News for today's 2018

ETHIOPIA, SOMALILAND AND EGYPT

1:52 AM Tukiyooo 0

<br /> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMwCMYPPx6zGwSTZ2hGGsw65QYFR2xbfA08QZTdCu_S16PZwAtG9-1TmR8PiXMfXOdfMWsXYQzTqCYyFby2a50GGkT5lnlb1JTJooVaHSe_VtI2G4NOVfQn6obviQ_FtQ7xlhhHCSFxL6/s1600/a-dam-nuisance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMwCMYPPx6zGwSTZ2hGGsw65QYFR2xbfA08QZTdCu_S16PZwAtG9-1TmR8PiXMfXOdfMWsXYQzTqCYyFby2a50GGkT5lnlb1JTJooVaHSe_VtI2G4NOVfQn6obviQ_FtQ7xlhhHCSFxL6/s320/a-dam-nuisance.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">SOMALILAND’S ROLL IN A POTENTIAL MILITARY CONFLICT BETWEEN ETHIOPIA AND EGYPT </span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">WATER WARS ? </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Via Stratrisks</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tension is increasing as ETHIOPIA and EGYPT continue to butt heads over the Nile River. ETHIOPIA remains firm on building the $4.2 billion Grand ETHIOPIAN Renaissance Dam. EGYPT is determined to stop ETHIOPIA from building the dam, claiming that EGYPT is the “gift of the Nile” and water supply will decrease by 20% and hydroelectric power would decrease by 40%.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The battle over the Nile has already drawn neighboring countries into the dispute. SUDAN and SOUTH SUDAN have expressed their support for ETHIOPIA’S dam, while SOMALIA might show their allegiance to EGYPT.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUvFJhQqXPatOJTVGWUZzOJzsjEW2pYWNkMcZu5vfcESn8zOBCA41miQNkUzjrZi7XhrwJAZXWNg3RfacK-NfMdgRa9h0B6eP4X9g3WdeYZh2QMm4cjFCJQqUlaFrFhEigv_ah9w7BoG2/s1600/Renaissance_dam1-618x410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUvFJhQqXPatOJTVGWUZzOJzsjEW2pYWNkMcZu5vfcESn8zOBCA41miQNkUzjrZi7XhrwJAZXWNg3RfacK-NfMdgRa9h0B6eP4X9g3WdeYZh2QMm4cjFCJQqUlaFrFhEigv_ah9w7BoG2/s200/Renaissance_dam1-618x410.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />  <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Earlier this month, EGYPTIAN army officials arrived in SOMALIA to discuss revamping the SOMALIA National Army and building a possible EGYPTIAN military base. It appears that if EGYPT & ETHIOPIA do go to war, EGYPT is relying on SOMALIA’S strategic location to attack ETHIOPIA. In order to do so, they will need to go through SOMALILAND first – with the help of SOMALIA.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SOMALILAND AND EGYPT’S STRAINED RELATIONSHIP</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6P_fE1qQ3yLdZvlLdv675MzZ_zQUhNGmp0Tca7_Ru3FzunoEN3s-azKtN2M0nfi0GoDRngPLamaSOLhytX8Y_Ck4OgLn0SYaKT4ejT24j2XV8eC2tla7GX835xE85D_ftaA5IIEQGj9yU/s1600/Somaliland_Map_Website.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6P_fE1qQ3yLdZvlLdv675MzZ_zQUhNGmp0Tca7_Ru3FzunoEN3s-azKtN2M0nfi0GoDRngPLamaSOLhytX8Y_Ck4OgLn0SYaKT4ejT24j2XV8eC2tla7GX835xE85D_ftaA5IIEQGj9yU/s200/Somaliland_Map_Website.jpg" width="137" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What is SOMALILAND’S stance on this issue and what role would they play? The people of SOMALILAND will never forget the role EGYPT played during the struggle years against Siad Barre’s regime. EGYPT armed and supplied military hardware that was used to slaughter the people of SOMALILAND. After reclaiming our independence in 1991, EGYPT has been using their influence in the ARAB and AFRICAN world to hinder any chance of us getting recognition.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SOMALILAND’S strongest ally in AFRICA is ETHIOPIA. Since reclaiming the independence granted in 1960, ETHIOPIA and SOMALILAND have shared an unbreakable bond. Both countries have operated on issues such as trade and security. A close relationship – but not close enough considering the fact they have yet to recognize SOMALILAND as a sovereign nation.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Regardless, SOMALILAND remains loyal to ETHIOPIA. The SOMALILAND government has made their stance on this issue clear and expressed their commitment to defend ETHIOPIA. That being said, they need ETHIOPIA to meet them half-way and take the lead of granting recognition. ETHIOPIA claims the right to use the Nile waters to develop their nation and provide for their citizens just like other countries situated on the Nile. It’s in EGYPT’S best interest to diplomatically resolve this issue with ETHIOPIA and reach a common solution that will benefit both countries. If EGYPT insists on warmongering, ETHIOPIA can definitely count on the people of SOMALILAND for help.</span></div>

ETHIOPIA, SOMALILAND AND EGYPT

SOMALILAND’S ROLL IN A POTENTIAL MILITARY CONFLICT BETWEEN ETHIOPIA AND EGYPT WATER WARS ? Via Stratrisks Tension is increasing as ETHIOPIA...

