RepGuardian

Matlock was a television series that was popular from the mid 1980s to the mid 1990s. It starred Andy Griffith as the sharp instinctive and intelligent defense lawyer Ben Matlock who frequently proved his client’s innocence by trapping in the witness chair the individual who actually committed the crime. The series was set in Atlanta, Georgia and area hotels were a periodic setting for scenes. The series was a huge success for Griffith who had enjoyed a lifetime of great television characters and was well established in the minds of generations of Americans.

The show’s format was similar to that of Perry Mason, another popular legal drama thought it existed in a much earlier time period and ran from approximately 1957 to 1966. The basic difference between the two shows was that Mason’s clients usually endured the entire trial process and his outcome was usually decided by the jury, while Matlock generally concluded his cases in the pre-trial hearing. This is more of a difference that would be noted by legal buffs and courtroom followers rather than suspense and mystery fans, which simply enjoyed the story, and process of Matlock’s investigation and discovery. As with many television shows that are set in city’s across the country tourists frequently try and visit various set locations and this was the case with Matlock and visitors to Atlanta.

The show went through various transitions and changes in cast members as it continued through the years and one area that saw changes was in Matlock’s assistance and daughters. A few of the enduring characteristics of Matlock’s character and the series is that he remained a simple and down to earth person and always seemed to win his case. He was known for taking extremely difficult murder cases where everyone in the world, other than Matlock, believed he was guilty. It wasn’t until his final questioning of the actual murderer in the witness stand did everyone else realize that his client was innocent. And Matlock also seemed to have an interest in representing only those that were truly innocent of the crime and sincerely needed his help, though they paid large sums of money for it.

The quiet Northwestern town of Portland, Oregon is home to many things, gardens, bike trails, farmer markets, art festivals, organic restaurants, best Portland hotels …and ghost stories.  From large cities to small towns, one of the things that every community has in common are the myths, the legends and the tales that produce chills on cold nights around a campfire.  There are many old buildings in the city of Portland, all of which lend themselves to spooky tales and stories of ghostly sightings. 

One such building is the Pittock Mansion.  The mansion is more than one hundred years old, and was purchased by and renovated by the city in 1964.  Since then there have been many sightings and stories of strange things happening.  Pictures move from wall to wall, and misty figures are said to take tours along with real live visitors.  Some say that they can detect the strong aroma of roses, while other hear the sounds of heavy footsteps.  People who work in the mansion have their own stories as well.  One tour guide reported that windows have a way of shutting and locking themselves, only to be opened back up a few moments later. 

In taking a tour of the haunted buildings of Portland, there are a few others that should not be missed.  The Bagdad Theatre is allegedly haunted and the woman who runs it now has some pretty scary accounts of things happening in the theatre late at night.  Lights coming on by themselves, and chilling breezes running across the stage.  And of course there is a haunted pub, there always seems to be a haunted pub.  The White Eagle Tavern has become a favorite spot for those wishing to catch a glimpse of the paranormal.  Menus and the “Specials” boards have been seen to fly through the pub late at night, causing the staff themselves to believe in the strange and unusual.  Ghost tours of any city are fun, provided you are aware that you may see something that will blow your mind and make you question reality as you know it.

Simply turn on the news and you can see that most businesses right now are suffering. With the economy still somewhat shaky and the light not quite visible at the end of the tunnel, now is the time to enhance your business. Every day the web becomes a greater part of how we live. We use it daily to search for information, products and services, and entertainment. In an effort to make your business stand apart from the rest, the web needs to be a bigger part of your business.
Anytime a customer is looking for a product or service, they are going to begin on the web. They are looking to see if you offer the services they require, what prices you charge, and any other information that can help them make a decision. This is why it is important to have a solid, easy to locate website. If you really want exposure for your business consider setting up a page on one of the social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter. Something else that potential clients will be looking for that could make or break their decision are user reviews. If, in their search for your company, they find a string of bad comments or reviews, they will probably start looking for someone else. This is where Online Reputation Management comes in.
Online Reputation Management is a process of monitoring the information provided by search engines such as Yahoo or Google. If there are negative comments or reviews then companies like Elixir Interactive can begin the process of moving those sites out and replacing them with positive ones. The key is vigilance. By staying on top of competitors, clients, and former employees are saying, you can catch issues before they become a problem. For more >> information on the importance of online reputation management and what you can do for your business, visit elixirinteractive.com.

For many people nationwide this difficult financial time has left them not just tightening their proverbial belts, but instead has left them without a job and means of income completely. All are left with an uncertainty of where to turn next, but not all choose the same path. For some this is an opportunity to pursue things they never had time to before. Many head back to school for degrees that will help put them a step ahead when the job market begins to improve. They attempt to better themselves while they wait out the storm. For many more there is no other option except to find a new job. Before you hit the pavement with resumes in hand, there are a few things that you can do to prepare and, hopefully, deliver that long-awaited offer.
With the world becoming ever more internet based, it is not unusual for employers to utilize this tool when considering an individual for employment. Before you begin you job search try typing your name into Google and see what comes up. If nothing comes up or it is all positive then you are free and clear for this part. If there are some negative comments you may need to consider some reputation management. Monitoring can be done fairly easily from your home or by contacting an marketing agency that specializes in that type of work. Even if they can’t help you, they may be able to suggest some things you can do yourself or perhaps a link that can get you going in the right direction.
The next things that you want to check is your social networking sites; Facebook and Twitter. Look them over closely for anything that could be damaging or incriminating. New reports estimate that nearly half of all employers check the Facebook’s of potential employees. Don’t leave anything on there that you wouldn’t want your boss to see. For many this will be their first impression of you, so make it the best.
Once your online reputation is cleaned up and you have revamped and strengthened your resume, you are ready to not just hit the job market, but knock their socks off.

