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Special Interest

Special Interest

A stroke of genius

Having created the artwork for all of Ill Considered’s previous albums, the Dutch artist Vincent de Boer took on a unique project to invert the role of music and images in his collaborations with the London-based improvisational jazz ensemble. First, Boer hand-drew thousands of images to create an abstract animation, with the visuals giving the…

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No falter Malta

The country of Malta has been very successful in its efforts to manage Covid-19.  It is one of the safest places to be right now, and it is cautiously opening up its borders to responsible travelers. But, Malta is still a mystery to many.  And here's your chance to discover all of its wonders.  The…

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A’ glamping we will go

May we introduce to you our new travel affiliate friends Vacanceselect.  Based in Geneva Switzerland, they have been providing luxurious and exceptional European camping experiences for over 35 years. Families, of course, are provided for, but they also have exquisite villas for couples and groups.  There’s nothing like the feeling of booking your next vacation,…

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No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to dine

You may not have heard of him, but there may have actually been a James Bond, of sorts. Bond loves women, style, intrigue, action and women.  And so did Richard Sorge, a German journalist and Soviet military intelligence officer who was active before and during World War II and worked undercover as a German journalist in…

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To 2 2 To 222

Here, our intelligent and inquisitive readers, is a short piece that will not tax your brain.  And, hopefully you'll enjoy it. In January 2021, a video of a particularly amusing flight announcement began circulating. The recording, captured at Munich Airport, has an automated airport voice announcing that passengers on flight LH 2222 to Toulouse should…

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Can you Lamu?

Here is a place that might be new for you - Lamu, Kenya.  Almost forgotten in time, Lamu Island is a port, city, and island just off the shore of Kenya in the Indian Ocean approximately 150 miles from Mombasa. It is a part of the East African country of Kenya. Lamu was founded in…

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Binge at the Fringe

In case you've been hiding in a cave for several decades, here is a reminder about the always-hilarious and never predictable annual Edinburgh Fringe festival in Scotland. The founding principle at the heart of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is to be an open access festival that accommodates anyone with a desire to perform and a…

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Behold! The ancient land of Cahokia

The United States of America is a place of many contrasts.  But, do you think it as of an ancient civilization that - 1000 years ago - had that parties that went on for days?  Likely not.  Thats Mexico, isn't it? Cohokia, was home to the largest pre-columbian city north of Mexico. The city was…

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Air / space

Sometimes, traveling on aircraft for long periods of time makes you give up hope.  Aircraft can be so uncomfortable, and the seats unforgiving. Those in business or first-class often never encounter the same aches and pains of us hoi poloi,  but the struggle is real. Now, Airbus comes to the rescue with their new Airspace interior designs,…

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European self-sufficiency

Europe is often looked upon as a model of efficiency.  With nearly 750 million people living in a relatively tight space, they need to be.  But, Europe has also been the mother of invention there.  Spain created the spacesuit.  Iceland created the power transformer.  Ireland created the submarine . . .  and more. One modern…

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Go go Mongolia

With extreme temperatures and landscapes, extreme living, and some extremely wrong perceptions from outsiders, Mongolia is one of the most complex places—and Mongols one of the most misunderstood people—in the world. Conversations about the weather, the great expanse of the country, and the traditional nomadic lifestyle dominate talk of Mongolia, and it’s understandable. Temperature…

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You get what you pay for

Many of us approach dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant as almost a religious sabbatical.   Our best trousers and dresses, shoes shined, hair recently coiffed, we cross the hallowed threshold into a world of inconceivable bliss.  And, the next thing you know, the entire month's paycheck is accounted for. Well, it's time to wake up.  It…

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