But, if you have finally had enough, if Virginia is that much of a pain in your backside, perhaps it is time to finally take a break, recharge your emotional batteries and head on over to the Kentucky Derby.  The 2013 Kentucky Derby holds so much excitement and entertainment this year, it will be difficult to not be present for all the action!  Oh, Virginia is not your girlfriend!  She is the state you live, in at the moment!  Well, fooled me!

Virginia Is Not Just A State Of Mind

Your problem may not be the person who you are with.  I hesitate to call it a problem, but perhaps you have spent so much time traveling around the great state of Virginia that now you are struggling to find something else to do.  As many historical attractions as Virginia has with landmarks and museums, from the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, sometimes you just need a little change of scenery.  The Kentucky State line is not that far away.

Once at the Churchill Downs race track in Louisville, Kentucky, you can then bet on Kentucky Derby horses and with your winnings have an even better vacation!

Kentucky Has So Much To Offer

Besides the grandeur and splendor of the Kentucky Derby, with the 2 week long festival culminating in the running of the horses, fancily dressed women in outrageously extravagant hats, and mint juleps found at every turn, Kentucky is full of activities and sights to see.  Downtown Louisville is a bustling friendly town with so much to do and see.  Stop by the Louisville Slugger Museum, or the Muhammad Ali Center, or hit the night life, where the bars are open until 4:00 am on the weekends!  Don’t forget that Kentucky National Park is one of the most breathtaking parks in the United States with Mammoth Cave.  Want to get back to your childhood roots?  Try one of Kentucky’s theme parks.

But you would be absolutely remiss, if you did not partake in one of the many whiskey tours along the bourbon trail, where you can visit the greatest bourbon makers first hand!  No matter where you go or what you decide, there is always something to see in Kentucky, while the Derby is going on!

Building Your Website

If you are just now joining the digital marketplace, you have a bit of catching up to do, but you do have a few advantages over those that have been online for a while.  For instance, businesses that have been online for a while may be stuck in their ways, whether those ways are beneficial or not.  If you are just now building your site, you have the advantage of visiting other sites belonging to businesses that are similar to yours, so that you can get an idea of what you really want your site to look like while keeping enough of an open mind to be flexible with your design idea.  Each business will be unique and their websites should reflect this individuality, but there is nothing wrong with perusing your competitors’ websites, just to see what they are doing and how you can improve on the designs you see.

Getting Live Leads

Once you have a website up and running, you have now implemented a great way to convert leads from “just looking” to “new customer”, simply by providing a way for potential customers to reach you and voice their questions and concerns.  Any time you receive an email inquiry from a potential customer, you now have a chance to sell to a lead that is still hot instead of chasing year-old leads that have gone stale long ago.  Any good salesperson knows that, in order to make a sale, you really need to strike when the iron is hot.  Well, each time you receive an inquiry from a potential customer you should look at it as an indication that the iron is hot and ready for you to strike.

Good Reasons

Having a nice patio is a great way to make your friends and neighbors envious, but that shouldn’t be the main reason you build it.  A patio setting should invoke the feelings of home and relaxation, to anyone who visits it.  A nice patio can be a place where the family gets together every Sunday, where friends come together every Friday, to have a few drinks and a few laughs, even for any day of the week, just to sit outside and enjoy the weather.  In other words, your patio should be a bit of a sanctuary for you and the more comfortable your sanctuary, the more you can appreciate it.

Dressing Your Patio

If you have the money, having a state of the art barbeque installed and getting the most expensive patio furniture on the market is a great way to go!  However, you likely are among the 99% of Americans that are trying to save a bit of money.  That’s okay!  You can put together a very comfortable patio grilling area, that won’t break your bank.  All it really takes is investing in a nice patio table and chairs.  Depending on where you are shopping, you could easily find a nice set for under $100 that would still provide the sanctuary that you are looking for, but how long will it last?

Why Alaska?

Well, why not?  Have you ever been to Alaska?  Do you like fly fishing?  Do your kids like to fish?  Of course fishing isn’t the only thing that people do in Alaska.  They also hunt.  And the beach front camping there is possibly not what you would expect, but perfectly doable, particularly at many of the beachside campsites/campgrounds.  Swimming on the other hand is discouraged, unless you’re a polar bear.  And while we’re on the topic of polar bears, the wildlife sightings in Alaska are definitely worth remembering your camera for.  Imagine the fun you can have telling stories about that picture with Daddy and the whales (Orca), mountain goats, bald eagles, polar bears, black bears, brown bears or even a moose.  It’s debatable which will be more precious… The picture of the animal itself or the look on D,ad’s face when that moose whispers sweet nothings in his ear.

