Let’s face it the economy freaking sucks. The national unemployment rate just rose to 9.4 percent in May 2009. So if you are out of work right now and searching for a job, it can be tough to keep a positive attitude. The first thing you have to realize is that there no shame or stigma attached with filing for unemployment benefits. Most people think you have to wait in line for hours and that if you go you are asking for a hand-out or that you should somehow be ashamed.

In most states you can file your unemployment claim online and get the money transferred over to a debit card that you can use at your own discretion. It makes the whole unemployment benefit situation seem a little less scary and a little more accessible.

If you need more of a push then you yourself or your family can provide there are ways to boost your confidence and self esteem. Companies like Liberty League International provide personal development seminars and courses to those who are interested in their program and mission.

Liberty League International focuses on improving the financial independence of people through its programs. The company was created in 2001 and has been helping people with their personal development ever since.

Even if companies or programs like Liberty League International are not exactly for you, it always helps to take a look around at what is out there and completely weigh your options.

You never know where an opportunity can find you. It’s all about putting yourself out there and going out on a limb. Of course, that is the hardest part, especially if you find yourself in a less than ideal situation.

Just remember you are not the only one who is suffering a change in this economy and sometimes change can be good.

One of the most potent factors on the memory is fragrance.  Various smells remind one of childhood, of holidays past, of loved ones and of very fine times.  This is a key element to the practice of aromatherapy, the total effect that a smell or aroma can have on the entire body.  Certain aromas serve to calm the nerve, to slow the breathing…as evidenced in the sales of lavender eye pillows for those in need of relaxing or in finding sleep.  Moods are created by scent, either relaxing as in the lavender or in stimulation as in cinnamon or ginger.  These scents can make one feel at home, at peace.  And in the modern world, it seems that many people are struggling with finding that balance again, that harmony and sense of safety and well being.  And while an important element to a backyard garden are the visual textures and variances, it has become common for gardeners to plant with only that in mind, the look.  They are forgetting the effects of scent, for just as the honeysuckle and the rose are beautiful, they are also very aromatic, however some of the hybrid plants which produce incredible visuals each year, no longer produce the scent.

Aromatherapy is a popular practice for those wishing to calm the nerves and to reduce stress levels, however there are many people out there who prefer the simple rose, rather than the essential oil of the rose.  They just simply prefer the real thing.  Today, hot tubs are becoming very affordable such as those found at choosehottubsdirect.com.  And the addition of a hot tub into a fragrant garden will ensure many days, and evening of relaxation.  The pleasing look of the garden, combined with the smells and the sounds of the breezes in the leaves, while soaking away the tension in a tub of bubbling water, is one of the most important ways that people can begin to reduce their own stress and anxiety.  Taking their lives into their own hands, so to speak, will result in better sleep, better production in the work place…which only further serves to reduce the stress.  Just as the overwhelming snowball effect of insomnia and low productivity serves up negative results, so will the snowball effect take place when one takes the steps towards more positive results and outlooks.

With so many grill islands and grill island options to choose from, you’ll find the exact perfect match for your tastes.  For your decor preferences, for the many uses you already have in mind for your outdoor kitchen, and not least important of these, your taste in food, there is something to match your needs.  More than just a weekend activity, outdoor kitchens speak about a lifestyle, one where luxury, taste, and a social circle are decidedly necessary.

With all these ideals, one thing that certainly comes into play is a kind of boldness, one that is not afraid to experiment with taste.  Outdoor kitchens necessarily mean outdoor chefs, and cooking is a fine art that is constantly in motion.  For outdoor grills, it could be argued that there is no higher ideal than finding the perfect barbecue sauce.  Anyone who’s been within 100 feet of a barbecue knows that the sauce is a hot discussion topic.  There are parts of the world where it’s something that’s regularly debated, and often fiercely!  And although having your own outdoor kitchen doesn’t automatically enter you in to the competition among world class chefs, but a grill island does show that you’ve taken it seriously enough to enter the conversation.

You’ll want to start collecting all sorts of best barbecue sauce recipes from all over the place.  Consult cookbooks and friends, check with the chef at your favorite restaurant, and you’ll start growing an impressive catalog in no time.  Try your own variations, too, of course.  You’ll notice a few key ingredients to all of them: onion, garlic, tomato, vinegar.  There is also some sweetener, or combination of sweeteners.  Decide which spices you like the best.  And most importantly, and often they key point of contention, decide your level of heat.  There are some who prefer a little subtlety of kick, but for others, it’s a strong-man contest, but it’s most important to know the flavor of the peppers.  Get to know them all, and experiment.  Your friends and family will love the testing process.

In odd shaped backyard lots, or in yards that are small, creating a backyard garden sanctuary may seem impossible.  In Arizona, swimming pools are a popular amenity in many homes, however, again if working with limited space, a swimming pool is out of the question.  But with a Japanese garden design, and a hot tub one will be able to enjoy the water and the scenery of their beautiful yard, no matter how small.  Japanese gardens are based on some principles of design which lend themselves to small spaces, such as balance, enclosure and gardens that are reduced in scale.  In Japan, there is limited space, so the adaptation that has allowed many to enjoy gardens and nature, is to create the miniature versions.  This is most evident in the small Bonsai trees, now available throughout the United States, so common that they are found at the check out registers at any Target store nursery.  This is a “garden” perfect for those with no yards at all.  One can tend the small trees in the smallest of apartment dwellings.  Other objects that symbolize items that would be too large have also been placed in these tiny potted gardens.

