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I have spent the entirety of my 30s trying to figure out what my purpose is in life. In my 20s, I thought that I had it all figured out. I, of course, was wrong. Life threw me enough curveballs that it left me at times wondering which end was up. Determined as always, I kept pushing through. Somewhere in my mid-30s I started to get interested once again in my catholic faith. I found the answers to my questions in the most unlikely place – Pinterest. I was searching for other content and catholic oriented posts started to pop up. Intrigued and clearly distracted, I got more and more immersed. (Pinterest has a way of doing that! 😉 ) Now I'm 39 years old, and it's all starting to fall into place for me. It's not necessarily what I want. It's what God wants. I am where I'm meant to be. Sometimes it can test my patience, but in the end, I have life lessons to learn. Some are "light bulb moments" and others are hard. Really hard.
As cliche as it sounds, I really have found answers to questions that I have, or advice on how to deal with this or that, in the bible. I found a peace that I've never known before in praying. I've said the same prayers since I was a small child (the Our Father, Hail Mary, Nicene Creed, Apostle's Creed … ), but only now are they starting to have meaning to me – the level of meaning that is truly deep within you; within your soul. This wasn't an overnight process by any means. This was over the course of a decade or more. Everything that I've ever been through in my life (good, bad, indifferent, mundane, and torturous) all leads to this. I see the world with a sense of vision that is completely new to me and is the beginning of something wonderful and beautiful. Within it all lies the inquiries of: what is the true meaning of life? and what is my purpose within that life? .
Those closest to me have listening to me complain (yes, I mean complain) about, cry about, and outwardly think about my life, who's in it, who's not, and why. When I say these were long conversations, I mean they were long. And repetitive. They had the patience enough to listen to me flip flop between one thought and another as I tried to figure it all out. And I've received a lot of amazing advice over the years. I will be eternally indebted to them for their selfless and unconditional love, patience, encouragement, and support. I could never have made it this far in my life's journey without them. In this lies what I consider to be the first of many truths to the meaning of life: find the people to have in your innermost circle that will tremendously bless you in ways that you may never be able to reciprocate.
Through all the tears, the moments of frustration, moments of anger, and the pain of physical injuries that life experiences can bring, I saw my purpose unfold. Since I was a small child I wanted to be a wife, mom, and homemaker. That's it. Simple right?! Tell that "simple" desire to any wife, mom, and homemaker, and they will surely laugh because there's nothing simple about it! As a small child everything is simple. We don't have limitations and inhibitions as small children. We, as small children, approach the world with wonder, curiosity, and sometimes even complete disregard for what (and who) is around us – not intentionally of course. That's what makes children who and what they are. Somewhere along the way as we grow and evolve into adults we lose quite a bit of that. We become jaded and skeptical, maybe even selfish and greedy at times (whether we realize it or not). Maybe not the selfish and greedy part, but I absolutely became jaded and skeptical as an adult. With a great amount of introspection I came to realize that I was living the life that I wished about as a small child. Beneath it all wasn't the actuality of being a wife, mom, and homemaker. What I wanted out of life was to be a nurturer, and someone that created a home that was viewed as a haven, sanctuary, and all around "soft place to land". And this is at the very heart of what it means to be a wife, mom, and homemaker. As a small child I instinctively knew what my purpose in life was. And as an adult, I couldn't see it. Until now, the point in my life where I turned back to my catholic faith. The point in my life that I chose to "go all in", dedicating and devoting my life to continuous learning, prayer, reading, and introspection, was the same point that my purpose became increasingly apparent. There was no way that I could be oblivious to it. Herein is the second truth to the meaning of life: no matter what your faith is, you have to "go all in". You have to 100% devote and dedicate your life to continuous learning, prayer, and introspection.
Now that I've discovered that I was living my purpose all along (just not with the exact appearance that I thought it would have), I have found a great sense of peace. If you follow the writings of christian women (many of them are wives, moms, and homemakers – sound familiar?! 😉 ) , you will inevitably come across writings that mention homemaking being a ministry. Without getting into actual bible verses, because that's not my forte or something that I want to get into here, I have found that when I use those passages in the bible as a guide, more of what I had longed and dreamed about I already had – just not in the appearance that I thought it would. It is a both an implicit and explicit ministry of faith in a way that only a woman can provide. It's that "special touch" that we as woman have. Our work is by no means easy. It is, however, vital to the success of our ministry and our purpose in life.
As a young adult, when I thought I had it all figured out (ha!), I used to say "I've never been married and I don't have children because I refuse to lower my standards." This is still for the most part true, although some of my standards have evolved. What I was completely wrong about (because I wasn't wise enough to see it), was that it wasn't what God wanted for me in that station of life. I was 100% miserable at times, and I lost count years ago of how many nights I cried myself to sleep because I wasn't married with children like the people around me of the same age. Looking back, God really did me a favor! So many of them had aspects of their lives that I did not find appealing. That could've been me, had I not been so involved in my daily activities to notice. Don't get me wrong, I had my own challenges to deal with and someone looking at my life may say the same thing about me. My take away from this observation is be careful what you wish for! God was definitely listening to the sweet and tiny voice of my younger self when I expressed what I wanted out of life. I got exactly what I wanted, it just didn't look like how I thought it would. What I got, was what I needed it to look like. That was where my life lessons were.
So what does my life look like?! The short brief of a very long story is that my life has been filled with trauma, tragedy, trials and tribulations … and I'm still here. Nothing has stopped me from living my life with purpose, even though I didn't really understand what my purpose was or the fact that I was already living my life with purpose and didn't know it. Long before I was diagnosed at 26 years old as ADHD/Dyslexic, I was an advocate for those with disabilities. Little did I know that I would have to be my own advocate for the same reason. I've come to know the frustration of feeling like no one is listening, let alone caring about those with disabilities. I learned by having a full blown anaphylaxsis reaction that I was allergic to peanuts. That near death experience taught me (and continues to teach me) about how food products and ingredients are processed worldwide. Furthermore, it taught me how careless companies can be in this regard and that some of them have no intention of changing their ways because profits are more important. After 19 years of intermittent studies, I earned a Bachelor's Degree that focuses on political theory and history prior to the 19th century. I was bound and determined that no matter what life had in store fore me, I was going to set that goal and accomplish it. So I did. I never anticipated it would take nearly two decades. I persevered because I set a goal in relation to something that I was passionate about, and I accomplished it. When you find something that you love and are passionate about it, stick with it.
There's a part of me that feels like I'm playing a game of "beat the clock" because I'm approaching 40 years old and I have yet to realize my lifelong dream of being a wife and mom. And that makes me incredibly sad. I don't know what the future holds for me in this regard. What I am certain of is all that I'm blessed with now. It took a really long time to not just know it intellectually, but to feel it in my heart; to know it with every fiber of what makes me who I am. For the longest time I was so focused on what I didn't have or what wasn't going right. When I started to look inward for a really clear introspective look at my life thus far things began to change. It's important to "get right with yourself" and to "get right with God", what ever that means to you. You're the only person that can tell you what that means. It may take a lot more work and time than you anticipated. You need to power through and get it done. Do the work you need to.
I'm not perfect. Far from it. I'm not an expert by any means. I'm simply sharing my perspective. I'm sharing with you what has worked for me. There's a lot that I've left out because I don't put every detail of my life out there. Regardless, I can still make the points I need to in order to share my perspective. The absolute bottom line is no matter how poorly I was educated in religious classes in my youth, no matter how long my separation had been with my church, no matter what happened in my life, my faith was always there (whether I realized it or not). God was there with me and for me whether I realized it and felt it or not. The first relationship I've ever had that involved absolutely unconditional love was from God. Beyond that, the best relationships that I've had are with those in my innermost circle. It's decidedly not perfect, and I haven't been the best version of myself. In spite of that, they have shown me unconditional love, support, and encouragement. I'm blessed beyond measure. And for that I'm eternally grateful.
For the moment, the time we're sharing is drawing to a close. The lasting impression that I have is that no matter how much I want something, no matter what timeline I have in mind, it really does happen in due time; if and only if it's truly meant to be. I will continue to focus on what I do have in the fully blessed moments I live every day and take it all one day at a time.


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THE NEW DIGITAL "SCREENPRINTER" iQ DIGITAL IS NOW EQUAL IN COSTS PER PIECE WITH TRADITIONAL SCREENPRINTING
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Bildrechte: Machines Highest Mechatronic GmbH, iStock_id516189528.jpg@nett222

subset: commoncrawl


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Timbaland and Missy Elliott's names have been popping up recently due to the confusion surrounding their involvement in the upcoming posthumous Aaliyah album, but now that the rumors have been cleared up, Timbo took to Twitter to announce that Missy would be dropping two new singles of her own over Labor Day weekend.
According to Tim's tweet, the songs are titled "9th Inning" and "Triple Threat," and they will be featured on her upcoming album which is tentatively titled Block Party. Missy added on with a response to Timbaland's tweet, giving us a heads up that we should expect something different than the usual on her two new tracks. Peep the tweets below.
oh snapp yall my sista— Timbaland (@Timbaland) August 25, 2012
@missyelliott is droppin her singles #9thinning and #triplethreat labor day weekend. watch it world we backk!!!
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) August 25, 2012
@timbaland lol! Betta let em know don't expect the ass shake music we always do. Time 2 go more futuristic:)
Today also marks the eleventh anniversary of Aaliyah's death. Missy remembered her with the tweet below. RIP Aaliyah.
AALIYAH u will always be a 1 in A MILLION to your Fans & TheSupafriends Me,Timbo,Magoo,Ginuwine,Playa,Tweet,Nicole. WeLoveU— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) August 25, 2012
[via HipHop-N-More]


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History of the Supreme Court of the United States
Volume 6. Reconstruction and Reunion, 1864–88
Part 1A
Part of Oliver Wendell Holmes Devise History of the Supreme Court of the United States
- Author: Charles Fairman, Stanford University, California
- Date Published: November 2009
- availability: Available
- format: Hardback
- isbn: 9780521769303
Looking for an examination copy?
If you are interested in the title for your course we can consider offering an examination copy. To register your interest please contact email@example.com providing details of the course you are teaching.
