Posted on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 7:55 PM
by:
Tal PinchTagged as: Drink, Airport Lounges, Newark, Heineken, Thai Air, Airport, Airlines, Dinner
New York-area terminals don't give first-class passengers much in the way of luxury lounges to help make their delays and stopovers seem less painful. Newark in particular has been lacking. Continental Airlines does offer three Presidents Club lounges in two different terminals and the Delta Crown Room isn't a horrible getaway, but recent openings show that Newark Liberty is trying to offer an alternative to the Caliente Cab with mixed results.
It started with the opening of Silverjet's VIP Lounge, a nice compliment to the business-class-only airline that started flying out of Newark in 2007. What started as a makeshift small room that was hard to find in Terminal B was supposed to become a luxury lounge roughly three times bigger. Unfortunately, the airline spent most of the Spring struggling with its finances before eventually ceasing operations. A proposed buyout looked as if there still might be hope for the proposed Newark luxury lounge, but that fell through.
Hopes are that a new recently-opened Heineken Lounge could provide some extra luxury to Terminal C. The new lounge offers a variety of Heineken brews as well as gourmet foods, Wi-Fi, and a few entertainment options. While it's referred to as Heinken's "first branded luxury bar in the U.S." it's not the kind of luxury pre-flight break you're looking for.
If you are in Newark or Laguardia, the best options are Continental's Presidents Club and Delta's Crown Room, which can be found at both airports. Both lounges feature complimentary bar service and businesscenter but only Newark's Presidents Club offers top-rated wines courtesy of some fine Napa Valley vineyards. Delta's Crown Rooms also offer satellite TV and even putting greens in some locations, but the truth is you'll need to get far away from New York to find the world's finest business- and first-class lounges.
Considered the world's finest airport lounge, Cathay Pacific's Hong Kong lounge offers full business center, buffet, and showers. The library is a nice touch but it's the game center featuring video game consoles, spa, and noodle bar that really make this a world-class airport pit stop. Along with Cathay Pacific, Thai Air's Royal Orchid lounges at the new Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok have set a real standard for how to spend that long hour before your flight boards.
Posted on Friday, December 5, 2008 at 3:05 PM
by:
Tal PinchTagged as: Entertainment, Green Day, Grabow, Don Rickles, Bill Cowher, U2, AC/DC, Christina Aguilera, Bob Dylan, Elton John
Next time you start putting together plans for a house party, you could do yourself a favor and make sure it consists of something more than just a stocked bar and a special iPod playlist. Whatever the occasion, if you want to make a truly indelible mark on your guests, Grabow is one of the top entertainment bookers of high-end talent we've found.
Unlike some talent bookers, Grabow isn't in the habit of booking Rick Springfield and Tiffany in an attempt to resuscitate their careers. Not even close. In fact, some of the artists Grabow has booked to entertain at events include Bob Dylan, Christina Aguilera, Elton John, Willie Nelson, Steve Miller, Green Day, Tina Turner, AC/DC, and U2. Naturally, each of these artists hastheir own schedule to contend with when it comes time to book your event, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a finer roster of entertainers for a house party.
If you are not looking for a musical act, the company also works with a number of other celebrities who you could book and subsequently pay to basically hang out at your party. Which, depending on the celeb, could be a sound investment. Such guests listed by Grabow include everyone from former NFL coach Bill Cowher to Lance Armstrong to (one of our personal favorites) Don Rickles.
In fact, if there is any way we could get Rickles to greet our guests at the door, perhaps in tandem with Cowher, THAT would be an event to remember.
Posted on Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 2:06 PM
by:
Tal PinchTagged as: Golf, Punta Brava, Mexico, Travel, Dubai, Tiger Woods
On the cusp of returning from knee surgery (although he reportedly hasn't started swinging his clubs just yet), Tiger Woods is still busy as ever. With his second child on the way, Woods has already introduced his newest baby to the fairway-aiming world. The baby's name is Punta Brava, a new par-70 all-luxury course located about 65 miles south of San Diego. It'snot the first such project Woods has unveiled, but it could be the most interesting.
With his first pet project, Tiger Woods Dubai, slated to become the Arab world's top-tier golf resort thanks to its private residential lots and fine dining courtesy of chefs like Guy Savoy, Punta Brava has a lot to live up to. The fact that it's a short ride from the Mexican border already endears it to the typical high-end golfer, who may not be looking to fly halfway aroundthe world to play 18 holes, even if it does have a private spa bungalow on site.
