Meditation in a cold place is an experience that is impossible to replicate anywhere else.  Of course, in the bigger sense, everything that is, is right now and right here.  But anyone who’s lived in warm places and cold places has had the experience that only the cold can provide.

Calgary does have its temperate seasons, and there are some rather gorgeous days even in the middle of winter.  It’s rare, however, that someone new will move to town solely because of the weather.  People come to find an apartment here for the same reasons they do anywhere else: family, friends, a job, a love.  People who have strong connections with their meditation centers back home are able to find a community here that they can learn from.  There is a very nice array of centers and styles for meditation in Calgary, with a vibrant and always-shifting community of practitioners.

It always takes awhile to settle in anywhere, and in regards to spiritual practices, that can be a more delicate transition.  Although every city has its share of yoga studios, it can take awhile to find the right one.  And it is a lot like the lessons in meditation, where sometimes it takes time to just sit and be, in order to realize that this is the right place right now.  It can also be a question of finding the right teacher, and that can take a very long time.  Until that perfect moment does arrive, however, there are some lovely offerings in Calgary, for practitioners of all levels.

For strict meditation, there are meditation and zen centers where the focus is the same as it is everywhere else in the world: on the breath.  The centers are welcome to newcomers, and can also certainly accommodate those who have been studying for some time.  In any of these communities, one can have the profound experience of waking up.  It is a remarkable thing, too, to come to a new city where it might be a little daunting at first, and make discoveries while it is freezing cold and there is snow on the ground.  The winters in the Great White North can be daunting, and even overwhelming, but with meditation, one can become more attuned to the subtle changes as well as the sudden shifts.  Becoming connected to the cycles of nature here can be as transformative as anywhere else, and that’s to say, just right.

Meditating in Calgary is a post from: Silence Aloud

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The idea of chance is one that comes to mind over and over in a city like Las Vegas. Its reputation having been built on games of chance, the metaphors for luck and opportunity run thick at every turn. They make up a collective experience that does tend to feel a little heady. Perhaps it’s the extra oxygen in the air, or perhaps it’s the weight of experience, where past wins and losses haunt the corners of every room. The notion of chance isn’t one that’s only a concern to gamblers, because nearly everyone in the world has been enchanted by it at some point.

It enchanted Jung so much that he developed a theory about it. Called synchonicity , it’s the idea that some coincidences are more than mere coincidence. Using careful studies of statistics and probability, he could demonstrate that their were events that fell outside of pure science and reason. It is the kind of magical idea that fuels the imaginations of the casual gambler in town, hoping for an entirely acasual experience at the table. Although the Las Vegas restaurants can seem to be particularly lucky after a good meal, these are not things that are subject to the same rules of randomness, because a good time can be had by all, even without unusual experience.

Synchronicity & Las Vegas is a post from: Silence Aloud

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Although it might seem as though everything happened in New York first, reason and logic dictate otherwise. But it is probably safe to say that everything that could happen does happen in New York, at least twice a day. And although the first museum in the history of the world was not in New York City, it does boast some of the most famous in the world. People come from all over the world, seeing the attractions on a New York City Pass , and enjoying all the tangents along with the main attractions. Even though places like MoMA and Guggenheim are dotting every itinerary, there are hundreds more to see.

Some of the finest collections are here, but it’s not the city that holds the original museum. In fact, it could be argued that no city really holds that distinction. There are many who would argue that the first was the Museu Capitolini , founded in Rome in the 15th century. Technically, it would be hard to prove if this is true or not, because the idea of the museum evolved over time like nearly anything. The best argument for the first museum traces it back to the notion of wanting to display a collection, and that usually translates to rich families offering special rooms in their homes for works of art. But there are more notions of the collection in the art world nowadays, meaning that the museum probably began far in the distant past.

New York and the Museum is a post from: Silence Aloud

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Visiting Cape Town is like walking into the past and the present all at once. This is the city where so many cultures of the world have been negotiating histories for a long time, and the complexity of events has resulted in a very interesting cultural landscape. Besides its status as a major city, with all the attractions, and wonderful Cape Town hotels as well, there are other reasons for visiting besides the usual tourist draws.

It’s very difficult to think of Cape Town without considering the vast musical history here. One evening in the city will always reveal why. It’s not only the nightclubs that are playing music that people can dance to, and in fact, music comes from every corner. It’s certainly nothing new, but there’s also nothing old about it either. Cape Town Jazz does include some traditional rhythms in its musical soup, but traditional here is something that’s always evolving into a future that’s just up the road a little ways.

Mac Mackenzie is just one of many professionals in Cape Town who can move through the complex levels of the city, and still speak about the history in a very personal way. He saw many of the changes of the past century, and his own guitar playing have taken the ride as well. The jazz he plays would more aptly be called goemma, blending the styles of at least three cultures at any given time, and it’s still just on the verge of another renaissance.

