Aug/090
Opera Glasses: A comedic Review of Shear Madness
Chances are, you have heard of Shear Madness, perhaps from a friend, or relative, and are considering attending a performance. My recommendation is that you should not attend, unless you would like to feel physical pain, and suffering from extreme laughter. However if you feel like you cheek and stomach muscles are in healthy enough shape, you may be able to endure this marathon of laughter. Opera glasses are very necessary for a performance of this type.
The stage is set to take place at a unisex hair salon. The usual gossip takes place. As in real life, for some reason, people seem to think they need to share their utmost secrets with their hairdresser. So many funny lines take place as well as an intriguing storyline. The people acting are extremely believable characters. You have the snapping gum pretty hairdresser with a gorgeous figure who is an airhead, the brightly colored clothing character played by the homosexual hairdresser (fabulously played by John McGivern in Milwaukee, Wisconsin when I attended), a high class society woman, policemen and the different clientele that comes in. Of course, one man is a hunk which makes John McGivern's character giggle with glee.
Shear Madness is truly an evolutionary play; this is because it is always changing! What I mean by this, is that many of the words that are spoken in the play are not actually in the script but rather are given as improvisations by gifted comedians, in fact, much of the things talked about in the play focuses on current local and world news, you will never know what to expect. One of the things I found most amusing about this performance, is that many times, actors are caught off guard by the other actor's improvised lines, and you see them trying to contain their own laughter. For this you will surely want to bring your opera glasses as not to miss a beat!
Shear Madness is very much an interactive play. As you attend, you will find that performers will periodically ask the audience for their opinions about the developing story. Many in attendance will shout out their answers which often vary wildly. This aspect alone will make this play unforgettable in your mind. If find that your seat is in the first few rows, be prepared, as you may find yourself as centerpiece of a joke. Remember, that all jokes are just in good fun.
Aside from the typical chit chat you find in a beauty parlor, Shear Madness' plot turns to a murder mystery. The person who is killed is always the same; it is the owner of the parlor. The owner lived above the parlor prior to being murdered, and you will see that any of the characters potentially could have been the murderer. You will be working and trying to figure out who the murderer is; your opera glasses will help you to not miss any subtle hints.
Here is where Shear Madness gets fun. The owner of the salon is the one that is always murdered in this play, but the killer will vary from performance to performance, based on clues presented. Also the audience, based on the clues chooses who the murderer must be. This may sound odd, but is a very funny development. Many (like me) see the play over and over so that they can see the different endings!
This play is often called the longest running, or second longest running non musical performances. Many critics have given this play wonderful reviews, because of the witty comedy and wonderful performances, which is why of course; this play has been around for so long.
Opera glasses are always a crucial element in attending any performance, but especially this one. If you don't bring your opera glasses, you are sure to miss moments, clues and laughs. Make sure you have a pair in hand before you walk out the door to go.
Aug/090
Horseback Riding Lessons and Directions
Horseback riding has been a method of transportation for hundreds of years, and over time as technology advanced it became more of a pastime. People love horseback riding as a way of feeling free and having a special connection with parts of nature. If you have been thinking about owning a horse, or maybe you just want to take riding lessons, you should know a few things before you get into serious riding.
When you first consider dealing with a horse on a regular basis by owning one or 'leasing' one for riding, you might not have any previous experience or seen one up close and in person. If you are going to be in close contact with a horse for the first time, be prepared because they are very large creatures. While they are beautiful and generally well mannered, most people are slightly intimated by the size for the first few times they are around it. This is why it is very important for you to get to know your horse before riding it.
If you are buying your own horse, then you will probably be doing a fair amount of grooming. Even if you keep it at a stable and hire someone to do some of the grooming, you should spend time grooming it too if you plan on riding. Most people who lease out their horses to let people ride them will require you to groom the horse before each riding session. By grooming the horse, you'll not only be developing a connection but you'll also help yourself to feel comfortable around it. Every horse has a different personality and it's important that you have a sense of your horse's personality before riding, because it may be a factor in how you need to handle it.
