If you are tired of having to spend yet another weekend home, perhaps it is time to explore the vicinity of your city and invest some time to learn the specifics of the surrounding areas. Taking time off to relax is not something you should take lightly. Recreational activities are the ones that can assist you to wake up on Monday morning, feeling that this past weekend had something interesting to offer.
Although it is not always convenient to change premises or even towns, getting inside the car and travel through the country side or visit the amusement park nearby can a recreational act. Invest some time to research the opportunities your area offers and then adjust your weekend plans according to your interests. If for example you love hiking and your area has mountain which you have never visited, perhaps it is time to join the local hiking club and begin admiring nature up close. On the other hand, if you do not prefer moving with the car, take the bus or metro of your city and visit the museums, parks, shop districts, and famous sights of your area. You might have been crossing the art museum every morning on your way to work, but you never had time to stop and admire the artifacts that are located inside. Use your weekend time wisely and let yourself enjoy the experience you have been wishing to live.
For those of you that just a short trip to the local forest or museum does not sound like fun due to your lack of "free" weekend time, perhaps you should reconsider your house errands and "spin the wheel" of your usual grocery shopping Saturday mornings. Instead of visiting the grocery store that is near your home, take a detour and go a bit further to visit another shopping mall and take a look to the things your local food chain does not carry. Getting to a different place to do the "same old stuff" can give your day the essence of change and yourself an opportunity to check the things you have been missing for some time.
Finally, you can always stay in your house, but still do something recreational. Your indoor hobbies can be a very interesting way for you to spend some quality time with yourself and you can also unplug your phone and take a long and relaxing hot bath. The possibilities are endless, as long as you think what you have been missing and putting it as your first priority in your weekend agenda.
2013年9月24日星期二
Fancy Dress Costumes - Throwing A Fancy Dress Party
Whoever said that growing up meant that you had to dress like an adult? Through theme parties and out and out costume parties, people of all ages are finding reasons to wear fancy dress costumes in a variety of situations. If you feel that your life has been a little bit boring and predictable for a while, why not consider throwing a party? Even if you're combining work friends, social buddies and family, giving everyone a reason to wear fancy dress costumes tends to tie the whole thing together.
If you have creatively or historically oriented friends, you can always suggest a period theme party. How would you like to see your friends dressed? For instance, think an early twentieth century theme based around the Titanic or a flappers/gangster theme from the Roaring Twenties. People love to get dressed to the nines, and with fancy dress costumes, they can do just that. Encourage everyone to get involved by proposing prizes for funniest costume, most realistic costume and overall best outfit. One great threat for people who refuse to take part in the fancy dress costumes is to threaten to dress them yourself with whatever comes to hand.
When encouraging fancy dress costumes remember to set the stage accordingly. Even if your home isn't an enormous mansion, you can make a couple of quick fixes and help it approximate one for a little while. Try swathing your walls with fabric and keeping the lightly low. Make sure that you have plenty of seating and places for your guests to lounge and pose. Once again you can also throw cloths over normal couches can make for an elegant chaise.
When they're wearing fancy dress costumes people love to show off, so why not ask one of your friends to play photographer? Let them roam the party with a digital camera, taking shots of everything that meets their eye and then post them on a website. Not only will this create some great memories but it will also spice up the party. It's always fun to see who will pose and who will do everything they can to avoid getting a picture taken.
Given the fact that our society is becoming more casual and less interested in formality, you'll have to start making your own occasions to wear those fancy dress costumes that you love, so step up and start planning. Whether your taste is in Prohibition Era-chic or from the elegant styles of the fifties, see what kind of event you can throw.
If you have creatively or historically oriented friends, you can always suggest a period theme party. How would you like to see your friends dressed? For instance, think an early twentieth century theme based around the Titanic or a flappers/gangster theme from the Roaring Twenties. People love to get dressed to the nines, and with fancy dress costumes, they can do just that. Encourage everyone to get involved by proposing prizes for funniest costume, most realistic costume and overall best outfit. One great threat for people who refuse to take part in the fancy dress costumes is to threaten to dress them yourself with whatever comes to hand.
