The Ancient World

In antiquity, earrings were one of the most popular forms of jewelry. The crescent-shaped gold hoops worn by Sumerian women around 2500 B.C.E. are the earliest earrings for which there is archaeological evidence. By 1000 B.C.E., tapered hoop (also known as boat-shaped) earrings, most commonly of gold but also of silver and bronze, had spread throughout the Aegean world and Western Asia. In Crete and Cyprus, earrings were embellished with twisted gold wire, clusters of beads, and pendants stamped out of thin sheet gold.

In Egypt, Large earrings were introduced about 1500 B.C.E. and were later worn by both men and women. Many Egyptian earrings took the form of thick, mushroom-shaped studs or plugs, which required an enlarged hole to be stretched in the earlobe; these could be of gold, with a decorated front surface, or of humbler materials such as colored glass or carved jasper. Ear studs consisting of two capped tubes that screwed together could be worn alone, but some also had elaborate pendants of gold cornflowers or falcons with flexible tail feathers inlaid with glass.

In the first millennium B.C.E., Etruscan and Greek goldsmiths brought new refinement and artistry to earrings, which were valued as both an adornment and a sign of wealth. Variations on the hoop were the so-called leech earring, a thick tube secured by a hidden wire, and the Etruscan box-type earring, which encased the earlobe in a wide horizontal cylinder. Disk earrings, with pendants in the form of amphorae (ancient Greek jars), figures of Eros, and decorative beads and chains, were another popular form, joined about 330 B.C.E. by twisted gold hoops with animal-head finials. All of these forms were stamped out of thin sheets of gold and decorated with fine palmettes, scrolls, and flowers in twisted wire and granulation; such earrings were fairly light in weight but gave an extremely rich effect.

Roman earrings were similar to Etruscan styles until the first century C.E. when new styles with disks and pendants mounted on s-shaped ear hooks appeared. Colored stones and pearls were favored, and earring styles proliferated to satisfy the Roman taste for ostentatious display. At its height, the Roman Empire had the effect of standardizing styles of jewelry over much of the known world; after the center of influence shifted to Byzantium (Constantinople) in C.E. 330, and Roman influence began to decline, local variations once more emerged. Characteristic Byzantine earrings were plain gold hoops with multiple pearl pendants hung on chains and crescent-shaped earrings of gold filigree.

Bob Iger Wants To Meet With Martin Scorsese Over His 'Nasty' Marvel Movie Comments

Bob Iger, the CEO of Disney Corporation, recently stated that he thought Martin Scorsese’s comments regarding the Marvel Cinematic Universe were “nasty” and “not fair” to the people who worked on them. The Hollywood Reporter got their hands on a new Time interview in which Bob made his remarks. Bob Iger Wants To Meet With Martin Scorsese Over His 'Nasty' Marvel Movie Comments.

Many people on Twitter, including the CEO of Disney himself, haven’t forgiven Martin for saying Marvel movies weren’t “true cinema.” Mr. Iger claimed Martin was the kind of artist who wanted to take risks, however, that doesn’t mean Disney movies and other Marvel creations can’t be considered art.

Furthermore, Iger admitted he and some of Scorsese’s representatives were planning on sitting down for a chat regarding his opinion. As most know, Martin’s previous statements have been on top of the entertainment news headlines for months.

As it was previously reported, filmmakers like Joss Whedon, James Gunn, and Kevin Feige, all defended Marvel against The Irishman director’s comments, with many of them saying they loved Martin’s movies, however, they couldn’t get behind what he said.

Additionally, this wouldn’t be the first time Bob has mentioned Martin’s Empire interview. Speaking with BBC Radio earlier this year, Bob thought out loud that he thought Scorsese hadn’t even watched a Marvel movie before.

Bob stated it wasn’t possible for a person to sit through a Marvel movie and not feel like it wasn’t a great film. However, some of the other more critically acclaimed directors have similar opinions, including Francis Ford Coppola in addition to Jon Favreau. Coppola was even less sensitive, saying the movies were “despicable.”

