The Travel Trip

This movement back and forth between coasts has become a rare pleasure for me, where the circles that were inspiring me to consider chaos as a vocational interest started to come together.  They came together in magnificent ways, as they typically would, because this was the beginning of another world.  It was somewhere after the creation of the fourth world, and at the point where we all started to finally worry about the fifth.  It was about time we started to take them seriously, and whether or not the dwarves that lived under the earth would come to occupy the same rooms, and hold their meetings there, was still up for questions, but it was on the verge of a new spinning, that much was certain.

For me, cheap hotels in New York City also remind me of the smell of almonds, and that’s just enough reason to recommend returning again and again.  This visit was to find out what happened to the Date Palm Cafe, because this is where we had met.  I didn’t know it at the time, and she didn’t understand that it was important, so we just lapped each other in the way the people do when they are slightly conscious.  It was, all in all, a good time in life for both of us because we were so fixated on how we were falling off of all the things that we could count on.

This would continue for more than a few years, and they were never pointless, but never made enough sense until we were sitting in each other’s company again and talking about the Date Shake that had come between us.  It doesn’t matter if, by the end of the day, the shake was forgotten, and even ignored, and even scorned in some respects, because that, too, feeds the earth, and that too, opens up a window in the world that remembers us.  The dwarves get to drink, and they can decide whether or not those things on the surface are still worth keeping when they come.

Posted on February 2nd, 2010 by admin
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One of the most elemental feelings that you can get in New York City is the sense that something might suddenly happen, and soon.  This state of being on the verge of an unknown event or quality is hard to describe, but absolutely certain and present, and it’s also very, very appealing. There is something similar going on in the city on the other side of the country, Los Angeles, but there are differences, and these differences are some of what really distinguishes the cities from each other.  On the west coast, the good luck that’s about to come your way will lead to a house and a car and time to skate near the ocean.  On the east coast, good luck is going to lead to conversations with people you’ve always wanted to meet, and a better set of conditions in which to make new work.

The difference, then, can be reduced to the cerebral over the physical, but that would be to pose a kind of mind-body dualism that could be taken apart too quickly.  This might be why there are New York casino hotels here, as well as near to Hollywood.  It’s a kind of way to make manifest the sensation of something interesting, that kind of on-the-verge-ness that’s always lurking, and keeps people moving here.  Part of the appeal, of course, can be reduced to money, and that is a commodity that can be logically understood in both cerebral and physical terms.

But there’s something much more to it than that.  In fact, there is a kind of quality about the way winning is presented in each city that is subtle but absolutely there.  In New York, it is a kind of big dog contest, and the biggest dog gets everything, and the biggest dog will also be lucky at the table.  In California, the dog doesn’t have to be big, but young, and also sleek, and a little smart doesn’t hurt.  But not too smart, because that takes away the charm.  Young dog vs. big dog, then, might be the distinction, and those who do not wish to be dogs might have to stay somewhere in the middle, where they can sleep all day and not worry about things that may or may not matter.

Posted on January 28th, 2010 by admin
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Once again Fanny was left behind as a bridesmaid and had still never received a single marriage proposal. She was now the last of a group of ten friends and after Wendy’s upcoming wedding she would be the only one of them who was yet to be married. Interestingly, this was actually part of a conversation three of them had taken part in when Jodie, the first of them to get married, became engaged. Until that happened they never really thought about a particular order and on that night the three of them made a list of who they thought would get married and in what order and the also included what they anticipated to be the length of each marriage and whether or not they currently knew the person’s future spouse. As it turned out that night, Jodie was scheduled to be sixth in line for the big day, not last and at the time the other two even thought she was dating her future husband. Jodie wanted to laugh, but she was also surprisingly melancholic as she sat in her room at one of Miami’s fabulous hotels on the morning of the wedding rehearsal. Everything went beautifully that day and Fanny had to enjoy herself, despite of herself. She didn’t wish Wendy, or any of her other married friends, ill will and felt about her own disappointed feelings, but she just couldn’t escape a nagging feeling of failure.

However, everything suddenly changed for her during the rehearsal dinner party that was held at the Rusty Pelican that night. It seemed as though from out of nowhere a beautiful man appeared and unbelievably he seemed to be by himself. What was he doing there she wondered. After a little bit of investigation, she learned that he was a friend of Monique’s (one of the ten) husband. The husband had asked him to come along because he thought Monique would be off with her friends the entire time and he wanted to watch a few ball games. Oh, and the mystery man’s name was Jake. It got even better from there. Jake and Fanny were seated next to each other ended up having a great conversation over the shrimp scampi. Somehow, each of them knew and could tell by the look in the other’s eye that the knowledge was mutual. They were destined to meet each other that night and Fanny suddenly thought she was the luckiest of the ten friends.

Posted on January 25th, 2010 by admin
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Wilbur and Orville Wright are two of the most famous world personalities to spring from Dayton, Ohio, and “wrigthly” so. They are also the two people who developed and built the world’s first successfully flying airplane. This is a national distinction, let alone one based at the city or state level. The real magic began in December of 1903. On the seventeenth of that month the Wright brothers actually sustained their first human flight. During the following two years they continued to work on their flying machine and completed their version of a fixed wing aircraft. It should be noted that other people had attempted flying machines and experimental aircraft though they are credited with being the first to invent the aircraft controls that allowed fixed wing flights to be possible.

Residents of Dayton, Ohio are sure to know the details of this early flight and the development of their craft. However, tourists who visit the city and stay in one of the hotels Dayton are likely to be happy knowing the Wright brothers are responsible for making their trip happen. However, while they are there they may learn that the brother’s greatest invention would be the three-axis control mechanism, which allowed the pilot to maintain equilibrium. This system remains standard on fixed wing flying devices.

The Wright brothers were two of seven children born to the their parents Milton and Susan Catherine. Both of the brothers attended high school though neither of them received a diploma. In addition, neither of the brothers ever married and they devoted their lives and their attention to their work. Their fascination with flying and flying machines is frequently reported to have began when their father brought home a toy helicopter for them. The boys loved this bamboo and cork foot long helicopter and played with it until it broke. After that they built a new one.

