(Did you know that Pursuitist co-editor Christopher’s family was featured in Disney’s “Let the Memories Begin” TV ad campaign? Read about it here: “Family attracts Disney’s attention.” YouTube videos of his Disney vacations are a huge success, with over 400,000 combined views — check them out at the bottom of this article.

Are you planning a visit to Disneyland or Disney World? Do you want to discover the inside scoop on how to visit the Disney Parks like a pro? For the perfect trip to the Magic Kingdom, to hang with Mickey Mouse or your favorite Disney princess, discover our Top 10 Tips for Visiting Disney Parks :

1. Arrive at the parks early, and return to your resort mid-afternoon. We prefer to arrive at the parks when they open, to avoid the crowds and the Florida heat. After noon, we return to our hotel, have lunch, go swimming, and relax. With older kids, you could definitely spend an entire day at the parks — but it’s a good idea not to overdo it with children under 10.

2. When arriving to a park early, head straight to the attractions that, later in the day, have hour plus waits. When the Magic Kingdom opens, we head straight to the Jungle Cruise or Pirates of the Caribbean — and there’s usually no wait. At the Animal Kingdom, we do the same for the Kilimanjaro Safaris. After getting the rides out of the way, discover casual areas of the parks, like Main Street USA, or the Conservation Station at the Animal Kingdom.

3. Find accommodations on the Disney property. For ease of use, to exploring all the parks, resorts, water parks, golf courses, or Downtown Disney, stay at a Disney resort. It’s convenient, and you can find the right resort to fit your budget. We usually stay at the Grand Floridian, which is ever so magical.

4. Renting a car is not necessary. Complimentary for guests staying at Disney Resorts, you can catch Disney’s Magic Express bus to and from the Orlando airport — and they handle transferring your luggage. After arriving at your resort, there are frequent monorails and buses to the various parks and destinations.

5. At certain rides and attractions, make sure to pick up a “FastPass” — which could be best described as virtual queuing. It allows guests to avoid long lines at the attractions, freeing you to enjoy other attractions during the wait. The service is available at no additional charge to all guests.

6. Check with a travel agent for special offers. Depending on the season, there’s non-published offers, like “stay three nights, get two nights free.” Check around and do your homework before booking your reservation.

7. Make sure to pick up a “PhotoPass.” It’s easy. If you see a park photographer, ask them to take your photo. After clicking a few pictures, they will hand you a PhotoPass card. When you travel to a different destination or park, just show your card to the new photographer – and all of your photos from the different parks will be loaded up. You will be able to make prints at the parks, or online when you return home.

8. There are plenty of activities for your little princess or pirate. For girls, there’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, a beauty salon where little girls are magically transformed into little princesses. Within Cinderella’s Castle, there’s character dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table – or visit the Norway showcase at Epcot to have lunch with all the princesses at the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. For boys, there’s the Pirates League, an interactive experience that transforms boys into their favorite pirates. There’s also the Pirate Adventure boat ride, as young pirates scour the Disney resort waterways in search of pirate treasure.

9. Discover fun activities and dining at the various resorts. We always catch the Spirit of Aloha Luau at the Polynesian Resort; it’s a feast and an amazing show. Visit the Animal Kingdom Lodge to dine on African, Indian and Mediterranean cuisine at the restaurant Jiko. If you want to take a break from the kids, there’s fine-dining at the Grand Floridian’s Victoria & Albert’s, a 10-year recipient of the prestigious AAA Five Diamond award.

10. Book your reservations, character dining, and travel very far in advance. A few weeks before your trip, call and re-confirm your itinerary. To plan a stress-free vacation, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Disney World 2011 Trip:

Disney World 2009 Trip:

Disney World, Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom 2007 Trip (Part 1):

Disney World 2007 (Part 2):

Disney World and Animal Kingdom Lodge 2006:

“Let the Memories Begin” TV ad:

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Here’s the first look at We Are Handsome’s new Pre Spring Summer 2013 collection The Enchanted. It features a collection of new prints and styles that offers up new sculpted silhouettes including a shapely cut-away one-piece, flirty tie front and balconette bikinis. In addition to their classic swimsuit styles, chic leggings, a formfitting mini dress and a diaphanous silk cover up are all offered in a range of hypnotic prints that will inspire your sense of adventure.

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Opening December 17, Senses – A Disney Spa is coming to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. The fully redesigned and conceptualized spa is now owned and operated by Disney. This new spa experience has been completely redesigned, blending turn-of-the-century elegance with modern luxury — and a dash of Disney whimsy. According to Disney:

“Spa-goers first walk through the new Victorian style entryway and indulge in a relax, renew, or imagine journey that’s determined by your treatment choice. The centerpiece of the spa’s lobby is an original mural reflecting old Florida landscape and nature. Glass mosaic tiles in the Jacuzzi rooms further enhance the elegance and sophistication of the spa. All the senses are engaged in an ultimate relaxation experience – flavorful and soothing elixirs, color variations in lighting and orchestral music harmonize with the treatment selected.”

