Here is your open thread for this weekend, where you folks can discuss anything you like, or even the things you dislike.
For today’s top 3 list, I offer my 3 favorite buildings in the world, for you architecture fans out there:
1. Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey
2. The Pantheon in Rome, Italy
3. The Chrysler Building in New York, USA
As for my portfolio, it was up 0.09% today. Not bad, but nothing special either.
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I wouldn’t call it a building, but the Alhambra is by far my favorite place in Europe. If you’re ever near Spain, do yourself a favor and drop in.
There is a house in victoria BC on top of the highest hill- Unbelievable stained glass and oak woodwork. I think the oak package came from ohio 1900+- $40 K Here in Spokane the patsy Clark mansion 1+ million in 1896. Largest Tiffany grandfather clock and stained glass window in a residence. Our courthouse-Kirkland cutter it looks like a castle- unbelievable turrets. Story’s and story’s of unused space. The davenport hotel- built in 1912 at that time one of the top ten hotels in the world. Set vacant for decades finally restored to it’s former grandeur the 100′ x 250′ skylight was painted black in 1941 nobody remembered it- fantastic. Our company got an award for restoration. I sure there are nicer buildings elsewhere and being a student of architecture my whole life I have seen some of them but these are the ones to see if you are here.
I’m staying at the Davenport in the fall for a conference. It looked pretty nice in the pics. Can’t wait to check it out.
you will love it-Kind of a step back in time- the huge lobby area is close to the way it was when it was built- the ball room and the hall of doges maybe if you have time I will buy you a beer in the Peacock lounge.
I agree with St Sophia. Same with the Alhambra, where the Parador where you can stay the night is a real palace; but I am told that there are now so many visitors to the gardens that you have to book days in advance. I’d add the famous Taj Mahal (India) and our Versailles royal palace.
If you go during the summer, you have to book weeks in advance to be able to get into the Alhambra. Completely worth it though.
Good article on bailouts of GM and Chrysler and what it cost us:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204909104577235241393891490.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEADTop
Interesting take on the reason for high oil prices, monetary policy:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203918304577241623995642182.html?mod=opinion_newsreel
Buildings? Hmm I will put down my favorites that I have visited:
1. La Sagrada Familia-Barcelona
2. The Chapel at Lakewood Cemetary in Minneapolis. It’s mosiac interior rivals that of many churches in Europe.
3. The Spona Palace- Dubronik Croatia. We saw a classical concert in the courtyard at night there the palace was quite spectacular
Opps its the Sponza Palace…missed the z!
I love Dubrovnik. So fun to walk the city and go swimming around the city walls.
Loved Dubrovnik, did you go to the Buza bar on the cliffs outside the wall? We used Dubrovnik for 6 days as a base, left during the day when cruise ships came in explored the city early morning and after ships left. Wonderful relaxing city at night. We went kayaking one day it was awesome. Also stayed on the island of Korcula for 3 days also very nice.
We took the ferry to korcula as well and stayedbfor a few days. The buza bar sounds familiar. I know there was a bar we would have beers and dive off of the rocks. Great city though. Also went down to Kotor which is like pre-restored Dubrovnik.
Mike& Kathie, I am sure you are busy pouring over Buffet’s Annual letter today, can you let me know his pearls of wisdom?
Ha ha ha- Weather here is crummy and I have retreated to shop making big boards into little boards. Admiring the wonderment that mother nature produces in something we take for granted but we could not get along without-look around we are surrounded with it along with the fact that we breath it’s exhaust fumes…………….
I have birthday parties to go to, it is cold here but at least sunny!
Also one of my Sat morning duties is the continuous paper airplane assembly and war with 4, 8, and 10 year old grandsons. It is a dirty job but somebody has to do it.
I know several people who work for a large insurance company. The company is reorganizing and several have lost their jobs. What is more interesting, is the company cut salaries in half for alot of the higher paid people. These people aren’t going to show up in the unemployment numbers. Since 70% of our economy is based on consumer spending, I would think it would be helpful to know where this economy is going by watching the increase or decrease in nation wide payrolls. Does anyone know where to find this information? I would be interested in the last three years and would like to compare by quarter.
I don’t know where to find that. As general anecdotal info, the civil engineering field is doing well right now in our area. Houses are being built, cities and utility districts are spending more, and the state has refunded the public works trust fund. I’ve been working my tail off which bodes well for the construction industry starting this spring. Given the amount of work that I am personally putting out for construction, when you multiply that out, there are a Hell of a lot of good paying jobs coming to our area.
Trader,
Here are the Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers (their motto: “There are lies, damned lies, and statistics”), but they are seasonally adjusted, so take them for what they are worth:
http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/CES0500000003?output_view=net_1mth
Sad commentary on were we are as a society today::
http://www.freep.com/article/20120224/NEWS01/302240005/1001/rss01
I am looking at taking a trip to Massachusetts in March. Any ideas on where to visit? Right now we are planning on the St. Patty’s parade, another checking out Boston, maybe one day in Salem a couple in Martha’s vineyard, Nantucket and Cape Cod. Any ideas would be appreciated. I know it isn’t in the key summer season.
Thanks in advance for any help.
When I visited my sister in Quincy Mass., we took the DUCK TOURS. Amphibious vehicles that went Down Town and then in the Charles
River. Also went to the John Adams House (State Park Tour). Ate Sea Food on the beach and a good Steak Down Town. Then a good Irish
bar in Harvard Square one night.
Thanks 10. The fiancee likes History. your idea on a good restaurant brought up a thought. – Does anyone know of very good restaurants, either in S. Boston, or some of the other areas mentioned in Mass.?
Art, Go to Bostonmagazin.com they have a section of restaurant that they judge from every section of Boston. that was where we found the Steak House.
Thanks, I will check the site out tonight.