The Most Epic Safety Video Ever Made takes flight on Air NZ

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Frostie

This epic video has been making its round on the internet. Dwarves, Orcs and Elves take flight once again as Air New Zealand unveils The Most Epic Safety Video Ever Made ahead of the December release of the final film in The Hobbit Trilogy, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM).

Starring in The Most Epic Safety Video Ever Made are members of the cast from all three films in the Trilogy – Elijah Wood (Frodo Baggins), Dean O’Gorman (Fili the Dwarf) and Sylvester McCoy (Radagast). The video, which is directed by Kiwi filmmaker Taika Waititi (Boy, What We Do in the Shadows) also features cameos from The Hobbit Trilogy director Sir Peter Jackson, Weta Workshop co-founder Sir Richard Taylor and Waititi himself, who appears as a Wizard.

The safety video was shot over six days across a number of New Zealand’s Middle-earth locations, including Hobbiton and Central Otago, both of which appear in The Hobbit Trilogy. Behind the scenes creative talent from the films was also involved in the production of the video, including Weta Workshop, which supplied costumes and more than 150 make-up prosthetics, and Weta Digital, which created the visual effects.

Sir Peter Jackson says, “Air New Zealand has created yet another fantastic video to celebrate The Hobbitfilms. This latest offering combines members of our cast and our locations with Air New Zealand’s unique personality. I had a lot of fun on the set with Taika and the team and look forward to seeing the video on board.”

This Is Bacon & This Is Gauguin Art Book Review

Posted on October 25, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

Art lovers rejoice: Laurence King Publishing has launched a major series on great artists. We were lucky enough to be sent two of their books to review. This Is…Bacon and This Is…Gauguin. They present art history in a visual and accessible manner. The life and work of each artist is told by leading art historians and accompanied by specially commissioned illustrations, alongside representations of their most famous works. Design of the series has been overseen by Pentagram; with each title featuring vivid fluorescent spines and cut-flush binding, making each book the perfect gift for any art lover. Perfect for Christmas and beyond.

The books have it all: a great biography of the artist and wonderful art work. An art lovers dream. Well written and beautiful.

This is Gauguin

George Roddam
Illustrated by Slawa Harasymowicz

This is Gauguin by George Roddam is a new instalment in a major new art series that rethinks art history and presents it in a highly visual, vivid and engaging way. In this book the story of Paul Gauguin’s life and work is brought to life through Slawa Harasymowicz’s specially commissioned illustrations.

Paul Gauguin created some of the most advanced art in a brilliant generation of artists – all of whom struggled against the stifling conformity of the late 19th century’s artistic mainstream.

He created paintings whose radically simplified lines and colours echoed the unschooled art of the rustic and native cultures he loved. After his famously disastrous stay with Vincent van Gogh in southern France, Gauguin escaped European civilization for the Polynesian islands. Immersing himself in the culture, he produced a series of radiant canvases and powerful sculptures – his last great works.

From his childhood in Peru to his experiences in Tahiti, the story of Gauguin’s life is recounted in authoritative text by an expert on the Post-Impressionists and compelling imagery by an award-winning illustrator.

As well as Slawa Harasymowicz’s unique illustrations, Gauguin’s art is shown throughout the book. Works featured include: Sleeping Child (1884), Van Gogh Painting Sunflowers (1888), Christ in the Garden of Olives (1889), Manao tupapau (The Spirit of the Dead Watching) (1892) and Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? (1897-98).

George Roddam has taught art history at universities in the UK and US. His research focuses primarily on European modernisms. He lives in southeast England with his wife and two sons.

Slawa Harasymowicz is a Polish artist based in London. Following the release of the graphic novel The Wolf Man, she had a solo
exhibition at The Freud Museum, London. She was a member of the V&A Award’s jury in 2010.

This is Gauguin is available here and from from thebookpeople.co.uk

This is Bacon

Kitty Hauser
Illustrated by Christina Christoforou

This is Bacon by Kitty Hauser. In this book the story of Francis Bacon’s life and work is brought to life through Christina Christoforou’s specially commissioned illustrations.

Francis Bacon was one of the giants dominating the artistic landscape of the mid-twentieth century, and served as the inspiration and launching point for much of the figural and abstract art that came after him.

This highly illustrated book features 19 of the artist’s major works. In stunning original colour illustrations it portrays the events of his life and the circle of friends and associates with whom he formed a louche, brazen gang that cut open the belly of the old propriety. The major periods of Bacon’s life on the edge, such as his time spent in Berlin, Paris and the seedy milieu of post-war London, are portrayed, along with the influential figures, such as Peter Lacey and George Dyer, who shaped both his personal life and his art.

