text:
Elvis, for most of his life, was Elvis –– until he became, in the impudent vernacular of amateur historians, Fat Elvis, almost a separate entity and a symbol of talent in sad, lumbering decline.
Based on Monday night's lively concert performance at AmericanAirlines Arena there should be no fear that its 54-year-old headliner may soon transition into anything other than Madonna, just Madonna.
In an astonishing display of stamina and sexy provocation, the singer ran through a fast-paced two-hour set of more than two-dozen songs in a performance that included multiple costume changes and daring dance numbers in which the star was tossed and contorted into shapes that would challenge the body of someone half her age. As she strutted the catwalks jutting into the audience, or popped out of a hole in the stage in a new, skin-baring outfit, Madonna again displayed the sexy muscularity, energetic showmanship and boundary-pushing cheekiness that have been her trademark for nearly three decades.
There may have been some added pressure on Madonna to bring her best for the show, which will be repeated at the AAA on Tuesday night. The concert was being shot in 3-D for an upcoming DVD, and the extra energy the film crews sought was in short supply when the singer finally hit the stage just after 11:20 p.m. By that time, nearly two unconscionable hours after opener Paul Oakenfold had finished, the spaces between each time-killing song on the arena sound system were being filled by impatient boos and a chant of "Bullshit! Bullshit!" You can only watch gay men in skinny jeans bumping rumps with carefree cougars to "Sexy Back" for so long.
Madonna arrived on a stage filled by a mystical haze of smoke, robed monks and the deep rumble of Gregorian chants. But the singer quickly exploded this solemn scene with the frisky dance number "Girls Gone Wild," from her new "MDNA" album. Clad in towering black heels, black leather top and rock-hard legs seemingly painted in black lacquer, with six bare-chested male dancers dragging her through a series of sexy poses, Madonna as fashionable, powerful, but vulnerable sex toy was an ongoing theme for the night.
The singer leaned on "MDNA" for about a third of the set list, with many of her biggest hits getting quick medley treatments or new, modern renditions. She had help from Kalakan, a trio of Basque singer-musicians from northern Spain, most notably on their treatment of "Open Your Heart," which evolved into a spirited gypsy hoedown. It was one of many songs in which the singer's extraordinary team of dancers and choreography was on fine display.
Other highlights included a poignantly reimagined version of "Like a Virgin," with Madonna in nylons, briefs, corset and an architectural bra that suggested Gaultier's famed dual cones. Astride the instrument as a lone pianist played the pop trifle as a solemn elegy, Madonna laid bare all the emotion of being "touched for the very first time." Many catcalls and sexy whistling ensued.
A stylish version of "Vogue" got an enthusiastic response, as did the tortured "Love Spent," in which Madonna's strip-tease prompted fans to throw many a dollar bill onstage. There also was a spirited "Express Yourself," with its sexy drum major motif and drummers hanging from the rafters (and, yes, Madonna can handle a baton).
At around 1:15 a.m., when fans' stamina seemed to be flagging, Madonna followed a Kalakan-aided version of "I'm a Sinner" with a rousing gospel take on "Like a Prayer," with three dozen singers swaying behind her as she raised the dead. As the lights came up the crowd took to their feet in unison for a moving, sing-along, clap-along moment. The power of "Prayer."
The singer performs a second sold-out show on Tuesday at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, with opening act DJ Paul Oakenfold. Tickets: $62.50-$386.50. Info: Ticketmaster.com.
Sun Sentinel photo/Robert Duyos
Get daily updates on South Florida entertainment and things to do at SouthFlorida.com and on Twitter @BenCrandell.


text:
'Burning Man' Feeding Demand for RV Rentals
August 22, 2013 by RVBusiness Comments Off on 'Burning Man' Feeding Demand for RV Rentals
When you think about the economic impact of the annual Burning Man festival in Nevada's Black Rock Desert, your first thoughts might turn to substantial increases in the sale of legal products like sunscreen, hats, bottled water and portable barbecues, not to mention a few products deemed illegal that just might make their way to the celebration.
Perhaps the hottest commodity for at least the more well heeled attendees, however, is RVs — thousands of them of all shapes and sizes. And Dublin's area recreational vehicle rental companies are basically all sold out, the Contra Costa Times reported.
"It's probably the busiest time of the year for us," said Joe Laing, director of marketing for El Monte RV, which has a busy location in Dublin, Calif. "Basically, everything we have west of the Mississippi makes its way to Burning Man. We have almost a small army of drivers moving vehicles (to the West)."
Lane says the company will have rented between 750 and 900 RVs to Burning Man attendees. Those vehicles range from 22 to 35 feet long and sleep between five and eight people each. Depending upon how far out from the event people rented, and how far away from Northern California people were willing to go and pick up their RV, the costs range anywhere from $200 to $500 per day.
The 2013 edition of Burning Man runs from Monday (Aug. 26) through Sept. 2, with an art theme of "Cargo Cult." Like most everything at the festival, themes are always open to interpretation, which is why Lane says they see all kinds of people come in to rent.
"It's seemingly the most straight-laced people on the planet and then big extremes in both directions."
In addition to the small army of drivers, there are also a large number of people who have to go through and clean the RVs post-Burning Man, and that usually means a treasure trove of strange and unusual items that get left behind.
"One day (last year) a full broadsword came back with the vehicle. I mean, what are we going to do with a full broadsword?" says Lane. The company tried to contact the renter to give the sword back, but got no response.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Puppy Linux Discussion Forum
Puppy HOME page :
"THE" alternative forum :
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
The time now is Mon 19 Nov 2018, 10:14
All times are UTC - 4
Forum index
Taking the Puppy out for a walk
iPhones/iPads xPhones/xPads - Puppy and other OSes on them
View previous topic
View next topic
Page 1 of 1
[3 Posts]
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 6730
Location: Earth
Posted: Thu 27 Sep 2012, 16:49
Post subject:
iPhones/iPads xPhones/xPads - Puppy and other OSes on them
Subject description: How understanding Puppy can help in understanding where it'll fit
Contrasting Puppy linux with iOS/Android/WebOS and the platforms they run on.
Puppy (and most all other Linux) is designed to run on a Motherboard (MB). The MB is designed with a BIOS which inventories the MB at boot-time and present the MB peripheral status in a standard way for the OS to manage.
The MB as we have come to know it is a board where RAM for the OS to use can be installed by the PC user.
When Puppy boots, for those who may not have reviewed this, the distro's ISO may be, say for example, 500MB in size. But, the actual RAM used by Puppy for its system operations runs (for most of us) in the 100MB to 256MB range for most of what we do at any given time.
This means that once booted, the amount of RAM in use to support your operations is smaller than the overall size of all the files that is contained in the distro.
So in essence for MOST of us, system operations includes RAM and it also includes your HDD (or USB, etc).
In summary, now, you have RAM and you have places where data is stored (HDD/USB) via the Puppy filesystem(s).
Well, as I have pointed out in the past, distro size has little to no bearing on the system operations, RAM in use, or its performance. Some have problems accepting this.
But, this thread intends to try to direct focus
on xPhones and xPad technologies using our Puppy as a reference.
Some have already noticed the "MB" terminology of the xPhones and xPads. They are quoted as 256/512/1/2GB
4/8/16/32/64GB. The "AND" in the prior statement is very important. Those numbers are a correlation to what you have with traditional PCs where you are sold a traditional PC with, for example, 8GB RAM "AND" 2TB HDD.
The idea here is that you have an area for system operations "AND" you also have an area for data-programs storage over and above the running system's needs.
This is synonymous with what I share earlier about how Puppy uses your PC.
There is a major difference between a PC and xPads-xPhones; namely your ability to add RAM to the system, should you want to control system performance.
Let me step a little further. If I found that I was paging or swapping in a Windows/linux OS because of all the things I would be using simultaneously, I can FIX that by easily adding RAM to the PC MB.
But, you (or I) cannot do this for an xPhone/xPad. In fact, in some phone/pads, you can add an SDcard of some sort(s), but, this is NOT ADDING TO THE SYSTEM RAM where programs are run.
So, as the technologies move forward, we, the owners of the xPhone-xPad technologies are severely controlled/limited by this fact.
If a Touchscreen traditional MB PC is used, a WebOS/Android/iOS type of screen desktop can be deployed which allows you to run a Puppy distro designed as such to check-in, or check-out applications from a "store-house" in a similar fashion as is seen in those OSes. Thus, given a proper Window Manager setup along with Puppy on a Touch PC would exceed what is current with the handhelds of today. Further, it would position Puppy for what (I think) is going to occur in the xPhone-xPad industry in the future, particularly with Microsoft's (and Apple's) needs of the future after MS's initial release.
(I going to go out on a limb and suggest, that Google Techs when proposing and given the green light to build Android, was foreseeing an OS that would not be limited to the xPhone/xPad platforms of today. Instead, they saw an OS which would break out of that platform mold to a platform which would run on those platforms AND also run on a traditional PC MB as well. Thus Google's Android must be the scariest of all xPad/xPhone models of today. Its Linux approach has an almost boundless directional offering.)
Yes, Puppy is approaching a cross-road as traditional PC use will diminish and touch-screen use continues to increase. The technology industry is moving more and more to an interactive approach. Even my TV that I just purchased responds to my shouting instructions to it....WOW
What will Puppy of tomorrow progress to... yes ... evolution occurs in the technology industry too. This is synonymous with the transportation industry's move from drawn-wagons to mobiles.
I think this community either has and with some slight evolutionary changes, it will attract additional and necessary talents to carry us forward. But, we will need to see the benefits we can derive approaching the cross-road. Will it be off to a dead-end, or will it be adding an additional lane in our growth?
Can you contribute to this understanding?
Get ACTIVE Create Circles; Do those good things which benefit people's needs!
We are all related ... Its time to show that we know this!
3 Different Puppy Search Engines
or use
Back to top
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 6730
Location: Earth
Posted: Sun 14 Oct 2012, 14:18
Post subject:
Sony (and others) is introducing s line of touch PCs
which is poised to provide a PC that Puppy "could" exploit. The benefit is that PUPPY's method of using RAM and embracing it into the Puppy Linux filesystem can provide an tremendously practical 'touch" experience.
Please remember, though, that the desktop experience is going to be viewed as a step backward as Windows8 on their desktop is a xPad/xPhone swipe kind of experience while Puppy's currently is a "mousie" experience.
But, for those who would find a "mousing" experience of a easy to carry or easy to Place (on a wall for example), this Hardware can be useful.
I would not expect a large community, here, to want to switch the OS that is shipped with those PCs because it is matching what we have on our xPads/xPhones. But, this announcement by Sony spells what 90% of all PCs, both touch and non-touch, will be purchased with over teh next year.
Expect a huge jump in "touch" offerings on PCs as the MS marketplace begins to migrate users into the new fold to match Apple-Google advancements of what we see in our hands.
Here to help
Get ACTIVE Create Circles; Do those good things which benefit people's needs!
We are all related ... Its time to show that we know this!
3 Different Puppy Search Engines
or use
Back to top
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 6730
Location: Earth
Posted: Fri 19 Oct 2012, 15:59
Post subject:
Next week we will get a huge blast of Touch stuff when the covers of Window8 comes off.
Here's another device that Puppy could exploit
. But, many will not be so anxious to displace Windows8 on this platform with a Pup (except for test or running in as a VM client for test)
Stay tuned for "Surface".
Eyes wide open:
Look for signs of how we make PUPs much much more attractive on these kinds of touch-swipe devices.
Get ACTIVE Create Circles; Do those good things which benefit people's needs!
We are all related ... Its time to show that we know this!
3 Different Puppy Search Engines
or use
Back to top
Display posts from previous:
All Posts
1 Day
7 Days
2 Weeks
1 Month
3 Months
6 Months
1 Year
Sort by:
Post Time
Post Subject
Page 1 of 1
[3 Posts]
View previous topic
View next topic
Forum index
Taking the Puppy out for a walk
Jump to:
Select a forum
Forum index
|___ House Training
| |___ Beginners Help ( Start Here)
| |___ Users ( For the regulars )
| | |___ Usuarios de habla Hispana
| | |___ Für deutschsprachige Anhänger
| | |___ Pour les francophones
| |
| |___ HOWTO ( Solutions )
| |___ Bugs ( Submit bugs )
|___ Advanced Topics
| |___ Additional Software (PETs, n' stuff)
| | |___ Package Collections / Repositories
| | |___ Browsers and Internet
| | |___ Business
| | |___ Compiling
| | |___ Desktop
| | |___ Documents
| | |___ Drivers
| | |___ Educational
| | |___ Engineering/Science/Simulation
| | |___ Eye Candy
| | |___ Filesystem
| | |___ Games
| | |___ Graphics
| | |___ Multimedia
| | |___ Network
| | |___ Security/Privacy
| | |___ System
| | |___ Utilities
| | |___ Virtualization
| | |___ Unsorted
| |
| |___ Cutting edge
| | |___ Multi-session live-CD/DVD
| |
| |___ Hardware
| | |___ Audio
| | |___ Networking
| | | |___ Dialup
| | | |___ Ethernet
| | | |___ Wireless
| | |
| | |___ Printers
| | |___ Video
| |
| |___ Puppy Derivatives
| |___ Puppy Projects
| |___ Next Puppy Development
| | |___ 4.x
| | | |___ Bugs (4.x dev)
| | | |___ Usability Issues (4.x dev)
| | |
| | |___ 5.x
| | |___ Bugs (5.x dev)
| | |___ Usability Issues (5.x dev)
| |
| |___ Localization Project
| |___ Documentation Project
|___ Taking the Puppy out for a walk
| |___ Announcements
| |___ Puppy Power
| |___ Suggestions
| |___ Misc
|___ Off-Topic Area
|___ Programming
|___ Security
post new topics in this forum
reply to topics in this forum
edit your posts in this forum
delete your posts in this forum
vote in polls in this forum
attach files in this forum
download files in this forum
Powered by
© 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
[ Time: 0.0862s ][ Queries: 11 (0.0274s) ][ GZIP on ]


