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Hawaii - About the Hawaii Superferry

Image Source: Wikipedia

The Hawaii Superferry offers an entirely new way to get around the Hawaiian Islands, a way which has quickly become incredibly popular, especially with tourists. The company actually began as a vision to restore to Hawaii a time-honored means for traveling between the islands, and was not expected to become half as popular as it did.

* The Experience

There are almost an endless number of options when it comes to the Hawaii Superferry. Traveling between the Hawaiian Islands by boat is truly a traditional and time-honored method, and the ancient Polynesians, with their true indomitable courage and genius for navigation, first commanded these waters some years ago and developed a proud history which has been carried on as best as possible over the years.

The Hawaiian Superferry is much more than just an alternative method of travel around the islands, and it is truly honoring Hawaiian culture in general.

The passenger experience is truly incredibly on the Hawaiian Superferry, and the following amenities are available to you onboard: panoramic vistas from their specially engineered passenger deck, which has a higher section that offers a clear view, even from the middle of the ferry, family seating that includes numerous inviting leather sofas paired with coffee tables and offering each family a separate seating section, big-screen entertainment such as newly released movies and Hawaiian-themed programming, video games catering to the entertainment needs of young adults, and low-E glass, which allows light in while moderating heat and helps to keep you cool and comfortable.

The dining and entertainment features on the Hawaiian Superferry are astounding as well, and the company is proud to offer the best in island foods and beverages onboard the mighty vessel. From Kona coffee to sandwiches, salads, soups and entrees, you will dine on everything from the most casual to the finest Hawaiian cuisine.

There is also a center available on the Superferry just for kids, which offers a family-friend environment featuring a special play place just for kids, the Manta Cove. Their gaming arcade will amuse the older children and even young adults, making the Hawaiian Superferry trip enjoyable and amusing for everyone involved.

If you are interested in setting sail on the gorgeous Hawaiian seas on the Hawaiian Superferry, you will want to call in to book your reservation as soon as possible, in order to ensure availability. Seats get filled incredibly quickly, so the earlier on you book the better chances you are going to have of getting fit in.

               

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Tips for Installing Leakproof Showers

Shower installations are tough, no getting around it. Most home remodeling projects require care, but this is one case where even a small error can lead to disaster. Behind-the-wall or under-the-floor leaks can cause increased insect invasions and large repair bills. So, before you decide to undertake it, prepare to commit yourself to nothing less than a first rate job.

Most do-it-yourself’ers won’t be installing all the plumbing from scratch, but just replacing or re-doing an existing shower. That’s a big advantage but it presents the need to make sure you prepare all the surfaces properly.

After the old shower is removed it isn’t necessary to chip away or sand every single spot of glue or silicon caulk. But you do need to ensure that wherever the new shower meets the drain pipe or wall surfaces that everything will fit flush and snug.

To do that, start with the drain pipe. Make sure the pipe is clean and smooth as new for at least an inch down its length. Clear away any build up from calcium carbonate (the white chalky mineral common in most water systems) and sand away any rust. If the pipe is corroded to the point it can’t be well sealed, it will need to be replaced. A job for a professional, in most cases.

If you attach a copper pipe to a galvanized one, be sure to join the two with some insulating material. Because of natural electro-chemical activity between the two types of metal, corrosion will result over time otherwise. For plastic piping, this isn’t a concern. Use a generous amount of Teflon tape or pipe sealing compound at any threaded joints.

Now that your surfaces are prepared, lay the pan or complete molded unit into place. For pan and shower-door installations you’ll need to carefully seal the line around the base with silicon caulking. Most large hardware or home project stores have pre-made tubes that don’t require use of a caulking gun, but those too are inexpensive.

Place the flange in the pan hole and connect according to the manufacturers directions. Here again, you’ll need to seal the result with compound and/or silicon caulking. Take care to get everything at the proper angle.

