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Like New Yorkers, Parisians swear they would never live anywhere else. But once the summer – or the weekend – rolls around, everyone can't wait to make a sortie toward the nearest exit.
After fighting the usual traffic to get out of the périphérique, we took an exit and were shortly in the countryside, where the skies are big and clear, you're surround by wheat fields and rows of sugar beets, and you can feel yourself unwinding as soon as you roll down your window and catch a whiff of the fresh air.
We wanted to extract every last bit from summer, before the fall weather kicked in. And figured it was our last chance to put on casual garb, sit around while watching the leaves getting ready to drop, and to catch up on some reading. And, of course, eat.


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Lineup (subject to change) Ray Gelato: Lead Vocal and tenor sax, Danny Marsden: Trumpet, Andy Rogers: Trombone, Ollie Wilby: Saxes, Gunther Kurmayr: Piano, Ollie Hayhurst: Bass, Seb De Krom : Drums Cab Calloway, Louis Prima, 'Fats' Waller, Louis Jordan; even the names... find out more Tap to see more
First-call drummer Fletcher leads this powerhouse jazz fusion outfit featuring a superb frontline of Freddie Gavita (tpt) and Carl Orr (gtr), plus Steve Pearce (bs) "We h a ven't h a d a nything like this in New York for over twenty ye a rs". Wynton M a rs a lis... find out more Tap to see more
Doors 6pm, free before 7pm, £5 from 7pm to 8pm, £10 after 8pm. DJs start 8pm Funky Nation at Ronnie's Bar guarantees you the most exciting club night in London every Saturday Night. This is Ronnie Scott's, you know we will only book the best DJs from the UK and around the world,... find out more Tap to see more

subset: commoncrawl


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More than four years after the end of the recession, much of the nation has yet to experience anything resembling a normal economic recovery. The JEC staff prepared the attached analysis that examines just how poorly this recovery stacks up against past recoveries. It also addresses some of the misconceptions that are widely reported regarding the economic impact of the sequester.
For example, the analysis notes that this recovery ranks last or near last on most major economic indicators. Since the recession ended in the 2nd-quarter 2009, real GDP has grown by a total of 9.2% over the four-year period, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 2.2%. This compares with total growth of 18.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.3%, in the average post-1960 recovery. And the comparison with the Reagan Recovery is even more startling when real GDP increased by 22.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.2%, over the comparable period. This places the growth gap for this recovery at $1.3 trillion (2009$) compared to the average post-1960 recovery and $1.9 trillion (2009$) when compared to the Reagan Recovery.
The White House likes to tout its private sector job creation record, noting that there have been 42 consecutive months of private sector payroll jobs gains with 7.5 million private sector payroll jobs added over that period representing a gain of 7.0%. What the White House doesn't advertise is that the economy still has 1.4 million fewer private sector payroll jobs than in January 2008 when private sector payroll employment peaked. The White House chooses February 2010 as its starting point for calculating its private sector "job creation" record. February 2010 represents the recent low point for private sector employment.
Compared to other post-1960 recoveries, the Obama recovery continues to scrape bottom when it comes to private sector job creation even when using the White House's starting point. Private sector payroll employment grew an average 11.0% over the comparable period in other post-1960 recoveries. That difference puts the private sector jobs gap for the Obama recovery at 4.3 million compared to other post-1960 recoveries.
The gap is even more pronounced compared to the Reagan recovery when private sector payroll employment grew by 13.2% over the comparable period. A Reagan-type private sector payroll jobs gain would have produced an additional 6.6 million private sector jobs.
While the Current Establishment Survey (CES) that measures payroll employment tends to get more attention, the household survey that also measures employment provides some insight into the dismal nature of the current recovery. Adopting the same convention of counting off the cycle low that the White House uses when discussing private sector job creation in the CES leaves the Obama recovery dead last for employment gains among post-1960 recoveries.
Employment as measured by the household survey hit bottom in December 2009. In the 44 months since, employment has risen by 6.1 million or 4.5%.
Over the comparable 44 months, the average recovery saw employment rise at more than double that of the current recovery – 9.1%, equivalent to an employment gain of 12.5 million. That puts the employment gap of the current recovery compared to the average of other post-1960 recoveries at 6.4 million.
