Samuel Fraunces Tavern in New York
Posted on February 8, 2010 - Filed Under History, Travel
Once when I was in London, I met a college girl who had arrived in the city for the first time. I suggested we go down to the National Theatre and have some tea and take a look at the river. We could go by way of the Hungerford Footbridge (this was well before the Millennium Bridge was built), and we could get a look at Parliament and Big Ben. She said, “Big who?” I was astonished that she hadn’t heard of the famous bell in Parliament’s clock tower (in fact, it is the bell, not the clock; if she thought it was the clock that would be one thing, but she’d never heard of the name at all). She also pronounced the Thames with a soft th (Thames as in Things). I thought even a casual tourist would know these two things. The same is true of New York City. If anyone didn’t know about the Empire State Building, Central Park, or the Statue of Liberty, I’d be a little shocked that someone could be so sheltered. But there are other places in a city that fewer people know about, although perhaps they should. If you find yourself in New York, one place you’ll want to know more about is the Fraunces Tavern Museum.
One of the older buildings in New York, it was built in 1719 as a merchant’s home. In 1762, Samuel Fraunces bought the place and turned it into a tavern. It was here that George Washington made a farewell address to his officers in the Continental Army (1783), and the tavern itself was a part of the activities leading up to the Revolutionary War. Most people today think only of Washington D.C. as the nation’s capital; however, New York was the first capital of the United States, and the tavern was used then for a number of different departments: The Department of War, Department of Treasury, and the Department of Foreign Affairs. At the start of the Twentieth Century, the building was restored to the way it looked in colonial days and became a museum in 1907. There’s a whole complex of 19th Century buildings added to the 18th Century tavern now.
If you’re looking for some history and a place to eat, the Samuel Fraunces Tavern and restaurant can help you out on both counts. However, if you’re looking for an inn for the night, then you’d better look here.
Great Chicago Pizza at Connies
Posted on February 3, 2010 - Filed Under Entertainment
The day had finally arrived, Jen and Travis were going to go on their first date. They had been secretly eyeing each other for over six months when it was by chance that they happened to be at the same party and a mutual friend, Tina, ended up kind of forcing them together. It wasn’t anything overly romantic or exciting, there was just a small group of people talking about having just seen New Moon. Well, they were talking about a lot more than that. They were talking about the books and comparing it to the movie and talking about the various performances and then differences in the mediums. Travis is the one that brought up the subject by casually mentioning that he had just taken his little sister to see it at the AMC Loews on Michigan and was talking about what a rave everyone seemed to be making of it. He had never heard of it until his sister talked him into taking her and was amazed at how many people seemed to be obsessed with it.
Jen hadn’t seen the movie but she overheard part of the conversation and noticed the small gathering of people so she thought she could get closer to Travis and joined in, as an observer not participant. At one point it became clear that Jen and Travis where the only two who had never even heard of the book series or the movie. That’s when their friend Tina made such a todo about it and said they must be the only two people in the world that didn’t know about the Twilight Series and sarcastically told them they would have to get married because no one else would have them.
Well, due to the mutual, yet undeclared, feeling between them, that was enough to release them from the Twilight conversation and they started talking alone. Of course after a few minutes had gone by and they were still engaged in an intimate conversation, Tina shouted at them to get a room, which embarrassed the two so they stepped outside. By the end of the evening Travis had finally summed the courage to ask if Jen would like to get some pizza or something, that was all he could think of, the following weekend. As if it weren’t a kind of odd suggestion, Jen immediately said that it sounded great and then hoped she didn’t sound to eager. And so the following weekend arrived and Jen and Travis had their first date at Connie’s Pizza, which coincidentally happened to be their favorite. They shared an order of buffalo style Calamari and then a deep-dish bbq chicken pizza, which also happened to be both of their favorites. It was beginning to seem like maybe they were in fact made for each other.
El Mercado Market in San Antonio
Posted on February 1, 2010 - Filed Under Travel
Shopping in San Antonio’s El Mercado is an eclectic experience. Not only is this an open air market full of farmers market kinds of produce, flowers and food stalls, but it is home to the Working Artist program, so the items you will find will be one of a kind treasures made by the artists living and working in the city of San Antonio. The Mercado was for many years known simply as the Market Square, and many still use that name when referring to this site. Not only is this one of the busiest markets in the state, it is the center of the history for the Mexican culture which had been a market for local wares and household supplies since the beginning of the 20th Century.
Some of the best San Antonio hotels are located near to the market, which is convenient as for many years this has been one of the most popular tourist spots in the city. Mark Twain had once said that there are four truly unique cities in America, Boston, New Orleans, San Francisco and San Antonio. The Market Square is one of the elements of the city that contributes to this uniqueness, and it always has. This is not just a tourist site, but a favorite local spot as well, reflecting the local color and fare through the artists’ booths, the various shops, and the cafes and restaurants. Similar to the Fairfax Market of Los Angeles, many of the businesses in the Market Square are the original businesses, and many of them are family run.
The 24 hour, 7 days a week Mi Tierra Cafe and Bakery opened in 1943, and the doors have not closed since. The business was opened by Pete Cortez, and the Cortez children and grandchildren still operate it today. There are more than thirty shops, in addition to the restaurants, where on can find everything from candy and sweet treats, to pinatas, jewelry and Mexican dresses. The Working Artist program has made it possible for the local artists to gain exposure and to sell their artwork and crafts. Set up along the sidewalks of the market you will find musicians, blacksmiths, leatherworks, fine art, photographers, and potters. Any form of art you can imagine, with the artists creating their works right there on the streets. This is a wonderful spot to visit on any trip to the city of San Antonio.
Historic and Artistic Los Angeles Neighborhood: Echo Park
Posted on January 26, 2010 - Filed Under Travel
There are many artistic neighborhoods in the city of Los Angeles, from Venice Beach to Silverlake to Echo Park. A friend of mine chose Echo Park and has been trying to convince to move theew for years. Over the years many musicians have called this neighborhood their home from Jackson Browne, to jazz legend Art Pepper and Mariyln Horn, the famous opera singer. Visual artists are a plenty such as Carlos Almaraz who captured incredible landscapes from a tiny window in his apartment. Famed director John Huston, and authors Leo Politi and Carey McWilliams have all found inspiration living in Echo Park.
