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Fall Semester Academic Honors Awarded to 143 Southern Miss Student-Athletes

Jan. 25, 2013

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss recognized 143 student-athletes for their academics efforts during the 2012 Fall semester.

Twenty-one Golden Eagles earned President's List honors for a 4.00 grade point average, while 44 secured Dean's List accolades for a 3.25 to 3.99 GPA and 78 others tallied Athletic Director Honor Roll status for achieving between a 3.00 to a 3.249 GPA.

The sport of football led the way with 30 total honorees, followed by women's soccer with 19, softball and women's track with 15 apiece, men's track and volleyball with 12 each and baseball and women's golf added 11 from their respective sports.

Volleyball registered five President's List members, while women's soccer and women's track was next with four from each sport.

The following is a list of the Fall semester honorees:

President's List (21)

James McMahon (Hattiesburg, Miss.)

Men's Track
Preston Bell (Hattiesburg, Miss.)

Kimberly Wagner (Biloxi, Miss.)

Women's Soccer
Casey Adkins (Mandeville, La.)
Lauren Bartholomay (Slidell, La.)
Jessica Bartlett (Indiatlantic, Fla.)
Caitlin Leumas (Mandeville, La.)

Lydia Bonner (Houston, Texas)
Halie Ecker (Moline, Ill.)
Ashley Mell (Yorba Linda, Calif.)
Heidi Otto (Spring, Texas)
Alex Pfefferle (New Orleans, La.)

Women's Golf
Lauren Judson (Roswell, Ga.)
Kristin Van de Voorde (Slidell, La.)

Women's Tennis
Frances Askew (Auckland, New Zealand)
Kate Lanier (Clarksville, Ga.)
Mackenzie Oskin (Duluth, Ga.)

Women's Track
Felice Johnson (Southlake, Texas)
Stephanie Ledgerwood (Yuma, Ariz.)
Jocelyn Lockhart (Brunswick, Canada)
Krista Moylan (Palos Hills, Ill.)

Dean's List (44)

Blake Brown (Semmes, Ala.)
Jay Myrick (Spanish Fort, Ala.)
David Walley (Richton, Miss.)

Lelland Duckworth (Hattiesburg, Miss.)
Joshua Flanders (Birmingham, Ala.)
Brandon Francesconi (Burlingame, Calif.)
Wil Freeman (Flowood, Miss.)
Kyle Sloter (Johns Creek, Ga.)

Men's Golf
Trent Hillis (Poplar Bluff, Mo.)
Drew Kirby (Baton Rouge, La.)

Men's Tennis
Juan Escobar (Manta, Ecuador)

Men's Track
Richard Collingwood (Port of Spain, Trinidad)
Robert Collingwood (Port of Spain, Trinidad)
Hunter Hawkins (Hattiesburg, Miss.)
Orain McLeggon (Spanish Town, Jamaica)
Ethan Rich (Spanish Fort, Ala.)

Kristen Franson (Davie, Fla.)
Jenifer Gary (Biloxi, Miss.)
Meaghen Nelson (Cerritos, Calif.)
Mackenzie Sher (Bellaire, Texas)
Emily Wood (Suwanee, Ga.)

Women's Soccer
Danielle Beatty (Mandeville, La.)
Chelsea Cruthirds (Sorrento, La.)
Tara Nay (Sherwood Park, Alberta)
Lindsey Schwaner (Mandeville, La.)
Tricia Tillman (Madison, Miss.)
Jordan Wagner (Geneseo, Ill.)

Kristin Fleming (Columbus, Ga.)
Quinci Hayward (Slidell, La.)
Mary Pursell (Kenner, La.)
Emily Sears (Ashburn, Va.)
Katie Steelman (Panama City Beach, Fla.)

Women's Basketball
Hannah Fletcher (Ponchatoula, La.)
Danielle Johnson (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

Women's Golf
Kirsten Hensley (Katy, Texas)
Kaylee Random (Alpharetta, Ga.)
Sandra Sohlberg (Stockholm, Sweden)

Women's Tennis
Elanor Grossman (Eugene, Ore.)

Women's Track
Tamarra Bowie (Sand Hill, Miss.)
Ashley Grillot (Mandeville, La.)
Paige Jones (Pass Christian, Miss.)
Tracie Nelson (Kenner, La.)
Kayla Taylor (Mansfield, Texas)
Petra Visic (Spilt, Croatia)

Athletic Director's Honor Roll (78)

Connor Barron (Hattiesburg, Miss.)
Ryan Ellis (Columbia, Miss.)
A.J. Glasshof (Sugar Land, Texas)
Nick Johnson (Ridgeland, Miss.)
Paxton King (Brookhaven, Miss.)
Austin Roussel (Hester, La.)
Michael Sterling (Meridian, Miss.)

Jarell Aaron (Poplarville, Miss.)
Corey Acosta (Memphis, Tenn.)
Randal Agee (Terrytown, La.)
Keelan Anderson (New Orleans, La.)
Darius Barnes (Memphis, Tenn.)
Nic Bekkers (Perry, Ga.)
Justin Burdette (Birmingham, Ala.)
Luke Burnham (Hattiesburg, Miss.)
Chris Campbell (Collierville, Tenn.)
Jamie Collins (McCall Creek, Miss.)
Darrion Goudy (Meridian, Miss.)
Johntre' Goudy (Meridian, Miss.)
Kendrick Hardy (Monticello, Miss.)
Bruce Johnson (Alpharetta, Ga.)
Jamil Murray (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Bradley Nugent (Pell Lake, Wis.)
Quentin Pierce (Mobile, Ala.)
Larsen Real (Hoover, Ala.)
Kalan Reed (Birmingham, Ala.)
Juan Rodriguez (Weston, Fla.)
Alex Smith (McCall Creek, Miss.)
D.J. Thompson (Pearl, Miss.)
Cole Weeks (Freeport, Fla.)
Deron Wilson (New Orleans, La.)
Khalid Wilson (New Orleans, La.)

Men's Basketball
Daveon Boardingham (Newark, N.J.)
Michael Craig (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Dwayne Davis (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Deon Edwin (British Virgin Islands)
Jonathan Mills (Chicago, Ill.)

Men's Tennis
Matt Frost (Hetford, U.K.)
Andrew Goodwin (Alpharetta, Ga.)

Men's Track
Napoleon Benoit (New Orleans, La.)
Morris Bevily (Hermanville, Miss.)
Jordan Crump (Jackson, Miss.)
Chris Monroe (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Kyle Smith (Daphne, Ala.)
Adam Sparks (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

Taylor Beck (Mesa, Ariz.)
Katie Cleary (Temecula, Calif.)
Beth Dietrich (Friendswood, Texas)
Madison Edwards (Chandler, Ariz.)
Sarah Evans (Livingston, Texas)
Danielle LaPointe (Wildomar, Calif.)
Madeline Ridgway (Birmingham, Ala.)
Shelbee Rodgers (Central, La.)
Caroline Walker (Woodville, Miss.)

Women's Soccer
Brooke Hendrix (Sharpsburg, Ga.)
Kay Kay Hypolite (Hattiesburg, Miss.
Harley Oliver (Petal, Miss.)
Mischa Tice (Bay St. Louis, Miss.)
Mary Margaret Underwood (Homewood, Ala.)
Zoe Vanderboegh (Pinson, Ala.)
Macie Wallace (Laurel, Miss.)
Missy Wentz (Katy, Texas)
Kristen Windecker (Tinley Park, Ill.)

Rachel Johnson (Round Rock, Texas)
Shelby Schacher (Lone Tree, Colo.)

Women's Basketball
Ance Celmina (Saldus, Latvia)
Michelle Summersell (Mobile, Ala.)

Women's Golf
Vicky Correa (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Juliana Herrera (Plantation, Fla.)
MacKenzie Kelly (Magee, Miss.)
Charlotte McLoughlin (Metairie, La.)
Jennifer Nguyen (Slidell, La.)
Alicen Pack (Semmes, Ala.)

Women's Track
Tori Bowie (Sand Hill, Miss.)
Katie Canavin (Highland Village, Texas)
Emily Hall (Arlington, Texas)
Rachel Polk (Madison, Miss.)
Rebecca Ulrich (Van Alstyne, Texas)

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Plan for $1.8 mil industry shell building goes forward

Halifax County looks to fill need for manufacturing facility

Auction house ‘a game changer’

New Nathalie operation fills market niche for small farm producers

Market Stroll highlights local farming goodness

Comets pick up Conference 16 baseball championship

Former Halifax County Sheriff Noblin indicted on forgery, embezzlement charges

South Boston News
Stanley Noblin / November 13, 2012
A Halifax County grand jury has returned 21 indictments of forgery and embezzlement against former Sheriff Stanley Noblin, marking the latest phase of an investigation into missing Sheriff’s Office funds that was launched more than a year ago.

Noblin, who was ousted from office in the November 2011 election by current Sheriff Fred Clark, has been under investigation ever since the missing funds were brought to the attention of law enforcement officials in August 2011. The probe has been led by special prosecutor Eric Cooke, the Southampton County Commonwealth’s Attorney, with the assistance of Virginia State Police accountant William Talbert.

