Of All the Obits

Sixteen months ago, I started the doubled-headed tours Unguarded Moments: Backstage and Beyond and Punk Rock Day of the Dead in Oxford, Mississippi (One Night Stand at the Ole Miss Motel - part of the Motel Art Show series created by the brilliant Erin Abbott) and in my favorite cultural corner of the South - Memphis, Tennessee at Goner Records.Images involving members of The Cramps as individuals and as a group figured prominently in both exhibits.The eerily prescient image above, so funereal, was installed in its old wooden black frame perched atop a stack of Gideon's Bibles placed on the nightstand next to the bed at the Ole Miss. I wanted to invoke the "Songs the Lord Taught Us" theme and spin off the concept of "style the Cramps gave us."Featuring The Cramps so prominently in the Motel Art Show was a no-brainer. My most cherished punk rock photo session ever was the one that took place in 1978 at the erstwhile Tropicana Motel with The Cramps. To be able to showcase both a favorite band with a fave motel hangout in an ad hoc motel room gallery was just too good an opportunity! Carpe diem indeed.I am hoping that Pleasant Gehman writes a memoir-styled obituary of our beloved Lux Interior so you can read for yourself how we met him. (Thanks to Kristian Hoffman) Next thing you know, these classic group portraits were created. The noir lighting was my idea, but the props and b- and monster movie scenarios/poses were all courtesy of Lux and Ivy, who personified that particular bit of culture and parlayed it into a wonderful way to make a living doing what one loves.I am not at all surprised at the outpouring of honest emotion surrounding Lux's passing. He touched so many people and influenced generations of listeners and players alike. We always talk about how unique our idols were, but Lux had unique in spades. A fearless beast on stage, off stage, he could be the polar opposite. Not meek/mild, but definitely approachable, eager to talk about music and movies and imagery. He shaped the vision we have collectively in punk rock, garage rock and underground cinema.We have all read a great many memoirs and obituaries of Lux over the past week. They go from superficial to opinionated to ill-informed to well-written.Rob Miller, co-owner of Chicago's Bloodshot Records wrote the memoir/obit that says it all for me. You can read it here: blurt-online.com/features/view/275/Lux leaves behind not just a world-wide legion of fans and friends, but a wife and true partner in every sense. Lux and Ivy's marriage was one of the rare ones that death did part. So was my parents'... how's this for a numbers game? Death did part my parents after 36 years of marriage (and they are or were old enough to be Lux's parents...). Lux and Ivy had 37 years together. That's just simply rare. But it speaks to true love, and to the notion that there just might really be such a thing as soul mates.Dear Ivy: thank you for sharing your soul mate with us for all those years. While we share a grief and a loss with you, we too share a love for Lux and I hope you find solace in knowing just how well-loved he was, and that together, you and Lux turned so many people on."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAYA!!! WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE THE JOY THAT IS IN MY HEART KNOWING THAT YOU ARE HERE WITH ME TODAY. TODAY WAS VERY SPECIAL FOR BOTH OF US. IT WAS MAYA'S FIRST BIRTHDAY HOME. YES, I WAS WITH HER LAST YEAR BUT WE WERE IN GUATEMALA. IT WAS JUST AWESOME FOR HER TO BE HOME TODAY. WE WENT TO A WATER PARK ABOUT AN HOUR FROM OUR HOUSE. WE HAD A BLAST!!! PICTURES TO COME LATER!!! Now for the tag!!! Thanks Ellie!!!So here is how this thing works: 1st I have to answer a little questionnaire, which is pretty much all about ME!!! Get excited folks--this is big stuff!! Then, I have to choose 7 bloggers who I feel are BRILLIANT (see list below) and I give them the award. They will post their own answers to the questionnaire on their own blog and they will choose 7 more recipients. And so it goes! Here is the questionnaire (drum roll please...):A. Attached or single? Single in marriage, but Attached to Kids!B. Best friend? It is hard to pick just 1... My Grandma/Ellie/Farrah/Deborah/MayaC. Cake or pie? CakeD. Day of choice? Any day off workE. Essential item? Cell PhoneF. Favorite color? PurpleG. Gummy bears or worms? Gummy wormsH. Hometown? Millry, AlabamaI. Indulgence? BloggingJ. January or July? January, have you ever been to Mississippi in July??K. Kids? OneL. Life isn’t complete without? my kidsM. Marriage date? HAHAHA... NEVER!~N. Number of brothers & sisters? 2 sistersO. Oranges or apples? OrangesP. Phobias? Bad weatherQ. Quotes? You reap what you sow!!!!R. Reasons to smile? MayaS. Season of choice? SpringT. Tag seven peeps! (see below)U. Unknown fact about me? Then it wouldn't be unknownV. Vegetable? Green BeansW. Worst habits? Taking everything to heart, and holding it inX X-ray or ultrasound? UltrasoundY. Your favorite food? MexicanZ. Zodiac sign?