When encouraging fancy dress costumes remember to set the stage accordingly. Even if your home isn't an enormous mansion, you can make a couple of quick fixes and help it approximate one for a little while. Try swathing your walls with fabric and keeping the lightly low. Make sure that you have plenty of seating and places for your guests to lounge and pose. Once again you can also throw cloths over normal couches can make for an elegant chaise.
When they're wearing fancy dress costumes people love to show off, so why not ask one of your friends to play photographer? Let them roam the party with a digital camera, taking shots of everything that meets their eye and then post them on a website. Not only will this create some great memories but it will also spice up the party. It's always fun to see who will pose and who will do everything they can to avoid getting a picture taken.
Given the fact that our society is becoming more casual and less interested in formality, you'll have to start making your own occasions to wear those fancy dress costumes that you love, so step up and start planning. Whether your taste is in Prohibition Era-chic or from the elegant styles of the fifties, see what kind of event you can throw.
Visit Hawaii - When Is The Best Time To Visit Hawaii
Hawaii is one of the hottest tourist destination in the world. There were about 6.5 million visitors to Hawaii in 2003 and about 7.3 million visitors in 2005.
Hawaii is such a popular tourist destination is largely due to the fact that the state is blessed by beautiful natural landscape and beaches as well as its tourist friendly weather all throughout the year. So there is actually no best time to visit Hawaii unless for specific reasons such as whale watching season.
Weather and climate in Hawaii - The weather in Hawaii can be simply divided into two seasons, namely winter and summer. In winter, which is from mid-October to April, day time temperatures are in the comfortable mid 60 to 80 degree Fahrenheit or 16 to 27 degree Celsius. At night, the temperature will plunge another 10 degrees Fahrenheit so you may need to bring a jacket or a sweater if you are going outdoors.
There is generally more rain at this time of the year, especially so in November and December. The driest places during winter months are Waikiki on Oahu, Makena, Wailea and Kihei on Muai, Kona and Kohala on the Big Island of Hawaii and Poipu on Kuaia.
Summer takes over from May to mid-October and daytime temperature hovers around mid 80 F or about 30 degree Celsius. Evening is cooler by 5 to 10 F. Also there will be less rainfall and even if it does rain, it will be only in short spells. This is the best time for beach activites such as surfing the waves and scuba diving in Hawaii.
Tourists season in Hawaii - The busiest tourist season in Hawaii is from around Christmas time to mid-April despite of the wetter weather during those months. If you travel to Hawaii during this season, you will have to jostle with tourists from all over the world when you visit Hawaii's popular tourist attractions. Hotels, vacation rental homes and accommodations will also be a lot more expensive because of the high demand.
So if you want to avoid crowds and have a less expensive Hawaii holiday vacation, then the best time to visit Hawaii will be from May to October. Other plus points for visiting Hawaii during May to October months are that the trade wind is at its most refreshing and the weather is dry making Hawaii more pleasant for jet lagged tourists.
The north eastern part of the Hawaiian islands bear the brunt of inclement weather most and it is not uncommon to see tourists sprawling on the beaches enjoying sunbathing on one part of the island while fierce rain and wind batter the other part.
Hawaii is sort of blessed where hurricanes and earthquakes are concerned as these forces of nature are infrequent although volcanic eruptions are happening periodically on the Big Island. However, not only are these eruptions safe, viewing the volcanic eruptions close up is one on the favorite tourist activities. Views of the eruptions may be compromised by a "vog" or haze which hangs in the air after the eruptions.
So when is the best time to visit Hawaii? You decide decide for yourself as Hawaii is a tourist magnet all year round.
Hawaii is such a popular tourist destination is largely due to the fact that the state is blessed by beautiful natural landscape and beaches as well as its tourist friendly weather all throughout the year. So there is actually no best time to visit Hawaii unless for specific reasons such as whale watching season.
Weather and climate in Hawaii - The weather in Hawaii can be simply divided into two seasons, namely winter and summer. In winter, which is from mid-October to April, day time temperatures are in the comfortable mid 60 to 80 degree Fahrenheit or 16 to 27 degree Celsius. At night, the temperature will plunge another 10 degrees Fahrenheit so you may need to bring a jacket or a sweater if you are going outdoors.
