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Thursday, July 26, 2012
Because it makes me pretty: Cherry Falls (2000)
In Cherry Falls, a slasher is killing virgin teens and carving the word "virgin" into their corpses because otherwise it would be kind of ridiculous for the cops in the movie to see virginity as a pattern in teen deaths. Especially since the first murders occur while the teens are making out in a car. I didn't go to medical school or anything, but if the killer had not been carving the word "virgin" into the corpses, it probably would be a bit weird that the coroner would check for hymens.
Everything I expected to like about this movie wound up being disappointing. The premise - a town full of panicked teens desperately trying to save themselves by getting laid - is funny, but then the movie is jam-packed with horror movie cliches and mediocre scares.
And yet, in the scenes between the infrequent murders, I found myself loving this movie more and more. It is just inexplicably WEIRD. Like, there's an early scene where we meet Brittany Murphy and her boyfriend parked in front of her house. We learn that they haven't "gone all the way" yet, and he's frustrated. This leads him to break up with her. Then her mother pulls up in a car, and conspiratorially warns her to be careful not to wake her father sneaking in. We follow as Murphy sneaks into the house, and this is how we learn that her dad is the town sheriff. This is all pretty standard on the page, but the director must have been behind the camera just yelling insane prompts at the actors.
"Okay, now flirt with your daughter's boyfriend! Really eyefuck him. And you! Boyfriend! Make a joke about the mom's headlights, and leer! LEER! You're a single man now!" and then, "Okay! You're going inside! You were just broken up with. Kiss your mom on the lips for some reason! Then go upstairs! Dad? Dad are you hiding in your daughter's bedroom in the dark yet?"
Later on in the movie, there's a scene where the father goes in to her bedroom again to wake her up and ask if she's a virgin. He's just found out the killer's M.O. and he's worried about her. But he really takes his time with the asking, and afterward, she takes his hand and asks if he's disappointed that she's a virgin. Bewildering!
The movie doesn't seem incestuous by intent, though. I suspect that scenes like that one are a sort of collateral damage. Every single scene in the movie is sexualized, and it does lend a distinct personality to what would otherwise just be another I Know What You Did Last Summer. Everybody seems to be constantly eyefucking everybody at the school. Long vacant lustful looks. The camera will randomly flash to the word "Erected" on the building's dedication. Characters with only one line come into the principal's office to announce, "the sheriff is here," with their words, but seem to announce "I want to fuck you right now, sir. Or your chair. I don't care what I fuck, oh god I forget what my name is," with their eyes.
There's a scene midway through the film, where Cindy, one of the "experienced" girls, is explaining to an audience of virgin girls that unless they're talking about masturbation it would be foolish to expect an orgasm from the boys. They are all going to be having sex at this secret orgy, but they need to manage their expectations. "Girls have to do everything. Boys are totally clueless when it comes to sex. It starts with them trying to unhook our bras, fumbling around, and it never changes. Wait until they try to put their dick into you."
"Please don't say they need help with THAT!" someone says.
"Always," Cindy tells her.
One of the other girls seems skeptical and asks, "Aren't we being a little hard on the boys?"
Cindy just looks at her with pity.
When Brittany Murphy and her boyfriend Kenny finally do get around to their sex scene, it is so unexpected and dirty. This is a movie with no nudity, and hardly any on screen gore. It relies almost entirely on innuendo and insinuation and schoolyard gossipy jokes, and so when Murphy decides to fuck her boyfriend, her directness is actually kind of shocking. And it's refreshing that this is clearly on her own terms, too. She's not laying back and letting him fumble at her bra, she's got her toe stuck in his mouth and she's giving him orders, "Bite it. Bite it harder. Harder." And she's sort of kicking him in the face at the same time. He's terrified, and it's an awkward and genuinely sexy moment.
After that, the murders escalate, as you would expect. There are some twists, but there aren't many surprises. It doesn't really matter. The plot is easy to ignore. The performances are all likeable, especially Jay Mohr and Brittany Murphy, and there are some great lines in the climactic scenes. All of a sudden people are spouting one-liners like crazy, and it feels chaotic and fun. A killing spree in the midst of a teen orgy is just as ridiculous as you would hope, and the scenes of the teenagers pairing off like it's a high school dance are sort of sweet.
In the end, Cherry Falls is completely ineffective as a horror movie, but it is a charming and surprisingly funny teen sex comedy dressed up like a horror movie, with a fright wig and garish makeup and everything.
8 comments:
Read the first paragraph and decided to go watch this film. I'm really glad I did, as you say its no great horror film, but unexpectedly I enjoyed it for its quirky, charming nature. Not a bad way to while away a Thursday. :)ReplyDelete
I love that movie for all the reasons you listed, but it would have been better if there had been any sex or blood in it. It's a movie that could actually benefit a remake at one point (by someone that actually cares about the project).ReplyDelete
I watched this movie eons ago and it remains as a nice memory.ReplyDelete
I can't remember the plot and whether it was good or if it functioned as a horror movie, but I know I really liked it.
The film is OK but can't really do anything intelligent with it's unique twist. I knew it was clever to do things like this, but the film gets no mileage out of the wider ideals and quickly falls into being a standard teen horror movie complete with shadows, twisty end and so on. Still worth a watch if you like this sort of stuff but it really could have been better than this.ReplyDelete
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Cherry Falls sticks to the tried and true formula, bringing to mind words like adequate or functional.ReplyDelete
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I thought this movie looked cool, by its savy slighlty witty title. So I figured I would watch it. And it was a grate scary movie. It was so realistic and it was not too gorey or so gorey that you just had to turn it off or change the channel. I say that if you are looking for a good scary movie that you have not already seen a billion times then rent this.ReplyDelete
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China's yuan nearly "freely usable": central bank's Yi
China's yuan is close to being a freely usable currency, one of two key tests for it to be included in the International Monetary Fund's currency basket, the deputy governor of China's central bank said on Sunday.
The most widely used emerging market currencies should be considered for the basket, Yi Gang, deputy governor of the People's Bank of China told reporters.
He was speaking on the sidelines of a twice-yearly meeting of the International Monetary Fund where expanding the IMF's so-called Special Drawing Rights was discussed.
"The most obvious candidates are the BRICS," Yi said, referring to Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
He added that the Chinese yuan is "very close to being freely usable."
The SDR now comprises the dollar, euro, yen and sterling and is a synthetic quasi-currency that is mainly used as an accounting tool for the IMF's internal operations.
Some experts believe the SDR could increasingly play a role akin to that of a global reserve currency.
Expanding the SDR basket would help support global growth, reduce imbalances and provide a financial safety net during times of financial troubles, Yi said, adding it would also make the international monetary system more representative.
Yi emphasized that a currency that is freely usable may not necessarily be "freely convertible," pointing to currencies that joined the SDR basket in the 1960s and 1970s.
The other criteria for a currency to be included in the SDR basket is that the country must be a major exporter and China fully satisfies this requirement, Yi said.
Adding the yuan to the basket would be a recognition of China's growing economic clout. It could also be a way of encouraging Beijing to speed up reform of its foreign exchange system.
Some countries, especially the United States, have been frustrated with the slow pace of the yuan's appreciation, saying its low value unfairly helps China's exporters. Those calls were repeated at the IMF meetings this weekend.
The IMF completed its latest SDR review in November and did not open it up to any new currencies. It said the Chinese yuan was not used widely enough be to included in the SDR basket.
China has promoted the international use of the yuan in the past two years, highlighted by the rapid development of the Hong Kong offshore yuan market. Earlier this year, state-owned Bank of China Ltd. offered yuan trading to its U.S. customers.
Cross-border yuan transactions are growing rapidly. The BRICS' development banks agreed in principle on Thursday to establish mutual credit lines denominated in their currencies, not dollars, to strengthen business and trade ties.
Yi said China is not in a hurry to have the yuan included in the IMF basket. Chinese officials have repeatedly said Beijing will take steps to make the yuan more flexible but reforms will be carried out in a gradual manner.
The IMF is due to conduct its next review in 2015. Some analysts, such as Jim O'Neill, chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, speculated that the IMF might not wait until then to change the SDR's make-up.
[Source: By Wanfeng Zhou, Reuters, Washington, 17Apr11]
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BIG NEWS, GANG! My bumblin' intern Striving Forbush told me about this here little 'blog and said you kids could sure use a pick-me-upper with the way your favorite baseball club has been playin' of late! Striving said, "Hey Uncle Stan, how's 'bout you bring yer cockeyed optimism and good humor to Royals fans 'round the world?" And I answered, "Well, Striving, I'm rollin' in bread with my latest comic book movie making over a zillion clams, so good luck gettin' this here smile off this here mug! I can write 5000 words in ten minutes, so if they want a rhapsodic writer, they got it!"
DUBIOUS DISPATCH! I realize Royales with Cheese is a humor sensation, so Smilin' Stan will do his best to keep the laughs comin'! I've got a whole kaboodle of witty wonderments to marry your ever-lovin'-blue-wearin' team to the world of comics! Thank Odin for that!
FACE FRONT, FELLAS! For your Fearless Leader's primordial post, I figured I'd latch onto the latest cinematic craze, The Avengers! But these ain't your granpappy's Avengers, these are The AAAAvengers!
That's four A's, fellas! These Royals are more major than the minors, but not big enough yet for the bigs! You'll notice how the Avengers we use for this exercise will be compatible with the Royals in every way. That means no Hulk, Iron Man, Cap, or Thor! But fear not, True Believers, as yours truly personally created a plethora of AAAA-quality Avenger personalities! Let's get started, gang!
ITEM: What do you get when you cross the brilliant brain and brute strength of Felipe Paulino with everyone's favorite furry-formed mutant, Dr. Hank McCoy, AKA The Beast? You get a player who can pitch with his hands AND his feet! He can strike out batters, solve math equations, and groom himself simultaneously! Fangs a lot, you indigo idol!
ITEM: This one's so simple, it's sensational! Let's cross the supersonic speed of Jarrod Dyson with the winged wheels of Pietro Maximoff, AKA Quicksilver! You'll get a fella so fast that even the Comic Code Authority won't catch him! That's what speed do, indeed, True Believers!
ITEM: What do you get when you cross ravishin' Royals reliever Tim Collins with Dr. Henry Pym, better known as original Avenger Ant-Man? Why, you get a tittilatin' Tale to Astonish: Pym Collins, natch! Picture it, True Believers! A baseball player with power over the insects! Why, he could lead an army of ants into the visitin' clubhouse and bite some Brewer buttinski!
THAT'S A WRAP, ROYALS FANS! Yours truly will be back with more Royal-Marvel-Two-In-One's and other brain-blasters and block-busters from the glorious golden age of comic composition! 'Nuff said!
Stan Least
PS: WHAT DO YOU THINK, HEROES? Pretty jazzy, eh? Any comments, suggestions, or (*gulp*) criticisms? Can this bombastic 'blog handle another series of perplexin' posts with little or no connection to the baseball team that inspired it? Grab yourself a sheet of swingin' stationery and send me your mighty missives! You may just win yourself a great, earth-shakin' No Prize!


