14 May 2007

BP and Shell

Did you know that the petroleum companies, BP and Shell, were once a single company?

BP and Shell-Mex Ltd had merged in 1931, to create Shell-Mex and BP Ltd until they separated again in 1975.

I only got to know when I visited the Coventry Transport Museum. It was not mentioned anywhere in the museum but my father-in-law, who's in the oil and gas business noticed this classic petrol truck.


Read about our trip to the museum with loads of pics here.

Not related, but the BP fuel station here on Lockhurst Lane, happens to be my favourite, along with Tesco's at Ricoh Arena - because they are the cheapest.

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12 May 2007

Belisi Fashions press release

PALM BEACH, Fla., May 2 /PRNewswire/ - Fashion, it's not just a New York game anymore. South Florida has become a top contender of those "in the know." Palm Beach-based Belisi Fashions, a driving force behind this new fashion movement, combines luxury, innovative style and distinctive creations, setting it a part from the rest of the fashion industry. Fashion-forward designer Peter Belisi of Belisi Fashions is unveiling his new and improved online destination http://www.Belisi.com, which is more than a shopping website-it's a community where discriminating consumers can find valuable fashion advice, keep up with trends and so much more.


Belisi Fashions is synonymous with luxury, a brand that represents a growing collection of fine Italian silk ties, pocket squares, and scarves. Peter Belisi inspires and surprises with characteristic versatility and responsiveness to an ever-changing market. The very essence of his collections reflects his emotional and artistic view of life's experiences; thereby, creating a personal style inspiring men and women to dress and accessorize according to their own personality.

Belisi was built on the philosophy that a necktie or a scarf is more than an article of clothing-it completes your look. "There are plenty of Web sites where you can buy accessories but few where you feel like you're a part of a fashion community," affirms Belisi.

"A tie is a focal point that makes a bold statement. When we design and create a tie, pocket square or scarf, we first think about the person who will wear it. We want our products to enhance customers' lives through quality, using the most aucourant in fabrics and signature detailing," confirms Belisi. "These accessories add flare to any outfit with an accent of color that creates a whole new look."

The Belisi brand is flourishing, and anticipates the release of its new luxury handbag collection in Fall '07. As with all Belisi products, the handbag collection will feature extraordinary detailing including real gold hardware, soft treated Italian leather and brushed fabrics, plus many other exclusive features only available through Belisi.com.

About Belisi.com
Belisi.com is an online community where customers are "Insiders" instead of order numbers. Being an "Insider" means access to special privileges including free shipping, gift wrap on all orders and a designated place on the Belisi Insider's Advisory Board. Belisi Insiders' opinions are more than thoughts expressed in cyber space. Peter Belisi embraces each comment, suggestion or question and responds to his clients personally. Belisi's fashion blogs offer up-to-the-minute insight from fashion, beauty and lifestyle experts. Find out more by visiting:
http://www.TheDivasDreams.com for women and http://www.SharpByDesignblog.com for men.
Belisi also has a beauty blog, http://www.BeautifulMeblog.com, which keeps customers "in the know" about all things related to beauty-inside and out.

About Belisi Fashions
The Belisi brand is the brainchild of Peter Belisi, whose lifelong aspirations were to fuse the luxury and prestige of Palm Beach with Italian sophistication. Belisi embodies the spirit of true entrepreneurship with a passion for the best of everything, which is evident in the quality products produced. Each dramatic detail in a Belisi tie, pocket square and scarf represents Belisi's unwavering commitment to creating fashion products that embody timeless sophistication and enduring beauty.
Peter Belisi is loyal to his community and remains steadfast in giving back to those in need, never forgetting his roots and the journey that led him to where he is today. Through the "Belisi Luxury with Meaning" program, a minimum of 10 percent of the company's pre-tax profits are donated to those in need. Thus keeping in-line with Belisi's mission to create a community within a community, customers decide which charity to make their contribution. Some of the charities include: Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation, American Heart Association, and 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com.

Slugs away

I have planted a few flowers, herbs and vegetables in my garden. However, apart from the lavender and rosemary which were untouched, all my other plants had their leaves eaten away in a few days.

The culprit - Slugs.

I had initially wanted my garden t be fully organic - no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. However, at the rate the slugs were eating the plants, I would be left with no plants in my garden if I didn't do anything soon.


Finally decided to go for a slug killer. I just scattered the pellets on the soil near the plants. Next day, there were dead slugs all over the place.

Take a look at a few. Aren't they ugly?