In the back yard Japanese style garden, the focus is on the reproduction of nature, which is random, in contrast to the symmetry of Western gardens.  When working with limited space this opens up opportunities for arrangement of the plants one chooses to surround their hot tub.  Water in the Japanese garden symbolizes softness, and gravel symbolizes water.  So the hot tub surrounded by gravel, a great option in the desert landscape of the Southwest, will create that balance so intrinsic in the style of these gardens.  By taking into account the angles and the balance of view, one’s own personal items of symbolic meaning, the lesser number of plants and trees, one is able to create their own world, one that is not only pleasing and beautiful, but one that also serves to reduce the need for extensive watering and over-usage of water, making this the perfect option for those living in environments that are prone to drought conditions.

I hate the outdoors, but it happened to me one day during an adventure outdoors. I was about 11 years old and school had given us a map. We were supposed to check it out all during school time. This was for my outdoor education class. After studying the map for a bit inside a stairwell in-between classes and I began to panic. An upper classmate walked by and seemed to understand my panic. He said ‘Outdoor Ed?’ I nodded and and indicated for me to follow him. We went out the exit and walked down a sidewalk and turned left. He pointed saying ‘It’s at the bottom of those stairs.’

The ’stairs’ turned out to be indentations in the graveled dirt. It went along the back side of the school which is kind of tricky footing after a good rain. My upper classmate patted me on the back and  left me. I traveled carefully along the dirt stairs. It lead to a big storage area, there were folding chairs set up at a few long tables. There were even what seemed like outdoor kitchen cabinets surrounding the area and a large blackboard secured to one of the cabinets. As I sat down, I noticed a bulletin board, secured to another cabinet, which had a colorful topographical map of Colorado on it. This didn’t appear to be an outdoor adventure, per se, but it was an adventure as a teacher, one I’ve never seen before, proceeded tell us all about Colorado. He started with the counties and gave us detailed descriptions of what was to be found or what was different about the county compared to the previous county he discussed.

I remember that day clearly, he took us on a virtual tour of Colorado, he told stories of pioneers of gold digging and of sheer adventure. It was like I was there in every aspect. Now that’s an outdoor adventure I’ll do any day.

Summer time is upon us and the time is to chill out in the sun, start firing up the built in grills or relax at the beaches. Summer time also means it’s time to get your body into shape. That’s if you want to be noticed as you chill out in the sun, flipping burgers at the grill or walking along the beach. And do you want people will notice all the hard work you put into building your body and ask how you got ripped to shreds? Well, hang on to your hat’s because it’s rip time.

If you ask any body trainer, they will tell you using heavy weights will build up bulk and that using lighter weights will define and bring out that sought after ripped look in the muscles. But, I found a way on how to get ripped without wasting precious time and energy on useless exercises. I found out the truth about weight versus lightweight ways of building muscle mass, a way of getting cut and ripped. What everyone knows about getting shredded is complete wrong. There is no scientific basis to support this type of weight training at all.

The fact is, it’s not possible to spot reduce our body. It’s not possible to target any one specific area of the body for fat loss. Such as performing squats with light weights will not burn fat off your legs and make them look hard and cut. Every time you workout and lift a dumbbell, a barbell or cable it, think about stimulating as much muscle fiber to grow as humanly possible without steroids. The mindset needs to be changed and you need to forget about all of that illogical advice claiming to get a certain area of the body hard and ripped. So, if you want to know what it’s like to get ripped to shreds, one solution is to train as hard as you can and start combining exercises to your workout to target your entire body and not just specific parts of your body.

Identity theft has become an epidemic in the United States. With the advent of the debit card and people only using credit, credit, credit, it has become increasingly easier for identity thieves to get a hold of your information.

There used to be a time where identity thieves were required to be quite crafty to get your information, now with more people choosing to buy online, they can do it in the comfort of their own home.

The Federal Trade Commission estimates that about 9 million Americans have their identity stolen each year. And sometimes the aftermath is a grim one.  Here are some of the ways that thieves get your information: dumpster diving, skimming, phishing, changing your address, stealing and pretexting.

Okay sure, dumpster diving and stealing, but what do the rest of them mean? Skimming is when thieves steal your credit card number by using a fancy storage device, like after you card is swiped. Phishing is when they pretend to be a financial or other type of collection agency and they get you to give up your information. Pretexting is when they bait financial institutions or phone companies to give up your personal information.

Most people do not find out about identity theft until it happens and the damage has been done. Most banks will not force you to pay any amount that was incurred on your credit or debit card if your identity was stolen, but other people are not so lucky.

The internet has become a hot bed of identity theft because there are less than stellar companies out there that will take advantage of you. This is one of the reasons Steve Barbarich started his own company after attempting to buy a Jacuzzi online. He found that the retailers had almost zero customer service and did not care about their customers.

Be wary of where you spend your money online. Go for reputable businesses.

SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), the national school-based, peer-to-peer prevention education organization, announced that Richard Birt of New Carlisle, Ohio, has been named 2009-2010 SADD National Student of the Year. Birt will be the national student spokesperson for the organization, which has more than 10,000 chapters and hundreds of thousands of active participants in schools nationwide.

A senior at Northwestern High School, Birt has been a dedicated SADD student for the last four years and has been very involved with the organization on the local, state, and national levels. He currently serves as a member of the 2008-2009 SADD National Student Leadership Council.

Birt is a great educator and spokesperson for SADD according to Penny Wells, director of SADD.