Reconstruction and Reunion, 1864–1888, Part 1A is the first part of the sixth volume of the Oliver Wendell Holmes Devise History of the Supreme Court of the United States. In these volumes, Charles Fairman examines the activity of the Supreme Court during the tenure of Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase, considering issues of procedure, doctrine, technicalities of pleading, and the precedents and consequences of the Court's work. The first of the two volumes is devoted to judicial politics and the internal history of the Court during the politically and constitutionally turbulent Reconstruction period. Discussions of specific cases as they relate to the constitutional issues that stemmed from the war's conduct contribute to an overall picture of the Supreme Court's role in Reconstruction and its relationship to presidential and congressional Reconstruction policies.Read more
- A comprehensive history of the Supreme Court during a crucial period in the nation's history
- In-depth discussion of the Court's decisions during this time, with special focus on the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments and civil rights
- Now updated with a new general editor's foreword by Stanley N. Katz
Reviews & endorsements
'This almost-immovable feast will guide and inform generations to come; any serious collection or library worth using will have a copy. Determined readers, blessed with good eyesight and sturdy bookrests, will exploit it as a standard by which to measure others' more modestly conceived efforts.' Harold B. Hyman, The American Historical ReviewSee more reviews
'Eschewing concepts such as judicial activism and judicial restraint, Fairman for the most part avoids generalization and interpretative summary. An admirer of Thayer and Frankfurter, he writes with judicious restraint and a keen appreciation for the difficulties faced by the court in this period of constitutional stress.' Herman Belz, University of Maryland
'Charles Fairman's magisterial volume sets an Olympian standard for the Holmes Devise History of the Supreme Court … [H]is book is considerably more than a compendium. It is as well a creative work of historical scholarship. Never before has the political, social, and ideological context of the Court's decisions been set forth with such learning, or with such sensitivity to the surrounding milieu … Professor Fairman has produced a magnum opus. Its appearance is a notable event in the history of American legal scholarship.' Harvard Law Review
'Finally, my summary view of Fairman's work: the book is an awesome, if sometimes excruciatingly discursive, accomplishment. Its forbidding scope and excellence of detail have to be experienced rather than read about. For once, nomen est omen: the author bends over backward to be fair to all the data he has collected – and that is almost all the data there is.' Gerhard Casper, Columbia Law Review
'In this massive text (with a table of cases containing about 1,250 entries), Fairman has considered in great depth a far larger portion of the Court's decisions than has any previous scholar … [A]s an authoritative reference work which provides an elaborate and comprehensive tracing of doctrinal lines from one case to another – lines drawn expertly across formal topical boundaries – Reconstruction and Reunion will long stand as an indispensable tool for new scholarship.' American Journal of Legal History
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Product details
- Date Published: November 2009
- format: Hardback
- isbn: 9780521769303
- length: 702 pages
- dimensions: 240 x 160 x 41 mm
- weight: 1.12kg
- contains: 16 b/w illus.
- availability: Available
Table of Contents
1. Chief Justice Chase
2. The work of the Supreme Court
3. Reconstruction – by Lincoln and by Johnson
4. December term 1865: the current quickens
5. The Milligan and Test Oath cases
6. Congressional reconstruction: legislation – the Act of March 2, 1867
7. Supplementary legislation
8. The Court and congressional reconstruction: March to May 1867
9. The background of further litigation
10. Ex parte McCardle and Georgia v. Grant, Meade et al.
11. Chief Justice Chase and the presidency, 1868
12. Ex parte Yerger, and the close of congressional reconstruction
13. A union of 'indestructible states': Virginia v. West Virginia and Texas v. White.
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I got invited out to Wizard Lake yesterday to take some awesome aerial photos and video of a new Jill Jordan RE/MAX Real Estate listing!
One day I'd like to live right on the water, but until that day I can just shoot aerial photos and video of places like this one! Situated right on the shoreline of Wizard Lake, this property is a beauty!
Of course you can get a good idea of what the property looks like from the aerial photos, but how about an aerial video taken from vantage points that aren't possible with a traditional aircraft? Check this video out!
Interested in this property? The description on Jill Jordan's website is: "Lakefront on Wizard Lake. Tucked away in Curilane Beach this fully finished bi-level offers over 3000 sqft of living space. A spectacular chefs island kitchen with gas counter top range, granite countertops, corner pantry and an abundance of storage, open concept living area designed to take advantage of the gorgeous lake view with gleaming hardwood flooring and fireplace. The dreamy master & ensuite feature a huge walkin w/custom cabinets, oversized steam shower, deep soaker jaccuzi tub, infloor heating and French doors leading to the patio. Upstairs completes with 2 more bedrooms & laundry. Downstairs you are greeted by the in wall water feature, family room w/gas fireplace, huge 4th bedroom w/3 pc cheater ensuite, workout room that could be a 5th bedroom & an awesome media room. This 1/3 acre property sits lake front with its own dock & workshop(former guest home). The lake lifestyle is calling you! Close to the airport and 30 mins from all amenities. What are you waiting for? Come take a peek."
As always, I'm a federally certified and insured aerial photographer and videographer. If you'd like to have similar photos and video taken of your property or project, I'd love to hear from you! You can call me any time at 587-991-0997 or email email@example.com


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The new issue of Entertainment Weekly arrived in my mailbox today, and it has me jumping out of my skin with excitement:
Hey you! Wipe the drool off your chin and pay attention!
Season 2 premieres April 9th, and it can't get here a moment too soon. It's been a long, long Droughtlander indeed.
Leading up to April 9th, I think it's time to get serious and do a season 1 re-watch. My plan is to watch all 16 episodes between now and April 9th. I'll be writing up my reactions to each episode (most of which I've already viewed 2 or 3 times) and will post as I go along. Feel free to chime in and share your thoughts!
And I suppose it goes without saying… but if you haven't indulged in the "kilty" pleasure of watching Outlander yet, now is the perfect time to start.
Or hey, go old school and read the books!
As they say in Paris:


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(one way €7 / return trip €12)
When you exit the Dublin Airport (DUB) arrival hall, turn left and you will see the bus stop for the Airlink Bus (BUS NO:757), this bus will take you to Dublin city centre and you need to get off the bus on Merrion Street (Bus Stop Number: 2811)- 550-meters from Fitzwilliam Townhouse - journey time is approximately 40-minutes. - leaves the airport every 30-minutes (5-minutes to the hour and 25-minutes after the hour) with exception of very early in the morning between 5:45AM and 7AM if leaves every 50-minutes. Visit Airlink Timetable here- When you leave the bus turn to the right and walk to the top of Merrion Street towards Baggot Street Lower.- turn left into Baggot St. Lower and walk 400-meters. - Fitzwilliam Townhouse is situated on the right at the traffic lights on the corner at the juction of Fitzwilliam Street Upper and Baggot Street Lower.- On return to Dublin Airport the bus stop is situated on Merrion Row - 500 meters from Fitzwilliam - Bus Stop: 748 and Bus No: 757
(one way €8.50 / return trip €14)
Bus Numbers 38 & 38B cross Dublin City centre and pass Fitzwilliam Street very frequently. The bus stop is outside Burger King Shop on O'Connell St. We are only 5 stops from O'Connell Street, which is the centre of Dublin City. Busaras (the Central Bus Station) and Connolly Train Station are both only a 8-minute walk from O'Connell Street. O'Connell Street to Fitzwilliam Townhouse is €1.80 (exact money as no change is given)
If you take a bus from Dublin Airport or from any other part of Ireland to Busaras you can walk to O'Connell Street and you will be travelling south bound on the bus to Fitzwilliam St : Baggot St junction. (Dublin bus drivers are very helpful)
Note: There is are 3 Bus options from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Centre
Suitable for Guests arriving into Dublin by Heuston Train Station
Take any bus from Heuston Station to O'Connell Bridge and you can take the Number 37, 39/39A from Bachelors Walk (this is an area on the North side of O'Connell Bridge, same side as the GPO).
The fare is €1.80 and you get off at Fitzwilliam St : Baggot St junction. The bus stop is outside a Spar Shop.
Please do not hesitate to email us if you need more assistance with directions. Dublin City is easy to get around and there is no real need for a car. We are happy to assist with public transport travel plans.
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Making the first move on a date, going to the cinema alone – and swiping right on Tinder have been named among the modern signs of bravery.
Other signs of bravery include being the one to speak up in a meeting, not putting a filter on a selfie and letting people go through the pictures in your phone.
We created a quiz for Highland Spring for their modern day brave campaign, the quiz was hosted on a microsite which we also created. Take the quiz and find out if you are modern day brave!


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Hello there, readers! In case you're blissfully unaware, my name is Chris Harding and I'm the guy who runs/owns The Games Cabin. I've been doing this gig since October 2012, so that's almost four years of my life dedicated to this one site. How time passes one by…
A little earlier in the year I opened two new websites: Pure PlayStation for all news PlayStation related, and Absolute Xbox for – c'mon, surely I don't need to say it.
The idea was that The Games Cabin would be the all-rounder website that reported on everything gaming while Pure PlayStation and Absolute Xbox dealt only with their respective consoles. It turns out I bit off way more than I could chew and I could not swallow it. As it stands, The Games Cabin is struggling to keep up to date with the latest news on everything gaming due to the site's goal of covering everything from PlayStation to Xbox to handhelds to PC; it's just not doable.
Since the two new websites launched earlier this year, numbers have been encouraging and it seems that my initial thoughts were correct. See, most people who go online to look for their gaming news only want to read about the consoles that are relevant to them. Back before I started video game writing I had an Xbox 360, so naturally I searched for Xbox-centric sites, then when I changed over to PlayStation I searched out PlayStation-centric sites. Why would I want to know what's going on with Xbox when I only have PlayStation, and vice-versa.
It makes sense, then, that it'd be a much more manageable task to have two websites dedicated to single platforms than one website trying to cover everything with minimum staff.