Mac in Cape Town is a post from: Silence Aloud

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There are many aspects of the city of Los Angeles, California that continually entice millions of visitors every year from around the world. One of the standard features that the city is famous for across the globe is the fact that it is also the home of the American movie industry and Hollywood is part of the greater metropolitan area. It is so famous that other countries have their own version of this glitter and glamorous town such as Bollywood in India. And while tourists are incredibly interested in this aspect of the city while visiting, for residents in Los Angeles it is simply part of their society. However, many of the guests in some of Los Angeles’ best hotels consider this aspect of the city to be a major reason for their trip.

In addition there are various performance arts venues and major cultural landmark attractions that are part of the Los Angeles scene. Hollywood Bowl is just one of the world famous intuitions that offers great performances by some of the most celebrated world personalities. The bowl has become primarily associated with music performances, though throughout its history other types of entertainment have also been featured. It is also one of the more historical attractions of the city and having been established in 1929, the bowl has a seating capacity of over 17,000 persons.

The building has always been associated with and famous for its band shell cover design. This was part of the original establishment though it was replaced and efforts to do this began in 2004. It is also recognized due to the famous Hollywood sign, which is positioned just to the northeast of it. It is owned by the county of Los Angeles and is the permanent home of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In addition to these companies the bowl hosts hundreds of other musical events every year. Frank Sinatra, Elton John, The Beatles and Luciano Pavarotti are just a few of the major names who have performed there.

Los Angeles Landmark Hollywood Bowl is a post from: Silence Aloud

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Turning on the television is all it takes to be flooded with commercials for payday loans and cash advances. Driving down the street you see them on just about every corner. Type payday loan into Google and you are sure to receive page after page of payday lenders like www.moneymutual.com. Payday loans are a relatively new type of loan, only since the early 1990′ s, and even though they got off to a late start they have certainly picked up steam in recent years. As a result of their short history, many people do not really understand what a payday loan is.
The most basic definition is pretty obvious by the name. A payday loan is a short-term loan designed to cover unexpected expenses until the next payday; they are usually set for two weeks. This differs from a cash advance in that a cash advance is usually set against a preset line of credit such as a credit card. There are two different types of interest rates that lenders use when giving a payday loan. The first is an annual percentage rate (APR). This is the more common type of interest. It is simply calculated by multiplying a set percentage (the APR) by the amount. The second type of interest is effective annual rate (EAR). This interest is considerable higher because it compounds the interest. It is important to pay close attention to the type of interest before signing any of the paper work. The regulations for payday loans vary from state to state. Some have many restrictions while others allow payday lenders to have free reign. In some states, such as Connecticut, payday loans are still illegal. Research the regulations in your state so you understand your options.
The Internet has become a major source of income for payday lenders. Anyone can go online, fill out the application, and have the money in their account later that day. They have made an already fast process even faster.
Their increased popularity has even earned them some celebrity endorsements. Money mutual montel williams is just one of the commercials currently flooding the Internet.
As with any financial decision, the way to make the best decision is to stay informed and read everything before you sign it.

What is a Payday Loan? is a post from: Silence Aloud

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The Mission San Antonio came about in 1718, giving rise to what is now the city of San Antonio, one of the must-see cities for anyone traveling through Texas, famous for The Alamo and its River Walk.  Everyone knows to take a look at these two sites, but I wonder how many people know to travel to the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum, now more of a cafe than saloon, with a curio store that’s known as the “World’s Oddest Store.”  This is a necessary stop for history buffs, because the saloon and museum has operated continuously since 1881, one hundred and twenty-nine years.

In 1881, the saloon opened as Albert’s Buckhorn Saloon, on Dolorosa Street.  Albert Friedrich had a unique twist, encouraging customers to bring in deer antlers which could be traded for a shot of whiskey or a beer.  The owner’s father, Wenzel Friedrich, used the antlers to make handmade horn furniture for the saloon.  Through the 1880s, the collection of horns and trophies grew as cowboys and hunters kept bringing in the antlers.  Ten years later,  Albert included rattlesnake rattlers in the deal, and his new wife, Emilie Derr, made artwork and signs from the rattlers.  In 1898, the saloon became  a destination spot for celebrities and presidents, such as Teddy Roosevelt, Will Rogers, and O. Henry.  In 1920, Prohibition kept people from ordering drinks, but rather than go out of business, the saloon became the Buckhorn Curio Museum.  By 1921, the Buckhorn Saloon had one of the largest displays of horns and antlers; the next year, the saloon moved to a new space on Houston Street and South Flores Street.  Friedrich bought a full-sized gorilla and placed it in the front window of the saloon, and the gorilla becomes known as “The Guard” of the Buckhorn.  In 1956, the Lone Star Brewing Company bought the Buckhorn Collection and displayed them as the Lone Star Buckhorn Hall of Horns.  By 1998, the granddaughter of Albert Friedrich acquired the collection back, which had grown.  Not only was there now a Hall of Horns, but a Hall of Fins and a Hall of Feathers.

The fame of the Buckhorn Saloon spread world wide during World War I and World War II as soldiers from San Antonio talked about the unusual bar, and I can easily imagine checking into one of the hotels in San Antonio, relaxing in luxury and comfort, a place to rest after a long drive or plane flight, and then head out on the town, making the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum (and its amazing collections) one of the first stops of the night.

Antlers and the Buckhorn Saloon in San Antonio is a post from: Silence Aloud

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