Most Attractive City Destinations: Top 10 Must-Visit Places for Savvy Travelers

Where would you go if you had money to spare and all the time in the world to take a tour of the most beautiful cities in the world? Many cities in different parts of the world are hailed for their natural landscapes and seascapes, stunning structures, design, and interesting culture. If you’re listing the most attractive city destinations in the world that you would like to visit, then these places should make the cut.



Paris



There’s more to Paris than just the world-famous Eiffel Tower and its reputation as the most romantic city. Paris is also well known for its street life and wide roads that are lined with trees. Aside from the Eiffel Tower, Paris also boasts of other iconic buildings like the Grand Palais and the Louvre Museum, which caught the attention of the world as the setting of the novel and film “Da Vinci Code.” And the best reason for spending your holidays in this French capital? Ah, the French cuisine! Feel the French passion for gourmet food with the many restaurants that serve wine and cheese. With everything that Paris has to offer, it is no wonder that this city is the dream destination of every traveler.



Hong Kong



Hong Kong is one of the busiest shopping districts in Asia, which is why it is always frequented by many shopaholics from across the globe. A favorite destination of tourists from East and West, Hong Kong is popular for its post-modern skyline and skyscrapers. This city in China is home to four of the 15 tallest structures in the world. Isn’t that amazing? The city’s night lighting and reflection are simply captivating.



Tokyo



Even if this Japanese capital is densely populated, a lot of reasons still make it one of cities in the world that are worth visiting. Its modern architecture and spectacular cityscapes are reminiscent of that irresistible New York charm, with the exception of towering skyscrapers that are distinctly a Tokyo trademark. Also, the changing colors of the Tokyo Tower every night make for a unique and memorable sightseeing.



Florence



Thousands of visitors frequent this Italian city for one great reason: Florence is the art capital of Italy. It is considered the last preserved cradle of Renaissance, particularly in terms of architecture. So if you are an enthusiast of art, architecture, and anything that has to do with Renaissance, Florence is surely a must-visit destination.



Singapore



This Asian city holds the distinction of being the one of the cleanest cities in the world, having undergone an impression transformation from being a swampy mass of land four decades ago. Once you set foot in Singapore, a modern, fast-paced city life will welcome you, complete with subways, skyscrapers, and bustling streets.



New York City



No city in the world probably enjoys immense popularity better than New York. Fondly called The Big Apple, New York City has a lot to be proud of such as its attractions and cultural legacy. There are so many places to visit like the Broadway, Central Park, and Times Square. No wonder, New York is one of the most attractive city destinations in the world.

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How to Find a Travel Companion that’s Compatible with You

Hate going solo on your next travel? Why not consider sharing a trip with a travel companion? While some things are better done alone, traveling is definitely not one of them. Having a companion during your travel gives you the peace of mind that in case something bad happens, somebody will surely help you. And of course, all pleasant and happy experience in a trip becomes all the more special if you share it with someone, that is, if you’re traveling with a good travel buddy. On the other hand, traveling with a rather unpleasant companion will definitely spoil the fun and may even test your patience. This is why choosing a good companion is very important in a truly unforgettable travel. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when selecting who will accompany your to your next trip.



1. Choose someone you know very well.



Make sure that you are quite familiar with any quirk that your companion may have. Why? If you don’t, you might end up sharing the hotel room with someone whose neurotic behavior will drive you nuts. You don’t want to deal with someone who spends three hours just for bathing and grooming or someone who is too repacking his or her things. Most especially, you don’t want who would rather argue with you all day about everything than enjoy the attraction you’re visiting.



2. Choose a companion who shares your interests.



It would be very difficult to travel with a person whose interests greatly differ from yours. You would be better off traveling on your own if that is the case. How can you enjoy hopping from one bar to another when your travel buddy is more interested in attending theater performances or concerts? It doesn’t mean, though, that you should be together all day. But it would help a lot for both of you if you have several common interests. You can, for example go separate ways during daytime and then meet for some drinks in a bar at night.



3. Put your potential companion to a road test.



This tip may prove to be useful if you are on the lookout for a long-term travel buddy. You can invite a friend or colleague over your home to a dinner or plan a weekend picnic in a great place within your area. Observe how comfortable you are with each other, particularly when you share a room or even bed. Also, take note of any habits that you could tolerate. If you can live with your companion’s smoking habit, then that should not be a problem when you go on a holiday trip together.



Traveling with a companion is a very good idea, especially if you are the type who easily feels lonely being alone and having no one to talk to throughout your trip. Finding the best travel companion is not difficult at all since you can choose anyone from your relatives, friends, and colleagues. If you think no one fits your criteria, then traveling solo might be better for you.

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Why Travel to Korea?: Great Reasons for Visiting South Korea

With over six million foreigners touring this country every year, it’s no wonder that South Korea is one of the most visited countries in the world. What does Korea have that makes it such an international charmer? Here are the reasons that explain why travel to Korea is a pleasant and memorable experience.



• Cheju Island - Cheju is the biggest island in Korea and known as the place of mystery or fantasy. Everything in this resort island is sure to rekindle your love of the beach with its breathtaking waterfalls clear blue water, black sand, and other natural attractions. It is also perfect for honeymoons, watersports, and hiking.



• Climate - The climate in Korea is temperate, which is divided into four distinct seasons. The most tourist-friendly seasons in the country are spring (April and May) when the cherry blossoms bloom as well as autumn (from September to November) when the skies are clear and sunny and the weather is warm. Winter months in Korea, which starts in December until February, are perfect for skiing.



