Buenos Aires (BA) is about to grab the top spot as the hottest destination this year. There is a critical mass building that have understood, through The Economist or via friends, that BA offers an excellent lifestyle, very affordable living and amiable people. Thank god it's so far away from both the US and Europe, otherwise we would have weekend tourism and discount airlines driving up the prices. Just look at Spain over the past 10-15 years.
We are thinking about revisiting BA for the third time since April 2005. The reason is simple: we just love it. It's all the above but also has an air of danger, struggle, dark history and anonymity. It's really a fantastic place to hide and just enjoy everyday. Like Paris and Barcelona used to be until the mass tourism invasion.
But contrary to when most people go there, we are thinking about spending our summer, their winter, there to experience true city life. Imagine wearing a leather jacket, a pair of gloves and a scarf to fight of the winter cold, walking from museum to museum, taking rests at cafes and restaurants to endulge in the local culinary delights and to meet people to trade travel stories with.
We'll be far away from organized sightseeings, staying at a small hideaway in either Palermo Viejo or in the cheaper parts of Recoleta. The mornings will start with a quick visit to the local Panaderia to grab some Media Lunas for for a few pesos. Lunch is much better planned and taken at one of our favorite places in Palermo Viejo for a 15-20 pesos per person.
The afternoon is for contemplation and siesta. Whatever happens it will lead up the dinner time which is the height of the day. It's dark, chilly and the air full of excitement. A new life starts in the evening that could go on until sunrise.
In and out of cabs in a foreign city is on of my favorite activities. It oozes of adventure, old times, danger, glamour, discovery and eventually dinner time. I also love the fact that it's inexpensive and you can be generous with the tips.
Barefoot is best!
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
My Top 5 Favorite Web 2.0 Sites
I remember back in the late 90's when new cool internet services popped up on a dialy basis. Then the bubble burst and a few long and tough years started. Internet wasn't as cool anymore and most gold seekers returned to their previous occupations.
A few us of stayed and charged ahead, knowing that the bubble was mere a bump in the road once you'd seen the light in the tunnel.
The new 'Web 2.0' era feels a little like the 90's which is both good and bad. This time, you'd hope, that people have learned that it's all about solving people problems well at competitive prices.
The challenge is to get the business model right once you figured out how to solve the problem. Look at Google. They figured out search far before they figured out to copy goto.com's (Overture, later Yahoo! Search Marketing) business model. Now they are doing it better than anyone.
I've run into a few very cool new internet services that I've started to use. The different business models aren't really clear to me yet. In most cases I think the young companies aspire to get acquired by either eBay, Yahoo!, Google or Microsoft.
RapLeaf - a portable ratings service. Instead of being tied to eBay or Yahoo! you can bring your online reputation with you anywhere.
Talkety - a VoIP service that uses your stationary phones to route your calls. No need for headphones or internet phone wizards.
Wishlistr - a wishlist service independent from any merchant.
iRows - The ability to create, access, share and edit excel spreadsheets online.
BlinkLife - the next generation email integrated with blogging, tags, mailinglists et cetera.
A few us of stayed and charged ahead, knowing that the bubble was mere a bump in the road once you'd seen the light in the tunnel.
The new 'Web 2.0' era feels a little like the 90's which is both good and bad. This time, you'd hope, that people have learned that it's all about solving people problems well at competitive prices.
The challenge is to get the business model right once you figured out how to solve the problem. Look at Google. They figured out search far before they figured out to copy goto.com's (Overture, later Yahoo! Search Marketing) business model. Now they are doing it better than anyone.
I've run into a few very cool new internet services that I've started to use. The different business models aren't really clear to me yet. In most cases I think the young companies aspire to get acquired by either eBay, Yahoo!, Google or Microsoft.
RapLeaf - a portable ratings service. Instead of being tied to eBay or Yahoo! you can bring your online reputation with you anywhere.
Talkety - a VoIP service that uses your stationary phones to route your calls. No need for headphones or internet phone wizards.
Wishlistr - a wishlist service independent from any merchant.
iRows - The ability to create, access, share and edit excel spreadsheets online.
