The Steeple Times

Category: MOVERS & SHAKERS

The snakes and ladders of society.

A chronicle of drama, scandal and success in London, Paris, New York and elsewhere

  • Hofit Golan: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    Hofit Golan: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    The Steeple Times asks TV presenter and model Hofit Golan: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

     

    The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

    Know what makes you happy and build your life around that. People will always offer their opinion so know how to take the advice you need without compromising your own ambitions, dreams and drive. Where there is a will, there is a way, and the journey to your destination is the fun part. Finally, learn to be present in the moment.

     

    “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

    Mine is: “Actions speak louder than words”.

     

    Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?

    I don’t think its fair on Kerry to even start the question that way, but what’s unacceptable for me these days is the horrible biotech company Monsanto and the poisonous GMO foods they have given the world. They have a disregard for mother-nature, to livestock and to peoples’ health. Its truly sad they are even allowed to exist. I think everyone has the right to clean organic food and water. We shouldn’t be messing with nature and DNA

     

    Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

    I don’t miss anything. If I feel like something is missing, I do something about it. I find it, work for it, create it or replace it.


    What might you swap all your wealth for?

    The health and happiness of the people I love and even strangers if it came down to it. If I could keep them safe, it would be priceless to me.

     

    Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?

    Greed: Corruption and carelessness have influenced the long-term economic effect that this greed has and will cause.

     

    What phrase or word do you most loathe?

    “No. It’s not possible”.

     

    In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

    Charity starts in your heart, then should grow and spread into everything we do. If you can help your local community you can see your work have an effect. Find small organisations you trust and support them. Kindness and love is the beauty of our human nature. We should try to spread as much of that and help people in need every chance we get.

     

    The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

    Appropriate usage of a mobile phone? A camera, a video phone, a mirror, for text, BBM, Whatsapp, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. Oh and yeah, you can use it to call people.

    Hofit Golan
    Hofit Golan

     

    If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

    An eclectic mix of everyone from every walk of life, every class group. I would be a fly on the wall and just be interested to see how people that normally don’t interact would react to one another. It would be so interesting.

     

    If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

    My last meal? So morbid. I don’t think I would have much of an appetite, maybe a dish from home that my mom made me while growing up. I guess I would eat it in jail.

     

    What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

    I am teetotal.  I’ve never drunk.

     

    A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

    A cup of organic herbal jasmine green tea.

     

    Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

    I can’t really answer that as every event is lovely and every party has someone working hard to please their guests. They all have their charm. The people you know make a party fun, not the party itself.

     

    Who is the most positive person you know?

    My brother, Dror Golan. He always makes me laugh

     

    What’s your most guilty pleasure?

    Dark chocolate.

     

    If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

    I’m not that easy to sum up.

     

    If you were a car, what marque would you be?

    I’m a girl… I don’t even understand this question… For women, make it about shoes!

     

    Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

    I am passionate about the environment, animal rights, organic clean living. I live a very glamourous life but love the most simple basic things like a good walk in the park and a yummy cup of tea.

     

    What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

    Which one? … Photos of family and friends, Ralph Lauren candles and magazines.

     

    Hofit Golan is a TV presenter and model. She is a brand ambassador for a number of companies and consults on media and press strategies for luxury goods brands.

     

    Follow her on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/hofitgolan

  • Christophe Choo: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    Christophe Choo: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    The Steeple Times asks realtor and television personality Christophe Choo: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

     

    The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

    That’s a great question. The first thing that comes to mind are the joys and wonderful things in my life: my family & friends and those who guide me in do what I do.

     

    “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

    “Proper everything and everyone now” and “do the right thing”.

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  • Moving on

    Moving on

    A monthly round up of the moves of the newsworthy

     

    Fishing around   Poisonerie 450

    Poissonnerie on Draycott Avenue, popular with the likes of Sir Michael Caine and Sir Roger Moore, is for sale through Miles Commercial. The 6,700 square foot property, owned by respected restaurateur Peter Rosignoli, has a price tag of £14,000,000 and the agents state that it “has good redevelopment potential”. Meanwhile, around the corner in Walton Street, the same firm seeks £90,000 per year for the former Baity Kitchen premises.

