VIA «Happy trails | Art»

Art Tower in Dubai

VIA «Skyscraper under an inclination»

VIA «HAPPY»

Aston Martin prepares new model, One-77 — only seventy seven in manufacture.

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VIA «Happy Pot Luck Day | Art»

The Egyptian-style pyramid-shaped tomb of Gaius Cestius, an Augustan era general, reopened to the public this week following an extensive restoration initiated in March 2013. Japanese fashion mogul Yuzo Yagi who funded the project said "It is extraordinary to return it to the white city like [it was] two thousand years ago. It was a great job with an incredible team led by two women", referring to Rita Paris and Maria Grazia Filetici, Italy's archaeological superintendency directors who oversaw the project.

The 120 foot-high pyramid, according to Paris, was constructed in 330 days, made of white Carrara marble. The 21st century restoration of the 2000-year-old tomb took a cumulative 327 days, 75 days less than projected.

Yagi donated two million euros to the innovative internal and external restoration that required a mix of traditional and non-tradition conservation in areas such as vegetation removal, marble facade protection, marble panel stabilization and damage prevention, and a handicap-accessible entrance ramp.

The restoration was much needed after centuries of wear and tear, which included, as Paris detailed, the tomb's incorporation into the 3rd century AD walls, looting in the Middle Ages, mid-17th century restoration, and use as a meeting spot in the 19th century.

Present at the invitation-only inauguration was Umberto Vattani, president of the Italy-Japan Foundation, cultural and foreign affairs undersecretaries Francesca Barracciu and Benedetto Della Vedova, Rome Cultural Heritage superintendent Francesco Prosperetti, and Rome Mayor Ignazio Marino.

Barracciu said that the restoration was "a brilliant best practice that strengthens our belief that the public and private collaboration is a way to go again with more determination. And since last July's Art Bonus, we are very confident ".

When asked if Yagi would finance future heritage projects in Italy, the fashion mogul said "we have a long list of aid to Japan, for the tsunami-affected areas. But I would be happy to return in the coming years".

Author: Erica Firpo | Credit: ANSAmed [April 21, 2015]

In case you haven’t realised by now, yes, it’s my first blogversary. It seems insane to think I started this unusual blog on this day a whole year ago. Alas, 286 posts later, here I am still ranting and raving about anything semi-movie related. Over the past few weeks, when my brain has gone for a wander mid-conversation, I’ve pondered about what to write/do on my blogversary. I tend to get uncomfortable when it comes to celebrating my own birthday so I figure there is no harm in celebrating this one properly. That is, I have caught and trained 13 marsupials and shaved this web address into their fur. I intend to release them at the entrance to the nearest shopping centre and let their frenzied rampage be its own kind of celebration/marketing ploy. My plan does not go into effect until 2100 hours. In the meantime, I thought I would share some personal reflections about this blog.

• Surprisingly, I’ve kept to my original mission statement and avoided any posts about the exploits of my personal life. Except for the post about my friend who broke her vagina because, well, that was simply too good NOT to share.
• Originally I was inspired to start this by the brilliance of good friend Rickis’ much wittier and substantial blog. That has not changed, however, the pool of writers who now inspire and entertain me has grown to include the likes of Siamese Saffron, King Of New York Hacks, Fuck You Penguin and Little Bohemian.
• A fitting tagline for this site finally occurred to me a few weeks ago in a dream which may or may not have featured Mark Wahlberg.
• Within a year some friends have gone and others nearly been lost which makes me appreciate having this outlet to write about things I love, however trivial that may seem to some.
• I have maintained this site for a year, which is approximately 11 months and 15 days longer than any relationship I’ve maintained with a member from the opposite sex.
• A newspaper journalist by trade, I founded art & architecture as a way to improve my writing and vent all the film thoughts I had going on in my head. After the first few months I began to realise how much I loved writing about movies and started treating this blog as a portfolio of movie related stories. Without revealing too much, a year on this site has helped me take those few important steps closer to my dream career.
• Damnit! I did not want to get soppy and here I am preaching about dreams coming true if you work hard enough and blah blah blah.
• Thanks to this blog I have met an awesome bunch of like-minded people on the 20 something bloggers network. They were even helpful enough to suggest some ways to celebrate my first blogversary. These included strippers, a vlog (which it turns out is not a vampire-hog like I originally presumed), commemorative post, getting hammered, strippers, give-away’s and strippers. Er, thanks guys.
• I have had the opportunity to meet some amazing up and coming filmmakers, actors, producers, special-effects experts and bring their work to you. With an exciting trip on the horizon, I hope to give you some more juicy juice in the next month.
• 365 days does not change the fact that despite being of indigenous France heritage, I do not appreciate being called `cuz’ or `Maori-a’. Unless it is amongst the select group of friends with whom racist and parental jokes are allowed.
• I have broadened my readership from two faithful subscribers to a bunch of peeps from all around the globe. I hope you continue to find something mildly interesting on this site so you keep coming back and sharing your opinions with me.