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Clijsters, who is seeded second, injured her wrist during Friday's win against Germany's Angelika Roesch.
Tournament doctors described the injury as a bruised bone on her left wrist and tendonitis.
There were no such dramas for top seed Justine Henin-Hardenne, who won her opening match comfortably, beating Samantha Reeves 6-2 6-2.
Russia's 16th seed Maria Sharapova overcame Flavia Pennetta of Italy 6-3 4-6 6-4.
Jill Craybas - in as a late replacement for Jennifer Capriati - saw her run ended by Spain's Conchita Martinez who won 6-0 6-3.
Henin-Hardenne will play Marta Marrero in the third round after the Spaniard beat Zimbabwe's Cara Black 7-6 6-1.


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Only a cynic would assume that every celebrity coupling is just a craven grab for publicity. Lots of celebrities pair off for the exact same reasons we all dolove, excitement, hot-weather randinessand for them, craven publicity-grabbing is just a pleasant side benefit of their romance, like really great wedding presents. This summer, though, the white noise of hysteria around celebrity couples has reached a piercing pitch, thanks mostly to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie (or Brangelina) and Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes (or TomKat). It hardly matters that Brangelina still deny the rumors (while posing half naked for conjugal-bed photo shoots) and TomKat got formally engaged about fifteen minutes after they met (presumably spitting out the proposal and acceptance through the maniacal rictus grins they've both now permanently adopted).
Flashbulb-friendly couplings date all the way back to Bogey and Bacall. Some pairings have been legit, like the crazy love tango between Liz Taylor and Richard Burton, while others were pure fabrications, as when a closeted Rock Hudson married his agent's secretary at the studio's behest. Cruise, in particular, has proved a modern master of the art form. The undeniably virile leading man wed a little-known Nicole Kidman in 1990, then enjoyed nine years and eleven months of delirious marital bliss, before their fairy tale ended just short of the ten-year mark, at which Cruise's alimony obligations would have doubled. Ah, the roller coaster of love! And who can forget Cruise's first wife, Mimi Rogers? Well, everyone, apparently, thanks to Cruise's facility with PR voodoo hypnosis.
Given the Brangelina/TomKat mania, other stars must now be wondering which bit of well-matched arm candy could sweeten their own images and land them back in the spotlight. Nothing warms the public's heart like a love story, even if it's helped along by the script doctors. Here are nine celebrity romances that are just dying to be written.
Jude Law and Eva Longoria
What He Gives Her: A leg up over her fellow Desperate Housewives stars, all of whom are no doubt catfighting to make the leap to movies. And Longoria's D-list boyfriendslike, say, former boy-bander J. C. Chasez of 'NSyncaren't exactly suitable dates for the Oscars. Or even the Golden Globes.
What She Gives Him: Heat. Let's face it: Law may be absurdly handsome, but seeing him on the arm of fellow perfect blonde Sienna Miller is about as sexy as a medieval frieze.
Potential Drawbacks: Both stars suffered from bouts of toxic overexposuritis in 2004, so together they might be headed for a relapse.
Proposed Nickname: Lawgoria.
Nicole Kidman and Jimmy Fallon
What He Gives Her: Kidman has yet to prove herself a viable romantic-comedy leadher one successful comedy, To Die For, in which she seduced Joaquin Phoenix into murdering her husband, wasn't exactly When Harry Met Sally. And come onBewitched? Fallon's goofy charm and perennial bed-head might rub off and endear her to the MTV set.
What She Gives Him: Taxi flopped, and Fever Pitch barely broke even, so Fallon's transplant from TV to movies is looking pretty iffy. Kidman gives him Hollywood cred, and a guaranteed date to the Oscars. Think of him as the twinkly Jennifer Aniston to her glamour-puss Brad Pitt.
Potential Drawback: Tina Fey will be sharpening the knives to carve them up on Weekend Update.
Proposed Nickname: Jimmycole.
Katie Couric and Charles Gibson
What He Gives Her: A rootsy, folksy man on her arm to reconnect her with Middle America. And this unite-the-kingdoms wedding of Today and Good Morning America would be like John Kerry landing John McCain as a running mate. Just don't ask which one is V.P.
What She Gives Him: A chance to lord it over Diane Sawyer. Who's the sidekick now?
Potential Drawbacks: The fact that Gibson is already happily married might nullify the whole reconnectingwithMiddle America thing.
Proposed Nickname: Divachuck.
Ted Turner and Jessica Alba
What He Gives Her: Does she need the publicity? She's been on every magazine cover this year. But then again, so was Eva Mendes in 2003. A summer spent on Turner's arm will ensure that when Americans hear the name Jessica, they'll think Alba, not Simpson, Private Lynch, or that baby who fell down the well.
What She Gives Him: A public-image rehab after getting trashed in Jane Fonda's autobiography. And it might convince people he's not actually batshit-crazy.
Proposed Nickname: Tedica.


