Hyundai ix35 on the Road to Frankfurt Motor Show Sunday, April 3, 2011

A quick look at the new Hyundai ix35 before its media introduction at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Get complete show information at TheAutoChannel.com.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc5z-GvGTPY&hl=en

Great Price SC Sports 22142 for $15.00 Monday, March 28, 2011

Iowa Hawkeyes Light Up Car Window Player Review

Iowa Hawkeyes Light Up Car Window Player Feature

• 12" tall

Iowa Hawkeyes Light Up Car Window Player Overview

NCAA Iowa Hawkeyes Light Up Car Window Player

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Check Out Thule 1239 Fit Kit for 480 Traverse and 480R Traverse Foot Pack for $66.95 Thursday, March 24, 2011

Thule 1239 Fit Kit for 480 Traverse and 480R Traverse Foot Pack Review

Thule 1239 Fit Kit for 480 Traverse and 480R Traverse Foot Pack Feature

• Specialized kit for use with Thule 480 Traverse and 480 Rapid Traverse Foot Pack
• For cars without external raingutters or factory racks
• Check the fit guide for the proper kit for your vehicle

Thule 1239 Fit Kit for 480 Traverse and 480R Traverse Foot Pack Overview

Thule Traverse Fit Kit 1239 is designed to integrate with the Thule Traverse foot, creating a multi-purpose roof rack base system for your specific vehicle. The unique fit that Fit Kit 1239 provides is the most solid and secure base rack possible.

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Sheikh Feiz - True Stories of Death Part 3 Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Sheikh Feiz True Stories of death Why are we here?and where are we going? Get a Free copy of the Quran from: www.freekoran.com or http



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2zLz9cwI0o&hl=en

Check Out Allen Lightweight Folding 6-Bike Parking Rack for $99.94 Sunday, March 6, 2011

Allen Lightweight Folding 6-Bike Parking Rack Review

Allen Lightweight Folding 6-Bike Parking Rack Feature

• Model 206LW
• Fully assembled ¿ sets up in seconds.
• Ultra Compact size stores away when not in use.
• Black powder coat finish.
• Lifetime on workmanship and materials

Allen Lightweight Folding 6-Bike Parking Rack Overview

Lightweight Folding 6 Bicycle Parking Rack

Allen Lightweight Folding 6-Bike Parking Rack Specifications

Featuring vertical sections that telescope so it can be folded flat for storage, this lightweight steel rack securely holds six bicycles upright so they can be easily accessed. A thick black-power coating prevents rusting indoors and outdoors. The rack arrives fully assembled and can be set up for use in seconds. It carries a lifetime warranty on workmanship and materials.

About Allen Bike Racks
In 1967, after a few years of working on the aerospace technology for the Apollo missions, Dick Allen was out of a job. Government cutbacks led Allen, a Harvard-trained physicist, to transform his garage hobby into a new industry. A cycling enthusiast, inventor, and family man, Allen had a personal need for a bike-carrying device. On weekends, he would take his sons and wife to Cape Cod or the White Mountains of New Hampshire. What proved difficult time and again was the transport of his family’s bicycles. Rather than fight through inconvenience with twine and a dinged car, Allen sought an answer for himself as well as a market in which he foresaw major growth possibilities.

Always a pathfinder, Allen took to work in his Lincoln, Massachusetts garage in search of a more efficient way to transport bikes. Drafting designs during the day and constructing them throughout the night, he put together a model made of electrical conduit, metal strapping, and fire hose casings (for padding). At first, the Allens’ tested the prototype on weekend excursions. Finding the first trunk-mounted rack to be a success, Dick started Allen Bike Racks. Dealer acceptance came quickly, and by 1971 Allen Bike Racks were sold nationally through a number of major bicycle distributors. Today, the company owns over three dozen patents and offers a versatile product line of bike racks while Dick’s son Alex now owns and operates the business. What started out as a small garage run operation now operates three warehouses nationally, two factories abroad, and has products sold in more than a dozen countries around the world.

