The Kabakovs

Andre Kovalev's report on the Kabakov retrospective in Moscow + other viewpoints @ http://www.artnewsonline.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=2587 was interesting.

Useful links:
www.winzavod.com
www.museum.ru

Entrepreneurs

(via businessweek) I found Vivek Wadhwa's research report of business start-ups by immigrants in the U.S very interesting. Check out Robert W. Fairlie's study for further info. Thanks Vivek.
http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/nov2008/sb20081125_711355.htm

Useful links:
www.globalizationresearch.com
www.sba.gov

Random Thoughts

The appeal in all booms is always frankly to the gambling instinct aroused by cupidity and spurred by pervasive prosperity. People who look for easy money invariably pay for the priviledge of proving conclusively that it cannot be found on this sordid earth.

- Edwin Lef่vre
http://books.google.com/books?id=HT5c4rPK59EC&dq=Reminiscences+of+a+Stock+Operator&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=FXNFbx8DBg&sig=ZbquhqvW_KaWlEQ8-fXS

He was spot on.

Mark Leckey

Artist Mark Leckey has won the 2008 Turner Prize, the UK’s top contemporary-art award for his work which includes sculpture, film, sound + performance. Congratulations!

Useful link:
www.tate.org.uk/britain/turnerprize

Early Earth

Kenneth Chang's story in NYT on early earth + analysis of crystals in rocks in Australia + the Hadean period + other viewpoints @ http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/02/science/02eart.html?hp was educational and insightful.

Diamonds 24/7

Carl Hoffman's story of diamonds 24/7 under frozen Snap Lake, in Canada @ http://www.wired.com/science/planetearth/magazine/16-12/ff_diamonds_sb was educational and interesting.

Useful link:
www.debeerscanada.com

The Snap Lake project is definitely a mind-boggling undertaking. Seeing is believing, really.

Projekt Goldfisch

I was really impressed by energy giant BKW-FMB's Projekt Goldfisch, a great idea + emission free mobility. Check out the links for an immersive experience.

Useful links:
www.projekt-goldfisch.ch
www.bkw-fmb.ch

Welcome To Macintosh Documentary

Welcome to Macintosh is a documentary on all things Apple: successes, failures and the cultural impact. Go to www.welcometomacintosh.com for further info. The documentary is out on DVD. Buy it!

Kunskapsskolan!

I really liked the Swedish-style education (personalised education), also known as, Kunskapsskolan! Go to www.kunskapsskolan.se for further info. I would love to see this concept work in India.

Amancio Ortega

Amancio Ortega = Capital Energy = Global alternative energy network

Useful links:
www.capitalenergy.es
www.inditex.com

Diamond Trader

The CommodityOnline report about the beginnings and rise of Sanghavi Exports International Pvt Ltd + other viewpoints @ http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Rise--rise-of-a-diamond-trader-13018-3-1.html was insightful.

Useful link:
www.sanghaviexports.com

Trust + Luck = Diamond business. Inspiring story, really.

Landscape Rocks

Patterns in Nature: Rocks
http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photos/patterns-rocks.html

Stunningly beautiful, really.

Lost Masterpiece

The Economist story on lost masterpiece (s) and the excitement among art historians/dealers + other viewpoints @ http://www.economist.com/opinion/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12711601 was interesting.

Useful links:
www.colnaghi.co.uk
www.christies.com
www.bernheimer.com
www.hypo-kunsthalle.de

Tyler Rollins

Tyler Rollins's specialty is in contemporary art from Southeast Asia. Go to www.trfineart.com for further info.

Iranian Art

Nazila Fathi's opinion piece in NYT on Iranian art + the impact @ http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/world/middleeast/30dubai.html?_r=1 was interesting. Thanks Nazila.

Useful links:
www.xerxesfinearts.com
www.christies.com

Real + Virtual World

Real + Virtual world = Virtual tourism + Social environment

Useful links:
www.twinity.com
www.metaversum.com
www.nearglobal.com
www.secondlife.com

The One Foundation

Meet Li Lianjie, also known as Jet Li, A-list celebrity + his passion = Philanthropy @ www.onefoundation.cn

Hats off to Jet Li.

Russian Art Update

Marina Denysenko's viewpoints on the state of the Russian art market @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7754681.stm was insightful.

Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com
www.macdougallauction.com
www.bonhams.com
www.ravenscourtgalleries.com

Russian art collectors are a unique breed + proud of their culture, and they always go the extra mile to build up good collections.

