Thursday, May 8, 2014

A Summer Walk

In the high country...


Yosemite, hqwallpapersplus.com


A Summer Walk

One summer I took a walk...into Yosemite.

Most people who visit the park enter from the San Joaquin Valley to the west.

But a small group of us came in through Yosemite's backdoor...from the east, across California's Sierra Nevada mountains.

Our jumping off point was Tuolumne Meadows, just north of Bishop on the eastern slope of the Sierras.



Eastern front of the Sierra Nevadas, looking west, wikipedia



From there we backpacked across 28 miles of some of the world's most spectacular high country, with its mountains, meadows, waterfalls, streams, rivers and lakes...and solitude.

Our trek took four days, and while it was a once in a lifetime experience, we were more than glad  when we finally made our weary way down into Yosemite Valley.

Several years ago I asked Jack Thompson, who organized the trip and was our guide, if he would like to do it again.  He laughed and said, "Only if I get to use a sedan chair."

I came across a recent short film that captures some of the beauty of Yosemite and its wonderful high country.  I hope you'll enjoy it:    https://vimeo.com/87701971

And if you're interested in more about the trail we took across the Sierras, here's a good link: http://www.everytrail.com/guide/tuolumne-meadows-to-yosemite-valley






Wednesday, May 7, 2014

China's Alibaba: Huge and About to go Public

Alibaba's IPO...

 
Jack Ma, Alibaba founder, businessweek.com
 
 
China's Alibaba:  Huge and About to go Public
 
 
Alibaba, the Chinese ecommerce compay that claims to have sold more than Amazon and EBay combined in 2013, filed to raise $1 billion in an initial public offering yesterday.
 
But despite a parade of impressive numbers investors may find themselves struggling to see how real its earning are, Peter Eavis reports on nytimes.com.
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Rolex Clicks With Social Media

Telling time and history...




Rolex, WikiemediaCommons, Ali Rezani

 
Rolex Clicks With Social Media

Last year, the decision makers at Rolex decided the time was right for a shakeup, Eli Epstein reported on Mashable.com.

Unlike with most "shakeups," however, there wouldn't be widespread corporate reorganization, and scores of merchandise wouldn’t be cut, he wrote.

Instead, Rolex executives decided that it was time for the company to launch its first branded Facebook page, a herculean leap for a brand that has, for decades, closely monitored its reputation and only made tweaks — in both its watches and marketing strategies — after subjecting them to significant scrutiny, Epstein said.

For more on Epstein's report on Rolex's famous marketing over the years and its latest venture into social media:  http://mashable.com/2014/04/17/rolex-marketing-strategy/


 

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Musical Moments: Bonnie Raitt -- I Can't Make You Love Me

Classic Raitt...


 
Bonnie Raitt, shelf3d.com

 
Musical Moments:  Bonnie Raitt -- I Can't Make You Love Me
 
 
Musical Moments features music and artists I've enjoyed over the years.
 
Here's a classic by Bonnie:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW9Cu6GYqxo
 



 

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Rowayton Real Estate Posts Gains at the End of April

Moving up...



Rowayton Real Estate Posts Gains at the End of April


Rowayton's residential real estate market posted gains in average sale price and sales volume at the end of April, compared with the same period a year ago.

Rowayton's latest results, reported today on the Darien MLS, showed:

-- A 21.8 percent increase in average sale price;
-- An 8.3 percent gain in sales volume, and
-- An 11.1 percent decline in sales from 18 units last year to 16 in 2014.

For more:  







Darien Real Estate Market Up at End of April

Steady market...




Darien Real Estate Market up at End of April


Darien's residential real estate market was up in major categories at the end of April, compared with the same period a year ago.

Darien's latest results, reported today by the Darien MLS, showed:

-- A 7.1 percent increase in average sale price;
-- An 18.3 percent gain in sales volume, and
-- Sales up by 10.4 percent.

For details:









Don't Be a Corporate-Speak Zombie

What was that...



 
Business jargon, degroote.mcmaster.ca
 
 
Don't Be a Corporate-Speak Zombie
 
There’s been a movement in recent years for some to liken themselves to businesses, writes Dr. Laura Hill on today's LinkedIn.
 
Concepts such as self-branding, personal mission statements, and being the CEO of a company of one are intriguing ideas. They borrow concepts from industry and are designed to try to help people explain what they’re doing and to find ways to relate to their audiences professionally, she says.
 
However, it’s risky to take this strategy too far, especially when communicating with others, she warns.