There is generally more rain at this time of the year, especially so in November and December. The driest places during winter months are Waikiki on Oahu, Makena, Wailea and Kihei on Muai, Kona and Kohala on the Big Island of Hawaii and Poipu on Kuaia.
Summer takes over from May to mid-October and daytime temperature hovers around mid 80 F or about 30 degree Celsius. Evening is cooler by 5 to 10 F. Also there will be less rainfall and even if it does rain, it will be only in short spells. This is the best time for beach activites such as surfing the waves and scuba diving in Hawaii.
Tourists season in Hawaii - The busiest tourist season in Hawaii is from around Christmas time to mid-April despite of the wetter weather during those months. If you travel to Hawaii during this season, you will have to jostle with tourists from all over the world when you visit Hawaii's popular tourist attractions. Hotels, vacation rental homes and accommodations will also be a lot more expensive because of the high demand.
So if you want to avoid crowds and have a less expensive Hawaii holiday vacation, then the best time to visit Hawaii will be from May to October. Other plus points for visiting Hawaii during May to October months are that the trade wind is at its most refreshing and the weather is dry making Hawaii more pleasant for jet lagged tourists.
The north eastern part of the Hawaiian islands bear the brunt of inclement weather most and it is not uncommon to see tourists sprawling on the beaches enjoying sunbathing on one part of the island while fierce rain and wind batter the other part.
Hawaii is sort of blessed where hurricanes and earthquakes are concerned as these forces of nature are infrequent although volcanic eruptions are happening periodically on the Big Island. However, not only are these eruptions safe, viewing the volcanic eruptions close up is one on the favorite tourist activities. Views of the eruptions may be compromised by a "vog" or haze which hangs in the air after the eruptions.
So when is the best time to visit Hawaii? You decide decide for yourself as Hawaii is a tourist magnet all year round.
Fancy Dress Costumes - Reasons Why People Wear Fancy Dress
There are many different reasons why people wear fancy dress costumes. These reasons can range from parties, celebrations or simply the fact that they are going out somewhere and want to look a bit different or stand out from the crowd.
The most popular reason for people wearing fancy dress costumes is probably at Halloween. This is the most popular time to dress up whether it's children going trick - or - treating or adults having a fancy dress party. Some people prefer to follow tradition and dress up as something scary like a witch, devil or vampire whilst others like to dress up as cartoon characters, film stars or animals. Whatever the reason or occasion fancy dress costumes are a lot of fun and can help to make an evening a lot more interesting.
A lot of nightclubs or other social events frequently hold nights with a theme such as the 'emergency services' where everyone has to dress up as something relevant to the police, fire or ambulance. This is another reason why fancy dress costumes are popular because people want to join in the fun and dress up. It is also common for there to be a prize for the best costume which is an incentive for people to make an effort.
Fancy dress costumes are a great way of making a night out more interesting. It is entertaining for everyone in the party to see what everyone else has come as and people you encounter during the evening usually find it amusing as well. Not only does this create a good atmosphere for the evening but is also a great talking point with anyone you may happen to talk to while you are out.
Some people even use fancy dress costumes to promote their business or service. There are many different reasons for this but the main one is usually that you are going to stand out a lot more in fancy dress than you would in normal clothes. Promotion and advertising is all about getting noticed so dressing up as something funny or unusual is the perfect way to do this.
It is not hard to see why fancy dress costumes are so popular amongst children, teenagers and adults. It's great fun for everyone of all ages and is bound to help create a night that won't be easily forgotten. It's also great to look back at photos and remember the fun you had.
The most popular reason for people wearing fancy dress costumes is probably at Halloween. This is the most popular time to dress up whether it's children going trick - or - treating or adults having a fancy dress party. Some people prefer to follow tradition and dress up as something scary like a witch, devil or vampire whilst others like to dress up as cartoon characters, film stars or animals. Whatever the reason or occasion fancy dress costumes are a lot of fun and can help to make an evening a lot more interesting.
A lot of nightclubs or other social events frequently hold nights with a theme such as the 'emergency services' where everyone has to dress up as something relevant to the police, fire or ambulance. This is another reason why fancy dress costumes are popular because people want to join in the fun and dress up. It is also common for there to be a prize for the best costume which is an incentive for people to make an effort.
