Best of Original Christmas Tree 3

Sushi Tree

I believe the title tell everything.... Someone had the delicious ideia of turning a bunch of sushi in something like a Christmas Tree...

Just watch...

Best of Christmas Commercial 3

90's Christmas Commercial

This is the first set of Christmas commercials. They are all from the early 90's.

Didn't they bring you good memories from this holy season?!?

Best of Christmas Song 3

Jingle Bell Rock

"Jingle Bell Rock" is the name of a popular Christmas song first released by Bobby Helms in 1957. It has received frequent airplay in the United States during every Christmas time since then. "Jingle Bell Rock" was written by Joe Beal (1900–1967), a Massachusetts-born public relations man, and Jim Boothe (1917–1976), a Texas writer in the advertising business.

A notable cover version of the song was recorded by Bill Haley & His Comets (coincidentally the originators of the referenced "Rock Around the Clock") in 1968 for United Artists records. Intended for a seasonal single release, it was decided not to release the recording, and it was considered lost for nearly 30 years until it was finally issued in the mid-1990s.

Brenda Lee also released a version of "Jingle Bell Rock" which made the Billboard Christmas singles chart in both 1964 and 1967. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Original Christmas Tree 2

Original is one thing, but today's Christmas tree is a whole new conception of original... in an invert way....

I can't imagine way i have never think about this! 

Best of Christmas Commercial 2

Coca-Cola Commercial

The following video is another example of "Holidays are coming" advertisement by Coca-Cola.

This video was created in the year of 2009.

Best of Christmas Song 2

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee / Mel Smith and Kim Wilde

"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" is a Christmas song written by Johnny Marks and recorded by Brenda Lee in 1958 on Decca 9-30776. Although Decca released it in both 1958 and again in 1959, it did not sell well until Lee became a popular star in 1960; that Christmas season, it hit #14 on the Billboard pop chart and turned into a perennial holiday favorite. It continued to sell well during the holiday season, hitting #5 on the Christmas chart as late as 1984.

A version of the song by Kim Wilde and Mel Smith (credited as "Mel & Kim" as a parody of then-popular sister act Mel and Kim), featuring Pete Thomas, reached #3 on the UK Singles Chart during the 1987 Christmas season. The track was a charity single recorded to raise funds for Comic Relief. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Original Christmas Tree 1

The Christmas tree is a decorated evergreen coniferous tree, real or artificial, and a tradition associated with the celebration of Christmas. The Christmas tree is often brought into a home, but can also be used in the open, and can be decorated with Christmas lights (originally candles), ornaments, garlands and tinsel during the days around Christmas. An angel or star is often placed at the top of the tree, representing the host of angels or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity. The tradition of decorating an evergreen tree at Christmas started in Germany in the 16th century.

Although sometimes, some people try to reinvent the wheel... Lets see some of the most original examples...

Best of Christmas Commercial 1

Coca-Cola Commercial

Coca-Cola is one of the responsables for the Santa Claus figure, but also have the most charismatic Christmas commercials.

Coca-Cola has a strong advertisement campaign every holidays and it's called by The "Holidays are coming!", features a train of red delivery trucks, emblazoned with the Coca-Cola name and decorated with electric lights, driving through a snowy landscape and causing everything that they pass to light up and people to watch as they pass through.

The following commercial is one of the most famous "Holidays are coming" Christmas advertisement.

Best of Christmas Song 1

All I Want For Christmas is You - Mariah Carey

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her fourth studio album, Merry Christmas. It was released by Columbia Records on November 1, 1994, as the lead single from the album. The song was written by Carey and Walter Afanasieff, who also served as co-arranger and producer.

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" is the best-selling holiday ringtone in the US, with sales of more than two million units. The song has been a "perennial radio and record chart-topper" during every holiday season since its release. (in Wikipedia)

This week Themes - Special Christmas

This week, we'll entering the Christmas month, so, this week, all themes will be about Christmas!

- Best of Christmas Song
- Best of Christmas Commercial
- Best of Original Christmas Tree

Hope you'll be inspired by this season spirit! And don't forget to vote in your favourite posts!

Happy Christmas! HoHoHo

Best of Eminem Music 6

Love the Way you Lie

"Love the Way You Lie" is a song by American rapper Eminem, released as the second single from his seventh studio album, Recovery. The song features vocals from Barbadian singer Rihanna and is produced by Alex da Kid. Additional vocal production on Rihanna's vocals were provided by Makeba Riddick. It claimed the top spot on twenty-three charts. "Love the Way You Lie" was number one on the Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks giving Eminem his fourth US Billboard Hot 100 number-one hit and Rihanna her seventh.

The song won the Best Rap/Hip-Hop Track award at the Teen Choice Awards 2010. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Diddy Music 6

Pass the Courvoisier (Busta Rhymes, featuring P. Diddy)

"Pass the Courvoisier, Part II" is a hit single by Busta Rhymes. It also features rapper P. Diddy, and R&B singer Pharrell and was the fourth and final single from Busta Rhymes's fifth studio album Genesis.