Help translate Eclipse

At Babel, the Eclipse globalization project, we’re busy getting ready for the Galileo release. Our goal is to have the most complete, accurate and polished language packs ready for download with Galileo. After fixing some stats issues, we were excited to see that Eclipse 3.4 is 98.8% complete for Chinese and French, and over 90% complete for four other languages. You can see all the Eclipse 3.4 stats here. Many thanks to Adobe for donating the full translation set for Eclipse 3.4 in six languages, and IBM’s Eclipse 3.2 translations which were used as a starting point. We’re currently migrating the existing translations to the upcoming Eclipse 3.5/Galileo projects. How can I help? There are many ways you can help : 1. Get a Bugzilla account and start translating! You’ll be productive in less than three minutes. 2. If you know PHP/MySQL, check out the Babel Server code and submit patches. 3. If you know Java, help advance the Messages Editor plugin. 4. Download and test the language packs we build. 5. Test Eclipse for proper string externalization with the Pseudo Language Packs. Report i18n issues with the projects.

Inventec V112 With Mirasol Screen

http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/03/...oes-on-display/"Well, Qualcomm owns Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, which has been pushing its mirasol display tech for several years now; the main draw is that it's super high-contrast which eliminates the need for a backlight in many situations where a traditional LCD would need a little help, and the WinMo-powered V112 uses a small mirasol strip as a secondary display surrounded by nav controls. Even though we weren't getting any Windows Mobile action, we did manage to engage the mirasol display (also known as "the cool part") where we saw an example of what the V112 might be able to do without turning on the battery-destroying LCD up top: show basic status information and the current time."We first talked about the V112 and it's secondary mirasol display a couple of months back. Engadget managed to snag a quick hands-on with the smartphone during CTIA, and had mixed feelings about the display - it works as advertised, but has little tactile feedback. WMExperts also managed to get some time with the V112, and unlike Engadget managed to access the full screen as well. In short, mirasol shows some promise - but let's get some colour action, shall we?

Foundation

Personal thoughts on the following received in email ---> "Well done"http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/4/14/719870/-LIVE:-President-Obamas-Economic-Speech-in-GeorgetownFrom Obama's economic policy speech today at Georgetown University: There is a parable at the end of the Sermon on the Mount that tells the story of two men. The first built his house on a pile of sand, and it was destroyed as soon as the storm hit. But the second is known as the wise man, for when "...the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house...it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."We cannot rebuild this economy on the same pile of sand. We must build our house upon a rock. We must lay a new foundation for growth and prosperity â€" a foundation that will move us from an era of borrow and spend to one where we save and invest; where we consume less at home and send more exports abroad.----My (Author's) analysis:The new foundations will be rooted in care for "the least of these" in our culture - for the poor, the vulnerable, the oppressed, the young, and the jobless. We won't give them a handout - they don't want one! We'll give them a hand up with smart programs that reward hard work with living wages.The Mobilization to End Poverty is coming up in just over a week. We need to get this message out across the country - in our churches and schools, in our neighborhoods, and in rural areas where people don't have access to broadband internet or high-speed wireless web.President Obama isn't opposed to wealth - he knows that prosperity can benefit everyone if we have the ethics and laws in place to reward innovation and perseverence. But we need to start measuring success by the quality of life for those at the lowest end of the economic totem pole - not by the wealthiest 1% or the multinational corporations that ship American jobs overseas.God is at work!

Could anything else go wrong?

Tomorrow is my day off and I had planned to take my car to the shop for brakes. They have been grinding for about a week and I am getting nervous. I had the appointment and was getting ready to finish up work and take my car over there and meet my husband for a ride home. Half an hour before the end of work I got a text from him saying his car had died and where should he have it towed. Then he said that we wouldn't be able to take my car for brakes. I blew up and told him that my car was unsafe to drive the way it was and it was darn well getting the brakes done tomorrow. Long story shorter, his car is at one shop and mine is at another. We borrowed his brother's car until tomorrow since my hubby works in their business and wouldn't be available without it. His car is so old and isn't worth much. So how much should I spend fixing his car before just trashing it and getting a cheap used car? He has a 98 Escort that has been nothing but trouble the last few years.

Injury Spells Disaster

So, tomorrow is my BFF Colleen's 30th birthday (yes, she is much younger than me, sadly). I started a very pretty, but simple, feather and fan scarf for her last Friday. It is a rich mahogany brown in Patons Classic Wool from la stashola. I got about 8 repeats done and was feeling so smug that with very little tv knitting time this week in the evenings, I would have it done lickety split.Smugness apparently goeth before a fall.Because I promptly tripped and fell down eight of our hardwood stairs and landed on my left elbow. It was ridiculously swollen all this week, and now that the swelling has gone down a bit, it is really starting to hurt with sharp pains. I showed it to the school nurse today, and to my wonderful friend Amy (thanks Amy!) and they both agree that perhaps I need to have it x-rayed as it might be broken in some way. The school nurse used to work in orthopedics and she said she would be willing to bet it was chipped and that will result in surgery...which I am hoping will NOT be the case. Otherwise, she says that there will be a chance that there will be calcium deposits that form and the range of motion and mobility of the elbow could be damaged.So...I am knitting wounded. My husband finds me ridiculous to be knitting at all, but I have exactly 24 hours until we leave for Col's party, and I am stubborn. I figure I better get most of it done tonight in case the doctor tells me tomorrow "No Knitting!". I am going to deliberately forget to ask him about knitting specifically and hope that my husband gets amnesia and forgets as well.What are my chances??

