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In today’s world, some people may no longer have it in their budgets to take on large projects restoring and updating their homes, but there are many small things, many simple ideas that will boost the look of your house or apartment, and turn boost your mood.  Many of these ideas when windows are concerned, can be found at nextdayblinds.com.  Grievances about old and dingy drapes are often heard, and the sales people will help you find the perfect, new modern styles that will fit your taste and be easy on your budgets.

Being organized and neat will improve the feel of any room, especially if you are working with limited spaces.  Get rid of your clutter, or if there are things that you simply can not throw away, find somewhere to store it.  Many times at Next Day Blinds,  the designers create shades not only for windows, but for separating the spaces in offices or rooms, and this is one way that you can stylish remove the clutter from sight.  Flowers, plants and small herb gardens will brighten up not only your rooms, but your spirits as well.  Bringing in a bit of the outdoors is a great way to feel at peace and to inexpensively add charm and a homey feel.

Fresh paint will drastically change the feel of a room, as living in rooms with either darker colors, or dingy and older paint jobs can really have an effect on the total feel of the room, even if everything else has been taken care.  Paint is not too expensive, and while doing it yourself may seem like a big project to tackle, it is actually quite relaxing and satisfying.  And by finding the perfect match for your new paint at Next Day Blinds,  grief will no longer be a part of your life, as you walk into your new, and more delicately designed living space.

The city has a certain charm that’s immediately palpable, fueled by the intensely active urban culture, and the energy of the young and creative people who live here, driven by a desire to make something happen.  It’s a splendid place for making things happen, too, because it’s history reveals a lively edge that’s always been at the forefront of the international arts scene.  Musically and in terms of visual art, there’s always something going on here, making it a terrific place to visit.  There are also a host of fantastic city attractions, as well as access to gorgeous natural areas that can offer a magnificent sense of respite from the busy world.  There’s truly something for everyone here, but for those who tend toward tastes that are individual and unique, it’s even more promising.

For amazing restaurants that serve up local fare or the latest in international culinary tastes, and with ingredients that are always fresh, this is the place.  There is easy access to supplies of fresh produce, seafood, and beefs, and the multiple sensibilities that live here make up some fantastic new traditions for global cuisine.  For boutique hotels, Sydney, Australia is splendidly perched in a place where individuality reigns supreme, offering lodgings that are exceptionally stylish and appeal to your unique tastes.  There are many choices here for the discerning populations, and that’s also very true in the music scene.  There is a fantastic history in Sydney for music, having been one of the forces in creating styles that have been influential in the way the world hears rock and roll.

Today the tradition for breaking tradition continues, even with groups with such wide appeal as Faker.  The Sydey-based alternative rock band has been together for over a decade, if together is the right term.  They’ve changed their line-up a lot over time, and now seem to be honed in on a sound that is receiving excellent notices, and a very busy playing schedule to boot.  Nathan Hudson, the front man, is the only original remaining member, and he’s got an enormous charisma to carry his booming vocals that speak of an archetypal indie angst.  Their newest release, Be the Twilight, is filled with catchy tunes that speak of a place between dark and light that is enormously nervy and melodious, creating musical juxtapositions that are perfect for listening to while you wonder why it all went wrong.

“The Star Spangled Banner”, the national anthem of the United States.  When the song plays, no matter where you are, in a Chicago pub or a Baltimore restaurant, there will be something that tugs you to your feet.  I had not thought of myself as particularly patriotic.  But one summer, I was sitting outside in San Diego, California.  We were at a performance of the San Diego Symphony for the Fourth of July celebration.  The music was great.  And then they played the song, the anthem.  As I sat there listening, the fireworks illuminating the sky, I got tears in my eyes, that made their way to my cheeks.  My college boyfriend looked at me with a question on his face.  I was a little punk rocker…”America this and America that”…we complained about America in our college days.  Many people complain about the country.  But when that music played it hit me, just what people went through in order for us to have what we have.

I imagined Francis Scott Key, just a man, just a lawyer who was setting out to rescue his friend, Dr. William Beanes.  Just a man held captive on a boat while the British attacked Fort McHenry and the Baltimore Harbor.  Everyone knows the story, about how through the blaze and the bombs, Key saw the the American flag, still flying above Fort McHenry while the smoke still hung thick in the air.  A man was really standing there seeing that, it is not a myth nor a legend but a truth, and that is what brought tears to my eyes so many years after the fact, sitting at a performance by a symphony in Southern California.

