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Many people visit the Mall of America when they are on vacation in the Twin Cities area, but how many have heard about Albertville, Minnesota?

The Mall of America is a great place for the whole family to spend the day, with attractions such as Legoland, Nickelodeon Universe, A.C.E.S. Flight Simulator, and so on.  There are hundreds of stores that cater to any taste and budget, and there are good deals to be found in many stores.

The true bargain hunter, though, should venture off to Albertville.  Located about a 45 minute drive northwest from the Mall of America, Albertville is a small town with a huge premium outlet mall.

Albertville is not for the faint of heart and expect to do a lot of walking.  This outlet mall is huge, and is spread out over several acres.  Discount shoppers beware!  These are designer outlets and in many shops you will still pay hundreds of dollars for the merchandise.  There are no Walmarts or Targets here.

If you are shopping on a limited budget, there are very good prices at stores like Old Navy and The Gap.  There are many shoe stores and most of them have pretty deep discounts as well.  If you are looking to acquire a prestigious designer label or more exclusive item, try stores like Burberry, Coach or Calvin Klein.  For the casual dresser or sports fan, there are stores such as Nike, Adidas, and Reebok.  There really is something for every shopper there.

Next time you are in the Twin Cities area, head out to Albertville and shop away!

Article contributed by Orianne Donig of O’s Opinions.  You can check out her blog at http://osopinions.hardertofind.net.

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So,  this is my first real “me” post on my blog.

I’m not a writer, poet, or speaker.  Half the time I cant even spell right.  C’mon, I’m a guy!

My wife was on Twitter when  information about  Micheal Jackson’s death started.  It was a tough week in entertainment with the loss of Ed McMahon and Farrah Fawcett.  I watched as this took over the Internet worse than any virus threat could, and again started thinking what I normally start thinking about when a celebrity passes - ” what about all the other people”?

I’m not saying that Micheal Jackson did not contribute to music in a huge way, many performers owe a debt to him for paving the way, especially when it came to videos, but what about the others who you never hear of ?  They didn’t moonwalk, or become a sex symbol.

I’m talking about the everyday people.  You, me and the people who are in and out of our lives.  Stop reading now if you don’t want to hear me rant.

I knew a firefighter who died,  not in a fire, but of brain cancer from all the toxic crap he was exposed to!   I knew a man who worked from the age of 11,  fought in World War II, raised a family, then died two months after retiring!  I know single parents who have to make ends meet to provide for their kids, all while working and going to university.  Young adults who are trying to find themselves, go to school, deal with parents and work in a world that will eat them if they let it!  Kids who duck and cover, not because of an atomic blast, but because of the guy in the school with a gun!

Sorry about that…

Let’s not forget these people.  The every day heroes.  And when the next celebrity passes, find someone’s blog and post something about someone who you think should be remembered.

Thanks.

Kevin

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Do you commute to work every day, sitting in traffic for perhaps hours? Think about it, on a cruise you don’t drive anywhere for 7, 10, 14 days or more. Now, even if you were on a bus tour with no driving yourself, you haul your luggage or at least pack and unpack it at each stop. On a cruise, you check your luggage when you check in and it magically appears in your cabin, stateroom, or suite. You unpack once, feeling at home for the duration of the cruise. The cruise staff will tell you when to place your bags outside your accommodations at the end of the cruise and, just a magically, your luggage will be waiting for you on shore at a designated pick-up point. Taking a cruise vacation frees you from some of the hassles of traveling. 

If you take a driving vacation, there’s always the question of where to stop to eat. All meals are included in the price of your cruise and great food is one of the main attractions of taking a cruise. Most contemporary cruises take into account the modern casual lifestyle and provide a variety of restaurants and snack bars on board. Typically, there is a varied and plentiful breakfast and lunch buffet similar to what you find in Las Vegas Or you can eat breakfast or lunch in one of the ship’s restaurants, ordering exactly what you want from the ample menu, prepared fresh for you. Restaurants are usually open for meals for extended hours and buffets are generally open all day and into the night. Have you heard of the midnight buffet available on some cruises?

