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If you are in England or anywhere near it for that matter, you probably know about the Cheltenham Racecourse and the fact that the Cheltenham Gold Cup festivities are starting on Tuesday the 16th. All four days are a great time to be in the area, but if you can only attend the event for one day I suggest you make it Lady’s Day. This is a great day to be at the track as the jump races are happening as well as the ladies fashion awards.

This is a famous fashion contest that starts early in the morning until the first race. There are always a number of great prizes and this is no different. This ear three well dressed women will be presented with a prize package consisting of 24 hours use of a Aston Martin DB9, 12 months use of a a new Alfa Romeo Mito, a deluxe overnight stay at one of the top hotels The Greenway, which includes in it a personal style taster session with Stuart Weir while there, a tweed coat and a Magnum of Rose Champagne.

It’s easy to enter this contest, but it is hard to win it. There are only three categories, Best Dressed Lady, Lady with the Best Hat, Lady with the Best Accessories. All you need to enter is to head over to the fashion area and be over the age of 17. Fashion scouts are out as soon as the gates open to direct well dressed ladies into the fashion area.

This is not the only event happening on Lady’s Day however, and there will be a lot of fun to be had by all. If you are not interested in getting dressed up, there is also the Outstanding Contribution Award as well as a visit by the Ladies Day Ambassador, this real Georgie Browne. The Outstanding Contribution Award is in recognition of the ladies that have contributed to Jump Racing. In past years the award has been given to Heather Atkinson, Chicky Oaksey, and Nina Carberry each have been fundamental parts of the ongoing sport of Jump Racing.

This is a great opportunity to see and be seen, and most of all to see some really great races. Make sure you come out with a large group of your friends to get a great group discount, and don’t forget about the great restaurants in the area to grab a snack when you get hungry.

Once of Frank’s life long obsession oriented dreams finally occurred, after an almost eternity of waiting, after all he was a whole nine years old, last year when his uncle took him to a live Philadelphia 76ers basketball game. It was really the greatest evening of Frank’s young life, up to that point. He had been a 76ers fan for as long as he could remember. His mother claims that it was not always his choice because his grandfather was always coming over and propping him up as a baby in front of the television and watching the games with him. However, she didn’t complain too loudly because every time Frank was upset and crying she could prop him up in front of a game and he would be okay. Naturally, his parents collected tapes of 76ers games and had them on hand.

Inadvertently this also contributed to Frank’s obsession. He started memorizing game details, team and player statistics before he was even aware of it. There was simply no way for Frank to grow up and not love basketball and be a loyal lifelong 76er fan. Well, his father was afraid it would all backfire one day and he would actually despise basketball, but his fears were unfounded.

On the evening Frank and his uncle went to the game his uncle thought about surprising him and just showing up there but his mother wouldn’t let him. She explained that Frank would be extremely upset to learn he was going to a game and didn’t have on his Willie Green jersey. So, to make the evening complete, his uncle told him what they would be doing and with both of them in jerseys they enjoyed a cheese steak sandwich before heading to the Wachovia Center. They passed a few of the hotels in Philadelphia and Frank wondered if any of them contained fans for the other team. It was truly a magical evening, one that Frank would never forget.

Sam Shepard always seemed to be at the front of the stagecoach when it came to writing that was not self-aware, but at the same time utterly mad, and utterly visionary.  This is not un-self-aware, and it’s not a review of Lie of the Mind, but might be a reflection on mortality.  I hope it’s not poignant, nor too self-conscious.  Either way, this is very shaky ground, because I am from a certain generation that came of age when Shepard was already recognized as one of the major writers of the generation that came before us.  The stories we heard about were apocryphal and sometimes apocalyptic, but always interesting, because he had some secrets that he kept secret.
In a field where everyone tells you everything about themselves, to the point where they believe there are no lies or shadows left hidden in their souls, it was refreshing to meet a hero that prescribed hiding out.  It’s ironic and not that www.newyorkbroadwaytickets.net  is offering seats for the revival of his Lie of the Mind, directed by Ethan Hawke.  It’s got a great cast, and all the signs point to a solid work that everyone will probably pan anyway, just because that’s what they do.

