It still amazes me to see a city street busted open not just to reveal cobblestone and pipes but actual soil! National Geographic's Web site offers an interactive core sample of New York City complete with audio and photo tours of its infrastructure 800 feet below street level. One midway level labeled 'forgotten' still delivers steam heat and water to many New Yorkers like us.

DGG and I have been discussing a small modification to the Contact page that we think will have a nice impact on usability for people who spend a lot of time working inside of the contact record. After some thought, we decided that it makes sense to move the edit/dashboard/vCard and "Create activity" buttons up and outside of the Summary tab. Additionally, we'd like to change the "Create Activity" dropdown into an "Add ..." dropdown that could include contributions, activities, cases, memberships, relationships and notes.

Nostalgic for the days when New Yorkers smoked at their desks instead of huddled on the sidewalk? When Parisians could light up a Gauloise at their local bar-tabac or Barcelonians could enjoy a cigarrillo with their tapas? Coincidentally, I’ve rung in the New Year on the eve of two nation-wide smoking bans two years in a row - first in Paris, then in Barcelona. Personally, I would be fine if there was nothing left of the cigarette industry but souvenirs like this cigarette pencil I found at Sunrise Mart. Next year I’m heading to Istanbul!