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
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
Brisbane Hinterland
The Brisbane Hinterland, just outside of Brisbane, has many attraction to enjoy. D'Aguilar Range, with it's main access in Mount Glorious, is only twenty minutes west of the city. There are crops and antique villages at the Valley of the Lakes, and South Burnett. While here you will enjoy pine rain forests and the children will love the opportunity to encounter native animals.
Bunya Mountains: this isolated spur of the Great Dividing Range is a cool, moist region of waterfalls, green and scarlet king parrots and the remaining stands of bunya pine, a species much depleted by early timber-getters. Walk the easy 4 kilometre Scenic Circuit from the Dandabah camping area, which winds through rainforest to Pine Gorge lookout.
South Burnett: This comfortable slice of rural Queensland invites you to the historic timber towns of Blackbutt and Yarraman and to wineries along the scenic Barambah wine Trail. At Nanango or Kilkivan you can fossick for gold and find accommodation in a great Bed and Breakfast or a Farmstay property.
Booubyjan Homestead: This is a homestead, located near Goomeri, owned by two Irish brothers, the Clements. This land is open for daily tours, where you can get a close up look inside the home and and of the property.
Brisbane Forest Park: Offers pristine waterfalls, rainforest, deep swimming pools, mountain streams, forests and trees. Mt. Glorious offers a wide range of walking trails, and if you travel 10km further you will arrive at Wivenhoe lookout, which offers views of Lake Wivenhoe.
Also located in Brisbane Forest Park is the Walkabout Creek Wildlife Center. This is a freshwater creek, populated with frogs, water dragon, platypus, python and fish. Just past Samford, in the The Woolshed, you can get a realistic demonstration of life on a sheep station. Enjoy everything from shearing demonstrations to watching the native animals roam.
Daisy Hill State Forest: This is an area of eucalypt forest and acacia scrub. 25 kilometers south of Brisbane, visitors can view the koala from a treetop tower, and watch as they sit comfortable on the tops of the trees.
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.