During the end of the 1800’s, this area was dotted with farms and covered with wildflowers, which eventually gave way to homes of the Colonial Spanish style, and Victorian mansions. By the 1930’s, the land had been built up, and what remains today are the buildings of the past eras in a modern city, which has given the residents of Echo park a strong sense of community, character and identity. The open areas that are left are now parks which are located in the neighborhood and the accompanying neighborhoods of Elysian Park and Angelino Heights.
The center of the beauty lies in the Lady of the Lake and the surrounding pond which explodes with lotus blossoms each spring. The Lotus bed has been blooming for seventy years, and the mystery of the park is in just who planted that first lotus so many years ago. Elysian Park is one of the oldest parks in the city of Los Angeles, having been founded in 1886. This was also the first botanical garden in the entire region of Southern California.
For a variety of architectural styles, Angelino Heights is the place, with the Spanish and the Colonial architecture mixed in with the Streamline Moderne and the Mission Revival. With all this, my friend had finally convinced me to come for a visit. I booked a hotel online at www.bestlosangeleshotel.com and as I sit waiting for the plane to take off from the Phoenix Skyharbor Airport, I have a feeling that when I am next on my way to Echo Park, it may just be for good
World’s Largest Basketball in Knoxville
Posted on January 21, 2010 - Filed Under Sports
The United States is replete with items that are the largest in the world — i.e., the world’s largest frying pan in Long Beach, Washington; the world’s largest ball of twine, just outside Cawker City, Kansas. In Knoxville, Tennessee, you’ll find the world’s largest basketball. It weighs ten tons and is perched atop a glass staircase that looks like an immense basketball net at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, which was founded a decade ago, in 1999. This is the outside of a 32,000 square foot Hall of Fame; at one end, you’ll find the basketball. At the other end, there’s a brick courtyard built to resemble a basketball; engraved bricks are intended to honor inductees, guests, and a number of others.
If you find yourself in one of Knoxville’s hotels, you’ll not want to pass up a tour of this impressive hall. Inside, you’ll find as a centerpiece a 17 foot-bronze statue by Elizabeth McQueen, a California artists, intended to convey to visitors the hall’s goal to “honor the past, celebrate the present, and promote the future.” You’ll be able to see a variety of multimedia presentations and many artifacts of basketball — photographs, medals, scrapbooks, even old uniforms — all intended to capture the history of women’s basketball.
Watch a “Hoopful of Hope,” a 15-minute video presentation that provides an overview of the game’s history. If you’re like me, much of this information might be new to you; you’ll have an opportunity to learn about some of the most famous players and coaches of the game. In an exhibit titled the Modern Locker Room, you’ll hear pre-game and half-time “chalk talks.” If you go now, you’ll be able to hear Maryland’s Brenda Frese, Tennessee’s Pat Summitt and Georgia’s Andy Landers, among others. Included in the hall’s main exhibits, you’ll find a great many artifacts, such as an rule book from 1901, a collection of medals from Teresa Edwards, as well as her five Olympic medals (if you’ve ever wanted to see an Olympic medal in person, here’s a great chance).
In keeping with the hall’s theme, they have basketball courts downstairs with three baskets to represent the past, present and future. With each of the baskets at varied heights, you’ll be able to shoot baskets and see how well you do. If you happen to be in Knoxville in June, you can actually watch an induction ceremony. This June 12th, 2010, the Hall of Fame will be adding to their list of basketball greats the following women: Leta Andrews, Rebecca Lobo, Teresa Edwards, Gloria Ray, Chris Weller and Teresa Weatherspoon.
Pearl Jam From Seattle
Posted on January 19, 2010 - Filed Under Music, Travel
Pearl Jam is just one of the major bands that was originally formed in Seattle, Washington. It, along with the quintessential grunge band Nirvana, was part of the development and propagation of this movement in the early 1990s. At that time guests staying in the hotels Seattle found this new style of music and band appearance to be a novelty they encountered on the streets and in the clubs of the city. No one at the time new that Pearl Jam would rise to the heights of music superstardom that it has.
Four of the original members of the band are still performing with it today and include Eddie Vedder, who plays the guitar and sings lead vocals, Stone Gossard, who plays the rhythm guitar, Mike McCready, who plays lead guitar and Jeff Ament, who plays the bass guitar. Matt Cameron is the band’s drummer and joined them in 1998 and also plays for Soundgarden, which was also formed in Seattle. The members of Pearl Jam first came together after Gossard and Ament’s previous group Mother Love Bone broke up. Pearl Jam burst onto the mainstream with their first album titled Ten. However, the band received initial criticism, and some of it came from other musicians such as Kurt Cobain who claimed that Pearl Jam was simply cashing in on the explosion of alternative-rock.
However, Pear Jam remained strong and stable throughout the chaos and their rise to superstardom, which is unlikely to have happened without great talent and dedication to the music. They have performed across the world and have sold over 30,000 million records in the United States alone. This number doubles when taken into consideration of world sales. It outlasted most of the other grunge bands rising at the time and is frequently considered to be the most influential band of the 1990s. They were labeled by Allmusic to be the most popular band of that decade.
Coffee and Beignets in New Orleans
Posted on January 14, 2010 - Filed Under Travel
Perhaps the most famous coffee stand in Louisiana lies in New Orleans, the Original Cafe Du Monde Coffee Stand, which has been selling coffee and Beignets doused in sugar since 1862. For any traveler to the French Quarter, it’s a mandatory trip, and chances are good whenever you arrive in town, it’ll be open. The cafe is open twenty-four hours, seven days a week, and closes only on Christmas Day. Its own web site notes that there are also exceptions for hurricanes, but barring such an event, they’re open, ready to provide Coffee and Chicory, dark roasted, and some of the most amazing Beignets (a kind of French version of doughnuts), you’ll taste.
On a vacation to one of the luxury hotels New Orleans is peppered with, I came across the Original Cafe Du Monde, which translates loosely into Cafe of the World; near Jackson Square, at 800 Decatur Street, the cafe is often busy with lines of visitors and locals alike awaiting coffee and Beignets. There are other locations, seven in all, throughout Louisiana, but the one on Decatur Street is the original, and it’s there you can easily tell the tourists from the locals by the way they handle the Beignets. The locals know to first blow or gently shake the Beignets so that the heaped powdered sugar falls away; otherwise, as you begin to eat, you may easily find your clothes coated in a sugary white blizzard.
