CHERYL BURKE DANCELN

Moving is a nuisance, but it is inevitable and must be done. It entails time and money and whenever these assets come into play, stress is almost always present. According to the Employee Relocation Council, moving is one of the most stressful events in life – along with divorce and death. Finding a moving company to help is something to strongly consider.

Giving yourself plenty of moving time, 7-8 weeks is suggested, will allow you to prepare for the actual moving day. Having everything organized and ready for when the moving day comes provides for a much smoother transition and will lessen stress. Unfortunately, in countless circumstances, time is scarce and hard to find; as a result asking for assistance from a moving company is the finest solution. The right movers can provide experience and piece of mind to make your experience a stress free one.  Read more

We sure hear a lot of complaints about how hard it is to break into the 3-D animation business and Hollywood. Many in the US are complaining that most of the jobs are now going to India, and whereas, it is true that the Indian animation entertainment sector and electronic arts industry is growing by leaps and bounds, we must also realize that there are many more animation films every year than there ever have been in the past.Second, is your knowledge enough to face the competition in animation? As you know, competition is very tight in computer animation. You will be forced to compete or else you will end up one day you already lose your career. In the same way animation companies exist because they compete. An old animator also competes with new graduates carrying the latest technologies in their skills.  Read more

1. Bath couch Take one vintage roll top bath, cut in half, adorn with fabric and cushioning and what have you got? A new sofa for the living room. The Max bath tub chaise like the Mofa (made from recycled car seats) demonstrates the sustainable design mantra perfectly. The seat pad can be upholstered in a fabric of your choice.
2. Belt upMade from reclaimed, end of the line seat belts, only the floral detailing sections are made new on this Seat Belt Cushion. There aren’t even any zips. Filled with duck down, they are made in the UK, so they’ve got a low transport footprint as well.
3. Good bacteria Made out of recycled yoghurt pots, these cream coasters give new life to those discarded tubs (they rinse them first, of course) and are a friendly addition to any evening’s entertaining.
4. Old news Store old newspapers in old newspapers. This recycled newspaper magazine rack is made of newsprint that would otherwise have been thrown away, and makes a great set with its coordinating bin to match. Read all about it.
5. IB Pop Chair: Perky, fresh and durable, the IB Pop Chair is made from a single sheet of recycled polypropylene, and the legs are constructed of anodised aluminium, making it super hard-wearing. Being of single-sheeet construction, it is easy to recycle again too. What goes around comes around.
6. Swinging days A contemporary design take on those car tyre swings you may remember from sunny days in the park. This recycled tyre horse swing actually takes its main component from an aeroplane tyre. Great for the coming summer months, hang it from a garden tree and keep kids amused for hours.
7. Plastic is not rough Something old, something new. Just because it’s recycled, doesn’t mean it can’t be pretty. This traditional window box is easy to assemble and looks classy beneath any window sill. And because it’s not metal, it will never rust.
8. Record collector Fed up with old LPs lying around that you never listen to? Get an eyeful of this playful recycled bowl which has put them to good use. The original record label sits intact in the centre while the side ridges make this a fab alternative to the mundane fruit bowl. Pick from Abba, Neil Young or Eric Clapton, but be snappy – there’s only one of each.
9. Kid rock Re-create the cinema experience at home with this bold cinema-seat-turned-rocking-chair from Derbyshire designer, Guy Arzi. Original and handmade, this is a design must for eco attention-seekers.
10. Make a splash Made from 1970s charity-shop materials (duvet covers, curtains and table cloths), this Golden Splash recycled cushion comes from a Mancunian designer who loves re-using fabric. A decorative piece that would sit comfortably on any couch or bed, the 1970s looks set to make an attractive re-appearance.

As well as looking good on or off, they’re also better for viewing digital channels (you don’t need a digital box), or terrestrial channels (which will be turned off from next year as the digital switchover commences). And then there’s the picture quality, which experts say is far superior to the old CRT telly. With high definition technology, the screen delivers an image with more depth and less ‘visual noise’. This allows you to sit closer without your eyes straining.

Add to this the fact that LCD (liquid crystal display) TVs have lower power consumption and a wider viewing angle, and you viewing experience has just gone from pre-historic to space age. Ready to slim down?

Get with the programme

There are two main categories of flat screens – plasma or LCD. On the eco-side, LCD screens use less power than plasma, but if it’s a larger, brighter ‘cinema’ style screen you’re after, opt for plasma (they range from about 42 to 100 inches).  Read more

Music video by Vanessa Hudgens performing Sneakernight.