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I wanted to see the sunrise at the Grand Canyon. My daughter and I set our alarms for 0-dark-thirty and walked out to the suggested look-out place. It was cold even though it was summer. We rested against a big rock and waited with a small group of others, cameras stalking the horizon for the first and best shot. Slowly the sky was lighter, soon bright rays were concentrated at the horizon, and finally the sun slowly inched up above the canyon rim. All the while glorious colors transformed the landscape around us: rocks, ground, and sky…minute by minute. Sunrise is short-lived, and beautiful. It was awesome to share that moment with my daughter: miraculous transformation from dark to light in one of the most awe-inspiring places on the planet. And then the day went on. We packed up our car and headed for home. I rarely see the sunrise, but what a great God-reminder that He is with us, transforming, clarifying, bringing light, hope, and beauty to land that seems unchanging.
Posted in Faith, Hope, Uncategorized | Tagged Faith, hope, nature | Leave a Comment »
Our beautiful birch tree survived the brutal spring snow. But with new growth over the summer it is leaning over the sidewalk and the driveway. The tree seems to be recovering but weak. I did my best to trim the lower branches but lacked the tools to trim bigger branches and higher parts. The tree service said the growth pattern needed to be corrected so the tree would grow straight instead of leaning toward the sun as it crests over the roof. "The trimming," she said, "might seem dramatic, but the tree will quickly adjust."
God has already shown me a thing or two about this tree.
That snowstorm was heartbreaking and beautiful. The largest segment of our 30 foot, 3-trunked birch tree was bent at a ninety degree angle with all its beautiful white branches collapsed into a foot of snow in our front yard. The trunk that had bent so many times broke beneath the weight of the snow.
One of my regrets, as I spent hours chopping the tree into recyclable pieces, was that I hadn't trimmed more. Maybe it could have weathered the storm better. In life mirrors tree fashion, God has been removing things. His restoration process has brought loss and growth, strength and acceptance. It feels extreme sometimes.
Resisting the natural pull of circumstances and lesser visions for my life, I fight to abide with God so I can grow straight up into all He has for me.
Posted in Faith, Uncategorized | Tagged Faith, nature | 1 Comment »
In my right hand I was carrying the recycling container and in my left hand I held a stack of things that didn't quite fit in the container. As I stepped down into the garage, my ankle twisted a little and I couldn't balance the awkward load I was carrying. I flew across the garage floor landing with an impressive crash of cans and plastic.
The day I fell, I was carrying too much and couldn't steady myself. In the past I may have occasionally said yes to one thing too many. I tend to notice the needs of those around me and act on them. But increasingly I'm aware of the risks of taking on too much.
If my hands are full I won't be able to feed my sheep.
If I listen to what God is saying, and respect the boundaries of others, I'm safe. If God shows me a situation but gives no specific directions, I pray and leave the next steps and outcome in His hands. Not every situation requires my involvement but if I notice a need and God prompts me, I do my best to follow His directions.
My goal is an everyday surrender of my perspective, my agenda, and the resources God has given me.
Posted in Faith, Purpose | Tagged Faith, sheep, surrender | Leave a Comment »
In the grocery store check-out line God said, "be prepared to pay." Huh? Then I noticed the two men and their kids in line in front of me. When the bags were packed they nervously swiped one credit card after another with no success. I was there, and I was ready, so I paid for their groceries.
If I'd taken time to think it through I might have made a different decision but fortunately I passed along what God gave me in that moment.
Hey, I'm feeding sheep.
Some days I notice the opportunities to apply my experiences, gifts, and abilities in ways that are valuable to God and to others. It makes sense to me that I can deliver the light and life of God in places where you will never go. I am uniquely positioned to bring heaven to earth in this territory God has given me.
This "feed my sheep" vision of my purpose is simple and clear. Like the disciples inventorying lunch options for 5000, I can track what God is providing, and how I can best distribute it.
The question is, what does God want to deliver through me, here…today? It might be encouragement, resources, or some kind of service. Only in collaboration with God can I be a conduit of His resources to others.
And I have to be ready.
Posted in Purpose | Tagged Faith, purpose | 1 Comment »
I was keeping score, if things worked out, if my performance was excellent, if people valued my contribution, I was satisfied. My dreams for my life placed me in the center of something cool that paid well and mattered to me. I was trying so hard, searching for answers, hoping for success and life-changing adventures. I didn't know that I mattered to God, that He wanted me. My heart rested precariously on recent results and the opinions of others.
But one day that started to change.
People were gathered outside along the construction site ready to dedicate the land for our new church building. Each person was asked to write a personal vision statement on a wooden stake and drive it into the ground. The words God spoke to me were: "feed my sheep!"
God used that moment to begin an important new conversation about my true purpose. He gave me the bottom line in three simple words "feed my sheep"
I am shepherding the cool stuff that matters to God.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Faith, purpose | Leave a Comment »
God, you accept me. You look beyond mistakes and sins and see me: perfected, beautifully clothed in Jesus. Accepting is who you are and how you love. And sometimes I feel You filling me up with that same acceptance power. I can ignore offenses, let words trickle down, stand there while it's not ok…and then keep going. Out of a deep sense of Your approval I can accept others where they are: broken, beautiful, nowhere near what You have in mind for them. Together we are hoping for direction, new opportunities and momentum; hoping to look back on these days and smile at what was just then becoming.
Posted in Faith, Love, Uncategorized | Tagged acceptance, Faith | Leave a Comment »
Nine weeks into 2013, new perspective on my challenge to believe is emerging. In a quiet moment God said to me something like this, "believe in 'me in you', the same way you believe in me." A long difficult season had already led me to connect with God like never before. So when God gave me believe as the theme for 2013, it threw me….I was thinking, I do believe you God, I believe you now more than ever. But now I see. If I really believe God, I have to trust, and expect Him to work in me and through me. This can only happen if I am willing to receive His Holy Spirit power and every resource He wants to provide in order to accomplish His purposes for His glory.
I'm not smart enough. That's the sad old tape I caught myself playing when I was overwhelmed last week. Multi-tasking led to confusion over a meeting, and out jumped insecurity. I felt myself inching back from the complexity and awkwardness. I'm glad God called me on it. If I'm going to say I believe God it can't just be a hypothetical, "God is good all the time" kind of refrain. No, on the contrary it has to be an, "I'm not sure why I'm here and I have a lot to learn, but I believe you placed me, so direct my steps today" kind of tune.
God has chosen us and given us purpose as sons and daughters of the King. When God works through us we don't need to rely solely on our skills, experiences, and strength, because God authorizes and provides everything needed to accomplish His plans. We simply serve in His authority. But this can only happen if we believe God's power to work in us despite our human limitations, and have faith in our God-reinforced ability to obey.
In John 14: 11-12, Jesus describes this God-in-us model: "Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."
I'm not sure yet how to believe 'God in me' more, but God is the How.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged believe, Faith, purpose | Leave a Comment »


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Obama Promises Big Push On Climate Change, But Can He Deliver?
Yesterday, President Barack Obama devoted the biggest single section of his second inaugural address to the problem of climate change. He has clearly decided to make confronting climate change a central objective of his second term. But what will the president actually do?
In his second inaugural address the president declared, "We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations." Just how will "we" respond? By pursuing the "long and sometimes difficult …path towards sustainable energy sources." The president insisted that we must do this because "we cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries." By claiming the "promise" of clean energy technologies "we will maintain our economic vitality" and "preserve our planet."
So what will the president do? Last week, Michael Brune, the executive director of the environmental lobbying group the Sierra Club urged President Obama to do an end run around a recalcitrant Congress and exercise his "full executive authority" to promulgate regulations that would cut greenhouse gas emissions by limiting the production of fossil fuels. The Sierra Club launched its first 100 days "Obama Climate and Clean Energy Legacy Campaign" with the goal of pressuring Obama to "tackle the most serious environmental crisis of our age." Given the prominence that the president gave climate change in his inaugural address, it doesn't look as though he needs much pushing.
The Sierra Club campaign demands that the Obama administration enact regulations and policies that limit fossil fuel production by ending mountaintop removal coal mining, closing public lands to further oil, natural gas, and coal production, placing new limits on the use of fracking to produce oil and natural gas, stopping the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline that would transport 1 million barrels of petroleum per day from Canada's oilsands, halting further exports of coal and natural gas, and increasing federal financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives.
University of San Diego historian Naomi Oreskes likens climate change to the World War II threat of a Nazi atomic bomb and exhorts President Obama to "move independently of Congress" to mobilize scientists in U.S. national laboratories in a Manhattan Project-like push. Among other things, the funding for "renewable energy research and development needs to be radically increased," Oreskes says. In addition, given the inconstancy of wind and solar power, more research needs to be aimed at creating new energy storage technologies. Also, social scientists can help by figuring out how to seduce Americans into conserving energy. And in case all else fails, scientists should study how to engineer technologies that could cool the climate.
On February 12, President Obama will deliver his next State of Union address to Congress. It is likely that the president will unveil his administration's climate change policies and plans then. What can we expect to hear?
Perhaps a carbon tax grand bargain is in the works. In his inaugural address, President Obama declared that policymakers and the public must jettison "outworn programs" and instead "harness new ideas" such as "revamp[ing] our tax code." One such new idea is to impose a per ton of carbon dioxide tax on fossil fuels to encourage Americans to conserve energy and switch to higher cost renewable energy sources like wind and solar. SomeRepublicans in Congress might be persuaded to go along with such a tax if the revenues were used to cut the payroll tax or the corporate income tax.
What about the Keystone XL pipeline? According to climatologist James Hansen, if the pipeline is built and Canada's oilsands are exploited it will be "game over for the climate." But because the pipeline crosses an international border, President Obama has broad power to reject the project if he determines that it is not in the "national interest." Last year, in order to mollify the green lobby before the election, Obama put off deciding about the pipeline despite several reviews that found its construction and operation would pose minimal risks to the environment. The State Department will issue another review this quarter. Now that alienating green voters is no longer a risk to his re-election, the president could decide to approve the pipeline, but I suspect that he will instead go with his left-leaning policy instincts and reject it.
In addition, the president will most likely have the Environmental Protection Agency impose new regulations limiting carbon dioxide emissions from both new and existing electric powergeneration plants. The Department of Energy will promulgate new regulations setting limits on energy use in a wide variety of appliances and other electrical equipment.
In his first State of the Union address to Congress in 2009, President Obama vowed, "We will invest fifteen billion dollars a year to develop technologies like wind power and solar power; advanced biofuels, clean coal, and more fuel-efficient cars and trucks built right here in America." Last year, in his State of the Union address, President Obama urged that the country "double-down on a clean energy industry that never has been more promising."
Given that the president declared in his inaugural speech that we need to claim the promise of clean energy technologies, we can expect that he will urge even more doubling down on "investments" in renewable and energy conservation technologies. What might doubling down amount to? Some $90 billion of federal stimulus spending was devoted to renewable energy R&D and energy conservation projects. In addition, in 2010 the federal government spent about $16 billion on renewable energy subsidies. As the president noted, the path toward sustainable energy sources has been "sometimes difficult." Some difficulties included the bankruptcies of federally subsidized firms like Solyndra, Abound Solar, Ener1, and A123 Systems. Nevertheless, the president's faith that federal energy bureaucrats are good at "picking winners" among energy "investments" seems undimmed. And never mind thatcreating green jobs by subsidizing renewables turns out to be mostly delusional.
Finally, President Obama committed after the United Nations Climate Change conference in Copenhagen in 2009 that the United States will cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent below their 2005 peak by 2020. In fact, thanks to the recession and the replacement of coal power generation with the flood of cheap natural gas released by fracking, U.S. carbon dioxide emissions are already about 9 percent lower than they were in 2005. Apparently heartened by President Obama's determination to take on climate change, United Nations General-Secretary Ban Ki-Moon is vowing to press world leaders to adopt a "strong, complete and binding" accord limiting global emissions of greenhouse gases by 2015.
Whatever climate problems greenhouse gas emissions will cause, the president certainly recognizes that the challenge cannot be solved by the United States alone. However, having been burned politically by the collapse of the Copenhagen Climate Change conference in 2009 and the failure of cap-and-trade legislation in Congress in 2010, President Obama has been wary of making any legally binding commitments on climate change in international negotiations. I predict that when the 19th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change convenes in Warsaw this coming November, the Obama administration will be fully committed to hammering out a binding international treaty to limit global greenhouse gas emissions. Given the failure of the Kyoto Protocol's cap-and-trade scheme, the Obama administration may push for getting the biggest emitters, e.g., China, Japan, Russia, Brazil, and the European Union to agree to a set of harmonized carbon taxes.
Five days after the State of the Union address, environmental activists will gather on February 17th in Washington, D.C. for the Forward on Climate Rally. Organized by the Sierra Club and 350.org, the environmental lobbying groups hope to make this demonstration the "largest climate rally in history." Their goal is to "move President Obama to take immediate action on climate." The most urgent target of the rally is to persuade the president to reject the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. If President Obama does ultimately reject the pipeline, it will be a strong signal that he is determined to make cutting greenhouse gas emissions a central part of his legacy—for better or worse.
Reason Online, 23 January 2013