But the real irony comes when I think about how we were coming of age right on the heels of Buried Child.  A few of us who liked to escape in libraries would find the copies of his early work, and realize that this was a reckless genius who was telling our stories, about our addictions, our demons, and our families.  There was something of a reluctant shaman about Sam, which later proved to be a mantle he’d throw off like Dylan, one of our other heroes.  Ethan Hawke was just becoming popular in those years.  To see that he’s directing the work, and what was once our present is now called a revival, this suggests that the wheel has truly spun another round, and there’s a generation of kids right now who just might have a sense that there’s something of a liberation in the visionary, along with a number of traps, if they care to ask for advice from the ones who came before.

My luck has never been very strong when it comes to the big competitions that the world seems to care so much about, so I try not to get caught up in anything.  I focus my luck on making things work in my own life, whether it’s finding parking spaces, better jobs, or hoping that the movie hasn’t started yet.  When I’m in Singapore, however, it all changes.  I can’t really say what it is, exactly, but something about the place makes me fall madly, deeply, and even truly, in love with anything that has even a hint of the sheen of pop culture.  I just go for it, and whatever the genre, whether it’s sports or music or even industrial design, I love to be somewhere in the middle of the crowd.

I made a decision not to get caught up this time, and instead, focused my trip on enjoying all of the things besides pop culture.  I love going to the galleries, and there’s always some exciting new performance art going on here, that’s much better than the work in my hometown, which is always so derivative of Marina’s early body work.  And when it comes to finding a good Chinese restaurant, I have an incredible skill.  It’s like second nature to me, although finding a good Chinese place in Singapore is sort of like finding a  goatee in Seattle.  So I was altogether absorbed and very happily into my appetizers when I couldn’t help but over hear the table next to me talking about Singapore Idol.

Thousands were expected turn out to see the finals live, and I had happily avoided it altogether.  But someone was talking about how they really wanted Sezairi Sezali to win, because they couldn’t stand seeing a woman get the award.  This made me so angry that I became a fan of Sylvia Ratonel right there on the spot.  By the next morning, I knew everything about her.  I knew that she didn’t eat her vegetables, and I forgave her for that.  I also forgave her for snoring like a trucker, and even imagined its sound in my mind.  It was sweet.  So cute.  So very like Sylvia.  Of course, she lost, because that’s my luck, and that’s my curse, and I just want to tell her I’m sorry.  But you know I love you.

When circumstances dictate a time necessary to ask for money from friends or relatives, but they too are cash strapped, then it’s time to consider applying on-line for a money mutual loan, otherwise known as a Payday loan. A Payday loan will take the anxiety away from the borrower by being the best solution to a financial crunch, plus the loan will be funded almost immediately; as for a regular bank, it can take up to a month for them to go through the application alone and then, most likely the bank will not approve of the loan, which in turn, will only delay payment of that unexpected bill and make the borrowers anxieties rise.

A money mutual loan, is also called, in the financial world, a micro-loan and the function of a micro-loan is to help people who are in urgent need of cash and an easy way to receive that cash. Payday loans are short-term loans that will provide an unsecured loan that can be obtained by applying on-line at any number of Payday loan websites, like advertised on the Money Mutual Montel Williams commercial.  There is no credit check and no reason is necessary when applying. These sites are open 24/7, because companies know emergencies wait for no one.

There are some qualifications needed before considering applying for a Money Mutual (Payday) loan: the borrowers needs to be 18 years of age, a United States of America Citizen, a valid checking account and an minimum income per month. If all the above criteria are met, the borrower will have the cash wired to their bank account within 24 hours. The repayment is usually by the borrowers next payday, which is highly recommended to make this type of short-term loan beneficial.