Dinner is an important event on a cruise ship, a tradition dating back to the late 1800’s when cruises were for royalty and the wealthy who expected elegant formal dinners. Again, in today’s lifestyle the elegant dinner is optional, and for those who prefer to dine casually, the dinner buffet is available usually until 9 pm. Most cruise ships offer excellent cuisine, especially at dinner, in the main dining room or rooms plus offer meals at upscale specialty restaurants at additional cost. Cruise lines base much of their reputation on their food service, and terms such as “world class cuisine” and “gourmet meals” are combined with “impeccable service” to insure that the onboard dining experience is truly memorable. Many cruises still offer one or more optional formal dinners where ladies where long formal gowns or other evening dresses and gentlemen wear tuxedos or dark suits.

Once onboard your cruise vessel, there are activities 24 hours a day. Modern cruise ships boast state-of-the-art 700 plus seat theatres for quality shows and entertainment, all included in the cruise price. There is unique entertainment in the theatre every evening of the cruise. Most ships also have a number of themed bars, lounges, and discos with live entertainment that are open into the early morning hours. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are seldom included in the cruise price. Most ships also provide a casino that is open while the ship is in international waters.

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Ready to sign up for a cruise? Before you get out your credit card, check these tricks of the trade.

BOOK EARLY
Booking three to six months in advance will often save you money, and also give the best choice of cabins. The earlier you book, the bigger the discount.

PAY EARLY
Several cruise lines give an extra discount if you pay in full at least six months in advance of your cruise date, sometimes as much as 15 percent.

BOOK LATE
Last minute bookings can also result in savings — no ship wants to leave with empty cabins. However the downside is that cabin choice may be limited, or the ship may have no cabins left at all.

CONSIDER OFF-SEASON
Cruises are usually most expensive in high season, so if you go earlier or later you can get a cheaper fare. Examples: Alaska cruises are cheaper in April, May and September; Mediterranean cruises in September and October; Caribbean cruises in early fall or in January and February. However, check that the weather is still pleasant or the wildlife is at the stage you want to see. Sometimes a fare will be less just before or after a holiday.

CONSIDER A REPOSITIONING CRUISE
Typical repositioning cruises go between the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, or from Alaska in the fall to the California coast or to Baja for the winter. Repositioning cruises are sometimes half the cost of the same number of days when they get to their destination, but they have more days at sea and fewer ports of call.

DO A NEW ITINERARY OR AN INAUGURAL CRUISE
These cruises often have special introductory rates. However, if you take an inaugural cruise on a new ship, don’t expect everything to be perfect. Some problems are inevitable as the kinks are worked out.

PUT TOGETHER A GROUP
Groups that travel together save together. If you put together a group from your church or club or school or even a family reunion, we can get you a group fare. Usually if there are 15 or more, you can get a free extra ticket.

CONSIDER AN INSIDE STATEROOM
To some people, a view is important. But to others the cabin is only a place for sleeping and changing clothes, and they would rather give up the window and keep the money. If you like to sleep late, having an inside cabin will prevent early morning sunshine from waking you. But you won’t have a view or know what the weather is.

HAVE THREE OR FOUR IN A CABIN
Third or fourth persons (or children) go at a substantial discount, sometimes free. Then everyone shares the cost, and the savings. Make sure you get along — it can be excruciatingly crowded.

BE FLEXIBLE – TAKE A ‘GUARANTEE’
If the ship is sold out of the cabin category that you want, you can confirm your booking and the cruise line gives you a guarantee to provide a cabin in that category or one higher, but you don’t know where the cabin will be.

GO STANDBY
With a standby reservation, you are called at the last minute if there is a cancellation. But be careful of expensive last-minute air fare. Standby bookings work well when you live near a city where cruises originate, then you can make fast plans and not have to deal with air.

BECOME A REPEAT PASSENGER
Cruise lines usually give a special discount to past passengers. Or they may give upgrades in cabin category. If you’ve sailed on a cruise line previously, always tell that when you ask for a quote or make a reservation.

