Monday, April 29, 2024

Through the Keyhole - May 2024

 

Through the Keyhole

May 2024

Take a break from your day...

Not your typical company OR newsletter

 

 

 

"This city is said to be like that effortlessly cool friend who always knows the best spots to hang out.  Not sure if it is known for its light or love...  Filled with quirky street names that translate to things like "street of the bad boys" or "street of glassware".  When you go, bring a lock with your beloved to affix to the famous bridge."

Can you guess the location?

 

It's Mayday Again!

May Day is like the ultimate springtime celebration—it's all about shaking off the winter blues and welcoming the sunshine with open arms. Picture this: colorful parades, picnics in the park, and maybe even a little bit of dancing around a maypole just for fun.

But here's the cool part: May Day isn't just about flowers and sunshine; it's also a day to celebrate workers and all they do to keep the world turning. So while you're out enjoying the festivities, take a moment to appreciate the people who make it all possible, whether they're punching the clock or fighting for fair wages.

Whether you're frolicking in a field of wildflowers or kicking back with friends and family, May Day is the perfect excuse to soak up the good vibes and spread a little love and solidarity along the way. 

This month kicks off outdoor concert season, so that's nice.

Additionally, CONGRATULATIONS to all of the graduates at this time of year.

Oh, and wedding season begins as well.  Indy 500.  Kentucky Derby.  My anniversary and son's birthday... What a great month.

So get that BBQ all shined up and get outside. 

Cheers to that!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you know about the KENTUCKY DERBY?

The Kentucky Derby, also known as "The Run for the Roses," is one of the most prestigious horse races in the world, steeped in tradition and excitement. Here are some fun facts about this iconic event:

1. Mint Juleps: The signature drink of the Kentucky Derby is the mint julep, a refreshing cocktail made with bourbon, mint, sugar, and crushed ice. It's estimated that over 120,000 mint juleps are served at Churchill Downs during the two-day Kentucky Oaks and Derby weekend.

2. Big Hats: The Kentucky Derby is famous for its extravagant hats, with attendees donning all manner of elaborate headwear. It's a tradition that dates back to the early days of the race and adds to the festive atmosphere of the event.

3. Fastest Two Minutes in Sports: The Kentucky Derby is often referred to as the "Fastest Two Minutes in Sports" due to the race's duration, which typically lasts around two minutes from start to finish.

4. Garland of Roses: The winning horse of the Kentucky Derby is draped with a garland of roses in the winner's circle. This tradition began in 1896 when the winning jockey's girlfriend presented him with a bouquet of roses. The red roses symbolize the official flower of the Kentucky Derby.

5. The Twin Spires: The iconic twin spires of Churchill Downs, where the Kentucky Derby is held, are one of the most recognizable symbols of the race. They were added to the grandstand in 1895 and have since become synonymous with the event.

6. Triple Crown: The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the prestigious Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, which also includes the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. Winning all three races is considered one of the greatest achievements in horse racing.

7. Older Than the NBA and NFL: The Kentucky Derby predates the founding of both the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Football League (NFL). The inaugural running of the Derby took place in 1875, making it one of the oldest continuously held sporting events in the United States.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Derby Experience ~ 3 minutes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bluetooth Auracast

Bluetooth Auracast was another tech standard that had its breakout moment CES 2024. We were so impressed after trying Auracast at CES that we concluded that "it'll change our relationship with headphones". 

Why so? Auracast's key skill is allowing your compatible headphones to tune into devices that you're not paired with. And this will soon give us a whole range of benefits – from letting you tune into the gate announcements at the airport so you don't miss your flight to listening to a sports bar's TV screen. 

The other benefit of Auracast is that it can broadcast to several devices simultaneously – for example, letting a co-worker quickly share the audio from their Windows laptop or iPhone (with a password to stop random listeners) or allowing those with hearing aids to easily tune into an public speaking event. It's still early days for Auracast with little hardware support so far, but expect to hear a lot more about it in 2024. 

See the complete article HERE

 

 

 

Guess the Location Game

Last month the winner of the guess the location game was
Randy Haggen who guessed the right answer.  I appreciate all of the participation.  THANKS FOR PLAYING!

 

 

 

 

ANSWER: Vienna, Austria

 

 

 

 

 

 

"No they aren't famous for their Hot Dogs here.  With about 2 million people living here, they are the 5th largest city in the region and is called the "City of Music."  You can also ride a ferris wheel where they use train cars as the vehicle."

