I needed something to cheer me up. This photo illustrates one danger of building light rail to the far-flung suburbs: unwanted riders.
H/T to Gordon Werner.
They have been traveling the world singing and offer this wonderful tribute to the United States of America men and women in uniform. Wonderful singing and beautiful images. Click on the link and go full screen. Great piece of work putting this together.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL-0mdEg0
(some of your may recognize the song as John Dunbar's theme from Dances With Wolves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJW7WPhK
For those of you who are not familiar:
The setting is 18th Century Japan.
The story tells of a group of samurai who were left leaderless (became ronin) after their daimyo (feudal lord) was forced to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) for assaulting a court official. The ronin avenged their master's honor after patiently waiting and planning for over a year to kill the court official.
This story is well known throughout Japan.
When we lived there I must have seen three different versions of it........stage and screen.
Carl Rinsch Directing 47 Ronin Instead of the Alien Prequel
November 17, 2009
by Alex Billington
47 Ronin tells the famous real life story of a band of samurai swordsmen who avenge the death of their master in 18th Century Japan. The script was tailored by Chris Morgan (of Wanted and Fast & Furious) so that the half-Asian Reeves can play one of the swordsmen. The film mixes the fantastical elements of films like Lord of the Rings with battle scenes on the order of Gladiator and 300. I really like the sound of that, but with Rinsch, it's hard to know what we're going to get with this. Despite having even seen some of his commercials, I still don't know what his style will be. Either way, I'm excited, this could be pretty awesome.
http://lovemeow.com/2009/11/cat-video-a
( Read more... )
posted by Melissa Breyer Nov 14, 2009 5:01 pm
OK, honestly? It doesn’t take a scientist to tell me that chocolate makes me feel better. But they’re saying it anyway–new evidence that dark chocolate helps ease emotional stress was just published in “Metabolic Effects of Dark Chocolate Consumption on Energy, Gut Microbiota, and Stress-Related Metabolism in Free-Living Subjects.” I don’t know how my gut microbiota feel about it, but it’s doing wonders for my mood.
The study found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling highly stressed. The study found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling highly stressed.The daily dose also partially corrected other stress-related biochemical imbalances. And that’s not all…Sunil Kochhar, and colleagues note growing scientific evidence that antioxidants and other beneficial substances in dark chocolate may reduce risk factors for heart disease and other physical conditions. Although studies in the past have suggested that chocolate may ease emotional stress, there was little evidence until now from research in humans on exactly how chocolate might have those stress-busting effects.
In the study, scientists identified reductions in stress hormones and other stress-related biochemical changes in volunteers who rated themselves as highly stressed and ate dark chocolate for two weeks. “The study provides strong evidence that a daily consumption of 40 grams [1.4 ounces] during a period of 2 weeks is sufficient to modify the metabolism of healthy human volunteers,” the scientists say. Sign me up!
The study found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling highly stressed. The study found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling highly stressed.The daily dose also partially corrected other stress-related biochemical imbalances. And that’s not all…Sunil Kochhar, and colleagues note growing scientific evidence that antioxidants and other beneficial substances in dark chocolate may reduce risk factors for heart disease and other physical conditions. Although studies in the past have suggested that chocolate may ease emotional stress, there was little evidence until now from research in humans on exactly how chocolate might have those stress-busting effects.
In the study, scientists identified reductions in stress hormones and other stress-related biochemical changes in volunteers who rated themselves as highly stressed and ate dark chocolate for two weeks. “The study provides strong evidence that a daily consumption of 40 grams [1.4 ounces] during a period of 2 weeks is sufficient to modify the metabolism of healthy human volunteers,” the scientists say. Sign me up!
I offer the following particularly for those who have paid the supreme price and those who serve today:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_i0Y6v6m
Ft. Hood, it is the Army's headquarters for heavy armor.................
They are now reporting that the shooters as well as the victims are all soldiers.
**sighs**
I am frankly NOT surprised this has happened. The suicide rate and the PTSD rate is significant now.
In addition to that the Army has been using what is called STOP LOSS
A stop loss is when your time is up and you want to discharge and the military denies the request
and instead ships you off to wherever they decide you are needed.
I am somewhat knowledgeable due to what happened in my own
family.
When my father put in his papers at 25
the Navy denied him retirement and instead gave him two options:
1) they could cut accompanied or
2) unaccompanied
These were his only options. Mom had put money down on a house here in Oregon and he had even
been offered a job.
The Navy determined he was needed so were uninterested claiming that his
specialty was in high demand.
