TravelCent

Michelangelo in Seattle

In high school, before I had a chance to see any real art museums, a teacher would show a slide or a photo in a book and attempt to discuss the paintings, trying to explain that the copies couldn’t replicate the real energy of a painting.  Books and slides could give you an idea of the photo, but never truly capture its essence, the thing that made people travel thousands of miles just to see a Van Gogh or a Rembrandt or drawings or sculpture by Michelangelo.  I didn’t know how true that was until I started seeing masterpieces in London, and then St. Petersburg, particularly anything by Michelangelo.   Over the next month, if you live near Seattle, or have an opportunity to stay over at a hotel Seattle most likely will have waiting for you, then you’ll have a chance to see some of Michelangelo’s brilliance in person.

The Seattle Art Museum, through the end of January, has a display of twelve original Michelangelo drawings.  The exhibit is called “Michelangelo Public and Private: Drawings for the Sistine Chapel and Other Treasures from the Casa Buonarroti,” and has been running since October 15 and will continue until January 31, 2010.  The show is meant to examine the artist’s personality as well as parts of his career and life (in addition to the twelve drawings, the exhibit includes decorative arts and personal documents from the Casa Buonarroti, the Italian museum and home that belonged to Michelangelo’s direct descendants, and who lived for centuries in the building).  However, the exhibit is mostly concentrated on the artist’s work for Rome’s Sistine Chapel, including the working drawings for the chapel and the Last Judgement, offering some insight into the mind of Michelangelo as we see his process from sketch work to finished studies.

Apparently, Michelangelo would have abhorred such an exhibition; he burned a great deal of his drawings, specifically to give the impression that the work was divinely inspired and not the result of painstaking human planning.  However, if your work lasts over four hundred and forty-six years, then perhaps it’s time to take some personal credit for it.  The chance to see any work by Michelangelo, even preparatory drawings for his paintings is a terrific opportunity to see true genius at work, genius which can’t be appreciated from copies in a book.

Street Art in New York

Kyle painted caricatures of people in festivals and for parties. This had been his job for seven years and he was actually very skilled and successful at it. He also painted city scapes in oil and that was his first true passion. However, shortly after school he wanted to travel and in particular he wanted to spend some time in New York and since he had done this once before when one of his aunt’s asked him to for a local school carnival he figured he might be able to pay his travel expenses, or at least make a little spending money with these caricatures.

One his first morning in the Big Apple, Kyle waked around Times Square and had a nice hot cup of coffee. New York, every artist’s dream, and Kyle loved the way it felt. There was an energy to it that he had never felt before, and he had been to many places, he just thought New York was unique. He laughed as he thought that and repeated the popular speech exercise unique New York unique New York to himself as he looked for a place to set up shop. He finally decided on a nice spot near the lobby of some of the New York luxury hotels.

That would be perfect he thought because surely all of the tourists that would be walking in and out of those doors would be interested in a nice sketch of themselves. In addition it would be easy for them to drop the sketch off in their hotel room so they wouldn’t have to carry it around the city with them. Kyle returned to his own economy room to get his supplied but by the time he got back to his spot there were way too many people crowding the sidewalk to even think about trying to set up shop. Instead Kyle went to Central Park and then headed over to explore the Empire State Building. In fact, Kyle never actually got to sketch any people on that trip, though it was certainly one of the best experiences of his life and he would move there two years later.

Home of the Puppeteer

Augsburg Germany is the second oldest city in the country and is now a college town with some major history. It was founded in 15 BC under Emperor Augustus, by Drusus and Tiberius. It grew very well for the first 400 years because of the Roman military and its important access to the Alpine passes. It was the main stop when connecting to any direction in the area. It went on to become quite the route fro major traders in the Middle Ages. It did become the capital of the Roman province Raetia. It got taken over a few times in the up coming centuries. The Huns took it in the fifth century. The Charlemagne took over in the eight century and the Welf of Bavaria made his way into town in the eleventh century. With each settlement the city grew and became more and more prosperous and important.

