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CHICAGO – Cubs starter Paul Maholm would like to stay in Chicago, and manager Dale Sveum is looking forward to Wednesday – or 3 p.m. Tuesday as he put it.
"It is what it is," Sveum said of possible trades as the [Tuesday] deadline nears. "If it happens, you're curious to see the guys you get in a trade. Sometimes, they're two to three years away or a year away. Maybe, they're ready."
While starters Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza have been the subject of trade rumors for weeks now, Paul Maholm's name has recently surfaced as he has been the hottest pitcher in baseball, according to Sveum.
"There's a reason I signed here. I've always enjoyed playing here throughout my career," Maholm said after the game in response to a question about him being part of the rebuilding. "There's an option [for next year]. I finished the year last year hurt. They gave me a chance to come in and prove that I was healthy, and I am."
"Hopefully, we can turn this into a long-term thing. We'll see how everything unfolds and go from there."
Maholm bolstered his value Sunday after pitching 62⁄3 innings, allowing only one run on four hits. In his past six games, the 30-year-old left-hander is 5-0 with a 1.02 ERA.
"People forget that the won-loss record wasn't all that great last year, but he had a 3.6 ERA, which, if you throw a 3.6 up there, you are in the top of the class with starting pitchers," the first-year manager said of Maholm. "He's a bona fide starter, and this year you take away two starts, and it's a pretty impressive resume this year as well."
With Sunday's start, he becomes the first Cubs left-handed pitcher in the modern era to allow one or fewer runs in six consecutive starts while pitching at least six innings in those starts. This comes after Maholm started this year on a rough stretch where his ERA has consistently been in the high-4s and low-5s.
His ERA dipped below 4.00 for the first time after Sunday's outing.
Today's starter: Justin Germano will start against the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight, Sveum said after Sunday's game.
The 29-year-old right-hander, who was acquired July 19 from the Boston Red Sox for cash considerations, would make his first start after being traded.
"He's not going to light up the radar gun or anything. He's got great arm speed on all of his off speed pitches, He changes speeds on a slow curveball anywhere from 69 to 75 mph." Sveum said. "He's just crafty more than anything."
His only outing with the Cubs came against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. He took the loss July 21 after allowing the first run during the 12-run seventh inning for the Cardinals.
Sveum will limit Germano to between 80 and 90 pitches.


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Leaving college sports conferences seems to be widespread these days ("AD optimistic about team, Big Ten move," Dec. 1). The University of Maryland president says his school will take in much more money in the Big Ten. The athletic director assures student athletes the department will continue to support them.
Is it too much to hope the university will reinstate funding of the seven varsity sports that were dropped due to lack of funds?
Frederick E. Knowles, Chestertown

subset: commoncrawl


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Species: Florida perforate reindeer lichen (Cladonia perforata)
Status: Endangered (EN)
Interesting Fact: The Florida perforate reindeer lichen is not known to reproduce sexually, instead spreading vegetatively when broken-off pieces of the lichen re-grow.
More information:
As its name suggests, the Florida perforate reindeer lichen is found only in Florida in the United States, where it occurs in three separate regions, each with a number of highly fragmented populations. Like other lichens, this species consists of two different organisms, a fungus and an alga, living in a close symbiotic relationship. The Florida perforate reindeer lichen grows in a complex branching pattern, with each branch measuring around four to six centimetres in length. The branches are smooth and yellowish- or greyish-green, and have conspicuous holes at the base. This species grows slowly, only branching once a year. The Florida perforate reindeer lichen grows on high sand dune ridges among Florida rosemary scrub, where it typically occurs in open patches of sand between the shrubs.
One of the main threats to the Florida perforate reindeer lichen is habitat loss due to development and land conversion. This species is also vulnerable to disturbances caused by fires and hurricanes, and can be trampled by people and by vehicles using sand dunes for recreation. In 1993, the Florida perforate reindeer lichen became the first lichen species to be placed on the U.S. Endangered Species List, meaning that all federal landowners with populations of this species are responsible for protecting and conserving it. In addition, Florida has an active conservation programme which monitors and conserves species such as this by acquiring and managing land. Several of this lichen's populations are protected, and the species has been reintroduced to some locations. Further measures are needed to ensure that the Florida perforate reindeer lichen and its habitat are protected from trampling and unsuitable fire regimes.
Find out more about conservation in Florida at The Nature Conservancy – Florida and the Conservation Trust for Florida.
See more images of the Florida perforate reindeer lichen on ARKive.
Liz Shaw, ARKive Text Author


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If Terry wins IC he should pass the HII to Sally . Say she pulls it out after they vote her , then the person with the next highest amount of votes gets booted . OR they know Sally is holding the HII ( lets say Terry wins IC again ) then they will be afraid to vote for Sally so may decide to cut one of there own lose .
well he might lend the HII to Sally just to watch the Casaya's squirm
But I don't think he would really give up his "safety." Don't ya think?
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Gun control reform tops Malloy's D.C. inaugural agenda
Looked to as a catalyst for gun control reforms by the nation after last month's school shootings in Sandy Hook, Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is treating an upcoming visit to Washington for President Barack Obama's inauguration as a business trip.
A Democrat in his first term, Malloy is expected to take part in high-level talks with lawmakers over tightening access to assault weapons like the semi-automatic Bushmaster AR-15 rifle used in the Dec. 14 shootings, as well as to high-capacity gun magazines.
Malloy spokeswoman Juliet Manalan confirmed that the governor will spend the weekend in the nation's capital, culminating with Obama's being sworn in to a second term Monday.
"It's a working trip for him," Manalan said Tuesday night.
Twenty children ages 7 and under and six female educators were killed when a heavily armed gunman forced his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown and sprayed the building with bullets before turning a gun on himself.
Two days after what he characterized as the "worst day" of his presidency, Obama joined Malloy in Newtown for an interfaith prayer service and met privately with the victims' families.
Details of Malloy's itinerary were still being firmed up by his office, which could not say whether the governor will get a private audience with Obama, who has tasked Vice President Joe Biden with helping to develop new gun controls.
"Governor Malloy will have a busy weekend in Washington," Manalan said. "... in addition to attending President Obama's inauguration, he will also discuss Connecticut's response to the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School and speak at the U.S. Conference of Mayors on education initiatives."
Malloy served as mayor of Stamford from 1995 to 2009, including during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center that killed nine residents of his city.
Malloy also is expected to spend his time in Washington lobbying Cabinet members for transportation money for Connecticut.
It was not immediately clear from Malloy's office whether the governor will be attending the official inaugural ball Monday night, which is expected to draw 35,000 people to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
State Democratic Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo, who is also scheduled to attend the inauguration, predicted the festivities could be more subdued than usual.
"I think that certainly Newtown has been affecting a lot of people," DiNardo said. "I definitely think that it has had an impact on everything. I would imagine some people aren't coming because of it."
The state party chartered a bus from Hartford to Washington and back on Monday for ticket holders to attend the swearing-in ceremony, which takes place on the west front of the U.S. Capitol.
Each member of the state's congressional delegation -- five in the House and two in the Senate -- was allotted a set number of tickets that were already distributed to their constituents.
Greenwich cable television entrepreneur Ned Lamont, who Malloy topped in the 2010 Democratic gubernatorial primary, went to the 2008 inauguration, but is staying home this time.
"Four years ago, the campaign was more organic and felt a little more inspiring," Lamont said. "When it's an incumbent, it's a little more corporate. I think I'll probably enjoy it remotely."
email@example.com; 203-625-4436; http://twitter.com/gettinviggy


