I don’t know wether to say “aww” or “euurgh” and I’m desperately trying to resist any one eyed reptile jokes. This cute/weird little critter/monster only has one eye and isn’t it adorable how it keeps falling asleep!!
The Whisky and The Unknown {Ceri's Column}
Sceptical losers like me are amongst the most easily frightened of folk. I mean, when you don’t immediately “believe” in every little unexplained or unexplored phenomena that you hear about, it is horrifying when it comes and slaps you in the gob…basically, I’m a bit of a wuss. I mean, your mind can play tricks on you. Not nasty, put-a-turd-in-my-car’s-air-conditioner sort of a trick. Annoyingly scary tricks.
Right, let’s get on with it! Submitted for your approval, the case of Mr. C. Phillips and a slit in the fabric of time. I think.
I’m an avid reader of the Fortean Times (a top quality publication, read it!). I’m an enjoyer of all things macabre and outlandish.
I was getting rather drunk in one of my favourite haunts in Swansea. I’d just finished regaling a fellow Fortean with factoids regarding a spooky cluster of events that occurred prior to the 9/11 attacks, (nothing “paranormal”, just statistical anomalies), and listened to tales of his grandmother’s apparent sixth-sense. So the evening had already acquired an air of the bizarre. I departed the bar with thoughts of faces appearing in smoke clouds dramatic peaks in miscarriages of male babies and Mike’s gran whirling around in my impressionable young mind. Then, out of the corner of my now very bleary eye, I spied the strangest of events.
A young lady, ready for a classic night of debauchery on Wind Street, (Swansea’s famed, puke-washed drinking centre) sauntered past me in full French maid’s garb. “Got a light?” she asked. I obliged and she walked off into the distance. Thirty seconds later, an IDENTICAL girl (in the same clothing, same height, face etc), sauntered past. “Got a light?” she asked. “No fucking way!” I exclaimed. She gave me a decidedly disgruntled look, murmured an expletive and walked off.
SHITTING HELL! I was a bit scared. Had I just witnessed a case of inter-dimensional mingling or even seen a real-life doppelganger headed to assassinate the other…or something? I sat aghast in my cab home, wondering how exactly to word my letter to the “It happened to me…” column of the Fortean Times. Surely I could get it into the September Issue?!
Then a thought struck me…well, a one word thought struck me.
Twins.
Fucking twins. Buggering bloody balls!
Eight glasses of Laphroaig and a few tall tales and I became a “believer”. Man, the human mind can be complex.
Or I’m thicker than Chupacabra shit.
by Ceri Phillips
Lanvin to Design for H&M {Fashion}
H&M have announced their next designer collaboration and the rumors were true…its next designer collaboration will be with Lanvin, one of the most influential brands of the 21st century. Designed by Lanvin’s artistic director Alber Elbaz, and menswear designer Lucas Ossendrijver, the collection will go on sale on November 23 in around 200 H&M stores worldwide. The collection of both womenswear and menswear will be revealed to the world on November 2, just three weeks before the clothes hit the store.
Alber Elbaz, artistic director of Lanvin says:
“H&M approached us to collaborate, and see if we could translate the dream we created at Lanvin to a wider audience, not just a dress for less. I have said in the past that I would never do a mass-market collection, but what intrigued me was the idea of H&M going luxury rather than Lanvin going public. This has been an exceptional exercise, where two companies at opposite poles can work together because we share the same philosophy of bringing joy and beauty to men and women around the world.” .
Since joining Lanvin as artistic director in 2001, Alber Elbaz has transformed the Paris-based label, founded in 1889 by Jeanne Lanvin, into a fashion powerhouse bursting with ideas and creativity. Alber Elbaz has pioneered there some of the biggest trends of the past decade – ribbon, bows, pearls, raw edges, sumptuous colour and metallic embellishment among many others. Alber Elbaz has a mastery of cut and an instinct for cloth which leaves a very personal signature on his work, ensuring that all Lanvin clothes are instantly recognizable. Since the introduction of a new menswear line in 2006, Alber Elbaz has also transformed the male wardrobe, bringing a relaxed elegance to men’s clothing which is as special as the womenswear.
“We are thrilled about Lanvin’s collection for H&M, it is such an exciting moment. Lanvin will bring to H&M a luxurious French tradition that is also modern and playful. It is very much a Lanvin collection, using their cut and tailoring, with lots of focus on form and details for both women and men. The launch in November is going to be full of wonderful surprises.” Says Margareta van den Bosch, creative advisor at H&M.
