The Griffith Observatory

Overlooking the city of LA

September 11, 2010

This is where we were during the 9/11 commemoration. With my uncle and cousin as tour guides, my husband and I had the opportunity to see the entire view of the city of Los Angeles, plus the famous Hollywood sign close to it.

From the Griffith Park, there was a shuttle bus who took us to the Observatory up way the hill (or mountain?). It was nice up there feeling the cooler breeze without the smug, lol!
We missed the scheduled show at 12 noon! But there were other things to see there, mostly about astronomy and other interesting information and astronomical gadgets.

High up there is 1, 134 feet above sea level located on the south portion slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park.

Depuy Hip Replacement Lawsuit

It's time to start fighting for your right if you are one of those who suffered personal injury, particularly if you are one of those who suffered from the hip replacement surgery done by Depuy Orthopedics.
Take note that Depuy Orthopedics which is owned by Johnson & Johnson has recently recalled their hip replacement systems last August 26, 2010 due to numerous patient complaints experiencing pain and swelling.
Being said, you can file for a liability claim through a reputable Depuy recall attorney who is willing to fight for your right and to those who have undergone accidents of personal injury at the hands of others.

Once your case has been fully evaluated and confirmed, you're all set to go for the claim fight.

O’Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath – Personal Injury Lawyers – 808 West Avenue, Austin, TX. 78701 – 512-494-9949

Visit To Staples Center

This should have been posted earlier, but what can I do? I always end up being tangled into many things, lol!

Anyway, better late than never so here it is.

September 10, 2010

After checking in at our hotel, we hardly had enough time to rest before my uncle had picked us up to visit the Staples Center, the home of the NBA Lakers! They say this is a world class arena for special events and performances.
We arrived at the place around 5pm that day, and unluckily we were not able to go inside because they won't allow any camera which we were carrying that time. Besides, there was a long line going inside although it seems there was no special event that day. Other buildings surrounding it were all closed, so we didn't have any chance to go around and explore, plus we were scheduled for our dinner at 5:30pm at Ichiban Restaurant in Glendale, CA...a chance to meet another uncle and auntie I haven't seen for 30 years!
Boy! it was overwhelming to see a part of my family once again.

Quick Winter Getaway

Escape the daily grind without spending a fortune. Plan a quick winter getaway.

Save your money by traveling to where the dollar is strong.

Go off season. Consider jetting off to Europe - less winter tourism means there are great deals now. You aren't going to Paris to lie by the pool anyway ;).

Go last minute. Sites like lastminutetravel.com and travelzoo.com bundle cheap 11th-hour packages, which includes airfare, hotel and rental cars.

Dead Leaves

I appreciate the guest post, Jamie Guy

My favorite animated movie to watch is Dead Leaves, because it is full of the kind of nonsensical mayhem that I find stimulating. While some people think animation is only for saliva filled children, that is utterly untrue. Animation that originates in the east has been long geared toward adults, adults who still read comic books on the train. Dead Leaves is full of guns and guts and a main protagonist who has a television for a head, so that I can watch a television in my television on TV, and that alone makes the movie totally awesome.

The plot centers around two Bonnie and Clyde like characters trapped in a prison for their various shenanigans, which then leads to a marauding break out not unlike the one in the conventional movies you see on television except for a ton of guns and security guards whose weapons are as impotent as them. Next to the television headed man is a sassy woman with her own crazy style, which makes me feel as if I am watching some a hipster would watch and raising my overall intelligent quotient. This is primarily why I watch Japanese animation, to feel as if I am part of a club or unique subculture that watches things that the mainstream are not cool enough to. I watch Dead Leaves on the SyFy channel on satellite TV from http://www.directstartv.com/directv/directv_faq.html.

Avoiding The Risk of a Flight Delay

Delays will only create more delays, so dodge the domino effect. Choose to fly early in the day at most airports and avoid the late afternoon and evening rush hours.

Be sure to check at a particular flight before you book a ticket.

Try opting for nonstop flights. If it's impossible, allow enough time to make connections. In a volatile weather, even a leg of a direct flight can be delayed or cancelled, and when many planes are now flying at nearly 100% capacity, it becomes difficult to rebook on another flight.

Sign up for updates at flightstats.com which tracks, analyzes and predicts the performances of flights worldwide. It can also send alerts on your cell phones for particular flights, so you'll know right away if yours is late, cancelled or diverted.

