My nephew Robert has had the amazing opportunity to spend a high school semester in Washington DC. Since the fall he has served Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle as a Senate Page. His lifestyle sure...
We started talking about it over a year ago. At first, it was just talk. You know — big ideas but always with obstacles. People's schedules, availability of key items, location...
Trying to pick up the pace on the Digital Tavern, but I've been focusing on a rather large project that I'll fill you in on sometime in January. Patience and focus. Two of what have become...
Microsoft CEO tells Detroit Press columnist Mike Wendland that “Blogging is huge.” And that's why Microsoft hopes to take advantage of its popularity by launching MSN Spaces. Seems...
I read with interest that fabled director Martin Scorsese directed a new American Express television spot that features longtime Scorcese collaborator Robert DeNiro. Apparently, Scorsese, DeNiro and...
BBC reports that a Beatles song from the White Album has been voted as the worst song of all time. I'd have to disagree. Take virtually any song by Foreigner or Journey and it'd score much...
We expected some sort of fanfare when crossing the border from Portugal into Spain at Badajoz as the huge sign celebrating the Euro Cup 2004 which was held earlier this year in Portugal waved us...
Situated almost on the Spanish border Marvao with its serpentined walled fortress rests among other medieval hilltop towns in the eastern part of Portugal’s Alentejo. Perhaps the least...
In 1494 just a few years after Ferdinand and Isabella sent Christopher Columbus on a journey to follow his whim and belief that the world was a small sphere and by sailing west he could shortcut his...
Eduardo worked as a server in a local restaurant/bar. About 40 yeas old he was born in Portugal but moved to Angola in Africa as a boy. A Portuguese colony until Portugal granted in full independence...
I wonder what Porto would be if it were not for the simple twist of fate caused by a trade disagreement between the French and United Kingdom in the 1500's? Perhaps just another non descript...
As I sit waiting in our hotel room for room service to deliver us a bottle of 20 year old tawny port, Tim and I reflect on our first two days in Portugal. Yesterday after leaving Lisbon we ventured...
One of the best ways to counter jet lag and ensure you don't waste the first day of any journey across multiple time zones is to plan to arrive at your destination in the morning. If it's...
Groggy and with eyes refusing to focus after a pitiful two and a half hour sleep, I dragged myself into the bathroom and cranked on the show. As the water pounded the tile I realized that the pouring...
Tonight I washed my wallet. Not that this was my intention. No. But pulling the garments from the washer and tossing them into the dryer I heard a deadening thud. Hmmmm. I wondered. Wet jeans perhaps...
I missed Scott Alexander’s phone call this afternoon. His voice on the message was somber and monotone. “Big Al,” he cracked. “The legend is gone. Scott Muni is dead.”...
I did it. Made a promise to myself many moons ago that I'd tighten up my Spanish proficiency. After all, it's likely that more than 50% of the Southern California population speak Spanish...
I'm thankful the heat has cooled here in Southern California. September 15th. For most an uneventful day. Unless you're required to sign tax returns for a corporation. Yes. The 15th is the...
It's Tuesday night. At home I sit alone. A simple chicken dinner with vegetables and a dinner salad. The dilemma floors me when I open the door to my wine cellar. Wine cellar. Hah. I like that...
James Douglas Karl July 17, 1932 – September 1, 2004 My uncle Doug passed away last week. He was 72 years old and had been struggling with heart disease for many years. He died in his home in...