Dead Island to become feature film?and it's ... - Bits 'n' Bytes Gaming

Posted by Chad M. on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 ? 5 Comments?

Artist?s con?cep?tion of a movie poster or an unhinged writer?s cry for?help?

It?s A Dead Man?s Party?Who Could Ask for?More?

Seri?ous crit?ics like this one agree, the Dead Island trailer was awesome??Game, what?game?

So, we at Bits ?n? Bytes Gam?ing?received a press release say?ing that Dead Ri- I mean Left 4- ?Dead Island ? that?s the one ? is appar?ently being turned into a movie by Lion?s?gate Enter?tain?ment. Lion?s?gate is of course known for dis?trib?ut?ing such cin?e?matic clas?sics as Uwe Boll?s Alone in the Dark, Bratz: The Movie and Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspec?tor. So it?s entirely under?stand?able that they?re going to treat a game that has sold pri?mar?ily on the strength of its over?wrought and emo?tion?ally manip?u?la?tive trailer with ten?der love and care. After all, zom?bie films still have a high level of cred?i?bil?ity in our day and age,?right?

The release describes Dead Island as a ?global brand? (that was fast)?introduced through its ?non-linear? and ?wrench?ing? trailer which received unan?i?mous crit?i?cal praise (guess they didn?t read my arti?cle), while label?ing it ?haunt?ing? and ?art?ful?. You know, I went to art school for a semes?ter and I can safely say if some?one says their paint?ing of smeared feces is art, you damn well bet?ter believe them.?According to the arti?cle, Wired, Col?lege Humor and G4TV called it the best videogame trailer of all time. In fact, the press release goes on to men?tion G4TV call?ing it ?The best video game trailer.? The best movie trailer. The best any?thing trailer.? Hmm. G4TV cov?er?ing videogames in between episodes of COPS and Cheaters? This could be a bold new direc?tion for the channel.

Seri?ously, did Will Ferrell?s par?ody of James Lip?ton write this press release? I?m sur?prised it doesn?t say ?when the Dead Island trailer debuted, the gam?ing media had its sore lum?bar mas?saged by flights of seraphim whilst their nip?ples were tweaked play?fully by the?muses.?

Cap?com turned zom?bies into clowns. Clowns with a spot in their head that when shot will cause it to ?blow?up?.

Zom?bies?were used by George Romero to lam?poon and cri?tique Amer?i?can con?sumer cul?ture. Now they have become a cot?tage indus?try that?s con?sumed by peo?ple who fan?tas?ti?cally miss the point of the soci?o?log?i?cal zom?bie film, and are prob?a?bly just in it for the gore. Yes, con?grat?u?la?tions to Max Brooks, Zack Sny?der and Cap?com: you are all guilty of this dilu?tion of the zom?bie into a prod?uct. A cri?tique of con?spic?u?ous con?sump?tion becom?ing a prof?itable indus?try? Hold your horses, stage?coach of?irony!

Now to be fair, zom?bies have been a ? par?don the pun ? dead genre since Edgar Wright?s stel?lar par?ody,?Shaun of the Dead. Since then, zom?bies have become increas?ingly pop?u?lar, prob?a?bly to the detri?ment of soci?ety as a whole. We?ve had vapid zombie-killing movies, entire mes?sage boards ded?i?cated to prepar?ing for a zom?bie apoc?a?lypse (leav?ing us all hor?ri?bly vul?ner?a?ble to the real threat of rogue arti?fi?cial intel?li?gences and Sec?toid inva?sions). Hon?estly, I really doubt a Dead Island flick will do any?thing new or inter?est?ing for the genre. It will just be another crappy videogame movie.

Don?t make promises you can?t keep,?Floyd.

Now, I can actu?ally under?stand why you would want to see some videogames turned into movies: they would just never stand a chance of being good. Let me bring up the Doom movie again. Doom has a sim?ple con?cept and a minis?cule amount of sto?ry?line. Basi?cally, sci?en?tists open a port?hole to Hell and demons come stream?ing through; one tough SOB has to kill ?em all. Hol?ly?wood man?aged to turn that sim?ple premise into two hours and maybe four ammo clips empty, not to men?tion they dropped the whole ?demons from Hell? angle and just turned it into another virus. Yeah, don?t want to be too?edgy and scare away the?Shrek crowd?with your hard-R rated action-horror flick, Universal.

I see a Dead Island movie as the same thing. Per?haps even more so. After all, what was the orig?i?nal Dead Island trailer but a cyn?i?cal, manip?u?la?tive mar?ket?ing ploy intended to get peo?ple inter?ested in a middling-to-merely OK prod?uct? And I have a feel?ing this is exactly the kind of crap Lion?s?gate is going to pull. It?s a cyn?i?cal ploy to make a fast buck on a rec?og?niz?able title. Well, an emerg?ing rec?og?niz?able title. Let?s see if any?one can still remem?ber Dead Island existed by?this time next year. Heck, most of us have already for?got?ten about Duke Nukem For?ever. Thank?fully.

But let?s face it, even crappy games can have movies based on them ? the fact that Blood?rayne was just a vam?pire?T&A-festival and Dun?geon Siege was a bland Dia?blo clone made them ripe for Uwe ?Ze Only Fock?ing Gee?niuz In Ze Businez? Boll to adapt into his only tan?gen?tially related films. Let?s face it. You don?t really have tal?ented direc?tors like Dun?can Jones or Gullermo Del Toro lin?ing up to make videogame flicks. You have two-bit hacks like Paul W.S. Ander?son and Christoph Gans churn?ing out this crap for an easy pay?check. The videogame movie isn?t really?a medium for thought?ful artis?tic intro?spec?tion or even com?pe?tently shot action sequences. You could offer me another Res?i?dent Evil flick with more explo?sions and zom?bie killing than ever; I?d still rather watch Die Hard or Preda?tor.

Why hire 100,000 zom?bies when one Preda?tor can cause the same amount of mayhem?

?

Filed under Culture, Features, Opinion ? Tagged with dead island, dead island movie, Deep Silver, games, gaming, gaming news, ghoul, ghouls, news, this is gonna suck, undead, walking corpse, walking dead, zombie, zombies

Source: http://bnbgaming.com/2011/09/28/dead-island-to-become-feature-film-and-its-going-to-suck/

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Toshiba Qosmio F755-3D290

The Toshiba Qosmio F755-3D290 ($1,699.99 direct) sounds like the stuff of science fiction, with its integrated stereoscopic 3D technology that lets you watch video in 3D without glasses. Unfortunately, this new twist on display technology comes off as gimmicky and pulls down the overall quality of an otherwise well-equipped?if pricey?desktop replacement laptop. While gadget lovers and 3D aficionados may want to snap this up, most will wisely pass in favor of more mainstream alternatives.

