interviews Blog

Interview: Amanda Seyfried is Chloe

2010-03-23T10:13:00.000+02:00

In the words of MTV’s “True Life,” you think you know Amanda Seyfried as an actress, but you have no idea. This reference is particularly fitting considering the channel’s target audience is likely the one to rush to see anything with Seyfried’s name attached. But brace yourselves; you’ve likely seen her as the blond bombshell with ‘ESPN,’ Karen, in Mean Girls, Meryl Streep’s bubbly daughter Sophie in Mamma Mia! or, more recently, as the innocent nerd trying to deal with her demonic best friend in Jennifer’s Body, but you’ve never seen her like this.

In Chloe, Seyfried plays the titular character, a young prostitute who delves into an unconventional side of the business when she strikes a deal with an older woman named Catherine (Julianne Moore). Catherine suspects her husband (Liam Neeson) is cheating on her and hires Chloe to taunt him so she can see if he’ll nibble at the bait. But what Catherine doesn’t know is that there’s far more to Chloe than operating a business of questionable integrity. In fact, Chloe’s personal integrity is more suspect than her line of work.

ComingSoon.net had the opportunity to sit down with Seyfried and hash out the details of the role and get her feelings about having to share a particularly sensual moment with Moore. As her filmography grows, skyrocketing her to a life of fame and fortune, Seyfried is just trying to do what she can, keep her films fresh, put priorities in their place and has her new puppy Finn by her side to see her through it all.

Click here to read the interview.

[Via http://littlemisscritical.com]

Natal will require 4 metres of space News | Xbox 360 | Eurogamer

Greek Tragedies

2010-03-23T04:51:00.000+02:00

Some people envision moving to a Greek island as the ultimate dream retirement plan. Jeff Siger went there to reinvent himself, leaving behind his lucrative New York law practice to set up his writing desk on the island of Mykonos. And with great results. The first two books in his Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis series, Murder in Mykonos and Assassins of Athens, have found worldwide readership and reached the top of the Greek bestseller lists.

Writing of the first novel in the series, Murder in Mykonos, a Publishers Weekly critic noted, “Kaldis’s feisty personality and complex backstory are appealing as well, solid foundations for a projected series.” A Kirkus Reviews contributor also found that book “a surprisingly effective debut novel.” Booklist declared Siger’s second novel in the series,Assassins of Athens, “International police procedural writing at its best.”

Scene of the Crime caught up with Jeff in New York, on an extended book tour. Jeff, thanks for taking time from your promotional efforts to talk with us about the importance of setting in your novels.

First please describe your connection to your Mykonos. How did you come to live there or become interested in it? And, if you do not live on site, do you make frequent trips there?

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and practiced law in New York City, first on Wall Street later and later as a name partner in my own law firm. In the early 1980’s a friend suggested I visit Greece, that I would love it. She was right, but a lone Aegean island ninety miles southeast of Athens is the place that stole my heart: Mykonos, neighbor to the birthplace of the God of Light and home to the greatest 24/7 island life in Europe. Twenty years later, at the height of my practice, I decided to give it all up, write full time, and live on Mykonos. I’ve never looked back nor regretted a single moment of my choice.

What things about Mykonos make it unique and a good physical setting in your books?

Unique is perhaps my favorite word. I consider it the greatest compliment one can pay—no matter the intended connotation. When paid to Greece it goes far beyond its legendary physical beauty and varied geological textures. Here, ancient places and practices have found a way to survive into a colorful, modern present. Sometimes in harmony with its people, sometime not.

Greece’s neighbors are Balkan countries to the north, Turkey to the east, and North Africa to the south. There’s also Italy to the west, but as any reader of the Aeneid knows, they’re really Greeks. Greece is the birthplace of the gods, the cradle of European civilization, the bridge between East and West, and the land of Homer, Euripides, and Sophocles. Spartan courage, Athenian democracy, Olympic achievement, and Trojan intrigue all call it home. It is a place of island, plains, and mountain villages, and cities filled with émigrés. A country whose modern problems lay spread out before the world, while the secrets of Byzantium stay hidden in unnoticed places protected by reclusive lives led much the same as they were a 1000 years before. Yes, I live amidst the ambiguity that is and always has been Greece.

As counterpoint to all that heavy history is the Cycladic island on which I live my day-to-day life. Mykonos sits less than a mile from the sacred island of Delos—the birthplace of Apollo, the crossroads of trade for the ancient world, and a place obliterated off the face of the earth before the birth of Christ for backing the wrong protector. But Mykonos was barely a bit player back then, and its history was one of struggle. Occupied by foreign powers until the middle of the 20th Century, its general trades were fishing, farming, piracy, and a bit of mining for clay. But all that’s changed.

Today, Mykonos is a new sort of international crossroads, one of dazzling beaches, mega-yachts, private jets, and 24/7 lifestyles. It is Europe’s most popular tourist island, and a source of endless inspiration—filled with visitors from around the world willingly sharing their private thoughts and confidences in relaxed beachside chats or pre-dawn whispered conversations in a club or bar.

Greece is where I mine for inspiration and where I place my tales, it is unique in every way imaginable.

Did you consciously set out to use your location as a “character” in your books, or did this grow naturally out of the initial story or stories?

It was my express purpose to make the island of Mykonos a central character in the debut novel of my Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis series. I moved to Mykonos intending to write a book that showed its people, politics, history, and enormously colorful present in a light unknown to virtually all tourists and most mainland Greeks. But as I wrote mysteries, not stories about windmills, summer tavernas, or pelicans, I decided to drop a serial killer into the midst of my island paradise. That’s how Murder in Mykonos (Poisoned Pen Press, 2009) came to be a sort of Mama Mia setting for a No Country For Old Men story.

For my just released second novel in the series, Assassins of Athens (Poisoned Pen Press, 2010), I knew that I couldn’t place another murder on Mykonos, unless I wanted to be run off the island. But I liked Andreas Kaldis and the easy way serious issues, political and otherwise, were expressed around him. So, I decided to promote him on to Athens and its endless supply of things to solve, but Mykonos still plays a significant part in that Miami Vice-paced journey through contemporary Great Gatsby-like Athens, as it will in all my Andreas Kaldis novels.

How do you incorporate location in your fiction? Do you pay overt attention to it in certain scenes, or is it a background inspiration for you?

Location is seminal to my stories; it makes them come alive. Abandoned island mines, ancient ruins, island churches, village lanes, modern big city neighborhoods (sordid, elegant, and in between), even places beyond Greece (such as relatively unknown Sardinian locales) are as important as the characters in my books.

How does Andreas Kaldis interact with his surroundings? Is he a native, a blow-in, a reluctant or enthusiastic inhabitant, cynical about it, a booster? And conversely, how does the setting affect your protagonist?

Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis, an Athenian born second-generation cop, is a politically incorrect, honest observer of his times. He endures and grows, despite all that life and the powerful throw at him and his beloved country.

Has there been any local reaction to your works?

My books are published in Greek and English in Greece (Aikaterini Lalaouni Editions), in German in Germany (Goldmann Publishing/Random House), and in English in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa (Piatkus Press/Little Brown).

Murder in Mykonos was the #1 best selling English-language book in Greece the summer of its simultaneous Greek and English version release and, according to my Greek publisher, received more publicity than any book ever has in Greece. Greece’s Esquire Magazine wrote, “With ten million Greeks, half of whom think they are writers, how come we had to wait for a foreigner to come along to write such a book.” Mykonos Magazine wrote, “Masterfully written…even if you are not a murder-mystery fanatic, you will adore this book…genius.”

When the Greek version of Assassins of Athens was published in Greece it immediately became a top ten best seller among all books in Greece. Greek journalists labeled me the American “prognosticator” (at least I think that’s what the word meant) for anticipating the societal unrest and attitudes that drove Greece’s ruling party out of power after the book was published. Recently, I received a Certificate of Honor from the Mayor of San Francisco, presented in the presence of Greece’s vice-consul general, which stated in part, “Your acclaimed books have not only explored modern Greek society and its ancient roots but have inspired political change in Greece.”

I guess it’s safe to say that with respect to local reaction, “so far, so good.”

Of your Greek-based novels, do you have a favorite book or scene that focuses on the place? Could you quote a short passage or give an example of how the location figures in your novels?

From Murder in Mykonos:

“Sure, Mykonos was famous for tantalizing tourists with brightly lit shops, colorful restaurants, roaring bars, and freewheeling dance clubs, but this still was a town where people raised families and shared strong traditions. Down the less traveled lanes, children played their games oblivious to the occasional tourists squeezing through their four-, five-, or maybe six-foot-wide playgrounds. Pairs of grandmothers, all in black, did duty watching the children. They’d sit on stoops in front of their houses or, if a shop occupied the street level, on brightly painted wooden balconies outside their second-floor homes; balconies with gates guarding pets, pots of geraniums, draping bougainvillea, and—if rented to tourists—clothes left to dry.

“As she walked, [her] eyes drifted up from the rows of glossy green, blue, and red banisters to where the white textures of the buildings met the sky. So many whites: light white, dark white, sunlit white, shaded white, dirt-caked white, white over color, white over stone, white over wood, white over steel, white over rust, peeled white, fresh white, old white, slick white, coarse white—against so many blues: dark blue, pale blue, and all those blues in between. [She] smiled, took in a deep breath, and said softly, ‘I just love it here.’”

From Assassins of Athens:

“Andreas Kaldis once read or heard somewhere that the chatter never stopped in Athens. Not even at sunrise, when the earth itself seemed to pause to draw a breath. Like its people, the city always had something to say whether you were in the mood to listen or not. Sun-up simply shifted the style of conversation from high-pitched shouts of an Athens at play to the anonymous din of a city at work.

“That’s what Andreas was doing now, working. ‘Turn off the damn siren, no one’s listening.’ He was in a foul mood. ‘The body’s going nowhere. Just like us in this goddamn coming-home-from-partying morning traffic.’

“Police officer Yianni Kouros said nothing, just did what his boss told him to do. That’s why Andreas liked him, he listened.

“Andreas stared out the passenger-side window at a hodgepodge of neglected private and graffiti-covered government buildings. This section of Pireos Street, a formerly elegant avenue, began west of the Acropolis, ran northeast through the trendy, late-night bar and club area of Gazi, and ended with a name change amidst the around-the-clock drug and hooker trade by Omonia Square. What remained of its once-treasured three-and four-story buildings were now warrens of ground-level check cashers, bars, small-time retail shops, and cheap, foreign restaurants. It seemed every immigrant group to Greece had set up shop in this part of town. Truth was, they were everywhere, well almost.”

Who are your favorite writers, and do you feel that other writers influenced you in your use of the spirit of place in your novels?

In alphabetical order, my favorite authors are J.M. Coetzee, Arthur Conan Doyle, Leighton Gage, J. Sydney Jones, Cormac McCarthy, Thomas Perry, John Steinbeck, and August Wilson. I wouldn’t say that they or any other writer influenced my “use of the spirit of place” but certainly would cite their terrific collective sense of place as evidence that without such spirit, “There is no there there.” (Thanks, GS)

What’s next for Kaldis?

In my just completed third novel in the series (Poisoned Pen Press, 2011), Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis is off to the Holy Island of Patmos (where John wrote the Book of Revelation) to hopefully solve the murder of a monk in the middle of the old town square during Easter week, before all hell breaks loose—in a manner of speaking.

Thanks so much Jeff for taking us on a journey to Greece.

For more information, see Jeff’s homepage.

[Images of Mykonos and the Acropolis Copyrighted by Historylink101.com & found at Greek Picture Gallery.]

[Via http://jsydneyjones.wordpress.com]

The Virtual Whirl: News of the Whirl - Massively

Jelena Obradović: A scientist's perspective

2010-03-21T22:33:00.000+02:00

Jelena Obradović

Last week we spoke with Jelena Obradović, an assistant professor at Stanford University in the Child and Adolescent Development program. Her research focuses on how children overcome adversity. We got in contact with her after interviewing Anne McIlroy, who used Obradović as a source in her article on orchid children. Obradović talked about her experience being interviewed and gave us tips on how to get scientists to open up.

Show some interest

Obradović said she was very impressed with Anne McIlroy’s interviewing style. She felt that McIlroy was genuinely interested in her field, and was able to speak with her at a more advanced level.

“I was actually very impressed with Anne’s knowledge of the field. Something that stood out for me was that she wasn’t just interested in my article, but she was interested in the whole new idea that the article is representing… I felt like our conversation was probably more complex than just (talking to) the general audience. So it was really easy to talk to her.”

Showing real enthusiasm is important. Even if you aren’t thrilled about writing a science article, try to drum up some interest! It’ll make preparing for the interview much easier, and the interviewee will appreciate your effort.

Listen here!

Keep an open mind

Obradović told us about an interview request she received in which the reporter asked for somebody who could basically go along with a quote he had already written. This frustrated her and stopped her from speaking to him.

“I looked at that email and was really appalled that somebody would be wanting to interview me already with a set mind as to what they wanted to get out of that interview… I basically declined the interview. One thing may be, and it may be a really simple one, is to go into an interview with an open mind and not with a predetermined story you want to tell,” she said.

Although it’s important to have an idea for a focus before going into an interview, be flexible and listen to what the scientist has to say. Don’t expect to be able to write the story yourself and just fill in the quotes later.

Listen here!

Be aware of the scientist’s fears

Interviewing a scientist can be nerve wracking, especially when you don’t completely understand his or her work. But remember that the interviewee is also afraid– of explaining things wrong, of having their work misinterpreted, or being unable to answer the reporter’s questions.

“(There’s the fear that) the message would be too simple and the audience would misinterpret it… There’s that joke about two-handed scientists, where on one hand it’s such and such, and on the other hand, it’s not. I think when you go talk to the press you feel like they’re going to chop one of your hands off,” she said.

Remember that the scientist might be just as nervous as you are. Make them feel more comfortable by doing your research, knowing what you’re talking about, and writing the article properly so that their work isn’t misunderstood.

Listen here!

[Via http://scienceinterviewing.wordpress.com]

Hot Air » Blog Archive » Big news: Altmire to vote no

Will's Wisdom and the Pursuit of Happiness

2010-03-21T16:37:00.000+02:00

A friend posted this on Facebook. I happened to see it this morning.

Its a collection of wise statements from Will Smith. Its simple. True and honest.

“Don’t ever let somebody tell you you cant do something. Not even me. Alright. You got a dream. You gotta protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they wanna tell you you can’t do it. You want something. Go get it. Period.” Will Smith from The Pursuit of Happiness

[Via http://howichangedcareers.com]

Artnet News: Asia Week 2010, Documenta 13, Yves Klein, ABC No Rio ...

Lori Carson talks about how it feels

2010-03-20T16:21:00.000+02:00

Lori Carson’s voice has a way of oh so softly burrowing into you, her words, graceful little drills making their way past the sediment of your surface perceptions. After a listen, insight lies exposed like embers burning down after a fire; not a conflagration, but the gentle long fires of home, and hurt, loss and emotional mistake. You fall in love a little bit after taking in this voice. In love with who you are, who you were, and what it all might mean. Lori Carson has a way, indeed of connecting us to how it feels.

I took the opportunity to ask Lori some questions about her songwriting process, her history in the industry, and her niche as a go-to artist regarding film music, and why her work seems so suited to the medium. Her unadulturated responses are found here.

PH Lori, I have long been attracted to the shifting emotional shadows in your music, to the fact that most of your songs lean towards bittersweet questioning, and veer away from the false lyrical resolutions of so much pop music. Where does that come from? What’s the story behind this type of energy that your history, muse or circumstances seems to steer you towards?

LC I think the appeal of songwriting, of any writing in fact, lies in the pleasure found in combining a deeply felt idea with one’s craft or technique.

But, I think there are certain methods, techniques, used in songwriting that rely heavily on artifice. I’ve never liked forced rhymes, clichés, overused metaphors. I try to avoid them. For me the pleasure lies in finding a way to polish and perfect without resorting to those things, because they act as barriers or distractions to the genuine experience.

As for why my themes are what they are. I suppose it’s because of my specific personality, experience, brain chemistry, etc. I’m a romantic with melancholic tendencies! My songs reflect my experience directly.

PH You have had an interesting career in that mainstream “fame”, whatever that means, seems to have escaped you as a recording artist regarding CD sales, etc, but have been extremely successful in having your songs placed in film. Do you feel that the songs naturally lend themselves to cinematic collaborations?

LC Well, it was my recording career that brought me to the attention of directors and music supervisors. It happened very naturally, was not something I ever pursued.

I was on tour in Asia supporting my record “Where it Goes” when I heard that Bernardo Bertolucci had licensed “You Won’t Fall” for his film Stealing Beauty. This was in 1995, I think.

Then, at the end of that tour I flew directly to LA to work on a new song with Graham Revell for Katherine Bigelow’s “Strange Days.” One thing led to another.

I think the gentle, emotional quality of my voice and songs lent themselves well to acting as score in movies and television. But being a part of the Golden Palominos didn’t hurt either. It lent me a bit of cool. Never a bad thing in terms of getting your songs licensed.

PH Can you tell me about the genesis of your relationship with Anton Fier in Golden Palominos? How did your inclusion in that project come about, and how do you see that time, in retrospect, as influencing your life, let alone your career?

LC Well, I kind of answered this a bit in the last question. Before the Golden Palominos I was one more singer-songwriter. After, I was suddenly a cool singer from a cool band. In the music business that means a lot. It brought me a lot of opportunity. Of course, after I was always “the singer from the Palominos” which sometimes bugged me, but overall, it was a good thing for my career. Looking back, I can see it was the best thing that could have happened to me, to be a part of a collaborative project with Anton. He really knew how to make records. I learned a lot and he protected me from myself sometimes. Also, he was my biggest fan and that was nice.

I met Anton when he interviewed to be my producer on my first record (on Geffen0. I didn’t pick him then, but later, after I was dropped by Geffen, I’d started to play some gigs in New York. I was trying to get back on my feet. Anton came to a show and asked me to work on some songs with him. He gave me seven rhythm tracks, basically bass and drums, programmed stuff, Bill Laswell on bass. I wrote lyrics and melodies over them. They were all written in about two weeks time. We recorded the songs and it was really magic. Anton asked me how I felt about releasing the record as a Golden Palominos record and I was into it. I liked the idea of being a part of something else at that point. So those songs became “This is How it Feels.”

PH So many musicians that I have worked with and befriended over the years are entering their late 40s, 50s, and are in a introspective mode concerning their career, their lives from this point forward, and their shifting artistic and personal priorities. What drives you at this time in your life? What is the focus of your love, dedication and energy, and how does this meld with your artistry?

LC I’ve slowed down, to put it mildly. I remember when I was younger, I’d look at older artists and think “What happened to him? Why isn’t she writing those great songs anymore?’ You could feel the diminishing energy of those artists, and I feel I understand it a little bit now. I think ambition for recognition, and approval from the world, is a young person’s ambition. I think age gives you the perspective to understand it doesn’t matter what the world thinks so much. Time is limited, so it’s important to do what you want to do with your life. I value walking in the park as much as writing a song today. I enjoy things I didn’t allow myself when I was spending every minute of every day trying to be successful in the music business. I feel I’ve done what I’m going to do as far as the world is concerned. My music is something I do for myself now, although I continue to share it, of course.

PH You have been very transparent in your writing concerning love, your experience with it, its losses and challenges, its obsessions and joys. It seems to come easy for you this type of disclosure. Do you write about love from a standpoint of catharsis, confessional, a combination of both, or for some other reason?

LC Although, the songs have an aspect of being confessional, I think they are more a catharsis than a need to reveal myself. I suppose there is a part of everyone that wants to be heard, received, identified with. I’ve also heard it said that when we write we have one listener in mind, so maybe, sometimes I’m addressing the subject of the song. (Then the world is the eavesdropper). More often, the listener, the receiver, whoever he/she is, is secondary to the experience of releasing a spiritual question into the world. That’s what it feels like to me. I’m sending out my loneliness, my longing into the unknown!

The journal I see as an extension of my songwriting. I get a flow going and just kind of rif. It feels good. I like to do it.

The idea that a song, or even the journal, is a diary entry is one I don’t like it because it suggests a song is merely a regurgitation of an experience. That diminishes the importance of craft, which is a big part of what I love. I think the reason my songs seem so transparent is because I write with subtlety, not because what I write is true. Or true in the literal sense at least.

PH I’ve been reading your blog, and have noticed that you have recently moved back to NYC from Long Island. There is a distinct lifestyle change from Mattituck to NYC. Being an east-ender myself I can understand this. What was the impetus for the move, and how do you see this affecting the creative process for you?

LC I’m a New Yorker in my heart. Central Park, great restaurants, the museums, great people watching. I’ve spent most of my life in New York City and although I lived for ten years on the East End, after the first few, I was itching to come back. I’m so happy to be back. It’s the perfect place for people who spend a lot of time alone. You can isolate all day in your apartment, then walk outside and be surrounded by people. Also, it’s the capital of the world for people who don’t fit anywhere else. Those people tend to be artists and I love living among artists.

PH Who do you listen to? What current musicians do you see making important, resonant work that inspires you, ads to your positive emotional/spiritual landscape?

LC I don’t listen to a lot of music. If someone gives me something, I’ll check it out and that’s often how I’ve fallen in love with something, like my friend’s Ida, for example. I love their music and have been listening to their new records. I heard Regina Spektor perform the other night at the Tibet House Benefit and she was outstanding, really magnificent. I love music so much, but I don’t go looking to discover it somehow. I think it’s because it takes me so long to write and I find listening to other people’s work is often distracting.

I’m inspired by everything though. Movies, books, the world. There’s never a shortage of things to be inspired by!

PH What musical or artistic projects are you working on now? Any collaborative work in the making?

LC I’m hoping my friends, Daniel and Liz (from Ida) will help me finish this group of songs I’ve been struggling with finishing. I’m done writing the songs, but the recordings remain half done. I’d like to release these songs on a new record at some point.

I co-wrote the music and lyric for a new Lee Jeans ad recently. Also, I work with a company called Spring, putting music to short films, often for philanthropic projects, but some commercial projects as well. I’m currently not performing, but writing is something I hope to never stop doing.

[Via http://percy3.wordpress.com]

Hot Air » Blog Archive » Big news: Altmire to vote no

Quote(s) of the Day: Josh Brolin, You Kill!

2010-03-20T04:47:00.000+02:00

The following interview excerpts are from the Sunday New York Times Magazine Supplement, “Men’s Fashion” (14 March 2010)

Interviewer: And now, in “Jonah Hex,” you have your first-ever nude sex scene, with Megan Fox.

Richard (Jenkins, Brolin’s co-star in “Flirting with Disaster”) is much more attractive to me than Megan Fox! Was I nude in “Jonah Hex”?

Interviewer: I’ve always wondered if it’s harder to do a scene where you die or a scene where you kill someone.

I don’t like killing. When I shot Sean Penn’s character in “Milk,” there was a lot of joking going on at the moment because we couldn’t deal with the intensity of it. Recently, it dawned on me that I’d killed dogs in two movies back to back. Some animal activist was riding me, saying he was going to turn me in. In real life, I would never kill a dog. In “No Country for Old Men,” the dog was chasing my character, trying to kill me. He was a huge pit bull named Scooby. I had to put his toy in my pants so he would follow me. Scooby is a sweet dog. I still have his toy. And he is a very good actor: I’d like to think I could die as well as Scooby.

Stay tuned, dear blog readers. Stay tuned.

[Via http://anthropologist.wordpress.com]

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Interview with Elizabeth May!

2010-03-18T16:47:00.000+02:00

March 17th, I spent a few hours at the Green Party’s Saanich-Gulf Islands Community Centre interviewing leader Elizabeth May. Even though I say a few dumb things (I had NO idea the Greens were fielding 308 candidates), I think these videos are pretty cool to look back on.

Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/user/MomSaysImCool#p/u/2/qs9i8BEuCEA

Part 2 – http://www.youtube.com/user/MomSaysImCool#p/u/1/BzXEpOSef_E

Part 3 – http://www.youtube.com/user/MomSaysImCool#p/u/0/T9zNG-qfaeE

NOTE: I used my video webcam, which stops recording at the ten minute mark. That’s probably for the best, since I wanted to upload these guys to YouTube, but it also made for gaps between the videos. It won’t make sense at the beginning, for the second video especially.

[Via http://candybaragitator.wordpress.com]

Bandai Namco New Rilakkuma Netbook « Akihabara News

Elise Blackwell -answers my questions

2010-03-18T10:55:00.000+02:00

Elise Blackwell

Early this month i asked Elise Blackwell who i have tweeted with on twitter if i could ask her some questions with her new book the unfinished score is coming out in april on unbridled books .I myself am a huge fan having read both grub and hunger by Elise .As it is my birthday today i decide to run it today here you go-

What books /writers have influenced your writing?

I grew up in the shadow of southern American writers, including Faulkner, O’Connor, Welty, Percy, and Hannah. While I don’t write like any of them, all influenced me in an identifiable way. In college and immediately following, by biggest contemporary influence was probably Michael Ondaatje. I read all kinds of things—though more European than U.S. fiction as of late—and I feel their presence when I work. My favorite writer is W.G. Sebald, particularly The Rings of Saturn and Austerlitz.

How much research did you have to do for your new book an unfinished score ?

You could ask how much research did I get to do for An Unfinished Score! I love music, so the research was part of what attracted me to the material. I went to concerts, sat in on master classes, read the biographies of composers, and listened to a lot of music. It was a lot of work. Though I’ve always loved music, I found out quickly that I knew a lot less than I thought I did. Having bailed on the viola at the age of ten (due to utter lack of talent), I’d forgotten how physical music is.

Do you have a routine when you are writing your novels ,what is your study/office like ?

In the summer when I’m not teaching, I have something of a routine in that I write for a few hours every day. During the rest of the year, I write when I can. That might be four hours on Friday afternoon, four more on Saturday, and twenty minutes here and there throughout the rest of the week. I’ve trained myself to think about the novel I’m working on whenever possible; that way I’m ready to write as soon as I sit down.

What gave you the idea for an unfinished score ?

Like most novels, this one didn’t arise from a single idea but from several small moments and thoughts. The image that fuelled the initial writing came from a symphony I attended in Philadelphia. One of the viola players seemed both passionate about her work and really sad. I wondered how she could play so beautifully if she was indeed deeply sad. It’s the fiction writer’s job to wonder why people are how they are, and I wondered why she was sad, whether she was grieving something. I’d been interested in writing about music since I touched on Shostakovich’s Leningrad Symphony in my first novel, and so I started to think more about it, including composition. Among the ideas I considered was what it would be like to have a talent and love for an art form with a such a small audience. Would your life feel special or wasted? What would it be like to lead that life?

Are you working on anything new ?

I’ve started the next novel, which I’m calling Water Damage. I’s set in post-Katrina New Orleans, and one of the main characters is an art conservator who specializes in the restoration of water-damaged paintings. Another is an artist, another works for the Art Loss Registry, and another is a troubled young man from a prominent family. My idea is that each of these four major characters is damaged in some unseen way that makes them dangerous to each other. The plot centers around a stolen painting from the past and a murder that was overlooked in the chaos of the Katrina evacuation. One idea I want to explore is how some people’s lives are dramatically altered by external forces, while other people fates are shaped by their pasts.

many thanks Elise and good luck with the new book .an unfinished score is out april 10th on unbridled books

an unfinished score by Elise Blackwell

[Via http://winstonsdad.wordpress.com]

Obama spars with Fox News anchor during interview punctuated by ...

Indigenous Election Voices

2010-03-16T22:46:00.000+02:00

If you’ve been concerned about the lack of indigenous voice in the upcoming election you’ll be pleased to hear two candidates from Independent SA Change will be running for the Upper House on March 20.

Dylan Coleman Mastrosavas and Lynette Crocker are will be campaigning for an Aboriginal Bill of Rights, better representation and environmental protection amongst other things.

Lynette joins us on the line to tell us more about Independent Change SA.

DOWNLOAD INTERVIEW or CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN

[Via http://radioadelaidebreakfast.wordpress.com]

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Exclusive: Kirstie Allsopp on the joys of quilting

2010-03-16T10:43:00.000+02:00

Image credit: mydeco

Just in time for the much talked about Quilts exhibition at the V&A this month, I caught up with homemade home domestic goddess Kirstie Allsopp about the joys of quilting.

How are you involved with the exhibition?

I will be giving a talk at the V&A about quilting before the opening – I am so excited. I literally cannot wait to walk through the doors and see the exhibition.

It all started when we visited this amazing quilter in Devon, called Jo Hendy. Together with her husband Laurence they run the most amazing farm. She is a premier quilter and teaches the craft; their home is just amazing. That’s what really sparked my interest.

Why do you think the exhibition is important?

Quilts are really special in that each one has a narrative behind it; they magically combine history, artistic talent and skill. Looking at a quilt, you can pick up clues about the circumstances in which it was crafted – the economy, current design trends, what was squandered, what was recycled…

I have always had a huge respect for skilled needlewomen.

Image credit: Bishops Court quilt, 1690-1700. Unknown maker © V&A Images

Why do you think quilting has had such a revival lately?

I think quilts have always been popular to buy, but somewhere along the way we lost touch with making things. Women today work, and they feel out of touch with the act of creating something. I think there’s a new demand for doing things which ground you in family life. If you’re on a train miles away going to a meeting, for example, and you are sewing or quilting, it transports you to your family and your home.

That’s another reason quilting is so popular: it’s portable. You can do it anywhere.

Also, if you look at the evolution of the quilt in America, it started very much as a community project, and I think this still lives on today. People love groups – I have worked with a few crafts groups – knitting, sewing etc – and everyone there is so happy to socialise as well as learn. You come away with so much more than just a skill.

Do you quilt? Honestly?

At first I was daunted by the size of them, I won’t lie. But that changed when I worked with Angel, from London-based design shop Tobias and Angel. She taught me how to make quilted lavender cushions, and it was such fun and really easy. Small quilted things like that make great presents for the home.

Do many men quilt, do you think?

I have only ever seen one, but I am sure there will be more!

[Via http://blog.mydeco.com]

Chicken Cells Have Strong Sense Of Sexual Identity - Science News

My interview with Nashville Pussy’s Ruyter Suys

2010-03-14T10:48:00.000+02:00

Nashville Pussy left to right: Blaine Cartright, Karen Cuda, Jeremy Thompson, Ruyter Suys

Photo credit: Frank Mullen/Matteblack

I interviewed Nashville Pussy guitarist Ruyter Suys for FasterLouder a few weeks ago, and she was an absolute riot. Unfortunately, due to length constraints, not all of our conversation made it into the final article, so I thought I’d share some “deleted scenes” so to speak.

Read the published interview here: Nashville Pussy’s Ruyter Suys

I know Ruyter and in fact the whole of Nashville Pussy are massive Bon Scott fans, and while they’ve been to Australia a few times, they’ve always stuck to the east coast. We got to see Nashville Pussy at Wacken 2008, and they are a ton of fun live. I thought it worth mentioning the fact that Bon Scott is buried in Perth, so that perhaps they’ll include the west coast next time they come down under so we can see them again. What I found out was that the band desperately want to make the trek, but keep getting told by booking agents that it’s too far off the beaten track.

As well as the bits about the Bon Scott experience that made it into the article, Ruyter also shared this little gem:

‘For years our drummer has been using this line, it’s supposed to be like a pick up line for girls. He’s like “I got a go-kart, let’s go to Perth”. And if a girl actually gets his little joke, his reference to Bon Scott in “I’ve got a go-kart that will take us all the way to Perth” – I don’t think any girl has laughed yet, but when he finally meets the one that does, she’ll be a keeper. ‘

I also asked Ruyter about road stories.

Given the band’s reputation as rock and roll partying machine, I wonder if Ruyter has any road stories from Australia to share. She pauses to think for a moment, but it turns out she has plenty of material.

‘We tried to buy cocaine once, that was really expensive. I was like, we thought they were lying! You’re kidding me that’s how much it costs! What kind of money is this you’re talking about, it can’t be Australian dollars! That’s a good story.’

Fortunately that incident wasn’t the only memories Nashville Pussy took home from the land down under. ‘We played with [the late] Pete Wells one time, from Rose Tattoo, in Melbourne. That was fucking awesome. He came up on stage and just went up to my amplifier and rolled his hand across all the dials so everything went up to 10. And then, I think it was the same night, that we wound up partying with the bass player from Rose Tattoo, we didn’t even know he was in the band. He was just some really cool guy that we met. And we managed to get him kicked out of a pub in Melbourne. And he got kicked out of this really square sportsbar pub, with Nashville Pussy, and he was like “I haven’t been kicked out of a pub in 25 years” and I’m like “you’re partying with Nashville Pussy now!” That was pretty good.’

We talked a bit about Ruyter’s inclusion in Elle magazine’s top female guitarists list, and I asked what she would be doing for a crumb if she wasn’t a rock and roll guitar goddess.

‘I dunno man. When my husband met me I was doing bronze casting and driving a tractor.’

Driving a tractor?

‘Yeah, driving a tractor in Canada. You know, on a boring old wheat farm.’

Wow.

‘And uh, quite enjoying myself to tell you the truth.’

Ruyter laughs at the idea that tractor driving is always a skill she can fall back on. ‘Yeah exactly. As long as I can still drive in circles at 9 miles an hour, no problem.’

One of the coolest insights into the band came when Ruyter mentioned that they’d recently played a show for their 17th anniversary as Mr and Mrs Nashville Pussy.

