Tuesday 31 March 2015
Silver Chalice for Pope Francis’ New York Visit Will Be Made From Donated Jewelry and Coins
MARCH 31ST, 2015
World–renowned Argentine silversmith Adrian Pallarols is giving Catholics from across the U.S. a unique opportunity to "be in Pope Francis’ hands" when he prays at New York's St. Patrick's Cathedral during his visit in September.
The seventh-generation artisan is asking for donations of sterling silver jewelry and coins that he will melt down to fabricate a very special, all-American communion chalice.
Specifically, the 43-year-old Pallarols made a plea for modest items, such as ”an earring, [or] a little ring you don’t use,” he told Time magazine.
Pallarols’ silver strategy is steeped in symbolism. Even though most devotees will not be in attendance when the Pope celebrates mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in September, they can still play an important role in the momentous event.
“Everybody, the whole country, will be in the prayers of Pope Francis here in New York when he lifts the chalice in the consecration,” Pallarols told Time magazine. “Everybody can be in his hands for the prayers.”
His appeal for mass participation aligns nicely with the story of how the majestic St. Patrick’s Cathedral came to be with the help of thousands of small donations from poor Irish immigrants.
Other important symbols on Pallarols’ chalice include the distinctive Gothic architecture of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a golden map of the United States in the center of the handle, and the golden intertwined initials “S” and “P” (for St. Patrick’s) on the cup.
The exterior of the chalice will be crafted in donated silver, and the inside of the cup will be lined with gold, according to America magazine. The fabrication is set to take place in the basement of St. Patrick’s Cathedral during the few weeks before the Pope's visit.
The expected outpouring of generosity will likely result in an overabundance of sterling items, far more precious material than can be used in a single chalice.
Pallarols told America magazine that he guarantees that all the donated objects will be melted down into the ingot of silver from which the chalice will be made.
The excess will be sold, with the proceeds going to the Pope’s efforts to assist the poor in the U.S.
The Pallarols family has been designing extraordinary silver items for dignitaries and heads of state since the mid-1700s.
The family also has close ties with Pope Francis. When the Pope was still known as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, the archbishop of Buenos Aires, he presided over Adrian Pallarols' wedding. He later baptized Pallarols' daughter and frequently visited the artisan’s shop to chat about art and music, according to Time magazine.
Images: Twitter/Andrian Pallarols; Crowd shot by Edgar Jiménez from Porto, Portugal, via Wikimedia Commons.
The seventh-generation artisan is asking for donations of sterling silver jewelry and coins that he will melt down to fabricate a very special, all-American communion chalice.
Specifically, the 43-year-old Pallarols made a plea for modest items, such as ”an earring, [or] a little ring you don’t use,” he told Time magazine.
Pallarols’ silver strategy is steeped in symbolism. Even though most devotees will not be in attendance when the Pope celebrates mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in September, they can still play an important role in the momentous event.
“Everybody, the whole country, will be in the prayers of Pope Francis here in New York when he lifts the chalice in the consecration,” Pallarols told Time magazine. “Everybody can be in his hands for the prayers.”
His appeal for mass participation aligns nicely with the story of how the majestic St. Patrick’s Cathedral came to be with the help of thousands of small donations from poor Irish immigrants.
Other important symbols on Pallarols’ chalice include the distinctive Gothic architecture of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a golden map of the United States in the center of the handle, and the golden intertwined initials “S” and “P” (for St. Patrick’s) on the cup.
The exterior of the chalice will be crafted in donated silver, and the inside of the cup will be lined with gold, according to America magazine. The fabrication is set to take place in the basement of St. Patrick’s Cathedral during the few weeks before the Pope's visit.
The expected outpouring of generosity will likely result in an overabundance of sterling items, far more precious material than can be used in a single chalice.
Pallarols told America magazine that he guarantees that all the donated objects will be melted down into the ingot of silver from which the chalice will be made.
The excess will be sold, with the proceeds going to the Pope’s efforts to assist the poor in the U.S.
The Pallarols family has been designing extraordinary silver items for dignitaries and heads of state since the mid-1700s.
The family also has close ties with Pope Francis. When the Pope was still known as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, the archbishop of Buenos Aires, he presided over Adrian Pallarols' wedding. He later baptized Pallarols' daughter and frequently visited the artisan’s shop to chat about art and music, according to Time magazine.
Images: Twitter/Andrian Pallarols; Crowd shot by Edgar Jiménez from Porto, Portugal, via Wikimedia Commons.
Monday 30 March 2015
‘Tree of Life’ Gemstone Necklace Saves Bank Employee From Point-Blank Gun Blast
MARCH 30TH, 2015
joantaras.com
joantaras.com
A raw gem crystal "Tree of Life" necklace is credited with saving the life of a Tennessee woman who was shot in the chest by a would-be bank robber.
Janeice Frisbee, a 20-year Bancorp South employee from Humboldt, Tenn., said the dollar-coin-size necklace, which features colorful, uncut birthstones strung on sterling silver wire in the form of the "Tree of Life," deflected a .40-caliber bullet aimed at her heart.
On the morning of March 18, police say Frisbee was accosted at her home by Dominic Williams and forced to open the Bancorp South branch, which was only a few blocks away. Once inside, Williams demanded that Frisbee open the bank vault, but she did not have that authority. The assailant then shot Frisbee twice at point blank range.
“I couldn't do what he wanted me to do, and that's why he shot me," Frisbee told WMC Action News 5.
The first shot, which was aimed at the middle of her chest, never penetrated her body because it deflected off of the handmade sterling silver necklace that had been given to her as a birthday present by her son and daughter-in-law. According to The Jackson Sun, Frisbee sustained only minor injuries from the first bullet — a broken sternum and a bruise bearing the shape of her "Tree of Life" necklace.
“No one can believe that bullet didn’t go through that necklace,” Frisbee told WMC Action News 5. “It was just a miracle the way it worked.”
The second shot did more damage, but was not life threatening. The bullet hit her in the shoulder, went through her chest cavity and exited just above her heart.
Despite the injuries, Frisbee was able to dial 911 as the assailant jumped out the bank’s window and fled on foot. Police captured the suspect minutes later.
“They told me as they were putting me in the ambulance to take me to the helicopter that they already had him in custody,” Frisbee told WMC Action News 5.
The twisted sterling silver wire necklace that saved Frisbee’s life was designed by Amanda Toddings of Colorado-based Mandala Rain, which specializes in Family Tree and Tree of Life necklaces and pendants.
Frisbee’s daughter-in-law, Brandy, reported that, despite being hit by a bullet, the necklace is still intact. It may be a while before Frisbee gets it back because the FBI is holding it as evidence in the felony charges against Williams.
The brave bank employee was hospitalized for only one day and is recuperating in her home with the support of family, friends and other well-wishers.
"They're sending cards, letters, flowers, gift cards — I'm just so amazed," Frisbee told WBBJ-TV. "I didn't even know I knew this many people."
Credits: Jewelry photo via Mandala Rain. Other images: Screen captures via wmcactionnews5.com.
Janeice Frisbee, a 20-year Bancorp South employee from Humboldt, Tenn., said the dollar-coin-size necklace, which features colorful, uncut birthstones strung on sterling silver wire in the form of the "Tree of Life," deflected a .40-caliber bullet aimed at her heart.
On the morning of March 18, police say Frisbee was accosted at her home by Dominic Williams and forced to open the Bancorp South branch, which was only a few blocks away. Once inside, Williams demanded that Frisbee open the bank vault, but she did not have that authority. The assailant then shot Frisbee twice at point blank range.
“I couldn't do what he wanted me to do, and that's why he shot me," Frisbee told WMC Action News 5.
The first shot, which was aimed at the middle of her chest, never penetrated her body because it deflected off of the handmade sterling silver necklace that had been given to her as a birthday present by her son and daughter-in-law. According to The Jackson Sun, Frisbee sustained only minor injuries from the first bullet — a broken sternum and a bruise bearing the shape of her "Tree of Life" necklace.
“No one can believe that bullet didn’t go through that necklace,” Frisbee told WMC Action News 5. “It was just a miracle the way it worked.”
The second shot did more damage, but was not life threatening. The bullet hit her in the shoulder, went through her chest cavity and exited just above her heart.
Despite the injuries, Frisbee was able to dial 911 as the assailant jumped out the bank’s window and fled on foot. Police captured the suspect minutes later.
“They told me as they were putting me in the ambulance to take me to the helicopter that they already had him in custody,” Frisbee told WMC Action News 5.
The twisted sterling silver wire necklace that saved Frisbee’s life was designed by Amanda Toddings of Colorado-based Mandala Rain, which specializes in Family Tree and Tree of Life necklaces and pendants.
Frisbee’s daughter-in-law, Brandy, reported that, despite being hit by a bullet, the necklace is still intact. It may be a while before Frisbee gets it back because the FBI is holding it as evidence in the felony charges against Williams.
The brave bank employee was hospitalized for only one day and is recuperating in her home with the support of family, friends and other well-wishers.
