Archive for May, 2009

Customize your space with Next Day Blinds’ Unique Line of Window Treatments

Next Day Blinds Columbia Maryland has a full range of attractive and stylish blinds, shutters, cornices and shades which fit perfect for nearly any home design. They offer unusual amenities such as free swatches, online shopping and catalog, free in-home consultation, and much more.

Next Day Blinds
is a retailer of high-quality window treatments, utilizing only the highest-quality goods for their wide range of home decorating/window treatment products. All of their products are custom made in their own factory in Jessup, MD (in the Columbia, Maryland area). They have 35 stores throughout the Washington, DC and Baltimore MD metropolitan areas, showcasing a wide variety of window blinds, shades, shutters, and cornices. They have also dedicated themselves to top-notch customer service, including free in-home consultations.

Customize your space with Next Day Blinds, and create the perfect atmosphere. They utilize only the highest quality materials from which to manufacture their products, as they would have nothing less for their clientele.

The environmentally-conscious company (the majority of their vehicle fleet will go hybrid by end of 2009) also offers low-price guarantees on their products, including premium wood blinds, premium plantation shutters and much more. Next Day Blinds aims for absolute customer satisfaction in every aspect of their business.

Shop Next Day Blinds online and discover a stylish, classy line of blinds, shades, top-notch service and more, and experience the Next Day Blinds difference first hand!

Friday, May 29th, 2009 Home & Garden No Comments

Ego Surfing

When Google first launch its search engine a new phenomena appeared, doing a search for yourself. Its called Ego Surfing. When I first typed in my name I was surprised to see that I can be ‘Googled’. It’s amazing really and a little frightening. That anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can learn about me. I have an unique uncommon name, so there’s no wondering for the interested party doing a search on me if they are finding information about the right person; they are. They’ll be able to know what I did in my younger day when I was involved theatre and see I some really bad reviews, but I do have some really good reviews too. Or they’ll be able to see a photos of me attending a few charity functions held at some NY Hotels. Maybe, if they’re diligent, they’ll be able to find some of my responses I made on a bulletin board.

I’ve also heard that human resource departments of potential employers will and have used search engines to find if there’s any what’s called ‘digital dirt‘  on the Internet. Checking to see if my personal life is congruent or non-congruent with the image and work ethics of their company. They can even check up on my credit history or see if I’m telling the truth about never having a criminal record. So my social networking sites like MySpace page does not have my real name on it, but my Facebook page does; this one I keep up a clean front. Not that I have to per se, I don’t do anything that one would call ‘digital dirt’. But, I do have a unique way of looking at things that a potential employer might find questionable.

Not only have I done Ego Surfing, but I have Googled people I was dating, old boyfriends, co-workers, friends, neighbors and my relatives. And for some, I found out more about them then they would tell me in person. Maybe it’s because they too have Ego Surfed and feel that if I wanted to know more about them all I need to do is Google.

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Friday, May 29th, 2009 Society, Technology, Travel No Comments

Doing Something Different

Going to work Monday through Friday. Eight-o-clock to Five-o-Clock. Walking the dog. Kicking it at the Dance Clubs Friday Evening. Drinking too much and needing a ride home. Sleeping in on Saturday morning. Cleaning the living room, bathroom and bedrooms. Doing the laundry. Grocery shopping for food to make next weeks lunch. Watching the Netflix DVD that just came in the mail. Walking the dog. Meeting with friends at the New York USA Hotel for drinks before heading next door to the movie theater and watch the latest hit. Eat too much popcorn. Saying goodnight to friends and head on home. Flopping down on the sofa and turning on the CD player and listen to some chillaxing tunes. Falling asleep on the sofa.