As testament to that, they played a show in Denver on their 17th anniversary in January. ‘I saw some video from it, and it was really cool to see what a good time we have on stage,’ she says. ‘It was really nice to see both of us smiling at each other, having a really good time, and you know it’s kind of a relief that wow, 17 years and we’re still going, we still really like this, and we like each other too.’

I mention that it seems a bit odd that she has to watch a video of the show to see how it went, but Ruyter says that on stage, she goes into her own zone. ‘When I play I barely even see what’s going on around me.’ She tries to explain further. ‘It’s like I’m hypnotizing myself or something like that with the volume, and I’m just breathing in really deep and I just fill myself up with the volume. I have my eyes shut half the night and I basically see obstacles if I’m lucky, like “don’t hit your head on this” and like “don’t step in this hole in the stage” or whatever. I know where things are, but usually I just “go away”, I just disappear into the music, I don’t know what the fuck is going on while I’m up on stage, I just kinda like to… yeah I dunno what the word for it is.‘

It sounds almost like a religious experience.

‘Oh yeah. I would assume a religious experience should hopefully be as good as this.’ She laughs. ‘From what I’ve been led to believe! It’s up there with like really good sex, you know.’

Nashville Pussy were in Australia do a handful of shows on the east coast, including one at the famous Gershwin Room at the Esplanade Hotel in Melbourne, where Melbourne-based photographer “Carbie” got a ton of fantastic shots.

[Via http://enterthegoatlady.com]

Google Roundup With News About Mobile, China, Buzz, and Rich ...

Interview with Graham Annable - what is a Grickle?

2010-03-14T04:40:00.000+02:00

Chris Mautner at Comic Book Resources talked to cartoonist Graham Annable about the upcoming release of “The Book of Grickle” from Dark Horse Comics.

Q. What’s the significance of “Grickle” anyway? Does it mean anything in particular?

A. Grickle is a nickname, amongst a billion nicknames, that my father used for me as a kid. Pretty much every week he’d have new ones he’d be trying out on me and my sister. Grickle is the one that really stuck with me. When I put together the first self-published booklet of short stories I was really perplexed as to what to title the whole thing. Grickle just felt right. And it still does.

Q. Give me a little bit of background/biography. Where did you grow up? How did you get interested in art and comics?What made you decide to take the leap into becoming a professional cartoonist?

A. I grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Basically at the Northern tip of Michigan on the Canadian side. From an early age I’ve been a hoarder of books. Especially paperback collections. I had stacks and stacks of Peanuts and Archie digests. I think a lot of that stuff affected my brain. When I was about to graduate from high school I was seriously considering going into biology. But as I was looking over my science books I realized they were almost all illegibly covered in doodles. I decided at that point that I’d try and pursue cartoons instead.

[Via http://joeshusterawards.com]

NewsDaily: Afghanistan eases ban on news coverage of raids

Cara: "Belly Dance will help you to find yourself and grow as a person."

2010-03-13T10:12:00.000+02:00

Cara B. is a belly dancer from London, UK. Only 25 years old Cara managed to have her own belly dance school, where she teaches interested people how to move and how to open up for something new. In our interview Cara speaks about her background and her never ending passion for dancing.

KIKA: Cara, for how long have you been doing belly dancing?

CARA: Since I was a little girl – some of my family are from Algeria and Spain, so my family would always be dancing. I decided to begin training professionally when I was 16.

Where did you learn? Who was your teacher?

My first teachers were my Aunty and my Mum. After that I learnt from some amazing teachers here in the UK: Hazel Kayes, Karine Butchart and Wendy Buonaventura.

To have a hobby is one thing, but what was the turning point in your life, the moment you decided to make belly dancing your profession?

When I was 18 many of my friends began to ask me to teach them. So I went to my teachers and turned to them for guidance. After that I formed social groups to dance together as a hobby. As I got older I realised how much I loved to teach and so I decided to train as a Belly Dance teacher. Performance of Belly Dancing is something I’ve always done, although my first public performance was so scary! Luckily my Mum was on stage with me so that definitely helped. __

Did you travel as well, to study some traditional movements and styles?

Yes, I have traveled to Egypt and Turkey to study Belly Dance. I try to visit these countries as much as possible to learn the authentic styles, although we have many wonderful teachers in this country, too, which saves one buying a plane ticket! __

How important is self confidence to progress?

It’s OK at first to have no confidence, Belly Dance will help you to find yourself and grow as a person. To become comfortable in your own skin. To teach you do need to have confidence in what you are showing your students. You need to be approachable, friendly and enthusiastic. It can take a lot of energy! –

You are dancing for audiences, what was the nicest show in your career?

There are a few! One was last year, when I saw my students dance a very difficult choreography, which I had written for a big show – they looked amazing and I was so proud to dance with them. __ Another one was at a private party in a mansion! It was such a huge house, and I was told to dance around the garden whilst colourful lights shone on me. It was so funny, but everyone was really kind and I had so much fun! –

Cara, you are only 25 but you have a dance school, the Belly Dance School. How could you realize this?

My dance school is a concept I built up with my partner Eddie. I teach in a way that is easy to understand but still challenging. Every one is welcome. It has taken dedication and help from many family members and friends, but I hope the business will continue to grow and be a success. –

Did you need to modernize belly dancing for our times?

Sometimes, yes! Especially for complete beginners, it is nice to make Belly Dance accessible to everyone. The music we use tends to be Middle Eastern which sounds different to Western music, so I try to incorporate Western beats too. I often fuse Belly Dance moves with Spanish dance and even Ballet, Jazz and Hip Hop. If it can work for Shakira, it can work for us! __ However, I do like to teach the importance of the more traditional styles – Belly Dance is SO varied, there are many different styles to dance, you can never be bored, be it traditional or not. – Can you live from dancing?

You can, although most teachers have another job, too. It’s very physical so it’s up to you how much you do. It takes time to get a good number of students attending classes, and I’m sure the recent economic recession has affected many of us! But like any other business, you can make a living from dancing, you just have to work hard on it! –

How often do you train?

I train several times a week, either for personal development or just for fun. I also continue to study the dance as much as I can – I believe we are always students, as there is so much to learn. Currently I am on a professional dancers course taught by the legendary Hossam and Serena Ramzy. I have to learn how to play the instruments I dance to, which is very challenging! –

Many young women are studying different kind of dances. What is your advice for them, not to give up on the long way?

If your passion is dancing, then don’t ever stop! Be the best YOU can be, not what others think you should be. Don’t be afraid to go your own way and make dance movement your own, that will help you stand out from the crowd and be happier by being truer to yourself. – I admire your costumes. Where can you get these?

I get most of my costumes from Sim Moda Evi in Istanbul. They are made to measure and the best quality you’ll find (in my opinion!). The people who work there are such lovely people, who are my good friends too. http://www.bellydancercostume.net/ is their website. I also love Egyptian style dance costumes, some famous designers in Cairo are Eman Zaki, Hannan, Hallah Moustafa and Pharaonix amongst others.

What are the women looking for, when they enter your courses?

Some want to lose weight and keep fit, some want to learn something new and exciting, and others just want a place where they can be social and have a giggle with other ladies. Most women join feeling unsure about the dance, and end up staying with me for years, I am proud to say that several of my students are now teachers too. – Are men nowadays studying belly-dance, too?

Men have always performed Belly Dance – in fact it looks amazing to see male Middle Eastern dance, it’s very masculine (in many cases), and an experience I highly recommend. Some of the best teachers I’ve learnt with are male, and I’d encourage any man reading this who wants to try it to give it a go! Many classes are women only, out of respect for female comfort and even religious reasons. But don’t give up, guys! Plenty of classes do accept mixed students, so contact the teacher first to find out. Personally, I try to respect everyone’s space, and I teach women only classes AND mixed, so everyone is welcome. __ Cara, you produced a “How To” DVD for people to study at home. Does it really work? How can it work?

I’m lucky that my partner is a TV editor, so he helped me to film and produce the DVD. It guides the viewer through the core movements needed in beginning Belly Dance, it also includes a practise session and an entire dance routine to learn too! It’s done in a way so you can learn on your own or with friends, and you can watch it at your convenience. You can go at your own pace, and rewind anything you don’t understand!

It has been so popular, four more DVDs have now been commissioned, and two of them will be released later this year. I’m very excited about this!

Cara, thank you so much for your time and words!

_______

Belly Dance School, LONDON

Introduction of Cara’s DVD

[Via http://kikasfashion.wordpress.com]

Small Business News March 11, 2010 | Small Business Trends

Buzz interview with Bryan Greenberg about The Good Guy

2010-03-13T04:02:00.000+02:00

Bryan Greenberg has a lot on his plate right now. I recently spoke with the actor about his HBO project How to Make It in America, but I also had the opportunity to pick his brain about his latest big-screen role in this Friday’s The Good Guy, along with his costar Scott Porter.

Greenberg stars as Daniel, a social wallflower stuck in the middle of the hustle and bustle of New York’s Wall Street. Enter Tommy (Porter), a charismatic finance all-star who takes Daniel under his wing to teach him the ropes at work — and with women. Alexis Bledel costars as Tommy’s new girlfriend who Daniel is crushing on (love triangle alert!).

Greenberg and Porter told me about how they adapted to playing such polar opposite characters, the Wall Street floor, and why good guys come out on top.

Greenberg on Daniel’s geeky persona: “Those sneakers were mine! The wardrobe, you look in the mirror and you’re like, ‘Oh, god.’ The hair, the whole thing — I sent pictures to some friends back in L.A. while we were shooting, and they were like, who is that?!”
Porter on his character, Tommy: He’s a salesman, that’s what he is, and he sells what he thinks you need to keep him around. Does that make him a good guy or bad guy? He’s not exactly himself — I’m not sure he even knows exactly who he is — but that doesn’t make him bad or good, that just makes him a little bit flawed. Well, a lot flawed.

For more from the actors read more.

Greenberg on being immersed in Wall Street: “I was hanging out with Hedge Fund guys, and I went on a floor to see how these guys handle the phones. They have these mute buttons on the phones, and they’re talking on the phone, but they’re also having conversations all around them. It’s a lesson in multitasking, and they always have their hands on their desk. All these guys they have toys, and they’re playing with like, little squeegie balls and stuff like that, and being active and drinking Red Bull. It’s crazy! It’s a totally different world that I had no idea about.”
Greenberg on the movie’s message: “I liked that it’s a movie about perception. A lot of these characters don’t change, but the audience perception changes. That kind of fascinated me. It had me thinking a lot after I read [the script], and after I saw the movie, I was like, ‘I’m thinking more about this than I thought I would be.’ ‘Cause it’s a pretty light movie, but it does make you think.”
Porter on what he took away: “When I watched the movie, I thought so much about how it’s really about Beth. You can see her being a little unsure in parts about Tommy, and it’s really about trusting yourself, especially in a place like New York. You have to know yourself and trust yourself, and that’s the problem with Tommy. But the people who do know themselves like Daniel and Beth end up really coming out on top.”
Porter on if the old adage that “Nice guys finish last” is true or false: “In life, no. In careers, sometimes yes, and it’s an unfortunate bi-product of the principles our nation is built on. It’s the American dream to go out there and make your own way. You make your own rules, you make own money, and you make your own worth. And sometimes people get stepped on, those who are too nice. But that being said, in life, nice guys never finish last.”

Source

[Via http://bryangreenbergunlimited.wordpress.com]

ABC News Acknowledges Mini-Mistake In Toyota Report

Important Voices: JohnsonForAmerica.com interviews Karen Kwiatkowski, ret. USAF Lt. Col.

2010-03-11T10:00:00.000+02:00

This is interview #18 in JohnsonForAmerica.com’s “Important Voices” series, where we talk with key figures, such as elected officials, candidates, authors, commentators, and policy experts, about the issues of the day. A new interview is released every Monday and every Thursday, so check back often!

———–

Our guest for today’s Important Voices interview is Karen Kwiatkowski. Karen is a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel whose assignments included duties as a Pentagon desk officer and a variety of roles for the National Security Agency. Since retiring, she has become a noted critic of the U.S. government’s involvement in Iraq. Kwiatkowski is primarily known for her insider essays which denounce a corrupting political influence on the course of military intelligence leading up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Lt. Col. Kwiatkowski has an MA in Government from Harvard University and an MS in Science Management from the University of Alaska. She has a PhD in World Politics from The Catholic University of America. She has also published two books about U.S. policy towards Africa: African Crisis Response Initiative: Past Present and Future and Expeditionary Air Operations in Africa: Challenges and Solutions.

Josiah Schmidt: How did you come to hold such a liberty-oriented philosophy?

Karen Kwiatkowski: I was raised in a home that valued Goldwater conservatism. We all thought Reagan was the promised Goldwater presidency, but I gradually came to see the state itself as the enemy of freedom. I read Ayn Rand’s novels in 1990, a few years later joined the Libertarian Party and shortly thereafter discovered LewRockwell.com. I adhere to a Rothbardian view, and hold to a anti-state, pro-market, and anti-war perspective–something that puts me at odds with the present-day Libertarian Party to some extent. But what I discovered is what many people and philosophers have discovered over many centuries–liberty is the natural productive and peaceful state of man, and the enemy of that liberty is the state, in all of its various political forms.

Josiah Schmidt: As a retired USAF Lt. Col. with experience in the Pentagon and the NSA, how much do you think the government is overreacting to the “threat” from Iran?

Karen Kwiatkowski: Washington, and the Pentagon to a lesser extent, wants to maintain and extend U.S. military/economic influence throughout the Middle East. Overstating and creatively defining a “threat” to the United States by Iran is part of a political agenda, pushed by neoconservatives as well as conservatives and liberals who care or depend upon the petrodollar-based financial sector. There is also a military/Pentagon planning agenda, one based on justifying and strengthening the rationale for our overextended military, already ensconced in several locations around Iran. Throughout the Middle East (Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Afghanistan, Diego Garcia, Yemen, Oman, Turkey, Bosnia, Kosovo, etc) the U.S. has created a post Cold War system of US basing and deployment that is similar in relative cost to what we maintained in Germany, Italy, and Japan after World War II. Yet, there is no substantial public justification for this present-day security apparatus, as there was in the years after WWII, with the apparent rise of nuclear-capable communism in China and the USSR. Instead of anti-communism, our global military posture is explained to Americans as being about the Carter Doctrine, free flow of oil, and defense of nuclear-armed Israel. None of these reasons are compelling to the average American–hence threats of Islamic terror and WMD must be heavily cultivated and promulgated. Iran as a “threat” is part of this political and military-justification agenda, and nothing more. Using the same arguments as being put forth for Iran as a WMD and Islamic “threat,” we should be far more frightened of our ostensible ally Pakistan, or even Israel’s warlike Likud Party–but these are usually not mentioned as threats to the United States or her interests.

Josiah Schmidt: Do you think that pro-war neoconservatives really believe their own rhetoric?

Karen Kwiatkowski: I certainly do not know. Some neoconservatives are devoted Zionists (Jewish as well as Christian), desiring a permanent religious state in the land of Israel, as geographically large and militarily powerful as it can possibly be. These neoconservatives believe deeply in the righteousness of the general cause of an expanded and supreme Israel in the Middle East – and support US policies that may assist in that direction. This belief, like most cherished beliefs, is emotional and hence not subject to logic or susceptible to being altered by actual facts. However, many leading neoconservatives are not devoted Christians or Jews, but rather just politicians and political beneficiaries. They advocate what most Americans see as an expensive, unwise, and ultimately doomed US military and political presence in the Middle East for reasons other than the advertised “fear of terror” or forced changes to the American way of life that might come from the Middle East. For this group, I think it is about maintaining political relevance at home, making money through investments benefitted by US policy, and to some extent, seeking to change the nature of domestic American politics to ensure that the United States continues to spend lots of money overseas and on security establishments–again, pocketbook issues for so many neoconservatives and others. For this latter group, the rhetoric is just a means to an end.

Josiah Schmidt: What kind of corruption and misinformation did you witness in the run-up to the Iraq War?

Karen Kwiatkowski: I’ve written on that in detail at The American Conservative back in Dec 2003 and elsewhere. Basically, actual intelligence as well as false intelligence gained from friends who had not been correctly vetted by the CIA (Chalabi, Curve Ball et. al.) was used by non-intelligence policy apparatchiks in OSD (Feith et. al.) in conjunction with the staffs of certain members of Congress and the Vice President’s office to justify what we know today to be an illegal war of aggression on Iraq. The intelligence system and the system of public information was perverted, successfully perverted, to produce popular opinion and political will in the Congress to go along with the toppling of our former man in Baghdad, Saddam Hussein. Lies were told, and repeated, and the source of those lies was not measured intelligence, but factoids taken out of context, as well as actual fabrications. This information was poured out to the public in presidential speeches, mainstream media articles and exposes, and DoD policy documents. I worked for one of the main offices in the Pentagon that was pushing out the politicized factoids, and witnessed what the Office of Special Plans was doing within and outside of the Pentagon. Basically I saw up close what government does best–lying boldly, broadly and with confidence.

Josiah Schmidt: Do you think this kind of dishonesty in government was a Bush administration problem, or is it part of a broader problem with the way government is structured?

Karen Kwiatkowski: This dishonesty is part and parcel of the state–a parasitic yet powerfully institutionalized minority existing off the acquiesence and ignorance of those who actually live productive and peaceful lives. I think every government lies, creatively, actively and often aggressively. Think of FDR or LBJ. The image put forth of the Kennedy administration–all love and light, a stark contrast to the reality. It is interesting that in the age of the Internet and recording technology in everyone’s hands that modern American governments, as seen in the Bush and and Obama administrations, are as successful in lying about domestic and foreign policy as they are. It is not a part of the way government is structured, nor was it native or unique to the Bush administration. But it is related to the way states attempt to survive, and do survive. Interestingly, the internet is causing average people to realize that it is correct to doubt what our government and its mainstream media says, and to grant the state with the basest and most self-serviong of motives, be it in war, taxation, jobs programs and bailouts. Americans in general have become reluctantly aware that the state is the enemy of progress, and it is the center of dangerous kinds of financial and moral corruption. But you really could not design a government form that would be immune–our own Constitution, if followed to the letter, is extremely good. But of course, it is not followed in the least bit. If it were adhered to as the top level law of the nation, Washington, DC would still be a poorly funded ceremonial capital and real power in this country would be found in widely distributed and variable form. We would all be wealthier and freer, our politicians and their hangers-on poorer and more constrained, under a Constitutional system.

Josiah Schmidt: What is the future of the American government’s involvement in the Middle East, in your opinion?

Karen Kwiatkowski: Ultimately, it will disappear, much as the British and the Ottoman Empire’s influence disappeared. In the near term, I think US involvement will continue, remain complex, complicated, and largely unquestioned by the political mainstream. At some point, we will be unable to fund our adventures in the Middle East, and a domestic political and economic collapse at home will make whatever we are doing in the name of the US in the Middle East irrelevant. Those making money over there in security and diplomatic ventures may change hats, and employers, much as Blackwater and the Houston based defense constructors and contractors have shifted to focus on more domestic US security and prison work as they see the unsustainability of profits in the Middle East. In fact, Halliburton moved their headquarters to Dubai a few years ago, and Blackwater changed its name to Xe and has shifted focus to include more clients and wider definitions of security services. As the petro-dollar morphs into a petro-basket that emphasizes non-dollar currencies, the benefit and consequences of US manipulation of the Middle East become increasingly counterproductive and less interesting to those who shape American foreign policy. Angry populist domesticism will reign, defunding the empire even as it brings our door-kicking and urban warfare skilled military home.

Josiah Schmidt: Ron Paul gained attention in 2008 for attracting more support from men and women in uniform than any other presidential candidate. Why did you support Ron Paul that year?

Karen Kwiatkowski: He was the only honest politician in the field, and his brand of peaceful libertarianism and old style conservatism (the Old Right), I believe is the only answer if this country is to long survive. We the people will survive no matter what — but under the philosophy and political leadership of a Ron Paul, we might transition back to Constitutionalism in a more ordered, safe and productive way.

Josiah Schmidt: What can we, as private citizens, do to help end the wars?

Karen Kwiatkowski: Stop paying for them, stop sending our children to fight them, stop glorifying the militaristic state, stop supporting the troops, and try to learn a little history so we won’t be so susceptible to state fear-mongering. These wars are a waste and counterproductive, and they eventually will end, whereupon we will regret, like we always do, that they didn’t end sooner. The most important thing is to clearly oppose them in our own minds, and the rest will follow in our lives and politics.

Josiah Schmidt: What advice would you give to libertarians who are in or are about to join the US armed services?

Karen Kwiatkowski: My first reaction is to say “Don’t do it.” However, the military does in fact create libertarians where they didn’t exist before, as average good Americans in the military witness lies, waste, and corruption of the Constitution in the name of national defense. Learning how to use weapons is an exceptional skill that Americans should have, and some enlistees will be able to learn this in the military. Traveling around the world is often thought-provoking for young people, and they learn for the first time to question the way they thought things had to be. Exposure to other Americans who may think differently from you, and networking widely is another aspect of the military that could be beneficial for our country’s future survival. As gangs go, the military is not the worst gang available. But overall, I discourage people from joining any gang at all–instead I’d advise learning skills and creating habits that are independent of the state, and truly productive. Certainly, no young person should be told that they are defending freedom by joining the military–that is the last thing they will be doing in the current era.

Josiah Schmidt: Anything else you’d like to say to our readers?

Karen Kwiatkowski: It may sound as if I am negative on the future of our country and on politics–but in fact I am only negative on the future of the state. For mainly financial reasons, the American state is in its death throes–but like any creature, this is when the state is at its most desperate and most dangerous. Politics to me is nothing more than human community, on a larger scale. If our politicians are wise, humble, and peace loving, if they are willing to be bound by law (the Constitution), then to that extent, we should support them in and out of office. To the extent that our politicians are unwise, arrogant, war-loving and unwilling to be bound by law, we should get rid of them, and certainly we should actively oppose and disobey them until we can vote them out. If they cannot be voted out (and so many cannot) they should be publicly condemned, disregarded and their power minimized–our consent must be actively withheld. Americans are not well-trained in how to actively withhold our consent, how to nullify bad government–but this is something we need to learn, and practice daily.

Josiah Schmidt: Agreed. Thank you very much for answering our questions, Karen.

[Via http://garyjohnson2012.wordpress.com]

Pentax announces D FA 645 55mm F2.8 lens: Digital Photography Review

Sharing experiences ...

2010-03-11T04:30:00.000+02:00

Learning PebblePad is an exploratory process. You start with a little bit, based on what you need to do at the time, then you just keep exploring more and more of the functionality as you need to do more…or just start to get the ‘bug’. Yep, for many, it’s addictive.

Here’s the first experiences of one of our first PebblePad users, Sandra Stewart. Sandra is a mature age student studying in the Faculty of Education. But like everyone else, she’s more than just that… she runs a wildlife refuge, expands her vet skills through a TAFE course, and a whole range of other stuff to boot. She’s been bringing it all together in PebblePad, sharing her work with people both within and external to CSU, and learning a lot more about herself along the way. Here’s the first of two video interviews with her which we recorded earlier this month. The other is on her growing understanding of reflection, and I’ll put that one up soon, along with some mp3 interviews.

Sandra is also great in that she supports others who are just getting started in PebblePad through the PebblePad forum. I’m hoping that soon we’ll be able to recognise students who are doing this, and encourage others to do the same, through a mentoring program. Stay tuned, and if have been using PebblePad for a while and are interested in being a mentor and finding out what it might involve, please let me know at chunter@csu.edu.au.

[Via http://pebblepadtips.wordpress.com]

Small Business News March 9, 2010 | Small Business Trends

Maintaining Your Dreams in Tough Times

2010-03-09T16:45:00.000+02:00

In today’s job market where many families are struggling while one or both income providers toil day after day to obtain employment, you may be feeling discouraged. The constant worrying of how you will be able to provide for your family while watching your dreams slip away is enough to feel as if all hope has been lost.

Michigan’s jobs are scarce and it’s compared to playing the lottery. You spend grueling hours perfecting your resume and searching the classified and unemployment agencies only to get a lead into yet another interview that hundreds have applied for. The odds are stacked against you, and you know that you must walk in there with a winning smile, a stellar attitude, and skills to impress or your chances of gaining a second interview are slim.

If you happen to be one of the lucky few who attains that second interview, your nerves are shot by this point and you fear you may not be able to impress as you did on your first visit. The pressure is on and your body temperature increases as you nervously wipe the sweat from your hands onto your trousers in hopes that the interviewers do not notice. Then, there is the excruciating pain of waiting for that phone call or rejection letter.

Most of you have not received that phone call. In fact, I’m laying bets that you have had your fair share of rejection letters, and many of you are starting to feel the pains of depression and despair. Hope is not lost.

Recently, I was searching on the job market. Initially, I was helping my husband to obtain the job of his dream when I noticed an ad for an entry level position at an insurance agency that also distributes a magazine. I knew the lottery that I was playing but that didn’t stop me as I polished up on my skills. I revisited my resume and updated it to mere perfection. I mailed it out and anxiously awaited that first phone call.

The odds were stacked against me. With unemployment rates soaring past 20 percent in this beautiful state, and a secretarial field that was over populated, I knew that I was among stiff competition. A snow storm blew in the day of my interview, and it buried my car in seven inches of snow. The roads were slick and the usual 30 minute drive lasted an hour. When I finally reached my destination, completed the application and sat down to wait for the interviewer, my heart pounded in my chest as my palms became clammy. It wasn’t until after the introductions when I was asked about my personal goals did I realize that my dreams were within reach.

Working for this company would allow me insider access to the business’ daily functions and gain working knowledge of their interactions with the community. I would have opportunities for advancement in hopes that one day I would either publish my own works within the magazine or become an employee of the magazine department. If I nailed this interview and was invited to another one, I was determined to blow their socks off. After all, writing was my dream. I was holding on tight to that dream and willing to do whatever I needed to make it real.

After the intense first interview, and a more relaxed second interview, I waited nervously by the phone for the expected call. When I did not hear from them within the allotted time frame, I felt my dreams slipping away again and I became heartbroken and depressed. Surely, I thought, they chose someone who was unemployed. What right do I have to apply for a position when I’m already employed and so many out there need employment?

The following day, I received that phone call and was surprised by the offer. I immediately knew that it was fate, and I accepted the position knowing that my current position with the counseling agency would become available to another who needed a job.

My husband and I have not quite reached our dreams, yet, but the focus has become clearer to me. As I continue with my blog and research, I will learn more about becoming a successful writer and blogger in an ultra competitive field. I’m very excited about it, but I also realize that many of you may still be waiting for your chance.

We all have our special talents and skills that serve us well, and I’m here to tell you to stay true to who you are. Sure, times are tough, and if it takes working a temporary position with the Census or picking up a part-time job at McDonald’s just to put food on the table, than do it!

“What about my dreams?” you may ask. Then hold on tight to those dreams. Rethink on how you will attain those dreams. Set small goals that are reasonably attainable and trudge through daily routines with a vision of success. Be willing to sacrifice and start at the bottom, again. Take a couple of extra courses that could better improve or enhance your dreams and vision for the future. Dreams are the driving force that keeps us sane. They are our passion that inspires our hope and encourages us to seek a better existence for ourselves and our families.

As for my family at the counseling agency, I will miss them all! It has been a very tough decision to leave so many good people to pursue my dream. From the support staff: Belinda, “sister” and confidant; Nancy, the mother hen; Anna, the billing goddess; and our very own quirky Sandy. To the therapists who battle everyday problems and despairing nightmares: Beth and Dawn for their guidance and support, Sharon and Sandy for their compassion, Amy and Rachel for their outgoing personalities, Liz for the laughter and memories of when, Jenn for her welcoming heart on my first week and many others who have touched my life. I will never forget you and I hope that you all will stay close.

As for everyone else out there who has found themselves unemployed or unsatisfied in their present work environment, don’t give up on your dreams. They are there for the taking. Step out and get noticed. Work hard for what you want and don’t allow those rejection letters to get you down. Learn from them and use them as a learning opportunity. Life is full of struggles and challenges and we are a surviving race. Hug your friends, love your family, and pursue your dreams!

[Via http://stacynelliott.wordpress.com]

Daniel Reimold: Education News: 100% of the Student Journalism Beat

New Rob Interview in Atrevida Magazine - With Translation

2010-03-09T10:57:00.000+02:00

How would you like to be remembered?

(laughs) I don’t know, the only thing I can think about is that I feel bad about my family. I really don’t know how I’d like to be remembered. Sometimes, I wish I wasn’t remembered at all, just forgotten.

You said in Cannes that Remember Me is the most personal movie you ever made and that you were playing yourself. Can you talk about that?

I said that before I made the movie. I was working in pre-production and the movie changed a lot. In fact, I was trying to bring the character closer to me, but as filming developed, the it became very different.

What changed?

What initially brought me to the part was the fact he wasn’t a common young character. In almost all movies, the “good guy” is idealized, what is not the reality. They’re the -cliche of a character or a stereotype. Tyler is not like that. I think there was a blank screen and I was trying to make him more complex.

Your character is a “rebel”. Do you think you are like him?

I dont think he’s a rebel. Maybe sometimes he does things in some situations – like when he goes to his sister’s school and confronts the people that attacked her – that I would do if it had happened to me. But I also think he’s much more carefree than me.

You didnt go through tough times like your character, in your early 20s. That usually is a complicated time in life when you’re confused…

I tried to play this from a point of view of when you first start your adolescence and stay too focused on being individualistic. You make it a point to stamp your individuality into something, not accepting to just be part of the world. I think there’s a time in your twenties where people start to think that it’s okay to be part of the world. That’s what I felt when I was 22. When I was younger, I had this obsession that everything I was feeling was false.

How so?

When you’re sad you aren’t really sad. You’re just pretending to yourself.

When Tyler and Ally (Emilie de Ravin) first meet, he’s very persistent. Are you like that with girls too?

(laughs) No, not at all. Sometimes, depends on who the person is. Usually it doesn’t work for me, I’m not good in those things. I barely can remember the last time I asked a girl out, that I told her I wanted to go on a date with her. I think I never did that. I think I’m different from Tyler in that way.

What do you do when a girl doesn’t want to go out with you, like in the movie?

I say: “Do you have any idea how many girls would want to go out with me, you idiot” (laughs)

Are you single now?

(laughs)

You’re THE guy right now. Everyone talks about Robert Pattinson. Do you get paranoid or do you like that?

I wish I could control that, but it’s impossible. I’m always on a dilemma. It’s nice, sometimes, because I end up doing movies like this, where I’m involved with it from the beginning to the end. Many actors don’t have the chance to do that. That was great for me, but I get paranoid too.

Leonardo DiCaprio used to make small independent movies, then he made Romeo+Juliet and Titanic, that became one of the biggest movies of all time. He said that another version of him appeared, the one that the media created. Later, he revealed that he had to wait “that monster die” to get back to his career. What do you think of that?

He was nominated for an Oscar when he was really young and always wanted to be an actor. It’s a little different with me. I was making independent movies. I think I feel some of the things he said and the most annoying thing about all the attention is that I can’t really learn. The process of learning, as an actor, decreases, cause you can’t do, without jugdement, things that people don’t wanna watch and small roles. That’s what creates much more pressure, that goes completely against you. There are only negative things that come with being pressured when you’re trying to act.

Do you feel pressured?

Yes. It’s weird. There were a lot of expectations on me on the set. It wasn’t so bad, I knew I was making a small movie, but what worries me is how people will undertand my choice. The only thing to do is hope that people will watch the movie, like any other movie without preconseived notions.

What kind of reviews made you upset in the past?

I didn’t like the way people talked about “New Moon”, because I think I was judged for being part of a franchise. When something is so hyped, it’s inevitable to have this movement against it, and I think the criticisms came in this context. I think Chris Weitz is an incredible director and I really liked the movie. I’ve been very lucky, but unfortunately, people jugde what’s currently mainstream.

What is the weirdest thing you ever read about yourself?

Sometimes, when I’m going to do interviews, I check what people have been writing. I remember once a magazine said I was pregnant. It was on the cover.

If you had 2 hours to be a non famous person, what would you do?

Nothing, actually. It’s weird to go back to London because there I can walk around and do normal things. It took me a while to notice that. If I had noticed that sooner I would’ve come back here a while back.

Do you think it’s because of the beard?

Yeah, I think so.

Do you plan on keeping the beard?

I’m working here in London and I’ll see if they let me keep it. I’d like to do an audition without people knowing who I am.

How are you getting ready for you role in Bel Ami?

I have to gain some weight. I think they won’t let me gain a lot of weight because we’re going to start shooting Breaking Dawn, but I’ll have to look a little older. My character, Georges Deroy, spent 6 years of his life drinking heavily, so I want to look a bit wild for this role.

How did fame changed you?

I moved to the USA. I’ve always thought it would be like it is in England. I came to spend Christmas (in London) and everything was calm, different than I thought it would be. I think things are way different there – I really can’t do anything. I just don’t want to make the news. I don’t have any interest in those people who are on the cover of gossip magazines, because it is possible to hide. And everyone who goes out and gets caught by a paparazzi always looks like someone who’s boring or something.

Cannes was a bit crazy for you last year…

It is quite funny to go in the middle of the crowd – and our only 2 bodyguards have to kick people while we’re trying to walk through them. It’s cool, but at the same time you think “why am I doing this?”. I don’t want people to think that that’s interesting – you don’t even need to say anything and people go crazy.

Are there times when it gets too intense?

Sometimes. Usually dealing with crowds isn’t a problem. You’re walking on the street and, suddenly, 20 people come running after you and, it doesn’t matter who they are – kids or not – it’s still intense. It’s a weird experience and you get a little bit paranoid because of that. You just walk on the streets looking around and checking if you’re going to get “attacked” at any moment.

