New Bachelor Ready to Take His Pick of 30 Girls

By Katya Holloway, Vancouver Sun December 16, 2010

 

http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Bachelor+ready+take+pick+girls/3984269/story.html

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RimCrgoGssQ/
S2hjp6mxHNI/AAAAAAAAB8U/pTYaCpcnEnQ
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As a religious watcher of The Bachelor/The Bachelorette series, you can only imagine my excitement of a new up-coming season of The Bachelor. Brad Womack, a returning bachelor, from season 11 way back in 2007, is back again to take on season 14 airing January 2011. After having not chosen anyone his previous season, I really hope he picks someone this time. It’s always a disappointment when the girls and guys who are chosen to be on the show end up breaking the actual bachelor/bachelorette’s heart. It happened last season with Ali. The man I was pushing for to win ended up leaving her weeks before the finale to be with his ex-girlfriend. I am so excited for the premier! There is talk about “slaps” in the face and “waitresses full of drama”. It would be nice to see some culture in this season, but unfortunately there are “no Canadians” in this upcoming 14^th season. Brad himself is from Austen, TX, so expecting the majority of the women for him to choose from be from the US, is a must. This “38-year-old entrepreneur” is certain that he will find his “dream girl” during the process this season.  After not choosing between the two finalists, DeAnna Pappas and Jenni Croft, in season 11, I really hope he doesn’t disappoint and we have to relive the same events again. It would be too tragic and I’m not sure that I could take it. Coming back with an “open heart” makes me believe that he could finally pop the question to one of the lucky 30 girls. Although he has not “worked his magic” before, this could be his season to settle down with a new woman. I know that the majority of the people that the bachelors and bachelorettes choose don’t remain together – we all saw what happened between Jake and Vienna two seasons ago and many more before them—it is still an amazing show to watch. Only two of the couples in the 13 previous seasons have remained together. Much respect to them as the 11 other couples have split.





Brad Womack
http://cm1.theinsider.com/media/0/639/3/400_
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What Age Is Your Brain?
Justin Pow  Sabre Trooth        November 10th 2010

http://www.nvsd44.bc.ca/SchoolSites/Sutherland/Student%20Activities/~/media/Schools/Sutherland/Sabre%20Trooth/Sabre%20Trooth/20102011/Sabre%20Trooth%20Vol%204%20Issue%203%20November%2010th%202010.ashx

A human brain
http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/welcome/features/20071017_
Medicine_whitematter/Photos/head_and_brain.jpg

Before taking this quiz to see how old my brain is, I excepted it to be around 17, my actual age. But no, I was off. Having picked mostly “B’s” my brain’s age should be in the range of 11-15, great. Apparently, I understand “some concepts” of high school and should “get out” sometimes. I think the people around me are definite idiots sometimes, but I guess that I am no different. I think that if I got the “brain age” of an 18-23 year old then I wouldn’t find my life very fun. It’s almost like these questions have been written just for me. I swear, most of the questions in this quiz are things that I would totally do, but others I would not be caught doing. The “B” answers to the questions definitely suit me. “Snickering…arriving late…making people feel awkward” are things that I do, I’m not proud of them, but I do them anyways. I don’t have “definite plans” for my post secondary education, or make the most “intelligent” decisions sometimes, but I learn from my mistakes. Although I don’t believe that the world “revolves around me” or have to mental capacity of an 18-23 year old, I am happy with who I am. I will mature at my own rate and just enjoy life as it comes to me. I work hard and like to see my hard work pay off. Carpe diem, Mr. Hallam, carpe diem.

Tenth Severed Human Foot Found On Pacific Northwest Beach

MCT and Vancouver Sun           December 15, 2010

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Tenth+severed+human+foot+found+Pacific+Northwest+beach/3982981/story.html

Okay, this is seriously the most disgusting thing ever, not to mention creepy. How do 10 severed feet end up washing ashore somewhere on the “Pacific Northwest beaches”? Although I find these stories completely astounding, I have to admit that they have captured my attention. These feet have been washing up on beaches since 2007. How have we not figured out how they are getting there? If I was going for a stroll along a beach and happened to spot a severed foot, I would be so creeped out. It’s crazy how no one can uncover this mystery of these feet. I still don’t see how this is possible. How is there no information to suggest a logical conclusion? Is there a psycho running around cutting off people feet or something? Although during 2007 there feet showed up more regularly, there is quite a gap between the eighth and ninth. Maybe this is foreshadowing that the “severed feet” are coming to a halt, or maybe not. The tenth foot has come no more than four months after the ninth. Perhaps the person in charge of releasing these feet into the ocean lives else where and the feet happen to travel by ocean to reach the beaches. Oh my gosh, if I happened to see a foot while swimming in the ocean, I would probably died from the sheer panic that I would be in to get out of the water. I kid you not  when I saw I would go into shock and die.