Search warrants issued in the case indicated that up to $113,180.50 in funds intended for law enforcement activities — including drug interdiction — was missing from the Sheriff’s Office. The revelations prompted numerous searches of department records, as well as Noblin’s personal financial information and bank accounts, by State Police investigators.

The indictments issued Tuesday by the Halifax grand jury include 14 true bills for forgery and seven for embezzlement. The indictments cover a span of time from 2009 to 2011.

The allegations against Noblin were first brought to the attention of then-Commonwealth’s Attorney Kim White by former sheriff Jeff Oakes, who Noblin defeated for re-election in a bitter 2007 campaign. In his re-election bid against Clark last year, Noblin called the allegations politically motivated.

Cooke, who was appointed to oversee the investigation after White recused herself, had indicated in September that the Noblin probe was drawing close to possible charges being filed against the former sheriff. ““I suspect very shortly you’ll get the answer to that question,” he said.

This story will be updated.

Tell-a-Friend | Submit a Comment

"The allegations against Noblin were first brought to the attention of then-Commonwealth’s Attorney Kim White by _former sheriff Jeff Oakes_ ..."

That bad penny just keeps coming back. Never any doubt it was political revenge for the computer incident when the new sheriff came to town.

In all honesty I suspect equal dirt could be found on Mr. Oakes if only someone would go to the trouble of digging it up. Shouldn't be too difficult, after all.

Don't know which one is worse for not riding off into the sunset- Oakes or Danville's former police chief. People jabber about the toxicity of uranium mining- uranium can't hold a glowstick to the toxicity those two individuals can generate.

Wait! You forgot to blame Bush & Cheney, too!

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703.980.0889 |

beyond power

beyond power

Arising, from within, is a power beyond imagination, beyond time, beyond space.

How are you with power? What is your relationship? What is power? Where does power come from? Contemplate this.

The person living from soul is neither humble, nor arrogant. He/She simply IS.

You are empty, available and freely guided in awareness.

There is no need for "I didn't do it." or "I did it." Simply, It is done. Or We did it. This is the way of no separation.

Open your awareness to Power.
Not the power of the universe. Not the power of you.
Simply be Power. Not separate.

Meet Power. Say hello.
What does Power feel like?
Ask Power to tell you its story.
Ask Power how it serves you and all of life.
Ask Power how you can be in harmony with it.
Ask Power to merge with you.

When you know Power, there is no need for fear. No need to grasp at power or avoid power either. No need claim power. Simply be power.
The purest power is infused with vision, compassion and action.
The purest power can be simple or mountainous. Firey, watery, earthy, airy or spacious.
The purest power can be assertive (in its masculine form) and flexible (in its feminine form).
As you know each, power blends and flow through you in appropriate moments, consciously, fearlessly, lovingly.

In the same way, you can be Surrender.

And then you can be both and neither, as the moment requires.
Because you have integrated both and they are not at odds with each other.
Because you are aligned.
Because you are empty, available and freely guided in awareness.

Read More Teachings


text:
Sparrows Group lifts five year contract

Sparrows Group has secured a five year contract to deliver hydraulic, lifting and rigging services for Maersk Oil’s UK floating assets.

The agreement will see Sparrows support the operator in strengthening its lifting operations for the Global Producer 3 (GP3) and Gryphon FPSO’s and the new Culzean FSO.

The scope encompasses hydraulic services including maintenance, repair and parts and materials procurement; as well as the supply, management and certification of all lifting gear.

Additional mechanical engineering services, including failure modes, effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) studies; finite element analysis; the design and build of structural and mechanical assemblies and small pressure vessels; reverse engineering and fabrication; and Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) inspections, are also included.

Stewart Mitchell, chief executive officer of Sparrows, said: “The award of this important contract confirms our reputation as a world-class provider of reliable and cost-effective hydraulic, lifting and rigging solutions.

“We look forward to collaborating with Maersk to support their existing operations across the North Sea as well as Culzean. As the largest discovery in the UKCS since 2004, we are delighted to be involved in helping ensure safe and efficient production from this strategically important development.”

The Culzean gas condensate field has resources estimated at 250-300 million barrels of oil equivalent. Located in the Central North Sea, the high pressure, high temperature field is expected to start in 2019 and produce enough gas to meet 5% of total UK demand at peak production in 2020/21.

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May 28, 2012

Add to Spiritual Diary

My younger son has lots of why,s sometimes I do try to pacify his quest,sometimes even I dont know the answers and sometimes I really get irritated why dont he himself finds the answers like Newton did.Yesterday in the market only bolt out of  blue he asked mama why cant we fly?Why only birds can fly?Now I do have physical reasons like birds have hollow bones ,or the birds have wings and all stuff but I always start looking for the spiritual answers.First why we humans cant fly?Can an intelligent creator allow a dangerous animal like humans to fly? what will happen if terrorist ,murderers,gossipmongers start flying?what will happen to already chaotic world? And now why birds can fly? they have all the reasons to dfly for they are lovers and the proof is the birds can sing,only lovers can sing .Birds can feed other with their beaks while humans [barring few] only understand taking more and more of everything.Birds dont hoard anything but live in here and now and they also respect sacredness of others space for if the door left open and by some mistake they come in are quick to leave.

Maybe some day when we humans become lovers,live in here and now dont hoard and share whatever we have our consiousness will become light and will grow wings.Moreover the lovers can even fly without wings.

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text:
Live with Regis & Vaan

Character design by Yoshitaka Amano and Mark FoleyFinal Fantasy XII is a great game. It took me about eight hours to come to that conclusion, because I didn’t like it much at first, and it takes a long time to get going.

I wasn’t jumping up and down to get into another long RPG, but I ran into my friend Frank on the flight down to Burbank, and he recommended it. I had some time to kill before my flight left, so I went by and picked up a copy. And sitting inside with a videogame seemed to be the best way to guard myself against party-goers and trick-or-treaters on Halloween night.

There’s a lot going against it to start. It’s got the beautiful but interminable cut-scenes that are a Final Fantasy standard by this point, and you begin with just about the driest exposition possible of countries at war. After at least an hour of cut-scenes and training, you’re given your main character, Kelly Ripa (pictured). For some reason, they’ve given her a male voice. The battle system is different, and most of the familiar elements like scene transitions and end-battle victory music are missing, so you can’t get nostalgic. And the biggest insult of all: you start out fighting rats.

Gradually they trickle out additional characters, and familiar things like crystals and the power of the earth and giant dark conspiracies with androgynous leaders and it starts to feel like a Final Fantasy game is about to happen. But with it they introduce the new “gambit” battle system, which means they’ve finally removed that last pesky bit of interactivity from FFX and have finally released a game that can play itself.

But gradually, over the next few hours, it all starts to pull together. When it finally coalesces into sky pirates on hover bikes being shot at by giant airships during a daring escape from a palace culminating in a boss fight against a giant horse made of flame and you win just at the last minute and you finally see the camera pan across your party and get the familiar victory music, that’s when you sit back and think, “Okay, this is pretty bad-ass.”

It’s a really impressive production. Even more than the usual standard for the series; these things take years to produce and have budgets on the scale of small countries. But usually the result is visually stunning but overwhelmingly Japanese — technically unparalleled but completely foreign and indecipherable, with hundreds of neat things that get drowned in all the visual overload. This one, once you get past the overly complicated political intrigue, is an accessible and compelling story.

There’s a definite Star Wars influence. Other games in the series have made reference to the movies, but this is more direct, what with its story about a sky pirate and an orphan going onto a giant ship to rescue a princess who’s leader of a rebellion against an evil empire. But even though it’s the most blatant, it’s so well told — the art is phenomenal, the world-building is perfectly done, the voice performances are solid, and the characters are genuinely interesting — that it never feels like a rip-off. And the familiar Final Fantasy elements, when they appear, are so well-done that they don’t get overwhelmed by all the other stuff going on (the bombs just look cool).

What surprised and impressed me most is that “gambit” system, where you don’t control all of your characters directly but instead set up their AI to perform actions during combat. It was pretty ballsy of them to include it, because it sounds like a horrible idea; it takes away the last bit of control from the player and plays itself. In practice, though, it’s just what these games need. There’s nothing compelling about choosing “Attack” over and over again from a menu. The only interesting part of most console RPG combat is when you could figure out a great tactical combination and pull it off.

The system in FF XII automates all the tedium while still giving you the level of control that’s interesting. And even more surprising is that both the boss fights and all the easy level-grinding fights up to that point are made more exciting as a result. The only thing that would’ve made the gambits system better is if they’d included pre-generated versions for different character classes, like healers and black mages.

Overall, I get the feeling that this is finally the successor to Final Fantasy Tactics (which, I remind everybody, is the best videogame ever made). Even though it uses a different battle system, and it’s set in the same world only in name, it feels even more like the original game than FF Tactics Advance did. It borrows the best elements from Advance (the hunt side-quests, the new character races, the judges), ditches the stuff that sucked (the cards and rule system, the lack of focus, the cheesy child-sucked-from-the-real-world storyline), and keeps the best from the original (the general setting and European feel, the epic scope, the variety of character creation, and the odd-ball combinations like Lancer-ninjas and Calculator-green-mages).

