CP December 2022

www.dumishmash.com du_mishmash

& DISCLAIMER

PUTTING THE MIDDLE EAST ON THE WORLDWIDE SPORTING MAP

Gill Sherry

Argentina 1 - 2 Saudi Arabia

What?

That can’t be right, can it? There’s no way Saudi Arabia could beat Argentina in a World Cup match. Don’t be ridiculous!

But it is true. It did happen. And Salem Al-Dawsari will go down in history as a footballing legend.

The shock victory over one of the tournament’s favourites resulted in Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of Saudi Arabia, declaring a public holiday. And why not? It was, without doubt, a victory worth celebrating. Not only that, but the players were each promised a Rolls Royce by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in the wake of their impressive comeback.

The match began predictably with Argentina taking the lead after just ten minutes, thanks to a Lionel Messi penalty (awarded after a contentious VAR decision). The former Barcelona striker, now a firm favourite at Paris Saint-Germain, was likely playing in his last World Cup so no-one would deny the seven-time winner of the Ballon d’Or a little success in Qatar, would they? He’d made no secret of the fact that lifting the World Cup would be the perfect way to crown his illustrious footballing career. In which case, a defeat to the team ranked 51st in the world was certainly not the ideal start.

The upset took place in the Lusail Iconic Stadium and saw Argentina’s 3-year, 36-game, unbeaten run come to a shocking end. But although the Al-Hilal winger will be forever remembered for his 53rd minute winner,

let’s not forget Saleh Al-Shehri who levelled the score just three minutes into the second half.

Although not exactly a ‘home’ crowd in the true sense of the word, there’s no denying the Middle Eastern venue gave Saudi the home advantage, the vocal spectators providing ample support for the team in green. And what a delight it was to see so many Saudi women cheering on their national team.

With so much criticism being thrown at Qatar prior to the start of the tournament, it was good to deflect the scrutiny away from less favorable issues and to focus attention back on the football itself. That is, after all, what the World Cup is all about.

So, next up for Saudi was Poland and Barcelona’s in form striker, Robert Lewandowski.

Having missed a penalty in their opening game against Mexico, Poland’s number nine made up for his error by putting one past goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais in the 39th minute to give Poland a two goal lead. Five minutes later, it was Salem Al Dawsari’s turn to fail from the penalty spot, his poor spot kick being saved by Poland’s reliable keeper, Szczesny, who then pulled off a spectacular one-handed save when the rebound was blasted towards goal by Mohammed Al Burayk.

It was a disappointing result after the euphoria of Saudi Arabia’s previous win but there was still much to play for. This was shaping up to be a tournament full of surprises with Germany losing unexpectedly to Japan, the Netherlands failing to score against Ecuador and Belgium losing 2–0 to Morocco.

What wasn’t surprising, though, was the fact that Word Cup holders, France, were the first team to qualify for the last 16, closely followed by Brazil and Portugal, all three having won their first two group games.

But more unexpected results were to follow. Sadly, Qatar wasn’t one of them, and having lost all three of their group games, the host nation was one of the first to exit the competition. In fact, they were knocked out after just five days, the shortest time ever for a host country at the World Cup.

Unfortunately, Saudi Arabia were also eliminated after a 2-1 defeat to Mexico, a result that saw them finish at the bottom of group C. The euphoria of their win against Argentina will, however, ensure the 2022 World Cup is one that the team (and the country) will never forget.

Thursday 1st December was, perhaps, the most bizarre day of all when it came to shock results. Belgium’s big name stars – including Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard – failed to score against Croatia, the 0-0 result seeing them finish third and heading home to Belgium after just three games.

Later that day, it was all to play for in Group E. Any two of the four teams – Germany, Spain, Japan and Costa Rica – could qualify. As the evening progressed, the position of the teams constantly shifted, resulting in a roller-coaster of emotions for the fans. Ultimately, despite winning 4-2 against Costa Rica, Germany were knocked out of the competition at the group stage for a second consecutive World Cup. It was, in fact, a much debated VAR decision in the other game involving Japan and Spain that actually eliminated the Germans, allowing Japan to claim three points and to finish top of Group E ahead of Spain in second place.

But something else happened in the match at Al Bayt Stadium as Germany took on Costa Rica. For the first time ever, the Word Cup match was officiated by an all-female on-field team. French referee Stephanie Frappart was joined by assistants Neuza Black from Brazil, and Mexican Karen Diaz Medina, in what was a seamless performance. Bravo!

Back on the pitch and onto the round of 16, the first two of which saw Netherlands knock out USA and Argentina defeat Australia. Lionel Messi was on fine form and helped his team secure a place in the quarter finals. France and England also booked their places at the expense of Poland and Senegal, respectively. Later, Croatia saw off Japan in the first penalty shoot-out of the competition.

The match between Brazil and South Korea was, arguably, the most entertaining match of the Word Cup so far. The team in yellow ran riot and were 4-0 up at half-time in what was a dazzling display of attacking football. South Korea were able to pull one back in the second-half but it was scant consolation.

The final two last-16 matches saw Morocco take on Spain and Portugal play Switzerland. The first game was still goalless after extra time resulting in the second penalty shoot-out of the tournament. Morocco emerged victorious after Spain failed to convert any of their first three penalties. Portugal had an easier route into the quarter finals, winning 6-1 despite the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t come off the bench until the 73rd minute. In fact, his direct replacement, 21-year-old Gonçalo Ramos, became the new Portuguese hero thanks to an impressive hattrick.

The first quarter final would be played between Croatia and Brazil, with the Brazilians and their in-form striker, Richarlison, tipped as favourites. It was the Europeans, however, who progressed, winning 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 extra-time draw.

The second involved Netherlands and Argentina, with Lionel Messi’s team expected to win. This time, it was a little more predictable, although, again it took penalties to decide the winners with Argentina winning 4-3.

Morocco took on Portugal in the third of the quarter finals with everyone impatient to see whether new star Ramos would start ahead of Ronaldo. He did, but failed to make the impression he had in the previous game. Morocco took the lead late in the first half but Portugal couldn’t find an equalizer, despite Ronaldo replacing Neves after 51 minutes. The superstar left the pitch in tears after the final whistle, his fifth and final World Cup ending at the quarter final stage.

The last quarter final match was between England and France. Thanks to the pace and skill of Kylian Mbappé, the World Cup holders were predicted to have the edge over the English and in the first half this was definitely the case, Tchouaméni blasting a spectacular strike beyond keeper Jordan Pickford after just 17 minutes. England’s reliable captain, Harry Kane, converted a penalty early in the second half only to see Oliver Giroud score 24 minutes later. But in the 84th minute, Harry Kane once again faced his Tottenham teammate, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, when a second penalty was awarded to England. This time, he failed to hit the target and France progressed to the semi-finals.

So, the semi-finals looked like this: Argentina v Croatia and France v Morocco. Would France become the first county to retain the World Cup for 60 years? Perhaps Morocco would win the first World Cup for Africa. Maybe Croatia would win its first ever World Cup. Or, would Lionel Messi

get his hands on that one, elusive trophy?

The first semi-final saw Croatia put up a brave fight against Argentina on 13th December. Croatia played some brilliant attacking football but were unable to capitalize on their lengthy bouts of possession. They went behind after 34 minutes thanks to an unstoppable Lionel Messi penalty and conceded another just five minutes later courtesy of a brilliant individual goal by Julián A�lvarez. The Manchester City striker then made it 3-0 in the second half, a somewhat flattering scoreline. Nevertheless, it was a heartbreaking exit for Croatia’s captain, Luka Modrić, who was playing in his last World Cup.

The following evening saw the current world champions take on Morocco. France took an early lead but Morocco remained a threat throughout. Only when Kolo Muani scored a second for France in the 79th minute was it really over for the African team.

So, the stage was set for a nail biting final between two footballing giants: Argentina and France. Would ‘the goat’ finally get his hands on the World Cup or would Kylian Mbappé bring it home (again) for France?

The first half was dominated by the Argentinians who took complete control of the match. Contrarily, France looked tired and lackluster and lacked the passion and determination that had accompanied them throughout the tournament. When Argentina were awarded a penalty in the 23rd minute, it was Lionel Messi who converted from the spot. Thirteen minutes later, Di Maria made it 2-0 thanks to a brilliant counterattack involving both Messi and Alexis MacAllister.

France’s coach, Didier Deschamps, made reactive changes before halftime, bringing off Dembélé and a disgruntled Olivier Giroud, replacing them with Kolo Muani and Thuram, respectively. But France remained second-best for most of the second half, only coming to life after Kylian Mbappé scored a penalty in the 80th minute. Just one minute later, he scored again with a fabulous volley that had the potential to break Argentinian hearts.

Extra time loomed in what was shaping up to be an unforgettable final. The first half remained goalless but Messi, in the right place at the right time, scored an opportunist goal that looked to have won it for the South Americans. But there was more drama to follow and it came in the form of a penalty for France, converted by Mbappé for a World Cup Final hattrick – the first since 1966.

So, the FIFA World Cup Final 2022 would be decided by penalties, with attention now focused not just on the two number 10s but on goalkeepers, Hugo Lloris and Emiliano Martinez. The Aston Villa keeper was able to save Kingsley Coman’s kick and when Aurelian Tchouameni missed the target, he effectively handed the World Cup to Argentina.

It was everything you would want from a World Cup Final: entertaining, dramatic, thrilling, tense and unpredictable. And regardless of your sporting allegiance, it was an absolute delight to see the great Lionel Messi lift that golden trophy.

Messi was also awarded the Player of the Tournament with Mbappé taking the Golden Boot and Martinez winning the Golden Glove. And let’s not forget, Saudi Arabia defeated the World Champions in the opening round!

The post-tournament debates will, of course, continue but one thing is certain: the Qatar World Cup has, without doubt, put the Middle East on the map when it comes to major sporting events.

Coach

Bensalamah

"You have to accept the pain you get when you run."

Could you please introduce yourself briefly?

Hi, I am Alaa Bensalamah. A 25 years old Kuwaiti girl living in Kuwait

Tell us about your education.

I’ve completed a degree in medical engineering from the UK and also continuing my master degree in advance medical engineering from UK Yorkshire.

What incident or moment made you decide to lead a healthier lifestyle?

The idea of being healthy was on my mind since the age 6. I suffered from obesity for a really long time and it was really hard for me to go on any diet, but at one moment I had enough of not finding my size in stores and not being able to walk for 15 minutes straight. When I was studying abroad and by myself alone, I came to realization that you only have you. And you are the only person who will take full care and responsibility about your health. So, I had no choice but only to start and try to tweak some of my bad habits. It wasn’t a straight line but I got it at the end.

