Orbeez Aquarium Review

A recently released addition to the Orbeez line of toys is the Sponge Bob Basketball Aquarium. An Orbeez toy is one that emphasizes the unique properties of the Orbeez material. When dry they are like tiny beads, but when you place them in water they expand to many times their original volume. Once they have been in water for several hours they are soft, squishy, bouncy, shiny, slick, and just plain fun to play with. Here we want to take a closer look at the Orbeez Sponge Bob Basketball Aquarium, and how the Orbeez can be used with this new play set.

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With the basketball aquarium your child will have hours of endless activity time playing one on one basketball using the included water tank. The tank and all included attachments are decorated with a cute Sponge Bob Square Pants them. At the bottom of the tank is a jelly like material that gives the appearance of an ocean wonder land. The water tank has a pump attached to the top of it which is used to bubble air through the water, which makes the Orbeez float to the surface. Once this has been done you can try to make basketball hoops with them, and possibly take turns with a play friend. You can make up your own games to play, or choose to play one of the games that can be found in the included activity book.

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The Sponge Bob Aquarium comes complete with a water tanks that holds approximately two thousand Orbeez, and is even safe for fish. You will also see in the box two bubble blowing buys and basketball hoops that are sued for the Sponge Bob hoops games. The tank comes with an attached aerator, lid, and colorful ocean bottom. This unit also comes with over two thousand Orbeez beads in three different colors, and additional refill packs can give you more colors. A sixteen page activity book is included along with detailed instructions. The entire kit is very will put together and complete. One really great think about Orbeez is that how much fun you can have depends on how much creativity and imagination you decided to apply when using them.

You can purchase additional Orbeez packs to add more colors or replace any of the balls that have become damaged. This play kit is completely compatible with all of the other Orbeez kits including the lava lamp, magic maker, and form makers. The manufacturer recommends that this toy be used with children that are ages five and older. The water tank holds about two quarts and is about ten inches high, four inches across, and ten inches wide and will easily fit on a table top. You can find this Orbeez kit at most online retailers for around fifteen dollars not including taxes and shipping. I found this item extremely difficult to find in stock at my local big box retailers like Walmart and Target.

Orbeez Aquarium Review
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Working With Chinese Manufacturers - Get More Out of China by Understanding Yourself and the Chinese

Introduction You have probably heard various stories about the difficulties westerners have working in China, or any other Asian country. From the authors' experience working with both westerners and Chinese, we believe that these are the result of three key things:  

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Language Cultural heritage Establishes business practices (which can be related to cultural heritage)

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Not much can be done about the language in one document, but the other two can be considered. At the end of this article the reader will understand the key cause of differences between Asia and the West. Hopefully, you will also be able to use this understanding to improve your success when you are working in China or working with Chinese partners.  

This article will cover three key issues.  

The first is the difference in heritage between Western and Chinese cultures. You will find it easier to understand not only Chinese culture, and why Chinese suppliers act the way they do. You will also find it easier to understand yourself, and why you act the way you do (along with your western cohort).  

Second is the differences in behaviour when working with Chinese in China. But be warned, it is not simply about how Chinese seem different to you. It is also about how you seem different to the Chinese.  

The final issue is the reputation of foreigners in China. You need to understand more than just how you seem different. You also need to realize what reputation you have in China simply because you are a foreigner. You will be surprised at how the Chinese can categorize and who they might categorize you with. You might be even more surprised at what some of your fellow countrymen have done: some people change completely when in another country!  

Cultural heritage Chinese - Confucius say...
Chinese culture can be described as 'Confucian'. This means that the majority of the implicit values of Chinese society have come from the attitudes and teachings of Confucius. Certainly communism, and many other historical events, has had its influence. However, for the sake of this consideration you will see that Confucius gives enough insight into how Chinese culture differs from that of the west.   We have all heard the name, although no in China calls him Confucius, but who was Confucius? He lived about 2500 years ago. He was a public servant and philosopher who pondered things such as government, individual behavior, relationships between people and morality.

His teachings were collected into a set of rules called Confucianism and later neo-Confucianism. While these later systems might not be exactly what Confucius had originally thought, the basic tenants were still there. And they still influence Chinese culture today. Therefore, by understanding Confucianism one can better understand Chinese culture.  

So what did Confucius teach? Confucius thought about many things: ritual, loyalty, humanity etc. However, one of the themes that is very strong throughout his teachings is relationships. This includes how you should behave towards another. This depended upon the relationship you had with the other. The teachings also focused on what kind of a person one should be in a relationship with. Another strong theme is that of virtue and setting an example as a leader. It was more important for a leader to set a moral standard for behaviour than it was to be an expert on the everyday details of operations.   So in summary, a person should:

choose the right people to be in a relationship with, ensure they meet their obligations in this relationship and place most emphasis on the moral example

If everyone were to adhere to these principles, then there would be social harmony, and all would be well. Just take a moment to think about this. You can see how it could work, but some thing seems to be missing; something western.  

Western - Our man, Aristotle If history had been a little different then the most influential person in western history might have been Socrates. However, Socrates did not write anything down; it was only his student Plato who did. However, much of Plato's writing was lost for some time. The one who is remembered most is Aristotle, the student of Plato. He was also the teacher of Alexander the great. While Aristotle was the biggest influence, it is easiest to understand his contribution by also looking at what Socrates and Plato did.   Socrates also lived around 2500 years ago. However, it seems he had no job. As best can be gauged, he thought most about ethics and logic. He did this by taking a problem and then asking a series of questions, each deeper than the previous, until the fundamental issue or cause or answer was found. These questions could be asked of anyone to help them resolve any problem. This implicitly meant that knowledge was not held in a divine individual or wise man, but that it was out there for the taking through proper thought by anyone. This method is still referred to as the Socratic Method. However, some suggest that Socrates had a reputation for taking this to extremes, and leaving people more confused than enlightened. He believed he was the wisest because he accepted his ignorance whereas wise men were not wise because they did not realize their own ignorance. In the end Socrates was executed for the crime of corrupting the minds of the youth. But he left is mark.  

Plato was the one who told us most about Socrates. It is Plato that contributed most to logic. He also contributed to metaphysics, where the material world is viewed as a shadow of the 'real' world. He argued that the world perceived by the senses is not the real world, and those who rely upon their senses cannot perceive reality. Plato also wrote about governance, the nature of knowledge and art, but his contribution to logic is probably most important in the context of what makes western culture 'western'. It was probably 'logic' that you felt was missing from the confusion approach.   Aristotle is the most well known because his writings were not lost in the West. Aristotle introduced the concept 'natural philosophy'. Today we call this science. While this is at odds with Plato's notion that reality cannot be found in what we sense, Aristotle still took advantage of the logic that had been developed by those before him. It is this attitude of logic and the scientific principle that guides the thinking of most westerners.  

As a westerner you probably think to yourself: There is one single, right and logical answer to any question or problem. It is logical, independent of humans and based on an underlying fundamental principle that cannot be questioned. That answer just needs to be found. This is a commonly held belief by most westerners. It can be hard to accept that some other cultures have not worried so much about such things. However, you need to realize that this conviction is a product of your Aristotelian heritage and not the source of ultimate truth that all should accept. Many others have managed to build very successful societies in the past with different ideas.   This is not to dismiss logic, it is very powerful. Just don't expect it to always convince others or to be as highly regard as you might think it should be.

So are we similar or different? Before answering this question, consider this summary of what has been covered.  

Chinese cultural heritage places an emphasis on being in a good relationship with good people who set a good moral example Westerners believe that to all questions there is a logical answer that is based on a fundamental principle that cannot be questioned by anyone.

Certainly this is not a complete description of western and Chinese cultures. However, the authors believe it is a summary of the most significant aspect of each culture that is most likely to cause issues in cross cultural interactions.  

Given that there are really only two differences you might think that there really shouldn't be any troubles. On the whole there are more similarities than differences. Certainly the issues that we all face, raising children, trying to get a better job, getting along with our husband or wife and their family, and wanting to live a good life with plenty of friends are fairly universal. Also most people want to help others and most of people are friendly. Therefore, one can easily say that we are more similar than different.   However, there remains a question: just how big do the differences have to be before problems start?  

First try this small exercise. Think back to a relationship that you had in past but broke down due to a difference. Chances are that difference was only a single difference. However, that difference was still enough to cause the kind of problems that can, and do, end a relationship.  

There it is: even when mostly the same, only a small difference can cause serious problems and end a relationship between people.  

Differences in action Now if it is clear that a single difference can cause such a large problem, then it would make sense to know how to deal with it.   But first an intuitive feel for these differences in action is required. Consider some typical scenarios that the authors have encountered while working in China that demonstrate some of these differences in action.  

Can you do it? This was a subtle but interesting case. One of the authors was trying to get only indicative pricing for an assembled plastic housing on behalf of a client. All that was had was some photos. This was not something that the Chinese suppliers wanted to quote on. They did not feel confident enough in there ability to quote a price that they could meet until they saw detailed drawings. This was making it hard to help the client.   Eventually, one of the suppliers, with whom was had a good relationship, quoted. We all (one of the authors, the supplier, and the client) met to discuss the job. We decided that it was a good time to talk up our supplier.  

