BRUSSEL - Crisis of niet, de verzekeringstak van het Belgische deel van Fortis organiseert een feestje in het duurste hotel van Monaco. Vijftig genodigden mogen op kosten van Fortis een nachtje slapen in het Hôtel de Paris en eten in het driesterrenrestaurant Louis XV dat bij het hotel hoort. Dat meldde vrijdag de Belgische krant De Morgen.

 The "Epoch of Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco" exhibit was opened by Grace's youngest daughter, Princess Stephanie. The belongings on display include gowns, films, letters and photographs of the movie-star-turned-European-princess.

This is not the first time such an exhibit of the glamorous princess has been put on show. Last year, to mark the 25th anniversary of her death, an exhibit was opened in Monaco, where Grace served as princess to the late Prince Rainier. That exhibition has since toured the world, and is now in Russia.

"People in Russia don't really know her as an icon of Hollywood," said Russian construction tycoon Vladimir Seminikhin in a telephone interview from his residence in Monaco.

 "They know her as royalty but that is usually it."

Grace Kelly was an Academy-award winning actress before becoming a princess. She was well known for her roles in Alfred Hitchcock's films, including "Dial M For Murder". In 1955, she was introduced to Prince Rainier of Monaco. A year later, she married her prince, and retired from acting.

But that didn't stop her from working the film camera. Part of the exhibition shows the homemade films Grace made showing her children Caroline, Albert and Stephanie.

Princess Grace was renowned for her style. Tragically, that was cut short in 1982 when she died from injuries sustained in a car accident.

After her death, her grieving husband treasured every object that belonged to Grace.

"After she died Prince Rainer treated objects that she touched, forks she ate with, as if they were religious relics. He wouldn't let anyone else look at them," Seminikhin said. "But Prince Albert thought it was important to show his mother in a personal light, and was always interested in showing these items off."

This exhibition will run in Moscow until December 3rd.

Best Laptops Under $500
By Nick Mokey, Digital Trends

Lenovo ThinkPad R61e
$487.69

Although ThinkPads have a reputation for being pricier premium notebooks intended for business travelers, a little smart shopping can land you this budget model on a shoestring. It's not as fast as the flagship T-series, or as light as the X-series, but the R61 has been reviewed favorably in its price range and includes many of the same features Lenovo rolls into those pricier ThinkPads. When ordering, make sure to choose the second-from-cheapest model to get an Intel Dual Core processor rather than a Celeron M (a bargain upgrade for only $32 more tacked onto the final price). Also make sure to select the cheapest Windows Vista option to sneak in under the $500 mark. The coupon code USP3PAYPAL will take an extra 15 percent off when ordering from Lenovo, lowering the notebook to $487.69.

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Dell Vostro 1000
$399.99

Dell's bottom-of-the-line notebook won't turn any heads, or win any head-to-head benchmark comparisons, but its $399 starting price makes it impossible to ignore. Since this isn't from a sale, mark-down or coupon, you're also free to add the options you really need. For instance, laying out $25 for the Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core processor instead of the Sempron would be wise. But travelers beware: A starting weight of 6.26 pounds makes it heavy by modern standards, and the AMD's heat output will also make it a battery killer, so you may wish to look elsewhere if you'll be taking it anywhere besides around the home and office.

Acer Aspire AS4315-2535
$459.90

Looking for something a little smaller than the 15.4-inch notebooks that normally seem to hit the bargain bin? This Acer falls one notch down on the size and weight scale, making it a little more portable for the on-the-go user. However, in exchange for the 14.1-inch screen and 5.7 pound weight, you'll sacrifice some performance by moving to a single-core Intel Celeron processor. If you're the type of person who imagines using a laptop to surf the Web in a coffee shop or tap out documents on a plane, you probably won't notice much of a difference, though, and may favor the portability.

Gateway T-6815
$499.99

The priciest notebook in our roundup may be refurbished, but that's the only thing
moving this otherwise well-equipped notebook into the sub-$500 category. It gets the fastest processor, Intel's vaunted Core 2 Duo, and the largest hard drive, 160GB. With a 14.1-inch screen and weight of only 5.55 pounds, you're also looking at the lightest machine on our list. Individual opinions on refurbished items vary, but if you're willing to trust Gateway's recertification team, you can land a laptop comparable to far pricier units for much less cash. Just remember: the manufacturer's warranty lasts 90 days, so be sure to put it through its paces before you run out of time to discover potential problems.

