How Star Trek Brought Holograms to Life

 Entertainment, Television  No Responses »
Aug 262011
 


Say what you will about Star Trek and the dedicated souls that follow it, but the inventive minds behind the show had no qualms about challenging contemporary ideas regarding the use of technology in everyday life.  While this may seem like a given (it does take place in space, after all), many viewers take for granted the riskiness of such a bold outlook on science.  Creator Gene Roddenberry was faced with building a story around a civilization firmly rooted in space travel and heavily dependent on far-out futuristic technologies, but that retained its humanity and an inherent sense of history.  The imagination is boundless, but in order to make a show as captivating as Star Trek, Roddenberry had to make the futuristic technology and engineering in the show seem like a reasonable accomplishment of human science in a distant but foreseeable future.

The original Star Trek seems low-tech compared to its successors.  It was, after all, limited to the rendering and television production technology of its time.  Beginning with Star Trek: The Next Generation, the technological capabilities of the human (and alien) civilizations seem to have compounded since their humble beginnings.  Not only was the U.S.S. Enterprise equipped with sliding doors, photon torpedoes and advanced communications, it possessed ability to generate holograms – a technology that would drastically change the lives of the individuals that crewed the starship.

For those not in the know, a hologram is a projected image made of light that appears to be three-dimensional, although (technically) it has no actual mass.  This technology (in a less advanced form) does exist in the real world today, although the applications aren’t too similar to those used in any of the Star Trek series.  Imagination is a driving force behind the highly intricate holograms used in this Sci-Fi staple, and the use of holograms became as important as to become a driving force for several storylines in the show.

Included aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise, as well as the U.S.S. Voyager of the Star Trek: Voyager series, was a fully functional, highly advanced holodeck.  The holodeck is an elaborate platform capable of producing tangible, opaque holograms that are driven by artificial intelligence and are used as one of the primary forms of entertainment onboard these starships.  The holodecks are programmed with centuries’ worth of literature, film and history scenarios that are programmed to interact with the living people and aliens who use the holodecks.  Crew members also have the option of programming their own personalized holodeck scenes to be acted out in virtually any situation they desire.

Each of the main characters found special uses for the holodeck.  Captain Picard was fond of mysteries such as Sherlock Holmes and 1940’s crime noir.  Captain Kathryn Janeway, true to her character’s nature, preferred storylines with strong female characters and just a touch of romance.  There were moments, however, when the holodeck turned against its users.  There were several episodes of Star Trek: Voyager in which holodeck malfunctions caused the AIs to become self-aware and question their programming.

As advanced as the holodeck programs are, they pale in comparison to the dynamics of the Doctor.  The Doctor is the holographic medical specialist on board the U.S.S. Voyager, and rather than being an empty soulless character, his holographic nature serves as a springboard for deep growth and a storyline that leaves viewers asking what it really means to be human.  Initially restricted to the confines of the medical bay, the Doctor eventually receives a holographic transmitter that allows him to travel around and even outside of the ship.

The creators of Star Trek use holograms and the related technology to add depth and color to a concept that could easily go wrong. TNG’s Lieutenant Commander Data (a sentient android with an intense desire to be human) serves as an excellent counterpart to Voyager’s Doctor.  There are moments when the characters born of science and energy show more compassion and human sensitivity than their organic crewmates.  While this may seem like a mere gimmick to attract viewers, it makes a strong statement regarding the necessity of the human element in any technological development, no matter how advanced, for without it, technology cannot grow.
 

Article provided by MaverickLabel.com providing online labels and hologram stickers for your custom label printing and security label business needs. Oh, and Star Trek was a pretty cool show, too.
 

 Posted by Guest Author at 6:00 PM  Tagged with: , , ,

9 Outstanding Cartoons from the 80s and 90s

 Entertainment, Television  No Responses »
Jul 082011
 

Remember when cartoons had meaningful plots and actually taught you things about the world? No? Then, you were probably born after the 80s and early 90s. Back then cartoons did not simply settle for the cheap gags or the quick action without any character development. The following are 9 classic cartoons that are still some of the best animated stories ever told.

1. Transformers (1984) -Perhaps the best marketing ploy ever devised. This cartoon convinced me to amass a huge collection of toy Autobots and Decepticons. No, the blockbuster movies of recent years do not do this cartoon justice. Transformers was more than meets the eye. It was robots in disguise.

