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'Shocking! – Horrifying! – Macabre!'
The Kiss of the Vampire also known as Kiss of the Vampire and Kiss of Evil, is a 1962 (released 1963) British vampire film made by Hammer Film Productions. The film was directed by Don Sharp (Psychomania; Rasputin – The Mad Monk; Witchcraft; Curse of the Fly)and was written by producer Anthony Hinds using his writing pseudonym John Elder.
Originally intended to be the third movie in Hammer's Dracula series (which began with Dracula in 1958 and was followed by The Brides of Dracula in 1960); this film was another attempt by Hammer to make a Dracula sequel without Christopher Lee.
The final script, by Anthony Hinds makes no reference to Dracula, and expands further on the directions taken in Brides by portraying vampirism as a social disease afflicting those who choose a decadent lifestyle. The film went into production on 7 September 1962 at Bray Studios and was belatedly released in the UK on 11 September 1963 on a double-bill with Paranoiac.
Bavaria, 1910. Gerald (Edward de Souza) and Marianne Harcourt (Jennifer Daniel), are a honeymooning couple who become caught up in a vampire cult led by Dr. Ravna (Noel Willman) and his two children Carl (Barry Warren) and Sabena (Jacquie Wallis).
The cult abducts Marianne, and contrive to make it appear that Harcourt was traveling alone and that his wife never existed. Harcourt gets help from hard-drinking savant Professor Zimmer (Clifford Evans), who lost his daughter to the cult and who finally destroys the vampires through an arcane ritual that releases a swarm of bats from Hell…
"Sharp's ability to use his settings, including a beautifully photographed Bavarian wood, the sinister castle and a deserted inn, demonstrates his talent for mise-en-scène, the hallmark of his subsequent films, including Rasputin – The Mad Monk and The Face of Fu Manchu (both 1965)." The Aurum Film Encyclopedia: Horror
"Kiss of the Vampire ends in the most lackluster way possible, a low for the studio. Our gruff vampire hunter conjures up a pack of bats to come flying to the rescue and it looks as cheap as special effects come. They bob through shattering stained glass windows and swoop down to feast on the flesh of the undead cult members, their white robes turning red with each new bite." Anti-Film School
"In no other movie that I can think of from this era is it so glaringly obvious that the real threat posed by the vampires lies in their capacity as sexual emancipators of women, and it's hard to think of anything more obnoxiously retrograde than horror at the prospect of women having a say in the expression of their own sexual identities." 1000 Misspent Hours and Counting
Buy: Amazon.com
"Kiss of the Vampire has a relatively tight script, one of the many penned by son-of-Hammer honcho Anthony Hinds, a typically effective score by James Bernard, quality performances, and both bathes in tradition and extends it. Those are all good reasons to seek this film out, but the best is that restrained but prolonged tension and ghostly ambience that Hammer did so well." Brandt Sponseller, Classic Horror
Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk
"As performed by the rather less fastidious Professor Zimmer, the ritual is thrilling stuff, whipping up a preternatural wind and sending an inky cloud of bats smashing through the windows of Ravna's mountain stronghold. The bats, most of them purchased from branches of Woolworths in nearby Slough and Maidenhead, are not very convincing by modern standards but the scene is still a weirdly powerful one, devoid of background music and with surprisingly kinky details like the expiring Tania trying to prise a hungry bat from her cleavage." Jonathan Rigby, English Gothic: A Century of Horror Cinema
Buy: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk
"The focus isn't so much the hardly interesting married couple, but rather the two opposing figures of good and evil fighting on either side of the film – Noel Willman who plays the vampire with glacial stolidity but alas lacks any real charismatic presence, and Clifford Evans who plays the vampire hunter with a brooding harshness. Kiss also comes filled with several other intriguing performances packed around the sides, most notably from Barry Warren as Ravna's very weird son and Barbara Steele-lookalike Isobel Black as the innkeeper's vampirized daughter who one wishes had been given more screen time." The Black Box Club
" …Isobel Black's venomous energy as a particularly zestful vampire recruit is splendid (though at times so much more energised than anything else it almost unbalances the film). The physical elements of vampirism are handled with a sharp wit and the use of landscape, notably the lush woodland setting around Black Park is particularly striking." David Pirie, The New Heritage of Horror, I.B. Tauris, 2009
Cast and characters:
- Clifford Evans … Professor Zimmer
- Noel Willman … Dr. Ravna
- Edward de Souza … Gerald Harcourt
- Jennifer Daniel … Marianne Harcourt
- Barry Warren … Carl Ravna
- Brian Oulton … First disciple
- Noel Howlett … Father Xavier
- Jacquie Wallis … Sabena Ravna
- Peter Madden … Bruno
- Isobel Black … Tania
- Vera Cook … Anna
- John Harvey … Police sergeant
Filming locations:
Black Park, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK
Bray Studios, Down Place, Oakley Green, Berkshire, England, UK
Technical details:
88 minutes | Eastmancolor | 1.66: 1
Alternate version:
Re-titled Kiss of Evil for American TV, Universal trimmed so much of the original film for its initial television screening that more footage had to be shot to fill the missing time. Additional characters that didn't appear at all in the original release were added, creating a whole new subplot. Every scene that showed blood was edited out, e.g. the pre-credits scene in which blood gushes from the coffin of Zimmer's daughter after he plunges a shovel into it. Also, in the televised version it is never revealed what Marianne sees behind the curtain, a sight which makes her scream. A couple of the cuts result in scenes that no longer makes sense: while the theatrical release had Harcourt smearing the blood on his chest into a cross-shaped pattern (keeping the vampires away as he escapes), the televised version omits the blood-smearing, leaving the vampires' inaction unexplained.
The additional footage shot for the televised version revolves around a family who argue about the influence of the vampiric Ravna clan, but never interact with anybody else in the movie. The teenage daughter throws over her boyfriend in favor of Carl Ravna (unseen in these scenes) who has given her a music box which plays the same hypnotic tune that he plays on the piano elsewhere in the movie. The middle-aged parents are played by Carl Esmond and Virginia Gregg (who gained fame by voicing Mother in three of the Psycho films), while their teenage daughter is played by Sheila Welles.
Image credits: The Black Box Club
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By Nesha Logan
My mother's long, dainty fingers traversed the Bible like it was her old familiar neighborhood. She would point out scriptures as if she was remembering the "good ol' days." Every recited verse took her back to a time when she called upon the power of the Word for protection from evils. I never understood how she knew all those words and believed in them so strongly. After all, I had never seen her step foot into a church. What I learned later was that she hadn't found a church home that fed her spirit, so she cultivated a sanctuary of her own. On Saturday afternoons sage and candles burned while Earth, Wind and Fire belted out through the speakers. Sunday morning praise and worship was held in our living room, before the birds chirped and the sun rose. It was her prayer and meditation. It was her "bow your heads and lift your hands," giving praise. Our home, on any given day, was God-filled with an abundance of soulful vibes
Faith, in its most basic form, is the belief in something greater and more powerful than ourselves. Whether God, the universe or a different higher power altogether, we are taught to believe in these entities and call upon them in times of want and need. /My mother is the most faithful woman I know. In questioning her strength, she once told me, "don't mistake my calmness for carelessness. I am connected to the spirit and I know everything will be alright."
The saying goes, "there's nothing like a praying mother," and it's true. However, I would like to add, "there's nothing like a faithful mother." While the two should be mutually exclusive they aren't. You can't pray and worry. To say that her faithfulness has not molded my spirituality would be a disservice to her as a mother and as a woman of God.
In my teenage years I yearned to know the God my mother knew. The one she went to on bended knee, the one that wouldn't let her complain because some how all of our needs were met, the one from which our blessings came. Sometimes I opted to spend my Sundays in church with my grandmother in hopes of finding God there. What I left with was a glossed over look and burning questions about why I couldn't "catch the Holy Ghost." Did God not want to have a relationship with me?
I took my concerns to my mother, "I don't feel close to God. How can I have have a relationship like the one you have?" She looked at me perplexedly then told me to have a seat. She began by saying that everyone's relationship with God is different; that the places that she finds God and the things she believes in Him for may not be the same as the next person. She told me it was up to me to decide how I wanted things to be.
So I did. I began to see him in the stars in the sky, the fog right before the rain, the gentle smile on the bank tellers face, and in a child's laughter. The details became so important that I always found myself in awe of His presence everywhere. I began to believe that only God could orchestrate such beauty. My amazement turned into praise and somewhere down the line it helped to shape and mold my faithfulness. So while my relationship with my God is different from my mother's, I find myself spending my weekends how we use to when I was a child: incense and Earth, Wind and Fire. Praise and worship. Only God can bring things around full-circle like that.
Chicago-based writer Nesha Logan is a self-proclaimed lover of experiences with an over-the-moon passion for storytelling and an imagination she hopes never quits. Living the mantra "it's all about the story," you're bound to catch her with her face in a book, her pen on paper or her mind in the clouds. For so long black men and women were enslaved mentally, physically, and emotionally; and though the scene and circumstances have changed, many still are. Her choice to lead a life of holistic wellness is a revolutionary act; an ever-evolving journey to be everything that society has never wanted us to be - happy, healthy and whole.

subset: commoncrawl


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Homeownership can bring with it tough decisions primarily in the current market that has a variety of rent and lease options and there are a couple of ready built houses that people can buy. But for individuals who are looking to build a home Pewaukee wi and design it from scratch, then you will have to go through the process of cost planning of your project and other significant factors.
For every construction project, the area is a prime factor that would impact all other variables, the documentation and rates that are attached to land vary from state to state. Therefore, it is prudent to research to establish this information. Also, you must consider the social amenities such as schools, hospitals, and shopping centers. Your house must be close enough to such facilities and if there is some distance to cover then you need to consider the transportation system and how convenient it is.
Home builders are always caught unawares by the hidden costs that are involved in building a home. Thus, the cost of buying the land is significant because it has an impact on the budget that you will be working. Consider options for payment like paying in installments or discount on bulk amounts, and such flexible terms allow the buyer to adjust their budget and make the payment in due time.
The team that you choose to take up the project should be a verified contractor; thanks to the internet and local authority search facilities you can establish if the building company is verified and get reviews about their work. Verification is necessary because you will be sure that the work will be handled with an expert touch key advice here is to go for quality over quantity. Avoid using certain persons because they are asking for a lesser fee or work faster than usual to complete projects. There is a broad selection of builders to choose from; track builders for floor plans and preferences, semi-custom who deal in a variety of floor plans with limitations and custom-builders who work on a broad spectrum.
When choosing a contractor, it is also necessary to review their contractual agreements and the features included in their pricing, if you do not understand the documents you can seek attorney services. This will make it easy for you to know your rights and the builder's obligation.
When building a home, the plan is also necessary. There are two ways of going through with this part one you can find an architect and explain to them the ideas you have for a home and then they will draw a plan matching that explanation. The other way shop for a pre-drawn plan or those plans that are posted online. Both two-methods work depending on which kind of design you have in mind, however, if you are keen on detail and want a unique design, then I will recommend an architect as you can reason together to come up with a distinct design.


