Thursday, March 31, 2011

A Brief Essay on the Chronograph's Impact as It Relates to the Current State of Popular Mediums

In honor of YouTube's 100-year anniversary today, we've excerpted below a portion of one of our earliest YouTube Trend's posts, which was originally posted in 1911:

Salutations and welcome to YouTube Trends, a daily register of the top most-enjoyed reels that are also most commonly handed from one person to another in the local square or mailed by horseback courier to acquaintances in nearby townships.

You might have heard rumblings about the famed French engineer with a newfangled invention he calls the Chronophone, which synchronizes moving pictures with sound. It’s a humdinger of an idea.

Will this new fad become the latest standard? It's hard to determine, as there appears to remain a widespread concern over both image clarity and flammability, neither of which meet the quality benchmarks that YouTube has set for itself.

We expect that production specialists will stay the course, particularly following our announcement that YouTube will not be supporting the Chronophone at this time, but instead will continue to employ phonographs.

On an additional note, it is worth an added mention that YouTube Trends-branded swimsuits can still be ordered through telegram! This despite the effect on textile imports that Italy's declaration of war on the Ottoman Empire has had.

Book Review: Halo (second review for 'The Descent of the Angels Reading Challenge')



This is my second angel book review!
I had originally planned to post my review of Unearthly,
but things have turned out a bit differently...



Halo
Author: Alexandra Adornetto
Hardcover, 484 pages
Published by Feiwel & Friends (an imprint of McMillan),December, 2010
Genre: YA paranormal romance



This book's beautiful cover, as well as the subject matter, ensured that it would be featured on many YA blogs.  I couldn't wait to read it!  I have always found angels fascinating, but have not encountered them in fiction before (except for my unfinished reading of Unearthly.)   

This novel swept me away with its romantic enchantment, and also contained some very awe-inspiring glimpses into the angelic realm.  The story pulls the reader into its own unique world, and is a definite page-turner!

I love the characters, as well as the entire idea for the story, which features three angels who arrive, in human form, at the seaside town of Venus Cove.  They have a mission -- to watch over the town and its inhabitants, as they exert their heavenly influence over it.  The forces of darkness are looming on the horizon... 

The angels are Gabriel, the mighty Biblical Archangel, Ivy, an angel who possesses healing powers, and Bethany, the youngest of the three, who, like Ivy, is able to heal, although her main function in Heaven is to ease the transition of newly-arrived souls, especially those of children.  The angels are presented as siblings, which I think is a very nice touch -- the reader can immediately identify with and even empathize with them.

Bethany is the focus of the story.  As the youngest angel, she feels more of an attraction for human life, with all its emotions and beauty, than the other two.  She falls in love with the captain of the rugby team at Bryce Hamilton, the high school in which she enrolls as a student.  Her love for Xavier Woods ultimately becomes a possible obstacle to the angels' mission.  Although Gabriel and Ivy attempt to prevent Bethany from getting entangled in a romantic relationship, her attraction to Xavier is just too strong.  Eventually, Gabriel has no choice but to consult with the Covenant, a group of angels that form a 'high court' in heaven, rendering judgement when needed.  The verdict is favorable; the young couple are permitted to continue their relationship, for the time being.  Still, Bethany is aware that she may never see Xavier again once their mission ends....

The first 300 pages of the book serve to set up the story and develop the budding romance, which is very touching and poignant, if not entirely believable.  Bethany acts too much like an average human girl.  Her angelic powers are rarely in evidence, except for the scene in which she reveals her true nature to Xavier, her body glowing as she flies off the edge of a cliff.  The rest of the time, however, the reader would think this was a typical, non-paranormal YA romance. 

Bethany even craves Xavier's 'protection'!  But she's....an angel.  If anyone needed protection, it should be Xavier, not Bethany!  Why would a mere mortal presume to try to protect an angel?  I found this to be so ridiculous!  Had it not been for this, I would have given the book five stars.

