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1-minute tip for artists: Mindful vinyl.

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Music brings us together, and now you can help with your next run of vinyl.

The Beatles painting Images Of A Woman, Tokyo, 1966

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The Beatles (Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr) painting Images Of A Woman, Tokyo, 1966
The oil and watercolour artwork was created by The Beatles in June and July 1966, while on tour in Tokyo. Tight security measures meant they were unable to leave their suite at the Hilton hotel for three nights, so they collaborated on a painting which became known as Images Of A Woman.
Each Beatle painted parts of the 30″x40″ paper, working by the light of a lamp in the centre. When the painting was complete the lamp was removed, and The Beatles signed the empty space next to their contributions.
The paper and paints were provided by the Japanese promoter, Tats Nagashima, who suggested that the completed painting be auctioned for charity. It was subsequently bought by a cinema manager and local fan club president Tetsusaburo Shimoyama.
Images Of A Woman is believed to be the only instance of a painting by all four Beatles. It was sold again in Osaka for ¥15 million, and in 2002 appeared on the eBay auction website.

Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll & Ukuleles

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The members of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain bring their own unique spin to the classic track Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll by Ian Dury and the Blockheads.

1 in 10 Songs Streamed Globally Are By British Artists

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The BPI, which represents over 450 UK-based record labels, carried out the analysis based on the music charts of 14 major music markets, which together account for around three-quarters of global recorded music consumption. The 1 in 10 result highlights the extraordinary global influence of British music.

The ease of accessing UK music via streaming services and worldwide promotion by labels means that more British artists are now connecting with more fans to build international careers. Music markets previously out of reach, notably in Asia, South America and Africa, are much more accessible thanks to streaming’s global reach and record labels’ digital marketing. Newly-signed artists can now also expect to have a more immediate international impact than previous generations.

A new wave of British talent is harnessing streaming to reach hundreds of millions of fans. In addition to established British superstars such as Ed Sheeran, Adele, Sam Smith, Calvin Harris, Harry Styles, Coldplay and iconic artists such as Queen and The Beatles, whose songs are being streamed billions of times a year, a rising new global wave of British talent – including Dua Lipa, Lewis Capaldi, Stormzy, Anne Marie, George Ezra, Ellie Goulding, Rag’n’Bone Man and The 1975 – has grown up with streaming and is achieving enormous success with it. Additionally UK artists ranging from Jorja Smith, Joel Corry and Gerry Cinnamon to rap and hip hop acts such as Dave, Aitch, AJ Tracey, Headie One, J Hus and KSI, to name just a few, are achieving hundreds of millions of streams each year in the UK and beyond and are growing their global profile.

The success of British artists around the world demonstrates how the UK continues to punch well above its weight as the world’s second-leading exporter of music (after the US), and third-largest recorded music market. With the UK now having left the EU and forging a new future for itself as an independent trading nation, there is a huge opportunity for British music exports to grab a growing share of burgeoning new markets – enabled by labels’ artist development and marketing efforts, as well as streaming’s global reach.

A key component of this success is labels’ signing and development of artists and marketing them successfully around the world. The major labels alone signed 153 artists in the UK in 2019 (up 38% on 2010), contributing to a total roster of 640 acts signed to majors in the UK – up 68% on 2010. Record labels are the leading investors in artists’ development. In 2019, investment in A&R (artists & repertoire) by independent and major labels rose to above £250 million. Labels also market their artists in the highly competitive 24/7 global streaming market – with over £150 million spent by UK record labels on international marketing and promotion in 2019.

8 Natural Sleep Remedies – Beating the Time Change

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There can be numerous reasons behind you failing to achieve the right quality and quantity of night sleep while travelling, such as a poor diet, too much stress, insufficient exposure to daylight, and most importantly- a broken sleep schedule. It is common for people travelling in long distance flights to experience what you call jet lag. Travelling across longer routes can severely disrupt your circadian rhythm which controls the natural sleep-wake cycle of the body.