"They're sending cards, letters, flowers, gift cards — I'm just so amazed," Frisbee told WBBJ-TV. "I didn't even know I knew this many people."
Credits: Jewelry photo via Mandala Rain. Other images: Screen captures via wmcactionnews5.com.
Sunday 29 March 2015
10 Picks to Brighten Your Day
Spring Is In The Air!!! Feel like brightening up your wardrobe? Not quite ready for spring/summer clothes but need some uplift of color? Here are my 10 picks today.
Descriptions and pricing available at joantaras.com
Descriptions and pricing available at joantaras.com
Friday 27 March 2015
Music Friday: Marvin Gaye Sings About Diamonds and Pearls in 1969’s ‘Too Busy Thinking About My Baby’
MARCH 27TH, 2015 joantaras.com
Welcome to Music Friday when we feature awesome songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today, we welcome the brilliant Marvin Gaye singing his second-biggest hit from the 1960s, “Too Busy Thinking About My Baby.”
In this song about a man so obsessed with the love of his life that he “ain’t got time for nothing else,” Gaye compares his girlfriend’s worth to precious gemstones. He sings, “The diamonds and pearls in the world / Could never match her worth, no no / She's some kind of wonderful, people tell ya / I got heaven right here on earth.”
Written by Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong and Janie Bradford, “Too Busy Thinking About My Baby” was first recorded by The Temptations in 1966, but attained huge commercial success when Gaye released his cover version three years later.
The song peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, sold more than 1.5 million copies and was the top R&B single of the year. "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" became Gaye’s second biggest hit the 1960s, trailing only his iconic "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" — another Whitfield/Strong collaboration — which ascended to #1 on the charts in 1968 and sold more than 4 million singles.
Born Marvin Pentz Gay Jr. in 1939, in Washington, D.C., the singer co-founded a local doo-wop group, the Marquees, which later became the Moonglows. When the Moonglows’ tour arrived in Detroit, Motown executives noticed Gaye’s talent and signed him to a deal.
Proclaimed the Prince of Motown and Prince of Soul, Gaye enjoyed a stellar career that flourished throughout the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s. At the height of his success, Gaye's life came to a tragic and abrupt end. On April 1, 1984, only one day before his 45th birthday, Gaye was senselessly shot to death by his father.
Although he’s been gone for more than 30 years, Gaye’s music and influence lives on. After his death, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame and won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He also earned the #6 spot on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.
Just over two weeks ago, Gaye’s family was awarded $7.3 million in a copyright dispute with contemporary chart-toppers Robin Thicke and Pharell Williams over their 2013 song, “Blurred Lines.” The jury agreed with the Gaye family’s contention that the Thicke/Williams song infringed on the copyright of Gaye’s 1977 song, “Got to Give It Up.”
We hope you enjoy the acoustic video of "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby." The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…
"Too Busy Thinking About My Baby"
Written by Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong and Janie Bradford. Performed by Marvin Gaye.
Ah-ah-aaah, oh yeah... Oh listen to me people
I ain't got time to think about money
Or what it can buy
And I ain't got time to sit down and wonder
What makes a birdie fly
And I don't have the time to think about
What makes a flower grow
And I've never given a second thought
To where the rivers flow
[Chorus:]
Too busy thinking about my baby
And I ain't got time for nothing else
Said, I ain't got time to discuss the weather
How long it's gonna last
And I ain't got time to do no studies
Once I get out of class
Tellin ya I'm just a fellow
Said I got a one track mind
And when it comes to thinking about anything but my baby
I just don't have any time
[Chorus]
The diamonds and pearls in the world
Could never match her worth, no no
She's some kind of wonderful, people tell ya
I got heaven right here on earth
I'm just a fellow
With a one, one track mind
And when it comes to thinkin' about anything but my baby
I just don't have any time
[Chorus]
(yeah, she's never hard to find
'cause she's always on my mind)
Photo credit: Getty Images
In this song about a man so obsessed with the love of his life that he “ain’t got time for nothing else,” Gaye compares his girlfriend’s worth to precious gemstones. He sings, “The diamonds and pearls in the world / Could never match her worth, no no / She's some kind of wonderful, people tell ya / I got heaven right here on earth.”
Written by Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong and Janie Bradford, “Too Busy Thinking About My Baby” was first recorded by The Temptations in 1966, but attained huge commercial success when Gaye released his cover version three years later.
The song peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, sold more than 1.5 million copies and was the top R&B single of the year. "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" became Gaye’s second biggest hit the 1960s, trailing only his iconic "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" — another Whitfield/Strong collaboration — which ascended to #1 on the charts in 1968 and sold more than 4 million singles.
Born Marvin Pentz Gay Jr. in 1939, in Washington, D.C., the singer co-founded a local doo-wop group, the Marquees, which later became the Moonglows. When the Moonglows’ tour arrived in Detroit, Motown executives noticed Gaye’s talent and signed him to a deal.
Proclaimed the Prince of Motown and Prince of Soul, Gaye enjoyed a stellar career that flourished throughout the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s. At the height of his success, Gaye's life came to a tragic and abrupt end. On April 1, 1984, only one day before his 45th birthday, Gaye was senselessly shot to death by his father.
Although he’s been gone for more than 30 years, Gaye’s music and influence lives on. After his death, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame and won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He also earned the #6 spot on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.
Just over two weeks ago, Gaye’s family was awarded $7.3 million in a copyright dispute with contemporary chart-toppers Robin Thicke and Pharell Williams over their 2013 song, “Blurred Lines.” The jury agreed with the Gaye family’s contention that the Thicke/Williams song infringed on the copyright of Gaye’s 1977 song, “Got to Give It Up.”
We hope you enjoy the acoustic video of "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby." The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…
"Too Busy Thinking About My Baby"
Written by Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong and Janie Bradford. Performed by Marvin Gaye.
Ah-ah-aaah, oh yeah... Oh listen to me people
I ain't got time to think about money
Or what it can buy
And I ain't got time to sit down and wonder
What makes a birdie fly
And I don't have the time to think about
What makes a flower grow
And I've never given a second thought
To where the rivers flow
[Chorus:]
Too busy thinking about my baby
And I ain't got time for nothing else
Said, I ain't got time to discuss the weather
How long it's gonna last
And I ain't got time to do no studies
Once I get out of class
Tellin ya I'm just a fellow
Said I got a one track mind
And when it comes to thinking about anything but my baby
I just don't have any time
[Chorus]
The diamonds and pearls in the world
Could never match her worth, no no
She's some kind of wonderful, people tell ya
I got heaven right here on earth
I'm just a fellow
With a one, one track mind
And when it comes to thinkin' about anything but my baby
I just don't have any time
[Chorus]
(yeah, she's never hard to find
'cause she's always on my mind)
Photo credit: Getty Images
Thursday 26 March 2015
‘The Ring (Engagement)’ by Pop Artist Roy Lichtenstein Has $50 Million Price Tag at Sotheby’s
MARCH 26TH, 2015 www.joantaras.com
In 1963, Pop art pioneer Roy Lichtenstein earned $1,000 for his comic-book-style painting called “The Ring (Engagement).” On May 12, Sotheby’s will be asking $50 million for the same work of art.
“The Ring (Engagement)” is one of Lichtenstein’s largest paintings at 48 inches by 70 inches and depicts a close-up view of a man placing a diamond engagement ring on a woman’s finely manicured finger. In the background is a web-like formation of tapered red crystals.
Interestingly, “The Ring (Engagement)” has had only two owners since Lichtenstein painted it in 1962. French collector Jean-Marie Rossi bought it from the artist’s gallery in 1963 for $1,000 and sold it for $2.2 million to Chicago businessman Stefan Edlis in 1997, the same year Lichtenstein passed away at the age of 74.
Edlis told The Wall Street Journal that “The Ring” has been hanging in his media room for years and was the first hand-painted Lichtenstein he ever bought. “I think it’s so sexy how he takes this quiet moment of a proposal and turns it into an exciting crash,” Edlis said. “Clearly, the woman accepted.”
Sotheby’s noted that the painting "encapsulates all of the major themes" in Lichtenstein's "most acclaimed and sustained body of work." The Manhattan-bred artist, who was a contemporary of Andy Warhol, often used comic strips and popular media as inspiration.
According to ArtNews.com, Lichtenstein created a series of paintings based on scenes from love and war comic books during a three-period starting in 1961. “The Ring (Engagement)” is from that series.
The work demonstrates the artist’s signature usage of Ben-Day dots, which are small colored dots that are either tightly spaced or widely spaced on a white background to trick the eye into seeing other hues. Widely spaced red dots, for example, would be perceived as pink.
The pricing of the bright red painting reflects a booming market for Lichtenstein’s works. Two years ago, Lichtenstein’s “Woman With Flowered Hat” sold for $56.1 million at Christie’s New York.
