Tuesday, December 25, 2012

2012 In Review: See How Astrology Played A Part In The Major ...

By Tarot.com

2012 was an eventful year for all of us, on both a personal and a global scale. Wild weather, political uprisings and economic shakeups rattled us all, and it's only the beginning of a period of profound change. Join us as we take a look back at the key Astrology events of 2012 and how they played out.

All Year Long: The Sun Approaches Solar Maximum
2012 has seen more solar activity that usual as the Sun approaches its solar max, which is the peak of its 11-year cycle. Earth experienced more solar flares than usual, and these fiery surges are known for disrupting power grids, GPS and airplane flights worldwide. But not only do solar flares affect Earth physically, they affect each of us on a deeply personal level. The Sun is our primary influence, shaping our character and moods on a daily basis. So if you felt a bit "off" in 2012, you can blame a large part of it on the Sun's solar cycle nearing solar max!

May 20, 2012: New Moon Solar Eclipse In Gemini
The turbo-charged New Moon Solar Eclipse in Gemini on May 20 was an event so powerful that it was pointed out by the ancient Maya as a rare occasion when the Earth, Sun, Moon, and Pleiades would align to create great forces of transformation. Many claim Nostradamus also referenced this date in his Quatrains, as well. Our own master astrologers called out this "annular eclipse" (when the Moon's diameter appears just slightly smaller than the Sun, making the Sun look like a ring), as a time of information overload, when our minds would become clouded as dreamy Neptune made a stressful square to the New Moon. A strong 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck northern Italy on this day -- will there be more to come as a part of these transformational times?

June 5, 2012: Sun Conjunct Venus
It is one thing to feel the effects of Astrology, but it's quite another amazement when you can actually see it! On June 5, millions of people reached for their safety goggles to look up and watch as Venus passed between the Earth and the Sun. The love planet appeared as a small speck visible to the naked eye in this once-in-a-lifetime event, which won't happen again until 2117. This Venus-Sun conjunction was more than just great media -- it was great news for love and relationships, which were infused with new and positive energy around this time. Did you feel it?

June 24, 2012 And September 19, 2012: Uranus Square Pluto
Master astrologers have been abuzz about Uranus square Pluto, as the two planets make an epic series of seven squares from 2012 to 2015. This series of seven exact squares between Uranus, the planet of radical change, and Pluto, the planet of transformation, signals a period of great change on a personal and global scale. The first of these exact squares took place on June 24 and Sept. 19, 2012, and we'll continue to be rattled by these two planets as we move into 2013 and beyond. The effect is an environment of revolution that will eventually lead to a whole new way of life. In 2012 we got a taste of the big changes to come, including housing, insurance and bank failures, the Occupy movement, the Tea Party, concern for the environment and overall economic uncertainty. Even Hostess went bankrupt, putting the future of the Twinkie in jeopardy. Stay tuned, it's going to be wild to watch!

October 29, 2012: Full Moon In Taurus
October's powerful Full Moon in Taurus hung overhead as Hurricane Sandy bore down on the East Coast of the United States, and at the same time there was a nasty square between Mercury, which rules transportation and communication, and Neptune, which rules water. This cosmic combination strengthened "Frankestorm" into a Category 2 superstorm that was the largest Atlantic hurricane on record, causing at least $20 billion in damage and killing at least 199 people in seven countries on the path of the storm. In New York City, the streets, tunnels and subway lines were flooded, and power was lost in and around the city. One of our own astrologers, Maria DeSimone, not only forewarned of this event, but her own house and car were damaged in the storm. We are grateful she and her loved ones are OK, and she is now busy rebuilding her life. We also give her permission to say "I told you so."

November 6 - 26, 2012: Mercury Retrograde
Mischievous planet Mercury was retrograde from Election Day on Nov. 6, 2012, through Thanksgiving, finally turning direct on November 26. Mercury Retrograde messes with communication, technology and transportation, which is not ideal when it comes to counting votes and traveling home for the holidays. Mercury put a backspin on most of November, and we saw its effects on Election Day with long lines and confusion at the polls. Among the Election Day news headlines was a story about a voting machine in Pennsylvania that kept choosing "Romney" even when the "Obama" button was pushed repeatedly. Thanksgiving holiday travel was also disrupted for many, and we suspect there was many an overcooked turkey.