Lanvin is the latest brand to collaborate with H&M, with previous collections designed by the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Comme des Garçons and Sonia Rykiel. In a new twist, the Lanvin for H&M collection will be revealed to the world through a special film which will be launched on November 2. The film will be available for all to see online at www.hm.com. Following the film’s debut, it will be just three weeks before customers have the chance to get their hands on a covetable piece of Lanvin for H&M.
Angelina Jolie shines in Salt { Film Review }
I have always been a fan of Angelina Jolie. Jolie is a brave actress, always breaking boundaries and leading the way for women to be different. In a world where most actresses won’t drink full-fat milk she is refreshing.
My other interest is spy movies. So you can imagine how excited I was at the prospect of Salt. Where Jolie plays a CIA agent accused of being a Russian spy. Jolie shines in a role originally meant to be for Tom Cruise. It suits Jolie to play a character that was originally for a man. In fact, maybe all the roles for actresses should originally be for men. If Salt is anything to go by, then they will have more meat to them. More depth. It would be interesting to see the two different scripts and see what changes were made.
Liev Schreiber is as amazing as always. Holding his own against Jolie. The film has enough twists not to be a bland action movie. The Russians may be the baddies again but the film rises above clichés.
Jolie’s stunts are amazing as well. Not for a women – just amazing. The fact that this is being bandied as the start of a franchise can only be a good thing.. It is off to a cracking start.
Catch Salt in cinemas now.
Dexter Season 4 Preview. { TV }
I love Dexter. Not just the show, but the character. Now, I am not saying that this is right. And I don’t glorify serial killers. But if you had to choose one, Dexter is my man. Sometimes while watching the show I wonder if I should be laughing so hard, or relating so much.
In season 4 you see him trying to fit into ‘normal’ life. Becoming part of a community. Even having to be on neighbourhood watch after a vandal starts making trouble. The lone wolf trying to fit in…and having no clue how to. Even on a rudimentary level.
Dexter’s awareness that he does not know how to be normal makes him a psychopath, not a sociopath. Which cannot be said for his nemesis, the Trinity Killer (John Lithgow), Dexter must navigate his many lives as serial killer, analyst, father of three, husband, and brother, yet still come out of the finale alive, with his secret intact. Will he manage?
John Lithgow is excellent as the Trinity Killer and Keith Carradine returns as the FBI agent trying to track him down.
Based on novel of Jeff Lindsay. This show is brilliant, original and dazzling.
Dexter is on, Friday 10pm on FX.
After Hours – Science Uncovered. Natural History Museum, London
24 September 2010, 16.00–22.00
The Natural History Museum is throwing open the laboratory door to the public and giving visitors special, one-night-only access to a hidden world in a special event, After Hours – Science Uncovered.
Behind the scenes of the Natural History Museum, more than 300 scientists use the world-class collections to research global problems such as disease, climate change and threats to biodiversity. After Hours – Science Uncovered will satisfy your curiosity as you get up close and personal with cutting-edge science and the people that make it happen. Explore fascinating topics ranging from the detective work of the forensics team to revolutionary new techniques for tracking meteorites.
Join a guided tour of the Dinosaurs gallery or hidden collections spaces, bring along mystery objects to be identified by experts, or simply unwind with a Friday night drink while mingling with Museum scientists in the iconic surroundings of the Grade I listed building.
Highlights include:
· Science Bar – a bar with a difference. Choose from a menu of hot topics such as the role of women in science or donating your body for research to discuss with Museum experts over a cocktail or two.
· Guided tours – soak up the atmosphere of the Museum at night with exclusive tours lead by top experts, including torch-lit tours of the Dinosaurs gallery. Spaces are limited, so come early to sign up and ensure a place on a tour.
· Hands-On Science – get up close and personal with Museum scientists as they showcase their research into everything from the toxicity of botox to species extinction. There will be the chance to handle real specimens and take part in demonstrations.
· Nature Live – get fully immersed in the natural world in the state-of-the-art Attenborough Studio. Interactive events using cutting-edge technologies will recreate a crime scene investigation or even link the audience to scientists working in the field.
· Mystery finds – from a shell on the local beach to a spider discovered in the bath, bring in unidentified natural history finds. It’s a unique chance to quiz Museum experts to find out more.
