Apple dominated the news cycle this week with the debut of the iPhone 5, as the internet was buzzing with details about the lighter, thinner and faster new iPhone. But not everyone was thrilled with the news. A journalist in China spent 10 days undercover working at a Foxconn factory, detailing the grueling conditions workers undergo to produce the new gadget. Apple wasn't the only tech company in the news this week, though; Google got some time in the spotlight this week too, as the company's new augmented-reality glasses were trotted down the runway at New York Fashion Week. Continuing the trend of high-tech fashion, British designer Dominic Wilcox unveiled a GPS shoe that guides you home from anywhere in the world.
This week, a team of Finnish researchers did what we would have thought was impossible, building an electricity-free computer that's powered by water droplets. Israeli designer Nitsan Debbi cooked up a batch of working electronic products made of bread. A Boise-based tech company used 3D printing technology to produce a new working beak for an injured bald eagle. Artist Luzinterruptus fitted 10,000 books that had been discarded by public libraries with LED lights and covered the streets of Melbourne with them, and in an exciting development the much-anticipated Low Line underground park in NYC debuted a full-scale model of their incredible fiber-optic solar-concentrating technology in New York City's lower east side. And in a surprising development, a researcher in Switzerland discovered a special strain of fungus that can make an ordinary violin sing like a Stradivarius.
In Inhabitat news this week, we announced the 40 finalists in our design-a-laptop-bag contest that we partnered on with HP. There are some pretty awesome and innovative laptop bag designs in this competition, and the top 40 are duking it out to win $10,000 and a possible production run, so please be a judge and go vote for your favorite laptop bag here. Speaking of design contests, we also kicked off the European Solar Decathlon this week with a look at six incredible solar-powered homes that are competing at the European Solar Decathlon right now to win top prize.
We love finding simple solutions to seemingly complex problems, and aircraft manufacturer Airbus' vision for the future of aviation is just that. Part of the vision calls for flying jets in the same formation as a flock of birds, which would reduce energy use and carbon emissions. In other green transportation news, Cannondale unveiled a chainless concept bike that can changes shape as you ride it. In Utah, a grad student from the University of Denver shattered a world speed record by hitting 216 MPH on a home-built electric motorcycle. And in one of the most remarkable stories we came across this week, a Honduran man who is confined to a wheelchair has devoted most of his life to building a helicopter out of scrap metal.
A new study from the Carnegie Institution for Science found that there's enough wind power to meet the whole world's energy demands. And with the help of airborne wind turbines, we'd be able to generate even more power than with ground- and ocean-based units alone. In solar news, Morocco is on its way to becoming a world-class solar energy producer, as the country recently announced plans to harvest 14 percent of its energy from the sun by 2020. For renewable energy on a smaller scale, a graduate student in Israel developed a prototype for an elegant rocking chair called Otarky that produces energy from its rocking motion and can be used to charge devices and power a lamp.
2012年6月6日星期三
Bloggers argue back that their fees have substantial ROI
There’s been some backlash from designers and brands as they question having to pay bloggers from $5,000 up to $50,000 to work with them. Skeptics question whether paying bloggers results in significant return on investment, especially in comparison to a magazine or television ad. Besides, some brands contend, if bloggers are journalists, journalists aren’t paid for writing about a company.
Bloggers argue back that their fees have substantial ROI because blogs can drive millions of page views a month both on their sites and the brand’s Web site. So why shouldn’t they be paid? And while some bloggers are journalists in the true sense, most of them don’t consider themselves journalists on par with those at The New York Times or the The Wall Street Journal. They are more like columnists, expressing opinions about what they see.
“When you want to work with a blogger in a way that you would with any influencer — whether it’s a photographer, a stylist, a designer for your windows, a public endorser of your brand, advertising or a design collaboration — that’s where you have to compensate because you would compensate anyone for those things,” said Karen Robinovitz, co-founder and chief creative officer of Digital Brand Architects, who considers herself the pioneer of “blogger agents.”
She pointed out that if a brand sends a blogger a box of clothes with the intent of having them create four dedicated full looks that they need shot for posts, the talent has to location scout — and is responsible for styling, hair, makeup, photography, art direction, retouching, copywriting and posting.
Bloggers argue back that their fees have substantial ROI because blogs can drive millions of page views a month both on their sites and the brand’s Web site. So why shouldn’t they be paid? And while some bloggers are journalists in the true sense, most of them don’t consider themselves journalists on par with those at The New York Times or the The Wall Street Journal. They are more like columnists, expressing opinions about what they see.
“When you want to work with a blogger in a way that you would with any influencer — whether it’s a photographer, a stylist, a designer for your windows, a public endorser of your brand, advertising or a design collaboration — that’s where you have to compensate because you would compensate anyone for those things,” said Karen Robinovitz, co-founder and chief creative officer of Digital Brand Architects, who considers herself the pioneer of “blogger agents.”
She pointed out that if a brand sends a blogger a box of clothes with the intent of having them create four dedicated full looks that they need shot for posts, the talent has to location scout — and is responsible for styling, hair, makeup, photography, art direction, retouching, copywriting and posting.
2012年4月10日星期二
Remembering Titanic: Where the Passengers Are Buried
“So you've been Titanic-ing,” Susan Olsen, the staff historian at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, said when J. Joseph Edgette walked in.
Indeed he had. Mr. Edgette is, among other things, an expert on where the “Titanic people,” as he calls them, were buried.
For the last hour, he had been crisscrossing Woodlawn's 313 acres, driving slowly and stopping to look at graves of passengers who died when the unsinkable ship went down 100 years ago, and survivors who were buried there later on. Of the passengers aboard the Titanic, more than 1,500 died, including more than 300 whose bodies were pulled from the water after the Cunard steamship Carpathia had picked up the survivors. (Of the bodies that were recovered, more than 115 were buried at sea. The rest were taken to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where 150 were buried in three cemeteries. The others were shipped out for burial by relatives.)
Mr. Edgette knows his way around cemeteries. He is the chairman of the cemeteries and gravemarkers area of the American Culture Association and the secretary of the board of the Association for Gravestone Studies. He mentioned a dinner with Robert Ballard, the explorer who discovered the Titanic shipwreck in 1985. “He explained that when those bodies went down, they stayed down,” Mr. Edgette said. “He said: ‘You see these shoes down there? There used to be bodies in those shoes. The body parts deteriorated, and the skeletal remains decalcified. The only thing left are the shoes, and the leather is perfectly preserved.'”
Mr. Edgette said Woodlawn had 12 “Titanic people,” more than any cemetery in the United States. Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn has nine, he said, not counting the mayor at the time, William J. Gaynor, who coordinated the arrival of the rescue ship Carpathia, or F.A.O. Schwarz, the toy store owner. (A Schwarz teddy bear survived the Titanic, he said. It was the companion of a 6-year-old boy who had been on board. He and his family made it into one of the lifeboats, and he marveled at the ice that floated by, saying, “Look at the beautiful North Pole with no Santa Claus on it.”)
Some of the graves at Woodlawn mention the Titanic. “Lost his life on the S.S. Titanic,” reads the tombstone of Charles H. Chapman, a second-class passenger.
Some tombstones say nothing about the unsinkable ship. Arthur Ernest Nicholson's gravestone says only, “Died April 15, 1912.”
And some say more than nothing but less than everything. The tomb of Isidor Straus, a co-founder of Macy's and a former congressman, says, “Lost at sea. April 15, 1912.” The tomb, a replica of an Egyptian funeral barge, carries an inscription from the Bible (11 words from Solomon 8:7) but no mention of the Titanic.
“When the time came” for Ida Straus to climb into the lifeboat and leave her husband behind — he was offered a seat but turned it down because there were still women and children on the doomed ship — “she said there was no sense in parting now,” Mr. Edgette said, noting that they had been married for more than 40 years. “They were last seen retiring to their cabins. He was No. 96 of the 329 bodies.” Mrs. Straus's body was never found.
The tomb for him and cenotaph for her is outside a mausoleum for their sons. Inside is a plaque commemorating the Strauses that was originally at the Macy's store on 34th Street. “Glad it was saved,” Mr. Edgette said. “Glad to see it's here. It probably would have been melted down, because that's what's happening in cemeteries across America, and for pennies on the dollar.”
Indeed he had. Mr. Edgette is, among other things, an expert on where the “Titanic people,” as he calls them, were buried.
For the last hour, he had been crisscrossing Woodlawn's 313 acres, driving slowly and stopping to look at graves of passengers who died when the unsinkable ship went down 100 years ago, and survivors who were buried there later on. Of the passengers aboard the Titanic, more than 1,500 died, including more than 300 whose bodies were pulled from the water after the Cunard steamship Carpathia had picked up the survivors. (Of the bodies that were recovered, more than 115 were buried at sea. The rest were taken to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where 150 were buried in three cemeteries. The others were shipped out for burial by relatives.)
Mr. Edgette knows his way around cemeteries. He is the chairman of the cemeteries and gravemarkers area of the American Culture Association and the secretary of the board of the Association for Gravestone Studies. He mentioned a dinner with Robert Ballard, the explorer who discovered the Titanic shipwreck in 1985. “He explained that when those bodies went down, they stayed down,” Mr. Edgette said. “He said: ‘You see these shoes down there? There used to be bodies in those shoes. The body parts deteriorated, and the skeletal remains decalcified. The only thing left are the shoes, and the leather is perfectly preserved.'”
Mr. Edgette said Woodlawn had 12 “Titanic people,” more than any cemetery in the United States. Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn has nine, he said, not counting the mayor at the time, William J. Gaynor, who coordinated the arrival of the rescue ship Carpathia, or F.A.O. Schwarz, the toy store owner. (A Schwarz teddy bear survived the Titanic, he said. It was the companion of a 6-year-old boy who had been on board. He and his family made it into one of the lifeboats, and he marveled at the ice that floated by, saying, “Look at the beautiful North Pole with no Santa Claus on it.”)
Some of the graves at Woodlawn mention the Titanic. “Lost his life on the S.S. Titanic,” reads the tombstone of Charles H. Chapman, a second-class passenger.
Some tombstones say nothing about the unsinkable ship. Arthur Ernest Nicholson's gravestone says only, “Died April 15, 1912.”
And some say more than nothing but less than everything. The tomb of Isidor Straus, a co-founder of Macy's and a former congressman, says, “Lost at sea. April 15, 1912.” The tomb, a replica of an Egyptian funeral barge, carries an inscription from the Bible (11 words from Solomon 8:7) but no mention of the Titanic.
“When the time came” for Ida Straus to climb into the lifeboat and leave her husband behind — he was offered a seat but turned it down because there were still women and children on the doomed ship — “she said there was no sense in parting now,” Mr. Edgette said, noting that they had been married for more than 40 years. “They were last seen retiring to their cabins. He was No. 96 of the 329 bodies.” Mrs. Straus's body was never found.
The tomb for him and cenotaph for her is outside a mausoleum for their sons. Inside is a plaque commemorating the Strauses that was originally at the Macy's store on 34th Street. “Glad it was saved,” Mr. Edgette said. “Glad to see it's here. It probably would have been melted down, because that's what's happening in cemeteries across America, and for pennies on the dollar.”
2012年4月8日星期日
Basket, Milano fa la cosa giusta
Milano non sbaglia ed espugna il parquet di Montegranaro nella quinta partita della 28.a giornata del campionato di basket di Serie A. L'Emporio Armani lotta punto a punto con la Fabi Shoes, ma alla fine si impone per 98-92 (24-23, 51-48, 73-75 i parziali). Un successo importante per la squadra di Scariolo, che raggiunge così Sassari al terzo posto in classifica, mentre i marchigiani restano ancorati nelle zone basse.