This hasn't been an easy decision – not by a long shot – but it's one that I feel will be better for myself and our readers in the long-term. With dedicated sites it's easier to keep on top of the latest news without getting bogged down by other stuff that's barely relevant. So, from this day forth, The Games Cabin is done. Dead. Buried. Kaput. Burned to the ground. So what will happen with all of our best material? We've written a fair few reviews and feature pieces that really don't deserve to be lumped in the digital bin (though a few probably do). Over the next week or two I'll personally be going through our archives to find every review and feature that's worth preserving. They'll be moved over to Pure PlayStation and Absolute Xbox depending on their content e.g Halo 5: Guardians review wouldn't go down too well on Pure PlayStation, and I don't think that our musings on The Order: 1886 being a decent game would be all that relevant on Absolute Xbox.
It's been a long, hard, stressful, fun, annoying, depressing, uplifting and so many other things, but it's time to turn the oil lamps off, close the door and walk off into the woods with The Games Cabin firmly behind. It's a sad day for me, personally; I've literally put hundreds of hours into the site as well as hundreds, if not thousands of pounds (£) into keeping it going. I'm sad to see my baby outgrow me, but maybe I've outgrown it, too.
Farewell, my dears, see you on Pure PlayStation and Absolute Xbox.


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Chennai: One person was killed and three people were injured after a building housing government departments here caught fire Monday, said police.
The fire at the Ezhilagam complex located on the arterial Marina beach road was noticed around 12.30 a.m. Fifteen fire tenders rushed to the spot and around 150 fire service personnel were involved in dousing the fire.
A team of fire service personnel went to the first storey when the floor and other structures caved in, killing K. Anbazhagan and injuring Priya Ravichandran, Murugan and Prabhakaran, police said.
The three injured have been admitted to hospital with Ravichandran suffering around 50 percent burn injuries and others suffering fractures and other external injuries.
The fire reduced to ashes important files belonging to the Department of Industries and Commerce and Social Welfare.
The cause of fire is being investigated by police.


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Chiropractic Woodbridge VA – A Little Exercise for your Bad Back
You've heard it before, but at the risk of putting you off, we will say that exercise, even very moderate exercise, along with diet, is probably the most important thing you can do to improve your overall health. Problems that stem from the spinal column are nearly always improved by strengthening the core muscles that control movement. Easy, low- impact or no-impact exercises are best.
At Virginia Family Chiropractic Health Center, Chiropractor Woodbridge VA, we see patients every day with lower back and neck pain that could be greatly improved with just a little bit of simple exercise and stretches.
With just a few easy exercises, you can be on your way to better back health!
A little bit of moderate exercise is your ticket to better spinal health! I know, you've heard it before, but of course, you know it is true. Simple things like biking or walking, taking the stairs, swimming, etc., go a long way to strengthen your core muscles, which means a healthier, pain-free back! Don't worry, you won't have to work too hard! Easy, low to no impact exercises are best.
Chiropractic care improves overall health and wellness, sleep, stress, strength, energy, the immune system, and mobility while decreases pain, inflammation, poor posture, stiffness, stress and tension, as well as reliance on pain meds and muscle relaxers. You can make these improvements easier to achieve and longer lasting simply by incorporating more movement into your daily life.
Walking, taking the stairs instead of elevators and escalators, and basic yoga stretches will all help improve your back health and keep your spinal adjustments longer lasting. If you work at a desk, it is even more important that you schedule in a few minutes each hour to keep moving. Five to 10 minutes is enough. Take your dog for a walk, and remember to use the stairs!
Our recommendation for dealing with chronic neck, back, or joint pain is to visit a chiropractic doctor for evaluation and treatment. We recommend you visit Chiropractic Woodbridge VA . Our chiropractor in Woodbridge VA works with you (inside Gold's Gym right next to our offices) on an easy-to-follow exercise program that can have you feeling better with just a few minutes a day – really! Regular, moderate exercise, like walking, taking the stairs, and stretching can really go a long way to keeping your body moving as you age.
A chiropractic medical professional can alleviate your pain with a few therapies. Call us now for an appointment. We can help with your back pain! Isn't it about time you got out of pain?
Call our Lake Ridge VA office today to arrange a visit. We're waiting to hear from you!
If you are interested in how Sleep can be a factor in back and neck pain, click here to watch a short video on the subject. https://youtu.be/FcmO3Bh0ngE
Virginia Family Chiropractic Health Center
12546 Dillingham Square, Ste.#102
Lake Ridge, VA 22192
(703) 730-1600
https://medium.com/@hazelreynolds/chiropractic-woodbridge-va-a-little-exercise-for-your-bad-back-d66a82f13058 https://hazelreynolds.tumblr.com/post/163258744698 https://hazelreynoldsblog.wordpress.com/2017/07/21/chiropractic-woodbridge-va-a-little-exercise-for-your-bad-back/ http://hazelreynoldsyou.blogspot.com/2017/07/chiropractic-woodbridge-va-little.html https://medium.com/@anniesanchez/chiropractic-woodbridge-va-a-little-exercise-for-your-bad-back-13b29073c520 https://anniesanchezz.tumblr.com/post/163258746480 http://jennylewisyou.blogspot.com/2017/07/chiropractic-woodbridge-va-little.html https://paulawilkerson.tumblr.com/post/163258746231 https://medium.com/@marshamoreno225/chiropractic-woodbridge-va-a-little-exercise-for-your-bad-back-2b2eb3367e7a


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[ Ref. 44500EN ]
Enhances shine & protectionRemoves dirt & grime between washesMaintains a just-waxed lookContains Carnauba wax
Copper coated emergency motorist booster cable.
Features increased cross sectional area which maintains performance.
Supplied in PVC clip bag.
Length 2m, CSA 7.5mm2, peak output 170A, starting output 100A.
Read more >
CAAR Parts Ltd.
West Garty Lodge
Loth, Sutherland | KW8 6HP
0845 299 7676
© Copyright 2019 CAAR UK Limited - All rights reserverd | All Logos and Trade Marks Recognised | System Developed by: Visual Mile
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- This event has passed.
Panama Pacific 1915- Centennial Photography Exhibit – Gala & Exhibit Opening Reception
November 12, 2015 @ 4:00 pm - January 6, 2016 @ 9:00 pm| Free
Event Navigation
Gala & Exhibit Opening Reception: Nov 12, 2015, 4pm-8pm – At Harvey Milk Photo Center
Exhibit Closes: Jan 6, 2016
HMPC- Gallery Hours:
Wed. 12/30/15: 4-9pm
Thurs. 12/31/15: 1-5pm.
Closed Jan 1st- New Years Day.
Open: Sat: 10am-5pm, Sun: 12pm-6pm
Closed Mondays.
Open Tues. : 4-9pm
Open Wed. 4-9pm, Exhibit Closes on: Jan 6th
McLaren Lodge- 501 Stanyan St, SF, CA 94117: Gallery Hrs: M- F 8:30m-5pm
Director: Dave Christensen
Imagine walking through the entrance gates on the night of the opening of the Panama – Pacific 1915 World's Fair in San Francisco, the sun has just left the sky and the night lights are burning at the fair… and remembering the devastation, which was just nine years to the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and one would be awestruck, standing and taking in the beauty of the sights and sounds, majestically laid out within 635 acres in the Marina district. One was surrounded by thousands of other fellow fair goers moving about, as over 19M visitors came from all over the USA and the world to witness this incredible event.
It had to be like living a sublime dream to have been a part of this experience. This exhibit was curated to showcase the full arc of the once quiet neighborhood with humble homes, and were sold off for $20.00-$30.00 per house, prior to being demolished, and then this fantastic vision took form. These neighborhoods vanished, and rails and buildings took shape, from all areas of the world, showcasing numerous pavilions and jaw dropping venues. The exhibit also shows the empty lots and spaces which once housed the Glorious spectacle made of wood and plaster and electric lights.
If one takes a moment you can almost hear the streetcars clanging and people bustling about dressed in their Sunday best, excited to take in this bigger than life spectacle. It is a testament to the talented visionaries, designers & engineers, and the San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni), who expanded their fledgling Geary Street line (just over a year old) into enough service and infrastructure to carry 80,000 passengers on opening day and lay the foundations of our present day system! Combined with the private transit company United Railroads of San Francisco, which operated many streetcar lines at the time, approximately 130,000 people got to the Fair on opening day using San Francisco's street railways. It is a testament also to the thousands of laborers who made this fantasy world come to life! And a huge thank you to the photographer's who captured this for us, within these treasured photographs, which are jewels in time…. so we can also participate in some remote way experience this magical place!
If one takes a moment you can almost hear the trolleys and clanging and people bustling about dressed in their Sunday best, excited to take in this bigger than life spectacle. It is a testament to the talented visionaries, designers & engineers, and SFMTA, who were able to get the rail lines in, and were able to transport 19M people in and out of the venue! As well as the thousands of laborers, who made this fantasy world, come to life for a brief time… And a huge thank you to the photographer's who captured this for us, within these treasured photograph's, which are jewels in time…. so we can also participate in some remote way experience this magical place!
We wish to extend our sincere thanks for the gracious use of these images used in this exhibit, from San Francisco Municipal Transport Agency, The San Francisco Public Library, The Daniel E. Koshland San Francisco History Center, and Moulin Studios.
*Please note all images are copyrighted and cannot be used without permission.
Collaborators and Co-Curators on this Project:
The SFMTA Photo Dept. & Archive holds over 100,000 prints, negatives, and digital images depicting transportation on the streets of San Francisco from 1903 to present day. The historic collections include negatives on glass of San Francisco's earliest streetcars and pre-1906 Earthquake network of cable cars, as well as large format film documentation of the development of America's first publicly operated transportation network—the San Francisco Municipal Railway, or Muni—starting in 1912.
Images contributed from the SFMTA collections were selected from the work of John Henry Mentz, the company photographer for the private, for-profit transit company United Railroads / Market Street Railway, and from San Francisco Board of Public Works photographer Horace Chaffee. They are from 6.5 x 8.5″ and 5 x 7″ glass plate negatives, which have been scanned and printed digitally.
Current SFMTA Photographer Jeremy Menzies and Photo Archives Aide Katy Guyon collaborated on this project. Jeremy has a Bachelor of Fine Arts working in analog motion picture and still photography and has worked in various media archives with traditional photographic and film materials. Katy is an Academy Certified Archivist with a background in cultural heritage and preservation. SFMTA Photo Archive online at SFMTA.com/photo, as well as on Twitter @sfmtaphoto and a Flickr photostream at SFMTA Photo Archives.
