Archive for November, 2009

12th of November, 2009

Posted by Doug in Business at 5:58 pm

Despite the numerous articles written about managing your reputation online many people still ignore the fact that once something is out there on the web it rarely if ever goes away.  Most employers and potential customers will check your online reputation and will place a lot of emphasis on what Google says.   People say “but that’s my private business” if they are swearing all over a blog or making drunken fools of themselves on You Tube.  Once its out there on the Web it is every body’s business.

There is no privacy on the web unless your guard it diligently.  A good rule of thumb is never put anything on the web that you would not want to appear in a newspaper.  Unlike the newspaper the information will not go away when they newspaper gets thrown away.  If you have a Google reputation problem and seriously regret those things you did in college now you are looking for a job with a mortgage to pay and kids to support you can do something about it.  Here is a good slide show which walks your through some of the strategies to repair your reputation reputation management case study or if you have lots of money you can hire a company to do your online reputation management for you.  Online reputation repair programs can run from thousands of dollars to several thousand dollars and into six figures.

The best strategy is to proactively manage your online reputation before there is a problem and if in doubt do not put anything on the web that you might not want to see again especially at that big job interview.

12th of November, 2009

Posted by Doug in Food, Travel at 12:09 pm

With all there is to do and see in New York many people try and save money on the cost of their accommodations. While some tourists prefer the luxury of fine resort pampering, those on the go who are wishing to experience all the city has to offer frequently prefer to find a New York cheap hotel to leave more in the budget for Broadway shows and shopping. And while this may not be the obvious priority for some people, it also leaves plenty of money for great dining experiences, which is something that New York is known for providing.

One of the culinary guarantees New York offers is great barbeque restaurants. B.B. King Blues Club and Grill provides more than great food, it’s also a music club. It’s a popular place with locals and its Time Square location makes it an easy place to get great food before a show. The rock shrimp popcorn is one of the dishes the establishment is known for and the pulled pork sandwich is also a hit. The tempura fried calamari is great to share or for the interested individual. It is highly recommended by almost everyone who tries it.

Chat ‘n Chew is another great barbeque place located in the Union Square area of the city. It offers traditional southern barbeque and soul food and is frequently considered to be the best there is. While this is true their macaroni and cheese dish is one of the most popular and also considered to be one of their best. However, it has nothing on their great Thanksgiving on a Roll sandwich. This is definitely a hands down favorite of anyone who eats it. And regulars return for this sandwich alone. They are also known for their unique coca cola cake, which is something that most tourists insist on trying if they dine there during their visit. Whichever neighborhood or borough you happen to be in or type of barbeque you are looking for, New York has it for you and a little extra cash saved on your hotel accommodations will often provide a little extra dining enjoyment during your stay.

10th of November, 2009

Posted by Doug in Food, Travel at 1:02 pm

In the heart of the Mediterranean, with hot and humid Summers, and chilly Winters, Florence has no trouble living up to its legend as one of the most splendid cities on earth.  Its glorious history as a major center for world art continues to the present day, and there’s a sense of beauty and harmony just about everywhere you look.  It’s a fantastic place to take a vacation, to get away from the usual daily grind and get lost in a new, lively place.  History buffs as well as committed modernists will find themselves at home here, and it won’t take long before you understand why it’s attracted so many great minds through the ages.

For contemporary conveniences, it’s still at the cutting edges of culture.  There is always something new from the local artists, and there is a substantial variety of food.  Eating in Italy is a pleasure that the locals take great pride in, and you’ll see why it’s one of the world’s great food capitals.  There are also, of course, great hotels.  Florence, Italy has been an extremely hospitable place for generations upon generations, and the art of accommodation is highly developed here.  You’ll know right away that you’re in a warm and welcome place when you order your first espresso here.  For those who share the Italians’ obsession with coffee, the Espresso Academy is a great way to get to know the culture through its love of the bean.

They offer a number of excellent and delightful courses that are fairly affordable, and only take a day.  It’s absolutely worth it, because you get to know about the different kinds of beans, and the history of coffee, which is absolutely fascinating.  Their milk art course can teach you how to make those lovely flourishes, like leaves and hearts, to top your favorite espresso drinks.  Sponsored by one of the best coffee companies here, Mokaflor, this is a great opportunity to get to know fun and also practical secrets of Italian coffee as its practiced here.  And you’ll get to take home some skills that will very likely please your friends.