subset: commoncrawl


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The Eagle-Tribune
---- — KINGSTON — Russell Prescott was headed for re-election to a fourth term in the state Senate early this morning.
Final vote totals were not available, but the Republican incumbent was leading Democratic challenger and fellow Kingston resident Carol Croteau in most District 23 towns.
Prescott won Chester, Danville, East Kingston, Kingston and Sandown. Prescott received 7,196 votes in those towns to 4,981 for Croteau. Results were not available from Brentwood, Epping, Exeter and Fremont.
Prescott, 52, served in the Senate from 2000 to 2004, then was elected for a third term in 2010, when he defeated Maggie Hassan. He is an engineer and business owner.
Croteau, a 52-year-old Democrat, is the founder of Bully Free NH. Croteau ran unopposed in September. She ran for a House seat in 2010, but was defeated.


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RADO Coupole - advertised as first "caseless" watch, ca. 1990
A close-up to show how the lugs...
press the crystal and case back together. There is a screw from the bottom of the stainless steel lug-case extension pulling the golden lug part down onto the crystal. Battery change was not a problem at all.
"Coupole" stands for English "dome" (Italian, cupola, from Latin cupula, a diminutive of cupa, tub). Think of the domed roof of a historic cathedral. This RADO Coupole is very small by today's standards and it looks small on the wrist. Luckily, I have a small wrist, so I am fine with it and honestly, I do no care that much what fashion dictates. Older and vintage watches are small because they reflect the common wrist watch size of their time. I think of that when I am wearing smaller watches, rather then comparing it to the latest trends. It measures a mere 30 mm in diameter, is 6.5 mm high and weighs only 21 grams including the leather band.
If you got interested in this "sandwich construction" then please click the button and look for the case back and movement pictures


