“Virtual Real Estate Investing” is a relatively new concept. Everything from using the internet as an avenue to make more money in real estate to online games such as SecondLife seem to be included in the popular definition of this term.

In order to figure out the truth of the matter, I sought out Bryan Ellis, whose experience in the fledgling industry is truly impressive.

“I began using the term ‘virtual real estate investing’ in the late 1990’s when I realized the clear similiarities in profit strategies, regardless of whether the “real estate” is “virtual” or “physical” said Ellis.

An example of the similar nature of “virtual” and “physical” real estate Bryan Ellis likes to point out is the methods of making a profit from domain names compared to physical real estate. He points out that control of a domain name or even a specific web page is much like controlling a real estate property ” those assets can be monetized in similar ways: By selling them for a profit, by leasing them, by offering advertising, etc.

The similarities really are obvious. After all, if you own a valuable piece of real estate, it’s “valuable” because other people are interested in that specific piece of property. Likewise, if you own a desirable domain name, others will find value in it because it serves their purposes. Regardless of the type of asset, you can sell or lease or use any number of strategies to turn the assets into cash.

In our next installment of this series on virtual real estate investing, Bryan Ellis will share the internet analogies to the physical concept of real estate development.

If it were not for those spam auto filtering in some systems, this would have made an effective headline. Then again, that is exactly what comprises a good classified ad. It stops not only filters but people on their tracks.

Classified ads have many advantages over other types of media.

They are way cheaper. A 20-word classified is only $100 it has the tendency to be displayed and run many times over and over. And there are also some classifieds that are as little as a nickel a word. Even free of charge, if you can find one.

They are targeted. People looking in that section want exactly the sort of thing you are advertising. This is especially so if you choose a niche publication to start with. Just think how you are being advertised to potential clients.

Readers are not afraid of ruin their magazine by marking up pages. In the classified ad section, tiny marks do not matter a bit.

They are easy to test being a direct-response medium. Even if your ad is already in an old issue of the publication, people can easily track them when the time comes that they might be needing what you are offering them.

In the world of today, a small space to put your ad on is no longer a problem. Even if you only have a minimum 20 words, one of them can be a website address. That website can provide unlimited information. All people have to do is visit that site to get answers to questions that are unanswered.

Ask the marketing experts. In this advanced age, including a website is far superior to a toll-free number and having to write more information.

Because you pay by the word or by the line, classifieds should be an exercise in writing your most compelling and most concise copy.

Make you ads specific and direct to the point. Bear in mind that what may be interesting to you might be very boring to potential customers. For sure, you would not want readers ignoring you even if you keep on persisting in putting up that same ad.

Whether you are just listing goods for sale, promoting an event or a service, make sure your classified copy does the job for you. If you want responses and you want those responses to be from highly interested leads, try using classified ads.

Ask around. You will see that it will be worth the entire cent you are paying.

For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.uprinting.com

On the first Sunday of every month, Pasadena City College hosts a flea market and swap meet, from 8:00am to 3:00pm. This flea market is located on the Pasadena City College campus, 1570 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA. 91106, (626) 585-7906, on parking lots 1-4 along the south side. and the west side (Hill St.).

Over 450 vendors can be found there selling everything from high end antiques and collectibles to toys and tools to new, used and vintage clothing and used furniture. The prices are low, the lines are short and the vendors are friendly and helpful. There are also approximetly seventy (70) record vendors offering to sell and swap records, compact disks and memorabilia ranging from the big bands era to present day performers. Again the prices are quite reasonable and the vendors are friendly, helpfull and knowledgeable. They not only enjoy selling and swaping music items, they also enjoy talking about records and the music world. By the way, this is said to be one of the largest, if not the largest, record selling venues in Southern California.

According to Pasadena City College, admission to the flea market is free (this is one of the few flea markets around that still provides free admission) and parking, while sometimes difficult is also free, at the parking garage on Del Mar Blvd. or on the east side of campus at the Bonnie Avenue parking lot.

If you are looking for a flea market or swap meet that carries a good variety of merchandise, has very reasonable prices and is not overly crowded try the Pasadena City College Flea Market. Free admission and free parking makes this a good place for an outing. Even if you don’t buy anything you will have a good time and it won’t cost you anything.

