Adventures in Washington DC

 I am visiting a friend in Washington D.C.  

This isn't the first time I have been here, and I am fairly certain it won't be my last. The things that make this trip so interesting is the federal government shutdown is going on right now.  Many government employees are not going to work, and are not sure when they will go back to work.

Congress seems to be deadlocked on whether or not to fund the Affordable Care Act, so the federal government has shut down. 

Frankly, I can't tell the difference.

Alegria Teams with Hooters for Charity

Hooters to Hooters 5k and 10k run.

Special thanks to Stephanie Corbo for making this possible for Alegria to participate.  

Volunteers from the Krewe of Alegria teamed up with Clearwater Hooters to raise money for charity.  

One of the charities that benefited was Alegria's Kicken' for Kids.

Kicken' for Kids provides new shoes for children in the Tampa Bay Area.

   

The Hooters Girls ready for the start of the race.

Runners are ready to get started.

Everybody is off to a great start. 

Family and friends are on hand to cheer on the runners at the finish line.

Beautiful morning for a run.

This is me posing with first person to cross the finish line.

Love these ladies and their matching running outfits.

The runners were treated to Hooters food...

and a nice cold beer!

Viva Alegria!

Royal Baby Watch

Speculation abounds about when the first child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will arrive.make his or her first royal appearance.

Photo source:  http://www.nationalledger.com/pop-culture-news/royal-baby-watch-2013-due-date-205513.shtml

Regardless of when, the Duchess of Cambridge manages to stay fashionable throughout her pregnancy.  

Photo Source:  http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/17/world/europe/uk-royal-baby

Way to keep it classy, Kate.

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Photo Source:  http://www.extratv.com/2013/07/19/royal-baby-watch-kate-middleton/

 For more details, please visit my article and slide show about the royal baby watch frenzy going on around London:  http://www.examiner.com/list/keep-calm-and-wait-for-the-royal-baby

Paris 2013 TimeLapse in Motion (Hyperlapse by Kirill Neiezhmakov)

I don't think I will make it to Paris this summer, so I will have to make due with this Time Lapse in motion video of Paris posted to YouTube by Kirill Neiezhmakov.

After watching in (twice) I knew I had to share it with my friends.  

I especially enjoyed seeing the Notre Dame, my all-time favorite place on earth, but the scenes of the Louve and Sacre Couer are also amazing.  

I originally ran across this video published on the Huffington Post, and the link to the full article is below.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/04/paris-time-lapse-video_n_3387323.html

A Beautiful History

I am loving this YouTube video!

It is a journey in time from the days of the Great Gatsby up until present day.

How times have changed - or have they?  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9g6YR2Lp51w#!

I know at least some of us have been guilty of "big hair" a time or two.  (Pass the Aquanet!)

I have also tortured my poor curly locks to get them pin straight, which does not always go over so well in humid Florida.  

Profitez de la vidéo mes amis!

Choosing the right sunglasses

Sunglasses are the must have summer accessory.  They are a cool and stylish and compliment any outfit.  Even a pirate outfit in the middle of Tampa's Gasparilla Parade of Pirates.  

Besides being a great fashion accessory, sunglasses provide very important protection for the eyes.  

To find out more about choosing the right sunglasses for your adventures, visit my article on Examiner.com: 

http://www.examiner.com/article/sunglasses-are-a-fashionable-and-functional-must-have-summer-accessory

Jean Paul Gaultier is channeling rock stars of the 80's

It is official, the 80's are cool again.  

Boy George, Madonna, Michael Jackson  and David Bowie were Jean Paul Gaultier's muses.

Retro-rocker style, what was old is new again.  

As somebody who remembers these musicians of the 80's the first time around, 

I am not sure if I should feel nostalgic or just really really old.

Photo credits:

New York Fashion Week on Facebook 

and

http://fashionwatch.com/

The difference between style and fashion

Well said Ralph Lauren.  There is a big difference between style and fashion. 

Fashion is about following trends, devoting oneself to the whims of others.

Style is about finding oneself and being true to yourself.

New Years Ancient Traditions and Modern Reflections

As 2012 draws to a close, I am letting out a sigh of relief, if nothing else, at least I survived the Mayan calendar.  But what is it about a new year that promotes a sense of optimism of the coming new year?    Maybe the new year means new beginnings, a chance to start over, make resolutions that will improve the new year.

Celebrating the new year is ancient tradition.  Four thousand years ago, the ancient Babylonians ushered in the new year with with the first new moon after the Vernal Equinox (the first day of Spring).  Those Babylonians knew how to party, their new years celebrations lasted for 11 days.  

In 153 BC The Romans declared the new year to be January 1.  The Romans marked the new year by decorating their homes with light and greenery.  They also exchanged gifts.  (sound familiar?)  These gifts were chosen for their luck-bringing properties, such as sweets or honey to ensure peace, gold, silver monetary presents to ensure prosperity, and lamps for a year filled with light. It was also the time of the year to expel the ills of the previous year, and establish a positive pattern for the new year. 

Celebrating the new year is an ancient tradition.  Although I don't think I will party like a Babylonian, I plan to celebrate the conclusion of 2012.  I think I will take a more Roman-esque approach, purge the ills of last year, and prepare for self-improvement this year. 

By the way, if anybody intends to follow the Roman tradition of gift-giving, I will gladly accept and appreciate gifts of gold and silver.

Heureuse Nouvelle Aannée mes amis!

'Tis the Season to have some fun!

Take a break from Christmas shopping and have some fun!

'Tis the Season!  

Follow this link to find Holiday events in Tampa Bay this weekend. 

There is something to do for everybody!