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Tuesday, July 26, 2011

How On Earth Do You Hypnotize Someone And Can Anyone Do It? You Can Learn More About This Topic Now!

Influencing the subconscious mind is an area that has many aspects. Popular and existing questions that are asked include things like: How do you Hypnotize someone? What are subliminal message examples? Even questions with regards to what is covert Hypnosis or NLP (Neuro Linquistic Programming) and other sometimes esoteric aspects of what is a very beneficial talent.

The answers to these questions will be sometimes easy and other occasions involve a more thorough response covering several of the subjects at the same time. An example would be Covert Hypnosis because when talking over this it can be common to ask yourself if it is science or urban legend. In order to do that one should determine what it is along with how it works. A more common name for this is Conversational Hypnosis which is simply a belief that one can impact people very quickly in real-time interactions and interactions without them knowing about it. The subject is led to react selected ways due to the method the conversation is structured and the speaking selections made and utilized throughout the interaction. Fascinating theme but this is more based on another subject referred to as Neuro Linquistic programing or NLP for short. Recently this area has come back under review even though it has been around for some time. Interestingly, the techniques are response based form of influence caused by particular combinations of images and phrases projected on one's self or others.

Often related close examples can be seen together. This is referring to Subliminal message examples in addition to how to hypnotize someone. The challenge at hand should be to understand self hypnosis first not learning the way to hypnotize another person due to the fact this is worth the time and efforts when learned properly. Projected through one particular medium or another in self hypnosis we discover that the messages involved are strong self affirmations with the unique intent to not be observed or noticed by the conscious mind being picked up by the subconscious instead. Kept simple these affirmations are nearly always stated in a positive tone whilst being kept pointedly simple and strongly avoiding negative statements. For example, one would phrase something like Losing weight as statements that avoid negatives like, "i will not overeat" but rather phrase such ideas in terms like "I eat only what I need for being healthy" or the appropriate words for the desired goal.

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Come across out more about this effective therapeutic techniques here Hypnotizing Someone?


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Washi Tape: A Brief History

So, just what is a washi tape, anyway? It is a decorative tape made out of rice paper. It comes in a plethora of colors and many different designs. It is commonly used in art and craft projects, specifically paper crafts. It is a staple scrapbooking embellishment.

Washi Tape, or Japanese masking tape, first originated in Japan by the company Kamoi Kakoshi Co., Ltd. under the name MT masking tape. It all started in 2006 when puzzled Kamoi received an email from a small group of women who created a book using their industrial masking tape. The email stated that they would like to tour their facility before working on a second book using their masking tapes. Confused Kamoi did not initially respond to this curious email, and later received a package from the women; It contained colorful, beautifully designed pages all done in masking tape! Kamoi eventually agreed to let the women tour their facility, and their marvel and fascination at the tape making process filled Kamoi with great pride. Later, they received a second book filled with more beautiful pages from 17 different artists, all using their masking tape to create a thing of beauty! The women requested that Kamoi create more masking tape colors. Kamoi did not hesitate after a big art exhibition in Tokyo and lots of media coverage; they took the plunge and began to work on creating the perfect rolls to use for crafts and design! They not only created many more colors, but also designs that were cute and functional.

Did you know that creating the perfect hue of washi tape is a difficult process? Because of the consistency of the rice paper, creating the ideal color, especially light colors, is hard to produce because it's easy to get a dull hue. It was a long and arduous process, but eventually Kamoi created washi tapes in colors that resembled flowers in a field. They called it mt, because, well, that's what everyone in the company referred to it as! They decided to give the colors traditional, archaic Japanese names and chose packaging that would be aesthetically pleasing. Thus, washi tape was born! It is loved and cherished by many in the arts and crafts community as a staple in the creative paper craft process.

Today, there are even more manufacturers of this cute craft tape. Kamoi might have been the first, but they paved the way for companies like Classiky and MARK's who have helped in the development of the decorative tape revolution.

Kawaii Tape has a huge selection of washi tape, cute decorative tape, pretty packing tape, and mini deco sets. Check it out today and find your perfect roll!


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Choosing the Best Art School

Enrolling in an art academy is the best way to keep your interests in the arts alive. It is the best investment you can make if you intend to take your craft to a professional level, and if you decide to take it as a career.

When choosing an art school, you must first consider what you will want to do with the art you learn. If you are interested in art as a hobby, then you should consider a certificate program. If you want to venture in the animation industry, then you will want to pursue a bachelor degree program. Once you know what degree or program you will want to take, then you should consider the type of art school where you want to hone your art skills.

Many colleges and universities do offer a wide range of accredited art courses. They even employ art professionals to teach in one of their art schools. Some of these schools have certain prerequisites which a potential art student should possess in order to be admitted into art school.

Like people, art schools can have different strengths. If you have done your research, you will know what schools do have the best credentials when it comes to art. One school might be known for its strong programs in industrial design, and another for its strong emphasis in painting or illustration. If you know which area of art you want to pursue, research further. Join organizations in the field, talk to alumni, or visit the school to meet the students and faculty. Know the art academy by its fruits.

An art school should not be lacking in art equipment. How can you study art with art equipment? You can't study painting without a canvass, paints or paint brush. Art gilding courses come useless without aluminium leaf and gilding kits. The school you choose should have up-to-date art equipment so you can hone your skills, with the knowledge that your skills won't be outdated at the moment you graduate.

Consider the faculty as well before entering art school. Know the art schools by its fruits. Many renowned art masters are in employ of many art colleges, and to study under them is a great opportunity to learn from them. Many consider it an important factor to work with artists who have made important contributions to the industry. But this may not be the case at times. Sometimes, students may prefer to learn from lesser known artists who are more available.

Last but not the least, make sure your art academy of choice is accredited. Accreditation is important. It is a proof that the school's programs meet the standard of quality, and its quality of instruction is one of the best. Accreditation ensures you learn from the best.

Whatever area in art you will pursue, may it be ceramics, drafting, gilding courses, painting, photography, or sculpture, you need to pursue the best instruction an art school can give to you, and an environment where you will be motivated to study art.


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What to Keep in Mind When Choosing an Easel

Most artists, professional or not, will inform you of what an invaluable piece of equipment an easel is, specifically when it comes to painting or sketching. An easel is a simple design really. It is in its basic form simply a tool that is made to either show artwork or to support a canvas or sturdy sketchbook/hardboard during any art making process. Traditionally easels are usually made of wood. More modern easels are also available in metal or plastic and the sizes range from miniature easels ideal for table tops to large specialized easels for the professional or field artist. Dependent upon the art medium you plan to use and your artistic preference, choosing an easel can sometimes actually be a hard decision.

When looking at purchasing an easel for yourself you should consider things such as the type of artwork you want to create, whether you might be outdoors, the materials you might require and the actual medium you are working in. Thinking about these factors can probably help you in picking the right easel for yourself. If you are looking at working with different media, it's particularly important to get an easel that is adjustable and has numerous functions. There are quite a few types of easels for any creative rendering.

One of the most popular easels used frequently in the art world is the A-frame easel. One important element to note when selecting such an easel is the maximum standing height of the easel including the mast. Make sure that it will fit easily into the envisioned space when completely standing. Artists generally adore A-Frame easels for their transportability, but may find the easel impractical for working in tighter spaces. A floor-standing easel is often less moveable than a traditional A-frame easel, but offers superior steadiness. If you are a beginner it's good to consider the table box easel or sketchbook easel. Again they are widely available in many sizes and the great thing about them is that they obviously have the element of the box which doubles as a container. Great for any organised beginner that want to keep their materials together and safe.

Specialty easels are becoming more widely available, even for beginners. It is always great to seek advice from a professional if you are unsure though, so be sure to contact your art supplier if you have any questions regarding the items you might be interested in. You don't want to invest in an easel if it is going to be completely wrong for your style of work.

iArtSupplies are established suppliers of high quality easels and other art materials.


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History of Teen Choice Awards

An awards show for teen viewers was the idea of Bob Bain and Michael Burg, who sought to target a youth demographic a bit older than those that were the focus of Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards. Beginning in 1999, Fox has presented the Teen Choice Awards in honor of teen viewers' picks for the year's greatest achievements in film, TV, music, fashion, athletics, and beyond. The show is complete with celebrity appearances and musical performances with teen appeal for their voting audience ranging in age from 13-19.

In the years 1999 and 2000, the awards took place at Santa Monica Airport's Barker Hangar. Since 2001, the show has taken place at the Gibson Amphitheatre located in Universal City, CA. Occasionally the show has a live broadcast, but more often it airs a day later. Each year, teens are invited to fill the stands as guests.

The Teen Choice Awards include 56 categories, among them honors for:

• Film - The basic Choice (Best) Movie categories for various genres to honor actors, actresses, and movies themselves in Action, Drama, Romantic Comedy, Thriller, Comedy, Fantasy, Animation, and Sci-Fi, along with additional movie awards for Choice Breakout Male, Choice Breakout Female, Choice Fight, Choice Kiss, Choice Villain, and Choice Hissy Fit

• Television - The basic Choice Show categories for various genres to honor actors, actresses, participants and shows themselves in Drama, Action/Adventure, Comedy, Reality, Reality Competition, Late Night, and Animation, along with additional television awards for Choice Breakout Series, Choice Actor/Actress Breakout, Choice Parental Unit, Choice Sidekick, Choice Villain, Choice Personality, and Choice Female/Male Scene Stealer

• Music - The basic music categories including "choice" artists and albums in various genres, along with Choice Breakout Artist Male/Female and more off-beat categories like Choice Love Song, Choice Hook Up Song, Choice Tour, and Choice Soundtrack.