2. G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1982) – He’ll fight for freedom wherever there’s trouble. The nationalism and flag waving was a bit over the top, but these joes really were American heros, fighting the evil forces of Cobra. The slithering voice of Cobra Commander was classic and cannot be replicated.

3. Spider-Man (1994) – For a cartoon, this show was pretty deep, with famous lines like “Keep your friends close and enemies closer” and “With great power comes great responsibility”. It was an award-winning show and still the best version of Spider-Man to date.

4. X-Men (1992) – The emotionally troubled mutants from Professor Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters had a home on Fox Kids for five seasons, a good run for a cartoon (excluding the abnormally long run of the Simpsons). All the favorites were in this show: Wolverine, Storm, Gambit, Magneto, Beast, Jean Grey, and Cyclops.

5. ThunderCats (1985) – You might think a show about upright walking and talking cats would be warm and fuzzy, but ThunderCats were fighting machines. The show featured an entire mythology built around Thundera, Third Earth, and the legendary Sword of Omens. These cats took themselves very seriously, sometimes to the point of being comical, but that just made it even better.

6. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1983) – Another show with a whole mythology surrounding it, He-Man pits the humble Prince Adam, who can transform into a sword-wielding super warrior named He-Man, against the evil Skeletor, who is always trying to conquer Enternia and the rest of the universe, if time permits. To do this, Skeletor must conquer Castle Grayskull, and He-Man must stop him.

7. Doug (1991) – Unlike the others on the list, Doug has no super powers and may even be considered a wimp by some. With a dog named Porkchop and a crew of eccentric friends like Patti Mayonnaise, Doug was an instant classic. The tunes from his favorite band, the Beats, are still stuck in my head. Doug ran for seven seasons (117 episodes), finally calling it quits in 1999, when people thought the world was ending.

8. The Tick (1994) – The Tick was not your typical superhero. Yes, he was very strong, but he also had a weird way of approaching crime that made him hilarious to watch. Plus, the fact that he’s a huge muscular man dressed in a tick costume was funny all by itself. He had a sidekick named Arthur, who dressed as a moth, and other colleagues, such as American Maid, who stopped criminals by throwing her stiletto shoe at them.

9. Daria (1997) – We live in a sick sad world, and no one knows that better than Daria Morgendorffer. Her cynical view of high school and her ability to find humor in the strangest events kept the show running strong for 5 seasons. A spin-off of Beavis and Butt-head, the cast and voices on the show were superb, from her snobby fashion club sister, Quinn, to her eye-bulging history teacher Mr. DeMartino. Psychologists could make a book about this show and name disorders after just about every character.

There were plenty more cartoons that came out of the nineties, but this list highlights some of my favorites. Feel free to suggest your own favorites in the comments and debate over the best one.

 

Tavis J. Hampton is the chief editor of All Blogs Considered and a long-time Transformers fan. In his spare time, he also tinkers with servers and values the quality customer service and reliability of UK dedicated hosting company 34SP.com.

 Posted by Guest Author at 8:00 AM  Tagged with: ,

Best Digital Photography Tips & Techniques in 2011

 Media, Photography, Photos, Tips and Tricks  No Responses »
Jun 172011
 

When digital cameras first hit the market, we thought suddenly everyone would be a professional photographer. But it turns out there is a lot more to high quality photography than lots of megapixels and a giant memory card (although those help). Even with the best digital cameras in the world, a little human know-how will go a long way in taking those digital camera photos from good to great. These tips cover everything from composition to photo editing—so you can finally get the most out of that camera.

1. One of the hidden secrets of professional digital photography is a subtle warm tone that makes everything in the photo look vibrant and bright. The warmth of your photos is determined by the white balance, which for most digital cameras is set on the “auto” function. This auto function creates the “coolness” in your photos, but you can change it easily by adjusting the white balance, if your camera has that function. If not, adjust the setting from “auto” to “cloudy”, even when shooting on a sunny day. The cloudy setting puts a mild warming filter, enhancing red and yellow tones, which creates richer, warmer photos.

2. For stunning, award-worthy photos, get to know your macro mode. When you get close to your subject, whether it is a butterfly or a diamond ring, macro mode helps you capture the details of a delicate subject, and give an everyday object new fascination. Nature shots look different, and more compelling, in macro setting. On digital cameras, macro mode is usually labeled as “close up”, “macro” or has a flower icon. Once you turn it on, get as close to your subject as you can, then hold down the shutter halfway to let the camera focus. Once the confirmation light flashes, press the shutter down the rest of the way to take the photo. The macro setting, when used without the flash, takes great photos of diamonds and other hard-to-capture small subjects.

