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OKANOGAN, Wash. – The Okanogan SWAT team along with Okanogan County Sheriff's Officers have arrested a 41-year-old Twist resident that may have started a small wildfire. No one was injured in this incident.
The original call Wednesday was that the man was armed with a machete, claiming to have killed several people. When law enforcement arrived to the Buttermilk Butte area off of Twisp River Road, they found the people who the man claimed to have had killed. They were fine. The suspect however had left the area.
The man then spent the night in the woods and started a fire to keep warm. The fire quickly got out of hand and spread to nearby vegetation. Firefighters responding to that fire encountered the suspect. Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers says that some shots were fired but that no one was hurt.
Sheriff's Deputies and WSP have cordoned off the area and are searching for the suspect who they describe as armed and unpredictable.


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The value of this endeavor is directly proportional to this endeavor's values.-- Anon.
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subset: commoncrawl


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(CBS 8) – The Ninja roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain remains closed one day after a tree fell on the track and caused a derailment. Nearly two-dozen people were left stranded 30 feet off the ground until firefighters were able to get them down.
When firefighters raced to the amusement park on Monday, they had their work cut out for them to free the 22 people trapped on the Ninja coaster.
"I ducked down just as a hard branch hit me in the head. I was there bleeding from my head, which was a little worse than this. It took about 45 minutes to get any type of response," rider Jeremy Ead said.
An array of tools for high-angle roller coaster rescues takes months of training in the Chula Vista Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue Team. Brad Carlin of the CVPD says such a complicated, lengthy rescue requires patience from riders to execute and precision from firefighters to plan.
"Communication is very important for us, because we are dealing with heights, we're dealing with moving ropes and we're dealing with victims, and their lives are in our hands," Carlin said.
Belmont Park's Giant Dipper roller coaster is checked for maintenance issues daily, and that's required of all rollercoasters in California. Even though firefighters train at different rides throughout the county, there's relief that the training isn't put to use too often.
"We do have millions of riders every year on rides in California, and it's very rare that anyone gets seriously injured on any ride in California," Wendy Crain of the San Diego Coaster Company said.


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I know that so many people are posting these, but I figured i'd give my 2 cents.
Round 1- Eric Fisher, OT Central Michigan
I think he has more upside than Joeckel, but since Joeckel probably won't be available anyway this is fine. If we bring in Fisher, we can have Reiff at RT for replacing Gosder, have Backus at a reasonable contract at RG. IMO, this improves 3 positions at the offensive line.
Round 2- Barret Jones, C/G Alabama
His versatility is key to me. In this scenario, I would have him as our starting center and cause Rila to be cut from the team. IMO, now 4 oline positions are upgraded, while Rob Sims keeps his job since he has been dependable at LG.
Round 3- David Amerson- CB/S NC St.
His stock has been plummeting as of late, but I do think this is great value for him at this point. Hes got the potential to be a quality starter very early on and I liked what I have seen from game footage.
Round 4 (Compensatory Pick Prediction)- William Gholston- DE/DT Michigan St.
This might seem a bit low for Gholston, but i've seen his go from round 2-4. If hes there in the 4th, we need to get him. He can be a high motor guy, and I believe that he can really be the steal of the draft for us.
Let me know what you guys think


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Several Potential Clemens Jurors Haven't Heard of the Baseball Great
Posted Apr 19, 2012 11:25 AM CDT
By Debra Cassens Weiss
Several potential jurors questioned for the retrial of former pitcher Roger Clemens said they have never heard of the Cy Young Award winner.
Several people who had heard of Clemens couldn't name any of his teams, the Associated Press reports.
One potential juror said he would rather be sleeping than serving on the jury, the story says. The unemployed 27-year-old man said he preferred basketball to baseball and he felt "groggy." But when Clemens lawyer Rusty Hardin asked if he could focus on testimony, the man replied he would "be wide awake." The man remained in the pool of potential jurors.
Clemens is accused of perjury for telling a House committee that he never used steroids or human growth hormone.
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My Favorite Luggage Locks
This might be the most boring post you will ever read on this here blog. It depends on your point of view. If you, like me, lose luggage locks like you lose money on the lottery (!!!), go out and buy yourself a half-dozen of these suckers. I love them. Mainly because of the little cord they use, as opposed to the solid metal shackle that you find on most luggage locks. The cord has a bit more give to it, a bit more flexibility. Much easier to maneuver. The only problem, of course, is that the cable can probably be cut through fairly easily, but the same can be said for most metal shackles and nothing is really going to deter a real thief now, right?. These are also cheap enough (around $7 USD) that I don't mind buying them in bulk in case the U.S. TSA does cut them off or I leave them in a hotel somewhere. Look for the Master Lock Cable Lock online.
If you are super paranoid about your luggage (like, um, me), I would also recommend my Uncle George's trick. Plastic zip ties. Wait until you are at the airport and about to check your luggage in for your flight. Quickly insert zip ties into luggage zippers, over/under/between luggage lock. Zip ties will require scissors to cut through, and while obviously not impossible to cut, thieves might hone in on easier targets. The problem with using zip ties is that you yourself will need a scissor to open them, and you can't carry scissors on aircraft in the U.S. and U.K. so you have to hope you can easily find a pair of scissors when you get to where you are going. This is also why I recommend waiting to put the zip ties on until you get to the airport; one of the most annoying things in the world is to put the zip ties on and then realize you've forgotten something in your luggage and have to cut them open again. I find zip ties helpful for my return flights because I know I will have scissors once I get home.
OK, there you go. My useless travel tips for the day. Get back to what you were doing now.


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Mr. Rooter
Every customer's individual needs are important to us at Mr. Rooter Plumbing. Our focus is to provide quality Pittsburgh plumbing services and products to make our plumbers the first choice of many residential and commercial clients worldwide. You can count on Mr. Rooter's Pittsburgh plumbing services to take care of your plumbing and drainage needs-day or night with no overtime charge. Click to find out more about our Residential Plumbing and Drain Cleaning Services, Commercial Plumbing and Drain Cleaning Services, or the Products offered by our Pittsburgh plumbing services. There's a reason they call us Mr.™
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South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. If you are a resident of or want
to locate a franchise in one of these states, we will not offer you a franchise
unless and until we have complied with applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure
requirements in your state.
Our plumbing technician will check the health of your entire plumbing system.See why.