text:
Grae's Rating:
The birds are flightless, but the movie soars
Imagine if the 80s rode a spinning roller coaster and then in-between telling funny jokes, barfed all its neon on zoo animals. That's what Madagascar 3 is like. It seems a little frantic to my brain, but that must be because my cells don't regenerate as fast as the target audiences' do. No matter. This movie is so funny and sweet that it's official: this series actually gets better with each installment.
First and foremost, way to go Dreamworks, on infusing the writing team with a dose of Whit Stillman-like Soul-twisting Awkwardness. Eric Darnell, who wrote the previous two movies, is back, but with…wait for it…Noah Baumbach. Yes, the guy who wrote Greenberg and Margot at the Wedding. Since no one is undermining anyone else or trying to pass off a Pink Floyd song as their own, I guess the Baumbach stamp in this one is how smart it is. It's the same cute animals as before with their angular hair cuts, causing trouble. But it's definitely the most memorable of all three.
If the series has taught me anything, it's never to trust penguins. Just because they look like they're wearing tuxedos does not make them classy. At the end of the last film, the penguins headed to Monte Carlo, promising to return and pick everyone up so they could head home to New York. Alex (Ben Stiller), Marty (Chris Rock), Melman (David Schwimmer), and Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith) get restless waiting for them in this one, so they swim to Monte Carlo. They blow the penguins' cover in a profitable gambling scheme and attract the attention of Captain Chantel DuBois (Frances McDormand), a sort of Ilsa the Blood Hound of France character who has no qualms about licking mud if it means coming closer to King Henry the VII-ing Alex. She is relentless and really good on a moped, so Alex and Co. hide in a traveling circus that turns out to be the worst circus since Michael Jackson died.
This film takes the usual amount of over-stimulation provided in animated flicks and amps it up about 100 times more, making it look exactly how I imagine Katy Perry's sex dungeon appears to the uninitiated. The good news is, while your kids are hypnotized and laughing at sea lions smacking into ravine walls after being launched out of a cannon, you're getting some really decent laughs and new characters that are a welcome addition to the universe. And then, as a bonus, during the insane climax of the film, you get to feel stoned without having to actually score drugs. It makes buying the 3D ticket totally worth it and will keep you in a happy daze afterwards. Just don't trust any penguins on the way home.
Movies.com Critic
Shenanigans successfully deployed.
Read full review |
Comments ()
60 out of 100 Metascore®
Read other critic reviews
Nothing mediocre about this medium.
Can't say "expendable" without "duh"
Valley of the Dolls with Firepower?
Just shy of a landslide.
All Grae Drake's Movie Reviews
Movies.com, the ultimate source for everything movies, is your destination for new movie trailers, reviews, photos, times, tickets + more! Stay in the know with the latest movie news and cast interviews at Movies.com.
Copyright © 2018 FANDANGO MOVIES.


text:
DCMP Web Events
Upcoming Events
Check back soon to learn about the next event. Meanwhile, please visit the links below to access previous Events.
Previous Events
|Event Name
|Live Event Date
|Inside Video Description: How Pictures Become Words
|View Archive
|May 14, 2014
|VDRDC Webinar: Going Pro: Using YouDescribe in the Classroom and Beyond
|View Archive
|December 11, 2013
|VDRDC Webinar: YouDescribe – How You Can Add Audio Description to Any YouTube Video!
|View Archive
|May 30, 2013
|VDRDC Webinar: "Do It Yourself" Educational Description: Guidelines and Tools
|View Archive
|October 24, 2012
|VDRDC Webinar: "Bringing Video Description Into the 21st Century"
|View Archive
|January 24, 2012


text:
Want to be the first to find out when Samsung announces details on the US versions of the Samsung Galaxy S III? They just opened up a registration page for the device and promised customers will receive the latest updates about their highly anticipated device in exchange for your email address.
Some will probably notice there is a field for carrier preference that lists AT&T, C Spire, Metro PCS, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular and Verizon, but we wouldn't read too much into that. However, Samsung did say the device will come to 296 mobile operators in 145 countries, so we wouldn't be surprised if it eventually landed on all those.


text:
Forum on the Information Society – Internet Governance- 08/07/2010
On July 8, 2010, from 9:00 to 17:30, the Forum on the Information Society Internet Governance took place at ISCTE-IUL, Edifício II, Auditório B203, Av. das Forças Armadas, Lisboa, (see the Forum program with links to presentations). This Forum is open to all interested participants.
The purpose of this forum, organized back-to-back with the public session of the World Internet Project (July 7, also at ISCTE-IUL, Edifício II, Auditório B203) by the Knowledge Society Agency (UMIC) in collaboration with the Foundation for National Scientific Computing (FCCN) and the Lisbon Internet and Networks Institute (LINI), was to discuss some of the main aspects of Internet Governance.
The Forum includes sessions especially dedicated to:
- Opening Session of the Forum (video record of session1);
- Liberty, Privacy and e Security in the Internet (video record of session2);
- Internet Governance: past, present and future (video record of session3);
- Internet Neutrality, Open Standards and Innovation (video record of session4);
- Future of Content Creation and Dissemination (video record of session5);
- Social Networks opportunities and challenges (video record of session6);
- Synthesis and Closing Session of the Forum (video record of session7).
All these issues involve major challenges associated with the enormous transformations brought about by the Internet in global communications and its radical implications for social and economic changes in almost all areas of human activity. These are also key issues for the new Digital Agenda initiative considered in the framework of the strategy European Union 2020.
Based on the debates, Messages from Lisbon was published. The Messages were compiled by the Knowledge Society Agency (UMIC) and they are the main messages from Portugal to the global debate in 2010.
The Internet Governance has received worldwide attention at the highest level within the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) held under UN auspices in two sessions, one in Geneva in 2003 and another in Tunis in 2005. In the latter, the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) was created with an explicit orientation to engage openly and on equal footing all multistakeholders, including from governments and public administrations, technical and academic communities, business and civil society. The operation of the IGF, with the generalization of the involvement of multistakeholders in the discussion of the varied Internet Governance themes, provided a fresh impetus and broadened a movement that had started in 1998 at ICAAN Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers for the management of DNS.
IGF met every year since then successively in Athens (2006), Rio de Janeiro (2007), Heyderabad (2008), Sharm El Sheik (2009), and meets this year in Vilnius on 14-17 September. The process of the global IGF ignited a decentralized movement of organization of several regional (8) and national (14) fora explicitly dedicated to Internet Governance (see a list in the IGF site at http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/regional-IGF). The European IGF was launched under the name EuroDig European Dialogue on Internet Governance and had annual sessions since 2008 (in Strasbourg, Geneve and Madrid). The present Forum on the Information Society Internet Governance is assumed as the Portuguese IGF.
On May 10, 2010, another session of the Forum on the Information Society took place at the Macau Scientific and Cultural Centre (see Forum for the Information Society - Future Internet).


