Trade Shows / Air Shows
Posted on | January 2, 2010 | No Comments
When you think about trade shows, most of the time you’re thinking about going to check out the boats, cars, electronics or new products. I’ve been to all kinds of trade shows looking at new products that were coming to market; sometimes, I have a booth or serve as a representative for our company at a trade show.
I had never really considered the work involved in setting up a trade show until I was placed in charge of coordinating an airshow from my days in the Navy. It’s amazing how many different kinds of trade show booths and variations of display tables that are on the market.
The thing is that the Navy didn’t really let me go crazy with spending money on the display tables so we had to scrounge for set up ideas. We found tables in the warehouse and made our own banner stands
for some of the premium displays like the F-22 Raptor and F/A-18 Super Hornet. At that airshow, we hosted the Thunderbirds. They were a little better funded and brought their own pipe and drape displays. It was set up like a VIP room where people could go in and meet the pilot’s just off of the airfield. The Navy did allow me to pick-up some nice table skirts for some of our display tables!
I prefer it that way. I didn’t want to waste tax payers dollars unneccessarily. For the most part, people are coming to see the planes fly. Everything else is for comfort and for entertainment between the flying sessions. People get to walk around and meet the pilots, sometimes go inside the aircraft static displays. Vendors always come in to sell models, t-shirts, patches, food and beverages. Many times the squadrons also sell their gear such as coins, t-shirts and patches.
If you’ve never been to an airshow, it’s free to the public and a great display of your tax payer dollars at work. There’s a great sense of pride and excitement. Go early, get a good seat, check out the static aircraft, and have a great time. Don’t forget your sunblock!!!
Blue Moon – New Year’s Eve
Posted on | December 30, 2009 | No Comments
A blue moon happens when the the lunar cycle results in two full moons in the same calendar month. So how often does a blue moon occur? It actually happens less than once a year and, more specifically, a blue moon happens approximately 3 times in every 4 years.
So, New Year’s Eve is going to be a blue moon. It is a really rare occassion and certainly something to discuss over drinks on New Year’s Eve, perhaps even a Blue Moon!
Window Dressing
Posted on | December 29, 2009 | No Comments
In my view, there’s nothing that can dress up a home, condo or an apartment like plant life. It’s really amazing how trees, shrubs and flowers can liven up a room or completely make a home go from looking okay to looking just awesome.
Well, window boxes are just one item that can really dress up the outside of your home. When you get to the level of detail and care of a placing garden window boxes, that’s what you’re doing: dressing up your home. Ya see, when you take care of your house, condo or apartment, it becomes your home with your distinct personality and style.
When I walk down a city street and their are multiple 2nd and 3rd floor apartments with window flower boxes and colorful flowers, it just brings the whole street alive. It makes you certain want to be a part of the activity and soak in the lively culture.
There are so many ways to use flower boxes both indoors and outdoors. I’ve seen them on balcony’s, porch railings, and window sills. Sometimes they’re filled with colorful flowers, sometimes long hanging ivy and sometimes they’re used for herbs with always makes you wonder what’s cooking for dinner. If you’re looking for a way to spruce up your home, a box planter may be just the thing for you! Spring will be here before you know it!
Math – HELP!
Posted on | December 27, 2009 | No Comments
Well, I remember my school days well. I have to be honest: math was always one of my better subjects but I found it boring and not exciting at all. Fortunately, it came naturally enough where I didn’t need to study that frequently. I credit that “ease” of learning to my teachers. They did a great job of explaining the step by step in the classroom.
I have a lot of friends that were not as fortunate with their teachers. Let me say for the record that it is critical that you build a strong foundation with math. It continues to build over the years. If you do not get a strong foundation with Algebra, you are setting yourself up for failure in Calculus, Physics, Chemistry and Engineering. Algebra is the transition from dealing with numbers to dealing with theory. I remember thinking, what are these letters in my equation? If you are having trouble with Algebra or have a son/daughter that is struggling, please get them some help immediately. It doesn’t get easier. With the explosion of the internet, there is help everywhere. There are online tutors that offer algebra help. Since Algebra is the ground floor basics for many levels of advanced mathematics and sciences.
One of the things I struggled with was word problems but I did seek out friends and tutors. For whatever reason, I just wanted to see numbers. I didn’t like to see paragraphs on my math tests. It was a personal mental block. Like anything, it’s important to practice your algebra word problems and math word problems. With practice, I learned how to re-write my paragraphs into equations. This revelation helped me apply math to some real world practical applications as well. It led me to probability which I’ve used extensively in my adult life!
Lou Lous Corner Store
Posted on | December 27, 2009 | No Comments
Well, just when you thought you’ve already reached the end of the internet, you find something new. Now, I admit that I’m very weak in the area of fashion and clothing but I’m trying to get better! I have kids and I know how ruthless some children can be when someone is “out of fashion”. So, I decided to look for some new clothes for kids and I came across Lou Lous Corner.
First of all, if I like the name and that caught my eye. I got a very distinct picture of a quaint little corner store in the busy streets of London. I don’t know why but in my mind, Lou Lous Corner Store sounds better with a British accent!
When I got to the website I was impressed with the cozy nature of the web design as it made me want to step in and look around. Perhaps that makes me a Lookie Lou! Anyway, I was glad that I looked inside as I came across some brands that I’d never seen such as Jellycat, Barefoot Dreams and Appaman.
What I really liked is that they go through the history of the designs. For example, a little history on Appaman is that the designer is Harold Husum from Norway and the designer loved his corduroy ape named Appaman which is the inspiration behind the youthful and child friendly design!