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Frank Nausid, 78
Frank Nausid
of Poulsbo
Aug. 21, 1934
to April 21, 2013
Frank Nausid, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully at his home in Poulsbo on April 21, 2013. Frank loved athletics, fishing, and gardening, but his delight in life was his family.
Frank was born in Westville, Ill. and moved to Poulsbo at the age of 12 with Dr. Alexander Norbut. He settled in Suquamish with Tony and Grace Nausid for his junior high and high school years. He graduated from North Kitsap High School in 1952 and married Donna Jean Smith in Couer d'Alene, Idaho on August 21, 1954. Frank was an iron worker with Local 86 in Seattle for 42 years.
He enjoyed coaching youth sports and, over the years, coached baseball, basketball, and also coached football for the Poulsbo PeeWees organization in the 1960s. The family took many summer fishing trips to LaPush and Lake Chelan.
Frank is preceded in death by his wife, Donna Jean Nausid; his son, Randy Nausid; and his granddaughter, Kelly Nausid. He is survived by his daughters, Cindy and Susan; and his son, Doug. He is also survived by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Ty, Amber, Tasha, Tara, Ali, Grant and Isabella.
A remembrance of Frank's life will take place at his home in Poulsbo on May 19 at 1 p.m. His family cordially invites any of Frank's friends to join them on this day. For information, please contact Susan Nausid at 360-854-8817.
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Voices: Food Safety
The Supreme Court's Lesson on Labeling
In Pom Wonderful v. Coca-Cola, the court encourages 'policing' of labels by competitors.
The U.S. Supreme Court's unanimous ruling on June 12 in favor of Pom Wonderful has important implications for food processors. Until now, compliance with FDA labeling regulations generally meant a product was immune from a claim that its labeling is deceptive or misleading with respect to those aspects of the label sanctioned by FDA regulations.
This "safe harbor" has been decisively removed by the Supreme Court's ruling, which held that a plaintiff, such as Pom, may bring false advertising and unfair competition claims under federal law with respect to such statements. As a result, many food processors will need to rethink their marketing and labeling practices.
The case originated in 2008 when Pom alleged that Coca-Cola was misleading consumers about its Minute Maid "Pomegranate Blueberry" juice (with "Flavored Blend of 5 Juices" in smaller font below). Pom claimed the label was misleading because, despite the name, the product contains approximately 99 percent apple and grape juice with very little of the more expensive pomegranate and blueberry juices.
Pom sells 100 percent pomegranate juice as well juice blends containing significant amounts of pomegranate juice. From Pom's perspective, Coca-Cola was unfairly competing by selling a non-comparable product as "Pomegranate Blueberry" juice and undercutting Pom's sales. Pom's lawsuit included claims under federal statute governing false advertising and unfair competition (the Lanham Act).
Coca-Cola responded by noting that the images on its product correctly identified the five fruits in the juice blend and that the name – "Pomegranate Blueberry-flavored blend of 5 juices" – informed consumers as much while describing that the blend tastes like pomegranate and blueberry. Most significantly, Coca-Cola said the name of the product fully complied with FDA juice-naming regulations permitting a beverage to be named after a non-predominant juice in such circumstances.
The district court and appeals court accepted Coca-Cola's arguments and rejected Pom's Lanham Act claims because doing otherwise would "disturb" the "comprehensive food and beverage labeling regulations under the FDCA [federal Food Drug & Cosmetic Act] which specifically considered the naming of such juices."
But the Supreme Court unanimously sided with Pom. Rather than viewing the Lanham Act and the FDCA as conflicting, the court held that they are "complementary." "Although both statutes touch on food and beverage labeling, the Lanham Act protects commercial interests against unfair competition, while the FDCA protects public health and safety." Moreover, the FDCA's enforcement "is largely committed to the FDA" whereas the Lanham Act empowers "private parties to sue competitors to protect their interests on a case-by-case basis."
The Court then set forth the cornerstone of its ruling:
"Unlike other types of labels regulated by the FDA, such as drug labels …, it would appear the FDA does not preapprove food and beverage labels under its regulations and instead relies on enforcement actions, warning letters, and other measures. …. Because the FDA acknowledges that it does not necessarily pursue enforcement measures regarding all objectionable labels … if Lanham Act claims were to be precluded then commercial interests -- and indirectly the public at large -- could be left with less effective protection in the food and beverage labeling realm than in many other, less regulated industries."
In other words, the court saw no reason why aspects of a food label should be free from "policing" by competitors simply because those aspects are subject to FDA regulations. Indeed, the court found that even if an aspect of a label is specifically required or authorized by the FDCA or FDA regulations, it may be subject to a Lanham Act claim because the FDCA and its regulations are not a "ceiling on the regulation of food and beverage labeling."
For food companies, the ruling obviously opens the door to lawsuits by competitors alleging that aspects of a label regulated by the FDA are false and misleading. The biggest impact pertains to products similar to the Minute Maid juice blend that include a name or front-of-package claim that may comply with FDA regulations but help it compete against more expensive products.
In such circumstances, companies selling the more expensive products have a motive to bring suit if they have an argument as to why this competition is "unfair." For example, a company selling "strawberry" fruit snacks primarily made from strawberries might take offense to cheaper "strawberry" fruit snacks made with less expensive fruit and other ingredients.
Accordingly, food companies should immediately re-evaluate their labeling practices to assess whether any product might be susceptible to a competitor's claim that a label is false or misleading based, in whole or in part, on aspects of the label regulated by the FDA. Although most food processors do an excellent job of complying with FDA labeling requirements, they sometimes fail to fully assess the market risks of combining those approved statements with other marketing statements and imagery on the product.
In this case, the Minute Maid product included the statement "Nourish Your Brain" along with large images of a pomegranate and blueberries. These aspects increased the risk that Pom would view this label, in combination with the name "Pomegranate Blueberry," as deceptive to consumers. Simply put, food labels should be reviewed as a whole and with knowledge that mere compliance with FDA regulations does not provide any insurance against competitor lawsuits.
More from this author...
2008 Annual Manufacturing Survey: Safety Main Priority, But Green Catching Up
Food safety is still the chief concern of processors, but the green trend shot up the charts too; 77 percent see growth this year.
2014 Manufacturing Trends Survey: The Swagger's Back
Economic recovery remains anemic in much of the economy, but food processing professionals are more confident about 2014 than they've felt in recent years.
7 Things You Should Know About The New Food Safety Law
Considered a win for consumers, the new law will have varying effects on food and beverage processors.
Allergen Proteins: Plant Sanitation's Biggest Challenge
Keeping allergen proteins out of products that shouldn't contain them stretches sanitation protocols above and beyond microbe control.
Are Clones In The Food Supply Really A Good Idea?
The food industry should fund a forum to assess the advisability of clones in the food supply.
Beef Recall Raises Tempers Over Animal Cruelty
Editor David Feder hopes this adjunct editorial about the nations biggest food recall over suspect beef and animal cruelty will make you as angry as he is.
Caffeine Under Siege by the FDA
FDA investigation could be just the beginning of regulatory and litigation battles.
California's Proposition 65 Applies to All Food Processors
Any food and beverage manufacturer who sells products in California can be sued.
Chinese Food Safety Lapses Sign of Bigger Problems
It will be a long time before what Im calling "the China Syndrome" ceases to be a newsworthy issue in food processing.
Congress Scrambles to Pass Food Safety Legislation
As Congress has argued over health care reform, financial reform, two wars, a mortgage crisis and unemployment, amending the U.S. food safety system was put on the back burner. In Part 1 of our series on food safety in the food processing industry, we investigate the legislative issues behind food safety.
Continuous Improvement in Metal Detection
Industrial metal detectors may be old technology, but greater sensitivity, fewer false rejects and ease of use are helping them maintain their relevance in food and beverage inspection.
Contrite Maple Leaf Vaults to Forefront of Food Safety
After a 2008 outbreak of listeria killed 22 consumers, Maple Leaf Foods promised it would become a leader In food safety and would share any knowledge it had on the subject with other processors. In Part 3 of our series on food safety in the food processing industry, we talk about food safety best practices from a processor that has been through a processor's worst nightmare.
Controlling the Pest Problem At Food and Beverage Manufacturing Plants
A food illness outbreak may not shut down a plant, but woe to the processor who fails to maintain a rigorous pest control program.
Cracks in Our Food Safety Systems
A 3-Part Series on one of the most important topics facing food processors today: Food Safety.
Dairy Plants Ready for Food Safety Modernization Act
With HACCP plans already in place, dairies are on top of hazard control.
Advances in detection technologies are helping to make the food supply safer than ever. Plus, these machines can do other things, as well.
Do you know your HACCP from your HARPC?
FDA's FSMA ruling requires food processors to create risk-based preventive control plans.
The supply chain is in the capable hands of processors
Agency finally rules negatively on 2008 petition from Natural Resource Defense Council.
FDA Paints Itself Into a Corner with FSMA
A federal judge orders the agency to issue overdue food safety rules by November which looks unrealistic.


