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ALLTHNGSPOSSBLE's Blogs
Summer Scavenger Hunt
Monday, June 23, 2014 13 comments
One of the teams I am on decided to have a scavenger hunt. There were 25 items we needed to find over the weekend and following are the items I found. 1 & 2. Strawberries and ice cream. ...
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Feb. 2014 - 28 Days of Healthy Habits
Saturday, February 01, 2014 15 comments
I plan to do the following healthy lifestyle tasks on the day listed. Wish me luck. I also plan to eat clean for the month starting on the 3rd. Sat. Feb. 1 - Rest. ...
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Blog Number 3 for Winter 2013 5% Challenge
Monday, March 04, 2013 10 comments
Today for the challenge I need to answer the question of what am I doing to encourage myself to stay on track. Well, I kind of answered that question yesterday. I plan to keep planning healthy meals and sticking to the plan. When I have a cho...
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Blog Number 2 for Winter 2013 5% Challenge
Sunday, March 03, 2013 8 comments
Today for the challenge the question is how will I accomplish my new habit? My new habit from yesterdays blog was to go back to the Paleo eating lifestyle. I plan to get back on track with this habit by continuing to plan my meals for the week...
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Blog Number 1 for Winter 2013 5% Challenge
Saturday, March 02, 2013 13 comments
The question I need to answer for this challenge is what new habit do I want to establish. This isn't a brand new habit but it is fairly new to me. I want to get back to eating clean and following the Paleo eating lifestyle. The Paleo eating ...
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My Uncle's Last Days
Thursday, February 14, 2013 13 comments
I finally finished this blog that I started almost 2 years ago. Before you get started reading this blog I want you to know that it is heartfelt and personal and it is about my uncle's last days on this earth. It is also a little long and ...
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BLC 21 Goals
Monday, January 21, 2013 8 comments
My goals for BLC 21 include the following: 1. Get to 190 pounds from 203 pounds. 2. Log my food and exercise daily. 3. Participate in every TNT, SE, and LCW challenge. 4. Post as often as possible on my team thread and let the tea...
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2013 Goals
Friday, December 28, 2012 13 comments
12-28-12 2012 is coming to a close and 2013 is right around the corner. I decided it was time to start thinking about what goals I want to accomplish in 2013. My number one goal is to lose weight and get to my goal weight this year and stay ...
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FOCUS: Non-Scale Victories (or... True Success!) - BLC 20 - Week 2
Monday, September 24, 2012 8 comments
FOCUS: Non-Scale Victories (or... True Success!) This is a blog for week 2 of BLC 20. Here are the challenge details and my answers for each category. How do you measure success? Is it a paycheck? A high grade in a class? Perhaps ...
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My Goals and Action Plan from A to Z!
Tuesday, September 18, 2012 8 comments
9-18-12 I can't believe this year is almost over. Where has the time gone? I'm ready for my goals to become a reality. What will it take? Attitude - have a positive, can do attitude. Believe - believe in myself and my goals enough...
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Disnyeland Half Marathon, September 2, 2012, Race Recap
Saturday, September 15, 2012 9 comments
Ok, first things first. �The moment a lot of you have been waiting for, my Disney race recap. �So as most of you know I had planned on doing the Disneyland Half Marathon the first weekend of September. �A couple of other Spark friends, Kirsten a...
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My plan for the summer
Monday, July 16, 2012 8 comments
This is my plan for staying on track this summer between BLC 19 and BLC 20 1. Continue with my Crossfit workouts and running (training for and running 2 half marathons, 5K's, and a 10K or two. 2. Continue with the Paleo lifestyle (...
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BLC 19 Goals
Monday, April 30, 2012 7 comments
This is going to be short and to the point. My goal is to be at 180 pounds at the end of the 12 weeks. Here's how I plan on getting there. 1. No sweet tea. 2. Doing Crossfit at least twice a week during May and June. 3. Running 2-3...
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Disney Half Marathon - January 7, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012 15 comments
Ok, I'm going to at least start to tell you about Disney. I know some of you are going to hunt me down if I don't. As some of you know I did the Disney half with Team In Training (TNT). TNT is the largest fund raising group for the Leukemia & Ly...
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Running, Training, and Weight Loss
Saturday, October 15, 2011 15 comments
Well, I have been on this weight loss journey for a while now. I started doing boot camp a few years ago, then I started running to help keep from dying in boot camp and to help me lose weight. When I started working out and running it seems l...
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The Nicola Sturgeon story
- 19 November 2014
- From the section Scotland
Nicola Sturgeon has become SNP leader and first minister of Scotland after her friend and mentor Alex Salmond decided he was standing down. Here, we look at the life of Scotland's top female politician.
Being a woman at the top of government in a small, often quite cold, Northern European country can be tough.
The demands are laid out in the TV drama Borgen, in which main character Birgitte Nyborg becomes the first female prime minister of Denmark.
Over in the real world, one of the show's biggest fans - Scottish Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon - is on a similar trajectory to the make-believe TV politician.
She has become the new leader of the Scottish National Party and, by association, will be Scotland's next first minister, following Alex Salmond's decision to stand down after the vote against independence.
Ms Sturgeon's eventual move to the top job was the kind of speculation she always played down.
But becoming the sole candidate to succeed Mr Salmond marked the completion of a long political journey for the politician who signed up to the SNP's ideology from an early age, and stuck with the party through good times and bad.
Born in the North Ayrshire town of Irvine in 1970, Ms Sturgeon became an SNP member at the age of 16 - after being inspired by a high-ranking female politician of the time - but not in the way you might think.
She told BBC Radio Four's Women's Hour: "Thatcher was prime minister, the economy wasn't in great shape, lots of people around me were looking at a life or an immediate future of unemployment and I think that certainly gave me a strong sense of social justice and, at that stage, a strong feeling that it was wrong for Scotland to be governed by a Tory government that we hadn't elected."
But, unlike the many who chose to support Labour - then the dominant force in Scottish politics - she was persuaded by the argument that that nation would only truly prosper with independence.
After studying law at Glasgow University and working as a solicitor at the city's Drumchapel Law Centre, Ms Sturgeon's entry into full-time politics came at the age of 29, when she was elected to the new Holyrood parliament in 1999, as a Glasgow regional MSP.
As a frontbench opposition spokeswoman, she sought to hold the Labour-Lib Dem coalition government to account on education, justice and health.
The Day Alex Salmond decided to go
- At a little after 16:00 on Friday, 19 September Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond announced he would step down from the role. It came the day after voters in Scotland rejected independence by 45% to 55%.
- On learning of the resignation, Prime Minister David Cameron praised Mr Salmond saying: "While we disagree profoundly about his goal of a separated Scotland, and many other things, I respect and admire his huge contribution to politics and public life."
In the parliament's early days, Ms Sturgeon had a reputation for being too serious, which partly earned her the title "nippy sweetie" - but friends and rivals alike are at pains to point out her lighter side.
Fiona Hyslop, another long-serving SNP activist who is now Scotland's culture secretary, attested to Ms Sturgeon's strong sense of humour.
Recalling Ms Sturgeon in her 20s, Ms Hyslop, said: "She was always quite guarded, to make sure that she didn't do or say anything that perhaps would cause difficulty later.
"So she was always, in that sense, very sensible - but good fun."
One of her biggest political opponents, Michael Moore, who often found himself working with Ms Sturgeon during his time as Scottish secretary, jovially recalls her rehearsing Mandarin on the Edinburgh Airport runway while awaiting the arrival of the pandas from China.
Back in 2004, times were certainly serious for the SNP.
Beset by in-fighting and the negative publicity of a leadership challenge, the party's troubles were being exposed to voters in full view.
When John Swinney quit as leader, Ms Sturgeon saw her chance - knowing that although the situation had given her the chance to lead the party, the pressure was also on to unite the SNP as an election-winning force.
Launching her manifesto, Ms Sturgeon attempted to take the "nippy" out of her unofficial title by handing out sweets to attending journalists.
Leadership bid withdrawn
Then came the unexpected news that Alex Salmond would stand as leader - for a second time.
When he offered her the chance to run with him on a joint ticket as his deputy, Ms Sturgeon, who had always done her own thing when it came to politics, had to think it over.
After reaching what she called an "instinctive" position, her leadership manifesto was withdrawn little more than a week after its launch, and the rest is history.
The Salmond-Sturgeon leadership was a success for the party. The double-act even took a comedic turn during SNP conferences, where they would take turns to rib each other with anecdotes from the stage.
Nicola Sturgeon - a private life
- BBC presenter Jackie Bird, who spoke to Nicola Sturgeon, said: "She chatted to us in her kitchen which she revealed, with disarming honesty, she rarely visited. She also conceded that unless women could be persuaded to favour independence the referendum would not be won."