The analysis also looks at the manner in which declining labor force participation is making the unemployment rate a less reliable measure of the labor market's health.
In contrast to the current labor force participation rate of 63.2%, in January 2009 the labor force participation rate was 2.5 percentage points higher at 65.7%. At the beginning of the recession, the rate was even higher, standing at 65.8%.
Absent the decline in labor force participation since January 2009, the unemployment rate would stand at 10.8% rather than the reported 7.3%, a 3.5 percentage point difference.
Both rates are significantly higher than the 5.0% rate that the Obama administration said the massive stimulus legislation passed in February 2009 would deliver.
While the headline unemployment rate is psychologically important and still widely followed, the dynamics of labor force participation make it increasingly less reliable as a meaningful measure of labor market health.
In the 50 months since the recession ended, real per capita disposable income has increased by only 3.2%. This is half the rate of increase in the second worst post-1960 recovery.
Real per capita disposable income increased an average of 11.4% over a comparable period in the other post-1960 recoveries. If real per capita disposable income had increased at that rate in this recovery, it would have grown by $4,074 (2009$) instead of only $1,144 (2009$).
Perhaps one of the most disturbing aspects of the "personal income story" is the wide divergence of how the public at large has fared compared to Wall Street. While real per capita disposable personal income advanced a paltry 3.2% since the recession ended, adjusted for inflation the S&P Total Return Index has soared by more than 80%.
While the Federal Reserve's expansionist monetary policies may have helped to boost profits on Wall Street, it is increasingly clear that they have failed to deliver meaningful relief to families on Main Street. Economic policies that discourage investment and entrepreneurial risk taking on Main Street continue to deprive the American people of the economic recovery they need and deserve.
What about the sequester's role in all of this?
Over the past year, there has been considerable discussion about the effects of automatic spending reductions contained in the Budget Control Act of 2011. Advocates for more spending predicted economic and social calamity if the sequester was not stopped. Some economic forecasters predicted that both real economic growth and employment would suffer if spending reductions were allowed to take place.
While the sequester has received the vast majority of "ink" in this discussion, the tax increase component of fiscal tightening should have received the bulk of the attention. In its June 2013 Economic Letter, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco noted: "Surprisingly, despite all the attention federal spending cuts and sequestration have received, our calculations suggest they are not the main contributors to this projected drag. The excess fiscal drag on the horizon comes almost entirely from rising taxes." (Emphasis added.)
An analysis of spending trends should be made in an appropriate context.
Nondefense spending was ramped up significantly during the recession and defense spending was boosted by the troop surge.
While all federal spending does not show up in the federal government consumption and investment (FGC&I) component of GDP, comparing current levels with pre-recession 4th-quarter GDP levels helps put some perspective on the question. Real GDP was 4.6% higher in the 2nd-quarter 2013 than its pre-recession level. Real FGC&I was an even greater 6.4% higher than the 4th-quarter 2007. Most telling, as Figure 12 illustrates, is the comparative levels of federal nondefense consumption and investment and defense consumption and investment.
In real terms, defense consumption and investment is 2.0% higher than pre-recession levels, while real nondefense consumption and investment is a whopping 14.5% higher.
Federal government spending remains elevated despite the protestations that "austerity" is hurting the economy. In reality, the only meaningful "austerity" that has been imposed is on American families via tax increases, not by reductions in federal spending. In reality, exceptionally low interest rates are masking the size of government spending on programs and entitlements.
See the entire staff commentary attached below in pdf format


text:
The Gadget Show - SportWatch
Dec 08 2011
The Gadget Show - SportWatch. Shortlisted - Gadget of the Year 2011.
The Nike+ SportsWatch GPS is here to add a little glamour and style to your daily workout. Combining an attractive outer shell, some fantastic maps courtesy of Tom Tom and the ability to track your running via GPS, or use the supplied wireless Nike+ shoe pod, going for a jog will never be the same again. We've found it to be one of the most attractive, best made and, best of all, easiest to use gadgets of its kind out there, high acclaim indeed!