This rapid shift in time zones can make it harder for travellers to fall asleep easily throughout the trip, especially when travelling west to east as the bedtime is supposed to be advanced. Be it a business trip or one meant for leisure, a poor sleep health can ruin the whole stay by leading to problems like grogginess, excessive daytime sleepiness, body aches, inability to remain focussed, etc. We have therefore compiled an extensive list of 8 natural sleep remedies that shall help you beat the time change and ensure a good night’s sleep throughout your trip.

#01 Plan Ahead

Start adjusting your regular sleep-routine in a way that it aligns with the time zone of your destination. Make sure that you adjust your bedtime gradually and not all of a sudden so that the transition into the new sleep schedule can be smooth. It is absolutely essential to book your seats and accommodation in a way that they do not interrupt your night sleep. Do not forget to pack essential things to help you sleep such as comfortable night clothes, an eye mask (preferably one made of silk or satin), a travelling pillow, and a pair of noise cancelling earplugs.

#02 Light Exposure is Important

While travelling across several time zones, it is recommended that you book your flight in a way that the landing time coincides with the time that you naturally wake up. Once you reach your destination, it is crucial that you do not hit the bed even if you experience tiredness from the flight. This way you can give yourself ample time to stay outdoors and expose yourself to the natural sunlight so that the sleep-wake cycle of the body adjusts with your new destination. Remember to dim the lights after sundown and get rid of blue-light emitting devices such as phones and laptops as they can inhibit the production of the natural sleep hormone of the body called melatonin.

#03 Exercise Regularly

A lot of people around the globe tend to skip their workout schedule while travelling. However, most researchers studying the effect of exercising while travelling found out that travellers who engaged in regular workout, slept better than those who didn’t. According to this recent study, depending on the time of the day that you work out, your circadian rhythm can be shifted earlier or to a later period. This reinstates the fact that exercising is one of the best home remedies for sleep health and an effective way to combat jet lag. The study also showed how even a moderate amount of exercise in the day can have a great impact on the quality of your sleep.

#04 Take in Sleep-Inducing Food and Drinks

Include a lot of foods in your diet that are rich in nutrients that help you sleep. For example, consider carrying foods with you like tart cherries, bananas, almonds, eggs, etc., as they are rich sources of melatonin. You may also opt for other food items and drinks such as milk, kiwis, fatty fish, whole grains, etc., as they have a rich content of components that help you sleep better such as tryptophan amino acid, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium. Such sleep-inducing foods in your diet are considered excellent forms of natural sleep aid and are much safer than synthetic supplements.

For another natural option, you can explore delta 8 thc edibles, which some people find helpful in promoting relaxation and restful sleep.

#05 Mind the Water Intake

Your everyday water intake can have a very big impact on the quality of your sleep, especially when you are planning to sleep while travelling. High altitudes on a flight are notorious for causing dehydration. You should therefore carry ample amount of water with you and never hesitate to ask for more from the flight attendants. Apart from the threat of dehydration, there is also the risk of drinking too much water which can increase your night-time toilet trips. You should therefore drink water in moderation in the later part of the day to minimize sleep interruptions for you and your co-passengers.

#06 A bedtime Ritual is Important

Things like travelling across multiple time zones, attending meetings, visiting new places, and staying in a foreign environment, can sometimes lead to stress accumulation. Practicing a bedtime ritual before retiring to bed is therefore a great way to unwind your mind and body and let go of any stress. Activities like reading a book, performing bedtime yoga, taking a warm shower, etc., can be considered as soothing bedtime rituals that ensure that you sleep like a baby even in foreign conditions.

#07 Things to Avoid

There are a number of activities that people like to engage in while travelling that can hamper your night sleep. Staying up too late in the night should be avoided as this can disrupt your sleep schedule that you have worked so hard to establish. While you should try out most local cuisines on your stay, try avoiding foods that are rich in oils and fats too close to bedtime as this can lead to indigestion and acid reflux, both of which are common reasons for sleep deprivation. You should also lower your alcohol intake and remember not to drink at least 6 hours before bedtime as alcohol can disrupt the later part of your sleep and may even increase your toilet trips by forcing liquids out of your system.