I especially enjoyed the Christian underpinnings of the novel.  It only makes sense to mention God in a novel whose main characters are angels.  Adornetto never 'gets preachy', either.  She weaves the Christian elements very naturally into the story, just enough for readers to know what the background is.  The battle between good and evil in the novel is put into the context of the great rebellion of Lucifer and his angels -- this is all taken from the Bible, and Adornetto rightfully makes no apologies for that.

The forces of darkness make an appearance in the last 200 pages or so of the novel.  The action starts to build up slowly, almost imperceptibly, until things get very intense.  A demon is introduced into the story, although he is not initially identified as such.  Things start to get a little strange.  Suddenly, there are acts of vandalism and arson in this quiet town, and then, something really shocking takes place -- an apparently inexplicable suicide. 

Towards the very end of the novel, conflict fully erupts, and we see Gabriel in all his mighty glory, wielding his flaming sword.  I thought that surely, in this final confrontation with evil, Ivy and Bethany would come into their own, and the reader would see their powers fully revealed.  Incredibly, only Gabriel fights the demon.  However, it is the power of Xavier and Bethany's love that ultimately defeats him, and that is very satisfying!  Love always triumphs over hate.

Although Adornetto has obviously been influenced to some extent by The Twilight Saga and The Vampire Diaries, the story is still very unique and original.  The relationship between Xavier and Bethany is very sweet, as they are totally devoted to each other in a very spiritual way, in spite of the physical attraction they also feel.  The world-building is excellent, remaining true, for the most part, to what we know of angels through the Bible.  Written in a simple, direct, yet flowing style, Halo fully engages the reader throughout.

I will definitely keep a look out for the next book in this new series, Hades, which is scheduled for release on August 30, 2011.  The title refers to the name used by the ancient Greeks for the underworld, which is known today as Hell....  It sure promises to be a fabulous read!!

MY RATING:   






Fotos de Paris Hilton y Su Novio Cy Waits 2011

http://cdn.enelbrasero.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Paris-Hilton-Lanzamiento-Linea-de-Zapatos-en-MX-01.jpg

Aqui tenemos las Fotos de Paris Hilton y su novio Cy Waits Besandose, el empresario Cy Waits, no perdieron la oportunidad de posar juntos y demostrarse su cariño en la alfombra rosa de la fiesta por el lanzamiento de la línea de zapatos de la socialité en tierra azteca
http://cdn.enelbrasero.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Paris-Hilton-Lanzamiento-Linea-de-Zapatos-en-MX-02.jpg
http://cdn.enelbrasero.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Paris-Hilton-Lanzamiento-Linea-de-Zapatos-en-MX-14.jpg

Fotos de David Beckham y Sofía Vergara


Fotos de David Beckham y a Sofía Vergara quienes apareceran en escena en la playa. Pero al parecer, durante el rodaje, el futbolista se mostró muy atento ante la colombiana.
Vergara lucía un body en color azul turquesa con un profundo escote, que además de llamar la atención de los curiosos que pasaban por el lugar, centraron la mirada de Beckham hacia su pecho.
En los descansos, la pareja se mostró sonriente y ambos intercambiaban chistes y bromas.

http://cdn.enelbrasero.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Sofia-Vergara-y-David-Beckham-graban-comercial-de-Pepsi-en-la-playa-03.jpg 
http://cdn.enelbrasero.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Sofia-Vergara-y-David-Beckham-graban-comercial-de-Pepsi-en-la-playa-07.jpg
http://cdn.enelbrasero.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Sofia-Vergara-y-David-Beckham-graban-comercial-de-Pepsi-en-la-playa-10.jpg

La Niña y Mujer Mas Bonita Del 2011 es Selena Gomez

Selena Gomezs es La Mas Hermosa del 2011' de la revista Paper.



En la entrevista, Miss Gómez dijo: "Una vez que mi serie ha terminado, voy a tener que empezar de nuevo mi camino. Obtener la simpatía de un público diferente, lo cual va a ser duro. Me encanta hacer feliz a la gente."