Posted on January 20th, 2010 by admin
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Victor crossed the Bay Bridge in his new Toyota Camry and was headed home to his new apartment in the city. He couldn’t believe it. After all those years of uncertainty and endless hours of academic writing, reading and studying he had finally finished law school and had even landed a promising job in San Francisco. It was only three months ago that he had first arrived to the California Bay area, and that time it was by plane. He flew into Oakland and took BART to a hotel San Francisco where he relaxed and prepared for his interview the next morning. It was also there a month ago after having received the job offer and found himself the apartment he was now headed home to.

Ultimately Victor planned to start his own criminal defense practice though for now he intended to gain as much experience as he could. He never dreamed that he would be so fortunate as to actually get to live and work in a city such as San Francisco, but as he exited the bridge he was sure it was real. This was now his life and he was going to make the most of it.

He had even already made a friend. Well, technically it was an acquaintance but it gave Victor more of a sense of belonging. One thing he discovered immediately was that it was easy to feel lost and alone in a big city, especially one in which he didn’t know anyone. However, he had struck up a conversation with one of the court clerks while he was at the San Francisco Superior Court on his second day on the job. He was being given a tour of the city and all the buildings he would need to frequent regularly and he noticed Kelly’s friendly face right away. She introduced herself and the two of them hit it off right away. He looked for her again the following week when he was there and found her walking through the door as she returned from getting coffee across the street. He looked at her and knew San Francisco was going to bring him great things.

Posted on January 19th, 2010 by admin
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Let me explain, when I was in Portland, I was in this hiking shop and was reading about all the numerous hikes I could take while staying in San Francisco. I thought this was great since I booked a cheap hotel on-line for 6 nights: http://www.sanfranciscorestaurant.com. But, when arrived in San Francisco and made a few inquiry’s about these large number of hikes, I was told that the majority of the hikes were inaccessible by public transportation. My hopes were shattered.

I did my best to uplift my mood, so I headed downtown and came across ‘Union Square’ and just happened to see this man perform. He was promoting a variety show that he and his fellow performers would be performing later in the evening. He was a juggler – comedy act and I found him very entertaining. I was really enjoying his performance, but then he was followed by a stand-up comic who wasn’t funny at all. I felt kind of bad for him, he was really blowing it. I left before any more damage was done.

I found the Famous ‘Bloomingdale’s’ and was stunned by how huge it was and by how expensive it was. There were a few cool things in the store, like the two enclosed glass cabinets displaying the costumes for the ‘Joker’ and for ‘Batman’ from the movie ‘The Dark Knight’. Later, I hoped on the tram, which really didn’t do anything for me, I felt like there were just glorified buses. I found myself at the waterfront and I came across a chocolate factory that had some free samples. I managed to down a load of samples, and no one gave me a dirty look or anything. I then walked down the waterfront a bit further and came across Pier 39, which turned out to be a very interesting place with cafes and shops, a Hard Rock Cafe and a shop that was selling an original Abraham Lincoln signature at the sheer price of $18,000! Then I heard seals, but not before I smelled them. There on the harbour were all these massive seals hanging around a dock, well more like took over a dock. I stood watching them for a while, they were so funny. As I continued down, I came upon Fisherman’s Wharf.

By this time I felt I got in a good hike, even though it wasn’t a nature hike, I at least saw wildlife! I returned to my very inexpensive hotel room and call it a night and a great day after all.

Posted on January 14th, 2010 by admin
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One of the most exciting and overall fun times I’ve had in my life was an overnight trip to Los Angles that my boyfriend of the time, Dan, surprised me with. I’m an actor and have been most of my life, having been bitten by the bug at an early age after appearing onstage as part of a grade school class project. It so happened that I was in rehearsal for a production of William Inge’s The Dark at the Top of the Stairs when my twenty-second birthday rolled around. My car’s timing belt had broken and my car was in the shop overnight so Dan had dropped me off at rehearsal and was going to pick me up after it was over. At the time I wasn’t even thinking about the next day being my birthday. Plus, I was going to be twenty-two, all the exciting birthdays were over and I would officially be old. Or so I thought.

However, Dan, being a true romantic had asked my roommate Jodie, who also happened to be my best friend, to pack an overnight travel bag for me that would include a nice dress to where to the theatre. He then had his friend Troy take him to pick me up and told me that his car had also broken down. We were both students at the time and car problems were a common occurrence. I didn’t think anything about it, other than it was unfortunate, and got in the car.

That’s when things got really strange. After I sat down in the car Dan blindfolded me. I didn’t resist, though I had no idea what was going on it felt like fun so I went with it. When the blindfold was finally removed I was sitting at a departure gate for Southwest Airlines. This was before September of 2001, by the way. Way before. At that moment Dan showed me the two tickets to Los Angeles and also two tickets for Les Miserables, which was playing in the city at the time. I was absolutely stunned and thrilled. We flew in with time to have a nice dinner before checking into a Los Angeles cheap hotel. We had a fabulous time that weekend and Dan’s friend Troy was there to pick us up again when he got home. However, I had to go straight from the airport to the theatre as the trip had been planned perfectly between them. That was one of the greatest birthday weekends and also one of my favorite trips to LA.

Posted on January 12th, 2010 by admin
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Belgian tennis star and former number player, Justine Henin is back for the upcoming Australian Open Tennis Championship Tournament.  Last year she claimed she was quitting tennis for good, which would have quite a loss to the sport.  At the times she quit and retired for the quiet life, she was ranked in the number one position worldwide.  She has, after all, won the gland slam 7 times, forty-one Women’s Tennis Association Tour, about more than twenty million bucks in money for her wins and accomplishments.  Perhaps such accomplishments are all the more surprising considering her small size and weight.

She actually came back in September when she made the formal announcement that she would be returning to prepare for the Australian Open in 2010.  Henin believes her time off from tennis has actually been good for and improved her game, though she has been fiercely preparing for the tournament that will be held at Brisbane International.

Part of the reason she feels that she is better is that she has matured during her time off from tennis.  The tennis world can be a very exclusive one, and not as large as say the world of basketball or football, American and British versions.  Getting out of the world of tennis actually was quite refreshing and renewed her enthusiasm for the sport.  Henin knows it will take some time to get back to her peak performance abilities and level, but she doesn’t mind.  It’s all a part of the journey for her.