Whether you are getting ready to groom your horse or get on its back for a ride, you need to be sure you approach it in a safe manner. Horses aren't naturally dangerous creatures, but they can dangerous be because of their sheer size. They don't know any better so it is up to their handlers to take the extra precautions. Never approach your horse from directly in front or behind. The way their heads are shaped prevents them from being able to see behind them and it is hard for them to see in front of them as well. Coming in from either side, especially where you can see their eyes directly in front of you means they can see you coming and won't accidentally hurt you.
As far as the actual riding goes, that is the easy part. A well trained horse - and as a beginner you should be riding a well trained horse - will follow commands very well. You'll need to keep a comfortable grip on the reins and be sure not to pull tight because you'll need room to pull back when you want to horse to slow down. The commands are simple; you'll be using the reins to direct the horse by nudging its head to face the direction you want it to go. That's it for the basics. If you want to learn more advanced riding, you will definitely want to take lessons.
Aug/090
Is Nursing A Good Career To Travel, To Work And Live In Different Countries?
Many people dream of having a career that gives them opportunity to travel the world and experience different locations and cultures. Unfortunately, relatively few jobs really allow for this, and many of the ones that do are very exclusive. However, one field that is relatively accessible and allows for extensive travel is nursing.
Travel nursing first came about as a response to a significant shortage of nurses in the United States and in other countries. In order to deal with this shortage, several companies started offering nurses benefits for traveling to other states or countries in order to work in their hospitals. The advantages of being a travel nurse - aside from being able to see different areas of the country and the world - may include better wages, paid housing and other bonuses.
Traveling also provides nurses new opportunities by exposing them to new challenges that come with working in a different place. This is especially true when it comes to international travel nursing, as many hospitals in other countries lack the technology and staff of American hospitals. This can lead to some incredibly challenging yet also fulfilling work experiences.
To become a travel nurse, one must simply apply to one of the many travel nursing agencies worldwide. Currently, there are well over 300 such companies in the United States alone. To apply to one of these companies is not an easy task, and it requires a substantial amount of paperwork. Potential applicants will have to fill out a detailed application and work history, as well as provide verification for all their certifications. Other hurdles to becoming a travel nurse include skill assessments and verification of vaccinations for common transferable diseases. Fortunately, some agencies will accept paperwork that has been completed for others, making applying to multiple agencies easier.
After securing a job with one of these companies, the agency will submit applications on behalf of the nurse for various positions around the country or around the globe. The nurse may have some limited control over where they are sent, but ultimately go where they are needed. The hospitals that need nurses will choose the nurses that best meet their needs, then make an offer to the agency. The agency, in turn, figures out how much its going to cost for them to pay the nurses housing and travel costs. Once thats all calculated, they present the nurse with their offer.
Most agencies will provide their travel nurses with fully furnished and paid housing that is near the hospital where they will be working. The exact quality of the housing, as well as pay and other benefits, will vary from agency to agency. Generally speaking, the better the amenities, the lower the actual wages that the nurse will be paid. Some nurses may not even be provided with housing, but may get better wages. Every agency is different and has different opportunities available " its up to the nurse to find one that best suits his or her needs.
Aug/090
Enjoy Beautiful Slopes at Termas de Chillan Ski Resort
Are you a skier looking for that next exciting slope. If you are and you want to have the time of your life then you need to visit Termas de Chillan Ski Resort. This ski resort features beautifully maintained slopes with a taste of nature. The slopes here are one of a kind and any skier or snowboarder would be more than happy with their condition. If everyone in the family is not into skiing there are other activities available. These activities include dog sledding, volcano tours, hiking, fishing, tennis, golf, horseback riding, or just laying by the pool. Of course, the activities available depend on the time of the year, but no matter what time you visit, you will never run out of things to do.
This center is considered one of the best to visit for its flexible activities, beautiful surroundings, and quality hotels. When you visit you will never be disappointed in the hotels or the service you receive throughout the center. Nice employees along with nice activities and accommodation are always a plus. This is considered a perfect family vacation area, because no matter how diverse a family's interests are, they will always be able to find something to do in or around the center.