CHECK FOR SPECIAL PROMOTION
Watch ads and newsletters for promotional specials on both small ships and big ships. There may be a two-for-one offer, kids free, or 50 percent off for the second passenger.

SPECIAL OCCASION
Tell when you book if you are celebrating a honeymoon or anniversary or a family reunion on the cruise, and you we can sometimes get you an extra discount.

ADDED VALUE
Sometimes instead of offering a cheaper fare, a cruise line will offer free days at a hotel at a port before or after a cruise, or will offer additional days of cruising for a discounted rate. Example: “Book three months early and get a free hotel room in Vancouver.” Sometimes a cruise line will offer credits you can use in shipboard shops or casinos.

CABIN UPGRADES FOR SPECIAL REASONS
Some lines offer an upgrade in cabin category if you are a repeat passenger, on a honeymoon, celebrating an anniversary, are retiring, recovering from an illness, or you brought other passengers on board. When you book tell if you have a special circumstance and try to get you an upgrade.

FREQUENT-FLIER MILES
Sometimes cruise lines offer frequent-flier miles on some of their voyages.

BOOK BACK-TO-BACK
If you arrange to stay on the ship for a second cruise, on many ships we can get you the second week at a greatly reduced rate.

FLAT-RATE SPECIALS
The way that this works is that you tell the cruise line the cabin category of your choice, but you won’t get a specific stateroom designation until a week or so before sailing. You get the best available cabin at that time. This is also called “tba” (to be assigned).

SENIOR CITIZEN SPECIALS
Some cruise lines have discounts for persons over age 55 or 65. Sometimes if a senior citizen is traveling with a younger person, a discount will apply to both fares. If you are a senior, be sure to mention it when you ask about a price.

WATCH AIR FARES
There are ways to save on air fare too. Sometimes the cruise/air package is cheaper; sometimes booking air separately is cheaper. If you don’t need air because your departure port is nearby, you can get a credit on the airfare if it is built into a package price. Plan as far ahead as possible to get the lowest-priced tickets. You might be eligible for a senior discount, or if going with a companion, you can buy a four-coupon packet with many airlines.

HOTELS AND CAR RENTALS
Cruise lines often have pre or post-cruise packages that are reasonably priced that can be arranged for at the same time you book your cruise. As you plan your total vacation and what you will do at the beginning and end of the cruise, tell the agent your plans and they can check what the cruise line has to offer compared to what they can get for you directly with a hotel at their promotional rate.

COMPARE CRUISE LINES
Different ships often go to the same destinations. Investigate about the ships and cruises that go to that destination. Compare itineraries, accommodations, educational programs, shore excursions and fares. Some cruise lines have cabins for singles with no single supplement. By comparing, you may find a cruise that offers all you want and has a wonderfully cheaper fare. (Be sure when you compare fares that you know whether shore excursions and port charges are included or not.) Check with an agent because cruise lines send notices to agencies when there are special deals and make sure your agent always checks for any new special offerings.

CHECK NEWSLETTERS AND WEBSITES
At smallshipcruises.com, for example, we have a front-page column that will give you latest discounts and special offerings on ships.
LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR
If you tell your agent the ships and the destinations you are most interested in, and when in the future you might want to book, they will tell you when any discounts become available. You can also subscribe to cruise newsletters from website informatin centers, agencies, and cruiselines themselvles to get cruise news and specials. They will never charge a fee for getting a quote for you or booking your cruise and they may know of a special offering that you would not otherwise know about. But remember, the most important thing of all is to not book a cruise just because of its price, but to find a cruise that best fits your needs and desires

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To get away from the busy schedules and the stress of work, a romantic getaway should be done by couples as often as they can. It is a way to rekindle the romance between you and your significant other. You can plan it or some want the thrill of spontaneity to surprise their loved one. No matter what you choose, it is the ultimate way to express one’s love.

A perfect romantic getaway starts with the choice of destination. There are countless destinations available for couples wanting to be alone. The place should be one that you and your partner want s to go. It could be someplace that both of you wishes to go but for some reason or another, you haven’t been able to go there. Then check your schedules to see when the two of you are available. Once you got the date, you can now plan for the perfect romantic getaway. Call your local travel agencies to check if they got special packages in store for couples. A travel agent will make your live easy. They would make sure that your trip would go smoothly and all the details are checked. Then all you and your significant other have to do is show up and relax.