We pointed out that we had gone to a number of suppliers and that this supplier was the only one who was able to quote based on the limited information. By able we meant that the supplier was skillful and better than the rest. Logically, that is what one would want: a skillful and experienced supplier who has developed the ability to quote accurately on limited information so that commercial decisions on new product ideas can be made quickly. Surely the reader would agree that this is the kind of person they would want to work with? Well we thought so, but the supplier saw things differently.  

Our supplier noted the value in demonstrating that he was the best choice and that we had indeed found the best supplier for our client. Therefore, he proceeded to say that he was prepared to take the risk because he had a good relationship with us. In short he was doing us a favor by taking a risk on the quotation. 'What was he thinking?' the reader might well ask. He was thinking 'Surely you want to work with people who will be faithful in their relationship with you. People who will take a risk for you. People who you will happily take a risk for'.   So which would you prefer? At first, if you are a Westerner, you would probably rather the explanation that relies on competence. However, when you give it some thought, you can see how a relationship where each party is prepared to help the other when things go wrong can work. It is this latter explanation for working with someone that the Chinese will often naturally tend toward. Keep this in mind while reading the other scenarios.  

Is it a business or a relationship? This is quite a common issue when foreigners interact with Chinese suppliers. In the west, 'Business is Business'. It is not personal; it is about getting things done efficiently; and there are logical rules and principles that must be followed, 'The customer is always right' for example. But in a Confucian culture one works with good people with is had a good relationship. How one separate business from a relationship in such a system?  

This does not mean that every Chinese supplier wants to be invited to your wedding, your child's christening and to your summer holiday house. However, it does mean they might act in a manner that suggests a relationship. Also, they might expect the same from you. The danger here is when they do this for you, but you assume that they are just trying to run a 'good' business.  

An example will help. Say that you have had your product designed and it should be perfectly easy to manufacture. However, some changes were made after quotation and the manufacturing equipment needs to be altered. This increases the cost of producing the manufacturing equipment, but the supplier says that they can make the change without the need to charge you extra. Are they just running a good business by keeping their customer happy or are they doing you a favor in the spirit of Confucianism? If it is the former, then it's a win for the customer; if it is the latter, then keep in mind that you might need to return the favor (see the reciprocity section). Chances are it is actually a bit of both.

Note: Tyre-kicker or fussy factory? This focus upon reputation has another affect upon the interaction between western clients and Chinese manufacturers. In the West it is standard practice to submit a request for quotation and expect a response without any obligation. It is a logical solution to ensuring the efficiency of the capitalist system. If a factory receives a number of requests for quotation but few jobs, then they should look at the prices they charge and the services they offer. However, in the confusion context, where relationships play a more important role, you are doing more than simply acquiring information. You are actually in the early stages of forming a relationship. It is appreciated that a quote is first required and that another supplier might be chosen. However, if you ask for too many quotes and offer no work, then you are not suitable for a relationship. You will find that the cooperativeness of the suppliers will start to reduce.   So what to do?   If you need a quote then you need a quote. All you can do is be as certain as possible when you ask for a quote and try to choose a single supplier to work with as soon as you can.

Do we ensure 'reputation' or what's 'right'? To Westerners the answer to this question is obvious. Indeed, how could you maintain your reputation if you did not do what was right, even if that means saying you were wrong? This once again comes from western Aristotelian heritage, and the belief that there is indeed a single right answer.   However, the answer is a bit more complicated from a Confucian perspective. For example, in the Confucian world the leader must set the example.

This means that the leader needs to be right. What to do if they make a mistake? No one wants to have a leader that is wrong. Therefore, it would be best to put forward a perspective on events that explains what has happened with enough accuracy to be acceptable, but still demonstrates proper behavior on the part of the leader and others. This is what some would call a face saving exercise. In the West it is likely thought that this would be for the individual leader, but it can in fact be for the group. They will be happier knowing that they have a good leader who sets a good example. The Western authors have noted how emotional Chinese can be when their government is criticized by others, even when they don't like the governmental system. But don't go thinking that a Chinese leader can just do as he wishes and then just make an excuse to justify it. Chinese history has its fair share of revolutions lead by people who have had enough of poor leadership.

Confucius himself left the employ of a king who he did not approve of.   Nevertheless, in a Confucian culture it would be much better if the leader was good enough that there was no reason for revolution in the first place. Also, if a leader must be changed, then it is best to be done in a civilized manner. When Confucius left the king, he waited for the right time and for the right official reason. He did not want to damage the reputation of the king and thus the society and its people. Remember social harmony from earlier?  

So what does one take from this? If something does go wrong, it is usually best not to play the blame game. Instead, try to understand the facts without passing judgment first. Then look for a solution that will demonstrate a good character of all parties involved. This will require some creativity and an open mind. It might also require that you take a small hit. Don't worry, reciprocity will be discussed later. You will see that this could be an advantage in the long run.

Risk taking This is more of a side note, but it is worth consideration because sometimes it causes a different perspective, which can then cause problems.   Western culture places much emphasis upon logic and the search for a single correct answer. Therefore, it is small wander that Westerners can demonstrate high risk avoidance when compared to Chinese. They simply aren't accustomed to accepting that sometimes a decision has to be made without a full understanding of the situation. But what about a confusion approach?

When one is in a good relationship with good people one is able to take risks. This is something that can help Chinese take actions that Westerners might consider risky. They have people to back them up. Does this mean that Chinese are better risk takers than Westerners? Imagine this situation. A Chinese supplier has been asked by a new Western client to fill a clear bottle with two liquids and then seal it with an ultrasonically welded cap. The product will be a cheaper version of a lava lamp for novelty stores. The supplier has done ultrasonic welding before, but not for sealing. How might this play out?

Let's look at the facts from a mixed Aristotelian and Confucian perspective. The facts are:

The client is new to the supplier so there is no real established relationship Ultrasonic welding can be problematic for sealing, but it can work with some tuning and good quality control.

To a Westerner, this is a fairly low risk issue: Logically, all that is needed is a design and a process that ensures the weld is complete. That will provide a seal. One just needs to charge for the extra development time.   To the Chinese it might go something like this: This has not been done before, and the sealing might not work. We do not know these people; if we have troubles getting this to work then they might simply walk away after we have put all this work in.   So in this case, the Confucian culture would result in a lower risk tolerance. There is less emphasis on the logic and greater emphasis upon the relationship.   So what can be concluded?   If a project involves some risk, then a good relationship with partners is probably required. Ideally a low risk project should be developed, and this issue never comes up.  

Reciprocity Remember earlier when we creative solutions and maybe taking a hit can be of benefit in the long run were mentioned? This will now be considered in more detail.   Chinese have quite an ability to remember favours that they have done and favours that they owe. This is a natural ability that one develops when living in a culture that places an emphasis upon good relationships with good people. The author's have seen some Chinese hold quite a grudge and be openly appreciates depending upon what has happened.   So what does this mean for the reader?   Two things.  

First, if a supplier has done something that is above and beyond. Then you will probably need to be expected to return the favour in some way. Second, if the reader helps the supplier out in some way, then they can expect the extra effort in the future.   But be warned. Sometimes it is not known how much effort something requires. This is not so much a difference in culture, but more a misunderstanding of the situation in each others location. For example, many Westerners will have trouble understanding just how big China is and the kinds of orders that are required to keep many factories busy. Also, many Chinese don't fully understand the cost of labor in the West, and how high living expenses are when compared to the average income. These are not the only differences, but the authors have seen just these two alone can cause misunderstandings.  

Summary on the key differences and what to do So when working with a Chinese supplier, keep in mind the following points:

While one might feel one are being logical, and thus convincing, this will not necessarily work. If a supplier provides an extra service then just remember that it might be viewed as a favour and not simply as good customer service. Sometimes you might need to take a hit, but remember you will be owed a favour for it. If you can help find a face saving solution, then you will be appreciated for helping to maintain 'social harmony'.
Reputation of foreigners There is something else that should be discussed before concluding. And that is the reputation of foreigners in China. This is just so the reader knows what ideas some suppliers might have about them when they first make contact with a supplier.  

If you're foreign, then you're a foreigner It can be odd sometimes to be identified not by one's country, but simply by the country that one is not from.   You are no longer American, Canadian, and English etc. You are simply not Chinese, and you are a foreigner. You are now in the same category as Koreans, Namibians, Italians and Australians.   The actions of people from these countries as well as those of people from your own country will have an affect upon how you are perceived.   Therefore, the reader should approach their venture into China not as a member of their country, but as an individual.   Your country of origin is less important to the suppliers than it is to you and you just don't know who you might be associated with. This is not to say that you should hide your country of origin. It just means that you should rely upon yourself and your ability to work with your suppliers to get the job done.  

Media So if one is in the same category as Namibians, Americans, Koreans and the French, what is your reputation in China?   Well it is worth considering the portrayal of the business practices of foreigners who make it into the mainstream media here in China. This certainly isn't an accurate representation, it is what the media chooses to show, but it is what most Chinese will see. The typical story that makes it to the media is little like this.

