Saturday, July 28, 2012

Social Media Killing Our Socialization Skills


A Stanford professor of communications who worked on a study published in Discovery Girls magazine showed that young girls who spend the most time multitasking between various digital devices, communicating online or watching video are the least likely to develop normal social tendencies, according to the survey of 3,461 American girls aged 8 to 12 who volunteered responses.  This story ran on CNN Tech, January 25, 2012.

Professor Clifford Nass said that the study only included girls but the results should apply to boys as well.  He said that boy’s emotional development is more difficult to analyze because male social development varies widely and over a longer period of time.

I can attest to that last statement.  In my opinion, young boys have early hormonal influences that cause us to look and feel things differently than girls do.

"No one had ever looked at this, which really shocked us," Nass said. "Kids have to learn about emotion, and the way they do that, really, is by paying attention to other people. They have to really look them in the eye."
What needs to happen is for children to spend more time interacting face-to-face with people.  Tweens in the study who regularly talked in person with friends and family were less likely to display social problems, according to the findings in the publication Developmental Psychology.
"If you eschew face-to-face communication, you don't learn critical things that you have to learn," Nass said. "You have to learn social skills. You have to learn about emotion."
The Stanford researchers were not able to determine a magic number of hours that children should spend conversing per week, Nass said. Social skills are typically only learned when children are engaged and making eye contact, rather than fiddling with an iPod during a conversation, he said.
Nass is a self-described technologist of 25 years, who has worked as a consultant with many major electronics firms, including Google and Microsoft. He said the findings disturbed him.
I see this all the time even with adults.  At the Inn, many people have a hard time focusing on a conversation with the other guests.  If they get a voice message, they stop conversation and right away pull out the phone and message to the “important message.”
The immediate guest to guest conversation is unimportant to the phone call or voice message they just received.  How did we survive 25 years ago without cell phones, I wonder?  Is the call or message that really important, or do we just make it out to be what it truly is not.
I ride the TTA  bus to work everyday, and many people, young and old, are constantly pulling out an electronic device to Facebook, take or make calls, play games, or scan the news.  No one talks to each other, although in some instances those that know each other from riding the same bus, do seems to have some conversations.
Before riding the TTA bus, I rode the bus from the parking garage to my office.  That is when I really noticed the unsocialization of young people. Us “older” ones would occasionally talk, but the younger employees, rarely a word.  Now mind you, on the Duke bus, we all have something in common; we ALL work at Duke.  Yet, the conservations were infrequent… like “I do not talk to strangers”, even though we all have the same employer.  No networking!
At least on the TTA bus, those who were initially strangers seem to have more of an interest in talking to the person next to them or across the aisle.
I hope the age of electronic devices do not make us a society of nonverbal communicators.  It so nice to hear a person’s voice compared to the tap-tap-tap of a keyboard.
What Do You Think?
Gary

Guests Dissatisfied With North American Hotels


A Story ran in the July 25, 2012 edition of USA Today on page 2 of section B about guests’ satisfaction with hotels is deteriorating.  A survey was done of 61,700 guests who stayed in a North American hotel from June 2011 through May 2012 and the findings show that overall guest satisfaction has declined from a year ago.  That’s bad news for the hotel industry, but good news for Bed & Breakfasts.

Issues centered on the check-in and check-out process, food, hotel services, and facilities such as pools and business centers.  This could be a result of the continuing impact of staffing cuts in the decline of the economy, which still has sluggish recovery.

A recent US Commerce Department’s quarterly report showed weak consumer spending and a stagnant unemployment rate stuck at 8.2 percent. Too few jobs are being added by businesses due to Europe’s financial woes and a US budget crisis retraining businesses and consumers.

A sore spot for many hotel guests was the charging for Internet access.  At the Oakwood Inn, the Internet access is FREE.  We have never charged for this service.  Another perk at the Oakwood Inn is the free lighted off street parking in our parking lot in back. Many hotels charge for this service, some up to $12 per day.  That can add up on your bill.

Other benefits at the Oakwood Inn that may not be available at hotels are:  a homemade breakfast each morning, snacks such as fruit juice, sodas (pop to you Northners J), munchies like chips, corn chips, pretzels; and homemade (from scratch) cookies are all included in the room rate.  Check out my blog post on my homemade Coconut Chocolate Cookies that were featured in the News & Observer back in 2007.
Blog post:  Coconut Chocolate Cookies from the Oakwood Inn B & B posted on 5-27-2008.

We may not have a pool or business center, but we have a great front porch to sit on to relax in a quiet historic residential neighborhood….. with a short walk to downtown  attractions and restaurants.

Since we are a “mom and pop” business, we know the importance of guest satisfaction and returning customers.  We can not rely on high volume to support our business, because we only have six rooms to rent, not a hundred and six.  We strive to make sure your experience with us is a happy one. 

Check us out at www.oakwoodinnbb.com.  Make an online reservation to get the best price.

See You Soon.
Gary

Sunday, July 15, 2012

CLASSIC CAR SHOW IN RALEIGH AUGUST 17-19


CARS   CARS   CARS  AND MORE CARS.......... ARE WE IN DETROIT??!!


