I got these new, fantastic shoes! I was in the New Balance Store with Ray and Steve when I saw these new-design shoes. Next day I decided I had to have them.
Something eh? Now, I've really got "glad rags" to wear.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
TIDBITS SAGA:
NEW SHOES
I got these new, fantastic shoes! I was in the New Balance Store with Ray and Steve when I saw these new-design shoes. Next day I decided I had to have them.
Something eh? Now, I've really got "glad rags" to wear.
I got these new, fantastic shoes! I was in the New Balance Store with Ray and Steve when I saw these new-design shoes. Next day I decided I had to have them.
Something eh? Now, I've really got "glad rags" to wear.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
NEW YORK 2011 SAGA 3:
"BIG APPLE" APPLE TRIP
New York City
I went to New York City on October 20-22, 2011, mainly to orient my two friends to Apple computer products. Meanwhile, I had a wonderful time sightseeing, dining out and getting a good visit in with Bill and David.
I also got to visit with the architect Giuliano Fiorenzola, my teacher/mentor for my 1982 Italian tour. It was wonderful!
We had lunch at BIRRERIA, the beer garden-type restaurant on top of a 14-story building with an open roof! This is partially owned by Sam Calagione, the owner of Dogfish Craft Brewery here in Milton, DE.
I wore a Dogfish Head hoodie and the people at the restaurant got a big kick out of the fact that I was from Milton and knew Sam. In fact the manager, Mallory, waited on us and said to be sure to say "hello" to Sam for her. It was a delight sitting in an open air space, having a wonderful Tuscan sausage meal with DFH's "Punkin Ale" and overlooking the Flat Iron Building. The whole complex of restaurants and shops is called "Eataly."
I gave Bill a painting by Ray Petersen, a local Milton painter and friend, that he had seen in a book two years ago. He loved the image, so I purchased it for him to liven up his apartment. He was thrilled beyond belief. It's going to be wonderful hanging in his living room.
As I said, the main thrust of the trip was to help David get set up on his MacBook and iPhone. And to get Bill an iPhone.
First task was David's equipment.
He still had only "Leopard" as his operating system on his Mac. We went to two stores to finally find the last "Snow Leopard" disc available in NYC! (Otherwise, it would have to be mailed, which would arrive after my visit.) So, we were able to install "Snow Leopard." We updated it, then installed and updated "Lion," the current operating system. This all took about four hours. Then we started on David's iPhone—another two hours to install its latest operating system, "iOS 5." All-in-all we used up the better part of the first day.
On the second and last day, the mission was to get Bill an iPhone. He was unsure about it but we finally went to the AT&T store and purchased the iPhone 4, 8GB for $100 with a new 2-year contract. Over the next four hours we installed the new operating system "iOS 5," backed up the iPhone onto his newly installed iTunes on his PC, and did some instructing on its operation. He was very tentative at first but soon became very interested.
After I got back to Milton, we talked an hour on "FaceTime," a program that puts a picture of the caller on an iPhone or Mac, learning how to contact each other. This way, David and Bill can talk and see each other while David is on his two-week trip to the Middle-East—all on wireless at no cost!
All-in-all a very successful trip to the Big Apple.
New York City
I went to New York City on October 20-22, 2011, mainly to orient my two friends to Apple computer products. Meanwhile, I had a wonderful time sightseeing, dining out and getting a good visit in with Bill and David.
I also got to visit with the architect Giuliano Fiorenzola, my teacher/mentor for my 1982 Italian tour. It was wonderful!
I wore a Dogfish Head hoodie and the people at the restaurant got a big kick out of the fact that I was from Milton and knew Sam. In fact the manager, Mallory, waited on us and said to be sure to say "hello" to Sam for her. It was a delight sitting in an open air space, having a wonderful Tuscan sausage meal with DFH's "Punkin Ale" and overlooking the Flat Iron Building. The whole complex of restaurants and shops is called "Eataly."
 |
| David and Bill at Birrera. |
I gave Bill a painting by Ray Petersen, a local Milton painter and friend, that he had seen in a book two years ago. He loved the image, so I purchased it for him to liven up his apartment. He was thrilled beyond belief. It's going to be wonderful hanging in his living room.