One way to check for leaks, after the assembly has dried for an hour, is to build a small, temporary ‘dam’ around the flange. You can use any piece of non-absorbing material for this, it doesn’t have to be water tight. Stop the drain, pour in a cup of water and see whether it leaks through.

If leaks exist, it can be frustrating. But, it’s best to find out right away if the assembly needs to be re-done.

Once you have the flange fitted and sealed, and the pan or complete mold caulked and set, you can install the shower door hardware.

Here again you want to take care to prevent leaks. Though not disastrous if water leaks through to the bathroom, it’s still unpleasant. While drilling and fastening rails and tracks according to the directions, seal the exterior surfaces only.

That way any small water build up can drain back into the tub. Also, since rails and tracks can experience small warps with changes in temperature, moisture inside small crevices can evaporate more readily. That helps cut down on mildew buildup.

Congratulations! You’ve now installed a safe, healthy shower that will last.

               

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When Parents Disagree

Sometimes it’s surprising that the divorce rate isn’t actually higher than it is (about 46% in the U.S.). Assuming it isn’t just inertia on the part of the 54%, it’s a tribute to the willingness of so many couples to work out their differences.

Fortunately, most parents will agree on one thing: the children should not be put in the middle of these conflicts. Avoiding that result requires skill, maturity, tact and compromise.

To work out reasonably consistent policies to cover the thousands of different real-life experiences of family life requires careful thought. It also takes a willingness to be frank about what each partner wants and views as fair. It requires buckets of honesty.

Each parent needs to be willing to face reality and be reasonable. That’s difficult to do in states of high emotion and about subjects that are important like those involving how to raise children. Just as in society in general, when one party simply bulls another to achieve a short-term gain the result is frustration, injured feelings and often a violation of simple justice.

A willingness to recognize, despite anger or irritation, that the other party has a valid point of view and a vested interest in the outcome, requires considerable objectivity. But objectivity doesn’t have to mean emotional or value neutrality, simply a willingness to see things as they are.

One thing that will help encourage that objectivity is the realization that each party has an equal stake in the larger issue - the welfare of the child.

That shared interest can form the basis of a mutual effort to discuss different evaluations, background that may be exerting biasing factors and other barriers to a satisfactory arrangement. But when each party makes a sincere effort (or more accurately, repeated efforts), such resolutions are possible.

Successful marriages are fundamentally those in which each partner genuinely admires and cares for the other. That forms the basis of respect that children both observe and absorb over time. That respect and admiration makes it possible to see the larger picture and longer-term goal - a compromise that doesn’t simply leave both parties exhausted or unfulfilled.

Mature parents will ultimately realize that no single disagreement is likely to be so important that it’s worth harming the happiness of the family members. You don’t burn the house down because you don’t like the color of the drapes. Respectful parents will see that one may get his or her way this time, but the next time the partners point of view will prevail.

Few concrete objects or circumstances are so important that no compromise is possible. What time to have dinner, or how clean the house should be, or what time the child should be home from outdoor activities, or even what college to attend… the list is endless. But only in the rarest of cases is it overwhelmingly important that one point of view must prevail for all time.

In every case listed, and many more, it’s healthy to try one person’s preference, then experiment with another if the results are less than satisfactory. Viewing the process as ongoing allows each parent to feel his or her values are respected.

The child benefits doubly from this. He or she gains the best possible outcome, discovered by experience. The child also sees that Mom and Dad can disagree while still respecting one another’s points of view. The child sees honesty and reason at work in an atmosphere of admiration and love. The latter may well be the best lesson of all.

               

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Planning Your Wedding Flowers and Decorations

When it comes to wedding flowers and decorations, the key to pulling off a look that works really lies in the planning. Since there are no rules when it comes to wedding flowers, it really is all about what the couple, well mainly the bride, wants and can afford. Decorating options are limited only by the imagination and even the most outrageous floral images can be made to fit practically any budget, if you’re willing to research the many options and ideas that are out there.