text:
Arioch needed a new other design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 6 designs submitted by 2 freelance designers.
We need a logo and some graphic design for our new card game.
Hi !
We need a logo for our new card game.
More than that, i would like to find a final design for ours cards. The logo will be on the back of all the cards.
Back of the cards
The back is the brand name of the game "Morrigan". Consider it like a logo design that must fit the card. Keep in mind that it'll be used on other format (website, flyers...). The graphical theme of the game is a distorted arthurian myth view. So please, try to respect it.
Front of the cards
There are 5 different types of cards that must be recognized easily :
- Territory
- Opponent
- Equipment
- Challenge
- Action pointEach card is set to a level between 1 and 5. So an equipment card lvl 4 would be better than one of lvl 1.
See the files below for more description...
Each card (but the action point cards, see below) have a name, a type and a value on their face.
Action point cards are special cards (the most common) that have no pictures on them. As for the other cards, their level is between 1 and 5. The thing special about them is that they must be stackable (think about the "Solitaire" Card game); you put them under another card and let a bit of them visible. This bit must show the value of the action card.
The idea is to embed something nicely within the illustrations as it's the most important thing in the card while maintaining it very readable and understandable.
The cards are approximately 3.5 inches high and 2.5" wide (poker sized).
You can find a package with some illustrations of the game to work with and some examples from other card games on this adress :
Here is the visual concept of what i want :
The winning design must be given in PSD format with a resolution of 300 DPI minimum in a size of 10 times the normal size of the cards.
I'll try to be very reactive during this contest so feel free to ask questions.
I'll include a finalized game as a bonus for the winner after the game is published...
And... sorry for my english ! ;o)
- Nice reusable logo
- Design must fit the theme
- Design musn't hide the card illustration
- Design must be very understandable on any illustration
- Just a typo as a logo


text:
See our photo gallery from São Paulo.
2015 Rotary Convention photo gallery
Ronald M Allen
Ronald M. Allen has been delivering talks since his mountain climbing days at the ripe age of 18. He has presented, coached and instructed employees and management in the Interior Design, Mortgage Banking/Retail Banking, Healthcare industries and Educational Institution which have led him to speak in four countries on three continents. Ronald has been written about in the industry publication Sharing Ideas, magazine and on multiple radio stations as a guest speaker on the topic of managing change thru effective communications. He has appeared in the Bergen Times, heard on WNWR 1540 AM, Philadelphia, Our Neighborhood cable Mind TV and WIBG & WDAS 1480 AM. Ronald has written three books; 'Life Cycles – 113 Quotes To Guide Your Daily Decisions', '13 Steps to Positive Change, There is No Fourteenth Floor', and 'My Castle, My Jail!, Homeownership Has Never Been Easier to Lose! The Changing Landscape of the American Dream'. Ronald is now in the process of completing 13 booklets entitled 'Behavioral Gambits for Life'. He is also developing an action-guide for his fast-start program on getting results from the creative side 'In You'. He provides Mentorship, Coaching and Consulting services for individuals and firms that want to draw upon the creative assets of their employees to help them achieve and maintain their desired levels of effectiveness. Ronald graduated from Prior Park College, Bath, England in 1975 with Commerce and Art majors. Immigrating to the States in 1988 and he personally secured his citizenship to the United States on May 19, 2000. He is married to Miriam Anderson-Allen and they reside in Burlington County, New Jersey with their two tropical birds (of which Peak precedes the start of their relationship) and three dogs, Sergeant, a Great Dane, Cookie, a Cane Cores and Ginger, the mutt of the family. Ronald enunciates with a fresh voice our ability to call upon one's intangible assets that produce tangible results, each and every one of us possess. Audiences embrace him and speaking planners and organizers recognize the benefits long after the event they have invested in is over.


text:
April 18 (Reuters) - American Amanda Knox said she
considered suicide if her 2007 murder conviction of a British
roommate in Italy had not been overturned, according to an
advance copy of Knox's forthcoming memoir.
In her memoir, excerpts of which were obtained by ABC
Television News and released on Thursday, Knox said she
"imagined myself a corpse" while in prison and began considering
killing herself if her sentence was increased to life in prison
from her initial 26-year sentence.
"I started to understand how you could feel so locked inside
your own life that you could be so desperate to escape, even if
it meant that you would no longer exist," Knox writes in
"Waiting to Be Heard."
The memoir will be published by HarperCollins on April 30 in
conjunction with an interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer that is
due to air the same day.
Knox, 25, spent four years in prison for the murder of
Meredith Kercher while both were exchange students at Perugia
University in Italy. Knox was acquitted on appeal in 2011 and
she returned to her Seattle-area home, but Italy's high court
last month ordered a retrial.
She lists many ways to kill oneself in prison, including
poisoning with bleach, swallowing shards of glass or a broken
pen, hanging and hitting your head against a wall.
"Less effective but, I thought, more dignified was bleeding
yourself to death," Knox writes. "I imagined it would be
possible to get away with enough time in the shower."
Knox, who became a tabloid sensation in Britain and Italy,
writes in the memoir that her cell mates were crude and hostile
to her and thought her a snob because she would read and write
to pass the time.
Knox also reveals that if she would have had to serve her
initial 26-year sentence that she would have considered adopting
a child on her release.
Kercher's half-naked body, with more than 40 wounds and a
deep gash in the throat, was found in the apartment she shared
with Knox in the university town in central Italy.
The Italian high court in March also overturned the
acquittal of Knox's former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito and
ordered a new trial on a date still to be set.
The acquittal came after independent forensic experts said
the police scientific evidence was deeply flawed and the
investigation had been bungled.
Knox's memoir covers her time in Italy up until her release
from prison.
In a separate interview with People magazine, due to be
published on April 26, Knox said she was still haunted by her
"Things creep up on me and all of a sudden I'm overwhelmed
by the feeling of helplessness and that desperation and fear to
even hope," she told People. "Just that can make my heart race
and makes me paralyzed until I can breathe it away."
ABC is part of Walt Disney Co and HarperCollins is
owned by News Corp.


text:
Country music legend to perform in Poteau
Country music legend Gene Watson will perform at the Donald W. Reynolds Center in Poteau on Nov. 2.Doors will be open to the public at 6:00 pm with concert starting at 7:30 pm. All proceeds will benefit Heavener Runestone Park to help keep it open and free for the public.Tickets available at the Poteau and Heavener chambers of commerce, Days Inn and Suites, Best Western and Runestone Park Gift Shop. They may be purchased online at http://www.itickets.com/events/313858.html or by calling (800) 965-9324. Prices are $30 premiere and $20 general admission. Tickets at the gate will be $35 and $25 respectively."We have been very lucky to engage Gene for this concert," said Runestone President Mike Kennerson. "This year marks the golden anniversary of one of our greatest living country vocalists. In 1962, Gene began his professional career by recording his first single."In 1974, one of Watson's small-label singles caught the ear of Capitol Records. He was an auto-body repairman and the featured performer at Houston's Dynasty nightclub when the label picked up the steamy, sexual waltz, "Love in the Hot Afternoon" for national distribution. In 1975, It became the first of Watson's two-dozen top 10 hits. He was inducted into the Texas Music Hall of Fame in 2002.In honor of the Houston Press Music Awards' 25th anniversary, the Houston Press created the Houston Music Hall of Fame. Houston-based Watson, was among the first inducted at the ceremony held Aug. 6.Although approaching 70 years old, Watson is more popular than ever and remains a major draw on the tour circuit. He sings in the same key he did 30 years ago and remains a staunchly classic country traditionalist. His pure vocal tone and ability to hit octave jumping notes have earned him the insider's nickname as "the singer's singer."Watson has re-recorded his classic 1970s and '80s hits in a 25-song collection titled The Best of the Best. He has been cited as an idol by such performers as Joe Nichols, Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Lee Ann Womack and Randy Travis.For information on call (918) 653-2241 or check on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GeneWatsonFHR or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Heavener-Runestone/119474274794176.


text:
As the only five-star, non-gaming hotel on the peninsula, Mandarin Oriental, Macau's discreet and luxurious atmosphere sets the tone for your wedding or special occasion.
We know that weddings are special, that's why we are dedicated to creating an entirely original celebration for you.
Our wedding packages can include one of our waterfront suites, where you can relax and prepare for your day. Our Harbour or Bay Rooms make ideal Mah-jongg suites, which we will prepare with our designer Mah-jongg tables and bespoke chocolate or marzipan gift sets.
We offer a range of thoughtful touches and services to make your big day even more special. These include beautiful wedding cakes, amazing floral arrangements, and - for local brides - a limousine escort to collect you and bring you to the hotel in style.
Take time out of wedding planning and visit our spa where you can enjoy a range of treatments. Alongside relaxing body and face therapies, we also have a nail spa which offers a selection of beautiful manicures and pedicures.
With Weddings and Honeymoons by Mandarin Oriental, couples who wed at our hotel receive a complimentary honeymoon night and other special benefits at another Mandarin Oriental hotel in the Group.
When you choose Mandarin Oriental, Macau, you're choosing an exclusive and luxurious venue where great service, original ideas and a wonderful setting is assured. We have a team of dedicated professionals who will work with you to create the event of your dreams. From small parties to high-profile dinners, we have great experience in hosting all kinds of special occasion.
Please provide us the details of your wedding or event and our dedicated specialists will contact you with a proposal that meets your requirements.


