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Lost Shakespeare Play Found?

admin — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:01:26 +0000

“Double Falsehood”, a drama linked to William Shakespeare 250 years ago but whose authorship was disputed, is a genuine work by the bard (shown here), a British academic has said.
AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis
THE GIST:

An 18th century playwright had claimed his work, performed in 1727, was based on a work by Shakespeare.
The claim was met with wide skepticism at the time.
Now a professor says the play was, in fact, likely based on a Shakespearean work called “Cardenio.”

Is this love’s labor no longer lost? A scholar says a play written in the 18th-century is very likely based on a missing work by William Shakespeare.

After years of literary investigation, a professor at the University of Nottingham said Tuesday he’s certain “Double Falsehood, or the Distressed Lovers” was born out of “Cardenio,” a play Shakespeare scholars believe existed.

Some scholars believe Lewis Theobald’s “Double Falsehood,” first performed in London’s West End in December 1727, was based substantially on the Bard’s “Cardenio.”

“There is definitely Shakespearean DNA,” said English literature professor Brean Hammond, who has worked since 2002 to determine if “Double Falsehood” has Shakespearean roots. Arden Shakespeare, an authoritative publisher of the Bard’s works, has released an edition of the play edited by Hammond — a decision the publisher acknowledges is controversial.

Arden’s general editor, Shakespeare scholar Richard Proudfoot, agrees with Hammond and says there is no absolute way of knowing if “Double Falsehood” is based on Shakespeare’s work, but he argues it is a “sufficiently sustainable position” that it represents the play in some form.

“My position is one of fairly confident — but cautious — acceptance,” he said.
Read more here.

When Visiting the Loire Valley, Do Not Miss…

admin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 13:13:37 +0000

Fulfilling any childhood fantasy of being royalty might be easier than you think with a trip to a few spectacular Chateaux in France.

Chateau Chambord

Hidden in the center of a forest is the Chateau Chambord. If you close your eyes for a moment and envision what your idea might be for a house only occupied for the occasional nights stay or whose primary use would be as a hunting lodge – a castle with 440 rooms, 84 staircases, and 365 fireplaces would certainly not be what most people would have in mind. Yet, this was the structure that filled the desires of King Francois I. For a hunting lodge, it is the largest Chateau in the Loire Valley.

At its center you will find a double spiral staircase that was said to be designed by Leonardo da Vinci. It has passed through a variety of owners ending with the Count of Paris before it was eventually purchased by the French government and turned into the attraction it is for visitors today.

Chateau d’ Usse

Another notable chateau, found in the beautiful Loire Valley, has served as the inspiration for more than one princess story. This castle is literally a fairytale come to life. Its image served as inspiration and sparked an idea for the writer Charles Perrault. The basis for his story Sleeping Beauty can be linked back to the blue slate roof and gothic turrets of the Chateau d’ Usse.

It has been appropriately nicknamed the castle of dreams. It was originally intended to serve as a fortress, but for many it has become the ultimate symbol of a fairytale. Its design was even adopted by Walt Disney and can be seen replicated in his famous Cinderella Castle.

Chateau Villandry

Here it is not the beauty of the chateau’s design that draws people to what is known as one of the most visited castles in France, but the gardens surrounding it. Villandry was built in the 16th century near the Cher River. While the chateau itself is certainly impressive, its French mosaic gardens are the main draw. You can experience what is truly the finest example of formal Renaissance gardens in France. This is a place that anyone with even the slightest tinge of a green thumb could admire and appreciate.

Chateau Chaumont

Chaumont holds the title of being one of the oldest chateau’s in the Loire Valley. Built in the 10^th century, it was the one-time home to Catherine de Medici, the queen of France and wife of Henry II. Eventually she was able to switch residences with his mistress in favor of a grander style, but this castle certainly has its charm. It is now owned by the French government and serves primarily as a museum.

Its English style gardens play host to the Festival des Jardins, which lasts from June to mid-October. This unique festival allows for the true creativity of individuals to come alive as they are challenged by a unique theme each year. This past year it was “gardens of color” and previous years it has been “at play in the garden” and even “movement”. Since the gardens are constantly changing, the festival provides just another reason to return annually for a visit.