Compaq C700T
$479.99

Compaq's cheapest notebook doesn't stand out too far from the crowd, but it makes a nice option for those who don't want to be bothered filling out rebates, using coupons, or chasing sales. You get a no-nonsense machine with a 1.73GHz Intel Dual-Core Processor, 1GB of RAM, and an 80GB hard drive. Spectacular? Not really, but you can snag one any time, and Compaq will allow you to round it out with whatever options you need. The only drawback would be the machine's 6.4-pound weight, which makes it even more of a desk anchor than Dell's cheaper (and slower) Vostro 1000.

OWT is this thing I found out about when I was starting high school.  It stands for Our World Today and it's a special program at Shoreline Private Boarding School.  You work with people in all different grades and you go to a lot of conferences and foreign countries for "experiential learning".  I wanted to apply but it was at the same time I was REALLY starting to get serious about skating; I was going to junior worlds that year.  And since to be in the middle/high school program you have to go to the boarding school, I didn't apply.  (It's also really ridiculously expensive but if you get in - which is really hard - they can almost guarantee you a scholarship because so many foreign dignitaries and big companies sponsor it as they send their kids there.)  Since it was a pilot program, their first graduates just left two years ago and there were only two of them.  Last year they had 3 but this year they had 6 or 7 and decided to expand the program more, since the grads are attached to the program.  They wanted to create somewhat of an alumni network and continue the program in some way at the grads' colleges, so they developed OWT College Connections.  Basically, its a way of ensuring the girls get to come back to Shoreline for mentoring through their OWT teachers and for events (apparently they all go to France for Christmas at the royal palace... are you KIDDING me?!).  Also, since their core class is moving up in age and they are all really attached, and because the director eventually wants to step down and have someone else teach the class, this "class" (10th grade-junior in college) is set in stone and they will not be connected directly with any new entrants below the 10th grade level.  Also, because the class wants to continue to foster community, they opened up the College Connections program (which I see as sort-of a sorority) to any student in a college that an OWT grad is attending.  I think you can still apply if an OWT grad doesn't go to your college but it's harder to go in and they want to have an original OWT person there to keep the sorority feel.  The CC program is also supposed to work as job networking and a support program.  And you still get to go on trips with them.

I applied to the CC program since it was available for my college, Creighton.  (I picked Creighton because Coach OH! has family in Omaha and was planning to move there to start her own skate club.  I didn't want a new coach and she said if I was going to college there she'd stay in ME with me until I went to college.  How nice of her!  Anyway, I also picked Crieghton because I really liked the atmosphere.)  To get into OWT you have to have some special trait, and you also have to be really smart.  It helps if you're a princess or something, but there are girls from all walks of life in it (they have profiles of the members on their webpage).  The same applies for CC.

Well today I got a call from a girl named Samantha.  Literally, this is how the conversation went:

Me: Hello?
Samantha: Hi, I'm Samantha Parkington, and I'm the Class President of the Our World Today program at Shoreline Private Boarding School.  I'm calling to tell you that our executive team has reviewed your application and we have accepted you into the College Connections program.
Me: Wait... is this a joke?  You're a student, right?  Shouldn't the teacher be calling?
Samantha: Oh, Miss B. is at a political rally, don't even get me started.  But I work with her for student government and she told me I could go ahead and call you and it would be more personal or something.
Me: Are you serious?
Samantha: (laughs) Yeah!  Um, I know it's kind of strange for you to hear me call you to say you're accepted, but our program works differently so it's not strange to me.  I mean, two years ago two of my classmates sent a fake acceptance letter to a girl who wasn't slated to be accepted yet and Miss B. didn't kick her out or get mad.  She said it showed initiative and if they wanted her in the class so badly, she should stay.
Me: Wow.  That's kind-of crazy.
Samantha: Well she was a little mad because it got her in trouble with the principal, but it's a huge inside joke now.  But um, now that you're in, I'm going to send you the acceptance materials, well MB will, which will include a letter of introduction to the other new student joining our class.  And, um, I'll need to know if you're going to show up to Paris this Christmas.  And do you need a scholarship to get there?
Me: Yeah, um, a scholarship would be helpful, do I have to decide now?
Samantha: Well, my parents can get you a ticket basically for free, so it's cool.  We could even grab you on the way there.  Or you can ask Marie, because she has a private plane, and it's her house anyway.
Me: Marie, as in Marie Elizabeth Westoff, the Crown Princess of France?
Samantha: Um, yeah.
Me: Wow.
Samantha: I probably should tell you right now that I'm a Princess of Monaco.
Me: Uh...
Samantha: Marie and I are childhood friends.
Me: That's crazy.
Samantha: (laughs) Yeah I guess.  Don't talk to her about being a princess though, she hates it.  But, do you think you can come?  It's a huge tradition.
Me: I'd have to check with my coach...
Samantha: Oh, okay.  It'd be best if you come to Paris because otherwise you'll only meet me, Harper and Kit-Kat.  We're the ones at Creighton.  Well, I'm a high school senior but Miss B. came here and she brought me with her and I'm trying to enroll next semester too, and then Miss B.'s sister is teaching the rest of the high school girls back home.
Me: Well, of course I want to go!
Samantha: Cool, just let me know.  The whole thing with contacting me is complicated, because somebody could be wiretapping me right now.  So I can't give you a direct number yet, but you'll get one.  Sorry, I can't really be more specific.  And you can always just email Miss B. off the website and she'll know it's you.
Me: Okay.  Do you think you could have her call me to confirm this?
Samantha: Yeah, no problem.  Bye!