With water within site of every hole, Punta Brava already features a backdrop superior to Dubai's.We initially expected Dubai (which has a reputation for making a four-star property look like the Chelsea Hotel circa Sid Vicious) to crush any other property in terms of luxury amenities. But with the plans just being revealed, it looks like Brava might be more than just a gorgeous course.
Aside from the requisite upscale clubhouse, spa, and fine-dining, the new Woods project also features an intriguing combination of residential lots, villa residences, and villa hotel, each of which is expected to offer high-end amenities for the clientele, who will have the intriguing option of accessing the property via either air, land or sea.
Alright, so it looks nice, but Dubai is going to look nice too once it's all done. But Brava does seem to have a Tiger Woods signature on the course that his first private golf resort is lacking. During his Brava press conference, Tiger gushed over some of his favorite holes in a way nobody really seems to be doing with Dubai. Hementioned eight separate shots in which you'll have to blast your ball over water (which is cool) and a No. 12 that he thinks looks remarkably like No. 8 at Pebble Beach.
What's more, he told the Wall Street Journal that he'd be buying a home at Brava too, a home that the native Californian will arguably be seeing more than his Dubai club. With an estimated 2011 opening and sales beginning immediately, you've been given fair warning.
Posted on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 3:15 PM
by:
Tal PinchTagged as: Alaska, Jackson Hole, Dogsledding, Sports, Winter, Travel, Dogs
Your typical winter vacation revolves around either sun or ski. While we're plenty fond of either wintertime option, let's go over a winter getaway alternative that, if nothing, else will put a few hairsicles on your chest. With outdoor adventure always expanding, a number of leading dogsled packages are looking for a few good mushers.
With good reason, a number of sledding packages are operating in Alaska. One of the foremost among them comes courtesy of Alaska Brooks Range tours, offering some of the most isolated and authentic dog sled tours 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The three- and five-day packages offer, among some other basic amenities, a nice sauna ready to greet you once you're done.
Granted, that's a long trek to make for some huskies. Not quite as far as the Arctic Circle is Jackson Hole, Wyoming, which offers a variety of scenic tours. Particularly Jackson Hole Iditarod Dog Sled Tours, which started their half-day and full-day tours in late November. While this Iditarod is noticeably no frills, the Spring Creek Ranch, a nearby luxury resort, offers similar tours but with a spa and award-winning dining.
Not to worry East-Coasters. You don't necessarily need to fly cross-country to hit the sled trails. More local options include the Lodge at Moosehead Lake in Maine, which offers a nice selection of amenities, our favorite being the lounge-like pub on-site. Now THAT is how we like to end a long day of dog sledding.
Posted on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 3:01 PM
by:
Tal PinchTagged as: Laptop, MacBook, Technology, Games, Computer, iPhone, Apple, iPod
It didn't come with the same kind of bluster accompanying the latest iPod or iPhone, butthe recent launch of Apple's latest MacBooks did come with its fair share of hype. Although on paper, it seemed to be warranted. The addition of new high-end Nvidia graphic chips and multi-touch track pads made it look like the world of intense gaming, which requires high-end video components to play sprawling, graphically-intense games, may finally be coming to Mac.
The specs looked impressive but the starting price of $999 disappointed a lot of people in the market who expected more competitive price points. For the people who were looking to get the latest MacBook anyway, it probably didn't mean all that much, but it was still disillusionment enough to make Apple's stock drop. The backlash didn?t end there.
Initial reviews of the new Books have so far been not-so gentle. For one, the aforementioned track pad to help navigate your way cannot be replaced if it is damaged, so you're already in trouble if you get a little physical with your laptop. The keyboard has also proven unpopular. But if you're looking to replace it, you'll have to remove 80 screws, which is probably more trouble than it's worth.
With an adverse response to even a little moisture and some models even reportedly missing important keys (see if you can find the letter b on this model), it hasn't taken long for the MacBook hype to subside. While it seems to run high-impact applications more efficiently, the absence of Blu-Ray indicates this may be more of a gateway model, so you could be best off waiting for the next line of MacBooks, whenever that may be.
