My Atma

Gemma Arterton was on a boat

2010-09-16T15:40:00.002+05:30

Supermodel Bar Refaeli showed off some of her tennis skills

2010-09-09T15:43:00.001+05:30

The 2010 Loony Dook Swim

2010-09-07T15:37:00.002+05:30

Simple Medical Billing Process For the Patients

2010-09-06T15:40:00.000+05:30

Hospital is the place that many people hope to find some cures for their illness. As we know, each day, there are thousands of people that a hospital must handle. As an institutions that involved many systems including some costing systems, the hospital also need some excellent billing services. It's not only about the systems, but it needs the excellent operators too. The billing system in a house is a very complicated system. There are so many kinds of systems that involved and being fused into the billing systems. The medical billing process is something complicated.

There are many sectors' billing statements that must be handled by the medical billing systems. The medical billing process is also about many kinds of costing process that involved each departments of the hospital. All those departments billing systems will be integrated to the whole hospital medical systems in a very complex billing process that must be perfectly handled by the hospital's accounting departments. But contrary with the complex medical costing process, the process from the patients must be simplified. It means, the complex process should only happen inside the management and the patients must not have to deal with those complicated systems.

The hospital must make sure that the medical billing process that the patients must deal with is the simple process that will not push them with some complicated systems. The hospital billing process might be the integration of some complex billing systems of many departments in the hospital, but the patients will not necessary to know or feel about it. The patient must only deal with the simple medical billing process that they must pay for the whole medical treatments that they have got from the hospital. That is the way a hospital must run. It will give some comforts to the patients.

What can you do when you are trying to streamline the efficiency of a medical office? As the cost of medical care gets harder to bill and collect, this is an important question for all businesses in the health care industry. Medical office managers, single practitioners and large health-care organizations like multi-hospital systems are all looking for ways to improve their billing efficiency, to receive the maximum payment with as little profit loss as possible. If your current billing system gives you a migraine, try reducing the stress and simplifying your organization with electronic medical billing software.

Just like medicine itself and everything else, record keeping of payment for medical treatment has advanced tremendously. The frontier doctor paid in chickens or grain has gone the way of the general store, and the billing for physicians and treatment has gotten as confusing as most tax codes. Bringing in a third-party billing company just adds another line for communication to break down, with the headache of having to monitor that company's work performance, as well as keeping an eye on your bottom line. Just like any cure, if the potential negative side effects outweigh the possible benefit, does it really help?

Keep your medical billing like your medical expertise: in house. There is a nearly endless assortment of electronic medical billing software systems available, when you consider the ability to personalize these software systems to work for your practice. Online purchases are easy, and allow you to evaluate all the systems you consider. Many of the software options offer demos to help you make the best choice. The peace of mind of a having tested the product makes the choice even easier, and once purchased online support can provide more reassurance in the event of questions or problems.

Like most business decisions, electronic medical billing software may seem like a big step for your medical practice. Potential customers are often wary of technology that they aren't familiar with. But when reviewing the many pros of bringing your medical under the direct control of your own business, it's tough to come up with any valid cons. The accountability becomes your own, as most business owners prefer. The additional responsibility is taken away from a third party charging you to utilize what is most likely the same software you are looking to purchase, and brought under your direct control and supervision. And isn't that the way most business owners prefer it?

Why pay someone else for something you can easily accomplish in your own business? There's no need for a middle man in health care. Doctors don't evaluate patients through the reports of an outside company, and patients and customers prefer to deal with their service provider for payment. Electronic medical billing software generates the data to keep billing responsibility in your hands. And when you eliminate the third-party billing cost, it will increase profits so they can be directed where they belong - back into growing your business.

Out side of White House Pictures ( Residence of USA President )

2010-08-31T13:44:00.004+05:30

Abandoned Radio Masts

2010-08-25T13:43:00.003+05:30

One of the cult places near Moscow - easily accessible but still rather interesting. Here you can meet various lovers of height. We’ll show you the abandoned radio masts of Radio Center ?9 in Electrostal city.

Impressive Building Cakes

2010-08-22T11:12:00.002+05:30

Hogwarts CakeHogwarts school
of Witchcraft and Wizardry or simply Hogwarts. It was created for the Order of the Phoenix premiere’s after party in los angeles will be featured on food Network’s Ace of Cakes later this month.

Taj Mahal Cake
Created by Michelle Sugar, this cake has an impressive pattern details and LED illuminated towers.

The Kaaba and al-Masjid al-Haram Cake

The Kaaba and al-Masjid al-Haram, the largest mosque in the world. This is to show just how beautifully the massive cake has been painstakingly crafted to appear exactly as it is.

Dian Al-Mahri Cake

Dian Al-Mahri. The cake was made like the Dian Al-Mahri mosque, in jakarta. The 3 x 1.5m cake is made out of 55 kilograms of dark chocolate , 40 kilograms white chocolate and 25 kilograms milk chocolate and is kept on display to celebrate the Muslim’s fasting month of Ramadan. Muslim devotees abstain from eating, drinking, and any sexual activities from dawn to dusk during the festival
White House Cake
White house . Well, not exactly a cake, but pretty close. The White house pastry chefs constructed a gingerbread and white chocolate replica of the famed building itself and part of the surrounding grounds, complete with candlesticks, wreaths on each window and Michelle Obama’s garden. The entire structure weighs over 400 pounds (!). Impressive. link

The Capitol Cake

The Capitol. Created for the Mississipi 2008 Governor`s Inaugural Ball, this cake has three feet in width and twenty inches in height and was finished after of 48 hours of research,design and construction.
link

Stadium Cake

7 Amazing Places That Look Out of This World

2010-08-18T13:04:00.000+05:30

Some have called this the “cruelest place on Earth.” Dallol is a volcano hidden beneath a kilometer-thick layer of salt in the Danakil depression in the Afar region,

Dallol, Danakil Desert

Ethiopia (at ~120 m below sea level). It manifests itself by an incredible variety of colorful springs and fumaroles in an alian landscape of salt, sulphur and other mineral deposits.
The term Dallol was coined by the Afar people and means dissolution or disintegration describing a landscape made up of green acid ponds ( pH-values less than 1) iron oxide, sulfur and salt desert plains.
Many volcanoes exist in the region, including Erta Ale and the Dabbahu volcano. link

The Cave of Crystals

The Cave of Crystals (Cueva de los Cristales) is a chamber in the Naica Mine Located in Mexico, approximately 1,000 feet (300 m) down in the limestone host rock of the mine. The chamber contains giant selenite crystals, some of the largest natural crystals ever found.

Taklamakan Desert

Taklamakan is one of the largest sandy deserts in the world, is a paradigmatic cold desert climate. Given its relative proximity with the cold to frigid air masses in Siberia, extreme lows are recorded in wintertime, sometimes well below −20 °C (−4 °F). During the 2008 Chinese winter stroms episode, the Taklamakan was reported to be covered for the first time in its entirety with a thin layer of snow reaching 4 centimetres (1.6 in), with a temperature of −26.1 °C (−15 °F) in some observatories.link

The Río Tinto

The Río Tinto is a river in southwestern Spain that originates in the Sierra Morena mountains of Andalusia. Since ancient times, a site along the river has been mined for copper, silver, gold, and other minerals.
As a result of the mining, Río Tinto is notable for being very acidic (pH 2) and its deep reddish hue is due to iron dissolved in the water.
This river has gained recent scientific interest due to the presence of extremophile aerobic bacteria that dwell in the water. These life forms are considered the likely cause of the high acid content of the water. The subsurface rocks on the river bed contain iron and sulfide minerals on which the bacteria feed.
The extreme conditions in the river may be analogous to other locations in the solar system thought to contain liquid water, such as subterranean Mars. NASA scientists have also directly compared the chemistry of the water in which the rocks of Meridiani Planum ( Mars ) were deposited in the past with the Río Tinto. link

The Chocolate Hills

The chocolate Hills are an unusual geological formation in Bohol, philippines . According to the latest accurate survey done there are 1,776 hills spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometres (20 sq mi). They are covered in green grass that turns brown during the dry season, hence the name.
These hills consist of Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene, thin to medium bedded, sandy to rubbly marine limestones. These limestones contain the aboundant fossils of shallow marine foraminifera, coral, mollusks, and algae

Four legends explain the formation of the Chocolate Hills. The first tells the story of two feuding giants who hurled rocks, boulders, and sand at each other. The fighting lasted for days, and exhausted the two giants. In their exhaustion, they forgot about their feud and became friends, but when they left they forgot to clean up the mess they had made during their battle, hence the Chocolate Hills

A more romantic legend tells of a giant named Arogo who was extremely powerful and youthful. Arogo fell in love with Aloya, who was a simple mortal. Aloya’s death caused Arogo much pain and misery, and in his sorrow he could not stop crying. When his tears dried, the Chocolate Hills were formed.

The third legend tells of a town being plagued by a giant carabao, who ate all of their crops. Finally having had enough, the townsfolk took all of their spoiled food and placed it in such a way that the carabao would not miss it. Sure enough, the carabao ate it, but his stomach couldn’t handle the spoiled food, so he defecated, leaving behind him a m

ound of feces, until he had emptied his stomach of the food. The feces then dried, forming the Chocolate Hills.