From coast to coast, around the nation’s shores, there lie ship museums, vessels that once plied the oceans and now are moored to piers to enlighten travelers and tourists alike.  In San Diego, California, you’ll find the H.M.S. Surprise, a replica of a Royal Navy 28 gun frigate, which was used in the film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, as part of the Maritime Museum of San Diego; while, on the other side of the nation, in Tampa, Florida, you’ll discover the SS American Victory, a 455 foot long VC2-S-AP2 merchant ship used in World War Two, which now is a floating museum devoted to celebrating the men and women of the American Merchant Fleet, which provided its service to the world ever since 1775, two hundred and thirty-five years ago. 
 
Check out the local Tampa hotels by visiting the site here, and prepare to come aboard and receive an amazing education on American Maritime History.  The idea of the American Victory Mariners Memorial & Museum Ship is to preserve and interpret maritime culture, as well as its legacy of the maritime industry, encouraging young people to share the enthusiasm and understanding of the important contributions the industry made in history.  
 
The American Victory offers a tour of the restoration process, allowing visitors to see what an operational merchant cargo ship from the 1940s is like.  The vessel in three wars: World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars.  If you go, you’ll be able to see almost the whole ship: immense cargo holds, the hospital and galley, weaponry, radio gyro rooms, steering stations, a flying bridge, wheelhouse, crew and officer messes, the engine room, crew cabins, the chartroom and lifeboats, and so on.  You’ll also see a photographic history of the ship and other period merchant vessels, including uniforms and documents and medals.  Admission for adults is ten dollars, while children pay half that, and those under three years of age attend for free.  Once you’re finished in Tampa, consider heading for San Diego next to visit all the museum ships available there!

Lowell, Massachusetts, is where the Industrial Revolution really took hold in the United States in the 19th Century.  Known as the Mill City, Lowell in the 21st Century now features a National Historic Park, turning several mill buildings into museums that thoroughly explores that historical era.  You’ll find such museums as the Boott Cotton Mills Museum, which explores the Boott Mills and its one hundred and twenty year life, which ended in 1955 (you’ll find here original mill equipment, allowing visitors to both feel the vibrations of these machines and hear their constant, thrumming roar).  While the American Textile History Museum is currently closed to the public, you can certainly see the National Streetcar Museum as well as the New England Quilt Museum.
 
More interesting to me, though, is the Revolving Museum in Lowell.  This facility is designed to be a kind of “evolving laboratory of creative expression,” intended to serve people in different ages and abilities and backgrounds.  The idea is to allow people to express themselves and experience art’s power as an experience of transformation.  How is this done?  By exhibiting public art displays, both at the Museum and other locations, using educational programs, working with Lowell’s residents and students.  Just three years ago, in 2007, the Revolving Museum won the Massachusetts Culture Council Commonwealth Award, an award intended to honor how the Museum integrates the arts, the sciences, and the humanities in Lowell. 
 
The museum’s founder, Jerry Beck, operates from the principle that “art can be made anywhere at anytime with anybody.”  At first, the Revolving Museum was centered in Boston, some thirty miles away from Lowell, from 1984 to 2002, moving from location to location. Finally, the museum made a permanent home in Lowell in the historic Lowell Gas & Light building, constructed in 1859.  Since its time in Lowell, only a few years, the museum has held fifteen major exhibition, promoting social values with Lowell’s youth as it does so. 
 
If you should happen to stay in one of Lowell’s hotels, take the time to check out this intriguing museum and its work for the community.

Okay, this time I really just could not wait to arrive at LaGuardia Airport in New York. I had only been to the city three times prior to this last trip and while I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each of them, I have to be honest and say that my excitement and also reason for visiting this last time was not surpassed by any of my previous experiences. Even when I saw Kathleen Turner on Broadway in Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Okay, so yeah, that was a great experience, and one that I will never forget. Nor will I forget seeing Cyndi Lauper and Allen Cummings in Bertolt Brecht’s Threepenny Opera. Oh, and to be fair the music for that show was by Kurt Weill. So yes, those great Broadway shows and my previous experiences in New York City were absolutely incredible, but still, they just can’t compare to my most recent trip.

And yes, I guess after all that over the top introduction, anyone reading this certainly deserves to know the reason why my last trip was so special. And if you haven’t already figured out why I was so eager to settle into my five star hotel New York City, I was going there to finally meet in person the love of my life. Well, maybe that sounded a bit strange without being privy to the actual background of this relationship.

It just so happens that I met Alex through an online dating service. It was actually as a fluke that it happened, especially since I don’t even live in New York. A friend of mine was desperate to meet someone and she wanted to join this service but was too nervous to do it alone. She begged me to sign up as well, and while it’s not like I had date offers lining up at the door, I was just never really interested in these services. So, to help my friend I went ahead and put up a profile, but I listed New York as my preferred search area. It just seemed like a big enough city that my actions couldn’t come back to haunt me. Well, I guess the joke would be on me if I wasn’t the one laughing. It turns out Alex responded to my ad and we just started talking regularly. I would still be a skeptic, but we’re getting married next month so I guess I can’t be.

It’s our last full day in Miami, Florida. We decided to head to the beach today. We’ve pretty much stuck around our hotel because it’s so fantastic, there was really no reason to leave this wonderful resort of Florida: check out this site and you’ll see why.  At the beach, we found out that it would cost us a bit of cash to rent a deluxe lounge chair; the price was kind of a shocker for us, $18! We really didn’t want to put our microfiber towel on the sand, so we just ended up walking along the beach for a couple of hours, then headed back to relax poolside at our resort hotel and that didn’t cost us a thing!

Later, we thought we catch a bus to explore some of Downtown Miami and check out Little Havana. Little Havana was not so big a place. From there we walked around downtown Miami, and it was pretty much like any small city with its tall buildings. We ended up at the Bayside Market, which we found had some very interesting stalls, shops and restaurants. We actually ate at ‘Bubba Gump Shrimp Company‘, it’s a whole restaurant devoted to the Bubba character in ‘Forest Gump’. They truly had tons of ways to serve the shrimp and there was a little gift shop. After that, we enjoyed getting a fruit smoothie at one of the vendor stalls. Today as been one of the more relaxing days we’ve had in a while, which is a strange thing to say, being on vacation and all, but we’ve been on the go from day one of our trip, catching all the trains, buses and waiting. Lots of waiting. Then having to find a great restaurant to eat at and catching a taxi to take us there, so today was a real treat. There was nothing on our agenda, which dawned on us that maybe that’s how we should travel from now on, no agenda, because today really was a very nice and relaxing day, a day that made us really feel like we were on a vacation.