And of course, the writing and translation are the best yet for the series, and there’s a level of polish in everything from the transportation system to the bestiary (which is, for the first time ever in one of these games, interesting on its own). I do wish there were more variety in the main characters — so far I miss the black mages, and the weird specialized characters like moogles and Red XIII, but you can’t have everything.

So far, I’m loving it. Now I just need five or six extra hours each day to get everything done and have time to play a videogame.

6 thoughts on “Live with Regis & Vaan”

  1. Well, it *is* made by a lot of the FFT team, so the Tactics thing shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. For me, FFX basically demolished any future desire to play a Final Fantasy game – I hated that thing with the passion of a thousand blazing suns. I didn’t like a lot of games in the last generation, but I can’t think of one off the top of my head that I *loathed* as much as I did FFX.

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Autobots! Roll (your eyes) out!

The Transformers movies are the after-effects of the 1990s disguised as nostalgia for the 1980s.

I have finally solved the mystery of the Transformers movies. In retrospect, it’s so obvious that I’m embarrassed I didn’t catch on sooner.

First, let me set the scene so that future generations may recount the story like Alexander Fleming and penicillin: I’ve really needed to be working today, but instead have been stricken with a non-stop, straight-out-of-Greek-mythology headache. It’s hit me so hard that I can’t even concentrate on a game about zombies. It’s left me staggering across the internet like a wounded bear, where the smallest offense sends me into a berserker fury, hoping only that rage can cure what Advil can’t.

So instead of trying to work, I decided to read the least challenging and most non-confrontational thing I could imagine: a review of the third Transformers movie on the Comics Alliance blog. “Unchallenging” isn’t intended as an insult; it’s a blog about a subject I’m only barely invested in, with an article that I likely agree with completely.

Anybody who’s seen the internet in the past four years can immediately see the flaw in my logic: you can’t write anything — anything, anywhere — about the Transformers movies without starting an argument. That Comics Alliance post currently has 263 comments, after all. I’ve seen it, too; people who are happy to ignore me otherwise will respond every single time I say anything negative about the movies. This blog averages less than 100 views on a good day, but writing about a Transformers movie will get comments.

And it’s always, always the same response: “It’s an action movie, it’s not supposed to be high art.” “Bay knows what his audience wants.” And, unavoidably: “Just turn off your brain and enjoy it.”

Which is infuriating, of course, to those of us who actually like movies, because “turn your brain off” is not a defense of a movie. It’s like if you told someone his sister was ugly, and he responded by saying, “Shut up, you’re wrong. She’s just really stupid.” It’s presented as if it were an unbreakable finishing move in the discussion but it doesn’t make any sense and oh no the headache’s coming back.

It’s doubly frustrating because it’s got this built-in accusation of being insufferably pretentious and elitist, which is something I just can’t respond to, when I list Big Trouble in Little China as one of the greatest movies ever made. It’s just denial that there’s a wide range of possibility between Terrence Malick and Michael Bay, and that movies have a long history of making enjoyable, accessible entertainment that doesn’t leave you feeling like your brain has been raped.

In fact, based on the box office, thousands of people walked right past a perfectly entertaining, fun, exciting, and completely comprehensible action movie that wasn’t unforgivably stupid — Super 8 — and instead willingly and with malice of forethought paid for a ticket to Transformers 3. There are tons of movies that are not only more intelligent than the Transformers movies, but also have much better action sequences. You don’t have to sacrifice the basics of competent storytelling for explosions and robots; there are lots of movies that have both!

It wasn’t until I passed over a dozen constructive things I could have been doing, in favor of reading an article on a blog about comic books, that I realized what I’ve been missing all this time: the “appeal” isn’t just “this movie’s really stupid.” Non-confrontational entertainment is nothing new or unique to Transformers. (See: Futurama’s episode about the “Single Female Lawyer” series).

No, the appeal of the Transformers series is, “this movie is stupid and I’m completely aware of how stupid it is.”

They’re ostensibly based on toys (although I can’t imagine the bulk of the target audience is old enough to have played with the toys or watched the cartoon), so it seems like it’s a simple case of nostalgia. But that’s just a front — it’s a franchise in disguise if you see what I did there — it’s really nostalgia for the 1990s, the decade that bred the mindset of ironic pop culture appreciation. (I’m really hoping it’s the last death rattle of the 90s, but that’s probably just me being optimistic).

What this means is that Bay has actually accomplished something kind of profound: he’s made hipsterism mass-market and mainstream. It’s no great achievement to make a movie that anybody can understand. But it is somewhat remarkable to make a movie that anybody can understand is bad.

That’s not me being elitist, either: I generally consider myself to have pretty good taste, but I watched Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and got exactly what I’d wanted to get out of it. There are always some people who will find a way to enjoy what you’ve made if you give them even the slightest opening.

Usually, ironic detachment is a pretty hit-or-miss proposition: too much camp is just painfully deplorable, but too much effort just ends up being kind of sad. Bay’s movies satisfy some minimum ratio of moving image to synaptic firing rate that a majority of people can watch them without being bored, and they have enough of a “we’re not taking any of this seriously” vibe so that the most kind-hearted portion of the audience can make fun of them without feeling like they’re picking on the defenseless.

Most importantly, they’re movies that just about anyone can watch and come away feeling like they’re better than what they’re watching. These are, after all, movies that cast actors like John Turturro, Frances McDormand, and John Malkovich, and yet it’s Shia LeBeouf who believes that he’s slumming.

As much as I hate to admit it, I suppose that there’s often some primal need to feel superior, or at least to feel completely in control of what’s going on. It’s the same phenomenon that causes the baffling popularity of reality programming: people don’t watch The Bachelorette just because it’s easy to watch, but so that they can feel superior to any of the characters on the show and dismiss the whole thing as a guilty pleasure. And it’s more or less the same reason I tend to leave a movie thinking less about the movie itself and more about what I can write about it. To be able to take it apart and put it back together, to say that I’ve “beaten” it.

But that’s not “turning your brain off.”

7 thoughts on “Autobots! Roll (your eyes) out!”

  1. «They’re ostensibly based on toys (although I can’t imagine the bulk of the target audience is old enough to have played with the toys or watched the cartoon)»

    I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Transformers has always been (and was started to be) one of those perennial brands of toys (like HotWheels) with “new” toys every year. I believe there has been a near-continuous supply of the toys since the franchise started, even years without a cartoon (and the toys have always lead what appears in the cartoons). Even then, there have been very few years without a cartoon for the brand: the Beast “saga” lasted nearly a decade, for instance, and Cartoon Network was airing new episodes (in what the fans call the “Unicron trilogy”) as recently as 2006.

    If there’s nothing but childhood nostalgia at play here, it’s a deep multi-generational vein.

  2. Heh, interesting. It’s true that Transformers does a good job relaying that it is stupid, which is something a lot of people miss. It’s especially true here in the Arab world, where concepts like “cheesy” and “irony” don’t exist. I was fairly surprised, for example, at the number of people who didn’t get that Drag Me to Hell was meant to be funny, as the idea of a funny horror movie isn’t a prevalent one here. Transformers escapes that trap by being woefully stupid and flaunting it. (I’m not saying that Drag Me to Hell is stupid; just that it didn’t advertise that it wasn’t a strict horror movie per se, or so I hear – I haven’t seen it.)

    I don’t quite agree with the idea that Transformers being “turn your brain off” movie means it can get away with murder. I can turn off my brain at Face/Off or something similar – a mindless thing that doesn’t involve running from the Egyptian pyramids to Petra in 10 minutes. (It would take me 3 hours to drive to Petra, and I’m in Jordan.) I get that not every movie is Paths of Glory. But just like there are good war movies, there are bad war movies. Transformers being in a certain category doesn’t mean it isn’t total shit.

  3. Isn’t this logic a bit odd?

    I have a splitting headache…
    …you know what would make it better?

    Thinking a lot about a Michael Bay movie.

  4. So it’s kind of the lowest form of high art, or high art for the masses? Ah yes, let them eat cake!

  5. I’m reluctant to use the word “art” in relation to the Transformers movies in any way. If my theory is correct, then I prefer to think of it as Western Pop Culture slowly getting rid of the need to feel superior to whatever it is they’re reading, watching, or playing. Kind of like a prolonged bowel movement. With blurry, gray, indistinguishable robots.

  6. I think John Turturro should win an Oscar for, “greatest performance by a Male performer with putrid dialogue”. Watch how the other actors struggle through the nonsense, while he somehow manages to pull it off. I think the great winner out of this is Fox. You still managed to go and see it & it still managed to make 1 billion dollars, even though you knew it was going to be a stupid movie.

  7. Actually, no, I didn’t go see it. I more than learned my lesson after the first one.

    This post is just an attempt to figure out why people would willingly pay money to see something this lousy and lazy, when there are so many better options with movies that are better in every conceivable way.

Comments are closed.


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NASCAR Sprint All Star Race Preview and Predictions

by SM Staff On Wed, May. 18, 2011

Once again it is that time of year when the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads home for two consecutive weekends of big time racing and events.