I still think it's too good to be true.  I mean, a princess?  Really?  Even though I know there are foreign dignitaries' kids in the program, I didn't think it meant princesses.  I mean seriously.  And a free plane ticket to Paris?  I want to believe it; I thought the program sounded awesome and I know these are all aspects of it.  But I haven't gotten my acceptance packet or a call from "Miss B." yet, so I am still being skeptical for my own protection.

Montréal ne fait pas partie de la liste des courses de la saison 2009.  Me semble t'il que c'est du déjà vu.  Me semble t'il que Tonton Bernie récidive avec cette bonne méthode qu'est "le chantage".

En 2004, rappellons-nous, il avait également utilisé ce stratagème, évoquant la loi anti-tabac.  Quelques personnes, donc le "bon"restaurateur" millionaire de la rue Crescent M. Creton descendèrent sur cette même rue Crescent pour faire enlever cette loi anti-tabac, et pour que le grand prix revienne.  Ou plutôt, qu'il reste, car Bernie ne faisait que des menaces.

Il y a 2 ans également, le même stratagème avait été utilisé.  Une entente de 5 ans avait été alors conclue.

Que s'est t'il passé depuis pour que le grand vizir de la F1 décide d'enlever Montréal de la carte des courses de l'année 2009?  Aucune idée.  Mais le fait est que le grand cirque de la F1 est plus interessé par des circuits et des pays qui sont prêt à allonger des millions de dollars pour avoir une course chez eux.

La Malaisie

Le Barhain

Monaco (un incontournable, terre d'acceuil de richards de tout acabits)

La Turquie

Valence (Qui couche 70 millions d'euros pour la course)

Singapour

La Chine

Abu Dhabi

Voici une courte liste de quelques courses en 2009.  Qu'à Montréal en commun avec ces villes et pays...pas grand chose.  Même que je ne vois aucun rapport.  Des pays riches comme jamais on ne peux l'imaginer, des pays émergeant qui on des milliards de télespectateurs.  ET qu'à Montréal a donner contre ça? JE vous le demande...

Il faut un jour cesser de nous regarder le nombril, et être savoir que nous ne faisons pas le poids.

Valence aligne 70 millions d'Euro pour une course de F1.  90 MILLIONS DE DOLLARS AMÉRICAINS....

Les autoritées de Montréal, disent que le grand-orix du Canada rapporte 80 millions de retombées économiques de tous genres.  Le calcul n'est pas difficile à faire.  Nous sommes dans le trou de 10 millions.

Et pourquoi engraisseraient t'on les poches de ce pédant personnage qui se fout totalement des fans de F1, mais qui ne marche qu'à l'argent et aux menaces?  Ce personnage qui a déjà dis que son rêves est de faire courir un grand-prix de F1 sans spectateurs...que ceci serait plus payant pour le "grand" circuit....

Je me demande sérieusement.  Y a t'il tant d'européens qui viennent nous visiter dans la semaine du grand-prix?  Y a t'il des faits et des chiffres qui prouvent que 50 000 ou 60 000 européens sont à Montréal pendant le grand-prix?

Pourquoi ne pas envoyer pêtre Bernie et lui dire d'aller se faire voir ailleurs, lui et ses platitudes de courses, courses qui n'en ne sont pas, mais qui est un défilé de belle voiture-fusées, et de belles poupounes silliconnées qui se sentent faisant partie du jet-set en se montrant les seins a tous et chacuns.  Et que dire des m'as-tu-vu, que ce soit journalistes ou "jet-set" québécois...si Jet-set il y a, qui se pavanent dans les puits en feignant d'être riche et en feignant d'être amis de tous et chacun (et là, je ne parle pas juste de Benoit Gagnon...), et tous ces grands amateurs de caviar sur le bras, et de tout ce qu'ils peuvent se mettrent sous la dent sans alonger 1 sous....