After Hours – Science Uncovered is part of European Researchers Nights and is the first time that London has taken part in the Europe-wide festival of science. Across Europe over 100 cities will hold similar events showing how exciting and vital research is to our lives.
Visitor information:
Dates and times: 24 September 2010
16.00–22.00
Admission: free
Visitor enquiries: Monday–Friday 020 7942 5000
Saturday–Sunday 020 7942 5011
Nearest tube: South Kensington
Website: www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/coming-soon/index.html
Touch – A new supernatural drama series for BBC3 {TV}
Some super exciting news….. BBC Three have a new drama series, Touch, from acclaimed theatre, film and TV writer Jack Thorne (Skins, The Scouting Book For Boys, Cast Offs)
Described as an edge-of-the-seat supernatural thriller, Touch is about the vengeful dead who walk on Earth and only uber-geek Paul can save the living from a fiery Armageddon.
Paul is an ordinary young man from an ordinary town who discovers an extraordinary ability – he can see the dead. As he comes to terms with a nightmare reality he meets others who share his powers and share a horrifying secret – the spirits are waging war on the living. Mankind will be destroyed.
But the most terrifying twist is yet to come – Paul discovers that only he holds the key to the world’s salvation.
Ben Stephenson says: “Touch started life as one of our drama pilots but quickly showed such imagination and energy that we asked the hugely talented Jack Thorne to write five more episodes and Touch the series was born.”
Jack Thorne says he’s “Both scared and excited about it, hope it turns out OK.”
The series will comprise of six one hour episodes made by BBC Drama. The cast is still to be confirmed and filming will start next year.
BBC Three drama has won critical acclaim with Being Human and looks forward to Lip Service which is coming soon to the channel this autumn.
David and Samantha Cameron name daughter Florence Rose Endellion.
Following the Camerons recent decision to name their new baby girl Florence Rose Endellion, after the Cornish village close to where they were holidaying, baby names popularity stats released from Bounty Parenting Club reveals that not one of its members have chosen the name Endellion in the past 10 years.
The Cameron’s choice to stand out from the crowd and choose a name most associated with a place for their new baby’s middle name, follows a growing trend for parents looking for more creative names, not previously heard of in Britain’s playgrounds.
Interestingly, the couple has also chosen the first name of Florence, another place name, which means ‘blossoming’ or ‘flourishing’ as well as the beautiful city in Italy. The most recent baby name popularity stats from Bounty.com place Florence as the 100th most popular name for girls in the UK and a name that has been steadily rising in favour year on year – with a current total of 2,207 girls named Florence born over the past 10 years.
Florence’s first middle name, Rose, comes in at 101st place in the national popularity charts. The name has German origins and as well as the flower of the same name it means ‘horse’ or ‘hroud’ which translates as ‘fame’.
And when she returns to her SW1 home at 10 Downing Street, Florence will be in good company with the Olivias, Sophies and Emilys, who currently top the polls as the most popular name choices for baby girls in South West London. Although Florence is a much more popular name in South West London where is ranks as the 40th most popular baby girls name versus the national average of 100th most popular.
Faye Mingo, spokesperson for Bounty.com said: “We predicted that the Cameron’s would choose quite an old fashioned pretty name, which Florence and Rose most certainly are. We love the Cameron’s choice of an unusual middle name to honour the place she was born. This is a good compromise for parents who don’t want to land their children with a very different first name – which they may love but their child may not appreciate as they grow older. Parents do need to think very carefully about everything that comes attached to an unusual moniker as it can definitely shape a child’s experiences from how they are treated at school and beyond.”
For more baby name inspiration check out www.bounty.com/baby-names where you can search sibling names and middle names for your chosen name, search popularity by region, see which names are rated ‘traditional’ or ‘exotic and lots more!
TOP 20 GIRLS NAMES IN SW LONDON
1. Olivia
2. Sophie
3. Emily
4. Isabella
5. Lily
6. Sophia
7. Emma
8. Ava
9. Amelia
10. Ella
11. Grace
12. Holly
13. Jessica
14. Poppy
15. Ruby
16. Mia
17. Lola
18. Freya
19. Zoe
20. Martha
TOP 20 GIRLS NAMES NATIONALLY
1. Olivia
2. Ruby
3. Lily
4. Sophie
5. Emily
6. Chloe
7. Grace
8. Jessica
9. Evie
10. Amelia
11. Ava
12. Mia
13. Ella
14. Lucy
15. Ellie
16. Holly
17. Amy
18. Charlotte
19. Daisy
20. Katie