Jun
30
Philadelphia Wing Bowl
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This is one of those events that some people only get one chance in a lifetime to see. Most people prefer not to have the chance, but still, it’s a good one to know about. Eating contests are a strange thing. While some of them seem built to celebrate the finesse and capacity of the eaters, others are more like grotesque versions of a culture gone insane. Reality tv seems to have gotten some kind of inspiration from these, but even the most queasy shows can’t live up to a live version.
Especially not if it’s Wing Bowl . Philadelphia Wing Bowl is an event that has amazed and amused onlookers since 1993, and there are many locals who wait for the opportunity to cross it off their bucket lists . It’s been held every year since then, and takes place the Friday before Super Bowl. People gather to see who can eat the most chicken wings in 30 minutes. There are cheerleaders in bikinis, and some of the top eaters have developed reputations, and large followings, over the years. It’s a very well-publicized event, where onlookers sometimes pack the auditorium so full that the organizers request that people not come, in order to avoid a too-full house.
It sounds both exciting and horrifying, and certainly a little bit amusing. But there’s also something else at work here that is terribly, terribly smart. Radio show hosts Al Morgani and Angelo Cataldi began the whole thing, and saw it as a celebration of gluttony. It began, then, with roots that were really rather profoundly planted, making an event that is supposed to provoke thought as much as a gut response. Fortunately, visitors to the city can enjoy the luxury Philadelphia hotels without having to watch someone eat more than 200 chicken wings in half an hour, because there’s a lot to see in the city. And there are plenty of pubs and restaurants that have some scrumptious recipes for this favorite. But, if the mood should hit, the week before Super Bowl is always a curious time to be here.
Jun
27
Major Memorials in Washington DC
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Washington DC remains to be one of the most literal as well as symbolically important cities in this country. It is the home of the White House as well as all of the buildings on Capital Hill and of course it is also the capital of this great country. It is bordered by Maryland to the North and Virginia to the south and interestingly Virginia is the birthplace of more US presidents than any other state in the Union. It seems that historically they didn’t want to travel that far though these days our presidents come from all over the country. DC is located on the Potomac River, which is another symbolically relevant aspect of this country’s history. It seems that everywhere you go in Washington the geography and city features are important icons to this country. This is probably why it is one of the top tourist destinations for many of the residents regardless from which state they are coming. The five star hotels Washington DC are as diverse in guest demographic backgrounds as is the country itself.
Some of the famous landmarks in DC include the Washington Monument , the National Shrine and the African American Civil War Memorial. These are just a few of the numerous landmarks and memorials that exist across DC, though they are certainly important ones. The Washington Monument is located at the west end of the National Mall and was built to commemorate George Washington, the first President of the United States. It is a marble, sandstone and granite obelisk and is both the world’s tallest stone structure and the world’s tallest obelisk. It is also the tallest stone structure in DC. The National Shrine is a beautiful Catholic basilica which honors Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, who is the Patroness of the United States. It is the largest Catholic Church in the Country. The African American Civil War Memorial commemorates the services of 209,145 African American soldiers and sailors who fought for the Union army in the Civil War. The sculpture is titled The Spirit of Freedom and was designed by Ed Hamilton.
Jun
25
If you’re looking for a summer internship that will get you out of the house and will let you grow into an adult there are a number of places to look. Often times you you intern at the job of your dreams all kinds of things open up for you. If you are more interested in learning about worlds you have yet to explore Southwestern Company is a good bet.
This is one of those internships that looks like it will be hell and for some people it will be. You will end up going away from home for the summer and you will work long days, but you will earn some pretty good money. The exact amounts will depend on you and your sales skills. There is some training involved before hand as well.
None of that is what you hear about when talking to an alumni, so it seems safe to assume it isn’t the life changing part about working for Southwestern Company . What you do tend to hear about is what happens while you are out of your normal environment.
You knock on doors all over the city. In the process you meet people of every race and background. You talk to people of every religion and will get a perspective on life in a whole new way. Your place in the world will look different when you come back home. You will learn about how these people think, and what they value. They will tell you about their passions and about their loves. You will meet cranky people, and people who aren’t quite cranky, but they will try to bring you down to their level. You will also meet people who will rise you up and let you soar as you understand their life and their needs and they feed back to you kindness. How you deal with each of these people will affect your character forever.