Raring to go

Kerala is a tropical paradise with lush green vegetation, wide sandy beaches, palm fringed lagoons, cool backwaters, enchanting valleys and palm trees as far as the eye can see. It has a cool bracing and healthy climate all round the year and is totally pollution free. It is neither too cold in winter, nor too hot in summer and is blessed with two yearly monsoons, which makes it different from other states. Kerala is a rich blend of different people, cultures and traditions and together with the natural beauty of this region makes it an ideal place in which to build a dream house. Builders Cochin, comprises builders with proven track records of excellence in the state-of-the-art architecture and construction and an impressive presence across the state. This forum ensures a corporate approach to meet the ever-growing demands of home buyers in Cochin. They help you to buy the right residential and commercial projects in Cochin. You can pick your project in a location of your choice! Each project is elegantly and meticulously designed for maximum usable space and functional utility to suit your taste and budget. Infact, every little aspect that influences the customer's daily needs are studied carefully before each project h the state-of-art-technology, latest infrastructure and amenities and the wide presence of its members throughout the state. Some of the builders lay great emphasis on “zero-pollution zone, eco-friendly” residential townships, in an effort to conserve natural resources and curb environmental pollution. More than 50 percent of land is earmarked as free space and optimum area is being converted to well-manicured green landscapes. Builders Cochin invite you to grab the golden opportunity to share their imminent growth and success in this industry. These residential projects boast of global standards of engineering excellence and large-scale modern amenities.

What could happen if there is a hung Parliament

Let the war gaming begin. Over the coming months, a group of senior Lib Dem MPs will be scenario planning for a hung Parliament. They have form. Nick Clegg used to be a professional trade negotiator, Chris Huhne conducted city negotiations and Vince Cable was a professional scenario planner when he was Chief Economist at Shell (the company was a world leader in horizon planning). They will be using whiteboards, mind maps and the game theory principles of John Nash. But what will this mean in practise. There were some intriguing clues at Spring conference in Harrogate, so here is a guide. It's not the faint hearted. Sorry.1. Despite some policy overlap, there is no great love for the Conservatives at any level of the Lib Dems. "We remain a centre-left party" said one figure. "Many of us regard the Conservatives as the opposition and Labour as the competition," said another. 2. There are even personal problems at the top. There were reports of an early awkward incident involving Clegg and Cameron. Dave invited Nick and Miriam for dinner. Fearing this could store up problems for the future, Nick said no. Dave has been "dismissive" of Nick ever since. So insiders point out there is no personal chemistry there. 3. Despite this, senior figures believe it is vital that the party remains "equidistant" between Labour and the Tories (This is a significant change from Paddy Ashdown, who was famously in negotiations with Tony Blair pre-1997, and Sir Menzies Campbell who openly talked about his friendship with Gordon Brown). They believe negotiations can only be effective if both Labour and the Tories credibly believe there is a chance of a deal. 4. There is an assumption that should the Tories be the largest party in a minority Parliament, the Lib Dems will probably support them in some form. This seems unlikely, at this stage, to be a formal coalition. But they recognise it would be electoral "suicide" to do the reverse and prop up Gordon Brown to keep him in Number 10 if the Tories are the largest party. 5. What really interests them is what happens next, in the event of a rapid second general election. A Tory minority government will probably only be a short term affair. The Conservatives would govern for a few months, but then go to the country to "seal the deal" like Harold Wilson in 1974. Labour, possible fearing the consequences, will be much more willing to negotiate at this stage. If they do begin private or public talks, this would put pressure on the Tories to enter negotiations too. Having engaged both parties in negotiations, it will be in the words of one Lib Dem, "game on". 6. The Lib Dems will not, initially, insist on PR as part of any deal because this automatically gives Labour a huge advantage. However senior Lib Dems are intrigued by the personal position of David Cameron. He is instinctively hostile to PR. But in evidence to the Power Commission on democracy a few years ago, Cameron apparently told the committee that while the First Past the Post system should remain, he believed that of different types of PR, the Single Transferable Vote system was fairer to AV, which Labour would offer. Lib Dems would prefer STV because it's more proportionate than AV. 7. They believe there could be constitutional chaos of there is a Hung Parliament. The Standing Orders which govern what happens are complex, contradictory and out of date. Some Lib Dem legal experts think the confusion could even be exploited by Gordon Brown to try and cling on to power even if Labour is not the largest party. 8. The consent of the wider party is annoying but still important. When Paddy Ashdown was talking to Blair, Lib Dems like David Howarth managed to change the party rules to ensure that he couldn't do a deal without the approval of the party. Thus the "quadruple lock" was born, and still exists somewhere in the mists of the Lib Dem constitution. Broadly party figures are relaxed about this. They believe that the party must, essentially, be given some way of validating (or even rejecting) a deal done by the leadership. This helped keep the Lab-Lib Dem deal in the Scottish Parliament alive for the whole of the duration of the first Parliament.