The single peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the highest charting single off the album Genesis. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Tupac Music 6

California Love

"California Love" is a hip hop song by 2Pac featuring Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman. The song was released as 2Pac's comeback single upon his release from prison in 1995. A popular remix version of the song appeared on his 1996 double album All Eyez on Me. This is perhaps 2Pac's best-known song and his most successful, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks (as a Double-A side single with "How Do U Want It"). The song was nominated for a posthumous Grammy Award as a Best Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (with Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman) in 1997.

"California Love" was Shakur's only entry on Rolling Stone's 2004 list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, ranked #346 and #51 on VH1's countdown of the 100 Greatest songs of the 90s. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Eminem Music 5

Not Afraid

"Not Afraid" is the first single from American rapper Eminem's seventh studio album Recovery. The single was produced by Canadian producer Boi-1da. It premiered on April 29, 2010, on Shade 45. The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number one for the week ending May 22, 2010, making it the sixteenth song in Billboard's history to debut at number one and only the second rap single ever to debut at the top spot. As of October 31, 2010, "Not Afraid" had sold 3 million downloads in the United States. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Diddy Music 5

Satisfy You

"Satisfy You", released on October 13, 1999, is a number-one R&B single by rapper Puff Daddy and features background vocals by R. Kelly. The song spent two weeks at number one on the U.S. R&B chart and peaked at number two on the pop chart. The song's beat and bassline is taken from "I Got 5 on It" by Luniz, which itself samples other work (Club Nouveau's "Why You Treat Me So Bad" among others). (in Wikipedia)

Best of Tupac Music 5

I Get Around

"I Get Around" is the second single from 2Pac's second album Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z., and features Shock G and Money-B of Digital Underground, the group that introduced him. It was produced by Shock G and Allmusic notes that in the song 2Pac "brags about his sexual conquests".

The song sold well and became 2Pac's first Top 20 single. It peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and acquired certified gold status. The song was re-released on 2Pac's Greatest Hits album in 1998. The music video reached #16 on XXL's and MTV2's "25 Greatest West Coast Videos". The song is ranked #14 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Eminem Music 4

When I'm Gone

"When I'm Gone" is a song by American hip hop musician Eminem, featured on his 2005 compilation album Curtain Call: The Hits. When released as a single on December 6, 2005, the song charted at number eight on the American Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, number 22 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart, number four on the UK Singles Chart and number one on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart.

"When I'm Gone" is about Eminem's career's effect on his relationship with his wife Kim. It talks about him not being there for his daughter, Hailie, and (in a sort of metaphoric "dream") Hailie confronts him at a concert in Sweden and demands to know why he was so cruel towards Kim (his ex-wife). She ends the confrontation by telling Eminem that he loves his fame, career, and fans more than his own family. After she leaves, Eminem turns around and sees a gun. He picks it up, screams "Die Shady!" and shoots his Slim Shady alter-ego. After that, he wakes up, realizing that it was only a dream. It's spring, Hailie's playing in the yard, and he kisses Kim. The music video was directed by Anthony Mandler. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Diddy Music 4

Bad Boys For Life

"Bad Boys For Life" is the second single from "The Saga Continues", the third studio album released by American hip-hop artist Diddy and the Bad Boy Family on July 10, 2001 in North America. The album was eventually certified Platinum. It is the only studio album under the P. Diddy name, and last studio album under Bad Boy Entertainment's joint venture with Arista Records. "The Saga Continues" is considered by most fans to be the best album to date since the release of No Way Out. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and topping the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. This is the first album by Sean Combs/Diddy not to feature any guest appearances by Jay-Z or Lil Kim. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Tupac Music 4

Keep Ya Head Up

"Keep Ya Head Up" is a late 1993 hit by Tupac Shakur. #11 in About.com's Top 100 Rap Songs, with "Dear Mama" voted #4.

It was first released in Shakur's 1993 album Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z., later appearing after his death in 1996 in his Greatest Hits compilation. A "sequel" to the song, Baby Don't Cry (Keep Ya Head Up II) was released in 2Pac's posthumous album Still I Rise in 1999. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Eminem Music 3

Lose Yourself

"Lose Yourself" is a hip hop song by American rapper Eminem. It was released in 2002 as part of the soundtrack to the film 8 Mile, also starring Eminem, later released as a single in 2002, and re-released on Eminem's greatest hits compilation Curtain Call: The Hits. The song was written and produced by Eminem and producer Luis Resto. Eminem won both an Academy Award in 2003 and a Grammy in 2004 for "Lose Yourself."