Foreign business man comes to China to start business Foreign business man employs hard working low paid Chinese workers Business man has some troubles and says that pay will be delayed Business man leaves for home country with pay and is never seen again

On the whole this is rare. Obviously if it were the norm then the Chinese government would see no value in opening up to the rest of the world. However, as said before it is the image that the media sends to the people.  

Stories Along with the media stories are the events that transpire and that get shared around the local community. Here are a couple that the authors can verify from our own experience.  

Story 1 A customer had a part made by a local Chinese injection moulding factory. The sample was fine, according to the customer, so a few thousand were made and shipped to the customer's home country. At this time the customer had only paid for the commencement of the production equipment. Therefore, he still owed the balance on the equipment and the cost of the first few thousand. However, the customer said that the first order was faulty. The factory requested that the original order be sent back and said that they would redo the job. The customer was of the opinion that he was he was the customer, and that he should not have to do anything. The factory agreed to send the second batch. These too were said to be faulty. Once again no payment was made. This is despite the fact that the tooling was completed and two batches were produced and delivered with no clear evidence of any fault.   At the time of writing the customer was still trying to have their product made, but the factory refused to cooperate with him or anyone who was working with him. The customer was not viewed as a person that one should form a relationship with.   What is worth pointing out at this time is that the Chinese factory has no legal recourse. How would they go about taking this person to court to get their money? One can now see that working for foreigners can be a risk for locals in China.  

Story 2 A client had an assembled product made in China. When the first batch arrived one of the parts was found to have been made from the wrong material. The low compliance of the material meant that the part did not function as was intended. Everything else was fine. It was not possible to determine how the mistake occurred. The factory offered to reproduce the parts and sent them to the client free of charge. However, the cost of replacing them in the destination country was prohibitive (recall the earlier comment about Chinese not realizing the high cost of labor in the West). In the end the original shipment was not paid for and the relationship ended.   In this case, the risk simply came from the fact that it was international and not necessarily the individuals. The foreign aspect itself is what made it risky to the local supplier. In times like this, the only solution is to ensure that your client has made it completely clear what they want so that the final product can be checked prior to shipment.  

Summary of foreigners' reputation in China The above makes it seem pretty harsh. But, as was said before, this is just the extreme examples that get the attention. In short though, there is a risk dealing with foreigners. This means Chinese factories might want to get to know you and trust you before they can happily work with. This is especially the case for large jobs. All you can do is be patient and as clear as you can about what you want. If you push things too hard without being precise about what you want then you will probably just drive local suppliers away.  

Communication Recall the statement about there not being much one can do about language? This is not completely true. Manufacturing has its own language. This language is symbolic, relying on few words. Therefore, you can easily communicate with Chinese suppliers.  

Communicating what you want made Use drawings and a BOM. If you have not had much experience, then take a look at some example engineering drawings. You will see that a complex system can be completely defined with few words.  

Getting what you want Advances in information technology allow unprecedented control over the production process. Ask for a photo or a video to be emailed to you at each major step. If you are satisfied, then the factory can proceed (you might be asked to pay a portion of the final payment). If there are any problems, then it is very easy to circle the corresponding section of a photo and send it back to the factory. You might use these key situations to gain external support, and only pay for middle men when they are genuinely needed.  

So what to do now? Hopefully the reader can see why things work differently in China. However, we also hope that you now feel that you can successfully work with Chinese suppliers with minimal assistance from anyone else by using use a combination of the following:

Your new found sensitivity to Chinese culture, Your creativity in working out solutions to satisfy all parties, Modern communication technology that is at your disposal

We hope you found this useful and we wish you all the best for your ventures into China.

Working With Chinese Manufacturers - Get More Out of China by Understanding Yourself and the Chinese
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For Sake of Nation: The Kennedy Murder

Life had become so desperate for people in South East Asia that on one June day a few had concluded all that was left to them were their bodies to express an indescribable despair. Thich Quang Duc, a Buddhist monk, dramatically committed suicide by setting himself ablaze while sitting on a busy street in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), protesting South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem's religious repression. A few of the martyr's fellow believers wept as his charred corpse tumbled to the pavement. Diem, who claimed a Christian faith, even after ordering the killings of several monks for the offense of displaying Buddhist flags, would meet a slightly similar fate later that year, 1963. Instead of being escorted from the country, as JFK was told would occur, Diem and his brother Ngo Dinh Nhu were slain in a US backed military coup. At that time there were approximately 16,000 US "advisors" in South Vietnam. Also that year Reverend King punctuated a day long protest by another aggrieved people with a brief sermon in Washington DC, immediately placed among the great historic American orations. Additionally, a prohibition on trade with and travel to Cuba by US citizens was signed into law by John Kennedy. The "Hot Line" was established between Moscow and Washington, and a treaty banning certain nuclear tests was signed by representatives of the US, the USSR, and the UK. In England the "Profumo Affair" sex scandal threatened to destroy the careers of several high-ranking politicians and their officers over accusations of state secrets possibly divulged through pillow talk. Prime Minister Harold Macmillan resigned shortly after, for health reasons, it was said.

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In New England four more women were officially added to the list of The Boston Strangler's victims. Also in Boston that year Julia Child, "The French Chef" (as in French cuisine), was introduced to the nation on NET (National Educational Television), the precursor to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Boxing Champion Sonny Listen and challenger Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) agreed to face eachother in a match for the heavyweight title in Miami the following year. There were reports that the young boxing phenom had occasionally been seen in the company of Malcolm X. James Baldwin's "The Fire Next Time" was published, as was Betty Friedan's "The Feminine Mystique," widely cited as igniting the modern Feminist Movement. Sylvia Plath's "The Bell Jar," was also printed, posthumously (under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas), as she had died by her own hand in London earlier that year. On the same day of her farewell, Thomas Edison's birthday, inventor of the phonograph, and same city, the Beatles recorded their maiden album. And with a little help from their friend George Harrison, the Rolling Stones signed their first record contract that year. While in the "motor city" of Detroit, prodigy "Little" Stevie Wonder cut his premier single, accompanied by Marvin Gaye on drums. Tony Bennett's "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" won the Grammy for Record of the Year. The first reputed discotheque opened in Los Angeles, "Whisky A Go-Go." On television "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "Bonanza" were in a virtual tie for the #1 program in the US, with "The Dick Van Dyke Show" pulling in third. Several people noted the vaguely similar look of actress Mary Tyler Moore to Jacqueline Kennedy. TV series starring "identical twin cousins," a collie with an IQ higher than its human co-stars, and a talking horse were also, inexplicably, popular that year.

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The notorious Alcatraz prison was closed, and the United States Supreme Court banned the oath of prayer and Bible reading in public schools. Quasars were discovered, Valium was invented, nuclear reactors went commercial for the first time, and nuclear submarine USS Thresher sank into the Atlantic. "Touch Tone" phones were introduced, along with zip codes, tape cassettes, lava lamps, Cap'n Crunch cereal, and pull tabs for canned drinks - which only bodybuilders, at times it felt, had the strength to wrench the darn things off.

A coal mine explosion killed nearly 500 people in Japan, and injured almost 900 more. George Wallace became Governor of Alabama, where soon after Civil Rights protesters, including some children, would be attacked with dogs, tear gas, sticks, rocks, police and mob beatings, and tax paid fire fighters using water hoses with pressure capable of tearing flesh from bodies and breaking bones. In this same place four adolescent girls were blown to bits while at Sunday church in that southern state, and numerous others would sustain horrendous lifelong injuries from a dynamite bomb. Zambia became a country, and Kenya became independent, with Jomo Kenyatta as its first Prime Minister.

William Edward Burghardt (W.E.B.) DuBois died in Ghana. New Englander Robert Lee Frost, who was actually from California, passed away, only two years after being a special guest at JFK's inauguration. Aldous Huxley, author of the iconic futuristic novel "Brave New World," also went to the ages. Edith Piaf, C.S. Lewis, Dinah Washington, Patsy Cline, Ernie Davis, Pope John XXIII, and Estes Kefauver likewise died this year. As would Medgar Evers, John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Lee Harvey Oswald. Toddler Barack Obama turned two, and sixteen year old William Clinton shook his idol's hand at The White House. Miss America Vanessa Williams was born, along with baseballer Mark McGwire, basketballer Michael Jordan, and songstress Whitney Houston. In 1963 a little more than 3 billion people existed on planet Earth. And in the Southwest President John Kennedy made a political tour, three weeks after the murders of President Diem and his brother Nhu in South Vietnam. 1963 was an interesting year.

Deep in the heart of Texas the intoxicating scent of turkey feasts drifted across the cityscape of Dallas in anticipation of that uniquely American spiritual observance of Thanksgiving, one week away, with the festive holiday of Christmas right around the corner. Store windows were already serenading the masses with tinsel and twinkle lights, and ads promising Happy Nol memories at ten percent off. It had rained. And the skies were overcast. But it hadn't discouraged thousands of residents from lining the streets in expectation of the President's visit, in spite of that community's deeply conservative sentiments. Many were eager to see the First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, whom they knew was accompanying JFK during his visit. She rarely attended such political events with her husband, making this presidential tour a particularly special treat.