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So you have completed massage therapy school and maybe spent some time working as a massage therapist for somebody else. You have done some research, found a place or made a space in your home, invested in a good massage table, soothing lighting, massage oils, and all the rest and now you are ready to hang out your shingle and go into business for yourself. Congratulations! Now all you need are clients…
Deciding to go out on your own can be scary, but with a little creativity and a little energy you can build a solid client base to ensure your success. Most people, when they are looking for a massage therapist, are going to first ask their friends and family for their experiences and recommendations, and that's a good place to start. People want to go with someone they know can be trusted. But when you have exhausted your own circle of friends and family for referrals you need to get creative. And you need to get yourself known.
Getting yourself known is key. A massage puts people in a vulnerable position. If your prospective clients have already met you and seen you, then they will immediately feel much more comfortable in choosing you. So get yourself out there and get known! To do this you must think creatively and take advantage of every opportunity to get out there, to meet people one on one, to offer a sample of your services and to hand out your business cards by the bucketful.
Contact businesses in your area. Many large and small companies have wellness programs. Get on the phone, speak to human resources and offer to come to the worksite as part of their wellness program and give ten or fifteen minute massages to their employees. It's a win win for you and for the business that lets you in: they get happy employees; you get to meet people and demonstrate your skills.
Try contacting local schools. Lots of schools have special teacher appreciation days or weeks. Call them up, offer your services, grab your massage table and go! Teachers work hard, they deserve a massage to feel appreciated and you will find a whole new client base.
Rent a space at your local street fairs or art fairs. Booth rentals are often relatively inexpensive for these smaller events and they are a great way to meet a lot of people in a short amount of time. Offer just quick foot or hand massages for those events and you'll be surprised at how many people remember you and use that business card next time they need a massage.
Try flu shot clinics at your area grocery store. While people wait they can enjoy a quick seated massage and you can make a number of new clients quickly!
Offer your services and your self for charity auctions and events. Don't just donate a gift certificate, but offer to go there too – pack up your portable massage table and set up in a corner for short massages and then watch the bidding war for your services!
So think creatively, get yourself out there and get yourself known. When the phone starts ringing off the hook, you will be glad you did!
Tags: massage table, Massage Tables


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Monday, August 12, 2013
imaginext figures series 1 Blind Bags Review and Codes
imaginext is the latest brand to jump on the blind bag madness, and I am glad. Almost reminiscent of Lego's series 1, with that Luchador on the front. The only draw back, as Spock would say, "THE WOMEN!" That's right, no women figures? How did that slip by. My kiddo, a girl, loves imaginext stuff, so that is a silly disappointment. With that said, the ten available figures are spiffy good, with the classy spy and Robot looking good. I say pick up a few if you like this style of figure.
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text: Want to make a grocery stop on the way out of the Cancun Airport, but don't plan on renting a car? No problem! For a reasonable fee, most Riviera Maya transfer services will make a one hour stop at the grocery store of your choice. If your destination is Puerto Morelos, the driver will back track a bit to the Superama (owned by WalMart) or Sam's located just north of the Cancun Airport. If you are going to Playa del Carmen you have a few stores to choose from; WalMart, Soriana, Chedraui. If you are going to Puerto Aventuras, Akumal, Tulum or anywhere in between, you will want to stop at the Chedraui in Puerto Aventuras. Add a grocery stop to your airport transfer and arrive at your condo or villa with all of your goodies in hand, then just sit back, relax and let your vacation begin.


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by Jena
(Fort St. John BC)
Bookkeeping is sometimes like doing a puzzle.
I am having trouble deciding the best way to do one of my clients bank reconciliations.
Comments for Personal Transactions in the Company Account
Click here to add your own comments
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Self-Employed Bookkeepers.
Use the search feature to quickly find the
information you're looking for.
Click on image above to read the chat.
Click on image above for my review.
Join Me On Facebook
Help support this site by "liking" me! Here's where I post current information.
Listed Under Websites NOT Local Business.
This website is not associated with the business operating in Bonnyville AB.


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|Moment of silence for her bag
Sunday, February 16, 2014
NYFW: I prefer the street style
7 comments:
really awesome photos, I love the older woman's outfit, so chic!ReplyDelete
i like the photos and i vote for street style too!ReplyDelete
The last photo, love iiiit! :DReplyDelete
xx MJ
I also prefer street style, I find very interesting what fashionable people wear to the shows. But I also love the excitement of watching what the designers have been working on for a whole year :)ReplyDelete
Fashionably Sparkly
After working for the whole year designers come out with the adorable designing patterns and I really admire their creativity. Bought designer Antonio Melani shoes yesterday and I really loved the stuff and style.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousMarch 1, 2014 at 3:42 AM
This blog post is really great; the standard stuff of the post is genuinely amazing.Vionic ShoesReplyDelete
This comment has been removed by the author.ReplyDelete


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Delivery from just £4.95.
FREE Delivery over £75 exc VAT
01842 765 634
Rodent Control
Insect Control
Cleaning & Sanitation
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Application Equipment
Rat Bait Professional Certification
You can use the form on this page to send us your pest control certificate or farm assurance scheme details. If you are not certified for professional use, please contact us to discuss poisons available without certification or how we can help you become certified.
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RSPH/BPCA Level 2 Certificate in Pest Control (2004 - 2010)
British Egg Industry Council Code of Practice for Lion Eggs
Duck Assurance Scheme
Agricultural Industries Confederation
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Farm Assured Welsh Livestock
Scottish Quality Crops
Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assurance Scheme
Quality British Turkey
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RSPH/BPCA Level 2 Certificate in Pest Management
City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Award in the safe use of Pesticides for Vertebrate Pest Control for Rats and Mice (QCF) (PA-R&M)
LANTRA: Responsible for Effective Control of Commensal Rodents
LANTRA: Rodent Control on Farms
Rat Control for Gamekeepers (through BASIS)
RSPH Level 2 Award in the safe use of rodenticides
CRRU Wildlife Aware (accredited by BASIS)
RSPH Level 2 Certificate in Pest Control
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Download our demo App
Enjoy the full Onescan experience
Simple, fast and secure mobile transactions.
Online, in-store and on-the-go
Once you have downloaded the Onescan app
Have a play by scanning the Onescan padlock on our demo site
The Onescan App
Onescan is all about Instant Action
We live in the age of consumer impatience and ever increasing cyber threats. So, we believe you need a brilliant customer experience coupled with the best security. In the past, this has been a real challenge as the two have been mutually exclusive. This is why we've made it our mission to make consumers', merchants' and businesses' digital lives easier and safer. The first step was creating Onescan - a platform, mobile app and SDK (Software Development Kit) that turns a call-to-action into an instant action.
This has never been possible before now. We adopt an holistic approach utilising unique technology. So whether you're registering or transferring information, entering a competition, completing a survey, proving your identity online, making a payment or buying a product - you can with Onescan.
Onescan : the best of all worlds
We're experts in online security and mobile technology. So safe and secure mobile interaction is always at the heart of what we do. Which is why our technology has bank-grade security you can trust whilst being incredibly easy to use. After all, great usability and world-class security should come hand-in-hand. We take care of security and compliance so that you don't need to. Your app and website becomes PCI Level 1 certified simply by using our technology.
So no more usernames or passwords, or constantly filling in online forms. With Onescan, you can transact across the whole omnichannel using your mobile. We make it simple and rapid so you and your customers can relax knowing your and their information is safe.


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Maintenance Request
For all maintenance requested please complete & submit the form below providing as much information as to the nature of the requirments and the repairs as possible including photos. Maintenance, that is approved, is given to tradesmen by the end of the following business day.
If the damage is found to be caused by the tenant either accidently or maliciously, the tenant is responsible for payment of the repair. The cost will be debited from the tenant's rental account after 30 day notice.
As per your lease agreement In the event of an urgent repair ring our trades listed or call the office and we shall attend to your problem as quickly as possible.
If it is outside business hours then you should take what ever action is necessary to protect your goods and the property from further damage.
The tradesman will contact you to arrange access to your property and as per the lease may also enter your property by use of management keys if agreed. They will call your prior to attending on the number you have supplied above.


text: I had a really beautiful conversation with Non Wels from sunny California. I shared some things I've never talked about on the air before, so let me know what you think! Except if you are in my immediate family... in that case please text me before listening to this episode. I'm serious!


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Bah – it's basically Friday, isn't it?
Like the last TIGSource contest, this contest has a dual theme. You and you teammates can choose to use either theme, or both.
The themes are Comedy and Tragedy.
Unlike other Ludum Dares, this time you are required to collaborate! (If you haven't found a partner yet, see the post below this one.) If your team decides to use both themes, each member should take creative responsibility of one theme each and ensure it finds a place in the game.
You can make the game at any stage this weekend that suits you. And don't worry if you can't start for a few days or if the project goes a little beyond the usual 48 hours – I have a very loose definition of weekends that includes Wednesdays.
Whenever you're ready, you can submit your game here!


