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That quote above could not have been more correct, however, not in the way Pa Cox intended. I was thinking more along the lines of wishing young Dewey had cut me in half, because had I been unable to watch the rest of the hour and a half to come, it would have been a much better experience. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story is easily the worst movie I have seen all year long. There have been some bad films, but this was the first that made me look at my watch numerous times, praying that the horror would be over soon. No disrespect to John C. Reilly—I think he is pretty good as the titular character—the main faults, instead, lie in the writing, and for that I can only blame Judd Apatow. You may say, but Jake Kasdan co-wrote it too, and that is all well and good. The reason I blame Apatow is because his last three ventures (40-Year Old Virgin, Knocked-Up, and Superbad) have been good if not great. He should have known better with this and made it differently. I think I even liked this less than Anchorman, and anyone who knows me will understand how bad that is.
This thing is poorly written throughout. From the need to use full names when addressing any character so the joke can be understood, to the blatantly obvious descriptions coming out leaving nothing to the imagination or intelligence a person with a sense of humor has, Walk Hard talks down to the audience at every turn and bores the hell out of them. Some gimmicks are funny the first time, but than by the fourth it is way too old, (sorry Tim Meadows), and how many different ways must we see Dewey and Darlene partake in masturbatory motions while courting each other? Even the playing with time and the fact that he is 15 with a hit single, wife, and five children stifles any laughter later on because the writers seem to just want to beat a dead horse over and over and over again. It is really a shame, because this thing had potential.
Reilly is fantastic as the hapless singer/songwriter pushed into the life of a rockstar by shear dumb luck. All the other cast members are funny as well; it just takes so much out of you watching the same situation relive itself that when the good parts come you just feel too tired to laugh. I actually contemplated walking out of the theatre, but could not bring myself to do so because I really wanted to see the Beatles scene. When it finally came, I could only manage a chuckle and by that time I figured I might as well see if the ending could bring anything to the table. Sadly it did not. Besides a montage of what appear to be gag-reel footage playing during Cox's final song, there is nothing but gratitude that the train wreck is over.
There is a lot of talent involved and I kind of feel sorry for them. Maybe they all had a lot more to do and I should be blaming Kasdan for poor directing, using bits that aren't funny and throwing the rest out for deleted scenes on the DVD. What happened to Jack White's "cut a man in two" line from the trailer—that was funny. Instead his Elvis is pretty stupid and only brings out a reaction from me when he pulls out a pocketknife in the aforementioned end scene gags. The goofy music wears out its welcome fast too unfortunately, because each scene is orchestrated well, the jokes just fall flat. Even when it seemed there'd be a winner with "Duet" song's use of innuendo before each verse is completed, the sequence goes on too long. I yawned more than laughed throughout the duration.
Big applause to Jenna Fischer for being absolutely stunning and for holding her own opposite Reilly, in his element at all times. Raymond J. Barry is good as the father without love in his heart and it was fun to see SNL's Chris Parnell and UCB's Matt Besser adding a little flavor. The highlight, though, and only genuinely funny part for me—like the gang war in Anchorman—was The Beatles. Paul Rudd, Jack Black, Jason Schwartzman, and yes, even Jimmy Fallon, are fantastic. I guess that scene alone, before it became a cartoon, was worth the dollar I paid to watch it.
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story 2/10
(short and sweet and to the point)
10.) Feist: The Reminder
9.) Bloc Party: A Weekend in the City
8.) Porcupine Tree: Fear of a Blank Planet
7.) The Receiving End of Sirens: The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi
6.) Interpol: Our Love to Admire
5.) Athlete: Beyond the Neighborhood
4.) Kent: Tillbaka till samtiden
3.) Band of Horses: Cease to Begin
2.) Editors: An End Has a Start
1.) The Shins: Wincing the Night Away
Honorable Mention:
Explosions in the Sky: All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone
Stars: In Our Bedroom After the War
The Academy Is…: Santi
Blackfield: Blackfield II
Turin Brakes: Dark on Fire
Radiohead: In Rainbows
2006 albums I first heard in 2007 that would have made it:
Silversun Pickups: Carnavas
Incubus: Light Grenades
The Pipettes: We Are the Pipettes
The Frames: The Cost
The Kooks: Inside In/Inside Out
Ladies and gentlemen, a hand for director Joe Wright; he has crafted a masterpiece. With resemblances to films like Cold Mountain and A Very Long Engagement, Atonement is just so much more. Visually stunning, intellectually stimulating, and forever heartbreaking, Wright has made a movie like no other this year. Sure I have seen "perfect" films this year, for lack of a better word, but even Gone Baby Gone winds up far down the list when compared to all 10/10 films I've seen and given that mark to. This is the first film all year that I can truly say is something I will buy and share with everyone I know. I can only imagine how much greater Ian McEwan's novel upon which this is based can be. From the start right on until the end, we are shown a glimpse into the lives of the Tallis family and those surrounding them. It is a time of social status and proper manners, an era led along by its rules and prejudices. For a young girl—too naïve and innocent to fully grasp what it is she sees—that world is a very dangerous playground.
The backbone of the tale lies in the fact that everyone sees events and history through their own eyes. What is the truth anyway? Unless you are privy to every second of an occurrence, from its cause to its effect, you can never really comprehend if that which you saw was real, and even then it is a very fine line to walk. Atonement is at all times playing with this notion, showing us sequences from the eyes of the viewer and than again through those of the participants. Whereas the two lovers are afraid to let slip their social faux-pas of a relationship outside of classes, the accuser is so set in the warped truth she believes that to think about the situation objectively is not at the front of her mind. Now I knew from the trailers what was to occur, that a sexual encounter would lead the young girl to incriminate an innocent man, but I never believed that instance could be as brutal as it was. The groundwork laid down for young Briony Tallis to even consider her girlish crush Robbie could ever do such an atrocity was what I thought would tear these people apart. Boy was I wrong.
It is amazing how one moment in time can so utterly devastate the lives of all involved. The consequences of which can never be imagined until years later after they have already occurred. Between Robbie having to go to jail and than join the army in WWII for a crime he did not commit, (it is tough to watch his return to the house with the two young twins that he had been out trying to find, totally oblivious to the crime that transpired while he was gone), and his love Cecilia Tallis losing the one thing she didn't know she even had until a couple hours before, it is tough to believe the orchestrator of all that sorrow would have it even worse. Cecilia's sister Briony did what she thought was right, led into a lie by the victim herself, and she would have to live with that regret and guilt for the rest of her life, without any means to vindicate herself or make amends. I don't even know if what she did could honestly ever be forgiven; her sheltered aristocratic upbringing and wild storytelling imagination can be held accountable. The times are at fault too for holding the weak words of a 13-year-old as fact against an inferior servant boy, no matter how much a part of the family he had become or how educated he was.
The acting is phenomenal across the board. From the supporting players out, everyone holds their end of the bargain and shines. The improper sexual attraction between Benedict Cumberbatch's chocolate tycoon and Tallis cousin Lola, played by Juno Temple, is exuded perfectly; the confused girl at the center of it all, Briony, is brought to life remarkably by all three incarnations during her lifetime with Saoirse Ronan, Romola Garai, and Vanessa Redgrave; and Daniel Mays is unforgettable as Robbie's friend in the war as they travel to reach Dunkirk. Mays' steals some moments in a brief role, complete with the wonderful view on the war, "the French hate us. We already have India and Africa, let's just let Germany take France and Italy, heck, who has ever been to Poland anyway?"
Despite all the support, though, it is the lead characters that carry this film. Keira Knightley is amazing as Cecilia, growing out of her groomed lifestyle to be with the man she knows she has always loved. The pain she must express and the hurt her love causes herself is believable at every turn. I will admit to never seeing all the hype with her as an actress, but that opinion has totally been wiped away. As for Robbie, the man at the heart of it all, James McAvoy has really come into his own. Sure he has been great in previous work, even stealing scenes from Oscar winner Forest Whitaker in The Last King of Scotland, but it is his portrayal here that shows his true worth. Knowing his place in society, he accepts his fate. Only when he finds out a few years later that his love was not a tenuous one is he allowed to breakdown and fight to survive. The scene where he meets Briony again many years after that fateful night is powerful to experience as emotions run high and wild. All three actors in that scene deliver.
Not to be overshadowed, director Joe Wright deserves a lot of praise and credit too. His handling of the material is impeccable and the end result glorious to behold. From the editing style, showing us all viewpoints of every situation, to the sweeping crane shots following characters, to the brilliant performances he gets out of all involved, Wright has a steady hand and complete control. The film would be a top ten candidate as a result of just two sequences, even if the rest were trash. When the war hits Briony's hospital, the montage of carnage, grief, and compassion is overwhelming, however, it is the arrival of Robbie and his two friends at Dunkirk that takes the prize. This elaborate long take is absolutely astonishing. It begins with their arguing to a superior about getting back home, going on to the slaughter of horses and automobiles, a group of men singing, some men on an amusement park ride, losing the three men to eventually join up with them again as they rejoin each other at the bar across the way, ending on an all encompassing view of the chaos on the beach. Stunning to behold, that scene sums up the whole film with its artistry and attention to detail. Complete with a startling revelation at its conclusion, I can't think of a better word than perfect for when I am ever asked what I thought of the film.
Atonement 10/10
[1] Keira Knightley (left) and James McAvoy (right) star in Focus Features' ATONEMENT, the romance based on Ian McEwan's award-winning best-selling novel, directed by Joe Wright (PRIDE & PREJUDICE). Photo: Alex Bailey
Stephen Sondheim's musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is not your run-of-the-mill Broadway spectacle. This thing is dark, gory, and bleak to the end with little in the way of joy and hope seeping through. I had seen the staged production featuring George Hearn and Angela Lansbury a couple years back, so I was familiar with the story before sitting down to experience Tim Burton's vision. I guess by knowing Sondheim's other musical Into the Woods, he is accustomed to darker, off-kilter works, however, this one is way out there. A story that involves a falsely imprisoned barber returning to London in order to seek revenge on the judge that put him there, and subsequently stole his wife and daughter, by slitting throats and hiding the bodies in the city's best meat pies is not winning any feel-good awards. More a cult phenomenon than a huge Broadway success, I think it may find a new audience in theatres, if for nothing else but the inclusion of Johnny Depp. He alone will draw some viewers in, especially those that the trailer fooled into thinking it isn't wall-to-wall singing. Oh, and so I don't mislead you, when I say musical and non-stop singing, don't think you'll be toe-tapping on the way home. These songs won't be sticking in your head.
Aesthetically, Burton has knocked this one out of the park. The muted grays really help the bright red blood pop off the screen as well as make the "fantasy" dream sequence even funnier than it is by itself, allowing it to have such vibrant colors. This is London at its dingiest, grime-filled in every shot. Cinematically, all the framing is unique and never boring, especially in scenes where our two leads share a duet and we see them in fore and background, even through reflections on the straightedge razor. As for the blood—besides the hokey, watered-down red streams coming from bare necks—it is handled well. It's more realistic once the initial spurts are concluded—turning into thick ooze on the floor—but I guess the fakeness helps add a little necessary humor to the otherwise depressing tale.
This film is by all accounts a Tim Burton enterprise. From the look and feel to the casting of his wife and Depp, this is a much-anticipated return to his earlier films for me. After his recent string of horrible remakes in Planet of the Apes and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I was almost ready to write him off. If not for the wonderful Big Fish in the middle of those, I might have been really apprehensive in going to see this, especially since it is pretty much a remake itself. Thankfully, besides it dragging a bit in the middle, (the play does too, though, so I don't fault Burton), and the storyline with Anthony and Joanna being so thin and almost thrown in haphazardly, the movie really surprised me with its humor and unabashed use of violence. I would have been very disappointed if he toned it down rather than amped it up as he does.
All the acting is surprisingly great too. Depp is fantastic and subtle in his portrayal of Benjamin Barker turned Sweeney Todd, hiding the pent-up aggression as best he can before finally needing at outlet of murder. He could have gone over-the-top with it, as he unfortunately did in Charlie, but instead reined it in and probably came off funnier as a result, specifically with the facial expressions in the fantasy scene and throughout. While I don't think he could have done the play on stage, I still think vocally he did a superb job. The rasp and the deep baritone fit perfectly and his depressed state adds to the tragic end soon to come. Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, and Timothy Spall are all good in their roles, nothing special, but totally fitting the aesthetic—if anything Carter and Spall may be a bit too creepy. The real supporting standouts, though, are young Ed Sanders as Toby and the hilarious Sacha Baron Cohen as Signor Petrelli, a rival barber. Cohen is a master of priceless voices and adds a nice layer to the proceedings.
