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Event Details
10/29/2012Location: Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial | Map Time: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM Fee Information: FREE
Stop in and play a couple rounds in our ongoing game of Monopoly™ and learn about this beloved game's roots in the Great Depression. Location: Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. Contact: Eddy Kahle (202) 426-6841.


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The Columbia City Ballet's "The Nutcracker" has been a local favorite for nearly two decades. Travelzoo subscribers can save up to 45% on tickets to this production of the holiday classic, set to Tchaikovsky's famed score, in Columbia and Charleston.
Artistic Director William Starrett's award-winning choreography combines with more than 100 dancers and 500 costumes for the show, which the Savannah Morning News calls "sumptuous."
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"Transportation is an economic issue. The transportation decisions we make today can pay off enormously in the long run, increasing productivity and economic growth in the region as well as adding to the quality of people's lives." –Sharon Bulova
Chairman Bulova has spent decades dealing with Transportation issues in Fairfax County. She has been a past Chair of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) and is a founder of the VRE commuter rail system.
Each year, Virginia loses an estimated $3.7 million each year from congestion. Northern Virginia residents can expect to be delayed over 70 hours per year, and the annual cost per commuter is nearly $1,500 per year. Business and growth are so intertwined with transportation that Northern Virginia cannot expect to remain economically competitive without first creating an effective transportation network. Chairman Bulova believes in the importance of investing in multi-modal transportation infrastructure, which gives people options and makes it easier for people to travel between high-density areas and elsewhere.
With many new projects and state transportation funding, we have made and are making real progress on the transportation front. Click below for updates on current projects:


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1. Revolt of Lakandula and Soliman (1574)
Lakandula and Soliman decided to rise in arms. They proclaimed their revolt and gathered in Navotas. Cause: Lavezaris's reversal of Legazpi's policy of excempting the native rulers from tributes 2. First Pampanga Revolt (1585)
Some brave Pampangueño leaders connived w/ the people of Manila and the Borneans. The leaders were arrested abd executed w/out any fair trial. Cause Abuses of the Encomenderos
3. The Tondo/Maharlika conspiracy
was a plot against Spanish colonial rule by the datus of Manila and some towns of Bulacan and Pampanga. It was led by Agustin de Legazpi, nephew of Lakandula, and his first cousin, Martin Pangan.The uprising failed when they were denounced to the Spanish authorities by Antonio Surabao (Susabau) of Calamianes Cause Regain Lost
4. Magalat's Revolt, Cagayan (1596)
led by Magalat, a Filipino rebel from Cagayan. He had been arrested in Manila for inciting rebellion against the Spanish. He was later released after some urging by some Dominican priests, and returned to Cagayan. Together with his brother, he urged the entire country to revolt.The Spanish Governor-General Francisco de Tello de Guzmán sent Pedro de Chaves from Manila with Spanish and Filipino colonial troops. They fought successfully against the rebels, and captured and executed several leaders under Magalat. Magalat himself was assassinated within his fortified headquarters by his own men Cause Unjust Tax
5. Revolt of the Igorots ( 1601)
Spaniards were determined to proselytize the Igorots. An expedition was sent to stop them from resisting to colonial subjugation. Cause Refusal to Accept new religion
6. Revolt of the Irrayas, N Isabela in Cagayan Valley (1621) After the missionaries had left,led by Fray Pedro de Santo Tomas, the Irrayas killed their encomenderos and burned their houses. FR. Santo Tomas returned and promised them that...


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This product has a FreakScore of 9.7
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Big value comes in a small package with the 7x21 PC III. This co
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Best Price at Amazon


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Duty manager Geraldine Hayward and bar associate Alex Minas are pictured (left to right) at the N1 Food Weekend.
The two members of staff from The Glass Works, in Islington, north London, joined stallholders from a range of restaurants, plus Waitrose supermarket, to showcase their food and drink.
Geraldine and Alex used the event to showcase their forthcoming cider festival and offer samples of cider to visitors to the food weekend, as well as offering Pimm's.


