Archive for the ‘Culture’ Category

Meditation for Answers


31 Aug

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When it comes to connecting with a divine source, higher power, or just a sense of unity with the universe, there are some basic tenets that seem to work over time and place. With this in mind, it’s said that prayer is speaking to the divine, and meditation is listening . Of course, there are hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of ways of meditating, and some even say that for every person there are a many ways. Looking for answers, then, for all of life’s most complicated questions always involves getting quiet.

That’s the first step for most meditation, and for some practices, that’s the only step. In some practices, there are more formal ways of getting answers, and one can be by simply focusing on the question, and keeping it at the forefront on one’s mind. Other practices, like Sahaja Meditation therapy , are methods for cultivating the mind’s natural ability to meditate. The focus here is not on a question, but on the quietness.

Getting the mind to stop trying to talk to itself can be one of the most difficult things to do, but when it happens, it becomes a reflect until the process is really quite simple. It’s always good to have resources available, because although the answers are always within, the paths to getting there are many.

DCs Real Miss America


21 Jun

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It’s fairly certain that the appeal of comic books will be around for a long time. As the artists become bolder, and the story lines more tightly connected, every generation invents the wheel, but with new spins every time.

It’s perhaps easier to understand the appeal of one particular comic book character after a generation has gone by. Superman comes to the surface during the Cold War, representing the optimism of the country, but also unveils some of its deepest fears. The small-time criminals are just as worthy of a fight as the ones trying to take over the world, and they seem to come from the same big vat of badness. Batman is a darker side of Superman, a little more mysterious, and certainly more cynical, representing the times as they started changing, and the ideas of good and evil became a little more blurry.

One character that’s been overlooked, and deserves another reading, is a teenager who had a social conscience. Her name was Miss America , and she was a lot like Superman, capable of flight and amazing acts of strength. She fought with Captain America and Bucky, and knew the Human Torch personally.

She got to be a superhero when she survived a lightning blast, and she lived to tell the tale, and fight crime in the golden age, when good and evil were very clear. But there are certain things about her that are more nuanced, and interesting for their nuance. She came to represent the role of women at the time, serving the war effort at home, but also playing a big role on all the same world stages that her male counterparts fought. She also had a son, Nukio, who was radioactive, and his emissions caused her death. But her death came at the moment that she was giving birth to twins.

It’s a kind of Romulus and Remus story for a nuclear age, and her story is inspiring, if a bit baffling as well. What if she had survived? And who are these twins? It’s worth pondering, while looking at the city from Washington USA luxury hotels , the same city where she was born into an imagination that deserves another opening.

Fences in Manhattan Nominated For Tony Awards and Recoups Finances


10 Jun

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As much as Broadway and the New York theatre scene is about producing great theatrical stagings and bringing the best new musicals, comedies and dramas to the American and New York stage, it is also a business. And this is frequently the least attractive aspect of theatre for audiences and producers alike. However, the fact remains and essential aspect of the theatre scene and it’s impossible to ignore the financial aspects of any production. With this in mind, it is also extremely difficult to break even with a Broadway production, let alone the near impossibility of generating a profit. So, while the business aspect of Broadway is a necessary component of the industry, it is also true that passion is the driving force behind most of the productions and theatrical practitioners, which is the main reason it survives and continues to thrive through the decades and centuries.

Meanwhile, it is particularly thrilling, and also extremely impressive when a major production like the current revival of August Wilson’s Fences, recoups its investment. This is a status recently achieved by the current Tony Award nominated play. Revivals of plays is a hot topic on the Broadway stage as is the adaptation of Disney and other animated films. Fences is playing at the Cort Theatre and was directed by Kenny Leon. The revival production stars Denzel Washington and Viola Davis . It is scheduled to run through July 11, so there is still time for the guests in one of Manhattans best hotels to get tickets, but you better hurry, they go fast. And with all of the Tony Award nominations it has received it is likely to become sold out through the remainder of its run. Financially Fences has also been extremely successful and it has been recently reported that after only eight weeks of performances it has already recouped the two point eight million dollar capitalization investment. And that news is almost as good as winning a Tony.