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Amsterdam Schiphol Int.l Airport ( AMS - EHAM ) Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (IATA: AMS, ICAO: EHAM) is the Netherlands main international airport, located 20 minutes southwest of Amsterdam, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer. The airport's official English name, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, places the words in the Dutch order (Luchthaven Schiphol) instead of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The airport used to have the IATA code of SPL, which has fallen into disuse and has been replaced by AMS. Schiphol is an important European airport, ranking as Europe's 3rd largest and the world's 14th largest for cargo tonnage. It also ranks as the world's 3rd largest by international passenger traffic as well as Europe's 5th and the world's 14th busiest by overall passenger volume. Additionally, Schiphol ranks as Europe's 5th and the world's 17th busiest airport by number of flights, handling 446569 traffic movements in 2008, a 1.7% drop on 2007. Schiphol's main competitors as in passenger and cargo throughput with London Heathrow Airport, Frankfurt Airport, Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport and Madrid-Barajas Airport. In 2007, Schiphol handled 47430019 passengers in 2008, 0.8% down on 2007, ranking it fifth in Europe behind London, Paris, Frankfurt and Madrid. There are 188 loading slots in the whole airport. About 68% of the passenger flights were to Europe, almost 21% of its passengers travelled on intercontinental flights and 11% to Asia; cargo was mainly headed to Asia (44%) and North America (20%). In the same year, Schiphol ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSyWT5E8FQU&hl=en

Check Out Florida Panthers 2009/10 1:64 Zamboni for $9.95 Friday, February 18, 2011

Florida Panthers 2009/10 1:64 Zamboni Review

Florida Panthers 2009/10 1:64 Zamboni Feature

• FLORIDA PANTHERS Mini Diecast Zamboni 2009/10 NHL Licensed 1:50 Scale
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• This is the continuing series of diecast Mini Zamboni's. Different producer this year. Scale is 1/50 and measures approx 3" long. Diecast metal with plastic parts.
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Florida Panthers 2009/10 1:64 Zamboni Overview

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Frankfurt city Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Frankfurt am Main city. View from the top of a building. Frankfurt am Main, Germany.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9aB27ttY18&hl=en

Great Price Yakima 8007072 for $34.20 Sunday, February 6, 2011

Yakima Yakima LoadWarrior Rooftop Cargo Basket Stretch Net Review

Yakima Yakima LoadWarrior Rooftop Cargo Basket Stretch Net Feature

• Storage Model: Stretch Net

Yakima Yakima LoadWarrior Rooftop Cargo Basket Stretch Net Overview

Yakima Loadwarrior

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Great Price Malone Auto Racks MPG111MD for $99.64 Sunday, January 30, 2011

Malone Auto Racks Stax Pro Universal Car Rack Folding Kayak Carrier Review

Malone Auto Racks Stax Pro Universal Car Rack Folding Kayak Carrier Feature

• Stacker Blocks help stabilize boat during tie down process
• Solid nylon platform guarantees boat safety during transport
• JAWZ mounting hardware fits round, square and factory oval cross rails.
• Includes bow & stern safety tie-downs and 2 - 12 foot cam buckle straps

Malone Auto Racks Stax Pro Universal Car Rack Folding Kayak Carrier Overview

The Malone Stax Pro universal car rack kayak carrier is our newest design, combining the value of a stacker and the convenience of fold down technology. The newly designed Stacker Blocks stablize and protect your boat while in use. This carrier can be used to transport up to 4 boats stacked side by side on virtually any vehicle or trailer cross rail system.

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The Life and Time of Erik H Erikson - The Man and His Theory

Any discussion on psychological development and three great minds will come to the surface Piaget, Freud, and Erikson. However, Erik Erikson stands out for several reasons, unlike Piaget and Freud Erikson had no advanced degree of any kind. In fact, at the age of 25 he had not established any form of professional goal and had no idea what he wanted to do.

The man who is now named Erik Homburger Erikson was born in Frankfurt, Germany on June 15, 1902 to a young Jewish woman by the name of Karla Abrahamsen. At Erikson birth his mother was living with her family after leaving her husband Valdemar Salomonsen, a Jewish stockbroker. Salomonsen had left Germany four years earlier after being connected with fraud and criminal activities. Karla Abrahamsen had an extramarital affair in her husband's absence and become pregnant. She never discussed the identity of her son's biological father, beyond the fact that he was Danish. She listed her son's surname as "Salomonsen." A short time later, word arrived that Valdemar Salomonsen was dead.

Karla, a trained nurse, eventually remarried when Erik was about three years old. Erik's stepfather was also his pediatrician, Dr. Theodor Homburger. Dr. Homburger insisted on being referred to as Erik's father and in 1908 Erik Salomonsen became Erik Homburger, and in 1911 Erik was legally adopted by Homburger. However, it became apparent, with the arrival of three half sisters, that Erik held a very different place in the Homburger's family as the adopted stepson. Throughout his adolescence years Erik was increasingly identified as an outsider, both internally and in the community. At school he was teased for being Jewish and at the synagogue he was teased for being tall and blond. Furthermore, Erik's stepfather refused to accept his strong artistic inclinations and desires.