These included Ms Sturgeon's revelation that the first minister's new "slim-line physique" was down to him going on the same diet as singer Beyonce.
When asked - on Woman's Hour - whether Ms Sturgeon played a role in softening his "bruiser" image, Mr Salmond replied: "I wouldn't disagree that she's given me some pretty stern advice on that occasionally.
"Lots and lots of male politicians can forget that there's a bit more to politics and life than enjoying the cut and thrust of debate - and Nicola's a very strong corrector sometimes of my love of the cut and thrust."
Immediately after the SNP leadership contest - and with her new boss still an MP at Westminster - Ms Sturgeon boosted her profile as the SNP's "Holyrood leader", grilling Labour's Jack McConnell at first minister's questions every week.
The work paid off with the SNP's 2007 election win, with Ms Sturgeon becoming Scotland's deputy first minister and health secretary.
She also won the Labour-held Glasgow Govan seat - the scene of past historic victories by SNP veterans Margo MacDonald and Jim Sillars.
At the same time, commentators noted Ms Sturgeon had undergone something of an image revamp and, it seemed, had adopted more of a common touch, which Ms Sturgeon later put down to having greater confidence in her abilities.
She began as health secretary by seeing through popular SNP pledges, like reversing A&E closures and scrapping prescription charges.
She was later thrust into the international public eye during the global swine flu crisis.
From the moment the first UK cases were confirmed in Scotland, her regular and incisive press briefings and updates resulted in a high-profile, courtesy of 24-hour news channels demanding to be fed with the latest information.
Five questions to Nicola Sturgeon
- Which person has most inspired you? - "My Mum."
- If you could do one thing for women, what would it be? - "Equal Pay."
- When were you happiest? - "When I married Peter."
- What makes you angry? - "When people talk down Scotland's potential."
- What's your favourite holiday destination? - "In Scotland, it's Skye and abroad it's Portugal."
Turning back to politics, Ms Sturgeon was at the front line of the SNP's historic landslide Scottish election victory in 2011.
She later described the result - and the dismantling of Labour strongholds across the country - as having broken the mould of Scottish politics, and put the SNP's success down to being "in touch with the country it served".
Some five years after taking on the health brief, Ms Sturgeon accepted one of the Scottish government's biggest roles, overseeing the independence referendum.
Becoming known as the "Yes Minister", her first task was to get agreement on the arrangements to hold the vote itself.
Westminster's negotiator, the then Scottish Secretary Mr Moore, saw Ms Sturgeon's appointment as a sign things were about to get serious. He later said she was straightforward to work with "once you understand where she's coming from".
Love to read
The deal, known as the Edinburgh Agreement, was signed for the world's media - not by Ms Sturgeon but by Mr Salmond, along with Prime Minister David Cameron. Such is the prerogative of being first minister.
Like most politicians, things have not always gone Ms Sturgeon's way.
On one occasion, she was criticised for writing on behalf of a constituent, Abdul Rauf, who defrauded Department of Work and Pensions of £80,000.
She told MSPs she had acted in good faith but accepted the wording of her letter was "wrong".
In terms of her private life, Ms Sturgeon is married to Peter Murrell, who is chief executive of the SNP.
The pair exchanged vows in 2010, after meeting 15 years previously at an SNP youth weekend in Aberdeenshire.
That said, Ms Sturgeon still finds time to retreat from politics by pursuing her great love of reading, and watching X-Factor.
Her mum Joan - herself an SNP politician, serving as a North Ayrshire councillor - joked: "She can relax - there's always one eye on the phone, but I think she's fairly relaxed."
"The phone is never switched off - many of my family can vouch for that."
So what does the future hold for Ms Sturgeon? As SNP leader and first minister, she will have the task of securing more powers for Scotland and taking her party into the 2016 Scottish election in the post-Salmond era.
Like Ms Sturgeon's beloved show Borgen, Denmark has its first real-life female prime minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt.
As Ms Sturgeon once put it herself: "One thing I can be accused of by detractors is being very ambitious - but my ambition is ultimately for my party to succeed."
On that basis, it seems certain Ms Sturgeon will remain at the centre of her party's future for some time to come.


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Thanks. I had never heard about that. I don't eat a lot of garlic, but do you know if garlic powder is also a blood thinner?
It is just the Garlic pills that you have to watch out for. Just the pure stuff not the cooking Garlic so don't worry about the Garlic salt or powder just whole garlic and even that has to be alot. Like I said mainly the Garlic capsules or pills. Rest easy and enjoy your powder.
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Below the recent postings are our important Reference & Links for London business.
Emenac Call Center Services has been providing both outbound and inbound marketing amenities to a large number of businesses across the world from all communication channels with industrially adept call center agents.
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Mac's is a multi-service centre carrying a wide variety of products and services including, ATM's, lottery tickets, fresh food products, national and proprietary branded fast food and petroleum.
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Acklands-Grainger provides you with convenient access to a superior combination of product range, selection, fulfillment and before and after sales service. We're Canada's leading distributor of industrial, fleet and safety products.
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Save on insurance in Alberta and Ontario with BrokerLink. Get a quote for personal insurance and business insurance. Find a broker near you.
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For Debt solutions visit London Ontario Bankruptcy Services. Book Free Consultation with bankruptcy trustee in London, Ontario area.
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Jeppii Job Career Connections is a South Western Ontario job board that connects active and passive job seekers to companies and not-for-profit organizations for employment opportunities.
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If your business is not already in the FoundLocally directory (try the SEARCH box at the top), and you would like to be featured (randomly), add yourself to the Free Listings!
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Can't get enough of movies and television shows that scare up a good fright? Check out Scary Good, IMDb's Horror Entertainment Guide. Being terrified was never so much fun.
Enter if you dare
Search for "Amazonia" on Amazon.com
A young woman seeks vengeance and finds love when her parents are killed in the Amazon and she is taken prisoner by an indigenous tribe of headhunters.
An epic from the dark ages about the legendary lost tribe of warrior women! The girls fly into danger, come up against fierce tribes, fall prey to sorcery, put to rest a family rivalry of ... See full summary »
Widowed and broke Finnish businessman Kari takes his two teenage daughters with him to Brazil. A bush pilot introduces him to the idea of gold mining in the jungle, but a beautiful and ... See full summary »
After a photographer is captured by a native tribe and put through several trials, he must fight to protect the village and his new love interest, the chief's daughter.
A secret cult of beautiful, large-breasted female warriors plots to take over the world by killing off important male politicians.
A young woman teams up with an adventurer to find her missing sister in the jungles of New Guinea and they stumble upon a religious cult led by a deranged preacher whom has located his commune in an area inhabited by cannibals.
A tale that takes place at the dawn of history. The movie tells the story of a tribe that discovers how to fashion weapons out of iron and use them for their own survival. However, the ... See full summary »
An oil prospector escapes from capture by a primitive cannibal tribe in the Philippine rain forest and heads out to locate his missing companion and their plane to return home.
A woman, raised by an Amazon tribe after they killed her parents, seeks revenge on the tribe for their deaths by joining an expedition looking for the tribe's secret golden temple.
In medieval France, traveler Pygar tells he-man Karzan (Maciste in the French version) of his recent journey to a place called Antigua, and of its entire community of Amazons promising ... See full summary »
A group of tourists become stranded on an uninhabited island where they are stalked by an insane, violent, and grotesque killer that slaughtered the town's former residents.
A disturbed young man who was burned as a child by his sadistic mother stalks women with a flamethrower.
Find showtimes, watch trailers, browse photos, track your Watchlist and rate your favorite movies and TV shows on your phone or tablet!


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1148 Wheeler Street, Seaside, CA 93955
The City of Seaside offers a wide range of aquatics classes, youth swim lessons and water exercise programs designed to meet your individual needs. Join us and participate in a great opportunity for increased skills, fun and fitness!
Please refer to the Activities Guide for current hours and class selection.
Come play water basketball, take a turn on our water slide and jump off of our diving board in our family swim facility!
Parent -Tot Swim
Weekend Hours
Summer Hours 6/6- 7/31
Holiday Hours
Swim for health or fun during your lunch or evening time. This swim time is geared for adults 18+.
Holiday Adult Lap Swim Schedule
This recreational swim is for seniors ages 60+. This is a program which provides Senior Citizens an opportunity to use the pool in a comfortable atmosphere with other seniors. *This is NOT a water exercise or arthritis swim class* This is a chance to get into the water, socialize and swim or exercise at your own pace. Seniors are encouraged to swim for fun!
Summer Hours: June 6th- July 29th
Fall Hours: August 1st- December 30th
For more information please contact the Pattullo Swim Center at (831) 899-6815.