• Summer - Honors for summer's choice song, choice movies in various genres, choice film and television actors and actresses, and Choice Summer Hissy Fit

• Miscellaneous categories including Choice Hottie Male/Female, Choice Red Carpet Icon Male/Female, Choice Web Star, Choice Twit Award, Choice Fab-u-lous!, Choice Fanatic Fans, and Choice Smile

When the show began, ballots were placed in teen magazines, from which readers could remove them and mail in their votes. Another option was to cast their votes using online ballots found at Fox.com; but in 2008, Fox launched an official Teen Choice Awards website through which votes could be cast instead. In addition, during the same year, a Twitter page appeared for "teenchoicegirl" who keeps fans abreast of the later TCA news. (The real-life "teenchoicegirl" is a teen-aged intern who is working on the show.) To date, "teenchoicegirl" has over 48,000 followers, and over 80 million votes are cast to determine annual Teen Choice Award winners.

Rather than receiving trophies or crystal awards to carry home for their honors, winners are bestowed with authentic custom made mini surfboards, 182 centimenters in length, which are decorated with a different summertime theme each year and cost over $800 each to produce. The boards are meant to symbolize the universal freedom that summer vacation brings to all teens - surfers and non-surfers alike.

Among critics of the Teen Choice Awards is the Parents Television Council, which condemns the awards show for promoting and glorifying inappropriate material and role models for youth audiences. Their complaints include honors awarded to R-rated films, risque performances of sexual music releases, sex and drug related humor from the hosts, and contradictory messages from celebrities that glorify misbehavior that they later inform teens that they should not engage in. Critics accuse the show of simply offering yet another venue for promoting their latest material to impressionable teenagers, which, according to these critics and concerned parents, only view young people as means of generating more sales and earning more wealth.

The author of this article is 10 year veteran in the crystal awards and recognition gifts industry.


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BBC Doctor Who Star Wants to Expand on His Character

It took some doing to be accepted in the iconic role of "Doctor Who," but Matt Smith has been a hit and now wants to riff on his character a bit.Matt Smith has successfully taken over as "Doctor Who" on the show that bears his character?s name. He?s been accepted by fans, and has come into his own in the role, but there is still more he wants to accomplish in this ongoing project. He said at a recent interview at Comic-Con, "I?m not nearly as cool as the doctor. I wish I was as cool as him, but it?s like, Amy Pond is way cooler than Karen." Smith referred to Karen Gillian, who plays the role of Amy Pond on the popular TV show.

Smith was speaking at the comic conference and show on a panel with Gillian and executive producers Piers Wenger and Beth Willis, as well as screenwriter Toby Whithouse. He didn?t give much away in terms of what will be upcoming on the show, though he did note that a number of issues that were left unresolved during the last season will be resolved in the upcoming season. The cast also discussed a variety of issues that are of interest to the show?s fans.

Asked about the fez that is such an integral prop in the show, Smith noted, "That was me bleating on to (executive producer) Steven Moffat that I wanted to wear a hat, so he gave me the most stupid hat possible." Smith also offered his opinion on his character?s personality, noting, "There?s a lot of blood on the doctor?s hands, and I think that?s why he?s always so bubbly, because he has to keep going." Smith also said he looked forward to digging deeper into the dark side of his character, and wanted to expand that element of his personality.

By Buzzle Staff and Agencies
Published: 7/25/2011

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Is Child Modeling Worth It?

A crucial question that every single parent or guardian really need to ask themselves when contemplating a modeling career for their child is, "Is child modeling worth it?" Though on the surface, being able to showcase your pride and joy's face on the cover of a national magazine seems very appealing, there are a number of hidden depths to child modeling that ought to be thoroughly thought about before taking the leap. It is crucial to explore the possible precious time, hard work and sacrifice that is necessary in order for your child to model.

Do you believe your little boy or girl would be happy to model? Do you think it is something that he or she would enjoy doing? Whilst kids always need support in new endeavors, it is extremely important not to drive your child too far if they are very resilient to the thought of modeling. If they don't have any enthusiasm, it does not have to be the end of their prospective career. It may just be a case of waiting a few months, or a year or two, to see if they are more receptive to the idea at that time. On the other hand, if your kid is enthusiastic about the notion of child modeling, then stack on the motivation and offer them all the help you can.

Child modeling is a time-consuming affair. You do not need me to tell you that stability is extremely significant in a child's upbringing, and as such, modeling should be something that makes up a part of your child's life - it should not be the be all and end all. A whole lot of perseverance and motivation will be essential from both you and your child in order to succeed. The demands of child modeling will not suit all kids (even if they are originally very eager), and it is critical for you to recognize this.

What about you? Are you ready to take on the duties essential in order for your kid to be successful? Child modeling is no cakewalk. Like any other pastime or interest your child may come to be involved in, child modeling can eat up your free time and take over your life!

You may have the finest of intentions when starting out, but sacrifices are necessary to ensure that your kid has the best chance of doing well. You will need to stick to schedules required by third parties (i.e. photographers and studios). Casting calls can come at a day's or possibly an hour's notice. A lot of patience and work will be needed before your endeavors are rewarded. Child modeling is a competitive market.

Of course, child modeling can be incredibly rewarding. It can offer a lot to your child in terms of growth and abilities that will serve him or her very well in the long term. Your kid will have the opportunity to gain a great comprehension of concepts such as ambition, responsibility, team work and maturity. Furthermore, child modeling can open doors to many exciting opportunities.

If both you and your child are committed enough and are aware of the likely highs and lows that can come with child modeling, you should grasp the opportunity with both hands!

And finally, if you want to know more about modeling for kids, then please check out the Modeling For Kids website at http://www.modelingforkids.net/.


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Changing a VHS to DVD

There are different ways of changing a VHS to DVD. Probably the most common way is to buy a capture device (usually plugs into an available USB port) and hook up a VCR to it using RCA cables. Hit play on the VCR and Capture (or Record) on the capture device. Once the video file is captured, you can easily drop it into an DVD authoring program to create a movie to share with your friends and family. You can even upload the video file to YouTube or Facebook to share with even more people than physical DVDs can reach!

The nice part about using the computer is that one can make chapters, transitions, add any words, titles, etc. that are wanted. They offer many different fonts, styles, and colors; you get a lot more choice and can make a first class movie. There is a lot of information on line so it would be worth your time to browse and compare software.

A quick note about kits that advertise as VHS to DVD conversion kits: be careful when buying them. A number of them are over-priced and don't work as well as advertised. Do your research on Amazon or by Googling "review". Stick to well-known brands with good reviews if you go this route, though it's often cheaper and almost as easy to buy a simple 30-40 dollar capture device and use free software like Windows Movie Maker or iMovie to create your movies.

Another option is to purchase a transfer machine that is a combination of DVD writer and VCR. These are much more costly than buying the equipment for the computer. They can be hooked up to a TV, be sure you have the correct imputs, so you can view what you are copying. A tape is inserted in one side and a DVD in the other side. However long the movie is that is how long it takes to copy. These devices work well if you have a lot of VHS tapes and don't want to deal with the hassle including a computer in the process can introduce. These are easy to use and generally well documented to just read the instruction manual and you should be good to go.

You can also use a professional service where you can just drop your big box of tapes off and they'll return to you a big box of DVDs. These cost the most but are the easiest way to go about it.

Time is running out! VHS tapes degrade over time and become completely unwatchable. The first signs of this is often a very dark image, so you want to make the change quickly!

Wood Gundy sadly knows a thing or two about losing treasured memories to degradation over time. He invites you to learn more about the specifics of converting vhs to dvd.


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History of the People's Choice Awards

Since 1975, The People's Choice Awards ceremony has aired annually on CBS to honor achievements in all walks of entertainment and popular culture as determined by members of the general public. That year, The Sting as Favorite Picture, Barbara Streisand as Favorite Film Actress, and John Wayne as Favorite Film Actor became the first winners in the history of The People's Choice Awards. Bob Stivers created the show, and Proctor & Gamble bought the show from him in 1982. Variations of the show include Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards and Fox's Teen Choice Awards, but none of the shows share any relation beyond the similarities among their names.

The nomination and voting processes for the People's Choice Awards have been works in progress since the show's conception, but especially in more recent years. For most of the show's history, award winners were determined by Gallup polls which surveyed members of the public in categories concerning actors, actresses, films, television, artists, or groups. With no specific nominations or lists of figures to choose from, the public could choose whomever they saw fit for each award, without limitation. The results of the annual survey would then be assessed to determine that year's People's Choice Award winners. Due to the margin of error associated with polls, however, a single winner was not always determinable from the data, resulting in frequent ties in the cases of close votes. For the 2005 awards, a new voting system was implemented, with specific nominees being determined by Entertainment Weekly editors, the production team of the People's Choice Awards, and a panel of fans of popular culture chosen from among the general public. After nominations were determined, voters could submit their votes online.

