His main focus has mostly been America as he is fascinated by the global dominance of the American political system. His work that resembles the children’s toys mainly depicts the prevalence of violence in society today.
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Saturday, April 10, 2010
Wood Carving Guns and Weapons On The Desks
Wood carvings are mainly of different guns and weapons which surely attract one’s attention.A London-based artist, Ben Turn bull born in 1974 and expelled from two schools where he used to spent time drawing and carving out some exquisite caricatures on to a desk which today had led him to be one of the controversial artists with his controversial works, surely knows how to make strong impact with his art.
His main focus has mostly been America as he is fascinated by the global dominance of the American political system. His work that resembles the children’s toys mainly depicts the prevalence of violence in society today.
His main focus has mostly been America as he is fascinated by the global dominance of the American political system. His work that resembles the children’s toys mainly depicts the prevalence of violence in society today.
Friday, April 9, 2010
riding logs down steep hills Ki-otoshi ceremony
Young men prove their bravery by riding giant logs down steep hills in bizarre Japanese Ki-otoshi ceremony
Bravery isn't the first word that comes to mind when looking at these images of a Japanese log-rolling ceremony.
But that is exactly what these young men are apparently proving during the bizarre Ki-otoshi ceremony, where they ride the giant logs as they are yanked down steep hills by ropes.
Skidding and bumping over the rough terrain, at times the logs literally drop down the steep inclines.
Someone always gets hurt. I fell off and broke a rib on my first time down,' said Kazuaki Miyasaka, a spry 60-year-old former sushi chef, after taking part in the ceremony in 2004.
The practice forms part of the Yamadishi segment of a Japanese festival called Onbashiri, the 'sacred pillar' festival.
Onbashiri is ancient - it has been celebrated in the Lake Suwa area of Nagano for 1,200 years.
The festival takes place every six years and consists of two segments - Yamadishi, which takes place in April, and Satobiki in May.
Before Yamadishi, which means 'coming out of the mountains', the huge trees are cut down with axes made especially for the job.
They are decorated in the traditional colours of Shinto ceremonies, red and white. Then the ropes are attached, and teams of men drag the logs down the hills towards the four shrines of Suwa Taisha.
In the Satobiki part of the festival, the logs are specially placed to support the foundations of the shrine.
Sixteen logs are used, four for each shrine, in an effort to renew the power of the shrines.
Men sit on the logs as they are raised and sing to mark the occasion.
Onbashiri was demonstrated during the opening ceremonies of the Nagano Olympics in 1998.
Source:- news.google.com
Japanese scientists create Robocop suit
Kazuya Taira demonstrating the new power-assist suit developed by TAT professor Shigeki Toyama at the TAT campus in Tokyo
The metal-and-plastic outfit boasts eight electric motors that amplify the strength of the wearer's arms and legs, as well as sensors that can detect movements and respond to commands through a voice-recognition system.
Professor Shigeki Toyama and his team developed the power-enhancing suit at the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology and Mr Toyama plans to set up a company to start producing the futuristic outfit by the end of the year.
The suits can reduce the user’s physical effort by 62 per cent on average.
Industrial robots have long been common in Japan and heavy industries may decide that the suit would help ease any physical pain experienced by workers.
When bending knees the muscular activity is reduced by half, and the suit can also take most of the strain out of crouching.
Fifteen years in the making, the “robosuit” is due to hit the Japanese market in 2012 when it will initially retail for about one million yen (£8,100), a price tag its makers hope to halve if the device is mass-produced.
There are however currently no plans so far to sell the suits overseas.
Source:- Telegraph
Giant sculpture of naked reclining woman
Womanly creation: An artist's impression of the huge sculpture garden designer and artist Charles Jenks has devised, with a road in the top right giving an idea of its immense size
Work has begun in Northumberland on a massive earth sculpture of a naked, reclining female.
The creator has denied it is offensive to woman, claiming it will be an iconic celebration of women and the human form.
Crews using bulldozers and excavators have started work on the spectacular, 440-yard-long artform using 1.5m tonnes of soil and clay dug from an opencast mine near Cramlington.
World-renowned landscape architect Charles Jencks, who was commissioned to design the sculpture, said he hopes it will become an icon for the region and form part of a 'destination art' route for UK tourists.
Nestling among man-made lakes at Blagdon Estate, it will be the centrepiece of a landform park expected to open to the public in 2013.
Responding to suggestions that the Northumberlandia figure is demeaning to women and could be offensive to some, Mr Jencks said he believes people will soon be won over by it.
'I don't believe it is demeaning to women, men or the human species as a whole, in fact it celebrates all of that,' he said. 'It won't be offensive because people will always see it with more than one meaning.
'People have every right to question it, because it is art, but I promise you they will be won over to its existence. I profoundly believe that, given time, people will not find any offence in this, and will grow to love her.