Reaching #1 in a 24 charts worldwide, "Lose Yourself" became a worldwide success. It spent 12 weeks atop the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, the longest-running #1 of 2002. It topped the UK and Eurocharts for over a month, ranking in the top 10 in several year-end sales charts. It won an Academy Award for Best Original Song, two Grammy Awards, and three other Grammy nominations, the most awards won by a single rap song in one year. The song is ranked 4th in the 100 greatest songs of the past 25 years by VH1. It also ranked #93 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs and first of the 50 best film soundtracks by the French television channel Virgin 17. The song was named the fourth best song of the decade by the Complex Magazine. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Diddy Music 3

Can't Nobody Hold Me Down

"Can't Nobody Hold Me Down" is a hip-hop song by Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs. It appears on Combs' debut album No Way Out and it was released as the first single in 1997. His first U.S. chart single, "No Time", was a top-twenty hit for Lil' Kim on which Puff Daddy was credited as a featured vocalist. "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down" was the debut chart appearance for Harlem-based rapper Mase.

The song combines elements of several previous singles, the most obvious being a slowed-down rhythm track sampled from Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's "The Message". The track's chorus is an interpolation of "Break My Stride", a top-five single by Matthew Wilder from 1983. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Tupac Music 3

Brenda's Got a Baby

"Brenda's Got a Baby" is the solo debut single by Tupac Shakur, and tenth track from his debut album, 2Pacalypse Now. The song, which features R&B singer Dave Hollister, is about a fictional twelve-year-old girl named Brenda who lives in a ghetto, has a baby, and is incapable of supporting it. The song explores the issue of teen pregnancy and its effect on the young mothers and their families. Like many of Shakur's songs, "Brenda's Got a Baby" draws from the plight of the impoverished. Using Brenda to represent young mothers in general, Shakur criticises the low level of support from the baby's father, the government, and society in general. Shakur wrote the song when he read a newspaper article about a twelve-year-old girl who got pregnant from her cousin and, because she did not want her parents to know about the baby, threw it in a trash can. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Eminem Music 2

Stan

"Stan" is the third single from The Marshall Mathers LP, by rapper Eminem featuring Dido. It peaked at number one in the United Kingdom and Australia. The song was produced by The 45 King and Eminem, and uses a slightly modified break from Dido's "Thank You" as its base sample. The track also samples the opening lines of "Thank You" as its chorus. Coincidentally, both songs were released as singles in late 2000. Stan has been called one of Eminem's best songs and is considered one of his signature songs.

Rolling Stone magazine ranked the song #290 in their list: The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, making it one of only five songs to be released since 2000 to appear on the original list (296 on the updated list). It was also listed #15 on VH1's list of the greatest hip hop songs of all time. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Diddy Music 2

Shake Ya Tailfeather

"Shake Ya Tailfeather" is a single by the rappers Nelly, P. Diddy and Murphy Lee, released in 2003 from the Bad Boys II Soundtrack. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, giving Nelly his third number one on the chart, P. Diddy's fourth, and Lee's first. The song was also included on Lee's debut album, Murphy's Law.

The song won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 2004 Awards show. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Tupac Music 2

Changes

"Changes" is a hip hop song by the late Tupac Shakur, the song was originally recorded during his tenure at Interscope records in 1992. Changes was later remixed during 1997-1998.

"Changes" was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance at the Grammy Awards of 2000; it remains the only posthumous song to be nominated in this category. In 2009, "Changes" was chosen as one of 12 songs to appear on the Vatican's official Myspace music page. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Eminem Music 1

The Real Slim Shady

Marshall Bruce Mathers III (born October 17, 1972), better known by his stage name Eminem, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Eminem quickly gained popularity in 1999 with his major-label debut album, The Slim Shady LP, which won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. The following album, The Marshall Mathers LP, became the fastest-selling solo album in United States history. It brought Eminem increased popularity, including his own record label, Shady Records, and brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition.

"The Real Slim Shady" was the first single released from The Marshall Mathers LP. The song is a critique of pop songs that were being churned out at the time, parodying these songs by including features of a typical pop song, such as a repetitive chorus.

The song was a hit, becoming Eminem's first chart topper in some countries, and garnering much attention for insulting various celebrities.  (in Wikipedia)

Best of Diddy Music 1

I'll Be Missing You

Sean John Combs (born November 4, 1969), currently known by his stage name Diddy, is an American record producer, rapper, actor, and men's fashion designer. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award.

He was originally known as Puff Daddy and then as P. Diddy (Puff and Puffy being often used as a nickname, but never as recording names). In August 2005, he changed his stage name to "Diddy".

"I'll Be Missing You" is a Grammy Award-winning song and hit single recorded by Puff Daddy, Faith Evans and 112, in memory of fellow Bad Boy Records artist Notorious B.I.G. who was murdered on March 9, 1997. Released as the second single from Puff Daddy and the Family's No Way Out album, "I'll Be Missing You" sampled the melody and some of the lyrics of The Police's "Every Breath You Take" from 1983.

The song was listed at #84 on Billboard's Greatest Songs of All Time. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Tupac Music1

Dear Mama

Tupac Amaru Shakur (June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), known by his stage names 2Pac (or simply Pac) and Makaveli, was an American rapper. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world. In the United States alone he has sold 37.5 million records. Rolling Stone Magazine named him the 86th Greatest Artist of All Time.