The menu is simple at the Cafe du Monde: It’s Coffee and Chicory, black or Au Lait; Beignets; milk, white or chocolate, and orange juice. They also have iced coffee and soft drinks, but that’s all. Even if you can’t eat Beignets, it’s definitely worth stopping in just for a cup of coffee to see a coffee shop that’s been around for one hundred and forty-eight years.
Philadelphia is Affordable for a Family Vacation
Posted on January 13, 2010 - Filed Under Travel
It’s our first trip since our daughter was born, so now, our family being complete, we’re off to Philadelphia and other areas surrounding the city. We have a 4 year old boy and now a 1 year old girl, so we don’t have a lot of money and we need to do things as cheaply as possible, which is a challenge for a family of 4. We picked Philadelphia because it was close to Sesame place, which was the highlight of our vacation.
I searched all over the Internet to find the best Philadelphia cheap hotel and for things to do. I found great accommodations and at least a months worth of stuff to do, but we only have a few days, because we really can’t afford to take off too much time from work. We left on Friday morning and we’ll be back home Monday.
I definitely picked a day for Sesame and then narrowed down the ton of attractions to seeing to: the crayola factory, the Giggleberry Farm, the Aquarium, the ‘Please Touch’ museum and then the Insectarium. I know the Aquarium would be our 2nd stop, and after seeing the ‘Please Touch’ museum on TV, I made that our first stop. But it was a toss-up for seeing the other sites. I left it to chance, depending on how we all do with my first 3 picks.
I planned for the kids to visit the ‘Please Touch’ museum before we checked into our hotel. I figured they would need to burn off all their built up energy. I was expecting the museum to be small, but I didn’t expect it to be a little cheesy and cheaply built, I figured my kids would want to only spend a couple of hours at the most, but I was so wrong, they could have spent 2 days there! They absolutely loved it! Go figure!
We checked into our hotel, and it was lovely. I was amazed at the quality of the accommodation for the price we paid. What a treat. Right now, seeing just how happy my entire family is and how tired they are, I’m thinking we might just fit in all the sites on my list! Thanks Philadelphia!
Celebrities and Reputation Management
Posted on January 12, 2010 - Filed Under Entertainment
Hollywood is full of late nights, wild parties, and more than a few illegal activities. And as always the tabloids are ever ready to catch young stars in the act of their latest indiscretion. As a result, it is a no brainer that they would most likely need some form of reputation management if they want to keep themselves in a job and out of jail. However, it is not just their acting or performing careers that are at risk. Many have created their own brands and companies that not only capitalize off of their stardom, but bring in additional income. They have lines of products and endorsements that could be lost in moments if their reputations were not properly managed, much like the recent case of Tiger Woods.
However not all celebrities are on the brink of collapse. Some, having set the limelight to the wayside, have become extremely successful business people. A primary example of this would be Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Their company, Dualstar Entertainment Group LLC., founded in 1993 has consistently appeared on Forbes Fortune 500 list. The twins have had phenomenal success with their movies, books, clothes, cosmetics, and toys. Using search engine optimization services, they have gained control of much of the tween market. Also, by staying out of the spot light and steering clear of the tabloids, they haven’t had to do much in regards to reputation management in recent years.
Guarding your reputation is something we must all keep in mind; whether we are an individual, a business owner, or a celebrity. The reputation that we have spent a lifetime to build can be destroyed in seconds with one careless act. By being mindful of our actions and prepared for the worst, we can preserve our reputations for long into the future.
Andre Agassi: Legend On and Off Court
Posted on January 7, 2010 - Filed Under Sports
Andre Agassi is well known in the tennis world, and though he will not be the soon to be held Australian Tennis Open, he is still a fixture and figure of tennis. Besides he’s already won the Australian Open in previous years. He has been known for his natural talent which he has honed throughout the years with help from coaches and mentors of all kinds. Famously, he attend the Tennis Academy in Florida run by Nick Bollettietri. He was originally only supposed to go for a few weeks as that was all his family could afford for him. However, when Bollettietri saw him play, he said the family could take the money back and Andre could play for free.
Though his fluffy eighties hair turned out to be a wig and his perfect reputation marred by an admitted use of methamphetamine, his talent and life on the court is nothing short of perfection and completely authentic. Mats Wilander has in fact named him the top tennis player of all time, at least as far as men’s tennis goes.
What exactly is about Agassi that makes him such a success? He knows how to anticipate his opponent’s moves which is extremely difficult. You can know a person’s style from reading up about them and what others say in the media, but when on the court, it is an altogether different matter. Though his serve and volley are not his strong points, he does a great return on serves and extremely well on his baseline game. He also manages to always steal the ball always from competitors initially in the game. Making people run about the court trying to keep up with the ball has always made him famous and provided him with a tennis name—the punisher.
However, in real life, he anything but, providing much money and time and effort in charity work to help children pursue their dreams in athletics. In fact, he opened a charter school for children from poorer socioeconomic backgrounds in the LA area in 2001, calling it the Andre Agassi College Prepatory Academy. With his generous personality and great talent, it has made him one of the greatest players tennis has ever had.
Stories, Blinds, and Going Home
Posted on December 31, 2009 - Filed Under Home & Garden
It’s probably very important that I mention that I love to travel. Other people don’t like the feeling of being out of their element, in another place or another culture, but I do. I love the sense of not being able to quite understand what’s going on around me. It could very well be that, since I usually don’t understand what’s going on, wherever I am, that travel just gives me an excuse for being lost, but there’s probably something deeper than that. I like the feeling of disorientation, because it reminds me that I’m in between places, and I like to be in between. I like the liminal space between waking and dreaming, and I like the same space when it’s in physical space.
So when I woke up in my parent’s house, I was delighted, because I wasn’t sure where I was. They hadn’t repainted, and some of the same old furniture from my childhood was still there, but they had Next Day Blinds installed for the windows, and the change was really stunning. I was visiting them, after living overseas for the past three years, and not being very attentive to being in touch, so I was looking forward to a visit to my childhood. At the same time, I was a little nervous, especially because I was more than slightly afraid that things would be exactly the same.
