Elizaveta (Elizabeth) Golovanova, Russia. Miss Universe 2012 contestants in national costumes

Miss Universe 2012 contestants in national costumes
The 61th Miss Universe pageant 2012 is held at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. The last day of the spectacular perfomance include the national costume shows. 89 countries participate in 2012 pageant and it will be broadcasted live in participant countries. In some hours Leila Lopes from Angola will crown her successor at the end of this event. In the first picture – Elizaveta (Elizabeth) Golovanova, Russia.
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Proud Chinese farmer Liu Qiyuan next to his creation. Chinese rescue balls to Apocalypsis.

Chinese rescue balls to Apocalypsis
45 year-old Liu Qiyuan, a Chinese farmer from Hebei province designed and built rescue spherical modules dedicated to the approaching end of the world. He sealed each ball, equipped with a supply of oxygen in cylinders, belts and spot for 14 people. To date, seven balls are ready. As people across the globe tremble in anticipation of next week’s supposed Mayan-predicted apocalypse, one Chinese villager says he may have just what humanity needs: tsunami-proof survival pods. Camouflage-clad former farmer and furniture maker Liu Qiyuan inspected his latest creation. In fact, it is a sphere several meters tall, and he calls it “Noah’s Ark”. Besides, the designed construction is able to withstand towering tsunamis and devastating earthquakes.
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French village of Bugarach – the only place in the world that is going to survive Armageddon

French village of Bugarach
Located in southern France, the village of Bugarach has a population of only 179 people. According to doomsday cults, it is the only place in the world that is going to survive Armageddon. And some people believe, doomsday is December 21 this year (2012). The small village, in fact, – two streets, one shop, two restaurants, one tiny church, one bar (closed), dozens of circling eagles and a population of just 179. And still, it is the only place in the world that will be saved. Those who know better say, its salvation centers – round a 4,000 ft mountain. According to enthusiasts, the Pic de Bugarach is actually home to an enormous hidden UFO garage. And there aliens are patiently waiting for Friday, December 21. Then they’ll scoop up all human ‘future survivors’ nearby and beam them off to safety.
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Beautiful landscape. Green dragon Hobbit-bar in New Zealand

Green dragon Hobbit-bar in New Zealand
If you would like to have a drink with hobbits, you may do it in a Hobbit-bar “the Green Dragon”, which is in Hobbiton, near Matamata, in the North Island of New Zealand. Hobbiton – a town built in 1998 that has been open to the public since 2002 — the new pub is intended to make the visiting experiences all the more Hobbit-like. Art Director Brian Massey and a team of 80 workers assisted him in obtaining this thematic bar. The fact is that New Zealand is “the motherland” of hobbits. It is New Zealand where many scenes from the “Lord of the rings” trilogy were filmed. In anticipation of the release of the film “the Hobbit: an unexpected journey” the bar will be wildly popular with tourists and fans.
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Knocker-uppers 100 years ago. A lady shooting a pea into the windows of the sleeping workers. Britain

Knocker-uppers 100 years ago
Mary Smith earned six pence a week shooting a pea into the windows of the sleeping workers. Knocker-up or Knocker-upper is a forgotten profession in England and Ireland, to awaken people to work. It originated in the times of the industrial revolution and existed until the 20’s of the 20th century, as late as the 1920s, before alarm clocks were affordable or reliable. Mostly used long bamboo sticks, batons, canes, but sometimes to rouse residents of the upper floors, had to shoot at the window with green peas. Knocker-uppers were mostly elderly people, but sometimes, for an additional fee, this work was entrusted to the local Constable.
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Russian Samovar with monogram “НII” under the imperial crown by Peter Carl Faberge (1846-1920). Samovar symbol of Russian life

Samovar symbol of Russian life
In addition to being a symbol of Russian life, Samovar is traditionally a part of folk art. Also, perfect canvas for painters. By the way, there is a museum of samovar in Tula, which is the main producer of samovars in Russia. Once, the great Russian poet, Prince Pyotr Andreyevich Vyazemsky wrote about the importance of samovar – “our family altar, Ark of household goods”. For better understanding Russian culture I’ve tried to translate some parts of his poem devoted to samovar.
Noteworthy, all images in this post depict samovars made in the city of Tula.
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Passionate British biker stylish funeral

Passionate British biker stylish funeral
Close friend Phil Hathaway said Mark was passionate about anything mechanical – ‘Sometimes it was easier for him to take things to bits than it was for him to put them back together’
The last journey of Mark Nuttallin 58, who was passionate about motorcycles, were in style – his coffin was carried to an abbey in a 24-foot long trike hearse, his wife, Sharon, rode his Harley-Davidson in a procession of around 50 motorbikes to the service near Romsey, Hampshire, England. His biker friends carried the coffin, which had his helmet and gloves on top along with floral tributes. The celebration of his life included AC/DC’s Thunderstruck and Bon Jovi’s Thank You For Loving Me.
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The forgotten voice of gramophone

The forgotten voice of gramophone
In fact, Gramophone is a modified version of the phonograph, invented in 1877, by Charles Cros and Thomas Edison. German-born American inventor Emile Berliner decided instead of cylinders for recording and playing back sounds to use disks. He called the new invention a record player, patented on September 26, 1887, by Berliner. Originally, they made records of hard rubber, then of shellac. Noteworthy, the world’s first phonograph record was zinc. The main advantage of the phonograph, gramophone record, was better and loud sound (already in the first models — in 16 times, or 24 DB). Combined with the ease of duplicating entries, this provided a quick victory of the Gramophone.
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Winter photographs by Igor Podobaev. The village of Byzovoj (Byzovaya), Pechora district of the Komi Republic. Looking for Santa deer. December, 12, 2012

Looking for Santa deer. Igor Podobaev is the author of these beautiful winter landscape photographs, taken in the village of Byzovoj (Byzovaya) of Pechora district of the Komi Republic. It is in the North of Russia. The Village of Byzovaya is located on the right bank of the Pechora River. The name origins in a nearby creek, with constantly roaring waters. The creek was known for noisy bubbling every spring (Russian “byz”), which gave the current name to Byzovaya. According to statistics, in 1905, the village had 5 yards (36 people: 20 male, 16 female). In 1920 – 13 yards (66 residents: 31 husbands, 35 wives). In 1926 – 14 yards (70 living – 31 husband, 39 wives), in 1970 – 208, in 1989 – 157, in 2000 – 150 villagers, in 2002 – 128, and in 2007 – 166 inhabitants. And in 2010 – 193 people live here.
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