SADD, the nation’s leading peer-to-peer youth education, prevention, and activism organization, is committed to empowering young people to lead initiatives in their schools and communities. Founded in 1981, today SADD has thousands of chapters in middle schools, high schools, and colleges. SADD highlights prevention of many destructive behaviors and attitudes that are harmful to young people, including underage drinking, substance abuse, risky and impaired driving, and teen violence and suicide. More information about SADD can be found at sadd.org.

SADD can be an important part of any drug rehab program or drug treatment program. It is often used as a learning tool for those needing drug addiction treatment.

It seems that with current economic times, societies are bringing their culture to other countries, as individual tourists and families are finding it difficult to afford vacations.  Just a few months ago, the Balearic Islands of Spain brought their food, their arts and culture, even their famous horses to Britain, and set up on the street.  A festival of Spain in the middle of the UK.  Now,similar festivals are happening regularly in Great Britain,  from another countries throughout the world, such as South Africa and Singapore.  Both the festivals occur in August, in the Brick lane area of London. The Singapore Chili Crab Festival enticed many Londoners out into the streets for the flavors of the famous Singapore restaurant and chef recipes.  Standing on the street corners, and often times dealing with the messy foods with their hands, however, that did not stop them from sampling the exotic flavors and the culture of this far away Island of Singapore.

The weather at this time was perfect for an outdoors celebration.  Even though the various festivals may have caused confusion, many still found their way to carts offering not only the Chili Crabs, but many other offerings of the island, such as Hainanese pork fried rice or grilled fish and vegetables, a destination well known by travelers to be one of the best places for a variety of cuisine, from Chinese, to Malay, to India, the restaurants of the country offer more than just dinner, but an entire experience.  The food carts were reminiscent of the local business in Singapore, that of the food hawker stands.  And just as most wanting to discover the hearty yet healthy cuisine in the country, much was true in London as carts represented various restaurants famous throughout Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.  The event was sponsored by Tiger Beer.  Many attending the festival grabbed a beer from a chilled bucket, and took their meals to the park and made a day of picnicking in the London sun.  The Londoners are looking for to this event again, and by the end of the summer, they will have what they are looking forward to, the Singapore Chili Fest and ice cold Tiger Beer.

In just one year, what has been the one of the goals of the government of South Africa for months, was landing the 2010 World Cup. Just outside of the city of Soweto in the African state of Johannesburg, the stadiums have been under construction and are almost ready. The luxury hotels South Africa supports have been taking reservations, and tickets for the events have already been sold. People around the world are concerned about various issues such as the crime rate and what some consider an infrastructure that is not adequate to support the amount of international travelers that will descend upon the city. Of the ten total world class stadiums, five are newly constructed.

The stadiums are located in Durban, Nelspruit, Polkwane and Cape Town. The older stadiums are currently going through upgrades. The cities that have been home to the World Cup in the past have all benefited from the tourism and the media, and the infrastructure of the country of South Africa stands to benefit in a similar way. And the country is making sure that this will be a memorable event as the architecture of the new stadiums is stunning and innovative. The only stadium with a glass ceiling, will be Green Point, and the designs are directly linked to the artistic heritage of the country. Some are concerned that once the Cup is over, the stadiums will situn -used, but the Government has already bid again, for the return of the Cup in 2015. And many of the soccer and football teams throughout the country will use the stadiums in the interim.

As far as the crime rate, it has come down by almost fifty percent in the last five years, however it is still much higher than many other cities around the world. The country is being compared to Wales and to England, countries known for extremely low rates of crime. The government has taken steps, not just in the hopes of hosting the World Cup, but in protecting the citizens of their country. They have appointed a new Chief of Police and have added more members to the police force in the past few years. Many other international events have been hosted in South Africa since the end of Apartheid, and they have occurred without incidence. In all, this a major accomplishment for a country so new to the concept of and the ideas of freedom, and to the living of life as many of the world live it, in celebration and in joy.

I understand that India is not the only country where security has become an issue. The International Tennis Federation has recognized along with World Sport that no part of the world is free from security issues. There are problems in every quarter of the world because of terrorism or religious intolerance or racial attacks or organised crimes. It is well noted that sporadic attacks are also taking place in every country. Khanna, who is on the ITF board of directors declared India a safe place for all tourist staying at any Hotel Chennai India and for the sport activities they plan to attend.

Indeed, India is definitely on e of the most safest destinations in the whole world. Chenni is amongst the one of the most safest to play tennis or any other sporting event. The International Tennis Federation made a decision, after the Cricket Test Match attack in Mumbai, to still continue the staging of the Davis Cup tie between India and Australia in Chennai. Australia had proposed a change in the venue, citing safety concerns in India for their Asia/Oceania Group One second round tie. The ITF made it’s decision after receiving its security consultant’s report and was confident that the report was revealed Chennai’s capabilities to protect traveling sports teams, but how seriously Chennai took the issue of security for any tourist.

I do not think that anyone would have any doubt about the ability of the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association and the Australia International Tennis Association to give Australian visitors a very secured stay and I am looking forward to the wonderful Tennis match between India and Australia. Naturally, I will support India’s tennis team and bare witness to Australia’s destruction. In a peaceful healthy fun way, now that I know I will be safe to do so and safe to participate in any other splendid aspect of Chennai.

Taking my friend Mark out to lunch on his fiftieth birthday didn’t seem a to be the big event I envisioned. I wanted to celebrate his birthday in a bigger way, but lack of funds denied me this opportunity. Mark didn’t mind that there was no hoop-la at his expense. He told me being here with me instead of spending unnecessary money on any of those fabulous four star hotels dubai was so much better, really. Turning 50 to him was not what he considered a milestone . Where as for me, turning 50 was a huge milestone and a stone I’d rather skip.

