Travel Smart-Enjoy The Trip!

For Sports and Recreations enthusiasts and other travellers. Find the best travel deals and other travel resources. Air, Hotels, Cars, Accomodations, Tickets, Tours and More. Sports Events, Destinations and Vacations. Current news. Weather. Travel advisories. Feedback and tips from previous visitors or users. Contact us at "travelsmart@strictlysports.com"

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Free Newsletter and Book recommendation

A recent post on another of my sites, Best of Mexico, suggested that Mexican developers will have great opportunity to provide comfortable living options for all demographics, but reminded us that many are very discerning purchasers.  Mexican retirement is still well within the means for many if they make wise purchasing decisions.  I know that even the wealthy will not want to make poor financial and lifestyle decisions for their active retirement.

For that, you and I need the advice and experience of people who are actually living in Mexico for most of the year.  One person I can recommend today is Barbie Parks. I've read her free newsletter for many months now and it always contains new and updated information that I can pass on to others. I would say that even if we weren't a marketing partner of hers.  Her book, Retire in Luxury is an excellent resource to have and its just been recently revised and updated and its at a price that is still very reasonable considering the types of decisions you need help with and the money we will be investing or spending over the years in the country.

You can download it immediately.  You can click the book title to see more information on the book, or just click the banner below.

If you have any questions about Mexico and particularly the Puerto Vallarta area, I'd be glad to answer them for you.  A new feature for our sites. Just send me an Ask Bob email or add a comment here.  Barbie Parks is in Mazatlan and I know would be willing to tell you much more about that area.

Thursday, April 03, 2008

So What Is A Better Life...Mommy/Daddy/Buddy?
The RG Network's sites at the Guideto.info domain are the weak "sister of our publishing. Most of our traffic comes from search engines and for some reason it appears that our domain name or perhaps some other factors results in the various domains to not be indexed. Some people suggest that you need to have a .com name to truly have results with search. Others suggest that domain type has no impact at all and the content is the only factor.

A makeover of the domain and the sites is in order, to address all possible causes, and we've already begun. The Guideto.info domain will become "Your Guide To A Better Life" with various prescriptions and directions by itself and to our other resource sites we specialize in. All other sites will be reviewed, with some purging and some new ones. It's my little 30 day challenge as publisher/editor. Make this domain a fully functioning part of the network, not some weak "brother".

But now I'm stuck. What is a Better Life? So I'm off for a couple of days to see Grand Forks North Dakota at its busiest with Obama and Hilary Clinton in the city on the 4th, and the World Curling Championships and associated partying beginning on the 4th, with games starting on the 5th. And it's for business, I'll tell my accountant we do have a Political News site and a Curling Product News site. By the end of the little junket, I'll hopefully have some thoughts on the "A Better Life"...money, travel, job, homes, love, family, hobbies, beauty, education, life in balance.....

The domain does have some solid results already with our Climate Change site particularly. The Test Prep, Excellence in Public Relations, Daily Brief and Clean Water sites also do fairly well.

Have a great day
B

Smile Today...It Makes The Day Go Better imho!
.. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance
...Stupidity is not a handicap. Park elsewhere!
...They call it PMS because Mad Cow Disease was already taken.
... He who dies with the most toys is nonetheless DEAD.
... A picture is worth a thousand words, but it uses up three thousand times the memory.
... Ham and eggs? A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.
...The trouble with life is there's no background music.
...The original point and click interface was a Smith & Wesson.
...I smile because I don't know what the heck is going on.
(Note: stolen without consciense from some spam email in my inbox today...no source...I stil sleep nights)
More Smiles..


Brought to you by The RG Network. Our leading locations, as voted by your clicks are Mexico Retirement and Travel, Sports Blogging, Redeux Products, Money Matters and Climate Change

Monday, March 31, 2008

My lady friend/lover said, "what a perfect title" ...about how couples need to approach the major issues that arise from time to time in their relationship. I had just told her that this book-I Love You, Let's Work It Out by David Viscott had just sold from my library at the ever growing Redeux Products online store. Search our inventory for this and other relationship books here.

We too have had our share of difficulties, and we are learning a bit along the way how to keep ourselves together. It starts with feeling like you were meant for each other and remembering the big love (and passion) that was easily acknowledged between you two, we believe. It also starts, we believe, with accepting the commitment you made earlier and taking responsibility for what it entails.
I see Viscott saying much the same thing as I page through the book quickly before it goes out the door to help another couple hopefully.

He quotes Shakespeare the flyleaf, "He love not who does not show his love". I liked the Happiest Couples short poem that ends the book.
"The Happiest Couples share a unique view of the world.
The happiest couples are partners in a destiny they create together
No one is bound to be what the other cannot achieve
Each is his own person and free
The present is without debts.
The moment is without fear
The answer is I love you.
The question is unimportant"

Viscott also devotes a large chapter to sexual relations. He says in another way what I know from experience and in my layman ways have suggested couples give equal or even greater effort and focus to as well as all the other things that need atttention.

Viscott, "It has often been said when sex is bad it is a very large part of a relationship and when sex is good it is a very small part." I suggest that the effort and time spent is as important as the end results. Viscott suggests couples could prepare a lovemaking-sexual relations manual. I think this could be part of their relationship notebook or folder, which most definitely has to have pictures of the happiest most loving times.
The sex relations manual would include the couples thoughts and feelings on the following, he says
1. Our Erogenous Zones-the map of love
2. What Excites Me..You
3 How our feeling of romance help our sexual relations and what are they
4. What turns us off?
5. Planning spontaneity
6. How I need you to love me
7. Sharing fantasies-and acting on them
8. How should we experiment and continually grow our sexual relations/lovemaking.

So plan your spontaneity and plan to talk and write.
Are these the seven most powerful words for people in a relationship? "I Love You...Let's Work it Out" If not, what is? Comments?
Have a great day!
B


(The site is a member of the Rempel Group's RG Network of online information and help. Visit one or two of our sites where visitors have voted with their clicks. Best of Mexico , Daily Pol and Climate Change)

Technorati Tags: Relationships,Love,Relationship repair,Visser

Thursday, March 27, 2008


The Rempel Group's RG Network has added digital products developed by self published authors to its growing library of nearly new and gently used books, movie and music. Search the library with a very simple interface here or browse the digital products here.

Monday, March 03, 2008

Fat Loss For Dummies or Idiots.. Is there such a thing?

Fat loss is one of those things that sounds easier than it really
is.

After all, if you just eat less calories than you burn, you'll
lose fat, right?

Not necessarily. You could be burning muscle, which will turn you
into a weak blob of quivering fat if you stay on that diet long
enough.

And even if you do burn fat, does that mean you have to be hungry
all the time?

There is a TON of disinformation out there. One person says to
follow a low carb diet, another says to follow a low fat diet,
and someone else says low calorie is definitely the way to go.

Who knows?

Here's what the Fat Loss For Idiots folks say:.

Here are the facts...


Low Fat Diets DO NOT Work...

People have been on low fat diets for two decades, yet there are
more overweight people than ever before.

What many folks don't seem to realize is that your body NEEDS
certain fats to function properly, and even to LOSE weight.

That's right... you will lose weight, and lose MORE of it, if you
are eating the right amount of certain fats.

