Avelino `El Rico' Lescot

What happens when a stuntman, actor/director and screenwriter walk into a Gold Coast bar? They come up with the concept for an action fantasy film that is already raising eyebrows in Hollywood no joke. Rene Perrin, Avelino `El Rico' Lescot and Susan Macguillicuddy are the trio behind The Black Sun, which recently took out the Most Ambitious Screenplay award at the 2010 International Action on Film Festival in Los Angeles.

The locals are hoping the added hype surrounding their screenplay will push the project into production and attract the eye of distributors. Lescot, a Gold Coast-based actor, stuntman and filmmaker who has worked on The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Peter Pan and The Condemned, said The Black Sun incorporates several genres.

``It's enchanting and mystical,'' he said.
``It's a gypsy, action, adventure, romance, western with a strong supernatural feel that is set in the Pacific Islands, Mexico, China, New Zealand and here.
``At the moment the film industry needs something different but financially manageable and that's The Black Sun.''

The film follows a warrior's worldwide journey on the Matariki boat, which Lescot said is `like another star of the film'. Lescot and Perrin have an impressive international fanbase thanks to the success of their action film Among Dead Men. It won several awards for best fight choreography and generated considerable profits in DVD sales in Canada, Germany, Thailand, Cambodia, Poland, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Hong Kong. It also grossed several times its $7000 budget in DVD sales through Walmart in the US. Perrin, who has worked as a stunt performer on films such as The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Daybreakers, Nim's Island, Fool's Gold and Ghost Ship, said they wanted to combine their `love of action with a love of romance' in The Black Sun.

Balancing out the testosterone on the team is screenwriter Susan Macguillicuddy. Despite having worked with the likes of Cate Blanchett, Jessica Alba, Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffiths, Macguillicuddy said working with `the boys' on The Black Sun has been her `most cherished writing experience'.

``It's like we each started at one end of the canvas and worked our way to the middle, fine-tuning the parts of the script we liked,'' she said.
``It took us about a year and hundreds of meetings but we're happy with the finished product.
``We wanted to do something very avant garde with the genre and something new.
``Getting the Most Ambitious Screenplay award means we really pushed the genre, which is what we set out to do.''

International distributors have shown interest in The Black Sun and the trio is currently in the process of looking for investors.

P.S. Since it is less than two days until the release of Tomorrow, When The War Began I figure it’s time to start getting you all majorly excited. That is, if you aren’t already. Which you should be. Therefore, I’m officially declaring this as Tomorrow, When The War Began day and prepare yourself for a swag of related stories. Starting with the lovely Phoebe Tonkin (below), who plays Fi in the film.I interviewed her at the Queensland premiere last fortnight and the next day over breakfast in Southport. As well as talking about the movie and future projects, all the usual stuff, we broached the big one - Phoebe Tonkin’s favourite movies.

“I’ve always loved Pretty Woman, that’s probably my favourite. I saw Shutter Island recently which was really good. Princess Bride, oh and Girl Interrupted is also amazing. I love Julia Roberts so anything with her in it really.”