Sweeney Todd is not a perfect film and definitely not one for the masses, but as far as a cult musical with gore, it does the job. If anything, I hope this means good things for Burton's cinematic future. He is at his best with dark tales like Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, and Batman and should stay away from the remake machine. Always gorgeous to watch, this one has some substance to it as well. A perfect ending definitely helps make up for the missteps along the journey too.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street 8/10
Director Marc Forster once again shows that he will not be pigeonholed into a genre. After doing family, drama, comedy, and thriller, he has decided to do foreign-language with his adaptation of The Kite Runner. Khaled Hosseini's acclaimed novel has been on my list to read, collecting dust on my bookshelf, but I never really knew what it was about. Sure you see in the trailer that two former childhood friends part ways and the one in America must go back to Kabul to retrieve the others' son, however, that is not even a quarter of the tale at hand. This is a story of finding oneself amidst political strife and personal feelings. The friendship of these two boys is of the strongest bond possible, leading to the necessity for one to shut out the other from his life. Sometimes love can be a driving force in pushing someone away. By no means is this film a feel good story, nor is it easily accessible for most Americans, as it is about 90% in Middle Eastern languages, but it is one that deserves to be seen and experienced, as it truly is powerful, heartbreaking, and also hopeful for the future.
Let's just say I cancelled my vacation to Afghanistan about halfway through. What at first is shown as a beautiful country is later shown as the warzone it has become—trees all cut down by the invading Russians and buildings and roads demolished from the fighting by the Taliban. It is a nice breath of fresh air to hear anti-Taliban sentiment be so prevalent what with most films these days trying to show how wonderful the Middle East would be if the US wasn't entrenched there. Sure there are references to the fact that the country has never taken kindly to strangers and that they always find themselves driven out, but it show a lot of the horrors that were occurring before 9/11 brought our nation back to the Middle East. To see how people looked upon the politics and tenuous control their own people had on their country through their own eyes is very interesting and adds to the realism of setting, helping flesh out the more personal tale at the heart of the film.
Two boys, one of aristocratic status and the other a Hazara servant, are best friends and inseparable. Young Amir is a quiet intellectual who never gets involved in conflict. Whenever violence arrives, his companion Hassan always comes to the rescue. A boy without formal education, he lives through the stories and imagination of his friend and boss's son, becoming rich with ideas and experiences for which his social status won't allow him to have for real. In payment, Hassan will do anything to protect Amir, whether fighting or going where he shouldn't, he is his bodyguard for lack of a better word. These boys are just too young to really comprehend the prejudice and racism going on in their country. When confronting older boys, bigoted towards the Hazara, these friends treat them as normal bullies, not as the monsters they have been brought up to be. Much like Palestinians and Israelis are brought up to hate each other, these Afghanis are raised to not accept this lower class as equals. As a result, a key moment in their lives changes the young boys forever. In a stand of defiance for his friend, Hassan is raped as Amir looks on, unable to help, torn between his class status and his humanity. This results in him thinking he has committed the greatest crime imaginable, in the words of his father, theft. His unflinching acceptance of Hassan's devotion has in effect stolen the boy's innocence from him. By standing and doing nothing as he was molested, Amir could do only one thing now, let his friend go. As long as they were together, Hassan would always let harm come to himself before his friend and Amir could not let himself be the cause for that much pain.
It is a powerful bond and after seeing the boys onscreen for so long, it is quite jarring to then continue the tale in America as Amir grows up with his father and eventually gets married. He was fortunate to get out of his country during its harshest years and makes the life for himself that he always wanted. Only when he receives a call, requesting his return home, does he understand the full weight of what happened those many years earlier. It is easy to let pain go and continue on like nothing occurred, it is completely different to be able to stand up and accept responsibility, allowing your heritage and past to come back and make amends for mistakes made. There are many twists and turns, as well as startling revelations that show face throughout, slowly exposing more to the story and allowing the strength that has been hidden inside Amir for so long to rise to the surface.
Forster does a great job crafting this tale from its many locales across four decades. The visuals are stunning and never static, allowing all the actors to take front stage and do their thing. I loved the kite scenes and the joy Kabul had for the flying contests. You know that it is all computer-generated, but nonetheless believe it is all real. Much of that realism can be credited to the two young actors as Amir and Hassan, Zekeria Ebrahimi and Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada respectively. These boys are fantastic throughout, selling the bond completely and portraying their breakup perfectly, as a result of a "stolen" watch. Homayoun Ershadi, as Amir's father, and his friend played by Shaun Toub are also remarkable. Ershadi, evolving from his relocation to America, has a couple scenes that are emotionally strong and unforgettable.
With Afghan customs displayed at all times and the inner turmoil involving our lead character Amir, I thought of another film from earlier this year with similar themes, The Namesake. While not as good as that Indian film, The Kite Runner has the same weight and ability to draw the audience into this world, foreign even to those who grew up there. Amir's journey is traveled as much inside himself as it is across the span from America to the Middle East. Forster has once again given me a spectacular cinema experience, touching on themes that he hadn't in the films preceding it. His selection as director of the next Bond film is an inspired choice, and I for one can't wait to see what he does with it.
The Kite Runner 8/10
[1] Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada as "Hassan" and Zekiria Ebrahimi as "Amir" star in Marc Forster's "The Kite Runner". Copyright: Motion Picture Artwork, Photos © 2007 DREAMWORKS LLC and KITE RUNNER HOLDINGS, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Photo by Phil Bray
[2] Khalid Abdalla as "Amir" stars in Marc Forster's "The Kite Runner". Copyright: Motion Picture Artwork, Photos © 2007 DREAMWORKS LLC and KITE RUNNER HOLDINGS, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Photo by Phil Bray
National Treasure: Book of Secrets will always be known as the film that prevented Helen Mirren from meeting Queen Elizabeth after the success of The Queen. I mean really, I would have made the same choice, because this film is truly high art. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the first installment for its poor-man's Indiana Jones feel mixed with glossy effects and convoluted plot lines (Bruckheimerisms as I like to call them) and for the most part had fun with this one. Well that is until the discovery was complete, then the film just dragged on and on for what seemed like hours. This is a Disney film people, you know they will find the treasure and all will be well with the world. Therefore, all the intrigue and the discoveries to find the location of their desire, complete with massively annoying cross cuts between four different locales and ten different characters every five minutes, was totally subverted by the ending's adventure nonsense with no stakes because we all know how it would turn out. There were two things going for it though, I became real nostalgic for "Legends of the Hidden Temple" and found out that yes, Lyle Lovett is still alive.
I give director Jon Turteltaub and screenwriters The Wibberleys credit for coming up with some real interesting set pieces and situations for our adventurers to partake in. Weaving the Lincoln assassination with ancient Native American lore and United States historical mythology and rumor is quite a feat and it is successfully handled in my opinion. What goes wrong here is the whole mentality that sequels need to be bigger and better. The first film achieved a sort of balance with its amount of characters, but this one just goes too far. We have to now work in the President and our hero's mother, who just happens to be one of a handful of people that can decipher the language needed to complete their quest, not to mention throwing Harvey Keitel a bone by giving him five minutes of screentime just so we have continuity with a friendship from the previous story. Honestly, while I enjoyed National Treasure, I never asked for a part two, and I don't think too many people did. Unfortunately, however, it appears we will probably be seeing a part three in the future if the setup here means anything.
The movie is if nothing else a good time. I admit to being a big Nicolas Cage fan and enjoy his over-the-top shenanigans—they are in full force here and I loved the scene at Buckingham Palace that showcased them. Also, Justin Bartha is priceless as the hapless and underappreciated partner. His expressions and one-liners really add a much-needed dimension here. The rest of the cast is adequate if very underused. There are a lot of familiar faces with thankless roles and many famous ones with little to do. Diane Kruger looks gorgeous as usual, but her role is more female in distress than really adding anything necessary to finding the treasure, unless you count watering rocks.
So, in the end, this film is going to be huge regardless of quality. If you liked the first, you will have a good time. It is not an Oscar winner or any Nobel Prize winning commentary, it's just a good old-fashioned mindless romp. As far as action/adventure goes, you could do much worse. With some great laughs and some really fascinating connections from history, you may actually learn something on the journey. Never preaching its intelligence, you are allowed to glean nuggets of truth at the same time as the characters that are still in the dark do. Fun is fun, and as far as that goes this one succeeds, despite the fact that it doesn't in any other cinematic category.
National Treasure: Book of Secrets 5/10
As comparison: National Treasure 6/10
Anton Corbijn has finally joined the ranks of his contemporaries Spike Jonze, Michel Gondry, and Mark Romanek in directing his first full-length feature. No one could have been a better choice than this still photographer and music video director of cutting edge bands like Depeche Mode, Echo and the Bunnymen, and, of course, Joy Division themselves with the video for "Atmosphere" (albeit eight years after the death of frontman Ian Curtis). Corbijn has the sensibilities to craft a gorgeous study of a man on the cusp of greatness and the humanity of himself, which keeps him from taking that next leap. The cinematography is glorious in its stark, high contrast, black and white, the performance scenes feel realistic and genuine, and he gets some monster performances from every cast member. Just a few hours ago I was once again mentioning to a friend my apprehension and dislike for biopics, and then I am treated to Control. Not only a biography that seems to truly capture the subject at hand, but also a superb film to stand alongside any genre out there.
Joy Division's lead singer, as portrayed here—I will admit to knowing next to nothing about the band before viewing, possibly enhancing my pleasure as there were no trace of annoyance when something didn't mesh to reality—was not your run-of-the-mill rockstar. Ian Curtis was an everyman like you and me, a fallible creature, both confused and naïve in his young age. Marrying so early in life, Curtis had a child, a day job, and a gig fronting one of the hottest bands of the time. What started as a way for expression, however, soon becomes another slice of trouble in his already crumbling life. When diagnosed with epilepsy, a condition for which he once tried to help afflicted gain employment, he begins a regiment of medication concoctions, hoping to find a combination to alleviate the suffering. Mixed with his late night shows and high alcohol consumption, both frowned upon by his doctor, Curtis maybe the only star I know to have fallen into his psychological descent from prescribed drug use. Ever more depressed as his love blossomed between his wife, child, and mistress, Curtis could never find the balance to deal with the fame and the fans. After all he gave in life and onstage, they just had one answer for him…We want more.
Truthfully, Sam Riley is quite a find. Whether his talent is real or just catered perfectly to this role—I'd like to believe the former—he is amazing. Totally embodying Curtis, Riley's face is never shown with a shred of "acting" noticeable. His blank stares, the weak smiles, the crying, and the pain of his seizures all come across as though we are viewing a documentary. Complete with Curtis' unique dance style, it is like watching history as it happens. Credit the rest of his bandmates for adding to the realism in each performance sequence, as well as the supporting cast. I was a bit unimpressed at first with Samantha Morton as his wife Debbie, but that feeling quickly went away. What appeared juvenile and trying too hard to play 20 years old eventually came together as a pretty solid piece of work. Always great, Morton shines when the world begins dissolving around her, but her love for her husband never wavers behind the tears and anger. Besides her, mention also needs to be made for Toby Kebbell as manager Rob Gretton. Starting as comic relief, his character plays a tremendous role in Curtis' life. While the band seemed to be unable to deal with their singer's affliction, Kebbell stays by his side throughout, doing what he can to try and keep him together.
Control is a remarkable achievement that succeeds by adhering to the one aspect I like in biopics, keeping it simple. We are only shown a few years in his life, the meeting of his wife and bandmates and the short-lived tenure of what was Joy Division. This capsule in time is allowed to evolve and flesh out all the emotions and turmoil that went on. From the highs to the lows, the comradery to the adultery, Curtis is always portrayed as the tragic hero he was. Everything his music did for its listeners, all the power and hope it instilled in the fans, came at a steep price. Draining himself of life and confidence and love, Curtis was never going to be able to keep the ride going into the US. Corbijn gets every moment correct, straight through to the inevitable conclusion. Never trying to shock us, he treats the ending with immense compassion and love. Subdued and heart-breaking, Curtis' demise is allowed to be as beautifully touching as the rest of his ever-so-short time on earth.
