Australia and New Zealand – Page 51 – Michmutters

Tag: Australia and New Zealand

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Business

Sexy Russian ‘Crazy’ hotel near Moscow that you should avoid at all costs

Sexy Russian 'Crazy' hotel near Moscow that you should avoid at all costs

Today I was minding my own business, trawling the internet for interesting hotels when I came across the formidably named Special Hotel ‘Crazy’ on booking.com.

And I would like you to come on a wild, frightening and mind-boggling journey with me as we drink in the photos from this utterly bizarre themed hotel on the outskirts of Moscow.

(The words “kiss”, “love” and “sex” give a not-so-subtle hint as to what this room is all about. That’s right: crosswords.)

Oh wait, we have more clues. Turns out there’s a bath on a tiled roulette wheel in the other corner. It’s a Vegas-themed room I guess? Also love the curtain in the corner, for a window that is probably very much wished for, but doesn’t exist.

One of my worst nightmares is entering a hotel room to find someone “in character” in the room. As such I find many of these images rather triggering.

Oh god, no room is safe. REFUND! REFUND!

My friend from primary school had Italian grandparents and I swear their bedroom in the 1980s was the inspiration for this particular room.

It’s particularly charming how nobody quite knew where to put the television.

“I know, let’s put it right next to the very eye-catching reverse cycle airconditioning unit.”

This is either some kind of medieval inn vibe, or a ski chalet, or an Early Settler Furniture showroom.

Oh wait, no, *that* is the ski chalet.

The soccer room is very well done. Especially the way they have strung 900 lights up on the ceiling so you feel like you are in the middle of a stadium. It’s very relaxing.

I finally see what hotel rooms have been missing: A mosaic-tiled face that judges you while you’re on the toilet.

Imagine you accidentally booked this with a colleague on a work conference …

… Somebody is calling HR first thing on Monday morning.

To the right is the door you run screaming through.

Another one that is slightly difficult to nail down. Parisian brothel from a rather poor neighbourhood?

Ohhh… it could be an old-timey dress shop. Or a visual merchandising training facility.

This must be the Presidential Suite, because that room has an actual window. Doesn’t even matter what the theme is. Window! We’ll take it.

… on second thoughts.

Another thing we didn’t realize hotels had been missing until now – port holes in the bathroom so you can keep an eye on your partner at all times.

This has just the right amount of kitsch to actually work. Crank that big old oil heater up and pretend you are in the Maldives instead of on the outskirts of Moscow.

Okay what have we here? Are we in Nepal? India? In a wooden crate filled with items bound for an Ishka store?

Oh, we’re in the Karma Sutra room. Don’t look too closely at the images on the wall, children.

This must be the budget room. Geez it looks nice and peaceful.

So it seems the directions to the rooms are done in the style of an airport terminal? Don’t hate that. Points for originality.

It actually turns out, upon further investigation, that “the style of the individually decorated rooms represent different countries and cities”.

So you have the “Royal – Moscow” room, the “Inquisition – Madrid” (oh so *that’s* what that was all about), and the “Sports – London” for example.

Imagine spending a week there and traveling the world through their different themed rooms.

Pop that on your travel bucket list.

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Sports

Tigers mid-season signings, Chairman Lee Hagipantelis, August 1 signing deadline scrapped, contracts, David Nofoaluma, Oliver Gildart, Storm Roosters, Peter V’landys

Tigers mid-season signings, Chairman Lee Hagipantelis, August 1 signing deadline scrapped, contracts, David Nofoaluma, Oliver Gildart, Storm Roosters, Peter V'landys

Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis has slammed rivals for “exploiting” the August 1 signing deadline after finals contenders raided the merger club’s outside back stocks.

Bellamy’s Storm signed flyer David Nofoaluma, while the Roosters acquired English import Oliver Gildart’s services for the remainder of 2022.

While Hagipantelis agrees there are some benefits of letting players go on short-term loans — he believes clubs should have to look within for recruits to replace injured or suspended squad members.

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“My personal view is I am not a fan of the transfer system this late in the season, I agree with Peter V’landys that it is there to be exploited,” Hagipantelis said on Fox Sports News.