The last legend is about a gluttonous giant named Dano that eats everything in his path. One day he came to a plain. He saw a beautiful young woman named Eng. To win her affection, he needed to lose weight . So he excreted everything he ate. In the end, his fecal matter covered the land and he won Eng’s affection. link

The mysterious holes of Sarisarinama

The Sarisarinama is situated on the edges of the Amazonas and Gran Sabana provinces in southern Venezuela. Also known as the Sarisarinama Tepuy, it stands as one of the remotest mountains in the whole of Latin America.
The Sarisarinama has always astonished people by its mysterious holes or the ’simas’. These are huge perfectly circular stone depressions, which are 3 50 meters deep and 350 meters wide. Till date biologists and geologist have been amazed by the challenging mystery of the simas. Some believe that the simas are caused due to underground water erosion. To discover these holes, mountaineers start the climb from the northern side of Sarisarinama and reach the simas by foot.link

Stone Forest

Stone Forest is a notable set of karst formations in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, in the Yunnan province of southwest China , approximately 85 km from the city of Kunming. The tall rocks seem to emanate from the ground in the manner of stalagmites, with many looking like trees made of stone, creating the illusion of a forest made of stone. link

The Flying Tank

2010-08-17T13:40:00.002+05:30

Mi-28N “The Night Hunter” has a special system of pilots protection and can “see” an enemy at 35km distance even in darkness. Test pilots call it “fighter-helicopter” and ordinary people know it as “a flying tank”.
Night vision goggles of the helicopter allow a pilot to fight even in the night time. It is equipped with an impressive armoury reserve. An inbuilt movable gun can totally destroy an armored personal carrier in 10 shots.
The rockets complex “Igla” is intended for destruction of helicopters and drones. However, the main power of “the Night Hunter” is in its anti-tank missile “Ataka” against which all tanks are powerless.
The construction of the helicopter ensures the safety of the crew. The armoured cab withstands even direct hits of 12.7 mm bullets. A seat of the pilot is higher than the seat of the shooter so the vehicle has been made flatter and less vulnerable.
Mi-28N helicopters are already coming into operation of the Russian army. The Caucasus and The Russian Far East will see them first.
“The Flying Tank” applies a complex of on-board radio-electronic and instrumentation equipment that allows to use weapons and cope with flight and navigation tasks day and night in any meteorogical conditions at the lowest possible height using automatic terrain and flying around obstacle.

The eternal capital of carnival in the world

2010-08-11T13:00:00.002+05:30

Incredible Snowfall in Helsinki, Finland

2010-08-10T13:14:00.001+05:30

Forex: NZD/USD declines to 0.7285 from 0.7330
A fragile Kiwi gave away Friday's gains, after an opening at 0.7330 headed straight down through the European session, extending a previous fall from the Asian session. The pair bottomed out at 0.7283, hitting a new intra-day low.

Despite the obvious weakness shown by the Greenback on the struggles of its domestic economy, the Kiwi has failed to hold gains above 0.7350, since topping at 0.7394, 6 month high last July 27. Ever since, attempts to regain the region were rejected by the market.

At present, current price stays at 0.7288, daily lows. Today's change stands at 0.61% favourable to the Greenback. From a weekly perspective, the pair closed over 1% higher last Friday, compared to late July.

Difficult Landing Airports

2010-08-07T15:54:00.003+05:30

Computers are an exceptional tool that can help us with our day to day activities, but computers can also be very expensive as can their individual software components. If you have a computer and you find that you need certain software components to really get the most functionality thing you'll be happy to know that more often than not there is a free option available for you to take advantage of in terms of getting the software that you want.

There is of course file sharing which is one way to get basically any type of software that you might need for free, but ultimately file sharing is a pretty unethical way of getting the software that you need. The good news is that you typically can get the software that you need without having to resort to unethical or even illegal activity. Let's say for instance that you need a photo editing software program to do some high end adjustments on photographs. You might think that the expensive name brand photo editing software is your only option, but indeed there are other options available to you. All you need to do is go to your favorite search engine and enter "free photo editing software" which should yield several free options for photo editing software.

If you're looking for something other than photo editing software, say for instance spreadsheet or text entry software, then again doing a simple search on your favorite search engine should yield several options, but there is one that should come up first and will ultimately be the best option. In fact the free option in my opinion is even better than the paid software, so even if you have the expensive software and you might want to check out the free option anyway. It's not just spreadsheet programs and photo editing programs that are available either, basically if your mind can imagine it it's out there and it's free all you have to do is look. That's the great thing about technology and the free marketplace!

Russian Wedding Cakes

2010-07-02T13:21:00.006+05:30

Brent Crude: bouncing along support at 74.90
The intraday chart of Brent Crude is bouncing along support at 74.90 (B). This level is now slowing the downtrend that has dominated Brent's 15-minute chart since the break lower through 77.06 early in Tuesday's session. The Channel Down pattern that formed due to market weakness has stalled as the bulls support the 74.90 level, creating the base from which a potential breakout could trigger should prices rally through 75.40 (A). A break of downtrend line resistance would not only trigger a Channel Down reversal, but - based on Autochartist's three-bar Initial Trend reading - the entry strategy would be an Autochartist Initial Movement/Momentum (AIM) buy.Trading strategies are partly determined by the pattern alert itself; how the entry will be triggered and what the entry will be, however, is based upon the Initial Trend reading. Initial Trend measures either the strength of the trend or the volatility of a sideways market. In this case, a three-bar Initial Trend reading indicates that the market is moving sideways with low volatility. If the reading were four or five bars, it would still indicate a sideways market, albeit a more volatile one. Since this 15-minute Brent market is moving sideways with low volatility, the AIM entry will capitalize on any momentum that takes prices higher through the pattern's top line. Use the Autochartist Breakout reading to confirm the degree of momentum behind the move - six bars or greater is what you're looking for. A positive MACD Histogram reading is another way to confirm the breakout buy entry.

Classic paintings photoshopped

2010-06-19T13:50:00.000+05:30

EUR: Attempt small longs at 1.2270
EUR

Comment: Hovering at the 26-day moving average with momentum zero. Expect more consolidation around here this morning and maybe all day. A weekly close above 1.2300 would also help add some upside pressure.

Strategy: Attempt small longs at 1.2270, adding to 1.2200; stop well below 1.2100. First target 1.2355.

EUR/JPY

Comment: Hovering slightly precariously between the 9 and 26-day moving averages at 113.41, not far off the late May/June highs at 114.40. Note that the lagging Span hits a cluster of tightly packed candles from Monday next week. This might keep the cross below the 114.40 area for another few weeks. Very mixed picture all round.

Strategy: Possibly attempt tiny longs at 112.00; stop below 110.80. First target 112.75.

GBP

Comment: Hovering between the moving averages and a descending, broadening Ichimoku ‘cloud’. Expect more of the same today and maybe tomorrow too though note that a weekly close above 1.4800 might add a little upside pressure.

Strategy: Attempt small longs at 1.4700; stop below 1.4500. First target 1.4800, maybe 1.4900.

JPY

Comment: Incredibly a ‘doji’ yesterday exactly on a fine line of a ‘cloud’ and the pivotal 91.47 level and the centre of the trading range since mid-May. Expect more of the same today, the yen more likely to take its cue from what’s happening elsewhere rather than leading the pack.

Strategy: Possibly attempt small shorts at 91.30, adding to 91.80; stop above 92.15. First target 91.00, maybe 90.55.

7 Things to buy for Telling the World You’re a Rich

2010-06-13T13:23:00.001+05:30

Rent a celebrity – $1,000,000

Got a lot of dough? Want to rent a celebrity? Singers, actors, actresses,comedians, models, athletes. That all depends on your wallet and the value of your guest’s star stock. In the thriving rent-a-celebrity business, the price tag for having a celeb drop by is a telling barometer of who’s hot and who’s not.

Us Weekly got the low down on how much you can buy a celebrity for… well at least for a few hours…

Mariah Carey private performance – $1,000,000
Usher private performance – $1,000,000
Dr. Phil speech – $750,000 – $1,000,000
Nicole Kidman party appearance – $500,000 + jet
Pam Anderson party appearance – $75,000 – $250,000
Demi Moore party appearance – $200,000.

The Diary of Casanova – $9.400.000Giacomo Casanova, the world’s greatest lover wrote of his adventures from 1789 to his death in 1798, during which time he was employed as the librarian to Count Waldstein in the Castle of Dux, Bohemia. The manuscript, “Histoire de mi vie” or “History of my Life,” allegedly details his conquest over more than 100 women—at least one of which was a nun—and several men.

The 3,700 manuscript was acquired by the Brockhaus family in 1820 and survived the bombing of Leipzig in World War II. The French National Library purchased the cultural artifact for a cool €7 million—over US $9.4 million—making it the most expensive written manuscript in the world.link

Practice Sports ( Formula 1 ) – $16.000.000

If you have way too much money and want to get into a new sport then Formula 1 racing is the sport for you, it’s the world’s most expensive sport.

Here is where the bulk of your money will go: for one season of racing F1.

Car: Upwards of $5 million.
Testing: $2 million.
Wind tunnel: About $2 million.
Engines: $5 million.
Tires: $1 million.
Fuel: $1/2 million.
Misc parts: $1.5 million.
Crew: $5 million.
Transportation for crew and cars: $6 million.

Now all that is assuming you’ll be driving, should you actually want to win a few races then you can double the costs and throw in $30 million + for a driver that can deliver.