Lastly, a perfect romantic getaway needs not to be expensive. There are packages that don’t cost much but would give you and the person you love lots of quality time together. Even if the getaway is just for a weekend, this would be enough to the both of you to talk about the issues with regards to your relationship. A trip can be planned by yourself or with the help of others. A romantic getaway can be as simple as a night out or a candlelight dinner. It doesn’t have to be extravagant at all. Be creative with your ideas and think of ways of how to impress your loved one. That would make your vacation more meaningful.

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Many people believe that it’s more difficult to get cheap holidays for families, but if you research, you can find some great money-saving deals.

Family holidays are inevitably expensive because of the number of people travelling. In addition, most families are bound by school holidays, which means that they have to travel during the year’s peak seasons – Christmas, Easter and the summer. Try these tips to help keep costs down.

1. Travel out of season

If you have children that are below school age, then travelling outside the school holidays is a good way to keep costs down. Flying just a week before or after the main holiday periods can make a big difference to the price. For short breaks, try mid-week instead of weekend.

2. Try different accommodation

Instead of hotels, look into renting a self-catering apartment or villa. These are usually much cheaper than hotel accommodation and although you have to buy your own food, you can still make good savings, and you get the additional benefit of flexibility – eat and come and go as you choose – which is ideal for a family holiday.

3. Book early

If you like to return to the same place each year, then think about booking early. The earlier you book, the cheaper it can be and you can always book your accommodation and then wait for cheap flights to be released later on in the year. Register with online sites to get notification of good deals so that you can make savings as soon as possible.

4. Special family deals

Look out for package holidays that offer free flights or accommodation for children. Check out the small print to make sure that you really are getting a deal, but these are often great ways of ensuring that you don’t have to spend a fortune on your family holiday.

By starting early and taking the time to look at special offers and family deals, you can take your family on a great holiday for a great price.

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The fledgling video game business was struggling to make a name for itself as it competed with toys, playing cards and board games for customers. The early games like Pong, Pac Man and Donkey Kong were very basic in terms of technology, and they had very little creativity involved with their designs and functions. Today, the computer online game industry is a multi billion dollar extravaganza that has progressed increasingly, and it is starting to steal some of the spotlight from the motion picture industry.

With technological advances like the next  generation motion capture systems, high definition graphics, Dolby Sound and Motion Sensor Remote controls that enable the players to actually get up off their chairs and get some exercise as they kick, punch, jump, fish, swing,  golf and dance their way through sessions, video games have become more than just toys. They are an escape that offers a whole new  reality. Kids and adults alike are playing Xbox 360,PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii  games more than ever before and the industry itself is getting bigger and bigger every day.

But there is one great advantage that video games have over movies, and that is that they offer interaction. You can actually be involved with what is happening on the screen, instead of just watching it like you do at a theater. This gives you the feeling of empowerment that you just do not get from watching movies. These games offer more than an escape, they offer a journey into another world where your actions have no real negative consequences on yourself.

Video games have come a long way since the days of Pong, Pac Man and Donkey Kong. While the Video Game Awards are not quite the Oscars yet, they are certainly on a pace to give them a run for their money in the future in terms of publicity. Celebrities are starting to notice that the spotlight on Hollywood is being shared by a newcomer to the world of entertainment, and they are following the light, as they do naturally. It is an inevitable natural progression, much like the relationship between a whale and a pilot fish. Big celebrity names are starting to integrate into the computer game industry, and as this happens it only means more publicity for both parties involved. This is ultimately good for gamers too, for as the industry gets bigger and bigger, the games and the consoles will only get better and better.

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When life gets too hectic, people unwind with family or friends to see their favorite entertainment. You can get sports tickets, concert tickets, or theater tickets so you cam relax and have fun. When you don’t have time to go to the venue to purchase tickets, you can easily buy them online and even compare to get the best deal.

