Archive for October, 2009

Get Me OUTSIDE!

This is why I don't like treadmills in the spare bedroom, garage, working out at health clubs or other forms of indoor exercise,  other than they are boring, boring, boring, wall mounted TV or not. I don't care if Oprah has Michelle Obama, Tom Cruise, David Letterman, Ellen, Donald Trump and Tiger Woods on the same show! (wouldn't that be a show?), indoor workouts just don't work for me, even if I have a window to look out of.

If you ever wondered why your new year's resolution to exercise and lose weight lost it's momentum after only a few weeks here is a clue:

Hello! It's winter out there, cold, rainy, gloomy, etc. Your brain wants to be doing something outdoors, walking, hiking, just about anything as long as it's outside while your body cringes at the thought. Some refer to exercising outdoors as eco-therapy, or green exercise, although I think that word green is overused. Did you know for example that the color green balances the nervous system and is supposed to have a calm, soothing, effect?

When there isn't a whole lot of green around during winter where you live it can be tough to get motivated, much less stay that way until spring. But don't despair, just by seeking the natural world you can reap the benefits of re-connecting with the environment – a reduction in anger and stress levels only to mention a couple. Take the dog for a walk, bundle up and breathe the fresh air.

I have seen some interesting hotels in my travels, one with cave rooms in Cabo San Lucas, one in an ancient castle in Scotland and a few others but these weird hotels take it up a notch.

We took honeymoons off the list for just this one poll because everyone has fun on their honeymoon and it takes the pressure off of someone who may have had a better experience in another destination. No matter, we just want to know in general where you had your best overall vacation experience.
And feel free to tell us why!

Not like the Arthur Frommer's of the world would have you believe.

I support sensible and non-hysterical interpretations of the 2nd amendment as it applies to today's standards by our lawmakers and wish the NRA would stop whining when an automatic weapon is banned, then using it as a blanket accusation against NRA opponents, those "commie-pinko, patriotically challenged gun control liberals."

I do not hunt but I have friends who do and I support that right.

I believe in having some sort of firearm for personal protection – but reject the idea that it should be an automatic weapon, (I became quite familiar with them as a marine in Vietnam and believe me you do not want to go there).

I also believe only the police should be in possession of weapons in public places, handguns, assault weapons, etc. Didn't I just read about some homeowner getting shot by the police because he was brandishing a gun while protecting his home against an intruder?

My jury is still out on concealed weapons for protection of couriers, precious gem agents, etc, but anyone sporting a gun better be trained and ready to use it – without hesitation. It's a bitch getting shot with your own gun.

Come to Arizona folks, everything is fine here, beautiful scenery, fun activities, golf, fabulous spas and resorts, world-class restaurants, and friendly, genuine, southwestern hospitality. In the 25 years I have lived here no guns of any kind have been visible in bars and I have NEVER seen anyone walking around with an assault weapon. It was all a publicity stunt, orchestrated by someone to discredit the Obama Administration. Nice try but no sale!

Time for the Poll:

Safe To Vacation In Arizona

It works like this: Homepage of MSN.com today: Arizona says it's legal to bring guns into bars, which, by the very manner it's presented, is inflammatory, made to get us stirred up with outrageous indignation about guns and implanting an image in the readers brain of visiting Arizona and getting "called out" by a drunken cowboy at a bar.

The guy with a Colt Peacemaker at his side, who then proceeds to gun you down out on main street because you looked askance at his girl – the one with no teeth. Just like that movie, Westworld, anyone but me remember the gunfighter droid that ran amok (Yul Brenner) in that movie? Heck, I can't possibly be the first one to come up with this comparison, am I?

It's so ridiculous and it would be funny if people didn't actually pay attention to what guys like Arthur Frommer said. Anyone who has visited our wonderful state can tell you that it's perfectly safe to vacation here. Read my lips: virtually no bar owners in Arizona want guns in their bars. It has nothing to do with the second amendment, it's strictly economics folks: if you bring a firearm into an Arizona bar, guess what? You can't drink alcohol. Now what bar owner is his right mind wants a customer that can't drink? If you don't believe me check out what EJ Montini says about it in his Arizona Republic article; Restaurant Gun Law Changes Nothing

This is the article that you are taken to if you click on the link on MSN.com's homepage: Guns To Be Allowed In Arizona Bars and after giving it a read you should feel the need (like I did) to tell: the rest of the story, Loose talk that Paul Harvey would have nipped in the bud, first time he heard a guy like Arthur Frommer telling people not to come here cause it aint safe. That's nothing short of an irresponsible statement by a man who still has a voice in the travel industry. Paul Harvey LOVED Arizona and would have come to our rescue during these outrageous times. He is about the only one who had the creds to do it and not sound self-serving about it. But alas, dear Paul has gone to that great announcers booth in the sky. We miss him here in Arizona!

This all started with the idiot that appeared in the crowd with an assault weapon across his shoulder when the new president came to Phoenix. I wonder what special interest group put him up to it? But before I get in hot water with the gun crowd let me just say first that I am a former member and supporter of the NRA, (Charlton Heston) was one of my favorite movie stars. I am an advocate of the second amendment to the United States Constitution & US Bill of Rights, that which outlines the rights of the individual to keep and bear arms without infringement by the federal government. My opinion doesn't mean squat but it should come as no surprise to anyone that the American Bar Association has noted "there is more disagreement and less understanding about this right than of any other current issue regarding the Constitution."

Boy! You can say that again. Just look at what I am saying about guns and ME, just a nobody with an opinion. Am I an advocate of guns, an enemy of those against gun control of any kind or just someone who wants the state of Arizona to regain their rightful place in the USA as the Grand Canyon State and the epicenter of tourism in the Southwest? You decide.