"No quiero atormentarme con mi carrera musical para llegar a ser la número uno, eso no es mi objetivo. ¿Disco acústico? No lo tenemos pensado por el momento, pero si sacamos un álbum acústico, será muy divertido."

Fuente Info: Selena Gómez: La Más Hermosa del 2011

3/31 defcon: morpheus, auroras, smartbombs & omg's!

secret space plane can't hide from amateur sleuths*
secret space plane can't hide from amateur sleuthssecret x-37b space plane caught on video by skywatchers*
nasa tracking 'a large object approaching the sun'*
video: will 'morpheus' be the first vehicle on the moon since apollo?*
video: stunningly beautiful time-lapse footage of aurora*
nsa said to focus its decrypting skills on nasdaq cyber attack*
australia pm julia gillard's computer hacked*
federal courts worry your smartphone might be a smartbomb*
facebook says no revolution for the palestinians*
omg! online abbreviations make it into oxford dictionary*

Fotos de Miley Cyrus y Su Hermano Braison



 
Fotos de Miley Cyrus y Su Hermano Braison, Miley Cyrus junto a su hermano Braison, cuando camina por las calles de Toluca Lake, el martes 29 de marzo.
 
La cantante de 18 años habló recientemente sobre su escándalo del bong, twitter, el playback y más! Estos son los extractos de la interesante entrevista: 
 
Sobre el Bong: "Lo estropee. Ahí lo tienes. Pero si vives tu vida tratando de que sea perfecta, nunca la viviras porque en realidad no cometeras errores y al final de tu vida no vas a ser demasiado inteligente ni sabio."
 
Sobre el Playback: "El playback no es lo mío. Prefiero que alguien me diga que canto como la mierd* a que me vean haciendo playback. Es más complicado ser un artista. No solo debes ser capáz de subir una canción a YouTube y ya salir de gira."
 
Sobre las redes sociales: "Trato de no estar en twitter ni en ninguna red social. Yo soy de las que se queja porque la gente sabe demasiado de mi vida privada, entonces salir y explotarme en estos sitios sería absurdo e hipócrita."
 
Un detalle personal sobre Cyrus es que estará en Australia pronto junto a su gira, y ella al parecer tiene pensado ver a alguien! Miley reveló: "No quiero tachar directamente a los chicos australianos, pero puedo o no puedo estar sola.. Definitivamente no voy a llegar a Australia soltera!" 
 
 

Nuevas Canciones de Rebecca Black

En Buena Hora, Se vienen Nuevas Canciones de Rebecca Black se encuentra actualmente grabando su álbum debut y su segundo single se llamará 'LOL'. Ella está ahora grabando el single y el álbum en el estudio de Flying Pig Productions en Los Angeles.



Miss Black dijo a The Sun: "Me gusta el hecho de que esté cantando como una chica de 13 años de edad, y no tratando de ser otra cosa.

Me gustaría considerar algunas canciones de amor adolescente, pero quiero que sean apropiadas y sanas. La gente decía, 'Tú eres la peor cantante, esa es la peor canción. Criticaron mi voz y las letras. Pero yo los llamo perdedores negativos. Ellos tratan de hacerme sentir mal, pero en realidad son ellos los que están mal. Estoy cumpliendo mi sueño, algo que cualquier chica de mi edad le gustaría hacer".

Fuente Info: LOL, la nueva canción de Rebecca Black

Ultimas Fotos de Taylor Swift 2011

Ultimas Fotos de Taylor Swift 2011, Taylor Swift fue vista saliendo del hotel Mandarin Oriental en Knightsbridge, Inglaterra, el miércoles (30 de marzo).



La intérprete "You Belong With Me" lució un suéter de oso panda y una linda trenza, cuando hizo su paso a través de una multitud de fans y paparazzi - deteniéndose para posar para fotos en el camino.

Tuiteando sobre los planes de su concierto, Miss Swift escribió, "No puedo creer que vamos a tocar en el O2 de Londres esta noche. Estoy tan emocionada, estoy usando mi amado suéter panda."