Monsters University: Endearing school daze

1:00 AM Tukiyooo 0

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><i>Monsters University</i> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>(2013) • <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/disney/monstersuniversity/" style="color: #27a9c5; text-decoration: none;">View trailer</a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Four stars. Rating: G, and suitable for all ages</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>By <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/12885694730612878577" style="color: #27a9c5; text-decoration: none;">Derrick Bang</a></b></span></b></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>            <br /><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Delving into the origins of popular characters can be quite a lark — consider the fun that’s been had with younger versions of Sherlock Holmes, James Bond and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Trek</i> crew — and Pixar has uncorked a collegiate charmer with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Monsters University</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmxTeJfbFt81dbR2OM-vGT7b_9BeEDzuzHVYSFkbEfcF88aw2SLytjCZHhOZRkwzh1WEirk9CC9SNVtP94tTQQSCF50Q0iKJDu5vmaqL-cHa8f62zj0KFeX7STNkBFYvF5batQdlRnj4/s1600/Monsters+University+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmxTeJfbFt81dbR2OM-vGT7b_9BeEDzuzHVYSFkbEfcF88aw2SLytjCZHhOZRkwzh1WEirk9CC9SNVtP94tTQQSCF50Q0iKJDu5vmaqL-cHa8f62zj0KFeX7STNkBFYvF5batQdlRnj4/s400/Monsters+University+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">When an extra-curricular field trip goes awry, the members of Oozma Kappa — from<br />left, Art, Don, Squishy, Terri/Terry, Mike and Sulley — find themselves being pursued<br />by Folks In Charge. With few options for escape, our misfits are about to learn an<br />important lesson: Salvation comes when friends work together.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spending more time in the imaginatively conceived “monster universe” is delectable enough, and director/co-scripter Dan Scanlon has sweetened the pot by supplying the inside scoop on how monocular-eyed Mike Wazowski (once again voiced by Billy Crystal) first met bodaciously blue-furred James P. “Sulley” Sullivan (John Goodman).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Naturally, it’s competitive loathing at first sight. Isn’t that the way all grand friendships are born?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although this prequel lacks freshness and originality — try as they might, Scanlon and co-scripters Daniel Gerson and Robert L. Baird can’t replicate the giggly, first-time awe generated by 2001’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Monsters, Inc.</i> — it compensates with a warm-hearted story that extols both the virtues of friendship and integrity, and the all-important notion that diversity is valuable for its own sake.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yep, even a world littered with crazy-quilt critters isn’t immune to social pecking orders that ostracize misfits and timid outcasts. Scanlon & Co. pull off an impressive trick here: Even though we know the future of this realm’s scare industry — thanks to the first film — this sparkling new adventure of Mike and Sulley sets up innovative adversaries and challenges, while keeping a steady (single) eye on the core message of camaraderie and integrity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Resourceful as we might be on our own, we’re always stronger when good buddies have our back ... and we have theirs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We first meet Mike during childhood (voiced with high-pitched, little-kid sincerity, in these early scenes, by Noah Johnston), as a teacher’s pet and correspondingly shunned know-it-all, who nonetheless blossoms during a school field trip to the Monsters Inc. “Scream Floor.” Little Mike is spellbound, as he watches veteran Scarers travel through the magical doors that lead into the bedrooms of unsuspecting Earth children, there to elicit the youthful shrieks and screams that supply the essential power to the Monster Universe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This</span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">, young Mike decides, is what he wants to do in life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><a name='more'></a><br />  <div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flash-forward to Mike’s first day on the storied, Ivy League-flavored campus of Monsters University, as he eagerly embraces life as a freshman at the School of Scaring. Alas, his book smarts and willingness to study fail to impress the imperious Dean Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren), a scuttling, genuinely frightful creature modeled after an Amazonian giant centipede ... with devil’s wings. In the dean’s eyes, a one-eyed green beach ball couldn’t possibly be scary, and she can’t wait to bounce Mike from this particular field of study.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the dean is equally unimpressed by Sulley, a slacker who shows up late for class, fully expecting to coast on the value of his family name; the Sullivans have fielded impressive Scarers up until now. As it happens, that reputation <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> good enough for top Scare student Johnny Worthington (Nathan Fillion), the condescending president of the campus’ top fraternity, Roar Omega Roar.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mike isn’t fazed; he’s got enough optimism for himself <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> his dorm mate, the chameleon-like Randy Boggs (Steve Buscemi). Pixar fans will remember this character from the first film, and his introduction here is something of a surprise: He’s insecure, uncertain and — like Mike — just wants to fit in. And become a Scarer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After an unfortunate classroom incident, Mike and Sulley find their university careers hanging by the slimmest of threads. Worse yet, they’re forced to join ranks with the campus’ most embarrassing fraternity, Oozma Kappa, which boasts but four members:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Scott “Squishy” Squibbles (Pete Sohn), a sweet, naïve, gelatinous blob forever humiliated by the fact that their “frat house” actually is the family home run by his single mother (Julia Sweeney);<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Art (Charlie Day), a purple-furred whatzis who resembles a discarded Muppet, and whose weird anatomical abilities are matched by an equally off-kilter, New Age-y manner;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Terri and Terry Perry (Sean Hayes and Dave Foley), a two-headed preppy forever bickering with himself; and <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Don Carlton (Joel Murray), a tentacled, downsized Midwestern salesmonster who has returned to college in an effort to re-invent himself and find a new career as a Scarer. (Yes, this is one of several nods toward real-world relevance: a welcome touch that grants this script additional pathos.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This, then, is the rag-tag bunch that Mike and Sulley hope to mold into champions of the annual multi-round Scare Games ... a challenge made more formidable by the fact that Mike and Sulley don’t even like each other. Cooperate? Not likely.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The best Pixar films always blend their core narrative with plenty of hilarious sidebar events and characters, ranging from short verbal encounters to eyeblink sight gags and other whimsical bits of business at the edges of a given scene. By its very nature, the monster universe is ripe with such material, and you’ll likely go cross-eyed trying to take in all the fun stuff.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Goodness, an establishing overview of the MU quad is impressive enough, with literally hundreds of monster students — no two alike — studying, kicking back, playing games or making their way to class ... some faster than others. Point being, this film invites — nay, demands — repeat viewing, in order to better appreciate details large and small.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scanlon and his fellow scribes also replicate the nervous, all-essential college vibe, with its confidence-shattering agitation, while granting it a monstrous spin: everything from the hilariously cramped dorm rooms to the caste system that establishes a gulf between Oozma Kappa and the “cooler” Greeks such as Roar Omega Roar and the deceptively sweet, pink-garbed sisters of Python Nu Kappa.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The characters may be inhuman, but the unsettling atmosphere will be familiar to anybody who spent time on a high school or college campus ... and worried about fitting in. That would be most of us, which is precisely the point.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crystal once again romps his way through Mike’s motor-mouthed efforts to compensate for his raging case of Little Monster Insecurity. Mike is blind to the possibility that confidence might not be enough to overcome physical, ah, deficiencies, when it comes to being genuinely scary. And because Pixar’s talented animators grant this green gum drop just as much emotional complexity as Crystal’s expressive voice — an impressive trick, when dealing with a character who has only one eye, no nose and no body — we easily accept the notion that he’s no different than any other young adult trying to find his place in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Goodman, in turn, is appropriately brash and blustery as the big, handsome guy — everybody’s notion of the ideal monster — who can’t be bothered to better develop his natural abilities. Why bother, when he has the best roar in school? Goodman lends an undertone of menace to his performance, particularly when Sulley (quite unfairly) perceives Mike to be the source of all his troubles.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fun here comes with anticipation: our knowledge that, at some point, Sulley must start to become the humble, sweet and mature hero of the 2001 film. This thawing occurs in several phases, although I particularly enjoyed the moment when the worshipful Squishy “ropes” Sulley into joining him during a fraternity dance. It’s a sweet little scene, and one of many.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mirren is suitably chilling as Dean Hardscrabble, who somehow manages to be both terrifying and graceful. Buscemi’s obsequious tones initially make Randy something of a shallow toady, but we know that an edge eventually will appear in his tone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aubrey Plaza’s fans will recognize her distinctive voice behind Greek Council President Claire Wheeler, the rah-rah who emcees the Scare Games. Tyler Labine and John Krasinski play the Greek Council VP and “Frightening” Frank McCay, respectively. And of course Pixar regular John Ratzenberger pops up, albeit very briefly, as a Yeti-esque blue-collar worker.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As also is custom, this film is preceded by a truly charming short subject, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Blue Umbrella</i>, animated in a style quite unlike all other Pixar shorts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Randy Newman contributes a delightful orchestral score: triumphant as necessary, bittersweet during the story’s frequent emotional setbacks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One quibble: Although this film was designed to be made in 3-D, those effects add nothing to the finished product. Save your money and go for the standard version.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the considerable disappointment of last summer’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://derrickbang.blogspot.com/2012/06/brave-loses-its-way.html">Brave</a></i>, it’s nice to see that Pixar hasn’t lost its magic touch. As company founder John Lasseter always says, nothing is more important than story ... except perhaps credible characters who work their way into our hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That’s certainly the case here.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