–— Christina Moretta is Photo Curator at the San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library. Notwithstanding the specificity of her job title, she wears many professional hats: that of an archivist, appraising, acquiring, arranging, and describing archival collections; that of a librarian, unraveling the mysteries of San Francisco just a bit more with each reference query; that of a rights manager, helping filmmakers, authors, and curators use and publish the visual gems of the archives; and that of a teacher, sharing the world of primary resources to students of all levels and disciplines. Her workplace serves as the official archives for the City & County of San Francisco, and its San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection has over two million visual materials items documenting San Francisco and the Bay Area.
The Daniel E. Koshland San Francisco History Center contains a research collection of books, newspapers and magazines, photographs, maps, posters, archives and manuscript collections, and ephemera, documenting all aspects of San Francisco life and history. The Center is also the archives for the City and County of San Francisco.
Moulin Studios is a historical archival-quality photography studio. Began in 1909 by Gabriel Moulin, (1872-1945)Moulin Studios' distinct images and techniques have been preserved through three generations of Moulin career photographers– Irving Moulin (son), Raymond Moulin (son) and Tom Moulin (grandson and current owner). A hundred years later and Moulin Studios has transformed into a one-of-a-kind stock photography studio.
During the Panama-Pacific Exposition in 1915, Gabriel was the official photographer for the Palace of the Fine Art. He had been experimenting with the new Lumier color plates, and had refined the process so Arts. Well that many of the prints he made of the original art on exhibition were sold at the Palace of the Fine
The Moulin Studio archives contain over 10,000 unique photographs– many never published or seen by the public. The archives feature photography from the United States and abroad, with unique and rare peaks into the exterior and interiors of many retail, commercial, and architectural spaces. The archives also boast thousands of photographs of historical, political and culturally significant events, both locally and abroad. More info : www.moulinstudios.com
Harvey Milk Photo Center, Dave Christensen, Director.
Celebrating 75 years, the Photo Center is the oldest and largest public darkroom in the USA, and is part of the San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department. Harvey Milk Photo Center, Dave Christensen, is the Director & Curator, which is located at Duboce Park, in the lower level of the Harvey Milk Center for the Arts building. Dave curates over 16 exhibits annually, at HMPC, as well as the McLaren Lodge located in the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.
Harvey Milk Photo Center offers a wide variety of over 250 courses annually in film and digital photography classes and workshops for all skill levels, as well as photography exhibitions, photo lectures, and a large membership-based darkroom and digital editing and state of the art printing lab.
All HMPC programs are offered to the public, as classes and workshops are taught by working professionals within the industry in both fine arts and commercial photography. A scholarship program is available for anyone interested in taking classes at our center.
Harvey Milk Photo Center, 50 Scott Street, San Francisco, CA 94117 www.harveymilkphotocenter.org


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Caring for a family member who has cancer has it's own unique challenges. Challenges not found in other long term care situations. These include, but are certainly not limited to chemotherapy and radiation and the side effects that go with them.
However, there are challenges I faced with Mom's care that are applicable to any situation that involves working with health care professionals, from hospital staff to hospice staff.
Building positive relationships with everyone who cares for your loved one is an absolutely necessary building block. It will help ensure that your ill family member will receive good care, especially when you are not present.


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It's hard for me to imagine that it's been a year since I first heard about the app Words With Jesus, created by our CatholicMom.com contributor Allison Gingras and the team at Little iApps. Allison herself has how she feels about the launch of the app:
Now here we are a year later – and the Words with Jesus App is finally completed and ready for a full launch. It can be very scary and also incredibly exciting — at the same time — to let loose something you have created from your heart. It is like placing your Kindergartner on the bus or sending your firstborn off to college. You are proud and excited for others to discover all the wonderful things you know about that child, but worry that not everyone will see them in the light of charity that you do.
I've had the blessing of meeting my online friend and evangelization co-worker Allison in person. I can share that she is both amazingly faith-filled and full of energy and humor. Some may look at an endeavor like Words with Jesus and assume that she has a large staff supporting her work. In truth, she is simply one wife and mom who is both a dynamic communicator and someone who is very convicted about sharing her faith.
Now it's time for us to support Allison and the Words with Jesus project. As she recently shared, there are four ways for us to help.
- Always your prayers!
- Download the App – it is a less than dollar donation to aiding this Evangelization Mission.
- Share the App – do you know anyone who could use to hear the Word of God but struggles to know where to begin?
- Help promote the GoFundMe campaign – so that Words with Jesus eBook and the Words with Mary App can become a reality, and more people can discover how much God ADORES them!!!
With the publication of this post, I'm sharing that I've personally done numbers one through four on this list because I both love the app and believe in the apostolate of Allison Gingras. Today, I invite you to join me. Please consider answering Allison's call for support.
I can guarantee you'll be blessed by responding and helping.
Learn more about Words with Jesus
Read all of our Tech Talk columns.
Copyright 2014 Lisa M. Hendey


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"Last Call" stageplay Review by Christina Sturdivant "Happy Hour Theater Makes A Name For Itself"
June 3, 2014 · by Christina Sturdivant
(left to right) – Sierra Edwards as Dottie, Alexis Graves as Joceyln, Dominque Spencer as Jordan, Tia Da as Ms. V, Adiyb Muhammad as Mike, Samantha Sheahan as Jenna, Katherine Jessup as Molly, Donta Hensley as Todd, Darren Rabinowitz as Tod (Photo by Travis Riddick)
(left to right) – Sierra Edwards as Dottie, Alexis Graves as Joceyln, Dominque Spencer as Jordan, Tia Da as Ms. V, Adiyb Muhammad as Mike, Samantha Sheahan as Jenna, Katherine Jessup as Molly, Donta Hensley as Todd, Darren Rabinowitz as Tod (Photo by Travis Riddick)
What happens when you bring drinks, soulful eats, dope beats and theatrical feats together? The most gravitating after-work experience to hit the District in decades, I assure you.
Thanks to Nia N. Barge and A'Leighsha C. Butler, co-founders of Nameless, DC professionals and creatives alike can wind down or turn up after work at Nameless' "Happy Hour Theatre" series.
Last week, I attended the first installment at Club Heaven and Hell in Adams Morgan and was pleasantly surprised. Before the show, I was greeted by a welcoming crew, catered buffet with full bar and move your feet beats blaring the sound waves to get the party started.
The feature presentation, Last Call, written by Butler and directed by Barge, was a timely depiction of the changing demographic and experiences of life in the District. With the brilliant locale of Club Heaven and Hell as the backdrop of fictional "Mike's Place," a talented cast of DC-based actors disputed everything from the drab appearance and health-conscious menu changes of the neighborhood's anchor bar to the new complexities of the community it serves, where long-time residents see schools replaced by dog parks and the pros and perils of Whole Foods is a recurring topic of agitation for all involved.
Whether you're a native DC resident or a transient itching to go fruit picking at Barry Farms, this cleverly written play on gentrification in the District allows all voices in the matter to be heard with authentic happenings and continuous comedic relief that's light hearted yet thought provoking.
The Happy Hour Theatre series is definitely a breakthrough for unlikely theater-goers and traditional performance-lovers to experience familiar entertainment in a different way. If the quality of the atmosphere and theatrical renderings continue, Nameless is sure to be a well-known company by the end of the year.
The final performance of Last Call at Happy Hour Theatre takes place this Thursday, June 5, 2014 at Club Heaven and Hell. Doors open at 6:00pm and guests are admitted until 7:00pm. Be sure to purchase tickets and arrive early to grab a seat as last week's show was sold out.
Tip: Bring friends and enjoy the post-performance DJ session that will likely turn into a dance party and dip into the rest of Heaven and Hell to explore what libations the spot has in store for you.
Tickets are $15, get more info and purchase HERE.
Nia Barge's stageplay "Last Call" Review by Michael Poandl 5 Stars ***** !
by Michael Poandl on May 30, 2014
In Washington, D.C., there is probably no more sensitive and emotionally laden topic than gentrification.
So it is refreshingly relevant that the new company Nameless chose to premiere the first show in its "Happy Hour Theatre" series, Last Call, which directly confronts gentrification in D.C., in a club in the heart of Adams Morgan. Heaven and Hell, located on 18th Street NW, is smack dab in the middle of a part of the city where gentrification is on the tip of everyone's tongue. After all, Adams Morgan was one of the first epicenters of the Great Neighborhood Redevelopment of Washington, D.C. Since joined by Columbia Heights, H Street Northeast, Petworth, Navy Yard and so many other neighborhoods, Adams Morgan is practically a monument to what comprehensive and large-scale redevelopment looks like.
This is critical to the core of Last Call, because although the subject of gentrification has been explored before on D.C. stages (see Bruce Norris' groundbreaking Clybourne Park) Nameless asks the audience to go a step further in actually travelling to a gentrified neighborhood to see the show. In a way, Director Nia M. Barge has made the entire neighborhood the setting of Last Call. The play itself, written by A'Leighsha C. Butler, is staged in one half of Heaven and Hell's upper level (Heaven, presumably…) using an actual bar and a few tables and chairs as its set. This too is pertinent because the play takes place – where else? – in a bar in a rapidly changing neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
(left to right) – Sierra Edwards (Dottie), Alexis Graves (Joceyln, Dominque Spencer (Jordan), Tia Da (Ms. V), Adiyb Muhammad (Mike,) Samantha Sheahan (Jenna), Katherine Jessup (Molly), Donta Hensley (Todd), and Darren Rabinowitz (Tod). Photo by Travis Riddick.
(left to right) – Sierra Edwards (Dottie), Alexis Graves (Joceyln), Dominque Spencer (Jordan), Tia Da (Ms. V), Adiyb Muhammad (Mike,) Samantha Sheahan (Jenna), Katherine Jessup (Molly), Donta Hensley (Todd), and Darren Rabinowitz (Tod). Photo by Travis Riddick.