3rd of November, 2009

Posted by Doug in Sports, Travel at 1:50 pm

It is official my buddy and I are heading to Indianapolis, IN at the end of May for the Indianapolis 500 race. My buddy has wanted to go for as long as I have known him and he said he never went ‘because his wife didn’t want to go and she didn’t want him to go without her’. I kept my mouth shut, but couldn’t help but think, how long are you going to put up with that? He had even offered a trip where they could both go to Indianapolis together for the weekend and he would go to the race and she could have a spa day or do something else if she preferred. She was still opposed. Clearly it was a control issue there was no way she was going to let him go without a fight.

His wife left him this summer; at first he was really devastated. He did a lot of drinking and was really angry. Once again I couldn’t help but think to myself, you should see this a relief and a favor that she is gone. It didn’t seem to take him to long to start seeing the light and realizing how free he will now be not having his ex-wife trying to control him. I think it really hit him when I said to him, ‘well at least now you can go to the 500 if you want to’. He immediately lit up like he had an idea and said ‘yeah, lets go together’.

Having no plans I was game, he was immodestly off to the computer buying tickets to the race and booking a suite for us at a luxury hotels Indianapolis. He said we were going to live it up because this was going to be a celebration of his freedom.

It will be a lot of fun to finally do something we both have wanted to do for a long time and not have the interference of someone else.

2nd of November, 2009

Posted by Doug in Sports, Travel at 12:30 pm

Goa is known as the beach capital of the country of India.  So much of the city is fascinating and exciting that many people who have never been there and never read up on the beaches, may miss them as they never knew they were there.  Many of the four star hotels Goa offers are located along the beaches, so this is a perfect opportunity to find adventure not too far from where you find you accommodations. This is paradise as there are miles upon miles of pristine beaches, and many lakes and rivers for those who love the outdoors and those with a wanderlust spirit.

Adventure sports are becoming increasingly more popular for those traveling through, and any of these can be the perfect way to escape the grind of daily life and to find relaxation and rejuvenation.  There are so many to choose from that each day you will have the opportunity to experience something different.  Adventure also exists in the land surrounding the bodies of water.  Hiking trails are abundant as well as many camp grounds for those enthusiasts who like to rough it in nature through the untouched wild terrain of the Goa countryside.

River cruises are popular and are a great way to explore, while having a guide point out interesting facts and history.  There are any companies that offer island tours, as well as those that will take you out for a chance spotting of a crocodile or a dolphin.  Goa has become a popular adventure destination, a hub of activities that will allow indulgence in nature and offer up challenges for those individuals who prefer that kind of a vacation.

Most of the sports do not require special training or certification in order to participate in them, so this is a great place for beginners to come and learn.  Equipment can be rented and there are any instructors for all the sports, whichever you choose there will be someone there who can teach you.  There are no limits to age, the only limitation is the level of one’s own physical fitness and strength.  And another benefit for these kinds of vacations, is that in Goa you find the prices a fraction of what they would be elsewhere.  So if your kind of vacation is one on the adventurous end of the spectrum, Goa is the place for you.

2nd of November, 2009

Posted by Doug in Travel at 9:44 am

Goa is a splendid place to go to get away from it all.  There are marvelous beaches here, with some of the most beautiful water in the world.  It is a place of great enchantment, and lots of mystery, and it speaks to travelers from all over the world.  It was a mecca for soul-searching young people a few decades ago, and this left its mark in the music, which has a fascinating history.  Goa trance is like a lot of things in Goa, taking in other influences and adding its own twist, so that what’s created resembles the pieces but is an entirely different whole.  There is something that is entirely baffling, yet at the same time enormously splendid about Goa.  Luxury is not only possible here, it’s one of the main products.

With a tradition of hospitality that coastal towns often have, Goa has a spectacular habit for treating its guests very well.  You’ll feel welcome here, and the helpful and informative staff can guide you toward the kinds of attractions and recreation you crave.  The beaches are always lovely, and there are also spectacular nature preserves, showing the area as the incredible biodiversity spot that it is.  There is, of course, a spectacular music scene here, and the techno-electro phenomenon is well-known, as Goa has some of the most splendid parties in the known universe.  There are many other forms of music here as well, and if you’re looking for some great local jazz, check out the stylings of Colin D’Cruz.

He’s been playing for over ten years, and is one of the most collaborative musicians around, having worked with artists from all over the world.  He also has a fairly impressive repertoire of musical styles, and his trademark is jazz.  His main instrument is the bass guitar, and he can set down the backbone for the musical improvisations that follow.  D’Cruz has also been sinking his teeth into DJ’ing, and is starting to gain a reputation for another style of contemporary music that’s deeply influenced by all that the past can teach us.