VIA Black Sun of a Gun

Prayers for peace: A druid welcomes the sun, left, while another strums in the summer on her guitar. Despite the gloom, the sunrise was greeted with cheers and songs
Waiting for the sun: Crowds gather in darkness at Stonehenge. There were around 18,000 revellers there to greet the dawn
However the number of people who camped out overnight or arrived early to witness the dawn was down on previous years because of the poor weather and the solstice falling on a weekday.
There was no beautiful sunrise into clear blue skies - heavy overnight rain gave way to overcast but dry skies as the sun rose, greeted by cheering and applause.
The self-styled King Arthur Pendragon, the veteran druid who led the event, said it had passed off smoothly.
Here comes the sun: Revellers cheer as the sun finally breaks through the clouds, more than a couple of hours after daybreak
'It is great to see the stones being used in this way, as opposed to the usual manner with tourists being herded around.'
Stonehenge, which is between 4,000 and 5,000 years old, has in past years been the site of confrontations between revellers and police.
But Superintendent Gavin Williams, of Wiltshire Police, said the majority of the crowd this year were well-behaved and 'came to see the sunrise in the spirit of the event', which was policed in the same way as night spots in the county. However, two men were photographed fighting at the event.
Of the 20 arrests, 11 were for drugs offences and five for public order offences. In addition, 47 drug seizures were made.
Light in the East: Revellers surround the ancient stones as dawn breaks. Celebrations centre on the Heelstone, which is aligned with the midsummer sunrise
Leading the ceremony: Chief druid King Arthur Pendragon leads incantations during the summer solstice ceremony
Through the ages: Brightly dressed druids greet the solstice, left, and a very young initiate touches the ancient stones. The stone circle is usually roped off to visitors
Mr Williams said: 'Although it was disappointing that some individuals chose to bring drugs with them, they were dealt with robustly.'
English Heritage, which manages the Stonehenge site on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, said the atmosphere had been 'peaceful and good natured'.
The annual event is a modern take on solstice celebrations which were once a highlight of the pre-Christian calendar. Celebrations focus on the Heelstone, which sits just outside the main circle, and is aligned with the midsummer sunrise.
The solstice is one of the few times access is granted inside the stone circle, which has been roped off since 1978 following years of erosion and vandalism.
Stonehenge's origins remain a mystery, but one theory is that it is a huge astronomical calendar. Others say an ancient sun-worshipping culture aligned the structure with the midsummer sunrise and the midwinter sunset.
The World Heritage site was used as a cremation cemetery since its inception, archaeologists say, but it is unclear if that was its principal function.
It was build in three phases, with stones brought from up to 150 miles away, between 3000 BC and 1600 BC .

High point: A man wedges himself at the top of one of the pillars. English Heritage said the event was 'peaceful and good-natured'
Summer Solstice celebrations at Stonehenge

source : dailymail

VIA Can anyone tell us when the sun is coming up? 18,000 gather at a cloudy Stonehenge for all-night summer solstice party

Worse for wear: The reality star looked bleary-eyed as his mates helped him to the bathroom at their resort
The 20-year-old was seen indulging in glasses of beer as he reclined on a sun lounger surrounded by bikini-clad girls yesterday.
Joey was clearly keen to get his holiday off to a roaring start after arriving at the Spanish holiday resort, and looked more than a little worse for wear hours later.
The hot Marbella sun will only have increased the effect on Joey's intoxication levels.
'This will sort you out': Joey's friends offered assistance by providing more beer
A bleary-eyed Joey was led to the bathrooms at the Buddha Beach Club by his friends, according to onlookers.
'He was drinking all day in the sun, then got up and was sick. His mates took him to the toilet and fed him some more beer and then he just crashed out,' a fellow partygoer said.
There was no sign of his girlfriend Sam Faiers, who is also holidaying with the cast of The Only Way Is Essex in Marbella, so it was up to Joey's mates to lend a hand.
Before the downfall: Joey was seen throwing back beers in the sun
But the blokes appear to have decided that sleeping it off was the best course of action, leaving Joey passed out on a bunch in a deep sleep.
Joey's TOWIE castmates Jessica Wright, Sam Faiers, Lucy Mecklenburgh, James 'Arg' Argent and Lydia Bright have all descended on Marbella for their annual holiday.
They will be guests of Mark Wright who is hosting a series of parties at local nightclubs this week.
source: dailymail

VIA Too much fun in the sun: Joey Essex sleeps it off after a long day of boozing in Marbella

VIA Song Ji Sun committed suicide

Idle Mode

Ray-Ban sunglasses have appeared in 1929 when Bausch & Lomb Company has received the order for creation of special glasses which should protect eyes of pilots from blinding shine of the sun and ultra-violet beams from, thus providing an image high definition for eyes. So were born legendary sunglasses «Aviator»...