text:
Brand Label: Mcm
ITEM MOVED TO ARCHIVE: On April 30, 2018 12:36 pm, Fashion Stylist Online noted this item may be out of stock at FORZIERI because it was not referenced in their latest online catalog. If this item is out of stock at FORZIERI, you may be able to find similar fashions sold there or elsewhere on our Mcm Designer Brand Directory.
Available for Purchase Online at FORZIERI for $440.00Pin It
Millie Visetos Soft Pink Medium Zip Crossbody Bag crafted in monogrammed coated canvas, has a versatile design with two detachable shoulder straps that give you the option of going casual chic or evening elegant. Featuring zip closure, detachable chain shoulder strap, detachable leather crossbody strap, internal small side open pocket, leather trim and dark gold tone hardware. Signature dust bag included.
Shop other brand label items from Mcm on FashionStylist.com.
This item was published for sale online by FORZIERI on April 30, 2018 12:31 pm and last updated by us April 30, 2018 12:36 pm.
Editor Picks: Bag Lady.....
Valentino Garavani Demilune Leather Crossbody
Loewe Hammock Smooth Shoulder Bag
Furla Elisir Mini Crossbody Bag Red
Anya Hindmarch Mini Vere Barrel Bag Women Leather
Mcm Patricia Canvas Hobo Bag Yellow
Editor Picks: Handbags for the Win
3 1 Phillip Lim Mini Soleil Barrel Bag Black
Alexander Wang Alpha Suede Bucket Bag
Moschino Bear Leather Crossbody Bag
Burberry Bridle Leather Shoulder Bag
Moschino Its Lit Matchbook Bucket Bag
Editor Picks: Designer Easter Trends for Kids
Florence Eiseman Striped One Piece Skirted Swimsuit
Once Kid's Cityscape Wooden Blocks Multi Colors
Pili Carrera Eyelet Trim Jersey Top White 12m
Stella Mccartney Taylor Striped Splatter Swim
Stella Mccartney Joe Twill Colorblock Shorts Blue
Editor Picks: The Crossbody Bag
Michael Michael Kors Cindy Dome Crossbody Bag
Rebecca Minkoff Finn Leather Fringe Crossbody
Vince Modern V Leather Crossbody Bag
Elizabeth And James Suede Fringe Pouch Crossbody
Rebecca Minkoff Moto Drawstring Crossbody Bag
Editor Picks: Handbags
Marni Colorblock Satchel Bag W Strap Navy Green
Chloe Drew Grain Leather Saddle Bag Black Gold
Chloe Hudson Double Carry Python Panel Shoulder
Lanvin Sugar Studded Shoulder Bag Black
Alexander Mcqueen Heroine Flowers Stud Satchel
Browse More Fashion Apparel by Mcm (view more)
- $175.00
Mcm Heritage Bi Fold Card Case
- $1050.00
Mcm Monogram Print Holdall Tote
- $74.95
Mcm Logo Money Clip Wallet
- $775.00
Mcm Mini Heritage Satchel
- $550.00
Mcm Anya Zip Top Shopper
- $550.00
Mcm Anya Top Zip Shopper
- $550.00
Mcm Reversible Project Visetos Shopper
- $550.00
Mcm Reversible Project Visetos Shopper
- $675.00
Mcm Visetos Signature Tote Bag
- $575.00
Mcm Mini Milla Tote
New promo codes and links offering limited time promotions, sales coupons, and special offers on Mcm designer fashions and accessories will be posted on each designer label apparel page. For the latest up to date information on this Mcm Designer Handbags Millie Visetos Soft Pink Zip Crossbody Bag fashion item, including product specifications, ordering options, pricing, shipping details, high resolution pictures, shopper comments, and other sales media, visit the FORZIERI Online Store.


text:
After months in testing, Verizon has finally approved the Android 4.0.4 update (build IMM76K) for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. The news comes from Verizon's support page that details the benefits of the software upgrade. We haven't received the official word from Verizon that the update has begun pushing out, but this is a sign that it should start going out in batches any day now.
For those of you that are curious, this is the exact same build that was leaked in early May and appeared on Google's servers again just last week. If you already flashed that version, you have the same version that is going out to normal customers soon.
Verizon Wireless and Samsung encourage users to download this update. Fixes that we know of include:
Email, Messaging & Data
- Email messages will display properly when the text size is set to large.
- When sending a multimedia message to an Outlook email address, the file extension will send, allowing the recipient to successfully open an image.
- Successfully deleted emails on the device will be deleted from the desktop as well.
- Successfully send text messages without experiencing network connectivity issues.
- When viewing a Calendar reminder or appointment, you will now be able to view the full notes associated with the appointment.
- A down arrow has been added in the Calendar application that will expand the calendar message body, allowing you to view the entire message.
Device Features
- Successfully turn on Wi-Fi using the Power Control widget.
- Updates have been made to prevent the display from freezing or becoming unresponsive.
- Complete calls without experiencing choppy audio, clicking noises and one-way audio noises.
- Successfully access Voicemail and other automated systems without error.
I'm glad that Verizon finally got this update approved, but Galaxy Nexus owners should expect more of the same with future updates. Google will announce their Android 4.1 upgrade next month and it will hit the GSM Galaxy Nexus shortly, and then Verizon subscribers with the CDMA/LTE Galaxy Nexus will be left waiting for months before Verizon approves it.
Give us a shout out if you happen to receive the latest update on your Verizon Galaxy Nexus. Did it resolve the issues you were experiencing with the device?


text:
The littlest pieces of our scrapbooking stash can often be the most time and space consuming when it comes to storage and organization. Paper, stickers, brads, photos, and buttons – scrapbookers have dozens, if not hundreds, of these items they need to keep someplace. Today I am sharing my thoughts on storage and organization of these small items.
Perhaps one of the most debated topics in storage is patterned paper. By color? Style? Manufacturer? What's the best way?
I believe vertical storage to be best, both for keeping paper from being damaged and for the ease of sorting through and finding what I want. Depending on your goals and what kinds of papers you keep, your needs for storage can vary greatly. Once upon a time I relied on a paper taker by Crop In Style for all of my paper. I have kept my cardstock in vertical storage by color for several years now, and I like the ease of use and being able to see when I'm running low in any given color at a quick glance.
While I like sorting my cardstock by color, I prefer to sort my patterned paper by brand. I find the vertical paper holders by Cropper Hopper to be phenomenal. Some of the ones I use today are the originals I purchased over five years ago – I've yet to replace any. To keep things from sliding around I keep them in a milk crate. This also allows me to store random papers between the files.
I used to keep my paper by color and patterns (polka dots, stripes, etc). However, I found that method to be a lot more work, and in the end more time consuming. When I would look for coordinating papers from a specific line or brand, I might have to look through all of my paper to find them. As you scrapbook, think about what would make things easier for you, and let that guide you in how you organize your supplies.
Next, let's talk about stickers.
For the most part stickers and rub-ons get put into either a drawer or a small plastic tote (standing) where they're easy to sort through. Lately though, I've been putting sticker sheets onto binder rings (available at any office store) and hanging them for storage. Being able to flip through the sheets quickly is a bonus, and I've found it to be a great way to keep new product out where I'll see and use it.
The down side of the binder rings is that often you have to keep the stickers (or other items) in original packaging or punch a hole yourself. My solution has been to move them off of the binder ring and into a drawer or bin once they've been used a few times or no longer stay put well on the ring.
What about all those little bits? Rub-ons, tags, journaling papers, and other paper bits that need a home? To be honest, I'm not entirely happy with where I am at on this particular area of organization, but what I have for now is some very small drawers.
They are divided into small tags, journaling papers, and rub-ons. What I like about this is that it keeps things orderly, but I do not find digging through everything to be convenient for creating. I would consider either plastic bags (bound together with hole at top for binder ring) or perhaps a shoebox-sized container to keep the tags and papers in at this point, but I have hesitated because I'm not convinced either of those will be a better solution.
(Important to remember: Here in the real world, after the photos are taken, things are going to get used. Messed up. Worked with. Just because highly organized systems sound good, doesn't mean that they work well.)
Next up is photos, and for me this is an easy one. I keep (fairly chronological) Cropper Hopper Photo Cases full of my photos, as I choose to print any photos I want to keep. I consider digital files of my photos to be a back up, rather than my primary storage solution.
There are photo boxes of so many sizes and shapes, and some like the Memory Dock one pictured above come with a number of dividers to allow you to further organize your photos. While I like this concept in theory, once upon a time I tried to do this and found the set-size plastic photo holders to be too limiting. Sometimes I needed just a portion of one section for an event and then what? Do I add another event in? Leave the space blank? I wound up frustrated and wasting space. I like index cards in between events/dates in my photo storage boxes because they fit right in while allowing me to customize the amount of space taken by any given event.
I also keep a smaller box filled only with photos I'm wanting to scrapbook. Divided or open like the Martha Stewart box pictured above, it is a great way for me to keep photos grouped by layout, and access them quickly.
Finally, what about all those tiny items? Brads, buttons, pins, charms, photo corners, and other little bits can be frustrating because if they're not stored in a easy-to-use fashion, you'll spend a lot of time looking for that one special item. My first tip to you is something I learned from Tim Holtz: take stuff out of its packaging! By removing product from it's packaging you'll not only save space, but when you go to look for something it'll be easier to find an item that will work for you.
Storage by type or by color are both equally effective in my experience. Stacy Julian has an excellent video blog series on her color storage system going on that I highly recommend watching to see embellishments stored in that way.
If your space is limited and you crop a lot, I cannot recommend the Urban Stamp Tote by MiMi enough. I purchased mine when it was brand new, and I've loved it ever since.
Don't be put off by the name – I find it to be more useful for tiny bits than stamps of any kind. It can be kept open at home, then folded up, put in its tote, and hauled off to a crop. I consider it one of the best splurges I ever made in craft storage and organization.
Another choice for more compartments and a more permanent solution are boxes like this one by Craft Design. They are fantastic for tiny items, especially because keeping them in a shallow drawer makes them easy to access. Before you purchase a crafting one, though, visit your local home improvement store and look in the garage storage area. Storage boxes for nails, drill bits, and other small home improvement items are often a fraction of the price of crafting items if you don't mind utilitarian colors like gray. Here's one from Home Depot. Another great place to look is fishing or outdoor supplies. Tackle boxes are fantastic!
I keep color drawers for buttons, and I also put random bits and tiny chipboard by color in these drawers as well. What I love about a container like this is that the drawers come out. So if I am needing a number of green buttons, I can pull the drawer out and work with it, then return it to it's spot when I am done. I choose not to organize everything by color though. I keep pins, charms, brads, and many other items according to item type. It's a personal choice, and it works for me because all of my small bits and pieces are kept within my set of drawers here.
Jars are another great storage option for small pieces. Doodlebug has a series of jars available. I use some glass jam jars (purchased at the grocery store) that are wonderful. If plastic is a better option for you just look in the storage (or kitchen) departments of any store like Target. I keep my flowers in a plastic tub and dig through it when I want some, and I have used small jars for sequins, beads, and other small accents as well.
The bottom line? Personal preference, space, and style all need to be considered. Keeping things simple, and easy to both use and keep organized is key. One final tip I have to share is that I suggest avoiding lids. For some items in jars I think they're fine, but in my experience when I use boxes, totes, or small containers with lids I end up throwing them (the lids) out. Why? I want ease of use, and for me sliding drawers or items with no lid is a step easier.
I will be sharing a third article on Friday covering the miscellaneous bits and pieces of my stash, along with a number of posts on my personal blog this week as well. If you have questions or comments I welcome them in the comments!