     

    Living like Lilly

    Lilly Pulitzer

    The “Queen of Prep” Lilly Pulitzer’s realtor daughter, Liza, is marketing her late mother’s former home at 710 South County Road in Palm Beach, Florida at a price of £5,500,000. Originally marketed at £7,500,000, the fashion titan told the New York Times recently that the house is “just magnificent, but I’m old and I’m cranky and I can’t keep it up the way it should be”. She now rests in peace but with the “cabana inspired” property being marketed as a “tear-down” or for subdivision into two lots, it looks like the bulldozers will be on the way.

     

    Meyer’s kebabed

    17 Lincoln Street

    Sir Christopher Meyer was recently spotted on the steps of 17 Lincoln Street in Chelsea with a group of men who looked like builders. The same property, for which offers in excess of £2,650,000 were sought, is now “under offer/sold” on the Primelocation.com website. If indeed the former ambassador and his wife, who was described as being “Chanel-clad” by the Daily Telegraph in May 2011, have bought the house, they’ll quickly have to get used to the smell of kebabs. The 4-storey unmodernised end of terrace is right next to the Al Dar restaurant.

     

    Monckton moves on

    Upper Cheyne Row

    The house where financier John Monckton was tragically murdered in November 2004 in Upper Cheyne Row, Chelsea has recently come on the market with W. A. Ellis. Monckton’s killer Damien Hanson and his accomplice Elliott White were rightly jailed and now, his widow, Homeyra, is selling the 5-bedroomed house at a guide price of £5,500,000.

     

    If you know of a story about someone newsworthy who is changing jobs, setting up a new business or selling an existing one or moving home, do email us at: [email protected]

  • Bird on a wire

    Bird on a wire

    Sarah Tucker tries out Britain’s scariest new attraction

     

    80mph, approximately a mile long, 700 foot above a mountain lake, under clear blue skies in Snowdonia: Today, I became Wonder Woman for 55 seconds.

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  • Paul Johnson Calderon: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    Paul Johnson Calderon: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    The Steeple Times asks Paul Johnson Calderon: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

     

    The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

    Wit, cunning and sheer will.

     

    “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

    Trust no one.

      (more…)

  • Stephen Bowman: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    Stephen Bowman: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    The Steeple Times asks bass-baritone singer Stephen Bowman: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

     

    The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

    Gravity mainly, followed by a healthy fear of dying young. Avoiding skydiving tends to keep both of those fears at bay.

     

    “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

    “Even a stopped clock tells the right time twice a day” – I’m very sure it’s a brilliant ancient proverb, but I stole it from Withnail and I.

     

    Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?

    Kerry Katona has redeemed herself greatly since 2007, so I’d say that after his little tantrums in London recently, Justin Bieber is the next in line who needs a little humility injected into his life.

     

    Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

    I miss long misspent summers in the south of Spain. Long, lazy, hazy days of doing nothing more than sleeping off hangovers and chasing girls. Both were far less painful as a teenager and much less expensive.

     

    What might you swap all your wealth for?

    A trip to the moon. I wanted to be an astronaut just before I wanted to be a rock singer; 4-year old children can be so flippant about career choices.

     

    Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?

    The stupidity and greed of the few created a bed that the rest of us sleep in every day. It’s affected every industry, including music. We now perform most of our big private shows overseas, the UK is very slow and no one wants to be seen spending money on entertainment.

     

    What phrase or word do you most loathe?

    “It’s like…”: Massively overused and makes it near impossible for half the population to explain what a simile is.

