Oculus: 250ft Megayacht by Schöpfer Yachts

Designed to accommodate 12 guests in extraordinary comfort and style, Oculus is a long distance cruising yacht capable of speeds upwards of 25 knots.

The exterior styling is representative of the jaw and eye socket bone structure of large oceanic fish and mammals. Featuring a dramatic reverse bow configuration, the yacht’s armature balances an elegant expression of symmetry and structure. In addition to the bow, Oculus also features a “low rider profile”. This slightly lowered surface allows for new side recreational areas, alternate dockage access and light cruising openness. Lateral retractable side panels close this area when heavier wave action is indicated.

The interior features of Oculus focus on a 12 foot high ceiling in the main salon, a cylindrical double height dining room, central stair and elevator tube, and seemingly anatomical ceiling and floor lighting extensions giving definition to the seating areas. The second level is the dedicated Owner’s suite. Living areas and bedchambers are divided by a series of four freestanding tubes, which house bath and storage necessities.

In addition to the main common stair, the second Owner’s stair connects to the third level aft private salon and deck / water feature. The third level also contains the forward pilothouse and separate captain’s quarters. The generous open decks with separate water features are located forward and aft for convenient guest use. Specifications and plans are in the final stages of completion and will be posted at a later time.

The Roman Colosseum (70 - 82 A.D.) Rome, Italy

The Flavius amphitheatre is the biggest and most imposing in the Roman world, but is also the most famous monument in Rome and is known as the "Colosseum" or "Coliseum". Started by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavia family, it was opened by his son Titus in 80 A.D.

The highly ostentatious opening ceremony, lasted one hundred days during which people saw great fights, shows and hunts involving the killing of thousands of animals (5000 according to the historian Suetonius). For the opening, the arena space was filled with water for one of the most fantastic events held in Roman times, naumachias – real sea battles reproducing great battles of the past.

The Coliseum is one of the most imposing ancient structures. Imagine it all white, completely covered in splendid travertine stone slabs. It is elliptic in shape in order to hold more spectators. It had four floors; the first three had eighty arches each; the arches on the second and third floors were decorated with huge statues.

What we see nowadays is just the skeleton of what was the greatest arena in the ancient world. Three-fifths of the outer surrounding brick wall are missing. In the Middle Ages, when no longer in use, the Colosseum was transformed into an enormous marble, lead and iron quarry used by Popes to build Barberini Palace, Piazza Venezia and even St. Peter's.

The holes still seen in many columns are just the holes made to extract the lead and iron used by the Romans for the nails inside the marble blocks.

The amphitheatre could hold up to seventy thousand spectators. The tiers of seats were inclined in such a way as to enable people to get a perfect view from wherever they sat. Entry was free for all Roman citizens, but places were divided according to social status, the seats at the top were for the people, the nearer you got to the arena the higher your social status.

After the VI century, with the Empire's decline, the Coliseum fell into disuse and its walls housed confraternities, hospitals, hermits and even a cemetery. From the Middle Ages onwards, the Coliseum has been one of Rome's and the world's greatest marvels, attracting hoards of visitors.

Threatened with demolition by Sixtus V for town-planning reasons, it was declared a sacred monument dedicated to the Passion of Christ by Benedict XIV, placing a cross on a pedestal, as a symbol of the sufferings of all Christian martyrs. This cross is still the starting point for the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. Since then, it has become an object of worship for Christians and was protected from further destruction and ruin; in fact, Popes after that restored and consolidated it.

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The Roman Colosseum
The Roman Colosseum
The Roman Colosseum

The Roman Colosseum

British Virgin Islands, North America

No golf. No glitter. Not much shopping. The British Virgin Islands (B.V.I.) may be only a few miles away from the U.S. Virgin Islands, but don't expect the tourist bustle of St. Thomas. In addition to the spectacular sailing waters and coral reefs that surround them, the British Virgins have calm and tidy towns, luxurious accommodations and gourmet dining. For many, it's the perfect island getaway.

But, as with most things perfect and luxurious, B.V.I. doesn't come cheap. The islands' emphasis on small, upscale resorts and their desire to appeal to well-heeled travelers results in a relatively pricey paradise with an exclusive atmosphere.

