mario

There is a new heavyweight force in European football, they are being bankrolled seemingly by the Russian economy, they mean business, and their name is Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club have always been a decent club in the second strata of English clubs. In London alone Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have invariably been ahead of the Chelsea Blues, even West Ham have often put Chelsea in the shade. But no longer, for in the season 2004-2005, Chelsea won the English Premier League title for the first time in fifty years, their only previous winning season.

But they havent stopped there, in the new season 2005-2006 they are already well clear in the title race leaving all their rivals gasping, and now they have set their sights on the pinnacle of all the club trophys, the European Champions League. Chelsea have never won the Champions League, indeed no London club ever has. And it is clear that their charismatic manager Jose Mourinho is intent on winning the Champions League again, he did so with his previous club Porto, of Portugal.

So what of the traditional English giants? Manchester United, often described as the worlds richest football club, have fallen into the hands of the Glazer family of Tampa Bay fame, but they reportedly needed to borrow half a billion pounds to buy United, a debt the club now shoulders. Spending on new players has so far been thin on the ground and Uniteds brusque Glaswegian manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has admitted that United, for so long Englands most successful club, cannot compete with Chelsea when it comes to buying players. The hordes of United fans are not amused, the natives are growing restless.

Arsenal, Londons biggest and most successful club, lost their skipper and driving force Patrick Vieira last summer, he moved to Juventus in Italy for 12 million pounds and with their star striker Thierry Henry suffering fitness problems, they picked up some uncharacteristic defeats at unfashionable clubs like West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough. This is their last season at their famous old Highbury Stadium before they move to their new purpose built Emirates stadium almost next door. The increased capacity of 60,000 will undoubtedly give their French manager Arsene Wenger more money to spend next year, but of course they have to pay for that new ground too. Far from challenging Chelsea again, it would seem that Arsenal are more likely to fall further behind.

That leaves liverpool and Newcastle. News comes through just today that the American Kraft Company and family are interested in investing in liverpool F.C., perhaps even buying the club outright just like Manchester United fifty miles up the road, but that is some way down the line. And they too are seeking to build a brand new stadium on Stanley Park and of course that all costs big money. Despite last years freakish win in the Champions League, Liverpools league form this season has again been patchy, and that included a 4-1 walloping by Chelsea on their own Anfield pitch. The idea that Liverpool might challenge Chelsea for the title remains a far-fetched one. Newcastle, Englands second best supported club are gradually improving, and they have signed Englands centre forward Michael Owen, but they still remain unconvincing at the top level. They havent won the title since Noah was seen building his ark, or so it seems, and they arent going to do so this season either.

So though it is very popular for foreign investors to snap up the leading English (and Scottish) football clubs, it appears that only Roman Abramovich at Chelsea has the financial muscle to buy the best players around. He is the only one to put unlimited funds on the table. Top class players now command a transfer fee of 40 million each and whereas Manchester United might afford one of them a season, Chelseas purse seems bottomless. They have already spent 220+ million and are still in the market to buy again when the transfer window re-opens in January.

They have already achieved success by winning at home, now the European Champions League is the Holy Grail for them, a trophy they are now the outright favourites to win with the odds layers. And astonishingly they have achieved their success to date with an array of strikers who havent really cut the mustard. Mutu the Romanian, was promptly sacked for drug taking, Crespo the Argentinian, was sent out to Milan on loan last season, and though he is back now he is hardly setting the world afire,or even playing that often, Gudjohnson an Icelander, plays more often than not, the muscular Drogba from the Ivory Coast, seems to have finally claimed the number nine shirt as his own, yet many blues followers still remain unconvinced about him, so it would seem likely that Chelsea may yet be looking for another proven goal scorer come January, especially after a recent rare defeat at Manchester United.