So FORGET low fat diets, they simply DO NOT WORK.


Low Calorie Diets DO NOT Work...

This is hard for most people to swallow, but the fact is, eating
too few calories is the WORST thing you can do to your body.

Starving yourself SLOWS DOWN fat burning.

So while you may lose a few pounds initially, you will then hit a
plateau and all weight loss will STOP.

Worse yet, when you increase your calories, your body will pack
on MORE fat as a safety measure in case you starve again. So
you'll likely wind up weighing MORE in the long run by using a
low calorie diet.


Low Carb Diets DO NOT Work...

People love low carb diets for the first week or so, because they
see that scale needle dropping. But do you know what they're
losing? Usually water and muscle.

Then reality kicks in. Who can continue to eat nothing but meats
and vegetables, especially when it's making you so tired?

Low carb diets are extremely difficult to stick to. And again,
once you go off the diet, you're likely to gain all the weight
back and then some.

Programs such as Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig are somewhat
better...

These types of programs result in slower weight loss, and some of
them involve buying special meals that are expensive and don't
necessarily taste very good.

While better than the first three types of diets, these diets are
still not the best.

So what's the answer?

An Accelerated Fat Burning Program such as the one found in Fat
Loss For Idiots program...

Visit Fat Loss For Idiots Site

If you're overweight, it's because you've been eating the wrong
foods at the wrong intervals in the wrong patterns.

Sound crazy?

Not all calories are alike. Some foods make you gain weight while
others help you maintain or lose weight.

And it's not just the types of food that you eat that's
important.

It's also WHEN you eat each type of food, and how many times per
day that you eat.

It wasn't lack of exercise that made you overweight. It was the
wrong foods at the wrong times of the day.

If you correct this, you'll lose weight.

And here's where you find out how to do that...

Visit Fat Loss For Idiots Site

This was part 1 of 3 of information from the Fat Loss For Idiots program, one of the most popular information programs online.

P.S. Food is more powerful than any weight loss drug.

That's because the foods you eat have the power to make you fat
or thin.

And just as you gained weight without exercising, you can also
LOSE weight without exercising, if you know what you're doing...

Look at your calendar right now. Count out 11 days from today,
and circle that date.

Using the Fat Loss 4 Idiots Diet (found no where else) just 11
Days from today you'll notice a dramatic change in your body...

Visit Fat Loss For Idiots Site

Friday, February 29, 2008

As I'm inclined to do most of the time, I like to look quickly at the "how to" books and other personal development books, as well the others too. It's a great side benefit of an online bookstore-"tidsbits of knowledge daily based on what other people are voting for with their pocketbooks". The book that got a bit of my attention today was "Super Self-Doubling Your Personal Effectiveness" by Charles Givens. A very nearly new condition hardcover by the way of this 1993 book which is what we try to do to distinguish ourselves in a crowded marketplace. Very good condition used or like new copies. Givens is known for his wealth books and seminars in the 80's and 90's

His Success Strategy No. 1 is worth repeating. Most of us who need personal development and growth have failed at some things or something. We have made many mistakes. To make quantum leaps forward we may have to rely more on the experiences of others who have been successful than learning from the "school of hard knocks" which has been our own life. We keep going back to old methods and habit that repeat our problems and I can say with experience based just on relationships in my past. Or look at your choice of jobs or business activities.

His strategy based on the notion that doing more of what doesn't work won't make it work any better is "Learn From The Experiences Of Other, Rather Than Your Own". This will cut the learning curve time frame and the change curve in your life dramatically, he says, and I tend to agree. Learning the right methods to personal and business effectiveness and having them become formed habits in the shortest possible time, as opposed to the trial and error of our own experiences, is the basis of
the "Super Self" as he calls it.

And with that I carry on with my day. Make one key change in your life today based on what you know or see successful people doing regularly! I concur with Givens, you won't regret it.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

One World...But We're Not All The Same Says Google

Internet users in Egypt, India and Turkey are the world's most frequent searchers for Web sites using the keyword "sex" on Google search engines, according to statistics provided by Google.

Germany, Mexico and Austria were world's top three searchers of the word "Hitler" while "Nazi" scored the most hits in Chile, Australia and the United Kingdom, data from 2004 to the present retrievable on the "Google Trends" Web site showed.

Chile also came in first place searching for the word "gay," followed by Mexico and Colombia.

The top searchers for other keywords were as follows (in order from first to third place):

"Jihad" - Morocco, Indonesia, Pakistan

"Terrorism" - Pakistan, Philippines, Australia

"Hangover" - Ireland, United Kingdom, United States

"Burrito" - United States, Argentina, Canada

"Iraq" - United States, Australia, Canada

"Taliban" - Pakistan, Australia, Canada

"Tom Cruise" - Canada, United States, Australia

"Britney Spears" - Mexico, Venezuela, Canada

"Homosexual" - Philippines, Chile, Venezuela

"Love" - Philippines, Australia, United States

"Botox" - Australia, United States, United Kingdom

"Viagra" - Italy, United Kingdom, Germany

"David Beckham" - Venezuela, United Kingdom, Mexico

"Kate Moss" - Ireland, United Kingdom, Sweden

"Dolly Buster" - Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia

"Car bomb" - Australia, United States, Canada

"Marijuana" - Canada, United States, Australia

"IAEA" - Austria, Pakistan, Iran

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Search Redeux Products-My Library For Gently Used Books, Tapes and Movies- Now Active

Search for the 1400 item Redeux Products Library of qood quality books, music and moves is now active. Just enter your search terms in the Search form on the left sidebar of the page. Results are shown at the bottom left side of the page. The Redeux Products library continues to grow. We're doubling it approximately every 6 months. All are available for purchase.

The Redeux Products Library RSS feed of products only is here for view in your RSS reader. A limited but generous Affiliate program for website owners and other booksellers using our Database and Rss Feed is ready to launch. Just send us a note indicating your interest and we'll send out details.

Plus a reminder, the 25% introductory discount on selling price ends after June 30th.

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

"Treat Yourself or Your Father or Your Clients"- You Get The Idea!

It's U.S. Open Week

Deal Of The Week


(sponsored message)

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Three of our feeds. Showing off one of the neat add ons over at Feedburner


Sports

Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Canadian Football League, home now of Ricky Williams and Onterrio Smith and a cast of many others.

Blue Bombers Blog


Gambling, Gaming, Golf, Girls-all things "G"


Strictly's  Gambling & Gaming - Your Daily G-Spot


Election Politics

The Daily Pol-All Things E

You can subscribe to our feeds through Feedburner or directly at our sites by adding them to your RSS Reader.

Friday, May 19, 2006

Want a Perfect Ceremony for Wedding or Vow Renewals.

For a traditional or innovative marriage ceremony or vow renewals in and around Winnipeg, MB this summer or fall, contact Willa Semotok. She's got some new ideas and is very easy to work with. Inexpensive. Also consults with couples around the world to prepare their unique and memorable vows. Her website and email is at Willa for Weddings

(sponsored message)

Monday, November 21, 2005

Another One Leaves Home (Cont'd)...The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

My Library says goodbye to The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.

This book just went out the door to a fine new home in Canada.
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, paper, 1999. ISBN: 0874776945

Check out more here Julia Cameron
or
artistic creativity

Reviews say it is one of the best at helping getting you unblocked.