Entre tanto, Taylor se enteró que recibirá un premio especial de parte de la Academy of Country Music Awards cinco días antes del espectáculo.

La estrella de 21 años de edad, recibirá el Premio Internacional Jim Reeves 2011 por su contribución a la aceptación de la música country en todo el mundo y recibirá este honor el domingo, 3 de abril.




Fuente Info e Imagenes: Taylor Swift: Oso Panda en el Reino Unido


4 in the Afternoon: Cartoon Subway Sheep

Twice each day we scan our YouTube metrics as well as websites on the cutting edge of internet culture to discover the most buzzed about videos.
Connie Talbot Sheep in the City 1986 NYC Subway Cartoon Songs
  1. 2007 "Britain's Got Talent" runner-up Connie Talbot, who's now 10, covers one of her favorite songs. As seen on Urlesque.
  2. Zynga brings the countryside to the big city in this viral spot for the game Farmville. As seen on Daily Wh.at.
  3. 25 years ago filmmaker captured a moment in the life of the NYC subway and now that clip has been posted to YouTube and has been seeing lots of interest. As seen on VVVs.
  4. A nostalgic medley of popular cartoon theme songs. As seen on BuzzFeed.

通用电气收购法k国科孚德

通用电气k收购法国科孚德

  

申花中能被黑哨供出 中超首战上演涉假G球队德比

  在去年反赌风暴愈演愈烈的时候,足管中心主任韦迪曾透露,"只要公安部门披露了最新的反赌进展,在证据面前,无论哪支球队有问题,都会受到重罚,轻则降级,重则取消注册。"而在去年联赛结束时,中国足协曾在香河基地召开研讨会,重点讨论《中国足球协会职业联赛俱乐部标准》和《中国足球协会职业联赛俱乐部审查与监管办法》两个新文件。韦迪表示:修改后的两个文件将在2010年年底出台。内容包括各俱乐部需自我审查,当地足协也要对其G进行审查;加大省足协对各俱乐部的监管职责;足协连同各省市协会组成"审查与监管委员会",对各俱乐部进行管理;增加复议制度,允许资格审核未通过的俱乐部向足协申诉。其中还有一条尤为引人注意,那就是"如果俱乐部法人或者董事长曾经有过涉赌涉假行为,那么该俱乐部就达不到准入制度标准将无法完成注册"。显然,在三名涉案裁判明确承认有俱乐部涉嫌假球和赌球的情况下,一旦最终被认定,那么肯定会按照广州队和成都队的处罚进行操作。


墙纸成为家居新领军力量 装饰时尚性逐9渐增强

  川流不息的观众和客商衬托出的红火场面,勾勒出墙纸软装饰日渐流行的时尚新趋势。

  墙纸软装饰引领装修新时尚

  本届国际家居软装饰博览会15日至17日在北京新国展举办。场馆内人头攒动,许多厂商都拿出了一本本精美的墙纸产品册供客商和消费者选择,行走在场馆内,浓郁的墙纸时尚元素扑面而来。

  "轻装修、重装饰的理念这几年在消费者中日渐流行。"参展的中元恒茂公司CEO杨琦说。这几年很多消费者在装修时会选用墙纸,原因在于墙纸有几个鲜明的特点。一是墙纸装饰能凸显个性。由于墙纸的颜色、图案、材料种类繁多,消费者可以有很大选择空间。不同的墙纸,可以体现不同的个性特色。二是墙纸具有很强的美感,可以营造诸多不同的观赏效果,例如壁布和墙纸壁画,日渐受到消费者喜爱。三是环保。

  实际上,随着近年来对墙纸产品了解的消费者不断增多,墙纸作为软装家居的新要素,正在引领着多元化的时尚家居装饰风格。根据中国建筑装饰装修材料协会墙纸专业委员会的统计,几年前墙纸只占家庭装修和家居市场的百分之零点几,而现在已达到了5%-6%,并继续保持着快速增长势头。

