New Zealand man's love runs deep in search for ring

Wed Aug 19, 11:26 pm ET
WELLINGTON (Reuters) – A New Zealand man has been dubbed the Lord of the Ring after he searched and found his wedding ring more than a year after it slipped off his finger and sank to the sea floor.

The ring was lost for 16 months in the harbor of the country's capital city, Wellington, before Aleki Taumoepeau found it shining on the sea floor, the DominionPost newspaper reported on Thursday.

"The whole top surface of the ring was glowing," Taumoepeau, an ecologist, said.

Taumoepeau had been married for just three months when he lost the wedding ring while conducting an environmental sweep of the harbor.

He roughly marked the spot where the ring had flown from his finger, but was unable to find it despite returning to the area many times.

Taumoepeau's wife offered to buy another ring, but he refused, pledging to find the ring.

But, equipped with new global satellite based coordinates and offering up a quick prayer, he found the ring after an hour's search.

"I couldn't believe that I could see the ring so perfectly," Taumoepeau said.

He said those with him on the boat at the time the ring flew off his finger had likened it to a similar, slow motion shot from The Lord of the Rings, much of which was filmed in Wellington by local director Peter Jackson.

(Reporting by Michael Dickison; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)

Celebrity Business Busts

Celebrity Business Busts
by Katie Adams
Tuesday, August 18, 2009

provided by


If you're one of the thousands of small business owners and entrepreneurs who have had to close shop since the recession began you're in good company. And, although they probably have better hair than you do, more than a few celebrities have experienced personal business failures, too. Only they tend to have more to lose - and they have to eat way more crow.


The Real World

Lauren Conrad hoped to parlay her MTV "The Hills" fame into high fashion success, launching the Lauren Conrad Collection in March 2008. The new venture barely got off the ground; it was shut down this spring. At least she can take comfort in knowing that her famed "frenemy", Heidi Montag, suffered the same fate. Her barely-there clothing line - Heidiwood - also tanked just seven months after its launch.


Investors Put the Squeeze on Somersized Venture

Suzanne Somers, best known as the blond, beautiful and often bubble-headed "Chrissy" on the 1970s TV show Three's Company, made a bundle with her uber-successful Thigh Master, but didn't find as much support for "Suzanne's Kitchen" -- a make-it-yourself meal preparation franchise that provided ingredients and recipes from Somers' cookbooks. The business was open for less than three months before changes in the business plan and a disagreement with investors led to a quick closing.


Bo Derek Scores a Perfect Zero on Business Venture

Bo Derek may have been a "10" on-screen but she scored a big zero with former business investor Fort Worth Magnolia Media Group over her decision to abruptly drop a pet-care product business launch in 1998.


Car Dealership Runs Out the Clock

Former New Orleans Saint all-time rusher and two-time Pro Bowl star Deuce McAllister fumbled in business and was unable to bring his on-field success to his Nissan car dealership. The First Tennessee Bank foreclosed on the property in July, after McAllister defaulted on a loan and exceeded his credit line by $7 million. The dealership filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and was subsequently sued by Nissan for breaking an agreement in which Nissan Finance would receive a certain amount of money for financing the dealership's cars.

A Chicken Only Kramer Could Love

Country musician Kenny Rogers has won numerous platinum records for crooning about losing love but it was chicken - roasted chicken - that caused him to lose a bundle in the late '90s. Even an entire Seinfeld episode devoted to Rogers' fast food chicken restaurant, Kenny Rogers Roasters, couldn't save the business from failing in 1998. It probably didn't help that Rogers failed to recognize his own chicken in a blind taste test between Kenny Rogers Roasters and NBC cafeteria chicken on The Late Show with Conan O'Brian in 1997.


Stick a Fork in It - It's Over

Britney Spears has dealt with a lot of criticism in her career but perhaps the most stinging was for her NYLA restaurant. The restaurant opened in New York's Dylan Hotel in 2002, and was supposed to mix Spears' down-home Southern roots with high-class New York fare. Unfortunately, NYLA floundered from the start, suffering management changes and health food violations. And the food? Picky New York reviewers were not impressed; they booed the food and the restaurant's concept. Spears walked away from NYLA in 2002.


"Posh" Jeans Fail to Appeal

Victoria Beckham is tentatively replacing Paula Abdul on "American Idol" but her line of jeans - dVb jeans - failed to impress consumers. The pricey vintage-style pants (think $300 for a pair of jeans) sat on shelves and were dropped by U.S. stores, which claimed that Beckham refused to make appearances to promote the line.


"Jenny from the Block" Backs Out

Jennifer Lopez ("JLo") is a mega recording star and big-ticket actress but she's faltered in a few other business ventures. Her California restaurant, Madres, shut its doors in July 2008 after a six-year run. Her street wear line of clothing - Sweetface - also halted production in 2009. This is the second clothing line that has sputtered for the pop star - her first line (JLO) closed in the U.S. more than two years ago.


