#Air tickets to South America

[simply-ivanka]

Kamala Harris: Mystery Commander in Chief

How would the Vice President keep America safe in a dangerous world? The voters deserve some answers.

The Editorial Board --- Wall Street Journal

Kamala Harris is all but telling Americans they’ll have to elect her to find out what she really believes, as the Vice President ducks interviews and the media give her a free ride. This is bad enough on domestic issues, but on foreign policy it could be perilous. The world is more dangerous than it’s been in decades, and Americans deserve to know how the woman aiming to be Commander in Chief Harris would confront these threats.

Ms. Harris this week tweeted a photo of her sitting next to President Biden in the White House situation room discussing the Middle East. The point is to suggest she’s a co-pilot on Biden foreign policy.

This isn’t the credential the Harris campaign thinks it is, and the voters should hear directly from her what she thinks about the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, the failure to deter Russia in Ukraine, the Iranian nuclear program, China’s island grabs in the South China Sea, and more. The matter is all the more important because Ms. Harris conspicuously declined to choose a running mate who might lend foreign policy experience to the ticket.

Ms. Harris has given a few hints about her own views on the Middle East, and those aren’t encouraging. Her team spent much of Thursday walking back whether she told an anti-Israel group she’d be willing to ponder an arms embargo against Israel. She skipped Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress when our main Middle East ally is under siege. Did she pass over Josh Shapiro as her running mate because he would have enraged the anti-Israel wing of the Democratic Party?

To the extent she has revealed a larger instinct on national security, it’s been wrong. She told the Council on Foreign Relations in 2019 that she’d rejoin the Iran nuclear deal as long as “Iran also returned to verifiable compliance.” But Iran didn’t comply and is now on the brink of a nuclear breakout.

Her 2018 Senate vote to “end U.S. involvement in the Saudi-led air campaign in Yemen,” as Ms. Harris put it in a tweet, also hasn’t aged well. The Houthis the Saudis were fighting are now targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea almost daily and putting U.S. naval assets at risk. Does she think this status quo can persist—and what would she do differently?

Ms. Harris will surely argue that she and Mr. Biden reinvigorated the North Atlantic Treaty Organization after Vladimir Putin’s invasion in Ukraine. But absent a change in U.S. political will, the war in Ukraine isn’t on track to end on terms favorable to American interests. Her past enthusiasm for banning fracking—which her campaign is trying to walk back—also suggests she isn’t serious about checking Mr. Putin’s main source of war financing.

Ms. Harris would no doubt also tout the diplomatic progress the Biden Administration has made in Asia with Japan, the Philippines and others. Yet she whiffed on one of the single most important diplomatic questions in Asia: She opposed Barack Obama’s Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal that would have excluded China and boosted America as the region’s premiere trading partner.

Most important, will Ms. Harris build up the hard military assets required to deter China’s Xi Jinping and a consolidating axis of U.S. adversaries? “I unequivocally agree with the goal of reducing the defense budget,” Ms. Harris said as a Senator in 2020 after voting against a Bernie Sanders proposal to slash the Pentagon by 10%. That vote needed no explanation, but Ms. Harris wanted to make sure the left knew she was sympathetic. Does she still want to slash the defense budget?

Donald Trump often shoots from the hip on these subjects, and his favorable comments about dictators are witless. But his first-term record, especially on Iran and the Middle East, is far stronger than the Biden-Harris performance.

Americans shouldn’t have to read tea leaves to figure out if Ms. Harris would keep the country safe in a treacherous world.

[oomisluvr]

No Caller ID

Your job at The Agency was simple. In fact, there was only one rule: Don’t lose track of your field agent. Unfortunately for you, Agent K is a difficult man to find.

warnings: agent!sakusa x handler!reader, international espionage, i was going for a james bond vibe, no graphic violence but there is a teeny bit of violence, hq! cameos that aren’t important to the story but i thought were fun to include, open ending i think, flirting (???), honestly freeform, i wrote this in 1 sitting lol, sfw, 1.8k words!

You’re on a date the first time he calls you. 

The guy you’re out with is nice. Doesn’t interrupt you. Asks about your day. Laughs at all your jokes and pretends not to look down your shirt while the two of you eat. He works in IT, so you know he’s fairly well-off, too. 

It’s too bad this is just to keep up appearances.

Your phone rings with no caller ID and you have to stop your eyes from bulging out of your head. In this line of work, it’s best to keep personal calls separate from ongoing projects. For organization reasons. For safety precautions.

It’s for this reason that you have two cell phones. The first is for private calls, to keep up with the life your current alibi would be living. The second phone is for The Agency.

And you’ve never received a call from your second phone before.

You excuse yourself from the table with a practiced smile, adjusting your clothing as you stand. Your date nods. Understanding, as expected. He didn’t notice that you took your purse with you. He must think you’re coming back.

Exiting the restaurant, you pick up the phone with a nervous hand, unsure of what to expect, “This is Pluto speaking.”

“Pluto? Who the fuck is that?” A man’s voice grunts, panting loudly and very obviously out of breath, “What happened to Rin?” 

You clear your throat, “Rin has since left The Agency. I’m Pluto, his replacement.”

“That bastard. You’ve gotta be fucking kidding–” Sharp pops echo through the speaker. Possibly gunshots. The cursing that follows suggests that those were most likely gunshots. Everything is so loud.

“Agent K, if you’re requesting for backup, I can send over the twins–”

“Absolutely not. No backup, especially not from them.” Based on proximity, you can tell it’s K who fires next. Two quick rounds, followed by two dull thuds. Bullseye? “Everything is under control. Get me to Croatia before midnight tomorrow.”

The call ends.

The second time he calls you is to complain about the first time.

You defend yourself with all the aggression of a caged circus bear.

K quickly learns not to complain about your work.

Two months pass. 

Your job at The Agency was simple.

Fortunately, there was only one rule: Don’t lose track of your field agent.

Unfortunately for you, Agent K is a difficult man to find.

“Pick up, pick up, pick up!” You scream into the phone. You’ve combed through the security feeds of every private business, traffic cam, and ATM machine, but still no sight of him.

The ringing stops, an easy voice floating through the phone, “Hello?”

“Why the fuck aren’t you in Buenos Aires?” You all but yell, “I’ve been searching for you for hours.” It’s silent on the other end of the receiver. You continue your verbal assault, “Are you even in Argentina? In South America at all?”

K snorts. “Where do you think I am?”

You’re furious, “How did you leave the airport without me knowing? I booked your tickets myself. I made the passport you’re using–”

“Don’t worry about it.” He cuts you off, “Do you really want to know where I am?”

His tone calms you, just long enough to answer, “Yes.”

“A baby shower.”

“A… baby shower?” You repeat dumbly.

“Well, I’m not physically at the baby shower, that would be a breach of contract. I’m sitting in an unmarked car, about 100 feet from the festivities. Watching my little sister open her gifts. She doesn’t even know I’m here.” He sighs, and it’s so different from anything else you’ve heard from him. “Nobody does.”

People who do what K does rarely ever have families. Alive, that is. You wonder how old he was when he left home, if his parents know what he does for a living. If they even know he’s alive. 

Instead you ask, “Will you be having a niece or a nephew?”

He chuckles to himself, but it’s humorless. Empty. “That’s what I’m waiting to find out. I think the reveal is after they cut the cake. My sister is greedy enough to make everyone wait.”

You’re silent for a moment, at a genuine loss of words. The silence feels comfortable, and whether you’d like to admit it or not, you’ve gotten attached to Agent K. Fond, even. Just knowing he’s on the other end of the line, alive and breathing and not being shot at, gives you an enormous sense of relief.

You stare into the monitors ahead of you, at the sheer number of tabs you’ve opened, the energy you expended to make sure he’s safe.

“How did you get into this line of work?”

“Me?”

“Yes,” you can hear the sarcasm dripping from his voice, “You.” 

Nobody has ever asked you that. Nobody is allowed to ask that, you think. “I had an internship the summer after I graduated. My boss at the time has some sort of connection to The Agency. She said I should apply and that she’d put in a good word. My interview was the next day, and I was officially hired by the end of the month.”