A Walk in the Park

Guest post written by Jillian Matthews

It’s very important to me that my husband and I stay fit, especially since we live in Manhattan where you pretty much have to walk everywhere.

After all these years of working hard in the city, we’re really enjoying the luxury that comes with living in beautiful Fifth Avenue apartment, since we’re literally steps from Central Park .

Every night after dinner we take a quick walk to the main reservoir in the park and stroll around it. The view is always spectacular. As we walk, we can see portions of the magnificent New York skyline over the trees and on all sides of the water—it’s utterly breathtaking, even for Manhattan-ites like us. Aside from the view, we always enjoy the time to talk and reflect on a variety of things. My husband has been bringing his Miracle-Ear hearing aids aids so that we can really turn our exercise time into quality conversation time, as well.

It’s been wonderful having the park as a backyard, and we anticipate enjoying these walks for many years to come.

California Trip (Los Angeles)

September 10, 2010

After long hours of sitting on the plane (from Baltimore to LA ), we got our rented car and proceeded to our hotel. It's really worst to see the city in a traffic jam while on our way to our hotel. Then, when we reached our hotel, we thought of going to test drive the location going to my husband's training area from the hotel which was like 15 minutes away. Due to traffic, we arrived the area after 45 minutes!

Then, before going back to the hotel, we were starving as we hadn't taken our lunch yet, and good thing there was an eating place close to hubby's training office location.

Going back to the hotel was still worst, as it took as another40 minutes. We both felt tired, but we still had to meet my uncle whom I haven't seen for more than 30 years, and we promised to have a get together dinner.

After 5 minutes of getting settled and checking in at our hotel, finally! ...the meeting :)).

Our Traditional Pumpkin Carving Session

Contributed by Vickie Tyson

Every fall around the fourth week of October my family and I like to indulge in a little pumpkin carving. We line the pumpkins up around the table and set everyone up with a carving knife, a bowl for the seeds and a permanent marker for decoration. Before we start I always turn on the satellite TV from http://www.directstartv.com and pick a great Halloween movie to watch. This usually spices up the mood and gets everybody motivated. After the pumpkins are carved we take all of the seeds to the sink to rinse of and then place them in the oven to be baked and eaten!!! While the seeds are cooking all of us go out to the yard and pick a spot to place our pumpkins. My spot is always on the front deck on the very last step. My children love to place theirs side by side down by the mail box for all the passing cars to see. This is my all-time favorite activity to partake in with my family. Its fun, messy and a great family activity to do together.

How To Choose a Smooth Sailing Cruise

Did you know that there are more than 160 ships in the fleets of the 24 major cruise lines from Alaska to Zanzibar? So, be sure to evaluate your options which one most suits your style by checking on the following guidelines:

Decide on where will be your destination first, the ship the second. Next would be to look at the specifics; - With Alaskan cruises for example, they tend to follow two routes. Inside Passage itineraries run round-trip from Seattle or Vancouver and call in southern Alaskan ports like Juneau and Skagway; Gulf of Alaska itineraries, which sail farther north, are typically one-way trips from Vancouver to Whittier or Seward, or the reverse.

Decide when to go. Shoulder seasons can offer more bargains and maybe more appealing than the high season.

Select the cruise line and fellow passengers that best match your personality. It will make or break your experience. Take not of cruise lines that have dress codes and assigned seating times for meals, kid-friendly, etc...

Consider the cost. Don't simply look at the slate room's daily rate and multiply by the number of nights you'll be at sea. Remember to factor in airfare to and from originating ports, the costs of incidentals like alcohol (unless the ship is all-inclusive) and shore excursions.

Many cruise lines give discounts for booking in advance.

The size of the ship matters, because it dictates the itinerary. Smaller ships clock at smaller ports and offer more personalized experience. The downside is that entertainment and dining options are often more limited.

If you are in Alaskan or Mediterranean cruises, be sure to choose a room where you can see the views.

Arrive early - and stay on after your cruise. It's wise to arrive at your starting port at least a day before your schedule to set sail.

Before you board, don't waste time waiting in line after you're pulled out of port. Be sure to plan your onboard activities early.

Secrets of The Poe House

No one lives in the Poe house. It is simply too small and obvious that there is no space for someone to live on the premises. it is owned and operated by the City of Baltimore.

There's no truth that Poe's grave is in the basement of the house. Poe is buried in the Westminster Graveyard at Fayette and Greene Streets, approximately 9 blocks east of Poe's house.

Walls on the Poe's house are stressed and has moisture damage which is very difficult to prevent and repair.

