Monday, July 9, 2007
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Sunday, June 3, 2007
7 World Trade Center opens; 1st rebuilt skyscraper since Sept. 11
By AMY WESTFELDT Associated Press Writer NEW YORK (AP) -- The first destroyed skyscraper to be rebuilt since Sept. 11 opened Tuesday, with few tenants but state-of-the-art features that developers say will be part of all the new office towers to rise at the World Trade Center site. Developer Larry Silverstein officially opened the 52-story 7 World Trade Center for business by unveiling a bright red sculpture called "Balloon Flower" outside his building and hosting a concert featuring Lou Reed and Suzanne Vega. "We've come a very long way," said Silverstein, who built the first 7 World Trade nearly 20 years ago and has struggled to rebuild destroyed office space at the 16-acre site for more than four years. "What you're looking at today is just the beginning." The building was the third to collapse on Sept. 11, 2001, after the twin towers. Like the trade center, it is owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and leased by Silverstein. The shimmering glass tower was redesigned by David Childs, the same architect who designed the 1,776-foot Freedom Tower, intended as the symbolic replacement to the trade center. Silverstein, in an elaborate renegotiation of his 99-year lease to the towers, agreed last month to shift control of the Freedom Tower and another building to the Port Authority, while retaining control of three other buildings at ground zero. Including 7, the trade center site lost well over 10 million square feet of office space on Sept. 11. But new tenants haven't been clamoring to return. Silverstein has rented less than a fifth of 7 World Trade's 1.7 million square feet. He moved in his development company's offices this week, while three architects who are designing the towers planned for ground zero will set up shop on another floor. Ameriprise Financial Inc., a spinoff of American Express, and the New York Academy of Sciences plan to move in by fall. A Chinese developer, Beijing Vantone Real Estate Co. Ltd., signed a tentative agreement to rent the top five floors. Officials said Tuesday's opening is a sign of downtown's resurgence. "It's going to be filled and it's going to be filled soon," said Kenneth Ringler, the Port Authority's executive director. Following recommendations to make high-rises safer and sturdier after the terrorist attacks, the skyscraper adheres to "a set of standards unique to any high-rise office building in America," Silverstein said. The building is narrower and lets in more sunlight than its original version. An artist installed a glass screen in the lobby with oversized, moving text that tells New York stories. It is the first commercial tower in New York to be certified as green because it uses less electricity and high-efficiency cooling and heating systems. And it has adopted newer safety standards, with wider stairwells and 2-foot-thick concrete walls. Residents gathered on benches around the new sculpture, by artist Jeff Koons, and said they were more than ready for progress. "We're just slowly waiting," said Sabrina Raza-Wiese, 38, who sat on a bench with her two young children. "It's going to be a long time."
Myleene Klass is a Proud Pinoy
The 28-year-old host said, "If there's one thing I want to tell the Filipinos in Manila, it's that I am waving our flag here and I'm happy and honored to be doing so."
Myleene Angela Klass is a former member of the UK pop group Hear'Say. Born in Gorleston, Norfolk on April 6, 1978 to a Filipino mother and an Austrian father, Klass comes from six generations of classical musicians, thus, the decorated career from doing back up vocals for K.D. Lang, Cliff Richard and Robbie Williams to West End's "Miss Saigon" and the 2001 the ITV1 show "Popstars," a reality show that paved the way for two things:
The group Hear'Say and mainstream celebrity fame for Klass who finds herself out of the back-up line and into the front with co-members Kym Marsh, Suzanne Shaw, Danny Foster and Noel Sullivan. For a slot at the British pop five, Klass had to beat 4,000 others who auditioned for the show.
Hear'Say went on to achieve two No.1 singles, a No.3 single and a #6 single in the British charts before the group disbanded in 2002.
Klass then moved on to "Moving On," her solo CD released a year after the Hear'Say break-up in 2003. Like her album title, Klass did pass the acid test of going solo with raved reworked versions of Fauré's "Pavane," Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" and Satie's "Gymnopedie No.2."
Also in the album are cuts from the movies "Gladiator" ("Now We Are Free") and the theme from "The Piano." Not leaving pop far behind, Klass did versions of Linkin Park's "Crawling" and Daniel Bedingfield's "If You're Not The One."
"Moving On" carved success when it achieved Gold six months after release and since reached Double Platinum.
