Category Archives: Travel

Practice Makes Perfecto

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abogadoHave you ever tried learning a new language? It’s not easy, especially as an adult. Especially as an adult with no ears! And before you go complaining to the FCC that my blog is deteriorating this country’s morals with it’s stories of earless humans, I’d like to remind you that there have, at various points in our world history, been people whose ears have fallen off or been broken off. I’m not exploiting that fact, I’m simply stating it.

Back to my original point, learning a new language is very difficult. Of course, some are more difficult than others. If you’re trying to learn Chinese you better just give up. No adult has ever learned Chinese and THAT IS THAT. But if you’re trying to learn an easy language, like Spanish, well then…you’ll breeze right through it. But the best way to learn is by immersion. That’s right, you’ve got to BE where the Spanish is. And what better place than Mexico? Spain, you say? No, you’re wrong. Mexico is the place. They have tasty food, cool music, and nice people.

I’ve never tried learning a new language because I have better things to do, such as read books (in English), watch my favorite shows (in English), and explore the Internet (in Urdu). But if I were to go to Mexico to learn Spanish, I would take an extended vacation in beautiful Tijuana. Known for it’s wide selection of Chiclets and street tacos, Tijuana will have you speaking conversationally in no time at all. In fact, you’ll be literally speaking to save your life within the first few days. What excitement! Some of the first words you’re likely to learn are “abogado,” “baño,” and “por favor, déjame escapar con mi vida.”

If you make it out of Tijuana alive When you return home from your verbal vacation, you’ll have plenty of places to practice your new Spanish-speaking-skills. Go to the kitchen of any restaurant in America and you’ll find one, if not all, native Spanish speakers. Not only will they appreciate your acceptance and curiosity about their culture, but they’ll make your food taste better too. You’ll soon learn that everything tastes better in Spanish.

Tourist’s Problems Solved

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It’s an obvious fact that the west coast offers beautiful weather, scenery and people, making it a top travel destination for many people. When coming to visit California, many travelers are confused about which cities to visit, especially if their trip is short on time. Choosing between Los Angeles and San Francisco can be one of the hardest decisions to make, but with a shuttle bus service, travelers no longer have to choose. Of course travel to Los Angeles is a first choice for many, due to the close proximity to Beverly Hills and Hollywood, but San Francisco holds a remarkable beauty that also draws in many tourists. 

Taking a bus from Los Angeles to San Francisco can sound like a pain, but on a shuttle bus, the trip is quick, comfortable and affordable. These beautiful charter buses offer everything you need for a safe and relaxing drive up the coast without the added worry of taking a rental car or driving for 6 hours in an unfamiliar state. California shuttle bus offers pick up and drop off locations all around both cities so that you can load your luggage on the Los Angeles bus station closest to you and be dropped of in the best location for your specific itinerary. On the bus you will enjoy complimentary wifi, clean bathrooms, and plenty of space to relax alone the ride.

Analogue Photography As Fashion Accessory

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Analogue Photography Is Back!

I’m not sure when exactly aesthetics became linked to style which in turn became linked to commerce, but a good example of this is the resurgence of analogue photography. In the late Nineties it was rumored that film would eventually go the way of the Dodo. Probably the one company that is working the hardest to bring analogue back to the mainstream is Lomography.  This company, nominally a camera store with locations in nearly every major city (they recently opened in Los Angeles) is keeping their end up for lovers of film everywhere, with a focus on cheap plastic Medium Format Cameras Such as the Diana and Holga, as well as Russian cameras like the venerable Lomo. I would argue that their biggest success has been at selling analogue photography as a lifestyle product.

The Code Of The Lomographer

Lomography has a “code of conduct” which it purveys to its customers:

1.  Take your camera everywhere you go

2. Use it any time – day and night

3. Lomography is not an interference in your life, but part of it

4. Try the shot from the hip

5. Approach the objects of your lomographic desire as close as possible

6. Don’t think

7. Be fast

8. You don’t have to know beforehand what you captured on film

9. Afterwards either

10. Don’t worry about any rules

While I get a bit annoyed when someone who has just set out rules for me to obey ends their list with “Don’t worry about any rules”, I guess that’s what it takes to get18 to 35 year olds to do your bidding.