Anyway, I love the description and the story behind the story. Lou Lous Corner is as personal of a website I’ve seen and it’s a pleasant shopping excursion!
Planters
Posted on | December 22, 2009 | No Comments
I was at a family Christmas celebration and my wife’s aunt just had a ton of planters growing all kinds of plants. She had herbs, peppers, trees, and flowers. Honestly, I thought I was in some sort of an indoor hanging gardens. In her case, she had many pots but she also has some intricate arrangements that use an indoor planter that looked like a stone fountain.
Many of her indoor planters could have been used as outdoor planters. Outdoor planters are usually very large and meant to blend with the stonework. There are all kinds of planters that might fit your fancy. You’ll have to click through to the website we’ve linked to in this article. They have urns, window planters, box planters, planter pedestals, planter troughs, accessories and much more.
It’s really a matter of personal preference but I will say that it’s important to make sure the planter has good drainage. You don’t wany your roots to drown! I think it’s also important to recognize that a planter is meant to help you focus on the plant. The plant is the centerpiece. A good planter is one that blends with its environment and helps focus ones eye to the centerpiece which is your plant and/or flowers. In addition to a good plant, make sure you have good soil to make sure your centerpiece flourishes!
Garden Planters
Last minute shopping
Posted on | December 22, 2009 | No Comments
Well, it’s a time of year of shopping, buying and giving. It’s also a time of year where many people travel. This holiday season many people are going to break out their bags, backpacks and luggage so that they can make their journey.
It’s somewhat ironic but most people don’t think much about their luggage until they’re using it. I’m here to tell you that a good bag or luggage set can make your trek a lot more pleasant. If the bags are compact, roll and are lightweight, it helps. Of course, the bag also needs to be able to hold your things.
Back packs are great for a spare set of clothes, books to read on the plane and other miscelaneous things. Ultimately, bags are a matter of personal preference. They come in all shapes and sizes. What you like is completely up to you.
Couple of things you’ll want to look for with luggage. You will want to make sure the bags you use for carry ons are the right size and shape for the airlines. You can get these measurements from the airline website. American Airlines has a limit of 40lbs and no more than 45 inches for the carry on and 36 inches for the personal item. This means Hieght +Width+Length cannot be more than the total inches allowed.
Other things you should look for when you buy luggage is tappered inner seams to prevent fraying. The handles shouldn’t stick out and that gets your bag snagged which will lead to unnecessary stress. A fabric weave is on of the most durable. Wide track wheels are preferable and big zippers tend to last longer as well as maitain their durability.
You don’t really think about your bags until you’re traveling but they can make or break your travel day. Finding the right bag or luggage set is certainly something to consider before you take off this holiday season!
Sign of the times
Posted on | December 18, 2009 | No Comments
Well, let’s break it down. When people believe the economy is in danger or at risk, they buy gold. Personally, I find that somewhat amusing but I’m not an expert, apparently. In the beginning of the rise of US currency, it was so widely respected because every dollar was backed by gold. Over the years as we printed more and more money, we lost the gold standard. However, the dollar remained valuable because everyone believed in it.
So, that’s exactly what I will say about gold. It is absolutely the standard when it comes to currency. For whatever reason, people trust gold and have assigned it value. One of the reasons is that it’s rare and another reason is that it’s very elegant. Certainly, as a medium of exchange, it makes more sense than dirt or sea shells. However, it is a medal.
Ultimately, when it comes down to it, the things that are valuable are food, water and security. However, the invention of currency was one of the great inventions in history. Having a medium of exchange that everyone recognizes as valuable is critical to commerce. Standardizing the value of anything makes bartering simple. That’s what makes the world go around these days and money is very circular.
Gold is the standard for currency. It is the absolute standard as the medium exchange. It has been considered valuable for thousands of years and is therefore considered a safe investment in difficult economic times.
Translation Network
Posted on | December 18, 2009 | No Comments
It’s amazing but one of the most amazing advances in human history is language. Can’t you imagine what would happen if we weren’t able to communicate? It would be barbaric! Consider the grunting and pointing! Well, ironically, it doesn’t get much better when you meet someone that speaks a different language. There are thousands of languages and variations of language throughout the world. I’ve read that there are over six thousand languages in the world. Consider that just over 200 are spoken in Europe while over 2ooo are spoken in Asia. At least this is what is reported by the Linguistic Society of America. Anyway, our point is simple; translation is critical to comunication.
Now there are times I feel like I need a translator for my wife or children. It just really seems like they don’t understand what I’m saying…. but I think that’s because of selective hearing. Now, selective hearing is a road block to communication as well… but that’s a whole different field of study.
So that brings me to my point. In todays world, people speak all kinds of languages. There are programs every where that will help you learn. There are computer translators (that do an okay job) and they certainly work a lot better than selective hearing! As a business owner, I have tried to translate various sets of instructions with software or dictonaries. It’s just not the same as someone who is fluent. The Translia website that we link to in this article is the largest network of translators in the world or at least that’s their claim to fame. It’s a great network as you can sign up and translate for money or you can pay to have things translated for you. As a translator, you can translate as much or as little as you want. Go ahead, click through and you’ll be babbling in thousands of language before you know it!
Original Poetry
Posted on | December 17, 2009 | No Comments
For fun, I wanted to start a thread for original and undiscovered poetry. Respond with yours!
Journey
Wandering along a desolate plateau
through sun beams and moon rays
waiting to see the Light.
Running towards my mountain of Dreams
and I will climb higher than high
until suffocated by heavenly sights
where untouchable Beauty fuels Passion
and blinding Light energizes.
Then, without waxed wings,
I will fly.
- Seman Emanrus
keep looking »