 

Vienna, Austria is a beautiful city filled with music.  No, Vienna Hot Dogs are not made there but rather right here in Chicago.  And they have one of the coolest ferris wheels in the world.

 Vienna isn't just a city—it's like a grand symphony of history, culture, and charm all wrapped up in a cozy coffeehouse atmosphere. Picture this: wandering the cobblestone streets, ducking into a centuries-old café for a slice of Sachertorte and a velvety cup of coffee, all while soaking in the rich melodies of street performers echoing through the air.

 And let's not forget about the palaces! Schönbrunn Palace is like stepping into a fairytale, with its sprawling gardens and opulent rooms fit for royalty. Meanwhile, the Hofburg Palace is where you can practically feel the whispers of history as you wander through the corridors once trodden by emperors and empresses.

But Vienna isn't stuck in the past—it's a city buzzing with creativity and innovation. You'll find colorful street art, modern architecture gems like the Hundertwasserhaus, and a vibrant contemporary art scene that's as diverse as it is exciting.

Whether you're a history buff, a music lover, or just someone who appreciates the finer things in life (like a good pastry), Vienna has something for everyone. It's like a delicious blend of old-world charm and modern flair that'll leave you enchanted from the moment you arrive.

Vienna, like any city with a rich history, has its fair share of intriguing and sometimes eerie stories lurking in its past. Picture wandering through the winding streets of the old town, where centuries-old buildings cast long shadows and whispers of history seem to linger in the air.

One of the spookier tales involves the famous Hofburg Palace. It's not just a regal residence; it's also said to be haunted by the ghost of Empress Elisabeth, affectionately known as Sisi. Legend has it that her spirit still roams the halls, perhaps searching for the peace she never found in life.

Then there's the story of the mysterious catacombs beneath St. Stephen's Cathedral. These ancient chambers hold the remains of countless Viennese residents, and wandering through them can send shivers down your spine as you contemplate the lives and deaths of those who came before.

And let's not forget about the hidden tunnels and secret passages rumored to crisscross the city. Who knows what secrets they hold or what mysteries they might reveal if you were brave enough to explore them? 

Despite these eerie tales, Vienna is still a vibrant and lively city, but it's fun to imagine the shadows of its past creeping into the present every now and then. Who knows what other secrets are waiting to be uncovered in this enchanting city?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Happy Hour ~ 1 minute

 

 

 

 

 

The Food  ~ 2 minutes

 

 

 

 

 

Food arrives on a rollercoaster... ~3 minutes

 

 

 

 

Well this is Random...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Driving Dogs

 

 

 

 

~ 4 minutes

 

 

Prowalk Tours

 

 

 

 

 These are long but really well done and fun to watch ~ 3 hours 23 minutes

 

 

Electrocluture Gardening...

 

 

 

 

 This works ~ 5 minutes

 

 

A Tree named THE PRESIDENT...

 

 

 

 

Not every tree has a nickname, but 'The President' has earned it.

This giant sequoia stands at 247 feet tall & is estimated to be over 3,200 years old.

Imagine, this tree was already 700 years old during the height of ancient Greece's civilization and 1200 years old when Jesus lived while Rome was well into its rule of most of the western world and points beyond.

The trunk of The President measures 27 feet across, with 2 BILLION needles from base to top.

They had to climb the tree with pulleys and levers and took thousands of photos.

Of those, they selected 126 and stitched them together to get this incredible portrait of The President.  Simply magnificent.

 

 

 

Interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boat Fails

 

 

 

 

~4 minutes 

 

 

Edgy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More Edgy Stuff...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bobby Flay's Crispy Rice Recipe

 

 

 

 

INGREDIENTS

·     2 cups Rice

·     1 cup Coconut Milk

·     ¼ Cup Oil

·     1 cup Water

·     1 cup Scallions

·     1 teaspoon Salt (To Taste)

·     ½ teaspoon Black Pepper (To Taste)

INSTRUCTIONS

1.            Take a saucepan and add a cup of water into it. Add coconut milk and rinsed rice into this mix. Season it with salt and pepper and boil this mixture until the rice is cooked properly. Cook the rice for twenty minutes until it is tender.

2. In the meantime, chop some scallions and add it into the bowl of rice and mix everything.

3. In another pan, heat olive oil and add cooked rice for sautéing. Cook for five minutes until it becomes golden brown and crispy. Give the rice a proper shape so that the bottom layer is intact with the pan.

4. Cook it on low heat for four to five minutes until the bottom layer is crispy enough. Bobby Flay crispy rice is ready when the bottom layer turns brown and crispy.

 

 

 

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