Design and Features
The Qosmio F755-3D290 features Toshiba's Fusion 3D Finish, a textured metallic red plastic across the lid, with a glossy black finish covering the palm rest and interior. The glossy finish attracts plenty of fingerprints, but the patterned design disguises them fairly well. Measuring 1.5 by 15.3 by 10.5 inches (HWD), the Qosmio F755-3D290 is far from being the slimmest laptop in the desktop replacement category. Part of its girth can be attributed its thick lid and screen?needed in order to accommodate the additional hardware for the glasses-free 3D. This extra hardware contributes to the Qosmio's weight, tipping the scales at 7.5 pounds. Compared with the 5.5-pound Dell XPS 15z (Microsoft) ($999 direct, 4 stars), it's no featherweight, and it weighs just as much as the HP Envy 17 3D ($1,599.99 direct, 3.5 stars), which has a larger 17-inch screen.

The most distinguishing feature on the Qosmio F755-3D290 is its ability to display 3D content without the need of glasses. Rather, Toshiba's "Active Lens" technology creates a double parallax display that allows two separate images to be displayed at once, and directed to each eye independently. While displaying 2D content, the 15.6-inch display offers 1,920-by-1,080 resolution, with a widescreen format. When displaying 3D content, the resolution drops to 1,024 by 768, the same resolution you would see on a budget laptop, albeit in stereoscopic 3D. The display also has faint diagonal lines running across the screen, which diminishes the visual appeal of the 1080p display.

Through the Qosmio F755-3D290's built-in webcam and Toshiba's FaceTracking technology, it determines the position of your eyes and adjusts the angle of the two images to accommodate every turn and shift of your head. Admittedly, it's an exciting concept, but in practice it falls short of expectations. To hear Toshiba tell it, you'd think that watching a movie with the glasses-free 3D enabled would be a movie-lover's dream, with added depth and not even the barrier of a pair of glasses separating the viewer from immersing themselves in cinematic splendor. In practice, the effect is difficult to watch for more than a few minutes. Though the FaceTracking technology adjusts the picture for your head movement, it lags so badly that the effect is more problematic than the issue it's purportedly solving. And if you already find yourself woozy when watching 3D, the new display makes it worse as it constantly warps and shifts to match your vantage point. While the concept of glasses-free 3D is enticing, this is clearly a technology that needs a few more kinks worked out.

The keyboard's keys are square, but aren't separated in the usual chiclet-style as they are on keyboards like the Sony VAIO VPC-F215FX/BI ($1,799 direct, 4 stars). Unlike the sculpted keys of the Editors' Choice Dell XPS 15z, the Qosmio F755-3D290 has flat-surfaced keys with a slightly raised square keycaps, mimicking the feel of a chiclet-style keyboard. There's also a 10-key numeric keypad for number entry or gaming. A capacitive-touch control strip above the keyboard lets you control functions (like volume, 3D, Wi-Fi, etc.) with just a touch. Just below the keyboard is a multitouch trackpad molded into the surface of the palm rest. The trackpad surface is distinguished by a light texture and glowing strip across the top. Below the touchpad are two shiny right and left mouse buttons, polished like a chrome bumper. They click easily, but don't offer the same softness as the mouse buttons on the Dell XPS 15z.

The built-in Harman/Kardon stereo speakers are paired with Dolby Advanced Audio and Waves MaxxAudio 3 audio enhancement software. The resulting audio quality is quite good, but it can't offer the same sort of bass heard from the HP Envy 17 3D, which has a built-in subwoofer and is equipped with Beats audio.

The Toshiba Qosmio F755-3D290's feature set is pretty well fleshed out. The three USB 2.0 ports are equipped with Toshiba's Sleep N' Charge utility, which lets you charge your phone or MP3 player while the laptop is powered down, and one USB 3.0 port for connecting faster hard drives. The headphone and microphone jacks are juiced up, thanks to Toshiba's Sleep N' Music, which lets you listen to your MP3 player through the F755-3D290's speakers while the laptop is asleep.

In terms of connectivity, this laptop has Gigabit Ethernet and 802.11n Wi-Fi, as well as Bluetooth 3.0 and a media card reader (SD, MMC, MS/Pro, xD). A VGA port will let you connect to an external monitor or projector, and an HDMI-CEC port lets you display high-definition content on any HDTV. Unlike standard HDMI ports, HDMI-CEC also allows control of CEC-compatible TVs and set-top boxes through the laptop, reducing the need to juggle multiple remotes when streaming media from the laptop.

The Blu-ray drive supports 3D and has the ability to not only read, but burn Blu-ray discs as well as DVDs and CDs. It also offers LabelFlash software for burning labels directly onto compatible DVDs. The Qosmio F755-3D290 is equipped with a 750GB, 5400rpm hard drive. While this drive is a larger capacity than any of the units we compared it to, like the 640GB drive in the Sony VPC-F215FX/BI, it's also slower, as the Sony VPC-F215FX/BI and HP Envy 17 3D have faster 7,200rpm drives.

There is some bloatware, but not so much that you'll have to dedicate an afternoon to remove it all. Some users may welcome added programs like Microsoft Office Starter 2010 and Google Chrome web browser. Other programs are just taking up space, like a short 30-day trial of Norton Internet Security, Skype, several sample games from WildTangent, a dedicated desktop link to Amazon's website, and Toshiba-branded stores for Apps and eBooks. Toshiba also covers the Qosmio F755-3D290 with a one-year warranty on parts and labor, and covers the battery as well with its own one-year warranty.

Performance
As a desktop replacement laptop, the Qosmio F755-3D290 is still a well appointed system, boasting a quad-core Intel Core i7-2630QM processor and backing it up with 6GB of RAM. This combination offered some of the best performance we've seen among the 15-inch laptop category, even topping the Editors' Choice Dell XPS 15z in several benchmark tests. Thanks to its quad-core processor, the Qosmio F755-3D290 scored 4.28 points in Cinebench R11.5, topped only by the similarly equipped Sony VAIO (5.07). It beat all its competitors in multimedia tests, completing Handbrake in 1 minute 37 seconds, and running through Photoshop CS5 in 3:57. With scores like these you can be confident that the Qosmio F755 will handle any program you want to throw at it, and if you can ignore the unusual display, it will serve you well for photo and video editing.

There's a lot of graphics horsepower behind the Qosmio F755-3D290 's 3D display, provided by an Nvidia GeForce GT 540M graphics card with 1GB of dedicated video memory. With the glasses-free voodoo turned off, the laptop produced strong scores in all of our graphics and gaming tests. In 3DMark 06, the F755-3D290 scored 9,941 points at 1,024-by-768 resolution. When cranked up to 1080p, the laptop scored 5,147 points. In actual gaming tests the Qosmio F755-3D290 produced strong results, pumping out 57.1 frames per second (fps) in Crysis and 39.8 fps in Lost Planet 2 at 1,024-by-768 resolution and medium quality settings. But frame rates dropped to unplayable levels when detail settings were increased and the resolution taken up to 1,920 by 1,080. All in all, the gaming performance topped that of both the Sony VPC-F215FX/BI and Dell XPS 15z, but was narrowly edged out by the HP Envy 17 3D.