She is famous for her one-handed backhand, which John McEnroe commented on as being the best he had ever seen in men’s or women’s tennis, and being a former top professional tennis player himself, is no small compliment.  Her speed and agility made her famous too, along with her ability to stay tough during difficult games; she never let an opponent psych her out.  And that’s the kind of ability you never lose and that will help her during the tournament.

Posted on January 7th, 2010 by admin
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When traveling through the city of Austin, Texas you will find that not only are there many options for nightlife, in the way of fabulous restaurants and legendary live music venues, but so too are there options that are fit for the entire family to enjoy.  One of the hot spots of the city, sits just thirty miles from the downtown district, located close to many of the best Austin hotels, and along the banks of Lake Travis.  This is the Volente Beach Waterpark.  This is the only park of its kind in the city of Austin, and so many of the locals flock here during the hot summer months.  There are many rides, many water slides, an area for the very young and unsteady, as well as a sandy and beautiful beach to set up camp for the day and have a picnic.  There are many different tours available, in the forms of hiking and cruise ships, as well as the rentals of boats and companies providing the adventurous activity of para-sailing.

One of the favorite spots for an afternoon lunch or an evening cocktail is the Sundowner Grill.  The restaurant offers up a bit of what is now commonly known as Tex-Mex fare.  Zilker Park has many activities to offer for family fun as well, including soaks in the Barton Springs natural pools.  If you and your kids are not too squeamish, one of the traditional activities in the city during the summer occurs each night at sunset.  This is the time to be close to the bridge of Congress Avenue …and it involves thousands and thousands of bats.

Yes, bats!  Each night upon the arrival of dusk, the bats wake from their daytime naps and head out across the city.  Not only is this a spectacular sight, but a natural wonder.  There are a lot of bugs patrolling the skies during the summer, nasty things like mosquitoes, that not only wreak havoc on tender human skin, but on the crops and the ecosystem as well.  The bats take care of this.  Without them, the city of Austin would be as fun to walk around as say, a small town in Northern Minnesota, where the mosquitoes are as big as hummingbirds and the vicious black flies are hungry.  In all, there is a variety of fun things to do, from water slides to spooky bats, that will keep you and your children not only occupied, but filled with wonder, on any trip you take to the city that likes to “keep it weird“.

Posted on January 5th, 2010 by admin
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There are so many wonderful places to live in Toronto, and TransGlobe Property Management will help you to find the perfect place for you.  The fresh air of Canada always draws me back.  And one day last year, I decided to make the move.  Toronto, as well as many of the cities in Canada, is very European in the vibe and the flavor.  One of the finest areas in the city is that of Bloor West Village.  Here you will find trendy cafes sitting along side old school restaurants serving cabbage rolls and perogies.

Theatres offer the best of live entertainment and second hand bookstores seem to appear on every corner.  This was my choice when I decided to make the move.  Perogies remind me of my best friend, I love coffee and spending a few hours perusing the shelves of bookstores has always been a favorite pastime of mine.  Along with the well managed businesses, taken care of by TransGlobe Property Management, there are parks and botanical gardens through which to stroll.  For children, there are playgrounds and and a small zoo which allows them the opportunity for an up close and personal relationship with nature.

Summer time in Toronto brings a bit of humidity, but by taking a walk along the Harbour Front Walkway, the cool air blowing in from Lake Ontario will refresh you and invigorate your soul.  When I was there with my sister and her son, we spent many hours down at the Harbour, taking in the sights and feasting on ice cream from one of the many vendors.  Choosing to move to this area will not only give you a sense of relief, but a sense of belonging as well.  In Canada it is all about that sense, the sense of community, so when you decide to make that move, TransGlobe will be there and follow through.  A sense of community and belonging is what really great business is all about.  It’s what life is about.

Posted on December 29th, 2009 by admin
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If you’ve arrived at one of the Neuchatel hotels in Switzerland, and you’ve done your research, you may have to make a choice about what to do first.  Take a look at The Chateau?  Perhaps visit the Collegiale Church?  Stroll up to the Place Pury monument?  Take in the Musee d’Art et d’Histoire.  Perhaps wonder about on a walking tour.  Even better yet, wander through the Creux-du-Van, part of a forested nature park.  Any one of these choices might make for a good afternoon.

The Chateau is a castle dating back to the 12th Century, found on Rue de Chateau, which is a stepped lane leading to the building.  It once belonged to the Princes and Counts of Neuchatel, but today it is the offices of the cantonal government.  While most of the building is from the 15th to the 17th Century, the west wing goes all the way back to the 12th Century.

The Collegiale Church stands next to the Chauteau and was also built around th 12th to 13th Centuries, although its west towers were built much later, in the 19th century, around 1867 to 1875.  The Place Plury monument is of more modern origin and stands amid buses and shoppers, along the Rue du Seyon.  The Musee d’Art et d’Histoire is part of a system of museum, made up of seven different sites, and has a number of fields: fine arts, applied arts, archaeology — all together describe the history of several civilizations from prehistoric life to contemporary life.  The museum has seven thousand objects out of a million possible works on display at any given time.  Finally, there’s the Creux-du-Van near Neuchatel.  In this park, you’ll find that the Creux-du-Van is a semi-circular cliff, approximately 525 feet, about half the height of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

If none of these options appeal to you, then perhaps it’s time to find a good restaurant in town and simply enjoy the relaxing ambiance of Neuchatel.

Posted on December 28th, 2009 by admin
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Neighborhood for neighborhood, and street for street, it’s easy to see why Canada has one of the highest levels of quality of life in the modern world.  We’re famous for being unpretentious, and people who live here for awhile understand that this really does mean that the needs of the people are more important than anything else.  Raising families, doing important work, and enjoying the moments of life are what make anyplace livable, and we’ve got more options than most in terms of having the chance to create the life we want to live.  Of course, it certainly helps when you like where you live, and that could be the most essential thing of all.  Location, location, location is a truism that works on many different levels.

This is where TransGlobe Property Management can step in to help the dreams become realities.  There are thousands of properties all over Canada, in all the major cities, and if you’re thinking about making a move for yourself, your family, or your place of business, they can help make the complicated details get ironed out.  This means less time focusing on the minutiae, so that you can keep the larger picture in mind.  Creating a new life is easier when you’re moving to the neighborhood you want to live in, and their user-friendly database makes it easy to browse through many splendid options in some very splendid locations.