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- American Idol
- Amazing Race
- America's Got Talent
- Big Brother
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- Glee
- Glee Spoilers
- Nashville
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- Survivor
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- X Factor UK
- X Factor Australia
- Contestants
- Adam Lambert
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- Bo Bice
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- Carly Rose Sonenclar
- Carrie Underwood
- Casey James
- Cassadee Pope
- Chris Daughtry
- Clay Aiken
- Crystal Bowersox
- Danielle Bradbery
- Danny Gokey
- David Archuleta
- David Cook
- Elliott Yamin
- Emblem3
- Fantasia
- Fifth Harmony
- Haley Reinhart
- James Durbin
- Jennifer Hudson
- Jessica Sanchez
- Jordin Sparks
- Justin Guarini
- Katharine McPhee
- Kellie Pickler
- Kelly Clarkson
- Kree Harrison
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- Phillip Phillips
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- American Idol 13 Recaps
American Idol: Nigel Lythgoe Reacts to the Departures of Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez
By mj On 07/16/2012 · 47 Comments · In American Idol, Nigel Lythgoe
American Idol Executive Producer, Nigel Lythgoe speaks! He chatted with Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS FM radio show this morning, finally commenting on the departures of Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez from the judges' panel.
"I'm really upset. I spoke to Jennifer last Friday. She called me just after she spoke to you and I have to respect both Jennifer and Steven's decisions. They've got a much bigger career than just sitting judging 'Idol.' They're both very talented people and you have to respect their decision to carry on and do what they were doing before 'Idol.' It breaks my heart, because I love them both dearly."
Nigel believes that the judges panel may turn into a "one year tour" sort of thing in order to accommodate big stars on the panel. He thinks "It's great to hear lots of people's opinions.
"At the end of the day it's chemistry," says Nigel of choosing the judges' panel. "It's not easy."
"At the moment while we're in the spotlight of the press it's not really helping negotiations with anybody," he adds, "I'm sure nobody's name will be mentioned at this time while we're getting it together."
Nigel went on to discuss his new E! show, "Opening Act" which airs on Mondays at 10 pm.
Tagged with: Nigel Lythgoe
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_I3NQHPT3NA6VGKK22RCMTGOCII Tiffany
Another reason why maybe Nigel should be replaced. He just doesn't get it.
I can see this attracting more people to want to be judges. I can see Adam being considered if it is for a one year stint, which, really means just a few months, a couple of days per week.
So he wants new judges every single year?
For someone who once claimed that Idol is only about the contestants, this seems like anything but, lol. Looks like we'll get vacant seat drama each year though. :D
Noa Naaman
why do they need to "accommodate big stars"?! i'd rather have 'unknowns' (except for in the music industry) that are qualified to judge a singing competition and don't make it all about themselves than "big stars". seriously, Simon wasn't a household name before Idol, and he was the best judge on that show since the start. don't try to be like all the other shows… if AI wants to stay the best, it should go in the other direction and make sure the main event is always the talent, and not the judges.
Get what?
I think new judges every year would be good. When they have been judges for awhile they get too comfortable and make it all about themselves.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_AP5IYKIADXUZ2JOQ2VOF76WOVE Sophia
THIS. as long as the judges have that on air chemistry and the talent is there, i'll be watching. it needs to be a balance of both.
http://twitter.com/CanadianLady2 CanadianLady
Please, get judges who are there to help the contestants and not to promote themselves. It can be done. And no former Idols please. Just no. Except maybe Kelly at some point.
So what's the new plan? Have new judges every year that are only interested in self-promotion, give them a chance to pimp their own stuff, and , oh– by the way, judge a few contestants?? Then it's on to a new panel of judges to self promote all over again?
Oooh. I've got a better idea. One Kardashian, one pregnant 16 year old and Miley Cyrus. ( said with a sarcastic sneer ).
Either way, Idol's jumping the shark.
TheGreatXL: For someone who once claimed that Idol is only about the contestants, this seems like anything but, lol. Looks like we'll get vacant seat drama each year though. :D
On the bright side, the focus on the judges isn't taking place during the actual season (unlike The Voice and XF), and will probably be over by the time the first of this season's alums to release an album gets that album out.
I can definitely see how the drama's entertaining to a certain degree, but I hate the orchestration of it all and so little of what we hear is real and a non-deliberate leak from some source.
Not if they work it right. It could actually be something that changes the show. The focus could still be on the contestants, since their story of wanting to land a record contract would be more of a constant than the judges. There would be less fanfare around the judges, and the show wouldn't have to pay them as much, since there would be no yearly pay raises.
The producers could redefine the judges' roles, and if the producers let the judges have some control, having judges with different tastes and perspectives could shake things up.
For better or worse, the singing competition shows want the big names now, and Idol has to compete on that level. It's gonna be a crazy time to get a panel together.
"They've got a much bigger career than just sitting judging 'Idol.'"
LOL, so is that supposed to be a slight to anyone remaining on or joining the panel next year?
Also, every single person has some type of tic that starts to grate on people after a bit. You can tell people were like that with Steven saying Beautiful and J LO saying goosies. the first season people might be aware of it, but by the second season it gets annoying. Keeping the judges fresh will help people not be annoyed so much :)
At last! I thought he had come down with Infectious Mute!
For the record, I don't mind this. Actually, depending on the judges, this could be kind of fun. I just don't like the double standards.
Noa Naaman
i'm not sure that that's true. Idol has a loyal fan base who would appreciate the show trying to differentiate itself from the others, by choosing to NOT play the game "who has the biggest star?".
i think the best thing for AI is come out saying- "we want this to be about finding talent, and this list of people is the best suited for the job. we know most of you have never heard of them but these are their credentials:" (and hopefully this panel would consist of music producers, song writers, executives, whatever- in addition to at least one singer).i know i would be way more interested to see Idol go back and try to capture what made it great in the first place, instead of seeing the show become just one of many. and if they keep finding great groups of contestants (like S11), i'll be sure to tune in.
http://profile.yahoo.com/OSOOTOBRL4XGHQNICOXCCN5IXQ lisa
the 1yr.thing kinda bothers me,what if somebody is really good at judging then the rule says sorry only 1yr.I wish idol people would put a list of possibilities on here and let the people vote for the judges.we can't do any worse than they have done
If this was X-Factor that came up with this idea of rotating judges,
everyone would hate it. Just because King Nigel wants to do it, it's
okay. Makes no sense to me.
I would like it on both shows :)
I'm not sure that Nigel is entirely in the loop these days regarding the search for judges for Idol.
For better or worse, the singing competition shows want the big names now, and Idol has to compete on that level.
That's the lemming syndrome. The most outstanding success usually comes from setting standards, not following those set by others.
All Idol ever needed to do was clear more songs and limit the power voting. Instead it is as if Idol went in with a broken arm and they performed triple-bypass surgery.
Wonder what they would do if they weren't the most valuable non-sports property on TV? Execute Seacrest?
I am very confused with the talk about judges, aren't they already judging auditions this summer or am I mixing AI up with one of the other singing competitions, x, y or z Factor? :)
http://profile.yahoo.com/DJ4FPAE2BM4XDCNVQITJSS3S2Q Sue
Nope, auditions are still in the cattle call stage, the producers judge those. The TV judges only start in the fall.
http://twitter.com/happylittlefish Amy Beth
The judging panel needs a mix. If they want one big star, so be it. But the others should not be stars, they should be "starmakers". I don't love Jimmy Iovine, but I'd rather have him be a real judge, than some random popular singer.
What about one of those mysterious music industry fixers, like Dr. Luke or Max Martin? These guys are supposed to work miracles with established stars. Let them loose on wannabes.
And I still say they should have a different set of judges through the live shows so that they aren't biased by anything that happened off-camera that the voting audience doesn't get to see.
http://twitter.com/BobbiNJ Bobbi
I think every year is too often to change the judging panel, but I do like the idea of not allowing people to last like Randy has! Maybe two or three year stints?
I really could care less about who judges Idol…they can fill the panel with whomever they wish for what ever reason they wish and pay them whatever they wish and keep them around as long as they wish…none of it will affect me or my enjoyment of the show and no judge will ever be the reason I like Idol A over Idol B.
I'll just stick with choosing to back whomever I like…and if the show gets to judge-centric or the contestants are too boring for me I'll just move on and wait until the next season.
I watch and enjoy all my scripted TV dramas…miss actors I like who leave, tolerate the newbies who come in, think the story for the week is great and watch it or turn it off if the episode is lame.
TV shows are either enjoyable or not, for me…and even with all its ups and downs and changes I still like me some Idol.
Well, let's see what Idol does. I think at least two of the judges will be "big names."
Going back to 2004 isn't gonna work. There was essentially no competition at that point.
The one real advantage to contestants is the actual contract for an album with real promotion. Some of the other shows have basically nothing after the show is over.
http://twitter.com/Sassycatz Sassycatz
I'm thinking the message is, we can't expect these big name judges to stay on for years on end. However, I can't see them kicking somebody off or not negotiating with someone for additional years who is doing great on the panel and who the audience is enjoying. What sense does that make?
I very much like your idea of having a different set of judges for the audition phases and the live shows. One of my pet wishes has long been having a highly qualified third party handle auditions and ultimately present Idol with a Top 24. That way, TPTB at Idol couldn't "cast" the season, which I think deprives us of some superior talent in favor of some who can't sing as well, but maybe have better back stories. Also, I think Idol tends to pick favorites early on and sometimes eliminates those they think would be particularly strong competition.
Thank you! That's exactly what they need, more songs cleared and no power votes!!!!!!
Question did idol"jump the shark" 2 years ago…or is that just about to happen?
Nigel is right. At the end of the day, it's chemistry. It's not easy!
I hope Jennifer Lopez will at least do the auditions! She's a good judge and very lovely.
I think Nigel is downplaying the judges role, in saying ah! they only give their subjective opinion. But the role of judge, is very important to the contestants who are being critiqued by these judges, because they know, that what the judges have to say, influences the voting of viewers!!
I don't think that there will be a one year "rule", per se, but a hiring policy change according to which they'll make only one year contracts for the judges. That is very smart thing to do. With one year contracts, the judges are kept on their toes (no years long gravy trains) and if the judges aren't good (see: Ellen Degenes) or the chemistry isn't working (See: Kara DioCardi), it's easier to boot them.
On the other hand, if they'll find someone that they really want to keep, one year contracts subjects them to yearly pay rise negotiations. They also can't keep those judges that want out, even if Idol wouldn't be ready to let them go (see: Simon).
But no, no matter what they say, there won't be a self-imposed rule that would prevent them keeping a judge longer than a year if they find a great one that doesn't ask too much pay. That would just be stupid.
A lot of these "mysterious music industry fixers" are people who prefer to be in the studio, not in front of an audience. Max Martin is notably reclusive. A lot of these big producers and industry execs just would not be good on camera, at all. The Simon Cowell's and LA Reid's are the anomalies in the industry wrt being camera ready. Kara Dioguardi was a well respected songwriter and A&R exec, beautiful, camera ready, but people seemed to dislike her. It just isn't that easy to find a non-performer who is appropriate for this setting. Bear in mind, when you are a judge you are "performing" live in front of a studio audience, and in front of tens of millions twice a week — that is nervewracking for someone without experience being in front of a camera.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Cathy-Knott/563794735 Cathy Knott
Sorry, I thought she was horrible. I always liked her as an actress but now I can't watch a movie that she stars in.
Simon was the only truly good judge Idol ever had, IMO. Except for Paula, I couldn't grade any of the others above "C" even on their best nights. I thought Paula had a few "B" nights, but not many. Then Simon faded out. The wind seemed to go out of his sails when Kris was announced winner in S8, and he wasn't much better than anybody else in S9. Well, he was better than Ellen, but even Randy was better than Ellen.
I think what Idol needs is a panel of judges who are all as good as Simon was at his best. They shouldn't stop until they've found them. And to hell with whether they are celebrities or not. If they do a great job, they will become celebrities. Better to have a show that adds viewers due to quality as the season progresses than one with a heavy front end generated by superstars who don't do a good enough job to keep those new viewers on board.
I'm not a fan of the new-judges-every-year thing. The problem with judges like Steven is that they don't understand the history of the show. This season the judges at least knew what happened the season before. (But then again, Randy has been there from the beginning, and I'm pretty sure he can recall about 5 contestants, tops).
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SYFK77IYLRQIVATQ2MJKSW2J7Y Pam
I'm not sure that Nigel is entirely in the loop these days regarding the search for judges for Idol.
After listening to the interview, it made me wonder, was he really that in the dark about J-Lo and Steven's departures or was he just making like he was surprised. We had been discussing this info for what 2-3 days prior to Friday? lol I don't like the idea rotating judges once every year. That is just too much change all at once, and as someone else said earlier, what if you get two judges who actually know what they are doing and then dump them the next year and end up worse off than you were before. I'm all for a change with the current lineup, just don't continue playing musical chairs once every year. lol
I'm having this uneasy feeling that JLo will be back as a judge. She must be stunned they rejected her raise demand, but she realizes she won't benefit from the sales boost and free promo she's been accustomed to since she was on Idol. She had a great thing going career and money wise, and she must be aware of what she's losing. I hope I'm wrong and she's really out.
I don't like the one year judge idea. I think that going through this frenzy every year is distracting. Even here every thread about judges has so much activity while the ones for this years tour are lifeless. There are only so many hours most devote to this and I for one think the show within a show that all of these shows have become is a detriment to the show. Every minute spent talking about judges is now one too many. Hire three competent, articulate people, all who have experience in the recording industry, let them be free of any producers agenda, let them be free enough and fearless enough to tell the truth. Let them be humane enough to not use the contestants for a punchline or punching bag. Have them be comfortable and respectful with each other. It's a tall order but that's what I would like from this show I've invested so much time in.
http://twitter.com/nancy2heart nancy
As long as they have NO FORMER IDOLS as judges, I'll be happy & continue to watch (and I have a feeling many other fans will be happy too – far less fan wars that way)!
http://profile.yahoo.com/XDQP2Y46M5B3OHOKALDDGDHQCM Leandro
It seems that everyone is lost and period.
http://twitter.com/KariannHart Kariann Hart
abbysee I really do like your message here! It sound so simple, but obviously finding those judges and hoping they have chemistry is no easy task. I would never want a judge like Simon. Being cruel and making fun of young people just doesn't work in my world.
There are a few former Idols who might work out as a judge, but I think that's too much pressure on them.
http://kristentheyellowlab.blogspot.com/ ZsusK
Do you have any clue what the real world of show business is like? Have you ever auditioned for a college play? Have you ever performed in a bar in front of a batch of drunk patrons? Simon was a pussycat compared to what you deal with in the real world. So annoying to me that people want these kids coddled. Cripes! Let's give them all a trophy and an A for effort! Let's not harm their delicate psyches. After all, they only desire to be superstars. *eyeroll* How about this? How about we quit with the nicey-nicey "beautiful" bullshit, and get back to making these kids earn their right to aspire to be stars? That's the Idol I signed on for. (And get off my lawn, you young folk! ;) )
http://twitter.com/KariannHart Kariann Hart
I could go along with one judge=one year; one judge=two years; one judge=three year contract. This revolving door concept for 3 judges just doesn't appeal to me!
Or get two long term judges and change a "Guest Judge" once a year. Too much change takes away attention from the contestants.
When Ryan's contract is up, I hope he renews If not, Cat Deeley would be the only one to replace him (for me). If SYTYCD gets canceled, does anyone think the X-Factor would hire her?
Lythgoe is a big fat LIAR.
He pushed JLo and Steven off Idol in order to keep the axe from falling on him.
Idol has lost 5 million + viewers since Lythgoe took control of the show.
The one who should be fired is Nigel!
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Keira: How did the ideas for An Offer You Can't Refuse and Miranda's Big Mistake come to you?
Jill: With Offer, I was very keen to write about a sparky bookshop manageress who loves books, and my readers seem to have appreciated this - mainly because they're readers too! With Miranda, I wanted to set the story in a hair salon as I think they're amazing places for eavesdropping, gossiping and fun. I don't enjoy having my hair done, but I still love going because I know I'll come away with enough ideas to fill ten books!
Keira: Do character names come easily for you or is there a trial and error process?
Jill: Good question. I use my books of babies' names to find them, and sometimes they work straight away, but occasionally they don't work out and need to be changed. A lot easier to do now, with word processors, than in the old days when you had to sit down with your 600 typed pages and a bucket of Tippex...
Keira: Do you prefer a heroine, hero, or couple over the other and why?
Jill: Sorry, I don't understand this question. Is this an American term? I like all my main characters!
Keira: What do you think is the hardest thing for anyone to do in a relationship?
Jill: Ooh, another great question! Personally speaking, my other half is tidy and I'm not, so I have to try very hard to clean up after myself. And he has to try very hard not to mind when I fail! I suppose, in a nutshell, we're talking about compromise.
Keira: For you, what is the appeal of contemporary romance?
Jill: It's easy entertainment and I don't think there's anything wrong with that. We like to relax and escape from the pressures of life. I write feel-good fiction and people tell me I've cheered them up. For me, that's just perfect.
Keira:Is there anything you struggle with when writing? How to do you overcome that?
Jill: At the moment I'm struggling because my heroine has taken a job working in an office. The problem is, I've never worked in an office so I haven't a clue what she's supposed to be doing all day. If it was something more specific I could look it up on Google, but I'm just having to guess! (My agent had to break it to me that secretaries don't take shorthand any more...)
Keira: If you could be one of your characters - either book - who would you be?
Jill: Either of them, but Miranda is probably the nicer person, so I'll go with her. And she gets to see a great tennis match on the Centre Court at Wimbledon , which would make my year!
Keira: Fill in the blank: If you're not writing you are ______
Jill: ...Feeling very naughty and guilty, as if I've taken a day off work when I'm not even sick. Even when I'm doing other things, I'm probably still thinking about the characters and the plot at the back of my mind. (That ' s my excuse, anyway.) Yesterday was such a beautiful sunny day that my daughter and I went to Bath for lunch at Jamie Oliver ' s restaurant. We sat on the terrace, ate wonderful food and had the best time. Then we went shopping afterwards. Today I ' m working extra-hard to make up for it!
Keira: What inspired you to put pen to paper as it were and write in the first place?
Jill: This sounds terrible, but I really started because I wanted to become rich! I had no money at all and saw a magazine piece about successful romance writers whose lives had been transformed. I sat down and wrote a book. And now I've written twenty in total. It's been wonderful and it has completely changed my life.
Keira: Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
Jill: I'd just like to say thanks, Keira, for asking to interview me. I'm so thrilled to be published in the States and everyone's being so kind about my books. The feedback has been fantastic. I couldn't have asked for a better response. You're all stars!
You can visit Jill at her website and follow what she's up to by checking out her diary. In the meanwhile, you can Buy: An Offer You Can't Refuse or Purchase: Miranda's Big Mistake.


