Posts Tagged ‘entertainment’

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Clive Cussler’s Spartan Gold

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Spartan Gold is the first in a new series by New York Times bestseller Clive Cussler in cooperation with action novel writer Grant Blackwood.

The new series is referred to as “Fargo Adventures,” based on its action heroes, a married couple named Sam and Remi Fargo.

After a few years of entrepreneurship early in life which made them a fortune, the Fargos have been able to devote their new lives to their main passion, archeological treasure hunting. And they generally let nothing and no one deter them from finding their prize.

The Fargo Adventures feature a new set of characters and a new approach in the form of archeological treasure hunting. (New in terms of being the main focus.) But as with any Cussler-novel, we can still expect a lot of the action to take place in and around water, as well as plenty of exotic cars, foods and drinks.

Through Spartan Gold we follow Sam and Remi Fargo as they pursue a trail of clues left behind by Napoleon Bonaparte on the back of wine-bottle labels from his lost wine cellar. Not only are the clues written as riddles but they are also in code, which they must first crack.

Of course there are also adversaries to be faced and dealt with. A former Soviet freedom fighter turned mafia billionaire sends his hired hooligans to interfere with the Fargos’ investigation, several times imperiling their very lives.

Bondaruk believes the end of the trail will lead to an ancient Greek gold-treasure once conquered by his ancestor, the Persian ruler Xerxes the Great. A treasure which Bondaruk has convinced himself is his rightful heritage, and no one will be allowed to stand in his way of getting it.

The trail laid out by Napoleon through the wine-bottle riddles leads Sam and Remi Fargo from a German WWII submarine in Maryland to Rum Key in the Bahamas and through many European countries, including Germany, Monaco, Italy, Croatia and Ukraine.

To sum it up, Spartan Gold is the first in an exciting new series by the master of marine action novels, Clive Cussler, complete with the distinct hallmarks that we have come to love and expect from this beloved author. In other words, Spartan Gold is another guaranteed New York Times bestseller.

Britt Hellman lives in Western North Carolina with her husband and three children, operating her own copywriting business from home. Clive Cussler has been long time favorite author. Visit her Cussler book site to order Spartan Gold or read her review of the most recent Dirk Pitt novel, Arctic Drift.

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Book Review: Arctic Drift, by Clive and Dirk Cussler

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt novels often focus on one or more current geopolitical events. The latest one, Arctic Drift, is no different, centering on a worldwide financial crisis in 2011, coupled with global warming woes.

The bad guy of the story, Mitchell Goyette, is a Canadian energy tycoon with a public facade of green technology and renewable resource businesses. However, his dark underbelly conceals heavy involvement in oil and natural gas.

South of the Canadian border, the United States faces a financial crisis of unequaled of proportions, a crisis intensified by the looming boycott of the U.S. by the international community if the country does not cut its greenhouse gas emissions from coal burning and automobiles.

The American president pins his hopes on Canadian natural gas to replace the coal used in many of the country’s electricity generating power plants, as well as the gasoline used in cars. The U.S. would thereby make substantial savings on expensive imported oil, while at the same time being able to meet the international demand to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.

This desperate American play gets exploited by the industrialist Goyette to the fullest. Officially, he is the hero of the green movement because of his heavy investments in wind power and carbon dioxide sequestering. Unofficially, he holds a major interest in the Athabasca oil sands of Alberta, as well as the entire Melville natural gas field in the Canadian Arctic.

The unconscionable Goyette strikes a deal with the American government to sell nearly limitless supplies of Melville natural gas at market value, which would help the U.S. avert the escalating energy crisis, a financial meltdown, and an international trade boycott. But when Goyette is able to secretly work out a better deal with China, he does not hesitate to break his agreement with the U.S. and leave the southern neighbor high and dry.

(In the real world, any business in breach of such a huge and important contract would probably not survive. But it’s a good set-up for an intriguing story line.)

However, Goyette’s double-dealing with the U.S. and China may actually be the least of his crimes. He’s also guilty of assassination, bribing politicians, creating toxic waste that kills people and wildlife, and almost instigating a war between the U.S. and Canada.

The only fly in Goyette’s ointment goes by the name of Dirk Pitt, Clive Cussler’s action hero of 35 years. In the end Pitt prevails over Goyette, and multiple crises are averted.

Arctic Drift is an excellent and seamless co-authorship between Clive Cussler and his son, Dirk Cussler. It is hard to tell the penmanship of one apart from the other throughout the book. Whatever sections Dirk Cussler wrote, he did an excellent job of adopting Clive’s inimitable style. (That’s an intentional oxymoron.)

