Monday, May 31, 2010

Rivers Shines As Chargers Beat Chiefs

By Ross Everett

The San Diego Chargers bounced back nicely from their Monday Night Football loss to Denver last week, opening a 20-0 halftime lead before coasting to a 37-7 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Chargers' quarterback Phillip Rivers passed for 268 yards and three touchdowns in the victory. Running back Ladanian Tomlinson ran for a season high 71 yards as San Diego evened their record at 3-3.

The Chargers easily covered the NFL pointspread as -6 road favorites. It was only the second pointspread cover of the year for San Diego, who moved their ATS record to 2-4. Kansas City dropped to 2-5 against the spread. The 44 points pushed against the posted total. Kansas City now has a NFL totals record of 3-2-2 to the OVER, while the Chargers have gone OVER in four of their six games.

After the game, QB Rivers suggested that the loss to Denver was a turning point for his team:

"Last week, we felt like we made progress. We had the attitude we were looking for, focus, but we didn't win. But we knew we got better."

Tomlinson broke off one of his most impressive runs of the year on the Chargers first touchdown drive, a 31 yard pickup that he said lifted the team's spirits and led to the easy victory:

"It kind of got us going. It was something we needed and it was a big play for us. It was a staple of our offense. It's been around for years, old power. It was perfectly blocked and was just a great job of execution."

The Chiefs continued to struggle on their home field, which at one point was considered one of the toughest venues in the league for visiting teams. Kansas City has now lost ten straight at Arrowhead Stadium, and 29 of their last 32 games. Chiefs' nose tackle Ron Edwards lamented this home field struggle:

"We want to win for the home fans, for us, for everyone out there watching," nose tackle Ron Edwards said. "It's real painful."

Rivers pointed to the Chiefs' legacy of home field dominance in celebrating the win:

"Any time you come to Kansas City and win, it's good. We talked about getting on a roll and you've got to win one first before you can. Hopefully, this is something we can build on."

The Chargers return home to take on their hated rivals, the Oakland Raiders. Next Sunday's game has San Diego listed as a -16' home favorite with the total set at 42'. They'll travel to play the New York Giants the following week before returning home to face the Philadelphia Eagles on November 15. Kansas City will enjoy a bye week before returning to action on November 8 on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars. - 2361

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Do's And Don'ts Of Family Portrait Photography

By Sarah Jones

All through history, noble families have paid painters to create portraits of their proud lineage. Family portraits continue to be one of the best ways to preserve a family's heritage. This practice has developed since and these days the digital age of cameras gave birth to a lot more modern family portrait photography techniques which made it easier for members of the families to take their own family pictures if they don't wish to employ a professional to do it.

Right here are some simple to follow do's and don'ts that could assist you to record excellent family memories:

DO: Select the Photographer

If your family has the luxury of time, you are able to always schedule an appointment with a professional portrait photographer. All you'll need to worry about is how you should dress up on the occasion and the photographer will take care of the rest.

You can usually do the portraits by yourself. If you have a friend that may carry the camera for you personally, just take the lead in giving instructions. Should you do not have anyone else that could click the camera, try using the good old timer. Digital cameras can hold up to about 20 second, providing you ample time to pose, prepare and hold the smile.

Don't: Take Photos without Make-up On

If you would like to take pictures up close, tell your family members to at least wash their faces and set just a little make up on. Blushers and lip glosses for men will do; eye liners, blushers and lip colours for women. Go for the natural look unless you are putting on official clothes wherever you'd require complete make up on ladies and the men's function highlighted with powder and some foundation and liners. You might also go to professionals to do these for you personally but the easiest way is to ask Mom to complete it.

DO: Strategy on What to Wear

There is nothing shabbier than a family portrait that has you looking like a rag doll following to the well dressed Mom and Dad. You don't want anyone else to stand out. If you choose on wearing formal clothing, make sure that everyone is in formal clothing. The colours have to be coordinated as well. You can either put on the exact same color or dress in contrast, or monochrome, but please have one particular and recognizable theme in place. This will show unity and harmony in print.

Should you go for a less serious portrait, then going crazy on colors is allowed. For example, if you intend to pose on the seaside, just make sure that everybody is dressed in swimwear.

Don't: Shoot when someone is in a Bad Mood

Professional photo shoots are frequently scheduled, so make an work to keep each other happy prior to the photo getting. For those who have been preparing to take pictures by yourself, get everyone in the mood first. Have them laughing naturally so that the innate glow in their faces will show. You don't want the faces on your family portrait to appear glum or uninviting. Even should you were instructed not to smile on a particular photo, particularly in official ones, it doesn't mean that you are miserable. Any negative vibe could be reflected, so unless you want your family portraits to appear like a picture of a wrestling match - make each other happy!

DO: Alter the Scenery

Dare to be different. We're no longer in the medieval ages where pictures of households are very stiff and official unless this is the direction you need to go. Experiment with the poses, kneel, lie down, jump, go higher or low, and get wacky! Take pictures on the seaside, while driving, bungee jumping, or anything that is out of the ordinary and you'll be astonished at how original your photos will turn out!

Truly, Family Portrait Photography is simple and enjoyable. It was turned into a tradition not only to capture the images of the lineage people but additionally like a bonding moment for the family to be together. And later on in so many years, you most likely won't keep in mind what kind of camera the photographer used to take the picture or what car you were driving on the way to the studio, but you'll forever keep in mind the faces and laughter you had with each other as a family while having the family pictures taken! - 2361

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Sunday, May 30, 2010

A Review Of The Drew Carey TV Series

By Terrie Jenkins

The most important and innovative television series of the nineties was, without a doubt, Seinfeld. However, Drew Carey deserves recognition, as well, as one of the more innovative and inventive shows of that decade. People don't always name it as one of the most innovative series of all time, but in its own way, it was every bit as important to the development and evolution of the American sitcom as Seinfeld and The Simpsons had been. Without Drew Carey, Family Guy might not have grown into such an absurd show in its later seasons. It really changed how people regard and judge the modern sitcom, and it definitely belongs on your list of downloads the next time you log into your movie download service.

It could have just been another formulaic sitcom. Many comedians, they get a TV deal so the first thing they do is create just another family sitcom. The blue collar dad, the football widow wife, the kids (usually a daughter and a son) and the wacky neighbor. The Drew Carey Show, while still being more or less based on the comedian's act, also took the sitcom in a new direction.

Like Seinfeld, the show abandoned the idea of formulaic plots to take things in its own direction, focusing on a man who is always on the verge of a mid-life crisis and who experiences real existential dread at his situation in life, what it all means and whether or not he'd be happier if he'd just leap off a bridge and end it all already.

The show also made a lot of artistic strides as a sitcom, such as the "World Keeps Turning" intro, the live episodes and various other tricks they used to keep the show fresh.

By the final season, Carey was making somewhere around a million bones an episode, but... The ratings started to slip. Drew Carey had a strong and loyal following, but it just wasn't enough to keep the show on the air any longer. Sadly, the show is not syndicated anywhere in the US right now, nor have they ever released anything beyond the first season on DVD, so watching online is probably the only way to enjoy it anymore.

The show was refreshing in that it focused not on a family, but on a single guy who's not all that attractive or in shape and hasn't risen to anything above mid-level department store management in his career. The show focuses on a man who seems to be perpetually on the verge of a mid-life crisis. He's around forty and hasn't really done anything with his life yet. It's really an interesting premise with a lot of room to explore different story ideas without always falling back on the "Son borrows the car without asking" story like so many family based sitcoms.

It's something of an acknowledgement that family can mean "You and your friends", that family can be defined however you choose to define it, and that the mom, dad and kids aren't the only backbone of family in the United States, and furthermore, that for family to only possibly mean dad, mom and kids is really excluding so many other real families from inclusion in what it means to love the people around you.

And of course, Lewis and Oswald may be the two funniest comic relief characters of the nineties... Well, after Cosmo Kramer, you could say. - 2361

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Take My Pictures: A Guide To Dog Portrait Photography

By Sarah Jones

Pet Portrait Photography is very popular nowadays. It is natural! You adore your dog so much which you treat him like family. You will find photographers who are expert on taking dog pictures but you may usually do it in the comfort of your own home. Simply ready your digital camera whatsoever times. Read on to find a lot more hints on how you can take better photos of your pets.