As well as Christina Christoforou’s unique illustrations, Bacon’s art is shown throughout the book. Works featured include: Three Studies for a Crucifixion (1962), Portrait of Isabel Rawsthorne (1966), Lying Figure (1969), Triptych, May-June (1973) and Sand Dune (1983).

Kitty Hauser is the author of Stanley Spencer, Shadow Sites: Photography, Archaeology and The British Landscape 1927–1955 and Bloody Old Britain. She lives in Sydney where she writes a regular column for The Australian.

Christina Christoforou is a London-based illustrator and artist. She started her career as an art director in Greece before gaining an MA at Camberwell College of Arts in London.

This is Bacon is available here and from thebookpeople.co.uk

Myla 15th Anniversary Celebration

Posted on October 24, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

WHAT: Last night saw an intimate group of VIPs and influencers from the worlds of fashion, film, music and entertainment including Laura Whitmore, Amber Le Bon, Alek Wek and Jodie Kidd, gather together to celebrate the 15^th anniversary of luxury lingerie brand, Myla.

WHEN: Tuesday 21^st October 2014, from 6.30pm – 9.30pm

WHERE: House of Myla, 8-9 Stratton Street, London, W1J 8LF

Hosted at the beautiful House of Myla, guests enjoyed canapés provided by renowned alkaline diet guru Natasha Corrett’s company Honestly Healthy, Johnnie Walker cocktails and a bespoke DJ set from Laura Whitmore. Continuing the evening’s ‘touch of gold’ theme, guests were invited to step inside a luxury gold photo-booth – exclusively designed by Rankin and Johnnie Walker Gold Label. The Flower Appreciation Society was on hand to custom make floral headbands for attending guests and provided button-holes for gentlemen.

Throughout the evening, models were visibly showcasing Myla’s Spring/Summer 2015 collection. Founded 15 years ago, Myla is a leader within the Luxury lingerie market, priding itself on exquisite design, perfect fit and consistent use of luxurious materials. With a keen attention to detail and a passion for perfection, all Myla products are a truly indulgent treat of exceptional quality.

What they ate:

Avocado, Basil, Chilli and Lime on Rye Crostini
Roasted Aubergine, Pomegranate and Yogurt Dressing Spoons with Edible Flowers
Warm Carrot & Halloumi Pattis with Spinach & Walnut Pesto Dip
Pea, Edamame and Blood Orange Salad with Chia Seed in Nori Cups
Gluten Free Dark Chocolate Cake with Tofu Icing

What they drank:

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve ‘Flower’ cocktails

Pol Roger champagne
Asahi beer

VIP attendees included:

Alek Wek, Jodie Kidd & David Blakemore, Amber Le Bon, Laura Whitmore, Vanessa White, Kimberley Garner, Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs, Natalie Pinkham, Lucy Watson, Camilla Rutherford, Natalie Coyle, Katie Readman, Natasha Corrett, Amy Molyneaux, Olivia Inge, Ashley James, Henry Conway, Ozwald Boateng, Linzi Stoppard, Astrid Harbord, Amber Nuttall, Zoe Hobbs, Brendan Cole, Pips Taylor, Roxie Nafousi, Nikki Fox, Alistair Guy

Maternity Burden On Small Business ‘Overstated’

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Frostie

We found this very interesting at Frost: Small business owners over-estimate the burden of providing maternity protection to their staff a new review, conducted by a team of experts from Middlesex University for the International Labour Organization, has revealed in a new report, out now.

The review, led by Middlesex University Professor of Organizational Psychology Suzan Lewis, suggests that effective maternity protection has a positive rather than negative on SMEs and can have a range of positive productivity related outcomes for firms, as well as wider social benefits.

The team found:

SME owner-managers are often adverse to maternity protection regulations, fearing the time and costs involved can lead to a competitive disadvantage.

There is a link between maternity protection and improvements in performance and productivity, linked to enhanced employee satisfaction and commitment.

There are wider societal benefits of effective maternity protection including poverty reduction, reproductive health, gender equality, fertility rates, and economic development.

Commenting on the review’s findings, Professor Lewis said: “Anything that is going to impact the financial stability of a business is naturally of concern to its owner, and that is why it is so important to understand that many maternity protection practices can have little or no costs and considerable benefits.

Middlesex University Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research (CEEDR) Research Associate Dr Bianca Stumbitz added: “It is clear that a supportive workplace is crucial – one that is sensitive to gender-specific issues and that recognises the joint roles that both men and women play in family life.”

