Although Covid-19 has made world travel more difficult, there are still ways to get out, explore the world, and stay safe.

A great place to start your exploration is Melbourne, Australia. If you can get to Melbourne, there are tons of things you can do without being in the city, worried about Covid-19 exposure. That said, if you really want to explore Melbourne’s city life there are things you can still do. Just be sure to use proper safety protocols, such as wearing a mask and washing your hands often. As long as you keep your distance from others and continue to care for your own health and wellbeing, you can still get out and explore.

The Great Ocean Road

The great ocean road is, not surprisingly, right next to the ocean. This is amazing because it allows you to walk or drive along the coast and is a scenic way to get to other nearby cities. If you can spend any time near the ocean, you will be immediately transported to a world of tranquility and serenity. However, if you want a little more excitement, you should look up cruises from Melbourne. These can take you from Melbourne to a new, exciting locale of your choosing. Many cruises also offer activities while onboard.

Royal Botanical Gardens

Another area that you can easily explore without bumping into people are the royal gardens. These gardens are found in the city of Melbourne, but house 94 acres of pathways and ornate landscaping. It is also next to Ornamental Lake, providing a a picturesque backdrop to the already beautiful landscaping. This is a great place to explore if you want to be in the city of Melbourne, but still want to stay away from people.

Museums And Art Galleries

Melbourne is known for some of the best museums and art galleries in the world. If you want to learn more about Australian culture, you should visit the Melbourne Museum. This museum let you explore not only Melbourne’ history, but how Australia was formed and became the unique place it is today. If you are new to Australia, this is a great place to visit to learn what makes Australia so special. When in Melbourne, you should also visit NGV Australia. This building houses the largest collection of Aboriginal art in the country. Both museums and art galleries are areas where there are typically very few people and you can easily see a lot without touching anything.

Shrine of Remembrance

This area is a beautiful spot just outside of the city where you can see and appreciate the cityscape of Melbourne. This shrine is in honor of the Australians who have lost their lives due to the effects and aftermath of war. It is a very serene area of Melbourne and you can either walk around by yourself of have a guided tour of the area. There is also a beautiful memorial garden that you can explore. All of these areas are outside so you can still be in the fresh air. As long as you bring a mask (in case you do encounter people), you can still experience this Melbourne icon with little Covid-19 exposure.

Alleyways And Street Artwork

If you are not a fan of for nature, museums, or history, Melbourne is also known for its eclectic and unique lifestyle. One of the coolest things about Melbourne is its street art. Found throughout the city in every area you look, there is beautiful and breathtaking art displayed on buildings and walls. Melbourne has also taken advantage of every nook and cranny available and has converted many alleyways into something else. From cafes to bars to shops, you can find a variety of stores by simply looking down the alleys. This is such a unique concept and it helps make Melbourne a truly unique city to visit.

If you are looking for a place to travel, you should consider going to Melbourne. It is a great place full of unique and interesting landscapes and places.

If you are the proud owner of a HP DeskJet printer, then you will also understand the expense of buying new ink each time to run out. Did you know that there are a variety of ways to get ink with some being much cheaper than others? Check out our advice and find out the best way to replace a HP DeskJet cartridge.

Avoid Genuine Ink At All Costs!

One of the quickest ways you can reduce your outgoings and increase your ink life is to avoid genuine ink cartridge replacements. These cartridges are seriously expensive and are never full, meaning that you end up going through more cartridges each month then you need to.

Printer companies sell their ink at an inflated price because they need to recover the money they lose by selling printers below market value. This means that consumers are blindly led into believing that genuine ink is the best choice when, in reality, you are getting a sub-standard service when you part with your cash.

If It Looks Too Good To Be True, It Is!

At the other end of the ink spectrum are cheap ink suppliers that provide poor quality ink but sell it for such a low price that many consumers get caught out. Price is important when it comes to buying ink but not at the detriment of your work!

It is easy to spot a company that can’t be trusted as they often sell a huge range of very cheap products and have very poor ratings with verified review services. Despite waning to reducing your outgoings, it is a very bad idea to buy from these merchants as you will end up paying more to resolve the issue that poor quality ink creates.

Find a Specialist Ink Service

The best way to replace your HP Deskjet 3520 ink cartridge (or similar) is to opt for a specialised replacement service. This means choosing a seller that only sells one or two brands of ink, and that does not sell other items in their store.