Arctic Drift is a thrilling read in classic Clive Cussler style. You will not be disappointed. It may not be the edge-of-your-seat non-stop action from cover-to-cover as in some of the older Cussler works, but it’s still an exciting, intriguing and brilliantly written story that keeps your attention and makes you want to keep reading. The thugs are as smart as they are sinister, and the heroes as pure as Arctic ice.

Britt Hellman lives in Western North Carolina with her spouse and three children. She runs her own copywriting business from home. Clive Cussler has been one of her favorite authors since reading his Trojan Odyssey, a Dirk Pitt Novel, in 2003 and she writes reviews like this one on Arctic Drift for the fun of sharing that excitement.

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The Wrecker by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

“The Isaac Bell Novels” is a new hit series by “one of the greatest adventure novelists of our time” (imdb), Clive Cussler. The Wrecker is the sequel to the successful first Isaac Bell novel, titled The Chase. (The next release in the series is scheduled for June 1, 2010.)

The main character of the of this new Clive Cussler series is a detective by the name of Isaac Bell, a fearless figure of physical prowess equaling James Bond who simultaneously possesses observational skills and powers of deduction rivaling Sherlock Holmes.

As an independently wealthy heir to a Boston banking family, Isaac Bell pursues his detective investigations with a fury born out of an obsession and passion for justice rather than the need to make a living.

In The Wrecker, the Southern Pacific Railroad hires the Van Dorn detective agency and Isaac Bell to capture a saboteur that has been targeting their construction sites with devastating effects. Southern Pacific’s financing for a project to build a new line between the northern and southern portions of the American West coast is threatened. If any more sabotage ensues, it could potentially sink the entire mega-corporation.

The villain known as The Wrecker may be every bit as brilliant as Isaac Bell himself, reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes’ arch-nemesis Professor Moriarty. Up until the end of the novel, The Wrecker hides in plain sight within the circles of Southern Pacific Railroad president Osgood Hennessy.

The agenda of the Wrecker is to seize control of the Southern Pacific Railroad through various dummy corporations he has put in place, which will help him capture the fallout from Southern Pacific’s impending bankruptcy. Not only that but it appears he plans to eventually to control the entire United States railroad system, the greatest source of billionaire wealth in America at the turn of the last century.

Notorious as an avid automobile enthusiast, one reason why Clive Cussler may have picked the early 1900’s as the setting for his new series may well have been to give him an opportunity to write about car chases in classic automobiles from the turn of the last century.

Automobiles featured in The Wrecker include a Packard Grey Wolf, the 1907 Model 35 Thomas Flyer, winner of the New York to Paris race of 1908, Isaac Bell’s classic Locomobile, and a Bugatti Type 41 Royale.

Best-selling author Clive Cussler nurtures a personal passion for the sea, and has previously created three successful action novel series that all revolve in and around water. However, residing in Colorado, just about as far from the sea as you can get, Cussler also appears to love the mountains and the rugged terrain of the American West.

This “second” love of Clive Cussler shines through in his new Isaac Bell series in a way that will likely reinvigorate many old Wild West enthusiasts as well as give birth to a whole new generation of Western lovers. The book is a highly recommended read.

Mrs. Hellman resides in North Carolina with her spouse and three children, where she works as a copywriter. She writes book review as a hobby. Visit her site to order The Wrecker by Clive Cussler, or the latest Dirk Pitt adventure, Clive Cussler’s Arctic Drift.

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The Truth About Mark McGwire’s Admission

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

Recently, Mark McGwire came out with an admission that many people were shocked to hear. He had taken steroids from 1989 through the end of his career, despite his unwillingness to speak on the issue during a congressional hearing five years ago.

What may have been more interesting is the fact that McGwire claims to have used these drugs not simply as a means of getting ahead. McGwire says he took steroids because he believed that they would help him heal from injuries more quickly.

This seems very believable when you look at the career path that McGwire followed. Through 1989, his playing time had been seriously hampered due to injury, and many felt that he would otherwise be the best home run hitter in baseball if not for his injury issues.

It looked as if McGwire’s plans worked to perfection. The first baseman enjoyed a fruitful era of power hitting that saw a much lower incidence of injury issues.

No year was more indicative of his steroid use than 1998 was. This is a year that you very likely remember, as he belted 70 home runs for the St. Louis Cardinals, breaking the single season home record previously held by Roger Maris.