Depending upon the season, the more adventurous family members are able to rock climb, hike, or take a tour of the volcano. On the other hand, the more athletic and active family members will spend their time skiing, snowboarding, or playing tennis. However, if you're the kind who wants a relaxing and enjoyable vacation, you needn't worry. This resort does not forget about those who want to make the most of their rest while not being very active. You can take a nice stress free day fishing or playing 18 holes of golf. If all else fails, you can relax in your beautiful hotel room or take a quiet day by the pool. However, few holidaymakers will want to miss out on the snow mobile park. It is a family activity that can bring you all together to have some great fun while keeping the intensity high. Snow mobiles can be rented and driven on courses provided within the park.
You now know all about the activities available in the Termas de Chillan Ski Center, but they're not the only impressive aspect of the resort. You can find a few hotels in this area which will be sure to match your liking. They are all stunning with great accommodation and amazing surroundings. Each has their own pool area, and depending on the one you pick, you may be lucky enough to spend a cold day in a steaming hot tub. Aside from relaxation next to a pool or in a hot tub, you can also reduce your stress level completely by experiencing one of the many therapies offered in the spas of certain hotels.
Looking for a place to spend your time and money that will reward you with a huge amount of adventure and relaxation? Vacationing at Termas de Chillan Ski Center will be sure to fulfill your every wish.
Aug/090
Experience South America by Car
Have you ever wanted to experience South America the way that the native people experience it? Native inhabitance stay off the beaten path and go places that most tourist just don't get to take advantage of. Well, you to could experience South American this way through car travel.
You want to travel to South America but you are worried about means of transportation when you get there. What do you do? Well, you have several options: you can choose to figure it out when you get there and travel by bus, train, shuttle, etc., or you can rent a car. Most are nervous about traveling to a new country to begin with, and then they are faced with the problem of getting around when they arrive. Some consider it foolhardy to head to South America with no transportation plan, and to just improvise upon arrival. Others see no problem with it. Those who think that it is a risk they are not willing to take will want to know how to secure a rental car before arriving. They will also worry about the driving rules and regulations of South America, but this worry can be averted with a small amount of research. It is important to think ahead and set things up early so you do not run into problems when you arrive. Many underestimate the complexity of the process, and do not know what to do when they arrive. Most important, other than car rental, is awareness. Driving in South America is not considered a particularly safe or easy task so being aware of the situation is a very big deal.
Getting the rental car is very simple and there are plenty of resources available on the internet to help you work through any problems that may arrive. All you need to do is find a website which provides rental cars to travelers. Log on to the site and let them know when you need the car for and where you would like to pick it up. That being said, you will have to provide some information to the site so that they can go through all of their procedures and hold the car for you. On the other hand, it could be a lot more difficult to arrange a rental when you arrive. Locating a rental company in an area that you are not familiar with can be a real headache and hard to find.
Finally, make sure you are always switched on when traveling by car in South America. Many roads have been partly-destroyed or damaged, or are covered in hazardous obstacles which are usually natural but occasionally are man-made. Some parts of South America have man-made obstacles to slow drivers down but they are usually not marked which leaves them hard to see, especially at night. Driving at night is never recommended because you never know what to expect on the roads in an area you are not familiar with. Day driving should be limited not only because of the hazards that will be found all over the country but also because urban traffic can be heavy and chaotic. Bearing in mind the points made above, having a car can still be more beneficial than relying on public transportation. As long as the rides are short then you will enjoy having the freedom to travel where you want when you want to.
Be sure to make it easy on yourself and book your rental ahead of time. Always be aware and careful when driving a rental car. Make sure to plan your route ahead of time and head straight to your destination. Driving around South America aimlessly is only going to lead to accidents!
Aug/090
The History Of Horse Racing At Del Mar
Southern Californias Del Mar Racetrack has been somewhat forgotten by the general public in recent years, overshadowed by East Coast venues like Churchill Downs and Belmont Park. The reality is that the 72 year old track has a history to rival their better known counterparts. Operated by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and located 20 miles North of San Diego, its perhaps most famous for its iconic slogan Where The Surf Meets the Turf but that only scratches the surface of its star studded history.
