North Palm Beach Life
  • Home
    • People
    • Eats >
      • Belle's Bar and Grill
      • Elisabetta's
      • Oliv Pit Athenian Grille
      • Cupcakes >
        • Lady Bug Cupcakes
    • News >
      • 2019 North Palm Beach Fireworks Show
      • 2018 Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade
      • Brightline >
        • Brightline Dino Train
        • Polar Express 2019
        • Breezin' on Brickell
        • Brightline Day Trips: Frost Science Museum
        • A Trip on Brightline
        • Brightline Select Service
        • Brightline Tasting Train
        • Brightline Train Unveiling
        • Brightline Topping Out
        • The Polar Express Train Ride
        • Richard Branson at Brightline
      • David Drebin
      • Downton Abbey Exhibit
      • The Lubben Brothers
      • History >
        • 25th Anniversary
        • 50th Anniversary
      • North Palm Beach Country Club
    • Weather
  • Cruise News
    • Cruise Compete
    • Azamara Quest
    • Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line >
      • Grand Celebration Cruise
      • Grand Classica Inaugural Cruise
    • Carnival Cruise Line Stories >
      • Carnival Cuba Cruises
      • Carnival Horizon >
        • Carnival Horizon Pig and Anchor
      • Carnival Liberty
      • Carnival Sunrise >
        • Carnival Sunrise Cruise to Bermuda
        • The Chef's Table on Carnival Sunrise
      • Carnival Studios >
        • Carnival Studios - Behind the Scenes Tour
      • Carnival Victory
      • Carnival Vista >
        • Carnival Vista Craft Beer
    • Crystal Serenity Holiday Cruise - The Beginning >
      • Crystal Serenity - Grand Turk
      • Crystal Serenity - St. Maarten
      • Crystal Serenity - Antigua Donkey Sanctuary
      • Crystal Serenity - St. Lucia
      • Crystal Serenity - Barbados
      • Crystal Serenity - Virgin Gorda
      • Crystal Serenity - Wrap Up
    • Harmony of the Seas - Preview Cruise Review >
      • Harmony of the Seas - Wonderland
      • Harmony of the Seas - The Ultimate Abyss
      • Harmony of the Seas - The Fine Line
      • Harmony of the Seas - 1887
      • Harmony of the Seas - Bionic Bar
      • Harmony of the Seas - Pre-Cruise Coverage
    • Cunard's Jackie Chase >
      • History of Cunard
    • MSC Seaside >
      • MasterChef at Sea
    • Oceania Riviera
    • Queen Mary in Long Beach
    • River Cruising in Germany - The Ms. River Splendor >
      • River Cruise in Germany -- Mainz and Koblenz
      • River Cruising in Germany - The Romantic Rhine
      • River Cruise in Germany - Heidelberg
      • River Cruising in Germany - Wurzburg
      • River Cruising in Germany - Bamberg
      • River Cruising in Germany - Nuremberg
      • River Cruising in Germany - Regensburg
    • SeaTrade Cruise Global 2019
    • Symphony of the Seas - Miami Inaugural Voyage >
      • Symphony of the Seas - Ultimate Family Suite
      • Symphony of the Seas - Showtime
      • Symphony of the Seas - Perfect Day at Coco Cay
      • Symphony of the Seas - Photo Gallery
  • Gigi in the 561
    • Gigi in the 561 - Interviews >
      • Gigi in the 561 - Francis Gary Powers Jr.
      • Gigi in the 561 - Rich Heiland
      • Gigi in the 561 - Susan Goldfein
      • Gigi in the 561 - Chris Costello
      • Gigi in the 561 - Jeff Koz
      • Gigi in the 561 - James E. Hibbard
  • Blogs
    • Gerry Pronounced Gary
    • My Father's Tales >
      • My Father's Tales - Photo Album
    • Pamme's Chitchat >
      • GX2
    • Rock and Roll Rewind
    • Susan Goldfein -- Blog >
      • Susan Goldfein
    • Travel Bistro
    • The Lady Reggie
    • Because, Cate
  • Video
  • Travel
    • Travel News from Business Wire
    • Snaps >
      • Snaps - Page 2
    • Fun >
      • Events >
        • La Bella Macchina 2017
      • AtmosFX Digital Decorations
      • Calypso Cruise
      • Pumpkin Patch 2017
      • Reindeer Games
      • River Paddle Event
    • Brian Wilson: Life in the UK >
      • Life in the UK - Bath, England
      • Life in the UK - Croquet
      • Life in the UK - Music in Russia
      • Life in the UK - Sri Lanka
      • Life in the UK - Sri Lanka - Sigiriya
      • Life in the UK - US Embassy
    • The Florida Keys >
      • Key West
      • The Hemingway House and Museum
    • Joe Cartwright - Travel Writer >
      • Beartooth Highway
      • North Cascades National Park
      • A Visit to the Philippines
      • Grand Canyon National Park
      • Glacier National Park
      • Yellowstone National Park
      • Hiking in Bear Country
      • Crater Lake National Park
      • Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
      • The Kerrville Folk Festival
      • Building Hope in the Rio Grande Valley
    • Island Destinations
    • Lake Okeechobee Picnic
    • October Odyssey >
      • Cartagena, Columbia
      • Panama Canal
      • Antigua, Guatemala
      • Cabo San Lucas
      • Birds and Bees Speakeasy in Los Angeles
      • We Love LA
      • Coast Starlight
      • Napa Wine Tour
      • California Zephyr
      • California Zephyr Part Two
      • Chicago
      • Amtrak Capitol Limited
      • Washington DC
    • Pam - Traveling in Style
    • Road Trip! >
      • Road Trip! -- Tucumcari, New Mexico
      • Road Trip! -- The Painted Desert
      • Road Trip! - Sedona, Arizona
      • Road Trip! - Sedona Wineries
      • Road Trip! Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
      • Road Trip! - Mogollon Rim
      • Road Trip! - Verde Canyon Railroad
      • Road Trip! - Jerome, Arizona
      • Road Trip! - California
      • Road Trip! - Palm Springs Celebrity Tour
      • Road Trip! - Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
      • Road Trip! - Festival in Palm Springs
      • Road Trip! - Willcox, Arizona and Apple Annie's Orchard
      • Road Trip! Willcox Wineries
      • Road Trip! Chiricahua National Monument
      • Road Trip! Tombstone, Arizona
      • Tombstone, Part Two
      • Road Trip! - Epilogue
    • Unknown Yellowstone >
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Heart Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Summit Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Shoshone Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Grizzly Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Riddle Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Pelican Cone
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Mt. Washburn
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Specimen Ridge
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Avalanche Peak
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Divide Creek
    • U.S. Virgin Islands >
      • Coral World - U.S. Virgin Islands
      • St. Thomas Food Tour
      • St. Thomas Tour
    • Vizcaya
  • Contact
    • Smoothie Me Please
    • Pamela Barker - Author
    • The Story of StarText
  • Search

