i'm happy to say, i have a new favorite movie...
The film, which will focus on the early lives of Captain James T Kirk and Mr Spock, will begin shooting this autumn.
No further details have been announced and the movie has yet to be cast.
But Abrams - who directed the third Mission: Impossible film last year - said he wanted "to make a picture for life-long fans and the uninitiated".
"Needless to say I am honoured and excited to be part of this next chapter of Star Trek," he added.
'Brilliance and optimism'
The original Star Trek TV series, created by Gene Roddenberry, ran from 1966 to 1969.
It went on to spawn 10 feature films, numerous spin-offs and a billion-dollar industry of books, computer games and consumer products.
| | PREVIOUS TREK FILMS The Motion Picture (1979) The Wrath of Khan (1982) The Search for Spock (1984) The Voyage Home (1986) The Final Frontier (1989) The Undiscovered Country (1991) Generations (1994) First Contact (1996) Insurrection (1998) Nemesis (2002) |
The most recent TV spin-off, Star Trek: Enterprise, came to an end in 2005.
The latest feature, which has yet to be named, will tell of Kirk and Spock's first meeting at Starfleet Academy and their first outer space mission.
Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, who worked with Abrams on Mission: Impossible III, have written the screenplay.
"If there's something I'm dying to see, it's the brilliance and optimism of Roddenberry's world brought back to the big screen," said Abrams.
"Alex and Bob wrote an amazing script that embraces and respects Trek canon but charts its own course."
Paramount Pictures chairman and CEO Brad Grey said he "could not be more thrilled to be back in business with JJ Abrams".
As well as directing the film, Abrams will co-produce with Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof.
the academy awards ...
SCI FI Channel announced that it has renewed its Peabody-winning original series Battlestar Galactica, ordering 13 new episodes. Production will resume this summer in Vancouver, Canada, with an eye toward a January 2008 premiere.
Feb 11 10PM
no surprise to me that many have already expressed their "concern" about the recent photo's that are popping up everywhere of daniel radcliffe, shirtless. as harry potter, daniel portrayed a character in a children's series called harry potter.
17.01.2007 - The bugs may alter immune response in a beneficial way, researchers say WEDNESDAY, Jan. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Parasitic infections may actually benefit people with multiple sclerosis (MS), suggests a study by researchers in Argentina.
These infections may affect the body's immune response in a way that changes the course of the disease.
Previous studies found that parasite infection could affect the course of autoimmune diseases in animals. This is the first study to examine the relationship between parasite infections and MS in humans.
The study included 12 MS patients with a parasite infection and 12 MS patients who were parasite-free. The patients in both groups had a similar disease course. The patients were followed for an average of 4.6 years.
During the study period, there were three clinical relapses of MS among patients infected with a parasite, compared to 56 relapses in the group of uninfected MS patients. Patients in the infected group were less likely to suffer increased disability due to MS.
The researchers also found that infected patients had much higher numbers of cells that produce cytokine suppressants. MS involves an inflammatory response associated with the production of cytokines, which are regulatory proteins.
The findings provide evidence to support the idea that an autoimmune response caused by a parasite infection can decrease the normal inflammatory response associated with MS, the study authors suggested.
The study appears in the January issue of the Annals of Neurology.
More information
The American Medical Association has more about MS.
-- Robert Preidt
The Collector’s Edition hits dvd Jan 23rd.Bonus Features:
Brokeback Mountain: The Collector’s Edition offers exclusive bonus features, some available for the first time, that will heighten viewers’ understanding and enjoyment of this seminal film, including:
A Groundbreaking Success – In an original documentary, Brokeback Mountain’s producers and cast talk about bringing this unusual story to the screen on their terms. The film also examines the phenomenal attention garnered by the movie, including the numerous parodies that were inspired by its theme.
Music From the Mountain – Composer Gustavo Santaolalla, who won an Oscar for Brokeback Mountain’s emotional soundtrack, anchors a breakdown of the movie’s unforgettable music. Includes interviews with each of the featured artists and a trip to the studio with the legendary Willie Nelson as he records his touching version of Bob Dylan’s "He Was a Friend of Mine."
