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Sunday, 30 January 2011
Notella success amid my failures
Firstly I tried Hannah's raw brownies. She raved about them. They looked amazing. I had to try them. I wanted to use up all the dried dates in my cupboard rather than buying medjool dates. Big mistake! I have now learnt that medjool dates give the caramelly flavour. I also didn't measure the ingredients for the avocado frosting and forgot the vanilla essence. This didn't help either.
E was not impressed. He told me, accompanied by his ukelele strumming, that brownies should be warm and gooey not cold. I still have faith in the possibilities of the recipe. Not only does it seem a healthy alternative to rich decadent brownies but, on a 40 C day, I love the idea of bypassing a hot oven. I hope to revisit these someday having learnt my lesson the hard way.
Next I tried Ricki's Chocolate Hazelnut Spread. It took a while to find the hazelnut butter but I found some at the Vic Market nut shop opposite the borek stall. I mixed the hazelnut butter, coconut oil, cocoa and some maple syrup. Tasted ok but not quite sweet enough. I added some agave and it was too sweet. I thought it was another failure and added more cocoa. Hmmm! Maybe more experimenting is needed with cocoa and sweetener balance for me.
Both taste and texture need to be right with notella. Mine was not nearly as creamy as Ricki's. Then I reread her recipe and put it in the food processor. She says to process it for a long time. I don't think I am as patient as Ricki and I felt too guilty at the noise while E was trying to read stories to Sylvia. Even so, it was far more creamy than my first attempt at vegan notella.
Then came my ideas for how to use the notella. I have long wanted to make pumpkin scrolls with nutella inside them. After my fruit mince scrolls success I decided to try these with pumpkin scone dough and my home made notella. First sign that it wasn't working so well was when I tried to spread the notella over the dough. It wasn't really creamy enough.
The scrolls came out of the oven looking good. But the notella didn't really work with the pumpkin scone dough. It dried out a bit and fell away in chunks when eating the scrolls. Even worse was the taste which was a little dark and not quite sweet enough to work in the scroll. I love the pumpkin scones so much that I still enjoyed them (as did Sylvia) but more work is needed before I post a recipe.
My final failure was a pizza. I made a version of Katie's pronto pizza dough (with double the dough but only 1 tsp of yeast). The pizza was great, no doubt thanks to it having to sit while Sylvia needed a cuggle. But the notella again proved unspreadable, not sweet enough and dried out too much in the oven. I didn't have enough blueberries either. Nutella pizza has been something I have wanted to try for ages. Now I want to try again.
So you may be wondering what to do with this notella. Well, it tastes excellent eaten straight off the spoon. When I was at school we were sold small packages of nutella with plastic spoons so I assume this is one way nutella is meant to be eaten. I also think it would work well as a sauce. My other notella attempt was great served with a pear cake and I have seen Ricki use nut spreads as sauce for pancakes.
I still have some notella in the fridge for eating and experiments. Maybe I will just eat it or maybe there will be some successes with it that I can share. Meanwhile I wanted to send the notella to Ricki and Kim for their SoS Kitchen Challenge blog event which is focused on coconut oil this month.
I am also sending the picture of my pumpkin notella scone to the Bake Lady for her scone event. I love scones and wanted to participate but have been cutting back on my baking. When I am baking I have found myself returning to some favourite recipes already blogged, such as my pumpkin scones. It is a recipe I wanted to share, even if I don't quite recommend baking it with this notella. Check out the round up of scones on the BakeLady's blog.
Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (Notella)
adapted from Diet Dessert and Dogs
250g hazelnut butter (mine had a few cashew nuts in it)
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup cocoa (or to taste)
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp agave syrup (or to taste)
1 tsp vanilla essence
Mix hazelnut butter, coconut oil, 2 tbsp cocoa, maple syrup and vanilla essence in the food processor. Check for sweetness and add a tsp of agave at a time and extra cocoa to get your desired taste, depending on whether you love it more or less sweet and dark. Blend until mixture is smooth and quite liquid - this can take some time. Transfer into a tub with a lid and store in the fridge. I have found that mine needs to soften a little before eating either by sitting at room temperature a while or a gentle burl in the microwave.
On the stereo:
The colour of black is black: Stephen Harrison
18 comments:
Oh, successes and failures seem to run through my kitchen just as often. It is always nice to see other people's "flops" - even though yours LOOK delicious! - because it makes me feel better about making them myself! Your version of Ricki's notella look sgreat!
Don't forget to enter your recipe in the LInky!!!!!! You aren't eligible for the giveaway or included in the round up unless you enter your recipe.
xo KimI tried to make a chocolate and sunflower seed spread last week, it would not grind properly, I added a dash of olive oil the it was really bitter so I added a little maple syrup and it spilt. Horrible.
The notella looks great. I shall have to perservere. Practice makes perfect and all of that!Hi Johanna, thanks so much for visiting me at The Kitchenmaid. I love your blog (which I found via Choclette et al) but since I do most of my blog reading with a small child on my knee I don't get to comment (or visit) as much as I'd like!
Well done you for persevering with this - I've been having a few disasters lately too so I know how it feels! Still, your Notella looks pretty good to me (esp eaten off a spoon...). Good luck with using the rest of the jar! LucyI can't stop giggling about the raw brownie photo, even though I know I shouldn't! It's so crumbly and dry, and the icing looks rock hard?! You have a talent there, my dear Johanna ;)
Honestly, though, I'm so impressed that when you make things like the notella, you actually try to use it in recipes. I was actually going to make a chocnut spread this morning but then I decided I need to stop posting about condiments when I only eat them with a spoon :D (So I made snack balls instead)
Thank you for postingthe failures as well as successes - it's good to know I'm not the only person who makes mistakes!I admire your tenacity, Johanna. I'm afraid I would have given up right from the get go.
A lesson learned is always a success when shared with others. Thanks for that!!!
P.S. I hope to be emailing you one day this week. I found a few duplicate books in my collection you might find interesting...Thanks Joanne - chocolate is so good when it works and so horrid when it doesn't - but am glad it was cocoa rather than chocolate that went into these recipes
Thanks Kim - glad it is comforting for others to see my flops - and have put up my linky - am very late for SOS challenge this month but just got there
Thanks Helen - good to hear I am not alone in food going wrong - try the notella if you get the chance - and yes perseverance is powerful - I loved your recent post about persevering with pastry and thought so many successful people I admire got there by practicing and just doing it
Thanks Brownievillegirl - the failures make successes all the sweeter :-)
Thanks Kitchen Maid - lovely to hear from you - I do a lot of reading while battling a small child who is eager to thump my keyboard so I am very understanding of how there are limits to how much you can surf and comment - glad to report the spoonfuls of notella are excellent so the jar will not last long - now that is success!
Thanks Lisa - I think Canberra has had it worse than us but our fridge is being pushed to the limit with the heat because it is full of stuff I would normally keep at room temp - esp our chocolate!!!
Thanks Girl on raw - I love the idaa of home made nut butter but never thought my food processor capable even if I had the patience
Thanks Hannah - I was really pleased when E said the mixture looked like dirt because you said it should but I was less pleased when the final brownie still looked like dirt:-( Funny you feel you shouldn't just eat condiments on a spoon because I sometimes worry I make them too complex in using them in recipes - though I had intended some more recipes for the notella that might not happen because it is very good off the spoon
Thanks Louise - a love of baking with chocolate keeps me going :-) am curious to hear about your surplus books!
Thanks Lorraine - I must get some medjool dates - don't think I have ever had them - am a little jealous of your freezer now!I always get quiote disheartened when things don't work for me the first time. I need to learn the art of 'under development' lol. But hey, notella - a total success! Will be giving this a try for sure.
PS - I have a batch of mincemeat muffins in the oven as I type from your post on the 18th Jan. They smell sooooo good I can't wait for them to hurry up and bake!Thanks Rachel - spoon is best but I keep seeing recipes I want to try! Then I don't have energy and just return to spooning it straight from the tub
Thanks chele - like the idea of failures as just work in progress and hope you love the notella and the muffins - I can smell them now that you mention them and they are great
Thanks Lawyer Loves Lunch - does seem good to share the odd disaster but I'll keep a few quiet :-)I would say you made it a definite success in the end! I actually put my notella in the blender AFTER I use the food processor to really, really smooth it out. ;) But it tastes good either way. And the scrolls look good, even if you weren't fussy on them. I was wondering what the difference was between a roll (as in cinnamon roll) and scroll? Anyway, thanks for submitting this to the Challenge (even though I'm so late on commenting that it's now over!)


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Last Modified: Thursday, April 18, 2013 3:27 PM
BATON ROUGE (AP) — Gov. Bobby Jindal says he'll veto any cigarette tax increase that wins passage from lawmakers, unless it's coupled with a corresponding cut in taxes somewhere else.
Jindal reiterated Thursday that he will oppose anything he considers a net increase in state tax revenue.
A few weeks ago, the Republican governor was pushing for a $1.05-per pack increase in Louisiana's 36-cent cigarette tax — but he proposed the idea as part of a list of tax hikes that he wanted to offset the cost of repealing the state income tax.
The tax repeal appears dead for the session, and Jindal has abandoned his complex tax swap plan.