High-end components and fancy display technology require a lot of power, and battery-life suffers as a result. On MobileMark 2007 battery life tests the Qosmio F755-3D290 lasted 2 hours 57 minutes using a 6-cell 48Wh battery. Though short-lived, it lasted longer between charges than other 3D capable laptops can manage, edging out the Sony VAIO VPC-F215FX/BI, which lasted 2:36 with a larger 54Wh battery, and more than an hour longer than the 1:45 time that the HP Envy 17 3D produced with a 62Wh battery. When compared with a standard 15-inch desktop replacement, however, this 3-hour battery life is quite meager: the Dell XPS 15z (Microsoft) lasted 6:22 with a 64Wh battery, more than double what the Qosmio F755-3D290 offers.

While the promise of glasses-free 3D may be enough to reel in some early-adopters and 3D enthusiasts, that gee-whiz appeal isn't enough to satisfy careful shoppers. While its price tag may not be unusual for a 3D-equipped laptop, it has a smaller, and lower-resolution display than competitors like the similarly-priced Sony VAIO VPC-F215FX/BI. It's also a good deal more expensive than any number of 15-inch laptops like the Dell XPS 15z (Microsoft), our Editors' Choice for the desktop replacement category.

BENCHMARK TEST RESULTS:

COMPARISON TABLE
Compare the Toshiba Qosmio F755-3D290 with several other laptops side by side.

More laptop reviews:
??? Asus U36SD-A1
??? Sony VAIO VPC-SE16FX/S
??? Toshiba Qosmio F755-3D290
??? Gateway NV55S05u
??? Gateway ID47H02u
?? more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/s7SZuj77fhQ/0,2817,2393761,00.asp

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Tucson shooting suspect in court for hearing on mental health (Reuters)

TUCSON, Ariz (Reuters) ? Tucson shooting suspect Jared Loughner appeared in court on Wednesday for a hearing to determine if he should undergo further psychiatric care that prosecutors say could make him mentally fit to stand trial.

Loughner was found mentally incompetent in May by a federal judge, who ordered the 23-year-old college dropout to undergo four months of treatment at a federal prison facility in Springfield, Missouri.

With those four months now expired, prosecutors have asked for an eight-month extension, saying there is a substantial possibility that Loughner would be restored to mental competency by the end of that time.

Defense lawyers have opposed the time extension and object to the forcible medication of Loughner with anti-psychotic drugs.

Loughner is charged with 49 charges, including multiple counts of first-degree murder, in a January 8 shooting spree at an event hosted by U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords.

Six people were killed in the shooting and 13 others were wounded, including Giffords.

Loughner pleaded not guilty in March and was last in court on May 25, when he was removed by U.S. Marshals after an outburst.

(Reporting by Brad Poole; Writing by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Cynthia Johnston)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/crime/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110928/us_nm/us_shooting_loughner

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Neutering Female Cats | ALL ABOUT PETS

Unlike dogs, it is virtually impossible to have your eye on your pet cat all of the time. Cats are very independent animals, choosing to explore their surroundings alone and it isn?t fair to prevent them from carrying out this natural instinct. Likewise it isn?t fair to let female cat that hasn?t been spayed outside unsupervised, because you can almost guarantee that one day she will come back pregnant. There is a cat over-population problem in the USA today, and unfortunately many unwanted cats end up being destroyed because there are simply not enough homes for them. The only solution is to control the growing cat population by having as many cats neutered as possible.

The best time to have a female cat neutered is before she reaches sexual maturity, so it should be carried out at around five months old. This is because spaying a female cat in season carries a greater risk to the cat?s life. However the operation can be done between cycles safely. A cat?s season will last three days and happens every three weeks until she becomes pregnant or is neutered. There are additional benefits to having your cat neutered, other than preventing pregnancy. Firstly she will be less inclined to wander in search of a mate, which will reduce the risk of accidents (such as getting run over by a car). There is also less risk of contracting diseases. When female cats are in season they attract male cats to mate with them, and this leaves the cat susceptible to being infected with diseases such as Feline Aids. Finally she will not ?call?, which is a yowling call that can go on for hours, as the cat attempts to attract males (often successfully).

The surgical procedure, like any operation, carries certain risks. However if your cat is healthy then the risks are minimal. The actual procedure for spaying a female cat involves an abdominal incision usually made into the left flank or occasionally the midline. Then the uterus, cervix and both ovaries are removed. The wound is repaired using sutures, which will dissolve on their own or sometimes require removal approximately ten days after the surgery. The actual operation takes around forty minutes, and you will be able to drop off and pick up your cat on the same day. There are rarely complications post-surgery, however you should observe your cat closely for any signs that there may be a problem such as lethargy, discharge from the surgical wound or a loss of appetite. If any of these signs are witnessed, you should contact a vet immediately.

The main concern for most owners is the cost, and it is true that neutering can be expensive. The average cost for the operation with aftercare is $150. However there are many ways to reduce this cost. If you have a low income often local charities will conduct the procedure for free or provide you with money towards the cost. There really isn?t a good reason not to get your cat neutered!

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Source: http://www.aboutpets.eloufy.com/cats/neutering-female-cats.html

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Some Good Information For A Catamaran Hire ? ArticleHelp.net

A type of holiday that is becoming quite popular is the sailing holiday. You?re able to live in the actual lap of luxury without the headache of having to drive to the tourist attractions or even pay resort bills or anything like that. All you?ve got to do is actually arrange a catamaran charter.

Should you be looking for relaxation and comfort you would then want to go for a crewed catamaran charter. You?ll be supplied with a crew and all that will be left for you to do is sunbathe, eat and unwind in almost any other manner in which you see fit. You don?t have to bother with things like learning how to sail and navigate or even cooking food. Some crews may even serve you beverages. There?s less danger attached to the crewed catamaran charter as the crew has learned their own boat and also the seas that they?re cruising in and will also be able to counteract any kind of issues before they arise.

A catamaran charter a very good idea for a number of reasons.

The decks tend to be large. Which means that there is plenty of room for getting a tan or just watching the actual horizon.

The actual cockpit as well as galley are closer together which means that there are actually fewer stair to climb to get around the boat.

The catamaran is much more stable than a monohull boated. The two hulls provide a great deal more stability and so the boat does not rock about as much as a single hull would. This means less chance of getting seasick, even just in rather choppy water.

The actual vessel has a shallow hull. Which means that you can get nearer to secluded beaches and may roam over shallow coral reefs to have a look at the coral.

The actual vessel is likewise near to the water. Which means you get a good look at what is happening beneath you in the water and can easily get into the ocean for a swim as well as back out again.