The Time Machine To Creative Ecstacy

I got involved with Lomography by accident while on a trip to Holland.  I had seen an interesting Photo Exhibit at a museum and my curiosity was peaked.  Until this point I had never been excited by photography, but I had a week to myself in Amsterdam and I found myself at a store that sold Lomography products (along with spray paint, skate boards and other accoutrements of the street culture). The things that I like most about the analogue camera devolution are the infinite variety of styles of images and the relative ease that even amateur shutter-bugs can start making really stunning pictures. I found that I started to look at light in new ways, and with each picture I took new ideas for how to work became apparent to me.

Analogue Vs. Digital

Analogue photography has a great deal to offer over digital, especially when you consider that instant “vintage quality” of film. There’s a certain “creaminess” that digital pictures can’t capture.  Making the switch to analogue will instantly open you to an entirely new world of creation. (Plus, there’s something badass about walking down the street with a vintage top-down view-finder camera like a Seagull).

Wedding Planning Locations And Help From A Wedding Planner

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How To Keep Wedding Planning Costs Down

Most newly engaged couples are shocked to find out that the average wedding planning costs will be over $10,000. In some cities, that amount can top $15,000 or much much more, depending on ameneties. However, with good organizational skills, a bit of ingenuity and the assistance of a professional wedding planner, it can be done more cheaply.

The first thing to do is set a realistic budget that you can stick to. This is a critical element for keeping your costs down. Engaged couples can very easily get carried away during the planning process, and quickly surpass their budget plans. A wedding budget can be broken down into the following categories: reception, music, photography, flowers, bride’s attire and “odds and ends”. As an approximate guideline, you should devote 50 percent of your budget to the reception (this includes the site, food, drink, rentals, service and cake) and 10 percent each to the other categories. While these amounts are flexible, they do provide a workable starting point.

A Wedding Planner Can Help You Keep Track Of Costs

Hiring a wedding planner is the best way to keep track of the numerous details, including the budget. One of the biggest mistakes couples make is not planning ahead. When things come to the wire, all budgets may become useless. A wedding planner can keep track of all your wedding needs and make sure you come out under budget. Also, a wedding planner can keep track of the odds and ends better than you can, so it may be in your best interest to get help when you start this process.

Find Wedding Locations To Fit Your Budget

The right wedding locations can be the your biggest expense, it’s also usually where you will save the most money. Most standard reception locations can be costly, especially if you are required to use the in-house catering service. You should have your wedding planner look for a site such as a home, park, museum, public garden or other venues. It also helps to avoid planning for the peak wedding months, May, June, July and August, because most aspects of the wedding business are more likely to negotiate a lower fee during slow periods.

A Wedding Planner Can Consider Wedding Locations With An Eye To Saving You Money

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Hiring A Wedding Planner Doesn’t Have To Cost An Arm And A Leg

These days, hiring a wedding planner to design your wedding event seems almost de rigeur.  However, not many people know how to go about finding the best people to help you plan your special day, especially when cost is an issue.  There are no longer any hard and fast rules when it comes to planning a wedding that is beautiful, fun and luxurious. Today’s brides and grooms are finding new ways to give respect to their families, demonstrate their personality, and make everything work at a price they can afford.

Save Money When Wedding Planning

Wedding planning in “the rounds” is a new term for many brides and grooms who are trying to save money while planning a wedding. It can accomplish many things including saving money on seperate ceremony and reception locations. If you know a bride and groom that is open to new ideas and moving away from a traditional non-secular ceremony in a house of worship, this may be an attractive idea. A wedding in the rounds is a more modern way to have your ceremony and reception in the same location and not have to manage the hassles of setting up and tearing down to accommodate the reception. The ceremony will happen at the center of your desired event, both physically and conceptually .Tables for guests are then placed around the wedding focal point. As your guests arrive, they will be seated at their table. They will view the entire ceremony from their table. This way everbody  gets a good seat to view the bride and groom get married at the center of the room. When the ceremony is completed, guests are served the meal.