This system was tweaked even further for the 2006 awards show, with Knowledge Networks, a web research company using a phone recruitment method to compile a nationally representative sample of men and women ranging from 18 to 54 in age in order to determine a list of nominees reflective of the pop culture favorites - based on various statistics and sales performance (such as gross box office earnings and album sales) - from which voters could choose, or else write in their own selections that don't appear on the list. In 2010, there were still more changes made to the selection process - with use of a different media research company with a specialization in the measurement of Internet Video audience behavior. The company, Visible Measures, is supposed to offer a means of measuring online popularity objectively.

Categories vary from year to year, but so far in the past have included crystal award honors for categories such as Favorite All-Around Movie, Favorite Movie Actor, World Favorite Movie Actor, Favorite On-Screen Match-Up, Favorite Leading Lady, Favorite Tour, Favorite Hair, Favorite Song, Favorite Horror Movie, Favorite TV Doctor, Favorite Talk Show Host, Favorite Family Movie, Favorite Remake, Favorite Reality Show, Favorite Movie Star Under 25, and others. In 2008, a category was created for Favorite Sci-Fi Show, with Stargate Atlantis being the first show to receive the honor.

The author of this article is 10 year veteran in the crystal awards and recognition gifts industry.


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10 Fancy Dress Birthday Party Themes

If you're hosting a birthday party - either for yourself or on behalf of a friend or relative - and you're keen to do something a little different, you may want to give some thought to fancy dress. Not only is it great fun, but it's a great way to be creative and make sure your party lives long in the memory.

Here are 10 ideas for birthday party themes that could help create a fantastic event for you and all your friends.

1. 60s, 70s or 80s - The era-based birthday party theme is always popular, as it gives guests a broad base from which to find and choose a costume. The most common era-based birthday party themes tend to be 60s, 70s or 80s, especially for generations who grew up during one of those decades.

2. Open fancy dress - Of course, you may want to stop at fancy dress itself, so your guests can choose absolutely anything for their costume. If your birthday party is close to Halloween or New Year's Eve, when costumes tend to be in high demand, it could be ideal to open the net as wide as possible.

3. Hawaiian - From hula skirts and brightly coloured Hawaiian shirts to leis and pina coladas, this birthday party theme is great for creating a summery feel for your party. You may want to combine the party with a cocktail masterclass for your party guests.

4. Superheros - There's something within all of us that wishes we had super-human powers, so the opportunity to pretend to be our favourite superhero can be great fun. From Superman and Wonder Woman to Thor and The Incredible Hulk, there are loads of characters to choose from and lots of fun to be had.

5. Childhood heroes - Growing up, the role of the hero is something that really resonates with us. Whether it's someone from a cartoon, a sport or a film, dressing up as them for the night could be a great birthday party theme.

6. Based on a letter - It's always good to be creative when deciding on a fancy dress birthday party theme, as you want guests to give some proper thought to their costume. One way to do this is by asking everyone to choose their fancy dress based on a letter (Sesame Street style) or even your first initial - eg 'G'.

7. Gangster and molls - This is an old favourite, but always a winner. It's an easy one for your guests, which means there'll be little resistance to the idea, but everyone will look fantastic.

8. Movies - Films are a great source of inspiration for fancy dress costumes and you're bound to get a broad range of characters captured on the night. It's a fairly open birthday party theme, but it's one that should get everyone thinking.

9. Fairytale - Fairytales are enduringly popular and provide a broad array of costume ideas, from Alice in Wonderland to Robin Hood, there'll be lots of fun to be had when choosing what to wear.

10. Sporting icons - If your guests are largely all sports fans, asking them to choose an icon that means something to them could be a great option. Even those who aren't massively into sport may find it fun to do a little research and find an amusing costume.

Once you decided which birthday party theme is right for your do, you'll need to think about private party venues.


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Avatar Exhibit at Seattle's Science Fiction Museum

The latest exhibit to hit the Science Fiction Museum portion of Seattle's EMP/SFM is an Avatar exhibit which takes over the entire portion of the SciFi museum. Before you even pass through the doors of the museum, you can feel yourself being transported to Pandora. You'll get a chance to have your picture taken with the jellyfish-type woodsprites in a computer-generated scene from Pandora. The sprites will even converge on your shadow.

Then, step through the doors, and find yourself in a recreation of the human laboratories on the planet surface. There you will find samples of plant life and get to play with touchscreen technology similar to those used by characters in the movie.

Further into the exhibit you'll get to see the big draw; a full scale version of the AMP suit. I have to admit, that's probably my favourite part of the exhibit. There's even a user manual for the AMP suit, although it's really a manual to put together the prop suit. What I'd do to get my hands on that!

Other displays include a full-size arrow as used by Neytiri and several full size heads of some of the Nav'i characters. Want to try on some Nav'i boots? You'll get to do that as well.

But unlike most movies, the draw for Avatar is as much about the making of the movie as the movie itself, and you will find a lot of interesting displays that will show you how the movie was made. One display shows the dot placement that computers would use to graft on Sam Worthington's Nav'i face, as well as the suit with more markers and the camera rig he wore so that they could use the actor's real facial expressions. Step a few feet back from the display and you'll see the shadow of Sully's avatar, and get an idea of just how much they had to biggie size the actor. Later on in the exhibit you'll see clips of the actors having to perform with the technology and no real set to speak of, next to the finished shot of the actors as Nav'i on Pandora.

Another popular part of the exhibit involves visitors stepping into an area where their body is then scanned by computers and they are turned into a Nav'i onscreen. Other displays let you use similar technology that James Cameron used to film within the virtual environment of Pandora, panning a tablet-like device to get the shots you need.

Overall, it's a fun exhibit and is really great for Avatar fans. But it isn't a very big exhibit, and yet it takes up the entire portion of the Science Fiction Museum, although no doubt, it is probably due to to the overall complexity of the exhibit. For those that have visited the museum before and were looking forward to seeing model ships, Captain Kirk's chair, or the robot display, you're going to be sorely disappointed.

The Battlestar Galactica exhibit is still going on, elsewhere in the museum, so if you haven't yet seen the BSG exhibit, then getting to see both exhibits is definitely a lot of fun. But if, like me, you're a local that has already seen the BSG exhibit and knows what else the museum typically carries, you may come away from the Avatar exhibit feeling slightly underwhelmed.

Shiromi Arserio is editor of Inter-Galaxy Portal and author of The Huntsman's Tale


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The Story of Adam, Eve, the Garden, the Serpent, and ALL That!

In the beginning there was just one person living on the earth and he was named Adam. He was a very happy and well-adjusted fellow because there was no one around to say otherwise and also because he never had to contend with any traumatic childhood memories whatsoever. In fact, he never even had a childhood, but rather began life as a fully functioning adult. Even so, he began with more childlike wonder than anyone who has ever lived, just as surely as he was forced to carry a great deal more regret than the worst villain in any story. Such is the stuff of which fascinating tales are made, however, and it's about time someone got this particular story straight once and for all.

Now as the first human, Adam was designed and then brought into existence by Creator, who has over time acquired more different names than anyone could ever need. It might be best if we just stick with Creator here, I think.

Creator, as the name implies, really, really, really enjoys making things. And while the things he makes seem simple enough from a distance, nearly everything Creator creates is very precise and extremely complicated. So complicated, in fact, that the smartest people who have ever lived with the help of the biggest computers ever built and using some of the coolest machines ever manufactured still cannot figure out how and why Creator's creation works the way it does. So even though much of creation (that's what we call Creator's designed and finished product - "creation") is simple enough for most people to understand, some parts will apparently always remain just beyond human ability to really explain to anyone's lasting satisfaction. Gravity, bumblebees and wave-particle duality come to mind here.

To keep Adam safe and occupied with making healthy life choices, Creator gave his very first human a lovely green garden in which to live. It was stocked with mostly friendly animals, scenic vistas and plenty of vegetation, much of which was delicious to eat year round. Creator was overly generous and even let Adam name all of the animals absolutely anything he wanted ("gnu," in case you were wondering, is an acronym). However, and this part is rather integral to the story, Adam was instructed that he could eat just about anything that grew in the garden except for the fruit of one particular tree called "the tree of good and evil." That was the one exclusive part of the rather sizable garden area where Creator told Adam to stay away. You will quickly observe that the garden was a pretty simple setup for the first man. Enjoy yourself and your surroundings every day you are here, but whatever you do, do not eat from that one tree over there in the corner. What could possibly go wrong?

I'm joking, of course, but wouldn't you think the name of the forbidden tree alone would have been enough to put just about anyone off eating from it? I mean, if your lunch menu choices are hamburger, hot dog, pizza, or the sandwich of good and evil, it is pretty obvious that the proprietor of that eating establishment doesn't want you to select that last item. And let's face it, when the waiter conspicuously smirks at an inquiry regarding whether the G&E sandwich comes with fries, well, most of us would probably just go with the burger.

Adam lived the good life, stayed away from the you-know-what tree, and everything went well for him for a nice long stretch of time. It is not clear exactly how long that was, but there is not even one animal today without a moniker of some kind, so do the math and calculate how long it would have taken to tag them all with a different name.

Early on, Adam made no stupid choices, had plenty of fun locating and naming all the animals (buffalo were originally called boffalu, by the way, although the reason for the change isn't really all that interesting) and in the cool of the evening when things settled down a bit, Creator would show up mostly just to hang out with Adam and give him some instructional information and positive reinforcement. Every day he would patiently explain to Adam how everything worked the way it did and sometimes would let Adam in on some of the secrets of creation that even the angels couldn't figure out.