What was the most intense situation you’ve ever been through?

Shooting New Moon in Italy was unbelievable, it was the most intense situation I’ve ever experienced. I think 60% of our extras were fans. There was this crowd of fans and I had to take my shirt off in front of them. It was the most bizarre thing I’ve ever done.

So your current reality is to run and hide inside bars and hotels?

In Los Angeles, yeah. And it’s bizarre but in London I’m living a normal life.

What do you like to do in London?

In the last 3 years I didn’t get to spend much time in here, but I used to live in Soho, so I knew everyone. But, since I came back, I realized that most of the places I used to go are closed now.

What actors you admire for their talent and attitude?

Joaquin Phoenix and Ryan Gosling

You play piano and other instruments. Have you ever been in a band?

When I was younger I used to be part of a small band called Bad Girls. It was a long time ago. Almost all of my friends are musicians and have bands, so I play with them sometimes.

Do you want to be a musician?

I like the idea of writing and making soundtracks. I don’t think I’d be brave enough to make a solo album.

If it wasn’t for your father, you’d probably be in the music industry. Is it true he told you to be an actor

It’s true, because he saw a bunch of pretty girls and said “Rob, you should go there”. That’s what motivated me to be an actor!

You didn’t have any idea Twilight would change your life?

Actually, I don’t think anyone involved in Twilight thought this would happen. Maybe because it wasn’t another teen movie.

Are you into fashion?

I like Marc Jacobs. I wore some clothes from his line in almost every premiere because I think they’re the only ones who look good on me. I usually like cheap clothes. I don’t go shopping for clothes so I always end up wearing the same ones.

Do you go to fashion shows?

I wouldn’t do that, it would be too embarrassing. My friends would say “what are you doing? Have you lost your mind?” (laughs)

Scans: foforks

Translation: miazevedo lj debcupti lj and brandnewluv lj

Via: PattinsonLife

[Via http://twilightbritneyfan.com]

Fox News Misinterprets Hurt Locker Success As Victory For ...

Swine flu documentary

2010-03-07T16:55:00.000+02:00

author: Giulio Morello

With a pandemic emergency roughly every year, pharmaceutical companies won’t suffer any economic crisis whatsoever. Year 2009 was particularly lucky: apparently, our debilitated organisms have been hit by a severe form of seasonal influenza, commonly known as swine flu. Yet, after nine months since the WTO declared the emergency, the real impact of the virus on people’s health is still under chaotic debate.

The epidemiologist Wolfgang Wodarg, who chairs the European Council’s Health Committee, took a strong stance against the handling of swine flu by the WHO: “In my view, the WHO undertook an incomprehensible action which cannot be justified by scientific evidence. The Council of Europe should investigate this to see how the WHO can undertake this kind of dangerous nonsense” (speech at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, 29 January 2010). Dr. Keiji Fukuda, the top flu expert at WHO, replies that “the world is going through a real pandemic. The description of it as a fake is wrong and irresponsible.” In the meantime BBC News (Feb 10, 2010) reports that “the Department of Health in Northern Ireland still has half a million swine flu vaccines which remain unused.”

How do people react to such contradictory information, and how do they perceive the emergency, if there is any emergency at all? This short documentary I shot in Oxford is an attempt to answer these questions.

[Via http://istoriai.wordpress.com]

PC Prince of Persia will be late News | PC | Eurogamer

Robert's Interview in Explore Magazine (Taca Airlines)

2010-03-07T10:56:00.000+02:00

His mother used to be a model; from her, Robert Thomas Pattinson inherited his good looks and a passion for acting. Pattinson was born in May 1986 in London, and his father is a car salesman. But it was his mother who encouraged him to become an actor and helped him land his first big role at age 15—when he became the good-looking Cedric Diggory in one of the famous Harry Potter films. That’s where the director of Twilight saw him a couple of years later. Not convinced that Pattinson could bring vampire Edward Cullen to life, she made him travel from London to Los Angeles for a screen test. The test was a love scene with the one who would become his co-star in the saga and also the young lady who stole his heart: Kristen Stewart.

Fans of Pattinson, who love him unconditionally without knowing him, would melt at the opportunity of speaking to him and seeing him just the way he is behind the scenes. He’s a bit shy, smart and very affable with occasional acquaintances—à la Johnny Depp, one of the actors he admires. His blue eyes are always smiling, especially without the discomfort of the contact lenses that he must wear while playing Edward in Twilight, New Moon and the upcoming movie, Eclipse. Edward is the character that, in spite of himself, has made Pattinson extremely famous around the world.

“It’s too much attention. I still don’t understand why something like this happens, and I think I’ll never understand it. It must be that pale skin is very sexy (he jokes). It’s very hard to see as normal the fact that girls see you, start screaming and ask you to please bite their necks. When I was going to school, just the opposite happened to me. You lose a lot of privacy, but I’m not complaining. Don’t let it be misunderstood; I’m just trying to survive the new fact of having turned into a phenomenon almost as big as the vampire I play,” he says while seating on the edge of his chair, leaning his elbows on his legs and holding his face in his hands—one of his favorite poses.

Like Stewart, he keeps messing up his hair, which very much despite himself has also become his trademark. “Before, I used to wash it once a week. I didn’t pay attention to it at all, and now everyone makes sure I don’t cut it,” he says, smiling. “My hair has its own life, how silly.” He hasn’t been able to go back to London and live there for an entire year because he’s been working non-stop, and hotels have become his permanent abode. His friends say that he’s looking for a home in L.A. to live with Stewart. Theirs is a relationship with only photos as a witness and not the actors themselves; that’s because, among other things, their publicists forbid journalists from asking them about it.

Pattinson just finished filming the third part of the vampire saga, Eclipse, which will once again focus the frenzy upon him when it premieres in June. He also filmed the romantic drama Remember Me, which is also about to premiere and in which he plays a rebellious youth in a story similar to that of Romeo and Juliet. It’s about a forbidden love between two youngsters whose parents hate each other. According to the critics, the film helps to show that before the heartthrob that he doesn’t want to be, Pattinson is a great actor.

They must send you hundreds of screenplays. What makes you choose a movie like Remember Me over others?

The screenplay is amazing, and that’s the first thing I look at—and also my character. At first, I thought it would be just one more story. When I read it, I realized that it was a drama that would allow me to express myself as an actor. I hadn’t read Twilight and, nevertheless, Edward also obsessed me—especially the idea of getting into the skin of an immortal being and sharing his doubts. I wouldn’t want to be immortal at any price, but as an actor this saga lets me be like that from time to time.

You also played Salvador Dalí in Little Ashes. What did you learn from that experience?

I began to paint pretending I was him, and thanks to that movie I discovered how much I like painting. And I thought Dalí was a genius; the more I read about him, the more his mind fascinated me. There, I play a young Dalí, who just returned to Spain from London and who likes to play jokes on his friend Federico García Lorca, playing with his emotions, telling him he’s gay. It was three marvelous months in Barcelona, and another British actor and myself were the only ones who knew how to speak Spanish, how embarrassing. But I fell in love with the city.

Did you use to travel a lot before having to travel for purely promotional reasons?

I loved traveling, and that’s what I miss most about my life before Twilight. Now I like to go on promotional visits to places like Tokyo, where I can walk around more peacefully and lead a pseudo-normal life. When I was younger, I took a long trip to Berlin. I always liked exploring cities, going to their clubs. I’m a musician; I had a band and like that atmosphere. Now I make up for it by composing when I’m at the hotels, during filming. I want to produce a record but when all of this passes, later on. People on the street call me Edward; if I launch an album, they’re going to buy it thinking that Edward is the one who’s singing. How strange!

In New Moon, you only appeared in one of Bella’s dreams. What will Eclipse be like?

I can’t say much in advance, but only that it’s not as intimate as the other two, because many of the characters are at war. Taylor [Lautner] and I have many scenes in which we seem jealous of each other, and that was pretty easy because it’s incredible how much he transformed his body. It’s amazing. All of a sudden, Taylor turned into a Jacob that is the prototype of a teenager’s dream. All the same, our characters unite in the movie to save Bella.

Are you somehow similar to your vampire, Edward Cullen? Can you understand the passionate love he feels?

It’s very hard to compare yourself with a vampire. What I like most about him is that he’s very operatic, very white or black, always going to extremes. He loves but can’t enjoy it because he’s afraid of his love killing her. I think the movie is a perfect metaphor of sexual abstinence (laughs). Edward is conflictive, and I also am. He’s a bit dark, and I have my depressive moments. And as far as his approach to love, I think we’re alike. I like lasting emotions; I want to be with someone for 10 years and not just for 10 minutes. Like Edward, I’m very intense.

You and Kristen became really famous at the same time. Did you help each other understand the phenomenon?

It’s great to share intense experiences with someone who’s also trying to understand what’s happening around her. It’s not easy to become a poster stuck on a teenager’s wall; there’s no school to prepare you for that. Kristen is a great actress; I learned a lot from her. But basically I think that we’re alike in that both of us want to be actors, just that—we never tried to be posters.

Source via letmesign.com and ThinkingofRob.com + RPLife

[Via http://twilightbritneyfan.com]

Japanese charts: new entries abound News | Eurogamer

꿀피부 이민정 "남자친구 외모 안봐요"

2010-03-06T10:02:00.000+02:00

꿀피부 이민정 “남자친구 외모 안봐요”

YSTAR | 2010.02.22

드라마’그대웃어요’를 통해,’지뢰녀’와’완소녀’를 오가며 물오른 연기력으로 안방극장 점령에 나선 사랑스런 그녀! 이민정씨를 연예인사이드에서 직접 만났습니다.

[인터뷰:이민정]

“안녕하세요. 생방송 연예인사이드 시청자 여러분 이민정입니다.”

다른 여배우들조차 부러워 할 정도로 치명적인 매력의 꿀 피부를 자랑하며, 네티즌들 사이에선 여신으로 평가받고 있는데요. 최근에는 남성들의 로망으로 떠올랐다구요.

Q) 남성들의 로망으로 떠올랐는데…?

A) “누구의 로망 이었나요? 잘 모르겠는데, 여러 지인 분들이 말씀해 주시는 거, 방송에서 봤다고, 그런 이야기는 간혹 들었는데, 드라마 촬영만 매일 하고 있어서, 사실 잘 모르겠어요.”

‘그대웃어요’에서 몸을 사리지 않는 열연을 펼치며, 연기력을 인정받은 이민정씨! 실제 성격 또한 극 중, 발랄한 이미지의 정인과 비슷할까요?

Q) 극중 성격과 실제 성격이 비슷한지…?

A) “정인이라는 캐릭터가 점점 철이 들어가고, 세상에 적응을 해나가는 과정이 저희 드라마였는데… 저와 비슷한 면이 물론 있겠지만, 제가 조금 어렸을 때랑, 아주 어렸을 때랑 (비슷하겠죠) 조금 순수하고, 자기 멋 대로고, 철부지고 그런 캐릭터였거든요. 네, 비슷한 면도 있는 것 같아요.”

남자 연예인들 역시 이민정씨를 단번에 이상형으로 지목 하는 분들이 많은데요. 그렇다면, 인기녀 이민정씨의 마음을 사로잡은 이상형은 과연 누굴까요?

Q) 자신의 이상형은…?

A) “저는 되게 말이 잘 통하고, 유머러스하고, 저랑 잘 놀 수 있는 사람이 좋아요. 사실 외모는 잘 안 보는 편이긴 한데… 외모는 샤프한 스타일이 좋은 것 같아요. 샤프하고, 너무 선 한 것 말고, 악한 이미지도 같이 가지고 있는 선함과 악함을 같이 가지고 있는 남자 얼굴 있잖아요. 뭐 그런…”

Q) 나쁜 남자요?

최근 직접 모 커뮤니티 사이트에 인증 글을 올려 화제가 되기도 했었는데요.

Q) 어떻게 인증사진을 올리게 됐는지…?

A) “갤러 분들이라고 해야 하나요? 우리 (드라마)팀을 위해서 와서 응원을 해주셨어요. 너무 감사한 거예요. 그런데 거기 안에 인증을 하시라고, 배우 분들한테… 이 드라마 끝나기 전에 그래도 되게 감사한데, 글을 남겨야겠다고 해서… 되게 재밌었어요. 그때”

드라마와 영화뿐 아니라 여배우들의 로망인 화장품 광고부터 휴대폰, 주류광고까지 섭렵하며, 광고계의 블루칩으로 급부상 하고 있는 이민정씨에게, 본인의 광고를 본 느낌을 들어봤습니다.

Q) 광고계의 블루칩으로 떠올랐는데…?

A) “지나가다가 광고를 보고 그러면, 저도 되게 깜짝 깜짝 놀랄때가 있어요. 버스나 전광판이나 이런데, 화들짝 나오잖아요. 내가 나를 길거리 지나가다가 보면, 새삼 신기할 때도 있고, 재밌기도 하고…”

Q) 앞으로 하고 싶은 광고는…?

A) “제가 차나 커피를 되게 많이 마시거든요. 그래서 커피 광고를 하면 커피를 계속 마시면서 촬영 할 수 있지 않을까… 그런 거 되게 재밌을 것 같아요.”

‘그대 웃어요’를 통해, 애교 연기가 무엇인지, 그 진수를 확실히 보여주고 있는 이민정씨! 실제로 애교연기를 하기가 어렵진 않을까요?

Q) 애교 연기가 어렵진 않은지…?

A) “저는 그렇게 애교스럽게 했나? 이 상황에 맞춰서 한 거였는데… 나중에 여러분들이 이야기 해주시는 거 보니까, 애교 정인이라고… 그렇게 이야기 해주시더라고요. 그런데 저는 지문에 그런 게 나와 있긴 해요. 사실… 몸을 털면서, 콧소리를 내며, ‘아잉~’ 이런 게 나와 있어서… 최대한 너무 여러분들이 보시기에 거부스럽지 않게만 하려고 했는데… 애교 정인이라고 불러 주시니까 고맙죠.”

Q) 시청자여러분께….

A) “늦었지만 새해복 많이 받으시고요. 저 드라마 끝나 가는데, 끝나고도 좋은 활동, 좋은 모습 보여 드릴게요. 감사합니다.”

드라마와 영화, 거기에 각종 CF까지! 모두가 부러워하는 차세대 스타로 우뚝 선 이민정씨! 앞으로 새롭고 더 멋진 연기 보여주시길 기대할게요~

Source Ystar

[Via http://sooinlove.wordpress.com]

Sony should sue Microsoft - Jaffe News | Eurogamer

Research Bias

2010-03-06T04:19:00.000+02:00

This past Wednesday in class we talked about biases in research. The discussion in class seemed to center around having a particular goal in mind when conducting research, which can lead to a person only looking for sources that further their beliefs. By focusing on only one view of a subject, a research paper isn’t complete.

I realized during class that I have been bias while working on this project. I’m not talking about have a slight focus on coyotes in New Jersey, since that is what my main topic is about. It’s the fact that Wednesday morning I was trying to find some people online to interview. I came across a website about coyote hunters and immediately dismissed it. This wasn’t because I am a huge coyote lover, though I do like animals. I skipped the website because the view was different then all of my sources up to this point. My sources are about coyotes as a species and some of them even talk about how coyotes are trying to survive in a world filled with humans. Some even go into how to try to prevent coyotes from being killed off by humans. These sources made me narrow my view to strictly information on coyotes or how to prevent them from being killed off.

Now that I realize this bias I will try to find out more about coyote hunting to further the scope of my project.

[Via http://samueldodge.wordpress.com]

Sony announces SOCOM 4 News | PS3 | Eurogamer

Bridget Kelly Talks About Her Empire State Of Mind!

2010-03-04T10:33:00.000+02:00

Direct from the Roc Pop traveling store, Roc Nation artist Bridget Kelly talked to the.LIFE Files hours before she hit the Madison Square Garden stage with Jay-Z!! Adrienne jumps on the bus to find out how Bridget was chosen to fill in for Alicia Keys on Jay-Z’s hit Empire State Of Mind while on tour, her sense of style and attending New York’s “Fame” school – LaGuardia High School Of Music And Arts.

[Via http://gidilive.wordpress.com]

Latest Bunning News | Mother Jones

Interview with Tony Zowd of Coldwell Banker - The Hoffman - Terry Group, LLC

2010-03-04T04:23:00.000+02:00

This weeks interview is with Tony Zowd of Coldwell Banker – The Hoffman-Terry Group, LLC.

1- How long have you been in the Real Estate Industry?

I have been in the Real Estate business for five years now. My first year I worked with Weichert Realtors, then moved to Coldwell Banker after my first year and have been there ever since. I made the change because I believe Coldwell Banker is more cutting edge when it comes to technology. Prior to Real Estate I worked in the custom home building and remodeling which I have done for approximately 20 years. I am still a part owner in Zowd Homes & Restoration, Inc.

2- What drove you down the path to becoming a realtor?

Working in the building industry it was really a natural progression into real estate. I have always been interested in real estate but it really became a clear career choice after I tore my ACL and was stuck in the bed for a couple of weeks I started reading Donald Trump books, and I was hooked.

3- What counties in Maryland do you cover?

I mainly work in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Carroll, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s and Queen Anne’s counties.

4- Do you work outside of the state of Maryland? If, so do you refer out to other realtors?

I personally am not licensed outside of Maryland; however any out of state work is referred out to my comprehensive network of experienced relocation agents that I work with worldwide.

5- Is there one key element of the real estate business that you have specialized in?

I am certified as a Short Sale and Foreclosure Recourse agent through the National Association of Realtors. I also do a lot of work with first time home buyer, investors and people who are just looking to move up to the next stage home.

6- As a realtor what makes you stand out from the rest?

I think my biggest asset is that I actually listen to my customers and what they want. I make myself available to them from the beginning to the end of the transaction and there after. I make relationships, even after they fine their dream home and move in, we stay in contact. Through the process we become more than just client and realtor, we become friends. I want my clients to be life long friends.

7- There has been quite a change in the real estate industry, what has kept you motivated?

I know there are still people out there that need to sell their home and others who are looking to buy theirs. This industry is like the stock market, it will go up and down but in the long run statistics show that buying a home is the best place to put your money. I know the market will come back around; you just have to be patient.

8- What are you doing differently to help your buyers and sellers in today’s market?

You know there is nothing that I am really doing differently. All the same principles apply in this market as they do in any market. You have to market your property, you have to search for the right property and you have to watch trends. The most important thing to make sure of as a seller is that your house is priced competitively and realistically so we can bring you in the highest price in the fastest time. As a buyer I believe you just have to do your research on the property that you are purchasing to make sure we are getting it for a fair price and you are happy with the house, the price and the area.

9- Are you changing with the times and becoming a “social media” part taker in the real estate industry?

Yes, some applications more than others. I am very active on Facebook, MySpace and Linked In. I have only begun to dabble with Twitter and I plan to start a blog this year. I am also working on making videos of all my properties. I believe this will be the next step in marketing listing.

10- What changes or plans do you have as you continue through 2010?

I think the biggest thing I want to do for 2010 is just be out in the community more. I think it is a little too easy to get caught up with emailing and cell phones. I would like to have more face to face time with my clients and business partners. In 2010, I also want to continue my real estate education keeping up with the market and current industry trends. This past year I received my GRI and SFR designations and this year I hope to complete my brokers’ license.

Tony is currently offering anyone buying or selling a home in March a one (1) year Home Warranty when they sign up with him.

Thank you Tony for taking the time to introduce yourself to our readers. If you would like to reach Tony here is his contact information.

Tony Zowd, GRI

Coldwell Banker

The Hoffman – Terry Group, LLC.

6031 University Blvd, Suite 100

Ellicott City, MD 21043

Cell # 443-610-9462

Office # 866-226-7767

www.thehoffmanterrygroup.com

www.cbmove.com/tony.zowd

[Via http://certifiedtitlecorp.wordpress.com]

SANYO Releases New “eneloop bike” Electric Hybrid Bicycle ...

Proud to be a Mommy Blogger

2010-03-02T10:44:00.000+02:00

A couple of weeks ago I attended this massive networking event called Connect OC and Neal Schaffer of Windmill Networking interviewed me about being, you guessed it, a Mom Blogger. Note: Towards the end, I mention Parents Connect but what I meant to say was Parent Bloggers Network – as a group through which companies could reach influential mom bloggers.

PS. Me thinks I smile too much but I hope you enjoyed the video.

[Via http://suburbanmamas.wordpress.com]

AMERICAblog News: Frank Rich: 'the unhinged and sometimes armed ...

Cranio-sacral what?

2010-03-02T04:49:00.000+02:00

If you’ve never heard of Cranio-Sacral Therapy, then brace yourself for this…

*** Scroll down to hear my amazing interview with Liza, a cranio-sacral therapist ***

The first time I heard of cranio-sacral therapy was when I was a brand new mother with a colicky baby and I was desperately looking for answers. Cranio-sacral therapy came up in several books but since I had no access to it here in Bahrain I dismissed it.

Many years later (actually almost 7 years later to the date), I met Liza Borodkin – a visiting Cranio-Sacral therapist who was in Bahrain at the time.

I really wanted to know what cranio-sacral therapy was all about, so I went in for a session. I didn’t know AT ALL what to expect. She asked me a few questions and listened intently to my answers. In fact, she seemed to be listening so intently to what I was saying that it made feel strange. I felt my system slow down as the pace in the room slowed down.

She told me to lie down on the massage bed. I expected a massage but NO. It was very different.

She first put her hands around my ankles and closed her eyes. She just sat there, listening. I felt this rush of tingling throughout my body. It felt like a bucket of warm water was being poured from my feet all the way up my legs and rest of the body. The session lasted about an hour and I had very interesting sensations. At some point I even felt a strong pain in my tongue and a strange feeling in my throat.

What was that about? The lady was barely touching me!

But what is it?

At some point I discovered that a cranio-sacral therapist literally listens to your body and allows it to heal itself. Sometimes, if you have a problem, getting someone to listen to it is a big part of the solution. I guess it’s the same with the body. Physical problems that get ‘heard’ start shifting and healing themselves.

Sounds strange, huh? Yes, that’s what I thought too until I experienced it myself.

I Can’t Explain it!

I found myself not knowing how to explain what cranio-sacral therapy is. When people asked me what it was, I had no idea what to say. I felt that my shallow explanation would not do it justice.

So I interviewed Liza Borodkin! I wanted you to hear it first-hand and judge for yourself.

Listen to the interview here, then scroll all the way down to see how you can get hold of her. She’ll even be coming to Bahrain at the end of this month!!

Interview with Liza Borodkin

Click Here for My Interview With Liza Borodkin (Cranio-Sacral Therapist)

Dealing with Shock and Fear

A few months ago, I had another session with Liza after some very tough circumstances that I had. I went through a very shocking and fearful situation which I could not seem to shake off (I might write about that one day). Soon enough, my body broke down and I started manifesting that shock physically – I got very ill and every day was a struggle.

By the time I had the session with Liza, however, I thought I was ‘getting better’. I lay down to see what comes up. She sat at my head this time. And all she did was put her hands lightly around my ears (barely touching them). What happened next was like a scene from a movie. I started convulsing as if every cell in my body was vibrating. All my muscles were going through a cycle of spasms and relaxation. I also let out a lot of sobs.

It was all on a very physical (not emotional) level, meaning I was not sad or anything. The sobs seemed to come from a deeper place. Like an after-shock effect that was never physically manifested. The session continued for about 45 minutes, gradually tapering off.

Apparently, we register fear and shock on a much deeper cell level and if not released, that gets trapped inside the body and might later manifest itself as any illness. I was releasing these emotions from the cell level.

The same goes for other feelings such as anger, hostility, sadness, and much more. Like Deepak Chopra always says, “Every cell in your body is eavesdropping on your thoughts.”

I felt so calm and collected afterwards. It felt like a load has been lifted from my shoulders.

Will it help you?

I know that many people reading this might be a bit skeptical. I know I certainly was.

My case during the second session might be a bit extreme because of the state that I was in at the time. But I know that this therapy works even if you feel nothing during the session.

It has certainly helped a lot of people and most people who’ve tried it are also swearing by it.

As I said, describing it myself would not do justice to the therapy or to Liza. That’s why I wanted you to hear it for yourself. Scroll up and click on my interview with Liza to find out for yourself.

How to contact Liza

Lucky for us, Liza will be coming to Bahrain at the end of March 2010 and she will be available for private sessions.

To book a consultation, you can email her at liz@lizborodkin.com.

For more information about her, go to her website at www.lizborodkin.com

And don’t forget to sign up on my website for the latest www.AliaAlmoayed.com!

[Via http://aliaalmoayed.wordpress.com]

Facebook-Like News Feed Headlines First Round Capital's Redesigned ...

Re: Mis[place]d – Interview with the Curator: Elizabeth Underhill

2010-02-28T10:48:00.000+02:00

(written on February 1, 2009)

By Seowon Bang

After I had seen Mis[place]d, I was eager to get more information on the exhibition. In the vague hopes of finding the audio of the artist’s talk that was held the day before, I had talked to the director of XPACE, Mr. Derek Liddington, who then gave my e-mail address to the curator of the show, Ms. Elizabeth Underhill, who then provided me with not only the audio of the artist’s talk, but an interview as well! Although due to the poor weather the interview could not be conducted in person, she answered all my questions diligently and most thoroughly through e-mail.

Seowon: How did you come to choose animals (and their state of being ‘misplaced’) as the subject of your exhibition? Have you had such personal experience with animals yourself?

Elizabeth Underhill: The idea for Mis[place]d largely came from my own concerns with animals welfare, readings in the decline of the environment, and the discovery that half of the world’s species are dying out and could go completely extinct. People worry about climate change or destroying the rainforest, but the end result of all these detrimental acts we’re committing on the earth is that animals are going missing. So I wanted to see what could be found out from these losses.Since we can’t find these now permanently lost animals, what else can we discover? The exhibition seems timely, in that it acts as something of a whistleblower for our ongoing neglect of animal life. We know the world in going through a major environmental crisis, and it largely has to do with the way we view the world. When we know what the problems are, we can stop perpetrating them. Mis[place]d literally confronts the reasons why we’ve taken non-human life for granted, and hopefully inspires us to change before we’ve lost everything.

S: I understand the artists in the exhibition to be independent artists. Were the works in the exhibition commissioned (to be created according to the theme) or did you come across them through chance/research?

EU: The artists in Mis[place]d are all emerging artists with varying degrees of exhibition experience. For some, this is their first show, as they are still in school. Most of the artists involved responded to a call for submissions that I put out through Instant Coffee and Work in Culture, so there is a nice sampling of works from across the country, including British Columbia and Nova Scotia. Most of the works were proposed to me in response to the call, or were in progress and looking for an upcoming show to take part in before finalizing the works (Samuel Choisy’s Views of a Secret and Aidan Dahlin Nolan, Kelsey and Meghan Speakman’s Legends of Chincoteague, for example). I approached Hannah Myall and Renee Nault personally to participate as I was already familiar with their work and thought the element of fantasy and myth they brought to the show would be important to the idea of strange ways animals have been represented throughout history. I also asked Tania Sanhueza to participate in the show and she proposed an entirely new work especially for this exhibition, as did Hannah and Renee, which was incredibly exciting. Out of the thirteen projects, only four had ever been shown before. It was an honour to provide a forum for so many new talents and their work.

S: Did the exhibition feature any student-artists (or recent graduate)? Do you work often with emerging artists?

EU: Yes, there are several student artists involved in the show, either still at York, U of T or OCAD. But most are recent graduates who have had opportunities to exhibit their work already. Mis[place]d is the first exhibition I organized (I put on a couple at Gallery 1313 while this one was in the works, though) and as an emerging curator, I was really attracted to the idea of working with others who are just starting out in the art community and getting to know each other, who our peers are. Another reason I chose less-established artists to work with was because I wanted to put the message out that there are a lot of young people worried about the state of the world, the environment and animals, which is probably obvious, but that there is such a big group who are starting out their practice dedicated to these concerns really indicates a strong undercurrent of concern for non-human issues in the next generation of artists.

S: The basement of XPACE has a low ceiling, walls painted black… basically a ‘dingy’ feeling, appropriate for small “pests” such as rats. (No offence to the gallery director!) Vegh’s Plague Rats and Kervin&D’Angelo’s Making Bunnies are two works of art that are side by side in the basement corner – were they created site-specifically? I feel that those works wouldn’t have had the same phenomenological experience, had they been placed elsewhere, say, in an open bright space.

EU: Well you very nearly hit the nail right on its head. The basement was a big deciding factor in proposing the show to Xpace. I am rather fond of its low ceiling that requires viewers to bend down and look at the works very low, as if they were entering an animal’s burrow, a real place where these creatures could be found. Vegh and Kervin & D’Angelo’s works became site specific over the course of planning the exhibition. Both were really gracious in discussing where the works would best fit in the gallery. For Vegh, her work had always been pinned directly to brightly lit white walls of gallery spaces in the past, but in Xbase, we couldn’t do that as the bare rock of the building’s foundation was calcifying and completely dangerous to her book pages from a conservation point of view. So we figured out how to hang them in the corner using a supportive backing, as the drawings of rats just worked better in a dank, creepy corner both in terms of normal associations we make with rats’ dwelling places, and the claustrophobic or unsettling feeling Vegh was trying to evoke. For Kervin & D’Angelo, their piece Making Bunnies will likely take different shapes wherever they install it, but they did build a little burrow out of found bricks from construction sites from which the bunnies could emerge, as if they were actually infiltrating or infesting the gallery from the outside, taking over the space and making it their own.

S: It was really interesting to see that the exhibition has covered various aspects of “mis[place]d” animals: domesticated, extinction of wildlife, animals in cityscape, zoos, encyclopedia, imagination etc. How about images of animals in commercial culture? The famous logos – beaver for Reeboks, eagle for American Eagle, dog for Agatha, rabbit for Playboy etc. – employ animal form/image to appeal to the consumers. That was the impression I got from looking at Ashley Andrews’ paintings, from the outlining-form of the images, but after reading the essays I realized that’s not it! But what do you think? (not just on Andrews’ work, but on the whole)

EU: Well a major part of Mis[place]d is that animals are viewed as commodities, objects we possess and use for our fulfillment regardless of their well being, and this is definitely extendable to their use in commodifying other objects in logo-form. One concern is that we are so removed from nature, from real animals struggling to survive in diminishing and polluted habitats, that when we see these cute little logo critters, we come to believe that they are factual representations and all is well in the world. But the really big idea behind Mis[place]d is that we need to start recognizing when animals are being presented to us that aren’t really animals anymore, that they’ve come to represent something else, such as human greed, neglect or just pure disconnect from the rest of the non-human world. I believe that even though so many animals have been lost, or misplaced, even though we can’t get them back physically, we can still find something in this, such as a new perspective to view the world with, and hopefully one that’s more attuned to keeping animals, real ones, around on this planet.

S: Obviously, early Disney creations are riddled with animal imageries, and so are the fables/tales that those animations are based on. Do you think they had a big part in shaping the perception of animals?

EU: Definitely. These images both trivialize and anthropomorphize animal life. My experience of them as a child was that they were just like people, they had their own little worlds that resembled ours and sort of lived in distinct realms that didn’t necessarily depend on human life to be sustainable – that they don’t need any help from us, because they’re fine on their own (which obviously isn’t the case). On the other hand, I suppose, is that they changed my perception of animals in a positive way. I began to understand animals the same way I saw my friends and family. From a very young age I was convinced they had their own personalities and feelings and intelligence (before I read any books about animal behaviour and ethics that assert they do possess all those qualities and more), and grew up thinking it was rather reprehensible that people would treat animals differently from how we treat our loved ones, even though we have a lot in common. But when it comes down to it, even though I was more sympathetic to animals, their portrayal in human-like worlds in no way spoke to the actual conditions animals live in, so I had no idea for a long time about cramped shelters, dwindling habitats, or even places where they thrive in well-balanced ecosystems. Cartoons and stuffed toys did for sure play a role in getting me to ask more questions about animals and wanting to learn what they’re really like, I have to admit.

S: There was a seminar/forum on the subject of animals – “Why Look At Animals?” at the Powerplant, last week. The forum seemed to really key on the very theme that your exhibition geared to address. Was there any preconceived relationship between the exhibition and the forum, or a coincidence?

EU: I was so thrilled that the Powerplant’s panel coincided with Mis[place]d. The artists on the panel were a huge inspiration for me to do this show. I had been looking at the work of Emily vey Duke and Cooper Battersby and Bill Burns before I even thought to do the show, and when I decided to propose it to Xpace remembered that they are the gems in their field and career level, so who are the ones in mine? It was just a coincidence, but I think it says a lot that these galleries both chose to start their year with works demonstrating the importance of animals in art. It was probably inevitable, with the way everything is going. The current “green” trend to be more environmentally-conscious gives shows about animals social relevance: it’s just something that is increasingly on our minds, and in the art being produced right now.

S: What do you hope the viewers/audience would experience/learn/gain from the exhibition?

EU: Mis[place]d is rather heavy on pointing out all the problems with how we perceive animals, and the real world consequences of our thinking and behaviour on their lives. If people saw the show and thought, I’m going to spend extra time with my dog today, then that’s great. If they just want to spend some time discovering new artists and their fantastic projects, that’s good too. Another concern I had was that art solely dedicated to animals is still considered low brow or not conceptually or intellectually strong. There are definitely exceptions to this, and clearly more artists are choosing to devote their practice to issues raised by animal subject matter. So with this exhibition I really wanted to have people look at animals as legitimate subject matter in art, and start thinking about issues that pertain to non-human life for its own sake.