Control 9/10
courtesy of the Toronto International Film Festival
Here we are, the middle of December, with Oscar-bait films being released left and right. Has my trifecta of must-sees, There Will Be Blood, The Kite Runner, and Atonement, showed face here in the sleepy town of Buffalo? No, of course not, they are too afraid to leave their big cities for the threat of blizzard conditions. What is there to do then? Oh, yeah, go see I Am Legend at the local multiplex. At first glance, I thought it was kind of weird to be going to a Regal on opening night. It is quite the anomaly that it had been so long since I did so. Well, maybe not, because whether subconsciously or otherwise, there was a reason I steered clear of mainstream fare at stadium-seated arenas. The crowd was laughing at inappropriate moments, people wanted to see Will Smith kick butt and not act with the talent he so clearly contains, and children decided to talk throughout the entire duration. Funny as it was to hear a 14 year old say to his friend that he couldn't believe this film wasn't R, it was like nails on a chalkboard. Those indie darlings can't come to our quaint little Dipsons soon enough. Wait…this is a movie review right?
Francis Lawrence had impressed me with his very underappreciated Constantine and I was somewhat psyched to see what he could do with this material. Based on the novel of same name by Richard Matheson, I Am Legend has the potential to be a great psychological thriller, commenting on man's quest to be God, while instilling some nice scares and monster work. For the most part, Lawrence succeeds on all counts.
I will admit to being drawn in completely right from the start. In a film that potentially follows Smith around, alone, for two hours, I was completely taken aback by the introduction. We are shown a television interview between an uncredited Emma Thompson and Ms. Klugh from "Lost"—I was not expecting that. Soon enough, though, we are vaulted right into the action, three years later, to the deserted and overgrown city, ground zero for infection/home to our hero Robert Neville. The filmmakers really handle the exposition brilliantly, showing us the day to day routine for our immune scientist spliced together with memories of the final minutes before quarantine with his family. You really do become quite engrossed with the environment and on edge from the subtle hinting of the Dark Seekers (don't you dare call them vampires).
Will Smith is a powerhouse here. I don't care what your feelings are towards the man, he truly is good at his craft. As far as making one film a year, he knows how to pick a role that will challenge him into giving his all, whether or not the work itself succeeds. His emotions are always realistic, the relationship with his dog Sam is heartwarming, and the moments showing how cabin fever has set in (talking to mannequins that he has set up strategically throughout the city) help explore the fractured soul he now must carry alone, while also lending some nice comic relief. It was all working so well, everything was methodical and relevant, his quest for finding a cure vastly important. And then, of course, it all fell apart.
Showing the enemy, completely made from computer graphics, is one thing, showing them for extended periods of time is another. When shrouded in darkness, the creatures are very effective, when they all of a sudden become conscious and intelligent, they become utterly laughable. Why does the leader have to hold such a dorky smile the whole time? Just be menacing and non-committal; I wanted monsters devoid of humanity. Sure Smith's Neville says they have finally lost all human qualities, but he is wrong. The fact that they have learned to fight back smartly and risk exposure to sunlight in order to catch a glimpse at him shows they have become more human. They are no longer roaming wild for blood lust, now they want to have some fun with personal vendettas. What's more human than that?
Even then, the film could have been forgiven, but alas, it tries to tidy everything up with a nice bow on top. Much like Signs, where the minutiae of the first three-thirds of the film all of a sudden gain mystical meaning to the point of scripture—rectifying all—I Am Legend takes its slow burn and turns it into a race for the finish. It is all too quick and way too easily done. If only it was all hinted on throughout, it wouldn't have felt so tacked on. This disappointment, however, makes me want to read my copy of the 1954 novel to see how much was changed. The credits say based on the 1971 screenplay for The Omega Man before they say based on Matheson's book. I won't be surprised if the ending is what was taken from the old film version, the effective character study being what was gleaned from the original source.
I Am Legend 6/10
I have thought that Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials Trilogy would make some very interesting films ever since I read them almost a decade ago. The fantasy and utter intrigue that they instilled in me never left my consciousness. When I heard that American Pie director Chris Weitz would be helming it, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I've seen many movies in my time to know that past work means often little when it comes to future endeavors, but I admit to enjoying the Pie movies as well as loving his third film About a Boy. With a movie like The Golden Compass, it will generally come down to the special effects and story to decide how much of a success it will be. I credit the director for taking it upon himself to adapt the story and get some wonderful talent involved. It is just unfortunate that New Line was unable to put up the money to do the trilogy all together much like their last foray into magical worlds. I say this, not because this film fails—I actually think it does quite well at telling the novel's story—but because we may never see another in the series made.
Rarely does a movie open up with close to $30 million, $15 million more than second place at the box office, and be deemed a failure. The budget here is just too steep, and although it is gorgeous to view, that money was well spent, the recouping process may be too much to conquer for subsequent entries. As a result, the film just can't stand up by itself. Without even the misguided decision to hold off the dark end of the book, (although it has been filmed), in order to begin a hopeful second installment, this entry really doesn't go anywhere except for delivering exposition and character development. The novel sets up the world that is falling apart around our heroine Lyra in order for her to make the leap into parallel universes and find a way to save her people. As a result, we have two hours crammed with so many characters and so much backstory that it feels very daunting at times. I myself was fine with it, but I read the story previously. If you are unfamiliar with the tale, I can see frustration setting in quickly and never dissipating. It is a real shame because it was a good start that may never payoff with a finish.
As a condensed adaptation, I have to give all involved a lot of credit. Everything that you need is included and it all makes sense. To a novice of this parallel earth, I would suggest a second viewing to comprehend it all, but it is in fact all there. Resulting from the almost Cliff Notes-like speed, there are many actors that receive very small screen allotments. Daniel Craig, as Lord Asriel, is virtually nonexistent except in spirit and name. By not keeping the end intact, the audience never gets the payoff as to what the man is truly capable and willing to do. This is too bad because the build up is sufficient to have created some real fireworks at the end, maybe even making those a tad lukewarm overall to anticipate what might happen next. Nicole Kidman is adequate—I hate to beat a dead horse, but she just hasn't been the beauty or talent she was two years ago or more, and it really hurts my viewing of her—but almost too vague in her role. She is the orchestrator of what is happening with the Magisterium, but that whole subplot kind of takes a back seat to Lyra's joining of her ragtag group of warriors.
A lot of the acting is superior in form, however. I think Eva Green is brilliant casting as the witch Serafina Pekkala, although her role is chopped to almost five total minutes on screen, and who could argue with the great voices of Ian McKellen and Ian McShane as the Ice Bears? It is Sam Elliott, though, that shows he still has the stuff to be successful. You don't see him much anymore, but his Scoresby is flawless. Last but not least is newcomer Dakota Blue Richards as our lead. For a first-timer, she is a joy, bringing to life the fearlessness and curiosity that allows her role to be as uniquely heroic as she is. I'd love to see what she does in the next two films.
Rounding out the film as a whole are some nice special effects—the Alethiometer is gorgeous, the disintegrating daemons upon their host's death into "dust" well-done, and the environments beautiful to behold. Also, I guess I couldn't really speak of the film without at least a mention of the controversy surrounding the author Pullman's atheism. I don't quite remember it when reading, but upon viewing here, it is kind of prevalent. Not atheism in general, but a mirroring of a church-like establishment trying to force its ideals on society for its own means. Heck, that is what the Catholic Church does whether you like it or not. Does that mean it teaches a belief that God does not exist? No. All it does is show that man is corruptible and sometimes it takes a strong being to set things right. That being here is young Lyra Belacqua, using technology sure, (for all you Darwinists out there), but also an inherent ability to read symbols and be a part of a long held prophecy. Despite that prophecy being held by witches (pagans maybe?) it is something that shows a higher form's existence. Let your children experience life and other ways of thinking; nothing here says God is dead, it just shows that beliefs can be individually manifested. Faith is a powerful thing that exists whether you are a member of an organization or not.
The Golden Compass 7/10
[1] Dakota Blue Richards stars as "Lyra" in New Line Cinema's release of Chris Weitz's THE GOLDEN COMPASS. Copyright © New Line Cinema. All Rights Reserved.
[2] Daniel Craig stars as "Lord Asriel" in New Line Cinema's release of Chris Weitz's THE GOLDEN COMPASS. Photo Credit: Laurie Sparham/New Line Cinema. Copyright © New Line Cinema. All Rights Reserved.
Simply breathtaking.
For a band as atmospheric and deep as Sigur Rós, one could not think of any natural visions worthy to accompany the music. It ends up, though, that you don't have to look too far after all. Just take some time to see the beauty and infinite space right in their own home of Iceland. This documentary, Heima, shows the world one of the last untouched visages in existence. The island country is exotic and devoid of pollution of nature and man. Sigur Rós decided to come back home to do a sixteen-city tour, for free, in order to give back to the community that gave them life. Without the hectic bustle of traveling the entire earth from venue to venue, the band is able to bask in the glory that is home, calm themselves down for a short respite, play the music to their own people, and get nothing out of it except the joy from bringing together an entire country through the sounds they have created. It is a touching story of art and life that simply needs to be seen to be understood.
Sigur Rós' music has always been such a visceral and aural experience for me. It is the kind of work that cleanses my mind from all thought to fully envelope my body and soul as one. If you are ever feeling stressed or unable to cope with something in your life, just put on any of their albums, all are masterpieces. The layers meld together for a wall of sound that takes you over, washing away all your fears, filling you with hope and joy for a future coming towards you; a future that can be battled with the knowledge that you can overcome anything.
I am just overjoyed to finally see a little insight into the artists behind the music. The members of this quartet—along with the foursome of women as their string section—are all soft-spoken, down to earth people. They tell of their inhibitions and inability to do many interviews or press junkets to support them. Not because they are standoffish or uncaring for those who enjoy their sound, the band just wants to lead normal lives out of the spotlight that would overtake them if they bought into the machine. With abrupt cuts to the group having fun with each other, we see the good-natured humor they all have. As one member says, he was 21 when they first started and became a sensation. These men didn't quite know what was in store, and rather than become destructive to themselves and the music, they decided to go in the other direction. More a family than a business, Sigur Rós takes great pride in their work and say that they may even take too much time honing everything to the point of perfection. I myself don't care, because the time spent seems to have worked each and every time.
The visuals that director Dean DeBlois has added to enhance the music are magical. For one, the cities chosen for each concert are amazing and diverse. From concert halls, to giant festival stages, to an abandoned fishing complex, to setting up between a couple country houses, to even in front of a newly created dam in the highlands for a protest show, Heima shows Iceland with an eye of wonderment and unfiltered beauty. To see how the band uses layers of projections and cloth curtains, harkening to the elaborate cd artwork they hold each album in, helps to explain the detail and perfection really at work. Seeing them play an acoustic show outside a dam they feel ruins the natural landscape of the city, in order to create the electricity they refuse to use, is fantastic. Also, the cut scenes to static shots of the world surrounding them show the country in all its glory. The kites in the air, the juxtaposition of the rundown fishing wharf with black and white footage of the time it once bustled, the mountains shrouded in fog, the ice melting, and the water flowing (forwards and backwards) leave you without words as it all encompasses you into the world of their sound.
All the band members share anecdotes and insight into their motivations and creative process, as well as why they still come home and stay in Iceland despite the notoriety and money they have earned since their first album. Through it all, though, it is the music that shines. True artists, their renditions of songs like Starálfur and Hoppípolla can bring a tear to your eye for their sheer emotion. I loved how they sprinkled in motifs of the band throughout, from the Takk… man to the Ágætis byrjun alien, to the birds flying, silhouetted from the sky. Heima gets to the core of what Sigur Rós and their music is while also showcasing a country that many people may never think twice about. I for one now see that I must visit Iceland at least once before I die to experience its beauty for myself.
Sigur Rós – Heima 9/10