I just love being in NYC: the hustle and bustle, noise, tall buildings, etc.
I saw the new Freedom Tower building up close. It's three-fourths up. Will be the tallest building in the U.S.
 |
| Freedom Tower has the crane on top. |
First task was David's equipment.
On the second and last day, the mission was to get Bill an iPhone. He was unsure about it but we finally went to the AT&T store and purchased the iPhone 4, 8GB for $100 with a new 2-year contract. Over the next four hours we installed the new operating system "iOS 5," backed up the iPhone onto his newly installed iTunes on his PC, and did some instructing on its operation. He was very tentative at first but soon became very interested.
After I got back to Milton, we talked an hour on "FaceTime," a program that puts a picture of the caller on an iPhone or Mac, learning how to contact each other. This way, David and Bill can talk and see each other while David is on his two-week trip to the Middle-East—all on wireless at no cost!
All-in-all a very successful trip to the Big Apple.
Monday, October 24, 2011
NEW YORK 2011 SAGA 2:
GIULIANO FIORENZOLI VISIT
New York City
In 1982, I lived for four months in Florence, Italy. Giuliano was my professer/guide/mentor for my Parson's School of Design study tour of that I took for a month.
He was a delight as well as inspirational. We studied in Rome, Florence and then Venice.
Touring with and learning from Giuliano was like a breath of Florentine fresh air. He was effusive, charming, bright, informative and personable. (Plus he gave me an "A" for the graduate course.)
IT HAPPENED! I did see Giuliano in his studio on a trip to NYC in late October 2011.
We had a wonderful visit. We talked of many things: our Italian adventure, his teaching at Pratt Institute, about his daughter going to Harvard, about the architect Bruce Goff, etc. (I told him about Bill Murphy having worked for Mr. Goff in Frank Lloyd Wright's Price Tower in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Giuliano wants Bill to come talk to his Pratt students about Goff!)
Giuliano much appreciated the gift of a copy of my book, "My Italian Adventure." He reciprocated with a jar of capers he grew from his island home in the Mediterranean. The capers were preserved in olive oil from his post-modern Tuscan villa. (This is the villa we had visited as a class when I was in Italy on my 1982 tour.)
It was such a warm, delightful visit. We hugged good-bye.
Giuliano said I could stay at his Tuscan villa anytime I wanted!!!!!! He's there in the summer. He would arrange it with his brother, the caretaker, anytime I wanted to go! I couldn't believe such a great, generous offer. Maybe I'll take him up on it—wouldn't that be fantastic!!
New York City
In 1982, I lived for four months in Florence, Italy. Giuliano was my professer/guide/mentor for my Parson's School of Design study tour of that I took for a month.
He was a delight as well as inspirational. We studied in Rome, Florence and then Venice.
Touring with and learning from Giuliano was like a breath of Florentine fresh air. He was effusive, charming, bright, informative and personable. (Plus he gave me an "A" for the graduate course.)
IT HAPPENED! I did see Giuliano in his studio on a trip to NYC in late October 2011.
We had a wonderful visit. We talked of many things: our Italian adventure, his teaching at Pratt Institute, about his daughter going to Harvard, about the architect Bruce Goff, etc. (I told him about Bill Murphy having worked for Mr. Goff in Frank Lloyd Wright's Price Tower in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Giuliano wants Bill to come talk to his Pratt students about Goff!)
Giuliano much appreciated the gift of a copy of my book, "My Italian Adventure." He reciprocated with a jar of capers he grew from his island home in the Mediterranean. The capers were preserved in olive oil from his post-modern Tuscan villa. (This is the villa we had visited as a class when I was in Italy on my 1982 tour.)
His work reminded me of Bruce Goff's architecture: very creative and organic. He let me photograph some of it.
Giuliano said I could stay at his Tuscan villa anytime I wanted!!!!!! He's there in the summer. He would arrange it with his brother, the caretaker, anytime I wanted to go! I couldn't believe such a great, generous offer. Maybe I'll take him up on it—wouldn't that be fantastic!!