3. No matter how steady you think your hands are, using a tripod will enhance the stability and clarity of your photos. But of course, tripods are big and bulky and you probably don’t want to carry one around while waiting for the perfect shot. Fortunately, there are some small, flexible tripods that allow you mount and set a camera anywhere, and take crystal clear photos. The UltraPod is one compact tripod you can stash in your camera bag and use to steady your camera by setting in on any flat surface, wherever you are. If you don’t have a tripod, try setting your camera on a stool or an elevated flat surface, or at least brace your hands on a table.

4. Shutter lag, the time it takes from when you click the shutter until the photo is captured, can make you miss many great shots while your camera slowly focuses and snaps the photo. Especially in cheaper or older digital cameras, shutter lag can be the number one factor standing between you and professional-looking photos. By half-pressing the shutter button before you take the photo, allow the camera to prefocus and eliminate shutter lag. Aim the camera, press the shutter halfway down, and wait for the beep or flash that tells you the pre-focus is ready. When the subject is ready, press the shutter all the way down for a perfect, instant photo.

5. Use the flash outdoors, but not indoors. It sounds counter-intuitive, but using the flash when taking outdoor portraits can enhance the quality of your photos. When you take photos outside, your camera reads the scene and decides that you don’t need the flash, but if the face you’re photographing is in shadow, which means your photo will have a dark, silhouetted face. Forcing the flash on floods the photo with light, illuminating the subject with flattering front light and brightening the photo without affecting the exposure. Turning the flash off when taking photos indoors can eliminate glare and help bring out the natural warm tones in your subject.

6. Spend a little more time on composition, and you’ll be rewarded with a photo that has that professional vibe. Try to create balance and visual interest in your photos, by leading the eye along strong lines and moving the subject slightly off-center in the photo. If you are taking a series of photos, vary the setup and composition for a more visually appealing look. Imagine your photo as having a grid with a center square—the primary subjects should appear at the corners of the center square. Keep the horizon level, but play with perspective so that the photo has lines leading towards your primary subject.

7. Be bold. A good photograph comes from a photographer who isn’t afraid to go the extra mile to find the unique moment, the perfect arrangement, or the unexpected situation. Don’t be afraid to go up to someone and introduce yourself as a photographer and ask to take their picture; most people will be flattered! Offer to email them the photo or even send them a print if they are concerned about being portrayed in a negative light. When taking photos of animals, especially in the wild, use a big enough zoom that you can stay back while still capturing the animals in their natural habitat.

8. Don’t ask people to “say cheese”. Forced, unnatural smiles don’t look good on anyone, and most people look their best when smiling naturally. To get your audience’s attention, call out only at the last minute and say something funny to put everyone at ease and get them smiling. Try a few jokes, and if you are photographing at a celebration like a wedding, remind everyone about the happiness of the occasion to get genuine, happy smiles that will look good on camera.

9. You know you can use your camera in the landscape and portrait positions, but most of us get used to holding it in the landscape, or horizontal position. That makes our photos look boring and repetitive, and forces us to miss out on the unique perspective that the portrait mode can capture. Try taking the same photo from both angles and learn when it is appropriate or preferable to use the portrait mode. Portrait mode is good for portraits, of course, but also for action shots, nature shots, and all kinds of close-ups.

10. The automatic camera, with its auto-focus, auto-exposure and auto-flash, allows amateurs to take great photos without knowing anything about how a camera works. But for even better, professional-looking photos, it’s worth learning about things like exposure and flash and switching the camera to manual settings once you know how to use them. Digital cameras often overuse the flash, resulting in flat, over-illuminated scenes. Try turning the flash off and using a longer exposure time for interior shots full of rich, saturated colors. Play with the shutter speed for artistic nature photography or lightning-quick action photos. The more you know, the more control you have over your photographs.

 

Article written by Whiteflash.com.

 Posted by Guest Author at 8:00 AM  Tagged with: , , , ,

Highest Ever Rating TV Shows

 Entertainment, Television  No Responses »
Jun 162011
 

In the past there have been some incredible TV events that have united people all over the world. Images of families gathered around the grainy black and white pictures of Neil Armstrong taking his ‘giant leap for mankind’ instantly spring to mind. Likewise, the Beatles first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show drew a huge audience, enraptured by the four young men from Liverpool, England who seemed to bring the world to a standstill. Indeed, even criminals stopped and took notice. Not a single serious crime was reported between 8-9pm on the night of their performance.