Posted on Friday, November 28, 2008 at 4:48 PM
by:
Tal PinchTagged as: New York Times, Collectibles, Auctions, Ebay, Barack Obama, Chicago Sun-Times
In what other country does the election of a new president spark such a frenzy that it births its own bizarre cottage industry? Sure, Saddam Hussein is experiencing that kind of run, but that's mostly because he's dead and people are, well, strange.
But President Elect Barack Obama has proven so popular that some intriguing goods related to the soon-to-be-inaugurated 44th President have recently come out of the woodwork.
One that caught our eye first was the series of 44 limited-edition canvas prints of the front page of the Chicago Sun-Times from the November 5th, 2008 edition of the paper announcing Obama's big win. With bids starting at $350, the prints will be available until December 9th on eBay and could prove an interesting commemorative keepsake from a historic moment in American history.
The New York Times has reported that up to $200 million has already been spent on "Obamabilia." So naturally they're getting in on the act too. The paper has already sold between $1-2 million in Obama goods and the Los Angeles Times has sold $686,000 in items. Items from the New York Times include front-page reprints from November 5th, a leather-bound copy of that day's paper for $89, and a number of photos that retail for up to $1,099.
On the eBay front, there have been some intriguing Obama items, including an autographed and authenticated sketch drawn by the president elect (pictured above) seeking a $500,000 bid. But as one might expect, most of the eBay fare is garbage. The majority of the auctions seek million-dollar bids for the rights to Obama-related domain names, like BarackObama44thPresident.com and BlackJFK.com. While we'd recommend you bypass the domain names, there are definitely some collectibles currently flooding the market that may have some sentimental value and could eventually have some monetary value as well in the decades following a historic moment for this country.
Posted on Friday, November 28, 2008 at 4:23 PM
by:
Tal PinchTagged as: Food and Drink, Home, Luxury, Dinner, Omaha Steaks, Steaks
While we never anticipated a company called Omaha Steaks would dive headfirst into the luxury market, it has happened. Considering the last overblown luxury steak venture we saw was Donald Trump trying to peddle meat exclusively through the Sharper Image (the company went belly up roughly a year after the venture), we're plenty skeptical. But a quick look at Omaha Steaks' Private Reserve has us paying attention.
For a $10,000 fee, Omaha Steaks arranges for their executive chef and culinary staff to come to your home and arrange a fine-dining experience revolving around a menu that includes bacon-wrappedscallops with jalapeno jelly, marinated tortellini kebabs, lobster mashed potatoes, and filet mignon topped with stilton cheese soufflé and Cabernet white truffle demi-glace. The company even offers wine pairings courtesy of owner Fred Simon's private wine cellar.
There are blackout dates, primarily December 24, 25, 31, and January 1st, but otherwise it looks like a potentially pleasant experience at home. Considering the exorbitant price, it works best for a large-scale get-together or special occasion. Whatever the occasion, it's nice to know you have an executive chef on call considering most quality private chefs can be difficult to book, especially on short notice.
From there, the only real question is the meat quality from an over-marketed and absurdly-named company like Omaha Steaks. Most of the reviews we've found are overwhelmingly positive, so we canassume that the food should be quality, although we're still skeptical about the service from a company not exactly known for the human touch.
Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at 9:54 PM
by:
Tal PinchTagged as: Panasonic, Plasma TV, World's Biggest, TV, Electronics, Ebay, Television
We're not in the habit generally of looking for a television set on eBay, but every once in a while the siteprovides unique electronics opportunities. There was one new offering that definitely caught our eye until it mysteriously disappeared.
The $50,000 price seemed a bit outlandish, but the opportunity to buy a 103-inch plasma TV that the seller claims is the world's largest was intriguing. The special Panasonic model was intended primarily for professional displays like sports bars and showrooms, but one Tennessee dealer has an extra unit that comes arranged in a specially-made mounting that makes for a nice display wherever you choose to place it. The company selling the HD television also offered to install the TV before the auction suddenly disappeared from eBay.
While the eBay deal disappeared before the auction was completed, the Panasonic model is still a pretty intriguing buy. Aside from the incredible picture you could be getting for Sunday football viewing, the set also has advanced multi-screen capabilities allowing you to separate the massive screen into 25 smaller individualized screens. It also contains a wi-fi connection, allowing you to transmit images and presentations from your laptop or home PC, making it the perfect unit for showing off any video or photos you may want to show off. Altogether, the set is one of the most multi-purpose plasmas we've seen and if you have a business or perhaps a multi-camera home evil genius-style surveillance interface that requires a 103-inch plasma, it would work perfectly for that.