It would take a brave man to back against Chelsea in any competition at the moment. But if youd like to, you can still have a free $30 dollar bet at Betfair.com by entering the code 6CHE3VPWJ when prompted. But one thing is for sure; no one would be surprised if this time next year the Premier League trophy AND the Champions League trophy were both on display in the Chelsea boardroom. It seems that only the Italian giants Milan and Juventus, and the Spanish top two, Real Madrid, and most especially Barcelona with their Brazilian superstar, surely soon to be the world player of the year, Ronaldinho, might stop the London blues. It really does seem as if we have entered a new era in European and world football, or if you prefer the ridiculous name that no one ever uses, Soccer. Chelsea fans have never had it so good while everyone else is left gasping in their wake, for it is a fact that Chelsea Football Club have raised the bar for everyone else to follow. Time will tell if anyone can.

// posted by 47018 @ 11:09 PM 0 comments

My two favorite rides at Disney theme parks are "It's a Small world After All" and "Big Thunder Mountain Railroad". Both are popular attractions at Disneyland, Disney world, and the Disney parks in Paris and Tokyo.

"It's a Small world After All" made its debut at the 1964 New York World's Fair in the UNICEF pavilion and was designed as a message of international harmony by Walt Disney's team. It was transported to Disneyland in 1966, and located inside Fantasyland; it instantly became a highlight of the park.

In this ride, passengers get into boats outside the attraction and they are carried inside and moved along by a gentle current. They go through a series of rooms, each of which has dolls from different countries and cultures singing and moving to the catchy song. There is the Taj Mahal, Big Ben, and the Eifel Tower, among other global landmarks. I like trying to spot all the different countries and landmarks.

There are about 300 Audio-Animatronics figures from 100 different nations. They are simple and childlike with their repetitive movements and limited articulation. At the end of the ride, there are dolls from all the different nations singing "It's a Small world After All" together. To me, it is very appealing ending.

That song is the infectious kind that I can't get out of my mind. It was written by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman, who also wrote the songs for Mary Poppins. It is continually played in a soundtrack loop, about 4,800 times an operating day in Disney parks around the world. Just about all of us can't help singing along.

It's a world of laughter, a world of tears,

It's a world of hopes and a world of fears;

There's so much that we share,

That it's time we're aware

It's a small world after all.

It's a small world after all,

It's a small world after all,

It's a small world after all,

It's a small, small world.

There is just one moon, and one golden sun,

And a smile means friendship to ev'ryone;

Though the mountains divide,

And the oceans are wide,

It's a small world after all.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, in Frontierland, is a relatively gentle roller-coaster geared towards adults and teens; it is more exciting to ride in the back of the train than the front. It was modeled after a runaway mining train in the Wild West, and opened in Disneyland in 1979 and in Disney World a year later. The track and queue design are different at each park, even though the theme is the same. There was a prolonged development phase for "Big Thunder Mountain Railroad" in which they considered several "histories" for the mountain. Themes of gold fever and revengeful native American spirits were finally chosen for the ride.

In Disney World, the ride is about 3.5 minutes of hairpin turns and dark descents, and there are six trains which are nicknamed I.B. Hearty, I.M Brave, I.M. Fearless, U.B. Bold, U.R, Daring, and U.R. Courageous. I prefer this roller coaster to other ones because it is just exciting enough for me. You feel like you are falling, and go around corners quickly enough to be tossed from side to side.

There are 20 audio-animatronic figures including donkeys, chickens, possums, and the rainmaker in a now flooded mining town: Professor Cumulus Isobar. There is also antique mining equipment, falling rocks, an earthquake, and the smell of sulfur as you pass phosphorescent pools. In Disney World, you careen through a dinosaur's ribs, under a waterfall, past spewing geysers, and over a volcanic pool.

The lines are long but move fairly quickly. It is best to go during parades, or use a FASTPASS, or go late in the day (many people say it's even better after dark). Plan for at least 30 minutes of queuing at non-peak times, and an hour at peak times.

It is easy to see why "It's a Small World After All" and "Big Thunder Mountain Railroad" are so popular. They both have appealing themes and lots of attention to detail. They are very different from each other but both are great examples of why Disney theme parks are so much fun. I never get tired of them

Tracy Crowe has been to both Disneyland and Disney World, and loved both of them.