“The Ring (Engagement)” can be previewed at Sotheby’s Los Angeles today, March 26, and will hit the auction block at Sotheby's Contemporary Art Evening Sale on May 12 in New York.
Credits: “The Ring (Engagement)” photo via Sotheby’s; Roy Lichtenstein image via Wikicommons.
“The Ring (Engagement)” is one of Lichtenstein’s largest paintings at 48 inches by 70 inches and depicts a close-up view of a man placing a diamond engagement ring on a woman’s finely manicured finger. In the background is a web-like formation of tapered red crystals.
Interestingly, “The Ring (Engagement)” has had only two owners since Lichtenstein painted it in 1962. French collector Jean-Marie Rossi bought it from the artist’s gallery in 1963 for $1,000 and sold it for $2.2 million to Chicago businessman Stefan Edlis in 1997, the same year Lichtenstein passed away at the age of 74.
Edlis told The Wall Street Journal that “The Ring” has been hanging in his media room for years and was the first hand-painted Lichtenstein he ever bought. “I think it’s so sexy how he takes this quiet moment of a proposal and turns it into an exciting crash,” Edlis said. “Clearly, the woman accepted.”
Sotheby’s noted that the painting "encapsulates all of the major themes" in Lichtenstein's "most acclaimed and sustained body of work." The Manhattan-bred artist, who was a contemporary of Andy Warhol, often used comic strips and popular media as inspiration.
According to ArtNews.com, Lichtenstein created a series of paintings based on scenes from love and war comic books during a three-period starting in 1961. “The Ring (Engagement)” is from that series.
The work demonstrates the artist’s signature usage of Ben-Day dots, which are small colored dots that are either tightly spaced or widely spaced on a white background to trick the eye into seeing other hues. Widely spaced red dots, for example, would be perceived as pink.
The pricing of the bright red painting reflects a booming market for Lichtenstein’s works. Two years ago, Lichtenstein’s “Woman With Flowered Hat” sold for $56.1 million at Christie’s New York.
“The Ring (Engagement)” can be previewed at Sotheby’s Los Angeles today, March 26, and will hit the auction block at Sotheby's Contemporary Art Evening Sale on May 12 in New York.
Credits: “The Ring (Engagement)” photo via Sotheby’s; Roy Lichtenstein image via Wikicommons.
Friday 20 March 2015
Music Friday: Rascal Flatts Reveals The Magic That Happens When You Play A Country Song '
MARCH 20TH, 2015
Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you fun songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today, Rascal Flatts sings about the magic that happens when you play a country song backwards.
The fun 2006 ditty, appropriately titled “Backwards,” explains how playing a country song in reverse essentially gets you a free pass to hit the restart button on your adult life.
Sung from the point of view of a “old boy” who has been through hard times, “Backwards” delivers an up-tempo, foot-stomping laundry list of all the things he’d get back if he could magically rewrite his personal history. One of those things is a diamond ring.
Rascal Flatts’ lead vocalist Gary LaVox sings, “You get your hair back / You get your first and second wives back / Your front porch swing / Your pretty little thing / Your bling, bling, bling and a diamond ring.”
“Backwards” is the fourth track from Rascal Flatts' five-time platinum album Me and My Gang, which sold five million copies and scored the #1 spot on the U.S. Billboard Top 200 albums chart. The song also appeared three years later on the soundtrack of Hannah Montana: The Movie, which also hit #1 on the Billboard album chart.
The song is prominently featured in a pivotal scene when Miley Cyrus’ character, Miley Stewart, arrives home to find her extended family jamming to the song in her living room. She mimics a few lines from the song and then says, “I want my life back, Dad.” A clip of the scene in which the members of Rascal Flatts make a musical cameo is below.
Rascal Flatts, which is composed of Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney, was established in Columbus, Ohio, in 1999. The band is credited with a dozen #1 songs on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and is a top-selling touring act. The group sold more than 7 million tickets between 2004 and 2012.
We have two videos below. The first is an acoustic video of the group performing “Backwards.” The second is the clip from Hannah Montana: The Movie. The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along.
"Backwards"
Written by Marcel Francois Chagnon and Tony Carl Mullins. Performed by Rascal Flatts.
I was sittin' on a bar stool
In a barbecue joint in Tennessee
When this old boy walked in
And he sat right down next to me
I could tell he'd been through some hard times
There were tear stains on his old shirt
And he said, "You wanna know what you get
When you play a country song backwards?"
You get your house back
You get your dog back
You get your best friend Jack back
You get your truck back
You get your hair back
You get your first and second wives back
Your front porch swing
Your pretty little thing
Your bling, bling, bling and a diamond ring
You get your farm, and the barn
And the boat, and the Harley
First night in jail with Charlie
It sounds a little crazy
A little scattered and absurd
But that's what you get
When you play a country song backwards
Well, I never heard it said quite like that
It hit me in the face 'cause that's where I'm at
I almost fell flat out on the floor
He said, "Wait a minute, that's not all
There's even more."
You get your mind back
You get your nerves back
Your first heart attack back
You get your pride back
You get your life back
You get your first real love back
You get your big screen TV, a DVD
And a washing machine
You get the pond, and the lawn
And the bail, and the mower
You go back where you don't know her
It sounds a little crazy
A little scattered and absurd
But that's what you get
When you play a country song backwards
Oh play that song!
We sat there and shot the bull
About how it would be
If we could turn it all around
And change this C-R-A-P
You get your house back
You get your dog back
You get your best friend Jack back
You get your truck back
You get your hair back
You get your first and second wives back
Your front porch swing
Your pretty little thing
Your bling, bling, bling and a diamond ring
You get your farm, and the barn
And the boat, and the Harley
First night in jail with Charlie
You get your mind back
You get your nerves back
Your first heart attack back
You get your pride back
You get your life back
You get your first real love back
You get your big screen TV, a DVD
And a washing machine
You get the pond, and the lawn
And the bail, and the mower
You go back where you don't know her
It sounds a little crazy
A little scattered and absurd
But that's what you get
When you play a country song backwards
Here's the acoustic video of the song...
Below is the scene from Hannah Montana: The Movie...
Photo credit: By Bob James [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The fun 2006 ditty, appropriately titled “Backwards,” explains how playing a country song in reverse essentially gets you a free pass to hit the restart button on your adult life.
Sung from the point of view of a “old boy” who has been through hard times, “Backwards” delivers an up-tempo, foot-stomping laundry list of all the things he’d get back if he could magically rewrite his personal history. One of those things is a diamond ring.
Rascal Flatts’ lead vocalist Gary LaVox sings, “You get your hair back / You get your first and second wives back / Your front porch swing / Your pretty little thing / Your bling, bling, bling and a diamond ring.”
“Backwards” is the fourth track from Rascal Flatts' five-time platinum album Me and My Gang, which sold five million copies and scored the #1 spot on the U.S. Billboard Top 200 albums chart. The song also appeared three years later on the soundtrack of Hannah Montana: The Movie, which also hit #1 on the Billboard album chart.
The song is prominently featured in a pivotal scene when Miley Cyrus’ character, Miley Stewart, arrives home to find her extended family jamming to the song in her living room. She mimics a few lines from the song and then says, “I want my life back, Dad.” A clip of the scene in which the members of Rascal Flatts make a musical cameo is below.
Rascal Flatts, which is composed of Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney, was established in Columbus, Ohio, in 1999. The band is credited with a dozen #1 songs on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and is a top-selling touring act. The group sold more than 7 million tickets between 2004 and 2012.
We have two videos below. The first is an acoustic video of the group performing “Backwards.” The second is the clip from Hannah Montana: The Movie. The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along.
"Backwards"
Written by Marcel Francois Chagnon and Tony Carl Mullins. Performed by Rascal Flatts.
I was sittin' on a bar stool
In a barbecue joint in Tennessee
When this old boy walked in
And he sat right down next to me
I could tell he'd been through some hard times
There were tear stains on his old shirt
And he said, "You wanna know what you get
When you play a country song backwards?"
You get your house back
You get your dog back
You get your best friend Jack back
You get your truck back
You get your hair back
You get your first and second wives back
Your front porch swing
Your pretty little thing
Your bling, bling, bling and a diamond ring
You get your farm, and the barn
And the boat, and the Harley
First night in jail with Charlie
It sounds a little crazy
A little scattered and absurd
But that's what you get
When you play a country song backwards
Well, I never heard it said quite like that
It hit me in the face 'cause that's where I'm at
I almost fell flat out on the floor
He said, "Wait a minute, that's not all
There's even more."
You get your mind back
You get your nerves back
Your first heart attack back
You get your pride back
You get your life back
You get your first real love back
You get your big screen TV, a DVD
And a washing machine
You get the pond, and the lawn
And the bail, and the mower
You go back where you don't know her
It sounds a little crazy
A little scattered and absurd
But that's what you get
When you play a country song backwards
Oh play that song!