Waking up early Sunday morning with a crick in the neck. Go Jogging for a mile or so. Reading the New York Times out on the patio after taking a shower. Cooking up breakfast consisting of an Omelet, bacon, wheat toast and fresh orange juice. Calling up a few friends to see what they’re doing. Catching up on Emails. Watching some television. Walking the dog. Checking the personals for anyone interesting to date. Playing World of WarCraft online. Looking up a clock to see it’s 1:37am Monday morning. Regretting playing WoW too long. Making a ham sandwich for lunch tomorrow and going to bed only to wake up at 6am in the morning to go to work. Going to work Monday through Friday.

These are the dreams Michael has as he lays in his hospital bed on able to move, except for him pinkie finger, at the long-term care facility which he as lived in ever since he has a major Stroke. Rehabilitation helps very little. Basically, the physical therapists visits everyday do lift up his mood, but other than that, all Michael does with his idle time is imagine doing something different.

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Friday, May 29th, 2009 Business, Economy, Food, Health, Music, Society, Travel No Comments

Twin Sister

Every year my Twin Sister and I attend an International Twins Convention held this year in New York. I has already booked our room with New York Hotel Suites when my twin, Cindy, told me she didn’t want to go. She gave me reasons like, her husband got laid-off at the beginning of the year, his diabetes hasn’t improved, her angina is still steadily getting worse and the list went on and on. I told her that I will pay for the trip and to not worry about it and besides I already booked our rooms, separate rooms, since she still smokes. She apologised, but said there’s still no way she can’t go.

We are twins, we are identical technically, but we don’t look alike. I am tall, 5’8″ and she is short, 5’2″. She wears a size double-D bra cup and I wear a size B bra cup. She is a meat eater and only likes meals that are consider standard American, such as, Macaroni and Cheese, Steak and Baked potato, iceberg lettuce salads, she drinks a liter of coca-cola a day and makes the classic tuna casserole. Where as I am a gluten free vegetarian and like to eat tofu, mixed greens salads, Ethiopian foods, hummus, I drink mostly water and make the ever classic vegetable casserole. Her Health is bad, she has had open-heart surgery, has a circulatory system of an 80 year old and she only 40 and suffers from migraines. My health is perfect and I practice meditation. She’s non-religious and I very spiritual.

We are the very opposite of each and we are closer than any could be to another person. After all we did share the same womb. So, her not wanting to go to the convention and fight are way all the way through stating that yes, we are indeed Identical Twins, I found disappointing. I know the economy sucks right now and her health is failing, but it’s because of those vary reasons I want her to go. She’s my reason for living and I need to see her happy before she’s no longer around.

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Friday, May 29th, 2009 Economy, Food, Society, Travel No Comments

Fann al Sout

Looking for a perfect five-star hotel? Dubai will graciously accommodate your travel needs. With a keen eye toward luxury and splendor, these hotels offer the best of the best in one of the most exciting cities in the world. With the splendid surroundings, with beaches and desert, and a rich urban heartbeat, there are tremendous adventures to be had here, along with recreational activities that will rejuvenate the senses.

The cultural life of the city has taken quite a turn in a new direction. With the influx of international tourists and worldly celebrities, there is a mix of old world custom and new world convenience. One can find most anything here, and if you happen to be looking for a good place to buy an electric guitar, the Fann al Sout music shop will certainly help you on your way. The word on the street here is that this is the best place for Ibanez guitars, but they do carry a very interesting selection of musical instruments. There are strings and pipe instruments, all kinds of guitars, including electric and classical, musical accessories, drums and other percussion instruments, harmonicas, and a nice supply of dj equipment, including lighting instruments. They also specialize in instrument repair and rental, and are on the way toward becoming an important importer-exporter for all kinds of instruments and musical supplies.

For local musicians, this shop is a blessing. With a knowledgeable staff and a location that is in the heart of the instrument shops in town, Fann al Sout is regarded highly among the musical artists in the city. This is no small fete, when in recent years the artistic landscape has changed, and more professional musicians are making this their new home. There are also the young who are deciding to stay and participate in the cultural life of the city. It’s a vibrant core with the energy of a scene in the making, and shops like this will play an important part in the cultural evolutions of Dubai city.

