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Showing posts with label culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label culture. Show all posts

Nov 12, 2011

Wedding movies people liked most

We rediscover some of our favourite wedding movies to come out of Hollywood. If you want to take a break from all that stressful wedding planning (and attending), rent these wedding movies and lose yourself in their warm, funny, romantic stories
The Wedding Singer (1998)
Director: Frank Coraci
The film is set in 1985, Adam Sandler plays a nice guy with a broken heart who’s stuck in one of the most romantic jobs in the world, a wedding singer. He loses all hope when he is abandoned at the altar by his fiancé. He meets a young woman named Julia (Drew Barrymore), who enlists his help to plan her wedding. He falls in love with her and must win her over before she gets married.
Runaway Bride (1999)
Director: Gary Marshall
A columnist (Richard Gere) fired by his editor/ex-wife for being too chauvinistic tries to redeem himself by chasing a story on speculation about a woman (Julia Roberts) who habitually jilts her fiancés. The writer relocates to her hometown and falls for his subject who suffers from an identity crisis as evidenced by her inability to determine how she likes her eggs.
The Wedding Planner (2001)
Director: Adam Shankman
Workaholic wedding planner Mary Fiore (Jennifer Lopez) takes on a lucrative new client — the ultra-rich Donnollys, to whom money is no object in regards to the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Fran (Bridgette Wilson). When Mary is victim to an unlikely accident during wedding preparations, she is swept off of her feet by Steve Edison (Matthew McConaughey), Fran’s charming fiancé.
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) 
Director: Mike Newell
Lovable Englishman Charles (Hugh Grant) and his group of friends seem to be unlucky in love, until Charles meets beautiful American Carrie (Andie MacDowell) at a wedding. But, after one magical night, Carrie returns to the States, ending what might have been. As Charles and Carrie’s paths continue to cross — over a handful of nuptials and one funeral — he comes to believe they are meant to be together.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
Director: Joel Zwick
Everyone in the Portokalos family worries about Toula (Nia Vardalos). Still unmarried at 30, she works at Dancing Zorba’s, her parents’ Greek restaurant. After taking a job at her aunt’s travel agency, she falls in love with Ian Miller (John Corbett), a teacher who is tall, handsome and definitely not Greek. Toula isn’t sure which will be more upsetting to her father, that Ian is a foreigner or that he’s a vegetarian.
Muriel’s Wedding (1994)
Director: PJ Hogan
The unconventional Muriel (Toni Collette) is deeply unsatisfied with her life, stuck in the nowhere town of Porpoise Spit and feeling rejected by her friends and family. She seeks meagre solace in ABBA songs and fantasies of gorgeous weddings, with herself as the bride. Muriel’s life takes a turn for the better, however, when she befriends the carefree Rhonda (Rachel Griffiths), who encourages her to take control of her life.
My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)
Director: PJ Hogan
A 28-year-old woman (Julia Roberts), who years earlier made a pact with her closest male friend (Dermot Mulroney) that if neither were married in ten years time they would marry one another, now faces the fact that the man is about to marry someone else. He asks her to be his “best man” and she agrees, planning to go to the ceremony and then break up the couple before they exchange their vows.
Wedding Crashers (2005)
Director: David Dobkin
Divorce mediators John Beckwith (Owen Wilson) and Jeremy Grey (Vince Vaughn) are business partners and friends who share a unique springtime hobby — crashing weddings to meet and pick up women. Things get complicated when they infiltrate the family of the Treasury Secretary (Christopher Walken), resulting in a romantic pair-off between Jeremy and the congressman’s oversexed daughter Gloria (Isla Fisher) while John sincerely woos another daughter, Claire (Rachel McAdams), who’s unhappily engaged to an Ivy League cheater (Bradley Cooper).
Bridesmaids (2011)
Director: Paul Feig
Annie (Kristen Wiig) is a single woman whose life is a mess, but when she learns that her best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph) is engaged, she has no choice but to serve as the maid of honour. Though lovelorn and almost penniless, Annie, nevertheless, winds her way through the strange and expensive rituals associated with her job as the bride’s go-to gal. She gamely leads Lillian and the other bridesmaids down the wild road to the wedding.
Father of the Bride (1991)
Director: Charles Shyer
George Banks (Steve Martin) and his wife, Nina (Diane Keaton), are the proud parents of Annie (Kimberly Williams), but when she returns from studying abroad and announces that she’s engaged, their whole world turns upside down. From meeting the in-laws to wedding plans with an over-the-top consultant (Martin Short) and his flamboyant assistant (B.D. Wong), it seems as if the troubles never end in this update of the classic Spencer Tracy comedy.

