Unique Hidden Alleyways of Lyon France

After heading to Europe on four different occasion, I am disappointed I have never visited France. I’ve never even had a connecting flight land in this fine country.

Not only do I love the idea of a good stay in Paris, I would also like to go to France’s second largest city, Lyon. Once there, I would really want to explore the hidden “Traboules” within "Old Town".

It is a feature of Lyon possibly as quaint as the back alleyways and small, least used streets of Venice. Lyon has over 400 of these hidden passageway that link two parallel streets. This network of internal labyrinth of alleyways dates back to the 1500’s

You are very unlikely to happen upon or discover any of these hidden passageways on your own. However, there are a few well made maps that reveal where to make your way deep within the maze. (One such maps may be picked up at the Tourism Office, Place de la Republique.) Many traboule entries appear to be secured via a private secured keypad; if you simply hit the lower central button on the lower row of the keypad you are often instantly granted access. I feel when you use hidden attractions like traboules, just for a moment you truly feel like a local.

My description of a "Maze" might be an overstatement, since they really aren’t interconnected. Each begins and end perpendicular to a public street; serving as a shortcut. Many feature beautiful little central courtyards.

A famous attraction within one of the inner courtyards only accessible thought a Traboule is a large spiral staircase called the Pink tower.

Surprisingly, this listed Lyon attraction reminds me of a rarely visited little attraction I once saw in Venice, called "The Winding Staircase", Contarini Bovolo.

I digress, let's get back to Lyon, France.

Here are some tips for you if you find yourself wondering the streets one day:
Things To Do in Lyon (240 Reviews - 207 Photos)
1. Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière (39 Reviews - 43 Photos)
2. Vieux Lyon - general (35 Reviews - 46 Photos)
3. Cathédrale St-Jean (20 Reviews - 18 Photos)
4. Rhône & Saône Rivers (18 Reviews - 16 Photos)
5. Fourvière Hill (14 Reviews - 13 Photos)
6. Musée Civilisation Gallo-Romaine &Amphitheatres (13 Reviews - 10 Photos)
7. Presqu'ile (13 Reviews - 12 Photos)
8. Place des Terreaux (12 Reviews - 14 Photos)
9. Place Bellecour (12 Reviews - 11 Photos)
10. Parc de la Téte d'Or (9 Reviews - 4 Photos)
» More Things To Do in Lyon

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/France/Rhone_Alpes/Lyon-105728/TravelGuide-Lyon.html

Unique Hidden Alleyways of Lyon France

Tools to Analyze a GREEN World

The tools to analyze our GREEN world: http://firstlook.3tiergroup.com/

Although you can already feel the .green world bursting at the seems with ventures like AWS “True Wind” hitting the scene each and every day on the web:
http://www.awstruewind.com/maps/united-states.cfm
I often find their signature tool “Wind Navigator” is often down and not working for days at a time. Also a sign of how new and green do many of these company’s are.
http://www.awstruewind.com/windnavigator-demo.cfm

You have to start somewhere though. And I respect each of these entrepreneurs for jumping on the band wagon and understanding this is hardly a fad.

Texas Incentives for Renewable and Efficiency infrastructures:
http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/map2.cfm?CurrentPageID=1&State=TX&RE=1&EE=1

Tools to Analyze a GREEN World

Maps Worth A 1000 Words...

Human Development Index:

Countries fall into three broad categories based on their HDI: high, medium, and low human development. The 2007/2008 edition of the Human Development Report was published on November 27, 2007; in Brasília, Brazil.

Which map of the world do you find most compelling?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Development_Index

Maps Worth A 1000 Words...

Where or when will your kids go to school? 1950 or 2015

It is now understood we are using a school system designed in the 50's to educate our kids born in the 21st century. Unfortunately, this reality doesn't sound like a very forward thinking proposition for the wealthiest country on the world...
Let's look for a moment at the latest tools which should presumably be the types of technologies tomorrow's students will find useful.