The fictional bar is called "Mike's Place," a staple of "the neighborhood" (meant, of course, to stand in for any of the numerous gentrified D.C. neighborhoods), run by Mike (Adiyb Muhammad). His restaurant has adapted in recent years, however, due to pressure from the influx of younger, wealthier, and whiter residents. Folks like Molly (Katherine Jessup), a sarcastic yoga instructor who wears the mandatory thick-rimmed glasses, and Tod (Darren Rabinowitz) and Todd (Donta Hensley), a well-educated gay couple, have convinced Mike to make certain changes to the bar, like replacing his father's traditional fried fish sandwich with a hummus platter. Even Mike's daughter, Jocelyn (Alexis Graves), who grew up in the neighborhood, is sympathetic to the redevelopment happening around her. But when Jordan (Dominique Antonio Spenser), a troublemaking young man who grew up with Jocelyn but only recently returned to D.C. arrives as Mike's new employee, he objects to the changes he sees in both the neighborhood and his once-girlfriend, Jocelyn. It is clear Jordan and Jocelyn have their own personal baggage, and the chemistry between Ms. Graves and Mr. Spenser crackles from the start. Their Sam-and-Diane relationship parallels the larger story about neighborhood redevelopment. Just as Joceyln has changed, so has the neighborhood, and Jordan (like so many of the original residents) feels confused, resentful, and left behind.
If Jordan represents the disaffected neighborhood Old Guard, then the aggressive agents of change are epitomized by Jenna (Samantha Sheahan), a blaringly Caucasian new resident who storms into the bar, demanding answers about the whereabouts of her lost Chihuahua, Petunia. In short order she accuses "homeboy" Jordan of kidnapping her beloved pet, and strong-arms Mike into holding a mock trial right there in the bar, with Jordan as the indignant defendant.
But of course, it is not just Jordan who is on trial here. It is the whole huge subject of Who Owns The Neighborhood that is really at stake. As the farce of who stole Petunia unfolds, the real drama is between the old residents and the new. Dottie (Sierra Edwards) is the former Advisory Neighborhood Commission chair, ousted by Jenna in the previous election. As Jenna agitates for butterfly gardens and Whole Foods in the neighborhood, Dottie reminds her about what is lost in "redevelopment". The so-called "empty spaces" where neighborhood residents would hang out, play chess, and get to know each other are now expensive condos and frozen yogurt shops. People like Dottie, Mike and Ms. V. (Tia Dae) are outraged that their community seems to be being invaded by people who see their neighborhood as an eyesore that needs to be torn down and renovated.
To her credit, Ms. Butler did not write Last Call as a one-sided polemic against gentrification. Jenna, Molly, and the gay Tod(d)s may be outsized caricatures of The New D.C., but they do fight back against the accusations that they are insensitive invaders. During one particularly powerful moment, Todd, who is black, eviscerates Jordan for telling him that this is not his home. Todd fires back that as a gay man, he can't go home to West Virginia, and that this neighborhood, where he and his fiancée are building a life, is their home. Todd and Tod are not usurpers or colonialists; they are residents, and just because they are new and have a penchant for organic food and a beefed up police presence doesn't make them evil or racist.
The layers of complexity surrounding gentrification, and the heavy emotional baggage that goes with it, is told elegantly and with great humor by Ms. Butler and Ms. Barge. I was impressed again and again by how these deeply serious issues were woven invisibly into a story that moved quickly and with razor-sharp comedy.
The entire ten person ensemble did an exemplary job of communicating both the comedy and the drama of Last Call, and they deftly avoided the trap of becoming caricatures. I was watching real people on stage, and it was this authenticity that made the show so funny and so touching. I must single out Ms. Dae (Ms. V.) and Ms. Edwards (Dottie) for their particularly endearing and hilarious performances.
I also commend the director, Ms. Barge, for her smart and creative staging choices. Although most of the action occurred on the L-shaped "stage" in front of the audience, the actors walked amongst the audience when it suited them, and often broke the fourth wall. In effect, the audience became a part of the show, and this effect was even sharper given the site-specific nature of the performance.
I must say, as a new resident of D.C. who enjoys Fro-Yo and Whole Foods, there were some uncomfortable moments of white guilt for this reporter. But, strange as it sounds, I enjoyed those self-conscious moments as much as any other in the show. At one point in the show, an "Old Resident" (James Wingfield) emerges from his covert position in the audience to launch a diatribe against gentrification. As the rest of the cast looks on in shock, Mr. Wingfield repeats again and again, "No spaces… no places" before he is escorted out of the theatre by the director herself. This bit of Brechtian staging was inspiring, depressing, and provocative all at once. Theatre should make people uncomfortable; it should make them think. I commend Nameless Theatre Company for presenting a show that is innovative, in-your-face, and funny as hell. Residents of neighborhoods all over D.C., old and new, need to hear the story that Nia Barge and A'Leighsha Butler is telling. Maybe then we can learn to get along a little bit better.
Running Time: It runs 90 minutes, with one 15-minute intermission.
Last Call has its second and final performance on June 5, 2014 at Heaven and Hell -2327 18th Street NW, in Washington, DC. For tickets, purchase them online.
Michael Poandl
About Michael Poandl
Michael Poandl graduated American University as a Theatre: Performance major in 2013. He is currently an intern in the Grants Department at the Arts Council of Fairfax County.
(Michael Parsons) DC Filmdom review on Anthony Greene's Crime-Thriller "THICK" 3.5/5 Stars
3 ½ out of 5 stars
"The only thing that ever got in crime's way were the criminals".
Stone-faced crime boss Theresa James (R & B artist/actress Tia Dae) delivers a lengthy allocution on criminal behavior to Marcell (Dominique Spencer), an underling who has unknowingly been caught with his hand in the proverbial cookie jar. Her words are wise, even poetic, though it seems like an awful lot of wisdom (and creativity) to waste on someone who's about to get waxed. "Welcome to your future," she says as he meets his demise.
thickIt's to be expected, I suppose. These guys never seem to pick up on insinuation, even when they know they've messed up (an exception would be the guy from "Lethal Weapon 2" who wanted to make sure he wasn't standing on plastic when summoned into the boss's office). And almost invariably, the turgid speech that precedes their punishment serves only to emphasize the unhealthy ego of the speaker – often an overblown or cartoonish villain with little substance to their words.
If "Thick" starts off looking a touch self-important, it quickly finds its equilibrium within the stage-worthy performances and a script that has something to say. Dae's monotone Theresa is less sinister than pragmatic, possibly a metaphor for the country's pre-occupation with work and financial stress, among other things. She fits the bill as the steely-eyed crime boss, virtually disconnected from anything that might distract her or expose a weakness. Her position, as we see, is a precarious one, and somewhere beneath the virtually expressionless demeanor lies a deep-seated paranoia, which bubbles over when her wife Roni (Pascale Piquion) shows even the slightest hint of independence.
The film is part "The L Word", part "King of New York", and Dae's character, who is both protagonist and antagonist, owes a little something to Christopher Walken's Frank White, who occasionally liked to unload his intellectual side on a disloyal employee or two before burying them with their betrayal money. But this ain't the '80s, and a relatively meager $500,000 in "get out" money stashed in Theresa's house suggests that times are tough, even for less legitimate business enterprises.
Scheming employees, dirty cops, and a deteriorating personal life are part of this nasty equation. Trusted advisor "Lefty" Eggleston (Ronald Benson-El) plots to take over the empire while assassin Nina (Chaseedaw Giles) plans to run off with Roni , with whom she's been having an affair. And the crooked detectives in Theresa's pocket (Caleb Jackson and Mick McGuire) are looking for an early out, and a hefty retirement package to boot.
It might sound like it's gearing up for a finale like "True Romance", but "Thick" is definitely more chess match than bloodbath. The characters, though, are no less cut-throat than in more violent contemporary urban crime dramas. Save a few requisite executions, which are carried out in shadowy Washington, DC area settings like a sewer tunnel or in the back seat of a car, we mostly watch our characters manipulating their way to what they want. Local writer/directors Cheryl Brown and Anthony M. Greene ("The Henchman's War") have crafted something that looks like a CliffsNotes for an HBO drama series, tightly cinched in a 70-minute package. The micro-budgeted "Thick" covers a lot of ground while never appearing overly ambitious, with fine editing by Omar Juarez (who is also the cinematographer) and Manuel Santos. There are many earmarks of a great crime saga here, and it will be interesting to see if Brown and Greene revisit the material.
about the author: michael parsons
Husband. Father. Ex-salesperson. Movie nut. After pestering my parents for their commentary on "Star Wars" when I was four years old, my mind went into a creative frenzy. I'd imagined something entirely different than the actual film, which I didn't end up seeing until its 1979 re-release at the Uptown Theater in Washington, DC. This was my formal introduction to the cinema. During that long wait, which felt like an eternity to a child, my mind was being molded by more corrosive stuff like "Trilogy of Terror" and "Rosemary's Baby", most of which I'd conned various babysitters into letting me watch on television ( I convinced one poor lady that "Jaws" was actually "Moby Dick"). The folks were pretty strict in that regard, so the less appropriate it was for a kid to watch, the more I was fascinated by it. Horror staples like "Halloween" and "Friday the 13th", as well as lesser-known low-budget fare like "Madman", "Sleepaway Camp" and "Pieces" all ended up sneaking their way into the VHS on a regular basis. Since then, I've developed an obsession with the entire film industry. Even though I watch and review a wide breadth of films these days, my appreciation for the campy, poorly lit micro-budgeters still lends itself to my evolving perspective on movies just as much as the summer blockbusters and Oscar contenders. As I recall my trips to the movie theater, I realize that this stuff is about much more than just a fleeting piece of entertainment. A couple years ago, I was finally given the opportunity to lend my opinion on films to a publication, The Rogers Revue, with a subsequent run at Reel Film News. It's been both a privilege and a gateway to what we're doing now. Most of my experience has come from interviewing independent filmmakers, who consistently promote innovation. The filmmaking process is grueling and relatively unforgiving. Fellow film enthusiast Eddie Pasa and I have created DC Filmdom as a medium for film reviews, discussion, and (inevitably) some debate. And so, the creative frenzy continues. (Michael is a member of the Washington, DC Area Film Critics Association).