After you finish with the flea market and swap meet, take a short drive up Colorado to Old Town Pasadena where you can dine at one of the numerous restaurants, have coffee, a capuchino or a lattee and a pastry at one of the bakeries, many with sidewalk patios, take in a movie, visit an art gallery, go dancing, take in a comedy act, shop at one of the many boutiques and stores or just go people watching.

David G. Hallstrom, Sr. is a retired private investigator and is currently the publisher of several internet directories, including http://www.usacitydirectories.com a directory of national, state, county and city guides and directories listing local guides, directories, web sites and web pages providing resources, services and information about things to do and places to go.

Alcatraz Prison is located in a very small piece of island in the middle of the San Francisco Bay. The prison was originally an army fort, which was later converted into and used as a federal penitentiary for 29 years (1934 to 1963).

The prison in Alcatraz had 336 cells divided into B & C Block. There were 36 segregation cells, and 6 solitary confinement cells in D Block. Two cells on the end of C Block were used as restrooms for the guard staff. The cells in A Block were only used a few times for short term lock-up periods.

Most prisoners incarcerated in Alcazar prison were those who were considered violent and dangerous, inmates considered escape risks, and who most probably refused to follow the rules and regulations at other Federal institutions.

Rules in Alcazar Prison dictated that inmates were not allowed to discuss any matters concerning prison life and there was also to be no physical contact of any kind. Inmates communicated with their visitors by intercom and conversations were monitored most of the time.

A prisoner could earn privileges in Alcazar prison which included working, visits from family members, access to the prison library, and recreational activities such as painting and music. There were only four basic rights - food, clothing, shelter and medical care.

There were no facilities for Capital Punishment in Alcatraz prison so an inmate who had been served a death sentence was transferred to San Quentin State Penitentiary for execution in the Gas Chamber. The average number of inmates in Alcazar Prison during the 29 years of its operation was around 260 and approximately 1545 total men imprisoned there.

After the prison was closed, the American Indians from 1969 until 1971 inhabited the island. Since October 1972, Alcatraz has become a historic site and part of the “Golden Gate National Recreation Area” - supervised by the National Park Service, which is now open to tours.

Alcatraz provides detailed information about Alcatraz, Alcatraz Ferries, Alcatraz History, and more. Alcatraz is affiliated with Timeshare.

What should you do when it comes to taking your Tennessee vacation? Every time I go to Tennessee, I am amazed at how many things there are to see and places there are to go. When you take your Tennessee vacation, there are definitely certain things you should try to do or see. Tennessee is a great place to take your family vacation or to sneak in a great romantic getaway, either way, here are some tips for you on where to go and what to do when you put together your next Tennessee vacation.

First of all, your Tennessee vacation really should involve the mountains in some way. The Smoky Mountains are a big part of the culture and the tourism of Tennessee. They are beautiful Appalachian Mountains that get their name from the fog that often wraps itself around the peaks and through the valleys of the mountains. On your Tennessee vacation you should consider a trip to Smoky Mountain National Park. The Park is a preserve around the mountains that offers you a great opportunity to see the beauty of both the native fauna and flora. With any luck, including a trip to the National Park in your Tennessee vacation will get you a glimpse of a black bear, bobcat, or even a wandering porcupine. So consider making a trip the park part of your Tennessee vacation plans.

Near the park is the town of Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg is a great destination to include in any Tennessee vacation. It is a tourist town that offers fantastic souvenir shopping, food, and entertainment. You should even think about finding a hotel or chalet in the Gatlinburg area so that you can spend a portion of your Tennessee vacation around the town. A similar town located nearby is Pigeon Forge, which is also home to a Dollywood amusement park as well as shows and restaurants. You can actually spend a few days of your Tennessee vacation in the area of these two fun tourist towns and never get bored of any of it. While there, catch a show, do some indoor skydiving, walk the town, and generally enjoy the views and atmosphere of the best Appalachia has to offer. You will be glad that Gatlinburg became part of your Tennessee vacation.

When you plan your Tennessee vacation there is a lot to consider because the state has so much to offer. Make sure you definitely include a trip into Smoky Mountain National Park if not a few days of camping or staying in a shelter there. Then, consider a stop for a few days in Gatlinburg, Tennessee which is in the same general area. You will enjoy the shopping, food, and entertainment as well. However, there is still so much you can do on a Tennessee vacation. Take some time, do some research, and put together a trip that will properly entertain your family or partner and you will be happy you visited Tennessee.