In case you didn't know it already, angels are beings just like people only they don't have bodies, which sort of makes them nothing at all like people, I guess. But they surely are like us in that they can choose to do things however they decide on their own and it must be said that far too many of them chose rather poorly. Now these bad choosing angels saw that Adam was receiving special treatment from Creator and they became very jealous. Plus, they all agreed that the name "serpent" was stupid and insulting. They spent much of their time trying to figure out how to bring unhappiness to Adam. Their leader, a particularly unlikable fellow called Lucifer, kept saying they needed "just the right angle" to overcome Adam's obvious love and respect for Creator, but the other angels were a bit dim and thought he was really meaning "just the right angel." Needless to say, they weren't much help and Lucifer was forced to come up with a plan for Adam's downfall mostly on his own. Alas.

One morning Creator realized that Adam needed someone to live with who was more like himself because all of his other sentient creations had mates, while poor Adam was the only human in existence. Sure, he was happy enough, but Creator knew he could be even happier still if he had a little companionship. Also, Creator had some minor improvements and modifications on his whole human design concept and he was quite eager to try them out! Enter Eve.

Eve was beautiful. Eve was smart. Eve was decisive. Eve was soft and cuddly. But mostly, Eve was someone with whom Adam could have a meaningful relationship. That is, the monkeys (temporarily referred to as "banana biters" early on) were great fun for Adam to run and swing with, but Creator had made Adam - and then Eve also - using something he referred to as his "likeness." This meant that anyone in the creation called by the name of human would always be more interested in trying to learn about the true meaning of things than they would in the far simpler approach of taking things as they readily appeared to be. So while the more spontaneous and less judgmental monkeys rarely feel the need to add much additional thought to the world that greets them each morning, humans always want to ask why.

Our story turns sad now, I'm afraid.

Remember that unappealing angel named Lucifer? Well, he had the nerve to show up in the body of a serpent and somehow was able to get Eve (some say he tricked her into it, but that's not really accurate) to eat the fruit of the tree of good and evil. And then she in turn got Adam to eat some also. Can you believe it? Adam and Eve had it made living there in that lovely green garden and they threw it all away on a piece of fruit that probably didn't even taste that good at the time they were eating it.

Today everyone now knows that Creator is the sort who says what he means and then means what he says. Not just sometimes, but all the time! So Adam and Eve had to leave the garden and live with their newfound knowledge of good and evil. Bad news for them and even worse news for their offspring. The truly sad part of this story is that such hard won insight into "good and evil" never served any real value to them or to any of their billions of children. In fact, all that most people have ever done through the years since is to argue over what exactly is good and precisely what is evil. How ironic is that?

Naturally, there is more to the story of Adam and Eve. How they had two sons and one kills the other, thus wiping out 25% of the world's population. How they had to work so hard just to live. How their own attempts to create others like themselves is necessarily accompanied by a whole lot of pain, suffering, blood, sweat and tears. The list of harsh things coming out of their one really poor jointly made decision is far too lengthy to review now, that's for sure.

Still, the story of the first two humans isn't all completely bad, although to be fair, it's surely more bad than good. Creator did leave some real joy for humans to experience during their lives, so that helps some. There never seems to be quite enough of it to go around, which is a difficult distraction for many humans, but this joy we children of Adam and Eve can still possess comes from that "likeness" ingredient consistently used in creating all of the people who have ever been created, including you and me.

Essentially, this means that the story of Creator and man isn't officially over yet and that there may well be good reason to presume it has an acceptably nice ending. As it did with Adam and Eve, however, the ending very much depends on whom we choose to believe.

Of course, that last thought is for the most part a completely different story, so that means that this one which I am telling you now must have come to....

THE END.

David Douglas Ford is an author of books, plays and essays and has long been preoccupied with the story of Adam and Eve. Ford has written a play and a novel starring the first human couple and this obsession (as well as some of his less troublesome behavior) can be further explored at http://www.daviddouglasford.com/


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How Do You Feel When You Create Art?

I was recently talking to a friend of mine that is a creativity coach. Our conversation eventually went to what it means to me as an artist to create. She posed the question, "How do you feel when you paint?" We have had conversations about this before as have a lot of artists. She got me to thinking...

There are painters, as we all know, that paint for the money or at least, in part. I'm not saying that they wouldn't paint if they were not making money, but the market or the money dictates what they do paint. Then, there are artists that paint for the love of the process.

I'm a firm believer in painting what you are passionate about. I have at times in my career painted what I thought would sell, but I always felt disconnected and not satisfied with what I was doing. I know that those paintings were not the best work that I could do at that moment in time.

I have since tried to concentrate on painting only things that I am passionate about. In the end, those paintings are my best works. But, more than that, the feelings that I get from painting my passion is worth so much more to me. I've usually never tried to communicate to people besides other artists those feelings. Someone else might wonder "what the heck is she talking about?"

I know that words really don't really fully describe the feelings that I (or others artists I have talked to) have while in the process of creating. We talk about being "in the zone". But, to me, it's more than that. I get a complete sense of heightened awareness of what is around me in my world that I am creating. I become a part of that world, feeling the temperature, the colors, the sights and the smells. It feels as though my whole being is fulfilled. It gives me a feeling of inner strength, serenity, and confidence. I feel as if I am enveloped by a power.

So, at this point in my life, I feel that feeling is more important to me than anything else that I can gain from creating. I come away with the sense of resolve, self-confidence and serenity in myself. When someone asks about what paintings of mine I have kept or which is my favorite, that is not what it is about to me. It's the process of painting. when I'm done, I'm ready to experience that next euphoric feeling. I know that my best painting is still inside me.

Becky Joy is a nationally recognized artist specializing in sunsets, landscapes and still life oil paintings. Becky shares art tips, painting demonstrations and art business tips on her blog. http://beckyjoy.com/


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Clay Beads - What Kinds Are There?

Clay beads in themselves are a subcategory of beads. But did you know that there are even more subcategories of these unique kinds of beads? In this article I want to show you just some the ways you can categorize these little works of art in the hopes of making your shopping and beading experience a little easier.

When you first begin this hobby you need to build a framework in your mind so you have a better idea of what you need to buy and how you need to plan what you will create. Knowing the way things are categorized is a great step in this process. When it comes to clay beads there are many categories but there are three basic ones.

1. Color- When it comes to any type of beads this is usually the first way things are categorized. This is also the way that I like to organize things in my personal inventory. It makes it easier for me to visually see what I have and get an idea of what it is that I want to make.

2. Shape- When you think about these little handcrafted works of art you may not have given much though to their shape. But each little bead has a unique shape to it and these shapes can help you categorize your personal inventory. This is a great way to visually see what you have, much like organizing things by color, but also having things organized by shape gives you an extra subcategory as you plan your patterns and styles. Using different shapes can give your jewelry and extra added flare and having things organized by shape will make your work go quicker and easier.

3. Texture- Clay beads have unique textures. The two main textures are smooth and rough. Smooth versions of these beads have that traditional, finished ceramic look. The rough ones look more like a natural stone. Both of them are beautiful though and can make wonderful jewelry when used in the right situation.

As you begin this new hobby you will realize there is a lot going on and a lot to learn. Your inventory will grow quickly and you will want to stay organized so you can fully enjoy this new hobby. If you do not get organized then this hobby will not be nearly enjoyable as it could be. Hopefully these categories will help you as you begin the organization process.

Find more great information on clay beads.

Drop by our site http://beadsfeed.com/

Christi Shobert is a wife, mother, and official supplier of Kazuri Beads in Texas. She is passionate about serving her community and helping bead enthusiasts get all the clay beads that they need.


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How to Audition for American Idol

American Idol - just about anybody and everybody wants to be the next one! So do you have it in you? Read on to find out how to go about preparing for the American Idol auditions, and how to absolutely convince them YOU are the one they are looking for.American Idol is not just a singing competition - it is a platform, a dream, a legend in the making. American Idol is the face of the youth - daring, dynamic, dashing and very talented. It is the apple of every person's eye. The feeling of being out there, up on that stage, all the lights shining down on you, people going crazy just to hear you, your voice, your song, everybody clapping, screaming, shouting, cheering for you, and then the deafening applause and whistles follow... it sure must feel like being the king of the world. There is something intoxicating about being in control of so many people - they follow your dressing style, they wanna know your labels, you have them enraptured! It is indeed a heady feeling. But before you achieve any of that, you have to survive through days and weeks of trials, tests and auditions. You have to make your mark form day 1 and you have to convince them, at any cost, that YOU are the next youth icon; YOU are the next American Idol. How do you do that? I am here to tell you just that.

Tips to Audition for American Idol

Song Selection
Be sure to select a song that compliments and suits your voice. Be comfortable with your song, know the lyrics by-heart, and rehearse! Practice till you are confident about performing the song. Practice till you feel the song in your blood, in your cells, to the last atom of your body. It is important to perform with conviction. You have dreamed of it, you have waited for it, you have given it all your life; let that show. Let that be evident in the way you throw your voice, in the way you hold the mic, in the way you sing. Do not select a song just to impress the judges. Even if it is a less-known song, if it is something you really love, something you have always wanted to perform before an audience then go for it.