“The intentions when it was introduced were all very altruistic to assist during the Covid pandemic, but it has gone further than that now.

“And if there is one thing that NRL clubs are good at doing, that is exploiting the rules.

“I think that this late in the season, clubs that are struggling for reasons of injury or suspension should look to themselves, it is a test of their own resilience and their depth.

“I am not in favor of the top four or top eight teams cherry-picking from the bottom eight to enhance their prospects of a premiership, they should be relying on their own assets.

“But as I say, the rules are there to be exploited.”

‘Can’t be repaired’ – Are Manly split? | 03:58

Hagipantelis was also asked how he thinks the fans have reacted to the club allowing players to leave for the remainder of 2022 — revealing the overwhelming response was positive.

“I think it has been understanding, I think people understand that there is a forensic and financial advantage to an NRL club in this loan system,”

“There can be advantages to the player as well to experience an alternate reality and then come back, David Nofoaluma is a perfect example.

“I know David personally, I think it will be very good for him to get away from Sydney to play in Melbourne and in all likelihood play in the finals.

“He is very keen on coming back to the Wests Tigers with that experience under his belt, we see how David plays when he plays for Samoa when he has something to play for.”

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‘PREFER FOR LESS MONEY’: Sheens backs Brooks to stay at Tigers on reduced deal

The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield revealed on NRL360 ARLC chairman Peter V’landys was set to move to August 1 deadline back to its original June 30 date.

In 2020, the cut-off was moved to assist teams stuck in Queensland fill their squads without reserve grade competitions taking the field.

NRL360 co-host Paul Kent was “disappointed” the NRL didn’t have the foresight to shift the date back, labeling it an “oversight” from powerbrokers.

“The whole thing is a win for common sense, it needed to happen, I am disappointed it was allowed to happen this year, I think it was an oversight that they have allowed it to happen,” Kent said.

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“The fact is, this is wrong for so many reasons this August 1 deadline, it is allowing teams to troubleshoot their rosters.

“The part of the game’s appeal is your 30-man roster gets you through the season, and it is the attrition and the endurance to last the season and to get to the finals in a good state of fitness.

“If you can’t do that for whatever reason… so be it, but that is a part of the magic of this competition.”

Fox League’s James Hooper agreed, explaining clubs making late-season signings “cheapens” the values ​​that NRL clubs have stood for.

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DEADLINE CHANGES: V’landys set to scrap the August 1 signing deadline

EELS MOVE BLOCKED: Knights bosses deny Parramatta’s attempts to sign Klemmer

‘ONLY MINOR CONTACT’: MRC reveals why Storm enforcer escaped punishment

It has long been the attitude of the rugby league fraternity that your roster is what you have to work with for that season, and if replacements are needed they came from reserve grade.

Now clubs are able to cast an eye across the competition and cherry pick the best players from teams who will not be playing football finals.

“For a game that has been founded on tribalism, it just cheapens that whole concept because for the weaker clubs, what does it say for their fans,” Hooper said.

V’landys moves transfer deadline | 03:02

“They don’t get anything out of the fact that the strong clubs sit back and know the deadline is looming, know they have got time.

“Look at the Storm, how many players did they go after from Reece Walsh to Adam Doueihi… the list went on.

“That can’t be sitting well with the clubs down the bottom of the ladder.”

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“For those middle teams… they get no benefit out of it, and I actually believe they are harmed by it because they can’t troubleshoot,” Kent said.

“The middle teams are not attracting players and they aren’t loaning players because it is just too tight, they need all hands on deck.

“They were being impacted, it was basically strengthening the top four teams who have the ability to go and pick the eyes out, as has happened, of the bottom four teams and just target their better players.”

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Categories
Sports

Rugby sevens, injury news, Samu Kerevi, update, Wallabies vs Argentina, rugby championship

Rugby sevens, injury news, Samu Kerevi, update, Wallabies vs Argentina, rugby championship

The Wallabies’ worst fears have been realized, with Samu Kerevi expected to miss the rest of the year due to a knee injury.