Special thanks to:

Mr. Liddington for giving me the opportunity to get in touch with Ms. Elizabeth Underhill, and Ms. Underhill for taking her time to give me this interview and for providing the jpegs and the artist’s talk audio.

[Via http://withvirtu.wordpress.com]

AMERICAblog News: 'State of catastrophe' in Chile after 8.8 ...

In the Beginning

2010-02-28T04:53:00.000+02:00

Twenty-five years ago, Larry Brown interviewed Russ King concerning the beginning of Western Star Dancers and gay square dancing. It was a rather long interview, too long for any WSD publication. Russ privately printed a few copies, but this is the first publication.

Go back in time to the days when unsafe sex was when you did it in public, and cowboys and clones ruled the Castro. The name came from Stephen Benet or Zane Grey; it’s hard to say which author as they both wrote about the Western Star. Russ tells the story better:

1986 Interview — WSD Origins

[Via http://westernstardancers.wordpress.com]

Facebook Patents The News Feed (Updated)

JOHNNY DEBB & TIM BURTON on FRIDAY NIGHT WITH JONATHAN ROSS!

2010-02-27T16:55:00.000+02:00

Last night I watched an amazing interview on FRIDAY NIGHT WITH JONATHAN ROSS with TIM BURTON and JOHNNY DEPP!

The very interesting and funny interview covered many areas from the characters JOHNNY plays in his movies to the movies he has worked on with TIM.

Funny enough JOHNNY says he NEVER WATCHES any of the movies that he makes!

Here is the video footage!

WATCH THE REST OF THE INTERVIEW WHEN YOU READ THE REST!!!!!

_____________________________________________________________

[Via http://butterfly-productions.org]

iPod 'explodes' in school, commenter claims student at fault ...

FAQ: Episode 1 - Dr. Harriet Hall

2010-02-27T04:24:00.000+02:00

Podcast Beyond Belief, our new freethought parenting podcast, features a segment called “The FAQ”, where we answer your science-based questions via qualified experts. Dr. Harriet Hall was kind enough to answer Laurie Tarr’s curious queries about late season flu vaccine…

Back in the fall, people stood in long lines to get H1N1 flu shots, and serum was in short supply. Now it is late February, and serum is readily available, but flu season only lasts until April. If you still haven’t been immunized, is it important to get an H1N1 flu shot now? What about a seasonal flu shot? Is it “too late”?

It’s not too late to get either the H1N1 or the seasonal shots. Flu is still active and the season is far from over. Three more children died of flu last week in the US: two of these deaths were associated with laboratory confirmed 2009 H1N1, and one death was associated with an influenza A virus for which the subtype was undetermined.

If your child comes down with the flu, should the rest of the family hurry to get immunized if they aren’t already, or will the shot not “kick in” until weeks later?

“It’s still useful to get vaccinated after being exposed to the flu, as you might not catch it that time. Depending on how soon after the exposure, receiving the flu shot can lessen the symptoms a little bit.” http://www.childrenshospital.org/newsroom/Site1339/mainpageS1339P351sublevel466.html

If you have had the flu already this season, should you still consider getting the vaccines?

If you’ve already had the flu you’ve only had one type of flu and are still susceptible to other strains. And you probably don’t know for sure which strain you had, so it makes sense to consider getting both shots.

What is on the horizon for next flu season? Will H1N1 continue to be such a threat? Can they combine the vaccines in to one shot?

There is no way to predict what will happen in the next flu season. There should be only one shot next year. Every year the experts try to develop a seasonal flu shot with the strains they think are most likely to spread. This year the H1N1 outbreak occurred too late to incorporate it into the seasonal mixture. If it had shown up in Mexico a couple of months earlier, it would have made it into the regular vaccine and there would have been only one shot.

Thanks to Dr. Harriet Hall for taking the time to share her expertise!

[Via http://sciencebasedparenting.com]

EdCone.com: Jerry watches the news

Important Voices: JohnsonForAmerica.com interviews Isaac Morehouse, economist

2010-02-25T10:00:00.000+02:00

This is interview #14 in JohnsonForAmerica.com’s “Important Voices” series, where we talk with key figures, such as elected officials, candidates, authors, commentators, and policy experts, about the issues of the day. A new interview is released every Monday and every Thursday, so check back often!

———–

Our guest for today’s Important Voices interview is Isaac Morehouse. Isaac is policy programs director at the Institute for Humane Studies, a Fairfax, Va.-based organization that facilitates the academic development of college students with an interest in liberty. Isaac was the Mackinac Center for Public Policy’s first director of campus leadership, working for the Center from January 2007 through May 2009. During that time, he developed and coordinated on-campus free-market educational programs for Michigan college students. Previously, Isaac served as a Michigan House legislative aide for three years, finishing his time at the House as chief of staff for a state representative. Isaac has also helped run a small business involving telecommunications hardware and cable installation. He holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of Detroit Mercy, and he received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Michigan University. Morehouse lives in Falls Church, Va., with his wife and son.

Josiah Schmidt: Thank you for agreeing to talk with us, Dr. Morehouse! Tell us how you came to hold such a liberty-oriented philosophy.

Isaac Morehouse: I grew up in a typical Midwestern conservative home and I was taught responsibility, hard work and initiative. In high-school, my brother told me about this book he was reading called “Capitalism and Freedom” by Milton Friedman. I liked the ideas in the book, since I was sort of predisposed towards free-markets. As I began to read more I eventually (after a long road and lots of rabbit trails) realized that, at bottom, government is force, and everything it does is backed by force. It made me realize that so many things I wanted done in the world–good things–should not be done by force, but peacefully and voluntarily. Not only did it sit right with me from a moral standpoint, but I learned through studying economics that voluntary actions have better results than centrally planned attempts by government to make the world a better place.

Josiah Schmidt: How would you define capitalism, in short?

Isaac Morehouse: Technically, capitalism is simply an economic system where individuals own the “means of production”, rather than government. In popular usage however, capitalism has come to mean a lot of different things, some of which I support (property rights, free-markets, etc.), some of with I do not (bailouts, subsidies, regulations against competition, etc.). I’m careful how I use that word, since people give it different meanings. To me, it means simply free-markets.

Josiah Schmidt: Why, fundamentally, does capitalism work?

Isaac Morehouse: Capitalism works because without private property and the right to reap the gains and losses of our own efforts there is little incentive to produce or to innovate. Property and free-trade also allow prices to form, which provide some of the most valuable information on the planet such as where demand and scarcity are and where surpluses are. Prices, which form spontaneously as a result of free-exchange, allow for the most impressive coordination in the history of man; billions of people and resources constantly adjust their individual behavior in a way that benefits society, not because they are trying to or would even know how if they were, but because they are responding to signals sent through the price system. No “rational” system of central planning can even come close to replicating that.

Josiah Schmidt: Is it meaningful to advocate a “mixed economy” of capitalism and socialism?

Isaac Morehouse: No. Any coercion in the peaceful, voluntary and spontaneously coordinating market reduces it’s efficiency, not to mention it’s a violation of individual rights. An only partly “planned” economy may be degrees better than a fully socialist one, but a free economy is magnitudes better than both.

Josiah Schmidt: How does capitalism, as opposed to socialism, accept human nature as it is, accounting for the flaws and fallibility of man?

Isaac Morehouse: It avoids what F.A. Hayek called the “Fatal Conceit” by recognizing that no one has enough knowledge to know where to put all the resources in the world all the time. It recognizes the dignity of each individual by allowing anyone to justly obtain and use property, but it recognizes the limits of each individual by not allowing any one person to control all others by force. If people are corrupt, the last thing we want to do is give a small number of them monopoly control over the rest, which is what government is.

Josiah Schmidt: Do government “consumer protection” measures actually protect consumers?

Isaac Morehouse: What is called “consumer protection” is almost always a special privilege or protection for some politically favored business or industry over their competitors. Since government hands out favors and makes regulations, instead of competing in the marketing place by trying to better serve customers, many businesses go to government and lobby for regulations that they can afford, but that will cripple their smaller competitors. The result is higher priced products, fewer choices, less competition, corruption in government agencies, and often times less attention to safety by consumers and producers who believe the government will do the work for them.

Josiah Schmidt: What is one of the most egregious examples of “consumer protection” measures that actually harmed consumers, in your view?

Isaac Morehouse: Oh boy, there are so many. It’s hard to say which is the most egregious, but certainly some very silly examples that really bug me are things like requiring decorators, hair stylists, yoga instructors or lemonade stand selling kids to get state licenses and pay fees just to offer their goods and services. These examples all exists in at least some states, and in every instance the laws were passed at the behest of some industry lobby that didn’t like lower priced competition. It’s very sad for the people who just want a chance making a living by offering their skills to consumers. They aren’t forcing anyone to buy, yet government is forcing them not to sell.

Josiah Schmidt: What advice would you give to libertarians reading this interview?

Isaac Morehouse: Take heart. It’s too easy to see all the violations of liberty around us and feel things are always getting worse. If you keep the big picture in mind and study some world history you will see that, in so many ways, freedom has advanced tremendously and there is no reason it cannot continue to do so. Don’t follow the news too closely or you’ll be angry all the time, and angry people are rarely good advocates of the ideas they believe in. Be optimistic and never stop learning about and fighting for freedom. It’s worth it.

Josiah Schmidt: Anything else you’d like to say to our readers?

Isaac Morehouse: Sometimes it helps to remember that really, liberty is all around us. We often feel that it would require such a radical change in our everyday existence if government were not so invasive. While I do not want to downplay the destructive effects of government meddling, it is instructive to stop and think about what really makes the world tick. Why don’t people run through the shopping mall naked? I’ll give you a hint: it is not because they are afraid of indecent exposure laws. That may play some very small part, but it is primarily because they would be embarrassed. They are afraid of the social consequences. This is just one example of how society remains orderly without the use of force; without government mandates and rules and regulations. In fact, nearly all of the order, cooperation and coordination we see around us is not the result of government edicts, but of the forces of spontaneous order that emerge in a voluntary society. In many ways, government is less important than even libertarians think. The message we need to send to our big-government friends is not that government is so bad (even though it often is), but that society voluntarily produces so much good that we don’t need to use the blunt instrument of government.

Josiah Schmidt: Very insightful thoughts. Thanks again for taking the time out of your schedule to answer some of our questions.

[Via http://garyjohnson2012.wordpress.com]

Organizing for America | Erica Sagrans's Blog: Morning News

Profile of me, University of Waterloo Alumnus

2010-02-25T04:52:00.000+02:00

Here’s the direct link. http://english50th.uwaterloo.ca/alumni/MBryson.html

UWaterloo is 50 this year, so they’re profiling past students, an interesting a motley crew!

Below is a copy of the profile.

The extraordinary thing about English professors at the University of Waterloo, says Michael Bryson (BA 1992), is their ability to balance teaching the practical with the theoretical. A graduate of the Rhetoric and Professional Writing Co-op program, Michael cites the integration of Waterloo’s academic program with the practical experience of work-terms as the prime memory and benefit of his time on campus.

This balance continues to be central element of Michael’s life, as he pursues creative writing projects and a professional career.

Michael’s most recent publication, THE LIZARD AND OTHER STORIES (Chaudiere Books, 2009), includes 16 stories about modern life in Toronto. A recent review called it “an easy book to like” and commented on the “tolerance for ambiguity” in many of the stories.

In addition to writing stories and blogging at thenewcanlit.blogspot.com, he also has a day job in the Ontario Public Service, where he has worked for the past decade in both communications and public functions.

Employment within the public service isn’t new to Michael; as a co-op student, he worked for the federal government, among other posts. The work during this co-op term wasn’t nearly as memorable as “being young in Ottawa,” however.

Of his courses on campus, Michael enjoyed Ken Ledbetter’s “Modern American Literature” class most, finding Dr. Ledbetter’s flair for teaching astonishing. “He spoke in twenty-minute paragraphs,” Michael says, recalling how the professor often spoke of how “literature gets behind the surface of reality.”

Michael spent much of his time outside the classroom with a number of other students who “huddled around the Writer in Residence, Greg Cook”; they all wished to be better writers and thus sought his guidance. He remembers this group fondly, remarking that they were all “a bit on the outside of the mainstream,” and he remains in contact with a number of them. Michael also built upon his writing abilities by contributing to IMPRINT, in which he had a column called “Media Surfing” published weekly during the 1991-92 year.

After graduating from UW with a BA, Michael went to Saskatoon for two years. After this stint in Saskatchewan, Michael came back to Ontario and earned an MA in English from the U of T, after which he completed the New Media Design Program at the Toronto-based Canadian Film Centre.

Michael lives in Toronto with his wife and step-children.

[Via http://michaelbryson.wordpress.com]

Video: Smoking Gun? ABC News expert recreates sudden acceleration ...

POUR YOUR HEART INTO IT

2010-02-23T10:33:00.000+02:00

As most of you might know, Howard Schultz is the legendary American entrepreneur that took a little-known Starbucks and turned it into a mega-company with billions of dollars in annual revenue and thousands of stores all over the world.

I just recently picked up his latest biography aptly titled “Pour your heart into it”. Although I still have a couple of chapters to go before I finish the book I was enamored by a quote in the first chapter. Writing about the business philosophy that he prefers and saw in the Starbucks brand, he had this to say:

“You don’t just give the customers what they ask for. If you offer them something they’re not accustomed to, something so far superior that it takes a while to develop their palates, you can create a sense of discovery and excitement and loyalty that will bond them to you. It may take longer, but if you have a great product, you can educate your customers to like it rather than kowtowing to mass-market appeal”

If you have a unique product/service, remember this insight when customers are taking too long to warm up to your offering.

[Via http://nickkaoma.wordpress.com]

Trio for XBLA this Wednesday News | Xbox 360 | Eurogamer

22.02.10

2010-02-23T04:02:00.000+02:00

Today I love…

1. That my 8am Russian lit class was cancelled this morning, giving me an extra hour to get stuff done

2. My EDU class with the panel of international students talking about their educational experiences growing up

3. Loads of fun at dinner with DH, RH, and SD (aaah, she’s so awesome!)

4. That MS (Grinnell swing legend) said I was a good dancer!!!

5. Successfully pulling off 3 intense dips with RM and not screaming in fear of falling. He said that trust should be my middle name. WOOT!

6. Interviewing 3 great candidates for the IPOC position

[Via http://sprinklesomesunshine.wordpress.com]

Aliens Vs Predator becomes fast-selling game of 2010 | News

An umpire to assess hospital cost?

2010-02-21T22:56:00.000+02:00

The Rann Government in now officially in caretaker mode, and so we are now into election 2010.

Health care will, as always, be a key issue. And for this state election campaign we’ve got the added situation of whether a brand new hospital is better than a re-furbished Royal Adelaide. It’s hard to know when both sides of politics say the other has all their figures wrong.

The Greens are calling for an independent umpire to step in and assess both sets of figures. Their lead Legislative Council candidate TAMMY JENNINGS EXPLAINS…

DOWNLOAD INTERVIEW

Or click here to listen

But the Rann Governments Health Minister, JOHN HILL counters saying he’s not sure why the greens are calling for an independent umpire because we already have one…

DOWNLOAD INTERVIEW

Or click here to listen

[Via http://radioadelaidebreakfast.wordpress.com]

PC version of Clover dated News | PC | Eurogamer

RHYMEFEST INTERVIEW - (AUDIO) W. THE PULSE

2010-02-20T22:51:00.000+02:00

I am a big ‘Fest fan…and have been looking forward to El Che so I am excited.

An interesting moment comes around 3:10 where Yaya asks about the blog beef btwn 2DopeBoyz.com and RapRadar. Basically Rhymefest quickly breaks down the difference between indie money and major money, and responds to BDot’s “Sewer” reference about “Underground” rappers. Rhymefest also discusses the reason he did not have Kanye West on his sophomore effort.

One last thing, on May 18th; BUY EL CHE!!!!!!!

[Via http://thefreshness.wordpress.com]

Jeff Biggers: NEWS: Arrests, Actions: Blowing Off Thumbs of ...

Which of your favorite shows could live, which could die

2010-02-20T16:45:00.000+02:00

V

With The CW officially renewing Supernatural and The Vampire Diaries for next season, it’s time to take a look at some of the shows that haven’t gotten as much love this early in the TV renewing game. Several of our beloved sci-fi/fantasy/supernatural shows are “on the bubble”—at risk of cancellation—and may not see another season.

Here’s our list of already renewed shows and canceled shows and a report card on how your favorite shows are doing.

——————————————————————————–

ALREADY RENEWED

The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory (CBS) Renewed for a fourth season.

Drop Dead Diva (Lifetime) Renewed for a second season to air in early summer.

Eureka (Syfy) Renewed for a fourth season.

Sanctuary (Syfy) Renewed for a third season.

Saving Grace (TNT) Renewed for a fourth and final season premiering March 29.

Spartacus: Blood and Sand (Starz) Renewed for a second season.

Stargate Universe (Syfy) Renewed for a second season.

Supernatural (The CW) Renewed for a sixth season.

True Blood (HBO) Renewed for a third season premiering in June.

The Vampire Diaries (The CW) Renewed for a second season.

Warehouse 13 (Syfy) Renewed for a second season.

——————————————————————————–

CANCELED OR ENDING

Dollhouse

Updated:: Past Life (Fox) Canceled

Dollhouse (Fox) Canceled

Eastwick (ABC) Canceled

Lost (ABC) Series finale airs May 23.

——————————————————————————–

UP IN THE AIR

24 (Fox) In its eighth season, this popular series could either see another day or end its run with the currrent one. One reason the series might not make the cut is that, by its very nature, 24 episodes must be made to follow the format. Also, it’s got a huge cast and doesn’t perform well in syndication. What we do know is that a 24 movie has been pitched; it would star Kiefer Sutherland and might be made in addition to or in place of a ninth day and season for hero Jack Bauer.

James Hibberd’s Live Feed reported: “24 is pricey to produce and has little syndication value. Producer Twentieth [Century Television] is exploring the option of spinning off 24 into a theatrical movie, signaling that this might be the Bauer’s final, real-time day-long adventure. Another long-shot option would be shopping 24 to another network.”

Latest ratings: 8.49 million viewers

Chances of renewal: 50-50

Better Off Ted (ABC) It’s so NOT looking good for our favorite sci-fi mad-scientist office comedy. ABC stuck Better Off Ted on Tuesdays and burned off episodes over the holidays. Why it never got a chance on Wednesdays with ABC’s other well-performing comedies is a mystery. What we do know is that two episodes of this hysterical comedy have never aired—and we may have to wait until the DVD comes out to see them.

Another sign of its impending doom: Stars Jay Harrington and Andrea Anders have already signed to appear in new comedy pilots, though they are committed to Ted first if it comes back.

Variety’s Michael Schneider stated: “Scrubs and Better Off Ted soon will likely learn that resurrections don’t happen twice.”

Latest ratings: 2.55 million viewers

Chances of renewal: Less than 15 percent

Chuck (NBC) For once, Chuck is in the Likely-to-Return category. The coolest superhero nerd show ever is actually the top-rated Monday night drama for NBC, and considering the shambles that NBC’s schedule has become since The Jay Leno Show was removed, the network needs good reliable performers like Chuck.

Alan Sepinwall interviewed co-creator Josh Schwartz about his thoughts on coming back after being off several weeks for the Olympics: “Every time you go off for a couple of weeks, you’ve gotta self-start again when you come back. We always knew coming back in January would be great for us, but it also meant other things would be premiering. NBC’s been incredibly supportive of the show in getting us launched, but I would not expect to see a lot of promotion for us during the Olympics.”

Latest ratings: 6.61 million viewers

Chances of renewal: 80 percent

FlashForward

FlashForward (ABC) Remember all those ratings everyone was all worried about when the series begin last fall? Well, forget about them. They don’t matter one bit considering the long, long break for new episodes to return. The good news is that the series has 13 episodes to prove itself. The bad news is that there’s been some trouble behind the scenes with rotating show runners. FlashForward is starting from scratch in more ways than one.

TVbytheNumbers.com’s Bill Gorman reported: “If FlashForward keeps falling when it returns, it has no future. We’ll now have to wait until mid-March to see its next ratings.”

Latest ratings: 7.29 million viewers

Chances of renewal: 50-50

Fringe (Fox) Despite low ratings, Fringe has managed more or less to hold its own in the most difficult timeslot on television, Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT. This has been especially noticeable since Past Life has taken over the timeslot to the tune of 2 million fewer viewers while Fringe takes a break. All things considered—the rabid fan base, the terrible timeslot, the excellent showing in DVR ratings—and it adds up to a solid performance.

James Hibberd’s Live Feed wrote: “Boy, this show took a beating on Thursdays this fall, yet along with Bones has given Fox a foothold on TV’s most competitive night and recently shown improvement.”

Latest ratings: 7.76 million viewers

Chances of renewal: 70 percent

Ghost Whisperer (CBS) Friday’s top-rated show so far this season has taken a bit of a hit this year, along with all the Friday shows. But it’s very unlikely CBS would be willing to cancel more than one of its Friday shows, and NUMB3RS looks likely to take that hit. It’s likely Melinda Gordon will be able to continue her ghostly social work for another season.

CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler stated: “It’s clear we have two shows there with Ghost Whisperer and with Medium that have a good flow from one into the other, so we will continue to program there for Friday night. For us, we still see opportunities.”

Latest ratings: 8.77 million viewers

Chances of renewal: 75 percent

Heroes

Heroes (NBC) Believe it or not, despite terrible ratings, Heroes has a chance at fifth season. The ratings have stabilized, and the series gains another million-plus viewers when DVR ratings are counted in. NBC is trying to rebuild its schedule thanks to The Jay Leno Show debacle, and Heroes at least brings in a loyal audience, it does well overseas and it’s a high-profile, original series. That said, a very strong case could be made for the show’s cancellation as well.

James Hibberd’s Live Feed commented: “This season, Heroes continued its decline and is now at a level—around a 2.0 adults 18-49 rating—that would warrant cancellation under most circumstances. The deciding factor here is NBC’s internal balance sheet for the production. Don’t be surprised if NBC announces a 12-hour ‘final chapter’ for next fall.”

Latest ratings: 4.41 million viewers

Chances of renewal: 40 percent

Human Target (Fox) This new midseason replacement is finally leveling off to some decent ratings. While it’s certainly getting a bump from American Idol, the last couple of episodes have been very entertaining, and the series seems to be finding its feet. And considering the series will most likely do well in reruns, given its episodic nature, we’re liking its chances for a second season so far.

Media Week’s Marc Berman said: “On Fox was recently introduced drama Human Target at a distant second-place finish in both total viewers (7.14 million) and adults 18-49 (2.1/ 6) from 8-9 p.m. Considering Human Target faced The Winter Olympics, this is still a respectable showing.”

Latest pre-Olympic ratings: 8.92 million viewers

Latest ratings opposite the Olympics: 7.14 million viewers

Chances of renewal: 45 percent

Medium (CBS) This very compatible Ghost Whisperer companion show has done as well as could be expected on Fridays, capturing almost all of its lead-in audience and sometimes outperforming Ghost Whisperer by a smidge. NUMB3RS looks likely to be canceled at this point if anything goes on Fridays, and it’s doubtful CBS will cancel more than one Friday show. But with new series Miami Medical taking over NUMB3RS’ slot on April 2, there’s the unlikely possibility that Miami could do well enough to make a case for Medium’s exit. Still, at this point, we’re guessing Allison DuBois will likely have a home for one more year.

Variety’s Michael Schneider writes: “With Numbers the most likely to exit—so much so that star David Krumholtz has already been cast in a new pilot—it’s doubtful Eye would want to drop a second Friday night series, so Medium (which CBS swiped from NBC last year) is probably safe.”

Latest ratings: 9.10 million viewers

Chances of renewal: 45 percent

Past Life

[Updated: Fox has pulled Past Life from the air after just three airings, effective immediately, replacing it with new episodes of Kitchen Nightmares until March 18, when Fringe repeats will take over until Fringe originals are back on April 1, HitFix reports]

Past Life (Fox) It’s looking like Past Life might have to reincarnate itself if it wants to survive. With only a handful of episodes left to make its case, it’s not looking good for the drama. Before the series even started, it saw its episode order cut to seven, which is never a good sign. And even worse, the ratings have dropped since Past Life took over Fringe’s timeslot.

The Los Angeles Times’ Joe Flint remarked: “Fox’s Past Life made its time period premiere, but the numbers won’t exactly boost confidence in the show. Though it probably didn’t help that a rerun of Bones—which got 8 million viewers and a 2.3 rating in adults 18-49, was its lead-in—Past Life averaged just 5.3 million viewers and finished fourth in 18-49 with a 1.4 rating. Past Life will get a chance at attracting a bigger audience in two weeks when Fox adds a third night of American Idol to Thursday for elimination shows.”

Latest ratings: 5.31 million viewers

Chances of renewal: 0 percent

Smallville (The CW) When The CW moved Smallville from Thursdays to Fridays, it looked like it could be the end of this reliable performer. Certainly Smallville didn’t quite seem to fit with the younger-skewing shows the network was banking on, such as The Vampire Diaries. Then something strange and wonderful happened: Apparently the fans weren’t ready to let Smallville die. The producers are still doing fine creative work, and the series has finally given The CW some ratings on Friday nights. While Smallville didn’t get an early pickup like Vampire Diaries or Supernatural, it’s looking very good for a 10th season, with Super Clark and his friends. And BTW, don’t be surprised if it does get another season and we see one or two additional Smallville movies along the lines of Absolute Justice.

Media Week’s Marc Berman comments: “While Smallville, of course, is down year-to-year from its former Thursday performance, it is unlikely anything else would perform better for The CW on troubled Friday.”

Latest ratings: 2.48 million viewers

Chances of renewal: 90 percent

V (ABC) Those beautiful alien invaders are in the same boat as the FlashFowarders. The series returns on March 30, and it’s airing after Lost in the 10 p.m. timeslot, which is a good thing. With Lost in its final season, V’s likely to grab a few viewers, which should help its bottom line. But V is pretty much starting over, and it will only have eight episodes to get you caught up in the revolution.

TVbytheNumbers.com’s Bill Gorman stated: “V’s future entirely rests on how its ratings do on its return in March. Its fall episode ratings are meaningless now. No guesses from me.”

Latest ratings: 9.20 million viewers

Chances of renewal: 60 percent

[Via http://ragnarfan.wordpress.com]

New Phoenix, Monkey Island on WiiWare News | Wii | Eurogamer

James Cameron Talks 'Avatar'

2010-02-18T16:56:00.000+02:00

Last night I attended James Cameron’s taping of “Inside the Actors Studio” at Pace University downtown, and it was one of those nights that made me appreciate just how unique a typical Wednesday night can become when you live in New York City.

Just $15 to hear the great James Cameron? Yes, please.

That we even snagged seats to this was a small miracle, given the fact that “Avatar” is still the No. 1 movie and has become the highest-grossing film of all time, only second to Cameron’s “Titanic.” I had about two minutes to decide to purchase the tickets (discounted through Goldstar*), as by then the floor seats had already sold out. Arriving at the downtown lecture hall, I saw a massive standby line.

I’ve watched “Actors Studio” for years, and seeing James Lipton be all James Lipton-y in person was a real treat. Cameron was interesting, articulate and gave several entertaining anecdotes about the production of some of his most successful ventures, complete with the requisite clips and applause.

James and James during the portion of the interview that featured Stephen Lang (front row with hand extended).

It was a nice surprise to see Stephen Lang (“He likes to be called Slang,” Cameron deadpanned) in the front row, who played Colonel Miles Quaritch in “Avatar.” Two years on, he was considerably less bulked-up, but the master’s students in the Pace acting school applauded when he sat down, instantly recognizing him.

Three hours later, the 4/5/6 took us home as we remarked upon how great it is to be able to see something like this on any given evening here in our great city.

I highly encourage you to check out Goldstar, by the way, and I’ll be posting more about them soon — they’re a WONDERFUL source for discount tickets to some very unique experiences!

[Via http://sarahprotz.wordpress.com]

Capcom fighters half price on PSN News | PS3 | Eurogamer

Publisher Feature: Interview with Myriad Editions

2010-02-18T10:18:00.000+02:00

As the latest in our series of publisher interviews, RosyB talks to Victoria Blunden, Fiction Editor of Brighton-based publisher, Myriad Editions, well-known publisher of political Atlases about their recent move into fiction, their commitment to debut novels and how they are gaining success for their novels despite the difficult publishing climate.

BACKGROUND: ATLASES, GLOBAL ISSUES AND POLITICS

RosyB: Hello! As you are the fiction editor of Myriad Editions, we will mainly be talking about fiction, but first – if I can just get a bit of background on the publisher, as it is fascinating. On the website it says Myriad specialises in “three distinct but complementary genres: topical atlases, graphic non-fiction and original fiction” – a very unusual mix. The atlases, which have been a huge success world- wide are not just cartographical atlases but have titles such as The Cancer Atlas, The Atlas of Women Around the World and the forthcoming Atlas of Human Rights. I think there will be quite a few of the bookfoxes who would be interested in these. I wonder if you could tell us a little about the thinking and ethos behind them and how this maybe affects the company as a whole.

Vicky Blunden: Of course, thank you for asking! Myriad was founded back in 1993 as a packager of political atlases, and this is still our core business. We take topics of global concern and, using the most up-to-date data, present the information visually in map form. Our most famous atlas is The State of the World, which has the broadest scope, and our other titles range from the more political – like our new Atlas of Human Rights and The Atlas of Human Migration, which are both coming out this Spring – to more environmental subjects like The Atlas of Climate Change. We’re extremely proud of the atlases, and they remain at the heart of Myriad’s publishing.

RosyB: Looking through a lot of your titles – including the wonderful-looking Rumble Strip – a graphic novel concerned with the murderous motor car (oh how my father would approve! I’m definitely going to have to buy him a copy) there seems to be a political edge and activism that comes through. Can you tell me more about this?

GRAPHIC NOVELS, EDGE AND ACTIVISM

Vicky Blunden: This really came out of the kinds of concerns we were mapping in the atlases. The exciting thing about the atlases is the way in which the information is presented visually, and also how the authors (who are all experts in their fields) analyse the raw data. In our graphic nonfiction books the artist/authors – Kate Evans and Woodrow Phoenix – are working a similar magic: presenting a subject in an accessible visual form, with a narrative storyline. Kate Evans is an environmental campaigner and cartoonist whose book, Funny Weather, is a really funny and comprehensive guide to climate change (its subtitle is ‘Everything you didn’t want to know about climate change but probably should find out’). We also published her book on breastfeeding – The Food of Love – which is in fact much more than an excellent how-to manual for breastfeeding mums. It’s essentially a guide to early parenthood; thoroughly researched but also full of wisdom, humour and encouragement. Woodrow Phoenix’s book Rumble Strip is a quite unique and powerful polemic on the cult of the road, and it’s hypnotic to read – the book unfolds like one long road trip, but there isn’t a single car or human being in any of the frames. Like the atlases, the graphics are designed to take controversial subjects and open them up for new readers, presenting them in dynamic new ways.

A MYRIAD OF FICTION

We’re looking for what stands out, so it’s essential that the authentic, distinctive and original voice of a novel comes across from the start. (Vicky Blunden)

RosyB: Fiction publishing is quite a recent departure for Myriad, isn’t it? Yet, already you seem to have done really well and getting great exposure for many of your titles: most recently, Isabel Ashdown’s debut novel, “Glasshopper”, which received accolades from the Observer and The Evening Standard, and Sue Eckstein’s comedy, “The Cloths of Heaven” which is being dramatised for Radio Four. Plus, I just read that Ed Hillyer’s debut “The Clay Dreaming” has been shortlisted for Waterstones New Voices, which you must be delighted about. Simply: what is Myriad’s secret?

Vicky Blunden: We only publish a small number of titles each year so we are extremely selective, and fight hard for books we’re desperate to publish. All of our books are lead titles. It’s fantastic when they’re widely reviewed, and receive high praise, but we’re conscious that there isn’t much space in papers and magazines for début novels, so we do everything we can online to promote our list, as well as setting up signings and events to help the books reach the widest possible audience. Having said all that, none of the effort we put in would make any difference if they weren’t completely unique and extraordinary books to begin with, and their success is purely down to the strength of the novels themselves as well as the hard work of the authors. We’ve been thrilled with the response to Glasshopper, which is such a moving and beautifully composed book, and we can’t wait for the broadcast of the dramatisation of The Cloths of Heaven, which will be on Woman’s Hour every day from 15th-19th March. As for The Clay Dreaming being selected for Waterstone’s New Voices… we’ll find out soon!

RosyB: When it comes to fiction, describe a “Myriad Book”.

Vicky Blunden: Such a tricky question! I think many of our books share a social conscience with the atlases. Although they’re not about ‘issues’ they’re not afraid to tackle difficult subjects, and they tend to be rooted firmly in real experiences. They are very much driven by the characters, with all their flaws and their heroism. I may be biased, but for me Ellis, with his paralysing fear of spiders, his love for his dad and his unquenchable thirst for adventure (in Tom Connolly’s The Spider Truces) is as real as Brippoki, the Aboriginal cricketer exploring his dreaming in Victorian London in The Clay Dreaming, and the inept councillor’s nephew in Robert Dickinson’s The Noise of Strangers, who never features in the storyline except through other characters’ exasperated accounts of him. The characters in these novels are complex human beings, and they come alive, becoming known to the reader, when you read their stories.