Lots to See and Do

Since we’re talking about things you may never have done before, when was the last time you walked on ice?  No I am not referring to a pond, a lake or even the shores of a slow running stream.  When is the last time you hiked across a glacier?  You can do that and much more in Alaska.  The fishing all by itself makes the entire trip worthwhile.  Particularly, if you’re into fishing on a Zen level.  Or maybe rather than catching seafood, you enjoy dining out.  You’re in luck there Buddy!  Seriously, can you imagine seafood any fresher than from the icy cold waters off the Alaskan coast?  In addition to Alaska’s salmon, you will be able to dine on Alaskan King crab and Snow crab.  Makes your mouth water doesn’t?  You will surely work up an appetite, with all the snow sports and sightseeing there is to do in this wild, winter wonderland.

Whether you choose to bring the kids along or not, this is a great vacation area that frequently goes overlooked.  And that’s a real shame, because Alaska has so much to offer. No kids in the picture?  Great! Why not experience a second honeymoon, in the Alaskan wilderness?

In the United States

You don’t have to travel abroad to experience the beauty and unique character of an art hotel.  In fact, you may not even have to leave your state; there are art hotels all across the US.

• The Essex House in New York is a 515-room mansion style hotel, with an artist-in-residence program overseen by their in-house art curator.  The art deco-themed rooms are a nod to the past, but also feature modern technology, to add to the luxurious look and feel.
• In Minneapolis, the Le Meridien Chambers, feels like an art museum.  Art lovers will get a full immersion experience, during their stay there.  Billing itself as the country’s first luxury art hotel, there are over 200 pieces of art, from the owners personal collection, as well as visiting exhibitions from noted artists, on display in the hotel and in attached Burnet Art Gallery.
• The James Chicago, has outstanding artistic décor, in many of the guest rooms.  Although more subdued than other art hotels, the James had a good collection of art.  This boutique hotel is located in the heart of Chicago, along the Magnificent Mile.

Traveling Abroad

• In Capetown South Africa, the Daddy Long Legs Independent Travellers Hotel has the feel of being at an art exhibition.  A different artist decorates every room, so each has a unique theme.  Expect just about anything here, one room pays homage to Mentos and includes over 2,500 rolls of the hard candy incorporated into the design.
• If you want to stay at a hotel where some of the greatest artists once resided, head to the Colombe D’Or, in St Paul de Vence, France.  What started as a three-room Inn in the 1920s, where artist’s sometimes traded art on the walls for meals or a room, has now become a living history lesson for art enthusiasts.  Picasso and Matisse not only spent time at this hotel, some of their work remains there on display, for all to enjoy.
• The Fox Hotel, located in Copenhagen, Denmark has a bit more modern feel.  Art is a very subjective thing, the Fox features both street art, and Magma cartoons, on the walls of all 61 of their suites.  Art takes over not only the walls, but also the entire room, in some cases, incorporating bedspreads and curtains into the motif.  If Anime is your thing, the Fox might be the perfect place to vacation.

Traveling the world is an adventure, adding the element of staying in art hotels along the way can bring a little enchantment to the whole travelling experience.

Have a Plan, Avoid Disaster

Operating within a budget and having a plan should make things easier to handle in your remodeling.  Planning ahead and sticking to a schedule will also provide more accurate insight into how your money is being spent. Taking a conservative approach towards the gambling will also be helpful in rescuing your goals, in a reasonable amount of time.  Its helpful to get together with friends and family in order to get different ideas about how to approach the new renovations.  Take the time to get together, with the people that spend most of the time in your man cave.

Feel Out the Cricket Play

Getting opinions from these people will help to ensure that the latest renovations are well received.  Its also helpful to include these people as they could be effective resources for free labor or handicapping advice, when it comes to IPL betting.  These friends or family members may also be interested in contributing to the cause or bankrolling the cricket bets.  Finding different ways to make the extra money should also be a part of the plan.  When you are depending on payouts from cricket bets, its always wise to have a backup plan ready to be implemented.  Getting together with the contractor can also be helpful for planning the remodeling job.

Try to think of as many ways that you can save money on the betting or the building, this is typically the best approach.  Looking on the internet or through magazines can also be helpful for people that are at a loss for new ideas that can be applied, to the soon to be  refurbished man cave.  Just be sure to be original in your new design, pick something that is a true reflection of your personality and what your man cave is all about.  Just be sure to make a concise plan before you make any choices and stick to the schedule, to avoid construction cost overruns, which can eat up your winnings quickly.

Insuring Yourself As a Motorcyclist

Come to think of it, that should say insuring yourself and your passenger as motorcyclists.  You’re still going to go broke if you crash that bike and your covered and the bike is covered… but your passenger isn’t.  I own two Harleys and wouldn’t even dream of driving without insurance.  They are particularly loud not just because I like it and it’s cool.  Rather, if someone doesn’t see me in their blind spot, chances are they’re going to hear me – thereby look for me.  Cyclists are at as much if not more danger than pedestrians.  Pedestrians, provided they obey the lights and stick to the crosswalks, are taken care of pretty nicely.  Motorcyclists, if they obey the laws, still put their lies at risk every time they get on the road.  Whether it’s because people don’t see them or just don’t care, oh yes that happens, isn’t even the issue.  The issue is the fact that, with no armor surrounding you, both you and your bike are prime targets.  You need to be insured.

