In-Flight and Online

Airlines add in-flight Web access
JetBlue has begun to offer in-flight Web access. Frequent fliers say the temptation to go online will be overwhelming, but that's not necessarily a good thing.
By ANICK JESDANUN, Associated Press
Miami Herald
Posted on Wed, Dec. 12, 2007

On Tuesday, JetBlue Airways began offering e-mail and instant messaging on one of its aircraft. Broader high-speed services, including Web surfing, are to come next year on some flights on American Airlines, Virgin America and Alaska Airlines.

Click here for complete article.

Three Kings at Light Gallery in Costa Mesa, California

Three Kings Opening Reception
December 15th
Light Gallery
440 East 17th Street
Costa Mesa (within waliking distance of La Cave and the Little Knight)
December 15-January 5th

You heard it right! Ken Ruzic,Clysdalle and Big Toe have combined forces to bring you a pre-Holiday Show Extravaganza! More great art there than you can shake a stick at (if that's your thing...shaking sticks at paintings...)!

http://myspace.com/tom_laura
http://www.davidlozeau.com/
http://www.kenruzic.com/

Hollywood: Tiki Ti

Tiki Ti
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Hollywood: kmart

kmart
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Hollywood: On Vermont

On Vermont
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Hollywood: Service Meat

Service Meat
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Hollywood: Rootbeer Float

Rootbeer Float
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Hollywood: Ant Tacos

Ant Tacos
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Hollywood: Afternoon

Afternoon
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Hollywood: Juan Fish Garage

Juan Fish Garage
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Hollywood: Tacos Hamburgers Burritos Tortas

Tacos Hamburgers Burritos Tortas
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Hollywood: Fatburger

Fatburger
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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A Question of Impeachment

November 18 - December 16, Culture Project will launch A Question of Impeachment, an ambitious and unique new seriesgathering today's most brilliant and visionary minds to explore and debatethe case for the impeachment of President George Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney. A Question of Impeachment will engage audiences ininvestigating crucial issues affecting all Americans, particularly as they prepare to elect a new leader, including expansion of executive powers,war, surveillance, torture and extraordinary rendition and government response to disaster.

Click here for more info.

Hollywood: Car

Car
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Expat Perspective - Chris in Freiburg - Sao Paolo

Welcome to the latest instalment of Expat Perspective, a new series of posts by guest writers who come from X but are living long term in Y. Here's the latest post from Chris Mavergames, an American librarian who's recently settled into family life in Southern Germany.

I just spent 9 days in the monstrosity that is Sao Paulo, Brazil. Witha metropolitan population of over 20 million inhabitants, Sao Paulo is currently the 4th largest city in the world, 3rd if you count the vast expanses of the metropolitan area. The taxi ride from the airport to the city centre gives one the sense of this expanse and the poverty that leads you to the towering skyscrapers at the heart of this very modern, very wealthy metropolis.

I was there attending a work conference, so I honestly did not have much time for leisure. Having said that, there were the evenings, and I spent them having some of the best meals of my life. The food in Sao Paulo, and I suspect in many places in Brazil/South America generally,is excellent. The tastiest meats, salad bars with plentiful vegetables from both the Brazilian influence as well as the rich Italian immigrant history of the city (think yucca next to buffalo mozzarella next to marinaded shitake mushrooms!) and incredible red wines fromneighboring Chile and Argentina make it a foodies' dream. I can highly recommend the restaurant Rodeio. Also, the churrascaria restaurant (the Portuguese name for a special kind of Brazilian steakhouse), Fogo da Chao, which is actually a chain with locations in the USA, was also a fantastic experience. See www.fogodachao.com for more information.

Ultimately, I needed much more time than I had available to navigate the smog-filled mayhem that is Sao Paulo. The city can be dangerous and intimidating, but even if you go there only to eat and drink caipirinhas, you won't be disappointed!

Milan: Coconut Fountain

Milan: Coconut Fountain
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Milan: Clowns

Milan: Clowns
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Milan: Ciao Bella

Milan: Ciao Bella
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Milan: Via Montenapoleone

Milan: Via Montenapoleone
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Milan: Milano/Oxford

Milan: Milano/Oxford
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Milan: Hotel Verona

Milan: Hotel Verona
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Milan: Hotel City

Milan: Hotel City
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Milan: Pannocchie

Pannocchie
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Milan: $!