Aviator's Sunglasses

In 1952 the company has departed from traditional metal designs and has created rigid plastic glasses under the brand name «Ray-Ban Wayfarer». At this time in the USA the jazz, swing and rock'n'roll everywhere reign. Fashion magazines write about a style and rest. Sunglasses should be not only reliable, but also stylish. Ray-Ban sunglasses immediately adapted for fashion trends, and with the courageous line of Wayfarer — became the legendary cult.

Ray-Bay is a Legendary Sunglass Brand!

Already more than ten years the most known sunglasses in the world are made in Italy by company «Luxottica» which has completely kept the production technology of lenses and has added set of new models. And thanks to the US adv agency «Cutwater» the brand always trims the sails to the wind constantly changing fashion-trends.
Make sure you stay up to date with fashion and style by wearing seasonal designer eyeglasses that will add the finishing touch to any wardrobe.

VIA The Cult Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Even at £200 for a couple, and on top of the cost of a new ball gown and tails, revellers at the Trinity May Ball were far from reserved - perhaps savouring their final carefree days of student life.
Bleary-eyed after a night of partying, as the sun rose the youngsters carried on the celebration with drunken punt rides on the River Cam or breakfast in college gardens.
Relaxed: As the sun rose, students who had paced themselves continued to drink bubbly as the sun rose
The ball is a tradition dating back 145 years that is among the largest events in the Cambridge student social calendar and is as famous for the morning after events as the big night itself.
After dinner and dancing the night of official events was brought to a close with a spectacular fireworks display, but for some it was a sign that the night was still young.
The morning after the night before: These students look like they're up for continuing for some time with two bottles of Pimms
One guest said: 'The champagne was flowing, but if you want to be among the survivors the next day, you learn to pace yourself.'
The Trinity May Ball is normally held on the first Monday of May Week - the traditional end of term at Cambridge University.
This year, however, it took place in June and is one of a series of balls taking place across the campus.
The ball has continued every year since 1866 and has only had two breaks. Once in 1910 when King Edward VII died and again during the Second World War from 1939 to 1945.
Class, style and some high jinx: One couple looks like they've stepped out of a Dickens novel as they make their way home while another share a laugh with friends
The only trouble that was reported in the town was three calls from residents who complained to Cambridge City Council over excess noise.
Robert Osbourn, the council's environmental protection team leader, told the Cambridge News that some complaints were inevitable.
He said: 'You are never going to be able to guarantee that nobody hears anything.'
The students also do their bit for charity. With 17 balls and major events being held in Cambridge this academic year, the total funds from all college May Balls is likely to reach tens of thousands of pounds.
Having a punt: These party goers decide to have a more leisurely ride along the River Cam with cups of coffee
Home time: Students file out of the Trinity May Ball in an orderly manner
Friendships made: Students lie on the lawns in front of King's College as the sun rises over the spires of Cambridge
Glamour: A group of women look as splendid as they did the night before as they set off home in their ball gowns
It's a busy day for punters in Cambridge with hundreds of students to transport along the Cam
source :dailymail

VIA The passing-out ball: End-of-year celebrations prove a little TOO much for some Cambridge students

Hot property: Hunky Thom kept his hands on his hot girlfriend at all times
They were seen constantly kissing and cuddling as they lazed on the white sands and paddled in a crystal clear sea.
Model and actress Kelly, who was showing off her stunning figure in a plunging purple one-piece swimsuit, was seen larking around on the shore posing as her former rugby star beau Thom, 26, took some holiday snaps.
The pair also couldn't stop laughing as they took a stroll along the tideline - and passed a naked male sunbather who was clearly happy to let it all hang out.
Here's lookin' at you: The model took a more casual approach to posing for Thom than in her day job - but looked amazing regardless
Once they relaxed on the sands for a spot of sunbathing however, it seemed besotted Thom didn't want to risk closing his eyes to take a nap and kept his adoring gaze on Kelly at all times.
After announcing her pregnancy in March, Brook admitted it was unplanned but believed she had found 'the one' in 26-year-old Evan - a former teammate of her most recent ex-boyfriend Danny Cipriani.
She said: 'That is what happens when you are in love - you surrender to whatever is to be. It wasn't a plan, but if it happened, it happened. We were boyfriend and girlfriend.'
Fun in the sun: The happy-looking couple couldn't stop laughing when they passed a rather eager sun worshipper
However, they tragically lost their unborn baby girl after just five months of pregnancy in early May.
Since then, Kelly has kept a very low profile with barely any appearances in public.
She has been recovering at home in Kent with boyfriend Evans and her mother Sandra Parsons.
But following the disappointing summer weather of the last few weeks, it seems that a trip abroad for some proper sun was just the tonic that Kelly and Thom needed.
And as she reveals her sensational curves in the rays again, clearly, Thom won't be the only one of Kelly's admirers happy to see the star smiling again.
source: dailymail