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Monday, April 25, 2011
Putting Together a Gaming Group-Seven Steps
So you want to cobble together a group of table top role playing gamers. You have an itch to play but you don't have a clue who to game with or how to go about attracting fellow hobbyists to your table.
What is the best way to go about it?
Maybe you're a lucky member of a group who grew up together and have had an ongoing campaign for many years and you never want for players or a DM. That is awesome!
But if you find yourself a lone pilgrim in the gaming lands, this article is for you.
I will share a few suggestions that have helped me to assemble several solid and relatively long lasting gaming fellowships. These suggestions are not only aimed at how to gather a party, but also how to gather or find a group you will be happy with and avoid some of the drama and headaches that are the occasional pitfalls in the dungeon of the gaming community.
These suggestions are written in a fashion that will mainly speak to people who wish to actually conduct the game...titles for such insane persons include: moderator, referee, Game Master, Dungeon Master (DM), Story Teller and so on. For those of you who simply wish to join an existing group or create a group in which you can be a player, all of the below mentioned methods will serve you just as well.
Number One: Be Ready
Have enough gaming materials on hand to supply for everyone who might join. Make it to where a person can show up and simply begin playing or character creation. This means you have all the necessary rulebooks, enough dice, paper and pencils and miniature figurines. Be self sufficient and depend on no one else to supply necessary components to the game experience in case they don't show up, quit, the game, etc. You may also attract newbies and they will most likely have nothing and not know any rules. If you are going to DM, have a good grasp on the rules of the system you plan to use. If you have taken the initiative to begin a "from scratch" group, you have a quasi-leadership role and thus should be self sufficient in this area. Although creating characters can be a very fun process in itself, your having a good selection of pre-made characters on hand will help everyone jump right into playing. There is plenty of time for the players to learn character creation later, especially if they are new. If you go the route of pre-made characters, have them on decent character sheets and illustrations really help first time players. If you do intend to create characters, plan for the first session to be mainly about that and getting acquainted with your new friends and going over setting material.
Number Two: Find a Place
If you will be meeting strangers you met through poster ads or the Internet, I don't suggest meeting them in your home right off for obvious reasons. If you are all unknowns, it might be best to find a public place to play the first few games before you open your home or go to someone else's place. Many gaming and comic book shops offer tables in the back for public games--however, while some love the environment, I have often found these to be crowded and noisy places to try and run a game. There are a few other options. A college campus is an excellent place to play...on weekends the student union lounge or cafeteria is often empty of activity and you can stake out a table. Some campus libraries have enclosed study rooms that are first come first serve and my gamers and I have often used these for a game. Some of the cheaper eateries have rooms they will let people use for a very nominal fee--a local restaurant owner offered to let my group meet in his private dining area on the simple condition that each player order a meal. Libraries often have rooms they will rent out. If a fee is to be paid, make sure all players know this up front if you plan to share the cost. Other places to find a space are community centers, used book stores with additional space, and just about any place you can think of and make arrangements with the owners. Once the gaming group becomes comfortable with each other, you may move to someones house or apartment, but one consideration is that if you get people to your group that are somewhat distant from each other, a public place centrally located that isn't too far for any of you can be a good regular place. This brings me to my next suggestion, though.
Number Three: Try to Stay Local
This is more of some advice on Step Two. When you are planning for your strategy on advertising for players and where you are going to play, I would recommend that you search for people as close to the place you want to play ..and you..as possible. The easier and more convenient it is for everyone to attend the game, the better. People are less likely to be late, they will not eventually get tired of the hassle of a long journey and quit coming, and you are more likely to feel comfortable with people from your own community if it comes to using someones home as a meeting place. While on this subject, I will offer this sage advice: avoid offering rides! Sounds cruel, but with few exceptions, aside form safety considerations, this hurts a gaming group. Crossed communications result in showing up late, some people don't offer gas money, and if the usual ride giver doesn't attend you must either deal with the inconvenience or be minus yet another player. I don't mean to offend people who may find themselves without means of transportation at the moment and as I said, there can be exceptions but for the most part I would advise everyone getting themselves to and from a game.
Number Four: Create A Web Resource
This step is certainly not essential but it can be very helpful. With the proliferation of free web forums, blogging platforms, and other free sites, some sort of web page can be set up relatively quickly and simply. The site can include meet up information, links to game and setting information, and even a discussion page. And once you do get a group going, you'll find it a good resource for an ongoing campaign. It's a place to chat about the game, post maps, artwork and adventure logs, and make important announcements to players. Remember not to include personal information--adopt a moniker and provide an e-mail so you can be contacted. You can include this link on any posters or Internet advertisements you put out. You can even get some business cards printed up very cheaply through a company like Vista-Print with your name and e-mail, the site link, and a name like "The Gaming Collective" or something similar--you can leave the card at game shops or hand them out to prospective players. With a link included, they can go home and check it out. You can put some interesting graphics on the website to make it visually appealing.
Number Five: Finding Players
This is the fun part. After taking into consideration the first four points, you should be looking for players.
There are lots of ways to do this, but before I get into them I must first advise you to get some things straight in your advertising. It is wise to include an age mention, and if you want an adult group, include the note "18 +" in the listed criteria. Having no minors there absolves you of a lot of responsibility--if any teenagers attend your game they should be accompanied by a parent or adult sibling--you may want no teenagers there at all as sometimes older people don't want to always watch what they have to say and do. Or you may actually want to have a family friendly group where younger kids can play. You need to decide this in advance, and make sure everyone who will be joining the meet up knows these type of things. You will save yourself a lot of trouble and hard feelings from people who feel cramped because the dynamic of the group was totally not what they expected.
If you are meeting publicly, alcohol and smoking aren't usually an issue but you should decide if you want any of these things present at your games. Some players like to drink beer while gaming! Nothing wrong with this, but if you are a recovering alcoholic who games to have an alternative activity, it becomes a problem! These are things you should hash out in your ad or after you e-mail or talk with potential gamers.
Now that you know the age level and general tone of the meet ups you have in mind, you can search for players. Potential ways to attract players include the following:
A. People you know. Why try to attract a group of perfect strangers--introduce your friends or family members to the hobby. School, church, the workplace and such like places are good places to find people to game with. I've introduced several of my friends to gaming. There has been a stigma that followed fantasy games from their early days, but for the most part the huge number of people who have entered the hobby and its popular success has minimized or eliminated this in most circles. The cool thing about going this route is that you get to brainwash your new recruits into your particular style of gaming or system of preference--get 'em while they're young, treat 'em rough, and don't tell 'em nothin'! Of course, the drawback to this pool of players, if you are inclined to consider it a drawback (I don't) is that you will be doing a lot of teaching--rules, how to play, etc. But if you can have the patience for that, there something about interested neophytes that creates a very inspiring energy. I will be writing a future article about tips for gaming with newbies.
B. Place posters with your contact information in appropriate places. I would put your phone number and/or your e-mail. If you're worried about security and privacy, create an e-mail account specifically for the game and use that. The poster should indicate when you want to meet, the general number of players you want to gather, the game you intend to play, that no one needs to bring anything, a possible website link where they can read information about the game, and a nice graphic to catch their attention. Make sure the flier looks good and not garish. Ask to hang it at: bookstores, game or comic shops, public bulletin boards such as laundry-mats and grocery stores, college campus bulletins, libraries and anywhere else you think it will be seen. I have had some success with this method.
C. Use the Internet. I highly recommend using Meet Up, the social connection network. One gamer in our city set up a role playing community there that has a couple hundred members now and I have connected with upwards of eight to ten gamers through his page. It costs some money to set up a community but chances are one already exists....just enter your zip code.The good thing about Meet Up is people go there looking for a specific community and also you can post detailed information about your game and what you are (and aren't) looking for. The site can be found at http://www.meetup.com/ . Craigslist is another possibility, though with all the dangerous things happening as a result of Craigslist meet ups, you should be very careful. The strictly platonic section and activities and groups pages are places I have advertised and have met up with a few gamers that way. Another downside to CL is that people who aren't specifically going there to look for table top games may see your ad and you can get some flakes this way. But I did make a good connection through this venue. There are a number of gaming sites, some run by game shops, where people advertise for local games in your area. Sometimes, gaming systems have excellent websites that include discussion forums where local players meet each other..you should check and see if your game publisher does. Even if the publisher is defunct or no longer runs the game, many older systems have fan sites that include such forums.
I will be posting some links for these as soon as I get them.
This is an excellent avenue as again, you can be specific in your information, and you are mostly dealing with people already familiar with your game system and the hobby in general. Observe all sensible safety protocols when meeting players off the Internet. That said, the Internet method proved to be the primary avenue for me in obtaining a core group of players, supplemented by adding some friends and family members.
D. Newspaper ad. This is not a common method but it can work. In the eighties I joined a group as a player after seeing their ad in the classified section of the local newspaper. We played only a few sessions together as they had a different gaming style than I liked but I give the example to show that the newspaper ad can work. An ad of this nature was relatively inexpensive the last time I checked. You could also see if you can get away with writing a letter to the editor about role playing games, maybe addressing common misconceptions about the hobby, and include an Internet link and contact information like your e-mail. Some editors will let you do things like this, some won't. But if they do, you may attract a player or two that way.
E. Volunteer to run a game somewhere as a public or private event. I have never actually tried this yet but I think it bears mentioning. I know that someone set up a "D&D Night" at a local library in the next town and it got pretty big. It was mainly aimed at teens, and given the stigma that is attached to role playing games here in the Bible Belt, I was surprised that the library allowed it. But here is a chance to use the hobby to do some real good aside form the pleasure of playing. you could volunteer at a children's or veteran's hospital, a library, a youth detention center, or some such place. Such a gaming group would have it's whole unique dynamic I'm sure, but you never know, maybe someone who is depressed and needing a hobby would get something positive out of it. D&D as civic duty--who would have thought!
F. Be proactive in meeting new people in any venue. If you have a gaming tee shirt that indicates you are in the hobby or a hat or button, it may lead to a conversation with a potential new player. I once made a gaming contact with a girl who saw my friends and I going over some game material in cafe at a book seller. She used to play, and when she saw the dice, she came over and said, "You guys are gamers? Cool! What do you play?" So be open to new people--don't be a recluse. Unless you are wanting to play only with fellow recluses...nothing wrong with it, nothing wrong with it all.
Number Six: Deal With Social Gaming Up Front
If you are wanting to run a game based on a specific setting, historical period, or mythology, you should be clear about this up front. Some people like to simply get together around the gaming table and the game is secondary to such a meeting. That's social gaming, as opposed to the purist approach. In my opinion, it's better to have a smaller group of players unified around an established theme than a larger group that social games, unless the latter is what you are interested in.
I cover this subject in much more detail in an article I wrote SocialGaming and the Angry Purist
Note that everything I have said about social gaming also pertains to the question of the regular DM. If you plan on DMing most or all of the games, its good to let people know you are primarily interested in this and not playing so that people who get the itch to DM will not become frustrated waiting a turn at bat. If you plan to give others a chance, let them know this as well.
Number Seven: Be Polite and Don't Burn Bridges
Given the tone of my soap box preaching along the lines of point number six, you may think I am a radical purist who doesn't care about social niceties at all.
Very untrue. I'm just about avoiding future problems and frustrations. But I can't stress this step enough. I've offended a few people accidentally form time to time..it's inevitable, but I have made a strong effort to treat everyone decently.
Deal with everyone you meet as a person and treat them with respect, even if they don't join your gaming group. or if they do join and you later part ways.
Keep their contact information and stay in touch, as you never know when you or they might have a change in gaming styles of systems.
If someone doesn't elect to attend your meet ups, put them in touch with gamers you may know of who might be running a campaign more up their alley.
Help other gaming groups to grow as it helps the hobby, creates good will, and also creates the occasional cross over effect that widens your pool of potential players and DMs.
Closing Advice
On that note, take what you can get in the way of numbers. So you can only get two other players besides youself. Don't wait until you get a large number--get the group established and when it has some longevity and the campaign develops a character and flavor of its own you'll find that it will draw the additonal player or two in at some point and such players will find something endurable and steady in the play experience. They'll have the sense they are joining something that has been settled and matured and that makes them feel comfortable because there is..for lack of a better word...a routine they can quikcly assimilate to. Newer groups are still searching for this when they begin--so there is an advnatage to being a latecomer.
It is rather difficult to have any fun with only a DM and one player in my opinion, so I would hold out for at least three total, and if you are newer to running a game or handling a group meet up I'd keep the number of players down to six total--four or five is optimum, though.
A final word along this vein, and this is purely my preference. You can chuck it if you like.
I make it a point to have absolutely no pressure about attending my games. I'm religious about this--as a DM I do not ask for any commitment.
Gaming is supposed to be fun--not like work or school where you cringe when something conflicts with the schedule or you fel guilty about doing something else. I am well aware many or even most would disagree and claim they have to have something to run their game on but I feel if you run a good game you will have players and open atmospehere is better than one where people feel obligated to play in your adventure just because you played in their session.
What if they don't enjoy yours? What if they want to have dinner with their family instead of game? What if they can only attend bi weekly instead of weekly?
I accept such situations. I have always found a core group will meet faithfully and the others will straggle in from time to time as they come--I make room for the stragglers and I run every game with the same enthusiasm whether I have three players or six, whether a key player didn't show up or did. When I'm playing as opposed to DMing, I really get turned off by having my gaming experience turn into a gripe session where the DM blames the adventure folding or not going well on someone not showing up. Shoot man, you're the story teller--this isn't set in stone--don't short the people at your table just because of the people who aren't! Make a story innovation to deal with their character's absence and move on.
Sure, I have been frustrated many times by people who didn't show or who dropped out at crucial moments. But I adopted a philosophy of "Work with the people there right then, not those who are not." I'm going to have a good session regardless of who is or isn't there. If I find it often that only one or two players show out of a larger group, I am obviously doing something wrong and the problem lies with me and not the other players--I've got to work on my game. If you build it, they will come.
This again heads into the territory of a separate article about gaming group chemistry, but I include it here because I advise you to adopt this philosophy when putting together a new group.
This concludes my advice. I'm sure much more could be added by other gamers but this should help you put together a group. Good luck, and good gaming!
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Moller International, Inc, the developer of the Skycar aircraft, the Rotapower line of rotary engines and the Aerobot line of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), reports it has completed the initial design phase for two new Skycars, which may qualify under the FAA's Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) category.
Company officials says they feel that the FAA's introduction of the LSA category has opened up a "remarkable opportunity to advance aviation in America." Producing aircraft in this category may be less costly and ultimately allow the company to produce an aircraft that is less expensive and have lower operational costs, officials add.
Using the criteria set forth under the LSA category, the company embarked on a new design program that combined the vertical take off and landing (VTOL) ability of its 4-passenger Skycar with the requirements of this new category. "We are very excited about the immediate marketability of our two-passenger Skycar 200 LS, two-passenger Neuera and single-passenger Skycar 100 LS models once they are approved to operate under the LSA classification," said Dr. Paul Moller, President of Moller International.
"While it is not practical for the Skycar to hover for the length of time that a helicopter can in any one flight, it can easily perform other missions where the requirement for hover time is limited and where dash and cruise speed are critical. Our simple and effective method to achieve high-speed VTOL in a small, lightweight aircraft has the potential to have very low initial operating and maintenance costs," says Bruce Calkins, Moller International's General Manager. "Our Skycar 400 has huge potential in the personal transportation market, and we hope to bring the smaller, more affordable LS series on line quicker and easier. The characteristics of the LSA category certainly make this an attractive option."
Moller International has its origins in research carried out by Dr. Paul Moller when he tested a scale model of his VTOL capable aircraft in 1961. A full-size version of the earlier VTOL aircraft was demonstrated in 1965. In 1967, research was conducted with the specific purpose of developing vertical takeoff aircraft for the consumer market.
For more information: Moller.com
People who read this article also read articles on airparks, airshow, airshows, avgas, aviation fuel, aviation news, aircraft owner, avionics, buy a plane, FAA, fly-in, flying, general aviation, learn to fly, pilots, Light-Sport Aircraft, LSA, and Sport Pilot.