Classic Car Show in Downtown Raleigh on Friday thru Sunday, August 17-19 2012.
Located in and around the Raleigh Convention Center.  50,000 people are expected to attend this grand event.

If you are planning on attending this event and need a place to stay, look us up at the Oakwood Inn Bed & Breakfast, www.oakwoodinnbb.com.

We are just a 20-25 minute walk from the event.  Stay with us, park your car, and walk to this show the entire weekend.  Or take the Raleigh Rickshaw if you want to do something different.  http://www.raleighrickshaw.com/   It’s not a Classic Car, but a fun way to get around especially if it is hot.



You won’t have to worry about finding parking with so many people coming to attend. 

If you are into cars, this is an event you will not want to miss and will want to be there for the entire three days.  Check out our website for availability and do an online reservation for best room Price.

More information on the Classic Car Show at the link below:


classic cars raleigh nc

BEER BOURBON BBQ -- THE 3 B's FESTIVAL

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, AUGUST 4 & 5 AT THE KOKA BOOTH AMPHITHEATRE IN CARY.

What a GREAT way to spend a Hot Summer day in the Triangle but sippin' bourbon, followed with beer, all washing down the Que and then topped with a Cigar!!

I came across this event on the VisitRaleigh website.  I put the link to the Festival down below.  It looks like it sold out on some of the passes last year, so if you'd like to go.... register NOW!!!  Make it a grand weekend event and stay with us at the Oakwood Inn Bed & Breakfast in downtown Raleigh.  We are only about a 20-25 minute drive to the Regency Park where the Amphitheatre is located.  Make an online reservation for the best room rate and do it now, before we get full for that weekend of merriment.
www.oakwoodinnbb.com

I included a little blurp on the event down below with a photo from their website.  Looks like a lot of fun.



What Is All the Excitement About…
Join us at the festival for a great day of beer sippin', bourbon tastin', music listenin', cigar smokin', and barbeque eatin'. Your admission buys you a sampling glass so you can enjoy an ALL-YOU-CARE –TO-TASTE sampling of beer and bourbon. Some of the best barbeque vendors are on-site if you get hungry all while enjoying seminars in the tasting theater and LIVE music all day.


 


History, Genealogy, Old Documents and Records Are Here In Raleigh

Trying to trace your family's roots?  Did anyone in your family have a few skeletons in the closet or a shady business deal, or a prominent family member?  Writing a paper for school or a thesis on a historical event?  North Carolina's history and past comes alive at The North Carolina Office of Archives and History.

This State Office has a huge collection of family histories, genealogy search aids, records, documents, and photos.  Below is a description of the Office of Archives and History Home which is on their home website:

The State Archives of North Carolina collects, preserves, and makes available for public use historical and evidential materials relating to North Carolina. Its holdings consist of official records of state, county, and local governmental units, and copies of federal and foreign government materials. In addition to these official records are private collections, organization records, maps, pamphlets, sound recordings, photographs, motion picture film, and a small reference library. In all, the Archives houses over 50,000 linear feet of permanently valuable materials containing millions of individual items. Materials in the Archives collections constitute by far the most valuable assembly of manuscript records and North Caroliniana in existence. The State Archives is part of the Division of Archives and Records of the Office of Archives and History and the Department of Cultural Resources.




If you have a huge interest in the Civil War as it relates to North Carolina, this is the place to do your research.


Part of the banner image for the North Carolina Civil War 150 website




http://www.archives.ncdcr.gov/default.htm

The Oakwood Inn is only about a 5-7 minute walk from the State Archives office, so if you are doing some research which may take several days, you can stay with us, leave your car parked in our parking lot and just walk to the Archives which will save you some money on parking at the public lots.
www.oakwoodinnbb.com

Due to the huge collection of materials and information at the Archives, you may want to go online and do a primarily search of what information you want to find.  Many individuals who have stayed with us in the past who were doing research sometimes spent the first day just trying to figure out what materials to search through, and what to concentrate on.

Check out the Archives website and hopefully the Oakwood Inn can help make your search more convenient for you.  Go online to get the best room price.  www.oakwoodbb.com.

Have A Nice Day
Gary

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Mandolin Restaurant of Raleigh

Today Doris and I made a visit to Mandolin Restaurant of Raleigh.. actually in the Hayes Barton area.  Up Front it was Fabulous!  Doris and I walked in at about 5:30pm, they just opened.  Who greets us at the door.... Paul.  Paul the bartender who we knew from 18 Seaboard Restaurant.  Haven't seen Paul since he left 18 Seaboard months ago.. maybe a year.

We decided to eat at the bar and talk with him.  He spoke very highly of Sean Fowler the chef/owner of Mandolin's.  Paul's got a fabulous personality for being a bartender/PR man for a place.  It showed again this time.  During the 1.5 hours we sat there, there were 4 other couples and a single guy that came in and sat at the bar who knew Paul.  He is also a good waiter and he is right on with his recommendations.

Doris ordered a vodka martini, I had some signature drink with primm, ginger, basil, lemon, and cucumber... really refreshing... like an iced tea.... Pimms Cup #41.

