Camelback

Back in November of last year, I went to a series of business meetings at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Camelback is a landmark in many ways – a destination that for some families is a tradition. The landscaping and architecture is unique. In these days of high land prices and rising building costs, I doubt it could be duplicated. Most of the “casitas” (something between a suite and a room) are private despite being next to other guests and large compared to the average suite style rooms of today. The decorations are custom and appropriate to the setting, even if the setting itself is not entirely natural.

However, it isn’t a bargin by anyone’s measure. The million dollar natural landscaping, takes a lot of care and with the rising prices for land, represents a huge investment. The standards for quality are good and the atmosphere is relaxed – certainly that is a big part of what you would pick a vacation location for in the first place. If the $300-$500 a night prices scare you off, I don’t think anyone will be looking for ways to lower the price to a level you can handle. But for me, it is expensive. Given my personal preference, I would rather spend the same money in Carmel or Mendocino even in the coldest, wettest months. Everyone has a dream… —>

A

In my work, I do a lot of brainstoming. That might sound like something that would be a lot of fun to do for a living, and it is. But, like anything you do a lot, over time it becomes a process in which you use a lot of tools to get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible.

I have used Wikis a few times over the years to get people involved in documenting their creative processes, but because they are usually installed on a server with a webserver, I never considered using one as my private notepad. I realized my oversight today when I read my son’s post on his tests of tools to help him in writing.

Although I plan to buy a new notebook computer soon, I don’t think I would select a Mac just for the editing programs. So I decided to look for some reference to desktop wiki to substitute for the VooDooPad wiki he mentioned in his journal. I looked around and found myself using the MoinMoin DesktopEdition within a few minutes. (If you are using Windows, do use the Windows download version to get it running quickly)

Using it, I managed to get the rebranding process done I have procrastinated on for a couple of weeks. Is it the tool or the idea of trying out a new toy that got me going? I don’t really know and only time will tell. In the meantime – Wiki Wiki! (Quick Quick) —>

Telling

I have been working on the gallery I have to put my fotos online. Some of them are from the old site, many are new. It has been a surprising process. I realize I have several hundred pictures and that in them is a story of the people and places I have been over the past three months.

The gallery has been restyled and I like the way it looks better. I have not tried to put the full size picture files online. Too many of our family and friends don’t have fast connections to view it with. I have the original files on disk, so they are available. There is a “slideshow” feature on the gallery that runs well if you would like to try it.

It is nice to see the story the gallery tells unfold. The threads are all there – our house in Cueramaro, our family and friends there, my travels, the people I work with in Morelia, and the things I see daily. You’re going to have to keep returning to see it, but it is coming together. —>

Galeria

I took a few minutes to work on the features today – Thanks to the features of WordPress, I now have a gallery listing on my sidebar, a new gallery ( Momentos ), which I will add to over time as I used to on the old weblog. All in all, the system works better than I imagined it might, so I’m happy. I will be able to add more fotos and galleries, putting back ones from the earlier versions of the weblog and getting some of the wealth pictures I have now online.

And

Ok – next big step – adding a gallery. Right now this is just a few fotos from Anna & Miguel’s 50th Wedding Anniversary. When I get a little more time, I will put up some more but I need to size them first. —>