• Korean DMZ - A Korean tour is never complete without dropping by the Korean Demilitarized Zone, more popularly known as DMZ. It is where you can find some of the endangered creatures in Asia such as wildcats, river otter, and musk deer.



• Festivals and Special Events - Korea has a rich culture and long history, and you can be a part of celebrating them by joining various religious festivals and special events such as Buddha’s birthday.



• Historical and cultural tours - Foreign visitors can take a tour of the Buddhist monasteries and temples to be able to witness the Buddhist heritage in Korea.



• Nature tours - Are you a nature lover? Then grab the opportunity to take a nature tour in Korea. Among the most famous itineraries are the flower villages, birdwatching, mountain trips, and cherry blossom trails in various parts of Korea.



• Seoul - This Korean capital, which is essentially a lively commercial district, is the top tourist destination in the country. Among the must-visit landmarks in Seoul are the royal residences, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.



• Pusan - For beachgoers, Pusan is nothing but a paradise. It is popular as a beach town resort, with many beautiful beaches to choose from. The Song Jung beach, for example, is a peaceful swimming spot with clear blue waters.



• Watersports - If watersports is the name of your game, then you will be delighted with the numerous facilities that island and coasts in Korea offer to its millions of tourists. You have plenty of choices: paragliding, whitewater rafting, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, swimming, boating, windsurfing, and water skiing, among others.



To sum it up, Korea caters to practically every type of tourist—adventure seekers, sports buffs, arts and culture lovers, sightseers, and others. So, if you want to escape the stressful city life for a while, then one of things to consider for your much-deserved holiday vacation is, of course, a travel to Korea.

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Infant Travel Guide: What to Consider Before You Travel by Air with Your Baby

Is it safe for a baby to travel by air? If you’re thinking of bringing your baby along when you travel by plane, here’s a good news: infant travel by air is appropriate most of the time. However, there are a few things you must consider before go on a holiday vacation with your little one to ensure his or her safety at all times. Unlike adults, infants do not have the ability yet to adapt to various environments like airplane cabins.



Here are the important factors that can help you plan your air travel with your baby:



1. The age of your baby



Most pediatricians advise against air travel of infants below six weeks of age, unless necessary. Babies in that age range are prone to germs that spread in the sealed cabin of an airplane. And, as you may already know, germs can cause diseases especially to younger babies because of their generally weak immune defenses.



2. The breathing of your baby



Pressurized airplane cabins contain less amounts of oxygen than other environments, thus causing irregular breathing in infants, as some studies suggest. However, this should not be a problem with healthy babies. If your infant has a respiratory issue, don’t worry because this problem can be easily solved. Your pediatrician may recommend supplemental oxygen to make up for the lack of oxygen in an enclosed cabin.



3. The ears of your baby



Do you remember you first ever ride in an airplane? Most likely, you experienced some sort of earache. Now, consider how worse air travel can be to the ears of your newborn. Ear pain happens when the pressure in the middle ear temporarily changes due to varying cabin pressure during air travel. Making your baby suck on a pacifier or baby bottle when the plane takes off and lands can make him or her feel better. It is because such sucking action helps balance the pressure in the ears of your baby.



Before you travel by air with your baby, visit your pediatrician first to check your baby for infection in the ears or upper respiratory tract. These conditions may cause discomfort to your baby during the flight, so if he or she has it, better postpone your trip until they are cured. However, if your baby only has a minor case of ear pain, the doctor may prescribe a medication to relieve the pain.



4. Infant safety seat



Some airlines permit their passengers to carry a baby on their lap during the flight. However, a safe infant travel calls for a properly secured safety seat for your baby. If you already use an infant car seat, that will do because most car seats are approved for travel by air. It is advised that you choose a bulkhead seat in the airplane that provides extra space for your baby to move around comfortably. You can take your baby out of his or her seat for occasional breaks and nursing, as long as these are approved in the cabin by the airline crew.

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Let Things Happen When You Travel

One of the best ways to experience an adventure is to travel: pick a place, pack up your bags and go. But, once on the road, you have to be ready. Any number of things could happen and how you deal with them could spell the difference between a lovely trip and a dreadful one.



Stepping onto a plane bound for a spot in the world where you’ve never been before means there are expectations. Your expectations of what you imagine the place to be and the reality of what you will find once you get there.



This is true, whether it’s that beach paradise you’ve long always been dreaming about since you’ve learned to imagine palm trees and mai tais, that cosmopolitan city where you imagine the air is always hot, the fruits are peddled in boats in the world-famous floating market, and the best shopping malls are blocks apart or that country where they all say the churches are old, the bull fights are wild, and having chorizo de bilbao along with your morning pancakes—or rice—and coffee is as natural as breathing.



Expectations like these are good. Imagining a place where you’ve never been before, thinking about the things you’ll do when you get there, where you’ll shop, what dish you’ll want to order first from the menu when you arrive in that strange, exciting, beautiful place—all these are good, it means you’re excited to be there. That’s the first step in having fun.



See, things could happen this way: you’re all pumped up to go. You’ve packed up a few weeks’ worth of clothes into your battered duffel bags. “You’re ready”, you tell yourself over and over like a mantra.



You’re ready to have an adventure. So, you’ve printed out the maps, color-coded the itinerary data and even brought along not just one or two but all five of the guidebooks you own.



You’re ready to go and have an adventure. You’ve set your mind on having one so that’s how it’s going to go.