It really is simple to arrange a catamaran charter. All you have to accomplish is actually get in touch with the appropriate company and ask them to find you a boat that suits your requirements. They?ll take it from there. You will have to let them know how many people you are likely to be taking on the actual journey and whether you will need a crew or otherwise. After they have found you a boat all that is left to do is sign and go get a load of sun block and pack.

If you are looking for a way to relax and are not really burdened by a sensitivity to movement then a catamaran charter may be right up your alley. It can make for a very intimate honeymoon vacation or even just a great get away for a week or so. You may even be able to persuade your crew to teach you a little about sailing so that the next time you would like to charter a catamaran you are able to think about sailing it yourself. A catamaran charter is a superb, calming vacation that you and your friends can enjoy.

For more information on catamaran charter, go to http://www.yachtownersdirect.com.

Source: http://articlehelp.net/some-good-information-for-a-catamaran-hire/

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Rap, Fatherhood and Insecurity | All Pro Dad Blog

?

Grammy nominated rapper, Lecrae, has released a powerful song called Just Like You, which showcases the insecurity that plagued him growing up because his father was not the All Pro Dad he needed him to be.? Here are some sample lyrics:

?Now all I see is money, cars, jewels, stars

Womanizers, tough guys, guns, knives, and scars,

Drug pushers, thugs, strippers, fast girls, fast life

Everything I wanted and everything I could ask life

If this ain?t living and they lied well,

I guess I married an old wives? tale

Wow, fail

I don?t know another way to go.?

?Powerful.? Always remember, your children look to you primarily for love, security, and the meaning of life.? Don?t fail them.? Here are 10 ways to make your child feel secure.

?

Huddle up with your children tonight and ask them:? Do you know I will always be here to protect you?? How?

This entry was posted in Inspirational. Bookmark the permalink.

Source: http://www.allprodad.com/blog/2011/09/26/rap-fatherhood-and-insecurity/

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Pete Thomas will Lead Genesee County Residents in Two Fun ...

You are here: Home / Featured / Pete Thomas will Lead Genesee County Residents in Two Fun, Interactive Health and Fitness Seminars ? Saturday, October 22nd and November 5th in Saginaw and Flint, Michigan

The HealthPlus Spokesperson and Season 2 At-Home Winner will inspire, teach and motivate attendees to get healthy and fit for life at the two HealthPlus sponsored Community Seminars!

Ann Arbor, MI? Want to learn the secret to permanent weight-loss? Want to learn how to choose the right foods to buy and how to exercise for maximum results?? Join NBC?s Most Successful Biggest Loser, Pete Thomas for a fun, interactive and power-packed 4-hour seminar designed to give you the tools to you need to be successful in your health and wellness journey!? ?Area residents are invited to attend on Saturday, October 22, 2011 in Saginaw, or Saturday November 5, 2011 in Flint.

Admission is $20 but free for HealthPlus members. ?The event includes a full breakfast, workshop materials, prize drawings and giveaways, great information and resources, and fun activities to keep you on your toes.? It even includes a mini Boot Camp led by ?MR. Biggest Loser? himself?Pete Thomas!

These 4 hours will truly change your life!? Space is limited to the first 200 individuals. No registrations will be taken at the door. ?Participants are asked to register online. ?For more information call 1-866-810-4540.

Learn Pete Thomas? proven success strategies for health and wellness! Hear motivational stories from The Biggest Loser Ranch! Meet others who have lost weight and kept it off! Take away practical tools to help you meet your goals!

Thomas encourages participants to make the investment of their time. ?If ever we needed to be committed to our health and fitness goals, the time is now.? We?re all challenged with our busy lifestyles.? However, we can be successful if we have the right tools and a good team around us. ?HealthPlus is on your team and is committed to helping you get healthy.? We?re going to have a great time!? Come ready to learn and dressed to workout.? I?m looking forward to sharing strategies that you can apply right away to help you reach your goals and maintain your health for life!?

About HealthPlus of Michigan

HealthPlus is a licensed nonprofit health-benefits company that provides health care coverage to more than 215,000 members statewide and beyond. HealthPlus arranges health care through a variety of employer group, individual and government plans. For more information visit www.healthplus.org.

About Pete Thomas

Pete Thomas is the Season 2 $100,000 At-home Winner of NBC?s ?The Biggest Loser.?? Since his win in 2005, Pete Thomas has evolved into an acclaimed motivational speaker, highly skilled TV personality, teacher, fitness trainer and corporate wellness consultant.

Thomas helps companies increase employee participation in their health and wellness programs and provides customized educational and inspirational health and fitness content for Human Resource, Benefits and Wellness Directors.? Thomas has also helped over 200 individuals shed thousands of combined pounds with his personally developed Lose It Fast, Lose It Forever? 10-week Nutrition and Exercise program.

Dubbed, ?Mr. Biggest Loser? by executive producers of NBC?s ?The Biggest Loser,? Pete has appeared on ABC?s The View, The 700 Club, and eXtra, as well as being featured in People Magazine, Runner?s World, TV Guide, inTouch Weekly, Real Health and commercials nationwide.? A full time motivational speaker, weight-loss coach, consultant, and product spokesman for companies such as NordicTrack and HealthPlus of Michigan,? Pete travels and spreads his ?Winning Principles? to organizations worldwide?both in person and through his website at www.PeteThomasOnline.com. For an interview with Pete Thomas, contact Anita Lane at 646.450.6214.

Posted by admin on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 6:32 am?
Filed under Featured, News and Notes, Pete Speaks, Press And Media, Upcoming Events ? Tagged with Biggest Loser, Commit 2 B Fit, Flint, HealthPlus, HealthPlus of Michigan, motivational speaker, Pete Thomas, public speaker, Saginaw, Speaking Engagements, The Biggest Loser

Source: http://www.winningman.com/pete-leads-community-seminar-flint-saginaw-michigan-fall-2011/

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The Benefits of a VA Loan for Buying a Home ? Online Loan Firm

The Benefits of a VA Loan for Buying a Home

Article by Ben Brashen

VA Loans are offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans and actives members of the US military. VA Loans have been around since 1944 when they were introduced by President Roosevelt as part of the GI Bill of Rights. The main purpose of the VA Loan program is to help veterans finance a home purchase at an affordable rate.

Since VA loans are backed by the government so VA Loans are able to offer significant savings over other types of loans. VA Loans also have more lenient qualification standards so you?re more likely to get approved for the amount you need to buy your dream home. Therefore, if you?re eligible it?s beneficial to get a VA Loan for your home rather than a conventional mortgage loan.

Other VA Loan benefits include:

Lower interest rates. The ability to purchase a home with down Lower monthly loan payments Financing for 100% of the home?s value The VA Loan Process

The process of taking out a VA Loan for a home purchase is much like taking out a conventional loan at a bank. You can apply for a VA loan with banks and lenders and just about anywhere you could apply for a conventional loan. In fact, applying for a VA loan is actually easier than applying for a conventional loan because of its many benefits and the fact that it?s backed by the government. Here are the basic steps to getting a VA Loan.