Wine: Fake/Real

Rami Tzabar's report on the application of gamma ray detector + ion beam analyses to test the authenticity of wine @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7755014.stm was interesting.

Useful links:
www.cnrs.fr
www.cenbg.in2p3.fr
www.antique-wine.com
www.lafite.com
www.chateau-margaux.fr

Gamma ray + ion beam analyses are widely used to test the authenticity of fine art and gemstones; and now wine. What a spin!

Money Well Spent

Money Well Spent: A Strategic Guide to Smart Philanthropy by Paul Brest + Hal Harvey provides practical advice to aspiring philanthropists + how to influence the world. Great read.

Useful link:

www.smartphilanthropy.org

The Good Hotel

A green hotel with a view @ www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/good A must visit.

Useful links:
www.jdvhotels.com
www.onebrick.org

Educator

Meet Andrew Coté, traveler, beekeeper, collector and educator @ http://beeswithoutborders.org

Honey = Miracle, really. Inspiring story. Hats off to Andrew.

Personalized Medicine

David Ewing Duncan's report on diagnosing cancer at affordable cost @ http://www.portfolio.com/views/columns/natural-selection/2008/11/26/Inexpensive-Cancer-Screening was educational and insightful. Thanks David.

Useful links:
www.systemsbiology.org
www.caltech.edu

New technologies that are cheap, specific and informative are going to change medicine.

William Eggleston

William Eggleston = Fine-art color photography + Documentary-like scenes = I love it.

Useful link:
www.egglestontrust.com

Cont Mhlanga

Veteran Zimbabwean playwright, Cont Mhlanga, has become the first recipient of ArtVenture Freedom to Create Prize for his satirical play, 'The Good President'.

Useful link:
www.freedomtocreateprize.com

Hats off to Cont Mhlanga for his brave story and spirit.

Grown Up Digital

Grown Up Digital: How the Net Generation is Changing Your World HC by Don Tapscott is an insightful book on next (greatest!) generation and the impact. A must read.

Useful links:

http://grownupdigital.com

www.ngenera.com

Claude Lévi-Strauss

Steven Erlanger's report on Claude Lévi-Strauss, one of France's icons @ http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/11/28/europe/france.php was educational and insightful. Thanks Steven.

Useful link:
www.quaibranly.fr

Random Thoughts

When stock prices are rising, it’s called 'momentum investing'; when they are falling, it’s called 'panic'.

- Paul Krugman
http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com

He was spot on.

Street Art

The BBC Friday documentary, Street Art, Episode 1 + 2 @ http://web.ubc.ca/okanagan/publicaffairs/mediareleases/2006/mr-06-049.html + http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p001gzjq/The_Friday_Documentary_Street_Art_Episode_2/ was brilliant. I liked it.

The Chuck Fipke Story

Carl Hoffman's story on Canadian geologist, Chuck Fipke, who discovered a diamond trove in the Canadian Arctic @ http://www.wired.com/science/planetearth/magazine/16-12/ff_diamonds was interesting.

Useful links:
www.cfminerals.com
http://web.ubc.ca/okanagan/publicaffairs/mediareleases/2006/mr-06-049.html

Chuck is definitely one-of-a-kind diamond prospector. He finds diamonds.

The Vegetable Museum

Ju Duoqi's exhibition, 'The Vegetable Museum', has just opened at the Paris-Beijing Photo Gallery at the 798 art district in Beijing. A must visit.

Useful links:
www.parisbeijingphotogallery.com
www.798space.com

Imitation Turquoise

(via Wikipedia) The Egyptians were the first to produce an artificial imitation of turquoise, in the glazed earthenware product faience. Later glass and enamel were also used, and in modern times more sophisticated ceramics, porcelain, plastics, and various assembled, pressed, bonded, and sintered products (composed of various copper and aluminium compounds) have been developed: examples of the latter include "Viennese turquoise", made from precipitated aluminium phosphate coloured by copper oleate; and "neolith", a mixture of bayerite and copper phosphate. Most of these products differ markedly from natural turquoise in both physical and chemical properties, but in 1972 Pierre Gilson introduced one fairly close to a true synthetic (it does differ in chemical composition owing to a binder used, meaning it is best described as a simulant rather than a synthetic). Gilson turquoise is made in both a uniform colour and with black "spiderweb matrix" veining not unlike the natural Nevada material.