But see, that’s a major roadblock. It’s a mistake to think you can ever be ready for an adventure. Color coding all the historical data and information of all the places you would like to tour when you finally get around to visiting the little chapels in Florence or graphing the direction of your trip is all well and good mental exercise but to what purpose will this serve? No amount of preparation is going to get you ready for the real thing. Itineraries are changed, schedules adjusted without warning, and nosy, irritating fellow travelers make the trip just a tiny bit unbearable, if not exactly interesting when you tell stories about it back home.



Organization is great but there’s an end to what it can offer you. There’s something to be said for flexibility, spontaneity, for lettings things happen, for going with the flow. You may not always end up where you planned to but how much it’ll affect your mood or pizzazz or mojo will be entirely up to you. You can sulk, rant, rave or punch a hole in the wall and ruin your entire travel experience. Or you could take things in stride, dismiss the irritating aspects of travel, of life, as they happen, and enjoy the good times.

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Wagons East! (Full Screen) (DVD) newly tagged "funny"

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars "Do you have a really big book?", April 7, 2007 A hand full of citizens of various occupations and orientations realize the west is not all it is cracked up to be. They decide to go back east, but to do this they will need a skilled and knowledgeable wagon master. Who should stumble in but the best wagon master in the west, James H. Harlow (John Candy). Naturally there is a money grubbing cabal apposed to this move and they will stop at nothing to throat the "Wagons East" plan.

Well designed with a select group of actors that never overplayed their parts. The consumes and scenes here exceptionally good for the comedy. The Indians look like Indians and the floozies look floozy. The film is jam packed with one liners.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars ...Hysterical, June 12, 2002 ...This is one funny movie. This is not a movie where a sterling acting performance convinces you that an actor is a different person, or where some fundamental truth aboot human nature is revealed. This is a movie where you laugh your [head] off because of dialog about moccasins, quitters, and big. . . fat. . . books. And if the scene with the insanely effiminate bookstore owner is revealed to be a hardcore bad [dude] doesn't just slay you then you have deep issues. This is one of the great sleeper movies of the 90s'.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful: 2.0 out of 5 stars OK Movie, March 13, 2002 Although I didn't think this movie was as bad as some of the people who reviewed it, I also don't think it's John Candy's best. One thing that might be missed is if you don't know your western history well you won't get some of the jokes!
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Where Was I?!: The World According to Wogan (Hardcover) newly tagged "funny"

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With the Wisdom of Owls (Paperback) newly tagged "funny"

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Almost Heroes (DVD) newly tagged "funny"

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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Really funny!, July 21, 2005 This review is from: Almost Heroes (DVD) Sometimes you see a movie and months later you have a good laugh just recalling a scene. This is one of those movies.

Good-natured adventure and definitely silly, it makes you wish we still had Chris Farley around to entertain us.

Make some popcorn, settle in for a good time, and be ready to smile with Almost Heroes.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Best Chris Farly film ever made!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, May 2, 2002 I'll tell you guys and gals what, if you find Chris Farly even remotely funny (who doesn't) then you will love this movie. I will tell you one thing about it - watch it more than once. Once you begin to watch it 10+ times the smallest things become so funny. Not only is Chris Farly funny as hell but the rest of the cast is what makes the movie. There is a shy scrub named Bidwell, a funny old man named Jackson, a funny fat man named Higgins, and the best of all the scrubby dude named Heronumus Pratt, he is the best. Watch the scene where Matthew Perry is watching the girl take a bath in the lake and when Chris Farly comes up. He starts joking about Matthew Perry watching her alone and polishing the puter etc. but watch Matthew Perry's face, he cannot keep a straight face, all he does is laugh at Chris Farly for real. It is one of the most hilarious scenes in any movie. Like I said earlier its one of those movies that you should watch 5-6 times and then you will be addicted to it. This movie does not follow the same line of humor as Tommy Boy or Black Sheep. It has its own type of comedy and it is the best. I would classify this movie as my number ONE comedy of all time. Buy it and decide for yourself.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Chris Farley Movie, April 30, 2000 This is an excellent movie. You must have a sence of humor, or you will hate this movie. I laugh almost the entire movie. The people are so dirty and rotten, but they have filthy rich names like Bidwell, Hunt, Higgins, Edwards (who is rich in the movie) and Pratt. Chris Farley faces from the eagle eggs are hilarious, every time he yells I laugh forever, he is just funny. I watch the movie almost every week, I laugh at something different every time. Those other major movie critics do not no what is funny or not, they probably dont have a sence of humor. You have to have a certain sence of humor so just rent it first to see if you like it. I seem to watch it at like 1 o'clock in the morning, almost every time. So try it then to see if you like. Matthew Perry is funny in the beginning but kind of died toward the end, but the other actors made up for it. And the scenery of ancient America is awesome. I wish we still had all that land with very few cities, but humans took over. Anyway, the movie was terrific, no matter what anyone says, and watch it more than once to get all the jokes and crude humor.
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The God Delusion (Paperback) newly tagged "funny"

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1,337 of 1,531 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Read the Reviews!, October 28, 2006 I've just finished reading the 141 reviews above mine, and I think they're utterly fascinating--almost as interesting as the book. And the scores--the numbers who find each review helpful--are equally remarkable.

Some reviewers, delighted to find their opinions supported by Dawkins, use the opportunity to bask in their superior intellects and display their generous contempt for those who disagree.

Other reviewers feel personally attacked by this book, fending it off as best they can so they can retain their illusions, which are obviously valuable and meaningful to them.

Actually, you don't even have to read the reviews to see which is which. Just look at the numbers. If you see very few finding the review useful, you'll know the review was written by someone opposing Dawkins' ideas. And if the majority find the review helpful, that means it agrees with Dawkins.