     

    In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

    Once you have a smidgen of public profile you have the opportunity to help charities with fundraising and it’s something I jumped at. Over the last 6 years of Blake we’ve got behind many amazing charities, including the British Legion, Variety the Children’s Charity, War Widows’ Association, Help For Heroes, Make A Wish and Nordoff Robbins to name a few. It’s great to think you can make any difference.

     

    The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

    I travel by tube quite a bit, where you regularly see the scary sight of an entire carriage of commuters with heads bowed in deep reverence to their ‘iThingamajigs’. The art of conversation on the tube has all but been lost. No one ever looks up long enough to make eye contact. Sad.

     

    Singer Stephen Bowman
    Singer Stephen Bowman

     

    If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

    I’d invite the top 50 speakers from TED, the best panel from QI and Emma Thompson. Between them I’d have enough fantastic conversation to last a train journey to the moon and back, although I’m sure at least a few of the TED company would quickly explain that said journey wouldn’t be technically impossible.

     

    If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

    The finest meal I’ve ever had was at a restaurant in the Philippines called Antonio’s. It’s up in the jungle surrounding a mighty volcanic crater in the Tagaytay region about an hour from Manila. The owner is obsessed with sourcing the best meat and vegetable produce in the world. A meal is in the region of £120 a head in a country where £120 rents a room for a year. If it was my last meal though, what the hell!

     

    What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

    Sadly alcoholism runs in my family, so when it comes to how early in the day you can drink, I’m rather conservative on the subject. As a rule I’d say that a gin and tonic at 6pm is a safe start. Earlier, not so.

     

    A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

    I’d be lying if I said I knew what either was, showing my lack of knowledge in both classic cocktails and speciality teas. I must study harder in both areas, but never before 6pm for the former of course.

     

    Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

    Over the last 6 years with Blake I’ve been to some truly wonderful parties, including film premieres, summer car festivals and polo days a plenty. The best yearly event for me is the Audi Royal Polo. We watch the Audi team lose to William and Harry (every year, strangely), Blake perform a cappella on the mainstage (a yearly tradition now, always after a few drinks and with a few slight ‘alterations’ to the lyrics of our songs) and finally dance till 1am. We go all topped and tailed with a private chauffer from Audi there and back. I have an Audi S8 as my personal ride and these parties alone warrant the investment into their fine automobiles.

     

    Who is the most positive person you know?

    A rather wonderful lady who works as both celeb booker for Variety the Children’s Charity and as Mike Oldfield’s personal PA. Caroline Monk can giggle you out of the worst depression and bring sunshine to your dullest day, a great friend and an amazing lady with many stories to tell. She’s battled many things in life and will help you find some perspective on those days when all seems against you.

     

    What’s your most guilty pleasure?

    Have you ever stumbled across one of those really old episodes of Top Gear on YouTube, with a silly number of views and thought: “Who the hell watches this stuff”? It’s me. I’ve got this thing about watching old car reviews, convincing myself that it’s developing ‘automotive knowledge’ when in fact it’s as pointless as watching ‘talking cats’. Although I can tell you what Jeremy Clarkson’s hair looked like in any year of the last two decades, admittedly a skill in short demand.

     

    If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

    Probably the Maserati or Alfa Romeo badges. I’ve almost got petrol running through my veins, such is my love for engines and speed. I might as well wear the permanent mark of the two marques who in my opinion and have made the most beautiful machines ever to live.

     

    If you were a car, what marque would you be?

    I’d love to be a Maserati, but in reality I’d be one of those cars made in a barn by an eccentric German, using English body parts and a teutonic engine; generally reliable but with occasional breakdowns.

     

    Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

    I’m no where near as ‘British’ as the PR and marketing of Blake would have you believe. My father is German, my mother is English but descended from the family which Napoleon married into. I got married to a Guatemalan girl when I was 21, divorced when I was 26 and have only dated 2 English girls in my life. All the others were Latino. I almost turned full-tilt ‘Eurotrash’ in 2004 when my hair reached my shoulders in a swept back slick hairdo, a style low point!