We sat there and shot the bull
About how it would be
If we could turn it all around
And change this C-R-A-P
You get your house back
You get your dog back
You get your best friend Jack back
You get your truck back
You get your hair back
You get your first and second wives back
Your front porch swing
Your pretty little thing
Your bling, bling, bling and a diamond ring
You get your farm, and the barn
And the boat, and the Harley
First night in jail with Charlie
You get your mind back
You get your nerves back
Your first heart attack back
You get your pride back
You get your life back
You get your first real love back
You get your big screen TV, a DVD
And a washing machine
You get the pond, and the lawn
And the bail, and the mower
You go back where you don't know her
It sounds a little crazy
A little scattered and absurd
But that's what you get
When you play a country song backwards
Here's the acoustic video of the song...
Below is the scene from Hannah Montana: The Movie...
Photo credit: By Bob James [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Wednesday 18 March 2015
Fashionable Neanderthals Wore Eagle Talon Jewelry 130,000 Years Ago, Say Anthropologists
MARCH 18TH, 2015
Anthropologists at the University of Kansas claim that fashionable Neanderthals wore handcrafted jewelry made from eagle talons 130,000 years ago. The eagle talon adornment, shown here, could very well be the world's oldest jewelry.
A new study published in the journal PLOS ONE suggests that the Neanderthals who predated modern humans were much more intelligent and style-conscious than previously believed.
Study author David Frayer, an anthropology professor at the University of Kansas, based this assumption on a collection of eight white-tailed eagle talons that were excavated 100 years ago from a cave in present-day Croatia.
At the time of the find, the talons didn’t seem to be unusual, but on further inspection, it was determined that the talons had notches and tool marks on them, indicating that they were strung together either as a necklace or bracelet.
"It really is absolutely stunning," Frayer told Live Science. "It fits in with this general picture that's emerging that Neanderthals were much more modern in their behavior."
The talons were just a few of the thousands of items extracted from a cave between 1899 and 1905 by Croatian scientist Dragutin Gorjanovic-Kramberger. Although the original find yielded valuable information about Neanderthals, the tooling that allowed the talons to be used for body ornamentation was discovered only recently.
"I was stunned," Frayer told CNN. "It's so obvious that these are cut."
Frayer and the co-authors of "Evidence for Neanderthal Jewelry: Modified White-tailed Eagle Claws at Krapina" surmised that the Neanderthals were also catching the eagles, whose talons they harvested for jewelry.
Even today, catching an eagle is no easy feat, so the anthropologists believe the Neanderthals must have developed excellent “planning skills and ritual” to pull off such a formidable challenge.
"Neanderthals are often thought of to be simple-minded mumbling, bumbling, stumbling fools," Frayer told CNN. "But the more we know about them the more sophisticated they've become."
Scientists believe that Neanderthals appeared in Eurasia between 200,000 and 250,000 years ago and died out about 40,000 years ago.
The model of an adult Neanderthal male (shown above) is on display in the Hall of Human Origins in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Credits: Talon jewelry: Luka Mjeda. Neanderthal: By reconstruction: John Gurche; photograph: Tim Evanson CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
A new study published in the journal PLOS ONE suggests that the Neanderthals who predated modern humans were much more intelligent and style-conscious than previously believed.
Study author David Frayer, an anthropology professor at the University of Kansas, based this assumption on a collection of eight white-tailed eagle talons that were excavated 100 years ago from a cave in present-day Croatia.
At the time of the find, the talons didn’t seem to be unusual, but on further inspection, it was determined that the talons had notches and tool marks on them, indicating that they were strung together either as a necklace or bracelet.
"It really is absolutely stunning," Frayer told Live Science. "It fits in with this general picture that's emerging that Neanderthals were much more modern in their behavior."
The talons were just a few of the thousands of items extracted from a cave between 1899 and 1905 by Croatian scientist Dragutin Gorjanovic-Kramberger. Although the original find yielded valuable information about Neanderthals, the tooling that allowed the talons to be used for body ornamentation was discovered only recently.
"I was stunned," Frayer told CNN. "It's so obvious that these are cut."
Frayer and the co-authors of "Evidence for Neanderthal Jewelry: Modified White-tailed Eagle Claws at Krapina" surmised that the Neanderthals were also catching the eagles, whose talons they harvested for jewelry.
Even today, catching an eagle is no easy feat, so the anthropologists believe the Neanderthals must have developed excellent “planning skills and ritual” to pull off such a formidable challenge.
"Neanderthals are often thought of to be simple-minded mumbling, bumbling, stumbling fools," Frayer told CNN. "But the more we know about them the more sophisticated they've become."
Scientists believe that Neanderthals appeared in Eurasia between 200,000 and 250,000 years ago and died out about 40,000 years ago.
The model of an adult Neanderthal male (shown above) is on display in the Hall of Human Origins in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Credits: Talon jewelry: Luka Mjeda. Neanderthal: By reconstruction: John Gurche; photograph: Tim Evanson CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Tuesday 17 March 2015
That’s Sweet! Japanese Candy Maker Mimics World Famous Diamonds in New Line of Edible Treats
MARCH 17TH, 2015
Utilizing a top-secret formula that gives its candy a flawless transparency, a Japanese confectioner has released a new line of premium treats that mimic the world’s most famous diamonds.
Among the notable diamonds replicated by Tokyo-based candy maker Ameya Eitaro are the 105-carat Koh-i-Noor and the unusual 16-sided, 36-carat Pasha of Egypt.
It took the company several years to come up with a candy formula that yielded the transparency to mimic a priceless jewel. Apparently, the firm used alternatives to conventional sugar and starch syrup.
Each candy jewel, which is said to have a “simple, sweet taste,” is packaged in a decorative jewelry box and sells for approximately $31. The Koh-i-Noor replica has a diameter of about 4mm (1.57 inches).
“Candies have always been something vibrant and shiny, and we wanted to develop them into products that resemble jewelry,” a spokeswoman at Eitaro Sohonpo Co. told the Wall Street Journal’s Japan Real Time blog.
The diamond candies made their debut last week at two of Japan’s high-end department stores — Ginza's Mitsukoshi and Isetan in Shinjuku. The release was timed to coincide with “White Day,” an annual celebration that comes on March 14, exactly a month after Valentine’s Day.
Unlike in the U.S., where Valentine’s Day marks a romantic gift exchange between men and women, Valentine’s Day in Japan is different. It’s designated as a special time for women to express their love by presenting gifts to men. White Day is the flip side, when men get a chance to reciprocate with gifts that are typically white in color, such as white chocolate, cookies, jewelry or, now, glistening candy diamonds.
Images: Courtesy of Eitaro Sohonpo Co.
Among the notable diamonds replicated by Tokyo-based candy maker Ameya Eitaro are the 105-carat Koh-i-Noor and the unusual 16-sided, 36-carat Pasha of Egypt.
It took the company several years to come up with a candy formula that yielded the transparency to mimic a priceless jewel. Apparently, the firm used alternatives to conventional sugar and starch syrup.
Each candy jewel, which is said to have a “simple, sweet taste,” is packaged in a decorative jewelry box and sells for approximately $31. The Koh-i-Noor replica has a diameter of about 4mm (1.57 inches).
“Candies have always been something vibrant and shiny, and we wanted to develop them into products that resemble jewelry,” a spokeswoman at Eitaro Sohonpo Co. told the Wall Street Journal’s Japan Real Time blog.
The diamond candies made their debut last week at two of Japan’s high-end department stores — Ginza's Mitsukoshi and Isetan in Shinjuku. The release was timed to coincide with “White Day,” an annual celebration that comes on March 14, exactly a month after Valentine’s Day.
Unlike in the U.S., where Valentine’s Day marks a romantic gift exchange between men and women, Valentine’s Day in Japan is different. It’s designated as a special time for women to express their love by presenting gifts to men. White Day is the flip side, when men get a chance to reciprocate with gifts that are typically white in color, such as white chocolate, cookies, jewelry or, now, glistening candy diamonds.
Images: Courtesy of Eitaro Sohonpo Co.
Monday 16 March 2015
Survey: Engagement Ring Spending Jumps 5% to $5,855; Average Wedding Costs Now Exceed $31,000
MARCH 16TH, 2015
Couples spent an average of $5,855 on their engagement rings in 2014, an increase of 5% compared to 2013, according to a national survey of 16,000 newly married brides conducted by The Knot.
Overall wedding budgets are also on the rise, with the average tab in 2014 coming in at $31,213, up from $29,858 in 2013. By far, the biggest part of the wedding budget was dedicated to the venue, with the reception hall costs tallying $14,007, a jump from $13,385 a year before.
The engagement ring ranked as the bridal couple’s second-highest expense, followed by the reception band ($3,587), photographer ($2,556), florist/décor ($2,141), wedding/event planner ($1,973), ceremony site ($1,901), videographer ($1,794), wedding dress ($1,357), rehearsal dinner ($1,206), reception DJ ($1,124), transportation/limousine ($767), ceremony musicians ($637), wedding cake ($555) and invitations ($439). The honeymoon was not included in these statistics.
Although wedding budgets are on the rise, guest lists are shrinking. “The average wedding now has 136 guests, down from 149 in 2009," said Rebecca Dolgin, Editor in Chief of The Knot. "Couples are focusing on creating an amazing guest experience and reception details, including finding unique venues to reflect their personality."
According to The Knot, more and more bridal couples are stepping out of the box to find unusual wedding sites — such as historic buildings/homes (14%) and farms (6%) — that better reflect their personalities. This compares to the more conventional, and still popular, venues, such as banquet halls (22%), country clubs (11%) and hotels (11%).
Certainly, regional factors play a big part in what a wedding will cost. The most expensive places to get married are Manhattan ($76,328) and Long Island ($55,327), while the least expensive places to tie the knot are Utah ($15,257) and Arkansas ($18,031).
The Knot reported that the bride’s parents and the bridal couple each contributed equally (43%) toward wedding expenses. The groom’s parents pitched in for 12% and “others” accounted for the remaining 2%.
Other fun facts pulled from the survey results include the following:
• The average marrying age is 29 for a bride and 31 for a groom. The oldest brides are from Nevada (32.7) and New York City (32), while the youngest brides hail from West Virginia (26.8) and Kentucky (26.9).
• The average length of an engagement is 14 months. Brides from Utah and West Texas reported the shortest engagements (10 and 9.9 months, respectively), while brides from Northern New Jersey and western Pennsylvania reported the longest engagements (18 and 17.5 months, respectively).
• The most popular month to get engaged is December (16%).
• The most popular months to get married are June (15%), October (14%).
The Knot’s “2014 Real Weddings Survey” reflects the responses of nearly 16,000 U.S. brides married between January 1 and December 31, 2014.
http://www.joantaras.com
Image: BigStockPhoto.com
Overall wedding budgets are also on the rise, with the average tab in 2014 coming in at $31,213, up from $29,858 in 2013. By far, the biggest part of the wedding budget was dedicated to the venue, with the reception hall costs tallying $14,007, a jump from $13,385 a year before.
The engagement ring ranked as the bridal couple’s second-highest expense, followed by the reception band ($3,587), photographer ($2,556), florist/décor ($2,141), wedding/event planner ($1,973), ceremony site ($1,901), videographer ($1,794), wedding dress ($1,357), rehearsal dinner ($1,206), reception DJ ($1,124), transportation/limousine ($767), ceremony musicians ($637), wedding cake ($555) and invitations ($439). The honeymoon was not included in these statistics.
Although wedding budgets are on the rise, guest lists are shrinking. “The average wedding now has 136 guests, down from 149 in 2009," said Rebecca Dolgin, Editor in Chief of The Knot. "Couples are focusing on creating an amazing guest experience and reception details, including finding unique venues to reflect their personality."
According to The Knot, more and more bridal couples are stepping out of the box to find unusual wedding sites — such as historic buildings/homes (14%) and farms (6%) — that better reflect their personalities. This compares to the more conventional, and still popular, venues, such as banquet halls (22%), country clubs (11%) and hotels (11%).
Certainly, regional factors play a big part in what a wedding will cost. The most expensive places to get married are Manhattan ($76,328) and Long Island ($55,327), while the least expensive places to tie the knot are Utah ($15,257) and Arkansas ($18,031).
The Knot reported that the bride’s parents and the bridal couple each contributed equally (43%) toward wedding expenses. The groom’s parents pitched in for 12% and “others” accounted for the remaining 2%.
Other fun facts pulled from the survey results include the following:
• The average marrying age is 29 for a bride and 31 for a groom. The oldest brides are from Nevada (32.7) and New York City (32), while the youngest brides hail from West Virginia (26.8) and Kentucky (26.9).
• The average length of an engagement is 14 months. Brides from Utah and West Texas reported the shortest engagements (10 and 9.9 months, respectively), while brides from Northern New Jersey and western Pennsylvania reported the longest engagements (18 and 17.5 months, respectively).
• The most popular month to get engaged is December (16%).
• The most popular months to get married are June (15%), October (14%).
The Knot’s “2014 Real Weddings Survey” reflects the responses of nearly 16,000 U.S. brides married between January 1 and December 31, 2014.
http://www.joantaras.com
Image: BigStockPhoto.com
Friday 13 March 2015
Music Friday: Sleeping With Sirens’ Kellin Quinn Has a 24-Karat Vision of Success in the Brand New Release, ‘Gold’
MARCH 13TH, 2015
Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you awesome songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, Sleeping With Sirens' frontman Kellin Quinn has a 24-karat vision of success in the group’s brand new single, “Gold.”
Released on Wednesday with an exclusive premiere on Billboard.com, “Gold” alludes to the band's six-year-long, often-bumpy ride to the top of the charts, and how they overcame adversity and never took their eyes off the prize.
Quinn explained his inspirations for writing the song.
“It kind of goes back to those early days of us touring in a van and the experience of touring, getting where you needed to go, not being afraid," Quinn told Billboard.com. "When you're coming up as a band you have this excitement. The only place to go is forward. So that was kind of the idea for me, thinking about the climb and the getting there, some of the most exciting parts of the journey of being in a band and being an artist, creating songs in your garage. That's where the song started for me."
Showcasing his unique tenor leggiero vocal range, Quinn sings, “We made our mistakes / It's not too late / We had to learn the hard way / Bridges will burn / Now it's our turn / We had to learn the hard way / Because all we ever want is gold.”
“Gold” is the third track from the band’s album, Madness, which is set to release on March 17. Billboard.com is predicting that Madness will debut in the top 5 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The band’s previous album made its debut at #3 on the album chart.
Sleeping With Sirens, which boasts three million Facebook followers, is currently on the European leg of a five-month world tour, which started in Fresno, Calif., in November and will end in London next month.
We invite you to listen to Quinn and his band singing “Gold.” The video and lyrics are below…
"Gold"
Written by Kellin Quinn. Performed by Sleeping With Sirens.
All we want, what we want is
All we want is gold
Sun sets on my nylon
Pull the windows down in the van
Lost my map on the Jersey turnpike
But it's okay we ain't looking back
All we ever want is gold
One way on this winding road
We made our mistakes
It's not too late
We had to learn the hard way
Bridges will burn
Now it's our turn
We had to learn the hard way
Because all we ever want is gold
We made our mistakes
It's not too late
We had to learn the hard way
It's two in the morning
Can't seem to find the words for a song
I remember my dreams and how fun they seem
I can't believe how far we have come
Cause all we ever want is gold
So is sixty miles on this open road
We made our mistakes
It's not too late
We had to learn the hard way
Bridges will burn
Now it's our turn
We had to learn the hard way
Because all we ever want is gold
We made our mistakes
It's not too late
We had to learn the hard way
Don't lose your faith in me (Don't ever look like, don't ever look like)
It's never what it seems
You make your mistakes
But it's never too late
We had to learn the hard way
You made your mistakes
It's not too late
You had to learn the hard way
Bridges will burn
Now it's your turn
You had to learn the hard way
Cause all we ever want is gold
All we ever want is gold (We had to learn the hard way)
All we want, what we want is
All we want is gold
All we want, what we want is
All we want is gold
Image: Facebook/SleepingWithSirens
Released on Wednesday with an exclusive premiere on Billboard.com, “Gold” alludes to the band's six-year-long, often-bumpy ride to the top of the charts, and how they overcame adversity and never took their eyes off the prize.
Quinn explained his inspirations for writing the song.
“It kind of goes back to those early days of us touring in a van and the experience of touring, getting where you needed to go, not being afraid," Quinn told Billboard.com. "When you're coming up as a band you have this excitement. The only place to go is forward. So that was kind of the idea for me, thinking about the climb and the getting there, some of the most exciting parts of the journey of being in a band and being an artist, creating songs in your garage. That's where the song started for me."
Showcasing his unique tenor leggiero vocal range, Quinn sings, “We made our mistakes / It's not too late / We had to learn the hard way / Bridges will burn / Now it's our turn / We had to learn the hard way / Because all we ever want is gold.”
“Gold” is the third track from the band’s album, Madness, which is set to release on March 17. Billboard.com is predicting that Madness will debut in the top 5 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The band’s previous album made its debut at #3 on the album chart.
Sleeping With Sirens, which boasts three million Facebook followers, is currently on the European leg of a five-month world tour, which started in Fresno, Calif., in November and will end in London next month.
We invite you to listen to Quinn and his band singing “Gold.” The video and lyrics are below…
"Gold"
Written by Kellin Quinn. Performed by Sleeping With Sirens.