It’s silent for a beat, “You do realize you failed the test, right?”

“Excuse me?”

“You aren’t supposed to divulge any personal information to me or any other agents,” He quips, “Especially not any information regarding The Agency.”

“Well,” You start, “You aren’t supposed to run away from missions and lie to your handler about where you are!”

K laughs. An actual laugh. “Touche. Though I’m not running away from anything. This is simply… a brief layover.”

“Whatever. I’ve already booked you a flight from Hyogo to Buenos Aires.”

“You’re sharp, Pluto.” There’s pleasant surprise in his voice, and pride flares in your veins at having caught him off guard, “How’d you know I was in Japan?”

“Don’t worry about it.” You repeat his own words back to him, “Your flight leaves at 8:30PM, Japan Standard Time. Think you can make it by then?”

“Yes, ma’am.” K huffs, “Is that all?”

“Yeah,” you say, “And I’ll be sure not to include this ‘brief layover’ in my reports.”

“Thank you.” He says, and you can tell it’s genuine. For a moment, you feel appreciated, before he adds, “And from now on, please refrain from using fishing boats as a means of escape.”

“Give me enough of a heads up and I won’t have to.” You fight back a smile, recalling your first encounter, and the angry call you got 16 hours later, “But if you ever lie to me again about where you are, I’m leaving you stranded.” It’s a lie. In reality, if it came between you and him, you’re the expendable one. 

“Deal.” He confirms, “Oh, and, Pluto?”

“Yes?”

“It seems like I’ll be having a niece.”

These days, your phone never stops ringing. Your second phone, that is.

“Where are you?” He preens through the phone. It’s the last question you’re expecting. You’re at a cocktail dinner for your job. The fake one. The one that The Agency placed you at to keep up appearances.

“Company dinner. Is there anything I can help you with?”

You’ve leaned over the balcony, nursing something with too much sugar and not enough alcohol. The venue is beautiful, probably some millionaire’s summer home, resting on a lavish hill and overlooking the ocean. The party blazes loudly behind you, a stark contrast to the stillness of the sea.

“Yeah. There is, actually.” He decides, “What are you wearing?”

“Excuse me?”

“Your clothes.” His voice is so smooth, sentences dancing off his tongue like a lullaby. “You’re wearing a purple dress, right? Say, is that silk?”

Your breath catches in your throat, your body suddenly alert at the implication of being watched, “Yes,” you find your voice again, making subtle movements to analyze your surroundings, “It was my mother’s.”

He hums, and part of you can hear a smirk in his voice, “Thought so.”

It bothers you that you’ve no clue what he looks like. How many times have you run into him without knowing? K was one of the most talented of this generation, able to adopt and shed identities as if they were clothing, able to blend into any crowd at any time, more dangerous than any traditional weapon. How many times has he been a friendly face on the street, a shadowy figure at the bar, and you simply had no idea?

“On your left.”

A man approaches you, dressed handsomely in a well-tailored suit. Shaggy orange hair falls into his bright eyes. His footsteps are quiet, practiced, holding a corsage in his right hand. 

Without sparing a moment, he transfers the flowers from his grasp to yours before spinning on his heels and disappearing into the crowd once again. Your words die in the back of your throat.

The corsage is simple, but pretty. Purple petals to compliment your dress. Tied around it is a small gift box. You return your attention to the phone, “What’s this?”

“A thank you.” He says, “And an apology. And something else. Open it.”

You do. It’s a cartier bracelet, thousands of dollars worth of gold. You flip it over to find your name engraved into the metal. Your real name. You gasp.

“Congratulations on the promotion.” He says your name so differently than anyone has ever said it. You trace the letters in your palm, just faint enough that only you would notice. Just faint enough that you could keep it, and not have it jeopardize your position.

“Just doing my job.” You conveniently left out that the company celebration was for you. Well, you and the five other people who received promotions this quarter. Of course K would find out.

”Don’t get smart with me,” He groans, “But consider it an apology as well. I would have loved to be there with you tonight. You’re brilliant, and I’m lucky to have you on my team.”

You idly watch the yachts float by, some illuminated with neon lights, and some brightened with floodlights. If you squint, you can make out the fishing boat just barely kissing the shore. And the shadowy figure perched upon it.

“Don’t feel bad,” You hum, “Something tells me you aren’t too far off.”

“Goodnight, Pluto.”

“Goodnight, K.”

The call ends. 

You clip the corsage around your wrist and return to the party.

i though this would be a fun little story! ok bye love as always, niko ♡

[hldailyupdate]

Louis Tomlinson has dropped a surprise album ‘Live’ – featuring songs that he recorded at 15 shows across 15 different cities.

Announced and shared yesterday (April 25), the album comes after the singer and former One Direction member embarked on two world tours over the past three years – playing just shy of 200 shows globally.

Now, a variety of performances from both tours – the ‘Louis Tomlinson World Tour’ and the ‘Faith in the Future World Tour’ – have been compiled into a new live album, which is available now.

Fifteen songs are included in the tracklist, and each was recorded in a different city, at a different show from across the three-year run. The album comes in both digital and physical formats, and features his singles including ‘Bigger Than Me’, ‘We Made It, ‘Walls’ and ‘Out Of My System’, alongside fan favourite album tracks, all released live for the very first time.

“I’ve been lucky enough to spend the last 3 years touring the world twice over. The feeling I get sharing those live moments will be with me forever,” Tomlinson said in a statement. “To be able to record these songs from all over the world and put them out as an album like this feels so special, and a real tribute to the fans who make each and every show feel unique and incredible. Thank you! Enjoy!”

There are four exclusive tracks split between the physical editions of ‘Live’, including a special version of the One Direction classic ‘Where Do Broken Hearts Go’ – which is available only on the double CD.

Accompanying video clips of compiled tour footage will be shared on Louis’s social channels to support the release, showcasing a glimpse into his past three years on the road and 170 performances.

The ‘Live’ tracklist is:

‘The Greatest’ (Live From London, 17 November 2023) ‘Face The Music’ (Live From Nashville, 18 July 2023) ‘Bigger Than Me’ (Live From Vancouver, 26 June 2023) ‘Holding On To Heartache’ (Live From Barcelona, 6 October 2023) ‘We Made It’ (Live From Manila, 16 July 2022) ‘Chicago’ (Live From Chicago, 15 June 2023) ‘Fearless’ (Live From Rio, 27 May 2022) ‘Common People’ (Live From Sheffield, 10 November 2023) ‘All This Time / She Is Beauty We Are World Class’ (Live From Munich, 22 October 2023) ‘Walls’ (Live From Buenos Aires, 21 May 2022) ‘Written All Over Your Face’ (Live From Budapest, 15 September 2023) ‘Out Of My System’ (Live From Brisbane, 30 January 2024) ‘Saturdays’ (Live From Paris, 14 October 2023) ‘Silver Tongues’ (Live From Krakow, 10 September 2023)

At time of writing, Tomlinson has shared two huge solo albums since departing from One Direction. His debut album arrived in the firm of 2020’s ‘Walls’, which has sold over 1.5 million copies, and the follow-up was called ‘Faith In The Future’. The latter went to Number One in the UK, Spain and Belgium, and Top 5 in the USA, Australia, New Zealand and across Europe.

Since May last year, Tomlinson has been on his ‘Faith In The Future World Tour’, which hits South America next month for its final leg. From there, the vocalist has a number of festival appearances lined up for the summer. Find remaining tickets to his shows here.

In other Louis Tomlinson news, earlier this week the singer, alongside Courteeners and English Teacher, were among the acts to be honoured at the first-ever Northern Music Awards.

The inaugural ceremony was hosted by the UK’s largest music therapy charity, Nordoff And Robbins and took place at the Albert Hall in Manchester; celebrating northern artists, festivals, venues and industry figures. The event saw Tomlinson named as Artist Of The Year.

