get and get

Emerging phoenix like among the magnificent mist enshrouded lime stone karsts of China's Guilin province is one of the most quixotic luxury resorts found anywhere in the world, Yuzi Paradise and its stupendous Hotel of Modern Art (HOMA).

As a premier five-star hotel and a member of the prestigious Relais and Chateaux group, Yuzi Paradise presents a destination like no other on the planet.
Locally Yuzi means fool, so this place could simply be called a Fool's Paradise except that it is also houses one of the world's largest modern sculpture gardens and workshops.

Yuzi Paradise's creators took its name so far as to open on April Fools Day in 2003, seven years after construction first began.
Since then it has hosted 10 International Sculpture Symposia and sponsored a couple of hundred of the world's top sculptors from 47 countries, who have created over 200 works that make this place an international focal point for modern sculpture.
It is also a place where guests and tourists can come to immerse themselves in the fantasies of nature, art and luxury.

Yuzi Paradise is the dream child of a Taiwanese businessman, Tsao Rhy-Chang, who made his fortune out of reclaiming and beautifying land for cemeteries.
Today, the old man has handed his dream to his son, Tsao Guang-Tsann, who now has the duty to complete the planned 30-year project aimed at gaining its own immortality.
"As our main business is a cemetery in Taiwan, we've spent some time thinking about what persists after death. What is eternal? The answer is art," Guang- Tsann says.
Only by walking around the 50 hectare estate do you can get an idea of the vastness of the project and how easy it would be to term it foolhardy.

Centred around Yuzi Mountain the estate spirals out into lakes pathways, hotel buildings, the immense sculpture workshop or atelier, restaurants, galleries and reflective spaces.
Everywhere you look here you can see the harmonious blending of eastern and western art, culture and philosophies.

If there is one central motif to the vision of Yuzi Paradise it would be Flying On Water, a massive work by Bulgarian sculptor Gheorghi Filin.
Set in the middle of a small lake this enormous granite wing like form appears to defy gravity as it balances on its own reflection at the very edge of the water's surface.
Leaping out as a shriek of colour and fantastical shapes is an interactive sculpture area called Jimmy's Pourquoi World, the brainchild of Jimmy Liao, Asia's most popular children's book illustrator.

Be grateful if you still able to “produce” a baby at the age of 94.

Judging by the user comments I've read in the program's review and blog post, I'd say Windows Live Messenger 2011 hasn't been very successful among users. Whether the problem is the integration with Facebook or the new "social" interface, I can't tell. What I know for sure is that many people want to get rid of it and go back to a previous, lighter and more friendly version of Live Messenger. So here's a short tutorial I wrote on how to downgrade to Windows Live Messenger 2009 in just a few easy steps.
1. First of all, you need to remove Windows Live Messenger from your computer. Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features, scroll down to Windows Live Essentials 2011, right click on it and start the uninstalling wizard.



2. In the first screen of the wizard, select the "Remove one or more Windows Live programs".

Yeah, yeah, you got a new Mac for Christmas. Lucky you. I suppose you want to install some software on it now too?
There are few better feelings in computerland than setting up a new Mac. And while Macs come loaded with plenty of really great software (iLife, for example, is a multimedia suite that would cost hundreds of dollars to replicate properly on a PC), there are some pretty essential free apps I can recommend:
Google Chrome - Apple purists will argue that Safari is just as good (or better). I disagree. Chrome beats Safari in browser speed tests and has a slicker, more modern user interface. Google Chrome is also a more stable and resource-friendly piece of software, both on Mac and PC. Finally, Chrome is more extensible. And while it's not up there with Firefox yet, this does make a difference.