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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Seniors Portia Jones (Queens, N.Y.) and Jamie Simmons (Carlsbad, Calif.) accounted for 45.5 points between the two of them as the No. 3 ranked MIT women's track and field team finished first out of five teams at a meet hosted by Colby College on Saturday. The Cardinal and Gray finished with 198.5 team points to beat out runner-up, Bates College, by 46.5. Colby took third, followed by the University of Southern Maine and Husson University.
Jones was a winner in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 100-meter hurdles while also running on the Engineers' 4x100 relay squad that finished in second. Jones' time of 25.25 seconds in the 200 is currently the ninth-fastest in the country while her 14.46 second time in the 100HH is good for fifth in Division III.
Simmons, who was third behind Jones in the 100 and also ran on the 4x100 relay, won the 400-meter hurdles with a blistering time of 1:02.39, the second-best in Division III on the season.
Sophomore Jacqueline Brew (Amherst, N.H.) joined Jones, Simmons and freshman Veronica Szklarewski (Chicago, Ill.), on the 4x100 relay while also taking third in the 100HH and second in the long jump.
Freshman Joanna Chen (Richland, Mich.) led a sweep of the top three for MIT in the pole vault. Chen was the only vaulter to clear the bar at 10-11.75 feet while sophomore Katherine Wymbs (Beach Haven, N.J.) and freshman Marissa Engle (Sunnyvale, Calif.) split second place with a vault of 10-6.00 feet.
Senior Brooke Johnson (Shoreham, N.Y.) and freshman Preethi Vaidyanathan (South Windsor, Conn.) earned wins for Tech in the 5000m and the high jump, respectively.
Other solid performances belonged to senior Martha Gross (Short Hills, N.J.), who was a third-place finisher in the 400m and freshman Cindy Huang (San Jose, Calif.), the runner-up in the 800 meters. Freshmen Elaine McVay (San Ramon, Calif.) and Dacie Manion (Old Town, Maine) came through in second and third in the 1500m to earn key points for the Engineers.
MIT will host its annual Spring Invitational next Saturday, April 21 at the Steinbrenner track while also sending a small contingent of runners to Princeton University for the Larry Ellis Invite.


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Pure Pilates Mat Classes with Sam
Tue, September 18, 2018
8:50 am - 9:50 am
Group Mat Classes are recommended for those with no serious injury and who like to be in a regular weekly class setting. Class sizes are small to ensure individual attention, proper alignment, and technique. Toning, flexibility, better posture and increased body awareness are some of the many benefits of mat classes. In these classes traditional exercises get a boost with contemporary small equipment including balls, rings, bands, and foam rollers for a fun full-body workout. Classes run in 5 or 6-week blocks and are pre-paid/pre-booked. All mats and equipment will be provided.
8:50am-9:50am & 10am-11am
(Beginner/Improver Level)
(Intermediate Level)


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Rayna A. Anderson, Career Adviser at Elon University
Twitter: @Rayna_Anderson
LinkedIn: www.LinkedIn.com/in/RaynaA
Blog: RaynaAnderson.wordpress.com
I write this post as the newest member of this fantastic blog team – an exciting opportunity but a bit of an overwhelming one as well. The semester is winding down and the holiday season is upon us but I am committed to balancing work, professional blogging, and a personal life.
My current state of existence is nothing that the average higher education professional is unfamiliar with. The truth is that we love what we do, but we do a lot and everyone knows that too much of anything can be harmful. Somehow, being in a helping profession has come to mean neglecting the self and endlessly serving others. But our work ethic should not be measured by the number of meals we are forced to skip or who functions the best on three hours of sleep. Burnout is real, so I dare you – dedicated, superhuman, career advising professional – to set aside one day a week to help yourself. And since it's much easier to prepare for the storm before it hits than it is to respond in the midst of it, I suggest making Sunday your self-care day.
Here are a few things that'll help you stay afloat:
Get in touch: Whether it's at a church, mosque, synagogue, or a sacred space in your own home, take some time to tap in to your inner self. No work week will be perfect, so let this quiet time serve as a point of reference that will re-center you when you feel like you're losing control.
Get ahead: Fill up the gas tank, do the laundry, pick out your outfits for the next couple of days, pack your work bag, and prepare tomorrow's breakfast or lunch. If you're like me, rushing or running late in the morning will make you feel as if the day is getting progressively worse. Knocking out some of these menial tasks will minimize the distractions that disrupt your flow. Also, by doing some of these things ahead of time you'll feel a little less guilty should you want to get a few more minutes of sleep!
Get organized: It'll be much easier to navigate through your week if your space is de-cluttered. Don't let old receipts, meeting agendas, and to-do lists pile up. Everything has a place: either in a folder or in the trashcan. Taking just a few moments to tidy up your surroundings will help alleviate some anxiety.
Get lost: Stay balanced by plunging into your favorite hobby and losing track of time. There's more to you than what you do for a living, no matter how awesome your job is. Doing things unrelated to work will help you maintain a healthy work/life balance.
Get moving: Take a walk, go to the gym for a few minutes, or do those sit-ups right there in your living room. Obviously you'll feel healthier, but the extra activity will also help you sleep well. Exercise helps control the random flip flop between bursts of energy and fatigue. And speaking of sleep…
Get some rest: I say "rest" because that doesn't always mean sleeping. Sometimes sitting around and doing nothing can be just as energizing as taking a nap. Prepare for bed by beginning to relax at least one hour earlier than you plan to fall asleep. This means silencing your phone, dimming the lights, lowering the television volume, and not checking emails.
"A Sunday well spent brings a week of content." You're no good to the people you help if you don't take time to help yourself. Your students and colleagues will appreciate the happier, reenergized you!