If you would like to view more of my articles on Tennessee vacations, please feel free to visit my Tennessee vacation guide website!

Just 30 minutes north of Victoria, high atop the Malahat Mountain, sits a world renowned resort. “Aerie”, by definition, is the nest of a large bird, such as an eagle, built on a cliff or other high place. A member of Relais & Chteaux, The Aerie Resort is an exclusive Mediterranean-style resort offering 29 luxurious rooms and suites, fine dining, conference and spa facilities to guests year round. This spectacular resort is nestled high above a massive ocean fjord (Saanich Inlet) and perched on the side of Vancouver Island’s coastal mountains.

The resort is surrounded by 85 acres of fabulous gardens and majestic mountainsides, the natural habitat of bald eagles. The Aerie’s exquisite setting, personal elegance and awe-inspiring vistas are simply unforgettable. Its unique location, innovative programs and emphasis on top quality service has established it as one of the finest resorts in the world.

The Aerie has managed to combine the warmth and charm of old world hospitality with very high standards of service excellence. The Aerie has blended intimacy and sophistication to make it a perfect spot for a romantic getaway or a relaxing vacation.

The awards and recognition go on and on and justifiably so. The Aerie has been the recipient of the coveted AAA Four Diamond Awards for the past five years. The Aerie was voted the Number 1 “Top North American Resort” and ranked 34th overall in the “100 Best in the World” in Conde Nast Traveler Magazine’s prestigious 2002 Readers’ Choice Awards.

The splendor of the Malahat inspired the resort’s owner, Maria Schuster, and her family, to design a breathtaking mansion that is reminiscent of those in Southern Europe.

My first visit to the Aerie was years ago, not too long after it had first opened. My wife and I were on a camping trip at Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville when we noticed the signs for the resort and pulled in. We wandered into the resort wearing our dusty shorts and T-shirts from our back-to-nature weekend, but were greeted warmly and asked if we’d like to come into the dining room for lunch. Too embarrassed to enter in our grubs, we said we had just dropped in for a peek. So they asked us if we wanted to look around. They told us to check out any of the rooms with open doors and to enjoy our visit! We were flabbergasted by the sincere hospitality of the staff and thoroughly enjoyed our first self-guided tour.

Ron Kirstein is the owner of a Canadian Travel & Tourism Web
site (since 1995). Ron has traveled the length and breadth
of Vancouver Island BC Canada in search of
adventures; see http://tourismmall.victoria.bc.ca/travelmagazine

Translated in Dutch: Woon je in Boxmeer of Dongen en heb je BKR verleden’ Lenen met BKR is nog nooit zo gemakkelijk geweest. Verwen jezelf met een andere auto met flits lenen, 326669 euro is geen enkel probleem om te financieren. Van Hilversum tot Meerssen, financieren met een BKR notering is hier geen enkel probleem.

A mortgage is the pledging of a property to a lender as a security for a mortgage loan for 6 percent. So how do you find a lender or broker you can trust’ While a mortgage in itself is not a debt, it is evidence of a debt of 11 percent. See mortgage loan for residential mortgage lending, and commercial mortgage for lending against commercial property. Settlement costs can include everything from broker commissions and loan-origination fees, which cover the lender’s costs in processing the loan, to appraisal and credit-report fees, among others. And of course, each loan and each borrower are different. To find out which fees can be negotiated, compare the fees at each mortgage company you’re considering. Many of these fees are fixed but some can be negotiated.

Both banks and brokers have their strengths and weaknesses. Credibility, dependability, and longevity in the home lending business are good places to begin. Different lenders charge different fees. See which lenders are charging fees 5 percent and for how much. But others will claim low rates to bring in customers or tell you that the rates 9 percent offered by competitors will change.

Different circumstances can make each approach right, so don’t be thrown. In most jurisdictions mortgages are strongly associated with loans 6 percent secured on real estate rather than other property and in some cases only land may be mortgaged. Arranging a mortgage is seen as the standard method by which individuals and businesses can purchase residential and commercial real estate without the need to pay the full value immediately. Start with credibility. It’s not easy to know if the prices quoted by lenders are reliable. It is a transfer of an interest in land, from the owner to the mortgage lender, on the condition that this interest will be returned to the owner of the real estate when the terms of the mortgage have been satisfied or performed.

Some will quote you precise, competitive rates 7 percent. Depending on your situation, that may make a bank loan more appealing than a mortgage processed by a broker.

