NewCityMovement

Diving Into Atlanta

I just got back from a trip to Atlanta GA where one of the coolest things I did was visit the Georgia Aquarium. Along with several exhibits that focus on regional and geographic water life it features the largest on land 'fish tank' in the world housing several whale sharks, sting rays and a hammerhead shark. The 2 foot thick acrylic viewing window which feels like a movie theater is the second largest in the world at 27 feet high, 63 feet wide. Walkways around the tank lead you through a 100 ft. tunnel and other port holes where you can see the life from various angles. The tunnel reminded me of those scenes in Jaws 3!

Webcams of the various tanks are running at the Aquarium website to get an idea of what I'm describing but it really is worth a visit if you're out that way or have a layover at the countries busiest airport. Also, it made me think differently about the Living Planet Aquarium project here in Utah, to which I've never been. Perhaps that's because it's in Sandy? [Flickr photo sources: A, B, C, D]

Shred The Bern

All this talk of bike safety at CityWeekly and I'm guilty as the rest of them! I really DO want to change. I definitely need better role models (ahem!). Speaking of helmets, if you're looking for something different than speeding bullet, fish head styles check out the Bern Baker or Watts (shown above), Giro Flak or Catlike 360 - all will make you look like a bad dirt bike deud while simulusly (I made that up) protecting your light bulb.

The Washington Post travel section visits Salt Lake City, ends up at Area 51 and Port O' Call. The comments section is amusing.

My Dream Date With San Francisco

I just returned from an extended weekend in blissful San Francisco where me and a few friends set up camp at the recently renovated Hotel Tomo in quiet Japan Town. Tomo is actually a Best Western in partnership with Joie de Vivre Hospitality who are responsible for the Japanese pop-culture makeover. From the wall of televisions and toy vending machines in the lobby to various anime murals and faux wood grain carpet in each guest room, it's a San Francisco experience like no other.

Enjoy this giant montage of photos that tell the story of our trip.














 

Long Way Down

Were it that any of us could be half as charming, daring and downright sexy as Ewan McGregor. Reuters reports that he and his best friend Charley Boorman have just complete their second amazing motorcycle journey together called the Long Way Down, produced in part with the BBC. The last time they traveled the Long Way Round on motorbikles from London to New York via Russia, Mongolia, Alaska and Canada in 115 days, making for some of the best docu-reality television ever produced. This new adventure had them traversing from the Northern most tip of Scotland to the Southern most tip of Africa. For those who don't realize just how small the planet is, these two are a great lens through which to gain perspective. The Long Way Down premiers this Winter on the BBC.

Airstream Basecamp

These new Airstream Basecamp trailers are pretty groovy (if you like to go outside). They've got to be a lot easier than driving a giant living room down the freeway. More pictures here.

It's A Secret

Causey Reservoir is an intermediate-sized reservoir on the South Fork of the Ogdon River above Huntsville Utah and is an approved NCM Outerzone Destination (anywhere churches are more frequent than human dwellings). It is located east of Ogden in Ogden Canyon and is one of the most scenic and beautiful reservoirs in Utah. The reservoir is nestled in steep valley terrain. The reservoir extends away from the main body into 3 distinct canyons. I went there last Saturday with some friends and it was really fun. The best thing about Causey is the Forest Service doesn't allow motorized vehicles which makes for a surprisingly nice experience (depending on how much 2320 shows up) We actually ran into some people we knew and spent the late afternoon floating around on a dollar store inner tubes, Tecate in hand watching people risk their lives on two cliff jumping areas or cat-calling adorable boy scouts in canoes. You'll need a good road trip mix and a map... but don't tell anyone else.

Leave Of Absence

I am visiting some friends in St. George, Utah who are working on the sequel to High School Musical for the Disney Channel. The weather couldn't be more perfect. Here's a couple pictures from a state park called Snow Canyon that is minutes away from where I'm staying. The patterns of sandstone erosion from water and wind along with a host of other geological wonders are quite remarkable.

After announcing it's plan to begin nonstop service between Salt Lake City and Mexico City, Delta Air Lines says it will also launch it's first nonstop route to Europe starting next summer - if it can get financial help from the city.

Berliner Just Wants To Dance

As you may well know, NCM is now worldwide. Case in point, this is my friend Peter aka Peppermint from Germany sporting some JWD high-fashions. His excellent design and photography work can be seen at MyLookBook.de.

Terror On The Danse floor

Our Korean correspondent JTrees made these TERRORfying outfits to wear out to hear DJ/Producer Felix The Housecat in Seoul. HOT! JTrees does all kinds of mad shit in Korea, in fact his blog is called Korea Shits. When he'll ever stop using "shits" as a word to describe anything and everything we can never know, but he rules nonetheless.

Vote On The New 7 Wonders Of The World

New 7 Wonders of the World campaign have revealed the 21 world's landmark sites which will take part in the final stage of a race to become one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Cast your votes online or by telephone in this unprecedented campaign promoting our common global cultural heritage. On January 1, 2007, the Official Declaration of the New 7 Wonders of the World will be made during a live, globally televised event.

W LasVegas

W Hotel has announced that it is coming to Las Vegas in 2008 with a Casino (naturally) and Residences. "The W Las Vegas will offer guests extraordinary experiences at every turn through the brand's lifestyle elements - provocative spaces, delightful indulgences and experiential suprises that will be unheard of even by 'Vegas' standards."