Of course, if you're looking to buy the Panasonic for bragging rights, you'll find a fruitless mission before you. The problem is that last January's CES conference saw the announcement of an upcoming 150-inch plasma screen, which would dwarf this model and strip it of its "world's largest" title. Still, it was a pretty good deal for a unit that retails nationwide for around $70,000 without the custom-made mounting unit, which the dealer claimed costs several thousand dollars.
Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 4:20 PM
by:
Tal PinchTagged as: South America, Brazilian Express, Carnival, Travel, Brazil, Trains, Parade
With the world's biggest and wildest party just on the horizon, it isn't a bad time to start contemplating that transcendent Brazil trip that makes you momentarily question why you live in New York and not the sandy beaches of Ipanema.
And on that note there's no better time to plan that voyage, considering Carnival, the annual Brazilian pseudo-hedonistic celebration featuring countless parades, kicks off in February. There have always been a variety of travel options andpackages revolving around Carnival, confined primarily to Rio de Janeiro, but an expanding series of luxury options also allows you to see more of the country than you normally would.
While the hub for most of the Carnival celebration has been Rio for over a century, more people are looking to smaller, less commercial options around the country. The most-recommended locale would probably be Salvador in Bahia. The laid-back Northeastern town is the country's third-largest city and second-largest tourist destination and is targeted by Brazilians looking to avoid the tourist crush ofRio. Its sprawling coastline features some great hotels, particularly the Pestana Bahia and Fiesta Bahia.
As far as getting around the country, your options for getting out of Rio vary. There are plenty of crowded buses, but some of the regional airlines in Brazil have proven surprisingly efficient. Like TAM, the market share leader in Brazil which was found to be Latin America's most punctual airline.
But if you're looking for a more scenic luxurious route, you may want to look at theGreat Brazil Express, South America's only luxury tourist train. While it officially starts operations in June, it is currently running 8-10 day itineraries around the country in an Orient Express-style voyage to destinations that include Rio, Salvador, and the gorgeous Iguassu Falls lying on the Argentine/Paraguay border.
Plan your trip accordingly, and you can experience a once-in-a-lifetime trip through Brazil with both style and substance. We'll understand if you decide not to come back to New York.
Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 12:47 PM
by:
Tal PinchTagged as: Entertainment, Holidays, HBO, Christmas, Television, The Sopranos, Sopranos, The Wire
Sadly, the past 16 months have seen the unfortunate demise of two of our absolute favorite shows. One of them, the Sopranos, developed the most spirited, fanatical following of any show on television. The other, the Wire, never quite developed a sizeable audience despite being arguably the best thing on TV.
Cast and crew from the Wire are continuing the series' legacy with a new web series, Life After Lisa, currently under production. Other than reruns, we've been getting our Sopranos fix from an underwhelming licensed wine and a bus tour that takes Sopranos hardcores to real-life New Jersey sites from the show.
Fortunately, HBO is making up for these tired endeavors with ultimate box sets for each series. It started last week with the release of the Sopranos box set, a 33-disc opus featuring every episode of the show. All six seasons come in one $400 box showcasing 86 episodes, three CDs of soundtrack music, extra scenes, interviews, panel discussions, and even spoofs of the series from shows like Saturday Night Live and Mad TV. It's the ultimate box set for any Sopranophile. But that's just the first great holiday box set from HBO.
The Wire will also be getting its ultimate box set treatment with the release of the complete series on December 9th. Not a lot of info available about this $250 set, but every episode of the show will be showcased on 23 discs. Other upcoming holiday box set treatments include the Pink Panther and Alfred Hitchcock, but if you're looking for quality holiday gifts that ensure their recipient will spend some quality time in front of a 60-inch plasma,you'll be hard-pressed to find better options.
Posted on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 7:55 PM
by:
Tal PinchTagged as: Drink, Airport Lounges, Newark, Heineken, Thai Air, Airport, Airlines, Dinner
Newark Airport Tries to Add A Little Luxury Between Flights
New York-area terminals don't give first-class passengers much in the way of luxury lounges to help make their delays and stopovers seem less painful. Newark in particular has been lacking. Continental Airlines does offer three Presidents Club lounges in two different terminals and the Delta Crown Room isn't a horrible getaway, but recent openings show that Newark Liberty is trying to offer an alternative to the Caliente Cab with mixed results.
