When I travel, I don't like to spend a lot of money. I also don't like skimping on comfort or location. With my family, I usually look for a flat or an apartment that is available for short-term rental. Usually a quick Google search will unearth several options for such rentals.

A couple of summers ago, my wife found a flat in Sydney Australia for $500 USD a week with a kitchen, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a combo living room/dining room. This past summer we stayed Edinburgh for roughly $750 USD per week.

Last night I did a little presentation for the Montana Peforming Arts Consortium (MPAC) in Great Falls, MT. I arrived late yesterday afternoon to a remarkably cold day. La Quinta, in Great Falls, had tried to order a cab for me. For what ever reason, Diamond Cab didn't send a car. So it was at least 45 minutes until I had a lift to the hotel. I actually shared the cab with two very nice gentlemen who comprise a duet called "Men of Worth."

After arriving at the hotel, a very nice young woman ordered me a second cab. Despite the Civic Center being less than a half mile away, I didn't relish a walk in ankle deep snow with arctic temperatures. That cab never came either--HELLO DIAMOND CAB--and it turns out it is the only cab company in town. It seems to me that there might be room for a little competition.

The image above was taken while I was walking around this aftenoon close to the Olentangy River right by a cemetary. I thought the image was pretty striking.

I'm in Columbus Ohio to work with the Ohio Arts Council tomorrow. The Arts Council is a long time CultureGrants(tm) Online customer and have recently had WESTAF add ZAPP(tm)/CaFE(tm) image upload features to the grant system we license to them.