Short weekend breaks always seem like such a wonderful plan - to leave behind habits & habitats, watching something brand new; maybe listen to something different. But without a plan, weekends away can now and then fall a bit flat, a case of walking around a big city, periodically darting into retail shops & distinguishing sculptures. This may possibly be ok if you are comfortable to go with the flow, yet if you enjoy being occupied & ‘doing’ something then theatre musical breaks can be a fantastic choice. Buy cheap London theatre tickets for top London shows, musicals and plays.

Although you can continually fly to Holland, why would you need to? There is a significant amount of talent & amusement much closer to you in London. Notably, London contains a variety of outstanding theatres, the majority of which are grouped throughout London’s West End - a place in which everyday life appears to become a little rosy & everything turns out okay at the end of the day; or at least if not, you can get trapped in poignant moments & feel a slightly better person.

However for plush, cheerful amusement throughout a London show break nearly everyone people turn to musical shows. These can be anything from the heart-wrenching tragedy for instance Les Misérables to the rollerblading spectacle that is undoubtedly Starlight Express. Nevertheless supporters of rock & roll, doo-wap and men & girls in exceptional tight black leather will only be interested in one show - Grease. Taking the world by storm in the nineteen-seventies, this renowned show has never ever failed to make an impact on spectators, transferring with consummate ease to the big screen. Staring a nice-looking John Travolta and an impossibly skinny Olivia Newton-John, the motion picture went on to be chosen for an Oscar.

Most people will have time in their heart put to one side for Grease, no matter what age they are, or indeed what sex. Its 1 of those fun motion pictures that is enjoyed by numerous generations; in the same way as the London musical show is enjoyable for all ages. The ease & liveliness of Rydell High is infectious, the late 1950s attire are desirably retro, and the songs are so contagious that you’ll be singing in your seats.

The holidays are supposed to be a time of celebration when friends and families get together to share food, fun, gifts, and love. They are supposed to be a time of giving, caring and connection when we celebrate important and meaningful events.

Why, then, are they often so stressful and what can we do to make them more fun and peaceful?

Changing the holiday season from stressful to peaceful depends upon one thing: INTENT. Your intent is whatever is most important to you in any particular moment or situation.

At any given moment, we are always in one of two intents. Put in simple terms, it is either more important to you in any given moment to:

1) Be loving to yourself and others, or

2) Get love and approval

Your intent determines your behavior and your feelings. Let’s take an example.

Peggy is married with two children. Peggy grew up in a family where she was trained to define her self- worth through other’s approval - that is, Peggy believes that if others value what she does, she is okay, but if they don’t, then she is unworthy and unlovable. Therefore, Peggy’s almost constant intent is to get love and approval. She does this by trying to do everything perfectly - the house has to be perfect, the food has to be perfect, she has to get everyone the perfect gifts. She believes that if everything is perfect, she can have control over how others feel about her and she will get the approval she believes she needs to feel worthy.

The problem is that trying to do everything perfectly creates a lot of stress. Whatever means we use - whether it be perfection, compliance, anger or blame - we will always be stressed when the intent is to have control over getting love and approval.

Because Peggy does not know how to define her own worth, she feels empty inside until she gets approval. Once she gets the approval, she feels a moment of fullness, which rapidly disappears and then needs to be filled again with more approval. Others around her feel her pull for approval, and may also feel stressed in the face of it. They may like what she does for them, but they may not feel loved by her giving to them to get their approval.

Sophia is also married with children. Sophia also grew up to believe that her worth was based on other’s approval. However, Sophia has done enough inner emotional and spiritual work to learn to define her own worth. Because she is no longer dependent upon others’ approval to define her worth, she is free to express herself in ways that are loving to herself and others. Rather than worrying about what anyone will think of her, Sophia joyfully goes about decorating, cooking and buying presents because it’s fun for her to do so. For Sophia, the holidays are an opportunity to express herself and her love for others. Because she is defining and expressing her own worth, she feels full inside. Approval may be the icing on the cake, but it is not the cake itself.