There are always parts of every move that are unpleasant, and always many variables that mean difficult decisions ahead.  Change is stressful, and there’s no way around it except through it.  But there are certainly always ways of making it easier, and TransGlobe Property Management helps with the small stuff, so that you can get on with the excitement.  Because whatever the stresses, there’s also always an exciting part of any move, and any kind of change in life provides an opportunity for a fresh start, and there are many spectacular moments in any life that begin with a fresh start.  A move can open up not only new neighborhoods, but new possibilities where you can find yourself beginning again in your ideal location.

Posted on December 22nd, 2009 by admin
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She has been noted by Forbes for ability to turn sales, along with more than a few heads, so there’s little doubt that Taylor Swift’s clout in the marketplace is solid, and apparently here to stay.  For a little while longer at least, because even though Swift ranks higher than Guns N Roses for her latest record album, the comparison between the two does not end there.  It might serve as a very good cautionary tale for her marketing people, because there were some certain pitfalls that could have kept GNR at the top for a lot longer than they were allowed there.

There were some mistakes that the band made in the 90s, and anyone doing an even cursory glance at Axl’s life, and his comments to the world at large, even after supposedly getting his head clear, shows some serious mistakes in judgement.  But for this hair band, who happen to have an awful lot of talent besides, by the time of their second release, they were already yesterday’s news.  Here, the distinction starts to fade, and this might be the moment when she could start pulling tricks by refusing to pull tricks.

There are many music chroniclers who would note that the difference between GNR’s first and second album was not a decrease in talent, but of edge.  The skinny kids who performed heavy and angry music were serious the first time, even if some of the things they said were a bit stupid.  And we were inclined to believe them, too, because they looked like they had been through a major battle.  Fame somehow did a whitewash on their grit, and it’s something that Swift is so far avoiding.  This is a good thing, and a delicate balancing act, because all stars of this stature, and this tender age, will try to reinvent their own pasts in public, and the only person who could ever do that was Dylan.  And maybe Fellini.  That kind of playfulness doesn’t seem to be on her agenda, however, so it would make sense that she continue to play it smart by keeping honest.

Posted on December 21st, 2009 by admin
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Choosing which fireplace would be best for you home is easy, as there are many different options, in style and in the fuel or power as the case may be.  When it comes to creating warmth, in both temperature and in feel, the cozy atmosphere of a home in winter can only be attained through the gentle glow of fireplaces.  Gas models are quite popular these days, as they burn efficiently using either propane or natural gas.

They conveniently “light” through the flip of a switch either on the mantle or from a remote control device.  They are relatively maintenance free when it comes to clean up, and the styles of logs…the designs and the structure, are now very realistic looking, some models even have what appears to be glowing embers on the floor of the fire pit.  There are two different kinds of gas flame, and the variation is in the color.  One flame is blue in tint, while the other is yellow.

If the flame is blue, then the logs have been made to produce a hotter heat.  They may not be as stylistically designed as other kinds of logs, but they do burn extremely clean.  These are vent free logs, which means that they can be burned inside, without needing to open the damper in the chimney.  The logs that send of a yellow flame, will need to be vented.  The flame is more realistic looking, and this makes them more popular than the blue flame logs.

If the look of a real fire is something that it important to you, these are the ones to go with as most people really can not tell the difference between this flame and the logs, and a fire burning with real wood.  These however, do produce a deposit of soot in the chimney just as the wood fireplaces, so while daily cleanup is not an issue you will have to hire a chimney sweep once a year.  Either way, both of these options are going to be more clean than a traditional fireplace, giving you much more time to relax in front of the fire, and bathe in the cozy warmth.

Posted on December 17th, 2009 by admin
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The perfect rainy day in any film is made a hundred times more romantic when the lead character spends some time gazing out of her window.  She’s looking at the world and wondering what went wrong, or when things will take a turn for her, for the better, or she’s just caught up in a memory.  Rainy days go by all the time and we forget we can be that character, and take a few moments just sitting and staring out the window.  We forget because life is too busy, or it just doesn’t strike us that this might be productive in any way, or maybe it’s just exactly what we need to do for the moment.  But anyone that’s had the experience knows that taking time to sit by the window can change your perspective entirely.

It’s odd that changing your perspective can happen by indulging in your current perspective, and it might seem counter intuitive, but it makes sense if you consider it taking an action, and that’s sometimes the key to changing how we look at things.  One thing is for sure, however, and that’s having beautiful window treatments help us want to sit and stare out the window.  At Next Day Blinds, it’s even better, because the materials are natural, and hand-made, so you might find yourself moving from looking out the window to staring at the window instead.

That’s a perspective shift that no one would expect.  But sometimes that’s exactly what we need to get out of a rainy day funk.  Some days the best way to avoid the blues is to drive right into the center of them, and trusting that there will be some delightful distractions along the way.  Next Day Blinds are certainly attractive distractions, if you want to call them that, but they’re also an incredible way to change how a room looks, and they also help to emphasize how the view out the window is often subject to change by shifting something inside first.

Posted on December 14th, 2009 by admin
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When I was a child, I lived about two hundred and forty miles east of Seattle, and some the best times I had as a child can be found on my family’s visits to this city.  I loved the ferries out to the islands and over to Vancouver Island.  I especially was fascinated by the Seattle Space Needle and the buildings left over from the World’s Fair, the fish markets, the harbors, all of this was especially attractive to a ten year old, normally confined in a town of less than three thousand people.  Literally, everywhere you went in my home town, people knew your name, and kept tabs on where you were going and why.  In Seattle, there was suddenly the freedom of a large city, with all the excitement and pace that the place demanded.

Once we arrived in town and booked ourselves into a hotel, Seattle was ours to explore.  And in all the times I managed to get there, there was one place I never managed to see, but always wanted to go: Seattle Underground.  I heard about it, of course, in pamphlets and brochures, so much that it became legendary in my mind.  Essentially, Underground Seattle consists of about three blocks that burnt in the Great Seattle Fire of 1889.  When the city rebuilt, they rebuilt over this area, creating an underground realm that were once the main roads and storefronts of 19th Century Seattle.