[littlestpersimmon]

Hey I saw on twitter that you went to Elemental and that it's bad. I was planning on taking my lil sister to it but I'd rather not if it has a bunch of racist shit in it (we're from Singapore). Is it like really really bad?

it's got that formulaic pixar/disney thing going on that the moment the fire girl, Ember, said "Elements cant mix" I legit, out-loud groaned because I knew where it was headed. Music was good, but thats about the only good thing I can unfortunately say about it.

The fire people were distinctly asian, from the way the dad spoke, the music when the fire people appeared.. and the way they were dressed.. and they arrived in a boat to a place that was vaguely fantasy america. The first scene with the fire family was the mom and dad telling this guy at the gates their names, and the ticket guy who was "earth" couldn't pronounce it, and just gave them english names, literally english names, and its played as a joke. The fire family goes around the city looking for an apartment to live in, and everyone shuts their doors on their faces- There was a weird apartheid vibe going on bcos all the other elementals got along, earth, air and water all lived in the same glowing city, while people who were fire lived downtown, and at one point, the camera kind of pans out to show you how wildly different the environment is between fire people and like. The rest of the elements- the racial divide is even more apparent when Ember is in the city outside the fire city bc everyone is colored with cool colors while Ember is often the only thing in frame thats colored warm. It's the typical story where asian culture, which is unfortunately homogenized in this movie, is presented as oppressive, painful, and nothing more than a prop that needs to assimilate to american values-

Ember goes with Wade, the water guy, into the water city, where everything is naturally hostile to her, Wade's family is racist towards Ember, and uncomfortable scenes like "wow, you speak the language so well" is played off for laughs;

Ember's family flees the fire country because of a nebulous storm cloud that is never explained or elaborated on, And the movie never addresses WHY people from the global south flee their homes, it presents the global south as being extremely hostile to the point that people are made to believe that the only option is a slightly less hostile world where everything is alien and people are naturally flippant and dismissive at best, and openly racist at worst.

Throughout the movie, Ember goes into Wade's world and meets people who call her slurs, walks into cities that are naturally dangerous for her to exist in, even in Wade's home she can't step on the floor because there's water everywhere, but its expected of her to just accept this as the way things will be if she is going to date a guy who is not a part of her world- The story ends with Ember leaving her family, and her family's convenience store totally gentrified- as it is with so many stories surrounding asians who immigrate- in everything everywhere all at once, with turning red, with shorts like Bao- The other side of "two worlds story" is never addressed, the side that is trying to grapple with a post colonial world is seen as old fashioned, filled with pain, antiquated and oppressive- The people who are functionally white in these stories are never once asked to unlearn their preconceived notions about the people they have oppressed. Why should they? - it is, fundamentally, a story of assimilation.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Michael Williams and Kevin Liptak at CNN:

Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will sit with CNN for their first joint interview on Thursday as Democrats work to broaden their base’s excitement from last week’s Democratic National Convention.  The interview, conducted by CNN’s chief political correspondent and anchor Dana Bash, will air at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday. It occurs as the candidates embark on a bus tour through the battleground state of Georgia and marks the first time Harris has sat with a journalist for an in-depth, on-the-record conversation since President Joe Biden dropped his bid for a second term and endorsed her on July 21.

The 37 days since her candidacy began have generated a swell of enthusiasm and momentum for Harris, including at last week’s convention in Chicago. But her lack of a formal news conference or interview has generated criticism from her Republican rivals. Thursday’s interview fulfils a vow she made earlier in August to schedule a sit-down before the end of the month. With the interview, Harris’ extraordinarily truncated campaign is entering a new, post-convention phase. Her team is anticipating more scrutiny as she and Walz enter the final weeks before early voting begins. Harris has also been preparing for a September 10 debate with her Republican rival, former President Donald Trump. Over the past several weeks, Harris has responded to some shouted questions from reporters as she campaigns in battleground states. She also sat for three interviews with content creators and influencers during the DNC last week – an example of her campaign’s belief that voters, especially young voters, are getting their news from less traditional sources.

[...] The interview will present Harris with the first chance to elucidate her position on various domestic and foreign issues during a campaign that has so far been heavy on vibes but light on concrete policy. She will also have a chance – if she chooses – to explain how her positions might differ from Biden. Previous major interviews have presented a challenge for Harris. During a 2021 sit-down with NBC’s Lester Holt, Harris responded with annoyance when asked why she had not visited the US-Mexico border as part of her assignment to investigate root causes of migration from Central and South America.

The first joint interview of the Kamala Harris/Tim Walz Democratic ticket since they became the official ticket will be Thursday night, airing on CNN at 9PM ET/8PM CT with Dana Bash as the interviewer.

[blowflyfag]

WORLD WRESTLING FEDERATION MAGAZINE: December 1995

LIVING RAW 

AN OVERVIEW OF CABLE’S MOST EXPLOSIVE PROGRAM

BY KEITH ELLIOR GREENBERG

World Wrestling Federation ring announcer Howard Finkel remembers the pangs of anticipation he felt as he watched the television crew rig up the lights in New York’s Manhattan Center before the first broadcast of Monday Night Raw on January 11, 1993. “It was something we were going to embark on,” he recalls, his deep voice rising in a theatrical pitch. “No one knew what was going to happen. We were going live over the air, and I had this sense that Monday Night Raw was going to be really different from anything that the fans had ever seen before.” 

Finkel’s instincts proved to be correct. For nearly three years, devotees of the World Wrestling Federation have stopped whatever they were doing and flicked on USA Network on Monday nights to keep track of the twists and turns in the neverending saga that is the mat wars. With its animated crowds, blaring lights, stirring music and frenzied wrestling action, Monday Night Raw has evolved into the highest-rated weekly series on cable television today. 

“All the elements came together,” explains the show’s producer Jennifer Good, “the quality of the matches, the motivation of the wrestlers, the graphics, the music, the lighting, the enthusiasm of the crowd.”

As the 1995-1996 season kicked off in September, some big plans were underway for Monday Night Raw. Bowing to popular demand, the World Wrestling Federation and USA Network agreed to rerun broadcasts on Thursday nights for fans who may have missed the mayhem earlier in the week. And, as this issue was going to press, serious discussions were underway to debut a bi-monthly Raw magazine. 

To be sure, the pandemonium broadcast on Monday Night Raw has been significant enough to fill a library. Among the memorable episodes: Razor Ramon’s famous loss to the then-unheralded 1-2-3 Kid; Jerry “The King” Lawler’s verbal onslaught on Bret Hart’s parents in the audience in the middle of a show; Finkel’s managing the Bushwhackers against Well Dunn; Bret joining forces with actor William Shatner; Bam Bam Bigelow’s challenge of football great Lawrence Taylor; Bertha Faye’s nose breaking sneak-attack on Alundra Blayze just seconds after she won the World Wrestling Federation Women’s Championship; Bob Backlund’s placing the chicken wing on former World Wrestling Federation Magazine writer Lou Gianfrido; Sid’s assault on the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels the day after WrestleMania XI; and the British Bulldog’s shocking ambush of Diesel before the pair was scheduled to battle Men on a Mission.

The end result of these incidents is a viewership of nearly five million people just in the United States, where the program is broadcast in both English and Spanish. Throughout Central and South America, the show is seen on USA’s sister station USA-Latin America. Additionally, Monday Night Raw is now watched on various outlets around the globe. 

“I think what makes Monday Night Raw so unique is its energy,” says Good. “It’s out of control. We like to say that anything can happen, and it usually does, but that’s not a cliche–it’s really true. Monday Night Raw is like a steam train rolling down the tracks.” 

Everybody  associated with the program seems to have a favorite Raw moment. 

Announcer Todd Penttengill still gets excited reminiscing about “an unknown 1-2-3 Kid defeating Razor Ramon. You have to understand: The 1-2-3 Kid had a losing record up to that point. With that one victory, he became a star. Now, that was a moment–a moment in time.”

Lawler giggles at his excursion into the stands during a Bret Hart-Bam Bam Bigelow contest. As Bret’s parents, Stu and Helen, watched their son in the ring, the self-proclaimed King began peppering them with insults. “I told Helen she was so old she remembers when the Dead Sea was just sick,” Lawler howls. “I said when she gave birth to Bret, she got a ticket for littering.”