VLC Media Player - An uncontroversial choice, this. VLC is an absolute must have for anyone intending to play or work with video files on their Mac. It can play pretty much any video file you throw at it, and can even fix dodgy AVI indexes, meaning that it'll repair files that are too broken to work elsewhere. Added to that, its advanced transcoding and playback controls make it a more customizable player than QuickTime.
TweetDeck - I resisted installing TweetDeck on my latest Mac (a living room MacMini) for some months. My rationale was that I didn't want to spend too much time using Twitter on my TV. Then I realized that I was spending loads of time tweeting either from the Twitter website or from my cellphone. So I gave in and installed TweetDeck. It's not the lightest piece of software out there but you can avoid all the extraneous stuff. Anyway, TweetDeck's the best Twitter client on the market.
Transmission - I'm not a big fan of torrents. It might be something to do with my internet provider but I've noticed far more problems with my home connection when torrents are downloading. But if I do need to download a torrent, the only app I'd use to get it would be Transmission. A native Mac app, it's extremely light, quick and easy to use. A must-have for any torrent freaks out there.
FaceTime - In the light of Skype's recent disastrous outage, it's always a good idea to have a backup chat app. Apple's new FaceTime beta is only available for Macs and iPhones so you can't currently use it to chat to friends who only have PCs. That said, it's a powerful and attractively designed video chat app which any Mac owner should have installed.

HBO targeted Hispanics with mobile



Consumer and media research firm Scarborough Research found that mobile usage is increasing at a faster rate among Hispanics than it is among the total population, making them important mobile marketing targets.
The analysis is derived from the company’s Hispanic Multi-Market Study, which compiles information on lifestyles, technology adoption, demographics and media usage among adults ages 18-plus in 34 of the largest Hispanic markets in the United States. Scarborough found that the percentage of Hispanic adults who use a mobile phone grew 26 percent since 2005, versus 18 percent for all adults.
“Scarborough finds that are Hispanics are ripe for mobile marketing efforts,” said Alisa Joseph, Chicago-based vice president of advertiser and marketing services at Scarborough Research.



“Hispanic cellular usage is increasing at a faster rate than it is among the total population in our study, and Hispanics are more likely than other cellular users to utilize features such as texting, downloading music and accessing social networking,” she said. “Hispanic avidity for mobile devices has been known for some time.
“However, our new feature data indicates that their interest is in using cell phones, and smartphones, for a wide variety of communication and entertainment purposes.”


A joint venture between Arbitron Inc. and The Nielsen Co., Scarborough Research measures the lifestyle and shopping patterns, media behaviors and demographics of American consumers, specializing in local market research.
Surveying more than 210,000 adults annually, Scarborough measures 2,000 consumer categories and serves a client base that includes marketers, advertising agencies, print and electronic media such as radio stations, broadcast and cable television, sports teams and leagues and out-of-home media companies.

Overindexing for mobile usageCurrently, mobile usage among Hispanics is on par with that of the general population, as 82 percent of Hispanic adults use a mobile phone, versus 84 percent of total adults.

Hispanics are more likely than other mobile users to text message.
Sixty-four percent of Hispanics who use a wireless phone text-message, versus 56 percent of all mobile users.
This group is also more likely than other mobile users to use their wireless device to:
• Download music: 22 percent of Hispanic mobile users download or listen to music via their
wireless device, versus 15 percent of all wireless users.
• Play games: 19 percent of Hispanic mobile users play games on their wireless device, versus 15
percent of all wireless users.
• Access social networking: 12 percent of Hispanic mobile users social network via their wireless
device, versus 10 percent of all wireless users.
Additionally, the Hispanic smartphone growth rate is outpacing that of the total population.
Nineteen percent of Hispanic adults currently live in a household that owns one or more smartphones  such as Blackberry or iPhone versus five percent in 2005.
Twenty-three percent of the general population currently owns at least one of these devices in their household, growing from nine percent in 2005.
Ms. Joseph said that the rise of smartphones and applications is redefining mobile marketing.
As this industry continues its rapid evolution, the importance of Hispanics as mobile marketing targets will only continue to expand.
In addition to knowledge about mobile feature usage and the types of devices being used by this
consumer group, marketers could get more detailed by uncovering insights on how Hispanic mobile
usage varies locally.
For example, according to Scarborough, 96 percent of Hispanic adults in Atlanta use a wireless phone, versus 68 percent of those in Colorado Springs, CO.
So, clearly, understanding distinctions at the local level better informs strategy, per Scarborough.
“When targeting Hispanics with mobile marketing, it is important to remember they are using  multiple features on their devices,” Ms. Joseph said. “Through linking mobile strategies to social networking, music downloading or game playing, marketers can target Hispanics while they are doing something fun that they enjoy.
“Also, it is important to remember local distinctions among Hispanic adults when crafting mobile strategies,” she said.
“While our data does not forecast trends, it is safe to say, based on what we have seen so far, that the Hispanic marketplace will continue to be one that is ripe for mobile marketing.”