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March 2008 Archives
March 22, 2008
Suburban Shootout
I watched and loved this show when it originally aired in the U.S. (on Oxygen), which is why I requested to review Acorn Media's new DVD set (even though one of our other writers had already signed up). I felt a little greedy, but I wanted to share my love with the Film Monthly readership and the world at large. However, if you noticed my use of past-tense verbs, you might have realized something went horribly awry.
I have two possible explanations. Either there was something magical about the zeitgeist of summer 2006 that Suburban Shootout just fit then but started to show its age immediately…or maybe it's the type of shock-based comic effect that only works the first time you see it. Much of the comedy in Suburban Shootout does revolve around shock value, so if that's the case, I'd split the difference and say this is worth a rental. However, if you rent it and hate it, chances are that the first explanation is correct.
On to the nuts and bolts: Joyce Hazeldine (Amelia Bullmore) moves to the charming suburb of Little Stempington with her police-officer husband, who's tired of the chaos of the city. Little do they know, the entire town is controlled by two rival gangs — operated by women. Joyce finds this out rather quickly, when one gang blackmails her and the other enlists her as a sort of double agent. As each episode progresses, Joyce finds herself having to embrace her inner criminal in order to outwit each of the gangs. Bullmore's standout performance is one of the few things about the show that still shone brightly on my second viewing. As the reserved housewife thrust into absurd circumstances, her gift for facial contortions and John Cleese-esque physical comedy elevates everyone and everything around her.
While Bullmore plays one of the all-time great straight-women, her fellow cast members routinely play everything over-the-top in the face of the cartoonish stories. The effect is hit or miss, because in a show like this, it almost works better for the characters to play everything as deadly serious. The winking, in-on-the-joke performances reduce the level of suspense, which kinda doesn't work when the writing wants us to believe Joyce really is in some sort of danger.
Nonetheless, the sharp satire (not as British-specific as you might think) and Amelia Bullmore's sublime acting definitely make Suburban Shootout worth a rental. Just don't blame me if you hate it.
Posted by D. B. Bates at 12:00 AM | Print-Friendly | Comments (0) | Film Monthly, Reviews
March 23, 2008
Canterbury's Loss
It was reported recently (okay, not that recently, but this column isn't exactly news of the day) that the CW has eliminated its entire comedy development department. I have mixed feelings about this move. On one hand, in the combined history of the WB, UPN, and the CW, they have produced a grand total of two funny sitcoms. The other hand? One of those two comedies, the struggling Aliens in America, debuted this year. (The other, also-struggling Everybody Hates Chris, is only in its third season.)
This development season also yielded Reaper, which returned last week (when I rambled about The Wire). It's an hour-long dramedy, but it's much more comedy than drama. I love the show, but is there ever any real sense of danger? Is there an epic, Buffy-and-Angel-esque love story brewing between Sam and Andi? I couldn't tell you whether the "drama" or "comedy" development teams worked on this show, but the fact that neither Reaper nor Aliens in America has been handed an early renewal troubles me.
At first, I laughed off suggestions that they'd be canned; neither show has been on the air since November, so it seems reasonable that CW execs would wait to make a decision until they see how the shows perform. Well…they aren't performing well, but it's hard to define what ratings-weakling the CW considers "well enough." Aliens and already-renewed Chris hold roughly the same viewership as they struggle in their new home on Sunday nights; Reaper manages to hold the bulk of its Smallville lead-in, and Smallville has also been renewed.
There's reason for hope, but there's also reason to worry. The CW may give these series a chance to grow. Then again, the network just downsized its comedy development team out of existence, without recognizing that their network airs the only three comedies worth watching. Good decisions aren't exactly flowing in the land of America's Next Top Pussycat Doll.
Aliens in America (The CW) — I'd like to hear from people who haven't seen Rent: was this episode even close to funny without having any idea about the show? This episode felt like a breath of fresh air after last week's surprisingly lackluster offering, but I have to wonder if I laughed harder because all the Rent and community-theatre jokes appealed to my inner nerd.
The subplots here worked like a well-oiled machine, furthering development of these characters and their relationships. In particular, I enjoyed the expanding relationship between Claire and crush-stricken Raja. The teen-hotline "heavy-breathing" gags were great, but the fact that they motivated Raja to call pretending to be someone else, then turning into himself, then having his lie exposed and ruining his chances… It's like a Dawson's Creek episode played for (intentional) laughs.
Canterbury's Law (Fox) — Julianna Margulies returned to regular series TV (we always need that "regular series" qualifier because she's popped up in numerous TV guest appearances and miniseries starring roles) last week, when I was rambling about The Wire. After seeing the first two episodes, I'm not sure what to think. I liked Margulies quite a lot on ER, but her performance in the pilot was strangely off-kilter. In a few scenes, she really sold herself as the "tough attorney"; in an equal number of scenes, she didn't sell anything to anyone at any time. My assumption/hope is that the pilot was patched together with a number of reshoots (as they often are), which were perhaps too rushed for her to really nail the role.
This week's episode solidified both the character and the performance, so it's clear she's gotten into the groove and she's up to the challenge. The second episode also presents us with this idea that Canterbury's Law will be a little more Rescue Me than House.
While House often attempts long-term story and character arcs that run for five or six episodes, they…rarely do it well. It's an above-average medical procedural that tries (and fails) to be more. I'd be much happier with the show if it just accepted what it was. The occasional shake-up of the formula is fine, but we don't need Chi McBride and David Morse skulking around trying to make trouble. Rescue Me, on the other hand, is perfectly content to have its characters just…sit around being themselves. They manage to incorporate a big fire sequence into nearly every episode, but it's very much a soap opera that occasionally has fires.
If Cantebury's Law (produced by Rescue Me's Denis Leary and Jim Serpico, and featuring a few moonlighting Rescue Me writers) gives us the same level of character depth as Rescue Me, it could have a good run. Otherwise, it's a fairly run-of-the-mill lawyer show. But hey, at least it's not Ally McBeal Starring a Dude (damn you, Eli Stone!).
Everybody Hates Chris (The CW) — I love that this show has gone in the direction of having Chris be a down-on-his-luck nerd, working his ass off to get into the cool club. He spends half the episode trying to get invited to a spin-the-bottle party, then spends the remainder of the episode trying to avoid getting his ass kicked for kissing a girl he didn't even want to kiss. It was a funny setup executed in a way that both avoided and embraced certain clichés.
It left little time to develop its subplots. The story of Julius's jealousy of Rochelle's former flame barely existed. The psycho-Drew storyline was kind of funny, but kind of uncomfortable. It's never a bad thing to see Mr. Omar get a comeuppance, but Drew's never exhibited that kind of behavior before. While it makes sense that he'd develop cheapskate and aggressive traits from his parents, I wish there had been more build-up to the change. It might sound like I'm overthinking a sitcom, but usually the writers do the overthinking for us. They curiously dropped the ball this time.
Jericho (CBS) — The past two episodes of this show have been great. I'm really disappointed to see it get canceled. Again. I guess I can't argue with the "too little, too late" theory, because even I was ready to give Jericho up before its ill-conceived three-month break last year. I stuck with it, and I was rewarded for my trouble, but CBS has gone and shoved it up my ass.
They've managed to become the top network despite not having any good shows. Wouldn't you think they'd want to keep around one or two low-rated "cult" shows, critical darlings (okay, Jericho wasn't exactly a darling, but even the most cynical critic has to admit it's improved exponentially since it started) that don't have quite as large an audience as their endless procedurals and bland sitcoms?
Look at me, CBS: as soon as Jericho bows out next week, I will no longer watch your network. Not because I'm boycotting it; because there isn't a single thing on your channel I want to watch. That may not mean something right now, but it will when America suffers from "awful, repetitive procedural fatigue." (It could happen.)
King of the Hill (Fox) — This is the second episode this season that has suffered from "extremely blunt satire" syndrome. Ed Begley, Jr., is always a welcome presence, but his Stephens Davies character was too much of a caricature of Oprah-approved fear-mongering "professionals." The episode still contained a number of laugh-out-loud moments — my favorite was Peggy's decision that everyone should walk around the house in their underwear — and a tidy resolution, but it wasn't up to the show's usual standard of excellence. Even so, any show that can elicit laugh-out-loud moments in its twelfth season still has a lot of gas in the tank. Hear me, Fox?
Lost (ABC) — Lost has really been on a roll this season, and Thursday's episode was no exception. Answering more questions than usual, the bulk of the story took place in flashback, showing what's happened to Michael since leaving the island…and why he's back. He is, not surprisingly, Ben's "man on the boat," but the writers handled his journey and return more smoothly than I would have thought. Always desperate to keep his son safe above all other things, Michael's stumbled into a downward spiral of horrible decisions. It's also nice to see Sayid isn't the forgiving type. (Too often on this show, characters seem to quickly forget major sources of conflict that occurred only days ago, island-time.)
Do we really have to wait a full month for the next episode? Damn you, writers' strike!
Medium (NBC) — The two-parter spanning the past two weeks had a lot of great moments, but the resolution felt a little unsatisfying. This isn't the first time Allison has been given clear, obvious clues in her dreams and…totally missed them, but come on, put two and two together! Journeyman's wife and Miles Silverburg running away together, combined with him performing strange dental work on a prostitute, combined with death by fire? The whole thing fell into place right after that sequence, yet it still took Allison 40 minutes to figure out what happened, resulting in the most eventful bail hearing in the history of time.
On the bright side, her character has been established as someone who's sort of slow on the uptake. Sometimes that can be frustrating, but at least it's a consistent characterization. The thing I don't understand is, after explaining her dreams to Joe, Scanlon, and Devalos…nobody puts the pieces together until Allison hears about Arielle's Barcelona dream. It's hard to complain when I liked the story told in the two-part episode, but that's just a nitpick I have to mention.
Reaper (The CW) — It still has its flaws, but I love this show. Like Arrested Development, not even stunt-casting the unfunny Jamie Kennedy can hurt it. In fact, dare I admit I actually liked Jamie Kennedy as a sneering but talentless rock star who sells his soul to Satan in exchange for rock stardom? Even more than the performance and the role, I loved the idea that Sam is becoming less interested in sending escaped souls to hell and would rather emphasize on saving souls before they get there. Even more than that, I loved the idea that human nature will inevitably get in the way. If Kennedy's hand hadn't been eaten, he would have sold his soul to Satan without question.
This week's episode was even better, although it left me wondering why Sam's dad is even listed as a regular cast member. The parents made their first appearance since, like, the third episode…and now Sam is moving out, implying even less screen time for them. Still, I think moving out is the right thing for Sam, Ben, and Sock — if we ever want to see these characters get the development they deserve. The actors give these characters so much that I feel like I know them, but there's still so much unexplored territory for all of them.
On a related note, the Sam-Andi angst still needs work, but adding Cady to the mix has made that story infinitely more interesting. I hope they keep her around for awhile now that Sam doesn't think she's the spawn of Satan. (I still think he's wrong, but who knows? It's actually funnier to have an unhinged girlfriend who's a card-carrying human.) I also enjoyed the gay neighbors/demons and the power-sander joke. Despite its flaws, I'm loving this show again.
The Riches (FX) — The Riches has returned for a strike-shortened season, and I'm both pleased and confused with the premiere. I enjoyed most of the story involving Wayne, Hugh, and Dale — especially the partnership between Wayne and Dale that I imagine will set up the storylines for this season — but the road trip with the rest of the family, leading to the hospitalization of "Mom" under suspicion of abuse…was underwhelming, almost an afterthought, which is not the kind of story you'd want for a premiere. I guess it was illustrating that they're total boobs without Wayne holding them together, but I kinda think that undermines what each member of the family puts on the table. Maybe the car theft cliffhanger will pay off next week, redeeming the entire thing. I hope so.
Posted by D. B. Bates at 12:00 AM | Print-Friendly | Comments (0) | Reviews, Idiot Boxing
March 2, 2008
Omar Coming
Breaking Bad (AMC) — "You wanna cook?" What a downer.
I read a great comment from somebody who clearly hasn't seen the show, arguing that it glorifies meth cooking as a source of easy money and isn't something that should be watched by kids. Well, the commenter got that last part right, though AMC wasn't exactly marketing it with a cartoon Erlenmeyer flask named "Crystal" who begged small children to watch and enjoy it. I don't think kids tuning in will be a problem. If they do, I'm pretty sure acid-softened guts falling through a ceiling every few episodes will discourage them from taking up meth-cooking as a career.
Could this episode have been more depressing? Jessica Hecht's odd cameo from a few weeks ago comes into sharp focus here, as we learn Walt's old girlfriend is married to a former peer and colleague. We're introduced to what Walt could have been if he had made different choices. The show smartly played it so we don't get a clear indication of what those choices were — we just know they were wrong, and he regrets them and hates seeing how the other half live.
Also to the show's credit, Walt's old college buddy — whose birthday they were celebrating — was genuinely touched by Walt's gift of cheap old ramen noodles, more touched than the Clapton-owned Stratocaster he just tossed aside. It's that kind of depth and unwillingness to play stereotypes that makes this show a cut above. Then it reached its tragic apex, as Walt is offered a job — a nice, high-paying job, doing what he loves. Out of pity. Because Skyler spilled the cancer beans.
We're then treated to a possible indicator of where Walt went wrong: pride and hubris. He storms out of the party and refuses the generous financial help extended to him by the wealthy couple. Instead, while he does finally opt for treatment, Walt decides to start cooking to pay for it. What's going to happen when he gets deep into it and can barely walk? I don't know.
Meanwhile, Jesse hooks up with some old friends and tries to cook using Walt's formula and methodology. He can't do it — it's too cloudy. And suddenly his standards are too high to smoke this slightly inferior product. He forces the friend to just keep doing it again and again, until the friend finally ditches him.
In the end: "You wanna cook?" The band's back together, reluctantly but necessarily. It's funny that this line comes across both triumphant and tragic. If not for The Wire raising the stakes beyond anything we've seen before and Lost just airing the best show its ever done (ever), I'd call this the best show on television. Right now, it's a close third.
Jericho (CBS) — This show is getting crazy again — in the best possible ways.
So the Hudson Valley Virus jumped the "blue line," Dale bought vaccine, but the Cheyenne government wants to confiscate it? Is anyone else thinking "genocide"? I wish I could say it was something as simple as stockpiling so the "important" folks in Cheyenne have access to the vaccine, but I don't think that's it. They've already vaccinated Jennings & Rall peons, which seems awfully presumptuous considering it only recently jumped the line. That, to me, means exterminating those who rebel against the new government (like, for instance, Jericho) while blaming the Columbus government for letting the disease get out of hand. Too conspiratorial?
Elsewhere, Darcy and Hawkins are becoming malicious partners in crime (good!), Bonnie wants to take a trip to Cheyenne (bad!), Jake wants to kill Goetz (good and bad!), and the plucky blonde whose name I don't know (okay, I looked it up, and it's Trish) is apparently undermining Jennings & Rall. Does this mean Bonnie's trip to Cheyenne will end well, or is hooking up with Trish a recipe for disaster?
King of the Hill (Fox) — Poor, pathetic Bill. Poor, delusional Dale. One of the great things about the running John Redcorn gag is the way everyone ends up supporting his wild conspiracy theories because it's easier than letting him known the truth about John, Nancy, and Joseph. So when a new woman enters Bill's life, and her daughter gets a little too friendly with Joseph, neither Bobby nor Dale are happy. However, Dale takes the initiative to do a DNA test (because the daughter looks familiar).
In Dale's world, the aliens who kidnapped and impregnated Nancy also kidnapped and impregnated Bill's girlfriend. Unfortunately, when Bill's girlfriend learns John Redcorn is also in Arlen, she's very pleased. Bill is less pleased, because he has turned into little more than a babysitter for kids he can't stand. In typical King of the Hill fashion, the ending is happy for both Dale and Bill, but in the worst possible ways. Dale continues living his lies, and Bill is relieved to have the kids out of his hair (but not the woman). Kind of a downer.
Lost — Lost is one of those rare shows that has particular moments that just…completely blow your mind. The ending of "Walkabout," for instance. Or "We're gonna need the boy." However, this is the first episode that has been a full hour and two minutes of complete, mind-blowing insanity. I hung on every second of it, absolutely loving it. Desmond has been such a wild character from the start, and his psychic premonitions last season felt a little far-fetched (even for Lost) — but if this is the payoff, it was all worth it.
Now I want to know what's going on with Farady, perhaps the most interesting new character since Eko left this mortal coil. I don't want to harp on the intricacies of time travel (or why this was such a well-constructed example of it), because that'd be worthy of a column by itself. All I know is, I'm both baffled and hooked and kinda want this show to go on forever.
Medium (NBC) — In the best episode of the season (so far), Allison finds herself working for shady defense attorney Larry Watt to find out whether or not a client (the underrated Bill Sadler) is guilty. The labyrinthine plot showed deft use of misdirection in Allison's dreams, while the very setup of getting sent to Watt by Devalos, and the family's financial situation in dire enough straits for her to accept the "job," allowed for some great character conflict all around. Even the subplot, with Joe discovering Arielle is charging classmates for psychic readings, was solidly constructed. This more than makes up for last week's lackluster offering. Gold star for Medium!