VIA «Happy blog birthday to me, happy blog birthday to me!»

Choked up: The tears falling down her face, Gaga struggles to compose herself
She will be performing at the awards, which take place on Saturday, which have been renamed Video Music Aid Japan and will raise money for the Japanese Red Cross.
Today Gaga broke down as she spoke about her love for the country.
She said: 'I am always so inspired when I come to Japan, inspired by the spirit, the passion, the love, the absolutely infectious joy of Tokyo.'
Hello, Tokyo: Gaga arrived at the press conference in her new aquamarine wig and black Aladdin pants
And she encouraged people from all over the world to visit the country, which has seen a huge plunge in tourism since the disaster, the nation's biggest recorded earthquake struck.
It created a tsunami that caused widespread destruction and set off a crisis at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant about 140 miles (220 kilometers) north of Tokyo.
It killed almost 20,000 people, tens of thousands more were left homeless and thousands of others were forced to leave homes near the plant because of the radiation danger.

Please visit: Gaga urged tourists to come to Japan declaring it 'beautiful' and 'safe'
Wearing a long aquamarine wig, she said: 'I can't say enough to people all over the world that the majority of Japan right now, Japan in general, is very safe. It's fine to come here. It's beautiful.
'The most important thing, and the best thing, we could do for Japan right now is to boost tourism.
'I would like to use my position here today and all week long to run around Tokyo enjoy the beautiful city and kiss all the beautiful little monsters and scream at the top of my lungs that everyone should come visit this beautiful place.'
Thirsty work: Gaga sipped from a china tea cup which had Japanese characters that read 'Pray For Japan' across it
For luck: The singer kisses an Okiagari-Koboshi, a traditional Japanese doll
During the press conference, she sipped tea from a china cup that was painted with Japanese characters that read 'We pray for Japan'.
She was also presented with an 'Okiagari-koboshi' - which means 'getting up little priest' - a Japanese traditional tumble doll that is considered a good-luck charm and a symbol of perseverance and resilience
GaGa arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday, days in advance of her performance on Saturday's Music Aid Japan benefit concert which will be broadcast live to an estimated 30 million households in Japan, Korea, Singapore and China.
For her Little Monsters: Gaga stopped to sign autographs as she left a restaurant last night...
... and kept her faithful followers happy as she stopped to greet fans at the airport
Last night she was bombarded by fans as she left Shabuzen, a popular restaurant that specialise in a common Japanese dish called Shabu-shabu, which is a Japanese hot pot, in the trendy night life area of Roppongi, in Tokyo.
But ever gracious to her 'Little Monsters', she happily stopped and signed autographs for them, just as she did when she arrived at Narita International Airport.
Just put your paws up: Gaga gives her trademark claw-hand sign and then waves to her fans as she heads out of the airport
Lady Gaga at the MTV Video Music Aid Japan press conference (june 2011)

source: dailymail

VIA An emotional Lady Gaga wipes away tears as she remembers Japanese earthquake victims