These suppliers are becoming more popular with consumers because they bridge the gap between high and low priced ink. Companies like Smart Ink sell their ink at far less than the big named brands, but they also put effort into providing the highest quality ink. Each cartridge from a specialist ink company comes full, and you can expect to enjoy a decent return time and an easy to access customer service team. Put simply, these companies are not only cheaper, but they provide the best ink for your HP DeskJet without breaking the bank.

It’s simple; replacement ink providers are the best choice when it comes to HP DeskJet ink replacement both for price and ease of use. When you decide to try out a replacement ink service, make sure that you shop around to find the best supplier and always opt for a specialist service that will provide you with the high-quality ink you need every time. Have fun enjoying all the money you are sure to save!

“NYC – MoMA: Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans“ by wallyg is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

There are perks that come with a career as a professional sports writer. Over the years I’ve worked on a number of projects in conjunction with the Hockey Hall of Fame. One day while at the Hall’s research centre, I was asked if I wanted to venture into the dungeon.

The dungeon, as the workers at the Hall refer to it, actually isn’t in the basement at all. It’s a locked, climate-controlled room adjacent to the research centre. Most people probably aren’t even aware of its existence.

The purpose of the dungeon is to safely store and maintain all artifacts not currently on display at the Hall. When the chance to tour this unique facility was offered, there was only one answer that was appropriate.

Of course. Let’s go.

Upon entering the room, my gaze was immediately caught by a unique painting hung carefully on the wall. Upon closer examination, it became apparent that the work was of New York Rangers legend and 1982 Hall of Fame inductee Rod Gilbert. Even closer scrutiny revealed the artist’s signature.

It was another legend who’d captured Gilbert’s likeness on canvas.

The painting was an Andy Warhol.

Big Sports Fan

Warhol’s brilliance over the years encompassed a variety of media. You might not have been willing to put a wager down on it at a U.S. online sports betting site that his areas of expertise would include sports but you would’ve been wrong.

In fact, Warhol’s first first photo silkscreen painting was a baseball scene, done in 1962. In 1977, Warhol was commissioned by businessman Richard Weisman to complete a group of paintings that became known as the athlete series.

Among those featured in works by Warhol were golfer Jack Nicklaus, basketball’s Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, jockey Willie Shoemaker, figure skater Dorothy Hamill, tennis player Chris Evert, soccer’s Pele, baseball’s Tom Seaver, football’s O. J. Simpson, boxing’s Muhammad Ali and hockey’s Gilbert.

Warhol was known to be a Rangers fan and would socialize with the players.

In 1983, he was among 17 prominent artists commissioned to create paintings for the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympic Games, called The Official Art Portfolio of the XIV Olympic Winter Games. Warhol’s work depicted a speedskater.

“Warhol’s Children’s Toys (Andy Warhol’s Factory)” by batmoo is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

As part of fundraising efforts for the Cincinnati Art Museum in 1985, Warhol created a poster of Cincinnati Reds star Pete Rose, designed to look like a baseball trading card. He also painted a work of a polo player that same year to be featured on the cover that recognized the 10th anniversary of Polo magazine.

The Art Now Gallery in Göteborg, Sweden, which is home to the Swedish hockey team the Frölunda Indians, commissioned Warhol to create an image of a Frolunda player skating down the ice.

Perhaps the most unique of Warhol’s sports-related work came to be when he was asked by BMW to paint one of their M1 race cars that would later compete at the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Warhol-themed vehicle finished second in its class in the race.

A Great (One) Work Of Art

Canadian art dealer Frans Wynans of Vancouver approached Warhol in 1983 with an idea for a special project. At the time, Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers was annihilating the NHL record book, putting up totals never seen before or since.

Gretzky’s nickname is The Great One and that one Great One should be captured on canvas by another great one only seemed appropriate to Wynans.

Warhol immediately saw the connection. “He’s more than a hockey player, he’s an entertainer,” Warhol told Radio Canada International of Gretzky.

The feeling was mutual. “I have a few of Andy Warhol’s paintings of my own that I’ve collected over the years,” Gretzky told Radio Canada International in December of 1983.

“I’m by no means saying that I know a whole lot about art. I buy things that I enjoy and I enjoy his stuff and to be painted by him is terrific.”

Warhol completed six separate paintings of Gretzky and then permitted the Great One to pick out the one he liked the best and take it home. Gretzky selected the painting that depicted him in Oilers colors.

“The Oiler colours, if you can see the blue with the orange and white,” Gretzky said. “They all look the same, but the colour in that one was the one that I seemed to like the most.”

The painting still hangs in a place of honor in Gretzky’s California home.

Warhol did a Gretzky

The statistics regarding the number of car accidents in the US make for worrying reading, with around 6 million accidents occurring each and every year, and around 100 Americans dying in car crashes every single day.

