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Few Words about Contemporary Romanian Literature, Carmen Musat, Editor in Chief "Observator Cultural"
Since the beginning of the 1990, Romanian literature has undergone many structural changes. Few of the most renowned writers before the fall of the communist regime passed the test of writing in liberty, as one of the most frequent devices used by many of them – novelists or playwrights – was the so called "writing between the lines" that allowed an author to refer indirectly, through allusions and parables, to the social and political reality. That is why many of the novels written before 1990 can hardly be read and understand nowadays, since the context they depended on no longer exists. Yet novelists like Gabriela Adamesteanu, Norman Manea, Radu Cosasu, Mircea Horia Simionescu, Radu Petrescu and Costache Olareanu, as well as some of those who published their first books at the beginning of 1980 – such as Mircea Nedelciu, Gheorghe Craciun, Mircea Cartarescu, Cristian Teodorescu, Petru Cimpoesu or Petre Barbu succeeded in maintaining themselves in the public attention and continued publishing some of their major books after 1990.
In the early 1990, Romanian society was eager to discover new forms of expression and rejected fiction in the first instance, especially that fiction that formerly was praised for its political allusions. This was due to an overwhelming need to retrieve its forgotten (as well as forbidden) past and to recover a kind of discourse that was more direct and authentic. Publishing houses started editing titles and authors that were taboo under the communist regime and, at the same time, they were deep interested in all kinds of autobiographical texts, be it secret diaries never published before or comprehensive memories whose authors underwent dramatic changes of destiny (some of the most impressive authors were well known writers or politicians in between the two world wars who refused to collaborate with communist authorities and either defected Romania or became political prisoners under the communist regime). Many such titles had an obvious documentary value and it helped to reconstruct the atmosphere of terror and the prison-like daily reality in communist Romania. And, what is of most significance for contemporary literature, this kind of texts functioned as a sui generis literary school for those writers who published in the mid of the last decade.
One of the many heated debates concerning Romanian literature, started in the beginning of the eighties, pointed to an emerging new wave of young writers with a highly theoretical conscience, determined to turn their faces back to surrounding reality. They refused to disguise the sordid aspects of communist reality into parable and preferred to carry on the lesson of their declared masters, the prose writers belonging to the Targoviste group (Mircea Horia Simionescu, Radu Petrescu, Costache Olareanu, Tudor Topa) and the 19th century prose writer and playwright Ion Luca Caragiale. Therefore they were preoccupied to set a subjective mirror to reality, looking deep down inside in order to convey a convincing version of a reality perceived through all their pores. And it was irony and gravity that merged into their literature, be it a novel or an anthology of short stories. Though isolated within the communist East-European block, these writers discovered on their own new literary forms that endowed us to speak about an emerging postmodernist generation in spite of the absence of postmodernity. Authors like Gheorghe Craciun, Mircea Cartarescu, Mircea Nedelciu, Stefan Agopian, Bedros Horansangian, Adriana Bittel, Ioan Grosan, Ioan Lacusta, Stelian Tanase, Cristian Teodorescu, Razvan Petrescu, Petru Cimpoesu, Petre Barbu and others published some of their important books until 1989, but they consolidated their positions within the aesthetic canon only in the last seventeen years.
I do not intend to say that there are no differences between the authors mentioned above. Some of these differences were obvious from the very beginning others became clear during the last years. While two of the most prominent figures of this generation already died (Mircea Nedelciu and Gheorghe Craciun), leaving behind significant works (some of them translated into French, like Craciun's Composition aux paralleles inegales, traduction de Odille Serre, Edition Maurice Nadeau, 2001), the others are still active and generating expectations.
Nevertheless a new generation of prose writers made its appearance on the Romanian cultural scene in the early 2000. It would be unrealistic to say that no significant new name appeared before that moment, enough to mention that during the last decade many new books appeared at small publishing houses with no promotion and visibility whatsoever. Since 2003 some of these authors and their books were republished together with many unknown others at Polirom Publishing house, one of the most important in Romania. This was the starting point for what some of the literary critics used to call "the Polirom phenomenon" – a great number of Romanian authors, most of them very young, were encouraged to publish and their books were aggressively promoted due to an intelligent strategy meant to arise the interest for Romanian fiction. Polirom initiated two main collections: "Ego. Prose" – for newcomers and "Fiction Ltd.", mostly for republished editions. Filip Florian, Florin Lazarescu, Dan Lungu, Lucian Dan Teodorovici, Simona Popescu, Anamaria Sandu, Razvan Radulescu, Florina Ilis, Ion Manolescu, Petre Barbu (and the list is far from being complete) are among the most innovative and subtle novelists either discovered or just supported by the above mentioned publishing house.
It became obviously clear that literature needs promotion and advertising since there is a public in the mood for reading in spite of all those pessimistic expectations pointing to young generation's lack of interest for literature. The real problem was what kind of literature contemporary readers are willing to read?
Post-Communist Romanian Fiction: Realism and After
It is necessary to underline the connection between the cultural context as well as the political one so as to understand what we can make of the content of contemporary Romanian fiction. Before the end of 1989, the political context exerted strong pressure upon arts and culture and a writer's task was often very difficult. Although there are important literary works that appeared in an age of extreme censorship – and I have to mention here Gabriela Adamesteanu's Lost Morning (translated into French by Alain Paruit and published in 2005 by Gallimard), the works of the so called Targoviste School (that is Mircea Horia Simionescu, Radu Petrescu, Costache Olareanu, Tudor Topa etc.), Radu Cosasu's Survivals, Norman Manea's The Black Envelope and October, Eight O'Clock, few novels and short stories written by the young at the time writers of the "'80 generation" and few others such as Constantin Toiu's Wild Vine Gallery and George Balaita's The World in Two Days, or Poor Bodies by Sonia Larian – Romanian writers could not write about the reality of the communist era in an open and direct way. I should say that realism was perceived, at that time, as a subversive discourse. That is why, soon after 1990, the great novel of the communist epoch was still to be expected. Contemporary literature has to cope with the unsolved problem of realism: there is a past-oriented trend in prose fiction today, focused upon the way history destroyed and marred human destinies, visible in novels like Pupa russa (2004) by Gheorghe Craciun (which conveys perhaps the most powerful image of the daily inferno experienced by human beings doomed to perpetual captivity and manipulation). Petre Barbu's novel, Unconcern (2004) ventures on the deep impact that lack of liberty has upon human mentality and demeanor years after the fall of the communist regime, while a salingerian novel like The Baiut Boys (2006), written by Matei and Filip Florian, retrieves a typical communist childhood from a child's perspective merging innocence and ideology in a breathtaking discourse. Gabriela Adamesteanu's Encounter, published in 2003, tells the story of an old Romanian exile who returns to his homeland after more than twenty years of absence. The novel is an avowal of missed identity, speaking about the impossibility of retrieving past selves and about the failure of memory to rebuild former relationships; in this novel Adamesteanu meets Milan Kundera whose Ignorance deals with the same aspects of absence, memory, forgetting and history. Skidding, Ion Manolescu's most recent novel is a typical postmodern work verging on the edge of realism and fantasy and featuring a multifaceted ironic and delusive narrator who skids along different times and egos. Florina Ilis was considered a revelation for Romanian fiction. Her novels Children Crusade and Five Colored Clouds on the Eastern Sky published in the last two years won both the appreciation of literary critics and that of readers. Children Crusade conveys the theme of violent change and transition while Five Colored Clouds on the Eastern Sky deals with the power of imagination to provoke destiny. Florina Ilis is a very good storyteller and she knows very well how to invent fictional worlds and to master them with a firm hand.
Norman Manea's and Radu Cosasu's works break with the ongoing traditions of the Romanian fiction by exploring a sense of disruption engendered both by ethnic an political reasons. The Return of the Hooligan and The Survivals are works that put forth the self's vulnerability and dependence upon the framing of others in a world in which history gambles with human destinies and disrupts repeatedly them.
Then there is the social-oriented fiction, originating in the realistic discourse tinged with postmodernist devices. Dan Lungu with his Hen Paradise or I Am a Communist Old Hag, or Lucian Dan Teodorovici, Florin Lazarescu, Cosmin Manolache and last but not least Sorin Stoica (who died last year, at the age of 27) whose works were hi-fi records of daily language and actions of common people.
Another trend in recent Romanian fiction is that of fantasy. Romanian writers seem to be fascinated by the enormous and seductive power of fantasy endowed by them with a very pregnant social dimension. Novels like Teodosie the Little by Razvan Radulescu, Small Fingers by Filip Florian (to be published in 2008 in America) or Christina Domestica and the Soul Hunters by Petru Cimpoesu put forth possible worlds that are free from the conventions and restraints of both the real world and the realistic narrative. Yet these worlds cannot be understood in isolation from the actual world and for a prose writer this is a very significant way of conveying a universal dimension to a very particular social and political reality not to mention the human destinies implied. The works of such writers seem to be inflections of the social conditions of contemporary hybrid and confused society in which we live. These novels parody grand narratives and are characterized by hybridity and historical conscience.