However, the late 70’s and early eighties was the real golden age for TV ratings. Before widespread cable gave households more choice and split viewers attention it was possible, for a show that really captured the imagination, to be broadcast to the majority of the nation, all watching, all at the same time.

Here’s a run down of the three most watched TV programmes in US history.

3) Roots, Series Finale

Many of the highest rating TV broadcasts have benefitted from a long build up. Incredibly successful series such as Cheers or Friends ran for years and years before airing their much anticipated final episodes. Roots, is something of a rarity in that the whole mini-series consisted of just 8 episodes, which were all aired in a single week from the 23rd to the 30th of January 1977.

Producers feared that the series, which tells the story of a black slave and his ancestors, spanning over one hundred years of history, would be a flop, thinking that white audiences would be uncomfortable with the show’s content. It is even rumoured that the tactic of showing the whole series in one week was developed in anticipation of the show being failure, and was intended to get it off the air as quickly as possible.

However, the show was a huge hit with critics and families alike. Over 85% of homes with a TV watched all or part of the series, and the show received a staggering 36 Emmy Award nominations.

2) Dallas, Who Shot JR?

Over the summer of 1980 there was just one question on the lips of the nation. It appeared on bill boards, was referenced on the radio and could be seen emblazoned across T-shirts. The riddle in question? Who Shot J.R.?!

When J.R. Ewing, a central character to the soap opera, Dallas, was killed off in the final episode of the 1979-1980 series, viewers started speculating as to who the hidden assailant who dealt him death could’ve been. Fans had to wait through the whole summer for the new series to come out before they’d know, and the suspense was only heightened when a Hollywood actor’s strike caused the production of new episodes to be delayed by a further 8 weeks.

When the revelation finally came 83,000,000 people tuned in to watch, giving the show a 76% ratings share. In Turkey a session of parliament was actually postponed to allow members to see the episode and bookmakers took thousands in bets on the identity of the killer.

The ‘who done it’ episode is unique in being the only non-finale episode of a series to ever get anywhere near the top of the all time ratings list, let alone second.

1) M*A*S*H, series finale

M*A*S*H’s series finale tops the list, although the final instalment of the series’ 251 episodes can, in fairness, only really be described as a TV movie seeing as, at 150 minutes in length, it lasted over 5 times longer than regular episodes, meaning it could, in of itself, have been aired as a miniseries.

The episode, which was written by a number of collaborators, is still the most watched single broadcast of a series, and to this day has only ever been surpassed once, by last year’s Super Bowl game. Entitled ‘Goodbye, Farewell and Amen’, the episode’s plot detailed the final days of the Korean War and demonstrates the effect that the conflict had on the central characters in the wake of the cease fire.

Emotions where high as the characters came to terms with the cessation of hostilities, started to think about their separate futures and went their different ways, bringing the 11 season long series to an end (although the network would immediately commission a spin off ‘AfterMash’, which would quickly flop.) The ratings would’ve been even higher if it had not been for unusually strong weather which caused blackouts in large parts of California and stopped hundreds of thousands of people from watching the episode.

The show, which attracted 105.97 million viewers, was so anticipated that the network sold 30 second advertising blocks for almost $500,000 a piece and it still stands as the most viewed episode of any series, ever.

 

Russell Fielding is a self-confessed TV addict and plans his viewing using his favoured TV Guide just to make sure he doesn’t miss anything he wants to watch.

 Posted by Guest Author at 8:00 AM  Tagged with: , , , , , , ,

Who Is Eddie Vedder?

 Entertainment, Music  No Responses »
Jun 142011
 

As the lead singer of the alt-rock group Pearl Jam Eddie Vedder has built a reputation as a serious musician committed to his art. He has refused the usual superstar rock treatment; not one for being seen at clubs, bars or generally behaving badly in the public eye. Vedder has instead focused directly on his music, touring with his band and doing things just a little bit differently than his peers.

Pearl Jam came alive in the 1990’s during the hey-day of grunge rock. Their peers at the time were Nirvana, the Meat Puppets and Alice In Chains. Unlike those other bands, however, Pearl Jam survived intact and managed to avoid the tragedies that befell most other bands of their generation. This has helped their music endure, but ironically, it also led some to question their true commitment to the music.