New Zip Code – $5,600,000

Do wou want the most expensive zip code in the world? For those in the back screaming 90210 please put your hands down, you’re not even close.
Jupiter Island, Florida ranks No. 1 with a median home price of $5.6 million,so if you want to move there you’d better get your personal finances in order.link

Soccer player – $ 240,000,000

If you love keeping up with what is going on in the world of sports then this bit of information should be included.
Manchester City’s new billionaire owner, Sulaiman Al-Fahim, has revealed that the club will be bidding £140 million ($250million) for Cristiano Ronaldo when the January transfer window opens.

““Real Madrid were estimating his value at $160million but for a player like that, to actually get him, will cost a lot more; I would think $240million, three times the world transfer record, set in 2001 when Zinedine Zidane moved from Juventus to Real Madrid. But why not? We are going to be the biggest club in the world, bigger than both Real Madrid and Manchester United.”” link

Comic Book – $195,000

Many people read comic books growing up as kids, but a certain few retain their passion and become meticulous collectors of expensive comic books.
The world’s most expensive comic book is DC’s Action Comics #1 (1938). Written by Jerry Siegel and illustrated by Joe Shuster. The copy was sold for $195,000 in May of 2006. link

Carbon Fiber iPhone Case – $112,000

There is now an iPhone case for the rich and famous. This case will speak to your wealth and will show everyone that you want only the best in luxury.
The GnG Designs case is the most expensive one in the world, costing 77,777 euros, which is about $112,000 at the time of this writing.

Photos In Photos

2010-06-12T13:31:00.002+05:30

Forex :- Down trend on long term looks certain for Euro
Fundamental

The euro plunged to its weakest level since November 2001 versus the yen and touched a four- year low against the dollar on concern Europe’s sovereign debt crisis will spread, denting global growth. The yen climbed versus all of its most-traded counterparts as Asian equities extended a global slump after a report June 4 showed that employers in the U.S. hired fewer workers in May than economists had forecast.
Europe’s shared currency fell for a third day after officials in Hungary’s government last week compared the country to Greece while claiming the previous administration lied about public finances.

Technical

Technical analysis show the euro may continue the major downtrend without any reversal signal with confirmation of many indicators like MACD, which gives a selling signal; RSI is in a downtrend. Stochastic oscillator crosses %D line downwards and Bollinger give us a bearish signal.

The Craziest Cliffs in Norway

2010-06-05T13:43:00.007+05:30

PREIKESTOLEN aka PREACHER’S PULPIT aka PULPIT ROCK

Pulpit Rock or Preikestolen in Norwegian, is one of the area’s most popular and tourist attractions. This natural rock formation with a 25 meter squared (82 ft x 82 ft) plateau stands 604 meters (1,982 ft) above the sea. Thousands of tourists visit the Rock every year. The trip takes about two hours by foot, but the rock formation can also be enjoyed from the sea by boat. The original name of the rock formation is “Hyvlatonnå” - which means the tooth of a woodplane.

There is a trail from the Pulpit Rock lodge through different mountain landscapes. A trip to Preikestolen from the closest car park and Norwegian Mountain Touring Associations-staffed refuge Prekestolhytta takes about 3-4 hours for a round trip hike.

Hoover Dam Bypass Architectural Wonder

2010-06-01T13:56:00.005+05:30

Construction of the Colorado River Bridge is advancing on the 1,060 foot twin-rib concrete arch.

The Colorado River Bridge is the central portion of the Hoover Dam Bypass Project.

Construction on the nearly 2,000 foot long bridge began in late January 2005 and the completion of the entire Hoover Dam Bypass Project is expected in Late 2010.
When completed, this signature bridge will span the Black Canyon (about 1,500 feet south of the Hoover Dam), connecting the Arizona and Nevada Approach highways nearly 900-feet above the Colorado River.

Volcano Eruption in Iceland ( Close View )

2010-05-13T13:57:00.006+05:30

EUR/CHF, EUR/USD Flows − German Q1 +0.2%q/q, ECB Noyer, Quaden; EUR/CHF eye SNB

More reassuring comments from ECB Policymakers, with EUR off lows, but interest still to sell on rallies to 1.2650/1.2700 for 1.2510 14-m lows, then 1.2500 options. German prelim Q1 GDP +0.2%q/q, vs consensus of +0.05%, +1.7%y/y vs +1.2% expected, While ECB/BdF Christian Noyer says satisfied with ECB market intervention as monetary policy was threatened. ECB would do everything it could (message to Buba Axel Weber too?) to get markets to work normally again. ECB/BnB Guy Quaden says euro currency will survive the current crisis. Greece has no options than to accept austerity measures. Public finance problems of Spain, Portugal not as severe as Greece. On FX, EUR bids at 1.2600-10, but remains offered, while EUR/CHF at 1.4040-45, eye SNB ahead of all time lows of 1.4005. WL

The World of Record Settlers

2010-03-29T14:00:00.000+05:30

He Pingping of China smiles as Sultan Kosen of Turkey rests his hands on He's shoulders during a promotional event in Istanbul, Turkey on January 14, 2010. He, with a height of 73 cm (2 feet 5 inch), and Kosen, with a height of 246.5 cm (8 feet 1 inch), have been listed in the Guinness World Records as the world's shortest man and tallest man respectively. (REUTERS/Osman Orsal)
He Pingping, 73 cm tall (2 feet 5 inch), of China looks up at Sultan Kosen, 246.5 cm tall (8 feet 1 inch), of Turkey in Istanbul on January 14, 2010. (REUTERS/Osman Orsal) #
Joel Waul, 27, stands on top of his rubber band ball on the driveway of his home in Lauderhill, Fla., Friday, Oct. 23, 2009. Waul, a 27-year-old who works nights restocking a Gap clothing store, has spent the last six years carefully wrapping and linking and stretching rubber bands of various sizes into the ball shape. The Guinness Book of World Records declared it the world's largest rubber band ball in 2008. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz) In this photo taken Aug. 21, 2009, Diana Taylor walks with her Great Dane, Titan, along Ocean Beach in San Diego. During a ceremony Thursday Nov. 12, 2009, the Guinness Book of World Records officially proclaimed that 4-year-old Titan from San Diego is the world's tallest dog. Owner Diana Taylor says Titan is blind, deaf, epileptic and undergoes acupuncture and chiropractic adjustments every three weeks. Taylor says Titan stands 42.25 inches from floor to shoulder, weighs 190 pounds. (AP Photo/Union Tribune, Peggy Peattie
Bakers link pieces of gingerbread in order to break a world record on December 18, 2009 in Ludwigsburg, southern Germany. A total of 1,700 kg of honey, 1,700 kg of flour, 1,000 kg of walnuts, 900 kg of hazelnuts, 550 liters of milk and 158 liters of cherry schnapps were used to make the one kilometer-long and seven-ton-heavy gingerbread. (SASCHA SCHUERMANN/AFP/Getty Images
A base jumper leaps backwards off the Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower, Malaysia, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009. A group of base jumpers were attempting to set a Guinness World Record striving to have 24 people base jump every hour for 24 hours from the the 915 feet high communication tower. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Physical challenged people participate in purportedly the world's largest finger painting, a 100 feet by 140 feet canvas, to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Ahmadabad, India, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009. More than 200 physically challenged people participated in the event for a bid to enter the Guinness Book of World Records. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
Street performer Chayne Hultgren (a.k.a. 'The Space Cowboy'), re-enacts his 18-sword swallowing attempt for a Guinness World Record in front of the Sydney Opera House on February 8, 2010. The Australian beat his own world record when he simultaneously swallowed 18 swords, each blade measuring 50.8cm by 1.3cm, in the lead-up to International Sword Swallowing Day on February 28. (TORSTEN BLACKWOOD/AFP/Getty Images)
Children scoop marshmallows out of a mug holding nearly 500 gallons of hot chocolate, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009 at Bryant Park in New York, during the American Dairy Association's attempt to set a new world record for the largest mug of hot chocolate. (AP Photo/American Dairy Association, Diane Bondareff)
Indian born British strongman Manjit Singh, 59, pulls a double decker bus using ropes attached to his hair in London, England on November 12, 2009. Singh broke the world record Thursday by pulling the bus a total of 21.2 metres. (CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images)Filipino chefs and students stand beside dishes as they attempt to break a Guinness World Record for "The Most Number of Dishes On Display, In A Single Day" in suburban Quezon city, north of Manila, Philippines on Monday Dec. 14, 2009. The organizers hope to be considered for the record as they make more than 5,000 cheese-inspired dishes to beat the previous record of 4,668 set by India in 2007. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Chinese 104-year-old twins, Cao Daqiao (senior, right) and Cao Xiaoqiao talk at home in Weifang, east China's Shandong province on November 29, 2009. According to the Shanghai Guinness World Records, these twin sisters, who were born in 1905, are the oldest living twins in the world as they are also listed on the Guiness World of Records for the oldest twins. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)
Bryan Berg of the U.S. poses at his creation of the replica of The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel, as he breaks his own Guinness World Record for the largest house of Freestanding playing cards on Wednesday, March 10, 2010. Berg used 218,792 playing cards to build a replica of The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel during the 44 day project. The final composition is 35 feet long, 10 feet tall and weighs 272kg. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
An Israeli school boy plays in a large Jerusalem flag as it is unfurled at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009. The flag was stamped by the Guinness World Records as the world's largest flag on April 11, 2009 and measures 44,404 square meters. (AP Photo/Tara Todras-Whitehill)
Sultan Kosen, the world's tallest man, unveils the world's largest gingerbread man at an Ikea store in Oslo, Thursday, Nov. 12 2009. The Swedish furniture chain's Oslo outlet says 8-foot-1-inch tall Sultan Koesen of Turkey presented the cookie that weighs 1,435 pounds (651 kilograms). It was baked in the traditional gingerbread man shape by a local bakery and beat the previous 2006 world cookie record of 1,307 pounds (593 kilograms) set in Smithville, Texas. (AP Photo/Morten Holm/Scanpix)
Life Time Fitness broke the Guinness World Record for the largest cycling class with 1,052 cyclists. The class was held at Target Center arena in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Peter Wong)
Lebanese chefs prepare a giant tabbouleh to set a new world record in Beirut on October 25, 2009. Under the watch of a Guinness adjudicator, 250 sous-chefs and their 50 bosses from the state-run culinary school chopped and sliced over three and a half tons (7,000 lbs) of the salad, using 1,600 kg (3,520 lbs) of parsley, 1,500 kg (3,300 lbs) of ripe tomatoes and 420 kg (926 lbs) of onions. (RAMZI HAIDAR/AFP/Getty Images)
Lebanese celebrate entering the Guinness Book of Records in Beirut October 24, 2009 after producing what they believe to be the biggest plate of hummus in the world. The dish, weighing 2,056 kg, was filled with 1,350 kg of the chickpea-based dish. The organisers claimed world records for both the size of the dish and the quantity of hummus produced. (REUTERS/Jamal Saidi)
Palestinians stand near a large embroidered dress as it is presented to the media at a stadium in the West Bank city of Hebron October 25, 2009. The dress, which took several months to sew, is expected to be officially measured next month in an attempt to be entered as a Guinness World Record. (REUTERS/Nayef Hashlamoun)
The Burj Dubai tower is pictured during the opening ceremony of the Burj Dubai tower on January 4, 2010 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.The Burj Dubai, which in Arabic means Dubai Tower, is at 824.55 meters the world's tallest man-made structure. (Martin Rose/Getty Images)
Around 15,000 people participate in a tug-of-war during an annual event in Naha, in Japan's southern island of Okinawa, on October 11, 2009. The rope used in the event - 200 meters long, 156 cms in diameter, weighing 43 tons and made from harvested straw - was recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest rope. (JIJI PRESS/AFP/Getty Images)
The world's tallest horse, Luscombe Nodram, or 'Noddy', stands with his owner Jane Greenman before they depart on major tour which will include appearances at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and Brisbane, in Melbourne on March 19, 2010. The Shire horse is seven-years-old, stands at 20.2 hands high (2.05 meters) and at 1.5 tons weighs three times more than the average thoroughbred racehorse. The Shire horse is now endangered with approximately 2,000 left in the world with very few of them being gray. (AFP PHOTO/William WEST)
Albanian artist Saimir Strati, 43, creates a mosaic of the late pop legend Michael Jackson in Durres, near Tirana, Albania on October 31, 2009. Strati is using 250,000 paintbrushes and 28 days to complete the 10 meter-wide by 2.6 meter-tall mosaic on the side of a truck traveling the streets of Albania. This is Strati's fourth attempt to enter the Guinness World Record. (REUTERS/Arben Celi)
Thousands of Mexicans take part in the "I do dance Thriller" event which attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the biggest mass "Thriller" dance, in Mexico City, on August 29, 2009. Up to 15,000 people were expected to take part in the mass performance of Michael Jackson's famed "Thriller" dance on the day he would have turned 51. (Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images)
Norman Surplus from Larne, Northern Ireland, waves to the media from his autogyro at Duxford, England, Thursday, March, 11, 2010. Surplus is to attempt a circumnavigation of the globe in the autogyro, starting from Larne on March 18, depending on the weather. With its open cockpit it will be flying through 26 countries, 27,000 miles including 4,300 miles over water, in an expedition that will raise awareness and money for bowel cancer. The specially adapted machine will have collapsible fuel tanks that will give it a range of some 900 miles. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Chefs serve what they claim to be the world's largest cheesecake in Mexico City, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009. The chefs hope to win a Guinness World Record. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Egyptian Mohammed Ali Zinhom, 25, attempts a new Guinness World Record for doing push ups on the 2 fingers of his right hand only, in front of the historical site of the Giza Pyramids, Egypt, Monday, March 8, 2010. Zinhom recorded 46 push ups in 49 seconds. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