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Neuroscience can help you live a healthier life
Even when we're determined to make healthy changes for the better, our brains can sometimes undermine us. But there are three things we can do — namely, decreasing stress, making our goals a priority, and being more specific — that will help our brains avoid old habits and make a positive change.
Vitamin D and physical function: Is more better?
Much has been promised about the potential health benefits of vitamin D, but the evidence behind many of these promises is lacking. In fact, a recent study that tested whether vitamin D supplements protected older people from physical decline found that those on higher doses were more likely to have a fall. It's important to get enough vitamin D in your diet. But when it comes to supplements, more is not always better.
4 ways to protect your family from mosquitoes
With all the news about the spread of Zika virus, it's natural to be concerned if you live in, or are traveling to, an area notorious for mosquitoes. We've listed four tips to help you keep mosquitoes at bay, plus alternatives to standard DEET insect repellents that work just as well as the big name brands.
Zika, pregnancy, and winter travel: Many unknowns, and a cautious message
If you're planning an escape from the dreary winter weather, and you're pregnant or trying to get pregnant, you may want to plan your destination carefully. There's still a lot we don't know about Zika virus — which is now widespread in several favorite tropical destinations, such as the Caribbean — and its potential pregnancy-related complications. Until we know more, it's better to be safe and follow the precautions we've listed here.
Protection from the TdaP vaccine doesn't last very long
Unfortunately, according to a recently published study, the TdaP vaccine is less effective than previously thought. It could even be a factor in the recent California outbreaks. Other versions of the vaccine offer more protection, but also have more side effects. Protecting kids from pertussis might require a substantial public health effort to get just right.
Is football safe for kids?
Many team sports have tremendous health benefits for children, but youth football, in particular, continues to pose a concern because of the high risks of concussion and other injuries. A recent NEJM article has taken a stance against allowing tackling in youth football. But is this position really the best way to promote the health and safety of youth athletes?
New depression screening guidelines outline very helpful, yet achievable goals
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently updated their guidelines on screening for depression. This time around, they recommended widespread screening through primary care practices, plus gave special attention to women who are pregnant or recently gave birth. These matter-of-fact, achievable guidelines and goals have the potential to reap enormous health benefits.
What the rise of Zika (and other viruses) might tell us about our planet
Zika, a virus that was almost unknown just a short time ago, is now certain to spread to almost every country in the Americas. But why have the U.S. and other countries become more vulnerable to the threat of exotic pathogens? There currently aren't enough data to make any solid connections, but many experts agree that the rise of global trade and travel, climate change, and ecosystem changes are all major factors.
Lead poisoning: What everyone needs to know
Even though the use of lead has been regulated for many years, tragedies like the one currently ongoing in Flint, Michigan still occur. Exposure to lead in childhood can have health effects that can change a child's life forever. We've listed steps you can take to keep your child — and everyone in your home — safe from lead poisoning.
What you need to know about Zika virus
Zika, a formerly rare and obscure virus, has recently spread throughout the Pacific islands and the Americas. Although Zika virus rarely makes people seriously ill, it's been implicated in a huge rise in the number of birth defects in babies born to mothers who've had Zika. Although its impact in the U.S. is expected to be much less severe than in warmer climates, we've listed some tips to reduce your exposure to the type of mosquito that carries Zika.


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Book Mama tagged me with the Favorite Posts Meme which offers a second chance to older, perhaps forgotten posts.
Rules: Go back through your archives and post the links to your five favorite blog posts that you've written.
Link one must be about family
Link two must be about friends
Link three must be about yourself
Link four must be about something you love
Link five can be about anything you choose
Post your five links and then tag five other people. At least two of the people you tag must be newer acquaintances so that you get to know each other better.
Since my blog is pop culture-related, I'll have to play fast and loose with the rules regarding the links I post. As a heads up, I won't be tagging anyone. However, if you would like to participate, please leave a note in the comments section of this post so that others can visit you.
Link one is My Review of the Police reunion concert
Link two is about The 40th Anniv. of Sgt. Pepper
Link three is givens in the world of pop culture
Link four is a T13 that lists soundtracks in my CD collection
Link five features a TV ad that brings back the old school jams of the 60s and 70s
foreverxcharmed: Society: Why don't people speak up about domestic violence? Why do they suffer in... - foreverxcharmed: *Society:* Why don't people speak up about domestic violence? Why do they suffer in silence instead of seeking help? *Amber Heard: *Pro...
7 hours ago


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US: Diageo drops Guinness from St Patrick's Day parade
By Andy Morton | 17 March 2014
Diageo said it will not sponsor this year's parade
Diageo has pulled its Guinness sponsorship of today's (17 March) St Patrick's Day parade in New York City after organisers refused to change the event's policy on gay and lesbian groups.
The move follows Heineken's dropping of its sponsorship, and Boston Beer's exit from a South Boston parade, for the same reason on Friday. City legislators have been unable to make a deal with organisers of both parades, who have refused to allow homosexual groups to march openly.
Diageo said in a statement: "Guinness has a strong history of supporting diversity and being an advocate for equality for all. We were hopeful that the policy of exclusion would be reversed for this year's parade. As this has not come to pass, Guinness has withdrawn its participation. We will continue to work with community leaders to ensure that future parades have an inclusionary policy."
Heineken also said it believes in equality. "For that reason, we are no longer a sponsor of today's parade," it said.
Meanwhile, Boston Beer said in a statement on Friday: "We were hopeful an agreement could be reached to allow everyone, regardless of orientation, to participate in this parade. However, given the current status of the negotiations, this may not be possible."
Last year, the owner of SPI Group wrote an open letter in support of lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender groups after activists called for a boycott off SPI vodka brand Stolichnaya in protest at Russian government policies.
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Those in the know understand that both qualitative and quantitative factors must be evaluated when estimating enterprise value. The list of appraisal considerations is too long to address in any one discussion. Suffice it to say that one should understand, measure and benchmark multiple facets of an organization's business such as production processes, distribution channels, sales infrastructure and customer service. A clarity about the industry in which a business operates is likewise essential. Who are the competitors? What regulations prevail and how is the industry responding to new mandates? Are industry sales sensitive to changes in global or local economic conditions? Is the industry poised for growth or fast reaching its apex?
Turning the microscope to narrowly focus on a single company, it would be remiss to ignore the economics of its brands and reputation. An organization's customer base can reward shareholders if net sales grow and add to free cash flow. On the other hand, disgruntled buyers can decide to go elsewhere or seek redress in a court of law. Both outcomes are costly and can lower share value. Notably, the damage associated with a lost sale can vary depending on how long it takes to recover, if possible at all. For example, a money manager that loses a large institutional client will be reinvesting a much smaller pool of capital over the ensuing months. Should other long-term consumers like peer pension plans get wind of bad news, they too may exit, causing the asset manager's portfolio to plummet further.
It's not remarkable then that new research concludes that "high firm and product awareness – or together, brand awareness – could lead to greater retained assets and new inflows." Nevertheless, the message is one that bears repeating given the significance. While its 2016 survey affirmed the link between reputation and financial wellbeing, eVestment uncovered some startling trends too. They are summarized below:
For details, read "Why Asset Manager Reputation Matters" (Chief Investment Officer, May 19, 2016) or download the white paper entitled "Importance of Brand Awareness" from the eVestment website. As Warren Buffett declared, "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently."
If you get a chance to view "The Man Who Knew Infinity," go for it. Award-winning actors abound in this tale of math wits at Cambridge University who contributed dozens of important ideas that are still being used in business and science. Dev Patel, stars as the self-taught math genius, Srinivasa Ramanujan, who rose from poverty to team with world-renowned scholars such as Bertrand Russell and John Edensor Littlewood. Based on a book of the same name by Robert Kanigel, this biographical tale of talent writ large examines the unlikely friendship between Mr. Ramanujan and his mentor, Professor G. H. Hardy (played wonderfully by Jeremy Irons), the uncertainties of a war torn England and the dire loneliness of the young man who left his home in India to share his insights about numbers.
Sadly, Mr. Ramanujan died in his thirties, leaving a legacy of path-breaking equations that have since been proven right. According to a 2012 article in Business Insider, his work is used by physicists to compute "the entropy, or level of disorder, of black holes." Last month, the founder and CEO of Wolfram Research, Stephen Wolfram, reviewed Hollywood's take on this band of merry mathematicians and pondered how they could have saved countless hours had they had access to his Mathematica product that is used by many Wall Street quants. His admiration for this driven wunderkind is obvious, as is his hope "that many more people will take advantage of the tools we have today to follow Ramanujan's lead and make great discoveries in experimental mathematics – whether they announce them in unexpected letters or not."