VIA Purple patch: Beach babe Kelly Brook back on smiling form as she smooches on sand in mauve cossie with beau Thom Evans

VIA Machine Head Announce Album Title, Release Date and European Tour

The Futuristic Structure

For the next addition to a sky of the city of Dubai architectural studio Graft Lab answers. The new object is called “Vertical Village”. This set of multifunctional buildings applies on LEED Gold Certificate.

The architectural decision is optimized for climatic conditions of a place; the building minimizes heating from the sun and on-maximum uses possibilities for solar energy manufacture.
The building for itself creates a shade, in northern block, and on east and a West side is built in such a manner that penetration of long solar beams is complicated.

The Architectural Generation

The Solar Energy in Dubai

Solar collectors in the south automatically rotate behind the sun. Crossing of intricate coal forms gives the chance to generate the internal block where pools are placed. The composite ensemble of separate buildings creates the integral project.

VIA «The Solar Energy Absorber»

According to the unsubstantiated claims from the alleged victim, the attack happened in the early hours of April 10, when Mr Walsh is said to have visited Russell Court Hotel in Dublin.
Earlier in the evening, Mr Walsh had attended a concert by Westlife, the Irish boyband he created.
The man allegedly told police he chatted with Mr Walsh in the hotel’s private Global Bar, before the pair moved on to its well-known Krystle nightclub.
His statement to officers claims the TV star then indecently assaulted him in the nightclub’s toilets.
The venue: The alleged assault is said to have taken place at the Krystle nightclub, inside Dublin's Russell Court Hotel
According to The Sun, a police source said the investigation was ‘ongoing’ and that officers have taken CCTV footage from the nightclub and will also study film from cameras in the hotel.
A spokesman for Mr Walsh said: ‘He vigorously denies all of the allegations. If contacted by the police he will willingly co-operate with any investigation. Louis categorically denies any wrongdoing and will fight to clear his name.’
Famous: The nightclub is one of the most popular and exclusive in Dublin
Last night, the alleged victim refused to comment.
Mr Walsh is on the judging panel for this year’s X Factor, alongside Gary Barlow from Take That, Kelly Rowland from Destiny’s Child and N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos. The Irishman first appeared on the programme in 2004 alongside Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne.
Mr Walsh became well-known in the 1990s for creating the group Boyzone after deciding to create an Irish version of Take That.
Under his management, they achieved international success, selling more than 12million copies worldwide

Back to work: Louis Walsh arrives at the London Studios for X Factor yesterday
He later used the same formula to produce Westlife, co-managed by Boyzone member Ronan Keating. Mr Walsh launched his television career as a judge on the Irish edition of reality music show Popstars.
After finding a band on that show he was brought across to London to star in Popstars: The Rivals on ITV. It was on this show that he found UK fame, as mentor of the winning group, Girls Aloud.
During his time on the X Factor, Mr Walsh had success with classical-style boyband G4, who went on to have a chart-topping album and completed two tours of the UK.
source: dailymail

VIA Louis Walsh denies that he indecently assaulted man in nightclub toilet

There's one thing that's pretty consistent across all of the examples featured on this site — they're all as contemporary as it gets. There are no awkward features, everything is smooth, seamless and damn right modern.