It’s understood Kerevi, 28, suffered an ACL injury during Australia’s narrow 7-5 victory over Kenya in their Commonwealth Games pool match over the weekend.

Kerevi took no further part in Australia’s campaign, where John Manenti’s side lost in the semi-finals to South Africa.

Rugby Australia had been cagey about details regarding Kerevi, eager not to let the cat out of the bag.

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Kerevi told reporters he felt “alright” and added “I’m always confident [to be fit to play] but I’ll get a doc on it and see. It was just a big bang but then once it settled down it was fine.”

But the Suntory center is expected to miss the remainder of the year, with sources confirming the 41-Test center is expected to spend at least six months on the sidelines.

Kerevi is said to be devastated, believing he has let his teammates down.

The Wallabies were happy for Kerevi to take part of Australia’s sevens campaign after the former Queensland Reds captain made a promise to his teammates from the Tokyo Olympics that he would try and help them win gold in Birmingham.

MORE RUGBY NEWS

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Samu Kerevi was injured at the Commonwealth Games. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
Samu Kerevi was injured at the Commonwealth Games. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“It was a tough decision in the end but I gave my word to these boys, if I was available to be back I’d be back here,” Kerevi told news corp in the lead-up to the Games.

“I’m blessed enough to be in this position and get selected for these Games. I’m pretty ecstatic about that.

“It’s pretty special to be part of this group and to represent Australia. It’s something I’ll always, always remember.

“But more than just participating, we want to be here and do well and win a medal – win a gold medal. That’s our goal and the boys are working hard towards that.”

After featuring in the No.12 jersey in all three Tests against England in July, Kerevi was always set to miss the opening two matches of The Rugby Championship against Michael Cheika’s Argentina because of his Commonwealth Games commitments.

The world class center was to link back with the squad ahead of the home Tests against the Springboks later this month, but that won’t be the case now.

There was an inherent risk about returning to the sevens program, particularly with the added miles in the legs required to succeed in the abbreviated game, but Wallabies coach Dave Rennie would have been sweating on his fitness, such is his importance to the team.

Speaking at the Wallabies’ squad announcement last month, Rennie said Kerevi had his blessing to play at the tournament and added that it would have only changed were they stretched to the limit in the centres.

England down Wallabies at Suncorp | 00:40

“Obviously Samu going away to the sevens, to the Commonwealth Games, we thought that was really important,” Rennie said.

“The initial talks we had a few months ago was if we got injuries maybe we wouldn’t let him go, but it’s important for our country to send away a strong side that’s got a chance of winning a medal – and the sevens boys have been going well of late and Samu will only add to that, so we’re committed to that.

“With Izzy Perese out injured, he’s (Irae Simone) coming in just to fill a role in the Argentinian tour and we’ll get Samu back after that.”

Kerevi’s long-term injury will put extra pressure on Hunter Paisami to perform, with the Reds center likely to wear the No.12 jersey against Los Pumas in Mendoza on Sunday (AEST).

Quade Cooper, meanwhile, is firming for a recall to the starting side, having missed the 2-1 series loss to England after suffering a calf injury during warm-up ahead of the opening Test.

Kerevi’s absence will allow Rennie to see how Cooper operates without his battering ram on the outside.

While Cooper won all five matches he featured in last year for the Wallabies, he benefitted from having Kerevi in ​​the midfield who acted as the great foil on his outside.

Now without the muscle of Kerevi to steady the ship if necessary Cheika’s Pumas will undoubtedly target Cooper and try and take away his space.

Argentina are coming off a thrilling 2-1 series victory against Scotland, in what was Cheika’s first Tests as coach after taking over from Mario Ledesma earlier in the year.

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Categories
Australia

Australia weather: BOM declares negative Indian Ocean Dipole, marking 60-year first

Australia weather: BOM declares negative Indian Ocean Dipole, marking 60-year first

Australia’s wet patch will continue for months, a new finding reported by the Bureau of Meteorology suggests.

A negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) has just been declared, meaning some serious wet weather is likely for large areas of the country throughout the rest of the year.