However, pay-off for her hard work did not come with an easy price. Klass worked her way to become the top of her class during her school days. She also learned piano by four and harp by 12. Whilst at school, she received an A grade in A-level music, and became a Norfolk County scholar.
Klass said she has been to Manila when she was about seven years old and back again when she was 11. The last time she's here though was when she was 15. "I miss being in the Philippines. I miss the people, the beach and the food there!"
Currently based in London and expecting a baby boy in August, Klass almost palpably described her favorite Filipino dishes like Lechon and Adobo and would like to try Halo-halo again soon. "If we can arrange a segment in ‘The Screening Room' about the Filipino film industry then maybe I can travel back there," Klass hoped.
CNN'S CALLS SHOTS
In "The Screening Room," Klass country-hops on location of movies-in-the-making, interviews the people in front and behind the camera, covers world film events, and presents thought-provoking insights on one of the biggest industry in the world. All that, aside from hosting the monthly show which airs every third Saturday of the month (today, May 26 at 1:30, 3:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.).
The show premiered only last month and Klass confessed to a ton of work she and the people behind the show so painstakingly works for in order to achieve an all-angle exploring monthly movie program. "Even if the show only airs once a month, the work itself takes a lot more than what it looks on TV. We still work for each show for almost an entire month to get the segments done. I work for three to four days a week for the show but it's a fun job! It's an opportunity I would be crazy not to accept. My days are filled with premieres, interviews and filming we are doing for the upcoming programs, to give you an exclusive insight from the other side of the camera."
Klass said in her CNN blog, "From the moment I landed the job presenting this show, my feet haven't touched the ground; and I mean that literally! All the travel that's been involved has been so exciting. I've visited Africa before, so it was fascinating to discover how the film industry there has been affected by the success of movies like ‘The Last King of Scotland' and ‘Blood Diamond,' I've been in France looking at advancements in animation there, and I've hit the red carpet for some top premieres."
What makes "The Screening Room" easier for Klass despite the jostling schedule is the fact that she is a big fan of motion pictures. "I'm a huge movie fan! The show gives me that privilege of not only enjoying the movies as they are but get deeper into how they're done. I'm very much fascinated being privy to how people behind the scenes make it work, how actors become their characters and how directors' minds work."
For "The Screening Room's" pilot, Klass related a clash and co-existence of Hollywood pop movies and independent productions. When told that Manila has its own version of Hollywood versus Indie productions going on, Klass was happy to take note of it. "My mother has told me of movies during the 70s in the Philippines and it would be such an interesting sidelight to feature what's happening there today. I would definitely go for that given the opportunity."
Klass also found the fascinating CGI secrets of "300." She told of the movie, "I got to meet up with the people behind the new blockbuster "300." It was fascinating -- I'm so intrigued by the CGI process. As an actor in front of a blue screen, the concentration and added effort that's involved is so impressive, and to learn about the degree people go to when making these kinds of movies is extraordinary. I've never been to a press screening at 7 a.m. before, so to watch "300" before breakfast, with decapitated heads rolling towards me, was actually quite exciting!"
In its latest episode "The Screening Room," Klass will celebrate Cannes Film Festival's 60th anniversary and goes in-depth with Johnny Depp. The show is also loaded with Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Matt Damon at the premiere of "Ocean's 13;" Angelina Jolie launching her new film "A Mighty Heart," Michael Moore's new documentary "Sicko," Jude Law, and Natalie Portman.
Hollywood top directors Roman Polanski, Stephen Frears, Ken Loach, Wim Wenders and Wong Kar Wei are also featured in "The Screening Room's" second episode.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
The country’s largest business organization lauded yesterday President Arroyo and her economic team for the strong first quarter economic performance saying they are optimistic the growth will continue until the end of the year.
“This track ensures that the economy is in for a more stable and stronger growth in the next six months, providing the means to achieve the elusive seven percent growth in the gross national product (GNP) that Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) is advocating for,” PCCI president Samie Lim said.
According to Lim, the good performance was due to the strong ties between the public and the private sector.
“This leap forward has been noted as the highest in the country in the last 17 years and we are ahead of the rest of ASEAN with the exception of Vietnam. The President, her economic team and the private sector really delivered in rallying investors’ interest and confidence on the economy,” Lim added.
Lim likewise said the 2007 mid-term elections was one of the driving forces of the economy. “While we note the big contribution of these sectors to the strong performance of the economy, we note for a fact that the election spending across the country has helped trigger this strong growth,” Lim explained.