Popcorn aside, The Man Who Knew Infinity is captivating and well worth a trip to the cinema.
When I was a university professor and gave written homework, I frequently found myself in the position of having to remind students that reliance on a spell checker may not always produce good results. "I through the ball" is grammatically incorrect but would not reveal itself as an error. Someone would have to know that "threw" is the appropriate choice. Inevitably, a few individuals would counter that they plan to employ staff to write memos, carry out financial analyses and undertake research. I would then ask how one can adequately evaluate a potential hire, let alone review the quality of that person's work (if hired) if he or she is lacking sufficient knowledge to recruit and oversee thereafter.
Outside the classroom, selecting and monitoring is no less important, whether it's an investment security or a service provider. During a recent workshop I was invited to lead about service provider due diligence and the U.S. Department of Labor ("DOL") Fiduciary Rule, I shared a matrix I created with other investment industry professionals. It showcases some of the many qualitative and quantitative elements that could be used as part of a selection and monitoring endeavor. Big picture categories include, but are not limited to, the following: Client Capabilities, Compliance, Credit Worthiness, Funding Sources and Operational Integrity. See slide 24 of the presentation entitled "Fiduciary Considerations" by Dr. Susan Mangiero.
With its early April 2016 debut, it's too early to tell how the DOL's new mandate will influence hiring and subsequent performance reviews. Attorneys emphasize that the bar is set higher than before so it will be important to track how Requests for Proposals ("RFPs") and vendor interviews proceed. Firms seeking to use a "Hire Me" exemption to avoid being tagged as a fiduciary may not be able to provide sufficiently granular and plan-specific information to ERISA buyers in order for those fiduciaries to carry out their duties. When this question arose during an April compliance conference I attended, several of the presenting attorneys acknowledged that there could be an information gap, adding that buyers and sellers would have to figure out a mutually beneficial path forward. I will defer to the legal professionals to address this issue.
As an aside, the "Fiduciary Considerations" slide deck prepared by Dr. Susan Mangiero includes material produced by others. Efforts were made to attribute the original source. Those seeking to use any or all of this slide deck need to contact the copyright owners of each slide.
The news in pension land is sobering to say the least. Sadly, there are too many examples to cover in one blog post but taxpayers, participants, creditors and regulators are trying to understand the nature of the money trail that has, for some plans, led to trouble writ large. Consider what's going on in Puerto Rico right now.
In addition to a just missed payment of more than $400 million, Governor Padilla told C-Span viewers on May 6 there is no money to pay roughly $800 million due on July 1 2016 to senior bondholders. As he explains, debt service has gone up faster than what he calls revenue inflows. Elsewhere, Nick Brown of Reuters writes at length about gross underfunding of the municipal pension plans in "Puerto Rico's other crisis: impoverished pensions" (April 7, 2016). Despite multiple reforms introduced in 2013, funding remains perilously low. Keith Brainard, head of research for the National Association of State Retirement Administrators, is quoted as saying: "With about $1.8 billion in assets to pay $45 billion in liabilities, the 96 percent combined shortfall is among the biggest of any U.S. state pension this century, and probably the biggest ever for pensions 'of this size and scale'."
Bad economics is more than a numerical exercise. Real people are impacted. Plan participants, taxpayers and investors all have a stake in what happens next. As I wrote on March 19 in "Puerto Rico: Pensioners Versus Bondholders," many individuals who own debt issued by this U.S. territory are themselves retirees or saving for retirement.
Should contagion occur, the cost of capital for other municipal borrowers will almost surely increase as frightened investors demand higher yields. Worse yet, some lenders may say "no" to certain new debt, leading to possible tax hikes at the local level. There is a trickle down effect when credit risk heads upward. See "Muni Market Shrugs at Puerto Rico Default, but Next Time Could Be Different" by Bernice Napach (Think Advisor, May 2, 2016).
Whatever you think of the Puerto Rico situation and proposed solutions, the clock is ticking for many cities, counties, states and countries that have not adequately funded their pension plans. Capital markets are paying attention. There is a lot at stake.
Whenever the topic of performance measurement comes up in conversation, I think back to a story someone told me about a woman who took the number two spot in a race. Proud of her accomplishment, she telephoned friends and family with the news. Here's the catch. Only one other runner competed. Technically, her statement was correct but probably a stretch. A typical listener would likely interpret her claims to mean second best out of a large group of athletes.
When it comes to investing, context is likewise critical. A classic fallacy is to describe a security as riskier based on its standard deviation alone and ignore rates of return. If it turns out that the "riskier" security realized large enough gains compared to a second security, the resulting coefficient of variation ("CV") would flip the ranking. (Ignore for now the notion that relying on a single statistic alone is ill-advised.)
It's not always easy to construct an appropriate investment benchmark but the exercise is nevertheless vital since performance monitoring drives other decisions. The topic continues to receive focus from practitioners and scholars alike. A deep dive about construction and review is left for another day but the urgency may accelerate sooner than later.
As I listened to a series of compliance Q&A sessions this week about the Fiduciary Rule, I kept pondering how asset allocations are likely to change over the next year. Revised business models, the use of algorithms via robo-advisors and modified sales compensation arrangements will almost surely result in portfolio composition shifts for some investors. Should that occur, it will be incumbent upon a service provider to craft an appropriate benchmark that reflects the new regime and then explain its rationale to each investor. Otherwise, an individual or a plan sponsor may question why the performance of a post-Fiduciary Rule collection of assets is being graded against a stale benchmark.
This issue of dynamic performance evaluation is not new. However, given the regulatory focus on numerous factors that influence asset allocation, one can readily conclude that benchmarks will be part of the Fiduciary Rule implementation agenda in the months to come.
Like most people who work in the financial services arena, I hastily downloaded the long anticipated "Fiduciary Rule" when it was released by the U.S. Department of Labor ("DOL") on April 6, 2016 and am busy tackling this final version. With more than two hundred pages, it's going to take longer than a lunch break but is nevertheless vital reading. DOL's Fact Sheet is a good start. No doubt there will be a flurry of articles and webinars about details and implications. I am attending two events early this week alone.
As with any new regulation, a cadre of professionals will be involved to discuss how best to comply. Ideally, an organization will coalesce its brain trust from Legal, Operations, Sales, Public Relations and Accounting at a minimum. In deference to industry concerns about how long it would take to make necessary changes, implementation will be phased in with a final adherence date of January 1, 2018. Other sought after modifications survived and are expected to make it easier for financial service firms to inform their clients in the aggregate about regulatory mandates.
The elephant in the room is the uncertainty about how post-mandate behavior could veer from the goals of the regulators and who might get hurt as a result. Free market economists refer to the Law of Unintended Consequences when they decry an event that distorts the invisible hand that optimizes demand and supply. Realists will counter that the financial services industry is already regulated and therefore does not operate on the basis of unfettered buy and sell signals. Nevertheless, history has repeated itself many times, demonstrating the acuity of those in search of profitable loopholes.
According to "Beware the Fiduciary Rule's Unintended Consequences" by Christopher Robbins (Financial Advisor Magazine, April 6, 2016), many industry executives expect smaller firms to wither away "when some of their revenue streams dry up." A related view is that tiny client accounts will be jettisoned by the remaining service providers and left with few choices other than "computers or robots," despite the stated purpose of this initiative being to help all retirement investors. Keep in mind that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") seems poised to challenge whether a robo-advisor can serve as a fiduciary. If the answer is "no," does that preclude these algorithm-based providers from serving retirement customers?
Some attorneys exclaim that this conflicts of interest mandate will open the door wide to added ERISA lawsuits. In "Why Plaintiff Firms Will Love DOL's New Fiduciary Rules," Skadden Arps partner Seth Schwartz is quoted as saying that "As night follows the day, there will be more litigation." In "Fiduciary Rule Less Complex, but Questions Linger," reporter Sean Forbes (Pension & Benefits Daily, April 7, 2016) interviews a handful of attorneys who express concerns about (a) private rights of action to bring a lawsuit (b) a definition of a fiduciary that "goes way beyond common law" and (c) questions about the enforceability of the Best Interest Contract Exemption ("BICE").
One big upside of the Fiduciary Rule is that the topic of fiduciary duty is being mainstreamed as never before. Transparency can be a good thing as long as investors pay attention.
Not everyone is convinced that more information will translate into better decisions made at the individual level. During a quick call last week with an in-house benefits attorney, I got his message loud and clear. An employer can only do so much if a participant remains reluctant or unable to engage. Wall Street Journal pundit Jason Zweig echoed this view in his April 8, 2016 column entitled "You Are Responsible For Your Retirement Savings." His central point is that the DOL Fiduciary Rule is not a panacea that can fully eliminate investment product risk or prevent an individual from working with an ethics-challenged advisor or broker.