Chef Matthew Mitnitsky cheers after his meatball weighed in, breaking the world record for the largest meatball, in Concord, N.H., Sunday, Nov. 1,2009. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)About 1,800 people dressed in Santa costumes prepare to run down the main street in central Sydney November 29, 2009. Organisers of the Variety Club Santa Fun Run, in support of a children's charity, aim to build on Sunday's event and challenge the world record for people running dressed as Santa. (REUTERS/Tim Wimborne)
Indonesians take part in an attempt to break a world record for the most sky lanterns flown simultaneously in Jakarta, Indonesia, late Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009. At least 10,000 lanterns were released into the sky to break the world record, organizer said. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Kim Joon beautifull body art

2010-03-07T13:49:00.003+05:30

Let's forget the black tattoos on arms, shoulder or chest. The Korean artist Kim Joon uses the whole body and the most varied colors. And goes further on: he groups masculine or feminine bodies intertwined in sensual positions over which he designs continuous patterns which are fused in a unique corporal mass, subdued by the design and color!

Despite his style declared a pronounced oriental stamp, Joon does not limit himself to the customary dragons and serpents. Instead, any material serves him as a pictorial pattern, whether they are floral motives, commercial brand logos or Superman comics, whose graphic potential es enormous and is smartly explored by the artist.

Original work and, we dare to say, deeply human...

AK-47: 20th century´s weapon

2010-02-28T16:49:00.003+05:30

by Maria Carolina Maia

Official records don't say exactly how many, but newspapers and rap lyrics show that the AK-47 rifles have reached Brazil. Actually, it's hard to say just where this weapon hasn't reached. Created in communist Russia, the AK-47 has shown up in 92 countries, has been part of 90% of wars in the second half of the 20th century (sometimes on both sides) and has killed at least 7 million people. It won over American rifles in Vietname, replaced spears in warrior tribes in Africa, it became an icon in Mozambique's flag, a monument in Nicaragua and, today, is in the hands of Islamic terrorists and drug dealers. At the age of 60, the AK-47 tells the story of the 20th century.

In the 1940s, weapon designers realized that the machineguns used in the trenches during WWI were out-of-date. With the invention of armoured tanks and wide-range artillery, whoever stood still in the open field was under serious risk of being hit. Unlike the lingering conflicts in WWI, with these weapons the fights were fast, urban with moving troops looking for moving targets. This is how the first assault rifle, the Sturm Gewehr, was born - a light German weapon, with intense and instantaneous firing power.

When WWII was over, Russia's domination was extended to Germany and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin decided to create a similar automatic weapon, that could be used in every communist country. In order to decide which weapon would become Soviet Union's trademark, the government promoted, in 1947, a contest between designers. The winner was a former WWII soldier that had begun drawing the weapon five years earlier, while on a hospital bed.

Mikhail Kalashnikov

In 1941, Mikhail Kalashnikov was 22 and working with Soviet tanks' mechanisms in WWII. During the nazi invasion of Moscow, he was forced to ride one of the tanks himself to fight against Hitler's troops. The Germans bombed 90% of the city, including Kalashnikov's tank. His right shoulder was destroyed and he was sent into a hospital, where he stayed for nearly a year. With nothing better to do, he spent his time drawing weapons. "Once, a soldier in the bed next to me asked me: 'Why do we have one rifle for 2 or 3 soldiers, while each German has automatic weapons?' So I decided to design one for us.", he told British newspaper The Guardian, in 2003.

Originally published in "Revista Superinteressante", edição 241 - jul/2007

Amazing Beautiful Picture Made Out Of Nails

2010-02-14T11:48:00.003+05:30

Amazing Body Painting Art By Craig Tracy

2010-02-05T15:38:00.007+05:30

The EUR/CHF has had a wild ride in today's Asian session setting a 15-month low at 1.4557 before the Swiss National bank reportedly intervened to boost the euro up almost 300 pips and send the pair to a new high from January 6 at 1.4849.

Since then, the pair has ticked back downwards, falling below the moving average of 55 periods on the hourly charts to currently trade at 1.4685.

The Forex.com Research Desk explains the uniqueness of this morning's event lies in the fact that the SNB "rarely" intervenes in the Asian trading session: "As the word got out that the SNB was in the market, the EUR/CHF pair exploded, covering big figures in mere minutes as it pulled the Swiss Franc lower across the board."

The shock wave from the EUR/CHF jump set off a ripple-effect that hit other currency pairs.

"Once the smoke cleared from the vicious moves," says the Forex.com Research Desk, "the EUR/CHF was trading near 1.4730, while USD/CHF was 80 pips higher at 1.0750, and CHF/JPY shed 60 pips to rest at 83.40 levels. All in all, it was quite a spectacular show to end a busy week in Asia."

The Most Striking Examples of Brutal Honesty

2010-02-03T16:05:00.006+05:30

Sexy Plus Size Swimwear

2010-01-29T15:37:00.002+05:30

Calonge says it’s better to address the problem early instead of putting it off until the child is grown. “Once you become an overweight adult, it's more difficult to change your behavior,” Colange said. “We do believe that childhood behaviors can be changed, and investing in changing these behaviors in kids is an investment that can pay off lifelong.”