Many believe that this is when Erikson faced his own identity crisis. When Erik completed preparatory school, he refused to enroll in medical school as his stepfather wished. Instead, Erik left home to enroll in Baden State Art School. A year later he left school and travel all over Europe earning a meager keep by painting portraits. Erik had adopted what he later called a narcissistic lifestyle sketching, making wood carving, and avoiding the world's social and political problems.

While traveling in Europe Erikson found himself in Vienna, where he developed a friendship with Peter Blos, an adolescent therapist in his own rights, who suggested that Erikson should expand his efforts by tutoring and teaching art at the Hietzing School run by Dorothy Burlingham, a close friend of Anna Freud, the daughter of Sigmund Freud.

Recognizing Erikson's natural skill working with children, Anna Freud begins mentoring him. It should be noted that he was still known as Erik Homburger at this time. His training, which included intensive psychoanalytic sessions with Anna Freud, resulted in being awarded a certificate from the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society. At the same time, Erikson also studied at the University of Vienna, and earned his teaching degree with a certificate in the Montessori methods. He continued to teach and under the guidance of Ms. Freud Erikson become more involved in psychoanalysis. Shortly thereafter, he became engaged and married to Joan Serson, a dance instructor at the Hietzing School. Eventually, economic constraints and the rise of Nazism over Europe the couple, including two sons, move to Copenhagen, and later to the United States.

After arriving in the United States his efforts to practice as a child psychoanalyst were not supported by the medical community due to his lack of an advanced degree. In other words, Erikson did not have a medical degree. During this period, he worked as an assistant professor and a research assistant at both Harvard and Yale. He also took some graduate level courses, but it was his training with Anna Freud and his connection with members of the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society that won him professional acceptance in the United States. Later he moved to San Francisco Bay area, where he took a position as research associate and a lecturer at the University of California at Berkeley.

Erikson applied for and was granted United States citizenship in 1939. Meanwhile he had changed his last name to Erikson. It is believed that the choice of name was influenced by his older son in keeping with Scandinavian tradition in keeping the father's name as part of the surname. There is a slight belief that "Erik" may have been the name of his biological father as well.

It was at Berkeley that Erikson began his groundbreaking research into childhood and childrearing among the Lakota and the Yurok tribes. Erikson was influenced by the works of cultural anthropologists like Franz Boas, Ruth Benedict, Margaret Mead, Gregory Bateson, and by the theories of Sigmund Freud, also his own experience with psychoanalysis. From this foundation Erikson built his own highly rich and original theory on child development.

Erikson stayed quite close to the theoretical path developed by Sigmund Freud, but there were detours as well. He embraced Freudian notions of the ego the Oedipal Complex and the development of self through various stages. However, Erikson strayed from the idea of a universal drive from within the psyche to explain cognitive and personality development; as Freud did. Erikson, however, included information from anthropology including the role played by society and culture in the child's developmental process. In other words, children from different culture learn different values, different goals, and very different kinds of nurturing and guidance. These differences are powerful and shape the child's psyche while influences how the individual will navigate the challenges presented by psychological and physical development throughout their lifespan.

Also, Erikson's theory of development consists of eight distinct stages in contrast to Freud's theory of five stages. The eight stages are: Trust vs. Mistrust, Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt, Initiative vs. Guilt, Industry vs. Inferiority, Identity vs. Role Confusion, Intimacy vs. Isolation, Generativity vs. Stagnation, and Integrity vs. Despair. To negotiate each stage successfully, the individual must find the correct balance between the two tasks. For example, the individual must feel a healthy degree of trust while maintaining a certain level of distrust to avoid gullibility.

Many psychologist and psychotherapist, surveyed by this author, agreed that Erikson's contributions to the understanding of child development are equal in impact and significance by the work of Jean Piaget. Both Piaget and Erikson came to the same conclusion that children should not be rushed in their development, each developmental stage is very important and should be allowed time to fully unfold. According to Piaget's theory cognitive development could not be rushed without forfeiting full intellectual potential. While Erikson's theory emphasized that a child's development must not be rushed, or serious emotional harm would occur, harm that would seriously undermine the child's ability to succeed in life.

After his retirement from Harvard University in 1970, Erikson continued writing, doing research, and occasionally lecturing. However, in 1980 he developed serious health problems, including prostate cancer, which forced him into full retirement. On May 12, 1994 Erikson died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 91.