This tells me that most of the people who are bothering to read the reviews are already pro-Dawkins--and it bodes ill for his hopes that his book will convert the believers.

It won't convert many believers, not because it is wrong--it isn't--and not because it isn't well-written--it is--but because whatever else you can say about faith, it isn't easily extinguished. For those who have it, it is the only life raft on a limitless ocean. Those who don't have learned how to swim, or plan to.

The most annoying reviewers, from my point of view, are those whose remarks demonstrate they haven't read the book (such as the fellow who insists Einstein was a believer), or those who feel Dawkins doesn't have the Biblical knowledge to back up his conclusions.

He doesn't need any Biblical knowledge. None of us do, when it comes to the question of belief. Memorizing the Bible neither adds nor subtracts from our ability to feel faith.

And that's the bottom line for me. I am unable to accept an assertion of any kind supported by nothing more than faith. I need some kind of truth, some kind of evidence.

There are or might be moments when I am jealous of those capable of faith. I would love to believe, when a loved one dies, that he or she is going to a better place and that we'll meet again some day. What a lovely, comforting thought. Would that it were true, or that I could believe it. But I don't--and it makes this life and every moment in it more valuable to me.

I once asked myself how a person totally unfamiliar with religion, might choose among the world's offerings, might decide to adopt one of the world's thousands of religions. I could find no way. They all claim they're right and all the other religions are wrong. But are any of them right?

Now I'm thinking similar thoughts about God. I saw a website recently that compiled the names of all of the gods, worldwide and throughout history. They found 3800 different gods or supernatural beings. If I were inclined to believe, which one would I choose and why?

Dawkins points out that we're all atheists. We don't believe in Amon-re, Zeus, Thor, Apollo, Odin, etc., etc., etc. He just goes one god further.

210 of 242 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Disillusioned Catholic, November 11, 2006 I read numerous reviews before I bought this book. Because of the controversial nature of the topic I was very interested in the perspective of the reviewer. Often this perspective was easy to guess but not always. So to make this review more valuable to the reader I would like to state my background first. I am a 50 year old active Catholic who has slowly become disillusioned by religion starting as a child when told my Protestant friend would not go to heaven. For years I existed on "faith" since I personally could find no evidence that God existed. As a Catholic there is also a good helping of "guilt" for good measure. I am also a very strong Constitutionalist and believe that the only way to get along is to have freedom of and freedom from religion. With the recent surge of religious fundamentalism and its effects on politics I have become increasingly concerned about what Dawkins calls the American Taliban and the push for a Christian Theocracy. This actually scares me more than Al-Qaida. The words "Faith" and "Belief" have been morphed into the word "Truth". This new "Truth" has caused me to do a lot of searching for answers for what really is true.

Richard Dawkins book was extremely helpful and was the first book I have read on the Atheist side of the fence. I found Chapters 1 through 4 and 7 through 9 easy to read. Chapters 5, 6, 7 and 10 were more scientific and a hard read for the average person. I actually needed a dictionary at my side to get through those chapters. I particularly liked the section in Chapter 3 on Pascal's Wager which I had mistakenly credited to Einstein in the past.

What I had found so interesting is that he expressed ideas that I had been developing in my brain for years, but did not feel free to discuss with others. (although he can state them more eloquently than I can). The result is that I have been pushed from a 5 to a 6 on his scale of belief.

The book is not only preaching to the Atheist choir, but to all those who a truly open minded enough to form there own opinions about God and religion. If you are in this category it is certainly worth purchasing.

Previous reviews stated that Dawkins was mean spirited and blamed religion for social evils. I did not find this to be the case, and I found that he was as fair minded as someone who believes as he does can be.

2,722 of 3,209 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Dawkins imagines no religion., September 19, 2006 "As a scientist," Richard Dawkins writes, "I am hostile to fundamentalist religion because it actively debauches the scientific enterprise. It teaches us not to change our minds, and not to want to know exciting things that are available to be known. It subverts science and saps the intellect" (p. 284). In other words, the greatest crime of fundamental Christianity is to think without asking scientific questions. For those readers already familiar with Dawkins' work, it will come as no surprise that this book is nothing less than brilliant. Pity those readers, however, who either won't read this book (they should) or who will find nothing positive to say about it, because this is the work of one the greatest thinkers of our time.

In THE GOD DELUSION, Dawkins, the celebrated evolutionary biologist, Oxford Professor, and author (The Selfish Gene: 30th Anniversary Edition--with a new Introduction by the Author, The Blind Watchmaker: Why the Evidence of Evolution Reveals a Universe Without Design, A Devil's Chaplain: Reflections on Hope, Lies, Science, and Love, The Ancestor's Tale: A Pilgrimage to the Dawn of Evolution), gives us a carefully-reasoned yet entertaining treatise on atheism that is equally eloquent and provocative. His basic argument is that the collective irrational belief in "The God Hypothesis" is not only wrong ("intellectual high treason"), but pernicious in its resulting intolerance, oppression, bigotry, arrogance, child abuse, homophobia, abortion-clinic bombings, cruelties to women, war, suicide bombers, and educational systems that teach ignorance when it comes to math and science. Sure to provoke his adversaries, Dawkins not only portrays the "psychotic" God of the Old Testament as "arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully" (p. 31), but also challenges, quite convincingly, every major argument for God's existence, and shows that the Founding Fathers considered religion to be a threat to democracy. Thomas Jefferson, for instance, claimed "Christianity is the most perverted system that ever shone on man" (p. 43). Benjamin Franklin said "Lighthouses are more useful than churches" (p. 43). A 1796 treaty signed by John Adams declares, "the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion" (p. 40). Adams also said, "this would be the best of all possible worlds, if there were no religion in it" (p. 43). Even conservative icon, Barry Goldwater, threatened to fight fundamentalists "every step of the way if they try to dictate their moral convictions to all Americans" (p. 39).