Today, you can take a tour of this underground area with a frank tour that provides a history lesson you may not have read in the history books as a child.  One tour begins in Doc Maynard’s Public House, a saloon restored from the 1890s, and then moves its guests through the Pioneer Square through three city blocks, ending as all tours seem to do, in a gift shop.

Underground Seattle exists because, after the fire that ate up the wooden buildings of the time, the city decided new buildings should be constructed of stone or brick.  At the same time, they raised the height of the buildings because the city was built mostly on tideflats, which were soggy and, when rains came, the mud would cover up anyone low to the ground, like dogs and kids.  Obviously, the city wanted to do something different this time, raising the city streets a full story higher than the old sidewalks, thus creating as a byproduct the underground portion of the city.  It’s a place I intend to see and tour the very next time I’m back in Seattle.

Posted on December 14th, 2009 by admin
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London, England, wow, there are so many images that pop into a person’s head with the mere mention of London. Do you feel the excitement of hearing that name? Do you think about it being the capital of England and the United Kingdom? It’s an ancient city with a fascinating history of major historic events. And it continues to build history. In 1908 the Summer Olympics were held here and then again in 1948. And now, London is again slated to host the Summer Olympics of 2012. Talk about a global city, London certainly is that. With major financial institutes and huge corporations, all doing business world wide, this city certainly is influential in what happens on a day-to-day basis.

Did you know there are over 300 different languages spoken in London? Or did you know that the London Underground, also known as the Tube was started in 1863 and is the oldest and busiest metro system in the world? And the London Heathrow Airport is the world’s busiest airport, due largely to the vast number of international passengers? Another interesting fact is that the Westminster Abbey is London’s oldest and most important building? And London is the home of Buckingham Palace. The biggest part of William Shakespeare’s life was spent here, writing and living. And Arthur Conan Doyle’s infamous Sherlock Holmes solved his crimes in London.

When you are in London, most likely you will be staying at one of the hotels. There are many and they are luxurious or more modest. They all have friendly staff, well trained and eager to please. The amenities vary of course but be assured you will be comfortable and well taken care of. When you turn that key and enter your London hotel room, let yourself give in to the relaxation of the moment. Feel the stress disappear, focus on the moment and give yourself to London.

Posted on December 8th, 2009 by admin
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Clarence and Denny were the perfect couple. He was solid, grounded, rational and logical while Clarence was abstract, spontaneous, and frequently metaphoric in her thought processes. The reason they were such a great couple is that they balanced each other so well. They had a genuine respect and love for each other understood how the other one functioned, which allowed for a strong balancing effect. Of course they also drove each other crazy at times, but for the most part they worked together, enjoyed each other’s company and had a great time.
This was certainly the case when they were headed to New York to visit Clarence’s Aunt and see about getting picked up at the Gagosian Art Gallery. Clarence had been in contact with them for months trying to ensure a perfect fit for her current installation piece. As they were beginning their descent into La Guaradia Clarence remembered a news story she recently saw about taxi impersonators who would take your money. Denny laughed at the idea of a human impersonating a taxi and assumed his wife was on one of her flights of fancy. She insisted it was true and insisted they be careful when choosing their New York City car hire company. Denny agreed and went back to his News Week Magazine and forgot about the whole idea.

As they were exciting the airport Denny waved his hand toward a yellow taxi and they were both surprised that it was so easy to hail one right there at the busy airport. Clarence got in and sat down while Denny threw their bags in the trunk. As he did so he noticed a man in an unmarked car next to them telling a couple that it would be one hundred dollars to get them into Manhattan. The couple looked dismayed and Denny remembered what his wife had said. He budged into the situation and asked the driver if he was a licensed taxi service provided. The man quickly got into his car sped off. The other couple thanked Denny who realized the importance of assuring that you’re working with a true taxi service. He and Clarence then shared their cab with the other couple.

Posted on December 1st, 2009 by admin
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It’s an overcast day, but it’s dry. Yesterday, we decided to head to the Wine-lands and stop by the Fairview Winery. I was there back in 2006 on a cricket tour, but I didn’t get a chance to do any wine tasting, which I’d like to do now. We headed up north on the N1 Motorway and followed the signs for Paarl, which is 35 miles north of Cape Town.

The motorway was in good condition and if it wasn’t for the wind picking up, it would’ve been a great drive. The strong crosswinds and low clouds gave us very little to look at in the sightseeing department. We we took the exit to Paarl, we weren’t too sure which way to go, so we headed into town for a quick bite to eat and ask directions. After a nice cup of coffee and a pastry, we followed the directions we were given, up Main street and look for the Tourist Information Office to get a map of the wine region. That drive felt forever, and by the time we arrived to the tourist office, it was closed for the day.

We decided to trust the directions we got back in town and headed out of town. It only took us five minutes more! The winery was heavy with visitors; most of them in the restaurant part. We were glad we got a bite to eat back in Paarl. We got to sample some wonderful cheeses and a few samples of wine. We decided to head back into Paarl and have an early dinner at that same restaurant with which we had the cup of coffee. The restaurant specialised in Mediterranean food. We had the roast lamb, which was very good. The restaurant owner touted himself as a wine expert, especially with the local wines. We wanted to buy a particular wine from a local estate, but we thought that the winery was closed. The restaurant owner told us that is was closed, but that we could buy the same wine at his restaurant! He had purchase many bottles before is closed.

We purchased a few bottles from him and headed back to Cape Town. The weather was turning more ominous, so we were glad we made it back when we did. It was late, but we were hungry, so we stopped off at one of the best Cape Town restaurants for a late dinner and afterwards a nice bottle of wine back in our hotel room.

Posted on December 1st, 2009 by admin
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If you’ve walked through The Panang, Little India, and Chinatown, you might want to also try walking through the Singapore marina, in order to keep up your cardio health as well as see some sights.  Some tours will meet up at the Tourist and Transit Hub next to the Singapore Flyer, which is one of the world’s biggest observation wheels (also known as a Ferris Wheel).   No doubt you won’t have trouble finding it.  The wheel stands at a height of 165 meters or  541 feet.  Naturally, the first sight to see here is the Singapore Flyer.  It reaches up 42 stories high and employs 28 air-conditioned capsules, each capable of holding 28 passengers.  It’s 98 feet taller than the London Eye.  A complete rotation takes about 27 minutes.  At first it rotated in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed from the Marina Center, but the operators changed the direction in 2008, under the suggestion of masters of Feng Shui.