The 6.9 percent GDP growth rate has been attributed to the intensification of activities in the services sector, which accounts for 54 percent of total GDP.
Lim also noted other factors that continue to make the economy vibrant which include a stronger peso, a record-high PSE index, an infrastructure budget of about P1 trillion, surging OFW remittances, and increasing investments in business process outsourcing (BPO), tourism, property and construction sectors.
”These progressive steps will cause developmental effects to create a more stable economy and a highly predictable business environment benefiting the different sectors of the economy,” Lim stressed.
Lim also expressed optimism that with the implementation of reforms to improve the macroeconomic environment such as efforts to enhance tax collection, fiscal policies supporting pump-priming activity and effective debt management, the economy will continue to grow.
Philippines
Friday, June 1, 2007
MANILA — The country’s economy grew at its fastest rate in nearly 20 years in the three months to March, expanding 6.9 percent from a year earlier with the services sector leading the jump.
“The Philippines is on a roll,” President Gloria Arroyo said in a statement issued from Australia, where she is on a state visit.
“We have just received the report of our first quarter performance and we’re happy to say that the Philippines grew 6.9 percent in the first quarter of 2007. This is the fastest in almost two decades.”
She said the services sector grew 9.1 percent, industry 5.3 percent and agriculture 4.2 percent.
Analysts applauded the figures which were better than forecasts and supported by low interest rates and a strengthening local currency.
“It exceeded expectations, with all the sectors, especially the services and industrial sectors, performing quite well,” said Banco de Oro Universal Bank strategist Jonathan Ravelas.
“Low interest rates along with the strong peso provided a very good business environment, particularly for the industrial sector, while imports of goods used in manufacturing became cheaper,” he said, referring to gains in the peso.
Ravelas said it was likely that the economy would sustain growth rates for the remaining quarters of this year, especially if the government continued its pump-priming.
“The peso should stay strong and if the weather is favorable, agriculture, which accounts for a fifth of the economy, should also continue to grow,” Ravelas said.
The economy grew 5.4 percent in 2006. The first quarter grew 5.7 percent and the final quarter by 5.5 percent amid sharp increases in trade, manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, public services and exports.
Socio-economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri told a briefing first quarter figures surpassed government forecasts of 5.3 to 6.1 percent growth.
Neri attributed the performance to “the government’s determined reforms to hike revenues, manage expenditures effectively, contain the deficit and tame inflation.
“The easing pressures on interest rates, the record levels of overseas remittances and the robust export earnings have all resulted in improvements in the country’s outlook,” he added.
Neri said the latest figures put the country’s target of 6.1 percent growth for the whole of 2007 within reach with construction, mining and business process outsourcing all expected to pick up.
Romulo Virola, secretary-general of the National Statistic Coordination Board, added GDP growth in the first quarter of 2007 was “the country’s highest since the first quarter of 1990.” (AFP)
CLARK FIELD, Pampanga - This former US facility, now converted into a special economic zone, will soon become the "Hollywood" of the Philippines, as plans to put up world-class film studio here have been firmed up.
To be known as the Clark Shogee Studio, it will be set up in a 40-hectare land in the Clark Special Economic Zone.
In three to five years, the project is expected to become a major tourism destination, similar to the Universal Studio in Los Angeles.
The $2-million investment on the computer-generated imaging and visual-effects venture is projected to reach $10 million for the three-phase expansion project to build a globally competitive filmmaking studio in the Philippines.
The Hollywood-style studio will have 2D and 3D animation capabilities and full pre-production and post-production capabilities.
President Arroyo announced the signing of a joint venture between the CyberCity Teleservices Philippines Inc. and the Shogee Studios during a visit here Friday.
The President said the joint venture is an answer to the Filipino movie industry’s dream of having a studio to cater to small film producers.
"This is part of the business process outsourcing, so they will have a studio that will provide not only a sound stage and ordinary laboratory facility for ordinary movies, but also for special effects," Mrs. Arroyo said.
Charles Lawrence, Shogee president, and Jonathan Rosenberg, CyberCity chairman, signed the memorandum of agreement on the joint venture.
Around 400 to 500 Filipinos will be employed during the initial operation of the studio. This number will increase to 4,000 when operations go full blast.