Moi je leurs dis:  ALlez tous vous pendre.....

Mais ensuite....

Deux solutions s'offre à nous.  La première, mettre le même montant et faire venir la coupe Sprint-Nascar à Montréal, la même fin de semaine que la course Nationwide, ce qui attirerait surement autant sinon plus d'américains que la F1 attirait d'européens, et la deuxième, mettre ces montants astronomiques, et construire des arénas, des stade de soccer, de baseball, et que les jeunes québécois se mettent en forme et joouent dehors.

Pourquoi se mettre à genoux, et lécher les bottines Prada de Bernie, et en plus lui refiler des liasses de dollars pour essayer d'avoir un grand-prix?

Est-t'il trop demander de dire un moment donné:  ASSEZ C'EST ASSEZ?  La comédie a assez durée.

Je crois sincèrement que cette fois Bernie, les gens ne se rendront pas aux barricades et laisseront les belles voitures de la F1 s'en aller sous d'autres cieux.

pour le pire?  j'en doute...pour le meilleur?  surement!

http://www.vg.no/rampelys/artikkel.php?artid=537895

På forsiden av dagens VG kan vi lese at Mia Gundersens show, "All of Mia" blir tatt av plakaten etter kun én forestilling på Chat Noir. Ikke så veldig sjokkerende spør du meg. For er det i det hele tatt noen i Norges land som ikke er møkk lei av denne totalt uinteressante, talentløse, pr-kåte, irriterende møkkakjerringa? Hvem faen er interessert i se et helaftens show med en dame som ikke har noe annet enn en bedriten komedie-fiasko og en birolle ifra Offshore en gang på 90-tallet på CV'n? Får da være grenser for hva som kan kalles underholdning. Hadde faktisk heller sett et program om rygghårene til Atle Antonsen framfor og gått på denne forestillingen.

Nei, Mia hold deg til nesten-sex med Røkke og trekanter i Monaco du, det er det eneste du duger til!

Prince Albert and Crown Prince Felipe greeted each other during the inauguration of the Conservation Congress. The Crown Prince also gave a speech during the Congress' opening.

They, along with about 8,000 ministers, UN officials, NGOs, scientists and business chiefs have gathered in Barcelona to brainstorm on how to slow the rate of species extinction and steer the world onto a path of sustainable development.

The Congress says there is a "clear sense of urgency" for the future of biodiversity. The meetings are held ever four years, and each time, release the benchmark "Red List", deemed the global standard for conservation monitoring.

The 2007 edition already shows more than a third of 41,000 species surveyed are facing extinction: a quarter of all mammals, one out of eight birds, one out of three amphibians, and 70 percent of plants.

The new biodiversity "bible" -- compiled from the work of 1,800 scientists -- is even grimmer, say researchers who took part in the effort.

Prince Albert has long been involved in conservationism, and Crown Prince Felipe has been as well.

The big, glaring omission is Kenny Cooper.  But let's not forget--MLS is stupid (at least when it comes to schedules conflicting with international dates).  FC Dallas is still alive in the playoff race and they're set to play Toronto on the same night as the qualifier.  Could be wrong, but this may have something to do with it.

More commentary to come...

GOALKEEPERS: Tim Howard (Everton), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF)

DEFENDERS: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland)

MIDFIELDERS: Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Maurice Edu (Glasgow Rangers), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Freddy Adu (Monaco), Danny Szetela (Brescia), Jose Francisco Torres (Pachuca)

FORWARDS: Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Charlie Davies (Hammarby)

The weather in Monte Carlo, to where I headed south from Paris for the Monaco Yacht Show, was much more to my liking, with the boats at Port Hercules positively gleaming under the Mediterranean sun. It was heavenly sitting on the terrace of the Lanson champagne bar, watching the world sail by.

I mostly stayed on dry land however, catching up with old friends from my days at Yacht Premiere magazine in Milan, as well as newer friends from The Yacht Report, with whom I collaborated on the book IDEAS. Also in town were friends from the Junior Senior agency and we chatted about ideas about doing some CLICKINI.com promotional events along the Cote d'Azur next summer, and a friend from London whose private banking work at SG Hambros involves a lot of yacht financing. It was her first time at the yacht show, but she still seemed to know more people there than I did! She also spotted more than just yachts, having sat next to The Edge from U2 on the train from Nice!

Although the atmosphere dockside at Port Hercules was very relaxing, my time in Monaco was rather constrained. After a charming farewell lunch on my aunt and uncle's Monte Carlo balcony, overlooking the yachts in the harbour below, it was time to move on to the next destination...Milan.

