a tower of cranes [pics]
As we were driving from Berkeley into San Francisco, we met with some dense fog around the maze. As we started to climb the bay bridge, I saw the container cranes peaking over the low hanging flog. Like a scene from Star Wars, it felt like that were slowly marching towards the rebels on the planet Hoth.
Learn how to pronounce Scotch whiskey terms with Evernote Peak
If you're just beginning to learn how to drink scotch, one of the pain points I get when I order is the fear of completely butchering the name of the Scotch. Like ordering at an ethnic restaurant, I usually succumb to my inner demons and point to the Scotch I want to try.
While you'll most likely get the courage to order by name after the second or third drink, here's a little digital flashcard tool to give you necessary courage at drink number one.
You'll need an iPad2, free evernote peak app, and a smart cover.
Download the shared evernote notebook from this link and import it into evernote peak: https://www.evernote.com/pub/somaroovin/scotchpronounciations
Sláinte (pronounced: slán-jah)
Sources: Esquire.com, Scotchdoc, Maltmadness
History does not repeat itself, but it does rhyme. -Mark Twain
When it comes to business strategy, we commonly see the same pattern over and over. Jonathan Knee in The Curse of the Mogol defines only four genuine competitive advantages: scale, customer captivity, cost, and government protection.
However, the permutations and nuances of how a company tries to gain and utilize those advantages create a multitude of permutations. What looking through history of case studies and best practices tells us how a competitor is most likely to react to any move you are to make.
Look to it not as definitive but as a way to define probable outcomes.
Eating guide for Dim Sum virgins [visualization]
An old, but fun decision tree for navigating Saturday morning dim sum:
What it means to be patriotic, According to Mark Cuban
The most patriotic thing you can do.
Get out there and make a boatload of money. Enjoy the shit out your money. Pay your taxes.
Check out Blog Maverick.
The meaning of XLB
What I Learned Today: Well technically last night, I learned today that XLB = Xiao Long Bao. For one, I thought I was the king of acronyms, but evidently I am just a lowly serf.
And I thought I was a foodie. (-_-;)
Paris, Day 4: Exploring the 1st Arrond.
There are some places that everybody needs to do in Paris. A daytrip guide to the 1st Arrondissement:
Paris, 1st Arrond. itinerary:
- Chez Jean: €1.90 breakfast--Cheaper than buying water. A croissant and a cup of coffee. Technically, it's not in the 1st arrond, but it was close to my hotel and on the way to the metro station. So there.
- Louvre: Mona Lisa, Venus, etc etc. A must-go.
- L'ecume on St. Honore: Amazing seafood. Once you get beyond the tackiness of a ceiling with seagulls painted on it and a continual loop of seagull squawking, you'll realize your love for French oysters and seafood.
- Comptoir Change: Near the old Opera House. Exchanging money can be a hassle since most currency exchange places give you a raw deal. Comptoir has one of the best rates in town.
- Anish Kapoor @ the Grand Palais. Simply amazing. You have to go.
- A la Biche au Bois: Great rustic French food. The portions are hearty, and the atmosphere is very casual. I had the coq au vin, it was devine.
- Louvre at Night: A second look under the lune is breathtaking
- Hotel Costes: It's been around for years, but it's still one cool and swanky lounge.
Paris, Day 3: Le Marais, a space of cream puffs and galaries
On our third day of Paris, my Kelly said to me let's go visit the 3rd arrond to check out some galleries:
Cream Puffs, Galleries, and Space Invaders
Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements (districts) starting from the heart of the city and coiling out in a clockwise direction. Since we stayed at the Hotel Gabriel right next to the 3rd and 11th arrond, we decided to start the day in Le Marais and head toward the Left Bank to check out the Musee D'Orsay:
- Musee Arts et Métiers (Museum of Arts and Industry)
- Contemporary Art Galleries
- Cream Puffs at
- Musee D'Orsay
- Jardin aux Tuileries
- Musee D'Orsay
- Cartier Foundation
- Indiana café
- Le Severo for dinner: a meat lovers paradise. (the owner used to be a butcher)
Paris, Day 2: A Boat Ride to the Eiffel Tower
We got a late start on Tuesday due to jetlag, but hey, its my honeymoon.
Sight seeing over Paris with a little duck face.
Things that we did:
- Basilique du Sacré Coeur (Sacred Heart Cathedral) - Headed there and stopped by a local boulangerie for bread and picked up some jambon. Lunch on the steps of Sacred Coer with a little duckfacing.
- Montmatre
- Run-in with a pick pocket
- St. Germaine
- Université Paris-Sorbonne
- Le Bateau Mouche
- Trocadero
- Tour Eiffel (Eiffel Tower)
Paris, Day 1: Getting to know the City of Lights
Arrived in Paris at 9:30AM. Here is a collage of day one, more details to come.
Key things to do on arrival:
- Took RER into Paris
- Purchased a Carnet of tickets
- Staying at the Hotel Gabriel in the 11th ARrondissements
- Browsed and had lunch at Cafe Musees
- Walked to the Centre Pompidou (to check out Renzo Piano's work)
- Notre Dame
- Champs-Elysées
- Dinner at Drouant
- Cozy up in bed after being up for about two days.