Early morning showers ultimately part for the welcomed warmth of the Sun. The welcome warmth of "Big D" has also been shown in abundance throughout JFK's visit, to the genuine appreciation of the Kennedys. Anxieties and warnings by some that Dallas could prove a difficult experience for the moderately progressive politician now seemed unnecessarily dire. Everyone immediately recognizes the glamorous First Couple as their navy blue Ford Continental luxury limousine finally reaches Dealey Plaza, located in the city's historic center, some forty minutes into the parade and behind schedule after starting on its nearly eleven miles journey from Love Field to the Dallas Business and Trade Mart. A typical itinerary for visiting dignitaries. A lucky few residents have even received a personal greeting from the visiting pair at the airport and along the way.

The rumble and hum of motorcycle engines precede the lead car carrying various Dallas officials, including Kennedy's military aide, who would commonly be seated in the President's automobile. The heavy limousine winds slowly onto Houston Street. Women are especially envious of the lovely Jackie in her stylish pink and blue Chanel designer suit, with matching pillbox hat. The glittering political family are as striking in person as on TV, beaming all the while to their gradually thinning admirers. Few notice the first family of Texas are also in attendance, Governor John Connelly and Mrs. Nellie Connelly, sitting directly in front of Jack and Jackie, as the line of cars mosey by. Numerous people wave at, take photographs or home movies of, applaud approval to, or simply watch, not really knowing just how one was expected to greet a president.

Over local radio citizens travel along with the motorcade as the announcer paints the scene with words. "The President's car is now turning onto Elm Street, and it will be only a matter of minutes before he arrives at the Trade Mart...." The parade of cars make a sharp left, as John Kennedy leans over to say something to his wife, then looks back to his right to wave when a loud pop cracks the relative quiet, startling several bystanders. A few in the plaza think it's poor taste for some idiot to be lighting firecrackers. It just makes all of Dallas look bad.

This is largely how those in Dealey Plaza experienced what would quickly become realized as one of the most significant events in American history. For years to come this date would be as memorable as July 4th, Independence Day. And Dallas would, for a time, be the most hated city in the world for many Americans. The debate, such as it is, about John F. Kennedy's murder continues....

Should we care still about this nearly ancient crime today? Hasn't the motive for the assassination long ago receded into the horizon of history, and irrelevancy? Is there really any constructive reason to continue this seemingly quixotic quest to finally know the truth behind this man's callus murder? That is, if there's really any "truth" to know? Had Senator John F. Kennedy and not President John F. Kennedy died in the same manner, on that same day, at this same place, by those same hands only his family and close friends would have genuinely cared about his passing. Perhaps cold to say, but true nevertheless.

For a few this has been nothing but a morbid pastime of trivial pursuit: "Where were you when you first heard Kennedy was shot?" As if the answer has ever been worth hearing. And then there's the herd who seem oddly fascinated by the purported paradoxes of John Kennedy's and Abraham Lincoln's deaths. Mesmerized by some imagined cosmic connection developed through a collection of hodgepodge minutia. Is there not a point where one should say at long last let the man rest in peace, and for all others to simply get on with whatever life we have left to enjoy? For those who sincerely believe Lee Harvey Oswald is guilty of this crime, and guilty alone, then the answer quite certainly is yes, it's well past time to move on.

To them the people engaged in their endless list of suspects, and their unremitting enigmas of Camelot are pointless. And ghoulish. Others not seriously interested in the matter have found tasteless, inappropriate humor in this homicide. But what can you do? Elsewhere the tendency by many amateur sleuths has been to take a defensive posture in protecting their precious "solutions" to this murder mystery, no matter how silly many of their theories most certainly are. As though the truth in this crime is less important than saving face for the expounders of conspiracy. That "facts" were simply a matter of one's own opinion. Many of these people's claims of camarillas are so far out there that at times it's difficult not to wonder if at least some are not indeed dishonest individuals intentionally injecting blatant nonsense into the mix simply to then inclusively taint those whose earnest view is that the Oswald angle is crooked, in order to then indict all who disbelieve the official conclusion in one grand stroke, yet again, with the mainstream spokespersons' vapid curse "conspiracy theorists." Allowing then for the periodic no-names from nowhere an opportunity to emerge in defense of the government's conclusion on the matter, and receive the red carpet treatment from the Fourth Estate, to give their labyrinthine tomes mass exposure. Or these days to world premiere their extravagant computer animations, made clearly on a budget and scale well beyond the known abilities and resources of these "authors," and anoint their version as the "truth," for those ignorant of the relevant details on this crime.

Still, among the people who sincerely sense this case as unresolved, their response has periodically been to remind us: A murderer allowed to go free will kill again. To them Kennedy was simply the most notable but still unfortunate casualty of what was then the latest threat in a seemingly forever series of threats to the nation's security: The Cold War. His death came at a period when the country was in a state of profound transition. Of genuinely positive and far reaching possibilities. Not to say those years were filled with languid moments of halcyon bliss. They weren't, despite what old people may tell you. The capacity for monstrous depravity or sublime decency existed as much then as now. Yet many then actively did more than merely complain about the wrongs of the world by making what contributions they could to ameliorate such conditions. Primarily because of a number of encouraging voices inspiring them forward. Kennedy's was among those voices.

After a world war of unimaginable obscenity, closely followed by nearly fifteen fear-mongering years of "duck and cover," JFK's presence intimated the threat of mass nuclear death worldwide wasn't necessarily the future. And though his legislative position on civil rights was anemic, his rhetoric suggested he was with us in spirit. His upbeat attitude, his self-deprecating humor, his style, his youth, his vigor, made the bitter pill of constant diligence go down a little sweeter. Contrary to so many past and succeeding presidents who seemed to encourage humanity's basest instincts this President, John Kennedy, invigorated, as Lincoln might have said, "our better angels." Though he was no FDR by any stretch of the imagination, the impression broadly held of him was of a politician with significant promise, whose potential greatness lay just a little farther beyond. Despite his privileged pedigree JFK appeared to honestly give a rodent's rump about the little guy. Yet in reality the man was far from perfect. Whatever that is.

He was, as many of his background so ordinarily are, arrogant and self-involved, and, let's be honest, a bit of a sexist. Those who were close to him in unguarded moments might have admitted through a whisper that he was vain as well. And decades would pass before his profound physical disabilities and life threatening ailments (endured since childhood), disguised from the public with the aid of a cocktail of medicines, quack concoctions and drugs, braces, and lifts, would be exposed. Considering the choice of profession pushed upon him by his ambitious father, numerous people who met him would admit their surprise in discovering that the man was actually rather shy. Finally, his coital appetite for women not his spouse, the level and quantity greatly exaggerated by sleaze pushers, revealed an apparent lack of respect for Jackie. Or insensitivity to how this behavior might effect her. Biographers of JFK insist the man ultimately outgrew his carnal immaturity and adolescent view of women by his final years, heightened by the death of his last child months before his own, moving him from shallow impressions towards his "better half." Appreciating Jacqueline and her unique qualities. And in love at last with his wife. With his cover boy smile many fell under the magic of his personal charm. A gift he often took for granted. Through the eyes of an outside observer looking in, Franklin Roosevelt, it appears, was his political model; and he carried himself in the manner of the movie persona of actor Cary Grant.

However, John F. Kennedy was not the liberal champion his worshipers insist on lionizing him as, or his detractors inanely denounce him for. He was primarily a pragmatic moderate, with progressive leanings, who spent much of his time as President maintaining the status quo, with only a few minor tweaks here and there that would occasionally, and minimally, favor reformist ideals. While he was in the White House his administration supported repressive governments throughout the world. The Pentagon and other American agencies aided, financed and actively participated in the undermining and overthrows of foreign offices which were either socialist or mildly friendly with the Soviets during JFK's presidency. Resulting in power vacuums to be filled over time by despots. His administration's assistance to apartheid South Africa greatly aided the white minority there to maintain their savage bigotry over the indigenous people, justified behind the broad Cold War umbrella of fighting communism. Nelson Mandela's nearly three decades long imprisonment, along with the murders and torturous confinements of tens of thousands of others, was due in large part to the aid and assistance of John Kennedy's government.

Over time this tyro world statesman matured from one with a simplistic reading of the Oval Office as "the center of action," to a respect for the profound influence and difference upon the world its power offered to one who understood its true significance. Kennedy's original ideology reflected an adherence to what then was perceived a plausible view of geopolitics, "The Domino Theory." Heavily weighted in the unfounded belief that the world was at risk from the irresistible siren call of collective economics. A society which adopts this doctrine meant its neighbors would inevitably follow suit, one by one. That is, fall like "dominoes." In essence a philosophy espousing communism as a virus. Therefore this foe to capitalism had to be stopped at all costs, through every means available. By the last year of his presidency and life, however, there was a sea change in the depth of his world view. The most obvious root of this shift was the Cuban Missile Crisis. After this sobering experience Kennedy began to explore avenues towards a more peaceful coexistence with the nations then at odds with American interests, particularly that related to the USSR, with proposals for joint ventures between these two adversarial societies. Kennedy had hoped at some time during his second term to effectively change the direction of the United States from one of a state perpetually in siege, to one of equilibrium.