Visitors can book spa appointments at the new Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort beginning November 15, by calling 407-WDW-SPAS (407-939-7727) or learn more by visiting www.disneyworld.com/spas.

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If you have not yet made vacation plans for the coming year, the city of Suwon in South Korea would like you to consider a visit to their new Restroom Cultural Park, also known as the “World’s First Toilet Theme Park.” Seriously.

The park has a museum showing the development of the toilet through history, painting of toilets, and sculptures showing people… well… you know.

Why would a town, any town, build a theme park dedicated to toilets? The BBC’s Lucy Williamson explains:

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Violinist Ben Lee, who can play Flight of the Bumblebee at an average of 15 notes per second, is declared the quickest human on the planet.

Judges and scientists working on the Discovery Channel show Superhuman Showdown unanimously voted the 32-year-old musician the fastest superhuman on earth, after he beat off stiff competition from a speed shooter and a base jumper.

Ben and his fellow competitors were tested in a controlled environment and researchers used magnetic electrical pulses to measure the contestants' brain activity during their tasks.

Among those vying for the title were the world base race champion Frode Johannessen, who can 'fly' unassisted at 170pm and speed shooter Jerry Miculek who can fire eight rounds on four targets in 1.06 seconds.

Head spinner Aicho Ono, who can perform 135 head spins in one minute, and speed eater Pete Czerwinski, who is able to eat a 12 inch pizza in 34 seconds, also tried their best to win the coveted title.

Ben was thrilled to have been declared the winner: "It's taken tens of thousands of hours of practice to reach this speed but it definitely helped that my parents were musical and encouraged me to play."

He has played the violin since the age of five, and at 16 he was awarded Daily Telegraph Young Jazz Composer Of The Year. He has now insured his fingers for £3 million.

His record for playing Flight of the Bumblebee note perfect on the electric violin is 58.05 seconds.

Source: PA

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Hildur Lilliendahl Viggósdóttir, a well-known Icelandic women’s rights campaigner, has been banned by Facebook over a technicality, while outing sexism online. She tells The Telegraph’s Wonder Women about her popular digital album, ‘Men Who Hate Women’ and those persistent death threats.

There is a picture shared on Facebook of a woman undressed to her underwear, gagged with an apple like a suckling pig roasted on a spit, her body bound with rope and suspended from a long metal pole carried in procession by a gang of men.

Beneath it reads a caption: “Feminist found in town this morning—captured and put on the grill.”

This is nothing new to Hildur Lilliendahl Viggósdóttir, an Icelandic feminist who has captured the attention of a nation ever since she set up a Facebook album back in February, ‘ Men Who Hate Women’, which features content like this on a daily basis.

In the popular album she points out the perpetrators of the everyday casual sexism directed at women in general, and feminists in particular, that she has found on public forums across the web.

Interestingly a British website, The Everday Sexism Project, has recently been set up to document similar sexist comments on a daily basis. The idea has caught on across Twitter– with many people now regularly contributing to the collection using the hashtag: #everydaysexism.

Some have applauded Hildur’s bravery; others have been less supportive. Last month, in a comment to an article on Icelandic newspaper DV’s website subsequently published on his publicly-visible Facebook wall, one man declared: “If I ‘accidentally’ ran over Hildur, she is probably the only person on earth that I would back up over, and leave the car on top of her with the hand brake on!!!” He concluded with the provocation, “Put this in your ‘men who hate Hildur’ folder, Hildur Lilliendahl.”

So she did. The result? Hildur has now been slapped with a 30-day ban from the social networking site - the fourth time her account has been blocked since first setting up the album .

“I have been reported several times on the grounds of screenshots posted in the album,” Hildur says. “I moved the album to a Tumblr page after Facebook blocked me so that I could keep it open.”

It is against Facebook’s terms of service to post images of other people’s Facebook pages without written permission. “At Facebook we deplore bullying,” said a spokesperson. “We made this rule because screengrabs are one way that bullies can try to bypass privacy and sharing settings.”

Hildur hardly comes across as an archetypal “bully”. A 31-year old mother of two working in public administration at Reykjavík City Hall, she has written about feminism in blogs and newspapers for some years.

“I started the album after hearing ridiculously misogynistic things in the media, even from public figures and politicians,” she explains. “I had the feeling that people didn’t realise how harsh is the response that feminists receive for speaking up. I wanted to shed a light on how vile it is.”

The ultimate goal, she says, has to be social justice for all. “But for now I’m settling for making people aware of the abusive behaviour that happens everywhere. Little by little I hope it encourages more people to take a stand and challenge it.”

This is not the first time she has faced such personal intimidation. “It’s quite common,” she admits matter-of-factly. The same day this threat was made, she received a phone call at home. “The number didn’t show and the caller didn’t introduce himself. My husband answered, and the caller said: ‘If you don’t tell that c**t b***h you’re living with to stop what she’s doing, then I’m gonna come and trash your car’.”