From do-it-yourself arrangements to using silk floral arrangements that can even be rented for the occasion, planning your wedding flowers can be a lot of fun. Involving your bridal party will help generate ideas you might not have thought about and besides, helping the bride is one of their responsibilities so why not? But forget about the groom, though. The most he’ll probably care about is that you stick within the amount that has been budgeted.

You want to give yourself plenty of time so begin planning the wedding flowers at least 6 to 12 months prior to the wedding date. The flowers are one of those things you’ll want to consider while you are choosing the wedding attire because most brides want the floral arrangements to complement the overall color scheme and theme of the wedding. Bridal magazines are full of pictures of bouquets so that’s a good place to go for ideas. Also think about the types of flowers that will be in season at the time of your wedding. Choosing flowers that are readily available is one way to keep costs under control.

Besides boutonnières and bouquets for the wedding party, you can also make flowers and decorations part of the wedding ceremony and reception. Pew bows, arrangements for the altar, head table, cake table and gift table, as well as centerpieces for all the guest tables should be considered. These will definitely add to your costs, but they’re also areas where you can really get creative.

If cost-control is an issue, why not have the bridal bouquets do double-duty as head table decorations or perhaps the gift or cake table? Once the formal photographs are over, no one will be carrying their bouquets around anyway. Or why not use less expensive balloons or candles as centerpieces? Pew bows are very easy to make, even for ‘craft-challenged’ brides. Another idea is to add more ‘filler’ to your floral arrangements by using more greenery, baby’s breath and tulle.

As you can see, it really is all in the planning. Once you’ve got the wedding flowers and decorations figured out, you just need to find a florist capable of turning your thoughts into reality. It’s important to select a florist early on because there’s a limit to how much even the best florist can handcraft. Go over the contract with a fine-toothed comb before signing to make sure the number and type of arrangements, including the flowers being used, are clearly specified along with delivery details. Record the deposit amount and delineate the payment schedule.

               

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Orchid Growing Tips for the Indoor Gardener

There are few plants more beautiful and dramatic than the orchid. While orchid growing used to be limited to the rich of society, today’s wide selection and availability of these plants has allowed anyone to enjoy them within their own homes. And although many still believe that orchids are a difficult plant to grow, most indoor gardeners have found that with a few orchid growing tips under their belts, orchids can be an attainable beauty for just about everyone.

Tip #1: The Growing Medium

The first and most important orchid growing tip that you need to know is that most orchids to not require soil to take root in. In fact, most species of orchids grow in sand, pebbles, or even on the sides of trees. One of the most common mistakes that first-time orchid growers make is to attempt to place their plant in a pot of soil. Then they wonder why their plant dies so quickly. By following the orchid growing tips of your local nursery or extension office, you can provide the best medium, for your plant to allow it to thrive.

Some orchids do best when they are allowed to attach to a piece of bark or cork. These are generally the plants that are found in the wild attached to tree trunks. You can also find commercial orchid mediums that are made from substances like bark, volcanic rock or charcoal. For your best orchid growing tips regarding the medium that your plant will thrive in, it is best to talk to someone familiar with the different types of orchids and their requirements.

Tip #2: Proper Lighting

Another important orchid growing tip to keep in mind is the amount of light that your plant will require. Most orchids do best with some shade, so a southern window will often provide the best source of bright, filtered light for your plant. However, the amount of light required will tend to vary between the different varieties of orchids, and some will do better with more or less light than southern exposure will allow. Again, for the best orchid growing tips, you need to be familiar with the exact type of orchid that you are growing, so that you can talk to an orchid expert about the specific lighting requirements for your plant. An orchid that does not get enough light will not flower, so sunlight is very important for you to be able to enjoy your plant to the fullest.

Orchids can be a beautiful addition to any home décor. By following a few simple orchid growing tips, you will rest assured that you will be able to enjoy your delightful plant to the absolute fullest.

               

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Judging The Construction Of Ground and Walls

Even when a homeowner doesn’t have the advantage of watching the progress of construction from the beginning, it’s still possible to judge the final result. Professional inspectors do it all the time, and they have extensive lists of what needs to be checked.

