Visionary Art in Baltimore
What is art? A dictionary definition may suggest it’s a method or result of arranging elements in a deliberate manner that will be appealing to the senses or emotions. This includes such works as film and literature, music, sculpture, and paintings. A whole philosophical branch is devoted to it: aesthetics. Over the centuries, people have striven for an explanation of what art is and what it does, and many forms and schools of art have been formerly taught. There’s also a branch of art, though, that falls outside of these various schools known as folk art, where the artist is largely unschooled, but gathers his or her training from a community tradition, handed down from generation to generation. But there’s an even more personal art form, outside of traditional custom or training, known as Visionary art, and it’s this type of art that’s celebrated at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.
Visionary art is art that’s made by self-taught individuals, without formal training, and whose work comes out of an inner personal vision; in this sense, a pure exploration of the creative act itself. The Visionary Art Museum has dedicated itself to those artists who don’t listen to any other tradition but the one inside their own brain. Perhaps one of the more interesting things about visionary art, considering that it’s so personal and individual-centered, is that the most common theme of the art is that of the Garden of Eden and similar visions of utopia.
If you’re making a trip to Baltimore and plan to stay overnight , you should take a trip to this unusual art museum, which contains over four thousand pieces in the collection, rotating the best works in their Permanent Collection Gallery. Fifty works will be on exhibit at any one time in the permanent collection. It includes work by visionary artists such as Ho Baren, Vollis Simpson, Ben Wilson, as well as forty works from the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre of London .
Published by Ryan on March 8th, 2010 tagged Beauty | Comment now »
Irvine Lake
Cassidy and Cody, yeah that’s really there names, told me about this great lake that isn’t too far from us. We’re all students at the UC Irvine and became friends during our freshmen year when we met in biology class. Anyway we had all been talking about needing to get away for a while, even a day or two and just leave town or something. Cody wanted to go into LA, which is always fun, but we all had talked about needing some peace and quiet, away from civilization and LA was the exact opposite of that. Then Cassidy suggested that we go up to Irvine Lake for a day and maybe even stay the night. He is from here and said it was really beautiful and also thought we could fish there without needing a license. Cody is a vegetarian and doesn’t eat fish, but Cassidy and I do and it really sounded like the perfect place for us.
And Cassidy was right. That lake was absolutely gorgeous and I couldn’t believe this little piece of paradise was so close to the chaos and activity of the entire urban area associated with LA and Orange County and that whole mecca of concrete and people. Anyway, the lake had other people there, in fact there were quite a few, but it wasn’t crowded and it still felt amazingly quiet and peaceful. And I can’t describe how beautiful it was.
Cody went hiking by himself when Cassidy and I got out our fishing gear and while it felt good to stand there with the line, neither of us got a bite and after an hour or so we decided to quit. Oddly that was shortly before Cody returned to I guess the timing was just right and Cody didn’t have to look at any dead fish or anything. The next day we rented a little rowboat and headed out onto the lake with some sandwiches and sodas. It was really an incredible day while sleeping out under the stars may not have had the same clean sheets and soft bed as some of the area hotels, it was just what we all needed and wanted.
Published by Ryan on February 27th, 2010 tagged Travel | Comment now »
Savannah Black Heritage Festival
Georgia has a very peculiar and very precise charm, and it’s something that is even a little difficult to notice at first. But the sense starts to grow on you, and it’s very much like the charm of the bee, overwhelming in the sweetness, but not always easy to access the sweetness. It has a very complicated history that is present everywhere. There are moments when this is readily apparent, and moments when it’s more hidden, but the things that happened here still resonate very deeply. The stories of the past and the present are written in the lives of the people, in their words, in their actions, and in the music.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to visit Georgia any time of the year, but February is particularly lively in Savannah, when the commemorations of Black History Month are held. Hotels are famous here for their generous hospitality, making any stay a memorable one. With the extraordinary line-up at the Savannah Black Heritage Festival, it’s a ticket for one of the most memorable weeks in the area. This year’s festival was a usual line-up of stellar performances, lectures, classes, a crafts village, storytellers, and plenty of discussions. This is a great place to have fantastic conversations.
This year also sees a performance of Sweet Honey in the Rock. This group from DC began from theatre roots, and branched into music. They’ve been playing for four decades, and continue to stun audiences all over the world, including the White House recently. They are certainly a national treasure, and play a wide variety of musical styles, blues, jazz, spirituals, pop, and continue to evolve. Their instruments are their voices, making for stunning examples of the human spirit in action, working through the body to make glorious sounds.
Published by Ryan on February 25th, 2010 tagged Arts & Culture, Community, People, Travel | Comment now »
No Plans in Singapore
We arrived in Singapore with no plans, which made us a bit nervous, but after our very well planned out visit to Australia, which was great at the time, but left no room to just wander around and relax. So, Singapore will be different for us, no plans, none. We want to feel like we are really experiencing the a true and authentic Singapore, and not be a part of the touristy thing.
After checking into our hotel, we took advantage of their free Wi-Fi and did a search for restaurants in Singapore, we were very hungry since we didn’t eat the food served on our flight, we really don’t care for airline food, no matter how they say they’ve improved on it. We weren’t too far from the Central Business District, also called CBD, and the site we found on the Internet recommended ‘Table 66′.
When we walked to the CBD, the first thing we noticed was how much of the city is underground! Every building seems to have these big shopping malls underneath them. We wandered through the CBD over to the river and walked past some very delightfully restored shophouses, which now house restaurants, bars and cafes. That’s where we found ‘Table 66′. We were really impressed with the design and the atmosphere, very chic.
I ordered the Duo of Suos Vide Pork Belly, a dish cook in two ways, braised in balsamic and roasted with crackling skin, served with sauteed apple mustard miso. My husband ordered the Duck Breast and Confit of Leg, it’s a smoked seared duck breast and sous vide crispy duck leg served with broccoli and water chestnuts in a butter monte orange jus. We didn’t get any appetizers, because we wanted to savor this dishes. We weren’t disappointed, all we can say is we were in absolute heaven with every bite. We looked at each other not believing the food we were eating, exquisite, delectable, savory and oh so good! We were beginning to really enjoy not having made any plans and we were truly enjoying just being at the restaurant, and not having to worry about making it to our planned tour; it was really nice.