Hearing the offensive fusillade, Hart bailed out of his match–and his feud with Lawler commenced.

World Wrestling Federation Magazine editor Vince Russo long regretted his sending Gianfriddo to the arena to interview Bob Backlund. Backlund called Gianfriddo into the ring, clamped on the chicken wing and nearly put an end to the reporter’s pastime as a competitive bodybuilder. 

Now that Gianfriddo has fully recovered, Russo is able to laugh about the exchange. “When Louie got chickenwinged, he became a part of Raw history,” the editor says. “With his arm in a sling, he wrote a story that was infinitely more up-close and personal than anything that I had ever read anywhere.”

Color commentator Dox Hendrix got excited recently when Henry Godwinn–also known as H.O.G.--turned his slop bucket against his onetime allies in Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase’s Corporation. “I thought that it was pretty cool when H.O.G. slopped DiBiase. Then it was even cooler when he slopped King Kong Bundy. And it was even cooler yet when he slopped Sid.”

For the 1995-1996 season, dozens of wrestlers–including Diesel, Michaels, H.O.G., 1-2-3 Kid, Owen Hart, Waylon Mercy, Razor Ramon, the Undertaker, Hunter Hearst-Helmsley, Bret Hart, Dean Douglas, Kama, Yokozuna, Fatu and Goldust–recently gathered on the roof of Titan Tower, the World Wrestling Federation headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, to film a new opening for the show Thousands of fans also turned up. And as they banged at the gates outside the building, Backlund appeared, set up a podium and delivered a long, rambling speech–all about America’s moral decay.

Shawn Michaels danced on an elevated portion of the roof, watching the other wrestlers advancing on the ring, while helicopters swept spotlights over the scene and special Monday Night Raw cheerleaders held an impromptu pep rally. Meanwhile, drivers in cars on I-95, which runs parallel to the building, craned their necks in wonder at the 50-foot blowup of the Undertaker swaying in the evening breeze.

“Everybody in the ring,” David Sahadi, the Federation’s director of on-air promotion, suggested. He quickly regretted his words.

Instead of mugging for the cameras, the wrestlers forgot about them, and soon, long–simmering rivalries boiled over into warfare–to the delight of the fans on hand.

The 1-2-3 Kid delivered a spinning kick to Dean Douglas, who then found himself choked and slammed by the Undertaker. Mercy and Diesel rumbled against the ropes. Still pumped up from, his ladder match with Ramon at SummerSlam, Michaels propped up a ladder outside the ring, ascended it and flattened Kama with a high crossbody block. All the while, Hunter Hearst-Helmsley stayed on the ring steps, observing all the turbulence with his usual highbrow detachment. 

“Everybody out of the ring,” Sahadi said. Remarkably, a number of the athletes obeyed his order, continuing their tussles at ringside. Only Diesel remained in the center of the squared circle. However, when the crowd gave him a rousing cheer, a jealous Owen Hart stormed through the ropes and attacked. Within seconds, the other wrestlers also returned, as fans were treated to a second battle royal.

Nine-year-old Johnathan Bonilla and Edgar Giribaldo, 10, both of Stamford, couldn’t have been happier. “We watch Monday Night Raw together sometimes,” Edgar said. “It’s all action and surprises. Once it starts, you never know just what you’ll get.” Said 8-year-old Nicholas Kort of Armonk, New York, When I hear the music at the beginning of Monday Night Raw, I get excited. I know that the wrestling’s coming soon, and I know that the wrestling’s going to be wild.”

[mieeiraa]

Performance Art with New Media Technology [ASSIGNMENT 1]

For this assignment, I was tasked to do a case study on international and local artists who incorporated the use of new media technology with their performances. From these artists and their chosen work/performance, we can observe how the technology used improves the performance and how they can be improved in the future.

International artist chosen: PLAVE

PLAVE is a five-member virtual idol group operating under a virtual entertainment company, VLAST.

They are known for using game engines and motion capture technology to track each member's gestures and facial expressions, similar to the concept of virtual YouTubers or Vtubers in short.

On March 12, 2023, PLAVE made their official debut. Focusing on music production in the Korean pop or K-pop music industry, they periodically release music albums and singles just like any other idol group.

Performance chosen: Hello, Asterum!

The concert took place over two days, 13th - 14th April 2024 with the first day being a fully physical performance and the second day being an online performance that was simultaneously aired live online for international viewers.

Domestic fans in South Korea were able to purchase tickets to enter the concert venue during the performance day. Meanwhile international fans were given the option to purchase online tickets for the online streaming scheduled for the second day via Weverse, an entertainment platform originated from South Korea.

They performed live on both days as seen by the clear discrepancies when comparing the two performances side by side, with the pre-recorded videos or VCR being filler segments played in between singing performances.

Technology used:

Motion capture

3D Assets

LED Screens

Stage special effects (pyrotechnics, smoke and haze machines, confetti and streamers, bubbles, drones)

Sound system

Local artist chosen: Abdul Shakir

Known by his stage name "Grasshopper," Abdul Shakir is a multidisciplinary multimedia artist and one of the co-founders of Filamen, a company that specializes in interactive installations, light installations, and projection mapping.

He has experience working in production and post-production agencies and has completed a range of design and art-related projects, including interactive installations, motion graphics, graphic design, and projection mapping.

His projects have transcended Malaysia and are now being shown in China, Hong Kong, Spain, and the United States of America. He has shown his art in a number of prestigious exhibitions, including the George Town Festival, Rainforest in the City, Urbanscapes Art Festival, and LAMPU Festival.

Work chosen: Rimbun

“Rimbun” was showcased during the Singapore Night Festival exhibition back in 2023. This work is basically a form of organic projection where he experiments with the mapping process on living things, including trees and leaves.

For this exhibition, it is focused on projection mapping of cultural Malay designs personally created by Abdul Shakir himself on plant leaves of different plants during the night time.

Featuring seven distinct motifs inspired by plants like Starfruit, Nutmeg, Common Fig, Jujube, Sugarcane, Citron, Cocoa, and Guava, these motifs reflect his personal interpretation of these plants and their significance during Singapore's role as an entrepôt between east and west.

Technology used:

Projector

PC computer

Rendered plant motifs via TouchDesigner

How does New Media Technology Improve the Concept and Stage Performance?

From the implementation of new media technology in performances which are the usage of motion capture technology and projection mapping, they offer the possibility to enhance their storytelling and visual graphics as a whole for a more enjoyable experience.

Visual elements prepared using computer graphics, not limited to pictures and videos but including various multimedia elements such as motion capture and projection mapping allow performers to creatively express themselves and their artworks while being able to captivate the audience.

For example, in “Hello, Asterum!” PLAVE and VLAST were able to utilize the visuals in 3D space effectively, resulting in their performance to look like a projection of a hologram while they were in fact only using a flat screen.

Another instance is the ability to manipulate the space to fit each member’s solo performance, creating environments that fit the genre of the songs being performed.

Being able to manipulate 3D space with their virtual models allows PLAVE to showcase an alluring and captivating stage performance in real time, suitable with their concept of being virtual idols.

As for the idea of organic projection mapping as seen in “Rimbun”, I would say that it promotes the idea of seeing mundane things in our lives in a new light.

As Abdul Shakir mentioned that the patterns and motifs being projected were inspired by plants, it shows a connection shared between the man-made motifs and the plants being associated with, subtly showing the beauty and inspiration from nature.

In my opinion, it is a unique way to show how one element may be related to the other and a great medium for an entrancing storytelling since the audience will need to approach the installation in order to fully immerse themselves with the artwork.

How can it be innovative in the future?

Simply put, stage performance visuals are no longer limited to 2D space as they can be manipulated to be shown as 3D regardless of the projecting medium.

Organic projection can introduce a new method to showcase one’s creativity in storytelling, ensuring that the message conveyed can be understood.

Synchronized light projections via light sticks held by the audience in a large crowd may increase the immersion and elevate the experience during a stage performance.

Conclusion

As technology advances further with time, we can expect to see more implementation of new media technology in future performances.

