Garden of Ideas, Ridgefield CT, Nov. 27, 2009
A family visit.
A family visit.
Okemo Mountain Resort, Ludlow, Vermont Okemo Mountain Resort is located in Ludlow, Vermont, United States Phone - (802) 228-4041 / (800) 78 OKEMO Website - http://www.okemo.com/okemowinter/ About the Resort - Okemo Mountain Resort is regarded as providing the most extensive coverage in Vermont, as well as the state's highest vertical at 2,200 feet, along with...
Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Sandpoint, Idaho Schweitzer Mountain Resort is located in Sandpoint, Idaho, United States Phone: (208) 263-9555 / (877) ITS IN ID Website: http://www.schweitzer.com/ About the Resort - The Schweitzer Mountain Resort boasts having more than 2900 acres worth of gladed terrain and open bowls. The Schweitzer Mountain Resort received the #3 spot in...
Kirkwood Mountain Ski Resort, Kirkwood, CA Kirkwood Mountain Ski Resort is located in: Kirkwood, CA Phone: (209) 258-6000 Website: http://www.kirkwood.com/winter/ About the Resort: This is one of the highest ranked ski resorts in the world and considered to be the ultimate destination by many travelers. Once you visit, it's easy to see why so many people...
Mohawk Mountain Ski Area, West Cornwall, CT Mohawk Mountain Ski Area is located in - West Cornwall, CT Phone - (860) 672 6100 / (800) 895 5222 Website - http://www.mohawkmtn.com/CMX/index.php About the Resort - This year at the Mohawk mountain resort is going to mark the 60th anniversary of the slope, and as a result the Mohawk...
Bear Mountain Ski Resort, Big Bear Lake, CA Bear Mountain Ski Resort is located in: Big Bear Lake, CA Phone: (909) 585-2519 Website: http://www.bearmountain.com/index_winter.php About the Resort: Bear Mountain Ski Resort is sumptuously appointed, and it is a true skiers paradise. This resort is known for their terrain parks and snowboarders from all over the world flock here...
Dry Hill Ski Area, Watertown, NY US Dry Hill Ski Area is located in - Watertown, NY US Phone - (315) 782 8584 / (800) 379 8584 Website: http://www.skidryhill.com/ About the Resort - The Dryhill Ski Resort is a family oriented ski area, meaning that they specialize in accommodating the entire family, mom, dad, the kids, and...
Winter Park Resort, Winter Park, Colorado Winter Park Resort is located in Winter Park, Colorado in the United States Phone: (970) 726-5514 / (800) 729-5813 Website: http://www.skiwinterpark.com/index.htm About the Resort - Winter Park Resort offers an outstanding peak elevation of 12,060 with vertical heights reaching 3,060 feet. Winter Park Resort is spread across four different mountains...
Dodge Ridge Ski Resort, Pinecrest, CA Dodge Ridge Ski Resort is located in: Pinecrest, CA Phone: (209) 965-3474 Website: http://www.dodgeridge.com/ About the Resort: Dodge Ridge Ski Resort first opened its doors in 1951 and became an instant favorite with locals and with travelers. This nice resort goes all out to make you feel at home...
Snowboarding Safely pt 1 Snowboarding is one of the more popular snow based sports out there. Just like with nearly every other type of physical activity, people that go snowboarding are susceptible to being injured. Taking the right precautions and wearing the right protective gear is going to help to protect you from sustaining...
7 Ways to Keep From Getting Discouraged at the Gym When you're first starting out with your exercise plan, it is all too easy to get discouraged. Working out is not always easy and if you don't take the right approach, quitting can be all too simple. However there are some techniques that you can use to make sure...
4 More Top Acoustic Guitars for Beginners Purchasing a brand new acoustic guitar for a beginning player can easily become intimidating, especially if this is your first ever acoustic guitar and you are not sure where you are meant to begin. There are a number of unique factors that you are going to want to consider when...