Fancy dress costumes are a great way of making a night out more interesting. It is entertaining for everyone in the party to see what everyone else has come as and people you encounter during the evening usually find it amusing as well. Not only does this create a good atmosphere for the evening but is also a great talking point with anyone you may happen to talk to while you are out.
Some people even use fancy dress costumes to promote their business or service. There are many different reasons for this but the main one is usually that you are going to stand out a lot more in fancy dress than you would in normal clothes. Promotion and advertising is all about getting noticed so dressing up as something funny or unusual is the perfect way to do this.
It is not hard to see why fancy dress costumes are so popular amongst children, teenagers and adults. It's great fun for everyone of all ages and is bound to help create a night that won't be easily forgotten. It's also great to look back at photos and remember the fun you had.
2013年9月22日星期日
FAQs for the new year
Bob Donnan/US Presswire
Peyton Manning and his frequently operated-on neck were the subject of a few of Rick Reilly's Frequently Asked Questions for 2013.
Here is the list of Frequently Asked Questions for 2013. Please consult the FAQ list before calling our service line. Thank you.
Q: Why are you always so wrong?
A: It's not easy. Ask the Mayans. So, yes, I was wrong on Notre Dame, Joe Paterno and Europe's chances of winning the Ryder Cup, among a few hundred other things. So sue.
Q: When will you stop making predictions?
A: Hard to predict.
Q: Who's going to be the MVP?
A: I know who should win it. Peyton Manning, and not just because of the unseemly way the Vikings' Adrian Peterson has been campaigning for it. "In my heart, I believe I'm the MVP. Whether I win it or not, I feel I'm the MVP." (People, we don't campaign for Nobel Prizes, Pulitzers or MVPs. Does Meryl Streep announce, "In my heart, I'm the Best Actress"?)
What Peterson did for the Vikings -- 2,000-plus yards coming off knee surgery -- was stunning. But what Peyton Manning did was mind-morphing. Playing for a new team, with a new coach, in a new city, he won 11 straight games, put up the second-best season of his career, and took his team to the No. 1 seed in the AFC, all after having more neck work done than Joan Rivers.
Just look at Manning's December alone: five wins, the highest completion percentage in the league (by 7 points), the highest passer rating in the league (by 18 points), and the AFC Offensive Player of the Month (his sixth, tying an NFL record.) He took an offense that was 25th in points last season and made it second. He took a team with the second-hardest schedule in the NFL to 13-3. And he didn't have to come back from one surgery; he had to come back from four.
"People thought he was done," says Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley. "People were saying he'd be a fool to play. They were saying his career was over. People have no idea what he went through just to get back on the field."
Q: Who's going to be Offensive Rookie of the Year?
A: Andrew Luck. Do you recall what owner Jim Irsay did to the two-win Colts just before he got there? He not only cut Manning, he let go of Pro Bowl C Jeff Saturday, WR Pierre Garcon, TE Jacob Tamme, Pro Bowl TE Dallas Clark and half a dozen others. And he signed almost nobody. This was supposed to be a just-drink-your-beer-and-stare-up-at-all-the-banners season.
Except Luck turned up as the reincarnation of Roger Staubach and started winning with people off the taxi squad. Do you realize his leading rusher had one fewer yard than Robert Griffin III? And yet even with every defense sending the 2nd Infantry after him, Luck still won 11 games, seven of them from behind in the fourth quarter.
Don't get me wrong. Griffin was fabulous and mistake-free and astonishing. Name a rookie who gets voted captain halfway through the season! And Russell Wilson of the Seahawks was a revelation too, and possibly the greatest player ever with two sporting goods manufacturers for a name. And Doug Martin of the Bucs. And Alfred Morris, who is not a butler but a running back in Washington. It might be the best rookie class in NFL history. And yet Luck stands above them all.
In fact, the question isn't, "Is Luck the Offensive Rookie of the Year?" The question is: "Why isn't Luck getting MVP talk?"
Q: Why should we believe you? You're wrong more than Karl Rove.