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Sony Xperia Z1: The Camera
One of the features I could not wait to try on the Sony Xperia Z1 was the fact that it was waterproof. With almost all other smartphones (including my current iPhone) you need to avoid water at all costs. If you are going near water then you either need to leave the phone in the car, keep in a waterproof bag or get a waterproof case such as a lifeproof case. None of the options are ideal and it can ruin the experience of using the smartphone if you have to put it in a bulky case.
The Sony Xperia Z1 promises to be different: it has a waterproof body and you can take pictures while swimming in freshwater for up to 30 minutes. You can even dive with it for up to 1.5 meters. It does this with covers overs all the openings, apart from the head phone jack. While the covers can be a bit of a pain, they don't seem to add any extra bulk to the phone.
Despite the weather not really being hot enough to swim, I took the phone to a pool (which was only one meter deep so no potential issues) and jumped in.
Despite my hesitation the phone worked as expected and it was straight forward to use. Once I got out of the water, I simply dried off the screen and it was as if nothing had changed.
The little video was taken as I jumped under the water and then came out of it.
So is it practical - would I use this feature on a day-to-day basis? Possibly not, but it is good to know that it is available and that you don't need to worry that having the phone near water is going to risk damaging it.
The ability to take photos underwater is really just a small part of the features of the camera. The 20.7 MP camera with a larger sensor than most current smartphones, combined with the physical shutter button, means that this phone is pitched as those looking for a good digital camera replacement and I suspect Sony wanted to differentiate it from the other smartphones.
There are so many features and options you can select on phone, too many to go through all of them. There are some other blogs that go through it all in detail.
The reality is that in most situations we want to be able to pull the phone out and quickly take a photo and let the phone choose the best settings. The auto settings (or what Sony calls 'Superior Auto') the phone does a great job of picking the correct setting based on what the 'intelligent screen recognition technology' selects.
If you do want to try something else, there are plenty of options to play with:
One for the kids is AR effect option which lets you select some fun picture options that can add dinosaurs, masks, plants, etc.
There is a flood in our lounge.
My name is Mat (mule on Geekzone) and I am an Accountant in an accounting firm in Napier. I have been on Geekzone for over ten years. I have used a number of different phones, but it is fair to say that at the moment our family is fairly entrenched on the Apple side because it works so well together. In our house we have two iPhones, iPad 2, Macbook Pro, iPod shuffle and two Apple TVs.
The Sony Xperia Z1: initial impressions
I was pretty excited to be given the opportunity to review the Sony Xperia Z1 by Telecom. I have read a few reviews of the phone and it sounded great, so I was looking forward to trying in the flesh. This won't be a technical review, there are plenty of those around, I am more interested in how the phone works for me on a day to day basis.
Before I start, it is important to put my current technology use into the picture. My current phone is an iPhone 5, before than was two other iPhones. Prior to the iPhones I have had a number of phones including Windows Mobile, Blackberry and Symbian. The last Sony phone I owned was a Sony Ericsson T681, which I think was around 2002. Considering my recent history, it is natural that I will be comparing the Z1 to the iPhone 5.
Before the phone arrived, there was two things that stood out from the reviews, firstly its sharp looks and secondly the camera (and even more so that it was waterproof). When I opened the courier package the first thing that surprised me was the size of the box, it was pretty small and compact considering the size of the phone.
My first impression of the Z1 was that it is a pretty amazing looking phone and despite its size it sits very comfortably in the hand. The curved metal edge around the phone seems to help this. Overall the phone is beautifully crafted, but its size and weight difference to the iphone 5 is noticeable, especially when you put it in your pants pocket.
Starting up the phone I found it fast and responsive, It seemed as smooth in this sense as the iphone. Sony has put their own flavor on top of Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, but they don't seem to try and recreate everything, the biggest impacts are the Walkman audio and video playback and an app for using Sony's media library.
Setting up the phone with the information from my iPhone was easy. The Sony sync software transferred everything over from a backup of the iPhone.
A few other things I noticed early on:
- No physical home button, something I am used to on the iPhone to start it up , check notifications
- The power button on the side took a bit of getting used to, probably again because I was used to the way the iPhone worked. But after a while it was easier to remember and you could pick up the phone and turn in on with one hand.
- Side charge port with cover, now I know this is so it can be waterproof, but it is a pain having to flick the cover open and closed. I wonder how long before the cover breaks? Luckily there is an open side port to plug directly into a charging dock that would ease this frustration.
- Flashing LED for notifications. Not exclusive to this phone by any means, but a nice addition as compared to the iPhone
So there you have it, I have the phone up and running, everything seems smooth and apart from learning about the ins and out of Android the phone seems like a good replacement for the iPhone 5. The question is will how will the other features stack up.
The other areas that I intend looking at are:
- The Camera, especially the underwater feature!
- How the kids rate the Z1
- How the Z1 performs for work
- Integration with our other IT devices at home
Let me know if you have any questions or want to know anything else.
My name is Mat (mule on Geekzone) and I am an Accountant in an accounting firm in Napier. I have been on Geekzone for over ten years. I have used a number of different phones, but it is fair to say that at the moment our family is fairly entrenched on the Apple side because it works so well together. In our house we have two iPhones, iPad 2, Macbook Pro, iPod shuffle and two Apple TVs.
Samsung Galaxy Note 3: A phone or a tablet?
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is slated as a phablet – a device that sits between a mobile phone and a tablet – something of a size that it functionally can be both. How well does it succeed?
Well it doesn't do a bad job!
It is highly useable as a phone, and does not look stupid – obvious, but not stupid. You won't need to feel embarrassed to be holding the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 to your face and using it for calling. And it has the now familiar Android phone interface so if moving from another Android device you're not going to feel lost.
At 168gm it isn't the lightest phone out there, but the weight is not a turn off, and the size (just) isn't. The 151mm x 79mm x 8mm of smartphone fits in the average pants or shirt pocket (just) but care needs to be taken. As with any smartphone, you need to make sure it is well protected so that it isn't going to get damaged in your pocket or bag.
One handed operation in normal mode for the simplest tasks is just possible for you if you have a larger hand, but you are certainly not going to be able to get stuck into all of the Galaxy Note 3's functionality with just one hand like you can with the smaller smartphones. BUT WAIT… Samsung have thought of this and the Note 3 sports a fantastic mode called One-handed Operation. Enable this and with a small reverse swipe gesture the entire screen contents is shrunk to put everything in reach! In One-handed Operation you can still swipe through all the screens, run all your apps – everything I tested certainly worked – and do all your social networking. The Menu, Home and Return buttons are available along the bottom of the One-handed Operation screen along with volume controls. Even Multi-Windows is available. The Note 3 need not end your ability to multitask with 2 hands! And flicking back to full screen mode is easy – just touch the full screen icon or use the S Pen stylus.
For me two handed operation is the norm as well as being much easier and far more comfortable. With the size of the Note 3 the S Pen stylus is certainly not required for most operations, and especially not the basic ops.
So, as far as being a phone, it is a great modern mobile that is super responsive and very handy. It is comparatively very light, but it is BIG.
As a tablet, the Note 3 is just so darn handy! This is where the Note 3 really comes into its own. It handles most things people do on their tablets with ease. Browsing the web, reading forums, social networking, research, doing email, watching videos, reading books, browsing photos, playing games – no sweat. If you feel like you are missing out on something when browsing the mobile version of a website, switch to the desktop version with no issue! The definition of the screen means you still get a great quality experience whether you need to zoom in and out and you move around the page, or not.
