Paris-based photographer and street artist JR thinks bigger than most of his peers. His black-and-white wheat-pasted images are gargantuan in scale, taking over entire faces of buildings and extending to the rooftops.

His work is often subtly socially conscious. JR takes evocative photographs of marginalized people from around the world and blows them up to massive proportions. Towering over you, it's difficult to escape thinking about who these people are, and what their stories are.

One of his latest projects is located in Soho in London. It depicts residents from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, and was installed to coincide with his solo show at the Lazarides Gallery

Related Stories:
· JR Art [Official Site]
· JR Goes Massive in Soho [Supertouch]
· Street Art coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Supertouch]]]> Dan Gould 2008-10-06T16:00:40-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/6/9344/32300

Hey, remember a few weeks ago when you bought a British football team? No, you weren't drunk at the time, but when the US Treasury and the Federal Reserve board voted to bail out insurance giant AIG, it effectively bought a piece of Manchester United, the popular club AIG paid £56.5 million ($99 million) to sponsor in 2006. Finally, a reason for Americans to care about soccer!

But seriously: If you're in a footie-playing country, a game is a great way to experience life as a local. You may not recognize all the songs whistling past your ears towards the players (nor the colorful language) but you're in for a great game.

This month, Man U takes on West Brom and West Ham United at home and Everton away; British readers, any tips for Americans enjoying their first game ever?

Related Stories:
· US Government Announces AIG Bailout [CBC.ca]
· AIG Still Sponsoring Manchester United [Yorkblog]
· Manchester Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: tunis marsh]]]> egw 2008-10-06T11:30:39-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/2/125118/122

No one ought to get so angry he or she wants to hit things. But if you are, beeline to Ashton, England for the World Conker Championships, a battle royale with a twist: Men and women compete on the field of conkers, a traditional game played with horse chestnuts and string.]]> egw 2008-10-02T16:05:37-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/9/24/8480/05739

Open House London is an annual event where private buildings and houses are opened up for the architecturally curious to explore. More than 700 different locations were available to tour this year. Sure, the traditional styles were represented, with names like Victorian, Bedfordshire and Elizabethan. But yawn!

If you wanted to see some really edgy dwelling design, the real action was with the soon-to-be classic: recycled tube carriages.

Village Underground is an office complex made up of four former London Underground Tube carriages that were lifted on top of a giant brick Victorian arch. The cars were gutted and re-fitted with clean looking modern office spaces, then completely covered in graffiti.

It's all part of a social enterprise project, funded by the local government. The offices are now rented out to various members of the creative community as a place to work and socialize.

Related Stories:
· Open House London [Official Site]
· Village Underground [Official Site]
· Open House London: Village Underground [Treehugger]
· London Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Squirmelia]]]> Dan Gould 2008-09-24T14:00:33-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/9/23/23047/1956

Though the skies are clear and the air mild for tourism in the hills of Scotland this time of year, right now is a lousy time to be a lamb there. Farmers in the Northwest highlands are reporting that 15 whitetail sea eagles, an endangered species, have wreaked havoc on the region, devouring more than 200 of their littlest sheep.]]> ced138 2008-09-24T11:05:33-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/9/23/144949/201

Sorry, England! Our CelebAir updates have been quite paltry as of late. But the show goes on--even if we don't get ITV2.

Three boldfaced names have already been tossed off the CelebAir crew. Mica Paris was the first to go, followed by "Big Brother" alum Kenzie. Tamara Beckwith was the third to go--after she realized she was pregnant. Only eight more pseudo-celebs to go!

There are five flights left on the CelebAir schedule, and there are still a few tickets left. Maybe it's for the better if you watch at home, though--they could use the ratings.

Related Stories:
· CelebAir Catch Up [CoH]
· Tonight: "The World's Celebritiest Airline" [Jaunted]
· Reality TV Travel: CelebAir Crew Revealed [Jaunted]
· CelebAir coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-09-23T15:00:33-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/9/16/212142/881

Not everyone gets to go back to the hotel lobby: Less than a month after actor Josh Hartnett was caught having sex on camera at the Soho London, he publicly rebuffed a flirtatious offer while partying at Bungalow 8.

Like his past escapade, this incident was caught on camera, as "OC" starlet Mischa Barton flirted with the West End performer, who was out drinking with buddy Nathan Followill of the band Kings of Leon. Maybe Hartnett never saw "The OC" or maybe he's getting smarter -- but neither of those could be true, right?!

Hopefully the very public scene boosted the Bungalow out of its reported slump: Nightlife maven Amy Sacco was never quite able to replicate the success of her New York club in the London fog, but this "members only" outlet is allegedly abandoned most nights by its prestigious members like Sienna Miller and Ralph Fiennes.

Related Stories:
· Josh Hartnett Caught in the Act at the Soho London [HC]
· Scarlett Johansson and Josh Hartnett Play James Bond [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Socialite Life]]]> egw 2008-09-17T09:15:29-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/