It would be tempting to take into consideration the preference of many of the young writers for a very personal and intimate narrative that borrows the traits of the French autofiction. Serge Doubrovsky used the term for the first time in order to designate a very particular type of narrative that we may call the fiction of the self; mixing imaginary and real this narrative is focused upon the life and thoughts of the self. Ionut Chiva, Adrian Schiop, Dragos Bucurenci, Adrian Buz, Ioana Baetica and so on are only few of the young prose writers who are interested in fictionally exploring their own lives.
There are many fans of poetry in nowadays Romania, and this is obvious when it comes to consider the great number of poetry books issued by some of the most important publishing houses. Authors such as Nichita Stănescu, Ana Blandiana, Marin Sorescu or Mircea Dinescu in the past (that is before the fall of the communist regime) were very popular among readers and the aura of their popularity gave them a very special status in the eyes of their contemporaries. Due to this aura Ana Blandiana and Mircea Dinescu openly opposed the communist regime, while other names began to gain visibility in the last decade of the communist era and the first one after December 1989. The so called "postmodernist generation of the eighties" – very active in prose writing, poetry, in literary criticism and theory as well – was deeply influenced by American poetry and many of the poets who published their first book before 1989 confirmed, after 1990, the expectations of literary critics and of common readers as well.
I should say that there are few main directions in contemporary Romanian poetry, both originating in postmodernism: the ironic, parodic and narrative trend (from Mircea Ivănescu to Mircea Cărtărescu and Florin Iaru) and an inner looking poetry in which the self and its successive transformations are the most important dimension. Or, to put it slightly differently: there is an external-oriented poetry, looking straight into a grotesque and disappointing reality on the one hand (Alexandru Muşina, Cristian Popescu, Andrei Bodiu, Robert Şerban, Mihail Gălăţanu), and a self-centered poetry, that do not ignore the external background, but lacks the parodic component (and I should mention here Mariana Marin, Marta Petreu, Ion Mureşan, Ioan Moldovan, Ion Stratan, Ioana Ieronim, Nora Iuga, Simona Popescu, Iustin Panţa, Ioan Es. Pop, Liviu Ioan Stoiciu, Angela Marinescu, Ioana Nicolaie, Doina Ioanid). Many of them tell a story in their poems, hence the narrative dimension of such poetry, although each and every poet has a distinctive voice. Mariana Marin's and Simona Popescu's poems have a pregnant protester dimension; they rail against the oppressive reality of a totalitarian regime that maims both personal identities and poetic expression.
Then there are the "bookish" poets who play upon intertextuality and language, in different manners – Şerban Foarţă, Emil Brumaru, Octavian Soviany. They recicle other literary works, invent new words and force language in a very creative way.
Gellu Naum, one of the last European surrealists died only few years ago (in 2001) and left behind few disciples whose poems verge on surrealistic themes and vision (Dan Stanciu, Iulian Tănase). A special mention for the youngest generation of poets who came on the cultural scene around 2000, vehemently contesting their predecessors and announcing the rebirth of poetry from personal biographies and revolt. Among them Marius Ianuş, Claudiu Komartin, Razvan Ţupa, Ruxandra Novac, Elena Vlădăreanu, Andra Rotaru etc.
Culture in Today Romanian Press
We often complain about people's lack of interest in culture nowadays; yet in Romania there are many cultural reviews, while the most important newspapers have at least one cultural page (few of them – such as Cotidianul and Adevarul – have once a week a very vivid cultural supplement, focused on media & culture – Cotidianul, and on the interference of religion, arts and human sciences – Adevarul).
There is an obvious diversity among Romanian cultural reviews: while Romania literara (Nicolae Manolescu senior editor), the oldest publications of this type, has a literary profile and a sort of timeless appearance, Dilema veche is a very dynamic magazine, with a multifarious offer and many short articles, tackling political, social, cultural and educational subjects. Founded by Andrei Pleşu and gathering some of the best known intellectuals in Romania, Dilema veche (Mircea Vasilescu editor in chief) launched in the last ten years some of the most interesting and heated debates (such as "Romanian intellectual face to non-action", "Why do Romanian intellectuals quarrel?"). Since last year the team from the weekly Dilema veche is editing a new publication, a monthly one, called Dilemateca, having as a prototype the French literary review, Lire. Dilemateca summons up many literary critics from all generations to survey and comment the editorial offer.
Edited by the Group for Social Dialogue (a non-governmental organization) since early 1990, Revista 22 (its title hints to the 22nd of December 1989, when Ceauşescu flew away from Bucharest) is mainly a political and social review, full of political commentaries and interviews with politicians, as well as social feature reports and theoretical synthesis concerning politics. This review was constantly perceived as a platform for all of those who opposed the leftist government of the Social Democrat Party. After Gabriela Adameşteanu resigned from Revista 22, Rodica Palade took over the role of editor in chief. Many prominent essayists made their first appearance in Revista 22. In the last 2 years, Gabriela Adameşteanu edited a monthly supplement called Bucurestiul cultural that focuses especially on the cultural events hosted in Bucharest,
Idei in dialog (Horia Roman Patapievici editor in chief) is a recent publication that tends to reproduce the structure and appearance of The New York Review of Books. Most of the articles published here are quite long, concerning very different domains such as politics, anthropology, history, classic literature, translations, and even a chronicle of the major events taking place on contemporary cultural scene (be it national or international) signed by Dan C. Mihăilescu, one of the best known literary critic in Romania due to his ability to entice readers in his few minutes TV show, "The man that brings the book".
Last but not least, there is Observator cultural (Carmen Muşat editor in chief), a weekly magazine of information and cultural analysis launched at the end of February 2000. Observator cultural opened its pages to contributors from outside Romania like Michel Crépu, Luiza Palanciuc (France/ Israel), Jean Harris (United States), Richard Wagner (Deutschland), Alexandru Hancu (Great Britain), Emilia David Drogoreanu, Monica Joita (Italy). With a very flexible structure, Observator cultural comments upon the most interesting books and performances, upon art exhibitions, movies and concerts, as well as upon politics, educational strategies, urban reconfiguration and architecture and so on and so forth. The most significant aspect about Observator cultural is that it ambitions to discuss about Romanian cultural life connecting it with major cultural developments in Europe and the United States, and to comment upon these events in real time, interviewing some of the most representative personalities of the moment (no matter if they are writers, politicians, artists, journalists etc.).
Many other cultural reviews are published in Cluj (Apostroph, Echinox, Steaua), Iasi (Timpul, Convorbiri literare), Targu Mures (Vatra), Sibiu (Euphorion), Craiova (Mozaicul), most of them with a long tradition behind. These are monthly publication and most of them do not have a national distribution.
Cultural institutions and the role of intellectuals in edifying them
Cultural reviews constantly publish critical essays concerning the new tendencies in Romanian literature nowadays. Although literary critics no longer have the aura and authority they used to have during the communist regime, their role is still important. Paul Cernat, Luminiţa Marcu, Marius Chivu, Simona Sora, Bianca Burţa, Florina Pîrjol, Daniel Cristea Enache, Andrei Terian, Bogdan Creţu, Carmen Muşat are among the most active literary critics today. Many of those who comment upon recent books are teaching in universities and there is a permanent flux between universities and cultural press that confers consistency to internal cultural debates.
Although very dynamic and up-to-date, Romanian culture still lacks those instruments that are most necessary for understanding its evolution and profile such as cultural dictionaries, encyclopedias, anthologies. That is why after 1990, those who entered into universities as teachers had to answer a double challenge: they had to fulfill not only their didactic careers, but to engage on this greater project of filling not only the bibliographical gaps but the institutional ones as well. Many of the writers, theoreticians and literary critics of the so called "postmodern generation of the eighties" were involved, after 1990, in creating brand new institutions or in reshaping old ones – universities, publishing houses, publications, or cultural foundations and NGO-s (nongovernmental organizations). The new generation of intellectuals that emerged onto the public scene soon after 1990, together with those who defied the communist regime before 1989, played a major role not only in culture, but on the political and social scene too. In 1990 everything had to be rebuilt in Romania – a democracy as well as a free culture. Nonetheless, during the years passed since that moment, many writers confirmed their value not only due to their cultural actions but also to their books. Many names could be mentioned here and the list is unavoidable incomplete: Gheorghe Crăciun, Andrei Pleşu, Gabriel Liiceanu, Mircea Martin, Mircea Nedelciu, Gabriela Adameşteanu, Caius Dobrescu, Călin Vlasie, Ion Bogdan Lefter, Horia Roman Patapievici, Adriana Babeţi, Cornel Ungureanu, Mircea Mihăieş, Corin Braga, Ştefan Borbely, Marta Petreu and many others still.
To conclude this eyebird survey of contemporary Romanian cultural scene, I should say that dynamism and openness toward a cultural dialogue with other cultures are its main traits.
Carmen Musat