 

shoe of the tenth severed foot
http://www.boingboing.net/200910291051.jpg

 

Reynolds and Johansson Split

By Bart Jackson, Vancouver Sun          December 15, 2010

http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/movie-guide/Reynolds+Johansson+split/3979355/story.html

Oh my god! I can’t get my head around this! I am in shock that Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson have split! Although it is upsetting that they have decided to call it quits, they can move on with their lives and further their careers on their own. I don’t understand why celebrities decide to keep get married. For one, they never change their last name, and secondly the marriages almost never survive. Frankly, I don’t get it. A marriage has a better chance of remaining strong if the two people are no names, or if only one is famous. This news is completely shocking to many people and just after the Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens’ split too! No one expected a gorgeous couple like this to crumble. If I was famous, I would publicly have a wedding, instead of eloping and having a “secretive [marriage] ceremony”. I respect their decision that they will come out of the divorce with “love and kindness”, but I really don’t see them remaining friends. I’m not sure why, it’s just a feeling. As Ryan and Scarlett have said, I too would not expect my “privacy” to be regarded. Of course marriage would change your life. People who don’t know that shouldn’t be getting married. Like Ryan, I would seek some support from my friends, but definitely not an ex.

 



Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson
http://igossip.com/photos/E_Online_Scarlett_Johansson_
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Forces Recognize Captain Who Died on Home Leave as Afghan Casualty

Ottawa— The Canadian Press            Published Friday, Nov. 26, 2010

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/forces-recognize-captain-who-died-on-home-leave-as-afghan-casualty/article1814833/



Capt. Frank Paul
http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101126/101126
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I believe that even though Capt. Frank Paul was at home when he died, he should still be recognized as an Afghan Casualty. Although he died of natural causes and was on leave, he technically was still on duty and considered “part of the mission”. I don’t think his death is of any less importance than someone who was actually in Afghanistan because he was still part of the Canadian military. I am happy that his name was added to the “Fallen Canadian Soldiers” website but of course sad that another of our soldiers has died. The total count since his death stands at 153 and two “civilian deaths. I believe that it is only fair the he be considered an Afghan casualty because even though he was not on duty at the time, he still served for our country and should be recognized none the less. He would probably have returned to Afghanistan after his leave and honoured our country again. His participation in the military should be appreciated no matter what and it should be no different if he died at home or fighting in Afghanistan. There is no doubt that he deserves honour. If you are brave enough to go to a foreign country for battle, you should be entitled to a medal.

 

 

Glee Star Fires Her Manager, Agents

Kat Angus Vancouver Sun December 10, 2010

http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/topics/misc/glee%20(tv%20show)/Glee+star+fires+manager+agents/3955694/story.html 

            If I was Dianna Agron, I wouldn’t have fired my manager and agents. If they helped me achieve my dreams of becoming a successful actress, I wouldn’t turn around and “part ways with them”. Although she is smart and talented, she has worked with these people her whole career and it is unfortunate that she should fire them now. Dianna Agron says that she is “fortunate” for her new found success with the popular TV hit series Glee, but she hasn’t yet let out a statement about why she fired them. The rumours going around say that she was “unhappy” with her manager and her agents and I think that they could be true. If she’s anything like her character in the show she would have kept her agents and manager, as she is a kind-hearted character in Glee. Although she can seem like a sneaky cheerleader at times, she’s mostly a shy girl. I think that if she chooses another agent and/or manager, she might regret it because they won’t know her as well as Lena Roklin, her manager, and her agents at the Gersh Agency do. She is getting famous and is really talented now that she will probably get hired for numerous jobs in the future. I’m not sure that it would feel the same to me in the future if I didn’t have the people I started with to be there and support me.