References:
Wrightsman, Lawrence S., (1994), Adult Personality Development: Theories and Concepts, Sage Publications, New Delhi.
http://www.insightconsultant.com

Dr. Smith is an experienced psychologist and therapist who consults with individuals and couples as relationship coach; and on all issues that's profoundly private and confidential. For further information please visit my website at: http://www.insightconsultant.com

A Year in review UAva 2006 Friday, January 28, 2011

After opening UAva in Late October find out what we were able to acomplish in less than 75 days - You will know why we say "We're here to Fly" www.FlyUAva.com Comments about more flights than any VA is only for the server we were on....



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UVXoJAfX5E&hl=en

Frankfurt - Germany's Manhattan Sunday, January 16, 2011

Arriving by plane at night as you approach the city of Frankfurt and catch your first glimpse of this metropolis on the banks of the River Main, you will instantly understand the origins of the nickname "Manhattan". The outline of the modern, tall avant-garde buildings and classic German architecture are distinctly reminiscent of New York's skyline. Although the city only has a population of just over 600,000 residents, it is the home of the European Central Bank and all of Germany's important banks that are renowned for their affinity towards modern skyscrapers and opulent designs. Perhaps the very existence of such financial wealth has assisted the GLBT community to proffer a much larger presence than one might expect from a city of this size. Whatever the reason, Frankfurt is an extremely gay-friendly city with a significant thriving gay business community.

This is a city of contrasts. At it's heart is the Romerberg historic seventeenth century old city centre-completely leveled by bombs during the second World War-reconstructed just over twenty years ago from the original plans. Surrounding the Romerberg square and throughout the downtown are thirteen major modern skyscrapers, including the Maintower opened in the year 2000, constructed to a height of two hundred metres with the first public observation deck at the top, and the Commerzbank Tower-the city's tallest at three hundred metres. Old and new architecture exists in harmony to create a thriving downtown core.

The central pedestrian promenade of Zeil and Fressgass Streets attracts people from all walks of life comprising all age groups and encouraging major retailers, bars, cafes and restaurants to locate here. Also, ensuring a lively atmosphere throughout morning, noon and night times. The Zeil Gallery is a major shopping centre with a fantastic restaurant and observation deck on the top floor. Located on Ziel Street boulevard-at number seventy-two-is the popular gay restaurant-bar the Birmingham Pub which is open twenty-four hours a day, ensuring a gay presence in this popular city hub.

Yet another dichotomy of this city is located on the south embankment of the Main River on Schaumainkai Street-the Museumsufer or Museum Embankment. Here you can find sixteen diverse depositories housed in both brand new buildings and restored historic mansions-a project that was undertaken between 1980 and 1990 to showcase the culture of Frankfurt and Germany. Don't let the sound of the word museum scare you because here you will find the German Film Museum, the Museum of Applied Arts, the Communications Museum, the Stadel Institute of Art, and the German Architecture Museum-just to name a few of the fascinating topics to explore. As an added bonus on Saturdays the street is partially closed off to traffic for Frankfurt's largest flea market. And if that's not enough, during a summer stroll along the river embankment you are likely to encounter one of the many cultural festivals or events. Plus, this is the best place to view and take photos of the impressive Mainhattan Skyline.

After experiencing the beautiful and historic mansions of the Museumsufer, or the riverbank promenade, a short five-minute walk will place you in the old Sachsenhausen neighbourhood. The historic, original half-timbered buildings create a journey back through Frankfurt's heritage. The main street is called Schweizer Straße, a cosmopolitan boulevard with bars and two of Frankfurt's most traditional ciderhouse tourist attractions: Zum Gemalten Haus and Wagner. These historic wineries produce their own Apfelwein (applewine) and can be identified by the presence of a wreath of evergreen branches hanging outside the location or a similar image included on their signage. The Textorstraße and the old town, Altstadt, have the best known ciderhouses in Frankfurt, where the locals can be found after work enjoying their relaxing glass of the local brew. Warning-the first glass may taste a little sour but the flavor improves with each subsequent glass! Complementing this local specialty should be the traditional Handkas' mit Musik-small cheeses marinated in a vinegar and onion sauce-with green herb sauce, or pork chops with sauerkraut. All of this should be experienced on the patio of a sidewalk café and bar with a clear blue sky and the hot sun glowing before sunset. This is a German epicurean experience at its best.