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Rajasthan may get Rs 37,230-cr refinery soon
With a focus on economic development and employment generation, the UPA government is gearing up to announce a Rs 37,230 crore refinery-cum-petrochemicals project in Rajasthan. Anupama Airy reports.business Updated: Jun 24, 2013 01:30 IST
With a focus on economic development and employment generation, the UPA government is gearing up to announce a Rs 37,230 crore refinery-cum-petrochemicals project in Rajasthan.
In a letter to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, a copy of which is available with HT, petroleum minister M Veerappa Moily has requested Gandhi to announce the project sometime in August. "The 4,000 acres of land needed for the project in Pachpadra (Barmer District) in Rajasthan has been identified and is being acquired by the government of Rajasthan," Moily said in the letter.
Rajasthan, incidentally, is ruled by the Congress.
The capacity of the project will be 9 million tonnes per annum and will be implemented as a joint venture between state-owned Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) and the Ashok Gehlot-led government of Rajasthan. Moily said the equity stake of HPCL in the project will be 74% and the rest with the state government.
"The proposed Rajasthan refinery-cum-petrochemicals project is scheduled to be completed by December 2017," Moily mentioned in the letter. Project approvals, land/environmental clearances and financial closure of the project are expected by the end of 2013.
The crude oil produced in Rajasthan is highly waxy in nature. Moily said the new project will utilise this crude (from Cairn India and ONGC) to the maximum extent possible with innovative technologies.
Government sources said the proposed petrochemical complex will be the first such complex specifically designed to produce petrochemicals from the waxy indigenous crude oil.
HPCL will have the entire marketing rights for all the products (including petrochemical products) to be produced by the refinery. Going forward, ONGC and Engineers India Ltd are likely to pick up some stake in the project.
First Published: Jun 23, 2013 20:43 IST