Although some cruise ships visit the islands, you're more likely to see yachts. Sailors enjoy steady trade winds, short distances between islands, beautiful views and many sheltered coves where they can drop anchor. These are considered some of the finest sailing waters in the world. Scuba divers and snorkelers also relish the reefs, wrecks and clear waters off the islands.

By whatever means you visit B.V.I, expect a slow and restorative pace with plenty of time to enjoy the scenery. The panorama includes white crescent beaches nestled at the bottom of steep, green mountains and stunning views of neighboring islands from lofty lookouts.

Snapshot

Among the main attractions of the British Virgin Islands are yachting, scuba diving, deep-sea and bonefishing, snorkeling, hiking, sailing, swimming, windsurfing, horseback riding, bird-watching and luxuriating.

These islands will appeal to those who want to enjoy crystal-clear water against a backdrop of beautiful, hilly tropical isles. Go if you have the financial means and want to relax. If you need a lot of action, restaurants, nightlife and shopping, you'd be better off elsewhere in the Caribbean.

Geography

Geographically, the British Virgin Islands are made up of approximately 60 isles. Some are hardly bigger than a good-sized rock, while others are large enough to contain a 1,780-ft-/539-m-high mountain. Almost all of the islands have protected coves and are dotted with thin crescents of blinding white sand and swaying palm trees. They lie on both sides of Sir Francis Drake Channel, about 60 mi/100 km east of Puerto Rico and immediately east of the U.S. Virgin Islands. All of the islands are volcanic in origin with the exception of Anegada and tiny Sandy Cay, which are limestone and coral atolls. Most are surrounded by coral reefs.
British Virgin Islands, North America
British Virgin Islands, North America

British Virgin Islands, North America

Gibson: Tallest Dog In The World

Gibson World Tallest Dog With World Smallest Dog

Scientists have discovered a sequence of canine DNA key to the great diversity in the body size of dogs, from Chihuahuas to Grant Danes, according to research in the 6 April issue of Science.

In their research, Nathan B. Sutter, a geneticist at the National Human Genome Research Institute, and colleagues found that all small dogs share a specific sequence of DNA that affects insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), a gene that has been implicated in body size in other organisms including mice and humans.

Through their DNA analysis of more than 3,000 domesticated dogs, which exhibit the greatest diversity in body size of any terrestrial vertebrate, the authors found the size-regulating DNA sequence present in all small breeds and nearly absent in all large breeds.

"The [sequence] is common to all small breeds and nearly absent from giant breeds, suggesting [it] is a major contributor to body size in all small dogs," wrote Sutter.

The authors' initial research focused on Portuguese water dogs—a breed that has an unusually wide range of skeletal size—but eventually involved DNA analysis of more than 143 breeds.

While the genetic origin of dog size diversity is vague, the authors hypothesize that humans may have bred dogs to meet physical limitations of their surroundings.

Previous archaeological studies have found 15,000 year-old Great Dane-sized remains in Eastern Russia and 12,000 year-old small terrier-sized remains in the Middle East, suggesting that the diversity may have been caused by "early humans or as an adaptive trait for coexistence with humans in the more crowded confines of developing villages and cities."

Gibson: Tallest Dog In The World

Gibson: Tallest Dog In The World
Gibson: Tallest Dog In The World
Gibson: Tallest Dog In The World

HERCULES: The Biggest Dog In The World

Hercules: The World's Biggest Dog Ever According to Guinness World Records

Hercules was recently awarded the honorable distinction of Worlds Biggest Dog by Guinness World Records. Hercules is an English Mastiff and has a 38 inch neck and weighs 282 pounds.

With "paws the size of softballs" (reports the Boston Herald), the three-year-old monster is far larger and heavier than his breed's standard 200lb. limit. Hercules owner Mr. Flynn says that Hercules weight is natural and not induced by a bizarre diet: "I fed him normal food and he just grew".... and grew. and grew.