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (Fox) — So is Cameron going to start donning wacky disguises every week? First the cop, then the ballerina — it's actually kind of a fun element to the show, because of the impossibility of her ever assimilating. Although, to the credit of the writers, Cameron's clear desire to understand the human condition, and trying to use dance to do so, was effectively subtle and pretty awesome. A nice twist.
Meanwhile, Dr. Silberman from the movies returns. This time, he's played by Bruce Davison (perfectly cast) and he's in charge of dropping the big reveal bomb: not only did Silberman start to believe in Sarah's future after The Incident at Pescadero — Ellison believes. I have to say, despite all the evidence to the contrary, I didn't see it coming. There's also the craziness of Sarah Connor saving him from Silberman's burning cabin. Their relationship dynamic has suddenly changed — for better or worse.
I had hopes this show would be good, but had no clue it'd be this good this fast.
The Wire (HBO) — Of all the people to take down Omar…
The amazing thing about Kenard is not his youth but his anger. Granted, it's more amazing considering his youth — but for as long as we've known his name, we've known him as a harder corner boy than thugs twice his age. His very character, coupled with his killing Omar, is just another point the writers have underscored from day one: one of the reasons for the decay of the modern city is disrespect, in all forms. In this case, disrespect for elders, for what comes before you, for legends. On the streets of West Baltimore, respect was one of the few things that kept people from just killing everyone who looked at them funny (which, you'll note, is exactly what Marlo's done since day one).
I also loved the way Beadie's speech underscored Omar's death. Nobody seemed particularly shocked or broken up about the man's death. Maybe Renaldo will, but who knows when or if he'll find out about it? Point is, Omar didn't have any true family. At the end of the day, he had nothing. He was a legend in West Baltimore, and will probably remain so for a few years, but he didn't matter. He didn't make a difference. He just was, and then wasn't.
Elsewhere: shit is ramping up. Templeton's out, I'm sure, but I have this weird feeling McNulty will get off scot-free. I think his callback to Bunk's classic line — "You're no good for people" — is key. McNulty will be okay, while everyone around him falls. Maybe I'm wrong. I hope I am, because they don't deserve it nearly as much as he does. One well-deserved comeuppance that I think we will see: Carcetti's going to fold in on himself. There's no way the crime rate will go down, and without the homeless to latch onto after McNulty's bullshit explodes in their faces, his political career will stagnate.
All in all, as we head to the finale, the elements of what felt at first like a shaky, unbelievable plot have converged and reminded me why The Wire is the best show on television.
Posted by D. B. Bates at 12:00 AM | Print-Friendly | Comments (0) | Reviews, Idiot Boxing
March 16, 2008
The Wire Unravels
The institutional collapse of the modern American city drove Jimmy McNulty (and David Simon and Ed Burns and all the other writers) insane for five years — well, technically, more than five years. We just came in on the point where McNulty started to do something about it. To me, this has always been The Wire's message: as the infrastructure collapses, the only way to succeed is to work the system before it works you. In the pilot, McNulty takes his complaint to a city judge who has the power McNulty lacks. In the finale, Sydnor — the quiet protégé of the Major Crimes unit, a detective who didn't get much face time but showed marked improvement over the course of the series — takes a similar complaint to the same judge. Everything's cyclical, and if there are more Sydnors and Carvers and fewer Hercs and Colicchios, more Danielses than Burrells, more…well, we never saw a good mayor on the show, but I guess you could say Haynes was better than Templeton, and I guess you could say the old-to-young baton passing went from Haynes to Alma and Fletcher.
I can't articulate in words how great this show is. I'm amazed, because I'm kind of notorious for trashing HBO for glutting the airwaves with overrated crap (Sex and the City, The Sopranos) and abandoning its edgy, comedy-focused programming (The Larry Sanders Show, Mr. Show with Bob and David, both excellent series) to hype the shit out of shows that don't deserve it. Don't even try to tell me Sex and the City is daring or edgy in any way. Profanity, boobs, and frank sexual dialogue do not automatically make a show daring, edgy, or (in this case) funny. Sure, they can; they just don't here. Stock sitcom plots + boobs = bad television. You need more.
Even The Wire and Deadwood — two great series that happened to hit HBO at a time when all the acclaim went to the vastly inferior The Sopranos and Six Feet Under — flew under the radar at the network know for hyping movie-quality production values and epic "It's not TV — it's HBO" storytelling. They didn't get their due from their network or from audiences. Now that the backlash has caught up with HBO — for canceling the incomplete Deadwood to greenlight a mess like John from Cincinnati, spending tens of millions on a sprawling epic about Rome that's about 5% history and 95% romance-novel histrionics, airing to ultra-depressing series about therapy back-to-back, and giving up top-notch series like Dexter and Mad Men to Showtime and AMC — it's time to think about what The Wire means to television as an art form and television as a storytelling medium.
One reason I can't figure out the popularity of a show like CSI (or even Sex and the City) is that if you force a person to pinpoint the primary reason they watch and enjoy a television show, week after week, it'll come down to the characters. You want to spend time with these people, get to know them, get to understand them. How do you do that with characters who are one-dimensional and black-and-white? The Wire's great strength is in treating its characters — even the ones we're not supposed to like — like human beings. Everyone, on both sides of the law, is a victim of the decay surrounding them. They're equals, and they're given equal time, equal development, and equal humanity. Tommy Carcetti spent two seasons championing change in Baltimore before revealing himself as just another politician. Having spent that time getting to know him, it feels like a devastating betrayal to the audience — because it is. We think he really cares and wants to make a difference, but he chooses his career instead. If Gil Grissom decided to advance his career by ratting out coworkers, would it have the same effect?
The way the story unfolds is so intentionally novelistic that Simon and Burns brought in actual novelists — including George Pelecanos, Dennis Lehane, and Richard Price (whose novel Clockers was one of the main inspirations for The Wire's storytelling style) — to craft the story. While many series have taken a somewhat "novelistic" approach, they often descend into confusing soap operatics because it's clear the writers either haven't planned in advance, or the real-world difficulties of producing a television series prevent the plan from coming to fruition. I couldn't tell you if The Wire's writers are simply better at adjusting to the practicalities — e.g., a certain story element that worked on the page doesn't work on the screen, while something intended to be very minor reveals itself as having a great deal of potential — or if they plan so meticulously that they can plant a seed in the pilot that doesn't sprout until the end of the third season. I honestly don't know enough about their process; I just know, whatever the process, it worked better than anything seen on television.
It's as if the writers followed their show's own message, taking the medium of television and working within its trappings to say what they want to say, narratively and thematically, even if it's not what people really want to hear. It's bleak and cynical, but it's not exactly wrong. I have a hard time watching police press conferences without thinking of the emphasis of statistics and "dope on the table" over good police work.
Is this an anomaly, or has it sparked a revolution? Two of TV's best new series — Breaking Bad and Mad Men, both on AMC — show the spark of potential, but both are too new to know whether or not they'll stick with an overarching, novelistic story or get lost in their own mythology (like Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan's previous show, The X-Files). Hell, at this point, it's hard to say whether or not Breaking Bad will even make it to a second season.
The closest network television has come to this — ignoring the "event" miniseries whose heyday has come and gone — is with ABC's Lost. It's had some uneven patches, but it's reached a point where even episodes that felt like filler — like Hurley's obsession with fixing the VW Bus last season — have come back in huge ways. Or, at least, moderately satisfying ways. Lost has, this season, returned to the high standards it set in the first season. Like The Wire, the writers having a deadline to end the story has, ironically, given them freedom. They can plan more meticulously, cast more effectively, and hope the audience reacts positively.
What does this mean? Should all series have a five-year shelf-life? Not in the ratings- and profit-driven business of television. If Law & Order and The Simpsons can continue to make money after nearly two decades on the air, the network will keep them on the air, to paraphrase Troy McClure, "until they become unprofitable." I'm one of the biggest Simpsons fans around, and after a long (like, five years long) battle with low quality and weak episodes, it's finally come back around to being decently funny. However, it still can't come close to the Golden Age (seasons one through six, wall-to-wall genius unmatched by any comedy or animated series — ever).
Perhaps with shows that fit the "standalone" mold, which tend to be more popular (a consequence of America's awesomely short attention span), can ignore the rule, but anything with a long-term storyline — something that requires audience attention for every episode — should have a cap. Five years, six years, whatever. In October, I suggested the struggling CW institute a policy of only picking up one-year "limited series" that they would only renew if the second-season story matched the quality of the first; they would commit fully to the entire season, allowing viewers to watch without fearing imminent cancellation, or even distant cancellation that would still cut a long-term storyline short. Perhaps the bigger networks could support their serialized shows — which means, among other things, advertising them — by testing the waters with a season-long story that's fairly complete and satisfying, only moving into the more elaborate, five-year plan if it earns a renewal.
The flaw in this system comes from ever-fluctuating ratings; I contend that ratings go down when quality goes down, and quality most often goes down when writers have to stretch out a particular storyline to appease a network driven by keeping popular shows on the air long past their shelf lives — much more dangerous for a serial show than a standalone. You could cancel Law & Order tomorrow and not leave with a cliffhanger. What if ABC did that with Lost or Grey's Anatomy? With a tighter focus and a clear ending in sight — even if it's four or five years away — viewers would be less likely to stray.
Of course, the show also has to be good. The networks still seem to have a hard time solving that problem. Maybe they should take McNulty's advice and work the broken system they have rather than trying — and failing — to effect real change.
Posted by D. B. Bates at 12:00 AM | Print-Friendly | Comments (0) | Reviews, Idiot Boxing
March 9, 2008
Finales and Returns
As we approach finales for two stellar shows (The Wire and Breaking Bad both finish up next week), the CW sneaks in and brings back two of their best shows (Aliens in America and Everybody Hates Chris), with a third (Reaper) returning next week. They'll fill the quality-programming void until the CW abruptly cancels them to make room for a new cycle of Pussycat Dolls.
Aliens in America (The CW) — The CW's only good sitcoms are back for awhile, and I'm happy. Rumors started floating this week that they'd cancel Aliens in America and Reaper because they were the only two CW shows that didn't receive an early renewal. Am I the only one thinking there's no logic in this "imminent cancellation" rumor? Neither show has been on since, like, November, and both are scheduled to come back this month. Why wouldn't they wait to see how they perform over the next month or two?
At any rate, this episode's quality was typically high, though more cartoonish than usual. Justin telling the sociopathic, homicidal bully that his mother slipped into a coma so he can avoid getting killed (quite literally, we're led to believe) was a great setup for a fairly stereotypical high school story. Even funnier was the subplot in which Franny scratches a car and leaves a note that they'll pay for any damages. Keep in mind Gary's unemployed, which sort of justifies his logic in going to remove the note, but turning this into a story of escalating lies just illustrates what this show does so well: taking outlandish comic ideas and pinning them down with real emotional truth. That might sound a little too deep for a sitcom, but it's what makes this the most satisfying new comedy on television.
Breaking Bad (AMC) — Holy shit! Breaking Bad has a week before its (strike-induced?) finale, and by mirroring the pilot's structure they managed to build a taut, insane episode. Cutting mild-mannered Walt explaining his "silent" partnership with skinhead psycho Walt walking away from unidentified carnage or mayhem. I had no idea the transition would come so quickly, but then, when I watched the pilot, I wondered how the entire season would play out over the course of 12 hours. What I'm saying is, I'm not smart.
One of the great moments on this show is Walt explaining the chemical process leading to an explosion — the quicker the reaction, the bigger the bang. A great, subtle metaphor for his transition. Another great metaphor: Walt complaining that Jesse has no real drive to make money, juxtaposed with Walt's desperation-fueled MacGyver antics. It's almost like Walt was a drug kingpin waiting to happen — all his pent-up anger about so many things (illustrated by the ultra-depressing birthday party a few weeks ago) and desperation for money have led him to this.
Meanwhile, Jesse has become 100% more interesting. First, his sympathy (and extreme knowledge) of Walt's cancer, because he had an aunt who died of cancer. Then, his thorough incompetence in dealing with distributors. Of all the ironies, he's the one not cut out to be anything more than a small-time dealer. Walt's not only the brains of the operation — he's the rage.
I can't imagine pissing off the biggest distributor in town will end well for either of them, but I'm really looking forward to the season finale.
Everybody Hates Chris (The CW) — I confess I was looking forward to some well-observed southern satire, but they win: it was a lot funnier that they never left the bus station. I think they could have found a less clichéd way of losing their money than three-card monte, but that's a minor nitpick. The real joy was watching Chris and Julius try to get out of the jam. Also, I enjoyed Wayne Brady. He's a very funny comedian and great in a supporting role like this, so I hope they keep bringing him back as they have Todd Bridges, Ernest Thompson, Antonio Fargas, et al.
Jericho (CBS) — Shit, they killed Bonnie! Does that mean every other actor listed as "Special Guest Star" will be offed before the end of the season? Doesn't bode well for Dale or Heather…
The subplot in which Mimi discovered the book-cooking (by Goetz or somebody else?) was unusually intense — in a good way. I honestly didn't see it ending with the death of Bonnie or the wounding of Mimi, but I'm willing to accept that yes, the show has balls, and yes, it's going to keep up the level of surprise, intensity, and action in the hopes that maybe somebody other than me will start watching. One thing I admire about Bonnie's death: she went out fighting, balls-to-the-wall, shotgun-in-hand. Also, I have a strong suspicion that Mimi hid her corrected ledger. In fact, if she was really smart she would have made a fake, uncooked "oops, I've made a huge mistake" version of the ledger hidden in plain sight. It's a little late for something like that to save lives, but at the very least I hope it casts suspicion away from Mimi so she can figure out what's going on in secret.
Esai Morales continues to surprise me. He plays the improbably named Beck as a brusque, tough-as-nails soldier — but he's not cartoonishly evil. He's just trying to make the best of a bad situation, and let's hope Hawkins has finally convinced him that neither the Cheyenne government nor Jennings & Rall have the best intentions of the American people at heart. I'm not convinced he'll join Jake, Hawkins, et al, but he might turn a blind eye for the time being.
King of the Hill (Fox) — Poor, easily bamboozled Hank. I have a love-hate relationship with episodes that showcase Hank's biggest vulnerability — his misguided trust in others. I love them because it's such a consistent part of his character, and his optimism and enthusiasm make him more lovable. I hate them because it's really depressing to watch him get screwed all the time.
Any episode that prominently features Strickland is bad enough, but this took it to another level: since he bought his first car from local salesman Ted Hammond (voiced by Ted Danson), Hank has proudly paid sticker price. He foolishly believes that this is a real deal. I guess one flaw of the episode is the lack of explanation as to why he'd think the price written on the side of the car is a deal. If they'd tossed in a throwaway line or two about him avoiding the price increase of optional features, it would have worked pretty well.
Nonetheless, the setup served the episode well, first giving Peggy some conflict as she wonders how to handle this revelation, then leading Hank to one of the show's oddest conclusions: while making some inflammatory flyers to put on the windshield of every car on Hammond's lot, a teen agrees to join Hank's fight…and blows up a few cars. Hank's the only one seen on the security cameras, so he's brought in for questioning and, in the end, let off the hook thanks to the generosity of Ted Hammond — reaffirming Hank's faith in quality salesmen relationships. (Of course, Hank misses out on the ironic ending in which Hammond confesses he believes Hank is guilty but doesn't want more bad publicity.) It's not that this was a bad course for the story to take; it was just more bizarre and Simpsons-esque than usual.
Lost (ABC) — It would have been difficult to follow up last week's triumph with something better, but having a Juliet-focused episode took things to a new extreme. Okay, that's kind of mean, but I've never been hugely fond of Juliet as a character. Of course, this episode did very little to make me like her. One of the nice things about Lost — the flashbacks help us to understand the characters, whether we like them or not.
Since we only had minor revelations — Goodwin had a wife, she's still alive (maybe) and in communication with Ben (so is that a confirmation of the astral projection theories?), and she doesn't like Juliet. At all. Can you blame her? Meanwhile, Ben is obsessed with Juliet (something that has been subtly portrayed in Michael Emerson's performance since her first appearance) and basically led Goodwin to death to keep him out of the way.
The new information on Charles Widmore and his obsession with the island was interesting, but I think the biggest piece of the puzzle was the introduction of the Tempest. It's clearly what Ben used to cause The Purge, but I can't help wondering what kind of power source would not only vent toxic gas — it'd vent it in such a way that it'd kill everyone on the island. Why wouldn't Dharma have taken precautions against it? My only thought is that Ben — with Alpert's help — rigged the power station for his nefarious use. I hope that turns out to be the case, because otherwise none of it makes much sense.