'I think the people of Northumberland will rather like the idea that their county and countryside is given identity like this. I don't think there is an issue here with her sex, or her breasts or anything like that.'
Mr Jencks said the excavation of 1.5m tonnes of soil and clay at the Shotton mine provided a great opportunity to create a massive earth sculpture, framed by the Cheviot hills in the background and the 'big sky' of the area.
'I felt, what could be more appropriate for a huge landscape like this than a human body that can be seen in many different ways.'
Seen from the air as a giant female form lying on the ground with arms outstretched, Northumberlandia is predicted to attract up to 200,000 visitors a year and help stimulate the local economy.
When completed, people will be able to walk along the sculpture's head, breasts and legs on a network of zig-zagging footpaths.
Site operator The Banks Group and the local Blagdon Estate are investing £2.5million in the project.
Company chairman Harry Banks and Blagdon's Matt Ridley helped Mr Jencks start work on the project.
Giles Ingram, executive director at Northumberland Tourism, said: 'Northumberland is carving out quite a reputation now for original artwork in natural settings.
'From the outdoor art at Kielder Water to The Couple sculpture at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, and now Northumberlandia, we have a growing range of world-standard art, with which people can really interact.'
Top 10 Things Bosses Love To Hear
10 "It's already been arranged."
While your boss may be tackling bigger tasks than you, that doesn't change how good it feels to check something off the old to-do list. When your boss asks about something that's finished, let him know it clearly and directly. Some employees speak so indirectly to their bosses that the boss may continue thinking or worrying about a task that's done, just because the employee didn't come right out and say the good news. If the task is done, say so.
9 "Good news."
This one's a no-brainer. When something good happens, bring your boss in on the good feelings. Work is about getting work done, but that doesn't mean you can't take pride and satisfaction when something works out well. Your boss has plenty of bad news headed his way on a regular basis, so you stick out like a sore thumb when you're the bearer of good news. Being a source of pleasure for your boss is never a bad thing.
8 "No problem."
You think your coworkers are a bunch of complainers? You have no idea. As much as they whine to you, you wouldn't believe how much pushback your boss gets. When assigning work to your fellow employees, your boss has to hold people's hands and listen to complaints about how busy they are and how difficult the project is going to be. Don't be one of the complainers. When you're given a task you can handle, let your boss know that it's a slam dunk.
7 "It's being taken care of."
Sooner or later, you're going to screw up. It hurts, but it happens. When you drop the ball on something, you should do two things: tell your boss and tell your boss what you're doing about it. Sure, your boss isn't going to be happy that a mistake was made (who likes problems in their area?), but he will be a lot less happy if he doesn't hear about it from you, and then gets blindsided by it when the situation blows up. So fess up to the error, it shows that you're big enough to be responsible for your actions. But always, always have a plan for getting things back on track. Let your boss know that you're correcting the error -- it shows that you're paying enough attention to realize you messed up, and you care enough to not settle for mediocrity.
6 "With regard to X, I've figure out we can do A, B or C. What do you think?"
It's fine to have situations at work, and there's nothing wrong with asking your boss for advice, but before you step into his or her office, have some ideas about what can be done. By having a few ideas, you show that you've thought the situation through. Even if your boss doesn't like any of your ideas and tells you to do “D” instead, you've shown him or her that your first reaction at the sign of trouble is to start thinking, not throw up your hands and run to the boss with your problems.
5 "I figured out what to do about X."
Not every problem is simple enough to be solvable in a few minutes, and that's OK, but you should keep thinking about the problem, and try to find out a way to solve the situation (or at least move it forward). If you come up with a solution or at least a next step, share it with your boss. The more you get promoted, the larger and more complex the problems will get, and the harder it will be to find a “perfect” solution too. So, show that you're able to plan ahead and solve the bigger problems.
4 "Consider it done."
When you make this statement, in one instant, an item has gone from something vague in your boss' mind to a task that's assigned to somebody. This is a step toward being seen as a “go-to person,” your bosses reliable right-hand man.
3 "I'll see to it personally."
This statement is an extension of “consider it done.” If you have a reputation with your boss as somebody who can handle the important or difficult work, saying you'll handle it personally calls in that reputation you've built up. If you've been doing your work well and doing it on time, saying you're taking care of if personally reminds your boss that the task will not only get done, but it will get done with the standard of excellence he's come to expect from you.
2 "I found a way to get it done cheaper."
Getting invested in the bottom line is one of the best ways to get your boss smiling. You can work hard and be a good employee all you like, but businesses don't run on happy feelings. Your boss is always looking for ways to do two things: make the business more money and cost the business less money. And while you can always help find ways to earn the company more, suggestions to save money are often easier. Lots of people can say “we need more customers,” but if you find a new vendor who's 10% cheaper, that's a hard number your boss can put to use.