All this for only a fraction of the weight of most tablets and with ample more portability! And, unlike a tablet – it is with you wherever you go so if you have an unexpected requirement to do/use something on your tablet, or some downtime, then you have it there to jump on.
The light weight of it means it is easy to sit down and hold the Note 3 in one hand, whilst blasting out email replies, watching videos or playing games for hours – without getting a sore hand/wrist. No more shaky, tired hand whilst trying to read emails.
Whilst on the web with the Note 3 I find I don't need to zoom in/out anywhere as much as I do on other phones – both because of the screens 5.7 inch size, and its stunning Full HD resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels! Combining these two factors makes Samsung's Super AMOLED screen something truly incredible to use!
My only gripe using the Note 3 was going to be using a couple of desktop websites (where no mobile alternative was available) for doing some web based ordering. It was a pain because of having to constantly zoom right in to make sure the right information was being entered into the correct fields and zoom back out to move around. But, in the Notes defence – I'd normally do this on a desktop and was caught short without a desktop or tablet in sight, so even though it took 4 times longer to complete, it saved a significant trip across town, and I was able to get the job done with the Note 3. Bravo.
So all in all, the Galaxy Note 3 is a fantastic big phone and an awesome small tablet – but combined together the portability and convenience of only having the one device, and having it everywhere you go makes it a winner in my books!!
My name is Craig and I am an IT Manager and System Engineer for a nationwide refrigeration systems company. I'm based in the Wellington region and have worked in IT in both public and private sectors for the last 20 years. I was a lurker on Geekzone for five years before I finally signed up as "keewee01" 4 years ago. I've used phones across all networks and almost all brands and OS over the years. I am a current user of iOS and Android devices.
Sony Xperia Z1: first impressions
I've been following the TelecomTech posts ever since the HTC Sensation series, and as time goes by the top end smartphones get better and better. Now the Sony Xperia Z1 is the latest and greatest, and I'm one of the lucky Geekzone members selected to put it to the test.
Opening the box of the Sony Z1 and a sleek black sheet of glass stares back at you. Picking it up and the phone feels solid, with a glass back and only the power button and headphone jack noticeable around the black and brushed aluminium sides.
It is slightly heavier than expected when first picking it up (at 170g), but you soon don't notice it, feeling almost reassuringly hefty. It fits in the hand comfortably, and in my opinion is the most stylish looking phone out there. Plasticky is not a word this phone will ever be accused of.
Switching on the phone and the 5.0 inch screen makes an immediate impression. At 1920x1080 pixels it boasts a full HD display which is bright and clear from almost any viewing angle. Coming from a small screen phone to a big screen phone is a joy, mobile browsing has moved from Opera mini (with images disabled!) to a full rich browser experience on Chrome or Firefox.
As a first time Android user setting up was simple enough, with the Sony setup guide taking care of the wi-fi password, Sony Entertainment Network account, Google account and social network accounts. The calendar synchronised with my Outlook.com account, and it also comes with Exchange ActiveSync for easy business connectivity.
Apps and Music services can be accessed from Google Play or the Sony Select screen. The Sony Select screen suggested the Asphalt 8 game, which looks stunning on the Z1 and has vastly improved the quality of my daily commute, in the screenshot below I had just crashed into a bus whilst riding on the bus…
The black bar with three dots on the side of the screen is where the Android navigation buttons are – like the Nexus phones, Sony have dispensed with physical buttons on the front of the device, which I didn't even notice at first. For some apps like YouTube they disappear altogether until you tap the screen, for others like Asphalt 8 they stay available.
The 20.7 megapixel camera takes impressive pictures and I'll be exploring the camera functionality more in a future blog post. In the meantime I've had good fun with the kids using the Augmented Reality feature, this one was taking Auckland Airport back to the late Cretaceous:
Performing the obligatory benchmark, my AnTuTu score is 33275 which puts it 4th in the overall rankings. This was after installing some apps and using the phone for a while – some other reviews have achieved a score of 35000. This is a 'real world' review experience, but still it is nice to know it thinks the phone is 'Amazing'.
The Sony Xperia Z1 has a waterproof rating of IP58, meaning it can be submerged up to 1.5 metres underwater. I can't dive down that far without popping my ears, but we're going swimming at the weekend so with not a little trepidation I'll be taking some underwater photos to see if it really is as waterproof as it says it is..
About the Author:
Jon Bielby (JonB) is a keen follower science and technology, living in a house with Windows, iOS and Android gadgets. I'm working as a software tester in the healthcare IT field in Auckland, and have been an owner of Sony Ericsson phones since the K750i, with a W705 as my smartphone before upgrading to the Sony Xperia Z1. You can be one my first twitter followers at @j1blb
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Gear Combo: my initial impressions
Samsung continue to excel with the presentation and delivery of their products. The faux wood grain presentation boxes that both the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Samsung Galaxy Gear come packaged in are very stylish and impressive – fooling several nearby onlookers.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 has some impressive specifications: 1080 x 1920 pixel 5.7 inch screen, 3Gb RAM and 32Gb storage, 13MP camera, Quad Core processor and more connectivity than you can shake a stick at! So am I looking forward to putting it through its paces.
Opening the box for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 my first impression was "WOW!". Having just played with a range of other Samsung phones, including the Samsung Galaxy S4, I was keen to see just what the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 was about. I was pleasantly surprised on how light the Note 3 was when I removed it from the box! I expected it to significantly gain weight when the battery was installed, but – no. This phone is so light for the size – weighting nothing like what you would expect – only 168gm.
The Galaxy Note 3 come with a USB 3.0 Micro-B port for faster transfers and charging, and luckily this port is back-ward compatible with standard Micro USB so you won't get stuck without a charging option.
Setting up the phone from scratch was a breeze – as is to be expected with any Android phone. I ran through the standard setup (not using Smart Switch) and was up and running in no time, with all my apps, contacts, etc installing automatically to the phone. And after the annoyance on my last few phones of having to flick between alpha and numeric soft keyboards, finally – alpha and numeric all on one. This saves so much time and hassle when entering usernames and passwords with not having to manually flick between alpha and numeric keyboards all the time.
I was immediately impressed by the screen – 5.7 inches of Super AMOLED touchscreen. The 1080 x 1920 pixel screen is to die for – the quality and clarity it delivers are just amazing! The sensitivity of screen is so high that it can pick up gestures more than 1cm away from it! And so much real estate to play with. Everything is just so much easier – from email and Facebook to games and YouTube.
Next was getting the Gear watch up and going, and synchronised. The Gear was not the over-sized monstrosity I was expecting. The Gear is bigger that most normal watches, but then it packs a lot more into it also – how many watches can record video? It took several attempts for the watch and phone to link, but on the 3rd attempt it worked. The link between the Gear and the Note 3 is create via NFC, and there after maintained via Bluetooth. Whilst wearing the Gear, wander away from your Note 3 at your own peril - you will be badgered with constant reminders that your watch has become detached from your phone! But then again, your watch will remind you of that appointment you have coming up – without having to remove your phone from your pocket.
Battery life on the Note 3 is fantastic, going three days or more between charges – and that is with all communication mediums switched on constantly. The Gear on the other hand averages about 3 days also. Most of the time I am getting 4 days (or just over) from the Gear, but if I use it for anything other than the basics – say taking some short movies – then I find I have to charge it every second day. For a watch device I would have expected a longer period between charging, but then I've not really got my teeth into the watch yet.
My name is Craig and I am an IT Manager and System Engineer for a nationwide refrigeration systems company. I'm based in the Wellington region and have worked in IT in both public and private sectors for the last 20 years. I was a lurker on Geekzone for five years before I finally signed up as "keewee01" 4 years ago. I've used phones across all networks and almost all brands and OS over the years. I am a current user of iOS and Android devices.


