Climbing China's Incredible Cliffs

"Holding on for dear life..."

 

Climber waves from atop a karst spire, China, Carsten Peter, nationalgeographic.com

 

 

 

 

Climbing China's Incredible Cliffs

 

 

 

China is home to the world's greatest concentrations of karsts: rocky spires and spillways shaped over millions of years by the elements, which nationalgeographic.com features in an amazing video, The Karsts of China.

 

See how a team of climbers were inspired by what they describe as a surreal landscape and made a "full Hail Mary attempt" at times as they scaled China's wild formations while "holding on for dear life."

 

For an entertaining and spectacular video:  http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/magazine/ngm-china-caves-extended?source=relatedvideo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real Estate News: Zillow to Buy Trulia

"Market behemoth..."

 

Zillow/Trulia, teamaag.com 

 

 

 

 

Real Estate News:  Zillow to Buy Trulia

 

 

 

Zillow and Trulia, the two online real estate giants that announced plans to merge Monday, have a message for real estate agents who have grown increasingly concerned about their market clout:  We're partners, not competitors, Joe Light reports on wsj.com

 

Zillow, the most trafficked real estate website, agreed to buy Trulia, the No. 2 company, hoping to create a market behemoth that will dominated listings of homes for sale and other information that buyers covet, Light wrote.

 

For reaction and more:  http://online.wsj.com/articles/zillow-to-buy-real-estate-rival-trulia-1406551333

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Reasons to Love Your Mortgage

The upside to debt...

 

Finance, BilleteiINTERII, Wikipedia

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Reasons to Love Your Mortgage

 

 

 

Thinking about buying a house and wondering whether to go into debt with a mortgage?

 

As many people over time have found, a mortgage offers a number of advantages and opportunities.

 

Here are nine reasons to love your mortgage, according to Jonathan Clements on wsj.com: http://online.wsj.com/articles/nine-reasons-to-love-your-mortgage-1406420252

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neat Timelapse Tour of Europe

30 countries...

 

Rome, St. Peter's Basilica, Wolfgang Stuck

 

 

 

 

 

Neat Timelapse Tour of Europe

 

 

 

It's high season for European travel.

 

But if you can't quite fit in a trip this summer, twistedsifter.com features a neat timelapse video that will take you to 30 countries in just a few minutes.

 

Over the last two years, Stan Chang shot more than a thousand videos and 200,000 images in the production of his tour of Europe video, according to twistedsifter.com.

 

Sit back and enjoy what Chang recorded while traveling with his wife and son:  http://twistedsifter.com/videos/30-country-timelapse-tour-of-europe/

 

 

 

Musical Moments: Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu

Wonderful...

 

Valentina Igoshina, aimgur.com

 

 

 

 

 

Musical Moments;  Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu

 

 

Musical Moments features music and artists I've enjoyed over the years.

 

This week Valentina Igoshina plays Chopin's memorable Fantasie Impromptu.

 

I hope you enjoy her wonderful performance:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa0Z6g1XJkU

 

 

 

 

Price Changes Lead Darien Weekly Real Estate Results

Quieter summer market...

 

Old Car Chuggin' Along, Reveille Kennedy, dailypaintworks.com

 

 

  

 

Price Changes Lead Darien Weekly Real Estate Results

 

 

 

Ten price changes led Darien's weekly residential real estate results for the week ending today.

 

Results in other real estate categories, according to the Darien MLS, were:

 

-- Four new properties for sale;

-- Six accepted offers;

-- Six properties going under contract, and

-- Nine closings.

 

For more: 

 

 

 

Over the Top Summer Toys

Pricey fun...

 

BBQ Dining Boat, Hammacher Schlemmer, huffingtonpost.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over the Top Summer Toys

 

 

 

 

For some people, a simple pool float or Slip'N Slide just isn't going to cut it, writes Katie McGlynn on huffingtonpost.com.

 

If you're looking to drop some serious cash on a summer toy that isn't worth the hype:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/18/expensive-summer-toys-photos_n_5523232.html

 

 

 

 

 

Over the Top Summer Toys

Pricey fun...

 

BBQ Dining Boat, Hammacher Schlemmer, huffingtonpost.com

 

 

 

 

 

Over the Top Summer Toys

 

 

For some people, a simple pool float or Slip'N Slide just isn't going to cut it, Katia McGlynn reports on huffingtonpost.com.

If you're looking to drop some serious cash on a summer toy that probably isn't worth the hype, she writes, check out these prime examples found online:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/18/expensive-summer-toys-photos_n_5523232.html

 

 

 

 

Mesmerizing: 15 Gorgeous Waterfalls

Stunning scenery...

 

Lower Falls, Yellowstone, ImageFlicker mashable.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mesmerizing:  15 Gorgeous Waterfalls

        

The world has some marvelous landscapes, but of all its stunning scenery, waterfalls are the among its most impressive.

 

There's something mesmerizing about watching water plunge off the top of a waterfall, Brian Koerber reports today on mashable.com.