"Dear Mama" was released on February 21, 1995 as the first single for the album "Me Against the World". The single was the most successful of all the singles released from the album. The song is considered by critics, fans, and purists as one of the greatest hip hop songs of all-time, and one of 2Pac's best songs in particular, being ranked number four on About.com's "Top 100 Rap Songs" list. (in Wikipedia)

Week themes

This week, the 3 themes will be about rap music and some iconic rap names, with some historical rivalry in their names.

- Best of Tupac Music
- Best of Diddy Music
- Best of Eminem Music

Enjoy!

Best of Android Smartphone 6

Motorola Milestone XT720

Great battery life and a large touchscreen don't often come in the same package, but the 720p video capture is disappointing and you'll need to buy a memory card.

The latest version of the Motorola Milestone, the XT720, is radically different from the original. It lacks the slide-out QWERTY keyboard, but improves the camera's sensor from 5- to 8-megapixels and adds a Xenon flash. Without the keyboard, it's much thinner, but it still retains the chunky design and weighs the same. It also has the same 550MHz processor and runs Android 2.1, which supports multiple accounts, Microsoft Exchange and HTML5. (in Expert Reviews)

Best of Wonder of the World 6

Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza (pronounced /tʃiːˈtʃɛn iːˈtsɑː/; from Yucatec Maya: Chi'ch'èen Ìitsha', "at the mouth of the well of the Itza") is a large pre-Columbian archaeological site built by the Maya civilization located in the northern center of the Yucatán Peninsula, in the Yucatán state, present-day Mexico.

Chichen Itza was a major focal point in the northern Maya lowlands from the Late Classic through the Terminal Classic and into the early portion of the Early Postclassic period. The site exhibits a multitude of architectural styles, from what is called “Mexicanized” and reminiscent of styles seen in central Mexico to the Puuc style found among the Puuc Maya of the northern lowlands. The presence of central Mexican styles was once thought to have been representative of direct migration or even conquest from central Mexico, but most contemporary interpretations view the presence of these non-Maya styles more as the result of cultural diffusion.

The ruins of Chichen Itza are federal property, and the site’s stewardship is maintained by Mexico’s Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (National Institute of Anthropology and History, INAH). The land under the monuments had been privately-owned until March 29, 2010, when it was purchased by the state of Yucatan. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Ancient Wonders of the World 6

Mausoleum of Halicarnassus

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus or Tomb of Mausolus (in Greek, Μαυσωλεῖον τῆς Ἁλικαρνασσοῦ) was a tomb built between 353 and 350 BC at Halicarnassus (present Bodrum, Turkey) for Mausolus, a satrap in the Persian Empire, and Artemisia II of Caria, his wife and sister. The structure was designed by the Greek architects Satyros and Pythis. It stood approximately 45 m (148 ft) in height, and each of the four sides was adorned with sculptural reliefs created by each one of four Greek sculptors — Leochares, Bryaxis, Scopas of Paros and Timotheus. The finished structure was considered to be such an aesthetic triumph that Antipater of Sidon identified it as one of his Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The word mausoleum has now come to be used generically for any grand tomb. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Android Smartphone 5

Acer Stream

A powerful, up-to-date Android phone, but its large AMOLED screen is disappointingly dim.

Acer's first Android smartphone, the Liquid, was good-looking, powerful, and ran the latest version of Android. However, it wasn't offered on contract by the major mobile networks in the UK, and so probably passed most people by. Despite a 3.7in AMOLED screen, 1GHz processor and Android 2.1, the networks have passed up the new Stream too. Thankfully you can get it free on contract from third-party retailers, such as Expansys. (in Expert Reviews)

Best of Wonder of the World 5

Petra

Petra (Greek "πέτρα" (petra), meaning rock; Arabic: البتراء, Al-Batrāʾ) is a historical and archaeological city in the Jordanian governorate of Ma'an that is known for its rock cut architecture and water conduits system. Established sometime around the 6th century BC as the capital city of the Nabataeans, it is a symbol of Jordan as well as its most visited tourism attraction. It lies on the slope of Mount Hor in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Arabah (Wadi Araba), the large valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. Petra has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.

The site remained unknown to the Western world until 1812, when it was introduced by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. It was described as "a rose-red city half as old as time" in a Newdigate Prize-winning sonnet by John William Burgon. UNESCO has described it as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage." Petra was chosen by the BBC as one of "the 40 places you have to see before you die". (in Wikipedia)

Best of Ancient Wonders of the World 5

Temple of Artemis

The Temple of Artemis (Greek: Ἀρτεμίσιον, or Artemision), also known less precisely as the Temple of Diana, was a Greek temple dedicated to a goddess Greeks identified as Artemis that was completed, in its most famous phase, around 550 BC at Ephesus (in present-day Turkey). Though the monument was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, only foundations and sculptural fragments of the temple remain. There were previous temples on its site, where evidence of a sanctuary dates as early as the Bronze Age. The whole temple was made of marble except for the roof.