Taking the opportunity to include and utilize them in stage performances especially may help to increase immersion for the audience and deliver a comprehensive and meaningful performance.

Hopefully, with new media technology, artists and performers are able to experiment with their creative freedom and in the end, bring forward inspiring and innovative works of art for us to understand and appreciate.

[wutbju]

By their fruit ye shall know them....

Adam Morgan, BJU Class of 2011, is proving that he is NOT safe. Consorting with Matt Gaetz of all people? Really??

You can say no, Adam.

Far-right conservative Matt Gaetz, a Florida Congressman, is coming to Greenville to help campaign against his colleague William Timmons.   Gaetz will join South Carolina state representative and Fourth Congressional District Candidate Adam Morgan to keynote a campaign rally on April 23 at the Greenville Marriott.   “I’m looking forward to welcoming Congressman Gaetz to South Carolina,” said Morgan in a press release. “Matt is a strong leader in Congress and I’m thankful to have his support, as well as several other conservative members of Congress, who are committed to consistently fighting for conservative ideals and winning.”  Doors will open at 6 p.m. for the rally beginning at 6:30. Tickets required for entrance can be found here.  “Congress needs more America First warriors willing to fight the establishment, the uniparty and the special interests,” said Congressman Gaetz. “Adam Morgan is that warrior who will join me to fight the DC swamp to take back our country and restore our conservative values. I enthusiastically endorse his candidacy for South Carolina’s Fourth Congressional District and am excited to have him fighting with me soon for the country we love.”  Morgan, an extreme conservative who chairs the SC Freedom Caucus, recently garnered national attention on the social media app X, formerly known as Twitter, when he posted a video of him on the South Carolina House Floor claiming that dark money groups were behind the pressure for him to vote for an economic development.  “My constituents told me to vote no on the $1.3 billion VW project ($400 million of which is taxpayer cash). But the swamp wants me to ignore those ‘back home,’” Morgan posted to X, which received 1.3 million views.  Gaetz responded to Morgan’s post, saying “Inject this into my veins.” Gaetz has also openly spoken about Timmons on X, saying “We need better Republicans than this.”   Still, earlier this year, Timmons garnered former President Donald Trump’s endorsement for a second time.  "Congressman William Timmons is a terrific advocate for the people of South Carolina's 4th Congressional District," Trump said in a press release. A captain in the Air National Guard, he fights hard to secure our border, strengthen our military, support our veterans, grow the economy, defend our Second Amendment, and hold Joe Biden and the Radical Left Accountable. An original member of my South Carolina Leadership Team, Congressman William Timmons has my complete and total endorsement."  The primary is June 11 and early voting begins Tuesday, May 28. Whoever secures the primary will face off against Democrat Kathryn Harvey. 

[chaletnz]

Lima: Central City Walking Tour

On my walk to PukuPuku cafe I passed through Parque Kennedy and saw all the cat residents snoozing on pieces of cardboard laid on the grass for them. I heard crying above me, there was a tiny kitten up the tree but I couldn't do anything to try and get it down. My coffee was just as good as the one in their Arequipa branch, I sat outside to enjoy it as some businessmen came in for espressos on their way to the office - it reminded me a bit of Italy as they drank them standing there for a few minutes then left. I then went for a pancake breakfast at Piñeiros thinking I had plenty of time but then it took more than 30 minutes to get my food so I had to shovel it down quickly and run around the corner to meet up with the walking tour guide Jorge. Once everyone had joined (around 15 people) Jorge helped us all take the bus network to the central city, we'd all brought exact change as requested. The bus network was actually fantastic. Jorge scared us by saying there's a lot of crime and petty theft on the public transit so watch our belongings closely as we are targets. A large group of tourists though, we drew attention to ourselves and probably even the most hardened criminals didn't want to chance it. The bus had its own central lane in the middle of the highway, with concrete blockades on either side so it wasn't going out into traffic and traffic couldn't enter the bus lane. Because of this layout it was incredibly efficient and faster than all the traffic on the road even with all the stops along the way. I would love to see something like this implemented from Denver to Frisco and Copper Mountain as it would make public transit flow freely despite the frequent highway standstills. Jorge showed us how to use the ticket machine to buy a ticket back and then led us over to La Merced Church in central Lima which would be our starting point. We met up with some more tourists there and began our tour at this Baroque church that was constructed under the Spanish empire, followed by Casa O'Higgins which memorialises Bernardo O'Higgins who played a key role in the independence of Chile from the Spanish empire. We then visited Fotografia Central an old photo studio, and then an old mansion which had unfortunately succumb to humidity and had not been looked after by immigrants who took it over. We stopped in a shady spot where Jorge told us there are 43 districts in Lima home to over 10 million people, the 4th largest city in South America after Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Rio de Janeiro. He also explained that the main sport in Peru after football is eating and we should not ignore "chifa" which is the Peruvian Chinese food and is very unique cuisine. We then visited the municipal theatre, and St Dominic Church where Jorge explained a few historical terms criollo (meaning born in Latin America) and peninsulares (born in Spain). The criollos were second class citizens during Spanish rule. The origin of the city name Lima came from the Quechua indigenous people calling it "rimac" meaning "noisy river" in their native language but the Spanish hearing "Lima" instead. The last part of the tour was Plaza de Armas, and Jorge pointed out the house of the president because of course he lives in the main square! We took a group photo and gave our tips to Jorge before splitting up. I'd been chatting with a British guy Tom, and British girl Ellie who both happened to be from the same area there was also a guy I can only describe as "Berliner" because he had such an unwashed Berlin resident vibe although I think he was actually Dutch or Danish or something... Ellie was into it so Tom and I took a couple photos of each other in the main square and then I gave him 10 soles for his bus ticket back as he hadn't brought enough money with him. I stayed to explore more on my own though, I love breaking away from the group!

[freddiemercurydaily]

Gallery Update 4 March 1981, Queen performed @ Estadio José María Minella, Mar Del Plata, Argentina  ‘S America Bites The Dust’ Tour The band arrive only 6 hours prior to the concert, there were security concerns as thousands of people snuck in and tensions were compounded by the fact that the band hadn't yet been paid for their previous show in Buenos Aires. Freddie's voice is once again in superb shape tonight. There is much anxiety on and off stage due to security concerns. People are trying to make their way on stage throughout much of the evening, making it an uncomfortable atmosphere for the band and entourage. There’s no doubt that the Argentine tour was a milestone in Queen's career. Here’s an interesting article:QUEEN EN MAR DEL PLATABy Pablo Javier Junco (article published)On February 28, 1981, Queen debuted in Argentina, giving 5 shows. Three at the Vélez Sársfield Stadium,