When the album first drew attention, she received one disturbingly graphic email, whose author wrote: “I want to see you dead. I want to see you burn alive.”

But Hildur remains undaunted. “I do get these comments, but whether or not it affects me shouldn’t be the issue. Nobody should have to deal with this.”

In the past she has had to contact the police, but she hasn’t pressed charges following these threats. “I guess they just didn’t manage to disturb me enough this time around,” she says. “When they start making me feel uneasy or unsafe I don’t hesitate to contact the police, press charges and ask for help."

She doesn’t understand why some regard her as “too radical” in her approach. “What I’m doing is not radical—I’m just re-posting the internet on the internet. Every comment on the album has already been made publicly. I’m not taking it from a friend’s news feed or a private conversation.”

This is not the first time Facebook has been accused of censorship of feminist content: one page dedicated to “radical self-love and body empowerment” was suspended after posting a photograph of tribal women in Senegal with their breasts visible.

“I don’t think Facebook is being consciously sexist,” says Hildur. “For a page to be shut down, it has to be reported, and I don’t think they follow up and research these reports properly.”

She explains that she reported a page recently with photographs that verged on being pornographic. “I got an automatic reply saying they had reviewed the page and found nothing wrong with it. They seem to have a standard that if there are no bare breasts or genitals then it’s okay.”

The hiatus has however done Hildur the world of good. “It was really frustrating to be blocked at first. Then I realised that I needed a break to focus on other things for a while. Two weeks into a four-week ban and I feel fantastic.”

The album currently remains on Tumblr .

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Unveiled a few months ago, here’s the 2013 Lamborghini Aventador Roadster. The Aventador Roadster also gets its own launch color, a new metallic blue dubbed Azzuro Thetis, whose color and shade varies, depending on the angle and intensity of the light. The Aventador Roadster is available for order worldwide at Lamborghini dealers at a starting price of $441,600

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Christie's and Sotheby's racked up close to a billion dollars this week in just two New York sales of contemporary art, making one small corner of the world appear as if the global financial crisis had never happened.

Late Wednesday, Christie's blew away the records for auction splurges with what it said was the highest-grossing contemporary auction ever, raising $412.24 million dollars.

"This evening's sale set a new record total for any Post-War and Contemporary Art sale. Over the past six years, Christie's has led this market first over the $200 million, then over the $300 million, and now over the $400 million barrier," said Brett Gorvy, head of contemporary art.

Leading the way was a canvas of violent black brushstrokes by abstract expressionist Franz Kline that sold for $40.4 million, four times as much as his previous auction record price.

Christie's had estimated the painting would go for between $20 million and $30 million. The result suddenly thrust Kline into the front ranks of the abstract expressionist market, where the likes of Mark Rothko hold sway.

Andy Warhol's "Statue of Liberty" sold for $43.76 million, while another Warhol, "Marlon," which depicts the actor Marlon Brando in familiar brooding pose, sold for $23.7 million, above the high end of the pre-sale estimate.

Jeff Koons' sculpture "Tulips," featuring his trademark shiny, colored metal, fetched $33.7 million, while a Roy Lichtenstein, "Nude with Red Shirt," sold for $28 million, far above the $18 million high estimate.

Another home-run for Christie's was an untitled Jean-Michel Basquiat work that went for $26.4 million, while Rothko's "Black Stripe (Orange, Gold and Black)," went for $21.4 million, just above the high estimate.

Gerhard Richter's "Abstraktes Bild (779-2)," estimated at $12-18 million, sold for $15.3 million.

The exuberance at Christie's near Manhattan's Rockefeller Center was nearly matched the previous evening at Sotheby's, further uptown.

Total sales on Tuesday reached $375.15 million, "the best auction result in any category in the company's history," Sotheby's said. The combined estimates of all lots had been between $277-374 million.

"This has been an extraordinary year for contemporary art at Sotheby's," said Tobias Meyer, Contemporary Art head at Sotheby's. "Tonight's record results bring our 2012 total to well over $1 billion."

There, the big star was Rothko's "No. 1 (Royal Red and Blue)," which sold for $75.1 million.

The work described by Sotheby's as Rothko's "seminal, large-scale masterpiece" was selected by the artist for his landmark 1954 solo show at the Art Institute of Chicago and had been in the same collection for 30 years before coming to market.

The winning bid, reached after a prolonged bidding battle in New York, was short of the record $86.9 million paid for Rothko's "Orange, Red, Yellow" at Christie's in May. But it was wildly over the pre-sale $35-50 million estimate.

Also notable was Jackson Pollock's "Number 4, 1951," estimated at $25-35 million and selling for $40.4 million, easily breaking the previous $23 million record for works by the abstract expressionist.

By contrast, the big sales last week of Impressionist art were considered a let-down, with a third of lots failing to sell -- even if Sotheby's did manage to sell Picasso's "Nature morte aux tulipes," painted in 1932, for $41.5 million.