Monsters University: Endearing school daze

Monsters University (2013) • View trailer Four stars. Rating: G, and suitable for all ages By Derrick Bang Delving into th...

Make Money from Home Being a Freelance Writer

11:56 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="MsoNormal">I know what you’re thinking:  I would love to make money from home.  One of the easiest and most lucrative methods around is freelance writing.   Whether you choose to start a blog, develop your own website, or contribute to someone else’s site, writing can have a positive impact on your personal bottom line from month to month.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">What you really need to decide is what kind of content you want to write?  Movie reviews, television critiques, travel notes, a little bit of everything?  Those are just examples, because just about anything is possible on the good old Internet. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">One of the biggest questions I get is where and how to get started writing for money on the Internet, because many sites you will be applying to will want to see examples of what you have already done.  Think of it as a virtual resume.  One site in particular that is near and dear to my heart is Yahoo! Voices, which is formerly known as Associated Content.  The money might not be staggering at first, by Voices gives you the platform you need to get started.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The site is a great launching pad, because it offers upfront payments and royalties based on the number hits an article gets.  Those are strong incentives for any aspiring freelance writer.  Of course, Yahoo! Voices is not the only writing site out there, but it is a great starting point to learn and hone your craft until you are ready to move up to other sites.  It lets you create a library of content with feedback from staff members (alright occasionally feedback), but it also offers a chance to network with other writers.  Here’s a link to get going:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://contributor.yahoo.com/join//?refer=486855"><img alt="Join the Yahoo! Contributor Network" border="0" src="http://l.yimg.com/ck/siteimg/referral_120x90_a.gif"></a><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Two things you will need for Yahoo! Voices include:  a Yahoo ID and a Paypal account.  Obviously, since this is a Yahoo site, the ID is necessary to join, and the Paypal account is so that you can get paid, which is really the whole point.  So get those two hurdles out of the way and get going.<o:p></o:p></div>

best home business make money from home Make Money from Home Being a Freelance Writer

I know what you’re thinking: I would love to make money from home. One of the easiest and most lucrative methods around is freelance writi...

Google brings Android Nation store to India to spice up its retail market

9:06 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">In the significant move that will be increase Android penetration in India.Its promoter google is now varying for a piece of the retail market with brick-and-mortar stores called Android Nation.</div><br /> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMSK035gpk2VEij4PBEC5dk5fzYKNopfUHQ_UI5ue-FpXhca9T1_eF5vhT2CFi7Rlk6dTxxwamD8i-6K0DLP_f-67ERc-0GHJg1TAU8VfJrdoQpEjKqF5ApwZAhYz2La2cTWVftz4Gaw/s1600/google-brings-android-nation-store-to-india-to-spice-up-its-retail-market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMSK035gpk2VEij4PBEC5dk5fzYKNopfUHQ_UI5ue-FpXhca9T1_eF5vhT2CFi7Rlk6dTxxwamD8i-6K0DLP_f-67ERc-0GHJg1TAU8VfJrdoQpEjKqF5ApwZAhYz2La2cTWVftz4Gaw/s1600/google-brings-android-nation-store-to-india-to-spice-up-its-retail-market.jpg" wya="true" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: google news</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The US company will partner BK Modi's Spice Global to set up the stores in various Indian cities, starting with New Delhi later this year.<br /><br />Like other such stores in Indonesia, each Android Nation store will promote and sell Android smartphones and tablets across multiple brands like Samsung HTC Sony LG And Asus etc</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The store will also serve as an Android experience centre where customers can find out more about the latest Android apps, get help from experts, download software updates or check out the latest accessories for their devices.<br /><br />Published by <br /><a href="https://plus.google.com/102418621855646948908" rel="author">Narendra Kumar</a></div></div></div>

Accessories android gadget google news Technology Google brings Android Nation store to India to spice up its retail market

In the significant move that will be increase Android penetration in India.Its promoter google is now varying for a piece of the retail mark...

I Love Summer!!