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"Elizabethtown" - (2005) - Cameron Crowe
When Cameron Crowe made "Vanilla Sky" it seemed to fans that he had veered somewhat off course, and when the promos for "Elizabethtown" arrived 4 years later, it seemed that he had gone back to his roots. Music, kids in love, angst, road trips, and a great actress in the role of matriach (Susan Sarandon). Wrong! Instead, what we got was a watered-down version of the indie-hit-by-numbers of the year before, "Garden State". "Elizabethtown" stars Kirsten Dunst as the Manic Pixie Dream Flight Attendant who's seemingly waited all her life to save Orlando Bloom, the Braff-wannabe who is unable to forge a meaningful connection and whose life is totally going down the gurgler - aw, sad face. Throw in the family reunion, the aforementioned road trip, some Ryan Adams and Tom Petty on the soundtrack and it's all downhill from there. "Elizabethtown" is barely a shadow of Crowe's quotable and beloved hits "Say Anything" and "Almost Famous." His attempts at quirk appear phony, there is so much music it becomes a distraction instead of a complement and his characters are little more than 2-by-4s. The only saving grace is Alec Baldwin's brief appearance as Bloom's boss at the beginning of the film -- which is long forgotten once you've sat through Sarandon's speech and dance number .
"The Island of Dr. Moreau" (1996) - John Frankenheimer
Not the first bad film John Frankenheimer ever made (the man had far too long and diverse a career for that), "The Island of Dr. Moreau" is probably the worst bad film John Frankenheimer ever made. If the near-legendary tales are true, the shoot was miserable from the get go, and that it should result in such a miserable experience for the audience is probably only fitting. It's muddled, tonally erratic, and by turns high-falutin' in attempting to provoke religious, ethical and even existential debate, and downright silly as a bunch of dog-men find machine guns and stuff explodes for no reason. Disastrous onscreen, it was pandemonium offscreen: Frankenheimer himself was a last-minute replacement for Richard Stanley who was fired after four days' shooting, having worked on the project for four years; rewritten script pages were turned in minutes before scenes were shot, and Val Kilmer was going through a messy divorce and demanded a change of role with Rob Morrow. Who subsequently walked off the set, to be replaced by David Thewlis. Who hated working on it so much he vowed never to watch the finished product. So why did everyone put themselves through this? For most of the talent involved, the answer was the same "to work with Marlon Brando." Brando, himself grieving from the suicide of his daughter and having his lines piped into his ear via a radio transmitter, gives a performance so pantomimed that it might prove the lowest of the film's many low points, were it not for Kilmer. Ah, Kilmer: all baffling line readings and inappropriate emotional reactions, the nadir is reached when Val's Dr. Montgomery replaces Dr. Moreau, giving Kilmer the opportunity to "do" his Brando. Perhaps Frankenheimer, director of true classics like "The Train" and "The Manchurian Candidate" can't wholly be blamed for phoning it in, in an effort to speedily put the whole thing behind him, but he still needs to take at least partial responsibility for the resulting fiasco: as ill-starred as the production clearly was all along, sometimes remarkable work can be borne from chaos, witness "Apocalypse Now," or just about any Herzog film. "The Island of Dr. Moreau" however, was not one of those times. Oh the horror, indeed.
"Krull" (1983) - Peter Yates
In a directorial career spanning four decades, Peter Yates, who died in January of this year, tackled a host of genres, turning out iconic classics in some (the "Bullitt" car chase is still a breathtaking touchstone, "The Friends of Eddie Coyle" is a gritty near-masterpiece) and forgettable, sometimes disposable efforts in others. But in a filmography notable for troughs as well as peaks, 1983's "Krull" still stands out as an oddity, not just because of its genre -- it was the director's only foray into sci-fi/ fantasy (far more the latter than the former), but also because of the atypical amateurishness of the film's direction. Other entries in Yates's catalogue might have suffered script or plotting problems, but they were always competently put together, but here, aside from one successful sequence featuring a crystal spider and a cool, Lady of Shalott vibe, even basic timing goes out the window, cross cutting is botched and ineffective, and stakes are never properly felt, let alone upped. Notwithstanding some praiseworthy elements, (James Horner seems to be scoring a much better film, and some of the set design is truly spectacular) its paper-thin plotting and underdrawn characterization make watching the film a slog, unless it's part of some sort of drinking game. The supporting cast featuring Robbie Coltrane, Liam Neeson and Mark Fowler off "Eastenders," (as well as, Francesca Annis and Freddie Jones two fine actors who would reteam for another film on this list, "Dune") do what they can to offset the bland leads, but, as one of a glut of "Star Wars" me-toos that studios rushed out around this time, "Krull" has none of the magic that makes its progenitor so endlessly adored, and not even enough camp value to be classed as silly fun. Neither good, nor so bad it's good, it seems "Krull" is just bad enough to be plain bad. And then the director follows it up the same year with "The Dresser" a richly-drawn character study that earned Best Picture, Director and Screenplay nods as well as Best Actor noms for both its leads. Go figure.
"New York, New York" (1977) - Martin Scorsese
It is no great surprise that many of the directors on this list came of age career-wise during the 1970s "auteur is king" period of Hollywood. "New York, New York" comes off the back of a hit for Scorsese ("Taxi Driver"), who was starting to feel pigeon-holed by his trademark 'gritty realism,' so to test his creative boundaries he made a 2-hour-plus musical with Robert De Niro as a jazz saxophone player. The shooting period was not a great time for Scorsese personally; he was splitting with his second, and very pregnant, wife and had begun an affair with his lead actress, Liza Minnelli. It was meant to be a tribute to the faux glitz of the '40s and '50s, and Minnelli's doe-eyed, cherub-cheeked tribute to her mother, Judy Garland, is as subtle as a rock. Minnelli and De Niro are cast as a romantic couple, and their relationship woes take up much of the time between songs, but the only thing worse than watching Minnelli and De Niro pretend to be in love is watching them trying to improvise dialogue between the script's potholes -- and running at a long 155 minutes (for the 1981 recut, with added footage) there are quite a few. Scorsese and De Niro can't escape what they are comfortable with and arguably best at, so De Niro keeps playing a half-assed Jake La Motta and Scorsese lets him. What could be seen as efforts to subvert the Old Hollywood musical genre just make it fall in on itself. Despite all the talent, Scorsese's first big-budget picture was a resounding flop, financially and critically. Perhaps the only saving grace was De Niro got in some extra character practice for his next film with Scorsese, and Liza Minnelli got a great song to add to her repertoire.
"One From The Heart" (1982) - Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola was part of the crop of American filmmakers (among them George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Brian De Palma) dubbed "the movie brats" – filmmakers who, while going through the motions of film school, had been pretty much raised on movies themselves. Which may help explain why "One from the Heart," an extravagantly ill-fated musical, feels less like an honest-to-god experience and more like a lecture on the Hollywood musicals of old. Everything about the movie feels garish and unfortunate – from its Las Vegas setting (which led to a nearly complete fabrication of the Strip, which adds to its removed-from-reality gauziness) to its bizarre cast (Frederic Forrest, Teri Garr, Natassja Kinski and Raul Julia – what?), to its score, which was mostly composed of songs written by Tom Waits and… Crystal Gayle. The film is handsomely produced and sumptuously photographed (by Vittorio Storaro), but dramatically bankrupt and weirdly removed. Critics and audiences ignored it, and despite its endurance as a nearly forgotten cult oddity (it came out on DVD only a few years ago), it stands as one of the true blights on Coppola's career, with nary a memorable scene or hummable song. At one point he stated that most of the movies he made throughout the 1980s and 1990s, regrettable studio misfires like "The Godfather Part III" and "Jack," were made to repay debts incurred during "One from the Heart"'s production. It also stands as possibly the least interesting musical made by the movie brats – De Palma's "Phantom of the Paradise" and Martin Scorsese's "New York, New York," for all their faults, arguably best the disappointing "One From The Heart."
Jakdolesa | November 12, 2013 12:43 PM
Ridley Scott's "Prometheus" would fit nice in here...
Anhedonia | July 26, 2012 7:39 PM
Whoa, Playlist! Popeye is a good movie.
Eleanor of Aquataine | July 25, 2011 6:08 AM
Not a bad list (that is, a pretty good list of bad), but:
Zardoz? A misfire to you; a guilty pleasure to me.
but then I thought Batman Begins was great and The Dark Knight execrable (and Inception a pretentious load of old tosh).
Gavin James | July 25, 2011 3:22 AM
"Bruce Willis plays a plastic surgeon who spends much of the last act of the movie trying to kill everyone." I'm not sure which Bruce Willis movie you watched, but based on that comment, it's easy to tell that you did not watch Death Becomes Her, a very funny black comedy. It also brings into question whether you watched any of the other movies, either.
Greg L | July 25, 2011 2:29 AM
I'm with you 95% on your picks. But I have to defend Gilliam's "Tideland". A child's-eye-view of a gritty world, and Gilliam's skills are just as good as "Fear and Loathing" or "12 Monkeys"; it's just one of his least whimsical films, but it's consistent with his themes and tenor. I'd consider "Baron Munchausen" or "Brothers Grimm" closer to hiccups in his oeuvre...
katia | July 25, 2011 1:37 AM
I would argue that after Planet of the Apes Tim Burton did recover with Big Fish, and Sweeney Todd. While some may not agree with me concerning Sweeney Todd, Big Fish was critically acclaimed.
Winner | July 24, 2011 12:35 PM
Here's an alternate headline (which might work for many Indiewire articles).
These Are Films That People Hate: I Will Also Say I Hate Them So That People Think I'm A Good Critic Instead Of Someone Who Merely Follows The Pack, But I Will Do It In A Drawn-Out, Incredibly Smug Article While Trying Very Hard To Be Witty
I guess that wouldn't all fit on the banner, though.
Woogy | July 24, 2011 8:24 AM
Intolerable Cruelty is not a dud. I think its needs a rewatch (I'll give you the Ladykillers remake)
Fairportfan | July 24, 2011 7:46 AM
Speaking as a long-time reader of comics (and anything else with words on, generally), Altman's "Popeye" is absolutely a perfect transcription of what made "Thimble Theatre" (the actual title of the strip) enduringly popular, and what every other filmic adaptation (even the Fleischer Bros' wonderful cartoons) has pretty well missed.
Feiffer's script, BTW, is an excellent adaptation of an actual "Thimble Theatre" continuity.
matt | July 24, 2011 7:29 AM
I've only seen the 3-hour cut of Dune, and I thought it was a good adaptation. though clearly not without it's flaws. I mean it takes them the first two hours to get 1/3 of the way through the story, so despite the first 2 hours being excellent, the 3rd hour feels rushed. Not to mention the special effects are laughable. I'll always have mixed feelings about this one, but in some ways it's still better than the Space miniseries.
Brendan | July 24, 2011 5:27 AM
Interested Observer:
Hope I'm not too late coming back to this! It's true that A New Leaf had a troubled production and the film we got isn't necessarily pure Elaine May, but regardless how it arrived it's a fantastic dark comedy with tons of warmth and hilariously constructed individual scenes. Now, I don't know how everyone else feels about The Heartbreak Kid, but to me it's an instance of perfect casting all across the board, with some fine music, one of the best scripts ever, and it totally doesn't need to be beautifully shot, but it is. I think everyone I know who's seen Mikey & Nicky agrees with me that it's the best film Cassavetes never made, and I think it's one of his best performances too.
The Playlist | July 23, 2011 12:58 PM
Read the write-up on Skidoo, we might not have affection for ALL the films on this list -- again, Death Becomes Her CERTAINLY belongs here -- but we too have a lot of love for them too. Otherwise, we wouldn't be here. I think One From The Heart is beautifully flawed and that's the sentiment of many of our takes on this film, fyi.
And yes, lots of other good choices here. We could easily do a part 2.
Profoblivion | July 23, 2011 12:53 PM
Strange, that I love almost 50% of the films on this list. Maybe because most of them were made during the '80's, when I was still prepubescent, and joyfully unburdened of any critical faculty. Damn you for adding an extra layer of guilt to these cinematic pleasures.
Javier Bonafont | July 23, 2011 12:16 PM
Okay, while you are mostly spot-on here, I cannot let the slight to One From the Heart go by. This film is so brilliant to watch I have seen it as many times as I've seen anything. First problem is that most people never saw the movie correctly as it was shot in 4:3 and projectionists would cut off the top and bottom of the frame to fill the conventional widescreen. Its gorgeously composed and the soundtrack is a work of art. Its different, its difficult, and maybe it doesnt speak to everybody, but on its own terms its pitch perfect. NOT a musical, its a "film with music". I Love This Movie.
olli1966 | July 23, 2011 11:17 AM
Wonderful article. I actually like some of those movies quite a lot, especially the fantastic looking Dune, 1941 just for it's onscreen excess and Star Trek despite its strange story and bad pacing.
Zardoz is completely nuts but kind of funny and reading John Boormans name reminds me of his other crazy failure that is Exorcist II - The heretic.
Regarding Brian de Palma - he lost the ball again with Mission to Mars and Black Dahlia. Both films were visually slick and watchable with de Palmas signature style, but otherwise nearly nothing really worked.
Jordan | July 23, 2011 8:21 AM
Wow great article, but couldn't disagree more about Krull and Dune, two of my favorite fantasy films. I felt the staked in Krull, especially when Corwin stuck his hand into molten lava (name another hero who did that?) to retrieve the Glaive. I thought the plot was more than followable. Dune was purposefully hard to understand which gave it it's own logic and other worldliness. I thought Toto's guitar licks especially the credits were a highlight. Star Wars uses electric guitars in a few movies and it seemed to work. Awesome insights.
Armak | July 23, 2011 7:58 AM
"…One of Steven Soderbergh's rare misses"? Have you forgotten "Full Frontal," "Bubble," "Schizopolis," "Solaris," "Che," "King of the Hill," and "The Girlfriend Experience"?
I agree with the other posters' objections with "Death Becomes Her" being on the list. It holds up well.
pokkooni | July 23, 2011 7:56 AM
many movies that i haven't seen (so i can't comment those) and some that i agree you with, but all credibility was lost at the mention of tideland. the only time gilliam has failed (that i remember of) was jabberwocky and imaginarium of doctor parnassus. tideland is one of his best.
Ron Cerabona | July 23, 2011 7:28 AM
Interesting piece. "Bedazzled" was not a thriller but a comic version of the Faust legend with Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. Lumet did make some good non-New York movies eg The Hill, Murder on the Orient Express.
Lesson: nobody's perfect!
L. Marcus Williams | July 23, 2011 7:01 AM
enjoyed this article immensely, and agreed with most of it. but what is nolan doing in the company of kubrick and hitchcock?
simplysimon2 | July 23, 2011 3:57 AM
Far from a failure, but the wandering plot of Hawk's "The Big Sleep" is still the best pairing of Bogey and Bacall with Hawk's "To Have and Have Not" and Huston's "Key Largo" close behind.
MM | July 23, 2011 3:42 AM
Nice article!
Mike Sweeney | July 23, 2011 3:28 AM
I think Blake Edwards merits an honorable mention on this list. Brilliant early films like "Breakfast at Tiffany's," "Days of Wine and Roses," and "A Shot in the Dark," are bookended by the much dimmer "Skin Deep" and "Son of the Pink Panther" late in his career.
Steven Flores | July 23, 2011 2:37 AM
"1941" rocked! It is meant to be overblown but it's so damn funny. I liked all of the craziness of that film. "One from the Heart" may not have a strong plot but it's still an entertaining film with lots of pizazz, great dance music, and amazing supporting performances from Raul Julia and Nastassja Kinski.
Spielberg lost the plot with "Lost World: Jurassic Park 2" and Coppola lost it with "Jack". Another director who recently just lost the plot is David Gordon Green with "Your Highness".
J. Smith | July 23, 2011 2:27 AM
Krull! One of my favorites. Especially when the lead guy isn't in the scene.
Jaime N. Christley | July 23, 2011 2:08 AM
Mark, there are many, including myself, who view EYES WIDE SHUT as one of Kubrick's greatest films. It's not as easy to dismiss as you seem to think.
Mark | July 23, 2011 1:54 AM
The fact that Death Becomes Her is on that list is a joke. Its a classic black comedy. It went down badly with critics at the time but so what? So did Scott Pilgrim and Blade Runner (not that its nearly as good as either). Seems like the writers of this article just skimmed over old, negative reviews, rather than actually watching the films.
Mark E | July 23, 2011 1:46 AM
New York, New York is a pretty good movie. As for directors with failures, Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut is a complete failure, the only one he ever had and, although I know many will disagree, Tarentino's Kill Bill 1 and 2 are irredeemable pieces of trash, unwatchable really.
Jaime N. Christley | July 23, 2011 1:20 AM
Has it been three months already? That's how often this kind of article appears, slagging off failed films and reaffirming the peer-pressure rule of film history. Because hey, if it lost money, it must have been bad. And if it's eccentric or tries anything not already pre-sold (like the current run of Marvel heroes), it must be really bad. And if its first few notices set off a tidal wave of critical disapproval, well, great! All the thinking is done for us, no need to challenge the bleating sheep that decided the movie's fate 10, 20, 30, or even 70 years ago.
Big, Hollywood (or internationally co-produced) failures are the easiest, laziest targets in movie history. It's so hard to get people to take any of them seriously, because the first few notices are what matters most. Often, when the NY Times or the New Yorker made a little cut in a film's flesh, there's blood in the water and it's over.
Failures that matter enormously to me: John Ford's MARY OF SCOTLAND, Michael Cimino's HEAVEN'S GATE, Elaine May's ISHTAR, Blake Edwards's SUNSET, Michelangelo Antonioni's ZABRISKIE POINT, Alfred Hitchcock's UNDER CAPRICORN, Howard Hawks's LAND OF THE PHARAOHS, Steven Spielberg's 1941, David Fincher's THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, Brian De Palma's REDACTED, Francis Coppola's ONE FROM THE HEART, etc.
And I'm not alone. Indiewire, you live up to half of your name: you plug yourselves into whatever will get traffic milling through your site, and you lie down. As for "Indie," well, it's just a badge, it doesn't have anything to do with "independent."
Eric W | July 22, 2011 12:58 PM
In defense of Death Becomes Her - it made back it's budget + half again at the box office and still scores 53% among critics at Rotten Tomatoes.
That's not really worthy of being in the company of most of the other films on this list.
TimParker | July 22, 2011 12:57 PM
Call me crazy but I actually like My Blueberry Nights. David Strathairn was great and Norah Jones wasn't awful. Great mood, music, etc. Maybe most people inc. critics who didnt like it are comparing it to Wong's other films, which I unfortunately haven't seen enough of. Either way, I'd cut some slack for My Blueberry Nights
Interested Observer | July 22, 2011 12:35 PM
Brendan: What streak of 3 near perfect movies from Elaine May??
A New Leaf was a great desperate edit by Robert Evans of a grand mess of Heaven's Gate (or more specifically Ishtar) proportions in the works when the plug was pulled on her over budget opus headed for a three hour run time. She did not finish and tried unsuccessfully to get removed from the credits for the A New Leaf that we see. If she had made it the statement would be accurate and Ishtar would be an inexplicable lapse. We have no idea what HER A New Leaf would have been like.
I have not seen the other two movies she directed so I will have to trust you on that.
blap | July 22, 2011 11:50 AM
Death Becomes Her is a hilarious movie. I feel sorry for anyone who doesn't think that.
james | July 22, 2011 11:42 AM
We now that Preminger was stricken with Alzheimer's, and I wonder now whether he was in the early stages with Skidoo.
Silverdolphin | July 22, 2011 11:27 AM
Gangs Of New York is much worse by Scorsese - while Daniel Day Lewis is his reliable self, Leonardo DiCaprio is bland and lifeless and Cameron Diaz miscast. The film is also lifeless which is odd for a pet project. It's as if, once he started filming, Scorsese didn't seem to know what to do.
Alexandra | July 22, 2011 11:20 AM
The problem with Carpenter is that somewhere around Village of the Dammed he stopped making any good movies.
And nice on the Tim Burton honorable mention. I really liked every movie of his up until Planet of the Apes and I've really disliked every one since. somehow I blame this on Helena Bonham Carter.
Rufus | July 22, 2011 10:41 AM
Brewster's Millions? I'll Do Anything? O.C. and Stiggs? Southland Tales?
I would gladly trade you one of these for Death Becomes Her.
All kidding aside good list.
Arthur S. | July 22, 2011 10:17 AM
I have to say that a lot of the films here are actually very good and some are in fact among the director's best films. I personally would say Scorsese lost the plot with THE AVIATOR and consider NEW YORK, NEW YORK with some of its(minor) flaws among his six or seven best films.
Same with Coppola's ONE FROM THE HEART, 1941, SKIDOO, ZABRISKIE POINT and others. These films are just different and unusual, on their own terms they are excellent works.
olicats | July 22, 2011 9:16 AM
congratulations! you suck!
Commander Adams | July 22, 2011 8:51 AM
Village of the Damned is far from John Carpenter's only misstep. ALL of his films are ridiculously overrated and that includes The Thing, but at least it's not utter garbage the way They Live, Prince of Darkness, Memoirs of an Invisible Man, Ghosts of Mars and Escape from LA all are.
CF | July 22, 2011 8:20 AM
Christopher Nolan "never went off the boil, or at least haven't yet"? Did no one watch that godawful GWoT-wank-fest which was _The Dark Knight_?
Filipe | July 22, 2011 8:14 AM
Did you just put Nolan on the same level os Hitchcock and Kubrick? You gotta be fucking kidding me.
Brian | July 22, 2011 8:11 AM
In defense of Death Becomes Her, it almost seems to have been made with a cult audience in mind. It never was a film that was going to appeal to a mass crowd, but rather a "select group".
Of course test audiences were going to balk, and Zemeckis himself wanted the ending redone after seeing it, calling the original too "saccharine" and not in keeping with the tone of the rest of the film.
Compared to today's films, the special effects are not too obtrusive, and still hold up well today. It was a remarkable technical achievement, and Hawn and Streep were an incredible duo.
Kyle Milner | July 22, 2011 8:01 AM
Hitchcock actually has had missteps in his career - Marnie is pretty bad, The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) isn't very good, The Wrong Man is pretty boring at times and I bet nobody gives a shit (except for historical reasons) for his EARLY films....except for The 39 Steps of course
Also, on Kubrick, I think the first half of Full Metal Jacket is a real masterpiece whereas the second half is the same old, same old. Eyes Wide Shut is pretty bad as well.
As of now, I'd say PTA hasn't had any missteps and I'll agree that Nolan hasn't either (although Memento, while good, is highly overrated IMO!)
Markus | July 22, 2011 7:53 AM
I would add M. Night Shyamalan to the list. From Oscar nominated writer-director to... Village/Lady/Happening/Airbender...
chris | July 22, 2011 7:15 AM
I have to disagree a bit on Rio Lobo. While it's not nearly as good as Hawks' other westerns, it's still quite watchable.
David Konow | July 22, 2011 7:12 AM
You gotta admire Boorman and Altman, they weren't afraid to fail, and with Zardoz and Exorcist II, Boorman failed big. He also made at least three of my all time favorite movies, Point Blank, Hell in the Pacific, and Excalibur. (Deliverance is great too, but I'm not fanatical about it.)
Popeye's actually a pretty fun movie, not perfect but enjoyable, and one of the most perfectly cast films you'll ever see. Everyone was perfect for the roles they were picked for. Friedkin's Sorcerer also has an undeserved bad rap, it's his best film.
With 1941, at least Spielberg learned from his mistakes, and came back stronger than ever. Sadly, with a lot of directors, a big bomb or two or three and they never recover, which is really too bad for some of them. Bogdanovich will never live down At Long Last Love, though Nickelodeon's much better than its rep, and Saint Jack is considered his lost gem.
Tommy K | July 22, 2011 6:38 AM
A good article but this-
"One can safely argue that whenever the great Sidney Lumet left New York, his films felt unmoored, out of place or uneven ."?
I call bullshit. You've clearly never seen / forgotten about 'The Hill' (1965)- Filmed in Africa with an almost entirely british cast. It is, unquestionably, one of his greatest cinematic accomplishments.
If I had to add to the list, I'd go for Fincher's 'Benjamin Button'- an absolute stinker of a film, a blemish (alonside the distinctly average Alien 3) on an otherwise outstanding filmography.
Alfred | July 22, 2011 6:02 AM
in defense of 1941 I offer a re-write:
"I will spend the rest of my life disowning this movie," confessed legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg to the New York Times. WAIT A MINUTE, Steve. Maybe the flick was disjointed here and there, but I have this 1979 war-comedy in my private collection, and still like to watch it. The film was instantly compared to his wildly popular preceding films (Jaws and Close Encounters) and condemned by many as a flop. WAIT A MINUTE, try to follow that act. In the first place, war-comedy is a difficult genre to portray to the general public. War is deadly serious business, and certainly not at all funny to the 1941 Americans at Pearl Harbor, or the American Navy preparing to meet the Japs at Midway. To be more forgiving, consider this one in the only-in-California genre. I loved the opening scene which parodies the director's two previous hit movies. A gorgeous skinny-dipping lady has a close encounter with a Japanese submarine lurking off the California coastline. When you see a joyous Jap sailor howling, "Hollywooood" at the sight of her bare bottom, it was worth the price of admission. Sure the movie stomps on today's delicate PC toes, but that's not my problem.
And remember, this flick features some of the best SNL clowns in their prime. RIP John Belushi
Tim | July 22, 2011 4:46 AM
Well, I really dig Zardoz but I can see how some people wouldn't. The biggest problem I have with this (otherwise good) article is the praise for The Dresser-one of the worst films I've ever seen. I think at least nine of the top ten most gratingly histrionic speeches in film history can be found in this too stagy melodrama. By comparison, the merely mediocre Krull looks like a masterwork.
Edward Davis | July 22, 2011 4:23 AM
Damn guys ,if any film DOES belong on this list that we're not apologetic at all about it's Death Becomes Her. Was there a convention in town for this film that we missed? Christ
Jeremy | July 22, 2011 4:21 AM
"Death Becomes Her" on this list? It was a great black comedy that at the time seemed quite relevant...and still resonates in a nostalgic way today. I don't think just because something is off beat, it should be relegated to the turd pile.
Oliver Lyttelton | July 22, 2011 3:44 AM
Agreed on Ashby, but we covered his career fairly extensively a few weeks ago, and didn't want to repeat ourselves so soon.
Edward Davis | July 22, 2011 3:44 AM
Ashby's first plot loss is "Second-Hand Hearts." Plus as we said, we'll eventually do another one. This was at good first overview.
Kevin Jagernauth | July 22, 2011 3:43 AM
Hey Meebly, you might dig this: http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/archives/the_films_of_hal_ashby_a_retrospective/
meebly | July 22, 2011 3:42 AM
One very notable omission is the one truly great director of the 70s who seemed to implode (most likely in a drug-and-alcohol binge) on 1/1/1980 and never made another even passable film.
This would, of course, be Hal Ashby, who gave us "The Landlord", "Harold and Maude", "The Last Detail", the overpraised but still memorable "Shampoo", "Coming Home" and "Being There" all between '70 and '79.
Then studios and the blockbuster ethos took over (thanks, George), and Ashby retreated from bold risk-taking and gave us "Second Hand Hearts", "Lookin' to Get Out", "The Slugger's Wife", a boring rockdoc on the Stones and, finally, the absolute worst of his career, "8 Million Ways to Die".
Apart from maybe Frank Capra, this was the most tragic fall ever for a once-great auteur.
Amy | July 22, 2011 3:26 AM
I have to disagree with The Lovely Bones for Peter Jackson. While it wasn't nearly as good as it should have been given the source material (one of my favorite books) and the talent involved, I maintain that it was a decent movie and that, regardless of missed opportunities, Jackson was the right director for the job. The problem wasn't a lack of emotion - especially on a rewatch, I actually found the movie quite touching - and honestly, it annoys me that people act like Lord of the Rings was all about the action and epic-ness, ignoring the fact that what really made LOTR stand out from other fantasies was its ability to make you care about its characters. Anyway, the real problem with The Lovely Bones was that, despite a number of good, memorable scenes, the movie as a whole felt rather clumsy and not-quite-there. It really made me wonder whether the book is truly unfilmable. And by the way, I still don't know why people have such a problem with the rape scene. I thought it was one of the movie's most well-executed and imaginative scenes.
deekay | July 22, 2011 2:47 AM
Why isn't HEAVEN'S GATE on this list?
dementadoom | July 22, 2011 1:32 AM
It's very genre-snobby to insist that a director of fantasy can't handle "human emotion." Typical of wannabes.
And seriously, you chastise Coppola for "One From The Heart" and not the overblown oversexed hamfisted monstrosity that is "Bram Stoker's Dracula"? For shame!
Morgan Morgan | July 22, 2011 1:12 AM
1941 is not really that bad of a movie once you realize it's a MAD Magazine version of a John Ford movie.
Jon | July 22, 2011 1:05 AM
The fact that I was cracking up just reading your summary of Death Becomes Her proves that movie doesn't belong on this list!
Chris Bell | July 21, 2011 12:13 PM
Do people really hate Kafka? I thought it was wonderful. Up there with Haneke's "The Castle" for Kafka interpretations... also didn't think Good German or Full Frontal were bad in any way, though for this kind of article I'd say Frontal fits well.
actionman | July 21, 2011 11:12 AM
Domino is a masterpiece.
Fede | July 21, 2011 11:07 AM
Death Becomes Her it's a great movie IMO, Should not be in this list... I agree with the rest.
fanny bunz | July 21, 2011 9:59 AM
John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars might actually be worse and more batshit insane than Village of the Damned, but that's neither here nor there - this is a great article. a fun list to read. thanks.
shark | July 21, 2011 9:57 AM
I love Death Becomes Her. It's so goddamn insane, and Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn are an incredible comic duo.
MDL | July 21, 2011 9:50 AM
One From The Heart is a better movie than The Godfather Part III. There, I said it.
Monty | July 21, 2011 9:43 AM
what the FUCK is "death becomes her" doing on this list?!
i guess to each it's own...
The Playlist | July 21, 2011 9:31 AM
Also, the guy who bitched about DUNE clearly did actually READ the piece as its probably the most affectionate (and kindest) assessment of all the films here. I think the elements Jess points out are valuable too.
The Playlist | July 21, 2011 9:30 AM
You guys should read a little bit before you think we outright hate these films. Clue into "interesting left turns" in the headline.
We all have -- or at least to some degree -- some affection for every film we're writing about. If we truly loathed these films we wouldn't bother. I wrote Popeye. it's certainly not great, but it has a few charms for sure which i noted.
Same goes for a lot of these. See @Tristan's comment about Zardoz. It's pretty spot-on.
Even an interesting failure has value. I wrote Zabriskie Park too and while it's for sure a "losing the plot" film it does have some interesting value too.
I also personally like Krull a lot more than Jess did, but she's right -- for Yates its a complete misfire.
And as for the other suggestions other people gave. Yeah, we could be here all day and maybe one day we'll do another, these are fun for sure.
Fred | July 21, 2011 9:18 AM
Correct dates: New York, New York (1977); One From The Heart (1982)...if you're gonna knock them at least get their age right.
Thomasi | July 21, 2011 8:31 AM
"Popeye"? Seriously? It's joyous and weird and completely satisfying. It's a great film.
Ian | July 21, 2011 8:29 AM
Michael Bay's Transformer movies bare a striking resemblance to 1941:
A multitude of disjoined characters and elements loaded with loud and shrill misguided attempts at humor while massive action sequences are interspersed throughout.
The only difference is that 1941 is watchable and has a certain charm despite being so misguided. All Transformers provides is a headache.
Brendan | July 21, 2011 8:20 AM
Popeye becomes really great when viewed as a companion piece to McCabe & Mrs. Miller. There are some truly magical moments. Also, what about Ishtar? A flop that ended a streak of three near-perfect films from Elaine May.
hmm | July 21, 2011 8:05 AM
Another point in favor of "Saturn 3" being one of the most awkward mish-mashes of actually talented people: It was written by MARTIN AMIS.
Peter Labuza | July 21, 2011 7:50 AM
Great list, though I'll defend New York, New York any day of the week as one of Scorsese's best films.
Zack | July 21, 2011 7:45 AM
"She Hate Me" belongs in the Honorable Mentions too.
rake | July 21, 2011 7:44 AM
I happen to like NYNY, One from the Heart, Popeye, and Zabriskie Point.
Mark | July 21, 2011 7:37 AM
@Nolan: Time to watch Carrie, Blow Out, Dressed To Kill, Scarface, The Untouchables, Casualties of War, Raising Cain, Carlito's Way and Femme Fatale then.
Mark | July 21, 2011 7:34 AM
Dune and 1492 are two of my favourite films. Sad we live in a world where these beautifully artistic films are criticised for doing something different, yet JJ Abrams' mundane efforts are lapped up.
Just watch the final confrontation in 1492 between Depardieu and Assante. Brilliant.
Edward Davis | July 21, 2011 7:25 AM
"I'm not that familiar with De Palma, but having sat through the most agonizing 2+ hours of my life in "The Black Dahlia" I find it difficult to believe he was ever a respected director."
Damn son, watch some movies.
Nolan | July 21, 2011 7:23 AM
I think Intolerable Cruelty and/or The Lady Killers should be on the list proper. It's rare to see filmmakers like the Coens make two gigantic duds smack in the middle of a very successful career.
I'm not that familiar with De Palma, but having sat through the most agonizing 2+ hours of my life in "The Black Dahlia" I find it difficult to believe he was ever a respected director.
Edward Davis | July 21, 2011 7:22 AM
Kafka is good. Better than the other two.
Kevin Jagernauth | July 21, 2011 7:21 AM
I kind of liked "Zabriskie Point." In a way.
Glass | July 21, 2011 7:15 AM
Holy hell, amazing article! I need to keep coming back to this throughout the day to continue reading it.
As far as wacky misfires from Soderbergh, Full Frontal would be more deserving of that distinction than The Good German, but they're both pretty bad (not counting Kafka and Underneath from his early days).
I'd say True Lies for James Cameron, but that's undeniably fun to watch - which is what it set out to do.
tristan eldritch | July 21, 2011 7:05 AM
Zardoz is so enjoyable and insane it defies easy categorization as either good or bad. Does certainly quality as a director losing the plot, though.