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Friday, May 29th, 2009 Arts & Culture, Music, Travel No Comments

B_asement Gallery

Visitors on the lookout for perfect five-star Dubai hotels will find their share of glorious accommodations in the heart of Dubai city. A major center for culture and commerce in the region, Dubai offers a generous share of natural wonder and urban enchantments. And the city itself is in the midst of some very exciting changes, brought on by the cultural exchanges that happen when a city becomes an international hotspot.

One fine example of change and flux in action is B_asement Gallery, one of Dubai’s up and coming spaces presenting and highlighting new art works. Founded by an eclectic team of entrepreneurs, art collectors, and architects, B_asement features emerging artists practicing in the disciplines of installation, video art, painting, photography, and sculpture. The result is an exciting space that speaks to the needs of the region, and also communicates a firm and bold presence in the international art community.

Their first installation, in 2008, was a collection of works by emerging Iranian artists under the age of 40. This was a profoundly bold move to bring attention to under-represented works by important artists in the region. Baharak Raoufi, one of B_asement’s founders, explains that this is indeed one of the strategies of the gallery: to bring to light significant works by significant artistic voices that have before now had to live in the metaphorical basement of the art world. This is a refreshing and intriguing method of creating a new artistic space, and one that the world desperately needs. The continuing success of the gallery speaks to a remarkable vision, and one that should be witnessed first hand. The attention from the local population has been very strong, and there is also a large multi-national presence of interesting and influential visitors at the B_asement. While it is possible to visit the gallery to rub shoulders, there are also amazing artworks that will satisfy and stimulate cultural hungers.

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Friday, May 29th, 2009 Arts & Culture, Society, Travel No Comments

Media City

When planning a vacation in Dubai, UAE, luxury hotels will ground and also round out the itinerary. As Dubai is an amazing city in an amazing location, guests looking for places of leisure will spend wonderful and memorable hours at their hotel, and here they are remarkably well-kept, with state of the art technology and old world royal treatment. Guests looking for a place to do business will find their hotel to be a home away from home as they explore the city. Leading the world in charm and class, Dubai is becoming a favorite of travelers, business professionals, and celebrities the whole world over. There are remarkable pockets of culture and technology in the midst of old markets and natural splendor. One of the interesting combinations of business and technology is Dubai Media City.

Dubai Media City is a central location where media companies from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East can locate, for networking and business opportunities. The grounds are located in lush natural settings with lakes and are amenable for commercial real estate, boutique and loft offices. As a leading hub for innovation and information, Dubai Media City connects all media-related businesses in one centralized location. As part of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, to help effect the transition of Dubai to a knowledge based society and economy, Dubai Media City operates on the principles of collective synergy and individual freedom. This kind of far-thinking is a business model that points to interesting transformations underway in Dubai.

World-class network operator Vantrix recently relocated its offices to Dubai Media City to take advantage of the possibilities here. It is set in a growing and thriving city, and is considered by nations around the world to be the epicenter of business.

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Friday, May 29th, 2009 Technology, Travel No Comments

The theatre, the theatre

Tourists who are visiting the country and staying in one of the five star hotels in Bangkok have plenty of options for cultural and entertainment experiences. The theatre is always a great way to gain an in-depth awareness of different culture’s social perspectives and orientations and Thailand has a great variety of examples of this. The Crescent Moon Theatre Group in Bangkok Thailand has been operating for 20 years. It was first established in 1969 by a group of students from Thammasat University who loved literature and the theatre arts. It was originally developed to showcase short stories and plays.

Throughout its years, the Crescent Moon Theatre Group has put up many full-length shows as well as developed workshops for students from various universities. It has been through many political upheaval periods in the country and has had its own transitions and structural reorientations. It has become one of the major theatre’s in Bangkok and focuses on serious works with philosophical themes. The group takes a holistic approach to the theatre and sees a production as more than the acting out of a playwright’s script. The script is only one aspect of the creative process, and the bringing of it to life is as essential as the writing.

