K2 Tragedy

Not sure why I am intrigued by mountaineering, but ever since reading Into Thin Air, John Krakauer's personal account of the tragic ascent of Mt Everest on May 10, 1996, I have thought I would like to try my hand at climbing...albeit on a smaller scale than one of the world's tallest peaks. After reading Michael Kodas' story of the August tragedy on K2 this morning it awakened those desires...even if they are just temporary. Here is the story from Outside Magazine A Few False Moves.

Below is Outside Magazine's  interactive guide to what happened on the mountain. Let's hope I never decide to act on my silly thoughts.

Click on the arrow above to begin.

Dots

As the weather continues to grow colder (especially here in Chicago) those who have an Iphone or other touchscreen mobile phone will want to check out these gloves. The dots smooth curved surface provide for a safe scratch free experience as you use your phone in the elements. Here is the link to buy the gloves: Dots

Dream Team

Tired of watching the up and down ride of the stock market? Check out this 2005 Bordeaux collection buy and sit on it for 10-15 years and I predict it will appreciate more than the same amount in your brokerage account! 

2005 Bordeaux Collector's Set - $12,499.99 (was $14,999.99) Just arrived into our warehouse are a very limited number of 2005 Bordeaux Collector's sets. These are beautiful nine bottle wood cases containing one bottle each of 2005: Chateau Petrus Chateau Lafite Rothschild Chateau Mouton Rothschild Chateau Margaux Chateau Latour Chateau Haut Brion Chateau La Mission Haut Brion Chateau d'Yquem Chateau Cheval Blanc Each bottle is individually boxed within the nine bottle wood crate. Truly unique, these cases represent the finest collector's item of the famous 2005 Bordeaux vintage. With today's huge savings off our regular price, this is really a unique opportunity to pick up a piece of history. Enjoy! In Stock FRANCE - BORDEAUX 2005 Bordeaux Collector's Set Contains 1 bottle each of: Petrus, d'Yquem, Lafite Rothschild, Mouton Rothschild, Margaux, Latour, Haut Brion, Mission Haut Brion, Cheval Blanc Bordeaux Blend 750ml - $12,499.99 (was $14,999.99) 2005 Cheval Blanc Bordeaux Blend Wine Spectator, Mar 2008, 97 points: "This is really gorgeous on the nose, with blackberry, mineral, light vanilla bean and milk chocolate. Full-bodied, with ultrafine tannins and a long, caressing finish. This is racy and very beautiful. The tannins coat the palate, but leave a provoking impression. A Cheval for long-term aging. Best after 2017. –JS" 2005 Haut Brion Bordeaux Blend Wine Spectator, Mar 2008, 100 points: "This is incredible on the nose, showing coffee cake, blackberry, floral, coffee bean and vanilla bean, with Chinese spices. A very complex, full-bodied red, with seamless, hyperpolished tannins that caress every millimeter of the palate. Lasts for minutes. So beautifully balanced, I'm left speechless. Is it even better than the 1989? Best after 2017. 9,080 cases made. –JS" 2005 Lafite-Rothschild Bordeaux Blend Wine Spectator, Mar 2008, 98 points: "Delivers blackberry, dried porcini, tobacco and licorice aromas. Full-bodied, with layers of velvety tannins and loads of dark chocolate, cigar box, currant, berry and mineral. The finish is long, with a coffee, almost meaty, aftertaste. Very beautiful and balanced. Best after 2013. –JS" 2005 Latour, Chateau Bordeaux Blend Wine Spectator, Mar 2008, 99 points: "Dark ruby black in color. Brilliant, intense aromas of mineral, blackberry and currant, with hints of Indian spices and cigar box, lead to a full-bodied palate, with ultrafine tannins and a beautiful balance of blackberry, raspberry and mineral. There's subtlety, yet also great depth. Lasts for minutes on the palate. This is a Latour with fabulous tone and vigor. Best after 2018. 12,500 cases made. –JS" 2005 Margaux, Chateau Bordeaux Blend Wine Spectator, Mar 2008, 100 points: "Black in color, delivering extraordinary aromas of blackberry, raisin, spices and fresh mushroom. Full-bodied, with an amazing core of ripe fruit, yet ultrabalanced and finely textured. Touches every taste bud. This incredible young red spent two years in new wood, but you can?t tell. It's all glorious fruit. A legendary wine. Best after 2017. –JS" 2005 Mission Haut Brion, La Bordeaux Blend Wine Spectator, Mar 2008, 97 points: "The Indian spices and blackberry on the nose are so enticing and inspiring, leading to a full-bodied palate, with very polished tannins that caress. Goes on and on as this builds on the palate, with a mineral and berry aftertaste. For long-term aging. Best after 2015. 5,665 cases made. –JS" 2005 Mouton-Rothschild Bordeaux Blend Wine Advocate, Apr 2008, 96 points: "The 2005 Mouton Rothschild will have to take a back seat to the prodigious 2006, but administrator Philippe Dalhuin deserves considerable credit for pushing Mouton to higher quality levels over recent years. A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest mostly Merlot, the dark purple-hued 2005 exhibits a restrained but promising nose of cedar, tobacco leaf, creme de cassis, and toasty oak. Full-bodied, tannic, and extremely backward, with the vintage’s tell-tale acidity, it appears to be even more closed in the bottle than it was from barrel. It does possess a long finish and multilayered mouthfeel. This is an undeniably outstanding, yet restrained, shy wine for a Mouton Rothschild. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040+" 2005 Petrus Bordeaux Blend Wine Spectator, Mar 2008, 100 points: "A sleeping giant. Dark ruby in color, showing aromas of blackberry, cèpe and green olive, with a hint of mineral. Full-bodied, with ultrafine tannins and a supercaressing mouthfeel. Turns to coffee, dark chocolate and berry. Chewy yet balanced. Very, very long in the mouth. The finish is absolutely breathtaking. Best after 2013. –JS" 2005 Yquem, Chateau d' Sauternes Blend Wine Spectator, Jun 2006, 95 - 100 points: "Floral, lemon, apple and cream with dried pineapple and apricot. Full-bodied, but very focused and refined. It starts slowly and then, wham! It goes on and on. Spicy, dried fruits and spices. Full-bodied, medium-sweet. So long and exciting. It is very close to 2001. We will see."

Moosejaw

I received the email below this past weekend....I really like this retailer and even though I only make a few purchases a year I enjoy receiving their email newsletters. This one is interesting because it contains a barcode coupon that is worth up to $100 on an in-store purchase. Good use of graphics, a cool teaser, well written rules for the offer and links to their webite, myspace and facebook pages. A lot going on but well done....

Here are some unimportant notes about this bar code thing...
To view this email as a web page, go here.

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Here are some unimportant notes about this bar code thing... The bar code is attached to your email address. So, if you forward this email to a friend it won't work and no one will like you anymore. Sorry for being so mean in a, above. This deal is valid for purchases over $10 only. The deal is good in Moosejaw shops only. It won't work online. At least, not on Moosejaw.com The promo ends Sunday, Oct 26th so please snap to. I'm not positive what I'm going to be for Halloween. It's between a stapler or a ball. I think that covers it. Love the Madness. Moosejaw MySpace Facebook

Screw The Economy!

I guess the economy doesn't really matter when it comes to your beloved sports team. The NY Jets recently started auctioning off PSL's for 2,000+ of their very best seats in their new stadium they will be sharing with the NY Giants. $65,100 is the highest bid so far for a pair of 50 yard line seats. Here is the NY Times story.

If you are interested in bidding here is the link to Stubhub.