For a long time Augsburg was very independent. Having its own forms of government until the Holy Roman Empire fell apart in 1806. That is when Augsburg became apart of the Kingdom of Bavaria. It still remained important as a governing city. Because of its location, the military barracks were plentiful in and near the city. Before World War II, there were many barracks built. The United States took them over and either housed them with there own military or closed them when they took them in surrender.

Visitors can come and find some really hospitable hotels. Augsburg has many sites to see. History adventurers can see some beautiful architecture in the Town Hall, Perlachturm bell tower, Bishop’s Residence, Dorint Hotel Tower, St Ulrich and St Afra churches and the ever popular Augsburger Puppenkiste. This puppet theatre was built in the 1950s and is still give outstanding performances today. They are so popular that they are broadcast across the country on Television.

Companies & Communities

When you’re starting to think about having your own hot tub in your own yard, there’s a sense of excitement that just grows.  You’ll be able to start considering all the fun details like the size, the style, and the special features, and then start to imagine where it might go in your house.  You can daydream about parties you’ll have, as well as the many hours you can spend in solitude, as well as with the ones you love, enjoying the water and the lovely massaging jets.  It’s a lot to look forward to, and there’s always more.

With choosehottubsdirect.com, you’re working with a company with a spectacular flair for excellent customer service.  Their focus is on your needs rather than promoting the products, so that you’ll receive excellent treatment that is very personalized.  Their reputation depends on your satisfaction, so it’s very important to them that they’re getting you exactly what you want, and they’re very skilled, and friendly, when helping you to find it.  They have patience and understanding, and part of their successes come from a willingness to take time to have conversations with the customer, and this helps every step of the process go much easier, and insures that everyone is getting what they want in the deal.

They also have a splendid record for giving back to the community.  Last year, after Hurricane Ike, they donated a portion of their profits to help the victims of this horrible disaster.  This means that you’re not only working with a company that understands hot tubs, they also have a sense of compassion for other human beings.  Being responsive, and willing to contribute, after a natural disaster, suggests a participation in the world that goes beyond the expected, and demonstrates real engagement with the community, and that’s an idea whose time has come.  It’s wonderful to be thinking ahead, and seeing how a hot tub might change your life, but it’s also a pleasure to know that part of the action you’re taking part in is also helping others to change their lives as well.

Hot Tubs and Spas Make Great Wedding Gifts

Joann and Steve were had finally decided to get married after six years of dating. They had received plenty of pressure from family and friends though they themselves had not personal need to become engaged or succumbed to the social pressure that was certainly on them. One day they simply decided that it was right for the two of them and they wanted to celebrate their love officially to the rest of the world. This decision brought with it a tremendous amount of excitement and celebration among their various family members, friends and also co-workers.

Their parents were so excited that they decided to pull together and purchase a home hydrotherapy system associated with hot tubs and spas. This was going to be not only a very special gift but also a major surprise for the unsuspecting couple. The parents’ plan was to have the hot tub installed while Joann and Steve were on their honeymoon. And this was going to be on top of the other wedding gifts and ceremony contributions they wanted to make. That was how happy they were that their children were finally getting married.

All of the aforementioned seemed like the difficult part of the hot tub gift arrangement. That was until the two sets of parents actually began looking at hot tub models and features. They were amazed at all of the choices they had regarding the design of the hot tub and also the features that would be included such as lighting fixtures, stereo sound systems and pressure controls, etc. It took quite a bit of discussion to conclude which features the couple would consider to be most important and which ones they could decide to add on later if they so chose. Finally the parents decided on the exact model and features that they thought would most please the newlyweds who were utterly and completely shocked to arrive home and discover this great gift. Of course they wouldn’t be the only ones who got to use it, but it was still a thoughtful and generous gift.

The Hydrotherapy Benefits of a Hot Tub

My doctor advised that I either buy and install a hot tub, or go to a gym that has one and use it everyday. He told me that my body needs the relaxing effects that a hot tub can give. I’ve been suffering from arthritis for years and it has progressively gotten worse. Medication is keeping my arthritis in check, but the benefit of hydrotherapy will reduce my pain.

After I left his office, I decided to do some research concerning hot tubs, and which one would be the best for my needs. I found out that hot tubs and spas do have the soothing benefits of not only hydrotherapy, but aromatherapy as well. They’re built to perform beyond expectations and are equipped to relieve strains, stress and replenish energy.