After our wonderful meal, we wandered pretty aimlessly, taking in the sights, smells and sounds. We passed by a row of market stalls, shops and then this beautiful temple or shine that was right in the middle of, well we don’t know where. There was a fat Buddha right outside the temple and we saw people rubbing his belly, we guessed for good luck. So, we went up and rubbed the Buddha’s belly.
Since we had no plans, we found an Internet cafe’ and decided to look up some more great restaurants, because that last restaurant only whetted our appetite.
Published by Ryan on February 23rd, 2010 tagged Food and Drink, Travel | Comment now »
San Francisco Wharf
Finding great hotel accommodations in San Francisco is really a breeze with our wonderful collection found on this site. I am sure you are excited to finally visit all the places you have been dreaming about when you think of San Francisco. Make sure you get some early reservations for you day to Alcatraz. It is really hard to find a ticket last minute. While you are wondering around waiting to catch the boat to the famous prison you will more than likely want to wonder around another main attraction, Fisherman’s Wharf.
Fisherman’s Wharf is a great shopping and sight seeing area right on the waterfront. It spans from Ghirardelli Square on Van Ness Avenue to Pier 35 on Kearny Street. You can catch the F Market streetcar and it will put you right in the heart of the wharf. The early Gold Rush times is were it got its name. The Italian’s immigrated here and fished for Dungeness Crab along the water. This area was the home of the fishing industry back then and a few remain today. In the 70s and 80s the wharf was turned into a more tourist friendly area and has been a main staple to every ones visit since.
Some of the highlights of the wharf area include Pier 39. Pier 39 is a great little shopping center with restaurants, arcade and filled with local street performers. People like to gather long the edge and see the Sea Lions basking in the sun. There is the Marine Mammal Center and the Aquarium of the Bay to explore including some virtual 3D rides. Some of the view out in the bay from the pier includes Angel Island, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge and also the Bay Bridge. So dress in layers and then go hang out in the wharf for an afternoon. Then stop in at the Forbes Island restaurant for some cocktails and dinner.
Published by Ryan on February 20th, 2010 tagged Travel | Comment now »
Maps for Everything Even Me
My mom had an obsession with maps. She didn’t really have an obsession with geography except as an excuse for her obsession with maps. There were maps all over her walls, each with a slightly different reason for being there. She had a map of the city on which she would draw where she had ran. It was a little impressive because when she took up running I watched her put the map up, and I got to see it grow. She even started driving to placed outside her running range and would run from there so she could cover more of her map. She had a map of Florida on which she would stick little pins to show where she had been. We had family all over the state and she would make sure we went to see them, although other than that we never really did a lot of traveling. She had maps of places she wanted to go, with little pins for the specific sites she was interested in, whether is was in a city and she was sticking pins in the art museums and beaches she wanted to see, or if it was a state, with pins in the cities she wanted to see.
All of her most precious maps were not on her walls, but stayed in a box. She had about ten or twenty rare old maps that she had picked up in various cities in her youth, finding one in an antique shop, or in a used book shop. She would occasionally take them out and show them to me, telling me what the time period was that each one was from, and what beliefs were around about the area when each one was made. They were always carefully rolled up and she wouldn’t tell me how much she paid for any of them.
She was always looking at those maps. Sometimes I think she wasn’t really looking at them, but looking past them into something I could not see. There was something hidden there between those lines that she wanted to teach me. She would give me maps for accomplishments. When I won the spelling bee in fifth grade, she gave me a usa map. Later when I graduated college she gave me a vintage map of the original colonies. I think I told her I wasn’t sure what to say about it, but the truth is that I cherish that map. When I went to college it hung on my wall, as a reminder to keep working hard and good things do come to you.
Published by Ryan on February 18th, 2010 tagged Travel | Comment now »
Celebrating…Anything! in Chicago
The thing is, when you are writing anything about the city of Chicago…the “!” is necessary in the title. This is a city that celebrates, from the first buds on the flowers of spring time, to the senator being elected to President of the United States, to the fact that Joe–the local bartender in the pub on the corner managed to start his ‘57 pick-up in the middle of a snow storm…all is cause for celebration. And these kinds of celebrations and not here and then gone…they last days, weeks even.
Anyone who has booked a hotel room in Chicago during the month of March knows that it isn’t Saint Patrick’s Day…it’s Saint Patrick’s Month. From the moment the first beer breakfasts begin to the days of bloody mary brunches that follow, St. Patrick’s Day is a week-long festival. There is no other way to put it. I drove to work one day, just prior to the actual holiday, and my short drive was made a bit longer due to the fact that many, many people were already on the trolley buses having a good time. I got to work a few minutes late, set my station in the restaurant and began my shift.
My first table was a couple. They seemed to be around 75 or 80 years old and they were seated at one of the tables next to the ceiling to floor windows up front. I was taking their order, facing the window, when one of those trolleys was stopped in the traffic on Fullerton Avenue, just in front of our restaurant. All 20 people on board, were “mooning” us in broad daylight. I looked up, pointed out the window, and all I could say was, “butts…lots of butts, naked!”. The couple turned around, saw the spectacle, turned back to me and ordered their spaghetti. As if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. I asked them how long they had lived in Chicago…they said their whole lives. And I understood their acceptance of normal behavior on the days surrounding St. Patrick’s Day. It wasn’t my idea of normal, but it sure was funny. It sure was Chicago!
Published by Ryan on February 15th, 2010 tagged Travel | Comment now »
First Stop Oklahoma
Well if your flying into the state of Oklahoma you will more likely come in to the big city first Oklahoma City. It is located right in the middle of the state. From there you can branch out to Norman and Shawnee or Stillwater they are the closest towns near by. If your up to a longer drive around the state you can get to places like Tulsa, Bartlesville or south to Lawton and Ardmore. This state was created as an Indian reserve and do this day there is the second largest Native American residents next to that of California which has the most.
The state is famous for a number of things one of which is the working oil well out in front of the state Capitol building. There are some great museums in Oklahoma City such as the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. This is also were legendary Will Rogers was born. The state is also famous for its tornadoes so of course the film industry moved in to film the big blockbuster hit, Twister. The famous book, The Grapes of Wrath, which was written by John Steinbeck about the drought of the 1930s and the major move of settlers from Oklahoma to California. Then there is the hit musical, Oklahoma, which was created in 1943 and is where the state got its special state song.