1. A most desirable place for all the venerable directors in America – it’s George Lucas’ ranch in Northern California. He bought it in the mid-80’s and made it a real studio. It was there filming his movies Spielberg, Dante, Zemeckis and Cameron. Before the premiere of ”Attack of the Clones” on this ranch for the first time allowed journalists and ordinary fans. Ranch called “Skywalker”.

2. How can I earn only to “Star Wars”. At this point in the world sold about 15,000 different kinds of toys on “Star Wars”. Only plastic figures of characters sold about 250 million, and considered only those that were sold under license. Playing cards “Star Wars” can be purchased for $ 6, a helmet of Darth Vader – for 129.95 and laser swords Jedi – for 349 dollars. To buy all the toys, devoted to “Star Wars”, you will need at least $ 10 000.

3. And so if we are talking about money in 2000, the company earnings Lucasfilm $ 2 billion. This is more than the revenue of the budget of Estonia.

4. And Lucas’ own digital studio, and have the special effects from Lucas is very fashionable in Hollywood. Lucas’ studio work, for example, in Jurassic Park. In general at Lucas about 14 of his productions (including the animation studio Pixar, which filmed “Shrek”), and he – the world’s only financially independent filmmaker.

5. “Attack of the Clones” – the first film in the history of cinema, shot entirely on digital video, there is not one inch of this film. Because of this, it is cheaper: only $ 100 million with 115, who spent a “veiled threat”.

6. Special effects. Their number is growing almost exponentially. In 4 (ie, 1-m) an episode of them was 545, a 5-m (ie 2-m) – 763, 6 th – 942, and the Phantom Menace effects were present in nine hundred thousand scenes of two thousand dvushot. As for the “Attack of the Clones”, then it is generally a solid special effects: no computer processing cost only 250 frames.

7. With regard to the title – TiEychIks November 1938, then this is related another interesting fact. This fad Lucas. These letters and numbers found in all his films. In particular, in the first episode, in November 1938 written on the back of a battle droid, which takes into captivity Jar Jar Binks, and it is clearly visible in the frame. A technology of improving the showing of films in cinemas, developed by one company Lucas said TiEychIks.

8. His first film – TiEychIks November 1938 – Lucas took off only because he asked for Francis Ford Coppola: he persuaded studio Warner Bros. in the fact that Lucas’ talent. And when Lucas began to shoot, Coppola – for luck – gave 777,777 dollars. The film flopped.

9. In this hard to believe now, but “Star Wars” Nobody wanted to shoot: absolutely on all the Hollywood studios the idea of Lucas considered a failure, and XX Century Fox agreed to begin filming only after Lucas refused the honorarium.

10. Let’s start with the fact that his creation of “Star Wars” required a car, which got George Lucas in high school. In general, he wanted to be a racing driver, and therefore sold all his toys and bought a used Fiat, which drove through the neighborhood, with difficulty respecting the rules of the road. Of course, it ended up by accident – the Fiat Lucas almost collided head on with a small truck, and just lying on a hospital bed, he suddenly had the idea of “force” – a kind of religion, professed knights and space through which good can withstand evil in the universe scale. After that, Lucas stopped thinking about racing and decided to become a director.

Collection of creative gadgets and product designs inspired by LEGO bricks.

LEGO USB Flash Drives

These flash drives are 100% compatible with the official LEGO bricks.

LEGO Utensil Set

This is what happens when function meets childhood playtime nostalgia. Perfect for lunch boxes, picnics, desk drawer or glove compartment.

LEGO White Out

LEGO inspired white out tape dispensers from Korea.

LEGO Salt and Pepper Shakers

Stackable salt & pepper shakers come in black and white.

LEGO iPod Speaker

This LEGO inspired speaker runs off of iPod’s energy, no batteries are required.

LEGO Ice Cube Tray

Serve the coolest drinks around with ice that looks like LEGO bricks.

LEGO Digital Camera

Digital Blue’s LEGO Digital Camera mirrors the look of an actual LEGO brick!

LEGO Brick Bag

Each LEGO “stud” is a separate zippered compartment.

LEGO Sofa

Unique sofa made up of several rubberized foam pieces shaped like LEGO bricks.

LEGO Brick Soap

Each LEGO soap set comes with 8 soap bricks in each bag. Each soap is scented and colored.

