| Hello: Sorry I didn’t send a Mash-Up last week while I was on vacation. Here’s the 10th edition of MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-up. We’ll kick off every week with this quick collection of tips, recommendations, observations and other interesting, valuable stuff. – Tom |
| Monday, March 19, 2018 MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-Up I’m Reading About My Fair City I admit it. I’m a homer. I was born and raised in St. Louis, and I continue to live and work here. So I’m always happy to see positive coverage from national media. Last week, the New York Times published a great travel piece that says, “The city has all you could want — museums, green spaces, good music and exciting new restaurants — plus that distinct Midwestern friendliness.” Those of you who reside here, too, already knew it. Those of you who live and work elsewhere, please come for a visit. If you swing by the MarketVolt office, I’ll take you to lunch across the street at Vicia, one of the city’s great restaurants mentioned in the article. I’m Watching (and Listening To)…Paul Simon – 18 years ago today, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A few weeks ago, he announced this will be his last year touring. In 1987, he performed in support of his “Graceland” album in Zimbabwe, Africa. He could not perform in South Africa, because some of the artists with whom he was touring were exiled by the Apartheid government that still ruled the country. The concert in Zimbabwe was released on DVD as “Graceland: The African Concert.” The DVD is hard to find, but clips from the concert are available on YouTube. Here are three of my favorites: Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes (Simon with Ladysmith Black Mambazo). Under African Skies. Linda Ronstadt sang harmonies on the album. In this stunning live version, Simon sings with the exiled South African jazz singer Miriam Makeba. Bring Him Back Home (Nelson Mandela). From the same concert, this song was written and performed by the South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela, who passed away in January. It would take another three years after this concert before the South African government released Nelson Mandela from prison (in 1990 after 27 years). This performance still gives me chills. Resources for Travelers I just returned from vacation so I thought I’d share some of the apps I’ve found valuable during this and previous journeys…Detour offers collections of audio-guided walking tours in selected cities, including San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Savannah, Boston, Washington D.C., Portland, Charleston, New Orleans and several overseas destinations. RunGo Looking for a good, safe route to run or walk in an unfamiliar city? RunGo offers more than 100,000 routes around the globe, with turn-by-turn voice navigation. Sit or Squat Find a clean, safe public bathroom near you, brought to you by the folks at Charmin bath tissue. Smart marketing move by Charmin and useful app when you’re nowhere near your hotel room bathroom. Quotes We’re Pondering (RIP, Stephen Hawking)Stephen Hawking passed away last week. We know he was a scientific genius. Until I read about him last week, I didn’t realize how witty and wise he was: “Unfortunately, Eddie [Redmayne] did not inherit my good looks.” (referring to the actor who portrayed him in “The Theory of Everything.”) “It would not be much of a universe if it wasn’t home to the people you love.” Asked in 2017 if he was the smartest person on earth, he replied: “I would never claim this. People who boast about their IQ are losers.” Reasons I’m Grateful We have a great team here at MarketVolt. I’m so grateful to go on vacation knowing that the company I “run” will run smoothly without me. And I’m grateful to end a vacation, eager to return to work at a place I love. *** Any reading, listening, quoting, resourcing that you think we should share? Send us a tip. Until next time, enjoy the rest of this week and the weekend. Tom |
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