 

Dianna Agron
http://img.poptower.com/pic-33166/dianna-agron.jpg?d=600

 

The Future of TV Is Touch, Just Ask Your Toddler

Amber MacArthur Globe and Mail Posted on Thursday, November 25, 2010 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/trending-tech/the-future-of-tv-is-touch-just-ask-your-toddler/article1813116/ 



An Ipad
http://felixhudson.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/ipad.jpg



 

I somewhat agree with those people who think that toddlers shouldn’t be using such new technology like the Ipad and Ipod Touch, but I have also opened my eyes to see what it would be like if they did. I don’t think it’s the child’s fault if it gets into their hands, they just happened to be born in this era of technology. I work part time at a daycare and I was shocked when one of the mothers said that her 2 year old daughter just send a text message from her phone. I thought that it couldn’t be possible, but I was way wrong. In this article, a “21 month old” boy managed to navigate his way around an Ipad, and even managed to buy an app. If children grow up with technology around them, then of course they will be used to it. I’m not saying that it’s a bad thing, but they would become so reliable on technology and machines doing things for them that they won’t know that to do if their things suddenly stop working. Yes, Ipads are good for young children to watch movies on while they take long car rides, but I would never buy my child an Ipad so they can use it daily. Ipads shot to the top of the list for children aged six, which is completely on the other end of the scale from last year when young kids wanted things like Barbie dolls and board games.



Daniel Radcliffe Lays Down His Wand

By Bob Thompson, Postmedia News November 19, 2010

 http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/movie-guide/Daniel+Radcliffe+lays+down+wand/3852898/story.html

As a big fan of the Harry Potter franchise, I am sad to see them end. Over the past 10 years, Daniel Radcliffe has been a huge part of my life. It’s weird to think that since this whole phenomenon started, Daniel Radcliffe has been on quite a journey. It was way back in 2001, that he “introduced himself…as a bespectacled boy wizard” at the age of 10. Being the fan that I am, I was very pleased to have seen the newest movie in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, at an advanced screening on Monday, November 15, 2010, while the premier came out days later on Friday, November 19, 2010. This movie definitely was the darkest of them all. I am pleased that the final novel, a “best-seller” by J. K. Rowling, has been divided into two movies. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 was one of the best movies of the series, except it only gave focus to “the trio.” Favourite characters like Hagrid, the Weasleys, and Draco Malfoy were only in the movie for a few scenes. This movie was also one of the more interesting ones, as it took place outside of Hogwarts which gave the movie a much “fresher feel” compared to the rest. Set to hit theatres July 2011, the final instalment will bring an end to the “magical adventures of Harry, Hermione and Ron.” I love the fact that the entire cast and crew shed many tears when they were still filming the final movie. These movies have been such a big part of their lives and I don’t blame them. Daniel Radcliffe looks forward to “challenging himself” in the rest of his career.  

Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma

Watson, 2001



Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma

Watson, 2010



Natalie Portman Got Black and Blue Getting Ready For Black Swan
Jamie Portman, Postmedia News · Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010
http://www.nationalpost.com/arts/Natalie+Portman+black+blue+getting+into+shape+Black+Swan/3918782/story.html

Natalie Portman training for her role in "Black Swan"

I saw the trailer for Black Swan for the first time when it came on the TV. At first, it just showed award-winning actress, Natalie Portman, as an innocent ballerina with the dream of being cast the dual roles – a  “pure and innocent” white swan, and a “sensuous and destructive” black swan— in  the New York City Ballet’s “Swan Lake”. Suddenly, you see Nina, Portman’s character, when the reality of attaining the roles she has dreamed of sets in and she is lead down a dangerous path, fueled by her “vulnerability and her obsessiveness”.  I respect Natalie Portman for committing to play this role after suffering a rib injury and the fact that she told director Darren Aronofsky she was getting too old to “play a dancer”. Natalie Portman started training for this role a year before shooting, doing countless hours of classical ballet technique, strength exercises and swimming. I think she has found a new respect for professional dancers who have no choice but to “dance through the pain”. I think this movie is a good way to make non-dancers aware of what dancers put themselves through to reach their goals. It sheds light on how professional dancers live, and why their lifestyles are dangerous and unhealthy, especially ballerinas. I saw a documentary on young Russian girls determined to get into the ballet school of their dreams. Hundreds would try out and only 3 would graduate. Ballerinas put themselves through so much pain and dedication to accomplish their dreams that they don’t hang out with friends, they don’t drink, they rarely eat, and they constantly put their bodies through extreme pain.