Since 2005, a program called Weigh Smart has helped children at Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital lose weight and decrease their BMI. Michelle Demeule, Weight Smart’s manager, says children who take part in the program are, on average, 12 years old, weight 200 pounds at about 5 feet tall and spend about five hours a day watching television or playing video games. After the children are referred by their doctor, they are placed in a group or receive individual family counseling. Families meet with a doctor and a psychologist, and children receive nutrition counseling and exercise. Reviews of the program show that children have a significant weight loss over the course of the program and it continues over the year they are followed. But Demeule says it’s not an easy task and families who want to do the program must really be committed to making the needed changes. “It is hard; it is not an easy fix,” she said.

Keith Ayoob, associate professor of pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, agrees that parents must be involved in their child’s weight management program to see benefits. “Part of the problem is that where there are obese children, there are often obese parents,” he said. “Parents often have to take a hard look at their own eating styles and how they may have morphed into less-than-healthy role models. A whole family can get healthier when one child does.”

However, one of these intensive programs may be difficult to find and, for the few that exist, too expensive to afford as it’s not currently a covered benefit by most insurance. But Calonge said the new recommendation may change that. He said as more children are referred, more insurers will start reimbursing for the treatment and more programs will become available. Another push may come from the white house, as last week first lady Michelle Obama declared her intension to tackle childhood obesity in 2010.

The Best Body Art Ever

2010-01-25T15:36:00.004+05:30

Exhaustion, high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol and diabetes. These are the common problems we associate with excess weight and obesity. But did you know that the danger stretches far beyond these “usual suspects?” Many obese people also suffer from liver and gallbladder disease, sleep apnea, breathing problems, some types of cancer—and many women even experience infertility.

These are just the physical dangers. People who are overweight tend to suffer from significant and prolonged emotional distress, as well. Unfortunately, dieting is difficult, and entire industries have sprung up, promising easy shortcuts to help people lose the pounds from a pill. Such “shortcuts” have a fretful and fatal history, proving that the quick-fix diet pill is both a proven waste of money and a deadly deceit, pulled on innocent people who are desperately trying to make important life changes.

New Hope for Downtrodden Dieters

In order to lose weight, we must eat less. That’s really all there is to it. According to Dr. Alan Hirsch, (MD, FACP) a noted neurologist and psychiatrist, and developer of the Sensa Weight-Loss System, “What you eat is important, to be sure, but even more important is how much you eat. The problem is portion control. When you take in more calories than your body can use up, it turns to fat and excess weight.”

The deadly diet industry promotes “lose weight quick” pills that contain everything from stimulants to fat blockers to laxatives. They offer no help to make healthy lifestyle changes, and all too often, when dieters do lose weight with these products, they gain it back quickly because they slip into old, harmful habits.

Hot girls and chicks with tattoos

2010-01-17T10:41:00.005+05:30

Definition of melanoma: A form of cancer that begins in melanocytes (cells that make the pigment melanin). It may begin in a mole (skin melanoma), but can also begin in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye or in the intestines.

A technique called lymphatic mapping and sentinel-node biopsy - which looks for cancer in a few lymph nodes first - was better than a "watch and wait" approach in helping melanoma patients whose cancer had spread to the lymph nodes to live longer, according to findings presented at the 2005 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Death Punishment for Rapists in Iran

2010-01-03T10:53:00.001+05:30

Death Punishment for Rapists in Iran
(Not for weak-hearted)

Iran is often condemned by most of the countries
in the World; few condemn it for being conservative, others for following harsh law (often called barbaric) and others for not cooperating with US.

US Department of Justice in its report of 2001 says that more than 3,500 cases of rape are reported in entire USA every day. This is more than in any other country in the world. Moreover, more than 50% of girls who attend University in USA become a victim of rape or at least rape attempt. In a beautiful and friendly country like India, the cases of rape and violence against women are on a rise; even foreigners and tourists are no expection. But we don't give death punishment to these criminals.

We should know that a beautiful flower like Lotus grows only in mud. This is what Iran has done that most of the countries have to learn from.

In Iran, for a rapists, the punishment is death. The guy in below pics has killed 22 children (boys and girls) and raped some of them aged between 7 yrs to 13 yrs in Iran. He was caught, lashed 100 times and hanged to death.

Do you support death punishment for rapist? Or you support the rapist?

Think about it!!!

Beautifull Masjid Shaikh Zayed

2009-12-29T22:33:00.006+05:30

The Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi, will surely be one of the largest in the ... This grand Masjid is a fitting memorial for the great and beloved leader.

What Can You Get For A Million These Days?

2009-12-23T16:50:00.004+05:30

The term ‘millionaire’ isn’t what it used to be. Winning, making or stealing a million used to mean that you were made for life; now, whatever currency you’re dealing with, you need multiple millions to kick back into early retirement and enjoy the classic millionaire lifestyle. Let’s pretend that at sometime in your thirties, you inherited a £1,000,000 from some distant relative living in the UK, and see just how possible living the dream would be.

Buy Your House, Or a Better One

The average detached house price in the UK is around £200,000, so buying a new house, or paying off an existing mortgage (leaving room for interest if you had already started paying) shaves a chunk off your million in sterling, leaving you with £800,000. Of course, it would be boring to simply buy the standard house you live in, so let’s say you decided to buy a bigger, better property for £500,000. That leaves you with £500,000.

Put The Kids Through University

On average, households in the USA, UK and Australia have between 1.8 and 2.5 children, so let’s say you have two kids who both need educating. In the USA, tuition fees for an entire degree can cost up to $75,000. Then, the little darlings need to stay somewhere whilst they study; at the best universities, this can cost up to $8,000. Then, the bare essentials such as books, pens and paper can run up a bill of $1,500. Altogether, to put two children through university (ignoring day-to-day expenditure, like travel and spending money), the cost is roughly $84,500, or £42,250. That leaves you with £457,750.

Pick Up a Fancy New Car

When asked what they would do if they won the lottery, most people would list a nice car as one of the things they would buy. If you’re the extravagant type you might decide to go for the ultimate eye-catching car; a brand new Ferrari 360 Modena. This would set you back $200,000 in Australian dollars, or £114,599. Out of your million in sterling, you would now have a mere £343,151. Goes fast doesn’t it?

Go On a Dream Holiday

Some people may travel the world, but you may want to opt for an expensive holiday rather than a year-long round-the-world backpacker trip, to keep in style with your new affluent life. For argument’s sake, supposing you decide to take a month’s break in Italy’s Lake Como, the popular, exclusive and expensive holiday destination. The cost of taking your family to stay for a month in the most expensive hotel, along with flights, can cost up to £11,000. Then, of course, there is shopping, spas, fun stuff for the kids, food, drink and all the other luxuries, which could come to another £1,500. So, the perfect luxury holiday could cost you up to £12,500, leaving you with £330,651.

Take Care of Grandpa

Looking after elderly relatives is an expensive business, one that many middle-aged children worry about when it comes to money. In the UK, around 40% of elderly people who need social care are paid for out of their own savings or their children’s, with no government help, and the cost is around £25,000 per year, or $50,000 US. So, assuming that Grandpa, or Grandma, lives in residential care for another three years, this would cost you £75,000, leaving you with £255,651.

Help Out a Friend

n the UK, personal (that’s unsecured on property) loans reach a maximum of £25,000. Most people have, on average, between three and six close friends, and one in four people are affected by debt problems. So, if you decided to help out your debt-ridden friend, you would lend or give them £25,000 of your million, leaving you with £230,651.

Just Living

The average family of two adults and two children run up a £480 food bill every month. That’s £5,760 per year. Assuming it will be another ten years until your kids leave home at 18, you will spend £57,600 feeding the lot of you, taking your nest egg down to £173,051. Once the kids are gone, you and your partner will be roughly 45, with about another 45 years of life ahead of you. So, you’ll spend £2,880 per year on food, or £129,600 for the rest of your life, eating (literally) your million down to £43,451. Spending on clothes in the US is around $474 per person per year, so, added together, you can clothe you and your partner for $42,660, or £21,330. That takes you down to £22,121. The average monthly spending the UK on leisure, including cinema, eating out, sports, holidays and so on, was £350, which would rack up to £15,750 in the remainder of your lifetime, leaving just £6,371.

Can It Be Done?

Having bought the things that most people aspire to buy, you would be left with a measly £6,371, or US$12,742, or AUS$11,136. This is without having paid any phone, internet, water, gas or electricity bills, insurance payments, or pension contributions, which, unfortunately, cost more than £6,000.

So, unfortunately, it looks like a million is no longer enough to live on straight out; you would just have to keep working, although you could work far less and in a job that you really enjoy, rather than the highest paying. Alternatively, investing your million in an account, bond or ISA with an interest rate of 5% would bring returns of £50,000 per year, which would leave you very well off indeed, if not living the millionaire dream.

Nerina the “Pretty” Mermaid Invaded the Beach!

2009-12-12T15:45:00.004+05:30

Yeah, I know many of you will think it is not real and it is true! I admit that. Nerina (and also the scary fish) are the splendid monstrous arts of Juan Cabana. For more photos of interesting mermaids and fish arts,

London: More than 94 per cent of the world's people are not protected by laws against smoking, leaving them exposed to the biggest cause of preventable death, the World Health Organisation said on Wednesday.

