On Set of The Bridge with Aaron Douglas

The Bridge - Aaron Douglas August 13, 2009 Full Photo Set (7 photos) The Bridge is a new series coming to CTV that looks at the inner working of the police force. Inspired by the insights of former Toronto police union head Craig Bromell, the new CTV series stars Aaron Douglas (of Battlestar Galactica). The series debuted Friday, March 5 at 9:00pm on CTV with a special two-hour premiere, before moving to its regular slot on Friday at 10:00pm starting March 12. I had the opportunity to be on set during the filming of the final episode of the first season, capturing Aaron Douglas (as Frank Leo) and Michael Murphy (as Ed Wycoff) in action. I'll be watching the series and I'm looking forward to watching the two scenes in the last epside in which I'm standing off-ca...

View original story : world+first Feed : PETE NEMA

On The Road: IO Play, Playfully Hands Free

We’re nearing the end of our tour de force of ultimate road tripping accessories, but never fear, we still have a couple goodies up our sleeve for you. Hopefully you’ve been inspired in some way, whether it’s to get out and ride a bike, or to have another drink because hey, you’re on vacation, with the security of knowing if you’re okay to drive. We hope you’ve got plans to enjoy your spring break to the fullest. Earlier we looked at a signal booster, which requires you to utilize a hands-free method of using your phone. Never ones to leave you hanging for too long, today we’ve got the ultimate hands-free solution for you! Soundgate’s IO Play is an elegant solution for utilizing your iPhone (or Zune, Blackberry or any other bluetooth media player) to its max. In a nutshell this is an after-market audio controller that allows your PDA to connect to your stereo system via bluetooth. This allows you to make hands-free calls, and stream music through your car speakers. When you order one you’ll be asked the make of your car and the harness that gets shipped to you will be specific to your car, making installation is as simple as possible. Now, anytime it’s necessary to remove a car stereo to install something, there’s a certain amount of skill and knowledge required, and if you have a good handle on those you’ll probably do fine installing this yourself. There’s no shame in going to a professional in order to have everything hooked up properly. The IO Play will auto-connect and store up to five different devices for you. We tested ours out with two different iPhones and a Blackberry, and didn’t have any trouble connecting with any of the different devices. Both of the iPhones used are equipped with OS 3.1, so we were able to stream music over bluetooth, if you’re using an older OS you’ll need to use the available dongle. The beautiful part of the IO Play isn’t just that you can stream music from your phone to your car, but that you can seamlessly switch from your car stereo to your MP3s, to a phone call with the press of a button. You can even keep your GPS hooked up, and it will not interfere with the functionality of the IO Play. However you will lose voice commands from your GPS while you’re on a call. The unit head is not intrusive, and has only four buttons to deal with. The controls are smooth, and for the most part function quite well. There were a few times when we were trying to switch from a call to the MP3 that we had a little trouble getting the skip forward function to work right. For the most part it seemed to be fairly isolated, and could have been due to the fact that one of our writers abuses her phone, but we’re not pointing fingers or looking to lay blame here. The sound quality was perfectly acceptable, though those people who have premium audio systems need to be aware that the IO Play does have it’s own amp, which is comparable to a factory stereo, and that’s the performance you’ll get while you’re using the IO to stream music or to make calls. Your own system amp will still be the primary amp for functions like using the radio, CD player, or hardwired MP3 player. The IO Play has an MSRP of $279.95, but is available directly from Sound Gate or online from retailers like Amazon for under $200.

View original story : world+first Feed : TrulyObscure

Weekly Wrap Up: Kiss Me, I’m (Not Really) Irish

St.Patrick's Day week has officially begun its course, and I am looking forward to it (since I just discovered everyone celebrates before, after and during the holiday). Even though I do not have a lick of Irish in me, you better believe I am sporting my neon green wig and the rest of my green ensemble. From now through the end of March. And since everyone is sure to be consuming lots of green beer this weekend, it's good to know that we'll all be better off for it.

View original story : world+first Feed : College Candy

The White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars This documentary film follows the Whites Stripes, Jack and Meg White, as they tour Canada. They played the usual venues and also challenged themselves by playing in buses, bowling alleys and cafés. I've never liked concert films so I wasn't really looking forward to this one. They are always boring to me. I also [...]