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Kids love to draw. It's just one of the things they do. Take a child's boundless creativity and complete lack of self-consciousness and then slap a crayon in her hand, and BOOM--instant magic. Sure, it's not polished or particularly representative of the real world, but at the same time it's completely free of preconceived notions about art and real life in a way that's often refreshing and sometimes surprisingly insightful. You want a giraffe the size of a chihuahua? There he is. You want to show yourself enclosed in a heart that fills you top to bottom with motherly love? That shit's going on the fridge door stat. You want the grass blue? You want the sea green? Bang: it's green.
When the subject is joy and fun and frolic, kids' drawings can be little slices of magic. However, when the subject is fear and hatred and monsters, things can be just that much darker. Don't believe me? Go check out some of the images at The Monster Engine, where artist Dave Devries has taken kids drawings and turned them into surprisingly chilling portraits of a nightmare world adults have little notion of. Here's one to get you started. Here's another. Scared yet?
What makes these things so scary, I think, is that kids have no filter, no self-editing apparatus--whatever's in their deepest, darkest little thoughts, it comes out there on the page. And it's this horror that director Bernard Rose and writer Matthew Jacobs explore in the excellent 1988 kiddie horror flick, Paperhouse.
Anna Madden (Charlotte Burke) is a troubled kid. Bullied by her classmates at the British public school* she attends, Anna acts out by saucily defying her teacher and skipping class with her sexually precocious best friend to put on makeup and talk about snogging. Her mother Kate (Glenne Headly) is a good mom but at the end of her rope, having to hold the household together and make a living as a photographer while Anna's Dad (New School Barnabas Collins Ben Cross) travels around the country looking for work.
*Which would be called a "private school" by all us Yanks. See also "separated by a common language" etc.
With an absent father and a distracted, exhausted mom, Anna channels all her hopes and worries into art, filling a little green composition book with fanciful drawings of a house on a desolate landscape, with a wrought iron gate and huge standing stones in the yard. Things take a turn for the weird when, overcome with a fever at school, Anna faints and awakens to find herself in the dream world of her drawing--the simply drawn house now full-size on the horizon, the stones around it like huge, poorly drawn sentries. She ventures up to the house and knocks on the door, but of course no one answers, and she wakes up in bed with Dr. Sarah (Harry Potter's Gemma Jones, rockin' the Dame Judy-Do) telling her she needs to take a few days to recuperate from her mysterious illness.
Being a bright kid and not yet old enough to fall immediately into "But this *can't* be the house I drew!" mode, Anna quickly tumbles to what's going on and decides to draw herself a playmate. She pencils a little boy's face in the window of the house, but a slip of the pencil gives him a frown rather than a smile. She tries to erase it, but finds she can't--the first hint that something other than her fertile imagination is at work here.
Marc (Elliott Spiers), and he's not too interested in making friends. When Anna demands he come down and let her in, he says he can't because there aren't any stairs--of course because Anna hasn't drawn any. More than that, though, he tells her she must leave. "Go away! Don't you understand? It's dangerous around here! Dangerous!" After that warning, Anna awakens with the fever sweats and gets to work drawing the inside of the house.
Enough cannot be said about the excellent production design in this movie--the paper house is a thing of beauty, absolutely faithful to Anna's drawing and realized in a way that makes it both childish and strangely ominous. Production designer Gemma Jackson and art directors Anne Tilby and Frank Walsh are to be lauded.
Back in the dream world during her next nap, Anna goes inside and upstairs, where her drawings are realized as strange, oddly shaped radios, huge bottles of cola, a hamburger stacked eight levels high, and tennis rackets hanging in mid-air. Marc warms to her a little, but can't walk--Anna presumes because she didn't draw his legs originally. She tries to explain that she's his creator, but of course he's not buying it.
who apparently also had something of a drinking problem. Anna's resentment about his being away bubbles to the surface, as well as her desire for his return. While she's awake she draws some legs for Marc and a fruit tree in the yard, relishing in her status as creator.
However, since all her drawings come straight from her subconscious, her troubled state of mind starts to tell on her dreamworld. For instance, she enters the house to find the legs she drew for mark standing on the stairs, alone, in an odd and strangely chilling scene. The radio she drew for Marc is also making strange noises, garbled staticky sounds that often seem to be the voice of an angry, scolding man. But Marc is getting nicer and happier with her, even if he doesn't believe she's his creator, and wishes the radio worked. With the faith of a child, Anna says "My Dad could fix it! I'll draw him next time I'm awake!" And then the real show begins.
Of course Anna draws her father with a hammer--for fixing things--but when she draws his face she messes up again, making him look "like a madman." Of course things once drawn cannot be undrawn on her paper, so she scratches out her father's face with much more anger than required. In a fit of childish hurt, she crumples the whole drawing and throws it in the bin. That night she has no dreams.
However, the next day she learns from Dr. Sarah that Marc might just be real--a patient of hers who has muscular distophy and who suddenly got worse the previous night--and Anna goes digging in the trash to retrieve it. Of course when she gets to her dream world again, everything is broken, darker, changed, and her father is there, but not the way she'd hoped...
It's this part of the movie that really rockets it from childish fantasy to full-out horror, as Paper Dad is a terrifying, shadowy boogeyman with all of the bad qualities of Anna's real father, and a nasty hammer for a weapon to boot. The broken, darkened landscape is the stuff of nightmares, and a few of the scenes as Anna and Marc struggle to escape gave me genuine chills. To say more just wouldn't be fair--this is a movie you should all see for yourselves.
Bernard Rose does a great job with the direction of this flick, not only in the excellent Paper World scenes, but also in the movie's "real world." Rose constructs many of the scenes to look like extreme perspective drawings, particularly when Anna and her friend are playing hide and seek at an abandoned train station. He also effectively conjures Anna's fever-weirded state of mind with hand-held shots following the sick girl around her house, giving everything a slightly unreal atmosphere that puts the audience right there in her point of view and actually makes you worried for her. And the nightmare sequence in the world of Anna's drawing is real jaw-dropper, full of nightmarish visuals and eerie suspense. Rose obviously put these talents to use again when he directed the equally nightmarish but more adult-oriented 1992 fear flick Candyman.
The acting is good too, especially from Glenne Headly as Anna's overwrought but still well-meaning mother, trying to deal with her daughter's school problems and sickness, while at the same communicating her own emotional fragility and loneliness thanks her irresponsible, absent hubby. And Ben Cross is really scary in the dream world, so much so that when he shows up for real in the movie's perhaps-overlong denouement, you still can't fully trust him.
Charlotte Burke as Anna does a good job too, so fresh faced and innocent that you can't help being concerned about her. She overdoes it a bit in the high-drama action sequences, but this is mostly a function of her age, I think. Elliot Spiers as Marc does much better--a really excellent performance of the lonely, scared, and ultimately very ill playmate in Anna's created world.
Watching Paperhouse I was reminded more than once of Tim Burton's more child-centered works, as well as the darker parts of The Neverending Story--not so much in the creatures and landscapes, but the tone of it, the dark fairy tale vibe that those flicks pull off so well. Though it could have ended a good 15 minutes before it did, I still left Paperhouse feeling like I had watched a wonderful, scary, and even meaningful movie about the horrors of childhood and how we all grow through them.
Paperhouse has been released on DVD in the UK, but hasn't made it stateside yet. However, you can watch the movie on YouTube (or could a couple of weeks ago, when this post on the super-duper site Kindertrauma reminded me of the flick and made me seek it out), and if you're into the Old Formats, VHS tapes can be found on auction sites as well. It loses a little steam once the fairy world gives way to the real in the final act, but still worth a look to any fan of darker kiddie-fare. 2.75 thumbs. Check it out.
And thanks to Kindertrauma for bringing it to the top of my watch list! You guys rule!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Paperhouse (1988): or, Draw a Little Dream for Me
Posted by The Vicar of VHS at 9:57 AM
Labels: '80s, 2-3 thumbs, Fairy Tale
23 comments:
- The Costuminatrix said...
I've been looking for this film for a looooong time - should've remembered it when I was actually IN the UK and able to buy it. Your review makes me want to see it even more!! I've never even been able to find it on VHS....
- May 8, 2009 at 10:53 AM
- prof. grewbeard said...
thanx for reminding me about this, i haven't seen it for a long time.
- May 8, 2009 at 12:51 PM
- Tower Farm said...
I was obsessed with Ben Cross/Barnabas Collins in the mid-90s and wanted to see this movie so badly. I'd totally forgotten about it until now. I guess I need to search it out.
- May 8, 2009 at 1:10 PM
- T. R Xands said...
Ahhh I saw this one day on FearNet but I couldn't get past the scene where she sees her house drawing for the first time :/ now I want to finish it, if only I knew it's genius.
- May 9, 2009 at 1:36 AM
- Jay Clarke said...
Excellent well thought out review guys. This is one of my faves from the old VHS days and I used to recommend it often at the video store I worked at! And STILL NO REGION 1 DVD release!!! So many curiosities just waiting to be mined. Psychos In Love and Pieces have recently gotten the special DVD treatment, so why not titles like Paperhouse, Deadly Eyes and The Video Dead!
- May 26, 2009 at 12:02 PM
I absolutely loved this film ever since it came out in 1988, and it remains one of my favourite films. Sadly, (I only found out last night) Elliott Spiers, the boy who played Marc in the film, committed suicide six years later in 1994, aged just 21. His melancholy in the film is astounding for a 15 year old, and it is made all the more haunting that he was so obviously lonely and troubled troubled in real life.
- June 24, 2009 at 12:39 PM
- Sydney said...
great great great movie. sad that it is soooo hard to find especially here in manila. I did a little research too about the movie and the cast, wondering where they are now. Sad to hear that elliott spiers (marc)died a few years after the movie. They say it's suicide but the paperhouse FB page states that "...he took a bad reaction to an inoculation for Malaria. I think he fell out of a high window while hallucinating. " http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=51738489978&topic=10961
- August 19, 2009 at 11:22 PM
- garydonnelley said...
Charlotte Burke and Elliot Spiers both give excellent performances, but Glenne Headly is terrible! I don't know why she is because i have seen her in 'Mr Hollands Opus'and she's very good. Anyway in Paperhouse she was terrible.
- December 27, 2009 at 6:51 PM
- john said...
a great review of a great film. thank you.
- May 29, 2010 at 11:37 PM
- john said...
i think the dean stockwell version of the secret garden would be a good companion piece to this. sweetie, the reflective skin and david lynch's eraserhead, blue velvet, lost highway and mulholland drive are also highly recommended.
- May 29, 2010 at 11:40 PM
According to his mother on the IMDb boards, Elliott had a bad reaction to an anti malaria medication which caused psychosis and committed suicide by jumping out of his hospital window. His grave can be seen on Find A Grave .com Otherwise his mom described him as perfectly normal and loving and artistic before he became ill, so at least it was not a case of a natural depression, it was caused by a medication.
- June 11, 2010 at 1:01 PM
thanks for the information.
the entire film is now on youtube in 9 or 10 chapters.
- June 11, 2010 at 1:16 PM
heavenly creatures and sweetie as well as the original cat people + the curse of the cat people are highly recommended.
- June 11, 2010 at 1:26 PM
This movie is a surreal and passionate nightmare, a nightmare of tragic love and strength forced into a youthful and creative heart. Elliott Spiers death in 1994 is truly a loss to our world, and I am sure he is still perfecting his talents where ever he is. A true kindred spirit! What a brilliant film to have in is portfolio; A perfect match of beauty.
- July 20, 2010 at 4:11 PM
Like someone already said, a great review of a great film!!
grettings from Argentina
- July 31, 2010 at 4:24 AM
Elliott Spiers was perfectly normal and happy during the making of Paperhouse. In 1991, he became ill when he suffered an adverse reaction to an anti-malaria medication. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of his doctors, nurses, family and of Elliott himself, he spent the next two years fighting to regain his former health to no avail. He eventually developed schizophrenia and was admitted to the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, north London. On Saturday 15 January 1994, either because of a premeditated act on his part or as a result of the symptoms of his mental illness, Elliott jumped from one of the top floors of the hospital and was killed. He was 20 years old at the time of his death.
His mother, renowned voice and dialect coach Catherine Charlton, confirmed his death on imdb. A memorial to Elliott, along with a photograph of him taken shortly before the onset of his illness can be seen here: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=26378080
- September 26, 2010 at 8:11 AM
thanks for the information.
- September 26, 2010 at 3:29 PM
- The Vicar of VHS said...
Thanks everyone for the continued comments! And for all the information on poor Eliot Spiers. What a tragedy--he was clearly a talented child actor, and never got the chance to realize that or any of his other promising talents. RIP.
- September 27, 2010 at 11:19 AM
Could Shelley who posted about Elliott please contact Catherine Charlton. thank you
- December 27, 2010 at 5:46 AM
- The Vicar of VHS said...
Hi, C.C.--Catherine Charlton, I presume? I wish I had some information to give you, but I don't know who the commenter was who posted all that information. If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know. firstname.lastname@example.com
- January 7, 2011 at 11:42 AM
I love this film!! And it's so sad about poor Elliott. Is Shelly's post accurate? Is it really true that he took his own life? How dreadful for that to happen to someone so young.
May he rest in peace.
- January 15, 2011 at 10:21 PM
- Taxandria said...
As far as I know, what Shelly wrote is correct. There was one post from a man on the imdb boards who said he worked at the hospital when Elliott died and he said that it was not a premeditated act but based on a "fixed delusion" at the time. The only persons who really know are his family and his doctors (maybe). It is a tragedy either way and I can't help but feel a little heartbroken whenever I watch paperhouse or his other works. I first saw Paperhouse when I was a teen and thought Elliott was just gorgeous. I was shocked, absolutely shocked when I found out about his death. From what I have gathered, he was a warm person, artistic, talented and loved his family very much. Even though I never knew him, I still feel sorrow over what happened. For him and his family and friends. I had a friend who also died at 20 from lupus after many years of suffering and you never really get over it when a young person passes.
- November 26, 2012 at 8:24 PM
- Taxandria said...
Also worth noting is that Elliott was in a film called Taxandria after Paperhouse and though his voice was dubbed it's a very interesting and artistic film and he's excellent in it.
- November 26, 2012 at 8:26 PM