     

    What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

    As I travel the world singing with Blake (we’ve sung in 22 countries to date) we meet fans who present us with ever more unique personal presents. On my mantelpiece I currently have a Russian Babushka doll with my face painted on it, alongside a crystal reproduction of my Honda Fireblade superbike. Both were given to me by a fan from Russia. I also have ‘fans’ from fans in China and Japan, along with a wooden ‘love spoon’ from the Mayor of Cardiff. It’s useful for tossing salad apparently.

     

    Stephen Bowman is a member of the Blake, the vocal group widely known for having been formed on Facebook in 2007.

     

    View Blake’s official website at: http://www.blakeofficial.com

     

    Follow Blake on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/TheBandBlake

     

    Follow Stephen Bowman on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/StephenBowman

     

    ‘Like’ Blake on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/TheBandBlake

  • Jules Knight: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    Jules Knight: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    The Steeple Times asks actor Jules Knight: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

     

    The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

    Vino, feminae et Carmen.

     

    “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

    “Ask, believe, receive”.

     

    Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?

    I find the fact that we make celebrities of people in reality TV shows unspeakably depressing.

     

    Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

    I miss my father who died a few years ago.

     

    What might you swap all your wealth for?

    If I had a choice between being wealthy and alone or poor and in love, I’d definitely choose the latter. Preferably someone like Mila Kunis if you can arrange it.

     

    Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?

    I think a lot of people and companies made mistakes driven by greed and no one seemed to learn from historical mistakes. I’m not against big bonuses if they reward success. I believe in a meritocracy.

     

    What phrase or word do you most loathe?

    “We are experiencing high call volumes (today, yesterday and every other day you’ve called). Your call is important to us (so important that we have 2 non English speaking people working to answer 5000 calls a day). Please Hold (whilst you are charged 50p per minute so that when we answer we can tell you that what you want us to do is not possible”.

     

    In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

    Over the years I’ve performed at a lot of charity events and helped them raise money in all sorts of ways. On a personal level, I think the British Heart Foundation is a great charity and I have a soft spot for WWF. But aside from wrestling, that wildlife charity is good too.

     

    The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

    They’re a blessing and a curse. I use mine to run my whole life. It practically brushes my teeth for me. But when I lose it or it breaks I feel completely helpless. Sad really.

     

    BBC1's "Holby City" actor and former member of vocal group Blake Jules Knight
    BBC1’s “Holby City” actor and former member of vocal group Blake Jules Knight

     

    If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

    Ricky Gervais, Stephen Fry, Anthony Hopkins, Christian Bale and Jennifer Aniston. A few drinks, a few laughs and then perhaps make love. Not all together. There isn’t room in that bar.

     

    If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

    I have a feeling they’d make me have it in prison but if they were foolish enough to allow me to have it in, let’s say, The Fat Duck, I’d do that and then have a couple of pints in a pub in Bray, chill out for a few hours and then, well, go home and relax. Phew that was close.

     

    What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

    I never really drink before 6pm unless there is a plan to start early. In which case, I can be persuaded.

     

    A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

    A vodka martini with Grey Goose and a twist. That gets things started nicely.

     

    Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

    There is a yearly polo party that Audi put on for about 200 people that is the best of the year. Talented, interesting guests from the world of sport, acting and music, lots of champagne, cocktails, amazing food. It turns into one big house party in a field.

     

    Who is the most positive person you know?

    My old boss, Nigel Evans MP. He’s a lovely chap.

     

    What’s your most guilty pleasure?

    Pickled eggs.

     

    If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

    “Get it Here”.

     

    If you were a car, what marque would you be?

    A Range Rover Evoque. A fusion of classic and contemporary, urban and rural.

     

    Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

    I wanted to be in the army. Now I prance around treading the boards.