Jonathan

[Image via superyachttimes.com]

Picture from the World...(Europe)

A monacói pálya Nouvelle sikán előtti féktávja van ma célkeresztben

1933, Monacói GP - Trossi Alfáját Hartmann László üldözi a fehér Bugattijával

2007, Monacói GP - Halad el a mezőny a sikánon Hondával az élen

A rendkívül hasonló Tabac utáni sikán bejárata 2007-ben

Monaco is establishing a high performance, multi-sport International Olympic Training Center which 

extends the Principality’s vast support of professional and amateur sports, and the Olympic Games.  Monaco currently has world class, state-of-the-art sporting facilities throughout the Principality which have the capacity to accommodate the training requirements for more than 30 Olympic sports.  Monaco is also home to the new, high tech Monaco Institute of Sports Medicine and Surgery. 

The Monaco Olympic Training Center will provide the following services for elite level international   athletes: Accomodations for Visiting Athletes, Dining Hall, Coordination of Sport Facility Use, Scheduling of sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Services, Academic Training, Official Monaco Olympic  Training Center Merchandise Store, & Tours of Monaco Olympic Training Center and Olympic Museum.

Usage of the Monaco Olympic Training Center will include:  Elite Level Training Camps, International Competition Preparation, Athletes competing in Monaco’s International Sporting Events, Athletes in rehabilitation, Sports Clinics,  & Weekend, Summer or Day Camps for youth.

Monaco has become a major global sporting center, hosting some of the world’s most prestigious sporting events in a wide array of disciplines.   Many Olympians and professional athletes have made Monaco their home or have set up their business in the Principality.  Monaco has a powerful support system in the area of sports on the National and International level.

In additon to its specacular facilities and location, Monaco also has its own facinating Olympic legacy.  In 1920, the most famous U.S. rower of all time, Jack Kelly, grandfather to HSH Prince Albert II, won gold medals in the men’s single and double sculls. In 1924, Kelly repeated his victory in the men's double sculls, taking home his third Olympic gold medal. John Kelly Jr., Prince Albert’s uncle, competed in four Olympic Games. Shortly before competing in the Melbourne Olympics, he promised to bring back a medal as a wedding gift for his sister who was about to marry Prince Rainier. He never said which color the medal would be and true to his word, he delivered to Princess Grace an Olympic bronze medal which had tremendous sentimental value.  Prince Albert II has kept the family’s Olympic Legacy alive, competing in five Olympic Games in the Bobsleigh.  Monaco’s Sovereign Prince is President of the Monegasque Olympic Committee and has been an IOC member since 1985.  The final phase of the project is in development and it is projected that Monaco's Olympic Training Center will open in time for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Executive Board

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco        Honorary President

Pernilla Wiberg                            President, IOC Athletes, Solidarity Commissions

Tracy Mattes                      Vice President, Training Center Creator/Founder

Joel Bouzou                                   Secretary Gen., Advisor to HSH the Prince

Barend Van der Vorm                    Secretary, President Monaco Venture Capitalist

Alain Leclercq                                       Treasurer, VP Assoc. Sports Monegasque

Sergey Bubka                                IOC Executive Board, Athletes Commission

Mario Pescante                            IOC Executive Board, International Relations

Frankie Fredericks                        IOC Athletes Commission Chairman

Mike Powers                                President Monte Carlo Entertainment

Osmund Kilkenny                         President Special Olympics, Irish SportsCouncil

Dho Young-Shim                          Ambassador Sport & Tourism Rep. of Korea

Reggie Williams                          VP Disney Sports Attractions

Christine Dominguez                   GAISF Director General

Laura Walden                              President Sports Features

Dr. Michael McNamara               Founder Monaco Life Check Center

Dr. Maxime Crener                      President International University of Monaco

Kory Tarpenning                          President Sirius Sports Marketing

Judy Churchill                              Sec. General Outward Bound Monaco

Scarica Webmediaplayer e guarda gratis le partite della tua squadra del cuore!
Due partite, due pareggi. Nella seconda giornata del gruppo F di Champions League i viola non vanno oltre lo 0-0 contro lo Steaua Bucarest. Buon primo tempo per la formazione di Prandelli che crea diverse occasioni senza, però, riuscire a portarsi in vantaggio. Nella ripresa i viola calano con il ritmo ma vanno vicino al gol con una punizione di Mutu che colpisce il palo. L'altra sfida del girone tra Bayern Monaco e Lione termina 1-1.