Why did you choose running?

Where do I start from, running is a necessity to me. I need to run because I love having that connection with my inner self. It’s where I go to feel free, it’s where I go to distress and it’s where I can find most success and achievement. It’s something that you see your progress in. It gives me that happy feeling and also carb loading.

After how long were you satisfied with your results and decided to continue running?

It was just a cardio on treadmill at first and I used to hate it as much as most people do because it was so boring and tiring. I tried once to run outside for 15 minutes (2km) and I loved it!! I started here to run more and then I started to manage my pace and go faster, until I participated in plenty of races and I got really addicted because I have a competitive personality.

When and how did you become a certified running coach?

I got it last year. It was an extensive online course about running from United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy.

What was the first big race you ran?

The first race for me was trail race on the beach organized by suffix in Kuwait.

Briefly describe your running career and accomplishments.

My running career is associated in letting people to believe in themselves especially here in Kuwait. The majority tends to do a surgery to lose weight and just give up. So, what I do is try to let them trust themselves and trust their will by giving them the right strength workouts and also a running schedule. For now, my audience are beginners so my accomplishment is seeing my clients hold a good running pace and also building muscles.

What’s your opinion on the state of running in Kuwait?

Running in Kuwait is tough compared to other western

countries because of the weather and lack of running tracks. It’s a challenge for us (the running community) to keep running in these conditions but we’re trying our best and mostly the running community is really friendly and they will push you to stick on your journey by motivating one another. As Nike says, runners support runners.

What are your favorite strength and mobility exercises for runners?

Strength would be leg extensions because it relieves my knees pain (strengthening the quads), mobility would be 90/90 hip mobility because it targets the hip and reduce hip pain.

Where do you presently coach?

I do freelance at outdoors (Shaheed Park) and also I do freelance PT at Flare Jabriyah Gym.

What is your biggest challenge as a female coach?

My biggest challenge is understanding how different clients respond to the workout because some people love to be pushed and some would prefer going slowly step by step. So, understanding how the client will take the workout needs more time and observation.

How do you motivate your athletes?

I always post on Social Media my progress and my workouts, reminding my followers to move and stay active. I also don’t get embarrassed by sharing my failures with others. So, if I failed in doing a certain workout I still post about it. I believe that motivating others more than success, because they can see reality and can relate to it. Moreover, from time to time I post about my story of losing 40kg in the gym and with dieting.

What advice would you give to someone who is just getting started as a runner?

You have to accept the pain you get when you run. It’s not going to be easy. You just have to push through it. Just remember you got this and everyone has to start somewhere.

What are some of your future plans?

My future plan after 10 to 15 years is to do an Ultra marathon which are above 50km, and also being more into endurance then speed because I know I have a good mentality when it comes to long term.

What are some of your other hobbies? I love creating styles and coordinate outfits. So, I would say fashion.

Your favorite quote? Just do it.

How do you relax? Sleep, sleep and sleep. It’s my number one for recovery. Secondly, I would say sport massage and thirdly an ice bath.

Name 3 things you cannot leave home without? My AirPods, my Garmin watch and my bottle of water

Your message for us at CP magazine. Thank you for having me. It was a pleasure to be introduced by CP magazine. I’m really excited to work with CP family again.

IDTechEx INVESTIGATES BUILDING THE HOUSE OF THE FUTURE

A floor that can feel when you fall, a warmth that wanders from room to room with you; could the house of the future take care of you?

From the Windows to the Walls

Smart homes have started with add-on appliances like Google home, smart fridges, or ring doorbells. These plug-in features are helpful to personalize a house to the needs of the inhabitants but can be clunky, with outlets used up and unsightly wiring across walls and floors. Coming next is built-in technology, ubiquitous throughout the building and, eventually, the neighborhood.

If These Walls Could Talk

The built-in technologies can create a house that interacts and communicates with the inhabitants in a number of ways. The house could assist with care for the vulnerable; pressure sensors in the floor could analyze gait to tell if the inhabitants fall or seem to be limping and could alert family, friends, or support services.

In a lower-stakes adaptation, a table with built-in electronics could sense the temperature of the drink you place down on it and heat or cool just that portion of the surface to maintain the drink's temperature.

New Technologies Bringing the House Down

There are many exciting companies in this area, which show where the concept is at right now. While these projected technologies are still at an add-on stage, these add-ons clearly show the way toward ubiquitous technology.

Laiier are focusing on leak sensing. Sensing leaks early would make a huge financial difference to the inhabitants' lives. Laiier utilizes low-cost capacitive sensors based on carbon conductive. Capacitive sensors are especially sensitive to proximity to aqueous materials: this is why most smartphone screens cannot be used in the rain and why this technology is suited to a specialization in leak detection – though there are many other potential applications.

While this technology is not currently built into the property's structure, the thin-film, large-area nature of the sensors enables them to be placed underneath appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, and boilers. The sensors can also be produced in tape format, which enables them to be installed at a low cost without any specific expertise – another money-saver for inhabitants! For more information on this topic, please see IDTechEx’s report on the topic, “Printed and Flexible Sensors

2022-2032: Technologies, Players, Markets“. Similarly, Invisense produce a thin-film moisture sensor. It determines humidity using a printed antenna detected remotely by an RFID reader. The usual method for measuring is to remove tiles to see if water is leaking through them – this new method prevents such damage. The main application is thus placing the sensor behind waterproof building materials to check the efficacy of the waterproofing in showers.

Sensors such as these built into houses from the start could detect leaks before they become visible and, within a smart home, could even shut off water and call for a plumber. This would prevent large-scale damage and save money for the homeowner.

Hothouse Inhabitants

With energy costs a hot topic right now, The Warming Surfaces Company has partnered with Portuguese high-pressure laminate company Soforma to develop prototypes of a film that, when integrated into laminate, can enable surfaces to provide heating. This can be used for underfloor heating, heated walls, and integrating into furniture. Furthermore, individual areas can be separately controlled to keep the kitchen cool during cooking while the lounge stays cozy.

Clever Carpets

The social distancing requirements associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have motivated the development of smart floormats and carpets by InnovationLab.

Initially, this was a simple binary device that just detected whether pressure was being applied - the signal was then used to address a traffic light to let customers know whether it was safe to proceed to the counter. Recently, however, the system has been significantly upgraded. By training an artificial intelligence algorithm and placing the smart floormat by the store entrance, the system can now determine (and thus display) the number of customers in the store at any time on an anonymous basis. Furthermore, the system can discriminate between customers and trollies/carts to improve accuracy.

This technology could one day be used in applications such as care homes and assisted living to alert medical staff to the progress of patients and potential injuries and hazards.

Bright Ideas

Fumbling for the light switch could become a thing of the past.

Lighting is, of course, already built into most homes, but printed electronics offer visuals with a twist. Tactotek outlined that as smart homes become increasingly established, product developers have to meet the challenge of how to fit more electronics into products without sacrificing beauty and style. Examples include incorporating electronic functionality below wooden veneers and within thin plastic layers. For more information on this topic, please see IDTechEx’s report on the topic, “In-Mold Electronics 2022-2032: Technology, Market Forecasts, Players“.

The House of the Future

All of these growing technologies paint a picture of the house of the future. Pressure sensors interacting with heating, lighting, and moisture sensors could make the reality of a house with integrated lighting that could react to the time of day and turn itself off when a person leaves the room. Ultra-effective underfloor heating that could follow a person around a room and heated surfaces to keep food and drink hot and cold as needed. A house that senses leaks, falls, and hazards, catering to the inhabitant’s safety as much as comfort.

formerlymeofficial

FormerlyMe.com presents “On The Go: Salzburg”

WHAT IS FORMERLYME?

FormerlyMe is an online movement to motivate and inspire people to become the best version of themselves by showing them my journey and experience in trying a new workout and lifestyle regime every 30 days. Every post, update, and video is ‘formerly me’ as I endeavor to become the best version of myself and become FormerlyMe. Each month CP Magazine will showcase a part of my journey to becoming the best version of myself. I hope that in turn this inspires and motivates you to start your own journey as well. For this month’s story we will focus on the “On The Go: Salzburg” days of my journey.

Jim West

With the alps as a backdrop and its world renowned Baroque architecture, Salzburg is indeed a beautiful city to visit anytime in the year. At the center of the city skyline you can’t miss one of the largest medieval fortresses in Europe, Hohensalzburg. Even the historic city center is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is easy to spend an entire day just walking the city streets and palace gardens of Mirabell Palace.

Salzburg is also known as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The famous composer had over 800 works he created in his short lifetime (dies at 35 years old). His birth home is a must see for anyone who appreciate classical music. Although his residence is just a few blocks away across the river, the birth home is the better of the two to visit. There is also a statue of Mozart not too far away.

If you want to tour Hohensalzburg Fortress, you can either walk the long uphill road to get there or ride the funicular up to the top. The views of the fortress are spectacular, and the tours of the inside are just splendid. The artifacts on display inside are worth seeing. To see everything in the fortress you will need at least two to three hours, but time passes by so fast with so much to see up there.

If you visit in December you get to experience the city’s Christmas Markets and various food stalls in the historic city center. Perfect time to grab a mug of warm mulled wine, eat some apple strudel, and enjoy the festive spirit of the holidays. With the holiday season upon us I wanted to say to all of the CP Magazine readers, Happy Holidays! I look forward to bringing you more adventures in the New Year!

Follow my journey online at FormerlyMe.com and on the YouTube channel. Next month I will cover my more unique experiences I had in 2021-2022. Until next time that has been FormerlyMe! facebook.com/FormerlyMe twitter.com/MeFormerly instagram.com/formerlymeofficial

MASTERCARD BRINGS APPLE PAY TO CUSTOMERS IN KUWAIT

A SAFER, MORE SECURE AND PRIVATE WAY TO PAY WITH IPHONE AND APPLE WATCH

Mastercard today brings Apple Pay to its cardholders in Kuwait. Apple Pay is providing a safer, more secure and private way to pay that helps customers avoid handing their payment card to someone else, touching physical buttons or exchanging cash — and uses the power of iPhone to protect every transaction.

Customers simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a payment terminal to make a contactless payment. Every Apple Pay purchase is secure because it is authenticated with Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode, as well as a onetime unique dynamic security code. Apple Pay is accepted in grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, coffee shops, online stores, and all other outlets where contactless Mastercard payments are accepted.

Erdem Çakar, Country Manager, Kuwait and Qatar, Mastercard, commented: “We are delighted to bring all the benefits of Apple Pay to the people Kuwait, further accelerating the market’s dynamic digital transformation journey. This launch marks the next era in convenience, security and ease for consumers and merchants alike.”