11 May 2007

The bugs are coming

I am looking forward to a new horror movie from Lionsgate Films, the same people who brought you "The Exorcist". Starring Ashley Judd, Harry Connick Jr and Michael Shannon, the film is directed by William Friedkin. It will be released on 25th of May this year.

Check out the two promotional posters for the bug movie. I really like the way two images are superimposed on each other. Gives a sense of mystery.




The tag line says: " First they send in their drone.....Then they find their queen"

Am really excited to see this movie due to the fact that it has received great reviews when it premiered in France at the Cannes Film Festival in May last year. It won the FIPRESCI Prize there.

Another indication that this is a great movie is the fact that reviewers have given the movie an average score of 7.6 out of 10 on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb.com) when I last checked.

One critic calls it
one of most disturbing horror movies imaginable


All of this has made me really curious. Hope it lives up to my expectations. Is it about a girl who turns to bugs or bugs after a girl? Maybe it has simply nothing to do with bugs at all. So what do you think this bug movie is about?

Check out the movie trailer below and tell me what you think.


Guess we will have to wait and see in order to find out.

Shakespere's birthplace - Stratford-upon-Avon

This has been a wet week and the rain shows no sign of letting up except for some short sunny intervals. Last Monday, it rained the whole morning. However, the sun came out in the afternoon. So we set off for Stratford-upon-Avon.

stratford01The Jester.

It is a quaint town by the bank of the river Avon. The reason that it is so famous is because the greatest English playwright and poet William Shakespeare was born and died here.

Parked at the multi-storey car park on Windsor street. It is a pay & display car park and we paid £2.50 for a 3 hours stay. I choose this parking spot because it was the nearest to Shakespeare's birthplace. However, we decided not to go inside the Shakespeare's centre and birthplace located on Henley street.

We left after exploring only a bit of the place for around 2 hours as it started raining again.

stratford02Shakespeare was born here.

stratford05View of the canal.

stratford09A lot of ducks.

stratford06On the merry-go-round after so many years.

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10 May 2007

Favorite software package.

I just found a place to buy my favourite PC Software online.

As someone who first learnt how to design websites on Microsoft FrontPage, I was really looking forward to trying out their new web design software - Microsoft Expression Web Professional Design Tool. It is now available at Buypcsoft.com for $258.95. That's $40.05 cheaper than on the Microsoft site.

Had the opportunity to try it out on a friend's place and it was great.
First thing I noticed about it was the similarity of it's interface with Macromedia Dreamweaver. Unlike FrontPage, which is the first choice of many web design amateurs (and sneered at by professionals), this WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) web design software package is targeted at the professional web designers. It promises to help you create standards-based sites with full CSS and XML support. Thus your sites are automatically optimized for accessibility and cross-browser compatibility.

One of the most attractive features of this software from Microsoft are the sophisticated CSS design features. You can browse through various CSS styles and actually see what each style looks like before applying it.

The XML features allow you to build interactive websites by using the XML data source for page elements. It allows you to view quickly each feature using the drag-and-drop tools.

This software requires PCs running on Windows Vista / XP / 2003.

Visit to Warwick Castle

Interior of Warwick castle
There are so many castles scattered throughout the midlands and the most famous of them all is Warwick castle. If you are visiting Coventry, this is a "must see" tourist attraction.

Last Sunday, we drove over to the castle in Warwick, which lies on the banks of the river Avon, just half an hour away from my house. We found out that my in-laws were eligible for the senior (age above 60) prices, which was £11.95. Normal prices for adults are £15.95. Entry was free for Rahil.

warwickcastle03 I am pilloried

The castle is a fascinating place with a lot of things to see and do. When we entered, they were just announcing the culprit of the 'Castle CSI' - an interactive detective game/ play.

warwickcastle02 Who did it?

warwickcastle05 One of the interesting exhibits was the 'Kingmaker - a preparation for battle', which shows how life was like in a mediaeval castle. The statues were so real life. I later found out that the castle is now owned by the Tussauds group.

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warwickcastle06 Stained glass at the Castle chapel

Another amazing part of the castle is the Great Hall. It is the largest room in the castle and has been it's heart throughout history.

warwickcastle07

We were also lucky to be able to see the peacocks doing their dance in front of the conservatory.

warwickcastle16

One thing I really wanted to see was the firing of the Warwick Trebuchet. Unfortunately all firing has been cancelled until further notice due to a technical fault.

Enjoyable trip. Definitely have to visit it again as we missed out on a lot including the climb up Guy's tower, the rose gardens, the river and the island and much more.

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