With the Next Day Blinds however, I realized that things were not the same at all. I liked the familiar things, like my dad’s old pipe stand, and my mom’s books, but I also loved the way the morning light came in through the blinds, and made new shadows in the room that I knew so intimately before. It was a profound difference, that made the more subtle differences noticeable to me. While I was visiting with my mom, waiting for my dad to wake up, I started to notice that she had changed in the past few years as well. She seemed more comfortable, more at ease, and even though she listened to my new stories with the same expressions I remembered from before, she had sparks in her eyes that told me she had some stories to tell, too, if I was awake enough to listen.
Wedding Proposal at Singapore Marina
Posted on December 28, 2009 - Filed Under Health, Travel
Rupert and Mary had been dating for almost three years. Interestingly, to them at least and some of their friends, neither one of them actually considered themselves to be of the relationship variety nor were they looking to become committed prior to meeting each other. However, the adage held true for them and they found true love when they weren’t looking for it. They were both just starting their careers as veterinary assistants and coincidentally Mary was with her mom one afternoon when her mother’s cat suddenly became sick. The situation seemed serious and they rushed her to her mom’s veterinary. Rupert was on his first day and greeted them as they walked through the door. Fortunately Rupert and Mary’s combined education and one day’s worth of experience helped them to remain calm and communicate the issues the cat was having.
The cat story ended happily and in the process Mary and Rupert experienced something they honestly didn’t believe existed, they fell in love at first sight. Or at least that’s what it felt like to both of them who really couldn’t explain it, nor did they feel like it. From that day on, both their careers and relationship continued to grow and thrive. They became extremely close very quickly and were professing their love before many of their friends realized they were even together. This was somewhat startling and even concerning for some of their friends who had never seen them with a partner.
It all made sense to Rupert and Mary, however. Well, actually it didn’t but they didn’t care. And when Mary asked Rupert to go with her to a convention in Singapore last month, he knew that would give him the perfect opportunity to propose, which is something he had been wanting to do for, well the last three years. However, he also wanted the proposal to be as spontaneously oriented as their relationship development, though he knew that would be somewhat impossible. So, he decided to leave the exact moment and location up to inspiration, but he knew it would happen in Singapore. And it did. On their second night in town they were enjoying the amazing view long the Singapore Marina Bay Promenade. Rupert looked out over the lights on the water and suddenly bent down on one knee. The event drew a small crowd of observers who cheered and congratulated the couple after Mary said yes.
Twitter and Swift Rank Recovery
Posted on December 21, 2009 - Filed Under Sports
Social networking sites have come to stay in the comfy chair of contemporary culture. For better or for worse, our lives are recorded in virtual space, and even if we decide not to participate, chances are that someone will note some of our movements in a way that will be reflected on the cyber highway’s ongoing record of contemporary history. Through the development of the status update, celebrities and surfers can communicate a remarkable amount of information to a vast number of people very quickly. The nature of the information can be extremely personal, terribly interesting, or even frightfully mundane and trivial, and it all communicates in the same speed on the same screen.
If we become particularly savvy at our own online presence, we can do remarkable things. Through sites like twitter, we can shape how the world sees us, if we are connected in the right way. If our popularity is down, it doesn’t take too much before we can make a swift rank recovery by going through a few friends and asking them to write some nice words about us. Things can go viral very quickly and unexpectedly, and there are many strange twists and turns that are possible at any given moment.
This is really a remarkable thing, because we are suddenly in a position, like never before, to create and make world views. People like Andy Murray can, with the right amount of influence and persuasion, manipulate his own fame and success. This mean that we may have more power at our fingertips that we realize. It also means that surely there are extremely talented people being paid very large salaries in order to create virtual realities in subtle ways. But it also suggests that there is a tendency toward democratization, that will always ultimately win out in the virtual wars of identity, despite what happens on and off the court.
Evolution of Contained Fire
Posted on December 19, 2009 - Filed Under History, Home & Garden
For thousands of years fireplaces have been a major part of human life. They are used for so many things such as heating, cooking and socializing. Fires burned in ancient times were originally placed in the center of the room of a one story home. Having it in the middle of the room was great for getting the most use out of the fire. More people could sit around it and feel its warmth. It also radiated heat more evenly around the room. There was a hole in the ceiling to help create the circulation to get the smoke out of the home. This design was how humans got along for a thousand years. At some point there were homes and buildings built with two stories. That took the fireplace design on a new path. Now you had to put in on one side of the room and it was best to put it on the outside wall. It wasn’t a good idea to build a fire in the center of a room on a wood floor of a second story room. It took a while to get the smoke ventilate in the right direction. The chimney was designed after some failed attempts to get the smoke out horizontally. The chimney gave the natural flow of smoke a chance again to move out of the home.
After years of using the fireplace inventors came along and added their ideas to come up with other indoor heating options. Prince Rupert gave us the grate for the firewood to sit on. Helping the flow of air to fuel the flame. Benjamin Franklin created the cast iron stove called the Franklin Stove. Which gave a more efficient form of heating and cooking. Count Rumsford designed a better chimney so it wouldn’t catch on fire. Before his design the chimneys often caught on fire and were made to be kicked away when it happened.
Now homeowners can buy and indoor luxurious fireplace that runs on electricity, natural gas or wood with no worries of chimney fires. Look into the Napoleon fireplaces, they have many great designs. Which is the another added benefit of the modern fireplace.
Style, Design, and Warmth: The Patio Fireplace Creates Ambiance, and Heat
Posted on December 18, 2009 - Filed Under Home & Garden
Patio fireplaces add warmth, and style to any backyard design. An out door fireplace adds to either the patio, the garden, or the outdoor kitchen. Fireplaces indoors are wonderful, but there is something about sitting out under the night sky, with good friends and loved ones, and a bright fire aglow. Whether you are getting lost in the depths of the color of the flames, or chatting about daily events, telling stories or having a meal, the fireplace will add to the atmosphere of the entire evening.
Whether you have a glass of 100 year old scotch, or a mug of hot chocolate or tea, on colder winter nights, the fire will serve to take a bit of the chill out of the air, and bring mystery and charm to your backyard oasis. The simple and original design of the chiminea was the starting off point for the models that are technologically advanced today. The designs range from simple to elaborate, and the variety is astounding. Your overall experience outdoors will be enhanced by the addition of any one of the models of patio fireplaces.