While Dawkins is clearly out to change minds here, unfortunately, for most of his readers, he is only preaching to the choir. Nevertheless, for its erudite advocacy of science and rationalism at odds with the divisive, oppressive, injurious, and deadly forces of religion, THE GOD DELUSION is highly recommended. Further reading in this area includes Daniel Dennett's, Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon (2006) and Sam Harris's, Letter to a Christian Nation (2006) and Christopher Hitchens' recent God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything.

G. Merritt

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Dazed & Confused In Baja: Lucho's Incredible BAJA Hournal (Volume 1) (Paperback) newly tagged "funny"

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Run Fatboy Run (DVD) newly tagged "funny"

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Kicking and Screaming (DVD) newly tagged "funny"

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8 of 10 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Very funny until the comedy is allowed to get out of hand, December 21, 2005 This review is from: Kicking and Screaming (DVD) Will Ferrell is always funny, and the part of Phil Weston would seem to be tailor-made for his comedic antics. Phil's basically a little boy in a man's body, a little boy who wants to finally prove himself to his father and make up for never having met the old man's expectations. Robert Duvall lends the film an importance presence and additional laughs as the highly competitive Buck Weston, sporting goods king and highly successful coach of the Youth Soccer League Gladiators team. Phil (Ferrell) has never been able to get a leg up on his father - but certainly not from lack of effort. When he got married, his father got re-married; when he had a son, his father's wife gave birth to a son (slightly larger, of course) the same day. Young Sam and his equally young uncle Bucky play for the Gladiators, Buck's team, and they are all but unbeatable. Sam, though, is the proverbial benchwarmer, so Buck decides to trade his own grandson to the league's worst team. Yes, it's another team of misfits of all shapes and sizes that just need an incredible coach to take them to unsuspected glory. That coach is nowhere to be seen, and Phil ends up taking on the job.

That's when the competitive juices start flowing. The first big move Phil makes is to take on an assistant coach, his dad's neighbor and long-time enemy Mike Ditka. Iron Mike is surprisingly good in this film and more than holds his own beside both Ferrell and Duvall. He only takes the job to try and make Buck's life more difficult, but he soon goes about whipping the little misfits into shape. The team still stinks, but their fortunes begin to change when Ditka and Phil bring in two new players, a pair of Italian kids who were apparently born with soccer balls balanced on their feet. The team begins winning, and with every win Phil goes a little more cuckoo for cocoa puffs; his new coffee addiction doesn't really help, either. Sure, it's funny to watch Ferrell go about inspiring his team in pretty unorthodox ways, but it eventually gets to the point that the whole thing stops being funny. Even Ditka can't get behind telling the kids to cheat (without getting caught, of course) or break a few clavicles. Ferrell's character just goes so over-the-top that you just want to slap him; he lets the desire to beat his dad corrupt him completely, and the lack of moderation in the second half of the film is a real negative.

There are a lot of laughs to be had in Kicking and Screaming. It's exceedingly formulaic and predictable, but that doesn't matter all that much as long as the laughs keep coming. The script just takes Ferrell's character way too far over the line; watching a crazy guy coach soccer is funny, but watching a freak going bonkers on the sidelines is more annoying than anything else. The film could really have used more Ditka in the later stages. Don't go thinking this is some cameo by Iron Mike; he gets a lot of screen time, and he makes this movie better and funnier with all of his trademark habits.

In the end, Kicking and Screaming is a very funny movie, but it's not a great comedy. Despite excellent performances all around (especially Ditka's), the film is just too over-the-top for its own good. You can't say the movie tries to be anything more than it is, though - it's all about generating laughs and nothing else.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars Average..., March 8, 2006 This review is from: Kicking and Screaming (DVD) I normally would not have rented this but my wife loves Will. It turned out to be quite funny, and the storyline was good as well. Ditka and Duval both doing above job in terms of acting and Will is Will. Some bad acting parts by Will (when he cries in the car) but overall good movie. Good fun for the family.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars I may be tired of Will Ferrell's typical schtick, January 3, 2009 This review is from: Kicking and Screaming (DVD) Most of Will Ferrell's movies cause me to laugh. In fact, I usually double-over in pain that is not too dissimilar to that of a runner. I simply can't breathe during portions of the movie. Kicking and Screaming didn't have that affect, however.

Even the addition of Mike Ditka, the historical coach of the Chicago Bears - my favorite team - couldn't really save this retread. The coffee bit was boring, the soccer angle was contrived, the addition of the superstar players has been done a million times before, and we all know that the kid who is forgotten about is going to pull through in the end.

It's cute, and probably works for the kids, but it's a lot like watching an actual soccer match. There may be one or two goals, and one or two excited moments, but for the most part it's grown men throwing fits and rolling around on the ground in poorly acted agony. It's good for a light laugh, but not much more.