The Candid Shot

You cannot really expect animals to pose for you personally, can you? They're naturally active and highly temperamental. They rely on instinct all of the time so as long as they are stimulated, you must expect distractions to come your way. It is just impossible to teach the animals take the pose you precisely want them to complete.

So instead, be like paparazzi! Catch them performing something cute and clever and funny; or whenever you think they're about to complete something very mischievous, sneak up on them and start clicking away. You'll be surprised at how great the photos had been taken.

Making Your Dog Look Its Best

A well-groomed pet is usually comforting to look at. There are unexpected moments of clumsiness like once they run into a puddle of mud that you may wish to keep in mind. If your pet goes to the groomer frequently, then you may have a lot more probabilities of catching them at their best. But be aware that whenever dogs or cats with long hair are given a shorter hair-cut, they are prone to obtain a little bit depressed, so taking photos right after won't harness good outcomes.

Moods and Swings

You are most likely familiar with your pet's behavior by now; as to regardless of whether they really feel most sleepy after they are fed or if they're playful throughout the mornings when it's not too hot or too cold. If you would like to take a photo of them in a specific mood, attempt to know the patterns when these moods are usually exhibited.

As Near as Possible

The cutest pictures are the ones that show the face. And because pets are usually smaller than humans, you may need to truly get down to obtain a clear view of their eyes or get a close shot of their faces. Zoom lenses are very useful for getting pictures of pets - that's should you can't get close enough to them.

Plan the Scenes Carefully plan your scenes. If your pet likes to play with toys then make sure to possess loads of them around. If your dogs like to chew, give them bones to perform with or doggie toys they are able to throw and bite, too.

Sprinkle colors in the area and make sure there's adequate light. For a a lot more airy impact, adjust the brightness of your camera; include a little contrast if you want to expose the light in their eyes. There are a million methods to catch your dog doing something adorable. As they are, we're sure they are already fascinating to look at and that's exactly what you want to remember about them. Dog portraits are great keepsakes so practice on the techniques of pet portrait photography and experiment on other ways to include beauty to your pet's photos! - 2361

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Saturday, May 29, 2010

Everything About Learning How To Play The Guitar

By Jon J Tan

They say that music is deep and complex, particularly to those individuals who are beginning to understand the codes that make music nice and acceptable to the ears. There are people that aspire to learn how to play the piano, violin, trumpet, saxophone and other musical instruments. In addition to these long lists of instrument, there are people that busy themselves with learning guitar.

Learning guitar is considered one of the effective ways to cultivate your knowledge in music. They say that guitar is easy to learn compared to other musical instruments. Plus, the guitar is lighter than other instruments - you would be able to bring it anywhere you want to practice. The piano is heavy and has so many keys for you to mind but the guitar has six strings and few frets to remember. You can completely learn the guitar in your own time however; there are factors that you should bear in mind. Learning guitar is not limited to a certain genre but you can reach your desired level if you put few things in constant practice.

The first thing that you must always remember is the playing position. While learning guitar, are you going to sit down or stand up while playing? You must know that the proper playing position greatly affects the force needed to make a good sound out of chords. If you are playing using improper playing position would just stress you out while doing your guitar routine. In addition, it would also stress other muscles in your body even if they are not involved. Proper playing position would also give you free breathing while making the music that you like.

Another thing on learning guitar for you to mind about is the position of your hands. There are scores of guitar beginners worldwide that pays less importance on their hands. These beginners are only focused on how to make an awesome chord pattern and executing a jaw-dropping guitar solos. Using the proper hand position, it would give you clean and unhindered access to the fret board. It would also prevent you from having cramps in the middle of the guitar routine.

The thing that some learners are too lazy to do is practice regularly. These days, there many guitar related books and videos that can be purchased to level up your guitar skills. These guitar lessons would tell the secrets about the guitar. Because of the availability of these guitar lessons, guitar students skip their practice and depend on the videos and other instructions instead. Every guitar learner should know that learning guitar is not about watching and downloading the most advanced guitar lesson on the internet. Daily practice of what you have learned is the only thing that would make you improve.

Learning guitar is definitely rewarding; as a matter of fact, you can improve on your own pace. You can improve alone or you can learn together with your friends. Practicing is about employing what you have learned with the theory of every guitar playing aspect. You can choose to memorize every possible chord there is but only you can measure how much you have improved since the day you have decided to play the guitar. Using the right guitar playing attitude and daily practice, you would be able to play the guitar just like your idol. - 2361

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Cheap Green Screen Los Angeles

By Phil Guye

Speaking about Green screen Los Angeles would be like talking about films using sophisticated technology in creating special effects. The recognition of green screen technology allows many filmmakers today to have the best quality of their art. They no longer get haphazard-looking shots because of the absence of green screen. Green screens are typically found in a studio where hire costs are very expensive.

Independent filmmakers have a limited tight budget and they couldn't afford leasing a studio all the time. Green screens that would be available and ready anytime and anywhere would be a massive help to independent filmmakers since they are on a tight budget. They don't have to invest on expensive green screen technology; they can make their own green screen which they can bring anytime and anywhere.

Preparing all of the materials for green screen is really simple. They must provide 2 PVC pipes, pipe connectors, clamps, end caps and green material. They can also provide eye goggles to have what is obligatory for safety. They should cut the two PVC pipes depending on the preferred height for the green screen.PVC pipes must be cut correctly to stop sharp edges. Careless cutting of the pipes can affect the toughness of the finished product.

Make efforts to wear eye goggles when cutting pipes to guard eyes from pipe bits. Cut every one of the pipes and attach them using pipe connectors. The use of connectors will make the Green Screen Los Angeles handy. Always consider safety first when cutting pipes. To make the green screen more acceptable, take another pipe and cut them similarly. The pips must not be as long in length as the green screen. They should be shorter around 4 to 6 inches than the green fabric.

After completing the green screen, go on to doing the stand. Continue with the remaining PVC pipe by cutting it into 4 equal parts. Connect all pipes using pipe connectors and put end caps at the end of all of the PVC pipes. Utilize the leftover PVC pipe by employing them as spacers at the bottom of the green screen frame. Connect it to the pipe connector. Assemble all the parts and use glue on all pipe connectors. Apply glue properly on all pipe connectors so that its parts will not fall apart. Lastly, get the clamps and attach the fabric to the frame. Ensure that the fabric will fall correctly. Independent filmmakers can make use of Green screen Los Angeles anytime and anywhere they want at a very low budget. - 2361

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Friday, May 28, 2010

White Cyc Los Angeles - A Timeless Process

By Phillip Guye

White Cyclorama is a popular method that has stayed the same since its first utilization in German 19th century theaters and it is still used nowadays in the twenty first century. White Cyc Los Angeles continues to be used for filming special effects. Any Los Angeles studio can have their own White Cyc Studios, but it is less expensive to rent a White surfaced Cyc facility in Los Angeles.

There are several things you can do for a successful White Cyc Los Angeles background. The first and crucial element of a white surfaced cyc right after deciding between constructing or booking a white cyclorama is the design and construction of the white background. A good white background must show lots of time and preparation in its design. The background and stage should be well lighted without shadows, seams, grime, and flaws showing up in post production. It really is imperative that the curvature between the floor and wall is appropriate to prevent shadows triggered by the wall and flooring meeting together at a 90 degree angle. The right curve aids in illumination by bouncing back again light and getting rid of the shadows on actors, props, and etc.

Furthermore, the roof shouldn't be far too low to avoid a few of these problems. Low ceiling causes problems with filming off stage. In addition , it detracts from the special effects. Low ceilings cause a nightmare of problems with respect to obtaining the proper camera angle. Listed here are several more ideas. Do not book a White Cyc Los Angeles studio using just one white wall to avoid these types of difficulties. One is the constrained shooting option; every thing has to be shot straight or head on. It's more effective to use a facility with 2 surfaces of white cyc. Two white walls with horizontal and vertically arched edges are better for filming. In addition, you must permit for a variety of camera angles.