During the warmer months, just as many choose to fill their fireplaces with candles or plants, your fireplace out of doors can be used in the same way. For it the heat of a full fire would be too much, the candles will still give off the warm, romantic glow, without raising the temperature. With a bit of planning and some creative thinking, you may find that adding a fireplace in close proximity to a spa or a hot tub, will further serve your soul as you take a small break from the outside world. Soaking in a hot tub, by the light of a fire, will not only be a wonderful experience as it is happening, but you will undoubtedly fall directly to sleep once your soak is finished. You will be able to create the same harmony and balance on your patio, that you have created in your home, and what better way to take on the night, as you sit in front of your roaring fire.
Beautiful Island Resort of Sentosa Inspires Musician
Posted on December 14, 2009 - Filed Under Travel
Miles played the clarinet and he was actually pretty good at it. He began playing when he was small child and showed an immediate aptitude for the instrument. At the tender age of ten he announced to his parents that he was going to become a famous clarinetist and he would make it his career. And although his parents thought it was possibly a grandiose childish wish they also supported his interest and thought maybe the bravado was necessary to establish such a career. They never pushed Miles in one direction or another though both of them hoped that he would continue with the instrument and study music in college, which he did.
However, after graduating Miles’ interests took on what his parents considered to be a disturbing direction. He showed no inclination to audition for orchestras and quickly began playing with a local jazz group. It wasn’t that his parents had anything against jazz they just assumed he would be pursuing a career in the symphony and this was something new to them and very risky sounding. Miles however had developed a strong love for jazz while he was in college and that was really all he wanted to play. In addition, he wanted to spend some time traveling the world and decided that playing his clarinet in city parks and public places would be his ticket across Europe.
That summer his parents planned a trip to Singapore and invited Miles to join them. They planned to spend some time discussing his future with him and Miles was eager to visit this major urban center. They spent some time on the beautiful island of Sentosa and his parents planned to have their discussion after spending the day at the Universal Studios Singapore. However, that morning they woke up and Miles had already left their room in one of the hotels Sentosa. His parents stepped out to look for him and were guided by the beautiful sound of a clarinet. They didn’t realize that Miles had brought his along and as they turned the corner they noticed the crowd that was beginning to form around his son and they realized that his gift was his to do what he wanted and they would support whichever direction he took. Then they stood and listened to the beautiful jazz improvisation their son played.
Sentosa Island Has Its Own Flavor
Posted on December 9, 2009 - Filed Under Travel
After leaving our hotel and having breakfast, we headed to the conveniently located MRT station across the road. We stopped off at the Harbour Front, we weren’t too sure as what there was to do there, but we’ve read about it, so we thought we’d check it out. We noticed there was a cable car located up a nearby hill traveling across the water to a nearby island. We found out that is was Sentosa Island, which is Singapore’s version of Disneyland. This sounded fun, so we decided to walk up the hill, instead of spending money on a taxi to take us there.
This was ill planning on our part, the day was hot and we had no water. But, eventually we made it to the top and stopped to appreciate the great view we had of Singapore. We were on Mount Faber. After a brief rest and some much needed re-hydration, we took the short trip to the cable car station and purchased tickets to ride it to Sentosa. The view from the cable car was even more spectacular that the summit of Mt. Faber.
We found Sentosa Island not to be anything like Disneyland, but it did have its own flavor. We had no idea there were Singapore Sentosa hotels here or other wise we would’ve book a room for the night in order to full appreciate all the attractions here and we thought this place probably looked fantastic at night. Our first stop was the Carlsberg Tower, this gave us a panoramic view of the city. We explored the area carefully, because we didn’t want to spend all of our budgeted money here on the island, which we could easily do. We ended up doing the forest trail, which was very fun, but mosquito city, so we ended up with many bites as we emerged from the trail. It was getting dark, we were torn about staying to see this place all lit up at night, or head back to Singapore, Singapore won out and we took the cable car back, walked back down Mt. Faber, took the MTR back to our hotel and proceeded to crash on our beds. Tomorrow was ‘Shopping’ day on the famous Orchard Road.
Upside and Downside of Florence
Posted on December 1, 2009 - Filed Under Travel
After Rome, we caught a train that went past Naples and on down to the Amalfi coast. We stayed in the city limits of Positano, which is on the water between the cities of Amalfi and Sorrento. To get to Positano, we had to ride on this bus for two hours from Salerno. At first, the bus ride was pretty fun, it hangs along the cliff line, scaring us a bit, and overlooks the coastline. However, due to the bus being over booked, stuffy, hot, the bus driver honking his horn every half minute, and the curvy roads, the ride became nauseating and very annoying. But, Positano was well worth the ride.
We stayed in a hostel, and it was one of the best hostels we ever stayed in. It was clean and had the best view in town. Amalfi coast is beautiful and relaxed. We managed to take a day excursion to Capri island and was the green, white and awesome blue grotto’s. Capri was really nice and very expensive.
On to Tuscany, we took another train to Tuscany. We stayed in Florence and had the toughest time finding a hostel, so we bucked it up and stayed at hotel Florence. What a major difference from a hostel. Television, private bathrooms, telephones, it was heaven. Florence was great. Probably one of my favorite spots in Italy. The vibe I get from the city, is indescribable. The city, of course, is filled with history. Tons of art, like Michelangelo, Rafael, di Vinci, Donatello and several other famous artist that I’ve never heard of before.
But now it’s time to catch a train back to Rome, catch a flight back to Phoenix. The only think hard about traveling to other countries is having to come back home and the best thing about traveling is missing the ones you love and getting home to see them once again.
Blue Mountains of Appalachian Range Near Harrisburg
Posted on December 1, 2009 - Filed Under Travel
When Joseph and his wife Connie visited her parents in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania they were expecting to be engaged in family activities, including a major family reunion, for most of the trip. That’s in part why they decided to stay in one of the hotels Harrisburg and not crowd into her parent’s house where other relatives were going to be staying. In addition, Joseph was a pretty private person and had a strong need for his quiet space in the late evening. He generally read before he went to sleep and this also helped him to relax and let go of the day’s events. He was by no means a non-social person and he also loved Connie’s parents and looked forward to the stay. He just considered that need for space part of his self care as he always felt nervous and out of sorts when he couldn’t get it.