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1 – 4 May 2009
Curzon Mayfair, 38 Curzon Street, London W1J 7TY
It's once again that time of the year, and we're not talking about the spring. It's time for the Romanian Film Festival in London! As with our previous film events, we are bringing you the 'creme de la creme' of Romanian cinema.
Special guests from Romania will be attending selected screenings: actor and director Horatiu Malaele, screen legend Victor Rebengiuc, veteran director Stere Gulea, charismatic star Andi Vasluianu, and documentary film director Andrei Dascalescu.
In the programme:
SILENT WEDDING by Horatiu Malaele, HOOKED and WAVES by Adrian Sitaru, THE OTHER IRENE by Andrei Gruzsniczki, CONSTANTIN & ELENA by Andrei Dascalescu, EXCHANGE by Nicolae Margineanu, MOROMETII and WEEKEND WITH MY MOTHER by Stere Gulea, ELEVATOR by George Dorobantu, TIGER DANNY by Radu Potcoava, YELLOW SMILEY FACE by Constantin Popescu, ALEXANDRA by Radu Jude
For detailed information about the films, pick up a festival brochure from Curzon Cinemas, or visit www.romanianculturalcentre.org.uk/film-festival.
For those of you who use internet social networks, our Festival's curator, Verena von Stackelberg, created a special Facebook page. Join the group, spread the news, become our friends! Please find the page by clicking here or searching on Facebook using the term "Romanian Film Festival in London".
Bookings: In person, online at www.curzoncinemas.com, or by phone 0871 7033 989.
The Romanian Film Festival in London is organised by The Ratiu Foundation / The Romanian Cultural Centre in London, The National Centre of Cinematography in Bucharest (CNC), and Curzon Cinemas.
Our sponsors and media partners – to whom we say a big thank you – will be acknowledged properly in the brochure and dedicated website of the Festival. If you want to make a contribution towards the major Romanian event of the year in Britain, contact us at firstname.lastname@example.com .