Costliest photographs of the world


Art history was made when an anonymous buyer paid a record-breaking $4.34 million for Andreas Gursky's photograph of the Rhine River, called Rhein II. Sold at Christie's impressionist and modern art auction in New York, it became the most expensive photograph ever sold at auction. It beat Cindy Sherman's Untitled #96, which sold for a whopping $3.89 million this May. Gursky's print, made in 1999, and depicts a stunning panorama of Germany's most famous river.

Here are some of the most expensive photographs ever sold
Robert Mapplethorpe's photo of Andy Warhol (1987) sold for $6,43,200 in 2006
Eugène Atget's Joueur d'Orgue (1898-1899) sold for $6,86,500 in 2010


Gustave Le Gray's The Great Wave, Sete (1857) sold for $8,38,000 in 1999

Joseph-Philibert Girault de Prangey's 113. Athènes, T[emple] de J[upiter] olympien pris de l'est (1842) sold for $922,488 in 2003

Peter Lik's photo One (2010) sold for $1 million in 2010

Edward Weston's Nautilus (1927) sold for for $1,082,500 in 2010

Richard Avedon's photo Dovima with Elephants (1955) sold for $1,151,976 in 2010

Richard Prince's untitled photo of a cowboy (1989) sold for $1,248,000 in 2005


Alfred Stieglitz's Georgia O'Keeffe (Hands) (1919) sold for $1,470,000 in 2006


Edward Weston's photo of a nude (1925) sold for $1,609,000 in 2008


Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's photo Kremlin of Tobolsk (2009) sold for $1,750,000 in 2010

Edward Steichen's The Pond-Moonlight (1904) sold for $2,928,000 in 2006


Andreas Gursky's 99 Cent II Diptychon (2001) sold for $3,346,456 in 2006


Cindy Sherman's Untitled #96 (1981) sold for $3,890,500 in 2011

Andreas Gursky's Rhein II (1999) sold for $4,338,500 in 2011



Sep 17, 2011

Charity - Philanthropy or stupidity?

Adopting the Acts of Philanthropy
It is true that charity needs heart not money alone. When asking about charity to an Indian Steel baron Billionaire, citing the example of Bill Gates, he refused to think a minute about lesser privileged people of the society. He is one of top 5 billionaires of the world still he thought he doesn't have enough money for donate a little. Although Indian philosophy and values are just opposite of the present day Indians who are more deceptive and can't think of Philanthropy. They say that it’s better to give than to receive, but setting aside a little extra for charitable donations can be tough, particularly in the midst of a historically unprecedented economic crisis. Still, there’s something to be said for those who make philanthropy a way of life, whether they’re blessed with a bank account stuffed with billions or whether they’re average Joes and Janes who eschew the latest gadgets and consumer goods in order to help those in need. 

 Charles “Chuck” Feeney


American businessman and billionaire Charles “Chuck” Feeney became mind-bogglingly wealthy as one of the founding partners of the chain of duty-free shops whose discounted goods entice last-minute shoppers in airports and hotels around the world. Feeney is the antithesis of flashy movers and shakers like Ted Turner and Richard Branson — he lives simply, keeps a very low profile, and avoids most public appearances and media coverage. Still, by most estimates, Feeney ranks among the most generous of major philanthropists. Over the last several decades, he has given away nearly $5 billion to foundations, universities, hospitals, and non-profit groups around the globe. What’s even more impressive – and most unusual – is that Feeney typically goes out of his way to ensure that his gifts remain anonymous. For example, to avoid U.S. government disclosure rules, he incorporated his private foundation in Bermuda and claims no tax deductions for his charitable donations. Some observers say that in terms of charitable donations as a percentage of one’s overall net worth, Feeney may someday be recognized as the most altruistic philanthropist in American history.