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Postgrad Week: Happy Birthday GSU !!
We're throwing a Treasure Hunt! Which postgrad class will win?
3:30 - 5:30pm location TBD
For details and to RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/1225632734152544/
Happy 43rd Birthday GSU! Come celebrate with us.
9:00 - 11:00pm location TBD
For details and to RSVP:https://www.facebook.com/events/173049439762822/
See you during Postgrad Week!!


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Duo have drugs case adjourned
TWO defendants who appeared on drugs related offences before Judge Barry Hickson at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court have had their case adjourned to allow for urine analysis.
Before the court were Anthony Beaver, of 6 Balyhine, Barntown, and Paul Fitzgerald, of 7 Ballyhine, Barntown, who pleaded guilty to the cultivation of cannabis plants at Ballyhine, Barntown, on September 22, 2014. They also pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of cannabis on dame occasion.
Defence Counsel, Ms Julie Kirwan for Beaver, applied for an adjournment to allow for the preparation of a Probation and Welfare report. She also asked that the free legal aid be extended to allow for urine analysis.
Judge Hickson said he would not grant the application for an extension of the free legal aid.
'He can pay for his own urine analysis,' added Judge Hickson.
Defence Counsel, Thomas Whelan, also applied for an adjournment in the case of Fitzgerald to allow for the preparation of a Probation and Welfare report.
Judge Hickson said he would adjourn the matter to next sessions with the same bail conditions to be applied. 'I want a urine analysis for both on that date,' said the Judge.
Wexford People


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Subject: I have found a DVD that I think you would enjoy
|Journey to the Center of the Earth
Actors: Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Anita Briem, Seth Meyers, Jean Michel Paré
Director: Eric Brevig
Genres: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy
PG 2008 1hr 33min
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Alexis A. from SANTA CRUZ, CA
Reviewed on 9/1/2014...
Fun movie for kids. Could do without the romance between two of the main characters.
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Zhane K. from BEAVERTON, OR
Reviewed on 2/21/2013...
Love it
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Amy C. from FARMINGTON, UT
Reviewed on 7/25/2012...
Fun for the whole family
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Geri W. from LEOLA, PA
Reviewed on 10/23/2011...
My children love this movie! It may have some unbelievable stuff in it, but the action is good, it's very funny (hey, Brendan Fraser), and all in all, it's good for children.
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Movie Reviews
"Journey" is entertaining but rather shallow.
Steven Hedge | Somewhere "East of Eden" | 07/17/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"It's important to note straight off that this IS NOT a remake or a retelling of Verne's classic novel in any way. This story is surprisingly original.
The storyline, in brief, is about a college professor, played by Brendon Fraser (The Mummy and George of the Jungle) with his usual boyish charm who lost his brother 10 years ago when he went off to prove that Verne's novel wasn't really fiction. Now, out of a sense of guilt or obligation he takes in his brother's son each summer, well played by Josh Hutcherson (Zathura, RV, and Bridge to Terabithia. Hutcherson is in danger of being typecast as the bitter, rebellious teenager with a secret heart of gold. His acting is good, but he's been essentially playing the same role over and over again.
Well, the pair get it in their heads to try and track down the possible entry to the center of the earth and end up in Iceland trying to track down another professor who may be of help, but discover he died awhile back. They are instead greeted by his lovely looking, but rather cold exterior daughter, nicely played by relative newcomer Anita Briem, who agrees to be a mountain guide for them in what she considers to be a fool's errand.
The rest of the film is the trip to the center of the earth which only seems to take them a few minutes to get to and includes a shamelessly copied scene on mine carts from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom as well as a T-rex scene lifted from Jurassic Park. I wasn't sure if they were paying some kind of homage to these films (or genre), or if they were literally just copying the scenes thinking the 3D effects would make them better somehow. Other than that the film moves along at a fun and rapid pace with several predictable, but touching moments.
The Hits:
(1) The 3D effects are the advanced type (not the blue and red glasses) that doesn't leave you with a headache afterwards. The entire film is designed with 3D in mind and while a gimmick, it is effective and fun.
(2) The special effects themselves are magnificent and would hold up nicely even in 2D. The most beautiful effect is the beach scene. It was absolutely stunning!
(3) The performances were all much better than this gimmicky action genre would normally dictate. They know it's all nonsense, but they make themselves into rather believable characters that we care about.
The Misses:
(1) Although the plot is fast-paced, it is rather silly and even ludicrous much of the time, but again, we know this going into the film.
(2) There is some really awful cliché-ridden dialogue. It's a bit of a miracle that these actors were able to deliver them without bursting into laughter and that is to their credit.
(3) In spite of the overall nice entertainment factor of this film with all it's clever special effects, decent acting, and fast-paced feel, it is a rather shallow film that is hard to recall even right after seeing it.
The problem with all gimmicky films, whether they are 3D or using camcorders to tell the story, the focus is primarily on the gimmick and little else. So much time, energy and money goes into the gimmick that the other aspects of storytelling fall to the wayside. This film does a bit better job at trying to be more entertaining and cohesive than other gimmick-driven films, but it is still rather shallow when all is said and done. I doubt very much I would have enjoyed this film much at all if not for the 3D effects and that says a lot all by itself."
3D Technology
Yeah Right! | 10/28/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"For those that are complaining about the colored filter glasses (anaglyph), there seems to be some ignorance as to how the 3D technology in the theaters works. The 3D process used in the theaters requires polarized light projectors and is not something you can do with your tv. There is a better process however than anaglyph, and that is called field-sequential and requires a special box and glasses for about $40. Spy Kids, Shark Boy and Lava Girl, and some IMAX films were made available in that format. There are also many others available online non-commercially, including this film. They should have considered that option as it is much better than anaglyph. A major consideration, however, is that field-sequential videos only work with CRT televisions and some DLP projectors, not LCD tvs. Colored filters are currently more practical, but using green/magenta instead of red/blue was probably a mistake since many people seem to be bothered by the color distortions. BTW, if the dvd comes with glasses in the case, it will be anaglyph, or worse. Also, the use of polarized glasses is not new, it has existed since the 1930's and the majority of 3D films from the 1950's and onward were polarized, not red/blue as many people believe. There is some good news. Major studios, including Disney, are now working on creating a standardized form of 3D for the home. Content will be released on Blu-ray and DVD, possibly web streaming and broadcast TV, and will be viewable in 3D on the new 3D-ready Samsung and Mitsubishi tvs which have been out since 2007. On 2D sets the images will appear normal. These tvs can also be used for 3d gaming when connected to a PC. They require LCD shutter glasses that are the same as those used for field-sequential videos, but without flickering.
The Ultimate 3-D Collection (Haunted Castle / Alien Adventure / Encounter in the Third Dimension) (Large Format) (Includes H3D Viewing System)
Samsung HL61A750 61-Inch 1080p LED Powered DLP HDTV"
In deep shist
Amanda Richards | Georgetown, Guyana | 09/29/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Trevor: Hey, look at all the shist.
Sean: What?
Trevor: It's a metamorphic rock. Green shist, white shist, micro-guarded shist-
Sean: Oh. Shist.
This adaptation of the Jules Verne classic novel features Trevor, a goofy volcanologist (Brendan Fraser), his nephew Sean (Josh Hutcherson) and Hannah, a canny Icelandic tour guide (Anita Briem).
While on a hastily arranged expedition to Iceland to retrieve data from a previously dormant volcanic sensor gadget, the trio emulates Alice by falling down a hole. Curiouser and curiouser, they end up not in Wonderland, but in a lost world, where long-extinct phosphorescent birds flutter by and the flying fish have a serious case of overbite.
Using the storyline of a missing brother and misunderstood Vernian volcanologists, the little group wanders around the treacherous terrain, overcoming insurmountable odds and horrible hardship (Eat your Trilobite, Sean) before reaching the grandly preposterous finale.
Short Attention Span Summary (SASS):
1. Three down the shist hole
2. Things start heating up
3. Underground ocean crossing brings separation anxiety
4. Tyrannosaurus wrecks
5. Geyser erupts with "flare"
6. Strong hint of "to be continued"
A little Goonies, a little Indiana Jones and a lot of tongue-in-cheek adventure, this movie is great as far as light entertainment goes, and can be viewed by the whole family.
[Warning: Beware of lame lines and ridiculous situations.]
Amanda Richards, September 29, 2008


