Sensational and Seedy Side of Boston History

By Doug

Jul

31

One of the interesting perspectives in deciding how to explore the city of Boston is to look at some of the more obscure historic personalities and events. And for some reason that is not quite known but continues to be studied, people always seem to be captivated by the gruesome and spooky and sensational social elements. And whenever a potential haunted location comes up, the guests in many of the Boston hotels will immediately want to run and investigate. Perhaps it’s just human nature, but unsolved mysteries and unexplained phenomena really seem to grasp our imaginations.

The fact that Boston had its fair share of witch trails during the early development of this country may not compare to those that occurred in Salem , though they do capture the interest of many people. Meanwhile, more contemporary controversial elements like the Boston Strangler may be too close for complete sensationalized status, though the 1960s murders that occurred are certainly on their way to becoming so. This is partly due to some of the mystery that continues to surround the crimes. Several women in Boston were murdered and these were attributed to Albert DeSalvo though investigations indicate that they were not committed by only one person. And of course various stories about the mob will always be part of the lore of the underside of this incredible American city.

Miami Beaches

By Doug

Jul

26

From the windows of the best Miami resorts you can watch the sun rise over the ocean. A memorable sight many take with them from this magical city whether they are witnessing it as they turn in after a night out at the clubs or waking up to greet the day and maybe squeeze in yoga on the sand.

Miami has over 10 miles of beaches for tourists to sun, snorkel, and explore, and that is before you even start looking at the jewels just off the coast to the south of Miami. No matter your taste in beach experience you’ll find what your looking for in Miami. Whether you want to find the perfect photo opp or catch sun you won’t be disappointed.

Be sure to do your research beforehand. While some of these beaches have boardwalks and concession stands for the hungry or thirsty beach goer to refuel, several don’t and it’s important to keep hydrated.

Don’t worry, even if you’ve been to Miami more than once and feel you’ve explored it to the max the Keys are just a quick drive south and you’ll be able to tell your friends you had Key Lime Pie from the source.

Busking Seattle

By Doug

Jul

21

The city of Seattle has always seemed ripe for buskers . For those who might not know the term, busking refers to street performance, and anyone who sings on a street corner with a hat at their feet is busking. It’s a very old tradition, and probably stems from the same impulses to perform anything anywhere, and just needed a city with a population with change in their pockets, to get underway.

So a city like this, with a very intelligent citizenry, who also happen to like and appreciate arts and culture of all kinds, would be one of the more likely candidates for a high level of street performance. There are a number of people who do work downtown, and it’s usually the guitar and vocal kinds of entertainment. Buskers have a local hero with Magic Mike , also known as Michael Berger, who has been working Seattle Center, doing magic tricks and making balloon animals for the kids.

He’s been involved in a long legal argument with the city over his right to work there, and it’s an interesting case. He’s won settlements, and the verdict has been overturned and turned again multiple times over the past few decades. For wannabe street performers, looking for cheap Seattle hotel rates to try their luck in the city, it’s still a difficult place to work without a permit, but there are signs of hope everywhere.

Knee Injuries Don’t Mean You Have to Quit Sports

By Doug

Jul

17

Knee pain can be related to overuse that creates small stresses placed a number of times on the knee without allowing recovery time such as running to much too soon, or excessive jumping. Knee problems are very common with people involved in sports and high activities and knee pain can be acute where the injury is caused.

The knee is basically a hinge with many distinct parts all working together to make the knee function free from discomfort. If one of those components is not in a healthy working order, it can cause soreness, inflammation and instability. Unfortunately, this discomfort is something that has to be coped with, but it doesn’t have to keep an individual from doing the activity they love.

A knee brace, not the kind that can be purchased at your local drug store, but a knee brace that can be special ordered or prescribed by your physician is what will help keep you as active as before. There are hundreds of types of knee braces. If you are interested in using a knee brace for competitive sports, first contact your team doctor or an orthopedic surgeon to see what they recommend. A sports doctor can prescribe the proper type of knee brace for a particular injury or for a particular sport. Plus, for a knee brace to be of benefit, it needs to fit properly, so once you have a knee brace, let your doctor inspect the fit to ensure that it will help with the right amount of support for the best recovery from an injury or to help prevent an injury.

Choosing a Host

By Doug

Jul

12

It’s one of the most exciting times to be working in the world. The digital, information, and technological age that has been here for a few decades has taken some unusual turns suddenly. John Cage had a notion, back in the 1950s, that people would be able to communicate without wires sometime in the future. And the internet was just an idea in the 1970s, leading to a phenomenon called electronic mail . That was available to a few businesses, and to university professors and students, but it took a little time before it caught on. Of course, today, these things are part of the fabric of reality, and what was once extraneous is now a necessity.

It is possible to communicate without a cell phone, and probably even possible to have a business without a website, but they pay off so quickly, it’s hard to think of good reasons why. It’s usually not a choice, then, to consider whether to have them or not, but who to work with. Web site hosting is an important consideration, and has as much to do with the site’s success as the cell phone carrier. This still leaves the bulk of the responsibility for success on the business and individual. A site that has a strong presence speaks of a place in the world in the present moment.

Spies Among Us in Washington D.C.

By Doug

Jul

2

In Washington D.C., the International Spy Museum is dedicated to espionage and provides a global perspective on an all-but-invisible profession that has shaped hisory and continues to have a significant impact with world events. Featuring the largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever displayed for the general public to see, some for the first time. Located at 800 F Street NW, next to a hotel Washington USA provides its visitors, you’ll be able walk to the museum and see artifacts that illuminate the work of famous spies and pivotal espionage actions.

You’ll get to bring to life the strategies and techniques by the men and women behind some of the most secretive espionage missions in the history of the world with
Operation Spy (OpSpy), which is not an exhibit but a live-action spy adventure. You don’t read about spies, you are the spy! You’ll have one hour to find a missing nuclear trigger, as you dive into an intense challenge combining live-action, themed environments, special effects, and hands-on activities such as cracking a safe, decoding messages and conducting a polygraph test of a suspect agent. This operation is for children ages 12 and up and is considered a separate experience at the International Spy Museum.

The International Spy Museum’s mission is to educate its visitors about espionage in a very engaging way, by providing context that fosters an understanding of espionages important role in and its impact on historic and current events. The Museum focuses on human intelligence and reveals the role spies have played throughout history. The presentations are nonbiased, apolitical and accurate. In addition there are several permanent exhibits such as the ‘Introduction to Espionage’, which is a ‘who-done-it’ exhibit featuring movies, film noir and literature that portray anything to do with spies, but you’ll leave with your preconceived ideas behind and you learn about the authentic tradecraft that has been used throughout time and around the world; with ‘The Secret History of History’, you’ll travel back through the centuries and get to trace the earliest moments of this profession; ‘School for Spies’, examines over 200 spy gadgets, weapons, bugs, cameras, vehicles and technologies; and in the ‘Spies Among Us’ exhibit, experience the storm clouds gathering as World War II draws near, and the fronts which concealed German and Russian spy rings operated right under our noses.

Hours are: 9am to 7pm and general admission is $18 for adults and $15 for children. Additional cost is added for OpSpy and other interactive activities, check website for details.