  观念误区亟待改变

  但与欧美相比,墙纸产品在中国家居市场的普及率并不高。

  "目前国内家装使用墙漆涂料的占了94%,墙纸占5%-6%,而欧美市场这一比例正好相反。"中国建筑装饰装修材料协会墙纸专业委员会对外联络部主任丁辉说。

  "这表明消费者对墙纸这一环保、新兴产品的认识存在误区,需要进一步更新观念。"杨琦说,很多消费者对墙纸的印象还停留在好多年前,比如认为墙纸容易破碎,不能擦洗,更换麻烦等等。

  杨琦说,墙纸经过近年来的发展,科技含量不断提高。目前,墙纸的种类已有数百种,材料也很丰富,有普通墙纸,PVC墙纸,亚麻墙纸、金属墙纸等。而且现在的墙纸可以随意擦洗,不易损坏,可以保持长达5-10年之久。

  此外,有消费者担心,墙纸损坏后需要整面墙更换,增加成本。对此杨琦表示,实际上,只要在家装时多预留一小块墙纸,如果有损坏,直接换下损坏的那一块即可,简单方便。"以前这样做可能会产生色差,但现在的技术已解决了这样的问题。"丁辉说。

  塑造品牌正当其时

  从整个行业看,家居墙纸市场近年来在国内呈现快速发展态势,产量持续增长。去年我国墙纸产量达到4亿平方米,同时进口量达到4000万平方米,出口达到7000万平方米。

  "目前全国生产墙纸的厂家不到100家,有规模的只有30-50家,贸易商有2000多家。一方面市场上有实力的品牌比较少,另一方面市场也存在混乱状况,在原创设计保护力度及施工工艺规范方面都存在问题。"丁辉说。

  丁辉认为,国家墙纸环保标准很快将出台,这将有助于缩短国产墙纸9和进口墙纸在价格、标准等方面的差异。目前我国人均消费墙纸量约0.4平方米,而欧美国家人均已达4-6平方米。国家墙纸环保标准出台后,有望推动国产墙纸市场的增长。

  此外,丁辉认为,从价格上看,墙纸市场今后的发展也将面临较好态势。一是许多跨国厂商直接在中国设厂,将逐步拉低进口墙纸的价格。二是墙纸从十几元到上百元的产品目前市场都能提供,这会拓宽消费者选择产品的空间,为提高墙纸产品的市场份额创造条件。可以预料,墙纸市场在未来几年将会获得快速稳定的发展。

-小五

教你鉴别辨GarHmin手持GPS水货与行货

  一、 防水性能:

  GARMIN行货出厂时有防水密封设置,而不用担心机器渗进水:

  GARMIN行货可以扔进鱼缸:

  GARMIN行货可以用水清洗机身:

  GARMIN行货可以雨天户外使用:

    水货大多改装拆卸过,破坏了出厂原装密封性能,雨天使用或不小心掉进水中,水会渗入机器,导致机器报废,而且无法维修!

  二、维修及服务:

  GARMIN行货凭机身序列号由GARMIN负责维修及其他服务 大陆行货每台机器都有唯一序列编号;水货则无法享受维修及服务,一旦出现问题,则意味机器报废;

  三、软件升级:行货由GARMIN中国分公司或区域总代理负责升级更新软件,但对水货不提供服务;

  四、2011年1月1日起,在华北地区购买GARMIN手持机的客户包括:北京、天津、河北、山东、山西、内蒙,购机时注意查看机身背面及外包装盒侧面是否有GARMIN华北总代理星火伟业监制的防伪标记,如果没有"防伪签"标记请谨慎购机,以免权益无法保障!

  五、销售和购买非正规报关进口产品水货,属于违法行为,将会被追究法律责任;

  为维护我们的权益,欢迎积极向工商部门及GARMIN公司举报经营销售水货的个人及单位,对于售卖者将予以严惩!

  工商举报电话:12390、12315;GARMIN服务热线:400-819-1899