While McGwire was worshipped by baseball fans as he broke this record, things soon changed within the span of a few years. Talk of steroids began to mar the baseball world and its recent milestones, including the record that had been set by McGwire.

In retrospect, it should have been obvious that McGwire and others were using illegal substances. There was no other way to explain the unprecedented jumps in production, and the baseball world should have been keen to this.

Despite this all, one has to wonder if McGwire should be chided or praised for his recent admissions. While his numbers will certainly hold very little credence, he was a brave man to do what far too players have been willing to do up until now.

Read more of this author’s advice about the wooden bar stool and wooden step stool.

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White Cyc Los Angeles – Process

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

White Cyclorama is a perpetual process that’s stayed the same since its first use in German nineteen century theaters and it’s still being use today in the twenty first century. White Cyc Los Angeles is still being used for filming special effects. Any los angeles studios can have their own White Cyclorama Studios, but it is less costly to hire a White surfaced Cyclorama studio in LA.

Things to do and avoid for a successful White Cyc Los Angeles background : 1 ) the 1st and most important part of a white surfaced cyclorama is deciding between building or leasing is the design and construction of the white backdrop. 2 ) A good white backdrop should show a bunch of time and planning in its construction. Three ) The background and stage should be well lighted without shadows, seams, dirt, and flaws showing up in post production. Four ) It’s imperative that the curve between the floor and wall is correct to avoid shadows cause by the wall and floor meeting together at a ninety degree. 5 ) the proper curve helps with lighting by bouncing back light dumping the shadows on actors, props, and for example.

Additionally, the ceiling shouldn’t be too low to avoid a few of these issues : 1 ) Low ceiling causes issues with filming off stage. Two ) Detracts from the special effects. Three ) Causes a nightmare of issues getting the right camera angle. Here are 1 or 2 more pointers. Don’t lease a White Cyc Los Angeles~ studio with just one white wall to avoid these issues : one ) Limited filming option. 2 ) Everything must be film straight or head on. Its better to use a studio with 2 walls of white cyclorama. 3 ) two white walls with horizontal and vertically arced corner are better for filming. Four ) allow for wide array of camera angles.

The Most ideal place to video is a White Cyc Los Angeles studio with three walls of white cyclorama as it allows for appearance of filming in a big white ball. It is also perfect for allowing the most camera angles. Ultimately, the movement of light and camera better uses the white walls to bop light back creating a continued white void. Proper lighting needs to be taken into consideration to avoid light bounce and shadows. Poor lighting will cause Problems : 1 ) Details will not be clear or sharp. Two ) Shadows and light bounce will cause issues here are some tips on lighting : one ) One way to light a white cyclorama is a soft overhead light that allows for a giant quantity of light not causing shadows. 2 ) Make the lighting as even as possible. 3 ) be sure to hire the studio with enough time to setup lighting correctly .

two White Cyc Los Angeles that lease studio space with white cyclorama are : Atomic Studios with features : 1 ) 20 4 hour rent time 7 days every week 2 ) On site assistance three ) fifteen thousand square feet 4 ) 3 walls of white cyclorama 5 ) 3-D animation six ) Compositing pre and post production 7 ) RV camera automobile combo. De Studio features : one ) town centre with twenty foot white cyclorama two ) Provides lighting needs for smooth shadow less appearance 3 ) will supply lighting equipment four ) Plus the studio will supply additional lighting if needed five ) Studio is give up design with sound recording in mind 6 ) Studio is setup for motion picture lighting 7 ) “Stills” flash lighting.

There are so many other sites giving various forms of advice on how to use White Cyc but a lot of them are not very specific or concise. Before following these, make sure to check my own articles and reviews on White Cyc Los Angeles and White Cyc Rentals, additionally, you can reach me at phillipguye@hotmail.com or 1-323-851-3825

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Seamless Background – White Cyc LA

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

White cyc LA is a special continuous background with no visual corners, and sharpened angles that cause shadows. White surfaced cyc can be use together with green screen to enhance the films computer effects. Advantages of white surfaced cyc are : to make a visual illusion of unlimited space, and provide a background for all types of lighting probabilities to realize the need background effect for the photographer. White surfaced cyc can be use to make every kind of backgrounds for differing types of film media.