VideoViews Film Review: Gary Ugarek's [All In The Game]
Director: Gary Ugarek
Genre: Action/Crime/Drama
Year: 2012
Rating: NR
Ontario, Vince, Lucky and Littles, friends since birth, brothers till death. Coming from nothing they have begun to find themselves engaged in the ruthless Baltimore drug trade. They will stop at nothing to take control of it all, including taking out the most powerful mobster of the city – Michael Caprisci. As they systematically begin terminating the competition they have to engage a tangled yet simplistic plan to get Caprisci out of the game using of all people, his son Nicki, a slick, fast talker who prefers booze and women over his father's lifestyle. In the end, Nicki's drug problem will aid the group in bringing his father down. As the plan develops, Ontario finds out that some of his own rank and file are conducting business behind his back. He needs to send a message to let them know who is in charge, but when one of his closest allies ends up starting a war, he has to make a decision on what is more important, business or friendship. So as the war begins, who will win? Or in this game…is there really a winner? Thug Life is an in depth look into the world of street crime and those who rule the streets.
"Thug Life: All in the Game" is a very realistic and believable gangster film that keeps you at the edge of your seat the entire time. Most of us have no idea what it's like to live the way these guys do and I'm sure we are grateful we don't either but the film does a terrific job at showing us that way of life in a in your face and powerful way. The decision to shoot the film in black and white was a very good idea as it adds plenty of grit, mood and style to the story.
The story follows a "firm" on the streets of Baltimore as they attempt their way up the latter to claim more territory in a bold and brutal scheme. The film depicts these guys as relentless and without regard for human life, in some cases not even their own. Sadly what is shown is reality, it happens everyday in almost every city, it's pretty scary to see the way some parts of society behaves.
Director, Gary Ugarek did a brilliant job in creating a believable gangster film and his cast did an amazing job playing their characters in a realistic and powerful way. There are several very memorable scenes in the film, it is a film that stays with you long after it's over. I would like to see a sequel for this, there's plenty of story to tell if they choose to do so. I am not a big fan of the genre but this is certainly one of the more realistic of it's kind I have seen.
If you like the genre then I highly recommend picking this film up when it comes out on DVD October 16th, you can Pre-order it HERE
"Thug Life: All in the Game" is a brutal and honest look at life on the streets, it's not pretty but it sure is effective. I really enjoyed it and look forward to seeing what this talented film-maker has coming out next.
Released by Open Your Eyes Films
(re) Search my Trash interview with director Gary Ugarek on his feature length Crime Thriller [All In The Game]
Hello everyone,
The good folks at (re) Search My Trash recently interviewed Filmmaker and good friend Gary Ugarek in regards to his feature length Urban Drama film [All In The Game]! Check out the interview below and a quote from the interviewer himself; Mike Habelfelner – " Thug Life: All In The Game is beautifully filmed and wonderfully energetic movie about small fry crooks trying to make it big – in other words, exactly the kind of movie I like…
*To view the interview in its original written form PLEASE visit the site thru the link provided here at: http://www.searchmytrash.com/articles/garyugarek(7-12).shtml *
An Interview with Gary Ugarek, Director of Thug Life: All in the Game
July 2012Films directed by Gary Ugarek on (re)Search my Trash
Mike: Your new film Thug Life: All in the Game – in a few words, what is it about?
Gary: Drugs, Violence, and Sex.
(You said a few words,)
Mike: With Thug Life: All in the Game being a gangster film, is that a genre at all dear to you, and some of your genre favourites?
Gary: I am a fan of many genres, zombie horror, action films, modern day gangster films and the gangster flicks of the 30's and 40's. I am actually more of a fan of the original 1930's Scarface than the Pacino remake.
I can't say it is my all time fave because my tastes and likes in film change based on my mood and many other factors, but it is a genre I do enjoy.
Mike: With the majority of your cast being Afro-American, did the blaxploitation films of the 1970's at all serve as a template for your movie?
Gary: No, I know about them and enjoy them, but that was not a route I wanted to take.
Mike: (Other) sources of inspiration for Thug Life: All in the Game?
Gary: There are only 3 sources of inspiration for All in the Game, HBO's The Wire (3 of my cast members were cast members on The Wire), Pulp Fiction (for the violence and torture carried out by Lucky). Reservoir Dogs was the final because of the consistent and quality wide shots, something we did try to emulate on All in the Game.
The inspiration that came from Pulp Fiction in regards to the character of Lucky was this simple question: What would Marsellus Wallace do?
Mike: You've shot your movie entirely in black and white – would you like to elaborate on this and other stylistic decisions?
Gary: I wanted to do and urban gangster film and a black and white film as part of my film career, and since money is very hard to come by, even for us indie guys, and trying to pull off a full movie on $1,700 (budget for All in the Game), I said I might as well make it in B&W, so I kill two birds with one stone.
I filtered some test footage before I made the final decision, and of course all the B&W is done in post with filtering, but the main reason was to get another check-off on my film career. I am not sure how many films I will be able to make in the future, and with each movie my next one is further and further out, so I try to wrap what I want to do all in one project if I can. But I will admit after doing the test footage in B&W I fell in love with it, so you could say it was an artistic choice if you want.
Mike: How would you describe your directorial approach to your subject at hand?
Gary: I have grown quite a bit as a filmmaker, so when directing my actors I try to find real world scenarios to describe what I am looking for, or use a movie they may have seen for reference. However, these are folks who act for a living, so I tell them some information when I give them the script and expect them to carry it out the best they can. On set I will tweak their performance within a take or two.
Mike: I think one of the aspects that make Thug Life: All in the Game so very much alive is its choice of wonderfully run-down locations. So what can you tell us about your locations?
Gary: The warehouse is the Street Light warehouse and was in use many years ago. It is Baltimore City property. That location makes numerous appearances onThe Wire as well. The bar the gang hangs out in is an actual bar owned by one of the castmembers. It is a very popular East Baltimore hang-out, and one of the first places in Maryland to assist African Americans with voting when they were allowed to vote. So the building has a lot of history behind it.
Mike: What can you tell us about your principal cast, and how did you find them?
Gary: Lucky and Vince are Micaiah Jones and Chris Clanton. They played Little Man and Savino Bratton on The Wire. I met Micaiah through Nelson Irizarry who plays the leader – Ontario Banks. I met Nelson and Kelvin (who plays Littles) on the set of a 100% improv zombie film called Zombie Doomsday, in which I have a small cameo. After working with them I said one day I would sit down and write something they could appear in… All in the Game was that film. Nelson introduced me to a lot of the actors, and since I knew them from watchingThe Wire, it was a no-brainer to cast them in the film.
The great thing about indie filmmaking, there is always someone who knows someone who worked on a popular TV show, had a decent role people remember, and they just love to act. Plus we all had a blast making the film.
Mike: You also play a small role in Thug Life: All in the Game. A few words about Gary Ugarek, the actor?
Gary: No comment… I just wanted to set someone on fire.
Mike: A few words about the actual shoot and the on-set atmosphere?
Gary: The film took 12 days to shoot. We re-shot day one footage on Day 12. The actors hadn't quite gel'd yet so I said I will see how days 2-11 go, and if they get better we will reshoot all of day 1. We did and it works much better. On the self-DVD/Blu-Ray-release I actually include a lot of the Day One-footage that was scrapped, and you also get to see it in color. Once you see the film and re-watch the Day One-scenes you can see the differences.
The on-set atmosphere was a lot of dick jokes. We took the work seriously, but it was just day-in day-out of smart-assery, and someone always claiming they had a bigger dick than the next guy. Even race jokes flew around the set. We all became great friends and everyone knew where we stood as individuals, but it never stopped anyone from being called OUT ON THEIR HERITAGE. I didn't care if I was called a Cracker, DP #1 Habib Awan probably got the worst of it. Habib, who was born in the USA, sounds every bit American as the rest of us, just was constantly being bombarded with jokes about him not possibly liking the film and plotting to blow us up at the premiere. (To note: this was in 2011, so way before The Dark Knight Rises-shooting.) To us saying and talking about race and origin takes the stigma off of it.
Mike: What can you tell us about critical and audience reception of your film so far?
Gary: Critical has been good, I haven't read any horrible reviews yet. Audience – it is definitely a crowd type film. I know at the Baltimore Screening when Nicky Caprisci makes his big announcement, a lot of folks got pretty emotional about it and cheered at his come-uppance. The film toes a fine line of PC and P-UC. This was not done for shock-and-awe factor, this is just how the real world is, even in 2011/2012, and when you shoot a film on this subject matter, you better expect anything and everything to come flying out.
Mike: Should need arise, will there ever be a Thug Life II?
Gary: There is a script for a spin-off film based on the character of Lucky, titledLucky, but it is still in early development. I also have a screenplay for All in the Game II that picks up right after the end of All in the Game 1. While they think they won the battle and won Caprisci's territory, little did they know his only daughter has more balls than her bother and is 5 times more ruthless than her father. So the story picks up with the daughter getting wind and exacting revenge. When you're in the drug trade. there is no end to the game. As it has been said, the game is rigged to get you to fail.
Also, the film is just titled ALL in the GAME, that is how I wrote it and directed it. The distributor changed the title and added Thug Life… I wasn't crazy about it, but I said whatever, as long as All in the Game stays as a subtitle – so you will never here myself or a cast member call it Thug Life: All in the Game, we just call it All in the Game.
Mike: Before you've made Thug Life: All in the Gameyou made two zombie movies, Deadlands: The Rising and Deadlands 2: Trapped. What can you tell us about those?
Gary: Go buy them… They are aweomse.
I was, but pushed it back until 2013. The film just needs a lot of money to be made, more than the normal budgets I work with. I actually discuss it in a YouTube video. It starts by me discussing the ending of Deadlands 2: Trapped, which is also on You Tube for free to watch, and a debate started up among viewers about the ending. I thought the ending was pretty obvious, but to some it was not so I ended up explaining it, then I touch upon Deadlands 3.
Mike: Why zombie movies, and your genre favourites?
Gary: Zombies are the only horror monster that scares the living shit out of me. Even at 41, I could have a terrifying-as-hell nightmare about zombies and still wake up in a sweat breathing heavy. I have some very vivid dreams. Deadlands 2: Trapped was based on a dream I had the combined Demons and The Return of the Living Dead, so that is how Deadlands 2: Trapped was born.
Plus I also look at it like, every zombie filmmaker is making their own survivalist training video based on the zombie apocalypse through their eyes. Mine is just another training film.