BlinkLife - the next generation email integrated with blogging, tags, mailinglists et cetera.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Needs & Wants
It all comes back to the business classes I took in the beginning of the 90's. I spent so much time learning the ins and outs of business that I think I forgot the essence.
There are wants and needs. The wants are pushed down your throat on a daily basis through TV, radio, friends (?), mail et cetera. The needs are few but sometimes gets confused with wants.
I've realized that I don't really NEED anything that I don't already have. Isn't that the most brilliant answer to the Russellesque essay 'The Quest for Happiness'.
Well, I need food, culture, sleep, some clothes, challenges, travels and happiness. Culture has to include books, music, movies and anything that enhances my intellectual, softer side. Traveling is just something I picked up along the way which I seem to be addicted to.
The future of luxury is not having to be the target of advertizing!
There are wants and needs. The wants are pushed down your throat on a daily basis through TV, radio, friends (?), mail et cetera. The needs are few but sometimes gets confused with wants.
I've realized that I don't really NEED anything that I don't already have. Isn't that the most brilliant answer to the Russellesque essay 'The Quest for Happiness'.
Well, I need food, culture, sleep, some clothes, challenges, travels and happiness. Culture has to include books, music, movies and anything that enhances my intellectual, softer side. Traveling is just something I picked up along the way which I seem to be addicted to.
The future of luxury is not having to be the target of advertizing!
The Rebirth Of An Entrepreneur
It's no secret that I prefer private dinner parties as opposed to eating out at mediocre restaurants populated with people I wouldn't want to share my last supper with. That said, I do love to go to a restaurant that has figured it all out: subtle service, normal portions, well-made food and a low key enviroment.
In the majority of cases, restaurants are a way for people to show that they a) make enough money to pay 10x the cost of food, b) to be seen paying 10x the cost of food, c) expressing that they are to busy / do not have enough knowledge to cook themselves and d) have read 'Competitive Advantage' by Michael Porter and learned that one hour spent in the office is more profitable than spending one hour in the kitchen.
Very seldom do the food that you eat at restaurants blow your culinary mind. Restaurants are in general just there to feed the mass audience and charge well to do so. Hey - if it makes money it's good, right?
Think about it: when was the last time you had that great meal that really far exceeded your expectations? I know: it was at Thymus in Buenos Aires. There is NO way I could replicate the brilliant quail by Fernando Mayoral (taught by Michael Bras). I paid $50 for a bottle of wine and a three-course meal for the Missus and I. Not cheap but far away from being expensive. I'd say worth it!
Hold on, I'm not saying that you only have to go to Michelin stared restaurants to enjoy a great meal - quite the contrary. I went to a one-star in Palma the other week and it sucked; completely overpriced. My point is that our culture is turning into an earn'n'spend society where we tend to forget the basic pleasures. A home-made sandwich with dijon mustard, turkey and cheese can be a real treat.
Well, back to the entrepreneurial topic of this posting. An entrepreneur is frugal beyond being cheap. Never overpaying for anything. Just trying to survive by find arbitrary oppertunities that benefits the end consumer.
So to make along story short, I'm finally getting back to thinking and acting like an entrepreneur after a few wasteful years in the corporate enviroment. And I'm loving it!
In the majority of cases, restaurants are a way for people to show that they a) make enough money to pay 10x the cost of food, b) to be seen paying 10x the cost of food, c) expressing that they are to busy / do not have enough knowledge to cook themselves and d) have read 'Competitive Advantage' by Michael Porter and learned that one hour spent in the office is more profitable than spending one hour in the kitchen.
Very seldom do the food that you eat at restaurants blow your culinary mind. Restaurants are in general just there to feed the mass audience and charge well to do so. Hey - if it makes money it's good, right?
Think about it: when was the last time you had that great meal that really far exceeded your expectations? I know: it was at Thymus in Buenos Aires. There is NO way I could replicate the brilliant quail by Fernando Mayoral (taught by Michael Bras). I paid $50 for a bottle of wine and a three-course meal for the Missus and I. Not cheap but far away from being expensive. I'd say worth it!