Because Sophia receives such joy from expressing herself and giving to others without needing anything in return to feel worthy, others feel loved by her giving. While others may be stressed if they are giving to get approval, Sophia herself remains peaceful and joyful.

We all have a choice each moment to decide who we want to be - a person who is trying to have control over getting love and approval, or a person who is giving love to ourselves and others. Who we decide to be determines how we feel. If our intent is to get love and approval, then we may think that others determine our feelings, but it is really our own intent that is responsible for how we end up feeling.

Why not start now, before the holidays, noticing your intent? Why not open now to giving yourself - the child within you - the approval he or she needs to feel worthy? If you start to practice today being in the intent to love yourself and others, perhaps by the time the holidays come around you can really have a good time!

Margaret Paul, Ph.D. is the best-selling author and co-author of eight books, including “Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By You?” She is the co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding healing process. Learn Inner Bonding now! Visit her web site for a FREE Inner Bonding course: www.innerbonding.com or mailto:margaret@innerbonding.com. Phone sessions available.

Murder, mayhem and Mons Meg dominate the history of a simple tower house perched on an island in the River Dee, near Kirkcudbright. Threave Castle served the “Black” Douglases, who used this watery site as a springboard against their rivals, the Stewarts, in the 14th and 15th centuries. As the typical Scottish tower house, the stronghold effectively merged simplicity and durability to pose a formidable threat to all comers.

Archibald the “Grim”, Lord of Galloway and 3rd Earl of Douglas, erected Threave Castle in 1370 on the site of an earth-and-timber fortification. The illegitimate son and only heir of “Good” Sir James Douglas, Archibald developed a reputation in Galloway for cold-hearted oppression. Isolated from the surrounding landscape, this inhospitable tower house seems an appropriate home for the despised Archibald, yet the structure was more elaborate than its exterior suggests.

Standing five storeys high, the 8-foot thick walls solidly protected the Douglases. Each story had a specific purpose. Used for storage, the vaulted basement contained the well, a sink and drain and the dungeon. It may also have held servants quarters. The kitchen level above the basement had a large fireplace, stone sink, deep recessed window, latrine and probably provided dining space for the servants. A spiral staircase afforded the easy transfer of hot meals between the kitchen and the great hall, purposely located on the floor above. As the Laird’s showplace, the great hall featured an ornate fireplace, three well-lit windows with seats and a latrine. An outside doorway allowed passage between the great hall and boat docks on the river below. Archibald and his descendents lived on the floor above the great hall, with private apartments offering refuge and a bedchamber when guests proved tiring. Meager accommodation filled the uppermost storey.

After the death in 1439 of the powerful 5th Earl of Douglas, who was also named Archibald, the relationship between the Black Douglases and the Scottish monarchy, which had never been easy, began to break down. In 1440, the two Douglas heirs, William and David, rode to Edinburgh Castle to dine with King James II, who was still in his teens. During the “Black Bull’s Dinner”, the kings regents charged the young Douglases with treason. According to tradition, at the end of the evening’s meal, one of the regents placed a bull’s head before the brothers to symbolize their impending doom. Both were executed in front of the young king.

The blood feud continued. In 1452, the 8th Earl imprisoned a rival, Sir Patrick MacLellan, who was “the Tutor of Bombie” and Sheriff of Galloway. MacLellan’s uncle visited Douglas, who suspected the uncle was carrying a release decree signed by the king. Douglas arranged to dine with the uncle before discussing the prisoner’s freedom. During the meal he had MacLellan killed, voiding the royal decree and enraging King James.

The king soon discovered that Douglas was conspiring against him with the Earl of Crawford and the Lord of the Isles, John MacDonald. Allegedly hoping to reconcile the bad blood between them, King James II invited Douglas to dine at Stirling Castle. When the 8th Earl of Douglas refused to renounce his association with Crawford and MacDonald, the king became infuriated and stabbed him to death.