That was fine for Connie who loved the idea of staying in a hotel instead of the crazy household that would be her parents’ home for the next week. They would visit everyday, but a hotel would provide both of them a certain amount of quiet to wind down from all of the activities and excitement of seeing certain family members, which in some instances was the first time in years.
The reunion itself was held in a park near the Blue Mountain base. Connie had grown up in Harrisburg and loved that region of the Appalachian Mountains. She felt strongly that hey had gotten into her soul and she needed to return to them at least once a year. In addition she always felt a sense of peace and serenity near the mountains and all of her mundane daily troubles melted away in the presence of their awesome vastness. It was no surprise that even though there was a ton of chaos, activities and people involved in the couple’s visit, they both felt incredibly refreshed and energized when they returned home. This made Harrisburg one of their favorite get away destinations.
Walking in Little India in Singapore
Posted on November 30, 2009 - Filed Under Travel
Cities are often best seen on foot, and Singapore has a number of sights to see if you decide to strike out as a pedestrian. Walking along Serangoon Road, off Sungei Road, you will find the beginning of India’s influence in Singapore, starting with a number of souvenir and sari shops. This is the Little India Arcade, a good place to locate tiny trinkets, traditional Indian clothing and CDs. Cross Serangoon Road and you’ll see, a short distance away, the Buffalo Road. If you’ve begun your walk hungry, you’ll find some excellent Indian curry and vegetarian food stalls at the Zhu Jiao Centre. This area was once used as a slaughterhouse and a buffalo holding pen. A little farther up, you’ll find a small road named Chander Road, leading off to the right, where you’ll see 37 Kerbau Road. This is a house out of history, from 1900, and an example of how the wealthy Chinese lived at the turn of that century.
Across the street, you’ll see the first of three temples on this walk. It’s the Shree Lakshminarayan Temple. It’s a Hindu temple and it’s for the incarnation of the goddess Kali, Lakshmi. You’ll know it immediately by its bright red domes. If you walk farther along, and are hungry again, you’ll find more stalls and restaurants up Chander and to the right on Bililios Road. The vendors here will give you strong curries and dahl, served on banana leaves.
At the end of this street and at the corner of Serangoon, you’ll see the gates of the 1880s Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, also dedicated to Kali. Inside the worship hall, you’ll find sculptures and paintings that represent Hindu gods and goddesses that number in the thousands.
At the intersection of Serangoon and Belilios, walk eight blocks farther and discover the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple. This is the spot on which Hindus begin their own walk, the Thaipusam procession, often held in late January, to a temple on Tank Road, two miles distant. The festival is meant for two things: to say thanks for good fortune throughout the year, and/or to pay a penance for any sins made in that same year. The Thaipusam procession is something to see, if not a bit alarming: Devotees build heavy frames of steel, covered with flowers and feathers, and then anchored into skin with spears and hooks.
At the end of this walking tour, no doubt you’ll be full and ready for a nap back at one of the Singapore four star hotels, a great place to contemplate what you’ve seen or simply to relax.
Hot Tubs and Saunas: Your Immune System’s Wonderful Ally
Posted on November 30, 2009 - Filed Under Health
Alternative medicine are two words that comes up in conversation a lot these days. Whether you are looking for a way of healing that does not in fact involve medication, or whether you must find your own ways to heal your body due to lack of health insurance, finding ways to heal ourselves is becoming easier. And the combination of Western medicine and these alternative methods are serving people well. One of the most effective ways to cleanse and to heal your body is through time spent in hot tubs and saunas.
Each time you workout in a gym, and walk past those hot tubs, you may be missing out on a way to boost your immune system. While you soak in a hot tub, such as those found at choosehottubsdirect.com, your circulation will further improve and all of the cells in your body will be cleansed and revitalized. There has been extensive research done throughout the world, in Asian cultures as well as various European cities, cultures that have a long time history with water and the healing benefits of soaking in it.
Through sitting in hot water, the core body temperature raises and the blood flow is increased, meaning more oxygen is circulating and nutrients are being delivered. More healing happens as a result, be that just a way to soothe sore muscles, or to recover from an injury. Your veins and your arteries will flow, and tension is released. You become less stressed out, which creates the environment for the most optimal immunological response. So during the winter time, when many are suffering from colds, take a soak in a hot tub, and increase your likelihood of avoiding such an annoying few days. This is such a simple way to take care of your own health, it’s alternative. And quite certainly, it’s just good for your body and great for your mind.
Culture Shock in Cape Town
Posted on November 24, 2009 - Filed Under Travel
I purchased a ticket for South Africa, Cape Town. I was hoping that this city would help ease my broken heart. I boarded the airplane very early in the morning, around 5am and spent the next 25 hours in flight! I bought the least expensive ticket, which meant I had 2 stop overs before I would fly into South Africa.
Bye India! I miss you already! All my 1 billions people. All you lovely, lovely people all cramped together in a fascinating place, which even now after spending 3 months there, I’m no closer to figuring you out. Let chaos be chaos, I believe that’s the national motto – Let chaos be chaos. During my flight, I realize just how addicting India is, how quickly I fell into the rhythm of life there and really enjoying the different set of social rules, the smiles, the genuine smiles. What an amazing experience. I felt every smiled I received was like a vitamin for the soul. I didn’t register that part until I left. But, I realized it as soon as I left the country. The smiles disappear.
So, while in Cape Town, I partied it out. The culture shock hit me like a tsunami. Clean and tidy, even the pavements with the white lines! I managed to book a room at a Cape Town Hotel and then sat myself down at a chic coffee shop. The prices here are equally a culture shock, it’s much more expensive here. What I pay for a coffee here, I could book a room in India!
I miss India! But, I love Cape Town and am search of someone to put a balm on my heart. Since my fiancee broke up with me while we were in India together, I need a real good distraction. Cape Town has, so far, held up its end of the deal. I’m not doing the touristy thing, but acting like a local and so far, I’ve been invited to many homes for dinner and to many clubs. Both activities have managed to sooth the pain. Especially, all the hot guys here.
Havel and Reed Reunited in Prague
Posted on November 23, 2009 - Filed Under Travel
Relatively speaking, travel is rather easy in Prague, Czech Republic. Hotels are plentiful, and there are some sumptuous lodgings so you can travel in style and luxury. Many of the accommodations will meet the artistic sensibilities of the city, along with a great spirit of hospitality, which is warm and gracious here. There are very few bad things anyone can say about Prague, and whatever the negatives might be, no one can really remember a day later. It’s a pretty fantastic place, and has a spectacular reputation among the well-traveled globetrotters, impressed by the city’s lack of pretentiousness, and excess of exciting things to do.