I don’t feel like a 50 year old, but I know my body, even though some say I can pass for a forty-year old person, is that of a 50 year old woman. Every part of my body is sagging! It’s been really hard for me to deal with being this old and watching the meltdown of my body. I still have a lot of puppy left in me, and I still like dating younger men. Men who are 6 to 10 years younger than me because men my age really are not as much fun. Men my age, or older, seem to be lost and clueless when it comes to the younger generation and they seem to prefer acting mature and responsible. When I peruse the on-line dating personals , weekly, I have to go through hundreds of dull, non-inventive profiles of men my age to find the one posting that will make me laugh. Even then that’s no guarantee that they will be funny and fun to be with when we meet-up for the first time.

Like my friend Mark, he has turned into such a fuddy-duddy . I believe when Mark was born, he was born an old man, and this is the reason why he’s not upset that I didn’t plan anything fun for his birthday. So, here I sit with my long-time friend of 30 years, just the two of us, eating lunch at our favorite Ethiopian restaurant. Me boyfriendless and frustrated cause my 51st birthday is round the corner and Mark is totally content with his dull life, not at all concerned that he’s old. I smile at him all the while wanting to flick food at his contentedness.

Liberty League International has risen, in just eight years, to become one of the leading networking companies. They have achieved this prominence through very skillfully created personal improvement products that go to the heart of anyone’s life who’s struggling financially and looking for a better way.

Liberty League International’s core philosophy evolved out of the The Human Potential Movement (HPM), which arose out of the social and intellectual milieu of the 1960s and formed around the concept of cultivating extraordinary potential that its advocates believed to lie largely untapped in most people. The movement took as its premise the belief that through the development of “human potential”, humans can experience an exceptional quality of life filled with happiness, creativity, and fulfillment. As a corollary, those who begin to unleash this assumed potential often find themselves directing their actions within society towards assisting others to release their potential. Adherents believe that the net effect of individuals cultivating their potential will bring about positive social change at large.

Liberty League International has a very polished and attractive overall package itself, appealing to any who want to focus on the personal/spiritual after perhaps too much time focused on unfulfilled methods of gaining wealth, e.g. “survival” jobs, or stagnant, dead-end careers, but who also don’t mind generating some wealth in the process. Liberty League’s program begins to make perfect sense, and really what it’s all about is BALANCE. Balancing career and money-oriented goals with those persistent inner questions like Who am I, really? and Am I in the right place in my life? And, Am I not worthy of great wealth and success?

Joining LLI doesn’t immediately guarantee you wealth and happiness. You have to meet them halfway and deliver on the company’s promise of a unique product through an innovative company. Which, if you’re the type to say yes and sign on, you’re probably the type we’re after anyway!

Liberty League International, one of the world’s leading personal development companies hosted their July 2008 Liberty Conference at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa on Hawaii’s Big Island.

Liberty League International raised the bar again by hosting a sold out Liberty Conference at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa on Hawaii’s Big Island, where more than one thousand attendees participated in the life-changing event which took place July 10-12, 2008.

The event kicked off with a welcome celebration at an oceanfront lagoon where new and repeat attendees mingled under the stars. The opening remarks from Liberty League co-Founders Brent Payne and Shane Krider set the stage for a week filled with energy and personal growth. The founders were energetic and enthusiastic overall.

Reaching both the hearts and minds of the participants, speakers Lee Brower and Sam Crowley made a powerful impact on the audience. The speakers got into what is was like to be successful and how to get there on your own. It helped those in attendance to be able to open their minds, hearts and eyes to what was going on around them!

Liberty League International continues making a positive impact on the lives of many, with more conferences planned around the world.

The company holds several conferences like this all over the globe. The company is a truly international one as it touches people from all over the world through it’s website and conferences.

The company is based in Scottsdale, Arizona but of course has a truly global reach.

For the savvy world traveler looking for a perfect luxury hotel, Dubai holds the answer.  Located in an international hotspot for culture and commerce, Dubai city offers wonderful accommodations in a desert paradise.  There are beaches and mouth-watering restaurants, and a rich urban culture that is on the brink of some fantastic new identities.  A place already rich in multicultural expressions, Dubai is a study in fascinating shifts, where cultures come in contact with one another to form new combinations.

Gurukul Dubai is one of these combinations, started by renowned Kathak dancer Pali Chandra.  Now the artistic director of Gurukul Dubai, her life mission is to promote South Asian Art and Culture the whole world over.  Bringing Indian dance forms to the UAE is an interesting prospect, and Gurukul is certainly capable of fulfilling its mission.  It began in 1990 Lucknow, India, and then took root in England over the next 15 years.  Now centered in Dubai, and busy offering workshops and performances in Kathak dance, Gurukul has plans to participate in global dance festivals in the coming years.

Part of a wave of international dance forms being taught and studied in Dubai, Pali Chandra sees this as part of a cultural evolution that is part of the heart of Kathak.  A traditional style that is developed to unite the body with the mind and spirit, Kathak is a unique form of storytelling, that has peculiarly stunning appeal in live performance.  Although many of the local dance trends see it as another form of exercise, the practice is very serious, and honors a long tradition of Indian dance.  Gurukul is very focused in its mission while maintaining many simultaneous and very ambitious projects.  They have an environmental project, a Green Orchestra, which had an audience of 2,000 at Global Village in February, 2008, and a project devoted to various aspects of Kathak dance called Rhythm Shift, which was performed at the World Theatre in Global Village.