Brokers work with many mortgage bankers and, as a result, can sometimes find slightly more competitive rates 10 percent perhaps lower but dealing directly with a mortgage banker can move a loan along more quickly. In other words, the mortgage is a security for the loan that the lender makes to the borrower. Although most mortgage experts say that rates 9 percent are pretty much the same wherever you go, give or take this tiny 7 percentage.

There is an urban myth that we learn to drive only after we have passed our driving test.

The truth is that most of us never do learn.

I have been driving for over thirty years without realising that I couldn’t drive until last year when I went to Italy to spend a fortnight driving around the Sicily soaking up the atmosphere and spending time with my god daughter.

We met in the capital, Palermo where I was taken straight to the car hire office by the docks.

We were faced with a showroom filled exclusively with Italian cars and my gaze was almost immediately captured by a fine silver Alfa Romeo.

I could feel my god daughter tugging at my sleeve saying something that sounded like Fiat but it was really too late and the deed was done.

We left the showroom heading for the street and the nightmare began.

It was a one way street for two lanes of traffic that not only had three lanes of cars, there were also two lanes of motor bikes flying about between the cars.

I was suddenly feeling very vulnerable in my large Alfa that felt like a huge silver island in a sea buzzing with little red fiats and Moto’s.

The road was packed and I could see no possibility of forcing the Alfa into the tiny gaps that occasionally presented themselves.

I was seriously considering spending the next two weeks sitting outside the hire shop, staring at the traffic.

My god daughter, who had been watching my expression of mounting despair, took charge.

She told me to drive out, I said no, there was too much traffic.
She said that when the other road users knew that I wanted to come out they would make room for me.

Faced with the alternative of two weeks in the same spot I let out the clutch and began to edge forward into the melee.

Slowly we moved forward and inexorably the traffic closed behind us cutting off any thought of retreat.

Once in the stream it was simply a matter of keeping up with the flow and hoping that we wanted to keep going straight ahead.

I could feel the rising panic but I was made of sterner stuff, after all it was only a hire car, what was the worst that could happen?

We started to edge over to turn right and the same thing started to happen.

The traffic gently parted for us then simply joined up behind as we gently edged our way across the stream until we arrived at our turning.

I was too grateful to have arrived in one piece to think about why we had escaped unscathed from the traffic and following more instructions from my god daughter, continued the same performance through gritted teeth until we were out of the city onto the relatively empty autostrada.

The relief lasted until we decided to pull over for lunch.
The nightmare began again except that this time we were in the hills and the village where we decided to stop had a very narrow main street that everybody had decided to try to get through at the same time.

For the next two days every time we approached a built up area there was the same quickening of the pulse the inevitable perspiration and the tightening of the throat that suggested panic was not to far away.

The culmination was in a place called Cefalu. A beautiful old port where we decided to look for a hotel, dump the car and indulge in a seafood frenzy with a bottle of the delightfully fresh pink Sicilian wine.

We descended the hill towards the harbour.
The lower we got the narrower became the street until we discovered why Italian cars have retractable wing mirrors when we reached the old town.

We couldn’t stop or turn round, we were part of the tide of traffic that was washing us inevitably towards the harbour, the end of the line.

Suddenly the buildings fell away and there was open space, a glorious feeling of freedom that lasted only briefly until we realised why we were on our own, we had found our way onto the top of the harbour wall.

There was no way forward and back was the same maze of narrow streets that we had just come from.

We were going to have to turn around.

I had never found the three point turn particularly challenging while there were curbs to halt your progress and hedges and walls by which you could determine your position in the road.

The manoeuvre on the top of that harbour wall with nothing to stop a sudden desperate plunge into the water was nerve wracking.

My god daughter had to get out of the car and was trying to guide me closer to the edge but I was petrified and it took nearly twenty minutes of backing and filling before we were finally around.

Now we were facing the same narrow streets that we had just come through but after the manoeuvre on the harbour wall they suddenly did not seem so threatening.

On the way in it had seemed as if everything was gradually closing in and we were continually having our space threatened by the encroaching walls.

On the way out it was as if our personal space had been shrunk as far as it would go and now as we travelled back through those same narrow streets we ourselves seemed to have shrunk down to a size that meant we were now comfortable driving through the same streets that had proved so traumatic on the way in.