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October 17, 2012 at 13:46 PM EDT
The 555 Collective Announces Judge and Deadline for Tattoo-Haiku
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- Oct 17, 2012 - Denver and Colorado Springs CO - The 555 Collective, an organization that utilizes the Arts in support of survivors of trauma, has announced the deadline for Tattoo-Haiku, a haiku contest that benefits homeless veterans of Colorado. Writers have until October 31, 2012 to submit haiku for the opportunity to win a Tiffany's Jazz Diamond Ring, and to see their haiku tattooed upon the forearm of our director and editor, K. Joseph Carman. The winner will be chosen by Kansas journalist, Dawne Leiker.
Tattoo-Haiku (
) has been running since late June of 2012. For a $5.00 submission fee, writers can submit haiku via an online entry form at
. The entire sum of all collected fees goes towards the purchase of donations for homeless veterans involved in programs run by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (Denver) and the Colorado Veteran's Resource Coalition (Colorado Springs). A large donation of products, including shampoo, toothpaste, shaving kits, etc., has already been made to the veterans located in Denver.
The deadline for haiku submissions is Halloween 2012. The winner will receive a Tiffany's Jazz Diamond Ring that retails at $3,000.00. In addition, the winning haiku shall be tattooed upon the left forearm of Joseph Carman (by the 555's partner, Pens and Needles Custom Tattoo of Colorado Springs). Also, winner and finalists will be published online at 555c.org, and in the widely distributed homeless newspaper, The Denver Voice.
The contest judge Kansas journalist Dawne Leiker, who
"has accumulated a couple of decades in the newspaper business, both on the advertising and news side. Currently a local government reporter and performance arts reviewer for The Hays Daily News, Leiker also writes features and general news stories.
She attained both her masters of liberal studies degree in journalism/public relations and undergraduate degree in political science at Fort Hays State University. "
Inspired by the story of Sitting Bull's grandson, a Vietnam veteran who lived homeless in Denver from 1986-1989, the 555 seeks to spotlight homeless veterans as a prime example of the horrible consequences of PTSD and other trauma related mental illnesses. The issue of veterans without housing is significant and growing larger by the day. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans reports that on any given night, 76,000 veterans go homeless. Only 8 percent of the US population can claim veteran status, however, male veterans comprise 33 percent of the general homeless population. In addition to these current numbers, 1.5 million veterans are presently at-risk for homelessness in the future.
Homeless veterans are only one of the many populations that suffer extreme loss and mental anguish because of trauma. But they're a good place to start. The 555 Collective utilizes the arts (humanity's greatest resource) to combat trauma (humanity's greatest challenge to its well-being). The format of a haiku contest has been chosen due to the haiku's demand of brevity and poignancy from the writer. The diamond ring is offered as a prize because it is the most valuable item in Joseph's possession at this time. The tattoo component exists to signify the commitment of the 555 to compassion for humanity, as well as innovative art.
More information can be found at
. The 555's twitter handle is surprisingly @555collective.
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Unlike previous years, the New England Patriots have quite an impressive backfield with three very talented running backs.
Steven Ridley has pretty much established himself as the premier back in New England by putting up solid statistics in 2012. In the Brady era, there really hasn't been a reliable running back, with the exception of Corey Dillon in 2004. Ridley gives the Patriots that reliable option in goal line situations, as well as almost every down. There is no question that we will be seeing Ridley get the majority of carries in New England this year.
The second running back on the depth chart is third year running back Shane Vereen. Vereen is a quick "scat back", almost similar to former Patriots running back Kevin Faulk. He made his mark last year on Thanksgiving night against the New York Jets where he had an 83 yard catch and run for a touchdown. Vereen will also see an increase in production due to the fact that Danny Woodhead signed this offseason with the San Diego Chargers. Whether it is running the ball or catching the ball, Vereen will have a big impact on this upcoming season.
This offseason, the Patriots acquired former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back LeGarrette Blount. Blount is a power back who is most known for sucker punching a Boise State player, which caused him to be suspended for the entire 2009 season at Oregon. He has since cleaned up his act, and became a power back rushing for over 1,000 yards in his first season in Tampa. Running back Doug Martin had an amazing rookie season and ultimately took Blount's spot in Tampa Bay. Blount will ultimately be the short yardage back for New England because of his power abilities. It will be interesting to see if Blount gives Ridley a run for his money at the running back position.
Finally, there is running back Leon Washington. Washington is more of a returner for kickoffs and punts. He does not have the ability to be an every down back and will only be used in special teams situations most likely.