​​



Virtual reality has officially arrived

3/29/2016

0 Comments

 
Big news from the world of technology: Oculus Rift is here.

What is Oculus Rift? Basically, according to all the accounts, your entry ticket to the world of virtual reality. Instead of just observing the action, you are part of the action; navigating surreal landscapes or blasting aliens in deep space.

Of course, like most ground-breaking technologies, the cost to explore virtual worlds isn't cheap. Expect to shell out around $1,500 for the starter system.

Initial reviews are mixed, like this one. But most everyone agrees it's the start of something big, and will only get better, and more affordable. Hardcore gamers will be the first in line. And speaking of hardcore, the porn industry is getting their own VR products out there. They don't miss a trick, do they?

But VR isn't exactly a new concept. Remember the View-Master? Introduced in 1939, it utilized thin cardboard wheels with color images to achieve 3D effects, like you were on that African savannah, watching that lion. Check out the video above.

Google has launched their own version of that, using cardboard viewers and your smartphone -- here's an example. Not as sophisticated as Oculus, but also nowhere near the price.

The potential of VR is virtually limitless. One can only try to imagine the kind of immersive experiences coming soon to a headset near you. The fabled Holodeck of "Star Trek" fame may still be a reach, but with the pace of technology being what it is, you can't rule out anything.

Personally, I'm not sure VR can match the actual reality of walking on one of our beautiful Florida beaches and dipping our toes into the shimmering aqua blues of the Atlantic Ocean. That's just a few minutes away. And did I mention -- free?
0 Comments

Young people and boating: A $$ divide?

3/18/2016

0 Comments

 
PictureThe Boat Show is under way
The Palm Beach International Boat Show is under way this weekend, and it kicked off with a panel of experts talking about some of the issues the marine industry needs to address, including this one:

"How do we get more young people into boating?"

A very good question. It's not because it's not popular -- evidence the boat jams around Peanut Island on any given weekend, or the flow of craft on the IntraCoastal. It's not because it's not fun -- cruising, fishing, partying or just relaxing -- it's the thing to do in Florida. I'm no industry expert -- far from it -- but for my money, the main reason is ... just that: Money.

Boating on just about any scale is not an inexpensive pursuit. Beyond the initial cost of the boat, there's the maintenance, and the fuel. The insurance, and the licenses. And when it's not in use, there's the even bigger headache of where to park it. Marina slips aren't easy to come by. Dry storage, not cheap either. HOAs and COAs restrict parking them in yards or parking lots.