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Berg Clinches Conference Crown for Waves
April 24, 2005
All-WCC Teams Release in PDF Format
Complete WCC Men's Tennis Tournament Results
Malibu, Calif. - In a battle much closer than any 4-2 final could indcate, the Pepperdine men's tennis team vanquished the West Coast Conference's second-seeded University of San Diego in the championship match at the Ralphs-Straus Tennis Center in Malibu Sunday. The win puts the 15th consecutive conference trophy in the Waves' hallowed tennis halls.
The Toreros are the only other team since 1973 to have claimed the title, doing so in back-to-back years as they took it south in 1989 and 1990. Realistically eyeing the prize again Sunday, a new generation looked for a piece of history.
San Diego held a 2-1 edge with four matches ongoing. After a one-sided doubles showing where the Waves took 8-2 and 8-5 wins, USD took singles wins at one and four. Robbie Blair was quick in tying the team score at one when he defeated Pepperdine's Richard Johnson 6-3, 6-1. For the match's first lead change No. 11 Pierrick Ysern beat No. 43 Scott Doerner 6-4, 6-1.
The Waves turned the tide with back-to-back wins of their own, led off by 2004 WCC "Player of the Year" Pedro Rico. Up a set, but trailing 2-4 in the second, the junior knew his team needed a point to stay close. Rico responded by taking four straight games to finish off of Nic Beuque for the 6-3, 6-4 point.
"Nic was playing great tennis," said Pepperdine head coach Adam Steinberg, "but Pedro just fought him off and won. It was great not only for the point, but for the other guys still playing." Of Rico coming up big in the clutch, Steinberg said simply, "He's been doing it for three years."
Also on a roll was Ivor Lovrak on court five. After trailing 3-5 early, the junior claimed the set in a tiebreaker. With momentum on his side, Lovrak wasted no time in bringing the Waves back to a 2-2 tie. His 6-0 second set was punctuated with an ace on his second match point.
Steinberg was proud of Lovrak's play, noting his perseverance and heart throughout the tournament. Aside from Sunday's first set Lovrak dropped but one game in his three wins versus Gonzaga, Santa Clara and San Diego.
Pepperdine needing one more win for the match, both the Toreros and the Waves became fans on three and six. San Diego's Mirza Koristovic forced a third set with Jonas Berg, before Alexis Rafidison split with Oscar Plotnik.
As Berg fell behind, Rafidison rolled for the Waves, racing out to a 5-1 lead. Serving for the match at 5-2 Rafidison held a 40-0 edge, but could not capitalize as Plotnik fended off three match points before reaching a game point of his own. Advantage wavering back and fourth, Plotnik kept the Toreros chances alive as he broke serve on his third game point.
As drama unfolded on court six, Berg quietly chiseled away at Koristovik's 1-4 lead. The Swede's assault swung the score to 5-5 before trading service games to force a tiebreaker.
A spotlight was never more focused, as each point elicited an uproarious cheer from one half of the unabashedly partisan crowd. An ace by Koristovic cut Berg's lead to 5-4 and an overrule by the chair umpire brought the drama to 5-5.
With one team's upset dreams weighing in against the other's postseason destiny Berg's first match point would be his last. Ending a lengthy rally identical to the scores before it, Berg's aerial forehand never came back across the net as the Waves reaped a reward more deserved than anticipated.
"This match was the first where Jonas has been in that situation," said Steinberg, "but his game really rose those last four games. It was really good for him and it really lifted the team."
The 21-2 Waves should have the luxury of escalating their 15-0 home record when the NCAA Regional Championships are played May 13-15. No. 7 Pepperdine will await hosting confirmation and official selection until the tournament field is announced on May 4.
Steinberg says San Diego is a great team and he told his players it would be a tough match. Following the match he admitted, "We didn't play our best, but we played with a lot of heart."
In addition to Steinberg's third WCC trophy, he was also awarded with WCC "Coach of the Year" honors. Following his first 20-win season in 16 years of coaching. Steinberg and his Waves laid heavy on voter's minds.
Scott Doerner was named "Player of the Year" and Jonas Berg was deemed "Freshman of the Year" as the Waves swept the awards. His coach says Doerner's award is extremely well-deserved and there may not be any player in the country who has improved over the past year as much as the Aussie junior.
Doerner, Berg and Pedro Rico also made the all-conference singles team, while the Waves took two of the three spots on the doubles team.
Doerner/Rico led the way as the #2 pair in the country, with Lovrak/Berg in the second slot. Pepperdine's third pair of Kevin Borzenski and Richard Johnson was given an honorable mention. The three duos allowed Pepperdine to win all 25 of the teams doubles points in 2005.


