Simon's booster seat secret: Cowell uses cushion to get extra high at Britain's Got Talent auditions

Simon Cowell has been caught using a cushion to make him appear taller while sitting down filming Britain's Got Talent.
The music mogul, 53, was seen with a 'booster seat' on his chair, making him appear as tall as the rest of the judging panel.
Simon, who is thought to be around 5ft 7 shares the panel with David Walliams who is 6ft 2, as well as Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden.
An audience member at the Glasgow auditions spotted the implement and told The Sun: 'We went down the front to get a photo during one of the breaks and noticed the booster seat'.
'It's Simon down to a T. He's a small man with a big opinion and a big personality.'
A spokesperson for Simon told MailOnline: 'He is using a cushion for comfort.'
Simon is often seen using a Cuban heel to boost his height and he covers the shoes with long baggy jeans.

Booster seat: An eagle eyed audience member spotted the cushion seen in Simon's chair

And in a recent Twitter snap taken by an audience member showing Simon kissing David's back, the comedian is seen towering above the X Factor boss.
The Syco boss has been mocked about his height by former judge Piers Morgan in the past.

Piers said: 'If you look carefully, Simon grows between shows.'

Sitting pretty: The 53-year-old music mogul appears to be as tall as 6ft2 comedian David Walliams

Towering above him: In this Twitter snap Simon is dwarfed by David Wallliams and is seen kissing the comedian's back

'When we’re on ­Britain’s Got Talent, he’s smaller than me, then suddenly his three pillows arrive and he’s taller than me.'
While Cowell might have issues in the height department, he certainly isn't in short of money as he was named the biggest earner in a new rich list for reality television.

He topped the chart with an estimated £225million, making ten times more than second placed Susan Boyle.

Looking for an Samurai Sword?

Because swords are rather rare commodities, many people prefer to shop for them online. From the pictures on the webstores we cannot wholly ascertain the genuineness of any so called authentic samurai sword and this is why we need prior information describing what a battle ready sword really is. Samurai aka Katana swords are revered for their sword blade quality which boasts a hard cutting edge and the ability to resist shock. As earlier pointed, these qualities are achievable with carbon steel. 

An samurai sword warrants its genuineness in its blade manufacture process. True samurai swords are forged i.e. the billet is repeatedly heated, hammered and folded, and in the process impurities are eliminated thus giving the blade an extraordinary cutting ability. Afterwards, the carbon sword is subjected to tempering which is a claying and differential hardening process that entails rapid heating and quenching procedures. Through these processes the sword develops both low and high carbon steel sectors and these are what make it a real battle ready sword. The lower carbon section gives the blade some flexibility which enables it to better absorb shock while the high carbon sector goes to ensure a strong and tough cutting edge. A samurai carbon sword that has been subjected to tempering bears characteristic wavy lines patterns also known as hamon. 

An authentic samurai sword is also very attractive to the eye and you should therefore look for various aspects of aesthetics such as high grade polishing, and ornamentations on the pommel (kashira), guard (tsuba) and handle wrapping (tsuka-iko). Before making your purchase ensure that you are dealing with a knowledgeable seller who is quality control conscious and who can provide warranties for the swords on sale.

Too big for her boots! Suri Cruise wears knee-high leather flats and a furry coat as she goes for a milkshake with Katie Holmes

She caused controversy when she stepped out in a pair of high heels at the age of four.
But these days Suri Cruise's fashion has seemingly toned down a bit.
But on Wednesday, the six-year-old was once again seen dressing older for her age as she stepped out in a pair of flat leather boots and a furry coat.

Too big for her boots: Suri Cruise stepped out in knee-high leather flat boots and a furry coat as she visited the Shake Shack with her mother Katie Holmes in New York on Wednesday

Suri was heading out with her mother for a milkshake at Shake Shack in New York when she debuted the new footwear.
Her snazzy boots and pink coat were paired with a more age appropriate grey pinafore dress and white shirt worn underneath.
The youngster had her brunette locks out with a pretty braid at the side, and the hairstyle was pushed back with a cute neon headband.

Little fashionista: Her snazzy boots and pink coat were paired with a more age appropriate grey pinafore dress and white shirt worn underneath

Follow the leader: The actress walked ahead of her daughter whilst she held her hand, and in the other she carried a collection of Suri's toys

She also had her fingernails painted with green varnish.
Suri and Katie were ferried to the milkshake parlour by a large SUV.
The actress walked ahead of her daughter whilst she held her hand, and in the other she carried a collection of Suri's toys.
The mother-of-one had dressed down for the outing in a pair of black wide-leg trousers and her new favourite jacket, an army-green parka with fur-lined collar.

