The Backup Plan June 2014

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Balance

Posted On: June 27, 2014

Balance


 

 

Life is all about balance; it is true that anything in excess has the potential to become detrimental.  Aristotle may have described it best over 2000 years ago as the “Golden mean” or the desirable mix between too extremes.  This holds true for things we think of or classify as good, for example courage or love, excessive love becomes obsession and an over abundance of courage becomes recklessness.  Many philosophies, especially in ancient times, adhered to what Confucius dubbed “The Doctrine of the Mean” or what Buddha called “The Middle Way”.  There is good reason for this as the road down the middle is often, if not always, the most correct path to travel.

 

Many of us are passionate, driven, and dedicated.  We describe ourselves as “Machines” or “Monsters” in our field and it is meant to be a good thing.  But is it?   Working around the clock seven days a week is not good, no matter what anyone says, eventually, no matter who you are, you will get burnt out.   This is not to say that working hard is a bad thing but you don’t want to choose hard work over quality of life.  It’s about finding the balance.  At the same time laziness, lethargy and contentedness are also not ok.  We should never do just enough to get by, or make it a point in our day to do the bare minimum.  A new way of thinking is an emphasis on personal time, which is fine as long as the balance remains.

 

This is because when you lean too much to either side you have a hard time seeing that middle road and an even harder time seeing the opposite end of the spectrum.  Without an open mind or a flexible point of view you will never be able to change or grow and without growth there is stagnation and stagnation leads to failure because you allow others to surpass you though innovation and their own growth.   Aside from blinding you too other perspectives excess can also be physically and mentally harmful.  Imagine the man who is so brave as to be cocky and reckless, this man may have an inflated view of his abilities and put himself in a dangerous situation that he is unable to manage.  Imagine the husband who loves too much, who is constantly obsessing and smothering, he begins to become jealous and invasive and eventually drives his partner away.  These are just two examples of positive feelings or attributes gone awry.

 

Weather you choose to call it The Golden Mean or The Middle Way the road too success, enlightenment and happiness is the path of balance.  When one leans to far to the right or the left he becomes unable to see the world in any other way, and we live in a world that is constantly changing and evolving.  In order to achieve success in anything one must be able to adapt and to grow.  In addition it is important to realize that most things, even things we thing of as positives, when taken to the extreme become twisted ugly parodies of what we previously viewed as glorious aspects of those we know or of our own selves.

 

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick

 

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Is There Such A Thing As Working Too Hard

Posted On: June 26, 2014

Is There Such A Thing As Working Too Hard?


 

 

It there really such a thing as working too hard?  Before modern day labor laws and unions people, children included, would work 16 hour days with no breaks in rooms with no windows, I am sure that there are countries where this still happens.  The average American works a 44-hour week that includes breaks and time off (studies show that approximately one third of that week is spent idly).  Now I am not saying that we should be working 16-hour days seven days a week, you have to make sure you enjoy your life, but I am against the notion of “working too hard”.  What I do believe is that to do a job well the work needs to be put in but not at the cost of your health or your happiness.

 

In today’s day and age we have seen a big transition from the standard 40-hour workweek to a less traditional schedule in an effort to increase both quality of life and productivity.  I think that there is merit in some of these non-traditional approaches in regards to maximizing productivity, I do however think that years ago people worked harder and longer and no one was worse off for it.  I unfortunately believe that we do not possess the same work ethic that the generations that came before us did.  This country was built on the backs of honest hard working people, nose to the grindstone type people who were stubborn and strong.  Today people seem to look for the easiest course of action or loopholes with which to game the system, generations today don’t seem interested in following the rules and working harder.

 

Maybe this is because we have become disenchanted and we are witnessing the death of the American dream, people no longer believe that honest hard work will get you where you want to be.  Maybe it is because the advancements made in communications technology and computer sciences have bred a generation that is used too and expects instant gratification, and they do not possess the patience or the work ethic to put the required time into certain efforts.  Whatever the reason a new order is rising, and while they may not possess the work ethic of their forefathers they are far from unintelligent.  Their values are different and while their predecessors may have valued honesty, hard work and material gain this generation is more about subjective quality of life.  Here is where I tend to agree; it makes no sense to work hard if you never have the time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.  If you are the type that never takes time off, has sacrificed their health or diet and who cant seem to ever turn off the cell phone for fear of missing a business call then take a cue from the Millennials.  Your happiness is what is most important; your quality of life is paramount.  Don’t misunderstand me however this is not a reason to be lazy or too not strive for success or excellence, and don’t be disillusioned no one is going to ever hand you anything in this life.

 

Ultimately it comes down to balance, work hard and do the best that you can do no matter what you do but also remember that its important to stop and smell the roses.  Life is not about working yourself to death nor is it about finding the easiest or quickest way to get things done.  Doing anything right requires time and effort and that should never be forgotten, but nothing is worth sacrificing your happiness or health.