Favourites: The original Dawn of the Dead is a favorite, Shaun of the Dead, The Walking Dead and some of the Italian zombie films.
Mike: Any other films of yours you'd like to talk about, any other future projects?
Gary: Not really but thanks for asking. I just ask your readers check out my films and they can even leave comments on the IMDb page for the film or email me directly (through the official websites) to let me know their thoughts and opinions. I like reading feedback, especially those who have true feedback that can help me improve. What they like and didn't like. I strive to make each film better, but how you do that is through feedback.
Mike: Directors who inspire you?
Gary: So many to list, but I do respect Tony Scott, he knows action. Richard Donner, Shane Black, George Romero for his contributions to zombie cinema. Sam Raimi, Dan O' Bannon. And Luc Besson.
Mike: Your favourite movies?
Gary: Die Hard, Dawn of the Dead, The Return of the Living Dead, True Romance, Leon (aka The Professional),Pulp Fiction, Saturday Night Fever, Boogie Nights, Shooter, No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood,Goodfellas, and many others.
Mike: … and of course, films you really deplored?
Gary: I have never really walked out of any movies except one. Collateral Damage with Arnold Schwarzenegger, that was bad, I just looked at my wife at the time and said I don't know about you but I think this sucks and I am ready to head out. So we got up and left. I won't say I deplored it, but I don't care for The Dark Knight. When Heath Ledger was on screen the movie was dark sinister fun and entertaining, when he wasn't it just seemed to meander looking for a purpose. I do deplore Avatar, not because it is a bad film, but because everyone thinks it is great film. It is really just a live action version of Ferngully, and while it looks great, it is only eye candy. Cameron has made better (Terminator 2, True Lies) and should be making even better films than those, not so-so flicks likeAvatar.
Mike: Your/your movie's website, Facebook, whatever else?
Gary: Deadlands trilogy – www.playingwithdeadthings.com
All in the Game – www.allinthegamemovie.net
Myself – IMDb, Twitter @GaryUgarek, FBwww.facebook.com/DjfunkmasterG
Mike: Anything else you are dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?
Gary: I like Wonton soup.
Mike: Thanks for the interview!
Gary: Thanks for having me on, and glad you enjoyed the film.
Project Blu Film Review for Gary Ugarek's Crime Thriller [All In The Game]
Hello everyone,
Below is a review for Gary Ugarek's Independent feature length crime thriller [All In The Game]starring Nelson Irizarry, Chris Clanton, Micaiah Jones, and Kelvin Page. Along with Mike McMullin, Daniel Ross, Joseph Durbin, myself, and Vonn Harris as well. A great review and its just a blessing to have had the opportunity to work alongside such a taleneted cast and crew! As always #StayTuned and enjoy!
All in the Game
By: Will Santana, Posted: April 09, 2012
The Movie itself:
Independent director Gary Ugarek has pleased zombie fans not once, but twice since his directorial debut. Now Gary attempts to please fans in his second favored genre, urban gangster films. Not ever viewing Gary's previous two films due to my lack of interest in zombies, I actually was ecstatic win he made an official announcement with his third movie All in the Game. I'm a sucker for the urban genre. Whether it's a high budget production, an independent one or even a rapper attempting to make a motion picture. Now, I'm sure Gary doesn't have any attentions of being compared to a rapper wanting to have an impact in Hollywood (cough! Master P), and intends to hit viewers hard and correct. Now that's gangsta.
The streets of B-More (Baltimore) trafficking groups are under the radar battling for territory. Ontario Banks (Nelson Irizarry) leads his gang but wants more than the average thug life. He preaches to his crew to have more expectations than just money, clothes and hoes. His crew is supported by the tactical, Vince (Chris Clanton), the enforcer, Lucky (Micaiah Jones) and trigger happy, Littles (Kelvin Page). Ontario wants nothing but his crew to be low profile, but on the other hand wants to move in on B-More rival, Michael Caprisi's territory. With his crew and some help from the streets, Ontario must be smart, tactical, and daring in order to make his new move. Now that the plan is in effect, the streets of B-More are now at war and no one is safe.
For Gary's debut into the gangster genre, I was really impressed how well the storyline was developed, and for a small independent film, the acting was superb. The movie had a bit of a slow start and was similar to many films I've seen in the past, but if you just hang in there, the suspense tends to build up with the violence and strategic moves. I did like that it didn't take long for the characters to develop, and it was pretty easy to identify which kind of role each actor would have. Don't get me wrong, it's not bad at all that they developed so fast as the movie's actual plot was somewhat unpredictable. Outside the main actors, the acting was quite poor, too stereotypical or a few scenes seemed to be exaggerated.
I was really impressed how speeches of growth were entertaining, even though these scenes slowed the pace of the movie, it didn't impact the flow at all. I also like the split screen shots instead of the usual cross cutting that Alfred Hitchcock perfected. I did think at times the split screen method was unnecessary when the two cameras were in the same exact location and were probably 2 feet away from each other. Nelson, Chris and Micaiah had great chemistry and it worked with them being on the same crew. Kelvin Page's character was the least convincing to me even though I understood his role. I felt a little should have been added to Kelvin's character progression.
As the story unfolds in All in the Game, the movie comes pretty hard. The torture scenes may lack the special effects of a major Hollywood blockbuster but still can make you cringe. Gary truly got his money worth from Micaiah Jones as the enforcer, he was 100% convincing in his role as Lucky. Micaiah brings fear, power, humor, and a grimey presence to the screen. Chris Clanton had a smooth swag I wish Gary would have captured more. He played my favorite personality but was very limited to screen time. Chris' portrayal of Vince is the one you can see making something more of his life than trafficking and living the violent life.
All in the Game wasn't a letdown one bit. The gangster torture film has a slow start, but if you give it a chance and hang around long enough, you will witness an independent movie that can entertain just as much as any major blockbuster. The special effects are lacking due to the budget but the storyline and acting are so up to par. I have yet to see Ugarek's zombie films, but I hope to see more from the urban genre. A fun hip-hop soundtrack and a tour of B-More added some more spice to a movie that's already fun to enjoy. I wish I could loan my copy out to friends but I know they will bootleg this movie in a heartbeat and I can't take any part of that as I support the independent film movies.
Movie Rating: 7/10
The Presentation:
All in the Game is presented in full 1080p via Mpeg-2 encode and framed at 2.35:1. The black and white film from Ugarek's looks really damn good on Blu-ray. Although the film was shot in color, the post conversion to black and white was done extremely well. For a small budget, damn, the contrast and black levels were top notch in high-def. Man, if you ever wonder how to set your contrast up, this is the movie to tweak it around with. White levels tend to bleed a bit on daylight shots while in the neighborhood. Facial detail is fairly impressive as moles, scars and other blemishes are easy to detect. The movie has a bit of depth to it adding an extended dimension. Grain seems to come and go, on a few night shots grain was a tad heavier and bothered a little. The transition to new scenes went pretty smooth for the most part.
I love, love, love the opening shots of Baltimore. With most movie's settings taking place in New York, Atlanta or California, it was quite a treat to get a quick tour around a different environment. I also enjoyed the shots in Ontario's crew base with the window. The camera focuses on dialogue from Kelvin and Chris but they're in the background of the glass and you can still catch a glimpse of Nelson. My favorite shot was of Micaiah coming out of a hallway hitting a light bulb and all the shadows flashing, which also illustrates the greatness of the black levels.
Even with a killer score and soundtrack, the English Dolby Digital 5.1 track was the most disappointing section of the disc. The first minute of the movie audio has a glitch that really doesn't affect the rest of the movie. Dialogue for the most part is clean and crisp but suffers with echoing at times, wind blowing and random street cars driving by. Inside of buildings the dynamic range really impressed and the musical soundtrack provided a fun lifting moment. I personally will need to contact Gary with a few of the hip-hop tracks that were in the movie. Rear speakers are used quite often and with a few background noises but were also disturbing on occasions. The hip-hop track uplifts the bass usage for sub-woofer fans. I'm sure the budget could have had an impact with the audio track, so it was still good enough for me overall.
Video Rating: 7/10, Audio Rating: 5/10
The Extras:
All in the Game has a lot to offer in the way of extras. You won't be disappointed with these High-def features.
- Audio Commentary
- Saint Anger's-You Heard Me: Music Video (HD 4 min)
- Teaser Trailer (HD 1 min)
- Original Day 1 Footage (with Deleted Scene) (HD 1 min)
- More Day 1 Footage (Deleted/Reshoots) (HD 4 min)
- Original Cut-The Three Amigos Torture Scene (HD 4 min)
- Fund Raising Promo (HD 2 min)
- In the Hot Seat (Cast Interviews) (HD 12 min)
- Bloopers- By the Balls (HD 2 min)
Extras Rating: 8/10
For his first film in the gangster genre, director Gary Ugarek has an extra base hit if you ask me. For the price I paid for my disc and the budget of the film, I feel I came out dead even. All in the Game will find a nice spot in my Blu-ray collection with my urban movie cases. Will Gary go back to his true passion of zombies or stay here? I hope he stays here as I will purchase his next film without any hesitation. A solid video transfer and blasting hip-hop soundtrack makes this a bonus from what I was expecting. Chris Clanton and Micaiah Jones were absolutely entertaining to watch and hope the two can team up some more on screen.
Overall Rating: 7/10
High-Def Digest Film Review for [All In The Game]
Hello everyone,
Below is the High Def Digest Film Review for Gary Ugarek's Crime Thriller [All In The Game] starring Nelson Irizarry, Chris Clanton, Micaiah Jones, Kelvin Drama, Mike McMullin, Daniel Ross, and along with yours truly in the role of "Flash". As always #StayTuned and #Enjoy
All in the Game (2011) (Blu-ray)
Self distributed disc / 2011 / Unrated
Street Date: December 27, 2011
List Price: $25.00 (Order direct from director Gary Ugarek!)
|Overall Grade
(click linked text below to jump to related section of the review)
|The Movie Itself
|HD Video Quality
|HD Audio Quality
|High-Def Extras
|Bottom Line
|Worth a Look
Reviewed by Nate Boss
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
The Movie Itself: Our Reviewer's Take
After two 'Deadlands' films, writer/director Gary Ugarek takes a stab at a different genre with the crime drama 'All in the Game.' Made on a micro-budget of under two grand, this black and white flick feature is another noticeable step forward in terms of final product from the up and comer. While growing pains may still be visible from time to time, this first step away from flesh-eating fare is a tightly spun yarn that picks up plenty of steam as it barrels towards its finale.