It might be commonplace among savvy travelers that for excellence in hotels, Dubai, UAE is a breed apart.  The gorgeous beaches and rich urban environment speak to a city built for international guests looking for an experience deep in luxury and culture.  Expectations run high, and it is no small fete that the same guests return year after year.  Recently, Dubai has been experiencing a surge in international residents, as economic opportunity grows along with a fascinating artistic identity.

This artistic identity is a key piece to the puzzle that is Dubai, a port city that has always been in touch with the world at large, but suddenly connecting to global artistic themes, and even setting trends, as never before.  With extremely knowledgeable scholars and critics, and a very smart and sophisticated artist base, there is a dialogue in the city that every traveler picks up on.  Bidoun Magazine is one beautiful example of this savvy in print.  Begun in 2003 as a forum for writing about art, culture, and contemporary life, this quarterly is achieving a Harper’s level of status, and the organization that puts out the magazine is also sponsoring highly-visible public events.  There is no doubt that culture is being reflected in the pages, and possibly, and even likely, is also being shaped here.

Antonia Carver, one of Bidoun’s more visible editors, speaks to the surge in art activity in the past few years as stemming from a few key high-ticket auction items that brought the art world’s attention to the city.  There is also, she suggests, a number of other factors at work here.  The other factor is one of the larger art fairs, Art Dubai, which has grown exponentially, due in large part to the visionary efforts of the organizers, as well as the city’s ability to respond to such efforts.  Whatever the cause, it is certainly a fascinating and complex theme, and many variations on the theme, and many more, are played on with intellectual deftness, and a wicked sense of humor, in Bidoun.

Cape Town is magnificently beautiful, naturally.  Like one with experience gains beauty, the heritage, the history and the culture draw many tourists and visitors to Cape Town, South Africa.  Hotels are booked far in advance in the regions that the vineyards are located and it is best to make reservations for accommodations in advance.  One of the best aspects of the Cape, is in the Winelands.  Just forty-five minutes from down town, a short drive, lands one in the mountains so splendid and the backdrop so lush and dramatic, the vineyards of the Winelands and the Dutch style of the architecture from long ago is entrenched in history.  The beauty and the hospitality of the people of these regions such as Paarl, Franschhoek Stellenbosch and Roberson gives one the sense of the Breede River Valley and the joy that is South Africa.

The vineyards are surrounded by beautifully refurbished buildings and walk ways.  The streets offer monuments, museums and historical centers, all paying homage and respect to the vast and rich history that so many South Africans are rightly proud of.  World renowned wines are produced in this regions of South Africa, and the winemakers will take those interested on tours of their cellars and vats.  Harvest time is one of the best times to visit, as every lover of wine is astounded by the delights and the flavors of this region, from the smokey reds, to the clear and fruity whites. This is a great starting point for any tour that will take one around the Cape.  Luxury abounds at every corner and the boutiques and artist coves, and bed and breakfasts lend themselves to creating memories that will last a lifetime.  The palette will never be disappointed as many of the wineries offer up festivals that celebrate the wine and cheese of the region.

When I first saw a report about how Dubai, apparently running out of shoreline, started to build it’s own artificial man-made island in the shape of a palm tree called The Palm Islands. An artificial island to accommodate the best Hotels and Restaurants Dubai has to offer. It was built with dredgers loaded with sand and tons of intricate and complicated engineering so amazing and spectacular. But, all that complication seems not to be necessary. In Mexico, a person found some broken discarded fishnets and combined them with empty water bottles and some dirt to create was in called Spiral Island. Mexico attempted to annex this island and turn it into a tourist attraction.

It amazes me that if we have the technology to create land, then why do we, the human race, go to war over land?  Instead of waiting for mother nature to slowly create more land via a volcanic activity, which can take hundreds or thousands of years, let just keep adding on to our coast lines. I know, according to Global Warming, that currently we are losing coast line. But, we are an innovative society, we like to build wonderful amazing things. Even the earlier tribes in Peru, a pre-Incan people, got creative and build The Uros, a group of man-made islands that have been in exsistance for hundreds of years. Now, that didn’t take a something like the massive and extremely expensive undertaking of creating the man-made Islands of Dubai.

Tokyo, an island in itself, back in the 1800s built an artificial island called Odaiba in Tokyo Bay. It was built in defense to treats from other countries, but now has developed into a major commercial, residential and leisure site. Why fight over land when we can create Islands in the oceans of the deserts.

Have you ever seen a Shooting Star? Sometimes in the wee hours of the night if your awake and looking out at the night sky you can see a streak of brilliant light cut a blazing trail in the sky. This is what’s called a Shooting Star. Well, it’s really not a shooting star; real stars are sun, like our sun. Giant balls of fiery gas. Shooting stars are actually much much smaller and made of rock or metal or both and are called meteors. They look like stars because they fly through the air so quickly they become hot glowing gas balls due to the friction when entering our earths atmosphere. Most meteors burn up in our atmosphere and never touch the earth, but some meteors are big enough and not burn up completely and hit the earth.

The best places to see meteor shower, or the term I prefer, Shooting Stars, is out in the desert. Some Rajasthan Luxury Hotels give maps to the tourist of where to go in the Rajasthan desert to view some spectacular meteor showers. Death Valley has night tours for the fellow Shooting Star enthusiast. But, if you don’t live in the desert then the best is exploring and finding your own place to watch the nights sky. Pick a spot away from lights, out in the country if possible. A place with a large expansive view of the night sky. Spread osunut a blanket on the ground or on the hood of your car and keep your eyes glued upward; the space invaders will sneak across the sky at a sizzling 40 miles per second where you aren’t looking. But, be patient, and you will be rewarded with a Shooting Star streaking right where you’re looking. Make a wish and that the message these beauties of the night sky brings is to let you know all is good.

