Do You Wanna Know What's Lucky?

Lucky is...

1. Upon reaching your house doorstep, the sky only starts to pour heavily.

2. Finding your favourite chewing gum in the supermarket when you just complained to your friend that your favourite chewing gum is not in stock an hour ago.

3. Buying food that you need which are reduced half in price.

4. To find an extra $10 in your purse when you thought you are broke.

5. Being here in Japan and get to use the airconditioning 24/7 without needing to pay electric bills.

6. Being able to own MAC's Stereo Rose and Petticoat which are sold out elsewhere.

7. Getting to eat free $10 worth of dinner every night on weekdays.

8. Owning a dozen of makeups constituted from different brands.

9. Having a loving family, a loving boyfriend and a loving God.

10. Being alive.

All of the above are applicable to me in one day ^__^ and hopefully for the rest of my life :D

Classic!

Thursday Poll (Adapted)

From Makeup and Beauty I decided to do the listed question cuz its seems fun like that and I'm have nothing to post. Muahahaha...

1. Mood: A bit worried and at the same time feeling loved. **dreamy..**

2. What’s been the most inspirational makeup collection for you?
A: Mmmm... I would say is the NARS Fall 2010. I just love the bold dark colours. They seem to spell "Dangerous and Mysterious". Can't help but fall in love with it.

3. What are your favorite three cities in the world?
A: Belfast, Northern Ireland, cuz Yoong's there. Johor Bahru, Malaysia, cuz my parents are there. And the last one would go to... London, UK, cuz its practically bursting with everything I could get my eyes on in the internet with a cheap price.

4. Describe your sense of beauty and style:
A: Messy and random and simple and comfort. Sigh.... I think I would summarize it to one word "Lazy"

5. If you wrote a memoir, what would it be titled?
A: I am not a Demure Chicken.

6. What’s the last “coolest” thing you’ve bought?
A: Well, I think would be my Dell laptop. Cuz its the 1st electronic gadget that had burned a whole in my pocket.

7. The most played song on your iPod?
A: 1st of all, I don't have an iPod (but I'm thinking of getting one). If you would say the most frequent song,  it would be Walt Disney's Beauty and the Beast song "Belle".

8. Where do you go to get your staple makeup/beauty items?
A: If the word staple plays a role, I would say is the drugstore/pharmacy. Although they are cheap, they really fuel my need for makeup and beauty items.

9. Outfit:
A: A simple red shirt with white skirt and a thin belt cinching in the middle with a pair of Kurt Geiger sandals (picture coming up).

10. Your weekly goals:
A: Try to finish 2 comments in this week and lie low during work with less talking. Oh yeah, and try to have free dinner every night ;p

California Judge Overturns Prop 8

Gay Marriage now Legal in California

In a major victory for gay rights activists, a federal judge ruled on Wednesday that a voter initiative banning same-sex marriage in California violated the Constitution's equal protection and due process rights clauses.

After a five-month wait, 9th Circuit District Court Judge Vaughn Walker offered a 136-page decision in the case of Perry v. Schwarzenegger, firmly rejecting Proposition 8, which was passed by voters in November 2008.

"Although Proposition 8 fails to possess even a rational basis, the evidence presented at trial shows that gays and lesbians are the type of minority strict scrutiny was designed to protect," Walker ruled.

"Plaintiffs do not seek recognition of a new right. To characterize plaintiffs' objective as "the right to same-sex marriage" would suggest that plaintiffs seek something different from what opposite-sex couples across the state enjoy -- namely, marriage. Rather, plaintiffs ask California to recognize their relationships for what they are: marriages."

"Proposition 8 places the force of law behind stigmas against gays and lesbians, including: gays and lesbians do not have intimate relationships similar to heterosexual couples; gays and lesbians are not as good as heterosexuals; and gay and lesbian relationships do not deserve the full recognition of society."HP

The conclusion-

• "Sexual orientation is commonly discussed as a characteristic of the individual. Sexual orientation is fundamental to a person's identity and is a distinguishing characteristic that defines gays and lesbians as a discrete group. Proponents' assertion that sexual orientation cannot be defined is contrary to the weight of the evidence."
• "Individuals do not generally choose their sexual orientation. No credible evidence supports a finding that an individual may, through conscious decision, therapeutic intervention or any other method, change his or her sexual orientation."
• "Same-sex couples are identical to opposite-sex couples in the characteristics relevant to the ability to form successful marital unions. Like opposite-sex couples, same-sex couples have happy, satisfying relationships and form deep emotional bonds and strong commitments to their partners. Standardized measures of relationship satisfaction, relationship adjustment and love do not differ depending on whether a couple is same-sex or opposite-sex."
• "Marrying a person of the opposite sex is an unrealistic option for gay and lesbian individuals."
• "Same-sex couples receive the same tangible and intangible benefits from marriage that opposite-sex couples receive."
• "The availability of domestic partnership does not provide gays and lesbians with a status equivalent to marriage because the cultural meaning of marriage and its associated benefits are intentionally withheld from same-sex couples in domestic partnerships."
• "Permitting same-sex couples to marry will not affect the number of opposite-sex couples who marry, divorce, cohabit, have children outside of marriage or otherwise affect the stability of opposite-sex marriages."