Chauffeured: Suri and Katie were ferried to the milkshake parlour by a large SUV

Dressed down: Katie had dressed down for the outing in a pair of black wide-leg trousers and her new favourite jacket, an army-green parka with fur-lined collar

In comparison to Suri's luxurious leather boots, the Broadway star opted for some cosy plain flats.
It was recently revealed that the single mother won’t get the chance to show off her latest clothing collection at Fashion Week in February.
According to Women’s Wear Daily, the actress-turned-designer will be missing out on what would be an amazing promotion next month, although it is not clear why.
The publication reported on Tuesday: ‘Katie Holmes will be sitting out next month’s New York Fashion Week.’
This means that the single mother will have even more time to spend with Suri when she is not developing her style collection.

High heels at four: Suri caused controversy when she stepped out in a pair of high heels at the age of four

An Interesting Irony of Japanese Swords

Japanese swords, more commonly known to Westerners as 'samurai swords' because of the iconic warriors who, for hundreds of years wielded them in battle, are renowned not just because of samurai; they are renowned for their craftsmanship which employed sophisticated techniques to create arguably the most effective and well-made sword of all time. However, throughout its history - particularly through certain periods - something interesting can be observed in the manufacture of Japanese swords: many were of inferior quality; and most often during the times when they needed to be the best quality. Strange, you may think, but true nonetheless.

Japan has a notoriously feudal history. Going back in time to the days before guns overtook the sword as the primary weapon, when smiths were the key armorers, during the most turbulent times, the swords created during these times were often the worst quality swords. Strange, you may think, that I should say this but it's true: when swords were needed the most in mass amounts, they were usually of inferior quality to the ones created during less turbulent times.

The fact is, many smiths sacrificed quality greatly in order to mass produce swords for war.

One of the worst periods for Japanese swords came after the Meiji period when blades were produced in huge numbers for the Imperial Japanese Army. These swords bore hardly any resemblance to the quality blades which came before - even lacking key technological features like the hardened edge. In fact, the Japanese government refused to allow the registration (when it became compulsory to register swords with the police in Japan) of swords made for the imperial army, and even went so far as to order the destruction of any found still in existence.

Even smiths of some renown are known to have created inferior blades as weapons, so if you are looking for a Japanese sword which isn't just a presentation piece, relying on well-known names isn't always a surefire way to safeguard against purchasing a blade which, although it may look the part, is in fact an inferior weapon. Research about the smith and the times during which the blades were created will go a long way to ensuring you get a blade which is, every inch the perfect weapon and showpiece.

'I love Madame Obama - but she looks like a news anchor': Karl Lagerfeld casts scathing verdict on First Lady's new bangs

Michelle Obama's bangs have been widely praised by the style cognoscenti since she debuted them on her birthday two weeks ago. But Karl Lagerfeld is not inclined to agree.
The Chanel designer likened the U.S. First Lady's new look to that of a news anchor - which is apparently a bad thing in his book.
In an interview that aired on French television network Canal Plus, he said: 'I do not understand the change in hairstyle.'

Commander in chic: Michelle Obama's new bangs, seen here at her husband's Inaugural Ball on Monday, January 21, has not won the seal of approval of Karl Lagerfeld

Though he said - twice - that he loves 'Madame Obama', he went on to add that a 'speakerine do LCI' typically has this hairstyle, referring to a popular television news network.
'The fringe was not a good idea,' he concluded.

 

It certainly didn't help that the host of the show, Le Petit Journal, offered a less than flattering image for Mr Lagerfeld to cast judgement on - but regardless, it would seem that he is alone in his opinion.
The cut has inspired countless column inches dedicated to how Mrs Obama's new look makes her look younger - and, indeed, how she is the most fashion-forward U.S. First Lady since Jackie Kennedy.

Not a good idea: Mr Lagerfeld likened Mrs Obama's new look to that of a news anchor, adding that he does not understand why she went for the cut

Linda Wells, editor-in-chief of Allure magazine, told the Associated Press last week: 'It's definitely a more youthful style than what she had before. It just has a flirty, young quality to it.'
New York hairstylist Robert Stuart added: 'It's much softer and younger, and it makes her look more approachable. It also works well for her sense of fashion. And it brings out her eyes.'
But of course there is only one opinion that Mrs Obama cares about - and it does not belong to a member of the fashion set.

Unfair disadvantage: It certainly didn't help that the host of the show, Le Petit Journal, offered a less than flattering image for Mr Lagerfeld to cast judgement on

The President himself made several references to his wife new bangs during the inaugural festivities - all of them positive.
Heralding the cut as 'the most significant event of this weekend', he said: 'I love my wife's new bangs - she always looks good!'

Swords From the Ancient Dynasties

Defence is a major preoccupation for any ruler - from the rulers of way back in antiquity to President Obama today. Times of war see resources being drained toward a wasteful expense, as well as major scientific advancements as people try to find out why things happen, and how to mitigate the injuries caused by bad things. 