Chateau Versailles

Any list of chateaux in France would not be complete without including the palace at Versailles. I realize that most people are aware of Versailles and its beauty, but there could be no justification in creating a list without including it. It is easily one of the most widely known palaces in the world. This was a residence literally created for the Gods. Much like Chateau Chambord it began as a hunting lodge for Louis XIII.

Over the years it has been updated and expanded upon to achieve the splendor we recognize it for today. Within the palace walls you will find 700 rooms, 67 staircases, and over 2,000 windows. Visiting this national museum of history, a true testament to what architecture, wealth, and design can achieve, would be the perfect conclusion to any French Chateaux traveling experience.
See more at mymelange.net.

Fabulous Modern Sculptures

admin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:39:21 +0000

Art is hard to define as a concept and is being understood different as time passes. Sculptors have often been the flag carriers for art around the world. Here’s just a small list of some amazing art works that just stand out, public sculptures that just stand out.

The magic tap

It seems to be taken straight out of photoshop, but it’s as real as you can get. Located in the Aqualand in Cadiz, it seems to be floating and pouring water all day long. It’s not rocket science figuring out how it works; there’s a pipe hidden in the stream of water which is the answer behind it.

La Trobe

A statue of Charles Joseph La Trobe, gifted to the Library by the La Trobe Society, was unveiled in 2006. Located in Melbourne, the sculpture is standing upside down and seems to be a wonder of balance.

The Shark

The Shark has been an attraction for tourists in Oxford for more than 20 years. This house is not different to any other; it was built as a semi-detached house in about 1860 but now attached by a link to a second house to the north.

Computer chip Mona Lisa

It may not seem that great, but this sculpture made just from computer chips is definitely something to be admired whenever you’re in the Asus Headquarters.
zmescience

Hold the Rainbow

admin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:30:00 +0000

This book started as a personal project in summer 2007, and was soon published from a Japanese bookstore “Utrecht”. It’s a flipbook, but rather than seeing animation, it creates a 3D rainbow in your hand. Since being published it has been featured on Japanese TV, Newspapers, major news & blogsites like yahoo news, coolhunting and fffffound. This book won this years NY ADC silver cube.

masa-ka.com

See the Door to Hell With Your Own Eyes

admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:51:30 +0000

There are several places around the world that locals believe are a door to hell. Endless catacombs beneath the city of Paris, France for example or Dimmuborgir lava formations in Iceland. When it comes to sheer jaw-dropping effect, however, The Door to Hell by Darvaza in Turkmenistan takes the cake. I would also classify Darvaza as one of the places that should be on the must-visit list of every serious explorer who likes to visit Earth’s most breath-taking sites. Darvaza is a gas crater the burning gates of which have been flaming for upwards of 37 years.

The Door to Hell in Turkmenistan, Photo

Darvaza Burning Gas Crater

Turkmenistan is very rich in natural resources. Currently a sovereign country, Turkmenistan was part of the Soviet Union until 1991. It was during rule of Soviet Russia, back in 1971 when geologists were conducting gas drilling in Kara-Kum desert and discovered an underground chamber close to the village of Darvaza (known in Turkmen as Derweze, but sometimes also referred to as Darvaz). The discovery of the chamber was accidental and resulted in drilling rig collapsing, leaving giant gas crater filled with poisonous gases exposed to the world outside. The concentration of gases within the crater was high so nobody dared to go down there. It was then when someone came with an idea to light the gas in the crater on fire so as to burn it before the poisonous fumes engulf the nearby town of Darvaza.

The geologists thought the idea of burning the gas was smart and went ahead with lighting the crater on fire. As it turns out, the supply of quality natural gas below the crater is near infinite as the crater’s been burning since. At the time of this post, on June of 2009 the gas crater in Darvaza is still burning and has been since 1971 without interruption. No one can even imagine how much quality natural gas was burnt throughout the 38 years of the crater being on fire. No one can estimate how much more gas there still is. When they first lit the gas crater on fire, they thought the fire would go out after a few days. It’s been more than a few day, it’s been more than a few weeks or months. It’s been decades and the gas crater is burning just as it did the day it was first lit. Putting all economical loses from wasted natural gas aside, imagine the ecological impact this burning gas has cause during decades of non stop burning!