Oklahoma City has many places to visit that will give some knowledge of the history of the people who live there and created the foundation of the community today. Henry Overholser was a big contributor to Oklahoma City. He build over 30 buildings of great prominence like the opera houses, the U.S. courthouse and even the State Fairgrounds. He was responsible for the first trolley car system and water project. Today visitors can tour the Overholser home and see the beautiful family and what they built together in this grand city. So find a room at one of the fabulous hotels located in Oklahoma click here and see what this state has to offer.
Published by Ryan on February 11th, 2010 tagged Travel | Comment now »
Great Day In Seattle
We arrived with just enough time to take a quick shower at our hotel in Seattle, where we got this great deal when we booked on-line. We ran out of the hotel and headed to the Paramount Theatre to see Jerry Seinfeld perform. His routine was hilarious, we laughed until our faces hurt; he’s such a clever guy. After the show, we wanted to check out what kind of nightlife was here in Seattle. We ended up at this funny little Hawaiian bar where we drank and danced away a good portion of the night. It wasn’t that big of a night, because we had plans for tomorrow morning, so we headed back to our hotel by 1pm and crashed.
The next morning, we enjoyed our complimentary buffet breakfast, where I had one too many bagels with cream cheese. We then took a bus to the Space Needle. We went up the Space Needle and it naturally was a fairly cloudy day, so we didn’t get the spectacular view we were hoping for. We only spent 5 minutes up there, what a bust. But the Experimental Music Project wasn’t a bust! We had a total blast there.
After that, we checked out Pike’s Market, that’s the famous place where you see fishmongers tossing fish over customers heads. We were all ready over-stimulated by the EMP, but this market threw us over the top! We had to find a quiet place to sit and have some lunch. The waitress seemed to see the look on our faces and she said not to worry, the effects of Pike’s Market will wear off once we have something to eat. So, we gorged ourselves on 2 pounds of fresh mussels in a bucket and some creamy crab dip, which was downed with a few locally brewed beers. The waitress was right, we were back to normal and ready for our next adventure.
We walked a bit more and I couldn’t help but stop at this piroshky shop, the smell of something tantalizing was inside. I thought I’d be to full after lunch, but I couldn’t help myself to a cherry and white chocolate bun of pure delight! So, both of us, over-stuffed and happy, decided to not go out to dinner, but stay in our hotel room and chill with some nice baked artisan bread, cheese and wine, which we bought at the store.
Tomorrow, will be, we’re sure, another great day, we plan to take the Seattle underground tour.
Published by Ryan on February 9th, 2010 tagged Food and Drink, Travel | Comment now »
Suzanne Vega in NYC
The limen is that space between two other spaces, and for liminal spaces, one of the most obvious is the airport, or bus station. There is a sense of dislocation when traveling, and it’s not a metaphorical state of being. You actually are neither here nor there, and always on the way or returning, but never actually there. Some people like the sensation. I actually love it, it’s one of my favorite places to be, and it doesn’t really matter where it is, since it’s no-place specific anyway. In the space between, there is room for poetry to sneak in, room for accidental discoveries, and also room for a long nap.
This might be one of the things I like best about New York. Airport hotel accommodations also suit me very well, and especially here, because they are every bit as wonderful as the other luxury hotels, and you’re close to everything. But particularly, I like the way they treat me, because they know that, even though all hotel guests are temporary, we’re even more temporary, often here for a night, or just a few hours, to freshen up while we continue to be liminal beings on our way to somewhere else. The good news in all of this for me is that I happen to have a night in Manhattan, where I can catch the Suzanne Vega show at the Allen Room.
I’ve had a secret crush on her since Solitude Standing. When I first heard it, I couldn’t get over the empty spaces between her voice and the notes. Outside of experimental music, I hadn’t heard silence used like that, and it was a revelation. These are the spaces between sounds, those liminal moments, and she had the restraint to refuse to fill them, or to even follow them with something harsh and jarring, but was comfortable letting them rest like that in their liminality. So although I hope that she decides to leave her husband for me when she sees how I understand her at the show, it would probably be more fitting if she left him, and just stayed there in that moment, liminal as everything that’s on its way to being born. And I finish up my coffee and it’s time to catch the train.
Published by Ryan on January 28th, 2010 tagged Travel | Comment now »
New York Jets Defeated by the Colts
The New York Jets football season finally came to a close today after their defeat to the Indianapolis Colts in the second half of the play off game. The second half is referenced due to their domination during the first half and its complete reversal during the second. However, it has been a very good season for the Jets and their fans remain true and loyal to the team and its efforts. It was an unfortunate defeat, though they played a good game. The Jets have a long history as being a favorite of New Yorkers and they remain steadfast through the years whether their team wins or loses.
Beginning with the 2010 season the Jets will be playing at Meadowlands Stadium. They will be sharing the same stadium with the New York Giants through a specal arrangement and unique scheduling agenda. To find out where the best four star hotels in New York are located in proximity to the stadium you can connect various resort names and travel organizations. The Jets are popular not only with New York residents and people frequently fly or drive in for a game and spend the weekend while they’re at it.
While the Jets lost to the Colts today they have the distinction of being the first AFL team to defeat an NFL team in a National Championship game when the beat the then Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. This was before the merger of the AFL and NFL. Perhaps the most famous Jet player of all time is Joe Namath, who won the favor and approval of most of the nation during his career. Broadway Joe, as he was affectionately referred to, is largely responsible for putting the Jets in the hearts of football fans outside of New York. It is typical for football lovers to become fans of their home team, or the nearest to them. However, with the Jets, people from across the nation have adopted them as their favorite team. And there are more than New Yorkers out there that regret today’s loss. Of course some of those just wanted to see the Colts get beat, but they still count.
Published by Ryan on January 26th, 2010 tagged Travel | Comment now »
Anniversary Dinner at Lindeys in Columbus
One of the greatest features of Carol’s summer last year occurred during the month of July when she and Steve spent a four-day weekend in Columbus, Ohio. The visit their occurred due to Steve’s obligated business trip that coincidentally was scheduled for the same weekend that their two year anniversary was going to arrive. It was the anniversary of the first time they, well it wasn’t a date, but it was the first acknowledged connection event that happened between them. And without even admitting it even to themselves, they knew that they were destined to be together. It wasn’t exactly love at first sight, either. They knew each other and had worked together for a few months prior to that fateful evening.