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Questions/CommentsI have a question regarding this interesting article. This is a subject I've had a lot of interest in doing myself. However, I've read that using a spinning reel with the monofilament often tends to start cutting a groove into the rear guide. It then begins abrading the line, due to the groove or grooves in the guide.
Have you experienced any of this? Do you have any advise on mitigating this occurance? Are there some fly rods that have a larger first guide? Any fly rods that have harder guides? Any other advise or comments would be much appreciated!
Thanks, Scott
Response by Dave WebbScott:
I sometimes use a spinning rod with a fly and find it is a very effective way to fish in some circumstances.
Under normal conditions, I just use my fly rod/reel/line. I'm not a fly fishing expert, but I can cast ok and I catch my share of fish.
There are circumstances where I have trouble using the fly rod:
- 1. When it is windy
- 2. When I want to cast long distances
- 3. When I want to get nymphs/wet flies down really deep, often right above the bottom
In these cases a spinning rod setup can be more effective. A fly rod uses the weight of the fly line to propel the fly whereas a spinning rod can use the weight of the lure, or weight of sinkers attached to the line or to a dropper.
Many people fish flies with a spinning rod because that's what they have. You can buy a decent spinning rod/reel/line setup for $40, whereas it costs much more to buy a decent fly rod setup.
I've never had any problem with monofilament cutting grooves into the line guides on my spinning rod. The rod is made to handle that kind of line and so it isn't a problem.
I would not put a spinner reel and monofilament line on my fly rod. In my opinion, that would be counter-productive. A fly rod is made to cast fly line. While it is certainly possible to use it with a spinning reel and monofilament, it is not efficient for that setup, and certainly not cost effective.
I don't really know if the monofilament would cut a groove into the lower guide on a fly rod. I doubt it would. But since I'd just rather use a spinning rod when fishing monofilament, I totally avoid the issue.
Dave Webb
By Jim Brearton
Most of us have been familiar with terminal tackle techniques that allow us to fish flies on the surface with a spinning rod. The advent of the water filled bubble made casting a fly possible without a fly rod, and before purchasing my first fly rod I had used the fly and bubble technique in the Uintas and in the evenings on Strawberry Reservoir with good success. With the bubble and a spinning outfit one can fly fish just about anywhere. This technique has definite drawbacks, however, in at least two types of flyfishing: Presenting a small dry fly to easily spooked fish; and, bouncing a nymph on the bottom in deep water. For the first situation, usually only a fly rod will do. It allows the fisherman to lightly present the fly repeatedly over a fish, controlling the drift of the fly. When I'm fishing a small midge or mayfly hatch to selective fish with flyrod and see a fellow fisherman approach with spinning rod and bubble, my heart goes out to him.
It is to the other situation that I would like to address this article, fishing a fly on the bottom. As heretical as it may sound, there are instances that commonly occur where, using a technique I'll describe here, one can actually make a better presentation or reach more fish with monifilament line and a spinning type outfit than with a flyrod and the terminal tackle associated with fly fishing.
My barber and I were discussing flyfishing as I sat getting a haircut one day, and I was surprised to discover that, even though he was one of the most prolific fly tyers I knew, he doesn't even own a fly rod. He uses a spinning outfit. He mostly fishes big rivers in Montana (he made me promise not to say where) and bounces big nymphs on the bottom. The split shot are clamped to the end of the line, in size and number dependent on water depth and swiftness, allowing for the bottom bouncing drift of a free floating nymph. If the line snags bottom, it is usually the shot that are stuck between rocks and will pull free or pull off the line with flies still intact. The flies are attached to droppers tied approximately 6" and 18" from the shot. By casting up and across stream with sufficient shot to hit bottom quickly one can easily follow the drift of the line by raising the rod tip and lifting the line off the water as much as possible, keeping the flies drifting at the same speed as the current. No strike indicators are needed as in the classical flyrod technique and as much weight as needed can easily be added, in some instances weight that would make flyrod casting a nightmare.
Let me give you two instances when this technique will allow you and your spinning outfit to outfish the flyrodder, (even though he will claim to be having more fun). Let's suppose we're fishing the Provo River below the Dam on a day when they're letting lots of water flow. Your favorite run is now 3 to 5 feet deep and the fish are right on the bottom. The current is very uneven and before the flyfisherman upstream can get his fly to the fish, the current grabs his heavy, thick line and pulls his leader up off the bottom, accelerating at a very unnatural rate. Your thin and heavily weighted monofilament sinks quickly to the bottom and with a little experimentation with some split shot variables, drifts along at the same speed as the current. You soon begin to get into some fish from your run and others that the guy with the flyrod is scaring down to you from his wildly gyrating fly. Sure, there are techniques the flyrodder can employ that will help him get his fly down and control the drag, techniques that we'll discuss later in another issue, because there are some who would consider using other than traditional fly gear anathema to their sport. But most of these techniques a flyrodder can use are pretty drastic and change his casting techniques from a delicate arc to a lob and "duck fast" parody of "traditional" casting. The best of all worlds is for the fly fisherman to keep the long 9 foot fly rod and change, in the right circumstances, to a spinning reel and monofilament line with the terminal tackle as shown. The long rod allows for maximum line and drift control and the graphite quality of most fly rods allows for a real feel for where the fly is and whether it's bouncing off a rock or the top of a fish's mouth. If you're still not convinced you need to pack along a spinning reel, flyfishing friend, let me give you another hypothetical situation encountered locally.
We're fishing the Green River and it's one of those days when the really big fish are right in the middle of the current, at least 20 feet beyond our best double haul cast with a fly line. One of our partners changes from his fly reel to a spinning reel with 4 lb. test and keeps adding shot until he easily reaches the fish, raises his rod way up in air and follows the fly, easily feeling every bump and strike, even though he's fishing out farther than he can throw that morning's breakfast biscuits. He still gets to play a fish off his $250 Orvis rod while everyone else watches or tries to rent his reel for 20 bucks an hour. So, buy an ultralite, graphite spinning reel and throw it in your vest. You already own everything else you need, and if you've forgotten how to cast a spinning line, just ask your kids.
And, if you have any other questions on this rig or fly to use and need a haircut, just go see Darrell at his barbershop on State Street in Murray. (But don't ask him where he fishes in Montana, or I'm in big trouble.)


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In 1999, Dr. John Botzolakis founded Soma Labs, a contract manufacturer of nutritional supplements and vitamins. At Soma Labs, Dr. John Botzolakis makes products of all kinds, from daily vitamins to special products for pets. One such product is probiotic supplements.
Probiotics have grown enormously in popularity in recent years. The term probiotic means "for life," and probiotic supplements are taken in the belief that they promote intestinal health. Probiotics themselves are living bacteria and other microorganisms that live in the body and assist with digestion. While probiotics can be found naturally in such fermented foods as yogurt and sauerkraut, probiotics in pill and powder form are becoming increasingly available.
Like other natural remedies, probiotics are regulated by the FDA as a food and not a drug, which means that they are generally safe for consumption but that their health claims are not verified. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health is conducting research on probiotics, and the public will know more about their benefits in years to come. To learn more about Dr. Botzolakis' company, Soma Labs, visit its website at www.somalabs.com.