On the domestic front, in his last few months, Kennedy would belatedly follow through on his campaign pledge of doing more for equal justice by pushing forward a bill he knew would be difficult to get through Congress. Though like his brother Robert was quoted as saying in reference to himself on the issue of civil rights, he wasn't losing any sleep over it. But after largely observing the drama from the sidelines for more than two years, which included witnessing the racist violence inflicted upon civil rights campaigners, and in particular the ambuscade assassination of Medger Evers at his home in Mississippi, Kennedy had given a speech just hours earlier, thought then to have lifted the cause. This and the August 28 "March On Washington" would be answered with the damnable slaughter of children in Birmingham, Alabama. Nearly five years later Robert Kennedy would give a near verbatim recital of this same address during his own campaign for President.

JFK's progressive tone had begun taking on a more liberal edge with each successive month, to the great disgust, and fear, of many conservative interests who had grown wealthy and influential by keeping things just as they were. Even though tangible results of his grandiloquence was skimpy, and he was given far more credit than deserved by his supporters for the successes of the Civil Rights Movement, John Kennedy's efforts were received by those on the bottom rung of the American paradigm as an attempt to do right for the poor. Something unusual for men in his position. Many of these people in particular, the voiceless and abused, took his death hard. They felt cheated. For them and numerous others his murder was personal.

His cruel slaying shocked that generation back into the cold reality that even this good natured man wasn't safe from the demons hell-bent on keeping us forever afraid and, like children, dependent on those who viewed themselves as the nation's surrogate parent, protecting us from the vaguely defined night monsters beneath our bed. Pulling us backwards and playing us for fools by promoting paranoia, ad infinitum. Their chesty posture proclaiming we'd all be living in caves and paying daily homage to Chairman Mao, while subsisting on foraged scraps, if not for these indispensable American saviors. John Kennedy's speeches now forever silenced reminded the people that they themselves and no one else, were their own masters who need not look no farther than where they were to change the world. His slaying did not alter that understanding among the ones who heard him.

Thus, this thing people have been doing ever since, going over the same ground again, and again, in an effort to understand what happened on that day, and why, has had in large part little to do with Kennedy the man. His savage killing and its effect on this land was less, possibly not at all, about him. Those who have spent the better part of so many years of their lives and personal resources on this has reflected an engagement in a crusade to rectify history and take back what was so viciously stolen on that autumn afternoon so many years ago: The right to live one's own life, in one's own way. On our own terms. And to not be afraid.

On the last day of John Kennedy's life he had in place plans to pull nearly one thousand American soldiers from Vietnam by the end of December 1963, a mere five weeks away. Authorized within that same document, National Security Action Memorandum (NSAM) 263, revealed JFK's intent to withdraw all nonessential and combat personnel from South East Asia by New Year's Day 1966, permanently. NSAM 271, his penultimate memorandum, outlined designs to work in partnership with the Russians in the area of space technology, instead of continuing with the budget busting Moon Race, to begin as soon as Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev agreed in principal on the terms, to not only build a diplomatic bridge between them, but to also ultimately end the politically and financially lucrative, but morally corrupting Cold War. After Kennedy's death this "war" would continue for nearly twenty-five more years, to be first clumsily replaced with a "war on drugs" - waged against chosen American citizens the American media would demonize as "super predators," and then brutishly replaced by a "war on terror."

In addition, during the last months of his life he and his brother Robert were engaged in, they thought, secret talks through third parties for the possibility of lifting the embargo against Cuba and in time restoring diplomatic relations with that "imprisoned island," after JFK's reelection, to the rage, and concern, of Pentagon hawks. Particularly the Joint Chiefs.

The day of November 22, 1963, found Kennedy's Vice President, Lyndon Baines Johnson, embroiled in several growing financial and political scandals which promised to not only assure LBJ's removal as JFK's running mate in the 1964 presidential campaign, but virtually guaranteed the end of his very spotty, and violent, political career. One of these imbroglios threatened to reveal Johnson's possible connection to the murder of Henry Marshall, a federal agent in Texas, killed while investigating a shady financial deal related to one of the Vice President's moneymen. The agent's death was officially ruled a suicide, of five gunshots, with a bolt action rifle. Also, there were rumors Johnson may have played a role in the death of his sister, Josefa Johnson, on Christmas day 1961, to keep secret what she knew about her corrupt, and disturbed older brother. The smart money gave LBJ no more than a few months more before it was all but over for him. The gossip in DC was that President Kennedy had taken a liking to Senator George A. Smathers of Florida, who looked to them to be JFK's favored choice as running mate for the coming campaign.

On this final day of John F. Kennedy's life he was preparing for his reelection, and where he hoped to be for the next five years. He most certainly intended to retire John Edgar Hoover from the FBI (whom in later years Robert Kennedy would refer to as "dangerous," and "a psycho"), and risk the wrath of "The Director." But only after securing a second term. There was talk among numerous insiders that after JFK's eight years as President brother Bobby might make a go at the highest political office in the land in 1968; and maybe youngest brother Edward would follow in the American bicentennial year of 1976. Thus maneuvering around the Republican and Dixiecrat led effort of 1951 amending the Constitution to never have another four-term liberal, like Franklin Roosevelt, in the White House, by possibly having an unbroken string of twenty-four years of progressive Kennedy brothers as President instead. Essentially assuring that conservative interests would be weakened, perhaps irreparably. John Kennedy's presumed competition for the 1964 presidential campaign, the dour war monger Republican Barry Goldwater of Arizona, was seen by most as having no real chance to move the popular JFK from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. These were but some of the more salient dramas surrounding John Fitzgerald Kennedy on the last day of his life.

The election of Kennedy achieved a number of firsts. John Kennedy was the youngest man, at 43, to be elected President. He was, up to that point, the wealthiest man ever inaugurated. Few remember that at the time the Kennedy name was nearly as synonymous with money as that of the Rockefellers. Nowadays "Kennedy" and "politics" are yoked. The second child of Rose and Joseph P. was the first Catholic head of state, as well as the first 20th century born. And for you metaphysicists, JFK was the first Gemini. And finally, he was at age 46 the youngest to die as President of the United States.

As many of you are well aware there are literally dozens of alternative views of the who, what, where, when and why of Kennedy's murder, offered by perhaps hundreds of others over the nearly half century since it took place. Anyone wanting to know the likely truth behind the assassination are pretty much on their own. There's really no clear compass directing one to the best source for indisputably factual information related to November 22, 1963. Sadly, it's come to the point where the apparent reality is that we may never know for certain the honest history of this crime. Which to me is itself a tragedy. Observably there are people who still have something to gain by misleading the public on the matter. And worse, the persons responsible who played a part in this crime have manifestly gotten away with it, forever. As John Kennedy was known to say on occasion: "Life isn't fair." Neither is death.

For Sake of Nation: The Kennedy Murder
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Memories Are Made Of This : The Golden Years of The Sixties Music Revolution

I suppose my first realisation that music was something more relevant than learning the words to carols for the school Christmas concert was appreciating my Dad's collection of 78s'. He was a man with unusual tastes in music. My contemporys' parents listened to American crooners, like Bing Crosby, Dean Martin and the like, or the big band sounds of the day.

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But my Dad had individual tastes which included Eastern European folk music, Scottish bagpipe ballads and Welsh miners choirs; plus my first introduction to classical such as exciting pieces like Aram Khachaturian's "Sabre Dance".

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My Mother, a dedicated Crosby fan, disliked these strange sounds to the extent that she banished any playing of the 'caterwauling' to our barn, a large wooden structure at the back of the house. This suited my Dad, and me, just fine.

He would mend bikes and tinker with machinery in one corner, while I would curl up on a battered leather sofa looking at pictures in old movie magazines, giggling at jokes in back copies of Lilliput and reading girlie type books (Little Women, Black Beauty etc.) while the haunting strains of Bulgarian womens' voices, Highland airs or the overwhelming sound of Welshmen giving it their all emanated from the old wind up gramaphone; memories are made of this.

Musically I've come full circle. With the increasing popularity of 'world music' I am, once again, enjoying Bulgarian women's harmonies and Welsh folk songs along with the exciting newcomers from African and Latin American roots.

Every generation, mostly, think that they have experienced the 'best' period of topical music, but I do feel that the sixties were a special case. Consider this; any weekend my friends and I had a difficult decision to make. Did we go 'up town' to Ken Colliers to see American blues stars like Big Bill Broonzy or jazz giants like Dizzy Gillespie; or perhaps to the Marquee or 100 Club to listen to the up and coming Britishers like Paul Weller in the Jam, Eric Clapton and the Yardbirds and Georgie Fame with the All Stars.

Or did we stay closer to home and go to the Riki Tik in Windsor and risk asphyxiation in the tiny room listening to an exciting new group called the Rolling Stones. And that was only the start; what about Osterley where you could hear John Lee Hooker, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee and any number of other Southern American blues stars; or Windsor Drill hall where, on a Friday night you could enjoy the best of Cyril Davies and the All Stars, which usually featured one of my favourites, Long John Baldry.