Attire
Your outfit and your appearance it what is going to register in the judge's minds, even before your voice does. So dress to make a statement. But that does not mean you plan on being a vision and end up being a sight! Choose an outfit that will make you look trendy, chic, cool and stylish. But do not choose something that will make you look like a poser. Do not select an outfit that you are not comfortable in. Even though your attire is important, ultimately it is your voice that is going to land you the title American Idol. So don't loose focus in your bid to impress the judges. make sure you choose an outfit that will compliment the genre of the song you have chosen to sing at the auditions. You don't wanna turn up looking like a punk kid, and then sing 'Its a Love Story, baby just say yes' or some such romantic song!

Attitude and Body Language
While being confident is important, don't be over-confident. Be sure of what you know, what you are capable of. Don't let the judges and their remarks or comments intimidate you. But at the same time, do not act like a veteran, cos you are not. Your body language and attitude should reflect confidence and cool, without being careless or cold. Show you are, and actually be genuinely interested in honest feedback. Even if they say they didn't like your performance, Do not let that bring you down. Honestly and frankly ask them what you lacked, where you failed, and what they think you should work on. The way you carry yourself should not put the judges off. At the same time, you should not appear weak, or desperate. Though you want to make them realize how important American Idol is for you, you do not want them to feel like you are begging to be taken in!

Words, Words, Words...
If the judges like your performance, chances are they will ask you a few questions. They wanna know more about you. This is your first test. The judges may ask you trick questions, to see what kind of a person you are, to judge if you are going to be able to handle the pressure of being in the competition. At such times, you may be intimidated, anxious, nervous or you may simply get-tongue tied. On the other hand, you may be so sure of yourself that you end up sounding arrogant. Be very careful while answering any questions the judges ask you. Do not make blatant statements like 'I am what you are looking for', 'I am the best you can find anywhere'; at the same time, do not opt for flattery either. 'I love you guys!', 'You guys are the best!', 'I just came here to see you!' - NO. Absolutely DO NOT make such statements. Not only is it a great turn-off, it is simply uncool.

Don't Pretend
American Idol is not just about being a singer. See what the title says - American IDOL. IDOL. You are - if you win - going to come to define what everybody should want to be. And that is a big responsibility - to represent a people, to represent the youth of a country. Do not put on a show of being someone you are not. Let people do the pretending - let THEM want to be you. Do not pretend or try to copy or imitate anyone - even if they are YOUR idols. Be especially sure of not imitating the voice of any of the American Idol Winners, or any other artist even. Be original. Nothing repulses more than someone trying too be somebody they are not, someone trying too hard. Be yourself, make your mark as YOU.

Contesting for American Idol gives you the chance to be in the league of Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino, Taylor Hicks, David Crook, Jordin Sparks and others. These people realized their dreams, and so can you - if you have the right attitude, the right approach and the gift of voice. It is the chance of a lifetime - go for it!


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Handmade Greeting And Graduation Cards

Greeting cards have somewhat decreased in popularity over the years as people have discovered a myriad of other ways to greet each other over the Internet. Besides, greeting cards nowadays tend to be less personal and feel more mass produced. What gave greeting cards back then any semblance of uniqueness were the floral designs and carefully handcrafted paper.

But with printing technology, many cards became run of the mill and not as special as they used to be. Rather than get excited at the prospect of receiving a card, most people simply chuck them away or store them in a box. If there was a way to make these cards special again, people would surely take hold of that and cherish them.

Graduation Cards

One such special occasion wherein a status update greeting on Facebook.com would not suffice is a graduation. Arguably one of the most important transitions any person could make in his or her life, sending a well thought of and special card would truly make the event memorable.

For this, one must carefully select the appropriate card to match the mood of the celebration. Jovial, ecstatic, triumphant and celebratory messages rule the roost and it would give both the celebrant and the well-wisher a lot of good feelings for this uncommon lifetime event.

Personalized Luxury Cards

These days, anything that is personalized or given time is considered to be several times more valuable than bulk-produced items. If you truly want the moment to be memorable, nothing beats expressing your emotions than personally hand crafting cards with tokens or symbolisms that the person can relate to. Cards are about meaning and emotions expressed in handicraft.

If you don't consider yourself to be very adept in crafting artwork then you could find someone on the Internet who could assist you with this. This grants you access to the talent of the person while at the same time, still put your personal touch to the greeting card.

Why Handmade Cards are Exceptional

The thing that sets apart handmade cards from computer printed cards have to do with the amount of effort and time spent on it more than anything else. Whether it's graduation day, a birthday, mother's day or an anniversary, time and effort are two of the most important things that a person could give. This has been forgotten and neglected by many in lieu of commercial solutions.

Today, however, the two need not be mutually exclusive. Cards that are handmade could make the best out of mass produced templates. The giver only has to use his or her personal touch and the card acquires a distinctiveness which is unique on its own.

=>When creating cards for special occasions, LotusArtStudio.co.uk will have something to offer you. They make it a point to bestow meaning on cards rather than mass produce them. Elegance, style and personal attention are what make the cards highly sought after for those who wish their friends and loved ones well. Go ahead and browse over the selections and see the beauty of these magnificent creations over at lotusartstudio.co.uk


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Top Ten Famous People Who Were Homeless Once

According to William James, "Need and struggle are what excite and inspire us". One of the worst combinations of struggle and need is homelessness. Few, have nerves to go through such crisis, and yet come out as successful individuals. Here is a list of ten famous people who successfully faced homelessness at some point during their lives.

1) Halle Berry

Halle Berry might be one of the most highly paid actresses in Hollywood, but she wasn't always like this. At the age of 21, her mom refused to support her, forcing her to take refuge in a homeless shelter. In an interview she said, "When I moved to Chicago, she (mom) drove me there, but I don't think she ever thought it would pan out. After a month or two, I ran out of money and called her. I said, "Mom, I hate to ask you this, but could you send me some money? I just have rent money; I can't eat this week." And she said, "No, I'm not going to start this calling home, asking mom for money thing. No, figure it out or come home." I was so mad; I didn't speak to her for a year and a half."

Halle did not remain homeless for long. Soon, she started getting roles in movies and rented an apartment. Halle has now made peace with her mom, she thinks that her mom's refusal to support her made her tough and gave her the ability to deal with harsh circumstances.

2) Chris Gardener

Chris Gardener, a millionaire entrepreneur, became famous when his book of memoirs was made into a super-hit movie, "The Pursuit of Happyness". Although, Gardener currently owns a successful stock brokerage firm, but in early 1980's, he had to face homelessness with his son. He came to this stage of poverty, because he invested all his life savings to buy portable X-ray machines which he thought he would be able to sell on high profits but he failed, even to reach breakeven. Consequently, he was unable to pay his rent and was kicked out by the owner. Before they could move into a homeless shelter Chris and his son had to sleep in a public toilet for few days. Chris, later on found a Job in a stock brokerage firm, and moved to an apartment with his son.

3) Hilary Swank

There are only 38 people, in the history of Hollywood, who have won Academy award for Best Acting, more than once. One of them is Hilary Swank. With her sizzling performances in "Boys Don't Cry" and "Million Dollar Baby", she proved her mettle. And yes, she was homeless once. Reader's digest quoted her story saying, "In 1989, when she was 15, Swank and her mom packed up their Oldsmobile Delta 88 and, with just $75, headed to Los Angeles. They lived in the car, until a friend gave them a place to stay". In an interview with CBS news she said, "We had a friend, who was selling their house. And so they said, "You know, there's no furniture, but you can stay there at night. And then, during the day, you have to leave so we can try and sell it out. So we got air mattresses, blew them up, slept at night and left in the morning." Hilary and her mother remained homeless for couple of months, after that she started landing roles. However, her hard time was not over until she got the leading role in "Boys don't cry".

4) Shania Twain

Five times Grammy awards winner, Shania twain was also homeless at one point in time. She spent her childhood in extremely miserable conditions and often starved for days. At the age of thirteen she convinced her mother to move to Toronto where there were many homeless shelters. In an interview with Reader's digest she said, "My mother was very depressed at the time -- she wasn't getting out of bed. I decided that I had to convince her to take us to Toronto, where they have a lot of good programs for desperate families. We were living in this small town which didn't have anything. I was 13 then and told my mother to get in the car, the next day, when my dad was gone. I said, "All you've got to do is, drive." I don't know why she listened to me. I think she was numb. We drove to Toronto and went to a shelter. We finally got fed every day."

She started her professional singing career in Toronto and later on she became one of the most popular female singers of her time. Her album Come On Over sold 39 million copies worldwide.

5) Colonel Sanders

Seeing, Colonel Sander's pictures and statues on every KFC outlet, one assumes that he must've had invested millions of dollars to make such a large network of fast food restaurants. However, it's not true. Colonel Sanders, who started Kentucky fried chicken (KFC) in 1952, had to experience homelessness for a long period during his childhood. His father died, when he was five and his mother quickly remarried. At the age of ten, he decided to leave his home because his step-father used to beat him. After that, he remained homeless for a long period of time and did many jobs, during that time. It was not until the age of forty, that Colonel found a proper home and a Job as a cook in a restaurant and started working on his own Secret recipe, which would later on become the main item on KFC menu.

6) Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin was not just an Oscar-winning actor, director and author. He was also one of those famous people who faced homelessness. According to his autobiography Charlie's parents separated before he was three. Throughout his childhood he lived with his mother, except for a small period of time when he and his brother moved with their father and his mistress. At the age of 12, Charlie's father died of Cirrhosis and soon after that his mother became mentally ill and had to be admitted to a hospital. This left Charlie homeless and he had to go to a workhouse in London. He spent the rest of his childhood moving from one charity home to another. Charlie continued his struggle until he reached United States in 1912, where he started getting roles and acted in major silent films.

7) Adolf Hitler

In his book Mien Kampf Hitler said, "I owe it to that period, that I grew hard and am still capable of being hard." Here Hitler is referring to his period in Vienna where he had to face four years of homelessness from 1909 to 1914. After the death of his parents, he came to Vienna to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. However, he failed in the entrance exam of Vienna school of Fine arts. Eventually, he ran out of money and was forced to live on streets. Afterwards, he found a homeless shelter and spent his nights there until the beginning of World War 1 in 1914.

During his homelessness period Hitler used to sell his own paintings to get enough money to eat. It was during this time that he developed anti-semantic sentiments, which would later on become the fundamental principles of Nationalist socialist movement.

8) Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the most powerful nation in the world (USA) and one of author of American declaration of Independence, also went through a rough patch when he had no home to live in. In his birthplace Boston, Benjamin worked as an apprentice to his brother who published a Newspaper named "New England Courant". Benjamin wrote certain materials in that paper which were not liked by the authorities of his time so they banned the "New England Courant". However, Benjamin continued to publish against the government without the consent of his brother. This raised a quarrel between the brothers and Benjamin ran away to New York. It was in New York that he had to face homelessness because he had very little money and he knew nobody in the city. However, Benjamin remained homeless for a short period of time and found a Job after moving to Philadelphia.

9) Buddha

Buddha was among those who voluntarily adopted homelessness for a purpose. He was the heir to the throne of his father. After seeing the suffering of ordinary people he decided to give away the luxurious life and adopted ascetic way of living. During his ascetic time he lived in streets and begged for food. His purpose was to achieve enlightenment, and he achieved it in form of the 'four truths'. During his struggle for enlightenment and even after that, Buddha never had a shelter to live under.

10) Jesus Christ

Although Jesus spent most of his childhood in Nazareth and he had a home there, but after being baptized at the age of 30, Jesus started a campaign to spread his teachings. For that purpose he had to move from one place to another and during that period he did not have any proper home. In New Testament, Matthew and Luke narrated incidences which prove Jesus' homelessness. Following, is one such incidence;
"Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." (Matthew 8:19-20)


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The Best Entertainment News and Releases of 2010

2010 marked the end of the first decade of the 21st Century and brought with it some of the great entertainment news and releases.

Amongst the best from the music world was the news early on in the year that Hot Chip were releasing their eagerly awaited 4th album, One Life Stand. With a raft of good album reviews, it cemented their place at the heart of British alternative electro. The year also saw The Libertines reform for a reportedly lucrative performance at the Reading and Leeds festivals alongside Canadian legends Arcade Fire. The Strokes returned to form at The Isle of White festival with Paul McCartney, Indie Tracks grew a little bit bigger and a big push was put together to save the 100 Club.

In terms of album reviews, The Coral's Butterfly House was also a high scorer alongside the likes of Arcade Fire with Suburbs, Vampire Weekend's Contra and Broken Bells. However, it was MGMT's Congratulations that made the year great.

Film news included the planned reboot of the Spider-Man series, bringing a new twist on the storyline and a whole new cast. It was also announced that the long awaited Transformers 3 was going into production and that the title for the film was Dark Side of the Moon. There were also rumours that an Alan Partridge movie was back on the cards, but rumours like this have been circulating for a while.

The big film releases for the year were Kick-Ass, Toy Story 3 and Avatar, which proposed to take movie entertainment to a whole new level by reintroducing 3D popularity to cinema viewing.

Documentary follow up to Wonders of the Solar System, Wonders of the Universe, was the big TV news, as well as the release of the Alan Partidge Fosters Shorts online instead of on the television. 2010 also saw the return of Miranda to the BBC, as well as a short Sherlock series starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, and a whole new Dr Who series with Matt Smith taking the lead role of The Doctor.

The big entertainment news in the gaming world in 2010 was the launch of Sony and Microsoft equivalents to the Nintendo Wii controllers. The Xbox Kinect and the PlayStation Move made it possible to play PS3 & Xbox 360 games with motion sensitivity controls. 2010 also saw the release of the groundbreaking Back to the Future computer game, which was released in monthly installments.

At the theatres, there was a raft of great shows that began in 2010, including Frankenstein at the National Theatre, starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Bedlam, by Nell Leyshon, made history by becoming the first play written by a women to be performed at The Globe Theatre.

Finally, the art world provided some great additions to entertainment news, including Gabriel Orozco's exciting exhibition at the Tate Modern, Philippe Parreno's work at the Serpentine Gallery and the introduction of stunningly crafted elephants to the streets of London. If that wasn't enough, there was also controversy as the 2009 Wildlife Photographer of the Year winner was disqualified at the beginning of the year.

About Tuppence Magazine entertainment news and reviews:

Tuppence Magazine ( http://www.tuppencemagazine.co.uk/Entertainment_News_and_Reviews.html ) is an online magazine for entertainment news & reviews, including music news, album reviews ( http://www.tuppencemagazine.co.uk/Music_album_reviews.html ), movies, computer games, books and television.


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A Good Son (Parts Two to Five)

The Dying Woman

((Part two, of five) (to "A Good Son))

As years passed, Elise Teresa Lee, now in old age (1997), sitting in her rooms, in a large house her son now owned, she began to get new satisfaction off of the reflection of herself as a mother with a son who owned much property in the city, proper. In the evenings she sat on her wobbly thin legged chair knitting, watching old movies on the television a few feet away, she thought of her son among the men and women of the business class, with her bent heavy small fingers, old and wrinkled, no longer able to straighten them out, with pride. She recalled how her heart had jumped when he finished college, and now he had written three books. It seemed to her unbelievably astonishing-she had only finished eighth grade herself-implausible astonishing if not romantic that her son should someday be so successful, and stand up in a crowded room speaking on thoughts that came suddenly to his brain-he was just a red-haired boy who was so full of energy so complicated, so quick with his temper at times (not with her but with the rest of the world), who had run off to a war in South East Asia, as if it was a carnival-and came back with ribbons to prove he was a decorated and soldier of valor; and thereafter, traveled the world over, from end to end; a man of books and brains and muscle from hard work once upon a time. Thus, she had not lived in vain; a tranquilized peace comes over her. She couldn't even remember her long years of toil-

Death caught Elsie Lee, somewhat off guard. She had ended up in the hospital for several old age complications; she awoke one evening to find her son standing grim and expectant (somewhat in suspense) beside her bed. There she was, sitting propped among the pillows now, had lost all her fight, worn-out, looking like dried up pale wood-; Christopher had aged ten-years that day.

At sunrise, the following morning the conviction comes to her that she would die. Death was moving about in her room waiting for the sun to sit, to come through the window, and so it did. And then, life with all its sounds and meaning left her, as if an engine had been turned off.

No: 818 (6-14-2011)

A Short Day

((Part three of five) (to "A Good Son))

She knew there was a short day coming (everyone gets one), as well as she knew the place she'd go to after death, but she didn't think of it prior to death's exact moment-she was trying hard for a long time not to go there-although now, she was okay with it-it was, or had been her habit in life to fight not to dismiss it so lightly (she had battled cancer, and won twice).She knew there was a time for everything in the cycle of life. And she blamed no one for anything-she had fulfilled her life's plan. She had come to live on earth, and she had-there was no more too it than that. Life and death had visited her hand in hand throughout her life (this was its finality).

Now with her body turning slightly stiff-her blood in her body still slightly warm, in particular in her right arm-laying in bed, nearly like a wax figure, she was looking down upon herself, she heard her red-haired son, he was coming down the hospital corridor to her room-she muttered silently, in her new essence, "I hate for him to see me this way."

No: 819 (6-14-2011)

The Cremation

((Part four of five) (to "A Good Son))

Christopher Lee and his brother Mike had their mother cremated, as she had wished (although in agreement, he took no part in it),and thereafter, on a summer afternoon Christopher drove his Cadillac car pointlessly on the streets of his native city. On the day of the wake he left his empty home, which he had lived with his mother, but he could not stay there, he went at once to the busy bookstore, in which he patronized quite often. For a long moment he stood book in hand by a table near the circular café that was in the center of the bookstore, listening to the voices of the readers, and food service people behind him in the large room around him and then put the book on the table, and hurried away to look at other books on shelves.

The voices of men and women broke the stillness of the room in which he roamed. Their thin like mumbling created a sharpness that penetrated something within him, and he could not bear the thought of a flood of tears that would fall upon him, nor attend his mother's crematoria wake a few miles away-which his brother insisted on having, he did not want to visualize his mother's body in a wooden urn when he'd come into the presence of the dead.