It started with the opening of Silverjet's VIP Lounge, a nice compliment to the business-class-only airline that started flying out of Newark in 2007. What started as a makeshift small room that was hard to find in Terminal B was supposed to become a luxury lounge roughly three times bigger. Unfortunately, the airline spent most of the Spring struggling with its finances before eventually ceasing operations. A proposed buyout looked as if there still might be hope for the proposed Newark luxury lounge, but that fell through.
Hopes are that a new recently-opened Heineken Lounge could provide some extra luxury to Terminal C. The new lounge offers a variety of Heineken brews as well as gourmet foods, Wi-Fi, and a few entertainment options. While it's referred to as Heinken's "first branded luxury bar in the U.S." it's not the kind of luxury pre-flight break you're looking for.
If you are in Newark or Laguardia, the best options are Continental's Presidents Club and Delta's Crown Room, which can be found at both airports. Both lounges feature complimentary bar service and business center but only Newark's Presidents Club offers top-rated wines courtesy of some fine Napa Valley vineyards. Delta's Crown Rooms also offer satellite TV and even putting greens in some locations, but the truth is you'll need to get far away from New York to find the world's finest business- and first-class lounges.
Considered the world's finest airport lounge, Cathay Pacific's Hong Kong lounge offers full business center, buffet, and showers. The library is a nice touch but it's the game center featuring video game consoles, spa, and noodle bar that really make this a world-class airport pit stop. Along with Cathay Pacific, Thai Air's Royal Orchid lounges at the new Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok have set a real standard for how to spend that long hour before your flight boards.
Read More
Posted on Friday, December 5, 2008 at 3:05 PM
by:
Tal PinchTagged as: Entertainment, Green Day, Grabow, Don Rickles, Bill Cowher, U2, AC/DC, Christina Aguilera, Bob Dylan, Elton John
Book Your Favorite Celebrity For Your Next Party
Next time you start putting together plans for a house party, you could do yourself a favor and make sure it consists of something more than just a stocked bar and a special iPod playlist. Whatever the occasion, if you want to make a truly indelible mark on your guests, Grabow is one of the top entertainment bookers of high-end talent we've found.
Unlike some talent bookers, Grabow isn't in the habit of booking Rick Springfield and Tiffany in an attempt to resuscitate their careers. Not even close. In fact, some of the artists Grabow has booked to entertain at events include Bob Dylan, Christina Aguilera, Elton John, Willie Nelson, Steve Miller, Green Day, Tina Turner, AC/DC, and U2. Naturally, each of these artists has their own schedule to contend with when it comes time to book your event, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a finer roster of entertainers for a house party.
If you are not looking for a musical act, the company also works with a number of other celebrities who you could book and subsequently pay to basically hang out at your party. Which, depending on the celeb, could be a sound investment. Such guests listed by Grabow include everyone from former NFL coach Bill Cowher to Lance Armstrong to (one of our personal favorites) Don Rickles.
In fact, if there is any way we could get Rickles to greet our guests at the door, perhaps in tandem with Cowher, THAT would be an event to remember.
Read More
Posted on Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 2:06 PM
by:
Tal PinchTagged as: Golf, Punta Brava, Mexico, Travel, Dubai, Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods 18 Holes in Baja Have Put Our Plans for Dubai on Hold
On the cusp of returning from knee surgery (although he reportedly hasn't started swinging his clubs just yet), Tiger Woods is still busy as ever. With his second child on the way, Woods has already introduced his newest baby to the fairway-aiming world. The baby's name is Punta Brava, a new par-70 all-luxury course located about 65 miles south of San Diego. It?s not the first such project Woods has unveiled, but it could be the most interesting.
With his first pet project, Tiger Woods Dubai, slated to become the Arab world's top-tier golf resort thanks to its private residential lots and fine dining courtesy of chefs like Guy Savoy, Punta Brava has a lot to live up to. The fact that it's a short ride from the Mexican border already endears it to the typical high-end golfer, who may not be looking to fly halfway around the world to play 18 holes, even if it does have a private spa bungalow on site.