Apply for a Veteran?s Certificate of Eligibility for VA Home Loan Benefits, if you don?t already have one to prove that you are a veteran and eligible for the VA Loan. You can get the certificate by filling out VA Form 26-1880. Find a home you would like to purchase and sign a purchase agreement for it. Set up an appraisal for the home from the VA. Apply for a VA Loan through a bank or mortgage lender. Close the loan and move into your home.

www.MyZipMortgage.com

Ben Brashen is the principle of MyZip Mortgage and The Brashen Financial Team. A mortgage planning specialist for more than eight years, Ben holds credentials as a Washington State Licensed Loan Officer, Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist, and is a California Ethics Certified Financial Strategist. Ben has been recognized as a top Certified Mortgage Planner, achieving Gold Status in the largest producing private mortgage company in the state of Washington.

More Benefits Of A Va Loan Articles

Source: http://www.onlineloanfirm.com/the-benefits-of-a-va-loan-for-buying-a-home/

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Jim Banks Helps Average People Cash In With Real Estate Probate ...

Washington, DC (Vocus) January 7, 2010 ?

Real Estate expert and millionaire Jim Banks recently released his book Cash In With Real Estate Probate to the public and everyday people are already replacing their annual incomes by following his proven techniques. The Real Estate probate book boasts a money-back guarantee and additional bonus gifts which should further enhance any student?s ability to succeed.

In an effort to share his success with others, Real Estate Probate guru Jim Banks teaches average, everyday people the secrets behind the methods which have lined his pockets and bank accounts with gold. Regarding his new book, Jim said ?It is my sole desire to show you that investing in Probate Real Estate is not only realistic and easier than you think, but most of all it can be extremely lucrative in any Real Estate market.?

A Law School Graduate and active Real Estate broker, Jim Banks is the only active Real Estate Probate speaker in the country and has over 30 years of experience in the Real Estate industry. It is Jim?s hope that during an incredibly unsteady economy people will take advantage of his knowledge and experience to better secure their family?s future. Current students are netting thousands per month with zero risk by applying the techniques found within Cash In With Real Estate Probate.

Real Estate probate is the legal process by which ones assets are distributed after they die. Probate investors help settle estates by purchasing assets often discounted 30% or more, resell the assets at fair market value, and occasionally find treasures waiting to be discovered within an estate?s personal property they?ve purchased.

Anyone interested in potentially earning thousands per month through Real Estate Probate investing are encouraged to visit JimBanksBook.com and order Cash In With Real Estate Probate. In addition to bonus gifts from Jim Banks, the book also comes with a no-risk 30-day money back guarantee.

The Jim Banks Success Team handles the marketing behind the scenes for Jim?s Real Estate Probate book, ?Cash In With Real Estate Probate: America?s Best Kept Real Estate Investing Secret?. For more information visit http://www.jimbanksbook.com. Media Contact: Jeff Lucas, 816-903-6100 ext 2200, jlucas at nmrdirect dot com

###

Source: http://www.planmortgagerefinance.com/jim-banks-helps-average-people-cash-in-with-real-estate-probate/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=jim-banks-helps-average-people-cash-in-with-real-estate-probate

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US: reset with Russia would continue under Putin (AP)

WASHINGTON ? The White House says the Obama administration's "reset" of relations with Russia will continue if Vladimir Putin returns to the presidency.

National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said Saturday that "the reset has always been about national interests and not individual personalities."

Putin was sometimes harshly critical of the United States and relations with the U.S. eroded during his second presidential term. President Dmitry Medvedev, elected in 2008, was Putin's protege and hand-picked successor but cultivated a more pro-Western image.

President Barack Obama made restoring ties with Russia a priority. Medvedev signed the New START treaty with the U.S. limiting nuclear arsenals, opened Russian routes for U.S. supplies to Afghanistan and agreed to toughen UN sanctions against Iran.

Prime Minister Putin remained Russia's most powerful political figure during Medvedev's single term in office. Medvedev is expected to become Putin's prime minister after the March election.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/obama/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110924/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_us_putin

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Make Your Personal Statement With Chicago Sports Apparel

September 23rd, 2011 by Brian Mans

Some of the best fans of the team often make a huge statement by choosing certain Chicago sports apparel to wear and they have a lot of different choices. From hats and sweatshirts to t-shirts and bandanas, you can put your team out in the front and get yourself noticed. However, before you pick out your merchandise, consider what statement you want to make.

For the fan who really doesn?t like to be in the spotlight, they may want to be very careful about the Chicago sports apparel they wear. The truth is that wearing anything can put you at risk for conversation with other fans. Standing in line at the grocery store wearing a Cubs jacket and you can be sure that someone is going to strike up a conversation with you.

Along these same lines is the individual who wants to be put on the spot and loves the spotlight. In this sense, you should go all out and what you wear. You could choose the hat, the jersey, and the bag. The fact is that the more you wear, the more people are going to notice. You will get the attention you want and, without it, you are just going to be another person in the background.

A lot of people choose to just wear their team attire for the games. The truth is that they believe in supporting their team in this manner and whatever attention they get from it does not matter. These individuals are all about their team and do not care what other people think. All they want is their team to win.

Before you decide to go out and purchase Chicago sports apparel, think about the type of personal statement you want to make. Are you the shy one? Are you the center of attention wherever you go? Or are you simply a supporter? Either way, you will find you have a lot of choices when it comes to purchasing attire.

Sportstravelfanatic.com is the premiere website for Chicago Sports fans.

Posted in Recreation & Sports | Tagged Chicago fans, Chicago Sports, Chicago Sports Blog, Chicago sports fans, Chicago sports teams, Recreation & Sports

Related posts:

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5. Detroit Sports Apparel Has The Best Stuff Money Can Buy
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8. Sports Apparel Philadelphia At A Quick Glance
9. Highly Recommended MX Apparel and Wear
10. Top Buying Tips for MX Apparel and Tees

Source: http://thearticlecorner.com/make-your-personal-statement-with-chicago-sports-apparel/

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Libya promises inquiry into abuse claims (Providence Journal)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS and RSS Feed via Feedzilla.

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Iraq speaker: Parliament in the dark on US troops (AP)

BAGHDAD ? Iraq's parliament's speaker says the government has failed to tell lawmakers how many U.S. troops might be need to stay in the country beyond an and-of-the-year deadline for Americans to leave Iraq.

Osama al-Nujaifi said during in a press conference on Thursday that the government has not even briefed the parliament about the ability of Iraq's forces to protect the country.

His remarks show how little progress has been made on a top political issue facing Iraq just months before the final withdrawal.

Al-Nujaifi is the highest-ranking Sunni in Iraq. He is trying to broker agreement between Shiites and Kurds on a host of issues slowing the government, including the issue of U.S. troops.