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Jan. 14, 2013 06:51 PM
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Saturday, March 13, 2010
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Having previously released an HDMI Adapter for iOS devices before Apple did so, Noosy has just released the HDMI Dock for iPad 2, iPad, iPhone 4 + iPod touch 4G ($70), a combination of a traditional white glossy plastic dock with the features of Apple's Digital AV Adapter. The front of the dock features an Infrared sensor for use with the included black glossy remote control -- notably very different from the one shown on Noosy's web site -- while the back includes analog line-out, HDMI, USB, and Dock Connector ports. Interestingly, the top features a pressable Home Button and a new universal dock alternative with a flip-up stand to support the iPad and iPad 2. You supply the cables for HDMI, USB, aux-out and Dock Connector power.
Editors' Note: iLounge only reviews products in "final" form, but many companies now change their offerings - sometimes several times - after our reviews have been published. This iLounge article provides more information on this practice, known as revving.


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Media Center >
School Closings
Notices of Dassel-Cokato School closings and other school emergencies will be broadcast again this year over:
WCCO (830 AM) Minneapolis
KRWC (1360 AM) Buffalo
KDUZ (1260AM) Hutchinson
KLFD (1410 AM) Litchfield
KARP (106.9 FM) Hutchinson
Channel 11 KARE TV
Volunteers Needed & Appreciated!
When you become involved in our school, at home or in the building, your children will thrive and our school truly does become a better school because of you! There are many ways to volunteer at Cokato Elementary.
If you are interested in volunteering or would like to learn more about the opportunities, please contact Katie Rogers, volunteer coordinator, at 320-286-4100 ext. 1369.
Kids NIght at Local Dairy Queen
Every Wednesday is Kids Night at the Cokato Dairy Queen. Art made by one of the elementary classes will be on display at the DQ for the community to enjoy. The DQ will donate 10% of the sales from 5:00-8:00 p.m. that night to our elementary schools. What a fun and tasty way to contribute to our school. Thank you, Dairy Queen!
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Locals react to decision to ban Nevada bear hunt from Lake Tahoe Basin
March 28, 2012
LAKE TAHOE and#8212; Lake Tahoe Basin bears will not be under the gun this summer and fall following a decision by the Nevada Wildlife Commission this weekend.
After two days of testimony Friday and Saturday, the commission voted 6-3 to remove the basin's Nevada portion from this year's bear hunt.
The decision was celebrated by opponents of the hunt, who expect to continue to fight bear hunting in other parts of the state.
and#8220;We oppose the hunt in its entirety throughout Nevada, but we are pleased to have the basin removed from the area,and#8221; said Kathryn Bricker, a Zephyr Cove resident and member of NoBearHuntNV.org.
and#8220;This is a good thing, but we want it throughout the whole rest of the state,and#8221; said BEAR League Executive Director Ann Bryant.
Numerous hunters who attended the weekend meetings criticized the removal of the basin from the bear hunt, saying the decision was not based on science. Some said they felt opposition to the bear hunt was opposition to the sport as a whole and would have future impacts on hunting for other species in the area.
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Wildlife Commissioner Scott Raine argued against the removal of the basin from the hunt, saying and#8220;it's not a solution, it's not science-based.and#8221;
Raine questioned whether the Tahoe Rim Trail, which the new bear hunt boundaries basically follow, is an easily recognizable and enforceable demarcation for hunters.
and#8220;It's just another trail in the woods,and#8221; Raine said.
An option that would have left a large swath of the East Shore south of Spooner Summit available to bear hunters attracted some support from commissioners, but never reached a vote Saturday.
Nevada's Chief Game Warden Rob Buonamici said the Nevada Department of Wildlife always tries to make its hunting boundaries clear to hunters.
and#8220;We consistently try and simplify regulations and draft regulations in such a fashion that we aren't making inadvertent violations out of honest hunters that are trying to do the right thing, but stumble across an imaginary line and so forth,and#8221; Buonamici said.
He said during indoctrination, bear hunters will be encouraged to stay and#8220;well awayand#8221; from the hunt's boundaries. Hunters will still be able to access bear hunting areas from the Lake Tahoe area as long as they are not hunting inside the basin, Buonamici said.
Fourteen bears were killed during Nevada's inaugural bear hunt last year. No bears were killed in the Lake Tahoe Basin, although a 700-pound male bear was killed outside of the basin near Kingsbury Grade, according to wildlife officials.
Bricker said NoBearHuntNV.org will continue to oppose hunting of bears in Nevada and expects to fight quotas for this year's hunt. The wildlife commission is expected to decide on bear hunt quotas in May.
California has already launched quotas and boundaries for its 2012 hunt. According to the department of fish and game, his year's quota in California is 1,700 bears; the boundaries of the hunt range from the Oregon border all the way to Southern California.
Last year in California, 1,264 bears were killed by hunters.