"The use of sound stages, props and set design will result in a first-class outsourced support services for the television and film-production industry worldwide," Rosenberg said.
"We are excited to enter into this venture with CyberCity. With their proven record in the Philippines and Shogee’s industry expertise, we shall be creating a new era in film and studio services in the region," Lawrence added.
Mrs. Arroyo said the local movie industry will benefit from the filmmaking technology transfer and upgrading of skills and techniques that the new venture will offer.
Chinese and Canadian experts will share their knowledge in filmmaking with Filipino artists through an intensive training program.
Among the famous films that used Shogee’s technology are King Kong and Lord of the Rings.
"That is a very important investment, not necessarily just for Clark, but for the whole movie industry," the President said. PNA/The Manila Times
Cebu City signs up movie production facility
By Irene Sino Cruz
Visayas Bureau
Last updated 07:09pm (Mla time) 02/25/2007
CEBU CITY -- After a long wait, the Cebu City government finally signed up the first locator in the South Road Properties (SRP), the 300-hectare reclaimed area the city owns.
Bigfoot Entertainment (BFE) signed last week a 25-year lease agreement for a two-hectare area at the SRP, where the company plans to build a multi-million-dollar movie production facility.
The company plans to set up several sound stages, including a movie studio, in the area to attract Hollywood film companies planning location shoots outside of the United States.
A Bigfoot executive earlier explained that a bigger sound stage could accommodate large movie sets. The company said the investment in the expansion facility at the SRP could reach $10 million.
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the BFE was planning to acquire another 16 hectares for an integrated development.
"I'm more excited about what Bigfoot intends to do at SRP because Bigfoot is taking very aggressive posture pioneering new things to put us on the map," Osmeña said in an interview.
He said the company planned to transform the 16 hectares of prime waterfront area into an integrated development, including a mega yacht club.
Osmeña said Bigfoot's planned development would also include a retirement facility, residential condominium, hotels, offices and a bus terminal when fully built up.
He said the project would be implemented within three to four years.
The BFE also expressed willingness to work with real estate developers such as Filinvest Land Inc., Osmeña said.
A Brunei investor was also eyeing a hotel project as part of Bigfoot's complex, he added.
Osmeña said that upon the finalization of the purchase agreement, the city would ask Bigfoot to pay 40 percent of the total purchase price with the balance payable over four years,.
The mayor said Bigfoot decided to lease the two hectares first because it could not wait for the bidding process to be completed and it wanted to start with its film production facility immediately.
Bigfoot has two soundstages in its Mactan facility, which cost over $2.1 million (about P99.4 million). A sound stage is a large soundproof studio usually used for filming motion pictures. However, the Bigfoot sound stages in Mactan could only accommodate filming of music videos and advertisements.
Joel Mari Yu, managing director of the Cebu Investment Promotion Center, said the lease agreement on the two-hectare area would be terminated upon the approval of the purchase of the lot, along with the 16 other hectares.
Earlier, Osmeña came under fire from his critics over the huge debt the city incurred to finance the reclamation project, which cost at least P2 billion, and the capability of the city to pay off the loan.
The efforts to market the SRP to investors hit a snag when the Talisay City claimed it owned part of the reclaimed area.
The issue was settled when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Proclamation No 843, transferring the ownership of the SRP to the Cebu City government and declaring the area as alienable and disposable.
The city plans to sell parcels of the area to pay off portions of the loan, which is payable over a 30-year period. The selling price of SRP land starts at P10,000 per square meter.
The beachfront resort on Boracay island will be designed by Hawaii-based architect firm WATG and the interior design will be headed by well-known Singapore-based designer Dan Bube, who is designing the group's Maldives resort. The resort will reflect a classic yet contemporary style combined with local cultural influences.
All the resort's 170 large guestrooms and 50 deluxe villas, with average floor space of 45 and 90 square metres respectively, will feature ocean views from spacious balconies or porches. Villas will include outdoor plunge pool, shower, whirlpool, pergola for al fresco dining and day bed for relaxation or massage.
The resort's dining and entertainment options will include a poolside bar,lobby lounge, pub, all-day dining coffee shop with outdoor seating and specialty restaurant located on a spectacular promontory offering 360 degree ocean views, with indoor and outdoor seating.
Shangri-La Resort and Spa, Boracay, will provide the largest meeting and banqueting facilities on the island, consisting of a 600-square-metre ballroom and 400 square metres of function rooms. An outdoor wedding pavilion with panoramic views will accommodate 50 persons for weddings or special events.