Over the years the construction industry has seen technologies come and go, arguably at a faster rate than in other fields. It would be fair to say that one technology which has grabbed building experts by the scruff of the neck is solar. It's something which is being applied in practically every imaginable use and when it comes to contemporary homes it's no surprise why.

Solar is something that removes any aesthetic fears from architects. Once upon a time those famous panels may have been classed as intrusive, but nowadays they can be blended into any modern building. Similarly, smaller solar products (which we'll get into later), just don't hinder a home's appearance in the slightest and this is the reason it's here to say.

Of course, a lot of these products also happen to save a considerable amount of money - something which is surely required when you see some of the extravagant featured properties! Nevertheless, the point we're trying to make is that solar energy is here to stay and this is something that a lot of rival technologies haven't been able to say over the past few years. Here, we highlight how solar is growing, how you can use it on your home - and why it suits the contemporary, dream homes down to a tee.

The old favourite: solar panels

We may as well start with the thing that everyone associates solar technology with; those panels which seem to be affixed to a growing proportion of UK estates. Initially, they were targeted at local authority housing, but private homeowners have now caught on and they are especially popular with modern properties.

The nature of solar panels means that they are never going to be suited to a rustic dwelling. Shiny panels just don’t work on a converted barn, but when they are integrated to a potential Dwell award candidate, things start to change. They can actually look like a positive addition to such properties, while it’s now possible to purchase the panels in varying styles which make them highly compatible with different types of roofs.

Security lighting: no longer a tangle of wires

This is one use of the technology which doesn’t necessarily have to be implemented in a luxury home. The reason it’s been included in this article is because of the simplicity and it doesn’t matter where you live, gone are the days when you have to source an electrician to fit a complicated set of security lights.

Naturally, these lights arrive in various solar contemporary styles, but the big selling point is that they’re plug and play. Some security lights which are solar powered can be installed in a matter of minutes and this means that they’re certainly here to stay, and possibly overtake the standard security fittings that we have come so accustomed to over the last few years.

Water features: same as above

Take a look at the latest featured house on this blog and it will almost certainly be exquisitely landscaped, with a water feature to boot. The introduction of solar technology to these features has transformed the way in which gardens can be put together and again there’s no need to source a qualified electrician – a lot of these features are powered entirely by the sun.

Considering the fact that it’s also possible to obtain solar fairy lights to compliment the landscape, it goes without saying that water features are evolving and have become even more exuberant because of solar.

And finally… for the ultimate solar/contemporary enthusiast

We should probably have added another component to the title of this subheading, “for the ultimate property owner”. We’ll again refer to the houses that are featured across Art Architect and the vast majority have a pool in their back garden.

For a lot of years, the main problem with swimming pools hasn’t been the upfront cost (although these will still set you back tens of thousands of pounds, or more depending on your requirements), but the running costs. Again, solar has come to the rescue and through the use of solar thermal technology, it’s now possible to heat the water through the sun’s rays. Additionally, excess energy can be used for outside towel rails or even the water for showers – again elements that will accompany the contemporary plot down to a tee.

VIA «Solar: the Perfect Technology for the Contemporary Dwelling»

Architectural Factory of Pipes

The building for company T Bailey Inc is made as factory expansion on manufacture of steel pipes. The architect of the project — Tom Kundig from studio Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects — used huge pipes as a design element.

We Make the Pipes!

Total area of office of 1,100 sq. m. For construction of office architects used directly that product which is made by the customer. Visitors will get to a building on huge pipes. In a huge vertical pipe the large fan which will condition air at the main office is placed. The conditioner will be charged by energy of the sun.

The interior corresponds to stylistics. The concrete floor, open structure, a covering minimum. The roof inclination will direct streams of rain water to a garden, for watering of trees growing there.