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On August 21st , 2013, Russian Drama Theatre named after Vladimir Mayakovsky held a show by American hip-hop group "Havikaro" and DJ Joe B. The guests were good but I was more surprised by local dancers that performed on the same stage . Watch the video from the show.
On the 9th of May, in Dushanbe, In Victory Park, there was Victory Day was celebrated. Soldiers – recruits took an oath, demonstrated their ability to march and etc.
Like the sun and the moon rising and setting over the Garagum çöli (Karakum desert), Turkmen life is characterized by cycles — and noontime is marked by the wedding. When a Turkmen man comes back from army duty and officially begins adulthood, he is married off by his parents. Or, when a family purchases a new house, they shall often host a wedding, as a way of celebrating the change.
Marriage is an industry in our country: wedding facilities to conduct wedding ceremonies and wedding saloons for wedding parties with wedding singers, and even wedding palaces that have all of these functions under one roof. Weddings can also take place in and around cars (quite popular in Turkmenistan and Iran's Turkmen Sahra) or in schools.
The wedding process goes like this: (1) the owner of the house or the head of the household calls together all of the aksakals, a gathering called "ýaşuly". Then (2) they all pray to Allah, supplicating for blessings. Next (3) everyone shifts to a feast in front of the house, or to a restaurant. This latter part is really more intended for the young Turkmen, because the aksakals have spent the daylit hours praying and then go home to rest. Needless to say, stage three is when the fun begins — and make no mistake, Turkmen wedding parties are fun.
Although we're a Muslim country, don't be surprised to see copious amounts of alcohol at the party. The irony in this is that weddings are supposed to be about bringing people together in the context of a genuine emotional encounter. All that alcohol complicates things, gives a kind of an illusory perception of each other. For this and other reasons, people are becoming more conscientious about serving alcohol, or even having any at all, at their wedding parties.
Actually, in a way, weddings could be kind of like our post-Marxist opiate of the masses, because who doesn't love to have fun? Certainly not the Turkmen. And as soon as there's any kind of social hiccup, well, announce a gala wedding, with singers and all! Perhaps that's why we have been rated one of the world's happiest countries? But then, when the party's over and reality sets back in, we quickly slip into our other status as also one of the world's most miserable countries.
Recently I have visited the Obbo Winter Collection Fashion Show in Bishkek. Here're the pictures from the Tengri-Style Event:
As I intimated in my last post, Turkmen music in general, and Pop in particular, is still very much at the imitation stage of development, as our singers "borrow" famous songs illegally, adapt them, then sing them as though it were their own. It's thievery, yes, and it's a pity our regime's actions have compelled them to such acts, but precisely for that reason, I cannot condemn them. Besides, it's fitting somehow to our tradition of the master-disciple (halypa-shagirt), as the neophyte learns from the experienced singer.
Still, the resultant music can sometimes be hilariously bad – badly mixed, badly lyricized, etc. Yet, again, sympathy's in order: we should not forget the old maxim, "A rough diamond evolves into a polished diamond by getting trimmed and trimmed." People learn by making mistakes; the successful are those who both survive and learn. Eventually, Turkmenistan shall have a full-fledged Pop scene; the question is when, not if.
I think there's a temptation among our nation's young to use the Eurovision song contest as a measure of whether a nation's Pop scene has "emerged" and consolidated. This can be misleading. Turkmen singers have not been unsuccessful. If we look back to the Eighties, Atabay Charygulyyew's albums were listened to and bought in Europe, and he won various competitions there (what's particularly interesting about Charygulyyew is that he accomplished this by composing real Turkmen music, not by trying to be something he wasn't, i.e., a Westerner). On the one hand, he's an example of what our nation can eventually accomplish on a larger scale like the Eurovision; at the same time, on the other hand, he disproves the myth that Eurovision is the best marker of success.
In my last post, I wrote a bit about the scene for Turkmen Pop singers at the moment. Now I want to delve a bit more deeply into their professional conditions. It's not great, even considering the decent income that some of them can earn from weddings.
Editor's note: While Uzbekistan's everyday citizens toil in the cotton fields, Gulnara Karimova has been hosting a festival of government-sponsored films to celebrate her country's "talent". NewEurasia's Khayyam goes looking for Uzbekistan's real talent, and finds them in a rival film festival in Bishkek.
We had a really, ahem, glorious film festival in Uzbekistan the last week: called "Golden Guepard", it was organized by Gulnara Karimova as part of her Art Week, which is held annually in the country.
The pathos of the festival — to say nothing of Art Week itself– was completely out of place: it's cotton harvesting time. So, while foreign visitors and Uzbekistan's Zil-driving elite were enjoying films and fashion, regular citizens were slaving away on the cotton fields. Of course, there wasn't a single film about this issue in the festival; only government-sponsored films were shown, and these tend to be standard, clean and harmless, made by directors who are often far removed from the people.
Contrast this situation with the nearly simultaneous "Reformat" festival in Bishkek. Uzbekistan had two really good representatives there, talented hard-edged directors who prefer to shoot only sharp independent films about real issues — neither of whom, by the way, were invited to participate in Googoosha's spectacle. One of them even won the Grand Prix for Best Film!
That Grand Prix went to the documentary "The Angel … and two of her husband's" Oleg Karpov and Umida Akhmedova, a notorious Uzbek director. In 2010, she was convicted in "Libel and insult of the Uzbek people" for her film, "The Burden of Virginity" (which you, dear reader, can watch on Vimeo here and here). In Karpov'swords,
"In this new movie, there is no politics. The film — about love and paradoxes of home life — focuses upon a woman who lives with her two husbands in the same apartment. The entire film is built on contrasts. All things in this film are very absurd. For example, one of the men of this woman is a Muslim who sings in the choir of the Russian Orthodox Church."
He added, concerning "Reformat",
The festival 'Reformat', as well as our own festival CAFIF, consist of films that are outside of the [regular] cinematic process: video art, documentaries, games, student films. The ideology is similar in both festivals, but in Kyrgyzstan there were cash prizes [i.e., real appreciation for our work]. It's funny. [W]e won USD 700 with the Grand Prix; this is our the most successful film.
We [i.e., Central Asians] need more such festivals [...]. Previously, nothing similiar was happening in Uzbekistan or Kyrgyzstan. It's a fresh move, and I hope that they will turn into something systematic, permanent.
Uzbekistan is a very rich country, and not just in terms of its natural resources. Its people can be supremely talented, but they too often get tossed aside for the glory of Googoosha.
My impression — and not just mine, considering the awards given — is that Uzbek filmmakers represented in 'Reformat' looked very presentable. There seven Uzbek films shown [in total]. The film 'Generation of Port Wine' by Alexander Barkovsky, who received the third prize of the festival, was perceived as very personal, despite the fact that this movie is about Tashkent youth. [His] characters were familiar with the audience, they were recognizable. The film has a very serious energy.
Barkovsky is one of the most extraordinary video artists in Uzbekistan. His film, "The Generation of Port Wine", is a documentary sketch of the life about street punks in Tashkent in 1998, full of existential nightmare. In his own words:
"The film was shot in 1998, when there was a a popular party-point called 'Hitchhiking' among punks in Tashkent, in the area of the last bus stop 'Square', which is now demolished [Ed.: For more information, check out NewEurasia's post on Tashkent's sudden physical transformation]. My friend from Moscow brought a video camera, and all summer I was with this camera, shooting different things. One day, I was in a cafe on the 'Hitchhiking' place where punks gathered. The footage laid in my house for ten years, [until] 2008, when I digitized it and spent two years editing it.
"It's a human story of the generation of the Nineties, of which I was a member. At that time, the mass culture had not yet mixed all the people up in one heap. People were clearly divided into groups for ideological and aesthetic reasons."
As for his motivations to film, Barkovsky remarked,
"I care about movies and life in general as a director, not for the sake of festivals. There are thousands of festivals in the world. I don't care about 'Golden Guepard'. [However,] I would like to participate, but for [obvious] reasons, none of my movies will work there. [T]hey did not even call me. [By contrast,] representatives from other festivals call sometimes.
Editor's note: Earlier this week, Uzbekistan's notorious First Daughter, Gulnara "Googoosha" Karimova, released the music video of her newest single, "Round Run". NewEurasia's newest blogger, Khayyam, shows us YouTube audience reactions, and asks a professional music video producer about the production quality, right down to the ominous Soviet-era ZIL. Get ready for some stinging criticism.
Gulnara Karimova is notorious for her desire to get "big" in show business as "Googoosha". She released her eponymous album earlier this year over the Internet. The songs were written by one of the best Russian producers, Max Fadeev. And now, we have the "world premiere" of the album's lead single, "Round Run".
The video is set in ancient Bukhara. According to witnesses and news agency Uznews.net, the entire historical city center was closed during the shooting process. Avi Cohen, a music video director from USA who has worked with Godsmack, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and other bands, directed the video. It also starred the world-renowned parkour runner Daniel Ilabaca. So, in a sense, this is a pretty big deal for Uzbekistan. But what was the actual end result?
Viewer reactions
YouTube viewers are split between their adoration for Ilabaca and their loathing for Googoosha. Hmmm interesting. For posterity's sake, I've screen-captured the YouTube page for the video before the negative comments gets censored.
So, for example, one viewer writes,
клип не рыба не мясо у нее нету дара .. наверное в узбекистане слушают из за того что это песня везде играет и включают по телеэфирам
[Literal translation:] clip is not fish meat in her no gift .. probably listen in Uzbekistan due to the fact that this song is everywhere on television time and include
Another waxes sarcastic:
прекрасный клип и энергичная музыка, не зря наша леди вошла в пятерку на Hot Dance Hits в Америке … Ну что же, так или иначе, она знаменита!
[Literal translation:] excellent video and energetic music, no wonder our lady entered the top five on the Hot Dance Hits in America … Well, anyway, she is famous!
Googoosha definitely has her defenders, particularly one Islom Yusupov, who sees this as a public relations coup for Bukhara and Uzbekistan. Others praise her physical beauty, or just the fact that Uzbekistan has the resources (i.e., money) to produce something of "Western" quality.
Meanwhile, on the Uzbek analog of Youtube, Mover.uz, negative opinions on the video were surpassing positive ones — until comments were abruptly disabled (along with the Like/Dislike function). Surprise, surprise.
Professional reaction
NewEurasia asked one well-known European video producer about his/her impressions of the video from a professional point of view (unfortunately, he/she has asked not to be named, lest he/she have problems on future visits to Uzbekistan). Here are his/her remarks:
I don't know how much this probably expensive director costs, but he's not worth his money, that much is for sure. The best example is the beginning: the director fails at setting up the story. From the editing in this first part, you get a feeling that the guy is running away from the car, not that the two people actually want to meet. See the scenes and their symbolism:
- He looks over the city;
- A black car drives through;
- He slides down a wall;
- He jumps off some building;
- Frontal view of the black car;
- He runs.
The symbolics are clear: He's fleeing from the car. The edit as well as the way places/items are shown, including the car, make that quite clear. Now, sure, you could say that it's a game, haha, you know, they want you to believe this [running away] in the beginning, and then surprise you with a twist to the story when it turns out that they actually want to meet. But that's rubbish. Firstly, this is a music video, not a 45 minute TV serial. Secondly, this revealing of the real story comes only at the very end, and if that is intentional, then sorry, it's also badly done. It comes out of nowhere. All of a sudden. That's just badly built: If you want such a surprise effect, you'd have to go through with it and implement hints during the story, too. That's not happening.
There are plenty of small details, like toward the end when you see the guy climbing up the Arc (clearly diagonal walls), and somehow he ends up on the roof of a completely different building (with vertical walls). I mean, come on. They're not even trying to hide the bad jump from one place to another. Likewise, around 0:28, where we play the bad old game of 'quick cuts', almost stop motion: Okay, the stylistics are already old-fashioned since years, but if you decide to use them, then… eh… why does for example the running guy (frontal view) make a step back all of a sudden? Now that can't be on purpose, can it. Because it does nothing to help the story, or the aesthetics. It's just a dumb cut.
I think it's sad for an amazingly beautiful city like Bukhara if it looks so crap in a video. It's not because of the camera, that was certainly expensive enough. The post-production however introduces sometimes these fast-moving clouds (okay, nothing fundamentally wrong with them); it somehow manipulates the colors but not to their advantage, i.e. the picture seems quite flat and at times even sterile. Toward the end (evening mood), it becomes entirely artificial. Additional details like these permanent lens flares don't make it look better, too. I really feel sorry for Bukhara. It has all the visual magic, and then these folks have nothing better to do than turn it into some sort of plastic-fantastic landscape?
The camera is somewhat too hectic, even for a video of such speed. Speed is fine, but it needs to find a balance that allows to find into the rhythm, that carries us through. Here, my impression is that some of the moves are really just random. They create imbalances by e.g. not connecting to previous shots, abruptly changing directions, and the like.
Okay, matter of taste to some extent, I admit I'm not into disco-clubby-popsy stuff that all sounds almost exactly the same. But matters of taste aside: The singer clearly can't sing. This is kind of the Scooter (or how this band was called) of cheesy clubby-popsy music. Hardly any voice, that lady. Besides that, the song is predictable; bases on elements we've heard a million times before; it's cheap and shallow. The content motif (lyrics) is also cheap and silly — I mean, a 13 year old who's in love writes better poetry than this.
Then, by my best knowledge, you shouldn't climb around historic monuments. It's either forbidden anyway, or it's simply a bad idea because you damage ancient building substance. Isn't this an UNESCO world heritage site or something? Is the Arc really in a condition that we should encourage people to run all over it? Hmm.
As for me, I also can't figure out the symbolism of this black car. It's a Soviet "ZIL" (Завод имени Лихачёва — ЗиЛ) that was created only for Communist Party top-level bosses. It's a very rare car. Perhaps this is an allusion to the song of Boris Grebenshikov "Blue Light", in which he sings, "My death driving black car with a blue flame"? Unfortunately, it brings to mind corrupt aristocracy, just as it used to in Soviet days…
"People would prefer to have gold or silver or platinum, some tangible asset that can preserve their wealth. So, while we're sitting out in this isolated part of Central Asia and it seems unconnected to much of the rest of the world, this is obviously very central issue to what's going on economically and financially right now in Europe and North America." — Dr. Robert Moran, hydrologist/geologist
This past September, Bankwatch and I made a documentary about the Kumtor mine. You can view the video via YouTube. Some weeks later I was invited to join a State Commission which was visiting the Kumtor goldmine to do an environmental monitoring and take water samples. While we were out there, though, I also took a long series of photographs, originally posted by Bankwatch on Flickr but which I'm now re-posting with permission here to help spread the word about what's happening in Kyrgyzstan's mountains.
With the help of a fellow Turkmen citizen-journalist, I've obtained and translated this official media coverage of our nation's recent presidential election.