Set on the streets of Baltimore, 'All in the Game' captures the the workings of a tightly nit group of drug dealers (Micaiah Jones and Chris Clanton from HBO's 'The Wire,' Nelson Irizarry and Kelvin Page) as they begin their ascent to the big time. As they eliminate the competition, they soon find themselves up against Michael Caprisci (Mike McMullin), the top dog who isn't quite ready to relinquish his crown. The bloody little war being waged behind closed doors is about to reach its apex, and there's no telling who will be standing when the last bullet is fired.
For about the first thirty minutes of this 73 minute flick, I'll admit I wasn't entirely impressed or fully hooked. The characters weren't quite clicking, nor did they do much to differentiate themselves from each other, and I started to wonder if the film would be like a zombie survival tale, in that we really don't need much characterization, just a setup in which to tell the story. While some of the longer scenes, centered around a speech or two, were really well written and fun to listen to, they dragged the film's pace down to a crawl, and needless to say, some of the acting proved to be a little uneven, especially in moments where one performer would sell the character and scene, while the other seemed to have a little trouble getting the right words out. A few mis-framed shots drew the eye, while the use of split-screen seemed a little excessive in its repetitiveness.
The thing about "All in the Game' is that it ultimately overcomes these obstacles and provides a pretty darned fulfilling, enjoyable movie experience. It's not like a switch is suddenly flipped, and we're on to a new experience, but the bugs seem to work themselves out, the characters start to stand out better, and once we get to some torture scenes, we get to the real grit and grime that sells the game being played. The dialogue, which is always very natural feeling, starts to sound less forced, the action starts to feel like it matters, and the events that unfold start to connect the dots in a way that wasn't all too clear in the beginning.
'All in the Game' operates at peak performance when we see the crew (led by Irizarry's Ontario character) take it straight to the Caprisci family. When the former associates turned rivals face off, the stakes are raised significantly, and so is the drama and the brutality, with a number of memorable little sequences that pack a fun punch. The violence isn't quite cartoonish (even with the budget limiting the possible effects, making for some very soft gun pops and cutaways to the recently departed), but it also isn't quite brutal enough to make viewers uncomfortable with the content. The language on the other hand may not make many friends, as the racial tensions do lead to some words being said that may offend.
This third effort from Ugarek definitely impressed me, even with the aforementioned shortcomings. There is more change from his previous works here than just the lack of zombies and color, as this is his first film without a proper score, instead featuring a soundtrack. This is also the first Ugarek didn't personally edit. On top of that, it's also the first to feature recognizable faces. What is captured here for less money than I spend annually on Blu-rays definitely provides a solid payoff. I can only imagine if this film had a slightly bigger budget the small things that would have helped it be a little less noticeably independent…those little quirks that remind you that you're watching someone putting his all into a film and letting the end result speak for itself.
'All in the Game' isn't as viable as, say, the found footage features that took similar budgets and made hundreds of millions, but really…aren't we tired of those damn films, anyways? This original crime story is definitely one that will grow on you…if you have the patience to get past the first act.
The Disc: Vital Stats
'All in the Game' is not found in any stores. Ugarek is currently selling the title on his website (www.wetnwildradio.com) on Blu-ray, DVD, and HD DVD for $25.00, shipped in the United States, and also has listings on eBay for the Blu-ray and DVD editions. The Blu-ray release is a limited edition of 100 copies, signed and numbered, and features cover art designed by HDD forum member Torrente! Like the pressings of the 'Deadlands' films, this title is highly likely to sell out fairly fast!
The disc itself is a Region A/B/C BD25 (BD-R), that has no-pre-menu content. The menu itself features a tab for extras, and a tab for the movie itself, though loading the extras page makes it function slow like a DVD. While there are three audio options, pressing the play button instructs you that you can access them through the alternate audio buttons on your Blu-ray remote. The packaging features information that was relevant to the HD DVD disc, concerning a second disc which wasn't quite necessary on this Blu-ray to get all the content, so ignore the portion that states there is a second disc, as Ugarek has confirmed this is a typo.
Be sure to stay through the trailers for one extra scene. It's a little bit of an anti-climax. Also, some of the images for this review were taken from the press kit for the film. There is not a single color scene in the film.
Genius Within BCD & FILM Duplication
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
'All in the Game' comes to Blu-ray in 1080p using the MPEG-2 encode. The black and white film (made in color, with no obvious off colors to create b&w contrast, though some tweaking was admittedly done in post) honestly looks pretty damn good. I was fighting for a while between the score featured in this review, and a half star higher, and only aimed low because some of the nagging problems ultimately added up.
This disc defines inky black. I mean, spill a jar of ink all over your screen, rub against it like some kind of pervert, and you still won't come close to the level of deep, obsidian awesomeness that this disc boasts. Detail levels fluctuate, but in may shots, there's a wealth of detail in the characters, their skin and hair. It's a little hit or miss, but when it's on, it's really something! Midrange shots can also look pretty damned solid.
Yes, this disc has some artifacting visible, including a few shots with a really bad banding effect (view the skies when the soundtrack gets a credit in the opening for an example). Sure, there's some jaggies in diagonals here and there, like a sharp rail or a zipper, but for the most part, this issue is kept to a minimum. Grain levels jump back and forth a little bit, including times inside scenes with no lighting change, which is a little frustrating. The two biggest issues are the whites that are so bright that they're borderline blown out, and the obvious fact that some shots, even after the tweaking to make the film look better in black and white, really don't lend themselves to the two tone color palette. Trees and brick walls should not fuse, but this is not the fault of the disc. Another small issue I had was the sometimes shaky camera work that made it tougher to focus on some shots, but, again, not the disc's fault.
'All in the Game' is a marked improvement over the previous two discs released by Ugarek on Blu-ray. Taking all things into consideration, it's really an appreciable disc!
The audio for 'All in the Game' is the one area in which I was dissatisfied. There are two audio options, with a Dolby Digital 5.1 track being the default for the disc. I'll admit, there's some nice separation at times, and pretty darn good dynamics, but that's about all the niceties I can offer. For one, the disc is amazingly quiet, requiring me to crank up the levels on my receiver to get much volume coming out of the speakers. Dialogue and other elements sometimes blend, creating prioritization issues, while words can be a little difficult already. There are some audio sync issues, like the end of the three amigos torture scene, as his dialogue was way off in a number of shots, probably ones used from other takes to make a back and forth conversation using a single take's verbal performance. There's a good amount of breath on mics, and an entire scene that sounds like there's not only a geiger counter nearby, but also some serious radiation to set it off. I'd say going into this release with no expectations for the sound may be the best thing.
The Supplements: Digging Into the Good Stuff
Discs pressed after the copy I'm reviewing include an extra bonus teaser trailer, introducing the Littles character, similar to the teaser found here that spotlights the Lucky character.
Not every extra found here is also on the HD DVD disc, and said additions are noted.
- Audio Commentary – With director Gary Ugarek. This track is found by pressing the alternate audio button. G-Man discusses the change of pace, his casting coups, the N word and the discomfort of it all, legalities, projectile bats, and more. Ugarek is pretty open and honest about criticizing his own work. One of my complaints, the split screen, Ugarek doesn't take credit for, so that helps me think higher of his work on the film! An informative track that doesn't miss a beat, with a mix of anecdote and depth delving.
- Music Video (HD, 4 min) – Saint Anger's You Heard Me. I'm proud that I was able to make it a minute into this one. HD DVD buyers did not get this extra. Tragedy, that.
- Teaser Trailer (HD, 1 min) – A redband trailer that sells Lucky in a Bear Jew kind of way.
- Original Day 1 Footage (with deleted scene) (HD, 1 min) – As Ugarek explains in the commentary, this footage was axed due to the actors not quite clicking with each other yet, reshot at the end of the shoot. This color footage makes for an interesting glimpse on what the film could have looked like sans filtering.
- More Day 1 Footage (deleted/reshoots) (HD, 4 min) – Four more minutes worth of axed first day footage, this portion not available on the HD DVD release. This is more alternate footage than anything else, but, again, color.
- The Three Amigo's Torture Scene – Original Cut (HD, 4 min) – A different take on a scene in the film.
- Fund Raising Promo (HD, 2 min) – A promo explaining the film, obviously to raise some green.
- In the Hot Seat (Cast Interviews) (HD, 12 min) – Cast and crew talk about the film. Actors butcher Ugarek's name and talk up the typecasting they're stuck in before we get into the nitty gritty. We hear the origins of this film (some repetition from the commentary), comments about the shoot and shooting environment. Some non-PC stuff.
- Bloopers – By the Balls (HD, 2 min) – One scene, fucked up many times, in many different ways. Pretty funny at one point before it falls into "laugh inappropriately" territory.
HD Bonus Content: Any Exclusive Goodies in There?
If any content above is not found on the DVD release, it will be moved here.
No easter eggs reported for 'All in the Game (2011)' yet. Found an egg? Please use our tips form to let us know, and we'll credit you with the find.
Gary Ugarek's third film, and first outside the zombie sub-genre, is his best to date. It starts slow, but gathers plenty of steam to provide a solid payoff. Fans of urban power struggle dramas should definitely check this one out. It's not overly violent due to budget obvious constraints, and isn't a glossy, perfect little film, but it has enough going for it to get at least one thumb up. This self-made Blu-ray release has good but occasionally problematic video, though the audio left much to be desired. A fun oddity or obscurity to have, which supports a great cause in helping the director make more films. As such, it's worth a look.
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text:
In last December alone in the central province legal actions have been taken against vendors who violated consumer rights.
The Consumer Rights Authority's Assistant Director M.S. Naseer who is in charge of the central province has stated that through the above legal actions 8lakhs 69 thousand 500 rupees have been fined. Swift inspections have been conducted in the following districts of Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya.
It is reported that the vendors were arrested for the following offences of not displaying a price list, selling of outdated goods and selling goods at a higher cost than the stipulated price.