In this diverse city it is not surprising to learn that the gay community has its own gathering place. Known locally as the Bermuda Triangle surrounding the Konstabler Wache Square, the cafes and bars are the local's favorite place to start a gay night out. The reason for this location probably stems from the fact that once you are at The Triangle most gay establishments are within walking distance. The nearby Zum Schewjk is a very popular, always busy, local bar. Just down the street is Fraggels where great home-style food can be enjoyed at reasonable prices. Around the corner is Lucky's multi-level bar, which has been serving the city's gay community for over twenty years-and is still one of the most popular gay venues for tourists and locals alike on any night of the week. Close at hand is the Monte Carlo where you will have to ring the doorbell to gain admittance but the crowd inside will make it worth the effort. From here a short walk will take you to the Piper Red Lounge complex with a restaurant, classic bar, basement club and outdoor chill-out patio-a must visit during your stay in Frankfurt. In this vicinity, there are also three conveniently located upscale saunas and spas plus many shops and services catering to the GLBT clientele.

These are only a sampling of gay venues to enjoy and a full list can be found in the Friends Gaymap that is readily available at gay businesses throughout the city centre. With more than thirty gay establishments, Frankfurt offers a lively gay vacation and caters to every age group and entertainment choice. It will take several days before you have enjoyed all that gay Frankfurt has to offer.

Unfortunately, gay accommodations are scarce in Frankfurt, but the very gay Downtown Hotel is an excellent property in the heart of the Bermuda Triangle and is conveniently attached to and above Lucky's. The rooms are large, recently renovated and reasonably priced. A breakfast for guests is served daily in Lucky's lounge-at which time it is closed to the public-and the friendly staff will provide any assistance you might require for the perfect gay get-away. From here, everything in downtown Frankfurt is within walking distance and you are assured of a very gay welcome.

A short distance from the centre of town are the gay and gay-friendly Enjoy Bed & Breakfast, Hotel Falk and Hotel Villa Orange, all of which require a taxi or transit ride to reach the gay action.

Even though this city may seem to be all about tall buildings, historic architecture and shopping malls, there are several very large urban parks and gardens to enjoy on a sunny day. In fact the local residents are very much concerned about preserving green spaces and natural environments within their urban landscape.

There's an oasis of green in the heart of the city for a nominal admission fee at the Palmengarten botanical gardens-where tropical plants are housed in one of the world's largest greenhouses, built in 1969. You can visit the Blossom House plus many of the other glassed-in gardens, or enjoy the fountains or rent a rowboat on the lake. This tropical retreat will easily make you forget that your vacation is an urban experience.

Adjacent to the Palmengarten is the city's largest parkland the Gruneburgpark, created by Meyer Amschel Rothschild-a member of the famous banking family. Rothschild created the park in English landscape style at the beginning of the nineteenth century and today it remains relatively unchanged and true to the creator's concept. On warm days, both Frankfurters and tourists head to this park to enjoy the grassy lawns, to picnic, walk, jog, and play football. Rumour has it that there is a popular gay cruising area and nudist-lawn at the rear of the park to the right of the main entrance-of course local gay residents have staked their claim within this place of nature in the heart of the city!

The Ostpark is renowned for its large lake, spacious lawns and ancient trees. At the Bethmannpark-once the private garden of the Bethmann family who founded Frankfurt's oldest bank-the Chinese garden is particularly beautiful. Lastly, the Holzhausenpark features a magnificent lakeside villa open to the public for special events.

Every major city seems to be proud of their zoo, and Frankfurt's Zoologischer Garten boasts thirty acres, which are home to wildlife from around the globe. Exotic and nocturnal animal exhibits have made this one of the most renowned zoos in Europe.

Yet another fascinating and unique part of this city's past can be found between the Technisches Rathaus, the Schirm Kunsthalle and the Dom. Here lies an excavation area with ancient Roman remains known as the Archaologischer Garten-Archaeological Garden. Excavation work began on this site over fifty years ago and has produced finds from a Roman settlement, including parts of a Roman bath. Archaeologists have also uncovered the remains of a twelfth-century royal palace, thought to have been the favourite residence of the East Franconian kings during that century. The Archaeological Garden thus throws light onto several different eras in the early history of Frankfurt.

No visit to Frankfurt would be complete without a stop at the site of the eighteenth-century home of one of the city's most famous citizens-the birthplace of J. W. Goethe-where he began writing his most famous novel Faust. This is a faithful reconstruction of the original house where Goethe was born, with furnishings and artifacts from the late baroque period of his residency. The tours of the house and adjacent museum will give a greater perspective and understanding of the conditions at the time when this novelist, poet, playwright, and scientist called Frankfurt his home.