It all starts of with the Camping World Truck Series’ North Carolina Education 250 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday night which will see the debut of 2007 Formula One champion, Kimi Raikonen. Not to take anything away from this race, but it’s just not the main ticket this weekend.

[media-credit name=”Barry Albert” align=”alignright” width=”259″][/media-credit]The Sprint All Star race has been a smash hit since its inception in 1985. The event went to a whole other level in 1992 when it went under the lights for the first time and ended with the race winner, Davey Allison, in the hospital. So much history has occurred in this race including; Jeff Gordon’s “T-REX” car in 1997, Gordon winning the race in 2001 after going to a backup car after a turn one pile up caused by a rain shower, the Busch brothers wreck in 2007, Kasey Kahne becoming the first Sprint Fan Vote winner to win the All Star in 2008 and Kurt Busch sweeping the May Cup events at CMS just last year.

When you come to the All-Star race, you are always in for a show. The reason for that is that there aren’t any points on the line. It’s all about winning and the million dollar pay day. Drivers will do anything to win this race as it is now considered one of the crown jewels of NASCAR racing. Sometimes this race is just what a driver needs to turn around their season or even their career. Michael Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Darrell Waltrip, Ryan Newman, Terry Labonte and Kasey Kahne have all had season or career defining moments in this race.

Over the years, there have also been many changes to the format of the race. For a while, drivers were being eliminated segment by segment. Fans did not like this because some crazy occurrence on pit road could cost a driver with a legitimate shot at winning the race. Also, the multi-million dollar companies places their logos all over the cars didn’t like their company being forced to park. These were not the reasons this format was changed thought. It is changed regularly so even the format you will see Saturday night may be gone in a few years. All the new and sometimes strange formats really provide exciting racing because no one really knows how they will work in this different style of race.

This year’s All Star race will be one for the history books. The reason I say this is because this has been one of the best starts to a season that NASCAR has had in long time both in the racing and ratings respectively. The “Boys have at it” policy is still providing exciting moments and shouldn’t be any different Saturday night.

Pit Crew Challenge Winning Team- #18 Joe Gibbs Racing Team
Sprint Showdown Winner- David Ragan
Sprint Showdown Runner Up- Marcos Ambrose
Sprint Fan Vote Winner- Dale Earnhardt Jr
Sprint All Star Race Winner- Kasey Kahne

Also check out the 2011 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Predictions by

** The opinions expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the publisher. All comments other than website related problems need to be directed to the author. (c) **

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Uncovering the Mystery of Dyslexia

Dyslexia in Spelling and Reversing Letters Can End

Special Offer! Get 100 Spelling Rules + 3 other books Free! Save $219

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What is dyslexia?

Dyslexia is an acquired hurrying disorder causing a person to read, write, spell, or say letters or words in reverse. Any other definitions of dyslexia labeling people with neurological learning deficiencies or learning disabilities are false, uninformed, and misleading. Do not let the enormous commotion created around dyslexia confuse you. When understood, dyslexia becomes a simple issue that can be easily resolved.

Reading or Spelling Difficulties are Linked to Dyslexia but they are Not Dyslexia

While all types of dyslexia are caused by forced speed at some point or time, dyslexia in spelling English words ad in writing letters in reverse is caused by spelling difficulties and by forced speed-reading before learning to spell words. If dyslexia is a disorder, it is an acquired hurrying disorder caused by being forced to hurry. Dyslexic persons become poor spellers first, and then they acquire dyslexia in spelling. See How do you get dyslexia? and then return here to read the rest of this rare article.

Phonics →Spelling Difficulties →Dyslexia: Having too many spelling patterns of a single English sound we call phonic causes spelling difficulties. Logical learners need logical spelling rules to know when to spell a single sound one-way and not the other. See how Phonics, Spelling and Dyslexia are Linked, and then return to this page.

What is dyslexia in spelling?

Dyslexia in spelling means misspelling words, plus writing letters in reverse. Poor spelling precedes dyslexia, and dyslexia in spelling is an advanced stage of poor spelling. Dyslexia in spelling ends after learning to spell and after slowing down to write words slowly. The focus in this article is on dyslexia in spelling. For other types of dyslexia, see What is dyslexia?

Too Many Spelling Patterns of a Sound Cause Spelling Difficulties

Unlike English, most known languages have a consistent single letter or symbol to represent a single sound every time that sound is written in words. Such languages might have only a single letter like the “f” to represent this sound whenever the sound of “f” is written, as in font, geografy, and enouf.

In English, however, there are letters like the “f” in “font” and phonics spelled in many different ways we call spelling patterns. The “ph” phonic in “photography” and the “gh” phonics in “enough” are two spelling patterns of the same sound we call phonic. The “ph” is not a letter; it is a phonic made out of two letters.

The numerous spelling patterns of each English sound cause spelling difficulties among logical learners who need spelling rules to know when to spell a sound one-way and not the other. They need a logical spelling rule to show them when to write “f as in font” or “ph as in photography” or “gh as in enough.”

Logical Learners (Analyzers) vs. Memorizers

You are dyslexic because you are too logical and too intelligent to accept the illogical way English words are spelled. If you were born into a more consistent language, you wouldn’t have acquired dyslexia.

Memorizers are learners born capable of memorizing without questioning the logic behind what they are about to memorize. The brain of such learners is wired differently; it enables them to memorize the spelling of English words without questioning the logic behind spelling a sound one way and not the other.

Analyzers are learners born with a very logical brain that is wired to analyze, question, examine, and constantly search for logical explanations to help them memorize; they can easily memorize after seeing the logic behind anything they are about to memorize. Learners who are analyzers are simply too logical and too intelligent to accept the illogical way English words are spelled. Why should a logical young child accept the symbol “o” to represent the sound of “w” in “choir”?

Dyslexia in Reading and Spelling

Dyslexia in spelling is acquired when logical learners with spelling difficulties fall behind in class, and then feel forced or pressured to hurry to keep up with their schoolwork. They are forced to run before they can walk or crawl. Namely, they are forced to speed-read before learning to spell words. When they read in a hurry, their vision travels rapidly from left-to-right and right-to-left. In their haste, they see letters in reverse. Eventually, they spell letters in that same reversed manner that they saw them and read them. When dyslexic persons learn to spell and to slow down to write a word slowly, they write that word with confidence and do not reverse the letters in it.

Some analytic learners reject reading all together; they refuse reading because they are super logical. They may expect to see all English words spelled logically and with plain letters, or else. They may expect to see “My cat is cute.” to be written “Mi kat iz qut.” Otherwise, they shut out completely and stop trying to read. Soon after that, they are labeled with dyslexia in reading because no one knows how else to label them. Dyslexia is the easiest label that has been thrown at people irresponsibly.

At a later stage in life, these so-called “dyslexics” may succumb to pressure that society places on them and then decide to give reading another try. Their tutors may help them recite reading, not understand it, and then they may “get by” with reading but not with spelling. They usually cannot spell the words that they read. Eventually, they end up speed-reading before learning the spelling of the words they are reading. Their punctuation skills are also weak because they have no time to focus on punctuation or grammar; they are always hurrying and too busy trying to figure out the spelling of words.

According to reliable statistics, 2 out of 3 native-English speakers are analytic learners, born with questioning minds that need logic first and then they can memorize. This means that a great number of English-speakers have some degree of reading and / or spelling difficulties, plus a mild or a severe case of dyslexia in spelling and / or in reading.

Only logical learners (analyzers) can have difficulties with reading and / or spelling. Soon after that, they acquire dyslexia in reading or in spelling or in both. Dyslexic persons become poor spellers first before they acquire dyslexia. Read how dyslexia is given to kids before the 4th grade → How do you get dyslexia?

Can Read but Cannot Spell

Most analyzers can read the numerous spelling patters of the various English sounds we call phonics; however, they do not always remember which of the numerous spelling patterns to choose when spelling these sounds in words. For example, they may read “ocean” but spell it oceon, ocian, osion, otion, oseon, oshin, oshion, etc. This is only one example out of thousands.

Memorizing Thousands of Words, One at a Time

Without any previous logical explanations or spelling rules that can be applied to a group of words of a same sound and same spelling pattern, how are logical learners expected to memorize the spelling of thousands of words one at a time? The above “ocean” example is only one out of thousands of examples to show why we can’t spell. Imagine having to memorize the spelling of hundreds of sounds in hundreds of spelling patterns in thousands of words, one at a time and without logic!

Examine these additional examples! The single sound of long “e” is spelled in these 10 spelling patterns of sounds that we call phonics: meet in 240 words, meat in 370 words, receive in 17 words, believe in 108 words, complete in 120 words, elite in 32 words, we in a countless number of words, happy in countless words, money in 40 words, and ski in 60 words. If you are an analyzer, don’t be discouraged; there are now 100 logical spelling rules to solve all such problems.

Traditional Definitions of Dyslexia

Traditionally, dyslexia is said to be a condition in which a person can have difficulties learning to read, spell, or write. Some dictionaries define dyslexia as a learning disability or learning disorder. Sadly, traditional dyslexia institutions cannot agree on a definition for dyslexia, because they have no clue as to what dyslexia might mean. Read the following gibberish they wrote about dyslexia:

According to the International Dyslexia Association, “Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and / or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.” Adopted by the IDA Board of Directors, Nov. 12, 2002. This Definition is also used by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).”