text:
From all I hear, and especially since TO is no longer a part of the offense, folks seem to think that the Cowboys O in 2009 will focus much more on the run game. And I'm all for it! I think it will help the team become, as they say, "Romo-friendly."
Emphasizing the run should come naturally to a team that can boast the likes of Marion the Barbarian, Felix the Cat Jones, and Tashard the Right Choice.
Last year Barber ran for 885 yards (with limited playing time late in the season), Felix was good for 266 rushing yards (also with limited time due to injury) and Choice ran for 472 (as the backup when Barber went down.) Both Jones and Choice averaged 5 yards or more per carry!
No one knows, at this point, what the ball distribution percentages will look like for our "Three-Headed-Monster" rushing attack this year. It is not likely, in my opinion, that they all get equal carries. My assumption would be that Barber still gets most of the carries, with Felix and Choice coming in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
When I first started watching NFL football, the year was 1971. And of course, our beloved Cowboys won the Super Bowl, January 16, 1972 in New Orleans, defeating the Dolphins 24-3.
Let me point out, just briefly, the running attack employed by both Super Bowl contenders that year.
The Cowboys: Duane Thomas, Walt Garrison, and Calvin Hill
The Dolphins: Larry Csonka, Jim Kiick, and Mercury Morris
Both teams employed the "run by committee" strategy and it put them in the Super Bowl.
Through the years, many different teams have had excellent run games by focusing on a single workhorse of a runner. Several examples come to mind:
Emmitt Smith
Walter Payton
Barry Sanders
Eric Dickerson
O.J. Simpson
Thurman Thomas
Jerome Bettis
Jamal Lewis
Adrian Peterson
LaDaninian Tomlinson
Other NFL teams have had success using the run-by-committee approach.
Just look at the 2008 season:
NYG – Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, and Ahmad Bradshaw (Ranked #1 Rushing)
BAL – Le'Ron McClain, Willis McGahee, and Ray Rice (Ranked #4 Rushing)
OAK – Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden, and Michael Bush (Ranked #10 Rushing)
DEN – Michael Pittman, Peyton Hills, and Tatum Bell (Ranked #12 Rushing)
TB – Warrick Dunn, Earnest Graham, and Cadillac Williams (Ranked #15 Rushing)
There may be other examples of run-by-committee not listed here, but these are the ones that I could think of right now.
Last year, by the end of the season, the Cowboys were only ranked #21 in rushing yards. That should all change this year.
With the new emphasize on running this year, and with our run-by-committee approach in full swing from game one, I am predicting that our running game ends up in the top 10 for 2009, which I'm hoping helps to land us a playoff spot.
If all goes well, Romo should not feel like he has to carry the burden of making things happen, forcing balls to TO, or scrambling around and wildly throwing balls up for grabs because of another 3rd and long situation. The improvement of the run game, should put us in more 3rd and short opportunities.
I, for one, believe that our run-by-committee approach can and should work!


text:
Established in 1873 in Woodstock,Ontario as Miller& Karn till 1924.
Around 1896 they made the Karn-Warren pipe organs with the Morris company from Listowel, Ontario. D.W. Karn & Company was originally founded as an organ manufacturer. Although they produced a large number of pianos, the organ business remained their mainstay.
Karn pianos were known for their finely crafted ornate cabinetry. Although the furniture component of these instruments was first class, the musical instrument was of average quality.
The D.W. Karn Company formed a partnership with Morris & Company in 1909 and operated until 1924. Sherlock Manning bought the remaining business and produced pianos under the Karn label until 1961.


text:
It appears clear that the Rays are having a fire sale. While Evan Longoria is currently under a VERY reasonable contract (3 yrs remaining - total just over $10MM, and then three more yrs of club options total another $30MM), if the Rays really are looking to cut costs, maybe they trade him. Do I really think they'll do this? No, but it's nice to dream.
Sounds like the Mets are looking to cut costs. Could David Wright become available?
Either way, both of these players would come at a high price. A number of top prospects would have to be dealt, and likely a current 'financially sound' starter (or two?) would need to be included as well.
Longoria would be the better fit & better player, but it would be great to see either in an Angel's hat!