As you walk through the area, you’ll note St. Andrew’s Cathedral, which was consecrated in 1870, and is Singapore’s Neo-Gothic Anglican Cathedral; Padang, which is a large area used for recreation, such as sports and other social events from colonial times up until the present; City Hall, which was built in the 1920s.  This structure was called the Municipal Building until 1951, which was when Singapore was granted its city status.  Nearby, you’ll also see the Old Supreme Court Building which was built in the 1930s, and contained until 2005 the Singapore’s Supreme Court.  The building for the New Supreme Court is close to the old one; however, the Old Parliament House, which was home to the Parliament from 1965 to 1999 is now a center for the arts.

Also in the marina area, you’ll discover the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall.  There’s the Raffles Statue, too, a bronze of Sir Stamford Raffles, who founded today’s Singapore.  The bronze may be found in front of the Victoria Theater.  You’ll also see a Cenotaph, which is dedicated to those Singapore soldiers who died in World War I, as well as to those who died in World War II.   There’s also a Civilian War Memorial, as a tribute for those dying during the Japanese occupation of Singapore, which was from February 1942 until September 1945.

The Marina Bay also contains a Merlion, a statue with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, celebrating Singapore’s emblem.  It seems that this spot is the most popular place in the entire city to have your picture taken.  Finally, you can see the 77-year-old Clifford Pier (1933), which was a landing spot for sea passengers and immigrants, Marina Bay itself, which was created by land reclamation, and, finally, the Esplanade, which contains Theatres on the Bay, a state of the art concert venue and waterfront theater.

Posted on November 30th, 2009 by admin
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Green, yellow, orange, pink, blue…all these ultra bright colors hit you from everywhere. The clothes, stores, advertising, shoes, buildings and bangles the women wear mix to form a psychedelic kaleidoscope that is the country called India. I’m not a morning person and all these colors have made me feel like I’m on a drug trip. I arrived at 7am in Delhi, after being on a 24 hour flight.  This meant I was not really feeling the incredible India vibe. The soothing voice that sings the little jingle of ‘Incredible India’ on the ads turned into a blaring annoyance.

I arrived at the hotel Delhi India and was greeted by 3 incredibly happy Indian men. I went straight to my room and crashed out. After some what recovering, I went to explore the heart of Delhi, Connaught Place. My guide book told me that this was the hub of India, but it’s a tourist trap now. I still hadn’t woken up enough for the all that was coming at me. So, after grabbing a bite to eat, I decided that all of this whole incredible ‘India’ thing is not going to capture me until I get some more sleep, but I had to pick up Tara at the airport.

Still feeling groggy for having to be up so early, I was waiting for the ‘Incredible India’ like a boxer expecting a punch in the face. But that wasn’t happening. My head was sticking out, face poised and ready…but no punch yet.

What amazed me at times in India, was how these magnificent historical monuments appeared out of nowhere. Just like the cows walking down, up and across the streets without people, cars or bicycles paying any attention or giving any recognition to them. The monuments are given no grand introduction and just appear. Like the Jama Masjid, the biggest mosque in India is no different or the Lal Qila. Both of these are massive statements in history and size, but cannot be seen until relatively close up. The Taj Mahal is the same. I thought I’d be able to see the Taj Mahal from miles away, that it would dominate everything around it. But, nope. Even when you are at the site, you still cannot see it until you enter the compound. It’s completely hidden by the soft red sandstone walls around it. Then all of a sudden ‘Woosh!’ there it is, right in front of you.

Posted on November 25th, 2009 by admin
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Sometimes it’s difficult to enjoy relaxation.  Even when all the signals are there, and the body is calming down, the mind doesn’t stop its endless loops, anxiously repeating the usual lists of things to do.  This might be the result of an over-burdened life, where it’s simply a busy agenda that makes us attuned to being always on the go.  But it’s also sometimes a sign of disconnect from the world at large, and it’s hard to feel relaxed when it seems as though there’s so much to worry about.  When you work with choosehottubsdirect.com, you’re working with a company that’s also very conscious of the world at large.  Last year, when Hurricane Ike hit, they started donating part of their profits to help the victims of this disaster.

This can make relaxing in the gorgeous hot water, with the exquisite massaging jets, much easier.  Working with a company that has a conscience is always a pleasure, and it’s something that can put the mind at ease.  For a small business to donate to a cause means that they care about the local community, and instead of the usual disconnect we feel when we use products where it’s difficult to see the human face, this is connected deeply to the community’s concerns.  It’s a wonderful thing to feel a sense of absolute calm after a long day, and you can enjoy your perfect moments of relaxation knowing that you’re helping to contribute to something that matters.

At the same time, it’s difficult to find a more easy way to relax than with a personal spa.  The sense of calm is immediate, when you’re submerged in the water, and it starts to work its magic.  As the body starts to calm down, the mind starts to relax, and you can feel an exquisite ease with the moment at hand.  Whether you’re enjoying some moments by yourself, or spending time with loved ones, when you’re relaxing in a spa, the only thing required at the moment is to enjoy, and that’s something spectacular.

Posted on November 24th, 2009 by admin
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I promised myself that the next time I was able to take one or two vacations Singapore was going to be my destination, and the Jurong Bird Park was where I was going to spend at least one day.  I’ve been there once before and it was terrific.  If you’re a bird lover, there’s no way to pass this park by, because you’re able to see birds you’ve never even imagined!

When you first arrive in the park, I suggest you take the monorail ride to get an overview of the entire place, then start exploring on your own.  The monorail will give you an idea about the size of the area; it has to be big, because most of the birds are kept in the open.  At least, that’s true of the birds that live in the wetlands; any birds of prey, though, are kept inside cages, for the protection of the other animals.  Make sure you go to the birds show around feeding time for the pelicans at the Pools Amphitheatre.  Make sure, too, to go to the lory loft in order to feed lories.  They’re fantastic.  You might wonder if the lories would run from you, but they don’t.  If you stand still, they’ll come up to you — as long as they see in your hand that cup of food.  Did you see the movie Happy Feet?  You’ll get a strong reminder of those cartoon penguins when you watch the real thing.  Happy Feet live!