It is the second consecutive year we’ve had a negative IOD – the first time that has happened since the 1960s.

The IOD has three phases: neutral, positive and negative. Events usually start around May or June, peak between August and October and then rapidly decay when the monsoon arrives in the southern hemisphere around the end of spring.

The BOM reported the weather shift caused by a negative IOD could also have significant impacts on agriculture.

A negative IOD often results in cooler than average maximum temperatures over southeastern mainland Australia, while maximum and minimum temperatures in the far north of Australia are typically warmer than average.

Over half of the country on the east coast has roughly an 85 per cent chance of exceeding last year’s rainfall through spring.

‘Exceptionally dangerous’ conditions

A fierce double whammy weather system will lurch across Australia this week which in some areas will bring “exceptionally dangerous” conditions.

Huge waves, hundreds of millimeters of rain, flash flooding and gale force winds are all on the cards. And it won’t be a flash in the pan either with the slow moving system potentially lasting all week.

As many as six states could be hit with Western Australia and parts of Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales particularly in the firing line.

“A prolonged period of wet and windy conditions will impact southern Australia this week as a series of powerful cold fronts sweep across the country,” said the Bureau of Meteorology’s Johnathan How.

“There is a very large mass of cold and unstable air over the Southern Ocean. And it’s this entire complex that will shift northwards and bring those wet and windy conditions to the rest of southern Australia.”

Sky News Weather senior meteorologist Tom Saunders said there were two key features with this system.

“Firstly, it’s slow moving so it will take the entire week to move from the south of Western Australia towards the southeast.

“So because of the slow movement of the system, it’s not just a few hours of severe weather for Western Australia – it’s three days.

“Secondly, it’s a strong system with strong to gale force winds”.

One front will move earlier in the week followed by another a couple of days later potentially bringing even more rain.

Adelaide was expected to see up to 10mm of rain on Tuesday with potentially damaging winds and thunderstorms for late morning onwards.

Rain will continue across much of the country on Wednesday, and then the front will come through on Thursday and Friday bringing up to around 25mm of rain over those two days.

A severe weather warning is in place for all of South Australia aside from the state’s north and extreme east around Remark. Damaging wind likes of up to 90 km/h are a possibility.

Mostly clear in Melbourne on Tuesday before the wind cranks up in the evening.

Showers can be expected for the rest of the week but the rain totals will be below 10mm each day.

In Sydney, showers are expected on Thursday followed by mostly sunny skies and 22C highs.

– with Benedict Brook

Read related topics:Weather

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Categories
Sports

Tasmania, AFL bid, new stadium, club vote, decision, 19th licence, Jon Ralph, Colin Carter report, bill

Tasmania, AFL bid, new stadium, club vote, decision, 19th licence, Jon Ralph, Colin Carter report, bill

AFL fans will know whether Tasmania becomes the 19th team in the competition by the end of this month, Fox Footy’s Jon Ralph believes.

Just a week after reports the Tassie bid had stalled over exactly who would fund a new stadium, Ralph said there’s confidence that a “new vision” for the stadium would broker the 19th license for 2027 and beyond.

Under new estimates, the venue would cost less than $500 million – rather than the initial $750m – and could once again change attitudes towards the potential new club.

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“There will be a vote by the end of the month,” Ralph said on Fox Footy.

“The Tasmanian Government they can secure funding for a stadium believe that’s less than $500m.

“The feasibility study that’s underway with the current taskforce and government won’t be completed by the end of April, but they believe if you have a $500m bill, it would be dollar for dollar.

“Federal government, State government, there’d be some private partnership investment, with a hotel, convention centre, parking of course which would attract some visitors.

“My understanding is the other work streams are basically done, basically ticked off. None of them are game changers. The stadium is the massive issue.

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“So the plan will go to the AFL committee, let’s call it mid-month. It will go back to the presidents to go back their own boards, and then presidents like Jeff Kennett will come to a consensus view.

“We will have a decision either way.”

The new stadium would be based upon the Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, which was built for $295m two years ago.

For that venue, $140m came from State funding while a further $100m was provided from the Federal government.