Nano,mini

Nano has a small displacement engines and cleaner fuel,and is the cheapest in the world.

Oh, Oscar!

Not a lot of yawns this year like last year for the Oscars - fashion wise and the actual awards show wise. Everything was much more entertaining than in previous years. I don't have a favorite of the night, unfortunately, but here are some I liked. Natalie: this pink looks great across her skin. Strapless dresses were very much the trend last night. simple but elegant. Angelina: I'm not a fan of the home wrecker, but I love the shape of the black dress (her fave) and the jaw dropping green jewels. The jewelry made the outfit - had she not worn them, I would not have posted her. Anne: Love the pallets on the dress. Mermaid like in a good way!Hallie and Nicole - what is there to say? FLAWLESS and beautiful (plus they just had babies!!!) very interesting yet classy dresses - age appropriate too!Freida: I know there are haters in this dress, but she took a risk and it paid off. The color is perfect and it is definitely not boring! A little Bollywood-esque, no?Marion: Poofy dresses were another big trend too. I have to say I love all the tulle and sequins (never thought I would say a sentence like that). I just wish we didn't see her leg... Evan: simple, timeless elegant!Honestly, I really DO NOT like poofy dresses (ew - those prom ones are gross) but these work for some reason. and although I really despise Miley, I had to post this because that dress is sooo decadent and it looks like it is soooo heavy. They look like princesses. AND...My 2nd husband.

