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Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Entertainment
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Best-selling author Dan Brown made a rare public appearance in New Hampshire on Friday, saying very little about his next novel other than he’s well into the writing process. “The Da Vinci Code” author, who grew up in New Hampshire, spoke at a benefit for The Music Hall’s “Writers on a New England Stage” series in Portsmouth. Brown is working on a new book that again features Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon as protagonist. In addition to “The Da Vinci Code,” Langdon’s appeared in “Angels and Demons” and “The Lost Symbol.” Brown was witty throughout the session in the late 19th century brick theater, and set the tone of the evening with several personal anecdotes from his childhood, which influenced his thoughts on the
tense coexistence of science and religion. Despite persistent questioning from his fans and the media, Brown was tightlipped about his next novel. Brown said it took a year and a half to research and that he is “well into the process of writing it.” “The novel will be set in Europe, in the most fascinating place I’ve ever been,” he said. Asked when the new book will be released, he said only “It’ll be done when it’s done.” The author said he felt no pressure to complete the novel soon. “My publisher wants good books, not quick ones,” he said. Brown began the session by introducing his parents and telling the crowd his mother Constance’s birthday was Saturday. “I owe everything to my parents,” said Brown, whose father was a math teacher and mother was a church organist and piano teacher.
AP Photo/Disney, File
FILE - This file photo of a film image released by Disney shows Iron Man, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr., left, and Captain America, portrayed by Chris Evans, in a scene from “The Avengers.
‘Avengers’ sinks ‘Battleship” to remain No. 1 LOS ANGELES — “The Avengers” continues to muscle out everything else Hollywood throws at it, easily sinking naval rival “Battleship” and other new releases. With $55.1 million domestically, Disney’s superhero sensation remained No. 1 for a third-straight weekend and took in more than the three big newcomers combined. Overseas, “The Avengers” added an additional $56 million. The film is approaching the $1.2 billion mark worldwide, totaling $457.1 million domestically and $723.3 million internationally. “’The Avengers’ is dominating the marketplace so profoundly that the newcomers are having a tough time breaking in now,” said Paul Dergarabedian, analyst for box-office tracker Hollywood.com.
Universal’s “Battleship” opened a distant No. 2 with $25.4 million domestically, well below industry expectations. But the board-game adaptation starring Liam Neeson, Taylor Kitsch and Rihanna already has grossed $226.8 million overseas since launching in April, giving it a worldwide total of $252.1 million. “I would be glad to be No. 2 if we
opened to a better number. But given the presence of an absolute juggernaut in the marketplace, there’s nothing you can do,” said Nikki Rocco, head of distribution for Universal. “Not to have a shot at being No. 1 this weekend is disappointing. But it’s a challenge with ‘Avengers’ out there.” Sacha Baron Cohen’s comedy “The Dictator,” in which he plays a tyrannical third-world leader, debuted in third-place with $17.4 million for the weekend. Since opening Wednesday, the Paramount release has taken in $24.5 million. “The Dictator” opened with $30.3 million in 29 overseas markets, giving it a worldwide haul of $54.8 million.
Zuckerberg’s post-IPO wedding is smart legal move SAN FRANCISCO - Getting married was a smart business move as well as a personal milestone for Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg, with the timing of the wedding, the day after the company’s initial public offering, potentially proving particularly advantageous, California divorce lawyers said on Sunday. Assuming the couple signed a prenuptial agreement, as most wealthy Californians do, Zuckerberg and Chan would have agreed exactly how to split assets, including his Facebook stock, if their marriage dissolved in future. Even without a prenup, the wedding’s timing would help establish the
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Relishing Sea View in Fusion with Terraced Rice Fields
Associated Press Writer
Reuters
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Dewi Sinta Hotel:
‘Da Vinci Code’ author Dan Brown speaks in NH Associated Press Writer
Activities
International
International
value of their assets in the event of any future divorce battle, lawyers said. A spokeswoman for Facebook declined to comment on whether the couple signed such an agreement. Priscilla Chan and Zuckerberg live together in the modest house in Palo Alto, Calif., where they were married on Saturday. The couple met as undergraduates at Harvard University in 2004. Zuckerberg, now 28, dropped out of college to work on Facebook, while Chan, a pediatrician, stayed to earn her undergraduate degree in 2007. Chan’s work led to Facebook created an organ donation page. The pair recently travelled to China. Had they continued the status
quo, Chan could potentially lay claim to a much larger portion of assets, including a chunk of his $20 billion in Facebook shares, lawyers say. “In California, people who live together without the benefit of marriage could claim they had an agreement to pool resources and efforts,” said Napa, Calif., lawyer Robert Blevans. Although they are hard to prove, “those claims can get really ugly.” Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan are seen in this screengrab of a wedding photo posted on Zuckerberg’s Facebook page May 19, 2012.