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13 Erotic Ghosts (DVD) newly tagged "funny"

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26 of 28 people found the following review helpful: 1.0 out of 5 stars This is not 3-D at all, September 2, 2003 This review is from: 13 Erotic Ghosts (DVD) If you are interested in a silly DTV movie with lots of naked girls (including Julie Strain), by all means this won't disappoint. However, if you are intrigued by the 3-D idea then forget this one. Not one second was actually shot in stereoscopic 3-D at all. What the makers have TRIED to do is exploit something called The Pulfrich Illusion. This technique can give the impression of depth in a flat movie if the camera and background move in different directions. This has been tried, usually without success, in Super Bowl half times, music videos, cartoons, even sitcoms. They did not understand how to do do it and even with the glasses on there is very little if any depth to be seen, and certainly not anything which should be advertised as being "in 3-D". Shoot out the passanger window of a car moving at 25 MPH and then watch the video with the glasses and you will see more of the pulfrich effect than you will in 13 EROTIC GHOSTS.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars A softcore, haunted house parody, lesbian fest., February 6, 2006 13 Erotic Ghost sounded like a real winner. Tragedy strikes at an old girls school, which leaves the place haunted. Fast forward to the present day, when a film crew wants to document the ghosts. So the rest of the movie is just them observing lesbian ghost romps, except for the female member of the crew (Mia Zottoli) who also participates in the action. Overall, it was good, but there was a lot of room for improvement.
There are six sex scenes. Three are girl/girl: Mia and Nicole Specht, Felony and Aria Giovanni, and Felony and Nicole. These are all very good except for some audio problems that I'll comment on later.
Two are girl/girl/girl: Julie Strain and The Porcelain Twinz (Zen and Zero) are in both of these. Unfortunately, these scenes are the weakest in the movie. They are played mostly for comedy and don't really generate much heat.
The final scene is the best and really ends the movie on a high note. Nicole and Felony go at it again, with Mia watching. Quite a few times, Nicole and Felony step over the line into hardcore territory with no hesitation. Then Aria joins in on the action. When her needs are met, Mia decides to jump in too.
All the women are beautiful and hot, I just wish that Julie and the Twinz had been used more effectively. Other than that, the only problem is the audio. During many of the sex scenes, the overdubbing is very poor. The sounds of the actresses don't match up well at all with the action.
The 3D gimmick was a complete waste. With the glasses on, I couldn't see anything that even remotely looked 3D. Fortunately, it doesn't affect the video, and if you watch it without the glasses, it looks fine.
Retromedia has released better videos. However, if you're familiar with their stuff, and you really like lesbian action, I recommend this one.


6 of 7 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Sexy Ghosts in 3-D Glory, December 24, 2002 This review is from: 13 Erotic Ghosts (DVD) The basic plot for this soft-core flick consists of a film crew going to a haunted house, formerly a school for 'wayward girls' and discovering that it is inhabited by a population of naked lesbian ghosts. In the making of doco, which comes on the DVD as an extra, star Julie Strain is seen to comment that there was no script and that it was up to the actors to adlib their parts and "make it better than if someone wrote some supid lines". Not that an elaborate script would have done anything but get in the way of the endless soft core action.
What sets this film apart from the tonnes of other soft core girl on girl romps out there is the 3d aspect of the DVD. I definitley feel that 3d is something which could be used a lot more in film as it really adds to the home viewing experience and what better way to utilize this technology, roller coasters? I found that while the effect of the 3d glasses, which you put on as the characters in film put them on (the idea used in big budget '13 ghosts' hence the title) overall add depth and a greater definition to the female forms you really notice the improved visuals more on the forground objects than on the girls as candle holders and statues close to the camera seem to really come out. Most of the time appears as though you are in looking into the room from just behind these forground objects. It's not that the 3d effects are totally lost on the female ghost as they are always more fleshed out than a mere flat image and at times really come out at you too, but once again the effect just seems to work in a more dramatic way on the objects closest to the camera.
Besides the great 3d feature of this flick, it also stars the always lively B-movie Queen Julie Strain as well as a host of other very fine ladies, I was particularly taken by future stars the Porcelaine Twinz.
Overall this is a really fun and enjoyable DVD, anyone into Seduction Cinema type films or Julie Strain would definetly get a kick out of this.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Julie Strain the most Beautiful Ghost I ever saw,,,,
13 Erotic Ghost,is a fantastic movie,,, Julie Strain is at her best in this movie,,,, only Julie can walk into a room and light up the whole room like she does,,,with her radiant... Read more Published on May 2, 2003 by Jeremiah Johnson




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Jumbo Handlebar fake Mustache kit (Toy) newly tagged "funny"

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Hooper Humperdink...? Not Him! (Bright & Early Books(R)) (Hardcover) newly tagged "funny"

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Ghosts of the Clubhouse (Volume 1) (Paperback) newly tagged "funny"

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Find Your Funny: Eight Tips for Adding Humor to Presentations

Some trainers, teachers and other communicators wish they could add humor to

their presentations, but they think, "I'm like the Muppets Fozzy Bear: I'm not funny."

The truth everyone is funny; including Fozzy; including you. More importantly, YOU

are funny, not in the same way that other people are, but in your own unique

fashion. After all, one of the keys to relationships (romantic, plutonic or

professional) is the ability to laugh together. You already do that in your daily life.

All you need to do now is to take those pre-existing skills and develop them in a

focused way. Here's how legendary funny man Steve Allen explained it.

"The popular conception of a humorist or comedian is of someone who writes, does

or says funny things. But a funny person is also someone to whom funny things

happen. The comedian's experiences are probably no more amusing than others;

he or she simply has a certain sensitivity to the environment and circumstances and

so perceives humor that a more serious person might miss."

Below I offer eight tips that can help you perceive, absorb and harness the humor

around you.

Tip 1. Surround yourself with humor.