9:00 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Y’know?  Today is the first full day of Summer, and we are gonna have some fun, in fact…<br /><br />The other day, a post that <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2013/06/mayhem-in-am-shut-down-by-pc-police.html" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: blue;">Jayman wrote</span></i></a> reminded me of a good time summer time dream that I had had some years ago.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdQZZYLqECOoX4AocBaKq1Egm22-CVXVQcOekxJx_7LoLS78L1IdQMwQOBtb4hY_eAT7UwCjvwp3bEU_itzDxZuGVXT4N9oFwukBd9tOXr7U_AYTH6xHcl-JNzUdU0pafmaoijFsxQp0/s1600/Sarah+Palin+Fox+News+People+Love+Her.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdQZZYLqECOoX4AocBaKq1Egm22-CVXVQcOekxJx_7LoLS78L1IdQMwQOBtb4hY_eAT7UwCjvwp3bEU_itzDxZuGVXT4N9oFwukBd9tOXr7U_AYTH6xHcl-JNzUdU0pafmaoijFsxQp0/s400/Sarah+Palin+Fox+News+People+Love+Her.jpg" width="400" /></a>And please…allow me to tell to tell you how it all went down..<br /><br />I was at picnic fundraiser for Sarah Palin. It was a first, kinda summer day, and …<br /><br />True to her folksy, homespun carnival act personality, there were all sorts of activities that one might find at a small town America cookout during the summer.<br /><br />I signed up for the three-legged race. I’ve always kinda dug that. We all threw our names in a hat and Sarah drew names to see who would partner with whom.<br /><br />I was excited because I knew that if I had a decent partner I had a good shot at winning. My excitement soon became despair when Sarah named who would be tied up with me…<br /><br />Stephen Fucking Hawking!!<br /><br /><i>“What a disadvantage that puts me at.”</i> I muttered to myself.<br /><br />While other pairs are running the race with three good legs, I’m going to be draggin’ Hawking down Lane 4 for 50 yards.<br /><br />I was thinking to myself, <i>“Holy Shit…Having Heather Mills as my partner would be a step up.”</i><br /><br />Anyhoo…Hawking comes rolling up to me, and in his creepy McDonald’s Drive-Thru speaker voice, said…<br /><br /><i>“Let’s kick some ass, Matt-Man.”</i><br /><br />So I dump his ass out of his wheelchair, and he’s laying there in all his palsied and Parkinsonian glory flippin’ and a-flappin’ around like a washed up walleye contorting on a hot rock, and I tied him to my right leg with a bungee cord and duct tape.<br /><br />I dragged him and his useless body over to the starting line. There were six teams in the race, but one team in particular was giving me and The Hawk-Man the stink eye.<br /><br />It was the team of Bill O’Reilly and Glenn Beck.<br /><br />After we stared them down (well, after I stared them down, Hawking’s face was in the dirt, mumbling some incoherent bullshit about supernovas and their effect on the space/time continuum), I turned my eyes to the prize and the finish line that was 50 yards away.<br /><br />Palin with bullhorn in hand, shouted, <i>“Ready, Set…”</i> and then several rounds from her AK-47 set each team into motion.<br /><br />Despite the dead weight attached to me, I was bolting like lightning down the course…<br />Hawking beside me and behind me all the way, his face being bloodied by the ground as he drooled and continuously muttered, for whatever reason, <i>“Deus ex Machina!!”</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9l13vCxu-tejuunlDUwslLCvZleZwjTKckeZcPE1xaoCf9nDdFbMI3uVTqe6s3U6DVk6SBiQJHQJgPouOLFcgH7DnCNXnNVVYWDs_x4vMcbobAL1SnqTzNfvRmQPpXpMF-zPyc70LBAA/s1600/stephen-hawking+freak+wheelchair+brilliant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9l13vCxu-tejuunlDUwslLCvZleZwjTKckeZcPE1xaoCf9nDdFbMI3uVTqe6s3U6DVk6SBiQJHQJgPouOLFcgH7DnCNXnNVVYWDs_x4vMcbobAL1SnqTzNfvRmQPpXpMF-zPyc70LBAA/s400/stephen-hawking+freak+wheelchair+brilliant.jpg" width="400" /></a>O’Reilly and Beck were leading, but as we neared the finish line lagging behind those two nut jobs, they abruptly stopped in order to deeply kiss and fondle each other’s dick.<br /><br />As they engaged in their ego and cock stroking man love, I sped passed them hauling Hawking’s bouncing, crippled body beside me.<br /><br />As we crossed the finish line in triumphant fashion, I realized the brilliance of Hawking. O’Reilly and Beck’s public display of depravity had been our Deus ex Machina.<br /><br />I cut Hawking loose from me, gave him a bottle of Gatorade, and proceeded to have obligatory winner’s sex with Bristol Palin.<br /><br />Hawking? Unable to put himself into his wheelchair, he lay there calculating exactly how long it would take him to die from over-exposure to the hot summer sun. And you know what?<br /><br />That brilliant bastard predicted his sunstroke induced demise right to the nano-second, and that in itself, is pretty God Damn brilliant…and funny.<br /><br /><i>Cheers!!</i><br /><br />Matt-Man<br /><br /><a href="mailto:mattmaniws@ymail.com">mattmaniws@ymail.com</a><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/MattMan_IWS" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">@mattman_iws</span></a><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/MattMan_IWS" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">My Facebook page</span></a></div>

I Love Summer!!

Y’know? Today is the first full day of Summer, and we are gonna have some fun, in fact… The other day, a post that Jayman wrote reminded m...

Lose Up To 20 Pounds In Three Weeks With An HCG Texas Weight Loss Consultant

8:56 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Liliana Mills</div><br /><br />  <div class='uawarticle'>The HCG diet is gaining popularity in Texas as people share their success stories. The program combines hormone therapy with a calorie restricted meal plan. It allows dieters to shed weight rapidly without feeling hungry. Losses of 10 to 25 pounds are possible the first three weeks. Under the supervision of an HCG Texas weight loss consultant, the program can be followed successfully with no risk to an individual's health.<br />  <br />  The hormone known as Human Chorionic Gonadotropin or HCG is produced by women during pregnancy. It releases fat stored in deposits on the thighs, hips and abdomen so that it can be utilized as fuel. This fat mobilization ensures that the growing fetus has a constant energy supply.<br />  <br />  The British endocrinologist Dr Albert Simeons conducted experiments in the 1950s to test the use of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin as a weight loss aid. He put clinically obese male and female subjects on a very low calorie diet and gave them daily hormone injections. The results were astounding. The subjects rapidly lost excess fat without losing muscle mass. They experienced no adverse side effects and reported an unexpected absence of hunger.<br />  <br />  Today no one has to endure daily injections in order to benefit from the fat mobilizing and hunger suppressing effects of HCG. Weight loss consultants can supply their patients with the hormone in a new oral formula. Just a few drops under the tongue two or three times a daily can help the body to burn away stubborn fat deposits.<br />  <br />  For the first two days on the diet, people are encouraged to eat all they want. Once the hormone is actively releasing stored fat deposits, dieters are limited to 500 calories a day. Since the energy needed to go about ordinary daily activities is provided by excess body fat, hunger signals are inhibited and only a small amount of food is required for nutrition.<br />  <br />  In the rapid weight loss stage of the diet, lunch and dinner consist of a portion of lean beef, chicken or fish, a fruit, a vegetable and a crisp bread. The choice of foods is limited as are the cooking methods. Dishes can be made more interesting by combining allowable foods and making use of herbs, spices and seasoning. A typical dinner would be chicken salad with spinach, orange slices and croutons sprinkled with vinegar.<br />  <br />  Low calorie intake combined with a high rate of fat burning produces losses of up to thirty pounds in the first month. However, there is no danger of becoming too thin. The diet is self-limiting because HCG only suppresses hunger when the body is carrying excess fat. When the dieter reaches a normal weight, their food cravings return, even if they continue to take the hormone.<br />  <br />  <A href="http://MySlimSolution.com">HCG Texas</A> weight loss consultants guide their clients through the phases of the weight loss and weight maintenance program. After an initial consultation, they supply clients with the hormone and any nutritional supplements they may require for optimum health. They provide support, advice and motivation to ensure that dieters reach their goals.<br />  <br />  </div><br />  <div class='uawresource'><br />  	<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br />  		About the Author:<br />  	</div><br />  	<div class='uawlinks'><a href="http://MySlimSolution.com">Read more about</a> Lose Up To 20 Pounds In Three Weeks With An HCG Texas Weight Loss Consultant  visiting our website.</div><br />  </div><br />

Lose Up To 20 Pounds In Three Weeks With An HCG Texas Weight Loss Consultant

By Liliana Mills The HCG diet is gaining popularity in Texas as people share their success stories. The program combines hormone therapy...