VIA «Huge Pipes, As an Architectural Element»

Tornado was rare 'multivortex' twister, reveals National Weather Service
Obama to visit region on Sunday as he says tornado was 'devastating and heartbreaking'

The way things used to be: This Google Street Map view shows the same place as the above picture, before the horrific tornado struck
As shell-shocked residents of tornado-hit Joplin braced themselves for another powerful storm system this evening, new aerial images emerged showing in terrifying detail the path of the twister which destroyed the Missouri city.
The shocking photos reveal for the first time the true extent of the damage caused when the mile-wide tornado that killed at least 122 people blasted much of the city off the map and slammed straight into its hospital.
Forecasters warned residents on Tuesday to prepare themselves for a looming storm system that has all the early signs of spawning more deadly tornadoes.
Devastated: Aerial photo shows 26th street, the main route through the centre of Joplin, Missouri. On the right is St Mary's elementary school
Housing: Whole residential neighbourhoods were destroyed by the powerful tornado when it went straight through the centre of the city that has has 50,000 people
Tonight the stunned residents of Joplin faced the horrifying possibility of more storms - but a tornado warning was cancelled later in the evening.
‘This is a very serious situation brewing,’ said Russell Schneider, director of the Storm Prediction Center.
About 1,500 people are still unaccounted for, it was announced Tuesday, leading to fears that the death count could rise much higher.
Tonight tornadoes touched down in Kansas and Oklahoma - including one on the outskirts of Oklahoma City, which reportedly tore a 50-mile long path through rush-hour traffic.
Blown away: The remains of this apartment block surround what was once a swimming pool. Around 2,000 homes are thought to have been destroyed
Closed for business: The Home Depot do-it-yourself store was where many dead bodies have been recovered. Many of the shop shelves are still intact though
Grocery store: The city's Walmart superstore is barely recognisable in this photo from after Sunday's tornado that killed over 100 people
Shopping mall: This line of shops was severely damaged by the storm system when it struck on Sunday evening at around 6pm
Hospital: The St John's Medical Center was at the heart of the tornado's path through the city. Hundreds of patients had to be evacuated
Fire chief Robert Daus said that 500 people had been injured by the tornado, in addition to the 1,500 people who remain unaccounted for.
But he said the high number of people still recorded as missing could be a reflection of the widespread breakdown of communication systems in the city.
Thunderstorms that are moving across southeast Kansas, central Oklahoma and north Texas this afternoon are forecast to move into the Joplin area between 10pm and 2am tonight.
Destroyed: This incredible aerial image reveals how the tornado tore off the roof of Joplin's Home Depot
Flattened: This aerial photograph shows the scale of the destruction to the Home Depot store

Flattened: Damage is seen a day after the tornado tore through Joplin killing at least 122 people in Joplin, a town of about 50,000
Decimation: Residential buildings are shown flattened in this aerial shot over Joplin
Razed to the ground: Joplin's Walmart store was completely destroyed by Sunday's devastating twister
Wasteland: The horror of Sunday's tornado is laid bare by this harrowing panoramic shot of Joplin
Horseshoe: A destroyed neighbourhood is seen in Joplin on Tuesday after a big tornado moved through much of the city

Ruins: The winding path of the devastating tornado is seen in this aerial picture of Joplin, Missouri
Savaged: The path of the powerful tornado is seen in an aerial photo over Joplin, Missouri
Destroyed: The tornado ruined thousands of houses in Joplin, Missouri
From the sky: Uprooted trees and building without roofs lie devastated in Joplin, Missouri after the tornado hit on Sunday
Flattened: Members of Missouri Task Force One search-and-rescue team work at the tornado-damaged Home Depot store in Joplin
Shock: Joplin residents are still coming to terms with the loss of their homes as rescue workers continue efforts to find survivors
Recovery: Beverly Winans, left, Debbie Spurlin and Austin Spurlin look for what they can salvage from their home after it was destroyed
Lost: Carra Reed looks at a friends home that was destroyed when the massive tornado passed through Joplin, Missouri
Missing: Rescue workers and neighbours search for victims and survivors
The President says he wants Midwesterners whose lives were disrupted by the deadly storms last weekend to know that the federal government will use all resources at its disposal to help them recover and rebuild.
Obama spoke in London, the second stop on his four-country, six-day tour of Europe.
Obama is due back in Washington Saturday night.
Little hope: Ryan Harper pauses in the shadow of a splintered tree as he searches for a missing friend after who may have been pulled away by the twister