Start your day by looking at a humorous daily calendar, listen to humor on your way

to work, display silly signs at your work location and prop up your office. Items like

daily quote calendars; silly hats and wind up toys have a positive effect on your

emotions and those of the people you come in contact with. Some of the items I

have collected and currently display in my office include a plastic shovel attached to

a neck lanyard (for boring meetings), a skeleton and a crown (my emergency Hamlet

kit for pontificating), various hats (Mounty for finding someone, Viking for going on

adventures and Outback for taking walk-abouts) and a Far Side daily cartoon

calendar. I do it because they help me think funny. Surrounding yourself with these

kinds of items will place you in a humorous mood and create an aura of funny about

you that makes it easier for other people to accept you as humorous.

Tip 2. Look for the absurdity in daily life.

Fortunately for funny people, the business and academic worlds abound with

endless absurdity. There are the inane policies, bureaucracies and inarticulate

memos to enjoy. There's also the unintentional statements of life: you have to hit

"delete" to start Windows; you land at a "terminal" when flying; and you park on

"driveways" and drive on "parkways." It's everywhere, if you look for it. If you cannot

find it yourself, read Dilbert. If you can laugh at the daily absurdities, you will be

less stressed when the bizarre happens and more in touch with the grand adventure

that life is.

Tip 3. Listen to comedians.

The late night comedians provide a daily lesson in being funny. Pay attention to

them, not as an audience member, but as a technician. Focus on the structure of the

jokes they tell. In this way, you can analyze the joke formulas without being

distracted by the delivery. Once you know the basic structures they use, focus on

their delivery techniques. Soon you will begin to notice the cadences they use, the

pauses they take and the little ticks and quirks they have that bring their humor to

life.

Tip 4. Read books about being funny.

Many comedians are more than willing to share their secrets. By simply searching

through a book store web site, you can discover that being comedic is a simple

combination of state of mind and solid technique.

Tip 5. Join "Joke-of-the-Day" lists.

Joke-of-the-day lists are a part of my strategy for finding funny stuff. Although I

switch lists from time to time, I'm currently on two. I am not suggesting that you

"lift" the jokes you read there. That would be, well, stealing. I am however

suggesting that you can use those jokes to learn how jokes are constructed and to

place yourself in a humorous frame of mind. Once you become adept at spotting the

joke telling formulas, you can use the jokes you read at these sites to write your

own jokes.

Tip 6. Build a collection of all-purpose funnies.

Start a funny file and whenever you read, hear or see something you consider funny,

print it out or write it down and file it. Soon, you will have built a collection of jokes

and cartoons you can refer to whenever you need to create a line. The material you

have collected will help you brainstorm creating your own.

Tip 7. Develop some standard lines you can use over and over.

Steve Allen once commented as follows.

"Comics with this ability (to ad-lib) are extremely rare. There may be fewer than fifty

professional comedians on the planet that are skilled at doing it. (Most) comedians

are indeed working without a script, but there is the crucial distinction that what

they are doing is recalling jokes that already exist, which they apply to the situation

of the moment. This is no small feat either, since one has to think rapidly and also

have a remarkable memory -- a memory car file through which the comic's brain

can riffle at lightning speed. But again, as impressive as this feat is, it is more a

matter of craftsmanship and professionalism than art."

You can reach a degree of this professionalism by learning the craft. When you

notice that learners have laughed at a comment you made, make a mental note of

what happened and try to replicate it with another audience. If your get the same

laugh in front of three audiences, keep it; play with it; expand it. If it stops working,

revert to the original line and lock it in. Then begin searching for another line.

Continue in this manner over a period of time and you will develop your own

comedic library of "ad-libs" to draw upon as the situation warrants.

Tip 8. Have fun.

This is perhaps the biggest secret of being funny. The audience will not laugh if you

are not having fun. Your demeanor sets the expectation. If you exude enjoyment of

the world around you, and of the events and learnings that occurs within your

classroom, your trainees will join you. They will also join you if you choose to regard

what you are doing as drudgery. The banana is in your hands. Having fun and you

will be instantly likeable, and thus more likely to gain laughs.

Joke Killers to watch out for

There are some additional factors that will prevent you from being funny. As you

put on your new humor hat, make sure you do the following.

Caution 1. Make your humor self-deprecating

The best humor is self-directed. I find it preferable to point out my faults before

others do. In that way, I admit my fallibility while indicating that I can take a joke. It

sets a benchmark for the training environment. In addition, humor that is self-

deprecating is less likely to offend others.

Caution 2. Be yourself.

Humor will not work if it is forced. When people laugh with you during your

everyday life, it is not because you have taken on a persona, it is because they enjoy

who you are and the humor that naturally emanates from your humanity. Be who

you are. Allow that naturalness to create your humor for you. I can offer an

example by picking on myself. It has been said that I look stiff and formal. I cannot

help it: it just is. That continence could have prevented me from being funny.

Instead, I have learned to use it. Because of my look, I dress and act slightly

pompous. That pomposity allows me to say and do fairly absurd things. The

disconnect between how I look and the craziness of what I say or do creates surprise

and allows natural humor emerges.

Caution 3. Avoid offensive material.

Political, religious or ethnic jokes are all not worth the telling. Even if some

members of your audience respond with laughter, other members will become so

offended that they will shut down (or shut your training down) and make learning

difficult if not impossible. In addition, blue material should be avoided at all costs.

Risqué lines often obtain their laughs from the unease and discomfort of the

audience. In a nightclub setting, that may be appropriate. But in a learning

environment, where comfort is directly tied to positive results, creating discomfort

for a cheap laugh is worse than insulting, it's stupid.

Caution 4. Never say you are going to tell a joke.