Since then, Martin hasn’t backed down at all from his original statement, even saying at the London Film Festival and in a New York Times opinion story that the films were “market-researched, audience-tested, vetted, modified, revetted, and remodified,” until they were finally suitable for the public’s enjoyment.

Whether or not Martin’s comments are justifiable or not, Scorsese’s latest movie has exceeded expectations, becoming one of Netflix’s best movies. In fact, within the first month of its release, it has been viewed by 26 million households.

Wasteland 2 Is Now Being Offered For Free Through GOG For A Limited Time

There are a lot of platforms offering a ton of free games. It’s December so the giving spirit is alive and well. One of these platforms is GOG.com. Right now, PC users can pick up the popular Wasteland 2 from inXile Entertainment. However, this deal is a limited-time offering. 48 hours is the window that interested gamers have before this great title will no longer be available for free. Wasteland 2 Is Now Being Offered For Free Through GOG For A Limited Time.

Considering that Wasteland 3 is set to come out next year, this is the perfect game to tide you over. It really has a lot going for it. For one, there is a ton of gameplay to dive deep into. There are — in fact — a total of 80 hours to enjoy from start to finish. That’s plenty of time to experience the post-apocalyptic themes that are so prevalent.

The survivors of the Wasteland are doing their best to make it through each day. It’s up to your squad of Desert Rangers to preserve justice and fend off the bevvy of threats this game throws at you left and right. Even more impressive is the ripple effect that’s incorporated in Wasteland 2. The decisions your squad make have an impact on the remaining survivors. Even simple acts can ripple over, setting a course of events that you probably didn’t originally foresee. That’s what makes this game so exciting because you never know really what to expect.

If you like variety, then Wasteland 2 is an amazing addition to your PC collection. There are literally hundreds of characters you’ll get to manage. Every single one has unique characteristics that make you appreciate all of the details that were put into this game.

This is also a thinking man’s game. You won’t be able to come half-ready into battle. Every decision you make on the battlefield counts for something, and sometimes, you scrape by just barely for the next wave of attacks. The entire time, you’re thinking about ways to adjust your squad to make them better suited for all that’s up ahead.

That’s not all, either. Those who visit GOG and pick up Wasteland 2 also will get a copy of the original Wasteland. It’s the title that started it all for this beloved series. It’s the perfect two-pack to experience before hitting the third installment hard when it releases early next year. That’s quite the value that you don’t often see from major developers today. Act now before it’s too late.

Ragnarok Game, The Publishers Of Rune II, Files A Lawsuit Against Human Head Studios For Turning Their Back On The Game

Currently, the lawsuit stated that Human Head studios did not reveal its pending acquisition by Bethesda, and now they wouldn’t return Rune II assets. Saying the launch of the Viking action-RPG Rune II was impressive would be a little exaggerating.

It started on November 12, when the game went live on the Epic Games Store only for Human Head Studios to abandon the game in November 2013, literally the same door they came back to the game but this time as Bethesda-owned Roundhouse Studios.

So the next day, the publisher of Rune II, Ragnarok Game reassured fans that though they lost a developer, the game would continue to actively supported along with the planned post-launch content. They went on to say this wasn’t their expectation by saying in a statement ‘we found out about this news when you did.’ Ragnarok Game, The Publishers Of Rune II, Files A Lawsuit Against Human Head Studios For Turning Their Back On The Game.

However, Ragnarok allegedly said Human Head in a post today in the Rune II forum, stating that the studio refused to give the final source code and the game assets, despite several requests to submit the necessary information. On that note, Ragnarok Games made decisions by filing a lawsuit against the studio.

The lawsuit clearly states that the development did not go smoothly. They said, ‘for instance, the initial schedule set which was 11 ‘milestones’ but due to Human Head lackluster management, errors, and delays, which ultimately stretched to 23 milestones, of which Ragnarok had to pay for.’

They also said that Human Head Studio suddenly stopped communicating and unavailable for a couple of weeks before the launch of Rune II. And that on November November 7, three days before the final release, Human Head’s ex-COO Ben Gokey told his plight to Ragnarok that the studio was closing—but didn’t tell Ragnarok that Bethesda had paid a lump sum for Human Head Studios.

