worth of mobile applications (that I had stored on the card) to vanish.  This is guaranteed not to happen with a SkinTight case as the molding wraps around the entire device, exposing only the Qwerty keyboard.  Alas, I will step off of my soap box.  Please heed my advise, from one consumer to another, if you want a Treo you must pick up a SkinTight case.

Rocket Science

  Last night, while dining at Meritage (great restaurant-bad website) with my friend Melissa, I discovered a wonderful new red called Rocket Science.  Caldwell Vineyard's  2002 vintage is a blend  of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Syrah (28%), and Merlot (22%).  The Wine Sommelier seemed ecstatic that someone finally ordered this bottle from Meritage's excellent wine list.  He came over to our table curious to see how we liked it.  In a word, it was Excellent!  He claimed that there are only two restaurants in Boston that carry the wine. 

WineGeeks.com lists the bottle at $42.00.  Meritage was selling it for ~$120.  Their review of the wine follows:

"Like a purple blanket! Plush, rich and extended, the Rocket Science has plenty of red currants, bitter chocolate, cassis and pepper. The tannins are chewy and could use a little time but this wine is drinking very well now."

Another charming aspect of this wine, beyond its name, is a little story they provide on the back label.  It reads as follows:

"It ain't rocket science," he said. "I think it is," she responded. "I'm telling you, it ain't rocket science" he repeated.  She held the glass to her nose and inhaled.  The aroma was an exotic mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot.  She took a small sip, rolling the dark liquid across her palate.  The flavors were ripe, round, and earthy.  "Look, I don't mean to be rude," she said finally.  "But this is definitely rocket science."

I recommend this wine to anyone lucky enough to come across it.  If anyone is selling a case---you have a willing buyer on this end!

Il Paradiso Di Frassina

One of my fondest memories of my trip to Italy was visiting and dining at the vineyard Il Paradiso Di Frassina.  Under the care and ownership of well-known wine maker Carlo Cignozzi and Diana Grandi, this vineyard is unique in many respect.

From the first minute that you walk onto the property you are surrounded by the ambient sound of classical music.  Carlo is the only winemaker in the world that is currently experimenting with using sound-waves to positively effect the growth of his vines and grapes.  To that end, he had situated all weather speakers intermittently throughout the vineyard (facing the rows of vines) and plays the harmonies of Mozart, Vivaldi, Mahler, and others from 9am to 9pm.  He also has invited the University of Florence to conduct a rigorus multi-year study to confirm if indeed sound-waves play a role in developing healthier vines and grapes.  Their research and conclusions are due to be published this year.

Below is a video I shot of the courtyard off of the main villa.  The man setting up the wine tasting table is the owner of the vineyard, Carlo Cignozzi.  Watch the entire segment to experience the classical music described above.

The second unique aspect of Il Paradiso Di Frassina is the wine itself.  Produced only from the best harvests, the vineyard follows an exclusive and very selective philosophy for it production and distribution of wines.  To that end, they only produce a few thousand bottles a annually, starting with the year 2000. 

Three wines are offered by Il Paradiso Di Frassina:

• BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO (Sold out this year)
• GEA
• DO

I was fortunate to enjoy both GEA and DO during my visit.  I  was particularly fond of DO as its a blend.  In fact, its the only blend in the world that uses 12 grapes (6 grapes from Italy & 6 grapes from France).  To follow suit with the vineyards musical theme, the use of 12 grapes coincides with classical music constructed according to the principle, enunciated by Hauer and Schönberg independently in the early 1920s, of 12-note composition.  Furthermore, its named after the first note in the musical scale "Do".  One may buy the wine from two distributors in the United States:

• Classic Wines, Inc. Wesport, CT. 1.203.341.9953
• Small Vineyards. Seattle, WA. 1.206.933.6767

   Finally, Il Paradiso Di Frassina has opened its doors to guests.  The property boasts accommodations in either an apartment for 2 or 4 people.  Alternatively one can chose a "B&B" solution in one of three bedrooms with private baths provided in the main villa.  This affords travelers the ability to experience further what its like to live within an Italian vineyard.  Its also just a beautiful place to experience the magic of Tuscany.

Palazzo del Capitano & al Vecchio Forno

  If anyone is researching places to stay/dine in central Italy, I would highly recommend you take a look at the Palazzo del Capitano & al Vecchio Forno. 

The edifice which dates back to 1400 is one of the oldest in the historic center of San Quirico d'Orcia, a small medieval village in the heart of Tuscany. At the time of its construction the palace was property of the noble Siennese Biringucci family.  The "palazzo del Capitano" is a charming hotel with eleven rooms. The "Trattoria Al Vecchio Forno" is a traditional Tuscan restaurant with 2 dining rooms placed on two floors.  It boasts a Fireplace in Tuscan rustic style for the winter nights and a delightful blooming garden for the summer time.  I am particularly fond of dining in the garden.  Below is a short video segment that I took on my first visit to the restaurant:

The Palazzo del Capitano lies in San Quirico d'Orcia a beautiful medieval town in heart of Tuscany near Pienza, Montalcino and Montepulciano.   Its roughly 2 hours north of Rome and 2 hours south of Florence.  I have included a map below.

Tomasz Tomaszewski

Tomasz Tomaszewski is the National Geographic Expert that led the photography workshop that I took part in a couple of weeks ago in Italy.  In a word, he was GREAT!  If anyone comes across this post researching future expeditions that he is involved with, I would urge you to take my advice and sign up!  (Especially if you are interested in learning techniques associated with photojournalism.)

He is one of the most talented photographers that I have had the honor of meeting.  All one needs to do is check out his online portfolio to get a sense of his amazing eye and passion for his craft.  Putting aside his success as a National Geographic Photographer, he is one of the most down to earth people you can meet.  Tomasz  made time with everyone in the workshop (both in the classroom and in the field) to help them move beyond their current skill level.  He did this  always with a smile and a great sense of humor. 

Tomasz, if you ever come across this post....please add it to the many thanks I have already paid you.  Good luck on your up coming assignment in Tonga.