Mani-Pedi time

7:26 PM Tukiyooo 0

We went for a manicure & pedicure this morning in Maricel Salon (formerly on White Street).  Ciaran also got his eyebrows done.  <div><br></div><div>I got a French manicure on my fingernails and a funky pale blue varnish on my nails.  Very relaxing and chilled out morning!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLR8J3TPyzFvnU9m0M-Fi7eABLQJ_fMsp1sfdhZSFRoad0_BPR_rfbZ2PM-tzPYeLI6M8M3QmPyg2EfQByeBVEhRe2TOlojySK8bJYKSDHBA-DkSEHc68r9xxPB46JfDxGylT9Qqup1OI/s640/blogger-image--1241025785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLR8J3TPyzFvnU9m0M-Fi7eABLQJ_fMsp1sfdhZSFRoad0_BPR_rfbZ2PM-tzPYeLI6M8M3QmPyg2EfQByeBVEhRe2TOlojySK8bJYKSDHBA-DkSEHc68r9xxPB46JfDxGylT9Qqup1OI/s640/blogger-image--1241025785.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8dewwAtvMm7o7ZKADgJxHGtiSclT0ET06eMR2PPBQsUy7i1gR3heg8MdmIWgUZ5w7kw62STY7PjOI4grQymu9ZssCq9YNNfHf7E0bfFMf_1PRQH9kSSYAA6DKCWGddK1tPvPj0eMOiQm/s640/blogger-image--469714260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8dewwAtvMm7o7ZKADgJxHGtiSclT0ET06eMR2PPBQsUy7i1gR3heg8MdmIWgUZ5w7kw62STY7PjOI4grQymu9ZssCq9YNNfHf7E0bfFMf_1PRQH9kSSYAA6DKCWGddK1tPvPj0eMOiQm/s640/blogger-image--469714260.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPR039RUh7ZMoBIhPbdvfhUksASo1WdCRqGwxw7lFeQHfrlX_GhhKYPuTtVruGSS6sdzu3Wltzz7eCgBoWMDlOsil9eqdYKgkVajHP3tG3GKI3CS9VkgwlNhPRign926MANgtqjLpNm6JV/s640/blogger-image-1782104883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPR039RUh7ZMoBIhPbdvfhUksASo1WdCRqGwxw7lFeQHfrlX_GhhKYPuTtVruGSS6sdzu3Wltzz7eCgBoWMDlOsil9eqdYKgkVajHP3tG3GKI3CS9VkgwlNhPRign926MANgtqjLpNm6JV/s640/blogger-image-1782104883.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KOBzagQVdi_Wkn3PQ-0m3IXHxjg0WbmTCZHk1siJ3buq-fhBEPWjQGMzLIPdYRtrE3VMDM00SsVhG1gzqewDWtVoHZBgEvZ8-0ucFR5NyPMxZuHFIL8vqgHXCDtW8jwRFp8h9ny7g3gp/s640/blogger-image--1159002563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KOBzagQVdi_Wkn3PQ-0m3IXHxjg0WbmTCZHk1siJ3buq-fhBEPWjQGMzLIPdYRtrE3VMDM00SsVhG1gzqewDWtVoHZBgEvZ8-0ucFR5NyPMxZuHFIL8vqgHXCDtW8jwRFp8h9ny7g3gp/s640/blogger-image--1159002563.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>

Mani-Pedi time

We went for a manicure & pedicure this morning in Maricel Salon (formerly on White Street). Ciaran also got his eyebrows done. I got ...

A Personal Trainer Los Angeles Recommends Tips For Burning Calories After The Holidays

6:34 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Michael Petry</div><br /><br />  <div class='uawarticle'>Most people in Los Angeles are now looking for ways to shed off the extra pounds they've gained from all the bingeing that they did throughout the holidays, from Thanksgiving, Christmas until New Year. Because summer is fast approaching and everybody is talking about going to the beach, both men and women are now looking for the very best ways to melt away the calories that they've gained.<br />  <br />  To help you get a beach worthy body, a top personal trainer Los Angeles will recommend these 3 workout tips.<br />  <br />  Keep On Burning All The Calories<br />  <br />  You might have probably stopped going to the gym for quite a while because you have been busy entertaining friends during the holiday. Well, it's time to get back on track and burn all those calories off. If you cannot find time to go to the gym, then look for physical activities that could somehow help you to burn all those calories that you've gained.<br />  <br />  If you live in a coastal area in Los Angeles, you can go jogging in the nearby beach or perhaps go swimming during the weekends. When going to work, try to walk or jog instead of taking the cab. When going up a building, take the stairs instead of the elevator. According to a personal trainer Los Angeles, doing these small activities can help to burn off the calories even if you don't go to the gym to work out.<br />  <br />  Always Eat Something Healthy<br />  <br />  So you have already enjoyed almost all types of foods during the holidays. Now that the festive season is over, it's time that you ditch all the unhealthy stuff and focus on eating healthy. It might be too tempting to binge on the leftover desserts in your fridge, but keep in mind that these foods are loaded with sugar and fat and these two are the top causes of weight gain.<br />  <br />  But of course, this does not mean that you just starve yourself. Well, definitely not, because starving will just make you to gain weight even more. The personal trainer Los Angeles would suggest that you prepare healthy meals everyday and these meals should be loaded with fruits and vegetables.<br />  <br />  Try A New Exercise Routine<br />  <br />  Some people often get bored with doing the exact same exercises repeatedly, until finally they give up working out. In order to prevent this from taking place, why not try a new workout routine? There are lots of resources on the internet that you can refer to for some guide or you can ask a personal trainer Los Angeles to train you. The fitness instructor will be able to devise new exercise plans to help you to go on with your exercises.<br />  <br />  So keep these three tips in mind if you wish to lose a few pounds and achieve a bikini worthy body come summer. The key here is discipline and of course, determination. If you just adhere strictly to a proper diet and if you follow the advice of your personal trainer Los Angeles, you'll certainly be amazed by how your body will look when summer comes.<br />  <br />  </div><br />  <div class='uawresource'><br />  	<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br />  		About the Author:<br />  	</div><br />  	<div class='uawlinks'>Getting in excellent condition with the aid of <a href="http://www.theperfectworkout.com/personal-trainer-los-angeles/">Personal Trainer Los Angeles</a> not just enhances your own physique but furthermore your health as well. The advantages that you can get from <a href="https://plus.google.com/111366947275605891071/about">Los Angeles Personal Trainer</a> are countless.</div><br />  </div><br />

A Personal Trainer Los Angeles Recommends Tips For Burning Calories After The Holidays

By Michael Petry Most people in Los Angeles are now looking for ways to shed off the extra pounds they've gained from all the bingei...