There have been over 81, 000 stop losses connected to Iraq and Afghanistan
I cannot but believe that that is part of the stress in addition to the daily grind that has created this scenario
at Ft. Hood AND am not surprised that the shooting took place in the readiness center........ie those getting
ready to deploy or have just returned.......
I witnessed significant morale problems from those who had come out of sea duty into equally grueling
conditions on shore.
That is the same thing the troops at Hood are in right now.........
I just wish Washington had a clue, but they just commit and don't seem to consider what it is doing to
the bodies and minds of those who serve.
***Steps down off soapbox***
....................move him on top of my desktop..........so out goes the plane captain on the deck of a carrier, and into the slot moves
this action shot of Sheppard
THE MUSIC STOPPED
For those who are unaware: At all military base theaters, the National Anthem is played before the movie begins.
This is written from a Chaplain in Iraq :
I recently attended a showing of 'Superman 3' here at LSA Anaconda. We have a large auditorium we use for movies, as well as memorial services and other large gatherings. As is the custom at all military bases, we stood to attention when the National Anthem began before the main feature.
All was going well until three-quarters of the way through The National Anthem, the music stopped.
Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-22 year-olds back in the States? I imagine there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a few rude comments, and everyone would sit down and yell for the movie to begin. Of course, that is, if they had stood for the National Anthem in the first place.
Here in Iraq , 1,000 soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward. The music started again and the soldiers continued to quietly stand at attention. But again, at the same point, the music stopped. What would you expect 1000 soldiers standing at attention to do??
Frankly, I expected some laughter, and every one would eventually sit down and wait for the movie to start. But No!!... You could have heard a pin drop, while every Soldier continued to stand at attention.
Suddenly, there was a lone voice from the front of the auditorium, then a dozen voices, and soon the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers, finishing where the recording left off:
"And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave."
It was the most inspiring moment I have had in Iraq and I wanted you to know what kind of Soldiers are serving you. Remember them as they fight for us!
----------------------
Pass this along as a reminder to others to be ever in prayer for all our soldiers serving us here at home and abroad. Many have already paid the ultimate price..
Written by Chaplain Jim Higgins LSA.
Anaconda is at the Ballad Airport in Iraq ,north of Baghdad .
What you are is God's gift to you;
What you do with yourself is your gift to God.
|
If this flies I hope George will return to the Road Warrior formula. I believe it was the best
And speaking of MM, when Tina Turner was asked if she would ever reprise her role as Aunty Entity in Thunderdome, she replied "Only if I could kill him this time"
FURY ROAD EDGES CLOSER TO PRODUCTION
If filmmaker George Miller had his way, Australian actors wouldn't have to leave the country to find employment in major studio films. Miller, writer/director of the Mad Max films, is prepping Mad Max 4, eyeing an August 2010 start date in New South Wales for the $100 million film.
It's been nearly 25 years since audiences were last treated to the exploits of Mel Gibson as Mad Max in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and, if everything clicks into place, audiences won't have to wait that much longer for the fourth adventure of Mad Max. Miller's aiming for a 2011 release of Mad Max: Fury Road.
In an interview with the Australian media. Miller said this new Mad Max is going to reflect the changes in action films since the original 1978 Mad Max and will "nudge the genre." Miller also made it clear he hasn't finalized the cast yet, despite all the rumors on the internet. However, although Miller didn't confirm or deny Gibson's involvement, it's likely the 53 year old original Mad Max won't be returning. Names being thrown around as potential replacements include Bronson RocknRolla's Tom Hardy and Terminator's Salvation/Avatar's Sam Worthington
First she noted underage children then noted......... as well as pregnant people
????? People???
CNN must know something the rest of us don't..............
Mind you , there is nothing remotely funny about H1N1, but there was when she clarified who was most at risk because about that time I was visualizing men, who were six months pregnant, rushing to their doctor's office for vaccination.
Intense single servings of chocolate goodness. By Amy Wisniewski TIME/SERVINGS INSTRUCTIONS
Total Time: 45 mins, plus chilling time
Active Time: 20 mins
Makes: 6 servings
INGREDIENTS
2 cups heavy cream
5 ounces good-quality bittersweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 large egg yolks, at room temperature
I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19rC-Fl-K
At Last - Etta James (opener states Ella Fitzgerald but this is Etta singing)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZXvLsltu
When I Fell For You - Lenny Welch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBDfju1F7
Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve4XD4Lve
Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6xb_ddP4
So, care to share your favorites???
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