The report shows that women who know their employer will support them as they start a family and avoid stereotyping their role in the workplace are happier, more loyal and therefore more productive. For these positive effects to arise and maternity, paternity and family responsibilities to become a normal fact of business life, maternity protection and other work-family balance measures need to ‘fit’ into practices and interests of SMEs.

The review also found there was space for government to help ease any financial strain on small businesses complying with maternity provisions.

Professor Lewis said: “The economic reality means that if we want small business to implement strong maternity protections, some financial compensation by way of tax breaks or public subsidies may be necessary – and that is something policy-makers ought to consider seriously.

“Additionally, education campaigns designed to raise awareness and provide practical advice to employers struggling with maternity entitlement issues is also vital – especially information which highlights the potential productivity benefits.”

The report also highlighted the urgent need to address economic and cultural challenges facing working mothers in developing countries, which has largely been ignored by research.

Compiled for the International Labour Organization, the review was authored by Professor Suzan Lewis, Dr Bianca Stumbitz, Dr Lilian Miles and Dr Julia Rouse.

A Day In My Writing Life: Lynne Hackles

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Margaret Graham

I’m a busy writer, working under several different names. Here’s my typical day. Wake at 5am, do a thirty minutes run, thirty minutes housework and then sit and write until five in the afternoon. Some days I take a ten minute break for lunch.

And, if you believe that, you’ll believe anything.

The truth is I get up when I feel like it. Some mornings I really do exercise. I stretch out my arms from under the duvet and clench and unclench my hands five times, then rotate the wrists five times.

Wearing my dressing gown, I stumble into the next room and switch on the computer, ready to start work. But I don’t. Start, I mean. I check emails, check my online horoscope, check Facebook, check my blog to see how many hits it’s had, then I do an online crossword, or two. I suppose I sort of creep up on work.

On my desk is an open notebook holding my To Do list. I’ll decide which job I am going to tackle, then set my kitchen timer for 25 minutes and while it ticks away I get stuck in and write. Once the alarm goes off I stop, get up and move. A few minutes later I start another 25 minute session. Moving regularly is necessary for me. I have a collection of lumbar discs in a jar so need to take care of my back.

Lately, my writing work seems to be mostly journalism and non-fiction stuff. There was a time when I churned out stories for women’s magazines but I’m having a rather long rest due to being all story-ed out. Some days I have student assignments to mark – I’ve been a tutor for Writers’ News Home Study for 20 years. (They keep ignoring my hints about a golden clock.) Other days I try to ‘push’ my work. Writers are expected to do more than their bit when it comes to publicising their books. Handy Hints for Writers is one of my latest but I’m still telling people about Writing From Life and I give talks about writing down personal experiences as well as going the whole hog and tackling life stories.

Lunch is taken whilst listening to Tim Wonnacott on Bargain Hunt. I reckon, by now, I must have earned a degree in Fine Art and Antiques.

Afternoons are for doing other things. The LSO (Long Suffering One) and I will be in the garden or, if the weather’s not good, we’ll be inside stripping wallpaper, painting cupboards and doing the 1001 things that are needed in order to finish renovating the house we moved into a year ago.

Most evenings I carry my laptop downstairs and, while the television is on in the background, I’ll answer emails and do the admin’ side of my writing job. Other evenings, like tonight, I go out to give a talk.

And then there’s the Sabbath which can be any day of the week but which is work-free. It’s a time to recharge the batteries and do something different. We are working our way through a long list of places to visit, people to see and things to do.

Racing Start – a Kindle best-seller. Fast paced cycling fiction for 8-12 yr olds
Kindle/Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Racing-Start-Lynne-Hackles-ebook/dp/B00HNFOM8G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389086256&sr=8-1&keywords=lynne+hackles+racing+start
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/racing-start
iTunes/iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/racing-start/id785373782?mt=11
www.lynnehackles.com
www.lynnehackles.blogspot.com
Handy Hints for Writers – Compass Books
Writing From Life – How To Books
Ghostwriting – Aber Publishing

Bridport Story Slam III by Penny Deacon

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Penelope Deacon

Here’s the scene: an old pub/coffee house that winds backwards and upwards (beware the stairs!) with a wood burning stove and wooden floors and tables (presently pushed to the side) and rows of chairs with settles against the available wall space, all full of people laughing and talking until one of them walks up to the microphone squeezed into the front window and begins to read.

Judging a short story competition doesn’t take a fraction of the nerve it takes to stand up in front of an audience, many of whom know you, and read your story aloud – especially when three judges are sitting under your nose and making notes and trying to look inscrutable. I had the fun job, I decided, watching the tremor in more than one entrant’s hands.