Similar to European palaces, the majestic plaza and Alte Oper-Opera House-is a central meeting place in the core of the city and this impressive example of 1880s architecture is dazzling. Although the original structure was another victim of the bomb blitz during WWII, the original facade and forecourt were reconstructed in 1981, faithfully following the original plans. Today, the Grosser Saal seats 2450 people and the Mozart Saal accommodates 720 audience members, making this one of the most sought-after venues for performing artists in Europe.

Almost one in three of the people living in Frankfurt do not hold a German passport, meaning no matter where visitors come from, they will always meet people here who speak their language and a restaurant that serves their favourite food.

So, whether Frankfurt is your vacation destination or a stop along the way during your tour of Germany, the Mainhattan Skyline has much to offer when you are beneath the tall buildings and amidst the historic structures.

If you have visited the Big Apple don't be surprised if it all feels vaguely familiar. But there's a difference in the openly friendly German hospitality-especially during Octoberfest! -but definitely throughout the year.

See more travel stories by Roy Heale at http://www.royheale.blogspot.com

A Little Secret Called Consolidator Airfare Monday, January 10, 2011

Do you have any idea how much we really need to thank the consolidator airfare idea? Although most of us will make use of the consolidator airfare bargains at some point in our lives, we don't know much about what goes on behind the scenes! Simply put, if it was not for consolidator airfare prices, we couldn't even begin to think of inexpensive airfare bargains, not to mention enjoy the benefits of them.

The airline consolidator is sometimes called a bucket shop, or middleman, and purchases a bulk amount of tickets from a variety of different airlines. They then sell these tickets to all the major travel agencies. This means that consolidator airfares are created on top of wholesale pricing. Since they use wholesale pricing, law prohibits these middlemen from selling the tickets straight to public. This is why you will frequently find discounted prices only available through travel agencies, rather than directly through the airlines themselves.

The consolidator airfare idea is a genius creation, not only for those of us on a budget, but to the many businesses directly involved. It allows for three layers of the business ladder to make money, while still offering the lowest prices available to the end purchaser.

There are many online companies such as Travelocity, Orbitz and Expedia that act as the third layer of this business. The prices you see on their websites are not consolidator airfare prices at all. These companies need to earn a profit, so have already added their mark-up to the actual price they paid. The same falls true for business portals such as Sidestep, Kayak and FareCast.

Consolidator airfare prices are normally applied to international destinations, and not domestic flights. That doesn't mean you cannot find bargains domestically; they are just not offered as often. Airlines can apply a much higher profit margin on the larger international flights, while still offering value pricing to the end consumer. This becomes especially true during the busy holiday travel season to warm and sunny destinations. They make money -- we save money. It's a win-win situation for everyone!

The little bitty secret of consolidator airfare pricing benefits everyone involved. Airlines have tickets purchased in bulk, keeping their flights closer to capacity. Travel agencies are able to keep clients coming through the door with discount offers. And, you the traveler, can pick and choose the perfect vacation to suit your budget.

For even more details on how you can purchase cheap airline tickets, visit us and plan the perfect Caribbean Vacation. Then, start packing!

What to Do Daily, Weekly and Monthly to Brand Your Book Saturday, January 8, 2011

"The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities." - Stephen Covey

Most authors will not become millionaires unless they have multiple works or multiple streams of income that can keep their income level consistent. Otherwise, they will not be able to give up their "day jobs."

But there are ways to build momentum, expand your platform and solidify your brand so you are successful. Most authors tell me, "I don't have time" or "I don't know what to next" or "I hit a brick wall - and I can't seem to get motivated to market anymore."

You can market yourself everyday just by doing these things. When I coach clients, these are the things I tell them to do on an ongoing basis:

Monthly

• Attend a writers meeting or critique group.


• Ask for reviews or endorsements from those you've given "comp" copies too.


• Attend a civic organization and tell the members what you do.


• Read trade publications like Writer's Digest or The Writer.


• Take a teleclass or attend another type of live internet event.


• Look for contests you can enter or awards you can nominate yourself for.


• Create a YouTube video message or be a guest on a local cable show.


• Hold or plan a teleseminar.


• Update your media list & research for new ones to add.


• Invite a media person you've admired to lunch.


• Participate at an event by speaking, presenting or teaching.


• Write articles and submit to article directories.


• Post reviews of other books you've read on Amazon.


• Write and post press releases.


• Write and pitch feature stories to the media.


• Create and distribute an online or direct mail newsletter.


• Reach out to bloggers and see if you can do a "blog tour" with them.


• Meet with your advisors, mentors or "master mind" partners.


