Blogs

Adventure Travel Bargains

Posted Tue, 2005-09-13 02:42 by virtualDavis

Check out Josh Roberts' article "The 10 best bargains in adventure travel today" if you want some great pointers for where you should be planning to travel next.

Travel Alaska... An Adventure of a Lifetime

Posted Sat, 2005-07-30 13:41 by Margaux

By Doug Koch - So you're like John Locke of the TV series Lost and simply (literally) dying for an adventure. Or maybe you're just bored to death and you want to experience more of life. Have no fear! no need to travel across the globe to taste adventure in the wilds of Africa or the rainforests of South America. Why should you when you've got Alaska.

By You, for You: The New Web

Posted Sun, 2005-07-17 06:01 by virtualDavis
Regarding the wave of peer-to-peer and self-publishing environments sweeping the web, The New York Times' John Markoff says,
"Inexpensive to create and worldwide in reach, the new Internet services are having an impact far beyond... file sharing... Indeed, the abundance of user-generated content - which includes... citizen journalism sites - is reshaping the debate over file sharing. Many Internet industry executives think it poses a new kind of threat to Hollywood, the recording industry and other purveyors of proprietary content: not piracy of their work, but a compelling alternative... The new services offer a bottom-up creative process that is shifting the flow of information away from a one-way broadcast or publishing model..."

Knot Right!

Posted Wed, 2005-07-13 19:33 by Nana Chen
During my hike in Patagonia last year, I tripped and fell on my face as I was leaving the campsite. The fall was hard enough for me to remember six months on. I have since discovered that I could have escaped flattening my face and ripping a hole in my favorite pants had I known which knot was best suited for my trek. Gosh. But I’d just accepted until 33 that some people fall down more often than others. I thought the trick was to learn how to fall with ease and grace then wear the bruises like a familiar accessory.

Gore-Tex, Ultrex, Super Microft-What's the Difference?

Posted Mon, 2005-07-11 18:31 by Nana Chen

http://www.justmakeit.com/index.html

Right! What’s the difference between plain Polartec, Polartec 200 and Polartec 300? What about Gore-Tex versus Ultrex? Good grief! I’m getting a headache. Maybe you've got one, too? Well, here’s a mini glossary I dug up from the FAQ page of the Textile Outfitters website. It should clear up a few questions. The website provides a great deal of information about outdoor fabrics. Have fun.

FAQ on outdoor fabrics:

i-to-i

Posted Thu, 2005-07-07 18:19 by Nana Chen
Boy in BrazilWhile you are taking time off or trying to decide your next career move, volunteering in a foreign country may be your answer. Through i-to-i, you can experience what it’s like to be a parent by caring for orphaned children. You could also help these children’s communities by taking part in building homes to house them. If you like animals, partake in discovering new ways to protect wildlife and their habitats.

London Wins & Loses

Posted Thu, 2005-07-07 02:05 by virtualDavis
I was deeply saddened to hear NPR's news upon awakening this morning. I had been following the IOC developments of late, interested in where the 2012 Olympics would take place for a couple of reasons. Currently living much of my life in Manhattan has moved me to oppose NYC as a viable Olympic choice. And yet Paris, where I lived for four years, was a viable contender up until the end. I had mixed feelings about this. I feared some of the impact that Olympic development could have on the city, but I also wondered if it wouldn't be a really super location to host the Games.

The French We Love

Posted Wed, 2005-07-06 10:35 by Margaux
I have a good friend in Paris whose emails always beg to be re-read. I recently asked him if I could share something he'd sent along for me to read about a month ago. A lighthearted piece he'd written in the manner of The New Yorker, "The Talk of the Town". He agreed. I’m going to include it before he changes his mind! By way of introduction to the style and sensibilities of Jon Kite, here’s a passage from another recent email:
"Last week I did a bit of tourism about 40 kms from Sevres. Got lost in a small town. While there I encountered a street sign, under which was another. The street was "Rue d'Egalite," and under it was a sign pointing to the "CIMETIERE." Funny, if you need the nudge."
We all need the nudge sometimes. Enjoy the rumination, er, sandwiches and politics.

Mongolia Excavation Adventure

Posted Tue, 2005-07-05 17:28 by Nana Chen

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This summer, the Silkroad Foundation is teaming up with the Department of Archaeology at the Mongolian National University to sponsor excavation and survey in Arkhangai and Bulgan aimaqs, Mongolia. This is for serious diggers. The Silkroad Foundation website provides you with so much information about the Silk Road it’d leave you feeling like you’ve just taken a university course. It is a rare find. Here are some details about the upcoming dig direct from their website:

Bamboo, I Adore You

Posted Mon, 2005-06-27 20:59 by Nana Chen
Rows of dried bambooBamboo is one of the most painted and photographed subjects. It may be the shh-shh sound its leaves make in the wind or the creaks from its stalks that draw attention or it's got something to do with the form and colors that deserve so much reverence. This summer, visit the Portland Chinese Garden in Oregon where you can find plenty of bamboo.
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