Nel primo tempo la Fiorentina parte subito forte. All'8' Santana prova un lungo lancio per Mutu che fa partire un sinistro dall'interno dell'area di rigore ma il pallone termina abbondantemente sopra la traversa. I viola giocano bene e sfruttano al meglio le fasce dove un Santana serve diversi cross per Gilardino, ben bloccato dalla difesa dello Steaua. Al 10' un'altra azione per la squadra di Prandelli con un batti e ribatti in area che si conclude con un tiro potente di Mutu ribattuto da Zapata.

Lo Steaua non sta a guardare e si rende pericoloso al 15' con Semedo che sfugge a una disattenta difesa viola e calcia di poco fuori. La Fiorentina soffre molto l'attaccante portoghese, soprattutto Jorgensen che, costretto al ruolo da terzino destro, fatica non poco ad arginare il giocatore. Dopo due conclusioni potenti ma centrali di Mutu e Almiron, il primo tempo termina sullo 0-0.

Nella ripresa Prandelli sostituisce Zauri per Jorgensen. La difesa soffre meno ma diminuiscono anche le occasioni da gol per la Fiorentina. La manovra dei viola è lenta e prevedibile e i numerosi lanci lunghi per Gilardino non impensieriscono l'attenta difesa romena. L'ex attaccante del Milan fa comunque il suo dovere: smista preziosi palloni e conquista diverse punizioni dal limite. E proprio da una punizione che la Fiorentina sfiora il vantaggio: al 65' Mutu prova il destro a giro che scheggia il palo alla destra di Zapata.

Nel finale i viola appaiono stanchi e lo Steaua per poco non trova un clamoroso vantaggio: Frey è strepitoso sul tiro ravvicinato di Semedo, poi si ripete sul bolide di Lovin. La gara termina 0-0 tra i fischi dei tifosi viola che si aspettavano ben altro risultato.

Anyway, you can read an article about it here - Hello:  Monaco royal nuptials to be announced 'within days'.

I also have some old scans to add - I can do that later today or tomorrow.

Monaco is one of the most beautiful, romantic and captivating places to spend a great vacation or a weekend. I fell in love with this magical place at first sight. There is a lot of art, culture, outstanding cuisine and high-adrenaline activities like the Formula One Grand Prix, casino gaming, land and water sports and exciting nightlife.  

Some interesting facts about Monaco:

Nice-Côte d’Azur International Airport is a 30-minute drive, or Heli Air Monte Carlo takes 10 minutes, cutting across the Mediterranean. Non-stop flights to Nice: 7 hours from New York, 10 from Tokyo, 2 from London; excellent connections through European gateways. Trains arrive at the new Monte Carlo station, blasted out of the mountain.

Where is it?

 Monte Carlo is on the Riviera between Provence and Italy, close to the museums of Nice (Matisse, Chagall) and the glamorous shopping boulevards of Cannes. The Picasso Museum and world-famous Maeght Collection are nearby, as well. Trips to the medieval villages of St. Paul de Vence or Eze, the perfume factories of Grasse, Italy’s ski slopes and the boutiques and markets of nearby San Remo are memorable events, as are private parties at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in St. Jean Cap Ferrat or La Villa Kerylos in Beaulieu.

Where to stay:

Hotel de Paris

Hotel Hermitage

Hotel Metropole Monte Carlo

Fort Palace

Le Meridien Beach Plaza

I recomend you to go and see Giselle, the ballet of the Parisian Opera.

Deadline: October 17-19, 2008
Place: Grimaldi Forum
Web site: www.grimaldiforum.com

Formula 1

There are many people selling tickets on the streets around the authorized ticket booths, but try the ticket booths first. Be sure to get a map of the circuit so you can see the spot where the seat is located. The best sections are A1, A4, V, Z1, Z2 and O. Many Monaco residents rent out their terraces for the event and prices range from about 8000€ to 140,000€ for the four days. These renters advertise in the International Herald Tribune and the Nice Monaco Matin newspapers. In addition, restaurants and hotels along the course offer special lunch menus that include watching the race from their terraces. This is a way to get a seat for the race and eat a meal. Prices range from 90€ to 500€ on race day.

Hotel rooms are hard to come by during the Grand Prix. Most rooms are booked on a yearly basis, so either reserve as much as six months in advance or stay in Menton, Nice or other nearby towns and take the train or bus in. There is boat service from St. Jean Cap Ferrat (France) port. Under no circumstances try to drive into Monaco during the four days of racing. Access is very restricted and parking is non-existent. Another option is to book a stay through one of the Grand Prix tour operators.

1) First street circuit for F1 racing in Asia. 

2) First night-time race for F1 in the World.