A time for coming together: A couple drenched by the heavy rain walk arm-in-arm towards a building ravaged by the killer storm, and right, a woman whose life has been shattered overnight by the tornado breaks down in tears and has to be comforted by a friend
Frantic: Volunteers claw through the rubble in search of survivors, but grey storm clouds loom overhead threatening to disrupt the efforts
'Heartbreaking': Barack Obama, speaking in London today, vowed to visit Missouri on Sunday to console victims
President Barack Obama called Nixon after details of teh tragedy emergedand offered his condolences to those affected, assuring the governor that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would provide whatever assistance was needed.
'Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in the tornadoes and severe weather that struck Joplin, Missouri, as well as communities across the Midwest today,' the President said in a statement sent from Air Force One as he flew to Europe.
'We commend the heroic efforts by those who have responded and who are working to help their friends and neighbours at this very difficult time.'
New dawn: The sun rises over devastated Joplin on Tuesday as the search for survivors continues
Heartache: Two women fight back the tears as they hug in front of a house ripped apart by the tornado. In a symbolic show of strength, the U.S. flag flies from a tree behind them
Wiped off the landscape: Meghan Miller stands in the middle of a destroyed neighbourhood as she checks on her sister-in-law's home, which only days before had stood in the same spot
source: dailymail

VIA Shocking before and after images reveal how giant tornado ripped apart Joplin's city landmarks

Oldest Kabuki Theatre (Japan)

If you wish to stylize a room interior in the Japanese stylistics — use own experience is priority, because only you know what you want. Don't use the global brain! It's possible to apply imagination and to decorate an interior with the several bright Japanese accessories designating certain Japan style. But in Japanese stylistics it's necessary to adhere to minimalism rules.

For zoning of the area of a room in Japanese style easy parting walls (glass, a tree, a bamboo) or painted screens are actively used. It gives a special glamor to an interior and allows to use the areas effectively.
Are excellently allocated the walls decorated by pictures on a rice paper with landscapes of the country of a rising sun, or portrait engravings of geisha.

Minimalism — the Basic Line of Japanese Stylistics

The Japanese Minimalism

For refinishing of walls, a ceiling, it's better to select colors neutral and light: white, gray, color of a tree. But if would be desirable brightness — experiment with saturated green (colors of a fresh grass). In refinishing pertinently to use bamboo: panels of wall, a track bed of parting walls, floor mats on a floor, bamboo regiments, armchairs, chairs, vases…
Furniture in Japanese style low enough, steady, correct geometrical forms. With such configuration of furniture always the modern technics well harmonizes.

VIA «Room Interior in the Japanese Style»