Pete Sampras found a rickety racket in the basement.  In that moment his life changed forever.  His parents and others knew it to when they started to notice how hard he could hit the ball.  It made dings in the garage door of his childhood home.  Since then his burgeoning talent has taken him to soaring to great heights of fame and fortune.

Like most professional tennis players, he discovered his dream early on to play tennis and never stopped pursuing that dream.  His fierce talent isn’t the only thing that makes him a success on and off the courts.  He has a charm and the looks that prove popular with fans and advertisers alike.  Unlike the tennis bad boys of the seventies and the eighties, most players like Sampras have toned it down a bit, and try to keep temper to a minimum, thought there are always going to be a few flare ups from time to time.

However, Sampras is the kind of player that rarely loses his cool.  During the year 1990, he won the US Open.  At age nineteen, he is the youngest to do so, especially since you can only start to play the hard and heavy players at age eighteen.  Throughout the years he has racked up some impressive numbers that are a testament to his strength and his skills as a player.  With Grand Slams, he ranks with more than ten wins.  At Wimbledon, he has been there and won that seven times.  Additionally, he has two Australian Opens under his belt, and with the latest Australian Open Tennis Championship, he is looking probably to put one more there.

His style is part of what defines him as a player.  He has great serves and volleys and a demeanor to match.  He is always pleasant at interviews and to fans.  He might not be flashy, but he does have certain kind of grace and gentleman charm.  He is the Gary Cooper of the tennis court.

One of the spaces in the city of Austin, that has become one of the beloved spaces, is the thirty acre garden located along the banks of the Colorado River, the Zilker Botanical Garden.  In many cities, in fact just about every major city, the botanic gardens are rich with history, rich with the tender loving care of someone who planted them years and years ago, and the continued care provided by those alive today.  This garden in Austin has a few varied sections, each with its own theme.  There are the delicately tended Japanese gardens, the herb gardens, and the rose garden, all situated along the banks of the streams that run throughout.  There is even a section that is dedicated to the prehistoric dinosaur era.  A fascinating section for kids, as I know no child, male or female who is not totally enthralled by that long ago time period.

Like most things in Austin, Texas this garden is a unique anomaly, a collaboration between the Austin Area Garden Council and the Department of Parks and Recreation.  When looking for an adventure on a budget, and heading out from your room in one of the Austin luxury hotels, make a stop at the garden as it is, and always has been, free to the public.   The garden remains open year round and offers classes, seminars and docent led tours.  The Zilker Garden was established in 1955 and has followed through with their commitment and their mission, which is to promote the love for and the education of gardening for people of every age.  More than half a million people visit the garden each year, from all corners of the world.  And throughout the years, thousands upon thousands of school age children, and adults alike, have benefited not only from the peaceful nature of the garden, but from the information provided as well.

Micro-loans, otherwise known as Payday loans are making life easier for thousands of individuals everyday. With this downturn in the economy, a majority of people are feeling the pinch of financial issues and a short-term loan is the best solution to free them from feeling helpless and trapped. Once an application is filled out on-line, the funds will be wired to their bank account, sometimes within hours.

When there’s not enough funds in the bank account, or credit cards are at their credit-limit, these micro-loans are best when there is an emergency, such as a loved one admitted to the hospital for an emergency surgery, an expensive auto repair bill, or an unexpected high utility bill.  Searching on the Internet, you will see pages and pages of payday loan companies and usually the borrower will not have time to do due-diligence when it come to finding the best micro-lender, such as the Money Mutual Montel Williams TV Campaign, which is one of the better micro-lenders on the net and one that will benefit any ’strapped-for-cash’ individual quickly and compassionately.

The benefits of applying for a Payday loan, is that most financial institutions, such as banks, will deny most short-term loans, plus they will want to know what the loan if for before they deny the loan. With a Payday loan, there will be formalities to fill-out on the application, but the reason for the short-term isn’t necessary and the money will be wired to the individuals bank account. Then, once the individuals paycheck is deposited, the micro-lender will get back the amount loaned along with the interest due. Another benefit is just how fast the loan is approved so the borrower can immediately take care of business and keep their peace of mind.

It’s always wise to do comparison shopping when it comes to Payday loan companies, because they are very competitive when it comes to the interest rate charged for the short-term loan. When financial aid is in need, Payday loan companies are there to help not only the borrower, but the creditors as well.

Paul is two things, he is an incurable romantic and he is addicted to traveling. So it’s only natural that when he heard that the Cook Islands are frequently considered to be the greatest secret in the Pacific, he absolutely had to go and he wanted to take a date. As can sometimes happen with extreme romantic individuals, Paul seemed to be slightly more into the idea of romance than with whom he was enjoying the experience. A good example of this occurs every year on February fourteenth. Regardless of the amount of time he has been dating a woman he goes to every length possible to make Valentine’s Day an event to remember. This was even true for the one year that he didn’t have a girlfriend on that significant date. He ended up having a first date with a woman and scheduled it on Valentine’s Day just so he could carry out his annual ritual of roses, wine, chocolate and fine dining followed by a river cruise.

When Paul found out about the intrigue of Cook Islands he happened to be in a relationship with Judy, a woman he had been dating for two months, which was a long time for him. Unfortunately he had also been thinking about ending things with Judy as she was just too practical for him and was showing signs of growing tired of the constant love notes and surprises. So, while this seemed like the perfect romantic trip to Paul he found himself in something of a dilemma. He wasn’t sure if he should plan the trip and make reservations in a Cook Islands hotel right away or if he should hold off, wait for Judy to break up with him and take someone else. Well, one other tendency Paul had was to be impatient, or as he preferred to say, spontaneous. So, once again another surprise came Judy’s way and she was presented with the tickets and reservations. This time she was actually excited and the two of them had a fabulous time, and yes it was even romantic with the beautiful beaches and sensational sunsets. They spent a full week on Rarotonga, one of the largest of the fifteen islands, which is also were they flew into.