Ralph said Tasmania’s stadium would also include a Perspex roof, like Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium, that would not be retractable.

“We are at the most official, the most important month in the history of the AFL in Tasmania,” Ralph said.

Fox Footy’s Nick Riewoldt, who is a Tasmanian AFL taskforce member, said now was the time for the AFL to choose a side on the 19th licence.

“Most arrogant performance!” | 03:02

“Now its incumbent on the AFL to, if they strongly believe Tasmania deserve a 19th license, to lobby that in front of the presidents,” he said.

“We know it’s mixed, some (club presidents) put their flags in the ground before the report had even been tabled.”

The Colin Carter report, on Tasmania’s bid for an AFL team, found the feasibility “stacks up”.

“Gillon McLachlan has said to them, funding will be conditional as long as you are turning sod on the new stadium by the time the team runs out for its first game, that’s acceptable,” Ralph added.

“Before finals, we’ll know (if they get a license).”

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Categories
Sports

EPL transfer news; Cristiano Ronaldo future at Manchester United, Tino Vermer Chelsea, news, updates

EPL transfer news; Cristiano Ronaldo future at Manchester United, Tino Vermer Chelsea, news, updates

Cristiano Ronaldo could be heading for an ugly exit from Manchester United, after the striker sensationally left Old Trafford during a pre-season match last weekend.

Playing his first preseason match after missing the tour to Thailand and Australia, Ronaldo stormed out of the stadium with 10 minutes to play after being subbed off at half-time.

The Portugal international had been visibly frustrated with manager Erik ten Hag earlier in the fixture, while his agent Jorge Mendes reportedly continues to push for a transfer.

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Meanwhile, Chelsea forward Timo Werner could complete an incredible move to a fierce London rival as two Premier League clubs enter the race for his services.

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva is also on the cusp of a massive transfer to a Spanish powerhouse, but the deal hinges on another star being sold.

Here’s the latest transfer gossip in the latest edition of the Rumor Mill!

RONALDO LEAVES OLD TRAFFORD

Ronaldo donned Manchester United’s famous red jersey for the first time in 12 weeks during the club’s 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano on Monday (AEST).

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner played 45 minutes in his highly anticipated return, and later said that he was “happy to be back”.

But manger ten Hag is reportedly disappointed with the 37-year-old after he left Old Trafford before the final whistle.

UK media outlet The Sun have shared pictures of Ronaldo shrugging and covering his face in frustration while his new manager attempted to address him during a water break.

After being subbed off at half-time, Ronaldo then left the stadium with 10 minutes still to play. Photos show the football superstar walking out to a few, if not angry, fans waiting for him.

“It is not a good look to leave early when you have been involved in the squad,” a Manchester United insider told SunSport.

“It is different if you are up in the stands and not involved.

“You would expect someone who has played in the game to be in the changing rooms at the end to listen to the manager’s thoughts.

“Also a lot of people were there to see him and he was not even involved in the clapping of the fans after the final whistle.”

Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes is still hoping to secure a transfer for his disgruntled client.

CHELSEA STRIKER COULD SWAP LONDON BLUE FOR RED

Timo Werner could line up for one of Chelsea’s fiercest rivals this season, with The Blues reportedly willing to part ways with the German international in this transfer window.

The 26-year-old, who joined Chelsea for $83m (AEDT) in 2020, has failed to fire at the level that was expected of him when he signed at Stamford Bridge, having scored just 10 Premier League goals in 56 games.

But Werner could be handed a Premier League lifeline with London rivals Arsenal, who are interested in acquiring his services.

Mikel Arteta has already welcomed former Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus in this transfer window, as they continue to bolster their attack.

Newcastle United are also interested in signing Werner on loan, but his hefty wage is potential issue in regards to that deal.

The Sunhave also said that European powerhouses Juventus and Real Madrid are also interested in Werner.

SILVA ON THE BRINK OF BARCA DEAL

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva is close to a massive deal with Barcelona, ​​as the Spanish giants continue to rebuild towards their former glory.

But Silva will only be able to complete the move if Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong agrees to leave the club.