Customers can also use Apple Pay on iPhone, iPad, and Mac to make faster and more convenient purchases in apps or on the web in Safari without having to create accounts or repeatedly type in shipping and billing information. Apple Pay makes it easier to pay for food and grocery deliveries, online shopping, transportation, and parking, among other things.

Security and privacy are at the core of Apple Pay. When customers use a credit or debit card with Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on the device, nor on Apple servers. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted, and securely stored in the Secure Element, an industry-standard, certified chip designed to store the payment information safely on the device.

Apple Pay is easy to set up. On iPhone, simply open the Wallet app, tap +, and follow the steps to add Mastercard credit or debit cards. Once a customer adds a card to iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac, they can start using Apple Pay on that device right away. Customers will continue to receive all of the rewards and benefits offered by Mastercard products.

PERFECT GIFT THIS FESTIVE SEASON BY LA BOUCHE ROUGE

Find the perfect sustainable gift this festive season for yourself or a loved one and create a fun shopping experience with La Bouche Rouge’s gift guide.

Responsible, refillable and revolutionary, the brand includes lipsticks, mascaras, complexion sets, liners and eye shadows. Committed to imagining the beauty of the future, the aim of the brand is to guarantee quality products for the skin without altering the impact on the planet.

La Bouche Rouge’s clean, sensorial makeup formulas, come encased in luxurious, fine leather cases, which embody craftsmanship, sustainability, and beauty with purpose. Tucked inside an elegant box, its makeup collection makes for the perfect present for yourself or someone you love. You can engrave the upcycled fine leather cases with your initials for a unique, personalized touch.

EYESHADOW

Eyeshadows contains 90% ingredients of natural origin, is formulated without microplastic, talc or silicone and is not tested on animals. An infusion of ultra-concentrated pigments, which allow you to obtain an intense, buildable result, from the very first application, using your fingers or a brush.

MASCARA

A technological breakthrough: a glass mascara with a 99% natural origin ingredients formula and no petrochemical derivatives that ensures volume and care. 100% recyclable.

EYELINER

Le Khôl Noir is the first black kohl eyeliner developed without microplastics which allows you to intensify your gaze. A 98% natural origin ingredients formula that glides on with ease and elegance, leaving a powdered effect on the eyelid.

LIPSTICK

A 97% natural origin ingredients serum formula enriched with a powerful anti-aging seaweed harvested by hand in St Suliac, France. The lipstick formula is vegan, crueltyfree and without beeswax. It does not include petroleum derivatives nor silicone.

LIP LINER

Its 88,4% natural origin ingredients formula, made with castor oil, squalane and Vitamin E and without plastic, glides on your lips and makes precise application easy, bringing volume and definition to your lips.

ALEKSANDER JOSIPOVIC

The increase of interest in plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive procedures are multifactorial as nobody wants to look tired these days. Moreover, social media plays a significant role in self-esteem and body image by over-exposing people to ideal and idealized body type and facial construction.

Meet Aleksander Josipovic, the multifaceted professional with over 15 years of key experience as a brand consultant and strategist, creating impactful brand solutions for highprofile clients across numerous industry verticals.

As a dynamic, forward-thinking leader with a focus on marketing, sales, business development, and communications, Aleksander’s demonstrated history of creative leadership has led him to service some of the world’s most renowned brands, including Atelier M, Cavalli Club, Beefbar, Drais, Cirque Le Soir, and White Dubai. From luxury programs and products, to translating complex, strategic visions into specific, measurable, and achievable objectives, Aleksander’s innate ability to create innovative and dynamic corporate narratives has hugely contributed to his wealthy portfolio and accolades.

Aleksandar’s efficacious ability to pair psychology and brand objectives has also seen him work with prestigious international brands, including AccorHotels, DTCM, Mumm Champagne, Mercedes, Wella, DTCM, Eurovision, Mercedes-Benz, Moulin Rouge, Mumm Champagne, NFI, UNESCO, and Vogue.

Together with a MBA, Master of Business Administration, Coursework toward Master of Arts in Psychotherapy, The NLP Trainer and Consultancy from NLP University, University of California, Santa Cruz, and an arm's length

in achievements, the astute businessman has now taken his affluence of enhancing a brand’s identity and business model, to developing his own consulting firm and advising brands regionally and globally. Aleksander has to date won a multitude of clients whereby he manages sales funnels, branding and marketing initiatives. The firm offers brand, digital and innovation strategy services for companies who dare to pursue a competitive edge, and a desire to stand out in a crowded marketplace. Current clientele includes Lucia Clinic, SEVA, Vazir Group, and a handful of international companies.

As a multicultural and multilingual professional, with an entrepreneurial spirit boasting out of his well-tailored suits, Aleksander seamlessly integrates into a team, possesses strong interpersonal skills, and is independently selfmanaged. Aleksander is a meticulous, detail-oriented professional with a creative ability to identify a “sweet spot”, leverage or pivot, and drive brand awareness while stimulating revenue.

We meet Aleksander to discuss on the growth of the male aesthetic market & evaluation of men’s trends and experiences in aesthetics treatments across the GCC.

Talent Radar

Words: JOSÉ BERROCOSO

CityPages Magazine: In recent years, have you seen a rise in men's interest in the aesthetics market?

Aleksander Josipovic: Yes, absolutely. Men's interest, as well as participation in cosmetic procedures, have increased in recent years, specifically with plastic surgery. Men accounted for around 8% of the total cosmetic procedures in 2020. Although this is a small percentage compared to their female counterparts, the report demonstrates an overall 8% increase in the total number of cosmetic procedures by men from 2000 to 2020, indicating a stable upward trend.

Aesthetic treatments for males are moving into the mainstream, and several factors are driving this growth, including increased awareness and availability. All around the world, as well as in the region, the proportion of men utilizing aesthetic services is growing. We are witnessing, among the big aesthetic companies and clinics, that gentlemen are more visible on advertising campaigns.

CPM: What are some common trends among male aesthetic patients?

AJ: The increase of interest in plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive procedures are multifactorial as nobody wants to look tired these days. Moreover, social media plays a significant role in self-esteem and body image by over-exposing people to ideal and idealized body type and facial construction. The golden ratio is sought after for a visibly balanced face and we see the driving pressure on men to look fashionable, well-groomed, and fit.

Today, gentlemen of all nationalities, skin types, and generations, understand the importance of maintaining their youthful look and appearance. We have seen an overall 29% increase in minimally invasive procedures from 2000 to 2020 among the male population.

Although men may not openly discuss it, it's evident that plastic surgery has become one of their go-to options as male patients seek and receive: Muscle enhancement and contouring, Gynecomastia surgery, Liposuction, Tummy tuck and Chin augmentation. As a consultant at Lucia Clinic, trendy treatments for gentlemen include PRP Hair Loss Treatment for Men, Botox® and Dermal Fillers, Facials, Coolsculpting®, Laser Therapies, And EMSculpt NEO.

CPM: What changes do you expect in dermatology in the next upcoming years?

AJ: Men need to look and feel their best, and a visit to a dermatologist is an essential investment in health and well-being. In the coming years, we can expect an influx of more young people, specifically Generation Z seeking a dermatologist.

According to research, dermatology will be in high demand as new research and development in technology have already begun to provide a unique combination of new products and devices. Skin will regenerate in a new way as aging and the new efficient anti-aging treatments will depend on these advancements in dermatology.

CPM: What's the Best Skincare Advice/Tips?

AJ: To meet your skin, understand your skin, and what is the best skincare for you - you should go only to the experts. Skincare is healthcare and what works for you may not work for somebody else. We only get one precious face, and taking excellent care of our skin to prevent premature aging is one of the best ways to show ourselves love.

Dermatological visits are vital aids in the mission to keep skin in peak condition. Dermatologists also diagnose and treat diseases of the hair and nails. With thousands of potential diseases, dermatologists are an essential facet of the healthcare system.

DRESS FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH CECILIE BAHNSEN

This holiday season, pick the perfect outfit from Cecilie Bahnsen’s FW22 Collection.

The collection incorporates structural silhouettes from a romantic universe that builds a dialogue of pieces made to be treasured and cherished.

The label’s fabrics take flowers to extremes with notions of hyper-femininity — running the gamut from delicate petals to large-scale blooms. With a diverse colour palette that exhibits a glowing and hazy essence, there is sure to be something for everyone this festive season.

"Driven By The Desire To Create Smiles."

Photo by: @bellawangphotography

Tell us about your education.

I graduated from the University of Malta in Europe, with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery. I then pursued my higher education in two specialities: Master’s in Public Health and in Prosthodontics from Tufts University, Boston, USA. Prosthodontics is a clinical dental specialty in full mouth reconstruction with prosthesis and dental implants. Soon After, I successfully passed all the American board exams and became a Diplomate and Fellow of the American Board of Prosthodontics.

What got you into medicine and motivated you to pursue a career in dentistry?

Dentistry was one of my childhood dreams. I was always driven by the desire to create smiles, make a difference, and help others.

How was your journey studying in Malta? How did your perception change after studying there for 7 years?

My journey was very challenging, very self-driven and very rewarding! Getting the scholarship and acceptance to Dental Surgery at the University of Malta was not an easy journey. However, through eagerness, hard work, determination, and a lot of self-discipline, I achieved it successfully. Additionally, participating in different

organizations, volunteering in rural countries, and interacting with refugees expanded and broadened my perspective drastically.

Shifting from a socially privileged Kuwaiti culture to a small, simple Mediterranean Island at 18 influenced me profoundly and gave me different views on health and life. My journey in Malta created my solid foundation and set my unlimited warriorlike mindset.

What kept your interest alive and kept you motivated throughout your studies?

My ambitions, passion, optimism, and energetic nature have always driven an inner flame and motivation. Having a bigger purpose in life, to serve the greater good, and leave a print to make a difference, ignited limitless dreams and goals for me. Also, having support from my family and positive interactions with my international mentors and patients kept my interests alive.

You moved to the US to continue your studies. What was your goal at that time?

I discovered a new passion for public and global health throughout my studies in Malta. After graduating with my bachelor, I started looking for higher education programs targeting two majors simultaneously. Luckily, I came to a cross Tufts University in Boston, USA, where they gave me the green light to customize my program in Prosthodontic and Master’s in Public Health (MPH), with individualized study in Global Health concentration. So, I applied to both programs in the Medical and Dental schools and got accepted. At first, my goal was only to get the MPH and be a qualified prosthodontist, but my experience in the US exceeded my expectations, and I achieved way more than I originally planned.

What is your area of expertise?