The maritime history of Baltimore is rich and extensive.  The city was built on the shores of the Inner Harbor, and through the years this harbor has been responsible for the growth and the success of this fishing town in Baltimore.  International trade and commerce has thrived, the port was once only second to New York in welcoming European immigrants, and consequently, the city has one of the most impressive collections of historical ships in the country.

For fans of history, fans of the shipping industry, this is a place wherein many dreams come true.  From tours to midnight strolls on the decks of these ships to a Baltimore restaurant experience out on the waters in the Harbor, to educational programs, this city has it all.  One such impressive ship is the USS Constellation.  For many years during both World Wars, Baltimore was the ship building capital of the country, and the USS Constellation is one of the finest examples of the work that was done during those years.

This ship was actually built very early on in the industry, in 1787 she was launched in the harbor, designed by Josiah Fox and Joshua Humphreys at the Sterrett Shipyard.  Her first journeys include trips to the West Indies and to the Caribbean captained by Thomas Truxtun, in order to protect the United States trade interests in those foreign waters.  Then a few years later in 1799, the ship and her crew successfully captured a French ship, L’Insurgente in a battle at sea just off of the island of Nevis in the West Indies.

She survived many such adventures, but was damaged by winds in the Delaware Bay in 1801, and required numerous repairs.  In all this is a ship where just walking on the decks one will be filled with the hundreds of years this ship and her crews have taken to the open waters.  Word has it around Baltimore, that some of those crew members still walk the ship from time to time, and it is for this reason that the USS Constellation is often included in the ghost tours of Baltimore.  If the sea, and the ships, and the possibility of catching a glimpse of a ghostly captain are things that you are interested in, this is one historic location in Baltimore that should not be missed.

I remember the fireplace accessories my grand-parents had sitting just aside their fireplace.  They consisted of a cast iron basket in which to hold the logs, and a stand which contained just three things, a fire poker, a small broom and a small cast iron “dust pan” on the end of the handle.  My memories of this flood back when I see these sets of accessories today, and great waves of nostalgia. However, with the new designs of fireplaces, the new additions and alterations to the fireplace, there are so many more accessories that are not only functional, but are artistic and intended to enhance not only the building and maintaining of a fire, but the beauty of it and the fireplace as well.

Now, one may choose to add a “fire-back”, which is a reflective piece of metal put along the back, behind the fire, which will greatly enhance the visual effects as the dancing flames are doubled.  Andirons are another accessory, and are used for function and for beauty.  Instead of the standard grate that is used to keep the logs from rolling out of the fireplace and onto the floor, the andiron keeps the logs in the fire, and will also protect the fire-back from damage of the flames.

Many people will add a touch of the charm of the old days, such as adding a steamer or a kettle.  And again, they serve to not only create a mood or an atmosphere, you fill these pots with water, and the humidity levels will rise in your home.  This is a great addition to consider as fires may dry out the already dry winter air.  Beauty and function may also sit atop the mantle, for not only are there many beautiful vases in which to hold your long fire matchsticks, the matchsticks too, now come in an array of colors.  So you may decide to incorporate them into the overall color scheme of your home decor.  With so many options, the fireplace can now not only be the functional centerpiece for a room, but the focal point of design as well.

The culture of instant stardom is something that takes a toll on everyone, whether you have close ties to the entertainment industry, or if you’re living far off the map, planning an internet-based revolution.  It’s difficult to escape that instant need to look at three or more things without putting them into some kind of order in your mind.  This could very well be the result of the shows where people compete and try to have talent in front of other people.  There are judges, and there is a pithy host, and there is usually an audience, and all of these units have the ability to make a judgment.

Sometimes it’s a swiftrank, and sometimes it’s less quick, but we have a new reflex in us that we’ve never seen before.  It’s a fascinating phenomenon, but it may be one we will have to reckon with in the years to come.  Who knows what kinds of realities are shaped when we can have access to all kinds of new information in seconds?  This becomes even more complex when we add the culture of stardom to the equation.  Of course, the idea of celebrity is really nothing new.  Milan Kundera’s Immortality has some fantastic and elegant passages about the history of the sound bite, arguing that it was in existence long before the phenomenon of recording media accessible today.

We have always had an uncanny ability for discernment, and it’s one of the great pillars of wisdom.  What’s possibly novel, in these times, is not our ability to discern, but the need to judge.  It is built into how we look at the world, and it’s certainly something that’s peculiar to the age where rising stars are often determined by instant ratings on television and the internet.  What’s peculiar here is not the act of judgement itself, but the impulse behind it.  We are programmed as if our ability to make quantitative judgments was in fact a life of death proposition.  And the fact of the matter is, there is no giant elk running toward us, threatening our lives if we don’t decide who is the better pop singer.  Interestingly, we are at the point where we all have ready answers, and are willing to speak into the elk’s antlers at the drop of a hat.

It’s funny how things that cycle through the common wisdom of the times, and how each generation always has to go through a little process of reinventing the wheel to discover what works now is often very much like what worked before.  In the early days of business training, we were taught to have a winning attitude, and that this was sometimes everything.  It’s come around again this generation where that wisdom is coming back into vogue, and of course, it never really left, but just had to work its way into the language again.

There are often times when things work so well for so long, that we decide collectively that there must be ways of improving on what we know to be true.  That’s always a genuinely good-intentioned assumption, but it never goes very far before we start looking deeply at the complexity of our times, to try to find some hidden patterns that we didn’t see before, in order to gain some kind of new wisdom for what we need to do to make things work.  It does seem as though this always results in discovering, somewhere along the way, that there is no new wisdom at all, but the lessons of the past are still relevant to our times.  Perhaps the only new wisdom, then, is that the old wisdom works, and that’s why it’s called wisdom to begin with.