And, with yesterday's practice and today's qualifying sessions in F1, night time racing in the city centre totally ROCKS! The circuit was well lit and the Singapore's nicely planned skyscrapers form a great backdrop for the race. Now I truly understand Singapore's URA objective of planning its downtown skyscrapers. The interesting thing was also the fact that global architects have formed Singapore's downtown landscape, from I.M. Pei (OCBC Tower, Raffles City), Kenzo Tange (UOB Plaza), Kohn Pedersen Fox (One Raffles Quay), Sir Norman Foster (New Supreme Court). The well lit track also illuminates the colonial buildings along Padang, the Fullerton Hotel and the ultra modern Esplanade. By having the world's premier automobile race in the island, it also gives it the chance to showcase the amazing variety of nightlife from Casa del Mar in Sentosa, to St James Power Station and even Zouk, who has set up tentages in Padang itself. The whole range of events and attractions brings out the reputation of the state to people worldwide. 

In addition, I do think the F1 race in Singapore is a good fit. Think Monaco, city for the wealthy in Europe to mingle in. Lots of sunshine along the Mediterranean Coast, azure blue seas, glamorous casinos, private banks, hosts to yachts and world class sporting events. Singapore will have these too: tropical weather (sun), Marina Bay side (sea), Sands IR and Resorts World (casinos), private banking centre (SG, Clariden Leu, ING, RBS Coutts), One Degree 15 (marinas), and Youth Olympic Games 2012 (sporting events). With this, I do think that cities who hosts F1 races could be considered one of the premier cities in the world. Something akin to the World Top Cities ranking in Civilization. 

The future for Singapore seems clear indeed! I do believe if the political stability and financial regulation remains clear, this island city state could be one of the top places to work, play and live in. Oh, the downside is you need to be really wealthy to enjoy this all...

Singapore F1 Track, from Formula One Official Website. Notice the amazing backdrop and the setting with lush greenery and the bayfront. 

Level eye shot along Esplanade Bridge from Wikipedia. 

By the way, Ferrari's Felipe Massa will start at pole position tomorrow with reigning World Champion Kimi Raikonnen on 3rd and Lewis Hamilton in between them at 2nd. Given that city circuits are not the best for overtaking, Felipe could use this chance to get to the top of the podium and lead the racing championship.

i know this is a horrible picture but i just want to show what i mean ^^

on an actuall person that looks really good, it gives that 60's hippie vibe that is so "modern" now.

Or you can use a bigger headband and use it like this

On guys, the curly hair is irresistible..! But not if the hair is short like this

longer hair looks so much better, like many indie bands have now and frenchmen and Monaco people, Wonderful CURLY hair <3<3

sooo much better.... Now what i am trying to say is, keep your hair long! But not too long, if it reaches your shoulders, crucial!!! cut it!!

//Filippååv

Les traemos la décima edición de ESC-F!, el "Salón de la Fama" de Eurovision Latino. Un lugar en donde estan todos los ganadores del festival musical más importante del mundo. En esta edición les presentamos a Luxemburgo 1972, Mónaco 1971, Irlanda 1970 y Holanda 1969. Disfruten del ESC-F!, segmento creado exclusivamente para Eurovision Latino. No se olviden de dejar sus comentarios.

GANADOR EUROVISION 1972

Luxemburgo >> Vicky Leandros - Après Toi {128 Puntos}

////////////////////////////////////////

GANADOR EUROVISION 1971

Mónaco >> Severine - Un Banc, Un Arbre, Une Rue {128 Puntos}

////////////////////////////////////////

GANADOR EUROVISION 1970

Irlanda >> Dana - All Kinds of Everything {32 Puntos}

////////////////////////////////////////

GANADOR EUROVISION 1969

Aquí hubo un cuadruple-empate (4 ganadores), lo que originó las molestias de muchos paises participantes. Les presentamos a los ganadores de Eurovision 1969.

España >> Salomé - Vivo Cantando {18 Puntos}

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+--+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

Francia >> Frida Boccara - Un jour, un enfant {18 Puntos}

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+--+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

Holanda >> Lenny Kuhr - De Troubadour {18 Puntos}

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Reino Unido >> Lulu - Boom bang-a-bang {18 Puntos}

Som jag tidigare nämnde i bloggen fick jag två vip-biljetter till Monaco yacht show av min rumskompis, och igår (första dagen av mässan) var jag och Elin på plats bland snobbarnas snobbar. Det var en väldigt intressant dag kan man minst säga och det är inte varje dag man får se överflödslivet dessa kapitalister lever på så nära håll som där. Monaco är verkligen inte värt att se om du inte är rik, för det finns inget anpassat till de mer blygsamma plånböckerna. Därför passar det också så bra att anordna showen just där, för man har gjort det till ännu en tillställning för den ekonomiska makteliten att mingla och knyta kontakter. Hursomhelst visste jag inte att den dagen skulle väcka så många etiska och moraliska frågor hos mig och Elin. Vi landade i många djupa insikter över en bit vegetarisk pizza på kvällen- vi gör Monaco på vårt sätt.

