If you were to poll a group of football fans and ask them to name five states with the best college football program I don’t think Hawaii would make one list. If you asked that same person to name five states they would most like to vacation at then Hawaii would have a great shot at making every list. But the University of Hawaii had a quarterback who played for them a few back named Colt Brennan that changed peoples’ perception of Hawaii football all over the country.
Before Colt got a shot to play at Hawaii his career took an unfortunate turn and almost ended before he could begin. His freshman year at Colorado he was drunk and entered a female students’ room and wouldn’t leave. They pressed charges against him and he was kicked off of the team. Next Colt enrolled at Saddleback Community College and many schools decided that they didn’t want to risk bringing him in and him getting in more trouble.
June Jones, the coach at the University of Hawaii, decided to give Colt a second chance to show his skills and play football. Coach Jones’ and the team cashed in off of the chance they took. Colt Brennan went on to throw 126 touchdowns which were the most by a NCAA quarterback in history. Colt led the team to an undefeated season and to heights in the rankings they had never been and even to a Bowl Game. The Bowl Games are important because it brings the school a large amount of money, exposure to the entire country, and can be used as a recruiting tool to bring in new talent. Colt Brennan took his second chance and ran with it, or should I say he threw it for touchdowns and carried Hawaii on his back and into the minds of American football fans. For information on five star hawaiian hotels visit the site and be sure to check out a game to see some great football .

The University of Hawaii Football is a post from: Bob Travel

I was getting prepared for a move to Vancouver. I must say that I was putting it off, as I was busy with work, and I did not really know what my new apartment would be like, as I had secured it over the phone. Oh, I knew how many rooms I had to deal with, but I had yet to receive an email with photographs, so I could not picture it. I have to be able to picture things in my mind, in order for me to get a move on it, so to speak. And I was dealing with the fact, that for the most part…I do not lead an organized life.

I had always been aware of that to some extent, but preparing for a move brings it all out into the open. I was faced, with myself. And in this case, it was not a great thing to look into that kind of mirror. For what it revealed, was that I had collected too many unnecessary things, and I now had to decide what to keep and what to toss. And then I had to decide how to pack those things that decided to keep. It was time for me to become organized, in a way that I had not been before…as moving from house in Florida to my apartment in canada was going to be a long journey, not just in terms of mileage, but in terms of … well, everything.

I started by making a list. I know that people do that all the time, but for me it was something new. As I said, I lead a somewhat unorganized life as an artist. I just take it as comes and wait to see how it may work out. But I knew that this move was something that would require a bit more of my focused attention To be honest, that simple list helped out quite a bit. It focused me in to the importance of getting my utilities turned on before I crossed the border…I knew the when I reached my new home, I’d at least be able to turn on the lights. It helped when it came to packing, and deciding upon which things to toss and which to keep. It really helped in every way, to be just bit more organized…and sitting here in my new place, I can honestly write that, while I still my be a bit “out there” at least I’m a bit more organized about it all.

Organizing a Move to Vancouver is a post from: Bob Travel

It’s been terribly curious how Dallas seems to be rising in popularity as a major hub for contemporary culture in the U.S. today.  It’s true that the city has always been a center for art and commerce, being the capital of a very large state, but it’s always been a rather humble player in the larger cities in this country.  Lately, however, there has been more new art and new cultural scenes here to suggest that the city is finally coming into its own.  It’s certainly possible that the rest of the world is simply waking up to what’s always been here, but it also seems likely that we’re witnessing a large push on the part of the creative citizens of the city to make sense out of the current position of this city in the world at large.

Visiting here is easy, and this site has some great accommodations to offer visits in hospitality and splendor.  It’s always good to see cultural movements first hand, where there’s a sense of participating in and even helping to create a buzz that’s heard around the world.  Next month, there is a stunning lineup of live concerts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and this is a gorgeous time to come check out what the buzz feels like.  As unlikely as Dallas might seem for a place on the edges of culture, it’s even more unlikely that a cappella could see a comeback.

But that’s exactly what Straight No Chaser is offering.  This group of 10 young men from Bloomington, Indiana are reinventing the form of vocal music by returning to its origins.  The emphasis here is one harmony, and judging from the success of their Christmas music last year, it’s something that audiences are ready to here.  There are also plenty of covers, where they perform versions of some of the most elegant popular songs of today, as well as old classics.  It’s interesting to see that some of the old styles can get reinvented today, to make marks in contemporary culture by revamping the best of the past.

Dallas A Cappella is a post from: Bob Travel

While you are in San Francisco you get the opportunity to eat at all sorts of places. Through out the day there are some quick stop places that you can catch a quick bit while you are shopping and snooping around the city. There are many new modern style restaurants furnished with new elegance and serving up wonderful gourmet blends of ethnic cuisines to enjoy. There are also some classics in a city with so much history. If you like to catch a little bit of the nostalgia of a city than you might find some interest in eating and spending time in some of the older more historical restaurants.