Confronto spettacolare stasera nell'anticipo tra Fabi Shoes Montegranro e EA7 Emporio Armani Milano sul parquet del Palarossini di Ancona, che ha visto gli ospiti trionfare dopo una gara tirata - e non senza polemiche per l'arbitraggio - fino all'ultimo periodo. La partita è iniziata con un minuto di silenzio in memoria di Sauro Bufalini ex giocatore scomparso lo scorso 1 aprile. Nella prima frazione la formazione marchigiana mette energia e scompiglia i piani di Scariolo. I veregrensi cercano subito la fuga piazzando un 9-4 sul tabellone che destabilizza gli ospiti e arrivando al 4' avanti di 8 punti (18-10). La superiorità di Montegranaro sembra assodata, ciò che costringe Scariolo ad un timeout che sembra risvegliare la squadra. E' Fotsis a infilare al 8' 10 punti, regalando il pareggio (21-21) e poi il vantaggio dalla lunetta (21-23). Mazzola chiude la frazione:23-23. Nel secondo periodo Montegranaro sembra ritrovare energia e la coppia Zoroski Di Bella lo dimostra (30-28 al 13'). Tutta la frazione è un braccio di ferro tra le due squadre che dimostrano fisicità. I padroni di casa risalgono la china e conquistano la distanza utile ad arrivare in vantaggio all'ultimo minuto, quando Milano pareggia (48-48). Ma Zoroski non è d'accordo e infila la tripla sul fil di sirena (51-48).
Confronto spettacolare stasera nell'anticipo tra Fabi Shoes Montegranro e EA7 Emporio Armani Milano sul parquet del Palarossini di Ancona, che ha visto gli ospiti trionfare dopo una gara tirata - e non senza polemiche per l'arbitraggio - fino all'ultimo periodo. La partita è iniziata con un minuto di silenzio in memoria di Sauro Bufalini ex giocatore scomparso lo scorso 1 aprile. Nella prima frazione la formazione marchigiana mette energia e scompiglia i piani di Scariolo. I veregrensi cercano subito la fuga piazzando un 9-4 sul tabellone che destabilizza gli ospiti e arrivando al 4' avanti di 8 punti (18-10). La superiorità di Montegranaro sembra assodata, ciò che costringe Scariolo ad un timeout che sembra risvegliare la squadra. E' Fotsis a infilare al 8' 10 punti, regalando il pareggio (21-21) e poi il vantaggio dalla lunetta (21-23). Mazzola chiude la frazione:23-23. Nel secondo periodo Montegranaro sembra ritrovare energia e la coppia Zoroski Di Bella lo dimostra (30-28 al 13'). Tutta la frazione è un braccio di ferro tra le due squadre che dimostrano fisicità. I padroni di casa risalgono la china e conquistano la distanza utile ad arrivare in vantaggio all'ultimo minuto, quando Milano pareggia (48-48). Ma Zoroski non è d'accordo e infila la tripla sul fil di sirena (51-48).
2012年3月26日星期一
Hilarious 70s film reveals how the platform shoe sparked health concerns
'Ridiculous and highly dangerous': Hilarious 70s film reveals how the platform shoe sparked health concerns
Victoria Beckham continued wearing vertiginous Christian Louboutin heels six months into her pregnancy and later suffered a slipped disc.
But a hilarious 70s documentary reveals how the style-conscious have always put fashion before their health.
Despite medical experts deeming the platform shoe hazardous and unsafe, stalwart supporters featured in the film remain unperturbed.
'They're good fun, they're just a novelty I suppose,' a fan tells a keen reporter investigating the trend.
While another woman remarks: 'Well they are with it, and you've got to be with it haven't you?'
But one physician warns of the dangerous effects the impractical design could have on the body, noting that it could result in eventual surgery.
'The knees are always in a bent position and this gives rise to strained knees, swollen knees and eventually arthritis.
'The instep dopes not rest on the shoe at all, and the result of this is the foot slides forward.
'You will notice here that this strap cuts into the blood vessel at the front of the foot and this can lead to varicose veins.
'In about two years, three years or no more than five you'll be in need of visiting a surgeon.'
Another commentator in the documentary suggests that the platform shoe is 'ridiculous' and 'highly dangerous'.
Platform shoes found widespread popularity as early as 1967, with the trend continuing through to 1979.
A wide variety of styles were available from boots to espadrilles, made from materials including leather, wood, cork, and synthetic materials.
Vivienne Westwood and the Spice Girls then helped to revive the trend during the 1990s.
But in 1999 the British Standards Institution (BSI) stated that platform shoes should be given a health warning after a Japanese woman died after falling off her shoes and fracturing her skull.
And a poll in 2010 of 3,000 adults revealed that one in three had injured themselves tumbling from elevated footwear.
Victoria Beckham continued wearing vertiginous Christian Louboutin heels six months into her pregnancy and later suffered a slipped disc.
But a hilarious 70s documentary reveals how the style-conscious have always put fashion before their health.
Despite medical experts deeming the platform shoe hazardous and unsafe, stalwart supporters featured in the film remain unperturbed.
'They're good fun, they're just a novelty I suppose,' a fan tells a keen reporter investigating the trend.
While another woman remarks: 'Well they are with it, and you've got to be with it haven't you?'
But one physician warns of the dangerous effects the impractical design could have on the body, noting that it could result in eventual surgery.
'The knees are always in a bent position and this gives rise to strained knees, swollen knees and eventually arthritis.
'The instep dopes not rest on the shoe at all, and the result of this is the foot slides forward.
'You will notice here that this strap cuts into the blood vessel at the front of the foot and this can lead to varicose veins.
'In about two years, three years or no more than five you'll be in need of visiting a surgeon.'
Another commentator in the documentary suggests that the platform shoe is 'ridiculous' and 'highly dangerous'.
Platform shoes found widespread popularity as early as 1967, with the trend continuing through to 1979.
A wide variety of styles were available from boots to espadrilles, made from materials including leather, wood, cork, and synthetic materials.
Vivienne Westwood and the Spice Girls then helped to revive the trend during the 1990s.
But in 1999 the British Standards Institution (BSI) stated that platform shoes should be given a health warning after a Japanese woman died after falling off her shoes and fracturing her skull.
And a poll in 2010 of 3,000 adults revealed that one in three had injured themselves tumbling from elevated footwear.
2012年3月25日星期日
For 400 years, pilgrims have been visiting Our Lady of Charity in Cuba for solace and hope
EL COBRE, Cuba -- Our Lady of Charity has held a special place in the hearts of Cubans since 1612 when three salt collectors spotted a small wooden statue of the Virgin Mary bobbing in the Bay of Nipe after a violent storm.
The 15-inch wooden statue carrying the infant Jesus was attached to a plank that read "Yo soy La Virgen de la Caridad" (I am the Virgin of Charity), and when they fished her out, miraculously neither the statue nor her clothing appeared to be wet.
At first the virgin occupied a chapel near the main church but she was later placed above the main altar at the beginning of the 18th century when a second church was built. When the third church was constructed on a hill overlooking this copper mining town outside Santiago in 1927, the virgin was moved on her feast day, Sept. 8, to her current position in a glass case high above the main altar.
Our Lady of Charity, affectionately known as Cachita, became the patron saint of Cuba in 1916 after soldiers, who fought in the war of independence against Spain and credited her miraculous intervention for their victory, petitioned the Vatican.
To celebrate the 400th Jubilee anniversary of her discovery and prepare for Pope Benedict XVI's visit, a replica of the virgin was paraded from one end of the island to the other, even visiting Combinado del Este prison. Church officials said they were surprised by the large numbers and fervor of Cubans who turned out to greet the processions.
This replica will be taken to Santiago for Benedict's Mass Monday evening and the pope will present her with a golden rose. Benedict also will be spending Monday night at a recently renovated retirement home for priests on the grounds of the shrine and visit the church for private prayers Tuesday morning.
For centuries now, the virgin has been a source of comfort for Cubans on the island and off. A copy of the Our Lady of Charity statue was smuggled out of Cuba in a suitcase in 1961 and now draws exiles to La Ermita shrine in Coconut Grove.
Here in El Cobre, pilgrims come in thanksgiving and to present petitions for the healing of a sick child, a sports victory or even for protection from rough seas before a rafter begins a perilous trip to the United States. She is a favorite of pregnant women who pray for their unborn children and often arrive directly from the hospital to give thanks when their babies are born healthy.
A small pair of shoes left as a fulfillment of a promise after a child took his first steps after receiving treatment for deformed feet is on display at the church, as are sports jerseys, soccer balls and baseballs, trophies and even medals from the Pan American Games brought by grateful athletes. But most of the items left behind are at a separate Chapel of Miracles.
The 15-inch wooden statue carrying the infant Jesus was attached to a plank that read "Yo soy La Virgen de la Caridad" (I am the Virgin of Charity), and when they fished her out, miraculously neither the statue nor her clothing appeared to be wet.
At first the virgin occupied a chapel near the main church but she was later placed above the main altar at the beginning of the 18th century when a second church was built. When the third church was constructed on a hill overlooking this copper mining town outside Santiago in 1927, the virgin was moved on her feast day, Sept. 8, to her current position in a glass case high above the main altar.
Our Lady of Charity, affectionately known as Cachita, became the patron saint of Cuba in 1916 after soldiers, who fought in the war of independence against Spain and credited her miraculous intervention for their victory, petitioned the Vatican.
To celebrate the 400th Jubilee anniversary of her discovery and prepare for Pope Benedict XVI's visit, a replica of the virgin was paraded from one end of the island to the other, even visiting Combinado del Este prison. Church officials said they were surprised by the large numbers and fervor of Cubans who turned out to greet the processions.
This replica will be taken to Santiago for Benedict's Mass Monday evening and the pope will present her with a golden rose. Benedict also will be spending Monday night at a recently renovated retirement home for priests on the grounds of the shrine and visit the church for private prayers Tuesday morning.
For centuries now, the virgin has been a source of comfort for Cubans on the island and off. A copy of the Our Lady of Charity statue was smuggled out of Cuba in a suitcase in 1961 and now draws exiles to La Ermita shrine in Coconut Grove.
Here in El Cobre, pilgrims come in thanksgiving and to present petitions for the healing of a sick child, a sports victory or even for protection from rough seas before a rafter begins a perilous trip to the United States. She is a favorite of pregnant women who pray for their unborn children and often arrive directly from the hospital to give thanks when their babies are born healthy.
A small pair of shoes left as a fulfillment of a promise after a child took his first steps after receiving treatment for deformed feet is on display at the church, as are sports jerseys, soccer balls and baseballs, trophies and even medals from the Pan American Games brought by grateful athletes. But most of the items left behind are at a separate Chapel of Miracles.
2012年3月22日星期四
Photochop Challenge 12 VW Beetle
In the 11/11 issue of eurotuner Magazine we provided a photo of the new VW Beetle and once again challenged you to create something that would rock our world.
We also know the guys at VW of America pay close attention to what you do, so we wanted them to see how you might approach the restyled Bug.
With its sharper edges but distinctive lines, the Beetle is a motoring icon that lends itself to everything from a cuddly Herbie to a 911 Turbo replica – and we're happy to say, that's exactly what we got!
Although we had fewer entries than usual, we're confident these are some of the best renderings we've seen; clearly, the Beetle inspired you.
As before, we'd like to thank Mr Mitsch from Quartz Hill High School and Ms Knight from Knight High School for again encouraging their computer graphics students to enter the challenge.
In our top 20 printed selection, we included the work of Jose Lara from KHS in our shortlist, as well as four illustrations from QHHS. Despite it being their first semester, Jacob Buller, Kyle Lewandowski, Isaac Hernandez and Nicole Panossian caught our attention. We look forward to seeing what all these children can do once they've got a bit more experience. All the remaining images can be found here.
Although the Photochop Challenge is just for fun, we like to recognize talent with a pair of Pro Spec 1.0 competition driving shoes courtesy of Ken Block at DC Shoes
These babies cost around $200 in stores or online, and the FIA-approved Pro Spec comes in Royal blue. It was developed for use by professional drivers such as Ken; co-founder of the premier skate shoe company, Ford WRC driver and star of his own legendary Gymkhana videos.