Impressions From the Film – The raw beauty and splendor of the American West are masterfully showcased in a photomontage of the film’s sweeping vistas.
On Being A Cowboy – Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal discuss their preparations for the film, including rodeo and wrangling training. Exclusive on-set interviews with the film’s stunt coordinator are also featured.
Directing From The Heart: Ang Lee – Director Ang Lee is profiled in this intimate behind-the-scenes look at the creative force that brought the absorbing story of Brokeback Mountain to life.
From Script to Screen: Interviews with Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana – The writers discuss bringing Pulitzer Prize-winning author Annie Proulx’s visionary short story to the screen.
Sharing the Story: The Making of Brokeback Mountain – This featurette follows the filmmaking process from start to finish and introduces the cast and crew who brought Brokeback Mountain to life through in-depth interviews, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, and more.
Number of Discs: 2
Run Time: 2 Hours 15 Minutes
With stock indexes reaching all-time highs in 2006, won't there be something for employees to get excited about as they open their 2007 paychecks? Not unless they're executives, who, as usual, will do better.
Base pay for the average worker, projected to increase 3.7 percent or so, will be basically flat after discounting for inflation, according to a consensus of salary surveys. And performance-based bonuses -- these days an anticipated financial shot in the arm for most of us, not an extra -- aren't expected to increase substantially.
"We've seen no real wage gains for most Americans over the past few years," says Sylvia Allegretto, an economist at the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, DC. "It looks like inflation might be 4 percent in 2007, so if workers get a 3.5 percent increase, they're still falling behind. The economy's expanding, workers are extremely productive, profits are at record highs, but from 2000 to 2005, real earnings were down about 3.5 percent."
It's no help that in the second half of 2006, economic growth slowed significantly. "The construction and housing bubble has been pricked, if not deflated," says Joseph Kilmartin, director of compensation at Salary.com.
Still, pay increases for those who exit and enter companies or receive promotions are often better than those in aggregate statistics, according to Steven Gross, a senior compensation consultant with Mercer Human Resources Consulting in Philadelphia.
Variable Pay: Nothing New Here
Though the trend leveled off several years ago, employers and their consultants portray performance-based pay as the up-and-coming compensation component that will help make up for the meager salary increases most workers will see in 2007. A statement accompanying a compensation survey from human resources consulting firm Hewitt Associates begins: "As base pay increases remain stable for 2007, more companies are relying on variable pay -- performance-related awards that must be re-earned each year."
However, the same survey reveals that participation of US companies in variable-pay plans has been essentially flat from 2001 -- when the proportion stood at 81 percent -- to 2006 at 80 percent.
Variable pay as a percentage of total payroll budget has actually declined slightly from 11.4 percent in 2005 to 11.2 percent in 2006 and a projected 11 percent in 2007, according to Hewitt.
So workers should take performance-based pay as a given and evaluate how their employers' bonus packages compare to the competition. According to Mercer, the most common forms of variable monetary rewards beyond the annual bonus are spot cash awards, project milestone awards and signing bonuses.
Pay in Many IT Occupations Struggles to Keep Pace with Inflation
In the information technology field, starting salaries will rise 2.8 percent in 2007, according to staffing firm Robert Half Technology. Such an increase, trumpeted as evidence of healthy demand for IT workers, might not even be enough to keep pace with inflation.
"Some technology occupations with stronger salary growth are being offset by others with lower growth," says Katherine Spencer Lee, Robert Half executive director.
Indeed, there will be substantial variation in 2007 pay increases across IT occupations, according to Robert Half's projections. While Web developers will receive an average hike of 4.2 percent, starting help-desk workers will see their pay rise just 0.8 percent, or an average $250, to $37,000. Offshoring of help-desk services is a likely contributor to these feeble wage increases.
In Salary.com's survey of salary budget increases, technology jobs garnered most of the good news. Professionals working in computer and electronics manufacturing, computer systems design, and scientific and technical services all are expected to see raises of 4 percent to 5 percent.