However, lawmakers are still considering a series of tobacco tax hikes. The House Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to review proposals Monday.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Mangino Vs. A Tiger: Who Ya Got?skeets11/24/07 5:30pmFiled to: Border WarCollege FootballKansas JayhawksMissouri Tigers683EditPromoteShare to KinjaToggle Conversation toolsGo to permalink Bust out the marbles! Tonight it's the unbeaten No. 2 Kansas Jayhawks against the once-beaten No. 3 Missouri Tigers. Can this wild and zany college football season get any crazier? (Answer: Yes.)AdvertisementEven though this BCS mumbo jumbo hurts my brain, I'm pretty sure the winner moves one victory away from a possible spot in the national championship game. The loser might fall to the Cotton Bowl. Or tomorrow's Grey Cup. Who really knows? There's a lot on the line, OK. Hell, they're even making weird Nickelback-like songs about it for crying out loud! (.mp3)And oh, yeah, my sports almanac from the future reads: Kansas 41, Missouri 38. Thanks, Biff! Enjoy the game.Reply683 repliesLeave a reply


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Hotels in Plovdiv
The town of Plovdiv (376 276 inhabitants, 160 m above sea level), is situated in the western part of the Upper Thracian valley.
The town is located 150 km from Sofia, 19 km from Assenovgrad, 102 km from Smolyan, 90 km from Stara Zagora.
It ranks as the second Bulgarian city in population and size after the capital.
Plovdiv hotel accommodation discounts and holiday package deals
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Exotic Park and SPA hotel 4* | 2 Jan - 1 Jun | Тwo-day spa package DBL room, BB |
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Upcoming events in Plovdiv
- International Fair Plovdiv 2011- new events
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If you're curious about whether the food you're munching on is the product of gene-splicing scientists, don't expect the Food and Drug Administration to allay those fears.
The Washington Post reports it won't slap "genetically modified" labels on salmon that have been created with genes from different species of fish because the modified salmon are not materially different than the non-mutant fish.
The Post reports the issue came up because the FDA is in the process of approving a fast-growing X-salmon known as AquAdvantage that benefits from a gene of an eel-like fish and a growth hormone from a Chinook salmon.
Do you care whether or not your genetically altered meat is labeled as such?
FDA rules won't require labeling of genetically modified salmon [The Washington Post via The Raw Story]
(Thanks, Michael!)


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The Body January 22, 2001 (White) Written by:Joss Whedon |
Teaser |
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DOWNSTAIRS - DAY Buffy enters, dropping her coat and her bag. Mom? Hey... She notices a bouquet of flowers near the door, moves to them curiously. There is a card, and she reads it. ANGLE: THE CARD Reads: "Thank you for a lovely evening. See you soon (?) -- Brian." Buffy smiles with only a tinge of sadness, mutters to herself: Still a couple of nice guys out there... She moves to the bottom of the stairs, calling out: Hey, flower-gettin' lady! You want me to pick up Dawn at school? Mom? She doesn't see that her mother is on the couch behind her, sprawled out in a way that doesn't quite look like sleep. Buffy finally turns, sees her, moving toward her. Oh! Mom. What are you doing? Buffy stops. Mom? ANGLE: JOYCE Her eyes are wide open. Her skin is pale, almost bluish. She does not move. Buffy doesn't either. She stands, rooted, as realization begins to creep in. Mom? There is no movement. Buffy's voice is little. Mommy? BLACK OUT. |
Act One |
INT. BUFFY'S DINING ROOM/KITCHEN - NIGHT Christmas dinner. Or what's left of it, the carcass of a fine bird lying amidst the clutter of largely emptied dishes. Christmas decorations highlight the room, which is lit softly with candles and Christmas lights. (The kitchen is similarly lit -- the whole atmosphere is warm and homey). Around the table sit BUFFY, Anya, Dawn, Xander, Willow and Tara, with Joyce and Giles at the heads of the table. Joyce, Giles and Buffy are rising, the meal finished. (The plates are gone except for Xander who's still picking, and Giles, who will carry his into the kitchen.) I think we're just about ready for pie. And then I'll be pretty much ready for barf! Xander! (to Joyce) I'll give you a hand. (over Buffy) Gross! No, no, barf from eating, 'cause all was good, and too much goodness -- I'm taking it as a compliment. Yes, everything was delicious... Much assent from the crowd. Yes, I'm going to barf too! (affectionately sarcastic) Everyone's so sweet. She, Buffy and Giles exit as the dialogue continues: How're you doing there, Will? Are you in the barf club? I had too much nog. Oh, baby, do you want me to rub your tummy? (to Xander and Anya) She likes it when I... stop explaining things. This has passed over Dawn's head -- she looks in her nearly empty glass of nog. My nog tasted funny. I think I got one with rum in it. That's bad. Yeah, now Santa's gonna pass you right by, naughty boozehound. He always passes me by. Something always puts him off. Could be the big honkin' menorah. (to Dawn) Did you write him a letter? What'd you ask for? Uh, guys, hello? Puberty? Sort of figured out the "no Santa" thing. That's a myth. Yeah. No, it's a myth that it's a myth. There is a Santa Claus. Advantage of a thousand year old girlfriend. Inside scoop. There's a Santa Claus? Been around since, like, the 1500's. I mean, he wasn't always called Santa, but, Christmas night, flying reindeer, coming down the chimney -- all true. Everyone is quietly blown away by this. All true? Well, he doesn't traditionally bring presents so much as, you know, disembowel children, but, otherwise... As they take this in... (meekly) Well, the reindeer part was nice... ...the camera moves into the kitchen, where Joyce is pulling a second pie out of the oven as Buffy is pulling plates from the cupboard. The pie is burnt around the edges. Dammit, I hate this oven. It's burnt. She sets it on a hotplate on the edge of the counter. (looking) No, it's just... blackened. It's Cajun pie. Giles proffers a bottle of red wine. Shall I open another? Do you think we dare? Hey, as long as you two stay off the band candy, I'm cool with anything. Giles and Joyce share an affectionately embarrassed look as Giles crosses out with the bottle. (to Buffy) You are a demon child. I live to torment you. Is that so wrong? It's a daughter's duty, I suppose... She gives her a squeeze and little kiss on the head as she says it. Buffy takes up a spatula, looking at the pie. See, look, we can just cut off the burnt part of the crust -- She tries and the pie immediately tips off the counter to the floor and the two women SHRIEK -- SMASH CUT TO: INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DOWNSTAIRS - DAY ANGLE: JOYCE'S FACE Is cold, staring. There is silence. Buffy stands a moment, then rushes to her mother's side -- Mom! Mom! -- shaking her, grabbing her face, feeling her head, listening for breath, an unconscious mantra running under her own breath: Mommommommommommommommommom... She feels for a pulse in the neck, not really sure what she's doing, panic rising, finally she shrieks: MOM! as if to wake the dead. A moment, Buffy breathing hard, then she gets up, makes her way, quickly but not altogether steadily, to the kitchen. Grabs the phone, dials 911 as she reenters the living room -- ANGLE: BUFFY'S POV coming around the corner, seeing the body again... Buffy moves closer, slowing down, not sure what to do as the phone rings -- 911 Emergency -- Hello? Do you have -- It's my mom. She's not, she's not breathing! Is she conscious? No, I can't -- she's not breathing -- Okay, I need you to give me your address -- What? I'm gonna send an ambulance over -- 1630 Revello. It's a, a house. Revello near Hadley. I'm sending a unit right away. Are you alone in the house? Yes -- And did you see what happened? Did she fall? No, I came home -- what do I do? Do you know how to administer CPR? I -- I don't remember -- Okay, it's very simple. You want to tilt your mother's head back. Cover her mouth with yours and breath into her mouth -- Yeah, yeah, I know this, God -- She drops the phone on the table, appalled that she didn't do this sooner -- rushing to Joyce and tilting her head back, she puts her mouth to hers and blows, twice. Then pressing her palms to the middle of Joyce's chest she pumps, rapidly 15 times. She breathes again, then pumps, more powerfully. ANGLE: HER HANDS ON JOYCE'S CHEST We hear something CRACK. Oh God... She scrambles for the phone again. Something cracked! I did it too hard -- are you there? Hello? Something broke! Is she breathing? No! Paramedics should be there in a moment. You might have cracked a rib, it's not important -- She's cold. (slight beat) The body is cold? No, mom -- should I make her warm? There is the slightest change in tone from the operator. Less urgency. No, if she's not responding to the CPR, best thing is to wait for the paramedics, okay? Well, when are they coming? They're very nearby. Buffy hears a car approaching - stands to look out the window -- but it just passes. Buffy pauses. She is only slightly shaking. Puts the phone back to her ear. 911 OPERATOR (cont'd; O.S.) BUFFY She hangs up, her expression a bit blank. Looks down at the phone to dial it. EXTREME CLOSE UP: THE PHONE The camera moves toward the rows of numbers. There is a rushing sound, almost as of the surf. EXTREME CLOSE UP: BUFFY Looking down at the phone. Not dialing. Something settling in her face. The rushing noise subsides. She dials, and on the second ring: Hello? Giles. You have to come. Buffy? She's at the house. She hangs up as a siren becomes audible in the distance. She moves quickly to the door, opening it and looking out. ANGLE: JOYCE'S FACE Still immobile. DISSOLVE TO: Buffy at the door. Looking increasingly lost. Also still. A moment at the door and she comes back into the living room. Looks at Joyce's body -- the camera MOVES QUICKLY TOWARD JOYCE. Then a reverse moving toward Buffy. Hitting her anew. She notices Joyce's skirt is hiked up in a slightly unseemly way. Quickly she rushes over and straightens it out, starting back up almost guiltily as two PARAMEDICS enter. She's in here -- They rush over to the body. The first one feels for a pulse in the neck and wrist while the second moves the coffee table out of the way. We mostly stay on Buffy during this, seeing quick close ups of the paramedics and their process, little details that Buffy observes more than the whole event. I'm getting no pulse. Let's lay her out... They grab her at shoulders and legs, lay her on the floor. Buffy makes a motion to help, but it's clear there's nothing she can do. The first paramedic