Nicky Uh Oh...

You would think that someone with the last name Hilton - Nicky Hilton - would have the hotel business down to a science. You'd be wrong. Nick's "Nicky O" hotels, which boasted elevators entertainment news tickers in the elevators, a signature scent and rooms designed by friends - including $5,000-a-night penthouse by clothing designer Roberto Cavalli, went bankrupt in 2007; all Hilton was left with was angry investors. The courts got the properties, which were put up for auction.

It's a Bust for Da Bear's Quarterback

Former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon was part of the '80s Bears Super Bowl-winning team, but his themed restaurant, "McMahon's Steakhouse", failed to impress diners. At least he can take comfort in knowing that more than a few other Windy City celebs have "failed restaurateur" on their resumes, including Michael Jordan, Mike Ditka, Dennis Rodman, and the late Walter Payton.


Ramsay's Personal Kitchen Nightmare

Chef and TV star of "Hell's Kitchen" Gordon Ramsay is suffering through this recession like everyone else, although he's likely more vocal about it than most! His multistar restaurants across the U.S. and Europe aren't drawing the crowds they used to, forcing Ramsay to slash his staff and hand a few of his properties back to the hotels where they're housed. If that doesn't work, he's considering selling his palatial home in London to avoid having to file for bankruptcy.


No, YOU'RE Fired

While Donald Trump most recently gained fame by yelling "you're fired!" to his potential apprentices, Trump has had to walk away from a few jobs and business ventures himself. Most recently, he had to cancel publication of "Trump" magazine after two-year run and now he's fending off a lawsuit for allegedly letting his Marina Hotel Casino physically deteriorate after tentatively agreeing to sell it to investors as part of a restructuring agreement included in his Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing.


That's a Wrap!

Take a cue from these celebs and don't let one failure keep you down. Regroup and look for another opportunity to build a business of your own...you may just strike it big enough to become a celebrity in your own right!

How the Experts Care for Their Skin

By RealSimple.com

Top dermatologists and skin pros offer the tips, tricks, and products they love to get a healthy, glowing complexion.

Dermatologist Leslie Baumann, Miami Beach, Florida
Rely on retinoids: "Prescription retinoids or store-bought retinol creams are great anti-agers," she says. "Use a small amount [a pea-size dab every other night]. Then treat any dryness with a calming cream so you stick with it." She uses soothing (1) Atopalm MLE Intensive Moisturizing Cream.

Dermatologist Jeanine Downie, Montclair, New Jersey
Make sunscreen a done deal: "From January to December, rain or shine, and regardless of ethnicity, use sunblock every day," Downie says. Her pick: (2) Colorescience Suncanny foundation brush SPF 20, a portable protective powder that makes reapplication easy.

Dermatologist Doris Day, New York City
Use a two-pronged approach: "Make time to relax. Lowering stress helps your skin. Then get a good skin-care routine and practice it daily," says Day. She likes the Olay Professional Pro-X line, including the (3) Wrinkle Smoothing Cream, which uses peptides, and the Deep Wrinkle Treatment, which has retinol.

Makeup artist Carmindy, New York City
Treat eyes gently: "My grandmother taught me to use my ring finger to apply cosmetics around the eyes. It's a weak digit, so it won't pull or tug excessively," she says. Carmindy employs this technique with her favorite eye cream, (4) Garnier Nutritioniste Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Firming Eye Cream. Carmindy also says, "Every other day in the shower, I lather up with a liquid cleanser, then take a handful of white sugar and scrub in circular motions on my face and body. It makes my skin super-smooth."

Manicurist Jin Soon Choi, New York City
Keep skin supple: "Growing up in Korea, I learned to soak my hands and feet in warm water for 10 minutes and then use a dry cloth to scrub them. Afterward I apply (5)Tiger Balm and wear cotton gloves and socks to sleep. In the morning, I wake up with super-soft skin," says Choi.

Dermatologist Tina Alster, Washington, D.C.
"As a teenager, my grandmother taught me to make my skin-care routine work for me. I have more time in the morning, so I've learned to frontload my regimen and apply all my active ingredients after my shower and before makeup application. At night I use makeup remover and moisturizer. This system works for me and I don't spend too much time on my skin!" Product favorite: Lancôme Nutrix Soothing Treatment Cream.

Dermatologist Lisa Airan, New York City
"I love to use things that promote collagen and elastin production and that reverse sun damage. Right now I like the GentleWaves LED procedure, which is a device with a series of lights. You sit in front of it and it makes your skin look better, fresher, and a little more even-toned. It gives you that elusive glow that everyone talks about." Product favorite: SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex.

Manicurist Cheryl Scruggs, Beverly Hills
"I was always told to treat my feet like my face. That means cleansing at least once a day, using a brush for toenails, exfoliating once a week, and moisturizing every night before bed. I've done this my whole life and it keeps your feet looking pretty." Product favorite: CND Cucumber Heel Therapy, $ 20, cnd.com for stores.