Executives Still Garner the Biggest Salary Increases
More old news is likely to continue making headlines in 2007: High-ranking employees are the most likely to receive relatively large merit increases.
For example, in Mercer's analysis of the 2006 distribution of employers' performance-rating systems, 38 percent of executives scored in the highest category, while only 22 percent to 24 percent of staff professionals and workers in clerical, administrative, production and service roles placed in the top band, which is tied to the biggest percentage raises.
"Higher-level positions are more visible," explains Gross. "If executives don't produce, they have a greater chance of being fired."
For many people, the act of packing away the holiday decorations, opening the last gift, or parting with visiting loved ones evokes feelings of sadness. The busyness associated with the holidays that distracted us from life subsides, and we are left wondering why life seems a bit empty. Yet we need not give ourselves over entirely to the blues we feel when the celebrations end. And this post-holiday period of mellowness should not be viewed as a sign that your festivities were less than fulfilling. To feel a few pangs of gloom as the decorations come down and guests return to their homes is natural. Your physical and mental selves, which existed in a state of arousal as you immersed yourself in the magic of the holiday season, need time to adjust as you settle back into your usual routine. Rest assured that which warmed your heart and fulfilled you in previous days will satisfy you again.
There are many ways you can gently smooth the transition between the holidays and the pleasures of everyday existence. In the midst of your yearly celebrations, strive to achieve balance and acknowledge that holidays are special, precisely because they represent a short time of your life. If you minimize the impact the festivities have on your personal and professional schedules, reverting to these timetables will not shock your system. Once the holidays are over, try to keep a small spark of celebration aglow in your heart. Accomplishing this can be as easy as treating yourself well and integrating holiday values such as forgiveness, generosity, and gratitude into your day-to-day existence. Stay in touch with relatives who you traditionally only see once per year, and spread goodwill by volunteering or hosting a post-celebration celebration, just for the fun of it. Even leaving one decoration unpacked and displayed can help you stay cheerful in the days that follow the holi! days.
Consider that all of the virtues that touch you deeply as you celebrate the holiday season—charity, togetherness, magic, beauty, etc.—exist year-round. With a little effort, you can carry the celebratory spirit in your heart always. The post-holiday blues will soon pass, leaving you feeling as happy and buoyant as you did just weeks before.
here's two things I'm planning fro this years holiday 2006 festivities...
since i'm one who often "thinks out of the box" i decided to make a few basic designs...typical candy bar size (solid) and a few of those blaw shaped semi round pieces. beyond those i thought the following might also be interesting: dried apricots, banana chips, a raspberry jam center, graham crackers, pretzels, coconut covered marsh mellows, a crushed granola mix and dried pineapple wedges.
A celebrity concert to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, has been announced. Princes William and Harry are organising the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium on 1 July, when she would have turned 46.
Sir Elton John, Duran Duran, Joss Stone, Bryan Ferry and hip-hop star Pharrell Williams will perform. Tickets go on sale at 0900 GMT on Wednesday.
A memorial service will also be held in London at a venue to be confirmed.
To reflect the princess's love of dancing and musicals, there will be an appearance by the English National Ballet, while Andrew Lloyd Webber will stage a medley of songs from his West End shows.
The princes said more acts were coming but they had released just "a flavour" of those confirmed.
Sir Elton John said: "I applaud Princes William and Harry for choosing to honour their mother with this concert. I am absolutely thrilled to be performing at this great event.
"Diana was a personal friend and someone I greatly admired for her tireless and enthusiastic work for charity."
Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran added: "The concert next summer seems an entirely fitting way to celebrate her life and her work.
"We are honoured that she always referred to Duran Duran as her favourite band as she was certainly our favourite princess."
Proceeds from the concert will go to a number of charities that were supported by the princess during her life, and to two of the princes' own charities, Centrepoint and Sentebale.
It has also been confirmed the senior royals, including their stepmother the Duchess of Cornwall, will attend the memorial service on 31 August, the actual anniversary of Diana's death.