We ordered the cheese plate off the Bar Menu.... great selection of tasty cheeses.  Doris then ordered the Blackened Grouper.... WONDERFUL.  I had the Chicken and Waffles....Dang It Was Gooood!  They gave you an A-line chicken breast with a wonderfully crunchy fried batter seasoned just right.  The buckwheat-buttermilk waffle was cooked so it had a slight firm exterior but soft interior... and not overcooked so it was dried out.  The braised mustard greens were a nice touch with some sweetness added.  They also gave me a small on-the- side pitcher of honey.... and it tasted like it came from the hive, not a store.

I am not going to tell you about the desserts... you need to go try them yourself.... but as a hint, I liked the chocolate souffle and Paul's recommendation for the Smores (nothing like a smore) was Right On!

In closing Paul made Doris a Manhattan.... using two different vermouth, and maple syrup.... very tasty and light tasting.

Priced reasonable.  I've bee told the Saturday and Sunday Brunch is Fabulous.  Check them out and go eat!!  Check out their website:  http://mandolinraleigh.com/ 

Menu changes monthly depending on what is fresh and in season.  Sean was a Chef at the AAA 5 Diamond, Fearrington House, in Pittsboro, NC.  His skills and talented team have a winner for a restaurant!


Gary

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

HAPPY JULY 4TH

Wishing everyone a Happy and Safe July 4th Holiday!  The holiday in the middle of the week seems to have caused a weak traveling holiday.  Many businesses cite a slowness or weak showing of tourism this year. Some people, like myself, have taken the entire week off to enjoy a long... very long time away from work... and well deserved I might add.

I'm sure the blistering heatwave the entire country seems to be having is not helping either.  Extreme temperatures make traveling more difficult and tend to keep people at home or at least take a shorter trip.  The heat also causes some severe storms to brew which cause damage and injury.  This may also keep people close to home for fear of their safety.  Every drive on an expressway with a downpour so hard that you can not see 10 feet in front of your car?  You slow down for fear of hitting the driver in front of you who may have slowed down, and you also worry about being rear-ended by the person in back of you.
HOWEVER, WE ALL NEED SOME WELL DESERVED RAIN..... just not so much at one time!

Our neighborhood, Historic Oakwood, is having its annual fourth of July celebration.  Includes a kid parade, food, beverages, games, music, and this year for the first time we may be able to see the Raleigh Fireworks which will be hosted downtown on Fayetteville Street.  Should be a lot of fun, even with the high temperatures and humidity.

Happy 4th of July!  Remember the freedoms you enjoy and honor those who have protected us from intruders wanting to take them away!

Gary

Monday, July 2, 2012

Cookie Monsters

Cookies, cookies, cookies.   That's what I do best at the Inn.  I love to bake.  I love to make not only homemade or homebaked cookies, but cookies from scratch.  No box mixes, no pre-made store bought concoctions, no canned recipes off the internet or copied from someone else.  Nope... it is not me.

I usual will take a recipe off the internet or out of a cookibook, and change it.  DRIVES MY WIFE CRAZY!
"Why....WHY do you ALWAYS have to change the darn recipe", Doris will ask.  "Just do it as it is listed in the recipe; otherwise you just may screw it up!"

I have read a couple of cook books that teach you the scientific basis of cooking.  They explain why you use the ingredients that are listed. After you read a couple of books and practice at what they teach you, you slowly develop the necessary skills in baking.

I take a recipe and modify it by changing it to make it my own.  I always strive to use the best and freshess ingredients.  If for some reason the batter does not look like it has in the past, I will try to 'SAVE IT" by using other ingredients to help recover the "sweet treat."

On occasions, I have felt badly for guests staying at other hotels or lodging facilities.... where they usually have commercially made and baked cookies.  It does not take much for me to move through a recipe and decide what I should do, and what should this cookie look and taste like.  As the baker, I know the ingredients, and what goes into making the cookies better.   


I have made cookies for guests who have diet restrictions, like gluten free, or dairy free.  The hard one for me was a gluten and dairy free cookie.  I made that for a little boy who stayed at the Inn with his parents.  That was a difficult one in that it just did not stay together.  I ended up making the cookie in a mini-muffin pan and they tasted like granola.  But the little boy liked them!  That was a success in my eyes. At least he was able to have a nice sweet treat, and he was a sweet little boy!

Gary


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Sunday, July 1, 2012

RALEIGH RICKSHAW'S PEDDLE THROUGH THE HEAT

Raleigh has a unique and wonderful alternative transportation system that is Green; The Raleigh Rickshaw Company.  It has been operating for quite a few years with these drivers biking through the streets of Raleigh providing people with an affordable and fun way to get from one place to another.

It this heat wave that we are experiencing this past week, the Rickshaws are still going strong, but it has to be difficult for them with temperatures in the 100's.  These people are dedicated to not only providing transportation, but fun... fun in the sun. Check out this news story link for more details:  http://www.wral.com/weather/video/11268995/#/vid11268995

I wonder where Donald Mertrud is... he's the owner of the Raleigh Rickshaw Company, but was not on camera..... that is strange.... Donald missing a chance to be in the spotlight!

Gary