The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club was founded by a group of well heeled enthusiasts in the mid 1930s, and they immediately turned their attention to building a world class horse racing venue. The names that were instrumental in the creation of Del Mar include a whos who of American entertainment"most notably Bing Crosby, Oliver Hardy (of Laurel and Hardy) and Jimmy Durante. At the time the facility opened thoroughbred horse racing was the second most popular sport in America behind major league baseball, and Del Mar quickly gained a reputation for being a player in the industry.
The starpower drawn to the course was unprecedented. Bing Crosby himself greeted patrons at the gate on opening day, and during the late 1930s and early 1940s it became a place to be seen for Hollywood A-listers and those who aspired for celebrity. In addition to known gambling enthusiasts like W.C. Fields, Edgar Bergen and Red Skelton, the Del Mar patrons during that time also included some of the top female stars of the era including Ava Gardner, Paulette Goddard and Dorothy Lamour
In 1938, Del Mar hosted an internationally anticipated match race between Seabiscuit and Ligaroti. This event drew a record crowd and gained worldwide notoriety for the track. Seabiscuit won the $25,000 winner-take-all duel by a nose, and would forever be enshrined in the annals of American popular culture. Horse racing at Del Mar continued to be a smash until the facility went dark in 1941 due to World War II. It would remain closed until 1945, and for a time was used as a training facility by the military.
After the war, Del Mar reopened with a bang. The track reopened the day after Japan formally surrendered to Allied forces, and on that day Del Mar attracted over 20,000 fans through its gates who wagered what at the time was a record $958,476. The postwar prosperity was also a boon to Del Mar, which also benefitted from the Santa Fe Railroads daily Racetrack Special that brought bettors down from Los Angeles to enjoy a day at the track. During the latter part of the decade a new crop of Hollywood glitterati would flock to Del Mar, including Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Mickey Rooney John Holmes, Frank Sinatra and Jimmy Durante. Durante would become such a regular that the turf course at Del Mar would later be renamed in his honor.
Even though the popularity of horse racing among the mainstream populace would ebb over the years, Del Mar remains a viable part of the thoroughbred community to this day. Theyve updated their facility, with a state of the art grand stand and most recently a synthetic polytrack surface that was installed in 2007. The racing season at Del Mar begins in mid July, and hosts crowds of 20,000+ on a daily basis throughout.
Aug/090
The Cu Chi Tunnels of Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. A destination known for its famous war with the Americans throughout the 1960's until 1975. Learn all about what life was like in the jungle with an interesting visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, located 70 km from downtown.
In the heart of the jungle, 200km of tunnels were well hidden from American soldiers. Originally built to protect the Vietnamese from French air strikes in the lat 1940's to 1950's, they were re-used during the 60's as a staging ground for attacks on American troops.
The American's knew they were there, they just couldn't find them. Not for lack of trying however. Agent Orange, napalm and constant bombing was used to try to find the tunnels that had eluded them. The jungle was completely wiped out and barren. It had been ruined by man, but Mother Nature's is a strong entity and with time has healed herself and it is now lush and green.
If you are lucky, you may receive a first hand account from a former Vietnamese soldier. Guides will tell you stories of their time in the war and can give you information on intimate details of the war that took place in this jungle. If you listen carefully, you can learn a great deal about history.
You will learn all about how the Vietnamese managed to defeat the powerful Americans. They fought on their home turf being the jungle and they used it to their advantage. Cave entrances were hidden by placing termite hills over top. To throw off their scent to guide dogs, they would sprinkle cayenne pepper confusing the animal. Even if the soldiers managed to find and opening, they were tiny and made for the slight Vietnamese frame. U.S. soldiers would have to blast a hole alerting any inhabitants that they have been found. With 200 km of caves to disappear in, it wasn't likely that they would be caught.
When they did manage to make their way into the tunnels, they were greeted with booby traps. False floors caused the enemy to fall into a bed of sharpened bamboo poles. Spikes were placed on the floors and traps were set everywhere. You had to know your way around the tunnel to escape injury.
