Amazon vs. Netflix: What a Deal!

By now, everyone (who would want to know) knows that Netflixhas changed its pricing structure—if you’re a Netflix subscriber you should know; it’s reflected in your monthly bill (um…er…membership fee). For those of you who are not familiar, Netflix now offers unlimited streaming videos for $7.99 per month. The problem is that there are a limited number of videos from which to choose; it’s not the entire Netflix catalog (which is, reportedly, 100,000 titles).
I don’t need to prove that I can multiply (I have two kids, isn’t that enough proof?), but one year of unlimited limited selections costs $95.88. Despite my cynicism, it’s not a bad deal. There are thousands of movies available, giving the subscriber ample opportunity to catch up with films missed, or re-view old favorites. For a few dollars more, subscribers can have more current and more popular DVDs delivered to their mailboxes.
In marches the competition—Amazon.com. I love Netflix. I love Amazon. I refuse to play favorites. But Amazon has improved “Amazon.com Prime.” Now, in addition to getting unlimited two-day shipping to any address (and one-day shipping for $3.99 per item) with no purchase minimum, Prime subscribers (who pay $79 per year) now have access to 5000 streaming movies and TV shows as part of their membership. That’s right, no upcharge. Making it even more alluring, there’s a one-month free trial (which Netflix also offers).
Amazon.com Prime is awfully tempting, so a little unscientific comparison is needed. Checking out the movies offered through Prime, I found that there were 1703 results. There are 24 movies shown on each page; perusal of page 1 revealed that I’d seen 18 of the 24 (and I have no desire to see the other 6). Page 2, same results. I’m not so keen on the deal if I’ve already seen 75% of the movies. Further research (looking at page 3) revealed that any movie that I’d want to see, I’ve already seen. Additionally, not all items on Amazon are Prime-eligible. Prime is not looking so good anymore.
The question is “Is Amazon.com Prime a better deal than Netflix?” No, not if you’re considering movies and television programs only. Would I subscribe to Amazon.com Prime? I am actually considering it, but not instead of Netflix. In going over the advantages of Prime, I discovered that it wasn’t just free 2-day shipping. When I realized that I could send cheap gifts to all my family without paying shipping, I was struck with the thought that I could save over $79 a year. The streaming video would be lagniappe. Hmmmm…


Read more: http://technorati.com/entertainment/article/amazon-vs-netflix-what-a-deal/#ixzz1TXX8jqOh

The Night Season by Chelsea Cain

There is no such thing as everyday, garden variety rain. There are mists and drizzles, downpours and torrents, as well as the proverbial “everything in between.” Chelsea Cain’s vivid imagery allows readers to feel the rain in The Night Season, the latest in her series of thrillers that center on reporter Susan Ward and detective Archie Sheridan. Some readers may even feel their throats closing during several passages (yes, drowning is the villain’s choice method).
It all takes place during a near-biblical rain fall. The city of Portland, Oregon, is experiencing its worst rain in decades, and the rain has caused a skeleton from a decades-past storm to surface. Soon there is a rash of drownings, presumed to be people who were washed into the Willamette‒until it’s discovered they were killed before hitting the water. A serial killer is at work, and his method is unusual. Susan Ward is assigned the story, and when someone close to her and Archie Sheridan is targeted by the killer, they both become quickly and deeply involved in the case.
Woven throughout the story are flashbacks to another serial-killer case in which Archie had become too involved, nearly costing him his life. The quirky Susan and staid Archie have an enigmatic connection that drives the plot. More than friends, much less than lovers, their symbiosis provides a framework for their relationship.


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Serial Photography - Using Themed Images to Improve Your Photographic Skills by Harald Mante

That, according to Harald Mante is an important feature of serial photography – you can shoot whenever and wherever you like – just keep shooting.  It helps to have a category of subjects in mind, such as stairs, old barns, socks, locks, clocks, blocks; the subjects are endless.  Be sure to remember your chosen subjects when you’re out on the road. Travel photography is a an ideal opportunity for serial photography.  Wouldn’t you like a photo of a church steeple from every town you visit?
Right from the first page of his latest book, Serial Photography: Using Themed Images to Improve Your Photographic Skills, Mante reminds us that it is important to distinguish between “serial” images and “sequential” images.  Sequential images depict the stages of change in a subject over time, such as a building under construction or a flower’s bloom decomposing into a wilted collection of dead petals.  Serial images, however, represent a collection of similar subjects with no necessary reference to time. 
Need some examples or inspiration?  Check out any of the thirty-five chapters, each of which represents a different subject ranging from objects to colors to shapes.  The concluding chapter discusses tableaus and offers suggestions on how to display your collections


Read more: http://technorati.com/entertainment/article/serial-photography-using-themed-images-to/#ixzz1TXVxLxLl

Ratcheting Up Your Oscar Fun!