Shari Fitness This Thursday, were heading towards the weekend with an awesome lower body athletic conditioning circuit workout by ShariFitness, a Professional Fitness Consultant, Host of Fit Talk, Real Life Transformation Success Story, Fitness Model and soon to be author! Warm up - 5 minutes of moderate cardio on either; treadmill, elliptical...
Should You Take the Cash Back or Low APR Financing on a New Car? Last week I purchased my first new car... ever. I had been driving a used Chevy Cavalier for the last 9 years - one I financed through a dealer when I was 19 years old. The car is now being used by my husband as the back-and-forth to work vehicle,...
jugular wine (including bonus review!) /caption]quotes from the film "Last week, I met my first vampire." "Once again, I am the stranger." "They were like angels . . . shimmering . . . radiant." In December of 2001, I had an email drop into my modem which has pretty much altered my reality. And,...
Management Corporation - of insurances and service tax waiver Over the last one year, there have been pressure from the marketing teams (obviously driven by broking distribution sectors) to push for the waiver of service tax supposedly apply for all insurance policies issued to Joint Management Body (JMB) and Management Corporation (MC) formed under either the Joint Property Act (Maintenance...
The ISM-NCD System and the future of it.... While it was recognised as a good attempt by ISM (or Insurance Services Malaysia in case you do not know) to introduce Information Technology innovation in shaping how the non-life insurance industry administer and managing the No Claims Discount (NCD) affairs, it is still not working to an efficient level...
How to Fix a Flat Tire /caption] Whump. Hiss. Those familiar movie-like sound effects can only mean one thing: you've punctured a tire, and unless you know how to change your tire from flat to spare, you probably won't be getting to your destination on time. Even if you don't hear those familiar sounds, a wobbly...
Okemo Mountain Resort, Ludlow, Vermont Okemo Mountain Resort is located in Ludlow, Vermont, United States Phone - (802) 228-4041 / (800) 78 OKEMO Website - http://www.okemo.com/okemowinter/ About the Resort - Okemo Mountain Resort is regarded as providing the most extensive coverage in Vermont, as well as the state's highest vertical at 2,200 feet, along with...
Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Sandpoint, Idaho Schweitzer Mountain Resort is located in Sandpoint, Idaho, United States Phone: (208) 263-9555 / (877) ITS IN ID Website: http://www.schweitzer.com/ About the Resort - The Schweitzer Mountain Resort boasts having more than 2900 acres worth of gladed terrain and open bowls. The Schweitzer Mountain Resort received the #3 spot in...
Kirkwood Mountain Ski Resort, Kirkwood, CA Kirkwood Mountain Ski Resort is located in: Kirkwood, CA Phone: (209) 258-6000 Website: http://www.kirkwood.com/winter/ About the Resort: This is one of the highest ranked ski resorts in the world and considered to be the ultimate destination by many travelers. Once you visit, it's easy to see why so many people...
Mohawk Mountain Ski Area, West Cornwall, CT Mohawk Mountain Ski Area is located in - West Cornwall, CT Phone - (860) 672 6100 / (800) 895 5222 Website - http://www.mohawkmtn.com/CMX/index.php About the Resort - This year at the Mohawk mountain resort is going to mark the 60th anniversary of the slope, and as a result the Mohawk...
Bear Mountain Ski Resort, Big Bear Lake, CA Bear Mountain Ski Resort is located in: Big Bear Lake, CA Phone: (909) 585-2519 Website: http://www.bearmountain.com/index_winter.php About the Resort: Bear Mountain Ski Resort is sumptuously appointed, and it is a true skiers paradise. This resort is known for their terrain parks and snowboarders from all over the world flock here...
Dry Hill Ski Area, Watertown, NY US Dry Hill Ski Area is located in - Watertown, NY US Phone - (315) 782 8584 / (800) 379 8584 Website: http://www.skidryhill.com/ About the Resort - The Dryhill Ski Resort is a family oriented ski area, meaning that they specialize in accommodating the entire family, mom, dad, the kids, and...