Click on the link above to see other related and recommended books and music in the same category.

More reviews of other useful music memorabilia books, vinyl, cd's and movies coming over the next months. Suggest your favorites in the Comments or email to me.

Here's hoping the Cameron handbook will have a big impact at its new home.

Reuse, renew, recycle,... redeux! Giving preowned books-movies-tapes and more new homes.

Monday, November 14, 2005

Another book leaves The Library home....The One Minute Millionaire

My Library says goodbye to The One Minute Millionaire, from the best selling authors Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup fame) and Robert G. Allen (Creating Wealth fame) that I picked up about a year ago.

This book just went out the door to a fine home in Alberta, Canada. Not unexpected. Alberta's the home of free enterprise in Canada.
The One Minute Millionaire-The Enlightened Way To Wealth by Mark Victor Hansen and Robert G. Allen, Harmony Books, 2002. ISBN: 0609609491

They talk briefly about the long way to millionaire status: simply the investment of about a $1 per day (at 20% this would take about 32 years) or the short way. The long way involves another basic financial planning principle: spend less than you earn and put all or most of the difference into investments that will earn returns of 7% or more after tax (my personal #-they use 10% pre tax)

For the short way to millionaire status they say you should choose your millionaire mountain from the "mountain range of wealth". The four "mountains" they use are; Investments-shares and funds holding shares of companies; real estate-properties; business-marketing products, services and ideas and the internet.

By now we could safely say that the Internet is really just another way to do business, invest or own properties. But it certainly was and is one of the most dramatic changes underway in the way people work and play. Riding those kind of tsunami waves is certainly one of the best ways to rapid wealth accumulation. Of course if you make risky bets, the quickest way to rapid wealth disintegration, you could also say.

So they book then moves forward to such concepts as "one great idea", "multiple streams of income", "leverage", "little or no money down" concepts for real estate purchase and "marketing, marketing, marketing".

Check out more here Robert Allen and Mark Victor Hansen

Millionaire & Wealth
America's Fastest Way To Becoming A Millionaire

Click on the link above to see other related and recommended books and music in the same category

More reviews of other useful music memorabilia books, vinyl, cd's and movies coming over the next months. Suggest your favorites in the Comments or email to me.

Here's hoping the book will have a big impact at its new home. Money isn't everything, I know but the alternative isn't much fun at all.

What we all need is a millionaire mindset and a giving-loving heart, I believe. Make the day!

Sunday, November 13, 2005

Another Book Gone From The Library (Cont'd) ...The Wandering Taoist

My Library says goodbye to The Wandering Taoist, a true story of the making of a Taoist master in China in the 1930's.

This rare and collectible book just went out the door to a fine home in Ontario, Canada.
The Wandering Taoist by Deng Ming-Dao, Harper & Row, 1986. ISBN: 0062502263

Check out more stuff here Taoist and Tao

Click on the link above to see other related and recommended books and music in the same category

More reviews of other useful music memorabilia books, vinyl, cd's and movies coming over the next few months. Suggest your favorites in the Comments or email to me.

Here's hoping the book will have a big impact at its new home. It looked intriguing. Someone needed it more than me at this point.



Another Book Gone From The Library (Cont'd)...Jim Morrison bio.

My Library says goodbye to No One Here Gets Out Alive, the biography of Jim Morrison of The Doors that I picked up recently.

This book just went out the door to a fine home in Ontario, Canadao.
No One Here Gets Out Alive . by Jerry Hopkins and Danny Sugerman, Warner Books, 1981. ISBN: 0446939218

Their music sounds as fresh today as it did in the early 70's when it took us all by storm. What a fantastic album debut they had. As popular today as when they first recorded.

Jim Morrison was the master of excess in his life. I noted the quote from Blake that poet Michael McClure used in the afterword; "The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom"

Check out more stuff here The Doors and Jim Morrison

Click on the link above to see other related and recommended books and music in the same category

More reviews of other useful music memorabilia books, vinyl, cd's and movies coming over the next. Suggest your favorites in the Comments or email to me.

Here's hoping the book will have a big impact at its new home. The Doors sure did on me.
"Break on through"...



Monday, November 07, 2005

And another one...and another one..

My Library says goodbye to The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood.

This book just went out the door to a fine home in Alberta.
The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood, paper, Anchor Books, 2001. ISBN:0385720955

Click on the book link above to see other related and recommended books in the same category of same type

Suggest your favorite books in the Comments or email to me.

Here's hoping the book will have a nice impact at its new home. On a mission.




Thursday, November 03, 2005

Tour Championship and the the Men's Golf Tour New Look for 2007

It's Tour Championship Time For the Best 30 Golfer's on the Men's Tour. The end of the line for this year officially. With not much on the tube to compete with it, it will get a lot of eyeballs this Thursday through Sunday.

The Tour doesn't appear to want to sit still, which I applaud. Golfers will be debating the new mega-championship proposal commissioner Tim Finchem announced yesterday.

Many golfers, no matter what ability level, will be thinking next year, next season. for changes they want to make in their game. This program from one of our blog sponsors Is worth looking at.

Sponsored Message-Click the graphic for more info

Thursday, October 27, 2005

Fishing in the West goes to a new home. Fishing for Walleye in Manitoba's Red River fabulous right now.


My Library looses Fishing in the West-A Guide to Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, by David Carpenter, a signed by author copy even. Now that I'm thinking fishing, I'll post an article from the local Winnipeg paper later which I saw today quoting the American fisherman who come up here, describing current walleye fishing on the Red River as the best ever.

This book just went out the door to a fine home in New Brunswick so I'm thinking it may be a gift first published: 1984, Where to fish, species of the region, technique, accomodation, preparing the catch, etc. ISBN: 0888331290

It's worth checking out the fishing and hunting in the three prairie provinces in Canada and even further north if you want to fly in. We'll post some recommendations soon. More reviews of other fishing and wildlife books will be coming as well. Suggest your favorite books in the Comments or send email to me.

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Frommer's Favorite Travel Blogs

Editor's Choice: Our Favorite Travel Blogs:
October 12, 2005-intro from the article:
In 2002, William Safire acknowledged the word 'blog' in his New York Times Magazine column, 'On Language.' In 2004, the word 'blog' was Merriam-Webster's #1 word of the year. The noun, short for weblog, was defined by the dictionary as a 'site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer.' Yes, blogs, and the art of writing one -- blogging -- have officially entered our lexicon. But truth be told, the world of travel blogs is vast territory, and we look forward to continuing to explore cyberspace in search of more quirky and informative online travel journals. Who knows? We might even start our own blog at Frommers.com.

In the meantime, here are a few of the blogs that we currently read (okay, truth really be told, a couple of these might not exactly be blogs, but we couldn't resist adding them for their blog-like feel and useful travel tips). If you have a favorite travel blog, we'd love to hear about it on our Message Boards. And we'd also love to hear about what you'd like to see on a possible future Frommer's blog."

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Sometimes it's just about making a bit more of an effort if your heart is in the right place


This is a post I made about two weeks that I posted to one of my website. I've decided I'd like to share the message more widely.