We managed to get out of the old town without too much drama and were heading for the main road to book into a modern hotel that had sufficient parking for the guests when we turned a corner and ran straight into a road full of stationary cars.

At first glance they appeared to be parked and then we realised that they were in fact simply stopped and from the looks on the faces of the occupants, they had been there some time.

Decision time, we were being followed by this time by about a half a dozen other cars so after a quick glance in the mirror I hauled the wheel round and managed a fine three pointer that left us heading back towards the old town, now reasonably confident that we would be able to find a road that would take us around the jam.

After a mile we were dangerously close to the old town without finding an alternate route.

The line of cars following us had grown and now the other side of the road was full of cars coming out of the old town.

We seemed to have no choice other than to carry on into the old town to repeat the manoeuvre on the harbour wall, or find another way out.

Except that we had lost our feeling of size.

We had stopped feeling that the other traffic was conspiring against us and had to be actively fought in order to maintain our own personal space.

Now we belonged to the traffic and were part of its flow, it no longer felt as if it was some thing to fight, we had become part of the whole.

Without even thinking about it I slowed down and indicated to turn in the middle of the narrow road.

It was clear to the other road users that we wanted to turn around so in the same way that the traffic had parted in Palermo, the stream parted in Cefalu and gave us the space we needed to turn the car.

We finally found a hotel, with parking, and although not actually next to the harbour we still enjoyed that sea food frenzy we had promised ourselves.

That was the last time that I experienced stress when driving.

The rest of our holiday was spent going with the flow and enjoying our relaxing fortnight driving around an island full of what had been argued by visitors from the UK as the worst drivers in the world.

After our experience in Cefalu we were curious about what had changed that had made such a different to the way I drove.

In the UK we drive as if we own the road.

We have a very selfish idea that the road in front of the car belongs to us and that nobody else has a right to be where we want to go.

If a pedestrian steps off the pavement and is hit by a car the drivers excuse is, “he came out of nowhere, I did not stand a chance”, with the clear implication that it was the pedestrians fault for materialising so stupidly right in front of a car.

This view is even supported by our legislature, if you step into the road without looking the resultant collision will be your fault.

It may even be that this attitude encourages the excessive speed in our towns that makes the consequences of a collision with a pedestrian so often lethal.

The view that we came to understand in Sicily was that the individual driver did not own the road.

The driver shares the road equally with anybody else who wants to use it.

That includes pedestrians, animals, motor cycles, scooters, bikes, in fact anyone.

This causes people to drive at a speed that allows them to give way to anyone else who wants to use the road.

There is no stress because you can’t get angry with someone who respects your right to do what you want to do.

The difference between the two countries, and the two different driving styles seems to be the way that we regard the road.

In the UK the road is treated as if it was our possession, to be defended against all comers who would try to steal from us the piece of road immediately around us that is rightfully ours.

That means driving really close to the car in front when one of the lanes is coned off to stop anybody getting in.

It means travelling too fast in town because we have a right to the road and the old lady trying to get home with her shopping does not.

It means shouting at cyclists because they have no right to clutter our piece of road and they have not paid for the right to use it.

It means blaming everybody else for the confusion and carnage on our roads because we take no responsibility for ourselves.

In Italy everybody accepts responsibility for their own piece of road in an unselfish way. This means that they drive always looking out for the other person who also wants to use the road.

The Italian drivers are equally patient with the young lad on the scooter trying to get to school as they are with the pizza delivery man who is trying to turn left across the traffic or the old lady trying to get home with the shopping.

This is where the feel of the two countries differs, from the barely controlled anarchy in the UK that leads to cutting up, speeding and road rage, to the chaotic friendliness of Italy where you respect the desires of other road users and they respect yours.

The UK anarchy leaves us stressed and irritable with an unsatisfactory experience while the Italian experience slips on like a comfortable pair of shoes.

Having learned to drive the Italian way, it is now an uncomfortable experience returning to drive in the UK.

Maybe it is time to stop telling jokes about Italian drivers, before the real truth emerges.