The site needs to be graded properly, in order to provide adequate run-off after rains or even from simple lawn watering. The house doesn’t need to be at the peak of a high hill, but the ground nearby should be at worst flat, preferably with at least a slight slope away from the foundation.

That helps prevent standing water from forming around the base, which inevitably finds its way under the floor or into tiny cracks in the foundation. A tiny amount of moisture isn’t disastrous, but over time several harmful effects can occur from even small amounts.

Mold can build up, sometimes making its way into noses and lungs. Continual moisture against walls can wet drywall, leading to weakening and eventual peeling. Plywood floors can be warped, producing bulges in flooring and carpets.

In more serious cases, homeowners can find themselves faced with basements that have an inch or more of standing water. Sump pumps can deal with the problem, but unless the area also holds a dehumidifier or air-conditioner, mold and mildew will form.

It’s no accident that foundations are flat and horizontal and walls are vertical and at right angles to the foundation. True, there are architecturally distinct homes that form exceptions. But in the overwhelming number of cases, the simple facts of gravity, human biology and sun movement dictate how a house needs to be built.

Walls not at right angles don’t merely look wrong, they’re weaker. Trusses that provide support for roofs and cross-members that make walls rigid are all placed to maximize strength, to resist wind, rain and/or earthquakes. Pieces need to be at the correct angle and fit well to minimize leaks and maximize support.

Those simple engineering facts provide even those who lack detailed construction knowledge with a basis to judge the soundness of the job.

Few homes will have joints that fit perfectly, or floors that are perfectly level, or walls that are perfectly vertical. But these elements should be within a very narrow tolerance range in order to properly perform their functions.

Do what inspectors do. Get up above the ceiling and take a look. Even homes without formal attics will almost always have a crawl space of some kind. Be careful to step only on beams, not in between. Unless the house does have a real attic, the ‘floor’ isn’t intended to be walked on.

Check the trusses. There are several standard styles, ‘M’, ‘W’, ‘Scissors’ and others. But they all have to have angled ends that meet well with other members of the roof and walls. Most will have metal on both sides of the member to join pieces. Check for any long cracks in the beam where these metal pieces attach.

A well-constructed home will be on solid, level or sloping-away ground with good drainage and have a strong, well-joined skeleton. Without those two basics, even when all else is done well, homeowners will be faced with expensive problems.

A little inspection goes a long way. Don’t rely solely on a professional inspectors report. Even though they’re qualified experts, get that added confidence that comes from seeing for yourself.

               

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Keeping Fit as You Age

It’s a common place observation that as you age you have to work harder to keep the pounds off and to stay fit. One major reason is the inescapable biological fact that metabolism slows as we age. Inescapable for now, at least, until medical technology finds some safe way to alter it.

Genetic research into aging is trying, in a way, to do just that. Several studies in the last two decades have pointed to hints about precisely what causes aging. If they get sufficient knowledge of the subject, there is some hope of altering the situation.

Until then, there are several things a sensible person can do to stay trim, flexible and within a healthy weight or body fat percentage range. At any age, diet and exercise are the twin partners required to achieve those goals.

For some, working out an hour per day every day - a five mile run, a long swim, hitting every station on the weight machine - is still feasible. Others will have to adjust their routine to what is realistic for their own circumstances. Don’t ignore the signals that will help guide you to do that. Mild discomfort is to be expected, especially the day after a vigorous workout. Extreme pain is a sign something is wrong.

There are dietary changes that will be needed, too.

As we age there’s a greater temptation to indulge in tasty, but high sugar, high fat foods. We see it as a reward for all the years of hard work and dietary discipline. Unfortunately, we pay a higher price later in life for those than we did in our 20s or 40s.

An occasional dessert is actually healthy, both for your state of mind and the sugar and fat. Both are essential compounds in moderation, though simple sugars are preferable to complex and unsaturated fats are preferable to saturated. Sugar is essential to generating the energy needed for all biological processes. ‘Good’ fats help regulate hormones, neural processes and other vital activities.