Hold on, I'm not saying that you only have to go to Michelin stared restaurants to enjoy a great meal - quite the contrary. I went to a one-star in Palma the other week and it sucked; completely overpriced. My point is that our culture is turning into an earn'n'spend society where we tend to forget the basic pleasures. A home-made sandwich with dijon mustard, turkey and cheese can be a real treat.
Well, back to the entrepreneurial topic of this posting. An entrepreneur is frugal beyond being cheap. Never overpaying for anything. Just trying to survive by find arbitrary oppertunities that benefits the end consumer.
So to make along story short, I'm finally getting back to thinking and acting like an entrepreneur after a few wasteful years in the corporate enviroment. And I'm loving it!
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Dance 2 Your Own Beat
Life will eventually kill you and dump you in a coffin to be placed six feet under. So to say that life is wonderful might be an overstatement but it has it advantages.
The only state of mind that can give life a worthy run for the money is fearlessness. Never ask for permission, but always for forgiveness.
When swimming with sharks prepare to get bitten bit also bite back.
The only state of mind that can give life a worthy run for the money is fearlessness. Never ask for permission, but always for forgiveness.
When swimming with sharks prepare to get bitten bit also bite back.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Inspiration à la Bolognese
After two days of sorting out all filed and archived old bills, contracts, subscriptions, receipts et cetera from 1988-1998 my mind was exhausted from all the shredding and the unintentional walks down the memory lane. Actually, the whole reminder of the past pissed me off. Not that I don't like to think about the good times but 10-years of filed bills doesn't constitute good times in my mind.
And the shredding. Oh-my-god! I filled up six trash bags with confetti and felt like Ken and Jeff right before the Enron bubble blew up. Our shredder which is only for private use, as opposed to the more advanced version for the small home office, needed to rest every now and then. I know I'm overloading it with crap, trying to push through CD's and 5-page thick subscription offers from 'Guns Monthly', 'Fishing is Fun' and 'Welcome to the 40s'. See, rather then open the thick letters and risking a huge temptation, I just press the whole package through the shreddar until it makes evil noises.
I know, I know, I should get the larger super deluxe shredder when the current is no more. I'm cheap, what can I say.
So to celebrate the hard work and the end to the paperistic life - now everything is digitized - and to take my mind of this traumatic experience, I ventured upon making a Pasta Bolognese with Rigatoni and Sun-Dried Tomato Paste. And I have to say I'm inspired by the simplicity, the elegance and the exquisite taste (pat on selfs back). Yum!
I hope that the UPS guy always rings twice since we missed him yesterday. I'll now dedicate the afternoon to wait for the delivery of my new LaCie 250GB drive. Gimme five, dog!
And the shredding. Oh-my-god! I filled up six trash bags with confetti and felt like Ken and Jeff right before the Enron bubble blew up. Our shredder which is only for private use, as opposed to the more advanced version for the small home office, needed to rest every now and then. I know I'm overloading it with crap, trying to push through CD's and 5-page thick subscription offers from 'Guns Monthly', 'Fishing is Fun' and 'Welcome to the 40s'. See, rather then open the thick letters and risking a huge temptation, I just press the whole package through the shreddar until it makes evil noises.
I know, I know, I should get the larger super deluxe shredder when the current is no more. I'm cheap, what can I say.
So to celebrate the hard work and the end to the paperistic life - now everything is digitized - and to take my mind of this traumatic experience, I ventured upon making a Pasta Bolognese with Rigatoni and Sun-Dried Tomato Paste. And I have to say I'm inspired by the simplicity, the elegance and the exquisite taste (pat on selfs back). Yum!
I hope that the UPS guy always rings twice since we missed him yesterday. I'll now dedicate the afternoon to wait for the delivery of my new LaCie 250GB drive. Gimme five, dog!
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
My Inner Tan
I'm working on my inner tan and have never felt so content, relaxed and happy. The trip to Europe clarified things and I now feel ready to really settle in here in Northern California. My life in shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops ($1-Yahoo!) is perfection but I'm starting to feel a desire to get back to changing the world.
I know, I know, it might sound like a cliché but that's what my professional life has been about since the early 90's. Nothing beats driving change.
I know, I know, it might sound like a cliché but that's what my professional life has been about since the early 90's. Nothing beats driving change.
Cleaning Out The Past
The Palma Reunion was a real kick in the butt. The Missus and I headed down to our storage unit determind to clean out the past to create space for the future. Five big boxes with old pocket books, archived bills and CD covers made the way back to our pad. All but half a box made it out alive, the rest of the content is resting in peace in our trash cans, awaiting a new life in the world of recycled goods.
I'd be more than happy if my old swedish pockets books that opened my mind will find a new recycled life as toilet paper, newspaper or just filler in some homeless persons shoes.
I'd argue, that there is no value in the physical aspects of a book so if they can make better use by keeping someone's butt clean or someone's feet warm then my mission is completed. I've created value and good kharma out of trash.
PS. There are still 20 boxes with books, bills and CD covers than needs to get a new life but no need to rush.
I'd be more than happy if my old swedish pockets books that opened my mind will find a new recycled life as toilet paper, newspaper or just filler in some homeless persons shoes.
I'd argue, that there is no value in the physical aspects of a book so if they can make better use by keeping someone's butt clean or someone's feet warm then my mission is completed. I've created value and good kharma out of trash.
PS. There are still 20 boxes with books, bills and CD covers than needs to get a new life but no need to rush.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
The Death of The Boys Weekend
To most people a 'Boys Weekend' is synonymous with a pathetic attempt to relive the bachelorhood but with handcuffs. Recognizing as well as admitting that the married life beats everything takes real cojones.
Our 'Boys Weekend' this weekend was more like a reunion / think tank. It was very satisfying to catch up with friends that know you as well as yourself and exchange progress, new ideas, challenging problems and future plans.
Our walks alongs the sandy beaches outside of Palma and the lunches in the shade of palm trees were nothing less than inspiring. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Time is the new money. If you have time you'll have perspective, insight and options.
A weekend like this sharpens, accelerates and reenergizes the mind. The wealth of knowledge that my buddies have been accummulating over the past years is impressive and having the opportunity to tap into that in real-time is fantastic.
You also learn a lot about your own progress, get reminded of why you do things and get excited about future projects. In reality it's the essence of life and business; interaction between people that outputs value.
And it helps that everyone is a true connoisseur cause when the body is well the mind will prosper. But I've to say, I'm lambed out.
Our 'Boys Weekend' this weekend was more like a reunion / think tank. It was very satisfying to catch up with friends that know you as well as yourself and exchange progress, new ideas, challenging problems and future plans.
Our walks alongs the sandy beaches outside of Palma and the lunches in the shade of palm trees were nothing less than inspiring. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Time is the new money. If you have time you'll have perspective, insight and options.
A weekend like this sharpens, accelerates and reenergizes the mind. The wealth of knowledge that my buddies have been accummulating over the past years is impressive and having the opportunity to tap into that in real-time is fantastic.
You also learn a lot about your own progress, get reminded of why you do things and get excited about future projects. In reality it's the essence of life and business; interaction between people that outputs value.
And it helps that everyone is a true connoisseur cause when the body is well the mind will prosper. But I've to say, I'm lambed out.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Speedy Travels
My hyper-speed travels are back. San Francisco-Chicago-London-Barcelona-Palma in 48 hours is ambitious. Fortunately I know all the cities very well so getting around is simple and fast. A nessecity is to keep the luggage light - just one tote bag and one computer bag.
Monday, May 15, 2006
The Disruptive Skype I Love
Brilliant. Poetic. Bombastic.
The strong, joyful feelings that are streaming through my body after I read the Skype PR on Reuters at 1.29pm EDT are only disrupted by all the phone calls coming through my VoIP. Skype is changing the game - again - and offering free calls to any phone number in the US or Canada. It's absolutely hands down, the most brilliant move anyone has done - including all the community hype - within the Internet space this year.
Two years ago Google scared the living daylights out of Yahoo! (as well as AOL and Hotmail) by offering a faster, easier webmail with 250x the commonly offered storage. Yahoo! was quick enough to respond with more storage and later on with an excellent new beta.
This time it's not a fellow Internet company that is solely feeling the fear but the old establishment. And the disrupter is not only targeting a few companies both a very lucrative old industry and business model. Are they (at&t, verizon, sprint, vodaphone, qwest, t-mobile, vonage et cetera) going to be able to counteract this brilliant disruptive move? That's left to be seen but I'm sure that all the overpaid senior executives within this industry (close to retirement) is shitting their pants, knowing that they had their breakfast (mobile) almost eaten, their lunch (broadband) almost eaten and now it's dinner time.
The beauty is that the market economy works despite the desire to create monopolies (at&t > baby bells > sbc > at&t). I also enjoy the fact that a small startup (eventhough it was bought out by eBay) is challenging a multi-billion industry. Finally, I'm extadic that I'll never have to pay for a phone call again.
Time to call at&t and dump the overpriced service they have been charging us for years. Who needs them now when my phone number is portable, the communication crisp and the service free.
The strong, joyful feelings that are streaming through my body after I read the Skype PR on Reuters at 1.29pm EDT are only disrupted by all the phone calls coming through my VoIP. Skype is changing the game - again - and offering free calls to any phone number in the US or Canada. It's absolutely hands down, the most brilliant move anyone has done - including all the community hype - within the Internet space this year.
Two years ago Google scared the living daylights out of Yahoo! (as well as AOL and Hotmail) by offering a faster, easier webmail with 250x the commonly offered storage. Yahoo! was quick enough to respond with more storage and later on with an excellent new beta.
This time it's not a fellow Internet company that is solely feeling the fear but the old establishment. And the disrupter is not only targeting a few companies both a very lucrative old industry and business model. Are they (at&t, verizon, sprint, vodaphone, qwest, t-mobile, vonage et cetera) going to be able to counteract this brilliant disruptive move? That's left to be seen but I'm sure that all the overpaid senior executives within this industry (close to retirement) is shitting their pants, knowing that they had their breakfast (mobile) almost eaten, their lunch (broadband) almost eaten and now it's dinner time.
The beauty is that the market economy works despite the desire to create monopolies (at&t > baby bells > sbc > at&t). I also enjoy the fact that a small startup (eventhough it was bought out by eBay) is challenging a multi-billion industry. Finally, I'm extadic that I'll never have to pay for a phone call again.
Time to call at&t and dump the overpriced service they have been charging us for years. Who needs them now when my phone number is portable, the communication crisp and the service free.
Monday, May 08, 2006
Back in SF
It's great to be back home after four weeks on the road. The rain is gone and the sun is out. No more cold days, just sunshine and flip-flops.
We drove via San Diego, LA, Malibu, Big Sur and Santa Cruz on the way home. The Pacific Highway is one of the most fantastic sportscar roads in the world. We even swung by Mulholland Drive for a drive in the classic Steve McQueen territory.
But back in SF we could immediately feel the big city urgency (just a more PC word for stress). People are faster to honk, tailgate and restless. Things have to be done quickly cause speed is time and time is money.
Well, nothing can effect our tranquil lifestyle at this point. Our days are layzier than ever, filled with fun conversations, reading, cooking and just being. Barefoot is best!
We drove via San Diego, LA, Malibu, Big Sur and Santa Cruz on the way home. The Pacific Highway is one of the most fantastic sportscar roads in the world. We even swung by Mulholland Drive for a drive in the classic Steve McQueen territory.
But back in SF we could immediately feel the big city urgency (just a more PC word for stress). People are faster to honk, tailgate and restless. Things have to be done quickly cause speed is time and time is money.
Well, nothing can effect our tranquil lifestyle at this point. Our days are layzier than ever, filled with fun conversations, reading, cooking and just being. Barefoot is best!
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Rattle & Roll
We've almost been four weeks in the Southwestern parts of the US and it's time to head back to SF, via San Diego, LA and Santa Cruz. Our weeks in the desert have been very productive, invigorating and adventurous. Most days were spent reading and writing and the evenings cooking and enjoying the desert sunsets. But we also did several day trips.
The latest heart stopper was the discovery of a slumbering Rattlesnake right outside the house. It was right out of hybernation and enjoying the hot desert sun. We could have easily stepped on it since it was so well camouflaged. Kind of scary since the snake lied in our regular evening path to get logs for the fireplace.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