The new Roundhouse Studios and Human Head have the exact business address ‘1741 Commercial Ave, Madison, Wisconsin. The same employees of Human Head studios and heads in the same physical space were replicated as Bethesda’s Roundhouse Studios just a few days after the launch of Rune II‘ according to the lawsuit.

Ragnarok was caught unawares of these developments and only was aware from the press, also with the audience. What is surprising here is Ragnarok’s effort to reach out to Human Head Studio’s COO on November November 8 to ask about the employees, Gokey said that would be a problem. Still, the issues he didn’t mention was that those employees are on the verge of becoming Bethesda employees.

The issue now is Human Head Studios is refusing to hand over the final source code of Rune II and its assets so that Ragnarok would make further payments for Human Head’s Unfinished deliverables. The lawsuit also states that though Bethesda now owns human Head Studios, and against their initial publisher’s instructions. Human Head did not only keep their part of the agreement, but they also uploaded and tried to launch a refashioned and unaccepted Rune II build to the Epic Games Store Staging.

Finally, Ragnarok lawsuit demands the return of the game assets and final source code (property), the restoration of their financial reimbursement, and at least a sum of $100 million in compensation. Until now, Bethesda representative hasn’t replied to the current situation.

What could happen next? Let’s hope it all ends well because Rune II is too good of a game to ignore!!

Amanda Bynes Posts Her First Photo On IG In Three Months

Earlier this week, Amanda Bynes posted on her Instagram for the first time in approximately three months claims a new report from Page Six. As most know, Amanda Bynes has struggled with addiction issues, mental health problems, and other legal dramas for years.

The 33-year-old Nickelodeon actress shared a selfie of herself sporting ice-blue hair along with the caption, “Geisha girl vibes.” Bynes appeared to have turned off the commenting section of the photo, probably due to accusations of cultural appropriation.

Back in April of this year, even Rihanna had to cancel a face product with the name, “Geisha Chic,” after fans of hers, and other anonymous social media users complained about the “fetishization of Japanese culture.” Amanda Bynes Posts Her First Photo On IG In Three Months.

On the 10th of September, 2019, Bynes took to her social media again following her past statements regarding how difficult it was to use the platform. In the past, Bynes admitted she had a love-hate relationship with social media.

According to a report from Suzy Kerr on the 26th of September, Amanda Bynes’s mental state and addiction struggles have increased over the years. For instance, the star had to live in a sober living home and was “taking one day at a time” following her exit from rehab in June of the same year.

Insiders who spoke with the publication stated Amanda’s family thought it would be best if she stayed in the facility because she wasn’t “doing well.” Following her celebration of three years of sobriety, Amanda relapsed in January.

She was purportedly trying to get her name back in the public eye again, however, reports stated it was “too much” and “too soon.” As it was noted above, for years, Amanda has struggled with addiction problems, including alcohol and drugs, a stark contrast to the persona she portrayed growing up on the Nickelodeon channel.

Additionally, The Blast reported that Amanda was heading to court in Ventura County for her conservatorship case regarding who will help take care of her. Reportedly, Bynes’s problems intensified when she allegedly tried to light her dog on fire in Thousand Oaks, California, in 2013.

Essay on Fashion

Every person nurtures an innate desire of looking good and feels ‘accepted’ in the socio-economic circle. The word fashion instantaneously brings to mind a flash of colour with a dash of glamour. Fashion plays an increasingly important role in an indivi­dual’s life because it is considered as a means of self-expression. The garments and accessories that man or women wear, help them to identify with a group of others-whether it is a lifestyle, profession, a religion, or an attitude. Thus, the term ‘fashion’ has become synonymous with the overall growth of the country as well.

Several factors contribute to the evolution of fashion essay as a whole. It is a widely accepted fact that the rich and the famous, and the political figures and royalty have always moved the seasonal trends of fashion. The advertising media also contributes equally to update us about the daily style checks.

Fashion in India, a land rich in culture and tradition, has evolved through the centuries. This country, rich in culture represents a kaleidoscope of changing trends and traditions. Here, clothes perform different functions depending on the occasion. Be it festivals, parties, profession, or just a matter of reflecting attitude … fashion is simply ‘in’.