starts CPR -- CLOSE ON: BUFFY Watching as CLOSE ON: JOYCE'S MOUTH Covered by a stranger's. The second paramedic gets equipment ready -- ambu bag, defib -- while asking questions. How long has she been like this? I -- I found her -- a few minutes -- Was she conscious? No, she -- no. I'm bagging her -- What? We're gonna intubate, just trying to get her to breathe. Is this your mother? Yes. Does she have any serious physical health problems, any history -- No, I mean, she, there was a tumor. Brain tumor -- She had an operation and now she's fine. She's been fine. CLOSE ON: The tube going into Joyce's mouth. An oxygen mask covers it. The second paramedic moves to help his partner, hooking up a pulse monitor. Buffy watches... CLOSE ON: THE FIRST PARAMEDIC As he shoots a look at the second. Not happening. Joyce suddenly coughs, raking in gasps of air as the paramedics nearly jump -- We got her! HE PULLS THE TUBE FROM HER MOUTH. The second paramedic grabs a board to carry her -- Let's get her on the truck NOW! (barely a whisper) Buffy... I'm right here! She gets as close as she can while the men work, almost weeping with joy. Man, we never brought one back that late -- INT. AMBULANCE - DAY As it races along, Buffy by Joyce's side, the paramedics working around them -- It's a miracle, that's what it is, a beautiful miracle -- INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY As Buffy and Dawn crowd round their mother lovingly and the doctor beams at them -- Good as new... Oh, Buffy, thank god you found me... INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DOWNSTAIRS - DAY We're back. It's very quiet. The paramedics are working silently. Buffy watches. The monitor is flatlined still. Buffy sees the second say quietly to the first (SLO MO C.U.:) She's cold, man... They work a bit longer. Finally: Call it. He gets up to face Buffy. I'm sorry... What else? What now? What do we... I'm sorry, but I have to tell you that your mother is dead. Buffy clenches her jaw, using every muscle in her body not to collapse. It looks like she did die a good while before you found her, there's nothing you could have done. What did I... I'm guessing it may have been an aneurism, or some clotting, some complication from surgery, she probably felt very little pain. I'm gonna call it in, the coroner's office will come by to take her in and they'll determine the cause of death conclusively. The first paramedic has been packing up. His radio squawks: Dispatch seven, we have a 206, what's your status? (into radio) We're moving. Location is Beaumont and Ninth, your vic is on the street, go now. Okay. (to the second paramedic) We gotta fly. They have their stuff gathered. I'm gonna call right away, but the coroner's office could take a little while. The police may come too, for a report. In the meanwhile, you should sit, have a glass of water... Try not to disturb the body. Do you need anything? Is there someone you can call? Someone's coming. Let's go. I'm very sorry for your loss. Thank you. And they're out the door. Buffy walks them almost all the way out, in a bit of a daze now. (calls out feebly) Good luck... She puts her hand to the door but doesn't close it. Slowly she turns and reenters the living room. Her mother is laid out on the floor now. Buffy looks at her a moment, then turns blankly toward the kitchen. She walks slowly toward it, the camera trailing behind her. She makes it to the hall outside the kitchen before she drops to her knees and, just out of frame, vomits audibly. The camera holds on the window, the shade half up, sunlight playing on a colored wind chime that twists in the breeze. Buffy retches a couple more times, then gets back up into frame. She moves unsteadily toward the back door, wiping her mouth on her sleeve. The camera hangs back and frames her in the doorway as she opens it, letting in the sunlight and the sounds of outdoors. From far off we can hear neighbors splashing in a pool and someone practicing a trombone. A beginner. ANGLE: BUFFY'S FACE In the hard light. We see sweat beading her whole face, and she's slightly pale. She looks blankly out at the yard. After a long beat, she goes back inside and shuts the door, all noise cut off again. It seems much darker with it shut. She pulls a couple of sheets of paper towel off a roll on the center island and goes back to where she was sick. Kneels down, folding the towel over and laying it on top of the mess. CLOSE ON: THE TOWEL As liquid begins to seep through. The front door flies open, Giles seeing Buffy almost instantly. He comes forward -- Buffy! What is it? Is it Glory? He stops, puzzled by the stillness, by the fact that she's calmly on her knees. She gets up. I'm waiting... the coroner's coming. What? I have to tell Dawn... she's at school... I'll go there... Buffy, I'm not -- He's confused, looking around -- so he finally sees her. God -- He instinctively moves toward her, Buffy moving as well, the camera staying with her as she rounds the corner -- No don't, it's too late, don't -- -- and he's on his knees, trying to get a pulse -- Joyce. Joyce! We're not, they're coming for her, don't -- -- pulling her head back for CPR and for some reason Buffy blurts hysterically -- We're not supposed to move the body! And she said it. Her hand flies to her mouth, eyes wide, now filling with tears. She called it a body. She makes a sound, a wheezing sound, her mouth wide open and tears beginning to spill down her face -- she doesn't sob, just stands uncomprehendingly, mouth wide open, as if the whole truth of her mother's death is trying to cram itself in there. Wheezing. Giles comes at her, understanding, wrapping her in his arms, but her expression doesn't change. ANGLE: JOYCE Staring straight up. BLACK OUT. |
Act Two |
INT. BUFFY'S LIVING ROOM - DAY There is no sound. We are above Joyce, and her head and shoulders is really all we see. Men from the coroner's office are getting her into the black plastic bag. However they might have to move her, the camera always stays directly above her. They begin to zip the bag up. We can hear the zipper. INT. GIRL'S BATHROOM - DAWN'S SCHOOL - DAY Dawn is sitting on a sink, crying. I can't believe it. Oh, God... We pull back to see her friend LISA (in the mirror behind her) standing talking to her. It's not that bad. How can you say it's not that bad? I just don't think it's that big a deal. Kevin Berman called me a freak. In front of everyone -- no, that's no big deal. He didn't say you were a freak. (sniffling) Forget it. He said you were freaky. Which, you know, freaky can be cool. Yeah, real cool. I'm a suicidal headcase. You know it was Kirstie. She was telling everyone how you were into cutting yourself -- That's such a lie! I got cut -- by accident -- one time. Now Kevin thinks... Well, that was when you were wigging out about your family and stuff -- And of course Kirstie's gotta turn everything into a story, she was telling everyone you were adopted -- What a primo Bee-otch. I swear, if I could make her head explode using only the power of my mind, that's what I'd be doing right about now. She gets down and looks in the mirror, fixing herself up a bit. God, now I look like a wet rat. Yeah, you can't go out there all cry- face, it'll just give Kirstie more ammo. Dawn puts a wet towel to her face, does what she can to resume normalcy. She looks pretty good. You know, my big sister could beat the crap out of her. I mean, really really. She blows her nose. How do I look. Can I show my face? Yeah, you're good to go. We're gonna be late, anyway. Oh great, it's Art. I'm not gonna be able to look Kevin in the eye. You've never looked Kevin in the eye. At least now he knows your name. Yeah, freaky psycho gal. Come on. Let's represent. They exit into a crowded INT. SCHOOL HALL - CONTINUOUS - DAY Where a bunch of kids mill about or head to class. This is a middle school, which makes Dawn among the oldest kids there. Have you studied at all for Geometry? Some. It's pretty much baby stuff. I don't have a math brain. We can go over it during study hall -- Kirstie alert... Indeed they are passing the infamous KIRSTIE, who is hanging with a couple of girlfriends in the hall. If this school has a Cordelia, this is it. She says, with near-convincing pleasantness: Hey, Dawn. Hey. How're you doing? You okay? Good, thanks for asking. As they pass the group, they intone to themselves: Bee-otch... They enter: INT. ART CLASS - CONTINUING - DAY It's one of those classrooms where the top half of the wall facing the hall is glass, so we can still see the hall as the girls enter. Easels are being set up, kids getting ready to sketch a plaster of paris statue (greek female nude) on a table. The TEACHER wanders about, getting started: Okay, remember, we're not drawing the object, we're drawing the negative space around the object. We just draw the edges of the figure, and then give me a sense of the spaces around, the space in between. While the teacher is nattering on, Dawn heads for the empty easels in the back and realizes she's going to be next to: ANGLE: KEVIN BERMAN Who is fairly cute, as expected. Not a Bad Boy, but clearly working some 14 year old cool. Dawn, trying to be invisible, takes the easel to his right, (closer to the glass partition) while Lisa flanks him on the left, throwing Dawn a significant glance. Dawn starts sketching the outline of the statue. Hey. She barely looks up, a little confused about who he's talking to. Oh. Hey Kevin. Bit of a beat. What's going on? (has no answer) Negative space. Yeah, what's that all about? (too cool) Shhyeah. Another beat. More sketching. That's pretty good. Thanks. ANGLE: OVER KEVIN TO LISA As he examines Dawn's picture, Lisa picks her drawing up, intently staring at it as though to figure out what's wrong with it. It angles toward us so we can see all that's on her paper are the words "HE WANTS YOU". Dawn tries not to react. So, I heard you, like, had a freak out and cut yourself. (embarrassed) Not even. That was a whole... that was so... I've felt like that sometimes. Things get so crazed, you know, I just wanna... do something extreme. Dawn changes tack with impressive speed. Yeah. I just, I had some intense stuff going on. Lotta people don't get that. Pain. Yeah. And then Kirstie's blabbing it everywhere. 