Metaphors of Home
It’s fascinating to think of all the metaphors a house can hold within its walls. That was actually another metaphor right there, and I won’t try to list all of them, but I always had a thing for windows. They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul, and the windows to a house have that same uncanny effect for me. I do mean to use the word uncanny in the way Freud intended it, because it suggests a kind of un-house-ness to the thing, and this makes me very happy for some reason. I like to look at people’s houses, and see eyes for windows. I don’t think it’s unique, but I don’t hear people talking about it very often. This is how it always is in the cartoons, and it’s what I see, too.
It’s always interesting to me to meet someone new, and to visit them at night, when the lights are on. Sometimes, if I happen to be in the neighborhood, I’ll drive by sometime during the next day. Blinds can be open or drawn, and they add a kind of personality to the house, and it gives me a better sense of the people living inside. My best friends are used to me looking at their houses with great reflection, and they’re used to my little eccentricity. It always strikes me how different an interior can feel from the exterior. In our culture, it often seems like we like to keep these very distinct, but each exquisite in their own way.
That always charms me, because it suggests that people do take care to see that appearances can reflect some greater reality concerning who they are, and how they live. For me, I like to bring them together, the interior and the exterior. It’s less about putting my innermost feelings outside for the world to see, and more about bringing the outside in, so that I feel connected to the world, but still keeping a healthy solitude from it. It took some time, and a lot of effort, and I found myself upset, until I found Next Day Blinds. My protest stopped altogether, as I saw how easy it really was to let the light in, and to have control over the interior in a way that was very gratifying. I have no good metaphors for this, only a very happy home.
12.28.09Sushi Restaurants in Singapore
Sushi lovers often classify the world into two groups of people, themselves and those odd and misguided individuals who don’t share their passion. This is true for sushi eaters across the globe and another common element most of them share is a loyalty and passion for one particular restaurant. It is also common to have a standard favorite restaurant and then a list of others that are suitable and appropriate for specific dishes and social situations. Most of the great cities in the world have a diverse selection of sushi restaurants to chose from, which makes this hierarchy of loyalty possible and keeps their population of sushi lovers content and satisfied. They also cater to the numerous tourist populations that are looking for great sushi while visiting a specific city.
Singapore is one of those cities with a diverse offering of sushi establishments. Dining out for sushi can be a social activity or it can be tailored to the intimate needs of a romantic date. Many people love to sit at the sushi bar and enjoy conversations with other patrons while some people prefer to sit at a table with just those they came with. Whatever your preferences, the sushi Singapore restaurants are there to accommodate them.
5 Sushi Restaurant was established almost six years ago and has firmly positioned itself as one of the premiere romantic sushi restaurants. It offers a great view of the Parliament House and also the Singapore River, which attracts many people. Its great menu and affordable prices is also attractive to its patrons. Chanko Masakatsu is known as one of the few establishments were you can find great Osaka styled Shabu Shabu and it has a loyal collection of patrons. Izakaya has been around since 1993 and has a strong reputation for quality food and a friendly environment. It is known for having one of the friendliest sushi counter chiefs to be found in Singapore. These are just a few of the many options to chose from and represent the diverse nature of sushi restaurants as well as the menu selections.
12.22.09High End Hotels and Living the Dream
When I first moved to New York, I was still in my twenties, and was perfectly happy to live on the floor of someone’s living room. My roommate at the time was also a starving artist like me, and neither of us had a bed. She slept on a mattress in her room, and I slept on a blow-up swimming pool mattress in the main room. I would like to say that it was the best time of my life, very romantic and full of adventure, but honestly, it was more anxiety than adventure. There was particular night, however, when we were visiting her friend in Long Island, and he was a designer who had connections and put us up in a luxury hotel. It was far away from the world I knew, and I remember falling asleep there felt like something out of my childhood, sleeping on the floor of my father’s truck, where the rumbling of the road massaged my little back.