The Poe house doesn't have a climate control because there is no place to install it. A window air conditioning is the best option.
If you enter the house, you'll notice that "old" house smell and with the age comes the tell tale odor which only an old house has. Even with limited air conditioning, this odor will appear and then vanish. It is usually more noticeable after it has been raining.

The basement is not allowed for accessibility because of its limited space. The ceilings are low and there are pipes running through the walls making it difficult and hazardous to navigate the basement. Three thrash pits were discovered during the 1979 renovations.

You will notice that there are no toilets in the house because people used chamber pots or detached privies in the back of the house way back then.

Driving Directions to the Poe Grave From the Poe House:
If you're parked on Amity Street, turn left onto Lexington Street, then make an immediate right onto Poppleton Street. Go 2 blocks and turn left onto Baltimore Street.

Go to the 3rd traffic light and turn left onto Paca Street and stay in the left lane.

Turn left onto Fayette Street. The Poe grave will be on your left at the end of the block at greene Street. Look for a parking space.

The Poe House & Museum

The house was built around 1830. A few short blocks south of the Poe house was the new Baltimore and Ohio train station which was also opened in 1830 and now houses the Baltimore and Ohio Train Museum.

In 1930, the homes in the area were razed for the construction of the Poe Homes, a public housing project. The house was scheduled for demolition but public vigilance and the members of the Edgar Allan Poe Society forced the Housing Authority to spare the site. An exhaustive search of city registers, deeds and maps proved that Poe in fact did live in the house. And in 1949, it opened as a historic house museum managed by the Poe Society.

In 1979, the City of Baltimore took control of the museum and restored the building spending nearly $100,000 to preserve the site. It is now currently operated under the Commission for Historical & Architectural Preservation, a division of the Baltimore City Department of Planning.

My Annual Meeting Will Be A Vacation

Thanks for the post from Sylvester Campbell.

Here we go again. This will be my third year taking off for San Diego for my company's annual training meetings. In the first year, I was nervous as could be. That's what happens when you land a job in finance that pays in the triple figures. You follow the rules. Otherwise, you lose that big paycheck and your reputation in the industry will be destroyed. No one wants a slacker. At least, that's what I thought at the time. During my second year in San Diego, I noticed that the biggest money makers were missing the meetings and going to the beach, to a ball game, or to the zoo. This is the way the financial industry really works. If you know you're valuable, you can do whatever you want. Am I that valuable? No. But I think I'm on my way. And believe it or not, I think it might send a positive message if I miss the training meetings. Can this approach backfire? Possibly. But in the financial industry, if you know you're the man, you will be treated like the man. That's why tomorrow morning I will set my home security alarm ordered from www.securitychoice.com, pick up my trusty bagel on the way to the airport, and be headed for an all expense paid vacation in San Diego. You've just got to love the world of finance.

The Edgar Allan Poe House & Grave (The Visit)

June 19, 2010

I and my husband, together with our cousin Tanya went to visit Edgar Allan Poe's house located at Amity Street in downtown Baltimore.

The house has small rooms and has crowded winding stairways. Poe was not wealthy during his time as you can witness his house that is too small, built for just a working class family.

Inside were just a few memorabilias that Poe used while he was still alive, displayed in glass boxes, one of which was a telescope.

On the other side of the room is where you can watch a video about his biography and his entire life existence.
There is a winding stairways going up the attic that are too narrow. This used to be Poe's room where he used to write; - a small bedroom, that is.

stairways going up the attic and me

He was a well known writer, but not much of his writings and letters are there. They say his writings are all scattered around the country in various libraries, colleges and in private collections.

At the Poe Grave:
Edgar Allan Poe's grave is 3-5 minutes away from Poe's house. It will be on your left at the end of the block at Greene Street.

At the entrance to the graveyard is the Poe Monument, so you won't miss it.

Follow the brick path to the rear of the graveyard to see the original Poe Grave.