'Cause she's... Kirstie, man... she's kinda hot. (bummed) Oh. But I don't think she's ever had a single thought in her brain. Dawn smiles. As she does, we see Buffy enter frame behind her through the glass partition. Over the following, Buffy searches, spots Dawn, and enters the class. It's like she thinks "I'm so hot, everyone just bow down before me", and I'm like, "whatever". (laughs) I know. She's so superficial. Everything's like, clothes, and who likes who, and there's just way more important stuff going on. There's a lot of crucial, you know, stuff. Yeah. Buffy speaks to the teacher briefly, then makes her way toward Dawn. Still Dawn doesn't see. (laughing) This one time, we were in History, and she had this book, Annals of History, only she didn't know how to say 'annals' and she kept calling it -- Dawn. Dawn turns, surprised. For a moment, Buffy just looks at her. Unable to say a thing. Dawn doesn't speak either; there is in her some primal, unconscious knowledge that the world has shifted. I have to talk to you. Over the following we see a series of ANGLES, some Dawn's POV, some not. -- The teacher, looking concerned. -- Kevin, and behind him Lisa, uncomprehending... -- The statue. Immobile. -- Charcoal moving along paper. -- Buffy's eyes, slightly red-rimmed. Well, what -- can't it wait? I'm in the middle of class... I know. Please come with me. Dawn looks back at her friends, then puts down her charcoal. Buffy starts out of the class and she follows her. I though Mom was gonna pick me up... INT. SCHOOL HALL - CONTINUING - DAY Buffy closes the door behind them. The hall is much less crowded now, though Kirstie and her bunch are hanging at the other end, and a few others pass by. What's going on. Something's going on. Let's go outside... No. Tell me what's going on. It's... bad. News. What is it? What happened? Dawn, it's bad, I think we should -- Where's Mom? Buffy pauses. Mom had an accident, or a, something went wrong from the tumor... Is she okay? Is she -- but she's okay... but it's serious but... Dawn, Mom died this morning. While we were both at school, she -- No... I don't know exactly what happened, but, she's dead... No. NO NO No No you're lying you're lying she's fine she's FINE and you're lying oh no no please please no you're lying she's fine, she's fine... Dawn is sobbing uncontrollably, none of her screams or pleading or anything making a dent in the wave of grief crushing her, she half falls, half sits right there on the ground, Buffy coming down after her but Dawn not ready to be held, not able to do anything but deny, deny... (crying anew) Dawnie... It's not true it's not real it's not real ohhhhh noooooo....... no..... ANGLE: KIRSTIE AND HER FRIENDS Looking on with genuine concern. ANGLE: LISA Is moving toward the glass partition to see what's going on, also terribly concerned. ANGLE: FROM INSIDE THE ART CLASS As Kevin and more kids move toward the glass to see the girl on the floor, whom now we cannot hear -- in fact there is silence entire -- the camera forward, loses them, turning to focus on Dawn's drawing: the outline of a figure, but not the figure itself. Negative space. BLACK OUT. |
Act Three |
INT. MORGUE EXAMINING ROOM - AFTERNOON Again, no sound. Again, we are right above Joyce, framing her head and shoulders, as she is settled onto the steel examining table, a bright, cold light turned on above her. Her clothes are being removed. Her blouse (or camisole) needs to be cut off from her -- we see hands bring a pair of scissors into frame and begin cutting from the top down. We hear the scissors. INT. WILLOW'S DORM ROOM - AFTERNOON ANGLE: TARA Framed close in front of the window. Staring at something. Still there is no sound but scissors. ANGLE: OVER TARA TO WILLOW Willow is in a camisole and skirt. She has clearly been crying for some time, though she is not now. She is staring at a blouse she holds up on a hanger, not seeing it. The cutting has stopped. INT./EXT. XANDER'S CAR - AFTERNOON ANGLE: ANYA Still no sound. Anya sits in the passenger seat, looking out the window. In her own world. ANGLE: XANDER Driving. Also alone, also has been crying, though not as much as Will. His jaw is set in quiet anger. ANGLE: FROM WILLOW'S WINDOW LOOKING DOWN From a couple stories up, we see Xander's car pull to a stop, double parked. INT. WILLOW'S DORM ROOM - AFTERNOON Tara looks over her shoulder, down at the car. I think they're here. She looks back at Willow, who is still staring at the blouse. Willow finally sets it down on the bed, where we see many other discarded choices. Goes back to looking in the closet. INT./EXT. XANDER'S CAR - AFTERNOON The two sit a moment before moving. Do you want to wait here? Beat. Do you want to come up? You're double parked. Let 'em give me a ticket. He is getting out. A moment, and Anya does too. INT. WILLOW'S DORM ROOM - CONTINUING - AFTERNOON Willow emerges from the closet with two blouses. One is dark purple, one is bright and perky, maybe with an animal on it. What do you think? The purple, right? 'Cause it's somber, it should be something somber. No, it's depressing, it's like I'm a funeral... guy. (re: other blouse) This is cheerier -- maybe I want to be cheery, like everything is normal, but that's rude, it's disrespectful, la-la-la I don't care... She tosses them on the bed. If I had that blue one, Joyce really liked the blue one, she told me one time... You're sure it's not in your room? I can look again... No, I think... I should wear the purple, I think the purple, it's just that it's so, I don't know... it doesn't mean something bad? I think it's royal. Purple means royalty. Well I can't see Buffy at the morgue and be all royal! "Oh, I'm the king of everything, I'm better than you..." (tearing up again) I have to be supportive, Buffy needs me to... why do so many of my shirts have stupid things on them? Can't I dress like a grown up, can't I be... be a grown up... She's crying now, shaking, and there is a manic pitch and rhythm to her speech that indicates she's going to go off again... Tara comes at her and holds her, takes her head in her hands... Shhh... Tara... Shhhhhh, darling... I can't do this... Tara pulls her close, to stop the shaking. She kisses her, on the mouth and again on the cheek, looks close into her eyes. She speaks softly, Willow answering her with almost a little girl's quaver... We can do this. Okay... We can be there for Buffy... and Dawn... little Dawn... We can be strong. Strong like an Amazon? (with a small affectionate smile) Strong like an Amazon, right... Okay... She's steady. I wish I had the blue. INT. COMMONS STAIRCASE - CONTINUING - AFTERNOON Xander and Anya enter by the bottom of the stairs and head up (We see down the staircase, not the whole commons.) They pass a few oblivious students, going about their days. So what do we do? I'm not sure. Willow talked to Giles. INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE WILLOW'S DORM ROOM - CONTINUING They come through a doorway at the top of the stairs, head for Willow's. But, what will we do? What will we be expected to do? He doesn't have an answer, so he doesn't bother to give one. They come to Willow's door, which is slightly ajar. Xander raps and it swings open. Hey... The two step in as INT. WILLOW'S DORM ROOM - CONTINUING - AFTERNOON The girls come to the door to greet them. (Willow has an entirely new blouse on, and a cardigan over it.) Willow and Xander hug, the other two hang back. Everyone greets everyone, more with nods than anything else. How are you doing? Willow just shakes her head. Can't answer. I know the feeling. I'm afraid I'm gonna start crying again, and I don't wanna.. but maybe I should get it out of my system, so I don't do it in front of Buffy. Xander cried at the apartment. It was strange. (only slightly acerbic) It's a thing we do. A beat. This is so totally wrong. This is just so... it's wrong. What's going to happen? I guess we're gonna meet them at the morgue. That's where they were taking her. She pauses, and Tara takes over for her: Giles said that he was gonna go with Joyce and Buffy was going to... to school. To tell Dawn. God. (to Xander) Do you know how to get to -- Yeah. It's at the hospital, it's a wing. (beat) We do morgue time in the scoobie gang. Another beat. I have to change. She pulls off her sweater and tosses it by the window, starts taking off her shirt, moving behind the closet door to pick out something else and put it on. (to Tara) What else did Giles say? Not a lot. Are they sure this was... natural? I mean, Glory... Giles is pretty sure it wasn't her. But I mean, she said she was gonna come after Buffy's family -- I don't think -- (overlapping) I mean we should be going after her, I mean she could have done it and, and covered her tracks. (re-emerging) Why would she? She'd want us to know. Another beat, as the logic sinks in. But: I'll tell you what it is, it's the frickin' doctors, I mean they just let her out, you know, "clean bill a health, dig a hole in your skull here's a band-aid NEXT!" Xander... Am I wrong? They said there could be complications -- Complications? Seems pretty simple to me. They shoulda checked her over, they shoulda had her in, what, she's got a clot? We don't have enough monsters in this town the doctors gotta help 'em out? I don't think anybody's... it just happened. Things don't happen! I mean they don't JUST happen. Somebody's... I mean somebody's gotta... His hands are clenched. Okay. She raises her little fists, matter of factly getting ready to box. Her face sweetly resigned. Let's go. You and me. (moving her fists) Come on... He deflates. She drops her fists and he leans in, kisses her forehead. You know I can't take you. Damn straight... A moment between them, then: Are we gonna see the body? (flinching) What? Are we going to be in the room with the dead body? I don't know! No. To break the tension, Tara offers: But I guess we can take over patrolling and all that. Yeah -- Oh yeah -- For however long... We gotta help out. There's gonna be a lot of things... We gotta make everything easy as possible on Buffy. You know it. Beat. A few looks to the door -- but nobody moves toward it. I can't wear this. (to Tara) I really should have the other... Joyce liked it so... Do you think you could have left it in the laundry room? Maybe... I'll go check. (to the others) I'll be one minute. We're cool. Tara exits. Xander tries a shot at justifying his reluctance to go: I mean... I don't know if we should rush right in or, you know... not crowd 'em. Yeah. Are they gonna cut the body open? (appalled) Oh my god will you shut your mouth? Just not open it please? What am I doing? How can you act like that? Am I supposed to be changing my clothes a lot, is that the helpful thing to do -- Guys... The way you behave -- Well nobody will tell me -- Because it's not okay for you to be asking these things! But I don't understand! Something in her tone stops Will, and as she continues, she breaks down more and more... I don't understand how this all happens, how we go through this, I mean I knew her and then she's, there's just a body, I don't understand why she just can't get back in it and not be dead, it's stupid, it's mortal and stupid, Xander's crying and not talking and I was having fruit punch and I thought that Joyce would never have any more fruit punch and she'd never have eggs, or yawn, or brush her hair, not ever and no one will explain... She's crying now, she's real small, Xander comes to hold her but she moves away, plops herself down in the weird round chair. Xander retires to his corner, frustrated. (softly) We don't know. How