View original story : world+first Feed : The Reviewer

Springtime…for Chuckster…and Limey

In two days, I shall depart for Florida to join roving SnSer Chuck for some springtime fun (NTTAWWT). I have never managed to get to Spring Training before, but everyone tells me it’s a blast and so I’m really looking forward to going. The mundane detail of the trip is that we’re attending two road [...]

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Marcus Timson & FESPA support the Howard's Way Walk in aid of pancreatic cancer research

FESPA’s Sales & Marketing Director, Marcus Timson will be joining a group of hardy event industry professionals on the annual Howard’s Way Walk - a charity walk established by the late Howard Kerr (a much loved event professional) to fund research into the treatment of pancreatic cancer. This year’s walk which takes place 30th April - 3 May, takes the group 100 miles in 3.5 days walking time across the South Downs between Winchester and Eastbourne, in the south of England. "This charity event is a superb fundraising event into a type of cancer that has a high mortality rate and suffers from under-funding in terms of research. I am delighted FESPA is supporting me on this walk and look forward to raising funds that will be invested into research into positively treating this disease. I am not however looking forward to the inevitable blisters and sore knees. I shall be trying my best to do some training, but doubt I will be as well prepared as some of the others. I am determined however to complete the walk whilst smiling occasionally!" Anyone who would like to take pity on Marcus and contribute to helping him to raise money to meet his target should go to the Just Giving page. For more information, go to www.howardswaywalk.co.uk To donate funds, go to http://www.justgiving.com/hww-2010

View original story : world+first Feed : Industry News

Redneck Realtors on the Loose-Someone Help them PLEEZE!

This is a blog from about 6 months ago but based on what I saw today whilst showing..it's completely relevant. You might want to get a mirror and check this out for yourself! Like it or not we are called upon to portray to the world, our professionalism. That extends to your hair!! This may sound trite, but as I look through some of the profiles of my colleagues on this and other sites, it seems we may have a problem!! We're stuck in the 70's and 80's with our hair and make up ladies! And guys..this can run for you too. Here in the south where mullets are an acceptable banner of adulthood still...well it just doesn't work when you're trying to prove to your clients that you're a forward thinking and progressive REALTOR who can get the job done! And you have hair and makeup that looks like Tammy Faye! I know this sounds trite and is meant to garner a chuckle but really and seriously, take a look in the mirror...cause you might be a redneck Realtor if your hair looks like any of these! Oh the banner of manhood..and (cringe) really popular still with some WOMEN.. Folks the only one who is still allowed to wear a mullett is Jeff Foxworthy. And he does it only because of who he is...this is so....Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink...and by no means pretty..if you have this you might be a Redneck Realtor! Ok I'm a child of the 80's too and I once was accused of having semi-Big Hair! If you're Hair Looks like any of these you might be a Redneck REALTOR if your hair looks like this and you've preened about it lately! This one gives the MALL CLAW new meaning..anyone see Something about Mary??? LOL AHHHHH Beware the MALL CLAW all ye REALTORS!! Is it me or does she need to go to the and get her nails trimmed too?? Ok this is a big one ladies..I"ve seen this hair more than once recently If you still have this hair and awful makeup..You're definitely a REDNECK REALTOR! And PLEASE don't go to Glamour Shots for your business card photo!!! Unfortunately I"ve seen some of this on AR. I know you have too! This one is going to hit home for some of you. It's great when you're 18..not 48... If it's below your bra line..cut it off...yeah sounds harsh and I know you love it..you'll love it more when you lose 10 years off your face because you've cut your too long, young girl hair. And lastly..guys..oh jeez....the guy with the grey hair really bugs me...Just please make sure you're not a REDNECK REALTOR looking like this still. It's a touchy subject but someone's got to say it..and hey I'm a HILLBILLY REALTOR so there!!!! LOL

View original story : world+first Feed : Holly's Blog

Regulatory Reform, the Chris Dodd Edition.