Lost Luggage - What to Do And How to Avoid It

Know when not to check. The 6 domestic carriers with the poorest baggage-handling records in the DOT's report were regional airlines, which mishandled 10.54 bags per 1,000 had the worst record. It stands to reason then, that it's a bad idea to check bags when your itinerary includes a connecting flight.
If you check your bag, make sure to put your contact information (including your cell phone no.) and itinerary inside, in case your luggage tag comes off. Also, don't forget to remove old labels, and if you are changing planes, avoid tight connections.
In 2007, the DOT increased airline's liability to $3,000 per passenger on domestic flights up from $2,800. If you can't prove your bag's contents (or don't have receipts), you'll probably collect only a fraction of that amount. Be sure to declare the value of your luggage at check-in and skip buying extra insurance. This won't expedite reimbursement for lost items and home owner's insurance often covers the loss anyway (although you may have to pay the deductible.
take note that most airlines don't consider a bag truly "lost" until 7 days after your arrival, so don't expect immediate action (claim deadlines vary by airline).
Both domestic and international carriers, however, reimburse you for items purchased while you waited for your luggage. The amount varies by airline.

So Close to Missing My Sunday Golf Trip

Thanks to Erasmo Cortez.

This past Saturday I woke up extra early so I could make it to Edmond's Golf course before the Sunday rush. My morning was going excellent at first, my wife made me a scrumptious breakfast, I went for my early morning jog and everything seemed perfect! That was until I set my home security alarms and then realized I had locked all my keys inside of my house!! My wife had already left for church and I was completely on my own. I knew if I went through the window I would set off the Adt alarms and if I sat here and waited for her to get back home it would be hours and the course would be full. So that's when I made the ultimate, scary decision to bother my darling wife at church. It took me a little while to build up the nerves but after walking into the church and earning warm welcoming hellos along with a set a keys, I felt great!! It was only an hour after that ordeal that I arrived at the course to indulge in my now "afternoon" game. My buddies from work were already on hole 4 but that didn't matter, I had made it here before noon and that's all that really mattered to me in my mind.

Things to Do in Atlantic City

Aside from free activities worth doing at Atlantic City, there are activities that are as well highly recommended and worth your money ;).

First, if you want to take advantage of all the luxurious amenities, try checking in at the Water Club at the Borgata. They have both indoor and outdoor heated pools ideal for guests 18 yrs. old and above for a peaceful relaxation while reading and enjoying poolside drinks. If you have smaller kids, opt for one next door at the Borgata.

You can pamper yourself at the serene spa on the 32nd floor of the Water Club. You will get a relaxing massage, facial or detoxifying body wrap, scrub or polish.

Atlantic City is overflowing with delicious food options from casual to ethnic to famous fine-dining establishments run by world-renowned chefs.
For an elegant wine cellar atmosphere, try Fornelletto at the Borgata. If you want classical American food, go to Hard Rock Cafe at the Trump Taj Mahal.

if you want to try your luck in the casinos, you can choose from 11 various casinos from upscale Borgata to lively Tropicana to the kitchy Wild, Wild West.

Be sure to check your calendar before you visit for theater or comedy shows or music headliners just to be sure you just might find your favorite is in town while you are there.

Atlantic City is also best known for shopping. You can find everything from high-end stores like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Tiffany to discount outlet shopping. You can also check the Quarter in the Tropicana and the new Pier Shops at Caesars for every upscale shop you could wish for.

Try dinner at Dock's Oyster House to complete your trip. Enjoy updated dishes along with few classics that have been on the menu since the restaurant opened. Seafood is their specialty, but the steaks are also topnotch.

The Saga of Roots

Written by my friend Constance Hayden

Although this classic has been around for a number of years the power and majesty it possesses never fades. At the time the writing project was first proposed by the author, Alex Haley, many people scoffed at the idea of a story that tracked an African American's family tree and history. Although Caucasions had been tracing their family lineages for hundreds of years it was felt that because of the issues of slavery and the number of times a slave may have been transferred from one place to another that this challenge would be an impossible one.

The fact of the matter is that thanks to a family tradition that managed to survive that was handed down from the first slave; Koonta Kinte, the challenge was made easier for Alex Haley, the sixth generation descendant of Kinte. Haley traveled to Africa and was even able to find long lost relatives he never knew. Aside from the appreciation of what Haley accomplished, the viewer also finds themselves lost in the storyline as they eagerly watch to see what happens next in this family's struggles. Adding to the mix the wonderful talents of acting greats such as Lorne Greene, Robert Reed, Louis Gossett, Ed Asner, Ralph Waite, Cicely Tyson, Chuck Conners, Carolyn Jones and of course LeVar Burton, you cant help but be drawn into the story when watching on satellite TV in New York.

George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate, Museum & Gardens - Part 2

Estate Highlights:

The Mansion Tour. - George Washington acquired Mt. Vernon in 1754. The mansion has been continously expanded to every detail of construction, design and decoration within 45 years even while he was away at war. 