it works. Or why. She is herself overwhelmed. She sits, not looking at either of them. The three stay that way a moment, alone. Anya, now just sniffling, feels something digging into her back. She pulls out a stuffed animal and with it a blue shirt. She looks at the shirt a moment, then tosses it in an open drawer. Willow never sees it. In fact, she could probably sit there looking into the floor for another half hour, except for the sudden loud SMASH of broken wood and plaster. She jumps, looks up, as does Anya... Sorry. Sorry. He has slammed his fist against the wall, and as Willow comes around to look, we see -- Just some pent up... Xander... -- that his fist has gone right through the drywall and is stuck in there. Where'd your hand go? Anya rises, also approaching. As I was saying, some frustration, and now... I appear to be stuck. Oh my god! Is your hand okay? Pretty much. I'm really sorry. Willow and Anya try to pick away at the drywall and wood behind, so he can pull his hand out. What if you hit an electrical thing? You... are stupid! And once again with the sorry. Did it make you feel better? For a second there. A whole second. In my defense, some crappy wallmanship here. Yeah, you can hear everything next door... Who did the drywall on this place? I always forget to ask. Tara enters, takes in the scene. Did I miss something? Xander decided that he blames the wall. (to Xander) Can you turn your wrist... Hold on... She pulls a chunk of drywall off and he slowly extracts his hand. His knuckles are bleeding. Ohh... It's okay. CLOSE ON: XANDER'S HAND A moment, as they all look at the blood slowly begin to swell and drip. It hurts. He looks up at her, knows she understands. (smiling softly) Yeah. Wash it off. Here. He goes to the sink. Band aids? Underneath. Anya gets them, applies a couple after Xander rinses off the wound. Tara turns meanwhile to Willow. I couldn't find it. It doesn't matter. Her attitude is different -- Xander's slight crisis has both relieved and focused them all. We should get there. Yes. I wanna be there for Buffy. Tara smiles reassuringly at her. Squeezes her hand. You're right. Avengers got to get with the assembling. As he speaks, Willow mouths soundlessly at Tara: "I love you". We'll go. We'll deal. We'll help. That's what we do. We help Buffy. A moment of resolution, slightly popped by: How are we going to help? No particular answer. They file out. A moment, and Willow rushes back in. ANGLE: HER SWEATER Is by the window, where she tossed it. She grabs it, and the camera moves off, out the window looking down at Xander's car, just as the meter maid rips a ticket off, sticks it behind his wiper and drives off. BLACK OUT. |
Act Four |
INT. MORGUE EXAMINING ROOM - NIGHT ANGLE: ABOVE JOYCE Once more. The doctor is finishing his examination, and we are framed again at Joyce's head and shoulders. He pulls the sheet over her face. Again, there is no sound till we hear the squeak and snap of the doctor's gloves being taken off. At this point the camera tilts up to see the doctor and the rest of the gloomy room. There are four tables behind the examining space, three with sheeted corpses on them. Near the examining table is a tray with various instruments on it, including a nasty bone saw. The only light in the room besides the lamp above Joyce are some patches of moonlight from the high, small windows. At the far end of the room is a single door leading down the hall, with a small window in it. It stands open. REVERSE ANGLE: FROM THE DOOR The doctor is small in the frame as he shuts the light off above Joyce. He heads out and we lead him into INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY - CONTINUING - NIGHT As he shuts the door behind him and starts down the hall, which is long and also dimly lit. He goes through a swinging door and the aspect of the hallway changes, this is more brightly lit, less grey, clearly the non-dead-person part of the hospital. The door swinging shut behind him says AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY. Still we're leading him, as he turns a corner, passing us and leading us into INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - CONTINUING - NIGHT Where he stands at the entrance, not disturbing the scene taking place in the center of the room. Which scene is the greeting process, everyone together, scoobies, Buffy, Giles, Dawn, the hugging and kind words, which though whispered, ring out in this empty, surreal space. (hugging Buffy) Anything we can do... (hugging Tara) I'm glad you guys came... DISSOLVE IN as Willow is hugging Buffy. I love you so much... I know... They pull apart, Willow wanting to say something about Joyce... And... I know. (to Tara and Xander) They're not telling us anything. Giles is a bit surprised as Anya hugs him, tightly. He hugs her back, then notices the doctor waiting. Doctor... Buffy looks up sharply -- she's not sure she wants to hear what he has to say. But she moves to him, stiffly, Dawn and Giles following. The others look at each other, decide to hang back. Okay, I've examined your mother's body -- Can we see her? Dawn. Not now. The on-site report seems to be more or less accurate. Your mother did have what looks like an aneurism, a sudden hemorrhaging from a ruptured arterial vessel near the, where the tumor was removed. Shouldn't we have know about, that that was a danger... We stay on Buffy for most of the following: Sometimes these things are detectable and sometimes they're not. Joyce was aware of the possibility of a rupture, and the effects. She didn't even get on the phone so clearly this was very sudden. She may have felt a little nausea and probably passed out as it happened. I doubt there was much pain, and even if someone had been by her side -- INT. BUFFY'S LIVING ROOM - DAY Joyce is there with Buffy. My head... Mom? Joyce slumps to the couch, Buffy rushing to her side -- INT. AMBULANCE - DAY Same scene as before, but just a silent flash of it -- INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY Same tableau again, happy Joyce and girls, but another silent flash -- INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - NIGHT (CONTINUING) -- it's doubtful this could have been dealt with in time. Well, thank you, Doctor... You're sure there wasn't a lot of pain? ANGLE: THE DOCTOR Looks right into camera and though he says: Absolutely. I think we can be almost positive about that. What we HEAR, as if inefficiently dubbed, is: Absolutely. I have to lie to make you feel better. ANGLE: BUFFY Not reacting to either statement. Stone-faced. What, ah, what needs to happen now? Well, there will be some forms, and some decisions you'll need to make... Buffy, why don't you let me handle those as much as I can.. (nodding) Please. (to Buffy) We will need you to sign a couple of release forms -- (a bit short) Yes, thank you, Doctor -- (to Buffy) I'll figure out which ones you need to see. We'll be here. Giles and the doctor move off. Buffy and Dawn join the others. What'd the doctor say? Nothing. I mean, it was what they thought. From the... tumor... She's staring right through them. Why don't we sit down. She puts her hand to Buffy's arm, leads her to a seat. Tara and Willow sit as well, flanking Buffy. The others stand, including Dawn, who throws a look back at: ANGLE: THE HALLWAY That leads to the morgue proper. She turns back to the others. Xander gives her a squeeze. She's a little stiff -- in her own world, like Buffy. Giles is gonna go over the paperwork. Man, if there's one day they should not give you homework... Dawnie, do you wanna sit? Dawn shakes her head. I don't think we'll have to stay here very long. But what about -- She stops. What about what? Nothing. I have to pee. Do you want someone to go with you? No. I still remember how to pee. Well, okay, do you know where -- Yeah. She takes off. I think maybe she's mad at me or something. 'Cause you're the one that told her? How'd she take it? Meltdown. She just, wouldn't believe it. I don't know if she does now. She's been through so much this year... You both have. A beat. (blurts out) I wish that Joyce didn't die. Everyone is made momentarily uncomfortable. Because she was nice and now we all hurt. Anya, ever the wordsmith... But Buffy isn't offended, sincerely saying to Anya: Thank you. (to Buffy) Do you want anything? Something to eat, or a soda? Maybe... I honestly can't tell. I think you should try to eat something... Well, maybe Dawn could use a snack... I'll see if there's something. Xander, do you have any money? We'll come with. We'll be real quick. She gets up, heads off, Xander taking Anya by the hand and going as well. This leaves Buffy and Tara. There are a few beats of silence, a tiny bit uncomfortable. I'm sorry you have to go through all this. You don't have to worry about me. Everyone wants to help... I don't even know... if I'm here... I don't know what's going on. I've never done this -- Well that's just an amazingly dumb thing to say, obviously. "I've never done this before." A small beat. I have. Buffy looks at her, a little thrown. My mother died when I was seventeen. I didn't know that. I'm sorry -- No, no, I didn't mean to -- I'm only telling you because, it's not m-my place, but... there's things, thoughts and reactions that I had, that I couldn't... understand, or even try to explain to anyone else. Thoughts that made me feel like I was losing it, or like I was just a h-horrible person. I know it's different for you, because it's always different, but... if you ever need... Buffy nods, gratefully. Tara retreats into herself a bit, thinking she's perhaps gone too far. Was it sudden? What? Your mother... No. (thinks a moment) And yes. (beat) It's always sudden. ANGLE: THE WOMEN'S ROOM As Dawn emerges. She sees Buffy and Tara talking -- neither is looking in her direction. She looks at them, looks down the hall, then takes off toward the morgue. INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY - CONTINUING - NIGHT We lead her as she moves slowly down the hall, through the swinging door -- and into the darker, grimmer area. She looks at a couple of doors, finally finding the right one. She looks in the little window, sees the bodies and, after a moment's hesitation, opens it. INT. MORGUE EXAMINING ROOM - CONTINUING - NIGHT She shuts the door behind her. Locks it. Sees the examining table at the other end and slowly starts toward it. Passing the other corpses, becoming less steady... ANGLE: DAWN'S POV As the covered figure gets closer. She comes to it, stands before it. Emotion working on her face, she reaches for the sheet -- and stops. Puts her shaking hand back at her side, unsure of whether she can go through with this. One of the corpses behind her sits up. CLOSE ON: THE CORPSE As the sheet slides off his face. He is a newly risen VAMPIRE, and he takes a moment to take in his condition, his surroundings. Then he sees the girl. Hunger flickers in his eyes. ANGLE: OVER THE TABLE TO