As promised, Sen. Chris Dodd introduced financial reform legislation today with the aim of putting it through his Senate Banking committee on starting next Monday. His solo appearance in the Senate press gallery was eerily reminiscent of Max Baucus' one-man introduction of the Senate Finance Comittee's health-care reform bill, but Dodd is clearly more willing to move the process forward when he senses negotiations are fruitless. "We have a sense of urgency," Dodd said. "We do need to act." You can read a summary of the bill here [PDF], and see the legislative language here [PDF]. While the bill does not differ too much from what was leaked beforehand, here are a few notes: Still Looking for R's... . The bill still reflects the bipartisan negotiations with Sen. Bob Corker that Dodd abandoned last week, including a compromise that puts a consumer financial protection bureau inside the Federal Reserve, even though no Republicans support the bill. Dodd still hopes for support from across the aisle, if only because senators like Mark Warner and Evan Bayh are leery of voting for the bill without GOP cover. He said as much when pressed on why consumer protection would be housed at the Fed, even as he promised that the Fed would supposedly have no authority over consumer protection, telling reporters "the problem was in terms of votes." Dodd also mentioned his willingness to include a derivatives compromise being negotiated by Sens. Jack Reed and Judd Gregg even though his original ideas, still visible in this draft, were stronger than what the House passed. There's also the possibility that he could pick up Republicans outside of committee when the bill moves to the floor. ...but the devil is still in the details. At first glance, the proposal to put consumer financial protection in the Federal Reserve seems terrible. But looking at the actual legislative language, there is some hope of independence. It seems that the presidentially appointed director of the bureau would have final say over its budget, and the standard needed for other regulators to overrule consumer regulation is extremely high -- basically, systemic risk to the banking system. It also seems at first glance to allow states much more authority in enforcing their own consumer-protection laws and those of the federal government, which is a major improvement over the House bill. Here comes Obama. The president issued a statement on the legislation after Dodd's announcement. Though he tacitly accepts housing consumer financial protection in the Fed, the statement also marks some of the administration's first public line-drawing on the issue. I will not accept attempts to undermine the independence of the consumer protection agency, or to exclude from its purview banks, credit-card companies, or nonbank firms such as debt collectors, credit bureaus, payday lenders or auto dealers. ... I will oppose any loopholes that could harm consumers or investors, or that allow institutions to avoid oversight that is important to financial stability.Excluding payday lenders, for instance, may very well mean that Obama has given up on getting Corker to vote for the bill. There's a lot more to go through in this bill (1,336 pages!). I'll have more updates later today, including a response from the reform community. With only about 60 legislative working days left in this Congress to pass this bill, it's a race to the wire now. -- Tim Fernholz

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Motorola backflip: The best flip phone

If you are looking forward to purchase as truly amazing mobile phone, then it would be great to trust on a Motorola back flip. This is the HSPA 7.2 capable phone. It has been equipped with reverse flip design that makes it look really cool. The most interesting part of this phone is its reverse [...] Related posts: Motorola ZN5 – The perfect imaging phone Motorola has introduced an amazing mobile communication device that provides... Motorola A1800 A Touchy Phone Motorola’s New stylish phone is coming with stylus it is... Motorola motocubo A45: A must have mobile phone The Motorola motocubo A45 is simply outstanding. It supports 2G...

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Bucks Fans Bring the Student Section to the NBA

The Bucks are the hottest team in the league, winning 10 of their last 11 games and looking like an increasingly tough matchup in the playoffs. What's making them so tough? The answer is a lot of things, of course, but one of them is a rowdy section of 100 seats at the Bradley Center called "Squad 6" that's sponsored by Andrew Bogut. Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times has the details: Like Bogut, Squad 6 is enjoying a banner season. They have brought a renewed sense of energy to the BC with their array of creative and hilarious chants. Sounds great! I can't wait to hear some of the specific zings: When Miami Heat superstar Dwyane Wade went to free throw line, Squad 6 started chanting, "Novak's better.'' It was a good-natured dig at Wade's former teammate at Marquette University, Steve Novak. [...] There was also a game when Minnesota Timberwolvers forward Kevin Love went to line, prompting Squad 6 to sing "Love stinks.'' [...] The former Bucks and current Cleveland Cavaliers guard [Mo Williams] was the subject of a "Shave your shoulders'' chant from Squad 6. [...] Many in Squad 6 haven't forgotten [Joakim] Noah's dissing of the Bucks and greeted the pony-tailed Noah with a stinging rendition of "Dude looks like a lady.'' Truly, Squad 6 is carrying on the long tradition of student sections making goofy puns and cultural references. What's great about Squad 6 isn't so much their specific jokes -- which are pretty basic, honestly -- but the fact that they're bringing excitement to a typically staid NBA arena. The positive effect for the Bucks isn't that they're cracking wise at Joakim Noah, but that they're setting a rambunctious tone for other fans in the arena. They make everyone else louder. It's only a matter of time before everyone's hanging out in the parking lot playing Flip Cup with kegs of the Beast.

View original story : world+first Feed : The Baseline