Balanced News
Two decades ago the idea of getting dressed up in ghoulish costumes, decorating your home with jack-o-lanterns and going door-to-door asking for candy was thought of as a bizzare western custom in Japan. Not anymore.
This weekend, the streets of Tokyo were packed with people in costume and shopfronts were adorned with witches and pumpkins – Halloween fever has hit Japan. [Read more…]
With the influx of many other communication choices to bring news, it would appear that printed newspapers have somewhat suffered a diminished stature in human priorities. Whereas before, reading a newspaper typically starts and ends a person’s day, most would probably start and end theirs glued in a social networking site. With almost anything under the sun being openly discussed in such sites including the current news, who needs a newspaper to get the news?
Surprise, surprise! There are still those who prefer to get their news through the “old-fashioned” feel of real newspapers. When we say real newspaper, these are the ones printed on paper which we would usually get from our favorite newsstands. Of course, many major dailies have already made their online presence felt. Obviously to some, online reading cannot approximate the satisfaction they obtain from the physical interaction with the newspaper.
The newspaper has and always will be an important source of information, views, opinions, and trends. In business establishments, doctor’s office, and beauty salons, we still see newspapers and magazines being read by waiting customers. In school assignments, newspaper and magazine clippings are still commonly needed.
It is clear that even if a newspaper is classified by some as an “old-fashioned” thing that can be replaced by other forms of media; it has retained its use and relevance to many people. If there is anything that should be exempted from the “paperless” trend, it would be the newspaper. To totally eliminate printed newspaper is to eliminate the essence of what a newspaper is. A newspaper is meant to be appreciated not merely by the sense of sight but also of the sense of touch which completes the experience.
We often associate Valentine’s with flowers, chocolates, romantic dinners and dates. Simply because love surpasses all boundaries such as race, color and sometimes even religion. It is the only day in the year when people have an excuse to be mushy and romantic. Well, that is the case for most but there are still a number of people who believe otherwise. Nonetheless, sales of romantically related products still skyrocket during Valentine’s Day.
If you are looking for something unique, fruit bouquets or edible bouquets are definitely a good choice. They don’t only look good, they taste good too. These healthy gifts will definitely please any recipient. There are many specialty stores that sell them all over the world. You can even make your own if you have the time.
Strawberries, grapes, melons, honeydews, oranges, apples and kiwis are the most common fruits used in edible bouquets. Each bouquet may vary depending on your choice and the availability of the fruits. We all know that some fruits are seasonal, while tropical fruits such as pineapples can be limited or pricey. Most stores adapt to local tastes by adding locally produced fruits. In the Middle East for example, you can expect dates in their fruit bouquets.
The fresh fruits are cut and arranged to resemble floral arrangements. Chocolate dipped fruits may also be included for added design and taste. You can never go wrong with edible gifts. Most people love fruit and appreciate them. These beautifully crafted bites can serve as appetizers or desserts for parties too. You can even buy them for yourself as a treat.
Image from CB and GK
In a way you could call it eco-friendly as what this artist uses as his canvas, is something people literally spit out and throw away, right on the street – chewing gum!
Artist Ben Wilson is the creator of these clever works of art on the street, transforming what was once unsightly blobs, into whimsical, funny and interesting miniature paintings on a unique canvas. A native of London’s Muswell Hill, Wilson’s work has been featured repeatedly by the British press and two short films have been made.
Ben was actually a pavement artist (something I’ve always enjoyed looking at ever since I saw that scene in Mary Poppins age 6), and when he realised it was illegal to paint on the pavement, he resourcefully thought to paint directly on the gum, which is obviously ok. He’s caught a lot of attention doing it, and now Ben is a known as a local hero in his suburban neighborhood. How I wish he’s do that to all the gum around!