In 2007 the Crescent Moon Theatre Group held the first women’s festival in Bangkok, featuring female playwrights and directors. The festival, Women in the Moon: A Playwrights and Directors Festival was held in May of that year. It was the first of its kind celebration of Thai women artists and their outstanding contributions to the theatre. It was also centered on establishing a dialogue for artists to share their experiences, work theories and ideas. Forming a community of artists increases individual passion and a sense of connection to the field. The festival was also oriented toward recognizing various issues encountered by women and female theatre artists.

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Friday, May 29th, 2009 Arts & Culture, Society, Travel No Comments

Dolphin Bay

It is great for tourists in Dubai to know that their hotel accommodations can also be progressive marine conservation centers. The Dubai beach resort Atlantis, The Palm is a new city landmark that is beautiful in its architectural design and many accommodating aspects. The Aquaventure theme park in its complex includes in its features the Dolphin Bay marine conservatory. The 4.5 hectare preservation and education center is devoted to the rescue and well being of bottlenose dolphins. It is supervised by a core of Marine Mammal Specialists and allows visitors to interact with these amazing Indo-Pacific dolphins.

Guests can get up close and personal in the shallow water interaction facility. Here they are allowed to play ball with, hug, and feed these intelligent creatures. This feature is available to guests of all ages and is as educational as it is fun and exciting. The program is 90 minutes and restricts the dolphin human ratio to 10 people per dolphin. It begins with a 30 minute water orientation before the actual dolphin interaction will occur. After this once in a lifetime experience, the guests are treated to a non-alcoholic beverage before moving on to the education center.

There is a also a deep water interaction program available at the preserve. Here guests can experience an unparalleled adventure into the depths of the private lagoon. The 90 minute program allows participants to swim side by side with the dolphins and interact with them from the dolphins’ perspective. It also includes a 30 minute orientation period and restricts its participants to individuals who are at least 12 years old and are able to swim. There are six people per pod and the program will take them into the depths of the lagoon along side one of the dolphins. One of the most fascinating features of this program is its signature belly ride, which is an incredible thrill for dolphin human encounters.

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Friday, May 29th, 2009 Animals, Arts & Culture, Society, Travel No Comments

Tripti Bhupen, Indian Classical Dancer

When searching the world over for the best restaraunts, Dubai is a culinary treasure chest.  There are fantastic eateries with top-notch world-class chefs who specialize in preparing the best of the best in gourmet cuisine.  In this fast-evolving metropolis with a shoreline, Dubai is a sumptuous delight for foods and tastes of all cultures.  There is something for everyone in this delightful paradise, and exotic spice to make your mouth water.

There is also a stunning local arts scene, and the multi-national community is flocking here for its fascinating and unique window on the world.  Local danseuse Tripti Bhupen came to Dubai from India, and has founded and continues to run the Samarpan school of Fine Arts in Dubai.  She is an artiste who has really traveled the globe with her art form.  She did her post-graduate work in Kalekshetra, Chennai, and has performed all over India, and in Russia, France, Germany, and Spain.

In 2005, she participated in Dubai’s World Dance Day, a UN-sponsored three-day event dedicated to the art of dance.  Tripti Bhupen’s program for the event was called the “Dance of Life.”  There were presentations on many facets of Indian classical dance, including folk forms, and fusions with other world forms including classical Western dance, Palestinian dance, and Salsa.  There were also exhibitions of student works in visual arts and culture.  The aims of her part in the festival are to promote awareness of Indian dance styles in Dubai and abroad.  Tripti Bhupen’s deep dedication to the traditions of Indian dance, and her unique ability to make artistic connections between Indian dance forms and forms from other parts of the globe, make for an irresistible entertainment experience, as well as opening possibilities for cultural understading.  Tripti Bhupan is truly an asset to Dubai, and one of many local artists who are helping to make this scene vital and continually shifting.

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Wednesday, May 27th, 2009 Arts & Culture, Food, Travel No Comments