To a lesser degree other internships seem to do this as well. Being so unconventional it is no wonder there are a number of people talking about it. For people who have never left their backyard it sounds daunting, and for those wishing to explore it sounds like an adventure. Either way it can be dangerous and can not be taken as lightly as any other internship.
Those who go through with it seem to view it fondly at the end and often develop a love for the company itself. One of the nice things is that they planned for this and when it is over, if you want to, you will be able to stay somewhat close to it . Southwestern Company hires back a lot of their interns both for new summer jobs and to bring into the company.
Jun
24
Do you have a hard time picking out the right gift? Men are notoriously hard to shop for. Whether it’s for Father’s day, a birthday, an anniversary, or just a thank you gift….women around the world grown when thinking about what to buy for the man in their life. That’s why we put together a list of some gift ideas for the men in your life.
Hobbies
Is your man an avid golfer? Or maybe he enjoys putting around his workshop on the weekends working on his latest project. If the man in your life has a hobby, something he enjoys doing on his time off, then a gift that has to do with that hobby will not only be appreciated, but also used. Something as simple as a new golf glove and some balls or the latest hacksaw makes great gifts.
Gift certificates
Some people think that giving gift certificates is too impersonal, but really this is far from the truth. Most of us love receiving gift certificates and odds are your father is no different. If he has a favorite store a gift certificate or gift card from there will be a welcomed gift. Or maybe there’s a store that he always eyes but never shops in because he says it’s too “extravagant”? If he won’t treat himself, you can!
Keepsakes
This type of gift takes a bit more time and planning but is well worth the extra effort. Most families have photo albums full of pictures, but how often do we take them out and look at them? Rarely ever, in most cases. Why not pick out a few family photos that you know your dad likes and arrange them in a multi-pictured frame? Or, if there are older pictures that are faded and damaged, you can always get them restored. For a whimsical gift, you can get a mug or T-shirt with a family picture on it. These kinds of gifts will mean so much to your father.
Wish list
Is there something that your guy said he always wanted but never bought for himself? Or maybe he mentioned he’d like to start painting or making his own wine. Surprise him with a paint set or his own wine making kit. Not only will he get a chance to try something new that he’s interested in, but he’ll have the added bonus of knowing that you were paying attention and listening to him.
When all else fails, ask!
Not all gifts have to be a big, epic surprise. In fact, odds are the man in your life would rather receive something that he really wants or needs rather than something he may never use. So if you are really stumped, just ask him! That way you aren’t wasting your time and money and the man in your life get’s what he really wants.
About the Author
Vera is a writer on a variety of topics including family relations, gift giving, and eco-friendly living. She’s also a featured writer on a new expert advice site. Visit YoExpert.com for more information.
Jun
23
Dallas’ Absolute Wilsons
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The charms of Dallas are as apparent as they ever were, and some of the most enticing things about the city relate to the fact that understatement tends to rule here. It’s not that there aren’t things to be excited about, because there certainly are. It’s one of the most eclectic urban centers anywhere, with a busy pace and lots of distractions. It’s that there’s something very Southern about refraining from boasting, and that’s very attractive when people recognize it.
It makes things distinctively self-confident, like the easy grace of a five star hotel. Dallas does not feel like it’s necessary to brag about itself, because people will find out soon enough how good it is here.
These are also the traits that characterize some of its famous kids, and here, there’s none better to illustrate this than the Wilson Brothers . Luke, Owen, and Andrew are 2/3 of the way into their 40s, with the youngest one, Luke, due up next year, and their careers are well-established by now that a little bit of bragging might be all right.
They all entered the consciousness of the U.S. public at the same time with Bottle Rocket, and they’ve gone on to participate in a stunning number of projects. Their combined productivity, with Andrew, the eldest, directing more than the other two, although he also acts his fair share, is very impressive. This comes on the tail wind of some tough times for each of them, including a legal thing about a camera of the kind the world has not seen since Sean Penn.
Although Sean Penn has turned everything in his personal life to his advantage, and is now a very outspoken actor on a number of important issues, the Wilsons haven’t yet entered into that arena. They’re still playing, and playing very well, on brothers who are cashing in on a local boy persona, the slacker that eventually does the right thing when the chips are down. The audience gets the feeling that there’s something very interesting and intriguing behind this charm, and the coming months might reveal some interesting new developments.