The most common imitation of turquoise encountered today is dyed howlite and magnesite, both white in their natural states, and the former also having natural (and convincing) black veining similar to that of turquoise. Dyed chalcedony, jasper, and marble is less common, and much less convincing. Other natural materials occasionally confused with or used in lieu of turquoise include: variscite and faustite; chrysocolla (especially when impregnating quartz); lazulite; smithsonite; hemimorphite; wardite; and a fossil bone or tooth called odontolite or "bone turquoise", coloured blue naturally by the mineral vivianite. While rarely encountered today, odontolite was once mined in large quantities—specifically for its use as a substitute for turquoise—in southern France.

These fakes are detected by gemmologists using a number of tests, relying primarily on non-destructive, close examination of surface structure under magnification; a featureless, pale blue background peppered by flecks or spots of whitish material is the typical surface appearance of natural turquoise, while manufactured imitations will appear radically different in both colour (usually a uniform dark blue) and texture (usually granular or sugary). Glass and plastic will have a much greater translucency, with bubbles or flow lines often visible just below the surface. Staining between grain boundaries may be visible in dyed imitations.

Some destructive tests may, however, be necessary; for example, the application of diluted hydrochloric acid will cause the carbonates odontolite and magnesite to effervesce and howlite to turn green, while a heated probe may give rise to the pungent smell so indicative of plastic. Differences in specific gravity, refractive index, light absorption (as evident in a material's absorption spectrum), and other physical and optical properties are also considered as means of separation. Imitation turquoise is so prevalent that it likely outnumbers real turquoise by a wide margin. Even material used in authentic Native American and Tibetan jewellery is often fake or, at best, heavily treated.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turquoise

Today China has become an important source for imitation turquoise. The opaque bead materials are mass produced, inexpensive, and found in gem markets worldwide. If in doubt, always consult a reputed gem testing laboratory.

Herding Behavior

(via dailyspeculations) Vinh Tu writes:
Virtual birds form flocks, when each bird individually follows three rules:
1. Separation: steer to avoid crowding local flockmates.
2. Alignment: steer towards the average heading of local flockmates.
3. Cohesion: steer to move toward the average position of local flockmates

Demo @ http://www.red3d.com/cwr/boids

I liked it. Thanks Vinh Tu.

Diamonds: Best Case Scenario Forecast

Chaim Even Zohar's viewpoints on best case scenario forecast for diamond jewelry @ http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp was insightful. A must read.

Bringit

Challenge + Play + Earn = http://bringit.com
An interesting site for die-hards to test their skills. I think.

Best Business Books Of 2008

Fast Company: The Best Business Books of 2008
http://www.fastcompany.com/multimedia/slideshows/content/books-2008.html?page=1

Notable Books Of 2008

New York Times: The Book Review - 100 Notable Books of 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/07/books/review/100Notable-t.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

Australia

Australia
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Nicole Kidman + Hugh Jackman light up the screen in the movie Australia. I am a huge Baz Luhrmann fan. I think Baz has pulled off another huge success. A must see movie, really.

Useful links:
www.australiamovie.com
www.australia.com
www.bazthegreatsite.com

The Polar Rink

The American Museum of Natural History has opened New York City's first synthetic ice-skating facility, the Polar Rink, located on the Arthur Ross Terrace. Go to www.amnh.org for further info. A must visit.

Diamond Futures

Madhurima RS's report on diamond futures and the impact @ http://www.commodityonline.com/news/No-Futures-for-Diamond-12970-3-1.html was interesting. My personal view is diamond futures would be hard to price due to lack of standardization.

Philanthrocapitalism

Philanthrocapitalism: How the Rich Can Save the World by Matthew Bishop + Michael Green is an insightful book on new forms of giving and volunteering + state-of-the-art practices in social entrepreneurship. A must read.

Useful link:
www.philanthrocapitalism.net

The Oil Crisis

Paddy Allen's interactive guide on global oil price collapse @ http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2008/nov/25/oil-price-collapse was insightful. Thanks Paddy.

Cairo Film Festival 2008

The 32nd Cairo International Film Festival - November 18 - 28, 2008. A must visit.

Useful link:
www.cairofilmfest.org

Danger On The Road

JM University's interactive courses are the best online courses in security and insurance education for jewelry professionals. Danger on Road is an interactive course on jewelry security. Go to https://services.jewelersmutual.com/jmuniversity for further info.

Useful link:
www.jewelersmutual.com

Stunning Black

The black jewels: onyx + black enamel + diamonds + creativity @ http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1860363_1803132,00.html were stunningly beautiful.