Andrea Bocelli Biography

Andrea Bocelli has been called "the fourth tenor"; the blind, Tuscan-born, vocalist has emerged as one of the most exciting voices in the arena of light classical vocals and has made inroads into the world of opera as well. His participation in Pavarotti's 1992 hit Miserere album and Zucchero Fornaciari's 1993 world tour brought him international attention. Bocelli has been most successful as a pop ballad singer, having recorded duets with Celine Dion, Sarah Brightman, and Eros Ramazzotti. Al Jarreau, who sang with Bocelli during "The Night of Proms" in November 1995, praised Bocelli with these words: "I have had the honor to sing with the most beautiful voice in the world."
Bocelli grew up on farm in Lajatico, a rural village in Tuscany. Beginning piano lessons at the age of six, he later added flute and saxophone to his talents. Born with poor eyesight, he became totally blind at the age of 12 following a soccer accident. Despite his obvious musical talents, Bocelli did not consider a career in music until he had studied law at the University of Pisa and had earned a Doctor of Law degree. Inspired to pursue music, he studied with the famed tenor Franco Corelli, supporting himself by peforming in piano bars.
Bocelli's first break as a singer came in 1992 when Fornaciari auditioned tenors to record a demo tape of Miserere, which he had co-written with Bono of the Irish rock group U2. Successfully passing the audition, Bocelli recorded the tune as a duet with Pavarotti. After touring with Fornaciari in 1993, Bocelli performed as a guest star in the Pavarotti International festival held in Modena in September 1994. In addition to performing solo and in a duet with Pavarotti, Bocelli sang with Bryan Adams, Andreas Vollenweider, and Nancy Gustavsson. In November 1995, Bocelli toured Holland, Belgium, Germany, Spain, and France on the pop "Night of Proms" bill, which also featured Al Jarreau, Bryan Ferry, Roger Hodgson of Supertramp, and John Miles.
Bocelli's first two albums -- 1994's Andrea Bocelli and 1996's Bocelli -- showcased his operatic singing. His third effort, Viaggio Italiano (Italian Journey), featured famous arias and traditional songs from Naples. Although released only in Italy, the album sold more than 300,000 copies. With his fourth album, Romanza, released in 1997, Bocelli turned to pop music. The album included the hit "Time To Say Goodbye," recorded as a duet with Sarah Brightman. Bocelli continued to focus on pop balladry with his fifth album, Sogno, released in 1999, which featured a duet with Celine Dion on the David Foster and Carole Bayer Sager-penned tune, "The Prayer"; it sold more than ten million copies, received a Golden Globe award and led to Bocelli being nominated for a Grammy as best new artist.
The early 2000s saw Bocelli making an attempt to win credibility in the world of mainstream opera, touring in a series of operatic appearances and releasing the album Verdi and taking lead roles in recorded versions of Tosca, La bohème, and Il trovatore. Some opera fans pointed to deficiencies in his partially microphone-formed technique, while others lauded his ability to bring new audiences to opera. Neither the admirers nor the detractors could ignore the sheer charisma that drew ordinary listeners to this genuine, unassuming vocal star.
Andrea Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli

Andrea Bocelli

Comedian Robert Schimmel Dies At The Age Of 60 After Car Accident

Some sad news in the world of comedy tonight(Sep.3.2010). The hilarious and popular Robert Schimmel died tonight at the age of 60.

On August 26, Schimmel was in a serious car accident in Arizona. His 19-year-old daughter was driving the vehicle, with Schimmel in the passenger seat and his 11-year-old son in the back seat. His daughter quickly swerved to avoid a collision and the vehicle ended up rolling over on the side of the freeway.

His daughter was later listed in stable condition and Schimmel’s son was released from the hospital unharmed. Schimmel, sadly, was listed in “very serious” condition at first, and ultimately died as a result of his injuries earlier tonight.

Word of his death seemed to break via Twitter, as most news seems to do before actual outlets can report it these days. A slew of saddened fans offered their respects well before the passing was confirmed, including Jimmy Kimmell, who praised Schimmel as one of “the funniest and nicest guys in comedy.” Kimmell went on to say that he could not confirm the death himself, but that as much as he hoped it untrue, he had heard that “Bob” had passed away. Many comedians and others went on to share their memories of Schimmel and offer their condolences. The confirmation no one wanted to hear was eventually given by Robert’s brother, Jeff Schimmel via Facebook, who said “ROBERT SCHIMMEL. Son, Brother, Father, Grandfather, Comedian, Generous Man. I have always loved you, admired you, and was proud to be your biggest fan. I will never forget a single moment. R.I.P.”