Because there are so many new ideas, it’s always beneficial to learn the basics, and to keep refreshing ourselves on these, so that we can remain solid in what we do.  And there certainly have been new lessons to learn in how the basics work, and that’s one reason why sales process improvement comes with immersing ourselves in the traditions and techniques that have always made great salespeople who they are.  A winner’s edge in this day and age may have some new accessories, but the heart of the attitude is still very much the same, and very much worth cultivating at every turn along the way.

My first full day on Sentosa Island, which is across the water from Singapore. After a great sleep at one of the Sentosa hotels Singapore offers as well, but I decided since I came to Singapore to visit Sentosa only, why not just stay on Sentosa. I missed the complimentary breakfast, I stayed in bed and ordered room service instead. I had arranged to meet up with these two guys I met on the plane trip, they too wanted to see Sentosa Island, but were staying in Singapore. We were to meet at 12:30 at the Merlion statue.

I forgot to bring a charger for my phone! So my mobile was dead, so there was no way to call the two American guys in-case our meet-up time and place needed to be changed or there was a mix-up. They had my hotel number though. As I was waiting by the Merlion statue and it was getting to be 1pm, it dawned on me that there are two Merlions! One here on Sentosa and one at the Singapore harbour. I mean, we didn’t specify which Merlion to meet at, I was assuming the one on Sentosa, but they could have meant the one on Singapore. I waited until 1:30pm and they were a no show. I thought I’d give it enough time for them, if they figured it out that I’m at the Sentosa Merlion, to take the cable car over here. But, by about a quarter till 2pm, I figured this was a bust.

I headed back to my hotel room to see if I got a message, I did! They were wondering why I stood them up. I returned their call from my hotel room and left them a message about the two Merlions, and that I’d be out and about all day today, since I only have today and tomorrow here. I told them if they’d like to try again tomorrow, same time, same place (my Merlion) to leave me a message at my hotel.

I finally broke down and bought a phone charger, ugh, an expense I wasn’t counting on, but I feel helpless without a mobile phone. Then I explored what Sentosa could offer me. It’s like a holiday island with tons of visitors and attractions. Since I already visited the Merlion, a main attraction here, I went to the Singapore tower, which is a revolving tower that gives great views of the skyline. I didn’t realize just how massive Singapore’s port of harbor is, it’s huge with loads of container ships scattered all over the bay. I then went on the Luge, which is this 700 meter concrete course with plastic sledges with which you go down the hills. I really had a great time there, if I meet up with the American boys tomorrow, I’ll have to take them here. It’s so much fun.

When I got back to my hotel, I got another message, they will meet with me tomorrow, here on Sentosa! Now, I’ll start having a fantastic time here, those boys are fun!

In the last year, I’ve had no less than two friends return from Italy, each with a digital camera or video recorder filled with photos and clips of their stay, from Florence to Rome.  Although I’ve traveled fairly extensively myself, I began those journeys later in life, and so have begun to think not only of the places I’ve been, but the places I still wish to go, and the trips of my friends have made me add not only a new country to the list, but a new city, too: Sorrento.

Many cities in Europe were founded in around the 11th Century, such as Neuchatel, Switzerland, or Tallinn, Estonia, but Sorrento claims history as long ago as the 1st Century B.C., when the Romans colonized it and, similar to Pompeii, it became a resort for the rich.  As with any place that has lasted this long, a number of interesting things have happened: It’s seen many battles; once the Roman Empire fell, the city was taken by the Goths, conquered again in 552 A.D., by the Goths, and, until the 10th Century, was a part of the Byzantine Duchy, receiving independence in 1067, then conquered again in 1133 by the Normans.  It passed through several more hands and fought peoples and towns, only to be destroyed by pirates in 1558.  Immediately afterwards, the town was rebuilt, boasting new fortifications — defensive towers and walls.

Walking through the center of Sorrento, you’ll find Medieval Buildings.  On the west side of Piazza Tasso, at 14 Via Pieta, you should find the Palazzo Veniero, with 13th Century facades, much like wood marquetry.  The former Palazzo Correale contains two 14th century windows and a portal at number 24.  Then, walking a few more steps, you’ll find the town’s 15th Century Duomo (the Cathedral of San Fiolippo and San Giacomo).

Sorrento is perhaps best known for its the craft of wood inlay and marquetry.  To take a look at 19th Century marquetry furniture, as well as frescoes, take a look at the Museo Bottega della Tarsia Lignea, which is to be found inside the 18th Century Palazo Pomaranci Santomasi.

Throughout the town, though you’ll find examples of architecture from the 11th Century to the 18th Century.  Personally, I can’t wait to look through the hotels Sorrento has, and make a reservation for my own visit to Italy.

Well they they have all been here over the centuries. This little port town, Roquestas de Mar, has seen the likes of the Romans, Greeks and Phoenicians as they came and went in the early years. This town like many on the coast of Spain started as a modest fishing town with agriculture in the lands behind it. It has the old Castle of the Las Roquetas. They also call it Santa Ana and it was built by the Muslim settlement that came here in the eighteenths century. In the Parrales, there are vineyards they used to cultivate.

As they got more into their agriculture they created the first greenhouse which of course made them famous. It was such an innovative design that worked so well that they shared it with the surrounding areas and it became a success. The province of Almeria was the innovator of a new cultivation technique. Since fishing was a small trade in Roquestas de Mar, they put more into their agriculture and that is were they gained there wealth. In the 1960s, people became more internationally mobile and this quaint little town wanted to attract more visitors. It’s efforts paid off and it became the center of national tourist interest in 1964.

After visitors have checked into one of the sweet roquetas de mar hotels, they can set out for some little adventures. There is always the beach and water to spend time on. In the San Jose bay water sport enthusiasts can take off on may kinds of water crafts, toss a line out for some fishing or do some underwater photography. If it is land adventuring that is more interesting, spectators can take a day trip to a small lost village in the middle of the mountain range. There are a few hidden forgotten treasures in the woods like the Castala, the Alcolea, or the Laujar which were old residences to the Moorish Kings.