Milan: $!
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Milan: Via Ragazzi del '99

Via Ragazzi del '99
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Deputy Mayor of Delhi Killed by Horde of Monkeys

Monkeys kill Delhi deputy mayor
Delhi's deputy mayor dies after falling from a terrace while trying to fight off a horde of wild monkeys.
BBC News
Last Updated: Sunday, 21 October 2007, 21:33 GMT 22:33 UK










SS Bajwa suffered serious head injuries when he fell from the first-floor terrace of his home on Saturday morning trying to fight off the monkeys.

Click here for complete article.

British Airways Baggage Policy: Effective November 6, 2007

BRITISH AIRWAYS BAGGAGE POLICY

British Airways’ revised hold baggage policy will come into full effect from November 6.

The new policy was partially introduced in February to give staff and customers sufficient time to familiarise themselves with the changes. Since then, the airline has conducted extensive research involving its customers and its staff.

As a result, it will make a number of changes, designed to address the key concerns highlighted.

The changes will mean:
Excess baggage charges will be significantly reduced.
Customers will benefit from a 20 per cent discount if they pay excess baggage charges online at ba.com.

Revised online excess baggage rates will be:
UK domestic flights - £14 one-way (previously £24)
All other short haul - £24 one-way (previously £48)
Long haul - £60 one-way (previously £96)

Customers paying excess baggage charges at the airport will pay:
UK domestic - £20 one-way (previously £30)
All other shorthaul - £30 one-way (previously £60)
Long haul - £75 one-way (previously £120)

Continued flexibility for customers who are unable to carry one bag, provided they remain within the 23kgs weight limit.

Customers who check in bags within their piece allowance but that exceed 23kgs will pay a flat-rate of £25, with effect from November 4, 2008, once the airline’s transition into London Heathrow’s Terminal 5 is complete.

Customers will continue to be able to take their sporting equipment such as golf bags and skis for free in addition to their normal personal baggage allowance.

The airline has redefined the list of sporting equipment to make it easier for customers to understand what they can and cannot check in. It also takes into account limitations of airport baggage systems and size and weight restrictions in the aircraft hold.

All other aspects of the policy will remain the same.

Since introducing its new baggage policy in February 2007, the airline has conducted research with its staff and customers. The revisions to the policy reflect the outcome of this research.

With effect from November 6, passengers’ personal baggage allowance will be:

One bag weighing no more than 23kgs for Euro/World Traveller economy passengers with the exception of some longhaul routes including, the USA and Canada, Argentina, Brazil, the Caribbean, Mexico, Bermuda, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria. Customers travelling in World Traveller (economy) to and from the above destinations will be able to take two bags, each weighing no more than 23kgs.

Two bags, each weighing no more than 23kgs for Club Europe and World Traveller Plus passengers.

Three bags, each weighing no more than 23kgs for Club World and First passengers. Sporting equipment such as golf bags and skis can be taken free of charge in addition to a passenger’s personal baggage allowance.

Where it is clear that a passenger cannot manage one bag of 23kgs, they will be able to check in an additional bag free of charge, as long as both bags are within 23kgs. Infants’ personal allowance is one bag, weighing no more than 23kgs. Pushchairs, car seats and wheelchairs can be taken in addition to the baggage allowance.

Hand baggage allowance remains:
Passengers departing from or transferring through a UK airport can take one standard-sized bag no bigger than 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm (22 inches x 17.5 inches x 9.85 inches).

Passengers departing airports outside the UK, and whose journey ends in the UK can take:
One standard sized bag no bigger than 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm (22 inches x 17.5 inches x 9.85 inches) and a laptop sized bag or briefcase.

There is no weight limit for cabin bags, provided customers can lift the bags, unaided, into the overhead lockers in the aircraft cabin.

Restrictions remain in place for the carriage of liquids, gels and creams in hand baggage for all passengers departing from and transferring through all EU airports, the USA and Canada. Some other airports around the world operate their own restrictions. Customers are advised to check before they travel.

Please visit www.ba.com for full details of the revised baggage policy.

Milan: Bentley

Bentley
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Milan: Ferrari/Via Montenapoleone

Ferrari/Via Montenapoleone
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Milan: Taxi Stand

Taxi Stand
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Milan: Ai Treni

Ai Treni
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Milan: Too Much Milano

Too Much Milano
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Milan: Shock Economy Milano

Shock Economy Milano
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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BBC Worldwide buys Lonely Planet

BBC Worldwide buys Lonely Planet
BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, has bought the travel guide publisher, Lonely Planet.
BBC News
Last Updated: Monday, 1 October 2007, 10:27 GMT 11:27 UK

We felt that BBC Worldwide would provide a platform true to our vision and values, while allowing us to take the business to the next level ...

