Earth Hour alert: :Damaging sun effects

Harsh sun rays will affect your beauty

Earth hour calls for awareness in climate change but do you know one of the core factors causing global warming? In a global effort to promote Earth Hour awareness, we seek our readers to draw your attention to one of the very real and alarming causes of climate change: the increased amount of harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV rays can cause disastrous damage to our beauty through the skin, eyes and hair.

Skin cancer

One of the scariest effects of UV rays is in the form of skin diseases such as skin cancer. Did you know that an excessive amount of UV radiation causes damage to the skin’s cellular DNA by forming genetic mutations which eventually leads to skin cancer? “Many experts believe that, especially for fair-skinned people, UV radiation also frequently plays a key role in melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer…” – http://www.skincancer.org

Sunburn

Sunburn is a condition caused by excessive exposure to UV rays. While sunburns can cause redness to the skin and temporary irritation, don’t be fooled as repeated damage to skin can be life-threatening.“One blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person's chances of developing melanoma later in life. A person's risk for melanoma also doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns at any age.” – http://www.skincancer.org

Photo-aging

Sun also causes damage to the skin by escalating the signs of aging such as wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity and even age spots. “Skin is composed of three layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutis. The dermis contains collagen, elastin, and other fibers that support the skin's structure. It is these elements that give skin its smooth and youthful appearance – and that are damaged by UV radiation

Eye disease

Did you know that cataract is the number one eye disease that leads to blindness? “According to the National Cancer Institute’s SEER database, an estimated 2,390 men and women were diagnosed with, and 240 died from, cancers of the eye and orbit in 2008. With their thin and delicate structures, and greater lifetime exposure to the sun than any other part of the body, the eye and surrounding areas are particularly prone to cancers

Hair

Like pollution, extreme constant exposure to sun can dry out our hair as well. It can transform healthy, shiny locks to a coarse, limp mess. “The sun's UV rays erode the cuticle - the outer layer of the hair shaft that protects inner layers such as the medulla, where hair color arises. Sun bleaching also breaks down melanin pigment in the medulla, and as melanin decreases, the hair dries out and loses strength, becoming stiff, brittle, and breakable

 How do you protect yourself?

Always use sunblock, ladies. Our country, Malaysia has an equatorial climate therefore we receive sun and showers all year round. This is all the more reason to use sunblock especially for our readers who are always out and about. Make sure you use a sunscreen with at least an SPF 15 onwards.

Sometimes beauty products can also help with reflecting UV rays. Take foundations for example. You would notice that many cosmetic companies (especially from brands catering for the Asian market) have formulated their foundations and moisturizers with SPF protection. Look beautiful while protecting your skin, ladies.

Another important fact to take note is to try and stay away from the sun between 10am to 4pm as this is when the UV ray is most intense. If anything, attempt to limit your exposure to direct sun at all times.

Sunglasses may just be a fashion accessory to some but it is more importantly, a protective shield for the most delicate part of your body against direct sun: your eyes. Purchase sunglasses that offer the highest UV absorption level possible and best if you can find pair with a wrap-a-round design.

As for hair protection, you could always wear a hat or a scarf. Others have suggested wearing hair in a ponytail style or a bun as it prevents too much hair to UV exposure. If you’re adventurous, look through hair products in the market for hair sprays or conditioners that provide SPF protection.

Read more »

Posted in: :Damaging sun effects,Earth Hour

Weird roadside attractions

They're weird, they're the world's largest, and they're off the next exit. How can you pass them up? Whether oddities from a time gone by or just a way get tourist dollars for a tiny town, you'll want a snapshot with these roadside attractions.

The Corn Palace

Originally built more than a century ago , the exterior murals made of corn and grain are replaced every year and designed by local artists. It's free to visit the Corn Palace, which is also a venue for concerts and sporting events. Find out which popular singer, known as Mr. Las Vegas, is scheduled to perform there in May.

Hunt Bigfoot With a Redneck

How does one begin to describe this strange attraction? There's a beer-swilling "redneck" in a trailer who leads visitors on an adventure to find Bigfoot, a flying saucer and Elvis. It's part goofball acting and part just plain weird.

World's Largest Pistachio Nut

It's really tall and ready for a photo opportunity. Located outside McGinn's Pistachio Tree Ranch, the giant nut is dedicated to the owner's father.

Paul Bunyan & Babe

The large man ,18-foot-tall Paul Bunyan, and his trusted ox, Babe, are on the National Register of Historic Places. They've been local landmarks since 1937.

Largest Ball of Paint

Thousands of layers of paint  form this giant ball, which was started by a man and his son.Tourists can even add a layer and get their photo taken.

Cadillac Ranch

Part public art installation, part crazy idea from a guy with a lot of money, these 10 rusted-out Cadillac shells, covered with graffiti, rise out of the ground. Visitors are encouraged to leave their own mark.