When I was approached to help with the judging of the third Bridport Story Slam I had to ask, ‘What is a Story Slam?’. It’s an exercise in insanity where people agree to stand up and read our their work. Time allowed: five minutes only. After that, the alarm (kitchen timer in this case) goes off and you have to stop mid-sentence. Our entrants were extraordinarily well organised. To one or two murmurs of disappointment, (Shame!) no one was cut off, although one woman ended her story to the sound of the buzzer on the last word. Cue rueful laughter.

The range of stories was wide: comedy, anecdote, a sweet tale of an old lady at Christmas, a poignant glimpse into a childhood in care, an uproarious Irish childhood, local traditions brought to life, dread in the peaceful suburbs. I was glad there were three of us judging. Kate Kelly (http://scribblingseaserpent.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/bridport-story-slam-iii.html) and Laura James (http://www.lauraejames.co.uk/?p=2621) and I had much to discuss after we had listened to all 12 entrants.

Choosing the top three did, eventually, prove possible, although there was some lively discussion about the order. In the end we all agreed that Wendy Breckon’s funny and lively story, A French Tale, was our winner. This story of a girl (‘Seven, not quite eight’) in rural Ireland trying to find out what her Grandma’s French phrase (Voulez vous couchez avec moi?) meant was more than a comic tale of naïve misunderstanding. What made it a winner was the effortless evocation of place and character. The Grandfa, ‘skinning a rabbit for supper’, who came in ‘smelling of cow manure and wet grass’ and the Grandma who clearly had had a lively youth were evoked through the child’s innocent perception and Wendy showed us the relationships between all three characters without once having to tell us what was happening. The voice in this story was remarkable, and well-sustained. The performance of the author – because, in a Slam, the telling carries a lot of the weight of the tale – was outstanding.

Comedy tends to be squeezed out when ‘literature’ is being discussed. It was therefore a delight to be able to award second prize to Richard Green’s outrageous and uproarious story (Health and Safety, I Presume). His performance as the old-fashioned army ‘buffer’ who has murdered his wife and left her body with a tidy neighbour who promptly returned the corpse to its proper place (the killer’s wheelie bin, where else?). Was a tour de force. Somehow it was just so right to realise that we had Colonel Mustard (with the candlestick) telling us his side of the story. We asked ourselves, ‘Is he like that in real life?’ only to meet Richard later and realise how wrong we were.

Just squeezed into third place was Gill Smith’s Hide & Seek. This story had a deceptively ordinary suburban setting where ‘Bill was at the bridge club’ and the narrator watched the neighbour’s children play outside or run to the Wendy house. The use of pacing and foreshadowing, however, built the atmosphere of suspense until we knew something terrible was about to happen but didn’t know what. That the final revelation let us down a little, was what made this story slip into third place but the author is to be congratulated on her ability to create and sustain mounting tension.

It was a great evening and I felt privileged to have been invited to share in the judging.

I have to finish with thanks to Frances Colville who organised the event (she’s been asked to do another next spring, go to www.Dorsetwritersnetwork.co.uk in the new year for details), especially since she has generously donated all the profits from a really excellent evening to Words for the Wounded a charity which raises funds through writing to support wounded service personnel. Next year’s competitions open on November 11^th, so check out the website (www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk) for details.

10 Tea Destinations You Should Visit Once In Your Life

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Frostie

Image credit: Turkish tea by Sztanco Demeter

It warms us up when we are cool and it will cool us if we are too heated. Tea is the second most consumed drink in the world after water and this is probably the reason why it has become a worldwide little treasure- From the time of the ancient Chinese Dynasty to our present, tea has taught us there is nothing better than its flavour when it comes to relaxing or catching up with friends and family. Welcome to the worldwide art of drinking tea!

Argentine: The land of mate

People say that in order to know beautiful Argentine, you need to try its meat and of course, its mate. Did you know there is an entire museum dedicated to mate? This herb is without any doubt the national drink in the country and it is said that the more you drink it, the strongest the after-taste. If you fancy some more information about this caffeine-rich infused drink, don´t hesitate to visit Museo del Mate (289, Lavalle, 1648 Tigre, Buenos Aires). Image credit: Mate by Marta López

Morocco: Experience the mint tea!

You can’t really say you know the mint tea flavour unless you have been to Morocco. Touareg tea, how Moroccon mint tea is named here, is the real heart of this culture and it is strongly linked to the act of hospitality. In this sense, tea is served to guesses three times-Of course the guess will always have to drink the glass!