When I hear someone tell me they are ‘Falling in Love’, I laugh. For me that term doesn’t make sense if one really analyzes it. I remember the first time one of my boyfriends said that to me, ‘I think I’m falling in Love’ with you. We were staying at one of Phuket Best Hotels having a very romantic dinner and really enjoying each others company when he said that to me. I asked him, ‘What do you mean ‘Falling’?, I said, ‘Either you love me or you don’t. I don’t think there’s any ‘falling’ about it.’  I know, that completely ruined the moment, right? But, really, I mean ‘Falling’, what is that?

It is a gauge. It a safety net. Just in case the person you are completely ‘in love with’, (another term I will analyze later), does not feel the same way. Come on, don’t you think you would know if the person you are supposedly in ‘love’ with is also in love with you. For me, if you don’t know then you really should figure out what or why you are ignoring the signs or why you aren’t accepting the tell tale signs that someone does or does not love you. So, start truly and really paying attention to the person you love. The signs are there.

So, next time you are in the company of someone you do love, but haven’t expressed it yet, step back a moment and question as to why you want to say ‘I’m falling in love with you,’ or even worse, ‘I think I’m falling in love with you,’ because this means, for some reason, if the person you ‘do’ love does not respond in kind, you will feel embarrassed or silly about loving that person. That love is a wrong feeling. I know, for myself, when I find I do love my boyfriend it doesn’t matter if he’s not in love with me. But, I pay attention to those tell-tell signs that he too loves me back. Celebrate that you love and don’t worry about it if it’s not reciprocated. A you will then experience true love, unconditional love.

While inspecting my body before stepping into the shower, I discovered something strange. A few inches above my right knee, I noticed dark burn marks. I spend quite a bit of time on my laptop in bed or in my overstuffed chair and the air vents are located on the bottom right side. I can only conclude that I’m being cooked by my laptop. This is the first time I have noticed these distinct marks on my legs. This was my first MacBook Pro; I usually am on a PC, but a friend of mine lent me her Mac because my PC was getting the mother board replaced and I need to finish up a report about Perth Hotels Australia before a deadline.

After my shower I decided to do some research, ironically, using the MacBook Pro and see if there were other people complaining about laptop leg burns. I found out that Apple’s MacBook Pro in known to run quite hot. MacBook’s exterior casing has been documented by a laser temperature gauge of 142 degrees Fahrenheit. 61 degrees Celsius. According to standard burn safety protection measures, a 3rd degree burn can occur after only 5 seconds of exposure to 140 degree heat. There have been several report on the Mac regarding burns.

Further research revealed what sounds like an urban legend. Apparently, a Swedish scientist was using his laptop computer while sitting in his armchair at home and typing for about an hour, he occasionally felt the heat from the laptop on his thighs and would adjust the computer position which would temporarily relieve the discomfort and he would then continue to with his work. The next day, he noticed an irritation in his nether regions and decided to see his doctor about it. He found out that he was suffering from ‘penile and scrotal blistering, which the blisters broke and he developed an infection in the wounds causing extensive suppuration suppuration. He was wearing pants and underpants when he was using the laptop. So, now that I to have experience something similar, I will from now on work on my laptop on a desk or table top.

I decided to stop watching the news on television, they seems to only have leading report stories that have the qualities of ‘fear-mongering.’ And the reason for this is, apparently, we like it. Every now and then they have a ‘feel-good’ story, but it’s usually at the end of the newscast. Fear is an emotion that has two sides. There is Good fear and Bad fear. What the news usually reports and preys on is our irrational destructive fears. Like when my friend called me while she was staying at a Palace Hotel India,  right after she arrived and unpacked, she turned on television to watch the India news and saw that there were terrorist blowing up and killing people around Mumbai,  and how she won’t dare leave her room. It was her first time in India and she wouldn’t leave her room.

Normally, a good fear comes from an actual physical threat. There is the element of physical fear, like for our personal safety and the safety of our family and friends. A healthy fear. A type of fear as old as the world and is instinctual. We are born with it. Research shows that a babies only instinctual fear is that of falling. As we grow older the fear develops into the more familiar ‘fight or flight‘  reaction fear that our mind will send chemicals into our body to give us energy to think and act quickly to a perceived threat.

As humans, we have evolved to a different type of fear that has become common since we adopted a less strenuous, less dangerous lifestyle. So, we are pre-occupied with the distractions of the news media and the entertainment industry. I truly believe that the new media are in the business of franchising fear, they want to paralyzes us with fear. Wants to make us want to give up and quit. To not even try. They make the world seem like a truly fearful place to be. The only place we have to live, they want us to fear it. So, I stopped watching the news, stopped reading the paper. And found that my stress levels have reduced immensely and my views of the world I live in is a less scary place then I thought.

I was with a friend at a coffee shop drinking a Chai Latte and he was drinking a Mocha and discussing Chaos Theory wondering if the postulate of its basic assumption that complex and unpredictable results can and will occur in systems that are sensitive to their initial conditions. And that a common example of this is known as the Butterfly Effect stating that, in theory, the flutter of a butterfly’s wings in China could, in fact, actually effect the weather patterns in New York City. In other words, it is possible that a very small occurrence can produce unpredictable and sometimes drastic results by triggering a series of increasingly significant events, could also be applied in our room at one of the New York Business Hotels.