The most recommended spot to film is a White Cyc Los Angeles facility with three surfaces of white cyc since it allows for the look of filming in a big white ball. It is also optimal for enabling the most camera angles. Finally, the activity of light and camera better utilizes the white walls to bounce light back having a seamless white emptiness. Appropriate illumination needs to be considered to prevent light rebound and shadows. Poor lighting can cause problems and several problems. Details won't be as clear or sharp. Shadows and light rebound will cause problems. There are also a number of methods for lighting. The best way to light a white cyclorama is by using a delicate overhead light that permits for a large amount of light not producing shadows. Make the lighting as even as possible. Make sure to hire the studio with enough time to setup lighting correctly.

There are two White Cyc Los Angeles facilities which rent out studio space with white cyc. The first is Atomic Studios which features a twenty four hour rent time seven days a week, on site support, 15,000 square feet, 3 walls of white cyclorama, 3-D animation, compositing pre and post production, and RV camera car combo. Another is De Studio which comes with a city centre with 20 foot white cyc, offers lighting needs for smooth shadowless look, has lighting equipment, sound recording, motion picture lighting and "stills" flash lighting. - 2361

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Unlimited Music Download Services - The Rules

By Dan Moore

If you want to have all of the latest songs stored through your multimedia player, then it is a good idea if you are going to learn how to avail of some unlimited music download services. This can be very exciting especially if you are really an enthusiast. And if you really want to kill your laze afternoons away, this is certainly something that you would want to learn more about.

However, you are still not that enthusiastic about this because you feel like you cannot accomplish this task. You have the misconception that this is a very complicated task. However, if you are going to learn ore about the tools, you will realize that accessing these unlimited music download services is actually very easy.

However, you also need to be careful as these kinds of things are not as easy as you might have hoped it to be. If you are going to search through the internet, you will notice that there are just too many portals that offer all sorts of unlimited music download services. But if you really want to have the best tool, you have to make sure that you will be more decisive with your choices.

It is then very important for you to make sure that you are going to access a portal that is already proven to be very reliable, effective, and credible. This is necessary if you really want to make sure that you are going to get what you want.

You also need to make sure that you will stay away form those portals that are very susceptible to various errors and virus. These things are every dangerous as they can really damage your PC and multimedia player.

You also need to avoid those tools that are very complicated to use because they can be very troublesome. As much as possible, you should no longer be required to fill out some forms, click on all sorts of links, and the likes.

There is also a need for you to be careful with the sites that offer their tools for free. Although they can provide you with very practical unlimited music download services, there are some instances when they are very ineffective.

So in order for you to avoid all of these hassles, it is recommended that you avail a premium tool so that you can access the best unlimited music download services there is. - 2361

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Thursday, May 27, 2010

Robin Hood - Epic Film

By Prayaag Thaakur

Robin Longstride (Russell Crowe), is a common archer in the army of King Richard. Lionheart (Danny Huston) during his 10-year crusade to the Holy Land finds his army badly demoralized, Richard is headed back home; sacking every French castle they cross to fund their retreat.

After Lionheart is killed in battle, Robin and his merry men decide that 10 years is more than enough service to the crown, and ditches the army for home. On their way back to Jolly old England, they run across a French ambush led by the duplicitous Englishman Godfrey (Mark Strong), and the badly injured Sir Robert Loxley.

In a moment of weakness, Robin agrees to take the dying Knight's sword home to his father. Prince John (Oscar Isaac), the next in line to the throne, greets news of his brother

Richard's death with less than Princely jubilation. Immediately, John assigns Godfrey, unaware of the man's treachery, to begin collecting owed taxes by any means necessary.

Godfrey does this by bringing over French raiders to sack English towns, quickly turning the country's Lords against their new King. Meanwhile, Robin arrives in Nottingham, where he delivers the sad news to Sir Walter Loxley (Max von Sydow) and Robert's beautiful and suffering wife, Marion (Cate Blanchett), who only knew her husband for one week before he went off to the Crusade.

Here, the kindly Lord makes Robin a deal he can't refuse: pretend to be the dead Robert, so that Marion will retain their possessions once Walter passes. Thanks to a combination of chivalry, Marion's soulful glances, and the ability to open the door when opportunity presents itself, Robin agrees.

Robin falls in love with the Lady Marion, who slowly but surely comes to accept him as a replacement husband. Marion Loxley was originally supposed to be played by the much younger sienna miller but its director Ridley Scott's good luck (as well as the audience's) that Miller, for whatever reason, was replaced by Cate Blanchett. - 2361

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Making Use Of The Xbox 360 Family Settings Will Make A Safer Gaming Experience

By Steve B Lobston

If perhaps you have decided to buy an XBOX 360 Bundle you may very well be pleased to know that the systems come with parental controls, called Family Settings, that are methods that permit you to limit the type of games or films your youngsters may play based on their ratings. You can set them to grant or prohibit access to offline games based on the game rating and DVD movies based on the ratings.

You can also set them to restrict access to on-line content material and contacts in the Xbox Live environment.

With game ratings the system reads from each game's disc what game rating the game has. You can regulate the games you prefer your child to play, from EC (Early Childhood) to M (Mature).

With DVD movie ratings the system identifies the United States' Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) ratings that are encoded in plenty of DVDs. If perhaps they do not have the encoding they will play by default. You can set Xbox 360 to play R, PG-13, PG, or G-rated films.

Note that original Xbox games do not include the same kind of encoded data so the system cannot identify the game ratings. As a result, you can either disallow or allow all of them.

Since little ones are getting more and more savvy ! you can log in with your Passport Network account to set a password to help make sure that you are the only one who can change the settings you have picked.

Xbox Live settings

Immediately after you sign up you can decide if your child can play Xbox 360 games online as well as original Xbox Live-enabled games that are Xbox 360-compatible.

You can approve your child's online friends. You can let your child communicate with everyone, or only with their friends; decide who can see your child's personalized gamer profile; decide whose gamer profiles your child can see; and manage who sees your child's online or offline status.

You can select "Everyone" to allow your child to communicate with anyone on Xbox Live, choose "Friends Only" to allow your child to communicate only with people on their friends list, or select "Blocked" to block everyone from communicating with your child.

A content control helps you set limits on the kind of downloadable items your kids can access. You can decide to allow your child to go to Xbox Live for downloadable game updates, demos, and other for-fee content, as well as whether or not your child can download member-created content from other Xbox Live users.

While no security tools are foolproof, the Xbox 360 Family Settings will help protect your kids while they game. - 2361

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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Beckham's Road To Recovery Longer Than Expected

By Ross Everett

When David Beckham suffered a torn Achilles' tendon in a Serie A game in mid-March, doctors gave him an outside chance of returning in time for the World Cup or at the very least part of the MLS season. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like either of these favorable scenarios will transpire. In a recent statement to the media Beckham broke the news that his recovery is behind schedule and he won't be able to resume playing soccer until November at the earliest.

This timetable does leave open the possibility that he could return to action should the Los Angeles Galaxy make the MLS playoffs. He's been assured that he's welcome back at AC Milan in Italy's Serie A league whenever he's back in playing shape, though neither the team nor Beckham have indicated anything specific about his future with the team.

Beckham, who is still using crutches to get around, explained his recovery process:

"I won't be running for another three months, so I will be playing again in, probably, November."

"My mentality is to kind of push it and get moving and running and soon as possible. But it's an injury that has to take time to heal. It's frustrating. It's obviously disappointing because I've been working for the last two years to get into the English squad [for the World Cup]."

"At the moment, it's just getting the motion back into the ankle, the tendon, because it's still repairing. I'm trying to get mobilization back into the ankle."

Beckham also recalled the injury itself:

"It was like being hit by a hockey puck. I thought someone was behind me and kicked me. Obviously no one was there and I saw my foot hanging and then I felt down there and there was a hole."

The former England captain would have likely served in a reserve capacity with the World Cup squad, though his Howitzer-like free kicks remain one of the most feared offensive weapons in the sport. Even without Beckham in the lineup and with lingering injury issues plaguing Manchester United superstar Wayne Rooney soccer betting enthusiasts are bullish on England's prospects this summer. The 'Three Lions' are currently the third favorite in World Cup future betting behind Brazil and Spain. - 2361

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Phillies Sign Ryan Howard To Hefty Contract Extension

By Ross Everett

Philadelphia Phillies' slugger Ryan Howard has two years remaining on his current contract with the club, but the team had no interest in potentially losing him as a free agent. For that reason, the Phillies have worked out a hefty contract extension with Howard that will pay him an average $25 million a year for the next five years. The deal is the second richest in Major League baseball behind the New York Yankees' shortstop Alex Rodriguez who pulls down a cool $27.5 million per season.