December 21, 2012: Sun In Capricorn, Winter Solstice -- End Of The World?!
No, December 21, 2012 is not the end of the world. It's just the end of a cycle in the Mayan calendar, but we know many people are frightened as the infamous date grows near. No longer a distant date in the theoretical future, many are anxious to know what will happen and what, if anything, we should do to prepare. Astrologer Emily Trinkhaus explains that the ending of the "Great Cycle" in the Mayan calendar does not signal the end of the world, but a new way of living in the world. This parallels the many things we've heard about Uranus square Pluto from Astrologers Rick Levine and Jeff Jawer, which mean that as we near the end of 2012, we are at a pivotal point in a shift in consciousness. The next few years will be dramatic, and could ultimately lead to a whole new way of life! Bring on 2013!

Click here to receive key dates for 2013 with your personalize 1-year Astrology forecast.

For more on astrology, click here.

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/23/horoscope-2012-in-review_n_2294750.html

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Monday, December 24, 2012

Robert Brustein: Gun Play

Scene: The teller's window of a local bank in Tombstone, Arizona. A well-dressed man walks up to the window, where the teller is counting cash, puts a gun to his forehead, and speaks:

ROBBER
I am a bank robber, and this is a holdup. Hand over your cash.

TELLER
(The Teller takes out his gun and puts it to the robber's forehead) Well, I am a police officer, and this is an arrest. Hand over your weapon.

ROBBER
You're a cop? What are you doing behind a bank window in Tombstone pretending to be a teller?

TELLER
The kids are on vacation. Usually, I"m in the school corridors, pretending to be a teacher. Your weapon, please.

ROBBER
You have no constitutional right to expropriate a privately-owned hand gun.

TELLER
I do if you bring it into a bank.

ROBBER
I am one of the 4.3 million dues-paying, card-carrying members of the National Rifle Association, which says that citizens have the right to carry weapons into all public areas.

TELLER
I thought the NRA was ONLY interested in sporting arms.

ROBBER
That's right.

TELLER
So what are you hunting in the Tombstone National Bank? Goldfish?

ROBBER
I did hear that deer were plentiful in this area.

TELLER
And that's why you're carrying a magazine-loaded semi-automatic pistol -- to hunt for game?

ROBBER
No, to defend myself against perpetrators.

TELLER
And how would you define a perpetrator?

ROBBER
Anyone who aims a gun at me. Our Chairman, Wayne LaPierre, says that the only way to prevent armed violence is for the good guys to shoot the bad guys.

TELLER
Yeah, but if both have guns in their hands, how can you tell the difference? Why don't you lower your weapon, and I'll put down mine and then we can discuss this issue like rational gun owners.

ROBBER
Okay.

(Carefully, they lay their weapons down on the counter)

ROBBER
I am glad you are beginning to show some respect for my sacred Second Amendment rights.

TELLER
The Constitution doesn't give you a sacred right to rob banks.

ROBBER
Maybe not, but it guarantees me the sacred right of self-protection.

TELLER
Where does it guarantee you that?

ROBBER
(Reciting by rote) "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

TELLER
You've completely misunderstood that clause.

ROBBER
(Startled) What do you mean?

TELLER
It's a misprint. At this very moment the Supreme Court is considering a case arguing that the Second Amendment has nothing to do with weaponry.

ROBBER
(Incredulous) "The right to bear arms?"

TELLER
There's the misprint. The Second Amendment doesn't guarantee a right to "bear" arms, allowing men to carry weapons, but rather a right to "bare" arms," allowing women to walk abroad freely in short sleeve jerseys.

ROBBER
You're saying it's not about shooters... ?

TELLER
It's about hooters.

ROBBER
You're kidding me. What does a well-regulated militia have to do with exposing female flesh?

TELLER
How else can a militia be well-regulated?

ROBBER
Well, until the Supreme Court decides on this case, it is still legal for me to carry my gun in self-defense.

TELLER
Not if it results in the death of innocent civilians from people with psychiatric disorders.

ROBBER
You think I'm a psycho?

TELLER
How would I know?

