Darien Ends Busy Real Estate Week

Weekly update...

Balancing Act.

Darien finished a busy residential real estate week today.

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were:

-- Seven new listings of property for sale;

-- 15 price changes;

-- Seven accepted offers;

-- One property going under contract, and

-- Seven closings.

For more:  

A Milestone for the Mighty Ballpoint Pen

Google Doodle...

A "miraculous" pen.

Ladislao José Biro, who is honored in today’s Google Doodle for what would have been his 117th birthday, invented something mundane but transformative: the modern ballpoint pen, Libby Nelson reports on vox.com.

Biro (whose first name is sometimes written as László) invented the ballpoint in 1938. The new invention was so exciting that when ballpoint pens were first sold in the US in 1945, hundreds of people lined up to buy them despite the fact that they cost more than $150 in today’s dollars, Nelson wrote.

For more: http://www.vox.com/2016/9/29/13097948/ladislao-jose-biro

Photo: giphy.com.  

Aboard Six Beauties at The Monaco Yacht Show

Opening today...

Galactica Super Nova: Price: About $910 million.

Yacht enthusiasts hailing from Russia to Italy are gathering at the Monaco Yacht Show that kicks off Wednesday to see some of the most stunning superyachts on the market, Danielle Muoio reports on businessinsider.com.

This year, there will be 125 yachts on display — 46 of which will be superyachts. Some yachts can go as high as $78 million, Muoio wrote.

Here are some of the most stunning superyachts on sale. For a closer look of the height of luxury:http://www.businessinsider.com/monaco-yacht-show-superyachts-photos-2016-9/#2-the-eclipse-yacht-is-141-feet-long-and-has-an-area-for-a-whirpool-on-the-very-top-deck-as-well-as-a-separate-room-for-a-gym-on-the-lower-deck-it-costs-just-under-11-million-to-buy-5

Yachting luxury inside and out.

Includes a 20-foot infinity pool.

The Athena, one of the largest sailing yachts ever built.

Photos: businessinsider.com.

10 Lessons From Apple's Outstanding Marketing

Marketing boot camp...

The evolution of the iPhone.

Steve Jobs didn't have a master's degree, and he certainly wasn't an engineer, but he excelled at marketing. Those marketing skills propelled Apple into the top spot and turned the company around from near bankruptcy, Chirag Kulkarni reports on entrepreneur.com.

Apple’s marketing has become a benchmark for other companies that want to reach similar heights of recognition and revenue. Whether you are a top tier content marketing agency or a SaaS (software as a service) product, you can learn a thing or two from Apple, Kulkarni wrote.

Here are 10 big lessons: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/280692

Photo: Pinterest.

Fit For The King: The Origin of The Arnold Palmer

The champ...

Nice out.

Arnold Palmer, known as "the King" for his transformative legacy in golf, has died at the age of 87, cnn.com reported today.

He had a drink named after him -- a mix of lemonade and iced tea.

For a neat video on the origin of the Arnold Palmer: http://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2016/09/26/arnold-palmer-drink-origin-orig-jnd-vstan.cnn

For more on Palmer:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold_Palmer

The King.

Photos: Pinterest.

Start Your Week With a Smile

Oh...

Caution: Don't try this at home.

Here are some fun videos to help start your week with a smile:  

-- GEICO: Lemonade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnR9ah0v1o4

-- GEICO: Little Advice:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8WA0Kz33mU

-- Chase: Master Moves:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wle7xHGvBC0

-- Coca Cola: Surprise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liPf52aRPvc

-- VW:  On the Road Again:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XI8ScWpHdk

Photo: Pinterest.

Musical Moments: Nelson, September Song

Old favorite...

An autumn stroll.

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

Here's an old favorite -- Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson's beautiful September Song, performed by Willie Nelson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7810J78TmbU

Photo: Pinterest.

Darien Home Market Active as Fall Begins

Weekly update...