Medium (NBC) — Was I the only one who found himself really affected by the Bridgette-Joe-credit card operator subplot? I admit it was sort of hokey — right down to him being in Bangalore, which I know is becoming a cultural norm, but it still feels like a stereotype — but it really got to me, especially the resolution. I actually kind of think that's why he had to be Indian. I would imagine if an American CSR were told to buy a lock, then he was robbed a few days later, he or she would take that as a retroactive threat and start pointing fingers at Joe. The gratitude of the rep on this show made me feel warmer and fuzzier than this show usually allows.
To balance that out, we were treated to some of the show's most disturbing dream sequences: cannibal Gregory Itzin (the best part of 24's stellar fifth season, here again playing a smarmy, murderous politician) dining on the flesh of a gentleman who looks like a hobo. As the dreams clarify, we discover, while imprisoned in Vietnam, Itzin's state senator suggested the others kill a man dying of dysentery, so they could ward off starvation. (It also begs the question: if you eat a guy with dysentery, wouldn't you get infected, too?)
As the mystery unfolded with the help of the dreams, it revealed itself to be one of Medium's most well-crafted mysteries. The conclusion wasn't totally obvious, and in the end they actually dove into the murky gray area of whether or not both the Vietnam murder and the contemporary murder were deserved. Well done!
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronciles — Damn, I hope this show gets renewed. My fear is that Fox expected much more from a show with a built-in audience (who among current 20-somethings didn't grow up loving Terminator 2?), and probably expected much less from an action show. Sure, the show has plenty of action, but it also keeps the spirit of the show: weighty sci-fi involving issues of fate versus free will and good versus evil, surprising character depth and drama that comes more from the small moments than the big set-pieces.
The sequence of FBI agents repeatedly dropping into a motel swimming pool, cut to Johnny Cash singing about the Apocalypse, may be the most artistic, cinematic moment ever aired on the Fox network. They should be prouder of this series than they are The Moment of Truth, but this is the network that has unfairly canceled more high-quality shows than I can recall (off the top of my head, Undeclared, Firefly, Andy Richter Controls the Universe, and Arrested Development are just a few recent examples), so I guess we should say our goodbyes early.
The Wire (HBO) — Herc, you fucking moron! How many times have I said that in the past? After I thought he finally redeemed himself by handing Carver Marlo's cell number, he fucks it all up by insisting to Levy that they used a wiretap, not a C.I. Ugh! The whole thing's falling apart, and it's not solely because Kima ratted McNulty and Freamon (and to a lesser extent, Sydnor) out to Daniels.
I don't think anybody will argue too much with me when I say I haven't been quite as emotionally affected by this series as I have in the past. The biggest emotional spikes involve McNulty's treatment of Beadie, which is horrible, and my rage at Scott Templeton for being such a jackass. (McNulty's not exactly off the hook, but at least I understand why he's doing what he did — Templeton's just an ass who wants to get ahead.) I even felt a little numb to Omar's death. It wasn't that I saw it coming (I didn't) or that it wasn't horrific and tragic to see Kenard as the trigger man. It just felt so inevitable — if it had to happen, it's harder to get upset. The whole theme of last week's episode was how wasted Omar's life turned out to be. He had his code, but in the end, that was about all.
But now…that last scene hit me like a ton of bricks. I've read some "debate" on the Internet (among both professional critics and fans) stating a belief that Michael was "pretending" not to remember because he didn't want to be overwhelmed by the emotion of the moment. Bullshit! The tragedy of that scene is the innocence lost. So much shit has gone down for Michael since that happy day of piss-filled balloons, ice cream, and ass kickings — he really can't remember. Can't remember the good times, can't remember the fact that two short years ago he was just a kid, and now he's hardened. Dukie remembers because he's never been hard — that's been the whole point of their relationship this season, and this scene was the culmination of that. And yes, it was absolutely as depressing as seeing Dukie on the corner in last season's finale.
So I guess I was wrong in my belief that McNulty would get off scot-free while destroying the lives of everyone around him. I'm afraid to watch the finale next week. I really am.
Posted by D. B. Bates at 12:00 AM | Print-Friendly | Comments (0) | Reviews, Idiot Boxing
March 30, 2008
A&E has taken to rerunning CSI: Miami during the noon hour. I don't know how long they've been doing this, but needless to say I've just discovered it and set the TiVo to record it. I revel in its sheer stupidity and the over-the-top comedy gold of David Caruso's satirical performance. (I have to believe he's playing Horatio Caine with a wink and a smile or else I'd have trouble sleeping at night.) I haven't enjoyed a show's pure awfulness since NBC's short-lived "CSI meets Las Vegas" disaster Medical Investigation.
Still, I have to wonder why the CSI shows are a hit. CSI: Miami is one of the worst shows currently airing, yet it consistently finishes in the top 20. Why do all three shows (and pseudo-spinoffs like Without a Trace and Cold Case) get such consistently good ratings? I could never stomach the original series because of William Petersen and Marg Helgenberger attempting to exude uncomfortable, plasticized sexuality as they solved disgusting crimes. Both came across as kinda scuzzy, and even that would have been fine if the writing acknowledged it and portrayed them as such. Unfortunately, the writing is cartoonishly simplistic in both story and character, leaving a vacuum of entertainment where quality should be.
While I don't claim to be an expert on any of these shows, I have seen enough of a sampling of each to recognize that they're uniformly bad, mostly for the same reasons: no character depth, predictable storylines, questionable procedure portrayed as unquestionable, and (my personal favorite) the killers breaking down and spelling out their motives as soon as the police arrest them. I can understand a person possibly doing this out of guilt. It's called a confession, and you don't often need expensive lab tests and a high-speed chase involving helicopters to get one. I don't understand procedurals' reliance on the Scooby Doo "all right, you got me — here's why I did it" ending. Killers kill. Unless they're very guilty or very showy, they aren't going to rattle off a confession to the arresting officer. Besides that, many of the killers play the roles as over-the-top sociopaths, making it even more unbelievable that guilt drove them to confess (and even more predictable, because you know whodunit as soon as you see the smug sneer).
But nothing — not even binging on the junk food of CSI: Miami for the past week — could prepare me for the unadulterated badness of a CSI: New York episode entitled "Down the Rabbit Hole." I don't watch these shows regularly, but a good friend of mine insisted it contained moments of awe-inspiring stupidity. I had to do my critical duty by watching it. After all, it's my job to keep track of the cultural zeitgeist and explain to people why they're wrong.
Not much more than a commercial for the game Second Life (a game that only seems to be played on television; I'm friends with an assload of nerds, none of whom have played Second Life for more than 15 minutes), the episode begins with one of the weirdest and most entertaining sequences in television history. We see a sweaty Mac Taylor jogging past a museum at night. Inside the museum, a janitor enters a room littered with mannequins, cranks up some classy tango music, and begins dancing very sensually with one…until the head falls off. When he bends over to grab it, the janitor finds a costumed dead body.
From this body, they discover many forensic red herrings, including a tick swimming in Lyme disease and a piece of bamboo under the victim's fingernails. They use the comically inaccurate power of Google image searching to, apparently, plug in a photo of the victim, which magically finds them photos of her Second Life avatar. (Google has created some amazing technology, but this is not one of them.) Second Life helpfully provides her real-world information, and it turns out she's kind of a loser who spends the bulk of her time "living" a Second Life.
So Mac jacks in, and the bulk of the traditional investigation occurs within Second Life itself. This includes such bizarre feats as a hoverboard chase, a "virus" nearly infecting the lab's computers, and, best of all, the office's random computer nerd stepping up to a giant wall-screen to battle a bunch of Second Life avatars armed with what looks like a VCR remote from 1983.
They follow some dead-end real-world leads, including questioning a fidgety Second Life player whose pasty skin and irritable behavior suggest Lyme disease (turns out, he's just a nerd) and a mechanic-in-real-life/shoe-salesman-in-Second Life (not a step up) who "would kill" to have an "online celebrity" like the murder victim wear his digital clothing. Eek?
This leads to the most baffling development in the episode: the apparent motive for the killing (according to the CSIs, who haven't yet identified a legitimate suspect) was the celebrity status. See, their mythical suspect is a paid assassin who may or may not have killed a judge in the same New Jersey woods where the Lyme tick is found (the bullet matched their current victim), and somehow they discover the next target is a U.S. congressman, so the assassin must be using the celebrity status of "Venus" to get close to the congressman…
…except she just trots over to the apartment anyway, dressed like Venus for no apparent reason, and shoots him dead before he can say two words. So, a paid assassin plays Second Life long enough to familiarize herself with its "celebrities," then kills one of these celebrities and assumes her virtual identity to get close to a congressman's avatar — just so she can find out where he's staying in New York? There's no easier way to find out that information? There's nothing else she wanted out of this whole Second Life deal? Then again, her greatest hits include "paid assassin who repeatedly uses the same gun as if nobody would investigate that" and "shooting a judge while he's on a hunting trip." Maybe she's just inept.
As if that wasn't enough, the episode ends with the Venussassin diving into a laundry chute, staring at Mac as he patrols the hallway, then slamming it shut loud enough for him to hear. Mac pulls open the laundry chute, looks in, and sees the words EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: JERRY BRUCKHEIMER inside.
I watched this entire episode in stunned silence, and when it was all over, I felt compelled question the tens of readers who enjoy this column: if you watch any of the CSI shows or know anybody who does, please, please explain why. Do people watch it out of ironic fascination, or do they think anything what appears on this show is in an honest, truthful, and insightful portrayal of police work? I keep reading things about CSI influencing and confusing juries, destroying cases, yet I can't imagine anyone with half a brain watching these shows and taking them seriously. Please, enlighten me.
Posted by D. B. Bates at 12:00 AM | Print-Friendly | Comments (0) | Reviews, Idiot Boxing
March 12, 2008
Welcome to the Party, Pal…
Here's what nerds argue about:
Where's the first act-break in Die Hard? I watched this movie today, for the first time since I was maybe 10-years-old, in my continuing effort to analyze the way movies in this genre are put together. In particular, this movie was recommended to me because it shares one common element with my action thriller: an extremely long first act. I'm not ordinarily one to follow the goofy script-guru "if [insert jargon] doesn't happen on page [number], your story will fail" line of reasoning. For me, screenwriting is about 30% mechanics, 70% instinct. Anybody who has seen a lot of movies could write a screenplay with a rough but definable three-act structure, even if they don't know that's what they're doing. The structure may be the only thing they get right, with all the plot points and arcs hitting the right beats, because it's been ingrained in drama since Ancient Greece.
Read "Welcome to the Party, Pal…" »
Posted by D. B. Bates at 5:51 PM | Print-Friendly | Comments (0) | Screenwriting Articles
March 7, 2008
Special Effects
I mentioned this offhandedly at one point, but here's the deal: CGI has ruined special effects innovation. When it is used merely to enhance the story — as in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, for instance, and also Jurassic Park (which I recently rewatched and wow, the special effects still hold up) — and populate a world with things that cannot exist in reality, I don't have a problem with the use of CGI. Good artists manage to lend weight and texture to the objects, making them look less cartoonish than, say, Samuel L. Jackson's death in Deep Blue Sea.
However, while there are still minor innovations in the realm of CGI, nothing compares to the insane genius of practical effects. I've been working on an action script rewrite, and one of the comments on the previous draft is pretty obvious: too much action. It muddles one character's arc, which doesn't quite ruin the script, but it doesn't help. So lately, I've gone back to some of my favorite action movies to see How They Did It — mainly in terms of balancing story and character with action set-pieces.
Watching Point Break a couple of weeks ago helped. The intensity of everything in that movie, from the back-alley chase to the end, wouldn't have much dramatic impact if we weren't already thoroughly invested in Johnny Utah's internal conflict. I can't believe I just wrote that, but it's true.
I also broke out another Cameron Classic, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, which is one hell of a movie with a paper-thin third act (but fuck, they're up against the T-1000 — who needs plot twists?!). Then I tossed in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Each of these movies gave me separate goals to think about — they're so tightly constructed. It's very rare you have a drinking contest as both a point of character development and a major plot point.
After thinking about how to improve my script, I considered the insanity of these movies. Like, at the beginning of the movie, Alfred Molina is covered in tarantulas. Real tarantulas. When was the last time you've seen that in a movie? All I ever see are poorly rendered CGI bugs. Most people know the story of Harrison Ford and the cobra separated by a thin pane of glass. Snakes on a Plane (which used more real and/or rubber/"practical" snakes than I would have thought) aped that shot — with a cheesy, CGI snake.
Terminator 2, which did use digital effects extensively (but again, to enhance, not as a cheap catch-all) has some amazing practical effects, like using an amputee for the scene where the T-1000's body freezes and breaks apart. Can you imagine a time and place where a man was paid millions to come up with a way to have a "liquid metal" machine freeze and break apart, and he comes up with "amputee"? Nowadays, the most innovative thing about a shot like that is actually making the frozen pieces look convincing.
I understand the reasons for the switch: these days, CGI is just cheaper and easier. But as a result, we've lost an element of movie magic. There's rarely a sense of wonder in seeing something new on film. "How'd they do that?" has been replaced by "Wow, that's pretty good CGI!" It's disappointing.
Posted by D. B. Bates at 6:04 PM | Print-Friendly | Comments (0) | Blog Posts
March 26, 2008
Meanest Prank of All Time?
About six months after posting the surprisingly famous R. Kelly rant, I received my first confused/misguided request for R. Kelly's e-mail address, from someone clearly thinking I was R. Kelly, despite the decidedly anti-Kells sentiment I spewed at the time (I've since learned the error of my ways and have come to love and respect the man's tortured genius). This started an echo-chamber effect that has lasted to this day, with commenters from places as distant as Cameroon and as close Louisville posting their desire to contact R. Kelly. Around October of last year, I decided I'd start pranking them all. Nobody responded to my e-mails, in which I pretended to be R. Kelly by affecting poor spelling and an awful attempt at "street" patois, except for one guy. This is his story.
Read "Meanest Prank of All Time?" »
Posted by D. B. Bates at 4:53 PM | Print-Friendly | Comments (0) | Blog Posts, My Life and Times and Random Observations
March 27, 2008
Character Ark
Yes, I know how to spell. That's a pun. You'll see.
I discovered from the blog of stupidity that a screenwriting forum I no longer read (because, honestly, it got too full of people like her) has had somewhat of a debate on character arcs, prompted by a post by this guy. His take is decidedly an argument against arcs. Her take?
But that doesn't mean authority is always wrong either, because that would be equally short sighted. So I say, if your script calls for character arcs, knock yourself out. And if it doesn't, knock yourself out with that too.
Way to be Switzerland!
Posted by D. B. Bates at 2:33 PM | Print-Friendly | Comments (0) | Screenwriting Articles, The Writer
March 3, 2008
Script Review: Jennifer's Body by Diablo Cody
It might surprise you to learn I didn't hate Jennifer's Body. I didn't like it much, either, but it manages to eschew most of Juno's more egregious problems with its legitimate fantastical setting (as opposed to Juno's "people are accusing us of offering an irresponsible message, so we're calling it a fantasy" fantastical setting). It also, despite its problems, doesn't try to forget or ignore where the story should naturally head in favor of a sloppy, forced happy ending. It's sloppy and forced in other areas, to be sure, and its ending is unremarkable, but Jennifer's Body knows its role and, for the most part, lives up to it.
Here's a brief outline of the story: plain-jane Anita "Needy" Lesnicki (I am not making up that name) is 17 and institutionalized. In voiceover, she suggests that we ought to know how she ended up in the nuthouse, which flashes back to her killing her best friend, the once-beautiful Jennifer Check who has now become some sort of unknown monster. Jennifer's mother catches Needy in the act; she's arrested and, eventually, hauled into the nuthouse. Of note is a song — a "soaring rock anthem" — which places twice during this opening sequence — once when Needy is dragged into solitary confinement, and again during the flashback where she's arrested.
Read "Script Review: Jennifer's Body by Diablo Cody (2009)" »
Posted by D. B. Bates at 8:22 AM | Print-Friendly | Comments (2) | Script Reviews, Reviews
March 24, 2008
Stupid Bloggers Need the Most Attention
About a month ago, Ken Levine posted a moronic critique of No Country for Old Men, written by Bob "Back to the Future" Gale. (Some of the nitpicks are reasonable, but the bulk of them are either a side effect of not paying attention or just not understanding what was happening. I don't understand why people, especially professional writers, found the movie so difficult to follow.) This post isn't about that.
Read "Stupid Bloggers Need the Most Attention" »
Posted by D. B. Bates at 11:42 AM | Print-Friendly | Comments (2) | Screenwriting Articles
March 29, 2008
Found this on a blog, where the author has a weekly tradition of predicting weekend box-office success:
SUPERHERO MOVIE (2960 theaters). Craig Mazin over at Artful Writer wrote and directed this, which means it's likely to be more consistent and funnier than "Epic Movie", "Date Movie" and that ilk. Should do pretty well. $19.3 million.
Posted by D. B. Bates at 1:19 PM | Print-Friendly | Comments (0) | Screenwriting Articles, The Writer