So, while the idea of marriage has been brought up between the two of them, it has really never been seriously discussed because they were already as committed and close to each other as what they imagined two people could be. Of course their married friends assured them that no matter how in love they felt or committed they thought they were there was nothing that could replace the feeling of and knowledge that you were married. They also assured them that they never really knew the other person until they were married. Of course Steve and Carol didn’t believe any of that, but took in the good natured manner in which it was offered.
Like with everything else, they decided to make the best of Steve’s business trip and decided to extend his stay at one of the luxury Columbus hotels and Carol went with him on the trip. On the evening of their anniversary they had dinner at Lindey’s and it was such a beautiful evening that they sat out on one of the beautiful terraces. It was perfect and Carol loved the Salmon Oscar and couldn’t get over the crab meat hollandaise sauce that was served with it. Steve had the New York Strip, which he thought was one of the best he had ever eaten. He also loved the garlic potatoes and onion straws. They shared a plate of Tiramisu for dessert. Afterward they went dancing and ended up having such a great time in Columbus, which they thought was a great city, that they couldn’t imagine a better way to spend their anniversary.
Published by Ryan on January 25th, 2010 tagged Food and Drink | Comment now »
San Antonio’s “Ripley’s Believe It, Or Not!” Museum
One day walking down Hollywood Boulevard, I had a shock that set my heart to pounding pretty rapidly, too rapidly for comfort. I was passing the “Ripley’s Believe It, Or Not!” Museum, and walked closer to a wax statue they had propped near the front door. I was inspecting the face as he just looked so darn life-like, when his eyes shifted and he was looking directly at me. I could not believe it, that a human being could stand so still.
These museums are located throughout the United States, and one of the funnest times I spent in San Antonio was a day at Ripley’s and the adjoining Louis Tussaud’s Wax Works. Robert LeRoy Ripley was an interesting man, to say the least. He dabbled in study of anthropology, was an entrepreneur, and quite a famous cartoonist. At one time, he received a letter from a young boy, exclaiming that he had a truly amazing dog, one that could a variety of strange objects and still remain healthy. The young boy included a drawing he had done of his dog. That young boy was Charles Schulz, who went on years later to create the Peanuts comic strip and the amazing dog, later became the character of Snoopy.
In San Antonio, the museums are both located to many easy to find accommodations, many of them within walking distance. This is a great place the entire family will enjoy, with a bit of history and education and a lot of fun. There is an arcade for the kids, and a snack booth, so spending the whole day walking through the wonders of the world is easy, even though this is the largest of all of Ripley’s museums. The wax museum is set up by themes, from a room dedicated to Hollywood and the film industry, to a walk through history, and a children’s section of make believe. I highly suggest however, that should you step in for a closer look, be prepared, as you never know when one of those statues will look back at you!
Published by Ryan on January 18th, 2010 tagged People, Travel | Comment now »
Deserted Fremont Wine
Today the Alameda County area has been producing some spectacular wines and it definitely has a place on the map of wineries to visit and taste. It is inland from the coast so it doesn’t get the fog and wind from the sea. It has gained more notoriety as the wine consumption of the 80s, 90s and 2000s has grown. The wineries of Fremont California and the surrounding areas has been here for centuries. The first marked wineries were planted by the Mission San Jose in 1797. The area was bought and sold many times over the hundreds of years in this county until they moved out in 1997. There really aren’t to many wineries left in the city of Fremont itself but there is some interesting history stored at the Museum of Local History which is located on Anza Street there you will find information on the history of the wine makers in the area.
Why did they go? It seems that they had their share of problems and the the land owners got frustrated eventually. Even in the early days, the phylloxera infestations killed off much of the heritage vines. It cost so much to replace the vines that many growers decided to go with another form of fruit. Sometimes they decided to just sell off the land for agricultural use. Then the earthquake in the early 1900s added to the damage of the vineyards of the area. the bigger winery of the time, Gallegos/Palmdale Winery, was sadly destroyed. Then next hardship to come was the Prohibition in the 1920s. This stopped the growth completely for a while. The area did make a small comeback but finally in the 1960s the urban sprawl took over the land. The price of developing the land was just to great to pass up. Stay at one of the hotels Fremont has waiting and visit the beautiful are for yourself.
Published by Ryan on January 11th, 2010 tagged Travel | Comment now »
A New York History of Inspiration: The White Horse Tavern
Taverns. There is a history that links taverns to artistic inspiration, be it the cocktails or the long nights sitting around a table with like-minded people, who is to know just what it is that not only inspires in the moment, but that keeps on inspiring for years to come? In Southern California, there is…so far as I can tell because I have never found it…a bar on Venice beach where Jim Morrison is said to have held rehearsals and recording sessions with “The Doors“. Legend states that when Morrison passed away, the owner sealed up the door to the basement recording studio, and all things were left as last touched by the band.
Historical reference makes the nights at the Algonquin hotel, with Dorothy Parker and the writers of the time, much more than myth. Such is true of a bar in the West Village of Manhattan, The White Horse Tavern. Any member of the staff of a best New York City hotel, who is interested in literature and poetry, will direct the first time visitor to this legendary establishment. The tavern is located on the corner of 11th Street and Hudson, and when I walked through the doors for the first time, the vibe of artists such as Bob Dylan, Norman Mailer, Delmore Schwartz and Hunter S. Thompson is a vibe that is palpable and overwhelming.
During the nights of the 1950’s and 1960’s patrons of the bar had the opportunity to have a few drinks and conversation with Jack Kerouac as well as the many other Beat Poets. Union laborers and longshoremen frequented the tavern as well as the bohemian culture, and this is also the atmosphere that is felt when sitting on a bar stool sipping on a pint. For anyone traveling through the magnificent city of Manhattan, this is one of the spots to stop, especially if one is living a life in the artistic world.