Click here for complete article.

Photography courtesy of Plymography's photostream on Flickr.

Milan: Cosi Fan Tutti

Cosi Fan Tutti
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Milan: Hot Uomo

Hot Uomo
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Milan: Andiamo Shopping!

Andiamo Shopping!
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Milan: Chiude/Apre

Chiude/Apre
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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Maponya Mall in Soweto

Giant Soweto shopping mall opens
Former South African President Nelson Mandela has opened the largest shopping centre in southern Africa in Soweto.
BBC News
Last Updated: Thursday, 27 September 2007, 11:35 GMT 12:35 UK

The Maponya Mall marks a transformation for the Johannesburg township, once an impoverished centre in the struggle against apartheid.

Click here for complete article.

Photography courtesy of Pan-African News Wire File Photos' photostream on Flickr.

Milan: Reserved Seating

Reserved Seating
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
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BBC Photos from Papua's Central Highlands

In pictures: Papua gets connected
BBC News

















Eight hours flying time from the Indonesian capital, the Central Highlands in Indonesia's Papua province are among the least visited places in the world.

Click here for complete photo essay.

New Jersey: Snow Crab Clusters

Snow Crab Clusters
Photography by Tiki Chris © 2007
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New Jersey: Moby's Deck

Moby's
Photography by Tiki Chris © 2007
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Garage Culture in Murmansk, Russia: No Girl's Allowed

In pictures: Murmansk's gorgeous garages
BBC News










The men of Russia's Arctic city of Murmansk have an unlikely passion - as a woman living there explains: "Many men in Murmansk love escaping to their garages, which are often built far away from the apartment blocks where they live."

Click here for complete photo essay.

Honolulu Food Blog: Too Cruel!

Tasty Island is an extensive and thorough blog about "the wonderful food of Hawaii, with a focus on Honolulu on the island of Oahu" - and just in case you didn't know, Hawaii is one of the yummiest places on this planet. The site includes reviews "of eateries ranging from the neighborhood plate lunch stand to fine dining restaurants," along with recipes and some decadently tempting photography of some of Hawaii's most onolicious grinds!

An informal, and rather kind, Spam Musubi Rating System is used for reviews with one musubi being "average" and a rating of five being "superb." Here's the breakdown:

(1) Average. (She Go)
(2) Good. I’m glad I tried it. (Ono)
(3) Very Good. Considerable of another visit or purchase. (Supah’ Ono!)
(4) Excellent. Worth another visit or purchase. (Winnahz!)
(5) Superb. Worthy of repeat visits or purchases. (Broke Da’ Mout’!)

Drooling and pangs of hunger aside, Tasty Island is a sweet lil' blog full of aloha for and info about one of the world's most unique places to eat. Mahalo!

New Jersey: Moby's

Moby's
Photography by Tiki Chris © 2007
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New Jersey: Bahr's

Bahr's
Photography by Tiki Chris © 2007
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Out of the Frying Pan at Espace Uhoda (Liège, Belgium)

Going to be in Liège around October? Here's an interesting exhibition of recent MFAs from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London .

Out of the Frying Pan ...
Mike Ballard (UK)
Marcin Dudek (Poland)
Lia Anna Henning (Germany)
Mark Melvin (UK)

28 September - 3 November 2007















Espace Uhoda
Rue Léon Frédéricq 14
B-4020 Liège
T & F: + 32 (0)4 222 02 60
Mobile: +32 (0)474 79 48 15
info@espaceuhoda.be
http://espaceuhoda.be/

New Jersey: Relish the Thought

Relish the Thought
Photography by Tiki Chris © 2007
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Girlie Men of the Taliban

I originally saw this video from Slate.com posted at Inner Diablog. Fascinating and definitely worth a look see.

New Jersey: Late Morning in Rumson

Late Morning in Rumson
Photography by Tiki Chris © 2007
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New Jersey: Reserved Seating

Reserved Seating
Photography by Tiki Chris © 2007
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New Jersey: Reeds

Reeds
Photography by Tiki Chris © 2007
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