The resort will feature a 1,350-square-metre CHI spa, Shangri-La's signature spa brand, with treatments based on Chinese and Himalayan healing concepts. Located on a rock peninsula in the ocean and overlooking a private bay,CHI will be a separate spa village complex designed as a sanctuary within the resort.The spa village facilities will include deluxe villas for half or full day use, and smaller suites for hourly treatments. A spa pool will be set within the landscaped garden.
In addition to CHI spa, recreational facilities such as outdoor tennis court, free form swimming pool, health club and marine centre with diving
facilities will also be available.
A one-hour flight south of Manila, Boracay is an ideal tropical vacation destination. The picturesque island has more than 30 beaches,foremost of which is the four-kilometre White Beach with pure white sand, which is widely considered to be among the world's best beaches.
"The resort's prime location, luxurious accommodation, variety of outdoor activities and Shangri-La's unique hospitality, will produce extremely memorable stays for all our guests," said Giovanni Angelini, Shangri-La's
chief executive officer and managing director. "This exciting new addition will strengthen our position as the dominant luxury hotel group in the Philippines and Asia."
This proposed 20,000 capacity arena deserves its own thread. Would be a long-deserved project for Cebu
Here are the two proposals as posted earlier
(Thanks to Mootown for pics)
A 'Megadome' for Cebu City: Counsilor Jack
CEBU City will have its own “Megadome” to rise at the prime lot at the South Road Properties.
Cebu City Councilor Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem revealed to Sun.Star Cebu the current negotiations that will enable the City to build its own sports coliseum that will cater to big events, like world-class boxing matches and basketball games.
“Actually, we had started to negotiate with the National Government and the deal is on, we will build a sports coliseum. We will call it the megadome, because we felt the lack of it,” Jakosalem said.
Ideal
Jakosalem, chairman of the games, amusement and professional sports committee at the City Council believes that Cebu City can be the best place to build an ultra-modern sports facility. For now, it has none, an irony for a prime city in the country.
“I guess it is the right time to build one for Cebu City. The CICC is not fit for sports activities. It might be, but not for big promotions and events,” added Jakosalem.
Jakosalem’s announcement came in the heels of the World Cup Boxing, which the Golden Boy Promotions, the SGG Sports Promotions and the ALA Gym had planned to stage in Cebu.
Without an indoor arena that can host 20,000 spectators, Cebu’s chances to host bigger boxing events are less than that of Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
“As for the world cup, we will be utilizing the Cebu City Sports Complex, like the one held in February, but since September is a rainy month, we are planning to roof the entire field so that it can accommodate more people and be safe from the rains,” stressed Jakosalem.
Recurring issue
The need for a bigger arena had again cropped up last Saturday when the PBA game was held in town.
Cebu Coliseum, the oldest sports facility in the city, has received a lot of complaints because of old facilities and intolerable heat when people started to cram inside.
“I had asked the owners to remodel the coliseum long time ago. In fact, I already have the design and the cost to spend but the owners were divided.
Atty. Augusto Go of UC wanted it remodeled but Mr. Ong is hesitant. That is why we can never move with our project. This complaint has been going on for more than a decade now,” Cebu Coliseum manager Ben Tulda told Sun.Star Cebu. (RCM)
- Reliving the rich Chinese heritage -
Address: Ongpin Street, Binondo, Manila
Developer: Anchor Land Holdings Inc.
Units: 39 floors of 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5 bedroom units ranging from 89 to 218 square meters; loft units with a garden that adjoins the amenities floor and 3 and 4 Bedroom Penthouses with its own sky garden
Design: Modern with touches of Chinese architecture
Building Features: A cylindrical curtain glass window that epitomizes a lighted torch reaching toward the sky, looking out into the marvelous view of the Manila Bay. Swimming pool, clubhouse, fully-equipped gym, putting green, jogging path, garden and landscaped areas. Bi-level commercial spaces at ground level. 100% emergency backup-power.
Parking: Six-level Above-ground Parking Spaces
Why it’s worth checking out: Mandarin Square offers luxury, space and comfort right at the heart of your Binondo-based business.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
pour some P10 billion into different
property development and construc-
tion projects, including the shelved
Lopez Tower, in the next five years.