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Born on this day: August 4, 1901 - Jazz music icon Louis Armstrong (born in New Orleans, LA). Happy Birthday to one of the greatest musicians that ever lived. Love you, Pops!
On this day in music history: August 4, 1958 - "Poor Little Fool" by Ricky Nelson hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks. Written by Sharon Sheeley, it is the first chart-topping single for the teenaged star of the hit television series The Adventures Of Ozzie And Harriet. Songwriter Sharon Sheeley (girlfriend of musician Eddie Cochran) will write "Fool" after the break up of her relationship with Don Everly of The Everly Brothers. The track is initially released as part of a four-song 7" EP when it begins to receive airplay. Imperial Records head Lew Chudd will have the song rush released as a single against Nelson's wishes. Since the singer has the right to approve of artwork used on his records, he will not grant permission for the single to be packaged with a picture sleeve (his only Imperial single released without a picture sleeve) to show his disapproval. The song will also be the first number one single on the newly dubbed "Hot 100" chart, previously known as the Best Sellers chart. "Poor Little Fool" is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.


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Mrs. Obama "brings a lot of energy" to the campaign.
RACINE, Wisconsin: U.S. first lady Michelle Obama's favorability ratings are higher than her husband's, and the campaign is sending her to critical battleground states to help Barack Obama regain the lead that has slipped in the final two weeks before Election Day.
"You know what this room feels like? It feels like four more years in here!" Mrs. Obama exclaimed as a crowd of 2,500 in Wisconsin roared its approval. Some had waited overnight to see her.
Mrs. Obama can make the case for her husband's re-election over Republican Mitt Romney in a way no one else can, said Anita McBride, who served as Laura Bush's chief of staff in the White House.
"The first lady is always good for a couple of important things," McBride said. "One is the human side of the president, seeing who they are personally through the lens of the spouse, which is always unique."
One of Mrs. Obama's favorite parts of the campaign is being able to praise her husband without him hearing, she told the Wisconsin crowd: "So don't tell him how much I really love him. I kind of keep that leverage. That's between you and me."
McBride called the first lady a skilled campaigner who is much more enthusiastic this time around than in 2008, when she initially appeared reluctant to speak out on behalf of her husband.
"She never loved the political game, and she was honest about that" in 2008, McBride said. But this year, "she is comfortable on the stump. She brings a lot of energy and she is in it to win it."
The first lady's campaign speech mixes the personal and political, offering glimpses of life in the White House and some of the reasons she married the president, along with an impassioned defense of his policies and character.
"This election will be closer than the last one. That's the only guarantee," Mrs. Obama said.
The first lady heads to Hollywood Thursday to appear on Jimmy Kimmel's late-night TV show and raise money with actor Will Smith.
Jeremy Bird, national field director for the Obama campaign, said Michelle Obama is a valuable "grass-roots champion."
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Grand Piano is very easy to play and at the same time an interesting application. Now you have the opportunity to play and compose music on your computer! The program is not only a piano, but many other instruments including an organ, violin, flute, accordion, acoustic guitar, harp, drum, and so on. Play by pressing keys on the keyboard or clicking the mouse.
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Webcam and Screen Recorder 7.052
Records webcams, full screen or part of the screen to a video file such as AVI and WMV. You can also record sound with the video. Use our Fake webcam to play back those recorded videos on your instant messengers such as Yahoo and MSN. You can also create demos and presentation videos.
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FreeGamia Kings Game Clash Or Defense 1.0
Exciting casual strategy for Castle Siege fans! If you want to get into the spirit of the war, the game "King's game: Clash or Defense" is the best option for you. Start playing this amazing game and get into the wonderful world of medieval kingdoms, castles and villages, shootings, dungeons, characters, and the violent intrusion. Do you remember the movie about medieval communities? You want to get into the Middle Ages, to become king and watch
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Duck Hunter Dodger Doom app will certainly remind you your childhood and make smile! If you're hungry for adventures, flying duck hunting is exactly what you need! Duck Hunter Dodger Doom app has many great features,each flying duck is very difficult bullseye.It's very fast,so you'll have a choice ofgunsand shoot any duck, it shouldn't escape! There're more than one duckflying across your display, your goal is to kill not only one duck, but as ma
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Tower Defence Warriors Outpost game is the best way feel the warriors' spirit! Start playing this amazing game and get into wonderful world of medieval kingdoms, castles and villages, thrones, skirmish, defence tower, dungeon, crusader, defence war, onslaught, defence heroes, fury and invasion! Do you remember movies about crusader, castle defence or defence tower heroes or another medieval community? Do you want to get to the same medieval empir
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FreeGamia The Non Sense 2 Madness On The Island 1.0
The NonSense: Madness On The Island - a story that can not be. The second part! Long and exciting adventure you have to! At another time, in another space - unimaginable events occur. Zombies suddenly appeared on the island and destroyed all living things. That player will find modern weapons scattered around the island and destroy all evil. Undead not back down without a fight - take a call and bring tranquility to this wonderful world.
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Due to low temeratures, the Homeplace (this event location and content expert) is not currently open. The Eco Artists event has been postponed until Saturday, March 8th.
Eco Artists
1/11/14 - postponed until March 8
9 - 11:30 am
Grades K-3
The Homeplace, 2213 360th St, Harcourt, IA 50544
Become an eco-artist at this great event! Learn about upcycling and recycling. You'll also learn how to transform materials into fun, new items by making some cool recycled crafts to take home. Don't forget your imagination and creativity!
Girl Cost: $ 15
Adult Cost: FREE
Max: 25 girls / 15 adults
Registration Close: 12/27/13
Contact Office: Fort Dodge


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Delectable and it's easy to grow.
If space is an issue in your backyard, mini melons are the way to go. Here are some little guys with big flavor:
Watermelon is made up of more than 90 percent water, but is still a nutrient-rich powerhouse. Its luscious red color comes courtesy of lycopene, a plant chemical linked to a lower risk of heart disease and some cancers. Watermelon is second only to tomatoes in lycopene content.
And it's the dieter's secret weapon. One substantial wedge is about 86 calories. "Best of all, it's such an indulgence that it keeps you from eating bad things," says nutritionist Regina Ragone, registered dietitian and former food editor for Weight Watchers magazine.
All it takes is a few simple steps to grow watermelon you can enjoy all summer long. So get planting!
Contact your local garden center or horticulture extension office to find out what grows best in your own backyard.
How do you know when your watermelons are ripe?
Did you know? Thumping on the fruit and listening for a "hollow" sound isn't particularly accurate. Sometimes, that hollow sound actually means the melon has turned to mush inside. Eat a slice with your barbeque fare, or try one of these recipes:
See Our Complete Collection of Watermelon Recipes.
Check out our collection of almost 200 grilled burger recipes.
A cookout isn't complete without a big bowl of potato salad. We have hundreds for you.
Delicious recipes, party ideas, and cooking tips! Get a year of Allrecipes magazine for $7.99!
A refreshing summer beverage with watermelon juice, white wine, vodka and fruit.
See how to make a sensational summer salad. So refreshing!
Learn how to make this delicious, sweet summer-time dessert topped with cream.
Read our allrecipes.com blog


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Since its opening way back in 1985, DOMVS has gained the reputation of the "grande dame" of the local Italian dining scene. Now the mastermind of the indulgent and classic Italian menu at DOMVS, Chef Charmine Esposito was formerly the pizza maestro at The Regent Singapore's Basilico. He's concocted signature dishes such as the yellow fin tuna tartar marinated with balsamic vinegar, the Mediterranean seafood soup and roasted rack of lamb.
And if you're one who loves rich, gratifying dessert, dive into the figs strudel with vanilla sauce or the green beets warm tart with porto-apple sauce – a sweet and very tasty end to your meal.
DOMVS is the perfect place for a gourmand who will appreciate its reassuring and peaceful ambience, and its generous wine and spirits list that includes Grappa selections. You'll feel right at home, here in Singapore's little Sicily.
This establishment is participating in the World Gourmet Summit 2010.


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Greetings from Paradise! I'm Daniel J. Hartin with RE/MAX Southwind providing professional real estate services for foreign clients and residents of Belize throughout the areas of:
San Pedro • Ambergris Caye • Placencia • Hopkins • Caye Caulker
Cayo • Toledo • Stann Creek • Corozal
Ready to get started investing in your own personal piece of paradise in Belize? Give me Daniel J, Hartin a call at 1(512)-549-2078 or email.
Now is the ideal time to invest in real estate in Belize since property values continue to steadily increase, unlike many other areas in Central America.
The advantage I provide my clients is my personal assurance that all developments of current real estate are pre-qualified and researched to provide a stable and secure investment offshore before getting started on any transaction.
To make things easier for the many buyers and sellers of the tremendous Belize real estate currently available, the following tools can help:
Advanced Home Search • Mortgage Calculator
Anyone age 45 or older can qualify for, and enjoy the many incentives of, the Qualified Retired Persons (QRP) program if they can prove permanent and consistent income from investment (abroad or in Belize), pension, or other retirement benefits. Retiring in Belize under the QRP Program includes benefits like:
Primarily, I focus on high-end, luxury, condominiums although I also offer residential homes, lots and commercial properties that are safe investments and available throughout the country. Review our listings to see whats available in:
With the world economy changing, there are more advantages to acquiring real estate offshore as an investment. We have plenty of experience with offshore company structuring, nominee appointments and assisting with opening bank accounts to accommodate confidentiality for our clients. Please send me an email.
If you would like to discuss these topics in person and I can let you know when I am in your area or we can arrange an appointment while you are in Belize. Click here to learn about the new Venezia Del Caribe project!