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Military Intelligence and You: An Interview with Dale Kutzera
Reviewed by Doug Cunningham
Given that Dale Kutzera is a self-proclaimed admirer of classical Hollywood, one should not be surprised to learn that his feature-film debut, Military Intelligence and You! , mixes a wartime satire with actual clips from 1940s war films featuring the likes of Alan Ladd, Ronald Reagan, and William Holden. The surprise is that the clips don't come from Hollywood films. Instead, Kutzera has unearthed training films produced by the U.S. Army Air Forces First Motion Picture Unit (FMPU), a World War II military organization that recruited hundreds of talented studio artists, including actors, directors, and writers, and put them in uniform for the war effort. Highly regarded for its innovative and often dramatized methods of teaching sometimes very dry material (interested in learning how to operate an SCR-522 VHF airborne radio set?), the FMPU produced more than 300 training, orientation, and documentary films between 1942 and 1945, most famously, perhaps, then-Major William Wyler's Memphis Belle: The Story of a Flying Fortress (1944).
To tell the story of Major Nick Reed (Patrick Muldoon) and Lieutenant Monica Tasty (Elizabeth Bennett) trying to pinpoint a secret enemy airfield, Kutzera repurposes (to use Rick Prelinger's term) eight training films, six of them made by the FMPU: Recognition of the Japanese Zero Fighter (1943), featuring Ronald Reagan as a hotshot pilot with troubles discerning between friendly and enemy aircraft; Photographic Intelligence for Bombardment Aviation (1943), in which intelligence officer Alan Ladd uses aerial reconnaissance photos to find a Nazi submarine testing basin; Target for Today (1944), a bombing mission "procedural" directed by then-Major William Keighly; Ditch and Live (1944), boasting Arthur Kennedy as a bomber pilot drilling his crew on bailing out of a ditched aircraft; Resisting Enemy Interrogation (1944), wherein downed American bomber crew members Arthur Kennedy and James Seay try to keep tightlipped while prisoners during interrogation by Nazi officers Kent Smith and Carl Esmond; and Reconnaissance Pilot (1945), in which William Holden overcomes personal struggles to achieve a crucial success while photographing enemy territory. For good measure, Kutzera also includes one film produced by the U.S. Army's Signal Corps for its "Fighting Man" series, Baptism of Fire (1943); here, a steady Elisha Cook, Jr. counsels an infantry buddy on how to accept and even move beyond a natural fear of combat.
Kutzera integrates the classics and the modern with style, humor, and, well… intelligence. Particularly interesting is the way in which the juxtaposition of these materials serves his larger themes about war and patriotism. Kutzera also demonstrates the extent to which public-domain films offer new opportunities for cinematic creativity and metatextual commentary, especially during this age of ever-advancing personal video technologies and practices.
Cineaste: Why did you decide to use these particular FMPU films in Military Intelligence and You!?
Dale Kutzera: I wanted the films I chose to be dramatized. Also, I was aware of the fact that there would be a novelty associated with having William Holden and Alan Ladd—known people—in these films. Having said that, there were some other films I would like to have used; for instance, more films with Ronald Reagan. He was in a couple of other [FMPU] films, and these could have featured him more prominently, but they didn't fit the story I was able to create.
Cineaste: And yet, when we do see Reagan in the clip from Recognition of the Japanese Zero Fighter, some interesting intertextuality is taking place. It's a very ironic yet resonant moment.
Kutzera: Well, I certainly think of Reagan as being one of the golden boys of the last century. What an incredibly Horatio Alger career that guy had—from farm boy to radio announcer to Hollywood actor to politician. He is America for a lot of people, and certainly, I wanted to use him. I thought there was some interesting commentary. On the one hand, we're making some "leftie" statements, but on the other hand, he represented a lot of the things that are great and continue to be great about America. Having him kind of come to the rescue, as the cavalry riding over the hill, I thought was kind of a funny notion—not just for the sake of the story, but also because of its comment on who he was, what he was. I even put a line in there, "Thanks, Dutch!"
Cineaste: What was the reaction to Reagan?
Kutzera: When I was in the back of the theater, I'd kind of watch the audience. Half the audience would lean in, the other half of the audience would say, "That's Reagan!" It always gets a nice little reaction when they see Ronnie up there, particularly the shot after he shoots the enemy plane down, there's a wonderful little dolly-in shot of Reagan in the cockpit, and he flashes that Reagan smile, and it's just terrific, that kind of cockeyed Reagan smile of his. It's a beautiful little push in, very classic, reminiscent of the push in on John Wayne in Stagecoach, one of those great movie shots that was fun to include.
Cineaste: We're reminded of just how charming the young Reagan could be.
Kutzera: Oh, my God, he's very charming, he's an amazingly charming actor. I remember reading somewhere, or maybe it was in a documentary, that if they could have, the FMPU would have put Ronald Reagan in a whole bunch of stuff because he was obviously a completely competent actor. Yet, they didn't want to. They didn't want to for his sake, because then he would just be in every film, and they didn't want to for their own sake, because they wanted to spread their wealth around.
Cineaste: I suppose the FMPU didn't want their audiences constantly distracted by name actors on screen, but we see other actors, like Arthur Kennedy, Kent Smith, and James Seay, frequently. On a different note, why not more Signal Corps films, like Baptism of Fire?
Kutzera: Well, maybe you've tipped me off to a whole bunch of films I never knew existed. I went back [to the National Archives and Records Administration in College Park, Maryland] and watched a lot of films, and I kind of went through each record group. And I would look for titles—literally, I would be going [down names listed in] binders. There is no real catalog of all these films. So, I would go through these binders, and I would look to see which titles jumped out at me as being, "Oh, that sounds like a dramatized film." Literally, that's how I did it. I didn't have any other guideposts, and I certainly didn't have the time to pop each [film] into the [viewing ] machine and watch a bit of it. Some [titles] would say, Learning How to Swim; well, that's probably not a dramatized film. And then some would say, Baptism of Fire. That sounds interesting—I think I'll go watch it. I'm sure that had I had two weeks at the National Archives instead of one, maybe I would have found a whole different group of films that I could have cut and pasted into a different sort of movie. But [Baptism of Fire] was the one [Signal Corps film] that jumped out at me… it's a dramatized film, it has action footage in it, which is great. I grabbed that one.
Cineaste: How do you feel that the FMPU films you used serve the purpose of your film as a whole?
Kutzera: The whole film has kind of a self-reflexive concept. It was making a kind of self-commentary, if you will, on where America's at right now. Let me put it this way: The lead up to the war in Iraq, I thought, was a rather crass, rather manipulative endeavor by the Bush Administration to sell a war that probably didn't need to be fought. I think there was something kind of interesting to me, and relevant, about using this old, government footage and manipulating it , in a way, and sending it out as kind of an alternate view. The fact that it was from World War II, and it was made by the U.S. government, kind of fuels the higher commentary of the piece. We're doing basically a fake piece of propaganda that's kind of the antidote to other propaganda that we've been subjected to. As a writer, I really like things that kind of loop back on themselves, I like things that have a lot of interesting commentary… the very use of the thing kind of stands for something. The use of [FMPU member] Ronald Reagan in a shot at the end means something more than just a fighter pilot coming in to save the day. I think that using this footage meant something beyond just the footage itself.
Cineaste: Would you say your film is nostalgic about the idealism we associate with World War II?
Kutzera: [During] that lead up to the war in Iraq, there was a lot of "rah-rah" patriotism, a lot of propaganda. Even in the media, there was a lot of drumbeat towards war and a lot of references back to World War II and to what was going on in the country [in the 1940s]. And yet, [in 2002-2003] there was a big difference, I always thought—like renaming French fries "freedom fries," and things like this. There's a lot of patriotism, that is, obviously, well founded, and yet it seemed that they were borrowing from the World War II playbook of what the country should be during wartime.
Cineaste: You've kind of done the cinematic equivalent of the remixings we've seen of World War II propaganda posters.
Kutzera: At the same time I was doing this film, Bill Maher came out with a book, a really great book, called When You Ride Alone, You Ride with bin Laden, and it was based on World War II posters designed to encourage people to save gas and carpool—"When you ride alone, you ride with Hitler." And Maher went through and picked out twenty or thirty famous World War II posters—all of which you can find at the National Archives—to satirize. I liked that because it was the exact same thing I was trying to do, which was to look at where America was at in 2003 through the eyes of America in 1941 and 1942. I'm well aware of many of the problems of America in the '30s and '40s—there [was] racism and there [were] some very strong deficiencies going on in the country at that time. Despite all those things, it was a remarkably unified nation that, to a great degree—perhaps more than any other time in our history—was brought together for a shared purpose and a shared sense of self-sacrifice. And you don't see that today. I think that's a shame. I think that everyone does want to experience that again, so there is a bit of nostalgia, a bit of wistfulness for an America we didn't know. Maybe we're overexaggerating it because we weren't there. An America that maybe we'd like to have known.
Cineaste: What was your process for acquiring these FMPU archival materials?
Kutzera: The National Archives has a couple of approved vendor labs that they will release materials to, and those vendor labs can make copies. When I first started my research, those vendor labs were just doing film-to-film copies, what they call a wet-gate print, and it was very expensive to have all these reels transferred film to film. Fortunately, by the time we actually got around to making the film, to ordering the footage, one of the labs—Bono Labs, which is where I went—had installed a high-def digital transfer, so they were able to basically transfer all the 35mm in high def to D1 tape. And then from the D1 tapes I got in the mail, I had them downconverted to standard definition. And then they were loaded up onto a hard drive so that my editor could cut them in.
Cineaste: And the result is a film that, formally, has a lot of similarities to Carl Reiner's Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid.
Kutzera: I got a big kick out of Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid . I remember reading about Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid before it was going to come out, and I thought, "Oh, this is going to be great!" I was somewhat disappointed that they actually didn't do more in terms of blending the footage, in actually putting Steve Martin into the scene through green screen or through special effects. It was mostly straight cuts. He was cut into a picture through straight cuts. It's a great, funny film, and I certainly have a great love offilm noir, but I knew that we were trying to do things a little bit differently. A couple of things that Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid did point out to me was, first, the critical need to match film grains and film stock. In Dead Men , there are still some jumps between the graininess or the contrast of the old footage and the grain and contrast of the new footage with Steve Martin. I'm sure the director of photography on that film had a really tough time trying to match all these different film stocks that were used by all these different films from the '40s and I think probably the '50s. And of course, they were doing all of this stuff back then without the benefit of digital manipulation. They were just doing it by picking film stocks and, I'm sure, by doing these different lab techniques to add grain or contrast.
The other thing Dead Men pointed out to me was that you need to get the sound as close as possible. In both cases, really, it's a situation where you have to try and upgrade the old footage as much as possible, and clean up old footage, removing dirt and scratches, and improve the sound fidelity of the old footage. And of course, you have to "junk up" the new footage with more grain, more contrast, more dirt and scratches, which is all possible in digital very easily now. And then also, working to blend the quality of the new sound with the old sound. A lot of it was paying attention to the transitions from an old scene to a new scene. But it also served scenes in the old footage where we could add some element of sound, some kind of sound bed that we could then put to these surround-sound speakers. I wanted this because I knew the film was going to be black and white, so I wanted it at least to sound good. I think that if people would have gone into the theater and heard mono sound, a mono film, it would have been kind of a turn off. Esthetically speaking, people are really accustomed to sitting in a theater now and hearing sound coming at them from the sides as well as from the screen. Wherever we could, we tried to add in a little bit of sound to come from the sides. In the Resisting Enemy Interrogation footage, we added a little bit of a Viennese waltz, as though the German officer has the radio on. In a lot of the battle scenes, we took out the old soundtrack, just canned it entirely, and redesigned a new battle sound. Same thing with the air dogfight sequences taken from Target for Today, Reconnaissance Pilot, and Recognition of the Japanese Zero Fighter. The sound was done by Kenny Klimak.
Cineaste: I really appreciated the way your lighting favors Patrick Muldoon in such a way that he really seems to be lit like the actors we see in the FMPU films—William Holden, Alan Ladd, etc.
Kutzera: [Laughs] Well, I think Mark Perry, the cinematographer, did a terrific job. He loved the idea of shooting something in black and white, and he loved the idea of emulating a very classic Hollywood lighting scheme. I think that all the way along, he was able to do that. If you look at the film again, look at [the character of] Monica Tasty. She's always lit a little bit brighter than everyone else around her because Mark always put a little bit of beauty light on her. Little stuff like that really was terrific fun, and again, there are so many levels you've got to go to make a film. You want to make it work entertainment-wise, but with me, one of the levels was that I just wanted to have kind of a fun time making it. I wanted to scratch the itch of my obsession with classic Hollywood black-and-white films. That was certainly one of the motivations for doing the film.
Cineaste: How do you envision the future of this "mash-up" type of filmmaking?
Kutzera: I think about it a lot. You've mentioned Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid . In some ways, I do think my film is a little bit different from that film in that it's not so much trying to spoof these old films so much as it is trying to repurpose them as old films for something relevant today. It's a subtle distinction, but I think that it's a valid distinction. I think of it more and more as the equivalent of early rap artists taking samples from other songs and messing with them, mixing them up. Many other facets of the movie business are changing now, just as many facets of the music business changed ten, fifteen years ago, because of digital technology. I think that we're going to see a lot more of this, I think there's going to be a lot more sampling of old movies and repurposing of these old movies. I love it. I think it's a whole new area, because literally one person could sit down at their computer and mash up a bunch of old footage into something interesting. And you suddenly are no longer dividing up the different jobs of filmmaking, you're just filmmaking. It's not writing, directing, acting, producing, it's just filmmaking. And you're sitting down at a computer, probably like a lot of rap artists and musicians sit down at a synthesizer and are creating stuff that used to take a whole crew, that used to take a whole orchestra or whole band to make a record. Now it just takes a person with software. The same thing is happening with filmmaking.
Cineaste: Intellectual property law would have to catch up with creativity.
Kutzera: Well, it's obviously a tricky thing. In the early days of rap music, they were sampling things and didn't really think too much about it until they started getting in trouble, and then they started to have, you know, lawyers get involved, and contracts were written up, and people were paid and stuff like that. I think it would be very interesting to see that happen in the film business, as well. I think it would be very interesting for a studio to let a filmmaker into the archives and say, "Come up with some stuff. What would you do with some of this if we give you free run of our archives for a bit?" Obviously, there are a lot of different legal hurdles to jump over. One of the interesting side notes of Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid is that it set a precedent for repurposing old film clips. Some felt the actors in those old clips should have been paid, butDead Men established that such residuals aren't required for films that old. The producers, however, smoothed over some sore feelings by making a contribution to the Academy's Motion Picture Retirement Home. I did some more research and found that it did come down to a big strike that the Screen Actors Guild had, I think it was in 1960. The upshot of that was that after that year, after 1960, you do have to at least make the effort to pay the estates, the writer, the director of these scenes that you might use. In fact, I was working on a TV show once, and we used a clip from The Twilight Zone and had to track down the actors, the writer, the producer, the director, or at least try to make payments in their names to their various guilds.
Cineaste: Lucasfilm offers its fans the opportunity to "mash up" clips from the Star Wars films on its Web site.
Kutzera: I think that Lucas saw that a lot of that stuff was going on and instituted it on his Web site. I think another level of this whole fan editing phenomenon is just the recutting of films. I've certainly been a fan of recutting films, myself. It's interesting to look at personalizing a film in some weird way. I'm surprised that the studios have not picked up on that more. I'm surprised that studios have not come up with "condensed" films. There's enough fat in the bones of any film that you can cut it down. I think what you're going to see is a lot more of that. On one level, people will just be taking films and doing what they want to with them, whether it's cutting the naughty bits out, making a cleaner version. Some people might not want the romance scenes in there, they want just the action. They'd be personalizing their own cinema. That's an interesting thing that I'm sure we'll see a lot more of in the future.
Cineaste: What lessons as a filmmaker do you take away from the FMPU films?
Kutzera: One thing I take away is just the speed and directness of a lot of these films. A lot of them were short, they were twenty-minute films, and they were very direct. In screenwriting classes, we're always taught to be subtle, to approach things from an oblique angle, and to not konk people over the head. There's a phrase in screenwriting called "on the nose." You don't want to be "on the nose" with your dialog and have people say what they mean. And yet, with the FMPU, they were, by and large, very direct. They would, obviously, for very good reasons, say what they meant. They would make points very clearly. They used narrators a lot, and that certainly is an easy device. The FMPU used a lot of tricks. They used narrators, they used animation, they used people talking directly to the camera, they used a lot things that were very direct, and I kind of respect them for it.
Cineaste: What's next for you?
Kutzera: I'm writing a script with a good friend, David Mickel. It's a romantic comedy, and we've sold that to Fox. Meanwhile, Military Intelligence and You! is out on DVD (Available here). And I'm certainly hoping to continue to mess around with old footage. I think it's kind of a fun hobby for me. I've got a couple ideas that I'm hoping to dive into that might even be, in some ways, more interesting and more handmade than Military Intelligence was. It's a brave, new world out there.
The opinions expressed in this interview are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Air Force.
Doug Cunningham is a Ph.D. Candidate in Film Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where he is writing his dissertation on representations of masculinity in the films of the First Motion Picture Unit.
Copyright © 2008 by Cineaste Magazine
Cineaste, Vol. XXXIII, No. 4