Useful links:
www.gucci.com
www.cartier.com
www.chanel.com
www.bulgari.com
www.davidyurman.com
www.tiffany.com

Heard On The Street

In the quest for jam, the dealers have lost their bread and butter. At the moment, they are scared of their own shadows, and it will take some time for them to be back.

We7

How times change. Go to Peter Gabriel's download project We7. It's an advertising-funded service that allows users to download songs for free. Try it.

Useful links:
www.we7.com
www.petergabriel.com

Economic Depressions

I found Murray Rothbard's essay entitlted, 'Economic Depressions: Their Cause and Cure' @ http://mises.org/tradcycl/econdepr.asp educational and insightful. He wrote this stunning essay in 1969.
Thanks Kevin Depew for the link.

Global Business @ BBC

Peter Day's interview with George Gilder, prophet of the Telecosm @ http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/global_business.shtml was insightful. Thanks Peter.

Useful link:
www.gildertech.com

Harry Winston

You should visit Harry Winston's e-commerce site. I liked it. Check out the link at http://shop.harrywinston.com Brand sells, really.

Useful link:
www.harrywinston.com

The 99

Naif Al Mutawa + Teshkeel Media Group = The 99

Useful links:
www.the99.org
www.teshkeel.com

I hope it will be the next Pokémon. Hats off to Naif.

Cabochon

Stunningly beautiful colors of Cabs in sky blues/emerald greens @ http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1859855_1859719_1859729,00.html

Useful links:
http://hobbsandkent.com
www.dior.com

Small-wind Market

Saverio Truglia's report in Time on small-wind market @ http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1860920,00.html was insightful.

Useful links:
www.awea.org
www.windenergy.com

I wish India had similar tax credits to facilitate green trend in the country.

Babette's Feast

Babette's Feast is a 1987 Danish film written and directed by Gabriel Axel. http://www.karenblixen.com/babette.html

Useful links:
www.imdb.com/title/tt0092603
www.dfi.dk

A profoundly uplifting film.

Jewelry + Handbag

Victoria Gomelsky's story in IHT on jewels and handbags @ http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/11/19/style/rluxbags.php was interesting. Thanks Victoria.

Useful links:
www.judithleiber.com
www.tanaka.co.jp
www.kararossny.com
www.robertocoin.com
www.lotusartsdevivre.com

Ladies know more about handbags because the value of jewelry - of precious stones and pearls - is still relatively unknown.
- Anna Gaia

How true!

Jewelry Information Center (JIC)

Check out the Jewelry Information Center (JIC) link to read more about jewelry tales, educational and marketing modules @ www.jic.org

Chocolate Tasting

Lucy Rodgers's story on chocolate tasting + learning to spit @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7656288.stm was interesting.

Useful link:
www.fortnumandmason.com

You've got to be passionate to be in this field of expertise or you would get pretty sick of it in the end, really. I love chocolates.

Concentrated Solar Power Technology

Concentrated solar power (CSP) technology + Andalucian desert = Abengoa

Useful links:
www.abengoasolar.com
www.abengoa.com
www.greenpeace.org

I think CSP is affordable and efficient + countries with clear skies and strong sunshine should adopt this technology.

Gemstone Gallery

Photo gallery: Gemstones via National Geographic @ http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/photos/gems/ruby-rough.html was interesting. Colored stones are always beautiful.

Andy Scott

Meet Andy Scott, Scotland's world-famous sculptor @ www.andyscottpublicart.co.uk

I think public art = true investment.

The Diamond City Of Surat

Binu Alex's fourth report in CommodityOnline on Gujarat’s diamond city of Surat @ http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Journey-from-junk-diamonds-to-near-gems-12821-3-1.html was interesting. I think only Indians have the skills to create near-gem quality diamonds out of industrial quality diamonds.

The Widow Clicquot

The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It by Tilar J. Mazzeo is a fascinating biography of a woman who revolutionized the wine-making industry. A must read.

Useful link:

www.tilar-mazzeo.com

The Art Of Haggling

Tanya Gold's story in the Guardian about the art of haggling @ http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/nov/24/haggling-shopping-retail-recession was interesting. It's recession time. Try it!

Ron Arad Exhibition

Ron Arad: Art + Design Exhibition has opened at Centre Pompidou in Paris @ www.cnac-gp.fr

Useful link:
www.ronarad.com

Adventurous + Intellectual + Immersive experience. Don't miss it.

Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street - The Mark of a Gentleman by Bill Cunningham @ http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/11/22/fashion/20081123-street-feature/index.html was brilliant. I liked it.