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Venezuela is a country on the northern coast of South America. The country comprises a continental mainland and numerous islands located off the Venezuelan coastline in the Caribbean Sea. Its size is almost 920,000 km² with an estimated population of 28 million. Its capital is Caracas. A former Spanish colony, which has been an independent republic since 1821. Venezuela is known widely for its petroleum industry, the environmental diversity of its territory, and its natural features. It is considered to be among the world's 17 most biodiverse countries. The vast majority of Venezuelans live in the cities of the north, especially in the capital Caracas which is also the largest city. Other major cities include Maracaibo, Valencia, Maracay, Barquisimeto and Ciudad Guayana.
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BMX Slim Jeans by Troy Lee Designs are bound to become your favorite pair of jeans for shredding downtown. Made from 99% cotton and 1% spandex, the BMX Slim Jeans have some stretch to them, giving you more room and comfort while you clear stairs and grind hand rails. Custom buttons and rivets add functional style to these jeans, keeping you swaged as you pedal the city streets. A reflective screen on the back pocket keep you visible as you hurry home after a late night of tearing up the park.
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November 17-18, 2012
4:00 am wake up call to get to the starting point. Final prep for bikes.
Bikes topped off with gas and waiting for the start of the ride.
The Drei Amigos get a 5:30 start and we are headed south toward Tepic.
Marco and Prospector.
After gassing up in Tepic we head southeast toward Guadalajara, or, as we soon discovered, it should be called GuadalaHORROR.
Good ride back into the mountains before entering Guadalajara.
Then the fun stopped. It took some riders over 2 hours to get through.
We were trying to follow Peter through the city as he was splitting traffic on his Harley bagger. He was making it look easy but the rest of us could not keep up. I had even removed my bags for the ride. After clipping my first car mirror, I decided that I needed to make sure that I had more room, regardless of how easy Peter made it look.
We finally make it through GuadalaHORROR, head northeast and back onto the open road.
We turn due north and go through Aguascalientes with minor delay. A couple hours later, Zacatecas and Fresnillo are in the past.
Clouds began building up in the mountains to our west.
Another hour and we lose the daylight.
Going toward Cuencame we start getting on and off light rain. All of us are starting to experience the tolls of the ride, both physical and mental. A wrong turn and also a missed turn have to be corrected and cost us additional time. John became totally mentally fatigued. A truck was traveling up the highway in the same direction as we were traveling. John was approaching the truck from the rear at full speed. His mind did not process this information until he was about to rear end the truck. He went hard on the brakes and just barely avoided hitting the truck. We stopped at the next gas station for a break, topped off the tanks and continued on to Cuencame. In Cuencame we find the cuota and head back southwest toward Durango.
The rain stopped as we were making our way to Durango. Good four lane and very little traffic. In some ways it actually seemed to give us some much needed rest. We reached Durango, took the by pass, and were soon on the other side of Durango with no delays.
With Durango behind us, we left the cuota (toll road) and turned onto the libre (free road) headed toward El Salto. Another hour and the assault on the Devil would began. However, the ride to the final staging area in El Salto would soon prove not to be an easy one.
The Asphalt Rats Endurance Motorcycling
Vice President & United States Representative
IBA Mexico Officer
2013 Super Tenere
Last edited by RoadDust; 11-21-2012 at 02:15 PM.
The libre is a small two lane road that twist its way through the mountains. Peter and John were traveling faster than Marco and I were and they soon disappeared from sight. The temperature started dropping very quickly and we started riding through dense fog. It gave a feeling of being totally isolated from the rest of the word. The cold temperature and the moisture in the fog caused a thin layer of ice to form across my visor. I could no longer see through the visor and had to keep it raised. The cold air was stinging my face and eyes. My eyes had already been burning from lack of sleep and the cold was making my vision very blurry. The cold was also creeping into my body making response times very slow.
We continued making our way very slowly toward El Salto. We saw lights in front of us and as we approached we found two bikes on the side of the road. One had a flat tire and the two riders were attempting to repair the tire. We stopped and offered what little assistance that we could. Tire was repaired and all four bikes continued in to El Salto.