The temple antedated the Ionic immigration by many years. Callimachus, in his Hymn to Artemis, attributed the origin of the temenos at Ephesus to the Amazons, whose worship he imagines already centered upon an image. In the seventh century the old temple was destroyed by a flood. The construction of the "new" temple, which was to become known as one of the wonders of the ancient world, began around 550 BC. It was a 120-year project, initially designed and built by the Cretan architect Chersiphron and his son Metagenes, at the expense of Croesus of Lydia.

It was described by Antipater of Sidon, who compiled the list of the Seven Wonders:

I have set eyes on the wall of lofty Babylon on which is a road for chariots, and the statue of Zeus by the Alpheus, and the hanging gardens, and the colossus of the Sun, and the huge labour of the high pyramids, and the vast tomb of Mausolus; but when I saw the house of Artemis that mounted to the clouds, those other marvels lost their brilliancy, and I said, "Lo, apart from Olympus, the Sun never looked on aught so grand". (in Wikipedia)

Best of Android Smartphone 4

HTC Legend

Fantastic build quality, good battery life, a vibrant display, and superbly functional software make the Legend the best value smartphone currently available.

A bright, AMOLED screen takes up most of the fascia, although there is a black bezel, measuring 3mm on each side, 7mm at the bottom and 9mm above the screen, which seems a waste, as it's a smaller area than the iPhone's screen even though it's the same 480x320 resolution. The colours and contrast of the AMOLED technology are simply breathtaking however, and HTC has added an oleophobic (oil resistant) coating that not only reduces fingerprint marks but makes touch control much smoother. (in Expert Reviews)

Best of Wonder of the World 4

The Colosseum

The Colosseum, or the Coliseum, originally the Flavian Amphitheatre is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. It is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and Roman engineering.

Occupying a site just east of the Roman Forum, its construction started between 70 and 72 AD under the emperor Vespasian and was completed in 80 AD under Titus, with further modifications being made during Domitian's reign (81–96). The name "Amphitheatrum Flavium" derives from both Vespasian's and Titus's family name (Flavius, from the gens Flavia).

Capable of seating 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.

Although in the 21st century it stays partially ruined because of damage caused by devastating earthquakes and stone-robbers, the Colosseum is an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome. It is one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions and still has close connections with the Roman Catholic Church, as each Good Friday the Pope leads a torchlit "Way of the Cross" procession that starts in the area around the Colosseum.

The Colosseum is also depicted on the Italian version of the five-cent euro coin. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Ancient Wonders of the World 4

Statue of Zeus at Olympia

The Statue of Zeus at Olympia was made by the Greek sculptor Phidias, circa 432 BC on the site where it was erected in the Temple of Zeus, Olympia, Greece. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The seated statue, some 12 meters (43 feet) tall, occupied half of the width of the aisle of the temple built to house it. "It seems that if Zeus were to stand up," the geographer Strabo noted early in the first century BC, "he would unroof the temple." The Zeus was a chryselephantine sculpture, made of ivory and gold-plated bronze. No copy in marble or bronze has survived, though there are recognizable but approximate versions on coins of nearby Elis and on Roman coins and engraved gems. A very detailed description of the sculpture and its throne was recorded by the traveler Pausanias, in the second century AD. The sculpture was wreathed with shoots of olive worked in gold and seated on a magnificent throne of cedarwood, inlaid with ivory, gold, ebony and precious stones. In Zeus' right hand there was a small statue of crowned Nike, goddess of victory, also chryselephantine, and in his left hand, a sceptre inlaid with gold, on which an eagle perched. Plutarch, in his Life of the Roman general Aemilius Paulus, records that the victor over Macedon, when he beheld the statue, “was moved to his soul, as if he had seen the god in person,” while the first century AD Greek orator Dio Chrysostom declared that a single glimpse of the statue would make a man forget all his earthly troubles. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Android Smartphone 3

Samsung Galaxy S 16 GB

Slim, light, with a gorgeous AMOLED screen, fast processor and Android's easy-to-use interface and wealth of apps, the Galaxy S sets the benchmark for Android hardware

If the history of Android smartphones is viewed as a race to emulate Apple's iPhone, then the Samsung Galaxy S is the crowning achievement; looking remarkably like the iPhone 3G, with its rounded edges and single, central button beneath the screen. It also has a remarkable AMOLED screen, a super-fast 1GHz processor, and a battery life twice that of most Android phones.

Best of Wonder of the World 3

Taj Mahal (India)

Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Islamic and Indian architectural styles.

In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the white domed marble mausoleum is the most familiar component of the Taj Mahal, it is actually an integrated complex of structures. The construction began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, employing thousands of artisans and craftsmen. The construction of the Taj Mahal was entrusted to a board of architects under imperial supervision, including Abd ul-Karim Ma'mur Khan, Makramat Khan, and Ustad Ahmad Lahauri. Lahauri is generally considered to be the principal designer.