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Monday, August 26, 2013
Savory Wedding Sneak Peek
t was a gorgeous day, which is really an understatement. Hats off to all you brides who plan outdoor weddings, you must have nerves of steel. But sometimes the gamble pays off and it paid off big time for Josh and Gina's outdoor ceremony. Gorgeous couple, gorgeous setting, gorgeous all around! The Savory's wed at the
Lake Bluff Audubon Society
in Manistee, Michigan. The location is stunning, the grounds and the house. Everything about it is a photographers paradise. Let us show you around...
The Audubon house produced endless beautiful backdrops as everyone started getting ready.
Time to head out too the ceremony!
Congratulations Josh and Gina!
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Tuesday, August 6, 2013
The Neilson Family Shoot
We should've taken pictures of the first day we met. Just for the sake of documenting our first attempted photo session with the Neilsons. The skies were fierce, the wind was whipping the flags into a frenzy, the Lake was crashing like the gales of November. We stood on the front porch of Epworth Hotel in disbelief that it was July. The Neilsons however were the picture of a lovely family summering on Michigan's beautiful West shore. We huddled under the eaves of the hotel debating a game plan, listening to the windshield wipers rhythmically telling us, "not gonna happen." iPhone radar lighting up our gloomy afternoon we decided to head home and try again the next evening. And man are we glad we did! If you give her space, Michigan will knock it out of the ball park every. single. time.
We had the distinct privilege of photographing this precious little man. He was fed, napped, and happy! He was 100% angel the entire time.
And this little man he was 100% ENERGY! He was so much fun! He really loved our equipment so we turned it into a game and got some fun playful shots of him.
Family pictures can be so rewarding if you are willing to let go of control and let your little ones be little. These parents were great at letting their 2 year old be 2. Because when you are shooting at the end of the day with a 2 year old and an infant you just gotta roll with it. The babies will set the pace and let you know if they are done or willing to let you sneak another photo or two. If everyone's not looking at the camera, don't worry! Here are a few shots when everyone was not looking and we think they are beautiful and natural.
There goes the carferry! ;-)
The below picture just screams fun mom of two boys!
Moral of the story? Keep the tiniest ones happy and occupied and you will get a couple of split seconds where they are sorta looking at you, but might still be searching the horizon for The Badger.
Thank you so much for allowing us the privilege of sharing your last few vacation hours. We loved working with you and the boys! They did so great and both of you as parents were so relaxed that it made our job a breeze. One last shot...it pretty much sums up a photo shoot with a 2 year old ball of energy! Hey, you won't get these shots when he's 16.
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text:
TSA is testing out a new rule at the Portland International Airport that could make security screenings easier for everyone.
Starting Monday, March 19, passengers over the age of 75 will no longer have to take off their shoes or light jackets to get through security.
Portland is just one of four cities to try this pilot program.
The idea behind the project is to speed lower-risk passengers through the screening line.
In turn, TSA hopes all the lines will go faster.
Travelers say the new rule is a pleasant surprise.
Edward Atiyeh says, "It's a marvelous idea because I have a hard time taking off my shoes."
TSA says older travelers may still have to go through pat-downs in some rare cases, but the goal is to reduce them.
The new procedure is also being tested in Chicago, Denver and Orlando.
Copyright 2012 KPTV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.