After the wake, on his way home an idea had come to him. "I will keep her in the house among the things she loved so dear, in a location that looks into the room she sat and watched television," he told himself. Thus, this had come into his mind, instead of throwing her ashes over into the Mississippi River as one member of the family had suggested. So he found himself speculating on the possibility of life and death, and having her in the house brought comfort to him, he brushed all other thoughts aside. "Yes, when people visit me, she'll be right there, back home, sitting near where she once sat," he thought, "instead of a cold cemetery that nobody will ever visit, buried deep into the ground."

He had traveled and knew this was not so uncommon in the old days, especially in other countries nowadays, they even kept bones piled on semi open wooden pyres (altars),in their backyards for the dead in many Asian countries; he looked at the urn and thought of the dead woman. Outside the wind picked up, blew sharply against the wooden framed house, and the middle aged man worked quickly to find the exact place he wanted the urn to be, vigorously making every thing around the urn, neat and clean. He heard voices outside, cars driving by, "It is the right place for the dead to rest," whispered Christopher. "When my own time comes I shall be glad to be brought back here. Here I would not mine being, in the end, both of us side by side."

This thought that had come to Christopher pleased him. The man in him threw back his shoulders, and he stood up tall, "We are two of a kind," he mumbled to himself, "two of a kind and mother understands this; perhaps more so than any woman was intended to understand a son."

It was now towards evening, the sun had gone down, the moon hidden by the gray clouds, "I wonder if I understand myself?" he pondered, as he sat back in the chair he often saw his mother wobble on, until one day he had bought her a sofa chair, that didn't wobble. He thought of the wake his brother had attended for the dead woman, those others who had sat with crossed hands and legs looking at the urn and flowers his brother insisted be on the altar, around the urn on what was a strange and empty altar used by so many on such occasions-all sitting like undertakers beside one another, and for some reason a lump came into his throat, and a flood of tears burst out of his eyes like a storm. Perhaps he was waiting for that-it was a long interval, long enough, and the tears were so heavy it was as if he was climbing over logs to save his self from drowning.

No: 820 (6-16-2011)

Thoughts of a Dead Mother

((Part five of five) (to "A Good Son)

Christopher listened. There he sat-a year later, 2004-day after day in the bookstore, as if it was in some strange darkened room, his second self beside him. He was grieving, and he would for a total of three plus years. He tried to tell his second self (that inner spirit that whispers to you, that seems to know you better than anyone, the one that you are talking to when someone asks '...who are you talking to?' and you say, 'Myself')-tried I say, to tell his second self,of his life with his mother (the thirty-six years they had lived together, he counted them, himself being twenty-years older).He would have liked to have told her of his life in the world, the one he got to know without her, and how disorganized and dysfunctional and ineffective all contemporary and modern life seems to be, seemed to him, to be, at this very moment, perhaps half of that moment was grieving, the other half pure truth.

Sadness that accompanies grief invaded his head, filled it up with thoughts of his mother and how peaceful she appeared to have died.

"It was a good death," he told himself, "perhaps the best way to die, a slow march to an orderly and peaceful end, having time to say goodbye, however one achieves that," he whispered to himself.

Jerry, the café manager, came over to greet Christopher, he began to talk, it seemed Lee's jaw had loosened up some, it was tense, as if tightly put together with force, teeth against teeth, near grinding. He had been blind with anger and sorrow, on all sides of him appeared blank empty faces-but Jerry's-and badly knit bodies.

No: 821 (6-18-2011) For ETS


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Dylan McDermott - A Hollywood Icon

Born in 1962 in Connecticut, Dylan McDermott is a very well-known actor. He portrays the exact image of the tall, dark, handsome Hollywood star and is best known for his role in the hit TV drama 'The Practice'. He has been in many other shows and movies, however, and is one of the many classically-trained professionals working in the entertainment industry today. Unlike many of the more recent Hollywood celebrities, McDermott attended film and acting school programs to get his training before making his film debut in 1987's 'Hamburger Hill', which gave him an advantage over those who were simply trying to 'make it' at the time.

Dylan McDermott also played husband to Julia Roberts' character in 'Steel Magnolias', and found his success in the late 1990s as a full-time star of the show that he is now famous for. Since the show ended, however, Dylan has taken on many different roles in movies and television series throughout his career and still proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with. He might not be producing tons of movies every year like some celebrities, but he still offers his talents to the world on a regular basis.

Dylan McDermott was encouraged towards his dreams of acting by his stepmother, the known playwright Eve Ensler. She helped him get started in his late teens and encouraged him to pursue his dreams, despite what others said about the risks of the entertainment industry. Dylan has won Emmy nominations and Golden Globes for his career performances, and has also recently picked up a starring role in the newest FX drama 'American Horror Story'. He did fare quite well on 'Dark Blue', a police drama on TNT, but it was cancelled after two seasons due to low ratings and viewership.

Dylan McDermott might not be a household name like some celebrities, but he is certainly well known for his rugged good looks, acting talent, and his role on the show that originally made him famous. He's a popular member of the law and culture society because of his unique roles in law shows throughout his career, and someone worth getting to know a little better for anyone who likes the types of shows that McDermott is known for. His personal life is hardly worth mentioning, because he's not one of the many celebrities that is stalked regularly and spied on by the media, but his acting career is definitely noteworthy.

To learn more about Dylan McDermott, check out the conversation from April at the Forum on Law, Culture, and Society. You can see the details at http://www.forumonlawcultureandsociety.org/.


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Three Kinds of Gorilla Fancy Dress Costumes

If you want a dramatic and fun costume, you can't get much more fun than a good gorilla fancy dress costume. When you become the grunting, banana-wielding gorilla of the party you will soon find yourself having more fun than everyone else. Be careful you don't forget the laws of civilised society altogether as you get into your new role!

Now a gorilla costume is one of the most fun, but it's also a tricky one to put together on your own. Where a hippie or James Bond costume is relatively simple and straight forward to make from things around your home, becoming a gorilla requires a whole different set of materials.

Enough black fur to cover your entire body is not the sort of things you usually have in your wardrobe. And a good gorilla fancy dress mask requires a great deal of skill to make! So while it's most likely you'll be buying or renting your gorilla costume, here is a list of the best gorilla costumes, even if you make it yourself:

1. Full Gorilla Bodysuit
The most extreme and fun gorilla costume is the full bodysuit - preferably with a zip up back. These costumes allow you to really become the gorilla for a while. You want a great gorilla mask with lots of expressiveness and preferably a fierce scowl on your face.

A banana is really the only prop you need to have plenty of merriment pretending to argue and fight over it. You just need to get great at the gorilla walk and grunting, and you'll have yourself the ultimate costume.

2. Funny Gorilla Costume
This is a whole other slant on the gorilla fancy dress idea - many would say that gorillas are funny enough without any added merriment or gimmicks. But if you add in a big pink ballet dancers dress and bra, you can make things really funny. Any sort of girly props like umbrellas, handbags, etc. Work a charm with a gorilla costume.

3. King Kong Fancy Dress
You can have some great fun with costumes that pretend King Kong is in the room. One of the best types of these is the King Kong hand pulling me out of the window costume for women. It simply is that - a giant hand to wrap around yourself, with the huge fingers looking like King Kong himself has grabbed you. Then just stand by windows and scream in distress, just like a damsel in the King Kong movies, and the illusion will be complete.

Check out some really cool gorilla fancy dress costume pictures and ideas here: Gorilla Fancy Dress. If you're also looking for something for women, check out these Greek goddess costume pictures and ideas: Greek Goddess Fancy Dress


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Keeping Precious Pieces Of Art Pristine

You can canvas the same museum year after year and look upon the same exhibits and find them in mint condition. Do you ever wonder why museum pieces never age or wither away? Museum pieces stay in tiptop shape due to the work of the museum conservator. This is a significant profession in the art world.

Museum conservators are responsible for the care and preservation of museum artifacts. They achieve this by using special techniques and processes to assess the condition of the artifact, identify evidence of deterioration, conduct conservation treatments, and implement strategies to prevent further damage.

An extensive and broad-based art education is essential for the museum conservator to carry out his or her job responsibilities. Conservators should have a healthy background in archaeology, art history, and anthropology. Art education is a practical resource that aids in research projects, identifying artistic and historic art methods used on an artifact as well as aiding in assessing the effectiveness of materials, fabrics, and procedures used during the conservation process.

A solid background in science is also required for this profession. General and organic chemistry in particular is useful to the museum conservator. Science helps to determine the chemical, biological, and physical factors that cause works of art to deteriorate. Also, science skills are useful to help develop a treatment plan to restore a damaged object to its previous or assumed appearance.

Conservators typically specialize in a particular material or group of objects. Some work only with paintings, textiles, books, photographs, and sculptures. There are others who deal only with artifacts from a particular group like natural science, archaeology, or architecture. Museum Conservators are not just limited to the museum environment. Those of this nature work in a variety of environments including heritage institutions, libraries, universities, government agencies, and private conservation enterprises.

The graduate education has become the more recognized route into this profession. Graduate degree programs generally require two to four years of study. Many graduate programs require the fulfillment of academic prerequisites, including courses in chemistry, the humanities, and studio art. Check with your intended university for specific requirement details.

In addition to coursework, candidates for graduate programs are strongly encouraged to have had some conservation experience. Internships, volunteer work, and apprenticeships are all considered appropriate professional experience. Involvement in supervised collection care projects such as collection assessments, re-housing, and exhibition design as well as examination and treatment of individual artifacts is encouraged.