Iraq's government is weighing whether some U.S. troops should stay to help train its security forces.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/iraq/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110922/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq

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This 8 Year Old Is Better At Skating Than You'll ... - Up Next In Sports

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Mom suspected of abducting her 8 children in visit

NEW YORK?? New York City police were searching on Wednesday for a mother suspected of abducting her eight children, all of whom had been placed in foster care, during a supervised visit.

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The seven boys and one girl, who range in age from 11 months to 11 years old, were taken during a monitored group visit on Monday at a child welfare agency in the city's Queens borough, authorities said.

The eight children had been living at three foster homes after an allegation of domestic abuse at their own home.

Being sought were their mother, Shanel Nadal, 28, and their father, Nephra Payne, 34, police said. Arrest warrants on abduction charges have been issued for the pair.

The boys, named after their father, were identified as Nephra Payne, 11; Nephra Ceo Payne, 10; Nephra John Payne, 9; Nephra Shalee Payne, 6; Nephra Rahsul Payne, also 6; Nephra Umeek Payne, 5 and Nephra Yahmen Payne, 4. The girl, Nefertiti Payne, is 11 months old, authorities said.

The city's Administration for Children's Services said it was working with police to find the parents and investigating how the mother could have taken the children during a visit that was supposed to be monitored.

The family might be traveling in a black 1976 Chevrolet Suburban, with New York license plate number EXZ5896, police said. They have a New York City address but lived for many years in South Carolina, police said.

Copyright 2011 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44614549/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

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-OHIO- Real Estate Finance Textbook -Hondros ... - Rapid Bankruptcy

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Understanding Why People Succumb To Sex And Porn Addiction ...

[unable to retrieve full-text content]The definition of addiction today has gone beyond mere drug dependence. It has also come to mean continued practice of an activity in spite of the unfavorable...

Source: http://myselfimprovementtoday.com/understanding-why-people-succumb-to-sex-and-porn-addiction

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Video: Sunshine and Sweetie on the road to Scotland

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Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/44595831#44595831

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Why You Should Research Before Hiring A Waterproofing Contractor

Basement waterproofing is one of the most popular methods used to protect a home's structure from damage due to an overabundance of water. There are various waterproofing methods that are used to help prevent water damage to your home. If your foundation is in need of repair, then it is recommended that you have it waterproofed as well at the time of the repair. There are many foundation repair experts who also specialize in waterproofing foundations and basement walls. If you have a reocurring foundation problem, then there's a good chance that the issues are a result of water damage. Having your home's structure water proofed is absolutely necessary to help ensure that it will last in good condition for many years to come. Before hiring a waterproofing contractor, you should look into whether or not they are also foundation repair specialists. As stated before, it is necessary to have your foundation repaired first before it can be waterproofed. Also, only use waterproofing contractors who use the best, most well-regarded waterproofing products. There are a lot of cheap products out there that may mask water damage issues, but only for a short time. Steer clear of businsses who use such things. A little research should help you to determine what products are the most popular as well as the most effective. After you have decided upon which business you would like to use, they will provide you with an estimate of how much they believe it will cost to repair your foundation as well as water proof it. The cost should include all labor fees as well as the cost for any extra materials that may be needed. A good company should not pressure a consumer into choosing them without providing a quote for the project. If you live in a very humid and rainy area, then it is highly advisable that you protect your home with professional waterproofing! Do not attempt to waterproof your home on your home because there is a good chance that you may disturb your yard, garden, terrace, patio, driveway, etc. Save yourself the time and energy by letting the professionals provide you with a waterproofing system which will help to block all channels through which water enters the foundation walls of your home. There are numerous ways that water can be blocked from entering the foundation. Some solutions include using the following: Sump pump Crawl space encapsulation Floor space vapor barrier Basement waterproofing Some of the major benefits of hiring waterproofing contractors for foundation repairs and wet basements are as follows: 1. Protection of the home's structure. 2. Hinderence in the growth of harmful bacteria and mold. 3.An increase in the value of the property. 4.Protection for your property with a structurally sound foundation. 5.Providing a clean, dry environment for you and your family. Generally speaking, waterproofing is a protective method by which water attempting to penetrate a foundation is blocked and directed to somewhere else. The whole process takes time, but if you choose a waterproofing contractor who also serves as a foundation repair expert, you will save a lot of time and take care of a lot of preventative mesaures by having your home waterproofed at the time of your repairs. Always remember that waterproofing your home's structure will help it to last for many years to come for your family!

Tags: Foundation Repair, Roofing Contractors, Basement Waterproofing

Source: http://www.212articles.com/why-you-should-research-before-hiring-a-waterproofing-contractor/

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My Health, Fitness and Motherhood Truths | Fit Bottomed Mamas

September 20, 2011 by Erin ?

Fact: I really could eat a boat load of Brussels sprouts. Credit: srqpix

Last week during Fit Bottomed Girls Back to Basics week, each FBG featured her own ?fitness truths??personal philosophies about health, fitness and life that ring true for each of us. If you didn?t catch it, I thought I?d share my truths here because so many of them are mommy-related!

I?m not eating this to make you feel guilty. It?s really what I want. And I genuinely do love Brussels sprouts.

Just because I try to be healthy most of the time doesn?t mean I don?t indulge.

Just because you see me indulge, it doesn?t mean I?m not healthy most of the time.

You think I?m a stay-at-home mom because I?m running errands with my daughter mid-day? I actually help run two websites in my ?free time? and am at the post office because I?m mailing goodies to readers.

When the going gets tough, I think about making it through a natural childbirth and know that I can get through anything?be it a tough workout or a rough day.

You think I?m extremely lucky to be able to afford being able to stay at home with my daughter? Yes, I am. But there are plenty of sacrifices made to be able to do so, and I go without splurges others might take for granted.

I may have a small frame, but do not underestimate my strength or determination.

People who think staying at home with kids is easier than a ?real job? make me laugh. This balancing-act life I lead is harder than any job I?ve ever had?and I?ve worked since I was 10. And yet, I wouldn?t change a thing.

While the aesthetic benefits of working out are great, I?m not doing this so I can fit into skinny jeans. Which I wouldn?t wear anyway. I?m doing it to battle a family history of heart disease.

Check out what the other FBGs are saying about their fitness truths. What are your personal truths, motherhood and otherwise? ?Erin

Source: http://fitbottomedmamas.com/2011/09/my-health-fitness-and-motherhood-truths/

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Prediction of improved sexual function after prostate cancer ...

Journal editorial ChoiceAcademic Main Category: Prostate / Prostate Cancer Also included in: Urology / Nephrology ; Erectile Dysfunction / Premature Ejaculation Article Date: 21 September 2011 ? 12:00 PDT e-mail to a friend src = ?Druckersymbol? = title = ?print? Printer Friendly href = ?234785.php#opinions?rel =? nofollow ?> opinions Current Articles

Ratings:

Patient / Public: Healthcare Prof: A study in the 21 September issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association by a Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center published research team suggests that more open discussion between doctor and patient is improving the quality of life for the prostate cancer survivor.