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Colored Face Powder
With colored face powder you can make your own costume from scratch or add a little something extra to one you already have. Originally, the Celts wore costumes on All Hallows Eve to scare away the spirits. You'll be sure to scare a few, too, when you add this makeup to your garb.
What You'll Need:
Colored nontoxic chalk
Plastic bags
Rolling pin
2 nesting metal bowls
Measuring cup
Talcum powder
Food coloring
Cotton balls
How to make Colored Face Powder (version 1):
- To make face powder, wrap a piece of colored chalk in a plastic bag. Pound it with a rolling pin. Be careful that you do not break the plastic bag.
- When you have broken the chalk into small pieces, pour it into the larger of two nesting metal bowls.
- Put the smaller bowl inside the larger one and move it around in circles to grind the chalk into a fine powder. You will need to press fairly hard to do this.
- After the chalk is ground into an even powder, mix in 1/2 cup of cornstarch. You can experiment with different amounts of chalk and cornstarch to see which feels best on your skin.
How to make Colored Face Powder (version 2):
- You can make another kind of powder by putting 1 tablespoon of talcum powder into a cup and mixing in 5 or 6 drops of food coloring.
- Mix the food coloring well, so that it is spread evenly in the powder.
- Use the cotton balls to apply your ghoulish powders -- look great from head to toe in your Halloween costume!
Jack-o-lanterns are another Halloween tradition originally meant to keep bad spirits from coming in the house. Create a dancing jack-o'-lantern for your house. Keep reading to learn more.

