Adele's New Beverly Hills Mansion

New home...

Adele's new California home.

Adele is moving stateside, Sarah Lindig reports on elledecor.com.

Rumors of the singer quietly house-hunting in the Los Angeles area have been circulating since last fall, and it seems she may have finally found her dream home. According to TMZ, Adele secretly closed on a luxurious Beverly Hills mansion a month ago and has kept it hush-hush since sealing the deal, Lindig wrote.

For more, including photos of the singer's new California home: http://www.elledecor.com/celebrity-style/celebrity-homes/a8731/adele-buys-beverly-hills-mansion/?src=TrueAnth_ELLEDECOR_TW&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_content=57ae808a04d301609c8bffef&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

Photo: elledecor.com. 

The Best of The Best

Rolling sculpture...

An extraordinary 1937 Talbot-Lago.

The 2015 winners of the six top classic car rallies around the world vied for the title of "Most Exceptional Car in the World" this week in Carmel, Calif., Hanna Elliott reports on bloomberg.com.

The Peninsula Classics "Best of the Best Award" went to a stunning 1937 Talbot-Lago, Elliott wrote.

For a look at the amazing contestants: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/photo-essays/2016-08-17/best-of-the-best-award-winner-peter-mullin-s-1937-talbot-lago?utm_content=business&utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&cmpid%3D=socialflow-twitter-business

Photo: bloomberg.com.

Capturing The Frenetic Glory of Manhattan

Fascinating...

Grand Central Station.

Woody Allen’s Manhattan is, perhaps, the most famous portrait of NYC.  Its low contrast black and white photography catches the city in a stark, seedy glamour, Mark Wilson reports on fastdesign.com.

Thirty-seven years later, photographer Kyoung Sop Choi has captured Manhattan’s polar opposite: a fast-paced mecca worshipping the gods of over stimulation, Wilson added.

For the fascinating time-lapse of Manhattan you won't want to miss:  https://www.fastcodesign.com/3063152/photographing-the-messy-frenetic-glory-of-manhattan

Photo: Tony Cenicola, nytimes.com.  

Ah, What a Life!

Pesky ball...

... And the livin' is easy.

Ah, what a life...except for that pesky ball:  http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/8BgkGy/:stW2_pQ-:Hd4hIlJ0/www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0BXAd7cVzk

Photo: Pinterest.

Musical Moments: Louis Armstrong, What a Wonderful World

A musical genius...

Louis Armstrong.

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

One of my all-time favorites is Louis Armstrong, a man of humor and charm and a musical genius.

I hope you'll enjoy his famous What a Wonderful Life:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5TwT69i1lU

Photo: Pinterest.

Closings Lead Latest Darien Real Estate Market Results

Weekly update...

Sea Path by Reveille Kennedy.

Six closings led Darien residential real estate market results for the week ending today.

Other results, according to the Darien MLS, were;

-- Two new listings of property for sale;

-- Two price changes;

-- Three accepted offers, and

-- One property going under contract.

For more: 

The Magic of Redwood National Park

Home of some big ones...

A drive-thru in Redwood National Park.

The National Park Service turns 100 today. and what better way to mark the occasion than a visit to one of my favorites park places -- Northern California's stunning Redwood National Park, which has some of the tallest trees in the world.

For a nationalgeographic.com video on this special place: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/short-film-showcase/experience-the-magic-of-redwood-national-park?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=link_tw20150807video-redwood&utm_campaign=Content&sf32658321=1

Photo: Pinterest.

How to Avoid Having Your iPhone Hacked

New patch available.,,

iPhone 6 Plus.

An Israeli company that sells hacking services to governments so they can spy on journalists and dissidents, exploited gaping security holes in iPhone software, according to a report by Lookout Security and Citizen Lab, William Turton reports on gizmodo.com.

 But don’t worry: Apple just pushed a fix, and I'm installing it as I write this.