text:
Sheep stolen: Scottish Borders
21 Black Faced ewes have been stolen from a farm near Peebles. They are worth nearly £1000.A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said:
– Lothian and Borders police spokesman
"A number of farms in the Borders region have been targeted recently and we would ask farmers to be vigilant."A vehicle must have been used and we would appeal for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area to get in contact."
The National Farmers Union Scotland say that sheep rustling costs farmers more than £250,000 a year north of the border.


text:
Fidel Castro knew that the CIA was trying to kill him. There was no doubt; his sources were reliable. "For three years," he told congressional investigators in 1978, "we had known there were plots against us."
The most promising of them ripened in a Paris safe house 50 years ago. Rolando Cubela, known in CIA by the cryptonym AMLASH, had the starring role. A veteran of the Castro brothers' guerrilla war, he was already an accomplished assassin. He held high military rank, knew the Castros, and frequented a beach house next to one that Fidel used. Cubela was recruited by the CIA, trained in secret communications and demolitions techniques. He insisted he wanted to kill Fidel. That was music to the ears of top CIA officials.
On Oct. 5, 1963 he met with his agency handler in a CIA safe house in a Paris suburb near Versailles. Nestor Sanchez had a stellar career in covert operations, spoke fluent Spanish, and had taken over the AMLASH case a month earlier. The Cuban told Sanchez he was not interested in "unimportant tasks;" he wanted "to undertake the big job."
But first he needed assurances. He demanded a meeting with a senior Kennedy administration official — but not just anyone. He wanted face time with the president's brother, attorney general Robert Kennedy. Sanchez cabled CIA headquarters that Cubela wanted to be sure of American support "for any activity he undertakes" against Castro.
"We must be prepared to face the request," he wrote. He knew he was urging something extremely dangerous. Cubela was proposing to entangle both Kennedy brothers in a murder conspiracy targeting Castro. If the demand were rejected, Sanchez warned, Cubela might bolt.
Caution should have overwhelmed at that juncture. There were already many reasons to doubt Cubela's bona fides. Nevertheless, it was decided at CIA headquarters, probably in consultation with Robert Kennedy, that a senior agency official would meet Cubela as the attorney general's representative.
Desmond FitzGerald delighted in the task. A CIA nobleman, East Coast socialite, and friend of the attorney general, he would go to Paris and provide the needed assurances. He intended to impress the Cuban, cabling Paris that the rendezvous should be staged as impressively "as possible."
Sanchez reported back to FitzGerald that the meeting with Cubela was scheduled for Oct. 29. This unlikely pair — the moody Cuban spy and the elegant FitzGerald, Bobby Kennedy's understudy — sat side by side and talked in the safe house. Sanchez translated.
Cubela was satisfied that the man who called himself James Clark was indeed a top American official close to Robert Kennedy. Almost no record of their meeting has survived, but it is known that Cubela spoke repeatedly of his need for an assassination weapon.
CIA made good on its commitment. Sanchez returned to Paris, and on November 22, 1963 met again secretly with Cubela. He brought with him a preposterous murder weapon: a pen fitted within a syringe that could be filled with poison and used to inoculate Castro.
In one of the strangest twists of modern history, Sanchez was explaining the device as the sun was setting in Paris. He took a call from FitzGerald in Washington: President Kennedy had just been shot in Dallas.
The Warren Commission knew nothing of the Cubela plot and did not attribute a single, compelling motive for the assassination to Lee Harvey Oswald. So, it was not aware that Castro had powerful motive to retaliate.
Among the Warren commissioners, only former CIA director Allen Dulles is known to have been aware of early plots against Castro. So, they could not have known either what has come to light in recent years from Cuban sources and declassified documents. Rolando Cubela was a double agent working for Fidel Castro.
It was the Cuban leader who instructed his agent to demand the meeting with Robert Kennedy. He knew the CIA leadership had him in their crosshairs. Now he also confirmed that Robert Kennedy was at the top of the assassination chain of command. It was not unreasonable to conclude that the president was also involved.
Nearing the 50th anniversary of the Kennedy assassination, the question of possible Cuban government involvement in the president's death has never been adequately investigated. These details of the Cubela plot have been gleaned from the half-million pages of declassified CIA documents related to the Kennedy assassination at the National Archives. But since official Cuban archives are shut tight, the rest of the story cannot be told.
Fidel Castro for decades has dissembled, falsely denying any prior knowledge of Oswald, while pumping out distracting smoke screens and casting groundless suspicions on alleged CIA and Cuban exile assassins. But it is now high time for the Cuban regime to come clean, to release relevant documents and allow former officials who may have knowledge of Oswald's relations with Cuban intelligence officers finally to speak out.
Brian Latell is the author of "Castro's Secrets: Cuban Intelligence, the CIA, and the Assassination of John F. Kennedy." A former National Intelligence Officer for Latin America, he is now a research associate in Cuban studies at the University of Miami.


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1978 in Los Angeles, California
Core Band Members:
- Belinda Carlisle (born August 17, 1958 in Hollywood, California) – Lead vocals
- Jane Wiedlin (born Jane Marie Genevieve Wiedlin on May 20, 1958 in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin) – Rhythm guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals
- Charlotte Caffey (born Charlotte Irene Caffey on October 21, 1953 in Santa Monica, California) – Lead guitar, backing vocals)
- Kathy Valentine (born January 7, 1959 in Austin, Texas) – Bass guitar, backing vocals
- Gina Schock (born Regina Ann Schock on August 31, 1957 in Baltimore, Maryland) – Drums, backing vocals
The Go-Go's - Punk Rock Origins:
Emerging just as the Los Angeles punk rock scene began to make noise on more than a regional level but before the form was widely co-opted into the more commercially palatable new wave, the Go-Go's were indeed a punk band initially. Founding members Carlisle, Wiedlin and Caffey started off with little experience as musicians, growing a raw sound all their own that built the early lineup a cult following as the band toured England at the turn of the decade. By early 1981, the group finally secured a contract with IRS Records, setting the stage for the Go-Go's transition from punk to new wave to pure pop.
A Classic Debut Forms Female Rock Icons:
As one of the first and only all-female groups of the first quarter-century of rock and roll to function as a self-sufficient unit independent from male direction or management, the Go-Go's had already blazed a significant trail before their first record came out. Still, 1981s Beauty and the Beat was a revelation, a collection of tight pop/rock songs that may not have retained too much of a punk sound but surely reflected melodic energy and playful imagination aplenty. Best-known for the hits "Our Lips Are Sealed" and "We Got the Beat," the album still brims with its wealth of high-quality deep cuts.
Slow Decline & Typical Breakup:
The Go-Go's released two more albums before petering out in 1985, and although both Vacation and Talk Show sold very well and produced some memorable hit singles ("Vacation" and "Head Over Heels"), the band suffered a relatively swift dissolution. A combination of internal tensions, escalating substance abuse and creative stagnation had taken its toll on one of the most promising groups of the '80s. Carlisle quickly embarked on a very successful solo career, while Wiedlin, though she was the first to leave, had considerably less of an impact on her own.
Go-Go's Reunions & Reconciliations:
Even though the quintet seemed to have considerable rifts to repair, hints of reformation began to emerge by 1990, when the group played an environmental benefit and then more shows later in the year. In 1994, the Go-Go's released the obligatory greatest hits compilation and toured again, a move that gradually led to a 2001 album of all-new material, God Bless the Go-Go's. Since then the band has stayed together rather consistently, with additional projects aplenty nearly 30 years after the group burst onto the pop music scene.
Interesting Facts & Trivia:
- With Beauty and the Beat, the Go-Go's became the first all-female rock band that wrote its own songs and played its own instruments to earn a No. 1 pop album.
- Carlisle spent a very brief period as drummer for the seminal L.A. punk band the Germs, an association that certainly serves to support the early punk credibility of the Go-Go's.
- The band's hit single "Our Lips Are Sealed" was cowritten by Wiedlin with Terry Hall, a member of the Specials and Fun Boy Three. The song grew out of the pair's brief romantic relationship.