First consider a writing instrument such as the PULSE SmartPen, that record all verbal lectures while each note is taken. Then allows you to simply tap the note on the paper, to replay and hear the related sound bite.
$150
(This pen also saves all your recorded notes too your computer; converts them to searchable text if your wish; and places them on the Internet for sharing if desired. -Click Here- for example notes.)

Now how about an exceptional, portable system for storing and viewing all text books; such as, the iLiad by iRex Technologies; which scores big by providing a touch screen over its' eInk screen creating a very effective ePaper! This allows for very convenient highlighting, bookmarking, annotating and instant text searching.
$500
Some models also provide wireless Internet connectivity.

Now all that's needed is an inexpensive home based or portable computer to plug these devices into and utilize for heavy typing and easy Internet based research and reporting. Doesn't have to be too fancy, and thanks to all the free software available via Google Apps, we really don't need to buy much in the way of software tools. ASUSTek sales just such a machine. The Eee PC 1000 (h)
$350
Okay, now that the students of the future each have all the devices they require; for around $1000!
**Recognizing it is odd that the eBook cost almost as much as the PC. However, these eInk based devices should drastically come down as their popularity increases and novelty wears off. There are several good eInk based eBook options in the $300-$400 rang but they don't have a touch screen.

Let's first consider the (simplified,) primary $$ cost of today's educational system:

• Facilities - Building and classrooms
• Staff - Teachers, Administrators, Support Staff - janitorial, security, custodian, lawn care, cooks, etc...
• Materials - Books, Furnishings, Supplies
• Technology - Computers, Video Projection Systems, Software, networking
• Food, and Utilities - Electricity, phone, water, sewage, Internet service provider, etc...

Now lets briefly list the obvious pro and cons of a solution such as homeschooling:

PROS:

• Avoiding all infrastructure cost and inefficiencies listed above to maintain the public schools
• A potential for self-paced progression for each student. Move ahead in accordance to your abilities versus simply your age.
  

CONS:

• Depending on the age of the student, a Parent, guardian or instructor must be present at all times.
• Maintaining good accountability of work completion and performance is hard to regulate or enforce.
• Some lower income families are dependent on the school system for reliable food and shelter during the work week.

So what is the actual cost of today's educational system system?
What standards could actually be enforced?
Are "Gadgets" and new technologies enough?

• Recoding all hand written notes, synchronized with audio of online lecture.
• eBooks with reported confirmations of read text
• Study materials with recorded and reported highlighting
• 
  

Can the Internet be utilized to provide a reliable homeschooling infrastructure?

• Curriculum accountability through uploaded work and study preparations
• Online live video lecturing with remote student interaction

How can these possibilities and solutions like them not all be weighed as a viable part of an extremely deteriorating educational system, and a goal to excel as a world leader in modern innovations and opportunities.

Where or when will your kids go to school? 1950 or 2015

I am what I eat... And, no - I wouldn't call you fat!

I don't discuss or report on a whole lot of nutritional issues or information, but I'm making an exception today...

It was recently sugested by a doctor of mine to change up the sources of my nutrition.
A recommendation was made for 80 percent to 100 percent of my calories to come from vegetables, fruit, raw nuts, potatoes, and either lean or omega-3 protein sources including fish, lean meat, skinless chicken, wild game, grass-fed animals and omega-3 eggs. Spices such as garlic, ginger, turmeric, oregano, and the other popular spices are all anti-inflammatory. The best oils/fats to use in moderation are extra-virgin olive oil, coconut oil and butter.

Instead I was describe as being on a typical "American Suiside Diet", one which consisted of; food and calories soucreced from about 10 percent dairy products, 20 percent from refined sugar, 20 percent from refined grains, 20 percent from refined oils. The biggest problems clearly are the sugar, grains and oils. Approximately another 20 percent of calories come from obese meat, which is the fatty meat from domestic animals that live a sedentary life in feedlots where they are fed a tonnage of grains/corn instead of grass/pasture. The remaining 10 percent of calories might be fruits and vegetables.

It does seem I'm in trouble here... I don't think I can deny the accusations... This food issue combined with all the hours I spend sitting at a computer arn't good news!