Darvaza Gas Crater at Night with Silhouettes of People

The Door to Hell

The locals from Darvaza have given the burning crater a name that suits it well – The Door to Hell. And everyone who visits Darvaza agrees with the name and finds it appropriate. When you look inside the burning gas crater, you do feel like this is what the door to hell would look like. No one dared to enter the chamber when it was first discovered and no one has dared there since. After all, everyone knows what kind of path a door o hell takes you. And it’s not the path anyone would voluntarily want to embark on. Seeing the door to hell with your own eyes, however is an experience like no other. You will have long stayed in awe after experiencing the viciousness of the fire within the gorge of the burning crater. The Door to Hell would be an amazing vacation experience for the adventurous wonderers. This is a vacation idea that your mainstream tour operators don’t know about. And that’s the beauty of it.

Darvaza The Burning Gates Gas Hole in Turkmenistan

Darvaza Location

Darvaza is located in Turkmenistan but many sources mistakenly mention that it’s located in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is a country next to Turkmenistan and Darvaza is definitely not located there. Which is a good thing as there have been travel warnings for Uzbekistan for a long time, urging all travelers to avoid the country due to high risks of terrorist attacks and/or civil disturbances. But Uzbekistan is not where Darvaza is.

Darvaza and the burning gas crater are located in the central area of Turkmenistan, about 260 km north of Turkmenistan’s capital city Ashgabat.

Is Turkmenistan Safe to Travel to?

Turkmenistan is located in the Middle East (Central Asia) and is surrounded by countries such as Afghanistan or Iran, which are known for frequent terrorist attacks, war, kidnapping and other crime against tourists. Despite proximities to war zones, the US Bureau of Consular Affairs has no warnings for Turkmenistan at this time, other than a recommendation to exercise normal degree of caution and keep aware of your surroundings at all times. For US Department of State Travel Website with more info and more up to date travel warnings, click HERE.

Canadian Foreign Affairs and International Trade Office however warns that tourists to Turkmenistan should exercise HIGH degree of caution based on sporadic clashes that occurred in September of 2008 in the outskirts of Ashgabat in the northern district of Khitrovka. For Canadian Foreign Affairs and International Trade Website with more info on Turkmenistan and more up to date travel warning, click HERE.

Despite its proximity to war zones and a violent clash from a year ago (which country hasn’t had one like that) Turkmenistan seems like a reasonably safe country to travel to at this time. Unless situation changes dramatically, the regions around Darvaza appear safe and friendly. A tourist should however always remain cautious and don’t needlessly attract attention on to themselves. Don’t show off and don’t walk desolate streets alone at night. Just general personal safety advice that should be in place no matter where you’re traveling to.

Darvaza The Burning Gas Hole Photo Gallery

Darvaza the Burning Gates Image

Pic of the Door to Hell in Darvaza, Turkmenistan

Photo Source: English Russia
vacationideas.com

Disney’s Romantic Five

admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:19:40 +0000

For my dear friend, Ashley, for whom Disney truly is the happiest place on earth.

Disney’s 5 most romantic spots

A massage room at the Grand Floridian Spa.

1. Grand Floridian Spa. Pamper yourselves with a couples massage at the Grand Floridian Resort’s spa. The spa offers both standard massages for couples and an instructional session, where a therapist will take the couple through basic massage techniques which they can apply when they return home.

2. Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams, Magic Kingdom. Tomorrow, we will attend a special Valentine’s Day edition of this famous fireworks show over Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom. This setting is the perfect place for every princess to spend a romantic moment with her prince.

3. Coral Reef Restaurant, Epcot. Named as one of the top places to propose at Disney World by Korri McFann, Disney’s marketing & business development director of weddings & honeymoons, an aquarium-side table at this intimate restaurant provides great views of the coral reef at the Living Sea attraction and a romantic, dimly lit atmosphere.

Disney’s Boardwalk.

4. Disney’s Boardwalk. Step back in time and take a quiet stroll on Disney’s Boardwalk. Modelled after turn of the 20th century locales such as Coney Island and Atlantic City, the Boardwalk offers a bevy of restaurants, a dance hall, and, weather permitting, a midway and street performers. It’s the perfect Disney place to spend a warm evening.

On the Kilimanjaro Sunset Safari.