As we came into the gas station in El Salto there was another group of riders making their final preparations for their assault. Peter and John were also waiting for us at the station. The other riders left as Marco and I filled our tanks and added additional layers of clothing and glove liners.
Checking our time schedule, it appeared that it we kept moving that we might still have a chance at finishing on time. 50/50 shot.
Our battle plan was that Peter and John would be riding in front of Marco as he has a problem with night vision. I would be riding sweep. We left the station for our encounter with the Devil and within 10 minutes Peter and John had once again increased their pace and disappeared from sight. I moved up in front of Marco to help guide him through.
At this same time, carnage was also developing in the battlefield in front of us. One bike went down. The rider was injured, but both bike and rider were able to continue. Another bike went down in a curve. The two bikes following the first bike ran into the first bike. One broken leg with the bone protruding through the skin. The fourth bike in the group was able to continue on and get help. Another bike went down for the second time on the Backbone and the rider's spirit and desire to continue was totally destroyed. He was completely demoralized. His riding companion was able to talk him through it and they continued on. They were part of the 12 out of the 25 riders that were able to certify the ride.
I had thought that Marco and I were the last riders going through. However the bike that had a flat tire earlier was still behind us. Bike's tire went flat again. He spent two night at the road side inn.
We could hear the laughter of the Devil as his voice echoed through out the mountains as we continued on. It would be our turn next. But, as it turned out, the joke would be on the Devil. You just don't mess with the South.
The Asphalt Rats Endurance Motorcycling
Vice President & United States Representative
IBA Mexico Officer
2013 Super Tenere
The Devil had his demons patrolling the roads. The glare from their bright shinning eyes would warn of the approaching beast around the next curve. Caution had to exercised negotiating each curve as the demons would often use both sides of the road as they rounded the curves.
Another 30 minutes and we were in the area know as La Hermita. This area has the highest elevation and the coldest temperatures on the Backbone. Steady we continue to ride through curve after curve of the 3,000 curves on the Backbone. It seems like we have been riding this section for an eternity. At the same time it seems like we have only gotten started. The mind is beginning to question if we are going to have the necessary resources and strength to finish the ride. As we round each curve we feel more energy draining from our body. This section is what the ride is all about. Riding the Devil's Backbone at night. This is the real challenge of the entire ride.
Pushing through the fatigue we continue on. The mind is beginning to numb and demand sleep. The edges of the road are beginning to blend into the darkness. Night vision is destroyed from the blinding lights when we meet a demon on the road. Often it would be hard to tell if the demon was in our lane and how far we would be able to move toward the edge of the road without going off of the road or down the side of the mountain. The Devil had also laid a few sand traps in the curves just to make it interesting.
I was watching Marco's lights as he was following behind me. I went through a double curve and then all was black behind me. Not good. I slow down to let Marco catch up with me. Still no Marco. I stop hoping to see Marco's lights coming around the curve. Still no lights. I have to go back. It could be nothing or it could be urgent. I am in the middle of two curves and really do not want to turn around here but I have no choice. I check for lights of on coming demons in both directions and start a u-turn. My mind is focused on two things, the status of Marco and not being caught in the middle of the road by a demon coming around the curve while I am making the turn.
I attempt the turn too fast, swing too wide and I am headed off the side of the road. I stop the bike, and start backing up so I can correct the angle of the turn. The grade was steep, I start going backwards too fast, lose my balance with the bike, and the bike goes down. I do a hard get off ending with a loud cracking sound. Love my Nolan helmet.
What could be more perfect. Bike is lying on its side in the middle of the road with me laying on my back next to it. I stand up, make a quick check, and there still no lights in either direction. Bike is on its right side so I put its side stand down. I attempt to lift the bike but it will not budge. I reposition and attempt again. This time the bike comes up about ¾ of the way. One last effort and the bike is now standing up straight. The elevation is just under 9K feet and I am feeling it. Still watching for lights I attempt to regain my breath. I can finally breath again and now comes the hard part. I now need to push the bike over onto its left side and hope that the side stand holds and does not allow the bike to fall on its other side. Holding my breath I slowly push the bike away from me. The bike starts going over, I hear a thud as the bike settles securely on the side stand.