DAWN She stands with her back to us, still undecided, as the vampire's naked leg comes into frame, the sheet falling away as he makes his way, still unsteadily, toward the trembling little meal. As he closes, Dawn finally realizes she's not alone. Turns to see him, paralyzing shock spreading over her face. INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - CONTINUING - NIGHT The threesome arrives back where Buffy and Tara are sitting. Willow and Anya are loaded with sodas, vending machine sandwiches, Twinkies and candy bars... Xander has two cups of vending machine coffee. Buffy looks at the cornucopia, nonplussed. We panicked. Uh-huh. Take anything you want... The sandwiches are meat. I'm just not hungry. What about Dawnie? She still in the bathroom? Buffy looks toward it. I guess... She looks around, knowing something is wrong. She stands. You guys wait here? Sure. Buffy walks toward the hall. INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY - CONTINUING - NIGHT And down it, slowly, brow furrowed. Through the swinging door. Down further. Hears something -- a small crash. Moves faster. Comes to the door and looks in. ANGLE: THROUGH THE DOOR We see Dawn struggling in the grip of the vampire. Buffy tries the door and when it's locked she slams her shoulder into it -- it doesn't quite give -- with mounting panic she SLAMS it again and it flies open -- INT. MORGUE EXAMINING ROOM - CONTINUING - NIGHT -- the lock splintering out as Buffy races forward -- The vampire has Dawn from behind and is nearly at her neck. Suddenly Buffy's arm wraps round his neck, she tries pulling him off Dawn but he is strong. She grabs at his face with her other hand, it's close in and ugly, nothing smooth or martial arty about it, she's just in a panic to get him off Dawn. He does let go, elbowing Buffy hard in the stomach -- Buffy doubles over -- ANGLE: DAWN Flying forward, she hits the edge of Joyce's table, pulling slightly at the sheet -- ANGLE: JOYCE As the sheet slides off enough to reveal her face... Dawn doesn't see that, she hits the ground painfully and turns back to look at Buffy as the vampire grabs Buffy by the throat, she grabs his hands but she's just not at full strength... ANGLE: THEIR FEET As Buffy's rises between his rather rapidly, kneeing him hard as hell. He screams and throws her, but she holds on, they both go flying, tumbling into the tray of instruments, that clatter on the floor beside them. He lands on top. Buffy gets him up enough to land a solid PUNCH, knocking him to one side, rolling them over, she holds him down as she grabs the bone saw... now his fingers are on her face, trying to push her off as she brings the saw to his neck, and we stay with her as she shoves down once -- the saw goes in (out of frame) just a little, the hands still clawing at her, then down again -- all the way to the floor. She rolls off his body as it turns into dust. Lies there a moment, panting... Dawn? Are you okay? Are you okay? She brings herself up to sitting, resting on one hand as she looks to her sister and realizes her sister isn't paying any attention to her at all. The camera moves back to show Dawn staring... then back further to show what she's staring at. Joyce's face stares up, blue and unmoving. There is a long silence. Dawn... Another silence, until: Is she cold? It's not her. It's not her. She's gone. Dawn is completely lost. Infinitely small and alone. Where'd she go? Buffy cannot answer. Dawn reaches out, slowly, to touch her mother's face. Buffy watches, wanting to stop her. ANGLE: JOYCE As Dawn's hand nears it, about to touch it... BLACK OUT. |


text:
Egypt's Judges Vow to 'Escalate' Action Against Decrees
Following a meeting with President Mohamed Mursi, Egyptian judges released a statement denouncing a set of presidential decrees that would increase Mursi's control over the country's legislature.An Egyptian protester hurls stones at riot police. Egypt's powerful Muslim Brotherhood called nationwide demonstrations in support of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in his showdown with the judges over the path to a new constitution.
Morsi's Assumption of Sweeping Powers Polarises Egypt
- Publisher:
- Al Jazeera
- Publication Date:
- 25 November 2012
The sweeping new powers that Egyptian President Morsi has assumed make him immune from being overruled - a situation some say is reminiscent of the ... see more »
In scenes reminiscent of the protests which brought down President Hosni Mubarak last year, Egyptians have returned to the streets to protest President Mohamed Mursi's assertion of ... Read more »
Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi has issued a declaration preventing anyone from challenging his decrees, laws and decisions - a move rejected as initiating a "new era of ... Read more »


text:
6 Health Mistakes Cat Owners Make
Mistake 5: Not Microchipping continued...
Of the millions of cats that end up in shelters, less than 2% are returned to owners, according to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy. Most cats that are reunited with their human families are able to be because they have identifying tags, tattoos, or microchips.
It's important to realize that even indoor cats can escape or be inadvertently let out of the house, McGeorge says. Cats are also much more prone than dogs to losing collars with ID, so microchipping is a better bet for getting your cat back home if she is lost.
About the size of a grain of rice, microchips take seconds to insert under the skin between your pet's shoulder blades and last forever because they don't use a battery. The chip is activated only when a scanner is passed over it, transmitting its ID number to the scanner.
A microchip is only useful, however, if you keep your contact information up to date with the microchip registry of the company that made the chip. Your vet will give you all the information you need to keep your pet's registration current.
Mistake 6: Neglecting Dental Care
You brush your teeth every day, so why not your cat's teeth too? Dental care is often overlooked in cats, Brode says. This can easily lead to painful, infected teeth. Gum disease can damage a cat's teeth just as it can yours, leading to decay and inflammation as well as bone and tooth loss -- with pain you may not notice until the problem is advanced.
The solution is regular oral exams, teeth cleanings, and daily brushings -- yes, it can be done -- as well as high-quality food and chew toys. The toys not only satisfy kitty's desire to chew but also massage the gums and remove soft tartar.


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Mb217 Inner circle 7498 Posts |
I had been anxiously awaiting a "surprise" from our Brian Platt here on the Café for weeks now. You might know of Platt's "Catapult" DVDs where he introduced his brilliant move, the Fanning Pitch. One could see from that initial work that this dude has a unique mind for magic, along with a sorta deadpan presentation that just works and makes you smile. His magical ideas are interesting and well thought out and he always gives you great value in making sure you have several ways, methods and effects as to his offerings - He's very cerebral like that. Basically, Platt is the complete package and we have waited a while for his next effort. Well, it's here and it's a doozy!
Blackout! is an amazing new coin that allows you to perform just unbelievable magic. Platt takes you through from introduction to final thoughts as to the magic and then gives you nearly 10 effects to show it off. All the effects are great tricks and many can enhance what you're already doing in the ways of coins across, vanishes, reproductions, etc. The "Vanish" possibilities are endless and remarkably clean and Platt walks you through the technique every step of the way. I love all the suggested effects as the magic is clean and strong and it allows for you to figure out your own uses, just tremendous overall flexibility. I can even see some possibilities for my Crimp Change to make it even more amazing. Effects included on the DVD include: -Tenkai Pennies on Acid -Basic Blackout! Vanish -JFK Gets s Makeover -Reflection: 3 Coins Across -Platt's Across -Matrix Possibilities -Williamson Striking Vanish? -Fun with Muscle Pass/Production/Invisible Purse -The Ear Trick Man, that's some coins across stuff Platt...Amazing! And Tenkai ain't never did nothing like that. This magic is some real good thinking, work and technique as to making it happen, including the meticulous hands of Master Craftsman, Roy Kueppers and his work is beautiful. Platt provides this coin in a variety of makes including, Kennedy half dollar, Walking Liberty half, Morgan dollar and even quarter-size and more. Trust me, you're going to want this. Platt has thought-up another winner and from now on it's going to be a good thing to Blackout! just about anywhere. You can get this from his Amazing Platt website at http://www.PlattMagic.com There's a whole lot of good magic there but this new effect, Blackout! is killer! Great job man, just brilliant! Now excuse me as I gotta go play some more with this thing and I'll be using it immediately too. I love this kind of magic, not difficult to do, leaves all sorts of room for imagination and creativity and ramps up the magic to the level of absolutely impossible. The possibilities are endless and so seemingly is the magic from the mind and family of Brian Platt. Wow!!! -Mb
*Check out my latest: Double Trouble, FlySki, Crimp Change - REDUX!, and other fine magic at www.VinnyMarini.com
"Not much new under the sun I hear but under the moon, well who knows, that just might be a horse of a different color." -Mb |
Platt Inner circle New York 1804 Posts |
Thank you for such a nice review MB! You're one of the sickest coin manipulators we have here, so it's a huge compliment coming from you.
I'm happy to announce that after nearly a year of planning and production, Blackout! is now available for purchase at plattmagic.com. You can find a video demo there as well. I want to offer a special 10% discount (on everything at the site) for the first month for Café members. Simply enter this coupon code when you checkout: Caféfriend (no accent mark necessary). I've known most of you for a long time now so (excluding those brand new to the Café) if you have any specific questions you would like answered, feel free to PM and I'll answer everything to the best of my abilities. Best, Platt
Sugar Rush is here! Freakishly visual magic. http://www.plattmagic.com
VcosNJ Inner circle 1180 Posts |
That looks great! I loved the catapult DVD although I'm not as proficient as Mr. Platt. I'm hoping to buy this one soon.
sleightofhander Special user 579 Posts |
This looks really good. I also enjoyed watching the muscle click pass.
rannie Inner circle 4354 Posts |
Great job!
Congratulations from Manila! Gotta order this! rannie
"If you can't teach an old dog new tricks, trick the old dog to learn."