text:
With Chris Nolan overseeing...
Source: LA Times
Despite the setbacks it faced the last time Warner Bros. tried to gather its DC Comics-based heroes together to form the Justice League, that isn't putting the studio off from moving ahead with the plan, according to executive Jeff Robinov, who revealed that they're looking to reboot Batman again.
Yes, it would seem that once Chris Nolan and company are finished in the their more realistic Bat-universe with The Dark Knight Rises, we're going to be looking at Batman Begins… Again.
"We have the third Batman, but then we'll have to reinvent Batman," Robinov tells the LA Times. "Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas will be producing it, so it will be a conversation with them about what the next phase is."
The mention of Nolan and his regular producing partner/wife being involved makes us think it'll hopefully maintain the high standards that the director has set for Bruce Wayne, but the fact remains that the more down-to-earth setting for Nolan's take on the character would have to be ditched if Warners is going to see him share the screen with the super-powered likes of Superman (now taking the form of Henry Cavill), Wonder Woman and Green Lantern in the League.
Plus it seem that Robinov's target for the team-up is 2013, which seems like a nearly unworkable date given that The Dark Knight won't return until summer next year and Zack Snyder's Superman won't even arrive until that December.
We don't doubt that Robinov wants to get his company's equivalent to The Avengers up and running, and given that he says a Justice League script (as well as standalone films for The Flash and Wonder Woman, despite the new TV version) is being written, he may yet see his dream realised. But 2013? We'll see. And what do you lot think? Too soon? Good call? Sound off!
Source: EmpireOnline


text:
CRESTVIEW � New statewide "public participation in public meetings" laws require the city to revisit its own policies, if only to bring them into compliance with state regulations, city attorney Jerry Miller said.
CRESTVIEW � New statewide "public participation in public meetings" laws require the city to revisit its own policies, if only to bring them into compliance with state regulations, city attorney Jerry Miller said.
Speaking at a Monday evening City Council workshop, Miller emphasized that Crestview, unlike some municipalities, already has a "very liberal" public participation policy.
"It would appear in some jurisdictions they were not very gracious with their time and listening to public comment," Miller said.
The new legislation is an opportunity for Crestview to refresh several of its own rules, Miller said. On his advice, the council repealed policy 93-3, "Meeting General Rules of Order."
"I didn't find it a very useable document for most purposes," Miller said. "I found it way longer than it needs to be."
Under the legislation, the city should also revisit its rules for participation in quasi-judicial hearings, which, Miller said, by law should be limited to site-specific rezoning and project approvals.
The public can still attend quasi-judicial hearings, but only people "with standing," or involvement in the hearing, should be allowed to speak.
Miller said the council is involved in too many quasi-judicial hearings. Approving many projects brought before it shouldn't be the council's responsibility, Miller said.
By becoming enmeshed in considering projects already approved by various city boards, the council risks legal challenges if it disapproves a project that has met the city's requirements for approval.
Recently, for example, a city councilman voted against a project that had met the city's code requirements simply because he disapproved of its aesthetics.
"In property rights issues, we ought to have as much freedom as reasonable, and even some unreasonable," Miller said.
At its regular meeting of the evening, the council voted unanimously to repeal policies 93-3 and 09-01, which was also found to conflict with the new legislation.
Miller said he will have a new policy to present to the council at its Sept. 9 meeting.
"We will always do what we've always done and that is encourage and invite public participations in our meetings," Council President Robyn Helt said.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.


text:
If you are looking for the Best DWI lawyer in Derry, look no further than Attorney Mike Bowser.
We are here to help. We understand that one mistake shouldn't mean the end of the world. Attorney Mike Bowser has been trusted by hundreds of clients who have been charged with DWI and has successfully defended many of those cases. He specializes in fighting tough cases to trial. Just take a look at his DWI case results and you will see why People who cannot afford to get a DWI conviction hire Mike Bowser!
The State of New Hampshire puts heavy penalties on DWI convictions. This is not something to take lightly or to trust to a junior attorney who doesn't have trial experience. Remember, there are many additional penalties like increased insurance rates, points on your license, and having future employers reject you when they see a DWI on your background check. If you want to fight, call us now: (888) 526-9737.
Call now for your free case consultation. If you are an out of state resident, we can make sure that you don't have to show up for every court date and miss time from work.
Call now: (888) 526-9737
Tell us about your case and one of our experienced attorneys will contact you. We will give you knowledgeable, truthful answers.
DUI Dismissed Quite simply Michael S. Bowser, JR. is the best defense lawyer money can buy. This being said I didn't have money to throw away, so I shopped around and his price was affordable and comparable to some larger Law firms. In the end I decided to go with Mr. Bowser because of his word of mouth reputation, which was impressive to say the least.
OUI dismissed!!!
In a blink of an eye your life can change right before you, and you made it need legal help or advice, you want a lawyer that plays chess not checkers.
I spoke with several attorneys after getting arrested in Derry for DUI. After speaking with Mike I knew right away I wanted him to represent me. He explained all possible outcomes and helped me understand how things worked in a DUI case and what could happen. We went to trial. He caught the police in lies, objected at the right times and fought hard for me.
Worth Every Penny
OUI 3rd found not guilty at jury trial. Mike and his staff are your best chance of having a favorable outcome.


text:
View musical instruments from around the world, ranging from ancient times to the late twentieth century. The Museum is home to over 1,100 instruments, including many European and American examples, as well as numerous pieces from Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. Museum visitors can enjoy and learn about the instrument collection not only through exhibitions, but also by way of talks, live demonstrations, concerts, publications, and recorded audio samples.
ALBANO Women's Sandals Women's Fashion ALBANO Fashion Fashion Women's Women's Fashion Sandals ALBANO ALBANO Sandals nOExAPAQX Cisco II anthracite McKinley rot Trek Boots 47U0wUIPq
You are here
- Collections
- Collections Search
- Featured Galleries
- Americas
- Europe
- Asia
- Vagabond Suzan Black Women's Black 20 Boots Ankle FFgqxr
- Best Heels Autumn 3CM Zipper Women's PU 4U 14CM Premium Round Sole Platforms toe Shoes Rubber Black Spring Pumps High twxAw1rv
- Color YMING Party Blue Princess Girls' Dress Dress Gown Lace Light Pageant Candy Big 8EOwr7xq8
- Botong Gown Short Chiffon Dresses Burgundy Aqua Sleeveless Bridesmaid Neck V Prom SZUxrw6qS
- Prints and Drawings
- Musical Instruments
- Textiles and Fashion Arts
- Bodycon Domple Dress Ruched Slit Sleeveless Floral Club Deep Sexy V Women's 1 Neck Ar0OSAq
- Conservation and Collections Management
- Navy Jersey Chameau Women's Ld Boots Vierzon Le YnABTOCB
- Libraries and Archives
- Publications
- Specialist Silver Metallic Trainers Gola Pewter Women's White Off HwTqzpFzx
Boot Mally Women's Mally Women's Classic Classic Boot n1xaq0qz
Fashion Fashion Women's Women's Sandals ALBANO ALBANO ALBANO Sandals Fashion Sandals ALBANO Women's Women's Fashion