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Home ⁄ Clothing ⁄ Running Apparel ⁄ Gloves ⁄ Unisex Running Gloves (Item #12U2XU-UQ1918H)
2XU Unisex Running Gloves
The 2XU Running Gloves are a great cool weather running glove. Full fingered and utilizing the great moisture wicking properties of Polyester fabric to keep you dry and warm.
No reviews have been written for this product.
Be the first one! – Write a Review


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Xbox One: How to stream content using DLNA20 November 2013
The Xbox One will let you stream content to the console using DLNA, although on day one there's no native support to initiate those streams, so the console acts as a receiver only. That means Xbox One won't go out and find content on your network, so... >>
Best Android apps for TV and movie fans14 March 2012
One of the most popular uses for tablets and phones is watching videos or catchup TV. From BBC iPlayer in bed, to movies on your travels, having a good-quality screen to hand makes your Android device a perfect choice for those who love television and... >>
Skifta Android streaming app launches with 3G functionality27 October 2011
Qualcomm has announced the launch of Skifta 1.0, a new Android streaming app which enables Android users to stream their media to any DLNA connected devices worldwide. Pocket-lint covered the beta launch of Skifta back in February, and it's nice to see... >>
Qualcomm's DLNA Skifta app lands in beta form7 February 2011
The Qualcomm developed Skifta app for Android has become the first application to be certified by the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) under its new Software Certification program. The app, which was demoed over in Vegas at CES, is designed to turn... >>
VIDEO: Skifta offers media sharing app20 November 2009
A small startup from Poole has created an app that aims to make it easier to share your digital media collection between your various gadgets. It's called Skifta, and allows you to shift content between a number of devices with just one catch - they have... >>


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Saving Money
Saving Money will change your life! Learn how to save money on groceries by using coupons, find tips for how to save money, and recipes for feeding your family on a budget.
It doesn't matter if you are saving money on toothpaste or designer jeans. It is possible to live on budget and have great quality items and feed your family quality meals for less. These tips and tricks are designed to teach you about saving money, give you great Do It Yourself Ideas, Recipe Ideas for feeding your family on a budget and more.
Make sure you follow Passion For Savings on Pinterest to keep up with all the latest articles and recipes.
20 Back to School Discounts for Teachers
If you think back to school time is stressful for parents, just think how stressful it is for teachers. Here's a big list of Back to School Discounts for Teachers. Each year, many teachers dig into their own pockets to buy the supplies they need for their classrooms and students. Of course we know that teachers don't exactly make a ton of money, and so when they buy these much needed supplies for their classrooms and lessons, they may be putting themselves into debt. Luckily, there are many companies that realize the need to help teachers out. Many companies offer teacher appreciation days and discounts this time of year in order to help educators stretch their back to school budget. If you are an educator, or you know one, take a look below at some of the awesome companies wanting to honor educators and all that they do. These retailers are showing this respect by offering hot deals and discounts on great products available to teachers only. Take a look below at some of the discounts being offered this back to school season to teachers and educators.
20 Back to School Discounts for Teachers:
1. Barnes & Noble
Teachers love Barnes & Noble for all of their book needs. With the B&N Educator Program, teachers can save 20% off list price & up to 25% off during Educator Appreciation Days
2. Half Price Books
How do some new books sound? Teachers can apply for a Teacher & Librarian Discount Card and save 10% off their purchase.
3. Big Lots
Need pencils, pens, crayons, and more? Big Lots holds a Teacher Appreciation Day the second week in August of each year. See the business website for more information.
4. The Container Store
A well organized classroom is key. The Container Store offers a Teacher Discount Program which gives the member 10% off.
5. FedEx Office
Need to ship something? FedEx has a National Educators Discount Program nd offers 15% off.
6. Hancock Fabrics
Teachers can always use craft supplies. When shopping in store you can show your school ID for 15% off your purchase.
7. Home Depot
When shopping in store, teachers pay no sales tax with tax exempt paperwork.
8. JoAnn Fabrics
Looking for fabrics and craft supplies? Teachers can score 15% off in store with a valid school ID.
9. Lowe's
In store only teacher's pay no sales tax with tax exempt paper work and valid school ID.
10. Michael's
Teachers can save 15% off with school ID.
11. Office Max
Teachers can always use paper supplies. Teachers can join MaxPerks Rewards for Teachers and earn a $10 reward for every $75 spent.
12. Staples
Join the Staples Teacher Rewards Program and earn 10% back in rewards on most purchases.
13. Aerosoles
Don't suffer with sore feet and unsightly shoes. Members of the National Education Association can get 15% off with membership card.
14. Ann Taylor Loft
Who said teachers can't be well dressed for less? Did you know the Loft Loves Teachers? With a valid ID get 15% off your purchase.
15. J. Crew
Teachers may show an ID in store or at an outlet locations and save 15% off.
Talk for less! Provide your ID and save around 15% off your monthly bill.
17. Best Buy
Typically offers a teacher savings day each fall. Keep your eye on their website for more information.
Attention science teachers! PETCO offers free aquariums for select teachers with application.
19. Pizza Hut
Fuel yourself! Pizza Hut Stores offer 10%-20% off depending on the owner with a valid teacher I.D.
20. Schlotsky's Deli
Enjoy a discount of 10% off with school ID. May vary by store.
Of course discounts may vary in your area, so if there are any you are really interested in, you will want to call to make sure your store is participating. Always be sure you are carrying a valid picture ID when obtaining any of these discounts as most stores require them.
If you are a teacher or know someone who is, be sure to bookmark or print out this list so you can take advantage of the generous discounts many stores are offering this back to school season. As most educators know, every penny you can save adds up, so be sure to take advantage of these super hot savings being offered in appreciation of all you do!
Make sure you check out our Saving Money Blog and also our How to Coupon Page for more tips, tricks and videos on saving money and using coupons.
Join the Discussion view comments (1)Comment
August 23, 2013 | 9:01 pm
Verizon also offers discount for teachers 19%
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Charm offensive
Andre Ward has shown his boxing acumen, says Glenn McCrory, but now he must reveal his personality.Back to story
Comments (2)
- Page 1 of 1
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Ciaran Mcconnell says...
Hi great article Glen as usual but there is one thing I have to disagree with you on Andre Ward the best pound for pound in the world? You cant seriously think he is better than Floyd Mayweather Ward is better than Paquai in my book and the best super middle weight but Mayweather is by far the best fighter on the planet and in my opinion is the greatest of all time. I think Mayweather is number one Martinez is two and Saul Alvarez or Ward is third. Carl Froch is a legend and a top guy I can see him beating Bute again but Ward gave him a lesson in New York and will do the same in England but I admire Froch because he never hides.
Posted 15:44 7th September 2012
Tom Childs says...
Good article Glen, agree with you about Ward being the best pound for pound fighter around and think he will show his skills to easily out point Dawson at the weekend. I have to disagree with your suggestion of Gennady Golovkin fighting the likes of Darren Barker or Matthew Macklin. GGG is on a totally different level to the British Middleweights who wouldnt last 5-6 rounds!!
Posted 20:37 5th September 2012
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Must-See Photo of the Day! Does Finn Go to the Glee Prom Alone?
Prom this, Prom that. Who's going to prom with Rachel (Lea Michele)? Who's going to be McKinley High's prom queen?
We're so obsessed with Lima's prom, which is set to go down in "Born This Way," that we almost peed our pants when Cory Monteith (Finn) tweeted this adorable photo of himself at the affair. He looks like he's waiting for someone, right? Or has he been stood up?
Ohmigod we hope not. But we're going to read everything we can into this snap. What secret meaning do you think it holds, Gleeks?
Can't get enough Gleetastic goodness? "Like" us on Facebook!


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Phil Emery wraps up interview, decision may come soonContinue reading.
Decision on 2014 'Hard Knocks' team coming 'pretty soon;' Will it be the Chicago Bears?
NEW YORK — Bears general manager Phil Emery always has been opposed to having his team be a part of HBO's "Hard Knocks" series. So it's a good thing for the Bears that it sounds as if some teams have stepped forward with an interest in being the focal team for the 2014 season.
"There were a lot of discussions with clubs at the March meeting [in Orlando, Fla.]," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said during the Associated Press Sports Editors meetings in New York on Thursday.
"There are several clubs that are interested in doing this. I just don't have an update on which club, whether it's going to be a volunteer or if it's somebody who is going to have to fulfill the obligation. But I'm sure that decision will be made pretty soon."
The Bears would be a team that falls under the "fulfill the obligation" category. According to new rules passed in October that allows the NFL to force teams to take part in "Hard Knocks," the Bears are one of eight teams that are eligible for the series for the coming season.
Teams are exempt if they made the playoffs in one of the previous two seasons, hired a new head coach and appeared on "Hard Knocks" within the last 10 years. The other eligible teams for 2014 include the Bills, Cardinals, Giants, Jaguars, Raiders, Rams and Steelers.
Of those teams, the Bears are definitely the most exciting. The Bears have plenty of players — from guard Kyle Long to tight end Martellus Bennett to receiver Brandon Marshall to defensive end Jared Allen and so on — who would naturally make "Hard Knocks" must-see TV for all NFL fans. Over-analyzed quarterback Jay Cutler would surely be a hot topic, too.
In a chat with fans on the team's website in September, Emery expressed his opposition to being part of the series, echoing earlier statements from 2012.
"We are a traditional organization that feels our best connection with our fans is to come down to Bourbonnais, [Ill.], and enjoy the live experience with us," Emery said. "There's nothing like seeing the team through your own eyes and how it's coming together."
Goodell said he has felt resistance from teams.
"To be fair yes, sure," he said. "That's one of the reasons why we passed the policy that we did is to get every team the opportunity to do this. We understand that it's an additional responsibility, that it's an additional thing to film out around your [training] camp and some clubs prefer not to have it.
"But it's important for all clubs to contribute to it in some fashion. I think we designed a very interesting concept that allows teams if you have a coaching change not to have that be an issue, but also have some kind of rotation to it."