China: The art of making tea

Image: All the tea in China by Adam Cohn via Flickr

China is the birthplace for tea; here people have been producing tea over the years, something they call “Chao dao”, which was also exported to Japan. This country is a perfect destination for tea lovers that will be able to visit the only National Tea Museum in the country (opened in 1991 and based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang), where you can find out more about the strong tea culture in this place.

India: The world of Chai

India consumes more tea than any other country in the world. Whoever visits this destination will find out that this drink is literally served on every corner, especially in crowded train stations where you will see people selling this drink from early hours in the morning until night. To find out more about the tea culture in the country, pop in at Kanan Devan Hills Tea Museum (Munnar, India).

Japan: The matcha ceremony

Image credit: Matcha tradition in Japan by Flickr

Tea is in this country a huge part of the food culture. Even though the diversity of teas here is endless, whenever someone mentions this drink is known it’s referred to green tea. The tea ceremony is called here matcha and is seen as a ritual that generations have been using for ages and which consists of serving green tea to a small group in one of those popular old teahouses.

New Zealand: The tea explosion

Like in America, people from New Zealand get interested in this drink because of its healthy reputation. According to historians, New Zealand imported considerable amounts of tea in the nineteenth-century, with the arrival of the British missionaries. A fun fact about the tea culture in this country is that its only commercial tea plantation is called Zealong, which launched its first list of products in 2009.

Russia: Drink tea as a guest

Russians drink tea at different times of the day. Originally introduced by the Mongolians, it has turned into an important part of the Russian culture and today we could say that there is no Russia without this drink. Follow the local style and try a cup of Zavarka, a very strong tea prepared in a separate pot that allows guests to have several tea rounds.

Britain: Enjoy an afternoon tea

Image credit: The Goring by Expedia

There is nothing more British than having a proper afternoon tea, which owes its origins to Anna, the 7^th Duchess of Bedford. Today this ritual attracts hundreds of travellers, especially in London, a city that hosts a wide chic selection of hotels and cafés offering this service. Top tip: Although most hotels in London offer the best afternoon tea in the country, as blogger Antonia Windsor details in this article on the Expedia blog, it’s important to remember that British people, especially Londoners, tend to save these posh sessions for a special occasion. If you ever visit the British capital and you fancy a real afternoon tea, book a table at Claridge´s Hotel (Brook St, Mayfair, London) Cost: £50.

Thailand: A popular tea around the world

Thai tea is one of the most popular teas in the world and it has been attracting consumers over the years across different continents. It is made from strongly-brewed red tea that usually contains anise, red and yellow food colouring and sometimes other spices too. Visit The Museum Coffee & Tea Corner (1, Damnernkasem Road, Hua Hin) and enjoy amazing garden views whilst enjoying classical music.

USA: The tea explosion

Tea is in the States one of the most popular non-alcoholic drinks in 2014. It doesn’t matter if you fancy green, red or even oolong tea, as they are all included in North American people’s healthy diet so you won’ t have issues when it comes to finding them on the menu. Top tip: Remember that American coffee is still preferred for the morning ritual!

Image credit: Starbucks tea by Vivian Farinazzo via Flickr

Author Bio

Marta López is a travel writer based in London. She loves travelling and discovering new cultures. When she isn’t writing on her laptop she can be found around the city looking for the latest tea shops.

Top Picks From Dream Magazine | What To Read

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

I couldn’t be a writer if I wasn’t a reader. I am a complete magazine junkie. Online, print, iPad: it doesn’t matter. All that does matter is good content. But there are a million blogs, sites and magazines out there. It can be hard to find something good, to know what to read. My latest favourite is Dream Magazine. It ‘explores the stories of the people, places and races that bring life to Honda’s world-leading innovation and engineering’ so it has lots of great stuff on cars and transport, something that can be sorely lacking in general women’s magazines. We like cars and adventure too.

On my bucket list is an LA road trip so I loved this piece about the Gold Wing’s LA adventure. They also had another great piece on Los Angeles being the city of the car, which just fuels my obsession. They have this great picture of LA’s Petersen Automotive Museum.

I love reading about innovation so this piece was great. Their back catalogue is also full of awesome stuff and you can subscribe to Dream Magazine.

Separated into sections of Innovation, Adventure, Life, Adrenaline, Videos and Offers, it is hours of fun and interesting reading for anyone who loves life, traveling, cars, motorbikes and a sense of adventure. The only bad point is how envious I get of all of the amazing trips I see people going on. I just add them to my bucket list. Well, the ones I am brave enough for anyway. Mission extraordinary: motorcycling across Afghanistan sees former Royal Marine, Chris Short, talk to Dream about his epic motorcycle journey from Afghanistan to Goodwood. I would love to do this but I reckon I am too much of a wimp. Maybe one day….

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