With water within site of every hole, Punta Brava already features a backdrop superior to Dubai's. We initially expected Dubai (which has a reputation for making a four-star property look like the Chelsea Hotel circa Sid Vicious) to crush any other property in terms of luxury amenities. But with the plans just being revealed, it looks like Brava might be more than just a gorgeous course.
Aside from the requisite upscale clubhouse, spa, and fine-dining, the new Woods project also features an intriguing combination of residential lots, villa residences, and villa hotel, each of which is expected to offer high-end amenities for the clientele, who will have the intriguing option of accessing the property via either air, land or sea.
Alright, so it looks nice, but Dubai is going to look nice too once it's all done. But Brava does seem to have a Tiger Woods signature on the course that his first private golf resort is lacking. During his Brava press conference, Tiger gushed over some of his favorite holes in a way nobody really seems to be doing with Dubai. He mentioned eight separate shots in which you'll have to blast your ball over water (which is cool) and a No. 12 that he thinks looks remarkably like No. 8 at Pebble Beach.
What's more, he told the Wall Street Journal that he'd be buying a home at Brava too, a home that the native Californian will arguably be seeing more than his Dubai club. With an estimated 2011 opening and sales beginning immediately, you've been given fair warning.
Read More
Posted on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 3:15 PM
by:
Tal PinchTagged as: Alaska, Jackson Hole, Dogsledding, Sports, Winter, Travel, Dogs
Mush You Huskies
Your typical winter vacation revolves around either sun or ski. While we're plenty fond of either wintertime option, let's go over a winter getaway alternative that, if nothing, else will put a few hairsicles on your chest. With outdoor adventure always expanding, a number of leading dogsled packages are looking for a few good mushers.
With good reason, a number of sledding packages are operating in Alaska. One of the foremost among them comes courtesy of Alaska Brooks Range tours, offering some of the most isolated and authentic dog sled tours 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The three- and five-day packages offer, among some other basic amenities, a nice sauna ready to greet you once you're done.
Granted, that's a long trek to make for some huskies. Not quite as far as the Arctic Circle is Jackson Hole, Wyoming, which offers a variety of scenic tours. Particularly Jackson Hole Iditarod Dog Sled Tours, which started their half-day and full-day tours in late November. While this Iditarod is noticeably no frills, the Spring Creek Ranch, a nearby luxury resort, offers similar tours but with a spa and award-winning dining.
Not to worry East-Coasters. You don't necessarily need to fly cross-country to hit the sled trails. More local options include the Lodge at Moosehead Lake in Maine, which offers a nice selection of amenities, our favorite being the lounge-like pub on-site. Now THAT is how we like to end a long day of dog sledding.
Read More
Posted on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 3:01 PM
by:
Tal PinchTagged as: Laptop, MacBook, Technology, Games, Computer, iPhone, Apple, iPod
iSmacked: The MacBook Backlash has Already Begun
It didn't come with the same kind of bluster accompanying the latest iPod or iPhone, but the recent launch of Apple's latest MacBooks did come with its fair share of hype. Although on paper, it seemed to be warranted. The addition of new high-end Nvidia graphic chips and multi-touch track pads made it look like the world of intense gaming, which requires high-end video components to play sprawling, graphically-intense games, may finally be coming to Mac.
The specs looked impressive but the starting price of $999 disappointed a lot of people in the market who expected more competitive price points. For the people who were looking to get the latest MacBook anyway, it probably didn't mean all that much, but it was still disillusionment enough to make Apple's stock drop. The backlash didn't end there.
Initial reviews of the new Books have so far been not-so gentle. For one, the aforementioned track pad to help navigate your way cannot be replaced if it is damaged, so you?re already in trouble if you get a little physical with your laptop. The keyboard has also proven unpopular. But if you're looking to replace it, you'll have to remove 80 screws, which is probably more trouble than it's worth.
With an adverse response to even a little moisture and some models even reportedly missing important keys (see if you can find the letter b on this model), it hasn't taken long for the MacBook hype to subside. While it seems to run high-impact applications more efficiently, the absence of Blu-Ray indicates this may be more of a gateway model, so you could be best off waiting for the next line of MacBooks, whenever that may be.
