WIN 2 PAIRS OF VIP TICKETS TO THE VALENTINE DINNER & DANCE
2 lucky people have won 2 pairs of tickets (4 tickets in total). Congratulations to
(1)NUMBER 52 Tim Roche from London
(2)NUMBER 26 Clare Roberts from Milton Keynes
The Valentines dinner and dance
As a member of the diplomatic community I have the privilege of getting free tickets to the most exclusive events and parties in 2012 with diplomats and high profile expatriates during the year of the Olympics and Queen’s Jubilee.
On Valentine’s day 14th February 2012 we are giving away 4 VIP TICKETS worth nearly £300 plus for the prestigious Diplomats and Expatriates Valentines Dinner and Dance at a 5 star venue in London.
Raffle prizes from luxury brand sponsors such as an exotic holiday, 5 star hotel get away, spa retreat, limousine VIP dinner and theatre experience, magnum of champagne etc
Goody bags full of luxury items, valentine surprises and discount vouchers!
The event is exclusive and by invitation of members only!
Events mostly organised by young and trendy expatriates 40 and under.
It’s an event for single people and couples, so everyone is welcome. So if you want to enjoy a special moment with your partner or want to meet interesting and exciting people in London, this is the party to be.
If you run a business or service that would benefit this particular clientele, you would be welcome to network and meet new business prospects. See timetable below.
Scene to watch with the lights on: All of it. No no no, trust us. Watch it at mid-day, with the blinds open and the lights on. And then get used to the fact that you may never, ever sleep again.
"Tubular Bells" is the scariest music arrangement ever made. We hear it and we're the scaredy cat equivalent of Pavlov's Dog – the Satan bells ring, and we tense up, scream and piss our everythings. More than once. And then cry ourselves to sleep with one eye open.
The movie's premise, a little girl possessed by a demon, is scary enough as words on paper. But what director William Friedkin does with it, aside from prove that he has a seriously strong (or frightfully off) constitution for this sort of stuff, is treat the extraordinary of it all as if it were really happening next door to us.
The scares come from a place based in Faith, where Heaven and hell are as real as your beliefs in them care to be. Faith, for all the documentation on the subject, is tethered to the intangible; it's not something science can define or strategize. The demon that comes from The Exorcist's interpretation of that idea is something more powerful than a Freddy or a Jason. Something that can't be shot or stabbed or detonated.
Before it can be attacked, let alone defeated, it has to be first believed in – as terrible and soul-threatening as this may be to the young priest and old priest charged with delivering the climatic exorcism. Fathers Karras and Merrin spend the third act of the movie fighting back the Devil for control of young Regan's soul. And in doing so, Karras, a man of wavering faith throughout most of the movie, finally believes in the only true good he knows by sacrificing himself to save that little girl.
Film school analyze this movie more if you want. Bottom line: It is the best horror movie about the consequences of belief ever made. It is the reason why so many exorcism movies flood the marketplace and never fully deliver.
It is the number one movie on our all-time list.
2. PSYCHO
Scene to watch with the lights on: What scene could we pick but the quintessential shower slaying? Coupled with the iconic music cue, this scene remains a horror classic 50 years later.
The content of Psycho isn't as shocking as it was way back in 1960. After all, girls get stabbed in the shower all the time in modern horror cinema. However, it's a testament to Hitchcock's skill as a director that Psycho remains a tense and nerve-wracking experience. The killing of Janet Leigh's character and the accompanying musical key is one of the most iconic scenes in Hollywood history.
Psycho is such a classic of the genre that it inspired a shot-for-shot remake in 1998. We wouldn't recommend wasting time with that film, but we would urge any horror lover who hasn't seen Psycho to move it to the top of their priority list.
Psycho is both one of the greatest thrillers of all time and one of the greatest entries in Alfred Hitchcock's legendary resume. A true master of suspense and tension, Hitchcock crafted a memorable horror experience with a limited cast and even more limited budget. Like so many great horror movies, Psycho's scares far exceed its limited scale.