And, if you were willing to risk parental wrath, it had to be Eel Pie Island in Twickenham, a den of iniquity where you could hear the best of new rhythm and blues; smell strange substances burning in the air and where I first encountered psychadelia in the shape of Pink Floyd whose innovative light shows of coloured lava lamp blobs popping and forming ever different shapes were the precursor of the giant video screens of today. To say we were spoilt for choice is not to overwork a phrase.

I haven't even mentioned the many folk clubs sprinkled about which I visited with my friend Lucy as a guest singing duo, where we shared stages with the likes of Bert Jantz, Duster Bennett, Cat Stevens . . We would travel to isolated venues in the heart of the Berkshire countryside and find ourselves in a barn somewhere, with people sitting on hay bales and listening to the stirring voices and lyrics of Sandy Denny, Davy Graham and John Remborne, or even the Wurzels (bring your own cider!).

If you wanted to dance, but strictly not ballroom, you could stomp the night away at a selection of 'trad jazz' clubs. Bands of various styles were always on tap; Dick Morrisey, the aforementioned Ken Collier, Acker Bilk; It really was a golden age for live music of every kind. And it didn't cost an arm and a leg to indulge yourself. If we paid more than a couple of quid to get in we felt hard done by. Even special occasions, like seeing the Who or Cream at the Hammersmith Odeon were cheap at the price.

Wherever we hung out with our mates there was music. This was the age of the coffee bar, always with a juke box in the corner belting out such classics as 'Dock on the Bay', or Buddy Holly's latest or Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, Joan Biaz; where to stop! Before the fashion for 'personalised music' (catered for firstly by the Walkman and now in it's newest incarnation, the ipod) the latest tunes brought like minds together. A normal Saturday outing was to the local record shop where friends would crowd into a booth together to hear the latest in the 'charts'.

Maybe it was all just 'fashion' but, as the years race by, that sixties music has stood the test of time. Many of our heroes are still household names. Our children still appreciate such giants as Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix and Otis Redding. The likes of Paul Weller, Rod Stewart, the Rolling Stones still tour all over the world. Am I showing my age when I find it hard to appreciate modern day offerings? Of course I am but no more than any other person who has let music into their life.

From the moment the first cave man (or woman) discovered how to make musical 'sounds' from reeds or rocks, water or wood, we have enjoyed the privilege of a great gift. How to explain the catch at the back of the throat when we hear a familiar song or melody? How to describe the pure feeling of exhilaration and joy as many human voices come together to sing some particularly uplifting work. I dare anyone to say they have never felt that. And if some hardened souls insist that is the case; well I feel very sorry for them.

Memories Are Made Of This : The Golden Years of The Sixties Music Revolution
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Cool Hotels in Palm Springs

In the 1920s, people with health problems first started visiting Palm Springs because the clean air and sunshine were thought to be restorative. The place took off, and by the 1950s, it was a popular resort town with sleek, modern motels, and lots of tennis and golf.

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During the 1970s, the area fell of favor, but it was rediscovered in the 1990s by gay travelers attracted by perfect weather in winter, retro cocktail lounges, and pool-centric motels.

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Nowadays, Palm Springs is glamorous again, and there are fabulous Palm Springs hotels in every budget. But if you're not a partier, don't come on holiday weekends or when there's an event in town, like the Dinah Shore Golf Tournament.

The first choice of Hollywood producers and affluent Angelenos, Le Parker Meridien is on beautifully landscaped grounds that were once the ranch of cowboy film star Gene Autry. Merv Griffin bought the property and turned it into the Givenchy Resort. As the Parker, it's a hip, expensive place with stellar service and amenities. Less expensive rooms are a bit of a letdown for the price. There's plenty to do with tennis, a 24-hour fitness facility, four pools, and a huge spa. The more casual restaurant, Norma's, serves breakfasts all day, and they're fantastic. At night, the bar is hopping, especially the area around the retro-style firepit. There are also plenty of cozy spots outdoors where you can enjoy your cocktail. You'll need to drive to town, but there are several nice hiking trails within walking distance.

Following a million renovation, the Riviera Resort & Spa is giving the Parker a run for its money. Once a notorious Rat Pack hangout, the Riviera is cool again. Its 406 rooms have been thoroughly updated with plasma TVs, mini fridges, and Internet access. The bathrooms are especially nice with huge showerheads and marble tiles. The two pools are where you'll find all the action, especially in the 12 private cabanas which have lounges, 32" TVs, and minibars. The 11,000-square-foot spa can make you feel like new. The Riviera is very popular and it can be a little crazy on holiday weekends.

If you're looking for a hip hotel but don't want to break the bank, the Ace Hotel & Swim Club is a good choice. The Sunday afternoon pool parties with DJ are very popular, and the two swimming pools are usually jumping. The updated rooms have MP3 docks and big, flat-screen TVs. Upgrade to a room with a terrace and fireplace. The Ace is pet friendly, and it's walking distance to Palm Springs shops and restaurants. If you're looking for peace and quiet, keep looking.

Also located in an updated mid-century motel, the Orbit In has rooms in the original motel and in a second building at the back of the property. If you love retro-design, you'll love this place with its pink tiles, lava lamps, modular furniture, and Fiestaware. Some rooms have kitchenettes and patios. You can get cocktails at the Boomerang Bar by the salt-water pool or at the Albert Frey Lounge. The Orbit In has cruiser bikes guests can rent to explore the area, or go to dinner. It's a real blast from the past.

Cool Hotels in Palm Springs
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The Natural and Historic Beauty of Curacao's National Parks

While most people visiting Curacao spend their time on the gorgeous beaches or exploring some of the world's best coral reefs, there are also a number of fascinating destinations within the island's interior. If you are looking for adventure on land in Curacao, there is no better place to start than one of the national parks. Christoffelpark, Curacao's largest and most ecologically-diverse nature preserve - Shete Boka, a site dedicated to sea turtles and the beautiful northern coastline - and Den Dunki, a historic site ideal for relaxation - each provide adventurous travelers numerous opportunities for sightseeing and outdoor recreation. If you want to experience the best of both worlds in Curacao, make some time in your beach routine for a tour of the island's national parks.

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Curacao's most well known park - Christoffelpark - features a vast expanse of trails that traverse up and around Mt. Christoffel. The easiest hikes can be enjoyed by families with small children, while adventurous travelers can devote the morning hours to an ascent of Mt. Christoffel. Regardless of which path you choose, there will be plenty of unique plants, birds and creature to identify. In fact, there are several species residing amongst the eight trails of Christoffelpark that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, including the Curacao White Tailed Deer and the Palabrua, a reclusive native owl. Even if you don't feel up to hiking, the park can still be enjoyed by automobile, as a few scenic routes visit many of the park's most striking sites.

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Christoffelpark also has its share of historic sites, including one of the Curacao's first plantations and well-preserved ruins of colonial buildings. While the Savonet plantation didn't leave any structures behind, the wells and dams of this early colonial settlement are still visible throughout the park. The Zorgvlied plantation - perched on the side of Mt. Christoffel - features a number of interesting ruins, including the foundation of the original house and slave's quarters.

Curacao's most newly minted national park - Shete Boka - is located along the island's rocky northern coast. The park begins at the picturesque inlet known as Boka Tabla. As you descend the rocks towards the Caribbean waves, you will find a series of steps carved into the cliffs that lead into a remarkable cavern. At the mouth of the precarious inlet, you can dangle your feet over the sea and watch the waves crash against the rocks. Above the cavern, you will find an incredible vista of Curacao's windswept coast. A well-maintained dirt road leads from Boka Tabla to a series of six smaller caverns, two of which have dedicated hiking trails. In addition to being great places to enjoy a view of the Caribbean Sea, all of the inlets within Shete Boka are protected sea turtle breeding grounds.

The Boka Pistol Trail in Shete Boka offers visitors a chance to see one of the sea turtles' hidden breeding grounds up close. In addition to the placid coves frequented by sea turtles, hikers will find plenty of spots worth photographing along the hour-long trek. As the trail follows a stretch of windswept shoreline, visitors can expect plenty of crashing waves and remarkable views from atop the limestone cliffs.

The Boka Wandomi Trail carves a calmer path, but the views are no less spectacular. Set amongst the same limestone cliffs as the Boka Pistol Trail, the Boka Wandomi Trail is known for its rolling, black lava hills and natural stone bridge resting above the Caribbean Sea. This trail leads back to the Boka Tabla trailhead and can be comfortably hiked in about one hour.

Den Dunki National Park provides an elegant location to enjoy Curacao's climate while immersing visitors in many lesser-known stories of Caribbean history. During the colonial period, the park was used by the Dutch as a camp for African slaves. After the slaves were emancipated, the land was used for nobler purposes. After being purchased by a wealthy family in the 19th century, the picturesque property was used as a swan park and outfitted with numerous ornamental fountains, wells and gates. Today, many of the swan park's architectural embellishments remain alongside markers dedicated to the island's multifaceted past, while the trails that weave through the Den Dunki offer an opportunity for a peaceful afternoon escape.