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Well look who's on Barbara Walters' "Most Fascinating People" list: Little Honey Boo Boo, that's who. And we shouldn't be the least bit surprised. I think if I had to guess, I'd say Barbara Walters is probably more "baffled" than "fascinated." I'm sure she's been asking herself, "What IS it about this poor little girl that has ALL OF AMERICA tawking?"
Her answer: It's a love story. She told Us Weekly, "A lot of people will say, 'For heaven's sake, this is ridiculous, this is a child at 5 or 6 years old entering beauty contests. But the relationship between Alana and her mother -- that's the story, the two of them. It's very touching." Ahhh, so it's the mother-daughter relationship? Hmm, are you sure it's not the gay pet pig? Let's dig a little deeper, Bawbwa. Here's why we think Honey Boo Boo is so fascinating.
Toddlers and Tiaras. Let's start with how this whole thing began: A cringe-inducing reality show about little girls in pageants. It's exploitative. The girls hate it -- except when they love it. It's repulsive -- and yet we can't look away.
More from The Stir: Adam Levine's Honey Boo Boo Slam Makes Him Look Like a Big Bully
Go-go juice. Probably one of the worst legal beverages you could possibly feed a child. AND YET: It has the cutest name ever. It's kind of an irresistible combination.
Glitzy the gay pet pig. Yeah, speaking of that pig. What the EFF? It's not enough that her pet isn't a dog -- it's a pig. But it's not just a pig, it's a gay pig. And it's like the Liberace of pigs. I'm so sad she had to give up Glitzy.
Sketty. Pasta noodles mixed with margarine and ketchup. How are Alana and her family still alive? Science wants to know.
Rednecksploitation. Here Comes Honey Boo Boo opened up a new avenue for the kind of voyeuristic television that makes us queasy, self-righteous, happy, and sad. We felt so many things! So many uncomfortable things. See above re: Toddlers and Tiaras.
Mama Thompson. Admit it, there's some part of Honey Boo Boo's mom we can all relate to. She loves her daughter -- I think that's clear. But like the rest of us, she's just fumbling through parenthood, making mistakes. Unlike the rest of us, she's making all those mistakes on television. Heaven help her! I guess that's why ultimately I kind of agree with Barbara: The love between Alana and her mother is touching ... because it's so real and messy.
Do you think Honey Boo Boo deserves to be one of Barbara Walters' "Most Fascinating People"?
Image via HereComesHoneyBooBoo/Facebook