All we want, what we want is
All we want is gold
Sun sets on my nylon
Pull the windows down in the van
Lost my map on the Jersey turnpike
But it's okay we ain't looking back
All we ever want is gold
One way on this winding road
We made our mistakes
It's not too late
We had to learn the hard way
Bridges will burn
Now it's our turn
We had to learn the hard way
Because all we ever want is gold
We made our mistakes
It's not too late
We had to learn the hard way
It's two in the morning
Can't seem to find the words for a song
I remember my dreams and how fun they seem
I can't believe how far we have come
Cause all we ever want is gold
So is sixty miles on this open road
We made our mistakes
It's not too late
We had to learn the hard way
Bridges will burn
Now it's our turn
We had to learn the hard way
Because all we ever want is gold
We made our mistakes
It's not too late
We had to learn the hard way
Don't lose your faith in me (Don't ever look like, don't ever look like)
It's never what it seems
You make your mistakes
But it's never too late
We had to learn the hard way
You made your mistakes
It's not too late
You had to learn the hard way
Bridges will burn
Now it's your turn
You had to learn the hard way
Cause all we ever want is gold
All we ever want is gold (We had to learn the hard way)
All we want, what we want is
All we want is gold
All we want, what we want is
All we want is gold
Image: Facebook/SleepingWithSirens
Thursday 12 March 2015
Israeli Cave Explorers Find Cache of Silver Jewelry and Coins Dating Back More Than 2,300 Years
MARCH 12TH, 2015
Three spelunkers exploring a stalactite cave in Israel’s Galilee region found a cache of silver jewelry and coins dating back to the era of Alexander the Great — more than 2,300 years ago.
The jewelry included a pair of intricately crafted silver earrings, as well as unusual rings and an assortment of bangle bracelets. The coins feature an image of Alexander the Great, who conquered the region in the late fourth century B.C. The opposite side of the coin has an image of Zeus sitting on his throne, arm raised as if he were throwing a lightening bolt.
The earrings were of particular interest to the Israeli Antiquities Authority (IAA) due to their remarkably good condition and detailed workmanship.
IAA authorities believe that refugees hiding during a period of governmental unrest after the death of Alexander stashed the items in the cave with the intention of returning to claim them at a later time.
“Presumably, the cache was hidden in the hope of better days,” the IAA said in a statement, “but today we know that whoever buried the treasure never returned to collect it.”
Dr. Eitan Klein, deputy director of the Unit for the Prevention of Antiquities Robbery, noted that the quality of the items seem to indicate that the refugees may have been affluent. “The items were expensive, both in ancient times and today," he said, adding that the style of silver rings has not been seen before.
A set of agate beads found inside a clay oil lamp was particularly well preserved, according to Klein. "They look brand new, like they were just bought," he said.
Three members of the Israeli Caving Club — Reuven Zakai, his son Chen Zakai, and friend Lior Haloney — are credited with the discovery. After wriggling through a narrow passageway, Chen spotted a silver shiny object peeking out from a small crevice.
The jewelry and coins were originally stashed in a cloth bag, according the IAA. The bag had deteriorated after 2,300 years, but the silver jewelry and coins were in remarkably good condition and will give archaeologists new insights into the society of ancient Israeli.
The caving club members immediately reported their discovery to the IAA, which explored the site and found addition artifacts, some dating back 6,000 years.
The exact location of the find will remain a secret to prevent looting. http://www.joantaras.com
Images: Israeli Antiquities Authority; screen captures via CNN.com.
The jewelry included a pair of intricately crafted silver earrings, as well as unusual rings and an assortment of bangle bracelets. The coins feature an image of Alexander the Great, who conquered the region in the late fourth century B.C. The opposite side of the coin has an image of Zeus sitting on his throne, arm raised as if he were throwing a lightening bolt.
The earrings were of particular interest to the Israeli Antiquities Authority (IAA) due to their remarkably good condition and detailed workmanship.
IAA authorities believe that refugees hiding during a period of governmental unrest after the death of Alexander stashed the items in the cave with the intention of returning to claim them at a later time.
“Presumably, the cache was hidden in the hope of better days,” the IAA said in a statement, “but today we know that whoever buried the treasure never returned to collect it.”
Dr. Eitan Klein, deputy director of the Unit for the Prevention of Antiquities Robbery, noted that the quality of the items seem to indicate that the refugees may have been affluent. “The items were expensive, both in ancient times and today," he said, adding that the style of silver rings has not been seen before.
A set of agate beads found inside a clay oil lamp was particularly well preserved, according to Klein. "They look brand new, like they were just bought," he said.
Three members of the Israeli Caving Club — Reuven Zakai, his son Chen Zakai, and friend Lior Haloney — are credited with the discovery. After wriggling through a narrow passageway, Chen spotted a silver shiny object peeking out from a small crevice.
The jewelry and coins were originally stashed in a cloth bag, according the IAA. The bag had deteriorated after 2,300 years, but the silver jewelry and coins were in remarkably good condition and will give archaeologists new insights into the society of ancient Israeli.
The caving club members immediately reported their discovery to the IAA, which explored the site and found addition artifacts, some dating back 6,000 years.
The exact location of the find will remain a secret to prevent looting. http://www.joantaras.com
Images: Israeli Antiquities Authority; screen captures via CNN.com.
Wednesday 11 March 2015
MARCH 11TH, 2015
Millions of Girl Scouts — both former and present — are encouraged to wear pearls this week to honor the 100th anniversary of founder Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low's selfless act of generosity that allowed the organization to survive and prosper.
In 1915, only three years after its inception, the growing organization was in desperate need of funds. To support the movement for another year, Low sold her dearly loved natural pearls — a wedding present from her husband — for $8,000.
A photo portrait of Low featured on a Girl Scout regional website shows the founder wearing what appears to be a 30-inch-long rope of matched natural pearls. These could very well be the pearls she used to finance her organization. According to various sources, Low dedicated almost all of her personal assets to pay for the expenses of the movement.
The magnitude of her sacrifice comes into clearer focus when one translates what $8,000 would be worth in today’s dollars. The answer is a staggering $185,989.
We can fairly assume that her pearls were natural because the patent for the process of culturing pearls would be granted to Japan’s Tokichi Nishikawa one year later, in 1916.
On March 12, 1912, 18 girls from Savannah, Ga., gathered for what would be the first meeting of Girl Scouts (then called the Girl Guides). Under Low’s leadership, the Girl Guides were incorporated as Girl Scouts, Inc., in 1915, and rapidly grew to include 10,000 girls in 328 cities by 1916, according to The New York Times.
Now in its 103rd year, the organization claims that more than 59 million American women have been part of Girl Scouting at some point in their lives.
Many young scouts will be receiving faux pearl necklaces during Girl Scout Week, which runs through March 14. The pearl gifts are intended to inspire the girls to continue Low’s legacy by “giving back” through service projects.
Photo portrait of Juliette Gordon Low via GirlScoutsCCC.org; Other images: Wikicommons.
In 1915, only three years after its inception, the growing organization was in desperate need of funds. To support the movement for another year, Low sold her dearly loved natural pearls — a wedding present from her husband — for $8,000.
A photo portrait of Low featured on a Girl Scout regional website shows the founder wearing what appears to be a 30-inch-long rope of matched natural pearls. These could very well be the pearls she used to finance her organization. According to various sources, Low dedicated almost all of her personal assets to pay for the expenses of the movement.
The magnitude of her sacrifice comes into clearer focus when one translates what $8,000 would be worth in today’s dollars. The answer is a staggering $185,989.
We can fairly assume that her pearls were natural because the patent for the process of culturing pearls would be granted to Japan’s Tokichi Nishikawa one year later, in 1916.
On March 12, 1912, 18 girls from Savannah, Ga., gathered for what would be the first meeting of Girl Scouts (then called the Girl Guides). Under Low’s leadership, the Girl Guides were incorporated as Girl Scouts, Inc., in 1915, and rapidly grew to include 10,000 girls in 328 cities by 1916, according to The New York Times.
Now in its 103rd year, the organization claims that more than 59 million American women have been part of Girl Scouting at some point in their lives.
Many young scouts will be receiving faux pearl necklaces during Girl Scout Week, which runs through March 14. The pearl gifts are intended to inspire the girls to continue Low’s legacy by “giving back” through service projects.
Photo portrait of Juliette Gordon Low via GirlScoutsCCC.org; Other images: Wikicommons.
Tuesday 10 March 2015
Aussie Man Unearths 87-Ounce Nugget Using Metal Detector, Hopes 'Fair Dinkum' Is Worth Twice Its Weight in Gold
MARCH 10TH, 2015
An Aussie prospector struck it rich when his metal detector pinpointed the location of an 87-ounce gold nugget that was buried barely six inches under the surface near the famous gold-bearing town of Wedderburn in Central Victoria.
The “Fair Dinkum” nugget has a precious metal value of nearly $102,000, but 42-year-old Mick Brown from Kerang, Australia, believes his nugget will be worth twice that much to the right collector.
"Sometimes they do say, “Gold is worth twice its weight in gold if it's a really nice looking nugget,’" he told The Age.
Brown is confident his nugget will earn top dollar. “It’s got good grooves and moves,” he said.
In October 2014, a 97-ounce gold nugget found with a metal detector in Northern California’s fabled Gold Rush Country was sold to an anonymous buyer for $400,000.