ROBBER
Then you should arrest my mother. She was the one that let me play video games as a kid.

TELLER
Video games don't kill people. Guns kill people.

ROBBER
No, people kill guns. Read Wayne LaPierre.

TELLER
What are you talking about?

ROBBER
Our Chairman, Wayne LaPierre, says that you Liberal pussies are trying to abolish guns in this country.

TELLER
Yes, because guns kill people.

ROBBER
No, people kill people. The state of Arizona, which has twenty percent more automatic weapons per capita than anywhere else in the world, has 6.3 percent fewer murders.

TELLER
Actually, it has 6.3 percent more murders.

ROBBER
Where did you get that?

TELLER
Police records.

ROBBER
Liberal propaganda.

TELLER
Look, we can't stand here arguing this with pistols pointed at each others' brains. Why don't we holster our weapons, and discuss this issue over a beer?

ROBBER
Okay with me, so long as you don't try to arrest me. Otherwise, I'll be obliged to exercise my Constitutional rights and shoot you.

TELLER
Well, you haven't committed a crime yet, only attempted one, and I'm the only witness. So let's go to our local bar and look for some bare arms.

ROBBER
Great. What's this place called?

TELLER
The O.K. Corral.

ROBBER
(Enthusiastic) Okay!!!


(They shake)

BLACKOUT

?

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-brustein/gun-play_1_b_2360137.html

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Sunday, December 23, 2012

Top tech flops of 2012 tainted a good year for gadgets

1 hr.

A lot of good things happened in tech this year.?The iPhone 5 premiered with 4G and a feather-light design. Google released its Nexus 7 tablet to go head-to-head with the Amazon Kindle Fire, and equipped it with Jelly Bean.?Samsung delivered a powerful one-two punch with the Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note II. And we saw a fair number of Ultrabooks that gave the MacBook Air?a run for its money.

But where there?s good, there?s bad. And there were plenty of major tech?fails this year. These awards go to the eight biggest.

Wrong-Way Award: Apple Maps
With all the anticipation surrounding iOS 6, many didn?t think twice about giving up Google Maps for Apple?s new Maps app. But once users switched over, the complaints and outcries that the iOS app was far inferior to Google Maps mushroomed. The app was riddled with errors ? including wrong addresses and warped-looking landmarks in the Flyover view ? while it lacked integrated mass-transit directions.

Apple eventually apologized for the Maps gaffe, and even recommended alternatives. CEO?Tim Cook probably put it best, saying, "We screwed up."

More:?7 Things Apple Must Do in 2013

False Start Award: Windows 8
After Microsoft?released a preview of the highly anticipated Windows 8, users were dismayed to find that, although the new system's classic "desktop" was practically identical to the Windows 7 interface, it lacked a Start menu. Microsoft had substituted the menu with a shortcut to the Start screen, which meant users are forced to leave the desktop just to launch an app that takes them right back to the desktop.

Talk about frustrating. The good news is that a number of third parties have stepped up to the plate with alternatives, including Stardock's Start8 and Samsung's S Launcher utility.

More:?8 Windows 8 Annoyances and How to Fix Them

Worst Sales Pitch: Dell?s ?Daily Deals?
During Laptop's annual Tech Support Showdown, we made three calls to Dell's?tech support line and got more than we bargained for. During the calls, Dell pushed premium warranties on us, saying we had won a daily drawing that would allow us to buy a $500 four-year extended warranty for just $317. Lucky us ? we were chosen to spend even more money on something we didn?t need! When we resisted, the representative rushed us through the call, barely attempting to answer our question, but routinely haranguing us to buy the warranty, because otherwise the next caller would get our "prize."

According to Dell, using "drawings" as a sales tactic is against company policy. However, aggressively pushing extended warranties and hardware purchases is not, as we experienced on two other calls where support reps seemed more interested in making a commission than solving our problems.

More:?Tech Support Showdown 2012

IP-(Uh)-O Award: Facebook
Although Facebook?s IPO initially set a record for technology companies by raising more than $16 billion, it quickly became the decade?s worst initial public offering. When the social networking giant went public in May, its initial offering price was set at $38, while the company was valued at $104 billion. However, a little more than two weeks later, Facebook shares had dropped dramatically to $26.90 per share.