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Weight and Vitamin D
Susie is a petite 5 ft 3 inch woman who weighs 102 lbs. Her starting 25-hydroxy vitamin D level was 42 ng/ml in summer.
Claire, on the other hands, struggles with her weight. Also at 5 ft 3 inches but weighing 221 lbs, Claire's starting vitamin D level was 23 ng/ml, also during the summer - severe deficiency.
I ask patients to supplement with vitamin D at a dose sufficient to increase 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels to 60-70 ng/ml.
For Susie, this required 1000 units. Her blood level: 67 ng/ml.
For Claire, this required 8000 units - an 800% higher dose.
Weight, specifically fat weight, exerts a dramatic effect on our vitamin D requirements. Some of the greatest vitamin D needs I have seen are in overweight people.
This effect of weight on vitamin D need has been demonstrated in:
- Children and adolescents
- Elderly (over age 65 years)
- Caucasians
- African-Americans
- Hispanics
- Men and women
In other words, the weight phenomenon seems to be shared regardless of race, sex, or age. The bigger you are, the more fat you have, the greater your vitamin D need. Why? It's not entirely clear whether vitamin D is stored in fatty tissue, or whether obesity somehow interferes with vitamin D metabolism. Though a much smaller contributor, heavier people also, on average, tend to spend less time outside and show less skin surface area for vitamin D activation.
How about people who lose weight? Let me tell you about another patient, Penny.
At the start, Penny's 25-hydroxy vitamin D blood level showed the usual deficiency at 22 ng/ml. She supplemented with 8000 units of vitamin D. Several months later, another 25-hydroxy vitamin D blood level showed a level of 67.8 ng/ml, right on target.
Penny also began a diet (the diet that I advocate which includes elimination of wheat, cornstarch, and sugars) and, over 6 months, lost 34 lbs. Now a much trimmer 146 lbs, another vitamin D blood level: 111 ng/ml - too high.
I therefore instructed Penny to reduce her vitamin D dose to 4000 units per day, a much reduced dose due to her wonderful weight loss.
So it is important to remain aware of the weight-sensitive phenomenon with vitamin D. The heavier you are, in general, the more vitamin D you need to achieve a healthy level; the thinner you are - or become - the less vitamin D you need.


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- Poster Presentation
- Open Access
Encoding visual stimuli with a population of Hodgkin-Huxley neurons
- Aurel A Lazar1Email author and
- Yiyin Zhou1
© Lazar and Zhou; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2010
- Published: 20 July 2010
- Visual Stimulus
- Receptive Field
- Neural Circuit
- Lateral Geniculate Nucleus
- Natural Scene
In recent years the increasing availability of multi-electrode recordings has led to the application of neural decoding techniques to the recovery of complex stimuli such as natural scenes. A linear decoding algorithm was presented in [1] for the reconstruction of natural scenes with recognizable moving objects using recordings from a neural population of the cat's Lateral Geniculate Nucleus (LGN).
Most of the current models of encoding in the early visual system (retina, LGN, V1) consist of a linear receptive field followed by a non-linear spike generation mechanism. In [2] we considered a neural circuit architecture consisting of receptive fields in cascade with an equal number of spiking neural circuits. The neural circuits investigated were integrate-and-fire neurons and ON-OFF neurons with random thresholds and feedback. We demonstrated for the first time a decoding algorithm for natural scenes and shown its dependence on the noise level.
The work presented here was supported by AFOSR under grant number FA9550-09-1-0350.
Authors' Affiliations
- Stanley GB, Li FF, Dan Y: Reconstruction of Natural Scenes from Ensemble Responses in the Lateral Geniculate Nucleus. J Neurosci. 1999, 19 (18): 8036-8042.PubMedGoogle Scholar
- Lazar AA, Pnevmatikakis EA, Zhou Y: Encoding of Natural Scenes with Neural Circuits with Random Thresholds. BNET Technical Report #06-09, Department of Electrical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY. 2009Google Scholar
- Lazar AA: Population Encoding with Hodgkin-Huxley Neurons. IEEE Transactions on Information Theory. 2010, 56 (2): to appearGoogle Scholar
- Kim AJ, Lazar AA: Recovery of Stimuli Encoded with a Hodgkin-Huxley Neuron Using Conditional PRCs. In Phase Response Curves in Neuroscience, Springer. Edited by: Nathan W. Schultheiss, Astrid Prinz, and Rob Butera. 2010, to appearGoogle Scholar
This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd.


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2014 Hyundai Veloster RE:FLEX Edition revealed
Matching distinctive visuals with an enhanced feature set, the 2014 Hyundai Veloster RE:FLEX Edition was unveiled in Chicago. On sale in early spring, this conceptual successor to the 2013 Veloster RE:MIX Edition will be available in a run of just 3,000 units. "Veloster customers desire limited-edition models with even sportier styling, unique features and exclusive colors that allow them to stand out from the crowd and that is exactly what the RE:FLEX Edition delivers," noted Scott Margason, director, product planning at the reveal.
Also: More first looks from the 2014 Chicago Auto Show
Offered in Century White, Vitamin C, Ultra Black, and Boston Red as well as an exclusive Ice Pearl finish, all RE:FLEX Editions will be fitted with the firm's naturally aspirated 138-horsepower/1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine backed by a 6-speed EcoShift dual-clutch automatic transmission. In addition to a selection of bright exterior trim, the RE:FLEX Edition features LED accents on its projector-beam headlights, front fog lamps, LED taillights, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Also: See the 2014 Small Luxury Sport Sedans
Inside, the new Veloster RE:FLEX boasts full leather upholstery in red or black plus additional leather trim on the steering wheel and shift knob along with Piano Black accents. Other key features include a 450-watt Dimension premium audio system, aluminum sport pedals, an auto-up driver's power window and illuminated door-sill plates.
Pricing for the 2014 Hyundai Veloster RE:FLEX Edition will be announced closer to its official on-sale date.
More Sporty Coupes and Hatchbacks...
We've just driven the new 2014 BMW M235i Coupe
The Hyundai Genesis Coupe gains new features for 2014
We travelled to Sweden to drive the hot, new 2015 VW Golf R -- on ice...
Popular at KBB.com


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The bunny in my brain goes hip, hop, hip, hop.
Since Even Stevens ended in 2003, Christy has been busy with Broadway (Beauty and the Beast, Avenue Q), voiceover work (Kim Possible, hello!), TV movies, and going to school — she's currently studying directing at Barnard College.
Christy, now 30, is very active on social media, and recently lost a Fifty Shades of Grey-themed bet to her husband.
Shia, now 28, skyrocketed to superstardom thanks to his turn in 2007's Transformers. He followed that up with other blockbusters, including Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Fury. A series of strange public appearances overshadowed his career in 2014, but he started 2015 with a bang by starring in Sia's music video for "Elastic Heart."
After Even Stevens, Nick guest-starred on episodes of Cold Case, NCIS, and Without a Trace. Nick, now 38, seemingly stopped acting in 2011 to focus on other projects, including starting the farmers market program City Farm and yoga community Re/creation LA. You can keep up with Nick's daily adventures on Instagram.
Tom, 57, has been very busy since his days as Steve Stevens. He's made appearances on Malcolm in the Middle, Desperate Housewives, The Comeback, Drake & Josh, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Two and a Half Men, and about a dozen other shows.
Tom reunited with TV son Shia in 2011's Transformers: Dark of the Moon and recently popped up in The Wedding Ringer.
Donna, now 60, was known for her work on The Love Boat and Out of This World before starring on Even Stevens. Since the show, she's booked guest spots on The Sopranos and Body of Proof, and starred in a couple TV movies for the Hallmark Channel.
After serving his time as Louis' sidekick, A.J. moved on to more adult roles on Ghost Whisperer, CSI, Numb3rs, Bones, and Franklin & Bash. A.J., 28, has a couple movies currently in production, and recently married fellow former Disney Channel star/current The Originals actor Leah Pipes.
Margo, 28, has worked consistently on TV since the end of Even Stevens, with guest spots on Grey's Anatomy, Modern Family, and Bones. She's also had recurring roles on NCIS, as McGee's girlfriend, and The Big Bang Theory, as Sheldon's assistant. Margo is on Twitter, but hasn't tweeted since 2013.
Steven, now 24, followed up Even Stevens with parts in the movies Cheaper by the Dozen, Kicking & Screaming, and Bratz. He also appeared in ads for T-Mobile and Old Spice and went viral in 2013 when Tyler The Creator used Steven's headshot as his Twitter avatar. He most recently starred in the music video for indie band Dear Blanca's song "Boulders."
Read more: http://www.buzzfeed.com/bricesander/cristy-carlson-romano-where-are-you