• Add additional information to your website or blogsite (i.e. a blog article, a link).


• Keep in touch with key bookstores that are selling your books.


• Email mini-courses to those who sign up via an Eblast that you send out.


• Manage back end tasks such as customer support, accounting, sales, etc.


• Look for easier ways to do business. Ask others what systems they use.

Weekly

• Give someone you meet one of your books and follow up in 30 days.


• Visit an online forum and participate or get some PR coaching.


• Look for new articles to read on internet marketing and joint ventures (Google).


• Listen to podcasts (look for the topic of interest online in a podcast directory).


• Send an eblast to your email list - giving them a tip or link to blog post you found helpful.


• Mail a handwritten note or postcard to someone you met in person or connect with online.


• Post to your blog & add a new feature to "amp" it up (get cues from other blogs).


• Drop postcards or bookmarks at places where you regularly go - bookstores, libraries, hair salons, cleaners, restaurants, coffee shops.


• Update your website or blogsite by adding current "media hits" and interviews.


• Send an email to someone online you would like to connect with.


• Interact with a "group" on Facebook or LinkedIn.


• Get to know the key authors / leaders in your field. Follow their blogs or Google them to see what they are up to.


• Keep track of your stats on your website, blogs and Ezine opens.


• Do at least one blog talk show or at the very least call-in to one.


• Post a bulletin on your MySpace or Facebook and add some new blogs.

Daily

• Write. Write. Write. That's your main job. Content is king!


• Read some trade pubs or read magazines in your niche.


• Comment on someone else's blog.


• Make a phone call to a media outlet you'd like to be featured on.


• Read the daily newspapers looking for topics you can comment on.


• Scan columns by the regular columnists and give feedback their blogs.


• Add friends to your Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn accounts.


• Follow someone new on Twitter or Shelfari.


• Add people to your database that you meet or have not been in touch with (with permission).


• Add an automatic signature to all the emails your answer.


• Twitter by sending a link to your blog, or a favorite blog, or a free report they can download.


• Participate in message boards, chat group or yahoo groups that are industry related. This helps to increase exposure and give your information to stay on the cutting-edge.

For a creative writer and author, time is managed with calendars - not with clocks. What you are doing is leaving a virtual "footprint" everywhere you go - online and offline. These elements can be implemented with little or no outside help.

If implemented correctly and consistently, these mini-marketing tactics can help revolutionize your ministry or business in no time. By continually branding yourself with the key message of your platform, people will come to you for information and expertise.

Remember to have a marketing mindset and let people know why they should buy your book (mention the benefits of what the book will do for them.) Keep the main thing "the main thing" - focus on changing lives and making an impact for the Kingdom.

Building solid relationships is critical at every stage of branding. Don't expect instant results though. Trust is the basis of all relationships. Trust is never freely given - trust is earned. Demonstrate your solid commitment and be willing to stay the course.

Ministry marketing pioneer, Social media strategist and PR Coach Pam Perry helps African American Christian authors garner publicity and leverage online strategies. As a 20-year PR veteran, she is also the co-author of "Synergy Energy: How to Use the Power of Partnerships to Market Your Book, Grow Your Business and Brand Your Ministry." For a free MP3 of "What Every Author Should Know," go to http://www.PamPerryPR.com. She's also the creator of the ChocolatePagesNetwork, a social network for Christian authors and the Chocolate Pages Show on Blogtalkradio. She offers free help at her blogsite: http://www.MinistryMarketingSolutions.com with her podcasts, Ezines and teleclasses.

A Travel Guide to Reykjavik and Keflavik Friday, January 7, 2011

Reykjavik is Iceland's capital city and an estimated 117,000 people live there. Tourists will not find that Reykjavik is particularly catered to them, but it is a place in which they can take pleasure in seeing the residents go about their everyday lives.

Reykjavik is a charming city full of brightly colored buildings and a particularly picturesque area known as the old town. If you find yourself in the old town take a stroll down Laugavegur Street. It is a good place to buy various gifts and souvenirs from local craft shops. If you plan to do some shopping be aware the Iceland is not part of the European Union. Therefore all tourists are entitled to claim back the sales tax on goods if they spend 4,000 Krona or more per day in one shop.

To get your orientation of Reykjavik head up to the Perlan Tower. You can either have a meal there or just enjoy the beautiful views. For those visitors on a budget it is worth knowing that you can still enjoy the view by eating in the Perlan café which is less expensive than the restaurant.