Would something I did on the twin bed situated on one side of the room cause a totally unexpected effect on the other side of the room where his single bed is located. I know, my friend and I are geeky, and yes we don’t have girlfriends, but at the same time, what a fascinating experiment that would be. We only had one more day in the New York Hotel room and we wondered if that would be enough time. Also enough time to come up with what the initial event could be that would be worthy and give a drastic result. We could throw in maybe an Attractor, a set to which a dynamic system evolves after a long enough time. We didn’t have the time. We then thought about using something from The String Theory, but, not being scientist, only scientist Wanna-Be’s, we didn’t know if we could mix the two, or could we? After all Chaos Theory emerged as a trans-disciplinary and institutional discipline under the name of nonlinear systems. And Alluded to a concept of paradigm shifts.

We finished our perspective drinks and headed on back we decided that experimenting in the hotel room would not be a good idea and it would be hard to, if we were successful, the same effects anywhere else. But, we were happy with the idea all on it’s own. We’ll both have to write about it on the wall of our Facebook accounts.

Thinking about a friend you haven’t seen for a while and they call. Reading about something you didn’t know and then later that night at dinner, you over hear the couple in the booth next to you talk about the exact same thing you just read about. Wearing a t-shirt with a picture of one of your friends on the front and as you leave a New York Airport Hotel the person coming in does a double-take and is in shock that the person on your shirt is their older brother. Synchronicity can take on any number of forms. The meaningful things in life are not left to chance. The most insignificant of events will often lead to a major change in life’s pathway and plans.

Some synchronicities are obvious and immediate. For a brief moment we are granted a glimpse of the miraculous. Others may not become apparent until decades later, or never be obvious in this lifetime. In fact, the reason for synchronicities are not necessarily even for our benefit, but for others perhaps not yet born. It’s all interconnected, inter-related and changing a detail can have vast and far reaching implications.

A relatively new science called Chaos Theory says that out of chaos and seemingly total randomness, comes order. Synchronicity happen all the time, but we are not always aware of their existence. It should be obvious through the very nature of synchronicity itself that there are physical components, as well as psychological components, involved in its creation.  This brings up the question of the nature of the relationship between the two. Between the creativity of the human mind and the hypothesized pre-existence of order. Synchronicity is around us at all times all one needs to do to notice these little notes from the Universe is become aware of ones surroundings. Aware of every bit of information, thought and feeling. A whole new world will open up and reveal itself to you.

There are five-star Dubai hotels that will exceed your wildest imagination.  With stunning beaches in the middle of an exotic desert setting, there is always more here than meets the eye.  It also seems as though your needs and wants are always anticipated, and pleasure is the main focus.  This is a city to relax and rejuvenate in, and also a place to tap in to cutting edge cultural events.

The art crowd, the literary scene, and live performance all have strong and vibrant communities here.  It is perhaps not so surprising, then, that there is a thriving music scene which seems to be on a major upswing.  One fascinating trend that is worth paying attention to is called Slob Fest.  Begun in November of 2008, and in its third incarnation by the following March, this idea is taking off and making interesting new precedents for the music industry at large.  The central idea here is to get the hottest musicians in Dubai together to appear on the same bill, have them play an event where the dress code is unpretentious (hence the name Slob Fest), and then give all the proceeds to charity.

The most recent event, held at Le Meridien Dubai and Alpha, took place over two weeks, and featured 10 bands.  This incarnation of Slob Fest drew 800 people, sure evidence that this idea was taking off.  Local musicians were commenting that if this had been attempted a few years ago, it couldn’t have drawn more than 20 people.  This bodes well for Dubai city as a cultural force in world music.  It also bodes well for travelers who are looking for some fantastic live music in a setting that is youth-oriented and very loud and lively.  Not to mention, this is a lovely trend for locals, native and international, who can sample the best of their home-grown talents.

Playwright, Salim Al Hatawi, died in April after undergoing heart surgery. After what seemed like a successful surgery, he went home to recover. While he was at home his health began to deteriorate quickly and he was rushed back to the New Dubai hospital, where he passed. He was one of the most popular and significant playwrights of the UAE and wrote over 20 plays in his career. He also wrote two short films, six television dramas and four radio plays. He was just beginning his recovery from heart surgery when his health began suddenly to decline. His work was popular locally and also brought international recognition to the Dubai theatre scene. He will be greatly missed and one can only wonder at how many other great works he might have written had he lived.

Locals and tourists alike would make an evening out of dining in one of the best restaurants Dubai , followed by a theatre performance. One of the gifts of writers is that their work lives on after their death, and he will be remembered in the hearts of those that loved him and also in the continued staging of his work. Al Hatawi died at the young age of 47 and was buried at Al Quoz cemetery. Many of his collogues and other theatre professionals were at the funeral as well as numerous community members and theatre enthusiasts that appreciated his work.

Al Hatawi was interested in social critique and evaluation of its relationship to cultural heritage. One of his consistent themes dealt with social progress and lost heritage. He was aware of contemporary issues and was concerned with the darker side of what progress brought. He looked at the underlying aspects in social classes and injustice. He was trained as an engineer and received his degree from the United States. When he returned to the UAE he explored his interest in the arts and director Omar Gobash encouraged him to write. His first play, Ahlam Masoud was written in 1994 and won the Best Script award at the Sharjah Theatre Festival that year.