Psycho is the story of crazy old Norman Bates and his even crazier mother. When a young woman on the run from the law arrives at the remote Bates Motel, she falls victim to a knife-wielding killer. Several more victims are claimed before the killer is brought to justice and the true secret of the Bates family stands revealed.
3. JAWS
Scene to watch with the lights on: It's a tie! When the shark turns Alex Kintner into a human chew toy and when Bad Hat Harry stands before Brody, wearing a bathing suit and shaking his saggy gym-sock moobs.
The first blockbuster ever and the scariest movie (maybe even the best one?) Spielberg's ever made, Jaws is equal parts monster movie and character piece, centered on an island called Amity that's preyed upon by something that leaves teeth the size of shot glasses in the hulls of boats and turns their owners into decapitated flotsam. The late Roy Scheider gives a career-defining performance as Chief Brody, the local sheriff with a fear of water, who is put in charge of taking down the murder fish.
Joining him on the Orca for the hunt are Richard Dreyfuss' Hooper and Robert "Find 'im for 3, Catch 'im and Kill 'im for 10" Shaw as Quint, the number one cause of death for just about any marine life.
But you already know that. You should have seen this movie at least 10 times by now, thanks to cable and VHS and DVD. You've probably contemplated making John Williams' theme your ring tone. It's made out of the type of movie magic that warrants repeat viewings, that warrants lots of praise using words like "perfect" and "instant classic."
And if you haven't seen it yet, remedy that soon. So you can walk amongst normal society as a non-wrong person.
4. ALIEN
Scene to watch with the lights on: Dinner with Kane and the crew of the Nostromo, fresh after Kane wakes up from his facehugger coma, ends with Kane disagreeing with something that ate its way out of his chest. They don't get much better than this, movie fans. Alien movies are generally thought of as being planted in the science fiction realm. However, with the original at least, Alien was as much a horror film as a sci-fi one. With a small cast being hunted by a lone, terrifying creature, Alien was a long way removed from the Star Treks of Hollywood.
Alien is set several centuries in the future when humanity has ventured into the stars. The crew of the mining vessel Nostromo become unwitting hosts to a bloodthirsty alien lifeform. One by one, the crew members fall to an enemy that hides in the shadows and springs from above. Only Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) is savvy enough to survive the alien's onslaught. Too bad for her it was only the first round.
Alien doesn't resemble many sci-fi movies of the time. Artist H.R. Giger designed a world full of twisted tubes, cold hallways, and pervasive darkness. Before Alien, pop culture never warned us how dark, dirty and scary the cold depths of space were. Director Ridley Scott adopted a "less is more" approach that later sequels sadly abandoned. Modern directors can cram all the Aliens and Predators they want into their films, but none can match the sheer claustrophobic terror generated in the original Alien.
5. SILENCE OF THE LAMBS
Scene to watch with the lights on: Lecter's first encounter with Clarice, his crazy and her virtue separated only by safety glass.
Using a serial killer – a cannibal with a doctorate, actually – to help catch another serial killer is as bare bones as you can get with this Best Picture Oscar winner. But the movie is much more than that. It's the scariest movie ever made built around psychology and deduction used as both crime-solving tools and murder weapons. Yes, blame this movie all you want for your friend's bad Hannibal Lecter impersonation that never seems to get better, but it gave us one of the screen's all-time iconic villains and Anthony Hopkinsthe role of his career. Jodie Foster is also exceptional in the role of FBI Agent Clarice Starling, on the trail of Buffalo "It Puts The Lotion In The Basket" Bill. Director Jonathan Demme is effortless and relentless with his tension here, succeeding where Ridley Scott failed in his 2001 sequel, Hannibal by keeping Lecter more of a believable monster and less of a monstrous caricature.