In 1631, Shah Jahan, emperor during the Mughal empire's period of greatest prosperity, was grief-stricken when his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died during the birth of their fourteenth child, Gauhara Begum. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632, one year after her death. The court chronicles of Shah Jahan's grief illustrate the love story traditionally held as an inspiration for Taj Mahal. The principal mausoleum was completed in 1648 and the surrounding buildings and garden were finished five years later. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Ancient Wonders of the World 3

The Lighthouse of Alexandria

The Lighthouse of Alexandria, also known as the Pharos of Alexandria, was a tower built between 280 and 247 BC on the island of Pharos at Alexandria, Egypt to guide sailors into the harbour at night. With a height variously estimated at between 120–140 m (390–460 ft)[1], it was for many centuries among the tallest man-made structures, and was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Constructed from large blocks of light-coloured stone, the tower was made up of three stages: a lower square section with a central core, a middle octagonal section, and, at the top, a circular section. At its apex was positioned a mirror which reflected sunlight during the day; a fire was lit at night. Extant Roman coins struck by the Alexandrian mint show that a statue of a triton was positioned on each of the building's four corners. A statue of Poseidon stood atop the tower during the Roman period. The Pharos' masonry blocks were interlocked, sealed together using molten lead, to withstand the pounding of the waves. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Android Smartphone 2

HTC Desire

The HTC Desire is well named, as it's probably at the top of every Android fan's wish list. With a 3.7in AMOLED screen, a 1GHz processor, a 5-megapixel camera and room for up to 32GB of storage, it's got the specs to compete with anything on the market today.

Its headline features are very similar to Google's Nexus One, which isn't surprising as HTC manufactures both phones. However, there are a few differences: unlike the Nexus One, it doesn't support US 3G bands, so if you travel to the US you'll be stuck using EDGE or hunting for WiFi hotspots. It also lacks the voice-to-text abilities of the Nexus One, which includes the noise-cancelling microphone. It does however include an FM radio, something the Nexus One lacks.

Of course, the phone many people will compare the Desire against is Apple's iPhone, which will get an update later this year to add multi-tasking - a feature Android handsets have had from the start. In terms of build quality, the Desire isn't as attractive as the iPhone; unlike HTC's Legend, with its aluminium body, the Desire has a largely plastic casing, and the battery cover feels especially flimsy. (in Expert Reviews)

Best of Wonders of the World 2

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is a series of stone and earthen fortifications in northern China, built originally to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire against intrusions by various nomadic groups. Several walls have been built since the 5th century BC that are referred to collectively as the Great Wall, which has been rebuilt and maintained from the 5th century BC through the 16th century. One of the most famous is the wall built between 220–206 BC by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. Little of that wall remains; the majority of the existing wall was built during the Ming Dynasty.

The Great Wall stretches from Shanhaiguan in the east, to Lop Nur in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia. The most comprehensive archaeological survey, using advanced technologies, has recently concluded that the entire Great Wall, with all of its branches, stretches for 8,851.8 km (5,500.3 mi). This is made up of 6,259.6 km (3,889.5 mi) sections of actual wall, 359.7 km (223.5 mi) of trenches and 2,232.5 km (1,387.2 mi) of natural defensive barriers such as hills and rivers. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Ancient Wonders of the World 2

Great Pyramid of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Giza (also called the Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Cheops) is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis bordering what is now El Giza, Egypt. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact. It is believed the pyramid was built as a tomb for fourth dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops in Greek) and constructed over a 20-year period concluding around 2560 BC. Initially at 146.5 metres (480.6 ft), the Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years, the longest period of time ever held for such a record. Originally, the Great Pyramid was covered by casing stones that formed a smooth outer surface; what is seen today is the underlying core structure. Some of the casing stones that once covered the structure can still be seen around the base. There have been varying scientific and alternative theories about the Great Pyramid's construction techniques. Most accepted construction hypotheses are based on the idea that it was built by moving huge stones from a quarry and dragging and lifting them into place.

There are three known chambers inside the Great Pyramid. The lowest chamber is cut into the bedrock upon which the pyramid was built and was unfinished. The so-called Queen's Chamber and King's Chamber are higher up within the pyramid structure. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only pyramid in Egypt known to contain both ascending and descending passages. The main part of the Giza complex is a setting of buildings that included two mortuary temples in honor of Khufu (one close to the pyramid and one near the Nile), three smaller pyramids for Khufu's wives, an even smaller "satellite" pyramid, a raised causeway connecting the two temples, and small mastaba tombs surrounding the pyramid for nobles. (in Wikipedia)

Best of Android Smartphone 1

HTC Wildfire

The HTC Wildfire is a budget Android smartphone with more than a passing resemblance to its larger cousin, the HTC Desire. Its rounded edges and rubberised, brown-grey finish are identical, and underneath the screen you'll find the Desire's optical trackpad. Here it’s paired with touch-sensitive buttons, though, while we prefer the feedback of real ones.

The key cost-cutting element is the screen. Its 3.2in display is a reasonable size, but it has a much lower 320x240 resolution, and is noticeably more pixelated as a result. That resolution is just half the pixels of an HTC Hero or Legend (320x480), and only a fraction of the Desire’s hi-res display (480x800). This means you have to zoom in further to make text legible on web pages, and photos lack crisp detail.