One man stood there and finished the last lines of a poem he had been working on.  He wrote it on an old envelope and gave it to Captain Benjamin Eades.  Eades later that night, climbed upon a chair in an old tavern and sung the poem to the tune of “Anacreon in Heaven”.  Before he was finished, the crowd in the pub was singing along.  That is why now, when the song plays, there is something that tugs you to stand.  It is not only the big history of the country, but the small history of one man who was just simply trying to rescue his friend from the British.  Everything was being blown up around him, and dirty and wounded and held captive on a ship, he wrote a song about a flag.  A song about a group of people who just did not give up.

Mindy and Ryan had recently become engaged and were busy planning their wedding and reception services. They had known for a long time where they wanted to take their honeymoon, which not surprisingly was Greece. During this time Ryan found out he would need to spend a week and half in Singapore for an important business meeting. While he generally enjoyed traveling for work, this just felt like an unfortunate time to do so. But being a person who always tried to make the best of things, he decided to ask Mindy to go with him and make a vacation out of. While they were there Mindy spent time in Pasir Ris Park and also Fort Canning Green. She loved great outdoor spaces and thought this was the perfect thing to do while Ryan was in his meetings.

She loved the spice garden she found at Fort Canning and thought the park was beautiful and rich in historical significance. She thought about her wedding as she sat and listened to a distant concert. Maybe she and Ryan should get married outside in a park, she thought. The next day at Pasir Ris she appreciated the bike rental services and took a bike tour of the park. She loved the water and throngs of people enjoying themselves throughout the park. After she was finished riding she stopped to watch the people who were fishing in the lake. Again, Mindy was thinking about the wedding and decided to mention the idea of a park service to Ryan.

Later that evening she and Ryan went to a performance to the Esplanade Theatre by the Bay. After it was over Ryan mentioned how much he loved Singapore and wished they could stay longer. Mindy brought up her experiences as the park and suddenly both of them had the same idea. They should enjoy a wedding Singapore style. They loved this idea but decided it would be too difficult to accommodate all of the guests. Later that night as they were sitting in a small café enjoying a cup of tea and a biscuit Ryan suggested they think about changing their honeymoon location to Singapore. Mindy immediately agreed with the idea and had wanted to bring it up herself.

So you are a manager of a Baltimore plumbing company, you take a few days off, and wonder what can be done in the city with your family.  There are so many choices and what you should wonder is not what there is to do, but what you feel like doing.  Many of the activities take place around the city’s Inner Harbor, which in and of itself is a great place to spend some, unwind and relax, and have a lot of fun.

The Broadway Market is a great place to have a meal, or a great place to go to buy the produce to make your own meal at home.  Along with fruits and vegetables, you will find arts and crafts from local artists and entertainment provided by live, local musicians.  This is one of the oldest farmers markets that is still serving the people of Baltimore and it is located in the historic and very charming neighborhood of Fells Point.

The Baltimore Museum of Art is located near by and offers not only many traveling exhibits and events, but it is also free, each day, for everyone.  This is just one of the missions of the museum, to make art accessible to everyone.  Another free activity is to take a walk along the streets of Antique Row.  The shops are filled with everything from old books and stamps, to coins and curious objects, all illustrating the rich and extensive history of the city.

Little Italy is a great place to find some of the oldest produce stores, all family owned, and to find those families playing a bit of bocce ball in the park on Stiles Street.  Although be careful, you may be pulled into a game or two.  Another great walk to take is through the Cross Street Market. Again, this is another market that is steeped in history.  Located on Federal Hill, there are seafood restaurants and great pubs to grab a beer and some sushi, but you don’t need to spend money to have fun.

Just grab a bench on the street and check out the entertainment and the flavor of this historical neighborhood.  Baltimore has what every great walking city has, and that is fun and activity on the street corners, so even if you are working on a budget, there are many things to do in your free time, making this one of the best cities in the country.

What to choose, color or scent?  This is in regards to planting a garden, one that will surround hot tubs, or a fence, or the swing set.  One aspect to consider is whether it is color that is most important to you, or the scents.  Well, have no fear, because both can be achieved at the same time.  You could leave it all up to chance, but planning the perfect flower garden will leave you with satisfaction, a calm and precise satisfaction that is not often found in this modern world.