5. Sweetheart Safari, Animal Kingdom. Also named a top place to propose at Disney by McFann, this sunset jeep safari, which features glimpses of elephants, giraffes and black rhinos, is an exciting adventure with a romantic twist. This special offering extends the standard Kilimanjaro Safari, which takes you on a tour of the 2,100 sq. km Harambe Wildlife Reserve, with dessert for two after the tour.
canoe.ca

Humpback Opus

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:44:52 +0000

Visit Australia’s Optus Whalesong and, using your keyboard, type a message that will be translated and “sung” to a beautiful virtual whale, which will respond to what you type. Its quite relaxing.
image source specieslist.com

Mermaid or Whale?

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:06:24 +0000

Recently, in a large French city, a poster featuring a young, thin and tan woman appeared in the window of a gym. It said:

THIS SUMMER DO YOU WANT TO BE A MERMAID OR A WHALE?

A middle aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.

To Whom It May Concern:

Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious humans). They have an active sex life, they get pregnant and have adorable baby whales. They have a wonderful time with dolphins stuffing themselves with shrimp. They play and swim in the seas, seeing wonderful places like Patagonia, the Bering Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia. Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs. They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans. They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone in the world.

Mermaids don’t exist. If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of Argentinean psychoanalysts due to identity crisis. Fish or human? They don’t have a sex life because they kill men who get close to them not to mention how could they have sex? Therefore they don’t have kids either. Not to mention who wants to get close to a girl who’s skin is all scaly and smells like a fish store?

The choice is perfectly clear to me… I want to be a whale.

P..S. We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that only skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my grandkids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver and a latte with my friends. With time, we gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room, it distributes out to the rest of our bodies. So we aren’t heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy. Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think, “Good gosh, look how smart I am”!
image source 1
image source 2
any-body.org

Curvy Going Mainstream

admin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:01:08 +0000

V Magazine’s “Size Issue” won’t be published until next week but it is already dividing opinion. It includes a photo shoot with heavier, semi-clad models proud to flaunt their curves. The debate over plus-size models enflamed last year when Mark Fast, the fashion designer, decided to use size 14 models at London Fashion Week. At the same time, the popularity of Crystal Renn, the size 14 model, suggested that curvier models were becoming more acceptable.

Do you think the fashion world should use more plus-size models? Is it a welcome tangent to the size-zero debate? Or perhaps you think this photo shoot is just a publicity stunt? Which would you rather look at?
telegraph

The Boeing Dreamliner Experience

admin — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 15:56:48 +0000

Oh sure, Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner is made of composite materials and it’s super fuel efficient, but unless you own an airline, the only thing you care about is how comfortable it is. Boeing knows this, and has striven to give passengers an experience unlike any other airplane.

The aerospace company decided an all-new airplane needs an all-new interior and went all-out to make the 787’s interior as innovative as its airframe, aerodynamics and engines. From the air you breath to the turbulence you (won’t) feel to the windows you look through, the passenger experience promises to provide something new at every stage of your flight.

“When you go inside a 787 mockup, you get this ‘wow!’” said airline analyst Scott Hamilton, who got to see a demo interior at Boeing’s facility near Seattle.

You know the 787 is something different the moment you step inside.

Boeing wastes no time giving passengers a new experience. As soon as you board the Dreamliner, you’re greeted by an open area just inside the door. The ceiling resembles a skylight, complete with blue LED lighting that mimics the sky.

“They’ve designed this kind of lounge area instead of coming in next to a galley,” Hamilton says. “It really gives you a welcoming area instead of entering into somebody’s kitchen.”

Of course, it’s up to the airlines buying the planes to decide what you see, and some of them way well modify the boarding area and other features of the plane. But even if they muck it up completely, there’s still a lot of “wow” in the 787 cabin.

The onboard lighting is one of the coolest features.

Anyone who has flown across more than a couple of time zones knows how difficult it is to sleep, and to be awakened with the flick of a switch that floods the cabin in fluorescent white light. Boeing’s LEDs allow the crew to adjust the lighting to match different phases of the flight.

The light is fairly standard during boarding and while cruising. During meals it is adjusted to warmer tones. Once you’re done eating and want to tilt the seat back and relax, the cabin can be bathed in a relaxing lavender hue. When it’s time to sleep, the lights are turned way down.

But it’s how the crew wakes you that’s the best part of the Dreamliner’s lighting.