While Millennials may be the generational advertising darlings du jour, most of them I know wouldn't exactly be described as flush. Many still live with mom and dad, by necessity. They would be hard-pressed to buy a paddle board or kayak, much less a boat.

I suspect they are good candidates to join one of those boat clubs, and let someone else take care of the upkeep. Or get lucky and have a friend or relative who owns a boat, and doesn't mind sharing.

Answers may not be easy, but there are a lot of smart people, both young and old, working on the problem. Boating is too important to the state's economy not to. Not to mention the lure of all that beautiful blue water that virtually surrounds us.


0 Comments

Ride, ride, ride the wild surf

3/14/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
My co-editor and partner-in-everything, Pam, is so creative. Just check out what she whipped together using one of those make-your-own-magazine-cover apps.  Full disclosure: Posing with a surfboard is about as close to actually riding one as it gets for me.

It's not the first time I had my picture made with a surfboard. During high school, me and a buddy took a summer trip down to the Texas coast, where we rented a pair of surfboards. I gave it my best shot, but it just wasn't my thing.

But not wanting to return to school a laughingstock, we devised a plan: Place the surfboard on the beach, stand on it and strike a "Moondoggie" pose, wait until the waves covered it up -- then take a photo. 

Come on -- you have to give us some credit: PhotoShop was years away.

0 Comments

Saving daylight, losing sleep

3/12/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
 Yes, it's that time again. Daylight Savings Time, that is. Our twice-yearly ritual here in the U.S. where we "spring forward" and "fall back." This time around, it's the former, of course.

Whether you like it or not, it's a pain. First, it throws your sleep cycle out of whack. I end up missing that hour of sleep until we get it back. Second, there all those clocks to change. Third, you feel like you're getting up with the chickens and going to bed just after sunset. Fourth, it's just seems wrong to tamper with the natural order of things. Like we are risking retribution from the gods.

There must be a better way to "save" daylight. I'm thinking maybe this is the next frontier for virtual reality. Want a longer day? Just put on your goggles and step into the Holodeck ...
0 Comments

Dali Museum 'Selfie'

3/6/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
On our recent visit to the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, I discovered you can capture a picture of yourself taking a picture in one of the artworks. Of course you can't see my face ... but no one is complaining about that. (Photo by Gerry Barker)

​Read more about visit 
0 Comments
    Picture

    About

    Yes, I know it's spelled like "Jerry." No, I don't know why it's pronounced "Gary."
     My parents
    don't know, either. Next question.