The best way to insure that your joke won't work is to telegraph it in advance.

Remember, in previous months we discovered that much of the laughter results

from learner surprise that you have told a joke. The very act of announcing your

intentions in advance almost guarantees a failure of the joke.

So, you are funny. You just didn't know it. Take the actions steps listed above and

you too can find your funny.

Visit Lenn on line at www.http://www.offbeattraining.com

lennmillbower@offbeattraining.com

Lenn Millbower, BM, MA, the Learnertainment? Trainer is an expert in applying show biz techniques to learning. He is the author of the ASTD Info-Line, Music as a Training Tool, focused on the practical application of music to learning; Show Biz Training, the definitive book on the application of entertainment industry techniques to training; Cartoons for Trainers, a popular collection of 75 cartoons for learning; Game Show Themes for Trainers, a best-selling CD of original learning game music; and Training with a Beat: The Teaching Power of Music, the foremost book on the application of music to learning. Lenn is an in-demand speaker, with successful presentations at ASTD 1999-2005 and SHRM 2006; a creative and dynamic instructional designer and facilitator formally with the Disney University and Disney Institute; an accomplished arranger-composer skilled in the psychological application of music to learning; a popular comedian, magician and musician; and the president of Offbeat Training?, infusing entertainment-based techniques into learning to keep ?em awake!

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Travel And Packing Trade Secrets

One witty person had once declared that there are two kinds of travelers in the world – those who packed light and those who wished they had. If you plan to travel and it is your first time, check out the following list of packing tips and guidelines.



This list of time-tested advice on packing had been compiled and consolidated by people who know the best about travels. In fact, they are considered the most-traveled individuals in the whole world.



Packing list



First, make a packing list. This is to eliminate panic on last-minute packing. It can also serve as a guide when repacking your things after your trip. In an extreme case of your luggage getting lost, you can use for claims or additional identity papers.



When doing the list, check on the events you are going to and list down possible clothes for each occasion you intend to attend. Choose outfits that go together well based on complimentary colors. Or go back to the old reliable blacks and other dark-colored clothes.



After doing the packing list, lay out the things you intend to bring and check them again against your list. Segregate those you will bring and make sure they are all clean and ready to go.



Personal items



An all-purpose lotion is better than a different bottle each for hands, face and body. Bringing disposables (razors, toothbrush) is better than bringing the electric models.



Leave behind all those jewelry items you don’t want to lose, including those flashy ones that attract thieves.



Toiletries



Leave behind the perfume. Scented lotions are good substitutes. Bring those personal items that are available in small travel sizes. (Many airports are now restricting the amount of liquids to bring inside airplanes. Check those in your destinations.)



Bring a small first aid kit with aspirins and other emergency medicines, sunscreen, and the amazing Swiss army knife. Pack this in your checked luggage because it is banned to bring inside the plane.



The art of packing



Iron everything before folding them into the suitcase. Button all buttons and zip all zippers. T-shirts, jeans, skirts and sports coats may be rolled up and carefully stuffed inside duffel bags.



Always pack tightly. The insides of shoes are perfect for socks and underwear.



Label with your name and phone number (NOT your address) all the pieces of your luggage. If an address is required, use your office address. Remove old claims slips to avoid confused.



Travel documents and other papers



Always carry travel documents, medication, jewelry, traveler's checks, keys and other valuables in your carry-on luggage. Items such as these should never be packed in checked luggage.



Unpack your luggage right away as soon as you arrive at your hotel. This will prevent further wrinkles.



In going home, repacking your clothes the way you packed them in ensures that you will still have the same space as before. Balled and dirty clothing cannot fit.



All in all, remember that packing is one very important aspect of travel and it pays to listen to the experiences of others.

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Turkish Sitcom (DVD) newly tagged "funny"

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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Really funny the second time around, November 14, 2008 This review is from: Turkish Sitcom (DVD) OK. You'll either get this film or you won't. Chances are if you were born before 1960 this will just seem like an odd little film that confuses you.

This film comes at you so fast that when you see it the first time you might laugh a few times but will probably just say, "huh?". But after you watch it the second and third time you'll get it, laugh at it, laugh with it, and enjoy it. Personally, I got the references the first time and was really amused.

As far as this DVD being a collectable item, that would depend if any of the actors or the director become famous. I did some research and one actor looks promising (Kahil Dotay) although it seems like the most press he received was for a film done in 2005. After that, it appears that he has just done co-star roles on TV. Collectable? Who knows? Worth watching? Yes!

4.0 out of 5 stars Amusing Satire, August 26, 2010 This review is from: Turkish Sitcom (DVD) This film contains a lot of satire and makes fun of sterotypes and bigotry. It is not making "fun" of Turkey or the Armenian Genocide. Instead it is using it as a comment on how American sitcoms will use a headline as a ploy for greater ratings. Think about most TV shows during "sweeps week" or when they have "a very special episode". If english and american culture are not your primary, this film may go over your head and just anger you, so beware or enjoy, whatever the case may be.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful: 1.0 out of 5 stars Turkish Sitcom, July 23, 2010 This review is from: Turkish Sitcom (DVD) This is no Borat, and at 7 minutes, it is no Saturday Night Live skit either. The elements that make off-beat, campy films great are missing here. Perhaps that is what it will become noted for. Hey, it worked for Ed Wood. Before writing this, I gave it another chance and watched it again on YouTube. Groan. It's no Ed Wood either. "Kiss my kabob." (As they say several times in Turkish Sitcom.) On the plus side, it gives one perspective, thus making it easier to identify the shorts that really are gems.
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