Last week, I gave blood, took part in the Terry Fox Run raising money for cancer research, and also the Rock for Relief fundraiser by the Canadian Red Cross/92 Citi Fm and Two Small Guys with Big Hearts Trucking raising money for Hurricane Katrina relief. A couple of quarters for a panhandler, a few more bucks here and there for other causes that approached, and lot of thinking about making a difference. Who is this masked man, others asked? The World's Rearranger (thank you Robert Plant)

A funeral for a fine young man, Dustin Hickie, 16, a close friend of my daughter, touched me deeply. Why is the answer to cancer's ravages still so elusive? There is so much more I can do in my life on earth to help others, even a bit, and I knew my effort had been weak at best so far.

So I gave myself a kick in the pants with the help of Dustin and my friend Del and my father and others who have gone before. But it still begs the questions, why does it often take someone leaving this world to get us to act? Why are we so insulated? How can we, as individuals, act against the pain and suffering, hunger and illness without turning ourselves inside out again and again with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness? How can we stop the tears for a while and see the lights of hope again?

The opportunities to to make a difference will appear, if we keep our eyes and ears open and we find out what touches us personally. What brings tears to our eyes and sobs to our chest? Or just get involved. What is the first thing we think of in the morning...the last thing at night. Your passion for these things will keep you coming back.

It took the death of a young man I didn't know well, but I liked, far too early in life, to give me better focus. Other events had hurt but did not have that effect. In this way he lives on with me and my daughter. You will find inspiration in your life to make a difference if you look.

I can do more! I hope you can to.

Thursday, September 08, 2005

Coupons and more:

Subscribe for the best in free access to all local deals in air, hotel and rental deals

http://strictly.mycoupons.com/coupon_detail.html?coupon=24b0c5e3aae56dfe52dbc1bce3e21361

Top Boston Sights for only $35!

http://strictly.mycoupons.com/coupon_detail.html?coupon=6b43fe7e2e04c6299dbe7786ec78af6a

$25 Gift Certificate for New Users

http://strictly.mycoupons.com/coupon_detail.html?coupon=d262d3a1b05e4879dcee96a2d0dec954

Pen Sale. Take an EXTRA 10% Off Any Purchase Over $25.

http://strictly.mycoupons.com/coupon_detail.html?coupon=eebdb235ab2c1552b534c58752285a03

Tuesday, February 22, 2005

The In Room Hotel Phone Charge Error -How Should This Have Been Handled?

Last week, my daughter was one of many university students enjoying spring break at Panama City Florida. She did most of the things university students will do or so I heard on a few phone calls back homes. Calls I remember were placed collect. Now fast forward to a call I received from her on the way home, in an annoyed and upset state, telling me that the hotel she stayed at had charged her $63.20 U.S.for 6 calls, all of which she had placed collect to her homes and I knew we would be paying for.

She also told me she now was down to her last few dollars for food for the 24hr plus ride home, so that got my attention, the most as I thought on how this could have happened or who caused it to happen.

I thought she might have forgotten everything I had tried to teach her about hotels and service charges and how to avoid them on phone calls. She has travelled a fair bit before so I was surprised that this had occured, but it reminded me to really stress that people use payphones for long distance calls if possible, once again.

Apparently the hotel said that the charges were showing up on the student's bills so they had to be paid. Apparently there were a number of other students who had the same problem so this was not an isolated incident. Apparently the hotel told all the students who were affected that once they had copies of their local phone records they could be reimbursed by the hotel.

The students are in Winnipeg, Canada. In my daughers' case this will mean getting phone records from at least two or three different people. Their credit cards were on file with the hotel and they were at the hotel through a tour group. Did the hotel ever attempt to contact the phone company and question why these charges were showing up as long distance charges on their bill when more than one said they had been placed collect? It appears not. Have they had a group of students play this game with them before?

We attempted to get the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort in Panama City Beach, Florida to speak on the record for this piece, but their Accounting Manager declined to comment officially or suggest an easy way for this situation to be resolved at this point. In sumary it appears to me the hotel is saying the students are considered guilty and only they can prove their own innocence.

If you wanted these students or their parents or anyone else to come back to your property anytime at all in the future, is this how you and your business would have handled this situation? I'll be glad to post your thoughts or tell your story.

By the way if you make a 21 minute long distance call to Winnipeg Canada from this hotel and it is billed to your room by mistake it will cost you $31.55, according to their February, 2005 rates. A one minute call will cost you $5.55. I'm interested in knowing what portion of that is actually phone company charges?

Comments: "feedback@strictlysports.com"

Thursday, February 17, 2005

Romantic Getaways for Couples!

Romantic Getaways for Couples!

Wednesday, February 09, 2005

How To Shoot Like The Pros? What's Your Plan To Improve Your Golf Game This Season?

Pebble Beach is this week. I love that tournament. Bill Murray is usually the star of the show on Saturday. Then comes the golf test on Sunday. The golf season is well underway. Winter is coming to an end soon. More and more folks are starting to think about how they are going to get their golf game in shape this season. There are many resources available to you. The key I've always felt is to practise regularly and to adopt a system for your play and practise. I may have mentioned this previously but I just received a note from Jack Moorehouse, who has a best selling golf ebook, "How to Break 80...And Shoot Like the Pros." He says the price will go up soon, but in the meantime you can get a special bonus that seems right on target for most of us and appropriate to what I said early about a practice system: "25 Lessons To Improve Your Game Immediately' plus more. The book also has got a 90 day guarantee he says. (We are a marketing partner of Jack's just so it's clear). Click here to see the How to Break 80 book offer . As I said before, my advice is to find a system or method and/or teacher that you will trust fully to get your game to the next level. What books, teachers or teaching methods have you found useful in the past? Let us know in the comments.

Tuesday, January 25, 2005

What's Your Recruiting IQ?

Can you answer these questions about athletic scholarships and recruiting? You may know someone in or outside our family who is hoping to play university sports and receive a quality education. Pass this link on to them.

I represent the College Prospects organization (http://www.cpoa.com), have for over 13 years, and they have forwarded some questions that they find most student-athletes and parents can't really answer properly.
_________________________________
What is your recruiting IQ?

Are you on the recruiting lists of college coaches? Even if you are, where do you rate? Are you the #1 choice? #10? #25?

What is an EFC; what does it mean to your family and how do coaches use that information to determine how much financial aid the student-athlete may receive?

Division III schools can't give athletic scholarships. How, then, are athletes attending these schools and playing sports at greatly reduced costs?

Do you understand the seven steps of the Recruiting Funnel and the role of the student-athlete?

What are the two main reasons why talented student-athletes are not recruited?
_______________________________________________________________

Understand: If you're not receiving multiple phone calls from college coaches March or May (depending on your sport) of your Junior year, you run the risk of not being recruited.

The journey to being seriously recruited by college coaches starts here. For nearly 20 years, College Prospects of America has helped thousands of talented student-athletes from all over the world receive scholarship and financial aid monies from coaches who, in many cases, had no idea these athletes existed. Thousands of superior athletes have been and will continue to be overlooked because parents and students do not act proactively to ensure that coaches know about them.