#08 Make yourself Comfortable

We have reserved the most important sleep tip for the end and it concerns with familiarizing yourself with the new environment. Get into the flow of your new destination as soon as possible so that your circadian rhythm can sync with the new place. Bring along certain objects such as a photo frame, the pillow you sleep on, a comfy blanket, your favourite mug, etc. Such things can help your bedroom environment appear more comely and make it easier for you to fall asleep. To find more such healthy sleep tips, go through this sleep tips blog that has been carefully crafted to improve your night sleep experience.

Bottom line:

With all the excitement and stress of visiting a new place, it is understandable that you want to make the most of the trip, even if it costs a few hours of your bedtime. However, most seasoned travellers would tell you that completing the 7 to 9 hours of sleep on a constant basis is key to being at your best while travelling. We hope that the points mentioned above help you beat jet lag and ensure a sound sleep health throughout your journey.

 

 

 

Celebrities that Love Playing Bingo

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Elderlies and online players don’t only love bingo, but many celebrities love playing bingo as much as you do. The game is so fun that these famous people play the game for fun and exciting gameplay rather than the money – discover bingo today.

Some of these celebrities also hold bingo parties with their friends. If you’re discouraged from playing bingo because you think it’s not exciting, seeing these celebrities who enjoy the game might change your mind.

·         Cristiano Ronaldo

The former Real Madrid striker and current Juventus forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, is one of the most popular and skilled football players in the world. Football fans might be surprised to know that their favourite player is also a keen bingo enthusiast.

The Portugal football player learned English through bingo games and enjoys playing it now. After he got a bingo DVD which was gifted to him, to help him improve his English speaking skills, he fell in love with the game and continues to play it regularly today, He once spoke openly on how exciting bingo is for him.

·         Kate Moss

Another celebrity who you will be surprised to learn that they enjoy bingo is Kate Moss. The supermodel and businesswoman has been a fan of the popular bingo since she was young. After divorcing Jamie Hince, her lifestyle took a different turn, and she now spends a lot of her time playing bingo games with Sadie Frost, her friend.

While she balances parenthood with her career and business, she sets Saturday nights aside for family bingo games, which is one of the reasons why her fans love her.

·         Robbie Williams

Robbie Williams is another celebrity who openly loves bingo and uses it for the betterment of society. The actor has made his love for bingo very clear, and participates in different bingo events, both in the UK and Hollywood. Most of the time, these events are used to raise money for charity.

He also hosts bingo events and parties in his homes to raise money for different charitable purposes.

·         Catherine Zeta-Jones

This is one celebrity that makes her love for bingo very clear to the entire world. The Welsh actress began to love bingo since she was very young and even now that she’s older, she still loves bingo the same, maybe even more. She hosts bingo parties and events in her house regularly. She also updates her custom-made bingo cards every Christmas.

Since her father won £100,000 when playing bingo one night, her parents were able to enrol her in dance classes. This is probably one of the reasons why she loves this game.

·         Russell Crowe

The final celebrity on our list is the Oscar-winning actor, Russell Crowe. An interesting fact is that before he became a popular Hollywood actor, he was a number caller for bingo halls in Australia. He later got fired when he renamed the traditional bingo terms.

He has talked about his love for bingo many times in interviews. There have even been sightings of him visiting bingo halls with his ex-wife.

There you have it! Celebrities that love bingo even more than you might love the game!

How to pick the right slots site

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Slots really are the best of all online games. They are a huge amount of fun and can make a great hobby as long as you are careful when it comes to how much you spend and how long you play for. Plus there are some amazing jackpots to be one, especially when you think of progressive slots that offer prizes that can get up into the millions in some cases. Can you win on slots from King Casino?

The problem, though, is determining just where the best place to play online slots is. That is, which online slots’ site is the right one for you. There are so many of them that it can feel like there is just too much choice, and this can put some people off from visiting them altogether – it’s easier not to. Yet once you know what the best casino sites are, and what you should be looking out for, it’s a much easier process, so read on to find out what you should be paying attention to. 

The Number Of Games

When you’re playing slots, you’ll realise that the game itself – whatever game it is you have chosen – is a simple one. You pay your money, you click a button, and you watch as fate dictates what happens next. Despite this, many people do find slots very exciting because of the random element of where the symbols are going to fall. 