text:
Town Square
Controversy stems over President Obama's speech to students
Original post made on Sep 11, 2009
Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, September 11, 2009, 12:00 AM
Comments (9)
on Sep 11, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Too bad the White House didn't put out the speech last week, but they waited until Monday (the Whitehouse Lesson Plan had lots of concerns)! TOO LATE!!
After all it is my job to motivate and inspire my own child, not the Government. I do that every day with positive affirmations, positive parenting techniques and staying involved. Plus promoting learning not being
on Sep 11, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Julie is a registered user.
Goody, goody gumdrops for you cbrook! Really, I think that's great how you motivate, inspire & all that. Unfortunately not all children are so fortunate to have involved, inspiring, positive role models in their life. And, even for those who are as lucky, why is it "bad" for them to hear yet another voice of inspiration? Personally I don't want the market on inspiration with my children. I recognize that I am not the only person on the planet capable of teaching/encouraging/affirming them.
on Sep 11, 2009 at 5:58 pm
like Bridget Meslon (Spelling to be corrected by the Doctor) and myself we care enough about our Children to take care of them ourselves. We don't need the Government or you MS. Julie, a resident of Another PLeasanton neighborhood to teach, inspire or motivate our Children, we want them to look to us for their motivation, affirmation and positive parenting. If the parents of the USA would own up to their responsibility we might once again be the Greatest Nation on Earth!!
on Sep 11, 2009 at 6:28 pm
PToWN94566 is a registered user.
"If the parents of the USA would own up to their responsibility we might once again be the Greatest Nation on Earth!!"
Ignorant statements like this is why children slip through the cracks. Motivating children to do well in school is not a job only parents should partake in. the 'teacher' doesn't only apply to the teachers in classrooms- coaches, religious leaders, counselors, babysitters- these are all forms of teachers. Also, if it's not the governments (Federal) job to have some say in education (and it's not as large as people make it out to be), then why do schools that have signed up for have to pass standardized tests to qualify for Title 1 funds through NCLB?
on Sep 11, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Julie is a registered user.
cbrook, I will have to "agree to disagree" with you that somehow my willingness to expose my children to other potential motivators makes me less of a parent than you (implied in your post). I certainly care "enough" about my children and take responsibility for them - just like you say you do.
Why were you concerned about the president's speech? You must home school or send your child(ren) to private school since you write that you don't need the government to teach your children. I thought the speech was only to be shown in public schools, which apparently your children do not attend. I guess you don't attend church either since I thought that many church goers look to their priest/pastor/etc. for inspiration for both themselves and their children. I guess your children aren't allowed to play sports since, in my experience, the coaches certainly try to inspire and motivate their players.
Interesting you drag Dr. Bridget into this - I thought people pay her to help with their children...that her husband is a "life coach". I may have remembered wrong, and if so, I apologize. If I'm remembering right, it just seemed ironic that you mention her since your theme is being the sole support system for your child.
on Sep 11, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Posted by cbrook, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, 1 hour ago
Last time I checked, at least one of you had children in PUSD. So, I understand that to be the Government Run Public school sytem to be "teaching, motivating and inspiring" your children.
God Bless!~
"Bridget Meslon (Spelling to be corrected by the Doctor) and myself we care enough about our Children to take care of them ourselves. We don't need the Government or you MS. Julie, a resident of Another PLeasanton neighborhood to teach, inspire or motivate our Children, we want them to look to us for their motivation, affirmation and positive parenting. If the parents of the USA would own up to their responsibility we might once again be the Greatest Nation on Earth!!"
on Sep 11, 2009 at 10:44 pm
It's pretty apparent this is polital for those who did not want their kids to hear Obama's speech. The speech itself was pretty benign: stay in school/work hard/achieve your highest potential, etc. This president is not the first to deliver such a speech. There was no attempt at "indoctrination" of our youth, just positive advice that most responsible parents would agree with. Why is it that those who don't like the guy can't just say that and stop trying to disguise their political agenda as healthy parenting?
on Sep 14, 2009 at 8:47 am
First of all, would cbrook similarly feel the JFK should have not motivated the nation (and its students!) with his powerful speeches that are still with us today? To think that a President should not try to motivate is rediculous. We parents are the primary, and surely our President should be somewhere next in line, and after all, he truly spoke the right words, no side agenda on his cue cards.
Secondly, for those of you who've said in the past that every classroom showed the speech - what nonsense! I know many many kids who came home from both middle and high school who said the teacher chose not to show he speech at all. Not even a vote of discussion. Just a non-issue.
Well, a non-issue for all except those who'd have wanted their kids to have gotten that experience.
on Sep 14, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Go Republicans! Way to teach your children and motivate them to have closed minds! I am so glad you refuse to have anyone else help with the enlightening of your young people. That is exactly what the bay area needs. More one-sided ness.
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text:
"Get to Know..." continues profiling Syracuse football players, with RB/Return Man Steve Rene.
The Syracuse Orange announced that a pair of offensive players will not be available for Saturday's bowl game against West Virginia.
After a "complete assessment of the facts," SU announced that Spruill "will not play a significant portion of the upcoming bowl game."
TNIAAM's experts project Syracuse's place in the ACC, praise the Orange's bowl matchup with West Virginia and take a look at the coaching staff's future career prospects.
Doug Marrone told the Daily Orange that, despite his arrest over the weekend, Syracuse Orange linebacker Marquis Spruill is still eligible to play in the upcoming Pinstripe Bowl on December 29th.
Syracuse Orange junior linebacker Marquis Spruill and junior running back Steve Rene were arrested early Sunday morning. Spruill, a starting linebacker, was booked on disorderly conduct and...
The Daily Orange is reporting that Syracuse linebacker Marquis Spruill and RB/KR Steve Rene were arrested Sunday morning and spent the night in jail.
The Syracuse Orange and Connecticut Huskies meet Friday in a Big East Conference football game at the Carrier Dome (8 p.m. on ESPN). Most believe Syracuse faces a "must-win" situation.
Steve Rene is out and Ritchy Desir is in as Syracuse's punt returner. For the best, really. Jeremiah Kobena is also back as kick returner.
As the Orange prepare to take on the Scarlet Knights, Shamarko Thomas and Alec Lemon spent practice in no-contact jerseys on Tuesday. How likely are they to play Saturday?
We already knew that Justin Pugh would be back to form The Head of the Voltron we call the SU offensive line. Now we know he'll also be joined by another Orange who has yet to see the field, wide...
Jeremiah Kobena goes out, Alec Lemon comes back and Steve Rene takes on responsibilities.
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text:
When Jackson was searching the Web for a replacement shotgun stock, supervisor Christie Vazquez -- who admitted in a subsequent deposition to being "very anti-gun" and had quarreled with him before about politics -- noticed what he was doing. Vazquez said she was scared because it was only a few weeks after the Virginia Tech massacre (see CBS News video), so she promptly reported her colleague's Web browsing to Planco's human resources department. Vazquez also informed the HR department that Jackson owned guns and was a member of the National Rifle Association.
You can guess what happened next: according to court documents, the HR representative, Jamie Davis, replied that reporting the visits to Mossberg.com and other sites was "the right thing" to do, and ordered the information technology department to investigate Jackson's Internet activity. After receiving a list of Web sites visited, Davis recommended that Jackson be placed on leave, which the company authorized. Planco disabled Jackson's front door and computer access and arranged for undercover police to be at the building the next morning.
And so on, leading to his being fired. Disgusting in general, but the bigotry of Vasquez
Jackson, who has a legal concealed carry permit in Pennsylvania, accompanied Vazquez when she was hunting for apartments in dodgy areas of Philadelphia. He gave her a tour of the Philadelphia Inquirer, where he used to work, and took Vazquez to a shooting range and showed her how to use a gun. (She confirmed in a later deposition (PDF) that she enjoyed the outing.)
is just amazing. She should be ashamed, if she has any shame.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Planco, a subsidiary of The Hartford, is a company that should not get your business
Labels: Gun Bigots
3 comments:
- Chad said...
Fascism enabler Christie Vazquez's profile has already been removed.
Sounds like there might be a bit more to this than just being anti gun.
Hell hath no fury etc?
Nasty piece of work whatever the background.
- The Freeholder said...
Please tell me you left off the part where Jackson has found some way to sue these morons.
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
It's Joe's Birthday!!!!!
Prayer Requests, Family Announcements, Weddings, Anniversaries, Birthdays, etc.
Moderator: Team Cub
It's Joe's Birthday!!!!!
Today is Joe Malinowski's birthday. Happy Birthday, Joe.
Don McCombs
MD, Deep Creek Lake
"1950 Something" Farmall Cub
1977 International Cub w/FH
1978 International Cub
1948 Farmall Super A
1951 Farmall Super C w/FH
Re: It's Joe's Birthday!!!!!
Happy birthday Joe!
It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt -
Barnyard Bash CubFest May 30th - May 31st, 2014
Click here for info http://www.barnyardbash.com
Re: It's Joe's Birthday!!!!!
Have a good one Joe!
If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.
My wife says I don't listen to her. - - - - - - - - Or something like that!
Re: It's Joe's Birthday!!!!!
Happy Birthday, Joe!!
Mike (Happy as a Lark in Allison Park, PA)
Check out my Restoration Thread (1955 Cub, Lewis)
Re: It's Joe's Birthday!!!!!
Happy Birthday.
Have a donut with a candle on it for each year
Re: It's Joe's Birthday!!!!!
Happy Birthday Joe!! Best Wishes!!
Screwstick #3934
FCub - LoBoy - Numbered Series Databases
Re: It's Joe's Birthday!!!!!
Happy birthday young fella!
One Life , One Love , A Love Supreme
1955 michael e. pugh el
The only thing new is untold history, Harry Truman
Re: It's Joe's Birthday!!!!!
Joe, many happy returns on your big day.
Re: It's Joe's Birthday!!!!!
Have a great birthday.
"The probability of life originating from accident is comparable to the probability of the unabridged dictionary resulting from an explosion in a printing shop." Edwin Conklin, biologist
Re: It's Joe's Birthday!!!!!
Happy Birthday Joe. Hope you have a great day.
"We don't need to think more,
we need to think differently."
-Albert Einstein
Re: It's Joe's Birthday!!!!!
Happy Birthday Joe... Hope you had a wonderful day.
Re: It's Joe's Birthday!!!!!
Joe, I thought you were too old to have another birthday! Have a donut for me. Happy Birthday. Ed
50 ,52,53,56,59 F Cubs, 55,55,57,63,63 fast hitch, 64 lo-boys, 71 154, 184 lo-boy,61 cadet original. IH spreader,IH corn grinder, Oli. OC3 ,AC D10 ,IH 444 , Potato digger, wagner ldr 3 power units.
Re: It's Joe's Birthday!!!!!
really though happy birthday Joe
On To Bigger Things
Re: It's Joe's Birthday!!!!!
Hey Joe have a very happy birthday And the dude Scott posted kinda looks like you, well kinda
Re: It's Joe's Birthday!!!!!
Happy Birthday, Joe! Your present is on its way!
Rick Spivey
'52 Cub ("Great Personality") 148xxx
'48 Cub with FH ("Gunny Cub") 38xxx
'57 Lambretta (a slow work in progress)
'74 Triumph TR6 (Mama's toy)
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Human Sciences/Family and Consumer Sciences and Education
About Us
- HSE/FCS Course Standards and Programs of Study
- NCE Programs of Study
- NE Core Academic Standards
- NE Standards for Career Readiness Practice
- National Family & Consumer Sciences Essential Learnings
- Conferences & Meetings
- NCE Conferences and Meetings
- Beginning Teacher Institute
- FCS Visioning: "Scottsdale in Nebraska"
- NCE Course Codes and Clearing Endorsements (Appendix D)
- Law & Public Safety Resources
- FCS Teacher Preparation Programs
- Nebraska FCCLA
- Nebraska HOSA
- Nebraska FEA
- FCSTN (Teacher Network)
- Resources for New Teachers
- NE Professional Directory (educators and organizations)
- Nebraska Career Education
- Career Clusters
- Teacher Certification
External Studies
Human Sciences & Education Professional Directories
There are four parts to this directory for your convenience in networking with other professionals. After the Teacher Directory is information concerning three professional organizations related to FCS.
Nebraska FCS Teacher Directory
Listed alphabetically by town.
Nebraska FCS Pictorial Directory
Helps put a face with a name of those you are networking with.
Family & Consumer Sciences Teachers of Nebraska
Nebraska Association of Family & Consumer Sciences


text: Don't Tell the Bride Series 6 - 15. Don't Tell the Bride - Christmas on Ice Share: Play clip About this programme 15/15. Groom-to-be Nick from Crawley, West Sussex, is given £12,000 to plan every detail of his nuptials and give his fiancee Rosie a winter wonderland wedding she will never forget - but has just three weeks to organise the ceremony. Cast and crew Crew Director Dean Griffiths Producer Dean Griffiths Series Producer Sarah May Categories Documentary Share: