Life In The Weeds

Kate Upton, not Caitlin Upton

Kate Upton is on a meteoric rise in the world of being a super model...

Last year, Kate was named the Sports Illustrated "rookie of the year" and now, the 19 year old was revealed as the cover girl for this years Sports illustrated Swimsuit issue.   If you Google Kate Upton and happen upon her web-page and then happen to watch the Guess? video opening video...well, let's just say my computer melted!  But, I digress...

While they look very similar, I was relieved to find out this is not the same girl as Caitlin Upton.  Remember Caitlin...Miss South Carolina from 2007?  She made quite a name for herself answering a rather basic question.  This video has been viewed over 53 million times...poor thing!

 

mj

 

 

Mizuki Asian Bistro

Third time a charm!  

After my 3rd visit, I have decided a review is in order...a GREAT review, for a new restaurant in town, Mizuki Asian Bistro

My first visit was with my wife...sitting at the Sushi Bar...then with a large group of 12...then, last week, six of us sat in one of their great over-sized booths.

The food is very good...we have dined on a variety of their special sushi rolls, along with many of their entrees...all of which have a uniqueness about them.  The presentation of their dishes is also worth mentioning.

We enjoyed the service...very friendly staff who were super patient with our many bottles of wine and beer (BYOB)...I think their prices are reasonable, in fact, it's a bargain for such a great meal.

We have been chatting up Mizuki around town and will definitely be back.

mj

1 Million Shares

Last week, Apple disclosed just how much their new CEO, Tim Cook, earned in 2011.

Cook's compensation included $900,000 in salary [rather average or even low compared to other CEO salaries], $900,000 in incentive pay [again, not to crazy, seeing he leads Apple!] and 1 million shares of Apple valued at $376.2 million at the time they were issued.  Yep, that's the kicker. ONE MILLION shares.

Apple's directors characterized Cook's stock grant as a "promotion and retention" award. Half of the shares will vest in 2016, the rest in 2021 if Cook remains with the tech giant.

Cook had previously filled in for Steve Jobs when the Apple co-founder had cancer in 2004 and in 2008, when Jobs underwent a liver transplant and went on extended leave. Apple directors rewarded Cook with a $5 million bonus and stock valued at $53 million in 2010.

Sure, Cook has big shoes to fill and a fair amount of stress to go along with leading Apple...but, clearly, money will never be an issue.

mj

 

Starbucks in Manhatten

It seems as though there is a Starbucks on every corner in Manhattan - after a little research, it seems like the "unofficial" number is 255.  If you type in Starbucks on Google Maps, the image displayed is a see of red dots.  Two hundred and fifty-five is a huge number...making the trip to find a good cup of coffee fairly easy.  That is, until you get inside one of these 255 stores.

Every Starbucks you go into is jammed.  Like 20 people-in-a-line jammed.  And, rest assured, most people on those lines are not ordering a regular coffee...it's all about the half pump, decaf, double shot, no whip, etc.  So, it is a long, long, tedious wait.

Is a cup of Starbucks coffee worth a 20 minute wait?

I went into a Starbucks this morning...looked at the line and bailed.  I walked to the corner and got a cup of coffee from the coffee cart guy.  $1.25 for a large coffee and NO WAIT.

The lesson here: Starbucks is not worth the wait and not worth the price!

mj

How to become an overnight Social Media Success

Here is a great story for all you struggling 20-somethings who spend 24 hours a day gaming, tweeting and face-booking.

Long story, short...

The Philadelphia 76er's ran a contest to allow their fans to vote for the name their new mascot - they gave three names to choose from.  However, they did not think about creating a social media campaign using twitter.  So, a Sixer fan registered a couple of twitter accounts - @PhilEMoose and @BFranklinDogg -  and started tweeting like crazy.  Instead of acting like total a-holes and taking legal action against him, the owner of the Sixers invited this kid into his office to talk Social Media strategy...next thing he knows, he's hired!

Here is the long story, long.

mj

Skeletoes

Have you seen seen these?  Perhaps, you have starred at someone wearing them or even mocked them?Even pointed or gasped?

They are all the rage these days and I want IN...the band wagon is moving out and I am on board.  My inspiration comes form the author of Born to Run, Christopher McDougall.  Running barefoot is the natural way to run...as a kid, even now...well, as a kid, I seem to run and perform better in bare feet.