We can all make efforts to stay safe on the roads, following the rules, sticking to the speed limit, keeping our hands on the wheel, minimizing distractions, and so on, but sometimes, other drivers’ behavior can endanger our lives, and some accidents are almost unavoidable.

But what do you do if an accident occurs? Many people never spend much or any time pondering this possibility, hoping and believing that it simply won’t happen to them and that they’ll never have to worry about.

However, with so many of these accidents occurring each year, it’s clear to see that the chances of being involved are quite high, even for safe and sensible drivers, and it’s wise to know exactly how to react if and when it happens.

This guide will cover all the key steps to take after an auto accident, from treating any wounds and injuries in the immediate aftermath to negotiating with insurance companies and how to handle settlement offers too.

The First Steps

Let’s begin with what to do right after an accident occurs. Naturally, the immediate action you take will depend on how severe the accident is and whether or not you’ve actually been seriously injured. Accidents can vary wildly in their severity; some will only leave you with bumps and bruises, but others might leave you suffering from other common car accident injuries like whiplash or TBI.

If you don’t seem too hurt and are able to move, the first step is to get out of the car and assist other passengers from the vehicle too, contacting an ambulance if necessary and then getting yourselves safely to the side of the road, away from danger. If your car is blocking the road and you’re able to move it to the side, you should take this time to do so.

Reporting and Documenting

Next, you’ll need to think about reporting the incident to the authorities. Even minor collisions should be reported to the police. This means that an official police report will be filed, and officers may come out to the scene to provide assistance and take witness statements, which could prove highly useful later on if you find yourself in a legal battle with the other driver or their insurance adjuster.

Documenting the scene is another essential step to follow, and this includes taking photos of the vehicles, documenting any injuries you might have, speaking with nearby witnesses who might be able to support your claim of innocence, and so on. All of the evidence you gather in the aftermath of an accident can prove to be invaluable later on, so it’s important to bear this step in mind.

Exchange Information

Next, you’ll need to speak with the other driver and exchange information. Usually, this process is pretty straightforward; you’ll need to get the driver’s name, contact detail, insurance information, and license plate number. Some drivers can be irate or even violent in the wake of accidents, and if this is the case, you may want to wait for the police to arrive on the scene to calm the situation down and collect the information you need.

This part of the process really is key, and there are many drivers who will try to give fake information or simply flee scenes without sharing their contact details, so be sure to document everything and take photos, as mentioned above, so you don’t fall into any traps. Once you’ve got the other driver’s information, you may also choose to call your own insurance company and report the incident.

Get Medical Help

As mentioned earlier on, car accident injuries can range from simple cuts and scrapes to broken bones and severe brain trauma, so it’s really important that you get yourself to a doctor as quickly as possible, along with other passengers involved in the accident. This rule applies in all cases, even if you don’t feel any pain or notice any visible injuries on your body.

There are various kinds of car crash injuries that don’t appear straight away, and it’s not uncommon for victims of accidents to feel fine at first, but then notice pain building up in the hours and days that follow. A medical doctor will be able to diagnose any issues and carry out some tests to ensure that you’re not severely injured or identify any injuries you might not have noticed.

Contact a Lawyer

Once the above steps have been taken care of in the wake of a car accident, you might like to contact a car accident attorney. Even if the accident wasn’t your fault, the other driver’s insurance agency may take steps to try and minimize your claim and offer low unfair settlements. An attorney will help you deal with these potential pitfalls and get a settlement that is right for you, covering any medical and additional expenses you incur as a result of the crash.

The sooner you get in touch with an attorney, the better, as insurance adjusters and opposing legal teams often get to work very quickly, using various tactics and techniques to try and get the best possible arrangements for themselves and their clients. An attorney on your side will be able to guide you through the process, helping you avoid common mistakes and make the right decisions.

Final Word

Being in an accident is never easy. It can be stressful, harmful, and damaging in more ways than one, but by taking the right action, you can get through this difficult time and achieve a settlement that works for you. Keep these tips in mind to give yourself the best chance of success, remembering the importance of documenting and reporting the scene, as well as getting any necessary medical care you may need.

It would be fair to say that you could live without your sunglasses. Yes, clearly if you are out and about on a sunny day, they provide you with the relevant comfort you might need, but they are not by any stretch of the imagination a necessity.

However in 2020 it’s likely that pretty much every man, woman, and child, in the western world has a pair or two. That wasn’t the case in previous generations and that is in many ways down to the way the product has been marketed to the masses. I.e. very effectively indeed.