-Rannie Raymundo- aka The Boss aka The Manila Enforcer www.rannieraymundo.com www.tapm.proboards80.net |
ehands Special user Mississippi 521 Posts |
I can find demo clips. When Platt site says 'Click on our "Products" section to see product video demos.' does that mean the 'Our Products' link on the right? Clicking there just puts me back to the previous page I was on. Know what I am doing wrong?
Thanks for any help.
"Oh look, we have created enchantment." Blanche DuBois
Platt Inner circle New York 1804 Posts |
On 2009-04-26 17:48, ehands wrote: I went to the site and you are absolutely correct. Once you're in the "online store" section, you can't click on the links on the right panel. Simply type "plattmagic.com" back into your address bar and click on the "products" section on the top to see the video demos and descriptions. Sorry for the confusion. We just went live with the site so we're getting a few little bugs out of the system. Platt
Sugar Rush is here! Freakishly visual magic. http://www.plattmagic.com
phread Elite user md 485 Posts |
Please don't flame me...but is this different from jay sankey's method?
Deckless Wonder
Platt Inner circle New York 1804 Posts |
Hi Phread, no worries! I'm a huge fan of Jay Sankey and I particularly love his coin work. I haven't personally seen anything like this from Jay but through a crazy BA search here at the Café I saw a post that suggested he might have done something in this vain on a dvd. That's not surprising. There's a ton of people, including Dean Dill (I'm told) who have used BA in very creative ways. Before I created Blackout! I tried with very limited success to pull off what's possible with Blackout! with a home made coin. It simply doesn't work. Not in close-up. What I'm most proud of, Phread, is the unimaginatlvely crazy amount of blood sweat and tears (literally) that went into creating a coin that could both be thrown on a table or sit in your open palm right under a spectator's nose and be above suspicion. And just a second later be absolutely hidden in darkness- right in front of your spectators eyes! After dozens of prototypes and a year later (again literally) we finally came upon a coin architecture that allowed for this. Furthermore this coin can be used in absolutely any lighting and with nearly any black article of clothing. I give all the credit to my father and the exceedingly kind and giving Roy Kueppers. OK, I'll quit rambling. If you have any questions about the proprietary construction of this coin, the inherent challenges of BA with coins, and what makes this coin work, please PM and I'll be happy to talk about it (with probably more detail than you want to hear!)
Very Best, Platt
Sugar Rush is here! Freakishly visual magic. http://www.plattmagic.com
phread Elite user md 485 Posts |
I just answered ur pm...i have NO issue with anyone!!!!!!
I wish continued success, having seen the demo's on platt's web site, I am sure his method is very creative as this man has a remarkable skill with coins!
Deckless Wonder
Platt Inner circle New York 1804 Posts |
Just saw your PM. All good Phread! Now that I know what you're talking about with Sankey (also very creative by the way), it's actually quite different. So sorry for the ramble.
Sugar Rush is here! Freakishly visual magic. http://www.plattmagic.com
feher Inner circle Michigan 1414 Posts |
I had great pleasure playing with this past weekend. First let me say Platt and others have worked real hard to put out a top notch product. Over a year in planning and tweaking has paid off in my mind. This product is for everyone beginner to well season magicians. Platt took a stage idea and brought it into a close-up setting. Platt goes into great detail on how this project started the ups and downs and how they solved the problems. I personally like that kind of thing it makes you appreciate what you get more. IMHO
What you get is a well crafted gaff made by Roy Kuepper's from Canada. A DVD explaining everything about the product and ten yes that's right ten routines using this gaff, to get you started. Tenkai Pennies on Acid - Is the first routine taught. This is one of my favorites! This has to be one of the cleanest one coin across I have seen to date. You clearly show a coin in each hand at the same time palm up then close your hands around the coins and reopen them and one coin has traveled to the other hand. It's the closest thing to real magic. Basic Vanish - This is so freaking clean and EASY it's not even funny. Use it as a single effect or use it at the end of an exciting effect for a complete vanish the choice is yours. JFK Gets a Makeover - This is fun little effect where JFK changes his appearance on the coin. Its whimsical. If you don't like the JFK idea then use the same technique for changing the coin into another object. Reflection: 3 Coins Across - One issue with all coins across routine is that last coin to travel it never seems to be as strong as the others, until now, add this gaff to your existing coins across and you'll have one of the strongest ending. No transferring of the coin from hand to hand no funny moves just show the last coin in your hand close it then open and the coin has vanished and join the others. Can't get any cleaner then that my friends. Platt's Across - Here's another favorite of mine ! A half Dollar and a penny transpo then appear in the same hand. Great for Walk Around or Table Hopping. Strong magic Matrix Possibilities -If Matrix's are your thing then you're going to want to check out this gimmick it can really open some different avenues for you and your Matrixing. (is that even a word?) Williamson Striking Vanish - What can I say about this. The strike vanish itself is as sweet as candy but use this gaff with that concept and you'll have no coin anywhere to be found. Fun with Muscle Pass/Production/Invisible Purse - The title speaks for itself The Ear Trick - You show two coins a quarter and a half dollar in your hand take out the quarter which turns invisible and place it behind your ear, then take out the half dollars which turns invisible and place it behind your other ear. Your hands are empty now, then you proceed to produce the coins from behind your ear right where you placed them a moment ago. Niiice !! In conclusion I can't recommend this product enough, a lot of time and energy has been put into this, Platt has covered all his bases to give you a high quality product with a lot of applications you can do with it. Now it's up to us to do just that. Tim
Mean people SUCK!!!!!!!
vmendoza Elite user Farmingdale. New Jersey 430 Posts |
I have to say that I was very impressed with Brian's BLACKOUT. A lot of work and thought went into this.
Now are there other effects the use "BA?" - well yes, it's a very broad principle. It is applied quite nicely here. The gaff is a Kuepper's production and it's of high quality. Nothing slipshod here. The DVD - like Catapult - is crammed full of info. You will know not only how this coin works, but why it works and the history behind Brian's work. Tenkai Pennies on Acid - Nice and clean! Basic Vanish - Shows you how to use this little gem. JFK Gets a Makeover - Platt gets away with de-facing a president. I know Brian's sense of humor and I have a sneaking suspicion he was dying to include this particular effect. Reflection: 3 Coins Across - Agree with Tim here. The last coin to go is usually the weakest transfer. Use BLACKOUT in the sequence and you've just made it one of the strongest. Platt's Across - Simple & Direct! Matrix Possibilities - I specifically refrained from watching the explanation to this and lemme tell you, even being in the "know", it took me a while to reconstruct this routine. Beautiful thinking. Williamson Striking Vanish - My mind is already running wild with possibilities. Fun with Muscle Pass/Production/Invisible Purse - Need another reason to learn the muscle pass? Here it is. Then Platt has the ROV Tumbling Muscle Click Pass. Check it out on his website. The Ear Trick - Produce a coin from behind the ear, standard fare - NOT!!! This ain't your dad's coin behind the ear trick. Oh so clean. Nevermind the "too perfect theory" This is perfect. The best thing about BLACKOUT is that it isn't just a pre-packaged trick that you do straight out of the box, just like they showed you on the dvd and just like everyone else will be doing it. This is a utility that you can introduce into your work and really enhance what you're working on. Let your creativity flow and see where else this can take you. Great work Brian! This is a winner. Vince Mendoza |
oombob Special user Canada 635 Posts |
Looking forward to shoppping at plattmagic... quality, integrity and no bs... catapult is one of my faves.
Mb217 Inner circle 7498 Posts |
Man, I've been trying this out all day at work and it KILLS! So simple & easy to use but amazingly effective...Actually it goes beyond amazing, to the specs it's "Impossible!"
*Check out my latest: Double Trouble, FlySki, Crimp Change - REDUX!, and other fine magic at www.VinnyMarini.com
"Not much new under the sun I hear but under the moon, well who knows, that just might be a horse of a different color." -Mb |
Ruppenthal Regular user I'm busy, so I only have 105 Posts |
To folks who have this already, which version are you using: quarter, half, silver half, etc.? Just wondering if one size has an advantage over another or if it's all up to the user. Sounds like a great effect - I'm looking forward to ordering this!
Thanks. |
Mb217 Inner circle 7498 Posts |
I'm using the half dollar version, but the Morgans are looking real nice to me.
I think it's all up to the user as to what they like and works best for them and what they're doing. I can only think from my experiences that any of them or all of them would find good usage. -Mb
*Check out my latest: Double Trouble, FlySki, Crimp Change - REDUX!, and other fine magic at www.VinnyMarini.com
"Not much new under the sun I hear but under the moon, well who knows, that just might be a horse of a different color." -Mb |
Platt Inner circle New York 1804 Posts |
On 2009-04-27 15:22, Ruppenthal wrote: Great question. Each coin has presented its own unique challenges. Due to a nearly microscopic difference that I'm sure most people aren't aware of, the '64 Kennedy's have been the most stubborn and have required the greatest level of care. But it works like a charm. If you have questions about any specific coin, please contact me.
Sugar Rush is here! Freakishly visual magic. http://www.plattmagic.com
jimmyj Veteran user 343 Posts |
Hello Platt and folks,
Very interesting. Looks like a lot of fun. I do, however, have a question. I guess you all know how particular coin guys and gals are with their gaffs. I guess that could apply to any magician. My question is this: Is it possible to get, let's say, a Soft Morgan between a certain date? To possibly match coins already in their arsenal? I do know that that would be a hellava lot of work.And probably not cost effective. Just curious. Are all the Morgans, for instance, Uncirculated 1921's? Or can you order something close to what you already have? To customize, so to speak. Thanks for your time. And good luck in your endeavors. Jim. |
vinsmagic Eternal Order sleeping with the fishes... 10382 Posts |
I have a question, it's pretty awkard to do a goshman pinch with a morgan, but it is possible
vinny |
Platt Inner circle New York 1804 Posts |
On 2009-04-27 19:00, jimmyj wrote: Let me know what it is you're interested in matching and we can discuss a custom coin. Thanks. Platt
Sugar Rush is here! Freakishly visual magic. http://www.plattmagic.com
feher Inner circle Michigan 1414 Posts |
On 2009-04-27 15:22, Ruppenthal wrote: I have the regular half because that's what I use the most. But if your going to borrow change from people and you live in the U.S. then I would go with the quarter. I hope that helps Tim
Mean people SUCK!!!!!!!