Big D's Grill

One question I get asked all the time is, "What's your favourite restaurant in Singapore?"An easy question like that should not be hard to answer especially since it's a question that I'm familiar with. However, everytime I get asked that, I fumble, I hestitate, I ponder. And I do mean every. single. time.Thing is, I do not have a sole all-time favourite restaurant. At least not yet. Or maybe I'm just fickle. It really depends on what I'm craving for and whether that food meets my expectations at that point in time. For me, an easier question would be , "Where can you find the best damn chocolate cake?". Yes, be dish-specific, and I might have a faster answer.The definition of good food varies for all. I always insist that what I like might not be what you like. That doesn't stop me from raving about a certain place though. When I like a restaurant/eatery/coffeeshop stall, etc, I rave about it like no tomorrow. Sometimes I think it verges on being irritatingly over-enthusiastic. So far none of my friends have complained about it, they are just amused at how excited I get when I talk about my favourite food places.My most recent rave is Big D's Grill. The food was so remarkable that I could have died there and then and felt that I have lived life. Okay, I'm being over-dramatic there. Pardon my exaggeration but that was honestly how I felt.The food was immensely enjoyable. I had wanted to go there for the longest time. I've heard alot about Chef Damian D'Silva and his old restaurant Soul Kitchen. His name's rather lengendary. I have never been to Soul Kitchen but I thought why not try Big D's Grill especially since it's so near where I live?Currently located at Bedok South Road (note: it's moving to Holland Drive soon, in Feb), Big D's Grill is neatly tucked insie a wide spacious coffeeshop at Block 18. I decided to bring my family there last week because my cousin from Malaysia was visiting and had requested for some good Western food. I had put off going to Big D's for the longest time so I thought what better time than now. This way, my cousin could satisfy his fix and I could finally see what the fuss was all about.The fuss turned out to be legit. I would say that we ate enough of the menu to give a fair judgement. The four of us (mum, sis, my cousin and myself) had five main courses. Yes we do have healthy appetites and we're certainly not ashamed of it.Perhaps I should start with the photos, then you can savour the dishes with me (in your mind of course. ha). I hope you've had your dinner (or lunch, or breakfast - depends on what time it is when you read this!) lest you get sudden hunger pangs.Anchovy pastaI had to do my research before checking out Big D's. Several local food blogs have mentioned the anchovy pasta and I knew I had to try it. After a forkful, I realised what had gotten them so excited. Very close to your typical aglio olio, this pasta borrows a very savoury sea salt-like flavour from the anchovies. My mother commented that it was a tad too salty for her. That I understood, because she prefers bland food (she puts so little salt when she cooks!). Cousin and I liked it so we lapped it up happily. I appreciated the spicy kick that came from the chopped chillies.Kurobuta pork loinCousin loves meat so we had to get the kurobuta pork loin. His verdict? "This is real good!"Please do check out the glistening piece of heaven:The pork was all that we could ask for - juicy, moist, tender with none of that 'porky smell', as my cousin had noted. I liked that the centre was just slightly pink. The fats gave it a sufficient omph. It kinda melts in your mouth. Cliched, but true.The mash and vegetables that came with it were great as well. A stellar dish.Crabmeat linguineThe crabmeat linguine was perfect in every single aspect. The pasta was cooked just right and the sauce was sweet, tangy and spicy. I don't think I've ever had crabmeat linguine this good. The best part? The generous shreds of crabmeat. The photo says it all. Now go try it yourself.Bang bang chicken Other than the usual Western grill and pasta dishes, Big D's serves Asian specialities depending on when you visit. That day, Chef Damian recommended the Bang bang chicken, and the sambal buah keluak. We couldn't choose which one so we ordered both.The bang bang chicken is a Sumatran dish. It tasted very much like an up-graded version of satay chicken. The sauce was thick and spicy. My family and I noticed that alot of Chef Damian's dishes leaned on the spicy side. Which was fine with us because we love our chilli.Before the sambal buah keluak came, I have to admit that I was rather sceptical (as I usually am when eating buah keluak outside home). My friends know how much I love my Dad's buah keluak and those who have tried it (including my best friend Dot, whom my Dad always reminds me to invite whenever he cooks a batch) also agree that it's one of the best. So yes, I am bias towards my Dad's buah keluak.But as it turns out, the one Chef Damian served was a bit different. In a good way.Sambal buah keluakServed with white rice and some raw onions by the side, this dish came only with the buah keluak sauce. It was also not a messy affair as I had anticipated. The flesh had been dug out and cooked with sambal and some other ingredients (we guessed it was coconut).I know what it looks like. That black mess might not look appetising to you. But trust me on this, it's worth a try. Even if you usually hate buah keluak. His version was mildly sweet and had a very nutty taste. It was so tasty that I couldn't stop eating it with the rice.Chef Damian came by to check on us and he suggested a sinful combination, "try eating the buah keluak with the anchovy pasta. it's sinful but really good."So I did.And I was glad I did.It was good.Really really good.Then as the sauce diminished, I grew sadder.I wish it didn't have to end. The sambal buah keluak had exceeded my expectations. I wouldn't say it was better than my Dad's. Don't make me compare! It's a different version and as it turns out, I quite like this version too. I might bring Dad here one day to try.So the buah keluak was so good that I could not bare to waste the remnants.What I did later might be disgusting to some, or plain uncouth. Whatever it is, I thought that it didn't matter. At least we weren't in some fine dining restaurant! Hey, I do know my limits.I eventually did it. I licked the plate dry of its buah keluak sauce.A friend who saw the photo commented that he found the lick marks disconcerting. Do you find it disconcerting? :)I said that it is probably one of the highest compliments a chef can ever get.Okay, I might as well do a poll here. Plate lickers, please leave a comment if you totally get where I am coming from. For those who think otherwise, please leave a comment as well. I want to know the general census on plate licking in public.BonetLast but not least, the bonet. Now, this was another winner. This sealed the deal. Chef Damian said it's a classic Italian dessert that's only found in Italy.The best way to descibe it? A cross between a silky pudding and a smooth mousse. He had used bittersweet chocolate. That made the world of a difference I think. Now I understand why everyone else is crazy about Chef Damian's bonet.Big D's Grill, you've won my vote. I'll be back to try the rest of your menu. Even though you'll be relocating to Holland Drive, I will make that trip down just so I can have another fantastic, plate-lickingly delicious meal.

fenghuang

huangguoshu waterfall

lots of Jellyfish

what a big butterfly(moth)