My clinical expertise is treating and reconstructing complex full-mouth cases with fixed and removable prostheses and implants to achieve oral health, function, occlusal stability, facial harmony, and longevity. Whereas, my public health expertise is focused on global and digital health, where I create, manage, assess, evaluate, and improve the quality of healthcare programs.

Now, as you are back home, what are you currently doing?

I just started my career by working as full-time clinician and managing a global health project on the side.

What are your future plans? Stay tuned.

What advice would you give to our readers for better maintenance and hygiene of their teeth?

Most oral health conditions are largely preventable and can be treated in their early stages. So, make sure you visit the dentist every six months and practice the correct oral hygiene techniques to maintain your health.

Tell us about some of your most difficult experiences or difficult conditions you have come over so far?

I can’t think of a specific case, but generally, patients with psychological problems and unrealistic expectations are the most challenging to manage.

What are some key signs that someone needs the help of a cosmetic dentist?

There are no key signs for seeking cosmetic dental treatment unless it affects the patient’s physical,

Photo by: @bellawangphotography

Photo by: @bellawangphotography

psychological, and social health. I embrace and support the unique characteristics of each smile, and all dental care cases must be treated with an individualized approach. From my perspective, creating one standard beauty and mold doesn’t appeal to the individual’s true beauty.

What career path would you have chosen if you hadn’t pursued dentistry?

I would choose it again.

What got you interested into triathlon?

Sports has always been my hobby and fun activity since childhood. Setting goals and challenging myself is my way

to keep myself motivated and happy. I was stuck during the 2020 pandemic in Boston, where I started cycling outdoors to cope with unexpected stressful events and demanding programs. Cycling around Boston for many hours took me to set my bold resolution in 2021 to finish my 1st ironman race with no triathlon experience. The consistent triathlon training with progressive results balanced my life. A training schedule of combing five different sports (swim, cycle, run, resistance/strength, and yoga) made it fun and positively impacted my health, career, and life overall.

What is your most memorable moments from Malta and also from the US?

I have many incredible memories, so it is hard to pick one. I would choose the Kuwaiti Celebration Event in Malta (2013), which was remarkable. We were fortunate to have an amazing talented Kuwaiti group of students who managed to organize one of the most significant events on campus. We were also thankful to have the support of the Embassy of Kuwait at that time. The event took two full days and included exhibitions, traditional Kuwaiti food, customs, and live shows. The Kuwaiti and Maltese media and press had covered our story on TV and written press releases. Unforgettable times indeed!

The COVID pandemic period was the most memorable in the US. Living alone and dealing with unexpected events, lockdown, the violent protest around my area, emergency patients, and nonstop webinars from both programs… was intense! However, these moments upscaled my strength in all physical, mental, and emotional health. I started setting higher goals in all aspects of life and work. I became a triathlete, an Ironman 70.3 finisher, an American boardcertified prosthodontist, Harvard University adopted my master’s project and started a project I had never thought of achieving. Sometimes hustling through difficult times is a blessing to start upgrading your life. These challenging times can unleash some of our hidden potential, polish our path, and reset our priorities. “Your empire ain’t gonna build itself without the hustle.” Always think like a winner!

“Your empire ain’t gonna build itself without the hustle.” Always think like a winner!

Where is your favourite holiday destination and why?

Anywhere with beach, sea, waves, fresh food, music, and a sunny sky.

The Mediterranean Islands, so far, are my favourite.

How do you unwind?

Fun sports workout, outdoor activity, dance, and traveling solo.

Tell me something about yourself that others might not know?

Beside volunteering as a professional health provider, I volunteered as a dance instructor in Malta and refugee camps.

Your message for us at CP magazine. Thank you for the interview and this opportunity. I applaud CP magazine for its original topics and content.

Photo by: @esraalqabandi

Photo by: @bellawangphotography

4

A city of mesmerizing contrasts, Dubai is Old World charm meets modern metropolis – and it blends the two together in ultimate style that few other cities around the world can match. Dubai attractions come in all forms; from incredible immersive digital art experiences to the world’s tallest building, and everything in between. If you plan to level up your game on social media or simply take stunning videos and images, here are 4 spots to definitely check out.

Once a small fishing village in the Arabian Gulf, Dubai is today one of the most Cosmopolitan cities in the world. One of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, the city is home to more than 200 nationalities and offers an unforgettable experience to all visitors. Whether it is by the banks of the Creek, or at the top of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, Dubai lives and breathes a sense of possibility and innovation. And with an unparalleled coastline, beautiful desert and magnificent cityscapes, memories are just waiting to be made in this incredible city.

Be inspired and start planning your holiday, it’s time to tick these off your mustsee Dubai bucket list.

AT THE TOP BURJ KHALIFA

Standing high above the city, you can immerse yourself in breathtaking views when you reach At The Top. The Burj Khalifa has not one but two stunning observatories. At The Top is located on the 124th and 125th floors and the premium At The Top Sky is on the 148th level – a staggering 555m above ground.

Begin your experience in a high-speed lift, with the skyward journey engrossing you in a multimedia experience. It will both captivate you and educate you on the creation of the Burj Khalifa and the history of Dubai. Once the doors open, you are welcomed by floor-to-ceiling glass and unobstructed 360-degree views of the world below.

At night, the view takes on a different meaning as you look out from the world's tallest skyscraper and see the vibrant cityscape. There are no time restraints while visiting At The Top, so relax and enjoy your momentous journey to embracing Dubai’s architecture and transformation.

MUSEUM OF THE FUTURE

One of Dubai's most famous landmarks, the Museum of the Future (MOTF) takes pride of place along the city's superhighway, Sheikh Zayed Road. Founded by the Dubai Future Foundation and launched on 22 February 2022, the museum explores how society could evolve in the coming decades using science and technology.

Termed a 'living museum', it incorporates elements of traditional exhibitions, immersive theatre and themed attractions, so visitors can look beyond the present and towards the future's limitless possibilities. Furthering a global intellectual movement, it's also the headquarters for the city's ‘Great Arab Minds’ initiative that aims to identify 1,000 exceptional Arab talents across key fields.

Designed as an asymmetric torus clad in steel and glass, the Museum of the Future has been recognised by National Geographic as one of 14 most beautiful museums in the world. It's a credit to architect Shaun Killa, who wanted the structure to represent Dubai’s vision of the future.

The museum's striking exterior also stands out thanks to its artistic use of Arabic calligraphy, which functions as glass windows too. Designed by Emirati artista Mattar bin Lahej, they reflect lines of inspirational poetry by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Of the three quotes enveloping the facade, one translates to: “The future belongs to those who can imagine it, design it and execute it. It isn't something you await, but rather create.”

INFINITY DES LUMIERES AT THE DUBAI MALL

This is the ultimate immersive digital art experience in the Middle East, and the biggest digital art venue in the GCC region. With 130 projectors and 58 speakers, in an impressive, 2,700 sq. meter venue within The Dubai Mall, it brings to life iconic and contemporary art through 3,000 HD digital moving images. Its digital facade is the largest within the Dubai Mall - a magnificent art projection with a total display area of 200 square meters, while its Boutique is an experience in its own right, accessible directly from the mall and open to everyone.

Allowing visitors to feel, experience and co-create, the exhibition puts visitors at the centre of three artists’ work, viewpoints, and diverse perspectives. The current immersive exhibition Raise Vibration, devoted to the profound works of Gaudi, Kandinsky, and Klee, highlighting the force of colourful abstractions and the rhythm of vibrations.

Between spirals, bright colors, and colossal and towering buildings, ‘Gaudi: The Architect of the Imaginary’ showcases the Spanish architect’s limitless creativity and bold projects. This immersive art exhibition will pay tribute to the ingenious architect via his modernist buildings that have now been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The second part of the exhibition dives into Russian painter and art theorist, Vassily Kandinsky's memories, Russian Folklore, and the country’s rich legendary capital. The 15-minute creation is composed of two distinctive parts, the artists’ figurative work and the advent of abstraction.

The third and last part of the exhibition, takes visitors from an opera overture in an imaginary city to an underwater concerto amidst gold and multicolored fish, creating moving reflections of water and a rhythm of geometric structures. With corresponding pictorials and puppets accompanied by Papageno’s song, the immersive exhibition concludes an enchanting interlude that combines

THE VIEW AT THE PALM

Located at the top of The Palm Tower – the highest vantage point on Palm Jumeirah – The View at The Palm is an iconic observation deck opened by world-leading master developer Nakheel in April 2021. At 240 meters above ground, the attraction offers uninterrupted, 360-degree views of the world-famous Palm Jumeirah, the Arabian Gulf and the Dubai skyline. and the Palm Jumeirah.

Visitors can take an immersive journey at The View Exhibition, a tribute to the vision and creativity behind the construction of Palm Jumeirah and explore interactive aquarium tunnels and floor mapping to learn about the world-famous landmark.

The Palm Tower also features Aura SkyPool Lounge and a 360-degree infinity pool with stunning views on level 50, and the renowned restaurant SUSHISAMBA, a tri-cultural blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisines, on level 51.

Fatema AlOthman

Resort 2023 Collection

Synonymous with Noon by Noor's Resort collection inspiration, the new season creative explores concepts that pay homage to the wonders of nature seen in the incredible forms and colours of flora.

The Resort 2023 collection palette ranges from black, ivory and buttermilk, to soft pink tones and peaks at a bold palm green, key lime and rose pink. Traditional masculine codes are reinterpreted through a feminine lens, softened by an interplay of sensual fabrics and artisanal embroidered pieces.

The launch of the Resort 2023 collection coincides with Bahraini Women’s National Day, 1 December, “as a thank you to all the incredible women on our teams, our collaborators and our community who inspire us to keep dreaming bigger,” said Shaikha Haya Al Khalifa.

For those with an adventurous spirit, and an eye for modern design, BERGWELT GRINDELWALD

World, is luxury at its zenith. With the Swiss Alps as its backdrop and the Fire & Ice spa taking wellness to another level, every element stirs the senses. Whether you stay in or ski out, expect attention-grabbing views and a touch of mysticism at every turn. Beautifully crafted rooms and suites echo the awe-inspiring landscape outside. Using Swiss wood and tactile fabrics, they manage to be both airy and cosy – with many offering mountain views.

ALPINE DESIGN RESORT, member of Small Luxury Hotels of the

by travel-expert José Berrocoso

tomazedin_

Designer: Toma Zedin (@tomazedin_)

Art director & stylist: Toma Zedin (@styling_bytoma)

Photographer: Farouk El shbawy (@faroukelshbawy)

MAU: Ayota (@aya_sobhy_makeupartist)

4 REASONS WHY THE NEW HUAWEI MATE50 PRO

the futuristic tech flagship smartphone makes the perfect gift this end of year

After much anticipation, the announcement of the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro is finally bringing a breath of fresh air to the smartphone world. Being the latest premium flagship smartphone from Huawei, it lives up to expectations with a myriad of ground-breaking innovations. So, if you want to make this festive season special for your loved ones, then why not gift them the futuristic tech flagship smartphone with the best Ultra Aperture XMAGE Camera, the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro? Here are four reasons why you should.

The HUAWEI Mate50 Pro comes in two types of rear covers, glass and vegan leather. The glass cover is available in two colours, Silver and Black, while the vegan leather version comes in Orange, and it will be available in Kuwait for pre-orders starting on 15th of December, 2022, at a price of KWD 319.9 along with FREE GIFTS from Huawei’s online platforms as well as certified retailers.

Elegant symmetry with a classic touch

Representing a major step forward in smartphone aesthetics, the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro features the symmetrical Space Ring Design and an eye-catching Clous de Paris step-patterned embossing design. The Clous de Paris Pattern is incorporated into its symmetrical Space Ring camera layout in a way that brings out the textures under all lighting conditions. And this reflects the unmatched level of attention to detail that went into crafting HUAWEI Mate50 Pro.

Ultra Aperture XMAGE Camera: Optical-level bokeh

The Ultra Aperture XMAGE Camera system on the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro is the next step in the evolution of smartphone photography and sees significant upgrades across the board. It comes with a 10-size adjustable physical aperture that provides incredible flexibility to the depth of field. For example, when taking a portrait, you can use a wide aperture to blur the background and highlight the subject. When shooting a landscape, a smaller aperture can produce richer details along the edges. In Auto mode, the smart aperture adjusts the aperture size based on the shooting conditions.

HUAWEI Mate50 Pro can do wonders in low light scenarios,⁠ thanks to the ultra-large f/1.4 aperture working seamlessly with the XD Fusion Pro image engine to preserve brightness and contrast. Lack of light is no longer an obstacle if you want to capture mesmerising cityscapes at night with all their neon-lit glory. The Night mode helps you to capture photos with highly distinct bright and dark regions, even in dim environments. The Portrait mode feature adds a pleasing natural background blur to allow the subject to stand out from their surroundings. On the other hand, if you want some one-of-a-kind wildlife shots or impressive closeups of intricate architectures, the periscope telephoto camera with up to a whopping 200x zoom range has you covered.

The XMAGE filters, including Original, Vivid, and Bright, bring beautiful styles that complement the new Ultra Aperture XMAGE Camera. XMAGE Original filter captures true-to-life colours, textures and details; XMAGE Vivid filter captures jaw-dropping scenes with an innovative imaging system dialing up the contrast between bright and dark areas; and XMAGE Bright Filter, which improves dark and dreary shots by balancing light and clear contrasts.

Opening new avenues for smartphone performance

There are few things worse than the feeling of seeing your phone screen smashed to smithereens because of a fleeting moment of carelessness. But with the durable Kunlun Glass on HUAWEI Mate50 Pro, you can go about your day in peace. The Kunlun Glass improves the drop resistance of your phone by a whopping 10 times. So mountain bikers can ride for miles, even over the bumpiest of off-road terrains, without a worry. The phone also supports IP68-rated water resistance of up to 6 metres underwater, allowing it to easily handle wet and dusty environments.

The HUAWEI Mate50 Pro display provides you with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and 1440 Hz PWM dimming, which reduces flickering to relieve eye fatigue. Users can browse the web or watch their favourite movies without straining their eyes. Combined with the P3 Wide Colour Gamut, fine-tuned colours are calibrated to ensure the highest visual authenticity.

HUAWEI Mate 50 Pro packs a 4700 mAh battery and supports 66W wired and 50W wireless fast charging to strike an optimal balance between battery life, fast charging, and portability. While the battery is large enough to sustain heavy usage, the innovative low-battery Emergency Mode gets activated when the battery level falls to 1% to extend the battery life further. In the low-battery Emergency Mode, the phone can support 3-hour standby or 12 minutes of calling. The phone also comes with a handy feature called SuperStorage that can automatically detect duplicated files on the phone and offer you the option to compress them in the HUAWEI Optimiser app.

Enhanced convenience and productivity

The HUAWEI Mate50 Pro is the first smartphone from Huawei to run on

EMUI 13, which streamlines daily interactions with effortless one-touch navigation. EMUI 13 introduces the Super Device SuperHub feature, an innovative file transfer capability with the HUAWEI Mate50 Pro. Users can simply press and hold on any text, pictures, videos and files, and drag to SuperHub’s floating window to store the files temporarily. Users can then switch to another application and select the files within the SuperHub for a seamless cut and paste. With the batch transfer capability, users can also use SuperHub for multi-file transfer between their smartphone, tablet and PC.

On the one hand, it improves efficiency and avoids the process of users switching back and forth between multiple applications and duplicating them. On the other hand, the visual presentation of the copied content allows users to freely combine and arrange the copied content, which brings higher information transmission efficiency. With EMUI 13, MultiScreen Collaboration now also supports Multi-Window on HUAWEI Notepad and the proprietary Mail app. When the smartphone and PC are connected via Super Device, users can now enable split-screen usage of the mobile apps on the PC screen, bringing more convenience when browsing and using apps.

Additionally, EMUI 13 brings enhanced cross-device collaboration capabilities with Super Device, supporting up to 10 types of smart device connectivity combinations and collaboration. This means that users can enjoy enhanced smart office, entertainment, fitness and travel experience with Huawei’s suite of smart devices. With Super Device, Huawei has taken another step forward in achieving the ultimate goal of bringing Seamless AI Life to consumers.

www.erkers.com

For over 140 years and 5 generations, the experts at Erker’s have learned how to craft exquisite, innovative frames that tell a story of their inspirations and heritage. Erker’s 1879 celebrates the past as it defines the future of eyewear.

Founded in St. Louis in 1879 by our ancestors, our family has been dedicated to the craft of beautiful eyewear for over 143 years. From photographing the St. Louis World's Fair to designing the famous goggles worn by Charles Lindbergh during his flight over the Atlantic, our family made their mark in the optical industry early on. Prior to narrowing focus on eyeglasses, our family sold anything with a lens. As the 5th-generation of Erkers, we now strive to uphold our family's legacy through handcrafted eyewear capable of lasting a lifetime.

Erkers Eyewear is a family-owned business with a rich Saint Louis history, dating back five generations to the company’s inception in 1879. Founded by A.P. Erker, an immigrant from Germany, and later incorporated when brother August Erker joined the business.

The first optical laboratory west of the Mississippi River, Erker’s won optical machinery and equipment awards at the Louisiana Purchase Exhibition, served as the official photographer for the 1904 Saint Louis World’s Fair, and custom designed the goggles for Charles Lindberg, used in his historic flight over the Atlantic. Early on, Erkers sold everything with a lens, from eye

glasses, sunglasses, prescription lenses to cameras, goggles to microscopes. A key element to the company’s sucess has been the ability of its leaders to predict and identify new trends, not just keeping up with the competition, but leading the eyewear industry. Accordingly, throughtout the twentieth century, as businesses have become more specialized, Erkers has narrowed its scope as well.

In the years since, the family business was carried on by the descendants of August Erker, first by his son Eugene, who took over circa 1930, followed by grandson Jack Sr., who took the reins in the 1960s, then by great-grandson, Jack Jr., in the early 1990’s, who teamed up most recently with his two sons Jack III and Tony in early 2001.

Today, Erker’s Fine Eyewear is one of the great American establishments in the world of optical design, and at over 140 years old, one of the oldest.

José Berrocoso, our lifestyle editor, sat down with Jack Erker III and brother Tony Erker, to pick his brains on how to keep one’s sights set firmly on success.

CityPages Magazine: Erkers manufactures and distributes luxury eyewear worldwide with a commitment to craftsmanship, expertise and quality. Are these values that were clear from the outset as the vision of the brand?

Jack Erker III: In 1879, my great great grandfather came to the US from Germany and started the company with a clear focus in manufacturing a top quality product with attention to every detail. My brother, Tony Erker, and my father, Jack Erker Jr. and myself created our newest eyewear collection with all of the same attention to every detail as our grandparents did.

CPM: Attention to detail is at the core of Erkers, can you expand on the level of craftsmanship and the values of the brand?

JE: When it comes to creating any product, it needs a story. If it has no story, you will just be another product. Each one of our eyeglasses and sunglasses tells its own story pulling from a moment of our rich 143 year history.

Each pair of our glasses are handmade all the way down to the polishing. We also have our own proprietary polish that we have created to give a soft buttery feel to each frame that is produced. We have perfected each of the 82 steps in the process and only use the top materials the world has to offer. We were taught from a young age that if you were not proud to wear it, then it should not be made.

CPM: If you could use 3 words to describe Erkers, what would they be?

JE: Longevity, Family, Classic.

CPM: In 1927, Charles Lindbergh flew the Spirit of St. Louis, a single-seat monoplane, on the first solo, nonstop, transatlantic flight from New York to Paris — and he trusted your advanced, windresistant, shatterproof, form-fitting goggles to help him make history. Tell us more.

JE: Leading up to his historic flight, Erkers had been in business for 48 years. We have always been known to push the limits of technology and new advances in optics. We made everything that had a lens, including telescopes, microscopes, cameras, eyewear, binoculars, and goggles. People came from all over to get these í�tems from us. Charles Lindbergh was a top pilot in the US army based in Saint Louis, Missouri and chose Erkers to outfit him with the top technology on the market that time. This customization took over 10 months from start to finish to produce the perfect pair of goggles for this flight.

CPM: In the luxury market- what is key to success?

JE: Everyone puts their own spin on their brand, but no two brands can tell the exact same story. We have an extraordinary heritage and legacy the helps create a tight connection with our customer in order to bring our brand experience to life.

We have currently released some limited edition models as well with limited distribution that isn’t available to everyone.

When it comes to design, we need to have timeless classics but still pushing the contemporary limits to give the consumer what is newest in fashion.

CPM: How do you approach scaling the brand whilst retaining quality?

JE: We work with the top factories across the world and have had relationships with them for many years. I am a stickler for quality and it is my top goal to create a product that will last for many years. Each run in our factories are produced according to our checklist and cannot be completed until each í�tem is completed.

CPM: What is the process when you design a collection at Erkers? How and where do you source from?

JE: There isn’t an exact process, but more of an accumulation of experience, watching the market, and listening to our customers. We also get a lot of inspiration from other industries in not only fashion but in architecture, restaurants, and other consumer goods. Shape is what we think about first. Each customer can only wear a handful of shapes perfectly. So we draw what we think is the perfect shape first. After the shape we determine what materials to use. We use anything from top quality acetate plastics to titanium and surgical stainless steel. Using these materials we determine what the frame will look like. We are always coming up with new techniques in textures and design elements. We are always experimenting with new concepts. We dive back into our history and we always create a new logo plaque and put it on the temple tip. This logo represents a story in our history of our company. There is an entire story about each logo and frame.

CPM: What was the inspiration behind the shapes and styles of the design?

JE: We are inspired each day in shopping, driving to the office, flying in airplanes, eating in restaurants, new buildings being built. We always look at the design of classic elements and are always willing to push the limits of design. This keeps the customer excited about what is coming next. When concepts work in other industries, we tend to take notice and incorporate those ideas into what works for us. We always pay attention to detail as well. Each frame has a new logo plaque that is a symbol of a story from our vast history. When we launched the brand years ago, there are 31 small stitch marks around the inside of each hinge. These marks represent our 31 sales reps that help us launch the brand in the United States. In the middle of the hinge, there are 2 real rivets that hold the hinge to the temples. These represent the 4th and the 5th generation which design the collection. When you closet he hinge, you can also see where we have stamped the year “1879” into the steel. So each hinge symbolizes our family business and our roots. On each sunglass lens, we lightly laser “ERKERS” into the back side. You can see all of these details when you look for them. Many brands boldly put their logos on the side of the glasses, where we choose a more modest approach of class.

CPM: What will consumers look for: style and safety of classic products, ergo retro and vintage? Or still they have the courage to set for new design spheres? Will they wear glasses that points to the future.

JE: Our customers tend to feel safe with a classic shape but with our own twist of modern elements. We typically will do limited edition releases that always push the limits in special designs and colors created especially for our Erkers. Sometimes I am surprised in how the customer wants to

push the limits as well. We have found many customers have become collectors of Erkers over the years.

CPM: Tell me more about what makes you passionate about eyewear?

JE: It is a lot of hard work into growing the business, but at the end of the day, when we see a customer wearing our eyewear that we created, and they are super happy about wearing them, this is why we do it.

CPM: What plans do you have for the future?

JE: Growing up in the family business, this is everything we have known. Eyewear is in our blood! We live and breath eyewear. We will continue to make the best eyewear in the world. As an American brand, we have a rich history here. We are quickly spreading throughout the European, Canadian, and South American markets where there has been high demand. We will continue to focus on building these networks over the next few years.

CPM: Which is your favourite pair of glasses and why?

JE: I have two favorite pairs. The first one is a women’s pair. It is the “PERSHING” in White Gold. This is a modified Cat Eye sunglass frame with a pink mirror finish. It has a beautiful white accent color on the front that stands out in a croud. The coolest part of these is the detail around the outside of the eyewire. We took the radio waves from when Charles Lindbergh landed in Paris to announce he had a safe landing, and we put those waves around the entire outside of the eyewire. It is spectacular!

My second favorite pair was a sunglass I designed for myself and it has not been released yet. It is called the “MOLINE.” It is a strong masculine shape. The colors are like none you have seen, including the black model has cool elements like a matte finish on the outside but super high gloss polish on the inside. It is a much chunkier model with a bolder but still classic look. I like it so much I have been wearing the prototype for myself for the past few weeks. When this model is released, it will be a limited edition model, so customers would have to get on the waiting list for this one. It is that good!

GIVENCHY PRESENTS FALL 2023

WOMEN’S & MEN’S READY-TO-WEAR-COLLECTION

For Fall 2023, Creative Director Matthew M. Williams continues the ongoing dialogue between the sense of Parisian elegance established by Hubert De Givenchy and the relaxed attitude and aesthetics of a signature rooted in his native California.

Key looks embody a distinctively left bank nonchalance through strong, feminine tailoring deftly deconstructed just enough to impart a sense of ease. The designer plays up graphic contrasts in black and white and creates unexpected clashes, for example pairing a tuxedo jacket with distressed denim cargo pants, or a denim-style satin. Jacket with a sensual flounced blouse and a pencil skirt with cargo-style pockets. A razor-sharp black leather trench slips over slim leather trousers. A casual, layered silhouette seen on the Givenchy runway now returns entirely in white. The house's emblematic 4G logo appears in transparent or opaque weave. Couture flourishes like bows and ruching are revisited with a modern, light touch in jersey and stretch chiffon. Strategic cut-outs are embellished in strass. Black evening dresses are trimmed with a grid of gradient silver beads or wispy marabou feathers. The House's latest signature women's handbag, the Voyou-

a nonchalant Parisian-cool hobo appears in a new two-tone version alongside Givenchy cult favorites like the G-Hobo, the Cut-Out and the 4G in seasonal iterations ranging from shiny black patent leather to weaves in sparkling pink.

For men, the designer explores the contrasts between heritage and modernity with a free-spirited attitude. Tailoring expands on directional runway looks, emphasizing ease and a utilitarian allure. Building on the idea of uniforms - Whether for the office or the street- the designer mixes ideas and finishes: tailored jackets pair with denim or military pants, Givenchy emblems are embedded into woven fabrics, print techniques are enhanced, and traditional luxury fabrics mingle with technical materials like garment-dyed nylon. A new hardware development, the g-clip, gives this season's tailored pieces an elevated feel.

More than just an accessory, men's bags are designed as easily layerable wardrobe essentials that give tailoring or outerwear a finishing touch. The men's jewelry category is growing fast, too, offering the Givenchy man an extra bit of edge.

MALONE SOULIERS

LAUNCHES THE EMILY IN PARIS COLLECTION

The intoxicating adventures of Emily Cooper – an ambitious American marketing executive who unexpectedly lands her dream job In Paris – have become a global sensation for good reason. Romantic intrigue, sparkling wit, and, of course, the most beautiful city on Earth, are all part of the hit show’s irresistible appeal. However, that is to neglect one key ingredient: the fashion. Emily in Paris is very much a show about style, with each key character’s personality communicated through the clothes they wear. Malone Souliers have partnered with Paramount Consumer Products to create a capsule collection that embodies the spirit and stylish joie de vivre that the MTV Entertainment Studiosproduced Emily in Paris is best known for.

As with the show itself, taking centre stage in the collection is Emily, a brand-new silhouette that’s set apart by a striking statement bow on the vamp. The Emily will be available in a number of iterations, from evening-ready black and white satin

to whimsical pink gingham, alluding to our protagonist’s eclectic sense of fashion. Next is the romantic and sophisticated Camille, inspired by the character of the same name: Emily’s confidante and guide to all things French. Taking Camille’s elegant personal style as a starting point, the shoe is graceful and purposeful in its shape, with a large, crystallised heart motif on the toe. And then there is the Mindy, named for Emily’s closest friend and fellow outsider to Parisian culture. Drawing on Mindy’s signature glamour and love of performing, the brand designed this shoe as an eye-catching number, replete with organza appliqué flowers across the toe.

Finally, Malone Souliers have also nodded to the show’s male characters with a couple of timeless men’s shoes. The Gab is a casual yet sophisticated sneaker, while the Alfie is a sharply modern take on the lace-up derby.

NEW DECEMBER RELEASES

Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion by

Bushra Rehman

Razia Mirza grows up amid the wild grape vines and backyard sunflowers of Corona, Queens, with her best friend, Saima, by her side. When a family rift drives the girls apart, Razia’s heart is broken. She finds solace in Taslima, a new girl in her closeknit Pakistani-American community. They embark on a series of small rebellions: listening to scandalous music, wearing miniskirts, and cutting school to explore the city.

When Razia is accepted to Stuyvesant, a prestigious high school in Manhattan, the gulf between the person she is and the daughter her parents want her to be, widens. At Stuyvesant, Razia meets Angela and is attracted to her in a way that blossoms into a new understanding. When their relationship is discovered by an Aunty in the community, Razia must choose between her family and her own future.

Punctuated by both joy and loss, full of ’80s music and beloved novels, Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion is a new classic: a fiercely compassionate coming-of-age story of a girl struggling to reconcile her heritage and faith with her desire to be true to herself.

Former model Paulina Porizkova's nonfiction debut. Paulina Porizkova, one of the original supermodels of the 1980s/1990s, appeared on two consecutive covers of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, was twice chosen by People magazine as one of the "50 Most Beautiful People in the World," graced dozens of Vogue magazine covers, was the face of Estée Lauder, starred in several films, and was a judge on America's Next Top Model.

Why did Henry VIII marry six times? Why did Anne Boleyn have to die? Why did Elizabeth I's courtiers hail her as a goddess come to earth?

The dramas of courtly love have captivated centuries of readers and dreamers. Yet too often they're dismissed as something existing only in books and song--those old legends of King Arthur and chivalric fantasy.

Not so. In this ground-breaking history, Sarah Gristwood reveals the way courtly love made and marred the Tudor dynasty. From Henry VIII declaring himself as the ‘loyal and most assured servant' of Anne Boleyn to the poems lavished on Elizabeth I by her suitors, the Tudors re-enacted the roles of the devoted lovers and capricious mistresses first laid out in the romances of medieval literature. The Tudors in Love dissects the codes of love, desire and power, unveiling romantic obsessions that have shaped the history of the world.

From the glamorous to the entitled, from royalty to the financially ruined, everyone who wanted to be seen—or just to gawk—at the hottest restaurants in New York City came to places Michael Cecchi-Azzolina helped run. His phone number was passed around among those who wanted to curry favor, during the decades when restaurants replaced clubs and theater as, well, theater in the most visible, vibrant city in the world.

Besides dropping us back into a vanished time, Your Table Is Ready takes us places we’d never be able to get into on our own: Raoul's in Soho with its louche club vibe; Buzzy O’Keefe’s casually elegant River Café (the only outer-borough establishment desirable enough to be included in this roster), from Keith McNally’s Minetta Tavern to Nolita’s Le Coucou, possibly the most beautiful room in New York City in 2018, with its French Country Auberge-meets-winery look and the most exquisite and enormous stands of flowers, changed every three days.

The Hatching: Experiments in Motherhood and Technology

by Jenni Quilter

Since the world’s first test-tube baby was born in 1978, in vitro fertilization has made the unimaginable possible for millions of people, but its revolutionary potential remains unrealized. Today, fertility centers continue to reinforce conservative norms of motherhood and family, and infertility remains a deeply emotional experience many women are reluctant to discuss.

In this vivid and incisive personal and cultural history, Jenni Quilter explores what it is like to be one of those women, both the site of a bold experiment and a potential mother caught between fearing and yearning. Quilter observes her own experience with the eye of a critic, recounting the pleasures and pains of objectification: how medicine mediates between women and their bodies, how marketing redefines pregnancy and early parenthood as a set of products, how we celebrate the “natural” and denigrate the artificial.

A Small Affair

by Flora Collins

A young woman's life is torn apart when her wealthy ex-lover is found dead—along with his wife.

Vera is ruthlessly ambitious, beautiful, and knows how to get exactly what she wants—no matter who stands in the way.

When she meets a wealthy older man on an exclusive dating app, she thinks nothing of the wife he tells her he’s separated from. But days later, when the man and his wife are found dead in their home, Vera is immediately blamed for their deaths and branded as good as a murderer.

A year later, she emerges from a cocoon of self-pity and tries to reenter the world, but the specter of scandal still clings to her. Then she’s invited to a memorial for the wife of her former lover. As she learns more about the family, and about the couple and their friends, she begins to suspect there was more to the story than an affair gone wrong. In a quest for redemption, Vera uncovers layers of lies and close-kept secrets held by an inner circle of filthy rich tech millionaires who will go to any lengths to protect their reputations.

The Jeffersonians: The Visionary Presidencies of Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe

Before the consecutive two-term administrations of Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, there had only been one other trio of its type: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe.

Kevin Gutzman’s The Jeffersonians is the essential full chronicle of the men, known as The Virginia Dynasty, who served as president from 1801 to 1825 and implemented the foreign-policy, domestic, and constitutional agenda of the radical wing of the American Revolution, setting guideposts for later American liberals to follow.

The three close political allies were tightly related: Jefferson and Madison were the closest of friends, and Monroe was Jefferson’s former law student. Their achievements were many, from the founding of the opposition Republican Party in the 1790s; the Louisiana Purchase; and the call upon Congress in 1806 to use its constitutional power to ban slave imports beginning on January 1, 1808.

The Vibrant Years by Sonali Dev

When sixty-five-year-old Bindu Desai inherits a million dollars, she’s astounded―and horrified. The windfall threatens to expose a shameful mistake from her youth. On an impulse, Bindu quickly spends it on something unexpected: a condo in a posh retirement community in Florida.

The impulsive decision blindsides Bindu’s daughter-in-law, Aly. At forty-seven, Aly still shares a home with Bindu even after her divorce from Bindu’s son. But maybe this change is just the push Aly needs to fight for her own dreams.

As Bindu and Aly navigate their new dynamic, Aly’s daughter, Cullie, is faced with losing the business that made her a techworld star. The only way to save it is to deliver a new idea to her investors―and they want the dating app she pitched them in a panic. Problem is, Cullie has never been on a real date. Naturally, enlisting her single mother and grandmother to help her with the research is the answer.

No Filter: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful by Paulina Porizkova

The Tudors in Love: Passion and Politics in the Age of England's Most Famous Dynasty by Sarah Gristwood

by Kevin R.C. Gutzman

Your Table Is Ready: Tales of a New York City Maître D' by Michael Cecchi-Azzolina

James Cameron has long been considered one of the film industry’s most innovative filmmaker. His first big success was The Terminator (1984) which went on to become a huge franchise with six films, TV series, and video games. He is essentially responsible for launching Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career as one of the biggest action stars of all time. In 2009, Cameron delivered Avatar. He introduced us to the world of Pandora in Avatar (2009) filled with large blue beings called Na-vi and it captivated the world in grossing 2.9 Billion dollars. People kept coming back to watch it again and again in theaters so much it actually caused the ‘Avatar’ blues. People were so engrossed into the world in the film that when they left the theater they experienced depression and suicidal thoughts. Needless to say people have been waiting quite a long time for Cameron to deliver the sequel and allow us to return to Pandora once again.

Here comes the spoilers.

This film starts off over a decade since the events of the first film. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) is now chief of the Omaticaya and has two sons and two daughters (one of which is adopted daughter of Grace Augustine Na’vi avatar). Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) and Jake along with their family bring us back into the world of Pandora and how happy their family life is. It isn’t long before humans, aka Sky People, show up in masses to colonize the entire planet by force. Jake leads raids to disrupt their supply lines and try to fight against the expansion. Yet to his and Neytiri’s surprise, Quaritch (Stephen Lang), is back but cloned into a Na’vi body with his former memories. Quaritch is tasked with hunting down Sully as a way to stop the resistance against the colonization efforts. Quaritch ends up capturing several of Jake’s kids and although Jake and Neytiri free them, Jake knows that Quaritch won’t stop until they find him and his family and kill them. In order to protect his family, Jake gives up his position as chief and takes his family far away to the islands of the Metkayina reef Na’vi. Reluctantly the chief of the Metkayina and his wife, Ronal (Kate Winslet), take in the Sully family with the condition they prove themselves useful. The family struggles at first to adapt to the ways of the reef people, but soon they start to embrace the ways of water.

Quaritch and his team had previously captured his son, whom he had forgotten about and now has been long living amongst the Na’vi. They use him to show them the Na’vi ways and language. Here is a huge missed opportunity for the film to add depth to the villains. As they learn about Pandora and its life and culture of the Na’vi, it would make so much sense to have at least some of Quaritch’s team begin to change their resolve in the mission to colonize the planet. Creating a crisis of conscience amongst his team would have added some internal doubt and trust in the loyalty of his men. Ultimately making Quaritch possibly rethink the colonization mission himself. That would make for an interesting reversal of conviction for his character and perhaps something the writers can incorporate in the next film (The franchise has five films planned). Another wasted opportunity is with the tulkuns (whales), and their way of nonviolence. There are scenes with an outcast tulkun, Payakan, that setup sequences for the climax of the film. Here they should have had all of the tulkun come to defend one of their own. That would have been a powerful sequence to see and show the might of Mother Nature. Alas a huge missed opportunity on the writer’s part.

I believe this film will not have the success as the first Avatar film. If it grosses more than 500 million globally I will be very surprised, but with little to no competition until February for new releases then it just may reach that mark simply due to lack of competition. Visually the film is amazing, but it lacks real character development and the plot is oversimplified. The film tries to push the theme of family and connection, but this is lost across the three plus hours runtime as when one of the sons is killed you honestly won’t shed a tear. That is a huge issue that the writers should have done more work on to make the death a much bigger impact. Yet they chose a throwaway character. That is simply weak writing there. I think at least ten minutes can be used to show what earth has become, and the driving forces to colonize be shown so that more complexity can be added into the struggle to survives for both sides of humans and Na’vi. This complex world of Pandora demands equally complex character development

Thanks for reading Writing Movie ‘WRONGS’.

Directed by: James Cameron Written by: James Cameron, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Josh Friedman, and Shane Salerno

Maison

PORSCHE CENTRE KUWAIT SHOWCASES THREE EXCLUSIVE VEHICLES

Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company hosted a gala evening at their showroom in an exclusive showcase of Porsche’s personalized model vehicles. Car enthusiasts and guests were invited to experience an exceptional night and discover different individualization options offered by Porsche’s Exclusive Manufaktur Program.

The exclusive display of the three Porsche model vehicles - the Auratium Green Macan, Arena Red Metallic Macan and Carrara White Metallic Cayenne Platinum Edition, grabbed the audiences’ attention with their vibrant colours and unique personalization features.

Hany Marie, General Manager at Porsche Centre Kuwait, emphasized on the sophistication of Porsche’s manufacturing process, saying ‘‘At Porsche, our number one priority is to fulfil the customers’ wishes by creating incredibly special vehicles”. He continued by saying, ‘‘To do so, we rely on the synergy between hand-work, detailed human craftsmanship with Porsche’s highly trained employees and high-tech solutions along with valuable material to create exceptional one-off vehicles”.

The three vehicles were all designed with the staple Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, showcasing the brand’s exclusive personalisation options that have been part of Porsche’s history for more than three decades. Customers get a portal of endless customization options to bring their individuality straight from the factory onto the road with the new Paint to Sample and Paint to Sample Plus options, expanding the range of special exterior colours for all model series by more than 160 shades.

Focusing on the countless colour customisation options, Hany Marie said: “Unusual paint finishes have been familiar throughout the history of Porsche; and today with the Paint to Sample option, customers can hand over a sample of their desired colour to the Porsche Centre – anything is conceivable, from a favourite shirt or scarf to a nail varnish colour and we make it happen”.

Ensuring that customers’ requests have been met, Porsche also established the Exclusive Manufaktur Partner Program in 2007, in Miami, Florida, with a dedicated specialized team offering customers and prospect buyers a totally unique buying experience at our Porsche dealerships worldwide. Two years later, Porsche Centre Kuwait was amongst the first dealerships to be announced in the region as an official Exclusive Manufaktur Partner, with experts and exclusively trained dealers guarantying the highest possible level of competence in the area of customization.

Further choosing their selected colour, Porsche’s colourists create the formulation. These experts develop the hue on the basis of the available paint components. Then, in several rounds, the shade is further developed so that it also corresponds to the sample under different light sources, such as daylight or artificial light. Next, the feasibility of the colour is tested under production conditions on the car body and add-on parts. Before the actual customer vehicle is painted, the colour is applied to a test body with the rightly defined layer thickness for process-stable, reproducible, and error-free painting.

Whether it’s details of the vehicle’s exterior, interior, intricate stitching or layering, Porsche’s dedicated team offers a range of consultation services, and guides customers on their journey as they select, customise and personalise every aspect of their Porsche vehicle to be a one of a kind.

ANSWERS: 1.VIDEO, 2.CHAIR, 3.CLINCH, 4.TRIPE, 5.EMBLEM, 6.STITCH

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ

1.Which US agency has the motto “For the benefit of all”?

2.Pyrophobia is the fear of what?

3.What is the capital of Argentina?

4.A podiatrist specialises in treating which part of the human body?

5.Which singer had a hit in the 1970s called ‘Maggie May’? 6.Emma Bunton is known as which Spice Girl?

7.What is the name of the winged horse in Greek mythology?

8.What is the name of Donald Duck’s girlfriend?

9.‘The Beach’ starring Leonardo DiCaprio is set in which country?

So I have decided to start Monday stronger, with a ________ attitude and short-term goals to keep me motivated throughout the week.

b. d.

c. poignant potential

10.Who launched the Cultural Revolution in China? 11.What is zero points in tennis known as? 12.What was Muhammad Ali’s birth name? 13.Who is the Premier League’s all time goalscorer? 14.Which team did Michael Jordan spent the majority of his NBA career with? 15.El Clásico is a football match contested between which 2 teams?

16.Benito Mussolini was a dictator who ruled which European country? 17.In what year was the Battle of Hastings? 18.Who invented the lightbulb? 19.The Great Fire of London started in a bakery. True or false? 20.What title was given to the rulers of Ancient Egypt?