I move around the bike to its left side. Slowly I let the bike roll back down the incline and over to the edge of the road. So far so good. A demon has not yet run over me and the bike, so that is good. One good thing about the bike is that if it goes over on its side, it automatically shuts off the gas flow. Often it takes a while to restart the bike. This was one of those times. I did not have time to get the bike started so I turn on the emergency flashers and start walking back up the mountain.
My lungs feel like that I am moving at a full sprint but I am only slowly making my way up the mountain. Finally get around the first curve and still no sign of Marco. My lungs are now beginning to feel like they are going to explode. As I make my way around the second curve I can see the head lights from a bike. Gasping for breath as I get closer I can see Marco standing by his bike. Front wheel of the bike is in a ditch and the rear of the bike is still in the road. When I get to where Marco is at, He asks me if I am OK. All I can do is reply with a weird animal gruntal sound.
A link in the chain had broken on Marco's bike and the chain then locked up the rear wheel. If his bike had gone to the right instead of the left, it would have been a totally different story, We attempted to move the bike out of the road, but with the locked up rear wheel and trying to work at that elevation, we were unsuccessful. Eventually we decided that there was nothing else that we could do with his bike so we started walking back down the mountain to my bike.
Getting back down to my bike we could see that the lights were very dim. Not a good sign. Another failed attempt at starting the bike. Neither one of us could remember how far back it was to the last town. There was one single light on the valley floor below but it was at least several miles down the mountain. No cell phone service. Temperature was at 30 degrees. There was a stone retainer wall close to the next curve below us. Looks like we will also be guest at the road side inn for the night.
The Asphalt Rats Endurance Motorcycling
Vice President & United States Representative
IBA Mexico Officer
2013 Super Tenere
Marco and I discussed our situation and decided that the best thing to do was to stay where we were at and re-evaluate our situation in the morning during the light of day. We settled in and made the best of our new temporary home. Of course, being only 100 miles short to certify the ride did not make either of us too happy.
The road side inn did have some great views. However I can not say that I would recommend it. The bed was like sleeping on a rock. Pillows and blankets were not provided. No heat during the night. No breakfast, no hot water, and no toilet seat.
Pitch black, cold, and after riding for 20 hours straight, it was going to be a long night.
The next morning we discovered that there was a 100 foot drop on the back side of the wall. Getting up on the wrong side of the bed this morning would have really got our day off to a bad start.
The bike survived the night in spite of all of the demons passing by during the night.
Shortly after daylight we are able to get a pickup truck to stop. Driver agrees to take Marco back up the mountain to try and find a town with cell service. I stay with the gear.
20-30 minutes later I hear traffic coming down the mountain. I then see two Mexican Army Humvees. As they go past me I see someone standing up in the back of the first Humvee, hands up in the air and shouting, "We're saved! We're saved". Sounds and looks just like Hero from the series "Heroes". Turns out to be Marco. Humvees go around curve down the mountain and disappear. Do a u-turn and come back up to where I am at. Block the road in front and in back of bike, park a Humvee in front of the bike.
Soldiers get out, and in military precision, with 3 on each side of the bike, pick up bike and put it in the back of the Humvee. We all load up and head up mountain to Marco's bike.
Upon reaching Marco's bike, the soldiers spin the bike around, pick it up and place it in the second Humvee. Good thing that they are not interested in stealing bikes. They would be very successful.
Head back to last Army check-point. Bikes are unloaded on military property next to check-point.
Have breakfast at restaurant next to us. Found out that when Marco first talked to the Army that they offered him coffee. He refused it because he did not want to be enjoying the coffee if I was still in the cold down the mountain.
Later we are told that there is a first class bus that goes through there to Mazatlan, but they do not stop where we are at and pick up passengers. Military will stop the bus for us. Military will also watch bikes until we can get then picked up.
We were standing around talking to military personnel while waiting on bus. Officer comes over and ask us if we want anything to drink. Go to get some cokes. Told that we do not have to pay for them. Pay anyway.
Asked how we want to get back to Mazatlan, bus or private vehicle. They will stop a car and we can ride back with them. Do we want to ride in a pick-up or car?* We chose the bus.