It has helped slightly that Vedder has stayed true to the ideals he espoused when the band first formed. Pearl Jam has continued to release albums on vinyl, even as most other groups have switched to all digital formats. Vedder said the vinyl format more perfectly preserves the quality of the sound of his music. The band has also steadfastly refused to release music videos of their work regardless of its popularity. In 2006 Rolling Stone magazine said the band was trying to destroy their own fame and it certainly seemed that way to many critics. This year Vedder has once again made a decision to do something that seems unlikely to achieve any critical or financial success. He has recorded a solo album of ukulele music called, unoriginally, “Ukulele Songs” and embarked on a whirlwind concert tour.

His original ukulele songs include “Sleeping by Myself”, “Can’t Keep”, “Longing to Belong”, “Broken Heart,” and “Once in a While.” His album also includes some ukulele hits from the early 20th century such as “Dream A Little Dream”, More Than You Know” and “Tonight You Belong To Me.”

Vedder is certainly an accomplished musicians who understands the intrinsic nature of the ukulele. His mastery of the instrument is apparent in the way he tweaks the strings and sounds the right notes despite the ability of the ukulele to sometimes sound a little off-kilter. Vedder does not have the ego of most rock musicians. Despite the fact he has two decades worth of fame he continues to maintain a very low profile. Vedder does not appear in the tabloid papers nor does he seem a likely candidate for an episode of “Where Are They Now?” Vedder continues to make relevant music and continues to reinvent himself. This in itself is enough to ensure he has a lasting career, if nothing else.

Vedder and his band mates within Pearl Jam continue to prove that not every superstar is doomed to a life (or death) of excess. If he continues to make music that matters to his fans, or finds and releases music that strikes a chord with new audiences he is likely to continue to remain a popular figure in the musical pantheon.

 

Shibu is an avid music fanatic and an advocate for curbing music piracy. He has a team of Virtual Personal Assistant who help him run the site and his website. If you’re interested in Shibu’s ‘s anti piracy intitiatives or you would like to find out more on how his Virtual Personal Assistants work,visit his website.

 Posted by Guest Author at 8:00 AM  Tagged with: , , , , ,

HOW TO: Database Your Family Memories (Without Spending a Fortune)

 Blogging, Crafts, Culture and Society, Family, Media, Photos, Scrapbooking  No Responses »
Jun 102011
 

 

When someone starts talking about priorities, they usually list family right at the top. Every single day you are creating memories with your family that you will forever cherish. If you are like many others, sharing these moments brings nearly as much joy as experiencing them! With all of the advances in today’s technology, the web is the best resource for keeping a record of your family’s precious time together, whether through blogging or online scrapbooking via your personal website.

The first step is picking a domain name. This could be your surname, a phrase that means something special to your family, or even the names of your two crazy cats. Here are a few fun tips to pick a great family-related domain name. Once you have purchased your domain name, you will need to find a hosting plan that fits your needs. Here is another useful resource to help you pick a cheap yet realiable hosting plan. Both of these steps are inexpensive and easy to complete.

Blogging

Family blogging

Some people seem to be intimidated by the thought of blogging, while others blog every minor detail of their life. There is no right or wrong approach. A blog is a great way to digitally capture your family’s most important moments.

You can write about:

  • Holiday get-togethers
  • Family vacations
  • Day-to-day life
  • The crazy antics of your toddler
  • The massacre the dog left in your laundry room
  • How your husband attempted to put new gutters on the house

Think you don’t have the time to blog? You can update a blog in less time than it takes to write a journal entry. There is also the added benefit of having friends subscribe to your blog instead of inundating you with calls about what you have been up to and who is hosting the Memorial Day barbeque this year. It’s all right there at the click of a mouse.

Online Scrapbooking

Family blogging

Online scrapbooking is an enjoyable way to share and preserve favorite photos. Scrapbooking has really caught on over the last few years, but it takes a lot of time. There are materials to purchase, you need an area to work in, cleanup is a hassle, and if you make a mistake, it often can’t be undone. Online scrapbooking doesn’t have to cost money. There are plenty of free downloads available—such as background templates, clip art, and special fonts. You can design scrapbook pages for any occasion, adding as much artistic flair as you want. The benefits of online scrapbooking go beyond clicking the ”undo” button to fix a mistake; unlike a regular scrapbook page, digital pictures will not fade, fall apart, or get lost in a box.

Twenty or thirty years down the road, all of this information will still be available right at your fingertips. Digital memory preservation keeps your treasured moments frozen in time. The internet is here to stay and it will only become better in the future. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about records stored on paper. Begin keeping your family memories online, where they will be available to enjoy for generations to come.