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Right from women who sport a dash of vermilion in the parting of their hair, to professionals on the go who wield the ladle and the laptop with equal ease, fashion forms an integral 92 Top School Essays

part of their lives. Today, fashion does not necessarily mean glamour, or the urge to follow the current trends. It is more a way of life, a reflection of inner beauty, where the intellect shines through, complete with comfort quotient.

Fashion not only highlights the social history and the needs of person but also the overall cultural aesthetic of the various periods. The evolution of fashion dates back to several hundred years and as our attitude and culture change, fashion comes along with it.

In India, the fashion scenario was different in different political periods. During the British rule in India, the fashion trend within high society was strongly influenced by the British fashion style and western clothes became a status symbol in India.

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Again during 1930s, emergence of different ideologies like communism, socialism and fascism imparted a more feminine and conservative touch to the women’s fashion.

However, the period also witnessed the predominance of body hugging dresses with dark shades. The foundation of the Indian cinema also proved to be the strongest influence on revolutionising the fashion scene in those days.

1940s was a decade marked by the second World War and the ensuing independence of India. Hence, the period portrayed relatively simple yet functional women’s clothing.

During 1950s, the advent of art colleges and schools led to popularity of narrow waist and balloon skirts with bouncing patterns. Also, the adoption of khadi by Mahatma Gandhi made khadi garments a rage among women.

In the 1960s, the sweeping changes in fashion and lifestyle resulted in highly versatile fashion trends. In 1970s, the traditional materials were exported in bulk to other nations.

Thus, excess of export materials were sold within the country itself, which resulted in popularity of international fashion in India.

During 1980s and 90s, the advent of television and other advertising means gave a new edge to the Indian fashion scene. Influenced by ideas of several foreign designers, new design and pattern were introduced into garments.

During these periods, power dressing and corporate look were the style statement. The revival of ethnicity was also witnessed in these decades.

Fashion trends keep changing and most fashion divas and models are the one to make them. The youth is a major follower of fashion trends. Fashion trends also get influenced from Bollywood as well as Hollywood. Metros like Mumbai and Delhi witness the quick changes in fashion especially in college going crowds.

India has a rich and varied textile heritage, where each region of India has its own unique native costume and traditional attire. While traditional clothes are still worn in most of rural India, urban India is changing rapidly, with international fashion trends reflected by the young and glamorous, in the cosmopolitan metros of India.

Fashion in India is a vibrant scene, a nascent industry and a colourful and glamorous world where designers and models start new trends every day.

While previously a master weaver was recognised for his skill, today a fashion designer is celebrated for his or her creativity. Young urban Indians can choose from the best of East and West as Indian fashion designers are inspired by both Indian and western styles. This fusion of fashion can be seen

Fashion in India is also beginning to make its mark on the international scene, as accessories such as bindis (red dots worn on the forehead), mehendi (designs made by applying henna to the palms of the hands and other parts of the body) and bangles, have gained international popularity, after being worn by fashion icons, like the pop singers Madonna and Gwen Stefani.

In India, fashion has become a growing industry with international events such as the India Fashion Week and annual shows by fashion designers in the major cities of India.

The victories of a number of Indian beauty queens in International events such as the Miss World and Miss Universe contests have also made Indian models recognised worldwide.

Fashion designers such as Ritu Kumar, Ritu Beri, Rohit Bal, Rina Dhaka, Muzaffar Ah, Satya Paul, Abraham and Thakore, Tarun Tahiliani, JJ Valaya and Manish Malhotra are some of the well- known fashion designers in India.

In India, fashion covers a whole range of clothing from ornate clothes designed for wedding ceremonies to pret lines, sports wear and casual wear.

Traditional Indian techniques of embroidery such as chikhan, crewel and zardosi, and traditional weaves and fabrics have been used by Indian designers to create Indo-western clothing in a fusion of the best of East and West.

Traditional costumes in India vary widely depending on the climate and natural fibres grown in a region. In the cold northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, people wear a thick loose shirt called a phiran to keep them warm.