Top 5 Workouts You Can Do Outside Of The Gym With The Help Of A Personal Trainer In Newport Beach

6:33 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Jackie Johnson</div><br /><br />  <div class='uawarticle'>Exercise is a must activity for people of all ages, regardless of gender. Exercise is among the most effective ways to maintain a normal level of cholesterol, sugar, and uric acid.<br />  <br />  Newport Beach is a city blessed with a year-round of pleasant weather. It's a coastal area located at Southern California. The city boasts of its long stretch of fine beach, and it offers various aquatic activities such as surfing, swimming, and also fishing, among others.<br />  <br />  Most residents of Newport Beach belong to the higher income level, and can have the luxury to employ the services of a fitness instructor. They could even hire one that can help them workout outside the gym.<br />  <br />  The top 5 exercises that you can do outside of the gym with the help of a personal trainer in Newport Beach are the following:<br />  <br />  * Surfing<br />  <br />  The wedge located at the end of the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach is popularly known among surfers. The wedge can produce high levels of waves which is what surfers look for.<br />  <br />  A personal trainer would recommend surfing because of its numerous health benefits. It is a cardiovascular activity as it increases the heart rate level while doing the paddling motion. It is a good way of firming up and toning the upper body, especially the shoulder, arms, and upper and lower back muscles.<br />  <br />  It would also strengthen the core and leg muscles. It is a total body workout that is enjoyable, either done alone or with the company of other people. It is one of the top five exercises you can do outside of the gym with the help of a personal trainer in Newport Beach.<br />  <br />  * Swimming<br />  <br />  The long stretch of beaches at Newport Beach is very ideal for swimming. It is generally recommended for everyone, even those who are differently-abled. Swimming strengthens the whole body and it is a good aerobic exercise. It is very unlikely that you will get an injury from swimming, as it is considered a sport that is "soft" on the muscles and ligaments. It can also cure asthma. Even senior citizens can engage in a swimming activity.<br />  <br />  A personal trainer would recommend surfing because of its numerous health benefits. It is a cardiovascular activity as it increases the heart rate level while doing the paddling motion. It is a good way of firming up and toning the upper body, especially the shoulder, arms, and upper and lower back muscles.<br />  <br />  Cycling is one of the top five exercises you can do outside of the gym with the help of a personal trainer at Newport Beach. It increases your stamina and is a good workout for the lower body. A personal trainer can do long rides with you on straight roads, challenging hills, and down hills. It is good for the heart and coordination.<br />  <br />  * Tennis<br />  <br />  Another good exercise is tennis. You can either play a match with your personal trainer or perform some tennis drills that would strengthen your upper and lower body.<br />  <br />  * Yoga<br />  <br />  Newport Beach has a lot of beautiful sceneries and it is very calming to relax and do yoga stretches outdoor. Yoga elongates muscles, helps prevents injuries, and would teach you the proper technique of breathing. It is one of the top five exercises you can do outside of the gym with the help of a personal trainer in Newport Beach.<br />  <br />  Those mentioned above are the top five exercises you can do outside of the gym with the aid of a personal trainer in Newport Beach.<br />  <br />  </div><br />  <div class='uawresource'><br />  	<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br />  		About the Author:<br />  	</div><br />  	<div class='uawlinks'>Getting in excellent shape with the help of <a href="https://plus.google.com/116618666336536176190/about">Personal Trainer Newport Beach</a> not simply boosts your own physique but furthermore your well being as well. The benefits that you can receive from <a href="http://www.theperfectworkout.com/personal-trainer-newport-beach/">Personal Trainer In Newport Beach</a> are countless.</div><br />  </div><br />

Top 5 Workouts You Can Do Outside Of The Gym With The Help Of A Personal Trainer In Newport Beach

By Jackie Johnson Exercise is a must activity for people of all ages, regardless of gender. Exercise is among the most effective ways to...

A Personal Trainer San Diego County Shares A Couple Of Weight Reducing Techniques That You Can Depend On

6:32 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Jackie Johnson</div><br /><br />  <div class='uawarticle'>Lots of people are having problems losing weight. You can even ask anyone about that and they'll definitely agree on the fact that losing weight is one of the hardest things to do in this world. This is also the case in San Diego County where plenty of people are working hard just to get rid of some pounds, yet they end up a failure. But don't worry, because a personal trainer San Diego County wants to share some of the best strategies in successfully losing a few pounds.<br />  <br />  Eat Fiber In Every Meal<br />  <br />  An effective weight loss strategy is to eat at least four grams of fiber in every meal. A diet that is filled with fiber will help you to feel full after every meal, and therefore, you will not end up craving for more food at a later time.<br />  <br />  Seek Help From A Friend<br />  <br />  You sure know that you can count on your friends at all times and this includes achieving your weight loss goals as well. Your friends can help to motivate you to go on with your fitness goals especially during those times when you feel like you want to give up.<br />  <br />  You sure know that you can count on your friends at all times and this includes achieving your weight loss goals as well. Your friends can help to motivate you to go on with your fitness goals especially during those times when you feel like you want to give up.<br />  <br />  Eat Fiber In Every Meal<br />  <br />  Weigh Yourself Daily<br />  <br />  In fact, study shows that those who do not eat fiber are likely to become overweight that those who include fiber on their every meal. So if you want to speed up your weight loss, a personal trainer San Diego County strongly advises that you incorporate fiber in your every meal.<br />  <br />  Take 5,000 Steps Daily<br />  <br />  Do you know that taking a walk each day could help you to achieve your weight loss goals fast? If you walk going to your office day by day including running errands and doing household chores, you can probably achieve at least 5,000 steps and this is more than enough to help you to lose a good amount of weight. So a personal trainer San Diego County would recommend that you walk as much as you could every day of your life. If you do this, you'll be surprise at the amount of weight that you can lose after a few months' time.<br />  <br />  </div><br />  <div class='uawresource'><br />  	<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br />  		About the Author:<br />  	</div><br />  	<div class='uawlinks'>Getting in top shape with the aid of<a href="http://www.theperfectworkout.com/personal-trainer-san-diego/">San Diego County Personal Trainer</a> not only enhances your physique but likewise your health as well. The rewards that one can obtain from <a href="https://plus.google.com/108101280309758744012/about">Personal Trainer in San Diego County</a> are endless.</div><br />  </div><br />

A Personal Trainer San Diego County Shares A Couple Of Weight Reducing Techniques That You Can Depend On

By Jackie Johnson Lots of people are having problems losing weight. You can even ask anyone about that and they'll definitely agree ...