To get answers to the questions please visit the main College Prospects website , then go to their video presentations you can view on site, or contact me directly:

Bob Rempel, Reg. Director, MB & SK
email: cpoa@rempelgroup.com

Sponsored Message:

Tuesday, January 11, 2005

University Sports help
Here's a project I'm personally overseeing that you might know someone who could benefit from:

Prospective Student-Athletes For Universities Can Get Free Help Now

We've got a special promotion to introduce our expanded services that can benefit student-athletes seeking the best possible athletic and academic opportunities. Read the news release at PR Web here or at our Student-Athlete Site

Sponsored message: Need more peace of mind. Feeling overwhelmed by the professionals. Our advisory service will monitor your front line advisors. Easy day-to-day advice via phone, email, and video conferencing worldwide.



Wednesday, January 05, 2005



For your benefit. A deal we noted offered by our marketing partner: Expedia

Tuesday, January 04, 2005

You're ready to check for cheapest travel deals and book your winter trip right now, here, thanks to our marketing partner: Expedia.




Monday, January 03, 2005

This promotion from Orbitz is getting a lot of traffic.
Low Fare Guarantee

We Recommend Our Travel Partner: Travel Now. Click to visit them for everything from flights, cars, hotels, cruises and more. Whether it's skiing, Florida sun or business travel, take a look at their rates and programs.

Thursday, December 30, 2004


Deal Alert-Sports and Recreation
One of our marketing partners:Fogdog.com is offering a brand new coupon code for the entire month of January, 2005. For January they are offering an additional 15% off everything in the outlet! This is a great promotion, making many of the products very attractive price wise. The code for this offer is AFF_JAN05. After clicking on the banner below and going to the fogdog site, your discounts will automatically be applied during checkout. Let us know if you are having any problems redeeming this special Deal.





Friday, December 03, 2004

Sponsored Message


Top ten deals

Thursday, September 09, 2004

Golf Illustrated has a few trial subscription available to introduce their magazine, I noted today. You should act fast as they only have 1000 available. Also, only for U.S. mailing addresses, I note.
Golf Illustrated Free Trial Subscription
Golf Illustrated Magazine
Free subscription

Sunday, September 05, 2004

Use RSS Feeds And Save On Your Purchase Needs
Marketers are using RSS more and more and recognizing the potential. Readers like me like the ease of browsing and then clicking over to what specifically interests you.
Here's a couple of RSS feeds you can subscribe to immediately for free or discount coupons you can use immediately for online or offline purchases. Watch your popup blocker settings as coupons you click on appear as popups. No signups necessary or privacy issues.

Hottest Coupons
Most Popular Coupons

If you want to subscribe to a specific subset of coupons such as Sports or Restaurants or Computers, right click the links previous and subscribe to them in your RSS feed reader. There are about 60 feeds in total.
Just go to the Coupons RSS site and get the link for the particular feed(s) of your choice.

Need help with using RSS for business or browsing. It's here and it's getting hotter. Send us an email with your return address. We have a short free three section tutorial you can read that will advise the best tools and sites we've found. Subscibe by sending a blank email to RSS@gmail.com. A confirmation email will be sent immediately.

Backlinks

Tuesday, August 31, 2004

Your Daily Brief Live
Here's a couple of items posted today to Your Daily Brief, our compilation site for clipped and original material. It's a trend scan, a newsletter and a blog interspersed with soft marketing messages.

You are of course welcome to bookmark it and subscribe to the rss feed. We also want to highlight the editorial services we provide for companies, groups and industries in developing their own Daily Brief for their readers or the public.

Bookmark Daily Brief Website
Subscribe to Daily Brief RSS feed

Sample item 1

Making Yahoo! Search Work for You

Source: Search Engine Guide - Yahoo! has long featured a variety of shortcuts meant to make finding information easier, but many don't take the time to learn what those shortcuts are. Find out what you're missing....
Originally from Search Engine News, ReBlogged by Bob on Aug 30, 2004 at 09:33 PM

Sample item 2

Newsweek: "He partied hard, then dried out and fou...

Newsweek: "He partied hard, then dried out and found a fierce determination. How George Bush was saved - and never looked back." For the last several years, I've always felt that my own biggest flaw when it comes to leadership was my unwillingness to p
Originally posted by Dave Pell from electablog, ReBlogged by Bob on Aug 30, 2004 at 09:33 PM

Sample item 3

More Fun Baseball Facts

Why am I turning into such a baseball nut in August? Anyway, if your interest in baseball borders on the trivial, you'll love the Baseball Almanac at http://www.baseball-almanac.com . Not...
Originally from ResearchBuzz, ReBlogged by Bob on Aug 31, 2004 at 07:21 AM

Monday, August 30, 2004

FREE DVR/TIVO w NFL Sunday Ticket

Sponsored Message:
DirectTV has a new programming offer that could be the extra kicker as you look ahead to your programming needs for the fall and winter ahead. Especially with the NFL and College games ahead. No need to wait until October 30th when this offer ends.
You can purchase or get more details on the DirectTV DVR w/TIVO here.

You receive:
Up to 5 Rooms FREE (or 1 Room DIRECTV DVR w/ TiVo FREE)
FREE Standard Installation
FREE Shipping (after rebate)
FREE Choice of DVD Player, Digital Camera or Luggage/Backpack

OFFER DETAILS:
New residential customers who purchase any DIRECTV® System from a participating retailer between July 18 and October 30, 2004 and Subscribe to 2004 NFL SUNDAY TICKET (4 payments of $62.25),
Activate TOTAL CHOICE® PREMIER with Local Channels programming ($90.99/mo.) and
Commit to 12 consecutive months of any TOTAL CHOICE programming package ($36.99/mo. or above) or any DIRECTV PARA TODOS® programming package ($26.99/mo. or above)
Receive four (4) FREE months of our best programming package - TOTAL CHOICE® PREMIER with Local Channels, including: 7 HBO® Channels, 12 STARZ Super Pak® Channels, 9 SHOWTIME UNLIMITED® Channels, 3 Cinemax® Channels, over 25 SPORTS Pack channels and over 140 popular entertainment channels like Fox News Channel, USA Network and ESPN. That's more than 205 channels and over $360 of FREE programming.

Customers not residing in a local channels market must activate the TOTAL CHOICE PREMIER programming package ($87.99/mo.) to take advantage of the offer.

All the small print in caps:
ACTIVATION OF PROGRAMMING MAY BE SUBJECT TO CREDIT APPROVAL AND REQUIRES VALID SERVICE ADDRESS, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER AND/OR MAJOR CREDIT CARD. DEPOSIT OR PREPAYMENT MAY BE REQUIRED. THIS OFFER MAY NOT BE VALID IN THE LIMITED AREAS SERVED BY MEMBERS OR AFFILIATES OF THE NATIONAL RURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE (NRTC). IN THESE AREAS, PRICING AND PROGRAMMING MAY DIFFER FROM THAT DESCRIBED HEREIN. PROGRAMMING FEE FOR EACH ADDITIONAL RECEIVER $4.99/MO. IF ALL RECEIVERS CONTINUOUSLY CONNECTED TO THE SAME LAND-BASED PHONE LINE.

More details on the 4 Free Months of Direct TV Programming and DirectTV DVR w/TIVO here.

Find Best Satellite Deals Blog/Website
Find Best Satellite Deals RSS Feed

Sunday, August 29, 2004


Here's a link to view the details about Hoosier, ESPN's top rated sports movie.