Stay tuned for subsequent posts about the DOL Fiduciary Rule.
Once a company has identified the categories of customers it wants to attract and retain, most people would agree that providing effective service is important. After all, it is hard to expand enterprise value without a healthy growth in cash flow. While this is a truism for nearly all industries, financial advisory executives are thinking hard about this topic right now as the operating environment is poised to significantly change.
According to "DOL Fiduciary Rule Set To Shake Up Retirement Marketplace" (LifeHealthPro, February 24, 2016), "Experts say that the rule will be approved soon and many of the changes will be implemented by year's end…" If true, some organizations could exit certain activities or otherwise alter the way they do business. This means that an existing customer may be forced to go elsewhere. Some suggest that compliance costs incurred by financial service companies will be passed along to the end-user. Whether that happens will depend on a variety of factors, including the bargaining power of the consumer and the "stickiness" of the buyer-seller relationship.
Technology is another consideration. Robo-advisors are predicted to gain a slice of the "estimated $250 billion to $600 billion of IRA assets" up for grabs should full service firms decide to jettison clients with low account balances. See "Who Wins, Who Loses With New DOL Rule? $3 Trillion in Play" (ThinkAdvisor, December 31, 2015.) Even before talk about a possible passage of the Conflict of Interest Rule, larger firms were hungry acquirers of financial technology companies. Michael Kitces describes a flurry of these recent deals in "Top Financial Advisor Issue For 2016 – The Department of Labor Fiduciary Rule and the Best Interests Contract Exemption" (Nerd's Eye View blog, January 4, 2016).
Greek philosopher Heraclitus supposedly said "There is nothing permanent except change." Given what is going on now in financial advisory land, this is indeed true – not just for service providers but possibly for their customers as well.


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Arizona Cardinals
Undrafted but not unwanted: Brown, Jefferson make Arizona Cardinals' roster
TEMPE — Jaron Brown and Tony Jefferson hit the practice field Monday.
They represent a growing group of players in the NFL: The undrafted rookie free agent.
According to ESPN's John Clayton, 77 such players made rosters over the weekend — a better than 50 percent increase over a typical season.
Peter Schrager of FOXSports.com noted there are more undrafted free agents (which he pegged at 78) than sixth and seventh rounders on NFL rosters.
"Those guys come in with the same opportunity as everybody else," Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said. "As soon as we got here, we made it clear that it's not how you got here; it's what you do while you here. And Tony Jefferson was a prime example. Jaron Brown was a prime example."
Jefferson, a second-team All-American and first-team All-Big 12 selection out of Oklahoma, is one of six cornerbacks on the roster. He had a team-high two interceptions and tied for third with 14 tackles in the preseason.
"Getting here is just one step, one part of it," Jefferson said. "I got a long way to go to be where I'm satisfied and content, and I'm nowhere near that. This is just a stepping stool to build confidence — let you know you're good enough to be here. So, now I've just got to continue to progress. I want to make plays and get on the field."
Fellow defensive back Patrick Peterson praised Jefferson's efforts.
"I'm excited for him. I thought he had a great preseason," Peterson said. "I believe he's definitely ready to go. He's going to be a player for us in the years to come."
The Cardinals hope for the same with former Clemson receiver Jaron Brown, who at 6-foot-2 caught 11 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns in four preseason games.
"I think I was more nervous about my Clemson Tigers winning that Georgia game," he said, smiling when asked how nervous he was over the weekend waiting to find out if he had secured a roster spot.
"It's a blessing really," continued Brown, one of only four receivers the team decided to keep. "One thing I got to do is just not get complacent and keep working."
At one point, the Cardinals had three undrafted rookie free agents on the final roster, but linebacker Kenny Demens was released Sunday. So, with the addition of Brown and Jefferson, there are now 10 players on the 53-man roster who entered the league as undrafted rookie free agents.
"More and more guys, with only seven rounds in the draft, get left out," Arians said. "There's a lot of quality football players out there."
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Cannes Recap: Can Any of This Year's Movies Crash the Oscar Race?
Cannes movies won nine Academy Awards in February, but the next crop looks a lot thinner
Cannes movies won nine Academy Awards in February, but the next crop looks a lot thinner
Emily Carmichael will write and direct
Mark Wahlberg is set to return, while Isabela Moner and comedian Jerrod Carmichael are expected to join him
Andrea Arnold's Midwestern odyssey gets both raves and eye rolls for depiction of lower class
Famous luxury resort was victim of a prank to promote tech startup
Adaptation of the children's classic divides critics despite splashy presence from superstar director
Kevin Bacon's "The Darkness" grossed an estimated $2.13 million on Friday
Mark Rylance's performance as the Big Friendly Giant is the melancholy heart of an adventure story that misses the magic
The financial thriller directed by Jodie Foster stars George Clooney and Julia Roberts
Amid increased security, Woody Allen will kick off a high-toned temple of cinema and a three-ring circus of celebrity
Films at the Cannes Film Festival range from Hollywood popcorn movies to austere art-house offerings to Prince's classic
Studio gets in its own way as "Captain America" sequel pushes Disney over $1 billion and unseats "Jungle Book" for No. 1
He's no stranger to competitive franchise roles — and has a few filmmaking icons to thank for his big break
Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment is producing the project
Francis Ford Coppola occupies three of the top seven spots
Comcast paid $3.8 billion for the animation studio, who will profit?
Comcast's $3.8 billion takeover of DreamWorks Animation will bring big hauls for Jeffrey Katzenberg, Steven Spielberg… and some people who will surprise you
Steven Spielberg set to collect a pile of dough too
Despite the emergence of the first viable Jewish candidate for president, Hebrew Hollywood is on Team Hillary
Michael Bay is directing the action-packed sequel for Paramount and Hasbro
Steven Spielberg and Colin Trevorrow are executive producing
Among those attending the exclusive meeting: Jeffrey Katzenberg, George Lucas, Haim Saban, Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, and George and Amal Clooney
"Swimming pools, Movie Stars, and merriment for all! This is happening right next door to Clooney's party for Hillary!" invite says
After four days, the consensus around keeping the status quo for theatrical releases hardened into a full-throated battle cry among exhibitors
CinemaCon 2016: Director slams Sean Parker's proposal for home viewing, tells exhibitors he's "fully committed to the sanctity of the in-theater experience"
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Mark Wahlberg will reprise his role as Cade Yeager in the Michael Bay-directed sequel
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The film based on Roald Dahl's novel hits theaters July 1
Mum is clearly still the word when it comes to the "Star Wars" universe


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New Travel Articles
Treviso Italy: The Art of Making
A food and wine tour of a top-notch destination
By Paul Shoul
GoNOMAD Staff
There is a small restaurant in the corner of an old cobblestone courtyard in Treviso Italy that lays claim to being the birthplace of the dessert of all desserts, Tiramisu.
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Narita-san Temple: A Mid-Winter Adventure in Japan
A popular destination for those with an affinity for the slopes, I had to wonder: Why would anyone go to Japan in the middle of winter if it wasn't for skiing or snowboarding? I was curious to find out if there was enough to offer a non-skiing traveler during the winter months in this exotic country, even if the experts deem it best to visit in fall and spring.
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My plan was set; I would spend eleven days in mid-January exploring parts of the main island, (Honshu), traveling with a rail pass on JR Lines in Tokyo and destinations beyond. My wife, who was born in Japan, and I would start our trip from the place where many start their journey, Narita Airport. But, on this particular trip (and my eighth voyage to Japan so far), we would spend the first day investigating worthy attractions just minutes fromthe airport.
A Free Ride
Over 800,000 visitors from North America came to Japan last year, though probably only a few hundred thought to visit Narita-san Temple-- a beautiful sight less than ten minutes from the sprawling international airport.
Staying at the nearby Nikko Narita Hotel provided us with clean, comfortable, and reasonably priced rooms, and also included free transportation not only to and from the hotel and airport, but also a shuttle bus that took visitors straight into the heart of Narita City. The hotel shuttle drops off at the Narita City train station, and from there it was merely a fifteen to twenty minute walk to the temple.
Once the shuttle dropped us off in front of the train station, escalators whisked us up to the main level where we made our way straight through to the other side.
A Walk Through Town
It was just about another hundred feet or so to the intersection where we turned right and spied the McDonalds--- a reference point the hotel clerk told us to look for. We enjoyed the walk to the temple where many shops and restaurants lined the route. As we made our way down Nakamachi Street at around eight in the morning there were interesting points that begged for further inspection on our return.
