I was just in Napa for the weekend, taking some dear friends who were visiting with me in San Francisco to see the beautiful wine valley. While we enjoyed going to a few of the wineries, what was surprising was how we really enjoyed the special exhibit at the Napa Valley Museum . The exhibit is ‘The Life and times of Rosie the Riveter’, which just opened this weekend.

The main feature was a documentary, a movie screening of ‘The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter’. My visiting friends are old enough to remember the story of her creation by our government to promote strong women to enter the workforce and stay feminine at the same time. The documentary really brought back many memories for my visiting friends. Rosie the Riveter was a cultural icon of the US. She represented the American women who worked in the war factories during World War II, where the women took over jobs that were held by men who had to serve in the war, or they created new jobs that were needed in order to keep up supplies for the military.

After the viewing, there was a discussion panel consisting of women veterans who live in the next town over, Yountville, at the Veterans Home. The discussion was fantastic! It was wonderful to hear their personal stories during that period of US history. One of my friends also got to share her story of that time, which gave me a deeper understanding of what most US citizen had to sacrifice for the war efforts. She told us about entering the workforce, in that time period, was one the greatest opportunities for women’s rights and how after the war, she was one of the few who kept her job and became a part of the crusade to improve conditions for workers like herself.

The evenings event latest longer than expected, it was too late to drive back to San Francisco for the night, so we drove around Napa to find a nice place to stay , but that didn’t stop the lively conversations as we settled in for the night. We all had something to say about all of what the United States has gone through in our lifetime and what the country is still going through, and we all wondered and hoped that the efforts all our veterans have made will be worth their sacrifice.

A Riveting Time in Napa is a post from: AffairBoard

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This morning I took a walk outside of one of the 5 Star Singapore Hotels where I stay when visiting the city and I noticed that the  Saga Tree was in bloom. I remember as a child, I loved the Saga trees when in bloom because of their bright red seeds.

Now as a biologist, I have a better appreciation and a best understanding of the Saga Tree. The leaves have 2 to 6 pairs of side stalks, each with 9 to 15 pairs of leaflets. ‘Pavo’ I’ve found means peacock and I think the leaves are rather pretty. The tree sheds its leaves seasonally. In Singapore, they shed their leaves every 6 to 8 months, so it’s leafless period is very short. After the leaves fall a flower will appear on the long stalks shooting out the end tips. These are the faintly scented blossoms which reminds me of the scent of orange blossoms back home. The flowers will open gradually from the base upwards and the petals are a nice creamy yellow and then they turn to a dull orange.

The pods of the Saga tree are curved and green, but don’t coil until they begin to split whereupon they also turn blackish.  The seeds are bright red, hard and heart-shaped. The word ‘Saga’ has been traced to the Arabic for goldsmith.  In India and Sri Lanka, the seeds of this tree have been used as units of weight for fine measures, of gold for instance. It’s been suggested that the seeds of the tree were the basis of the very earliest of such systems. What more delightful counters for the primitive and bloody mind than these hard, red, heart-shaped seeds.

The red seeds are considered intoxicants. I found records that in Java, the seeds are roasted, shelled and eaten with rice and said to taste like soybeans. In India, the seeds are also used in medicine. And everywhere, the seed are also used to make necklaces. As I walked back from my nostalgic leisure stroll and noticed I had a smile on my face.

The Saga’s of Singapore is a post from: AffairBoard

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There is simply no denying when the best is the best.  Valencia hotels are simply the top in their class, offering the best in luxury accommodations and a magnificent sense of style.  In Valencia, there is a splendid blend of contemporary and historical, where the cutting edge of style meets the tried and true in graciousness.  The hotels are certainly a reflection of this, where function never bows to form, and vice versa, making a delicate balance for the guest which is nothing less than exquisite.  The style and design here are likewise excellent, both excellently achieved and excellently maintained.

Valencia, the third largest city in Spain, is an amazing tribute to contemporary culture and classical ideals.  There is night life here that is absolutely modern, cuisine that is based on generations of recipes, and a brilliant blend of sophistication and innovation, and a warmth to the place that is absolutely Mediterranean.  The city is a good deal like one of its favorite sons, José Iturbi .  Itubri is definitely well-regarded in his native Valencia, and remembered best for his contributions to classical music.  In the English-speaking world, he is remembered for his roles as a Hollywood actor, having starred in That Midnight Kiss, Three Daring Daughters, Holiday in Mexico, Anchors Aweigh, Thousands Cheer, Two Girls and a Sailor, and Music for Millions, among others.

Although he died in the film capital of the world, Los Angeles, his film career often overshadows his music, but his music was really his great gift to the world.  He often played a concert pianist in films, in fact, and in interviews he often said that he did the films to bring attention to classical music.  He was extremely prolific throughout his long life (he lived from 1895-1980), earning money for his playing when he was just seven years old, accompanying films at the movie houses.  He was always beloved in Valencia, where a street is named after him, and a very prestigious music competition is in the name of José Iturbi .  His impeccable musical training served him well throughout his life, where he played to young and old audiences, and brought a greater appreciation for music through his remarkable talent.