Judge Vaughn Walker's 136-page decision went viral after it was posted online. You can read it here. (Source: SFGate - San Francisco Chronicle)

Disneyland Paris Update : Frontierland New Indian Teepees - Edited 8/5

Recently, the Indian Teepees located at the entrance of Frontierland, near Fort Comstock, were changed and replaced by new one with Indian paintings as you will see on the high-res "wallpaper" pictures below. Although it surely will look native-american to most of DLP guests it seems that the result is not historically perfect, not to mention that the paintings colors looks a bit too much freshly painted...



When WDI Imagineers built the original teepees, back early 90's, most of the resource material they used for reference was from a Lakota tribe. That was when even the interiors of the teepees were being propped out in anticipation of guests looking inside which is not possible any more.

According to Imagineers who built the original teepees to whom i show these pictures: "Originally we had the interior liners - which are now missing from the redone teepee - which would close that bottom gap as it was the case in original teepees to keep varmits out and the heat of the fire in. They should reinstall them on the new teepees so you can't be looking under the teepees. The lodge poles showing are correct at the base if you have the liners.

Each door on the teepees should have the symbol of the Indian Warrior who live within. It should match the shield on the nearby poles. Back in 1990's we used Buffalo Head, Running Bear, Flaming Sun, Black Widow, etc.. It also should be different from the other story telling depicted on the teepee. The top flaps of the center teepee - where the smoke is coming out - should be darkened a sooty gray black where the smoke exit. There are a few symbols on the new tents which I don't recognize as from an Indian tribe...

The color pallet looks pretty good but the freshly painted colors are too intense, like they came from a paint can rather than from a natural source like crushed berries or leaves or the deep rich oxide powders from the earth... But I suppose that we should be grateful that the Park cared enough to redo the teepees at all. I just wish they had taken a look at the color documentation books that our Frontierland team put so much time and effort into as their guide for inspiration..."



Above, original artwork for Frontierland entrance. Below, a picture of the original teepees shot in 1992.



And now, lot of pictures of the new teepees. You'll note how the trees have amazingly grew up in 18 years...







































See you next week for a new DLP update and in the meantime don't forget to check my special offer below on the great Disneyland Paris book!

All pictures: copyright Alain Littaye - Disney and more

If you enjoy Disney and more, thanks for your support!

Thanks to leave a comment or discuss this article on D&M english forum on Mice Chat

SKII Anniversary Set

So I was in search of some serum, but ended up with this set instead. I mean, I'd rather pay 7000 yen for the whole set then paying about 3000 yen for some random serum that I never heard of.

Its a steal indeed (well, you've gotta agree with me or I won't be able to justify my spending!! )

So... here they are...

A decent set, ain't it?? I mean, with cotton pad summore. OK lah. Now I have 3 bottles of the same thing, which is the facial treatment essence. ^__^ Gonna take me a while using them up...

Looking for a great Disney book ? Then, the Disneyland Paris book is the perfect gift for any Disney fan !

Editor's Important Note: I was at the park last week and i was wondering if they still had copies of the english edition of my Disneyland Paris, From Sketch to Reality book and at my big surprise they don't have any more copies of the english edition! I asked them to have a look in their computer and DLP's computer keep saying that it's out of stock. This mean that i'm the last person with DLP's book english edition available and i don't have a lot of them, may be 10 copies, not more... As the publisher don't plan to re-print the book it means it's really the last copies and it's a bad news, but those of you who don't have yet this great book still can order it to me, have a look to the special offer below.

If you're looking for a great gift to offer to anyone you love - including you! - my "Disneyland Paris, From Sketch to Reality" book with its 320 pages and 750 pictures - including 250 renderings from Walt Disney Imagineering - would be a GREAT gift for any Disney fan!

I still have copies of the book, and, as i am one of the two authors of the book, each copy will be sign specially for you or anyone you wish. Of course, don't forget to tell me the name to whom you wish i dedicate the book.

An important note before i go further: If you're not in a rush to get the book, choose the flat shipping option (also indicated below) which usually takes between 3 to 6 weeks delivery (depending if you're living in Europe or in the U.S) and is also much less expensive.

And now, here is a description of the book and everything you need to know to order one of the last signed copy of this beautiful book. Please note that NO re-printing of the book is scheduled, and these last available copies may be the REAL last one!


IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THE ENGLISH EDITION OF THE BOOK WITH THE TEXT IN ENGLISH:

Price for one copy of the english updated edition is 87 Euros and Shipping: is 15 euros.

If you have a Paypal account you can proceed to the payment by paypal - paypal payment including your choice of shipping must be sent to the email adress: lawrence55@wanadoo.fr

Important: Note that the price is in Euros, not in U.S $, so you have to choose the "euro" currency when you do the paypal payment.