 

For a slide show of some beautiful photography of some of the best waterfalls in the world: http://mashable.com/2014/07/24/beautiful-waterfalls/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unique Homes for the Discerning

Some great choices...

 

Former Leona Helmsley estate, courant.com

 

Unique Homes for the Discerning

The Wall Street Journal serves up a fascinating selection of homes for the discerning on its website.

Included are the one time Helmsley property in Greenwich, CT, an island in the Thames where the Magna Carta is said to have been signed in 1215, a seaside estate in Saint Tropez and a billionaire's cattle ranch in Montana.

For a slide show of the properties:     http://online.wsj.com/articles/private-properties-see-the-homes-slideshow-1405634998

Musical Moments: Grieg: Piano Concerto Part 1

Very familiar...

 

Edvard and Nina Grieg

 

 

 

 

 

Musical Moments:  Grieg:  Piano Concerto Part 1

 

 

 

Musical Moments features music and artists I've enjoyed over the years.

 

Here is Evgeny Kissin with Grieg's very familiar Piano Concerto Part 1.

 

I hope you enjoy it:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO-H37t1fQQ

 

Price Changes Top Darien Weekly Real Estate Results

Steady summer market...

 

Sea Path, Reveille Kennedy, etsy.com

 

 

 

 

 

 Price Changes Top Darien Weekly Real Estate Results

 

 

 

Ten price changes topped Darien's residential real estate results for the week ending today.

 

Results in other real estate categories, according to the Darien MLS, were:

 

-- Six new properties for sale;

-- Five accepted offers;

-- Seven properties going under contract, and

-- Nine closings.

 

For more: 

 

 

Boeing 787-9 Wows Farnborough Air Show

Beautiful...

 

Boeing's 787-9, at Farnborough this week, Carl Court, king5.com

 

 

 

 

 

Boeing 787-9 Wows Farnborough Air Show

 

 

 

 

Boeing's huge, new 787-9 Dreamliner wowed the audience on Tuesday at Britain's Farnborough Air Show, soaring into the sky on take-off like a jet fighter.

The Dreamliner is "a magnificent airplane," an expert who has flown it said at the show, according Dominic Gales with the Seattle Times.

Most impressive during the demonstration flight, Gales wrote, was the touch-and-go maneuver by the Boeing test pilot.

He came in low and fast, bringing the Dreamliner's wheels to the runway briefly as if to land, then powering up again and shooting the plane back into the sky at an amazing angle.

For more: See the Dreamliner's power on take-off and touch-and-go in the first video below.  In the second video, a senior Boeing executive narrates the demonstration flight.  http://www.flixxy.com/i-did-not-think-an-airliner-could-do-this-boeing-787-9-dreamliner.htm

For more of Gales' report, including Boeing's prospects for selling more than 2,500 Dreamliners over the next 15 years:  http://blogs.seattletimes.com/boeing/2014/07/15/farnborough-2014-aviation-seer-udvar-hazy-analyzes-boeings-787-9/

 

Apple's Push Into Enterprise With New IBM Partnership

Apple appealing to enterprise customers...

IBM's Ginni Rometty and Apple's Tim Cook today

at Apple's Cupertino, CA, headquarters, Paul Sakuma, IBM, mashable.com

Apple's Push Into Enterprise With New IBM Partnership

Apple and IBM really, really want your next work-issued smartphone to be an iPhone, Peter Pachal reported today on mashable.com.

The two companies announced on Tuesday they were partnering to offer special iPhones and iPads to enterprise customers, Pachal wrote.

Under the terms of the deal, IBM will create more than 100 business-focused apps, and Apple will sell iPhones and iPads preloaded with specific apps to companies all over the world, according to Pachal.

As reported by CNBC, the partnership is focused on "transforming enterprise," Apple CEO Tim Cook is quoted as saying. The partnership aims to "deliver on the promise of mobile in a big way."

In the interests of full disclosure, I'm retired from IBM and an avid iPhone user. 

For more, including a video interview with Rometty and Cook:    http://mashable.com/2014/07/15/apple-ibm/

Awesome 3-D Tour of a Chinese Supercave

Cutting edge laser technology...

 

Laser mapping deep in a Chinese supercave, nationalgeographic.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awesome 3-D Tour of a Chinese Supercave

 

 

 

 

National Geographic reports on a first -- 3-D laser mapping in China in three of the world's largest caves.

 

Inside such a massive space...it's like a starless night, the explorers explain.

 

But their cutting edge laser technology enabled them to see and map the caves with wonderful, new detail never before possible.

 

For a terrific video with the awesome results of their project: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/magazine/ngm-china-caves-3d?gc=%2Fvideo%2Ftechnology

20 Clever Logos with Hidden Symbolism

Engaging design...

 

FedEx Express, fedex.com

 

 

 

 

 

20 Clever Logos with Hidden Symbolism

 

 

 

In the world of communications, logo design is one of the key elements of an organization's identity.