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Specialty Care for Skin Conditions
Dermatology are medical specialists who have the experience to treat conditions, diseases and tumors of the skin.
Conditions commonly seen and treated by Dermatologists include:
- Acne
- Rosacea
- Eczema or other rashes
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- Cysts or other skin growths
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- Nail problems
- Scars
In addition, dermatologists regularly perform complete skin exams to screen for skin cancers.
PeaceHealth Medical Group has board-certified Dermatologists who can provide the necessary care for your skin:


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Times downloaded (JPG/TIFF): 3
Pollution in Mexico City during MIRAGE field campaign. During the project, dubbed MIRAGE (Megacity Impacts on Regional and Global Environments), scientists investigate the chemical transformation of air pollution as it flows from Mexico City to surrounding regions and the globe as a whole, with an eye toward applying what they learn to megacities around the world.
Pollution in Mexico City (DI01467)
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)
NCAR/UCAR Image and Multimedia Gallery
Copyright University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). By [insert name of photographer when listed], licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License, via OpenSky. For commercial use contact email@example.com.


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Poetry Terms and Devices - Writing.Com.
Literary Analysis: Using Elements of Literature.
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Jan 30, 2012. Enter a device in the box below; Correctly named devices will show up below; Click any empty Example or Poetic Device to answer for that .
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Denotation - dictionary definition of a word. Diction - word choice that both conveys and emphasizes the meaning or theme of a poem through distinctions in .
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Poem device onomatopoeia download on GoBookee.net free books and manuals search. Onomatopoeia is the use of word which sounds like it means.
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My Account - Cart Contents - Checkout
Sat 21 Sep 2019
We all know how exciting it is to mix colours in a patchwork quilt. Often we decide to pick a certain colour scheme to go specifically with the room in which it is to be used or displayed.
Patchwork material is available in more or less any colour in both printed and plain fabric but apart from the colour, it is most important to consider the value of that colour.
Colour value refers to the depth of the colour be it light, medium or dark. These are also known as tints and hues. If they are mixed with flair an otherwise flat design can come to life and take on the appearance having an almost 3D quality.
Take the two examples of a Tumbling Block mini quilt. The one on the left has exactly the same diamond patchwork pieces but is all in the same colour and colour value. However the quilt on the right is a mix of light, medium and dark fabrics of that one colour giving far more depth and interest to the patchwork.
Apply this to any patchwork quilt and make sure that whatever colours and printed fabrics are used, there is also a mix of light, medium and dark to give your patchwork that magic spark of life.
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DALLAS (AP) � Kevin Shattenkirk and the St. Louis Blues took advantage of Dallas' struggling penalty killers � with only a few seconds to spare.
Shattenkirk scored a power-play goal 4:49 into overtime, giving the Blues a 3-2 victory over the Stars yesterday.
St. Louis' Jaden Schwartz had a goal in his fifth straight game and T.J. Oshie also scored for the Blues, who improved to 12-0-1 against Central Division opponents. Brian Elliott made 28 saves to win for the second consecutive night.
After the Stars failed to score with a man advantage earlier in overtime, Kevin Connauton was penalized for tripping at 4:24. Shattenkirk took a pass from Alex Pietrangelo in the left circle and shot the puck past goalie Kari Lehtonen into the lower right side of the net. Vladimir Sobotka also assisted.
Sobotka "did a lot of work on that," Blues Coach Ken Hitchcock said. "He did a lot of work creating the penalty and did a great job, obviously, on the goal."
Dallas overcame a 2-0 deficit with second-period goals by Jamie Benn and Ryan Garbutt.
Schwartz opened the scoring on a power play at 2:41 of the first. He has one goal in each of his last five games.
St. Louis scored off a Stars mistake at 5:12 of the second. Oshie picked up the puck after Connauton whiffed on a pass in his own end.
Dallas scored only its third power-play goal at home this season when Benn got his fourth goal in five games at 8:13. Garbutt tied it at 2 at 11:31 on a screened shot from the left point that went between Elliott's legs.
The Blues have earned at least a point in six consecutive road games (4-0-2), extending their season-best streak.
Schwartz has 13 goals this season. His five-game streak has him halfway to the Blues record of 10 set by Brett Hull � twice.