How much is known about dyslexia?

In spite of the enormous amount of money being spent on dyslexia, traditional dyslexia establishments know very little about it. When I approached someone who did a PhD on dyslexia, he said there was no known solution for dyslexia and thus his specialty was not in finding solution, but in conducting tests in schools to diagnose dyslexic children.

Logical Learners are the Ones who Can Get Dyslexia

Usually, analyzers cannot memorize the spelling of words without logical explanations as to why a single English sound should be spelled one way and not the other. When analyzers do not find the logic they search for, they become poor spellers, and some of them will not read at all. It is not a matter of choice for them; their questioning minds cannot memorize and reject such inconsistent spelling patterns of a single sound in so many words.

Analyzers, first, become poor spellers and then they acquire dyslexia in spelling. Learning how dyslexia is acquired is the most important piece of this article. See How is dyslexia acquired?

Different Wiring in the Brain Does Not Mean Disabled

Various scientific studies confirm that the brain wiring of a dyslexic person differs from that of a person who is not dyslexic. Based on brain wiring differences, traditional dyslexia establishments concluded that dyslexics have some type of a neurological deficiency that is innate in nature. Their argument may look valid because dyslexics do have spelling or reading difficulties, but the argument is unsound and based on false premises.

There is a huge difference between having “different wiring” and “brain deficiencies.” Naturally, the wiring of a logical learner’s brain differs from that which is less analytic. However, this does entail a deficiency in anyone’s brain. One might argue that memorizers have brain deficiencies, because their brains are wired differently and because they memorize without questioning the logic behind what they are about to memorize. Furthermore, one might argue that dyslexic persons are the better thinkers because they examine what they are about to memorize, or that they are the finest type of learners because they require logic first, or that they are the most creative ones because of the great number of creative persons who are dyslexic.

Being an Analyzer is Hereditary but Not Being Dyslexic

The commonly held belief claiming the dyslexia is innate is absurd and groundless. Dyslexia is not hereditary, but being a logical learner is hereditary. Only logical learners can have dyslexia in spelling English words.

Too many people are falsely led to believe that dyslexia cannot be prevented because it is hereditary; but now that we know that it is not hereditary, we can explore the idea of preventing it. In fact, I explored the idea of preventing dyslexia and succeeded over and again. Schools or parents can easily prevent dyslexia before the 3rd grade.

Dyslexia Can be Ended

Too many people are falsely led to believe that dyslexic persons must accept dyslexia and manage their lives around it because dyslexia is hereditary. Now that we know that being, logical is hereditary and not being dyslexic, we can entertain the idea of reversing dyslexia for those who already have it, and I did just that. I have been helping thousands of dyslexic persons read, spell and end dyslexia in spelling and in writing letters in reverse and so can you. Dyslexia ends after learning to spell and after slowing down to write words slowly.

Dyslexic Persons Do Not Have Learning Disabilities

Finally, yet importantly, too many people are falsely led to believe that dyslexic persons are born with learning disabilities; but now that we know that dyslexia is not hereditary, we know that dyslexic persons are not born with learning disabilities. Dyslexic persons do NOT have learning disabilities nor do they have neurological learning deficiencies, perhaps those who don’t understand them do.

Dyslexia is in English Spelling but Not in All Languages

Know that speakers of most other languages do not become poor spellers and do not acquire dyslexia in their native languages, and this is so if their native languages happen to have one consistent symbol or one letter to spell a sound every time that sound is written in words.

In fact, most new immigrants who are completely literate in their native tongues come to the U.S. and then acquire dyslexia only in English. Moreover, they send their children to schools assuming that they will learn to read and spell before the 3rd grade, in the same way that they had learned when they were back in their homelands. Most of them had not heard of spelling quizzes or remedial reading courses. They had not heard before of a child going to school, passing from one grade to another, and not learning to read or spell.

Teaching Words before Sentences

When logical persons, who only know the ABC’s, are asked to read stories before learning to spell phonics in words, they become poor spellers. They need to be taught ALL the spelling patterns of phonics logically (with spelling rules), one at a time, and then in all the words that follow that rules. They need to do that before reading sentences, stories, and before speed-reading.

They need to be taught all of the spelling patterns of phonics, not just bits and pieces of phonics. For instance, they need to be informed beforehand that the “y” can sound like an “i” at the end of short words, before asking them to read words like my, by, sky, try, etc. If not informed beforehand, young logical learners expect to see sentences like “My cat is cute.” to be “Mi kat iz qut.” Reading comprehension will have to wait for logical learners; and, they must learn to write words first before they writing sentences.

How do you get dyslexia?

Because they are so young, logical kids cannot form all the complex linguistic questions they wish to ask; and, the number of whys overwhelms them at such a young age. Note: This portion of this article has been moved to a separate link and it is the most important part of this entire article. Please click to read it and then return here How do you get dyslexia?

Misconceptions about Dyslexia

Unfortunately, traditionally concepts used to describe dyslexia are still the same concepts used to describe an illness. Traditional dyslexia community still uses terms like dyslexia symptoms, dyslexia prognostic, dyslexia treatment, dyslexia cure, dyslexia is a neurological disorder, dyslexia is a brain deficiency, dyslexia is a learning disability, etc.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorder writes this rubbish, “Dyslexia is a brain-based type of learning disability that specifically impairs a person’s ability to read. These individuals typically read at levels significantly lower than expected despite having normal intelligence. Although the disorder varies from person to person, common characteristics among people with dyslexia are difficulty with phonological processing (the manipulation of sounds), spelling, and/or rapid visual-verbal responding. In individuals with adult onset of dyslexia, it usually occurs as a result of brain injury or in the context of dementia; this contrasts with individuals with dyslexia who simply were never identified as children or adolescents. Dyslexia can be inherited in some families, and recent studies have identified a number of genes that may predispose an individual to developing dyslexia.”

Living an Entire Life with Dyslexia

Some dyslexic persons may “get by” with reading but will have difficulties spelling the words that they read. Others may not learn to read at all. If they did not learn to read or spell by the end of the third grade, chances are they are not going to learn from traditional learning methods at all. According to them, memorizing without logical spelling rules is impossible.

Except in arts, music, and some divisions of science, dyslexic persons will naturally suffer in schools from low performances and low grades in subjects that require reading and spelling. They often express their sorrow from the way society looks down at them or blames them. The saddest part is that too many dyslexic persons tend to think society is right and that they are to blame because they did not do it right when they were little kids. Reality is that society owes them a humongous apology.

Typically, dyslexic persons think they are the only ones with spelling problems and they may try hard to hide this fact. They may continue living with this burden and may never know that they not alone; or it may take them 20 or 30 years of hiding and living with low self-esteem before they discovers that more than 60% of the population is like him. Poor spelling or dyslexia is so common in English that nearly every person knows someone who cannot spell or is dyslexic. Please inform those you know that they are not alone, and that they are better thinkers because they are analyzers.

A woman attended my spelling class at Cuyamaca College in 1998 and said she had not accepted promotion where she worked for 22 years, because she was too afraid they would discover her spelling problem. After learning to spell, she accepted the promotion. Millions suffer from low self-esteem and many books can be written about dyslexics’ heartbreaking life stories. Before the labeling of “learning disability” was accepted in schools, children were told they were too lazy to study.

Isn’t time to try to make up for some of the damage done in the past? Should we keep the name “dyslexia,” which rhymes with medical conditions like anorexia, asphyxia, hysteria, etc.? I suggest changing the naming of “dyslexics” to “logical learners” and “dyslexia” to “logical strictness.”

ADD that is Caused by Dyslexia Easily Ends

Reading is the foundation for all learning. Obviously, a dyslexic child forced to sit in classrooms year-after-year without learning is going to be bored to the point of developing ADD; if dyslexia is prevented early enough, so are most cases of ADD. Yes, the cases of ADD caused by dyslexia can end in weeks or months while ending dyslexia.

In 1999, I met Lee who was a child in sixth grade. Lee had been sitting in classrooms for six years unable to read words. He was labeled with dyslexia, ADD, learning disabilities, etc. Repeatedly, his parents were told he was an impossible-to-learn case. In August of 1999, Lee learned to read in six days, not in six years. Lee’s lifestyle changed after reading and ADD had no more presence in his new way of life. B.J. could read but he could not spell; he also recovered from ADD after learning to spell. Months later, B.J. said and his father agreed, “Now that spelling is so easy my grades are all straight A’s.” B.J.’s overflowing energy was transformed into positive energy. Anticipate seeing my book about the life stories of those who used to have dyslexia or ADD that is caused by dyslexia.

Dyslexia is acquired but only by analytic learners, and what causes it is being compelled to speed-read before learning to spell words. Reading too fast, too soon causes poor spellers to see letters in reverse and eventually writing letters in reverse.

Lee Learned to Read in a Week!