SEE ALSO: Step Inside The German Art Fair That Changed The Way We Look At Art

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If you were wondering what The Fonz would have been like had he chosen a career in porn as opposed to that of a small town drifter, we have our answer: Short! After only 7 shows, Henry Winkler's portrayal of an aging porn star has blown it's load and will be taking a permanent post coital nap. If you want to get a peek at Fonzie's 'dream rod' before it goes dark, and soft, you can still get The Performers tickets, either directly from TiqIQ or from Telecharge starting around $100.

Because most of us will not have had the opportunity to witness what would have surely been remembered as Boogie Nights cum The Producers, we’ve compiled what we think are the best shots of Fonzie looking pornish.  

Perhaps the producers knew the theater-going public could not bear the knowledge that the Fonz needed a large prosthesis to play the part. It has also been speculated that Sandy was the culprit. Most likely, though, the Broadway gods simply knew that The Performers didn't have any staying power, and they wanted to save their cash for the Next Big Thing before the Performers jumped the shark into the abyss of Broadway red ink.

If you're looking for other shows check out our Broadway Tickets.

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If you just don’t get the Oliver Twist-esque street urchin look that defines hipster fashion, or the weird, two-tone hair (it’s called ombre!) that so many celebrities have, you’ll be downright mystified by these trends from around the globe.

Shippo, The Brain-Controlled Tail

All humans have tails. At least we do early on, about 3 to 4 weeks into our embryonic development.

But they evolve no further than that … until now. Japanese company Neurowear has recently unveiled the body-controlled Shippo (translation: tail). This fuzzy little backside duster tells the world if you’re happy or sad, bored or frisky. It does this via an EEG headset and a clip-on heart monitor that are wired to the fluffy appendage.

Shippo also features geotagging and smart phone sharing capability, which allows devotees to find each other and engage in mutual tail wagging.

Bagel-Shaped Forehead Injections

Though it looks like Botox gone wild, it’s saline, not botulinum toxin, that’s being injected into the foreheads of willing subjects.

Part of a Japanese “body modification” art scene, the procedure takes about 2 hours and 400cc of saline, injected via a crochet-sized needle. The resulting forehead-sized blob is then manipulated with the fingers into a bagel-like shape, with an indentation pressed in the middle (the effect brings to mind Worf from Star Trek: TNG) .

Fortunately, these injections aren’t permanent. They’re gone in about 16 hours, after the body absorbs the saline.

Yaeba Teeth

Maybe we’ve taken the ideal of perfectly straight, white teeth as far as it can go. That seems to be the message behind the trend of Yaeba, which means “double tooth” in Japanese.

Many women are choosing dental crowns that elongate their canine teeth and give the effect of dental overcrowding (not to mention a vaguely vampire-ish vibe). Why? Because in Japanese culture, young women with these kind of crooked teeth are considered cute and innocent. One does have to wonder if it makes flossing more difficult.

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Located within Four Seasons Hotel New York, The Ty Warner Penthouse practically floats in Manhattan. Floor-to-ceiling windows surround all sides of the massive suite, surrounding guests in 360-degree views of the city skyline from atop Manhattan’s tallest hotel. The nine-room suite has walls inlayed with mother of pearl, gold and platinum-woven fabrics, and the room itself includes a private butler, unlimited global calling and TVs programmed to receive every channel in the entire world. At only $35,000 a Night. Here’s the official details from Four Seasons Hotel New York on The Ty Warner Penthouse:

Ty Warner Penthouse
This highly anticipated suite at the pinnacle of Manhattan’s tallest hotel is a collaboration between owner Ty Warner, designer Peter Marino and architect I.M. Pei, who came out of retirement to join in the creation of America’s most exclusive accommodation.

With cantilevered glass balconies and floor-to-ceiling bay windows, set beneath 25-foot (7.6-metre) cathedral ceilings, the Ty Warner Penthouse offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of all Manhattan. Custom-commissioned in every detail, from semi-precious stone surfaces to fabrics woven with platinum and gold, the nine-room suite creates the sense of living within a multilayered work of art. It raises the bar for even the most seasoned travellers.

Penthouse guests enjoy amenities as impressive as their quarters: TVs programmed for every channel worldwide, unlimited global telephone calling, the services of both a personal butler and a personal trainer/therapist, and a private chauffeur for unlimited travel during your stay in your choice of a Rolls Royce Phantom or a Mercedes Maybach.

Covering the entire top floor of the Hotel, the nine-room Ty Warner Penthouse is accessed by its own private elevator. Every space is distinctively designed and is made to feel even more expansive with immense bay windows, vaulted ceilings and skylights.

In the living and dining area, cream-coloured walls are richly inlaid with thousands of pieces of mother of pearl. A dramatic 4-foot-high (1.2-metre-high) cut-glass chandelier by Deborah Thomas sparkles above the bronze table by designer François-Xavier LaLanne. Seating is grouped around a marble fireplace, and four French doors open to glass railings.

