| Anna Kostenko was born in 1975 in Kiev, Ukraine, and has lived and worked in Cracow, Poland since 1991. She graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow, where she studied painting from 1993 to 1998. She has had three exhibitions of works of art in Jorgensen and created many beautiful paintings since its release in 1999. Her fascination with different cultures has led to extensive travels that inspire her work, which has been shown in many countries, including Poland, France, Germany, Ireland and Spain. |
Some Of The Most Breath Taking Paintings from Anna Kostenko
The 10 Most Mysterious Places on Earth
 Mystery Spot is a tourist attraction near Santa Cruz, California, famous because of its disrespect to the laws of physics and gravity. The odd cabin, although seems like lying on flat ground, makes those who enter inside swinging all the time. The most probable theory that tries to explain this says that it's all about "tilt-induced visual illusion. The illusion experienced by visitors results from the oddly tilted environme! nt as well as standing on a tilted floor. Inside the tilted room of the Mystery Spot misperceptions of the height and orientation of objects occur. Even when people are standing outside on a level ground, the slant of the building in the background causes misperceptions as we judge the height of people using the slant of the roof rather than the true horizon."  The question about the triangle that swallows ships, planes and all the people with them still waits for its answer. So many ships and planes have disappeared and so many disasters have happened in the area between Bermuda, Puerto Rico and Miami, and many theories have appeared as well. From compass variations, gulf streams, rogue waves to human errors and conspiracy theories – anything is possible, but none of them is proved yet. However, it's still one of the most traveled routes in the world.  Socotra is archipelago the Horn of Africa and Arabic Peninsula, but the main island of Socotra is 95% of the whole landmass, while the rest is just small islands. This place is probably the most alien-looking on Earth. One third of the flora and fauna on this island, administ! ered by Yemen government, can be found only here. The umbrella-shaped "blood tree," the cucumber tree, giant succulent tree, different kinds of birds, spiders, bats and cats have the only habitat on Socotra.  Mount Roraima ! is located on the triple border point between Brazil, Guyana and Venezuela. It is weird because of its shape, but is also mysterious because of the clouds that are always near the peak and the endemic fauna. The tabletop of the mountain, which is the peak actually, is considered as one of the world's oldest geological formations. It is believed that the plateau was formed by water and winds, but the reason why some species can't be found anywhere else remain mystery.  Rio Tinto is located in south-western Spainand originates from Sierra Morena mountains of Andalusia. The area around the river has been mined since ancient times, so a lot of minerals can be found into the water, especially iron, which makes the water red. Even some bacteria enjoy its life there, "exploiting" the iron. However, the weirdness of this river comes from its high acidity, which made some scientists say that it is very similar to the underground waters of Mars.  The Fly Geyser, near Gerlach, Nevada, is strange because it somehow grows up. It is three meters high at the moment. It is interesting that this geyser is located on private area, so nobody can enjoy it from close. The owner is Bill Sp! oo, a man who rejects the opportunity to make a fortune from the tourists, and keeps the beautiful view just for himself and the few researchers and photographers who have to schedule a visit weeks before arriving.  McMurdo Dry Valleys are located on Antarctica but, believe it or not, they lack snow. That makes the area to be a desert, of course the coldest one in the world. However, that's not the only strange things here. The valleys are "bleeding" from the many geysers, because of the high concentration of iron, making picture of world different than Earth.  The well known statues on the Easter Island, the rapa nui, still remain mystery for the researchers. The statues are over 50 feet tall, but no one has a clue who built them, why they built them, how they were brought there, and so on. One of the theories is that a civilization has lived here long time ago, but the people ate everything on the island and either moved somewhere else or were exterminated.  Lake Vostok is the most recent mystery coming from Antarctica, and the whole world probably, as there is possibility for some revolutionary revelations. Scientists believe that in the lake under the ice surface there are some species that have survived 15 billions years. However, these species would be something that the wo! rld has never seen before, as they would have developed under complete darkness. The researchers are close to obtaining a water sample, so we should wait for the results.  Racetrack Playa in California is well known due to its sailing stones. No one knows how, but the stones there somehow manage to move from their original position, leaving a track behind them. The reasons are still unknown and are subject of research. It is supposed that the winds in the valley are "responsible" for this. |
Big Game Hunter’s Vintage Rolls-Royce Is A Rolling Arsenal
 Mr. Nugent, your Rolls awaits. A vintage Rolls-Royce festooned with weaponry and upfitted for off-roading to hunt tigers and elephants may be the definition of automotive grandiosity, but it also could be yours for a mere $1 million. This preposterous 1925 New Phantom was built as a dedicated hunting car by Rolls-Royce with coachwork by Barker & Company in 1925 at the request of Umed Singh II, Maharaja of Kotah. Apparently Raj-era Kotah was similar to modern day Wasilla, overrun with both wild animals and politicians who like to shoot them from moving vehicles. On board is enough firepower to blow away the Bronx Zoo including a double-barrel howdah pistol and a mountable Lantaka cannon used for hunting elephants. There's also a rifle stand in the rear seat and, especially for Bengal tigers, a machine gun that can be trailered from the rear of the car. Rifles and bird guns are stored in the rear of the car.  