As of the most recent records to hand, 2018,, a total of 519 million units of sunglasses were sold in the US alone, resulting in revenue of close to $6bn, that figure increases to a massive $60bn when you factor in all associated costs. And 13% of all eyewear sales are in the sunglasses market, these statistics show an industry that is well and truly monumental.

Continued Growth

As a consumer product sunglasses were not considered an essential purchase until somewhere in the region of the 1980s, up until this point they were an occasional item. By this I mean it was not a necessity outside relevant regions where protection from the sun was a distinct need.

Clever marketing, branding and the evolution of sunglasses as a whole have meant that the audience and purchasing power has well and truly rocketed. 

Let’s not forget also that continued concerns of climate change, and the increased sun exposure affecting most populated areas of the world, has led to a beneficial uptick in sales as well. 

Form Over Function

One great way of milking your industry for as many dollars as possible is to use ‘style’ as a driver for cost. Think of it this way. Eyewear for the purpose of improving vision comes at a cost because it has a defined purpose. Namely the cost is justified by the function. 

The sunglasses market, when it works best, garners the most profit when it uses style to increase cost. So a company such as Ray-Ban can justify the high-end cost of it’s sunglasses, not due to a ‘function’ but due to its form. 

This helps make an industry like sunglasses develop into such a huge profit making machine.

An interesting, and relatively new, amendment to the form over function debate comes in the form of contact lenses, such as those offered at GlassesUSA.com, which in many ways readily straddle both aspects.

Contact lenses are an unobtrusive way to resolve vision concerns and they do so without requiring super expensive frames, or a high-end brand name, this is very much the market adopting a function over form path, one afforded to them due to advancements in technology.

Adapting and Growing Demographic

Whereas for many years the sunglasses market was geared primarily at a young, youthful market, there have been continuing efforts to expand the catchment area and recent moves to do so have proven very effective.

Those big players in the market have put a lot of effort in moving towards prescription sunglasses which simultaneously helps in two ways. Firstly this offers a genuine function aspect and secondly helpfully increases the range in other demographics, namely the more mature customer, who clearly will be more likely to need the product due to vision deterioration.

As with anything in the marketing industry, the motto “Evolve or Die” is very true in the sunglasses market and seems that the major players in this arena know very well just how to do that.

The scourge of coronavirus has of course proved to be a major obstacle for many industries but one area perhaps hardest hit worldwide is the restaurant industry and in the Los Angeles area this has certainly been illustrated to be the case.

As of last month reports suggest that as many as 20% of restaurants in the LA area are violating one form of COVID regulation or another and though this is of course a major concern it isn’t surprising that the dining sector is keenly trying to maintain some level of service, whatever the cost. This is an industry that is pretty much on its knees across the world. 

L.A county’s suggested mid-October reopening is now very much under threat as the rate of cases has experienced a slight rise in recent weeks, which is of course a situation that is mirrored across the country and beyond. 

In San Francisco there remains some cautious optimism as a number of outlets reopen some indoor dining facilities, albeit with coronavirus limits imposed, LA will be looking on keenly as major cities seek to garner relevant data and knowledge that may help them in the short and medium-term. 

Given that the rate of transmission and infection of the virus is more acute in indoor settings it is those restaurants with major outdoor areas that are likely to get back to some semblance of normality soonest.  

Indeed given that the COVID-19 age isn’t likely to leave us any time soon, some restaurants may well look to be more creative in the way they plan and layout their patrons, expect an uptick in sales of commercial outdoor furniture sales. 

Those L.A restaurants with sufficient outdoor space could well look to take the current circumstances to better design their layout but will have to balance the guidelines in relation to spacing of customers with a keen eye for making the most of what area they have to play with.  

Others have actually welcomed the reclaiming of road space from cars back to people, with some finding the resultant reduction in noise somewhat refreshing. 

Some have gone all out and erected marquee tents placed in parking lots, others have elected to nudge their existing outdoor areas a little further on to the sidewalk and beyond. One would hope that pedestrians understand the need for such minor inconveniences as every additional seating space could be the very difference between success and closure. 

It’s going to be a delicate balancing act in the coming months as restaurants seek to battle each other for the custom available, with a large swathe of those who would usually dine out more than likely electing to opt for a takeaway option or perhaps even shun the commercial culinary experience all together. 

A number of restaurants are already falling by the wayside, most recently last month saw the steakhouse chain Sizzler declare bankruptcy with 107 locations set for closure, and without strong backing from governmental agencies the coming months, and even years, may well prove the toughest in the industry in living memory. 