by Joel Sartore in Bolivia ，Madidi

A Visit to Disney-MGM Studios

With Disney-MGM Studios' renaming to Disney's Hollywood Studios recently, what better time to talk about my very first trip to that park? Turn the clock back. It's 1989. Mr. Answer and I had not gone back to the World since our 1986 honeymoon, and we were ready to go again. Not having to follow school schedules, since Minnie Answer wouldn't make her debut for another year and a half, we decided to take an early October roadtrip. Our first stop would be in Atlanta for a long visit with our close friend and former roommate, who had recently relocated there. The plan was to leave Atlanta and drive down to Orlando for the second part of our trip. We had booked a few days at the Radisson, just outside of property. At the last minute, Ms. A decided to join us. The drive seemed interminable, because we were so excited about seeing the parks again! This was Ms. A's very first trip, so she was doubly excited. Truth be told, I remember very little of this trip other than the Studios and the hotel! The Radisson was nice enough, though not fancy. I longed to stay at one of the glamorous Disney Resorts, which by then included the Grand Floridian and the Caribbean Beach, Disney's very first moderate resort. Being poor newlyweds, that dream would have to be put on hold for another few years, however, so there we were at the Radisson. I believe we picked the Radisson from a AAA hotel guide. Can you imagine even trying to plan a trip without the internet? Thank goodness Al Gore had the foresight to invent it a few years later! (Just kidding...) We purchased 4 Day Passports for around $100 each. $100 was a hefty sum for us, but well worth it. We had to buy a 4 Day because the 3 Day Passports didn't include Disney-MGM! We planned to use 1 day for each of the parks, and the remaining day to revisit a park, but as it turned out, after the 4 days, we didn't want to leave, and extended our stay and our tickets for another couple of days. Hey, it's only money, right? As I mentioned earlier, I remember little of the Magic Kingdom and Epcot on this trip, probably because so little had changed since our 1986 trip. At the Magic Kingdom, a new land had opened (Mickey's Birthday Land), but the village of Duckburg held little of interest for anyone over the age of 6. EPCOT Center had a few exciting additions, including a new World Showcase Pavilion (Norway), a 3-D movie (Captain Eo,) and an almost-finished Future World Pavilion, Wonders of Life. Wonders of Life didn't officially open until a week or so after we went home, but I have vague memories of touring the pavilion on this trip, which may or may not have happened. Those particular braincells are stored in the back of the vault, if you get my drift. Also at EPCOT, IllumiNations had made its debut. The star of this trip, however, was definitely the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park, which had opened on May 1, 1989, a few months later than its original targeted opening of Oct.1, 1988. In those days, Disney-MGM actually was a working production facility as well as a theme park. The focus at the park's beginning was on a "living movie set," according to early park guides. What we see on the Backstage Tour now is a pale imitation of the original, where you actually might have seen a TV show or film in production. Much later, I was lucky enough to work very briefly behind the scenes on one of the last TV series produced there before the soundstages closed forever to be turned into first the Millionaire attraction and now into Toy Story Mania. In 1989, the animation tour featured what at least looked to me like real animators working on real animated films. To clarify, animated films were definitely produced there, but I don't know if the people I saw during the tour were really animators or actors. I suspect they were low level members of the animation team, since they did appear to be working. Animated features produced at the Studios included "Mulan" and "Lilo and Stitch." But let's get back to 1989. So, there we were, three young adults about to experience a brand new park. We walked under the Art Deco archways housing the ticket booths, and through the turnstiles. The park was divided into three main areas: Hollywood Boulevard, Lakeside Circle/Backlot Annex and the Production Center/Backlot area. Hollywood Boulevard was much like it is today, with an avenue of stores designed to resemble early 20th Century Los Angeles, with the crown jewel looming at the end of the street: A wonderfully detailed replica of Grauman's Chinese Theatre, home of the Great Movie Ride. Today, there's a...um...rather large, out of place and obtrusive hat blocking the view of the theater, completely ruining Hollywood Boulevard's intended sightline. Sure wish we could just airlift it out of there and put it someplace else, say near the Animation Courtyard, or perhaps outside of the park in the entrance plaza, but as usual, I've taken a side trip from my subject. We pretty much by-passed the stores, as we were being drawn to the beautiful theatrer at the end of the street. (This is why Walt Disney and the Imagineers call park icons like Cinderella Castle and Spaceship Earth "wienies" -- they draw you deeper into the park.) Speaking of Hollywood Boulevard, if you turned those early Studios park maps upside down, you would have seen that you were standing in the middle of the World's largest hidden Mickey! The plaza in front of the theater comprised Mickey's face, Echo Lake formed one ear and the area by the tipboard and the Brown Derby formed the other ear. With the addition of the...um...rather large and obtrusive hat and the development of the Sunset Boulevard area, this cool "secret" is pretty much gone now. What a shame. We entered the queue area of The Great Movie Ride, and ooh'ed and ah'ed at the movie prop and costume displays. In the theater area we watched the same clips we're watching today. As far as I can tell, this has never been changed. Once on the ride, we marveled at the moving theaters, gliding silently through movie scenes. Everything but the final film clips is the same as it was then, with the exception of the Busby Berkeley scene, which used to rotate. What to do next? There wasn't much to do attraction-wise here on Hollywood Boulevard; only The Great Movie Ride and a stage show in a tiny outdoor amphitheater called "Theater of the Stars" that was squeezed in between the Brown Derby and the shops on Hollywood Boulevard. In 1993, it was moved to it's current and much larger home on Sunset Boulevard, where it now houses the Beauty and The Beast Live On Stage show. We skipped the show, and headed for Lakeside Circle/Backlot Annex to see Superstar Television (where the currently unused ABC Theater is now, and where the future American Idol show will go.) I was picked from the audience to be in the show to be part of a girl-group trio called "The Vonzels." We sang "Da Doo Ron Ron" on the Ed Sullivan show. It was the beginning and the end of my onstage showbiz career. Some people would call that a blessing. Also in Lakeside Circle, next to Superstar Television, was the "Monster Sound Show," where audience members added sound effects to a hilarious "horror" film starring Chevy Chase and Martin Short. "Sounds Dangerous," which is in that spot now, isn't even remotely as entertaining as "Monster Sound Show" was, and in fact after I experienced it once, I have never been back. I went back to see "Monster" over and over again before it closed in 1997. We also spent some time in the post show area, "Soundsations," which today is pretty much the same as it was back then. We wandered back a bit and saw the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, which I'm fairly sure hasn't changed since then either. Maybe with the new Indy movie opening this summer, we might see something new? By the way, one of Mr. Answer's life's goals is to be chosen to participate in this show, but so far, no offers. Showbiz is so fickle! After stopping for lunch at the Backlot Express, we found our way over to the Backstage Studio Tour. In the early days of the park, the Backstage Tour was at least two hours long and divided into two parts: the tram tour and the walking tour. This attraction was so long, guests were encouraged to make a potty stop before beginning the tour. The tram tour took you through Costuming, the Scenic Shop, the late, lamented Residential Street (where Lights, Motors, Action! is now,) Catastrophe Canyon, and New York Street (now Streets of America.) The walking portion of the tour began with the Water Effects Tank (you know, where hapless guests get completely drenched,) the Special Effects Workshop, the Soundstages where you might see an actual production being shot, Post Production Editing and Audio department, and finally a film with clips of upcoming movies presented in the Walt Disney Theater. Our final attraction for the day was the Magic Of Disney Animation Tour. The old tour started with a hilarious film called Back To Neverland, which featured the voices of Robin Williams and Walter Cronkite. Next was a tour of the Animation Studio, which showed the various processes necessary to bring an animated film to life. Finally, clips from favorite Disney animated films were shown in the Disney Classics Theater. Our first day in the Disney-MGM Studios was over. Reluctantly, we went back to our hotel, and Immediately began to plan out our extended stay so we could go back again! Special thanks to Jack Spence for the loan of the pictures of the Disney-MGM Studios.