The choice of the game is all part of that fun. For some, it’s a ritual they like to go through before they start playing. If you are this kind of player, you’ll need to find a site with a lot of games so you can be sure you’re choosing exactly the right slot to play. However, too many games and you might spend too long choosing. Too few and you may not get the range of games you need to make a good choice. Just like Goldilocks, the number of games has to be just right. 

Different Providers

There’s something else to look for when you’re choosing a casino site, and it also relates to the games. You’ll need to see how many different slots’ developers and games’ providers there are. You don’t really want to play at a site that only has a limited number if providers included as it won’t give you the full range of choice that you would have elsewhere. 

Plus, if you’re just starting out and you don’t know what slots’ developer you do or don’t like yet, finding yourself on a site that only has a few of them represented isn’t going to allow you to fully explore. 

Bonuses and Promotions

If you find an online casino that doesn’t have any kind of welcome bonus attached to it, you’ve found a rare beast indeed. Most online casinos are going to have a variety of different bonuses available, and you should investigate these thoroughly before you make a decision. Some will benefit you, and some are really just there for show because no one can actually make use of them. 

It all comes down to the withdrawal restrictions. The best bonuses are those that allow you to withdraw your winnings without having to pay a huge amount of your own money to do so. Unfortunately, not all are like this, and some require you to have paid in a certain amount before you can withdraw anything that was won using the bonus money. This could mean paying in more than you’ve won. These are the sites to stay away from.

Variations in Poker Hands

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Poker games are designed to include various hands. These poker-hands come in different rankings which decide the winners in the game. The rules of the game dictate the hands to come in a set of five cards. Moreover, each of these hands has their own value and rank in the sequence. Whether you want to play at real online casino sites for real money or for free, you must know these hands to win bigger.

Keep reading to know different types of poker hands and their ranks.

 

Royal Flush

This is the best hand in the entire game. It comprises five cards, all from the same suit. Furthermore, the five cards include an Ace, a King, a Queen, a Jack and a 10 in this particular sequence. 

Example: a) A, K, Q, J and 10 of Spades. 

 

Straight Flush

The straight flush comprises five numerical cards from the same suit. These numbers must be consecutive offering a straight-set. However, this isn’t just limited to numerical.

You can even continue to form sequences using the face cards (A, K, Q and J) along with the numerical ones. 

Example: a) 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 of Diamonds

  1. b) Q, J, 10, 9, 8 of Clubs

 

Four of a Kind

Four cards of the same rank but a different suit. The 5th card is known as the Kicker. Four of a Kind hand is also known as Quad. 

If two players have the same valued four of a kind suits, the highest kicker card decides the winner of the two.

Example: a) 6, 6, 6, 6, Q – This includes 6 of Spades, 6 of Clubs, 6 of Diamonds and 6 of Hearts. 

  1. b) K, K, K, K, 8

 

Full House

This constitutes 3 cards of same rank + 2 cards of same ranks, all from different suits. 

Example: 10, 10, 10, 6, 6

 

Flush

Flush includes 5 cards of the same suit but different ranks. They do not have to be in numerical order.

Example: A, K, 6, 4, 3 of Hearts.

 

Straight

The straight hand consists of 5 cards of different suits which are numerically connected. 

Example: 9 (Spades), 8 (Clubs), 7 (Hearts), 6 (Diamonds) and, 5 (Clubs).

 

In straight hands, an Ace can be used as a high rank or low-rank sequence.

High Rank: A, K, Q, J, 10

Low Rank: 5, 4, 3, 2, A

 

Three of a Kind

This includes 3 cards of the same rank. The remaining 2 cards can be anything.

Example: 10 (Diamonds), 10 (Clubs), 10 (Hearts), 7 (Clubs), 3 (Diamonds).

 

Two Pair

A set consisting of two different pairs of two same rank cards. 

Example: Q (Diamonds), Q (Clubs), 7 (Hearts), 7 (Spades), and 5 (Diamonds).

 

One Pair

This set consists of one pair of the same rank cards.