HOW TO GET TITLES OUT THERE IN A DIFFICULT CLIMATE

RosyB: 2009 was a tough year for many publishers and booksellers – with the sad news about the demise of Borders bookshop, amongst others. One of the things a number of smaller or independent publishers have talked about is the difficulty of getting books into bookshops and the pressure put on them by the huge level of discounting demanded by the big chains and Amazon. How does Myriad attempt to compete in this sort of marketplace and what sort of strategies do you use to get your books noticed?

Vicky Blunden: I think all publishers struggle with these problems, as we seemed to be squeezed on all sides but particularly by the huge discounts retailers expect. We just keep finding ways to promote our books, developing our online strategy, offering special deals on our website (like 3 for 2 on all our titles on the website this month!), organising Virtual Book Tours and working with retailers, independent bookshops, libraries and universities to set up author events. We also take great care over the design of the books, making sure that they are beautiful objects in their own right with really eye-catching and attractive covers.

RosyB: How important is the internet for marketing your books?

Vicky Blunden: Very important. It’s such a wonderful, democratic space with so many opportunities for discussions about books. I love the fact that people are using the internet to talk about how important books are to them, and to make recommendations, and it’s particularly great for us that the focus isn’t wholly on what’s brand new. We’ve had requests from bloggers for review copies of all our titles, and we really see the effects that blogs have, particularly because the enthusiasm is so genuine.

RosyB: Many people have said that in this increasingly competitive climate that writers will have to start working harder to publicise their work themselves. Do you think this is the case?

Vicky Blunden: Definitely. It makes such a difference when an author is proactive and takes advantage of the opportunities that are out there – especially online. We encourage our authors to set up and really use their websites, and we see a direct correlation between how active the author is and sales of the books. We know from the kinds of activity on the internet what readers and book groups want, so it makes sense to offer this, especially as it’s so easy to do! Isabel Ashdown has just added a series of questions for book groups to her site, www.isabelashdown.com, and is featuring an exercise each week for writers in need of some prompts. Her website doesn’t just showcase her novel, it’s personal, and above all it’s interesting to read.

COMMITMENT TO DEBUT FICTION

RosyB: It is particularly exciting, at a time where debut novels are being reduced everywhere else, that Myriad has received funding from the Arts Council to publish original fiction – and debut fiction at that. (Big cheer from us!). Can you tell us a bit more about this?

Vicky Blunden: Thank you! The fiction list is a relatively new departure, and it is an exciting time at Myriad. Back in 2005 we published an anthology called The Brighton Book, which was a mixture of reportage, fiction, graphics and photographs, and from there we went on to publish the novels of two of the writers featured, Martine McDonagh’s I Have Waited, and You Have Come and Lesley Thomson’s A Kind of Vanishing. We wanted to publish more fiction and were struck by how hard it seemed to be for first-time novelists to get published – even to get their work read by editors who could consider it. In the South East there are a huge number of excellent creative writing courses and arts organisations helping writers to refine their writing, but many careers seem to stall at that point. What we wanted to offer – which I think has been the key for the books we’ve taken on since our Arts Council award for exactly this purpose – is a really close working relationship with our authors. We’re looking for writing that shows real promise, and we’re prepared to work hard on a book to help it reach its potential.

RosyB: Refreshingly you have an open submissions policy for writers. There are a lot of writers who read this site as well as readers. At the risk of opening the floodgates, what kind of work are you looking for and what is it that really draws you most to a book?

Vicky Blunden We do accept unsolicited submissions, and we read everything that comes in. We receive quite a substantial number of submissions, and given that we publish a small number of novels a year this means that we send a lot of rejection letters, which is definitely the least enjoyable part of my job. Although I’m conscious that publishing houses are built on editors’ tastes I try to read with an open mind, and I never know what I’m looking for until I read it. This isn’t really very helpful advice to writers I’m afraid! I want to be surprised, captivated, and impressed by the quality of the writing, and won over by the characters and the world that’s been created. We’re looking for what stands out, so it’s essential that the authentic, distinctive and original voice of a novel comes across from the start.

——-

Myriad Editions website

More about Myriad Editions from The Book Depository

To explore other Vulpes Libris Publisher Interviews click here

——

When RosyB takes off her serious Vulpes Libris interviewing hat (which is large and woolly with various earflaps and a pompom on top) she can be found writing comic novels . To find out more go here.

[Via http://vulpeslibris.wordpress.com]

Brad Friedman and Desi Doyen: Green News Report -- February 16 ...

On Site With the Media

2010-02-16T16:44:00.000+02:00

Today is event day and I’m faciliatating news media coverage from Indiana in Amarillo, TX. A little challenging…. ehhh, maybe a little, but if you’re prepared…. everything should go perfectly smooth!

On site media should be handled efficiently. Stories that don’t require the local police Public Information Officer or the District Attorney tend to be a bit of an “inconvience” for media pros. Journalists care, don’t get me wrong, but they want it to be easy. They don’t want to get to an event and not know what the heck is going on or have to hunt a random person down.

When A member of the press shows up… you should have everything they need ready to go. This started this morning when I called each media outlet and asked them if they planned on attending the event. From there, if your event requires a press kit, then provide one. If your press release said that journalist could speak with an expert, make sure that expert knows they’ll be doing interviews. Never promise the media something that you can’t deliver. Confirm with experts that they’ll be there. Confirm with ‘real’ people that they’ll be there. Everything your promised in your press release should be ready and available for the media.

The idea is to get the press in and out the door. If they want to hang out…. that’s fine, especially if video or pictures are required, but beyond that… you want them to get what they need and let them go. If you are busy shuffling experts or tracking them down… or trying to pick someone for the media to talk to out of the crowd… you may end up hurting yourself or business reputation. Keep in mind, public relations is not just about the publicity, but also reputation management. If you appear to be unorganized or unprepared, the media may not trust in your message, kill your story… and likely not use you as a “resource” in the future.

So line up those ducks, I mean journalists… they swim pretty darn fast!

Cheers!

[Via http://getpurpublicity.wordpress.com]

New Windows phones to link with Live News | Mobile | Eurogamer

Interview: The Good Guy's Bryan Greenberg

2010-02-16T04:44:00.000+02:00

In The Good Guy Brian Greenberg literally plays the good guy. After taking a position at a financial firm on Wall Street, Daniel is forced to transition from a sweet and awkward bookworm into a curt selling powerhouse. His good guy image may not be appropriate for the financial industry, but it does catch the attention of a young woman named Beth. The problem is, she happens to be the girlfriend of Daniel’s mentor, Tommy.

It’s a good thing Greenberg has an appreciation for learning new things, because right after wrapping production on The Good Guy, he had to gear up for his brand new HBO show, How to Make It in America. Greenberg’s character isn’t very business savvy in this project either. He plays Ben, one half of an enterprise team trying to make it in the New York fashion scene.

His characters may not be at the top of their games on Wall Street or on the runway, but Greenberg is as an actor. And now, more than ever, he’s getting the chance to show us what he’s really capable of.

Click here to read the interview.

[Via http://littlemisscritical.com]

Viacom files for Harmonix refund following poor Rock Band sales | News

Anarchy and Alchemy

2010-02-14T10:20:00.000+02:00

As the Q&A progressed after the world premiere of The Taqwacores, I asked a question to the cast and crew on stage, a question ciphering in my mind — “For all the non-Muslims that participated in this film, what was your experience like? Why did you do it?”

I asked this because to me, as a Muslim punk, I clearly identified with the characters in the movie/book, for the first time seeing characters that were an exaggerated version of me. I related, I identified, distinctly. But I wondered, what was it like for others?

There were a few people who came to me much later in the week with answers they were to shy to answer on stage. Denise George who plays Dee Dee Ali told a story of how she had Jewish friends who were not quite supportive of her participation in the film. Anne Leighton who plays Lynn talked to me about how as a youth, she had lived abroad in the Middle East.

But that night, it was Nick Riley, Cleveland based production manager for the film, who was the only person to answer the question on stage. It was eloquent, something about how sub-cultures need to support sub-cultures. I forgot most of what he said though, so I asked him to expand. This is what he wrote:

To be honest, my involvement with The Taqwacores movie was by pure chance. I received a myspace message one day from some kid, Eyad, who came back to Cleveland from LA to make a movie. At the time I was collectively running a DIY show space in Cleveland called Tower2012, and our policy was pretty much, if your band asks to play, and we can make it happen, we’ll make it happen. From time to time we would get your oddities contacting us for a place to put on their event, like traveling plays, movie screenings, puppet shows, etc… and they were sometimes the most fun, something different. So anytime something other than a band wanted our help we’d find a way to make it happen. That’s really how and why I initially agreed to meet with Eyad, the director of the movie, and work things out, but that’s not what ended up being the how and why of what actually happened.

I grew up in a city right next to Cleveland, that had a pretty large Arabic population, more than any other minority, but most of them were Christian. Two of my best friends growing up, had a Muslim stepfather, and half-brother, but they were raised Christian by their mother. I grew up with a complete tolerance and awareness of middle eastern culture and religion, but really still knew nothing about it. So really The Taqwacores ended up being my first look into Islam.

The best judge of the value of an idea is the quality of character of those involved with the propagation of that idea. First meeting Eyad, and then Mike Knight, and then Allison, and Marwan, all these people from totally different places, totally different backgrounds, and they were all such great people first and foremost. So this thing, “Taqwacore” that they were coming together over, really started to intrigue me. Now while I am very anti-religion, anti-authoritarian in general, I still have always had, and have, this… shall we say, spiritual streak. So this idea of people who believed in something else other than just material reality as we know it, and still very anti-authoritarian, just felt like the kinda thing I had been looking for awhile.

Most of my own connections to things like spirituality, mysticism, philosophy, the questions of life and death, morality, etc… came from a western/pagan/Christian perspective, yet I could see my own reactions to things in the Taqwacore perspective. We all knew that these stories passed down from generations upon generations ago by our respective religions, along with countless other stories from all over the planet, were all talking about the same human experience. And that whatever that experience is, it is still worth talking about and aiming for. Just because other attempts to describe it have fallen short of our own experiences to date, doesn’t negate the idea of the experience in general. It just means no one can mediate that for you, you have to do it yourself.

From my experience with the actors, the crew, and the other bands all associated with this thing called Taqwacore, I saw a movement that was everything I ever wanted in scope. It was as DIY as possible, and yet still aiming for the heart of this beast we call society. For whats the good of a great idea, if no one talk about it? The idea of people from all backgrounds coming together to talk about how this world can better embrace the divine in order to become more free, instead of the less free that organized religion offers? Well that sounds like a great idea to me. It’s as I like to say, anarchy and alchemy.

Nick Riley plays the drums in a band with his two best friends. The band is called Filmstrip. They came out on the mini Taqwa tour to Sundance 2010 with The Kominas and Al-Thawra. You can find Nick and his band in and around the Cleveland area – check out their myspace to keep up.

+++

Tanzila “Taz” Ahmed is an activist and writer living in Los Angeles. She is the Founder of South Asian American Voting Youth (SAAVY), an aspiring novelist and a long-time blogger for the popular South Asian blog Sepia Mutiny.

[Via http://taqwacore.wordpress.com]

Spice-up your life with a Pink, or Silver Lumix GF1. « Akihabara News

Transcripts of Video / Audio

2010-02-14T04:07:00.000+02:00

Spoken content in YouTube or Google video is difficult for search engines to find. Posting a transcript with your video allows spoken words to be indexed and helps increase the chances your content is found by search engines. With a transcript, viewers of your videos can easily jump to desired locations by reviewing the transcript and time stamp index. Audience members often desire a transcript of presentations or videos to recall the highlights or share information with others. How Does It Work?

[Via http://syntaxtrans.wordpress.com]

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 2/13 - Arrowhead Pride

School

2010-02-13T16:16:00.000+02:00

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[Via http://ibedfylu.wordpress.com]

Latest Legal News: Shareholders Sue Morgan Stanley Over Exec Pay ...

Vogue Magazine Scans - Robert & Emilie

2010-02-13T04:13:00.000+02:00

IMDB and Pattinsonfan23 Twitter

[Via http://twilightbritneyfan.com]

Breaking News: Shooting at UAH « Watts Up With That?

DAVE REFFETT to appear on Hard Rock Nights

2010-02-11T16:00:00.000+02:00

Dave Reffett of Shredding The Envelope will be the special guest on Hard Rock Nights February 12-18. Shredding The Envelope’s debut album, “The Call Of The Flames,” boasts guest appearances by guitar legends Joe Stump, Michael Angelo Batio, George Lynch (Dokken), Chris Poland and Glen Drover (Megadeth), and features drummer Mike Mangini (Extreme, Annihilator). Reffett will speak with JT about the advice he received from Dave Mustaine when faced with the decision of attending Berklee or going on the road, recording the album, the story behind the songs, and the gear he uses. Visit myspace.com/shreddingtheenvelope for more information and song samples from Shredding The Envelope.

Hard Rock Nights is a weekly syndicated radio program broadcast on a number of rock and metal stations, including the newly added Pure Rock Radio (purerockradio.net). Click here for a full list of times and stations.

[Via http://hardrocknights.wordpress.com]

BBC tells news staff to embrace social media | Media | guardian.co.uk

Important Voices: JohnsonForAmerica.com interviews Lawrence Reed, President of the Foundation for Economic Education

2010-02-11T10:00:00.000+02:00

This is interview #10 in JohnsonForAmerica.com’s “Important Voices” series, where we talk with key figures, such as elected officials, candidates, authors, commentators, and policy experts, about the issues of the day. A new interview is released every Monday and every Thursday, so check back often!

———–

Our guest for today’s Important Voices interview is Lawrence Reed. Larry has been president of the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) since 2008. Before joining FEE, Reed served as president of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a Midland, Michigan based free-market think tank. To date, he remains Mackinac’s president emeritus. Reed’s interests in political and economic affairs have taken him as a freelance journalist to 69 countries on six continents since 1985. Over the past twenty-five years, he has reported on hyperinflation in South America, black markets from behind the Iron Curtain, reforms and repression in China and Cambodia, and civil war inside Nicaragua and Mozambique.

Josiah Schmidt: How did you come to hold such a liberty-oriented philosophy?

Lawrence Reed: I was born outside a little Western Pennsylvania town called Beaver Falls in 1953. That’s where I grew up and lived for the first 24 years of my life. I went to two Pennsylvania colleges for my B.A. and M.A. degrees: Grove City College and Slippery Rock State University. Western Pennsylvania was home to the Whiskey Rebellion, and I think my Scottish ancestors who were a part of that must have passed on some authority-questioning genes to me. I moved to Michigan to start teaching in 1977 at Northwood University.

No one on either my father’s side or my mother’s side of the family ever had much interest and even less involvement in political, economic, or current affairs. But my father imparted some basic, no-nonsense, anti-authoritarian and pro-freedom instincts which really blossomed in the late 1960s.

One of my first encounters with government was when I was in the third grade and my father wanted to take me to Florida for a week in January to visit relatives. The public school officials protested. They called my dad and said he couldn’t take me out of school just for a vacation. He told them in no uncertain terms that I was his kid, not theirs, and while he was taking me to a warm place, they could pack their bags and go someplace a lot hotter. He hung up on them.

My mother took my sister and younger sister and me to see “The Sound of Music” in 1965, and that proved to be a powerful catalyst. I was only 12 and I didn’t want to go, but the movie really had an effect on me. State oppression vs. people who just wanted to be left alone–that’s the way I saw it. It was the first time in my life that I realized that other people in the world–past and present–didn’t enjoy the basic, day-to-day freedoms I had taken for granted. It prompted me to do a lot of reading on pre-World War II history, especially the Nazi takeovers of Austria and Czechoslovakia.

When “Prague Spring” blossomed in Czechoslovakia in early 1968, I was glued to the TV set and the newspapers. Warsaw Pact troops put a stop to it when they invaded in August. I was angry and wanted to do something, but what could a teenager in Beaver Falls possibly do about a problem half a world away?

Within days, I saw a newspaper story about a group called Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) which was organizing an anti-Soviet demonstration in downtown Pittsburgh. I went to it, burned a Soviet flag in Mellon Square, and joined YAF. In those days, YAF sent all new members copies of books like F. A. Hayek’s “The Road to Serfdom,” Henry Hazlitt’s “Economics in One Lesson,” Frederic Bastiat’s “The Law,” and Henry Grady Weaver’s “The Mainspring of Human Progress.” It also arranged for new members to receive “The Freeman,” the journal of the organization I would assume the presidency of almost 40 years later to the very day. I devoured all this material, gained an appreciation for economics, and liberty has been my primary passion ever since.

So the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia made me an anti-communist activist before the age of 15, and that led me fairly quickly into free market economics. I learned early that the most effective anti-communist was one who understood and could defend the moral and economic foundations of liberty.

Dr. Hans Sennholz, one of four scholars to earn a Ph.D. under the great Austrian economist Ludwig von Mises, was my teacher at Grove City College. His eloquence was a huge inspiration. Leonard Read, who founded the Foundation for Economic Education, was a big influence on me both as an author and a friend before he died in 1983. I wrote my first of more than 200 articles for FEE’s journal, The Freeman, in 1977 and I regard it as a singular honor to have served from 1994-2002 as a member of FEE’s board and as its chair for three of those years. Leonard’s persona–his optimism and his gentle persuasiveness in particular–left a very large and permanent imprint on me.

Among the authors who have greatly influenced me are: Mises, Frederic Bastiat, F. A. Hayek, Ayn Rand, Murray Rothbard, Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, R. C. Sproul and believe it or not, Dale Carnegie (whose classic “How to Win Friends and Influence People” remains one of the best self-improvement books ever written). And of course, how could I possibly forget Henry Hazlitt, whom I came to know personally in the last years of his life!

Josiah Schmidt: Libertarians undoubtedly are familiar with names like Mises, Bastiat, Hayek, Rand, and Rothbard, but I think every libertarian needs to be familiar with Dale Carnegie–I’m glad you mentioned him. So, how did the Foundation for Economic Education come to be? And also, explain who Leonard Read was and why he was so important.

Lawrence Reed: FEE was founded by Leonard Read in 1946. Prior to that, Leonard’s views had undergone a profound shift from a mundane, “pro-business” perspective that was sometimes sympathetic to FDR’s “New Deal,” to a thoroughly principled and authentic libertarianism. At a time when the world was embracing central planning and the prospects for liberty seemed dark indeed, Leonard saw the need to light a candle. So he created FEE. The organization was pretty much alone in championing liberty for quite a while, proving in the long run why it was so critically important for there to be a place that kept the right ideas alive. Leonard and FEE churned out books and pamphlets and speeches, spawning generations of new advocates for liberty. Many famous names drew inspiration from FEE and knew Leonard personally: Ludwig von Mises, F. A. Hayek, Milton Friedman and Ronald Reagan, to name just four.

I couldn’t begin to do this great man justice in a few paragraphs of an interview, so I urge your readers to visit our web site, www.fee.org, and key in the name “Leonard Read.” They’ll find a treasure trove of his works, and praise for him from many other people. I call your readers’ attention to one piece in particular if they want to know more about Leonard the man and his founding of FEE. It’s entitled “Leonard E. Read, Crusader” by long-time FEE staff member Bettina Greaves and it appeared in the September 1998 issue of our magazine, “The Freeman.” Here’s a link to it: http://www.thefreemanonline.org/featured/leonard-e-read-crusader/.

Josiah Schmidt: What are some of FEE’s most important accomplishments?

Lawrence Reed: I don’t think one can over-estimate the contribution that FEE made by keeping the ideas of liberty alive when the world was hell-bent in the other direction. That will always the signature accomplishment of FEE in its first couple of decades.

Over the years, FEE has been the primary promoter and distributor of some important classics in the literature of liberty, such as Bastiat’s “The Law” and Hazlitt’s “Economics in One Lesson.” We’ve introduced untold thousands, including men and women who later became great economists and people of influence, to the “Austrian” school of economics. Our seminars, public presentations and debate programs instruct hundreds of eager minds every year in the moral and economic foundations of a free society. We are encouraging newcomers and old-timers in the liberty movement with our magazine, “The Freeman,” a very robust web site full of articles, commentary, and audio and video lectures (www.fee.org), a Facebook fan page, books and monographs, a vigorous program for high school and home school debaters, and an endless stream of lectures to audiences all around the country.

Josiah Schmidt: What are your top three favorite books?

Lawrence Reed: That’s a tough one. I’ve read so many that I hesitate to single out just three as my favorites. Certainly high on that list would be the books I’ve already referred to in this interview, plus the books of the New Testament, Burton Folsom’s “The Myth of the Robber Barons,” Eric Metaxas’s “Amazing Grace,” Charles Murray’s “What It Means To Be A Libertarian” and Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged.”

Let me answer your question further this way: I think a lover of liberty should regularly read more than the great works of free market economics. He should read biographies of great men and women such as William Wilberforce, David Livingstone, Harriett Tubman, Booker T. Washington, Grover Cleveland, William Ewart Gladstone and Frederick Douglass. He should read biographies of great entrepreneurs because those are the people who actually create the wealth that politicians only redistribute–at the point of a gun. He should read good history so he knows the lessons of the past, from ancient Israel through the Roman empire to the rise of America. And he should read the works of great teachers of character because without character, neither a person nor a nation is going anywhere.

I’ll take the liberty here to recommend some superb movies too: “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” “Amazing Grace,” “Cinderella Man,” “The Sound of Music,” “Chariots of Fire,” and “A Man For All Seasons,” for starters.

Josiah Schmidt: Who is the most underrated and underappreciated libertarian writer, in your opinion?

Lawrence Reed: Without a doubt, that would be economist Thomas Sowell. Among libertarians, he’s well-known and revered. He has a following beyond that because of the newspaper column he writes and the excellent books he’s authored. But if the literary world placed a premium on wisdom for the ages, it wouldbe showering him with awards. Perhaps no one has better distilled the nature of the enemy liberty faces than Sowell did in his book, “The Vision of the Anointed.”

Josiah Schmidt: Do you have a couple interesting stories to share with us from your extensive traveling abroad?

Lawrence Reed: I’ve visited nearly 70 countries on six continents since 1985, many of them several times. When I was involved in anti-communist work in the 1980s and early ‘90s, I went to the Soviet Union five times, China three times, Nicaragua five times, Poland twice, and even Cambodia. I was arrested only twice–in Poland and in Nicaragua–and only thrown out of one. That was Poland in 1986, after spending two weeks living with the anti-communist underground.

After I befriended the leader of the rebel opposition in Marxist Mozambique in 1991, a colleague and I made an incredible, surreptitious trip to that country and lived with the rebels at their bush headquarters in the midst of a devastating civil war. That was unlike just about any other trip I’ve ever made anywhere.

I’ve studied hyperinflation in Bolivia and Brazil, voodoo in Haiti, and underground movements in the old East bloc. Foreign travel is an enriching experience but after awhile, it’s a killer trying to keep up correspondence with friends you’ve made all over the place. And these days, as I approach the tender age of 60, I’m slowing down a bit.

I learned a great deal from all that travel. I’ve seen firsthand that the planned economy–socialism in all its preposterous and destructive manifestations–is a cruel joke that never works. Socialists have said that you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet, but as I’ve written in a number of places, socialists never make omelets. They only break eggs.

I’ve learned that the prism of individualism is the only way to see the world. Stereotyping a people or a nation is always a false, ignorant, and dangerous way to view them. I’ve learned that individuals are often phenomenally enterprising in the face of enormous, artificial roadblocks. I saw so much in the way of black markets and private enterprise in places where such things were repressed that I’ve come to regard much of what government does in the way of pushing people around to be utterly futile. If it’s a peaceful activity with no real victims, leave it alone.

The activists in the Polish freedom underground in the late 1980s will always be among the most interesting to me because of their perseverance in the face of the Soviet empire. I remember visiting with a couple in Poland in 1986 during martial law, Zbigniew and Sofia Romaszewski, who had just been released from prison for running an underground radio. They were active once again on behalf of freedom because it meant everything to them. I asked them many questions including, “When you were broadcasting, how did you know if people were listening?” I’ve recounted Sofia’s reply hundreds of times to audiences all over the country, and my eyes still well up every time I think of it. She said, “We could only broadcast a few minutes at a time and then had to go off the air to avoid detection, but one night we asked people to blink their lights if they were listening and were supportive of freedom for Poland. We then went to the window and for hours, all of Warsaw was blinking!”

Of all my worldly possessions I picked up on those travels, none is more valuable to me than a copy of Milton Friedman’s book, “Free to Choose,” illegally translated into Polish and printed and distributed by the Polish underground. It contains a handwritten inscription from a leading Polish freedom-fighter, thanking me for raising the money in America that made it possible.

Josiah Schmidt: What advice would you give to libertarians reading this interview?

Lawrence Reed: Anybody who has read this far might think I’ve offered too much advice already. But here’s a little more anyway: Be an optimist if you want to attract others to the cause. Follow the Golden Rule and don’t pick fights with allies, remembering than a person doesn’t have to agree with you on everything to be an ally. Consider your time on earth as a lifelong character-building exercise–own up to your faults, fix them, and be the best example you can be for all those who come into contact with you.

This little essay explains why I think character is so critical to liberty: http://www.thefreemanonline.org/columns/ideas-and-consequences-character-liberty-and-economics/

Josiah Schmidt: Anything else you’d like to say to our readers?

Lawrence Reed: Smile. Stick to your principles. Don’t ever give up. When you’re about to go to your reward some day, be able to look back on your life and say truthfully as the apostle Paul did, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

And in the meantime, if you’re on Facebook, send me a friend invite.

Josiah Schmidt: Definitely. Thanks for taking the time to share some of your wisdom with us.

[Via http://garyjohnson2012.wordpress.com]

AMERICAblog News: In Wash Post/ABC News poll, 'GOP's overall gains ...

An Interview with Robin D.G. Kelley

2010-02-09T16:53:00.000+02:00

Robin D.G. Kelley is the author of “Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original” and professor of American Studies at USC College.

What was it about Thelonious Monk that initially drew you to this project?

I’ve been fascinated with Monk’s music since I was a teenager. As a young (self-taught) piano player, I discovered Monk by way of pianist Cecil Taylor, whom I adored. From that point on I spent years trying to learn Monk’s music. I’m still learning now. But besides Monk’s work as a pianist and composer, I found the stories about his quirkiness and eccentricities quite curious. They seemed to stand in for any serious critical engagement with his music, and in many ways stories about Monk (some apocryphal) had come to define him, to the point where the alleged “weirdness” of his music was conflated with the “weirdness” of the man. I wanted to penetrate this veneer and figure out who the real Monk was, as a man, a husband, a father, a friend, an intellectual, an artist, etc.

Despite previous biographies and a documentary film, Monk still appeared to many to be an extremely obscure and mysterious figure. You had unprecedented access to Thelonious’s family and friends, as well as many home and personal recordings. Was it difficult to separate Monk’s public persona from his private one? How much of the public myth surrounding him was self-reinforced?

Access to the Monk family materials and, more importantly, to Monk’s family and closest friends was essential for discovering who Thelonious was as a person, his demons and charms, and what he was up against. After years of digging, three things became very clear: first, that the media (going back to about 1947) essentially created and kept alive the public image of Monk we’ve inherited; second, that Monk himself had a bit of an investment to maintain the image of him as eccentric or “crazy” as a strategy to protect his own identity and privacy; third, that the range of behaviors Monk exhibited cannot to attributed to any one factor, and what is often called “eccentric” is often misunderstood. His actions, as I make clear in the book, have to be understood in context; each moment is situational. Some actions were, indeed, manifestations of his bipolar disorder, and these occurrences were episodic, not representative of his day-to-day behavior. Some actions exhibited his sense of humor, it was calculated to get a laugh, or in some cases stagecraft. He knew how to entertain and when he was in the mood he would do so. Some things were cultural, such as dancing to his music. The entire world dances, both sacred and secular expressions, yet when Monk dances it is supposed to be “eccentric.” When he traveled with a faith healer as a teenager, he saw movements much like the one’s he did on stage. He also danced as a way of demonstrating rhythm, accents, and tempo—most of his sidemen have said this. Finally, some actions were acts of resistance to exploitative club owners, promoters, etc. I cite many examples where he would show up late or play very little when he thought he was being underpaid and overworked. And of course, like many human beings, he could be late if he did not think it would do any harm. In some cases, he took advantage of his friendships with others (e.g., the Termini brothers who owned the Five Spot).

But what we ought to pay attention to are all the times when his behavior was “normal,” when he played the gig and did his best, bowed to the audience, did interviews, took his kids shopping, loved his wife, sat down and composed, etc. etc. The fact that the reader is overwhelmed with a grueling itinerary that demonstrates that he played most gigs without incident is telling and ought to do more to define Monk than the stories of weirdness which are often more entertaining.

Monk is often unfairly lumped in with the innovators of be-bop. Your book does a great job of parsing out Monk’s deeper influences and interests. For me, the meeting of Coleman Hawkins and John Coltrane could only have happened within the context of Monk’s music. What is it about his compositions that makes them so uniquely eccentric yet also instantly appealing to jazz musicians of disparate generations?

As composer, no one was writing melodic lines like Monk. He often broke with the standard 16 and 32 bar song form and created a new metric and harmonic architecture for his music: “Introspection,” for example, has 36 bars and a wandering harmonic movement chock full of whole tone harmony, which very few jazz composers were building on in those days. Or take a song like “Brilliant Corners,” with its bizarre seven bar bridge, shifting tempos, melody with huge intervallic leaps. Or “Boo Boo’s Birthday,” a simple, swinging melody written in 20 bars. And of course, there is no song like “’Round Midnight,” with its insistent descending chromatic harmony, that haunting, startling melody, the sheer beauty derived from a minor tonality and rich dissonance. He also wrote many difficult songs, twisting, swift melodies that gave even the best musicians a run for their money: “ Gallop’s Gallop,” “Trinkle Tinkle,” “Work,” “Skippy.” These tunes proved so difficult, in fact, that they were often recorded once or twice and then dropped entirely.

Yet for all of Monk’s modernism, there was something very old fashioned about his playing. He comes out of stride piano, his musical fathers being James P. Johnson, Willie “the Lion” Smith, Fats Waller, etc., and he appropriated many of the “tricks” these great pianists had up their sleeves—the ability to bend notes, suspend time, turn the beat around deliberately, among other things. I think Monk simply exaggerated some of these old tricks and rather than smooth out the jagged edges, like an Art Tatum, he lived in the jagged regions of the piano.

Finally, a word about bebop. True, Monk was decidedly not a part of the “bebop” school, per se, but I do think he made an enormous contribution to the music that was ultimately bounded by this category. Monk’s contribution to harmonic developments were essential, even if he used his harmonic knowledge quite differently. He taught his peers a lot about harmony, which they ended up using. But unlike the beboppers, Monk was interested in slower tempos; in fusing older jazz ideas of improvising on the melody rather than chords; creating new architecture rather than run alternate changes over tin pan alley song form; interested more in making unique melodic statements than demonstrating virtuosity.

Thelonious strikes me as a very generous person. Musically, he gave his collaborators lots of room to grow and expand in his music. He significantly contributed to the growth of both John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins, though everyone seemed to benefit from playing with Monk. Did he see himself as a shepherd of his fellow musicians?

Perhaps less shepherd (for that implies that he has followers or a herd to care for an influence) and more teacher. He was not interested in musicians sounding like him or joining his school. Rather, he wanted to help all the musicians around him become better and find their own voice. This seemed to be the common theme of his teaching.

What role did Charlie Rouse play in stabilizing Monk’s music during his downward swing of mental and physical health? Rouse, to my ears, is one of Monk’s most sympathetic partners yet his contributions to the music feel undervalued. Do you think his decade long stint supporting Monk negatively affected his own career?

Rouse was essential from the very beginning of their collaboration. He not only built his sound and his approach to improvisation to suit Monk (building on the theme/melody of a song to structure his solos, for example), but he became the band’s unofficial music director. He made sure other band members understood what was happening, especially when Monk wasn’t talking much. He also subordinated his own ambitions—though Rouse made a few LPs as a leader during his tenure with Monk, he never had a chance to play his own compositions as a member of Monk’s band. He considered leaving several times before he finally cut out in 1970, but I think he realized he would not do much better. Sadly, Rouse ended up taking a lot of the heat when the critics turned on Thelonious in the mid to late 1960s.

What are some of your favorite Monk recordings? Do you prefer him live or in studio? Who do you feel are some of his greatest collaborators?

This is an impossible question to answer. I see all of his compositions as a complete body of work, each one having its own function and history and purpose. As a player, I love exploring “Brilliant Corners,” “Introspection,” as well as tunes like “Played Twice” and his only composed waltz, “Ugly Beauty.” These are all very different tunes, yet each tells a story. I can hardly keep back tears when I hear “Crepuscule with Nellie” because to me it is his most personal song.

Live/studio—all depends. He’s made so many great live recordings, like “Live at the It Club” and, of course, the lost tapes from Carnegie Hall, 1957 with Coltrane. I adore his Five Spot recordings with Johnny Griffin—my introduction to Monk. He has made so many great studio recordings as well, beginning with the Blue Note sides from 1947 – 1951; his gorgeous reading of “Reflections” and “More than You Know” with Sonny Rollins. For that matter, ALL of his recording with Rollins are just outstanding, even the early Prestige records. Finally, like so many I’m partial to his solo piano pieces. They are all great, even the very final recordings he made in London in 1971, in which he proves that health issues had not affected his ability to play. Finally, there are some recordings we’ve been sleeping on: his version of Ellington’s “I Didn’t Know About You” with Rouse on tenor (from Straight, No Chaser), or his hilarious trio version of “I’ll Follow You” from the Blue Note

years. I could go on.