In 1455, the king’s army defeated James, 9th Earl of Douglas; and his assembly of 40,000 men, who marched to Stirling Castle to avenge the murder of the 8th Earl. Proceeding to Threave, James II scorned the Earl’s offer of the castle as a gift and instead built an artillery wall around the stronghold. The king then bombarded the sturdy tower house with the legendary Mons Meg (how housed in Edinburgh Castle). The Mons Meg was a mammoth cannon presented by the Duke of Burgundy to James II in 1457. Seeing the destruction of several outbuildings and with their laird safely ensconced in England, the garrison surrendered to the king. From then onward, Threave Castle served as a royal fortress with the Lords Maxwell as hereditary keepers from 1526.

The castle of the Black Douglases faced its final and most devastating siege in 1640, when a force of Covenanters, Calvinists determined to enforce Protestant rule in Scotland, wreaked havoc upon the site for 13 weeks. Although left in ruin, the tower house remained strong enough to imprison French prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars.

In 1948 the National Trust for Scotland became custodians and started a School for Practical Gardening in the castle grounds. Now under the dual care of the National Trust for Scotland and Historic Scotland, Threave Castle is open during the summer for an entrance fee.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Tourism

Rakeback Offers

Many a bettor has asked me “Why would I require a rakeback offer? I just play on the web when I have a bonus to play.” However what if one day you decide to take poker up as a career? There are a multitude of poker players who lament not taking Full Tilt Poker rakeback but now all of them have signed up for every leading web based poker website and skins. Do not turn into one of them. If you are a gambler who bets below $1/$2 and then only gambles when you are using bonus sign-up rewards, you should be receiving in most cases around a hundred percent rakeback for the bonus payment on the play. One well known web site recently removed gamers who employed the website exclusively to gamble this way. Who knows whether this will initiate a more widespread trend. If it take place then instantly a rakeback deal is an essential.

Someday you might just find your best game and then get very wealthy, that is if it hasn’t occurred by now. I was hurt in an on the job accident then internet poker came along during my recovery, I have never had any second thoughts. That’s a couple of years back now and believe me I haven’t needed to work since then all because of internet betting and of course rake back. Advance planning is as always a brilliant plan. Believe it as an investment for the future, if you don’t believe rakeback is for you right now it for sure could be a good investment soon, there is no danger involved. If you are thinking about signing up for a new poker room you absolutely should find out about rakeback.

The Rakeback Professionals site is happy to be associated with so many ethical partners. Signing up is as easy as going to a The Rakeback Professionals agency partner internet site or as accessible as sending an e-mail. Any partner will set anyone up instantly. You can play directly. Sign up with an affiliate through Rakeback Professionals you will be able to rest easy as every single partner has been screened and also have agreed to authorise The online gamblers help site Rakeback Professionals to arbitrate whatever dispute you may experience. Nevertheless since we screen our associates, complaints have been few and far between and in addition we will invariably act instantly to look into any problem to to look after all players.

For years, vacationers have been drawn to the beautiful scenery that Cancn has to offer. There is, after all, a reason why the Mexican government chose this coastal city to be its tourist flagship. Blue waters, white sands, and plenty of room for development meant that Cancn was the perfect place to draw in visitors.

Image and Reality

Cancn’s popularity with American travelers - meaning English is widely spoken and popular chain stores and restaurants can be found there - and relatively low costs have helped it to become a haven for spring breakers, and has become better known as a party spot than the tropical escape that it was designed to be. Still, many vacationers looking for a resort location that is perfect for honeymoons or other peaceful getaways also consider Cancn.

How can honeymooners mix with the out-all-night lifestyle Cancn is becoming so well-known for? The simple answer is that Cancn has come to be the name used for the entire Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatn peninsula. The Yucatn peninsula contains the state of Quintana Roo, where Cancn resides. In fact, so do fascinating Mayan ruins and wide stretches of nearly untouched beaches. Cancn isn’t the only place travelers may choose to visit in the Mexican Caribbean.