REUTERS
PHYSICALLY, Dewi Sinta Hotel, Restaurant & Spa is not as grandiose as the hotels located in the premier tourist resorts of Nusa Dua, Sanur or Kuta. However, never misunderstand! The budget hotel located in the Tanah Lot tourist destination has its own uniqueness, both in terms of panorama or services extended. “Though it is a budget hotel, we provide services based on the standard of star-rated hotels,” said I Gusti Gde Aryadi, the owner of the hotel, last week. Most importantly, continued Aryadi, he provided services for guests with friendliness, honesty and professionalism, so as to create impressive images for the only hotel in the favorite tourist area in Bali. Familiar and familial atmosphere was not only intended for the staff, but also became a priority for ev-
ery single traveler. “We also give awards for the best employees as a way to encourage the morale of our workers in providing the best services,” added the pioneer of Tanah Lot tourist object calmly. Dewi Sinta is the oldest hotel since the Tanah Lot was visited by many tourists. The entire building is designed by perfectly combining the traditional elements and stylish architecture to engender a convenient tourism sanctuary to unwind. Aura of the sanctity exuded by the Tanah Lot Temple, Enjung Galuh Temple and Pakendungan Temple give more profound tranquility. Meanwhile, the existing lush tropical gardens confer a typical countryside nuance. There are 20 rooms consisting of 2 types on offer, namely standard and deluxe room with air conditioning, private bathroom with hot and
cold water, IDD telephone, TV, and mini bar. In front of the hotel rooms stretches an enchanting terraced rice fields in combination with the verdant fairways of golf course and swimming pool. These added-value backdrops made this accommodation close to nature. Additionally, it is also equipped with spa treatment facilities featuring with Balinese therapies to blissfully pamper guests with freshness and fitness. In the meantime, Dewi Sinta is also equipped with restaurant offering a variety of menu choices such as Balinese, Indonesian, Chinese, Seafood and European cuisine. All delicacies are carefully prepared by well-experienced cooks. Interestingly, breakfast, lunch and dinner are optionally served in a la carte or buffet style. Other amenities equipping the hotel property are an open stage and
a conference room with a capacity of 300 people. Such facilities offer a dinner party with traditional cultural performances such as Kecak, Tektekan, Legong and shadow puppets. Best services, guaranteed security and good relationship
with the surrounding communities led the hotel to achieve some outstanding achievements such as the Security Certificate from the Bali Police with gold predicate, bronze medal in THK Awards and the best taxpayer in Tabanan Regency.
Temple Ceremony Calendar Event for April 20 through May 20, 2012 20 Apr Tilem Kedasa - Pura Kahyangan Tiga Batur Bangli - Pura Batur Camenggon-Sukawati - Pura Luhur Bhujangga Camggu Kuta - Pura Kawitan Kayu Selem Tampurhyang Batur-Kintamani 21 Apr Hari Tumpek Kandang - Pura Puseh, Pura Desa Kota Gianyar - Pura Luhur Dalem Sagening Kediri - Tabanan - Merajan Pasek Gelgel Tegal Gede Badung 25 Apr Buda Wage Menail - Pr. Dalem Tarukan Linggih Pajenengan Cemenggaon Sukawati - Mr. Pasek Dangke bambang - Bangli - Pura Penataran Dalem Ketut Pejeng Pejeng Kaja - Gianyar - Pura Puseh Menakaji Desa Peninjoan - Bangli - Merajan Agung Blangsinga - Blahbatuh - Pura Kawitan Gusti Agung Blangsinga Blahbatuh Gianyar - Pura Kawitan Gusti Celuk Sukawati - Baler Pura Sada, Banjar Pemebatan Kapal Mengwi 1 May Anggar Kasih Perangbakat - Pura Bukit Buluh Gunaksa - Klungkung - Pura Tirta Sudamala Bebalang - Bangli - Pura Paibon Pasek Bendesa Sangsit sawan - Buleleng - Pura Pasek Gelgel Pangi Dawan - Klungkung - Pura Gunung Tengsong Lombok. - Pura Dalem Benawah Gianyar - Pura Dalem Bitra Gianyar - Pura Dalem Banyuning Timur Buleleng - Pura Dalem Pauman Batan Getas Denpasar - Pura Tengah Padang Tegalalang - Merajan Pasek Gelgel Desa Sande - Pupuan Tabanan - Pura Kawitan Tangkas Kori Agung Denpasar - Pura Hyangaluh/Jenggala Besakih - Merajan Pasek Lurah Tutuan Gunaksa - Mr. Pasek Gelgel Selulung - Merajan Pasek Subrata Medahan - Merajan Pasek Munggu Munggu - Pura Tengkulak Tulikup - Gianyar - Pura Penataran Badung Desa Ogang Sidemen.