1 "Let me run an idea by you."
Having employees who are taking the initiative means the boss can focus on the tasks on his plate; he doesn't have to worry that you're just sitting around waiting for direction. Your boss will appreciate you trying to come up with ideas, but he wouldn't appreciate you launching those ideas without getting his opinion. As the one responsible for what comes out of the department, he wants to know that everybody is rowing in the same direction. So come up with some good ideas, use your noodle and make sure your boss gets the benefit from your brainstorm.
Source:- askmen
While your boss may be tackling bigger tasks than you, that doesn't change how good it feels to check something off the old to-do list. When your boss asks about something that's finished, let him know it clearly and directly. Some employees speak so indirectly to their bosses that the boss may continue thinking or worrying about a task that's done, just because the employee didn't come right out and say the good news. If the task is done, say so.
9 "Good news."
This one's a no-brainer. When something good happens, bring your boss in on the good feelings. Work is about getting work done, but that doesn't mean you can't take pride and satisfaction when something works out well. Your boss has plenty of bad news headed his way on a regular basis, so you stick out like a sore thumb when you're the bearer of good news. Being a source of pleasure for your boss is never a bad thing.
8 "No problem."
You think your coworkers are a bunch of complainers? You have no idea. As much as they whine to you, you wouldn't believe how much pushback your boss gets. When assigning work to your fellow employees, your boss has to hold people's hands and listen to complaints about how busy they are and how difficult the project is going to be. Don't be one of the complainers. When you're given a task you can handle, let your boss know that it's a slam dunk.
7 "It's being taken care of."
Sooner or later, you're going to screw up. It hurts, but it happens. When you drop the ball on something, you should do two things: tell your boss and tell your boss what you're doing about it. Sure, your boss isn't going to be happy that a mistake was made (who likes problems in their area?), but he will be a lot less happy if he doesn't hear about it from you, and then gets blindsided by it when the situation blows up. So fess up to the error, it shows that you're big enough to be responsible for your actions. But always, always have a plan for getting things back on track. Let your boss know that you're correcting the error -- it shows that you're paying enough attention to realize you messed up, and you care enough to not settle for mediocrity.
6 "With regard to X, I've figure out we can do A, B or C. What do you think?"
It's fine to have situations at work, and there's nothing wrong with asking your boss for advice, but before you step into his or her office, have some ideas about what can be done. By having a few ideas, you show that you've thought the situation through. Even if your boss doesn't like any of your ideas and tells you to do “D” instead, you've shown him or her that your first reaction at the sign of trouble is to start thinking, not throw up your hands and run to the boss with your problems.
5 "I figured out what to do about X."
Not every problem is simple enough to be solvable in a few minutes, and that's OK, but you should keep thinking about the problem, and try to find out a way to solve the situation (or at least move it forward). If you come up with a solution or at least a next step, share it with your boss. The more you get promoted, the larger and more complex the problems will get, and the harder it will be to find a “perfect” solution too. So, show that you're able to plan ahead and solve the bigger problems.
4 "Consider it done."
When you make this statement, in one instant, an item has gone from something vague in your boss' mind to a task that's assigned to somebody. This is a step toward being seen as a “go-to person,” your bosses reliable right-hand man.
3 "I'll see to it personally."
This statement is an extension of “consider it done.” If you have a reputation with your boss as somebody who can handle the important or difficult work, saying you'll handle it personally calls in that reputation you've built up. If you've been doing your work well and doing it on time, saying you're taking care of if personally reminds your boss that the task will not only get done, but it will get done with the standard of excellence he's come to expect from you.
2 "I found a way to get it done cheaper."
Getting invested in the bottom line is one of the best ways to get your boss smiling. You can work hard and be a good employee all you like, but businesses don't run on happy feelings. Your boss is always looking for ways to do two things: make the business more money and cost the business less money. And while you can always help find ways to earn the company more, suggestions to save money are often easier. Lots of people can say “we need more customers,” but if you find a new vendor who's 10% cheaper, that's a hard number your boss can put to use.
1 "Let me run an idea by you."
Having employees who are taking the initiative means the boss can focus on the tasks on his plate; he doesn't have to worry that you're just sitting around waiting for direction. Your boss will appreciate you trying to come up with ideas, but he wouldn't appreciate you launching those ideas without getting his opinion. As the one responsible for what comes out of the department, he wants to know that everybody is rowing in the same direction. So come up with some good ideas, use your noodle and make sure your boss gets the benefit from your brainstorm.
Source:- askmen
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Long-lost brothers discover they're neighbours
After years of trying to find each other, two long-lost Newfoundland brothers have discovered they live just metres apart in Corner Brook.
"He was across the road. I could not believe it. That was crazy. It took me about three hours to get up the nerve to call," said Tommy Larkin, 30.