The company plans to allot P2B
for the development of its new resi-
dential towers in Rockwell Center
and the construction of a business
process outsourcing (BPO) facility
in Ortigas this year alone.
Rockwell president Nestor Padilla
said that the company has the money
to fund its projects and can tap into a
P2.5B facility being offered by two
financial institutions should the need
for additional funding arise.
The construction of the Lopez
Tower, which was shelved when the
Asian financial crisis hit in 1997,
may also push through this year.
“That is a 60,000-square-meter
gross leasable landmark tower that
can house a 65-story building and I
think the time is right for us to revisit
it,” Padilla said, adding that the tow-
er will complete Rockwell Center as
a self-contained center, with residen-
tial, office, mall and school.
“If we start the development of the
Lopez Tower this year, it will take us
four years to finish it,” Padilla noted.
Mr.Bean Holidays
On a rainy afternoon in England, Mr. Bean is delighted to win First Prize in his local church raffle; a week’s holiday in the South of France, and a brand new video camera. He will stay in Cannes, at the height of its famous film festival.
He catches the Eurostar to Paris, filming everything with his new video camera. At the Gare de Lyons, he asks another passenger to film him as he boards the train for Cannes. The man is Russian film director Emil Duchesvsky, who is travelling to Cannes to be a judge at the Film Festival. Emil obliges, but in the confusion of filming, Emil gets left on the platform as the train pulls out.
Mr. Bean is heading South when he realises that Emil’s son Stepan, aged 10, is on the train without his father. Neither speak each other’s language.
Mr. Bean and Stepan get off at the next station to wait for Emil, but the next train is an express and Emil is whisked on to Cannes. When Mr. Bean and Stepan board the next train, Mr. Bean leaves his money, his ticket and passport on the platform. They are thrown off for not having tickets, and left lost and penniless in France.
Stepan’s father Emil reports Mr. Bean to the police and a national manhunt is launched, to find his son.
Stepan and Mr. Bean strike up an unlikely friendship. Stepan is quick-witted and resourceful; they work well together, and soon earn enough money busking to catch a bus South to Cannes. Except that Mr. Bean’s ticket somehow gets stuck on the foot of a chicken and he misses the bus…
Without Stepan, and lost in the vast French countryside, Mr. Bean hitches his way South. At night he wanders into a village and falls asleep under a haycart. The next morning, he wakes to find himself in what seems to be a perfect French village, but is in fact the set of a yoghurt commercial. The director is American film maker and narcissist, Carson Clay, who is earning some cash before travelling South to attend the Cannes Film premiere of his navel-gazing art house cop movie, Playback Time.
Mr. Bean hitches a lift south with bit-part actress Sabine, who played a waitress in the yoghurt commercial, and is going to Cannes to attend the premiere of Playback Time, in which she has a small role. When Bean is reunited with Stepan at a motorway service station, all three of them drive south through the night.
Arriving in Cannes, they see a TV newsflash: Mr. Bean is a wanted man, and the whole of France is looking for him and Stepan. There are roadblocks ahead. They have to get past them to the premiere of Playback Time, and return Stepan to his father, without Bean being arrested.
Disguised as Sabine’s mother and daughter, Mr. Bean and Stepan successfully pass through the roadblocks, but with only one ticket between, only Sabine is allowed into the premiere.
Bean and Stepan sneak in round the back. Playback Time is boring the audience to tears. Leaving Stepan behind the screen, Bean tries to attract Emil’s attention without alerting the guards. When Sabine’s only scene is cut, Bean decides to help her. Hiding in the projection room from the guards, he begins to project his video footage on to the big screen, to reinsert Sabine into the film.
The combination of film and video catches the audience’s attention for the first time, but Carson Clay is apoplectic with rage. He and the guards break into the projection room to stop Mr. Bean, but he escapes. Walking over the heads of the audience, he reaches the stage just as Stepan appears from under the big screen. The crowd erupts into applause.
Carson Clay’s Playback Time is hailed as a groundbreaking classic, Sabine is feted as a star and Stepan is returned to his delighted mother and father.
And Mr. Bean?
He slips away from the scenes of celebration to the beach. At the water’s edge, he rolls up his trousers and smiles: at last his holiday can begin.
Moosewood Fudge Brownies Recipe
Heidi notes: We used 71% Valrhona chocolate. White whole wheat flour works great if you would like to substitute. I also added espresso powder, half of a large ripe banana, and about a cup of toasted walnuts (per Mollie's suggestions at the tail end of the recipe). I topped them with a sprinkling of walnuts before going in the oven as well.