Howard spoke of his loyalty to the team as a primary reason that he jumped at the deal without hesitation:

"That wasn't a very hard decision."

"I tell you what, it's a great feeling to have that security and know where you're going to be. I feel what I've been doing over the last couple of years, I feel pretty confident that down the road, I'll be right where I want to be and still doing the same things."

He then threw in a playful jab at the notoriously pugnacious Philadelphia fans:

"Hopefully there's no riots taking place back in Philly."

Even Philadelphia's GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. was in a joking mood in announcing the deal:

"As part of this deal, he has agreed to buy a second home for me."

He then gave a more serious take on Howard's extension:

"We just felt it was good timing for us. We felt No. 1, he's one of the elite offensive players in the game. We could have waited another year and a half or so and dealt with it later on, but the fact of the matter is we decided he is that important to our organization and to our club and to our future."

Howard's agent Casey Close was also upbeat:

"This is a very good contract for him. The reason he felt the time was right was he loves his teammates, he loves the city. He wanted to be a part of something special for a long time to come."

As was team manager Charlie Manuel:

"This is absolutely great. We signed Ryan Howard quite a few years ago and that means we're keeping him. He's one of our guys, he is a Phillie. It's big for our team. That's what you set out for. He's very worthy of it. He is a great player and he is going to continue to be a great player for a while. Everything about it's good."

There is some risk involved for the ball club-despite a team option for the 2017 season they're banking that Howard will remain a high level offensive player. The size of the contract, if nothing else, would make him almost impossible to trade should the team decide to go in a different direction. - 2361

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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Japan's Pro Wrestling Icon: Mitsuharu Misawa

By Ross Everett

Mitsuharu Misawa died in Hiroshima, Japan earlier this year less than a week before his 47th birthday. Akitoshi Saito hit a back suplex on Misawa, which appeared to knock him unconscious. Medical staff attempted to revive him in the ring, but when CPR failed he was taken to a hospital by ambulance. Initial reports in the Japanese media suggest that he was pronounced dead at the hospital, but a number of eyewitness accounts have speculated that he may have died in the ring.

That's at least a small bit of solace amid the tragedy of Misawa's death--he died in the ring doing what he loved, and what he did better than just about anyone on the planet. Not like Owen Hart died in the ring, doing a stupid stunt in a silly character that he was reportedly assigned as punishment for refusing to go along with a storyline he felt demeaning, but working the kind of brutally stiff, athletically realistic match that got a generation hooked on Japanese wrestling.

Misawa was a top level high school wrestler, and that got him noticed by All Japan Pro Wrestling majordomo Shohei Giant Baba. He made his professional debut in'81, and got his first big break in'84 when he was chosen as the second Tiger Mask replacing Satoru Sayama. In'90, he had his longtime tag team partner (and occasional rival) Toshiaki Kawada unmask him.

Misawa would wrestle as himself from then on, and become an even bigger star in the process. In June,'90 he became one of the top stars in All Japan Pro Wrestling when he defeated Jumbo Tsuruta. That match was his first main event appearance at the venue Cheap Trick made famous in America, the Nippon Budokan. He soon faced Triple Crown Champion Stan Hansen in an unsuccessful challenge for the title, and would become arguably the biggest native star in Japanese pro wrestling for the next decade.

Hed have legendary battles against Kawada, Hansen, Kenta Kobashi, Jun Akiyama and Steve Dr. Death Williams in singles competition. Hed also become a force on the tag team scene along with Kawada facing Williams and Terry Gordy along with Tsuruta and Akira Taue. Misawa would continue as a mainstay in AJPW until the early part of this decade. After the death of Giant Baba, he left to establish Pro Wrestling NOAH. He would serve as the companys president while wrestling a full time schedule until his death.

Japanese pro wrestling served as a gateway drug for many into shoot fight sports and MMA. Before the Internet, fans would trade videotapes to stay up on the latest matches from Japan and along with Jushin Thunder Liger and The Great Muta Keiji Mutoh it safe to say that Misawa is one of the wrestlers most responsible for getting a generation of American fans hooked on the product. For American fans at the time"and with the WWE at its creative low point"the All Japan and New Japan Pro Wrestling product was nothing short of a revelation. - 2361

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"Life With Woody" 10 Inspirational Quotes For Your Development. (2)

By Abraham A. Saleh

3. "There are worse things in life than death. Have you ever spent an evening with an insurance salesman?" This quotation happens to be one of the classic ones. I mean the issue about life's little problems isn't all that bad, until the death shows up.

Sure, relationships can get complicated, or does have its complications that probably any author about relationships is bound to discover it soon. We follow what our heart desires, unless you're talking about the heart as in the heart that pump blood throughout your body.

4. "Love is the answer, but while you're waiting for the answer, sex raises some pretty interesting questions." And if you want more, just keep on questioning!

5. "A fast word about oral contraception. I asked a girl to go to bed with me, she said 'no'." It sounds, 'realistic', I believe.

Furthermore in everyday life, Woody Allen in actual fact can make the best out of all possible circumstances, and it doesn't attract a court case if he strikes a nerve.

6. "Basically my wife was immature. I'd be at home in the bath and she'd come in and sink my boats." I never had a boat in my bathtub before. Just watching it while sopping wet in hot water makes me seasick already.

7. "I am not afraid of death, I just don't want to be there when it happens." If it rains, it pours.

8. "I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose." It could get worse when you're guzzling on beer... or mouthwash, and it happened to me once!

9. "If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans." At least he doesn't smite us with lightning, and I'm thankful for that.

And despite of what may happen to all of us in the next ten, twenty, or even thirty years, I guess we all have to see things in a different kind of light and not just perspective. I can't seem to imagine life without any piece of wisdom that could guide us. Whether we're religious or not, it takes more courage to accept your fears and learn how to deal with them is all that matters when it comes to even just getting along.

And to sum things up, here is the last nugget of wisdom to go by... at any condition, at any time, and at any place we may be.

10. "The talent for being happy is appreciating and liking what you have, instead of what you don't have."

See you later! - 2361

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Monday, May 24, 2010

A Synopsis Of The Classic Hit Movie Mr Smith Goes To Washington

By Sheena Whitaker

Mr Smith Goes To Washington was thought to be a very controversial film for its time. It starred James Stewart, who played the main character Jefferson Smith. Jefferson was a simple man and a bit of a local hero known for his honesty. And after a series of events, he becomes a United States Senator, feeling much like a fish out of water.

When Jefferson first arrives in Washington D. C., he is completely fascinated to be a part of the American political machine. Many of his peers in the Senate doubt his ability to be an effective politician. Several others prey on his lack of experience and naivete. But Smith is too caught up in the awe of the white house to even notice.

Jefferson holds certain ideals of American politics that makes him a bit of an optimistic and extremely patriotic. He is a proud follower of the tenets of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. He looks up to these men and hopes to carry on the same tenacity for virtue within the White House.

Because of his views, it is hard for Jefferson to realize the corruption that is taking place around him. Those that are in on the scheme laugh behind his back and pass Jefferson off as a fool that doesn't belong in the Senate. But they soon learn that he is not the simple man they all thought him to be.

Jefferson realizes he is being used. He also comes to learn that the Senate is filled with corrupt politicians seeking personal gain. At first he is stunned, then he rises to the occasion by standing up against his adversaries.

Jefferson takes the Senate floor for hours, exposing the wrongdoings of various Senators. He recites the United States Constitution word for word. He makes sure his voice is heard. Jefferson continues on to the point of exhaustion and passes out on the State floor. His voice is finally heard and the American people tout him as a hero for going up against the entire Senate.

Although this is a well known and widely received film, it did have its critics. American politicians took offense to the portrayal of Senators being men you could not trust. Several others took fault with how the movie represented America to foreign Nations. There were several countries that actually banned the film.