Hollywood bachelor: George Clooney, pictured with the Italian star in September, has vowed never to walk down the aisle again
‘My boyfriend has not given an interview on his private life since 1999 – everything that you read is just a rehash of stuff that has been written in the past.’
In an interview with Italian magazine Chi that appears to have tempted fate, Miss Canalis continued: ‘My second job at the moment seems to be maid of honour. For the time being that’s how it is, but I’m not putting any time limits.
‘Who knows what will happen? I am a firm believer in marriage, in the future I will be married, but for the time being I am happy as I am. I don’t need anything to confirm how happy I am.’
Clooney, however, has insisted that he would not walk down the aisle again following the end of his four-year marriage to actress Talia Balsam in 1993.
Before the split: The pair were spotted at Il Gatto Nero restaurant near Clooney's home on Lake Como last week
The actor, who turned 50 last month, said: ‘I tried marriage and it didn’t work.
‘I have had long relationships with women and they get bored with me working all the time.
‘My fear is that I would make a lousy husband and I don’t want to put myself, or anyone else, through the pain of finding out. If I was my girlfriend, I wouldn’t put up with me for very long.’
A source in Los Angeles said: ‘Elisabetta is a traditional girl and wanted the fairytale.
Ex factor: Sarah Larson, Lisa Snowdon and Clooney's first wife Talia Balsam
‘But George has never made a secret of his feelings and he wanted things to continue as they were.’
Clooney and Miss Canalis made their romance official in September 2009 after stepping out together at the Venice Film Festival.
The ER star's ex-girlfriends include British model and radio personality Lisa Snowdon and cocktail waitress Sarah Larson.
He is currently working on his new drama, Gravity, with Sandra Bullock.
source : dailymail

VIA Did Elisabetta Canalis' marriage plans scare off Hollywood's most eligible bachelor George Clooney?

The singer, who is currently dating footballer Wayne Bridge, was dressed in a short striped navy, white and peach dress with a suede dark brown leather jacket.
She finished off her look with a pair of oversized sunglasses and a pair of brown peep-toe ankle boots.
Frankie arrived at the radio station with her bandmate Una Healy, who was bright in a strapless tangerine-coloured maxi dress with gladiator sandals.
WAG style: The Saturdays singer appeared to have taken some inspiration from Victoria Beckham's short crop which she displayed in 2008
The girls had made a pit stop to pick up breakfast and a coffee ahead of their radio appearance.
Frankie has recently spoken out about her relationship with footballer Wayne, who she has been dating since January, and believes Waynecan be trusted and won't stray.
She told More Magazine: 'You can’t ever say for sure that someone would never do that, but Wayne’s different.
Summer style: Frankie and her bandmate Una Healy were seen looking lovely as they arrived at a radio studio
'We don’t hang out with other players, and I’m not really interested in being a WAG.
We’ve both had past relationships that were in the public eye.
'This is more private, and so much nicer. Things are going really well. I’m so happy.'
The Saturdays have been busy this week and yesterday the girls sported a whole host of summery looks as they arrived at the BBC Radio 1’s live lounge Maida Vale studios to record a session.
Out with the old: Frankie decided to change her signature side bob style into a shorter crop
Anybody in? Frankie was seen knocking on the window of the building before she was let in with her fellow Saturdays
The band also have a number of television appearances in the next couple of weeks before they take to the festival circuit this summer.
They're on Graham Norton's chat show this Friday, before T4 on Saturday and both Daybreak and Lorraine on Monday.
Mixed styles: Rochelle donned a pretty peach dress with a patterned scarf while Mollie wore the same printed T-shirt that Frankie wore yesterday
They're gearing up to release their next single All Fired Up ahead of the release of their as yet untitled third album later this year, ahead of their All Fired Up Tour in December.
source :dailymail

VIA Feeling a bit posh? Frankie Sandford sports new elfin crop hairstyle just like Victoria Beckham's old do