Oscar night is all about the predictions! Here are some great ideas to ratchet up the fun whether you are at a party or watching alone with a glass of wine.
First things first: get on the official Oscars 2011 website, where you can see pictures of each of the nominees and make some official guesses! Never heard of one of the nominees? (Hey, it happens! There are TEN best picture nominations alone this year!) Click on the movie (or actor/actress) and get a synopsis or blurb about it/them…ok, this is getting complicated. Click on the icon and get more info, ok? Additionally---full list of presenters for each award, so now you can plan your bathroom breaks! Really only looking at the clothes and the big 4? (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor) Now you can go about getting your party on and just check in at the pertinent parts!
Make some money. Wouldn’t you like to feel like a winner on Oscar night too? Why not start an Oscar pool? This would be especially easy if you were having a party! Get yourself a big sheet of paper or a white board and start noting predictions! Make it cheap--$5 to participate and you’re off!
Another fun game idea is Oscar bingo! Give out blank Bingo cards and have people jot down their predictions in random order on the blanks. You can use pennies or peanuts or whatever is available to mark your choices as they are announced. This can be good clean fun or also involve betting.

Something I love to do is watch the red carpet portion of the evening. I’m always eager to see who’s wearing what, especially the best and worst dressed of last year. Will they learn from their experiences? Will they wear something risky this year, buoyed by last year’s success? Or go ultra conservative after landing on worst-dressed lists last year? To have a better idea of whom to look out for, check! And for the men’s worst and best dressed of the 2010 Oscars, check out this Esquire article. A final party idea (this would be for the young `uns or the really prone to boring parties) is to make the Oscars a drinking game. You can make up your own rules or follow the directions at Seattle Pi's website.

Let's face it. It was unlikely that last night's 2011 Academy Awards show had any chance at being exciting. All major award categories had clear favorites to win, and as it turned out, except for the directing category, all the favorites won. For the Oscars to be a hit this year, it was going to have to rely on entertainment and great speeches.

Euphemisms are actually just synonyms – or at least a type of synonym.  We use and invent them to lower the temperature of “hot button” words or subjects.  We use this device to neutralize words that make us feel uncomfortable.  Our culture does the same thing generally and hence, “political correctness.”  Keyes says, “Euphemisms are an accurate barometer of changing attitudes,” and that is the theme of his book.
Just as some felt that religion was a tool of the state and aristocracy to control the masses, now many feel that language has become an instrument of commercial, political and postmodern doublespeak.  Reminds me of 1984.  California researchers, Bandler and Grinder made a case for our individual choices of words being an insight to our psyche.  According to them, our subconscious choice of predicates was significant.  If that’s correct, what does it say about our conscious use of euphemisms?
Euphemania: Our Love Affair with Euphemisms is not a reference book, although it does have a complete bibliography and a thorough index.  Unlike a dictionary or thesaurus, it isn’t intended as a quick look up type book.  Rather it is filled with stories and commentaries on both historical and contemporary euphemisms. 

Oscars 2011 Where Have All the Surprises Gone?

Let's face it. It was unlikely that last night's 2011 Academy Awards show had any chance at being exciting. All major award categories had clear favorites to win, and as it turned out, except for the directing category, all the favorites won. For the Oscars to be a hit this year, it was going to have to rely on entertainment and great speeches.
I think that everyone is in agreement that the opening movie, in which Anne Hathaway and James Franco travel Inception style into many of the other nominated movies, was a big hit, probably the highlight of the night.
This is not the first time the Academy Awards used a non-comedian as a host. Hugh Jackman was a wonderful host in 2009 and Anne Hathaway, who can also sing and dance was his equal. Her "On My Own" number, mocking Hugh for standing her up, was another hightlight of the show. However, even though James Franco is well love and a great actor, hosting is not one of his strong points. 
The King's Speech was the big winner of the night, winning best picture, actor (Colin Firth), director (Tom Hooper) and Original Screenplay (David Seidler). For a short while, it looked like The Social Network might have a shot at the big prize when it took some of the early awards such as Film Editing, Original Score and the anticipated Adapted Screenplay for Aaron Sorkin.
Inception won the awards for Cinematography, sound editing and mixing and visual design. Alice in wonderland won the Art Direction and Costume Design Awards, not surprising for a Tim Burton film.
All four acting awards went to the same winners that have been winning all season. Melissa Leo won again for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for The Fighter, although Kirk Douglas added some tension and laughter to this category. The tension came first from worrying if he would be able to get through all of the names, and then when he decided to have a little fun and prolong the suspense.