Mr Smith Goes to Washington is definitely an American film classic. The theme explores the idea that it only takes one person to stand up for justice. Integrity and honesty are still values Americans hold true and dear to the operation of their government. And Jefferson proved to be that hero people needed to look up to. - 2361

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My Blue Heaven Is Available As A Movie Download

By Brett Osborn

Whether or not you're much of a fan of Nora Ephron's romantic comedies, My Blue Heaven is one of those must download movies for anyone who likes great comedies. Lately she's fallen into a habit, with movies like Bewitched, of trying to repeat When Harry Met Sally by simply... Remaking it, more or less. It's always the same old stuff, the same outdated dating jokes that were funnier twenty years ago. But My Blue Heaven shows that, when she wants to be, Nora Ephron can be an incredibly funny writer.

Steve Martin and Rick Moranis star as, respectively, a member of the Italian mafia, and the FBI agent assigned to protect him until he can testify. Martin is shipped to a picturesque small town and, yes, it's just another fish out of water movie, but it's very well done this time, very funny, and when it comes down to it, an old, cliche story is fine so long as it's done properly.

Of course what really matters is... The movie is funny. Steve Martin hits all the right notes, even the jokes that probably didn't read all that great in the script, Moranis and Martin have that perfect comedic instinct that helps salvage mediocre material and really knock good material out of the park. The typical odd couple relationship is lent a lot of extra mileage by two funny performers who know how to make the most of material with potential.

Martin quickly takes over the little town he's been sent to and starts his own thing. He meets a few other protected witnesses, they decide that they're not getting enough from the government, and they start hijacking trucks and forming their own little mini-mafia in their friendly little town. Watching these old goombas take the town over is really delightful, watching Steve Martin talk his way out of trouble is even better.

Even though the movie does get into organized crime, murder and so on, the end result is really a film that is cute, innocent, funny. The violence is never really scary or suspenseful so much as... Well, a shootout provides a fun bonding experience for Martin and Moranis, and another gunfight towards the end of the film provides one of its biggest laughs "I lied, now where was I?"

The movie also draws some great comedy from Martin's incredible ability to juggle women. He has two girlfriends and a wife, and somehow, they never find out about one another. This is funnier and funnier as the film goes on and you start to wonder how he manages to drift in and out of these women's lives without ever drawing any suspicion. Maybe he's just that charming?

The movie has a really great look to it. The whole point of the film is the contrast between Martin's violent, urban upbringing, and the small town friendliness and beauty of his new environs, and the cinematography really does the trick. Martin's new home is really set in a gorgeous land of blue skies and green hills.

It may or may not be one of the greatest films of all time or anything like that, but it's very funny, Martin and Moranis are in top form, and Ephron proves once more that, when she has a fun idea, she can still write a great comedy film, even if she doesn't always feel like it. - 2361

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Sunday, May 23, 2010

The Fourth And Final Chapter Of The Shrek Series!

By Kimberly Thomas

This summer we're promised "the final chapter" in Shrek Forever After and while Part 4 is certainly an improvement over its predecessor. Well, I guess I should stop expecting these sequels to recapture the magic of the original Shrek. The filmmakers certainly don't seem to think it's a priority.

For some bizarre reason, the Shrek Forever After screenwriters thought that the best way to end this monumentally popular series would be to deliver ... the It's a Wonderful Life concept. Employed countless times in sitcoms and cartoons, this is the pitch in which our main character says something to the effect of "Oh, I wish I was never born!" and poof! we're off to see how Shrek's world would look if he'd never met up with Donkey, Fiona, Puss in Boots, Gingy, Pinocchio, and all the other freaky fairy tale characters.

So instead of one final adventure with all these colorful characters, we're offered an "alternate reality" Shrek who must reacquaint himself with all his old pals. Weird!

There's no denying that the animation is truly lovely -- if certainly nothing revolutionary at this point in the CG game -- and that the actors seem to be having a good time playing their old characters, plus the intention of a warm-hearted "message" is always worthy of note -- but unfortunately Shrek Forever After plays more to the little kids than to anyone else.

Oh sure, our plot sees Shrek pretty much fed up with his role as domesticated daddy ogre, and it raises some familiar points for any young parents in the audience -- but we all know from frame one where the movie is going: The painfully old-hat "just be grateful for what you have" lesson.

As is often the case, Shrek's supporting characters get all the best material. Mike Myers does manage to bring a gruffly lovable attitude to Shrek, but it's nothing that actor hasn't done in the previous chapters. Cameron Diaz's Fiona gets to play an ogre warrior with a real angry streak, but the "girl power!" approach is quickly muted by a hastily-presented subplot that revolves around a tribe of oppressed ogres who must fight back against the evil Rumplestiltskin.

Much of the film feels like a Shrek checklist, truth be told: silly puns and fairy-tale-style visual gags? Check. Whining donkey and frustrated ogre? Check. Pop culture references, broad puns and silly jokes about bodily functions, and lots and lots of familiar rock songs? Check, check, and check -- although I do give Shrek 4 huge points for an amusing dance sequence set to. the Beastie Boys, of all bands. Plus Eddie Murphy (as Donkey) does deliver one of the franchise's funniest lines during an argument with the Gingerbread Man -- which I certainly won't spoil here. Isolated moments shine, like an early montage in which Shrek gets fed up with life and a later sequence set to The Carpenters -- which is really quite funny. - 2361

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Jets Win Their First NFL Preseason Game By Beating Giants

By Ross Everett

A week after being named the New York Jets starting quarterback, Mark Sanchez rewarded his first year NFL coach with a victory. Rex Ryan got his first win as coach of the Jets as his team nipped the rival New York Giants 27-25. Both teams are now 1-2 in NFL preseason play.

NFL preseason betting enthusiasts who took the Giants as +3 point underdogs were rewarded with the outright victory. The Jets improved to 2-1 against the pointspread, while the Giants dropped to 1-2 against the money as they dropped their second straight ATS verdict. The combined 52 points went well OVER the posted total of 36. The Jets have gone OVER in all three of their exhibition games, while the Giants have exceeded the total in two of three.

Sanchez finished with 149 yards on 13 of 20 passing and a touchdown pass. After the game, he was pleased the victory:

"You get a little more confidence when you know your coach believes in you and has named you the starter. It was similar to that at SC. Once you're the guy, you talk a little different, you walk a little different and you act a little different."

Giants defender Mathias Kiwanuka was even impressed with Sanchezs touchdown play, which came with two defenders right in his face:

"I thought we had him. It was a great play. You have to give him credit for seeing down the field with two guys in his face."

Sanchez remembered it thusly:

"It was one of those plays where you get hit throwing it and you don't really see what's going on. You kind of listen. I knew if it was a big roar, it was probably a big play by the Giants, maybe an interception and I'd have to get up quick. But I heard a quiet roar and I said: 'Oh boy, I think he caught it.'"

Winning coach Ryan commended his young QBs effort:

"He was poised. He is what we thought he was."

Giants QB Eli Manning finished with 91 yards on 9 of 21 passing with a touchdown and interception. He also had receiver Steve Smith drop a wide open pass that would have gone for a touchdown. Afterwards, he sympathized with his receiver:

"Sometimes it's good to get those out of the way now. I know Steve feels bad about that. He hasn't done that all training camp. I know he won't drop it next time."

The Giants finish up the NFL preseason slate with a trip to Foxboro, Massachusetts to take on the New England Patriots on Thursday night. The Jets wrap up their exhibition schedule by hosting the Philadelphia Eagles. The Giants will get the NFL regular season started with a big game against their divisional rivals as they host the Washington Redskins on Sunday, September 13th. The Jets will start the season on the road as they travel to Houston for a game against the Texans. - 2361

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Saints Top Dolphins To Remain Undefeated

By Ross Everett

With an offense that can strike as quickly as the New Orleans Saints', they're never out of a game. The Miami Dolphins found that out the hard way on Sunday as the Saints came roaring back from a 21 point deficit to win going away 46-34. Drew Brees threw for 298 yards and a touchdowns, though gave up three interceptions as New Orleans remained undefeated at 6-0 despite trailing in a game for the first time this season. Miami dropped to 2-4 on the year.

Adding insult to injury for NFL betting enthusiasts who backed Miami as +6 home underdogs, the Saints continued their rampage against the pointspread with a late game interception return for a touchdown to cover. New Orleans is 6-0 against the number this season, while Miami dropped to 2-4 against the spread.