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Letter: Poker Run benefits scholarship fund
To the editor:
On Sept. 30 Mahwah Fire Company 2 held its first Motorcycle Poker Run to benefit the Lt. Patrick Roe Scholarship Fund. In March 2005, Patrick died suddenly due to an accident. In his memory, a scholarship fund was started. Since 2006, 17 scholarships have been awarded to Mahwah High School seniors.
The Poker Run attracted over 125 riders who registered at Mahwah Bar & Grill, then went on a 95-mile ride with stops at fire departments in Greenwood Forest, Highland Lakes. and Oakland. The riders would pick a card at each stop that would make up a poker hand to determine the winners. The final stop was at The Mason Jar in Mahwah. Over 250 people, beside the riders, came to have a lunch, listen to The Russell Clemens Band, and enjoy the day with friends.
Our thanks go out to everyone who came out to give their support, including our sponsors:
Bagel Express, Blimpie of Mahwah, Barry Clark, Baron Pools, Chris Howard , Cycle City of NY LLC, Cadillac-Hummer of Mahwah, Company 2 Ladies Auxiliary, Elkwood Construction, Ed Sinclair, F&M Motorworks, F&M Expressions, FJH Truck Repair, Friends of Patrick Roe at Company 2, Inserra ShopRite Supermarkets, Locomotion Powersports, Lisa DiGiulio.
Also, Joan and Pat Malone, Mahwah Bar & Grill, Mahwah Wine & Liquors, Master Fire Alarm, Mahwah Education Association, Mahwah FD BOFO, Mahwah Fire Cos. 1, 3 and 4, Nagoya Restaurant.
Finally, Ramapo Tree & Shrub, Ramsey Motorsports, Ramsey Rescue Squad, Saddle Brook Hook & Ladder, Saddle River Liquors, Superior Glass & Metal, Superior Trademark, Suburban Caps, Troufer Construction, The Mason Jar, The Grille, The Fountain Spa, The Untouchables Motorcycle Club, Brewster Financial Group and VanNatta Mechanical Corp.
The second annual Lt. Patrick Roe Poker Run is already being planned for late September 2013.
Jim Krause, President
Mahwah Fire Company 2


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May 16, 2013 | 2 comments
The General Assembly wrapped up its 2013 business, officially, April 3, at the conclusion of the "Veto" session. Since then, a flurry of scorecards have been released by several organizations, including the Family Foundation's late last week. Usually released … Read more>
February 4, 2011 | No comments
If the past two days aren't evidence enough that the Virginia Senate must change, we honestly don't know what is. In a 48-hour period since Wednesday, the Senate, where Democrats hold a 22-18 majority, has passed several bills that undermine the … Read more>
January 18, 2011 | 1 comment
This morning, the Senate Privileges and Elections Sub-Committee on Constitutional Amendments voted 4-3, on a party line vote, against SJ 280, the Repeal Amendment. The proposed resolution would, if enacted through a constitutional convention called for by state legislatures, … Read more>


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Chapter One
I woke with a start.
Like always, for the past few months I've been having these
horrible dreams. Extremely vivid dreams. Most of them start
with me walking down an endless hall with no turns or doors.
I usually end up falling as a search for a door in the dark.
And the non-stop dreams get more real every night. It's been
three months since I turned thirteen, and the dreams started
on the night of my birthday. You see, I've always been less
like the others and more like myself. It gets me nowhere.
I only have two friends that I actually ever see. Fire and Smoke.
No, not fire like light, or smoke and ashes. Like, my friends.
Fire's the youngest of us three. And he has serious anger
issues. Though he refuses to go to Anger Manegment courses.
He has a reddish-brown hair color with dark maroon eyes.
And Smoke, well, Smoke's Smoke. He's the quiet one. He keeps
to himself and rarely ever talks. He has jet black hair with
the most blue eyes I have ever seen. And me, Flower. The name means
nothing that I know of. Flower. Ugh. Flower's grow in the sunlight,
which everyone knows. But I hate the sunlight. Not like in a Vampire way.
I just can't stand the heat. My orange hair doesn't show that I hate the
sun very much. And my green eyes go perfect for my name.
Maybe it does mean something. But Fire, his name means everything.
He's bright and sometimes I can't stand him. Just like the sunlight. He's just
a roll-your-eyes matter though. Anyway, I'm Flower Fuccag. Daughter of
business woman, Katlyn Ivy Fuccag. Who is never home.
I got up and dressed. Ready for school, I thought. If only that was the truth.
I don't feel like going to school due to my old friend, Diamond's disapearence.
People are making such a big deal out of it. Having news crews to
the school, working the school publishers to the bone. I really do miss
her, and I'm honestly worried for her, but I don't like waking up to
cameras in my face and questions buzzing in my ears. It's so annoying. I don't
see how celebrities do it. I got up and ready for school. Smoke and Fire have
been at this really boring Summer thing their parents made them go to. Every Summer
we have to go somewhere. Luckily, I didn't have to go at all this year.
I got to stay home, swim, and worry about Diamond.
After putting on my shoes and getting my Umbrella, I ran down
the stairs to the door, opened it, and headed off. I couldn't
wait to see Fire and Smoke. I missed them so much. I got on
the bus and saw Samantha Meniheal. The meanest, more horrible
person ever. Her long brown hair would seem nice, but she's
cold-hearted. If I had to guess where Diamond went, I'd say
Samantha did something to her. I sat down and heard Samantha
say "Heard your parents left you this Summer, Flower." I looked at her.
"At least I didn't push Lizzy Conner down a flight of stairs this Summer, Sam." I said.
"I didn't-" She looked angry and I looked out the window right when the bus stopped.
I jumped out of the bus and ran to Smoke and Fire. They were waiting
for me at the steps. I ran and gave them each hugs. "Why didn't you
guys write me?" I asked them. "They wouldn't let us," Fire said.
"Said it was 'against the rules'." I looked at him, confused. "How?"
I asked. He just shrugged. "Did you guys hear about Diamond?" I asked
them. Smoke nodded. "Yeah," Fire said. "She's been missing for over
a month," I said "I hope she comes back." Fire shook his head "I don't,"
He said. "What? Why not?" I asked him, shocked. "She's a liar!" He said.
We were walking in the school now. "Yeah, but she's not that bad. And
she's a good friend, Fire." I told him. We walked into class and sat down.
"And she's annoying," Fire said. I just ignored him and did the assignment.
When we were finally out of school and walking home, a man in
a black suit walked up to us. "Flower Fuccag?" He asked. He had
a deep voice and brown hair that looked like he had spent multiple hours
working on it. I nodded. "Yes," I said. "Why?" I asked him, looking up
at him. He was fairly tall. "Your mother sent me to tell you she's left on
a bussiness trip and won't be back for quite a while." He told me.
"Did she leave a message?" I asked him. "She said 'Don't get into
trouble.'" He answer. I sighed. Of course. She always leaves, never tells
me where exactly, but she goes. And always says it's a bussiness trip.
So I'm alone at the house. Ever since my father died when I was
three months old, she's gotten more and more busy. Every single year.
She seems to care more about her job than her own pet dog.
Maximus. He's so sweet and a great help. But she doesn't care much
for him. Only got him so I'd have someone to hang out with while
she's gone. I have Fire and Smoke, but something always comes up.
It's sad, really. But I've grown to see it as a normal, okay thing.
I nodded to the tall man, as an 'Okay, then.' We continued walking
but he stopped me. "I'm Brink. I'll be close by if you need me. Your
mother wanted me to make sure you stay safe." He told me. Huh,
so she does care? I wondered. But then again it could just be a publicity
thing. Just trying to look good like always. "Thanks. I'll try... Brink." I
answered. I never thought about -in the moment I knew- how strange
his name was. Brink. But who am I to judge? I'm a girl named Flower!
I told Brink I'd try to stay out of trouble and then went home.
There hadn't been any homework latley, so Fire and Smoke came
back to the house with me. There wasn't much to do, but I was curious
about their Summer trip. Fire sat down on the couch along with Smoke
and me. Fire looked angered. Not that that's not normal. "How was the
Summer trip, guys?" I asked, knowing I probably wouldn't get an
answer. If I did, it'd be from Fire. Seeing as how Smoke never talks.
He's so shy. But smarter than Fire and me combined. Fire was looking
down at his hands. He looked up at me as if he hadn't hear a word I'd
said. "It was... interesting," He said."The food was alright, the rooms
was slightly bigger, and it was strangely cold there." He finished, looking
back down to his hands. "I had the strangest nightmares though," Fire said.
It surprised me how he just told me that. Things like that, he doesn't tell
anyone. "I did too." I told him. "What were yours about? If you don't mind
me asking." I asked. He stared at his hands and didn't answer for about ten
minutes. "I was walking down a long hall in the dark. I kept searching for
doors, but never found any. Eventually I fell into the blackness." He answered.
This shocked me. I've been having the exact same nightmares. Though
I never really saw the part that made it a nightmare. Something was
just telling me I couldn't say 'dream'. The thought made me wonder if
having the same nightmare multiple times was normal. Or if having
the same nightmare as your best friend was normal. It sure didn't seem
like it. I was also curious as to why Fire mentioned the nightmares.
"Me too." I said, finally breaking the silence. He looked up, confused.
"What?" He asked. "I've been having the same nightmares. Every night."
I answered. His face was suddenly covered in relief. "I wonder why." I said.
He nodded in agreement. I looked over to Smoke who was drawing .
He saw me and smiled, not looking away from the drawing. "What're you
drawing, Smoke?" I asked him. He drew for a moment more then looked
away from it holding it up. It was a long dark hall. The was no end. It just
kept getting darker and longer. I gasped and Fire looked up at the drawing.
"The endless halls, Smoke?" I asked him. He nodded. "From our nightmares?"
Fire asked him. He shook his head. "From my dreams." He said so quiet it
was like a silent whisper. Knowing he didn't talk, it surprised me. But no so
much because it was almost silent. What surprised me was how he said my
and dreams, when I clearly couldn't say that myself. Fire and I were obviously
wondering the same thing. How he could call them dreams, and why we were
all having the same nightmare. "Do you think it means something?" I asked.
"How our nightmares are linked together?" Fire shrugged. "Maybe we'll find
out, Flower." He said to me.
Chapter Two
Knowing The Truth
Fire and Smoke didn't leave until late that night. Smoke mainly drew in silence
while Fire and I talked about our nightmares. It was strange talking to him
about something we had both seen. We'd never talked about dreams or nightmares
before. But it was nice not being irritated with him with every word he said.
We didn't think much of the nightmares except that it was strange we were having
the same ones. He mentioned a possibility of the both of us being insane, which
or course I didn't believe. I thought it was stupid to even think that. I fell asleep
on the couch that night so when I woke up, I went straight up stairs to my bedroom.
When I got up from the couch I saw the time. 6:30. That means I have time to
go back to sleep. And it was Saturday anyway. As I was walking up the stairs to
my room, I saw into my mother's room and noticed her standing in front of
her mirror brushing her long dark blonde hair. At first I thought it was normal,
but then I realized she's not supposed to be here. "What are you doing home,
mom?" I asked her. She turned away from the mirror, setting the pink brush
on her cluttered desk. "Oh, Flower, I thought you were sleeping." She said.
I saw her bags packed behind her as if she hadn't even left. "Did you leave?"
I asked. She shook her head. "My flight was canceled, so I'm not leaving until
today." She said. "Then why weren't you here yesterday?" I asked. "Business
thing." She answered. The trip is a business thing, I thought. I got the feeling
she was lying to me. Right through her perfect teeth. "Okay..." I said and walked
off. When I walked into the room I heard a honk and saw a car through my
window. My mother was rushing to get in the car. How had she gotten down
there so fast? I wondered. I turned for a second but when I looked back the
car was gone with no sign that it had ever been there in the first place.
If only I'd remembered to ask her about Brink... I went back to sleep
only to have the same nightmare. Only something wasn't the same.
I just couldn't tell what. I walked down the endless dark hall, sliding my hands
across the wall to find doors. But there were none. It was just a hall, and I
couldn't turn back. I'd tried in every last one of the nightmares, but it never
seemed to work. The farther I went down the hall, the more painful it was.
It felt like I was walking on glass, and if I was I'd never know. It was too dark
to see anything. I began to run and pant, trying to find a way out. I was a
prisoner in the shadows. I fell through a giant hole and landed in water.
It was freezing, and in the breif second I was under there, I knew I wasn't alone.
Once I surfaced, I saw a few familiar faces sitting at a table. One face I recognized
too much. It was my mom. She was wearing the same outfit I'd seen her in this
morning. I looked at all of the faces and soon knew them all. One was Fire's mother,
Jillian Thumos. She was lighting a candle with what looked like her finger.
Next to her was Smoke's mom, Misty Enaisycho. She was repeatedly blowing
out the candle. But with her hands, and not her mouth. She just waved them and
the fire disapeared. Leaving nothing but smoke. But Jillian just scowled and
re-lit it. Again, using her fingers. The tip of her fingers were on fire and she touched
the candle, setting it on fire. But her hands remained lit. My mom saw the two
fighting- or whatever it was they were doing- and yelled, "Enough!" She got up
from her chair and said "My daughter has obtained her powers already. So has
Misty's son. It's only a day until Jillian's son has full control over fire, making
us more powerful." Jillian smiled and Misty put out the fire again making Jillian
scream. "Would you stop it?!" She yelled. Misty barely laughed as Jillian re-lit
her candle. "Our kids are in danger," My mom said. "If something bad happens to
them, we lose our powers. Do you want that?" I frowned as she said that. Because
I thought she was worried for us. But she only cared about her powers...
Wait! This is a dream! I thought in relief.
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text:
Spanning Trees in Hypergraphs with Applications to Steiner Trees (1998)
Download Links
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author = {David Michael Warme},
title = {Spanning Trees in Hypergraphs with Applications to Steiner Trees},
year = {1998}
This dissertation examines the geometric Steiner tree problem: given a set of terminals in the plane, find a minimum-length interconnection of those terminals according to some geometric distance metric. In the process, however, it addresses a much more general and widely applicable problem, that of finding a minimum-weight spanning tree in a hypergraph. The geometric Steiner tree problem is known to be NP-complete for the rectilinear metric, and NP-hard for the Euclidean metric. The fastest exact algorithms (in practice) for these problems use two phases: First a small but sufficient set of full Steiner trees (FSTs) is generated and then a Steiner minimal tree is constructed from this set. These phases are called FST generation and FST concatenation, respectively, and an overview of each phase is presented. FST concatenation is almost always the most expensive phase, and has traditionally been accomplished via simple backtrack search or dynamic programming.


