Sunday, March 23, 2014
Billy Cone: TGI MARCH MADNESS
Billy Cone: TGI MARCH MADNESS: This is a very special time of year for basketball fans. But what I have noticed is that non-basketball fans get into March Madness. It&#...
TGI MARCH MADNESS
This is a very special time of year for basketball fans. But what I have noticed
is that non-basketball fans get into March Madness. It's like all day from Thursday
through Sunday there are exciting hoops games on TV or should I say HDTV?
This crazy love for basketball goes on for three solid weeks. Once a team is in it the season
matters nothing at all. Everything is expended--nothing left on the floor. And this year
many fans are vying for a billion dollars by predicting the brackets--hardly doable!
Almost no game is predictable at this juncture.
Americans go crazy and come together over common events like the Olympics,
but the NCAA Tournament happens this time every year. The hype is contagious.
TV commercials are saturating the screens with car and insurance ads, and coaches are the heros
or the goats. The players are sacred. Stars are born. Freshmen starters get their
season high scores or go oh for 10 from the field. Seniors are counted on for something
extra. All the players know that the pro scouts are in the stands watching everything. Futures are at stake. Technicals are prevalent with such emotion and so much at stake. Dynasties
come tumbling down to no name foes. Language like, "A 16 beats a 2 or 3. A 12 beats a 5" is passed around. Anything is possible on the wood floor round ball sport with a metal hoop. Long story short, this quest for the Final Four is packed with energy and excitement that sucks us,(even those who don't normally watch B-Ball), in to March Madness.
is that non-basketball fans get into March Madness. It's like all day from Thursday
through Sunday there are exciting hoops games on TV or should I say HDTV?
This crazy love for basketball goes on for three solid weeks. Once a team is in it the season
matters nothing at all. Everything is expended--nothing left on the floor. And this year
many fans are vying for a billion dollars by predicting the brackets--hardly doable!
Almost no game is predictable at this juncture.
Americans go crazy and come together over common events like the Olympics,
but the NCAA Tournament happens this time every year. The hype is contagious.
TV commercials are saturating the screens with car and insurance ads, and coaches are the heros
or the goats. The players are sacred. Stars are born. Freshmen starters get their
season high scores or go oh for 10 from the field. Seniors are counted on for something
extra. All the players know that the pro scouts are in the stands watching everything. Futures are at stake. Technicals are prevalent with such emotion and so much at stake. Dynasties
come tumbling down to no name foes. Language like, "A 16 beats a 2 or 3. A 12 beats a 5" is passed around. Anything is possible on the wood floor round ball sport with a metal hoop. Long story short, this quest for the Final Four is packed with energy and excitement that sucks us,(even those who don't normally watch B-Ball), in to March Madness.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Billy Cone: L' HOTEL SAINT-GERMAIN DES PRES
Billy Cone: L' HOTEL SAINT-GERMAIN DES PRES: Dear Readers, Today I am writing about a small boutique hotel in the heart of Paris where I stayed for the first time eleven years ago. ...
L' HOTEL SAINT-GERMAIN DES PRES
Dear Readers,
Today I am writing about a small boutique hotel in the heart of Paris where I stayed for
the first time eleven years ago. It is called The Hotel Saint-Germain des Pres. This jewel
of a hotel is located on the left bank near L'Ecole Des Beaux Arts and a block from the
famous literary cafes Les Deux Magots and Le Flore where Jean Paul Sartre and Flaubert,
among many other great writers, used to hash it out. No pun intended.
Imagine a very small bedroom with closets, cable TV, a writing desk with mirror, a chair and
a well-stocked mini bar. The wall paper is actually a half inch of attractive battened fabric
matching the curtains. The windows open on to the rue Bonaparte and have an electric
shutter to keep out the sound of the street and the light at night. The bathroom is marble.
Comfort is king here.
In France, breakfast is a very important meal. In hotels it is free of charge to have breakfast
"au lit," in bed. The HSGDP offers a complimentary "petit dejeuner" of small baguettes,
pain au raisins, croissants and sometimes brioche. There is a plate of cheeses, a pot of
rich coffee, a pot of steamed milk, jams, butter and everything else that makes breakfast
delightful. Once I spilled the whole tray on to the bed. I called Dominique downstairs and
Jean quickly arrived with a cleaning lady to change the sheets and blanket and restore my
"dejeuner en paix," my peaceful breakfast in bed.
If you desire to eat breakfast in the lounge downstairs that is quite acceptable. As attractive
as your room, the lounge is inviting, well appointed with friendly staff. Overall, it is
very pleasant. During the day you can enjoy the lounge at your leisure with a coffee or
computer.
Needless to say, I have sent many of my friends and their friends to stay at HSGDP,
all with great things to say afterwards. Maybe that is why I get such a swell deal when
I stay there. If you book for many nights they may give you a deal. I suggest calling or
emailing way ahead of time too. The HSGDP books up early. And by the way, Saint-
Germain des Pres used to be a field. Imagine! Now it is the most sought after real estate in
La Capitale. Enjoy!
All the best,
Billy
Today I am writing about a small boutique hotel in the heart of Paris where I stayed for
the first time eleven years ago. It is called The Hotel Saint-Germain des Pres. This jewel
of a hotel is located on the left bank near L'Ecole Des Beaux Arts and a block from the
famous literary cafes Les Deux Magots and Le Flore where Jean Paul Sartre and Flaubert,
among many other great writers, used to hash it out. No pun intended.