LEGO Brick Candles

Burn those memories of childhood brightly with these eight-wick soy, non-scented candles.

LEGO MP3 Player

Digital Blue’s LEGO MP3 Player is compatible with official LEGO bricks that you can mount on the top/bottom.

LEGO Desktop Calendar

This creative desktop calendar consists of three blocks that can be stacked upon one another.

LEGO Refrigerator Magnets

Unusual refrigerator magnets shaped like LEGO bricks.

LEGO Brick MP3 Players

These LEGO inspired MP3 players cleverly conceal their controls into the raised dots on the surface of each block.

LEGO USB Webcam

Etsy member called 123smile has come out with a Duplo Lego webcam using a 2 x 2 Duplo block. It features a 640×480 pixels resolution at 30 frames per second.

LEGO Brick Keychain

You can use the brick as a keychain or build it into your favorite creation. They fit with official LEGO bricks.

The Kangbashi district in China has wonderful amenities and houses. But while it was designed to support a million people, it stands mostly empty, simply because people can’t afford to live there. The main reason why Kangbashi is empty seems to be a planning issue: The new town is 25 kilometers from the old town, which has discouraged people from moving. Though a government official may work in the new town, his family may have little reason to move there. With few residents, supporting services like restaurants can’t survive in the new town, which is a further reason not to move there.”

A tour through the nuclear testing history of Nevada, the Atomic Testing Museum is a blend of the whimsical and the macabre. Test your rad level with a Geiger counter, get up-close-and-personal with a nuclear warhead or view the collection of Atomic Age paraphernalia on display.

This sprawling recreation of historical Chinese locations was built in 1997 at the behest of Hong Kong real estate mogul Ira P.H. Poon, who emigrated to the United States. He chose Katy, Texas, as the location for his museum because of its proximity to Houston and its large Asian population. Featured are the Forbidden City, in 1/20th scale, and a 1/3-scale recreation of the tomb of Emperor Qing Shi Huang-Di, called “The First Emperor.”



The owners of the old bordello left in a hurry in 1988, but a local entrepreneur bought the building and restored it to its 80s-era glory, as “a reminder of Wallace’s colorful past.” Old videogame consoles, price lists, and a unique take on recent history are all on display daily for a $5 fee, and there’s even a gift shop.



Engineer Ellis Stenman started his energy-saving experiment with newspaper insulation in 1922, and seven years later, he opened his home as an all-newspaper roadside attraction. Everything except the framework, floorboards and shingles is made out of pasted, coated, or rolled newspapers, and the entire thing took 20 years to finish.



Artist Richard Tracy will welcome you into his home and backyard, both packed with the Styrofoam and metal sculptures he has worked on since 1981, and give you an hour-long tour–the first five minutes of which are free. “After five minutes he just stops and he won’t say anything else,” says Kirby. “You pay him $5, and he’ll give you the other 55 minutes.”



Three stories high and covering 12,000 square feet, Solomon’s Castle is covered on the outside by shining aluminum printing plates, and packed inside with more than 300 works by local artist Howard Solomon. Begun in 1972 Solomon’s project has grown to include a restaurant and a nature walk.



With 157 signs that are unavoidable on highways throughout the Carolinas (“50 miles to South of the Border!”… “20 miles to South of the Border!”… “You just passed South of the Border!”) this roadside motel, restaurant, shopping and fireworks complex meets travelers raised expectations.



With more than 20,000 pieces of Superman memorabilia on display, the Super Museum is the lifetime work of Illinois resident Jim Hambrick, who owns more than 100,000 items of Man of Steel collectibles. An “overstuffed” gift shop and store delights fans–and those they drag with them.



“The South’s Largest Children’s Museum,” features a 40-ft., 17.5-ton sculpture of a 10-year-old boy called “Eddie,” and kids can “crawl through his heart, bounce around inside his stomach, and slide out his intestines.” Geared toward helping children learn about their bodies and the world around them, the museum hosts many other activities for kids.



Just south of Cincinnati, Ohio is “the world’s only museum of ventriloquial figures and memorabilia.” Visitors can, by appointment, view hundreds of the lifeless dummies on display in the museum’s rooms and lining the walls. “One ventriloquist dummy can be unsettling, but when you see a whole room of them, it’s quite an experience,”.