A: Because I was right occasionally in 2012, too. Predicted before the draft that Luck was "a solid-gold slam-the-door star-to-be" and could win "right away" and he has. Slammed Roger Goodell's punishment of Saints players in the bounty scandal as the "worst railroad job since Amtrak" and those penalties were reversed. I said playing the PGA on Kiawah Island in South Carolina would be a logistical "disaster" and it was, unless you like three-hour drives to see golfers play in 100 degree heat index. And I'm STILL going to be right on Jimmer (7.9 ppg, career). You're welcome.
Q: What's your Movie of the Year?
A: "Skyfall." It's about the Texans in the playoffs.
Q: What's the nastiest tweet you got @ReillyRick this year?
A: "H8 U times infinity." And that is a lot.
Q: What's the nicest tweet you got?
A: A reader said he'd waste no time reading my next column. Thought that was nice.
[+] EnlargeAndrew Luck
Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports
In case you were asking, Andrew Luck is Rick Reilly's NFL rookie of the year.
Q: What's Peyton Manning like?
A: Like this: Ever since he was a kid, Manning has been writing down his New Year's resolutions on an index card and keeping them. His dad taught him to do that. That means that somewhere, he's got all his resolutions, neatly organized, just to be sure he followed up. The man is, above all else, accountable.
And like this: During the offseason, just after he signed, there was a period where no coaches could be on the practice field, because of the new NFLPA rules. The coaches weren't even supposed to look. But one day, Broncos coach John Fox couldn't help himself and looked out his office window, which sits above the field. He was shocked to see a coach running practice, marching people around in groups, keeping things fastidiously beehived. He was about to call security to get the coach off when he realized it was Manning. No wonder Fox likes to say, "He not only does his job, he does yours."
And even like this: After road wins this year, Manning has been getting on the PA system in the front of the plane and putting on a kind of one-man review. For instance, when Eric Decker tripped on absolutely nothing at San Diego, ruining what would've been a long touchdown, Manning got up and played, in his honor, "Another One Bites the Dust" on the phone. After the big road win at Baltimore, he got up and pleaded with one of the more rotund coaching staff members not to take off his shirt to celebrate. That's what you need in a leader. Somebody who knows when to push and when to back off.
Q: Is every question in this thing about Manning?
A: That's not a Frequently Asked Question.
Q: What was the Quote of the Year for 2012?
A: "You got to go with what you have in your pants."
-- Nicolas Colsaerts of the European Ryder Cup team, after making eight birdies (and an eagle) to help beat Tiger Woods, who made seven.
Q: What will be the Quote of the Year for 2013?
A: "Why don't they just make this league two-hand touch? & Hey, anybody remember where I parked my car?"
Peyton Manning and his frequently operated-on neck were the subject of a few of Rick Reilly's Frequently Asked Questions for 2013.
Here is the list of Frequently Asked Questions for 2013. Please consult the FAQ list before calling our service line. Thank you.
Q: Why are you always so wrong?
A: It's not easy. Ask the Mayans. So, yes, I was wrong on Notre Dame, Joe Paterno and Europe's chances of winning the Ryder Cup, among a few hundred other things. So sue.
Q: When will you stop making predictions?
A: Hard to predict.
Q: Who's going to be the MVP?
A: I know who should win it. Peyton Manning, and not just because of the unseemly way the Vikings' Adrian Peterson has been campaigning for it. "In my heart, I believe I'm the MVP. Whether I win it or not, I feel I'm the MVP." (People, we don't campaign for Nobel Prizes, Pulitzers or MVPs. Does Meryl Streep announce, "In my heart, I'm the Best Actress"?)
What Peterson did for the Vikings -- 2,000-plus yards coming off knee surgery -- was stunning. But what Peyton Manning did was mind-morphing. Playing for a new team, with a new coach, in a new city, he won 11 straight games, put up the second-best season of his career, and took his team to the No. 1 seed in the AFC, all after having more neck work done than Joan Rivers.
Just look at Manning's December alone: five wins, the highest completion percentage in the league (by 7 points), the highest passer rating in the league (by 18 points), and the AFC Offensive Player of the Month (his sixth, tying an NFL record.) He took an offense that was 25th in points last season and made it second. He took a team with the second-hardest schedule in the NFL to 13-3. And he didn't have to come back from one surgery; he had to come back from four.