The library is illuminated by a LaLanne chandelier in gilded bronze. The extensive book collection is set in bookcases framed with an elaborate bronze vine-and-leaf motif, again by LaLanne. The library is also furnished with a chess table and a Bösendorfer grand piano.

The centrepiece of the master bedroom is a Thai canopy bed threaded with gold. Offering unsurpassed comfort, the Swedish Hästens Vividus mattress was built entirely by hand over 160 hours, using 100% natural materials. Bedroom accents include two lacquer cabinets with cracked eggshell panels, and walls of straw marquetry.
Four French doors reveal a view of Central Park that is almost surreal in its perfection.
An indoor-outdoor Zen garden with a green bowenite waterfall overlooks downtown Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.
The breakfast room is furnished with a LaLanne tree table and opens to its own large balcony 700 feet (213 metres) above Central Park.
The Penthouse also features a private spa room with a serene screen of living bamboo.
Adjacent to the spa room is an oversized dressing room clad entirely in leather.
With its ceiling, walls and floor gleaming with onyx, the master bathroom includes another outdoor balcony overlooking Central Park. Among the pampering features are an infinity-edge bathtub complete with chromatherapy, a separate glass-enclosed rain shower, radiant-heated floors, and sinks carved from a solid block of rock crystal.
Room details
Location 52nd floor
View 360-degree view of the city – Uptown, Downtown and Midtown, including the Statue of Liberty, all bridges and Central Park
Décor French- and Italian-artisan-created wall designs, bronze statues, mother-of-pearl inlays, rock crystal sinks and a guest powder room completely clad in semi-precious tiger’s-eye stones.
Beds One king bed
Extra bed (by request) One rollaway or one crib
Bathrooms One full marble bathroom, plus guest powder room
Maximum
occupancy King bed:
3 adults, or 2 adults and 1 child

If the number of guests travelling exceeds the maximum occupancy stated, please book more than one room or contact the Hotel directly for alternate accommodation options and assistance.
Size (sq.ft.) 4,300
Size (m2) 400

For guests used to staying in the best rooms at luxury hotels, the top suite at the Four Seasons Hotel New York may offer the ultimate in bragging rights: To sleep in it, you have to stomach its $35,000 a night price tag. The Ty Warner Penthouse, named for the Beanie Baby mogul and the hotel’s owner, is the most expensive hotel room in the country outside of Las Vegas, an important distinction in the industry since rooms in the gambling capital are often comped for high rollers. The suite has sweeping views of Manhattan in every direction, bathroom sinks made of solid blocks of rock crystal and a personal butler on-call 24 hours a day. Guests have the use of a Maybach or Rolls-Royce—with driver, of course. Room service from the hotel’s restaurants, including one run by celebrity chef Joël Robuchon, is included in the price and nearly unlimited (though one guest was charged for a $1,000 order of caviar). – from WSJ

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Our daily dream home is a duplex today, but it is still worthy of the “dream” mantle. The Infinity Duplex in San Francisco, California, currently on the market for $3,200,000, offers amazing views of the city and the San Francisco Bay. Infinity Duplex Residence offers an enviable 1,800 square feet of interior living space making it one of the largest residences in the development. Two private sky terraces – spanning approximately 470 square feet – open the home from both levels to the surrounding Bay and Sky. With significant custom improvements to architecture and design, Duplex Residence 39C has a luxurious floor plan, redesigned bathrooms, expanded kitchen, substantial built-in cabinetry as well as sophisticated digital infrastructure systems for lighting, media, window shade and climate control.

Official Listing.

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If you are one to venture on a spiritual and captivating experience, the Indian culture can meet your every expectation. The opulence and grandeur of the Mughal Dynasty was the inspiration for 5 star hotel ITC Mughal’s Kaya Kalp. The Royal Spa is the most striking feature of this hotel and is also the largest Spa in India, occupying an area of about ninety-nine thousand square feet.

A simple walk through the corridors of this truly mesmerizing spa is enough to make you feel more relaxed. Opulence can be spotted in each and every corner. Traditional chandeliers, wooden furniture and large curtains pleasantly mix with more modern details in order to create an unforgettable space. The color palette is vivid and diverse, creating stunning visual effects that remain with the customer, even after his spa treatments.

The Luxurious Royal Spa in India is said to “offer therapy based on ancient customs, to create meaningful experiences for the soul“. This is probably why you will find numerous practices and services here, such as guided meditation, the magic of Ayurveda, massages (the Indian foot massage is a must), various body treatments with fruit and plants, relaxation rituals and even traditional Thai massages. A true feast for the mind and senses.

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If you're a photographer for National Geographic Magazine, you become an authority figure within the photographic community and people ask you for advice. For Jim Richardson, veteran of 25 Nat Geo assignments, that advice has always been easy:

If you want to be a better photographer, stand in front of more interesting stuff.