De Jong has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United throughout this transfer window, although he appears intent on staying at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona manager Xavi has revealed that he doesn’t know whether de Jong will remain at the club or not.

“I don’t know if he’s going to stay here,” Xavi said.

“I’ve never sent Frenkie a message. There’s still time and a lot of things can still happen.

“The fact that he played as a central defender in the other games was not a sign that he was leaving.”

FIRM TO STAY AT LIVERPOOL

Football insider Fabrizio Romano has shared some major transfer news for Liverpool fans, as a Champions League winner confirms his intention to remain at the club.

Forward Roberto Firmino has said that he loves “this team, city and fans”, amidst speculation about his future with The Reds.

“I love this team, city and fans,” Firmino told TNT Brazil.

“I’m here at Liverpool and I want to stay.”

DEFEND TO JOIN THE BLUES

Brighton left-back Marc Cucurella has been heavily linked with a transfer to English champions Manchester City, but a deal with Chelsea appears to be more likely.

Cucurella may be wearing a darker shade of blue this season as the London club entering talks with the defender.

City have refused to increase their bid which has seen them fall out of the race for his signature – for now.

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Categories
Entertainment

The billion-dollar TV war between House of the Dragon, The Rings of Power, The Sandman and Andor

The billion-dollar TV war between House of the Dragon, The Rings of Power, The Sandman and Andor

An epic battle is about to be waged and it’s not between warring houses or mythical creatures.

It’s the fight between mega TV franchises, and it’s going to mean a very exhausting few months for audiences who are being asked to deeply invest in not one but four huge genre series, which between them have cost something in the region of a billion dollars.

The main event is the showdown between a game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragongo to Lord of the Rings prequel, The Rings of Power.

And if you think the media are hyping up this TV war, consider this: at this time last year, Amazon announced it would premiere The Rings of Power on September 2, 2022. It gave everyone 13 months’ notice. Then HBO swooped in and picked August 21 as the date for House of the Dragonas though spoiling for a fight.

The two shows will air their finals in the same week. That’s a deliberate choice – and not everyone may emerge victorious. It’s going to be a sh**fight.

It’s like if Marvel and Warner Bros decided to release an Avengers and Justice League movie on the same day.

Both shows are gambling huge money on the pulling power of two established brands with rusted-on fans. But will audiences commit to two very demanding, complex fantasy shows?

Or will fans decide they prefer elves over dragons, or scheming royals over the rise of Sauron, and reserve the other little time they have every week for something entirely different, maybe a workplace comedy? Each series is wooing the same pool of fans.

The fact they both happen to be high fantasy shows would’ve been unthinkable 25 years ago, when the genre was considered a nerds-only niche.

And yet the biggest cultural flashpoints in this relatively young century have been fantasy ones. Harry Potter is a juggernaut of books, movies, theme parks, merchandise and stage shows. game of Thrones has dominated the TV zeitgeist in a way that nothing else has to the same degree of obsession, including The Sopranos and breaking bad.

Part of that is because game of Thrones came along at a time of increased online pop cultural discourse, when TV recaps and Reddit were on the rise, which fueled the level of fervor around the show. The series spawned an online industry.

But it’s also because fantasy epics are now mainstream and every studio and streamer wants one, or two or three or four or five. And they’re willing to pay for it.

The Rings of Power has the honor of being the most expensive TV series ever made. In addition to the $US250 million Amazon paid for the rights to JRR Tolkien’s Second Age, the production budget was reportedly $US465 million. At eight episodes, that’s $US58 million per episode.

Keep in mind that The Rings of Power doesn’t have any big name actors who would be commanding large paycheques, so that money is going almost entirely into the production, splashing big on the world-building.

When that first trailer dropped during Comic-Con, you couldn’t argue that it didn’t at least look spectacular.

House of the Dragonwhich will stream in Australia on Binge and Foxtel*, is comparatively paltry, coming in between $US150 million to $US200 million for the 10-episode season, which equates to under $US20 million per episode.

Fantasy shows don’t come cheap, especially when there are 17 dragons involved.