There is still talk of Scheveningen being named from a previous use as a point of shibboleth. During World War II the Germans would identify spies by the way they pronounced certain words. Of course the accent was different between German and Dutch speaking people. Namely the “sch” of a word. They are still debating who the first inhabitants of the area were. Possibly it was Anglo Saxon or maybe it was Scandinavian settlers. No matter who was here first the main order of the day was fishing. Fishing was the food and the business of the area even still today.

Like many port towns along any European coast centuries ago Schevenigen had its battle with the British. In 1653 the battle ships of the Commonwealth of England and the United Provinces waged all out war upon each other in a fight for the town and area surrounding it in the Battle of Scheveningen. A few months before this battle there was the Battle of the Gabbard where the English fleet blocked the Dutch coast line with about 120 ships. Sea General George Monck captured many merchant ships. With out the income of fish, the Dutch economy began to fall. Quickly people became starving and unemployed. Of course this made the Dutch a bit upset so they had to come up with a plan.

Lieutenant-Admiral Maarten Tromp with the Dutch military set out to change the situation. He wanted to lift the blockade from the Dutch coastline. He did some great naval tactical maneuvers that landed him a perfect position to take the British. His position moved a few British ships away from his partner ships so they could slip in and take them out. This battle did demonstrate some amazing victories from both sides. The British remained tactically superior and the Dutch did lift the blockade. In the end, however, the British won and the events that unfolded from here lead to the Treaty of Westminster in 1654.  Visitors can stay in one of the hotels Scheveningen provides and check out some of the history it has.

I’m soon going to be traveling to the Southwest to take a look at a friend’s new apartment, one which contains a fire place built into the corner of his living room.  It’s sparked an interest, as it were, in fire places in general, and I’ve begun checking up on what’s available lately, and after seemingly little advancement from Franklin’s cast iron stove over two hundred and fifty years ago, it seems that there are a growing number of accessories that go with these primal sources of home heating.

Recent developments have arisen to take care of several problems.  Inside the fire place, we have such things as grates, logboxes, fireguards, firedogs (some of these terms are self-explanatory, such as a fireguard, but I definitely had to look up a firedog: turns out, it’s a much older device than I had anticipated, and it’s used to hold up logs off the ground and inside the hearth, in order to increase air circulation, providing a better fire).  Outside the fire place, you’ll find tools that range from pokers to bellows to shovels to tongs, and toolstands.

Fireplace or wood inserts is a device, as the name suggests, that’s inserted directly into the fireplace.  Usually, you’ll find these inserts made from steel or cast iron;  ones with with glass doors that are self-cleaning are available, which will let the fire-builders watch the fire, while allowing the doors to be closed, using vents to expel the heat, which makes it far more efficient than a regular open fireplace.  Lately, it’s the inserts that have shown the most advancement.  These things include fans and controlled thermostats, depending on whether it’s wood burning or gas.  You’ll find the inserts placed in categories by fuel type, such as wood or coal, pellet or propane, or even natural gas).

I’m wondering if my friend has any of these inserts or additions to his own fireplace, but it seems, as winter approaches, that at the very least a shopping trip to get one of these inserts would be an excellent idea.

One of my dear friends is what is now being called, a visionary artist.  This is the term that is now used in reference to artists who are for the most part, self taught.  Although they may have learned by observation, or learned from the books on art and art theory, they did not attend a formalized training program, they did not in other words, go to school.  They just simply create, often times not even referring to what they create as artwork.  They make it because they have to, they are driven by something that is deep within themselves.

I often visit my friend in his studio, a large outdoor garage if you can call it that, it is really just an open air work space covered by a large roof.  And under that roof, on one side of his studio sits one of his prize possessions, his hot tub.  Years ago he suffered from a bout of sleepless nights, and his doctor suggested that he look online, referencing the site of choosehottubsdirect.com, where he found the perfect hot tub for his needs.   He simply needed a quiet place to relax, to think about the work that was brewing in his mind.

What happened was that he realized, upon sitting in the hot water before heading off to bed, that he was sleeping soundly and deeply throughout the night, something that he had not experienced in years.  Over the years, even if he does not consider his own work to be fine art, his gallery sales have taken off.  And if he ever becomes overwhelmed by the amount of work he must produce in any given month, he simply takes a brief soak, to emerge refreshed and revitalized and ready to take it on.  Most of the time I visit him, we soak.  We talk, and we relax.  This gives us a respite from the busy world, and provides us a quiet moment to reflect on where we have been, and where we are going next.

Perry was getting ready to take the love of his life Carla on their first date. This may sound a bit premature to be calling her the love of his life and before they had even gone on a single date, but Perry was sure of this and when he was sure of something it may as well have been written in stone. He had been planning this date for two weeks and finally last Thursday asked Carla if she would go out with him. Although he had every intention of eventually marrying her, he felt this was a little to forward for the introductory request. He decided she needed to discover that reality for herself and so he would give her until after dinner that night.

Again, all of this may sound quite rash and even a bit compulsive and insincere. In actuality, Perry would take the entire relationship slowly and let it develop at its own pace and leave Carla’s feelings and intentions up to her own person. Still, he could not help what he knew would be the eventual outcome of their relationship, but he would bury this away to let it develop naturally. Meanwhile, that night he was incredibly intent on making it the best possible first date she had ever had, and would ever have again.

Perry had made reservations at the White Horse Tavern and had tickets for Billy Elliot The Musical. He decided on the White Horse because he had heard great things about the food and also due to its historic aspect and the fact it was a famous writer and artist hangout. This turned out to be an excellent choice and Carla loved the place. She had heard about it many times though she had never been there. They had an excellent meal in this establishment that has been in existence since 1673. It was older than the country itself she thought as her Grilled Golf Shrimp appetizer arrived. She had the Portobello Mushroom Napoleon and Perry had the Chicken en Carozza. It was the beginning of a perfect night. Thirty years later when they would return for a visit and stay in one of the best hotels New York City Carla would confess to Perry that she knew right then that she was going to marry him.