 Thomas Cannon


Virginia resident Thomas Cannon didn’t consider himself to be a religious man, but at the age of 47, he took on a charitable mission that he described to friends as a “one-man ministry.” The postal worker began distributing small grants, most totaling $1000, to foundations, nonprofit organizations, charity groups, and individuals whose work he admired or whose circumstances he wanted to help improve. Over the course of his lifetime, Cannon has distributed nearly $200,000 in his own funds, most of which he and his wife Princetta amassed by living frugally on his salary, which was never more than $30,0000. Later, when Princetta was struck with terminal cancer, well-wishers from across the United States returned the favor and pitched in to buy the Cannons a more comfortable home. Though Princetta succumbed to the disease soon afterward, Thomas continued to focus on his charitable work until his death in 2005.

Ted Turner


Few people have moderate opinions on bold and outspoken Georgia-based billionaire Ted Turner – he tends to inspire either intense admiration or loathing. The media magnate has ownership stakes in CNN, WTBS, and the Atlanta Braves, and has amassed more American real estate than any other private individual. But before you dismiss Turner as nothing more than a brazen capitalist, it’s also important to note that his charitable donations and work on behalf of environmental conservation causes have catapulted him into the rarefied ranks of the world’s top philanthropists. In 1998, Turner sparked a firestorm of media interest when he pledged $1 billon of his then $3 billion fortune to the United Nations, a then-unprecedented act of philanthropic largesse. Since then, Turner has also made sizable donations to an array of environmental causes and organizations designed to assist the development of third-world countries.

Larry Stewart


In the late 1970s, Kansas City resident Larry Stewart suffered a devastating string of bad career luck when he was fired twice in two years. What’s more, both the terminations occurred right before Christmas, adding insult to injury. After the second incident, a sympathetic waitress tried to cheer up the down-on-his-luck Stewart with a gift of a free meal. Surprised by how much the kind gesture cheered him up, Stewart began to show the same kindness demonstrated to him to others he encountered. In his first such act, he gave a carhop a large tip. Soon afterwards, Stewart upped the ante and began handing out money to people he saw on the street, a tradition he would carry on under the anonymous moniker “Secret Santa” for nearly three decades. Just before Stewart succumbed to esophageal cancer in 2007, he revealed his story to local media outlets. Since then, Secret Santa clubs have sprung up around the nation that are dedicated to carrying on Stewart’s tradition of generosity.

Warren Buffett


The so-called “Oracle of Omaha” is widely recognized as one of the world’s savviest and most successful businessmen. Warren Buffett has advised presidents and various other heads of state on all things business-related, and he’s widely regarded as one of the world’s most skillful investors. Still, even with a personal fortune that is estimated to be more than $60 billion, ranking second only to Microsoft founder Bill Gates on the list of the wealthiest Americans, Buffett remains humble and chooses to stick to a relatively modest lifestyle. His philanthropic efforts are fueled in part by his belief that families should not pass significant wealth to their heirs, as the offspring of these wealthy dynasties tend to be unproductive and complacent, rather than contributing fully to society. In 2006, Buffett made a public pledge to give away his personal fortune, with the bulk of the money going to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Buffet promptly followed up on his pledge by signing over ownership of stock worth more than $30 billion, which experts consider to be single largest donation ever recorded.