Hoosier dvd link or Hoosier here

Search for other sports movies listed

Best Sports Movies
Should have added this link as well to the previous blog item. I'm always looking for great movies to recommend with a sports theme. Here's a list of the best 25 sports movies from ESPN. Enjoy again!. Suggest others over at http://www.strictlysports.com/bestformovies/
in the comments areas.

Everybody who has seen some of our pages know that I love lists. I could live on the heading, "Top Ten", someone once said. Well here's a list from ESPN on the Top 25 Best Ever Commercials (sports related of course). Enjoy.

Tuesday, August 24, 2004

Passion of the Christ is out August 31st in DVD and Video. Please rate it in the Comments section at the bottom of the posts at our new Top 5 Recommended Movies blog. Is is a Top 5?

Amazon is taking preorders. Will it be flying off the shelf. I know I'll be an owner.
FullScreen Edition
Widescreen Edition

Friday, August 20, 2004


What 5 movies would you recommend for a Friday night at home when nothing else has got your motor running?

We've got a site up for Movie Recommendations at our Best For Movies site at http://www.strictlysports.com/bestformovies/

And no, it's not just just about sports related themes, even though some of them are dear to my heart.

Just a few up now. Take a look now and leave your recommendations in the comments section. Enjoy!

Wednesday, June 02, 2004


Addr.com
A strong word of caution. These people will take advantage of having your credit card info on file and make charges against it without notifiying the cardholder. Getting the money refunded is next to impossible, even after they admit their "error". Avoid addr.com at all cost is the bitter lesson I've learned.

Wednesday, April 14, 2004

Masters Statisics-2004

Phil Mikkelson

Cumulative Statistics

Greens Hit 53 of 71 74.65%
Fairways Hit 40 of 55 72.73%
Sand Saves 1 of 3 33.33%
Number of Putts 116 1.63 Strokes
Driving Distance 290.38 Yards
Longest Drive Hole 8 303 Yards

Ernie Els
Cumulative Statistics

Greens Hit 45 of 72 62.50%
Fairways Hit 31 of 56 55.36%
Sand Saves 3 of 9 33.33%
Number of Putts 114 1.58 Strokes
Driving Distance 297.88 Yards
Longest Drive Hole 8 338 Yards

Fred Couples
Cumulative Statistics

Greens Hit 43 of 72 59.72%
Fairways Hit 32 of 56 57.14%
Sand Saves 1 of 3 33.33%
Number of Putts 113 1.57 Strokes
Driving Distance 301.12 Yards
Longest Drive Hole 8 350 Yards

Tiger Woods
Cumulative Statistics

Greens Hit 49 of 72 68.06%
Fairways Hit 34 of 56 60.71%
Sand Saves 0 of 3 0.00%
Number of Putts 123 1.71 Strokes
Driving Distance 283.25 Yards
Longest Drive Hole 8 322 Yards


So what does they say? Hit greens in regulation. Hit fairways
Couples, with the lowest putting strokes, hit less greens in regulation.

Play around comparing your favorites here

Wednesday, March 24, 2004

Expedia Travel Deals. Valid through March 31, 2004. Jump on these if your're ready to go now.

Avis: Save with Great Rates $26/wknd day or $169 week


Hawaiian Island of the Month: Kauai, the Garden Isle. 4-night air/hotel from $703(Sample price - 4-nights air/hotel to Aston Islander on the Beach Kauai)


Find amazing deals on 2004 cruises! This is the time to book summer and fall cruises.



Golf Vacations 3-night air/hotel from $209

Monday, March 22, 2004

Cruising This Summer?
The Sporting Life suggests these destinations.
You can click on any of the direct links below and refine your search from there.
Alaska Cruises
Canada Cruises
Europe Cruises
Mexico Cruises

Feedback: Your Favorite Cruise Destinations

Category: Travel, Best Value Sort, USA, August, GA, Masters
Augusta, Georgia Hotels Sorted By Best Value Current Pricing.

Travel Smart-Hotel and Car Deals
New Pages for Hotel and Car Deals
plus Flights and Vacation Rentals and News.
Updated Weekly. Worth bookmarking.

Travel Smart-Hotel and Car Deals
New Pages for Hotel and Car Deals
plus Flights and Vacation Rentals and News.
Updated Weekly. Worth bookmarking.

Friday, March 19, 2004

Bottles Worth Bringing. Keep this bookmark handy.
Bottles Worth Bringing List Next Time You Get That BYOB notice or feeling.

Thursday, March 18, 2004

Top 10 Wedding Location Ideas

And the full list. A plethora of Top 10's here.

Wednesday, March 17, 2004

Special Products and Deals for boating and fishing enthusiasts
Check out the Garmin PDA with integrated GPS. Too cool.



 Garmin - IQue 3600 PDA with Integrated GPS Technology It's Here!
Garmin - IQue 3600 PDA with Integrated GPS Technology It's Here!



Eagle - Seafinder 480DF Dual Frequency Fishfinder - Includes Transom Mount Transducer with Speed and Temp
Eagle - Seafinder 480DF Dual Frequency Fishfinder - Includes Transom Mount Transducer with Speed and Tempa



 Garmin - IQue 3600 PDA with Integrated GPS Technology It's Here!
Garmin - IQue 3600 PDA with Integrated GPS Technology It's Here!



Okuma - Titus Silver Charter Special Stand Up Combo - Ts50WII with CS50130AR 6' 50-130lb. AR Series Custom Power Stick<br />
Okuma - Titus Silver Charter Special Stand Up Combo - Ts50WII with CS50130AR 6' 50-130lb. AR Series Custom Power Stick



Kasco - 3400 De-Icer
Kasco - 3400 De-Icer



 Icom - M-45 VHF Radio - Fixed-Mount - White - Rebate - Final Cost $99.99
Icom - M-45 VHF Radio - Fixed-Mount - White - Rebate - Final Cost $99.99



 Seaworthy - Shipmate 25 Custom Blue Water CD Package - Includes Sea-6522 Bluewater Speakers
Seaworthy - Shipmate 25 Custom Blue Water CD Package - Includes Sea-6522 Bluewater Speakers







Monday, March 15, 2004

New Travel Now News and Specials
The new issue of the Sporting Life Travel newsletter in conjunction with Travel Now is now available online. The Trump Marina Casino in Atlantic City is the featured hotel. Book in March for rates starting at $69.95. International and Vacation deals noted for Kauai Island, Mount Snow, VT, Jamaica, Milan, Paris and other cities.

Travel Tip: Use a durable ID card inside of your luggage to help return it if lost while travelling. Over 90% of lost luggage stays lost because the airline, cruiseship (or whatever) staff can't identify the owners in order to return it.

You may want to bookmark these pages for regular visits and an easy starting point for leisure and business travel bookings. Updated weekly.

Thursday, March 11, 2004

StrictlySports's Sporting Life Travel newsletter in conjunction with Travel Now is updated weekly with news and specials. You may want to bookmark it for regular visits and an easy starting point for leisure and business travel bookings.

From Travel Now's latest newsletter:
"When traveling to a destination where I know I will doing a lot of shopping, I pack a collapsible suitcase or duffel bag in my checked luggage. It doesn't take up much room and when returning home, I fill it with my dirty laundry and pack my new stuff or any breakable items in my regular suitcase. Or you could just pack your things in a medium suitcase that fits inside a larger suitcase - either way you'll have two suitcases available and only have to carry one to your destination".