The report shows the survival rates for early stage prostate cancer patients is increasing, so that quality of life issues an important part of treatment, with a focus on the sexual function in previously potent men. The doctors are in a better position, the result of man?s sexual function after treatment, predict, and this should facilitate more patient / physician discussion.

The lead researcher, Martin G. Sanda, MD, director of the Prostate Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and associate professor of urology at Harvard Medical School, clarifies that:

?It is a difficult situation for any man to face cancer Luckily, with the prostate cancer, we control usually in a position to cancer -. but the side effects can still troubling, but we now have options beyond one-size-fits to help all advice, to anticipate human potential side effects of treatment ?

.

course there are other problems that affect a man?s sexual health post prostate cancer, including factors such as a man?s age, prostate-specific antigen levels, the use of nerve-sparing surgery with radiation or hormone therapy techniques. Explained, however, a large number of men that they are not considered medicines or treatments for erectile dysfunction shows again how doctors can help patients talk, help improve patient quality of life.

The team of researchers used questionnaires and telephone interviews of 2,940 men, according to data nationwide survey both before treatment and two years. The data were collected and organized by the University of municipal hospitals. Patients received treatments included prostatectomy or surgical removal of the gland, external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy, or, or the implantation of radioactive

In summary ?seeds.?: 40 percent of the men who had their prostate removed, she said. experienced recovery of sexual function for two years after surgery, while 58 percent of men?s sexual function after external beam radiation and 63 percent after brachytherapy

Sanda still get that:

?The ability to separate patients inform how they are likely to develop Erectile Dysfunction on their own baseline sexual function, cancer severity, individual clinical features and treatment plan has been difficult, based?

Another problem among men, the PSA level and seems closely with sexual function after surgery and radiation therapy are associated. . Patients with higher PSA levels may be able to influence more extensive primary cancers or larger prostates, the surgical procedure, even during nerve-sparing procedures or lead to an increased spread of higher doses of radiation

Sanda added:

? Timely, can reduce mortality from prostate cancer treatment, a fair, so that the impact of side effects in importance ?. Both patients and doctors to talk restless sexual function, but people need to be open about their sexuality optimize outcome after treatment for him and his wife, and to determine whether medication or other treatment for ED may be helpful.

Obviously, every patient is different and its particular circumstances and the treatment is the primary factor in his post-operative quality of life, power and sexual function, but it is also clear from Sanda report that medical patients can call and talk to help implement additional procedures to support a man?s recovery from the disease

Rupert Shepherd BSc.Copyright Written by:. Medical News TodayNot without permission of Medical News Today

Visit our Prostate / Prostate Cancer for the latest news about this topic. ?Prediction of erectile function after treatment for prostate cancer ? Martin G. Sanda MD, et al.JAMA 2011, 306 (11) :1205-1214 doi:.. 10.1001/jama.2011.1333Bitte use one of the following formats to this article in your essay, paper, or To quote one report:

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Rupert Shepherd BSc ?forecast has improved sexual function after prostate cancer treatment.? MediLexicon Medical News Today, Intl, September 21, 2011 Web.21 September? 2011.

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Source: http://blamecancer.org/cancer/prediction-of-improved-sexual-function-after-prostate-cancer-treatment-has-medical-news-today.html

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Video: NOAA: A need for fortified tornado shelters

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Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/44601945#44601945

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Best bets: Time to go 'Dancing'

TV
It's a big week in the TV world, and one of the biggest events is the premiere of the new season of "Dancing With the Stars." The cast includes Chaz Bono, Ricki Lake, Nancy Grace, Ron Artest and Hope Solo. Much of the pre-show buzz has centered on Bono, who was born female and underwent a gender transition, but we're just hoping his mom, Cher, shows up in the audience. She's bound to dress even more crazily than the contestants. And those who find Maks Chmerkovskiy a heartthrob will be happy to know there's another one like him at home ? brother Val is joining the pro dancers. (Season premiere Sept. 19, 8 p.m., ABC.)

'Dancing' live chat on Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. ET

Do the math: If you have "Two and a Half Men" and you subtract one Charlie Sheen, but then you add in one Ashton Kutcher ... does that still equal a comedy hit? We'll find out soon, as "That '70s Show" star and Demi Moore's husband will replace Sheen on the show. The season premiere should be interesting, as TV gossip sites have pretty much spelled out that Sheen's character makes a gory exit. (Season premiere Sept. 19, 9 p.m., CBS.)

Is this how Sheen's character dies on 'Men'?

Are you on Team Sheen? Then tune in to Comedy Central's Roast of Charlie Sheen, which airs the same night. Some of the jokes have already leaked out. William Shatner cracks, "I'm 80, you're 46 ... how come we look like we went to high school together?" (Sept. 19, 10 p.m., Comedy Central)

Story: MacFarlane writes Sheen's obituary for 'Roast'

Movies
The long-awaited movie version of Michael Lewis' book "Moneyball" hits theaters this week, and Columbia Pictures is hoping that its appeal won't be limited to baseball fans only. Brad Pitt plays Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane, with Jonah Hill as his assistant. Reviews look good: Boxoffice Magazine calls it "the shrewdest take on the game since Ron Shelton's 'Bull Durham.'" It's awfully talky for a baseball movie, but thanks to screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, you never miss the action, and two hours-plus zooms by like a called third strike.??(Opens Sept. 23.)

Pitt: Life with Aniston wasn't 'interesting'

What if you saw your photo under the label "Missing" on a milk carton? In "Abduction," Taylor Lautner plays a young man who discovers his whole life may be a lie. Lautner's made a lot of young women swoon as hunky wolfboy Jacob in the "Twilight" saga, but he's trying to break out as an action hero here. (Opens Sept. 23.)

Video: Watch the 'Abduction' trailer (on this page)

DVD
Here come the "Bridesmaids"! This ensemble comedy was a huge hit and showed that women could give as good as they got in raunchy comedies. Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph have the main roles, but Melissa McCarthy stole the show for many viewers as a larger-than-life bridesmaid. (Out on DVD Sept. 20.)

Story: Outrageous comedy isn't a boys' club anymore

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper is TODAY.com's movies editor.

? 2011 MSNBC Interactive.? Reprints

Source: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/43552269/ns/today-entertainment/

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Deal of the Day: 2750mAh Extended Battery w/ Door for HTC ThunderBolt

The Sept. 20 Deal of the Day is a hot one for you HTC ThunderBolt owners: It's the HTC 2750 mAh extended battery with extended battery door. It gives you almost double the juice of the stock battery, and it's an official HTC accessory, so it's got the name and might of the manufacturer behind it. And it's on sale today only for $34.95 -- that's 56 percent off. Get yours while supplies last!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/9dMNfkpEPn4/deal-day-htc-2750mah-extended-battery-w-door-thunderbolt

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Analysis: Bank woes could stymie France's recovery (Reuters)

PARIS (Reuters) ? A French banking system shaken by a crisis of confidence and hobbled by the need to deleverage and write down assets could choke off credit to consumers and businesses and shatter France's fragile recovery.