 George Soros


Though often a lightning rod for controversy, Hungarian-born business man and currency speculator George Soros has emerged as one of the most significant figures in the global philanthropic landscape in recent years. Through years of savvy investments and currency swaps, Soros amassed a personal fortune estimated to be worth more than $13 billon – including a one-day take of more than $1 billion in the controversial “Black Wednesday” currency crisis that nearly brought some of England’s most prominent financial institutions to their knees. From the get-go, George Soros’ charitable donations have been somewhat political in tone, as with the millions of dollars he funneled to groups involved in the transition of Hungary to capitalism, in fomenting Georgia’s “Rose Revolution,” and, more recently, to the defeat of George W. Bush’s 2004 presidential campaign. In recent years, Soros’ charitable donations have focused on issues such as developing technological infrastructure in poor nations and helping to eradicate poverty in Africa and elsewhere. As of 2007, Time magazine estimated that Soros’ foundation had donated more than $6 billion.

 Bill Gates


The company he helped to create — software giant Microsoft — has often come under fire for allegedly engaging in non-competitive business practices, and as far as spokespeople go, he’s kind of awkward, to put it mildly. But no matter what else you can say about Bill Gates, one thing is incontestable – the richest man in America has emerged as perhaps the single most important figure in global philanthropy in recent years. Founded in 1994, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation now has an endowment of more than $33 billion, and analysts say that its record-breaking donations in fields such as the treatment and eradication of malaria, tuberculosis, and AIDS have made a significant difference in the lives of many of the world’s poorest populations. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has a mandate to donate at least 5% of its assets each year, which amounts to more than $1.5 billion a year based on current funding levels.

Paul Newman


Actor Paul Newman amassed a significant personal fortune over the course of his career in the movies, turning his boyish good lucks and photogenic charm into plum roles in classic films such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Hustler, and Cool Hand Luke. Although he had always dabbled in philanthropy, it wasn’t until 1982 that Newman took a more serious approach to charity, forming the brand “Newman’s Own” with the intention of donating all of the profits garnered by the company to good causes. With an initial focus on salad dressing, the company soon had products for sale on virtually every aisle in the typical American grocery store, with offerings ranging from pasta sauce to dog food. In 1993, the company created a subsidiary called Newman’s Own Organics which applied the same model to the then virtually unheard of realm of organic foods. Over the course of the existence of the Newman’s Own brand, nearly $300 million has been generated for charity.

Oprah Winfrey


Oprah Winfrey began her career as a local newscaster and has created a multibillion-dollar media powerhouse the likes of which have never been seen. Along the way, she accumulated a personal fortune estimated to be in the $2 billion range, making her the richest African American in history. Since the beginning, Oprah has been generous with her earnings, making sizable charitable donations since her syndicated daytime talk show was first brought to the national market. She has given millions of dollars to charitable causes around the globe, including donations of more than $50 million to create a girls’ school in South Africa. In addition to her own charitable work, the media magnate founded Oprah’s Angel Network in 1998 with the aim of encouraging people everywhere to engage in philanthropic and charitable acts to the best of their financial ability.

Slacktavists, Armchair Philanthropists, and….You


Although the massive one-time donations made by wealthy philanthropists often get the most media coverage, experts say that real social change can only be effected when everybody gets in on the act. That’s why nonprofit organizations and other groups are trying to make it as simple as possible for average people to get involved in philanthropy. Case in point: after a series of devastating earthquakes hit Haiti in January 2010, millions of cell phone users donated to relief efforts by sending a text message to a special number set up by the Red Cross. Most of the donations were only $10 each, but in the end, more than $22 million was collected, proving once and for all exactly how true the old adage about strength in numbers really is.


Related Post: Brilliance is their only excellence

Sep 9, 2011

Trekking in Himalaya - Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri

Everest
 Gokyo Lakes are oligotrophic lakes in Nepal's Sagarmatha National Park, located at an altitude of 4,700–5,000 m (15,400–16,000 ft) above sea level. These lakes are the world’s highest freshwater lake system comprising six main lakes, of which Thonak Lake is the largest. In September 2007, Gokyo and associated wetlands of 7,770 ha (30.0 sq mi) have been designated a Ramsar site.
The Gokyo lake system of 19 lakes is spread over an area of 196.2 ha (485 acres) lying between 4,600 and 5,100 m (15,100 and 16,700 ft). The wetland lies on the head of the Dudh Kosi, which descends from Cho Oyo.