In a Global Tobacco Epidemic report the WHO said smoke-free policies were crucial to reducing the harm caused by second-hand smoke, which it said kills around 600,000 people prematurely each year and causes crippling, disfiguring illness and economic losses reaching tens of billions of dollars.

The report found some progress had been made, with 2.3 per cent of the world's population, or around 154 million people, newly covered by smoke-free laws in 2008. But it warned of many more early deaths if governments did not act quickly.

"The fact that more than 94 per cent of people remain unprotected by comprehensive smoke-free laws shows that much more work needs to be done," said the WHO's expert on non-communicable diseases, Ala Alwan.

Scientific evidence has unequivocally established that exposure to tobacco smoke causes death, disease and disability. Over the past four decades, smoking rates have fallen in rich places such as the United States, Japan and western Europe, but they are rising in much of the developing world.

The WHO said seven countries which includes Colombia, Djibouti, Guatemala, Mauritius, Panama, Turkey and Zambia were brought in comprehensive smoke-free laws in 2008, bringing the total to 17.

Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in the world, killing more than 5 million people a year. A report by the World Lung Foundation in August said smoking could kill a billion people this century if trends hold.

"Unless urgent action is taken to control the tobacco epidemic, the annual death toll could rise to 8 million by 2030," the WHO report said.

"More than 80 per cent of those premature deaths would occur in low- and middle-income countries - in other words, precisely where it is hardest to deflect and bear such tremendous losses."

The WHO report found that tobacco control remains severely underfunded, with 173 times as many dollars collected worldwide in tobacco taxes each year than are spent trying to get people to stop smoking.

Progress on implementing bans on tobacco advertising had stalled, it said, and progress on increasing tobacco tax had come to a halt, with nearly 95 per cent of people living in nations where tax is less than 75 per cent of the retail price.

Strangest Restaurants Around the World

2009-12-08T17:23:00.005+05:30

Robot KitchenThe Robot Kitchen in Hong Kong has automated their wait staff by usinog three robot waiters. I’ll tell you this much, they better not mess up my order or I’m giving them a magnet as a tip.

Snow Cave BarThe Snøhulebaren or Snow Cave Bar in Norway doesn’t offer much in the way of food but you won’t care because all you’d be interested in is the Hot Blackcurrent Juice with Vodka when you have a seat on the “snow barstools”.

Hadaka Sushi
Hadaka Sushi in Los Angeles offers Nyotaimori which is the art of serving sushi on a naked womans’ body. I wonder if there’s a five second rule if you drop a California Roll on her crotch?

Dinner in The Sky
Not for people with a phobia of heights, Dinner in the Sky lifts it’s diner 50 meters in the air over a variety of scenic views. Sometimes accompanied by a band or piano on it’s own crane. I guess there is no excusing yourself to use the restroom at this dinner.

Chodovar Beer Spa
Have you ever had a beer so good that you say to yourself, “Man, I’d like to bathe in this!”. Probably not, but if you have, the Chodovar Beer Spa in the Czech Republic will accommodate you.

Gou-Li-Zhuang
Who loves delicious animal reproductive organs, raise your hand! You’ll get plenty at this place in Beijing because that’s all they serve. Now who ordered the dog’s penis garnished with a plum?

W-Duck

Asia SF
What’s more comfortable than sitting on a porcelain throne? Lot’s of things but that’s not what they offer here at W-Duckin Portugal.

Hobbit House

A fantasy tavern for Hobbits, or at least those who resemble Hobbits. The owners and entire staff are little people who have a reputation as a great bar for live music. But this place isn’t located in Middle Earth. It’s in Manila.

World’s First Underwater RestaurantFor those of you who DO find this enticing and beautiful, the world’s first underwater restaurant just opened at the Hilton resort in Maldives. It’s like a giant stationary submarine immersed in the most beautiful water in the world, and if you ever do go, please tell me how the food was

Not Many Muslims Had The Opportunity TO See This

2009-12-01T16:39:00.005+05:30

ROZA RASUL, PROPHET MUHAMMAD P.B.U.H
Foot Mark Of HAZRAT ADAM (AS) , Srilanka
HAZRAT AMMA HAWA, Jeddah
Abeel (Another view of grave of Abeel), Son of HAZRAT ADAM (Al.)
HAZRAT YOUSHE (First Prophet after Adam), Jordan.
Makam-e-Ibrahim
HAZRAT IBRAHIM-AL-KHALIL, Israel
HAZRAT LOT, Iraq
HAZRATt SALEH (AS)
HAZRAT MOOSA (AS), Israel
HAZRAT SHOAIB (Al.)
HAZRAT HAROON (Al.)
HAZRAT ZAKARIA (Al.)
HAZRAT YAHYA (Al.)
HAZRAT BIBI AMENA , Outside Macca
HAZRAT BIBI HALEEMA, Outside Madina.
HAZRAT ABU TALEB, Uncle of Prophet Mohammed P.B.U.H, Macca
HAZRAT BIBI KHADIJA (Ummul Moamineen), Macca
HAZRAT IMAM HASAN (AS).
HAZRAT BIBI FATIMA ZAHRA
HAZRAT BILAL HABASHI, Damascus

Abeel, Son of HAZRAT ADAM (Al.), First grave on earth, Jordan.

Russian “Ecranoplanes”

2009-11-27T19:44:00.005+05:30

An “ekranoplan” literally “screen plane” is a vehicle resembling an aircraft, but operating solely on the principle of ground effect. Ground effect vehicles (GEV) fly above any flat surface, with the height above ground dependent upon the size of the vehicle.

During the Cold War, ekranoplans were sighted for years on the Caspian Sea as huge, fast-moving objects. The name Caspian Sea Monster was given by U.S. intelligence operatives who had discovered the huge vehicle, which looked like an airplane with the outer halves of the wings removed. After the end of the Cold War, the “monster” was revealed to be one of several Russian military designs meant to fly only a few meters above water, saving energy and staying below enemy radar.

The KM, as the Caspian Sea Monster was known in the top secret Soviet military development program, was over 100 m long (330 ft), weighed 540 tonnes fully loaded, and could travel over 400 km/h (250 mi/h), mere meters above the surface of the water.

The important design principle is that wing lift is reduced as operating altitude of the ekranoplan is increased (see ground effect). Thus it is dynamically stable in the vertical dimension. Once moving at speed, the ekranoplan was no longer in contact with the water, and could move over ice, snow, or level land with equal ease.

These craft were originally developed by the Soviet Union as very high-speed (several hundred km/hour) military transports, and were mostly based on the shores of the Caspian Sea and Black Sea. The largest could transport over 100 tonnes of cargo. The development of ekranoplans was supported by Dmitri Ustinov, Minister of Defence of USSR. About 120 ekranoplans (A-90 Orlyonok class) were initially planned to enter military service in the Soviet Navy. The figure was later reduced to less than thirty vehicles, planned to be deployed mainly for the Black and the Baltic Soviet navies. Marshal Ustinov died in 1985, and the new Minister of Defence Marshal Sokolov effectively ceased the funding for the program. The only three operational A-90 Orlyonok ekranoplans built (with renewed hull design) and one Lun-class ekranoplan remained at a naval base near Kaspiysk.

This is “Caspian Monster”

They could fire missiles…

…and could go above the ground as well, coming on the shore from the sea without slowing down…
…as well as carrying some tanks…
…and act in cooperation with traditional fleet.

The all photos above were made during the Soviet Era, when the Soviet state had money and desire to experiment with this strange ekranoplanes. These days almost none of the left in working condition.

On these photos made by Russian blogger Bu33er you can see the one of the last ekranoplans “Orlyonok” being transported by the tow-boat across the Volga river to one of the entertainment parks of Moscow, where it would be probably installed as another monument for never to be returned Soviet times and achievements.

HUMOUR .... No Chance

2009-11-25T07:47:00.006+05:30

Japan’s Sapporo Snow Festival

2009-11-19T16:59:00.005+05:30

The Sapporo Snow Festival is held in the month of February yearly in Japan. This famous Japanese festival draws millions of people every year and gets entries from not only regular snow sculptors, but also from other countries. This festival has snow sculptures of everything from everyday animals to popular cartoon characters and world famous buildings. This is something every tourist should see if visiting Japan in the month of February.

Meditation is an intensely personal and spiritual experience. The desired purpose of each meditation technique is to channel normal waking consciousness into a more positive direction by totally transforming one`s state of mind. To meditate is to turn inwards, to concentrate on the inner self.

The entire process of meditation usually entails the three stages of concentration, meditation and enlightenment or absorption. The meditator starts off by concentrating on a certain point. Once attention gets engaged, concentration turns into meditation. And through continuous meditation, the meditator merges with the object of concentration, which might either be the present moment or the Divine Entity.

In some branches of Indian philosopohy, direct perception from the inner self (mana) together with perception that is filtered through the five senses (pancha indriya) form a part of their valid epistemology (pratyaksha jnana). And this self-realization or self-awareness (as popularized by yogananda/paramahansa- yogananda.asp' class='article'> Paramahansa Yogananda), is nothing but the knowledge of the "pure being"—the Self.

Humanity is increasingly turning towards various meditative techniques in order to cope with the increasing stress of modern-day lifestyles. Unable to locate stability in the outside world, people have directed their gaze inwards in a bid to attain peace of mind. Modern psychotherapists have begun to discover various therapeutic benefits of meditation practices. The state of relaxation and the altered state of consciousness—both induced by meditation—are especially effective in psychotherapy.