2 May Buda Umanis Perangbakat - Pura Puri Agung Dalem Tarukan Pejeng Tampak Siring - Pura Rambut Siwi Jembrana - Pura Batu Bolong Canggu - Kuta - Pura Pasek Marga Klaci Tabanan - Pura Agung Pasek Dauh Waru Jembrana - Pura Ratu Pasek Sangsit Sawan - Buleleng. - Pura Pasek Tangkas Darma Reyanggede Tabanan - Pura Desa Banyuning Buleleng - Pr. Srijon Tabanan - Mr. Pasek Gelgel Lebah Pangkung - Merajan Pasek Gelgel Patemon - Pura Tirta Anom Padang Sigi Sading - Tampak Siring - Pura Dadi Agung Pasek Bendesa Dukuh Manuaba Tegalalang. - Pura Pedarmaan Batursari Ngilis Jegu Penebel Tabanan. - Pura Puncak Mundi Nusa Penida. 5 May Purnama Jiyestha - Pura Segara Lombok - Pura Dwijawarsa Malang - Pura Puncaktingguh Angsri Baturiti Tabanan - Pura Kawitan Luhur Bhujangga Desa Jatiluwih Penebel Tabanan - Pura Kawitan Batur Tonja Denpasar - Pura Masopahit Grenceng Denpasar - Pura Penyungsungan Pasek Tohjiwa Wanagiri Selemadeg. - Pura Pamerajan Penataran Agung Sidemen Karangasem - Pura Eka Dharma Sweta Indah-Mataram, NTB. 16 May Buda Keliwon Ugu - Pura Dalem Tarukan Desa Peninjoan Tembuku - Bangli. - Pura Pasek Gelgel Boading Kaba-kaba Tabanan - Pura Pemayun Banyuning Tengah Buleleng - Pura Desa Kayangan Tiga Desa Bubunan Seririt - Buleleng - Pura Agung Gunung Raung Banjar Taro Kaja Taro Tegalalang - Merajan Pasek Dangka Bungbungan 20 May Tilem Jiyestha. - Pura Bhujangga Waisnawa Gumrih Jembrana.
Balinese Temple Ceremony Every Temple and Shrine has a special date for it annual Ceremony, or “ Odalan “, every 210 days according to Balinese calendar, including the smaller ancestral shrine which each family possesses. Because of this practically every few days a ceremony of festival of some kind takes place in some Village in Bali. There are also times when the entire island celebrated the same Holiday, such as at Galungan, Kuningan, Nyepi day, Saraswati day, Tumpek Landep day, Pagerwesi day, Tumpek Wayang day etc. The dedication or inauguration day of a Temple is considered its birth day and celebration always takes place on the same day if the wuku or 210 day calendar is used. When new moon is used then the celebration always happens on new moon or full moon. The day of course can differ the religious celebration of a temple lasts at least one full day with some temple celebrating for three days while the celebration of Besakih temple, the Mother Temple, is never less than 7 days and most of the time it lasts for 11 days, depending on the importance of the occasion. The celebration is very colorful. The shrine are dressed with pieces of cloths and sometimes with brocade, sailings, decorations of carved wood and sometimes painted with gold and Chinese coins, very beautifully arranged, are hung in the four corners of the shrine. In front of shrine are placed red, white or black umbrellas depending which Gods are worshipped in the shrines. In front of important shrine one sees, besides these umbrellas soars, tridents and other weapons, the “umbulumbul”, long flags, all these are prerogatives or attributes of Holiness. In front of the Temple gate put up “Penjor”, long bamboo poles, decorated beautifully ornaments of young coconut leaves, rice and other products of the land. Most beautiful to see are the girls in their colorful attire, carrying offerings, arrangements of all kinds fruits and colored cakes, to the Temple. Every visitor admires the grace with which the carry their load on their heads.