Richardson isn’t suggesting that technique doesn’t matter; however, his point is clear. All the technical savvy and complex light setups will not improve a boring photo. Better subjects often do but they often require a lot of work to track down.

It’s a shame strong subjects—at least in relation to adventure photography—aren’t easier to find. Most of my favorite images are a result of hauling my camera further than my competition. Here are three examples where simply standing in front of interesting subjects trumped camera settings and technique:

It would be easy for me to say this image was easy to make. I asked the skier, Jerome Levesque, to wait while I got set up. I grabbed my camera, set it to aperture priority mode and dialed in f/2.8 and ISO40 to get a fast shutter speed. Then I stole an idea from ski photographer Reuben Krabbe and used my goggles to frame the shot. When Jerome skied down, I waited until he hit this pillow and hit the shutter.

By calling it easy, I would be ignoring a lot of hard work that isn’t visible. It was taken on a multi-day ski tour in the Cariboo Mountains. All six people on the trip were employed on either ski patrol or avalanche control teams. We’d honed our avalanche skills—using our avalanche transceivers, probes, and shovels in mock scenarios—until they were second nature.

We’d also studied the snowpack and dug enough pits to gauge the conditions and select safe slopes to ski. Because we felt the alpine was not safe, we found ourselves skiing in the trees.

This image took willpower. I sat swatting relentless mosquitoes in a sub-alpine meadow where a herd of bighorn sheep fed. I wondered if the sheep would become accustomed to my presence if I endured long enough. It took three hours, but eventually, I became an afterthought and the sheep walked within a few meters. I racked my lens out to 200mm and grabbed this shot.

Even a different perspective on a landscape can play an equal part to stronger natural light. I decided to drag my camera along on a speed hike up Old Man Mountain in Jasper National Park, despite the flat grey light that dropped from the sky.

After a two-hour climb, the light still looked dull, but the scene was epic. To create this image, I set my camera up manually — everything from shutter speed and aperture to white balance and focus. I set my stance and shot seven frames, taking care to move the camera on a single left-right axis. Once I’d retraced my steps and driven home, I used Photoshop to stitch the panorama into a single frame.

While images like the above landscape are possible to make alone, sometimes it takes a human element to add either scale or contrast to a photograph.

When my wife and I biked the Cuesta del Portezuelo in Catamarca, Argentina, we descended from an arid plateau to a sub-tropical rainforest. There were a dozen shades of green but little else, so I asked my wife to don her blue raincoat and ride ahead. A minute later, I’d stowed my gear and jumped back onto my bike to give chase.

As difficult as it is for a Canadian to admit, I love football. Forget that nonsense about it being “the beautiful game.” Nobody will ever convince me it’s more beautiful than a Canada vs. Russia Olympic ice hockey final. But I’ll agree that no sport’s fans compare in terms of dedication or emotional investment.

During the 2010 World Cup, I headed to downtown Mendoza, Argentina, moments after Diego Maradona’s team had earned its first victory. Amid the chaos, which included a roving parade setting off fireworks and smoke bombs, I watched a proud father set his daughter on his shoulders and join the crowd.

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Minnie Mouse’s Parisian fashion adventure features the regular cast of Disney favorites alongside some of the fashion world’s biggest names. Nicolas Ghesquière may have announced his departure from Balenciaga but his time with the Parisian fashion house has been immortalized in classic cartoon form, in the latest Disney release, a five-minute short featuring Minnie Mouse’s adventures in fashion-land, titled “Electric Holiday.”

Minnie Mouse is launched into wonderland, this time a whirlwind fashion romance with the city of light and its style luminaries, after viewing a Lanvin dress in a store window. Style editors Carine Roitfeld, Anna Dello Russo, and Suzy Menkes all get an animated Disney makeover. Blogger Byran Boy and photographer Steven Meisel also feature alongside designers, makeup artists and style mavens in the film.

In the final version of the film is it Tinkerbell’s magic dust that transforms Minnie and Mickey into model mice, so they can appear alongside other Disney characters in a runway show featuring clothes by Rick Owens, Proenza Schouler, Dolce and Gabbana and Balmain.

With the release of the film, Barneys Creative Ambassador-at-Large Simon Doonan said: “I think it’s a celebration of the real Minnie because at the end she’s her real fabulous self” said Doonan.

Barney’s and Disney have also collaborated on the store’s holiday windows, which were opened by Sarah Jessica Parker, who appears in cartoon form in the film.

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Actress Marion Cotillard graces the cover of W Magazine’s December 2012 issue. Dressed mainly in blacks and reds, the French beauty looks hypnotic wearing a stunning Dior Haute Couture belted cashmere coat. Lensed by Tim Walker, the “Babes in Toyland meets laxtex dominatrix” editorial features Cotillard photographed in Chanel, Lanvin, and more alongside a toy solider in a rose garden.

Click here to see photos of Marion Cotillard in W Magazine December 2012 by Tim Walker.