In the ancient Chinese dynasties, warfare was undoubtedly complex, but the complexities took a different form. While today we bomb strategic locations, in those days swordsmen developed ever-finer instruments and techniques.

Here is a quick run-through of the popular swords and sword-making techniques in the Han, Song, Qing and Ming dynasties. 

First, the Hans. The Han dynasty's rule spanned from 206 BC to 220 AD. The early period of Han rule saw the rise of steel as the material preferred in swords. Both single-edged(dao) and double-edged(jian) swords now began to be made of steel, with bronze swords falling rapidly out of favor.

The process of differential heat-treatment also took birth during Han rule. Sword blanks were now forged and folded, with ring pommels being introduced.

In middle and late Han rule, this differential heat treatment process was developed further, and became the art of "refining". Swords were now manufactured in layers, with the top, core and bottom being made separately and then welded together. At this point, China began to export swords to Korea and Japan.

Fast-forward across nearly a century, and you reach the Song dynasty in 960 AD. During the reign of Song emperor Shenzong, swordcraft reached new and unprecedented heights. Assessment bureaus were set up to determine the quality of weapons, and a manual on quality control in weapon manufacture was written and circulated.

'She's smart and super fabulous!' Charlie Sheen says 'terrific' Lindsay Lohan will 'come out on top eventually'

Things aren't looking too good for Lindsay Lohan at the moment.
Not only is she facing jail over charges she lied to police, but her performance in The Canyons has been roundly panned, and she has serious money troubles.
But the actress has one person on her side - Charlie Sheen, who thinks she is 'terrific'.

Hands up for Lindsay! Charlie Sheen called Lohan 'terrific' in an interview on Jay Leno on Wednesday

'She's terrific, I mean she's going through a lot of stuff,' he told Jay Leno on Wednesday.
'She's smart and super fabulous and I think will come out on top eventually, you know.'
Earlier this month it emerged that Sheen had given Lohan $100,000 to help her out when she was struggling to find money to pay her tax bill.
'They offered me a decent amount of cash to do Scary Five as a cameo,' he explained.
'Then they said they're going to hire Lindsay. I thought fabulous.'

Knows her well: Sheen gave Lohan $100,000 to help her out when she suffered money troubles

The pair played a couple in bed together making a sex tape.
Sheen explained: 'They took half my money to give to her and she didn't get it all. And when i found this out I said you got shorted a hundred grand so I, I gave it to her.'
But he said he might not have been so generous had he realised what she would be spending the cash on.
'I didn't know it was for taxes,' he explained. 'If I'd have known that I'd have given her half.'

No Lance Armstrong fan: Sheen described the shamed cyclist as a 'douche'

But while Lohan has found a fan in Sheen, Lance Armstrong isn't so popular.
'He's kind of a douche,' Sheen explained bluntly.
'Wow, I didn't just say that did I.And I base that on meeting him, you know.'
Then he told the story of how he met Lance at a party in around 2005.
'He was talking to, I think he was talking to Sheryl Crow at the time.

Co-star: Lance and Lindsay Lohan appeared in Scary Movie 5 together, playing a couple filming a sex tape

'I said "Hi Mr Armstrong, I'm Charlie Sheen. I just wanna say hello."
'He looks at me, he's like, "that's nice."'
Sheen then added that he felt Lance had got what was coming to him.
'If he was a better guy I think in his life he'd be forgiven a lot faster and a lot easier,' he said. 'Kind of like me.'

Facing jail: Lohan in court in Los Angeles on Wednesday

What You Need To Know Before Buying Swords Online

If you are an avid collector of samurai swords, then browsing the Internet is what you should do. I must warn you though, online shops have wide array of choices of medieval swords for sale, you might be overwhelmed with all the choices that you can choose from. However, if you are looking for authentic swords, then you must take precautionary measures in choosing which to buy. This is because not all swords and shields found online are authentic. Some of them are fake and are meant only for display purposes.

Distinguishing which sword for sale is authentic or not is really not that easy; this is most especially true for people who are just starting to collect such swords. Most people do not have enough knowledge about the difference between an ornamental swords and a sword which you can use to cut things with. In fact, most people think that there are no difference at all.

Being ignorant about such matters can be harmful for you. This is because you cannot use an ornamental sword during fights and sparring. Why? Well, this is because the ornamental swords can be easily broken and cut off. Once these happens, you may be placed in great danger. This very reason why collectors must have knowledge regarding this subject.

Sad as it may seem, most medieval swords up for sale in the Internet are all what collectors may regard as 'sword-like' objects. This means that these swords may seem authentic and strong but once you swing this in the air or use this to break a vase, nothing will happen. And to add insult to injury, the handle of the swords may break and the handle may shatter or worse, it will come flying off with so much speed that it can surely hurt anybody near you.