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'The consistent thread that flows through my work is light: it's reflection, how it interacts in an environment, and how it makes one think & feel. I am captivated by light that dances on a waters' surface, penetrates through a crack or casts a shadow in its absence. Although light itself is constant and measureable, the way it touches an object is elusive, full of movement, ever changing, and this ephemeral quality of light intrigues me. I am also keenly interested in observing and documenting how colour subtly shifts with the passing of time. Like a fish in water, light is the intangible medium through which we experience so much. It connects us to physical objects and has the power to colour our emotional reaction in a space. Using the chandelier as my subject, these paintings are interpretations of how each form interacts with the space where it is contained. In my work, light is often used as a metaphor for truth or revelation or knowledge. With a worldview that clings to faith, hope and love, each painting has its own ethereal beauty.'
- Rachelle Kearns


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Posts Tagged 'porch'
Stamped Concrete Porch
Tired of power washing and staining the deck? Well, now concrete can be stamped and colored to look like wood without all the maintenance of wood. This porch was poured with a mesa buff and charcoal release color. Call OTG Custom Concrete Inc. for your concrete project today.Read More


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Winter Olympics in Sochi will have the X-Factor
The athletic competition with the oldest ties to history is finally trying to appeal to a younger crowd.
For the first time in the Winter Olympics, careening down the side of a steep, snow-covered mountain and screaming through a winding course on an ice track at speeds greater than 80 mph are not extreme enough.
So, in trying to give the 2014 Sochi Games the kind of sharp edge that is featured on the skates and sleds that will be cutting paths into the Russian ice this month, significant changes were made.
To "X" things up a bit, 12 new competitions (three mixed events, four men's events and five women's events) were added to the Olympic program in Sochi, and the International Olympic Committee hopes they will give the Games the same shot of adrenaline many associate with the X Games.
A closer look:
Biathlon mixed relay
Teams consist of two men and two women. Women will open the first two 6-kilometer legs, and then the men then complete the next two 7.5-kilometer legs. Each athlete will fire one prone and one standing shot, and will have to ski a penalty lap of 150 meters for each miss.
Figure skating team event — Mixed
Teams consist of six skaters — one male, one female, one pair and one ice dance couple. Points will be awarded for each routine and the team with the most aggregate points wins gold.
Luge team relay — Mixed
Each nation will field a men's singles sled, a women's singles sled and a doubles sled. All three sleds will slide down the track in succession, with the clock stopping only after the third sled has crossed the finish line. The athletes must slap a touchpad at the end of their run to open the starting gate for the next sled on their team.
Ski halfpipe — Men's and Women's
Each athlete will perform an array of big airs and other tricks in the halfpipe, and will be judged on technical execution, amplitude, variety, difficulty and use of pipe. This event is similar to the snowboard halfpipe, except with skis.
Ski slopestyle — Men's and Women's
In a hybrid event catering to the skills of aerialists and alpine skiers, athletes combine airs and tricks on a course featuring rails and a variety of jumps, and will score points for execution, style, difficulty, variety and progression.
Snowboard slopestyle — Men's and Women's
This event mirrors ski slopestyle, except, instead of using skis the athletes use snowboards.
Snowboard parallel slalom — Men's and Women's
Athletes will race two at a time down the same slope on identical, parallel courses, outlined with the same gates and triangular flags. The first one to reach the bottom wins.
Women's ski jumping
The women compete in this event for the first time, and do so on the same hill that hosts the men's normal event (the men also compete in a large-hill event). The highest combined score (distance plus style points) for two jumps wins.


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Satim Kahle, 46
Marsabit, northern Kenya
"It has been a great stress for us this period - a depressing time. Working all day on the wells that have no water, we're running out of patience. Before, we had predictable seasons: we knew the dry spells, but we also knew that rain would come. Now, over the past 10 years, the rains can't be trusted. Nowadays, you just have to wait and hope. I used to have 500 animals... now I have 100 goats. But even those are weak again because it is so dry; if it doesn't rain for another month, I can't say if they have a future. If it doesn't rain, we're completely doomed. We don't know what to do. I have four children. If it weren't for the drought, I would have sent more to school. Those that go to school can get jobs and not have to come back to this herding life."
Obbo Jateni, 80
"Previously, conflict was mainly about the raiding of cattle. Now the conflict between neighbouring rural clans is about securing pasture and water, and also for territorial integrity and power. The main problem we face is that rainfall in the past five years has not been enough and has resulted in consecutive years of poor harvests. The lack of rain has also impacted on the availability of pasture and water for animals."
Lorenzo Pavon Carballo, 65
El Pochote, Masaya, Nicaragua
"In the past, the climate used to be much fresher, with more dependable rain. We hardly used to need fertiliser to produce good crops. Now everything has changed. This year we lost our first harvest because there was too much rain, and then the second either failed completely or produced only small quantities because there wasn't enough. A lot of this is due to deforestation. You see trucks loaded with trees coming out of the mountains."
Pham Thi Tuyen, 30
Coastal commune Da Loc, Vietnam
"When the typhoon came, we were instructed to move to a safer place. I already lost one son in another typhoon. He was 10, but couldn't swim and he died in the flood. My newborn child was just one month old at that time [typhoon Damrey in 2005] - so when we got this warning we immediately moved to my uncle's house in Yen Dong village, some kilometres inland from the coast. When I came back, my house was completely destroyed and only the pig shed walls were still standing."
Oliveria Aguilar Perez, 53
Tepexi, Mexico
"Before, the rainy season was May to October but now we are lucky to get two months when it rains. It's also a lot hotter now. Twenty years ago, it was intensely hot throughout March and April, but now it's that hot all year - even when it rains. Climate change has affected us a lot because it has brought with it dryness. There used to be more vegetation because in this region we used to grow avocados and dragon fruit, but now they don't grow anymore. We are seeing increasing extensions of dry areas with no plants or trees. In most of them, all you can find are cacti, because they can stand droughts."
Seidou Samba Guindo, 67
Chief of Anakila village, northern Mali
"We have seen big changes in the past ten years - less rain but when it comes it's heavier. We remember the days when farms flourished and all was beautiful. God help us from having to move our families. The dunes are eating our land; we will never grow a good harvest. We need help - emergency help. My message [to Cancun] is that there have been many meetings, but no agreement. As the dune is consuming our village, they must find a solution."
Rahima Mai, 45
South Punjab, Pakistan
"This year we had very heavy rains. Waters started to rise and soon it reached the edge of our village. We knew it was going to be a big flood, but no one had guessed it would destroy our homes and take away our livestock. When I first looked at my destroyed home, I started to scream and cry. I sat on the ground, asking, 'Why did it have to happen to us poor people?' Now we are back, but everything is ruined. I have even sold my goats as I need money to buy food. My son goes to the city every day looking for work, but returns empty-handed. I fear for his safety. Flood waters took away all I had. I am too tired to start over."
Abbas Ali, 11
Lower Assam, India
"I go into the water to collect fish, even during the floods. My mother told me the floods used to bring many interesting fish from the upper parts of Assam. Now, the floods make the waters dark and muddy, and the fish are hard to find. I swim to the shallow places and wait silently for the fish to come. You have to be careful during the floods. The waters are too angry and they can pull you down. I like to go with other fisher boys to the slow waters."
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Khalis Shareef, 34
Maldives, Indian Ocean
"Erosion is our biggest problem. Ten houses are going to be gone in the next three years because of beach erosion. No one can do anything about it, apart from big governments. Also, it is hotter now than ever before, and that causes coral damage, leaving fish with nowhere to live, so they go and live in areas where people throw garbage into the ocean, and then that affects our fishermen. Our island is 7.5km long, and there is erosion taking place along 6km of it. In 10 years it will have affected so many houses and people will not be able to live there."
Claire Anterea, 32
Kiribati, Pacific Ocean
"Living in Kiribati, we understand the impacts of climate change as we already experience them - increased coastal erosion with many houses having had to relocate inland. Many sea walls have been built by people themselves, and by the government in public places. How long will these sea walls last? No one knows. I was in North Tarawa, where the main source of fresh water - well water - is becoming contaminated with salt water. They now import from neighbouring villages, but they can't afford to do this for very long."
Batisse Dassa, 33
Shebedino, Ethiopia
"The main problem for us is lack of arable land. My husband has several brothers, so he only inherited a small area. We produce very little food. There is now less precipitation during the rainy season, and when the rain does come, it is sporadic - sometimes crops die halfway through their growth period. Many of the poorest in the area have cut down the trees above our home. If we receive rains after long dry periods, the soil may be washed out."
Chelimo Pokoti, 9
Tangulbei, northern Kenya
"For two years, there has been no rain and the only plants that grow are poisonous loma berries. The first step is to take off the outer shells and dry them for four hours. After that, we take off the next layer. Then we boil them for 12 hours. Next, we wash off the poisonous water. The last step is to take off one more layer. Making a meal is hard work."
... and a dozen reasons to be cheerful
The bad news is that there is no sign of a UN deal to unite the world against climate change any time soon. The good news is that governments, businesses and people around the world are taking matters into their own hands.
Here is a reminder of reasons to be cheerful, even in the absence of an international legally binding agreement on reducing carbon emissions.
China The largest single investor in green energy in the G20 group. It will invest $1trn in green technology from 2010-2013. More than 1.6 million LED lights are being used in 21 cities in a pilot scheme that will save 164kWh in electricity a year; an eco-city is being built in Tianjin; and renewable energy projects, such as solar power, right, are in place.
The anaconda A 200m rubber tube capable of producing one megawatt of power from wave power. A cluster of 50 coastal anacondas could generate enough power for 50,000 homes. Professor Rod Rainey, who devised the tube, and his colleagues are looking for investors to back commercial production.
Rice Millions will escape hunger and poverty within 25 years by developing new varieties of "climate-ready" rice able to survive in the face of climate change. The new research programme, by the Global Rice Science Partnership (Grisp), aims to lift 150 million people out of poverty by 2035 and prevent the emission of greenhouse gases by an amount equivalent to more than a billion tons of carbon dioxide.
Sea tubes Two environmental scientists, James Lovelock and Chris Rapley, have a plan to dot oceans with hundreds of millions of 200m tubes which would bring nutrients from the deep up to the surface, encouraging algae to bloom. This would suck carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and lock it away.
Giant mirrors in space Scientists at the Royal Society have proposed artificially altering the climate by using a series of giant mirrors or a constellation of trillions of space craft as a sunshade to reflect solar energy. A 2009 study said the idea was "technically possible".
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently fought off attempts by climate sceptics and lobby groups to derail new state legislation to curb carbon emissions and promote clean energy. A defiant Schwarzenegger said: "The environment is not for sale."
Mirrors in the desert At a cost of £20bn over 10 years, scientists suggest laying vast sheets of reflective material over 1.2 million square miles of the Sahara desert. This would counter the fact that only 30 per cent of sunlight is reflected back into the sky naturally.
Investors The world's largest global investors are calling for national and international policies that will spur private investment into low-carbon technologies. Allianz and HSBC are among the largest-ever group of investors to call for government action. Global clean-energy investments are expected to top $200bn this year, but must rise to $500bn a year by 2020 to restrict warming to below 2C.
Earth sunglasses In 2007, Dr Roger Angel secured Nasa funding for a pilot project, for a £244trn project involving using a huge cannon with a barrel 0.6 miles across to fire trillions of mirrors a million miles above the Earth. These would reduce the sun's rays hitting the Earth by about 2 per cent.
Cars HSBC bank predicts 8.65 million electric vehicles and 9.23 million plug-in and hybrid electric vehicles will be sold globally in 2020, up from 5,000 and 657,000 respectively last year.
Solar power in the desert In 2006 German scientists Dr Gerhard Knies and Dr Franz Trieb calculated that covering 0.5 per cent of the world's deserts with concentrated solar power technology could provide the world with all its electricity needs.
Carbon capture At a cement plant in Texas, construction is under way on a $115m Capitol-SkyMine project billed as the world's first for-profit carbon capture plant, which converts CO2 into baking soda. The plant, due to be finished in 2012, is expected to capture 75,000 tons of CO2 and mineralise the CO2 emissions as baking soda.