 one at the Mar del Plata World Cup stadium, and another at the Rosario Central stadium. The band arrived really surprised to see the magnitude of the public that they summoned, since they did not think they had a fan base in South America. In turn, Argentina was in full de facto government, which further complicated things. Despite this, the shows passed without serious incidents, and the band left an indelible mark on the history of concerts in Argentina.On Wednesday, March 4, 1981, the Queen group appeared to play in Mar del Plata. The person responsible for bringing the British group to Mar del Plata was the businessman from Mar del Plata, Ricardo Pollera. The group and its entire entourage arrived at the Mar del Plata airport six hours before the recital. A large number of people gathered in the hall and the surrounding area, hoping to get closer to the musicians. The departure for the hotel was like a movie, with patrol cars and motorists sounding their sirens, crossing the city at high speed, while a group of fans on motorcycles tried unsuccessfully to approach the cars of the musicians.The performance almost failed as a result of an economic problem raised between SADAIC and the businessman of the Argentine tour Alfredo Capalbo, due to a debt of 200 thousand dollars contracted before the entity during the group's performance at the Velez Sarsfield stadium that had not been paid , which prompted SADAIC authorities to travel to the city to meet with the businessman and settle the matter so that the English band would play.Another inconvenience that was not disclosed to the public originated in the presence of a justice official from the capital courts with the surname Bergallo, who, by order issued by a higher authority, proceeded to seize the ticket offices together with Mr. Tizone of ADYCAPIF for a debt does not pay the directors of the Velez Sarsfield Club. But beyond what happened, everything could be corrected. Excited Ricardo Pollera declared before the newspaper El Atlantico on March 5, 1981 at the end of the show:"The important thing is that Queen performed in Mar del Plata, that’s all that was wanted, and I achieved it, despite everything I had to go through at the last minute"Despite the initial deployment, there were serious security problems in the Mar del Plata stadium. During the show, a large number of people entered through forbidden places and tried to reach the stage. After this, Queen had a meeting, the four of them alone. The subsequent proposal was very clear: if they did not have the necessary security in place to protect them for the next presentation in Rosario, there would be no show.Queen presented their latest album, The Game, peppering it with their hits, all of them forceful: “Keep Yourself Alive”, “Killer Queen”, “Somebody to Love”, “Fat Bottomed Girls”, “Bicycle Race”, “Flash” and "Don't Stop Me Now. “Let Me Entertain You”, “Death On Two Legs”, “I`m In Love With My Car”, “Now I`m Here”, “Sheer Heart Attack” and “Tie Your Mother Down”.According to Pelo Magazine, the group was very nervous about the obvious security problems in Mar del Plata and also had to endure inconveniences up and down the stage. Brian May had his black night: he first broke a string on his guitar, and when he changed it, he found that the other one didn't work either. He ended up giving up his solo. The ones within the group who maintained an extra-musical relationship before Queen are Roger Taylor and Brian May. However, each one attends to his life, but it is not true that there are tensions or that they do not talk, as some rumors suggested. The professionalism with which the group moved at all times was absolutely overwhelming. Something very difficult to achieve by local organizers, accustomed to the "elasticity" of our environment. But soon they had to get ready to follow the rigorous and punctual rhythm of the band's activities. The skill shown by the musicians in each of the sound checks was surprising. They arrive separately, and each one tries his instrument and the voices. Then all four come up and briefly play a song. The sound engineer usually asks them for brief interventions and then quickly adjusts the sound.After the tension experienced in Mar del Plata, everything changed in Rosario. Security worked perfectly and the group put on one of the best shows of the tour. Despite a persistent drizzle, the audience (thirty thousand people) was receptive and set the stage for Queen to put on a brilliant concert. During each of the concerts the filming of the film "Queen On Tourne" continued, for which eight cameras were used. The film will be completed with images from the concerts in São Paulo and Rio, in Brazil. Of course there will also be scenes from the US tour and the Japan tour.All the members of the band and their assistants were surprised at the prices of things. The musicians complained about how expensive everything is in relation to Europe and the United States, and recommended the staff to measure their "extra" expenses. The most affected was the official photographer, Neal Preston, who had to buy extra film. He was very surprised with the very high prices of photographic material in Argentina.On their way back to Buenos Aires, all the members of the group agreed that the Argentine public was one of the best audiences they had faced. They even pointed out that some organizational errors (due to lack of experience in this type of event) had been overcome with the will of the organizers, and that the enormous affection of the people had ended up minimizing any problem.Some moments of tension were experienced before the start of the last concert in Vélez. With the capacity of the stadium completely filled, and a large number of public struggling to enter, there were moments of nervousness. It was necessary to help many people with symptoms of suffocation and fainting due to the enormous pressure that was in the popular stands. Even the police had to cut the fence to help people who had these problems.The last dinner on the waterfront when they were about to leave Argentina was highly emotional. The whole group was visibly shaken by what had happened a few hours earlier. They all ate and, for the first time, drank abundantly. Everyone felt the sensation of the nervous preliminaries. Brian, John , Freddie and Roger agreed that the Argentine tour was a milestone in Queen's career.

[tourist-destinations]

10 Best Skydiving Places in the World

Planning to tick off skydiving off your bucketlist? It’s time you get out and muster the courage to experience the adrenaline rush and sensation of flying in the air at or beyond 13000 feet above the ground. Check out our list of the most fascinating places to skydive if you are looking for the ideal drop zone with unique scenery to make this adventure experience the most memorable experience of your life.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

If you crave an extreme adventure on a Middle Eastern holiday, Dubai is the spot to visit. Plunging above the Palm Jumeirah - the stellar sprawling palm tree-shaped artificial islands encircled by the azure Persian Gulf- is an experience you will remember forever. One can also go skydiving in Dubai amid the Arabian deserts, and visitors in UAE spending time in the capital emirate can also experience Skydiving in Abu Dhabi. The Skydive Abu Dhabi tickets are less expensive than those for Skydive Dubai. Still, if scenery is truly important to you, you should unquestionably go to the Palm Jumeirah drop zone.

Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, New Zealand

The natural beauty of New Zealand and its reputation as the "Adventure destination of the world" place it among the top destinations for those seeking an adrenaline rush. The Franz Josef and Fox Glacier in New Zealand's South Island are where you can experience gusty, chilly winds whipping your face as you float above breath-taking glacial vistas. According to surveys, the Skydive Franz Josef and Fox Glacier are presently the most picturesque drop zone in the world.

Sydney Wollongong, Australia

Australia is one of the most well-known skydiving destinations in the world, and there are many drop zones to choose from. Among them, Sydney Wollongong has received positive feedback from skydiving enthusiasts. It is one of the world's most famous places for skydiving and lets you experience a thrilling rush of adrenaline while admiring Sydney’s harbour, city, and skyline. Take to the skies and fly instead of going to the Sydney beaches on your next visit!

Le Marche, Italy

Le Marche is a spectacular spot to get high on adrenaline and enjoy a freefall amid Italy’s Toscana scenery. Get the vantage point to tumble down and soar on top of the Adriatic Sea’s azure waters and cliffs of Apennine mountains.

Pattaya, Thailand

Thailand's tropical landscape attracts beachgoers and water sport enthusiasts to its regions; however, Pattaya, one of Thailand's most popular tourist spots, welcomes you to gear up for a skydiving experience. The Skydive Pattaya offers a tandem skydiving experience over the beautiful Nong Kho Reservoir in Chonburi.

Grand Canyon, United States of America

The Grand Canyon is a famous natural wonder, but getting a bird's eye view of its stunning splendour is an unrivaled experience. Head for the adventure of a lifetime when you sign up for a skydiving experience at this gorgeous, red, rocky canyon.

Interlaken, Switzerland

Nothing compares to Interlaken's high-definition hues of Swiss alpine panoramas. This region of Switzerland, well-known for its ski resorts, gondola rides, and scenic funiculars, also provides an unconventional way to take in its breathtaking scenery by skydiving in the Swiss Alps. If you are an adrenaline junkie and are off to Switzerland, don't miss the chance to skydive in Swiss!

Mount Everest, Nepal

There is another way to see the summit of Mount Everest that does not include difficult treks. All you need is the courage to jump out of a plane, and you can fly above the highest mountain in the world! Yes! Mount Everest is also a drop zone for skydiving and is one of the most dizzying, thrilling adventures to witness in your lifetime!

Seville, Spain

Fly high leisurely above Seville, then prepare for a freefall while taking in the incredible views of southern Spain! Seville is among the best places to visit if you like extreme adventures. Skydiving here is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience you should enjoy if you love outdoor adventures!

Maldives

You can explore the underwater realm while on a leisurely Maldives holiday. How about extending the adventure by having an over-the-water, airborne adventure? Sign up with SkyDive Maldives to enjoy this exhilarating experience. As you fly above its pristine isles, the aerial views of Maldives is a moment you will cherish for a long time. 

Conclusion

Skydiving is the ultimate experience for those seeking an amalgam of the euphoria of soaring in the air and amazing panoramas from above. The abovementioned ten skydiving destinations take you on an extraordinary journey if you seek the ultimate adrenaline rush. From the world-famous Grand Canyon and the exquisite Swiss Alps to the pristine Maldives and the magnificent terrain of New Zealand, these drop zones let you conquer fear, take a step ahead, and feel the thrill of falling amid some of the world's most diverse and fascinating panoramas. So, for those who dare to take the plunge, the world's best skydiving places await, eager to offer an unforgettable and life-changing experience. If you still want to soar but don't want to jump out of a plane, there are plenty of hot air balloon rides around the world to check out, offering a mild thrill of gliding above exquisite panoramas.