Taken for a tour of the barracks. Very nice. Was told that if they had known that we were sleeping on the road last night, that we could have stayed in the barracks. Must remember that for next time. While leaving barracks bus is coming down the road. Officer shouts for them to stop the bus. Bus is stopped and pulls off of the road.
We get our gear and load it onto the bus. We start to get on the bus as officer steps off bus and hands us two tickets. Not sure but I think that the bus company had to pay for them.
Get to Mazatlan, get a taxi to get to motel room. Clothes still at Felipe's house. No time to change anyway. Have to get to the awards ceremony. It would really be bad if the two officers of the Asphalt Rats Endurance Motorcycling, who failed to certify the ride, did not even make it to the awards ceremony.
The Asphalt Rats Endurance Motorcycling
Vice President & United States Representative
IBA Mexico Officer
2013 Super Tenere
Last edited by RoadDust; 11-28-2012 at 04:18 PM.
We got to the awards ceremony in time to say hello to a few people and then it was time to present the certificates. Large turn out from other clubs and individual riders. Good Band. Felipe did a great job on getting the event put together.
Marco gave out the certificates and then he wanted me to do another short speech. One again, he translated for me. Once again I am not sure about what he was really saying. He was smiling a lot and would look at me and laugh. I think that everyone was really glad when I quit talking.
Another really late night before the event came to a close.
A few pictures of the night:
Felipe (president of Pata Salada) and Marco
Hey, its not my fault. They just keep following me around. Wife still will not let me take one home with me.
Marco, Anna, and John
Roxie and Marco
It had been a long two days and it was well into early Monday morning before before the event came to a close. I think that I fell asleep a few times while sitting in a chair and talking to people. Finally I get back to the hotel, a bed that is not made out of rocks, and sleep.
The Asphalt Rats Endurance Motorcycling
Vice President & United States Representative
IBA Mexico Officer
2013 Super Tenere
Last edited by RoadDust; 11-26-2012 at 07:25 PM.
November 19-20
Felt good to sleep in this morning.
Different methods being considered for getting the bikes back down to Mazatlan. County of El Salto has said that they would take the bikes down but it will be a couple of days before they will have a truck free.
In the mean time, we are just having to hang around and relax. Watch the activity on the beach as we sit in the restaurant of the hotel. Few people are dropping by the hotel each day. More late nights.
The hotel (white tall building in center)
Views from the beach front
The Pata Salada patch has three skulls on it. This came from these three islands.
The Asphalt Rats Endurance Motorcycling
Vice President & United States Representative
IBA Mexico Officer
2013 Super Tenere
November 21, 2012
Transportation for the bikes is not working out. Now it is suppose to be Friday before they are brought down from the Backbone. Seems like the Devil is refusing to let us have our bikes back.
Time for another trip back up to the back bone and have a face to face discussion with the Devil.
Jorge, one of the Pat Salado members sourced a truck for us and around 2:30 in the afternoon he drove us back up into the mountains.
The Devil's Demons were out in full force and were still patrolling the mountains.
I had a very interesting conversation with Jorge (translated via Marco) during the ride. Jorge is ex-army the same as I am. Very interesting comparing the differences in experiences and similarities in training that the two of us had gone through. Bunch of tough guys down there.
A few pictures on the way back up into the mountains.
Reached the military check point after dark. Army picked up our bikes again and loaded them onto the truck for us. Army Strong! Gave the Lieutenant a Pata Salada T-shirt and a few Asphalt Rats patches and pins.
Back down the mountains to Mazatlan in the dark again. This time no problems and we were able to sleep at the Best Western in Mazatlan instead of the road side inn in the mountains.
The Asphalt Rats Endurance Motorcycling
Vice President & United States Representative
IBA Mexico Officer
2013 Super Tenere
Last edited by RoadDust; 11-28-2012 at 12:34 PM.
November 22, 2012
With help from the Pata Salada, Jorge drove the bikes down to the bike shop. We returned the truck to its owner and Jorge dropped us off back at the shop. My bike was ready and I went back to the hotel. Couple hours later and Marco returned to the hotel riding his bike.
Bikes were ready to go. Spent most of the rest of the day getting the gear ready for the trip back home.