Friday, October 21, 2011
AWESOME ENCOUNTERS SAGA 4:
FAMOUS PEOPLE I'VE MET OR SEEN IN MY LIFE:
1996: Saw WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR LEON PANETTA (now, Secretary of Defense) walking on my street on Capitol Hill, two doors from my house.
1996: Saw WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR LEON PANETTA (now, Secretary of Defense) walking on my street on Capitol Hill, two doors from my house.
He told me he had just moved-in across the street.
1997: I was parked near the Capitol Building when HOUSE SPEAKER TOM FOLEY parked behind me in his new Lincoln. He admired my 4-door, convertible '66 Lincoln and we talked about it.
1998: Offered JOHN WATERS a cough drop at the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival keynote address.
1999: My '66 Lincoln Continental Convertible, being driven by my mechanic Doug in DC, went by where TOM CRUISE was filming 'Minority Report'.
He noticed it and said, "Neat car!" Too bad I wasn't there! (So I had to include a picture!)
1999: I've seen JOHN & SARAH BRADY several times here in Rehoboth Beach as they live here now.
2000: Talked to RUTH ANN MINNER at her fundraiser. We chatted about my mother.
She WAS elected DE Governor.
2003: Went to a Democrat fundraiser where U.S. CONGRESSMAN BARNEY FRANK spoke.
I shook his hand!
2005: Went to a party where DE STATE TREASURER JACK MARKELL spoke. Had my picture taken with him.
He has become governor.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
CAR CRAZY SAGA -My Continental(s)- 12:
1956 CONTINENTAL MARK II (1991-1996)
The next day the pictures of the Pillsbury car arrived. Exquisite!
I prepared for a trip to Portland. It was August 1991. Then I had an idea. I called the secretary of the local Lincoln Continental Owners Club for a member's name in that part of the country. I located a Willis Rob in Vancouver, Washington, who was more than willing to help. A two-hour telephone conversation that night filled me in.
It belonged to the Pillsbury clan for 22 years, being garaged in their winter home in Phoenix for 20 of those years. Then came a minor list of items that would need to be repaired.
I called twice and finally negotiated a deal: $34,500 with them also paying for the transportation. Done. Then it hit me: I now own two Mark IIs! I had doubts about buying even one, but now I owned two within four days! My Continental(s)! ("s" is in parentheses because having a second one was a fluke.)
The Pillsbury car got the nickname "Dough Boy" because of that connection.
And because lots of my dough was going into this venture especially due to having two Continental Mark IIs.
I then threw myself into learning more about the cars' maintenance and repair. I recalled all the people we were helpful to me, telling them of my adventure. I was in desperate need to know about cars in general and the Mark II in particular. I got varying amounts of fluids, parts and information on good garages. I began making computer lists n my Macintosh.
"Dough Boy" arrived September 8, 1991, at a huge shopping center outside Washington DC.
The driver would not drive into the District due to low-hanging trees for his rig was two cars high! The drive home was adventurous. It wouldn't go over forty miles an hour! Turned out the gas tank was rusty and had a lot of sediment.
But I had hundreds of wonderful experiences with "Dough Boy."
People became ecstatic at the sight of her. It was a thrilling experience to have her. Like the time I was driving by the Smithsonian Institution when two men dressed in suits literally stopped and stared, watching me go clear down the street.
"Mamie" on the other hand became a chore. She was finally finished after a year at a final cost of $55,000. I decided I did not want her. So the attempts at selling began. Jim had delusions of grandeur: $85,000, $100,000, etc.! But none came to fruition. Jim Benton of Decatur had died of a heart attack and his sister liquidated the business. "Mamie" finally went to a Kruse auction for personality cars. She only got $21,000 from a rancher in Oklahoma.
I decided to sell "Dough Boy" after five years of pure enjoyment. I was moving to a new city and had had my good times with her and would always remember her. I only got $28,000 from two car club guys in Canada. (They had to remove the hood ornament when they entered Canada. It was considered a dangerous weapon!)
I now realized that collector cars was a pure hobby, selling them was not a moneymaking operation. But I sure got a lot of enjoyment out of it. I am glad I didn't miss that spectacular experience.
The next day the pictures of the Pillsbury car arrived. Exquisite!