After the game, Brees said that his team never lost confidence:

"There was no doubt on our sideline we would come back and win. They had given us their best shot, and we had played about as bad as we could play. All we had to do was string together a few drives and gain the momentum back. We knew it was going to happen, and it did."

Following a rushing touchdown that gave his team their first lead of the game in the fourth quarter, Brees dunked the football over the goal post crossbar:

"There are times in the game when a team just needs an emotional lift. I felt like I had to do something to get everybody hyped. The first thing that came to mind was to dunk it."

Saints' linebacker Scott Shanle suggested that the game could portent good things to come:

"It can be a season-defining win. This was a test we hadn't faced yet, and we couldn't be happier with the way we responded."

A dejected Ricky Williams explained how his team had lost:

"This was our game to win. We fought and we fought. They just fought harder at the end."

Dolphins' QB Vonte Davis said the defense was aware that with Brees in the game even a 21 point lead was tenuous at best:

"With Drew Brees, it's like the score is 0-0. We knew they would come back and that it would be a tough game."

The Saints will now host the Atlanta Falcons next Monday night. New Orleans is a -9 home favorite with the total set at 53'. They'll then face two struggling teams, taking on the Carolina Panthers at home the following Sunday and playing against the Rams at St. Louis on November 15. The Dolphins will play on the road against the New York Jets this Sunday, with Miami a +3' road underdog and the total set at 40'. - 2361

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Saturday, May 22, 2010

We Need To Stop Illegal Movie Downloads From Ruining This Industry

By Maude Powers

With so many file sharing programs available today, illegal movie downloads have become a big problem. If you think this isn't your problem then you should be aware that this trend could cost you a lot of money even if you are not guilty of this. If you do have any part in this then you could face huge fines. People need to be aware that this is against the law.

If you have a file sharing program on your computer then you could be part of the problem without even knowing it. If you have this program then people may be able to download any file, including movies, without your permission. If you have such a program on your PC then you should strictly limit what people can download from you.

Anytime you use these programs to download movies then odds are you are breaking the law. You should keep in mind that your address can be traced through your computer and you can be charged with pirating movies even if you have only done this once. While you may save money now, you could pay a lot more later.

The quality of the movies you get may also be very poor. Sometimes you may only get part of the movie or the sound will be off. You also have to be careful about what language the movie is downloaded in. This is even if you get the right movie at all. Some of these movies also have viruses attached to them that could harm your computer and wipe out other files.

You can download movies legally from several online sites. Even sites like Netflix and Blockbuster are considering making downloadable movies available. Sites that are legal to download from have all the tools you need right on their site. Not only are they safe but they are often backed by movie studios so you can be sure of the best picture and sound quality available.

There are many sites where you can sign up to watch satellite on your computer as well. You can get movies from all over the world for a onetime fee. This will allow you to watch both movies and television programs just like you would on your television. You can find these sites easily and most of these services are reasonably priced.

Is it really worth it to get a few free movies? With all of the possible consequences why not just go with a legal site in the first place. Copyright laws protect the people who make these movies. Imagine if everyone simply waited until one single person bought the movie and then downloaded it. Eventually they would no longer be able to afford to make these movies.

It all begins with one person. If you don't have the file sharing programs or movies on your computer then no one can download them. If you don't use these programs to illegally download movies then you will be one less person breaking the law. Stop the cycle today and set a good example for everyone. - 2361

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Finding The Best Wedding Band Is Not So Hard

By Simon Price

Do you want the best wedding band? Of course you do. The best wedding bands tend to be the ones who have done a lot of weddings in the past and unfortunately are not cheap.

When you pay the costs for having a good band, you will not be disappointed. Therefore, you need to remember to include money for a band while figuring your wedding budget. When you get they type of music you want to listen and dance to for your wedding, you want to know you are getting the best wedding band you can afford.

Now how do you find the best wedding band you can? That is a good question.

Recommendations are always good. Most bands that are any good will probably have their own website or social networking page where you can see what they play and they will probably have their own songs or videos you can listen to online. Any good band should also have their own reputable agent.

Find out where the band has previously played and then call those locations to find out what they think of the band. These locations are references for the band and you can learn a lot about them.

If you want the best wedding band possible you will have to do a lot of calling around and searching on the internet. Any good wedding band will usually have been booked up in advance so do not leave it to the last minute as by and large you will be left with a band that probably does not meet up to your expectations.

There are many things you need to consider when choosing a band to hire. One thing that many people do not consider will the stage be big enough for your band to play on? Is there anywhere for the band to change before the gig? Does the band have enough plug points near the stage to plug their equipment into?

One of the greatest things about hiring the best wedding band is that they can not only play well, they also have the capability to interact with all your wedding guests and get them involved as well with the entertainment. Guests love being involved with any part of a wedding celebration.

Remember, the best wedding band will be interested in working with you as well as learning any songs that you may request to be played for you and your guests on your special wedding day. - 2361

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Friday, May 21, 2010

Renting DVDs Online Will Save You From All Those Nasty Late Fees

By Edwin Greene

Have you been watching movies the old fashioned way? Having to make stops at your local video movie store and paying too much for each rental? You're probably paying late fees on movies, too, right? When you are tired of paying outrageous fees and only having a limited amount of time to watch your favorite movies on DVD, rent DVDs online for a change. You'll love the way the program works and guaranteed, you'll never go back to the old way.

When you download movies online, you can end up with a plethora of unexpected problems. Movies freeze in the middle of downloads sometimes. You can end up with incomplete files and corrupt files. It's hard to know where you can legally download movies, too. If you're not careful, you could be breaking infringement laws.

There are numerous online movie rental companies that started this huge trend several years ago. They realized a need before it existed. When the global financial markets started to turn south, people started making cuts anywhere they could. Entertainment seems to have been the understandable choice for these cuts with many families. When you can't make ends meet, it seems a bit absurd to make expenditures for fun and excitement.

There are a handful of online movie rental companies that had enough insight to fill in the cracks before they even appeared. You can get all of the latest rental movie releases sent directly to your mailbox. This service has provided millions of households' world wide a meaningful and enjoyable way to enjoy their nights at home in front of the television.

When you purchase the services of these movie rental companies, you can select all of your favorite movies online. It's a quick and easy process that you can manage anywhere you have an internet connection. Many companies are also offering movies for instant viewing online with membership to their rental program.

When you subscribe to an online movie rental membership, you can rest assured that any files you download are completely legal. It's good to know that you are watching movies that have been cleared directly by the production studio before you view them.

When you rent DVDs online, you can select from many membership plans and packages. Typically, you'll be offered a variety of price points to select from that allow you a certain number of movie rentals per month. Along with your movie rentals, you'll be able to select other benefits like discounts on movies that you can purchase and have sent directly to your home.

The hottest and quickest way to watch your favorite movies today is by downloading movies, watching movies online and renting movies online. Find a service plan that best fits your entertainment needs and start watching movies online today. Enroll in an online movie rental club today and never get a partial download issue again. - 2361

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Tips To Hire Male Strippers For Bachelorette Party

By David Pennington

In case the bachelorette is a virgin to-be bride who sips cocoa at night whilst she watches Disney movies in her big robe and bunny slippers, chances are she's not going to be excited with a view of semi-nude man dancing in front of her. The first tip is to ensure that the would be bride is perfectly ok with the concept of male strippers. Since you are a friend of her, you must be knowing about her tastes, dislikes, likes and so on. We'd hate to see a gang of male strippers show up at the party to discover a terrified bachelorette. The party is just over then! The same rule applied for the other guests to your bachelorette party. It's understandable that a girl or two may feel shy or a little embarrassed by a male stripper but if more than half the girls are running for the front door to escape, then you have certainly made a bad move. Before making the booking of a male stripper service, take a quick mental census and make sure the girls at your bachelorette party are easy with scantily-clad hunks prancing around. Plus, ensure that the kids are not in the home when the male dancer shows up! Otherwise you will need to explain few things to them.

Which Type Of Male Strippers Should You Hire? Themes are always popular as they enable the bachelorette to at least partially fulfill a fantasy before her wedding. At a minimum level, a fireman, pizza delivery boy, policeman or construction worker adds an element of lightness and fun to the male stripper show. Some women find Latin male dancers, or black male strippers and that blonde haired, blue eyed hunks irresistible. You know your friend and you are aware of her likes. And, as it's her bachelorette party so you should ensure that the bachelorette party is just perfect with the best male strippers to memorialize the occasion.