Especially the Coeur de Chocolate shop-- it was shuttered but intriguing. The walk down Nakamachi Street was made all the more fun by the collection of whimsical statues lining the road. If you have never been to this temple you will know you're on the right road when you pass statues of animals such as a mouse, dragon or snake. They were all carved in a grey stone and sat about three feet high.
A Walk in the Park
At the temple we entered the So-Mon Gate and walked the temple grounds for over an hour, taking in the beauty of this park and temple complex that covers over 165,000 square meters. When you can take a walk in the woods anywhere in the Tokyo area, it's a nice break from the concrete and high-rises of the city.
The three-storied pagoda built in 1712 stood tall and sparkled with gold trim. It is regarded as one of the highlights of the temple grounds. Next we walked on towards the three "lakes" (I'd call them more ponds) and paused at an over-the-water gazebo, just enjoying the beauty and silence. For the last part of our self-guided tour, we went up to the Great Pagoda of Peace before heading back to the So-Mon gate area.
There outside the entrance we had to check out the flea-market-like stalls selling foods and crafts of the area.
Shopping and Eating Eel
It was forty five degrees Fahrenheit at best, and many of the vendors we met were in their sixties or seventies and working in the cold stalls! They were certainly some tough old birds. High quality peanuts are a famous crop of this region, and several of the stalls offered free samples of roasted, boiled, or flavored peanuts. We bought a bag of the best then headed to Kawatoyo Honten, a restaurant serving Unagi, (eel) for an early lunch.
The restaraunt was quite popular, and the place filled completely minutes after opening at ten in the morning. I marveled at the skill of the cook filleting and de-boning the eel right at the front of the restaurant for all to see. It is no easy job working in cold conditions in the unheated front section of the restaurant while tourist and regulars scuttle by. We were seated at a traditional sunken table but underneath was an electric foot warmer that was nice touch on a cold day.
We ordered the specialty of the house-grilled Unagi that came in three sizes: 2,500, 3,100, and the extra large 4,100 yen size for those who are really hungry. At 2,500 yen/$21 USD each we got an excellent meal of this traditional Japanese comfort food and proclaimed it the best Unagi ever! With a side order of clear soup that had an eel liver at the bottom, it was a perfect combination. There were a few other items on this short menu such as broiled eel liver, fried eel bones or a bowl of pickles that we didn't try.
They also served beer and sake, but at ten in the morning on our first full day in Japan it didn't seem wise. Be advised they don't take credit cards so be sure to bring enough yen.
Tasting Local Foods
With lunch over we continued browsing the shops of Nakamachi Street, tasting local foods as we went. They had so many free samples it made for some slow going; I tasted the different Japanese style pickles and my wife tried the osenbei (rice crackers). One stand was selling a Japanese sweet treat called Taiyaki, (a pancake stuffed with sweet red bean treat) and my wife was drawn to it like fleas to a dog. This is a treat that is best fresh off the grill, and several people were doing a grab and go with warm Taiyaki in their hands and smiles on their faces.
A mochi shop pulled us in as we hopped from shop to shop enjoying the energy of this market place. It was all so colorful and interesting seeing these masters of visual marketing grab customers with dazzling displays. Japanese food shops are so much more colorful and perfectly arranged than similar shops in the U.S.
The Chocolate Shop
Back up the hill towards our pick-up point near the train station, the little chocolate shop I had seen earlier was now open and so I walked in to take a look. I consider myself an expert chocolate shopper, and while this didn't seem it it would be a candidate for top five in the world it ended up being so.
The nice lady behind the counter spoke English well and when I inquired as to why she explained how she had lived inMontreal for twelve years. Add a comment
Her husband was French and, was the mastermind behind the chocolate goodness and the pastries.
They did not have a particularly large selection, but were incredible in their quality.
Unfortunately, I didn't try the chocolate until the next day and by then it was too late to buy more since they don't sell online or by phone, and we would not pass that way again on this trip. Should you go to Narita and love great chocolate, be sure and try the dark chocolate bar with hazelnuts; it is sublime! If pastries are more to your liking, try the Mont Blanc or almond croissant.
Farewell Narita City
With our bags full of goodies, we caught the bus back to the Hotel Nikko Narita to queue up for the free airport bus. Back at the airport we caught the Airport Limousine bus to Tokyo. The next ten days would be full of more winter adventures in Tokyo and beyond.
Our visit to Narita-san Temple had us wondering why we had never stopped there before. It was well worth spending half a day exploring the temple and the city of Narita. In future trips to Japan we will certainly come back to enjoy a walk in the woods at Narita-san Temple, the foodie shops, and one more order of the best Unagi ever at Kawatoyo Honten.
Kurt Jacobson is a semi-retired chef from Colorado currently living in Baltimore who travels the world in search for great food, wine and adventure. See below for more of his stories on GoNOMAD.
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A Weekend in Luxembourg
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When I told my friends I would be celebrating my birthday with a weekend in Luxembourg, they all gave the same response: "Why?" It was a fair question. With its proximity to the major tourist countries of France, Germany andBelgium, why would I choose to visit tiny Luxembourg?
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But the fact that the country is so easy to overlook is exactly what made me want to visit. I knew nothing about Luxembourg, other than the fact that it was driving distance from Belgium, where my partner Adam and I would be visiting family. And so, bypassing the Western European giants that surround this diminutive country, we headed towards Luxembourg.
My thin guidebook assured me there was plenty to keep us occupied for the weekend in the city and around. As we crossed the unmarked border into one of the world's smallest countries, I suspected it was exaggerating.
The Sights of Luxembourg City
We started our time in Luxembourg by exploring the city sights, and, as navigating public transport has ruined many an exploration for us in the past, we were grateful to find this city can easily be navigated on foot.
We started at the imposing Spuerkeess bank, then crossed the valley via the Adolphe bridge to the War Memorial. The memorial itself wasn't all that impressive, but, standing at its base at the edge of the river valley, we got our first view of the city of Luxembourg.
It truly is a beautiful city, located along a deep, forested valley, and blending UNESCO-listed old city streets with impressive modern edifices.
We stopped briefly at Notre Dame Cathedral, understandably less visited than its namesake in neighboring Paris, before turning away from the valley and into the modern centre of the city. At least, the designer shops and international restaurants were modern, but they were housed inside ornate buildings topped with regal domes and laid out along pedestrian cobblestoned streets.
The Grand Ducal Palace was surrounded by a market of wheeled stalls selling local handicrafts. The entire neighborhood felt like an anachronism. We were reminded of our recent visit to picturesque and cobblestoned Bruges, but were thankful that Luxembourg, unlike Bruges, wasn't overrun by hordes of tourists.
Adam and I had intended to visit either the Luxembourg City History Museum (Musee d'Histoire de la Ville de Luxembourg), which we'd read offers a stunning city view from its balcony, or the Bock Casemates, a series of subterranean tunnels underneath the Bock promontory. But we'd spent a surprising amount of time making our way around the tiny city, and we wanted to ensure we'd make it to what we'd heard is one of the best views in Europe by sunset. So we continued to the Chemin de la Corniche, a balcony stretching along the valley wall offering a panoramic view of both old and new Luxembourg.
The vista was as impressive as advertised. To one side lay the old fortified neighborhood of Grund, to the other, the modern side of new Luxembourg. We'darrived at just the right time to catch the golden hour sunlight casting its long shadows and the Alzette river capturing the reflection of the valley.
Our day of strolling past city sights on cobblestoned streets had endeared me to this little city, and taking in the view of the valley, bathed in an orange glow as the sun went down, I was convinced it was more than a match for Paris, Brussels or Berlin.
Hiking the Mullerthal Trails
Eager to explore more of Luxembourg than just the city, we woke early the next morning to drive the 20 minutes to Mullerthal, the starting point for a collection of hiking trails. Opting for one of the shorter routes, we followed a sign pointing us towards Schiessentumpel. The woodland had been described as "fairytale", and, following the trail through lush pastures and overgrown woodland, we couldn't help but agree that a fairy or two wouldn't look out of place here.
Though a more realistic comparison may be to an alpine scene in Switzerland. After strolling through this unspoiled setting for almost a mile, we arrived at Schiessentumpel, a stone bridge with woven wooden handrails, spanning a three-pronged waterfall. The bridge looked as though it had been unchanged in the past hundred years (and also like it had been plucked straight from Middle Earth).
Exploring Ancient Castles
Driving just a short distance from Mullerthal (though, in reality, every distance in Luxembourg can be des cribed as "short"), we soon reached Beaufort castle, one of many medieval castles that call Luxembourg home. We paused only briefly to snap a few photos and grab a quick cup of coffee (during which I tried and failed miserably to converse in French with the friendly cafe owner), before carrying on to the more impressive Larochette castle.