Example: K (Clubs), K (Hearts), 4 (Spades), 9 (Hearts), 3 (Diamonds).

 

High Card

Five cards constituted of all different ranks and different types of cards forming no pair whatsoever. This is also known as No Pair and is the worst poker hand.

Example: K (Hearts), 10 (Spades), 7 (Diamonds), 5 (Clubs), 2 (Hearts).

Understanding the Ante and Blinds in the Poker Game

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Ante and blinds are best forms often used in the various poker variants. The bets are mandatory to be wagered before the game begins. Hence, they are also known as forced bets. However, if you want to play at a reliable casino, read this tsars casino review to know what you should look for.

Let’s get a deep understanding of the Ante and Blinds in the poker game below.

Ante

Before the game begins, each player at the poker table has to place an amount of bet to form the pot. The amount placed by all the punters is in equal proportion. This is mainly proposed to increase the hand value. This way players will play the hand rather than folding it. 

Furthermore, the ante amount is generally small. So once players are done placing the ante, the poker game begins. 

Generally, the ante bets are equipped in the draw poker and stud games. Additionally, stud games also come with bring-in bets. The bring-in bet is designed to remain greater than the ante. However, they are smaller than the small bets. For instance, if the ante is €1 and the small bet is €5, the bring-in bet is €2. 

Blinds

Blinds are another type of forced bet which are placed before the cards are dealt to the players. Since the players have not seen their respective cards and have blindly placed the bet, this particular wager is termed as ‘Blinds’.

There are generally two types of blinds- small and big- depending on the amount of the bet. This amount is decided before the game begins. 

Moreover, they are placed by two players sitting left to the dealer button. After the first two players are done placing their bets, the dealer button again moves to the next players. This is done to provide all players, present at the table, a chance to place the blind bets. The dealer button moves in a clockwise direction.

Small Blinds: Small blinds are placed by the punter sitting immediate left to the dealer button. It is usually half of the entire bet meant for that round. 

Big Blinds: These are now placed by the second player sitting left to the first player. Big blinds are the entire bet amounts which were decided before the game begins.

After the bets are placed, the cards are dealt to the punters. Now, the punter sitting next to the player who placed the big blinds begins the game. This player can either fold, call or raise the bet keeping in line with the big blind’s bet.

General Outcomes on the Bet Size of the Poker Games

The outcome of the ante on the game’s bet size is nil. So, it is considered as a dead amount which basically only increases the overall size of the pot. 

However, the blinds directly influence the size of the bet. Suppose if the small blinds are €10 and the big blinds are €20. So, the next player playing after the big blinds are placed, should call and place the same bet of €20. Or, he/she can raise the bet to €40.

Michael Bublé’s “Christmas” reclaims Official Albums Chart top spot

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Michael Bublé’s Christmas album climbs to Number 1 on this week’s Official Albums Chart, returning to the summit for the first time in nine years.

Released in October 2011, the collection last held Number 1 in the final week of that year, and this week returns to claim a fourth non-consecutive week at the top, finishing ahead of Taylor Swift’s Evermore (2).

Meanwhile, Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia flies 15 places to Number 3, the album’s first Top 5 appearance since June, and Pop Smoke’s posthumous debut studio album Shoot For The Stars, Aim For The Moon is up 17 spots to Number 5 – its highest placing since October.

Sam Smith’s Love Goes rises four to return to the Top 10 at Number 9, while Ariana Grande’s latest effort Positions is up 18 places to Number 11. Taylor Swift’s Folklore rebounds 15 places to Number 15.

American rapper Playboi Carti claims the week’s highest new entry with Whole Lotta Red at Number 17 – his first Top 20 collection. Australian rapper The Kid Laroi’s debut mixtape F**k Love rebounds 13 to Number 22, landing just ahead of Lil Durk, who enters at 26 with The Voice, his sixth studio album and highest charting collection in the UK.

George Michael’s Twenty Five greatest hits collection flies 37 places to Number 30 following the fourth anniversary of his death, and finally, the late Juice Wrld’s 2018 debut Goodbye & Good Riddance rebounds 22 to Number 34.