Choosing the Right Company Genuine companies such as ManhattanMen.com, Usahunk.com, Latinmen.Com and other male stripper companies have been organizing such male revue shows for a long time and have an reputed track record in delivering an enchanting bachelorette party. How can you tell if a firm offering male strippers is really authentic? First, a reputable male stripper company will always offer you options of up to ten different strippers and never guarantee that the male strippers you selected are available. There are a number of solid reasons for this; the male stripper may have another appointment, especially on a Friday or Saturday night, other male strippers you have chosen only performs at a male strip club and not in private parties and so on. To elevate your chances of getting the dancers you want, plan your bachelorette party on a Thursday or a Sunday when the availability of the dancer is much more warranted. Next, visit the website and observe if the male strippers are presented with different name. This is because many disreputable male stripper outfits present a lot of pictures of sexy men on their website who have no link at all with their company. Plus, it has been observed that such cheap company has not more than three male dancers. That's very little variety and even less reliability. Thus, if any company that assures the very first stripper you selected should be dealt with care. Reputed and trusted companies are busy all through the year so it's actually a good indication if the very first male dancer you select is not available. If the male dancers are in high demand then you know you picked the correct male stripper company to organize your party.

Male Strippers are NOT Male Escort A lot of debut bachelorette party invitees are under the false impression that male strippers are paid by the hour. Its not! Male strippers are actually performers and they have arrived just to perform. There is no clock running and you'll never find a professional male stripper observe the clock. He's an artist executing a vision and he is finished when he feels so. So, here's a cool tip to keep the male dancer performing longer: Have a bunch of dollar bills on hand. If the dancer is getting generously tipped as the girls are enjoying themselves, he is more inspired and focused to keep dancing and entertaining his audience.

What is the Cost of Male Strippers? In the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, $200 is the average rate for a performance by a single professional male stripper. On the west coast it's a little lower; about $150. And in the south and the Midwest the current rate is around $100.00. It's a norm to pay a deposit of 50% up front and the balance upon arrival of the strippers. Established companies can receive the payment from your credit card through phone or through internet payment options and email you a receipt which is your confirmation and proof of payment. Eventually, The Show Time. Fasten Your Seat Belts! Professional male dancers are always prepared. They'll bring their own musical CDs, so make sure you're prepared with a audio system in the room. Plus, the furniture can be rearranged so that the adorable hunks are left with more space to move their bodies. If you want to photograph the male strippers or want to be photographed with them, then always ask them first. Many a times, the male strippers and dancers are professional models too, and they may not wish to be captured under the lenses. - 2361

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Thursday, May 20, 2010

MMA Flashback: Bobby Lashley Destroys Mike Cook At MFC 21

By Ross Everett

Here's a word of advice to future opponents of Bobby Lashley--don't make fun of his background in professional wrestling. Mike Cook found that out the hard way in the co-main event of Maximum Fighting Championships MFC 21: Hard Knocks. After spending the run up to fight week making fun of Lashley's tenure in the WWE, Cook lasted a mere :24 seconds before being choked unconscious via a guillotine choke. The victory ran Lashley's record in his brief MMA career to 3-0.

In prefight interviews, Cook had suggested that Lashley would soil himself once he entered the ring (though in not so erudite terms). That clearly incensed the massive 64 250 pound Lashley, who despite his inexperience in MMA is hardly the sort of individual prone to losing bowel control at the prospect of a fight.

A smirking Cook attempted to tap gloves with Lashley before the fight, but his obviously insulted opponent would have none of it. Even after the opening bell rang, Cooks arrogant approach to the fight continued as he immediately clinched with his opponent as if he had no regard whatsoever for Lashley's strength. Lashley immediately locked in a guillotine choke and basically yanked Cook down to the mat by his head. Cook didnt even get the chance to tap out as veteran referee Big John McCarthy recognized he was out cold and pulled Lashley off of him.

After the fight Lashley gave his opponent a hug and flashed his trademark megawatt smile as if to say I told you so. In his postfight interview, however, he did slip in a final verbal jab toward his vanquished opponent, quipping that now Cook can go put the mask back on and have fun with himself'.

Despite the fact that mixed martial arts and professional wrestling have been interwoven from the beginning, the American Top Team trained Lashley has been singled out by less knowledgeable fans for his tenure in the WWE. Against his next opponent, Bob Sapp, hell be facing a foe that has also spent some time in the worked environment of professional wrestling. In addition to his legit fighting experience in K-1 and PRIDE, Sapp has worked for several Japanese pro wrestling organizations and briefly held the prestigious IWGP Championship.

Even though Sapp's days as a serious fighter are long past and he likely spends less time in the gym during a given year than Lashley does in a month, he does present an element of danger. Hes still got decent punching power, and his sheer bulk will be a challenge for Lashley who could give up as much as 100 pounds come fight night. Still, Sapp's only victories in several years have been against overmatched and/or outsized opponents. - 2361

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Learn To Harness The Power Of The Subconscious Mind

By Jean D Kerr

Your subconscious mind is easily the most powerful force on the planet and it shouldn't be underestimated. Everything you do or say or think begins in your mind. When you can tap the power of the subconscious, that power can be manifested to your conscious mind.

Many of us move through our day on auto-pilot. We complete tasks by rote without even thinking about why we're doing those things. Those actions are sub-conscious actions. A basic example of this is wondering what's on TV. You think about it and then reach for the remote. This is a conscious action. But have you ever just switched channels without even thinking about it? This is a sub-conscious reaction.

Your sub-conscious mind acts and reacts according to the stimulus it receives, whether you recognize it or not. This can mean that negative or upsetting images on the TV can have an effect on your sub-conscious thoughts in the same way as those negative comments you tell yourself when you feel doubt have the same effect.

Through the proper harnessing of the power of the subconscious mind, an individual can truly live out his or her true potential. Far too often we are told about the 'evils and dangers' that lurk in the subconscious. While there is certain value in understanding the dark side of human psychology, only looking at the negative comes with many unfortunate consequences.

Training your subconscious mind is much easier than many people believe. It's much deeper than just wishful thinking or day dreaming and a lot more powerful. Learning the simple processes required to activate the power of your subconscious can be achieved in several ways.

Quite possibly, the simplest way one can guide the subconscious mind it through the power of affirmation. As one would logically assume, affirmation refers to the ability to remind oneself of positive aspects of life in order to achieve a desired result.

For example, if someone needed to complete a daunting task they were not truly inclined to become involved with, they might feel a deep tired feeling come over them. This is simple a stress response to the scenario that saps a person of the vital energy needed to complete the task. That is to say, it is a mental response to what would appear to be a boorish task. Through affirmation, however, one can completely overcome this state of mind and approach the task in a much better manner.

Affirmations are those mental reminders and assertions of the positive things you want to achieve and want to become. Learning to use affirmations to help you achieve the things you want in life can increase your motivation and your focus in a positive way.

Affirmations also help you to change a habit such as stopping smoking or stopping yourself from overeating or drinking. Scientific studies have shown that the constant repetition of affirmations, either spoken or written down, taps into the power of your subconscious mind and changes your behaviour.

Hypnosis is another way to tap directly into the subconscious mind. You can do this using a qualified hypnotherapist or you can use self-hypnosis by listening to specific audio recordings. This can help you to change habits, like stopping smoking or over-eating. You can also change your entire attitude toward certain activities or actions to become more positive if you wish.

There is also a relatively new process known as brainwave synchronization or binaural beats, which involves listening to special sound frequencies with headphones. The frequencies are very slightly different in each ear which results in the synchronisation of the two hemispheres of the brain. This puts you almost instantly into a deep meditative state which allows your 'conscious self' to communicate with your subconscious mind.

Buddhist monks utilize the full power of their subconscious minds to display mastery over themselves and on occasion even the environment around them. Able to break items without pain or levitate their physical bodies, this is achieved after years of mastering their own subconscious powers.

By using the power of our subconscious mind, we can actually manipulate matter on a subatomic level and all of the events around us. This has been explained in films and books such as 'The Secret' which explains the law of attraction. This shows that it is not only theoretically possible, but is in fact a physical law which allows you to manifest whatever you want out of life just by successfully communicating with your subconscious mind.