Winter Park Resort, Winter Park, Colorado Winter Park Resort is located in Winter Park, Colorado in the United States Phone: (970) 726-5514 / (800) 729-5813 Website: http://www.skiwinterpark.com/index.htm About the Resort - Winter Park Resort offers an outstanding peak elevation of 12,060 with vertical heights reaching 3,060 feet. Winter Park Resort is spread across four different mountains...
Dodge Ridge Ski Resort, Pinecrest, CA Dodge Ridge Ski Resort is located in: Pinecrest, CA Phone: (209) 965-3474 Website: http://www.dodgeridge.com/ About the Resort: Dodge Ridge Ski Resort first opened its doors in 1951 and became an instant favorite with locals and with travelers. This nice resort goes all out to make you feel at home...
Snowboarding Safely pt 1 Snowboarding is one of the more popular snow based sports out there. Just like with nearly every other type of physical activity, people that go snowboarding are susceptible to being injured. Taking the right precautions and wearing the right protective gear is going to help to protect you from sustaining...
7 Ways to Keep From Getting Discouraged at the Gym When you're first starting out with your exercise plan, it is all too easy to get discouraged. Working out is not always easy and if you don't take the right approach, quitting can be all too simple. However there are some techniques that you can use to make sure...
4 More Top Acoustic Guitars for Beginners Purchasing a brand new acoustic guitar for a beginning player can easily become intimidating, especially if this is your first ever acoustic guitar and you are not sure where you are meant to begin. There are a number of unique factors that you are going to want to consider when...
Shari Fitness This Thursday, were heading towards the weekend with an awesome lower body athletic conditioning circuit workout by ShariFitness, a Professional Fitness Consultant, Host of Fit Talk, Real Life Transformation Success Story, Fitness Model and soon to be author! Warm up - 5 minutes of moderate cardio on either; treadmill, elliptical...
Should You Take the Cash Back or Low APR Financing on a New Car? Last week I purchased my first new car... ever. I had been driving a used Chevy Cavalier for the last 9 years - one I financed through a dealer when I was 19 years old. The car is now being used by my husband as the back-and-forth to work vehicle,...
jugular wine (including bonus review!) /caption]quotes from the film "Last week, I met my first vampire." "Once again, I am the stranger." "They were like angels . . . shimmering . . . radiant." In December of 2001, I had an email drop into my modem which has pretty much altered my reality. And,...
Management Corporation - of insurances and service tax waiver Over the last one year, there have been pressure from the marketing teams (obviously driven by broking distribution sectors) to push for the waiver of service tax supposedly apply for all insurance policies issued to Joint Management Body (JMB) and Management Corporation (MC) formed under either the Joint Property Act (Maintenance...
The ISM-NCD System and the future of it.... While it was recognised as a good attempt by ISM (or Insurance Services Malaysia in case you do not know) to introduce Information Technology innovation in shaping how the non-life insurance industry administer and managing the No Claims Discount (NCD) affairs, it is still not working to an efficient level...
How to Fix a Flat Tire /caption] Whump. Hiss. Those familiar movie-like sound effects can only mean one thing: you've punctured a tire, and unless you know how to change your tire from flat to spare, you probably won't be getting to your destination on time. Even if you don't hear those familiar sounds, a wobbly...Though I’ve interviewed three astronauts, I’ve never actually met one, at least, not until Saturday, Nov. 14. That day, despite forecasts of heavy rain, I hopped in my Honda Civic for a 2½-hour drive to a little town just northwest of New Haven, Conn., called Seymour. It was in the cozy confines of the Greenwich Workshop Gallery on Main Street that I shook the hand of Apollo 12 lunar module pilot Al Bean.
I avoided the temptation to muscle my way to the front of the line to meet one of my childhood heroes. I had put away my reporters notepad and let my geek flag fly. For one day, at least, I would be a NASA fanboy, plain and simple.
During the drizzly couple of hours I spent standing in a line along Main Street, I met a number of fascinating people, including a 90-year-old woman who had been following NASA since she was my age. I also met a jovial couple from down the road who were surprised to hear how far I had come for the event.