Convenient Access Buying tickets online make life easy for all of us. You can get hold of nfl tickets, nba tickets, nhl tickets, or mlb tickets without going out of your office or home. You can choose your seat, the price that you can afford, and look for great buys just by going online and clicking some buttons. Most concerts, plays, and sports events sell tickets online because it makes everything convenient for their target market. You can reserve your seat online even for shows abroad. All you have to do is go online, look for a ticket website, and buy.

Ticket websites have made sure that they have very efficient and secured service. You can provide credit card information and be assured that your identity is kept confidential and will not be shared with anyone. Other online ticket outlets provide great convenience:

• Tickets are often sold well in advance of events

• Easy to choose where you want to sit in the venue to have the perfect view of your favorite artists or sports personalities

• Online ticket shops provide maps and other details which makes decision making a lot easier

• Some hard to find tickets or sold out shows can be purchased online Getting the Best Deals Online Online ticket purchase may be the way to go today if you are planning to get theater tickets, concert tickets, or sports tickets. Technology made our lives hassle-free. Buying tickets online may seem so easy, but you have to consider that some companies may take advantage and charge extra for making things easy for you. It will be best to always compare before clicking that purchase button. There are websites which can help you compare tickets. They have partnerships with ticket companies and help you choose the best ticket deals for you. You can check out different ticket prices and see how other buyers find the service of the online ticket outlets. Knowing these things will help you make the best decision to save time, money, and enjoy the event you’ve been raring to go to. You can place side by side prices for mlb tickets, nhl tickets, nba tickets, or nfl tickets to see where you can get the most pocket-friendly ticket. These websites can also provide more information since they consolidate vital things that you need to know about a game or a show. If you are planning to buy a Boston Celtics game ticket comparison websites will give you a list of options so you can browse for the best options in their ticket catalogue. There will be times when some ticket companies may run some promos and you will end up saving some money when you buy from them. Purchasing online tickets for sports and entertainment presents world of convenience more than we can imagine.

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While you have access to a wide variety of people, you also have the impending complication of meeting those who are not what they seem to be–there are some tips of the trade, though, to help you become more discerning with your choices. These tips can help you stay safe and stay away from men and women who are not what you’re looking for.

Tip One: Start Slowly. There are all kinds of people on the Love Empire; not all of these people, however, will be right for you. Take your time–if you meet someone and start up a conversation, proceed with discretion. The person at the other end may not be who they claim to be; take your time and watch for inconsistencies or odd behavior. If something bothers you, simply walk away. Do not rush into any relationship without thinking first.

Tip Two: Protect Your Identity. One of the benefits of dating online is that you can get to know someone based solely upon their personality and not deal with the more social conscious real world. It is up to you to decide when and how you reveal who you really are–be careful, however. If someone receives your personal information, they could use it against you. If a member tries to pressure you into giving out your last name, email address, home address, phone number, place of work or any other identifying information, then walk away.

Tip Three: Use Common Sense. When speaking to someone through the Love Empire, do not throw good judgment away simply because this is an online service. What may sound wonderful on the screen can be masking something not so wonderful in reality. Use caution and do not fall in love with the first profile you read. Take your time and go through all of your potential choices. Then, after you’ve researched enough, go from there. It is a common occurrence for people to ‘fall in love’ after only one conversation. Do not do this! Retain your common sense and view online dating as you view real-world dating. You do not have to love every profile you read.

Tip Four: Request A Photo. If you meet someone, chat with them, and see the beginning of a relationship forming, then you might want to request a photo. Often, this can tell you more about the person than any email or instant message. First of all, it can keep them from lying about their looks; secondly, you will know if you’re attracted to them in the physical sense; finally, if they continually refuse to send a photo, there might be a reason other than embarrassment. Proceed carefully.