 

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick

 

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Booking Your Executive Car Service To The Airport

Posted On: June 25, 2014

Booking Your Executive Car Service To The Airport


 

 

Booking an executive car service to the airport when traveling is something that is often out off until the last minute when planning a trip.  Although a company like All Star is able to accommodate same day and last minute travel arrangements it is something that should be done around the same time you book your hotel or your flight, this is simply to save you any kind of aggravation.  For some companies it is a simple and easy process, with All Star you don’t even have to pick up the phone, you can make your travel arrangements via our online reservation process, it takes about 5 minuets.  Taking an executive car service to the airport is a nice choice for several reasons including the potential to save money as well as the reliability and comfort of something like Lincoln’s new MKT town car.

 

Many people don’t realize that it is often cheaper to book a car to go back and forth to the airport then it is to park your vehicle there.  A round trip to the airport is roughly $200 long term parking is about $20 a day, factor in gas and time and if your going away for more then five days it becomes a no brainer.   The airport is often said to be one of the most stressful and least liked elements of traveling.  Let a reliable company do all the work for you, we will track your flight, tell you what time to get picked up and take you there in luxury, comfort and style.  We have 24/7/365 dispatch and will have your vehicle pulled up to meet you as you walk out of the terminal or we will have a chauffeur inside with a digital sign to help you with your bags, its your choice.

 

Taking a car service to the airport is the better choice, as long as you use a reliable and reputable company.  It will save you time and money as well as take away the stress that comes with dealing with airports and air travel.  We have mastered and streamlined our reservation process and our executive car service transfers and we promise that when we pick you up we wont let you down.

 

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick

 

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Travel Hacks

Posted On: June 24, 2014

Travel Hacks


 

 

We all know that traveling, as exciting as it is supposed to be, can also be stressful and difficult.  Being in the travel industry we deal with individuals on the go every day, and we have seen the right way to travel, and the very wrong way.  Below are some helpful travel hacks and tips collected from some of our more experienced clients.

 

Packing can be one of the most complicated elements of traveling, but it does not have to be.  If you pack heavily try rolling your cloths to save space, or try stuffing socks and underwear into your shoes to maximize the room in your bags.  To keep your cloths smelling fresh and clean place a dryer sheet in your suitcase, this will also help reduce static.  When you go to unpack do you often find your cloths get wrinkled no matter how neatly you fold them?  Try packing them in tissue paper to reduce wrinkling.  If you’re not traveling with a garment bag place a belt in the collar of your dress shirts to keep it strait.  For toiletries refill travel sized containers instead of buying new ones every time or fill straws with shampoos, toothpaste and sunscreen to be extra economical.

 

When booking flights or hotel reservations make sure you do this way in advance, this will get you the best rates as pricing, especially for airlines, increases as the seats begin to fill up.  Also when booking online be sure to enable private browsing as travel sites track your visits and will often raise the rates just because they see you have visited the site before.  When traveling to the airport use a car service, it will alleviate the pressure of timing and take away the anxiety of potentially missing that flight, also depending on the length of your trip and the amount of people you are traveling with taking a car service can often times be more cost effective that parking your car at the airport.

 

Ultimately when travelling, especially when vacationing, make sure you make the most of it.  The tips above should help with some of the more difficult aspects of travel.  Think out side the box when packing and follow our advice, these tricks work.  Reserve smart, give yourself plenty of time and save yourself some money.  We hope these travel hacks help, God Speed!

 

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick

 

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Macari Vineyards

Posted On: June 20, 2014

Macari Vineyards


 

Beautiful and harmonious, Macari Vineyards are located in Mattituck on Long Islands North Fork.  Operated by the Macari family the land has been owned by the Macari’s for over fifty years, however the vineyard was established relatively recently in 1995.  Boasting a wide range of wines the 200-acre Macari Vineyard is not only beautiful but veritable wildlife conservation. 

 

Joseph Macari Jr.  is considered a pioneer in natural farming.  One of the things that set Macari Vineyards apart from the competition is their emphasis on respecting the land and maintaining the integrity of the amazing eco-system that exists on Long Island’s North Fork.  Originally a potato farm the Macari Farmland has been transformed into a sprawling vineyard that produces a wind range of vintages including everything from crisp Savignon Blanc’s to luscious Merlot’s.  The farmland is also home to incredible variety of wild life including Texas Longhorns, Sicilian Donkeys, red tail hawks, and spotted blue herons.  Since their very first breaking of ground Jospeh Macari Jr. has practiced and adopted the latest and most tried methods of biodynamic principals allowing the vineyard to flourish all the while preserving the land and soil.

 

Macari Vineyards is more an extension of Long Island as opposed to a location within it.  A wide selection of wines and a passionate respect for the land on which they grow sets this vineyard apart from the rest.  As much a wildlife preservation as it is a vineyard Macari is a shining example of the natural beauty found on Long Islands North Fork.

 

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick

 

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