Archive for January, 2010
Magnificent alpine lake with concentration of ski areas unsurpassed in North America
Here’s the census of ski areas in an arc on the north end of Lake Tahoe and also along Interstate 70: Alpine Meadows, Boreal, Diamond Peak, Donner Ski Ranch, Granlibakken, Homewood, Mt. Rose (within sight of Reno), Northstar-at-Tahoe, Royal Gorge (cross-country), Sugar Bowl and Squaw Valley (host of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games). At and near the south end of the lake: Heavenly, Kirkwood and Sierra-at-Tahoe. Seven of the largest ski/snowboard areas (Alpine, Heavenly, Kirkwood, Mt. Rose, Northstar, Sierra-at-Tahoe and Squaw) market themselves as Ski Lake Tahoe and offer an interchangeable multi-day lift ticket.
I’ve just returned from a Society of American Travel Writers confab at Lake Tahoe, and with a full schedule and travel time too, I managed to ski just three days of sliding on snow — one each at Northstar (on a Saturday following the first heavy snowstorm in weeks — not recommended, one at Heavenly and one at Kirkwood. Reports to follow.
By Scott Beveridge
The peace sign has crossed the line.
Once a revolutionary symbol of 1960s anti-Vietnam War movement, it went into obscurity for decades only to emerge, everywhere as a trendy fashion design.
It can be found throughout most malls on flip flops and water bottles, across T-shirts and purses and even as blig on key chains and necklaces. A year ago, Lucky Brand was selling a peace sign necklace with a miniature tambourine bearing the words “Peace Love,” items that would have made the perfect Christmas gift for a modern-day naked hippie chick who likes to attend Phish concerts.
Admittedly, US college students borrowed the peace sign from the British, who designed it for their nuclear disarmament movement, and used it to protest the war draft, Nixon’s secret bombings of Cambodia and police brutality against demonstrators. It became iconic for a generation that fought the establishment and commercialism while vowing to never conform. Well some of their promises would become broken.
But, the peace sign was worn proudly, even though some Christians at the time denounced the symbol as sacrilegious because, to them, it represented an upside-down cross.
Who knew then it would someday be worn as a pattern on a winter scarf by members of a new generation that might despise war, but does not have the convictions to stand up to its government.
The peace sign has become mainstream at a time when the US has spent more money in Iraq than it did in Vietnam, making the war in Iraq the “second most expensive conflict in American history, behind World War II,” the Los Angeles Times has reported.
Today’s youth certainly would feel differently about the use of its clothing to make a political statement if this county had returned to the draft to recruit cannon fodder for Iraq, Afghanistan and the illusive war against terrorism.
Jan
30
Jan
30
Angela, thank you for the calendar (with illustrations made by Guiodo Scarabottolo)
For the possibility to make a wish upon a star I would like to thank Maartje, what a great idea.
Lewis Howes explains the top eight ways to use social media. Good advises on social media under 6 minutes. A must watch for all social media fans.
Jan
28
Politics aside, I don’t understand why someone would jeopardize safety by impeding the rear view from his van with this many angry anti-Obama “bumper” stickers. But, it appears this white motorist in Washington, Pa., had taken time to chip away at the one expressing his distaste with immigration laws in order to see behind some of his hatred and blind spots. (Scott Beveridge photo)
Jan
28
Heavy rains triggered mudslides that cut off Cuzco-Machu Picchu land connections
In the great scheme of recently world catastrophes, Tuesday’s mudslides between Cuzco and Machu Picchu are small potatoes. After all, compared with tens of thousands of fatalities, grave injuries, wildspread hunger and a capital city destroyed in Haiti’s earthquake two weeks ago, the suspension of train service, the five to 10 deaths (reportedly including one guide and one tourist) and somewhere between 800 and 2,000 stranded tourists are no big deal. Record rains have fallen in this region.
Despite heavy weather, helicopters evacuated hundreds of marooned tourists near the famous Inca ruins at Machu Picchu. Beyond the tourist impact, Preuvian authorities estimate that 10,000 people have been affected by the rain and some 2,000 homes destroyed in and around Machu Picchu.
I’ve been wanting to see Machu Picchu for years, but I can’t say that I’m sorry not to be there right now.
According to a new report from Gartner, worldwide revenue from mobile applications will total $6.8 billion in 2010, an increase of 60% over the $4.2 billion spent in 2009. Growth in revenue from mobile apps can be expected to continue at a rapid rate, as more consumers purchase smartphones and more apps become available. Gartner predicts that in 2013, 21.6 billion apps will be downloaded, generating nearly $30 billion in revenue more than a fourfold increase over 2010.
Gartner forecasts that 82% of all downloads will be free in 2010, and that the share of free apps will increase to 87% by 2013. This leaves mobile advertising to make up for the loss in share for paid apps. Gartner claims that in 2010, 0.9% ($0.6 billion) of mobile app revenue will be generated by advertising.
My take is the marketplace for mobile will mature over the next three years, with increasing consolidations and company buyouts. Indeed, it’s already begun with Google’s purchase of AdMob and Apple’s purchase of Quattro Wireless and i m quite certain that more consolidations will take place this year.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs on Wednesday unveiled the iPad, the widely and wildly anticipated tablet-style computer that he called “a truly magical and revolutionary product.”
“What this device does is extraordinary,” Jobs said. “It is the best browsing experience you’ve ever had. … It’s unbelievably great … way better than a laptop. Way better than a smartphone.”
iPad features:
A 9.7-inch multitouch screen (resolution: 1024 x 768)
A 1 GHz A4 Apple-made processor
Wi-Fi / 3G connectivity
Bluetooth 2.1
A Mic
Speakers
Battery Life: 10 hours of constant use, 1 month in standby mode
iPad Pricing:
16 GB + WIFI: $499
32 GB + WIFI: $599
64 GB + WIFI: $699
16 GB + WIFI + 3G: $629
32 GB + WIFI + 3G: $729
64 GB + WIFI + 3G: $829
Having 3G mobile access will cost an extra $130 on each. Two mobile plans will be available through AT&T, and there will be no contracts, allowing customers to opt out at any time, according to Jobs. They are scheduled to begin shipping in 60 days!
More images of iPad below :
Video clip of Jobs launching iPad below :
So, will you guys rush to the nearest Apple store when the iPad comes out, or will you wait for the second generation of the device to be released before making the decision of purchasing one or not?
Below is the first official video of the new Apple iPad Tablet.