No turkey for Thanksgiving. Our Thanksgiving dinner was every day Mexican food. Still good though.
Pata Salada wanted to get together one last time that night. I know how that goes so I pleaded old, incompetent, and tired. Actual got to bed early for a change. Marco got in sometime around 1:00 am.
The Asphalt Rats Endurance Motorcycling
Vice President & United States Representative
IBA Mexico Officer
2013 Super Tenere
Last edited by RoadDust; 11-28-2012 at 12:36 PM.
Good report guys,
I really like to ride the roads in Mexico,
I guess it helps to speak the language..
I will be going down to Oaxaca on a slow ride on the KLR to escape the Winter here in Texas.. Jan, of 2013
The proper way to write and say is LOS TRES AMIGOS and in spanish culture wen there 3 friends/partners/ whatever the uses the phrase LOS TRES CABALLEROS (the tree knights)
Saludos Compadres
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Gain a fascinating insight into the Morocco of the past on this day trip from Marrakech. Follow ancient Berber Trails across the Atlas Mountains, venturing in your 4WD vehicle where the larger tour buses can't go. Gaze at the breathtaking mountain scenery, with the opportunity to take photographs, on your way to the Berber villages of Tahanaout and Imlil. Enjoy a guided tour of these traditional communities before being served refreshing mint tea and lunch by the locals.
Take an exhilarating journey into Moroccan folklore at the Fantasia Moroccan Dinner and Cultural Show. Under the shelter of exotic Berber tents in a verdant palm grove, feast on a mouth-watering meal of Moroccan cuisine before enjoying the spectacular Fantasia show. Get ready to be amazed by this multi-coloured extravaganza, featuring sultans on flying carpets, angelic singing children in traditional costume, amazing horseback riders and shimmying belly dancers.
Spend an afternoon exploring the botanical jewels of Marrakech. Your first stop will be the stunning Majorelle Gardens, a tranquil haven designed by expatriate French artist Jacques Majorelle and previously owned by Yves Saint-Laurent. You will then continue to the lush Menara Gardens and basin, surrounded by verdant orchards and olive groves at the entrance to the Atlas Mountains. What better way to conclude your tour than with a horse and carriage ride through the beautiful Agdal Gardens?
Explore the historic Medina and hunt for bargains in the souks of Marrakech on this morning tour. Wander around the honeycomb of alleyways hiding souks offering everything from exotic spices to rugs and jewellery. Then soak up the atmosphere of lively Djemaa El-Fna square, where snake charmers and Gnawa musicians entertain the crowds. Visit the beautiful former Islamic college of Ali Ben Youssef Medersa and enjoy a presentation on traditional Moroccan medicine at a herbalist before returning to your hotel.
Visit the beach and famous port of Essaouira on day trip from Marrakech. This charming citadel enjoys a prestigious past dating back to prehistoric times, and was renowned for its Tyrian factory which supplied Rome with the legendary purple dye. Essaouira is also well known for its thriving fishing port and market. Your trip includes a guided tour of the port, the Scala, the municipal market, jeweller's quarter and handicrafts complex.


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Even the most devoted runners can get sidetracked from their routine by crazy deadlines, long-awaited vacations, or (worse) nagging injuries. But rather than fret over how long it's going to take you to return to speed, it's important to keep such detours in perspective. "You shouldn't feel guilty about taking a break from running," says Marissa Tiamfook, a running coach based in Los Angeles. "Focus on the fact that you want to get back out there." If for whatever reason your running shoes have gathered dust, here's how to get back on track.
SIDETRACKED BY: A jammed schedule
You've ditched your workouts to make time for longer hours at the office or to plan a big event. The time away from exercising has left you tired and grumpy. "Science has proven that running is a potent stress-buster," says Tiamfook. "But once momentum has stopped, it's hard to crank it up again."
COMEBACK PLAN: Sign up for a 5-K
"There's a 5-K almost every weekend," says Luis Manzo, Ph.D., a coach and sports psychologist in New York City. "Find one and just show up. Being around other runners and happy crowds will rub off." Heading out with a friend can also help you recommit to training. Or try some retail therapy: Investing in a cool pair of shoes or downloading new music can get you excited about working out again.