Miami Based Gothic Cruise


01 Apr

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This September if you’re planning to stay in Miami hit up the annual Gothic Cruise and Masquerade Ball . This event lasts from Saturday, September 25th until Saturday, October 2nd making it a full week of events both on and off the Carnival cruise ship the venue has chartered. Not to mention the pre-cruise parties and post-cruise parties being hosted at Miami hotels if you arrive early or aren’t ready to ship out as soon as you get back.

The Gothic Cruise and Masquerade Ball is run by its own travel agency with a keen eye to the whims of it’s clientele. Each year they have a vote to see which bands to book for the next cruise. This year I was rather happy to see The Cruxshadows on the bill after they experienced some technical difficulties after their car was broken into and valuable equipment stolen. Along with The Cruxshadows several other popular goth and dark wave bands are booked including Covenant , Funker Vogt, Panzer AG, and Prognosis. I’m sure this isn’t yet the full line up so keep watching the site for updates.

Several events besides concerts are lined up for this cruise. Once you’ve attended the orientation to receive the up to date list of events you’ll get to ask questions and the cruise policies will be gone over and make bookings for your shore excursions and last minute appointments Gothic Night at the Spa. There will be a huge autograph session where you can get your official cruise CD signed and pick up merchandise from all the attending bands.

There is even talk about doing a interactive Rocky Horror double feature with Repo: The Genetic Opera , provided they can get the licensing to show it. I haven’t seen an interactive showing for Repo: The Genetic Opera but I’m a huge fan of the movie and will have to get a full report from my friends that will be attending if it goes off.

On your last night before docking back in Miami be sure to make it to the Farewell Deck Party and exchange contact info with all the people you’ve met. This event will give you first dibs on booking for the next year’s cruise and all sorts of special discounts associated with it. Also this party is probably a great opportunity for after photos of all the newly tanned or sunburn sporting goths who have been out enjoying the sun a little too much and won’t be joining you back at the Miami hotel for the sponsored post cruise pool party.

Ghost Marriage in Singapore


30 Mar

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Singapore is a place of many different fascinations. The rich history of the place brings with it a richness of cultures. People bring their traditions here, and over time, they all begin to merge and borrow from each other, creating fascinating new traditions that can’t exist anywhere else. It’s one of the many benefits of diversity, and one of the best ways for traditions to survive, by evolving. In Singapore, there are situations where some very old ways are still practiced, and it’s very important for visitors to keep in mind that it’s necessary to keep all judgement in check, and to show proper respect.

Especially in ceremonial occasions, respect can get the traveler very far indeed, and can also be a way of seeing some rather interesting ways of doing things. This is as true in temples as it is at mealtimes , where getting by is possible simply by watching how other people do things. In Singapore, like most places, there is a lot of credibility to be earned simply by attempting to do things the right way, and usually someone will show the ropes. It’s important, then, to keep an attitude of reverence, especially in spiritual matters.

Those who might show disdain or even scorn for such traditions as the ghost marriage should be somewhat sensitive, because there are some beliefs that are older than others, and there may be more truth in anything than is known. In that tradition, Chinese Ghost Marriage , the idea is that there is a spirit of a person who has crossed over, and wants to marry on the other side. If the other spirit is agreeable, then these things can be arranged.

There may also be situations where a groom dies close to the wedding date, and the bride decides to go through the ceremony anyway. Another possibility is when a daughter is not wanting to marry in the world, and adopting a husband from the realm of the ancestors will insure that she is remembered and cared for when she passed over. Likewise, an unmarried eldest son who has died may need to take a wife in spirit in order to allow things to unfold for the living. There are many traditions that take care of the dead, and that’s also the largest religion in the world, so Singapore might be a place to learn things about the world and all the inhabitants.

Antique Safes in Singapore


08 Mar

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If you’ve checked in to a Singapore hotel and then find yourself in need of an antique safe, you will want to explore the showroom of Siah’s Old-Safe Service , the company of David Siah, the only antique safe specialist in that city-state.