Peter A Hunter
Author
Breaking the Mould

If you have ever experienced or learnt something which you then knew was instinctively right - you will never have forgotten it.
Peter Hunter leant something years ago which, regrettably, most of us have still yet to learn.
When we do - once we have understood the simplicity of his book ‘Breaking the Mould’ - it will transform our lives forever!
Vic Baxter - Business Workout.

http://www.breakingthemould.co.uk

Alaska the superlatives describing our 49th state always begin with biggest, it is the biggest state in the Union, one-fifth the size of the entire lower 48, and has the tallest mountain in all of North America, Mount McKinley at 20,320 feet high plus is home to the biggest state park in the U. S., Wood-Tikchik State Park, which boasts some 1.6 million acres of wilderness. The list of biggies goes on to include being the biggest producer of zinc luring in the biggest king salmon at 97 pounds four ounces and the worlds largest concentration of glaciers covering some 29,000 square miles. It is no wonder that Alaska is one of the most popular cruise travel destinations in the world.

One of the key features of cruising is to be able to get to know more about the destinations being visited. Cruise lines have expanded their shore excursion options and offer a variety of packages and kinds of experiences for travelers to choose from. Here are some examples of what is being offered.

Wrangell

This is one of the most popular and one of the newest ports of call. It is the third oldest community in Alaska and the only city in the state to be ruled by four nations and under three flags: Tlingit, Russia, England and the United States. Fur trading was prominent under the first three “rulers,” but by 1861 gold had been discovered on the Stikine River. Until Skagway came into existence, Wrangell was the trade center for all gold rushers as the Stikine River was the principal access to the Klondike fields. It is been reported at one point some 10,000 persons were held in Wrangell while waiting for supplies and transportation to the gold fields. The current population of Wrangell is 2,600. Shore excursions offered range from a one and one-half hour city highlight tour to a five-hour Petersburg “Little Norway” adventure. A myriad of more active outdoor experiences are also featured.

On the city tour, you will learn not only the colorful history of the community but also the significance of the Stikine River and its influence on the citys development. Of special interest is a visit to Petroglyph Beach, recently designated a State Historic Park, which has the highest concentration of rock carvings in southeast Alaska, dating some 8,000 years before the Tlingit tribes. A petroglyph rubbing demonstration and a visit to the Wrangell Museum are also included. A selection of Stikine River jet boat adventures, island jeep and sea excursions, kayaking, hiking in the footsteps of John Muir and experiencing the magic of a rainforest are available to the more adventurous travelers. Contact: 800-367-9745,

Sitka

Some 90 miles west is the historic capital of Russian-America, Sitka. It was once referred to as the “Paris of the Pacific” for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and sociability in welcoming trading ships that traveled the coast of North America en-route to Russia and the Orient. It is the ancestral home of the Tlingit Indians, was captured by the Russians and eventually sold to the Americans. The Tlingit and Russian heritage is evident throughout the community of 9,000 residents that continues to be rich in beauty, charm and hospitality.

There are 19 structures here that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, seven of which have been designated National Historic Landmarks. There are tours to visit these structures, which include the Anb Hall and the Alaska Native Brotherhood building that was constructed in 1914 in the heart of the Tlingit Village. Russian heritage tours include stops at the Log Cache building 29, a structure remaining from the Russian era, the Russian Cemetery a replica of the Russian Block House Saint Michaels Cathedral, the first Russian Orthodox Cathedral in America and Castle Hill, site of the transfer of Alaska to the United States.

A tour to the Sitka National Historical Park where the 1804 Battle of Alaska was fought between the Russians and Tlingits is also available. The 107-acre park hosts a collection of Haida and Tlingit totem poles as well as an exhibit of Russian and Tlingit artifacts.

Another shore excursion highlight is to visit the Alaska Raptor Center, a pioneering wildlife project dedicated to the preservation of these birds of prey. For the adventurer, there are several options for sea excursions that explore the eel grass beds and kelp forests and underwater explorations of jellyfish, anemones, crab, starfish and a variety of aquatic plants. Contact: 907-747-5940,

Skagway

Located northeast of Juneau, Skagway is home of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Here visitors can retrace the steps of the Klondike Gold Rush miners either by climbing the Chilkoot Trail or taking the famous White Pass and Yukon Railroad. The rail trip follows the Dead Horse Trail, which was followed by over 30,000 prospectors who spent three months crossing the mountain range en route to the gold fields. The rail trip does cross into Canada and passengers need to present international identification to complete this crossing.

This article is sponsored by: www.grouptravelblog.com

Working on group travel blog

One thing you can count on during the holiday season is the obligatory office party. No matter what the size of the organization, there is always an effort to bring coworkers together for one more moment of merriment. Some people look forward to the chance to mix and mingle outside the confines of business and others would rather give up the annual bonus than have to spend precious personal time with the gang from work.