Built high on a promontory overlooking a rustic village, the castle has been badly damaged throughout the years, but, through partial reconstruction, models and artists' depictions, offers a glimpse into life in medieval Europe. While I'm certainly no history buff, clambering over the remains of an ancient castle while taking in the view of the village below was more than enough to keep me occupied for an afternoon.
Sampling a Range of European Cuisines
Hunger soon got the better of us, and we returned to the city in search for some Luxembourgish food (I was happy to discover that "Luxembourgish" really is the term). Though, after spending some time circumnavigating Place d'Armes, we began to realize Luxembourgish food, if there was such a thing, was in short supply. Instead, the square was filled with restaurants offering Italian gelato, Swiss fondue, or Portuguese cod. Opting for a gooey cheese fondue, we ate our fill, then stepped back outside to find a British brass band setting up in the central bandstand.
Grabbing ourselves paper cups of gelato, we sat down to listen as they struck up a rousing chorus of trumpets and tubas. When the chilly night air began to get to us, we left in search of a nightcap, which we found in the form of Belgian beer. While we still hadn't managed to try anything that was traditionally Luxembourgish, we were more than satisfied with our culinary tour of Europe that had taken place solely in the Place d'Armes.
Raising our glasses to the end of our brief time in Luxembourg, we agreed that the country had proved to be far more than just an easily overlooked slip of land wedged between larger, more impressive neighbors. Rather, it had shown itself to be a unique blend of old and new, local and international, set at the crossroads of Western Europe.
Ailish Casey's stories have been published by the New York Post, Holiday Mag, and Backpack South America, and was named one of Insight Guides' Top Travel Tweeters to follow in 2016. Read her blog, www.ailishinwonderland.com
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One honeymooner's adventures to Cuba's best and least expected destinations
When you visit established attractions, you more or less know what to expect before you arrive. Less visited places, on the other hand, offer less certainty and can throw up more surprises. One honeymooner experienced both in Cuba.
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The less trodden path fascinates me. So much so that I actively chose to spend the first few days of my honeymoon at a home stay in Gibara, a tiny seaside village on the Northeast coast of Cuba. There the sea is restless and the sand coarse, nothing like the crowd-pleasing, quintessentially Caribbean beaches found further West.
In addition, the village was very nearly annihilated by Hurricane Ike in 2008, and is still struggling to recover. Yet when my research on the area came up with the phrases 'Cuba's best kept secret' and 'hidden gem', I was hooked. Before too long, I found myself working it into the itinerary.
Gibara: The Bad News
As fate would have it, off the beaten track turned out to be a mixed bag. In the case of Gibara, once there, we found that there was really very little to see or do. Dusty roads led to plain, square housing and an equally dusty natural history museum.
Evening entertainment options consisted of one colonial style hotel for drinks, and a handful of paladars (restaurants), which you had to walk to guided solely by the dim lights seeping out of some of the houses.Add a comment
While there, we were often bewildered by the lack of foreign visitors, and the few other tourists we saw walking around seemed equally confused. There were no signs to lead us anywhere. A ferry that was meant to pick passengers up from a jetty at regular intervals never showed up, and no one seemed to know when the next one was due.
Another time, we got so lost in the pitch dark streets that we got into the car with a stranger who offered to take us to a restaurant for a small fee. This, we soon realised, was the only feasible way of getting around, apart from renting a car or walking.
Gibara: The Good News
On the upside, I had never before and have never since enjoyed a full on sunrise from a street level, seafront bedroom window. In addition, I will always remember the untamed beauty of nearby Playa Caletones, as well as the bumpy ride there in a battered, green cinquecento, expertly steered by the colossal Fernando. We casually picked up our impromtu chaueffer outside Gibara's only 'supermarket', through the brother of the friend of the cousin of someone we asked for directions. Equally memorable was the delicious seafood lunch we consumed on a terrace, overlooking the beach at what seemed to be the only restaurant there.
Out of the three weeks spent in Cuba and the many fond memories made, Gibara retains a special place in my heart and is probably the place my husband and I reminisce most about. This is perhaps because it felt so isolated and we saw so few other outsiders that we came to view the whole experience as our very own shared secret. It also felt like a rare privilege to be able to quietly absorb a drop of the essence of the place without being distracted by the rosy gloss of tourist brochures and famous attractions.
The Cuban Highlights
Does this mean that I'd recommend heading to Gibara and ignoring the much more visited Havana, Vinales and Trinidad? No way! If you're short on time and have to choose, Gibara needs to be the first crossed off your list.
You cannot miss out on experiencing the majesty of Havana; it manifests itself around every corner, from the beautiful squares of Old Havana to the imposing Castillo del Morro and of course, the fabled malecon (seafront).
The same goes for the Valley of Vinales. With its laid-back feel, dome-like hills and lush greenery, it's perfect for walking, horse riding or simply gawking and taking photos.
You must also make time to discover the cobbled streets and colourful houses of Trinidad, dine in the bedroom of a beautiful colonial house turned paladar and dance the night away to live salsa music in the main square.
These places are popular with good reason: Vinales valley and Trinidad are listed as Unesco World Heritage sites, as are parts of Havana.
Striking a Balance
However, in between the highlights, I recommend trying to find the time and means to drop off the radar somewhere along the way. There might not be much to see or do and you may have to rough it out a tad, but given the right mindset, it will definitely be worth the time and effort.
Whatever it is that you will find will be doused in a feeling of exclusivity and accompanied by a sense of achievement for having made it to a place where (relatively) few others have been.
You're also likely to get a clearer feel of the ways of life of the people away from the rum, cigar and salsa stereotypes. In addition, the lack of tourist infrastructure is sure to guarantee an adventure or two worthy of repeated retelling long after you've forgotten your salsa steps and smoked the last of your Cuban cigars.
Gibara Fact Box
If you're itching to experience Gibara first hand, here's a little information to help you find your way:
- The closest airport is the Frank Pais International Airport in nearby Holguin, about an hour away by taxi. The taxi ride from Holguin to Gibara had cost us 35 CUC (equivalent to 35 US dollars).
- Holguin airport receives a number of international flights. In fact, we had flown in to Holguin directly from Manchester in the U.K.
-In addition, there are regular flights between Holguin and other cities in Cuba, including a 1 hour 20 minute flight to Havana.
- If you're feeling brave, you can drive or take a taxi from Gibara to Havana. The trip takes all of nine hours and is best undertaken during the day, since the roads in Cuba are generally not well lit and can be dangerous at night.
Anne Marie Dimech is a pharmacist who has discovered that her wanderlust is incurable, so she alleviates the symptoms by travelling as often as possible.
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London: Staying at the Stafford Hotel
A Luxury St. James Property Warmly Welcomes American Guests
An American flag hangs outside one of London's most charming—and thoroughly British—luxury hotel properties, The Stafford London. Tucked discreetly away from the noise and bustle of double-decker tourist busses and big black London taxicabs, hidden at the end of a quiet enclave amid the splendors of the St. James district edging Green Park, The Stafford London epitomizes posh buttoned-up English elegance but also offers a decidedly American air of open and heartfelt hospitality.
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How can it simultaneously be so quintessentially British and yet so Yankee Doodle dandy? Visit The Stafford, and you'll see.
A private, independently owned historic hotel near Green Park, Buckingham Palace and Mayfair, The Stafford London is as timeless as the city to which it belongs. Founded in 1912, it features 105 individually decorated bedrooms and suites housed inthree buildings.
And though The Stafford is every bit as stylish and sophisticated as any other luxury London property—keeping pace with similar 5-star spaces such as The Goring, The Wellesley, and the like—there is something alluring about its American interface: the way it attracts visitors from every continent with its casual club-like American Bar and unique Blue Ball Yard courtyard, featuring a private exit behind the hotel.
The American Bar is dark and inviting, with tiny tables, an unpretentious bar menu, classic cocktails and highballs and walls and ceilings covered with sports memorabilia, celebrity photographs, baseball caps, club ties, flags and souvenirs sent from all over the world by loyal guests. But as American as its bar may be, The Stafford has a far more British sensibility overall, as well as an air of history, and a longtime commitment to quality and service.
Standing near Piccadilly Road and just off of Green Park, The Stafford is housed in a building dating to the 17th century. According to hotel records, its main house buildings were originally built as private residences, with Number 17 St. James Place being most famously owned by Lord and Lady Lyttelton, daughter of the then Earl Spencer (with whom Princess Diana would be related). Over the years, the house changed hands many times and was used for many purposes.