Larkin and his brother, Stephen Goosney, 29, were adopted as children by separate families. Larkin grew up in a happy family in Cook's Harbour, on Newfoundland's Northern Peninsula.
Goosney grew up a few hundred kilometres south, in Woody Point.
Both Larkin and Goosney spent years searching for their biological family but had no luck, until they received help from Newfoundland and Labrador's Post Adoption Services agency.
On March 25, the brothers found out they have been living on the same street in Corner Brook, western Newfoundland, for the past two years.
"[Finding him in] Newfoundland would have been really exceptional … but across the road is something amazing," said Goosney.
Since meeting, the brothers said they have been spending a lot of time together. They say each visit reveals just how much they have in common.
"Both of us don't like celery and different foods. We like and don't like … lots of similarities and there is going to be more and more, the more time we spend with each other," said Larkin.
The brothers plan to put their proximity to good use in the coming months with backyard barbeques all summer long.
Source:- cbc.ca
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Rotel bus Tourists around the World
Rotel bus tours is a touring company offers worldwide with special buses to travel
Rotel 'stands for' Rolling hotel '.-The Rolling Hotel. Be carried out global studies and expeditions.There are single and double rooms. The group size is between 20 and 40 participants. Rotel Tours has 3400 beds on wheels'.
Rotel Tours is a pioneer in post-war German tourism. The family business was founded in 1945 by George Höltl. From 1950 on trips to France, Italy, Spain and the rest of the Mediterranean have been conducted. Among them were many pilgrimages. Has stayed in tents. The trips were from the beginning marked by the encounter and international understanding. For example, the pilgrimage with Pax Christi to France after the Second World War, with its German-French meeting exclusively dedicated to the reconciliation carried out. Rotel Tours wore the title, International Meeting journeys'.
With the invention of the rolling Hotels by Georg Höltl entirely new trips were possible, such as 1959, the first trip on the overland route from Munich via Turkey to Jerusalem in 1962 by land to India and back, and in 1969 there was a bus from Rotel Tours, the first time crossed the Sahara. Since 1990, the rolling hotel, you also, for example, by China, Mongolia, Laos and Vietnam.
Source:- Jalopnik.com & Rotel.de
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Jesus appeared in chewing gum
Nelly Noden had been chewing her gum on Good Friday but left it on the mantelpiece while she ate some crisps.
When she returned, she claimed the gum had turned into an image that resembled Christ.
The second I put my eye on it, I could see him", said the mother-of-two.
"I'd just got back from going the shops to buy a few things to eat when, as usual, I put my gum on the mantelpiece to have some crisps", she said.
"I went to pick it up again and Jesus was just there, starring at me.
"We couldnt believe it especially as it was Good Friday", she said.
Daughter Charni, 16, said: "We cant believe how much it looks like Jesus; weve been telling everyone about it."
Mrs Noden, from Plymouth, Devon, said: "My daughters and I were jumping around the room."
The family say they are not religious, but thought it was special that it happened at Easter time, and also on the day before Nelly's birthday.
She said: "It was a real moment."
The Nodens say they have kept the piece of gum as a memento.
Source:- telegraph.co.uk
Aquarius - Is this the Dawning of the Age of the Anthropocene?
His case is that by our actions we are going to leave a permanent signature in our earthly geology. These actions will be traceable back to us even millions of years in the future when scientists (possibly not us by that time) will be able to see the point at which we changed the earth’s oceans and biosphere irreversibly.
The changes to the time scale have to this point always been natural. The great big meteoric rock that killed off the dinosaurs for example was one point at which the time scale changed.
Not just one book, though – think volumes. It’s like one of those huge episodic Dickens novels but about stone instead.
Each epoch is only a small part of the scale. They are subdivisions of a Period – the one in which we find ourselves currently is the Quaternary Period. Each Period is a subdivision of an Era.
We are in the Cenozoic Era. Still with us?
Well, that sets the scene for what will no doubt become the hottest of heated debates in geological circles. Like Knights Templar of stones and rocks, there is a body which guards the integrity of the geological time scale. They go under the marvellous title of the International Commission on Stratigraphy (image in the head of a certain Time Lord flashing his telepathic paper and saying I’m with the ICS – cool).
In May they will meet up to discuss the findings of their Anthropocene Working Group (no doubt referred to as the AWG).
It is possible of course (and many geologists agree) that it is way too early to tell if this will truly be the case as – to put it simply – we just haven’t been around long enough to leave anything but a thin sliver on the fossil record.
Although they use the term informally they see no need to, ahem, carve it in stone.
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Image Credits
Ammonite - Flickr User Kevin Zim
Fossil Frog Flickr User Kevinzim
Early Holocene
Meteor Collision
Ice Age House
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