All and all, no matter what term you call this loan: money mutual, Payday or micro-loan, this loan only benefits the borrower in several different ways. The borrower can pay off credit cards or pay late bills that will stop late fees or penalties. In turn, the borrowers credit rating will improve and those bothersome collection calls will cease; giving the borrower a way out of debt. What could be better than being out of debt? So, next time an emergency arises, or you can’t make your payments on-time for your bills, go on-line and apply for a short-term Payday loan.

While the island of Mauritius is small, with a population of just about one million, the variety of the cultures is vast.  The different neighborhoods, festivals, religions, and ethnic backgrounds of the people who now make up the Mauritian population make this one of the most interesting and exciting destinations for those on summer, or winter for that matter, holiday in Mauritius.  Luxury hotel and resort accommodations are plentiful, as well as the restaurants, the museums, the water sports and the wildlife adventures in the mountains, for every aspect of this island is the very definition of diversity and rich cultural and natural history.

Walking down any of the city streets one may find an Indian restaurant which sits next to a Muslim mosque which sits next to a French cafe.  Each of these cultures retain their own rituals and ceremonies making this one of the most fascinating places during festival times.  And in keeping with tolerance and the appreciation for those of different backgrounds, the Mauritians will always welcome travelers wishing to join in on the fun and the celebrations.

Should one be on the island in the beginning of the calendar year, during January and February they will have the opportunity to partake in the Chinese Spring Festival.   Red, which is the color that symbolizes happiness, fills the streets, and there are feasts, and firecrackers and dancing.  In February the Hindu population celebrates as well, with the Maha Shivaratree festival.  During this time, the Hindus on the island will wear all white clothing and walk throughout the island during the three days of the ceremonies.

The Muslim population celebrates the end of Ramadan with the Id El Fitr Festival.   This is a time of feasts and the giving of gifts.   There are many more festivals that take place throughout the year.  Many find that the Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter are memorable when celebrated on the island, as with these holidays as well as all of the festivals, each and every cultures takes part in the celebration of the others.

When I attended a special opera event at the Buxton Opera House, I was approached by a volunteer asking if I’ve ever attended the Buxton Puppet Festival which the opera house presents every year. Of course, I have not. I don’t live here, I only come here on special requests from the Opera House for a particular fund raiser. The volunteer was so excited to find out that I’ve never been the the Puppet Festival and asked me if I had time for her to tell me all about it. Her enthusiasm was overwhelming, so I couldn’t deny her the chance.

This up coming August will be the Puppet Festivals sixth annual event. It’s in conjunction with Funny Wonders. In addition to the puppet performances, there will be workshops for all age held at the Opera House, at the Paupers Pit and all around town. At the Opera House, there will be two favorite puppet performing, Presto Puppet Theatre will be returning with the retelling of Aladin and the Lempen Puppet Theatre present a touching Fable, Journey of Turtles.

Funny Wonders Young People’s Company will present ‘The Silk Road’. A culmination of an on going project that started over a year ago.  Apparently, the company travelled to Japan and collaborated with another puppet theater and what they experience will be brought back here and has inspired the performance of ‘The Silk Road’.  Later, after that performance the Japanese puppet master Nori Sawa will hold a workshop for children and adults. As for the Paupers Pit and the Old Hall Hotel, there will be daily programs of puppet shows. Then there will be two unique events outdoors in the Pavilion Gardens.

The volunteers energy never waned when she told me all about the Puppet Festival. As I returned to one of the Buxton Hotels, I couldn’t help remember how much I loved a good puppet show. I’ve never really attended a professional show, only the ones my siblings put on to entertain the family during summer breaks. I think I’ll have to come back next month and revisit fond memories.

I made a special stop at Bristol with my wife and our two children and stayed at a Bristol Hotel in order for me to take them to the Bristol zoo. I have such fond memories of the zoo and I wanted my family to share what was my childhood.

After we spent the night at the hotel, we went early in the morning to have a full fun day at the zoo. Bristol Zoo has changed, I almost didn’t recognize it. What was weird was I did recognize the brown elephant signpost which has faithfully pointed the way to the zoo every since I was a child, but the Bristol Zoo no longer has elephants. Going through the zoo’s entrance, we now had to go through the gift shop first. Effective, sure. You can’t enter or leave the zoo without having to go through the gift shop. My children most definitely wanted all the very expensive items offered in the shop.