Let soften: 1/2 lb. butter (don't melt it)
Melt: 5 oz. bittersweet chocolate. Let cool.
Cream the butter with 1 3/4 cups (packed) light brown sugar and 5 eggs. Add 1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract. Beat in the melted, cooled chocolate and 1 cup flour.
Spread into a buttered 9x13" baking pan. Bake 20-30 minutes (hs note: mine took 30) at 350 degrees.
Optional: chopped nuts, or 1 tablespoon instant coffee, or 1 teaspoon grated fresh orange or lemon rind, or 1/2 teaspoon allspice or cinnamon, or a mashed over-ripe banana, or none of the above.
Yet another option: instead of uniformly blending in the chocolate, you can marble it. Add chocolate last, after the flour is completely blended in and only partially blend in the chocolate. It looks real nice.
HP Updates
'Order of the Phoenix' 138 minutes long
MAY 26, 2007 at 10:40 AM
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will have a running time of 138 minutes and 4 seconds (2 hours, 18 minutes and 4 seconds), according to the British Board of Film Classification.
The BBFC recently rated Order of the Phoenix 12A, meaning no one under 12 years old may see the movie without an accompanying adult. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rated the film PG-13 in the U.S. which places kids under 13 under the same restriction.
Thanks to Richard from Harry Potter Freakz.
Payphones actually cost money.
Most people have a cellphone and don't use payphones much any more.
Payphones are disappearing at a pretty rapid clip. Phone companies are outsourcing their payphones to third parties that contact businesses with payphones on their property and give businesses the option to pay to keep the payphone or the third party comes and removes it. Most businesses don't want to pay to provide payphones and elect to have them removed.
So what's the next payphone? If they don't figure out how to improve battery life on mobile devices, it could very well be a per minute rapid charging station.
Friday, June 1, 2007
How Does Bluetooth Work?
Bluetooth enables two devices, usually within a short range, to connect to each other without cables or wires. The obvious advantage of Bluetooth technology is that it reduces the clutter of wires! But it also enables people to be in contact with each other and carry on with their work even when they are on the move. Bluetooth technology can be applied to a wide range of devices in areas like medicine, software, and mobile communications. Bluetooth is simple to install, easy to use, and can be used in number of devices such as digital cameras, mobile laptops, phones, printers, PCs, and video game consoles over a globally unlicensed, secure, short-range radio frequency.
Two Bluetooth enabled devices can communicate with each other using low power radio waves, and to eliminate interfering with other Bluetooth enabled devices, the frequency is kept extremely weak. When two Bluetooth enabled devices come within the range of each another, they automatically form a network between themselves and start communicating with each other. Usually, a Bluetooth device can connect to another Bluetooth device only when it comes within a 10 meter radius (about 30 feet) of that device. Within this range, a Bluetooth enabled device can simultaneously connect with up to 8 devices. But to avoid cluttering, Bluetooth uses a technology called spread-spectrum frequency hopping, which does not allow more than one device to transmit on the same frequency at the same time.
Where is Bluetooth Used?
In practical usage, bluetooth enables wireless communication between a headset and a mobile phone, or a mouse and the computer. Bluetooth-enabled PDAs can wirelessly sync up to a desktop, and in automobiles the technology can be used to enable a GPS or cell phone to "broadcast" audio to your car speakers. The technology is also being used in game controllers, digital cameras and medical monitoring devices.
The term "toothing" refers to the process of discovering other nearby Bluetooth enabled devices. A few years back, a hoax perpetrated the notion that toothing was being widely used to arrange random sexual encounters on trains and subways. And in a classic case of "Life imitates Art and then Art gets even" there are now bluetooth dating devices available -- and one was referenced in a "CSI Miami" television episode featuring a cop who gets his badge stolen in the midst of a bluetooth-enabled rendezvous.
Security in Bluetooth
While receiving or transferring data, security is a concern in any device that uses wireless connection. The automatic connection of Bluetooth devices enables people to send you data without your permission. To avoid this misuse, almost all the Bluetooth enabled devices carry an option that asks the users whether they wish to grant access to another Bluetooth enabled device that is trying to gain access to the user's device. The user can establish a list of trusted devices that can automatically gain access to his device. Other devices have to ask permission before they are granted access.