Johannesburg is a city that offers something splendid for anyone who comes to see what the fuss is all about.  It’s been a major magnet for some of the most creative and innovative minds in the region for some time, drawn in by the amazingly lively urban life here, along with the easy access to some fantastic natural settings where troubles seem so far away.  But the city itself, and its surrounding townships, has an exceptional heartbeat that is always shifting and always evolving.  It has been this way for quite some time, but it always feels like it’s something that just started happening recently.  There’s really no other place like it on the planet.

There are many excellent choices for accommodations in Johannesburg.  Boutique hotels are perhaps at the very top of the list, because they offer something very unique and individualized for the discerning traveler.  Distinguishing themselves from the carbon copy hotels that are so characteristic of world travel, the boutique hotels here offer the same high level of hospitality, but with amenities and extras, and decor, that is much more unique to the place, so that guests have an experience that is truly local, and truly exceptional.  Johannesburg is no stranger to the exceptional.  There are many exceptional young people living here who have not had an easy time of it, and there are initiatives in place to help make things better.

In Bellavista, a suburb where there are many disenfranchised young people, they have recently set up a technology hub, so they can start to learn how to do things on computers, and possibly have a shot at finding a way out of a bad situation.  Even corporations as substantial as Dell have seen the positives and the potential of the program for this computer clubhouse, and help to fund its operations.  But it’s really thanks to the hard work and efforts of people like Lucky Mabaso, whose work as operations manager puts him in touch with the community, where the real work has just begun.

When traveling to Dubai with your family, you might consider one of the tours of the desert dunes.  There’s a variety of packages and companies available, and the price range is roughly about $65 for an afternoon cruising in the deserts.  The day after we checked into our 4 star hotel Dubai, we contacted the concierge and made plans to get out riding in the dunes.  Before too long we and about ten others were out in Toyota Land Cruisers, with a driver who made the trip something like an off-road adventure, the kind your parents wouldn’t want you to even consider when we were teenagers.  We had a great time, laughing like kids.

The positives of our particular trip were several: Dune driving can be exciting, even thrilling, but in the hands of our driver, it wasn’t scary.  The service was punctual, picking us up and delivering us back in a timely fashion.  And it was a good thing to get out and see the desert, making it something we could do with the entire family.

There wasn’t much in the way of negatives on this particular trip.  I could mention that our driver seemed extremely shy; I’ve heard people say that on these tours you can learn a lot about the area, but our driver just wasn’t that talkative.  I’ve heard, too, that some of these desert excursions include a camel farm.  We didn’t have one, but I know I should have asked before we scheduled the trip.  It’s not as if we didn’t get a chance to ride a camel, which we did, once we reached camp, but I’d prefer a longer ride than the one we had.

The camp was supposed to be a replica of a traditional camp used by Bedouins, but, again, on this trip, it didn’t seem quite traditional — not with a snack bar that offered popcorn and Pringles.  I don’t think there was dancing under disco lights, either.  But that’s the way it is sometimes.  You set your expectations for something and then when it’s not quite what you thought it was, you’re a little disappointed.  But there was nothing really wrong: from the tour I chose, I wanted something a little more educational.

All in all, though, it was a good evening out, and I did enjoy the dune driving, and that was the point of the whole tour anyway.  I’d say, if you want to go out dune driving in Dubai just make sure you look around and find a tour company that really meets your needs.  I wanted a cultural experience and didn’t really have one.  Next time, I’ll ask more questions and I’m betting there’s a tour out there that provides exactly what I want.  I just have to look harder for it.

Malcolm graduated from law school a year ago and recently passed the bar exam. Needless to say he was ecstatic when he received word that he had been accepted by a DC law firm and was offered the position of one of its clerks. He lived about two hours away and for a short period of time considered the commute. Soon enough he realized that this was ridiculous. Not only because it was an extreme one-way drive time, but also because he wanted to be in DC, right where the action was.

So, a week after getting the word he took a trip there and stayed the weekend in one of the luxury DC hotels. This was absolutely one of the most exciting times of his life and he spent most of the first morning looking for an apartment to rent. He would ultimately buy a home there, but he needed to begin work in a month and just needed a temporary place to live. He got caught up in some of the historic areas and considered the symbolic significance of them and felt a sense of pride about this life transition. He loved the Connecticut Avenue Corridor and decided to return the next day to tour the Washington National Cathedral and possibly some other places.

The following morning he diligently went back out to tour the neighborhoods. He drove through Downtown and Lafayette Square. He loved each of them for their own unique elements and specific atmospheres and was beginning to think that he might never find a place to live. Fortunately, he realized he was driving through DC and enjoying the sights from a tourist perspective. He forced himself to get busy and focus in on finding a place to live. This made it easier to settle on and even be excited about a quite little duplex in Brightwood. One thing was certain, wherever he was in DC, it was rich in history, national significance and cultural heritage. Malcolm couldn’t wait to move.

My my my, what to do in Bangalore India. Ok, well, I suppose one must find a room at one of the hotels Bangalore India has to choose from. There is a very good hospitable selection. After a nice short nap, it is time to get out and see what Bangalore is all about. What makes this place tick? Looks like there are many art galleries to see the local style of art. Visitors can find wonderful performances of all kinds held in some of the Auditoriums in town. Would you believe that Bangalore was one of the first places to find a multiplex cinema. Travelers can get a nice walk and window shop at one of the malls in town. If it is night life that gets you going try hitting the disco clubs. This is some of the best night life in India.

There are over 20 art gallery’s in the Garden City of India. They a have their own emphasis and flair. The Renaissance Gallery is a famous gallery to visit. It focuses on classic and modern Indian art and opened in 1993. There is also the Indian Cartoon Gallery. Of course focusing on the works of Indian cartoonists, this collection was put together by the Indian Institute of Cartoonists.

Catch a show at one of the Auditoriums in the city. The Narthaki Theatre is one of the finest places to see a show in Bangalore. It features a large stage, nice decor and good seating. A very popular more intimate auditorium is the Yavanlka. It seats only 300 people leading the audience to believe they are right on stage with the performers.