Valencia’s José Iturbi is a post from: AffairBoard

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New Yorkers celebrated Gay Pride this last week, as did many people in cities throughout the world.  This was the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots that occurred in Greenwich Village in 1969.  On the morning of June 28, police raided the Stonewall Inn and what occurred was a series of demonstrations and riots.  This instance is the first in the history of the United States where those in the gay community fought and protested a system sponsored by the country’s government.  Those in the community had been persecuted for years, however on that morning they stood together and thus began the movement for gay rights, not only in New York, but in the entire country and throughout the world.

During the 50′s and into the 60′, legal systems in the U.S were extremely anti-gay, and some groups had the mission of proving that gays could become heterosexual through proper education.  By the end of the 60′s however many other groups were standing up for their rights.  This was the time of demonstrations against the Vietnam war, and the time of Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement.  The influence and the power of these political movements, along with the fire of the recent riots in Greenwich Village, inspired those in the homosexual community to stand up for themselves as well.

During this time in history, many businesses did not welcome the business of gays. The few that did were often the bars or some of the smaller best restaurants.  New York City Mafia owned the Stonewall Inn, which was home to many young runaways, hustlers, and drag queens.  While the police regularly raided the bars in the Village and were well aware of the actions, they were not ready for what was in store for them at the Inn.  The situation quickly became elevated and out of control.  This incident began the movement, for within just a couple of weeks following the riots, gay newspapers were conceived and published, and groups were organized that would eventually make history.  In the way that tragedy does tend to motivate, the people were brought together as a unit standing up for not only themselves, but for others in the gay community as well.  The first Pride march occurred in 1970 in just two U.S. cities, Manhattan and Los Angeles.  Now, Gay Pride is a world wide event, a series of celebrations that end with the finale on June 28, commemorating the date, how far society has come, and how much further we still need to go.

Pride in New York City is a post from: AffairBoard

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Throughout the years many have predicted that there was no way the World Cup would be held in South Africa.  Many feared that the country was still in too much of a disarray, just fifteen years having passed since the end of apartheid.  Those nay-sayers stated that the country and the people would just be ready to provide the adequate accommodations or services, such as transportation, roads, stadiums and luxury hotels.  South Africa is proving to those who doubted them, and to the rest of the world, that not only will they be ready, but they will provide fans, spectators and players with an unforgettable month of games, in some of the finest sports arenas in the world.

The Confederations Cup was concluded last week, and was a bit of a dress rehearsal.  Four venues hosted the games, and the safety and security of those in attendance was never an issue.  More modifications and upgrades to the transportation system will made prior to next year’s tournament, as well as at least fifteen thousand more rooms in the hotels.  One of the debates raging right now, involves a clash in culture, the vuvuzela trumpet, traditional blown throughout the games, has become irritating to some of the foreign spectators and talks of banning the trumpets during the World Cup are creating quite a controversy.

Free admission was offered for the Confederation Cup, close to seventy thousand.  More than three million tickets are expected to be sold for the World Cup, with discounts given to the local South Africans, and free admission to the construction workers who are giving their heart and soul into the building of the stadiums 6 days a week.  A handful of fans from Great Britain reported being mugged, and allegedly some money was stolen from the rooms of Brazilian and Egyptian soccer players.  However steps are being taken to ensure that the police and the security in 2010 will be adequately staffed.

This has become an emotional and an ethical issue, the hosting of the Cup in South Africa.  The world is still afraid of the country.  Still untrusting.  Advocates state that this small and struggling, yet very strong country and her people have given so much to rest of the world in regards to, among other things, the sport of soccer.  This is the way that it should come back to them.  Jobs have been created, and the attitudes and spirit of the people of South Africa has been lifted, giving them hope for the future, and giving back to the rest of the world, the beautiful country of South Africa.

Yes, South Africa is Ready for the Games is a post from: AffairBoard

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What is becoming widely viewed by the entire world, and gaining architectural and stylistic praises is one of the stadiums of South Africa that will be host to some of the games taking place next June and July for the 2010 World Cup Soccer tournaments.  This stadium, described as looking like a large pot placed above a fiery ring, is Soccer City Stadium.  This venue will be remembered long after the games have ended and will carry the reputation that it is gaining as being one of the most spectacular and amazing arenas in the world.

The design was taken after a calabash, which is a gourd South Africans hollow out, and use either for cooking or for carrying water.  The colors in the brown and orange hues are lit with lights that circle the entire circumference along the bottom, meant to symbolize the fire that heats the cooking pot.  Completion on the stadium is scheduled for later in the year, and upon completion it will become the largest stadium, not only in South Africa, but on the entire continent.  Providing a venue located close to any boutique hotel, Cape Town or Johannesburg offers, is bound to attract tourists for years, if not to attend the games, then to at least have a first hand look at this amazing structure.

This will be the home of the final game of the World Cup to be held July 11, 2010.  This is a structure built using modern and innovative technology.  Over one hundred and fifty boxes will offer incredible views and five star service.  This is not only great for fans, but will provide perfect conditions for those working in the media.  The stadium will contain a fine dining restaurant that will seat three hundred at one time.  This construction has employed more than three thousand workers a day.  The construction schedule is running on time, and would have come in on budget, but the fluctuations in the prices of Italian and German steel has bumped them a bit over budget.  However, this stadium will be the treasure of the country, providing a legacy for further generations to come.

Cape Town and Johannesburg Gear Up for the Cup is a post from: AffairBoard

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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.

Ego Surfing is a post from: AffairBoard

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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.

Doing Something Different is a post from: AffairBoard

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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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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.

B_asement Gallery is a post from: AffairBoard

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