As it turns out, Facebook?s inability to monetize mobile traffic has caused a lot of concern among investors.?Although the stock has rebounded from a recent slide, the share is still way off the debut price.

More:?26 Ultimate Facebook Tips

Biggest Rip-Off Award: Shared Data Plans
In June, Verizon unveiled its new Share Everything plans, which allow customers to pay a flat fee for each device, plus a single charge for shared monthly data, which ranges from 1GB to 10GB. The plan includes unlimited voice minutes and text messages and makes you pay for them, whether you need them or not. As a result, a 2GB data plan costs $100 on the new plan while 2GB with a limited number of minutes and texts cost $70 on the old plan.

AT&T followed suit with similar Mobile Share plans. However, neither of these shared-plan options lets you opt for limited voice minutes or data. Plus, you still need to pay an additional monthly fee as you add devices, whether it?s a tablet?($15 for AT&T, $10 on Verizon Wireless) or mobile hotspot ($50 for AT&T, $20 for Verizon Wireless). At least AT&T kept its individual plans for those who don?t want to go the shared route.

More:?Top 10 Smartphones

Broken Promises Award: BlackBerry?10
BlackBerry 10 has become somewhat of a punchline in the tech industry, with the release of Research?In?Motion?s new mobile?OS continually delayed at a time when the straggling smartphone-maker should be trying anything to keep up with its Android and iPhone?competitors. After a brief demonstration of BlackBerry 10 at BlackBerry World in May, RIM pushed back the operating system?s release until Q1 of 2013, and soon after slashed 5,000 jobs.

Although there are some features in BB10 that look promising, many BlackBerry loyalists have already jumped ship. We'll find out in January if RIM has a shot at a better 2013.

More:?BlackBerry 10 Video Preview

Bait-and-Switch Award: Microsoft Surface
When commercials for the Microsoft?Surface started airing, viewers were enthralled by the device's Touch Cover. It came in fun, eye-catching colors and magnetically snapped onto the device for an easy typing experience.

One would assume that if Microsoft was putting the Touch Cover into its Surface commercials, it would come with the Surface, right? Wrong. Turns out the Touch Cover is a separate purchase, and shoppers would have to invest an additional $119 for the accessory ($100 if you buy it with the black one).

More:?Top 10 Windows 8 Tablet-Laptop Hybrids

Bad Idea Award: Google Nexus Q
Nexus Q could have easily made our list of most overpriced gadgets of all-time ... if it had actually come out. First shown and given to attendees at Google I/O 2012, the Nexus Q is a set-top box in the shape of an orb that streams music and movies to your home theater from Google Play ??and Google Play only.

While a $49 Roku box, a $99 Apple TV or a $99 Google TV box offers a variety of content services, even apps, the $299 Nexus Q didn't even have Netflix. Once you got over its unique design, the Nexus Q's main feature was allowing multiple users to add to the same playlist, something that was sure to create plenty of arguments among family members with different tastes. To Google's credit, the company quickly realized it had a dud on its hands, stopped accepting new orders and gave free units to anyone who had preordered.

More:?The 15 Most Overpriced Gadgets of All Time

More from Laptop:?


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  • Gadgets ,
  • failure ,
  • tech ,
  • laptop-magazine ,
  • apple-iphone ,
  • windows-8 ,
  • dell ,
  • facebook-changes ,
  • data-plans ,
  • blackberry ,
  • google-hangout ,
  • Google

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/gadgetbox/top-tech-flops-2012-tainted-good-year-gadgets-1C7657745

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Film Threat - The Road To The End

When I was a kid, I wanted to be Indiana Jones. I acted out scenes from the first two films in my backyard with friends, and generally had lots of fun in Indiana Jones world. I never thought to film it, but some did, and those adventurous filmmakers are now older, and have a book written about their experience. My point in saying that is, even though it would be easy to dismiss a fan film made by children or young adults as simply just Pretend Time on Camera, that doesn?t necessarily mean it?s a bad thing. Every filmmaker has to start somewhere, and to be a filmmaker you must make films to perfect your craft and learn more.