Published by Ryan on January 7th, 2010 tagged Travel | Comment now »
Exploring the Natural World of Virginia
The outdoor world in the state of Virginia is incredible. Many people travel to the region to enjoy the variety of outdoor activities in a land that is filled with mountains, fresh air, and miles of shoreline. Some of the best Virginia hotels offer tour packages complete with guided excursions, but should you be on your own without those guides you will still be able to experience Mother Nature in all of her glory, it just takes a little bit of investigation and searching online to fine the activity which best suits your interests.
One extremely wonderful outing is a whale and dolphin watching cruise. Cruises can be arranged with the Aquarium and the Marine Science Center. On these trips, scientists are on board to offer their expertise and their knowledge of not only the whales and marine life, but the various species of water birds as well. First Landing State Park provides many opportunities for hiking with almost twenty miles of trails that head through the marsh lands, the forests, the swamps, freshwater ponds and along the coastline. This is the most popular park in the state of Virginia, and many travel here to catch a glimpse of and to support one of the most endangered habitats in the world, that being the forest and maritime community.
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge borders the False Cape State Park and 6 miles of untouched beach front. This is a mixed habitat, of fresh water and ocean water, which supports a quite variety of more than three hundred different species of animals and birds. Upon a hike through the woodland and farm fields, the salt marshes and the swamps, nature lovers are sure to catch glimpses of wild horses and pigs, bald eagles, white tailed deer and red foxes to name a few. So bring your cameras or your sketch pads along hikes through this area.
The Nature Conservancy cares for the North Landing River and the Natural Area Preserve located here. The most rare collection of animals and plants are found in this region, more so than any other preserve that sits east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This is a great place for hiking, camping, back packing, and kayaking and there are many locations in which to rent equipment take these outdoor adventures. Virginia is a wonderful place to find peace and relaxing in the outdoor locations, along with a little bit of excitement as well.
Published by Ryan on January 6th, 2010 tagged Travel | Comment now »
What Does Online Reputation Management Do for You?
Years ago, reputation management was much more simple. A company kept track of their record of customer service, and disgruntled associates were limited to word of mouth. Not however, the Internet has opened up and entirely new and far reaching platform for which people can beat their own drum, to rant and rave, from the comfort of their own homes. Not only are the search engines being used as weapons, but also too, people are starting their own blogs, or posting videos on YouTube.
While many times this is just people letting off steam, the effects for a company, for their brand names or services can be devastating. With the help of Internet experts working in the field of search engine optimization services , these kinds of ill effects can be avoided. It takes someone with the know-how of the ways in which search engines and the Internet operate. The Internet has become incredible complex, and has put quite a bit of power into the fingertips of every person so connected.
Now, along with marketing, public relations and advertising, one of the most beneficial tools a company can have on their side is a proper set of checks and balances provided by reputation management and search engine optimization. These are actions that should be taken proactively, right at the beginning, for anyone who is either starting their own business, and also for those who plan to live in the public eye.
In fact, the higher your company or personal profile is, the more you are in need of taking steps to protect yourself. This is becoming less of a world of newspapers and magazines , and more of a world of individual blog sites and web sites, and by taking these steps early in your career you will be protecting your reputation and the future of yourself personally, and the future of your business.
Published by Ryan on December 30th, 2009 tagged Technology | Comment now »
Brighten Up Your Living Space With Next Day Blinds
How do you make a small space feel bit and open, while still creating style and separate areas? Well of course, Next Day Blinds. Anxiety about decorating small apartments and houses, and giving them a new and updated look, will disappear the minute you walk through the doors. The salespeople at Next Day Blinds are experienced in helping people choose not only the blinds and shades that will best fit with your sense of style and need, but with the color as well, all fitting in to your particular price range.
There are so many different choices to make, which may seem overwhelming, but you will be certain to find just what it is you are looking for to make your house a home. Some of the blinds and shades are fully insulated, keeping the cold air out in the winter, and the cool air in in the hotter summer months. This is an easy way to become just a bit more green in your lifestyle as you will use less energy heating and cooling your house, by a simple tug on the strings.
Along with the environmental benefits, you will notice a difference in your gas and electric bills as well. And the fun part is realizing just how much of a difference you will notice, in the style and the warmth of your house with updated window treatments from Next Day Blinds. Redecorating your entire space may be too much of a financial burden during these economic times. But small changes really do make a huge difference in the way that you feel about your living space. Getting rid of old worn out furniture, or buying inexpensive covers for sofas and chairs will help to brighten up a room.
As well as some paint. People think that to paint a room or a wall would be expensive, but that really is not so. For under one hundred dollars you can change a dark and dreary room into a lively and more open space, with just a couple of coats of paint. And what better way to brighten a room than getting rid of the old drapes and adding blinds and/or shades? The windows let in the light after all , and with the blinds you will be able to adjust the amount of light coming through those windows, in a stylish and convenient way.
Published by Ryan on December 29th, 2009 tagged Home & Garden | Comment now »
Art, Science and Cars in Florida
What does the American painter Norman Rockwell, gravity clocks, mineral rocks, and antique cars have in common with Ft. Lauderdale, Florida? Each of them are currently associated with one or more of this city’s museums. If you’re in Ft. Lauderdale at one of the resort hotels Florida has scattered throughout its varied regions, you’ll find even more varied things to see at the Nova Southeastern University Museum of Art, the Museum of Discovery and Science, and the Ft. Lauderdale Antique Car Museum.
At the Nova Southeastern University Museum of Art, you’ll find some of the best known paintings of Norman Rockwell, an American painter who lived from 1894 to 1978, known for his depictions of a idealized America, often creating cover art for the Saturday Evening Post and Look magazine. The exhibit will include iconic works as Day in the Life of a Little Girl, Christmas Homecoming, Girl at Mirror, No Swimming, and The Discovery. The art will be displayed until February 7th, 2010.
At the Museum of Discovery and Science, you can always see some of the following exhibits which are on permanent display: a minerals rock exhibit, a space hall, featuring Runways to Rockets, a Great Gravity Clock. There’s an interactive exhibit about restoration and the Florida Everglades. The museum looks at everything from the mysteries of space, kinetic energy, and ecosystems.
If science and art overwhelm your senses and intellect, you can wander over to a different kind of art at the Ft. Lauderdale Antique Car Museum, a non-profit foundation meant to keep alive the Packard Motor Company history. You’ll find pre-war Packard cars, at least 22 of them, which range from 1900 up to the 1940s. There’s even a gallery devoted to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, as well as other collections of car memorabilia.