Staying active is equally as important as the proper diet. A good walk helps keep the cardiovascular system in working order. Mild stress on the muscles and joints keeps them lubricated and firm. Both muscle mass and bone density reduce dramatically in sedentary individuals.

Studies show that a sedentary 65 year old will have (on average) only 60% of the aerobic capacity of a 30 year old. Those who do no strength training lose muscle mass equivalent to seven pounds per decade. But those statistics are not written in stone. Exercise can help improve them tremendously.

Studies at various universities carried out for 25 years show that runners who continued to train kept almost all their capacity of 20 years previous. Those who engaged in resistance training maintained muscle mass equal to that of ten years earlier. Use it or lose it.

A person who has been idle, but suffers no debilitating disease, can reverse their odds. Start slow and think long term. Pain from overdoing it is one of the leading causes influencing people not to stick with it. Take long walks, then work up to more vigorous activities under the guidance of a professional.

Live a long and healthy life, not just a long one.

               

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Who Will Be Attending the Wedding?

Probably no other part of wedding planning causes as much frustration and ill-will as the guest list. Just who will be present to bear witness to the big event is something that no family has ever been able to totally agree on. Sure there are those fairy-tale weddings where money is no object, but even those weddings have their limits. More often than not, it is the case that some of the prospective guests never actually make it onto the final guest list. And you know what? As devastating as it may seem at the time, it really isn’t the end of the world for those who don’t get invited.

When should the couple put together the guest list? Although it doesn’t have to be set in stone, a fairly approximate head count is needed early on in the wedding planning stage. The number of guests invited to your wedding will have a considerable impact on your wedding budget. Remember, they’re your guests and you’ll need to accommodate each and every one of them! You’ll need a venue large enough to hold all your guests comfortably, you’ll have to feed them, they’ll need invitations, and if they’re coming from out of town, they’ll likely need overnight accommodations. With an average cost of $25 per guest for food, every 4 guests will cost approximately $100 just to feed!

But every wedding needs guests (unless you’re planning to elope) so let’s think about whom will be attending. You and your mate will be there, of course. After that, add your immediate family to the guest list. Notice I say ‘immediate’ and not ‘extended’ family. Mothers, fathers, step-parents, brothers, sisters and grandparents are absolute musts, unless personal situations dictate otherwise. According to the above estimate, you’re already spending about $300 for food just on this group! That should make you rethink your grand illusion of 250 guests!

It is tradition to have wedding attendants and they should be added to the guest list next. A maid or matron of honor and the best man are absolute minimums. From there, the number of bridesmaids and ushers is purely a personal choice. But remember, even though the attendants will be paying the costs for their attire, the number of wedding attendants will have an impact on your budget. Why? First, they’ll be at the rehearsal dinner and they’ll expect to eat for free. Second, the bride and groom traditionally give each of the attendants a gift as a way of showing their appreciation, so the more attendants, the more gifts you buy. And something that’s not always considered, a large number of attendants may increase your transportation costs.

With the basics in place, it’s time to add friends, co-workers, extended family members, your parents’ friends and business associates, your realtor, the butcher, and on and on. Put everyone you can think of on the list and see where you’re at. Then, if necessary, take the red pen and start cutting until you’re down to a figure that manageable and that fits into your budget.

               

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The World’s Toughest Job - Parenting

Parenting is the most difficult ‘job’ in the world. The process lasts longer than most modern careers. It requires a larger investment - in time and money - than just about any other activity. The complexity of choices is greater and the outcome more uncertain. Greater patience is needed and the roller coaster of emotions steeper than any other undertaking.

Parents have to learn, virtually from scratch, a range of new skills — and they have to get it as close to right as possible the first time. Relatively simple diaper changing rapidly gives way to complex medical conundrums. Educating a child, both intellectually and ethically, not to mention choosing among formal education alternatives, is a serious and difficult process.