Bluetooth Health Concerns
Since Bluetooth uses the microwave radio frequency spectrum to establish communication with other devices, there are concerns about the effect of these frequencies on health. But studies have confirmed that the microwave frequency emitted by Bluetooth devices is within the permissible range and they do not cause any damage to the human tissues. Also, the microwave frequency emitted by Bluetooth devices is much lower than that of the mobile devices. All these factors make Bluetooth devices a safe and convenient device to use. (See Cell Phones Cause Cancer? for a related story.)
Bluetooth devices are becoming an integral part of our lifestyles and they will be used in many of the devices of the future.
very simple just click grab...
http://leerz25.sitesled.com/files/feb07/YoutubeGrabber1.0.rar
use VLC to play it.
Prizes
Top 5 - Meet & Greet with Sam courtesy of Tito Raymund
Additional Prize - Highschool Musical Tickets for 2
Round One
At his young age, we believe that Sam is ready to conquer the entertainment industry. And we believe that he will be able to tackle many different and challenging roles. He proved that he can be everyone's superhero and even become the dramatic actor he was in "Walang Kapalit". Now here's the question that you have to answer:
What is your dream role for Sam?
Describe it in your own way: in a story, a poem, lyrics to a song, a poster of him in his role, etc. As long as you describe your dream role for Sam, it's in!
Criteria
40% - Creativity
40% - Originality
20% - Judges' Votes
Round Two
Sam will read the TOP 5 pieces and will pick out the role that he likes the most.
He will announce the winner at the Meet & Greet.
Mechanics
Everyone is entitled to only ONE ENTRY. The entries will then be emailed to the judges. The judges will pick out the 5 best pieces from the bunch and will then be printed out. After printing, the representatives will give the TOP 5 pieces to Sam and he will decide who gets the additional prize afterwards.
The TOP 5 will be posted here.
And they will also be notified about the Meet & Greet details through email.
Who can join?
Everyone is eligible to join this contest as long as you are able to go to the meeting place and the Meralco Theatre on your own. Only the free tickets and the ability to meet Sam in person will be provided.
Add these information to your email:
These will be completely confidential.
Full Name:
Age:
Gender:
Exact Address:
(Attach your file)
Email your entries to contests@scnetmedia.com with the subject " SAMSTERS CONTEST ".
Entries without that subject WILL NOT be read.
Only ONE ENTRY per person.
Ending date: TBA
Any questions or concerns? Reply in this POST.
A Surface computer is able to recognize physical objects from a paintbrush to a cell phone and allows hands-on, direct control of content such as photos, music and maps. Surface turns an ordinary tabletop into a dynamic surface that provides interaction with all forms of digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects.
The new product is aimed directly at hotels, retail establishments, restaurants and public entertainment venues and should be commercially available towards the end of the year.
It’s an interesting product in that it’s completely out of left field. Microsoft gives examples of ordering a beverage during a meal with just the tap of a finger and quickly browsing through music and dragging favorite songs onto a personal playlist by moving a finger across the screen. Build this into a bar and you’d get one-touch beer service although I’m not sure if they’ve found a way to work out when your beer glass is empty so replenishment becomes automatic, maybe in a later version.
The practical uses for Surface at the point of sale are broad. This is touch screen point of sale technology at a new level.
Total prize money of P108 million awaits the lucky winner of the Lotto 6/49 draw on Sunday, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office said Friday.
PCSO General Manager Rosario Uriarte said the June 3 draw is only the sixth time that the lotto prize money exceeded P100 million.
Uriarte said the biggest Lotto 6/49 jackpot given by PCSO was in October 2002 when six winners shared the P202 million jackpot.
A meat vendor in Camarines Norte won the second biggest 6/49 jackpot prize worth P145 million in January 2006. Uriarte said the winner did not withdraw the money from the bank but instead used its P80,000 monthy interest for his family's needs.
The third biggest winner came from Bacolod City, a 51-year-old widow with eight children who worked as a house helper to a wealthy family. Uriarte said the widow wore worn-out slippers that did not even match when she came to collect the prize money.
A retired employee from Cebu took home the fourth biggest jackpot, which amounted to P135 million in January 2003. The employee was a father of three whose wife was working as a house helper in Hong Kong.
Two winners split the fifth biggest lotto jackpot of P104 million in September 2001. Uriarte said the two friends spent P8,000 in bets.
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