The Shoe Tree

Rumor has it that quarreling lovers threw a pair of shoes up in the tree. They returned years later to toss a pair of baby booties in it. And then people kept adding to it over the years. There are thought to be thousands of shoes in the tree.

Cockroach Hall of Fame Museum

Is there anything cuter than a cockroach dressed up as Liberace .This kooky roadside stop features roaches in interesting dioramas re-creating scenes from "Psycho" and much more. Check out the live hissing cockroaches while you're at it.

World's Largest Catsup Bottle

The water tower at an old ketchup plant, this tall homage to the condiment that no french fry should be without has a summer festival every year.

Big Blue Bug

This famous bug made an appearance in a Jim Carrey film , and got its own name via a contest in 1990. The winner was a 63-year-old woman.It's supposed to be a termite and so it was christened with this funny name.

Vent Haven Ventriloquist Museum

The world's only museum dedicated to ventriloquism houses hundreds of figures. For $5 and a scheduled tour, you can get the willies with all 1,400 of those creepy lifelike eyes looking at you.

World's Largest Egg

Located in what used to be a major egg-producing town, the egg made its first appearance in 1923. It's still ready for its close-up as a roadside attraction, especially when the town celebrates its Egg Day Festival .

World's Largest Rocking Chair

Great for soothing you into the world's longest nap, this giant chair is dozens of feet tall and is constructed of this heavy-duty material.

Oregon Vortex & House of Mystery

Is it a strange and paranormal spot where gravity is inexplicably defied, or simply a cleverly designed tourist trap where your mind plays tricks on you? There's only one way to find out. Step right up to the Oregon Vortex & House of Mystery and pay your admission, folks!

World's Largest Ball of Twine

Since there's a little bit of a twine ball war, this one is the largest twine ball rolled by multiple people, and visitors can add to it. The largest ball rolled by a single man is in Darwin, Minn. So, if you love twine, there two spots just for you.

Read more »

Posted in: Weird roadside attractions

Secret sights in famous cities

These 15 attractions are unlikely to pop up on the guidebook trail – that doesn’t make them any less alluring

Basilica of St Denis

Paris, France
A grand gothic cathedral, a royal burial site and a medieval place of pilgrimage, the Basilica of St Denis has all the ingredients of a tourist hotspot. Nevertheless, this 12th-century site eludes most tourists, and is constantly plays second fiddle to the more famous Notre Dame.
Despite being raided in the French Revolution, it retains many treasures including ornate effigies. And it's even the subject of a grisly legend surrounding its martyred namesake, a bishop who is said to have wandered there while holding onto his decapitated head.

Berlin Flak Tower

Berlin, Germany
Set in Berlin's Humboldthain Park, the Berlin Flak Tower is the only one to have survived the second world war. One of three such towers built under Hitler's rule, this seven-storey bunker protected Berlin from allied air attacks as well as being used as a massive bomb shelter. Partially restored, visitors are allowed entry to two of its intriguing levels.

Amstelkring Museum

Amsterdam, Netherlands
During the period in which Catholics were persecuted in the Netherlands many people were forced to take drastic measures to preserve their faith. The result of one such endeavour is the Amstelkring Museum in Amsterdam, which features a dramatic hidden chapel, locked away in the heart of the city. Built in 1663, this secret chamber was capable of seating up to 150 people and served as a centre of Catholic worship in the city for 200 years.

Ostia Antica

Rome, Italy
Rome's iconic ancient sites are some of the most famous in the world, and so unfortunately they are also some of the most crowded. Yet jump on a train from the capital and within just half an hour, you're likely to find you've got an entire Roman settlement mostly to yourself.
Dating back to the fourth century BC, Ostia Antica was a port town that acted as the gateway to Rome. Eventually abandoned and now located inland, this picturesque site is brimming with well-preserved ruins - from shops and warehouses, to homes, a theatre, baths and even a military camp. As you wander through ancient cobbled streets with nary a camera flash or tour guide in sight, you'll find the peace and quiet needed to really contemplate 2,000 years of history.

Schoenenbourg Maginot Line Fort

Schoenenbourg, France
Built with the most advanced military hardware of its age, entirely self-sufficient and heavily garrisoned, the formidable Maginot Line was constructed in the 1930s to defend France against the Germans.
It would've been a roaring success, except Hitler invaded France through Belgium, meaning these dramatic defences were rendered impotent almost overnight. The largest of the defensive forts is in Schoenenbourg (near Strasbourg) and is a virtual time capsule. There is plenty to explore in the underground complex, including bunkers, tunnels, armaments, barracks and even a hospital.

Segovia Aqueduct

Segovia, Spain (near Madrid)
Measuring a staggering 300 metres in length and with two-storey granite archways that rise majestically towards the sky, the Segovia Aqueduct is one of Spain's - if not Europe's - most stunning historic sites. Yet, despite its breathtaking beauty and UNESCO heritage status, this second-century structure remains underrated and largely off the tourist path. This is all the more bewildering given that Segovia is within easy reach of Madrid, just a short half-hour hop by train.