text:
Doctor Who: Paradise Towers (UK - DVD R2)
The Wilson Bros brave this towering inferno of Seventh Doctor apathy...
Sylvester McCoy's first season as The Doctor got to what was generally regarded as a bit of a shaky start with Time and the Rani, a muddled pantomime of a story that pushed the "Bad First Doctor Story" theory to its very limit. Though script editor Andrew Cartmel was already in place and was keen - along with McCoy - to steer the show in a different direction to where it was currently heading, stories and scripts were in place that would ensure that nothing much could be done about the lighter touch that was in place during season 24, with only Paradise Towers being a relatively minor blip on the flatlining life support machine.
The TARDIS materialises in the 22nd century, where The Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Mel (Bonnie Langford) find themselves in Paradise Towers, a luxurious high-rise apartment building that has fallen victim to urban decay. Gangs of feral young girls roam the corridors, graffiti scrawled on the walls, homicidal robotic cleaners and a staff of fascist "caretakers" who try to keep the building from crumbling even further into disrepair, headed by the officious and borderline evil Chief Caretaker (Richard Briers). Between them are the "Rezzies", the occupants of the flats, the remnants of those who didn't pass the physical to go off the all-out war. Will the gangs be "taken to the cleaners" before killing each other? Is Mel wise in trusting two little old ladies who seem to think Paradise Towers is made from gingerbread? Will the overcompensating Pex ever stop posing and be a real hero? What is the secret of the penthouse pool everyone aspires to? Will someone kill Bonnie Langford??? Please!!! All these and more will be revealed when you step into the future of communal living.
Richard Briers is a good actor and had a proven track record when it came to doing comedy (even though when it comes to The Good Life, Vyvian's rant in The Young Ones sums up our feelings on the show perfectly), but having Briers appear in Doctor Who reeked of John Nathan-Turner's habit of stunt-casting, bringing in actors who specialise in comedy roles to add a bit of humour to a Doctor Who story, and the early McCoy era was arguably the worst period for this. That being said, he injects a bit of life into the character, bringing a nasally officious drone that is reminiscent of a midge flying by your ear and Briers also brings a certain perverseness to the story when the Chief Caretaker confronts the monstrous force in the lower levels of Paradise Towers. The very idea of Briers as character based on Hitler goes far beyond "oddball", to the point where it seems as though it comes as a result of a misread letter to Jim'll Fix it, where what an imaginative pervert actually wanted was to see Felicity Kendall dressed in a Nazi outfit, presumably doing some form of Night Porter homage. Briers as der Fuhrer isn't quite the same…
Sylvester McCoy seems determined from the outset that what viewers saw of his Doctor in his debut story was not how the character was going to be; the mixing of proverbs and metaphors have been swept away and there is considerably less clowning around than in Time and the Rani, but sadly for many, the damage was already done and no amount of change in the show or Sylv's performance would get them to change their minds - it was similar to what happened with Colin Baker in his first story, The Twin Dilemma, in which the trauma of his regeneration caused him to act irrationally and was highly unpleasant, not to mention almost murderous and the audience had about six months to wait until his next story, meaning that there was half a year to brood over it and nurture hatred for poor old Colin. McCoy really shines in one or two scenes in this story, especially when he develops a commanding presence in getting the Kangs to join forces in order to defeat the evil in Paradise Towers, displaying leadership qualities without resorting to the kind of yelling that would cause many fans to groan during Sylv's later story, Battlefield. The fact that this story was written before Sylv was cast only helped to let McCoy take the generic Doctor in the script and stamp his own personality upon it, making him a stronger and less buffoonish one than seen in Time and the Rani.
Bonnie Langford's Mel is almost certainly the most hated companion in Doctor Who's long history; the initial concept of having her just appear with The Doctor - during the Trial of a Time Lord season - in a story set in the future was a pretty neat idea and the pairing of the arrogant and pompous Sixth Doctor with the sickly sweet Melanie Bush worked well, with the contrast making for a nice dynamic. When Baker departed the show under less than amicable circumstances, the character of Mel was retained Sylvester McCoy's initially jokey Seventh Doctor didn't gel with her and made poor old Melanie almost insufferable. It's not Langford's fault - she was hired and did what was asked of her and she does it reasonably well (even if at times it looks as though she is about to slap her thigh), but things had changed and her character wasn't really written to adapt to the changes.
Paradise Towers is a frustrating story to watch, as there are some clever ideas floating around - the story is a pointed parody at urban decay and isolation within a high-rise accommodation. The intense bombing that occurred during the Second World War brought desolation to areas of London, with many poor communities being almost completely destroyed. One of the solutions to the problem of where to put the displaced communities and also limit the amount of land that housed them was to build high-rise flats; those concrete monstrosities that were erected in London during the sixties without proper thought for the long-term consequences of the poor sods who had to live in the things. With the tangible whiff of society starting the long, slow decline toward destitution, at the opening of the story, you almost expect to see the same caption that appears at the start of Mad Max "A few years from now..."
Speaking of which, as much as the Kangs are a distaff version of Lord of the Flies, we suspect more is owed to the (then) recent Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome. Like the George Miller movie, their names are a based upon various objects that would be found around them, in this case being those in most tower-blocks. This gives us a roll-call of names like Fire Escape, Bin Liner (which sounds like a term of abuse from Slyv's next companion), and affords another little glimpse into how society in Paradise Towers has broken down, where established history and tradition have eroded to such a degree that even fundamental things like names have been taken from that which is immediately visible - or they may just be gang names and the gang members aren't particularly imaginative when thinking them up. We were waiting for the heroic Pool of Vomit, the brave Human Excrement and the courageous Betterware Catalogue to leap into the fray.
The concept of two warring gangs fruitlessly despising each other purely on the basis of colour was used again in an episode of Babylon 5. It's the kind of situation where you want to go down the pure science-fiction route of having a dog/human hybrid come along and point out the folly of their ways. These girls make up for they lack of originality by being so damned fu… erm… loveable. They look as though they have just stepped out of an 80s nightclub and are on the lookout for the first man they've seen in ages. Given that the muscle-bound Pex is probably unable to get an erection though the combination of steroids and being a wimp, these girls are out for all they can get! Sure, a few of the background Kangs often look bored during scenes, but we'll forgive them, as they generally work nicely within the story and play well against Sylv. Oh, and on a personal level - Red Kangs are best!
Injecting some pop-culture satire comes Pex, the muscle-bound idiot left behind through being a chicken, running around Paradise Towers whilst vainly posing in an effort to convince everyone he's some great warrior. This was intended as a spoof of Rambo and other action icons, but because it was hard to find either an actor as ripped as their intended target or a bodybuilder able to act enough on the BBC books, they ended up with Howard Cooke, who has some biceps on him, but far from the target they had in mind. In some ways, it makes the character of Pex more amusing, as there is no way he can physically match his boast, but it's like ending up with Frank Stallone when you want Sylvester, or Arron Norris when you need Chuck.
Now, it goes against everything we both stand for and have come to believe, but there is an instance where Mel not only seems as though she's earned her place on the show, but *ulp* looks quite hot. That's a grouping of words we never expected to fall together. Anyway, it's just after she has shot the robot attacking her in the pool, standing there all wet whilst brandishing a gun, sporting a look of purpose and exotic danger over the smoking remains of her aim. It probably helps that the water makes her hair look black, taking off the "Ginger" curse.
We have to say that the Paradise Towers Visual Prospectus was a real winner with us, with the cheesy bait on display fondly brought to mind the same thing which appeared at the start of David Cronenberg's Shivers, where a seemingly happy, hermetically-sealed existence in a residential tower complex becomes a hotbed of evil. Whilst the Starliner Hotel held the threat of sexual inhibitions being shed across the whole of Montreal, the evil lurking inside is more than a little reminiscent of the pilot of Battlestar Galactica, where the hapless found themselves in a lift which took them to the lower levels. Both prospectuses' feature a strange fusion of western consumerism and communal housing, trapping those within and keeping the outside world firmly at bay, no matter how cosy the existence seems. Oh, and it really is a sign of when Paradise Towers was made that the highest aspiration of luxury was a swimming pool, something which is affordable for many in the years since.
There are several pleasing elements to the story, a fair degree of wit being one of them; the playful misuse of phrases like "taken to the cleaners" when a Kang is killed is a prefect example, twisting language to create a new world through context. The greeting of "Build high for happiness" is a hopeful, aspirational, almost mantra-like way of clinging to the belief that tower-blocks are a decent way for people to live, in spite of most ending up as crime-ridden ghettos, and used wonderfully to drive home the almost delusional hope of "something better" among the Kangs. Being The Doctor, Sylv was always going to come complete with humorous dialogue, and one of the best turns Paradise Towers' motto on its' head, where the Kangs' foolhardy plan has The Doctor countering with "Dig deep for disaster," echoing both the future and the past, with the old World War II poster firmly in mind.
Also good is the cavernous nature of Paradise Towers, allowing for the tradition of splitting up The Doctor from his companion to be done in an unusually credible way, with the uniform corridors and stairwells almost inviting the unwary to become lost amongst them. It makes for a much better option than the tiresome standby of somebody getting captured. As we praise the best element, we have to say that whilst human flesh has been on the menu a few times during the run of Doctor Who, Paradise Towers gives it one of the best angles seen on the show. We've always been freaked out at the actions of the WI, and seeing such types ensnaring unwary travellers just bolsters our suspicions, and we'll bet we aren't the only ones! You might think what would push these old dears over the edge like that, but the application of logic will tell you that cannibalistic pensioners living in flats must have heard that human flesh tastes like cat-food, putting them on the scent for o constant, free supply of meat to which they have already become accustomed. Cynical? Us?!?
Though there is still much of the kind of lighting that one would tend to see during an evening match at a football stadium, director Nicholas Mallett tries to inject a little gloominess into some of the scenes, providing a slightly more moody atmosphere than would have been achieved if he had followed the standard eighties Doctor Who lighting directive. Mallett also attempts to break up the static feel of the show by using that appear to be lightweight handheld cameras and using them for unusual angles, for voyeuristically following characters and for close-ups that give an cinema verity-style intimacy that can't really be achieved with the age-old cameras that Doctor Who was still being filmed on at the time. Mallett would later re-materialise during season 26 to helm one of McCoy's finest hours, The Curse of Fenric.
Despite the cleaner robots not exactly looking that threatening (when Sylv is grabbed by one, he tries his best to inject a bit of menace into the almost-inert adversary, much like Bela Lugosi wrestling with the flaccid octopus during the climax of Bride of the Monster), one of the most serious issues with Paradise Towers is the monster lurking in the basement; whilst having an inspirational place at the top and a fiery, monster-inhabited environment below is an interesting metaphor for heaven and hell, the monster is not needed in the story, as the satire on urban decay and social alienation was strong enough already; the fact that the monster itself was so badly executed only compounds the issue further. For the love of God, the neon eyes look like the entrance to an 80s disco, being more Paradise Club than Paradise Towers.
However, the good elements seen to outweigh the bad, and aside from some rather dodgy-looking baddies, there is much to enjoy. How, does this towering titan look on DVD? Let's take a gander…
Paradise Towers was shot at a time when Doctor Who was being filmed on half-inch videotape, a noticeable step-down from the old one-inch tape that had served the show so well for years; The Doctor Who Restoration Team have once again cleaned up the image, making it look as good as it possibly can. Bearing in mind the limitations of the format on which it was shot, Paradise Towers looks pretty good on DVD, with a very clean transfer that will please fans. The lighting was still very harsh at that point, so there is little in the way of video noise or grain and the colours are fairly faithfully reproduced.
Everything's fine in this department, the mono 2.0 track has perfectly clear dialogue and Keff McCulloch's score sounding as good as it ever has.
Audio Commentary: We have always said that to have a commentary track without any of the main (read: regular) cast makes for a very different experience, and Paradise Towers helps cement such musings. Moderated by the leavening presence of Mark Ayres, he brings together writer Stephen Wyatt, actress Judy Cornwell and soundman Dick Mills, and manages to make a fun, informative experience from three very diverse departments.
We have to say that given how Cornwell isn't in the story from the very start, we thought that having her present during the majority of the commentary track would have been somewhat of a drag, only speaking of things in which she was directly involved, but this really isn't the case. At one point, she postulates that the show had become more about the fans and mythology, losing sight of being able to give the show a contemporary edge by addressing current social matters, such as urban living in crumbling tower blocks.
Simply put, Cornwell is a joy to listen to, with her sharp recall of events and detailed knowledge of things going on behind the scenes, along with some thespian antics in the dressing rooms. You have love a woman of her years whom is quick to dismiss the effects of "violent" programming on youngsters by saying that kids love bloodthirsty things! You know that things were going to go well with Cornwell in the booth as she starts out by saying that she used to watch the show with her son, and we challenge anyone not to find her a real tonic among Doctor Who actors. One of the oddest statements is that she points out that since The French Connection, foley and other sound has been scored too high, drowning out the dialogue in everything in its wake.