If you don't have a Paypal account, a bank wire transfert is possible, just let me know.

And, of course, thanks to confirm me your order and payment AND the shipping adress by email at the email adress: lawrence55@wanadoo.fr


PLEASE NOTE THAT FOR NOW I DON'T HAVE ANY MORE COPIES OF THE FRENCH EDITION, SORRY. IF YOU STILL WISH A FRENCH COPY? PLEASE LET ME KNOW? I'LL TRY TO FIND A COPY FOR YOU.

As i am the one who designed the book, i'm not really at the good place to send compliments about it, but if you are a reader who already own the book, please leave a comment at the end of the article to let other readers know what you think about it.
Previous comments can be read at the bottom of this page where the article below was previously posted.

So, here is a little description of the book, now - See below some pictures of the book pages - click on each of them to see the photo-montage pictures in big size.



The book is a gorgeous "coffee table book" with 320 pages and 750 pictures - of which 500 are park and attractions photos and 250 are Walt Disney Imagineering renderings!

The size is 9 x 12 inches, all pages are in color and it's hardbound with a glossy dust jacket. The text (by Disney historian Didier Ghez), was written after more than 75 interviews he conducted with all the Imagineers who created the park. He goes into just about everything you wanted to know about this unique place that many describe as the best "Magic Kingdom" ever created by WDI.

It took five years to create the book, but it was worth all the time we spent on it, and the book looks just as good as we had hoped for at the beginning - in fact Imagineer Bruce Gordon told us that it was "probably the best book ever done on a Disney theme park". Coming from Bruce who did with David Mumford the great "Disneyland, The Nickel Tour" book, it was more than a compliment.

The first chapter about Main Street has 52 pages and introduces the reader to the "legend" of Main Street, USA. You'll learn all about the Disneyland Paris Railroad, the unique "Discovery" and "Liberty" Arcades; find out about the architecture, the restaurants (like "Walt's," a tribute to Walt Disney, but also inspired by Club 33 in Anaheim) and the shops; with dozens of photos, renderings, models, and reproduced for the first time here, all the "cities of the future" posters located in "Discovery Arcade."



The second chapter on Frontierland discusses the park's western side with extensive sections about its major attractions, "Big Thunder Mountain" and "Phantom Manor." In fact the book has the longest sections ever put together in a book on all the major attractions. The Pirates of Caribbean section in the Adventureland chapter is 26 pages, Phantom Manor has 16 pages devoted to it, as does Space Mountain, it's a small world, etc. The photo material was so great that we kept adding more pages to the book, which was supposed to have only 240 pages when we started... we ended up with 320 upon completion!



The Frontierland chapter also covers the Mark Twain, the River Rogue Keelboats, Fort Comstock, all the restaurants, the shops and Cottonwood Creek Ranch.and featuring stunning photos of Disneyland Paris from the air by Yann Arthus Bertrand, author of The Earth from Above that make spectacular "double-pages," and allow the reader to discover the park from a whole different angle.



The Adventureland chapter is even more interesting, as many elements of the land exist only in Paris - such as the Bazaar and Aladdin to Africa and the ex-"Explorer's Club." Plus there's a long section about "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril," "Adventure Isle" and "The Swiss Robinson Treehouse" and, of course, "Pirates of Caribbean" the land's major attraction and featuring its amazing Audio-Animatronics! All in all there are 56 full pages about Adventureland, and as in the previous chapters, there are dozens of photos, lots of concept art, and many shots of Imagineers at work. There's even a great bonus here, with the Marc Davis artwork for "Pirates" also included.



56 full pages are also dedicated to Fantasyland. There's an extensive look at Sleeping Beauty Castle, sections on all the dark rides (Snow White, Peter Pan and Pinocchio), as well as a look at "Alice's Curious Labyrinth," the "Mad Hatter's Tea Cups," "Storybookland," and "Casey Jr." There are even 14 pages about "it's a small world" with stunning photos of nearly all the scenes in it. Here the reader can discover a new attraction that exists only at Disneyland Paris, with a great view from above of Alice's Labyrinth.

Discoveryland also gets 52 pages of special treatment, with sections on the Visionarium, the Nautilus, Star Tours, Space Mountain, and everything you wanted to know about the other attractions in this land – Autopia and Orbitron. In fact the Nautilus chapter takes you on a visit with photos of every room of this detailed walk-through and two double page photo spreads, one which makes you feel you're inside Captain Nemo's grand salon, and the other showing you a unique view of Discoveyland featuring the Nautilus and Space Mountain in a kind of "CinemaScope" view.



When the book was released in early 2002, the Walt Disney Studios didn't exist, so you won't see them in the book. But there's still one last chapter about the hotels of the park, and Disney Village too, with the great Buffalo Bill Wild West show that entertains hundreds each evening.

And because every day in a Magic Kingdom should end with a parade and fireworks, we have the Main Street Electrical Parade that close the book, with an Herb Ryman gorgeous painting!



Pictures: copyright Disney