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
A Brief History of Montana
Before the state of Montana was named, and before it even became a state, the Native American people lived there on their own. Whether they knew that there were other people out there and whether they thought that those people might come to take their land is only speculation. They were just interested in raising their families, and they hunted, fished, and grew crops there, just like in other states. Even though there were quite a few different groups of Native Americans, there was plenty of land so they could put space between them if they didn't get along.
While they didn't always get along, most of them co-existed because they had enough space to do so. Tribes included the Cheyenne, Crow, and Blackfeet, among others. Some of these tribes were very large and had a lot of influence, while others were very small and kept to themselves. They generally just tried to stay out of the way of the larger tribes.
When the Louisiana Purchase occurred back in 1803 the part of Montana east of the continental divide was included. During that period of time you didn't need a lot of money to buy a great big piece of land. There weren't a bunch of people who wanted the land, so it became easy for a person to get a great deal of it, and it wasn't considered to be worth very much. The idea of owning land so you could have value later, or owning it so that you could resell it, wasn't really there.
Things started to change after the Louisiana Purchase because the different climate areas and what the vast and open country had to offer started to get more notice. Minerals were in the land in some areas, too, and they were very valuable, so that made those particular areas of land suddenly worth more than they would have been in the past. Montana became a United States Territory in the 1860s after the Lewis and Clark expedition and after gold was discovered. Other areas became states, but Montana didn't for a while, although there doesn't seem to be a solid explanation for why this took place.
It became the 41st state in 1889. Soon there was construction of all kinds of buildings, including Fort Shaw. That particular fort was used during the civil war. It had not only parade grounds and barracks, but stores, a hospital, and other important necessities that the soldier staying there would require.
Since there wasn't much around yet, forts and other areas that were built had to be largely self-sufficient so that they could handle all of the needs of the people who lived there. Fort Shaw eventually closed in 1891, as it was no longer needed and became obsolete. Once it was closed as a military installation it was used as a school. That was a great choice, since the alternatives would be to either tear it down or simply allow it to decay, and both of those seemed wasteful.
American Indian children and young adults were given industrial training at the school where Fort Shaw used to be. When it first opened there were more than 300 students in attendance and there were 20 of the old military buildings in use. That wasn't the only change that Montana experienced, though, because the early 1900s also brought a revised Homestead Act that changed the way people lived in the state. The land that had been offered by the Homestead Act of 1862 was expanded from 160 acres to 320 acres.
President Taft made it law and in 1908 there was another homesteading change when the Sun River Irrigation Project was opened up to homesteaders. Located west of Great Falls, that area allowed people to claim 40 acres to use as their homestead but they had to remain there a certain length of time and couldn't even leave very long for travel or vacation. Young couples from the Midwest who wanted to live near the mountains were the most common site there and they hunted and fished and raised their families. Custer's Last Stand was also there.
Another issue for the state was the Nez Perce Wars, but it's much more peaceful there now. Cattle ranching plays a big part in the history of Montana, as well as its modern-day economy. There's more to do and the state has grown, but cattle ranching and the Native American influence are still strong and popular there.
Aug/090
International Freight Carriers: What Do They Do?
Companies are now expanding their business operations to attract customers from all over the world. This has lead to an increase in businesses shipping items to many places throughout the world. The result of an increase in international shipping has been an increased demand for International Freight Carriers.
International freight shipping involves shipping cargo by air and sea to other countries. International freight carriers are responsible for shipping items and cargo to their international destinations. For transporting freight internationally, special planes assigned to shipping cargo are used. If the cargo is too heavy or big for a cargo plane, then a cargo ship is used. Sometimes a plane may be prohibited from carrying a particular type of cargo, so a transport ship is used. Shipping by boat will take longer. It is cheaper, but if one is on a delivery deadline, it may not be a good choice.
International freight carriers are involved with importing and exporting goods and materials from a variety of countries. International shipments normally involve a number of carriers that includes freight forwarders and air freight agents. They handle any legal requirements for importing and exporting goods to other countries. They implement a step-by-step shipment process, usually with freight forwarding companies, that involves providing logistical support, assembling items for International shipment, weighing freight and measuring the size to determine shipment costs, arranging for space to ship the cargo, arranging pertinent documentation for customs clearance, preparing international documentation such as the shipper's export declaration, commercial invoice, bill of lading, and other documents required by the importing and exporting country.
They are also responsible for loading and unloading freight and keeping their clients informed about the status of their shipment. The International freight carrier relies on freight forwarding companies to make sure that all those involved in the shipment process are informed and operating efficiently to ensure the freight arrives on time and in the same condition as when it left.
International Air Freight Agents are involved in the importing and exporting of cargo by airplane, particularly cargo plane. Airline companies pay them a fee to arrange and carry out the shipment of cargo internationally. Tasks that are involved include arranging inbound and out bound shipments, receiving the payment from the customer, preparing for the shipment that includes arranging for space weighing and measuring the cargo, assembling the appropriate documentation, loading the cargo, and unloading the cargo at its destination.
International freight carriers can transport a variety of types of cargo or specialize in a particular item such as farm machinery. Carriers are responsible for ensuring that items that are banned in a country are not shipped to that country. Many international air freight carriers will offer discounts on a certain volume of cargo being shipped.
International freight shipping is a complicated process that requires an efficient system of people involved in ensuring items arrive safely and undamaged. International air freight carriers take the aggravation out of shipping items to other countries. They are experts in their field and can answer any of their clients questions. International air freight carriers make expanding a business internationally much easier and more affordable.
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
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
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.