Museum conservators keep museums, and other facilities, filled with precious artifacts for the world to enjoy. It is a coveted profession that only a small percentage of people can truly master. This profession is so unique that only three education institutions in the US offer graduate programs to all areas of art conservation. If you have a background in art and are considering a Master's degree, check and see if you qualify for this prestigious degree program, perhaps even through online college. Do your own research on the Internet to find out more information.


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Learn To Appreciate Art Supplies

If you are apprehensive about producing paintings, then you should learn how to love art supplies.

Achieving appreciation of art materials is possible when you take the time to observe art that is already around you because this will help you understand your very own artistic interests and inclinations.

It is easy to overlook art that surrounds us but to truly develop an interest in the subject; you must get into the habit of using your free time to study paintings that you may have hanging up at home or around the work place.

Once you start to observe art, then you get a greater understanding of how materials are manipulated to create the work you see and this will help demystify the whole process of making art.

Now that you have enjoyed the opportunity of examining art, you will know your preferences and this will allow you to visualise how you can use supplies in the future to create your very own personal masterpiece. It is always advisable to research your own favourite art because this is likely to influence the type of materials you will buy as you will either consciously or subconsciously mimic your preferred paintings.

Having explored your desired artworks you will be able to create an artistic personality that will be confident using various types of art materials from paintbrushes to canvases and easels.

Always be open to new experiences and try not to pigeonhole yourself into one medium as this will stop you from branching out and experimenting with new types of art materials and supplies. It is vital to use as many art products as possible as you will never know with which materials you have the most expertise using if you fail to constantly develop your skill set through experimentation.

Once you have settled on the art materials you want to use for a specific project then you must ensure that you get them for the cheapest possible price because the cost of products can prove expensive.

The easiest place to find art products at discount prices is over the internet and it is advisable to shop online because of the convenience of comparing prices between different retailers.

Buying art supplies on the internet also saves you the hassle of going to the busy shops in bad weather only to find that they do not currently stock the products that you need for your painting.

Buy the best art materials and art supplies from Turnham Arts & Craft. Click the links to discover what products we offer!


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Selecting the Right Party Venues for All Social Events - How to Do It Well

There is an art to organizing parties that have the ability to give guests a wonderful time. There are certain people whose party invitations are never rejected and greatly coveted because guests know that they will have a wonderful time there. These hosts usually go into great detail to provide guests with food and entertainment that keeps them enthralled. This art is something that most people wish they have. If you want to make sure that you are a popular host as well then you should start by selecting the right party venues for your event.

Hiring the right party venues is a short cut that many successful hosts employ because there are certain venues that have the entire infrastructure required for guests to have a great time. This reduces the amount of pressure on the host who can relax entirely until the event begins and just focus on mingling with the guests.

There are many places where you could hold a party but you should always check the credentials of the people who operate it because the success of the event can lie upon this. A dedicated team of professionals who know how to organize a variety of themes and the entertainment to match each theme is a very important resource to have. These people will suggest what theme would go best for each event and will ensure that all details are looked into so that nothing is left out. The team looking after your event should also be very professional so that they do not miss out on anything important. This lack of attention to detail can cause all arrangements to unravel.

People will always remember the food they ate at a party, even if they forget other details. The best party venues have excellent catering staff or at least the ability to organize them for you. They also invest in the best infrastructure to ensure that food is prepared and served properly. Have a good talk with the chef so that you can communicate information about the composition of your group and their special dietary preferences, if any, so that arrangements can be made accordingly.

Make sure that you spend some time to select the best one out of the many potential party venues you check out. Select the place that impresses you most with its facilities as well as the enthusiasm and experience of the team that runs it.

Selecting party venues is a big task and the success of your event depends upon it. Make sure that you check out http://www.redscooter.com.au/ to find the best best party venue in Melbourne


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Literary Minimalism

Regardless of a reader's belief whether 'Less is more' or 'Less is Less', the concept of minimalism is what it is - Less. That spark of minimalist literature is vibrant to this day almost everywhere we see. Ironic how something so vehemently (and unjustly) looked down upon in its early days, sews itself into the very fabric of culture.The word describes itself. Minimalism, in essence, is describing the most, in the least words possible. The art of literary minimalism seeded around 1960s and 1970s, a result of the then ongoing meta-fiction trend. There are some beliefs that minimalism in prose was actually initiated by the 1940s crime-fiction writers like James M. Cain, the writings of whom were imbued with the least of words and yet put forth a description of many. However, literary minimalism was brought to center-stage (this is the general agreement by most, if not all) through the guiding hands of authors such as Ernest Hemingway (his collection of short-stories and works earlier than the 70s), Raymond Carver, Ann Beattie and many more around the 1970s.

Almost the entirety of the concept of literary minimalism can be explained through the words of Ernest Hemingway - "If a writer of prose knows enough of what he is writing about he may omit things that he knows and the reader, if the writer is writing truly enough, will have a feeling of those things as strongly as though the writer had stated them. The dignity of movement of an iceberg is due to only one-eighth of it being above water. A writer who omits things because he does not know them only makes hollow places in his writing." (Death in the Afternoon).

What Defines a Minimalist Work?
Over time, several factors came into play to compile a rulebook of sorts to describe what it took for a work of words to be classified as 'minimal'. The most prominent among them are: The need of extensive interpretation by a reader of the work; you will often find places where the author intentionally leaves figurative blank spaces that you, the reader, will need to elaborate on yourself.An absence of adjectives in general; this relates to the above point, as the author will tend to leave some loose ends that the author expects the readers to understand (or interpret) themselves.The absence of a narrator; this will again weigh the readers sense of imagination.Paraphrasing to include human actions and a figurative language; minimalist authors will time and again prove (amusingly enough, with words) that actions speak louder than words. Rather than describing what goes on in a character's mind before or during a scene, the author will directly take you there and show what the character is doing.To put it blandly, minimalism in literature can be defined by some as putting words on auto-pilot, still allowing the passengers to admire the view that they themselves end up creating. Any details (or filling up of details) left by the writer is the responsibility of the reader. All this is done without the author withholding complete release of the tale to the readers, steering it towards the climax, thus giving it the readability and attraction needed.

What Critics Said?
They will tell you that literary minimalism was not a 'movement', rather a style of writing that slowly paved it's way into the limelight and in time became known globally at the end of the 70s. Literary minimalism, if you check the records, has been an evergreen shooting range for many critics throughout time. The strongest attack yet was John Aldridge?s Talents and Technicians: Literary Chic and the New Assembly-Line Fiction. The very name tells you what he thinks, comparing minimalist works to the productions of an Assembly-Line, demarcating all the minimalist works into unoriginal, superficial and uninspiring. Indeed, such is the effect of critics that authors Raymond Carver and Frederick Barthelme disapproved their works to be linked to the word 'minimalist' itself. What the world described it as devalued the form of writing, Raymond Carver, in an interview with the Paris Review, stated: 'There?s something about ?minimalist? that smacks of smallness of vision and execution that I don?t like.' Most authors did in fact feel the same way - they adhered to the principles of minimalism, without adoration for the word itself.

Examples of Literary Minimalism
An example of such writing would be like this:

Unabridged - I yearned for a break, so I stood up and walked over to the coffee machine. Grabbing a cup of coffee, I walked back to my desk, to find out that someone had turned on the fan above my desk.

Minimalist - I took a coffee break. Walking back to my desk, I heard the fan.
Here, the emotion of yearning has been toned down to almost nothing as the character simply 'takes a break'. Turning on the fan can be written as 'hearing the fan'. This relies on the reader's sense of logic, as hearing the fan will be related to it being turned on.

A simple example of minimalist poetry is one by George Swede:
M SS NG
thiiief!

In the end, literary minimalism found it's way to a lot of things we see or hear today, whether it is a rock song or a TV commercial. As long as people possess the need for reduction, we will find, glance upon and create, the art that is literary minimalism.


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DC Comics Relaunching Superman With Some Old Charm

There will be two new comics from DC that will feature Superman, including one in which is not married to Lois Lane.DC Comics is relaunching its entire superhero line in September, including the ever-popular Superman comic. Most notable about the update is that he will not have married Lois Lane, who will instead be dating a co-worker of hers and Clark Kent?s at the newspaper. In the comics, Superman has been married to Lane since 1996, but Jim Lee, on of the co-publishers of DC, noted, "We just felt there were more interesting, creative stories to mine in that time period of Superman?s history prior to him getting married."

Adds Lee, "There was something special and unique about the love triangle that existed between Clark Kent, Superman and Lois Lane. By restoring that essential part of his mythology, we would get a lot more interest in the character and take Superman and Clark Kent in bold new directions that felt more contemporary and modern." DC is launching "The New 52" line of comics, which will actually include two Superman titles. George Perez is the creator of one ? titled simply "Superman" ? that takes place in the present.

Another has been written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Rags Morales and will be set five years in the past. In this version, Superman wears jeans, a t-shirt and a cape. Says Morrison of the change, "Does he wear a skintight ballet suit. No, not today, and I don?t think anyone falls for it. And if the skintight suit has to come into it, I want to have a really good explanation. We?ve been given a lot of leeway to change Superman and answer some of those questions that grown-ups ask nowadays: Why does he look that way, and why does he wear those pants?

By Buzzle Staff and Agencies
Published: 7/19/2011

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