Many professional photographers are replacing the unbroken paper backgrounds in their studios with more durable white cyc LA backgrounds. Why? Because white surfaced cyc gives the photographer complete control over the choice of background effects. The cyc routinely is use to cover 2 walls of the studio. Permitting for controlled lighting creates the background effect of light or dark. The utilization of color lights and pattern screens can be use with the cyc to make fascinating backgrounds. Plus lighting can be use to form an infinity background behind the model.

White cyc LA backgrounds with various sorts of lighting options give the shutter-bug the choice of lighting or not lighting the background. For a dark background only the foreground is lighted. This showcases the model or product. For mood lighting on an incline surface can be use to make a background effect without contesting with the model or the general impact of the image. There is no wrong or right way for the photographer to use the cyc background it’s very control by the cameraman’s artistic eye to realize the desire background.

Today most pros can have their own white cyc LA backgrounds in their studios. Permitting them to create any kind of background effect required for the photograph. With a cyc background the paparazzo has unlimited selections to make photos with whatever sort of background to reinforce the image. White surfaced cyc use with green screen allows the photographer to put his models in distance locations or different environments without leaving his studio for pricey location filming.

Video photographers can use the white cyc LA background for music videos, dance routines showing infinite number of dancers, newsrooms, and weather reports. Plus the white cyc LA backgrounds allow for the shutter-bug to video crowd scenes without all of the extra people. Or place his model or product in the past or the future.

There are a lot of other sites offering different forms of advice on how to use White Cyc but a lot of them are not very detailed or concise. Before following these, make sure to check my own articles and reviews on White Cyc LA and White Cyc Rentals, additionally, you can reach me at phillipguye@hotmail.com or 1-323-851-3825

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Golfing for Beginners: Part I

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

The popularity of the game of golf has increased tremendously over the past forty-five years, giving us great champions like Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, and Tiger Woods and world-renowned courses like Pinehurst, St. Andrews, Augusta National and the Blue Monster at Doral.

Why has golf become so popular these days? Its the opportunity to be outside, to get a good whole body workout, network with friends or business colleagues at a leisurely pace, and to play a game that you can never play perfectly.

Your scorecard shows your progress, or lack of it, and this can spur you on to want to play again.

This is the first lesson for the novice golfer who doesn’t know anything about golfing.

A round of golf is usually played on an eighteen hole course. Each hole has its ‘par’, which is the total number of tee shots (drives), fairway shots, chips (short shots near the ‘green’) and putts on the green, it should take to sink the golfball in the hole.

‘Par’ is determined by the length and difficulty of each hole and can range from three to six. So, if you get the golf ball in the hole in six shots on a ‘par six’ hole, you ‘made par’; if you make it in five, it’s a “birdie” or seven, a “bogie”.

‘Hazards’ or obstructions are usually placed before all the holes. Ponds, sand bunkers and trees are positioned in such a way as to make it more difficult to reach the green. Novice golfers should try to find a course with fewer hazards, which is therefore easier to play.

Players keep their own score of the total number of shots taken for each hole. After the eighteenth hole, they add up their scores and the one with the lowest is the winner.

Please don’t take your score or your lack of skill to heart when you are a beginner golfer, because, although the professionals make it look simple, it takes many years to play the game well.

Take a lesson or two at the start of your golfing ‘career’, because it will help you develop a proper swing and help you get off to a good start.

Are you new to golf? We have some great tips for the beginner golfer at Golfing Tips for Beginners You are welcome to reprint this article – but get your own unique content version here.

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Wooden Boat Plan – Building Your Own Boat Is A Satisfying Experience

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Mmmm yes, the great outdoors. Who would not like to be out on the water on a summer’s da with their fishing rod? What? You are not a boat owner? You don’t have money to buy a boat? You shouldn’t feel bad, boats are incredibly pricey. Some of us don’t even have the money to buy a plain dinghy. You can change all that by constructing your possess boat with a fairly low-cost wooden boat plan.

Now hang on, before you freak yourself out and chat yourself out of constructing a boat with a wooden boat plan, you should consider this. A boat can be built by anyone. It is not a pipe dream. Even someone who has never picked up a tool in their life can build a boat, if they find the right wooden boat plan.

When you are on your search for a wooden boat plan what should you be searching for?

1. You should not have to pay an arm and a leg for the plans and they should also come along with a money back guarantee if you would decide that you do not want to build a boat anymore. Give it some effort, though, it is a really enjoyable hobby.

2. Check to see if DVDs are available to back up the plans. Some people are more visual than others and may need to see a demonstration of how things are constructed in addition to plans on paper.