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Malina Top (Women's)
Out of Stock Product Number: 30853
Practice yoga in the familiar support of your own bra; the women's prAna Malina's shell silhouette is ideal for layering. Veeda performance fabric, made of 45% recycled materials, will bring superior moisture management ability to the studio with you.
* This product does not qualify for shipping to all countries.
- Veeda fabric
- Engineered feather print on front and back
- Shell silhouette for layering
- Stitched down neck bib for a clean finish
Made In USA
Made In USA
Gender: Women's
Material: 45 rec spun poly/45 spun/10spx
Season: S13
Vendor ProductId: W1MALT312
Review ProductId: 30853
Reviewed by 2 customers
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Comments about prAna Malina Top (Women's):
see previous review
- Beautiful design
- bra-friendly
- Comfortable
- Good fabric
- Great Colors
- Practical
- Pricey
Best Uses
- Base layer
- Lounging
- Under sweaters
- Warm weather
- Working out
- Yoga
Comments about prAna Malina Top (Women's):
the top is perfect for those of us who don't like internal shelf bras but want a stretchy, substantial, slim-fitting tank that isn't cotton. i love wearing prana tops for yoga, working out, hanging out, but they all seem to be bra-tops or they're loose and flow-y or cotton. finally, a tank that works for me. sure, it's pricey, but i had a coupon that made the price a bit easier to swallow. i love the pattern and had trouble deciding which color to get. both look so pretty. the veeda(?) fabric is great, like my yoga pants. i can even wear the top to sleep in since it's not all tight and binding around the chest! the neckline is nice, though a lower cut in back would be cooler. for the fall though, this is fine and i plan on wearing it under sweaters, like a cami or even base layer. i find a lot of indoor places to be overheated in winter and always need to strip down to a tank since i'm very heat sensitive. this one is a *real* top, so i don't end up in line at the grocery store looking like i'm in my undies! it's slim-fitting, not loose around the belly, and it stretches around the bustline for those of us who need it there. i'm a small in prana bottoms (waist and hips), large in bra-tops, so medium in this top is a perfect fit. the length is great for me, though maybe too short for the long-waisted or those who like a long shirt, i don't know. i'm shortwaisted and this is one top that won't be hanging down to my hips. seems to be the usual prana high quality and it won't be going in the dryer.