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We found the help
we needed
These services include individual and group treatment for mental health and/or substance abuse problems. Our licensed professionals are trained in providing integrated treatment of co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders using best and promising practices that promote holistic health.
For a schedule of group therapies or to make an appointment, call
(941) 331-2530 ~ Sarasota
(941) 492-4300 ~ North Port


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FAITH Sermon Notes
Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe
Oct. 25, 2015
Rev. Jenni Walker
As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd,
Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus,
sat by the roadside begging.
On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth,
he began to cry out and say,
"Jesus, son of David, have pity on me."
And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent.
But he kept calling out all the more,
"Son of David, have pity on me."
Jesus stopped and said, "Call him."
So they called the blind man, saying to him,
"Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you."
He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.
Jesus said to him in reply, "What do you want me to do for you?"
The blind man replied to him, "Master, I want to see."
Jesus told him, "Go your way; your faith has saved you."
Immediately he received his sight
and followed him on the way.
As many of you know, we have just returned from a week in Salt Lake City, at the Parliament of the World's Religions. This was a huge event, with about 9,000 people from all over the world from almost every religion you know, and many even we had never heard of. The Parliament began in 1893, took a long break, but since 1993 has been meeting every 5 years somewhere in the world. When we found out it was going to be in the US, we knew we had to go. Seminarians Rob and Lian, parishioners Rahmaneh and Shaktipriya, Tony and LaVette, and our musician today Mary, and her partner Ullas, who has played for our interfaith mass in the past, also came. (We all shared a house, along with some new friends who came from California, Colorado, and North Carolina.) Indigenous cultures were honored and highlighted, with several of the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers there. In fact one of the focuses of this Parliament was Woman's Spirituality and Women's equal rights, and for the first time in Parliament history, the entire opening day was devoted to this (Show badge with Women's Inaugural Assembly). Even Paganism was well represented (we attended a Bridgid ritual- St. Bridgid crosses between early Celtic Christianity and the Culture that pre-dated Christianity in those lands).
In addition to a particular focus on empowering women, and freeing them from oppression, this Parliament was about "working together for a world of Compassion, Peace, Justice, and Sustainability". Many big name people spoke and led sessions: Jane Goodall, Marianne Williamson, Michael Beckwith, and Matthew Fox, to name a few. It will take us some time to integrate all we learned and experienced, to follow up on all the heart connections we made with people there, and to share it with you as we continue to clarify how we might live out our unique call to work on these issues.
Today's gospel reminds us of the power of Faith. I think what is impossible to ignore when people of all faiths surround you, is that humanity cannot seem to live without faith. Faith enables us to feel safe, and to feel that we are part of something larger than just our individual lives. Faith is not just about Faith in something, but it is a way of living, with trust and openness. Faith does not belong to one religion, but rather is the way we humans live out all our religions. As I have said before, I am a Perennialist. This means, just like flowers that come back year after year, I see that the Divine cannot help but return through every culture and time. I am a disciple of the Master Jesus, Yeshua, and I believe he has a unique role in the unfolding drama of Human life on this planet, and in the Eternal Cosmos. But my faith in Him does not need to lesson the power of the unique role of other prophets, enlightened Masters, and teachings that have emerged throughout history and continue to emerge even in our day. The action of the Divine through different forms actually increases my faith in an omniscient Godhead.
The experience of Love overflowing throughout this Parliament was, as one person put it, like experiencing Heaven on Earth. It truly increased everyone's faith that we can create a world of Harmony and Love. The subtitle for the Parliament was "Reclaiming the Heart of our Humanity", and we truly experienced that, at least during this Parliament. Now, the work of all of us who attended is to go back into our communities and continue that good Heart work.
Now today, we have Baptisms. While we celebrate the joy of these souls saying yes to a life in Christ, we also proclaim that the role of Christ is to bring us all into the Oneness of Love. And our test, as evolving Christians, as we come to understand the true teachings of the heart of Jesus, is to live out our Faith in ways that open us and everyone we meet, to the experience of being One. To the experience of being One Humanity, One Creation. Forever interconnected. Let our Faith be demonstrated not by separation, by feeling like we are now part of the right club. But rather, let our Faith demonstrate our understanding that the God of Love is our model, and is our Way. Our Faith should bring us closer to others, should open our hearts to all creatures and the whole of this beautiful Creation we are a part of. Let us be faithful to the Call of Love, that we might truly work together with each other, and people of all faiths, to create that world of Compassion, of Peace, of Justice, and of Sustainability on this planet, our home. May those who are baptized today be emboldened to live as shining examples of the Way of Love that Jesus teaches us!


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A new book by Dirk Van Hulle and Mark Nixon
|Interior of Samuel Beckett's study in Paris. Photograph: John Minihan
Time, space, and money being finite quantities in this world, the books that a person chooses to surround oneself with become a fascinating glimpse into the life of that mind. Far more than the everyday biographical details of a life (what one ate, whom one slept with), a person's library is an indication of what concerns continue to possess him through time.Also at A Piece of Monologue:
Readers will have a new glimpse into Samuel Beckett's mind with the publication of Samuel Beckett's Library by Dirk Van Hulle and Mark Nixon, due to be released by Cambridge University Press in May. Van Hulle and Nixon conducted a census of the 750 books in Beckett's collection, noting marginalia and other manuscript material. [Read More]


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Selected by Ander Mikalson (A '12) (with help)
We had originally planned for our first meeting to attend a performance by the loved & missed reading-group-regular Ander and her collaborator Carey Denniston, but it was rescheduled. It is now this Friday and Saturday at Kate Werble Gallery (more info).
Ander and Carey compiled a booklet of essays to accompany the exhibition—and, in Ander's words, "It's hard to find tools for dismantling these deeply entrenched systems and these texts have helped us." While all the texts are valuable (I felt the last one in particular was really helpful), it's probably too much for one week.
For the next meeting we will be reading the first essay in the booklet, White Woman Feminst, which defines and deconstructs "whiteliness" in a way that can be practically useful in navigating contemporary issues with so-called allyship.
We hope that this essay, with Ander's performance, informs and expands our ideas of "white activism," ideally in a positive, or at least productive, way.
White Woman Feminist by Marilyn Frye
From Willful Virgin: Essays in Feminism (The Crossing Press 1992), reprinted in White Knuckle exhibition booklet compiled by Denniston Mikalson, pages 2-19 (in the PDF)
Denniston Mikalson, White Knuckle
Kate Werble Gallery
83 Vandam Street, New York, NY
Friday, February 3rd, 6-8 PM & Saturday, February 4th, 2-6 PM
Friday, February 10, 6:00PM, 136 W. 22nd Street (basement)
please let me know if you're attending!
Paige & Haley & Ander