The shows at the bird park are simply brilliant.  You’ll find the park a very peaceful place, with birds everywhere.  Even the artificial waterfalls are interesting.  It’s a great place to take the family or just a fun time out with friends.

You may not believe it, but I have a friend who went to the Jurong Bird Park when he was eight and found it such an unbelievable place that he chose Singapore as his honeymoon destination and took his wife to the park, planning to spend the whole day there!  And whatever you do, don’t miss the Lory Loft!  There’s about a thousand of these extremely friendly and playful birds It’s just amazing to be surrounded by them.

Posted on November 24th, 2009 by admin
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Travel in Seville is a fantastically heady experience for anyone who wants to look into the heart of Spanish style and sensibility.  It’s one of the most interesting places in the country, having been host to a number of invading civilizations over the centuries.  In Andalusia, generally, there is a magnificent sense of style, and over the time periods when other civilizations were nesting here, they never lost their fierce individuality, but they also have a marvelous capacity to adapt to any situation.  This can be seen today in the spectacular way that cultural influences have worked their way into the architecture and art, but at the same time, there’s never any doubting that you’re in Spain.

The sense of style and hospitality is certainly pronounced here, and no better evidences than in the exquisite lodgings in Seville.  Hotels are plentiful here, offering a terrific array of choices for travelers, and there’s surely something here to suit your style and budget.  It’s a deep pleasure to wake up in luxury, greeted by splendid decor, and fresh food prepared by world-class chefs who excel in the cuisines of the region.  The culinary scene here is very highly developed, having adapted to many cultural influences, and maintaining the best of Spanish tradition.  And it always has an impeccable way of making it entirely local, so that there is never any question that you are experiencing a meal that is entirely Andalusian.

This sensibility certainly makes its way into the art forms here, and anyone with a bit of curiosity about the history of music here would appreciate the efforts of EMFA.  The acronym stands for Experimental Music from Andalusia, and this is a group of heavyweight intellectuals and artists who make new music, and are fascinated with the possibilities for experimental music in the new century.  There are some fascinating artists working on the project, like Tsukiko Amakawa, who was born in Tokyo and now makes her home here in Spain.  There is a high degree of play and adventure here, and you’ll find some lovely sounds that reflect the here that is Seville, with all of its cultures and influences making something local and global all at once.

Posted on November 23rd, 2009 by admin
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Indonesia is one of the most fascinating places on the earth, with a fascinating and complex history, where civilizations have inhabited the area for thousands of years.  Its contemporary scene is extremely lively, with a blend of cultures meeting every day, and Jakarta is the largest city here, and one of the largest in the world.  If you’re looking for an endlessly interesting urban scene that’s also close to incredible natural areas, temples, and a host of other attractions, then this has some wonderful things in store for you.  There are amazing galleries, fantastic restaurants, and gorgeous luxury hotels.  Jakarta is an amazing city, and seeing it from a place of splendor is an excellent introduction.

Jakarta is constantly on the move, and constantly evolving.  It is the culmination of years of cultural fusions, and it always feels like it’s on the brink of another evolution.  There are some amazing artistic and intellectual developments that happen here every day, and the galleries are particularly suited to show off the fruits of creative labors.  If you spend even a little time here, you’re likely to come across the work of Heri Dono.  He was born south of Java, in Yogyakarta, in 1960, and is now one of the most prolific artists living here.

His work is seen widely, not only in Jakarta or Indonesia, but all over the world, in places like the Walsh Gallery in Chicago, Illinois.  The work of Heri Dono belongs to what critics call the new Internationalism.  It is intensely local, drawing on Indonesian indigenous traditions, in the face of, and often ironically juxtaposed to, European art forms.  This gives it a self-consciousness that makes it able to play in all the art world, with references to everything, and allied only to itself.  Marvelously playful and simultaneously challenging, his works cross over into many traditions, and media, working from painting to installation and then into the beyond.

Posted on November 17th, 2009 by admin
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In the center of the city lies the Singapore Botanical Gardens, a favorite of mine because that’s where you’ll find the Royal Orchid Gardens.  It’s a respite away from city life with ponds and bridges, gazebos, flora and fauna, and walking paths for anyone fortunate enough to find their way here.  If you want a picnic, this is a great place for it, a place where you can walk on the grass and it’s even encouraged.

Near Orchid Road, the large Botanical Gardens is an easy walk from shopping centers and five star singapore hotels, perhaps just ten minutes or so from Tanglin Mall.  Certainly, it’s a wonderful place to simply sit back and relax and take in all the beautiful tropical plants.  The banyan trees are amazing, and there’s a swan pond, filled with fish and turtles and, yes, swans, too!  If you can spare a few crumbs of bread, the swans will love it.

However, the centerpiece of the part is the National Orchid Garden.  You have to pay a small entrance fee, but it’s definitely worth it.  There’s so many orchids.  I was surprised to see they have a section of orchids with the names of celebrities — although most celebrities seem to be politicians that have visited Singapore at one time or another.

Lots of open space for the kids to run in, and, some nights, there are special events — often performances given by the Singapore Orchestra.  Occasionally, they show movies in the park, too.

The Botanical Gardens have a few restaurants, too, including Halia (which means ginger), and Au Jardin (a fancy French restaurant).  Au Jardin is very nice, but for me the more interesting place was Halia, which was a cafe surrounded by a ginger garden.

If you don’t want to take the ten to fifteen minute walk to get here, you can try out the mass transportation.  Since the MRT doesn’t come here, your best choice is to use the bus.  Arriving from the city?  Try these lines: 7, 77, 106, 123, and others.  If you think a taxi might work best for you, then be sure to have them come to the Visitor Center in back, but when you leave, go to the exit on Holland road, because it’s hard to get taxis from the Visitor Center.  You may be lucky and get a cab as one drops other people off, but I wouldn’t count on it!

Posted on November 16th, 2009 by admin
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Australia is a fascinating country, with an enormous variety of flora and fauna, many different distinctive geographic regions, and a fascinating history.  The history is still under construction, being modified every moment by the intensely creative and innovative people who live and work here.  Sydney is one of its most exciting cities, with close access to spectacular beaches as well as other magnificent natural wonders, and also has an amazing energy.  It is both a major financial and creative center for Australia, attracting artists and professionals from all over, looking to contribute to, and benefit from, its thriving scene.