Deciding the recipient was again very difficult. It came down to Neill holding his breath and some arm-wrestling with Sam. Eventually, we gave the nod to Todor Kolev from Bulgaria. He finished second in our Previous Ford Focus Photochop, but reached the top step this time around.
His classic 911-style makeover was superbly executed in its candy red paint. It has some good shading and we liked its deep front spoiler, side skirts, mirrors as well as that rear wing. We also loved the deep-dish BBS, and there's great interior detail with its Recaro seats and rear cage.
We're also going to send T-shirts to the guys in second and third places because they definitely deserve special recognition. We loved Francis Phillips' cool-blue Bug with its R32 swap, BBS LMs and new front bumper. Francis also shaved the hood, bumpers and doors to give it a super-clean finish that begs to be driven.
Jordy Williams also deserves commendation for his Bug Speedster with its chopped roof, shortened windshield, larger front bumper, spaced wheels, custom paint and leather interior.
Jordy entered a second Beetle that made this printed shortlist: it's the slightly stretched pink/green illustration on Ronal Turbos…
Other mentions go to Barry Borchardt's aggressive racecar, Cameron Scott's surf Bug and Daniel Nita's widebody.
Once again, Mike Shofner put pencil to paper with good effect, proving you don't have to master Photoshop to enter a Photochop Challenge.
We also know the guys at VW of America pay close attention to what you do, so we wanted them to see how you might approach the restyled Bug.
With its sharper edges but distinctive lines, the Beetle is a motoring icon that lends itself to everything from a cuddly Herbie to a 911 Turbo replica – and we're happy to say, that's exactly what we got!
Although we had fewer entries than usual, we're confident these are some of the best renderings we've seen; clearly, the Beetle inspired you.
As before, we'd like to thank Mr Mitsch from Quartz Hill High School and Ms Knight from Knight High School for again encouraging their computer graphics students to enter the challenge.
In our top 20 printed selection, we included the work of Jose Lara from KHS in our shortlist, as well as four illustrations from QHHS. Despite it being their first semester, Jacob Buller, Kyle Lewandowski, Isaac Hernandez and Nicole Panossian caught our attention. We look forward to seeing what all these children can do once they've got a bit more experience. All the remaining images can be found here.
Although the Photochop Challenge is just for fun, we like to recognize talent with a pair of Pro Spec 1.0 competition driving shoes courtesy of Ken Block at DC Shoes
These babies cost around $200 in stores or online, and the FIA-approved Pro Spec comes in Royal blue. It was developed for use by professional drivers such as Ken; co-founder of the premier skate shoe company, Ford WRC driver and star of his own legendary Gymkhana videos.
Deciding the recipient was again very difficult. It came down to Neill holding his breath and some arm-wrestling with Sam. Eventually, we gave the nod to Todor Kolev from Bulgaria. He finished second in our Previous Ford Focus Photochop, but reached the top step this time around.
His classic 911-style makeover was superbly executed in its candy red paint. It has some good shading and we liked its deep front spoiler, side skirts, mirrors as well as that rear wing. We also loved the deep-dish BBS, and there's great interior detail with its Recaro seats and rear cage.
We're also going to send T-shirts to the guys in second and third places because they definitely deserve special recognition. We loved Francis Phillips' cool-blue Bug with its R32 swap, BBS LMs and new front bumper. Francis also shaved the hood, bumpers and doors to give it a super-clean finish that begs to be driven.
Jordy Williams also deserves commendation for his Bug Speedster with its chopped roof, shortened windshield, larger front bumper, spaced wheels, custom paint and leather interior.
Jordy entered a second Beetle that made this printed shortlist: it's the slightly stretched pink/green illustration on Ronal Turbos…
Other mentions go to Barry Borchardt's aggressive racecar, Cameron Scott's surf Bug and Daniel Nita's widebody.
Once again, Mike Shofner put pencil to paper with good effect, proving you don't have to master Photoshop to enter a Photochop Challenge.
2012年3月21日星期三
Bristol isn't broken -- just susceptible to change
Nothing is wrong with Bristol Motor Speedway.
It's difficult to see that now, in the clamor following this past weekend's Sprint Cup race at the self-proclaimed world's fastest half-mile, where Brad Keselowski won in front of a crowd that was downright startling to those who have been making the trek to the east Tennessee track for some time. The announced attendance was 102,000, a number that would fill almost every football stadium in America to beyond capacity, but looked lost in a 160,000-seat behemoth that once sold out 55 consecutive times and produced tickets that were fought over in divorce proceedings.
Understandably, the aftermath has generated a great deal of wailing and gnashing of teeth, as well as no shortage of opinions on how to "fix" a track that has long been one of the most popular in NASCAR. A fashionable culprit: the 2007 resurfacing that widened the racing groove enough to produce side-by-side action, but removed the bump-and-run aspect that had made Bristol so irresistible. Even Bruton Smith, chairman of the facility's parent company, Speedway Motorsports Inc., hinted to the Associated Press this week that he might be willing to spend $1 million to return the track to its former condition.
Of course, this is the same guy who said a few years ago he was going to build race tracks in Qatar, and once threatened to dismantle Charlotte Motor Speedway and move it somewhere other than Concord, N.C. (where it still sits), and last week said he wanted to build a replica of the German road course Nurburgring in Nevada. So we'll see. But all of this overlooks the fact that nothing about Bristol is broken to begin with, and its only crime is being susceptible to the same force that exerts itself upon every other aspect of the sport. It's cliché to say that the only constant in NASCAR is change, but there is an indisputable nugget of truth in there, and it points to a relentless evolution that marches on no matter how much fans want everything to stay the same.
The issue affecting Bristol is the same one affecting every other race track that eventually needs to be resurfaced, that leads to new car bodies and new safety systems, that leads old drivers to retire and new ones to ascend in the sport. This is a series where sponsors come and go, where teams expand or contract or shut down altogether, where struggling tracks lose races while those in more promising markets gain them. NASCAR is a business where everything is constantly in motion, an industry comprised of countless moving pieces that evolve at their own pace but evolve nonetheless, and to try and stop time is to live in a fantasy world. As great as it was, to hope to hold onto that bump-and-run Bristol forever is like pining for eternal youth.
Smith says he may try to rebuild it back to the way it was. But even if the bulldozers start rolling, there are absolutely no guarantees. NASCAR is a sport fraught with unintended consequences, thanks in part to aerodynamic forces that can never be completely harnessed, and drivers and crews who are savvy enough to find a way around anything. Resurface Daytona because of the pothole, and you have a tandem style of restrictor-plate drafting no one foresaw. Bring what appear to be perfectly good tires to Indianapolis, and you have an abrasive surface and a new race car chassis that chew them up in less than 10 laps. Push out the dogleg to try and offset a resurfacing at Phoenix, and you have drivers scrambling along the apron to cut the corner. Time and time again, we are reminded that what's drawn up on paper or what's simulated on a computer screen becomes something very different once the cars are rolling for real.
So even if Smith does try to rebuild his mountaintop short track, the old Bristol may very well be gone for good. It was inevitable, really. Just as the grass on athletic fields must at some point be replanted, tracks ultimately have to be resurfaced. The pothole incident that marred the 2010 Daytona 500 taught the entire industry the hazards of trying to hold onto a good thing too long, and may very well have led other tracks to resurface sooner than they might have otherwise intended. Phoenix did just that, its years of baking under the desert sun making track management worry the old surface might start breaking up at the worst possible time. Next up is Kansas, which will put down new asphalt after its spring race, the vicious heat-thaw cycle of the lower Midwest taking its toll on a relatively young surface that nobody wants to see come apart during a race weekend.
It's difficult to see that now, in the clamor following this past weekend's Sprint Cup race at the self-proclaimed world's fastest half-mile, where Brad Keselowski won in front of a crowd that was downright startling to those who have been making the trek to the east Tennessee track for some time. The announced attendance was 102,000, a number that would fill almost every football stadium in America to beyond capacity, but looked lost in a 160,000-seat behemoth that once sold out 55 consecutive times and produced tickets that were fought over in divorce proceedings.
Understandably, the aftermath has generated a great deal of wailing and gnashing of teeth, as well as no shortage of opinions on how to "fix" a track that has long been one of the most popular in NASCAR. A fashionable culprit: the 2007 resurfacing that widened the racing groove enough to produce side-by-side action, but removed the bump-and-run aspect that had made Bristol so irresistible. Even Bruton Smith, chairman of the facility's parent company, Speedway Motorsports Inc., hinted to the Associated Press this week that he might be willing to spend $1 million to return the track to its former condition.
Of course, this is the same guy who said a few years ago he was going to build race tracks in Qatar, and once threatened to dismantle Charlotte Motor Speedway and move it somewhere other than Concord, N.C. (where it still sits), and last week said he wanted to build a replica of the German road course Nurburgring in Nevada. So we'll see. But all of this overlooks the fact that nothing about Bristol is broken to begin with, and its only crime is being susceptible to the same force that exerts itself upon every other aspect of the sport. It's cliché to say that the only constant in NASCAR is change, but there is an indisputable nugget of truth in there, and it points to a relentless evolution that marches on no matter how much fans want everything to stay the same.
The issue affecting Bristol is the same one affecting every other race track that eventually needs to be resurfaced, that leads to new car bodies and new safety systems, that leads old drivers to retire and new ones to ascend in the sport. This is a series where sponsors come and go, where teams expand or contract or shut down altogether, where struggling tracks lose races while those in more promising markets gain them. NASCAR is a business where everything is constantly in motion, an industry comprised of countless moving pieces that evolve at their own pace but evolve nonetheless, and to try and stop time is to live in a fantasy world. As great as it was, to hope to hold onto that bump-and-run Bristol forever is like pining for eternal youth.
Smith says he may try to rebuild it back to the way it was. But even if the bulldozers start rolling, there are absolutely no guarantees. NASCAR is a sport fraught with unintended consequences, thanks in part to aerodynamic forces that can never be completely harnessed, and drivers and crews who are savvy enough to find a way around anything. Resurface Daytona because of the pothole, and you have a tandem style of restrictor-plate drafting no one foresaw. Bring what appear to be perfectly good tires to Indianapolis, and you have an abrasive surface and a new race car chassis that chew them up in less than 10 laps. Push out the dogleg to try and offset a resurfacing at Phoenix, and you have drivers scrambling along the apron to cut the corner. Time and time again, we are reminded that what's drawn up on paper or what's simulated on a computer screen becomes something very different once the cars are rolling for real.
So even if Smith does try to rebuild his mountaintop short track, the old Bristol may very well be gone for good. It was inevitable, really. Just as the grass on athletic fields must at some point be replanted, tracks ultimately have to be resurfaced. The pothole incident that marred the 2010 Daytona 500 taught the entire industry the hazards of trying to hold onto a good thing too long, and may very well have led other tracks to resurface sooner than they might have otherwise intended. Phoenix did just that, its years of baking under the desert sun making track management worry the old surface might start breaking up at the worst possible time. Next up is Kansas, which will put down new asphalt after its spring race, the vicious heat-thaw cycle of the lower Midwest taking its toll on a relatively young surface that nobody wants to see come apart during a race weekend.
2012年3月19日星期一
Pride & Prejudice
There's a memorable scene in the 2009 business traveler cinematograph Up in the Air where George Clooney's character explains to the therapist from 50/50 how to quickly navigate through airport security on the fly.
"Never get behind old people," he tells her. "Their bodies are littered with hidden metal and they never seem to appreciate how little time they have left. Asians? They pack light, travel efficiently and they have a thing for slip-on shoes. God love 'em."
The 50/50 therapist can't believe what she's hearing. "That's racist," she firmly says in response, glaring at him.
"I'm like my mother," he replies, unaffected. "I stereotype. It's faster."