Read more at W Magazine. Photos: Tim Walker/Courtesy of W Magazine.

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This ultra-luxurious 5-star Constance Moofushi Resort in Maldives combines a ravishing natural setting with a holiday-inspired design and promises exquisite services: “Impossibly elegant, with 110 land and water villas in an intimate location of pure lagoons, sandbanks and woodlands, this barefoot idyll offers a rare experience for its visitors. Reassuringly luxurious, Constance Moofushi is on the South Ari Atoll, a paradise regarded as one of the best diving spots in the world. The resort is perfect for lovers of fine dining, divers and those seeking luxury beach-front relaxation“. Prepare to enrich your gastronomic experience by tasting the food courses and drinks offered by an array of six bars and restaurants. Adventure enthusiasts are also welcomed in this location, as it features one of the best diving spots in the world, plus many others outdoor leisure opportunities.

Click here for the Constance Moofushi Resort in Maldives Photo Gallery.

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In the winter travel issue of New York Times’ T Magazine, top model Karlie Kloss visits Nicaragua for the cover shoot and explores the country’s majestic landscape. Photographed by Ryan McGinley, Karlie stuns with the understated style of fashion editor Sara Moonves featuring resort looks from labels such as Chanel, Balenciaga, Salvatore Ferragamo and Chloé. (read the article at T Magazine…)

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Not that you’d ever pack all 40—but a quick review of this list of travel accessories should help you remember the essentials no matter what kind of trip you’re taking.

1. Your smartphone (or iTouch or similar) can be used in place of a bunch of individual travel accessories: maps, GPS, currency exchange converter, translation tool, mp3 player. Make sure you have a fresh backup in the cloud and you should be set. Though, putting too much reliance on a single device can backfire: On a recent press trip to New Brunswick, I ran over my iPhone in the rental car and smashed the screen so badly my data couldn’t be recovered.

2. Iodine tablets (two per quart of water) and a steel canteen like this one from Kleen Kanteen make for drinkable water in most backcountry.

3. An eco-friendly, biodegradable, phosphate-free multipurpose soap to wash your dishes, your clothes, and your body.

4.Mini-first aid kit with these essentials: band-aids, antibiotic cream, anti-nauseants, anti-diarrheals, antihistamines, analgesics, a single-use ice pack, a sterile bandage, and an EpiPen for those who are allergic to bee stings and pad thai.

5. A compact and energy-efficient headlamp that uses LED technology.

6. An immersion water heater can be inserted into a canteen and brings liquids to a boil within minutes. Here’s one for $20.

7. A multipurpose tool is a compact and lightweight way to bring your kit with you. You’ll have easy access to pliers, screwdrivers, a jackknife, a saw blade, and mini-scissors. Models vary. Check out these options from Gerber.

8. A portable solar power kit, like one of these units from GoalZero, so you can charge your electronics anywhere (if it’s sunny).

9. Protect your papers and electronics by storing them in waterproof pouches / drybags. In 2007, I went under the falls at Iguazu in Argentina. We were given drybags by the boat company but I forgot that my passport was in my pants pocket.

10.Bug spray, a mosquito net, and Afterbite. Add anti-malarials where required.

11. A pair of aquasocks—slip-on shoes with non-skid soles to protect your feet in the water. Also can double as shower shoes.

12. Small pump bottle of Febreze to freshen your clothes (in lieu of laundry, if you’re rolling lazy).

13. Socket configurations vary region-to-region, so bring a travel adapter. Choose an all-in-one unit, and make sure it includes a power transformer, or you could blow out your gadgets by using an incompatible voltage.

14.Camera, memory cards.

15. A travel sleep kit with eyeshades, earplugs, and a travel pillow. I also put a sleeve of Gravol in mine to help me sleep on airplanes.

16. Portable speakers— instant party, or a good way to kill down time.

17.Packing cubes help you fit more into a smaller space, and keep dirty clothes separate from clean ones.

18. Pack of biodegradable towelettes.

19. A no-pin twist laundry line allows you to hang your clothes to dry anywhere. I’ve also used this item to hang a sarong between bunks in a hostel dorm for extra privacy.

20. Pack inflatable hangers if you’re going to need unwrinkled clothes.

21. Quick-dry microfiber towel. Alternatively, use a sarong. They don’t dry as fast, but they are much more versatile.

22. Sunglasses, sunscreen, and Afterburn.

23. A travel door alarm adds security to shared or unlocked rooms.

24. A sleep sack— lightweight cotton or silk bag — to sleep in at hostels that don’t provide linens.

25. Carry an ultra-portable insulated blanket made of lightweight polyethylene and aluminum. If you’ve ever had to wait out the long wee hours between a hostel’s curfew and opening, you’ll appreciate this item.