Each of Curacao's national parks offers great opportunities to experience the unique history and natural beauty of this remarkable Caribbean island. When you have had your fill of fun at the beach, head inland for a taste of the Curacao that locals cherish and tourists have come to adore.

The Natural and Historic Beauty of Curacao's National Parks
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Organizing Email

Ah, the endless streams of emails we receive and the countless ones that we never dare to part with. Some really are important, such as the instructions for the lava lamp you bought on eBay and the funny cartoon of the guy on the bicycle. But all of them need a permanent home if you intend to keep them and ever have hope of finding them again. Organizing email is not a one-size-fits-all thing. To properly organize your email, you need a system that works for the way you tend to store and retrieve information.

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Organizing email begins by recognizing how much trouble you are willing to go through to find the information at a later date. Be honest. If you are willing to spend more time filing the emails and less time retrieving them, a more complicated filing system will work for you. If you just want to get it out of the way for now and worry about retrieving it just in case you ever need it, a more simplistic filing system is the way to go.

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The first step in organizing emails is to create a filing system. If you are in the first group (file it meticulously and retrieve it easily later), create detailed file folder names and use your hierarchy system to create sub-folders within each email folder. For example, if you are working on three projects with Beth from accounting, make folders under Beth (or the account name) and have three separate folders, one for each project. If you are among the second group (get rid of it, I may or may not need it later), make a folder for Beth (or the name of the account) and stick all of your communications with Beth in that folder.

There are a number of software packages that can assist you in organizing email. When organizing your emails, do not forget to organize the emails in your Sent folder as well as those from your Inbox. This is helpful later when someone has replied to you without including the text from your original email. The answer to a question is not usually relevant when nobody can remember what the question was.

Determine when you are going to tackle organizing email. You can do this as you read and respond to messages, once a day, once a week or whatever works for you. The important thing is to do it on a regular basis so that the emails do not pile up on you. When your Inbox overwhelms you, you might be tempted to start deleting emails that you need later on. There is no telling what could happen if you forever lose the instructions for that lava lamp.

Organizing Email
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Tiffany Lamps

Louis Comfort Tiffany, who lived from 1848 to 1933, was a true artist. He dabbled in interior design, photography, painting, gardening, and still found time to be a world traveler, a collector, and a manufacturer. The endless popularity of his Tiffany lamps, and duplication of his styles has proven him to be one of the greatest American craftsmen, designers, and unique artists.  

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His father was the founder of Tiffany and Company, the world famous jewelry company, but Louis preferred to work with oils and watercolors, and then moved on to interior design, rather than taking his place in the family business. In a chance meeting with Thomas Edison, who admired Tiffany's beautiful stained glass creations, they got together and created light fixtures.  

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Tiffany's technique for processing and making glass allowed for a larger range of colors, sheens, and textures, that the artisans grew to love. Over twenty years he came up with four new types of glass that he patented, and was the inspiration for many craftsmen that were manufacturing stained glass for windows and lamp bases, full fixtures and lamp shades. All Tiffany items were either designed only by Louis or by design artists that worked directly for him.  

The bases of a Tiffany Lamps are usually of bronze, finely sculptured. Model numbers were given to every shade and lamp base. The shades consisted of many varying sizes of colored glass pieces held in place by copper foil, because of its strength and light weight.  

His first lamps were named "Favrile" and means handcrafted. They were the simple shades that he made in the early years. These pieces were inscribed with either Favrile or L.C.T. on them. The later shades that used leaded glass had impressed tags with the signature on metal.  

Tiffany style lighting comes in floor lamps, table lamps, wall sconces, and ceiling fixtures. There are several categories of lamp that you might consider. The geometric style of shades is of leaded glass and has simple designs such as squares, rectangles, ovals, and triangles that are used on shades that are shaped like globes, panels or cones.  

The Tiffany lamps that follow the flower style combines both geometric design and some nature, such as beautiful flowers, peacock feathers, spider webs, vines, leaves, and dragonflies. He then altered the straight edge of the openings to allow him to simulate shrubs and the branches from trees in the actual shape of the shade. These irregular lines on both the upper and lower border are extremely complex and, therefore, are among the most expensive of his lamps.  

If you are shopping for an original Louis C. Tiffany lamp you might look for designs such as Acorn, Apple Blossom, Arrowroot, Azalea, Bamboo, Black Bamboo, or Greek Urn. There will always be a signature on the lamp. His lamps are almost always unique ...one of a kind , with bronze bases and incredible stained glass that is rich in color and texture. However, today it is possible to get bases that are made from wood and other metals, by purchasing one of the good Tiffany Reproductions.  

Tiffany Lamps
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Orbeez Review

One of the most popular toys introduced this season is the Orbeez line of toys. Just what are Orbeez, you might ask. Well, an Orbeez is a tiny colored bead that will swell up to many times its original volume when it is placed in water for several hours. What you end up with are gum ball sized balls that are ready to play with. The real magic with Orbeez is that this is a toy that motivates children to use their imagination and creativity to unlock the fun found by playing with them. While there are themed sets for Orbeez, the real fun is what you can make of them. Here we want to take a closer look at this original toy, and what you can expect from Orbeez.

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Orbeez really are quite amazing. They were initially designed is the agricultural sciences and soon found their way as a playful toy for children. They start off as very small shiny beads about the size of BB. Your child must soak the Orbeez in water for at least three hours and then they grow multiple times larger than their original size. What you end up with are colorful balls that are squishy, slimy, bouncy, wacky, funky, and really fun just to play with in your hand.

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I know that some of you moms may be thinking that these could be dangerous for my child. No worries here, as the manufacturer has taken more than adequate steps to ensure that they are safe to play with. Orbeez meet all industry safety standards for toys, as well as surpassing all ASTM regulations. Orbeez are non toxic and environmentally friendly. In fact, it is better to discard old Orbeez in your garden than to throw them away. All toy industry tests for chemical and polymer materials have been subjected to Orbeez and they have passed with flying colors. The company has ensured that their product exceeds all mandatory packaging and labeling requirements as well.

Orbeez Magic Maker - This Orbeez kit is really where you need to start, and it is the most popular kit as well. With the Magic Maker you will get a water tank to grow your Orbeez, along with almost three thousand beads in nine different colors. Grow the Orbeez in the water tank and watch then grow. Once swelled up you can use the attached air pump and shoot the balls through the hoops and float them on top of the water. You can then pull up on the pump handle and watch the Orbeez exit the tank and whiz down the spiral ramp in to the collection tray below. The kit includes the water tank, air pump and handle, play an display collection tray, the Orbeez, and an activity book.

Basketball Aquarium - This kit is very similar to the magic maker but it has some additional games your child can play with. The kit has a magical ocean floor on the bottom on which to grow your Orbeez on. Once swelled you pump up the buoy and float the Orbeez to the surface. It is here that you can play a one and one basketball game against Sponge Bob and try to shoot hoops. This is a wonderful kit to play with a friend or two. The kits includes the Sponge Bob themed aquarium, almost two thousand Orbeez in three colors, buoys and hoops for the basketball games, and a sixteen page activity fun book.

Mood Lamp - Think back to the crazy nineteen sixties hippy generation and lava and mood lamps and you will instantly understand this kit. This is a genuine working mood lamp with a creative Orbeez twist. Your child will fill up the lamp with Orbeez balls and the lamp will illuminate them. There are endless combinations and patterns you can make with this kit. The magic mood lamp is included along with almost two thousand Orbeez in three colors, and an activity book. This kit does not include three tripple-A batteries that are needed to activate the light. The lights are LED and change colors making beautiful sights with your Orbeez.

Orbeez Review
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Mathmos Color Bubble - Blue

Mathmos Color Bubble - Blue
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Mathmos Color Bubble - Blue Feature

  • Built-in rechargeable battery with AC adaptor
  • Uses long-life LEDs to produce light
  • Made with high-quality materials - very durable
  • Splash-proof seal means that it can be used indoors or outdoors
  • 3-6 hour battery life for a full charge


Mathmos Color Bubble - Blue Overview

A Sphere of Color From Mathmos (the company that created the original Lava lamp back in 1967) comes the Color Bubble. This is a very intriguing light that illuminates in a wonderful shade of blue. The Bubble is made with high-quality materials. The outer housing is made of semi-soft kind of rubber. It also features a built-in rechargeable battery with AC plug adaptor (120V) and can be used indoor or outdoors. The battery will last 3-6 hours on a full charge. Other features of the Bubble:



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Mathmos Color Bubble - Blue

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Masculine and Stylish Wall Decorating Ideas For a Guy's Den

All of us need a place where we can just be ourselves and shut away the rest of the world. If you have a spare room in your house, why not consider turning it into your own private den? Most guys love to have their own getaway place, simply to chill out or catch up with life.

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A den should be an extension of your personality and shouldn't be about showing it off to other people. Close ones should see shades and splashes of you and your likes in your den. So where do you start?