But more than anything else, meditation is being used as a personal growth device these days—for inculcating a more positive attitude towards life at large.

Floating Heads By Sophie Cave

2009-11-19T08:51:00.001+05:30

Christmas Tree. Rio De Janeiro

2009-11-17T17:03:00.001+05:30

Natural Curves: Organic ‘Wood Wave’ Floating Home Design

2009-11-07T11:23:00.001+05:30

Outside and in, from the curved wood cladding to theÂ swooping wooden ceilings, this undulating houseboat design by Robert Oshatz evokes the dynamic movement of the river water on which it floats.

The series of intersecting and overlapping organic forms creates a sense of constant movement that is clearly inspired by surrounding waves but likewise reflects the never-still nature of the structure itself. More than just a clever aesthetic trick, however, this repeated form also serves a series of architectural functions, from defining interior volumes to letting in exterior natural light at both ends and along the roof line.

The repetitive use of wood both inside and out also enhances the nautical theme of the home, giving residents the abstract sense that they are within a curved sea-faring wooden vessel as much as they are floating inside of a house. Wide-open views of the water are balanced by beautiful but privacy-protecting wood-shingled surfaces on the dock side of the structure.

Strangest Buses in Thw World

2009-11-03T15:58:00.005+05:30

Created by car artist Tom Kennedy, the Topsy-Turvy Bus (Topsy) is a bus made of two school buses welded together, one upside down on top of the other. The bus is currently touring the country to "dramatically depict America’s upside down budget priorities."
The World’s Longest Bus is made in China, costs USD 250,000, and it only works in cities without corners, The other way would be to drive from one block to another without turning. This 83 foot long bus has a capacity of 300 people and is divided into 3 compartments, due to this its speed limit is up to 51mph max, probably to avoid any unwanted incident, but then with that kind of speed this bus would cause traffic jam that might clog up the city.
What do you get when you cross a bus with a train? The Bus Train, a dual-mode vehicle that has the versatility of a bus, the speed of light rail and fuel economy vastly better than either.
The Cat Bus
The Boat Bus, a british bus capable of surfing the Thames.
Gangsta' School bus
Low rider school bus
Totoro Cat Bus
Bus + VW Kombi
Volkswagen Bus with tracks
The truck bus
The Nigerian School bus

Jessica Cox The First Pilot With No Arms

2009-10-31T13:34:00.006+05:30

Principles of insurance
Commercially insurable risks typically share seven common characteristics.[1]
1. A large number of homogeneous exposure units. The vast majority of insurance policies are provided for individual members of very large classes. Automobile insurance, for example, covered about 175 million automobiles in the United States in 2004.[2] The existence of a large number of homogeneous exposure units allows insurers to benefit from the so-called “law of large numbers,” which in effect states that as the number of exposure units increases, proportionally the actual results are increasingly likely to become close to expected proportions. There are exceptions to this criterion. Lloyd's of London is famous for insuring the life or health of actors, actresses and sports figures. Satellite Launch insurance covers events that are infrequent. Large commercial property policies may insure exceptional properties for which there are no ‘homogeneous’ exposure units. Despite failing on this criterion, many exposures like these are generally considered to be insurable.
2. Definite Loss. The event that gives rise to the loss that is subject to the insured, at least in principle, take place at a known time, in a known place, and from a known cause. The classic example is death of an insured person on a life insurance policy. Fire, automobile accidents, and worker injuries may all easily meet this criterion. Other types of losses may only be definite in theory. Occupational disease, for instance, may involve prolonged exposure to injurious conditions where no specific time, place or cause is identifiable. Ideally, the time, place and cause of a loss should be clear enough that a reasonable person, with sufficient information, could objectively verify all three elements.
3. Accidental Loss. The event that constitutes the trigger of a claim should be fortuitous, or at least outside the control of the beneficiary of the insurance. The loss should be ‘pure,’ in the sense that it results from an event for which there is only the opportunity for cost. Events that contain speculative elements, such as ordinary business risks, are generally not considered insurable.
4. Large Loss. The size of the loss must be meaningful from the perspective of the insured. Insurance premiums need to cover both the expected cost of losses, plus the cost of issuing and administering the policy, adjusting losses, and supplying the capital needed to reasonably assure that the insurer will be able to pay claims. For small losses these latter costs may be several times the size of the expected cost of losses. There is little point in paying such costs unless the protection offered has real value to a buyer.
5. Affordable Premium. If the likelihood of an insured event is so high, or the cost of the event so large, that the resulting premium is large relative to the amount of protection offered, it is not likely that anyone will buy insurance, even if on offer. Further, as the accounting profession formally recognizes in financial accounting standards, the premium cannot be so large that there is not a reasonable chance of a significant loss to the insurer. If there is no such chance of loss, the transaction may have the form of insurance, but not the substance. (See the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board standard number 113)
6. Calculable Loss. There are two elements that must be at least estimable, if not formally calculable: the probability of loss, and the attendant cost. Probability of loss is generally an empirical exercise, while cost has more to do with the ability of a reasonable person in possession of a copy of the insurance policy and a proof of loss associated with a claim presented under that policy to make a reasonably definite and objective evaluation of the amount of the loss recoverable as a result of the claim.

Berkeley Pit the most dangerous and toxic lake

2009-10-27T19:01:00.004+05:30

In fact, it’s not a natural lake, it’s a former open pit copper mine.

It is situated in Butte, Montana, USA, and it is filled with 30 billion gallons of deadly toxic water (mix of heavy metals and poisonous chemicals).

When this enormous mine was closed in 1982, groundwater began to leak into the basin – disastrously passing through the metal deposits in the soil.

The water here was responsible for killing 342 snowgeese who landed there and died in 1995.

Personal Injury, Auto Accident & Workers Compensation Attorney

I know the injuries you have sustained are both very real and personal to you. I will endeavor to see that you are justly compensated for your injuries. Constant changes in the laws mean you need a lawyer who will fight for you. Unlike some large firms, I am a sole practioner, so I can assure you that I will be the only lawyer who works on your file and you will get to speak to your lawyer.

Health Insurance Reform - This Week in Mythbusting

Health insurance reform opponents continue to spread myths about America´s Affordable Health Choices Act. This week, the mythbusters caught two top Congressional Republicans and a major newspaper trying to mislead America with claims that the House bill would lead to a government takeover of the health care system, was bad for small businesses and that, despite all the polls showing the opposite, the American people really don´t like the public option. Below are those myths and others we encountered this week:

MYTH: House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) – ´Democrats in Washington are pressing ahead with a costly government-takeover of the health care…´

FACT: America´s Affordable Health Choices Act builds on the current private, employer-provided health care system we have now – and will expand enrollment in private insurance by an estimated 16 million Americans. Rather than creating a "government takeover of health care," the bill is designed to help make the health insurance market work better – improving competition and choice for consumers through the creation of a Health Insurance Exchange.

MYTH: House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) – Health insurance reform ´will squeeze the nation´s entrepreneurs further, keep people out of work longer.´

FACT: A recent report by the Small Business Majority found that without health insurance reform, small businesses would pay nearly $2.4 trillion over the next 10 years in health care costs for their workers. With reform, the study shows that small businesses can save as much as $855 billion, a reduction of 36 percent, money that can be reinvested in their businesses to grow the economy.

MYTH: House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) – polls showing strong public support for a public health insurance option are ´skewed´ and the questions should be about a government plan replacing private health insurance.

FACT: Far from a government takeover of the health care system, America´s Affordable Health Choices Act builds on the current private, employer-provided health care system we have now and expands enrollment in private insurance. Indeed, the non-partisan CBO has explicitly determined that the public health insurance plan would NOT replace private health insurance plans.

MYTH: The Wall Street Journal – the public health insurance option will ´blow up the private insurance market.´

FACT: America's Affordable Health Choices Act will NOT ´blow up the private insurance market.' In fact, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office reports it builds on the current private, employer-provided health care system we have now and expands enrollment in private insurance. The CBO projects that, under the House bill, by 2019, about 11 or 12 million Americans - or less than 4 percent of Americans - would be enrolled in the public option.

Amazing Green Building: The ACROS Fukuoka

2009-10-18T12:54:00.003+05:30

In Fukuoka City in Japan, they have an amazing building called “ACROS Fukuoka” with two very distinct sides: one side looks like a conventional office building with glass walls, but on the other side there is a huge terraced roof that merges with a park. The garden terraces, which reach up to about 60 meters above the ground, contain some 35,000 plants representing 76 species. A huge semicircular atrium and the triangular lobby provide contrast to the greenery, in this space is a symphony hall, offices and shops.
The building was constructed on the last remaining green space in the city center, so the architects, Emilio Ambasz & Associates, created a design to preserve the green space as much as possible, while still fitting in a large office building. In addition, a green roof reduces the energy consumption of a building, because it keeps the temperature inside more constant and comfortable. Green roofs also capture rainwater runoff, and support the life of insects and birds.

The building is a success in Japan, its terraced south facade utilized by many in the area for exercise and rest, affording views of the city and the harbor beyond. Unfortunately it has received little press overseas, especially in the United States.
This building was also featured in a book showcasing green roofs. Published last year, this visually attractive book has photos and descriptions of forty case studies of exemplary green roof projects — from Mexico City to Malmo, Sweden to Fukuoka, Japan to Dearborn, Michigan. It includes contributions from many of the leading people in the field. The book is intended to inform and inspire communities, designers, building owners by showcasing the environmental and aesthetic potential of large-scale green roofs. It’s available from Amazon for $26.37.