Which brings us to Jason Wright?s short Lord of the Rings fan film, The Road to the End. In it, Wright, as Frodo, travels along with Gollum (Brian Wright) in his quest to rid Middle-earth of the One Ring and the evils of Sauron. While it takes some artistic license (where?s Sam?), the fan film seeks to shed a bit more light on how Frodo comes to understand Gollum?s plight, and sympathize, with someone whose life may be a sign of Frodo?s fate, should he never part with the One Ring. It?s a noble idea.

In practice, though, it is much like the criticisms lodged at Jackson?s own work, with some fan film-specific ones thrown in. The narrative is predominantly just Frodo and Gollum walking around. They may have a moment here or there of conflict, but there?s no real tale in there, beyond what we already know of the grander story. Because of the narrative?s lack of arc or conflict, it begins to feel repetitious and long, without focus.

Other criticisms are technical ones that are obvious, and born of both the filmmaker?s youthful nature and potential lack of resources. Gollum, for instance, was never going to be a motion-captured creation anywhere near what Peter Jackson came up with, but he could?ve been more than just a kid in a grey shirt and black shorts and sneakers, running around on all fours. Maybe some make-up? It?d probably be easier to accept Gollum?s lack of art direction in costuming if Frodo?s wasn?t so well done. Save the flip-flops on his feet, costume-wise, Frodo looks every bit the hobbit we?ve seen in other incarnations of the character.

Now, having said all that, the film has a number of strengths. The edit is extremely well-done; if it feels long, it?s not the pacing so much as it is the story. Additionally, despite the limited resources concerning the camera utilized, it is shot with a brilliant eye for composition. In other words, the film shows a true talent for filmmaking, shot composition and editing, including on the audio side of things.

Because, honestly, this isn?t that far off from being something truly strong; take off the flip-flops, and maybe wear a wig or let the hair grow out, and you?ve solved the criticisms of Frodo. Come up with a way to make Gollum look less like a kid in regular clothes, and that one?s taken care of too (the performance, outside the look, is great). Then you?re left with finding a story, which is no doubt the more difficult one to tackle, but also the most important. Sometimes that?s just a case of time or, worst case scenario, finding someone else who can write a great tale.

The Road to the End was shot in 2003, hence the young look of those involved (considering they?re all out of high school now), and I?m very impressed with the filmmaking involved. The talent was there, the skills were getting there; if this is what Wright was capable of making as a kid, I?m curious as to what he?s making now, nine years later.

This film was submitted for review through our Submission for Review system. If you have a film you?d like us to see, and we aren?t already looking into it on our own, you too can utilize this service.

Posted on December 22, 2012 in Reviews by Mark Bell



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Source: http://www.filmthreat.com/reviews/59159/

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Video: Storm great for slopes, not for traffic

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NRA links violent media to mass shootings, but researchers are skeptical (Washington Post)

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Mauritius economy seen growing faster in 2013

PORT LOUIS (Reuters) - Mauritius' economy should expand at a faster pace in 2013 helped by growth in manufacturing and financial services, though its progress will remain heavily dependent on events in Europe, its statistics office said.

Gross domestic product should rise 3.7 percent, up from expected growth of 3.3 percent in 2012, Statistics Mauritius said on Friday.

The Indian Ocean island, which markets itself as a bridge between Africa and Asia, is shifting an economy traditionally focused on sugar, textiles and tourism towards offshore banking, business outsourcing, luxury real estate and medical tourism.

The GDP forecast for 2012 - raised from a previous 3.2 percent - matches the central bank's view but is a touch lower than Finance Minister Xavier Duval's projection of 3.4 percent.

Last month Duval forecast growth of 4 percent next year.

The statistics office said its 2013 forecast did not take into account possible economic deterioration in Mauritius' main export market, the European Union.

But it said a recovery in that market coupled with full implementation of local budget measures, especially in public infrastructure, would result in growth of 3.9 percent in 2013.

The statistics office said the unemployment rate was stable at 7.9 percent in the third quarter compared to a year ago but was down from 8.2 percent in the previous quarter of 2012.

Earlier in the day, the office said the trade deficit narrowed 0.9 percent to 8.02 billion rupees in October from a year ago on higher exports.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/mauritius-trade-deficit-narrows-0-9-pct-october-073142485--business.html

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