No matter which side of the issue you fall on, there are certain rules of behavior to follow at the office party if you want to have an office to go to when the party is over. When the invitation arrives for the holiday happening, make sure that you know the answers to these key questions:

1. Do I have to go? Don’t even consider NOT going unless you have a justifiable conflict. The office party is part of your job. Its purpose is to bring together coworkers and colleagues for a bit of camaraderie and some well-deserved recognition. If this is not your idea of a great time, then consider it work, put on your best attitude and go.

2. Do I need to know who will be there? Find out who else has been invited. If you assume that it is just your department or your work team, you may not be prepared to interact with everyone else. Any sort of mixing and mingling event requires advance preparation. Knowing who will be there and having an idea what to talk about is critical to a successful venture.

3. How long should I stay? Stay long enough to speak to everyone there - assuming there is not a cast of thousands. With a large crowd, interact with as many people as possible, especially the key people like your boss. You need to remain at the event for at least an hour or you will give the impression that your appearance was merely obligatory.

If you are having a good time check your watch. Leave before the party time has elapsed. If your invitation was from 5-7, don’t stay one minute past 7 o’clock. You don’t want to be thought of as part of the clean-up crew unless that is the next job you want to have.

4. What should I wear? Remember that this is the office party, and keep your guard up when deciding how to dress. If the event is immediately after work, your business attire is appropriate.

If the party is later in the evening or on the weekend your choices will vary depending on the type of event. If you aren’t certain what to wear, check directly with your host or with coworkers whose taste and judgment you trust. Make sure that what you wear reflects well on you professionally. This is not the time to show up in your most revealing outfit.

5. Is my family invited? Not unless it says so on the invitation. Take your children only if the invitation reads “and family”. Otherwise leave them at home with the babysitter. Unless your spouse is mentioned or the envelope is addressed to you “and guest” you and only you should show up.

6. What will I talk about? It’s not what you have to say; it’s about what other people have to say. The trick is allowing other people to talk. If you plan ahead with some good open-ended questions, you won’t have any trouble with conversations. The best conversation starter begins with “tell me about…” You can then continue with “That’s interesting. Tell me more.”

7. How much should I eat and drink? Whether the event is a reception with light hors d’oeuvres or a full buffet, keep moderation in mind. You are not there for the food. You are there for the fellowship so resist the urge to fill your plate to overflowing. The person who goes through the line first and takes all the food will not be remembered fondly or invited back.

Drink in moderation. Alcohol and business rarely mix well so limit how much you consume. This is an opportunity to build business relationships and to promote yourself. You will want to keep your wits about you because your after-hours conduct will have a direct bearing on your business future.

8. Should I take a gift? Unless you are asked to bring something to exchange with your coworkers, the only appropriate gift is one for your host. While flowers and wine are popular items, approach both with caution. Take wine or liquor only if you are certain that your host drinks alcoholic beverages. If wine is being served with a meal, ask ahead of time what kind of wine would be appropriate. Otherwise make it clear that you expect your host to save the wine for a later occasion.

With flowers, take cut flowers already arranged in a vase that does not have to be returned. The host should not have to scurry about to locate a vase and arrange flowers while there are guests to be entertained. Gift baskets with jams, jellies, or gourmet food items that can be stored and served later are the best choices.

9. Is it all right to dance on the table with a lampshade on my head? Not at the office party, no matter how well it fits or what a great little dancer you are. Enjoy yourself, but keep in mind that it is still about business and make sure that you don’t have TOO much fun.

The holiday party is not the time to let down your hair or throw caution to the wind. What you say and do on Saturday night will live on for a long time in the minds of your associates. If your behavior is inappropriate, your career may be shorter than everyone else’s memory. If you conduct yourself with charm and savvy, your rise up the ladder of success could pick up speed.

(c) 2004, Lydia Ramsey. All rights in all media reserved.

About The Author

Lydia Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional speaker, corporate trainer and author of MANNERS THAT SELL -ADDING THE POLISH THAT BUILDS PROFITS. She has been quoted or featured in The New York Times, Investors’ Business Daily, Entrepreneur, Inc., Real Simple and Woman’s Day. For more information about her programs, products and services, e-mail her at Lydia@MannersThatSell.com or visit her web site http://www.mannersthatsell.com/.