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Cash 4 Phones
Cash4phones is dedicated to helping the environment and by sending them your old mobile phones, you are helping us save the planet. They guarantee that all phones sent into them will be recycled or disposed of in the most efficient way for the environment.
The cash4phones service is free to you, from the moment you register on the website, through getting a quotation to sending in your old phone, and right up to receiving your payment! You also have total peace of mind that the transactions are all totally secure in line with the best web protocols and security systems.
Cash4phones is one of the fastest growing mobile phone recycling companies in the UK today, and the reason for this their excellent valuations and dedication to customer service for starters! You will not find a simpler, more user friendly service than the one they offer and their records show that on average they pay more as well.
Read or leave a review for Cash 4 Phones on our forum.
Common Misspellings
Cash4phones is sometimes misspelt. Common misspellings include: Cash 4 phones, Cash-4-Phones, CashForPhones, Cash Four Phones, Cash 4 Fones, Cash-4-Fones.
Feature Summary
- Accept Working
- Yes
- Accept Non-Working
- Yes
- Free Postage
- Yes
- Free Packaging
- Yes
- Estimated Payment Time
- 3 days
- Bank Transfer
- Yes
- Cheque
- Yes
- PayPal
- No
- Pay Offline
- No
- Postal Order
- No
- Charity
- No
Contact Details
Unit 15
Gateway Mews
Bounds Green


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Peel Mutual's network of qualified insurance agents and brokers is there to provide you with local, knowledgeable and professional insurance advice and services. These brokers get to know you, your needs and your community.
We pay standard commissions to these brokers, and they may participate in Profit Sharing Programs. Our standard commission rates are:
Profit Sharing ProgramsAgents and Brokers that meet certain minimum requirements for the amount of insurance they place with Peel Mutual are eligible to participate in Profit Sharing Programs. These Programs are offered to profitable agents and brokers in addition to the commission they earned in placing your business with us as a reward for helping us to meet our business objectives.
Typically, the total amounts paid out over the last few years to agents and brokers in the Profit Sharing Program has been less than 2% of written premium each year.
Agent/Broker LoansAt times, our agents and brokers need other assistance – i.e. when they are looking to expand their operations, buy out shareholders, or invest in new technology. Our financial support in these cases consists of loans made at interest rates comparable to chartered institutional lenders.


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Notify me about future tours
Riverdance Latest
@Riverdance | 30 June Week 2 of shows @gaiety_theatre already! The sun is shining and it's going to be a hot one!! Looking forward to it! Sarah
@Riverdance | 30 June Watch @TV3Xpose Peter as he joins @Riverdance dancers training session preshow @gaiety_theatre http://t.co/BESpwXmFdT
@Riverdance | 29 June #photos Riverdance framed: John McColgan's exclusive behind the scenes photos at the Marquee Cork http://t.co/sGjcEVVu0Z via @Independent_ie
@Riverdance | 27 June First double show day of the summer run! Are we ready? YES we are!! #Riverdance #Dublin #summer @gaiety_theatre Sarah


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The future of Warner Bros.' plans for developing the DC Comics universe on film just took another step forward, as months of speculation was finally confirmed, according to Empire Magazine.
Many of us have long suspected (and, in my case and the case of several others, openly and repeatedly endorsed the idea) that Zack Snyder, director of the upcoming Superman franchise reboot Man of Steel, would be offered the director's seat for any eventual Justice League superhero team-up film if that project were to get off the ground (again), and now Empire Empire says that is indeed the case. Read on for more!
In their newest Superman-centric edition, Empire talks with Snyder about Man of Steel and his future plans. The magazine says that if Man of Steel is a success, then Warner Bros. will ask Snyder to take charge of their long-delayed Justice League film project. Snyder himself is quoted as saying:
I have to say that it is everything that I could have hoped for. Touch wood that I am not insane, but it feels really good.
It doesn't appear there will be any problem with Man of Steel meeting the necessary expectations to set off the next stage of development, since the film's ad push has been pretty strong so far and just leaped tall retail chains in a single bound with a promotional offer for tickets to exclusive advance screenings in a marketing team-up with Walmart.
The film is positioned to be a major summer blockbuster and should easily eclipse the $390 million made by Superman Returns back in 2006. The rise of 3D and IMAX ticket pricing as a significant factor in worldwide box office suggests that Man of Steel should have no problem topping $500+ million worldwide, and I'm personally betting it ends up with something closer to $800 million or more when the receipts are all tabulated.
Warner Bros. has had a tough time of it with their DC properties, and fans have been frustrated for the last several years as one project after another was announced as "in development" only to disappear or get replaced by some new incarnation that moved just as quickly to a dusty shelf.
However, it's not like Warner Bros. hasn't been trying. They brought in several top writers to draft screenplays and treatments for several characters, including Wonder Woman and the Flash, but just couldn't find anything they felt confident enough about putting into production (and let's face it, it's better to NOT have a film if there's no confidence in it to begin with, and if it might just turn out to be underwhelming, right?). The one solo project they did move forward with that didn't involve Superman or Batman was, of course, Green Lantern, a highly underrated movie that I think was lots of fun and more than worthy as an addition to the studio's resume of DC films, but which failed to generate much enthusiasm from mainstream audiences.
And meanwhile, let's not forget Warner Bros. greenlit Watchmen, one of the best superhero adaptations of all time and a risky, bold creative decision in light of the fact it was an R-rated superhero movie that most fans and filmmakers had determined was unfilmable anyway (but which was pulled off anyway by none other than Zack Snyder himself, and if you've not seen the Ultimate Cut I strongly urge you to get it and watch it immediately, it's brilliant).
The biggest problem the studio has had with developing some of these characters is that, to be blunt, there hasn't been enough mainstream interest to demonstrate it's worth investing hundreds of millions of dollars into those characters' films. It's hard for a studio to greenlight a superhero film that doesn't generate any better response from respondents than Green Lantern did, and the studio certainly has plenty of other non-superhero movie projects in the works already anyway.
Meanwhile, they know Batman and Superman are instantly recognizable and popular characters when done well, so if you were Warner Bros. and had a few hundred million bucks to invest, and your choice is either a sure thing Batman or Superman film, or a risky Flash flick that looks as potentially unpopular as Green Lantern, which would you choose?
But Justice League of course changes the equation for Warner, since they'd be crossing their new Superman over to that movie and almost surely also including Batman in the proceedings. Which makes it a lot easier to invest the money, and to throw in the other characters and see if they can develop enough following to spin them off into solo movies later.
Now, I've already made it pretty clear that I think the studio should pursue solo film franchises for a few other characters before heading into Justice League, since I feel these other movies represent a single investment together that support one another and lay a stronger foundation on which to build the team-up franchise. The marketing benefits and cross-promotional opportunities of such a plan are readily apparent in Marvel's own development process — as I've written about recently –and I think it's the best route for the DC properties as well.
Turn the page to keep reading!
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Out-of-control gas prices are all the hype.
Few may realize, though, that California is running on less fuel than it was a year ago.
That's according to a State Board of Equalization report published on Monday, which also says that our shrinking consumption is a "continuing downward trend."
"This is something we've been seeing for the last few years," said Anita Gore, spokeswoman. "We've seen this trend before when prices shoot up. However, this is the longest sustained decline we've ever noted."
The average price of a regular gallon of gas in the San Bernardino-Riverside area stood at $4.58 on Monday, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California. A year ago it was $3.11.
Statewide, Californians have been burning around 16 billion gallons of regular and diesel fuel for the past couple of years — a number that might continue shrinking if prices keep rising, Gore said.
"More and more people are taking mass transit," she said.
No kidding. Metrolink's Southern California commuter rail system broke its all-time passenger record four times in early June, according to Denise Tyrrell, spokeswoman.
"It's a lot for us," Tyrrell said during a mid-June interview. "We've gone from 43,000 passengers a day to 50,000 passengers a day virtually in one month."
Gore said that drivers are increasingly running multiple errands on one trip, and an up-tick in hybrid vehicle sales is also pushing consumption levels lower.
California's excise tax is 18 cents a gallon, while sales tax is 8 percent for most of San Bernardino County and 7.75 percent for Riverside County.
As gas prices keep rising, the state's sales tax numbers are hitting new records, Gore said.
"Despite lower consumption, we'r going to hit $5 billion," she said.
Look below (or click) to read the state Board of Equalization's news release on gas consumption:


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Attention Duty Announcers, Radio and TV Stations:
Please broadcast the followings as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:
Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 1) that shark warning flags and red flags have been hoisted at Hung Shing Yeh Beach, Lo So Shing Beach in Islands District; Deep Water Bay Beach, Repulse Bay Beach, Middle Bay Beach, South Bay Beach, Chung Hom Kok Beach, St Stephen's Beach, Stanley Main Beach, Turtle Cove Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island today because confirmed report of sighting of shark was received by the Marine Police in the Deep Bay, Lama Island. The beaches are temporarily closed. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at those beaches until further notice.
Apart from the above beaches, the Stanley Main Beach Water Sports Centre and St. Stephen's Beach Water Sports Centre in Southern District were also closed.
Ends/Sunday, July 1, 2012


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Latest National news
Identity of mystery 'Australian' woman with amnesia revealed
Lisa Visentin 2:44 PM A mystery woman, whose identity had perplexed the FBI, Interpol and thousands of online amateur sleuths, has been named after her nephew saw her call for help in the avalanche of media coverage that her plight generated.
Prepare to DIE, Defence public servants told
Noel Towell 2:06 PM Giant department has unveiled its new set of acronyms and not everybody is impressed.
Australian photographers take the plunge
Ella Rubeli 1:36 PM Some photographers hold their breath while pressing the shutter, but Michaela Skovranova has to deprive herself of oxygen for minutes at a time.
Entries open now: Bill Henson to judge prestigious Bowness Photography Prize
Ella Rubeli 1:17 PM The prestigious Bowness Photography Prize is open for entries and will be judged by Australian artist Bill Henson.
CuddleCot cooling system helps bereaved parents grieve for babies
Konrad Marshall 10:47 AM The bassinet looks like any other, but it is not.
'War for people' to break out in public service
Noel Towell 10:09 AM Public service bosses warned to hold on to what they've got as a "retirement tsunami" looms
'He had a real spark for life'
Rory Callinan 11:59 PM His parents believed it was the rapes and beheadings by Islamic State fighters that prompted Reece Harding to die fighting for the Kurdish peshmerga in Syria.
Hillsong critic arrested at conference
Kate Aubusson 11:23 PM An outspoken critic and former church member was arrested for trespassing at Hillsong's national conference in Homebush on Tuesday.
Public servants 'played god with Vietnam ballot'
David Ellery 8:05 PM National Service ballot organisers 'played god' in drafting over 60,000 men says former deputy PM.
Immigration and Customs public servants strike
Latika Bourke and Phillip Thomson 11:30 PM Stopworks have been held across the country on the first day of the Australian Border Force.
Defamation case highlights need for law to adapt to social media
Michaela Whitbourn 7:53 PM Treasurer Joe Hockey's defamation win against Fairfax Media over posts on Twitter has highlighted the need for Australian law to evolve to deal with defamation on social media, legal experts say.
Dental surgery breaches endanger thousands
Amy Corderoy and Kate Aubusson 7:34 PM NSW health authorities fear 11,000 patients from two Sydney dental clinics could have been exposed to HIV and hepatitis because of poor cleaning and equipment sterilisation.
Bans on smoking and poor living conditions may spark riots, bosses warned
Rachel Olding 7:03 PM Prison bosses in NSW have been given repeated warnings that smoking bans, crammed prison cells and terrible conditions may spark a riot similar to events in Victoria.
John Slater and his 'Queen Mother with a common accent': priceless
Richard Peterson 6:37 PM John Slater was a man of great intellect and even greater facial impressions.
Another blow for Struggle Street
Eryk Bagshaw 5:53 PM Brock Sheehan was expelled from three different schools before he came to Lomandra, where some of his classmates still can't read and they are in year 9. Now their last chance may have been taken away.
The poverty capital of Australia
Amy Corderoy 12:15 AM Sydney has the highest poverty rate of any capital city in Australia, according to a new report that shows the staggering gap between rich and poor in our state.
Aussie severence payments now safer
Phillip Thomson 11:45 PM It just became much harder for companies to avoid making redundancy payments.
Bringing yoga to the West
Philippa Hawker Awake: The Story Of Yogananda
Clique is excited to announce that we are partnering with Mariner Boating Holidays to bring you the Clique Photo Cruise in May 2016.
Sail down the southern coast of Turkey with a Fairfax Photographer on the Clique Photo Cruise
Objectors block out 'union of man and woman' words at civil weddings
Michael Koziol From wedding guests blocking their ears to celebrants apologising for their own words, straight couples are protesting Australia's ban on gay marriage in innovative ways.
Win a holiday to Turkey with a berth on the Clique Photo Cruise with thanks to our friends at Mariner Boating Holidays
The Clique Photographer of the Year wins a prize valued at over $15,000 including a berth on the Clique Photo Cruise to Turkey with Mariner Boating and professional photography equipment from Nikon
Mystery 'Australian' woman found on US street with amnesia speaks
Megan Levy A mystery woman who turned up in a coastal Californian town suffering from amnesia says she has had vivid dreams about an unknown man.
Julie Bishop vows to get tough on Papua New Guinea money laundering
John Garnaut, Nick McKenzie, Richard Baker Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop has promised that Australia will not be "a safe haven for the proceeds of corruption" in Papua New Guinea, as police in both countries probe the role of Australian lawyers there.
Joe Hockey's defamation win highlights legal pitfalls of social media
Michaela Whitbourn Joe Hockey has become the first Australian politician to successfully sue for defamation over a tweet.
China not fit for global leadership, says top Canberra official
John Garnaut and David Wroe Australia's top public servant has dismissed any prospect of China leading the world, saying the economic giant is neither willing nor able to solve global problems.
Sugary drinks kill 184,000 people around the world each year: study
Margaret Scheikowski Landmark study shows the death toll that comes with a love of sugary drinks.
Hiring 'freeze' to ease but limits remain in place
Markus Mannheim On Wednesday, the government will relinquish control over recruitment and hand responsibility back to agency heads.
Support vital for pregnant AOD users
Megan Gorrey Early engagement with women who take drugs and drink during pregnancy and access to support and treatment that also addresses mental health problems, domestic violence and homelessness are vital.
How depression shrinks the brain
Harriet Alexander The region of the brain responsible for new memories and regulating emotions is smaller in the brains of people with recurrent depression, according to a global study that has implications for the treatment of young people.


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Fit to bust with facts to fascinate a curious child, Wings, Stings and Wriggly Things by Martin Jenkins (Walker Books, £7.99, ISBN 0 7445 2874 7) makes a virtue of the bizarre. Did you know that butterflies have tastebuds in their feet, that snails are partial to a snack of soggy cardboard, and that crickets have ears in their stomachs? These questions are dotted through the text like a memory exercise. But the answers only turn up on the last page, when the show is overwhich is a bit frustrating.
To continue reading this article, subscribe to receive access to all of newscientist.com, including 20 years of archive content.


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T870 Gives Dirt-Moving Contractor a Productivity Boost
Owner impressed with new M-Series cab, loader performance and roller suspension system
Iowa contractor Jared Morris upgraded to a new M-Series T870 compact track loader last fall. He's since purchased his second T870 from Bobcat of Cedar Rapids.
Never before has there been a Bobcat� compact track loader as powerful or productive as the M-Series T870. This is a serious dirt-moving, truck-loading machine with a 99.2-horsepower diesel engine. Just ask Jared Morris of Robins, Iowa. He's owned Bobcat compact track loaders for nearly a decade, and when the T870 was introduced in the fall of 2010, he was one of the first customers to buy one. He's since added a second T870 to his equipment fleet.
Productivity is critical to Morris. He oversees the excavating and grading tasks for JPM Enterprises � a company owned by his parents, who also build new homes after the dirt work is done. "We dig basements, backfill foundations, grade lots and get the lots ready for sod," he says. "Our Bobcat compact track loaders help us quickly backfill and grade, both rough and final, around the new homes. With the new T870s, we have even more power to get the backfilling and grading tasks done faster."
Morris' T870 backfills around a new foundation.
Comfortable cab
Morris is in the machine as much or more than his crew members, so he knows how important it is for the machine to be comfortable. "A nice, quiet cab is a must," Morris says. The new M-Series loader cab impresses Morris with its visibility, pressurized operating station and new windows (on the outside). "Visibility is important to me because I want to see everything around me and where I'm going. With the cab-forward design and bigger window in the door, I can see the attachment much better."
Superior ride
Also important is the ride, which Morris says is dramatically improved with the standard Roller Suspension� System for the T870. "We drive over a lot of curbs to get off the streets, and it can be hard on the machine and the operator, so the suspension system helps smooth the ride," he explains. Steel leaf springs within the Roller Suspension System dramatically reduce vibrations and bumps as the loader travels across the ground. The system also helps with turning, produces less noise and provides an overall more comfortable work environment.
The extra lift height of his T870 makes it even easier for Jared Morris to clear the side of this truck when he loads dirt. He says the visibility has also improved with his new M-Series loader.
Morris owns five Bobcat loaders altogether: four compact track loaders (one T320, a T300 and two T870s) and a 773 skid-steer loader. He purchased the loaders from his local dealer � Bobcat of Cedar Rapids. "The rubber track undercarriage makes it a lot easier to grade around a house, especially if it is muddy, because of the extra traction," he says.
He pairs his 773 loader with an angle broom and bucket to keep the streets in the development free of dirt and debris, keeping it out of the storm drains. He says this is important because the city pays close attention to the streets and he can be fined if they're dirty.
While other companies have called on Morris and encouraged him to switch brands, he hasn't strayed from Bobcat models. "We have tried other loaders, but Bobcat is still No. 1 to me," Morris says.
Precision Grading System CD-ROM
CD-ROM shows laser-guided grading techniques
Ask your local Bobcat dealer for a copy of the Bobcat� Precision Grading System on CD-ROM, or mark it on the enclosed WorkSaver� Dialogue card. Learn how Bobcat equipment � compact loader, and laser guided grader and box blade attachments � can save you money in flatwork preparation.
A more precise final grade can be achieved with the Bobcat laser system, as much as +/- .25 inches. You will save on the costs of material when using a laser-guided system. Even experienced operators cannot be accurate to +/- .25 inches over the entire grade. If a flatwork contractor was off by a half-inch on a 300-by-300-foot slab, the extra 138 yards of concrete needed could easily cost more than $13,000. The formula assumes the price per yard of concrete is $95. The cost savings could pay for the laser control system based on this example, and over time could pay for the compact loader, too. Laser-precise grades in one pass minimize errors, lower labor costs and build profits for compact equipment owners.