subset: commoncrawl


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tech, talk and togs
Tag: iphoneography
Posted on
September 14, 2017
Rebooting the blog
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November 27, 2011
March 12, 2012
My favourite iPhone accessory
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November 27, 2011
March 12, 2012
Some rules are NOT meant to be broken
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November 9, 2011
March 12, 2012
The fallen witch
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October 24, 2011
Freshly cut
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Paprika and Lemon Roast Chicken
Rated 5 out of 5 based on 5 votes
- 1 x whole chicken (about 1.8kg)
- 1 Tbls sweet paprika
- 1 x lemon
- 2 x cloves garlic, peeled, crushed
- 2 Tbls olive oil
1. Preheat oven to 220 degrees Celsius. Wash the chicken and the cavity. Pat dry with paper towel. Squeeze half a lemon and rub all over the chicken. Squeeze the other half in the cavity. Place both lemon halves into the chicken cavity. Tie legs together with kitchen string.
2. Rub the chicken with garlic, then coat with olive oil and sprinkle all over with paprika and salt.
3. Place a wire rack over a roasting tray. Place the chicken breast-side up and cook in the oven for 15 minutes. Turn breast side down and cook for another 15 minutes. Then turn breast-side up again and lower heat to 180 degrees Celsius. Baste generously with the pan juices and cook for a further 30 minutes or until juices run clear when chicken thigh is pierced with a skewer.
Stand covered for 10 minutes. Serve with roast vegetables. Garnish with fresh thyme.
This chicken stuffed with lemon and flavored with paprika is enjoyable served hot or cold with a salad.
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Sarah must be delicious
It was delicious Anna and it's so easy and simple to make! Thanks.
This is a great recipe. The chicken was moist and delicious!


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Yogi here today and was in a mood to use butterflies...
I'm using a bunch of dies and a stencil from Suzanne and Elizabeth Craft Designs. Suzanne came out with a bunch of stencils and I'm using the "Butterflies/Stars Spray Stencil" (on Quietfire Design HERE). Then I'm using a couple and a part of A Way With Words dies from Elizabeth Craft Designs "Friends", "Special Moments" 2pce die set, and "R from Remember" also available on Quietfire Design HERE, HERE and HERE
And using a couple sentiment stamps from Quietfire Design, as well as a design element butterfly
("I Don't Tell You Often Enough..." 5pce set); ("Let Them Eat Cupcakes/Happy Birthday" 4pce set); ("Butterflies/Dragonflies" 7pce set)
Scored and folded my minty Bazzill Monochromatic cardstock to create the side easel, cutting another piece the same size as card for the front.
I started with 12 x 12" cardstock. Cut the cardstock to 5" x 12". Scored vertically at the 7" point leaving a 5" end piece which I scored diagonally to create the fold for the side easel. see diagram above.
Stenciled the spray of butterflies using various colors of Distress pads.
Adhered a piece of yellow floral ribbon.
Die cut the large butterfly (Sizzix Bigz Butterfly/embossing combo) from a scrap piece of decorated cardstock. Ran through with the embossing die, then hit the high points with Versamark and embossed with "Queen's Gold" embossing powder. Adhered to card front.
Die cut the various words "Friends", "Special", and "Remember" from white cardstock. Trimmed around the letter R from remember. Inked the words with a brown stamp pad and embossed with Emerald Creek "Oil Rubbed Bronze" embossing powder. Adhered words to front.
On the floor: Adhered a strip of pearl ribbon to act as my stopper.
Stamped the sentiments onto a scrap piece of the minty green cardstock using Versafine "Vintage Sepia" and clear embossed. Trimmed the piece down, rounded the corners with a corner rounder punch, inked the edges with a dark brown Distress pad sponged some of the brown around the edges and adhered to floor with 3D foam tape.
Stamped the butterflies using another piece of scrap decorated watercolor paper. The large one embossed with Pearlescent embossing powder. The smaller butterflies using white embossing powder. Fussy cut around the images and adhered to floor.
Final touch, added pink/mauve/green mini rhinestones to the bodies.
Click on any image to enlarge. Enjoy


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The purpose of this work in progress study was to test the concept of recognising plants using images acquired by image sensors in a controlled noise-free environment. The presence of vegetation on railway trackbeds and embankments presents potential problems. Woody plants (e.g. Scots pine, Norway spruce and birch) often establish themselves on railway trackbeds. This may cause problems because legal herbicides are not effective in controlling them; this is particularly the case for conifers. Thus, if maintenance administrators knew the spatial position of plants along the railway system, it may be feasible to mechanically harvest them. Primary data were collected outdoors comprising around 700 leaves and conifer seedlings from 11 species. These were then photographed in a laboratory environment. In order to classify the species in the acquired image set, a machine learning approach known as Bag-of-Features (BoF) was chosen. Irrespective of the chosen type of feature extraction and classifier, the ability to classify a previously unseen plant correctly was greater than 85%. The maintenance planning of vegetation control could be improved if plants were recognised and localised. It may be feasible to mechanically harvest them (in particular, woody plants). In addition, listed endangered species growing on the trackbeds can be avoided. Both cases are likely to reduce the amount of herbicides, which often is in the interest of public opinion. Bearing in mind that natural objects like plants are often more heterogeneous within their own class rather than outside it, the results do indeed present a stable classification performance, which is a sound prerequisite in order to later take the next step to include a natural background. Where relevant, species can also be listed under the Endangered Species Act.
The national railway administrations in Scandinavia, Germany, and Austria mainly resort to manual inspections to control vegetation growth along railway embankments. Manually inspecting railways is slow and time consuming. A more worrying aspect concerns the fact that human observers are often unable to estimate the true cover of vegetation on railway embankments. Further human observers often tend to disagree with each other when more than one observer is engaged for inspection. Lack of proper techniques to identify the true cover of vegetation even result in the excess usage of herbicides; seriously harming the environment and threating the ecology. Hence work in this study has investigated aspects relevant to human variationand agreement to be able to report better inspection routines. This was studied by mainly carrying out two separate yet relevant investigations.First, thirteen observers were separately asked to estimate the vegetation cover in nine imagesacquired (in nadir view) over the railway tracks. All such estimates were compared relatively and an analysis of variance resulted in a significant difference on the observers' cover estimates (p<0.05). Bearing in difference between the observers, a second follow-up field-study on the railway tracks was initiated and properly investigated. Two railway segments (strata) representingdifferent levels of vegetationwere carefully selected. Five sample plots (each covering an area of one-by-one meter) were randomizedfrom each stratumalong the rails from the aforementioned segments and ten images were acquired in nadir view. Further three observers (with knowledge in the railway maintenance domain) were separately asked to estimate the plant cover by visually examining theplots. Again an analysis of variance resulted in a significant difference on the observers' cover estimates (p<0.05) confirming the result from the first investigation.The differences in observations are compared against a computer vision algorithm which detects the "true" cover of vegetation in a given image. The true cover is defined as the amount of greenish pixels in each image as detected by the computer vision algorithm. Results achieved through comparison strongly indicate that inconsistency is prevalent among the estimates reported by the observers. Hence, an automated approach reporting the use of computer vision is suggested, thus transferring the manual inspections into objective monitored inspections
Parking a vehicle is a daunting task during peak hours. The search for a parking space leads to congestion and increased air pollution. Information of a vacant parking space would facilitate to reduce congestion and subsequent air pollution. This paper aims to identify parking occupancy in an open parking lot which consists of free parking spaces using a thermal camera. A thermal camera is capable of detecting vehicles in any weather and light conditions based on emitted heat and it can also be installed in public places with less restrictions. However, a thermal camera is expensive compared to a colour camera. A thermal camera can detect vehicles based on the emitted heat without any illumination. Vehicles appear bright or dark based on heat emitted by the vehicles. In order to identify vehicles, pre-trained vehicle detection algorithms, Histogram of Oriented Gradient detectors, Faster Regional Convolutional Neural Network (FRCNN) and modified Faster RCNN deep learning networks were implemented in this paper. The detection rates of the detectors reduced with diminishing of heat in the vehicles. Modified Faster RCNN deep learning network produced better detection results compared to other detectors. However, the detection rates can further be improved with larger and diverse training dataset.
Parking vehicle is a daunting task and a common problem in many cities around the globe. The search for parking space leads to congestion, frustration and increased air pollution. Information of a vacant parking space would facilitate to reduce congestion and subsequent air pollution. Therefore, aim of the paper is to acquire vehicle occupancy in an open parking lot using deep learning. Thermal camera was used to collect the data during varying environmental conditions such as; sunny, dusk, dawn, dark and snowy conditions. Vehicle detection with deep learning was implemented where image classification and object localization were performed for multi object detection. The dataset consists of 527 images which were manually labelled as there were no pre-labelled thermal images available. Multiple deep learning networks such as Yolo, ReNet18, ResNet50 and GoogleNet with varying layers and architectures were evaluated on vehicle detection. Yolo, GoogleNet and ResNet18 are computationally efficient detectors which took less processing time while Resnet50 produced better detection results compared to other detectors. However, ResNet18 also produced minimal miss rates and is suitable for real time vehicle detection. The detected results were compared with a template of parking spaces and IoU value is used to identify vehicle occupancy information.


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I'm always ready to switch out my decor as well when fall makes its appearance. Gone are the blue-greens that once graced my living room and in are the more rustic colors and textures. And antlers. Lots and lots of antlers. Can one have too many antlers?
H5--that's us: the Hertzler 5.
Told ya...here's the root Mitch dug out. Isn't it cool-looking?
Changed up the pillows on the couch. I'm diggin' the neutral palate for fall.
I snagged this John Robshaw pillow cover at Goodwill a little while ago. It's fall-y to me for some reason. Birds=fall? I don't know...
The paint-by-number was a recent thrift store acquisition.
More antlers. Most of the antlers you see in our living room are on loan from Mitch's dad (aka the deer slayer).
What changes have you made for fall?
(Whatcha think--too many antlers?)