Because Lee learned to read a week, Lee proved that dyslexic persons do NOT have neurological learning deficiencies, and that they do NOT have learning disabilities, but perhaps those who don’t understand them do. Perhaps analyzers like Lee can help memorizers learn to analyze and question things that they believe in. As it turns out, Lee’s ADD was a result of boredom from sitting in class for six years, unable to read or participate in learning. Parents beware of medicating your kids who have ADD, because ADD that is caused by spelling difficulties or dyslexia will naturally end after learning to read and spell logically. See how Lee Learned to Read in a Week!

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Understanding Dyslexia in Spelling

1. Read Instantly (200 Logical Phonics Lessons) Amazon $52 — or — Our Price $45 — or — Special Offer

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Here’s what our satisfied clients say:

“I was used to reading without looking at the way words are spelled because my other teachers always told me to read fast. I thought I could never learn to spell. Spelling isn’t as difficult as I thought it was. I wish that someone had told me about these spelling rules before.” Eleazar Herrera, age 11, grade 6 Cajon Valley Union School District

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SpoilerTV - TV Spoilers

The X-Files - Home Again - Review

Last week’s The X-Files, “Home Again,” was a complete departure from last week’s light-hearted episode. The episode was written and directed by Glen Morgan. This episode was a return to a monster of the week, but also featured an amazing performance by Gillian Anderson (Scully) as she dealt with her mother’s death. I apologize for the lateness of this review, but computer issues prevented me from posting it before this week's episode aired.

I have to admit that I really thought the monster was going to turn out to be a golem. In the first scene, we see that there is a relocation initiative taking place. I loved that the poster they show is for the day after the episode aired (February 9) which gives the scene a nice immediacy.

Naturally, it’s the middle of the night and we follow Cutler (Alessandro Juliani) back to his office. He’s in charge of displacing the locals and has no sympathy for them. A garbage truck pulls up and a huge figure is alone in the road as it pulls away. The lights go out and the shadowy figure appears outside Cutler’s door. He goes for a gun and calls 911, neither of which save him from the figure getting into the office and literally just pulling him apart! It’s terrifically horrific!

Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully show up, and we get the hero shot of them with their badges. They’ve been called in by the local pd because of their reputation with “spooky” cases. The bloody footprint they find has no prints, which Mulder points out is impossible as everyone is born with them. Cutler is literally all over the office – his head is in the wastebasket, which Mulder hilariously points out is the wrong recycling bin! Mulder also points out that it took four horses to draw and quarter a man that way.

Scully receives a phone call from her brother Bill that her mother, Margaret (Sheila Larken), has suffered a heart attack and is in ICU. Mulder tells Scully to just go to her mother. It’s clear from his face that he’s worried about Scully. I loved the camera work in this scene as Scully leaves that perfectly reflects the disorientation she’s feeling. Her walk down the stairwell is terrifically shot.

While Scully deals with her mother’s emergency, Mulder works the case. His first clue is some street art of a hanged man that’s been put up after the murder. Mulder discovers that there are a lot of parties fighting over the relocation project. Daryl Landry (Daryl Shuttleworth) has been working with Cutler and Nancy Huff (Peggy Jo Jacobs) represents the Buckcounty School Board who oppose the project because they’re building a ten story apartment. Mulder wants to know who – if anybody – is speaking for the people who are being displaced. It would seem to be no one.

We see that two guys have stolen the hanged man street art, and we see that the tag is TRASHMAN. The picture appears and disappears. While one leaves the room the other ends up dead with a plastic bag over his head. Fitzpatrick (Seth Whittaker) comes back in to find the large, slimy man there who rips him apart. There’s a great shot of his spinal column!

Meanwhile, Scully is in the ICU with her mother who is on a ventilator. It’s wonderful to see another side of the seemingly always self-possessed Scully, and Anderson does a brilliant job showing us this softer, less assured side. The Nurse (Jannen Karr) tells Scully her mother was briefly conscious and asked for Charlie, Scully’s estranged brother.

She strokes her mother’s cheek and gently tells her she’s there. She tells her mother that she’s been where she is – for those new to the show, Scully was in a coma for some time. There’s a terrific flashback from the original season of Mulder sitting beside Scully’s bed, encouraging her to come back to him. William calls and Scully tell him to get there as soon as he can. She tells him that they’ll keep their mother on life support because that was what she wanted. Scully knows because they had talked about it after Scully’s own coma.

Scully is therefore shocked to find out that Margaret has changed her Advanced Medical Directive to do not resuscitate. The Dr (Veena Sood) tells Scully that they will have to extubate Margaret because it was her wish and that’s the law. Mulder drops into the hospital and Scully is clearly relieved to have the support and pleased to see him.

Scully tells him about her mother asking for Charlie, changing her will, and having a necklace Scully doesn’t understand around her neck. Mulder tells her that the killer is a man who believes that he’s helping the homeless. He also says he can’t stay because he suspects more will die if he does. We see Huff torn apart in her suburban mansion after delivering an injunction to prevent the homeless being treated in her local hospital.

Scully watches as the doctor removes the breathing tube and comments that she’s not interested in the big questions right now, she’d just like the chance to ask her mom a few little ones – to clear up those things troubling her. Scully asks Mulder why they never came across a way to wish someone back to life and he tells her that he invented one when she was in the hospital. She smiles and the memory and tells him that he’s a “Dark Wizard.”

Mulder is with Scully when Charlie calls his mother and Scully asks him to speak to their mother and bring her back. She puts him on speaker phone, and Mulder carefully watches Margaret’s vitals on the monitors. Margaret opens her eyes as Charlie speaks. She takes Mulder’s hand, however, and says, “My son. He’s named William too.” And then she dies.

It was really interesting to see Scully deal with her grief. She freaks out when they come with a gurney for her mother. Mulder calms her down and reminds her that Margaret is an organ donor, so they need her body right away. As a doctor, you would think Scully would know all this, but it’s nice to see her very human side here. Scully is troubled that her mother’s last words were about the child they gave away.

Scully insists that they drive to Philadelphia right away. She needs to work right now. Mulder looks after her, clearly sad that she won’t allow herself to just grieve.

The two track down the paint used in the street art which leads to a foot chase. I loved that he almost gets away because Mulder refuses to shoot and says he doesn’t do stairs anymore. Scully retorts that “back in the day I did stairs in three inch heels!” Mulder grounds us in the present by saying “back in the day is now.” Yes, Mulder, it is! I also love that the show can make fun of the entire common occurrence of women ridiculously having to run in heels while chasing or being chased by bad guys!

I loved that we finally get the best blue flashlight shot in this episode. As they enter, their beam cross to form the iconic X.

The two find a clay man tied to a post. I’m still thinking Golem. Of course, the clay man is played by John DeSantis who did play a Golem on Supernatural. They also find the Trashman (Tim Armstrong) who tells them that the people on the street have no voice and are treated like garbage so he was trying to give them a voice through art – not violence. He explains that the clay may is a Tulpa – a thought form brought into being.

Mulder is skeptical. Trashman insists that he came to him and told him what he wanted to be. Scully draws a parallel to William. Children come alive with a life of their own. You’re responsible if you made it. You’re just as bad as those you hate. It’s interesting that Mulder and Scully really don’t do anything to protect Landry who is also ripped apart.

There is a terrific final shot of the clay man with a ridiculous and totally creepy happy face for his head – and a final hangman on the wall.

The final scene is Mulder and Scully scattering Margaret’s ashes. Scully muses that Margaret wanted to know Charlie would be ok because she had made him. She wanted to make sure. This of course raises questions about their own child. She says, “We’d be responsible and make sure William is safe. Even if we can’t see him.”

She goes on to tell Mulder that she thinks he’ll eventually find answers to his big mysteries. But she doesn’t believe that she’ll get answers to her little mysteries – like the significance of that necklace. But what Scully needs to believe is that they didn’t treat William like trash. Which seems to set us up nicely for a quest to find their son and make sure he is safe – which hardly seems likely. We’ve already had flashes of both Mulder and Scully worried that he is in danger after all.

What did you think of the episode? Favorite scene? Favorite line? Do you think they will or should go after William? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

About the Author - Lisa Macklem
I do interviews and write articles for the site in addition to reviewing a number of shows, including Supernatural, Arrow, Agents of Shield, Agent Carter, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, The X-Files, Defiance, Bitten, Killjoys, and a few others! I'm active on the Con scene when I have the time. When I'm not writing about television shows, I'm often writing about entertainment and media law in my capacity as a legal scholar. I also work in theatre when the opportunity arises. I'm an avid runner and rider, currently training in dressage.
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THURSDAY, AUG. 31, 2006

Today's question

We're back with another discussion question. And I expect some of you football experts out there to respond. You know who you are, so pipe up and write an answer in the comment box below.Now that the preseason schedule is complete, do you think the...

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A tour of Joe Albi

PREP FOOTBALLWelcome to the new Joe Albi Stadium.Some of the changes are obvious, like the new FieldTurf surface. Some are more subtle, like the running water and painted walls in the locker rooms.But all the changes are important – and for the better.Let’s wander around...

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Last preseason game tonight

SEAHAWKSThe Seahawks finish the exhibition season tonight by hosting the Raiders at 7 p.m. With a 1-2 preseason record, Seattle needs a win to finish at .500. As if anyone really cares.What is more important is next week. Toward that end, here are a few...