Imagine a very small bedroom with closets, cable TV, a writing desk with mirror, a chair and
a well-stocked mini bar. The wall paper is actually a half inch of attractive battened fabric
matching the curtains. The windows open on to the rue Bonaparte and have an electric
shutter to keep out the sound of the street and the light at night. The bathroom is marble.
Comfort is king here.
In France, breakfast is a very important meal. In hotels it is free of charge to have breakfast
"au lit," in bed. The HSGDP offers a complimentary "petit dejeuner" of small baguettes,
pain au raisins, croissants and sometimes brioche. There is a plate of cheeses, a pot of
rich coffee, a pot of steamed milk, jams, butter and everything else that makes breakfast
delightful. Once I spilled the whole tray on to the bed. I called Dominique downstairs and
Jean quickly arrived with a cleaning lady to change the sheets and blanket and restore my
"dejeuner en paix," my peaceful breakfast in bed.
If you desire to eat breakfast in the lounge downstairs that is quite acceptable. As attractive
as your room, the lounge is inviting, well appointed with friendly staff. Overall, it is
very pleasant. During the day you can enjoy the lounge at your leisure with a coffee or
computer.
Needless to say, I have sent many of my friends and their friends to stay at HSGDP,
all with great things to say afterwards. Maybe that is why I get such a swell deal when
I stay there. If you book for many nights they may give you a deal. I suggest calling or
emailing way ahead of time too. The HSGDP books up early. And by the way, Saint-
Germain des Pres used to be a field. Imagine! Now it is the most sought after real estate in
La Capitale. Enjoy!
All the best,
Billy
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Billy Cone: Wonderland Entertainment Group and Billy Cone Team...
Billy Cone: Wonderland Entertainment Group and Billy Cone Team...: Emmanuel Itier, CEO of Wonderland Entertainment Group, has invited Billy Cone and his FEMME book to team up with the feature film maker from...
Wonderland Entertainment Group and Billy Cone Team Up
Emmanuel Itier, CEO of Wonderland Entertainment Group, has invited Billy Cone and his FEMME book to team up with the feature film maker from LA to promote World Peace through the use of inspiring feature films and books among other art forms. Itier's organization produces films which encourage us to take a look at our lives and make "that" change to begin creating more peace in our own lives and thus in the world. Cone's fourth coffee table book, FEMME, was just released this January. FEMME is a thoughtful look at our humanity through close up portraits of women from around the world accompanied by often humorous and poignant quotes by some of the greats of all time like Albert Einstein, Oscar Wilde, and Emily Dickenson among others. For Cone, emotion is what great art is all about, and emotion stimulates positive change in the world. FEMME is all about self-acceptance through a very entertaining format. FEMME is a heart and mind opening experience, definitely a positive in a world often marred by media full of darkness and hopelessness. Emmanuel discovered Cone's book online which led to the joint effort to achieve more self-acceptance in the world leading to a more peaceful planet.
Contact Emmanuel at www.WonderlandEntGroup.com and Billy at www.BillyCone.com.
Email: billyconephoto@aol.com
Contact Emmanuel at www.WonderlandEntGroup.com and Billy at www.BillyCone.com.
Email: billyconephoto@aol.com
Billy Cone: Travel Like A Local
Billy Cone: Travel Like A Local: When going abroad do you want to stick out like a sore thumb? Or do you want to get the inside story of a place and blend in? Do you want ...
Monday, March 10, 2014
Travel Like A Local
When going abroad do you want to stick out like a sore thumb?
Or do you want to get the inside story of a place and blend in?
Do you want to be treated like a local and experience what it feels like to be
from that part of the world?
My suggestion is to find out who knows someone in that foreign
country and seek them out. Locals always know the best places to go and do and
see in their neck of the woods. You could even go on Facebook to
find a local. Be their friend. See if there is a chemistry for a real
"amitie." I did it. And I am still welcome by all those friends in
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. In fact, that was my greatest trip I ever
took on my own. That is saying a lot coming from a lifelong world traveler.
Locals I met via FB, friends and friends of friends may just take you
under their wing and show you the time of your life. Just remember to
reciprocate, a drink, a meal here or there if it makes sense.
Locals know the ropes. They generally take you to the most exciting
interesting places with the best food and deals and even little known
historical areas. Plus they could become a friend for life.
So do you want to be a tourist or a "local?"
Or do you want to get the inside story of a place and blend in?
Do you want to be treated like a local and experience what it feels like to be
from that part of the world?
My suggestion is to find out who knows someone in that foreign
country and seek them out. Locals always know the best places to go and do and
see in their neck of the woods. You could even go on Facebook to
find a local. Be their friend. See if there is a chemistry for a real
"amitie." I did it. And I am still welcome by all those friends in
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. In fact, that was my greatest trip I ever
took on my own. That is saying a lot coming from a lifelong world traveler.
Locals I met via FB, friends and friends of friends may just take you
under their wing and show you the time of your life. Just remember to
reciprocate, a drink, a meal here or there if it makes sense.
Locals know the ropes. They generally take you to the most exciting
interesting places with the best food and deals and even little known
historical areas. Plus they could become a friend for life.
So do you want to be a tourist or a "local?"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)