     

    What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

    My Classical Brit is wedged between my two degree certificates: a woeful 2:2 MA in Art History from St Andrews and my MA in Acting for Screen from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

     

    Jules Knight is an actor and former member of the Blake, the vocal group widely known for having been formed on Facebook in 2007. He appears in BBC1’s Holby City from 14th May 2013 as Dr Harry Tressler.

     

    Follow him on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/MrJulesKnight

  • Jess Black: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    Jess Black: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    The Steeple Times asks artist and animal rights activist Jess Black: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

     

    The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

    I think humour. Life is so blah when taking too seriously. I try to find the humour in everything.

     

    “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

    “No one will fight for you harder than YOU”. You will get a lot of advice, solicited and unsolicited, but at the end of the day you have to trust your own instincts.

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  • Diego Bivero-Volpe: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    Diego Bivero-Volpe: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    The Steeple Times asks nightlife entrepreneur Diego Bivero-Volpe: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

     

    The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

    Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a tough battle.

     

    “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

    Get there on time.

     

    Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?

    Racism and injustice. I travel quite a bit and I am always taken aback by how prevalent both are everywhere in the world.

     

    Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

    My family. They are all spread out, far away in different corners of the globe. It is difficult to see them often.

     

    What might you swap all your wealth for?

    The wellbeing of my loved ones.

     

    Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?

    I love that quote but sadly it is indicative of how failed the system is. I used to work in the equity derivatives arm of RBS’ investment bank and I can tell you first-hand it is a cowboy’s game, with a lot of cavalier moves being made at the expense of the general public.

     

    What phrase or word do you most loathe?

    Racist slurs.

     

    In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

    This is probably true but I think all humans have a primal desire and need to help each other. I personally support Nordoff Robbins and Kids Company, both charities that help and provide support and protection for children.

     

    The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

    Unfortunately I am incredibly addicted to my Blackberry. Thinking about it, I don’t think it one has ever been more than 5 feet away from my in almost 10 years. That is disturbing.

     

    Diego Bivero-Volpe
    Diego Bivero-Volpe

    If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

    So many… A random list off the top of my head: All of Led Zeppelin, Marcus Aurelius, Michelangelo, Rodin, Picasso, Piranesi, Buddy Holly, Hobbs, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and maybe Daniel Tosh because he’s hysterical. It would certainly make for quite the journey all around.

     

    If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

    It’s hard to say, I am a lover of food, but I recently have developed a new obsession with steak, so maybe that and a spinach, avocado and mango salad.  In any case, let’s just hope this situation never happens.

     

    What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

    The conventional wisdom would dictate after 5pm. If you are on holiday somewhere sunny, a glass of wine or an Aperol Spritz (if in Italy) with lunch is always acceptable.

     

    A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

    Vodka martini, dry, 3 olives.

     

    Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

    It’s a toss-up between very close friends and big luxurious bashes thrown by film studios and such. Both have their perks and are fun in different ways.

     

    Who is the most positive person you know?

    I am fortunate enough to have quite a few very positive people in my life.

     

    What’s your most guilty pleasure?

    Lazing about in Tuscany for 2 weeks every summer, doing nothing but eating pasta and tanning.

     

    If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

    I strongly dislike tattoos.

     

    If you were a car, what marque would you be?

    A classic Ferrari.

     

    Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

    I have a masters in journalism and finance.

     

    What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

    Lots of pictures of my family, a handmade sculpture made by Amazonian natives and some invites for events this week.

     

    Diego Bivero-Volpe is a partner in Conduit Brands. For more information, go to: http://www.conduitbrands.com
    Follow him on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/DiegoB_V

     

  • Hugh Warrender: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    Hugh Warrender: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    The Steeple Times asks financier Hugh Warrender: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

     

    The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

    I was tempted to put something rude that would be true enough, but there’s a great poem by Rainer Maria Rilke called ‘As Once the Winged Energy of Delight’ (http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/as-once-the-winged-energy-of-delight/) that informs pretty much everything I do or think.

     

    “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

    If you haven’t tried it, you’ll never know.

      (more…)