Car hire in Reykjavik is the preferred way of getting around, especially if you want to get out and see Iceland's dramatic countryside. In the city itself you will not suffer from a lot of traffic congestion or a lack of parking spaces. This makes Reykjavik a relatively stress free place in which to drive. All this is despite the fact that Reykjavik has the largest amount of cars per capita in the world!

If you are in Reykjavik at a time of year when the weather is inhospitable why not take shelter in buildings including the Reykjavik Museum of Photography and the National Museum of Iceland. If you are with small children then you may wish to go to Reykjavík Domestic Animal Zoo or Tjornin Lake where you can feed the ducks with bread.

You can rent cars from either of Iceland's airports. Reykjavik has an airport in the city centre but this is mainly used for domestic traffic. The most frequented airport is in fact Keflavík International Airport which is in Keflavík, a town half an hour's drive outside of Reykjavik. Having a car will save you money in the long run as the taxi journey from the airport to Reykjavik tends to be costly.

Whichever airport you come into there are vehicles available through major car hire firms like Auto Europe, Hertz, Discount, Avis, National rent a car and Advantage Car Rental.

Although cars can be expensive to hire in Iceland they are the best way to see as much of this huge country as possible. Car Hire Keflavík Airport will help you to have a cheaper holiday as Iceland is also a pricey place in which to eat out or have a drink. You may want to consider staying in self-catering accommodation so that you can cut costs by cooking for yourself. Having said that, the recent economic troubles of Iceland have made the country up to 40% cheaper for tourists to travel to.

Iceland Express is one of the national carriers which has flights to many European cities. There is also Icelandair airlines will get you to Iceland from a lot of worldwide destinations including cities in North America and Europe.

Amsterdam, Berlin, Bergen, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Glasgow, Gothenburg, Helsinki, London, Oslo, Madrid, Munich, Manchester, Milan, Paris and Stockholm are among the European cities with flights to Reykjavik.

The airline Germanwings has flights from Reykjavik to Cologne as well. If you are coming from Scandinavia look out for flights on the airline Scandinavian Airlines Systems. For more information on flights from Keflavik international airport, which has the airport code KEF, contact + 354 425 0600.

One aspect of Icelandic culture which should not be missed out on is the chance to swim in the Geo thermal 'hot pots'. The Laugardalslaug with its baths, steam baths and water slides comes recommended and is the largest hot pot in Reykjavik.

Customers keep coming back to Rhino Car Hire for cheap, safe and reliable car hire in Iceland. There are a range of great vehicles in all shapes and sizes which are available to collect from points in Keflavik international airport and Reykjavik city. Car Hire Keflavik rates start at only 15 Euros per day and Car Hire at the Reykjavik Airport can be as low as 14 euros per day.

Robert Frische is Editorial Manager for Rhino Car Hire. Following the boom in popularity in travelling to Iceland (and car hire from Keflavik international airport and Reykjavik city), he has worked on a set of Icelandic travel guides.

Look at The Hub For More Information When Flying Sunday, January 2, 2011

It is true that a lot of people feel that it is a hassle to travel with their children, however, if you prepare your family for the travel before you leave, you'll be able to have a great family vacation. You will find that it can be a lot of work putting an international trip together with children; however, you will want to learn how to prepare yourself for the transition so that the whole family can have an experience filled with fun.

As soon as you have made the choice of destination, you will want to learn how to spend your family vacation so that everyone has something. You will then want to make some travel arrangements and also travel accommodation. You will need to book the airline, book the hotel, and possibly book some of the arrangements that you would do to do while in the country. Make sure that you tell them that you are traveling with your children, because families tend to get a discount and many of the accommodations also do not welcome children.

When it comes to the children and flying you will want to keep in mind that they normally do not have to show identification if they are with a parent. Usually, when you are traveling with children, you will need to get the children ready. Tell them exactly what they are going to go through and expect on an airplane. Also, tell them that with the new security that they are unable to make a fuss. This will make the children take a second thought when it comes to the selfish fits. Keep in mind that if you are traveling abroad you need to get the children a passport. It could take up a few weeks to get the passports, so you need to plan a head of time.

You will also want to keep in mind that there are guidelines that you and your children must follow and you will need to make sure that the kids are on their best behavior when it comes to traveling to another country. You will also need to do research on your family vacation as you would if you were traveling alone. You need to know the laws and what is acceptable behavior so that you and your children can come back safe and sound. When you prepare your family for a vacation you need to make sure that your family is going to be safe while traveling with airline.

Being especially interested in BioFiller1, Eric Slarkowski published numerous news stories in the area. His contributions on alicante flights are found on his webpage in addition to various other websites.