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San Antonio Spurs v Denver Nuggets, Game 3
Nene of the Denver Nuggets goes to the basket against the San Antonio... News PhotoBasketball - Sport,Basketball Player,Colorado,Denver,Denver Nuggets,Game Three,Making a Basket,NBA Playoffs,NBA Pro Basketball,NBA Western Conference Quarterfinals,Nene Hilario - Basketball Player,Pepsi Center - Denver,Playoffs,San Antonio Spurs,Sport,USAPhotographer Garrett EllwoodCollection: National Basketball Association 2007 NBAEDENVER - APRIL 28: Nene #31 of the Denver Nuggets goes to the basket against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2007 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on April 28, 2007 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)


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Traffic police on Monday began fining jaywalkers on Asok Montri Road 200 baht in an attempt to decrease congestion on one of Bangkok's busiest roads.
In addition to pedestrians crossing against a red light or in the middle of the street, vehicles that do not stop at the zebra crossings will face fines of up to 500 baht.
Pol Maj Gen Niphon Charoenphol, deputy chief of Metropolitan Police Bureau), said traffic police selected six points where pedestrians had to use crossings. Vehicles will not be allowed to make a right turn at 13 spots to improve traffic flow on this 1.3-kilometre road.
About 30 police officers will be employed to help direct the traffic on the road every workdays between 6am and 8pm. The same measures are likely to be extended to Sukhumvit and Rama 4 roads.
He said the first day of crackdown proved vehicle backups could be cut by about one kilometre.
Asok is home to numerous high-rise office buildings and a university. It is served by two MRT stations and one BTS skytrain station.