1991's best film, according to the Academy, is worthy of multiple viewings if you can get through a first. We suggest watching it with some fava beans and a nice chianti.
{No copyright infringement intended, all rights reserved copyright to movie studios}
CATWALK PROFESSOR HONOURS US WITH A PHD IN ETIQUETTE
THE CATWALK PROFESSOR is a qualified model trainer who resides in the UK. After winning the Starpic model contest in St Maarten he was granted a scholarship to attend Ophelia Devore modelling school in New York City where he was awarded "BEST RUNWAY MODEL" from his class outshining all male and female students. He went on to compete in Mr Pan Africa U.S.A and took the 1st runner up postion in 1999 a few years later went on to compete in Mr Model of the year catwalk contest in New York City in 2002 and won the title hands down. Catwalk Professor who resides now in the United Kingdom is the most sought after model trainer in the business known by many and the media as "THE MAN WHO TEACHES ALL THE GIRLS HOW TO WALK/POSE" he has graced many media coverage just to name a few (OK, Daily Herald, Voice, Guardian, Naturally just me, Radio times and the Daily Mirror. It’s amazing watching this man teach women how to walk as he transforms them into true catwalk divas as they walk the runways and work the cameras with nothing but confidence! Catwalk Professor is the 3 time award winning "BEST MODEL TRAINER IN THE UK" voted at the B.E.F.F.T.A awards in 2009, 2010, 2011 and has graced the TV series Model, Misfits and Mayhem on the most looked at tv station ITV2.And has also worked with the London School of Modelling. Catwalk Professor who is also called Mr Fierce is a true catwalk diva and teaches only what you see on the international runway. He takes his classes very serious as the way a model walks the runway reflects his knowledge of the industry. You can also join his fan page Catwalk Professor to see all his work and what he is up to and even follow him on twitter...Mrfiercecatwalk .His motto is behind every good man is a good woman and behind every good model who walks and pose is a good man who teaches her how its done.
London Guru: Welcome Catwalk Professor! People know you as an award winning model trainer but some may not know that you are also an Etiquette Expert. Tell me why you included etiquette in your line of work?
First of all I would like to take this moment to wish all readers here a wonderful and blessed New Year’s. As a model trainer I had to add etiquette in my line of work as it's very important how you carry yourself in public making everyone at ease. The worst thing I hate seeing is a lady who just can't be a lady and I am being more woman than her.
London Guru: Etiquette experts are seen by some as being snobs or from middle to upper class. So the average person may not identify easily with etiquette training. How can you explain etiquette to the average person?
It's very simple carrying yourself like a true lady from the way you sit, talk, stand and having the correct confidence...once you have proper etiquette people approach you differently.
London Guru: I also work with diplomats where etiquette is the most important tool for diplomacy. How do you interpret etiquette? How do you see it improving what you do already?
There is so much to etiquette and once you have that you can easily blend in any where
Catwalk Professor 2nd from Left in braids trained models at Face of 2012 Gala awards
London Guru: Are manners and social graces important for lasting personal or business success?
OH yes it is manners, manners and more manners you can never have enough who wants to ever work with someone who is just rude and has no manners!
London Guru: Do you think today’s society has forgotten social manners?
Today's society has forgotten all about etiquette take a look at some young kids how they carry themselves. A long time ago our parents were more concerned about etiquette even paying for their daughters to attend self development classes now they don't and you can see the difference.
London Guru: When a person meets someone for the first time, how should they introduce themselves. Give us an example of the phrases you would use, your actions and body language?
When you meet someone for the first time you must stand, remaining sitting is just very rude! You stand give a firm hand shake giving your last and first name with a smile.
London Guru: When someone offers you something how should you respond and acknowledge them?
When something is given to you....you must say thank you with a smile ....adding a smile goes a long way...so it’s said like this....................thank you very much, well appreciated (with a smile).
London Guru: What do you think is the worst behaviour socially?
