As the polar ice caps melt, the Great Lakes dry and the State of Georgia places water restrictions on its residents, Bush maintains that reducing emissions to combat global warming will hurt our economy.
We wonder if he'll ever figure out that without an evironment, there is no economy.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Another Opportunity for Short-Sightedness
Posted by The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian at 3:17 PM 1 comments
Labels: economics of global warming, economy, Environment, Global Warming, Great Lakes drying, melting, off oil, oil independence, polar ice cap, State of Georgia water restriction, U.S. economy
Pedestrians in Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant Town Planners listen up! When you get to redesigning Highway 17, how about work in some sort of safe pedestrian and biking routes to the Arthur Ravenel Bridge as well as the bus stops.
We discovered Saturday that it's pretty easy to get into Mount Pleasant to go shopping (we took CARTA over to Whole Foods), however, once you're there, in the absence of an oil guzzler, the Town becomes an unfriendly, badly designed suburban nightmare. For those of you unfamiliar with Charleston, South Carolina - Mount Pleasant is separated from Downtown Charleston by the rather large, blackwater Cooper River. Getting to Whole Foods is no problem, though the Wendy's Restaurant may beg to differ, considering one must trample through their landscaping where the bus lets off. The Town could use a few sidewalks so pedestrians aren't forced to be so inconsiderate. Towne Center could have been a viable alternative, but EarthFare, the organic market in that location, closed down several months ago.
Fifty years of Urban sprawl fueled by cheap gas prices has lead to an un-walkable, overgrown, chigger-ridden, challenging and unsafe terrain totally lacking sidewalks of any kind. One's existentialism remains in keen focus with each whizzing SUV directed by a multi-tasking driver, cellphone in hand, dangerously unaware of a pedestrian's presence. We commend the Town of Mount Pleasant for its award-winning neighborhoods, like Ion, but once you step foot outside of those segregated enclaves, there is nothing linking many of these island-like neighborhoods together. We suggest they do something to allow their residents to move about with greater ease.
Sadly, we were forced to take our lives into our own hands as we ran across 4 lanes of Highway 17 to get to the stop back downtown. From Whole Foods the stop is located strategically on the opposite side of Highway 17. Unless, of course, you don't mind walking the equivalent of 10 blocks to get to the next stop on the same side of the highway. Only then is it unnecessary to run wildly across Highway 17. Yeah, we did feel pretty idiotic.
After risking our lives, we waited, but CARTA must have arrived a few minutes early. So, we missed the bus after our wonderful organic shopping experience. Fortunately, with Fall's fabulous temperatures, we were able to skip the bus altogether and walk back over the Arthur Ravenel Bridge toward home. Charleston certainly is known for it's beauty and grace. Especially from atop the bridge. It's breathtaking.
On another note, we've learned another blogger out there has been conducting her own experimental tests on public transportation. Check out ValueWit.com. Located in Austin, Texas, this busy Mom has a slew of funny stories chock full of public transportation insight. Go girl!
So, after all that, we may just leave our shopping for closer to home and stay downtown. But if you live in Mount Pleasant, what do you think of your ability to walk around the town? Would you walk more if you could? Would you like to have alternative modes of transportation readily available? Just wondering.
Posted by The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian at 2:09 PM 2 comments
Labels: Arthur Ravenel Bridge, Highway 17, mount pleasant, mt pleasant, pedestrian, shopping, town of mt. pleasant, walk, walk mt. pleasant, whole foods
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Full Moon Bus Rides
We report that we have found conclusive evidence; undeniable proof, that a full moon effects human behavior! Should you desire to experience this natural ebb and flow, wait until the next full moon and join us on Charleston's bus system during this brief period of undulating lunar persuasion. We gained a new appreciation for the 28 day cycle and now wonder what each approximate month-long period will bring.