Published by Ryan on December 28th, 2009 tagged Education, Travel | Comment now »
Business Meetings in Spa or Hot Tub
Fred was a restaurant furniture, equipment and supplies salesman and was becoming tired of conducting his business in restaurant bars and banquet rooms. He longed for his own office and a steady work team. One afternoon he was talking with a fellow supplier who mentioned that he had recently made a major contract and that the transaction occurred during a round of golf. Of course that made sense thought Fred who had almost forgotten that business could take place anywhere outside of the restaurant setting. It wasn’t his own office he needed, it was simply getting out of the standard setting for his business meetings.
After all the numerous bars and banquet rooms he had conducted business in it was all he could do to take his wife out for dinner and a drink. A change was necessary and his fellow sales associate invited the direction his business would take. Fred thought about it for a long time while he was taking a long soak in his home hot tub. Suddenly he had what seemed to him to be a crazy idea though as he turned his attention over to his outdoor kitchen and dining area it began to take hold of his mind.
He met the same sales associate for lunch again the following week and asked him if he had ever conducted business in hot tubs and spas. The sales associate laughed at first and then said yes he had done it once before and thinking back on it he realized that it actually went quite well. Then Fred told him about his great idea scheduled his very next client meeting for his own backyard and hot tub. This actually became one of his options he offered to new clients when choosing a meeting location and generally the transactions that occurred there ended positively and with the signing of a new contract.
Published by Ryan on December 21st, 2009 tagged Home & Garden | Comment now »
Castles and Romances
Stories about castles in Germany never get old. They wake up something very old in us, and it doesn’t seem to matter where we’re from, we always react to castles. Everyone probably wants to live in a castle at different points in their life. When you’re a little kid, girls and boys dream about castles, because they’re the stuff of fairy tales. Princesses and knights and the whole romantic notion of being born of noble birth, and separated from your true family and forced to live in squalor, these are the dreams that we all have. Some of us even go further into the stories, and love the spooky direction they take when we start to hear about vampires, and old abandoned buildings. Castles are the scariest of all because they’re the largest, and they’re always in the middle of nowhere.
Unfortunately, Cochem is in the middle of some of the most gorgeous landscapes in all of Germany, and some of the most charming small town life you’ll probably ever come across. And fortunately, there are castles here. This is the part of Europe where trains reveal castles every half hour or so, where you can see beautiful land going on forever, and the old castles in the distance. Cochem castle, of course, is haunted, or so they say, but Cochem hotels are perfectly enchanting. They’re a lovely way to take in the town, and to enjoy the old world hospitality that reigns here, making you feel like you might be of noble birth.
If you are hungry for the mythology of castles, Cochem castle is an absolutely lovely place to visit. For those who like their folklore deep in the past, you can be sure to find a mermaid with antlers hanging from the roof, and you should make sure to rub her belly for luck in the coming year. And for those who like the scary stuff, there are more than a couple stories about the hauntings here. There are even ghost tours especially for kids. And for those who go for romance, you’ll have to find it yourself, but in Cochem, it’s hidden everywhere.
Published by Ryan on December 16th, 2009 tagged Travel | Comment now »
A Quick Stop at San Francisco
I have a friend who is dying to get out of Los Angeles and travel north about four hundred miles to a San Francisco cheap hotel, and just spend an evening and a morning in the city, sipping a cappuccino at a local coffee house and drinking in the atmosphere. I’ve decided, though, that if I’m going back to the Golden Gate City, I’m going to stay more than twenty-four hours and see the place properly.
After all, this is a city we’ve all seen on television many times in TV police dramas (anyone recall The Streets of San Francisco? It starred Michael Douglas and Martin Balsam, and even though it was a cop show, it kept the trappings of theater about it, literally labeling each commercial break with a new act break: Act One, Act Two, Act Three… and so on. It always took me a little out of the story, but, considering I was a kid, maybe that was good, because it kept me from investing too much in the story, so I would always recognize the program as entertainment, as actors running in and around the cable cars and steep hills). As I watched those shows, I’d be more caught up in the background than whatever drama the actors pretending to be detectives were engaged in… because there would be the city behind them: Coit Tower, Lombard Street, the most winding street in the world — each site carefully chosen to make sure I knew these actors were shooting on location in the City; but, of course, each time I saw the program, the sites simply reminded me of the places I had visited as a child and teenager.
The place I’d like to go most, though, is in Golden Gate Park: The Japanese Tea Garden. I remember visiting this place as a child and haven’t been back since — particularly, I remember an impossibly steep wooden bridge that arcs over water; it seemed so impractical; of course, as a child I didn’t realize it’s purpose might have been ornamental. The garden was built in 1894 as part of the California Midwinter International Exposition, otherwise known as the World’s Fair. The garden, in fact, is the oldest Japanese Tea Garden in the United States. Instead of coffee, maybe I’ll take my friend up on his offer as long as we get to stop by there and allow me to relive a part of my childhood.
Published by Ryan on December 15th, 2009 tagged Travel | Comment now »
Chicken and the Fireplace Stove
Every time I pass by a fast food restaurant selling chicken flavored with a number of herbs, I think of a friend of mine who invited me to his cabin where he cooks using a fireplace stove. He had prepared a meal for the evening, whose main course was chicken with garlic and herbs, and it was so good, I knew I would later try it out for myself. He didn’t want to reveal the recipe at first, and apparently it depends on a fireplace stove with a standard spit, but I’m sure I can find one!
My friend insisted that the fire had to be hot and, he said, “mature,” and I laughed a bit about that, but when he stopped talking, I decided to let him just go ahead and tell me about the recipe without interruption. Again, he said, I needed a mature and hot fire and a standard spit. Then a medium sized chicken, say, three or four pounds, and about 12 sprigs of fresh herbs (he used thyme and lemon thyme, but said rosemary would work, too). Three garlic cloves, but you need to sliver them. Ground pepper. Kosher salt, although if you’re trying to cut down on salt, this ingredient is optional; it’s used mostly for marinating. Then you have to get white butchers twine. I’ve never tied up any food I’ve cooked, so that one might be an effort!