Read More
Posted on Friday, November 28, 2008 at 4:48 PM
by:
Tal PinchTagged as: New York Times, Collectibles, Auctions, Ebay, Barack Obama, Chicago Sun-Times
Obamania Creates Run on Some Nice But Mostly Worthless Commemorative Goods
In what other country does the election of a new president spark such a frenzy that it births its own bizarre cottage industry? Sure, Saddam Hussein is experiencing that kind of run, but that's mostly because he's dead and people are, well, strange.
But President Elect Barack Obama has proven so popular that some intriguing goods related to the soon-to-be-inaugurated 44th President have recently come out of the woodwork.
One that caught our eye first was the series of 44 limited-edition canvas prints of the front page of the Chicago Sun-Times from the November 5th, 2008 edition of the paper announcing Obama's big win. With bids starting at $350, the prints will be available until December 9th on eBay and could prove an interesting commemorative keepsake from a historic moment in American history.
The New York Times has reported that up to $200 million has already been spent on "Obamabilia." So naturally they?re getting in on the act too. The paper has already sold between $1-2 million in Obama goods and the Los Angeles Times has sold $686,000 in items. Items from the New York Times include front-page reprints from November 5th, a leather-bound copy of that day's paper for $89, and a number of photos that retail for up to $1,099.
On the eBay front, there have been some intriguing Obama items, including an autographed and authenticated sketch drawn by the president elect seeking a $500,000 bid. But as one might expect, most of the eBay fare is garbage. The majority of the auctions seek million-dollar bids for the rights to Obama-related domain names, like BarackObama44thPresident.com and BlackJFK.com. While we?d recommend you bypass the domain names, there are definitely some collectibles currently flooding the market that may have some sentimental value and could eventually have some monetary value as well in the decades following a historic moment for this country.
Read More
Posted on Friday, November 28, 2008 at 4:23 PM
by:
Tal PinchTagged as: Food and Drink, Home, Luxury, Dinner, Omaha Steaks, Steaks
Omaha Steaks (Yes, Omaha Steaks) Does Luxury
While we never anticipated a company called Omaha Steaks would dive headfirst into the luxury market, it has happened. Considering the last overblown luxury steak venture we saw was Donald Trump trying to peddle meat exclusively through the Sharper Image (the company went belly up roughly a year after the venture), we're plenty skeptical. But a quick look at Omaha Steaks' Private Reserve has us paying attention.
For a $10,000 fee, Omaha Steaks arranges for their executive chef and culinary staff to come to your home and arrange a fine-dining experience revolving around a menu that includes bacon-wrapped scallops with jalapeno jelly, marinated tortellini kebabs, lobster mashed potatoes, and filet mignon topped with stilton cheese souffle and Cabernet white truffle demi-glace. The company even offers wine pairings courtesy of owner Fred Simon?s private wine cellar.
There are blackout dates, primarily December 24, 25, 31, and January 1st, but otherwise it looks like a potentially pleasant experience at home. Considering the exorbitant price, it works best for a large-scale get-together or special occasion. Whatever the occasion, it?s nice to know you have an executive chef on call considering most quality private chefs can be difficult to book, especially on short notice.
From there, the only real question is the meat quality from an over-marketed and absurdly-named company like Omaha Steaks. Most of the reviews we've found are overwhelmingly positive, so we can assume that the food should be quality, although we?re still skeptical about the service from a company not exactly known for the human touch.
Read More
Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at 9:54 PM
by:
Tal PinchTagged as: Panasonic, Plasma TV, World's Biggest, TV, Electronics, Ebay, Television
Own the Largest Plasma TV on the Planet Before it Becomes the World's Second-Largest TV
We're not in the habit generally of looking for a television set on eBay, but every once in a while the site provides unique electronics opportunities. There was one new offering that definitely caught our eye until it mysteriously disappeared.
The $50,000 price seemed a bit outlandish, but the opportunity to buy a 103-inch plasma TV that the seller claims is the world's largest was intriguing. The special Panasonic model was intended primarily for professional displays like sports bars and showrooms, but one Tennessee dealer has an extra unit that comes arranged in a specially-made mounting that makes for a nice display wherever you choose to place it. The company selling the HD television also offered to install the TV before the auction suddenly disappeared from eBay.