News on Hong Kong, Berlin and Hawaii in the newsletter. Their feature property in the newsletter is the Hilton Anaheim, 1 block from the Disney California Adventure Theme Park and next door to the Anaheim Convention Centre. $139 room rates through March. Aruba and Clearwater Beach deals as well.

Read the newsletter here and check out the Hilton Anaheim plus other hotel and other car rental prices here.

Travel Specials and Tips

Saturday, March 06, 2004

StrictlySports announces new partnership with Boaters World
Boat shows are on now in your local area. Take the time to compare prices and products online Just click the graphic below. These folks have an extensive selection and can save you on taxes and shipping too.



Thursday, March 04, 2004

Your Brief_ March 04/04!
A broader view of The Sporting Life

News Sport
Gay Marriage Debate Erupts Across U.S.

Sports Sport
It's time for baseball players to agree to full steroid testing
USA Today on steroid testing

Finance Sport
Disney's Eisner Loses Chairman Role

Tech Sport
Nintendo Game Boy Advance hand-held machine now can work as a videophone with an attachment.
Search for Game Boy and accessories Search for Game Boy Games
Note to innovators: translate technology to users Blog post that stresses how important that technology have an easy to use interface.

Health Sport
Cutting Costs on Drugs Buying drugs from Canadian or foreign pharmacies isn't the only way to save money. New medicare reform creates other opportunities.

Entertainment Sport
Replay TV 5504 is a first-rate, networkable DVR with easy recording, multiple ways to jump within programs, and progressive scan output. Review. Search for DVR

Transportation Sport
TomTom Navigator USA Bluetooth GPS Tom Tom sets the standard for PDA-based in-car GPS products with turn-by-turn navigation. Search for GPS Products

Learning Sport
bowdlerize: Dictionary.com Word of the Day

Most Recently Updated Weblog
Lower Drug Prices Issue

Subscribe:
Add the RSS/XML feed of Your Brief!

Sign Up For Your Email Inbox Version of Your Brief!
and other Sport info
Scan All News Feeds
Your Brief is a RempelGroup product in conjunction with StrictlySports.com

Wednesday, March 03, 2004

Your Brief_ March 03/04!
A RempelGroup product in conjunction with StrictlySports.com
A broader view of The Sporting Life

News Sport
Sprinter Now Faces A Marathon-Kerry and Bush race all but set

Sports Sport
Time To Come Down on Hecklers, Tiger Says from Dubai

Transsexual golfer enters Australian Open

Finance Sport
IRS Allows Weight-Loss Tax Deduction

Science Sport
Water on Mars?

Tech Sport
U.S. Users Give It Up For the Net Close to half of U.S. Internet users contribute online content. Primarily photographs now. Trend will grow.

Domain Names Are Big Again

Entertainment Sport
Dick Clark sued for age discriminaton

Learning Sport
Dictionary.com Word of the Day: invective

Most Recently Updated Weblog
Travel Sport-Find Best Travel Deals

Subscribe:
Add the RSS/XML feed of Your Brief!

Sign Up For Your Email Inbox Version of Your Brief!
and other Sport info
Scan All News Feeds

Tuesday, March 02, 2004

Travel Deals That Expire In Next 7 Days (March 9). Check Them Out and Book Now.

Fly to the Caribbean with Delta Air Lines. Flights start at $154+ roundtrip for spring travel


Expedia Hotel Deals Miami nights: Find great deals on hotels in this sunny hot-spot.
Deals start at $94 (Seville Beach Hotel)

Hertz: Car Rentals. Save with weekday rates from $16/day
Book now for travel through March 22

New York Splendor: Find great deals at select boutique-style hotels in the heart of the Big Apple. Rates from $199 at 4-star hotels like The Alex or City Club Hotel


Shop along Michigan Ave, dig into a Deep Dish Pizza, and save on your
hotel in Chicago. Club Quarters - Wacker at Michigan from $100


Escape to the sunny shores of California. 3-night air/hotel trips from $269 (Sheraton Sonoma County)

Enjoy the sun and surf while relaxing along the shores of Hawaii. 4-night air/hotel trips from $668 (Sheraton Princess Kaiulani—Oahu)


Monday, March 01, 2004

2004 Baseball Tickets
For all your 2004 baseball ticket needs, if your are planning your season's games in advance, or just last minute needs, here is a ticket source for all teams.

Best MLB Baseball Tickets

Saturday, February 28, 2004

You can check this source for tickets for Major League Baseball games for 2004. Definitely use for hard to find tix for MLB games.


Thursday, February 26, 2004

Need Travel Resources?-Here's A List Of Best Selling Travel Books

Best Selling DVD's List and Pricing

Best Selling DVD's All Types_at Amazon_Sorted List

Just checked recently and Amazon currently does not have the book available. Check out the reviews. Fills in the gaps in the Leadbetter system you may not have gotten elsewhere.
Golf The Winning Formula by Nick Faldo

There is one new copy available at the StrictlySports My Sports Toybox Ebay Store along with various other golf and other sports books, (we also focus on baseball/softball a great deal), with more to come.

Best Sellers in Sports Related DVD's

Best Selling Sports Related DVD's in order of sales at Amazon

Wednesday, February 25, 2004

Last Minute Travel Deals from Expedia Just Announced



Experience the world: Fly United and Lufthansa to Europe, Asia & more!
Flights start at $223+ roundtrip for spring travel
(Expires Feb. 26/04. Act right now)


Avis last-minute savings: Rates starting as low as $11/day. Includes deals nationwide - from Sacramento to D.C. (Expires Feb. 29/04. Take a look now)


New York deals: Save with last-minute hotel deals or book now and save for a summer NYC trip. Deals start at $59 (West End Studios) (Offer good only through March 2, 2004)

Florida on sale: Save up to 30% on your hotel this spring (Available through March 15, 2004)


Catch a view of the Las Vegas Strip from the top of the Stratosphere with rates from $55. Find even better deals in Las Vegas from $35 (Act now. Only good through March 2/04)


Tuesday, February 24, 2004

On Auction Over At Ebay-Improve Your Game or Just Collect and Showcase Them

We're well into the golf season for many and not only can these items help your game, the Runyan and Hogan books are definite collectibles as well

Ben Hogan's Five Lessons 1957 Original Edition

Jack Nicklaus 55 Ways To Lower Your Golf Score

Paul Runyan Short Way To Lower Scoring-Autographed

Slope Scope Putting Practise Aid-Reading Line of Putt


Monday, February 23, 2004

Off Season Golf Drills for those of you stil waiting for the start of the new season.

Sunday, February 22, 2004

Top 10 Sports Flicks ever from MSN Entertainment

Where does Miracle rank?

Monday, February 09, 2004

New Product Lists


StrictlySports.com has posted two new Product Lists for browsing, price comparison, reading reviews, etc. for Baseball and Golf. Both are quite lengthy and may take a bit longer than normal to load. Remember to bookmark. They can be viewed here:

Golf-Master List

Baseball-Master List

More Ways To Say I Love You

Originally saw this in Readers Digest Canada online

50 Ways to Woo Your Lover
By Gregory J.P. Godek
from "1001 Ways to Be Romantic"

Read this list or better yet print it out. From the school of thought that relationships and marriages do not have to be dissolved as often as they are, if we just put some real effort into building and sustaining them. I subscribe to this school of thought. Choose from ideas that are Creative, Outrageous, Affordable, Quick or Classic. Link for book takes you over to book site where other similar books are suggested. Godek has a sequel out as well-1001 More Ways....