Taking a break on a fall afternoon.

Darien's residential real estate market saw activity in nearly every category as fall began this week.

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were:  

-- Nine new listings of property for sale;

-- 16 price changes;

-- Five accepted offers;

-- No properties going under contract, and

-- Four closings.

For more:  

Nova: The Great Math Mystery

Astonishing power...

The elegance of math.

Nova takes us on a wonderful exploration of the astonishing power of mathematics over the centuries.

Is math a human invention or the language of the universe?

For a video you won't want to miss:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ocq8OR4OydQ&app=desktop

Photo: Pinterest.

An Amazing Contraption Produces the Perfect Shot

Synchronized shooting...

The great burger drop.

The burger drop shot, where the ingredients of the world’s most perfect food appear to fall from the sky and perfectly stack themselves upon landing, pops up a lot in fast food commercials. Andrew Liszewski reports on gizmodo.com.

But seeing what it takes to realize this footage without computer graphics makes you wonder if it’s worth all the effort.

Watch how an amazing contraption synchronizes a seemly impossible assignment for the perfect shot: http://gizmodo.com/the-amazing-contraption-that-made-this-impossible-burge-1785466841?utm_campaign=socialflow_gizmodo_twitter&utm_source=gizmodo_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

Photo: giphy.com.

Why Men's and Women's Shirts Button Differently

A history lesson...

Hmm.

Anyone who has worn a button-front shirt has likely noticed that the buttons are different, depending on whether it’s a men or women’s shirt, Jamie Feldman reports on huffingtonpost.com.

Chances are you haven’t given it much thought, but as it turns out, there’s actually a pretty interesting story that explains why, Feldman wrote.

Today co-hosts Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie got to the bottom of things during the show’s “What’s Trending” segment recently.  As it turns out, the different styles date all the way back to when buttons were invented, around the 13th century, Feldman added.

For more, including a video: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/button-down-shirts_us_5787e110e4b08608d33399e4

Photos: Pinterest.

Cool New Things to Try in iOS 10

Making a difference...

iOS 10 wallpaper.

Apple’s new iOS 10 update is sneakily big and packs a lot of changes that you may not come across if you aren’t looking for them, Hayley Tsukayama reports on washingtonpost.com.

Here are 10 small changes to Apple's new mobile operating system that can make a big difference in your life, Tsukayama wrote:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/09/16/10-cool-little-things-to-try-in-ios-10/?tid=sm_fb

Photo:  Pinterest.

Kick-off Your Week With Some Fun

Enjoy...

Whoa! What was that?

Kick-off your new week with some fun.  Enjoy:

-- GE:  Amazing things : https://www.ispot.tv/ad/AjEA/general-electric-sarah-building-amazing-things

-- GE:  It's no Secret:  https://www.ispot.tv/ad/AjEK/general-electric-sarah-its-no-secret 

-- Ally Bank: Working from Home:  https://www.ispot.tv/ad/AnW_/ally-bank-facts-of-life-working-from-home

-- Ally Bank: New Ways:  https://www.ispot.tv/ad/72S3/ally-bank-new-ways

-- Ally Bank: Team Huddle:  https://www.ispot.tv/ad/AM0J/ally-bank-team-huddle-song-by-mtley-cre

-- Geico: Mobile App: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTXkxn34B2U

Photo: omig.net.

The Many New Ways IBM Watson is Helping Us

Augmented intelligence...

CNN's Fareed Zakaria and IBM'sGinni Rometty discuss some of IBM Watson's many new uses to help us.

Fareed Zakaria, host of CNN's GPS, interviewed IBM CEO Ginny Rometty today on some of the many new ways IBM Watson's unique and advanced capabilities are helping us.

Watch as Rometty describes how Watson's augmented intelligence is being applied from developing new soups to fighting cancer, to creating movie trailers, to designing dresses, and more:http://www.cnn.com/shows/fareed-zakaria-gps

IBM Watson.