"People thought he was done," says Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley. "People were saying he'd be a fool to play. They were saying his career was over. People have no idea what he went through just to get back on the field."
Q: Who's going to be Offensive Rookie of the Year?
A: Andrew Luck. Do you recall what owner Jim Irsay did to the two-win Colts just before he got there? He not only cut Manning, he let go of Pro Bowl C Jeff Saturday, WR Pierre Garcon, TE Jacob Tamme, Pro Bowl TE Dallas Clark and half a dozen others. And he signed almost nobody. This was supposed to be a just-drink-your-beer-and-stare-up-at-all-the-banners season.
Except Luck turned up as the reincarnation of Roger Staubach and started winning with people off the taxi squad. Do you realize his leading rusher had one fewer yard than Robert Griffin III? And yet even with every defense sending the 2nd Infantry after him, Luck still won 11 games, seven of them from behind in the fourth quarter.
Don't get me wrong. Griffin was fabulous and mistake-free and astonishing. Name a rookie who gets voted captain halfway through the season! And Russell Wilson of the Seahawks was a revelation too, and possibly the greatest player ever with two sporting goods manufacturers for a name. And Doug Martin of the Bucs. And Alfred Morris, who is not a butler but a running back in Washington. It might be the best rookie class in NFL history. And yet Luck stands above them all.
In fact, the question isn't, "Is Luck the Offensive Rookie of the Year?" The question is: "Why isn't Luck getting MVP talk?"
Q: Why should we believe you? You're wrong more than Karl Rove.
A: Because I was right occasionally in 2012, too. Predicted before the draft that Luck was "a solid-gold slam-the-door star-to-be" and could win "right away" and he has. Slammed Roger Goodell's punishment of Saints players in the bounty scandal as the "worst railroad job since Amtrak" and those penalties were reversed. I said playing the PGA on Kiawah Island in South Carolina would be a logistical "disaster" and it was, unless you like three-hour drives to see golfers play in 100 degree heat index. And I'm STILL going to be right on Jimmer (7.9 ppg, career). You're welcome.
Q: What's your Movie of the Year?
A: "Skyfall." It's about the Texans in the playoffs.
Q: What's the nastiest tweet you got @ReillyRick this year?
A: "H8 U times infinity." And that is a lot.
Q: What's the nicest tweet you got?
A: A reader said he'd waste no time reading my next column. Thought that was nice.
[+] EnlargeAndrew Luck
Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports
In case you were asking, Andrew Luck is Rick Reilly's NFL rookie of the year.
Q: What's Peyton Manning like?
A: Like this: Ever since he was a kid, Manning has been writing down his New Year's resolutions on an index card and keeping them. His dad taught him to do that. That means that somewhere, he's got all his resolutions, neatly organized, just to be sure he followed up. The man is, above all else, accountable.
And like this: During the offseason, just after he signed, there was a period where no coaches could be on the practice field, because of the new NFLPA rules. The coaches weren't even supposed to look. But one day, Broncos coach John Fox couldn't help himself and looked out his office window, which sits above the field. He was shocked to see a coach running practice, marching people around in groups, keeping things fastidiously beehived. He was about to call security to get the coach off when he realized it was Manning. No wonder Fox likes to say, "He not only does his job, he does yours."
And even like this: After road wins this year, Manning has been getting on the PA system in the front of the plane and putting on a kind of one-man review. For instance, when Eric Decker tripped on absolutely nothing at San Diego, ruining what would've been a long touchdown, Manning got up and played, in his honor, "Another One Bites the Dust" on the phone. After the big road win at Baltimore, he got up and pleaded with one of the more rotund coaching staff members not to take off his shirt to celebrate. That's what you need in a leader. Somebody who knows when to push and when to back off.
Q: Is every question in this thing about Manning?
A: That's not a Frequently Asked Question.
Q: What was the Quote of the Year for 2012?
A: "You got to go with what you have in your pants."
-- Nicolas Colsaerts of the European Ryder Cup team, after making eight birdies (and an eagle) to help beat Tiger Woods, who made seven.
Q: What will be the Quote of the Year for 2013?
A: "Why don't they just make this league two-hand touch? & Hey, anybody remember where I parked my car?"
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