[aynomames]

Hard Rock Stadium guide: What to know about the Miami Dolphins’ home field

Hard Rock Stadium guide: What to know about the Miami Dolphins’ home field

By Chad Graff and The Athletic NFL staff

Sep 1, 2024

7

This article is part of the Stadium Guides series, a comprehensive guide to your NFL team’s stadium experience.

Buy tickets on StubHub to Miami Dolphins games at Hard Rock Stadium here.

Few stadiums in America are busier or have a greater résumé of hosting big events than Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

The six Super Bowls the venue has hosted are bested only by the New Orleans Superdome’s seven. But Hard Rock Stadium also has hosted five college football national championships, two World Series, the Orange Bowl, University of Miami football since 2008 and more recently added a Formula 1 race that circles the stadium. And, of course, the Miami Dolphins have played there since the stadium’s inception.

It opened in 1987 as the country’s first privately funded multipurpose stadium. Though the Miami Marlins didn’t yet exist (they arrived in 1993 as an expansion team, then known as the Florida Marlins), the stadium was built with hopes of hosting an MLB team, too, in addition to the Dolphins. The lone drawback to that plan is a wide stadium that offers more room on the sideline than many NFL stadiums and can make it feel like fans are pushed back from the action.

The stadium underwent a significant, multiyear renovation that was completed in 2016, which included the addition of an open-air canopy that has become the most striking feature of the venue. Every seat in the stadium was replaced and the suites and club level were also built up, particularly important moves for hosting the Super Bowl.

The canopy adds much-needed shade during early-season football games, and it also helps provide a home-field advantage for the Dolphins. The home sideline is shaded, while the visiting sideline doesn’t get a reprieve from the canopy and is often significantly hotter during September contests.

The Athletic has compiled 32 stadium guides, one for each NFL team, to give fans vital information about the game day experience.

Insider tips

2024 must-watch game at stadium: vs. San Francisco 49ers, Dec. 22

Coach Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins host his former boss and mentor Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers. There should be plenty of intrigue for this one both because of the coaches and their history, but also because they should boast two of the league’s best offenses. Plus, the big question around the Dolphins is whether they can play their best football in December and January (not just the hot starts they’ve been known for), so a late-season matchup against the 49ers should provide a nice test.

Fan tradition to know: ‘When you say Miami, you’re talking Super Bowl’

Chad Graff’s favorite thing

The place feels like a party. Events feel like they matter at Hard Rock Stadium. There’s a weight to the place. Often, music blares from what sounds like a nightclub in one of the club areas well after a Dolphins game ends. They lean into the South Beach party vibes in the best way possible.

The Athletic’s stadium ranking: 28

Jon Machota ranked all 30 NFL stadiums in August 2023, when half of the ballots had Hard Rock Stadium in the bottom five in the NFL.

Perhaps that’s a bit harsh following the remodel. The stadium’s site, located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale and without much in the immediate surrounding area, likely hurt its mark. But few venues have hosted as many big-time events.

Fantasy Football 2024

Pick up The Athletic 2024 Fantasy Football Guide to read expert evaluations & everything you need to know to win your fantasy football league.

Buy

Game day advice

What is the ‘best bang for your buck’ seating section?

The important thing is to stay out of the sun. If you’re going to a 1 p.m. kickoff game, the seats to avoid are on the north sideline and in the end zones, according to Shaded Seats.

What’s the can’t-miss food?

You’re in Miami, so why not lean into the Cuban cuisine? Get the “Midnight sandwich from Cafe Versailles, one of the concessions at Hard Rock Stadium, that brings the classic Cuban fare to football fans,” said Carlos Frías for the Miami Herald.

Of course, you could always visit Shula Burger (named after legendary Dolphins coach Don Shula).

What’s the best beer option?

“Fans of craft beer can find local brews at two taprooms on the 100 level and a craft beer bar on the 300 level,” wrote the Miami New Times. “One such beer is a Veza Sur collaboration with the Dolphins: ‘Born and Raised,’ a 4.9 percent ABV blood orange kölsch.”

Where is the best spot to take a photo?

This spot doesn’t look too shabby.https://www.instagram.com/p/C-eEE9WOXNP/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=14&wp=1080&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com&rp=%2Fathletic%2F5703941%2F2024%2F09%2F01%2Fmiami-dolphins-stadium-guide-hard-rock%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A10497.199999928474%2C%22ls%22%3A55.699999928474426%2C%22le%22%3A161.29999995231628%7D

Where is the best place to tailgate?

There are nearly 5,000 members of the Miami Dolphins Tailgate Town Facebook group. Seems like a good time: “Come to the best tailgate in Miami!! The party (and shots) never stop!! We are inside Gate 2, East Orange 12, down to the end of Row 208. Look for all the flags flying. Come stop by for a shot or pull up a bar stool and stay for a while. We are normally one of the first ones in and the last to leave!!!”

What to know if you go

Stadium address: 347 Don Shula Drive, Miami Gardens, Fla. 33056.

Year opened: 1987.

Roof? No roof.

Playing surface: Grass.

Stadium seating capacity: 63,326.

2023 average attendance per game (per Pro Football Reference): 65,922.

Tickets: $253 is the average StubHub ticket cost at Hard Rock Stadium for a 2024 NFL game, according to StubHub. Season tickets for the 2024 Dolphins season are sold out. Fans can join the waitlist (with a deposit) here.

Bag policy: Bags made of clear plastic, vinyl or PVC that are no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches are allowed. Non-clear bags that are no larger than 4 1/2 by 6 1/2 inches and are about the size of a hand are permitted. These bags can be carried with or without a strap. Other bags that are allowed include one-gallon, clear plastic freezer bags, binocular cases and camera cases. Official NFL team logo clear plastic tote bags are also permitted. Exceptions may be made for medically necessary items after inspection.

Outside food policy: Guests with special medical or dietary needs may bring food in a clear plastic bag. Factory-sealed, plastic bottles of water that are 20 ounces or less in size (reusable bottles are not allowed) are permitted.

ADA information: Hard Rock Stadium offers wheelchair/low mobility and companion seating on all levels of the stadium. Ambulatory seating can be purchased in most seating areas. Hard Rock Stadium has accessible parking in the inner, outer and off-site lots for guests with a valid disability parking pass and matching photo ID.

For Dolphins games, guests must have a pre-purchased inner lot “ADA reserved” parking pass to park in an inner lot accessible parking spot. The dedicated pickup areas for guests with disabilities are in Lots 13, 18 and 40 near ADA parking. Wheelchair escorts are available from Hard Rock Stadium gates to seating locations and back.

Elevators are available only for guests with disabilities or suite holders with strollers on the north, south, east and west sides of Hard Rock Stadium.

All public restrooms are accessible to guests with disabilities. Service animals are permitted at Hard Rock Stadium. For more ADA information, click here.

Tailgating policy: Tailgating is permitted at all Hard Rock Stadium parking lots unless otherwise designated.

Transportation options: Parking is available in lots around the stadium. Taxi pickup location: Gate 4. The ride-share pickup location is at Lot 42 on NW 27th Avenue (south of Walmart — a 20-minute walk). Guests can ride the Brightline to the Aventura Station where a complimentary shuttle service will take them to the stadium (on NW 199th near Gate 3 Pedestrian Bridge).

[bethusile-tibana]

1.1 Name of the researcher:

Professor Don Norman. Full name, Donald Arthur Norman, is an American researcher, professor, and author. He is the director of The Design Lab at the University of California, San Diego. He has written a number of books on design like: Design for a Better World, The Design of Everyday Things, Emotional Design, Living with Complexity, The Design of Future Things, etc.

He is also known for the 7 Design Principles by Don Norman

* Visibility - can I see it?

* Feedback - what is it doing now?

* Affordance - how do I use it?

* Mapping - where am I and where can I go?

* Constraint - why can't I do that?