As the moon rose yesterday, a young couple brought their baby aboard the bus. Oh Lawd, the internal voice screamed, as the bus transformed into a cooing, oogling group of humans temporarily absent the languages they used to use to communicate. Suddenly, after possibly one bump too many, some crackhead woman in the back, convinced the man sitting to her right poked her in the rib(and maybe he did, we were observing the human condition in the presence of a baby), began screaming. She simply went off - full moon style. Apparently she had fallen asleep. According to her diatribe she was quite comfortable when the supposed poking commenced. She yelled at that man for approximately 2 miles, which included threats of throwing him off the bridge (once we got there, of course). Mixed between threats were proclamations of how hard she worked all day, therefore, not needing poking by some...inaudible something, something...her verbal deluge dried by the crescendo of the baby's wail. The baby clearly did not enjoy the ranting and raving. The baby cried louder. Our busmates began one by one laughing as we all recognized the baby had taken control of the situation. And the angry woman, now imminently aware of the wake created in her tirade, screamed out one final time,"soooooorry, baaaaabbbbeeee." She sung it as she proceeded to march to the front of the bus, which was obviously as far as she could get away from the quick-fingered gentleman. She escaped to the kind ear of the driver. Possibly for some female support, or to apologize.
You may be worried about the bus-ride at this point. However, history taught us "there is nothing to fear but fear itself" (Frankin D. Roosevelt).
Several years ago, a friend of ours, Wilbert Alix shared a story with us. He was in Europe in a small hotel facing the street. Four a.m. brought a terribly drunken man down the cobblestoned avenue singing at the top of his lungs. Startled awake, he naturally went to the window to find the source of the commotion. As he opened the window he found the neighbors all doing the same. He described the sound pouring in as, "actually not all that bad." The man passionately bellowed his opus to the residents, by then all standing in their respective windows. As he came to the end of his repratoir and picked up his coat, earlier discarded on the impromptu realization of a captive audience, he staged a large bow, to which the residents clapped and cheered. Then the man stumbled off, spent. Our old friend concluded his story by explaining his attention in that moment turned to borders. Had the same story played out here in the U.S., the man would most likely have been arrested. Go to Jail immediately. Do not pass Go.
We Americans tend to be a little hysterical. As the woman let loose, we remembered our friend's story. No one over-reacted. The driver looked up a few times, but overall this woman was just yelling. She's clearly had a rough go of it. But as we get used to the public transportation system, we mostly rely on the fact that everyone on the bus tends to mind their manners. We have to. Who wants to get kicked off the bus, anyway? And, these lessons in humanity are invaluable. There's more to this story, but for the moment, we're still taking it all in. Maybe we'll blog further philosophical considerations at a later date. Right now we're riding out the energy of the moon's pull.
Posted by The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian at 7:58 PM 2 comments
Labels: baby on bus, charleston area regional transportation authority charleston south carolina, full moon, human behavior, moon, public transportation
Monday, September 24, 2007
A Wedding! Haircuts, Gift Shopping and Getting There
Well, Saturday was a bit of a test. An old friend from High School took the plunge and tied the knot. Congratulations, you guys. Weddings require a whole spectrum of preparation for the guests. One certainly cannot diminish the importance of the day by showing up with a four month old haircut, an unshaven neck and no gift.
We got up early, made breakfast, then walked to Parlor on upper King, an excellent place to get a style downtown. Haircuts and then to the market to grab some groceries, we had already walked about a mile by the time the meat and potatoes arrived back home. Then, we realized, crap - no gift! Pottery Barn. They said they were registered at Pottery Barn, right? One of us jumped in the shower as the other ran out for the gift. Finally, dressed and ready to go, there was now the issue of transportation, or rather, the lack thereof, due to our recent set of choices. Taxi? Shuttle Bus? Walk? Rickshaw/Petty Cab? How long would each variation of a ride take? So many unanswered questions in our first busy weekend without a car. We bantered back and forth for way too long, eventually storming out (OK, the female gender of this pair stormed), and just walked. It was a nice night. Walking allowed time to calm down while breathing to the rhythm of our feet on the sidewalk. Got to the wedding, got to the reception, all without incident. For those of you that know Charleston well, you may find it humorous to know we walked through the Eastside in full formal attire and flip flops! LOL. We're pretty sure at this point our neighbors, and the boys that hang on the corner, think we're dangerously insane, and should most likely be housed on some secluded floor within Roper's depths. Our party shoes were in the gift bag, figuring if anyone did try to rob us of our fabulous PB gift, we could beat them off with a 3" black leather, spiked heel. One of us actually saw a girl get hit in this manner in a bar fight once. Quite effective.
Overall, great time. The next day we both admitted to being a little sore from walking so far, so long! Uhhhhh, our legs! Although, wow, we must admit we both feel better than we have in years. Can you imagine?
Here's something ironic - many months ago, long before the car decision was made, we signed up to participate in the American Heart Walk. September seemed so far off. How quickly next weekend comes. Yay - another opportunity to burn a few extra calories! Buy hey, also another opportunity to live well.
It never felt so good to fall into bed that night. Our first really busy weekend. Right before drifting off to sleep, she said, "my feet hurt AND I have a blister." He said, "God, your ass is getting tight."
Posted by The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian at 9:40 PM 0 comments
Labels: 3", black leather heel, busy weekend, changing our lives, charleston south carolina, do not drive, gift shopping, haircut, no car, petty cab, pottery barn, rickshaw, taxi cab, walk, wedding, work out
Sunday, September 23, 2007
96 Wave's Final Break - Update One
So, look what an astute coworker of ours found - a mysterious link to 96 Wave online!
Although there remain many unanswered questions, the Charleston City Paper reports 96 Waves' hopeful potential as it comes alive via PC. See T. Ballard Lesemann's article.
It does appear upon brief inspection of the website that Chuck FM owns the rights or something of that nature. Who can tell at this point in the unfamiliar world of online radio. Is there a way to run this through our Sirius??? Probably not, but we're still dreaming of that one magical device that unites all the electronics, finally, together. At one. In peace. Dreams. Anyway, the website is clearly under construction as only the home page populates with each click; however, many of the page elements are there leaving bread crumbs along a dark trail for us to follow, until the full site is up and running. Rumor has it the old DJs will be back online and all the same ole things we've come to love.
Can't wait to check it out!
So, hope you enjoy the listen and if you find further information, please don't hesitate to update here. We just can't wait to see where this one goes. Now, let us go devise some evil plan that will mask the streaming audio from the IT guy's stringent, streaming audio blocking rules at the office...
Posted by The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian at 7:59 PM 0 comments
Labels: 96wave, 96waveonline, charleston, fm radio, online radio, radio pc, sirius satellite radio, south carolina
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Bernanke Going for Broke
The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian mentioned in the last post a rise in the price of oil. It actually touched $84 per barrel in the past week! How convenient that we just started riding the bus. And, true to our word, we began using the car money for a few small investments.
An exciting week for sure, on his book tour to promote, The Age of Turbulence, we got Greenspan's admission that the Iraq War is "largely about oil." Although his motives are up for great debate, we hope anyone still believing this war is over safety, freedom and security for Iraquis will finally put that argument to rest.
Oh, the irony of the interest rate cuts. In the past, we've LOVED it when the Fed cut rates. This time not so much. As one economist put it, a rate cut at this moment is economic suicide. The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian fears eventual inflation reminiscent of the 1970s while peak oil finally rears its ugly head as global demand outpaces supply - a dangerous combination. Speculators saddled up prior to Bernanke's announcment on the expectation of a 2007-2008 winter oil shortage leading to the commodities bull running wild. We were not among their ranks, to our own twisted chagrin. We're trying hard not to invest in oil, although it's so damn tempting. We also avoided the dollar under the pressures of this madness. Later in the week, the Saudis refused to adjust their own interest rate as the dollar plumetted. Sadly, Bernanke's plan is a foregone conclusion in the absence of a coordinated effort by countries closely tied to the greenback, i.e. Saudi Arabia. But have faith! Solid foreign policies enacted by the Bush Administration will allow us to communicate and coordinate with outside governments helping to soften the landing of this debt crisis. Oh, yeah - what foreign policy, you ask. OK, we're just kidding.
The best we can guess, worried about Christmas sales, Bernanke handed out free passes so the big guys can cover their balance sheets simply to keep the illusionary compounded debt markets from collapse for just a little longer while duplicitously aiding the indirect support of the military industrial complex. This could very well be the last trumpet cry for irrationally exuberant American spending. This financial boost will get Bush through the next 12-18 months with only some pandering at the end before he hands the gigantic problem he created to whomever inherits office next. By the time the economy sinks into a near depression, a new President will have taken the helm as Bush and his cronies escape accountability. Look, Greenspan also admitted the Fed's autonomy is basically a joke, so it is very safe to imagine at this point that Bernanke has been no less influenced.
Bernanke and Bush consistenly told us the sub-prime meltdown would not spread into the greater economy, they now tell us these rate reductions will help financially distressed Americans. Another great untruth. First, it takes time for a rate cut to even filter through to the mortgage markets. Several months, in fact. Second, mortgage rates are not set by the prime rate or the discount rate, both cut by the Fed. Mortgage rates are tied to the bond markets with the percentages based upon Libor. Finally, the bailout system presented by Bush(thru Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac) includes terms that exclude anyone with one late payment or an equity disparity. Someone please tell us how this is going to help people that are aleady in default with a depreciating home value! To be fair, it may help some, but only a relative few whose adjustable rate mortgages may not yet have adjusted. Additionally, if people are already having trouble making their payments, and it is obvious at this point that they are, how will they cope with inflated prices on everything from gas to toothpaste to milk?
This week we experienced a 25 year record on gold, 25 year record on oil, and increased global wheat prices, apparently due to global warming. Let's hope Bernanke has another parachute stuffed up his ass for the next crunch or bubble as this round of cuts were not cool and collected 25 point incremental lowerings, but panic-driven chum castings for shark.
Posted by The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian at 8:42 PM 0 comments
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Into Week Two - Curing the Oil Addiction Follow-Up
Shedding the luxury vehicle for a bus pass has been pretty positive so far. We've made several observations riding Charleston's bus system for the first full week since we've given up our car. First, we feel more engaged in our own lives. Making this change kind of shook us into a new reality. We now understand the level of isolation we imposed on ourselves being confined to our personal vehicle with a lazy eye on the situation beyond the windshield. No wonder it's difficult for Americans to relate to one another. All sorts of new ideas are being concocted since shifting our own paradigm.
We've observed others, and find people watching highly entertaining. Like when actually witnessing two dudes discuss with great fervor, their dual alien experiences. We weren't eavesdropping, no need with this newly united pair. Dude One would whisper his "experiences," only to be immediately broadcast by Dude Two. In his obvious excitement to have found another believer, he totally missed the whole thing about Dude One WHISPERING the info to him, i.e. let's keep this a secret, man. Then as a police car passed the bus, they go into a Cop Killa tirade revealing they are both riding the bus because they have recently received DUIs. Perfect. Yeah, bet the lights of the mothership were swirling all around above a black and white vehicle waiting to take you away. Anyway, yeah. There's just not much more one can say about that situation.
Last, we've observed oil skyrocketing over the last week. Since our last entry, public transportation vs. Jaguar, oil reaches $82.16 with a massive Fed rate cut as Alan Greenspan, on a book tour, finally admits the war is "largely" over oil. Maybe people out there will finally listen to Easy Al, rather than our big mouths.
On the hopeful side, we are looking into solar power, sticking with the bus ride and biking for now. Making this shift has been really good. We've got it wrong here in America. We seem to believe the soul is satisfied only after the ego. In reality it's quite the opposite.
BTW, to those of you laughing at The Cosmpomopitan Charlestonian blogging about simply riding a public bus - we realize this is perfectly acceptable behavior in other, normal (not Southern) cities. Although we love and have much respect for our lovely City, here in Charleston, riding CARTA to many is like walking on the moon. Or more shocking, spotting an alien hiding behind a bush!
Regardless, so far we're happy with our choice. You're welcome to share your experiences with our public transportation system, or just say hi!
Posted by The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian at 3:24 PM 2 comments
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Eastside Stories
With no automobile (see Curing the Oil Addiction) and it being Saturday, we headed out early on foot to the Farmer's Market at Marion Square to grab a few items and see what we could get ourselves into for the day. Near the Exxon, where a few regulars loiter around a vacant lot (soon to be new retail and condominiums), we were chatting over the fresh fruits, veggies and meats we could reasonably carry back home as a man shouted at us. Sometimes people ask for money around here. But we don't carry cash around, and we've lived here on the Eastside long enough now that even the occassional vagrant or homeless person recognizes us and no longer bothers. When someone starts yelling out, it's a sure sign they are a newbie, 'cause we're locals. This guy was crossing Meeting Street, spotted us, and nearly gets hit by a car running back toward us! We recognized him, but we don't personally know this man, so it was a little unnerving - his running at us like that. We both stopped in awe of his death defying Frogger-like crossing.
He reached the sidewalk waving a copy of the Post & Courier, and asked if we could help him. He thrust the paper toward us and said, "what does this say?" The headline read, BERKELEY'S TOP PROSECUTOR JENNINGS IS OUSTED, as he pointed insistently to the word "ousted." After providing three of the closest synonyms, and telling him ousting was equivalent to firing, he was pleased and thanked us twice.
We never fail to be surprised on the Eastside by the small, odd things that can only happen in a very diverse environment. This experience reminded us that we all sometimes just need a little help understanding the words. Thanks, Mr.
Posted by The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian at 3:24 PM 0 comments
Labels: charleston, charleston farmer's market, eastside, feel good story, read, south carolina
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
General Betray Us? A Viewpoint.
September 11, 2007 - the VIEWPOINT would like to call attention to the fact that General Petraeus' hearings began yesterday on September 10th. One day before September 11th. Is it strictly coicidental these dates should be so closely tied?
Strong feelings are stirred as we collectively recall the mental images, the outrage, the sadness and the fear of an attack on our soil. The VIEWPOINT's perspective finds these strong feelings being used to fashion a smokescreen, rattling Americans, possibly to the point of overlooking the information presented; that less than half of the benchmarks set out for Iraq have been met.
"All wars are follies, very expensive and very mischievous ones." Benjamin Franklin.
Posted by The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian at 8:37 PM 0 comments
Labels: 9/11, 911, benchmarks, betray us, charleston, General Petraeus, Iraq war, September 11, south carolina, war
Jaguar vs. CARTA - Week One
Two days into using public transportation and all is well. Riding CARTA is an absolute pleasure. After years of isolation in our car, the morning rush hour now starts with a nice walk, just three minutes (timed) to the closest stop, then a leisurely read until being dropped off one minute from the office! Who knew?
On the ride home The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian was thinking, "why the hell didn't we do this sooner and invest all the money we have been dumping into a car all these years? What were we thinking?" Duhhhhh. Depreciating asset. How can something that depreciates be called an asset, anyway? This is one of those Econ 101 questions that continues to this day to stump us.
Do we miss the Jag? No. Not so much. Especially considering the following -
payment per month $350, insurance $90 per month, gasoline $125 per month, yearly taxes $23.33 per month, maintenance $30 per month. This all equates to a grand total of $618.33 per month. Were we seriously paying for this??? We will most certainly put this monthly total to a MUCH better use!
On a side note, a friend asked if we felt safe taking Charleston's public transportation system. We choose to answer this question with a question. How many people died in car accidents last year? And how many people got stabbed or shot on the bus going to work? Cursing the expansion of the Universe and consequential speeding up of time, we just don't have the spare moments to look these figures up. If anyone knows, please give a comment.
Posted by The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian at 8:18 PM 0 comments
Labels: automobile, carta, charleston, co2 em, conservation, conserve fuel, curing oil addiction, green life, greenhouse gas, jaguar, oil, oil addiction, public transportation, south carolina, war, war on oil
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Curing the Oil Addiction - Converting to CARTA (Charleston Area Regional Transit Authority)
September 8, 2007 - The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian has long appreciated the adrenal experience of hugging a bend at 60mph, the aesthetically pleasing curves of an aerodynamic body and the control of all-wheel drive. Driving is a passion, and the feeling of it is continuously reinforced by the commercialized message surrounding each and every automobile ad. This is, in fact, a controversial issue because we have made the experience of driving, as well as what we drive, a part of our identity as Americans. The driving experience was sought by The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian, thus a new Jaguar X-type entered our lives as we chose a lease option for a five year period. Our term is now up. Today we turned in the car. We then ran for our lives as we crossed Savannah Highway to the number 30 CARTA bus line back home to Downtown Charleston.
The decision to convert to CARTA's public transportation system is huge for us being a one-car household in the first place. Yes, we have always been concerned with things like global warming and peak oil theory. After a lot of discussion, research, financial analysis and philosophical consideration we have come to the conclusion that our convenience and social status is not worth the progressive global catastrophic failure unfolding as a result of our oil consumption.
The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian began to examine at whose expense our personal convenience is made possible. We began asking ourselves the tough questions several months ago as our decision date neared. Is a convenient commute worth contributing to the starvation of an African whose land and clean water have been polluted by rusting pipelines sorely maintained by Shell Oil? Is the convenience worth overlooking the deteriorating conditions in BP's Alaskan pipelines, left to rust and corrode for miles before being shut down to make normal maintenance repairs? We pondered our right to simplify our lives by complicating an other's, be it man or animal, and gravely considered the Mother who has sacrificed her son to fight in the first energy wars of our time while the incompetent leaders of this country spin democracy and freedom into webs of deceit. We wondered how to have a voice during this critical moment in history when our American voices are being largely ignored. And last, we wonder what value can be placed on our convenience in a world faced with frightening global warming scenarios. Ultimately, for us, there is no resolve in continuing to maintain a lifestyle that contributes to so much suffering.
We've watched the boycotts against "big oil" run their course on the Internet every time gas prices spiked. These attempts to make a statement, or otherwise, put oil companies in their rightful place have been a bad joke and grossly misguided. One day of lost revenue can be pretty easily worked out on their balance sheets. Besides, the futures market sets the price, not the oil company. You might as well be angry at capitalism itself.
The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian believes it's time for personal action. Why must we wait for a dysfunctional government to tell us what to do? We are of reasonable intelligence and our Mommas taught us the difference between right and wrong. We've installed flourescent lighting in every fixture, and for the last two Spring/Summer seasons we challenged ourselves to make it past June 1st without running our A/C. Sure, we were slightly cranky near the end due to the Southern heat, but both seasons proved a success as we exceeded our goal by two weeks; still it just hasn't seemed to be enough.
Choosing to cure our personal oil addiction may be a tremendous challenge, but we're going to try anyway. Mr. Cheney, we don't mind compromising our lifestyle and will no longer allow you and your regime to manufacture our consent to the mass consumption of finite resources. We've traded in a Jaguar for a bus pass as we evaluate our personal moral dilemma and the true, and sometimes hidden cost of maintaining the American Dream.
Stick with us as we share our experiences utilizing our public transportation system in an attempt to make a positive change for ourselves and hopefully a few others.