There is a solid list of disco clubs to make sure you visit while staying in Bangalore. There are a few smaller clubs such as The Rocks, Eclipse and Nostalgia. Each hold around 100 people and have different themes. The largest club is the Inferno. Take down the dance floor with a 1000 other people trying to release the stress of ordinary life.

Punjab culture is extremely rich, and has a fantastic history.  The roots are very old, and the first Punjab language is untranslatable today, which gives an additional depth and mystery to this complex and lively culture.  The present region of Punjab lies between India and Pakistan, and is an amazing place for world travelers to visit.  It offers another world to explore, to immerse yourself in a new culture, and leave the concerns of the workaday world behind.  It is also one of the more wealthier areas compared to the rest of the region, making it a splendid spot for tourists to explore.  The natural beauty of the area is matched by the liveliness of the urban life.

Because of all these attractive qualities, Punjab hotels maintain a strong sense of local culture, combined with contemporary amenities that make for a very lovely experience in accommodations.  Many of the hotels here have spectacular amenities, offering plenty of things to do to keep you and your guests pleasantly well-fed, and also physically fit, and most of all, perfectly refreshed.  Seeing the sights is particularly fascinating, and learning about the history of Punjab is endlessly amazing.  Their influence is deeply felt in all corners of the world these days, and sometimes it takes a trip elsewhere to discover the people who you’re visiting have already left traces where you came from.

So although most visitors might not see an immediate connection between Punjabi culture and the Beats of the 1950s U.S., they are undoubtedly there, and for proof there is the work of Bhanu Kapil.  She writes documents, where fiction, poetry, and non-fiction intersect, and teaches on the faculty at Naropa in Boulder, Colorado.  Her writing is bold and sudden, with enormous depth and complexity, and feels like the first time of everything that ever was in the world.  Her style and sensibility speak to a literary tradition that certainly has the disembodied poetics of the king of the beats somewhere in the bloodline, and her excellent blog, Was Jack Kerouac a Punjabi?, connects more dots as it turns some marks into more questions.

The small island of Lana’i will not be an adventure in big island travel.  This is one of the smallest of the Hawaiian islands, and for some it is just perfect that way.  Small and serene.  Guests have the chance to go snorkeling in the calm waters or go horseback riding on unpopulated beaches.  The landscapes along the beaches and those located inland are beautiful, and riding through on horseback is one of the best ways to immerse one’s self in the entire experience.

There are only two resorts on the island, and both show the work of local artists, on the walls and through demonstrations given by the artists themselves.  They also provide activities the gardens such as croquet, lawn bowling and miniature golf.  For those so inclined there are opportunities to go hunting with a bow and arrow, but most people prefer to sit and watch the deer than to hunt them.  This island embodies the quiet side of life in Hawaii. There are many remote areas to hike to, wherein you may run across ancient ruins and petroglyphs, in places such as the Garden of the Gods and Shipwreck Beach.

And if one feels like spending the afternoon, relaxing in boat…there are many fishing holes.  Just be sure to rent a four wheel drive vehicle, and then head off on the road that leads to Kaunolo, the popular summer fishing town, which too is filled with ruins and artifacts.  At Kaunolo one too will find many hikes that lead to stunning overlooks, old buildings and grand tropical landscapes, the perfect refuge for a photographer or visual artist alike.  You can take yourself there or go on a guided tour that is often included in most Lana’i travel deals. This is the best option, as the guides know the land, and they have really tough 4X4 jeeps to get you through the jungle safely.  Another way to really capture the beauty of the island is through the helicopters tours.  This will give you a bird’s eye view, and will open up more options for your next day of adventure and sightseeing on the island of Lana’i.

Crisis communications or reputation management is one of the most important and highly visible areas in the entire public relations profession. The lack of crisis communications skills can inflict great damage on a company of any size. e,g. Arthur Andersen, Tylenol, Union Carbide, FEMA.

How has reputation management changed with the development of blogs?

The blogosphere adds speed, complexity and size to reputation and crisis management. Don’t underestimate the ability of a blogger to turn your world upside down. Expect it, plan for it, and plan your response. Online Reputation Management should be a key focus for all orgnanizations unfortunately, in the PR world it is still over looked.

The blogosphere’s record is permanent, its half-life is far longer, and big mistakes are punished more quickly and ruthlessly. The existence of some 17 million blogs today has made the blogosphere the world’s largest and most influential form of interactive media.

Small, unknown blogs can link or syndicate to larger, more influential blogs, which in turn can rapidly supply researched story leads to the 24-hour, traditional media. Those stories, once legitimized by the mainstream press, are then spun back out into the blogosphere, where tens of thousands of bloggers rebroadcast mainstream news with their own comments, which then begets more comments and perhaps more revelations, and the cycle begins again.

The Internet has made a permanent record of all media since the mid-90s. The Blogosphere now makes a permanent and highly searchable vehicle for all commentary since roughly 2003. Research it, respond to it, and take proactive charge of your reputation. Don’t let others write the history books without sizeable input from those who lived it.

Knowledge of the tools is as important as knowledge of the players. It is imperative that PR practitioners, as well as any company spokesperson empowered to communicate in a crisis, is knowledgeable about the blog technology.

In the permanent record department, one must keep track of an ever-changing toolset of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) methods, blog syndication resources and other tools designed to bring the best and most timely information in front of the most well-informed reader.

Knowledge of the tools of blogging is utterly necessary to understand and inform your strategy for what the blogosphere represents.

Know the difference between a crisis and a nuisance. Know if you are in the right and defensibly so. Know the capabilities of your opponents, including their ability to organize opposition and to distribute. Consider separate crisis blogs for investors, buyers and other constituents.

Finally, use common sense. The blogosphere dramatically expands the reach of your audience, which means the potential for more supporters, as well as more detractors. Its immediacy and permanence also means that it will have lasting importance.

Know when you’re in a crisis and respond accordingly. Don’t abuse the tools of the blogosphere or you can find yourself in a crisis defending your crisis management.

http://www.globalprblogweek.com/2005/09/23/terpin-crisis-blogging