While the phrase "trailer-mounted machine gun" conjures up images of ragtag Afghan warlords driving clapped-out Toyota Hiluxes, this is still one extravagant car. It's got an 8 liter 6-cylinder engine that put out what Rolls-Royce then called "adequate" horsepower, plus a low gearing ratio and tall tires for maneuvering through rough jungle terrain. Lighting included front and rear spotlights plus a red light that glowed when the Maharaja was on board. A blue light was lit if his wife was a passenger. Oddly, a car designed for hunting big game in the wilds of the Indian subcontinent was finished in a nautical theme with a boatlike hood and cowl ventilation. That makes the nickel-plated horn shaped like a hissing snake all the more incongruous. Due to the vehicle's unique history, the Indian government once expressed interest in repatriating the car as a historical artifact. Then-owner Rubin Jurman said no, and also refused an offer of $200,000 more than what it's current owner, Jim Faulknor, agreed to pay for it. Faulknor is putting the car up for sale during Bonhams' annual two-day sale in Carmel, Calif. on August 18 and 19. The final sale price is estimated to fall between $750,000 and $1 million. We wouldn't be surprised if the Indian government made an offer for the car when it hits the auction block. If they don't get in the high bid, it would also come as no shock to see the car end up with them decals plastered all over it — but only because there's a slim chance Ted Nugent would ever drive a British car. |
The Magic of Winters
 Snowfall on holly bush, bunches of bright red berries hang from branches  Claw-like icicles protrude and surround a freezing pond  A robin redbreast perching on a snow covered wall  The frozen River Ayre is filled with blocks of ice, creating an unusual effect.  A winter sunset casts an ethereal glow on a frosted field. Trees at the far end of the field.  White woodland surrounds an icy river.  A perfectly still and clear winter sunset over a lake in Agyll, Scotland. Tree silhouetted in foreground.  Red autumnal leaves fall on a frozen canal.  View of snow-covered mountain tops. A large cloud contrasts with a bright sky in the background. |
ALEXANDER - THE GREAT'S LAST WORDS
| "Ice melts when heated"! "Eyes melt when hated"! Alexander, after conquering many kingdoms, was returning home. On the way, he fell ill and it took him to his death bed. With death staring him in his face, Alexander realized how his conquests, his great army, his sharp sword and all his wealth were of no consequence. He now longed to reach home to see his mother's face and bid her his last adieu. But, he had to accept the fact that his sinking health would not permit him to reach his distant homeland. So, the mighty conqueror lay prostrate and pale, helplessly waiting to breathe his last. He called his generals and said, "I will depart from this world soon, I have three wishes, please carry them out without fail." With tears flowing down their cheeks, the generals agreed to abide by their king's last wishes. "My first desire is that", said Alexander, "My physicians alone must carry my coffin." After a pause, he continued, "Secondly, I desire that when my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard be strewn with gold, silver and precious stones which I have collected in my treasury". The king felt exhausted after saying this. He took a minute's rest and continued. "My third and last wish is that both my hands be kept dangling out of my coffin". The people who had gathered there wondered at the king's strange wishes. But no one dared bring the question to their lips.. Alexander's favorite general kissed his hand and pressed them to his heart. "O king, we assure you that your wishes will all be fulfilled. But tell us why do you make such strange wishes?" At this Alexander took a deep breath and said: "I would like the world to know of the three lessons I have just learnt. I want my physicians to carry my coffin because people should realize that no doctor can really cure any body. They are powerless and cannot save a person from the clutches of death. So let not people take life for granted. The second wish of strewing gold, silver and other riches on the way to the graveyard is to tell People that not even a fraction of gold will come with me. I spent all my life earning riches but cannot take anything with me. Let people realize that it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth. And about my third wish of having my hands dangling out of the coffin, I wish people to know that I came empty handed into this world and empty handed I go out of this world". With these words, the king closed his eyes. Soon he let death conquer him and breathed his last. . . . LESSONS TO LEARN: Remember, your good health is in your own hands, look after it. Wealth is only meaningful if you can enjoy while you are still alive and kicking. What you do for yourself dies with you but what you do for others, lives on. It is called "Legacy." Happiness keeps you Sweet, Trials keep you Strong, Sorrows keep you Human, Failures keep you humble, Success keeps You Glowing, But Only God keeps You Going! ~ Think Positive **~ Be Positive **~ Feel the Difference* |
$100 million savings receipt left in ATM
| Maybe he's so rich, he thinks $100 million is chump change. Wall Street tabloid Dealbreaker reported that a hedge-fund manager left his receipt at an ATM in the New York resort village of East Hampton after paying $2.75 to withdraw $400 from an account with a $100 million balance. Interest on a savings account is less than one percent, meaning that the account holder is making virtually nothing on his pot of $100 million. He could get at least 3 percent in a Treasury account. The Capital One Bank ATM receipt was given to Dealbreaker by a Wall Street executive, the New York Post reported, though it's not entirely clear why the executive did so. Dealbreaker also reported that the receipt apparently belongs to hedge-fund manager David Tepper with Appaloosa Management. When contacted by the New York Post, Tepper dismissed the story saying he's too sophisticated a man to leave so much cash in a low-yielding account. The FDIC only insures up to $250,000 per depositer, per insured bank, for each account. So leaving your ATM receipt at a bank at 10:41 p.m. isn't exactly the smartest way to protect your account information, which is something you'd think a smart money manager would already know.
|
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