Fingers Inner circle Pennsylvania, USA 1330 Posts |
Simply stated "Blackout" puts you in "Coin Magician Paradise"! I have the 1964 Kennedy version and it is beautiful. I have had it less than a week and I can effortlessly make it appear and disappear at lightening speed and have developed "5" killer routines!
Don't get me wrong, the routines supplied on the DVD are great, but I have devised a few routines myself: "Extra Hole In The Pocket" - Provides a way you can give it to a spectator for inspection using a purse frame - IN HIS OR HER FACE! "Bigger Is Better" - A flawless jumbo coin routine. "Still Practicing" - An ~almost~ "MID-AIR" vanish and appearance that will make your eyes bug out! "Oops Its Over There" - An impeccable drop-dead coins across routine! "I Know I Put That Coin Somewhere" - A wild coin routine that will knock your socks off! Yes I said I have had it less than a week and guess what? I am not done yet baby!! I also have more routines in the works, but I need to order at least two more units, which I will do within the week. If you haven't already figured it out I love "Blackout"!!!!! It allows you to do flawless miracles with almost no effort. Oh, did I mention this is perfect for the bar room scene, which is where I do a lot of my stuff. Also, if you get multiple units, the sky is the limit! To be honest I had my doubts at first, I mean I think Mr. Platt is great and everything. I have his "Catapult" DVD, which is fantastic, but I was saying to myself nothing looks as good as that video snipet you see when you go to the site to investigate "Blackout". You know what I mean, if it looks too good to be true..... Well, let me tell you something. There are exceptions to every rule and this is one of them! This product lets you go wild with your imagination and allows you to PRODUCE THE IMPOSSIBLE, at least as far as I am concerned! The reason I bought it was a gut feeling I had inside, knowing Mr. Platt didn't let me down before with "Catapult" I had to give a try. Man, what a payoff!! I am so happy I made the purchase and I won't be doubting him again anytime soon. Like I said before I will be ordering at least two more units. These guys are genius, I mean all those involved in the production of this including Mr. Platt. Personally I couldn't have came up with this idea in a million years. If you don't get this you will be eating my dust..... For what its worth, YES, I recommend this product!!!!! Mr. Platt, if you are listening out there, I think there is one more thing you could or should do. I think you should make available additional purchases of the "other half" of the product for multiple placement strategies, if you understand what I mean, other than that it is perfection personified..... Thanks again Mr. Platt.....
Where I go, so do my coins.....
Mb217 Inner circle 7498 Posts |
Hey fingers, where you been man...Missed you around here. Glad to see your review on BlackOut! Good stuff! Welcome back man. -Mb
*Check out my latest: Double Trouble, FlySki, Crimp Change - REDUX!, and other fine magic at www.VinnyMarini.com
"Not much new under the sun I hear but under the moon, well who knows, that just might be a horse of a different color." -Mb |
rochaz Veteran user I'm TORN......... 378 Posts |
Thanks for your input! I was unsure as to what coin to purchase but after reading how pleased you are with the K '64...well, I guess my mind has now been made up!! I have four beautiful '64 halves and I can't wait to see my special unit! Platt......take care of me. Respectfully, Rochaz
- We do not want them to suspend disbelief in the way they would in theater and story. We want them to think critically and observe carefully. Our job is to force them to believe in magic even against their better judgment."
Whit Hayden :Juan R Rocha: |
Platt Inner circle New York 1804 Posts |
On 2009-05-01 08:30, rochaz wrote: We're ready and able. Just let us know what you want.
Sugar Rush is here! Freakishly visual magic. http://www.plattmagic.com
Fingers Inner circle Pennsylvania, USA 1330 Posts |
Good speaking at you again MB, missed you man.....sorry I wasn't around....I had some religious duties.....
Glad I could be of some help Rochaz....you will love your '64 Kennedy. I just placed an order for another '64 Kennedy myself and also for a Morgan silver dollar.....can't wait to get them.....
Where I go, so do my coins.....
CasualSoul Special user Edmonton, Canada 541 Posts |
Hey Brian, any word on Blackout with Canadian currency? Considering that Roy is the Man when it comes to making Canadian coin gaffs, I would think that it shouldn't be too tough to get him to do a small run for us lowly Canucks.
"Open their mind by performing the impossible"
Platt Inner circle New York 1804 Posts |
Hey CasualSoul, I just reached out to Roy about it. I have some concerns with a few of the Canadian coins but I think it should be possible. Obviously Roy (residing in Ontario) will be happy to make them if it's possible without making any sacrifices in quality. Let me know what would be your ideal Canadian coin, and I'll let you know what we can do. Thanks.
Sugar Rush is here! Freakishly visual magic. http://www.plattmagic.com
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8606 Posts |
BA has been around along time...It is nice to see folks bring it back into the "footlights" or would that be away from them.
Tom Burgoon showed something similar to this with a Jumbo coin...It was good to see that "Fingers" has been playing with a similar idea...Myself (and others) have been playing with an invisible or "thought,Imagine Matrix...where cards and hands are clearly seen empty..while coins magically move in ones minds..(Mind first then eye candy later....priceless. Can't remember who it was a few years back using BA close up and in stage work. He went around the country with a lecture tour. Ah what's old is still wonderfully new today. Thanks to all on the Café that share their ideas and views of new items...I love combo's of gimmicks and sleight of hand. ...Though I must admit I was a purist(whatever that is) for quite a while...and held out too long from learning even from a dvd Harris still 2 old to know everything.....
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
email@example.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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text:
- Member: drewaconclusion
- Studio: "It's a Trap!" Productions
- Title: Return of the Japanese Idiot
- Premiered: 2008-12-10
- Categories:
- Green Day American Idiot
- Anime:
- Participation:
This video is a remake of Japanese Idiot, one of my first videos. Originally, I was just going to do a remaster of Japanese Idiot, but as I was finishing that up, I felt that I could've done a better job on it. So I set out to remake it.
I wanted to keep the remake pretty faithful to the concept of the original: basically to show off the zaniness of 2x2 = Shinobuden. Not a particularly mind-bending concept, but at the time I didn't really see many 2x2 = Shinobuden amv's and thought it should get some more attention, so I went for it. The song choice came around from the idea that a song about being an "idiot" (loosely anyhow) would be fitting for 2x2 = Shinobuden; so I chose Green Day's "American Idiot" (even though now it's extremely overused).
The video itself is more of a random humor/slapstick video with a good amount of fanservice thrown in there. I think the editing was best described by Rider4Z as "the abrupt 'keep you awake' vibe". That's about all I can think of at the moment to say about the video itself.
1st Place Comedy @ Phoenix Comicon '09
2nd Place @ 4th Annual CBR Fanservice Contest
I'd also like to thank Jesmaster, Rider4Z, and meleechampion for taking a look at the video before I finished it.
On a more technical note, for there being only 3 episodes on a disc; the dvd compression was pretty bad. In certain scenes, the black edges on characters would suffer from jaggies and such. Then after running the .vob's through telecide, on each frame following an interlaced frame, there would be an orange ghost image overlaid on top of the current frame. Afterwards, I noticed that you could see both problems above if you paused the dvd while watching it on a 360. Anyhow, both problems were quite noticeable when watching early renders of the video, so I went back and re-deinterlaced the footage using FieldDeinterlace. That got rid of the orange ghost images, but left some of the frames a little jagged. I fixed that the best I knew how using various filters, etc. and I don't think it's super-noticeable in the final version here; but to get to the point, if anyone has any good suggestions for the future on how to fix such problems, I'm all ears. However, I doubt I'm going to go back and fix the entire thing just for that (I don't think it's noticeable enough to warrant it).
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Local File Drewaconclusion - Return of the Japanese Idiot.mp4 Duration 204.1 seconds Video Track 0 kb/s H.264 [avc1] 640 x 480 @ 29.97 fps Audio Track AAC @ 128 kbps 48 kHz, stereophonic sound


text:
Look sharp and avoid the glare with the Tifosi Vogel Sunglasses. Because the nose pieces and temples are water resistant they'll stay where you want them. Flexible frames and crystal clear polycarbonate lenses make the Vogel some of the most durable sunglasses you'll own. The Vogel measure small to large making them a good pair for smaller profiles. Tifosi is the Italian word referring to a super-fan or an enthusiast, which is who they are and who they make their eyewear for. Their mission is to provide technically advanced eyewear to enthusiasts of all sports and outdoor activities.
Item #: | 10443 |
Face Size: | Small |
Frame Material: | Nylon |
Lens Material: | Polycarbonate |
Gender: | Unisex |
Age Group: | Adult |


text:
A large portion of a planned indoor soccer field at the Canadiens' state-of-the-art practice facility, under construction in Brossard on Montreal's South Shore, collapsed this afternoon shortly before 1:30 p.m.
There were no serious injuries, though two construction workers of the eight on the site were treated for shock. Television-helicopter images showed a large section of steel girders having crumpled.
The $30-million facility is scheduled to open in time for the Canadiens training camp this coming September. See four photos below:
The Canadiens' under-construction practice facility in Brossard, following today's partial collapse.
Photos by John Kenney, Gazette


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Canvas Draw Created Apr 13, 2012 640 x 460px Unless noted Copyright 2012 tani3008.
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NT1B Apr 13, 2012
impressive love the way you use the texture :) and play with it this is really creative :)
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