Safes used to be made by hand, without machinery, and these antique safes are made in the same way. The company is also known more simply as SOS, whose main aim is to bring new life into antique safe boxes, restoring them to their original condition. Each safe is a piece of history in itself, then, and is fully functional. The art of restoring safes was handed down within the Siah family, from grandfather to father to son, a true old-fashioned apprenticeship.

Anyone with a passion about antique safes may want to take a look at Siah’s work. If you’re not familiar with safe history, you may wish to study the Antique Safe Collector’s site . Here’s where you’ll find photos and information about antique safes and cast iron safe banks. The photos on this site will show you full sized safes, miniatures, and personal safes, ranging from 1826 until 1910.

Siah’s collection of antiques include safes from Hong Kong, Japan, Germany, Austria, even Britain and the Netherlands. As an example, the British safes go back as far a hundred and twenty-five years ago, with the last generation extending eighty five years ago. These earlier generations of safes were not fireproof, and were all manufactured by hand, using screws and bolts. The German safes, manufactured in Berlin and Hamburg, were exported from Germany to Singapore, decades ago and a part of Singapore’s early history.

While there are a great many attractions in Singapore, if you’ve got an interest in safes and history, you might do well by taking a visit to the showroom and seeing these antique safes. You may make an appointment by dialing +65 96551201. They’re located at No. 65, Sims Avenue, #06-01A, in the Yi Xiu Factory Building in Singapore, 387418.

La Lanne and the Santa Monica Pier


27 Feb

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The Santa Monica Pier is definitely one of the places to go when you’re visiting Los Angeles.  It’s a spectacular way to get introduced to the beaches, which are some of the finest, or at least the most filmed beaches, in the world.  The legendary weather in Southern California is really all that it’s cracked up to be, and there are always plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the sunshine.  Warm days and cool nights is a regular thing here, making it as fantastic a tourist destination as it is a place to live.  Here’s a link for some great hotels, so you can stay in real style and panache, and enjoy all that there is to offer here.  One visit is not nearly enough, but it will certainly bring some calm into everyone’s world.

The Pier has a lot of very distinctive characters, you’ll notice.  Some of L.A.’s more colorful characters can be seen strolling here, as well as the usual assortment of rollerbladers and skaters, joggers, beach bunnies and bodybuilders.  You might recognize the icon of the bodybuilder here and think it’s somehow very familiar.  Jack La Lanne is one of the people responsible for this, and maybe in many ways the one who made the image popular, and even possible.

His story is a rather interesting one.  He was not a good kid when he was growing up, and once even tried to attack his brother with an axe.  He blames his juvenile delinquent behavior on the excessive sugar in his diet, and at a young age, he decided to try to turn his behavior around.  He adopted bodybuilding as a way to build character rather than simply an exercise in physical beauty.  At the time, the medical profession was advising against weightlifting, but he studied up on anatomy and health, looking especially at nutrition and its role in developing muscles.  Even now, the work is way ahead of its time, and the man himself is heading into his late 90s, and still appears to be in excellent health, in body and mind.  This kind of health is a California trademark.

Florida Stand Up


25 Feb

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Visiting Florida is always a sure recipe for a good time, any time of the year.  It’s gorgeous weather, and a very diverse and lively population.  Some of the more remote areas have an amazing natural beauty, and the cities are hopping with entertainment and action.  It’s one of the finest locations for luxurious hotels, because Florida has a reputation for being hospitable to tourists coming to enjoy all that this delicious state has to offer.  For the live entertainments, there is plenty of music to choose from, great theatre, and a lot of stand up comedy.  For comedy clubs, Florida is stocked, almost as high as it is for sun and fun.

Coconuts is one of the many clubs that you can visit while you’re here, and seeing live comedy is a great addition to any night.  You can go with a group of friends, and enjoy the atmosphere with some great drinks.  If you don’t drink, it’s still a lot of fun, and sometimes even better because you can remember more of the jokes later on.  The whole ambience of the comedy club speaks to the mental space of the traveler, because we’re all usually ready to unwind and enjoy when we’re on vacation.  It’s also more active than seeing live music, but the result is still the same sense of well-being, and after a quiet day at the beach, they can get pretty rowdy, too.