The city is home to a number of cultural festivals that play a big part in the international arts scene, as well as some very local and distinctive things that you can only see here.  There are also many excellent hotels.  Sydney, Australia offers a gorgeous array of choices for travelers coming here to look for something new and exciting, and with a great sense of hospitality.  There is a fantastic array of options for looking at visual art here.  The established museums are quite good, showing classical and contemporary works that reflect the region, as well as international trends.  The galleries have a huge variety, offering anything from the very trendy to the very edgy, and there is an excellent art scene here to feed and support these.  Guests looking for something in between might want to check out COFA.

This is the gallery for student work at the University of New South Wales, and there’s always something interesting happening here.  The art department is one of the more interesting in the world, because they do offer both classical arts, such as painting and sculpture, along with new media arts, like computer design and time based art.  This variety is reflected in the work that’s show here, and there are many resources that will list the current offerings.  They also have a blog that is very well-kept, with up to the minute information about what’s showing here, along with general news about the art department.  Seeing student work is one way of looking at a city’s rough edges, looking at what artists do when they’re trying to push barriers.  It also lends itself to supporting promise, and also at times can be simply great work by great artists who are not yet famous.  But it’s always worth a look, and sometimes can be a very lovely afternoon.

Posted on November 12th, 2009 by admin
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Louise had always dreamed of being in the movies. From the time she was a child she loved performing and was always in the school plays. She particularly enjoyed musicals talked her parents into giving her singing lessons at when she was seven. In high school she participated in student films and realized her passion for the movies was something she could not ignore. She would make a career somehow once again talked to her parents. Eventually she accepted the deal they offered which was to go to a great film school and then they would support her for the first five years out of school. However, they would only give her that financial support if she graduated from college first. It was too good to pass up and Louise applied to and was accepted in a school with a good program.

Interestingly it was Louise’s love of movies that encouraged her to agree to go with her friend Jesse to Mumbai India. She was familiar with Bollywood and has seen some of the movies that have come out of there. One of the things that happened while Louise was in school was that she discovered she had more of a love for being behind the camera than in front of it. Since then she has earnestly studies as many theories of film direction as she could get her hands on. Bollywood is the largest film producer in the country of India, and also one of the largest in the world. Touring Bollywood in Mumbai would be a dream for Louise so she eagerly accepted Jesse’s offer. Jesse was interested in going because he had received a travel grant for a research paper he was working on. He was interested in touring the Elephanta Caves that are located near Mumbai. Louise agreed to be his travel companion if Jesse agreed to take her to Bollywood. The plan sounded great to both of them so they made their reservations in one of the Mumbai hotels and off they went.

Posted on November 3rd, 2009 by admin
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Shopping is a pastime for many people, and when traveling through the Indian cities, one will find not only bargains, and rare and exotic trinkets, art and clothing, but they will be given a view of the city that is different than the opera houses, the museums, the galleries and fine dining restaurants.  The markets are the heart and soul of everyday life, and of the majority of the people of the country.  The markets are varied, but no matter the differences, they are abuzz with energy, often times chaotically so.

From the spice market in Kerela to the water boat markets in Goa, the variety and the charm, the color and spirit, all are amazing aspects of the traditional cultures of the country.  In Bangalore, restaurants found in the markets on Brigade Road, will provide the nourishment necessary for the long days of shopping and bargain hunting.  There are many modern malls in the city such as the Yayanagar Shopping Complex or the Commercial Street Malls, but nothing compares to the street vendors, the food hawkers, the street performers and the diversity.

Bangalore is the Silicon Valley of India, and Brigade Road shops reflect this.  You will find stores selling not only the standard crafts and fresh produce, but ones that offer everything from photography equipment, books and magazines, antiques, electronics, fine silk clothing and textiles.  There are also many funky and artistic boutiques as the local young of Mumbai frequent the markets.  This is also quite a commercial hub, where you will find venues for entertainment, from live music to a plethora of restaurants serving some of the finest, and most scrumptious of Indian cuisine.  Bangalore is known to be a paradise for the shopper, and this is true.  There are many other markets to choose from, such as the one located along side Brigade Road, MG Road, and there will be something for everyone.  Aside from the items, you will leave Bangalore with the experience of the flavor of the culture of this incredible city in India.

Posted on November 2nd, 2009 by admin
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Hong Kong’s reputation as a world-class place, with a stunning array of festivals and performances, along with a sophisticated and lively nightlife, is well-deserved.  It’s been honed over time by some of the best minds in the world, working to make it a place where arts and culture can thrive along with a very lively local economy.  Hong Kong is truly one of the powerhouses in the world today, and has something to offer everyone.  It has attracted artists and intellectuals for generations, and it always seem to be on the move, looking further into the future than anyone could imagine.  This is also true for the lodgings, and for some of the world’s best hotels, Hong Kong is where it all begins.

There is a sense of hospitality here that is simply amazing.  It is gorgeous and welcoming, and very careful not to intrude, allowing you to find your comfort zones.  You’ll certainly find a place of comfort in this place, and an enormous sense of rejuvenation.  The amenities are superb, and are designed to offer you the sense that you are being taken care of.  It’s a great way to begin any day, and here it’s the beginning of a new adventure.  Hong Kong has always been on the cutting edge in so many different areas, and art and technology are two of these that are becoming more joined at the hip these days.

One of the hippest joiners is Hong Kong artist Bryan Chung.  He’s a lecturer at the School of Creative Media, and his work and life are very interesting indeed.  He has a degree in computer science that got him some government jobs, and the call of inspiration kept pestering him, and he returned to get a degree in interactive media.  This turn in life direction is very fortuitous for the arts community, because his work is very intriguing, and suggests new directions for the forms he’s working in.  One of his latest projects, for the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, is an installation where the viewer’s own body sets off different video segments, and their movements can alter how the video plays.  This kind of interactive work is exceptionally necessary in an art world where we are starting to pay attention to each other again, and moments such as these give amazing glimpses into the nature of who we are right now.

Posted on November 2nd, 2009 by admin
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