I did have an in with Bean. I had talked to him in July. Actually, he had called me on my cell phone one Sunday night at the paper. I was working on a story (which ballooned into a pair of stories) for the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing about local companies that contributed to the Apollo Program. I had sent out about six or eight e-mails to former astronauts. A couple politely declined – “Sorry, too busy.” Most did not reply at all.
When Al Bean called me back, I almost fell out of my chair. He could tell I was a little flustered, so he suggested I call him back later in the evening. I gathered my things, found a quiet office and gave him a call.
He was one of the nicest guys I have ever interviewed … Heck, he WAS the nicest.
In the e-mail, I had asked for 15 minutes of his time. We talked for half an hour. And was ready to talk about each subject I had mentioned: the computer, food and communications carrier or “Snoopy cap.” Each recollection was interesting an punctuated with amusing anecdotes and nothing seemed rushed or forced.
It felt like I bad known him for years.
So, I wrote the articles and Bean’s story about Spaghetti (I won’t spoil it here) was the highlight of the second installment. I sent the articles to the New England Newspaper and Press Association for an award. I haven’t heard back yet, but I am hopeful.
Time passes …
I found out last week that Al Bean was going to be in Connecticut. I had missed him during a previous appearance in the state, and another one in Vermont. When I realized Saturday would be the 40th anniversary of the launch of his moon flight, I knew I had to go.
Mother Nature was doing its best to duplicate the weather during the Kennedy Space Center liftoff all those years ago, minus the lightning.
I was going to ask him to sign a copy of one of the articles, but wimped out. Instead, I bought a copy of his new book, “Painting Apollo: First Artist on Another World” and a poster called “America’s Team” featuring an astronaut celebrating in front of an American flag.
As I approached, Bean was handed a slip of paper, “To Paul.” Then he turned to me and asked, “Is that it?” while offering his hand.
I saw my opening.
I carefully gripped his hand, knowing the multitude of items he had signed so far, and said, “Capt. Bean. My name is Paul Ring, I don’t know if you remember me, but I spoke with you back in July for an article I wrote. Actually, you called me.”
His eyes lit up as he said he remembered me and asked how the article went - another opening. This one was big enough for a Mack truck.
“I have a copy of the articles here, if you’re interested?” I said.
“Why sure,” he said in his characteristic Texas drawl. Then he apologized, “I won’t be able to read them here.”
I assured him I understood and told him he could keep them.
As he began signing, he asked me how I was finding journalism as a career. I could feel the gears stripping in my brain. “It’s a tough …” I stuttered, “… umm …”
Think Paul, think. Slow down, and think.
“It’s a tough job,” I croaked, (It was the only word I could find) “especially in this economy.”
“I can imagine,” he said, offering a warm smile. He clearly saw how nervous I was. Of course, I suspect he’d seen the same response umpteen times today alone.
Then a woman I met in line asked if I wanted her to take my photo with him. “Hell yeah!” I didn’t say that, but surely my face communicated that to her.
I handed her my camera and squeezed behind the table. As I put my hand on his chair, he stood up (he didn’t stand up for everyone) and placed his hand on my shoulder. Smikle, snap, flash, it was over.
I withdrew and he finished signing my book. “To Paul,” he wrote, “Fellow Artist,” punctuating it with a star.
As he began signing the poster, he asked, “Did you say you were coming down?” “No,” I replied, “I didn’t know you’d be here until last week.”
“Well thanks for coming,” again, more of that delicious drawl. “Thank you, sir,” I said. Wow, I hardly ever call anyone “sir” anymore.
On the poster, he wrote “To Paul Ring, Hold on to your dreams.” Down went the pen, and he brought up his hand again. “Well it’s good to see you, Paul,” he said.
“It’s good to finally meet you in person,” I replied as I grabbed his hand, a little firmer this time. “Thanks a lot.”
“My pleasure,” he said, before turning to the next man in line.
I walked away and turned back, soaking in the moment. Taking a breath, I stepped out into a cloudy, but surprisingly pleasant night.