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About Me
Captain Adam Couchman BTh (Hons) MA in TheologyI'm a Salvation Army Officer from Gosford, Australia. Along with my wife Megan, my current appointment is as Assistant Training Principal - Administration of the School for Officer Training at Catherine Booth College, Melbourne. I also teach in the areas of Theology and Worship. I am married to Megan and together we have two girls, Annabelle and Brielle.
I currently hold a Bachelor of Theology from the Sydney College of Divinity with Honours from Charles Sturt University. My honours dissertation was entitled "The neo-sacramental theology of The Salvation Army" and can be accessed here. I've also completed a Master of Arts in Theology (Aspects of Christian Holiness) from Nazarene Theological College, in Manchester, England. My dissertation was entitled "In the image of the Image: Theological Anthropology and its importance for Christian Holiness according to Gregory of Nyssa".
Currently I am completing a Doctor of Theology through the Sydney College of Divinity which is engaging a Theological Interpretation of Scripture, specifically looking at the Jesus' own worship in the light of the church's confession that his fully human and fully divine.
I would welcome comments and feedback as I believe that theology is not just knowledge to be transferred from one person to another, but an ongoing discussion which shapes our minds after Christ who has the mind of God. Theology is, therefore, in itself a holy task.
I'm particularly interested in holiness and related topics, such as sin, atonement and incarnation.
You can follow me on Twitter, or request to become a friend on Facebook as well.
Every blessing


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Judith Kay 'Judy' Thompson, 64, of Kissimmee, FL, formerly of Ford City, PA, entered her heavenly mansion with her Holy Father and Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 6, 2013.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister and also a friend to many. Her primary purpose in life was to praise and honor her Lord Jesus Christ by singing for His glory and serving others. Through modern technology, Judy will be singing at her own funeral.
Born January 6, 1949, in Grant Town, WV, she was a daughter of Kathryn Cain, Industry, and the late Junior E. Cain. A singer of Gospel music, she sang at weddings, funerals and parties, and was also a video photographer. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Kissimmee, and a member of the Christian Women's Club in Western, PA.
Surviving is her husband, Richard P. Thompson; mother, Kathryn; daughter, Kathryn J. (Mark) Dimeglio, Ford City, PA; sons, Richard P. (Angel) Thompson, Jr. and Zachary A.C. Thompson, both of Kissimmee, FL; Gregory F. (Meganne) Thompson and Christopher S. Thompson, both Butler; sisters, Sandra F. (Kevin) Chaffee, Midland; Pam G. Cain, Industry, and Joyce R. (Kevin) Siegwarth, New Brighton; a niece, Rae Barlow; 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Friends will be received today from 5 to 8 p.m. in the NOLL FUNERAL HOME INC., 333 Third St., Beaver, where a funeral service will be conducted Saturday at 11 a.m., with Reverend Ric Raines officiating and Dr. Rae Barlow assisting.
Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.


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Contact Ray at 585-224-5910
Can Asbestos shingle siding be painted.
Can Aluminum siding be painted?
We liked your company the best but we had several bids lower, why should we hire you?
Can I schedule interior painting even if nobody will be home?
What do I have to do to be ready for your crew before starting my interior painting?
How many coats of paint do you recommend?
Do you know anyone who can help pick colors?
Is Suny Days Painting insured?
What is the difference between solid exterior stain and regular exterior paint?
Can weather conditions affect the application characteristics of an exterior paint?
I want to paint one wall a different color. How can I select the wall that should be painted with this different color?


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Barca Believe Completely against Enrique
Barca Believe Completely against Enrique
Barcelona – hot situation in the locker room could make future Barcelona Luis Enrique speculated. But along the way, the coach of 40 years was able to provide evidence that the club management was miscast.
Enrique replace Gerardo Martino as coach at Barcelona. Coaching styles guy who never mix Barça B, AS Roma, and Celta Vigo it was criticized.
Not just a matter of trial and error often replace the starting XI in the adjacent pertandinagn, Enrique also not fully play Tiki Taka. He preferred to play a direct attack.
In his journey, Enrique could make Barca take over the top of La Liga which was originally occupied by Real Madrid. Blaugrana strengthen the domination of the passing of victory in El Clasico.
Barca midfielder Ivan Rakitic praised the polish coach. He also signaled that the Barca dressing room situation is fine.
"We've increased very significantly with him. We believe in him 100 percent," said Rakitic was quoted as saying by Marca.
But, however Enrique unproven concoction. La Liga title is not really at hand. They are still waiting for Athletic Bilbao in the final of the Copa del Rey and still have a Champions League semi-final diving face Bayern Munich.


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Ummy Video Downloader 18.104.22.168 | Portable
Download high-definition videos from YouTube or save your favorite songs as MP3 audio files, with this handy and easy-to-use application. Ummy Video Downloader allows you to save any YouTube clip of resolutions up to 4320p, as well as rip audio tracks and save them as MP3 files.
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The sea angling section consists of two disciplines, shore angling and boat angling.
Both sections participate in events against other force sea angling clubs and enter the Police Sport UK National shore and boat competitions. These events are subsidised although members do contribute a significant amount to their sport.
The shore section organise competitions and also arrange their own outings to beach and rock marks from Yorkshire to the Channel coast.
The boat section fishes inshore and deep sea wrecks targeting a whole host of fish species. We catch Cod, Pollock, bass, black bream, plaice and conger eel to name a few.
The section is always looking for new members. This is not a male only sport and everyone is made welcome by existing members. We have a limited amount of tackle to loan to new comers who will be given tuition and advice from experienced anglers.
Contact Information:
Telephon: 0114 296 4945/296 4946
Section Category: Fishing
Other Contact: Andy Kaczmarczyk (Internal Extension 723433) or Iain Robb (Internal Extension 745135)
Introducing the section: Hello All PDF


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Discover Your Winter Cocktail. Answer a few questions to see what winter cocktail suits you best!
Little Known Liquor Facts! This fun guide will give you little known facts about liquor you may not have known!
Give a Winter Twist to Four Classic Cocktails! Everyone has their favorite drink and most of the time they are the tried and true classics. Now you can spice up your classic cocktail with a fun holiday twist! Great to share with friends or become the hit of your holiday party!
Check out a few cool Seasonal Cocktails Recipes
2 oz coconut rum
2 oz Irish cream
1 oz hazelnut liqueur
3 1/2 oz melted chocolate
3 1/2 oz cream
1 dash chocolate syrup
3/4 oz lemon juice
3/4 oz mango syrup
1 1/2 oz pineapple juice
2 oz blood orange juice
1 oz creme de cacao
1 oz vanilla schnapps
1 oz Irish cream
Now for the giveaway!
Enter to win a Hendrick's Gin Golf Umbrella and a $20 Crate & Barrel Gift Card!
Good Luck! make sure you fulfill all mandatory giveaways. Thanks!


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It Doesn't Take A Tech Head To Know That Sydney Is The Perfect Place For A Startup Hub
Would you expect the heart of New York's thriving startup scene to be in Poughkeepsie, where 15 million people every day don't congregate?
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The United Nations (UN) have been urged to put pressure on India to bring an end to "human safaris" in the Andaman Islands.
Survival International made the call today (16 February), five years after the UN first called on India to close the Andaman Trunk Road (ATR), which is used for the 'safaris'.
The organisation says that India ignored the UN's call in 2007 to "implement the 2002 order of the Indian Supreme Court to close sections of the Andaman Trunk Road". They say this allowed the exploitation of the Jarawa people to continue.
However, in recent months, a series of media articles in Britain have put the issue under international scrutiny.
Officials in India and the Andamans now face domestic and international pressure to stop the Jarawa falling victim to abuse on the road that runs through their reserve.
The importance of closing parts of the Andaman Trunk Road has received cross-party support from fifteen members of Parliament in the UK. Members of the European Parliament are also raising the issue with the European Union's Foreign Affairs Representative.
"As a member of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, issues like this are very important to me," said UK politician Mike Crockart, "This is a matter of basic human rights. It is not right for anyone, anywhere to be treated like this. They are human beings and deserve to be treated as such."
Survival has now written to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), as it meets in Geneva.
They have urged the UN to reiterate their call for the road to be closed, ten years after it was officially ordered to be shut by the Supreme Court.
"All eyes are on India and what it will do next," said Survival's director, Stepehn Corry, "Closing the road is not about isolating the Jarawa, but upholding their right to control their own land and choose if, and how, they interact with outsiders."
He added, "Far from meddling in India's affairs, Britain, Europe and the UN's concern shows the gravity of the situation, and the need to respect human rights by closing the road".
The public have been encouraged to use the Survival International website to send emails urging the Indian government to take immediate action to stop the "human safaris".


