Archive for September, 2010

Irony in Vancouver

Author: Gina

Sep 30

The first decade of another millennium is already ending, and there still isn’t a good name for it. The roaring 20s and fabulous 50s all had their auras, and the monikers that went with these auras stuck. So far, there hasn’t been a lot to recommend for the last 10 years that pops and sizzles, but post-ironic might come close. The Vancouver-based Petroleum By-Product is a band who has an idea about how things are, and how they’re going, and this creates a peculiarly perfect post-ironic sensibility that might be in the upper edges of a new atmosphere, but one that could very well come to define what these moments added up to.

It’s a wonderful thing to be holed up in a city like this. A night or two at a hotel in Vancouver can usually preclude a kind of wonderful stomp through the new culture of the 21st century. A night hearing this band perform live is also worth the price of the ticket. It’s not just that their beats are so catchy, or that the sound is full of treble and angst like all the best 80s bands. The post-irony here comes from a sense that, deep down in there somewhere, there’s a great love for this music, and it is capable of bringing it out of the crowds at a moment’s notice, for a celebration that everyone enjoys but never takes too seriously.

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Miami and Sunscreen

Author: Gina

Sep 27

The relationship between Miami and sunscreen probably seems like a logical one. In the place where boutique Miami hotels draw people from all over the world, for vacations, business, honeymoons, or any number of other reasons, the lure of the beach is often eclipsed by the power of the sun. The consciousness of the sun’s effects on the skin in the past couple of decades has made it very easy and socially acceptable to be overly concerned about the burn.

The relationship doesn’t stop there, however. It was a pharmacist in Miami Beach, a certain Benjamin Green , who developed the first substance that would become suntan lotion. It was called Red Vet Pet, with the last two words shortened from Veterinarian Petroleum. Most folks would be pleased to know his work didn’t stop here, because this was a red jelly that was used by the military, and today would seriously cut into the color palate that most sun and fashion-conscious tourists would like to follow.

He continued working on it, and his patent was bought by Coppertone , after he’d found a way to make it much more pleasing. By working with cocoa butter, the substance was much more agreeable to the skin, and the smell could be wonderful. The addition of jasmine, however, is what made it shine in the noses of the people, marking a beginning of a jitterbug that still makes Pan wonder why so many are at the beach.

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Free Things to Do in LA

Author: Gina

Sep 22

Hard to believe that the city known for the luxury of Beverly Hills and the outrageously expensive shopping to be found on Rodeo Drive is also home to dozens of free attractions to occupy and entertain residents and visitors alike. Vacationers who want to splurge on one of the five star hotels Los Angeles is known for and still find things to do that don’t break their remaining budget.

Most of the city’s museums are either always free or offer free admission days. You’ll want to call ahead to find out if there is a separate parking charge (in this crowded city, that’s always a good idea when planning any activity) and if free admission is limited to specific days or if there are special exhibits with separate fees. Some of the museums to check out include the California Science Center , the Getty Center, the Fowler Museum at UCLA, and the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust. There are literally dozens of museums, from maritime to fashion, from art to media, from ethnic art to contemporary. There’s a Natural History Museum , a railroad museum, and, of course, film and Hollywood collections.

Film buffs will want to visit Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the Sunset Strip and find their favorite stars in the Walk of Fame. Other sites made famous in the movies include the Griffith Observatory , Mulholland Drive, Venice Beach, and the Santa Monica pier, as well as the famous Hollywood sign. Explorers may want to create their own driving tour of LA’s architecture or tour the incredible murals throughout the city. LA has several art walks each month, allowing art lovers to tromp through diverse neighborhoods while viewing the latest works at some of the West Coast’s cutting edge galleries and studios. Downtown LA, Chung King, and San Pedro are just a few of the art walks available.

And that’s barely scratching the surface. What your favorite thing to do in LA for free?

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Defining Entrepreneurship

Author: Gina

Sep 18

The most basic definition of an entrepreneur is someone who starts a new business and assumes the risks that come with that business. However, upon talking to any entrepreneur you will soon discover that they each have their own definition. Some define it as bettering the community while others liken it to a disease — constantly looking for the thrill that comes from new ideas and new adventures.

Every business had to start somewhere. Building a business from the ground up is unlike any other challenge, especially in hard economic times. However, with the right idea and a lot of hard work the business can be a success. Bill Gates , founder of Microsoft, is a good example of a successful entrepreneur .

Sometimes you can build your own business off of another business, similar to a franchise. While in some ways this may be the easier route, there are still many challenges such as building a solid customer base, developing and maintaining a good company reputation, and getting the company’s name out there. Southwestern Company works with college students through their summer internship program to help them establish their own businesses. After graduation many continue to work with Southwestern as salesmen or through the corporate office.

However you define entrepreneurship , it takes hard work and dedication. It is the entrepreneurs that keep our society growing and changing as they present new ideas and new ways of looking at the world.

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Top Reasons Paris is the City of Romance

Author: Gina

Sep 2

Paris is one of the most romantic cities in the world. And while most people will list it as such, determining what actually constitutes a romantic city is another question. Exactly how does a city go about establishing itself as romantic is another great question. Well, perhaps you can’t intentionally create a romantic atmosphere in a city. And regarding Paris, it is a number of elements that contributes to its romantic reputation.

Meanwhile, this fascination with Paris and romance that possesses many of the guests in a Paris hotel doesn’t mean that the city is devoid of tremendous cultural offerings. In fact, it is some of these, such as the Louvre Museum and the Eiffel Tower that contribute to the romantic appeal. Then of course there are great options for fining dining and fabulous wines. Perhaps the relaxed yet sophisticated cultural atmosphere of the city also contributes to the romantic nature it possess.

And the historic boulevards and architecture certainly contribute to the overall atmosphere of the city. As do the numerous cafes that line the streets and spill out onto sidewalks. They are typically adorned with flowers and vines and this has a certain romantic quality. More than one friendship has turned to romance while visiting Paris, and perhaps if you want that certain someone to fall for you, you should plan a surprise trip to the city of love.

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