For more:  http://gizmodo.com/israeli-cyber-weapon-dealers-figured-out-how-to-hack-ev-1785747391?rev=1472146804400&utm_campaign=socialflow_gizmodo_twitter&utm_source=gizmodo_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

For a nytimes.com report: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/26/technology/apple-software-vulnerability-ios-patch.html?_r=0

Check your iPhone for updates for the fix published today.

Photo: Pinterest.

Chemtrail Conspiracy? Nope.

T'ain't so...

Contrails from a Boeing 747.

Are contrails from high-flying planes really part of a chemtrail conspiracy?

T'ain't so, Phil Plait reports on slate.com.

When you see clouds coming from airplanes they really are just the product of condensation of water vapor. But why let facts get in the way of a good conspiracy, Plait asked.

Still, it’s worth trying. That’s why scientists from the University of California–Irvine and the Carnegie Institute got together and researched the topic. They knew they wouldn’t convince the conspiracy theorists, but having a solid source of objective science might help inform the public discourse, he added.

For more of his revealing new report: http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2016/08/15/scientists_look_at_chemtrail_claims_and_find_them_lacking.html

Photo: Pinterest.

Eight Timeless and Unforgettable Nuptials

Swooning time...

Newlyweds on their way to Buckingham Palace.

Over the years, we've seen a lot.

But unforgettable nuptials are something many just can't stop swooning over, elledecor.com reports.

Here are eight that seem to stand out: https://twitter.com/ELLEDECOR/status/763023293712510977

Photo: Pinterest.

Amazing Moments From The Rio Olympics

Brilliant...

A dazzling show by Laurie Hernandez..

Many of the world's best athletes at the Rio Olympics left lasting impressions.

For a frame-by-frame selection of some particularly brilliant performances, don't miss this report by nytimes.com:  http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/08/20/sports/olympics/decisive-moments-rio-olympics-composite-pictures.html?smid=tw-nytsports&smtyp=cur&_r=0.

Photo: Pinteret.

The Best Gold Medal Faces in Rio

Winning reactions...

Happy champs.

While we all like to win, our reactions to it can sometimes be very different.

Winning reactions at the Rio Olympics ranged from disbelief to the stunned to the delighted to the ecstatic to simply one finger pointing up.

For a report and video of some priceless faces by Andrew Katz at time.com: http://time.com/4456620/rio-olympics-gold-medal-athletes/

Photo: Pinterest.

Musical Moments: Jackson Browne, Stay

Classic...

Jackson Browne.

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

Today's feature is a Jackson Browne classic -- Stay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3bUg8wsgVE

Photo: Pinterest.

Darien Sees Slower Summer Home Market

Weekly update...

Beach at Stonington, CT.

Darien saw a slower summer residential real estate market during the week ending today.

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were:

-- Two new listings of property for sale;

-- Five price changes;

-- Three accepted offers;

-- No properties going under contract, and

-- Three closings.

For more:

Auction: 14 Beautiful, Vintage Cars at Pebble Beach

Classy...

A 1952 Mercedes 220 Cabriolet.

In the market for a car?

Head over to Monterey, Calif, this weekend where some classy...and certainly pricey...vintage cars are on the block at the Pebble Beach Auction.

For a report and slide show by Danielle Muoio on businessinsider.com: http://www.businessinsider.com/2016-pebble-beach-preview-vintage-cars-up-for-auction-2016-8/#1-the-1952-mercedes-benz-220-cabriolet-is-expected-to-sell-for-anywhere-between-200000-and-250000-1

Photo: businessinsider.com.

Even IBM's Watson is Playing PokemonGo

In the game...

Watson at play.

At a recent hackathon, one creative Pokémon Go trainer figured out he could use IBM's Watson to find the rare characters in Pokémon Go, reports ibmblrtumblr.com.

The hackathon winner set his phone to continuously send map screenshots back to the Watson Visual Recognition API where Watson looks for Pokémon by reading the image and then matching it against gameplay data to alert you when you’re close, the website wrote.