The World’s Most Beautiful Banknotes

2009-10-17T11:32:00.006+05:30

Insurance Update :-
In this article I will be writing about the loan against LIC policy. As I have explained in my previous articles about the different kind of loans and how to apply for it. Loans agaist LIC policy is one of the good idea to get loans for cheaper price. It involves many restrictions because you will not be eligible to get huge loans under this scheme even if you have the policy. I will explain the conditions involved in getting the loan against LIC policy. If you have any doubts please post it in the comments section.
What is Cash Value for LIC policy?
In my previous article I have explained what is surrender value?. Cash Value is also referred as the Surrender Value of the polciy. Before applying for the loan you must know the exact cash value of the policy because if it is very low then there is no point in applting the loan if your need is huge amount.
Loan on LIC
The provision of loan against a life insurance policy is basically an advance against the cash value (surrender value) of the policy. The advance is always less than the case value. Most of the insureres approve 90% of the cash value of the policy. In case a loan is provided, the policy is absolutely assigned and held by the insurance company as security for repayment of the loan.
• You have to pay the interest specified in the loan.
• If you failed to pay the interest on time, that will be added to the principla and calculated the interest.
• If the total dept is more than the cash value, the insurer has the rights to terminate your policy.
• If the policy is matured before completing the loan, insurer has the rights to deduct the loan amount from your maturity amount.

Body art and photography by Marco Guerra and Yasmina Alaoui

2009-10-12T15:35:00.005+05:30

Regulation of the business of insurance :-
Insurance regulation that governs the business of insurance is typically aimed at assuring the solvency of insurance companies. Thus, this type of regulation governs capitalization, reserve policies, rates and various other "back office" processes.
In the United States each state typically has a statute creating an administrative agency. These state agencies are typically called the Department of Insurance, or some similar name, and the head official is the Insurance Commissioner, or a similar titled officer. The agency then creates a group of administrative regulations to govern insurance companies which are domiciled in, or do business in the state.
The origins of insurance policies in general differs through various countries. Limited policies (particularly against damage to homes) can be traced to the 17th and 18th centuries, though establishment of newer policies (such as health insurance and car insurance) did not come until the 20th century.
In the United States regulation of insurance companies is almost exclusively conducted by the several states and their insurance departments. Various states have different names for their regulatory agencies and regulators. In many states the department is called the Department of Insurance, and the regulator is called the Insurance Commissioner - although there are numerous variations. The federal government has explicitly exempted insurance from federal regulation in most cases.
However, regulation of the insurance industry began in the 1940s in the United States, through several United States Supreme Court rulings. The first ruling on insurance had taken place in 1868 (in the Paul v. Virginia ruling), with the supreme court ruling that insurance policy contracts were not in themselves commercial contracts. This stance did not change until 1944 (in the United States v. South-Eastern Underwriters Association ruling), when the Supreme court upheld a ruling stating that policies were commercial, and thus were regulatable as other similar contracts were.
Nowadays, many countries - and states in the United States - regulate insurance companies through laws, guidelines and independent commissions and regulatory bodies. These laws and statutes ensure that the policy holder is protected against bad faith claims on the insurer's part, that premiums are not unduly high (or fixed), and that contracts and policies issued meet a minimum standard.
A bad faith action may constitute several possibilities; the insurer denies a claim which is seemingly valid in the contract or policy, the insurer refuses to pay out for an unreasonable amount of time, the insurer lays the burden of proof on the insured - often in the case where the claim is unprovable. Other issues of insurance law may arise when price fixing occurs between insurers, creating an unfair competitive environment for consumers. A notable example of this is where Zurich Financial Services - along with several other insurers - inflated policy prices in an anti-competitive fashion. If an insurer is found to be guilty of fraud or deception, they can be fined either by regulatory bodies, or in a lawsuit by the insured or surrounding party. In more severe cases, or if the party has had a series of complaints or rulings, the insurers license may be revoked or suspended.

Estonian Fairy Tale

2009-10-11T11:01:00.004+05:30

If you go after the storm in this small town in Estonia, you’ll catch yourself thinking that you’ve got into a fairy tail. Just look!

Regulation of the business of insurance :-
Insurance regulation that governs the business of insurance is typically aimed at assuring the solvency of insurance companies. Thus, this type of regulation governs capitalization, reserve policies, rates and various other "back office" processes.
In the United States each state typically has a statute creating an administrative agency. These state agencies are typically called the Department of Insurance, or some similar name, and the head official is the Insurance Commissioner, or a similar titled officer. The agency then creates a group of administrative regulations to govern insurance companies which are domiciled in, or do business in the state.
The origins of insurance policies in general differs through various countries. Limited policies (particularly against damage to homes) can be traced to the 17th and 18th centuries, though establishment of newer policies (such as health insurance and car insurance) did not come until the 20th century.
In the United States regulation of insurance companies is almost exclusively conducted by the several states and their insurance departments. Various states have different names for their regulatory agencies and regulators. In many states the department is called the Department of Insurance, and the regulator is called the Insurance Commissioner - although there are numerous variations. The federal government has explicitly exempted insurance from federal regulation in most cases.
However, regulation of the insurance industry began in the 1940s in the United States, through several United States Supreme Court rulings. The first ruling on insurance had taken place in 1868 (in the Paul v. Virginia ruling), with the supreme court ruling that insurance policy contracts were not in themselves commercial contracts. This stance did not change until 1944 (in the United States v. South-Eastern Underwriters Association ruling), when the Supreme court upheld a ruling stating that policies were commercial, and thus were regulatable as other similar contracts were.
Nowadays, many countries - and states in the United States - regulate insurance companies through laws, guidelines and independent commissions and regulatory bodies. These laws and statutes ensure that the policy holder is protected against bad faith claims on the insurer's part, that premiums are not unduly high (or fixed), and that contracts and policies issued meet a minimum standard.
A bad faith action may constitute several possibilities; the insurer denies a claim which is seemingly valid in the contract or policy, the insurer refuses to pay out for an unreasonable amount of time, the insurer lays the burden of proof on the insured - often in the case where the claim is unprovable. Other issues of insurance law may arise when price fixing occurs between insurers, creating an unfair competitive environment for consumers. A notable example of this is where Zurich Financial Services - along with several other insurers - inflated policy prices in an anti-competitive fashion. If an insurer is found to be guilty of fraud or deception, they can be fined either by regulatory bodies, or in a lawsuit by the insured or surrounding party. In more severe cases, or if the party has had a series of complaints or rulings, the insurers license may be revoked or suspended.

China celebrates 60 years of communism

2009-10-02T12:49:00.005+05:30

Chinese leaders marked the 60th anniversary of Communist Party rule on Thursday with a precision display of military bravado and a confident prediction by President Hu Jintao that “infinitely bright prospects” lie ahead for the world’s most populous nation.

The dense blanket of smog that had covered China’s capital for days disappeared Thursday morning, leaving crystal skies and perfect autumn temperatures for the columns of armor and thousands of goose-steeping troops that paraded past Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

“Today, a socialist China geared to modernization, the world and the future has stood rock-firm in the east of the world,” Mr. Hu said in a brief speech. The Chinese people “cannot be prouder of the development and progress of our great motherland.”

They said there would be blue skies, and blue skies there were, as President Hu Jintao stood erect in his limousine Thursday morning to review the troops and to view the country’s high-tech missiles and tanks at the opening of ceremonies marking China’s 60th anniversary as a republic.

After nearly a week of fog and drizzle, it took China’s weather wizards their largest effort yet to deliver the bright blue skies to complement the picture-perfect parade that has been planned and practised in top secret for the past several months.

Although there were no “ordinary” people lining the route to wave flags or to cheer, even on television screens, the goose-stepping soldiers and rolling tanks were a formidable sight as they proceeded down Beijing’s central Chang’an Avenue.

The parade offered the first long look at Chinese military hardware since 1999. Military experts around the world probably won’t be surprised by the 52 new Chinese weapons on display — the missiles, drones and fighter jets — but the home audience is likely to be impressed, and that’s what counts.

As with the civilian parade that followed with 100,000 marchers, 60 floats and a strong message of national unity, most of Thursday’s events were for domestic consumption.

The patriotic intent is also reflected in many of the 50 “official slogans” that have been coined for the anniversary

Red and yellow banners line the main thoroughfares and Chinese flags flutter from every second shop, even in the rundown rabbit warren of hutongs, or lanes, behind the main boulevards.

Everywhere, too, is the army of “volunteers” the Party recruited to keep an eye on things at street level. There are 800,000 of them, clad in bright yellow T-shirts and red ball caps.

Placing armed soldiers and armoured personnel carriers at transit stations and stepping up the screening of parcels and bags in the subway were the earliest and most visible measures taken to keep the capital safe during the celebrations, but it is the things that “aren’t happening” that are probably the most draconian.

Stores near Tiananmen Square — where politicians, diplomats and the creme de la creme of the Communist party were to view the parade — were forced in the name of security to close for business Tuesday, two days ahead of the big event; and the expensive hotels along the Chang’an Avenue, the city’s grand ceremonial boulevard and parade route, were told not to rent out rooms facing the street

As well, people living in the elegant apartment blocks along the route, including many diplomats, were instructed to keep off their balconies on parade day and to shut their windows.