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Dubbed "the erhu Paganini of the Far East", the globally renowned Chinese erhu player Xu Ke will perform two concerts in Hong Kong next month.
The first concert will be at 7.30pm, December 10 (Friday), at The Theatre, Sheung Wan Civic Centre. Xu will collaborate with pianist Satoshi Sando in playing "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 1", "Nocturne", "Birdsong on a Desolate Mountain", "Wind and Rhythm", "Music of the Lute and the Xiao", "Peace Drums" and "Scenes of Tianshan", among others.
Also featuring yangqin player Wang Wenli, the second concert will be at 2.30pm, December 11 (Saturday), at the Xiang Hai Xuan Multi-purpose hall, Nan Lian Garden. The programme includes: "A Song of Joy in a Water-logged Region", "Listening to the Pines", "The Ballade of Northern Henan", "A Reflection of the Moon on the Water", "The Sanmen Gorge Capriccio", "Enjoy the Countryside" and "A Henan Ditty".
Xu Ke graduated with honours from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing in 1982. In the next year, he served as principal erhu player for the Chinese National Orchestra of China. Accompanied by the Chinese National Orchestra, he held his first solo huqin recital at the Beijing Concert Hall in 1987. In 2000, he performed with Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble at the Tanglewood Music Centre (US), and he was invited to give a solo erhu recital at New York's Carnegie Hall in 2003. In 2008 he embarked on a nationwide touring performance with the chamber orchestra of the Berliner Philharmoniker, and in 2009 toured with the Czech Philharmonic Octet in Japan.
Xu has also taught at many institutions. He was employed from 1991 to 1997 as a special researcher in the China Section of the Department of Social Sciences at Waseda University, Japan. Between 1999 and 2000 he served as a visiting professor at Louisiana State University in the United States, concurrently conducting research in jazz music. He was a visiting professor at the Central Conservatory of Music and at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in 2004 and 2007.
"Erhu Recital by Xu Ke" is a programme of the Nan Lian Garden Chinese Music Series, and is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets priced at $150 and $200 (Sheung Wan Civic Centre) and $220 (Nan Lian Garden) are now available at URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by credit card telephone booking. Senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients may receive a 50% discount (limited tickets for students and CSSA recipients on a first-come, first-served basis). A maximum discount of 20% is offered for the Nan Lian Garden Chinese Music series package and group bookings.
Other attractions in the Nan Lian Garden Chinese Music Series include "Huqin Recital by Wong On-yuen and Wong Sun-tat", "The Classic Charm of Kunqu", "Pipa Recital by Zhang Hongyan", "The Chinese Flute with Quaint Charm - Xiao Recital by Tam Po-shek" and "Zheng Recital by Wang Zhongshan".
Nan Lian Garden is situated at 60 Fung Tak Road, Diamond Hill, Kowloon, adjacent to the Chi Lin Nunnery. To make enquiries, please call 2329 8811.
For programme enquiries, call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp . Ticketing enquiries can be made on 2734 9009 and credit card telephone bookings on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at www.urbtix.hk .
Ends/Wednesday, November 10, 2010


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There there is always a good opportunity waiting right around the corner for CEOs who seek a new career challenge.Read More »
Leadership & Strategy
5 Guidelines for Knowing When to Make an Immediate Decision or When to Wait
In recent news, Apple chief Tim Cook responded to criticism by megastar Taylor Swift within 24 hours, announcing that Apple would begin paying artists royalties on their music sales for all free introductory trials. And South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, within 24 hours of the shooting at Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, took a stand and demanded that the legislature remove the Confederate flag from outside the capitol building.Read More »
How to Use Your Sales Team Most Effectively to Drive Organic Growth
Of all the strategies for growing your business, organic growth is the most daunting. But with the uncertainty and high failure rates of M&As and partnerships (most studies indicate between 70% to 90% of the time they fail to meet stated objectives), organic growth is also the path to the highest value for your business.Read More »
How to Unlock Positive Change Throughout Your Entire Organization
When Kevin Thompson, Director, North America Marketing - IBM Commerce, Mobile and Social, proposed a corporate Peace Corps at the firm, he was nearly laughed out of the room. The idea of Big Blue giving free consulting services to nonprofits in low-income communities in distant countries seemed so countercultural. Yet now, the Corporate Service Corps (CSC) is beloved within IBM and broadly emulated elsewhere.Read More »
Getting at the Root Cause of Internal Problems by Asking 5 Whys
Learning requires we detect and correct errors in our thinking. But learning often requires we go beyond just one iteration of questions and answers to do so. Here's how to maximize learning and communications, even during difficult conversations.Read More »
Chief Executive Names Boeing's Jim McNerney '2015 CEO of the Year'
As complex organizations go, there are few companies with as many moving parts as Boeing, which Jim McNerney has transformed since he became CEO in July 2005. McNerney also successfully overcame challenges at 3M and GE to become one of the U.S.'s most respected business leaders. After dealing with the air-pocket concerning the Dreamliner, he has been on a smooth flight path for the world's biggest producer of aircraft and the nation's largest exporter.Read More »
Is Your Strategy Process Outdated? Bring it Back to Life With These 3 Steps
A recent strategy study conducted among 2,000 executives and strategy professionals reveals a disturbing fact: more than 80% of respondents put agility at par or above strategy when it comes to the future success of their business. This begs the question: is strategy, as we know it, past its sell-by date?Read More »
What CEOs Are Reading This Summer
While every CEO and business owner has his or her own taste, one book that keeps rising above all the rest as one of interest to chiefs is The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers, by Ben Horowitz, cofounder of venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. CEOs listed this book the most because of its honesty and helpful lessons on how to survive as a business leader. In addition, one reviewer on Amazon called it "solid advice about running a company from a wartime CEO." Here's a handy list of other inspirational books on CEOs' summer reading list. Print out and stick in your suitcase or on your fridge.Read More »
CEO Positions of the Week – 6/29/15
The summer is a good time to jump into a new challenge. These companies are looking for experienced CEO leadership.Read More »
CEO Positions of the Week – 6/22/15
From automotive manufacturing to startups, media, technology and more, here are several companies we are featuring this week that are looking for experienced CEOs.Read More »


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Yeah it looks like DC may be stuck. The winner of Davis/Johnson?
There are many paths to freedom, not all are peaceful
WTF just happened in that fight? I completely missed it. Not because I wasn't paying attention, but because of the horrible fucking camera work. Its like they were either expecting that fight to go much longer, or they were trying to hide how bad of a beating that was. Seriously, if you have to see the finish in a damn replay for a tko, there is a problem.
Rogan is fucking gagging on her balls her.
Best armbar in MMA?
Best Judo in MMA?
Well I guess Fedor is retired.
There are many paths to freedom, not all are peaceful
With all the Judo love he's giving Ronda, I'm guessing Rogan and Karo aren't as tight anymore BRO lol.
Let's go mcmann!
And I think Satoshi Ishii's Judo> Ronda's by a country mile.
Biggest star in MMA? Lmao! Let's see how this card sells first Joe.
I barely give a shit to stream this card. If the UFC tried to sue me for stealing it I'd counter-sue them for wasting my time.
"He's got big balls. I like that." -Josh Koschek on Frank Trigg's balls.
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The Ryan plan and changes to Medicare
There is a lot of fear and confusion over the proposal to change Medicare in Representative Ryan's bill. Is Medicare in trouble, yes. But in the long run. There are at least several major factors at work: an aging population with many new beneficiaries needing care; the way Medicare pays for most services on fee for service basis (something managed care got away from years ago as a way to control costs through better care management); increasing expectations of what medical care can and should do to improve quality of life; and the general issues related to inability to control costs and quality within the US health care system as a whole.
Does Medicare need to fixed. I would argue yes. The current course is not sustainable. Is the Ryan Plan ( privatizing Medicare by giving beneficiaries vouchers to purchase their own health insurance) the best response? Not likely (for example, it underestimates cost of insurance for people with significant pre-existing conditions, and asks a vulnerable population to be savvy enough to make choices about medical care, something that is difficult to do even in the best of circumstances). What are the other options? The Affordable Care Act starts down a road to reform some of the way Medicare works (expanded coverage of preventive services and some quality improvement and attempts to control costs) but it could be argued that these changes will not fundamentally change the collision course Medicare is on with budget realities. As the largest payer of medical services in the US, the next steps taken to reform the Medicare program will likely have significant impacts on the whole delivery system. I would expect that we will see additional proposals being made during the run-up to the Presidential election.
Here is a recent reflection by the Kaiser News Network on what is being said in the media about the pros and cons of the Ryan Plan .
Posted: May 31st, 2011 under ACA benefits, Medicare.