Becoming a Better You

Here's an oldie, but goodie...The world of professional sports is not everything it seems. One minute it's fast cars and fast women, the next it's paparazzi, illegitimate children, and pesky bloggers. It's not always all it's cracked up to be. Day after day, we hear stories about our favorite athletes falling on hard times, but as usual, we are here to help. We have searched high and low to provide some of today's troubled sports professionals recommendations for self help books that will help them get through their hard times. Hope it helps, guys.Scott Boras - Persuasion: The Art of Getting What You WantDon't fret, Scott. Just because A-Rod left you waiting to pay the tab at Dave & Buster's while he snuck away to make a deal with the Steinbrenners, this book will sharpen those once keen negotiating skills and get you back up to snuff. Just remember, "If this[points to heart] is empty, this [points to head] doesn't matter."Ricky Williams - Five Simple Steps to Emotional Healing1) Take an empty two liter bottle and cut in half2) Fill the bathtub with water3) Poke a hole in the cap of the bottle, take the slide from your bong, carefully install it in the cap and pack it with herb4) Submerge the two liter, light the herb, and slowly lift the bottle up out of the eater (stop before it completely leaves the water though).5) Remove the cap, place your mouth on the cap, push the bottle in the water, and inhale.Lloyd Carr - How to Stop Worrying and Start LivingLloyd, this is your key to a relaxing retirement. Buy yourself a nice bass boat, some Miller High Life, and some Bob Marley. You won't even remember the meaning of the word "hot seat."Marvin Lewis - How to Find the Best LawyersLook, some things are certain: KFC gives you gas; Taco Bell gives you diarrhea; and the Cincinnati Bengals will always get arrested. I believe the tally was nine arrests in past two years last I checked. Well, just like a wise man takes Immodium AD before a trip to Taco Bell, it's time to start thinking about preventative maintenance, coach.Matt Millen - How an Idiot Writes a Self-Help BookLose three more games this season and I'll buy you this book. Let's face it, Matt. If the Lions blow a 6-2 start and come up short of even a wildcard bid, you are going to be in the market for a career change.John Edward Thomas Moynahan - Happy to Be Me (AKid's Book about Self-Esteem)Don't worry, John. The kids are just picking on you, because nobody likes teams from Boston. By the time you are 5, you will have played both "pacifier" with Suri Cruise and "John's In Charge" with Kalyn Baio.Mike Williams - Get Out of Your Own WayYou have two choices, Mike. It's either sign on as the door man at the 40-40 Club or stop making sweet love to Little Debbie. This book should help you on that uphill battle to lose the love handles, but in the meantime, you might consider learning how to block, because I see Tight End in your immediate future.Suzy Kolber - Don't Just Sit There: A True Account of a Frightening Experience and a Self-Help Book for WomenIf a drunk Joe Namath professing his desires to you on the air during the Super Bowl doesn't classify as a frightening experience, I don't know what does. Not to mention, she had to work the Monday Night game this week, which ended in a 3-0 human highlight reel. Suzy, reading this might do you some good after all you've been through. I'm not so sure what this book is advocating with that knife though, so you didn't hear it from me..Eli Manning - Awaken the Giant WithinIt's about time to stick it to all the naysayers and show everyone that you can lead this team. If Tony Robbins can turn Lothar of the Hillpeople in Gwenyth Paltrow, surely he can make you a better passer... Or if nothing else, at least tell Tiki Barber to quit yapping.Lawrence Phillips - Anger Management for DummiesHow about that blast from the past? Lawrence Phillips is one of the greatest collegiate running backs of the generation. Remember Nebraska? Well, if they would have only got a hold of this book, everything would have been different. Phillips would be a star, players would still go to Nebraska, the trophy room would be full of national championships, and they might even have a coach. Always known for his anger issues, Phillips tried to run over three teenagers in his car over a pickup football game, has been charged with child abuse, and recently stood trial for 7 counts of assault with a deadly weapon. So it goes. Subscribe to us