Plenty of Places to Go

Cozumel, an island off the coast of Mexico, is home to a small city and an airport. You’ll also find plenty of world-class snorkeling and diving on the world’s second largest reef. Mayans held this island as the sacred home of the fertility goddess Ixchel, and it now houses ruins for visitors to explore. Isla Mujeres is another popular island just miles away from Cancn in the Caribbean Sea; you’ll find the ruins of many Spanish galleons sunk just off its coast.

The ruins at Tulum are some of the most famous in Mexico. Here travelers can see a holy Mayan city and visit “The Castle.” This fortress is built on a bluff overlooking the ocean, offering spectacular sights for visitors willing to take the trip. Unlike the hustle and bustle of Cancn, this area is a haven for backpackers and ecologically-oriented travelers.

Those looking for something upscale and secluded, on the other hand, may want to consider the area known as the Mayan Riviera. It’s called by several variations of this name, such as the Riviera Maya, and stretches along the coast from Cancn to Tulum. Areas like Playa del Carmen are a part of this beautiful coastline. Rental villas with private slices of beach, rather than sprawling hotel and resort complexes, line the shores here. Some areas of the Mayan Riviera, such as Xel Ha and Akumal, are also known for their eco-tourism opportunities.

So while it’s easy to see why students may enjoy the wilder side in the city of Cancn, it’s not difficult to understand how travelers can find the perfect honeymoon escape and family travel in the area as well. Mexico’s Caribbean coast has much more to offer than just Cancn, though the city has become a figurehead for its tourism.

Jennifer Smith writes for Cancun-Guide.info, Belize-Guide.info, and other Segisys travel Web sites.

© 2005, Interactive Internet Websites, Inc.

Article may only be reprinted if it is not modified in any way, and if all links remain live.

Lodging With Llamas in the Smokies

Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com
To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link:
http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/cabinweb/east/nc/llama/llama.html

Ageless Smoky Mountain Tradition!

Folklore and whispering stories of adventure and mystery are as deep as the hills around the small Smoky Mountain towns. There have been legends born and heroes die, all carried by word of mouth and each telling, grander and larger than life tales, such as the story of Fines Creek.

A man by the name of Fines, not told to me as his first or last name, simply by Fines, traveled the Smokies of North Carolina and Tennessee several times during the1800s. During one of his journeys, Fines was robbed of his horses by a local band of indians.

Fines, along with his group of men, forcefully retrieved their horses and set up camp along a creek deep in the mountains. The threat of raids was ever present and resulted in ambushes in which Fines was mortally wounded. His men were not able to carry Fines back home and decided to bury him under the frozen creek until they could return to retrieve him.

Upon their return, they discovered Fines’ body missing and so named the creek, Fines Creek.

Now the creek lazily rakes along side I-40, some of the best road travel in the South. Large hardwoods infest the roadside and you feel as if the next 30 miles was taken up like a rug and shaken.

Our exit was a few miles inside North Carolina, and after traveling a windy dirt road a short stretch, we came into view of a now-a-day Xanadu. The sight was extraordinary. Soft outside colors blended with the mountains and the four large buildings framed the portrait of a great getaway that was much needed.

Llamas grazed in fields on both sides of the road as we trekked up the hill. The idea of using Llamas for hiking was a foreign idea to me, but not one for history.

Known as probably one of the first domesticated animals, early fossils have been found of these docile creatures in America dating back 5000 years. A member of the Camelid family, llamas are considered a burden bearing creature, meaning they are work animals.

The Livengood family, owners of WindDancers, have been breading llamas for decades and love the gentleness of the animals.

The sight of the surprisingly tall animals, made the lodge feel comfortable and laid back, much as their demeanor.

We first meet some of the Livengoods when settling into our room and they told us about the llamas and the lodge. There are hundreds of acres of wooded hillside that the family takes visitors on their hikes. We were not able to hike with the llamas due to weather conditions but we walked a small trail leading to a lunch deck.

To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link:
http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/cabinweb/east/nc/llama/llama.html

John Ross, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent - Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

About the Author

John Ross, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com Leave your email next to the logo for FREE e travel newsletter.