Clearwater has a lot of aspiring comedians, here to entertain the tourist trade.  Stand up is a great way for a performer to make their way in the world of entertainment.  It’s really a very difficult life, but it’s an option that makes good sense for some entertainers.  For actors who discover the limits of possibility when having to deal with large productions and big budgets, doing stand up is a way to keep honing your performance skills without having to depend on anyone else.  It’s also fiercely competitive, and the audiences can be terribly rough, so there’s a big learning potential here.  For us, it’s a great way to enjoy an evening, and to enjoy Florida.

Actors, Directors, Designers and Playwrights All Dream of Broadway


04 Feb

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It is well known that many actors dream of starring on Broadway. In fact, it used to be a division factor in the acting profession. Performers would either dream of Hollywood or Broadway based on whether they were interested in film or theater. And while this distinction still exits, it is not as exclusive as it has been in the past. Frequently today’s young actors seek a career on both stage and in film. Historically actors who have made their living in film, but have their early experience and even a passion for the stage almost always returned to it after having been able to pay their bills. However, the cross over of film, television and theater has never been as easy and even applauded and sometimes expected as what it is today. Tourists in New York are frequently there to see a great show and look for great deals in resort accommodations as well as top Hollywood stars on the New York Stage.

What is less acknowledged though equally common is for theater designers, directors and playwrights to have the same dreams of Broadway as what is romantically assigned to the actors. And while the reality behind these dreams have also changed throughout the years the symbolic significance of a Broadway success continues to dominate young minds across the nation and even the world. Today’s writers frequently dabble in screenwriting, which similar to acting generally pays more than playwrighting. Film directors are known as some of the most respected and highest paid genre professions yet it is almost impossible to take a stage director away from the theatre. Regional theaters have also altered the course of not only play production but also theatre careers. There are numerous professional companies located throughout the nation that provide working opportunities for all theatre professions. In fact, for the standard playwright of today, it is more likely that they will make their career in regional theaters rather than on the Broadway stage, though that does nothing to dispel the early dreams and symbolic significance of the Great White Way.

Wedding Proposal at Shout Restaurant Atlanta


19 Jan

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Jules wanted last Friday evening to be perfect. He had intended to surprise Rene with the special evening for three weeks and finally decided that spending the day at the Marietta/Cobb Museum and then taking her to an early dinner at Shout would be perfect. After dinner they could go dancing at their favorite club, but he decided to leave that up to whatever seemed like the best thing to do at the time. The reason for the hesitation with the later plans was due to Jule’s intention to propose to Rene at Shout Restaurant and he really wasn’t sure exactly what one did immediately after having become engaged. He thought about reserving a room at one of the luxury Atlanta hotels and making a weekend out of it, but that felt somehow too presumptuous to the typically understated Jules.

So he felt it was a good idea to have a plan, but to be extremely flexible with it. In fact, he thought he should have an immediate second alternative on hand in case they just wanted to go somewhere calm and talk and make plans. Obviously Jules was new to this, but had the best of intentions. So it was settled, the proposal would happen at the restaurant and they could go dancing, or get some dessert at the Publik Draft House. This would also leave the option of having a glass of wine if they wanted.

As he hoped it would, the day went extremely well. Rene was excited and looked great. She had no idea, or at least it seemed she didn’t, that Jule’s was going to propose, but it was their one year anniversary and Rene was in the mood to celebrate. She was touched and impressed that Jules took her to the Marietta/Cobb Museum as she had only mentioned once that she was extremely interested in seeing the National League of American Pen Women Juried Exhibition, but really had no idea when she was going to find the time. And while Jule’s friend Mike told him that he thought Shout was an odd place to propose, Rene knew exactly why they were dining there when they arrived. It was the place they first met and she can remember the exact moment she saw him sitting at one of the tables. When Jules bent on one knee and showed Rene the ring box, she was surprised yet it all seemed to fit. Of course she said yes, and while they had a great time the rest of the night, they didn’t pursue any of the options Jules had prepared for.

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