By the time I reached my thirties, I was expecting to live the kind of life where luxury hotels were always at my disposal. I would see such swift rank increases in my position and salary so that I would no longer have time to think about anything budget. The way things turned out, which of course is how they were supposed to turn out, I budget all the time. I’m still anxious, and there are few days that go by where life doesn’t feel abrasive. A little abrasive, anyway. But if I can step back a little, I also see that I’m leading the life I always wanted to lead, and it is that New York romantic ideal, where art is always in my head, and I’m always busy with another project.
At the same time, I get to travel more often than I think I deserve, but then again, I did pick the kind of life that depends on movement from one place to another. More often than I expected, I also get to stay in some fantastic places. It’s not because I have a lot of disposable income, but because in some of the places I’ve been, it’s really not that much more expensive to sample the luxuries there. There are also those moments where I decide I want to turn things up a notch, and just enjoy the moment for all it’s worth. At these moments, I even sort of miss that swimming pool mattress, but then again, I don’t think I’m really missing anything at all.
12.21.09Seiji Shimoda and Singapore Art
There is a tremendous buzz in the world community about the spectacular cultural offerings in Singapore these days. It has always been a popular destination for tourists and travelers, being one of the great world ports, and there is a long history of cultural exchange. This informs a lot of the art and cuisine that comes from contemporary Singapore, and there are many fantastic cultural experiments that pass through this unique city state. This makes it a wonderful place to visit, with all the amazing kinds of entertainment and local culture, that gives a splendid sense of the most exciting ideas in the world today.
Taking a culinary tour of the city state is a great way to get introduced to the many different worlds that exist in Singapore. While the main cultural influences come from China, Malaysia, and India, there are also plenty of Japanese restaurants. Some of the greatest Japanese food in the world can be found here, and it comes in a fantastic variety. The variety in cuisine can also be found in art, where some of the most interesting performance art of the past couple of years is coming from Singapore. It also attracts international artists, such as Seiji Shimoda.
Born in 1953, he is one of the most influential artists in the world today. He currently teaches at the Musashno Art University in Tokyo, and is the principle organizer of the Nippon International Performance Art Festival. His own work is very highly acclaimed, and his use of simple objects has become a kind of iconic signature in the international art world. Together with his knowledge and connections of other artists from around the world, with a very thorough understanding of what’s happening in Asia right now, he is one of the world’s great treasures.
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Increasing the Heat with a Fireplace Insert
In these economic times, and in these times of protecting the environment, it has become important to ensure that all of your appliances are operating as efficiently as possible. People wrap their water heaters with insulators, install water saving devices, and are investing in solar panels. One of the most cost effective ways to heat your house in the winter is by burning a fire, either in a wood burning fireplace or stove, or by fireplaces fueled with propane or natural gas.
Not only will the cut the cost of your monthly energy bill, the heat is more evenly dispersed through the house, and the atmosphere and ambiance takes on a note of charm and coziness. One way to increase the efficiency of your fireplace, wood burning or gas, is by the addition of a fireplace insert. This is a way to modify your fireplace, ensuring that you experience the warmest of heat from the fire, and is also a great way to update and redesign the look of your fireplace, and the look of the entire room.
Fireplaces are still typically constructed using traditional techniques of masonry. The ceramic and the bricks allow heat to escape, but by installing what is basically an iron kettle turned on its side into the fire place, you will substantially increase the heat retention. The structure prevents the heat from escaping, sending it directly into the room and throughout the entire house.
Many times people choose to install a small fan, with further increases the air circulation, and the even heat. These also will serve to cut down on the pollutants that are released into the atmosphere. Some of the inserts are designed to extend the original frame of the fireplace, creating a different, a new and an exciting look. Keep the heat in the house, and keep the bills leaning towards the lower end, and enjoy the addition of a fireplace insert.