[Via http://bopandbeyond.wordpress.com]

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Emilie de Ravin talks about 'Remember Me'

2010-02-09T04:19:00.000+02:00

Australian actress Emilie de Ravin has moved from the small screen to the big screen in the upcoming romantic drama Remember Me (out March 12).

In the movie, de Ravin (Claire on the TV smash hit Lost) plays Ally who becomes the object of affection of one brooding young man named Tyler, played by super hunk Robert Pattinson. Tyler has a strained relationship with his father a (Pierce Brosnan) due to a family tragedy and didn’t think anyone could pull him out of his funk until, he met Ally (Emilie de Ravin) through an unusual twist of fate. Love was the last thing on his mind, but as her spirit unexpectedly heals and inspires him, he begins to fall for her. Through their love, he begins to find happiness but soon, hidden secrets are revealed, and the circumstances that brought them together slowly threaten to tear them apart.

De Ravin recently spoke to Tribute’s Toni-Marie Ippolito to discuss filming Remember Me, how hard it was to concentrate with the paparazzi on set, what Robert Pattinson is really like to work with and, of course, her feelings on the final season of the hit series Lost, which made her a household name.

Congratulations on this film. It looks fantastic. So, what did you think first think about this love story?

DE RAVIN: I fell in love as soon as I read it. It’s one of those few and far between scripts that you read that you’re like, “This is just something that I would just kill to be a part of.”

I understand there were about 180 women that were up for the part and then you got it! How does that feel for you as an actor?

DE RAVIN: It’s pretty amazing. Also, they were going in a lot of different directions with the look for Ally to start with and sort of ended up, I think, the furthest from where they started [Laughs]. I’m happy though.

What was your reaction when you found out that Pierce Brosnan, a.k.a James Bond, and Robert Pattinson were going to be a part of this film?

DE RAVIN: That was, you know, even better. We’ve got a really talented cast. Pierce is playing Rob’s dad. I’ve got Chris Cooper playing my father. Lena Olin is amazing and we’ve got a wonderful little 11-year-old girl, Ruby, who’s playing Rob’s sister who’s just a sweetheart and really talented. Everyone sort of ended up working together really well too, which is, you know, difficult—especially when you’re dealing with family units.

It looks like it’s a really intense, emotional story. Can you tell me a little bit about it?

DE RAVIN: The premise for the movie is really a romantic tragedy. My character and Rob’s character both have dealt with tragedy in our family and our past and we sort of meet unexpectedly, fall in love unexpectedly and then sort of the way the circumstances that we meet basically threaten to tear us apart. It’s really about just treasuring and appreciating every moment you have with loved ones and family because you can never go back.

What do you think it is about romantic tragedies that we just love so much? They’re heart wrenching!

DE RAVIN: They are heart wrenching! And for this film specifically I think it’s just the reality of this story that people can (relate to), whether they’ve been through something tragic in their life. It’s not dealt with in a fluffy movie way, which I think a lot of stories are. It’s really gritty, it’s very honest and you know, especially the relationship with Tyler and Ally. You can be, “Yeah, I’ve been like that in my relationship before. That’s kind of how it is.” None of that sort of perfect “first this and first that.” It’s all just down to earth and real.

It’s real life stuff. Tyler’s character’s got some stuff going on, but so does Ally with her dad. Could you relate at all to this character?

DE RAVIN: Yeah. I mean, not in a specific writing sense or not in a specific circumstance of what happened to Ally. But yeah, I think I always draw from life experience when it makes sense. So there’s always little things that you can find to incorporate, I think, from your life, whether it be the exact circumstance or something similar that maybe brought up a similar emotion in you.

While you were filming, there seemed to be a lot of paparazzi around because of Robert’s fame from Twilight. How did you guys deal with that?

DE RAVIN: Um, yeah, you know, it took a little getting used to. We really shot the majority of the film on location, you know, in and around Manhattan so there’s just people everywhere anyway. It got a little hectic at times!

It must have been a bit distracting.

DE RAVIN: The first day I was sort of like, “Oh my God. How am I going to focus?” And you know there were times that we were rehearsing and you can’t even sort of think about what you’re doing. You feel all these eyes on you and you become very suddenly self-conscious about what’s going on as opposed to being in your own little world of the character.

What’s it like working with Robert Pattinson?

DE RAVIN: He’s such a nice, genuine, great guy as a person. And you know that’s always nice when you’re working with someone you get along with. [He's] very giving. We sort of worked on stuff a lot together and we’d talk about things and really developed our characters together as much as we could. And that’s a real give and take thing if you’ve got one person not wanting to do that and one that does—it sort of creates a bit of conflict. But we were both sort of on the same page with everything, which was great.

Being on the same page, did that help with your chemistry? How do you know things would work out well with the both of you? DE RAVIN: Yeah, well you know, I guess you don’t really a lot of the time, do you? I tested for this with Rob so I guess they see whether your interpretation of the character and his interpretation are going to go together. But then there’s also that you can change it up a bit too to make it work better or bring it back. It’s an interesting question because it is something that I think comes more from really just getting along with that person and liking that person as opposed to sort of someone who really annoys you.

Are there any memorable scenes that really stick out for you in this movie?

DE RAVIN: That I can talk about without giving away anything? [Laughs]. There’s a lot. I had a wonderful time. We had a lot of fun. There was one scene that I was really excited about doing with Chris (Cooper) who plays my Dad. We have a big fight and that was just such a sort of emotionally challenging, interesting theme because it was sort of one of those things that —we’re very evenly matched as our characters as father and daughter—it’s not sort of one undermines the other. So that was a lot of fun to play with. And, you know, Rob and I had a lot of fun playing together. We had a really fun sort of water fight scene. Just getting to do something like that that’s so sort of playful and fun.

Source via spunk_ransom.com and Pattinsonlife

[Via http://twilightbritneyfan.com]

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LYJ Five Questions for Katja Kullander

2010-02-07T22:08:00.000+02:00

I am pleased to kick off a new LYJ series with people who love what they do. We begin with Katja Kullander, a Swede who moved to New York a decade ago to pursue a career in music. Katja is the owner of Sing From Your Heart Music Studio where she teaches voice to people of all ages (currently students from ages 8-80!) and walks of life. I’ve known Katja for a few years and during that time I’ve heard her say on more than one occasion how much she loves her job which is why I chose her to start us off.

1. What do you love about your job?

I love my job because it is a combination of working with wonderful personalities and music in one setting. In one day I hear anything from songs by Mozart to Janis Joplin! I witness miracles every day in the field of finding your natural voice and connecting your unique sound to your heart and soul. It is a deeply touching experience to see my students beautiful transformation when it comes to opening up their voices and freedom of expression.

2. Did you always know this was the job or career path for you?

I studied voice in college and I had the opportunity to be the substitute teacher for my college professor on several occasions and I enjoyed it immensely. I got an even deeper satisfaction from teaching than performing, which really surprised me. It would take many years for me to really admit that to myself. When I work it feels very right. I am totally present in the moment feeling the beautiful flow of life and focusing on the students. It does not feel like work, it feels like life- A joyful existence!

3. What are the most important lessons you have you learned along the way?

The biggest lesson for me is realizing that even in business, like in life, there is a constant fluctuation of ebb and flow and that no matter what, you have to stick with it and keep focusing on your dream. Realizing that your own fear is not a fact and keep taking action towards your dreams will make your own doubts disappear. Our biggest enemy is usually ourself!

4. Tell us about a defining moment for you related to your work.

The defining moment for me was when I decided to branch out on my own and left the safety of a supportive music school environment. I was now on my own and had to completely rely on my self, my craft and my knowledge of business. It really was worth it taking a risk to try flying on my own! It worked!

5. What advice do you have for people looking to find work they love, in your field, or any field?

Listen to your heart! Go for it! If you don’t know what your dream is yet, look at things in your life that you love doing. Things that when you do them you are totally present to the experience and you feel blissful. Do one small thing a day to get closer to your vision. Never give up. You can accomplish anything you set your mind and heart to do. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t. Prove them wrong and yourself right. I am a true believer in “Do what you love and the money will follow”. I am certain that there is a place for everyone’s unique abilities in this world. We can all flourish together!

Learn more about Katja at her website: http://www.singfromyourheart.com

[Via http://lyjnow.wordpress.com]

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Interview: Broxter

2010-02-07T16:49:00.000+02:00

Broxter is an indie game developer from England, whose work includes Blockiliate and Ne Touchez Pas! Flash. For more of his work, you can visit his personal portfolio here.

Introduce yourself:

Hello. I’m known as Broxter (real name, Jack Brockley). I’m a seventeen-year-old student from Stoke-on-Trent in England. I’d like to think that I’m pretty intelligent. Alas, I use Twitter too much.

How did you begin making games?

I found Game Maker in February 2006 after reading a tiny paragraph about it in a UK magazine which I still read, called GamesMaster. At first I found it very difficult to use and it wasn’t until August 2008 that I finally finished my first game (which was featured on YoYo Games after being entered into the third competition) and began using GM regularly; I think this was the point when I became decent at making games and I was pretty happy with myself.

You have recently made the switch to flash. How was that and do you have any tips for others wanting to do the same?

Indeed I have. I’d been wanting (and trying) to make games in Flash for about a year. The main attractions were the possibilities of reaching so many more players (such is the nature of games run in a browser) and actually making some money. After attempting and failing with both Flash CS3 and the Flixel AS3 library, I basically gave up. I heard FlashPunk was coming but I was expecting it to be just as tricky to use as Flixel. How wrong I was. I completed the beginner’s tutorial on the first day of FlashPunk’s release and subsequently fully ported Andrew McCluskey’s Ne Touchez Pas! from Game Maker to Flash in just three weeks. I still had problems but this time I was able to satisfyingly overcome them. I would definitely recommend FlashPunk to other users of Game Maker wishing to experiment with Flash – it’s structured quite similarly and there is a great community forming already.

What are your opinions of FlashPunk?

Simply put, it’s awesome. I can’t thank Chevy Ray Johnston enough. Without FlashPunk, I’d probably have given up with Flash for good. I’ve become so interested that I’ve actually created a dedicated blog – FlashPunked.

Out of all of your projects, which one is your favorite and why?

Porting Ne Touchez Pas!, for sure. It was really fun to put Andrew’s great game in a browser and it was awesome to see how both my AS3 skills and the game improved by the day. It was also fun to keep Andrew updated and I don’t think I’ve ever worked so hard and with such little procrastination.

Are you working on projects currently? If so, do you have any information/screenshots you can share with us?

Well, I’m in the early stages of porting another (very recent) Game Maker game. I haven’t done much at all, so no screenshots. The same can be said out the game I’ve just started for the Garden Games competition over at Braingale; I’m not sure if it will be made with GM or Flash yet or even made at all. Also, I was going to enter YoYo Games’ fifth competition but that looks highly unlikely now.

Besides GML and AS3, do you program in any other languages?

If you discount VB.NET, then no, not really. However, I used AS2 when I was attempting to make Flash games with CS3 but that didn’t get very far. I’ve also dabbed in PHP and MySQL (I programmed online highscores for my latest GM game).

What do you do for inspiration for a project?

Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t get much.

Do you have any tips for future game developers/designers?

Me? Haha, no.

Anything else you would like to add?

I would like to wish you the best of luck with this website. Let the interviews commence!

Thanks again to Broxter for doing the interview

[Via http://ivgmu.wordpress.com]

Rebellion apologises for AVP demo issues News | Eurogamer

The ever elusive farmer...

2010-02-06T16:08:00.000+02:00

Today I had hoped to interview my first “new farmer”. I’d decided not to have the first profile on my friends Brian and Kate. They are ready and willing, a great story and really forward thinking. I’ll interview them eventually, but for my first interview I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone and talk to someone I know though not very well – a friend of my brother’s.

I dropped this friend a cheery note on Monday asking him if we could do the interview today. There was no response but I wasn’t entirely sure if that meant no or if he was being typically male. Is it a male-farmer thing or just a male thing where they fail to respond to an inquiry or invitation? I totally understand though, farmers rarely have a chance to check their email or perhaps something happened in the barn this morning that threw plans into the wind. I clearly did not follow through with a second email or an actual phone call either, so I’m to blame too.

I could just go ahead and interview my brother who is here at hand. But to be entirely honest, my brother terrifies me. Inevitably there would be monosyllabic answers accompanied by lots of eye rolling (though he is interesting, well read and opinionated)- the typical “what planet is she on” thought process he has towards me. I’ll do it eventually, I just have to work up my nerve.

[Via http://thenewfarmer.wordpress.com]

Perez Hilton: Even More True Blood Casting News For Season Three!

> farewell flight - new album info and desperate cries for help

2010-02-06T04:20:00.000+02:00

Farewell Flight have a blog post where they talk about their new album called “Lonesome Traveler”

1) Rope

2) Ten Steps In

3) Out for Blood

4) Turned Around

5) Low

6) Ocean Black

7) Corinth

Way Out

9) Hold Fast (feat. Matt Thiessen)

10) If You Could Only See Me Now

11) Cellar Door

12) Lonesome Traveler

Also, check it out, we had an interview with Absolute Punk that talks a little bit about us and the new record and other band-like stuff: Absolute Punk Interview

[Via http://drivebymedia.wordpress.com]

ABC News Jumps On Hulu Bandwagon

Lord Vicar (Interview)

2010-02-04T10:38:00.000+02:00

“All fled, all done, so lift me on the pyre; The feast is over, and the lamps expire.”

-Robert E. Howard (1906-1936)

Doom Metal fanatics who are still mourning the break- up of the legendary Reverend Bizarre can finally rejoice! Lord Vicar is here to quench your addiction for titanic riffs and vintage Hyperborean grooves. We ‘re not talking about some lame copyists who are trying to re- create the sound of the past here. The members of Lord Vicar are seasoned veterans: Peter Inverted (Reverend Bizarre, Orne), Chritus (Saint Vitus, Count Raven), Jussi “Iron Hammer” Myllykoski and Gareth Millsted (Centurions Ghost). They released an EP, “The Demon Of Freedom” in 2008. The song lyrics were based on the novel Sudenmorsian (The Wolf Bride), by Aino Kallas. Their new album is called “Fear No Pain” and is out on The Church Within Records. Peter has the details for us…

http://www.myspace.com/lordvicar

Interview by Dimitris Kontogiannis

CB: What artists and bands were more influential during the making of your album?

LV: It always begins and ends with 1970s Black Sabbath, and spices are thrown from the classic doom metal bands, such as Pentagram, Saint Vitus, Trouble, Witchfinder General and The Obsessed.

CB: Members of Lord Vicar have played in several legendary doom metal bands. Were you at all worried about being compared with that legacy?

LV: Not worried. I looked and still look upon it as a token of us being able to take care of our individual tasks within the group. We are just part of a tradition, just like before, but also do look forward to do our own thing.

CB: Was it a conscious decision to record an old- school doom album (as opposed to the sludgier sound that one can hear in Southern Lord releases), or was it something that just happened while jamming in the studio?

LV: We don’t jam too much, we rather arrange things pretty far even before rehearsing. This is necessary as we live in three countries. We never wanted to play sludge in the first place, we are a heavy metal band in the old style. But we are not trying to mimic the sound of the 70s or the 80s, when it comes to production, I think our sound is different, thicker and heavier than that. But we want to preserve a certain warm feeling and straightforwardness in it.

CB: Who had the idea for The Demon Of Freedom EP? Are you fans of the work of Aino Kallas?

LV: That EP was a long time dream of mine. Kallas’ novel The Wolf’s Bride is one of my favourite books, because of the arcane storytelling and powerful language. Even when the story is mythical it is very much an allegory of certain kind of relationships, between lovers but also when it comes to our lost connection with the nature.

CB: You recently appeared at the Doom Shall Rise festival, along with Pagan Altar, Wino, The Lamp Of Thoth and others. Was that fun? Do you have any specific touring plans for the rest of the year?

LV: Yes, I completely loved playing the festival and I guess we all enjoyed that one. So many great bands, indeed the mentioned being my highlights, along with Revelation, who we toured with before the fest, Procession from Chile, Lord of the Grave, another tour mate, and so on… Since then we have done just a few gigs, most noteworthy being Hell’s Pleasure fest, again in Germany, where we had the chance to witness the first gig of Pentagram in Europe. THAT was glorious!!! We will do one more tour this year before concentrating on the recording plans for a few split vinyls, we do week 43 with The Gates of Slumber in Germany, Belgium and England. After parting ways with TGoS brothers we move to Dutch Doom Days to do our closer of the tour. They stay in England and do Damnation fest.

Oh, we do have a couple of dates in Finland one week later, first in Turku, and then in Metal Warning Festival in Kouvola, where mighty Manilla Road is headlining – yet another thing to look forward to.

CB: Is it difficult to be involved with several bands at the same time (eg, Lord Vicar, Orne, etc)?

LV: Yes, very very difficult. I also have two children and a time-consuming day job, so I really have to struggle with schedules sometimes. Besides the mentioned two bands I am also involved in E-Musikgruppe LuxOhr, and also plan to record some acoustic songs under the pseydonym Frater Moles.

CB: What music are you listening to these days?

LV: I am right now trying to get into four amazing new albums, Count Raven’s Mammon’s War, Slough Feg’s Ape Uprising, Memory Driven’s Relative Obscurity, and Argus’ self-titled debut. Besides metal I am going through another Leonard Cohen phase now, his early albums are essential. And some Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Neil Young and Scott Walker as well. As I am now trying to finish the recordings of Orne’s 2nd full length, The Tree of Life, I am unable to listen to further progressive stuff…

CB: What’s next for Lord Vicar?

LV: Now that the glorious vinyl version of Fear No Pain album is out, we concentrate on the mentioned gigs, and then we rehearse and record three songs for forthcoming split vinyls. After that, I guess, we look into 2010 with hopefully some more shows – if anyone out there is interested, just write to lordvicar@hotmail.com – and planning the 2nd full length Signs of Osiris. Check us out at http://www.myspace.com/lordvicar. I also frequent in Reverend Bizarre forum still, so that’s another place for Lord Vicar info and questions: http://www.hellridemusic.com/reverendbizarre/.

Thanks for the interview, it was a pleasure. Hope people will come to the shows and feel the burden and glow of our music. Fiat Ars, Pereat Mundus!

[Via http://crowsnbones.com]

News Corp. Returns To Profit; Newspapers/Info Segment Rose Nearly ...

Interview: John Travolta And The From Paris With Love Team

2010-02-04T04:51:00.000+02:00

When John Travolta enters a room, time stops. Okay, not literally, but the guy’s got an unprecedented presence to match his extraordinary film career. Luckily he came in with a full head of hair rather than sporting a shiny bald melon like his character inFrom Paris With Love, Charlie Wax. Could you imagine how overwhelming that would have been? Still, between Travolta and co-stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Kasia Smutniak as well as director Pierre Morel and writer Luc Besson, the room was filled with a tremendous amount of talent.

From Paris with Love is a thriller about an eccentric and trigger-happy spy (Travolta) who whisks away his more docile young apprentice on an assignment to stop a terrorist attack. It’s as intense as it sounds. There’s bullets flying, bad guys dying and even a cocaine shower. Check out what the group said about designing John’s unconventional character, working in Paris, a Travolta family cameo and more.

Click here to read the interview.

[Via http://littlemisscritical.com]

Google News Adds Stars | ISEdb.COM

INTERVIEW: Alexandra Perlin (Alex Perlin Graphic Design & Illustration)

2010-02-02T10:26:00.000+02:00

Please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about what you do.

My name is Alex Perlin and I’m a fashion illustrator and graphic designer. I started my company, Alex Perlin Graphic Design & Illustration in 2009. I began with custom design jobs and a line of illustrated stationary products including greeting cards and books.

As a start-up entrepreneur I get to do a bit of everything through my business: from web design to illustrating kid’s stories to marketing and sales. My training is in fashion communication (I’m in my last year at Ryerson), and my biggest focus is on fashion illustration. You can definitely see that influence in my style.

What motivated you to start your business?

I first got asked to do a couple of odd design jobs in my second year of school and really loved the idea of being able to create art that helped to explain, promote or inform other people’s ideas. Those first jobs really helped me to figure out what I liked best about design. From that the challenge of running my own business became really appealing.

How did you start?

In trying to come up with a way to distribute my work, I started checking out art shows and festivals. I signed up for my first art show in 2008 with my first collection of zodiac greeting cards, illustrated agendas and original paintings.

I was able to get feedback from customers directly, which really helped me to figure out what people liked about the collection and gave me a chance to make improvements right away. Getting that feedback and talking to other artists motivated me to take the steps to get my business going by starting wholesale distribution, getting involved in bigger shows and promoting my design services.

What studies or personal qualities have best helped you with the start-up of your business?

There are the obvious characteristics like motivation and a strong work ethic, but I think what’s most important is that the business is something that you genuinely care about and want to develop. If it is, then you’ll be able to look at it critically and really make improvements.

Who are some of your biggest influences? What are some of your inspirations when designing something?

Right now, I’m really interested in interiors, textiles, typography, and illustration. My studio is filled with magazines, flea market finds, scraps of paper, brochures, fabric, and whatever else I can find.

For the Holiday greeting card collection, I took inspiration from 1950s advertising, antiques and late 40s/50s fashion. Those inspirational pieces have so much character. They are elegant, romantic and a bit kitschy.

Who have been your biggest supporters thus far?

I received a lot of support from people in the community, both in Kingston and Toronto. My friends and family have been the most important supporters. They’ve seen and encouraged my work at every stage of process and have been really generous with their time.

How have you built your brand?

My products are designed to be fun and feminine, while the graphic design is custom and very versatile. I had a challenge finding a way to connect these ideas in developing a brand. I love working with people and really enjoy doing what I do. That was also an important message to get across.

Starting with logo graphics, I came up with a concept that was clean and simple, that used colour (hot pink) to describe the brand personality. I kept the concept consistent through the website (alexperlin.com), blog, the look of my booth at shows, the packaging of the products, and everything else. The brand’s look will develop as the company and product line grows, but the experience will stay the same.

Besides illustrations are you involved in any other projects / ventures?

I get to work in a lot of different areas of design. In the past couple of months I’ve been doing a lot of website design. Amana Canada’s new site was recently launched and is one that I designed with Mediaboot Productions.

What upcoming releases, projects, or events are you working on?

Right now, I’m working on a couple of graphics jobs including a website for three fashion boutiques in Kingston, Catwalk, Cybil Scott, and Coquetta. This project has been really amazing because I get to incorporate illustration, graphic design, and fashion.

I’m putting a lot of energy into my thesis project for school this term. This is my last semester at Ryerson and the workload is really heavy. I’ve got some small projects happening on the side, but most of the new ideas for my business will have to wait until after graduation.

What are your plans for the future?

For the next couple of months, I’m focused on finishing my program at Ryerson. After that, the goal is to continue learning and growing with this industry.

Thanks for taking the time to speak with us Alex. Do you have any last words or shout-outs?

Thank you to everyone who has been supportive of my business this past year.

[Via http://thegoodiebag.wordpress.com]

ABC News Specials Breakdown: America's Health Insurance Crisis ...

TVF Interview! (Feat. Sam Parsons/ the bass player of The Venetia Fair)

2010-02-02T04:28:00.000+02:00

Do you each have personal favorite tracks off of “Circus”? If so, examples? I know I ALWAYS enjoy listening to “A Man Like Me.” Also, “The Ringleader.”

Who’s idea was to incorporate the circus theme? I think it was Benny who first came up with the idea of making a circus… Sam Parsons aka “The actual reference to ‘man’ in the dictionary”: Up close and personal! I have noticed a prevalent circus concentration in your showmanship and your music video, “Ringleader.” Has the circus theme always been present in your music? We named our band The Venetia Fair from the beginning, so a circusy kind of attitude was always implied I think. And the way we like to perform is crazy, so that makes it circusy too, I guess. So we didn’t start off with circus stuff, but we got there eventually and naturally. Took us a while to figure out it was what we were trying to do all along. If the band was a family, who would be considered the parents? There are no parents. Mom and dad aren’t home. NO RULES! Who, in the current music business, do you emulate? Motely Crue. We live by the credo, WWTCD? “What Would The Crue Do?” What are your all time favorites? My all time favorite whats? Things to eat? Cheese. Waffles. The recently discontinued Pepperidge Farm cookie The Lido. Also eggs. What’s my all time favorite fabric? Fleece, obviously. What is my all time favorite place in the country? THE BEANTOWN OF COURSE

Who do people often pair you with, as far as fellow musicians? I’d say we most typically get compared to Foxy Shazam, Panic! at the Disco, My Chemical Romance and The Blood Brothers. How close does that radical persona mirror your regular nature? I’d say that the us you see on stage is NOT far off from the real us. Not at all

You guys appear kind of rambunctious in your music video, how much of your radical personality would you say is part of your daily appearance?

I’d say 100%. 101% even.

Are you all twenty-somethings? Well, Joe is just 20. No something about it. But that changes in March.

Well, thank you so much for this opportunity! THANK YOU!

[Via http://indietoaster.wordpress.com]

NBC News Dominant Despite Network Woes

The Silent League, The Growlers and Dr. Dog @ Westcott Theater (Photos, Review, Video, Interview)

2010-01-31T16:06:00.000+02:00

Justin Russo (foreground) and Shannon Fields of The Silent League supporting The Growlers and Dr. Dog. MORE photos below the cut!

PREVIEW: VISIT The Silent League, The Growlers and Dr. Dog on MySpace

VIDEO: WATCH a 20 Watts Video production of The Silent League live (coming soon!)

A night of psychedelic indie rock drenched the Westcott last night with space-y chamber pop from The Silent League, floral blues-punk with a Southern drawl from The Growlers and straightforward, hook-heavy hard rock from Dr. Dog. Idiosyncrasy and quirk came to mind throughout the show, whether the crowd was dancing to the groove-based rhythm from The Growlers, peering into the massive sunglasses of Dr. Dog’s guitarist or watching The Silent League members play multiple instruments at the same time.

Dr. Dog, the headlining act, played the simplest and tightest show, entertaining the crowd consistently and impressing the audience with nary a pause in between songs except to joke about their day off the next day. “What is there to do in this town? You guys got a zoo or something?” bassist Toby Leaman joked before commenting on the weather. The band interspersed their set with newer songs — likely to appear on their upcoming album Shame, Shame (due out April 6, 2010) – and fan favorites.

However, while Dr. Dog appealed to the audience gathered, judging from last night’s show, expectations for their latest record have little reason to stay high. Though they’ve always been a band to eschew full-blown experimental psychedelia, Dr. Dog’s failed to play any newer songs last night that sounded much different from their career standards. Despite their performance’s energy — and between the lead guitarist Scott McMicken’s dancing around stage with a set of bells and Leaman’s preaching-to-the-crowd-using-his-hands style of singing there was a lot of it! — it did not hint at new territories for the band.

The Growlers, complete with fur hats and multicolored flowers adorning the stage and instruments, exemplified idiosyncrasy for its own sake last night. Between their sardonic Southern accents and throwaway comments in-between songs like encouragements to singles in the crowd to hook up, not to mention references to partaking of illicit substances, it was difficult to take The Growlers seriously. In all likelihood they might not want to be. Calling each other “rocker dudes” and making “Who Let the Dogs Out” jokes about the following band almost got in the way of their folksy, grooving ’shroom rock. The swaying crowd didn’t seem to mind until halfway through their set, though.

The Silent League, while not the most riveting band of the night — they opened and most crowd members were there for Dr. Dog — still put on the most diverse performance. For the most part The Silent League used their time well and played straight through their set without much banter. Their electronic manipulations, handled by four of the six bandmates, all of which played different instruments as well throughout, accentuated each song and left the crowd not knowing what to do except clap. 20 watts was lucky enough to sit down with them for an interview. Read that here (coming soon!).

Last night was an exciting night for psychedelia, and all of the bands performed well, despite any extra-musical inclinations that may have delayed or distracted from the music itself. But performance is about looks as well, whether you’re wearing over-sized, solar-eclipse sunglasses or a fur hat larger than your head. Either way, each band entertained the crowd, even if one of them did hold up the charade that they were from Texas just to get jokes out of it.

Tonight the Westcott Theater hosts a Haiti Benefit series of multiple artists. Check back at 20 Watts soon for more Westcott coverage!

– Story by Eric Vilas-Boas

– Photos by Isabel Alcantara

[Via http://20watts.wordpress.com]

Namco to distribute Fallout: New Vegas in Europe | News

These Are Thoughts

2010-01-31T04:42:00.000+02:00

I came home to Matt DeBenedictis’s CONGRATULATIONS! THERE’S NO LAST PLACE IF EVERYONE IS DEAD and the only bad thing I can say about it is I wanted more of DeBenedictis’s brand of mayhem in my pocket. However, it is a fist of brilliance and the extras you get with the book are equally superb. The price based on the production quality, content, and the bonus material is a steal. The awesomely sad thing is only 50 copies exist. Go here to buy it before it becomes extinct. It’ll be the best $5 bucks you’ve spent this decade.

Had a show last Thursday in Indianapolis at Lazy Daze Coffee House and it went o.k. I was a little awkward because I didn’t rehearse enough but I think the people liked me, not enough to buy books though. If I could convert applause or awkward silence into currency, I would.

Interesting symmetry: the host of the open mic at Lazy Daze kept coming up to do poems because no one else was really coming up to perform and that kind of thing looks desperate to an audience. Later, a poet at my slam decided to do an impromptu feature because no one came to the slam that night, much to my surprise; that also looks desperate to an audience. There’s a certain dignity of going away quietly, something I’ve learned the hard way in a couple of my shows during the mini-tour.

Speaking of tour: this muppet invades Manhattan in a week at the following places

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 7 2010 4 PM CAKESHOP 152 LUDLOW STREET NYC – LAUNCH PARTY for WHEN YOU SAY ONE THING BUT MEAN YOUR MOTHER by melissa broder

with j. bradley and joseph riippi

(sidebar: yes it is the SuperBowl – however the three of us together does not happen once a year – it happens as much as a unicorn ejaculates in your food: almost never)

Monday, February 8 @ 7pm: Saturn Series Poetry Reading Nightingale Lounge 213 East 13th Street, at 2nd Ave. – $3.00 Donation $10 Minimum at the Bar.

The former set gives me only 15 minutes to work with and I go first. The latter set gives me more time. No two sets will be alike to come check out both if you can.

Tuesday, I am not doing a show. I am doing something semi-touristy and awesome: the missus and I are going to see A View From the Bridge, the Arthur Miller revival at The Cort Theatre. I’ve seen musicals on Broadway before but never a play and my wife’s a huge fan of Miller so it’s a win-win for the both of us. I would have gone to the Bowery for the slam but this is way cooler (no offense, BPC).

Finally, check out PANK’s blog. I’m writing the interviews this month. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

[Via http://iheartfailure.net]

Facebook Wants To Be Your News Source | WebProNews

The Magic Wanda Jackson

2010-01-30T16:40:00.000+02:00

Here’s a from-the-vault interview you probably didn’t expect to see on this blog: one with rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson. Online for the first time, the 2003 conversation revolved around Elvis Presley, Elvis Costello – and the Cramps too.

With Jackson’s new single – a double-covers record featuring Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good” and Johnny Kidd and the Pirates’ “Shakin’ All Over” – dropping this week on Jack White’s Third Man Records, the chat seems worth revisiting. After all, Jackson enjoyed the conversation and article so much that she sent along a thank-you note afterward.

Here’s the interview (and go here for the full transcript):

—

It’s not every day you hear a still-active musician say, “It was Elvis Presley who got me into playing rockabilly.” But that’s exactly what indestructible country legend Wanda Jackson tells ICE during a conversation about her new album, Heart Trouble.

Fifty-two years into her career, the Queen of Rockabilly continues to tour all over the world – 2003 has seen her grace Europe four times and Japan once already.

Jackson’s recording habits, however, have been far less consistent: Heart Trouble, touching down September 23 on bluegrass label CMH, is her first set of domestically issued studio material since 1984’s Rock & Roll Away Your Blues. (She has, however, recorded a handful of Europe-only albums since then, and last year saw the release of a new live disc, The Wanda Jackson Show: Live and Still Kickin’.)

About half the songs are newly written; half are staples of Jackson’s live set. The full list, with the eclectic array of featured guests in parentheses: “Heart Trouble,” “Cash on the Barrelhead,” “Funnel of Love” (The Cramps), “Woman Walk Out the Door” (Rosie Flores and Stray Cats bassist Lee Rocker), “Crying Time” (Elvis Costello, Attractions drummer Pete Thomas, Cracker bassist Davey Faragher and Doobie Brothers pedal steel guitarist John McFee), “Mean Mean Man,” “It Happens Every Time” (Dave Alvin), “Riot in Cell Block #9” (The Cramps), “Anytime You Wanna Fool Around,” “Hard Headed Woman,” “Lonely for You” (Alvin), “What Gives You the Right (to Do Me Wrong),” “Rockabilly Fever” (Alvin), “Anytime You Wanna Fool Around,” “Hard Headed Woman,” “Lonely for You,” “What Gives You the Right (to Do Me Wrong),” “Rockabilly Fever,” “It’ll Be Me,” “Walk with Me” and “Let’s Have a Party.”

Other notable musicians provide backing parts to many of the songs: her touring band, The Cadillac Angels, Beck guitarist Smokey Hormel, Michael Jackson backup singer Seidah Garrett and Tom Waits partners Stephen Hodges (guitar), Larry Taylor (bass) and Oz Fritz (engineer).