3. Are the plans made by an experienced boat builder or just someone that thinks they have a good idea? You shouldn’t just download some free plans off the web sine you won’t know who put them together. Be secure and careful about the plans that you choose, you don’t want to be in a boat in the middle of the lake and begin experiencing problems.

4. What are other individuals saying about the plans that you are considering? Have they been tried and were the individuals happy with the results that they got? Did they built boats productively?

Building a boat can be extremely rewarding. It is obviously out of reach for many of us to be able to afford to purchase a boat, new or even used. If you were to make your have boat you will be able to save on many thing such as materials and on labor as well since you do not have to hire someone. It is all on you how your boat building develops and even if you do not have any experience, an brilliant plan set can guide to you completion and success. You never know, once you have built your have boat you may realize that you have enjoyed constructing the boat so much that you want to make another one. There will be no stopping you once you have established an initial skill set.

Are you looking for a wooden boat plan? Click the link : http://www.squidoo.com/canoebuildingplans for more information now.

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The Easy Way To Make Your Own Candles

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

If you need to make a romantic atmosphere from time to time in your place, or if you like the scented smell some candles have and you can not always afford to purchase them, you’ve got to know that you can make them yourself, with the aid of some recommendation.

Candles are made of old burned candles or from newer ones, acquired in one pound packs; they are far less expensive that way. New candles aren’t made of wax as it is dear and it leaves candles with a warm dark yellow shade. Still, it burns better without any smoke. The candles will be melted in a recipient full of water. They can never be placed without delay aflame, as it is deadly.

At the same time we have to prepare the shapes the candles will take. We can make them ourselves or we can use boxes or paper glasses (like the ones from fast-foods that go with refreshments). We turn the shape upside down; we make a small piercing that will be used to keep the top of the candle separated from the rest of it.

The straw that can keep the candle burning can be taken from an old candle of can be made out of white cotton straw. We turn the shape the wrong way up, and with a stick, pen or pencil we introduce the straw so it is placed right through the middle. More exactly, we wrap the straw around a stick that’ll be fixed by the rimmed of the shape. To paint the wax we’ll use oil colors or coloring dust that is softened in the liquefying wax.

If we would like a candle with horizontal lines, we shall pour each line at a time in different colors, waiting every time for them to cool down so the colors will not mix. After they’re utterly cold we will remove them from their shapes. If we are able to not do this, we’re going to place them in the fridge and wait an hour or so, and remove them after that.

For more advices, Matt Embry invites you to visit his Art Blog.

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Canoe Building Plans – 5 Things To Keep In Mind When Trying To Assemble A Canoe

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

The canoe holds the title of most versatile water craft that you can own. Canoes are light and movable and you do not need a trailer to tow them either. It can be rather expensive to purchase a canoe, so if you would like to possess one, but really can’t afford to purchase one, you might consider looking at canoe building plans. One of the most basic boats is a canoe and it can be extremely satisfying to assemble one yourself.

Believe it or not but building your possess canoe can be done with a great set of canoe building plans. So how can you be sure that you are creating the correct choice when it comes to purchasing plans.

1. Look for an established web site to download plans that has testimonials from other clients who have tried the plans and are pleased with the outcome. There may be some bonuses on the site so you should make certain to read the testimonials and the rest of the site just to make certain.

2. canoe building plans should not be very complex. These plans should be customer friendly, even if you are a beginner that does not have any experience with any kind of construction.

3. Are there DVDs available along with the plans? Some people require visual assistance so that they can see how to implement the plans. When you look for a DVD you should find one that has a step-by-step tutorials and instructions. The awesome thing about a DVD is that you can view it over and over again, pause it, whatever you need to do to get a clear picture of the instructions.

4. Can your purchase be refunded after you have bought the canoe building plans and you just can’t conclude the project. Any accredited business owner will give you some sort of a guarantee.

5. Avoid free plans, they generally have no back up, support or guarantee. The plans should be designed by someone who has some boat making experience, so you know they are accurate and safe. It would be no fun to be out on the water just to discover that your canoe can not handle being out on the water.

Metal canoes are so much heavier than handcrafted wooden canoes. You will find that canoes are quite handy since they can easily be carried from place to place. You can also pack a lot of gear into a canoe if you want to portage, hike, travel by water and camp out in the wilderness. A canoe can be used for fishing and is much more affordable than a larger boat.

Are you searching for canoe building plans ? Find out more information by going to http://www.squidoo.com/plywoodboatbuilding right away.

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