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Free marketing & business support, exclusively for UK financial advisers
Having worked for years as independent units, meeting only at the occasional roadshow or conference, the adviser community has in recent years started to embrace the power of networking with enthusiasm. Partly, the advent of the internet has made networking that much easier but the challenges of the Retail Distribution Review (RDR) have made it more necessary too.
In general, there have been two types of networking – client and peer group. Advisers who can become embedded in their clients' social networks via, for example, LinkedIn or Facebook, have a number of advantages. First, they can find out more about their clients. They can see the company they keep, the organisations they like and their professional status, which in turn helps advisers give more tailored, personalised advice and build a stronger relationship. Second, it is a good base from which to generate referrals – the adviser is part of a client's social network, which can help build trust.
There is also 'old-fashioned' face-to-face networking, through seminars, roundtables and receptions. The advantages are similar – building a better understanding of clients and gaining access to their wider circle. Many advisers have found seminars where clients are encouraged to bring along their friends among the best ways to generate new business.
Peer-group networking has seen even stronger growth. There are now a number of strong and established peer group networks, most notably on LinkedIn, although the main adviser networks all have widely-used online discussion forums. IFA Life, Panacaea and of course Marketing-hub.co.uk also have discussion forums and blogs, where advisers can 'meet' to swap information and ideas.
In particular, networks discussing exams have found resonance with advisers. The LinkedIn discussions range from the differences between the various QCF Level 4 exam providers to study tips and exam technique. Advisers share their experiences of recent exams and help other advisers develop more targeted study plans.
Untangling regulatory updates has also been an important focus of many adviser networks. Advisers with queries on the interpretation of regulation have posted online and found guidance on best practice among their peer group. Ultimately this is likely to – or at least it should – become more important for lobbying as, instead of relying on dedicated trade bodies and other organisations, advisers can form independent networks and have their say.
Of course, many advisers still use these networks for more traditional purposes, such as letting off steam about the regulator and difficult clients, and there is no denying – over what promises to be a busy year for advisers – this will have its place as well. Advisers not yet plugged into any of these sorts of networks are missing a trick. The transition to RDR should be a lot less complex with a little help from your friends.


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After the British Mandate Authority withdrew from Palestine in 1948, the Bank lost its branches in Jafa and Haifa. When customers who were obliged to flee outside the country asked for their deposits, Arab Bank fully redeemed all claims. This decision won the Arab Bank a great reputation and became a historical turning point in its growth: it fostered a strong commitment from the Bank towards its customers and ingrained an enormous loyalty from its customers, which prevails to this day.
The lost branches were re-established: Haifa branch was relocated to Beirut followed by Amman, Jaffa branch in Nablus and later Ramallah. When the branch in Jerusalem was caught up in the civil disturbance, the Bank's activities were moved to offices within the old city of Jerusalem.
In 1948, the Bank's headquarters were transferred to Amman, Jordan, where it was officially incorporated as a public shareholding company


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Music is a very important part of my life. At home I've always got something playing on the sound system, I never go anywhere without headphones, and my music collection takes up more space in my house (not to mention on my computer) than anything else.
That's why on a recent trip up to Maine - a 4.5 hour ride from Boston - the first thing I did to prepare was make sure I had my phone for music on the drive, without which I'd be stuck with the radio. Having to listen to the same 40 songs for four and a half hours is something that could easily give me nightmares but it got me thinking about how much choice matters.
Ten years ago I would have been happy enough with just the radio. Then came Napster and the iPod and my world changed. I became aware the technology existed which meant I knew there was a better alternative to the radio. What's more, I was excited about it. I wanted to use my iPod and put new music on it.
The product engaged me as it had engaged everyone around me. I think that correlates with what we're seeing today in firms across all industries where employees have long been locked into aging technology - which often doesn't do everything they need it to - by lack of choice.
Whether it was tape, CD, or radio, auto manufacturers locked drivers into a small set of tools they had to use to get music in their car. IT departments have been no different historically, and with good reason.
Management, security, and cost concerns are top priorities and more than anything the majority of employees we're not aware of alternatives. Apple changed that. The iPod drove consumer demand which eventually pushed auto manufacturers to provide audio hook-ups in cars, giving choice and access to the users.
The iPhone has performed the same magic, this time engaging employees across the globe and showing them that there is technology which can live up to their expectations and even go beyond them.
Today, employees want access to company data and applications from their own devices, giving them the freedom to work from home or on the road and still get their jobs done. They know there is technology which can delight them (even if they are using it for work) and if IT won't provide it for them, they'll find a way to do it themselves.
That's one main reason we see so many infrastructure and operations professionals taking steps to open the corporate doors to allow employee owned devices by creating a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. In fact, our most recent survey data shows that nearly half of firms support employee owned devices in some context:There is a lot to learn
In a session next month at Forrester's Infrastructure & Operations Forum, Ben Gray and I will explore the trends and best practices we're seeing from firms with successful BYOD strategies as well as have some interactive discussions around what it means to enable your employees in today's increasingly mobile world.
Posted by Christian Kane


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Past Issues
Headteacher's News February 2016Download PDF
Year 6 Transport for London Safety and Citizenship presentation
On Thursday 4th February Transport for London visited Year 6 to educate Montpelier students about personal safety, respect, responsibility and awareness both on and around public transport.Read more
Year 5 trip to Acton Mosque
Year 5 have been learning about Islam and were pleased to have the opportunity to visit Acton Mosque.Read more
Story Writing Workshop for Year 5 & 6 with Nathaniel Tomlinson
Recently published children's author, Nathaniel Tomlinson, who is currently a Teaching Assistant at Montpelier Primary School, will be conducting a workshop with Years 5 and 6 during the afternoon of 29th February as part of Book Week (5 days 29/02/16-04/03/16).Read more
The first half of this half term draws to a close after yet another busy period for the school. We have finished showing around a large number of parents (nearly 200) , who are interested in a Reception place, whilst also helping children in Year 6 prepare for the final few months of their time here. This newsletter will give you a flavour of what has been happening in school but there is also a great deal of information on our Twitter account https://twitter.com/montpelier_sch that I hope you are able to access. Please do ensure you look regularly at www.iMontpelier.com as this will give specific information about the curriculum and learning related to your own child. Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable half term break.


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I'm Piniel, an everyday style loving dreamer who is uninterested in labels and has yet to find a clearance aisle or discount code I can't make good use of. I'm a big advocate of taking the time to develop one's personal sense of style, not out of vanity but, because it is a great platform for self-expression. Personal style is not about meticulously following trends or attempting to embody an icon that we see. To me, it is about wearing clothes that make you feel comfortable, beautiful and help express your point of view to the world. This blog is a passion project, a place where I share with you my style journey. I hope you find inspiration here, remember your style is only the stage so put on an epic show!
*The opinions expressed on this blog and accompanying social media platforms are mine and mine alone. Sponsored posts will be clearly marked as "Sponsored" but the opinions expressed in said posts are mine alone. Complimentary services/products received for review or as compensation will be marked as "gifted" or will be detailed within the blog post. Thank you!


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Archived and Closed
This conversation is no longer open for comments or replies and is no longer visible to community members. The community moderator provided the following reason for archiving: Archived
Is there anyway I can use the old sitebuilder plus on windows 10? I've been with you guys for years, but this new sitebuilder is TERRIBLE! At least with the old version pretty much everything was on the window at one time. With this new one I can't have more than one of my pages open at a time. I frequently have to update multiple pages with the same content, but now I have to go through this ridiculous process of copy, twiddle my thumbs while my next intended page loads, and then paste. All the page setting options are also gone unless I go through a dizzying array of drop down menus. It may look a lot more snazzy than the old version, but functionality wise it's a total fail.


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A couple evenings ago, I gave a presentation at the Livermore Public Library about how to produce a polished manuscript. Paul Sevilla, who handles Public Services at the library, was nice enough to take some photos:
Thanks to everyone who braved the bad air quality (we're dealing with smoke from the Camp Fire north of us) to hear me speak! And thanks to the Livermore Public Library for hosting me.
ETA: Video


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Bruce Springsteen has been voted the best act at the Isle of Wight Festival by NME.COM users.
The Boss played a three-hour set last Sunday (June 24), finishing with a cover of 'Twist And Shout'. Opening with 'Badlands', Springsteen joked with the crowd about the coverage of the weekend's weather, before a career-spanning set ending with classics 'Born In The USA', 'Born To Run' and 'Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out'.
In second place were grunge rockers Pearl Jam, who closed the second day of the festival with a two-hour set including rarities from their back catalogue and a Beatles cover – 'Rain', in tribute to the weather.
In third place were Madness, while Biffy Clyro followed in fourth place – they warmed up for Pearl Jam with a ferocious set including spectacular pyrotechnics and material from their forthcoming sixth album.
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds came in fifth place, followed by Elbow, Miles Kane and Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers.
NME.COM readers' top ten best acts at Isle of Wight Festival are:
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Pearl Jam
Biffy Clyro
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Miles Kane
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
The Vaccines
Isle Of Wight Festival 2012: The Big Picture
Meanwhile, NME's sister title Uncut has launched a new iPad app telling the story of Bruce Springsteen.
'Bruce Springsteen: The Ultimate Music Guide' gives an in-depth look across The Boss' entire career, including the release of this year's 'Wrecking Ball', through a host of archive features and reviews taken from classic issues of NME and Melody Maker.
Also included in the app are a bunch of classic photo galleries, video links and playable MP3 samples of every track on his studio albums.
Other highlights include the interactive guide 'Introducing The E Street Band', and a masterclass in Springsteen collectables and rarities.
The first chapter of 'Bruce Springsteen: The Ultimate Music Guide' is available now for free from iTunes. The other four chapters are available for 69p each.