text:
Join the C.H.I.P.s!
In 2012, Coach House launched the C.H.I.P. (Coach House Important Person) program. It's like a Coach House membership program: we're taking literary community to the next level!
For a low fee of just $10 a month, C.H.I.P.s will receive six books of their choice (in both print and electronic editions), which we'll send out in semi-annual shipments. But that's not all! C.H.I.P.s receive so many additional benefits, such as:
- 15% off any additional book orders
- four Coach House commemorative pins
- a dazzling array of Coach House ephemera and postcards
- a free tour of the Coach House premises*
- free shipping (and no tax) on your six C.H.I.P.s books
- both spring and fall catalogues mailed to you
- a totally boss Coach House VIP card that entitles you to other special offers throughout the year
*We'll schedule a couple 'C.H.I.P. tour days' throughout the year.
You can pay monthly, or save $10 (and receive one mystery book!) when you pay for the year in advance.
As of April 2013, we also offer the MicroC.H.I.P. program, specifically for ebooks! Members pay only $5 a month and receive seven ebooks of their choice over the course of the year.
For information on how to become a C.H.I.P. or how to buy a gift C.H.I.P. membership (it makes a great gift!), contact us at email@example.com. Don't waste time; become a C.H.I.P. before it's no longer cool!


text:
Save to My Recipes
Potted Stilton
Servings: Makes about 1 1/2 cups
- 6 ounces Stilton cheese
- 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) Kerrygold Pure Irish unsalted butter, room temperature
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Toast points
PREPARATIONView Step-by-Step Directions
Process cheese, butter, and cayenne in a food processor until coarse purée forms. Season to taste with black pepper. Pack Stilton butter into a crock, smoothing top with a butter knife. Cover and chill for at least 1 day. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 week ahead. Keep chilled.
Let stand until room temperature, about 1 hour, and serve with toast points.
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Advice from the Bon Appétit Test Kitchen
Fried Almonds
Pea Pancakes
Crunchy Breadcrumb Dressing with PrunesTo make the breadcrumbs, tear up a day-old baguette or some crusty country bread and pulse it in a food processor until the crumbs are coarse. If you end up with more than you need, freeze the surplus in an airtight container.
Teriyaki SalmonThe salmon absorbs more teriyaki flavor as it sits, making it even better (and breakfast that much quicker) if done in advance.
Canal House Peach JamThis peach jam recipe makes enough to give a few jars away as gifts, or you could easily halve it.
Restorative Beef Broth
Easter Ham with Golden Breadcrumbs and Madeira SauceThe truth is, you can use any supermarket bone-in ham for this recipe, or buy a half ham and cut the recipe accordingly. But considering the holiday occasion, it's worthwhile to get the best cured, smoked, bone-in ham you can find. Special-order one from your butcher or from dartagnan.com (we love the applewood-smoked version).
Horseradish VinaigretteUse this dressing to punch up sturdy greens such as escarole or radicchio.
Luscious Chocolate IcingServe this icing spooned over cake or ice cream.


text:
Swagg Songs, Videos, & Albums
Swagg ft. B.o.B. - So Sticky [Stream]
There is a new movement on the rise in Georgia – one that bears a close resemblance to the classic sounds of Goodie Mob and the Dungeon Family. Collectively known as the Georgia Durt camp, rising stars B.o.B., Playboy... Read More


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Bernie Fine
Lawyers: Records show Fine accuser is lyingComment
A county DA has given federal investigators records that may call into question the story of one a man who accused ex-Syracuse University assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine of sexually abusing him.
Contrite Boeheim commits to child abuse awarenessComment
Two weeks after vilifying two former ballboys who accused his longtime assistant of child molestation, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said Saturday he'll campaign against child abuse even though he knows his motives will be questioned.
Third person accuses Syracuse's Fine of molestationComment
A third accuser has come forward with child molestation allegations against Bernie Fine, an assistant basketball coach at Syracuse University. And ESPN has played a tape that implicates Fine's wife in the scandal.
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Friday evening is the traditional start to the fall sports season for mid-valley Beaver Boosters, as the Albany Beaver Huddle holds their kickoff event at 6 PM at Monteith Riverfront Park, complete with fresh salmon. An appearance by the Oregon State Marching Band, the oldest band in the Pac-10, under the direction of Dr. Brad Townsend, will get Beaver boosters revved up, and ready for a few words of encouragement from a select Oregon State coach.
Not that those Beaver Boosters, who have already RSVPed in droves, need much encouragement! After 2008 saw the third straight season of nine or more wins by Coach Mike Riley's football team, and one of the best seasons ever by the gymnasts, winter saw the best season in years by both Craig Robinson's men's and LaVonda Wagner's women's hoops squads. And then Pat Casey's beaver baseball team returned to the postseason after a one year absence.
It has Beaver supporters more than ready for football season, and the opportunity to demonstrate to everyone that "They are Orange". The first sign was the unprecedented appearance of students camping overnight to get tickets for the Portland State game, weeks before the students return to campus for fall term. And now the response to the Albany Beaver Huddle has exceeded all expectations.
"I'm afraid we will run out of food for everyone who wants to come," organizer Gale Borde said.
Only one more week until tailgating breakfast, before the 11:35 kickoff against the Vikings!