The more people play, the more Watson learns to spot ‘em. Still no word on where Ditto is, though.

For how Watson does it and a 360 video of IBM's Quantum Lab where IBM scientists are building an advanced quantum computer:  http://ibmblr.tumblr.com/post/148463146412/even-watson-is-playing-pokémon-go-at-a-recent

For a good backgrounder from newyorker.com on the hot PokemonGo game: http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/pokemon-go-will-make-you-crave-augmented-reality

Photo: IBM+tumblr.com

The Obamas' Next DC Home

Kalorama...

The Obamas' next Washington home.

The Obamas' next family home is in Washington's upscale Kalorama neighborhood, where Hillary Clinton also has a house.

For a video about the house the Obamas will be renting: http://www.today.com/home/next-obama-family-home-take-tour-their-new-washington-dc-t94891

Photo: nytimes.com.

A Peek at Trump's Manhattan Penthouse

At the top...

 Donald Trump's opulent New York penthouse.

Donald Trump's Manhattan penthouse is at the top of Trump Tower in Mid-town, yourtube reports.

For a tour of what youtube describes as one of the most valuable apartments in New York: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns5bMU4bYKc

Photo: Pinterest.

Hillary Clinton's New York White House

Haven...

Hillary Clinton's Chappaqua home.

The New York white house in Hillary Clinton's life has offered a haven from the hustle and bustle since 1999, Kaitlin Menza reports on elledecor.com.

For a slide show of the Clintons' Chappaqua home: http://www.elledecor.com/celebrity-style/celebrity-homes/news/g3107/hillary-clinton-chappaqua-house/?src=TrueAnth_ELLEDECOR_TW&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_content=57abdd8904d30174ffc148db&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

Photo: Pinterest.

Glide Into Your New Week With a Smile

Fun...

Practicing for a new Olympic event?

Glide into your new week with a smile and some fun:

-- United: Team USA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9lXgzEFkuo

-- Geico: Cellphone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urdPARN999o

-- BMW: Waiting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v0QKtPXEFQ

-- BMW: Why Wait: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf7KvtGNMbQ

-- Progressive: Double Life; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKcJFFvUdFI

-- VW: Dream Machine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVYJsI16Vyo

Musical Moments: Schubert, Serenade

Famous...

Schubert's glasses and one of his manuscripts.

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

Today's feature is Schubert's famous Serenade:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpA0l2WB86E

Photo: A display at the Schubert Museum in Vienna, Pinterest.  

Darien Closes Active Summer Real Estate Week

Weekly update...

Wildflowers in the forest.

Darien closed an active summer residential real estate week today.

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were:

-- Two new listings of property for sale;

-- Eight price changes;

-- Eight accepted offers;

-- No properties under contract, and

-- Five closings.

For more:

Caution: Fake Tourist Attractions Ahead

Beware...

Sleepy Hollow, New York

This story caught my eye because Linda and I used to live within a stone's throw of good old Sleepy Hollow, and I later worked in what was then called North Tarrytown for a year.

But it turns out Sleepy Hollow's a little flaky like some other tourist traps.

For an enjoyable elledecor.com slide show that's a head's up for tourists: http://www.elledecor.com/life-culture/travel/news/g3097/tourist-attractions/?

PS: Linda and I never saw a horseman there, headless or otherwise. 

Photo: elledecor.

How They Make the Rio Olympic Medals

Worthy...

Michael Phelps, Team USA Olympic champ, with his 21st gold medal today.

Meet the man who sculpted the molds for the gold, silver and bronze medals worthy of Rio Olympic winners in this special by cnn.com:  http://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2016/08/09/rio-olympic-medals-making-orig.cnn

Photo: swimmingworldmagazine.com.

Meet the Guy Who Writes Fortune Cookie Fortunes

Happy endings...

Perfect.