Pushing New Muscle Building Progress With 3 Easy Rules

6:22 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Russ Howe</div><br /><br />  <div class='uawarticle'>There is so much confusion online surrounding information on how to build muscle that it is no surprise most fitness enthusiasts find it difficult to get anywhere near the kind of results they want to achieve. Today we will show you how to get past this confusion and generate further results in the gym.<br />  <br />  Depending how much research you have done, you may already be aware that in order to force progress from your body you need to be very consistent in your efforts in the gym. But hitting the gym is the easy part and today we shall show you the bits which the majority of people overlook.<br />  <br />  The most ridiculous aspect of the health and fitness industry is the amount of conflicting advice out there. Particularly online, which is a virtual mix and match bag of completely different theories. This leads to so many people becoming incredibly lost with their fitness that they just have no clue where to start. In order to get consistent results it's a good idea to get the basics down first. <br />  <br />  There are three questions we are asked in the gym more than any others when it comes to building size and strength. They are as follows...<br />  <br />  * What is the optimal number of repetitions to do?<br />  <br />  * What should you eat?<br />  <br />  * How often should you train each muscle?<br />  <br />  Instead of performing rep after rep in your next workout try to get specific with your goals. If you aim for around twenty reps you will be hitting your muscular endurance zone and if you're trying to build size you aren't going to do it effectively with that way of training. Instead, aim for eight reps in most of your sets.<br />  <br />  Should you already be successfully hitting the hypertrophy zone the next step is slotting in proven techniques to increase the difficulty further. Drop sets and pyramids are just two solid examples of this.<br />  <br />  If you need some help with your diet don't worry, you are in the right place. We are going to show you the basics of a good building diet which will allow you to add size but also ensure it's not fat.<br />  <br />  Eating the right type of food will determine what type of size you add. You can't expect to get big and stay lean if you are feasting on junk foods. Remember it's not just about how many calories you consume, it's also about where those calories come from.<br />  <br />  A simple yet effective way to ensure you get the right split between protein, carbohydrate and fat is to use the 3-5-2 technique. This means 30% of your calories should come from protein sources, 50% from carbohydrate and finally 20% from fat.<br />  <br />  The most overlooked aspect of training is rest. You should try to avoid going to the gym every day, the more rest you allow your body the chance to grow. So be sure to pack in a few days of kicking back from your training. If it proves hard to resist the urge to go workout, think of a rest day as a day of growth.<br />  <br />  These are three of the most important steps teaching you how to build muscle and retain it. Each of the steps is backed up with scientific research and if you are able to incorporate them into your current routine you will notice increased results.<br />  <br />  </div><br />  <div class='uawresource'><br />  	<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br />  		About the Author:<br />  	</div><br />  	<div class='uawlinks'>Creator: Russ Howe PTI is England's most subscribed <a href="http://RussHowePTI.com">Personal Trainer</a>. Learn <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KFcTIpXe90">how to build muscle</a> with our free video walkthrough showing the five principles to a more muscular body.</div><br />  </div><br />

Pushing New Muscle Building Progress With 3 Easy Rules

By Russ Howe There is so much confusion online surrounding information on how to build muscle that it is no surprise most fitness enthus...

The Kings of Summer: This film rules!