It's an exquisite double entendre that anyone who has ever tried to accelerate the TSA's routinely sluggish operation has silently undertaken: Avoid the security lines with slow-looking people.
It doesn't necessarily make you a bad person; you're just trying to make it to your gate before your plane leaves. Even if it did make you a bad person, it's your private inner monologue which is mercifully (for you, you creep) insulated from everyone else.
Last week when Jason linked the story to Cleveland Scene's investigation into "why Buckeye fans are such myopic assholes" I clicked in earnest. Growing up and having lived in Ohio - twice - has left me intimately familiar with the perpetual fervor and general loathsomeness that non-fans often find...beleaguering.
We're all acutely aware of that visible moiety of the Buckeye fan base. That's all our vocal antagonizers are, really - a piece, a portion, a component, an element. There is no uniformity among fan bases. It's like race and age, only dressed with common transferrable identifiers like replica jerseys, hounds tooth hats or denim shorts.
I've always concluded this unwashed faction was simply the product of Ohio State's huge, passionate fan base but was intrigued to see what better underlying justification the author's analysis would produce. Socioeconomic factors? Historical antecedents? Selective breeding?
Unfortunately, instead of delivering a methodical takedown of the least sophisticated constituent of the Ohio State fan base, the author sourced his salvo exclusively through his own pre-existing and deep-seeded hatred of Buckeye fans (!) a Bleacher Report slideshow (!!) and a sampling of sports talk radio trolls like Bruce Hooley (!!!). Essentially, he went hunting for game on the world's smallest animal preserve.
I don't think anyone debates the existence of a mongrel horde in scarlet jerseys. I kind of like knowing it exists, at an arm's length. Those fans can crap in and abandon coolers, shout obscenities at opposing fans and generally be stupid in public to their clogged hearts' content. Sure it's unsavory, but some wild horses just can't be tamed.
As long as they don't commit real crimes that harm innocent bystanders, like using your and you're interchangeably or adding apostrophes to plural words, I just cannot hope for their demise. In that same vein, it's hard to allow a convenient caricature to define the largest college football fan base in America.
We can't all be civilized, cordial and handsome: Then no one would be left to be memorable or cautionary.
The true identity of a fan base occurs at the intersection of exposure and self-awareness. Anyone who has dared to venture further than 100 miles from where they are from has this all figured out: For example, not all Penn State fans buy into the insidious conspiracy that the university Board of Trustees used Jerry Sandusky as a convenient excuse to remove Joe Paterno. They realize there was more to it than that.
Not all Notre Dame fans are from third-generation Fighting Irish families who, like their parents and grandparents before them, never filled out a college application, let alone finished high school.
Similarly, not all Michigan fans are boorish non-alumni who latch onto the school's academic reputation to boost their own self-worth. They're not all Internet tough guys who quickly transform into meek little weenies in person.
And not all Michigan fans from Ohio became that way out of petulant childhood rebellion in a desperate attempt to be unique. Nor do they all call Ohio State "Ohio" because some of them actually realize doing so is far less condescending (to Ohio State, anyway) than it is grossly inaccurate.
But we compartmentalize because it's comforting. We stereotype. It's faster.
Not all Michigan alumni are titans of industry, Wall Street shot-callers, partners of boutique law firms or Gerald Ford. And as fun as it is to imagine, they're also not all Wal-Mart Wolverines either. Don't pretend you're not disappointed.
And I cannot pretend I'm not disappointed by the false promise of a 3,300-word circle jerk teasing some insight into the Ohio State fan base before using sports talk radio as its meat and potatoes. It wasn't the dumbest article I've started to read in a very long time, but it was definitely the dumbest one I actually finished.
Sports radio is a medium, not too dissimilar from modern-day cable news, that is deliberately constructed to prey on one's vulnerabilities and biases with the hopes that it will anchor the consumer to the broadcast regularly, which in turn drives advertising rates. ESPN's "news" division operates like this as well.
"Never get behind old people," he tells her. "Their bodies are littered with hidden metal and they never seem to appreciate how little time they have left. Asians? They pack light, travel efficiently and they have a thing for slip-on shoes. God love 'em."
The 50/50 therapist can't believe what she's hearing. "That's racist," she firmly says in response, glaring at him.
"I'm like my mother," he replies, unaffected. "I stereotype. It's faster."
It's an exquisite double entendre that anyone who has ever tried to accelerate the TSA's routinely sluggish operation has silently undertaken: Avoid the security lines with slow-looking people.
It doesn't necessarily make you a bad person; you're just trying to make it to your gate before your plane leaves. Even if it did make you a bad person, it's your private inner monologue which is mercifully (for you, you creep) insulated from everyone else.
Last week when Jason linked the story to Cleveland Scene's investigation into "why Buckeye fans are such myopic assholes" I clicked in earnest. Growing up and having lived in Ohio - twice - has left me intimately familiar with the perpetual fervor and general loathsomeness that non-fans often find...beleaguering.
We're all acutely aware of that visible moiety of the Buckeye fan base. That's all our vocal antagonizers are, really - a piece, a portion, a component, an element. There is no uniformity among fan bases. It's like race and age, only dressed with common transferrable identifiers like replica jerseys, hounds tooth hats or denim shorts.
I've always concluded this unwashed faction was simply the product of Ohio State's huge, passionate fan base but was intrigued to see what better underlying justification the author's analysis would produce. Socioeconomic factors? Historical antecedents? Selective breeding?
Unfortunately, instead of delivering a methodical takedown of the least sophisticated constituent of the Ohio State fan base, the author sourced his salvo exclusively through his own pre-existing and deep-seeded hatred of Buckeye fans (!) a Bleacher Report slideshow (!!) and a sampling of sports talk radio trolls like Bruce Hooley (!!!). Essentially, he went hunting for game on the world's smallest animal preserve.
I don't think anyone debates the existence of a mongrel horde in scarlet jerseys. I kind of like knowing it exists, at an arm's length. Those fans can crap in and abandon coolers, shout obscenities at opposing fans and generally be stupid in public to their clogged hearts' content. Sure it's unsavory, but some wild horses just can't be tamed.
As long as they don't commit real crimes that harm innocent bystanders, like using your and you're interchangeably or adding apostrophes to plural words, I just cannot hope for their demise. In that same vein, it's hard to allow a convenient caricature to define the largest college football fan base in America.
We can't all be civilized, cordial and handsome: Then no one would be left to be memorable or cautionary.
The true identity of a fan base occurs at the intersection of exposure and self-awareness. Anyone who has dared to venture further than 100 miles from where they are from has this all figured out: For example, not all Penn State fans buy into the insidious conspiracy that the university Board of Trustees used Jerry Sandusky as a convenient excuse to remove Joe Paterno. They realize there was more to it than that.
Not all Notre Dame fans are from third-generation Fighting Irish families who, like their parents and grandparents before them, never filled out a college application, let alone finished high school.
Similarly, not all Michigan fans are boorish non-alumni who latch onto the school's academic reputation to boost their own self-worth. They're not all Internet tough guys who quickly transform into meek little weenies in person.
And not all Michigan fans from Ohio became that way out of petulant childhood rebellion in a desperate attempt to be unique. Nor do they all call Ohio State "Ohio" because some of them actually realize doing so is far less condescending (to Ohio State, anyway) than it is grossly inaccurate.
But we compartmentalize because it's comforting. We stereotype. It's faster.
Not all Michigan alumni are titans of industry, Wall Street shot-callers, partners of boutique law firms or Gerald Ford. And as fun as it is to imagine, they're also not all Wal-Mart Wolverines either. Don't pretend you're not disappointed.
And I cannot pretend I'm not disappointed by the false promise of a 3,300-word circle jerk teasing some insight into the Ohio State fan base before using sports talk radio as its meat and potatoes. It wasn't the dumbest article I've started to read in a very long time, but it was definitely the dumbest one I actually finished.
Sports radio is a medium, not too dissimilar from modern-day cable news, that is deliberately constructed to prey on one's vulnerabilities and biases with the hopes that it will anchor the consumer to the broadcast regularly, which in turn drives advertising rates. ESPN's "news" division operates like this as well.
2012年3月15日星期四
New screening at some US airports could allow those over 75 to keep their shoes on
Some air travelers over the age of 75 will soon get a break at airport security checkpoints under a test program announced Wednesday that could allow them to keep their shoes and light jackets on and skip pat-downs.
The new guidelines from the Transportation Security Administration, which take effect Monday at four U.S. airports, are part of an effort to move away from its one-size-fits-all security procedures and speed lower-risk passengers through while focusing on those who may need more scrutiny. Similar changes were made last fall for travelers 12 and younger.
Since the 9/11 terror attacks that led to tighter security, air travelers have criticized what they say is a lack of common sense in screening all passengers the same way, including young children and the elderly. That criticism grew louder in 2010 when the government began using a more invasive pat-down that involves screeners feeling a traveler’s genital and breast areas through their clothing.
“By moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach to security and applying some intelligence-driven and risk-based security models, TSA is looking at how this works for passengers,” said agency spokesman Jim Fotenos.
The change in guidelines will be introduced at a limited number of security lanes at Chicago’s O’Hare International, Denver International, Orlando International and Portland International. Those airports were chosen because they have a higher percentage of travelers 75 and older, Fotenos said. He said the rules will be relaxed indefinitely at the four airports with the intention of expanding elsewhere if it is a success.
Two passengers in their 80s traveling separately through New York’s Kennedy Airport in November complained that they were effectively strip-searched. One was made to remove a back brace so it could be X-rayed. The other said she was humiliated when two female screeners made her lower her sweat pants so they could examine her colostomy bag. The TSA has disputed parts of their accounts while acknowledging that screeners violated rules by asking to examine their medical devices.
In another incident that sparked outrage, a 6-year-old girl was reduced to tears after screeners frisked her at New Orleans airport in March 2011 — a scene recorded on video and posted on YouTube.
To reduce the number of pat-downs given to children and the elderly, screeners in the test programs are being told to send those passengers through metal detectors or walk-through imaging machines multiple times to capture a clear picture as well as to use more explosive trace detection tools such as hand swabs, according to the TSA.
“The TSA recognizes that the vast majority of air travelers present no risk to aviation security,” Fotenos said. “But it’s how we identify those (travelers) and expedite the process that we’re working on right now.”
The agency is also expanding a program that allows vetted travelers in certain frequent flier programs to go through expedited screening, keep their shoes on and leave liquids and laptops in their bags.
Removing shoes during checkpoint screening has been a common complaint among airline travelers since security was increased after an al-Qaida operative tried to set off a bomb built into his shoe on an American Airlines flight in December 2001.
The new guidelines from the Transportation Security Administration, which take effect Monday at four U.S. airports, are part of an effort to move away from its one-size-fits-all security procedures and speed lower-risk passengers through while focusing on those who may need more scrutiny. Similar changes were made last fall for travelers 12 and younger.
Since the 9/11 terror attacks that led to tighter security, air travelers have criticized what they say is a lack of common sense in screening all passengers the same way, including young children and the elderly. That criticism grew louder in 2010 when the government began using a more invasive pat-down that involves screeners feeling a traveler’s genital and breast areas through their clothing.
“By moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach to security and applying some intelligence-driven and risk-based security models, TSA is looking at how this works for passengers,” said agency spokesman Jim Fotenos.
The change in guidelines will be introduced at a limited number of security lanes at Chicago’s O’Hare International, Denver International, Orlando International and Portland International. Those airports were chosen because they have a higher percentage of travelers 75 and older, Fotenos said. He said the rules will be relaxed indefinitely at the four airports with the intention of expanding elsewhere if it is a success.
Two passengers in their 80s traveling separately through New York’s Kennedy Airport in November complained that they were effectively strip-searched. One was made to remove a back brace so it could be X-rayed. The other said she was humiliated when two female screeners made her lower her sweat pants so they could examine her colostomy bag. The TSA has disputed parts of their accounts while acknowledging that screeners violated rules by asking to examine their medical devices.