Recording on analog and utilizing vintage microphones, producer John Wooler (Willie Nelson, Counting Crows) and Jackson began laying down basic tracks to Heart Trouble in mid-January, bringing in other musicians when appropriate. Although Jackson recorded the duets “Crying Time” and “Woman Walk Out the Door” with Costello and Flores, respectively, other guests were invited into the studio after Jackson had completed her vocal parts. Every song put to tape was used on the album.

“We had to come up with a different sound this time, rather than just have her re-record classics that were already there,” Wooler explains to ICE. “Especially with all the reissue albums right now … if you want her classic sound, you can find it.”

Wooler is referring to the shower of Bear Family and Capitol vault items that have arisen in recent times, endowing Jackson with late-career hipster status a la R.L. Burnside. In fact, it was acclaimed Bear Family boxes Right or Wrong and Tears Will Be the Chaser for Your Wine that piqued the interest of another famous Elvis: Costello.

Jackson recalls: “When he walked into the studio, my husband took out one of the box sets … Elvis looked at it and said, ‘Oh, I already have that. And I have the second one, too.’ And I’m thinking, ‘My goodness, that means he had to pay for them!’ So I felt like we were real soul mates. He’s like putting on an old pair of house shoes.”

Wooler touches on striking collaborators The Cramps as well: “With them, the appeal was something for the younger crowd, but something that still has depth and quality. It’s psychobilly meet traditional country.”

With only one original song on the album (“Mean Mean Man,” one of the first songs Jackson ever recorded) and five decades’ worth of live favorites to mine, the remaining tracks see Jackson tinkering with tunes by Carl Perkins (“Rockabilly Fever”), The Louvin Brothers (“Cash on the Barrelhead” from ’56) and Jack Clement (“It’ll Be Me,” performed by Gerry & The Pacemakers in ’65 and made famous by Jerry Lee Lewis in ’69). “Hard Headed Woman” is a classic Claude DeMetrius tune Presley performed with The Jordanaires on the ’58 soundtrack to his last black-and-white film, “King Creole.”

Jackson has performed many of these vintage numbers on the road for years, and originally tracked three songs – “Mean Mean Man,” “Hard Headed Woman” and “Let’s Have a Party” – in the early ’60s.

As for the Perkins selection, for which she named a Swedish release in 1985, she notes: “I’ve been using that for an opener for several years. I worked with Carl in the ’50s … we’re old buddies. We toured Europe in the early ’90s, and he sang this in his show. I think it really says what I’m wanting to say: ‘Rockabilly fever is coming back again.’”

Newly penned tracks do populate the disc, though, including “Woman Walk Out the Door” and “What Gives You the Right,” co-written by Flores, and “Walk with Me,” a song scribed for Jackson by Flores collaborator James Intveld. Jaime Hanna of The Mavericks co-wrote “Anytime You Wanna Fool Around.”

Jackson emphasizes the Flores contributions in particular: “She was the first person I invited to be on the album,” Jackson states. “In 1995, she invited me to sing two songs on her new album at the time [Rockabilly Filly]. And that’s what started the whole revival for me in America.”

As to whether or not the 65-year-old hopes to further her renaissance, Jackson remarks: “My career has taken off the last 20 years in a way I never would have believed. Anything can happen. I’m ready for whatever.”

Originally published as “Wanda’s New Waxing” in ICE #198, September 2003.

[Via http://thebadpennyblog.wordpress.com]

Facebook Gets Deeper into Real-Times News with “News” List Push

Talking to Michael DeLucia

2010-01-30T04:26:00.000+02:00

Question: Tell me about your exhibit ”Community”

Community was an exhibition sculptures composed of objects that I had seen around my neighborhood through which I recognized some abstraction. The works in the show were an exploration of how I could make this more explicit by removing the usual context that we know them through and introducing other forms or objects to create a new frame of reference. Community refers both to my own community, the environment where I discovered the objects, and to the idea that we coexist with abstracts in reality, forming a community in the human mind between ideas of reality and abstraction.

Of Primitive Means,09

Community,09

Racecar, 09

[Via http://artczar.wordpress.com]

Facebook Wants To Be Your News Source | WebProNews

And Tell Me That You Love Me

2010-01-28T16:05:00.000+02:00

Two Joe Jonas interviews he did with 107.3 yesterday, January 27. In the first he talks about his work with Special Olympics and Best Buddies. The second is more interview type, Joe is asked what it’s like to hear song on the radio written about him, his style, and which brother he would road trip with.

He looks so cute and I love that showed his support in Washington, DC for the Special Olympics.

[Via http://beautifulballad.wordpress.com]

Red Hat News | Oracle's Java Opportunity

Important Voices: JohnsonForAmerica.com interviews Bill Hunt, candidate for Sheriff of Orange County, CA

2010-01-28T10:00:00.000+02:00

This is interview #6 in JohnsonForAmerica.com’s “Important Voices” series, where we talk with key figures, such as elected officials, candidates, authors, commentators, and policy experts, about the issues of the day. A new interview is released every Monday and every Thursday, so check back often!

———–

Our guest for today’s Important Voices interview is Bill Hunt. Bill is a candidate for Sheriff of Orange County, CA. He got his start in law enforcement by joining the US Army as an MP at the age of 17. After serving in the military, Bill joined the Orange County Sheriff Department. He rose through the ranks, obtaining a diverse background within the department’s divisions, including jails, patrol, investigations, training, narcotics, gang enforcement and SWAT, supervision and management. Bill served as Chief of Police for the city of San Clemente, and was also responsible for the Tri-Cities Directed Enforcement Team. In December, 2006, Bill retired from the Sheriff’s Department and founded OC Detectives, Inc., a full service private investigations agency. Bill and his wife Debbie have four children and live in Laguna Hills.

Josiah Schmidt: Thanks for joining us, Bill. What compelled you to enter elective politics?

Bill Hunt: As a career law enforcement officer I took my oath of office and the law enforcement code of ethics seriously, I was compelled to run for sheriff in 2006 to offer an alternative to the corrupt Carona administration. I believe that those in public office should be held to a high standard, especially the person occupying the most powerful law enforcement office in the county! I was committed to restoring integrity to the leadership of the sheriff’s department. That commitment cost me my career.

Josiah Schmidt: What do you offer that your opponents do not?

Bill Hunt: I am the only candidate that has worked inside the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. In my 21 1/2 year career with the department I worked the jails, patrol, investigations, recruit training, SWAT, special investigations, supervision and management. I know that organization from the ground up. I had the support and endorsement of the rank and file in 2006 and again in 2008 during the appointment processes to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of the former sheriff. that support will be necessary to institute meaningful reform. I garnered nearly 100,000 votes in 2006 and have built county wide support for my candidacy. Public support will be important to institute meaningful reform. I am the only candidate committed to defending our constitutionally protected rights, including the right to keep and bear arms and have been on record about that since 2005. I have a plan to restore badly needed fiscal reform in the department that will decrease costs and increase service and performance. I am the only candidate who had worked in our jail system and I have a plan to institute badly needed reform in our jails.

Josiah Schmidt: What issues, related to the office you are seeking, do Californians care about most?

Bill Hunt: They want a sheriff who understands the authority of the office and will defend their rights. Californian’s are increasingly concerned with erosion of their individual liberties by the federal government and they should be! All we need to do is look to how the federal government crippled farming and drove unemployment in the central valley to more than 40% to protect the Delta Smelt. If I were sheriff up there I would have placed armed deputies at the turn off point and refused to allow the federal government access to turn off the water. We are losing our rights because those we elect to represent us are voluntarily surrendering their authority to the federal government. It’s time we started electing people who understand the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the authority of their office and will exercise that authority on our behalf when necessary. I am committed to doing exactly that. A close second is financial responsibility. The Sheriff’s department budget is $800 million. In these difficult times, Orange County told the appointed Sheriff to cut 3% of the budget. She waited 8 months to find a mere 3 cents on the dollar and her plan was to fire cops. I have a plan to streamline the bloated bureaucracy, cut wasteful spending and enhance service and performance for our citizens that includes reforming our jails, reforming drug treatment and medical services, feeding inmates in their cells, stopping senior leaders from spiking their pensions and eliminating take home cars for non-first responders for starters!

Josiah Schmidt: What candidate qualities are most important to Californians?

Bill Hunt: I believe that party affiliation is now secondary to the values of the candidate. In the past people were content to vote along party lines with very little research of the candidates. Many times, we simply followed establishment endorsements. But when We the People abdicate our responsibility to elect qualified leaders and leave it to the incumbent politicians, it is no surprise that corruption, abuse and mismanagement is the result. We are experiencing that at the national, state, county and local levels of government today. It’s time to stop reelecting people who say they support our values and start electing those who prove they will. We have to stop looking to slick talking career politicians and start electing practical, strong, principled leaders to all elected offices.

Josiah Schmidt: What do you see as the purpose of the office of Sheriff?

Bill Hunt: To protect our rights and ensure our safety.

Josiah Schmidt: What is the biggest change or reform you would like to make as Sheriff?

Bill Hunt: First and foremost, I will defend our Constitutional rights, starting with the right to keep and bear arms. My first day in office I will institute a policy that will ensure that any applicant who is a law abiding resident of the county, meets state mandated requirements and is not prohibited by law from possessing a firearm can obtain a concealed weapons permit. My policy will be that personal protection is sufficient justification to meet the state standard of good cause.

Josiah Schmidt: As an experienced law enforcement official, what is your opinion on the possibility that California might legalize marijuana in the next election?

Bill Hunt: It is the job of the sheriff to support and uphold the laws of the state. As it stands now, medical marijuana is legal in this state by a vote of the people. It is not the job of the sheriff to try to circumvent the will of the people by collaborating with the federal government. If marijuana is legalized I will treat it just like any other legal activity such as the use of alcohol. Responsible alcohol consumption is not a violation of the law. However, use by minors, driving under the influence, etc., are violations of law and they are enforced.

Josiah Schmidt: How did you come to hold such a liberty-oriented philosophy?

Bill Hunt: I have always been very patriotic and have a great love for this country and our freedoms. I am an Army veteran. My father, mother and brothers are all military veterans. I come from a family dedicated to public service and that has contributed greatly to my perspective that service is synonymous with sacrifice. Real and meaningful change has never come about without a good measure of both. I don’t feel like I can sit around and complain if I’m not willing to fight for the change in leadership this country and the office of the sheriff needs. I believe that we have the greatest system of government in the world and that we have failed it. It’s time to make that right for our children and future generations.

Josiah Schmidt: Anything else you’d like to say to our readers?

Bill Hunt: There is a lot of excitement around our campaign right now but as you can see from the recent senate race results in Massachusetts, the opposition is not going to lay down. If my values are your values, I need your help! We need people to get involved, contribute to the campaign, tell their friends, families, neighbors and co-workers to get involved. Wishing won’t get anything done, we need committed volunteers who will take our message to the people of Oranges County and wrest control of the Office of the Sheriff from the clutches of misguided local politicians and return it to the elected will of the people!

Josiah Schmidt: Where can people go to find out more about you and contribute to your campaign?

Bill Hunt: www.billhuntforsheriff.com

Josiah Schmidt: Can’t wait to see you in office. Thanks so much, Lt. Hunt. It’s been a pleasure.

[Via http://garyjohnson2012.wordpress.com]

Public Policy Polling: Fox leads for trust

Representing Youth Notes - Chap 1

2010-01-26T16:51:00.000+02:00

Citation:

Best, Amy (ed.). Representing Youth: Methodological Issues in Critical Youth Studies. New York: New York University Press. 2006.

First off I have made a note that it is important to establish that the object of my research is the process of creating content, and the population is my partner in the research.

“a variant of developmentalism can be used as a flexible guide rather than as a blueprint. …developmental models can be used to recognize that research participants within certain contexts are at ages that may roughly indicate language, experience, and cognitive skills that may guide the creation of interview questions, questionnaires…. we can draw on generalized knowledge that has been created about young people’s locations without letting the knowledge rigidly determine tools to shape a study.” (p. 42-43)

Much of this work is about balancing a respect for the intellectual positioning of youth and their ability to be active participants in describing their process with the academic positioning of the researcher – that the researcher [I] does not presume that teens cannot intellectually participate based on developmental stages, or ‘dumb down’ the questions in such a way that is patronizing to teens or positions the data collection in such a way that rich data is not gathered. Actually this isn’t a position I am that concerned with, I came to my research question because I felt that teens were not being well-respected as users of information, and I was interested in challenging that notion. It is an assumption I begin with – teens are more critical, thoughtful users of information than research and practitioners have believed.

“a constructionist position recognizes the features of childhood and adolescence have been shpaed, identified, and given priority within our cultural landscape, a landscape that includes developmental approaches whose dominance has shaped he very skills and experiences of young people involved in research )Caputo, 1995, Lesko, 1996). ….. may be in different cognitive locations … but it is how (or whether) such differences get shaped, prioritized, framed, or represented that concerns researchers. ” (p. 43-44).

This is the sticky wicket – contexts are not walled off from one another and the totality of experience influences knowledge so the more developmental approaches in formal learning environments impact the experiences and process of learning in informal environments. It also impacts participants views of self-efficacy, and descriptions of process, as well as my lens through viewing learning and how I construct the experience through analysis.

James, Jenks, and Prout suggest that research on the child has conceptualized the child in four distinct ways. (p.44)

Socially developing child – abilities gradually develop toward the ideal norm of childhood. (p. 44)
tribal child – ‘ acknowledges children’s different social status in celebration of the relative autonomy of the cultural world of the child’ – invokes a conceptualization of children’s cultures as the Other. (p. 44) …. in danger of treating young people’s cultures as separate and exotic. (p. 45)
Minority group child – envisions children as ‘competent participants in shared, but adult-centered world’(James, Jenks, and Prout 1998:184), a world in which they are oppressed. It recognizes power inequalities … recognizes them as embedded within broader institutional structures, but it downplays their agency as participants, …and possibility … have their own cultures. (p. 46)
Socially constructed child – recognizes that there is no essential child… young people are part of shifting social structures. …constructed through history, material conditions, and dominant discourses. … have different (rather than inferior) knowledge, abilities, and areas of strength. (p. 46)

A common feature to [3 & 4] is an emphasis on power and inequality. (p. 47)

At this point it should be no surprise that I locate my research within the theoretical construct of the socially constructed child. The public, and academic discourse, that surrounds teens is experienced by them as well, internalized in a manner that allows them to construct identity within that discourse. I am thinking concretely of the fear discourse that surrounds social media and how it has been internalized, and not necessarily examined by teens I have interviewed.

With adolescence, power relations may become more complicated because teenagers are in a social position that shifts frequently between areas of dependence and independence. (p. 47)

…in research with adolescents, young people’s dependence, low social status, lack of access to institutional resources, and different social skills tip the balance in favor of the researcher. (p. 48)

teenagers are routinely subject to discourses that construct them as being at-risk, as social problems, and as incomplete, discourses that are in turn used in their regulation and control (particularly in schools) and that provide them with little room in which to represent themselves. (p. 48)

… danger in framing structural inequalities in terms of young people’s vulnerability, victimhood, and incompetence, all of which ignore their agency, fail to identify the ways that children and adolescents control access to their worlds, and undermine the ability of young people to represent themselves (p. 48)

Again the responsibility of allowing teens to construct themselves, to not overlay a structural concept on them – even one that can be positioned as advocacy (giving voice to the voiceless by positioning them as powerless in constructing their process).

Interesting reminder: We must be cautious not to assume we know in advance what configurations power will take. (p. 48)

shared identification – may facilitate access, increase levels of trust allowed for shared understanding of language and culture. (p. 49) may generate false perceptions of a common outlook or similar interpretations of a social pattern. (p. 50)

The shared identification that goes beyond race, gender, and the fact that I was once a teen (a concept that I will probably address further in notes) is 2fold. The first is our shared connection to the school they attend, and that I used to work at. I have insider knowledge of the school culture, as well as the school curriculum. In some ways this works for me – connections with teachers allows me to extend interviews, make connections with teens who create content, and build common ground. It also works against me – my relationships with teachers may inhibit how much they are willing to share. Even though my focus is on outside of school work – when discussing learning it is inevitable that school becomes a topic. My insider knowledge of curriculum is also a double edge sword. On one hand I can place their conversation within context, on the other I may tend to view their personal work through the lens of what the may have encountered/learned within a particular curriculum.

The second shared identification is as a participant in social media, the context of the research. In truth our experiences may be quite different, as may the process. And yet the fact that I engage in social media allows for a sensitivity to the process. The concern is that I don’t allow my process to become the theoretical underpinning for the teen’s process.

the insider-outsider gulf between teenagers and adults can seem greater, which is supported by popular commentary on teens as suddenly foreign to us and by the greater likelihood that teenagers will see adults as imposters. (p. 51)

social constructions – both teens and researchers are vulnerable to.

insider-outsider distinction privileges one subject position over others, but people do not occupy one subject position at a time. Our fluid, changing identifications intersect, complement, and contradict. (p. 52)

the researcher is not coming ‘from nowhere’ but is embedded in identity categories that are complicated by unequal power relations. (p. 52)

An exclusive focus on age as the salient identification in a research situation elides these other deeply significant locations that can contribute to connection (or division) between adult researchers and adolescent participants. (p. 52)

While considerations of age in the power dynamic should be considered they should not be the dominant consideration per se.

[Via http://realoud.wordpress.com]

Journalists Restrict Their News Sources To Facebook And Twitter

You Were Wild and Crazy, Just so Frustrating

2010-01-26T04:52:00.000+02:00

Taylor Swift and John Mayer did in fact have dinner in Nashville, TN yesterday, January 24, but the duo was not alone. The pair was joined by about fifteen other people but sat next to each other at the meal.

According to People, “It looked like a big group of Nashville friends”. John had just returned to the United States after touring a bit in Europe. Sweet that one of his first stops home was to see Taylor. There have been rumors flying that the pair were romantically linked, no sign of that yet but we’ll see.

Also below the jump is a cute interview Taylor recently did with Rolling Stone.

How did you spend the holidays?

I was back in Nashville, and it was pretty cool — my brother’s leaving for college next year and I’m moving out in a few months, so this was sort of a moment in time for me, I was definitely recording all of it in my mind, the last Christmas with all of us being in the same place.

Where were you when the ball dropped on New Year’s Eve?

I was texting Hayley [Williams, of Paramore] to let her know I got home from dinner, and that my paranoid thoughts of getting in a car wreck were unwarranted. So I think I texted her something like, “Don’t worry about me, I’m not dead,” and I looked at the clock and it was midnight. So I actually got to experience looking at the clock when it struck midnight, and that was a really fun moment for me, it was the most unconventional New Year’s Eve I’ve ever had.

Also, my brother had a party, and I walked through and I said hello. A lot of the kids were in my video for “You Belong With Me,” because I shot my video for that song at Pope John Paul High School. When I’m playing the mean girl cheerleader and I’m flirting with some other guy on the football field, that other guy is just one of my brother’s friends.

Can you tell me about any of the influences we might hear on your next record?

I’m always going to love Keith Urban, I’m always going to love John Mayer. I’m always going to love people like that, who I feel are truly authentic, and that’s not to say that my music will ever sound like theirs, but I’m inspired by people who I feel know exactly who they are, and that inspires me to continue to figure out and inform who I am as an artist.

What I was getting at was when are you going to start rapping? I thought T-Sweezy was one of the highlights of 2009.

Did you really? [Laughs] The CMT Awards asked me, “Do you want to be a part of our intro?” and one of the first things that came to my mind was that I really, really want some excuse to be able to rap and go to the mall and go to those kiosk things and go buy bling and experience rapping in front of a car with spinners for the first time. T-Pain agreed to it and flew to Nashville and we were in a sweltering hot, 95-degree parking garage for an entire day shooting — I will never, ever forget that memory.

I’m inspired by all kinds of different sounds, and I don’t think I’d ever be someone who would say, “I will never make a song that sounds a certain way, I will never branch outside of genres,” because I think genres are sort of unnecessary walls. I’ve been really lucky to have experienced that firsthand, with people taking down those walls for me little by little — I’ve been very lucky that country radio and pop radio have both been so wonderful to me. But when I hear a great song, I can’t help but be inspired by it, regardless of whatever genre that song falls under.

Tell me about your Grammy predictions, what do you think is going to happen?

I predict that I will be there. I’m planning on performing, and that’s really all that I can predict. You never know what’s going to happen. I like being nominated for eight, I’m not going to lie. I like that feeling. It makes me smile. All I know is that I’m a really, really happy person, thinking about being nominated for eight of them, and I think that’s a gift in itself, so we’ll see what happens in L.A.

What’s the status of the next album, are you talking about getting it out this year?

I like to have two years in between albums, so if you take Fearless and go forward two years, that’s my ideal place to put out the next record, because I think two years of growth and development and feelings and life intake, love intake, emotion output, is my preferred formula for albums right now.

Does that mean now that you’re 20, you’re done writing for that last album, is it that strict?

Absolutely not, I write as life happens to me, and I’m writing so much lately. It’s been crazy. So I think that it’s fun making an album, knowing that two days before you’re scheduled to have the last master in, and everything finished, and they’re about to go print up the booklets, I can write something, call up my producer, we can get in the studio, put a rush on it, get an overnight mix, and that can be a last-minute addition to the record. I’ve had that happen on both my first and second album, the last minute, 11th hour songs.

That was “Love Story,” right?

“Love Story” wasn’t technically the last one, but it was very, very last minute. The two songs that were completely last minute were, on the first record, “Should Have Said No,” and on the second album, “Forever and Always.” Both of them had to do with something really, really dramatic and crazy happening to me and me needing to address it in the form of music.

[Via http://beautifulballad.wordpress.com]

Career in Broadcast Journalism & News Reporting: Advice on How to ...

You Can Learn to Fly and You Can Chase Your Dreams

2010-01-24T22:47:00.000+02:00

Demi Lovato was on BBC Radio 1 today, January 24, in London, UK. She discusses working with the Jonas Brothers, does an impression of Bill Cosby, and confirms she and Joe Jonas will have a duet in Camp Rock 2.

Demi and Joe also have a duet premiering in February, “Make a Wave” it’s most likely for “Friends For Change.

Parts 2 and 3 below the jump.

[Via http://beautifulballad.wordpress.com]

Iran News – Emergency landing of Iranian airliner injures 46 ...

And They Called It...Buffygate!

2010-01-24T04:35:00.000+02:00

That ominous face both caused me a lot of trouble and won CBR a lot of hits after something so silly it could only be called “Buffygate” broke out. Rather than give all the salient details here, check out my multi-part interview with Joss Whedon, parts 1 and 2 of which cover the Buffy comics and part 3 of which covers the now canceleld “Dollhouse” show.

[Via http://linko.wordpress.com]

New Fox News Opinion poll still has President Obama beating all ...

2010-01-23T04:13:00.000+02:00

Jermaine Jackson on Al-Arabiya, Exclusive Today Jermaine Jackson on Al-Arabiya, Exclusive Today

Don’t miss out the first Exclusive Arabic interview of Jermain Jackson on Al-Arabiya, today, 21.01.2010 at 11:00 pm KSA.

He’s going to talk about Michael, discussing his life, career, & sad passing.

Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twmyp4a_lKQ

Translation of the interview: http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/01/21/98036.html

and then this:

Transcript of first part of interview:

Interviewer: Thank you so much Mr Jermaine, for being with us. Your first interview for the Middle East and the Arab world. You said: ‘I wish it was me.’ Why you said that?

Jermaine: I said that because my brother…I’ve always been…I felt that his…his support, his backbone. Throughout all the false allegations that were put against him, for him to come out and speak…I sort of looked at it like Moses and Aaron. If he was Moses, I was Aaron. I’d say things and people would listen. If he would say them, they would not…would not listen. And I felt that…that…I just felt that when this happened, I just wish it wasn’t him. And unfortunately, it happened that way.

Interviewer: Yes. In his book, Michael mentioned that you were so close that you used to take care of him. You would walk him to his kindergarten. Tell us about the childhood with your brother.

Jermaine: Yes…well, we’ve always had a connection when we were young, like in elementary school. Walking him to his class, then going to mine. My father…us being the lead singers in the Jackson 5 way before the success…just around our local home in Gary, Indiana…doing local talent shows and us being the two lead singers…there was always a bond between us. Then we came to Motown and had songs like ‘I Want You Back’, ‘ABC’, ‘Stop! The Love You Save’, ‘I’ll Be There’ and on and on. We were always told that we can’t stay up too late…my father made us share a room together and we were the ones that were doing all the lead singing so our voices had to be rested.

Interviewer: When was the last time you saw Michael and you met and you talked together?

Jermaine: The last time I saw Michael was when we had a special family gathering in…I was in…but before this, we were in the South of France with my sister Janet, for the Formula 1. We sort of put it together then; we said that we should do something for my mother and father and invite the whole entire family and the siblings. So that…after that trip, we all planned something and Michael came with his kids and all my brothers and their kids. And my mother and father was really surprised and my last words to him was…he was…I told him I had admired this song that he was singing and the way he did the backgrounds on it. And he said to me: ‘That means a lot to me, coming from you Jermaine.’ Then he walked out the door with his kids, because we were finished with that evening. He said: ‘I’ll see you at the O2 theatre’. The shows.

Interviewer: So he was happy about ‘This Is It.’?

Jermaine: Very excited. Very, very, very excited.

Interviewer: How did you find ‘This Is It’?

Jermaine: I loved it. I loved it because it was a chance to see my brother in his moments which we call preparation. Getting ready for the big show. Knowing how he takes charge and how he’s most concerned about featuring everyone and making sure that everybody gets the spotlight and him just giving a little bit. A lot of those who saw ‘This Is It’…he was only giving 30%…I mean, because he was making sure of lighting cues and the musicians and the dancers and the sound…everybody knew what they were supposed to do.

Interviewer: So many people say that he was a perfectionist and wouldn’t be happy or accept putting his rehearsals in public. What do you say?

Jermaine: Michael was a perfectionist. And I would still say he is a perfectionist, because I think his work will live on forever. You’ll see just what he …he’s truly a blessing. He’s a blessing from Allah and the reason why I say this is because he was blessed with so much talent and so much ability and usually, in this world, people take that and they don’t give back and they don’t use that for the right things. Michael took Allah’s blessings and he gave back…to inspire children, to inspire people. And in this sick world we live in, they tried to bring him down with the very thing that he loved, which is children. And he was the voice for children who were less fortunate. And that’s how these false allegations came about and all these things, about the false child molestation. Then you have the news media who create sensationalism, because it sells papers for them; it gets the viewers and they just say these things because he’s such a big icon. But Michael was a blessing from Allah.

Interviewer: I’m sorry to remind of you of a very emotionally painful moment: tell us, how did you find out that your brother died.

Jermaine: Well, I was with my wife, Halima, across town…we were on the other side of Pasadena, California…and my mother called…no; CNN called Halima’s phone. And Larry King called, and said: ‘Do you know anything about your brother being rushed to the hospital?’ We said: ‘No.’ And then I immediately called my mother and she said she’s on her way down with my cousin. And during that process, Janet had called me and then I spoke to an attorney by the name of Joel Kadson (?) Then I called my mother back… and the most horrible feeling I had when I spoke to her. And I thought he was going to be OK and everything. And I heard her say: ‘He’s dead.’ And it was just the most horrifying moment for me…so I bursted out tearing and crying…so Halima and I, we got in our car and we rushed across town and we were on the other side of town. As we got closer to Westwood, where he was at UCLA hospital, we saw all the helicopters in the sky; all of Westwood was blocked off… tape everywhere. They saw my face and they let me in. And immediately when I got there, I was just saying: ‘This can’t be…this can’t be.’

Interviewer: [u]You were able to see him after he died?Jermaine: Yes. When I was walking down the corridor, I went straight to my mother…she was just in a daze. So I caressed her and made sure she was OK and then I said: ‘I want to see him.’ [Jermaine starts to break down here.] And I went in the room…he was there.

Interviewer: I’m sorry…to remind you about that moment. Have you ever met Doctor Conrad Murray?

Jermaine: I saw the doctor…in that moment…when the doctor came in, he was sitting at the table, fidgety and nervous. And I said to myself: ‘Something’s wrong…this guy is very, very nervous. He’s acting strange.’

Interviewer: Are you surprised that Conrad Murray is back in his clinic; back practicing medicine? Are you surprised?

Jermaine: I am very, very unhappy with that. And I would say this: He just took the life of one of the most wonderful human beings. Not because of his talent and his artistry, but the person he was. To take Allah’s blessings and to not get concerned about the homes and the cars but to give back to people…and to inspire….that’s what hurts. [Starts crying again]

Interviewer: Yes…it hurts. So, as a family; as a brother, what do you want to see happen to Conrad Murray? What should happen? What do you think?

Jermaine: Justice should take its toll, and I think there’s an ongoing investigation. But, like I said, everybody that smiles in your face and pats you on your back is not your friend. And Michael was…he never grew up. And he saw love in everyone. And he saw good in everyone. And a lot of people took advantage of that. And someone that was loved by so many…and then you have the media who have a whole other agenda. And I say that because a lot of the things you guys have heard in the Middle East is absolutely absurd and totally just sensationalism and not the truth. It starts with all the media outlets in the UK and Europe and Eurovision, SKY channel and even a lot of them in the states. I would say that they didn’t look at the person in him. It’s like, in this world…in the Western world…they build you up but they can’t wait to tear you down. And they found the very thing that he loved…which was children. The reason why he loved children…that was his communication. He used to always say: ‘Children are innocent. They don’t look at you and want to ask you things to make you feel bad. Their questions are pure and clean.’ And he was a child who never grew up, so he related to that. So he took those blessings and he wanted to help children around the world.

Interviewer: Michael had to endure painful and hurtful allegations and he had to undergo a fourteen week trial during 2005, to prove to the world his innocence. And every time he [/u]came to the court, you were there by his side. Tell us about that time; how hard was it for Michael?

Jermaine: It was very tough. It was very hard for him and even before that…this was all planned. It was part of a conspiracy; it was part of the American government, the FBI to do an investigation for seventeen years on Michael Jackson. And for what? They found nothing. And they tried and tried and tried to bring him down; to diminish his popularity and that is what is so…just, unbelievably misunderstood by the world. They put these allegations out there, because they wanted the world to think that he did this. I know my brother. We know each other. My mother raised us to have God in our lives, from the very beginning. Michael never would do such a thing. But this was a way to put the world’s focus on this while they are trying to steal his publishing, his catalogue. He was so powerful in success; I just wish he would have embraced Islam…and I tried very, very hard because I think that would have been his protection. I was fortunate enough to have met someone named Ali Gambor (?) back in ’84 and then we made a journey in ’89, to Bahrain and to Mecca and that was my support and my guidance. And I wanted that for him.

Interviewer: So was Michael Muslim the time he died?

Jermaine: He was studying a lot. His whole protection, his security were all Muslims and he was ready to make that journey. And I felt…that because my first trip…I’d brought him so many books, and he reads everything…but…getting back to the whole trial…this was all a conspiracy and they finally said: ‘We got him.’

Interviewer: The government in the US was behind that?

Jermaine: I feel that the investigations…to investigate someone for seventeen years and you don’t have anything on them and you leave the investigation is open…they have ways of doing things. That’s why the system is what it is and that’s what disturbs me, because now, they just released all these FBI files and they found nothing.

Interviewer: I read the report: it’s there on the internet. And they had nothing on Michael.

Jermaine: They had nothing against him from the very beginning. Do you know how this would have made him feel, while he was alive? To show? But the reason why they didn’t release these was because they would have helped him. Mentally, his image; his whole demeanor. To people who wanted to believe these ugly things. So they knew what they were doing …so now they released them when while he’s dead. Because they want him out of the way. And I’m speaking like this because I’m very disturbed. I’m very disturbed by the system; I’m very disturbed by the way things were handled, because he became so successful, his kindness became a threat.

Interviewer: Why? Why he was a threat?

Jermaine: Because that’s the way it is in this world. He ‘s not interested in politics, he’s not interested in anything but helping people. That’s it.

Interviewer: I want you to take us back to the moment the judge announced: ‘not guilty’ in June 2005.

[Via http://gracemj.wordpress.com]

Bay Area News Project's Frazier, Weber: 'This is about creating ...

Kip Winger To Guest On Hard Rock Nights

2010-01-21T16:00:00.000+02:00

Kip Winger, vocalist/bass player for the iconic 1980s hard rock band Winger, will be the special guest on Hard Rock Nights January 22-28.

The band’s most recent release, “Karma,” surprised many listeners and landed on several bloggers’ year-end “best of” lists. Kip will talk about how the band has evolved from its eponymous 1988 debut album to its current sound, and the songwriting process between himself and guitarist Reb Beach. Kip will also discuss his role in the MTV cartoon “Beavis & Butt-Head.” “I’m not one to throw stones at another band….As far as Metallica and Beavis & Butt-Head, those guys all took the first punch.”

In addition to Winger, Kip has also just released a new record with his first band, Blackwood Creek, featuring his brother Nate Winger and longtime friend Peter Fletcher. Blackwood Creek “got together to jam as a lark, and the chemistry was still there,” leading to the album. Kip says the record is “very representative of what the band sounded like back in the day.”

Hard Rock Nights is a weekly syndicated radio program heard on a number of rock and metal radio stations. Click here for a full list of when and where you can hear Hard Rock Nights.

[Via http://hardrocknights.wordpress.com]

Haiti: News roundup, one week after earthquake Boing Boing

How to Make Your Job Search More Successful by Improving Your Hire-Ability

2010-01-21T10:00:00.000+02:00

This guest expert article is from Heather Eager. We hope you find it useful for your job search.