It belonged to the Pillsbury clan for 22 years, being garaged in their winter home in Phoenix for 20 of those years. Then came a minor list of items that would need to be repaired.
I called twice and finally negotiated a deal: $34,500 with them also paying for the transportation. Done. Then it hit me: I now own two Mark IIs! I had doubts about buying even one, but now I owned two within four days! My Continental(s)! ("s" is in parentheses because having a second one was a fluke.)
The Pillsbury car got the nickname "Dough Boy" because of that connection.
And because lots of my dough was going into this venture especially due to having two Continental Mark IIs.
I then threw myself into learning more about the cars' maintenance and repair. I recalled all the people we were helpful to me, telling them of my adventure. I was in desperate need to know about cars in general and the Mark II in particular. I got varying amounts of fluids, parts and information on good garages. I began making computer lists n my Macintosh.
"Dough Boy" arrived September 8, 1991, at a huge shopping center outside Washington DC.
But I had hundreds of wonderful experiences with "Dough Boy."
People became ecstatic at the sight of her. It was a thrilling experience to have her. Like the time I was driving by the Smithsonian Institution when two men dressed in suits literally stopped and stared, watching me go clear down the street.
 |
| The Mark I and my Mark II. |
 |
| MY Elvis pose! |
"Mamie" on the other hand became a chore. She was finally finished after a year at a final cost of $55,000. I decided I did not want her. So the attempts at selling began. Jim had delusions of grandeur: $85,000, $100,000, etc.! But none came to fruition. Jim Benton of Decatur had died of a heart attack and his sister liquidated the business. "Mamie" finally went to a Kruse auction for personality cars. She only got $21,000 from a rancher in Oklahoma.
I decided to sell "Dough Boy" after five years of pure enjoyment. I was moving to a new city and had had my good times with her and would always remember her. I only got $28,000 from two car club guys in Canada. (They had to remove the hood ornament when they entered Canada. It was considered a dangerous weapon!)
I now realized that collector cars was a pure hobby, selling them was not a moneymaking operation. But I sure got a lot of enjoyment out of it. I am glad I didn't miss that spectacular experience.
Next, My Fiero.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
APPLE SAGA 8:
iPhone 4S
I just received the new iPhone day before yesterday.
WOW!
The most striking upgrade is the 8MP camera. What beautiful pictures and 1080p video! They blow you away. As good as any point and shoot camera, plus you have a lot of adjustments available. And you can modify the shots after taking them: crop and enhance. Also, the camera's instant on!
Another WOW upgrade is you simply talk to the phone and it does what you want it to do via "SIRI"—answers requests such as searches on the internet, takes dictation to answer your email, sets up appointments on your calendar, answers encyclopedia questions, does calculations, tells you the weather-anywhere-anytime, etc, etc, etc!
It's twice as fast via the new dual-processor A5 chip and renders 7 times faster than the iPhone 4—will be great for gaming.
It's identical on the outside, but the insides are all different.
I got a white, 32GB one this time!
I just received the new iPhone day before yesterday.
WOW!
The most striking upgrade is the 8MP camera. What beautiful pictures and 1080p video! They blow you away. As good as any point and shoot camera, plus you have a lot of adjustments available. And you can modify the shots after taking them: crop and enhance. Also, the camera's instant on!
Another WOW upgrade is you simply talk to the phone and it does what you want it to do via "SIRI"—answers requests such as searches on the internet, takes dictation to answer your email, sets up appointments on your calendar, answers encyclopedia questions, does calculations, tells you the weather-anywhere-anytime, etc, etc, etc!
It's twice as fast via the new dual-processor A5 chip and renders 7 times faster than the iPhone 4—will be great for gaming.
It's identical on the outside, but the insides are all different.
I got a white, 32GB one this time!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
BAD FEET SAGA 3:
BAD FEET; GOOD FEET
I've had a month with my arch supports and new shoes.
I must say: EUREKA!!!
They work!
My feet have NEVER felt better. I can walk long distances, run—all without much pain! I can't quite believe it—all those lost years!! Lost to not being able to walk comfortably, run nor able to stand comfortably for a while, etc.
While not perfect, I'm ENERGIZED!