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Thumbs up: To the organizers of Ladies Night Out. The annual event started almost a decade ago to raise money for cancer research, and once again, brought plenty of pink to downtown Sycamore on Thursday. It featured local businesses, a pink firetruck, firefighters clad in pink and, of course, cancer survivors. This year's proceeds will benefit Kishwaukee Community Hospital, The Cancer Center at Kishwaukee Community Hospital and the local American Cancer Society chapter. If you weren't able to make it out Thursday but want to donate, you can send cash or checks payable to "Ladies Night Out" to D&D Jewelers, 303 W. State St., Sycamore, IL 60178; or NB&T, 230 W. State St., Sycamore, IL 60178.
Thumbs up: To the Feed'Em Soup Community Project and other organizations sponsoring a local screening of the documentary "A Place at the Table." The film follows three people who are struggling with hunger and food insecurity. It also features appearances by actor Jeff Bridges, economist/writer Raj Patel and chef Tom Colicchio. It's an important issue that touches DeKalb County and that several local organizations strive to address. We're glad local residents took the time to bring another perspective on the complex issue to town.
Thumbs down: To pension posturing. Gov. Pat Quinn announced this week that he would call the state Legislature into special session on June 19 to again try to address the issue of the state's almost $100 billion unfunded pension liability. It might sound good, but it will be a waste of time and money without any progress on the issue. Quinn tried to call a meeting Tuesday with his fellow Chicago Democrats, House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton, but Madigan didn't show up. There is supposed to be another meeting next week, at which we hope to see more progress and less posturing.
Thumbs up: To giving kids wings. Each year, local pilots volunteer to take children between the ages of 8 and 17 into the sky in small, private planes. The Young Eagle experience lets kids get up close and personal with the planes – going through a preflight checklist, watching the pilot in the cockpit and learning about everything that goes into a safe flight. The event, which is free, introduces kids to the world of aviation, and sets some on the path to a future hobby or career.
Thumbs up: To Stage Coach Players and its production of "Shrek the Musical." Stage Coach is the first theater in Illinois to take on the off-Broadway production based on the popular Dreamworks film. The elaborate costumes, upbeat music and quirky one-liners make the production unique. And the message of the show – that it's OK to be different – can't be said enough. The show runs this weekend and next. Check it out.


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by Hugh Gilmore
I cleared my throat, cracked my fingers, and began writing this piece thinking I'd compare myself to Alexis de Tocqueville. After all, we're both explorers in our own way.
He left France to tour early-1830s America and explain America to the French via "Democracy in America." I left the Chestnut Hill peninsula to tour Facebook and explain it to my fellow coots via this Local column. There the comparison must end. Unlike Alexis, I have only impressions and no conclusions.
I've only been on Facebook since Feb. 8, but my assignment editor is yelling "Copy!" and Oprah's producers keep Tweeting me, and Stern and Slate and Xfinity are waiting for their exclusives, so I'll just have to risk seeming superficial and give my second preliminary report.
After the initial thrill on Facebook of seeing photos and links of people I now know, used to know, or would be pleased to know, I began to notice, as the days went by, that some people were simply there, in that space, all the time. Same people. I started getting a "Cheers-the bar" feeling. All the familiars hanging around, glad to see a new face. "Hi there, let me get you a "Like." It's nice, kind of cozy.
Another thing happens too. Because everyone on Facebook has "friends" there's a "Way-less-than-Six Degrees of Separation" quality to the linkage. You get the feeling that if you wanted to, you could "Friend Request" every friend-of-a-friend and go around the world and back.
Another fascinating aspect to Facebook is that most people (it's one choice) publicly display photos of their lives: their dogs, their children, their houses, friends, anniversaries, birthday parties, vacations. I enjoy browsing through. There's a peeking-through-the-windows quality of looking into other people's lives. If you ever needed proof of Tolstoy's assertion that, "All happy families are the same," a few weeks on Facebook would provide that for you.
DeTocqueville said that back in Europe, where the ruling classes were decaying, nobody cared about money. The ruling class thought it crass to mention it because they never had to worry about it. Money and privilege were their heritage. And the lower classes didn't make a big deal about it because they had no hope of acquiring more than their meager, inadequate share.
But in America – ah, America! – the middle classes worked liked hell because in America it was possible to acquire and build wealth. The American dream remains (though it's been tested in recent years): work hard and get rich. Well, not "rich-rich," but "comfortable." A status gauged mostly by the acquisition of material things.
So, for about a week or so I've been wondering if Facebook was the public face of the middle class, and the middle-aged, middle class. Because that's all I've seen. But I'm sure I'm wrong. I've probably been getting a skewed demographic.
I'm middle class, as are my friends and most of my acquaintances. Most of them are white and college graduates and now in their peak earning years. I can't help but think, though, that Facebook must harbor many other networks of different ethnic groups, income and educational levels. But, since people tend to form friendships among people who are similar to themselves, I guess it will be a while before I will see glimpses of persons who live different lives from mine.
(The limiting factor here is that one can control how widely his personal information is dispersed. Many people universalize all their information. Others restrict it to close friends. So you can't immediately go to just anyone's personal page.)
A few statistics, from the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project (Pew Internet for short): As of Dec. 9, 2012, (1) 67 percent of online adults use Facebook; (2) Most of them, by far, are between 18 and 34 years-old; (3) More women than men; (4) More than 20 percent of Facebook users are from Asia; (5) Brazilians publish the most posts (6) In America, it's very difficult to get straight answers to the question of which ethnic groups use Facebook, but the trend certainly says that among young people, the percentages are very similar.
Another aspect of Facebook that feels strange to me is that I have several good friends on Facebook, with whom I've had occasional, but special, correspondences over the years. Whenever we would contact one another, there was a lot of news to share and the occasion would seem like a reunion. Now, those persons and I are right on Facebook, side-by-side, out on the town square, not necessarily saying hello that day, and it feels odd. These are friendships I would prefer to keep "special," whatever that means. And the "Messages" format of Facebook makes communications feel like dashed-off notes. I save my heartfelt, sincere writings for other formats. Everything on Facebook seems and feels overheard.
As a final note, I confess that I went on Facebook purely to promote my "Last Night on the Gorilla Tour" book by exposing it to lots of people. Does it work? Yes, a bit, but I'm probably not using it smartly. I average a sale that I'm guessing came from Facebook every other day, for a total of four paperbacks and five Kindle e-books so far. Hardly a landslide, but I have had several enjoyable correspondences with both old and new friends, which I've enjoyed.
Note: Hugh Gilmore's books are available right now on Amazon.com. He blogs at "Enemiesofreading.blogspot.com."


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