In the middle of all this are two scrappier though no less ambitious contenders in the wings, The Sandmana long-awaited adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s legendary comics, and Andorto Star Wars streaming series.

Such is the insanely timed state of things that a Star Wars TV show is not even the second most anticipated upcoming streaming series.

Which is probably why this morning Disney blinked, saw the unhinged landscape and went, “Yeah, nah, we don’t want in on that,” and pushed Andor‘s release by three weeks into late September. Wise choice.

disney would have done Andor no favors if it had kept its original August 31 premiere date, sandwiched between House of the Dragon and The Rings of Power. It’s not high fantasy but sci-fi is a very close genre cousin.

By moving it to September 21, Andor will drop three episodes at once and it’ll have a bit of clear air. Disney will be hoping that fans will have made their House of the Dragon and The Rings of Power choices and settled in, ready to consider a third option.

And Netflix also has a horse in the race, The Sandmanwhich is releasing on August 5. Netflix would be hoping that The Sandman is releasing early enough to avoid the main fray.

The Sandman is a high-stakes story about Dream, the being responsible for our subconscious state, who is captured and held captive for a century, unleashing chaos across the realms.

It’s not the most accessible narrative and the title has been in various stages of production since the 1990s, having landed across the desks of several filmmakers and onscreen talent, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Roger Avary and Terry Gilliam.

It’s only now, after the runaway commercial successes of Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogies and the original game of Thrones series that TV executives even have the confidence to greenlight and fund a show based on a relatively esoteric comic series. The Sandman reportedly cost $US165 million to make.

Decision-makers have witnessed the appetite for genre art and they want to tap into that audience desire by throwing lots and lots of money behind these works.

Everyone is trying to find the next game of Thronesincluding game of Thrones. HBO is feverishly hoping House of the Dragon will be able to recapture the same obsessive fandom as the original series.

of course, game of Thrones only happened because of Jackson’s Lord of the Rings.

Like Jaime and Cersei, it’s all very incestuous. Also like Jaime and Cersei, everyone is about to head into battle. Wonder whose head is going to be crushed by a caving ceiling.

The Sandman is on Netflix from August 5, House of the Dragon is on Binge and Foxtel from August 21, The Rings of Power is on Amazon Prime Video from September 2 and Andor is on Disney+ from September 21.

*Binge and Foxtel are majority owned by News Corp, publisher of this website

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Categories
Business

North Carolina woman goes TikTok viral for living in her Honda Civic

North Carolina woman goes TikTok viral for living in her Honda Civic

The “Van Life” movement may conjure impressions of a freeing nomadic lifestyle in a nicely designed vehicle that looks great on social media, but a North Carolina woman has taken to TikTok to show the honest side of living on four wheels.

As reported by the new york postNikita Crump, who boasts 1 million followers on the app, has documented her experiences of living in her Honda Civic, which reportedly came from absolute necessity.

After struggling to pay her rent on time and skipping meals to save money – all the while going into debt despite working two jobs – she decided to call her car her home to avoid falling further into financial ruin.

Crump moved into her Honda in late 2019 and has lived in it ever since – and despite her candid discussions of what it takes to live this way, it is a way of avoiding today’s exorbitant costs of living, as inflation continues to boost food prices and , yes, rents.

It’s a way of saving money, but a number of her videos come with TikTok disclaimers saying, “Participating in this activity could result in you or others getting hurt.”

Crump discusses safety measures she takes. In a video from May, which earned more than 3 million views, she shows the window covers she uses at night-time to block out any views inside, which she says in the caption are handmade and “are effective when it comes to stealth, safety and insulation”.

Reflective and insulated materials coat one side of the covers, while another has black fabric, which goes against the window.

“It’s totally inconspicuous,” she says in the clip. “Nobody knows I’m in here.”

Two months later, on July 4, Crump posted another video showing her ways of finding places to sleep each night. She uses satellite view on Google Maps to locate “nice” neighborhoods, or those whose aerials show big properties with their own pools.

Then she zooms in to see if other cars are parked on the streets. The next step, she says, is to go at night-time to check it out for herself.