Photos: cnn.com., gifsoup.com.

Musical Moments: The Air Force Hymn

Happy anniversary...

An Air Force Thunderbird.

Tomorrow marks the 69th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force.

Wishing all who serve and have served a happy anniversary with The Air Force Hymn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTpCrGm5lFA

Photo: Pinterest.

Darien's Great Island For Sale: $175 Million

Record breaking...

Darien's Great Island which went on the market this week.

A 63-acre estate that went on sale this week in Darien includes a stone mansion, a 21-stall horse stable and a natural cove on Long Island Sound that can shelter boats, Michael Mella reports on courant.com.

It has an asking price of $175 million, which industry experts say could easily break a record for the most paid for a residential property in the United States, Mella wrote.

Since around 1900, the property has belonged to the family and descendants of William Ziegler, an industrialist who made his fortune in baking powder, Mella added.

Like to see it?  Please give me a call.

For more: http://www.courant.com/business/hc-darien-island-for-sale-20160916-story.html

One of the houses on Great Island.

Horse stables on Great Island.

Photo: courant.com.

Darien Real Estate Sees Moderate Weekly Change

Weekly update...

The Grand Tetons and the Snake River in fall.

Darien residential real estate saw a moderate change in activity this week, heading into the fall home market.

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were: 

-- 14 new listings of property for sale;

-- 13 price changes;

-- Two accepted offers;

-- No properties going under contract, and

-- Five closings.

For more:  

How to Meditate

Relax...

Ah.

Meditation is a simple practise available to all, which can reduce stress, increase calmness and clarity and promote happiness, David Gelles reports on nytimes.com.

Learning how to meditate is straightforward, and the benefits can come quickly, he wrote.

Here, we offer basic tips to get you started on a path toward greater equanimity, acceptance and joy, Gilles added.

 Take a deep breath, and get ready to relax: http://www.nytimes.com/well/guides/how-to-meditate?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur

Photo: nytimes.com.

The 17 Best From NY Fashion Week

See now, buy now...

 Banana Republic outfits.

Tommy x Gigi coats.

With every passing fashion week, more and more designers are shifting gears and adopting a "See now, buy now" model—eliminating the traditional wait between runways shows and the arrival of clothes in stores or their availability for purchase online, Moti Ankari reports on bloomberg.com.

This week, designers practicing the new trend include Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, and Rebecca Minkoff, who was one of the early adopters, Ankari wrote.

It looks as though the future of fashion is rapidly becoming the present, and in honor of the sea change, we rounded up our favorite 17 items you can buy from New York Fashion Week right now, Ankari added:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-09-14/the-17-best-see-now-buy-now-items-from-new-york-fashion-week

Photos bloomberg.com. 

A Garage Sale of Hollywood Memorabilia

Upcoming auction...

Christopher Reeve's original Superman outfit and other costumes from films like Aliens and Star Trek at The Prop Shop.

I'm not sure how I expected Superman's underpants to feel. I'd be lying if I said the thin, slightly rough texture didn't take me by surprise, Nicholas Tufnell reports on bloomberg.com

"This was worn by Christopher Reeve in the original ‘Superman’ movie," Tim Lawes, general manager of The Prop Store, said as I caressed the bright red fabric, which was resting on a life-sized mannequin of the actor, Tufnell wrote.

"There are a lot of fakes out there, but you know an original once you've seen one."

More than 500 pieces–not including the Superman suit, sadly–will be up for grabs on Sept. 27 in an auction that is expected to bring in £1.5 million ($2 million), Tufnell added.

For more:  https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-legendary-movie-prop-auction/?utm_content=business&utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&cmpid%3D=socialflow-twitter-business

Photo: bloomberg.com. 

Banish Negative Energy in Your Home

Lose the gloom...

Add mirrors to lighten the mood.

Everyone experiences gloomy Sunday afternoon feelings from time to time, Lauren Smith reports on elledecor.com.