In a very short time Americans will be off in masses for family gatherings for the Thanksgiving holiday. While staying home is the best advice the reality is that this holiday is the most heavily traveled in the country. Regardless of the delays, exhaustion and memories of arguemetns from last year, we’re all heading out to do it again.

You can get ready and be less stressed than last year with a few easy Thanksgiving travel tips.

Pack light. Carry one soft side bag. The one thig to count on at this time of year is long lines. Set your mind that delays will happen. If you pack light you can move around more easily while waiting for that late bus, train or plane.

Take a special book, magazine or DVD movie for those delay times. If you have something special to do while waiting the time goes much smoother. Pack low-sugar snacks and drinks. Travelers don’t need a sugar rush while waiting or in cramped quarters.

Flying
Arrive at the airport two hours prior to scheduled flight departure time, both on the outbound and inbound trips. This is once you get into the terminal. Build in extra time to park your car. Remember, lots and parking resources will be filled so making a reservation at an off site parking facility will help. Most of them take holiday reservations with a deposit.

Stay Informed. Stay in touch with real-time flight status on the airline’s web before heading to the airport. If you have an e-ticket the kiosks and skip ticket counter lines. Most airlines have these now so use them. Consider full-service curbside check-in if you have ski, snowboard, golf or sporting equipment.

Expect to stand in long lines. Expect planes to be jammed. On board stowage space will be critically limited so again, take only one small soft side bag to slip under the seat. If you are taking a gift leave it unwrapped. Most security checkpoints will now require you to unwrap wrapped gifts. Better yet, mail it on ahead a few days before your plane flight.

Driving
If you are hitting the road in your car and driving, make sure its in good working order. Check you oil, water, washer fluid and tire pressure. Make sure you pack emergency supplies in case you get stranded. Take fresh containers of drinking water. If you are in colder areas take blankets and warm jackets, tire chains de-icer.

Plan your trip so you do not return on Sunday. It’ not recommended to drive on the SUnday after Thanksgiving. It is the worst, most traffic-heavy day of the year. Try leaving Saturday or staying through Monday.

Take games. Better yet, if your vehicle or laptop has a DVD player, take movies. There’s no shame in a quiet, fight-free ride on the way home.

See you on the road!

Joyce Jackson travels, writes and lectures extensively on simple, easy but great travel preparation so that you have a great trip each and every time with information, resources and articles on her website at www.travel-packing-tips.com

Live gaming webpages are by and large modulated via three institutions. These institutions are the OSGA (the Offshore Gaming Association), IGC (Interactive Gaming Council) and the Fidelity Trust Gaming Association (the FTGA).

The OSGA are a self ordering agency that regulates the current offshore gambling industry with the objective to also afford sports betting buffs access to swiftly pick out trustworthy internet companies to play games of chance with. The association attempts to champion the legal rights of betters, also they do not impose any enrollment dues. The agency are a highly competent not to mention neutral third party association that expresses unprejudiced judgments, based around your feedback, unbiased analysis, telephone discussions, insider tips also supplies inside news.

The Interactive Gaming Council are a not-for-profit agency. The agency has been created to furnish a platform for interested participants to talk over recent topics also to encourage progress in the domain of shared matters in the global online gaming industry, in an effort to establish honorable not to mention effective trade instructions and procedures that aim to raise end user trust in net based sports gaming commodities and services, and also to assist as the offshore gambling industry’s public policy spokesperson and it also functions as an information base of operations.

The Interactive Gaming Council has developed a reputation for advocating trustworthiness, integrity also credibility because of its uncompromising code of conduct, and its allure to businesses of exemplary practise. The IGC influences overseas sports gambling through using a characteristic 10-step series of instructions and in addition bills gambling sites a price to feature their logo. Discontented betters can, should they need to, disclose their misunderstandings to the IGC.

sports bet usa com

The Fidelity Trust Gaming Association was established in an attempt to produce a standard to upgrade the procedures of live gaming businesses. The authority proposerealize that by doing trade exclusively with good partners, they are able to mold a membership of the most fair and most proficient cyberspace gambling businesses worldwide. To summarize, there are agencies which inspect the conduct of internet sports betting and which should with luck function to mitigate some of the concerns felt by detractors. Live gambling internet sites are now consistently safe, in that private data are not needed and the returns and the odds are generally equivalent to a normal Vegas-style sports wager. These websites get rid of the traveling outlay, but keep of a gambling casino, but today you are in a position to wager at your desk.