Crack open a fortune cookie, and you may find a strange message from the universe or a wise piece of advice, Michelle Kim reports on cnn.com.

Whatever your interpretation of that slip of paper, fortune cookie writer Donald Lau only hopes it leaves you happy, Kim wrote.

"I don't think I'm a fortuneteller," Lau says. "I don't think fortune cookies are meant to be like a horoscope. It's a way to end a meal in a Chinese restaurant and be happy when you leave."

For neat video on how Lau became a fortune writer:  http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/02/us/fortune-cookie-writer-wonton-food-company/index.html?sr=twCNN080316fortune-cookie-writer-wonton-food-company0801AMVODtopPhoto&linkId=27224763

Photo: Pinterest.

Olympic Storylines You Need to Know

Heartbreak and triumph...

A wonderful performance by Simone Biles.

With more than 300 events and 10,000 athletes at the Summer Olympics, you can't follow everything at the Rio Games even if you're an insomniac streaming NBC around the clock, Greg Myre reports on npr.org.

Still, you want to know which athletes, events and stories you can't miss. Well, it's impossible to say, because drama, heartbreak and triumphs can emerge anywhere, anytime at the Olympics, Myre wrote.

But here are some of the best American storylines, packed with video links to give you a sampling of the feast that's in store, including Simone Biles, Ashton Tate, Michael Phelps and more: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetorch/2016/07/26/484104838/the-olympic-storylines-you-absolutely-need-to-know

Photo: Pinterest.

Ginni Rometty Tells Bloomberg How She is Reinventing IBM

New directions...

IBM's Ginni Rometty.

Ginni Rometty, IBM's first female CEO, recently sat down with Bloomberg Businessweek's Max Chafkin to discuss why Bob Dylan is talking to a computer and more.

For an excellent interview on how Rometty is reinventing IBM and taking it in new directions: https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-ginni-rometty-interview-issue/?__prclt=ZtbbH5ma

Photo: Christaan Felber for Bloomberg Businessweek.

Kickoff Your Week With a Smile

Have a good one...

I've got it.

Want to kickoff your week with a smile?

Take a look at some these, and have a good one: 

-- Microsoft: Women Made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48m24w5MIkQ

-- Dick Sporting Goods: Contenders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euWyybLTDwU

-- Under Armour: Michael Phelps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh9jAD1ofm4

-- Under Armour: USA Women's Gymnastics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDM1FPFxbVk

Photo: Tumblr.com.

Musical Moments: Superstar for the Copa America

Fast-paced...

Dani Alves poster.

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

Today's selection is Superstar, a song for the Copa America, one of the most widely viewed sporting events in the world.

I hope you'll enjoy this fun and fast-paced video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-tJuHsCDzc

Photo: Pinterest.

Darien Sees Modest Weekly Real Estate Market

Weekly update...

Christ the Redeemer statue above Rio's Marcana Olympic Stadium.

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

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were:

-- Three new listings of property for sale;

-- Six price changes;

-- Four accepted offers;

-- No properties going under contract, and

-- Eight closings.

For more:

IBM Explains Artificial Intelligence to the White House

AI 101...

IBM Think.

The field of artificial intelligence is so huge, and the potential applications so numerous, that it would be folly to try to explain it all in one — no, wait, IBM just did, Devin Coldewey reports on techcrunch.com.

In June, the White House published a formal request for information, or RFI, about the possibilities and risks of AI, Coldewey wrote.

IBM took the suggestion and ran with it. It's a fundamentally optimistic look, and a bit IBM-focused, of course, but beyond that it really is worth reading to get a sense of the current state, future, and risks of AI. Don’t skip the “see more here” links — that’s where the good stuff is, Coldewey added.

For more: https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/03/the-white-house-requested-input-on-artificial-intelligence-and-ibms-response-is-a-great-ai-101/

For more of IBM's response, click on ran with it in blue above.

Photo: Pinterest.