Two ways in which gardens give of scent are through plants that give this off when exposed to heat, such as rosemary, artimisia, chamomile and lavender, or through the flowers that give of scent when they open, such as roses and honeysuckle.  While relaxing in your hot tub, not only will you enjoy the benefits of the tub and the hot soak, the natural aromatherapy provided by your garden, but you will also experience the visual treat of butterflies and hummingbirds.  And oh, they will come, plant flowers and butterflies and hummingbirds will come.  You can design this backyard oasis in steps, building up along the walls, or in the planting of vines to fill in the lattice work and frames of your gazebo.

This is a science, just as in those who create perfumes.  This is a consideration that will give personality and character to your own backyard.  It will reflect your personality and character.  And this a balm for the spirit, for your soul.  Bring this into your life, surround your hot tubs with color and charm.   Take chances with your choices, plant mint next to the rose bush, plant oregano next to the jasmine, make your choices but whatever you do, plant them just by your hot tub.  You will be amazed at your own green thumb, at your own sanctuary.

So you have decided to add the joys of a hot tub to your life.  This is not only something that will provide entertainment, this is something that will improve your overall health, mentally and physically.  A warm soak just before bed will relax your body and the stresses of the day will just melt away.  Should you be a bit stiff and sore after a work-out, a long run, or a trek through the mountains on a bicycle, the hot tub will relieve that stiffness, and leave you ready to go about the rest of the day.  Through out history people have been enjoying the benefits of water baths.  The jets and the bubbles come near to a massage, and the peace and serenity will calm the mind.  Many people think that the upkeep of hottubs may be too much work.  But this just is not so.  A full sized pool?  A bit of work, but choosing to install a hot tub will not include hours of maintenance.

The hot tub should be drained about every 3 months, and cleaned thoroughly, but this involves just about the same amount of energy as cleaning the shower stall.  You should pay special attention to the jets, for if they are not kept clean they will not properly function.  All you need is a sponge and the cleaner that you use inside on your bathtub.  One easy way to make certain that your hot tub and the jets are clean, is the bleach treatment.  Set the water thermostat at least, one hundred forty degrees Fahrenheit.  Pour on cup of bleach into the tub, and just a tiny bit of dish soap.  Turn on the jets and let them run for about fifteen minutes.  When that time has passed, drain the hot tub.  In order to get rid of any soap, fill the tub again, run the jets again, and then drain the tub again.  Get into the empty hot tub and do any additional cleaning, then fill it back up.  This may seem like quite a process, but again you just need to do this four times a year.  Your tub will be clean and functioning properly for years to come.

Dubai is a diverse country, it’s in the hub of Eurasia and it’s drawing people from all over both continents. I’m staying at The American University in Dubai and they seem to be keeping up with the demographics, at least that’s what they say. I’m beginning to find out that they only represent the elite, the very elite, while the city itself has both extremes: the wealthy in search of paradise and the poor eager to eke out a better life for themselves and their families. Students from all around the world have enrolled here and Iran is nicely being represented, as well as the Gulf Arabs. The Nigerian contingent is sizable and then a smattering of Americans and a host of other nationalities.

I can pass for anything, for example, when in Greece, I get mistaken for a local all the time. I’ve been told I look Egyptian, Romanian, even Arabian. I was once asked by my editor if my family was from France, because he thought I looked French. I can’t pass for an African or an Asian, but during my travels, I have been mistaken for many other nationalities or ethnic groups. One time I was waiting in the lobby of a 4 star hotel Dubai, waiting for a visiting friend to check in and the hotel staff mistook me for some international hotshot, and gave me a free complimentary drink and a newspaper!  I’ve been thought to be Uzbek and even German.

Iranian women are considered to be very beautiful, so it’s a compliment when I’m mistaken for Iranian. But, here in Dubai, it’s an insult to be thought of as a Russian, because most people in Dubai think Russians are duplicitous. I was insulted at a Baskin Robbins when this Iranian man asked if I was Russian, he was hoping for something illicit, so I just gave him a rude stare and told him I was American.

Lana’i is one of the smaller islands of Hawaii, but that does not mean that there is not a lot to do.  The bay of the island is Manele, and on the shores of the bay is Hulopoe Beach.  Many people find this the perfect location for snorkeling and swimming amidst the reef of coral.  The young tend to find body surfing an extremely entertaining way to spend the afternoon.  The beach is very big, and usually not too crowded.