More traditional sciences, such as quantum physics, are beginning to recognize the significance of the power many ancient civilizations accessed by understanding their own subconscious minds. The ability to alter and influence your own reality comes from tapping the power within yourself.

The power within your subconscious mind is much bigger than the majority of people understand. Learning to tap into and harness this power positively can seriously open your eyes to the amazing new life that awaits you. - 2361

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Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Colts Look Sharp In NFL Preseason Win Over Eagles

By Ross Everett

The Indianapolis Colts offense was in high gear on Thursday night as Peyton Manning threw two TD passes in three series of action, leaving backup Curtis Painter with a 14-0 lead over the Philadelphia Eagles before exiting the game. The Colts went on to win 23-15 in NFL preseason action.

Manning hadn't been happy with the offense's lethargic opening game performance, and was in much better spirits after this game:

"I think everybody wanted to be in there. The entire offense felt hungry after last week. Sure, there were some mistakes we can learn from, but there were some good things we can learn from."

"I don't think anybody offensively was really happy with what happened last week. It started with me and the entire offensive starting unit. Overall I thought everybody came back and did a better job tonight."

Colts head coach Jim Caldwell was also happy with the performance:

"They [the starters] had a couple of real good solid drives in there, performing pretty well. We were pleased with what we saw."

Eagles coach Andy Reid, meanwhile, wasnt the least bit enthused with what he saw from his team:

"All in all, that was an embarrassing performance and way too many penalties, not enough intensity all the way around, starting with me. It was a poor performance."

Aside from a nice touchdown pass from Donovan McNabb early in the game the Eagles looked nothing like a team expected to contend for a Superbowl berth.

Philadelphia will host the Jacksonville Jaguars next Thursday night looking for their first win of the NFL preseason. The Colts will continue their NFL exhibition slate as they travel to Detroit for a game against the Lions a week from Saturday. The Eagles will start the regular season with a road game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, September 13th while the Colts will host the Jacksonville Jaguars - 2361

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UFC 98 Review: Machida, Hughes Big Winners

By Ross Everett

When golf legend Jack Nicklaus was still a young upstart in the sport and only starting to tear up PGA courses, legend Bobby Jones commented following 'The Golden Bear's''65 Masters win that "he plays a game with which I am not familiar". Following his absolute destruction of Rashad Evans in the main event of UFC 98, there's likely a few MMA fighters saying the same thing about the new light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida who made it look easy en route to a 2nd round TKO victory.

The fight started slowly, with each man trying to get a feel for his opponent and wait him out to see who blinked first. Evans, who prefers to counter punch, quickly began to become uncomfortable with facing an adversary who didn't come right at him. Late in the first round, Machida went on offense with frightening suddenness, flooring Evans with a nice straight right hand. Evans gamely tried to fight back, but a final right hand from the Shotokan Karate master left him out cold.

After the fight UFC announcer Joe Rogan proclaimed the start of the Machida era and this is not just mere hyperbole. Machida is unlike any fighter before him, rooted in mastery of traditional martial arts but with the versatility of a modern MMA competitor. He's essentially a Mortal Kombat character come to life--in a more realistic cross disciplinary comparison he shares many of the same characteristics as boxing great Floyd Mayweather, Jr. as he combines insane handspeed, underrated stopping power and nearly impenetrable defense into an unorthodox and extremely lethal package. Like Mayweather, hes a tough opponent to prepare for as there's simply no way to replicate his skill set in sparring. In another similarity with boxing's recent pound for pound king, Machida has been bred to fight since birth. His father is a first generation Japanese --Brazilian and a Shotokan Karate legend, Yoshizo Machida. He began training in his fathers discipline at the age of 3 and by the time he was 12 years old had earned a black belt.

The comparisons with the insanely talented but equally insanely arrogant Mayweather end when the final bell sounds. Outside of the cage, Machida is a modest and respectful gentleman who is quick to give credit to his father and his karate teachers for his MMA success. He spent most of his UFC 98 postfight interview not singing his own praises, but imploring others to strive to realize their dreams.

An odd trivia note about Machida serves as further repudiation for MMA neophytes who think that the sports kinship with pro wrestling began with Brock Lesnar: Machida was discovered by Japanese wrestling legend Antonio Inoki, and became something of his protege. He trained for some time at the New Japan Pro Wrestling dojo in Tokyo and made his MMA debut on a NJPW card in 2003, defeating Pancrase veteran Kengo Watanabe. For a time, Inoki had designs on pushing Machida as his predecessor, but his success in shoot fights quickly opened up other doors.

Perhaps the most frightening thing about Machida is that hes only now reaching his full potential as an MMA fighter. In other words, hes only going to get better which is a scary prospect for opponents given the fact that hes never lost in MMA competition. Early in his UFC career he had a reputation as a boring fighter, but in his recent bouts hes shown a downright lethal ability to end fights. He stopped Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou at UFC 79 with an arm triangle choke, and blitzed Evans and previous foe Thiago Alves with punishing punching combinations en route to TKO victories. The so called boring fighter has in the process earned two UFC knockout of the night bonuses by virtue of his evolving power punching skills.

Machida will very likely face Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson at some point and its difficult to see him faring much differently than Evans did. One thing working in 'Rampage's' favor is his greater experience and a resume filled with high level opponents of various fighting styles. Still, everyone comes back to the fundamental reality that no one has ever really seen a fighter quite like Machida before.

In the co-main event of the evening, Matt Hughes defeated Matt Serra by unanimous decision to gain the upperhand in their long running feud. It was a surprisingly entertaining fight, with Serra taking the first round with his power punching before Hughes used his takedown and ground control abilities to win rounds two and three. The two men embraced after the fight so, for now at least, their well known dislike for one another that began during their stint as rival coaches on The Ultimate Fighter may have ebbed. After the fight, Hughes backed off his previous talk of retirement after this matchup and clearly indicated that hed like to keep competing in the UFC. - 2361

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Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Movie Downloads Have Offbeat Movies Like The Dead Or Alive Trilogy

By Arline Vincent

The Dead or Alive Trilogy belongs on your must see movie downloads list simply because it's so crazy. You've seen action movies, you've seen over the top action movies, but you've never seen anything quite like these three flicks from Mike Takashi . Every one is out to top the last in terms of sheer craziness.

The first film in the trilogy, Dead or Alive, was conceived simply to get two of Japan's biggest cult legends together, Sho Aikawa and Riki Takeuchi. These two are sort of the Japanese cult film answer to DeNiro and Pacino, so Dead or Alive is sort of the Japanese cult answer to Heat. It was also focused on solving one of the primary problems with that movie: The anti-climactic ending.

We won't spoil that ending for you, but save to say that it certainly solves the whole anti-climax problem. From beginning to end, the whole movie is like one big super climactic showdown. Every minute you're going to be seeing something you've never seen before, something you can't believe you just saw, and something you wish you hadn't seen.

Dead or Alive 2 is one of those rare sequels that blows the original away, even though the original was already pretty good. Aikawa and Takeuchi are recast as two entirely different characters, that parallel their original roles in some interesting ways. Where the first is about a cop and a gangster out to get each other, this one focuses on two childhood friends who have grown up to become hitmen who donate all of their earnings to buying medicine for children in third world countries. This movie is all heart.

The first movie in the series has a very negative edge to it, it's very harsh. This one is all heart, it's very positive, so it's interesting to see the whole thing flipped on its head. It also deals a little more responsibly with the cost of violence on a person's soul.

The third of the trilogy, Dead or Alive Final, takes the series in an all new direction, getting into a science fiction setting akin to Blade Runner. It might not be the best of the trilogy, but it has to be seen so you can see how it ties the whole trilogy together in a strange way.

If you like the Dead or Alive trilogy, you should also check out Deadly Outlaw Rekka, which feels like the fourth film in the series in spirit. It has the same sense of over the top craziness and stars Riki Takeuchi in the lead role.

The first movie's trailer proudly declares that Miike is the dog with rabies of the Japanese film world, and it's true, it's not just a clever tagline for the trailer. The guy makes something like five or six movies a year, and has made about one hundred since his debut some years ago. He is one of the most prolific directors out there, and while the quality varies, if only one in ten is any good, he's already one of the greats. - 2361

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