26. Bring a toiletry kit that has a hook so you can hang it off the door knob or shower rod.

27. Keep thieves out of your stuff with a wire pack protector and TSA-approved luggage lock.

28. A survival whistle, if you’re going far off the grid.

29.Rum Runners are reusable, BPA-free soft plastic flasks. Manufactured in response to the exorbitant price of alcohol on cruise ships, they can’t be detected by X-ray machines. They’re also a lightweight and flexible way to pack along a bottle of wine.

30. Noise-cancelling headphones, to block out the sounds of other travelers.

31. A netbook or tablet makes it easy to get online and prepare documents, without the weight and expense of a laptop.

32. Reusable cutlery and a small bowl.

33.Rain gear, including a cover for your pack.

34. A portable electronics charger allows you to recharge multiple devices simultaneously while only using a single socket.

35. Dissolve oral rehydration salts in water and drink to treat severe dehydration.

36. A money belt to hide your cash, cards, and passport.

37. If you think you might be taking advantage of the Duty Free, pack an inflatable travel bag for wine or other breakables.

38. A tire patch kit fixes punctures in bicycle tires and other inflatables.

39. A portable digital luggage scale lets you weigh your bags before you get to the airport.

40.Duct tape is notoriously versatile, and while it won’t help you if you forget something like your solar power kit, it’s a go-to repair tool. The most unique use I ever put duct tape to was rebinding the spine of a book a travel companion and I were reading at the exact same time.

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Today is International Men's Day. Yes, I know, you thought every day was International Men's Day (IMD), but 19 November is set aside as an opportunity to highlight gender-specific issues of male health and wellbeing – the conversations that men, whatever their positions of power and influence, traditionally avoid.

Within just a few years, I've noticed reactions to IMD follow an interesting trajectory, from bafflement through indifference, hostility and mockery to a grudging recognition and acceptance. It's a journey that probably feels familiar to many of the individual charities and campaigns involved.

A couple of weeks ago I was a guest at the second National Conference for Men and Boys. It was mostly an event for frontline workers and activists from the statutory and charitable sectors, and as the only identified journalist in attendance, several delegates spoke to me of their difficulties in getting their causes and issues taken seriously by local or national press. Despite that, one senses a subtle change in mood, as the media, book publishers and even soap writers have finally realised that male-specific issues are occasionally worth a mention.

Although it was billed as an event for the men and boys "sector", conference organiser Glen Poole used his own plenary session to spell out his dream of a global men's movement. I'll confess I winced when I first saw his title. Over the years the term "men's movement" has described an array of diverse trends, ranging from mythopoets who gather in the woods to howl at the moon, to those nod-along male feminist academics and activists who are less concerned with problems facing men than those caused by men. More recently the phrase has been co-opted by the angry antifeminists of the internet as a cover for untrammelled misogyny, grievously mislabelled "men's rights".

The vision laid out by Poole was very different. Like the day itself, it focused on specific social injustices that specifically or disproportionately affect men and boys, mostly well-recognised and uncontroversial. All he did was join the dots. He presented the issues as ultimately inseparable. How do we pick apart male suicide from mental health, then mental health from substance misuse and addiction? How do we separate those from homelessness and physical health outcomes? How can we talk about the crime and violence perpetrated by men and boys while ignoring the brutality inflicted upon men and boys? How do we support boys through early life with good fathering, when workplace rights and family courts are so often structured against it? If it was really a join-the-dots game, it would sketch out a spider's web.

The men's sector, as represented that day, includes many brilliant organisations. In isolation they have done great things. But in coming together as a sector, for International Men's Day or for a conference, we may be seeing the seeds of a new unity, a recognition that the problems they face are often the same one. What is it? Some would call it anti-male prejudice or misandry, some call it socialisation, some call it the workings of capitalism and some call it patriarchy. Personally I don't really care, most of the time it all describes the same effects.

There may be feminists who find it threatening. I believe that is misplaced. As I argued on the day of the conference, I believe a unified men's sector can not only peacefully co-exist with the women's movement, but actually complement it. Feminists want an end to male violence and criminality? So do I. Feminists want equality in the home and the workplace? So do I. The old refrain "patriarchy hurts men too" is undoubtedly true but it is not a solution. It implies that all we need to do is achieve full social justice for women and male-specific problems will simply wither away. That's not only a bit daft in theory, it is patently not working in practise. Men's issues must be considered alongside women's issues, not least because our lives and welfare are intertwined. Perhaps the single most encouraging statement I heard at the conference was Mark Brooks of domestic violence charity the Mankind Initiative stressing that they only ever argue for male victims to be helped in addition to, never instead of, services offered to women. To steal from Petra to pay Paul is not only morally abhorrent, but (deservedly) an unwinnable argument.

Are we seeing the seeds of a new men's movement? The phrase seems grandiose, but the word "sector" is not enough. To begin to address and reverse these problems will need not only the intervention of specialist services, but the engagement of the media, politics and the public at large. The first step in solving any problem is to identify and acknowledge its existence, and International Men's Day is a very good place to start.

This article originally appeared on guardian.co.uk

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