It helps if you enjoy seeing great art, live music, and having intense conversations in cafes. After a few days here, you might decide that this would be a lovely place to live, as many people do, and start imagining yourself talking about the Velvet Underground with Vaclav Havel. There are generations of writers, poets, and artists, that have been drawn to the city because of its reputation for being a new bohemia, and there’s also a magnificently dark romantic edge that is very attractive. Local culture and world culture have always found intersections to come easy in this city, and Havel has always been a spectacularly attractive figure in bringing underground art into his own surround, and making it a local energy.
This came to a terrific fruition in 2005, when Lou Reed came to Prague to play for Havel. In interviews, both men speak of having been old friends, dating back to the Velvet Revolution, when the Velvet Underground was a musical icon for the disenfranchised in Prague. Their shady punk personalities that were against authority in all forms was peculiar to the times, but had a deeper resonance here, because of their sharp intellectual edges. The cynicism of the early days of punk were something the young people here also responded to, so when Reed played here, it was a way of bringing things to full circle, while also suggesting that the energy was still very much alive in Prague, among other places.
Mumbai’s Raghav Sachar
Posted on November 18, 2009 - Filed Under Entertainment, Travel
Mumbai is an endlessly fascinating place, that bears many repeated visits. Even day to day, or moment to moment, there is an enormous sense of flux and activity here, that makes this one of the most exciting places in the world. It’s the world’s largest city, with a bewildering array of sounds and sights, and it’s impossible to get to know in one visit, because there is so much here. The city has a fantastic energy, and like most cities of this magnitude, visiting here can be marvelous and also exhausting. It’s a great idea to give yourself the opportunity to rest in luxury. Mumbai hotels are splendidly equipped to offer a gorgeous sense of rejuvenation, offering rest and comfort night after night, to keep your energy up so that you can enjoy your adventures here.
If you’ve come to see ancient temples, spectacular coastlines, or to enjoy the latest in hip hop culture, it’s all here, and all available for your enjoyment. There are plenty of attractions to keep your days full and your nights exciting. It’s possible to come for a little bit of rest, enjoying the beach and the food, at a leisurely pace. It’s also possible to come with a full itinerary, and there are plenty of things to fill it. It’s a good idea, however, to always expect some changes, as your attention will very likely be caught by new and exciting things that you’d never expected. Like fascinating new works of contemporary performance, music, and dance.
You may have very well heard of Raghav Sachar, and if not, it’s a delight to get to know this talented musician. He’s still very young, and already has had four albums, which includes an album of devotional songs. He is a vocalist as well as the one who plays the instruments. But he really plays all the instruments. He has 31 in his repertoire, and was a bit of a child prodigy. He went to Melbourne University, where he started to really hone his contribution to world music by applying western techniques to Indian traditions, and now makes exciting remixes, and with his natural good looks, he is also a charming Bollywood actor.
The Importance of Effective Communication
Posted on November 17, 2009 - Filed Under Business
Why is it so necessary for business leaders and managers to have the ability to effectively communicate? With each other and with their staff? Well, it is simple…it is the only way a business, or any relationship for that matter, will be successful. The function of all departments of a company relies on communication. Employee training must be thorough, the new employee must be able to know exactly what is expected of them, and a manager must be good at communicating the goals of the company and what will be required of each employee. They have to know where they fit in big picture.
And conversely, executive training must stress just how important is for leaders to be able to this. Because every aspect of being a manager involves communication, this can not be stressed enough. One needs this ability to meet the needs of the customers, to improve upon the quality of service, to be able to verbally express new and innovative ideas, and to increase overall efficiency and productivity. Organization of the company relies on communication, not only on the part of the managers but on the part of the staff as well.
A management training program will offer ideas for managers in helping their staff member become better able to communicate. This is a skill that can be learned. It is just sharing information in a comprehensive and an understandable way. When people do not fully understand what they are being asked or what is expected of them, this is the time when troubles arise. Even if someone disagrees, they are still able to understand. But what is worse than someone disagreeing with another, just simply because they don’t fully understand each other. They may be on the same side, and they are not even aware of it. This should be the focus of every manager, it should be the focus of everyone.
Rained out in Goa
Posted on November 16, 2009 - Filed Under Travel
I had expected the short break from my volunteer work in Goa to be relaxing and spending time lounging on the beach, working my tan and watching the amazing sunsets, but during my whole five days here, even though they were relaxing, the monsoons hit. So, my other expectations were not possible. Goa being a coastal state gets the full effect of the season. But, this was expected to be a light year of rains, and I was really counting on that forecast and that the monsoon would bother me so much, but it did bother me and it did rain a lot.
Goa also wasn’t the tropical paradise I had expected it to be either. Needless to say, staying at one of the five star hotels in Goa turned out to be a balm on my expectations. This hotel helped me get over my initial disappointment of everything being closed and few people around. The staff helped me relax and take this time in Goa for what it was. I ended up having a very nice time.
After returning from Jaipur on the bus Monday night, I decided to stay in Delhi for the flight out the next morning. I chose another five star hotel, since I had such a good experience with the staff in Goa, plus it was the closest to the airport. This hotel was not as accommodating as the hotel in Goa and the staff wasn’t half a friendly. The next morning, I took a taxi to the airport. The driver started taking us the wrong direction, I assumed he was avoiding the morning rush, about a half-an-hour later, I realized we were in central Delhi! Not the airport, I explained to the driver, who was acting surprised. He wanted more money to take me back to the airport, but I refused and stuck to my guns. A half-an-hour later I was at the airport. Fortunately, I had left the hotel two hour earlier than I needed to, so I still had plenty of time to catch my flight. Watch out for all the taxi drivers in India, everywhere, all will rip you off.
Manhattan Rich City
Posted on November 12, 2009 - Filed Under Travel
Manhattan has quite the history. It’s all been about the wheeling and dealing. Starting with the most famous land deals ever. Dutch traders purchased this island of “Manahatta” from the Algonquin Indians in 1621 for 24 dollars worth of beads and trinkets. They originally called it Nieuw Amsterdam. Now there is Wall Street as the ultimate trading place. All of the growth that has come and gone since the beginning it is a must see for any visitor to the area. Get yourself a room at one of the best manhattan hotel locations and then hit the city streets. Every corner has something interesting going on. From Architecture to pizza vendors it is an ultimate metropolis.