How about the oldest Italian restaurant still in operation in the country. Yes. The country. Fior D’Italia has been open and busy in the family since 1886. It is located in the North Beach area of the city, which makes sense because that is sort of like the little Italy of San Francisco. The locals love to eat here and so will you. For true food enthusiasts it is a must eat at place in the city. In 1908, there was a sort of Bogart style of restaurant called John’s Grill that opened. Visitors, including celebrities, have visited this restaurant for all these years. They serve up some American classics like steak dinners along with fresh seafood and pastas. It will take you back with it’s original period furnishings and offering a museum of memorabilia along the dark oak walls.

All you need is a room at one of the luxury hotels located in San francisco such as these to spend time out in a place like the Far East Cafe which is right in the heart of Chinatown. This will bring you back in time from another place far away. It was established in 1920 and has been operating every since. The decor is ornate with the tall ceilings dripping with chandeliers and the Chinese murals painted on the walls. Much of the art work was brought over from China more than a hundred years ago.

Classic Dishes San Francisco is a post from: Bob Travel

On your next trip to North Carolina look out for the fourth garden, the Gateway Garden which should open in 2010.  The first phase was begun in May of 2009 and is located about one half mile from Business 85 and the I-40 near Barber Park.  The city of Greensboro has been planning this garden for over ten years and should represent everything learned from four decades of building gardens.  The master plan includes eleven acres on which you will find the Michel Family Children’s Garden, the Greensboro Heritage Garden, a Japanese Garden, a Rain Garden, a Rose Garden, a Visitors Center, and a walking trails that lead into the White Oak Forest.

The Gardens of Greensboro is a post from: Bob Travel

I had the best Valentines day. I had been planning this for weeks and all I told my girlfriend was to take some vacation time off. Now and that I had a trip planned to last her a lifetime. I packed a bag for her and told her to dress for warm weather because when we hit our destination she was going to appreciate it, but I still wouldn’t tell her where we were going. She figured it out though because they announced it in the airport. I guess I didn’t think that part through all the way.

We arrived in Kauai, Hawaii a two days before Valentines day and can I just say, all we managed to do was go to the hotel and passed out we were so tired from the trip. We had gotten in late afternoon and the warm air, and having woken up early and flown across the continent, we slept all night. When we woke up the next morning I had a plethora of activities planned for us. We rented beach bikes and bought some cheap snorkels and rode along the beach to an area that didn’t have so many people. We got off our bikes and just swam around. It was absolutely gorgeous and she loved all the fish we saw. That evening, we we went to a huge Luau on the beach and met up with some other tourists who told us about all the activities in Hawaii. They had been coming here for years and had stayed on all the islands. Finally when we were too tired to think anymore, much less dance, we went to bed.

The next morning was Valentines day and I told her we were going for a hike. I was once told that Wailua Falls is the most romantic spot in the world. She said she would pack a picnic basket and that we could make a day of it. I hadn’t planned on that, but it seemed like a great idea to me. It really was the most romantic spot I’d ever been, and getting there was a beautiful little hike. It seemed like it was now or never, so I got on one knee and asked her to marry me. Everything was perfect and she said yes as long as next year it is on one of the Hawaii cruises so we can see all the islands next time.

Romantic Valentines Day in Hawaii is a post from: Bob Travel

This year is shaping up to be a fantastic year in Singapore for music.  It’s probably not a stretch to say that every year in Singapore is a good one, considering the wide variety of excellent entertainment that comes from the creative talents of the people who live here, along with the dizzying array of performers who make this one of their stops.  The city-state is a popular destination for musicians from Europe, the U.S., and also from all over Asia.  Singapore has been a world-class city for some time, drawing on its potential as a major trading port.  The exports and imports here are not just food and goods, but often takes the form of ethereal entertainments.
For a perfect evening of ethereal entertainment, one of the best bets this year will be the Sam Hui concert. This event is coming in late June, but is already causing small waves of excitement among the locals here.  It’s a perfect excuse to take a trip over, and enjoy an evening out, with dinner at one of the excellent Chinese food restaurants in town, and then get ready to see the show.  Audiences here are very discerning, and for events as anticipated as this one, they are also extremely generous, and not afraid to show their enthusiasm.   This is one way of getting in touch with the local culture, and also experience the world of global pop, with one of Hong Kong’s most beloved stars.
Sam Hui had retired from performing, and from his illustrious film career, years ago, but picked it up again in 2004.  This was very good news for the long-term fans, who can be wonderfully fanatical about this pop star.  He comes from very humble origins, making his rise even more meteoric than other stars who come from wealth and privilege.  His reputation has always been very strong as a voice of the people, giving the audiences what they want in terms of energy and enthusiasm, and in the process, keeping the spirit of hope alive for millions.