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Color your home with happiness/
Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press• June 6, 2015
Color is pretty much my life.
I live with a fan deck in my hand and I constantly pull it out wherever I go to match colors, to plan a color palette or just because I see a color or a fabric that I want for a client.
As a Fort Myers interior decorator, I do more color consultations than any other design service. And there is one big reason for that: Color is the most difficult challenge for most homeowners. Get it right and the results are pure joy. Get it wrong and you will always feel like something is off in your home. And it is. Really off. If the color is not right, nothing else matters. Trust me on this.
Color is the first thing we notice about a home. Does your color make you happy every time you walk in the door?
Having the right color palette in your home is the difference between a happy home and one that says "hope you can live with me."
And it's not easy. It can be daunting. Color just plain stumps most people. So, if you are one of those people, and most of you are, I have a few tips to consider when selecting color. Follow these tips and you will be ready to take the plunge. Or not. You may also be ready to call in a professional who can help you sort it all out and remove the stress. After all, color creates a happy home and process should be fun.
Here we go with my favorite "don'ts."
- Don't ask a painter or a paint store to help you select color. They sell paint. Not color. They are not decorators or designers. They are painters who put paint on the wall or paint sellers. Simply put, they know how to paint a house and can tell you the best kind of paint to use but they just don't know how to select color.
- Don't select a color from one of those itsy bitsy fan deck samples or tiny swatches. You must (and this is non-negotiable) test the color by painting a large area or a foam core board.
- Don't just throw the paint on the wall and make a decision. I insist that my clients "live" with the test color for a few days. Light changes throughout the day and is different in each room and that must be taken into consideration.
Now for some do's.
- Make a plan for the room (or house) before you look at color. You have to start somewhere when designing an empty room and that should not be with the paint color. Select furnishings, fabric, counter tops and other finishesand even a few accessories and THEN look at color. I have clients who call and ask me to have an entire new home painted by next week before they select furniture. You may love that pretty coral paint but what happens when you fall in love with a sofa that doesn't relate to the color? Answer: you have to repaint. We want to avoid that costly mistake! If you want coral, accessories may be the best way to go.
- Forget this rule. It's just not true. I don't know who started it but painting small spaces a dark color does NOT make the room look smaller. My favorite: powder rooms done in dark hues.
- It's fun to break decorating rules but this is one I never stray from: when selecting a color palette, follow nature as your guide. Mother Nature has perfected the color palette soimitate her. This is a rule I always follow. If it's not a color found in nature, forget it.
- Stick with two or three (at the most colors for your home. The result: Beautiful and restful. You can add more color with accessories. Don't try to put all of your color on the walls. Tip: the right pillows will change any room!
- Connect your rooms. Don't make each room a completely different color. You want to have a plan so the house makes sense. An idea my clients seem to like: paint all of the main rooms (living room, entry, kitchen) a neutral shade. Use color in the bathrooms, bedrooms and den. I also like to paint the master bedroom and bath in coordinated shades to give it a hotel/master suite feeling.
- One current trend that I love and encourage my clients to try: No more white ceilings! Check out the decorating magazines. We are now using color on the ceilings or a cream shade. No more super white.
- My latest color crush: Boca Raton Blue by Benjamin Moore. I can't think of a room that shouldn't have a little of this color. At least paint a front door (on both sides) or an entry ceiling.
- Consider undertones. All color is not created equal. Look at the number of whites that you can select from on a fan deck. The reason a color works or does not work: undertones.
- When in doubt, go neutral. This never fails. Neutral walls with stronger hues in fabric and accessories. And if you really have doubts and don't know where to start, call a professional. They will help you nail it.
Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator. Home Inspirations appears the first Saturday of each month. Visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com. For more decorating tips and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog. And to see a selection of her favorite color palettes, go to www.pinterest.com/wrendagoodwyn


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From my notebook
"… Today isn't really about valentines day, it's about something I truly realized today. I pretty much realized that all I see, all my experiences are big gifts. This 'gap year' I'm having is giving me so much to learn from. To learn, to enjoy.
It takes a simple couple, married for 52 years, to make me smile and enjoy life with its roads. There are so many people out there and they all have different stories.
And I love to listen to those stories.
How they're made.
How life made them.
How they made life.
What in life, their lives, makes them sparkle while they talk about it?
What makes you sparkle?
I never wanted an ordinary 'normal' life. But what is an ordinary life?
Isn't life as ordinary as you want life to feel?
It perfectly fits my thoughts.
– Johanna
p.s. No love – real love – is ordinary


text: HY Tyne Update Posted on 29th July 2014 by Mike Wade The shipwrights from T. Nielsen of Gloucester arrived yesterday and have set to removing bronze and copper pins and some planking to allow the surveyor to inspect the Hull. So far, I am pleased to say they have found nothing that we did not expect and the timbers remain in surprisingly good condition. They intend […] Read the full article


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Preparing for our AGM - words from our Co-Chair Alex
My dear Mum and Dad used to say that I should make the most of every waking minute because time goes by so quickly… It doesn't seem a year since we were preparing for Action Hampshire's 2015 AGM and time has flown by!
This has been another challenging and busy year for Action Hampshire. Like many not for profit organisations, we have been subject to further funding cuts. This has focused the minds of the Trustees and senior management team. As a Board, our aim has been to ensure that Action Hampshire delivers an effective service to its members. We are in the midst of a strategic review which encompasses future delivery of services as well as diversifying our expertise to attract commercial interest. More of this will be covered at the AGM.
In the meantime, I do want to thank Sue Dovey, our CEO, her senior management team and the entire staff at Action Hampshire for their hard work and commitment. Furthermore, I would like to say a big thank you to my Trustees who have been hugely supportive throughout the year.
Looking forward to meeting many of you at our AGM on 17th November.
(Joint Chair, Action Hampshire)


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Treat Yourself!
We've got THREE awesome December deals!
1. FREE Cacao Crunch with purchase of $25 gift card.
2. FREE Truce Morning Greens candle with purchase of $100 gift card.
3. FREE $20 gift card with purchase of 3 day cleanse (order placed by December 28th, scheduled whenever you'd like!)


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Most companies seem to sell out or nearly so, so the festival is doing very well. I wish they would get air conditioning, though. They have none and that seems needlessly hard on both dancers and audience.
Last edited by Open Book; Feb-11-2019 at 22:49.
Why do you think so? Is this a conclusion you arrived at on your own or is it something you were taught?
As for dance being perceived to be feminine, maybe this is true for ballet, but not for all types of dance, and not everywhere in the world. Is break dancing considered feminine?
Last year we had The Nutcracker here in Jerusalem, still working on visiting Bolshoi one day!
At the end, when they've not only accepted each other for who they are but that time has passed them and that they are nearing the end of what they have together, they, in time with the rhythmic, melancholic movement, came together, all of their shadows coming and meeting to form one unified silhouette as the piece, and their lives, drew to a close. It was so beautiful and romantic, and since I saw it in my first couple of weeks after moving here to be with my husband I found it overwhelming.
Are tickets so expensive in European countries? Is there more support for the arts there?
I just bought tickets for the Australian Ballet. The price was about the same. And, as I recall, the Royal Ballet may even be more expensive.
One more thing . . . did you mean Hamilton?
On the other hand, you can pay just £10 (= $13) to stand behind the very back row of the stalls (actually surprisingly comfortable as there are padded sections of the back wall to rest against). That's very good for ballet as long as you are long-sighted, but it is less good for opera as the overhang of the floor above prevents you from seeing the surtitles above the stage. It's also a good way to explore an unfamiliar work without having spent too much cash if you end up not enjoying it.
Last edited by Marsilius; Mar-12-2019 at 06:53.
The hype in the newspapers made us curious.
Well done by the makers and principal artiest
Not to be missed by ballet lovers.
Spent a mostly joyful evening at NYCB last night. Ratmansky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" and Justin Peck's "Rodeo: Four Episodes" are explosions of dance (and in the case of "Pictures," of color). When the Hoedown music from "Rodeo" started and Sara Mearns skyrocketed onto the stage, I wanted to get up and dance yourself.
(The less said about the third ballet, the better.)
As a ballet dancer, it's hard to get people in the audience - even music lovers and patrons of other arts. Ballet is viewed as long and stuffy, and many people struggle with watching ballets where they don't fully understand the story (because, quite frankly, most ballets do a crap job of explaining the story/crafting choreography in a way to make it accessible). It's definitely hard to get men in the audience - a lot of our patrons are moms and daughters (typically dancers themselves, or they want to be) and older, wealthier ladies.
And also, there's the main barrier. Many cities do not have ballets, and the places that do, they're typically quite expensive. Even if your city has a ballet performance, and it's in your price range, and you don't find ballet boring (because many people unfortunately do), it can be intimidating/hard to experience a type of art you haven't experienced before.


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In the UK, we have a tradition that as soon as we get a flake of snow it's 'traffic chaos'. Today is not one of those days where people over-react. Yesterday, I travelled to Kent and back, as I approached my destination it began to snow, and then it got heavier. The snowfall wasn't deep, but it was slippery. The road has people who are unused to driving on snow and cars tend to go sideways.
Nevertheless, I reached my destination.
Within about 10 miles of leaving for home, the snow had cleared. I got home at about 5:30pm. Mrs Murk went to a neaby town that evening, and at about 9pm I set out to pick her up. It had begun to snow here. I was taking it easy, being overtaken by people doing 60. Inevitably one of those guys crashed and blocked the road - it was really slippery, and by the time it was clear she'd have been better off getting the train I was fully committed.
It took me two hours to do a journey I would usually do in 20 minutes. On the way back, the main roads had been shut. We ended up taking the back routes, which were clearer.
This morning, I set off extra early - to find the main roads in the area were shut. My alternate routes all involve going over a big hill. I didn't even get that far, cars were wheel-spinning going over a canal bridge. I turned and went home. When I got home, I found that my footprints (made in snow about 6cm deep) were already filled with another 3-4cm.
Yes, it's nowhere near what they see in Alpe d'Huez or Tignes, but it's much rarer here, and so the impact is greater.
An hour later, I found that my workplace has been closed - today is a duvet day.