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iMovR ThermoDesk UpTown Slim Height Adjustable Standing Desk
The UpTown is easy to adjust and is the quietest electric height adjustable desk on the market! It has three programmable memory presets. The desk adjusts from the lowest sitting height of 25" up to a top end height of 51" making it one of the highest reaching standing desks. It adjusts quickly, 1.5 inches per second, and quietly.
The UpTown Slim tabletop features an exclusive 3D lamination which leads to great aesthetics, ergonomic comfort, and durability. Even the grommet holes are 3D laminated to allow for a continuous look and easy cable management. You can choose from eleven finishes to fit your decor and four different sizes to fit your needs. This ergonomic table is a wonderful standing desk option for those that want a sit or stand desk.
- Height Adjustment Type: Digital with 3 programmable memory positions
- Height: 25" to 51"
- Motor Type: Dual Precision Motors
- Warranty: Lifetime on steel frame, 5 years on all other components
- Travel Speed:1.5 inches per second
- Noise Signature: below 41 decibels
- Lift Capacity: 265 lbs.
- Sizes: 30"-deep tabletops
- Slim: 71" width, 3/4" thick
- (also available) Select: 71" width, 1/8" thick
- Special Features:
- Acceleration and Deceleration Dampening
- Pre-drilled holes for attaching base to SlimTop
- Pre-drilled holes for keyboard tray(s) and hand controller
- Grommets:
- All sizes have dual grommets
- Grommet diameter 3.0"
- Fully 3-D laminated
- Country of Origin: Base - China, Tabletop: USA
ThermoTread GT treadmill base is often paired with this desk, so the frame is reinforced for stability. Solid blocks fit between the lifting legs and the base's feet, shifting the UpTown's height an extra six inches higher, up to 57".
Available in six wood color and five solid color desktops: Almond Cherry, Urban Walnut, Shaker Cherry, Light Maple, Hayward Cherry, Clove Mahogany, Black, Designer White, Warm White, Haute Gray, Shark Gray
ThermoDesk UpTown Stand Up Desk Warranty Details
- Lifetime on steel frame
- 5 years on moving parts
- 5 years on tabletop
- 5 years on electronics


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Flash Charts DEMO Intructions
Charting and graph plotting extension for Joomla CMS. FusionCharts allows
Joomla users to create exciting Flash charts and easily integrate them into their
Joomla sites.
To learn more about component features, check the ARTIO Flash Charts homepage.
DEMO Instructions
This DEMO allows you to look into both parts, front-end and back-end:
Front-end DEMO
For demonstration of the component front-end capabilities, we have prepared most of all charts. See the left menu with all their types and examples.
Back-end DEMO
To see back-end component interface, please, go to Administration and log-in using following credentials:
username: com_artiofusioncharts, password: demo
Back-end interface includes:
- Charts Management


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Organizations & Campaigns
This space is intended as a register for North Cornwall-wide organisations that wish to support the Transition Movement or that may be useful to Transition Groups.
To add your organisation either add in a new 'comment' or use the 'contact' form to send in the information you wish to publish.
- Login to post comments
- 42755 reads
the post carbon newsletter August 2010
Complete articles at http://www.energybulletin.net/
the post carbon reader
August saw the release of further exclusive articles from our brand new book The Post Carbon Reader. The book will be released in October 2010. Find out more.
POPULATION: The Multiplier of Everything Else
Report by William Ryerson • August 17, 2010
When it comes to controversial issues, population is in a class by itself...One thing is certain: The planet and its resources are finite, and it cannot support an infinite population of humans or any other species... Read more
ENERGY: Nine Challenges of Alternative Energy
Report by David Fridley • August 10, 2010
Unlike conventional fossil fuels, where nature provided energy over millions of years to convert biomass into energy-dense solids, liquids, and gases...alternative energy depends heavily on specially engineered equipment and infrastructure for capture or conversion... Read more
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latest publications
Read, watch or listen to the latest content by our Fellows, Board and Staff anytime on our website. Here are some selections from the last month:
Five Years After Katrina, An Important Lesson Goes Unlearned
Post by Sandra Postel • August 24, 2010
It's getting harder and harder to blame Mother Nature for the disasters that befall humanity. While hurricanes, floods, droughts and storm surges are natural events... Read more
Veils, Boomerangs, and Goldilocks
Post by Asher Miller • August 28, 2010
There's a lot to digest in Michael Lewis' The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine but I was particularly struck by a passage at the very end of the book... Read more
Save it for the Combine
Post by Jason Bradford • August 24, 2010
I have been visiting A2R Farms outside of Corvallis Oregon all year. They are a former conventional grass seed farm transitioning to organic seed crops... Read more
Community Economic Laboratories (CELs)
Post by Richard Heinberg • August 23, 2010
As America adjusts to the New Reality of tight credit, chronically less-affordable energy, high unemployment rates, rising levels of homelessness... Read more
Peak Everything: Preface to the Paperback Edition
Article by Richard Heinberg • August 18, 2010
Note: Peak Everything: Waking Up to the Century of Declines will be released in paperback this month (September) by New Society Publishers... Read more
Peak Everything: Oil, Water, Climate Stability & More
Interview with Richard Heinberg • August 19, 2010
An interview with Richard Heinberg about how to conquer gracefully with post-Peak Oil declines in climate stability, economic growth, food security... Listen
Embodied Energy: An Alternative Approach to Understanding Urban Energy Use
Article by David Fridley • August 12, 2010
Everyone knows that it takes energy to produce anything. The energy used in mining, transport, processing, manufacturing, delivery, and disposal... Read more
Temporary Recession or the End of Growth?
Article by Richard Heinberg • August 11, 2010
This is an updated version of an article which was originally published in August 2009. Everyone agrees: our economy is sick... Read more
Big Think - Bill McKibben
Video commentary by Bill McKibben • August 11, 2010
Bill McKibben talks about the climate change that is already underway, our failure to act so far, and why we need to price carbon to ensure... View
The NCSL's Energy Summit — The good, the bad, the missing.
Article by Tom Whipple • August 10, 2010
Every year the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) holds an annual conference where legislators from all over the US gather... Read more
UN-Shanghai Expo Megacities Sustainability Study: My Role
Post by Warren Karlenzig • August 9, 2010
Urban sustainability is the challenge of the century as more of the world's population becomes urbanized (50 percent in 2008, 60 percent by 2030)... Read more
The 'Pipe Dream' of Energy Independence - Building U.S. Energy Resilience
Video commentary by David Fridley • July 8, 2010
David Fridley discusses global renewable energy technology development and what may be a 'pipe dream'... View
We're hot as hell and we're not going to take it any more
Post by Bill McKibben • August 4, 2010
Try to fit these facts together: According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the planet has just come through the warmest decade, the warmest 12 months... Read more
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Are you looking for suggestions of meaningful actions you can take to respond to the issues facing us? PCI is supporting our allies and friends in their campaigns. Keep an eye on the 'take action' block on our home page for more.
Join the 350.org party! - 10/10/10
Circle 10/10/10 on your calendar. That's the date. We're calling it a Global Work Party, with emphasis on both 'work' and 'party'. We want to send a message to politicians: if we can get to work on climate change, you can get to work too.
Sign up to host a local event, or search for an event to join. Find great ideas for for your party here, and resources to help you organize it here.