Instead of flicking the lights on and flooding the cabin in light, the cabin will brighten slowly, with the light transitioning from the purples and oranges of a sunrise to yellows, and eventually white against a blue sky. Boeing’s thought is mimicking the light schedule of your destination, some of the dreaded jet lag can be alleviated

Sleep time brings up another innovation.

Gone is that dreaded moment when, after you finally fall asleep, that passenger in the window seat raises the shade to make sure the Pacific Ocean is still there and fills the cabin with sunlight. The windows of the 787 don’t have shades. They use an electrochromic dimmable system.

You can let in all the light you want — or none at all — at the flick of a switch. Of course, the crew has a master switch, so when it’s time to sleep, that guy in the window seat can only get just enough light to confirm the Pacific hasn’t gone anywhere without bothering everybody else.

He’ll have a better view, too. The 787’s windows are 65 percent bigger than the windows in other planes. Boeing made them taller, so kids and NBA players can enjoy the same view as the average passenger.

Boeing spent a lot of time focusing on how passenger’s perceive the cabin.

Let’s face it: you’re sitting in a tube. It’s only so big — the fuselage is 18 feet 11 inches wide — and there’s only so much space you can use. Things are always a little more spacious in first class, but Boeing wanted to make sure even those of us crammed into coach feel like we have more room.

To do that, Boeing’s designers gave the 787 an open, airy design. It’s another reason for the skylight-like lighting.

“The upper ceiling designs are arched in such a fashion that you get a much more open feeling than you do in a typical wide-body airplane,” Hamilton says.

Even the overhead bins have been redesigned.

To accommodate the trend of more carry-on bags due to baggage fees and the unwillingness of some passengers to part with their luggage, Boeing made the bins about 30 percent bigger. They’re easier to load because they lower when opened and tuck away when raised. That should be a big help for people who don’t understand what a carry-on should be and make it easier for the rest of us to stash our stuff and get out of the aisle.

The composite structure of the 787 means the Dreamliner is lighter and more aerodynamic, which is a boon for airlines. But the composite construction means the airframe isn’t prone to corrosion like aluminum. That means the crew can increase the humidity of the cabin, reducing that parched feeling you have after a long flight.

And thanks again to the composite fuselage, the interior cabin pressure can be increased. This means the cabin will be pressurized to an altitude of 6,000 feet instead of the typical 8,000 feet. These combined factors should make breathing much more comfortable and lead to fewer headaches, fatigue and other health issues common to many passengers.

Another factor that often leads to headaches and general annoyance is noise, especially if you’re sitting behind the engines. The new serrated engine nacelles on the 787 make the plane quieter — both for passengers and those who live in the plane’s flight path. Even the fan blades inside the engine are designed to be quieter.

One of the more innovative passenger comfort systems on the 787 is the computer-controlled turbulence-reduction system.

Boeing claims the Smoother Ride Technology will provide an eight-fold reduction in the number of people experiencing motion sickness. Sensors throughout the airplane detect subtle changes in air pressure indicative of turbulence and direct the fly-by-wire flight controls to move flaperons on the wings to counter the vertical motion. It won’t eliminate all the bumps, but Boeing says it will work especially well on the moderate turbulence that causes most airsickness.

All of this technology puts the 787 well ahead of the competition, Hamilton says. He points out that if you only know the standard airline interior, you won’t feel like you’re missing anything. But even the most modern of interiors in other airplanes doesn’t compare.

“Airbus had done a complete makeover of the A320 interior in 2007,” Hamilton says. “But it’s a conventional looking interior. It’s very good, but having been inside the 787, you just get that ‘wow’ factor.”

And the new interiors will make the airlines happy as well. From the windows to the bathrooms and everything in between, the 787 interior is designed to be easier to clean and cheaper to repair or replace.

The Dreamliner is two years overdue and Boeing has lost orders because of those delays. But Hamilton and others say once the flight test is finished and the first loads of passengers have flown on the new airplane, most of the bad memories should be erased.

He says there are likely to be a few more hiccups between now and then, but is confident both the airlines and the flying public will appreciate the new design.

“Boeing is going to have a real winner on its hands,” he says.

We’ll find out in nine months. That’s when Japan’s All Nippon Airways starts service with the first passenger carrying 787.
cnn via wired