Spend a day in Central Park with a free Concert. Find your love at the top of the Empire State Building. Feel the freedom on the country at the Statue of Liberty. Ice skate under the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center. See the night light up at Time Square. Get taken in by a rich performance on Broadway. Have the wind in your ears and float peacefully around the edge of the city on the Staten Island Ferry. Feel the emotion of the world that had fallen on ground zero. Eat any kind of food, drink any kind of drink, at any time of day from anywhere in town. Shop till you drop on Madison Ave. See the latest Art craze in SoHo. Visit the culture of China Town and Little Italy.
I wish I could have seen my grandfather clean the New York Public Library as a boy. I wish I could have seen the early immigrants come in through Ellis Island. How amazing it would have been to see the horse drawn carriages trotting through the streets. It is a wonderful sight to see the locals hang onto the romance and the history with honor and pride.
Pablo de Malaga
Posted on November 10, 2009 - Filed Under Travel
Any time spent in the southern part of Spain is time well spent, and a vacation in Andalusia is simply heavenly. Malaga is a fantastic place to get away from all of the usual distractions and get into a new city, with many splendid attractions that will carry you to a place of total relaxation. The birthplace of Picasso has many legendary qualities, and one can find here the same things that inspired him. There is a very rich history here, and the name Malaga goes back to the time of the Phoenicians, who named the town after the way they salted their fish. It is still a heady combination of quaint local culture, and a sensibility that is entirely cosmopolitan.
Because of its cosmopolitan nature, it is a splendid place for shopping, finding a great restaurant, as well as a fantastic hotel. Malaga, Spain is a magnet for visitors, from all over the world and from all walks of life, and there are plenty of choices that will suit your tastes and your budget. While you’re planning your trip here, you might want to pick up a copy of Enrique Morente’s excellent Pablo de Malaga.
Here, the famous flamenco vocalist from Granada continues to reinvent the tradition, even in spite of some of the criticism he has received from some of the more conservative flamenco artists. This album is a tribute, of course, to Malaga’s famous son, the painter Pablo Picasso, who is considered by many to be the penultimate modernist of modern art. The album was conceived with the help of Picasso scholar Rafael Inglada, who has the keys to some of the writings from Picasso that have previously been unavailable. The album was first performed in Guernica, the site of the tragedy where Picasso based one of the 20th century’s greatest works of art. This is an excellent way to get some of the rhythms here in your blood, mixing classical flamenco styles with contemporary and innovative twists.
Living in Baltimore, Maryland
Posted on November 4, 2009 - Filed Under Construction
Baltimore is the state of Maryland’s largest city. It is located on the shores of the Patapsco River, a segment of the Chesapeake Bay. At one time in history, the port of Baltimore was second only to Manhattan, as the port of entry for immigrants traveling from Europe, and the diversity in culture and ethnic heritage still remains an integral aspect of the city’s personality and vibe. There are many things to consider when deciding to move to a new city. The location, the atmosphere, the economic status of the city.
In Baltimore, good plumbing companies are thriving, boutique antique shops are thriving, the service industry is huge and the leading employers for the city are Johns Hopkins Hospital and Johns Hopkins University. There are many attractions perfect for entertainment and activity such as the National Aquarium and Harborplace. Harborplace is a multi-purpose center offering many different stores and boutiques for shopping adventures, entertainment venues for music and live theatre, and a tourist center to help you find what it is you would like to do, and how to find it once you’ve figured it out.
So once you have decided on the city, the next decision to make is which neighborhood and in Baltimore there are many fine neighborhoods to choose from. Some choose to live on the outskirts of the city in the suburbs. But if you are the kind of personality that likes a bit more of the city excitement and culture, there are many areas that will provide that feel, in safe and community based environment. Yes the artsy neighborhoods are a great place to raise a family in Baltimore.
Mount Vernon is one such area, with loads of art galleries, cafes, theatres and public venues. Fell’s Point is another such eclectic neighborhood, filled with historic heritage and buildings, and a contemporary outlook and modern architecture. Both of these neighborhoods fuse the new and the old, and what comes from that is are two unique and beautiful communities, with many choices in real estate, many choices for a night out, and many choices for job opportunities. When considering where to go, choosing to live in Baltimore, Maryland will be one decision you will not regret.
Fremont, CA: Hub of the Bay Area
Posted on November 3, 2009 - Filed Under Travel
I love staying in Fremont, CA. Usually booking my room at Fremont hotels I like to use this as my jumping off point when visiting the Bay Area. The picturesque backdrop of the rolling California hillside along with its proximity to the San Francisco Bay, the city of San Francisco and Pacific Ocean make it a perfect spot to be in my opinion. With each visit I am tempted further to find a way to relocate there.
When I am in Fremont I always like to stop by the Mission San Jose. A historic and old mission one of the original missions built during the Spanish Colonial era. Father Fermin Francisco de Lasuen established the mission on a site that is part of a natural highway connecting the Livermore Valley and the San Joaguin Valley in the year 1797 on June the 11th. This mission was the 14th mission built of the 21 total missions established by the Spanish up the coast of California.
A visit there is a very peaceful experience. I like to get to the Mission early in the day when I can walk the grounds and adjacent grave yard and watch the lizards, birds, squirrels and other wildlife that make the Mission their home.
From Fremont it is a short drive over to San Jose, which is home of one of my favorite sites to visit the Winchester Mystery House. This place is amazing. Built by an heiress to the Winchester Rifle fortune she began building the house in 1884 and continued the construction till her death 38 years latter. The mansion has 160 rooms, 47 fireplaces, three elevators, a sewer system, central heat and push button gas lighting. The house was a modern marvel in its day and the mystery and marvel lives on today. Unbelievable attention was paid to every detail of the construction project and no expense spared. Fine chandeliers, Tiffany art glass windows and finely inlaid exotic wood floors are just the beginning of this magnificence of this house.
I always have a nice and relaxing time when visiting Fremont and the Bay Area and will keep coming back for the beauty and interesting history.
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