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Gas Grills and Their Accessories and Diverse Uses
There are a great number of quality backyard outdoor kitchen appliances and accessories that are also diverse in design and lifestyle appeal. The amount of outdoor dining area features and counting supplies are increasing at a rate that looks like they may eventually be as diverse as those that are intended for the indoors. However and as beneficial as the multiple options are, there are some factors, appliances and features that will remain at the top of the list for their quality in functions and also ease of use as well as their orientation toward space economy. Drop in gas grills are one of these.
The drop in grills can be included as part of the outdoor island counter tops and cooking areas, as well as being sold on their own as stand alone features. They can cook a simple barbeque for families or a larger meal for parties. On game days when friends are over to watch it on the large screen television attached to the wall they are perfect for grilling an assortment of foods including the necessary hot dogs and hamburgers. They are one of the ideal and diverse features that can be incorporated into any outdoor kitchen area and are fitting for all lifestyles and budget concerns.
There are also some great accessories that can be incorporated into the counter area or island that will not only make backyard grilling easier, they also add to the fun and even quality of the meal’s outcome. There are food warmers that are perfect when serving larger numbers of people as well as for various other occasions and needs, such as warming buns for burgers. There are various sizes of refrigerators that can be built into counter areas or are able to stand on their own. There are also great items like weather and waterproof paper towel holders that are perfect for outdoor cooking. Whatever your particular interest, there is a grill and kitchen area that will suite your needs.
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London Calling
I am a huge London Fan! My love affair began with my first trip abroad at the ripe old age of 14. Later, I returned to study Victorian literature and then came back after graduation. I find the city so steeped in history, culture and literary landmarks that I have, still today, never tired of it. This past week was my first time returning to London since my work visa ran out over a year ago. Since then much has happened in my life; travel, work, blogging. I was so nervous, it was like seeing an old lover for the first time after a long absence.
This trip I stayed at a hotel in London instead of with an old friend who lives in Canary Wharf, but I was excited about visiting an entire area of London I’d never been to before. Canary Wharf is located in the southeastern part of London and has been the center of shipping for decades. After taking the Underground to Canary Wharf, and finding my friends flat, he took me sightseeing. The atmosphere was markedly different from the rest of the city. Skyscrapers loomed above the quaint streets and business people bustled about like ants. Underground, many of the buildings are connected in this vast maze like shopping area. Canary Wharf is lacking in history and culture, but it does have an orderly and peaceful quality about, which distinctly separates it from the rest of London. I found it very thrilling to find goats, llamas and cows located on the Isle of Dogs. There was the Mudchute Farm and Park on 32 acres that makes up the largest urban farm in London! It’s free to attend and I could even pet the animals.
We left Canary Wharf and the animals to find culture. We made our way to the very busy theaters of the West End. I got to finally see a performance of ‘Phantom of the Opera’, it only took me 23 years to do so! We also took some time to attend the London Ghost tour. Even if you don’t believe in Ghosts, the folklore and the history gives you great insight into a culture. Plus, our tour guide recited poetry, sang and pointed out many spooky spots around the old city.
It’s grand to be back in old London town. I wish I could stay here longer than a week, but work back in the States only allows me this one week reprieve.
12.7.09Spa as a Secret Passageway
Having a spa in your own home is almost like having a secret diary, or a passageway, into another world. It’s something that you have, always at your disposal, and there’s many hours of pleasure ahead of you. The convenience of having a hot tub is usually equal to the amount of pleasure it can offer, and it’s not a decision most people regret. There are plenty of health benefits, too, from all that the hot water and massage can do for the body and mind. But having your own private escape is particularly priceless. In many ways, learning how to relax when we’re adults is as important as learning how to walk when we’re toddlers. There’s a power in it that is hard to describe, but everybody who’s been through it is familiar with the sensations.
When you’re working with choosehottubsdirect.com, the ease is immediately apparent. After browsing through their selection, once you start talking with one of their well-educated sales reps, you’ll discover that you’re in good hands, and can expect to receive excellent customer service in every stage of the process. That’s a comfort that you can get used to, and it’s something that will help you get ready for the comfort that’s coming your way when your spa is running in your own yard.