In the tropical warmth of south India, men wear a sarong like garment called the mundu, while women drape 5 metres of cloth around their bodies in the graceful folds of the saree. Sarees are woven in silk, cotton and artificial fibres. Kanjivaram, Mysore, Paithani, Pochampalli, Jamdani, Balucheri, Benarasi, Sambalpuri,

Bandhini are some varieties of beautiful sarees from different regions of India. In the dry regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat men wrap and twist a length of cloth in the form of a dhoti around their lower limbs and a shirt-like kurta above.

Colourful turbans complete the picture. In the northeastern regions the tribal communities such as Khasis, Nagas, Mizos, Manipuris and Arunachalis wear colourful woven sarong-like clothing and woven shawls that represent the identity of each tribal group.

Numbers Aren’t Everything.

But… not all metrics are the same.

In the social media/marketing/IT world we are very fond of data. I’ve said numbers aren’t everything, but more true to the point is that some numbers are important and some numbers are not. While I do agree having a large number of followers looks good (and I’d be lying if I wasn’t proud by the fact that I’ve grown my following to over 50,000 on Twitter), there are other metrics that I feel are more useful and important. How about…

• How many people engage with you on a regular basis
• How many Twitter lists people have added you to
• Shock horror- how many leads and sales social media is driving!
• How much traffic to your website your social efforts are driving

Let’s stop looking at the number of fans and followers and look at the things that matter!

However, you’ve stumbled across this article, so you are curious aren’t you?

How to Buy your Followers

There are plenty of services out there which claim to boost your numbers. Many say they can boost your numbers quickly. Some services offer to do this for free and some require payment.  There are a number of different methods that they can employ.

1. Aggressive Following Technique. (Twitter Only) By following a large number of people each day, waiting for them to follow you, then unfollow those who don’t follow you back it is possible to artificially increase your followers very quickly. This goes against Twitter’s terms and conditions and so is definitely to be avoided. There is nothing wrong with following or unfollowing a large number of people every now and again, but if Twitter think you are aggressively trying to increase your followers by follower/unfollower churn methods, you are likely to get your account suspended. Note- a service will need you to give permission for it to access your Twitter account in order to follow Twitter accounts
2. Zombie Account Following. (Facebook & Twitter) By paying a 3rd party you can get 100s, 1000s of even 10,000s of followers or likes. Generally each supplier has a database of twitter or Facebook “zombie” accounts that they can use to follow or like you. These are usually completely inactive accounts, sometimes with random names with jumbled up letters and numbers.

Why is Buying Followers so Bad?

When you buy followers or fans, you aren’t getting people who are interested or willing to engage with you. You are merely buying numbers. After paying for followers/fans or engaging in aggressive follower churn, you are likely to get a large number of fake accounts amongst your number. Blogger, Zach Bussey, decided to do an experiment and create a new Twitter account and Buy Instagram Followers. Overnight the number of followers of his new Twitter account increased to a whopping 26,000! It got interesting when he analyzed the results and looked at the Twitter accounts that these fake accounts followed. Doing this enabled him to have a good guess on other people who had paid for followers!

#2 You end up spamming your followers.

This isn’t always the case, but some even more evil Twitter Follower services ask to access your Twitter account to send out multiple messages advertising their way of increasing people’s followers. This is just going to annoy your followers and give you a bad name, which brings me on to…

#3 Loss of Integrity and Reputation.

In this post-modern (or post-post-modern!) world we live in, morality is perhaps more difficult to define since everyone has a different view of what morality is. However, it is fair to say that people see buying followers as a rather immoral thing to do. People view it as you trying to appear more popular than you are and doing it by dodgy means. People may not know that you’ve bought followers, but going from 30 followers or likes to 30,000 in the space of a couple of days is bound to get people suspicious, and then your integrity and reputation could well be in tatters.

#4 You’ll get found out!

In fact, a lot of people are currently getting found out. It is fairly easy to find out the names of people who are being followed by fake accounts as I mentioned in the first point. However, a new tool on the block is making it even easier. The Fake Followers Check check from Status people analyses your followers to see how many are fake. The interesting thing is you can do the analysis on other accounts too.