 

The time, thought and work that goes into the seemingly simplest of logos would surprise many communications outsiders.

 

Below, twistedsifter.com comments on 20 clever logos that have hidden symbolism you may have not noticed before.

 

Some are obvious, others are subtle, but all of them are interesting to examine.

 

 http://twistedsifter.com/2011/08/20-clever-logos-with-hidden-symbolism/

 

 

Musical Moments: Ernesto Cortazar: Time to Say Goodbye

A classic...

 

Ernesto Cortazar, samemelody.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Musical Moments:  Ernesto Cortazar:  Time to Say Goodbye

 

 

 

 

Musical Moments features music and artists I've enjoyed over the years.

 

The late Ernesto Cortazar, who was born in Mexico City, was a contemporary classical composer and pianist.  He composed the background music for more than 75 motion pictures.

 

I hope you'll enjoy Cortazar's rendition of the classic, Time to Say Goodbye:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxnkVFCBe7k

 

10 New Listings Top Darien Weekly Real Estate Results

Quieter week...

 

Dropping the Tow, Christopher Blossom, jrusselljinishiangallery.com

 

 

 

 

 

10 New Listings Top Darien Weekly Real Estate Results

 

 

 

Ten new listings of residential property for sale topped Darien's real estate results for the week ending today.

 

Results in other real estate categories, according the Darien MLS, were:

 

-- Seven price changes;

-- Seven accepted offers;

-- Four properties going under contract, and

-- Five closings.

 

For more: 

 

 

 

The Ballroom's Comeback

Living large...

 

 

Ballroom in Atlanta, wsj.com

 

The Ballroom's Comeback

Ballrooms are once again taking center stage, Laura Stevens reports on wsj.com.

In a real-estate Cinderella story, a handful of homeowners across the South are transforming the seemingly dated concept of a ballroom into lavish spaces for everything from charity benefits to a playroom for the grandkids, Stevens wrote.

But the ballroom's renewed popularity isn't limited just to the South.

The New York Times reported that ballrooms were making a comeback on Long Island's Gold Coast a couple of years ago.

For more about ballrooms in the South and a video and slide show with some impressive examples:  http://online.wsj.com/articles/ballrooms-make-a-comeback-1405010768

And for more about ballrooms featured in the Times and links to some magnificent examples: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/realestate/long-island-in-the-region-ballrooms-making-a-comeback.html?_r=0

And the band played on...

 

The Artful Pool

Down by the pool...

 

Alexander Calder sculpture, architecturaldigest.com

                             

 

 

 

 

 

The Artful Pool

 

 

 

Architectural Digest has assembled a gallery of extraordinary pools embellished by some of the best known names in the world of art for our enjoyment.

 

Among them:  Picasso, Keith Haring, Alexander Calder and more.

 

For a slide show of the pools in many different parts of the world and a commentary about them by Alison Levasseur:  http://www.architecturaldigest.com/decor/2014-08/art-pools-roundup?title=1

 

Top 50 Pictures of the Day

Some wonderful work...

 

The 1920s Selfie,

The Byron Company, Museum of the City of New York, twistedsifter.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top 50 Pictures of the Day

 

 

 

 

At the end of every quarter, twistedsifter.com highlights its top 25 Pictures of the Day, culminating with the Top 100 at the end of the year.

 

Today, the website presented its mid-year 2014 selection, including examples capturing wonderful scenery, imagination and humor.

 

I hope you'll enjoy some wonderful work:  http://twistedsifter.com/2014/07/the-top-50-pictures-of-the-day-for-2014/

 

 

 

The Pale Blue Dot

The only home we've ever known...

 

 

Earth from the Moon, space.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pale Blue Dot

 

 

 

Carl Sagan reflects on a timeless image of our planet in a thoughtful video featuring footage from history.

 

The Pale Blue Dot is a photograph of planet Earth taken in 1990 by the Voyager 1 space probe from a record distance of about 6 billion kilometers (3.7 billion miles), according to twistedsifter.com.

 

At Sagan's request, the Voyager 1 spacecraft was commanded by NASA to turn its camera around and take a photo of Earth.

 

I hope you'll enjoy Sagan's reflections on the only home we've ever known:  http://twistedsifter.com/videos/carl-sagan-pale-blue-dot-video/

 

 

 

 

 

Musical Moments: July 4th Amazing Encore

Up in the night sky...

 

Fireworks, thekitchen.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Musical Moments:  July 4th Amazing Encore

 

 

 

 

What does the inside of a fireworks show looks like?

 

To find out, Jos Stiglingh attached a GoPro to a DJI Phantom 2 quadcopter and flew it through a fireworks show in West Palm Beach, Florida.

 

He was able to capture some incredible footage, and his quadcopter emerged unscathed.

 

Then, to top things off, he added Andrea Bocelli's Con te partiro for a terrific video on twistedsifter:  http://twistedsifter.com/videos/gopro-drone-through-fireworks/