Dolphins are visible just off-shore in the summer, while the whales come through in the winter.  Getting to close to these marine animals, close enough to touch them may be tempting.  But in an attempt to protect the marine life around the Lana’i hotels,the officials will charge one with a fine of up to twenty five thousand dollars for actually touching them.  So take photos, use binoculars but don’t touch the dolphins.  When one chooses to travel to Hawaii, the big island, travel to the small island or any in between, there are always options for camping, most usually right on the beaches.   As with many campsites, a reservation is necessary, but the cost is minimal.  This is a wonderful way to really experience the new environments one has chosen to immerse themselves in.

Camping on the beach in Hawaii means that you will wake up with an incredible view of the sunrise and fall to sleep with the moon directly overhead.  Hiking on the island of Lana’i is a popular activity.  Not only is there adventure to be experienced, but so too is there much to be learned…about the history, the culture and the people of Hawaii.  While hiking through the wilderness on the island one will come across forests, plant and animal life of terra firma, and plant and animal life found in tide pools just following high tide.  One may take the same route over again, and never see the same thing twice.  For quiet and peaceful outdoor adventures, this smaller island of Hawaii is perfect.

If someone asks you to stay in the City of Angels, don’t be surprised if you find yourself flying over Los Angeles and across the sea.  More than one city in the world has that title, and on the far side of the Pacific, thousands of miles from Tinseltown, you might just find yourself touching down in Thailand and seeking accommodations in five star hotels bangkok.  Bangkok is a city known not only as the City of Angels, but also the Venice of the East and the Detroit of the East, but where do all these terms originate?

The word Bang means a village, while the word kok means an orchard of wild plum trees.  Where are the angels?  The idea of angels comes from an older name for the city, Krung Thep, which literally means City of Angels.  Coincidentally, the cities were founded at almost the same time, only a year apart.  Los Angeles originated September 4 in 1781 by the Spanish governor, who named it El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles del Rio de Porciuncula (The Village of Our Lady, the Queen of the Angels of the river of Porziuncola); on the far side of the world, Bangkok began in 1782 by King Rama I.

The city is also known as the Venice of the East, because of its many canals, as well as its three rivers.  It’s possible to book passage on river cruises on a contemporary luxury cruiser or a converted rice barge to see the area’s largest attractions, from Bangkok’s temples to the Chao Praya River, and even Ayutthaya, the ancient capital.

While all this explains angels and Venice, why is Bangkok known as the Detroit of the East?  It can’t be because of the cheap flights from Bangkok to Detroit.  However, there is a connection between these two cities.  The reason lies in the many automobile manufacturers in Thailand: the country is the fifth largest manufacturer in Asia.

Oh we always get ourselves into trouble when my friends and I go to Lafayette, LA. We go to get away and have a great time parting the time we are there away.

One of our trips ended up with someone in jail for public drunk. I won’t name the friend, but we kept telling him to cool it, and he just couldn’t. His girlfriend had just broken up with him before we left of Lafayette and he almost didn’t go. In retrospect perhaps he shouldn’t have. It was kind of a funny exchange as he proceeded to drink way too much in this blues club we had gone to that night. After drinking way too much, and I have to say we did take drink away from him, but I am sure he was sneaking off and getting some shots. Well he got himself so drunk that the bouncers of the club tossed him out. None of us saw it because the club was packed and he had slipped away from us because we were trying to limit his drinking. Well I bet a few hours passed and we all realized he was not with someone else in our party. Amanda went to the door and spoke with the bouncer, she was the least drunk of us, and found out that he had been kicked out over an hour ago.

We immodestly left the club and went looking for him. There was a bar next door so we figure he would at least try to get in there. We went into find out he had tried to get a drink there but was thrown out for being too drunk. They said he wouldn’t leave the front of the establishment and ended up calling the cops on him. Well to keep a long story from getting any longer, the cops took him to jail. We were all so drunk we figured we had better just stagger back to our hotel before anyone else got into trouble and take care of it in the morning.

Fortunately we booked our Lafayette hotels rooms that time close to the bars and we were all on foot or things could have gotten much worse.

When morning came we all pooled out resources to bail him out of jail. I know he has some charges to still deal with and I guess he is getting that all cleared up I am sure glad it didn’t turn out worse.

Hot tubs are a great way to entertain friends and family and they are also a fabulous way for an individual or couple to enjoy their evening. There are many benefits to purchasing and installing a home hot tub and there are an ever-increasing selection of models to accommodate all interests and budgets. In addition to the personal pleasures and potential health benefits hot tubs offer, they can also increase the value of a home or property. With all of these benefits and rewards, anyone who is thinking of purchasing a hot tub as more reasons now than ever before to take the step and do it.

