In Ruby, as in life, knowing one’s self is a vital element for long-term success. Let’s take a minute to explore self and why it matters.

• programming
• ruby

When I ask Derek Brown about the future of the craft cocktail, his answer is unequivocal, “it’s not a trend anymore.” In a town where bluster is an art form, Brown’s certainty is strangely convincing. Of course, it helps that he has a resume to back it up. Brown was a James Beard Award Semifinalist for Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional in 2010, and his Washington DC bar, The Columbia Room, was twice a semifinalist for Outstanding Bar Program (2012; 2014). And that’s in addition to his four other downtown DC bars and restaurants, his writing, and his appearances in the media. Brown isn’t just a bartender, he’s a historian, an anthropologist, a cocktail evangelist, and most importantly, someone who enjoys a good drink.

• culture
• drink

Wadi Rum sits in far southern Jordan, in the middle of the great desert that stretches across the Arabian Peninsula. Jordan designated Wadi Rum a protected area in 1998, but it has been a place of imagination and allure since long before Jordan was a country. For centuries, natural springs have brought Bedouin nomads to Wadi Rum, and provided respite for their families and their flocks. The Bedouin are still here, but the springs are no longer the main attraction. Today, it’s Wadi Rum’s towering cliffs, endless dunes, and star filled nights that attract travelers.

• travel