Interactive Art In London

Gareth Mitchell's story on Mexican-Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer's huge interactive art installation in Trafalgar Square, London @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7740263.stm was interesting. Don't miss it!

Useful link:
www.lozano-hemmer.com

Heard On The Street

Even in the best of times, it's hard to tell the difference between honest error and outright deception, really.

Jun Aoki

Meet the most intellectual architect of Japan @ www.aokijun.com

Useful links:
www.jidpo.or.jp
www.g-mark.org

Art Market Update

The Economist report on the 2008 autumn art-auction season/upcoming Russian art sales + the unpredictable buyers @ http://www.economist.com/opinion/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12666644 was interesting.

Useful links:
www.bonhams.com
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com

Verneuil Synthetic Corundum

Richard W. Hughes + John I. Koivula rexamines why and how curved growth lines and gas bubbles occur in Verneuil (flame-fusion) synthetic corundum @ http://www.ruby-sapphire.com/verneuil-synthetic-corundum-dangerous-curves.htm

A must read.

Random Thoughts

The art market has decided to price itself more realistically at the December 3rd auction in Paris. It should be pointed out that the real major pieces that one would expect at an auction of this magnitude, in Paris, are strangely absent. I wonder if the predicted estimate of prices at the gavel are a deliberate lowering of expectations, so the art media can then spin the auction a success whatever the low prices might amount to. Perhaps the art that's been left off the block is in strong hands, and what we're seeing is the art held by the weak hands. Perhaps the owners/investors of the best art are waiting for an inevitable upturn in the general art market conditions. Needless to say, if one wants to buy a 2nd rate Picasso for collecting/investing, now might be a good time to buy. If one wants to buy a piece of art because they think it's beautiful and that they love it, anytime is good as long as the pocketbook is full.

- Jeff Watson
(via Dailyspeculations)

Jeff was spot on.

Aakash Nihalani

Aakash Nihalani's artwork is currently on view at 17 Frost gallery space (located at 17 Frost Street between Union Avenue and Lorimer Street in Wiliamsburg) in Williamsburg, New York. A must visit.

Useful links:
www.aakashnihalani.com
www.bosepacia.com
www.flickr.com/photos/28750691@N03

Greenbuild 2008

Greenbuild 2008. This year the 6th annual conference by the U.S. Green Building Council was held in the city of Boston. A great place to connect the dots.

Useful links:
www.greenbuildexpo.org
www.bnim.com

Naples Winter Wine Festival

The Naples Winter Wine Festival features some of the rarest wine varieties in the world, and it is up for auction.

Go to www.napleswinefestival.com for further info.

The Diamond City Of Surat

Binu Alex's third report in CommodityOnline on Gujarat’s diamond city of Surat @ http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Will-Indian-diamond-business-outshine-recession-12820-3-1.html was interesting. At the moment I don't think the Indian diamond business is recession-proof. The attitude and approach of consumers and retailers are key factors, which is hard to predict. The whole world is caught up in negative news. If the diamond consumers and retailers do well in North America, Europe, the Middle East, then it's good news for the Indian diamond business.

Catherine Boyle Viewpoint

Diamonds. Catherine Boyle's opinion piece in TimesOnline @ http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/natural_resources/article5176070.ece was interesting. My view: I think Laurence Graff, chairman and founder of Graff Diamonds put into perspective many of the important issues. Top-quality gems are rare and hard to find, and there will always be a demand for these stones, and they are investors best friend, unlike other commodities.

Europeana

Europeana is an ambitious European Union project to digitize items from European museums, libraries, archives and multi-media collections -- online for free. Go to www.europeana.eu for further info.

Iron-age Gold Collar

Maev Kennedy's story about a 2,200-year-old gold collar find @ http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2008/nov/20/heritage-art was interesting.

Useful link:
www.britishmuseum.org

Truly a happy accident.

Global Trends 2025

(via BBC) Global Trends 2025: A Transformed World (33MB)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7741049.stm

Interesting, really. I think The National Intelligence Council (NIC) has been right/wrong before.

Heard On The Street

The amorphous stock market is tough to read. I'd say stick wax in your ears and don't listen to the market until .............. Oops.

The Diamond City Of Surat

Binu Alex's second report in CommodityOnline on Gujarat’s diamond city of Surat @ http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Origin-of-diamond-traces-to-India-12819-3-1.html was interesting. Recently diamond testing labs have started providing origin classification for select diamonds on demand with state-of-the-art analytical instruments and proprietary database to add value and authenticity.