4:27 PM Tukiyooo 0

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><i>The Kings of Summer</i> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>(2013) • <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/thekingsofsummer/" style="color: #27a9c5; text-decoration: none;">View trailer</a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Four stars. Rating: R, and rather harshly, for occasional profanity and teen drinking</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>By <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/12885694730612878577" style="color: #27a9c5; text-decoration: none;">Derrick Bang</a></b></span></b></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>            <br /><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is why I love my job.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The Kings of Summer</span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> marks an impressive feature debut for director Joran Vogt-Roberts and writer Chris Galletta, the latter with nothing more to his credit than a brief 2005 stint as a production staff member for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Late Show with David Letterman</i>. Vogt-Roberts’ résumé includes several shorts and a lot of TV series work, the latter suggesting the hilariously snarky mind set on ample display in this film.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc89O-rvb3zr5Y9Urt9U7yn2jt_AWDR57SCvkvk1_7chfWFeK5BSGLNfro_5HcVbRnVAQzYSlFLaUtZsgZnGBKLccUC7aIc3-8foP6JHIcsSIoFDM4in9Odq4SQ3IKHy7bl8V7vP4N1-8/s1600/Kings+of+Summer+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc89O-rvb3zr5Y9Urt9U7yn2jt_AWDR57SCvkvk1_7chfWFeK5BSGLNfro_5HcVbRnVAQzYSlFLaUtZsgZnGBKLccUC7aIc3-8foP6JHIcsSIoFDM4in9Odq4SQ3IKHy7bl8V7vP4N1-8/s400/Kings+of+Summer+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Having more or less completed their new home away from home, our three young<br />renegades — from left, Joe (Nick Robinson), Patrick (Gabriel Basso) and Biaggio (Moises<br />Arias) — contemplate the next challenge: putting food on the table. That'll prove far<br />more difficult than anticipated, since they've no experience with traps, lures, bare-handed<br />fishing or any other woodsian skills.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Actually, calling this picture “impressive” isn’t nearly strong enough. It’s a sure-fire audience pleaser: one of those so-called “little films” — like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Little Miss Sunshine</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Juno</i> — guaranteed to take off like a rocket, once word gets out. This year’s enthusiastic Sundance Festival audience certainly thought so, granting a nomination for the Grand Jury Prize (not won, alas).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a collaborative team, Vogt-Roberts and Galletta demonstrate a striking degree of creative synch; the latter’s dialogue sounds <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">just right</i>coming from the naturalistic ensemble cast, granting a level of verisimilitude that makes these characters feel like the folks next door.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Allowing, that is, for a left-of-center gaggle of eccentrics commonly found in films by Wes Anderson or the Coen Brothers. But I mean that in the gentlest way: However funny the lines, however warped some of the emotional behavior by sidebar adults, this is — first and foremost — an intimate coming-of-age saga.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the truest sense of the old cliché, we laugh <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with</i> our young protagonists, not at them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The contemporary setting is a smallish town in Northeast Ohio, the sort of all-American community that typifies such narratives. Best friends Joe (Nick Robinson) and Patrick (Gabriel Basso) are strongly bonded, in part, by their inability to cope with utterly impossible parents.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joe’s father, Frank (Nick Offerman), hasn’t yet recovered from his wife’s untimely death, years earlier. He has become bitter, condescending and imperious: a combination that doesn’t blend well with a teenage son’s instinctive rebelliousness. Joe’s favorite method of revenge, when sufficiently annoyed, is to summon the local law — personified by the competent Capt. Davis (Mary Lynn Rajskub) and her absolutely useless rookie companion (Thomas Middleditch) — on some trumped-up accusation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Frank responds to such hijinks the way he deals with everybody: angry sarcasm delivered by Offerman with a relentlessly straight face ... which, of course, makes every bile-fueled line that much funnier. (And they’re pretty funny to begin with.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joe’s older sister, Heather (Alison Brie), fled the tension-laced home awhile back, although she still visits. That speaks well of the young woman; her choice of male companions, however, does not. Colin (Eugene Cordero) is a misfit who’s as oblivious to social cues, as he is to the fact that Frank constantly winds him up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this case, we can hardly blame Frank; Colin’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">much</i> too easy a target. Which Heather is aware of, and Brie’s face is an amusing study in conflict: clearly annoyed by her loutish father, but equally embarrassed by her clueless boyfriend.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><a name='more'></a><br />  <div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Elsewhere, Patrick spends each waking moment smothered by nerdy, overprotective parents — Megan Mullally and Marc Evan Jackson — whose every word and action induces cringes ... both from their son, and from us. Their behavior is beyond ghastly; it’s awkwardly inappropriate to a degree that defies description. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No surprise, then, that Patrick sports an remarkable case of hives; Basso skulks from one room to the next, his body laced with tension, his face eternally set in an anticipatory wince, knowing that he’ll momentarily flinch from some new parental transgression.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The true magnitude of Joe and Patrick’s suffering can be measured by the degree to which they regard high school as a comfort zone ... because we all know how horrible <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> environment can be.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">School has an additional benefit for Joe: closer proximity to Kelly (Erin Moriarty, in a thoughtful, amiable performance), a lively, free-spirited girl he has tracked for awhile. Better yet, it appears that her current relationship might be heading south, leaving her available. Best of all, she seems to enjoy Joe’s company.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But he’s not allowed the opportunity to contemplate this situation. Stung by one too many dismissive acts by his father, Joe decides to run away from home ... albeit not in the usual way. Joe has a plan, and he wants Patrick on board; the latter resists only until <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">his</i> next parental humiliation, at which point he’s all in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joe’s grand scheme: to build a home — not a fort, not a tree-house, but an entire multi-room dwelling — in the middle of the dense, nearby woods. A place they can call their own, and where they can call their own shots, unencumbered by parental baggage. Set their own schedule. Hunt and cook their own food.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The very notion is ironic, because — as we’ve already seen, in the film’s opening moments — Joe can’t even construct a bird house.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But that’s a minor detail; enthusiasm and hard work should be sufficient compensation. (In theory.) As the actual “house” rises, it’s a mirthful blend of found materials, stolen bric-a-brac and a couple hundred bucks’ worth of stuff from Home Depot. Production designer Tyler B. Robinson obviously had a great time sorting it all out, and the result looks precisely what unskilled teens might erect.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Patrick is mildly surprised, as this ambitious project begins, to discover that they’ve been joined by a mascot of sorts: Biaggio (Moises Arias), their high school’s token “weird kid.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I’m afraid to tell him to leave,” Joe confesses, responding to Patrick’s quite reasonable question. “I don’t know what he’s capable of.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arias isn’t merely funny; he’s a revelation. The younger actor has taken everything he learned during five years on television’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hannah Montana</i>, and channeled it into the sort of career-making performance from which fat contracts are spawned. His line deliveries are impeccably timed, and — like Offerman’s Frank — Arias’ expression always is dead serious. But there’s a difference: Frank is impassively patronizing, whereas Biaggio is simply <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sincere</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He’s like a lost puppy, desperately wanting to belong; neither Patrick nor Joe could be cruel enough to cast him out. And, so, they become a trio.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although the subsequent bonding has a euphoric, “boys of summer” spirit that can’t help making all of us feel wistful about our own teenhoods, Vogt-Roberts and Galletta have more serious issues in mind. All three teens have been emotionally stunted by their home environments; however droll and never-entirely-successful this attempt at independence, they’re now in a position to help each other achieve adulthood. Of a sort.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And while Biaggio’s unexpected arrival proves cathartic in a beneficial way — his crazed and increasingly wild antics notwithstanding — the same can’t be said of Joe’s eventual decision to let Kelly in on the secret. Because everybody knows that an all-guy dynamic, particularly one this precarious, can be destroyed by the presence of a woman.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Robinson — a veteran of another tween TV series, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Melissa & Joey</i> — is spot-on as our lead protagonist: the guy who drives the action and makes his two companions believe in unspecified possibilities. Joe has no end-game in mind; a moment’s rational thought would reveal that this situation can’t possibly endure. But Robinson grants his performance a deft blend of earnestness and fatalism, and his persuasiveness leaps off the screen; we want to be there, right at his side.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Basso, with a string of credits going back six years, is equally persuasive as the best-friend follower. As a telling scene between the two fathers eventually reveals, Joe has been the instigator of numerous previous, ah, “escapades” involving both boys. This best-bud dynamic is intriguing because it’s counter-intuitive: Basso is the more imposing of the two actors, with the height and weight that ordinarily would make <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">him</i> a leader. But Patrick is a psychiatrist’s manual of insecurities — all persuasively displayed on Basso’s expressive face — and thus looks to Joe for guidance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until and unless he can find it elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although the core scenario and various character dynamics are engaging enough on their own, Galletta’s killer dialogue sweetens the pot even further. His lines are to die for, and Vogt-Roberts ensures that each is delivered to maximum potential. Your natural desire to watch this film again will help reveal some choice exchanges that’ll probably get buried the first time, because people will be laughing so hard at the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">previous</i> lines.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ryan Miller’s underscore adds a note of poignance at key moments, but I’m less enthralled by the hard rock tunes inserted by the likes of Youth Lagoon, Thin Lizzy and MGMT ... not because they’re inappropriate, but because they’re much too loud, and overwhelm the film’s mostly gentle tone. Sound mixers Ryan Putz and Marlowe Taylor could have done better.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But that’s small stuff. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Kings of Summer</i> is a revelation: equal parts shrewdly perceptive, unexpectedly poignant and continuously uproarious. That’s not easy to sustain for 93 minutes, but Vogt-Roberts and Galletta pull it off: right up to the absolutely perfect final scene.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can’t wait to see what these guys do next.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

2013 Alison Brie Erin Moriarty Four Star Films Gabriel Basso Indie Comedy Marc Evan Jackson Mary Lynn Rajskub Megan Mullally Moises Arias Nick Offerman Nick Robinson The Kings of Summer: This film rules!

The Kings of Summer (2013) • View trailer Four stars. Rating: R, and rather harshly, for occasional profanity and teen drinking By Der...