While the eBay deal disappeared before the auction was completed, the Panasonic model is still a pretty intriguing buy. Aside from the incredible picture you could be getting for Sunday football viewing, the set also has advanced multi-screen capabilities allowing you to separate the massive screen into 25 smaller individualized screens. It also contains a wi-fi connection, allowing you to transmit images and presentations from your laptop or home PC, making it the perfect unit for showing off any video or photos you may want to show off. Altogether, the set is one of the most multi-purpose plasmas we've seen and if you have a business or perhaps a multi-camera home evil genius-style surveillance interface that requires a 103-inch plasma, it would work perfectly for that.
Of course, if you?re looking to buy the Panasonic for bragging rights, you'll find a fruitless mission before you. The problem is that last January's CES conference saw the announcement of an upcoming 150-inch plasma screen, which would dwarf this model and strip it of its "world's largest" title. Still, it's a pretty good deal for a unit that retails nationwide for around $70,000 without the custom-made mounting unit, which the dealer claimed costs several thousand dollars.
Read More
Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 4:20 PM
by:
Tal PinchTagged as: South America, Brazilian Express, Carnival, Travel, Brazil, Trains, Parade
Get Brazilian!
With the world?s biggest and wildest party just on the horizon, it isn?t a bad time to start contemplating that transcendent Brazil trip that makes you momentarily question why you live in New York and not the sandy beaches of Ipanema.
And on that note there?s no better time to plan that voyage, considering Carnivale, the annual Brazilian pseudo-hedonistic celebration featuring countless parades, kicks off in February. There have always been a variety of travel options and packages revolving around Carnivale, confined primarily to Rio de Janeiro, but an expanding series of luxury options also allows you to see more of the country than you normally would.
While the hub for most of the Carnivale celebration has been Rio for over a century, more people are looking to smaller, less commercial options around the country. The most-recommended locale would probably be Salvador in Bahia. The laid-back Northeastern town is the country?s third-largest city and second-largest tourist destination and is targeted by Brazilians looking to avoid the tourist crush of Rio. Its sprawling coastline features some great hotels, particularly the Pestana Bahia and Fiesta Bahia.
As far as getting around the country, your options for getting out of Rio vary. There are plenty of crowded buses, but some of the regional airlines in Brazil have proven surprisingly efficient. Like TAM, the market share leader in Brazil which was found to be Latin America?s most punctual airline.
But if you?re looking for a more scenic luxurious route, you may want to look at the Brazil Express, South America?s only luxury tourist train. While it officially starts operations in June, it is currently running 8-10 day itineraries around the country in an Orient Express-style voyage to destinations that include Rio, Salvador, and the gorgeous Iguassu Falls lying on the Argentine/Paraguay border.
Plan your trip accordingly, and you can experience a once-in-a-lifetime trip through Brazil with both style and substance. We?ll understand if you decide not to come back to New York.
Read More
Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 12:47 PM
by:
Tal PinchTagged as: Entertainment, Holidays, HBO, Christmas, Television, The Sopranos, Sopranos, The Wire
HBO Releases Two Must-Have Box Sets for the Holidays
Sadly, the past 16 months have seen the unfortunate demise of two of our absolute favorite shows. One of them, the Sopranos, developed the most spirited, fanatical following of any show on television. The other, the Wire, never quite developed a sizeable audience despite being arguably the best thing on TV.
Cast and crew from the Wire are continuing the series' legacy with a new web series, Life After Lisa, currently under production. Other than reruns, we've been getting our Sopranos fix from an underwhelming licensed wine and a bus tour that takes Sopranos hardcores to real-life New Jersey sites from the show.
Fortunately, HBO is making up for these tired endeavors with ultimate box sets for each series. It started last week with the release of the Sopranos box set, a 33-disc opus featuring every episode of the show. All six seasons come in one $400 box showcasing 86 episodes, three CDs of soundtrack music, extra scenes, interviews, panel discussions, and even spoofs of the series from shows like Saturday Night Live and Mad TV. It's the ultimate box set for any Sopranophile. But that?s just the first great holiday box set from HBO.
The Wire will also be getting its ultimate box set treatment with the release of the complete series on December 9th. Not a lot of info available about this $250 set, but every episode of the show will be showcased on 23 discs. Other upcoming holiday box set treatments include the Pink Panther and Alfred Hitchcock, but if you?re looking for quality holiday gifts that ensure their recipient will spend some quality time in front of a 60-inch plasma, you?ll be hard-pressed to find better options.
Read More