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The drive would be worth it

PREP FOOTBALL UPDATED 10:27 A.M.; 12:50 P.M.; 3:30 P.M.If there is one prep football game I would like to see this weekend, it is Prosser vs. Southridge at Qwest Field on Saturday. If the Cougars weren't on the tube, I would get in the car...

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WEDNESDAY, AUG. 30, 2006

Bonus coverage

COUGARSHere is an Associated Press notebook from Auburn.By JOHN ZENOR AP Sports WriterAUBURN, Ala. - Rodgeriqus Smith walked up to fellow Auburn receiver Courtney Taylor before fall camp bursting with confidence."Man, I'm going to start," he pronounced.It was a bold statement for a walk-on who...

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Eagles will fly in Corvallis tomorrow

COLLEGE FOOTBALLWhen Eastern Washington opens the college football season tomorrow night in Corvallis, the game will have special meaning to Eagle running back Ryan Cole. If you want to know why, read Dave Trimmer's feature from today's paper.There is more on the game on Dave's...

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Soriano still in hospital

MARINERSIf you were watching the Mariners game last night, like I was, you probably saw Rafael Soriano take a line drive off his forehead.The sickening sight of Soriano taking the blow and falling to the ground was all just about anyone could talk about this...

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Your territory? Forget about it

CHIEFSThe lead story in The S-R sports section today was sort of loopy.In a nutshell, the CHL's decision concerning Trevor Lewis is idiotic on about three different levels.Either the three leagues that make up the CHL have territories or they don't. If they do, then...

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TUESDAY, AUG. 29, 2006

Little kids, big impact

LITTLE LEAGUEWhen my eldest son was about six, he got me hooked on watching the Little League World Series.All he ever wanted was to play in Williamsport, a dream that was unreachable for him, because we didn't have Little League in Spokane at the time....

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Spartans on the horizon

UW AND PAC-10 FOOTBALL As always, there is more about Husky football than you could ever read in today's Puget Sound newspapers, but we've waded through them, and here are our nominees as the most interesting.The Seattle Times, like the paper did with the Cougs...

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MONDAY, AUG. 28, 2006

A surprise on the tube

If you are waiting until 5 p.m. to watch the Little League World Series title game, you better turn on ESPN2 now. The game started at 5 p.m. Eastern, or 2 p.m. our time. Through 3 1/2 innings, Georgia leads Japan 2-1. on Cody Walker's...

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First look at the preps

First the links. We are trying something a little different at The S-R this year: Running our team-by-team prep previews online, instead of in the print edition.On the Washington side, we kicked off today with the Northeast A football. Like all Washington leagues,the NEA underwent...

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Wait for me

So we have to wait until tonight to figure out who is the best Little League team in the world.But it could be worse. Heck, we have to wait until Thursday before we start to find out how good the local college football teams are...

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SUNDAY, AUG. 27, 2006

Sundays are made for TV

Sunday is a day to sit back, relax and watch Little League on TV, isn't it?But first, a few words from our sponsor, The Spokesman-Review.Our coverage of the Shock af2 championship win, with Blanchette's column and his game story.Shifting gears, you can find Glenn Kasses'...

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SATURDAY, AUG. 26, 2006

Shock vs. Green Bay - ArenaCup

It’s 4:07 and the Yankee game is just in the seventh inning.Why is that important? Because the Shock game is on KAYU, the same channel as the Angels vs. Yankee game, that is now in the eighth.Sorry you Angel fans, I think KAYU will cut...

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FRIDAY, AUG. 25, 2006

The nightly news

While reading through some stories this evening, I noticed I didn't post anything today of interest to Husky fans.No, I don't have a WSU bias. I just didn't find all that much I thought you would be interested in. Now I have.It come from Bob...

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Short or tall running backs?

I was reading USA Today's college football preview, and noticed Mike Lopresti's column about the upcoming season. One of the more interesting notes he had in the column concerned the nation's leading returning rusher, Northern Illinois' Garrett Wolfe. You see, Wolfe, who ran for 1,580...

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Seahawks out of here

The Seahawks left Cheney – it's a good thing, really, because the Cheney police risk carpal tunnel every year with all the tickets they write – and Dave Trimmer caught up with Julian Peterson after the final practice. It's obvious Peterson is new to the...

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Golfing in copper country

One of the things the Inland Northwest is known for is its availability of affordable, playable and scenic golf courses. And that number is growing every summer. One of the newest ones is Circling Raven in Worley, site of this year's PGA Sectional tournament the...

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Hard to find

There's no doubt about it. If you want news about the Idaho Vandals and the Eastern Eagles, there are very few places either to get it (as in the case of the Eagles) or to get it for free (Vandals).While we were away, Dave Trimmer...

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TUESDAY, AUG. 22, 2006

The return of the head Silvertip

OK, so I lied.As I was looking for college football stories, I came across these two stories concerning the Everett Silvertips Back to The Future-like changing of the guard.Doug Soetaert, who built the current WHL U.S. Division champions before leaving for an NHL job prior...

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Time to weigh in

After reading all the stories mentioned below about the Mariners, I feel like something of an expert. Well, I feel something.Sick is more like it.Sick of the Mariners falling apart. Sick of the management in the dugout and above. Sick of paying mucho bucks to...

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How long will Sigfried stick?

We will start this fine Tuesday with a tough question.Will Chris Siegfried leave the Shock? Jim Meehan examines that question in today's paper. An interesting fact I didn't know, but I should have surmised: Coaches in arenafootball2 also have a salary scale, just like the...

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Freeze Sends Chill Through Wine Industry Another Severe Winter Could Wipe Out Some Grape Growers

Sun., Nov. 10, 1996, midnight

Wine-grape growers say they need a mild winter to enable their vineyards to recover from devastating damage suffered in last February’s extended subzero freeze.

“The wineries, I don’t think, will be able to make it in another year like this one,” said Maurice Balcom, co-owner of Balcom & Moe, a winery in Pasco. “Or some of the vineyards. Most of the vineyards are just squeaking by as it is.”

His winery, which has been producing grapes on a 110-acre vineyard since 1971, had to buy grapes this year for the first time in order to make wine, Balcom said.

Don’t look for any 1996 vintage wine from neighbor Preston Wine Cellars.

“We didn’t harvest a single grape this year,” said co-owner Brent Preston, whose winery usually produces 1,000 tons of wine grapes on its 173-acre vineyard.

Vineyards across central Washington were devastated by bitterly cold temperatures last February that dipped as low as 30 degrees below zero for a week.

“It was as severe as we’ve ever seen. It was as bad as it could get. In our area, it took most of the vineyards out totally, down to the ground,” Balcom said.

Jack Watson, a Washington State University extension agent based in Prosser, said vineyards in higher elevations and those near Paterson were the only ones to escape the effects of the freeze.

The good news is the wine that is being made from this year’s crop is better than usual, said Steve Burns, executive director of the wine commission.

“It’s a dark cloud with a silver lining,” Burns said. “The crop is down but the quality is incredible.”

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Tiny Gallon to sign with Heilongjiang Zhaozhou Feng Shen

He will play in China

Tiny Gallon will play in China for the rest of the season. He's ready to sign a contract in NBL with Heilongjiang Zhaozhou Feng Shen, after having rejected an offer from Chinese Liaoning Hunters in February to close the season in D-League with Delaware 87ers. He averaged 18.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game with the Sevens.
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Notre Dame vs. Stanford: Irish defense will try to harass Cardinal QB Josh Nunes

October 13, 2012 6:53pm EDT Notre Dame has lost each of its past three games against Stanford. That streak will be extended unless the Irish can stare down the Cardinal in overtime in rainy South Bend.

Seventh-ranked Notre Dame tries to keep its unbeaten season alive against Stanford, even though the No. 17 Cardinal have beaten the Irish three years in a row.

On the line

It’s not too early to start talking about a perfect season in South Bend, Ind. We’re at the midway point of the season, and no one has been able to dent the Notre Dame defense. And as we’ve seen with the SEC’s national dominance of late: He who plays defense wins big games.

Don’t think this nonconference game means little to Stanford’s Pac-12 title hopes; the Cardinal need momentum for a critical stretch of games. It doesn’t help that they’ve played sporadically the last two weeks: struggling on offense in a loss to Washington, and tanking on defense in an overtime victory over Arizona.

Live Week 7 college football scoreboard

Sideline view

Stanford: If you’re still trying to figure out QB Josh Nunes, welcome to the club. At times, he looks terrific; other times, he looks lost. It’s part of the process for a first-year starter, but the highs and lows must stop if Stanford is to make serious strides in the second half of the season. The Cardinal are still a power run-based offense, and it still revolves around the grinding, bruising running of TB Stepfan Taylor (555 yards, 5 TDs). When Taylor can run with authority, it makes it much easier for Nunes, who still is dealing with a lack of playmakers on the outside in the passing game. Nunes isn’t the only inconsistent part of the Stanford team. The defense, with star LBs Shayne Skov and Chase Thomas, began the season playing well, forcing poor games from USC QB Matt Barkley and Washington QB Keith Price. Then came last week’s disaster against Arizona, when QB Matt Scott threw for 491 yards and 3 TDs. That defense can’t show up in South Bend.