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2010 is officially upon us and we are half way through our legislative session on Beacon Hill. 2009 provided legislative victories that I am very proud of and I look forward to building on those successes as we begin formal sessions once again. The legislative session will formally end on July 31, 2010 and there are a number of legislative initiatives that I hope will be taken up by the Senate and House before that deadline.
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- Filed Under
As good as Anthony Gonzalez felt Monday, he made no bold proclamations. He has too many scars to be reckless.
"Yeah, I'm being cautious, I guess, just because experience has shown that's probably the way I should be, but I do expect to be OK," the fifth-year wide receiver said of his prospects of playing Sunday, when the Indianapolis Colts open the regular season at Houston. "I do expect to be out there."
The Colts could use him. With Gonzalez (hamstring), Austin Collie (foot) and Blair White (back) hobbled, the team was thin at wide receiver throughout the preseason. Gonzalez and Collie missed ...


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For more information about HGS, please visit the Company's web site at http://www.hgsi.com. Health professionals and patients interested in clinical trials of HGS products may inquire via e-mail to email@example.com or by calling HGS at (301) 610-5790, extension 3550.
HGS, Human Genome Sciences, ABthrax, Albuferon and LymphoStat-B are trademarks of Human Genome Sciences, Inc.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The
forward-looking statements are based on Human Genome Sciences' current
intent, belief and expectations. These statements are not guarantees of
future performance and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that
are difficult to predict. Actual results may differ materially from these
forward-looking statements because of the Company's unproven business
model, its dependence on new technologies, the uncertainty and timing of
clinical trials, the Company's ability to develop and commercialize
products, its dependence on collaborators for services and revenue, its
substantial indebtedness and lease obligations, its changing requirements
and costs associated with facilities, intense competition, the uncertainty
of patent and intellectual property protection, the Company's dependence on
key management and key suppliers, the uncertainty of regulation of
products, the impact of future alliances or transactions and other risks
described in the Company's filings with the Securities and
|SOURCE Human Genome Sciences, Inc.
Copyright©2008 PR Newswire.
All rights reserved


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- About
- Girls
- Volunteers Volunteer Application Volunteer Opportunities Troop Leader Resources Becoming a Troop Leader Leader Tool Kit Troop Packet Safety Activity Checkpoints NEW: Volunteer Resources Blog
- Adult Learning Course Descriptions Short and Snappies Webinars Just for Facilitators Recognition and Awards
- Parents & Families Alumnae Donate Program Options for Schools Product Sale Info
- Shop
Properties & Camping
- Property Rental Farnsworth Kettleford Seawood Sunset Valley Twin Hills Northeast Council Properties
- Summer Camp 2015 Girls' Guide to Summer Camp Camp Abenaki Mascoma Camp Farnsworth Camp Kettleford Camp Seawood Camp Twin Hills Camp Whispering Pines Green Mountain Day Camp Northeast Councils Camps
- Long Term Property Plans
Junior FIRST LEGO League
For girls ages 6-9, Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr.FLL®) captures young children's curiosity and directs it toward discovering the wonders of science and technology. This program features a real-world scientific concept to be explored through research, teamwork, construction, and imagination. Guided by adult Coaches, teams use LEGO® bricks to build a model robot that moves and develop a Show Me Poster to illustrate their journey.
Girls get to:
- Design and build a challenge-related model using LEGO® components
- Create a Show Me Poster and practice presentation skills
- Explore challenges facing today's scientists
- Discover real-world math and science
- Begin developing teamwork skills
- Choose to participate in expos and showcases
- Engage in team activities guided by Jr.FLL Core Values
We are VERY excited to have one new JR FIRST LEGO League team starting in Madbury, NH. This team is currently full. We are always looking for volunteers to start new teams, so if you are interested, contact Melissa.


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KIDS navy and white heart print stretch cotton pants
designer's notes
Have we ever mentioned how much we heart Moschino? Now you and your whole family can too!
color: Navy / White Lightweight stretch cotton woven Allover heart print Zip fly with snap closure at elasticized and belt looped waist Four pocket style with logo lettering embroidery at rear left Banded tapered leg 19�'' inseam 7'' rise All measurements are approximate from a size 5 and may vary by size 97% Cotton / 3% Elastane; Machine Wash and Recommend Air Dry; Italy; style# 318098101


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text: Obsession | IBDB: The official source for Broadway Information IBDB: The official source for Broadway Information Official Broadway League sites: - sites - broadway.org broadwayleague.com broadwayfanclub.com kidsnightonbroadway.com stagespecs.org tonyawards.com Quick Search For: In This Category: All Show People/Org. Theatre Season The credits for this production have not yet been completed or verified. Obsession Plymouth Theatre, (10/01/1946 - 10/26/1946) First Preview: Total Previews: Opening Date: Oct 01, 1946 Closing Date: Oct 26, 1946 Total Performances: 31 Category: Play, Drama, Original, Broadway Opening Night Credits Production Staff Produced by Homer Curran; Produced in association with Russell Lewis and Howard Young Written by Louis Verneuil; Book adapted by Jane Hinton Staged by Reginald Denham Scenic Design by Stewart Chaney; Costume Design by Adrian; Lighting Design by Stewart Chaney Cast Eugenie LeontovichNadyaBasil RathboneMaurice © 2001-2015, The Broadway League, All Rights Reserved. (Copyright and Disclaimer)


text: I was diagnosed with asthma when I was little, and it hardly ever bothered me, I haven't had an asthma attack for 10 years or so. I started smoking about half a year ago, so I was just wondering if it was true about it healing asthma. And if I can get a card for it when I'm over 18?


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Evernote acquires Mac drawing app Skitch
Online note-taking specialist Evernote has acquired Skitch, a Mac app for annotating photos and otherwise editing images, and plans to dramatically expand the software's availability.
For starters, Evernote is making the $20 app free. In addition, "We are committed, not only to making the Skitch Mac app more awesome, but also to bringing Skitch to every desktop and mobile platform under the sun," Evernote's Andrew Sinkov said in a blog post today.
That expansion begins with Skitch's first mobile app, a free download for Android, Evernote said.
"Our goal is to make Skitch a … Read more


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Gaelic Storm
Gaelic Storm to play Court Avenue Bridge in August
Published on July 17th, 2013 | by Joe Lawler
Is the Court Avenue Bridge the hot new music venue? On Tuesday The Summerland Tour will play there, and on Aug. 23 the Celtic band Gaelic Storm will play a concert on the bridge.
In addition to the music, there will be food by Tacopocalypse and Hole in the Wall, local art vendors and more bands to be announced later.
Tickets are $20 in advance through Midwestix, $25 at the door.


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One For All Without Hesitation
Dropping on his self-curated Nobody's Home Productions imprint, Elvin Estela gives a sunny shot of hiphop/folk love with 'One For All Without Hesitation'. It's his first solo release in nearly two years and finds him caught between the two prongs of summery, beats-driven hiphop/R'n'B and strange, autotuned psyche-folk songs with lots of character. There's seven vocal tracks, each masking Elvin's vox in robotic autotune which may not be to everybody's taste, but sure makes for a interesting collision of styles on tracks such as 'Coming Down' and the dramatic '90 Degrees', while the rest of the album comprises his typically stylish instrumentals laden with crisp drums and melodies blending psyched pastoral bliss with R'n'B and soul values. The second part features the vocal juice, with 'Face To The Sun' running a lovely folk song with dubbed and autotuned vox which serve to stress the vocal emotions in a compelling, almost jarring way that's going to take some getting used to. Meanwhile 'Sleep For Daze' sounds like something that would happen in a Gaslamp Killer mix, with hanging halfstep drums chopped with spiky guitar and that emotionally overdriven vocal hitting square between the eyes. 'Hey Love On Our Own' sounds like some warped saturday morning pop hallucination and 'Psycho Alpha Theta' sounds like the Lil' Jon produced by Bibio. Original business - get checking.


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Elizabethtown is adding a four-way stop to one of its collector streets by the narrowest of margins.
Responding to a 3-3 tie, Mayor Tim Walker broke a stalemate Monday to authorize the installation of a four-way stop at the intersection of Dolphin Drive and Mary T. Meagher Drive in an attempt to reduce crashes.
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text: Steve Crawford, left, celebrates with his dad, Warren, after the pair landed safely less than one minute apart. Warren Crawford, Oklahoma City, a 91 year-old WWII veteran, made his first skydive Saturday afternoon, Nov. 17, 2012, at Cushing Regional Airport. Crawford served as a bombardier during the war, but had never parachuted from a plane. He said this has been a dream of his for most of his life, but had promised his wife he wouldn't do it until after she died. Crawford's two sons, Steve and Bud, joined their father on the skydiving adventure.The elder Crawford performed a tandem jump with Andy Beck, an instructor at Skydive Oklahoma, which gives lessons and provides an airplane service for skydiving enthusiasts. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman


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Symbiotics 100% Lactoferrin plays a key role in maintaining overall health.
Supplement Facts:
Other Ingredients:Gelatin (capsule), red beet root, maltodextrin, silica, and magnesium stearate.
Take one capsule twice daily on an empty stomach with 8 oz. of water, or open capsule and sprinkle over a small amount of food.
Please read all label information carefully on delivery and prior to use.
The iron capsules help for sustained cellular energy. These capsules are ideal for athletes. This iron comes up naturally, plant based is healthier than the heavy metals. I would highly recommend it.
These iron tablets are mineral rich food base, enhances iron absorption. Vitamin C also is in the pill. These are easy to swallow, easily digested iron supplements. I really highly recommend this product.
This product is great for people who need to take an iron supplement. It is gentle on the digestive system and the tablet is small and easy to swallow.my iron and red blood cell count have greatly improved.
My doctor recommended this supplement to treat my mild anaemia,these works well for my sensitive stomach.It is easy to digest and absorb.
Iron helped me to build up my haemoglobin, good supplement compared to any other supplement.Iron level will improve with continued use.