In another incident that sparked outrage, a 6-year-old girl was reduced to tears after screeners frisked her at New Orleans airport in March 2011 — a scene recorded on video and posted on YouTube.
To reduce the number of pat-downs given to children and the elderly, screeners in the test programs are being told to send those passengers through metal detectors or walk-through imaging machines multiple times to capture a clear picture as well as to use more explosive trace detection tools such as hand swabs, according to the TSA.
“The TSA recognizes that the vast majority of air travelers present no risk to aviation security,” Fotenos said. “But it’s how we identify those (travelers) and expedite the process that we’re working on right now.”
The agency is also expanding a program that allows vetted travelers in certain frequent flier programs to go through expedited screening, keep their shoes on and leave liquids and laptops in their bags.
Removing shoes during checkpoint screening has been a common complaint among airline travelers since security was increased after an al-Qaida operative tried to set off a bomb built into his shoe on an American Airlines flight in December 2001.
2012年3月13日星期二
Yeovil Town v Scunthorpe United: Green and White Night TONIGHT!
YEOVIL Town FC have announced that tonight's npower League One match against Scunthorpe United has been designated a "Green And White" Night.
The club would like to ask all supporters to proudly wear the club colours for the npower League One game - which kicks-off at 7.45pm.
Green and white replica shirts, jumpers, coats, hats, trousers, shoes... even sprayed hair in the club's famous colours will be the order of the day as the Green and White Night takes place.
A club spokesman said: "The aim is to create a fantastic, vibrant atmosphere to lift the team to victory and three precious points."
Tonight's game is a crucial match as the Glovers bid to climb the League One table.
The game is a crunch one for both sides as they enter the final three months of the campaign.
For Yeovil, they need to continue their recent upturn in form at Huish Park and start to build a gap between themselves and the bottom four which currently stands at eight points.
The club spokesman added: "With the side currently enjoying some good form the Glovers are keen to make sure that as many supporters get to the ground tonight as possible.
"You can help by coming along, being as noisy and vocal as possible and backing manager Gary Johnson, his staff and players by wearing your colours.
"The supporters have always been vital in the success of the club in the past and will continue to be so in the future."
The club would like to ask all supporters to proudly wear the club colours for the npower League One game - which kicks-off at 7.45pm.
Green and white replica shirts, jumpers, coats, hats, trousers, shoes... even sprayed hair in the club's famous colours will be the order of the day as the Green and White Night takes place.
A club spokesman said: "The aim is to create a fantastic, vibrant atmosphere to lift the team to victory and three precious points."
Tonight's game is a crucial match as the Glovers bid to climb the League One table.
The game is a crunch one for both sides as they enter the final three months of the campaign.
For Yeovil, they need to continue their recent upturn in form at Huish Park and start to build a gap between themselves and the bottom four which currently stands at eight points.
The club spokesman added: "With the side currently enjoying some good form the Glovers are keen to make sure that as many supporters get to the ground tonight as possible.
"You can help by coming along, being as noisy and vocal as possible and backing manager Gary Johnson, his staff and players by wearing your colours.
"The supporters have always been vital in the success of the club in the past and will continue to be so in the future."
2012年3月11日星期日
Beautiful, stunning, fabulous, incredible: Public reaction to Grace Kelly exhibition
"BEAUTI FUL” was the buzz word at the Bendigo Art Gallery yesterday as more than 5000 people swept through the doors on the opening day of Grace Kelly: Style Icon.
Eager to get a glimpse of the beauty and elegance that made Grace Kelly iconic, fashion lovers from across the nation, including Melbourne and Queensland, descended on View Street.
Fiona McGregor was just one of the many who travelled from Melbourne to view the extensive collection of clothes, shoes, handbags and jewels.
“It's beautiful. Absolutely beautiful,” she said.
“The craftsmanship is incredible and her waist...”
Fiona McGregor admires one of Grace Kelly's dresses.
Bendigo resident Julie Ellerton toured the exhibition with her sister and a friend.
“This is just fantastic, it makes you proud of Bendigo,” she said.
“I went to Monaco and saw where she (Princess Grace) lived... and this is just such a wonderful thing.
“I'll be coming back again (to the exhibition) with friends from Melbourne.”
Marion Durie, also from Melbourne, took her
grandchildren and said it was a great opportunity for them to see something from a different time.
“So far I think this is fantastic,” she said.
“I think all children need a bit of culture like this. The dresses are just beautiful. Stunning.”
Marion Durie with her grandchildren Hope and Jack.
#
While all and sundry lauded the beauty of the pieces there were a few complaints about the lighting, with some saying it was almost impossible to read the descriptions that accompany each display.
“It (the exhibition) is poorly lit,” said Rob Reid, from Melbourne.
“I think the collection is fabulous, obviously, but if you can't read about it...”
The Bendigo Art Gallery said the displays were dimly lit to preserve the fabric of the dresses, with Princess Grace's much admired wedding dress at the exhibition a replica due to the fragility of the original.
Wendy McMullin, of Queensland, wasn't deterred by lighting complaints, though.
“She (Princess Grace) had the ability to turn the simplest drab dress into something wonderful.
“The dresses are incredible,” she said.
Eager to get a glimpse of the beauty and elegance that made Grace Kelly iconic, fashion lovers from across the nation, including Melbourne and Queensland, descended on View Street.
Fiona McGregor was just one of the many who travelled from Melbourne to view the extensive collection of clothes, shoes, handbags and jewels.
“It's beautiful. Absolutely beautiful,” she said.
“The craftsmanship is incredible and her waist...”
Fiona McGregor admires one of Grace Kelly's dresses.
Bendigo resident Julie Ellerton toured the exhibition with her sister and a friend.
“This is just fantastic, it makes you proud of Bendigo,” she said.
“I went to Monaco and saw where she (Princess Grace) lived... and this is just such a wonderful thing.
“I'll be coming back again (to the exhibition) with friends from Melbourne.”
Marion Durie, also from Melbourne, took her
grandchildren and said it was a great opportunity for them to see something from a different time.
“So far I think this is fantastic,” she said.
“I think all children need a bit of culture like this. The dresses are just beautiful. Stunning.”
Marion Durie with her grandchildren Hope and Jack.
#
While all and sundry lauded the beauty of the pieces there were a few complaints about the lighting, with some saying it was almost impossible to read the descriptions that accompany each display.
“It (the exhibition) is poorly lit,” said Rob Reid, from Melbourne.
“I think the collection is fabulous, obviously, but if you can't read about it...”
The Bendigo Art Gallery said the displays were dimly lit to preserve the fabric of the dresses, with Princess Grace's much admired wedding dress at the exhibition a replica due to the fragility of the original.
Wendy McMullin, of Queensland, wasn't deterred by lighting complaints, though.
“She (Princess Grace) had the ability to turn the simplest drab dress into something wonderful.
“The dresses are incredible,” she said.
2012年3月8日星期四
CRIME REPORT
MARRICKVILLE Four robbers armed with guns and machetes held up hundreds of players in a bingo hall last month. Marrickville police said they entered the hall about 9.40pm on February 24. They held up about 250 people playing bingo and threatened them with guns and machetes. They demanded money from the manager. The four fled with cash in a suspected stolen black sedan. They were last seen travelling west on Addison Rd. No one was injured but paramedics treated people for shock.
CAMPERDOWN A man will face court after being found carrying alleged stolen mail last Saturday. Police were patrolling Kingston Rd about 4.50pm when they saw the man, 29, of Alexandria, crouching in a doorway of a unit block. They searched him and found a large amount of mail belonging to residents. Police also found pliers, a knife and a screwdriver. Checks revealed the man was in breach of bail. He is due to appear at Balmain Local Court on March 21.
ST PETERS A man found barely conscious after reportedly ingesting a large quantity of a date-rape drug will face court next week. Police found the man, 36, slumped in his car in a fast-food restaurant carpark last month about 7.30pm. Police allege he took large amounts of the drug GHB. The man was conscious. An ambulance took him to RPA. Police found a number of vials of the drug as well as other drugs inside the man’s vehicle. He is due to attend Newtown Local Court on Tuesday to answer drug possession charges.
MARRICKVILLE Police issued a man, 32, with a cannabis caution last Tuesday. Police searched the Marrickville man and found cannabis after receiving information. He was stopped while walking from his vehicle. They found cannabis inside a cigarette packet. He was arrested and interviewed before receiving a cannabis caution notice.
GLEBE Police are seeking public assistance to find a disabled man who is missing. Basil Bergin, 27, was last seen leaving his home on Derwent St about 9.15am last Saturday. Police have serious concerns for Mr Bergin’s welfare as he suffers from deafness and epilepsy which requires medication. He is described as of Caucasian appearance, 193cm tall, with a large build and blond hair.
NEWTOWN Nearby residents were evacuated after a fire ripped through a derelict King St terrace house last Thursday. Leichhardt police were patrolling King St, near the intersection of Dickson St, when they saw the two-storey house was on fire about 11.15pm. Occupants of an adjoining terrace house were evacuated as a precaution. Firefighters extinguished the blaze and a crime scene was established. A cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
PYRMONT Two men jumped out of a BMW Z4 and allegedly wrestled a 50-year-old man to the ground before robbing him last Friday. City Central police said the man was walking along Bank St about 4.10am when he was approached by the grey BMW. Two men got out and allegedly grabbed him around the legs. The man’s wallet was taken. The two men were described as wearing black jumpers and white shoes. One had a hood over his head and the other was wearing a white baseball cap.
CANADA BAY Police are warning residents about car security after an increase in thefts. Police said that in particular Toyota Rav 4 and Hilux models were being targeted in the Canada Bay local government area. Drivers are being urged to ensure their vehicles are locked and secured at all times.
BURWOOD Police charged a man with aggravated robbery after he tried to do the dash on them recently. Police allege an Asian man was assaulted and robbed on March 1 on Shaftesbury Rd. They said the alleged offender, a 40-year-old Glebe man, assaulted the victim, causing a head injury. The man allegedly stole the victim’s bag and fled into Belmore St. Police searched a unit block in Belmore St and found the 40-year-old. He then tried to run away. He was charged with aggravated robbery with wounding. He was refused bail and will appear at Burwood Local Court on April 30.
NORTH STRATHFIELD An alleged armed robber will face court next month after being charged over a screwdriver theft. Police said a man, 20, was held up with a screwdriver on George St last month. The offender demanded cash. Police arrested a Berala man, 22, shortly after. He was charged with armed robbery. He was refused bail and will appear at Burwood Local Court on April 18.
LIDCOMBE Two men have been charged and firearms seized following a robbery last month. A man, 28, was robbed by two men at knifepoint on a train heading to Parramatta. He was not injured. On February 7, police executed two search warrants at premises in Auburn and arrested and charged a man, 23. Last Friday police executed a search warrant at a Fairfield address and seized ecstasy tablets, ice and a replica pistol. A man, 19, was charged with armed robbery, drug supply and possess prohibited weapon. He appeared at Parramatta Local Court last Saturday.
BURWOOD A man faced court last Saturday charged with importing an illicit precursor chemical and manufacturing ice in a clandestine laboratory. About 7am last Friday, police executed search warrants at two units in the same apartment block in Burwood. Police seized documents and cash before arresting a man, 26. Police also found a clandestine laboratory they allege was being used to manufacture ice. The man was refused bail to appear in Parramatta Bail Court.
STRATHFIELD Two police officers were taken to hospital after being injured while intervening in a brawl at Strathfield station last Sunday. Police patrolled the station about 12.30am when they heard a fight on a train that had arrived from Gosford. Police were allegedly assaulted when they tried to break up the fight. A sergeant, 31, suffered concussion after being punched in the head, while a constable, 38, suffered back and facial injuries after falling while arresting a man. Both were taken to Concord Hospital.