Wedding Locations For A Wedding In The Rounds Have Advantages

There are significant advantages to having your ceremony and reception in wedding locations that can be adapted to save time and space on the event design.

  • Guests don’t have to travel from one location to the next. This can be important for elderly guests, as they can stay seated throughout the ceremony and reception.
  • You can save a great deal of money. There can be hidden charges for resetting chairs, added personel needed at a wedding site, and extra space needed for your ceremony that will cut into your budget and create hassles that could be best used to spend money on things like, for instance, a beautiful cake.
  • Everyone will get to see the ceremony. The ceremony and reception becomes an intimate part of the event where all your guests can view and hear every aspect of your wedding. You will be surrounded by your family and friends from every direction.

By thinking outside of the box for your wedding day, you can make your own rules and enjoy a beautiful wedding at significant savings.  Consult your wedding planner to see if this idea will work for you.

Summer Destinations

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So, do you have any plans for the summer yet? There is so much to do and hopefully someday, I’ll get to do it all. For now, here are some of my highlights and dream destinations:

  • Lollapalooza is a three day music festival in Chicago, Illinois. This year, it runs from August 7 to August 9. The lineup is great and includes: Depeche Mode, Kings of Leon, Beastie Boys, Silversun Pickups, and many more.
  • Summer in Iceland. As some would say, the best thing about Icelandic summers is the summer nights. The summer solstice is marked by twenty four hours of sunlight! With an average summer temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll be sure to have a cool summer.
  • Las Vegas is always a fun getaway. It can especially be affordable if you book early and negotiate a good price by using a site such as Priceline. Setting a gambling budget also helps too! If you’re tired of the main strip, there are unique landmarks in the surrounding area. For example, the Golden Nugget features a swimming pool surrounded by an aquarium. It even has an enclosed slide so you can go through a shark tank.

For those of you who are lucky enough to have a break from school or work, it’s definitely time to enjoy your time with loved ones. Vacations do not necessarily have to be exotic or expensive. Make sure to check out events in your area. One of my favorite local resources is Yelp and Gothamist.

Vanguard Limousine made my holiday wishes come true!

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How Vanguard Limousine Service Juggled My Family’s Busy Schedule

So there I was, wondering how I was going to get all my relatives under one roof for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. I’ve got a big family, and they all decided to visit sunny Southern California this holiday season. I needed to figure out airport transportation for each family member from the many different Southern California airports. And it all had to coincide with the different holiday dinners and parties going on seemingly 24/7.

Forget trying to go pick each one up, that would have been a nightmare! I had relatives coming into LAX, John Wayne, Burbank, and Ontario airports. Just when I thought of telling relatives to “find their own damn way to my house,” my friend turned me onto a perfect idea: Vanguard Limousine’s Southern California limo service!

I guess she had used Vanguard’s limousine rental to handle her own tough family transportation needs during last year’s holidays. I though, “Limo service! That’s gotta be expensive.” But, to my surprise, it saved me time and money if you figure in all the different back-and-forth trips I would have taken to different airports, time wasted in traffic, and lost chances to be with family at home.

It’s not just limousine service, Vanguard Limousine Service has many modest town cars and sedans for your airport transportation needs. And what’s more, my family loved the pampered feeling they got from professionally chauffeured airport transportation…it was really the VIP treatment all the way. They carried my gramma’s bags and took care of my relatives’ every whim.

After the holidays were over, I breathlessly thanked my friend for telling me about Vanguard Limousine Service’s airport transportation and limo service. It cleared away all the stress about travel plans for my big extended family. And I became famous in my family for “spending an arm and a leg on limousine rental.” If they only knew how cheap it was! Shhh, it’ll be our secret.