Posted by The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian at 10:41 AM 4 comments
Labels: automobile, carta, curing oil addiction, jaguar, oil, oil addiction, public transportation, war, war on oil
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Charleston's Costa Rican Connection
The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian holds a special love for Costa Rica, a small country sandwiched between Nicaragua and Panama. It's been our pleasure to learn that many Charlestonians share the same respect for the small Democratic, Central American country. One friend spends her winters in Costa Rica to stock her family surf shop on Nantucket for the summer season, another owns La Carolina Lodge in the Guanacaste region and lives duplicitously in both Charleston and Costa Rica, while many more own personal property in the country. A stay at La Carolina Lodge is highly recommended for anyone requiring a decompression from modern life. Our own stay there was met with an excellent, friendly, and forgiving staff (of our terrible Spanish language skills) as well as fresh, local meals and daily nature tours. The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian met others as well in our travels. If you too happen to get down as far as the Osa Peninsula, its Corcovado National Park featured recently on Discovery's Survivorman, book a visit at the Black Turtle Lodge, a beach hotel near Golfo Dulce across the bay from Golfito. This place is truly magical and you will be well cared for during your stay!
For a taste of Costa Rica right here at home, head out to Folly Beach and try out Surf Bar, recently opened by a family friend of The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian. Located next to the Police Station on Folly, the food is a mix of American/Costa Rican. If you take the chance, going comida tipica, for the Costa Rican fare, you will truly experience authentic Costa Rican flavor (plantains and all), while the design of the restaurant and outdoor patio mirror Tico construction down to the rough hewn column supports. Surf Bar, as well as all restaurants and bars in Charleston to date, however, cannot yet provide, Imperial, the beer of Costa Rica; and damn good we might add. Just FYI incase you are looking for it.
The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian hopes to get back to Costa Rica as quickly as possible in the coming months. For the time being you are welcome to view our travel video highlighting last year's fun, folly and amazing photography here!
The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian will keep everyone posted on future travel plans. In the meantime, feel free to donate to our 'save the rainforest fund.' Despite Costa Rica's environmentalism, development and tourism (both needed for economic growth) continue to destroy pristine rainforest while stamping out wildlife migration routes. Animals segregated to National Park areas only are unable to breed outside of their own gene pools, which leads to die-off and the future extinction of certain species. This is but one of many issues facing the diverse ecosystem. We'd like to help that if we can. Please donate any amount at all from your paypal account to our fund. Your generosity will fuel two goals of The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian; reforestation and renewable energy sources.
As always, please feel free to post your comments here as we would love to hear from you. And, thanks for visiting!
Posted by The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian at 9:28 PM 2 comments
Labels: charleston, costa rica, folly beach, places, restaurant, surf bar, tico, travel
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Ghost Sighting in Charleston
Do you believe? The Cosmopolitan Charlestonians luckily have the opportunity to photograph our lovely city often. Occassionally, an anomoly will show up in a photograph that we cannot fully explain. What do you think? Raindrop? Or Southern Belle adorned in white hoop skirt? Could it be the old Citadel specter? This photograph was taken looking across the park toward Meeting Street, next to the old Citadel building at Marion Square.
Charleston's rich in history and culture. Weather you believe or not, you will find much haunted history here. Check out the many ghost tours in Charleston and maybe you too can experience the spooky history of the holy city!
Posted by The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian at 9:29 PM 0 comments
Labels: charleston, ghost, ghost photograph, haunted, history, marion square, south carolina, specter, supernatural
96 Wave's Final Break?
Charleston Bloggers -- what happened to 96 Wave? Around 4:00 p.m. yesterday the office radio transitioned to some crappy, spinoff version of "Charles In Charge." Yes, I realize it sounds like a bad dream, but I know I was awake considering the light switches worked. A coworker promptly Googled 96wave's former website only to find it replaced by a horrifying sight...Chuck.
96Wave in its heyday was trendsetting and cutting edge with apparent staying-power in a cut-throat industry. At their start the sound of waves were played for, like, a week. Then they began the great music, and of course, it was a metamorphasis over time. Back to Chuck...let's just hope it doesn't suck as bad as it did today. Otherwise, we'll have to resort to the old CD collection back at the office next week. Most companies don't allow streaming music, nor am I sure if I can move around my own MP3 collection very easily since I am sans iPod to date.
Please post your opinion or behind the scenes info if you have the scoop on possibly the most recent corporate takeover. Thanks for visiting!
Posted by The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian at 12:03 AM 3 comments
Labels: 96wave, charleston, fm radio, south carolina