Tip Five: Pay Attention. This is, possibly, the most important tip you could follow. In an email, any one can sound wonderful–in real life, it’s much more difficult. When you are becoming involved with someone on the Love Empire, watch for ‘red flags’, or odd behavior. For example, if during an online session, your date suddenly becomes angry or aggressive toward you and then, won’t explain why, you should take this into consideration. If one sentence could upset him/her in such a way, it might be cause to worry. Also, pay attention to any attempts to pressure or control you. For instance, if your date is constantly making demeaning comments about you, there is a strong chance that he/she is trying to manipulate you into feeling inferior; therefore, you become an easier target to control. Finally, watch out for inconsistencies with information that your date provides you or evasive answers to questions. If your date displays any of the following problems, it would be well-advised to reconsider your relationship:

1. He/she provides inconsistent information about age, interests, appearance, marital status, profession, employment, etc.
2. He/she refuses to speak to you on the phone after you have established an
3. online relationship; or, he/she will only speak on a strangely specific
4. timeframe.
5. He/she will not answer any direct questions about themselves. They will
6. either give you a vague answer or will simply turn the question back to you.
7. He/she will only provide photos of large groups of people, making it
8. impossible for you to find them.

Online dating can be an exciting and fulfilling part of your life; just remember
to follow these tips and act accordingly.

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Are you considering joining an online dating site but not sure it’s for you?

Let me tell you how I first discovered online dating and why I firmly believe it fits in with our modern day lifestyles.

A couple of years ago online dating still had a stigma attached to it. Although people were using the internet as a method of dating, they did not discuss it with friends or colleagues for fear of coming across desperate.

I recall a friend of mine who was initially embarrassed to tell me she had joined an online dating site. At the time, I was rather surprised as she was an attractive girl who would be considered quite a catch. However, after chatting to her I completely understood why she had resorted to this method of dating; she was simply tired of meeting timewasters who were not interested in committing to a relationship.

Whilst she had no desire to date some of the men who contacted her, there were quite a few she was interested in and she began a dating spell to make any “singleton” jealous. She then struck up an online relationship with someone who lived 100 miles from her. After exchanging many emails and chatting on the telephone, she decided to meet him. Obviously, the distance didn’t make the relationship ideal but the spark was there and she enjoyed 6 months dating someone with similar interests, shared romantic weekends together and had a fantastic holiday. Although he didn’t turn out to be “the one”, when I asked if she regretted joining an online dating site her answer was “Definitely not!” Her view was that if she hadn’t joined an online dating site, those 6 months would have been spent moaning about meeting the same timewasters in the same old haunts and wondering “what if”. She was simply being proactive in her search for love; after all life is far too short!

If you’re not convinced online dating is for you, here are 11 reasons why I think online dating has its advantages:-

1. You don’t have to wait until the weekend to meet someone.

2. You don’t have to get dressed up for a night “online”. Wear whatever you feel comfortable in at home.

3. If you work unusual hours online dating fits in with your schedule. You can log on at any time of the day to suit you; there is always someone online waiting to chat.

4. If you start chatting to someone and then decide they are not what you are looking for, put them back in the net gently and choose another. There are plenty of fish in the sea!

5. If you are tired of seeing the same old faces when you go out, there are people of all age groups all across the country waiting online to meet someone.

6. If you are new to an area online dating is a great way of meeting people whether it’s for friendship or dating. If you meet a few people online in your area, you can arrange a get together for you all rather than meeting on a one-to-one basis.

7. If all of your friends have settled down or you have recently become single what better way to meet new someone quickly than to go online and meet more singles!

8. Anonymous messaging and chat rooms let you flirt to your heart’s content without any embarrassment or getting tongue-tied.

9. You will probably find out more about someone online before you arrange a date with them than you would if you had met them in a bar. Online dating usually makes people more cautious about who they choose to date and in this day and age that can’t be a bad thing!

10. We now live and date very differently to previous generations where the traditional place to meet people was in nightclubs, parties, at work or through friends. By joining an online dating site you are not excluding these avenues but simply extending your opportunities of meeting someone.

11. Finally, 1 month’s membership costs less than a night out and gives you hundreds of opportunities to meet your perfect partner – every night!

With so many positive reasons to go online for love, finding your perfect partner has never been easier. Try it out for yourself and please let me know how you’re doing.

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