Dealing with divorce and single-parenthood, safety, emotional well-being and a spectrum of practical and value situations can tax the best parents. These, and many more situations, often offer puzzles to solve that have inherently mixed practical, psychological and ethical dimensions.

Mix in the elements of grandparents, media reports and ‘expert advice’, educators’ views, other children and many other outside influences - both on the parents and the child - and you have one hellishly difficult stew to filter.

Parents who successfully negotiate the maze often have some basic characteristics in common.

Parents with the ability to view life’s challenges with a sense of confidence and resiliency go a long way toward instilling those characteristics in their children. Those who show respect toward spouses - and their children - help grow that quality in the child in two ways. It helps grow self-respect in the child and leads the child to a proper respect for the rights and value of others.

Parents who early on demonstrate a sense of fair play when deciding among competing claims give children a good foundation in many ways. The child benefits from the justice shown toward their valid concerns, while at the same time getting the proper view that becomes valuable in later life.

Along with these values, parents who demonstrate the willingness to devote time to listening and sharing experiences establish a foundation of life-long trust and love.

Life doesn’t always reward good behavior. But, fortunately, all the effort made to be a good parent pays off in a hundred ways. Raising children well is a tremendous source of pride and joy, and rightly so. Helping provide the skills - intellectual, emotional, ethical and social - needed to thrive in an increasingly complex society rewards parents many times over.

Parents are right to enjoy both the practical results of their efforts and the deep emotional satisfaction that comes from the process and the outcome. Few ‘careers’ consistently offer such high dividends for a ‘job well done’.

               

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Chicago - Sears Tower

Sears Tower was the world’s tallest building from 1973 to 1998
Image Source: Wikipedia

Chicago - The Sears Tower

For many years the world’s tallest skyscraper, the Sears Tower is really nine buildings combined into one massive structure. Completed in 1974, it was erected to consolidate offices housing 6,500 Sears employees from all over the city.

Close to the famed Chicago ‘L’, the elevated train and Chicago Transit Authority buses, it would have been taller but the Federal Aviation Authority was concerned about plane safety on routes to and from O’Hare.

The buildings are comprised of a set of ‘bundled tubes’ in which each tower supports others. Owing to the strong winds in Chicago, produced by its proximity to Lake Michigan, any tall building has to take careful account of stresses produced by wind shear. With its special design, the perimeter can shed winds and reduce sway, while the interior provides structural support.

A series of setbacks above the 50th floor give the structure its unique look, along with the black glass that provides both light and temperature control and an impressive facade. As a result, it forms a significant addition to an already magnificent skyline in one of America’s premier cities.

Visitors can take the elevator to the Skydeck to see the view at the 103rd floor. The entrance is on Jackson Boulevard and 1.5 million visitors pass through it every year.

First step on the tour after you get your tickets is a video that explains the history and unique construction of the building, very interesting all on its own. Then it’s on to the SkyDeck elevators where you are whisked to the top. Elevators are equipped with 50-inch flat screen monitors with views of the Earth from the Space Shuttle, compliments of NASA.

On a clear day visitors can see for dozens of miles and, thanks to the high winds, the sky is often clear. The view is entangled by other structures nearby, but you’ll see not only the other buildings but parts of Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin stretching into the distance.

There are interactive computer displays that give you tons of information about the history of Chicago and its world famous buildings. Cut-out windows allow the kids to see as well as the adults. High-powered telescopes provide for a closer look at some of the other sights of the city.

The Tower also offers several restaurants to choose from including Mrs. Levy’s Delicatessen, a New York style deli, Mia Torre for Italian cuisine and Dos Hermanos offering a Mexican menu.

The surrounding space at the base of the tower is somewhat plain, but the view looking up is spectacular. In order to relieve the blandness of the plaza, a 4-story atrium was erected on Wacker Drive that is worth a look.

Lines can be very long and there are often long waits not only for tickets but elevators in both directions. Be sure to allow plenty of time to get to the top or bottom. Aim for a Sunday morning or other low-traffic time.

               

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