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Today is October 4, 2015
Front Page
April 3, 2012
Carbon County News
Another 'controlled burn' out of control
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Another 'controlled burn' out of control
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Fire fighters from Price and the state Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands respond to a brush fire that got out of control in Carbonville Thursday. Flames did minor damage to a nearby tree, but were extinguished before they could reach a vacant trailer a few yards away.
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Henderson Pedestrian Killed On Sidewalk
May 25, 2012 10:19 AM
Mark Thomas
Originally from Southern California, Mark has called Las Vegas home...Read More
Henderson, NV – Just after 7 a.m., a pedestrian walking along a Henderson sidewalk was struck and killed by a vehicle that apparently lost control while driving on Hampton Road near DiPinto Avenue.
Police have questioned the elderly male driver trying to determine what caused the vehicle to drive onto the sidewalk. Both the pedestrian and driver are in their 70's.
Alcohol has been ruled out as a factor in the tragic accident.


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Eudon Choi
cropped fur trim top
Out of stock
Unfortunately this item is out of stock
Black wool blend stretch top from Eudon Choi featuring a round neck, mid length sleeves with a fur trim to the sides, a rear zip fastening and darts to the sides.
Item ID: 10103294
- Height:
- 175
- Bust/Chest (cm):
- 84
- Waist (cm):
- 61
- Hips (cm):
- 89
- Model is wearing size:
- 10
Models Measurements
- Composition
- Spandex/Elastane 4%
- Composition
- Wool 96%
- Dry Clean Only
Your order will be shipped directly from the boutique to you. Farfetch ships worldwide using DHL and UPS, and you will be able to track your order at any time. The cost of shipping your order will be calculated at the checkout.
Import duties information
Delivery duties are included in the item price when shipping to all EU countries plus USA, China, Canada, Switzerland, Singapore, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Qatar, U.A.E, Saudi Arabia and Taiwan.This means all import duties are included in your order, so the price you see is the price you pay. You will not receive an additional duty bill from the courier to receive your shipment. If you are ordering from within your own customs zone or country, import duties will not be applicable anyway, however you may have to pay VAT or local Sales Taxes where applicable (for the UK and USA these are included at the checkout).
Delivery duties are not included in the item price when shipping to all other countries. This means you may be liable to pay import duties on receipt of your order.
Free returns pick-up
You have 14 days from receiving your order to return the item to the boutique using our free returns pick-up service. We strongly recommend that you book your free returns pick-up within 7 days of receiving your order to ensure that it arrives back to the boutique in time. Please note for standard orders we can only collect returns from the same country to which your order was delivered. For click and collect orders we can collect your return from the country your order was delivered to and also the country of the original boutique you ordered from. We are unable to accept returns of earrings for hygiene reasons. We are also unable to accept returns of fine Jewellery. Click here to read our full returns policy.
Eudon is a Korean designer who lives and works in London. Originally trained in Seoul, Eudon attended the Royal College of Art to complete his MA in Womenswear, his final collection being sold to Dover Street Market. He has worked as senior designer for brands including All Saints and Twenty 8 Twelve before leaving in 2009 to launch his own label. This previous experience with both women's and menswear enables Eudon to harness the best of both, utilising masculine cuts to dress the female form. The Eudon Choi look is understated, modern and meticulously constructed.
Visit Eudon Choi for more information on this designer.


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October 10, 2015
Stay Connected Anywhere
Stay Connected Anywhere
WASHINGTON, Kan (WIBW)-- Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (KS-02 R) has introduced what she calls the''Child Tax Credit Improvement Act of 2014''.
Jenkins called the current child care tax rules outdated. The new legislation would index the credit and limitations based on inflation as costs increase.
The proposal would modify the child tax credit in 3 ways
- The $1,000 credit would be indexed for inflation
- Phaseout would begin at $150,000 instead of the current $110,000
- Phaseout would also be indexed for inflation
The proposed law can be found by clicking here.
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There are several methods used to study human behavior including Naturalistic Observation, Correlational Research, Experimental Method, Case Study, and the Survey Method, each uses a different type of approach. If I were to do a study on the relationship between alcohol and violence, the method I would use would be the survey research method. (Stangor, 2010) I would use this method because it would not be intrusive, require any possible harm to anyone, and has minimal ethical concerns.
The Survey Research Method is a type of Descriptive Research Design that uses written questionnaires, and interviews to collect data. The people participating in the study are referred to as the Sample, and the group of people the study is wanting to learn about is referred to as the Population. (Stangor, 2010) In order for this method of research to get accurate results, the target population needs to be similar. For instance, gender, among college students, juveniles, where a fatality occurred, or in domestic violence situations. The approach would be the same no matter what population you were focusing the study on and the results would only determine data for that target.
If I were to do a study on domestic violence related to alcohol, the drawbacks could be some people involved in domestic abuse do not report the incident, therefore it could yield lower results. In some states the law may not require a mandatory arrest in domestic violence incidents resulting in lower arrest rates than a state that did. The investigation by the police could play a role as well. If a person was arrested, did they get a blood alcohol level, if they did not that could affect results as well.
The ethical concerns that need to be considered in this method of study are minimal compared to other methods. There is no need to ask paricipants to consume alcohol for the study and no one will endure any harm. The data comes from previous...


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BPL Community Profile
Bob Bankhead (wandering_bob) - BPL Lifetime Member
You cannot send this user a personal message (PM) because they have not specified a PM email address yet.
All Forum Posts by Bob Bankhead
Flowcharts for complicated projects
To help with menu planning:
Photo Error
Your photo is upside down.
Bearikade - Still not allowed some places?
Bearikade has not passed the IGBC testing, per their Jan 2014 listing. For a listing of all IGBC-approved food storage containers and the like, see pages 4 and later at: http://www.igbconlin...
Re: Re: Big 4 cost vs. weight
@Stephen: Interesting graph. Alas, there is too much noise and too little signal displayed in the 64 data points. Statistically speaking, there is no apparent correlation between the two vari...
Re: weight/cost
for PCT and CT in July, Aug, and Sept. Camping at altitudes up to 12,000 feet. PACK - Six Moon Designs Traveler ..... 31 oz......$175 (no longer available) SHELTER: Six Moon Designs Gatewood ...
Lions, Tigers, and Bears - Oh My!
If you are seriously afraid of the animals in the forest, logic suggests you don't go into that forest. Problem solved. Seriously, do your research beforehand; know what, if any, dangerous...
FS: SD Gnar Hoody Large Black NWT
This is a very good deal, given the regular list price of $199, and shipping is included. If color is not a deal breaker, you can get it in either red, green, or blue for $99 at the above refe...
Sharing resupply service JMT at Le Conte Canyon Ranger Station?
Suggest you also contact Dee Berner. They have a manned pack stations at Pine Creek and Onion Valley and also do on-trail resupply (or did as of 2011). email to firstname.lastname@example.com or bernerspac...
FS: Patagonia
what does this have to do with Patagonia?
MLD mitts
Contact MLD directly. If you seam-sealed the seams as directed and have not damaged the eVent, they should not be leaking.
All Reader Reviews by Bob Bankhead
Showing 1 - 10 of 17 | Page: 1 2
Western Mountaineering The Company
WM products are a 5+ WM the company does not sell direct, only through dealers, ergo end-user contacts would not be expected. Their printed catalogues do list their address and FAX and telephone nu...
Mountain House Lasagna with Meat Sauce
I use a lot of Mountain House Pro Packs and as much as I like the flavor and texture of this item, I avoid it like the plague. The overwhelming downside is the cheese they use. It does NOT rehydra...
Mountain House Sweet and Sour Pork with Rice
One of my favorite Mountain House meals, albeit a tad too sweet for my taste; too much pineapple, not enough sour sauce. Nonetheless, it makes a great motivator to get to a dinner spot when I know one...
Mountain House Precooked Scrambled Eggs with Bacon
I tried these several years ago when they first came out - no bacon in them then. They were horrible! Like a previous reviewer said, virtually flavorless yellow sponges. Last year I noticed they ha...
Gossamer Gear Lightrek 4 Adjustable CF Trekking Poles
I decided not to buy these when they first came out because fully closed they were too long to carry on my pack in checked baggage on the plane, and I really didn't want to hassel with the maili...
Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape
I just returned from 22 nights in the high Sierra on the PCT and JMT. I had two days of constant high winds in Onion Valley, with sustained gusts to at least 50 mph. My trusty Gatewood Cape flapped a ...
Six Moon Designs Traveler backpack
We have TWO Traveler packs. Early in 2008, we were shopping for a new pack for my wife, who has a short 14-1/2 inch torso length. We drove out to Ron's house to try the SMD Essence, but it did not...
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Sack
In addition to silnylon, Sea to Summit also now makes their Dry Sack line in eVENT fabric, both with and without compression capability. evac Dry Sack: available in 3, 5, 8, 13, 20, 35, and 65 lite...
Therm-A-Rest Ridgerest
This has been my "go-to" sleeping pad for many years on the PCT. I've tried a variety of others but keep returning to this little beauty. It does a great job of insulating one from th...
Aloksak O.P 12.5 x 20"
I have found them to be quite effective in the Sierras the past two summers. I have a Bearikade Expedition, and if you're not careful, the metal edges around the latches can slice an OP sak wh...