One Happy Newsletter: Summer is here edition The One Happy Podcast Newsletter.  A little bit of sunshine delivered to your inbox every week. View this email in your browser    Bon Dia Aruba LoversHi there!  On occasion I like to call Aruba "the of always summer" and now the rest of us can finally join in the fun.  While early fall is probably my favorite time of year, there really is something special about the summertime.  If there wasn't why would we all spend so much time and money chasing it in the form of these Aruba trips?  Speaking of Aruba trips, Maggie is all packed and ready to go and I am something other than that.  Luckily I thrive under pressure and will have no problem having things in order by the time Friday the 30th comes around. Besides, I'm a pretty low-maintenance guy.  The worst case scenario is me throwing a few swim trunks and underwear in a suitcase with some Peace Love and Aruba tees and figuring the rest out later.  Besides, when you spend most of your day in the water, you don't need a lot of clothing.Regards,Aruba Curt Robinsoncurt@onehappypodcast.com   Preferred Aruba Accommodations?   Condo Hotel Timeshare Rental Home  This question is simple.  Which do you prefer when vacationing?  Last week's survey question was as follows: I've been to probably more than a dozen Caribbean islands and Aruba is my favorite. However there is one area where Aruba lags behind some other destinations, and that is nightlife.  I am starting to see more options for things to do at night crop up which is encouraging.  Which of the following options would be attractive to you at night on Aruba?The choices I offered were as follows:A) Bands and MusiciansB) Broadway or Cirque de Soleil type showsC) Comedians and musiciansD) Live game showsE) The Movies  To be perfectly honest, choices A and C won in such a landslide that it's almost not worth talking about some of the others.  In fact, the only other one to receive votes was choice B but that was only about 13 percent of the vote.  Now that pales in comparison to A and C which both scored in the 40s, but 13 percent is not insignificant.  While I would probably not opt for a movie except in the infinitesimally small chance of full day rain out with no hope in sight, I actually enjoy live game shows.  Maybe it's the former cruiser in me, but  I expected both it and Broadway-style shows to steal votes away.  That being said I will still hold out hope that the Tropicana or La Cabana reaches out for me to be their version of Steve Harvey.     Featured Podcast Episode Visiting Aruba for 45 Years with Ginny O Give it up for one of the most hilarious and genuine guys I know, Aruba Ray Ellin, as we welcome him back for another episode of One Happy Podcast! Ray and I catch up with some things we’ve missed out on and talk about his upcoming shows of Aruba Ray’s Comedy at the Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino.Here’s the thing – Ray has nothing but excitement and praise for the line-up so anyone who’s planning to attend is in for a real good time. Along with Aruba veteran comedians, Ray will be joined by some new faces who will be making their first trip to the island. One thing’s for sure, they are all on a mission to make Aruba ring with laughter.Ray discusses all the perks one can get when attending the shows. Good food and drinks? Yeah. Great atmosphere? Sure. A grand time filled with endless laughs? Guaranteed. For each ticket, there will also be free slot cash or match play in the Stellaris Casino. Tropical Storm Brett narrowly misses Aruba I know earlier I said something about the chances of their being a rainout being really small, but check out that photo.  Now, we all know that Aruba lies below the hurricane belt and as a result, they typically don't have to worry about extreme weather.  But we were also shown last year by Matthew that the island will occasionally have a brush with a tropical storm.  That photo is a shot of what Tropical Storm Brett did down towards Baby beach.  The hotel district wasn't really touched, but this does serve as a reminder that when it comes down to it, the only limitations Mother Nature has, are the ones she puts on herself.  Monday Rum Tastings at La Cabana Here is something I was not aware of until recently.  Back on episode 65 of the show, I did an interview from an Aruba rum shop called "The Arubian Taste".  The owners, Jerome and Marcia are this awesome couple that craft their own flavored rums.   Well, apparently they do a rum tasting at La Cabana every Monday from 3-5pm.  This show is open to anyone whether you are a guest at La Cabana or not and is guaranteed to be a great time.  Jerome is one of the most entertaining people I have ever had the pleasure to meet.  If you don't believe me, make sure you listen to that episode of the show and then make sure you visit them when in Aruba.  Aruba Ray's Comedy June 24th to July 9th  Here is a simplified and concise schedule of Aruba Ray's Comedy.  If you are on Aruba during during these dates, do yourself a favor and check out the show at the Marriott Stellaris Hotel and Casino.  It seems that USA Today and I both agree that Aruba Ray's Comedy is one of the best ways to spend a night.  In fact, it is also ranked number 1 on trip advisor.  The shows are about 90 minutes long and there is an option for an open bar that continues after the show in the casino. I guarantee you will have an incredible time.  Tickets can be purchased at arubacomedy.com   Mentalist show at the Alhambra Ballroom I linked this last week, but in light of those survey results I highlighted above, this should probably be repeated as the show does continue on for quite a while. June 8th through August 25th.  I can't promise that I can fit this in, but I will try to see the show and post a review during my trip.Here is something new and pretty cool going on over at the Alhambra Ballroom that may be of interest to some of you.  Famed mentalist Guy Bavli, also known as the Master of the Mind will be doing shows all summer on Thursday and Friday nights. I'm not sure if you guys are television watchers, comic book fans, both or neither, but there was a show hosted by Spiderman creator Stan Lee called "Superhuman".  In a nutshell, people who supposedly have superhuman powers are profiled.  Guy was featured due to his "powers" of telekinesis.  I have included the segment from that show here.  It's about 14 minutes long but a pretty interesting watch. Tickets for Bavli’s performances are $35 per person, including a drink during the show, children under 12 escorted by two paying adults, are free. A Dinner & Show option is $55, including a starter and a main dish, at Fusion Restaurant Wine & Piano Bar; children pay $15.  You may buy tickets at the theater or at any De Palm Tours desk, at all hotels; doors open at 8pm., show starts at 7:30pm.    My 4th of July Attire This year, for the first time, I will be celebrating America's birthday in Aruba. In order to do it properly, I figured I would come up with a unique shirt to wear.  I wanted to find a way to represent being a citizen of what I think is the most kick-ass nation on the planet while paying respect to what I think is the most awesome island on the planet.  I had a few ideas of my own that weren't quite right, so I consulted with a few of you.  Once I tossed in the requisite amount of booze, this is what came out.  The Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness USA/Aruba mashup tee.  Personally. I will be wearing this shirt on Palm Beach while watching the fireworks, but even if you aren't going to be there you can still show your love for both places with this shirt, available on Amazon.com.  There is also free two-day shipping for Prime members.     *** Email Reminder*** If you are going to email me please do use the email address curt@onehappypodcast.com instead of replying to this newsletter.  For some reason it seems like its hit or miss whether replies actually get to me so its best to either send mail directly to me by using curt@onehappypodcast.com or clicking the various links I usually have sprinkled throughout the newsletter.  Also thank you for pointing that out to me. Subscribe to One Happy Podcast