The Stafford Club, originally housed at Number 18, was added in 1886, and when the hotel was extended to include Number 16 in in 1912, The Stafford London was born. Now, more than a century later, it is a meticulously modern property with luxury accommodations, fine dining, a popular bar, meeting spaces, an elegant restaurant and lounge and a large underground wine cellar. The Stafford projects elegance with modern touches and fine amenities.
Offering three styles of rooms and suites, guests may choose accommodations in the elegant Main House, the contemporary Mews Suites or The Stafford's Carriage House, with the latter offering my favorite suites despite their facing the courtyard where American Bar guests may dine, making that area it a bit noisier on warm summer nights. However, most of the hotel is quiet and serene, tucked quietly away from the street.
The Carriage House offers 12 traditional rooms and suites set in former 18th-century mews and stables of nobility. Its rooms feature a charming countryside ambience, with split stable doors, wooden beams and chic English country house interiors. Each room features a large flat-screened television, a desk, a lounge area, and a Nespresso machine, as well as a king-sized bed and luxury end-suite bathrooms with high-end amenities.
The Carriage House also offers the "Guv'nor's Suite", a spacious split-level apartment including a dining area, library, two bathrooms, a fireplace and kitchen. In the 26 Mews suites, including the Penthouse suite, a more classic, contemporary English elegance is showcased in a separate building that also features a private entrance and a fitness center. In the Main House, guests are greeted by name at reception, and in it are 67 rooms and suites combining Victorian grandeur with modern comfort.
The Main House is also home to the elegant Lyttelton Restaurant and lounge with its fireplaces, plush upholstered furnishings, ornate frosting-like crown moldings and a soft ivory, lavender and grey color palette with floral fabrics, custom draperies and an a custom-designed gilt chandelier. While guests enjoy a fine English breakfast each morning at the formal Lyttelton Restaurant, I enjoy most the afternoon tea.
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A little-known fact about The Stafford is that during World War II it served as a club for American and Canadian officers stationed overseas who sought refuge in its underground 380-year-old vaulted wine cellars. Today's affluent guests and London's elite often arrange for intimate dinners and private group events in the Wine Cellars. Wines from The Stafford's exquisite collection are available to all guests during meals at The Lyttelton, whereexecutive chef Carlos Martinezoffers classic and modern cuisine with a Mediterranean flavor.
The Stafford London, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, is located near many of London's biggest attractions, including art galleries, theatres, and the royal palaces andparks, as well as the finest shopping of Jermyn Street and Fortnum & Mason. It's also near London's famous Ritz hotel. However, sophisticated American travelers know it is The Stafford that offers the perfect London stay—hidden away at a quiet address where Old Glory still waves.
Book Early and spend next Christmas in London with Holiday Celebrations at the Stafford
With 100 glittering Christmas trees in place, the holidays are bright at The Stafford London. Christmas Eve will feature traditional carols, mulled wine, and hot roasted chestnuts in the 380 year-old working Wine Cellars. Following a four-course dinner in The Lyttelton, guests may take part in a torch-lit procession to celebrate midnight mass at historic The Guards Chapel in St. James Park.
A classic British Christmas feast will be the highlight of Christmas Day punctuated by the decadent and entertaining Ceremony of the Christmas pudding. Beyond indulging in the legendary Boxing Day sales, the day after Christmas holds holiday season magic with ice skating in Hyde's Park, glühwein at Covent Garden Christmas Market topped off with a four-course dinner in The Lyttelton restaurant.
And to ring in 2017, the hotel will present a New Year's Eve celebration beginning with a canapé reception, followed by a lavish dinner in The Lyttelton. Then guests are invited to countdown to the New Year with the crowds on the banks of the River Thames and view London's spectacular fireworks display.
Janis Turk is a travel writer and photographer living in Seguin, Texas, near the capital city of Austin. Read more of her stories on GoNOMAD.
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Surfguide.com: A New Trip Planning Tool for Surfers
A new, online trip planning tool is making waves in the surfing community. Recently launched surfguide.com promises to make finding and planning a perfect surf trip easier than ever.
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Breaking the mold for similar sites and forecast tools, surfguide.com makes its suggestions based on aggregated monthly data, surfer-curated information, and moderated community comments of more than 350 fantastic surf regions. The site also cuts down the time and steps needed to plan one of these trips significantly, as surfers can send out inquiries and booking requests directly from the site with just a single click.Add a comment
Offering more than a dozen filters to choose from such as swell size, water temperature, break type, and region, surfers can easily plan a trip to a destination that fits their needs exactly.
Streamlined Booking
Surfguide.com is also a great tool for surf operators and providers, and thanks to the site's streamlined booking processes, businesses such as these can expect to maximize their profits.
Once registered, surfing-related operators will directly receive the inquiries from potential travelers who have a genuine interest in surfing in the area, and will no longer need to source these inquiries from a middleman.
As for the surfers themselves, they can rest easy knowing the information provided by surfguide.com is the most up-to-date and accurate information available, as all the information provided on surfguide.com is curated by surfers who have traveled to that region. The facts are tried and true, and future travelers will know exactly what they are signing up for.
The team behind surfguide.com is a living, breathing testament to the "created by surfers, for surfers" sentiment. The minds behind the project each boast more than twenty years travel and surfing experience, and surfguide.com is a direct product of their passion for the sport.
One such member and creative mind behind the project is none other than pro-surfer Marlon Lipke.
Born to German parents and raised on the south coast of Portugal, Lipke took to surfing at a very young age. "It was a time when there was not much of a surf scene there," Lipke explained of his home is Portugal. While his hometown may not yet have been the hotbed of a surf scene it would eventually become, still he found himself in love with the sport. He entered his first competition at age 12 and hasn't looked back since.
"I've had a long career, I've travelled a lot and you know through the travelling you learn how you want to travel, the sort of things that make you comfortable," he remarked. "This website is the result of two years of hard work, and the really cool thing is the more it gets used, the better it gets."
Speaking with Marlon, it was apparent how much thought and dedication had gone into creating the site, and it also offered insight into some of the inspiration behind the project. Referring to some of the other creative mind behind surfguide.com, he explained how for surf aficionados in countries such as Switzerland (current headquarters of surfguide.com), they all have to travel to practice their sport.
And if you're traveling so far, and spending so much time and money for something you love, you deserve to have every aspect of that trip be as perfect as possible.
Each individual behind the project has experienced firsthand some of the numerous complications and difficulties that can surface when planning a surfing trip: flipping between countless websites, comparing rates and dates and prices, collecting pages upon pages of information and data just to plan one trip that exactly fitted their needs.
Until now, there was no website that presented all this information concisely and with great detail.
While it's been little over a month since the site launched, surfguide.com is already generating some excitement in the surfing community. Owen Henry, president of the Surf Club at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, was excited by the great potential for the site.
"I've actually never surfed outside of New England and New Jersey before, but I have been in the process of planning a trip to the Caribbean for a few years now. That gives you some indication of how complicated it can get trying to plan something like this" said Henry. His experience is true for many surfers who have to travel for their sport—it's just plain hard to get to where the waves are.
"You have to think about safety, the consistency of that particular break, whether you're going in the on or off tourism season, the level of accommodations, if you're bringing your own surf gear or renting or buying there, level of healthcare available [in case of an accident], and the list just goes on."
After exploring surfguide.com's site, Henry's thoughts on the site were overwhelmingly positive.
"Within my first three clicks, I was looking at an in-depth description of a Puerto Rico surf camp with info on the weather, languages spoken, prices, swell consistency, types of breaks, photo galleries, travel times, contact info – the whole deal.
I've been spending a lot of time looking through all sorts of non-surfer travel sites, surf forums, pretty much everywhere getting little bits of information. This puts it all together with a million different filters to help you narrow down your search and find the destination that's right for you."
More than anything, that is the goal of surfguide.com —to ensure that the perfect surf destination is found each and every time surfers hit the road. And because to surfers, "there's nothing more important than sharing the stoke."
Fond of big dogs, stargazing, and foods covered in hummus, Devinne Zadravec is a writer/photographer/explorer from New England. Her favorite hobbies include hiking, yoga, and taking way too many pictures of her pitbull, Mischa. Currently, you can find Devinne hanging with her sisters in her Massachusetts home, or off adventuring, writing, and loving life in some new corner of the globe. Follow Devinne on her latest adventures on her website, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
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The World-Famous Harlem Globetrotters Amaze and Entertain
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Featured review from Joey Bag 0 Donuts
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Don't know how...but we got FRONT ROW seats! Great fun for the kids.
About the Ticket Supplier: Harlem Globetrotters
Throughout their history, the Original Harlem Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in more than a hundred countries and territories on six continents, often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience. Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters were founded in 1926. Since then, they've entertained hundreds of millions of fans, among them popes, kings, queens, and presidents.