Worst behaviour is talking on your phone so loud like everyone wants to hear, putting make up on in public, going to a club and leaving with heels in hand, women who love to be loud seeking attention.
London Guru: You are known for your acid tongue. If someone is ill mannered do you always call them out or does it depend who it is?
Acid tongue that's what they call me as i tell you just how it is with no holding back don't care who you are and what job you do i will tell you just how it is no need for me to cover it up other wise you will never learn and that means am not doing my job
London Guru: Tell me your definition of what a lady AND gentleman should be like?
This is just so simple....a lady should be a lady at all times the way she does everything that brings her the reputation of a woman of class, how she carries herself. You know it when you see it!
Same for the men who should be treating women with respect knowing that their mom is a woman too who carried them for 9 months and wiped their butts! Men who treat women with no respect surely have no respect for their mothers?
London Guru: It has been said today’s girls have a long list of negative role models they aspire to, women who regularly strip, online or on television, gaining fame and wealth from their bad behaviour. Do you think this makes it difficult for women in the industry to work hard and follow a respectful path when they see negative role models becoming famous and getting paid a fortune overnight?
We can’t always blame what's happening out there on the media and TV, sometimes I see kids 15 years old out at 4am who do we blame? The media ? ohhhhhhhhhhh no - parents need to set the foundation, it all starts from home. I was raised by a single mother. I watched the crazy movies but my mom was not to be messed with, one look and I know what she means. People need to monitor their kids, again sometimes I see girls, aged 12 walking the streets with hot pants helloo! Who do we blame surely not the media?
London Guru: From a man’s point of view what can you say goes through your mind when you see ladies with lousy manners behaving inappropriately? For example when over indulging and flashing breasts and staggering home drunk after a night out?
All I can say when you act trashy.... you attract trash.......when you act classy ..........you attract the well manner guys
London Guru: I know you are very loyal to your female fans and to protect your princesses you give them dating etiquette advice. Do you think everyone should be old fashioned when it comes to dating?
I think the old fashioned ways are the best, relationships long ago used to last much longer than today's.
London Guru: What do you think should be the secret weapons for a girl looking for a good guy for a meaningful relationship?
Be yourself, know what you want and don’t ever forget your values.
London Guru: Give us the top qualities you expect from anyone you interact with? These must be the unwritten rules that everyone must abide by.
There are many but to name a few:
1) I don't ask for respect i deamnd it
2) Call me by the right name no “hey”, no “hey bro”,no “hi boss” - I hate those short slangs
3) Don't show up late when we have a meeting or a class
London Guru: Who do you think is the classiest celebrity around and why?
I would say after myself - Halle Berry she is such a classy woman,she doesn’t try hard and whatever she puts on she still can bring attention.
London Guru: Who do you give credit for your good manners and values?
LOVE THIS ONE OH MY GODDDDDD........its my mom Margie - very strict which would make you angry at times but when you look back at all she did all you can do is smile and say God bless every single mother out their especially those single moms who work all day to come home to still prepare the kids meal, take them to school, take the boys to the barbers and so much more I have all respect for every woman.
Respecting the elderly
LESSONS IN ETIQUETTE
FROM AMERICA
Etiquette is less about how to maneuver a knife and fork and more about being mindful – mindful of others. This may seem trite and basic but few people do this well. It’s as simple as saying, “Good morning” to others as you enter an elevator, or speaking to the housekeeper as she takes out your garbage at work. It’s about saying “I’m sorry,” and admitting your mistakes when you’re wrong. It’s about living your life with honesty and integrity. It’s about making a significant contribution to the lives of others. As a cancer survivor, I always say, “Live your life as if it’s your last day.” It’s important to take good care of yourself and then you’ll be better prepared to take care of others.
By Etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore, founder of The Protocol School of Palm Beach and author of Poised for Success: Mastering the Four Qualities That Distinguish Outstanding Professionals,