Regardless of how long you’ve looked for a job (or how many jobs you’ve looked for), it’s always important to do whatever you can to make yourself more hire-able. This is something you can do even if you don’t have a lot of experience. So if you’re ready to kick your job search into high gear, here are some tips to consider…

Start Your Own Blog

One way to make yourself hire-able in the eyes of recruiters is to start your own blog. This improves your ability to find a career in several ways. For one, your presence on the Internet will be improved, which is very important in the modern job market. Second, it helps show employers that you have knowledge in the field you’re attempting to make ground in (even if you don’t have experience). And third, it gives a ton of resources to offer prospective employers in the event that they ask for details about your background.

A blog is the perfect way to not only showcase your knowledge, but build knowledge as well. It’s the perfect transition for those trying to switch careers, or those entering the professional world for the first time. The best part is that blogs are free to own and start through websites like Blogger, so you don’t have to make an investment (other than the time you’ll spend writing a few entries).

Get a LinkedIn Page

Another great way to make yourself stand out among your competition is by signing up for a LinkedIn profile. You’ve probably heard of this great site for professionals, but if you haven’t, you’re really missing out. You can create a virtual resume quite easily, giving your potential employers a quick way to find you via search engines. But you can connect with other professionals for networking purposes and have those you’ve worked with before give you recommendations.

Hiring managers and job recruiters will consider you a much more credible candidate if you’ve got a well set up LinkedIn page. If you decided to set up a blog, you can amplify this effect by linking directly to your blog from your LinkedIn page.

Obtain a Professional Email Address

If you don’t already have a professional email address, now is the time to get yours. While sourapplebubblegum(at)unprofessionalemails.com might have been fine at a certain point of your life, but you need your email address to show a decent level of professionalism.

The standard route to take when choosing your professional email address is to use some variation of your name like johndoe(at)yahoo.com, jdoe(at)gmail.com or johnd(at)hotmail.com. But if you really want to look impressive, you could register a domain under your name then sign up for an email address through your own account (ex. john(at)johndoe.com). This way, you could post a quick resume on your site, point to your LinkedIn page and blog, and have the ultimate professional email address.

Sometimes it’s not easy to think of ways to get your foot in the door when you don’t have a great deal of experience in the field you’re pursuing. But taking free or low-cost steps to build your experience beforehand could make you more hire-able then you could ever imagine. Need a job? Be sure your resume is the best it can be. Review resume services and choose the best one for you and your situation. Do it today at http://www.ResumeLines.com.

For a free resume analysis submit your resume to info@greatresumesfast.com or you can visit us online at http://www.greatresumesfast.com to learn more, view resume samples, read career advice and transform your job search today.

[Via http://greatresumesfast.wordpress.com]

Shannyn Moore: Bad News, Good News: Coakley Loses

Mimoh dons a new avatar for Spaghetti 24/7

2010-01-19T10:32:00.000+02:00

Director Gaurav Pandey has pulled off a casting coup of sorts. For the very first time one can see the father-son duo, Mithun Chakraborty and Mimoh Chakraborty feature together in a Hindi film titled Spaghetti 24/7. And this is not all. Spaghetti 24/7 also sees Mimoh’s younger brother Rimoh as an assistant to the director as well. The film is scheduled to hit the theatres sometime in May, 2010.

EXCERPTS:

What is Spaghetti 24/7 all about?

It is a story about a group of people who work in the same bar, called Spaghetti 24/7. It is all about how everyone at some point or the other tries to deceive and upstage the rest of them.

Your brother Rimoh is also assisting Gaurav, the director of the film. How does it feel?

Oh, it feels great. I am eagerly waiting for the day when he would cast me in his films too (smile).

You will also be sharing the screen space with your dad, Mithun Chakraborty. Did you ever get intimidated while shooting with him?

Yes, of course. I was really nervous. Although we have only a few scenes together, it was scary till we shot the first scene. After that, it was great.

But don’t you think there is a chance of getting overshadowed by Mithun? Being his son is an advantage or a drawback?

I agree, there is a chance of me getting overshadowed, but he’s my dad after all. It has been more of a drawback being Mithun Chakraborty’s son, because audience has a lot of expectations from me and they keep comparing me with him. I think every star kid has to go through that phase and accept it gracefully.

We hear you are playing a negative character in Spaghetti 24/7. Is it true? How did you prepare yourself for the role?

It’ll be wrong to say I’m playing a negative character. But yes, my character has grey shades. And I simply enjoyed performing it, thanks to my director, Gaurav Pandey. He managed to bring out the best in me.

You have undergone a makeover after Jimmy. Has there been a conscious effort?

Yes, it truly was. After Jimmy released, I realised I had many drawbacks and therefore took a year-long-gap to rectify those flaws and make myself close to perfect for for Spaghetti 24/7. One must always try to reinvent yourself, isn’t it?

What do you think you are best at – acting or dancing?

I love to dance and I love to act as well. I have been dancing since I was a Kid and I have just started acting. So I suppose you understand what I mean.

How has your rapport with your co-star Amruta Subhash been?

She is a mind-blowing actress and an excellent human being. She was always chilled out on the sets and we had become the best of friends. Am sure audience will love our chemistry.

Did it dampen your spirits when Jimmy didn’t fare well at the box office?

Of course, it did. But I have learnt a lot from Jimmy and it will always be my first. I have many beautiful memories of it.

Who is your worst critic when it comes to acting – dad or mum?

Dad, any day! He is brutally honest about everything he says which actually scares me. But it is only because of him I have come this far and made myself strong enough to take on any adversity in life.

Who is your favourite heroine in Bollywood you’d fancy working with?

It will certainly be Celina Jaitley. I think she is too beautiful to be true and she is super talented.

Future Projects?

Loot is coming out soon. Besides that, I’m working in three other films. I will tell you only at the right time.

[Via http://reelstories.wordpress.com]

Jack Myers: ESPN, Weather and CNN Lead News & Sports Nets in Multi ...

Breaking Bread with Nathan Leamy of Slow Food

2010-01-19T04:37:00.000+02:00

As a kid in Portland, Oregon, Nathan Leamy was not given Ding-Dongs, but his parents did provide him with two key ingredients: flour and sugar. The resulting batches of cookies not only helped Leamy hone his kitchen skills, but also set him on a path toward a Watson Fellowship and his current position with Slow Food in New York.

Over lunch in Brooklyn’s DUMBO neighborhood, Leamy told me some of what he learned during his year-long Watson experience — the fellowships are only given to graduating college seniors, and require no final paper or project of any sort upon completion, although Leamy kept a blog. The fellowship, based on his own proposal, took Leamy to Mexico, Italy, India and France to study the way people make and eat bread. More specifically, Leamy was interested in the impacts of Green Revolution wheat hybridization policies on these cultures.

If you’re intimidated by the phrase ‘wheat hybridization,’ well, you’re not alone.

Luckily for me, Leamy summed up these polices simply: America thought it was saving the world, feeding the hungry by creating a miracle wheat. But decades later, things have backfired. In Mexico, for example, TV ads tout the health benefits of wheat, a product Mexico imports, while exporting the corn it grows. In India, Leamy explained, there used to be seven or eight different grains in use, whereas now, nearly everything is made with wheat. One Indian man Leamy met during the Watson Fellowship indicated that only the poor eat those other grains now. Meet the new status symbol.

Leamy struck me as a walking encyclopedia of international food policy, but he also spoke with ease about education, and about the histories of cultures he’s encountered. And did I mention he makes most of the food he eats?

“I don’t have a lot of money, but I do have a lot of time,” he explained.

Preparing large quantities of food and then freezing it for future use seems to have become a way of life for Leamy. After a Slow Food project that required he record and tweet everything he ate for a month, Leamy discovered that 70 percent of his diet is homemade. He has a way of making things like this sound easy or unimpressive — the “having a lot of time” despite working a full time job and teaching bread baking on the side — when in actuality, his efforts are quite admirable and, obviously, unusual.

The average American eater could hardly fathom carving out enough time to bake a loaf of bread, but Leamy emphasizes how easy it is, and he’s right. The issue, of course, is our attitude toward time and food, and how much time food is worth. Changing minds is hard. However, regarding the nature of his work at Slow Food, Leamy noted, “Nothing that’s good or worth doing is easy.”

For my part, I’ve finally taken real steps toward baking my first loaf of bread since taking Leamy’s class at the Brooklyn Kitchen in December. On my counter sits a cumbersome bag of King Arthur Whole Wheat flour, and I’ve finally removed from the fridge, and begun feeding with flour and water, the jar of sourdough starter (wild yeast) each of us was given at the end of class. I have a sneaking suspicion that baking my first loaf, regardless of how messy or ill-formed, will be easier to do than it will be to finally cut open that bag of flour. Attitude is everything.

[Via http://writersandcooks.wordpress.com]

Ubisoft shying away from licensed product // News

Sentences in a blindly godless world

2010-01-17T16:37:00.000+02:00

Michael Atkinson is a New York film critic, essayist, poet, and novelist. His most recent novel, Hemingway Cutthroat, which is the second volume in a projected series of books inspired by Hemingway’s literary life, is slated for release in 2010. In addition to Hemingway, Atkinson loves Thomas Pynchon, J.G. Ballard, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Flannery O’Connor, and Ray Bradbury. But what makes Atkinson the kind of bloke I’d want at a neighborhood block party is the pleasure he takes in small things — his love of artisan beer and shellfish, as well as the pride he takes in the fact that his children can identify Timbuktu on a map. For more on Atkinson and his considerable body of work, please visit www.mike-atkinson.com.

Michael Atkinson

Who are you?

I have been for the most part a New York-based film critic, for some 15 years, and in that time I’ve gained a little notoreity, I guess, for being both feverishly particular and “two-fisted,” as a colleague put it. But I’m also a longtime poet (with, for now, one volume published, and another on the way), and now a novelist. Mostly I just write, and I’ve had my hand at almost anything you could name that’s made of sentences, from obituaries to limericks to memoirs. What’s more to say? A dad, a homeowner, a stalwart anti-imperialist.

What was the last book you read? How did you like it?

Lately I’ve been reading non-fiction — Orwell’s journalism, Hemingway biographies, that sort of thing. A lot of modern fiction bores me — especially the veiled-autobiographical kind that comes out of writing programs. The last book I began and didn’t finish was a Patricia Cornwell mystery — so bad — and the last book I finished was Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes, first time I’ve picked it up 30 years. And I still love it.

What role does literature play in a blindly godless world?

The question of ”roles” is always difficult, particularly in a culture that’s becoming as attention-deficit as a mayfly. What role does literature, or art, play otherwise? Depends on the individual, I’d think. I know this: if it’s time-killing and distractive, “just entertainment,” then it’s not art, and I don’t care for it. I just don’t have the time for “entertainment.” I’ve got 50 years to live at best, so I have to be picky. My perhaps ham-fisted designation of a blindly godless world is born out of political pique, not book-love. If only the world were more concerned with expanding their experience through the work of their fellow citizens (a definition of art?) and not myth systems, we’d all be a lot better off.

In the past 10 years, what’s the best movie adaptation of a novel? Explain.

If you’d ask about the best “book” adaptation, I’d have to say Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman’s Adaptation, because it is in fact so much more than an “adaptation,” or even a “movie,” or any other category you’d care to put to it. (It certainly puts Susan Orleans’s The Orchid Thief to shame.) But for novels, it might just be Alphonse Cuaron’s version of P.D. James’s Children of Men, a perfect fugue between wildly resonant narrative and extraordinary real-time filmmaking. And science fiction is, frankly, the best way to address the days of the new millennium, so far.

Anne Sexton: those eyes, those lips, and that exquisite writerly nose!

Who is your literary lover?

I really wanted Anna Akhmatova until I saw that nose. Otherwise, it’s Anne Sexton. So hot, so crazy.

Actors, comedians, and athletes are often elected to political office. Is there a novelist you think would make a good senator? Explain.

Yes, I would’ve voted for Gore Vidal if I’d had a chance, but only if he promised to keep writing essays. I’d vote for Margaret Atwood, if she’d change her citizenship. Otherwise, Joan Didion, who seems like a natural choice. The first part of this question, however, is a horror.

Of the books you love most, which one is your Chimay Cinq-Cent (for you wine-wussies at there, this is beer at its ambrosial best)?

Turn a page, tip a pint.

Oh, so many. Likening it to the best heady artisanal brew suggests that you can’t partake of it often, but only occasionally, selectively. And that’d be Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude.

Does fiction carry a burden beyond stylistic excellence?

Of course it does — it carries the burden of being ethically sane and of caring more, if only a little more, about the reader’s precious time than it does about the writer’s soul or ambition. But that’s all.

In the last 25 years, what’s the most significant change in the form of the novel?

Solipsism, I’d venture; so many new novelists and arbitrary narratives built of faux-Alice Munro sentences kvetching about childhood memories the only fictional justification of which is that they’re modeled on what happened to the writer at one point. Why editors think readers are interested is a puzzle, because largely, they’re not.

[Via http://jkneilson.wordpress.com]

Bad News for Netflix: Disney Wants More for Streaming Wall-E

Key Interviews with the Leading CEOs and MDs of the Cable & Wire Industry

2010-01-17T10:00:00.000+02:00

At the cable directory, we carry out some key interviews with the leaders in the Cable & Wire Industry.

Interview with Tommy Sutherland, Managing Director of Eutex International 13-01-2010 Interview with Derek Russell, Managing Director of HFSAB 17-12-2009 Interview with Tim Laughlin, General Manager of Dow Wire & Cable 05-10-2009 General Cable sees opportunity in renewable energy 04-10-2009 Interview with Michael Knox CEO of International Cable Management 05-08-2009 Interview with Manoj Kakkar KEI Industries 02-05-2009 Interview with Roddy Macdonald of General Cable 30-04-2009 Interview with Steve Ellis, Managing Director, B3 Cable Solutions 02-04-2009 Interview with Ahmed A. El Sewedy, Chief Executive Officer, El Sewedy Cables 02-03-2009 Interview with Mr Alan Farrimond, Managing Director, PANDUIT Europe Ltd 02-02-2009

[Via http://thecablediretoryblog.com]

Alligators Breathe Like Birds - Science News

My Good Fortunes

2010-01-16T04:48:00.000+02:00

I haven’t blogged in a while. In that time, I have been busy. Tuesday, I gave blood. Wednesday, I played Apples to Apples instead of a regular Bible study. However, the most excitement has been these last two days. I had two phone interviews, a referral for another position, and a client (see my previous blogs 1 and 2). For this reason, I consider myself fortunate. I guess that is how job searching works and life in general: nothing for a while, then everything at once.

My two interviews were as different as night and day. The first one was early in the morning and was more of an interrogation. I don’t feel like I did well on it because of the circumstances. I didn’t formulate my thoughts that well, partially due to the earliness. The second one was conversational with coherent answers and the interviewer used humor. I believe that I have a possibility of advancement with the second one.

Also, I have a potential future interview. My sister’s roommate knew about a job. My sister call me unexpectedly earlier this week. Her roommate gave me several suggestions. I took those suggestions and reworked my resume. It is now 10 times better than it was. This reworking and my cover letter for this position took me a while. I’m impressed. I think I might hire myself after this resume. :)

My final event to be thankful is my client job. My client scheduled a meeting with me today to connect to wireless on an old laptop. Although I had to refer her to another guy, I was able to teach her some other stuff. She was happy and I got $10 out of the deal.

God is definitely working in my life but it really does not feel like it most of the time. This is one of the times that I know it.

[Via http://spufool.wordpress.com]

Dallas Cowboys Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas ...

Preview of Tavis Smiley Reports

2010-01-14T16:38:00.000+02:00

I know that everyone’s thoughts are somewhere else right now (Haiti) but I thought I’d post this nonetheless. Starting on January 27th a new show, ‘Tavis Smiley Reports’ will air on PBS and one of his featured guests will be Secretary Clinton on the very first show at 8pm eastern time. The show’s website is here.

Here are three promotional videos from his interview with Secretary Clinton:

Video # 1

Video #2

Video #3

[Via http://secretaryclinton.wordpress.com]

Sarah Palin's Fox News Debut On The O'Reilly Factor | NewsBusters.org

Review of Rise Of The Darkness by The Written Universe

2010-01-14T04:39:00.000+02:00

Courtesy of The Written Universe. The original post can be found here.

The Chosen – Rise of the Darkness

by

CA Milson

Available through Amazon in hardcover or paperback.

In a nutshell: if you like stories where battles are waged between man and forces of the darker regions, then this book is for you.

CA Milson has crafted a well-paced story of man versus demonic forces, both intent on winning the day.

Our main characters are all paranormalists of some stripe, some really into the game and others with motives less than pure.

It all starts when Alex attends a seminar where fellow paranormal investigators are going to speak. We are introduced to Usher, a Cherokee Indian who has a gift for sensing the supernatural and Drake Winters, the All-American Boy who has taken to paranormal research.

Another personality in the paranormal world is discussed in the seminar, one Jamiesonn, who back in the 1700s established a cult and literally indulged in human sacrifice and all manner of atrocities until local townspeople where he lived put him to death in a variety of ways – yes, you read that right, ways…he pulled a Rasputin and just wouldn’t die and ended up literally disappearing before the crowds eyes…dead or not? You decide.

During the discussion at the seminar, it is posited that Jamiesonn survived and is merely biding his time to come back and take up his evil ways.

Drake declares he will be the one to send Jamiesonn to another plane of existence, but Alex doesn’t believe he can.

Drake and Alex form an uneasy alliance, neither one really trusting the other, and set out to find Jamiesonn and stop him. Before they can, an apparition appears and warns them off – and then the fun starts.

Demonic forces begin to run rampant…visions are seen and heard, death prevails, people are taken over by demons…blood runs.

Yet there is another force at work here in the form of a scroll that was found in some Mayan ruins which tells of the destruction of the greatest civilizations in history. The scroll contains the name of The One who will end the strife and preserve mankind.

It is from this point that Milson takes us on a frenetic ride of demons running amuck, forces of good opposing forces of evil, and Alex’s journey into the midst of this maelstrom.

Ultimately this is a story of good versus evil, playing out their epic battles in the midst of mankind who is usually woefully inept at handling a crisis like this.

Milson pens a story revealing how we as humans are sometimes asked to do some things we don’t think we can do to go towards the greater good.

My only complaint is there were a few set pieces in the book where I would have liked to see more detail. Don’t get me wrong, you get enough to know what’s happening, but I could see some places where Milson could have stood to add a little meat to his stew.

Milson says Stephen King is an inspiration and I have to admit there were times when I did notice the writing did bring to mind the style of a younger SK.

Take note – the story will continue in Bloodline of Darkness.

For more information on the sequel visit:

http://bloodlineofdarkness.info

For more information on CA Milson, visit: http://www.authorcamilson.com/

[Via http://authorcamilson.wordpress.com]

The Cable News Patrol: Rounding Up the Usual Suspects and Subjects ...

Interview Hadley Wickham R Project Data Visualization Guru

2010-01-12T16:39:00.000+02:00

Here is an interview with the genius behind many of the R Project’s Graphical Packages- Dr Hadley Wickham.

Ajay- Describe your pivotal moments in your career in science from a high school science student leading up till here as a professor.

Hadley- After high school I went to medical school. After three years and a degree I realised that I really didn’t want to be a doctor so I went back to two topics that I had enjoyed in high school: programming and statistics. I really loved the practice of statistics, digging in to data and figuring out what was going on, but didn’t find the theoretical study of computer science so interesting. That spurred me to get my MSc in Statistics and then to apply to graduate school in the US.

The next pivotal moment occurred when I accepted a PhD offer from Iowa State. I applied to ISU because I was interested in multivariate data and visualisation and heard that the department had a focus on those two topics, through the presence of Di Cook and Heike Hofmann. I couldn’t have made a better choice – Di and Heike were fantastic major professors and I loved the combination of data analysis, software development and teaching that they practiced. That in turn lead to my decision to look for a job in academia.

Ajay- You have created almost ten R Packages as per your website http://had.co.nz/. Do you think there is a potential for a commercial version for a data visualization R software? What are your views on the current commercial R packages?

Hadley- I think there’s a lot of opportunity for the development of user-friendly data visualisation tools based on R. These would be great for novices and casual users, wrapping up the complexities of the command-line into an approachable GUI – see Jeroen Oom’s http://yeroon.net/ggplot2 for an example.

Developing these tools is not something that is part of my research endeavors. I’m a strong believer in the power of computational thinking and the advantages that programming (instead of pointing and clicking) brings. Creating visualizations with code makes reproducibility, automation and communication much easier – all of which are important for good science.

Commercial packages fill a hole in the R ecosystem. They make R more palatable to enterprise customers with guaranteed support, and they can offer a way to funnel some of that money back into the R ecosystem. I am optimistic about the future of these endeavors.

Ajay- Clearly with your interest in graphics, you seem to favor visual solutions. Do you also feel that R Project could benefit from better R GUIs or GUIs for specific packages?

Hadley- See above – while GUIs are useful for novices and casual users, they are not a good fit for the demands of science. In my opinion, what R needs more are better tutorials and documentation so that people don’t need to use GUIs. I’m very excited about the new dynamic html help system – I think it has huge potential for making R easier to use.

Compared to other programming languages, R currently lacks good online (free) introductions for new users. I think this is because many R developers are academics and the incentives aren’t there to make freely available documentation. Personally, I would love to make (e.g.) the ggplot2 book available openly available under a creative common license, but I would receive no academic credit for doing so.

Ajay- Describe the top 3-5 principles which you have explained in your book, ggplot2: Elegant graphics for data analysis). What are other important topics that you cover in the book?

Hadley- The ggplot2 book gives you the theory to understand the construction of almost any statistical graphic. With this theory in hand, you are much better equipped to create visualisations that are tailored to the exact problem you face, rather than having to rely on a canned set of pre-made graphics.

The book is divided into sections based on the components of this theory, called the layered grammar of graphics, which is based on Lee Wilkinson’s excellent “The Grammar of Graphics”. It’s quite possible to use ggplot2 without understanding these components, but the better you understand, the better your ability to critique and improve your graphics.

Ajay- What are the five best tutorials that you would recommend for students learning data visualization in R? As a data visualization person do you feel that R could do with more video tutorials?

Hadley- If you want to learn about ggplot2, I’d highly recommend the following two resources:

* The Learning R blog, http://learnr.wordpress.com/

* The ggplot2 mailing list, http://groups.google.com/group/ggplot2

For general data management and manipulation (often needed before you can visualise data) and visualisation using base graphics, Quick-R (http://www.statmethods.net/) is very useful.

Local useR groups can be an excellent if you live nearby. Lately, the bay area (http://www.meetup.com/R-Users/) and the New York (http://www.meetup.com/nyhackr/) useR groups have had some excellent speakers on visualisation, and they often post slides and videos online.

Ajay- What are your personal hobbies? How important are work-life balance and serendipity for creative, scientific and academic people?

Hadley- When I’m not working, I enjoy reading and cooking. I find it’s important to take regular breaks from my research and software development work. When I come back I’m usually bursting with new ideas. Two resources that have helped shape my views on creativity and productivity are Elizabeth’s Gilbert TED talk on nurturing creativity (http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html) and

“The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life”, by Twyla Twarp (http://amzn.com/0743235266). I highly recommend both of them.

Dr Wickham’s impressive biography can be best seen at http://had.co.nz/

[Via http://decisionstats.wordpress.com]

Fox News creates its own controversy - FP Trading Desk

A sit down with...

2010-01-12T10:51:00.000+02:00

Van Nuys, California-based, acoustic guitar folk playing: Life Goggles– A single man known for his catchy guitar parts, and honest lyrics, sat down with me and gave an in depth look at what makes him tick. Life Goggles, A.K.A. Johans Romero, has a list of acoustic songs that was recorded straight from his bedroom, all of which are posted on a music myspace page. With “do it yourself” music becoming more popular in the underground and mainstream world. Life Goggles has the whole do it yourself style written down to a fine art.

The interview itself was quite entertaining since he is quite the character when trying to explain things. I will let the interview speak for itself.

Ninjabrain: Hey thanks for taking the time with me, I appreciate it…

Life Goggles: No problem dawg!

So what would you call your position Life Goggles? Also, name one random fact about yourself…

Well, I would have to say I am lead douche, and I like to make patterns out of things…

OK. Where do you pull the name from? Life Goggles I mean…

Life Goggles is pulled from… Seeing life as it is… -pauses-

Well what do you mean from that?

Well, it’s like life seen as a bigger picture, I guess? It’s not through dwelling on the small shit, but a bigger picture type of deal…

How did you get it started?

I was just sad… The whole Life Goggles thing was born like a week before I broke up with my ex-girlfriend, so it’s like all these emotions were running through my mind at the time. Also I had met this girl named Kelsey, and I was just writing songs about her. So a lot of songs I first wrote, were about her.

What about that girlfriend? Did you write any songs about her? Or more like has any of your previous girlfriends influenced any of your songs?

Hell yeah!

Is there a specific song the listeners should know that was about a previous girlfriend?

Cptn Cupcake. I wrote that song with her tears stains on my hand. So it was pretty much written like the day I broke up with her. I even remember writing the song on my bed, and the bed smelling like her. You can hear all that on the song.

Who are some of your inspirations?

People.

Just in general?

Yeah, just anyone I come into contact really…

So all of your stuff is just recorded in your bedroom, do you think you’re going to have a actual CD out in the future?

No… I never think of myself as a “musician”. I don’t really think I’m all that cool ya know? I’m just one of those bored kids… *laughs*

So, a show is going to happen soon… March 25th last time I checked, and I heard it’s going to take place in your bedroom..?

Life Goggles: Yeah…

Me: Are you going to charge for this?

Life Goggles: Yeah, a hug and a smile… It was a toss up between that and wowies, but the hug can be for anyone through out the show, likewise the smile. It has to happen though. Or they die. This is just practice for Aspartame really…

Ninjabrain: Fair enough, besides the Life Goggles project, what are your other bands or associated acts?

Life Goggles: Well, Aspartame Tuesday is a band that I am in. I play guitar for Aspartame, 3 Life Goggles songs are played for that, all of which have more than just the acoustic guitar. So Life Goggles and Aspartame… Yeah…

Ninjabrain: Oh, well do you have any information about this other band you are apart of?

Life Goggles: Oh? Oh you’re probably talking about Champion Of Idiots… Yeah I’m in that too, I play guitar for that, and my friend Arthur sings vocals for it. We don’t have anything written for that yet, but maybe in time.

Ninjabrain: Why don’t you?

Life Goggles: Well he’s in the army right now, so we really haven’t had any time to sit down and write anything…

Ninjabrain: Would you like to?

Life Goggles: Of course, but he’s in the army… I’m not going to suggest that he comes down here all the time. I know he’s really busy, and plus I’m not gonna let him screw up anything.

Ninjabrain: Name an all time favorite album… If you can of course, if you need to name a couple, I’ll take it…

Life Goggles: Plans by Death Cab for Cutie, Will Stratton Self titled, Umm… Brett Dennen Self titled, all of Elliot Smith’s songs, Personal Journals by Sage Francis, The Fall Of Troy Self Titled and This Town Needs Guns Self Titled.

Ninjabrain: When you think of the music scene today, do you feel that it’s getting better or heading in the wrong direction?

Life Goggles: Umm, thats tough… I would have to say better though…

What are your main influences when you are writing songs? Err, Why do you focus on girls so much?

Life Goggles: Well it’s not like I write about girls or focus on it all the time. I usually write about girls a lot because it’s what pops up most of the time. Girls just take up a good amount of space in my head, and that’s what usually comes out *laughs*

Umm, I usually just write about my main concerns at that moment. It just so happens that whenever I pick up my guitar, I kinda just put my fingers on the strings and hope it sounds good. After I’ll just write the words down… Whether it’s about girls or something else, that’s what is in my head and I write it.

Ninjabrain: You think you’ll add more members in the future?

Life Goggles: No, it’ll just be me. This is just a personal thing for me. A diary kind of… I swear, it’s not like I’m trying to fit in or be cool, or even about the sounds. It’s just the emotion that goes into it. Umm, but as far adding members, no I won’t. I would be happy to work with whoever though. This isn’t me just showing off either. Bleh… It is what it is…

Ninjabrain: As far as working with people, I know you work with Nahima Martinez on some of your songs. How do you know her?

Life Goggles: I met her through my old high school. We were in the same choir class, and when I heard her sing, I was impressed so…

Ninjamind: After doing some research, I know Daisy, the girl you talk about in Daisyfields isn’t a past girlfriend or someone you had a connection with in more than just a friendly way. Why do you talk about her like it was more?

Life Goggles: Well, whenever I write a song, sometimes I’ll make up things. Have it come out like a story of some sort. The emotions get super intensified sometimes. Sometimes, I’ll even write out lyrics and make it seem it went a certain way, even when it didn’t happen that way. It comes out like how I wish it went I guess… Fuck.. Well, Daisy thought it was cool *laughs*

Ninjamind: I guess how you made that song about that girl in your old highschool?

Life Goggles: Yeah, exactly…

Ninjamind: You want to give me an example to help out the readers? I know it’s like an unreleased song…

Life Goggles: Well it’s a lot like Daisyfields, where I talk about things that aren’t necessarily true… Umm, one of the verses in that song is “When I see you I light up.” To a lot of people it could seem like lighting up is a good thing. But lighting up, really means she pisses me off. *laughs* and the whole song seems to be in a positive light, but everything is really negative.

Ninjabrain: Do you think you’ll go on tour with the Life Goggles name?

Life Goggles: Nah, no touring for me… Maybe if Aspartame takes off then perhaps…

Ninjabrain: Who would you tour with?

Life Goggles: OH MAN! Are you really asking me this question?

Ninjabrain: Umm, yes?

Life Goggles: It’s just, a hard question… but, umm… let’s see… Brett Dennen, Anthony Green, Kings Of Convenience, Damien Rice, but he’s too sad. Oh! And Tera Melos, just because it doesn’t fit.

Ninjabrain: Do you have any influences when it comes to your guitar style?

Life Goggles: Oh yeah!

Ninjabrain: *laughs* and they are?

Life Goggles: Oh yeah, Shane Barnard, Will Stratton, and Elliot Smith… And I guess John Mayer just cause of that whole finger pick-slap technique, that just became so important… I guess…

Night or day?

Life Goggles: I would have to say both… Because night is just a constant thing, it never really changes like the sun. There is a sun rise, then the sun shifts when time progresses, then it sets. Night is just night… Dark for a awhile. And I like day because I love the sun. *laughs* so yeah both…

How do you feel about downloading music for free?

Life Goggles: I was reading this thing that Elliot Smith said, it went something like “if the fans are willing to go through the trouble to look for the music on the web and willing to download it then that’s what matters, it’s the message that counts really. The artist to people connection” Or something like that.

So, back to the show, how many people do you think will come to this?

Life Goggles: I invited about… *counts in a whisper voice* umm, 9 people. So, probably 3 people will show up *laughs* I don’t really care how many people will show up, I just want it to be personal.

Will Nahima Martinez be singing with you?

Life Goggles: No, She will not be singing with me…

Does it bother you at all that Aspartame Tuesday plays Life Goggles music, especially when it is so personal to you?

Life Goggles: No fucking way.. Different versions are nice, but that shit needs more cowbell! *laughs* STREET FIGHTER!!!

Any special movies that stick out in your head?

Life Goggles: Lion King, Donnie Darko, and Once.

I heard you’re in college, what is your major?

Life Goggles: I’m in engineering right now…

How does music tie into the engineering?

Life Goggles: It doesn’t, but music will always be there. On top of the engineering for sure…

Current Girlfriend?

Life Goggles: Girls hate me…

Is it lonely at times?

Life Goggles: Yeah, at times it can be..

Do you ever write songs about it?

Life Goggles: About being lonely? No, I’m an emotional person, but I never write songs about it. I have other outlets for that. Everyday sadness or thought goes on a blog I write. I feel it’s more therapeutic.

Oh? How many viewers actually read this blog of yours?

Life Goggles: *Counts out loud* Like 2 *laughs*

How long have you been playing guitar?

Life Goggles: Like 6 years or so…

Self taught?

Life Goggles: Mostly, but I’ve had these makeshift teachers a long the way.

How do you feel about playing in Aspartame Tuesday? It is definitely different than Life Goggles.

Life Goggles: I think it’s fucking awesome. I love playing abstract music. It’s refreshing that I don’t have to be stuck on a certain type of music, whether it be acoustic or whatever… Experimentation with anything good is… good… *laughs*

Describe your perfect girl, if she can be described of course.

Life Goggles: Hmm, Cute, weird, funny, open minded to music, care about people, passionate about whatever she loves, eccentric, believes in romance, she should be able to play an instrument, but if she can’t, I can live with that. Oh and she is has the mentality of she doesn’t “need me”. OK seriously… Seriously? She has to love me for me. Honesty is key, she has to care about her future, wait… never mind that… She has to be really good in bed. I’m just kidding! *laughs* Oh and she has to like chicken wings. Hmm, but what if she’s vegetarian? OK! my perfect girl would be a girl who would move with me to Spain, watch the sunset with me. Who would be willing to pop a bottle of wine, while eating cheese, and falling asleep listening to great music. While fondling my balls… Just kidding, just kidding… *laughs*

Great answer! *laughs*

Life Goggles: Thank YOU!

Last Words?

Life Goggles: Sic Semper Tyrannis!

[Via http://theninjabrain.wordpress.com]

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