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These four :10.00 RMB, not to $1.5,you can see how dollors worth

And biscuits ,water

What will you take for train traveling?

How To Choose The Hotel That's Right For You

Planning vacations in advance is always recommendable, though do not invest too much effort. Booking a hotel beforehand is very important, otherwise, when you get there, you risk to be unable to find a place where to spend the nights, or there might be vacancies only in hotels, which are not best for you.You do not need to stay at the most expensive hotel in order to make sure that you get good service, but you should keep in mind that the least expensive hotels are that way for a reason. One way you can tell is by the price of Motel 6.Since even that motel is $40 for a room on average, anything less than that is probably suspect.While you should never consider a hotel room to be completely sterile, the more expensive hotels are generally cleaner than some of the really cheap places. On vacation, you generally get what you pay for.

The most important consideration is how much money you can afford for a hotel room. If you cannot spend more than a hundred dollars per night, this might be too bad. Depending on the destination, where you are going to, less than a hundred dollars per night might prove totally insufficient to get a decent room.Another important consideration is breakfast. Breakfast can be a continental one, a full service, or no breakfast at all. The advantage of in-hotel breakfast is that it is easier for you in the morning to go and have breakfast in the hotel restaurant, rather than looking for food somewhere else or ordering room service. But if you are going out very early, even a light continental breakfast, not to mention the full service one, might be unnecessary.If you're on vacation and want a pool, then you should also pay attention to where the pool is located, and what time of the year you're going to be vacationing there. If you're going somewhere during the winter, and the hotel has an outdoor pool, then the pool might be closed. Even if it's during the summer and the pool is open, inclement weather might make it harder for you to find time to swim.Another very important consideration is the location of the hotel. Depending on where you are going to, for instance Disneyland, you might not want to have to deal with rented cars but prefer a hotel that is right next to the park, or within a couple of minutes walking.Once you think you've found the right hotel for your vacation, you should try to buy a package for your trip instead of buying the hotel and travel tickets separately.Some companies will give discounts for vacation packages, and depending on where you're going and what time of year it is, you could save hundreds of dollars.

An African American Heritage Tour of Baltimore

In just a few days, visitors to this charming East Coast port city can explore a history of unparalleled achievement and inspiration on a remarkable journey through its many African American treasures.
One great place to begin a visit is the National Great Blacks In Wax Museum, housing more than 100 life-size wax figures--including Frederick Douglass, Harriett Tubman and Benjamin Banneker--presented in dramatic and historical scenes. A most compelling highlight is the dramatic walk through the museum's replica slave ship, complete with Middle Passage history. Then journey through 400 years of African American history at the new Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History & Culture, the largest of its kind on the East Coast. With interactive permanent exhibitions, exciting changing exhibitions and engaging programs, the museum is fast becoming a major regional attraction.
At the Eubie Blake National Jazz Museum and Cultural Center, check out the assortment of memorabilia and artifacts honoring the Baltimore-born composer and pianist, as well as highlights of other Baltimore jazz greats like Cab Calloway and Chick Webb. Then uncover keys to Baltimore's past and future at the Orchard Street Church. Founded in 1825, legend has it the church was a stop on the Underground Railroad--it still has an escape tunnel! Along with the church, the building today is also home to the Baltimore Urban League, an organization committed to enhancing the social and economic conditions of African Americans in Baltimore.
Also a stop on the Underground Railroad, the Baltimore Civil War Museum is housed in the President Street railroad station, which was built in 1851. The site also played a pivotal role in the Pratt Street Riot, the first incident of bloodshed in the Civil War, and features exhibits on Baltimore's colored troops.
Other highlights include the Frederick Douglass Marker in Fell's Point, celebrating the life of the great abolitionist, publisher and orator. Other neighborhood sites showcase where Douglass lived, worked, worshipped and learned to read. Don't miss the five historic townhouses he built that still stand today.
And if you have time for a show while you're in town, don't miss the nation's oldest continuously operating African American community theater, the Arena Players, offering productions of both classic works and contemporary plays by African American writers.
Finally, consider a stop at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the oldest, largest and strongest civil rights organization in the United States, which moved its headquarters to Baltimore in 1986. Peruse the national civil rights archives at the library, and stroll through a memorial garden to writer Dorothy Parker.

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