ST PETERS A man found barely conscious after reportedly imbibing a large quantity of a date-rape drug will face court next week. Police found the man, 36, slumped in his car in a fast food restaurant carpark last month. Police allege he had taken large amounts of the drug GHB. The man was found conscious and breathing. An ambulance took him to RPA. Police found a number of vials of the drug as well as other drugs inside the man’s vehicle. He is due to attend Newtown Local Court on Tuesday to answer drug possession charges.
CAMPERDOWN A man will face court after being found carrying alleged stolen mail last Saturday. Police were patrolling Kingston Rd about 4.50pm when they saw the man, 29, of Alexandria, crouching in a doorway of a unit block. They searched him and found a large amount of mail belonging to residents. Police also found pliers, a knife and a screwdriver. Checks revealed the man was in breach of bail. He is due to appear at Balmain Local Court on March 21.
ST PETERS A man found barely conscious after reportedly ingesting a large quantity of a date-rape drug will face court next week. Police found the man, 36, slumped in his car in a fast-food restaurant carpark last month about 7.30pm. Police allege he took large amounts of the drug GHB. The man was conscious. An ambulance took him to RPA. Police found a number of vials of the drug as well as other drugs inside the man’s vehicle. He is due to attend Newtown Local Court on Tuesday to answer drug possession charges.
MARRICKVILLE Police issued a man, 32, with a cannabis caution last Tuesday. Police searched the Marrickville man and found cannabis after receiving information. He was stopped while walking from his vehicle. They found cannabis inside a cigarette packet. He was arrested and interviewed before receiving a cannabis caution notice.
GLEBE Police are seeking public assistance to find a disabled man who is missing. Basil Bergin, 27, was last seen leaving his home on Derwent St about 9.15am last Saturday. Police have serious concerns for Mr Bergin’s welfare as he suffers from deafness and epilepsy which requires medication. He is described as of Caucasian appearance, 193cm tall, with a large build and blond hair.
NEWTOWN Nearby residents were evacuated after a fire ripped through a derelict King St terrace house last Thursday. Leichhardt police were patrolling King St, near the intersection of Dickson St, when they saw the two-storey house was on fire about 11.15pm. Occupants of an adjoining terrace house were evacuated as a precaution. Firefighters extinguished the blaze and a crime scene was established. A cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
PYRMONT Two men jumped out of a BMW Z4 and allegedly wrestled a 50-year-old man to the ground before robbing him last Friday. City Central police said the man was walking along Bank St about 4.10am when he was approached by the grey BMW. Two men got out and allegedly grabbed him around the legs. The man’s wallet was taken. The two men were described as wearing black jumpers and white shoes. One had a hood over his head and the other was wearing a white baseball cap.
CANADA BAY Police are warning residents about car security after an increase in thefts. Police said that in particular Toyota Rav 4 and Hilux models were being targeted in the Canada Bay local government area. Drivers are being urged to ensure their vehicles are locked and secured at all times.
BURWOOD Police charged a man with aggravated robbery after he tried to do the dash on them recently. Police allege an Asian man was assaulted and robbed on March 1 on Shaftesbury Rd. They said the alleged offender, a 40-year-old Glebe man, assaulted the victim, causing a head injury. The man allegedly stole the victim’s bag and fled into Belmore St. Police searched a unit block in Belmore St and found the 40-year-old. He then tried to run away. He was charged with aggravated robbery with wounding. He was refused bail and will appear at Burwood Local Court on April 30.
NORTH STRATHFIELD An alleged armed robber will face court next month after being charged over a screwdriver theft. Police said a man, 20, was held up with a screwdriver on George St last month. The offender demanded cash. Police arrested a Berala man, 22, shortly after. He was charged with armed robbery. He was refused bail and will appear at Burwood Local Court on April 18.
LIDCOMBE Two men have been charged and firearms seized following a robbery last month. A man, 28, was robbed by two men at knifepoint on a train heading to Parramatta. He was not injured. On February 7, police executed two search warrants at premises in Auburn and arrested and charged a man, 23. Last Friday police executed a search warrant at a Fairfield address and seized ecstasy tablets, ice and a replica pistol. A man, 19, was charged with armed robbery, drug supply and possess prohibited weapon. He appeared at Parramatta Local Court last Saturday.
BURWOOD A man faced court last Saturday charged with importing an illicit precursor chemical and manufacturing ice in a clandestine laboratory. About 7am last Friday, police executed search warrants at two units in the same apartment block in Burwood. Police seized documents and cash before arresting a man, 26. Police also found a clandestine laboratory they allege was being used to manufacture ice. The man was refused bail to appear in Parramatta Bail Court.
STRATHFIELD Two police officers were taken to hospital after being injured while intervening in a brawl at Strathfield station last Sunday. Police patrolled the station about 12.30am when they heard a fight on a train that had arrived from Gosford. Police were allegedly assaulted when they tried to break up the fight. A sergeant, 31, suffered concussion after being punched in the head, while a constable, 38, suffered back and facial injuries after falling while arresting a man. Both were taken to Concord Hospital.
ST PETERS A man found barely conscious after reportedly imbibing a large quantity of a date-rape drug will face court next week. Police found the man, 36, slumped in his car in a fast food restaurant carpark last month. Police allege he had taken large amounts of the drug GHB. The man was found conscious and breathing. An ambulance took him to RPA. Police found a number of vials of the drug as well as other drugs inside the man’s vehicle. He is due to attend Newtown Local Court on Tuesday to answer drug possession charges.
2012年3月7日星期三
BASKETBALL. Fabi Shoes ko in Bologna, Scavolini passes in Treviso
After the heavy ko conceded just three days in Varese, Virtus back to victory and defeats Fabi Shoes with a score of 77-72. For the Bolognese is the twelfth successful home season, while for a heavy defeat Sutor is given also the contemporary victory of Cremona and Casale.
VIRTUS BOLOGNA-FABI SHOES 77-72 MONTEGRANARO
The first two baskets of the race coming at the hands of Zoroski and two triples. Virtus is released after 3 'of the game thanks to CDR, followed by a wake field goal on the break of Koponen for 4-6. Bologna is finding it hard in attack and, most importantly, defensive rebounding, took advantage of the two long Sutor, Ivanov (2 +1) and May with two free throws and a basket from the mean (4-13 after 5 '). Poet tries to react with a teardrop more the foul followed by Lang for the 9-13. Bologna continued to suffer under the floorboards (3-8) but is more reactive in attack: Douglas-Roberts and poet to the triple replicate of newly entered McNeal (13-16 at 7 '). The battle-axis Poet McNeal: a difficult field goal in the penetration of the U.S. replica of the triple play for Juventus share equal to 18. Poet has 8 points on the scoresheet with 100% from the field. In the last round of hands Nicevic 4 points to give the +4 Sutor at the end of the first quarter. Four points is created from the free throw to give Virtus yet another tie after one minute of play. McNeal is ispiratissimo and his second bomb of the new match gives +4 guests, followed moments later by the first two points dell'applauditissimo former Di Bella (22-28 to 13 '). Bologna, no poet in the field, makes an immense effort to strike up a good offensive Zoroski and punishes the other half of the field a great assist from May (22-30). A free Di Bella and then a layup by May yet served their own play by the same former Virtus Montegranaro brings the advantage of the double digit to mid-term (22-33). Virtus pulls 1/8 by the arc, while the Sutor comfortably exceeds the 50% (5/8). The Unipol Arena begins to rumble when it hits Ivanov after winning yet another offensive rebound: in 7 'of Bologna game has not scored from the field in the second quarter, he scored 7 points all came from the foul line ( 25-35).
After another two free throws scored by Douglas-Roberts, the very same U.S. Poet takes advantage of an assist to nail the dunk on the break of -6 (29-35). The axis-Poet CDR is heated and come two more points for the U.S., for Sutor breaks hibernation on offense with two free Zoroski, bissati suffered from a Douglas-Roberts officially entered into the game already and only player in double figures with 12 points (33-37 to 19 '). Two free throws by Vitali close the first time on 37-39 Montegranaro, which is seen to replace 12 points gap in the second half of the second quarter. For Virtus good test of the essential poet (11 points and 18 evaluation) and Douglas-Roberts (12); home Sutor, however, end shields Zoroski, only in double figures with 10 points and McNeal (8 points with 100 % from the field). The second half started with a 14 ° point of Douglas-Roberts, adept at exploiting their own bodies and close with a gentle touch. Virtus is a lot more interesting on the floor and comes with Lang overtaking 43-41, but then quickly drew the 4th point of the second half of May. Two bombs in a row of Koponen and Werner sent into raptures the palace and +6 on the hosts. Bologna is fluid in attack and to take advantage of it is Lang, who goes to berdaglio answering the layup with two baskets of Ivanov and Zoroski (53-47 to 25 '). The Sutor shown not want to give up the race and a field goal on the break, after a great defensive team, McNeal forces Finelli of the timeout to 27 at 53-51 '.
The bomb Gigli in a clear physical state is not the optimal resuscitation 'virtussino attack, then two free throws to score Lang set the score 58-52 at 2' from the siren. The Sutor also confirmed at the end of the fourth team to be tough to die, Zoroski is infallible from the line (8/8) and after 30 'the race is still in the balance on the total score of 60-57.
The beginning of the last period is characterized by Douglas-Roberts, who seems to have decided to take in hand the team (64-59 to 33 '). A nice jumper Koponen gives +7 to Bologna, with the Sutor that is now really struggling offensively. May still have a great feel for the offense of steps (three turnovers in this quarter) and on the other hand, a tap-in port on the Gigli 68-59 Virtus. The game seems to have reached a decisive crossroads, when behold, Bologna lost the ball to throw and goes to McNeal target penetration. Zoroski marks the tenth free of many attempts, but on the other side of prestige even played a Douglas-Roberts brings back the hosts to +7 (22 for the USA) and the 12 ° point Ivanov set the score at 70 - 65 to 3 '46 "from the end, Finelli coach called timeout. leaving the Poet marks out of cunning, but a positive reply soon McNeal with his 18 th point. The key moment of the match though, came at 56" from the end when Koponen square angle of the deadly triple 75-68. Valli called timeout on the fly. Montegranaro tries in the final seconds but missed the final boarding less than 2 consecutive three-pointers. They leave the credits and the game ends up 77-72 for Virtus Bologna.
VIRTUS BOLOGNA-FABI SHOES 77-72 MONTEGRANARO
The first two baskets of the race coming at the hands of Zoroski and two triples. Virtus is released after 3 'of the game thanks to CDR, followed by a wake field goal on the break of Koponen for 4-6. Bologna is finding it hard in attack and, most importantly, defensive rebounding, took advantage of the two long Sutor, Ivanov (2 +1) and May with two free throws and a basket from the mean (4-13 after 5 '). Poet tries to react with a teardrop more the foul followed by Lang for the 9-13. Bologna continued to suffer under the floorboards (3-8) but is more reactive in attack: Douglas-Roberts and poet to the triple replicate of newly entered McNeal (13-16 at 7 '). The battle-axis Poet McNeal: a difficult field goal in the penetration of the U.S. replica of the triple play for Juventus share equal to 18. Poet has 8 points on the scoresheet with 100% from the field. In the last round of hands Nicevic 4 points to give the +4 Sutor at the end of the first quarter. Four points is created from the free throw to give Virtus yet another tie after one minute of play. McNeal is ispiratissimo and his second bomb of the new match gives +4 guests, followed moments later by the first two points dell'applauditissimo former Di Bella (22-28 to 13 '). Bologna, no poet in the field, makes an immense effort to strike up a good offensive Zoroski and punishes the other half of the field a great assist from May (22-30). A free Di Bella and then a layup by May yet served their own play by the same former Virtus Montegranaro brings the advantage of the double digit to mid-term (22-33). Virtus pulls 1/8 by the arc, while the Sutor comfortably exceeds the 50% (5/8). The Unipol Arena begins to rumble when it hits Ivanov after winning yet another offensive rebound: in 7 'of Bologna game has not scored from the field in the second quarter, he scored 7 points all came from the foul line ( 25-35).