Jessy is a happy mom, frugal housewife and a mommy blogger. She writes for Home Loan Finder, the free Australia -based home loan comparison tool. People outside Australia will find numerous money saving resources from Home Loan Finder very useful.

 Posted by Guest Author at 3:46 AM  Tagged with: , , ,

Stephen Moyer Flips Race Car at Toyota Celebrity Race

 Current Events, News, Television  No Responses »
Jun 092011
 

Fans of True Blood got quite a scare last weekend when series star Stephen Moyer flipped his race car at a charity racing event. Luckily for him and his fans, he’s just fine. In fact, he walked away from the amazing crash with nary a scratch on him.

Moyer took part in the 2011 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race this past weekend in Long Beach, California. The annual charity race pits professional drivers and celebrities against each other. Other celebrity drivers in the event include Frankie Muniz, Brian Austin Green, Kim Coates, Kody Swanson, Jillian Barberie Reynolds, Djimon Hounsou, Tito Ortiz and William Fichtner. Fichtner was the eventual winner of the race, with Japanese drift racer Ken Gushi finishing a close second.

Despite the exciting finish, it was the lucky survival of Moyer that fans are talking about. The accident happened in a qualifying lap. According to the magazine UsMagazine, the actor crashed his car into a barrier, did a full 360 degree roll, and landed (relatively) safely on his tires.

One can easily imagine the hush from the crowd and the several agonizingly tense moments that immediately followed the crash. Moyer, however, merely emerged from his vehicle apparently unharmed, gave the crowd a thumbs up, and walked away, proving that he either has a guardian angel watching over him or he truly is one of the undead.

Anyone who is a fan of racing knows how much worse all of this could have been. Crashes such as this can be bad news for the driver. It is not uncommon for drivers and passengers to be ejected from a vehicle that rolls over, and such crashes account for more than a third of passenger vehicle occupant deaths. Stephen Moyer is indeed very lucky that his car landed on its tires and that he is unhurt. On a related note, it does sound like an impressive crash. Reports say that Moyer’s car flipped completely over once and didn’t touch the ground until it landed on its tires.  He sure was lucky, as events like these often have a dramatic ending.

Not only did he survive a potentially catastrophic wreck unscathed, Moyer also scored the number one qualifying time, beating other celebrity racers such as Brian Austin Green and Kevin Jonas. By participating in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, Moyer also raised $15,000 for his chosen charity, Racing for Kids.

 

Luckily, Moyer won’t need to worry about insuring that hotrod, as Toyota takes care of details like this.  If you’d like to get your own car on the road, visit Kanetix and compare a few quotes today.

 Posted by Guest Author at 8:00 AM  Tagged with: , , , ,

Sting and Stevie Wonder to Headline 2nd Annual Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival

 Caribbean, Entertainment, Music, News, Sting, Travel  No Responses »
Apr 172011
 

Image: Sting and Stevie Wonder perform at Obama's Inaugural Ball, Jan 20, 2009

The highly-anticipated second annual Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival will headline world-famous musicians Sting and Stevie Wonder, who will respectively open and close this year’s event, September 2-3, 2011. The Festival returns with another year of A-list performers, including Dionne Warwick, Earth, Wind & Fire and more, for a first-class jazz and blues concert series, incorporating an eclectic mix of salsa, Latin, pop! The Festival will again beheld at the World Trade Center Curaçao in Piscadera Bay.

“Our incredible line-up of iconic Grammy Award-winning artists, including Stevie Wonder and Sting, will be a huge draw for this year’s Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival,” says Curaçao Tourist Board Marketing Manager North America André Rojer. “Building on the success of last year’s Festival, this year’s event is sure to heighten awareness of Curaçao as the hottest island in the Caribbean!”

Singer-songwriter and 16-time Grammy award-winner Sting will headline the festival, kicking off the weekend with a performance on Friday, September 2. Sting made his debut in music as the lead singer and bassist of the rock band The Police. As a solo musician since 1985, he has evolved into one of the world’s most distinctive and highly respected performers.

Stevie Wonder, confirmed to be the closing act of the Festival, is sure to draw fans with his legendary, soul-moving performance. With his nearly 50-year music career, Wonder is a timeless icon and inspiration for many other artists. Wonder’s 25 Grammy Awards, Academy Award for “I Just Called to Say I Love You,” and prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award make him a coveted act for the Festival.