“The neighborhood is clean, nice and quiet – and I can blend in,” she says of one area in an undisclosed city where she spent a recent night next to an ivy-covered brick wall.

Other videos show her sleeping in parking lots, covered windows, and document the practicalities of living in such a small space on four wheels. On July 5, viewers can see her start the day by removing the window covers after folding and tucking her bedding onto her back seat.

She then heads into a Planet Fitness, whose parking lot she spent the night in, for a shower. She tugs a toiletry kit with her inside to wash up and brush her teeth.

Next comes eating. In that same clip, she shows a small, black tray that attaches to her steering wheel that she uses as a makeshift table to eat canned fruit, peanut butter sandwiches – or even take-out orders from Subway.

Later on, she shows the only way laundry can get done: in a laundromat at a stop along her way to Oregon.

“I always fold my laundry in the laundromat – that is not something that I’m trying to do in my car,” she says.

What’s more, there are storage containers in her trunk and portable devices to keep her electronics charged.

“Here’s things in my car that just make sense for homeless life,” she says, classifying her life candidly.

“I’ve been homeless by definition most of my adult life,” she says. “I’ve even lived in my car before, briefly.

“So I’m not that unfamiliar with being in uncomfortable situations and being homeless.”

Despite the serious nature of her situation, she receives an array of comments on her posts – including “This looks so lonely” and “Hotel Civic.” Others, meanwhile, support her.

“I love your resilience,” one commenter wrote in a July video, while another recent clip had another tell her, “Supporting your journey through and through!”

One even learned tips of the trade.

“Thank you for this,” another commenter replied. “I need to leave my place unexpectedly. This is unbelievably helpful.”

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission

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Sports

Brandon Smith reveals Craig Bellamy punishment, ref spray, team news, updates

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 07: Brandon Smith of the Storm warms up during the round 17 NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Melbourne Storm at PointsBet Stadium, on July 07, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Brandon Smith has missed out on more than just game time after receiving a three-week suspension, with the Storm star revealing he was banned from training with his teammates.

Smith had been handed the suspension after he called Adam Gee a “cheating bastard” during the Storm’s shock loss to the Sharks last month.

The 26-year-old was immediately sent for 10 minutes in the bin, and later pled guilty to the charge of contrary conduct.

But the punishment from the NRL wasn’t the end of it for the New Zealand Test rake, who has had to train away from the main squad since.

The unusual banishment has been seen Smith train with the fitness coach for the entirety of the ban.

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“No, that’s not the norm, that’s quite special,” Smith said on Tuesday.

“I think it was just a sort of just getting punished for not putting the team first.

“It’s been pretty hard and a bit of a grind.

“Waking up early and training by yourself, it gets pretty boring.

“But just being able to hang out with the boys now makes me a lot more grateful for being in a team sport.”

Smith believes that the club were trying to send him a message by banning him from training for those three weeks.

After being isolated from the squad for so long, the Kiwi international reflected on what the time away from the main squad had taught him.

“Just making you feel guilty for your actions by taking away what you love most,” he said.

“And for me with footy that’s playing with my mates and my friends and enjoying it.

“They kind of took that away from me and it sucks.

“I got to hang out with the fitness coach and he’s not that much fun either.”

Smith is available to return for Melbourne in their crucial Friday night clash with the Gold Coast Titans at AAMI Park.

Melbourne beat the Warriors in Auckland last Friday, and ended a four-match winless streak to boast.

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The Storm are sitting inside the top four after the win, but are equal on points with both the Broncos and sixth-placed Eels.

“It’s been a weird old year for all of us, we’ve got heaps of injuries.

“It’s no surprise it’s going to be a little bit of a hard one this year.

“We’ve lost Welchy (Christian Welch), Reimis (Smith), George (Jennings) and Paps (Ryan Papenhuyzen) for the season and that’s four of our best 13.

“We’ve got numerous other injuries coming through and they are excuses, but I’m willing to make those excuses now as we’ve had like 16 pretty bad injuries this year and we’ve only got like a 26-man squad.

“We’re still fourth, which is the crazy thing that we’ve been able to keep ourselves in the fight.”

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