Just a few days ago, Schimmel’s Facebook page had a Wall Post ensuring people that “The rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated. Stay tuned!” And with the mass of conflicting words making it seem like this may just be all one big misunderstanding, his now confirmed death makes it all the harder to swallow for fans.

Schimmel was one of the most respected and controversial stand-up comedians working today, releasing numerous albums and making many appearances on HBO and The Howard Stern Show. The comedian also dabbled in writing and acting, working on In Living Color and appearing in movies like Blankman and Scary Movie 2.

Schimmel’s life was not an easy one. He lost another 11-year-old son to cancer, suffered a heart attack in 1998, and two years later was diagnosed with cancer himself. After the cancer went into remission, he discovered that he would also need a liver transplant, which he was currently waiting for, due to cirrhosis that developed through a Hepatitis C infection he contracted with a blood transfusion he received while serving in the Air Force. Even worse, the fact that he had a bad liver may just be the reason his body simply wasn’t strong enough to recover from the injuries he received in the accident.

This is a sad end to the difficult life of a great comedian, and our hearts go out to all of his friends and family.

New Zealand quake sparks state of emergency

Before-and-after images of damaged buildings on Victoria Street in Christchurch, New Zealand.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Authorities declared an overnight curfew for Saturday after a major earthquake hit New Zealand's second-biggest city.

Christchurch and its neighboring small towns bore the full force of the quake, which brought down power lines and bridges and wrecked roads and building facades. However, no deaths and only two injuries were reported.

"The damages are incredibly frightening. The only thing you can say is it's a miracle that no one lost their life," Prime Minister John Key told Television NZ after the quake struck with a magnitude of 7.0 from a depth of 6 miles at around 4.35 a.m. local time (12:35 p.m. ET Friday).

He said early estimates for the cost of repairs were around NZ$2 billion ($1.4 billion).

A curfew was slapped on the central business district of Christchurch between 1900 and 0700 (3:00 a.m. ET and 3:00 p.m. ET). Earlier, a formal state of emergency was imposed in the city of around 350,000 to coordinate recovery operations. A few looters broke into some of the damaged shops, authorities said.

"The damage is immense, it's something that has affected every family, every household...the hit on our infrastructure, the pipes that deliver the water, the waste water, the bridges, the power supplies ... has been very significant," Christchurch mayor Bob Parker told reporters.

Roads had been blocked by rubble, gas and water supplies disrupted, while chimneys and walls had fallen from older buildings, Parker added. He warned that continuing aftershocks could cause masonry to fall from damaged buildings.

One of The Most Expensive Unestimated Price Diamond: Kohinoor Diamon

The Kohinoor originated at Kollur, Guntur district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. It has belonged to various Hindu, Mughal, Persian, Afghan, Sikh and British rulers who fought bitterly over it at various points in history and seized it as a spoil of war time and again. It was finally seized by the East India Company and became part of the British Crown Jewels when Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India in 1877.
It has been said that whoever owned the Koh-I-Noor ruled the world, a suitable statement for this, the most famous of all diamonds and a veritable household name in many parts of the world. Legend has suggested that the stone may date from before the time of Christ; theory indicates the possibility of its appearance in the early years of the 1300s; history proves its existence for the past two and a half centuries. The first writer has stated:

“Reguarding its traditional history, which extends 5000 years further back, nothing need be said here; though it has afforded sundry imaginative writers with a subject for highly characteristic paragraphs we have no record of its having been at any time a cut stone.”

The earliest authentic reference to a diamond which may have been the Koh-I-Noor is found in the Baburnama, the memoirs of Babur, the first Mogul ruler of India. Born in 1483, Babur (meaning ‘lion’ — the name was not given to him at birth but appears to be a nickname, deriving from an Arabic or Persian word meaning ‘lion’ or ‘tiger’) was descended in the fifth generation from Tamerlane on the male side and in th fifteenth degree from Genghis Khan on the female side. With the blood in his veins of two of the greatest conquerors Asia has ever seen, it is not all that surprising that Babur himself should have become a great conqueror in his own right.

As a young man Babur owed his survival and success on the political and military battlefields to a combination of winning personal qualities and swift opportunism; these were to insure his conquest of the plains of northern India. But in addition to being a warrior, Babur was a cultured and civilized man – a writer and poet.Kohinoor Diamon

Kohinoor Diamon

Kohinoor Diamon