Gokyo Route-map
Gokyo is among the most popular tourist destinations leading towards the Sagarmatha base camp and other areas. Gokyo village at 4,790 metres (15,720 ft) elevation is a major centre in the area. The site is two days walk uphill from Namche Bazaar. A visit to the area often includes climbing Gokyo Ri.
everest_base_camp_trek

Everest_in_back_on_left

Gokyo Ri, aka Gokyo Peak (5357 m, 17 575 ft above sea level) is a peak in the Khumbu region of the Nepal Himalayas. It is located on the west side of the Ngozumpa Glacier, which is the largest glacier in Nepal, and reputed to be the largest in the whole Himalayas. Gokyo (4750 m, 15 583 ft above sea level), at the base of Gokyo Ri, is a small hamlet of a few stone houses. From Gokyo Ri it is possible to see five 8,000 metre peaks - Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Kangchenjunga, and Cho Oyu.
The Gokyo trek is a fairly popular trekking route. The route itself ends at Gokyo Ri, and trekkers typically turn around at this point and retrace their steps back to the trailhead. There is an alternative mountaineering route that begins near the southern tip of Ngozumpa Glacier and just south of Taujun Lake. This alternative route leads east over the Cho La, a pass at 5420 m (17 782 ft), where it meets with the main Everest Base Camp trek.
There is another higher summit just north of where the main Gokyo trek route ends. It stands at an altitude of 5483 m (17 988 ft) above sea level.


everest-gokyo-lake-view

everest-base-camp-gokyo-lake

Mt. Everest Gokyo Lake Trekking - 12-14 days
This trek begins at the mountain airstrip at Lukla a one hour flight from Kathmandu. The trek is an alternative for those who aspire to trek in Khumbu but want to avoid crowd and savour the tranquil nature in the high Himalayas with spectacular panoramic view of Himalayas. We follow the main trail of Everest base camp passing picturesque Sherpa villages and enjoying Sherpa hospitality up to Namche and take a different route ascending along the Dudh Koshi river through rhododendron and conifer forest to the yak herders' settlement of Gokyo valley. Serene beauty of Gokyo lakes in the shadow of snowcapped mountains and the spectacular view of high Himalayas including four of the world's highest 8000 meters peaks (Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and Mt. Everest. ) from Gokyo Ri enhance the trek. A traverse to Renjo La take us to tranquil Bhotekoshi valley following the historical trade route between Nepal and Tibet. Renjo La pass offers the unparallel panoramic views of snow capped mountains including Everest. We return to Lukla passing through Thame, a vantage point for the dramatic views of snow capped mountains not seen from anywhere in Khumbu.

Itinerary
Day 01: Khamandu - Lukla by flight. Trek to Phakding.

Day 02: 
Trek to Namche Bazaar.

Day 03: 
Rest at Namche Bazar for acclimatization.(you may stay here one more day)

Day 04: 
Trek to Phortsethanga.

Day 05: 
Trek to Dole

Day 06: 
Trek to Machhermo

Day 07: 
Trek to Gokyo.

Day 08: 
Climb to Gokyo Ri.

Day 09: 
Trek to Renjo Pass - Lungden

Day 10: 
Trek to Thame

Day 11: 
Trek to Namche Bazar.

Day 12: 
Trek to Lukla.

Day 13: 
Lukla - Kathamandu by flight.


Gokyo lake nepal

Trekking Equipments
The following equipment lists are suggested and essential for both camping & teahouse trekking in all trekking routes of NEpal. Make use of this list as a guideline proposal. Some of the Trekking equipments can be hired or bought in the many shops in Katmandu.