Choosehottubsdirect.com is an excellent resource for questions and product information as well as for actually making the purchase. In addition to the greater availability the accessories and additional features that are available today make having a home hot tub seem like an extra special luxury item, though they are actually more affordable than ever before.

One of the attractive aspects of purchasing a hot tub in today’s market is deciding on a particular backyard theme or design. This can be as simple or complex as a family or individual wishes to make it though it can be difficult to resist some of the options that are available. Some standard features that are popular and even common on some models include elaborate lighting designs and stereo systems. This forms the basic structure for many hot tub purchases and then other features are added from there. Safety steps leading up to the hot tub are a great option and can prevent slipping and accidents. They also make the tub more attractive from the outside and accessing it much easier. An umbrella cover over the tub is an excellent option for spas that are frequently used during the day. This is particularly satisfying for families that live in colder climates. However simple or extreme the consumer wishes to make their hot tub area and backyard, there is a tub and features for all buyers.

We bought a ton of Christmas gifts when we were in Peru and Bolivia. Our luggage weighed too much, so we would have had to pay extra just to get them on the airplane going to Melbourne from Sydney, which would’ve thrown our budget all down the drain. Our flight to Melbourne on the cheap was only a dream. The excess weight charges were pretty steep. We instead took the CountryLink train service. The price was pretty good and we had no hassles about our heavy luggage and we were in the heart of the of the town, which saved us money on a taxi. Plus, it was an overnight trip and that saved us hotels costs. The carriage we were on, was virtually empty, so we spread ourselves out on the seats and went to sleep, we slept through the whole night.

In the morning, we awoke to thick grey smoke outside and the smoky smell entered our carriage, we were passing through the Malle District. We heard about the severe bush fires in Victoria and that huge sections of the state was all ablaze. We could only see about 10 meters in front of us, that’s how thick the smoke was.

When we arrived in Melbourne, we caught glimpse of the city. It was great. We were expecting the old Spencer Street station, but it’s been replaced by the Southern Cross Station. We arrived around 8am and headed into town to exchange our U.S. dollars and then get some breakfast. After that, we walked up to a boutique hotel Melbourne offers it’s many of thousands of tourists and travellers and surprised one of our friends who was staying there. He had no idea we’d be in Australia the same time as him, needless to say, he was very pleasantly surprised. He offered to put us up in the hotel, but we told him we weren’t staying, as we were off to Brisbane. But, he did let us drop off our bags, so we could do some sightseeing while we were here. That part of our plan worked out beautifully! The city was covered in layers of smoke and ash. So, we were glad we only had a few hours there. We’ll have to come back when the fires have been extinguished.

Irving Berlin and Sam H. Harris were friends.  Harris was a producer and in 1919 he told Berlin that if he could write a show, a musical revue, that Harris would find a Berlin a theatre to do it in.  Irving Berlin went and wrote and composed and what he came back with was “The Music Box Revue”.  True to his word, Harris built a theatre in 1920, at 239 W 45th Street, and named the theatre for the revue, The Music Box Theatre.  When the show opened in September of 1921, it as well as the theatre was a hit.  The run was four years, and every year Berlin wrote new editions.

After that, the theatre ran musicals, but began to run straight up drama and comedy plays.  Many famous actors and distinguished and notable playwrights have worked with the Music Box over the years.  In the 1940’s and 50’s Mike Todd directed the show Star and Garter.  The music was composed by Irving Berlin and the star of the show was Gypsy Rose Lee.  I Remember Mama was produced by Rodgers and Hammerstein in 1944, and in the cast was a young actor making his Broadway debut, Marlon Brando.

This tradition has continued and many people have found that traveling to the city and finding the perfect boutique hotel in New York just around the corner, heading for dinner, and then heading to the show, is a great way to experience the not only the theatre, but the history of the theatre and of Manhattan as well.  So much of the history of the elements of New York, combine to make the whole.  In New York, everything is connected, this is not so in many cities of the United States.

During the 1970’s and 1980’s, the plays and the shows were varied, from “The Homecoming” by Harold Pinter to the Sondheim musical revue “Side by Side”.  In the 90’s the stage was graced by many actors such as Natasha Richardson and Julianne Moore in her Broadway debut, “The Vertical Hour”.  There are constantly great shows and performances taking place at The Music Box, and whichever one you choose, you will not be disappointed.