Other performers at the Festival include Dionne Warwick, Earth, Wind & Fire, Ruben Blades, Roberto Fonseca, Juan Luis Guerra, Terence Blanchard, Chic featuring Nile Rodgers, Poncho Sanchez, Danilo Perez Trio, Levi Silvanie, Chucho Valdes Afro Cuban & Messengers and Ronchi Matthew, providing an impressive line-up of jazz, soul, rock and Latin music.

In the week before the Festival, concerts are held on various locations on the island, including the popular party spot, Mambo Beach.

Last year’s Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival, was a spectacular success for the island, selling 18,000 tickets to crowds of locals and visitors during the two days of the Festival. Memorable performances from artists John Legend, Lionel Richie, Natalie Cole, Simply Red, George Benson, Sergio Mendes, and more wowed the audience.

Travelers heading down to Curaçao for the Festival can expect lively pop-up concerts and events by local Curaçaoän performers during the full week prior to the Festival. There’s no question that Curaçao knows how to throw a good party, having recently been named one of the ‘Best Islands in the Caribbean for Bar-Hoppers’ by The Huffington Post.

Day tickets for the 2011 concerts start from only $185. For more information on the Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival, please visit www.curacaonorthseajazz.com.

Curaçao is now more accessible than ever with twice weekly nonstop flights on Continental Airlines from Newark, as well as twice daily flights on American Airlines from Miami. The island’s local carrier, InselAir, also services Curaçao with one flight, Sunday through Friday, from Miami.

For more information on Curaçao or to book your trip to the 2011 Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival, please visit Curacao.com.

About Curaçao

Selected as one of the ‘Top 21 Places We’re Going in 2011’ by Fodor’s, one of the ‘Hottest Destinations for 2011’ by AOL Travel and one of the ‘Destinations to Watch in 2011’ by SmarterTravel, Curaçao is a unique Caribbean island paradise, boasting 35 uncrowded beaches, and an eclectic mix of history and culture. Explore the vibrant, culturally diverse capital city of Willemstad – a UNESCO World Heritage site – with its distinctive architecture, museums, monuments and world-class shopping. Indulge in Curaçao’s vast selection of flavorful restaurants, with a mix of sophisticated international and tasty local cuisines. Discover Curaçao’s abundant natural beauty, pristine dive sites and spectacular snorkeling at secluded beaches – including Cas Abao Beach, selected as one of the ‘Top 10 Beach Destinations for 2011’ by SmarterTravel. Curaçao offers idyllic weather, situated on the fringe of the Hurricane Belt. To learn more about the island of Curaçao visit Curacao.com. To request a FREE Curaçao information package click here or call toll free 1.800.328.7222.

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 Posted by Kelly Brown at 6:00 PM  Tagged with: , , , , , ,

4 TV Shows That Never Got the Chance They Deserved

 Entertainment, Television  2 Responses »
Apr 122011
 

With some TV shows, a cancellation comes as no surprise. In those situations, the ratings reflect the reviews and overall viewer distaste. In some cases, however, the fans who watch the show love it, but those loyal fans are apparently just not enough when a network is trying to maximize advertising profit with tens of millions of viewers.

The following four shows are ones that were not only canceled prematurely, but that were also well-loved by those who watched them and well-received by critics. Sometimes being great is just not enough.

1. Veronica Mars – Dear CW: A long time ago, we used to be friends, but I haven’t heard from you lately at all. Veronica Mars was probably 5’3” in heels, but anyone at Neptune High who messed with her paid dearly. The daughter of a private detective, VM took after her father and then some, solving some of the most compelling and creative cases on TV. With cute and often comical episode cases and an enthralling story arc, VM should have at least gone seven seasons, but WB, CW, or whatever they are called this week, canceled it at its peak. It had a loyal following, but just not enough ratings.

2. Caprica – Toward the end of its run, Battlestar Galactica got very weird, and its prequel, Caprica, kept the weird thing going. But is that not what sci-fi is supposed to be? Those wonderful execs at the SyFy channel, who now seem to have more reality shows than actually sci-fi content, should know better than anyone how long it takes for a sci-fi show to mature and develop.

Was Caprica going to be a classic? We will never know. The story seemed interesting, but a ridiculously long mid-season break and some very impatient network ratings junkies killed any chance we would ever have of knowing. So say we all.