Most hot tubs combine advanced technology with a wide array of ergonomically designs that will provide therapeutic aid. All the tubs are designed to fit the contours of the body and give the proper support for the lumbar. They are made to maximize comfort and melt away the stresses of everyday life and any muscle related strains. The jets are built-in to give a gentle and effective massage.

My entire family can benefit with the use of a hot tub. Everyday after work, when the kids are home from school and my husband is home, we can enjoy each others company as we sit in a hot tub either outdoors on our deck, or inside our home. We’ll be able to spend quality time together all the while I’m receiving hydrotherapy.

After doing extensive research on-line, I have made the decision to purchase an outdoor hot tub from choosehottubsdirect.com and this decision will not only be of benefit for me, but for my entire family and friends. I can’t help but imagine how much I’ll be able to accomplish once I start hydrotherapy and how much my family will grow closer as we all enjoy our new hot tub!

Fire Place Memories

What’s your earliest memory of fire?  With any luck, it’s of camp fires or logs crackling in fire places.  My father happened to be a forest fighter, protecting Native American timber in the Great Northwest, and so I recall both: camping around fires in the woods of California, Oregon, and Washington, as well as building fires in a number of homes, as we moved from state to state, along with the job.  Most of the fire places we had were of an older variety, hearty brick and stone affairs, with a grate and iron tools.  Today, it’s been years since I’ve lived in a home with a fire place, and I’ll confess I miss them, and, in talking with friends, was surprised to find how much fire places have changed over the years.

People who want to safely have a fire in their homes have a great many choices.  There’s gas fireplaces and wood-pellet stoves and (if you’re too leery to have one inside) there’s outdoor fire pits.

Of late, folks have been concerned about how the fuel costs have been rising and this is bringing back the wood-pellet stove and wood-burning inserts.  When the price of fuel drops, then people seem to want gas logs and inserts, too.

Gas logs and inserts are popular in part because there’s no worry about ash or the smell that might be part and parcel of a wood-burning fire place; however, the ash and smell for me were a welcome part of the bargain in a wood burning fire place.  There’s nothing like watching the orange and yellow flames rising up out of the logs as they burn away into white ash.

Cleaning the fireplace, sweeping it up, seems like a part of the deal, but apparently, some people prefer the ease of a remote control for the flame and one for the blower.

The brick and stone look is gone for some, too – with many fire places offered in marble or granite.  Still, I like a plain brick wood burning fire place, like the ones my parents had.

Connecticut Science Center

The Connecticut Science Center in Hartford was founded in 2001 and immediately began planning to create a great educational establishment. By 2003 and after creating an official board of trustees work was begun on what would become the actual Science Center. The master plan was adopted in 2004 and in 2006 the primary construction began. By June of this year, 2009 construction was completed and the Center became open to the public. This is truly a great addition to the attractions offered by the city. And it has also become popular with guests staying in one of the hotels Hartford.

The Center takes a progressive approach to creating interest in science in both children and adults. Instead of assuming that the doors would flood with people once they were opened it analyzed ways in which it could engage their guests. This is incorporated into various exhibits and other features similarly to the perspectives of science centers across the nation. There is a focus on acknowledging the ways that science is exciting, fascinating, entertaining and relative to daily lives. One of the main attractions at the center is the Maximillian E. and Marion O. Hoffman Foundation 3D Science Theater. Explore the Sun and the dinosaur world in films that are presented in thrilling 3-D visuals in this stadium-seated venue. The center will greatly contribute to a future slogan describing Connecticut as the science state.

There are many exhibits in the science center that are intended for both children and adults. And while they are structured to engage and educate children adults find them equally as interesting and informative. Some of the exhibits include Sight and Sound Experience, which is a cutting edge mixture of science, music and art. It is unique in that it features elements where you can feel music and hear light. This is an interactive exhibit and participants are able to use their own bodies to create a harmonious musical performance. Forces of Motion is another featured exhibit that introduces the power and possibilities of robotics, magnets and wind. This is also an interactive exhibit and includes a competition between participants.