Equipments check lists

  • Fleece jacket or pullover
  • Warm cotton trousers
  • Shirts and T-shirts
  • Large plastic bag to put inside the bag
  • Thermal underwear
  • Lightweight cotton long pants
  • Long under wear
  • Short under wear
  • Trekking boot
  • Wollen socks
  • Light socks
  • Camp shoes /Sandals
  • Sun hat or scarf
  • Lightweight gloves
  • Rain Proof coat
  • Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof
  • Sleeping bag
  • Thermarest:
  • Down jacket
  • Daypack
  • Water bottle
  • Sun cream
  • Sunglasses with UV protection
  • Touch/headlamp with spare bulbs and batteries
  • Lip care
Gokyo Cho Oyu Ridge To Gyachung Kang From Fourth Lake
Altitude Sickness
High altitude or mountain sickness is defined when someone feels sick at high altitudes, such as in the mountains or any other altitude-related sicknesses. It is hard to determine who will be affected by altitude-sickness as there are no specific factors that compare with this susceptibility to altitude sickness. However, most people can climb up to 2500 meters (8000 feet) normally.
Generally, different people have different susceptibilities to altitude sickness. For some otherwise healthy people, Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) can begin to appear at around 2000 meters (6,500 feet) above sea level, such as at many mountain ski resorts, equivalent to a pressure of 80 kPa. AMS is the most frequent type of altitude sickness encountered. Symptoms often manifest themselves 6-10 hours after ascent and generally subside in 1 to 2 days, but they occasionally develop into the more serious conditions. Symptoms include headache, fatigue, stomach illness, dizziness, and sleep disturbance.
If you have altitude sickness, you must stay at least two nights at the same altitude until the symptoms have not gone away. If the symptoms of altitude are, worsen descends immediately.

Symptoms of acute mountains sickness (AMS)
1. Nausea
2. loss of appetite
3. Mild shortness of breath with exertion
4. sleep disturbance
5. Breathing irregularity, usually during sleep
6. Dizziness or light headaches
7. Mild weakness
8. Slight swelling of hand and face
Prevention of altitude sickness:
1. Drink at least three litters of water
2. escape from cold
3. ascent slowly
4. Never ascend with obvious symptoms
5. stay one or two more nights at the same altitude
6. avoid alcohol
7. avoid taking narcotic pain medications in more than modest doses
8. descends immediately if symptoms worsen
What do we do in case of high altitude sickness emergency?
 In the cases of mild symptoms, we suggest you to spend one or two night at the same altitude until the symptoms are not improved. In the case of emergency, you must visit to the nearest health post.

In case of emergency helicopter rescue service is available, required a guarantee for payment before the helicopter actually takes off.
Gokyo Fifth Lake
Trekking Season 
Trekking in Nepal is possible at any time of the year depending on where you are going. The most popular seasons are Autumn and Spring.

Autumn: Sep-Nov October and November are really Nepal's highest months - offering excellent weather and tantalizing mountain views.

Winter: Dec-Feb This season is noted for occasional snowfall only at higher elevations. Mountain passes may be snowbound, hence it is ideal for trekking at lower elevations, generally below 3000 meters.

Spring:
 Mar-May Different varieties of wild flowers, specially the rhododendrons, make the hillside above 5000 meters a haunting paradise during this season. It is mildly warm at lower elevations and at higher elevation over 4000 meters the mountain views are excellent and temperature is quite moderate.

Summer:
 Jun-Aug Summer months really continue up to mid-September making travel wet and warm. These times are blessed for the keen botanist as the higher valleys and meadows blossom with flowers and lush vegetation. Insect repellent is a nice addition to your What to Bring list. During this season, you can trek in the rain-shadow (places are out of reach of the rain clouds because of the high mountains) areas north of the Himalaya like Mustang and Dolpo.

gokyo lake

gokyo lake

gokyo lake

gokyo lake

gokyo lake

Gokyo Valley Trek, Everest Gokyo Trek, Gokyo Ri, Gokyo Lake Trekking Nepal













Lungsampa_Glacier

map-everest-gokyo 

Rock_by_Gokyo_Lakes

Sherpa_Memorial

Sherpa_Memorial_Scott_Fisher

Tabuche

Tabuche_and_Cholatse

To Gokyo 3-5 First Gokyo Lake Longpanga And Cho Oyu

Yak_Train

Yaks_in_Bhoti_Kosi_Valley
Related Story : Mt. Lohtse