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Comrades and fellow Sierra Leoneans,
We stand at the threshold of a new year, at the gates of a future for this country with the potential for an enhanced delivery of programmes started by the APC government of the last ten years. Having been selected as the Party's flag bearer for the forthcoming March Presidential polls, I am honored for that great trust imposed upon me to take over the mantle of head of government after the most illustrious son of APC, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, Chairman and Leader.
I have been privileged to have served this great and visionary leader and thus consider myself well placed to continue his enduring legacy and Agenda for Prosperity. As we build our team of local Councillors, Chair persons of Councils, Mayors and Parliamentarians, let me ask for patience from all contestants and prospective candidates. Those who make the mark and secure the APC symbol should embrace others who don't and let us all work together to return an APC government with the required majority at the first ballot.
Let us continue to consolidate our support and build on our networks as the elections draw near, never relenting for once nor allowing complacency to rob us of victory. I am very proud of the record and achievements of this government and my hope is for a leadership that will build on these achievements while also seeking to build a more sustainable future for us all. Let me take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy new year with prospects for a fruitful and meaningful engagement before, during and after the elections that will be violence free, and fair.
Let us all work together for our country as we strive to make Sierra Leone our responsibility.
Long live Chairman and Leader, President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma!!!
Long live the APC!!!
Long live Sierra Leone!!!
©SMWK Communucations


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Where are all the stars?
Just twelve days ago, they were all over the place! On the tops of our Christmas trees, adorning mantle pieces and little girls' angel costumes, decked across our yards, hanging from rearview mirrors. I saw them everywhere!
Now, one by one, those dramatic stars seem to have made their departure. Some crashed from the tree before we could catch them. Others are now carefully stored away for next year. The stars on our houses, on our pageant costumes, those strewn across our living rooms, are all likewise put away.
Thus, I find it odd that, as Epiphany arrives in our Christian calendar, all our stars have disappeared. Epiphany, of course, is meant to be the remembrance of three wise men following a star to the infant Jesus. Thus, Jesus is made real even to foreign travelers, to people who were different from his people, even to people who may have believed differently from his people. We Christians claim to follow the star, too, and to make it real to the world.
Yet, as the Feast of Epiphany arrives, many of our stars are gone. Even if we have a big bash on Epiphany night, we rarely keep any star visible after that night. Last week, my wife and I spent some time stargazing, out where the sky was cold and crisp. All we saw were stars, thousands of them, some still, and others shooting across the horizon. Oh, that our world could be so full of stars throughout the year!
I remembered this strong poem, from Conrad Aiken (from Savannah, the first Georgia-born winner of a Pulitzer Prize), in which he urges us to be prodigal with our stars - with our words and with our gifts.
One star fell and another as we walked.
Lifting his hand towards the west, he said--
--How prodigal that sky is of its stars!
They fall and fall, and still the sky is sky.
Two more have gone, but heaven is heaven still.
Then let us not be precious of our thought,
Nor of our words, nor hoard them up as though
We thought our minds a heaven which might change
And lose its virtue, when the word had fallen.
Let us be prodigal, as heaven is:
Lose what we lose, and give what we may give,--
Ourselves are still the same. Lost you a planet--?
Is Saturn gone? Then let him take his rings
Into the Limbo of forgotten things.
O little foplings of the pride of mind,
Who wrap the phrase in lavender, and keep it
In order to display it: and you, who save our loves
As if we had not worlds of love enough--!
Let us be reckless of our words and worlds,
And spend them freely as the tree his leaves;
And give them where the giving is most blest.
What should we save them for,--a night of frost? . . .
All lost for nothing, and ourselves a ghost.
(Conrad Aiken, 1935)
At Christmas, we have celebrated giving. Maybe the season of Epiphany is about giving away stars. Maybe we are supposed to be giving away stars as often as God gives things away. If so, we can trust that even if the stars fall, "still the sky is sky. Two more have gone, but heaven is heaven still."
May the Spirit of Epiphany giving be with you, and with all of us, throughout this year. Yes, let us be reckless, lavish, with our gifts of love, with our "words and worlds, and spend them freely as the tree his leaves; and give them where the giving is most blest."
The Very Rev. Sam Candler
Sam Candler is Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta, Georgia. Contact him at firstname.lastname@example.com.
To be added to the Good Faith distribution list, write "Add me" in the subject line.
To read other reflections on Good Faith and the Common Good, go online to ../GoodFaithPostings/default.asp.
Sam Candler's articles can also be followed at his blog, www.goodfaithandthecommongood.blogspot.com. Enjoy!


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Providing comprehensive English training and proprietary NLS Diagnostic research to a Global audience.
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and customer service. In need of financing in the USA? OnDeck, a specialist in small business loans, can
assist you with purchasing a Metatron System
Report sellers and operators of counterfeit systems
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Training &
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BioPhysics, the next phase in the evolution of medicine is here.
A Medical Degree can make you a doctor but
NPD International is the #1 distributor of Metatron systems to English Speaking Users.
Providing comprehensive English training and proprietary NLS Diagnostic research to a Global audience.
What is Metatron?
Metatron is officially referred to as a "Hardware-Software Bio-Resonance (NLS) Diagnostics System" by the Russian Federation. NLS Diagnostics is the reading, processing and analyzing of information discerned from the output of electromagnetic waves issued by the human body, even DNA and chromosomes. This technology is used to provide a safe, fast and informative health assessment to aid physicians in determining an individual's diagnostic requirements to clarify and verify the provisional diagnosis made, and also to evaluate the dynamics of dysfunctional changes in a human body. Metatron is truly a unique medical tool, and in fact, is the only patented and ISO certified torsion-biofeedback assessment and therapy system.
Our initial users are primarily medical practitioners familiar with Applied Kinesiology, Autonomic Response Testing (ART), Energy Medicine or TCM, and wished to augment their methods with modern scientific capabilities. Compared to traditional manual techniques, our systems provide:
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Health assessment is accomplished by means of sensors placed on the head, which are capable of interfacing, via electromagnetic waves, with the subcortical brain, the largest repository of information about the ongoing processes within an organism. The information obtained is reformed into a digital signal, which is subsequently decoded by Metatron's advanced software. This information is displayed on the computer screen over a virtual model of the organ, tissue or cell being evaluated. The display presents the organ's health in a color-coded format, varying from light yellow (healthier) to orange, red, purple and black, where organ stress is maximal and the health of the organ is highly suspect. Recommendations regarding possible pathologies and avenues of potential treatments are given to the physician to explore with traditional medical diagnostic methods.Learn more


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The King back in Kingaroy
JEFF Hancox and his mates are set to put the King back in Kingaroy when they open the doors for an Elvis tribute concert at the Kingaroy Town Hall on Saturday, June 16.
Mr Hancox will forego his blue suede shoes to focus on renditions of Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash numbers while his mates, Stuey V and Kingsley Rock, perform some classic Elvis tunes.
"I'll leave the Elvis stuff to the other blokes because they are young enough to do the moves," he said.
Despite taking a back seat, Mr Hancox is keen to sing the praises of guest performers.
"Stuey V competed last year in Memphis and Texas and made the finals there, so he's pretty up there in the tribute community," he said.
"Kingsley Rock does the 1970s' Elvis stuff, the music from the jumpsuit era."
Local songstress Natalie Fenton will also perform a Shania Twain imperson- ation.
Mr Hancox will pay for the gig up front and, though it is geared as a profit-making venture, he doesn't expect to make much cash from the night.
Rather, it's a labour of love.
"It's an event that cost me about $5000 to put on and I don't ask for any sponsor- ship or anything," he said.
"Whatever I make, I make and whatever I lose, I lose."
Mr Hancox returned from competing at the Boneyview Elvis Contest in Brisbane in early May.
"I came second in the Elvis tribute artist contest and won the busking contest," he said.
After the Kingaroy gig, he'll head to the Gold Coast for Viva Surfer's Paradise.
"There's a big competition from July 13-22," he said.
Tickets for the Kingaroy Elvis Show start from $40.
To book, call Jeff on 41625151.
If he doesn't answer, leave a message with your name and how many tickets you want and they'll be available to pick up on the door.


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Posted by mdrake on 04/22/2018 1:45pm EDT
Chair shots and pile drivers replaced slap shots and hat tricks at the Fraser Hockeyland Arena on Saturday, April 21, 2018, for "Legends of Wrestling: A Fan Experience and Live Event." The event, presented by Sprint, featured live matches and meet-and-greet experiences. Read more here. Photos by David Angell / For Digital First Media


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- Secure Bike Storage
- Metal Garden Sheds
- Motorcycle Storage Sheds
- Caravan Site Storage
- High Security Sheds
- School Storage
Contact the UK manufacturer
The Asgard Trojan is one of the original Asgard sheds - still holding its own with our new products. With its tough 3 point locking mechanism and tough weather proof construction, this is a Strong medium size shed.
The Trojan is one of our tallest garden sheds and its sleek, slim design means it can fit in almost anywhere. You can even choose from a selection of colours –dark green, brown or ivory- to match your shed to your outdoor environment.
To keep your stored items in good condition, this unit is fitted with our unique ventilation system to promote airflow. This garden shed is also fitted with a wind/rain guard to keep the harshest of weather out.
"Strangely enough I meant to contact you before to say how please we are with our Asgard unit. In fact we are so pleased we will be ordering another in the Spring. It was very simple and straight forward to put together. The hardest part of the job was building the level base to sit the unit on as the ground sloped away quite dramatically. Attached is a photo of our unit."
Here at Asgard, we have a wide selection of metal garden sheds to choose from. With sizes from small to XXL and in a variety of styles, we'll have the garden shed for you.
Rust resistant
Integral metal floor**
Interest-free credit***
Welded construction
Vented roof
Made in the UK


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Julia and Sue review the book Defarge Does Shakespeare from Cooperative Press. It was a fun read with many great patterns (including jewelry!). Head on over to our prize thread or leave a comment here to be entered in a drawing for your own copy!! Just answer the question: What Shakespearean character would you knit for? Me? I'd knit a shawl for Hero (Much Ado About Nothing). Poor girl could use a virtual hug…
Julia's projects:
Aloft out of Madelinetosh Vintage in Kitten
Hitofude out of Sun Valley Fibers MCN in Topiary
Julia spent some time at Maryland Sheep and Wool- thank you to those who stopped to say hi!