Bristol Mountain, Canandaigua, NY Bristol Mountain Resort is located in - Canandaigua, NY US Phone - (585) 374 6000 Website: http://www.bristolmountain.com/ About the Resort - Bristol Mountain offers the tallest vertical drop among all ski areas between the Adirondacks and the Rocky Mountains, and the longest run is more than two total miles long....
Mt Shasta Ski Park, McCloud, CA Mt. Shasta Ski Park is located in: McCloud, CA Phone: (530) 926-8610 Website: http://www.skipark.com/ About the Resort: This resort is located on what many believe to be the prettiest mountains in the world, Mount Shasta. This means that youâll have access to some of the best skiing in the region,...
Denver Ski Resorts Are you looking for a top notch ski resort in the Denver area? Keep reading for information on some of the best skiing that the Denver area has to offer. If you are looking for one of the closest area ski resorts to the city of Denver, then one of...
Skiing with Family When you decide to go on a skiing or snowboarding vacation with your kids, it may feel as if time has simply flown by, and too much time is wasted that should have been enjoyed on the slopes. Here are five simple and helpful tips for maximizing the amount of...
Villagers rely on rain gauges [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="374" caption="Weather satellite imagery from PAGASA"][/caption] This was posted in Inquirer.net regions section a week ago: At least 13 digital rain gauges have been installed in seven towns and two cities of the province, and 12 more are coming, courtesy of the Social Action Center of the...
Ski Sundown Resort, New Hartford, CT Ski Sundown Resort is located in - New Hartford, CT Phone - (860) 379 7669 Website - http://www.skisundown.com/ About the Resort - This skiing season will mark the 40th anniversary of the Ski Sundown resort, which originally opened all the way back in 1969. By 1984, the resort achieved 100%...
Money, Gold, the FED, and why you should be concerned about the US Dollar This is a guest post by Mr Credit Card from askmrcreditcard.com. Though Mr Credit Card reviews credit cards, today, he is going to bring us back in time and explore the history of money and the Federal Reserve Bank and why we should be worried about the dollar. If you...
BA merger good news for British tourists says Walsh The planned merger, between British Airways and Spanish carrier Iberia Lineas Aereas de Espana SA, which is expected to get regulatory backing and be concluded by the end of next year, will create the world's third largest airline. According to Willie Walsh, British Airways (BA) chief executive the planned...
Investing in Diamond Mining and Production with TSX and TSXV-Listed Diamond Stocks When all the attention is on gold investing and the boom in gold prices, you might also want to look elsewhere in the mining markets to expand the resource portion of your portfolio. In this post I'll give you a summary of some of Canada's best diamond stocks - including...
Are You A Millionaire? Most of us think that someone being a millionaire is a rather rare occurrence. A million dollars certainly doesnât have the purchasing power that it used to be, but itâs still a substantial amount of money to most people. There are actually quite a few millionaires in the United States...
A Tale of Two Meetings Photo by Svadilfari I had two meetings yesterday. One was a status meeting with a group of engineers, and the other was a meeting with a proposal manager. What struck me was the difference in how people behaved during each of the meetings. ...it was the spring of hope......
Use Twitter to Find a Job The Twitter craze is real… that’s for sure. Companies are hiring people to be there Twitter liaisons' (example: Pizza Hut, or “The Hut”). Social media director positions are being posted that list having at least a few hundred Twitter followers as a pre-requisite. So, why aren’t you utilizing Twitter to...
World battles swine flu as death toll rises Governments and health officials around the world continued to take steps Tuesday against the outbreak of swine flu that has killed scores of people in Mexico and spread to the U.S., Europe and possibly Asia. By early Tuesday, the swine flu outbreak in Mexico was suspected in 152 deaths and...Bumper Sticker, also Aufkleber für die Stoßstange, werden ja in den USA gerne genommen. Oftmals natürlich mit politischen Statements gegen Abtreibung, für bestimmte Kandidaten oder gegen Kriege etc. Diese Wagendeko ist aber eher ungewöhnlich ;)