Hadrian's Villa

Tivoli, Italy (near Rome)
Russian oligarchs and WAGs would find stiff competition with this example of the astounding excesses of the Roman Empire's leaders - Hadrian's Villa. Known as Villa Adriana, this vast second-century complex on the outskirts of Rome was the palatial seat of power for Emperor Hadrian.
Including libraries, monuments, a theatre and a swimming pool amongst other features, the scale of this sprawling 250-acre estate is stupendous.

Crypte Archeologique

Paris, France
Millions walk past its entrance every year, yet few realise that this ancient treasure lies just beneath their feet. Overshadowed by the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral and signposted only by an unassuming staircase, this archaeological crypt contains the incredible remains of Gallo-Roman Paris.
Here, the streets, buildings and fortifications of this once thriving settlement unfold, from the initial occupation of the area by the Celtic Parisii tribe through to Roman times and beyond. Offering a rare glimpse into Paris' ancient past, this ambient underground museum provides something very different for those exploring this spectacular city.

Kerameikos

Athens, Greece
You could join those huffing and puffing their way up to the Acropolis, or you can have a much calmer experience nearby at these impressive ruins ranging from the prehistoric to Roman. When the Greeks built the Themistoclean wall to ward off an attack by the Spartans in 478BC, this ancient cemetery and one-time residence of the city's potters remained on the outside.
Must-sees at this site include the famous Sacred and Dipylon Gates as well as the Pompeion, the latter having been the staging area of a legendary Athenian festival known as the Panathenaic procession.

La Maison Carrée

Nimes, France
Outside Rome there are few ancient Roman buildings so well preserved as La Maison Carrée. Dating back to the reign of Augustus, this was the work of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, the man behind Rome's Pantheon. Translated as the "Square House", this beautiful shock of ancient architecture in Nimes' streets has survived the centuries by being used as everything from a church to a stable. Stroll by and admire from the outside or venture inside to its small museum.

Merida

Near Badajoz, Spain
Merida's wealth of ancient wonders warrants a visit for them alone. A Roman temple, circus, amphitheatre, baths, an aqueduct and bridge are just some of the remarkable remnants of the Roman colony of Augusta Emerita, founded in 25BC. Beautifully preserved, UNESCO has described Merida as "one of the finest surviving examples" of Roman town design.

The Pantheon

Paris, France
Paris' Pantheon isn't entirely ignored by tourist guides, but it remains surprisingly quiet. Found on the left bank of the Seine, this magnificent site was meant to be a church, but it ended up being a mausoleum for the likes of Zola and Voltaire. Built under King Louis XV and finished at the start of the French revolution, it was inspired in part by the Roman temple of the same name. For those who don't fancy the prospect of strolling through the crypt, this site still has the powerful draw of stunning architecture and remarkable decoration.

Burg Rheinfels

St Goar, Germany
Combine a medieval version of a toll booth with a commanding fortification and ta da! You get the dramatic castle of Burg Rheinfels. This structure was first used from the 13th century to levy a charge on passing ships along the Rhine, but this policy proved so unpopular it promptly caused a mass riot and a siege. Today, the site of Burg Rheinfels is like a historic playground, mixing pretty ruins with fascinating tunnels and an informative museum.

Civita di Bagnoregio

Bagnoregio, Italy
Seemingly marooned in the hills and valleys of Italy's Lazio region, this perfectly preserved medieval town was once part of the Papal States. One of its main highlights is the 'Eutruscan Corridor', a stunning tunnel built by its first inhabitants. Increasing seismic activity has meant this dying town is doomed to disappear, with the only remaining means of access being via a picturesque footbridge.

Aquincum

Budapest, Hungary
From glorious Buda Castle to phenomenal churches and museums, Budapest has plenty to shout about. But, while these celebrated landmarks make it one of Europe's prettiest cities, few remain in their original guise, having been the subject of everything from natural disasters to devastating fires.
Yet, those who go beyond the usual tourist route can see a side of the city that has remained the same for centuries. Still within the city boundaries, the large Roman site of Aquincum features the ruined remains of homes, temples, cemeteries and even an amphitheatre, many of which date back to the second century AD. For an even more obscure site of note, try the Budapest Bath Museum, the roadside remains of a Roman military baths complex nearby.

Read more »

Posted in: Secret sights in famous cities

Portraits of the circles

 Brush over the canvas to carry - it's not. After all, you can color the circles that you want to portray.This is the purpose Belgian artist Ben Heine.His original technique he calls Digital Circlism. Ben Heine creates detailed portraits of celebrities: Eminem, Bob Marley, Elvis Presley ...  
Photoshop CS4, a tool brush, thousands of colored circles on a black background ... The new digital pattern is ready! No automation - all added by hand.In each circle the color and size, which makes the creation of these works are very time consuming.

Read more »

Posted in: Art,Portraits of the circles