Notre Dame: ND coach Brian Kelly has stuck with QB Everett Golson, even when his inconsistent play early on bogged down the offense. But Golson played better last week vs. Miami, and looks to be gaining confidence—and the Irish continue to run the ball better than they have under Kelly. It’s all about playing smart on offense, especially with a defense that has proven to be stout. It’s a fairly simple process: limit turnovers (and win the turnover battle), run the ball, throw off play-action and play great defense with a unit full of blossoming stars (LB Manti Te’o, DE Stephon Tuitt, DT Louis Nix,). Yeah, it’s boring. Tell that to Alabama last year, or any of the SEC contenders this year (Alabama, South Carolina, Florida). Crawl Ball can be mighty pretty.

Critical matchup

Nunes vs. Notre Dame pass rush: When Nunes has time, he sets his feet, squares his shoulders and makes accurate throws—and good decisions. Here’s the problem: Stanford’s pass protection this fall has been spotty, and Nunes has had problems holding onto the ball too long. Notre Dame isn’t that special in the secondary, but its defensive line can get pressure without help from blitz packages. That means Nunes is forced to make smart decisions with six or seven dropped in coverage. If the Cardinal can’t protect, this will look a whole lot like the Washington game, when Nunes struggled badly.

This has become a significant rivalry for Notre Dame, which has lost three straight in the series. Just how important is this game now? Notre Dame has deemed it untouchable in its new schedule plan (along with rivals USC and Navy), and is willing to give up storied games with Michigan and Michigan State to make it happen. It has nothing to do with avoiding other teams, and everything to do with a recruiting presence on the West Coast and similar university visions. There’s nothing wrong with that.

Sunday ticket

It’s all about the linebackers: Te’o, Skov and Thomas will all play on Sunday, and Te’o and Skov are likely first-round picks. Tuitt is developing into a special player at nose guard. Stanford’s young OTs Cameron Fleming (sophomore) and Andrus Peat (freshman) are two to watch over the next couple of years. Both have big upside.

Pick: Notre Dame 24, Stanford 23


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KAPALUA, HYUNDAI ToC, PGA TOUR: Inexpensive availability for you.

Discussion in 'Freelance/stringer help available' started by gandhithegreat, Dec 19, 2011.

  1. Face it, your readers are starving for golf coverage this winter that is NOT wire service oriented.

    I'm already there...already credentialed, know the Islands, know the players. It won't cost you labor plus benefits. Tell me what you need. Can do features and photo.

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Mr. Basketball may get a new uniform

Discussion in 'Sports and News' started by deskslave, Mar 29, 2008.

  1. deskslave

    deskslave Active Member

    Hours after being named the AJC's Mr. Basketball, prep stud arrested and accused of shooting a girl with a BB gun.

  2. Heeee shoots... he scoooorrres!
  3. And at guard, for YOUR Memphis Tigers.....
  4. Bill Horton

    Bill Horton Active Member

    How many of the current Memphis basketball players have a criminal record?
  5. spnited

    spnited Active Member

    Probably fewer than UConn
  6. Norman Stansfield

    Norman Stansfield Active Member

    I think I'd take Memphis in that bet, although not by much.
  7. Football_Bat

    Football_Bat Well-Known Member

    He's a real cager.
  8. Rumpleforeskin

    Rumpleforeskin Active Member

    He might shank a few shots in prison.
  9. Twoback

    Twoback Active Member

    Well, wouldn't have expected "profiling" from FB, no sir.
    Except that Aminu has signed at Wake Forest, part of the hoity-toity ACC. That doesn't fit with the profile, does it?
  10. BYH

    BYH Active Member

    damn straight. I hate uconn. i hope calhoun dies in a fiery auto wreck. i am a douchebag. [/king dickhead IV]

  11. But he's not going to Wake now.
    Let's see where he ends up.
    Let's see how long it takes for Memphis's 2008 tournament performance to get listed as "Vacated" the way Umass's is now.
  12. BYH

    BYH Active Member

    Let's let the legal system run its course before we determine he deserves a second chance. [/any one of a number of salivating D-I coaches]
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My APR just got increased by 270 percent

Discussion in 'Anything goes' started by Simon_Cowbell, Feb 21, 2010.

  1. Simon_Cowbell

    Simon_Cowbell Active Member

    From 7.99 to 29.4. From one statement to the next.

    No, I was not late with a payment in the interim.

    Do I have any legal recourse?

    How is this not de facto loan sharking?

    I just got a lot of primal screaming out of my system over the phone, but, seriously, other than paying someone $200 or so to transfer the balance to a moderately better rate, what recourse do I have?
  2. TrooperBari

    TrooperBari Active Member

    Have you called the company you're with and demanded an explanation? Doing something like that without informing customers beforehand hardly sounds like good business practices.
  3. The Big Ragu

    The Big Ragu Moderator Staff Member

    No legal recourse. You have a choice. Keep the card and use it. Or don't use it. Or get rid of it.

    Thank your Congress, in large part. They rode populist pablum into policy because the credit card industry became the boogy man of the day a while back. They then regulated the credit card issuers with a bunch of regulations that I believe take effect in a day or two. They are going to hit the card issuers with serious loss of revenue. And it comes at a time when many of those issuers are barely hanging on because of the hit they have taken from the bad economy.

    The regulations are mostly going to make securing credit impossible for anyone with modest income. And the regulations are going to cause significant loss of income for the issuers that they have to make up some way to stay profitable. So a lot of issuers now adding annual fees to cards that never had them. They are lowering credit lines to manage their risk of defaults because the regulations will give them less recourse. They have tightened up credit and don't issue cards to a lot of people who formerly had no problem securing credit lines. And what you are seeing: most are trying to do things to get rid of "unprofitable" customers -- i.e. the ones who take advantage of low rates or pay off their cards on time. You hurt them. Rates have been increasing slowly over the last 18 months in preparation for the new regulations. They had no choice, if they want to stay in business. This WSJ article says some people may see rates upwards of 30 percent this year. Also, the Fed has interest rates so artificially low right now. When and if the prime rate increases, all those cards tied to the prime are going to see ridiculously exorbitant rates.

    It's not lone sharking, though. There is no right to cheap credit and there is no one forcing anyone to take out a loan with terms they think are unfair. The industry would have found a nice equilibrium point between rates and terms on its own, but thanks to our politicians fucking things up for an industry through regulation again we are seeing some very drastic changes all once.

  4. forever_town

    forever_town Active Member

    Your choice is simple. Get out the scissors.
  5. schiezainc

    schiezainc Well-Known Member

    Did they add an annual fee? If not, call them and tell them you're going to keep the card open but not use it until you find another company that will give you the same credit line with a better APR, this way your credit score doesn't take a hit.

    Telling them they've effectively lost your business will make them either A.) Fix it or B.) show you they really don't give a shit and justify your leaving them for greener pastures.
  6. spup1122

    spup1122 New Member

    The same thing happened to most Citi customers a few months ago.

  7. spup1122

    spup1122 New Member

    Also, I very much doubt this occurred without Simon receiving some sort of notice. Even before the new laws, credit card companies informed consumers before a rate increase, and the letter would have mentioned the option of opting out of the new terms and conditions. He likely received some sort of letter and just didn't read it.

    Either that, or he missed a payment. In which case, no notice was needed.
  8. deskslave

    deskslave Active Member

    Yeah, there's not a damn thing you can do about it. If you stop using the card, it's no significant loss to them. You're just one drop in an ocean.

    Hate to be so defeatist, but that's just the reality.

    As an added bonus, if your card is issued by a bank that was bailed out, they're basically charging you 29.9 percent interest to loan you your own money.
  9. WriteThinking

    WriteThinking Well-Known Member

    And if you do have any kind of a significant balance on your cards, that you are unable to pay off in its entirety each month, be prepared to be paying out most of your income, literally, to the credit card companies.

    People will not be able to do it, long-term, and then our economy will really be destroyed, not to mention many more lives will be made miserable.
  10. NoOneLikesUs

    NoOneLikesUs Active Member

    Really dude? REALLY?
  11. WriteThinking

    WriteThinking Well-Known Member

    If only this situation were as easy to solve as just getting out the scissors.

    I agree with Ragu.

    This scenario will have people breaking into their retirement accounts -- no matter the penalties for early withdrawal -- just to get their damn credit cards paid off so that they can rip 'em up.

    Even though people are responsible for their cards, and, of course, shouldn't run them up, these companies know that that happens for a reason, and it's not always because somebody is not caring about being irresponsible.

    And credit card companies take advantage of it the worst just when people are least able to handle it, despite the fact that the companies would certainly make a profit, anyway, even with lesser fees, APR's and interest rates. It really is criminal.
  12. deskslave

    deskslave Active Member

    The economy -- and not just the American economy, though it's certainly one of the worst offenders -- is fundamentally dependent on people spending money they don't have. If people, en masse, ever start not doing that, the whole landscape is going to change.

    It's one of those things where long-term, we'd be better off. But in the short term, with millions of people losing sales jobs and cashier jobs and serving jobs at high-end restaurants, etc., etc., it would be utter chaos.
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