You’ll probably start to see the benefits of being in a spa immediately, and you’ll start to know the more subtle changes soon enough. It’s that sense of secret power, knowing there’s something that you have, and that’s always available to you. It can come in very handy for after those long days at work, when all you can think about is how nice is would be to be anywhere else. Soon enough, the idea of your hot tub will start to make you feel much more at ease in any situation, because stress relief is always waiting for you at the end of the day. It can be a very liberating feeling, and it’s just one of many excellent benefits waiting for you.
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Planning Your Life in a New City
Moving to a new city, while exciting and full of a sense of adventure, can be stressful. TransGlobe Property Management will help to alleviate some of the worry. Through thorough research, my sister and I found not only a great place to rent for living, but a great space for her to open her sculpture studio. Canada had always appealed to us both, and a few months ago when she said she was ready to make that move, I had much to consider. I mean, neither of us knew anyone in the city of Vancouver, but we had always dreamed of the perfect mix, of a quiet life that was also filled with culture and the arts.
When we arrived, not only were we welcomed by the people in our new neighborhood, but by the staff at TransGlobe as well. There is a sense of community, that we had not experienced before, and all of worries simply vanished when we walked through the doors of our new home. The next day, we began to set up the sculpture studio. Here too, we found that TransGlobe Property Management was dedicated to all of their tenants, not only those looking for a new place to live, but a new place to work and to create.
They go above and beyond the call of customer service, and this made us feel as though they really cared for the building, the owner, and the other people working just down the hall. The lighting and the windows were perfect for my sister to begin right away. And as she did so, I wandered through the grounds, noticed how well they were cared for, and met a few of the other tenants in the building. We had been nervous, however the highly trained and knowledgeable staff at TransGlobe set our minds at ease, and we began to begin anew, in our new home and our new life.
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Asking Neighbors about the Gas Insert
Choosing the right insert for your fireplace may be a difficult choice, especially if there’s health concerns in your family to consider. Currently, I have a fireplace in the living room with a wood insert, but I don’t use it because of my son who has difficulty breathing due to asthma. I wanted to purchase a gas insert for the fireplace and start using the room again, but I wasn’t one hundred per cent sure. I thought that gas didn’t give out that much heat, although it would seem like a fireplace with little maintenance to do. So I took an informal poll in my neighborhood to see what others thought about gas as opposed to pellet inserts. I was also concerned about the cost of the renovation and the cost of using the fireplace once it’s completed.
Fortunately, my neighbors couldn’t have been more helpful. One person suggested using a coal burner, stating that some pellet insert designs mimicked coal stokers. He said they were less mainteance, although pellets had less ash than coal. No one was quite sure about the asthma-issue, although some thought it might not even be an issue and might improve conditions in my house because a coal stoker is usually placed in a basement, and that can prevent mold from growing. The theory is that when you have air moving from the basement throughout the house, the coal might be cleaner (no mold), but it could create some dust because any solid fuel will do that… So, I asked about gas or pellet and wound up first with a discussion of coal stokers, but I felt I was making headway.
Another friend said if I were set on gas or pellets, the choice was then about cost. The cost of pellets have fluctuated quite a bit recently. Supply might be a worry, too. Another friend argued pretty adamantly for a gas insert, claiming the one in his house was terrific. He said he put one in that gave out around 40k BTU’s and heated the center of the home just fine. With the gas inserts heating up the center of the house, where he spends most of his time, the other units don’t often come on. He said they didn’t have to wear three layers of clothes anymore.
I told him that I was just about sold on gas, when he told exactly how a gas insert would help with asthma, saying that the insert contains two pipes that go all the way up the chimney, so one pipe brings back fresh air cumbustion and the other takes out the exhaust. In other words, the unit is sealed and doesn’t use any interior air in the house for combustion. Therefore the only thing that happens in the house is that it gets warm. There’s no smoke or smell, no embers, no particles floating around. That last part definitely sold me. Gas, it is!
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