I walk with a spring in my step.
I've had a month with my arch supports and new shoes.
I must say: EUREKA!!!
They work!
My feet have NEVER felt better. I can walk long distances, run—all without much pain! I can't quite believe it—all those lost years!! Lost to not being able to walk comfortably, run nor able to stand comfortably for a while, etc.
While not perfect, I'm ENERGIZED!
I walk with a spring in my step.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
TIDBITES SAGA:
STINGRAY SUSHI BAR + ASIAN LATINO GRILL
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
For the winning prize for our weight reduction contest, Aurelio took me to Stingray for dinner!
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
For the winning prize for our weight reduction contest, Aurelio took me to Stingray for dinner!
It's a lively place with VERY delightful decoration.
I had arugula salad and Thai beef. Aurelio had a large plate of sushi.
All was excellent. I certainly liked this medium-priced restaurant and will return.
Friday, October 7, 2011
APPLE SAGA 7:
STEVEN PAUL "STEVE" JOBS
February 24, 1955 - October 5, 2011.
I have so much to say; so little space.
I have followed Steve Jobs since the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984!
During the Redskins Super Bowl, an ad ran for that singular time that became the most heralded ad in history—the famous "Macintosh 1984." I saw it and was struck by the honesty, cleverness, directness and clarity. It is considered the greatest ad in advertising history and won a Cannes special award.
When I got my 128K Mac in February, 1984, I sat down at my dining room table, turned it on and it wrote " h e l l o . " on the screen. I was hooked!
He is to me one of the geniuses of our time—a true visionary and an icon.
Macintoshes (I've had 7), iPods (3), iTunes (1,278), iPhones (5), iPads (2), Apps (128)—need I say more? I've taught (am teaching) 17 people how to use Apple products (Ed, Ray, Steve, Marilyn, Ted, Mary Ann, Deo, Steve, Lee, Ron, Liz, Robert, David, Bill, Hoyte, Sonie and Lisa). I've seen Pixar films (6) and I've been to Apple retail stores (4), including the famous Flagship Store in New York City.
He meant to delight and he always has.
He and his inventions are why I became a techie and a lover of Apple products.
He was a thinker, designer, innovator, polymath, motivator and marketeer.
I sorely miss him already!
"Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains."
– Steve Jobs
February 24, 1955 - October 5, 2011.
I have so much to say; so little space.
I have followed Steve Jobs since the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984!
During the Redskins Super Bowl, an ad ran for that singular time that became the most heralded ad in history—the famous "Macintosh 1984." I saw it and was struck by the honesty, cleverness, directness and clarity. It is considered the greatest ad in advertising history and won a Cannes special award.
When I got my 128K Mac in February, 1984, I sat down at my dining room table, turned it on and it wrote " h e l l o . " on the screen. I was hooked!
He is to me one of the geniuses of our time—a true visionary and an icon.
Macintoshes (I've had 7), iPods (3), iTunes (1,278), iPhones (5), iPads (2), Apps (128)—need I say more? I've taught (am teaching) 17 people how to use Apple products (Ed, Ray, Steve, Marilyn, Ted, Mary Ann, Deo, Steve, Lee, Ron, Liz, Robert, David, Bill, Hoyte, Sonie and Lisa). I've seen Pixar films (6) and I've been to Apple retail stores (4), including the famous Flagship Store in New York City.
He meant to delight and he always has.
Apple's culture: "simplicity, discoverability, elegance, differentiation, attention to detail, ecosystem control, tight integration and secrecy"
He and his inventions are why I became a techie and a lover of Apple products.
He was a thinker, designer, innovator, polymath, motivator and marketeer.
I sorely miss him already!
"Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains."
– Steve Jobs
Excerpt from Mr. Job's celebrated 2005 Stanford University commencement address
—"the Gettysburg Address of Commencement Speeches."
Rest In Peace
Even Time Magazine for the first time in 30 years, stopped the presses!
 |
Outside NYC store. P.S. "Sixty Minutes" did a full hour tribute to Mr. Jobs on October 23, 2011. It was very interesting and touching, especially how the iPad is helping autistic people communicate miraculously.  |
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