Snart börjar nog min fransklärare tycka jag är lite jobbig. Varje lektion med "Civilisation" tar jag tillfället i akt att diskutera frågor jag tycker är intressant- franskan blir ju mycket roligare då! Senast idag förklarade jag att hennes frågor i en samtalsövning var heteronormativa (ett begrepp hon för övrigt fann väldigt främmande).

Vamos começar o processo de instalação baixando a fonte:

$ cd ~/
$ wget http://www.gringod.com/wp-upload/software/Fonts/Monaco_Linux.ttf

Agora que já temos a fonte, só precisamos instalá-la:

$ su
# cd /usr/share/fonts/TTF
# mkdir myfonts
# cd myfonts
# cp /home/user/Monaco_Linux.ttf .
# chown root.root *.ttf
# mkfontdir
# cd ..
# fc-cache
# exit

Com isso já temos a fonte Monaco instalada, agora vamo configurar algumas coisas para que ela fique com a mesma aparencia do que no MacOSX.

$ cd ~/
$ touch .fonts.conf
$ vi .fonts.conf

E então adicione o seguinte conteúdo ao arquivo:

<?xml version="1.0"?><!DOCTYPE fontconfig SYSTEM "fonts.dtd">
<fontconfig>
 <match target="font" >
  <edit mode="assign" name="rgba" >
   <const>none</const>
  </edit>
 </match>
 <match target="font" >
  <edit mode="assign" name="hinting" >
   <bool>true</bool>
  </edit>
 </match>
 <match target="font" >
  <edit mode="assign" name="hintstyle" >
   <const>hintmedium</const>
  </edit>
 </match>
 <match target="font" >
  <edit mode="assign" name="antialias" >
   <bool>true</bool>
  </edit>
 </match>
 <match target="font" >
  <test qual="any" name="family">
   <string>Monaco</string>
  </test>
  <edit name="autohint" mode="assign">
   <bool>true</bool>
  </edit>
  <edit name="hintstyle" mode="assign">
   <const>hintnone</const>
  </edit>
 </match>
</fontconfig>

Agora podemos utilizar a fonte em vários lugares, atualmente eu estou utilizando no terminal (urxvt) e no emacs, porém como eu vou fazer um post mais pra frente sobre como editar o emacs, vou deixar para explicar lá como fazer para colocar a fonte no mesmo.

$ cd ~/
$ vi .Xresources

Edite da seguinte maneira:

! Global
Xft.antialias: true
Xft.rgba : rgb
Xft.hintstyle : hintfull
Xft.hinting : true
! URxvt
URxvt*xftAntialias: true
URxvt*background: #242424
URxvt*foreground: #fafffa
URxvt*font: xft:Monaco:pixelsize=11:antialias=false
URxvt*boldFont : xft:Monaco: pixelsize=11:weight=bold

E logo em seguida carregue com o xrdb:

$ xrdb ~/.Xresources

Pronto, agora você já estará usando a fonte Monaco no urxvt do seu Arch Linux com a mesma aparência do que no MacOSX.

That according to the French magazine, Gala. The glossy publication predicts the 50 year old bachelor will finally marry his 31 year old girlfriend of two years next year. The two have been seen in public at major events, such as the Olympics and Monaco's Red Cross Ball this past summer. Being seen at high profile events like that show Charlene is more than just a fling to the Monagesque Prince.

However, this is not the first time rumors of an engagement were debunked. There have been numerous reports of a wedding in the process for a long while now, only to be met with silence from the tiny principality.

At the same time, Gala has already made a false prediction: the magazine said Wednesday, September 24th would be the day of the announcement - which of course did not happen. Now, Gala is saying it would be within days instead. 

If Prince Albert marries his South African girlfriend, he will then commit to the duty of producing a legitimate heir to the Monagesque principality. He already is the father of two children, both born out of wedlock. While Albert supports his children financially, he cannot make them his heir. Monagesque law only allows heirs who were born within marriage.

Currently, Monaco's heir is Albert's elder sister, Princess Caroline. After her come her three children: Andrea, Charlotte and Pierre Casiraghi.

Prince Albert's reluctance to settle down and to continue to play the field well into his middle ages has been the source of gossip throughout Europe and the United States. He has dated some of the most famous women in the world, such as supermodel Claudia Schiffer, Angie Everhart and Brooke Shields.