HOROSCOPES

(March 21 - April 19)

ARIES

Though December tends to conjure optimism, hope and love from the collective, holiday festivities will be especially uplifting to you as the Sagittarius sun, Venus and Mercury travel through the spiritual sector of your chart. This cosmic climate will bring you a profound sense of support from the other side, dear Aries, making it a great time to reconnect with your favorite meditation or prayer practice. Try to view your life path as a collaboration with the Universe, asking for help and guidance when you’re in need of some direction.

Your mind will be busy during the Gemini full moon on December 7, though you should try to keep a firm grasp on your words. A conjunction between Luna and Mars retrograde could cause you to speak without thinking, especially if you begin to feel cornered or defensive. Mistakes from the past could also come back to haunt you, and you might be tempted to revisit ancient history in the name of closure. Resist the urge to move backward right now, even if the path ahead has a few bumps.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20)

You’ll be focused on evolving your heart, mind and image this month, dear Taurus, as the Sagittarius sun, Venus and Mercury travel through the sector of your chart that governs personal transformation. With a new year lurking around the corner, you’ll take the idea of self-improvement quite seriously, inspiring you to get a head start on your resolutions for 2023. You might also find yourself feeling less patient with small talk and superficial connections as the stars encourage you to focus on the deep ties that matter most to you.

Keep your eyes peeled for signs and synchronicities when Mercury enters Capricorn and your solar ninth house on December 6, streamlining your communications with the other side. Vocalizing your dreams can also amplify your manifestation game, especially once Venus enters the sign of the Sea-Goat on the ninth. This planetary placement is also poised to unlock some serious magic in your love life, so be sure to open your heart to companionship whenever the vibe feels right.

(May 21 - June 20)

GEMINI

It will be hard to wipe the smile off your face this month, dear Gemini, because the Sagittarius sun, Venus and Mercury are all traveling through the sector of your chart that governs love. This cosmic climate will have you smitten with your life and the world around you, making it the ideal time to nurture your most valued relationships. If you’re on the hunt for a new partner, these vibes are perfect for putting yourself out there. However, self-care and maintaining balance within your heart and mind will play a vital role in surviving the holiday season, so try not to spread yourself too thin between social engagements and work.

The full moon manifests in your sign on December 7, bringing strength, allure and popularity your way. A conjunction between Luna and Mars stirs deep passions within, calling you to acknowledge what your heart desires most. However, it would be easy to confuse lust with love right now, so try not to get ahead of yourself when it comes to new relationships. This luminary event will also amplify your motivation, though you’ll need to be mindful of where you’re directing your focus if you want to make the most of these supportive vibes.

LEO (July 23 - August 22)

You’ll be full of surprises as the Sagittarius sun, Venus and Mercury travel through your solar fifth house, dear Leo, reinvigorating your desire for action and adventure. These vibes will push you to explore new horizons, especially when it comes to spending time with loved ones or nurturing a creative skill. Exposing yourself to fresh ideas and experiences will elevate your ego and sense of strength, shaping you into a more confident and well-rounded version of your already fabulous self. Gratitude will come easily if you can find ways to stay busy, so be sure to fill any major gaps in your schedule.

Though fun will certainly take up a lot of space in your agenda right now, you’ll begin to focus more on your responsibilities once the sun enters Capricorn on the twenty-first. This solar placement asks you to slow down and take stock of your situation, with an emphasis on tying up loose ends before the new year manifests. If it has been a while since you went for a medical checkup or dental exam, you should consider lining up appointments. The stars are encouraging you to prioritize your health.

(November 22 - December)

SAGITTARIUS

Roads will open for you this month, dear Sagittarius, as the sun, Venus and Mercury move through your sign. This cosmic climate will make you feel as though you’re on top of the world, though issues could arise if you lose touch with your sense of balance. A fierce ambition and desire to make strides with your goals could cause you to neglect self-care routines, which will be more important than ever as Mars travels backward through Gemini. Remember to pace yourself and take plenty of breaks throughout each day, even when you feel as though you could move and shake for hours on end. Good vibes will flow through your space beginning when Jupiter reenters Pisces and the sector of your chart that governs domestic bliss on December 20. This planetary placement is perfect for opening your home to others, especially when it comes to hosting family and friends for holiday festivities. This cosmic climate will also unleash an abundance of compassion in your heart, though you should be mindful to maintain healthy boundaries with anyone who has a history of letting you down.

CANCER (June 21 - July 22)

You’re considered to be one of the most nurturing members of the zodiac, dear Cancer, which means the holiday season can be a busy and somewhat overwhelming time for you. As the Sagittarius sun travels through your solar sixth house, you’ll likely be working overtime to make sure everything is in order for the festivities that lie ahead, though you’ll need to be mindful of implementing healthy stress management techniques. With Venus and Mercury accompanying the sun in the sign of the Archer, it would be easy to get carried away with your plans, so try not to put unrealistic expectations on yourself. Remember that no one expects you to deliver perfection, and you shouldn’t spread yourself too thin in an attempt to meet your own demands.

The Gemini full moon on December 7 manifests in the sector of your chart that governs the subconscious, which could put you in a cerebral and temperamental headspace. You might begin to feel low energy or run down if you haven’t been taking proper care of yourself, making it important that you prioritize solitude and peace. Don’t be surprised if your psyche drops a few bombs on you right now, because moments of enlightenment are likely to manifest.

VIRGO (August 23 - September)

You’ll be in the mood for holiday festivities at home this month, dear Virgo, as the Sagittarius sun, Venus and Mercury all travel through the sector of your chart that governs domestic bliss. Working with the season will bring you a sense of comfort and nostalgia, so be sure to bust out your grandmother’s cookie recipe, brew hot cocoa and invite your loved ones over for merrymaking and conversation around the hearth. However, you should be mindful that you’re not playing the role of host all on your own.

Ask for help with the dishes and cleanup at the end of your gatherings.

Consider getting a little crafty during the Gemini full moon and when Luna cozies up to passionate Mars on December 7. Making gifts for family and friends can help you temporarily zone out from any stress that’s taking up space in your professional life while also filling your heart with a sense of gratitude and love. Expressing yourself though kind gestures or thoughtful presents reminds you of the good in this world and helps strengthen your most important bonds.

LIBRA (September 23 - October)

Your vibrant imagination will carry you through much of the month, dear Libra, as the sun, Venus and Mercury travel through Sagittarius and your solar third house. This cosmic climate will sharpen your wit and your ability to see beyond the mundane. It can help you make headway with your goals as long as you’re willing to use your voice. This would also be an ideal time to build on your existing knowledge, because your mind craves the experience of learning. Just be careful about the people you confide in or share ideas with right now, because many won’t be in the mood to guard someone else’s secrets.

The Gemini full moon on December 7 acts as one of the most magical days of the year for you, because Luna also cozies up to passionate Mars in the sector of your chart that governs spirituality. The Universe encourages you to take action toward your dreams, and it will be important that you follow through on any opportunities or blessings placed in your path. You should also find time to prioritize meditation or prayer, because connecting with the other side will happen more quickly, and moments of enlightenment are poised to come through.

(December 22 - January 19)

CAPRICORN

The holiday season can be an overwhelming time for anyone, dear Capricorn, but with the Sagittarius sun, Venus and Mercury all traveling through your solar twelfth house, you might feel tempted to hide under the covers through much of December. The energy at play will put you in a more private mood, causing you to become highly selective about the people you spend your time with. Luckily, Mercury enters your sign on December 6, bringing through some cosmic support that will help you endure surface level pleasantries even when you’d rather be cozied up at home with a cup of tea and a nice book.

You’ll feel inspired to help others during the Gemini full moon on the seventh, which activates the sector of your chart that governs servitude and wellness. Work with this energy by lending an extra hand around your home and office, especially if you find the people around you have become overwhelmed by seasonal responsibilities and festivities. However, the stars also ask that you give your body some extra TLC, so be sure to prioritize your health by stretching, drinking plenty of water and eating nutritious meals.

(January 20 - February 18)

AQUARIUS

Get ready for a busy month, dear Aquarius, as the Sagittarius sun, Venus and Mercury move through the sector of your chart that governs community. This cosmic climate will amp up your social life and popularity as the holiday season continues to unfold, though you shouldn’t pressure yourself to accept every invitation sent your way. You’ll become more introverted once Mercury enters Capricorn on December 6, putting you in a quiet and reflective headspace. This planetary placement asks that you take stock of your current situation so you can enter the new year feeling wiser and even more motivated to succeed.

Though your desire for social gatherings will ebb and flow as the days continue to unfurl, the Gemini full moon on the seventh is poised to trigger your playful side. These vibes are perfect for spending quality time with your most valued companions, though your romantic life could also see some movement. Passions will flow freely as Luna cozies up to Mars, making it a good time for steamy love affairs. Just try not to invest too deeply in any encounters you have. They might not last the test of time.

(October 23 - November)

SCORPIO

With the holiday spirit in full swing, you’ll need to keep tabs on your spending, dear Scorpio, because the Sagittarius sun, Venus and Mercury all travel through your solar second house. This celestial environment could unleash your generous nature and cause you to go overboard when shopping for holiday gifts. If you plan on participating in festivities with your family and friends, you might want to consider implementing a collective shopping list and budget to ensure that everyone contributes equally to such gatherings. You might also feel tempted to spoil yourself while in search of gifts for others, but try to refrain from splurging at your favorite shops until you’ve opened your gifts from others.

You’ll feel a shift once Jupiter reenters Pisces on December 20, bringing an abundance of energy to the sector of your chart that governs self-expression and fun. This planetary placement will invigorate you as the new year inches closer, giving you the confidence to believe in yourself and the idea that anything is possible. Lean in to your creative side as often as possible, and be sure to listen to the free spirit that lives within as the Universe calls you toward emotional and artistic growth.

PISCES (February 19 - March 20)

The vibe will be charged this month, dear Pisces, as the sun, Venus and Mercury travel through fiery Sagittarius, activating the sector of your chart that governs professional ambitions. While this cosmic climate is poised to be a lucky one, issues could arise if you bite off more than you can chew. Understanding your limitations will play a huge role in your ability to work with the energy at play, making it important that you maintain an objective and patient disposition. Luckily, your support system can help you stay grounded once Mercury enters Capricorn on December 6, though there might be times when you must relinquish control and allow others to help you.

You’ll notice a shift when Jupiter leaves your sign and reenters Aries on the twentieth, redirecting your focus toward stability. These vibes ask that you maintain what you’ve grown up to until this point while still planting seeds for the future. Opportunities to improve your financial situation could manifest in mysterious ways as the stars align to bring in abundance. However, you’ll need to work hard on these gains, and there might be times when your competitive nature is stirred.