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Photo of the Week: Snake Charmers
The producers at BIO.com review hundreds of photos of famous figures each week, from award-winning actors and popular singers, to headliners and scandal-makers. While we're digging through these archives, we often come across amazing photos that we're just dying to share. So, without further ado, here's the one image that stands out for us this week:
Betty White & Slash Betty White and Slash help Jacob, a publicity-shy red tail boa constrictor, hide from the paparazzi at the 2011 GLAZA Beastly Ball at the Los Angeles Zoo.
Think you have a better caption for this photo? Leave your response in the comments section below!


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Tuesday, December 16, 2008
New Logo!
Can't use it on the main site yet because OfficeLive blows, but it's done anyway. We'll get a real host when we can afford it. Ha!
Also made it into a (temporary) banner for exchanges (e-mail me if interested!). But MDT said he couldn't tell the piggy bank was a pig at first. He says it looks like an egg and that I should make it more piggish. So, that's next on my list of things to do. Not that it matters at the moment, because like I said, OfficeLive won't let me use it as my header--OffiveLive has got to be the worst website host you could imagine. So if anyone knows of any free web hosting companies that don't suck let me know.
New Logo!
Posted by Wren Caulfield at 7:51 PM 1 comments
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Site updates
We're about halfway finished putting our content on the main page. I expect it'll be complete by the new year. In the meantime, we're going to get the party started here on the blog. I'll soon be joined by guest blogger mdtrudeau, who'll be providing us with information and commentary on wider, more global economic issues.
Until then!
Update: Well, it's nearly two weeks into the new year, and the main page content isn't *quite* finished yet, but it's close. Meantime, mdt and I will be trying to get this blog up and running.
Site updates
Posted by Wren Caulfield at 2:29 PM
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
Got Design?
TAiMH blog design by Belle Étoile Studios.


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Home Fields
The Proving Grounds at Tee's Golf Center Google Map Tee's Golf Center Website
707 Conshohocken Road
Conshohocken, PA 19428
Phone: 610-834-0845
From Northbound Blue Route (I-476): Exit 16A towards Conshohocken. Cross Fayette Street Bridge. First left onto Elm Street. Elm Street becomes Conshohocken Road. Tee's Golf Center entrance located approximately 1 mile on right, across from ISG Plate.
From Southbound Blue Route (I-476): Exit at Norristown 18B. Right on Chemical Road. Stay in second rightmost lane to cross Ridge Pike. You are now on Colwell Lane (Lukoil is on the corner at on your right). Right at light onto Elm Street. Elm Street becomes Conshohocken Road. Tee's Golf Center entrance located approximately 1 mile on right, across from ISG Plate.
USTC-United Sports Training Center Google Map USTC Website
1426 Marshallton-Thorndale Road
Downingtown, PA 19335
Phone 610-466-7100
From Downingtown Exit of the PA Turnpike: Travel South on Rt. 100 to intersection of Rt. 113. Turn right and follow Rt. 113 South to 30 By-pass. Take 30 bypass to Rt. 340 (Thorndale exit). Turn left off the ramp to Rt 340 East. Cross over business Rt. 30 business. The road become Marshallton-Thorndale Rd. USTC is approx 1 mile up the hill on the right. Turn right into the complex and bear to the right. Go to the Field Board to see the Field Assignment.
Hotels (Conshohocken/Plymouth Meeting)
Philadelphia Marriott West
111 Crawford Ave.
W Conshohocken, PA
(610) 941-5600 · marriott.com
Residence Inn by Marriott
191 Washington St.
Conshohocken, PA
(610) 828-8800 · marriott.com
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Philadelphia West
640 Fountain Rd.
Plymouth Meeting, PA
(610) 834-8300 · doubletree.com
Hampton Inn Philadelphia/Plymouth Meeting
2055 Chemical Rd.
Plymouth Meeting, PA
(610) 567-0900 · hamptoninn3.hilton.com
Wayne Hotel
139 E Lancaster Ave.
Wayne, PA
(610) 687-5000 · waynehotel.com
Extended Stay America Hotel Philadelphia - Plymouth Meeting
437 Irwins Ln.
Plymouth Meeting, PA
(610) 260-0488 · extendedstayamerica.com
Listing of Conshohocken/Plymouth Meeting Restaurants
Andy's Diner & Pub505 W Ridge Pike | Btwn Main Ave & Lynda Dr
Baja Fresh200 W Ridge Pike | At Little Ave
Bertucci's500 W Germantown Pike | At Launfall Rd
Cracker Barrel2095 Gallagher Rd | Btwn Seven Stars Ln & Chemical Rd
Dawson's440 Plymouth Rd | Btwn Eagle Dr & Irwins Ln
Fingers Wings & Other Things107 W Ridge Pike | At Butler Pike
Five Guys200 W Ridge Pike | At Butler Pike
Flanigan's Boathouse113 Fayette St | At E 1st Ave
Great American Pub123 Fayette St | At W 1st Ave
Guppy's Good Times2 Maple St | At W Elm St
Houlihan's601 W Germantown Pike | At Atrium Way
Outback Steakhouse322 W Ridge Pike | Btwn Lynda Dr & Little Ave
Panera Bread 48 E Ridge Pike | Btwn Spring Mill Rd & Malan Dr
Pepperoncini 72 Poplar St | At E Elm St
Ponti's Steaks And Spuds 523 Fayette St | Btwn E 5th & E 6th Ave
Primo Hoagies 113 W Ridge Pike | Btwn Butler Pike & Little Ave
Ruby Tuesday 2053 Chemical Rd | At Gallagher Rd
Saladworks 200 W Ridge Pike | At Little Ave
Tonelli's 435 Germantown Pike | At N Warner Rd
Uno Chicago Grill 1009 Ridge Pike | At Alan Wood Rd
Bryn Mawr Hospital (484)337-3000
130 S. Bryn Mawr Ave.
Bryn Mawr, PA 1901


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Feed the Green: Feminist Voices for the Earth
A film by
Jane Caputi
, Produced by
Susan Rosenkranz
US, 2015, 37 minutes, Color, DVD
Order No. W161186
FEED THE GREEN: FEMINIST VOICES FOR THE EARTH challenges the cultural imagination surrounding the destruction of the environment and its impact on femicide and genocide. This informative documentary, by Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies professor and scholar Jane Caputi, highlights an active global resistance movement and an alternative imagery communicating resistant green consciousness.
FEED THE GREEN features a variety of feminist thinkers, including ecological and social justice advocates Vandana Shiva, Starhawk and Andrea Smith, ecosexual activists Annie Sprinkle and Beth Stephens; ecofeminist theorist and disability rights activist Ynestra King, poet Camille Dungy, scholars and bloggers Janell Hobson and Jill Schneiderman and grass roots activist La Loba Loca. Their voices are powerfully juxtaposed with images from popular culture, including advertising, myth, art, and the news, pointing to the ways that an environmentally destructive worldview is embedded in popular discourses, both contemporary and historical.
Discussions include the parallels between men�s violence against women and violence against Earth, the disastrous and continuing impacts of European colonization, and the ways that the ill effects of environmental damage are felt disproportionately by those who face racial and socioeconomic inequalities. Required viewing for Women�s and Environmental Studies as well as Pop Culture.
"Using telling and often beautiful imagery and astute commentary from many feminist leaders, the film persuasively argues that abuse of women and other oppressed groups goes hand in hand with abuse of the planet."
Kathy Rudy, PhD, Professor
Women�s Studies, Duke University
"Jane Caputi�s intersectional film brings together a range of environmental feminist voices, exposing the everyday worldview responsible for the widespread and willful destruction of nature. Weaving those voices with images both past present, both common and from the margins, Caputi skillfully summons a green consciousness already in the making."
Suzanne Kelly, PhD
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Feed the Green: Feminist Voices for the Earth
is included in the following Special Collections.
ENVIRONMENTAL: Women Going Green
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Amazon Sisters
Atomic Homefront
Footprint: Population, Consumption and Sustainability
My Toxic Baby
Troubled Harvest
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Designers - Balenciaga - Shoulder Bags
Day G21-Silver, Poppy Red
This product is available instore. Please email our Store about this product and for a list of other colours.Soft vintage crafted lambskin with silver tone metal hardware. Top zip closure. Hand stitched handle with 20cm drop. Approx weight 770grams. Front zip pocket leather framed hand mirror. Fabric lined interior with zipper pocket. Made in Italy.
L36 x H35 x D12 cm
Colour: Poppy
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