Country crooner Scotty McCreery was the first to find out he had made it through followed by Lauren Alaina.
In... and out: Alaina celebrates as Haley Reinhart learns she has been eliminated from the show
Haley Reinhart, 20, kept her cool belting out Bennie And The Jets, without shedding a tear.
At the end of the song Haley said: 'You'll be seeing me, this ain't the end of this, this ain't the end of this thing - see you later!'
She then embraced her mother and father in the audience.
Reinhart had always seemed doomed on Idol. Unlike her remaining rivals the wavy-haired singer had been less definable and garnered fewer votes, landing at the bottom as one of the show's low vote-getters four times after weak performances of such songs as LeAnn Rimes' Blue and Blondie's Call Me.
No tears: Haley Reinhart, 20, kept her cool belting out Bennie And The Jets, without shedding a tear
This season's femme fatale found recent success by boldly tackling classic rock tunes.
She earned a standing ovation from the judges two weeks ago for a rousing rendition of The Animals' version of The House of the Rising Sun, and she was lauded again Wednesday for her performances of Fleetwood Mac's Rhiannon and Led Zeppelin's What Is and What Should Never Be.
It was apparently too little, too late for Reinhart after 95 million viewer votes were cast Wednesday.
Well done: After her performance Haley ran to embrace her parents in the audience
While she was finding her groove throughout the finals, McCreery and Alaina had been delivering consistent country and pop performances since their attention-grabbing auditions.
McCreery never appeared at the bottom, and Alaina only did once two weeks ago.
Earlier in the evening as each of the three finalists were filmed visiting their hometowns.
I'll be back: Haley vowed that viewers hadn't seen the last of her
The show also featured a sizzling live performance by Nicole Scherzinger and 50 Cent and the U.S. debut of Italian boy-band and tenor trio Il Volo.
Haley Reinhart made a tearful return to her hometown of Wheeling, Illinois a village 30 miles north of Chicago where she was overwhelmed by the number of fans who came out to see her despite a downpour.
Scotty McCreery returned to his hometown of Garner, North Carolina for an all out concert performance - crying on camera as he was pictured leaving in his limousine.
Homecoming: Scotty McCreery sobs as he makes his triumphant return to him hometown
Emotional: McReery sobbed as he prepared for an all out concert performance in Garner, North Carolina
But the perhaps the most emotional return was for Southern belle Lauren Alaina returned to Rossville, Georgia to visit her old high-school before taking a tour of the nearby area, which was devastated by recent storms and tornadoes.
She wept as she past through the devastated communities meeting with some of the families whose lives had been torn apart by the disaster.
'I'm doing this for you guys,' she told the crowd.
Disbelief: Lauren Alaina returned to Rossville, Georgia to visit her old high-school before taking a tour of the nearby area, which was devastated by recent storms and tornadoes
I'm doing this for you: She wept as she past through the devastated communities meeting with some of the families whose lives had been torn apart by the disaster
McCreery and Alaina will face off Tuesday, with the 10th season Idol champion crowned on Wednesday.
It will mark the youngest finale matchup in Idol history.
Producers lowered the minimum age requirement to 15 years old this season, which allowed Alaina, who's been compared to fourth season Idol winner Carrie Underwood, the chance to audition last year.
Success: The judges are also winners, with a record 95-million votes were recorded after the semi-final show last night
The show featured a sizzling live performance by Nicole Scherzinger, she will co-host the U.S. X Factor
source: dailymail

VIA Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery to battle it out in American Idol final... as Haley Reinhart is eliminated

The pyramids at Meroe, some 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of Sudan's capital, Khartoum, are rarely visited despite being a UNESCO World Heritage site like those in Egypt. Sanctions against the government of longtime President Omar al-Bashir over Sudan's long-running internal conflicts limit its access to foreign aid and donations, while also hampering tourism.

The site, known as the Island of Meroe because an ancient, long-dried river ran around it, once served as the principle residence of the rulers of the Kush kingdom, known as the Black Pharaohs. Their pyramids, ranging from 6 meters (20 feet) to 30 meters (100 feet) tall, were built between 720 and 300 B.C. The entrances usually face east to greet the rising sun.

The pyramids bear decorative elements inspired by Pharaonic Egypt, Greece and Rome, according to UNESCO, making them priceless relics. However, overeager archaeologists in the 19th century tore off the golden tips of some pyramids and reduced some to rubble, said Abdel-Rahman Omar, the head of the National Museum of Sudan in Khartoum.

On a recent day, a few tourists and white camels roamed the site, watched by a handful of security guards. Sudan's tourism industry has been devastated by economic sanctions imposed over the conflicts in Darfur and other regions. Al-Bashir's government, which came to power following a bloodless Islamist coup in 1989, has struggled to care for its antiquities.

Qatar has pledged $135 million to renovate and support Sudan's antiquities in the last few years. But Omar said Sudan still receives just 15,000 tourists per year.

Author: Maggie Michael | Source: The Associated Press [April 26, 2015]