I was getting push back from family and friends when I broached the subject of purchasing a pair...and, in some way, I was waiting for that extra motivation to buy my very own.  And, then it happened!  MY brand...MY favoritest brand in the whole wide world entered the toe-shoe market.

Oh yes, Adidas.

That was it...that was all I needed to make me pull the trigger.

Black Friday was the day.  I went to the store and stormed right to the back and asked for and 11.5 to try on.

Getting these suckers on was pure entertainment for my son, my brother and my nephew.  Let's just say, digits #4 and #5 are more like nubs, than toes...so seeing two flapping, unsupported "toes" was quite comical.  However, after a few minutes, i jammed ALL five toes in their proper spots.  They were quite comfortable...a little strange to be sure, but as I walked around the store, I could see how great they would be for running.

Cue the sales guy..."how are they?"
"great, I can't wait to go running in them"
"well, they are not for running"
"What?...then what are they for, if not for runnning"
"They are really for the gym...if you want them for running, you should buy another brand"
"NOOOOOOO."

Shoes off...no sale!  And I was so close.  I am still committed, but less motivated.  

Maybe Santa will be brand intolerant and bring me a pair for Christmas.

mj

THIS is a deal!

Most people think NYC is the epitome of inflated prices...hell, last night, while having a few cocktails with friends at a local bar, the drink "special" - a Mojito - was $9 (until 7pm!).

Okay, so maybe it is true, but that is not to say that NYC is not without a deal.

2 Brothers Pizza is making a name for themselves with there regular lunch special.  Yes, regular lunch special - all day, everyday.

And, these are NY style slices...big!

They seem to be popping up on every corner...I have seen at least 6 or so and they are always packed.  Lines around the corner most days.

I am confident that this is the greatest value you can find in Manhattan.  There is nothing better than throwing down a fiver for lunch and getting change back!

I'm sold.

 

 

 

 

 

mj

Bluestone Farms

When driving from Hopewell Borough towards Pennington, one can not help but notice the sprawling farm on the right side of the road named, Bluestone Farms.  Over the past couple of years, this farm has spared no expense on their grounds...from their out buildings, to the gorgeous fencing and stone work, to the massive additions to the main house.  I have never been quite sure what Bluestone Farms was all about...but I always figured, whatever they "did", they sure did "it" well.

So, I came across an article, about a year old, that descibed their business...the owners were outspoken about issues surrounding horse racing in New Jersey leading up to a summit on the state’s horse racing and gaming industries. 

Located on 300 rolling acres, Bluestone Farms is a Standardbred horse farm...home to nearly 100 horses.  They focus specifically on breeding horses who, hopefully, will go on to harness racing, the tradition of the Standardbred horse.

The farm breeds and in some cases, co-owns, horses like Bar Slide, a 3-year-old filly who recently trotted to victory in the $750,000 Hambletonian Oaks at the Meadowlands. Yearlings there regularly fetch anywhere from $30,000 to, rarely, over $100,000.

It's easy to forget just how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful area of New Jersey...so much open space, farming and, let's not forget, horse breeding.

Check out this property.

mj

Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

Just like most of his announcements while leading Apple over the years, Steve Jobs kept the details of his Pancreatic cancer very secretive.  When he handed over the reigns to Tim Cook, most of the public assumed it had to do with his sickness...no one could have imagined he would be dead in a month.

Jobs was a revolutionary for our generation...he created and lead a company that transformed the way generations communicate with one another...his impact on this earth was profound.

He quite literally, changed the world that we live in...it's not often that you live in a generation where that is possible.

mj

Apple Day

Ah, the beautiful fall weather is upon us (not really!)...what a great time to pick some apples...err, or get an Apple, like say an iPhone 5?

Today is the day we will here from the new CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, about the latest version of iPhone. At least that's what everyone thinks is going to happen.  After all, the invitation for this event only stated, "let's talk iPhone".  

Here is the Apple store on 5th Avenue. Everything Apple does is shrouded in secrecy and full of innuendo. 

Question is, how many millions will be purchased between now and Christmas.

Rumor has it Sprint will be the third "carrier" announced today as well...reports have Sprint committing to purchase 30 million iPhones over the next four years. The math on that alone is outrageous!

I'm sure Apple will not disappoint...afterall, they have always come through...

 

mj