After another two free throws scored by Douglas-Roberts, the very same U.S. Poet takes advantage of an assist to nail the dunk on the break of -6 (29-35). The axis-Poet CDR is heated and come two more points for the U.S., for Sutor breaks hibernation on offense with two free Zoroski, bissati suffered from a Douglas-Roberts officially entered into the game already and only player in double figures with 12 points (33-37 to 19 '). Two free throws by Vitali close the first time on 37-39 Montegranaro, which is seen to replace 12 points gap in the second half of the second quarter. For Virtus good test of the essential poet (11 points and 18 evaluation) and Douglas-Roberts (12); home Sutor, however, end shields Zoroski, only in double figures with 10 points and McNeal (8 points with 100 % from the field). The second half started with a 14 ° point of Douglas-Roberts, adept at exploiting their own bodies and close with a gentle touch. Virtus is a lot more interesting on the floor and comes with Lang overtaking 43-41, but then quickly drew the 4th point of the second half of May. Two bombs in a row of Koponen and Werner sent into raptures the palace and +6 on the hosts. Bologna is fluid in attack and to take advantage of it is Lang, who goes to berdaglio answering the layup with two baskets of Ivanov and Zoroski (53-47 to 25 '). The Sutor shown not want to give up the race and a field goal on the break, after a great defensive team, McNeal forces Finelli of the timeout to 27 at 53-51 '.
The bomb Gigli in a clear physical state is not the optimal resuscitation 'virtussino attack, then two free throws to score Lang set the score 58-52 at 2' from the siren. The Sutor also confirmed at the end of the fourth team to be tough to die, Zoroski is infallible from the line (8/8) and after 30 'the race is still in the balance on the total score of 60-57.
The beginning of the last period is characterized by Douglas-Roberts, who seems to have decided to take in hand the team (64-59 to 33 '). A nice jumper Koponen gives +7 to Bologna, with the Sutor that is now really struggling offensively. May still have a great feel for the offense of steps (three turnovers in this quarter) and on the other hand, a tap-in port on the Gigli 68-59 Virtus. The game seems to have reached a decisive crossroads, when behold, Bologna lost the ball to throw and goes to McNeal target penetration. Zoroski marks the tenth free of many attempts, but on the other side of prestige even played a Douglas-Roberts brings back the hosts to +7 (22 for the USA) and the 12 ° point Ivanov set the score at 70 - 65 to 3 '46 "from the end, Finelli coach called timeout. leaving the Poet marks out of cunning, but a positive reply soon McNeal with his 18 th point. The key moment of the match though, came at 56" from the end when Koponen square angle of the deadly triple 75-68. Valli called timeout on the fly. Montegranaro tries in the final seconds but missed the final boarding less than 2 consecutive three-pointers. They leave the credits and the game ends up 77-72 for Virtus Bologna.
2012年3月4日星期日
Christian Louboutin Daffodile Suede Pumps Purple
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2012年3月1日星期四
A Boyd in the hand is worth keeping in attack at any old Price
Having lost the game's best coach in Wayne Bennett, and one of the game's best fullbacks, Darius Boyd, St George Illawarra have their work cut out this year.
Rookie coach Steve Price has enormous shoes to fill, however, he seems to have wasted no time in putting his stamp on the Dragons. This is a good sign.
Having worked under Bennett for the past three years, Price will have learnt a lot about his premiership-winning mentor's principles of coaching. And while the first thought for most would be ''don't change a thing'', it's not that simple. For example, although the lessons Price has learnt about defensive structures and completion rates will be vital, losing the team's most lethal attacker, Boyd, means the coach must make serious adjustments in order to replace what Boyd was providing.
With his ''signature second-man play'' down the left side of the field, Boyd was the Dragons go-to man when breaks and tries were needed. It would be a mistake to keep the same structure and hope Boyd's replacement, Kyle Stanley, could handle this role. In truth, the only other fullbacks in the game who can do this play as well as Boyd are two of the game's best players in Brett Stewart and Billy Slater.
Therefore the Dragons must find other ways to score points. Looking at their structure in the Charity Shield a fortnight ago, it seems Price has gone ahead and made considerable adjustments to the way the Dragons will attack this season.
With no Boyd in the side, Price had five-eighth Jamie Soward, halfback Ben Hornby and fullback Stanley, all running the ''Boyd second-man play'' at different times. It was clear the Dragons had spent a lot of time on this new structure, which also included Soward and Hornby playing on opposite sides of the field to where they have played for the past three seasons.
These types of adjustments will make the Dragons more unpredictable. Price would be hoping this will not only improve their try-scoring ability but will also make the likes of Soward harder to target in defence.
Rookie coach Steve Price has enormous shoes to fill, however, he seems to have wasted no time in putting his stamp on the Dragons. This is a good sign.
Having worked under Bennett for the past three years, Price will have learnt a lot about his premiership-winning mentor's principles of coaching. And while the first thought for most would be ''don't change a thing'', it's not that simple. For example, although the lessons Price has learnt about defensive structures and completion rates will be vital, losing the team's most lethal attacker, Boyd, means the coach must make serious adjustments in order to replace what Boyd was providing.
With his ''signature second-man play'' down the left side of the field, Boyd was the Dragons go-to man when breaks and tries were needed. It would be a mistake to keep the same structure and hope Boyd's replacement, Kyle Stanley, could handle this role. In truth, the only other fullbacks in the game who can do this play as well as Boyd are two of the game's best players in Brett Stewart and Billy Slater.
Therefore the Dragons must find other ways to score points. Looking at their structure in the Charity Shield a fortnight ago, it seems Price has gone ahead and made considerable adjustments to the way the Dragons will attack this season.
With no Boyd in the side, Price had five-eighth Jamie Soward, halfback Ben Hornby and fullback Stanley, all running the ''Boyd second-man play'' at different times. It was clear the Dragons had spent a lot of time on this new structure, which also included Soward and Hornby playing on opposite sides of the field to where they have played for the past three seasons.
These types of adjustments will make the Dragons more unpredictable. Price would be hoping this will not only improve their try-scoring ability but will also make the likes of Soward harder to target in defence.
2012年2月29日星期三
Maid to order: The Pippa Middleton effect means that bridesmaids' style can veer from tradition
When Mandy Case recites her vows in March 2013, her bridesmaids will stand beside her in above-the-knee yellow and blue dresses with cowboy boots.
The 26-year-old elementary school teacher has booked a renovated dairy barn for the ceremony, so the rustic attire seemed fitting. Yellow and blue are the colors of Fort Mill High School, where Case and her fiance met.
Case isn't sure how many bridesmaids she'll have — her guess is three or four — but she wants them to have a say in what style of dress she chooses for them to wear. “I want my bridesmaids to look and feel confident,” she said Sunday at a bridal showcase at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, N.C.
After last spring's British royal wedding, the bridal industry was watching for a possible “Pippa Middleton effect” after Kate Middleton's sister turned heads in a show-stopper of a gown. Website fashionista.com declared Pippa's ivory satin-based crepe column dress with cowl neck and cap sleeves “the first bridesmaid dress that anyone ever wanted to knock off.” In response, bridal boutiques rush-ordered replica Pippa dresses.
But the replica dresses didn't sell. What store owners learned, they say, is that brides want to set their own trends on their big day. Individualism, a strong trend in the past few seasons, seems to trump the celebrity wedding effect.
While mom or grandma might have their own ideas about what is appropriate attire for bridesmaids, brides today don't worry much about adhering to rules.
“I joke and say ‘All the rules went out the window 10 years ago,'” says Anna Kelly, senior consultant for J Major's bridal boutique in Charlotte, N.C. “It used to be that you asked, ‘What time is the wedding?'” and that dictated the attire. “But it just doesn't matter anymore. People wear very simple, svelte skinny dresses in an enormous Catholic Mass, and fully beaded ball gowns on the beach.”
Oddly, a great example of the trend can be found — as you could have guessed — in a celebrity wedding. Last September the seven bridesmaids for model/actress Molly Sims donned what Sims called “cohesive yet mismatched” gowns by designer Elizabeth Kennedy in shades of tan and black. Each of the dresses was different — some with prints, some solids.
The bottom line is it's almost anything goes when it comes to bridal party fashion. Bridesmaids are no longer limited to the floor-length jewel-toned satin gowns with matching hairdos, shoes and jewelry of yesteryear.
“Brides are taking the reins over their own weddings and are not abiding by what tradition says they should be doing,” says Carrie Goldberg, assistant fashion editor for Martha Stewart Weddings magazine. “The one rule is that every bridesmaid should be in a dress that flatters them and that they like.”
And if that means bridesmaids aren't all in the same dress? That's just fine, Goldberg says.
“I think the idea of everyone wearing the same dress is on its way out,” she says. “There's more of a focus on working with a palate than working with the same color. Not every color flatters every girl in the bridal party.”
At the Bridal Boutique of North Carolina in Cary, manager Manu Gujral said the store stocked the Kate Middleton replica dress immediately after the wedding, but “nobody is even asking” for it, nor are they coming in with photos of Pippa's gown.
The 26-year-old elementary school teacher has booked a renovated dairy barn for the ceremony, so the rustic attire seemed fitting. Yellow and blue are the colors of Fort Mill High School, where Case and her fiance met.
Case isn't sure how many bridesmaids she'll have — her guess is three or four — but she wants them to have a say in what style of dress she chooses for them to wear. “I want my bridesmaids to look and feel confident,” she said Sunday at a bridal showcase at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, N.C.
After last spring's British royal wedding, the bridal industry was watching for a possible “Pippa Middleton effect” after Kate Middleton's sister turned heads in a show-stopper of a gown. Website fashionista.com declared Pippa's ivory satin-based crepe column dress with cowl neck and cap sleeves “the first bridesmaid dress that anyone ever wanted to knock off.” In response, bridal boutiques rush-ordered replica Pippa dresses.
But the replica dresses didn't sell. What store owners learned, they say, is that brides want to set their own trends on their big day. Individualism, a strong trend in the past few seasons, seems to trump the celebrity wedding effect.
While mom or grandma might have their own ideas about what is appropriate attire for bridesmaids, brides today don't worry much about adhering to rules.
“I joke and say ‘All the rules went out the window 10 years ago,'” says Anna Kelly, senior consultant for J Major's bridal boutique in Charlotte, N.C. “It used to be that you asked, ‘What time is the wedding?'” and that dictated the attire. “But it just doesn't matter anymore. People wear very simple, svelte skinny dresses in an enormous Catholic Mass, and fully beaded ball gowns on the beach.”
Oddly, a great example of the trend can be found — as you could have guessed — in a celebrity wedding. Last September the seven bridesmaids for model/actress Molly Sims donned what Sims called “cohesive yet mismatched” gowns by designer Elizabeth Kennedy in shades of tan and black. Each of the dresses was different — some with prints, some solids.
The bottom line is it's almost anything goes when it comes to bridal party fashion. Bridesmaids are no longer limited to the floor-length jewel-toned satin gowns with matching hairdos, shoes and jewelry of yesteryear.
“Brides are taking the reins over their own weddings and are not abiding by what tradition says they should be doing,” says Carrie Goldberg, assistant fashion editor for Martha Stewart Weddings magazine. “The one rule is that every bridesmaid should be in a dress that flatters them and that they like.”
And if that means bridesmaids aren't all in the same dress? That's just fine, Goldberg says.
“I think the idea of everyone wearing the same dress is on its way out,” she says. “There's more of a focus on working with a palate than working with the same color. Not every color flatters every girl in the bridal party.”
At the Bridal Boutique of North Carolina in Cary, manager Manu Gujral said the store stocked the Kate Middleton replica dress immediately after the wedding, but “nobody is even asking” for it, nor are they coming in with photos of Pippa's gown.