Creative

Looking for some fun ways to add romance your relationship? Try these creative romance tips:

Give your lover a dozen roses - and do it with a creative twist. Give eleven red roses and one white rose. Attach a note that reads: "In every bunch there's one who stands out - and you are that one."

Fake a power outage at home. (Loosen the fuses or throw the breaker switches.) With no TV to tempt you . . . with
no computer to occupy you . . . with no furnace to heat you . . . you pretty much have no choice but to get out the candles, huddle around the fireplace and be romantic!

Get your partner a wristwatch. Inscribe it with: "I always have time for you."

Attach a one-hundred-dollar bill to a Victoria's Secret catalog, along with a note to him saying, "You choose."

Identify that one pivotal event that brought the two of you together. Celebrate that event every year.

Practice "Even-Day/Odd-Day" Romance: On even days it's your turn to be romantic, and on odd days it's your partner's turn.

Following a bubble bath you've prepared for her, wrap her in a towel that you've warmed up in the dryer.

Write your partner a love letter or poem on one sheet of paper. Glue it to thin cardboard, cut it up into puzzle-shaped pieces, then mail all the pieces. Or, mail one puzzle piece per day!

Remove all the paper strips (that say "Kisses" on them) from a couple hundred Hershey's Kisses. Fill a jewelry box with them. Wrap 'em up and present them to your partner. Write a certificate explaining that the slips are coupons redeemable for one kiss each.

Doesn't your partner deserve a trophy for being the "World's Best Lover"? Trophy shops have a wealth of ideas waiting for you. Just think of the romantic possibilities of plaques, medals, ribbons, nameplates, certificates and banners. And they all can be personalized, engraved, lettered or monogrammed.


Outrageous

To make a big impression, consider these outrageous romance tips:

Visit a karaoke bar and surprise your lover by getting up and singing "your song" to him/her.

Kidnap her! Blindfold her. Drive her around town until she's thoroughly lost. Then reveal your destination: Her favorite restaurant, or maybe a romantic inn.

Make a GIANT greeting card out of a big cardboard box, (such as the type used to pack a refrigerator).

Does your partner love M&Ms? Fill a one-gallon glass jar with them as a gift.

Want to jazz up the presentation of a special meal? Buy a little hunk of dry ice from a local ice house. Put it in a bowl of water and place it on your serving tray. You'll create wondrous, billowing white clouds!

Call your partner from work, every-hour-on-the-hour, just to say "I love you."

Slow-dance at a restaurant-when there's no music playing.

It's romantic-but commonplace-to eat dinner by candlelight. So here's a change of pace: Eat breakfast by candlelight.

Take your lover on a surprise two-week vacation to Paris.

Many couples have "His" and "Hers" matching towels, but here are some other ideas: "His" and "Hers" matching silk pajamas, motorcycles, T-shirts, overnight bags (have them packed at all times), jack-o-lanterns at Halloween, rocking chairs, Porsches (millionaires need love, too), heart-shaped tattoos, Christmas tree ornaments, tennis rackets, beach towels.


Affordable

Short on cash but big on love? Try these affordable romance tips:


Spend the entire day watching romantic movies.

If you'd like to spend a romantic summer night making wishes on falling stars, mark the second week in August on your calendar. The earth passes through the Perseides Meteor Belt around August 12th every year, which usually results in spectacular shows for two to three nights.

Buy a lottery ticket. Give it to your partner with a little note attached: "I hit the jackpot when I married you!"

Pick flowers for your partner from the side of the road.

Write a short note to your lover that's spread out over several postcards, then mail the cards one at a time. You'll build anticipation for the romantic conclusion on the final postcard. (Maybe deliver that last one in person.)

If you're not much of a writer, create an audio love letter. Sit down with a tape recorder and just talk to her for ten minutes. Then giftwrap it and mail it to her.

Don't just go out to a movie on Saturday, like always. Call your partner from work on Wednesday and formally ask for a date.

Call a local radio station and request a special love song to be dedicated to your partner. Make sure he or she listening!

Make a custom certificate for your lover. (You can get blank certificate forms at a stationery or paper store.) Here are some suggestions: A certificate "For Putting Up with Me Over the Years", an award for "The World's Best Wife", a ribbon "For Hugs & Kisses Above and Beyond the Call of Duty"

Mail your partner a Rolodex card with your name and number on it. Write on it: "Your instant resource for love. Call when lonely."


Quick

If you don't have as much time as you'd like for love, try these swift but sweet romance tips:


Write "I love you" on the bathroom mirror with a piece of soap.

Place a little love note or poem under the driver's side windshield wiper of his or her car.

Every once in a while, kiss her hand with a flourish. Note: The proper way to kiss a woman's hand is to lower your lips to her hand. You don't raise her hand to your lips.

Have "your song" playing on the stereo when your partner returns home from work.

When out together in public, wink at your partner from across the room.

On your partner's birthday, send a "thank you" card to his/her mother.

Unplug the TV. Put a note on the screen saying, "Turn me on instead."

Make a toast to one another every time you hold a wine glass. Make eye contact. Take turns making the toast. Whisper it.

Get the whole "family of products" in the fragrance of her favorite perfume (bath powder, soaps, cremes, candles, etc.)

Call your partner from work for no other reason than to say, "I love you."


Classic

Looking for a tried and true method for declaring your love? Consider these classic romance tips:


Spread rose petals all over the bedroom.

What could be more classic than a fine gold locket with your photo inside? (Maybe a photo of the two of you.)

Bring home one small, unexpected gift each week.

Write a classic, romantic, passionate, handwritten, heartfelt love letter. Most adults haven't written a love letter since high school. (Why not? Have we lost our youthful idealism, or have we just gotten lazy?)

When traveling, give your partner a bouquet of roses; one rose for each day that you'll be away. Attach a note that says something like this: "These three roses represent the three days I'll be away from you. They also symbolize the love, joy and laughter we share together."

Say "I love you" at least three times a day.

Guys: Surprise her by performing one of her chores for her. (And not something easy like carrying the groceries in from the car, something that requires some time and effort - like cooking all the meals over a weekend, or cleaning the entire house.)

Ladies: Send him a letter sealed with a kiss. (Use your reddest lipstick.)

Hold hands.

On your yearly romantic checklist, make plans for Valentine's Day - well in advance!

"1001 Ways to Be Romantic," copyright © 2000 by Gregory J. P. Godek, is published at $14.95 by SourceBooks, 1935 Brookdale, Road, Suite 139, Naperville, IL 60563

Wednesday, February 04, 2004

Search For Cruise Prices


Handy Cruise Search Site To Bookmark. Search for best value cruises

See also our new Best Travel Deals blog titled "Travel Smart-Enjoy The Trip!", just underway.

Find Best Travel Deals and Packages Sports Events and Vacations

February 4, 2004

mlb
All MLB Teams Tickets

Free FedEx on all MLB tickets. Huge selection & secure online ordering.