// posted by 47018 @ 7:12 AM 0 comments

Ever wonder why there are very few Halloween stores when looking for a costume? When you do find a store, they are usually full of people with a small picked over selection of products for sale. Avoid the frustration this year; be smart, take the following suggestion and shop early. The best way to select a unique costume for Halloween is to visit an online Halloween Shop. What better way to find a wide range and huge selection of high quality unearthly costumes, makeup, jewelry, accessories, decorations, party supplies, scary props, videos, tapes and even pumpkin carving patterns from the comfort of your own home. Shopping for Halloween items online is becoming increasingly popular.

Online costume stores offer quality costumes for every age group and size. Adult costumes featuring like various historical and cultural characters, clown costumes, French maid costumes, pirate costumes, funny costumes, witch costumes, devil costumes, vampire costumes, nurse costumes, cowboy costumes, the list is endless. Whats great about these stores is they can also be used for other holidays, not just for Halloween. Buy from the store when needing items for school plays, sporting events, birthdays, graduations, anniversaries and for every holiday on the Calendar.

Costume stores strive to provide for those customers who are looking for a costume in all adult men & women sizes, even the hard to find plus size costumes. Among the largely shaped outfits one can find fairies, geisha, goddesses, Red Riding Hoods, gladiators, pirates and werewolves. The younger theatre and Halloween fans are also likely to find interesting outfits here. The online stores offer almost all adult costumes adapted for teens and children with dozens of outfits especially designed for toddlers and babies. See the angel and fairy costumes for the most adorable getups youve ever seen for the little ones. Before buying a costume it is strongly recommended that you look at the sizing chart for the manufacture of the particular item as each of the manufactures make costumes differently. An experienced store staff will be able to give you information and answer questions on costume sizing.

Popular items from the TV, Movies & Comics sections, feature interesting outfits like Batman, Elvis, Harry Potter, characters from Star Wars, Disneys Pirates of the caribbean, and comic book characters from DC or Marvel Comics such as Superman, Wonder Woman and Spiderman. If you are looking to be a little more risqu this season, have a look at the adults sexy costume section. There will be the perfect little number for those scandalous playboy bunnies at heart. These also make great Valentines or anniversary gifts for that special someone in your life.

A novelty that is becoming huge for online costume stores is that special item for your pet. Eccentric costumers can now purchase an outfit for their dog or cat, and they get to choose from about a dozen different ones. Imagine trick or treating this year with Rover the super dog or Fluffy the pirate cat. Now theres something you dont see every day.

all Halloween fans know costumes are not complete without accessories. These online masquerade shops contain quite a lot of accessories to top off your costume. In the accessory section youll find beards, wigs, jewelry, wings, horns, shoes, weapons, helmets, capes, robes, hats etc. In the makeup section you can find all sorts of makeup kits, face colors, blood, fangs, prosthetics and other stuff you might need for the Halloween season.

The larger online costume shops will also have products for magicians and clowns, where they can find dozens of prop articles from lights, smoke machines, puppets, magic hats, swindle card decks and some other stuff to put on a great show for children and adults alike.

Dont miss out on the show stopping party decorations and supplies before checking out of the store. No party would be complete without a blood feast of holiday napkins, balloons, themed plates, cups and utensils. You will also be able to pick up other fantastic items like glow in the dark skeleton props, bats and spooky spider webs. So what are you waiting for, check out an online store for that perfect Halloween costume this season skipping the lineups and picked over items. Share in the Halloween spirit and type in that eerie URL to buy exactly what you are looking for and in your size!

For more information about please visit http://www.costumecauldron.com/

Matthew Lester writes for Halloween Costume. Costume Cauldron offers thousands of quality theatrical costumes, kid costume, costume jewelry and accessory items.

// posted by 47018 @ 6:34 AM 0 comments