Away!

We've abandoned civilization for a few days once again, and are trekking north to Door County, Wis. One of the real joys of this sojourn, of course, is being disconnected. We may still have Internet and cell phone service (which just a few years ago wasn't the case), but guess what -- it's 20 miles to the nearest Redbox! And frankly, I don't plan to use my 50 cents off coupon this weekend.

So, why are we here? Well, that's a fun factoid I'd love to share with you. Exactly 39 years ago, on the evening of August 4, my lovely bride and I became husband and wife. And oh, what a fun ride it has been! All I know is that I wish the same happiness for you.

How About Those Olympic Medals!?

2012 Olympic Medals.
Photo: London 2012.

If you need a little something to read during the commercial break in this evening's coverage of the Olympic Games, look no further. Did you know the gold medals are mostly (92.5%) silver? But that's nothing new, according to Dillon Gage Metals. They were really gold for only eight years, beginning in 1904.

To learn more, check out the very interesting commentary at www.myprgenie.com/view-publication/olympic-medals-are-still-made-of-precious-metal-but-contain-less-gold. I so wish the company had posted its own white paper about this, but they left it to the PR firm instead, so that's where you'll find the information. Such is life in the "Information Age." Meanwhile, it's a pretty cool little bit of background.

For more about what went into making this year's medals at Britain's Royal Mint, visit www.royalmint.com/discover/london-2012/making-of-the-london-2012-olympic-medals.

And now, back to the "tele" for more of the competition.