Insuring Yourself As a Bicyclist

I know, who knew?  But yes, you can ensure yourself as a bicyclist provided you have automobile insurance. There is every probability that it will require an extra charge and or type of coverage/policy.  That said however, it is something that no one should be without – particularly if you’re on that bike a great deal.  UIM or UM coverage covers you as an automobile driver against motorists that are uninsured or don’t have enough insurance.  But it’s essential for a cyclist, as in a bicycle rider, to be able to take advantage of that insurance as well.  The thing is, just riding a bike isn’t reason enough to qualify for this type of insurance.  You’re going to need to have a car and have that insured as well in order for it to extend to coverage while you’re riding your bicycle.

Regardless of what kind of biker you are, just make sure you’re an insured one.

Budgeting

These days, most people are trying to squeeze everything they can from every dollar they earn.  For these people, hiring a planner, who can balance out your budget and advise the best way to put something away for a rainy day may be a great idea.  While this service will likely cost you money, you can be sure that if there is a way to make it happen, your financial planner will find it, in your budget to pay for the service.  Many recently divorced individuals generally seek out the advice of these type of planners, because it is hard dealing with such a life change, while still keeping you head financially above water.  Financial planners can help take a bit of the stress away, by showing you where you stand and what you need to do to get where you need to be.

Investments and Retirement

For others that are a bit more financially secure, finding a financial planner can help you decide, which investments will yield the most profit and help you plan for a financially stable future.  By helping you understand, how each financial decision effects other areas of finance, a planner can also provide you with the insight and wisdom, to continue to make wise financial business decisions, if you choose to ever go it alone again.

Thinking Smart with Sinks

Consistently following up with preventative maintenance can be one of the best ways of keeping repair costs low, for the long term.  One of the most important tips is to remember to pay attention to the drainage system.  One of the most common reasons plumbers are called to the home is actually for problems with the drainage system, contrary to popular thought.  Drains clog easily because of miscellaneous debris, hair or grease building up.  One of the most effective ways to avoid this build-up in the drain from occurring is by purchasing an additive or using a more natural method like pouring boiling soapy water down the drain to help keep the pipes clean.  Or employing your  Grandmother’s standard drain cleaner once a week, of baking soda and vinegar.

Taking Preemptive Measures

Most homeowners know the importance of making sure their pipes are properly ventilated, so they don’t freeze, during the winter months.  Once the pipes are already frozen, the process to repair them can be rather costly.  As a preemptive measure, it’s easier to just disconnect and drain the garden hoses and turn off the cut-off valve inside, to help prevent the pipes from freezing.  Having the plumber come out once or twice a year, for a scheduled tune-up or maintenance check can also be an effective step, for avoiding last minute disasters, in the home.

Understanding what the plumber is looking for is another effective step towards developing the right habits, that can help you avoid potential sink disasters in the future.  Knowing what the plumber looks for will also provide insight into some of the warning signs that usually develop into situations that call for professional help.  Looking out for exposed pipes or indications of leaks is a great way to avoid an imminent disaster. Small water stains or puddles are usually symptoms of leaky pipes, in the home.  Homeowners should look out for signs of corrosion, as well.

How to Spruce Up the Inside of Your House

There are many indoor easy fixes that can help dress up almost any room in the house.  A fresh coat of paint, a new coat of varnish, new upholstery, new flooring, updated plumbing and cabinet hardware… the list goes on and on and is very nearly limitless.  And all for a song, if you can find the right sales and coupons.  The combination of those sales and coupons, with borrowing from the right moneylenders, and you can have a home improvement project that will not only uplift your way of life, but should the housing market continue improving, it will someday, also increase the value of your home.  That increase in value will pay off big time, should you sell in the future.  Make sure that you have a plan, before going to whichever moneylender you choose.  A bad plan could lead to a bad loan and improvements that are not so much of an improvement at all.

Time to Move Out of Doors

Now let’s move outside, for some improvements.  One of the simplest outdoor improvements you can make is a fresh coat of paint and a contrasting color for the trim.  It’s like a whole new wardrobe, for your home.  The second thing that is an easy fix is even the tiniest amount of extra lawn care.  Keep your grass at a manageable height, do some weeding around trees and shrubs, do a little edging and possibly even install a beautiful, but utilitarian walkway.

Now… don’t forget about your driveway.  This is the entrance to your home, before anything else.  This is what people will see when they come visit you the very first time, as they drive up to your home.  Bust out that crumbling old cement and have decorative cement slabs, asphalt, or some other decorative hard material put in its place. Since the driveway is the largest paved area in your home, once you have updated and resurfaced, it will change the whole look of your house, for years and years!  So, choose wisely and enjoy your new look.