2/13/15

Hiking Raccoon Mountain with Simba

Old Man Winter is going full steam ahead, blasting the northeast with one storm after another. As if one blizzard is not enough, another one is forecast for this weekend. We feel for our friends and family up there. Stay warm and be safe, y'all!
the street outside my sister-in-law's condo in Brookline
her car in the parking lot
As I write this, it's 25 degrees F outside (feels like 15 with 10 mph wind from the ENE), so we're not faring that much better. Yes, it's COLD, but at least, there's no snow to dig out of.

It was a good thing we took advantage of the nice weather last Saturday and went hiking with our buddies and their pomeranian Simba at nearby Raccoon Mountain.
Our gang with the adorable pomeranian Simba
View of the Tennessee River
Woodpecker's artwork?
The nice sunny weather had people come out of hibernation. I've never seen so many people hiking and biking the trails at Raccoon Mountain! The visitor center was still closed, but at the Laurel Point parking lot, they have added more facilities - water fountains, benches to sit and rest, and even tools to fix your bikes (see video)! The restrooms were closed for the season, but there were porta potties in a couple of locations. Two years ago, we were awed by a buck galloping across this same parking lot. No such luck this time :-(!

Stay warm wherever you are. Happy Valentine's Day, Happy Chinese New Year (Feb 19), and if you're lucky to be in Miami this weekend, check out the biggest boat show in town!

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2/1/15

What do Apple and the Super Bowl have in common?

Commercials!

Remember the 1984 Apple Macintosh computer commercial? Directed by Ridley Scott (of Blade Runner, Alien, Gladiator fame), the Apple Macintosh ad was the commercial that changed Super Bowl ads forever. Thirty-one years later, Apple is not only alive and well, it still continues to innovate, and as of last Friday, is the biggest company in the U.S., with a market capitalization of $682.6 billion. Go Apple!

Living in the south for the past seven years, I have learned a thing or two about football. Even went to a college football game for the first time. I like the camaraderie, the parties, the half time shows and the TV commercials. At $4.5 million for a 30-second commercial, you would think they'd create something memorable!

I'm excited about today's Super Bowl game because the New England Patriots is playing, and Katy Perry is performing at the half time show. I've enjoyed a couple of her music videos - Roar and Dark Horse. On a miserable day - 49 degrees, cloudy and rainy - like today, there is nothing better than watching a football game at home.

Go Pats!

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