It still employs a capacitive touchscreen interface, which is smooth and supports multi-touch gestures. Despite the smaller screen the Wildfire lasted for 19 hours in our light usage test, around the same as the Legend and the Desire. Still, depending on how much you use 3G, WiFi and GPS, you should get a full day’s use out of a single charge. (...) (in Expert Reviews)

Best of Wonders of the World 1

Christ Redeemer

"Christ Redeemer (Portuguese: Cristo Redentor) is a statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; considered the second largest Art Deco statue in the world. The statue is 39.6 metres (130 ft) tall, including its 9.5 meter (31 feet) pedestal, and 30 metres (98 ft) wide. It weighs 635 tonnes (700 short tons), and is located at the peak of the 700-metre (2,300 ft) Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park overlooking the city. It is one of the tallest of its kind in the world (The statue of Cristo de la Concordia in Cochabamba, Bolivia, is slightly taller). A symbol of Christianity, the statue has become an icon of Rio and Brazil. It is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone, and was constructed between 1922 and 1931. "(in Wikipedia)

Christ Redeemer in Brazil is only one of many spread all over the world.

Best of Ancient Wonders of the World 1

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

"The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are considered to be one of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. They were built in the ancient city-state of Babylon, near present-day Al Hillah, Babil, in Iraq.

The gardens were supposedly built by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II around 600 BC. He is reported to have constructed the gardens to please his homesick wife, Amytis of Media, who longed for the trees and fragrant plants of her homeland Persia. The gardens were destroyed by several earthquakes after the second century BC.

The lush Hanging Gardens are extensively documented by Greek historians such as Strabo and Diodorus Siculus. Through the ages, the location may have been confused with gardens that existed at Nimrud, since tablets from there clearly show gardens. Writings on these tablets describe the possible use of something similar to an Archimedes screw as a process of raising the water to the required height. Nebuchadnezzar II also used massive slabs of stone, which was unheard of in Babylon, to prevent the water from eroding the ground." (in Wikipedia)

This ancient wonder is one of the most mysterious of all because of the lack of valid facts and so there will always be a doubt about it.

New Themes

This week new themes will be:

- Best of ancient wonders of the world
- Best of wonders of the world
- Best of Android Smartphone

Hope you enjoy!

Extra video - Harry Potter

Extra!!!!!!

Because of this week theme about the best movie of Harry Potter saga, today will be an extra post about the new movie and the first part of the last movie of Harry Potter phenomenon, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1", comming next week.

Enjoy!!!!!!

Changes in the voting system

Hello!

Today is a voting day, so no new items for vote.

In order to permit more time for vote in yours favourite themes, starting this week, all voting system will be during ten days, instead seven.

Now, vote!

Best Football Player 6

Zinedine Zidane

"Popularly nicknamed Zizou, he is a French former football midfielder. His career accomplishments include winning the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000, in addition to the 2002 UEFA Champions League. He is also one of only two three-time FIFA World Player of the Year winners. Zidane won the Golden Ball as the MVP in the World Cups of 1998 and 2006. Zidane played his first professional First Division game for Cannes and quickly rose through the professional ranks. He sealed his reputation by scoring two goals in the World Cup finals of 1998, helping France defeat Brazil to claim its first-ever World Cup championship. Extremely passionate and a leader by example, he came first in an online poll conducted by UEFA." (in listverse)

Best Nirvana Music 6

"In Bloom" was another single from "Nevermind" and was edited in order to criticise all Nirvana fans that loved their songs but never understood what they really meant.

Best Harry Potter Movie 6

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" was the last film, until now, from the Harry Potter saga. Was released in 2009 and achieved #11 in the world ranking of movie with a total of US$934,020,895 in ticketing.

Best Football Player 5

Pelé

"Pelé – called “the Black Pearl,” was the greatest soccer player in the history of the game. With a career total of 1280 goals, he may have been the world’s most popular athlete after he was named Athlete of the Century by the world’s combined National Olympic Committees in 1999, though he never played in the Olympics himself. In March of 2002, the jersey Pelé wore in the 1970 World Cup final sold at auction for $220,850. Pelé became Brazil’s minister of sports in 1995, serving until 1998" (in listverse)

Best Nirvana Music 5

"Rape me" was a very polemic music, due to its title, as well as "In Utero" (1993) album was very controversal. The cd was really in risk of not being edited because of this music.

It's one of the most iconic songs from Nirvana.

Best Harry Potter Movie 5

The second most profit movie of Harry Potter saga was "Harry Potter and the order of phoenix". It reached the #10 in the world ranking.

It's for the first time directed by David Yates instead of Steve Kloves and was released in 2007.