Stephen Wyatt points out that the once defunct political satire on the colours of the Kangs has changed, as the LibDems are now in power. He chuckles at the mention of a memo in which Sylv requested that he be able to perform a stunt in the story - a four-foot backward fall with his hands tied behind his back! Given that this is the man who would pout ferrets down his trousers during his stage act, surely the danger level would have been about the same? Our favourite is his description of the predicament he found himself in when writing, that of: "…a Doctor who hadn't been cast and a companion [Mel] who had no personality". Truer words have rarely been spoken.
For the final two episodes, along comes "Special Sound" man Dick Mills, who has a great rapport with fellow audio-man Ayres, both of whom empathise with David Snell, who had his score for the show dumped and replaced before transmission. Funniest from Mr Mills is when we mentions cliffhanger-music, which accompanies the same form of acting, "...as opposed to furniture acting, where they open and shut the door and the traffic outside goes loud/soft."
It's all good fun, and a great way to get new enjoyment out of a story seen to many times by the faithful. Did you honestly expect anything less?
Horror on the High Rise: Doctor Who composer Mark Ayres presents a look at the making of Paradise Towers. With actors Richard Briers, Howard Cooke and Catherine Cusack, writer Stephen Wyatt, script editor Andrew Cartmel, original score composer David Snell and replacement score composer Keff McCulloch.
Briers' performance is the subject of much discussion, with some who feel that he was refusing to just "do sitcom" on the show, but most are agreed that he goes rather OTT once zombified, to the point where Briers was handed a dreaded "note" about how he was playing. Knowing full well that he was a highly-prized guest on the show, he blithely ignored it and carried with it. Briers falls back on the old actors' cliché of explaining away any broad performance as taking a "Shakespearian" approach to the material, which is an irritating catch-all to justify mediocre work.
Deleted and Extended Scenes: Presented in damn-near broadcast quality, we have a mixture of both the pertinent and necessary trims for pacing from the first edit of the story. Possibly the best of the bunch shows Mel wising up to the hollow, gutless nature of Pex's heroics, making her not as gullible as usual. At least one deletion allows for a greater understanding of the geometry of Paradise Towers, with the two lead characters missing themselves whilst still in close proximity, making the complex more labyrinthine in design. The fate of No Exit is debated, arriving at the conclusion that she's dead, leading to a chant of "Red Kangs are best" in her memory. There are a number of scenes which help set up the final push through the Towers, with both sides planning or taking action, which would have bolstered the climax if restored, including a rather curious extension to the Rezzies asking for help, with McCoy and Cornwell making googly-eyes at each other!
On an amusing note, he footage from to broadcast is displayed in black and while so as to clearly delineate old from new, but it rather ironic that a monochromatic shot of mixed Kangs shows them to look identical. It's rather like the Star Trek episode with Frank Gorshin. *Sigh*. Google it.
Continuity: Aww, come on, everyone loves looking at these things - continuity announcements from the past always have a certain degree of fascination, whether it's from people who remember them at the time and they get a nostalgic kick from them, or it's from younger viewers who are just aghast at the way shows used to be advertised. You also get the recaps before the episodes start, which consist of a still from the story, accompanied by a mildly-embarrassed received-pronunciation voiceover - we honestly can't remember seeing these when Paradise Towers was transmitted, but they were obviously shown. There are moments when the continuity announcer fluffs and even gets the name of one of the BBC Video titles wrong - oh, the horror! When you watch these continuity trails, you will notice that back in the late eighties, the Beeb seemed to lean heavily on cosy middle-class sitcoms during the week...
Girls! Girls! Girls! – The Eighties: Peter Purves is on-hand to introduce another edition in this occasional series, but the format is different to the previous one about the 1960s, in that it consists of three actresses having a free-flowing conversation about how being in Doctor Who affected them and their opinions of their characters and the attitudes that were prevalent in the era they all appeared in the show. The three actresses are Sarah Sutton (Nyssa), Janet Fielding (Tegan) and Sophie Aldred (Ace) - the three of them make for an interesting dynamic, as Sutton and Fielding are more pally and conversational because they worked together, but Sutton and Aldred seem to have more in common and aren't as rampantly feminist as Fielding.
Their backgrounds are discussed, with all three of them coming from different areas - Sutton already being in television, Fielding coming from conventional theatre and Aldred being involved with more avant-garde theatre - and their attitudes towards the show, stardom and how they moved on are all explored; though they were all in Doctor Who, their feelings and how their careers went after leaving couldn't be more different, but the contrasts make for a fascinating and at times amusing and almost poignant documentary.
The dreaded F-word unsurprisingly rears its ugly head pretty early on, with Fielding being the rampant feminist and listening with intense interest when Aldred reveals that she was asked by someone high up in the production to shave her armpits; almost paradoxically, Fielding laments not having a good pair of legs - which isn't true, as the black leather miniskirt she sported in her last couple of stories showed her impressive pins rather nicely.
With Sutton and Fielding being in Doctor Who at the start of the decade and Aldred stepping aboard toward the end, the three of them note the change in attitudes both on-screen and off in regard to female characters and actresses - the only real pity about this documentary is that the bridge between the two sides is missing; it's a real pity that Nicola Bryant couldn't have taken part, as she truly was the transitional stepping-stone for eighties Doctor Who companions. Regardless of this wish, this is wonderful stuff (even if Fielding bleats on about a certain subject at every opportunity) and it's a real credit to everyone involved.
Casting Sylvester: When this short subject opened with the theme tune to 80's kid's show, Jigsaw, it immediately had us by the short and curlies. Jigsaw producer Clive Doig is interview and he explains his long-standing relationship with Sylvester McCoy and how he was instrumental in the actor's casting as the Seventh Doctor. This thing is very short, but awfully sweet, giving a tantalising reminder of an era of children's television that has long since vanished into the great beyond. Doig comes across as an affable chap as he tells of how McCoy appeared on his radar and he cast him in Vision On and later, Jigsaw. Doig also gives his opinion of Sylv as The Doctor and how he thought the show was faring at the time, along with his thoughts on how he personally envisioned the direction Doctor Who should have been taking - this opinion is vague at best and at worst nonsensical. It's a pity that no clips from Jigsaw were used in this featurette - it would have been great to see McCoy and the late David Rappaport in action as the O-Men - but at least it spared us having suppressed memories dragged up by that weird, creepy fucker, Noseybonk...
Alternate Music Score: As mentioned on both the commentary and in the documentary, we get the chance to listen to the original composition for Paradise Towers, before David Snell was shafted and had his work replaced by Keff McCulloch. The two efforts are markedly different, with Snell's work registering as a little overbearing, using more familiar patterns and sounds to create atmosphere, almost pushing into the realms of "cliché". It hammers home points of emotion in the story with all the subtlety of Thor taking out a bad-guy. That it exists at all is quite amazing, but to have it available for the delectation of fans is the mark of a company who know how to treat their customers.
For shots of the robots roaming around, he uses pulsing synthesisers as though echoing blooding pulsing around a body gripped with fear - whilst this is pretty cool, it sounds like something from the early 80s as opposed to the later part of the decade. It's the sort of effect you'd find in a few of the Video Nasties (we hate that name!), both during the movie and on the video-company logo which precedes it. We love that kind of synth score as much as anyone, but it just didn't seem to find its' place on Doctor Who. Taken from a surviving tape, it's a little tinnier than the final edit, although still in pretty good shape. It's great that fans will have the chance to decide for themselves with this invaluable extra.
Photo Gallery: Varios production, design and publicity photos from Paradise Towers are presented here, all set to Keff McCulloch's score; there are the prerequisite shots of Sylvester McCoy clowning around for the cameras, along with numerous portrait shots of Bonnie Langford, including one of her perched cheekily on top of a wooden crate containing explosives - it's a pretty safe bet that many Doctor Who fans were trying to will an stray spark into existence about six inches below Ms Langford's arse. Or in it…
PDF Materials: As always, the individual episode listings for all four episodes of Paradise Towers are presented here for your viewing pleasure.
Subtitle Production Notes: Well, here it comes once again, the definitive look at the production of a Doctor Who story, in more detail that ever could be presented in a documentary of equal or even greater length. As a perfect example of just how exhaustive the information is, the track points out that a couple of the plinths seen at the hallowed swimming pool at Paradise Towers were also used way back in The Keys of Marinus! Where the hell else would you even think of finding out such minutiae??
Possibly too grim for a family show, the fact-track postulates that the reason why the numerous bodies delivered to the malevolent entity are rejected in favour of the Chief Caretaker's scrawny form is because the others are already dead when they arrive, being unsuitable for habitation.
The track is also keen to point out the similarities to and departures from the JG Ballard novel High Rise, which was Stephen Wyatt's inspiration for Paradise Towers. Ballard's book had the complex as a sociological experiment, where all the classes were placed in the block according to their place in life, with the high-rollers occupying the top floor - rather like the classic Frost Report sketch, with the end result being simmering hatred among those living there. Paradise Towers' status quo comes as a form of evolution rather than being by design, with only those weak or feeble surviving through not going off to war.
There is the usual streak of VERY welcome humour to leaven the proceedings, making sure that you don't succumb to the perils of information overload. Our personal favourite is when Pex smashes through the clearly fake door to rescue Mel from certain fricassee. "This is a balsa-wood door," it drolly informs us. Pex postures in a very macho fashion, practically spitting out his lines with teeth-marks embedded in them. "This is an actor," it firmly reminds us. Excellent!
There is a rather distressing/depressing link to actors connected to Paradise Towers, specifically those who left the business at around that time to find more stable work. Obviously, the only stable work as an actor is mucking out horses on location, but Howard Cooke (Pex) decided that he'd had enough two years later, quitting to set up his own theatrical agency. Annabel Yuresha (Bin Liner) quit after a short stint in acting and moved to Zurich. Julie Brannon (Fire Escape) was married to Mark Strickson (Turlough) for a number of years, and both emigrated to Australia in 1988 when Strickson wanted a change of career - Paradise Towers was the last thing on her acting CV, too.
The difference between "cuts" and "unfilmed cuts" is a refreshingly clear way of defining what got the chop both before and after filming, and is useful for navigating the (once again) numerous changes faithfully catalogued by this reliably complete track. Naturally, most of the "filmed" cuts are included in the extras, but it's great to know just how things evolved from the initial script from a virgin Doctor Who writer to what ended up on the screen.
Great pains are taken to explain the subtext of just why the three colours of Kang are what they are, and the answer will have you kicking yourself that you didn't see it earlier: the political parties. Whilst the Red and Blue Kangs echo Labour and the Tories, both at each other's throats in the face of a common enemy, the poor Yellow Kangs are quickly out of the running, not being much of a threat to the thriving groups. A critique of the SDP (LibDems) under the leadership of the two Davids at the time? Of course!
Another blissful time is yours to be had whilst sharpening your knowledge of Doctor Who, which has become the hallmark of the Info Tracks which come with them. As Virgin Radio used to say: "Tune in and rip the knob off…"
Coming Soon: The satirical Tom Baker romp, The Sun Makers is the next Doctor Who story to receive the red carpet treatment from The Doctor Who Restoration Team and 2Entertain. At a time when the population of the UK is getting screwed over taxes, it is something of a timely release for this Fourth Doctor story.
Paradise Towers, like so many well-intended Doctor Who failures, has a great concept that falls somewhat flat in execution; the stunt-casting of Richard Briers works up until his transformation, when he goes WAY overboard and almost derails the whole thing. The irrational desire from production to include a "monster" in the story interferes with what was a perfectly sound idea. Still, if you don't mind the clunky robots and some of the toe-curling dialogue from the Kangs, then you might just enjoy this first proper peek at the promise that Sylvester McCoy would later show...
Review by Wilson Bros
General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children
Disc Details
Release Date: 18th July 2011
Discs: 1
Disc Type: Single side, dual layer
RCE: No
Video: PAL
Aspect: 1.33:1
Anamorphic: No
Colour: No
Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 English
Subtitles: English
Extras: Audio Commentary, Horror in the High Rise, Deleted & Extended Scenes, Continuity, Girls! Girls! Girls! The Eighties, Casting Sylvester, Info-Text, PDF Materials, Coming Soon
Easter Egg: No
Feature Details
Director: Nicholas Mallett
Cast: Sylvester McCoy, Bonnie Langford, Richard Briers
Genre: Sci-Fi
Length: 98 minutes
6Review Guide
Follow our updates
Horrific Reviews
Arrow Video February Reviews US - BD RA Cabin Fever AU - DVD R4 Horrors of Malformed Men US - DVD Masters of Horror Volume IV US - BD RA They Live UK - DVD R2
New Editorials
Joe Lynch DVD | HD | BD David Hayter US - DVD R1 | BD RA SXSW Film 2013 - Part 1 US - DVD | HD | BD Will streaming kill physical media? DVD | HD | BD Gabe's 2012 Wrap-Up DVD | BD
Hot Articles
Star Wars: The Changes - Part Three DVD Star Wars: The Changes - Part One DVD | BD Digital Cinema DVD Star Wars: The Changes - Part Two DVD Star Wars: Top 20 Moments DVD
Most Talked About
A Simple Favor US - DVD R1 | BD RA All the Colors of the Dark US - DVD R1 | BD RA Reign of the Supermen US - DVD R1 | BD RA Kino Lorber Studio Classics January US - DVD R1 | BD RA Columbo Season 1 UK - BD RB