Diamond Market Update

Chaim Even Zohar's opinion piece in IdexOnline on crisis situation in rough markets @ http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp was educational and insightful. A must read.

Lyrics 1964-2008

Lyrics 1964-2008 by Paul Simon is a great book by the most gifted voice of America. This book says it all. A must read.

Useful link:

www.paulsimon.com

Museum Of Islamic Art

The Economist report on Qatar's ambitious Museum of Islamic Art @ http://www.economist.com/books/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12633085 was insightful. With a bit of luck, timing and royal patronage, Persian Gulf is turning into Art Gulf.

Useful links:
www.qma.com.qa
www.pcfandp.com

Garden Of Earthly Delights

Martha Clarke’s celebrated 'Garden of Earthly Delights' is an American masterpiece. Definitely, a must see!

Useful link:
www.gardenofearthlydelightsnyc.com

The Diamond City Of Surat

Binu Alex's report in CommodityOnline on Gujarat’s diamond city of Surat @ http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Diamond-The-Carat-of-Surat-in-India-12818-3-1.html was insightful. Since Surat has seen several ups and downs during the course, .... life goes on. I hope the industry does the right thing to stay put.

Sankai Juku

Sanjoy Roy's story in the Guardian on Sankai Juku + their artistic dance style @ http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2008/nov/19/dance-butoh-sankai-juku was interesting.

Useful link:
www.sankaijuku.com

The expressions are stunning and transcendental.

Charles Veley

Charles Veley is an American, and he is perceived to be the world's most traveled person. He runs a website @ www.mosttraveledpeople.com

Useful link:
www.travelerscenturyclub.org

Red Sunstone

Evelyn Tucker's report on Oregon red sunstone, the world's only known source @ http://www.colored-stone.com/stories/nov08/oregon-sunstone.cfm was educational and insightful.

Art Market Update

Alexandra Peers's opinion piece in WSJ on the state of the art market @ http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122713503996042291.html was interesting. Thanks Alexandra.

Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com
www.phillipsdepury.com

I think it's time for reality check, really.

The Grapes Of Wrath

The Grapes of Wrath (1940) is a American drama film directed by John Ford. It was based on the Pulitzer Prize winning The Grapes of Wrath (1939), written by John Steinbeck. Watch it. It will truly change the way you view the world.

Check out the link @ http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=the+grapes+of+wrath&emb=0&aq=f#

Heard On The Street

It’s getting bleaker every day. There are many, many, many more bubbles to burst.

The Hope Diamond Story 2008

The Hope Diamond 2008 story. Francois Farges, a French mineralogist heading the investigation claims that the Hope Diamond is the same steely-blue stone once sported by the Sun King (King Louis XIV). Check out the link @ http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081118/lf_afp/sciencehistorydiamondmuseum_081118185157

Q: How much is the Hope diamond worth?
A: http://ask.yahoo.com/ask/20030609.html

Myth Of Tomorrow

Taro Okamoto's Myth of Tomorrow mural is spectacularly beautiful, immersive and inspiring. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1859986,00.html

Useful links:
www.taromuseum.jp
http://taro-okamoto.or.jp

Picasso Show

Elaine Sciolino's story in NYT on Picasso show at the Grand Palais in Paris @ http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/16/travel/16globe.html?_r=1&ref=travel was interesting. Thanks Elaine.

Useful link:
www.grandpalais.fr

Zero-Carbon House

Go to Will Anderson's Tree House in south London @ www.treehouseclapham.org.uk

Best practice in green building, really. Hats off to Will.

Diamond Detectors

Diamond Detectors Ltd = Industrial/Medical applications + customized detector solutions

Useful links:
www.diamonddetectors.com
www.e6.com
www.debeersgroup.com

Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008

Ernst & Young has named Matthew Szulik, Chairman of Red Hat, Inc, the overall National Winner for Entrepreneur of the Year 2008 Award. Congratulations Matthew!

Useful links:
www.redhat.com
www.ey.com
www.kauffman.org

Global Business @ BBC

The World of Business stories of five successful entrepreneurs @ http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/global_business.shtml was inspiring. Thanks Peter.

Useful links:
www.kauffman.org
www.unleashingideas.org
www.accel.com
www.actelion.com
www.pamodzi.co.za
www.nzfreshcuts.co.nz
www.satyam.com
www.imaginationgames.com

Green Home Guide

To live a green lifestyle, go to www.greenhomeguide.com