I successfully navigated my children through the shop without having to open my wallet, of course promising they’ll get something when we leave. We finally proceeded to the zoo itself and walked by beautiful trees and landscaping which were quite stunning and well manicured. This was new for me, or I just don’t remember, or I’m now more mature where I appreciate wonderful landscaping. The zoo is rather small, I remember being so much bigger. But, it’s only twelve acres. We stopped by the one of the two cafe/snack place’s the zoo offers and I was blown away with the pricing. Very expensive. If I wasn’t travelling, I would’ve prepared our own picnic basket, which the zoo allows.

As we strolled around the zoo, I noticed that there was more space dedicated to gardens, nice picnic areas and lakes than to animals. I got the feeling that it really wasn’t a zoo anymore, but more like a parkland. My kids weren’t disappointed though, they didn’t care that they didn’t see elephants, giraffes, rhinos or polar bears, like I did when I was a kid. All they wanted to do was chase all the ducks and geese around the lake, eat and of course have Dad buy them something from the gift shop when we leave.

The Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago is well known for launching the premier productions of many plays that will go on to become major theatrical hits and move on to New York productions. It is a Tony Award winning company that is internationally recognized. It is also one of the most prominent and respected theatre companies in Chicago. Tickets for theatre productions are available at the box office and also online. Steppenwolf was founded in 1974 by Jeff Perry, Terry Kinney and Gary Sinese and was originally located in the basement area of a church in Highland Park. The group chose the company’s name based on the Herman Hesse novel. Since 1997, longtime ensemble member Martha Lavey has served as the Artistic Director.

The theatre has had a few location changes throughout their existence and is now located on Halsted Street. It is one of the most successful regional theatre companies and has an annual subscription base of nearly 20,000. In 1982 they staged a production of the Sam Shepard play True West. This was the first of many subsequent productions to move on to New York productions. August: Osage County was the latest of productions to come from this company and it went on to become a Tony Award winning show in New York. It is one of the most critically successful productions to come from the company.

The play was written by Tracy Letts who is a company member, and was directed by fellow ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro. The Steppenwolf theatre has a strong commitment to the development of new work. Their New Plays initiative works with playwrights from the international scene and is aimed at supporting the new work of emerging writers as well as though that have already established a certain level of career success. Many of America’s top actors have launched their careers here and some of them are Joan Allen, John Malkovich, Gary Cole, Martha Plimpton and Laurie Metcalf.

Elton John is an incredible musician composer and performer. His concerts are extremely energetic, dynamic and constitute an event as well as a performance. He usually has a group of background singers placed onstage that dance and sing, which greatly contributes to the overall vibrancy of the show. One of the other interesting aspect of his performances is that they are extremely diverse and represent multiple populations and communities. Audiences of all ages fill the seats and dance on the floors at his shows, as well as various ethnicities, genders and sexual orientations. This contributes to the festival atmosphere of his concerts. His concert tickets always sell out in record time.

Elton John is unique in his appeal, which stresses across many social and political boundaries. He also has the distinction of having been the background musical themes for many people throughout their lives. He has been performing and creating hit songs for decades, and people from all generations love him. Even people that have never purchases one of his albums will recognize most or all of the songs on his play list because they have all been hits at one time or another.

Songs like Goodbye Yellowbrick Road, Daniel and Candle in the Wind, among many others, are still played on the popular radio stations on a daily basis. It’s almost impossible to exist today and not be familiar with and even a fan of some of John’s music. His songs reflect the temperance of various social periods and many people reflect back on specific points in their lives and relationships that relate to particular songs. In addition to his albums, Elton John has written the music or worked in other areas on Broadway musicals. He has contributed to the creation of Billy Elliot the Musical, The Lion King, Aida, Lestat. He has also appeared as himself and characters in films. He played himself in Spice World, and The Country Bears and also he played the Pinball Wizard in Tommy.