SIDETRACKED BY: Postrace slump
Whether it was your first 5-K or your umpteenth marathon, finishing a race is a big deal–you've earned some downtime. Too often, however, the opportunity to sleep in for a while gets a little too, well, comfortable. "Taking a short break after a race is a smart move," says Janet Hamilton, an exercise physiologist and coach with Running Strong in Atlanta. "It gives your body time to repair tissue damage from racing at a high effort. But knowing when to pick up the pace again isn't always easy."
COMEBACK PLAN: Set a new goal
Think back to your recent event and write down what you enjoyed–and didn't–about the training and the race itself. (If you keep a detailed training journal, revisit your notes.) "Your answers will help you see what motivates you so you can plan and set benchmarks for your next move," says JoAnn Dahlkoetter, Ph.D., author of Your Performing Edge. If your overall experience was positive, you might want to challenge yourself by entering a destination race or aiming for a new PR. If on the other hand you didn't love the race experience, a better goal may be to mentor a newbie or commit to core strengthening.
SIDETRACKED BY: Vacation
You had fun, but your running shoes didn't exactly make it out of your suitcase and you started counting the pineapple wedges in your piña coladas as a fruit serving. "Taking a break for one to two weeks won't deteriorate fitness levels," says Tiamfook. "You may feel out of shape, but what's gotten flabby is your attitude toward exercising."
COMEBACK PLAN: Dress the part
"Don't just stare at your running shoes, put them on," says Dahlkoetter. "Even if you only manage to wear them to the grocery store, it's the first step back to your routine." Plan runs that feel like an adventure to bring the vacation vibe home. Find a path around a nearby lake, for example, or head through vibrant parts of your city and people-watch as you move. "Once you're reminded of how much enjoyment you get from running, it will be easier to try harder workouts," she says.


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November 5, 2007
Vol. 23 , No. 04
View Entire Issue (Vol. 23 , No. 04)
An Evening with the Poet
As Beijing comes to the foreground of international attention as the host of the 2008 Olympics, it is worthwhile to take a moment and reflect on the significance of human rights and freedoms in Chinese society. While many of us take such basic tenets of civil liberties as the freedom of speech for granted, many Chinese artists have paid a high price for maintaining the integrity of their expression. The Athenaeum is pleased to welcome one of the leaders of the group of modern Chinese artists who dared cut against the grain of the established orthodoxy, Bei Dao.
Bei Dao is one of the most gifted writers in modern China, and his poetry, essays, and fiction have animated and inspired the Chinese pro-democracy movement. Born in Beijing in 1949, Bei Dao spent his teenage years participating in the Cultural Revolution as a member of the Red Guards. He later became disillusioned with the violence and restrictions of the Revolution, and in 1978 he co-founded Jintian (Today), the first unofficial literary journal since 1949. Until it was banned in 1980, Jintian was a prominent forum for the "Misty Poets," a group opposed by the Communist literary establishment for their use of "obscure" language and their departure from socialist realism. As the most notable representative of the Misty Poets, Bei Dao's poetry also played an important role as a source of rhetoric and language for the pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen in 1976 and 1989.
Since the late 1980's, Bei Dao has been living in exile, teaching in several European countries as well as the United States. His poetry has been translated in some twenty-five languages around the world, including several volumes of poetry, stories, and essays in English: Unlock (2000), Landscape Over Zero (1996), Forms of Distance (1994), Old Snow (1992), The August Sleepwalker (1990), Waves (1990), Midnight's Gate (2005) and Blue House (2000). His impressive literary production has been accompanied by international acclaim, including the the Tucholsky Prize from Swedish PEN (1990) and an honorary membership of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Bei Dao's writings offer a window into the soul of modern China, depicting intimacy, love, and friendship in a society where trust can literally be a matter of life and death.
Bei Dao's visit to the Athenaeum is sponsored by the Gould Center for Humanistic Studies at CMC.
Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum
Claremont McKenna College
385 E. Eighth Street
Claremont, CA 91711
(909) 621-8244
Fax: (909) 621-8579
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Campus Location
385 E. Eighth Street
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