Gold prospectors like to name their memorable finds, and Brown is no exception. He’s calling his nugget “Fair Dinkum,” an Aussie term that means “for real.”
Brown told The Age that when people feel its weight they say, "Fair dinkum this is huge.”
The lucky Aussie must thank his wife for encouraging him to get out of the house on the day he found the nugget. According to Brown’s account in The Age, he was irritable because he was a couple of weeks into giving up smoking. His wife advised him to leave the house for some fresh air. He ended up traveling 64 miles south to Wedderburn — a location he had prospected before.
Brown described how his metal detector reacted to the huge chunk of gold in the ground. “That just blew me ears off, as you can imagine,” he said, referring to the alert signal from the device.
After digging down only about six inches, he was able to grab onto the horn-like protrusions of the “Fair Dinkum” nugget and pulled it from the ground.
At first he thought it was a big blob of copper, but then he realized it was gold. He “cracked a can” (drank a beer) to celebrate.
Brown did not reveal the exact location of his find for fear of starting a gold rush. He wasn’t shy, however, about showing off the “Fair Dinkum” nugget.
"[Am I supposed to say,] 'Yeah, I've found a nugget, but you can't look at it?'" he quipped. "It's cool [to show it], and it's given everyone a good little rev up."
Brown reported that with the money earned from the sale of the nugget he will purchase a home spa for his wife and four daughters.
Despite his big payday, Brown is still motivated to bring home an even bigger nugget one day. "There are some big 10 kilo jobs out there," he said.
Brown’s “Fair Dinkum” — although sizeable — is far from the largest nugget to emerge from the Aussie countryside. In 1981, the 256-ounce “Pride of Australia” was unearthed nearby in Mosquito Gully, just north of Wedderburn. Images: Screen captures via 9NEWS, Australia http://joantaras.com
The “Fair Dinkum” nugget has a precious metal value of nearly $102,000, but 42-year-old Mick Brown from Kerang, Australia, believes his nugget will be worth twice that much to the right collector.
"Sometimes they do say, “Gold is worth twice its weight in gold if it's a really nice looking nugget,’" he told The Age.
Brown is confident his nugget will earn top dollar. “It’s got good grooves and moves,” he said.
In October 2014, a 97-ounce gold nugget found with a metal detector in Northern California’s fabled Gold Rush Country was sold to an anonymous buyer for $400,000.
Gold prospectors like to name their memorable finds, and Brown is no exception. He’s calling his nugget “Fair Dinkum,” an Aussie term that means “for real.”
Brown told The Age that when people feel its weight they say, "Fair dinkum this is huge.”
The lucky Aussie must thank his wife for encouraging him to get out of the house on the day he found the nugget. According to Brown’s account in The Age, he was irritable because he was a couple of weeks into giving up smoking. His wife advised him to leave the house for some fresh air. He ended up traveling 64 miles south to Wedderburn — a location he had prospected before.
Brown described how his metal detector reacted to the huge chunk of gold in the ground. “That just blew me ears off, as you can imagine,” he said, referring to the alert signal from the device.
After digging down only about six inches, he was able to grab onto the horn-like protrusions of the “Fair Dinkum” nugget and pulled it from the ground.
At first he thought it was a big blob of copper, but then he realized it was gold. He “cracked a can” (drank a beer) to celebrate.
Brown did not reveal the exact location of his find for fear of starting a gold rush. He wasn’t shy, however, about showing off the “Fair Dinkum” nugget.
"[Am I supposed to say,] 'Yeah, I've found a nugget, but you can't look at it?'" he quipped. "It's cool [to show it], and it's given everyone a good little rev up."
Brown reported that with the money earned from the sale of the nugget he will purchase a home spa for his wife and four daughters.
Despite his big payday, Brown is still motivated to bring home an even bigger nugget one day. "There are some big 10 kilo jobs out there," he said.
Brown’s “Fair Dinkum” — although sizeable — is far from the largest nugget to emerge from the Aussie countryside. In 1981, the 256-ounce “Pride of Australia” was unearthed nearby in Mosquito Gully, just north of Wedderburn. Images: Screen captures via 9NEWS, Australia http://joantaras.com
Monday 9 March 2015
'The Bachelor' Will Propose Tonight With This Double-Halo-Style Diamond Engagement Ring
Fans of The Bachelor are eagerly awaiting tonight’s Season 19 finale when hunky Chris Soules will propose marriage to beautiful Whitney Bischoff or Becca Tilley with a double-halo-style diamond engagement ring.
Bischoff, a fertility nurse from Chicago, is the odds-on favorite to win the heart of Soules, a stylish farmer from Iowa. At stake is an east-west-set emerald-cut diamond ring adorned with smaller round diamonds around the halos and along the band, which is likely crafted in 18-karat white gold or platinum. Glamour’s Kim Fusaro estimated the weight of the center diamond at 1.5 carats.
ABC offered a sneak peek of the engagement ring in a preview aired on last Monday’s Women Tell All special. The preview seems to indicate that Soules — unlike his predecessor, Juan Pablo Galavis — does, indeed, pick a winner in the season’s final rose ceremony.
In Season 18’s controversial finale, Galavis stunned pediatric nurse Nikki Ferrell when he said, “I have a ring here in my pocket and I'm not going to use it. I'm not 100% sure I want to propose to you, but at the same time I'm 100% sure I don't want to let you go."
Tonight’s episode should prove to be a little less dramatic, and either Bischoff or Tilley will emerge with a ring. Whether the winner will ever walk down the aisle with The Bachelor is a harder question to answer.
After 10 years of ABC's romantic matchmaking (18 seasons of The Bachelor and 10 seasons of The Bachelorette) only one couple — Sean Lowe and Catherine Giudici of The Bachelor Season 17 — has tied the knot.
More than 8.5 million viewers are expected to tune in to the three-hour finale.
Images: Screen captures and publicity photos via ABC-TV
Bischoff, a fertility nurse from Chicago, is the odds-on favorite to win the heart of Soules, a stylish farmer from Iowa. At stake is an east-west-set emerald-cut diamond ring adorned with smaller round diamonds around the halos and along the band, which is likely crafted in 18-karat white gold or platinum. Glamour’s Kim Fusaro estimated the weight of the center diamond at 1.5 carats.
ABC offered a sneak peek of the engagement ring in a preview aired on last Monday’s Women Tell All special. The preview seems to indicate that Soules — unlike his predecessor, Juan Pablo Galavis — does, indeed, pick a winner in the season’s final rose ceremony.
In Season 18’s controversial finale, Galavis stunned pediatric nurse Nikki Ferrell when he said, “I have a ring here in my pocket and I'm not going to use it. I'm not 100% sure I want to propose to you, but at the same time I'm 100% sure I don't want to let you go."
Tonight’s episode should prove to be a little less dramatic, and either Bischoff or Tilley will emerge with a ring. Whether the winner will ever walk down the aisle with The Bachelor is a harder question to answer.
After 10 years of ABC's romantic matchmaking (18 seasons of The Bachelor and 10 seasons of The Bachelorette) only one couple — Sean Lowe and Catherine Giudici of The Bachelor Season 17 — has tied the knot.
More than 8.5 million viewers are expected to tune in to the three-hour finale.
Images: Screen captures and publicity photos via ABC-TV
Friday 6 March 2015
MARCH 6TH, 2015
An Aussie bride interrupted her own wedding ceremony to perform an impressive rendition of Meghan Trainor’s brand new doo-wop-inspired release, “Dear Future Husband,” a song that lists a number of factors her beau needs to know about her before tying the knot.
Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you great songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Despite the fact that “Dear Future Husband” was officially released only three days ago, fans of Trainor are already familiar with the ditty’s sing-along catchphrase, “Buy me a ring, buy-buy me a ring, (babe).”
The bride from Adelaide, Tiffany Turner, is a huge Meghan Trainor fan — so much so that she decided to interrupt the clergywoman at her own wedding to serenade her husband-to-be William Banton with a few lyrical words of wisdom.
The picturesque wedding ceremony at the Old Wisanger School on Kangaroo Island in South Australia started as many others, with the clergywoman stating, “Ladies and gentlemen, William and Tiffany have declared before us that they will live together in matr--.”
But, before she could complete the word “matrimony,” Turner cut in.
“Vicky,” she said. “I forgot something...”
Then, one of Turner’s bridesmaids helped her secure a head-worn microphone, the music started and the rest is YouTube history.
Turner’s performance of “Dear Future Husband” became a viral hit on the video-sharing website, with more than 121,000 views. What’s even more impressive is that Meghan Trainor herself saw the video and offered the couple her best wishes via Twitter.
On January 19, Trainor tweeted, “Congrats you too,” although she probably meant to say, “Congrats, you two.” Nevertheless, the talented bride — who happens to be the proprietor of kids party entertainment company “Bop Till You Drop” — was floored by the response.
“Feeling famous, love it!” Turner commented on Twitter.