The industry may well look to the government to offer them some leeway but that doesn’t appear to be forthcoming, LA County will look to reopen 25% of indoor dining capacity, which will severely impinge on a restaurant’s chances of covering their bottom line costs. 

In order to maximise the use of outdoor areas a number of city planners are scrambling to reconfigure streets to facilitate a higher level of safe outdoor dining areas. Repurposing parking areas is one way to go, altering driving routes is another, though clearly the latter is fraught with issues for city planners on the whole.  

The restaurant scene in L.A, as with any other major metropolitan area, is going to see the dining industry very much undergo a ‘survival of the fittest’ scenario. In this climate the bigger chains and high-end establishments are most likely to effectively last through the toughest months of this crisis and the fear therefore is that the more bespoke, small and medium-sized outlets have a truly monumental task just to keep their businesses open. 

One thing is for sure. They are going to need the support of their clientele during these tough times.

When you’re planning a trip to the Caribbean, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas should be on your list.

The Bahamas are located on the Lucayan Archipelago and are made of hundreds of islands, islets and cays. Watersports, fishing, gambling, and fine dining are only a few of the activities you’ll find in the Bahamas. Although tourism accounts for over half of the country’s GDP, the country’s islands include both lively tourist attractions and secluded natural spots for relaxing. Some of the incredible locations that you’ll find in the Bahamas are discussed in the following sections.

Grand Bahama Island

Grand Bahama Island is east of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and accessible with many cruise deals. It’s world-famous for its white-sand beaches and clear waters. Kayaking, fishing, parasailing and diving are everyday activities on the shores of Grand Bahama, but you can also visit Lucayan National Park or Garden of the Groves. With six miles of charted underwater caves and gorgeous white sand beaches, Lucayan is a unique park favored by divers, hikers and bird enthusiasts. The Bahama swallow and olive-capped warbler are two species of birds that use the island as a permanent habitat.

The Garden of the Groves is a fantastic wildlife habitat that has colorful vegetation, cascading waterfalls and a secluded chapel for weddings.

Green Turtle Cay

In comparison to Grand Bahama, Green Turtle Cay is a much smaller island located near Great Abaco. The cay’s name is derived from a species of green turtles that once used the cay as a habitat. One of island’s main attractions is its picturesque town, New Plymouth. The houses with white picket fences, quaint shops and weathered boatyard will make you feel like you’re in New England rather than the Bahamas. The island is home to several local anglers, and if you’re lucky, you may see one of the fishing boats unloading a crate of lobsters on the docks. The first Methodist church in the Bahamas was built in Green Turtle Cay, and when you visit the island on Sunday, you’ll discover that the churches are the only buildings open for business.

Paradise Island

Unlike the bucolic Green Turtle Cay, Paradise Island is one of the most popular locations in the Bahamas. If you enjoy endless beaches, lively nightlife and numerous tourist-friendly activities, you’ll love Paradise Island. One of the island’s main attractions is the Atlantis Resort. The massive, towering pink building is home to one of the highest-rated waterparks in the world. The Aquaventure Waterpark has 141 acres of slides and pools. If you’d rather swim with the dolphins, you can visit Dolphin Cay. The cay has trained dolphin handlers who help you and your family swim safely with dolphins.

New Providence

After visiting Paradise Island, you can travel across a Nassau Harbor bridge to reach New Providence. The island is home to the capital city Nassau and is a favorite destination of anglers and scuba divers. Filled with scenic coastlines and vibrant locals, Nassau is also notable for the National Gallery of Art and the Pirate Museum.

Bimini

Bimini is made up of North Bimini, South Bimini, and East Bimini. The three islands are famous for big game fishing. The nearby Gulfstream creates an ideal environment for marlin, tuna, wahoo and dolphin, and it is considered the anglers paradise of the Bahamas. For scuba divers and snorkelers, Bimini offers several shipwrecks like the SS Sapona, and if you’re interested in American literature, you can visit the area that Ernest Hemingway once called home.

Andros Island

Andros Island is the most massive island in the Bahamas, but it’s not as populated as Grand Bahama or Paradise Island. Andros has one of the greatest barrier reefs in the Caribbean that stretches for over 190 miles. It’s an excellent spot for bonefishing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Because it’s not as developed than the other islands, Andros offers more secluded beaches. In 2002, Andros established West Side National Park, and it’s an excellent place to view mangrove forests and tidal creeks.

With so many locations to choose from, you may have trouble deciding where to spend most of your time in the Bahamas. Whether you enjoy wild entertainment or relaxing seclusion, you’ll find what you love in the islands.