text:
Up In The Air, Lincoln Heights | Photo by Julian Michael/Flickr
- Jury awards gang member's family $3.2 million in wrongful death settlement in Boyle Heights incident. L.A. Now
- L.A. Fire Department to limit release of medical and emergency response information. Daily News & L.A. Now
- Richard Neutra lamp expected to fetch at least $20,000 in auction to benefit restoration of Neutra's Silver Lake VDL house. Curbed L.A.
- Echo Park author explores the legacy and life of James Brown. KPCC (h/t Patch)
- Highland Park high school students take fifth place in statewide academic decathlon. Patch
- Happening Today: Citizen CPR Training, Mt. Washington. Save the Date


text:
Thrumpton Hall is delighted to be able to offer exclusive use of the Hall, Gardens and the Lakeside Pavilion for the wedding of your dreams.
The Paragon is one of the most beautiful wedding venues in Birmingham. Recently renovated, this wonderful red brick Gothic building lends great versatility; a wedding of 600 can be accommodated in as much comfort as an intimate celebration for 10.
Goosedale is set in beautiful, picturesque grounds of over 100 acres of pure tranquillity with breath-taking views of Nottinghamshire. We offer an individualised and completely bespoke service to all our clients for the wedding of your dreams.
The Old Rose and Crown hotel, set in its stunning location is fast becoming one of the most popular wedding venues in the area. And we only ever cater for one wedding each day - so you will have exclusive use of the hotel. We hold a licence for Civil Weddings and partnerships and have 2 banqueting suites available.
The Beverley Hotel has become renowned for its private dining facilities and its consistent quality of service when catering for Dinner Parties, Weddings, Christenings, and informal functions. We can also arrange entertainment such as a Disco to compliment your function.
A superb location ideally suited to hold wedding receptions and civil ceremonies. Berrow Court is wonderful in both summer and winter months alike. Your guests can enjoy Pimms under the Gazebo while the musicians play, or champagne and canapés beside one of our log fires.
The launch of Mirage in Jan 2007 was a real labour of love for the owner, and this is why you'll find Mirage is the venue with a difference. We have an experienced team who are dedicated in assisting you to make your occasion special. At Mirage you'll discover an air of sophistication and a very personal service.
Your Wedding Day is one which you will remember for the rest of your life, and from start to finish our friendly, professional and dedicated team will be working with you to ensure your reception is everything you wish for...
Our modern hall stands proudly amid the timber frames of the original building. Light and airy, the courtyard with which it contrasts. The largest of our rooms, you may choose the Ashford Hall as the venue for your civil ceremony or perhaps as a flexible space for your evening celebrations.
Weddings are considered very special occasions here at The Beeches. Whether you want to follow traditional protocol or a more informal approach, it is important that you receive individual attention from the hotel staff. Our accommodation is excellent value for money.
We pride ourselves on giving everybody a warm and friendly welcome, this along with the tranquil country setting and the excellent service that we provide, makes Fishley Park the perfectly venue for your wedding reception.
The conference room can accommodate up to 50 guests and is the perfect setting for training, meetings or conferences.
We are idealy suited for wedding venues,birthday parties etc and within easy reach of Walsall, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Dudley.
Offering 3 fantastic value "all inclusive" wedding packages The Forest has become known as a wonderful and sought after venue for wedding receptions. The twelve individually designed en suite bedrooms at The Forest combine carefully considered comfort with touches of luxury and subtle style of décor.
Whether it's an intimate wedding for forty people or a society wedding for hundreds, Blotts offers two suites for the discerning Bride & Groom.
Your wedding day should be truly magnificent and memorable. Uffculme is a grand Victorian house built in 1891 for Richard Cadbury. Your guests will be astounded by the beautiful setting in which you are to be married, original features within the house and well maintained gardens will be a perfect setting.
Set amidst the architectural splendour of Nottingham's former lace making quarter, with beautiful views over the Georgian facade of neighbouring buildings and the magnificent St. Mary's Church, Lace Market Hotel offers a spectacular setting for weddings in Nottingham.
A choice of rooms, a choice of settings, a choice of menus. Which will you choose for your perfect day? Co-ordinate your plans with your personal advisor. Your memories of this day will be very precious to you. Let us help you design your wedding to give you pleasure both on the day… and in the years to come.
Nottingham Conference Centre is a vibrant, versatile and modern venue, comprising nine comfort-cooled conference and meeting rooms with fully supported audio visual packages. These rooms can accommodate 12 - 150 delegates, depending on your individual event needs.
Colwick Hall is the ancestral home of Lord Byron and is one of the most beautiful wedding venues in the Nottingham area. The country house mansion lies in over 60 acres of charming woodland, rolling countryside and lake. All our bedrooms are luxurious, boasting palatial designs and rich decorations.
The Old Rectory Hotel provides bespoke wedding receptions for between 2 and 120 guests in the house and up to 150 in a marquee. We are fully licensed for Civil Wedding Services & Civil Partnerships.
The Oval Banqueting Suite, located in the heart of Birmingham is an exceptional yet affordable venue, on a bustling high street full of colour and character it is only a mile away from the city centre perfect for all your occasions.
Woodborough Hall is truly one of the most beautiful venues in Nottinghamshire and a special venue for that perfect day for both you and all the guests you wish to share an unforgettable experience with. We are able to cater for every individual need and personal requirement.
Our wedding venue in Nottingham is one of the most beautiful and relaxing settings. Whether you would like very little input from us or our complete wedding package, we will be certain to provide a venue to make your dream wedding come true.
You can hire the beautifully-restored Town Hall for your own private wedding. A dedicated team of in-house staff will assist with the arrangements of private events from the planning stages through to overseeing the event on the day.