If you decide to go ahead and salt-marinate the chicken, you should rinse the fowl thoroughly, with cold water. Drain it, pat it dry. Then you sprinkle salt onto it, wrap up the chicken and refrigerate it overnight or for as long as seven days!
If you decided to skip the salt-marinate, then we really start here: Use the butcher’s twine, and tie the chicken up. I must have frowned, because he frowned, as if I weren’t taking him seriously. I said, “Okay, I’ll tie the chicken up. Go ahead, please!” Rinse the herbs, then dry the herbs. Spread them out over the bird, make sure they’re even, and then tuck them under the string. Repeat this process with the garlic (once you’ve slivered it, of course). Then, you just let the chicken sit. One hour or so, until it comes up to room temperature. During this time, you’re supposed to build a fire, then let it “mature” for at least a half hour, and apparently, this just means, don’t build a fire and stick a bird on it. Let the fire become the fire it’s going to truly be, I guess! That made sense to me.
Finally, put the bird on its spit, put it on the stove, roast for about an hour and a half to two hours (depending on heat and chicken size). Twenty minutes later, you’re carving!
Published by Ryan on December 12th, 2009 tagged Food and Drink, Home & Garden | Comment now »
Weddings Singapore Style
When it is time to consider what catering service to use for a wedding reception party, the most important thing to keep in mind is that all you want your guests to remember is just how delicious the food was and how much fun they had. We recommend taking advantage of hotel catering, in Singapore, only a few hotels offer quality and expertise when it comes to wedding catering Singapore style. The success of a reception party is judged based on the cuisine and the service offered.
Newly married couples need to consider the benefits of using the facilities offered at a hotel. They will need to do a considerable amount of investigating and putting a lot of unnecessary time in an attempt to seek out as much as they can about individual caterers, the foods they server, are they reliable and will they deliver on time. Plus, they’ll most likely go from one end of the city to the other end. When all that is necessary is finding the right hotel where the food is prepared on site and made by world renown chefs and there is plenty of beautiful banquet rooms to rent for the night.
Other benefits to using the facilities of a hotel, is the staff is already available, the concierge can help plan the event, or plan the entire event, including the entertainment. If your guests get too happy at the reception, instead of driving home, they can book a room for the night. There is no cleaning up on your part or your wedding members part. Everyone can relax and enjoy the party, enjoy the food and most of all, have a great time, toasting the newlyweds, dancing, drinking at the bar, which can be an open bar with all the brand names of the best liquor, instead of hoping the individual catering company brings enough different brands to please all your guest. A hotel staff that will come to your aid if anything unexpected should arise.
Published by Ryan on December 8th, 2009 tagged Travel | Comment now »
The Jewish Museum of Maryland
TThere are many museums in Baltimore. That is due to the fact that there is quite a lot of history in this American City. For many immigrants, the Statue of Liberty was not the first glimpse they got of the United States, it was the Inner Harbor of Maryland. Even the seafood restaurants in Baltimore are steeped in the history of the harbor and the hundreds of years of the fishing industry. For those interested in the art world there are quite a few options, such as the American Visionary Art Museum, the Amaranthine Museum, and the Art Gallery at Fell’s Point. For those interested in the history of specific topics, there is the National Museum of Dentistry, the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum and the Fire Museum of Maryland.
For a glimpse at the history of the city on a larger scale there is the Great Blacks in Wax Museum, the Maryland Historical Society and The Jewish Museum of Maryland. This museum in Baltimore contains the largest collection of Jewish artifacts in the United States. The collection includes photographs, family histories, art, rare books and everyday objects. There is a research facility located in the museum and they have an extensive database of information and photographs, more than one hundred thousand, for people who are in search of their family members or ancestors.
The collection of archived manuscripts contains more than one hundred and fifty in the collection, as well as numerous other documents, personal records and books that relate to the Jewish life of the people of Baltimore. And true to a sign of the times, their web database is also very thorough and extensive. Here one can come to have their family tree built or filled in, with various research facilities and staff that will help an individual recreate their own personal history, and how it fits in to the history of the Jewish community. This is a great place to visit to discover this section of the history of Baltimore, and for some people, they may even discover a few family members and loved ones along the way.
Published by Ryan on December 7th, 2009 tagged Arts & Culture, Education | Comment now »
Moving to Canada with the Help of TransGlobe
Deciding to move to Canada from the United States requires a lot of thought, and a lot of preparation. When two friends of mine decided to relocate, they took a weeks vacation there ahead of time, to secure jobs and a place to live. Finding a new flat was easy for them and they found themselves in one of the buildings run by the team at TransGlobe Property Management. Not only did they get a sense of their new city of Vancouver, but they came home excited and assured that their choice for their new apartment was the perfect choice.
The staff at TransGlobe was warm and welcoming and they were now, instead of being stressed out about the move, extremely ready to just get moving, moving to their new life up North. They could not stop speaking about the level of customer service they received from the employees working at their new complex, and they have an idea that this is how the rest of their Canadian life experiences will be. The societies of Canadian cities is progressive and forward thinking and moving, and with more than seventy percent of the people in the workforce being immigrants, they know that they will feel right at home, in a sense. At home because they will be surrounded by others who decided to make the move, and will share similar experiences.
Canada, much like the United States is quickly becoming a cultural melting pot and when people are welcomed into their new living and working situations by the sort of people working for TransGlobe Property Management, the transition becomes not only less stressful, but more inviting. Both of my friends are self employed, on being an artist and one being a writer, and the community that they have chosen to become a part of is filled with others that are making a living with their creative talents. Not only are they lucky to be starting this new life in Canada, but Canada is lucky to have them as well.
Published by Ryan on December 4th, 2009 tagged Arts & Culture, Community | Comment now »
Chemistry 101 for Hot Tubs and Spas
Awareness of the basic elements of water chemistry is a must when in comes to hot tubs and spas, because they are not drained after each use. Keeping a perfect balance of chemicals will ensure that your experience in your hot tub or spa is a pleasant and sanitary one.