2012年2月28日星期二
2012's runways showcase hourglass figures accentuated with flouncy overskirts
Last year, you couldn't walk two paces inside a boutique without stumbling into yet another boyfriend blazer. There were also suits with razor sharp tailoring and fedoras galore, as designers appeared to be dressing the career woman preparing to stand her own in the midst of an economic slump. The look was practical, androgynous and the epitome of boardroom chic.
But that was so 2011.
Yesterday's masculine lines have significantly softened, making way for today's dare-to-try trend: the peplum. The flouncy fabric, which is a tiny overskirt that flares out over the hips, was designed to create the illusion of a tiny waist. It soared in popularity throughout the 1930's and 1940's and re-emerged in the 1980's in all its shoulder-padded glory. This time, however, the little hip accent has shaken off its eighties-prom-dress vibe and given itself a contemporary makeover.
According to boutique owner Sara Platt, 26, the popularity of curvy celebrities such as Beyonce and Grammy winner Adele signals the return of the classic hourglass silhouette.
"Throughout the 1990's, we saw that typical six-foot, bean pole model with no curves," said Platt, who owns The Sweet Apricot Shop, a boutique based in Quincy, Illinois. "Last year was a big year for the minimalist look, and the peplum is a way to update that with just a little bit of a flare."
Although it appeared as a micro trend during the fall/winter 2011 collections, it's a look that appears to have especially blossomed for spring. Givenchy gave the peplum a futuristic spin with sculptural ruffles in summery white that gracefully cascaded along the hips. Meanwhile, Elie Saab's fire-engine red shift dress, which featured simple protruding panels along the waist, was a lesson in understated elegance.
The normally minimalist French label Céline recreated the peplum as a detachable deconstructed belt that can be worn over skirts or trousers. Pastels reigned at Louis Vuitton where the peplum appeared on a crocodile biker jacket in powder blue. Actress Emma Stone proved that color blocking is back when she stepped out in a red and fuchsia Giambattista Valli dress featuring a giant bow peplum.
But as with any trend, it's best approached with a great deal of restraint. "I love the new peplum tops," says Mia Fortuna, 42, a Chicago-based stylist. "When paired with just a pair of skinny cropped pants it's very 1950s and it's flattering on everyone." She also added that three-quarter sleeves help to add balance to the volume of the peplum at the hips.
And when it comes to patterns, Platt recommends non-contrasting palettes, such as singer Fergie's black and gray polka dot peplum dress by Marc Jacobs. "Stay away from geometric shapes, plaid or anything with a dizzying pattern," she warns. "That's too much and you'll loose the silhouette that the peplum creates."
But it's not just the couture pieces with their astronomical price tags that are gaining fans among the fashion pack. "Jason Wu actually did a gorgeous yellow peplum top for Target," says Fortuna. "I loved it because it was such an outright 1950's look."
Indeed, nostalgia appears to be the theme for the entire spring/summer 2012 collections. Without John Galliano's flamboyant touch to steer the house of Dior, questions arose about the future of the luxury brand. But under the guidance of its new designer Bill Gaytten, the label reworked and revamped the iconic bar jacket. The result was dreamy sheer suits and glamorous secretary looks that put the brand at the forefront of this season's trend.
It seems a fitting tribute since the Bar jacket was first created by Christian Dior himself. The peplum all but disappeared due to the fabric shortage during World War II in the early 1940's. Therefore, when Dior first showcased the bar jacket in 1947 with its cinched waist and dramatic peplum detail, Harper's Bazaar editor Carmel Snow instantly anointed the silhouette as the "New Look."
"With the New Look, Dior brings back the corset or the girdle to make the waist tight and small, which wasn't that important in the early 1940's during the war," said Nan Cibula-Jenkins, the head of costume design at The Theatre School at DePaul University. "With the New Look of the 1950's and beyond, Dior enhanced the narrow waist and the full female hips."
"I would say it's definitely up there with the Chanel jacket," said Mark Hall, 26, the costume mount and replica fabricator at the Chicago History Museum. "Dior's bar jacket is very distinctive and very individual."
Hall explained that the peplum is a design detail that was adapted from an ancient Grecian tunic called the ‘peplos.' "Women and a few men would wear these tunics that were belted at the waist to create several folds," he says. "The main idea behind the peplum design detail is to create the illusion of a smaller waist so it's simply a repeat of what fashion has been trying to create for centuries."
Cibula-Jenkins said it's no surprise the peplum is making a post-recession comeback. "Fashion seemed kind of utilitarian for a while, and now we're getting into more curves," she said. "I think it's because of the depressing economic environment right now. The economy is stagnant, businesses are folding and people are finding it hard to get jobs, so it's a time when we want to take our clothes and fantasize with them a little bit more."
She added that it's the human need for fantasy that brought about some of the most stunning clothes during the Great Depression in the 1930's. "People wanted to escape, they wanted to look at beautiful things," said Cibula-Jenkins. "I think there's a parallel in that [today]."
And judging from the enthusiastic adaptations of the peplum all over the runway, it seems that even the designers were in dire need of a little fantasy.
But that was so 2011.
Yesterday's masculine lines have significantly softened, making way for today's dare-to-try trend: the peplum. The flouncy fabric, which is a tiny overskirt that flares out over the hips, was designed to create the illusion of a tiny waist. It soared in popularity throughout the 1930's and 1940's and re-emerged in the 1980's in all its shoulder-padded glory. This time, however, the little hip accent has shaken off its eighties-prom-dress vibe and given itself a contemporary makeover.
According to boutique owner Sara Platt, 26, the popularity of curvy celebrities such as Beyonce and Grammy winner Adele signals the return of the classic hourglass silhouette.
"Throughout the 1990's, we saw that typical six-foot, bean pole model with no curves," said Platt, who owns The Sweet Apricot Shop, a boutique based in Quincy, Illinois. "Last year was a big year for the minimalist look, and the peplum is a way to update that with just a little bit of a flare."
Although it appeared as a micro trend during the fall/winter 2011 collections, it's a look that appears to have especially blossomed for spring. Givenchy gave the peplum a futuristic spin with sculptural ruffles in summery white that gracefully cascaded along the hips. Meanwhile, Elie Saab's fire-engine red shift dress, which featured simple protruding panels along the waist, was a lesson in understated elegance.
The normally minimalist French label Céline recreated the peplum as a detachable deconstructed belt that can be worn over skirts or trousers. Pastels reigned at Louis Vuitton where the peplum appeared on a crocodile biker jacket in powder blue. Actress Emma Stone proved that color blocking is back when she stepped out in a red and fuchsia Giambattista Valli dress featuring a giant bow peplum.
But as with any trend, it's best approached with a great deal of restraint. "I love the new peplum tops," says Mia Fortuna, 42, a Chicago-based stylist. "When paired with just a pair of skinny cropped pants it's very 1950s and it's flattering on everyone." She also added that three-quarter sleeves help to add balance to the volume of the peplum at the hips.
And when it comes to patterns, Platt recommends non-contrasting palettes, such as singer Fergie's black and gray polka dot peplum dress by Marc Jacobs. "Stay away from geometric shapes, plaid or anything with a dizzying pattern," she warns. "That's too much and you'll loose the silhouette that the peplum creates."
But it's not just the couture pieces with their astronomical price tags that are gaining fans among the fashion pack. "Jason Wu actually did a gorgeous yellow peplum top for Target," says Fortuna. "I loved it because it was such an outright 1950's look."
Indeed, nostalgia appears to be the theme for the entire spring/summer 2012 collections. Without John Galliano's flamboyant touch to steer the house of Dior, questions arose about the future of the luxury brand. But under the guidance of its new designer Bill Gaytten, the label reworked and revamped the iconic bar jacket. The result was dreamy sheer suits and glamorous secretary looks that put the brand at the forefront of this season's trend.
It seems a fitting tribute since the Bar jacket was first created by Christian Dior himself. The peplum all but disappeared due to the fabric shortage during World War II in the early 1940's. Therefore, when Dior first showcased the bar jacket in 1947 with its cinched waist and dramatic peplum detail, Harper's Bazaar editor Carmel Snow instantly anointed the silhouette as the "New Look."
"With the New Look, Dior brings back the corset or the girdle to make the waist tight and small, which wasn't that important in the early 1940's during the war," said Nan Cibula-Jenkins, the head of costume design at The Theatre School at DePaul University. "With the New Look of the 1950's and beyond, Dior enhanced the narrow waist and the full female hips."
"I would say it's definitely up there with the Chanel jacket," said Mark Hall, 26, the costume mount and replica fabricator at the Chicago History Museum. "Dior's bar jacket is very distinctive and very individual."
Hall explained that the peplum is a design detail that was adapted from an ancient Grecian tunic called the ‘peplos.' "Women and a few men would wear these tunics that were belted at the waist to create several folds," he says. "The main idea behind the peplum design detail is to create the illusion of a smaller waist so it's simply a repeat of what fashion has been trying to create for centuries."
Cibula-Jenkins said it's no surprise the peplum is making a post-recession comeback. "Fashion seemed kind of utilitarian for a while, and now we're getting into more curves," she said. "I think it's because of the depressing economic environment right now. The economy is stagnant, businesses are folding and people are finding it hard to get jobs, so it's a time when we want to take our clothes and fantasize with them a little bit more."
She added that it's the human need for fantasy that brought about some of the most stunning clothes during the Great Depression in the 1930's. "People wanted to escape, they wanted to look at beautiful things," said Cibula-Jenkins. "I think there's a parallel in that [today]."
And judging from the enthusiastic adaptations of the peplum all over the runway, it seems that even the designers were in dire need of a little fantasy.
2012年2月27日星期一
Nike Unleashes Lin Basketball Shoes
Nike Inc. (NYSE:NKE) became the latest company to bank on "Linsanity" this weekend when it unleashed a new shoe for the New York Knicks' Jeremy Lin during the NBA's All-Star break in Orlando, Fla.
Nike hopes to ride the popularity of Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin, the league's first Chinese-American player whose strong play over a short amount of starts lifted the listless Knicks to a winning streak and brought the former Harvard grad to the media forefront.
Lin's play even was credited with lifting the stock of Madison Square Garden (NASDAQ:MSG), which owns the Knicks and operates several television channels, to all-time highs during the streak.
Lin has been under contract with Nike since 2010, and he has one more year left on his deal. After that, he could be a play for Adidas (PINK:ADDYY), the world's second-largest sports apparel company, which recently announced plans for expansion in China. Adidas currently has about 6,700 retail locations in the country.
Nike hopes to ride the popularity of Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin, the league's first Chinese-American player whose strong play over a short amount of starts lifted the listless Knicks to a winning streak and brought the former Harvard grad to the media forefront.
Lin's play even was credited with lifting the stock of Madison Square Garden (NASDAQ:MSG), which owns the Knicks and operates several television channels, to all-time highs during the streak.
Lin has been under contract with Nike since 2010, and he has one more year left on his deal. After that, he could be a play for Adidas (PINK:ADDYY), the world's second-largest sports apparel company, which recently announced plans for expansion in China. Adidas currently has about 6,700 retail locations in the country.
2012年2月23日星期四
10% Off and a Toast for "Golden" Anniversary
In celebration of the Golden Gate Bridge's 75th Anniversary, Steven Leslie (check out his work at oneofacork.com), has been selected by San Francisco's de Young Museum to build a replica of the bridge entirely out of cork!
From Feb. 20th-26th, SHOES-n-FEET will give you 10% off your purchase when you bring your corks to our store to donate to Steven's work of art.
We will be serving complimentary wine on Sunday, February 26th, to say "thank you..." (and to add to the cause, of course).
From Feb. 20th-26th, SHOES-n-FEET will give you 10% off your purchase when you bring your corks to our store to donate to Steven's work of art.
We will be serving complimentary wine on Sunday, February 26th, to say "thank you..." (and to add to the cause, of course).
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