Best Football Player 4

Diego Maradona

"Maradona is an icon in Argentina. As a soccer player, he took his team to new heights and became a hero to sports fans – many of whom referred to him as “San Diego.” He also took sports paychecks to new heights, claiming unheard of salaries in trade after trade. Maradona was plagued by cocaine addiction, though, and his career came to an early end. His performance included two memorable goals against England, one scored with his hand (the referee mistakenly thought the ball struck his head) and now remembered as the “Hand of God,” and another that saw him dribble through a pack of defenders." (in listverse)

Best Nirvana Music 4

"The man who sold the world" is a cover from David Bowie music and was recorded in the MTV Unpluggled, in New York. Its one of the best's music in the album and considered one of the most beautiful musics of Nirvana.

Best Harry Potter Movie 4

"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" was the fourth movie of the sequel.

It was produced by the same studios and was released in 2005, generating US$896,921,036 in ticketing, reaching #16 in the world ranking.

Best Football Player 3

Johann Cruyff

"Cruyff is a former Dutch football player and manager/coach. He was named European Footballer of the Year three times. In 1999, Cruyff was voted European Player of the Century in an election held by the IFFHS, and came second, behind Pelé in their World Player of the Century poll. Cruyff was known for his technical ability, speed and acceleration, but his greatest quality was vision, based on an acute sense of his team-mates’ positions as an attack unfolded. He is believed Cruyff superior to any previous player in his ability to extract the most from others." (in listverse)

Best Nirvana Music 3

"Lithium" is another music from the "Nevermind", released in 1991.

This song was writen by Kurt Cobain, the vocalist of Nirvana, and is a related with his bipolarism issue, reflecting his constant change of humor state.

Best Harry Potter Movie 3

The third movie of the Harry Potter saga is called "Harry Potter And the prisoner of Azkaban". It was realized by Alfonso Cuarón and was released in 2004.

This movie was the "least" popular, "only" reaching the #27 in the world ranking.

Best Football Player 2

Ronaldo (The Phenomenon)

"A brilliant and fluid forward, Ronaldo became one of international soccer’s great stars of the 1990s and Brazil’s biggest soccer hero since Pele. Nicknamed “The Phenomenon,” the talented forward has played for Cruzeiro, Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and AC Milan, amassing numerous records, championships, and cups. An international superstar, Ronaldo has been on the Brazilian national team since 1994 and was part of World Cup–winning teams in 1998 and in 2002, when he was the tournament’s top scorer" (in listverse.com)

Best Nirvana Music 2

In 1991, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was the first and best single extracted from "Nevermind" album.

Quickly, achieved the top and became one of the most Nirvana known music's.

Best Harry Potter Movie 2

"Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets" is second movie of Harry Potter saga.
It was produced by Warner Bros. studios and directed by Chris Columbus.
Released in 2002, achieved #19 in the world ranking.

Best Football Player 1

Luís Figo

"Figo is a football hero who began his professional career in Portugal, his native land, then made his name in Spain playing for powerhouse teams FC Barcelona and Real Madrid before switching to Inter Milan in 2005. With his deft stop-and-go dribbling and aggressive style, the midfielder is known more as a playmaker than as a pure scorer. His breakthrough year was 2000, when he led Portugal to the semifinals of Euro 2000 and was named European Footballer of the Year. The same year he moved from FC Barcelona to rival Real Madrid for a then-record fee of $56 million." (in listverse.com)

Best Nirvana Music 1

Nirvana is one of the most famous Grunge music group. They will always be remembered by their music as well as for Kurt Cobain, their vocalist, which commited suicide, in April of 1994.

"Come as you are" is one of the music singles from Nevermind (1991), it's one of the most famous singles from Nirvana and it's inicial accords are well known.

Best Harry Potter Movie 1

The first movie of Harry Potter saga was "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone".

It's a movie from 2001 and was inspired in the work of J.K. Rowling. Since day one, started to break ticketing records and fast gain fans all over the world.

Next week themes

Hello again!

This week themes will be:

-Best Harry Potter Movie
-Best Nirvana Music
-Best Football Player

Good votes!

Next Week Topics

Use this post to sugest themes for next week topics that you would like to see in an online competition.

Use your imagination!

Tomorrow is a votation day, so no post will be published!

Have a nice day!

Best Chinese Sentence / Proverb 6

An for the last post this week about Chinese Sentences/Proverbs, an evocation of the wild animals and the Humam behavior.

"He who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount."

Best Pearl Jam Music 6

"Daughter" was released in 1993 as the second single from the Pearl Jam's second studio album, Vs. (1993).

"The song topped both the Mainstream Rock and Modern Rock Billboard charts. The song spent a total of eight weeks at number one on the Mainstream Rock chart." (in Wikipedia)

Best Condom Commercial 6

Sex is pleasure.... Nobody says it is not....

But how about if it is out of the context.... it can only result in an excelent funny commercial!

Best Chinese Sentence / Proverb 5

Today's quote is a sentence that is totally true but that most of the times we never think about it...

Chinese quote 5:
"If you don't want anyone to know, don't do it."

Best Pearl Jam Music 5

"Just Breathe" was released on October 31, 2009 as the second single from Pearl Jam's ninth studio album, Backspacer (2009). This version presented here is a live version.

Enjoy it, and vote!