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What an awesome Chilly Hilly ride it was this weekend! While the ride was hilly, the beautiful sunshine took the "chilly" part away! We had a fantastic turnout of athletes sporting their snazzy new TN bike kits zooming up and down the hills of Bainbridge.
Amanda models the snazzy TNM cycling gear
The day started off a little chaotic with thousands of riders being herded into the ferry, but we managed to all connect somehow! Then after a quick ferry ride it was back down to our bikes where we shuffled around for a strategic exiting position. The minute the ferry men in yellow gave us the signal, we were off! Luckily no crashes occurred while elbowing our way through the multitude of fellow bikers!
After a few blocks of riding we spotted our fearless leaders Teresa and Mark, who had snuck ahead on an extra early ferry, waiting for us. We regathered there to talk strategy, well maybe not strategy but more to chit chat before we headed back into the steady stream of riders to start our 33 mile venture.
The group ready to go
With the sun beating down on our backs, the wind blowing by, and the breathtaking scenery, it was a day that couldn't have been any better for a fabulous ride with fellow friends and teammates. It was so gorgeous you almost forgot about all those hills! (Well, maybe not forget about them, but it definitely made tackling them much more enjoyable!)
There may have been a few flying water bottles and a dropped chain, but all in all it was an amazing ride made even better with awesome teammates!
The happy group of TNM athletes


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Open Arms of Minnesota works to provide meals to those suffering from diseases like HIV/AIDS to help them live healthier, more independent lives.
Volunteers and staff are integral to their work. They offer opportunities to cook, bake, deliver and, now, plant and harvest food. Volunteers and employees find their work at Open Arms meaningful and can immediately see and feel the impact of their work,
Development Associate:
Help grow our program by crafting successful grant proposals and serving as an integral part of our development team. Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Friday, July 13.
Farm Assistant
Keep our 3-acre organic farm in Belle Plaine growing strong, and our farm volunteer experience fruitful. Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Friday, July 20.
Program Internship:
We're looking for two interns to help with our core program. If you'd like to spend your summer making a difference in the community and learning how a nonprofit operates.
Delivering Meals:
Take delicious food and a friendly face to our client's door.
Cooking Meals:
Work with our chefs to prepare nutritious entrees, soups, and baked goods.
Growing Veggies:
Get your hands dirty at our organic vegetable farm, growing produce for our kitchen.
OR be the face of Open Arms as a receptionist, help our staff with administrative projects and volunteer at special events. Contact Lila of Open Arms (email: email@example.com) for more information about these opportunities.
For more information about Open Arms of Minnesota, check out their website, call them at 612-872-1152, or email them at email@example.com.


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A Prairie Home Companion Show Feed
June 27, 2015: The News from Lake Wobegon
"It's been beautiful summer weather, it's been up in the 80s. We've gotten some rain, not too terribly much and everything is green." Mr. Magendantz changes his lawn-mowing pattern, Irene Bunsen creates her own tomato varieties, the town holds a tractor parade for Midsummer Day, and the host recalls attending a gospel meeting as a teenager.
June 20, 2015: Bonus download! - Dads / Father's Prayer
Listen to Garrison's tribute to fathers on Father's Day weekend
June 20, 2015: The News from Lake Wobegon
"We had some storms out there but it's been all good for us. The mourning doves we hear them in the morning, we see the fireflies at night." Clarence Bunsen sleeps on his boat so he can think in the middle of the night; the story of Mr. Musselman, who was driven from town by deerflies; and the Whippets win a close game.
June 13, 2015: Bonus download! - Seattle poem
A celebration of the uphill lifestyle in Seattle
June 13, 2015: Bonus download! - Seattle limericks
A few limericks featuring the cities and towns of the Seattle area


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What is the deal with all the buzz surrounding the movie Inception? Was it really that great? Why are people so enamored with it? It kind of reminded me of The Matrix, only with dreams. I didn't like the base concept that you could actually implant a thought into someone's mind if you deep enough into their dream worlds. I can't see how that would even be possible, not to mention that you can even invade people's dreams. Not only that, the whole notion that Leonardo DiCaprio's character was helping some cutthroat businessman gain a monopoly just so he could go home and see his children was not very enlightened in the least and seemed rather immoral. What he was being "paid" to do was go into the head of the heir to another company that was a rival of this Japanese guy's company and implant the idea to gut the company now that his father is dead. That would leave Mr. Japanese with a complete monopoly or at least close to it.
There were a lot of stupid rules in this film. They took some kind of sedative where now if they died in the dream, they would get stuck in what they called "limbo," which is 4 levels down from what I understand. Why? I don't know. There was no reasoning given for this. We all know that no matter how deep in levels we dream, if you die in a dream, you simply wake up, even if you've taken whatever sedative ingested. Not only that, but they were in this guy's dreams. They were asleep as well, but they were invading his dreams somehow in order to persuade him into changing his mind about his father's company. There were tons of dream rules that had no basis in reality or even dream reality, but there were some that could be possible in a dream.
One such example is that the deeper you go in levels (i.e. dreams within dreams), the more time passes in relation to real time. I can see that as being possible. The fact that you can manipulate dreams to fit what you want is also possible through lucid dreaming. But it wasn't even their dream to be shaping. That is probably why they couldn't change the physics when they went into that guy's dream. I just want to say that it was an interesting concept, but it left too many holes in it. It was a decent movie, but it was way too convoluted and fast-paced to truly leave a mark on me. People have said you have to see it multiple times to really get it, but it seems like I wouldn't need to do that because a good portion of the movie just didn't make sense to me. I've been a longtime admirer of Christopher Nolan and his works, Memento and The Dark Knight being two of my favorite movies. But this one just didn't live up to the hype.
I didn't even go see The Dark Knight when it came out, even though people were raving about it. When I finally did see it, I was blown away. In 2004, I saw Memento for the first time and was enamored and captivated by the unique presentation and story. Even Nolan's The Prestige was an excellent movie about 2 rival magicians in the 1800s. He's had blockbuster hits and the majority of his movies are well-received and unique, as was Inception. But for some reason, it just didn't seem as fantastic as some of his other movies. I don't know. It just didn't resonate with me in the same way as Memento did. Memento had the subtlety and was very psychological in nature, as was The Dark Knight. I didn't find Leonardo DiCaprio's acting to be in any way interesting enough to play the part of lead role in this movie. To me, it was your typical summer action movie with a dream twist. Maybe I just don't like movies anymore. I don't know. I'm just not into them, unless they are my type of movie.
It seems stupid to devote a whole blog post to a movie review because movies are nothing more than idle entertainment for the most part. There have been some movies that have changed me, but not many. For the most part, they are forgetful and just another way to waste away our lives. Even when I see movies that are supposedly considered the best of all time, at the end I'm thinking, ""That was it? That was it?" Not to say that I don't have my favorites. But most movies just fall drastically short. Here's an incomplete list of some of my favorite movies and I'll see if I can find a common theme:
- Memento
- The Dark Knight
- Fight Club
- American Beauty
- Seven
- The Usual Suspects
- Office Space
- Dumb and Dumber
- The Prestige
- Catch Me if You Can
- Shawshank Redemption
- American Psycho
- Frequency
- Departed
- Mystic River
- The Hangover
- Identity
- Runaway Jury
- National Treasure
This is by no means a complete list. But these are some of the movies that I enjoyed. If that gives a clue to the kind of movies I enjoy, then so be it. I just like movies that are either truly funny and witty, or movies that truly make me think. Inception made me think, but think that the plot was ridiculous. I'm sorry, but that's just how it is. I would rather watch a movie in which this reality is a dream then watch a movie where people have adventures in their dreams so that they can go see their kids in real life. Come on, people. And it never even tells us if the heir to that company guts it. It doesn't prove success or failure, except in the dream. And how many people believe their dreams three levels deep? And I'm willing to bet if the subconscious is down there, it is at least 100 levels deep, or more, so it just did not resonate with me. Here I go again, critiquing the movie everyone seems to love.
In case you didn't know, they are making The Hangover 2. I don't think it will be as good, but I think I'll go and see that, if only because of my love for the comedian Zach Galifiniakis. Funny, funny guy. I've been watching him for years. I guess what I learned from seeing this movie is that most movies that everyone likes I probably won't like as much and the undiscovered gems that do poorly at the box office and later become cult classics are the movies I most enjoy. There are exceptions to these rules, but for the most part, I'll stick with the more interesting and obscure movies that are truly trying to make a profound statement, unless I get an intuitive ping to go see a blockbuster hit. Anyway, have a nice day and I hope you enjoyed that movie more than I did. Not to say that it was horrible, just that it wasn't as captivating as I thought it was going to be. And that's okay.
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