France's economy was already stuttering, with zero growth in the second quarter, before alarm over its banks' exposure to Greece and their reliance on short-term wholesale funding battered banking sector share prices and jolted global markets.

Buffeted by a Moody's downgrade of Societe General (SOGN.PA) and Credit Agricole (CAGR.PA), and the increasing unwillingness of U.S. money market funds to lend dollars to fund their short-term operations, France's banking sector now seems set for a period of retrenchment.

While an agreement among central banks last week to offer three-month U.S. dollar loans to commercial banks staved off fears of Europe's money markets freezing, as they did during the 2008 credit crunch, Bank of France Governor Christian Noyer warned that French banks would have to shrink their balance sheets to adjust to tougher funding conditions.

"You have the perfect cocktail for a lasting recession," said Alexandre Law of consultants Xerfi, which advises French businesses. "It's quite clear that banks are going to halt their riskiest lending, if they haven't done so already."

Finance Minister Francois Baroin told France's Europe 1 radio on Sunday that banks must not tighten the taps on credit. "The strengthening of banks' balance sheets through gradual increases in their capital must not take place at the expense of access to credit by companies or individuals. The banks know that," he said.

Figures for July, the last available month, showed an annual slowdown in new mortgages and consumer loans, even before doubts about the banks intensified.

Consumer sentiment is likely to have worsened since then. A survey by pollsters IFOP poll published on Web site Atlantico on Friday showed that some 44 percent of those questioned are not confident in the solidity of their banks.

With consumption -- which accounts for two thirds of economic activity in France -- shrinking in the second quarter, economists had pinned their hope for growth this year on a rebound in investment by businesses, which have been strengthening their balance sheets after the crisis.

Bank of France figures showed that new bank lending to non-financial businesses had been steadily growing since the credit crisis, rising 4.5 percent year-on-year in July. But business leaders say the mood has soured dramatically in recent weeks.

"People are worried," said Jean-Eudes du Mesnil du Buisson, secretary-general of the CGPME confederation of small- and medium-sized businesses, after meeting members on Wednesday.

"A lot of them said they were considering whether to put off certain investments and, in some cases, delay hiring," he said. "If the doubts are not lifted by the end of the month, we will see direct consequences on economic activity."

FRANCE'S GREAT DELEVERAGING?

President Nicolas Sarkozy's government cut its growth forecast for this year to 1.75 percent from 2.25 percent last month and unveiled a slew of measures to ensure it hits deficit-cutting targets deemed key for France to keep its AAA credit rating. Even before this month's banking turmoil, most economists said growth was likely to come in below 1.4 percent this year.

France's economy relies on bank loans for two-thirds of its financing, a far higher figure higher than in market-based systems like the United States, leaving it particularly exposed to the health of its banking sector.

Its lenders were until recently the envy of their European peers as they weathered the financial crisis without massive losses or nationalisations. But while Britain and Switzerland demanded their big banks beef up capital buffers quickly after the crisis, France opted for its traditional close surveillance of bank lending, which served it well during the crisis.

As a result, French banks' Tier 1 capital ratios, a measure of their ability to absorb losses, stand between 10.6 and 11.4 percent, below the 11.6 to 17.8 percent range at top banks in Britain, Germany and Switzerland, according to Thomson Reuters Starmine.

That, analysts say, left French banks exposed to anxiety over their levels of euro zone sovereign debt holdings and reliance on short-term funding, culminating in the Moody's downgrade of Societe General and Credit Agricole on Wednesday.

Bank of France Governor Noyer has called for banks to speed up the reinforcement of their capital ratios under new Basel III rules by cutting dividends and retaining more of their profits.

Officials suggest that French banks may also need to take more severe write-downs on their holdings of Greek debt to remove doubts over their balance sheets. Noyer has called for the European Banking Authority to set guidelines here.

Meanwhile, BNP Paribas (BNPP.PA) and SocGen have signaled plans for asset sales expected to total more than 100 billion euros to cut their reliance on wholesale funding. Question marks remain over how quickly they can do this and at what price.

BNP Chairman Michel Pebereau insisted on Thursday there was no threat to lending to consumers and small-businesses in the bank's core European markets of France, Belgium and Italy: "We're doing what is needed."

Figures suggest that European banks are becoming wary of lending. Overnight deposits at the ECB spiked to 198 billion euros on Tuesday, versus less than 10 billion at end-June, despite an ECB pledge to furnish unlimited short-term liquidity.

"Everything is in place for a massive contraction of credit," Pierre Mariani, CEO of Franco-Belgian financial services group Dexia (DEXI.BR), warned this week.

CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE

Pierre Gattaz, head of the Group of Industrial Federations (GFI) which represents 80 percent of France's industrial output, said a solid start to the year had allowed companies to rebuild their balance sheets but concerns over the financial sector were taking their toll.

"This enormous financial nervousnesss involves a lack of visibility about the coming months: we are in a patch of fog."

A survey of companies' cash positions by the REXECODE think-tank and the AFTE association of business treasurers found a sharp deterioration in the last two months, leaving them close to the level of April 2008, a month before France hit recession.

Company treasurers reported a rise in the difficulty of securing bank loans and an increase in their cost, while more clients delayed payments, worsening companies' cash position.

"It is becoming harder and harder to find financing and the margins demanded by banks are increasing," said Richard Cordero, head of the AFTE.

One Paris-based banking source said he was concerned that the race to reduce balance sheets would hurt French banks market share and handicap French companies doing business overseas.

"Financing Airbus, that is in dollars. If French banks won't do it, will it be JP Morgan (JPM.N)? Or will it be no-one?"

A report by EU officials to a European finance ministers' meeting in Poland this week called for further capitalization of European banks, echoing recent calls from the head of the International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde.

French officials have resisted calls for major French banks to raise their capital levels above the threshold required by the new Basel III rules, fearing that this would limit their financing of the economy.

Noyer has insisted that French banks do not need outside capital, particularly not from the government. Officials argue that Europe's debt crisis must be tackled at source: by deficit-cutting measures in troubled peripheral countries.

But, in a potentially worrying sign for banks' deposit base, a survey by pollsters CSA published in Les Echos on Thursday showed two thirds of consumers were concerned that the banking crisis could affect the solidity of their savings.

"We are in a crisis of confidence and it is very hard to get out of a crisis of confidence," said Mesnil du Buisson of the CGPME confederation. "People are going to be even more cautious this time round because they have at the back of their minds the brutality of the shock of 2008."

(Additional reporting by Lionel Laurent; editing by Janet McBride)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110918/bs_nm/us_france_economy_banks

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