3. Firefly – A fan favorite that even sparked the creation of a full-length movie, Fox wronged Firefly. By “wronged” I do not mean the way the fast food restaurant forgot to give you ketchup. I mean “wronged” as in stealing a child’s bike and laughing as the kid runs home crying. Fox did not even let the show air all of its brilliant 13 episodes before pulling the plug.

Firefly had it all, a space cowboy, a ship that seemed to be barely holding together but that still had that “home” feeling, and a cast of supporting characters who were likable, eccentric, and at times very humorous. Joss Whedon was known for creating shows like this, but Fox never gave it the time or attention it deserved.

4. Journeyman – This is another show that can only be classified as being wronged. Like Firefly, it only lasted a single season, but the story was so compelling, the cast so well-placed, and the premise so far out there, that I must have watched the entire season in a single day. The story centers around a man who suddenly starts shifting back and forth through time, a power he has no control over. He touches people’s lives and rewrites history, all while trying to maintain a normal life with a wife and son.

Just when the story had us on the edge of our seats, NBC canceled it. To be honest, I did not even know the show was on the air until after it was canceled, but that is typical of how NBC and other major networks treat sci-fi shows. Now the Journeyman is forever stuck shifting in and out of timelines with no hope of ever being rescued.

Many other shows fit the same “should have been saved” category, from the original Star Trek to Kyle XY, but these four are the ones my friends at server host 34SP.com and I wanted to see to the end, more than any others. If you have a list of favorites, be sure to post them in the comments section.

Some TV shows shoot themselves and were probably destined to be canceled. Others, like the four above, were victims of poor marketing, neglect from their networks, and general lack of popularity. Reality TV reigns on most networks now, but for me and a few others out there, nothing beats a good story.

 

Tavis is a seasoned freelance writer with a wide range of experience and interests from sports to information technology. When he’s not reading or writing, he enjoys a sci-fi or mystery show.

 Posted by Guest Author at 8:00 AM  Tagged with: , , , , ,

4 TV Shows You Have To Watch Before You Die

 Entertainment, Television  3 Responses »
Mar 212011
 

Caught your attention? Television is fantastic at doing this and there are many shows that are either still going or have come and gone that I am almost certain that people have missed out on. If you haven’t seen the following shows then I would advise sitting down to watch at least the first few episodes as they not only provide countless hours of enjoyment but some of them really make you think.

24

24 was one of the best television shows to hit our screens and this is simply down to the fact that it not only kept viewers guessing every episode with its very clever cliff-hangers but was like a constant action movie in the way it was told.

The unique part of this television show was that the season was told over a period of 24 hours and that each hour was put to an episode. It all runs in real time and incorporate the advertisement breaks that interfere with each show.

Life On Mars/ Ashes To Ashes

Life On Mars was a fantastically unique idea that involved a police officer that was hit by a car in modern times (2006 at the time) only to awake in 1973 finding himself working in the same station he was working in forward in time at 2006. Viewers are captivated for the entire two seasons as Sam Tyler fights to get home not knowing if he mad, in a coma, dead or travelled back in time.

Ashes to Ashes is a follow up series that went on for three seasons that was this time involving a female officer and set in the 80s. It is not until the end of season 3 of Ashes to Ashes that you find out exactly what has happened to both of these officers but the twist is excellent. If you are based in the US you might not get some of the fantastic humour put out by character Gene Hunt but you will enjoy it anyway.

Heroes

Heroes has to be my favourite television programme of all time with a combination of everything you want from a superhero movie and a television programme combined. You cannot compare it to comics like Spiderman and it is better compared to darker graphic novels like Watchmen. Watch all seasons from 1-4 as the “Heroes” learn about their abilities, dark secrets unfold and epic battles are fought.

House

Other than Heroes it is safe to say that I have taken the most enjoyment out of watching House and the brilliance of Hugh Laurie in the role of Gregory House.  House is a medical genius who often argues with peers because many of his hypotheses on his patients are so crazy (even though usually right) and House is not only the most interesting character on television I have ever seen but the funniest too and as I have said it is Hugh Laurie that makes this show well worth a watch.

I am only on the fourth season of this show (there are currently seven) and I have not seen an episode that has disappointed me or made me stop watching it for a period of time. Put simply, House is the best programme on television at the moment.

These are just a few of the television programmes you really do need to watch as they are awesome!
 

 

Ryan is an SEO working for Natiownide Vehicle Contracts who are experts in car hire UK.

 Posted by Guest Author at 4:00 PM  Tagged with: , , , , , ,
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