Sam Hui back in Singapore is a post from: Bob Travel

Now that the Superbowl is over, the great flux of visitors washing in and out of Miami, perhaps this is a good time to take a visit and really relax in the nation’s most South-Eastern state.  You’ll find here plenty of amazing beaches, great cuisine (of the Floribbean variety — part Caribbean, part Floridian, if you will), and any number of terrific museums and attractions.  One of my favorites is the Miami Art Museum.  I happen to be somewhat compulsive about museums; whenever I’m in a town overnight, staying in of the city’s hotels — for more information about that, visit this page — I want to see the local museums.  With the Miami Art Museum, there’s a number of interesting permanent and traveling exhibits.

Unfortunately, you’ve just missed the Miami-Dade County Student Artwork exhibit, which concluded on Valentine’s Day, February 14th.  However, there’s still an opportunity to see Carlos Bunga: Metamorphosis.  This work is two big structures made from perishable materials and the idea is to explore the connection between architecture and urban spaces.  A Portuguese artist, this is Carlos Bunga’s first U.S. solo exhibition.   It runs until February 28, 2010.  Also running until Feb. 28th, is a collection of works in an exhibit titled Space as Medium.  The art here combines work from those artists of the 60s and 70s of the last century with the work of younger artists to create pieces which “engage” with the pieces of the museum itself — such as its walls and floors and ceilings.

In the near future, you’ll be able to see a “Miami Point of View” on art from the museum’s permanent collection, displaying work from the 20th and 21st Centuries.  This exhibit begins on February 28th and continues.  There’s no end date given.  Another exhibit you’ll be interested to find is Carlos Cruz Diez: The Embodied Experience of Color.  Here, you’ll find an installation where lights challenge perceptions of museum patrons as they move in a world of shifting space and color.  This intriguing exhibition runs from March 20th until June 20th of 2010.

Connecting Art and Architecture in Miami is a post from: Bob Travel

When people arrive at there fabulous hotel in San Francisco and get there belongings situated they call the concierge to see how to get to the Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge is one of the top attractions in the bay. It is a magnificent bridge that is fun to see from any angle. On a very clear day and coming in from the right angle you may see it from the window of your airplane. As you make it into town you may see it off in the distance. From the top of Coit Tower you may see the bridge brighten up the entrance to the bay. If you are very lucky or persistent you might be able to sail under the bridge and see how truly massive it really is.

Here is a small about of information of the Golden Gate Bridge. Technically, it connects the San Francisco Peninsula to the Marin Peninsula and spanning over the strait that comes in from the Pacific Ocean to the San Francisco Bay. The bridge was completed in 1937 and at that time was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Now there are eight other suspension bridges that are longer than the Golden Gate Bridge. Joseph B Strauss was the designer and builder of the Golden Gate Bridge. He got one million dollars for taking on the project as well as a lifetime bridge pass. He had some other architects working with him, a couple, Irving F Morrow and Gerturde C Morrow. They were the ones to add the art deco and simple structures to the design. They also chose it’s color.

It was named the Golden Gate because an early topographical engineer named the strait that when he came through in 1846. It reminded him of another harbor located in Istanbul. The building of the bridge didn’t go without some dangerous situations. Thankfully, there was a netting that went along under the bridge for safety. It worked. Nineteen men were saved by this net when they fell of during the construction.

San Francisco Golden Gate is a post from: Bob Travel

Lafayette is a gorgeous city in the middle of some of the more scenic places in the country.  Louisiana is a fascinating place, rich with histories and cultures that intertwine, disconnect, and meet up again further down the road to intertwine again.  It has all the mystery that a swamp should have, along with a very vibrant culture.  There are plenty of things to see in town, and plenty of inspired people.  That’s certainly the case with Sarah Mikayla Brown, who grew up here, and had some of the more formative years in the beginning of her wild and adventurous career.

It’s possible, then, to check into a cool hotel, and start poking around the city, finding little hubs of culture here and there that can be very inspiring.  It’s also a fantastic place to come to get away from a busier schedule.  The pace of life is different here, and the geography certainly does enter into the world view of the people.  This is the home of Cajun culture, after all, and the blend of hospitality and taste come together in a deep appreciation for the simply things in life.  For the artists, however, it’s never all that simple, no matter where you live.

As Brown certainly knows, to make a mark in the incredible competitive theatre market, it takes a lot of hustle.  She learned that she was apparently born with immense inner resources that would drive her to do impossible things.  She worked with Acting Up!, an improv troupe, in town, before moving to Chicago.  There, she she’s begun the Chicago Fringe Festival, which is no small feat in a world where the odds are very much stacked against you for these kinds of ventures.  Along the way, she’s also has the chance to work with Rude Mechanicals, Tantaus, and Corn Productions, among others.  It will be thrilling to see how this next year’s festival goes, and hope she gets all the credit she deserves.

Sarah Mikayla Brown from Lafayette is a post from: Bob Travel