But if your home feels like it's been in a constant state of the blues, it's time to banish those negative, sad and downright depressing vibes that can have a dramatic effect on your mood once and for all, Smith wrote.

Trust us, you do want to try these techniques at home, she added: http://www.elledecor.com/life-culture/cleaning-organizing/advice/g3210/how-to-get-rid-of-negative-energy-at-home/?src=TrueAnth_ELLEDECOR_TW&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_content=57d70aa904d30164e36e9cba&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

Photo: Pinterest.  

Heather Penney: Dedicated 9/11 Fighter Pilot

Extraordinary ride...

Fighter pilot "Lucky" Penney was ready to carry out orders to take down hijacked planes on 9/11, even knowing her father might be the pilot of one of them.

Late in the morning of the Tuesday that changed everything,   Lt. Heather “Lucky” Penney was on a runway at Andrews Air Force Base and ready to fly, Steven Hendrix reports on washpost.com.

She had her hand on the throttle of an F-16 and she had her orders: Bring down United Airlines Flight 93. The day’s fourth hijacked airliner seemed to be hurtling toward Washington. Penney, one of the first two combat pilots in the air that morning, was told to stop it, Hendrix wrote.

The one thing she didn’t have as she roared into the crystalline sky was live ammunition. Or missiles. Or anything at all to throw at a hostile aircraft, Hendrix added.

Except her own plane. So that was the plan, he wrote.

For more of an amazing 9/11 story, including a video with "Lucky" Penney: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/f-16-pilot-was-ready-to-give-her-life-on-sept-11/2015/09/06/7c8cddbc-d8ce-11e0-9dca-a4d231dfde50_story.html?tid=sm_fb

Photo: washpost.com.  

Musical Moments: McCartney, Yesterday

Modern classic...

Sir Paul.

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

Today's selection is Paul McCartney's modern classic, Yesterday:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH5x1ChYhcI

Photo: Pinterest.

Darien Sees Surges in Latest Home Market Results

Weekly update...

Heading home.

Darien saw surges in residential real estate market activity in the week ending today.

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were:

-- 16 new listings of property for sale;

-- 11 price changes;

-- Four accepted offers;

-- One property going under contract, and

-- Five closings.

For more: 

The Enduring American Colonial Style

Classics...

A sprawling Colonial Revival in Greenwich, CT.

Although American Colonial architecture encompasses a variety of styles, ranging from French Colonial to Georgian, it always involves sophisticated exteriors, architecturaldigest.com reports.

Typically built from wood, stone, and brick, they often boast features like prominent chimneys, wraparound porches and plenty of windows to let in light, the website added.

For a slide show of some classics with an all-American look: http://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/colonial-home-exterior?mbid=social_twitter

Photo: architecturaldigest.com.

Apple Introduces its New iPhone 7 and More

New features...

The new iPhone 7 unveiled today by Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Apple introduced its new iPhone 7 and more today.

For videos and photos of Apple's new products and their new features presented by Cara McGoogan and Christina Criddle at telegraph.com:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/09/07/apple-iphone-7-launch-leaked-on-twitter---live-from-the-stage-no/y

Photo: google.com.  

Home Superstitions to Avoid

Mirrors, ladders, shoes...

Knock on wood.

As many apartment dwellers know, most buildings skip the 13th (and sometimes fourth and 44th!) floor. In fact, a whopping 80% of high rises omit the unlucky ordinal just on tradition alone, Caroline Picard reports on elledecor.com.

But for those of us who live closer to the ground, there are plenty of bad omens lingering around at home, Picard wrote.

So for the believers (and non-believers) out there, this is what you need to avoid for good karma: http://www.elledecor.com/life-culture/g3261/common-superstitions/?src=TrueAnth_ELLEDECOR_TW&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_content=57cef77904d3017002a08bab&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

Photo: elledecor.com.