When it comes to business hotels, Dubai is exceptionally situated.  Being one of the most influential economic urban areas in the world, and in  a beautifully stunning location, Dubai is the host to some of the most lucrative business deals the world has ever seen.  Whether your stay here is for a large-scale international project, or a more modest agenda, there is much to see and do in the city.  The food is incredible and the atmosphere is vibrant and fascinating.  There is also a growing presence in the international cultural scene.

For the year 2009, it will be remembered as the first year an Arab Gulf nation had a presence at the Venice Biennalle.  The UAE Pavilion, sponsored by the Emirates Foundation and the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, exhibits from June through November.   The curator for this is Tirdad Zolghadr, an internationally recognized scholar and filmmaker, and is initiated by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development.  The Pavilion will be a showcase for artworks and a forum for Arab presence in the contemporary international arts scene.

Dr. Lamees Hamdan, the Commissioner, and board member of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority is in charge of development and presentation of the Pavilion.  The title of the Pavilion, “It’s Not You, It’s Me,”  is a playful comment on the position of the Arab Gulf nations at this festival and in the art world in general, taking this opportunity to describe itself and enact its own birth, as it were, in the international consciousness.  It is also describes how it sees itself in a broader context, with regard to art practices, documentation, and cultural production.  This is a remarkable event, not only in terms of an international cultural dialogue, but in illustrating a nation’s ability to demonstrate an ironic presence.  The Pavilion will showcase works by Lamya Gargash, the featured artist, works by Ebtisam Abdul-Aziz,
Tarek Al-Ghoussein, Huda Saeed Saif, and, Hassan Sharif, documentation of a Dubai performance by the Jackson Pollack Bar, and conversations about the cultural life of Dubai.  This exceptional exhibit will be regarded as a memorable rise in Dubai’s presence in the cultural world marketplace.

Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii. It is found on the southeastern side of the island called Oahu and is the only incorporated city in Hawaii. With its deliciously warm climate, people flock to this Hawaiian island from around the world to enjoy an eternal summer. Because it is in the middle of the ocean, the weather is moderate rather than overly hot as can be found with many tropical isles. The water is temperate as well, making it deliciously refreshing at any time of year.

Downtown Honolulu is the business center of the island. There is also an arts district where you can find museums and art galleries galore. The capital district is where many historic sights are located, such as the Iolani Palace and the statue of King Kamehameha I along with numerous government buildings. The area called Kaka’ako is where you will find great shopping areas as well as part of the University of Hawaii and a beautiful waterfront park.

Waikiki is the famous tourist district of the island, where hotels, shops, and nightlife abound. The famous beach is here, attracting millions of people each year. Nearby you will find the Ala Moana Center, one biggest open air shopping centers in the world.

When you plan your Hawaii vacation, be sure to visit this wonderful city where you will find all the excitement you could ask for on a tourist isle.

Beads can be researched back to the beginning of mankind. Beads were used as amulets to aid with the search for food. It was understood that if one wore something of the animal being pursued, it would bring success for the next hunt. As civilizations grew and developed, the use of beads evolved away from the realm of mysticism to ornamentation and even a combination of the two. Beads furthered evolved as the world’s agrarian and the tribal societies organized. Beads then became functional. The Chinese invented the abacus aiding in counting and doing complex calculations. In theory, the abacus with its concept of stringing beads lead to the now familiar practice of counting prayers or mantras.

Using Prayer Beads, also known as Mala’s, from the Sanskrit word meaning ‘Garden’, or Rosaries, as a tool to aid for a meditation practice. The stringing of beads allow the devotee to keep count of the number of mantras or prayers being recited. Scholars around the world agree the the prayer bead originated with the Hindu Faith. But, this practice of using either the Hindu 108 bead Mala, a Catholics 59 Bead Rosary or the 33 bead of an Anglican, can be seen used, no matter where you are, from South Africa Five Star Hotels lobby to a subway seat in New York or used while sitting in traffic, you will find someone using this way to kept focus in prayer or meditation.

Prayer Beads use the mental, physical and emotional nature of our spiritual mind.  Leading us to the core of our being.  This tactile aid of holding beads in one’s hand allows for our minds to concentrate and begins to become quiet and calm. Prayer beads are a powerful meditation tool in which one will find they are in communion with the Universe.

Carbonite is a company that’s truly on a mission. With 15 Petabytes of file storage at their fingertips, it’s no wonder companies and individuals alike are knocking on their door (well, clicking on their door is more like it) to have them handle massive amounts of crucial data, acting like an outsourced server Their services cost mere pennies a day.

Carbonite’s backup solution works by placing colored dots on your files and folders. Different colors represent different “file states”:  If the file has been backed up, will be backed up or will not be backed up. Once Carbonite is setup, it requires little ongoing work on behalf of the user.

The Carbonite client is then always looking for new data on your PC. When you add or modify files, Carbonite starts backing them up immediately. It backs up about 2GB per day over broadband. Backups automatically slow down while you’re using your computer and speed up again when your computer is idle. Your data is encrypted using the same techniques that most banks and e-payment sites use, and then stored on Carbonite’s secure servers.

In IT, backup refers to making copies of data so that these additional copies may be used to restore the original after a data loss event. These additional copies are typically called “backups.” Backups are useful, primarily for two purposes. The first is to restore a state following a disaster (called disaster recovery). The second is to restore small numbers of files after they have been accidentally deleted or corrupted. Data loss is also very common. 66% of internet users have suffered from serious data loss.

It doesn’t take a computer scientist to parse the fact that data backup should be equivalent to getting car insurance, or boiling unsafe drinking water; in short, a given.