There are a number of things you will require to get when you commence cycling. The first and most clear is a first-rate bike that suits you! While that might seem like a no-brainer, loads of people start out on bicycles that are either too little, or built with very poor quality parts, simply because they are considerably cheaper. The correct fit & a well constructed bike can make your outing a lot better, however, do not be enticed to bargain shop for your racing bike. However, it will be better in the long run to get one that will last you a great amount of time. Once you have a racing bike that’s right for you, it’s time to obtain the other cycling items that will support you in becoming a regular cyclist.

Lights: The minimum required by law for your bike is a couple reflectors. However, a headlight & tail light are very helpful, even in daylight hours. When it is dark and rainy, they can make a huge difference in your visibility to motor vehicles. Find cheap deals on cycling bikes.

Tools: Just like driving a car, accidents do take place whilst you are biking. Therefore, it is important that you keep a tiny tool kit on you at all times to take care of flat tyres, uncooperative chains, loose bolts and any other problems.

Helmet: Whilst it’s legal in most locations to go without a helmet, in numerous others, one is required. If you are aiming to bike on a regular basis, it’s smart to have one even in places where no helmet law exists.

Clothes: Whilst special cycling clothes is unquestionably optional, it’s sensible to pay close attention to what you are wearing. Loose garments ought to be prevented, or tucked up so they do not get wedged in the chain.

Locks: If you’re lucky enough to live in a location where you are able keep your bike inside all the time, padlock is important. Even in the countryside, there are individuals who will gladly steal & resell your bicycle.

Related topics of interest include: Formula One & Toy Shop.

Newport Beach houses both the Newport Harbor and the Balboa Island. It is 50 miles away from the City of Los Angeles, 14 miles away from Anaheim’s Disneyland and 30 miles away from the parodies island of Catalina. Newport Beach is a wonderful place to escape anything but still has everything. This is a small place, with an estimated population of about 72,000. This rich city is surrounded by main attractions.

When planning to visit this place, you can rent a condominium or a villa, stay in an affordable motel, and park your RV at the Newport Dunes Resort and Marina. You can also stay in a hotel with an average rating or spoil yourself and stay in a magnificence hotel such as the Balboa Bay Club and Resort.

When at the Newport Beach, you can dine in any of the wonderful restaurants such as the Newport Landing Restaurant. This is situated on a bay witnessing the remarkable Balboa Ferry with a great view of the Harbor of Newport, Balboa Island and the lovely Saddleback. You can also experience the food of the Ritz and Garden, The Sol Restaurant, the Woody’s Wharf or the Harbor side Restaurant and Grand Ballroom. These are only some of the fine restaurants and diners located in the Newport Beach from which you can enjoy a great food away from home.

While on the place, you better spend a wonderful time at the tidy sandy beaches, sail on the big smooth water harbor while at the same time witnessing the huge yachts and million-dollar-priced houses, rent a sport fishing vessel, and rent a boat. You can also have a party in the rented boat or otherwise perform your wedding on the chartered boat. You can also take a wonderful ride in a gondola and visit the Orange County Museum.

Gift and souvenir stores, art galleries and cafes are also swarming in the Balboa Island. It would also be a great idea to visit the walkway stores and diners at the pier of Newport, view or take a dip at the Pirates Cove. Horseback riding, hiking, surfing, scuba diving at the park of the Crystal Cove State would also be a great choice. You should not miss a joyful ride and visit the Catalina Island.

If these activities are not enough for you and you wanted to experience more, visit the Disneyland just located near the Newport Beach or the Knott’s Berry Farm and some of the golf courses to make your vacation wonderful and memorable.