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

NORTH PALM BEACH LIFE

Contact us: northpalmlife@gmail.com

Picture
© COPYRIGHT  2021,  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
    • People
    • Eats >
      • Belle's Bar and Grill
      • Elisabetta's
      • Oliv Pit Athenian Grille
      • Cupcakes >
        • Lady Bug Cupcakes
    • News >
      • 2019 North Palm Beach Fireworks Show
      • 2018 Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade
      • Brightline >
        • Brightline Dino Train
        • Polar Express 2019
        • Breezin' on Brickell
        • Brightline Day Trips: Frost Science Museum
        • A Trip on Brightline
        • Brightline Select Service
        • Brightline Tasting Train
        • Brightline Train Unveiling
        • Brightline Topping Out
        • The Polar Express Train Ride
        • Richard Branson at Brightline
      • David Drebin
      • Downton Abbey Exhibit
      • The Lubben Brothers
      • History >
        • 25th Anniversary
        • 50th Anniversary
      • North Palm Beach Country Club
    • Weather
  • Cruise News
    • Cruise Compete
    • Azamara Quest
    • Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line >
      • Grand Celebration Cruise
      • Grand Classica Inaugural Cruise
    • Carnival Cruise Line Stories >
      • Carnival Cuba Cruises
      • Carnival Horizon >
        • Carnival Horizon Pig and Anchor
      • Carnival Liberty
      • Carnival Sunrise >
        • Carnival Sunrise Cruise to Bermuda
        • The Chef's Table on Carnival Sunrise
      • Carnival Studios >
        • Carnival Studios - Behind the Scenes Tour
      • Carnival Victory
      • Carnival Vista >
        • Carnival Vista Craft Beer
    • Crystal Serenity Holiday Cruise - The Beginning >
      • Crystal Serenity - Grand Turk
      • Crystal Serenity - St. Maarten
      • Crystal Serenity - Antigua Donkey Sanctuary
      • Crystal Serenity - St. Lucia
      • Crystal Serenity - Barbados
      • Crystal Serenity - Virgin Gorda
      • Crystal Serenity - Wrap Up
    • Harmony of the Seas - Preview Cruise Review >
      • Harmony of the Seas - Wonderland
      • Harmony of the Seas - The Ultimate Abyss
      • Harmony of the Seas - The Fine Line
      • Harmony of the Seas - 1887
      • Harmony of the Seas - Bionic Bar
      • Harmony of the Seas - Pre-Cruise Coverage
    • Cunard's Jackie Chase >
      • History of Cunard
    • MSC Seaside >
      • MasterChef at Sea
    • Oceania Riviera
    • Queen Mary in Long Beach
    • River Cruising in Germany - The Ms. River Splendor >
      • River Cruise in Germany -- Mainz and Koblenz
      • River Cruising in Germany - The Romantic Rhine
      • River Cruise in Germany - Heidelberg
      • River Cruising in Germany - Wurzburg
      • River Cruising in Germany - Bamberg
      • River Cruising in Germany - Nuremberg
      • River Cruising in Germany - Regensburg
    • SeaTrade Cruise Global 2019
    • Symphony of the Seas - Miami Inaugural Voyage >
      • Symphony of the Seas - Ultimate Family Suite
      • Symphony of the Seas - Showtime
      • Symphony of the Seas - Perfect Day at Coco Cay
      • Symphony of the Seas - Photo Gallery
  • Gigi in the 561
    • Gigi in the 561 - Interviews >
      • Gigi in the 561 - Francis Gary Powers Jr.
      • Gigi in the 561 - Rich Heiland
      • Gigi in the 561 - Susan Goldfein
      • Gigi in the 561 - Chris Costello
      • Gigi in the 561 - Jeff Koz
      • Gigi in the 561 - James E. Hibbard
  • Blogs
    • Gerry Pronounced Gary
    • My Father's Tales >
      • My Father's Tales - Photo Album
    • Pamme's Chitchat >
      • GX2
    • Rock and Roll Rewind
    • Susan Goldfein -- Blog >
      • Susan Goldfein
    • Travel Bistro
    • The Lady Reggie
    • Because, Cate
  • Video
  • Travel
    • Travel News from Business Wire
    • Snaps >
      • Snaps - Page 2
    • Fun >
      • Events >
        • La Bella Macchina 2017
      • AtmosFX Digital Decorations
      • Calypso Cruise
      • Pumpkin Patch 2017
      • Reindeer Games
      • River Paddle Event
    • Brian Wilson: Life in the UK >
      • Life in the UK - Bath, England
      • Life in the UK - Croquet
      • Life in the UK - Music in Russia
      • Life in the UK - Sri Lanka
      • Life in the UK - Sri Lanka - Sigiriya
      • Life in the UK - US Embassy
    • The Florida Keys >
      • Key West
      • The Hemingway House and Museum
    • Joe Cartwright - Travel Writer >
      • Beartooth Highway
      • North Cascades National Park
      • A Visit to the Philippines
      • Grand Canyon National Park
      • Glacier National Park
      • Yellowstone National Park
      • Hiking in Bear Country
      • Crater Lake National Park
      • Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
      • The Kerrville Folk Festival
      • Building Hope in the Rio Grande Valley
    • Island Destinations
    • Lake Okeechobee Picnic
    • October Odyssey >
      • Cartagena, Columbia
      • Panama Canal
      • Antigua, Guatemala
      • Cabo San Lucas
      • Birds and Bees Speakeasy in Los Angeles
      • We Love LA
      • Coast Starlight
      • Napa Wine Tour
      • California Zephyr
      • California Zephyr Part Two
      • Chicago
      • Amtrak Capitol Limited
      • Washington DC
    • Pam - Traveling in Style
    • Road Trip! >
      • Road Trip! -- Tucumcari, New Mexico
      • Road Trip! -- The Painted Desert
      • Road Trip! - Sedona, Arizona
      • Road Trip! - Sedona Wineries
      • Road Trip! Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
      • Road Trip! - Mogollon Rim
      • Road Trip! - Verde Canyon Railroad
      • Road Trip! - Jerome, Arizona
      • Road Trip! - California
      • Road Trip! - Palm Springs Celebrity Tour
      • Road Trip! - Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
      • Road Trip! - Festival in Palm Springs
      • Road Trip! - Willcox, Arizona and Apple Annie's Orchard
      • Road Trip! Willcox Wineries
      • Road Trip! Chiricahua National Monument
      • Road Trip! Tombstone, Arizona
      • Tombstone, Part Two
      • Road Trip! - Epilogue
    • Unknown Yellowstone >
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Heart Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Summit Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Shoshone Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Grizzly Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Riddle Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Pelican Cone
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Mt. Washburn
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Specimen Ridge
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Avalanche Peak
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Divide Creek
    • U.S. Virgin Islands >
      • Coral World - U.S. Virgin Islands
      • St. Thomas Food Tour
      • St. Thomas Tour
    • Vizcaya
  • Contact
    • Smoothie Me Please
    • Pamela Barker - Author
    • The Story of StarText
  • Search