To balance the chemicals to where its not too acidic nor too alkaline is only one way to manage and maintain your spa. The other aspect for keeping the water free from harmful microorganisms and retaining healthy water is maintaining your sanitizing system. There are several reasons for you to keep up your regiments of sanitation: bacteria will not only come from bodies, but from airborne mold spores. Algae and viruses can be introduced to the water also. Having an effective sanitizer system in necessary to control the organisms. There are many EPA-approved spa purifier systems that meet or go beyond the standards for an effective component in hot tubs and spas.
Once you’ve pick a sanitizer system, you then, periodically, add a shock agent to oxidize the water, which aids in the break-down of dead organic materials, soap film, dirt, perspiration and hair spray. Shocking the water is essential for clean, clear spa water. It also allows the sanitizer to perform efficiently. Chlorine can be a good shock, but consider also using a non-chlorine MPS shock treatment to correct an occasional water issue.
Mineral components of spa water when in correct proportion with one another creates balance. If scale buildup is showing up on your spa equipment, then you have a high pH (alkaline) level. If you start seeing corrosion with the plumbing of your spa, then you are too low in your pH (acidic) level. Also, properly balanced water not only feels good on the skin, it allows the sanitizer to do its job more efficiently.
Total Alkalinity (TA) is a good way to gauge the spa’s water ability to resist changes in the pH, it gives the water a buffer zone. It’s less of an issue if the TA is too high, rather than too low. The TA should always be checked first, then check the pH level. When you properly maintain the TA, then the pH automatically adjust to a good level. There are many products on the market that will help you balance the water chemistry for all makes and models of hot tubs and spas.
Published by Ryan on December 2nd, 2009 tagged Home & Garden | Comment now »
Pirate Stories and the Sulphur Springs Water Tower in Tampa
Casey was a true history buff and social and cultural studies fan. He would spend most of his reading time on non-fiction books and they frequently related to American history and/or its cities. So, when his friend Steve asked Casey to go with him on a trip to Tampa, Florida he was more than willing to accompany him and was well aware of some of the historical landmarks and various cultural attractions he would like to see while he is there. Steve was well aware of this aspect of Casey’s personality and it was no surprise that he immediately started talking about things such as the Sulphur Springs Water Tower, though Steve had no idea what he was talking about.
The met in the café at one of the best Tampa hotels where they were staying on the first morning they were in town. They enjoyed a complimentary breakfast together before Casey dropped Steve off at Argosy University where he had a job interview, which was the reason he needed to be in Tampa, and Casey went on to explore the Sulphur Springs. Casey was greatly intrigued by the maritime stories and legends that surrounded the history of the springs and the lighthouse and was aware of many of them before arriving there. One of these involves the original lighthouse of the springs that was alleged to be earmarked on various pirate treasure maps. He looked around for the pirate marks that were on some of the trees though he did not expect to encounter the ghost of one those pirates, which was rumored to roam the area.
Later that day Steve told Casey that he felt good about his adjunct faculty interview and wanted to explore some of the neighborhoods in Tampa to try and figure out where he might live. He thought he’d like to be close to the university, but not too close because he also wanted to feel like he was getting away from his work, and also didn’t want to live in a highly student populated neighborhood. He had nothing against students and generally appreciated the energy of such areas, he just didn’t want to run into students on a regular basis and wanted to maintain his privacy. Casey was happy to go along and already had suggestions about where Steve should look.
Published by Ryan on December 1st, 2009 tagged Travel | Comment now »
Snorkeling in Phuket
A trip to Thailand might not be complete without scuba diving, according to those who have taken the plunge. For those who have put on their snorkels and flippers, this experience tops all the elephants and temples in Phuket. Companies trained in professional diving can allow whole families to safely experience life below the surface of the waters, no matter what the age or ability. When my own family decided to try scuba diving, we were able to seek out and find a company that was reassuring, with safety briefings, boats, and equipment in top order. Our group had only one experienced scuba diver, an adult kind of scared of the water, two snorkelers with experience, and two, pretty excited kids, 10 and 6 years old. Because of clear instructions, we were all able to get into the water within a half hour of reaching Racha Yai, a small island off the coast of Phuket, famous for its crystal clear seas.
I’ve been a scuba diver for years, but this was the first time I’ve ever been able to share this amazing activity with my family and wife. Out at Racha Yai, we didn’t need heavy, awkward tanks, or a lot of aids for buoyancy. I could looks around the reef, decked out in full gear, while they had fun doing precisely the same, diving without any fear or concern, with air-hoses that were connected to a raft. My ten year old niece was in her element, and my six year old nephew loved riding around on his father’s back.
You don’t need to go out too deep in order to find a great deal of marine life. We saw a lot! Eel, blue sea star, lobsters, crown of thorn starfish, and trumpet fish. What a variety! And there were lots more, too.
When we got back to one of the Phuket best hotels, we couldn’t stop talking about the experience. In fact, we’re still talking and comparing what we saw that day over three months later!
Published by Ryan on November 30th, 2009 tagged Travel | Comment now »
Making Wishes in Florence
I woke up early once again and began my drive to Florence, which I really was very excited about, because I heard the city was absolutely gorgeous. When I arrived, I certainly wasn’t disappointed. First, I got wowed by how pretty it was, even though it was under massive rebuilding. Then, checking in to my hotel Florence for one night, wow, beautiful. I then proceeded around the city with a hired tour guide. We stopped at all the major sites within the city including Michelangelo’s David.
I also, on my own, stopped by a bridge that has stood since Florence was formed. I climbed the Santa Maria del Fiore Basilica, all the way to the top and got a great birds eye view. It literally took my breath away; meaning the climb up and the view. Anyways, I’m glad I went off on my own, cause I couldn’t listen to the tour guide, I had too much on my mind. What was distracting me was this great feeling I had about the city. I can’t really explain it, but I felt so alive and at home all at the same time.
Upon leaving Florence, I made a quick trip to the Boar to pet it, when you pet the Boar, you’re suppose to make a wish. As I petted the Boar, my wish was to come back to Florence one more time before my life ends.
I drove from Florence to Rome, and was very, very tired. I was disappointed about how little there was to do in Fuggi. I was hoping that I would be able to get a taste of the nightlife in Rome, but it turns out that just wasn’t the case. The area I was at was entirely too far from Rome. Tomorrow, I’m off to see the Vatican! Maybe I’ll get lucky and get to see the Pope! I wonder if I can pet him and make a wish?