Recently, Hershey’s announced the “Elvis Cup”, a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup that includes a layer of Banana Creme. You may or may not know (if say, you’re blind), but Elvis loved to eat. One of his favorite foods was fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches, thus the inspiration for the new Reese’s cup. Hershey’s just added some chocolate and took away the fried aspect (though I’m sure a local county fair can help you with the fried aspect.)
hello everyone!
The ruling stops short of enabling gay couples to get married and will only apply to the estimated nine million inhabitants of Mexico City.
Mexico City Mayor Alejandro Encinas is widely expected to ratify the law.
It has met fierce opposition from President-elect Felipe Calderon's National Action Party.
The law has also been attacked by the Catholic Church and conservative activists.
'Decadence'
While Mexico City legislators voted for the law, supporters and opponents of the bill demonstrated noisily outside the assembly building.
Protester Humberto Muniz described the law as "anti-natural".
"Societies have always fallen into decadence when there has been homosexuality," he told the Reuters news agency.
But the vote was welcomed by David Sanchez, an openly gay congressman.
"These reforms are going to cause a snowball effect that no one will be able to stop," he told Reuters.
Rights
Under the law, Mexico City's gay couples who register their union with civil authorities will gain access to inheritance and pension rights.
Unmarried heterosexual couples can also register under the same law.
Gay civil unions have yet to be approved by local legislators in any other part of Mexico.
A similar bill is being debated by lawmakers in Mexico's northern state of Coahuila, bordering Texas.
Editor's note: Part of a series of preview stories on selected ballot measures in the Nov. 7 general election.
South Dakota would join 11 other states that allow some medical patients to smoke marijuana to ease their pain and other medical problems if voters approve Initiated Measure 4 on Nov. 7.
Diseases and conditions that would be covered include: cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, severe or chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, severe or persistent muscle spasms and multiple sclerosis. The state Department of Health also could approve other medical conditions.
Though some states permit medical marijuana, residents still can be prosecuted in federal court.
Valerie Hannah of Deerfield said if the measure doesn't pass, she's moving to California, where medical marijuana is allowed - although she said she already uses limited amounts of it to quell her nerve pain.
"I'm the only person who will admit that they're a medical marijuana patient in South Dakota," she said in a telephone interview.
Hannah said she served in the Persian Gulf War in the early 1990s and was exposed to chemical weapons that are basically causing her nerves to dissolve.
"And with that comes extreme, extreme pain," she said.
No prescription drug is as effective as a few hits of pot a few times a day, Hannah said.
"Not a whole joint. It's just a couple of tokes, a couple of hits off a pipe," she said.
Hughes County Sheriff Mike Leidholt said he empathizes with Hannah and others who suffer from chronic pain. But the relief it could offer some people doesn't justify the cost to society, he said.
Among Liedholt's points:
• It sends a mixed message to children on the use of drugs.
• People other than the patient could get the marijuana, as a lot of teens do now with alcohol.
• There have been great advances in prescription medications, so it's not necessary to go back to natural remedies such as marijuana.
• Law enforcement officers wouldn't be allowed to test if a driver with a prescription is under the influence of marijuana.
• The marijuana isn't subject to quality control standards that are a part of Food and Drug Administration approval, so there's no way to know the potency.
The law would allow each patient and caregiver up to six plants, which could produce from 2,700 to more than 13,000 joints every year, depending how well the plants are cultivated, he said.
"That's a lot of marijuana," Leidholt said. "If you're not going to use that much, what are you going to do with the rest of it? Are you going to share it with friends?"
Hannah, who no longer is able to work, said the measure is not an attempt to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, and it would not make pot widely available.
"This is not a way to get it into the hands of your children or my children or anybody else's. This is for legitimate people who need this," she said. "Everyone should have the freedom to choose their own medication."
I think when it comes to blogging, it's all about personal expression but more importantly, sharing idea's and information with others. As an individual who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, I can attest to the importance & benefits of sharing information with others, weather it be good or bad.