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Dressing Up the Room

First visualize how you want the room to look. If you already know what kind of furniture you want to have, then deciding the color of your walls as well as other unique wall decorating ideas will be a lot easier. A guy's room should be a balanced blend of both personality and masculinity. Painting each wall in different shades that merge well together is a good way to give the room a bright bold look. Walls with wooden panels and textured floors to match look great as well, and if you prefer carpets, then match the carpet shade to the wall paint. If your furniture is dark in color then it's preferable to have light shades on the wall or the room will look too flashy. The furniture you place in the room depends on how you to plan to use the room. A computer table, a chair and a bookcase are ideal for creating a study. A few bean bags, comfortable sofas, a small coffee table and a couple of shelves or cabinets will complete the room. That way, you won't be short on storage space, and entertaining friends won't be a problem Empty walls make a room look bare so come up with some original and interesting wall decorating ideas. For example, consider putting up a few home décor wall accessories such as metal wall hangings, paintings or even a wine rack. Ideally, the lighting in the room should be neither too dim nor too bright. Simple wall sconces will do the trick. Lamps can enhance the look of a place too. Lava lamps, UFO lamps, lamps with patterns and themed wallpaper lamps with a beach or sports theme will look just as great.

Adding your Personal Touch

Now comes the fun part! After the basic interior is done, its time to decide on the theme.

If you love golf, why not opt for wall murals with gold course patterns on them, and a matching green carpet on the floor? A few trophies, books on golf, framed posters of golf players, a display of your clubs on the wall, and even upholstery in a golf design, will complete the look. If sailing is your passion, how about a nautical theme for the room? You could opt for light blue wallpaper or use blue green, white or deep blue wall paint for a vibrant look. Framed pictures of the sea or a world political map on the wall, a painted rug in a sailboat shape, and light sheer drapes, will give the impression that you are at sea. Pillows, cushions and lamps can have nautical themes as well. Low furniture, a bench placed under a window and even a fish tank will complete the theme. For a sportier look, opt for a football themed room. You could dress the room up in the colors of your favorite team, and display various memorabilia of your team as well. Choose neutral colored wall paint or put up wallpaper featuring the logo of your team on one wall. Clocks, plaques, posters, canvases and even wall sconces featuring individual players or the team can brighten up the room. Add a creative touch with cushions that resemble a football, or upholstery with black and white patterns, and rugs that are cut out in the shape of a football. Add more personal touches to your room, if you feel a theme could limit your creativity. How about putting up movie posters, framed certificates, a few photo frames and a painting or two on the walls? Figures of movie characters, assembled kit cars and souvenirs from trips will look great on wall shelves, your table or on a book shelf.

If you have a favorite sport, here are some additional wall decorating ideas:

Display your base ball kit, hang your favourite racquet on the wall, keep your pair of skates in a corner of the room or hang a basket ball hoop on an empty wall. Also consider keeping a small liquor cabinet and a mini fridge if you plan to entertain your buddies and maybe some business associates.

So now that your private den is all set, you're ready to kick back and spend some quality time with just yourself as well as having a cozy spot to invite your buddies for a few pops and some friendly fun guy chit chat and lots of laughter.

Masculine and Stylish Wall Decorating Ideas For a Guy's Den
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Retro Home and Bedroom Furnishings: A Look at the 70's and 80's

Every twenty to thirty years, it seems that fashion tends to come full circle, with trends simply being recycled and updated. It could just be the vicious circle of history repeating itself, but it seems that even home design is doing the same thing. If you take a gander at the home furnishing offerings today, you'll find that many of the decorations and designs are "retro"', imitating the wave of the late 1970's through the 1980's. In case you weren't around for the original styles, or have chosen to block out most of than span of time from your memory, let's take a trip back and look at the blast from the past that is piled on store shelves today.

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Tie-Dyed Clothes. Remember when bright, tie-dyed colors were all the rave? In the early eighties, everything was a starburst of six and seven different colors that didn't really match and could make your eyes water with the brightness of the design. Home furnishings have begun to incorporate this design again, with wall hangings of tie-dyed starbursts, throw rugs in the pattern, bedspreads full of tie-dyed spots, and even some couches artfully designed in such a manner. If you like the bright, anything goes style, this may be for you!

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Psychedelic. Okay, so in the sixties and seventies, there were reasons for glow in the dark, psychedelic paint and black lights, though these excuses were usually less than savory and not entirely legal. Today, though, the bright T-shirts and posters have returned, with many individuals covering walls with glow in the dark designs and even painting whole walls in psychedelic paint, installing black lights in their recreation rooms or game rooms for entertainment purposes. This retro design option, coupled with disco lights that are more reminiscent of the late seventies, can really take you back to "the day"', especially if you put in the right music!

Lava Lamps, Most lamps are made to assist with lighting a room and giving you something to read by. On the other hand, in retro times, the lava lamp was more about putting on a show when it was dark in the room. Lava lamps have begun to grace the shelves of not only specialty and gag gift stores but also typical home decor departments in other stores, including superstores and department stores. Add to this the fact that the "lightning ball"' has also made a comeback from its loss of popularity in the mid-80s, and you've just jumped back in time.

Shag Carpets and Bean Bags. Rather than sitting on real furniture, designers are now suggesting a return to the basics. In the seventies, everyone had thick, shag carpeting, and now it's become popular again (as opposed to Berber, the thinnest possible carpet around), only this time it's not in mixed blue and green colors (thank goodness!). And, with the modification of the original bean bag chair that was so popular in the 80s to seat more than one comfortably on plush material or even leather rather than sticky vinyl, you can have your whole home outfitted retro style!

Retro Home and Bedroom Furnishings: A Look at the 70's and 80's
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Louis Comfort Tiffany - The Artist Who Created Magic With Glass (1848-1933)

Louis Comfort Tiffany, an American painter and 'Glass Designer,' was born on February 18, 1848, in the New York City, to Lewis Charles Tiffany, the creator & director of the jewelry retailers Tiffany and Company, and Harriet Olivia Avery Young. The chief innovator of glass technology, Louis Comfort Tiffany was considered a pioneer of the 'Art Nouveau' style, blended with 'Aestheticism.' Louis' glass artistry genres were stained glass windows, lamps, blown glass, glass mosaics, ceramics, enamels, jewelry, and metalwork.

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The artist had his schooling from Pennsylvania Military Academy, Chester, Pennsylvania, and Eagleswood Military Academy, Perth Amboy, New Jersey. His art training in the US happened under George Inness and Samuel Colman at New York, and under Leon Bailly at Paris. In May 1872, the artist married Mary Woodbridge Goddard, at Norwich, Connecticut. The couple was blessed with four kids. In 1886, Louis was remarried to Louise Wakeman Knox, after Mary had died. Louis had four children even from this marriage. Louis Tiffany started his art career with painting, getting attracted to 'Decorative Arts,' especially glassmaking, from around 1875. During 1875-78, the artist worked at several glass houses to polish his glass artistry skills.

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Excellent in his works of stained glass painting, in 1879, the artist allied with celebrated designers, including Lockwood de Forest, Candace Wheeler, and Samuel Colman, recognized as the Louis Comfort Tiffany and Associated American Artists. This firm dissolved in 1885. In December of the same year, Tiffany's sole ownership glass firm, Tiffany Studios, came into existence, which breathed its last in 1932. In 1892, he founded the Stourbridge Glass Company (Tiffany Glass Furnaces) in New York, which specialized in producing stained-glass windows and glass mosaics. Louis Tiffany's brilliance can be seen in his decorative productions in glass and metal. He initiated the trademark 'Favrile' for his blown glass produced at this firm. Favrile went on to symbolize all his handmade goods of high quality. In 1902, Louis joined Tiffany & Company as Artistic Director, after his father's death.

The painter individually supervised his artisans and encouraged them to be as creative and ingenious as possible. No doubt, his diligence paid off and his work was hugely appreciated. His collections also included individual vases, bottles, & dishes in an array of different colors and techniques. His treatment with acid even gave his glass a shimmering effect of an antique evacuated piece. He also made 'lava glass,' which replicated volcanic lava. One of the most intricate and the appreciated types of glasswork was 'cameo-style glass.'

Tiffany's competent metal works deservedly won several rewards. Metal alloys were used to fashion bowls, vases, boxes, desk sets, candlesticks, and lamps. A number of polish and finishes were applied to the metalwork, to form an assortment of texture ranging from a shiny gold to a dark-green bronze look. Loudly colored enamels were also used on some pieces. The lamps had the tints of stained glass, fashioned in flower forms, geometric shapes, or tiles. Some of his most appreciated works are "Window of St. Augustine," in the Lightner Museum St. Augustine, Florida; "The Tree of Life stained glass;" "The Baptism of Christ," at Brown Memorial; "John the Baptist" at Arlington Street Church in Boston. Louis Comfort Tiffany died on January 17, 1933, and was cremated in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

Undeniably, he was one of the few Americans drawn into this elite European movement, 'Art Nouveau.' His contributions live on as one of its most stylish statements. Repeatedly inspired by life & nature, Louis Comfort Tiffany conceived his art as a solitary piece, gratis from the assiduousness of revivalism.

Louis Comfort Tiffany - The Artist Who Created Magic With Glass (1848-1933)
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