There were other tactics besides the tunnels that offered the Vietnamese an advantage against the United States. Surprisingly, foot rot was a major problem with U.S. soldiers. The heat and humidity of the rain forest caused sores, rotting flesh and infection. When your major form of battle is to walk through the jungle this can be a serious problem. Instead of wearing boots, the Viet Cong wore rubber sandals made from tires. They are well constructed and durable and you can see them for yourself. If you want to try them out, buy a pair for a nominal fee.
Life was difficult in the tunnels and they lived in them for years at a time. They contained functioning kitchens, hospitals and sleeping quarters. They managed to survive underground dealing with the elements. Some rooms were very spacious, but mostly the passageways were very tight being no more than a meter high. Malaria ran rampant and the unsanitary conditions caused infection and illness. Not only did they have to deal with American bombing and fighting, they had to deal with deadly snakes and spiders underground.
Your tour will take you to all of the different types of living quarters and rooms. It is a comfortable tour and the tunnel walls have even been blasted out to make it larger and more comfortable for tourists. However, there are still some original entrances available to be explored and you will have the opportunity to go into an original tunnel yourself and crawl for 150 meters experiencing what it was like during the war.
First you will have to enter through a small hole in the ground. This is enough to make many tourists chicken out. Some people won't even be able to fit inside and will not even have the option to go. But if you can manage to squeeze through, be sure to do so. You will have the one true experience of the day, feeling what it actually must have been like for a soldier to crawl through this claustrophobic space.
During your tour you will learn little tricks like how the Viet Cong tracked U.S. soldiers by following these fascinating plants that actually pointed in the direction that people walked. As you brush by, the leaves of the plants curl in the direction that you are heading. A dead giveaway for the unsuspecting American soldier. You will try to food of the Viet Cong and you will visit different rooms that were camouflaged above ground, learning all about how the Vietnamese kept themselves from being discovered.
Once you have learned all there is to know and if you are feeling like doing your best Rambo impersonation, you can go to the firing range and fire various guns from AK 47's to automatic rifles, giving you your complete war experience.
Visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels will definitely give you a feeling as to what life was like during the Vietnam War. It is unbelievable to think that these tunnels remained in tact through two major wars. One with the French and one with the Americans. If you are visiting Ho Chi Minh, they are certainly worth a visit.
Aug/090
Buying Hand Held GPS Units
You will find a hand held GPS between $80 and $450. Depending on what you need it for, a cheaper version may suit your wishes absolutely fine. If you have special necessities, you could need dearer hand held GPS. Look for one that is sturdy enough to be taken out and about with you.
A good GPS should have topographic maps, an elevation view, and a wireless exchange. It should allow you to log in your journey. An electronic compass and barometric altimeter is usually part of the package. So long as the accuracy is inside about 20 feet, you can consider that model terribly accurate. The majority are easy to use after they are set up.
Most will need a technique to recharge often. The more features that a GPS offers, the more battery power it tends to use. Color screens have a tendency to use more batteries than a black and white screen. Using NI-MH batteries may extend the time spent between battery changes.
The Sony PSP GPS receiver has been well received. Its antenna updates every 2nd and only takes forty seconds to fix on the satellites once it is turned on. It provides 2D and 3D locations, town guides and driving directions.
A hand held GPS is useful if you travel a lot, if you want to go out into the badlands or if you want to find locations often. If you want to geocache, a GPS is vital. Additional maps may not be as cheap. Be certain to buy only what you want to keep your costs down if this is crucial.
When you are searching for a GPS, make sure it is water-proof. Take a glance at its features and choose one with the features you want most. Try to find one with an enormous, articulate screen and an intuitive interface. Look for a USB interface to make it simpler to use with your personal computer. Ensure it is compatible with your computer's operating system.
It always helps to read hand-held GPS reviews before you purchase so you do not buy one that won't suit your requirements. The more reviews you read, the better prepared you'll be for your purchase. You need to find one that will be straightforward to learn.
As soon as you have chosen the hand held GPS that suits your needs, you'll be able to operate it simply. A few of them need a little tech support to get it set up properly, but then your hand held GPS should work great.