One thing to take note before the tour : - NO photos are allowed inside the mansion. So, reserve your cameras for the outside photo shoots :).

Outbuildings. - Along the east-west axis lies pleasure grounds of gardens and natural vistas, while on the north and south lanes tells the story of plantation life. As you stroll along in this area, you get to see where slaves used to do their work on various buildings, - the laundry, the dirty kitchen, the place where they spin for wool and linen, the place where they cure and prepare meats, and many other jobs that constantly supply the services and goods necessary to keep a large plantation running.

Washington's Tomb. - On December 14, 1799, George Washington died in his bed chamber at Mt. Vernon. He was buried at Mt. Vernon according to his will. The entire tomb was completed in 1831 where his body along with the remains of his wife Martha and other family members were moved there. Tributes at the tomb usually takes place daily from April - October.

Slave Memorial & Burial Ground. - this site is marked by a memorial to honor the slaves who lived and worked at Mt. Vernon. The land was used as a cemetery for slaves who worked during the 18th century to the first half of 19th century. Over the years, the original grave markers have disappeared and identities of at least 75 people buried there remained unknown. Tours here are daily at 2pm starting at the Mansion circle from April - October.

Gardens. - The Upper Garden includes various types of flowers and trees with a French fleur-delis design, while the Lower Garden supplies fresh food products for the Mt. Vernon kitchen. The Lower Garden is also known as one of the most noteworthy Colonial Revival gardens in America.

Forest Trail. - In the 18th century, mostly half of the estate's 8,000 acres was native woodland. This is a quarter mile trail providing a glimpse of the wilderness that used to supply firewood and lumber. It was also used to be a source of entertainment for Washington and friends for fox hunting who are visitors of the estate.

Pioneer Farmer Site. - Washington thought of himself as a farmer inspite of being a President and Commander in Chief. He recognized inadequacies of the 18th century farming practices, thus he pioneered innovative methods which include crop rotation and fertilizer use. This 4-acre exhibition farm is just a 5-minute walk south of the Mansion, adjacent to the wharf. It also features a 16-sided barn of Washington's inventions and a reconstructed slave cabin.

Potomac River Waterfront and Wharf. - The wharf was built in the 19th century which was used to transport goods by boat to Alexandria from Washington's farming and fishing businesses. It was restored in 1991. Sightseeing cruises  for 40 minutes are available in this area seasonally. You can purchase tickets at Ford Orientation Center or aboard the boat.

George Washington's Whiskey Distillery & Gristmill. - This utilized innovative technologies that were cutting-edge in the 18th century. Today, visitors can witness the water-powered mill in action as it was before. This is located 3 miles from the estate on Route 235 South. Opens daily from April - October and tickets are available at the Ford Orientation Center and at the Grismill Shop.

Shopping & Dining:

There are shops located at the Mt. Vernon Inn Complex which included the largest collection and best George Washington bookstore in the world, a Christmas corner 12 months a year, plus huge selection of toys, games, gifts and reproductions.

The Lady Washington shop is in the historic area near the greenhouse which features china wares, needle works, food, garden items and a toy corner.

The Mt. Vernon Inn restaurant serves lunch daily and accepts reservations for candlelit dinners Monday-Saturday. The Inn has 6 intimate dining rooms designed with colonial charm with costumed servers and delicious early-American cuisine.

Another dining area would be the food court which offers quick and various variety of gourmet burgers and fries, fresh pastries, deli sandwiches and salads, pizzas, cookies and ice cream. It has a glass-enclosed pavilion and an open-air terrace as dining areas.

George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate, Museum & Gardens - Part 1

The Estate has nine (9) highlights worth visiting. Your visit to Mount Vernon begins at the Ford Orientation Center where an 18-minute action adventure film entitled "We Fight to be Free" is shown at Smith & Eagles Theaters. This film re-introduces the young heroic Washington.

Still in the center is a one-twelfth scale exact replica of the Mansion called "Mount Vernon in Miniature" which has 22 rooms that contain hundreds of tiny objects including oil paintings, china, books and more than 100 tables and chairs.

 

(replica at the back)

Next to it is the Donald Reynolds Museum & Education Center which depicts a memorable experience on George Washington's lifetime. The museum showcases all about Washington's world with a collection of comprehensive objects in a state-of-the-art facility. There are 23 galleries and theaters in the Education Center illuminating detailed stories of Washington's life and the accomplishments that made him first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.

(to be continued)