“Dear Future Husband” is the third single released from Trainor’s studio album Title, which made its debut in January at the top of the Billboard 200 Album chart.
Turner’s cover of Trainor’s soon-to-be Top 40 hit is guaranteed to make you smile. Check out the video and lyrics below. We’re also providing a second video of Trainor’s original version. The official music video has yet to be released, but the audio-only version has been viewed 25.5 million times. Enjoy.
"Dear Future Husband"Written by Meghan Trainor and Kevin Kadish. Performed by Meghan Trainor.
Dear future husband,
Here's a few things
You'll need to know if you wanna be
My one and only all my life
Take me on a date
I deserve it, babe
And don't forget the flowers every anniversary
'Cause if you'll treat me right
I'll be the perfect wife
Buying groceries
Buy-buying what you need
You got that 9 to 5
But, baby, so do I
So don't be thinking I'll be home and baking apple pies
I never learned to cook
But I can write a hook
Sing along with me
Sing-sing along with me (hey)
You gotta know how to treat me like a lady
Even when I'm acting crazy
Tell me everything's alright
Dear future husband,
Here's a few things you'll need to know if you wanna be
My one and only all my life
Dear future husband,
If you wanna get that special lovin'
Tell me I'm beautiful each and every night
After every fight
Just apologize
And maybe then I'll let you try and rock my body right
Even if I was wrong
You know I'm never wrong
Why disagree?
Why, why disagree?
You gotta know how to treat me like a lady
Even when I'm acting crazy
Tell me everything's alright
Dear future husband,
Here's a few things
You'll need to know if you wanna be
My one and only all my life (hey, baby)
Dear future husband,
Make time for me
Don't leave me lonely
And know we'll never see your family more than mine
I'll be sleeping on the left side of the bed (hey)
Open doors for me and you might get some kisses
Don't have a dirty mind
Just be a classy guy
Buy me a ring
Buy-buy me a ring, (babe)
You gotta know how to treat me like a lady
Even when I'm acting crazy
Tell me everything's alright
Dear future husband,
Here's a few things
You'll need to know if you wanna be
My one and only all my life
Dear future husband,
If you wanna get that special loving
Tell me I'm beautiful each and every night
Future husband, better love me right
Images: Youtube screen captures, Facebook/TiffanyBanton
Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you great songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Despite the fact that “Dear Future Husband” was officially released only three days ago, fans of Trainor are already familiar with the ditty’s sing-along catchphrase, “Buy me a ring, buy-buy me a ring, (babe).”
The bride from Adelaide, Tiffany Turner, is a huge Meghan Trainor fan — so much so that she decided to interrupt the clergywoman at her own wedding to serenade her husband-to-be William Banton with a few lyrical words of wisdom.
The picturesque wedding ceremony at the Old Wisanger School on Kangaroo Island in South Australia started as many others, with the clergywoman stating, “Ladies and gentlemen, William and Tiffany have declared before us that they will live together in matr--.”
But, before she could complete the word “matrimony,” Turner cut in.
“Vicky,” she said. “I forgot something...”
Then, one of Turner’s bridesmaids helped her secure a head-worn microphone, the music started and the rest is YouTube history.
Turner’s performance of “Dear Future Husband” became a viral hit on the video-sharing website, with more than 121,000 views. What’s even more impressive is that Meghan Trainor herself saw the video and offered the couple her best wishes via Twitter.
On January 19, Trainor tweeted, “Congrats you too,” although she probably meant to say, “Congrats, you two.” Nevertheless, the talented bride — who happens to be the proprietor of kids party entertainment company “Bop Till You Drop” — was floored by the response.
“Feeling famous, love it!” Turner commented on Twitter.
“Dear Future Husband” is the third single released from Trainor’s studio album Title, which made its debut in January at the top of the Billboard 200 Album chart.
Turner’s cover of Trainor’s soon-to-be Top 40 hit is guaranteed to make you smile. Check out the video and lyrics below. We’re also providing a second video of Trainor’s original version. The official music video has yet to be released, but the audio-only version has been viewed 25.5 million times. Enjoy.
"Dear Future Husband"Written by Meghan Trainor and Kevin Kadish. Performed by Meghan Trainor.
Dear future husband,
Here's a few things
You'll need to know if you wanna be
My one and only all my life
Take me on a date
I deserve it, babe
And don't forget the flowers every anniversary
'Cause if you'll treat me right
I'll be the perfect wife
Buying groceries
Buy-buying what you need
You got that 9 to 5
But, baby, so do I
So don't be thinking I'll be home and baking apple pies
I never learned to cook
But I can write a hook
Sing along with me
Sing-sing along with me (hey)
You gotta know how to treat me like a lady
Even when I'm acting crazy
Tell me everything's alright
Dear future husband,
Here's a few things you'll need to know if you wanna be
My one and only all my life
Dear future husband,
If you wanna get that special lovin'
Tell me I'm beautiful each and every night
After every fight
Just apologize
And maybe then I'll let you try and rock my body right
Even if I was wrong
You know I'm never wrong
Why disagree?
Why, why disagree?
You gotta know how to treat me like a lady
Even when I'm acting crazy
Tell me everything's alright
Dear future husband,
Here's a few things
You'll need to know if you wanna be
My one and only all my life (hey, baby)
Dear future husband,
Make time for me
Don't leave me lonely
And know we'll never see your family more than mine
I'll be sleeping on the left side of the bed (hey)
Open doors for me and you might get some kisses
Don't have a dirty mind
Just be a classy guy
Buy me a ring
Buy-buy me a ring, (babe)
You gotta know how to treat me like a lady
Even when I'm acting crazy
Tell me everything's alright
Dear future husband,
Here's a few things
You'll need to know if you wanna be
My one and only all my life
Dear future husband,
If you wanna get that special loving
Tell me I'm beautiful each and every night
Future husband, better love me right
Images: Youtube screen captures, Facebook/TiffanyBanton
Thursday 5 March 2015
‘Kimberley Sunset’ in Pink Gold Is First Aussie Coin Set With a Pink Diamond
MARCH 5TH, 2015
An Argyle pink diamond represents the sun setting behind an iconic 1,500-year-old boab tree in a brand new — and strikingly unusual — 22-karat pink gold coin unveiled Tuesday by The Perth Mint.
Each coin in the limited mintage of 500 is hand set with a round .04-carat pink diamond. This is the first time a diamond has been incorporated into the design of an Australian legal tender gold coin. (See coin jewelry at http://joantaras.com/Bracelets/double-chain-coin-bracelet)
Named “Kimberley Sunset,” the stunning two-ounce coins celebrate the Kimberley region of Western Australia, where spectacular sunsets ignite the evening sky with vivid pink, orange, red, purple and blue hues.
Kimberley is also home of Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine, which has produced 90% of the world’s pink diamonds, but is expected to cease operations in about five years.
The 22-karat pink coins are made from 91.67% gold and 8.33% copper. (The copper gives the coin its the pink color). Each coin contains two ounces of pure gold.
Each proof-quality coin has a denominational value of $500, but costs $6,000 to purchase.
The face of the coin features a beautiful high-relief rendering of a boab tree, which famously live 1,500 years or longer in the Aussie wilderness. The pink diamond is set just above the horizon on the left side of the coin. Etched sunrays radiate from the gem. Around the edge of the coin is the phrase “KIMBERLEY SUNSET," the year "2015," and the designation “2oz FINE GOLD.”
The coin’s obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Elizabeth II encircled by the Queen's name, the country of origin and the monetary denomination of "500 DOLLARS."
Each coin is housed in a black designer case and is accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity.
Images: The Perth Mint, YouTube screen capture
Each coin in the limited mintage of 500 is hand set with a round .04-carat pink diamond. This is the first time a diamond has been incorporated into the design of an Australian legal tender gold coin. (See coin jewelry at http://joantaras.com/Bracelets/double-chain-coin-bracelet)
Named “Kimberley Sunset,” the stunning two-ounce coins celebrate the Kimberley region of Western Australia, where spectacular sunsets ignite the evening sky with vivid pink, orange, red, purple and blue hues.
Kimberley is also home of Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine, which has produced 90% of the world’s pink diamonds, but is expected to cease operations in about five years.
The 22-karat pink coins are made from 91.67% gold and 8.33% copper. (The copper gives the coin its the pink color). Each coin contains two ounces of pure gold.
Each proof-quality coin has a denominational value of $500, but costs $6,000 to purchase.
The face of the coin features a beautiful high-relief rendering of a boab tree, which famously live 1,500 years or longer in the Aussie wilderness. The pink diamond is set just above the horizon on the left side of the coin. Etched sunrays radiate from the gem. Around the edge of the coin is the phrase “KIMBERLEY SUNSET," the year "2015," and the designation “2oz FINE GOLD.”
The coin’s obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Elizabeth II encircled by the Queen's name, the country of origin and the monetary denomination of "500 DOLLARS."
Each coin is housed in a black designer case and is accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity.
Images: The Perth Mint, YouTube screen capture
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)