Our focus should be on correcting the 80 percent of calories that come from sugar, refined grains, oils and obese meat. Worrying about yogurt, the occasional bran muffin, a cup of coffee, etc., has little influence compared to the tsunami of inflammation created by the 80 percent of calories derived from inflammatory foods. Another key to reducing dietary trauma and inflammation is to eat appropriate amounts for your body. In general, overeating leads to an inflammatory response.

I like that! I'm not fat, or merely gaining weight...
My body is simply having an "inflammatory response" to my diet. :-)

Knowing you have a problem is have the battle...
Now at least we know what to call it.

I am what I eat... And, no - I wouldn't call you fat!

Neither candidate is talking about the REAL ISSUES!

So here we are about 30 days from the elections...

Neither candidate is talking about the REAL ISSUES! But what difference does it make - NEITHER ARE WE!

Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative; if you ignore these REAL issues; and continue to allow your favorite candidate to ignore them, then you have helped in ripping the fabric of our democracy to shreds.

It is real simple, most, if not all of the things we are arguing over as United States citizens whom like to act every four years as if we are divided into to TWO simple political parties, will be a moot point once our Dollar plummets to the value of the Russian Ruble. Studie these charts and you will clearly understand why we are facing a complete collapse of the American way of life!


All thanks to the theft, embezzlement and misappropriation of the leadership in this country! Leadership by both the Republican and Democratic parties that each of us try to find some pride in claiming as our own.

Since we have oddly allowed ourselves to become a TWO party democracy. As if two parties could ever have the wherewithal to comprehensively represent the fabric of 360 million people! We at least created a smaller target of only two groups to hold responsible, but we still didn't bother. If you call yourself a Republican or a Democrat then I ask when is the last time you also chose to hold either of your own parties accountable. Shouldn't you always worry about the log in your own eye before you point out the spec in your brothers.

We let all of them get away with every last dime of squandered American dollars. We let ourselves get distracted with crazy issues having almost NOTHING to do with the impact our federal government actually has on economy, our savings, our stability and our lives. While acting as if decision over the following types of topics should affect our voting preference for the President of the United States; abortion, gay rights, universal health care, a fear of socialism, gun control the fear we of all nations would ever have trouble defending ourselves when we're the ONLY "super power" in the world, and certainly the only one with over half a dozen aircraft carriers, and fighter planes that now cost $220 million dollars a piece (10x more than any predecessors,); and can go head to head with any other modern fighter at a ratio of 2 on 15 and still win.

We have active imaginations in this country as to what issue matter for both the long and short term areas of our lives and how our federal government will impact each versus our state and local leadership. And yet we continue to go on forgetting the impact our Federal leadership has on the very Dollars we use to run each and every one of our lives in this country.

Are you worried about the stock market? Are you worried about your retirement? It does not matter if you earned 4% or 14% on your CDs & 401k if when you go to access that money the dollar has drop another 10% in value. How well would you swallow a 40% drop? Who do you think is in charge of the 17-33% you send them every two weeks in FICA and Social Security payment? On top of this you pay 8%+ on every retail purchase you make. And this is all just for starters and just keeping it REAL simple! It is not hard to get your mind around what you should really be voting for! Stop thinking it is about pro-life or gay rites, and gun control, and start understanding it is about Theft, Embezzlement and corruption! Stop thinking it is about Socialism, and understand it is about the type of corruption that only a communist would be guilty of.

Stop thinking the Democrats cornered the market on Social Program spending when no one in history can shake a stick at the spending of the republicans, and stop believing that the Democrats will solve things by taxing the rich when they won't stop the excessive corporate taxes which burdened our much needed employees.

Ask yourself? Are you about the Left or the right, or are you about the right and the wrong?

Neither candidate is talking about the REAL ISSUES!

Interesting views of our "Fundamentally strong" economy

Interesting & interactive views of our "Fundamentally strong" economy:

MSNBC has started making it a habit to put some admirable efforts into many weekly interactive charts & slide shows. Here is a nice one that summarizes the incredible two year picture of Wall Streets peaks and valleys. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26797480

Interesting views of our "Fundamentally strong" economy