* Consistency - I think I have seen this before?

1.2 Discussion:

The discussion is based on one of Professor Don Norman's books, "Design for a Better World." The podcast further discusses three design themes from the book: meaningful, sustainable, and humanity centered.

1.3 Key points being addressed:

1.3.a) The longevity of a business or a company is much more important than the sustainability of the product that they sell or produce. Companies tend to view this sense of longevity as not only being able to exist for a lengthy period of time but, most importantly, being able to make (record) profits year after year. So the profits that they make this year should be higher than the ones made the previous year.

The example that Professor Don Norman gave in reference to this was cell phone companies. A consumer is made to purchase a new phone every 2-3 years simply because they were never, initially, manufactured too last. They were never created to be sustainable in the first place.

Some may argue that well, the cell phones that you have in 2024 are far better than the ones that you had growing up in the 90s. You're able to send and receive emails. You're able to make payments and check your account balance. You're able to buy flight and concert tickets, etc. But on the flip side of things, others may argue that in the long term, such does more harm than good. There's environmental issues at play, climate change, forced child labour in Congolese mines, etc. Children in such conditions have poor access to health and educational facilities and, sadly, are subjected to sexual assault and rape.

It is also important to link what is happening in Congo to the Middle East. It's like what Cheryl Lynn Eaton once said on Twitter, "Forcing black children into slavery to amass electronics to kill brown children a few counties over is a special kind of hell. Two genocides in one."

1.3.b) What we see around us is artificial. It is made up. It is fabricated. It is usually the outcome or the result of something that occurred. Yes, the subject matter is nuanced. Some would say that it is to better humanity. It is to make things function better, perhaps at a faster rate than before. Easy to do and easy to use. However, some would argue that it is unnatural. Certain cultures shouldn't be forced to obtain a certain way of living or doing things in order to be deemed "civilised".

For example, Professor Don Norman mentions colonisation. Modern-day borders in Asia, Africa, South and North America, the Caribbean, etc., are the outcome of Western colonisation and in some part, slavery. For example, with the Himba tribe, some are located in Angola while others in neighbouring Namibia. The natural continuation of a culture has been displaced. Things such as medicinal practices, architecture, interior design, engineering, food, family growth and structure, music, etc have been disrupted. If there was no colonisation, no form of disruption, onw wonders how far certain cultures would be right now.

1.3.c) On architecture, Professor Don Norman mentions how nowadays, architects tend to ignore weather conditions when constructing a building by simply relying on HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning). Furthermore, he gives an example on how those houses should be constructed in such a way that the interior is cooler during the summer and warmer during the winter.

Unfortunately due to capitalism and in some cases, corruption, when constructing buildings, professionals in the built environment industry, tend not to abide to building bylaws. Building bylaws are a set of construction laws that govern how the built environment industry, in that particular country, is meant to construct its buildings.

Poor building materials, poor construction applications, poor ventilation systems, etc., have become the norm. One spends so much money for a house deposit, takes out a mortgage with a hefty interest rate plus, spends so many years paying off their mortgage. The way the house is constructed, it is not meant to last. One wouldn't be surprised if every two to three years, something needs to be fixed.

#ResearchMethods #Design MeaningfulDesign #SustainableDesign #HumanityCenteredDesign

[cksmart-world]

SMART BOMB

The Completely Unnecessary News Analysis

By Christopher Smart

September 17, 2024

TRUMP EATS DOG. FOR REAL?

Hey Wilson, did you see the thing on the web that Donald Trump eats dog. People are talking about it. Some heard he has a kennel at Mar-A-Lago and every once in a while he gets a hankerin' for dog and sends his chef out with a meat clever. Insiders say he still loves Big Macs. (They stick to the wall better.) There are any number of good recipes for dog. One, said to be Trump's favorite, is dog Kibbeh made with ground dog (preferably retriever or poodle), cracked wheat and onions. Add cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and allspice to taste. Other favorites include roast leg of dog; grilled dog chops; and dog tacos. (Find more delicious dog recipes at donaldjtrump.com) Of course, dog is a favorite in China, South Korea (no dogs in North Korea, they've already been eaten), the Philippines, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. Interestingly, dog is not on menus in Haiti, despite comments by Trump in his Sept. 10 debate with Kamala Harris. The former president said pets are disappearing in Springfield, Ohio. The Haitian immigrants “are eating the dogs, they’re eating the cats, they’re eating the pets of people...” Of course when Trump eats dog he's not eating someone's pet. His people get them from the rescue shelter. Bon appétit!

TOP TEN MISPERCEPTIONS BY THE UTAH LEGISLATURE

1 – Voters are just plain stupid

2 – Judges are just plain insipid

3 – Secret government is the best government

4 – Trump won the debate — except for that little pets-on-a-plate thing

5 – Our air is as pure as we are

6 – More freeways means less traffic congestion

7 – Books teach kids to be perverts

8 – We manage lands better than the feds who insist on regulations

9 – Amendment D is good voters — ignorance is bliss

10 – The Great Salt Lake doesn't need our help — God has it covered

BOMB THREATS: AS AMERICAN AS APPLE PIE

Bowling used to be one of America's favorite pastimes, but new data reveals that has been overtaken by folks who rather than rolling for strikes and spares are now calling in bomb threats. The new hobby is just exploding — no pun intended. You remember back in the crazy days when once in a blue moon some cowardly sonofabitch would call in a bomb threat. Well now right wing-bomb threats are like bugs on stink. Death threats are now as much a part of America as bad drivers, long lines and political polls. Remember Christine Blasey Ford who blew the whistle on Brett Kavanaugh at his supreme court confirmation hearing. She got so many threats that she had to move three times, get plastic surgery and have her fingertips removed. Lucky for her she wasn't caught making shish kabob with her neighbor's chihuahua. Enter J.D. Vance and his felonious daddy Donald Trump. Faster than you can say, pass the ketchup, half of the residents of Springfield, Ohio got bomb threats and they weren't all immigrants. This after the GOP presidential ticket insisted that Haitians were chowing down on everyone's pets. Schools were evacuated, college classes canceled, medical facilities shut down. Bomb threats came in to hospitals, City Hall and various government agencies. Trump and Vance's reply: Not sorry.

Post script — That's going to do it for another frightening week here at Smart Bomb where we keep track of scary stuff so you don't have nightmares. Believe it or not the world keeps spinning despite the presidential race. Here are some headlines to prove it:

Missouri water lily holds 142 pounds of sandbags, wins worldwide contest

27-year-old man sentence after enrolling in high school to prey on teens

Mayflies are sending warnings about urban wildfires

A geomagnetic storm is headed to Earth

Even after having their tubes tied, some women get pregnant

Young people worldwide are drinking more sugary beverages

Brazilian politician upends debate by hitting opponent with chair

Sterilizations among women increased after Roe was overturned

Tito Jackson, Jackson 5 singer and guitarist, dies at 70

Blood Red Is the new Barbie Pink

As you know Wilson, here at Smart Bomb we've eaten our share of crow. And we've seen it rain cats and dogs — but we've never eaten any of them. You'd have to be a real dog to spread a mean-ass lie about people eating their neighbor's pets. Wilson, you and they guys in the band must have a little something for those great patriots, Messrs. Trump and Vance:

You ain't nothin' but a hound dog Cryin' all the time You ain't nothin' but a hound dog Cryin' all the time Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit And you ain't no friend of mine When they said you was high-classed Well, that was just a lie When they said you was high-classed Well, that was just a lie You ain't never caught a rabbit And you ain't no friend of mine You ain't nothin' but a hound dog Cryin' all the time You ain't nothin' but a hound dog Cryin' all the time Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit And you ain't no friend of mine When they said you was high-classed Well, that was just a lie When they said you was high-classed Well, that was just a lie Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit And you ain't no friend of mine

(Hound Dog — Elvis Presley; originally recorded by Big Mama Thornton)

[shammah8]

There is something about attending greatly anointed meetings. Your soul benefits from just sitting there, whether you do anything else or not. In these anointings, in these stirrings in the glory, seeds of greatness are being dropped into your spirit, and you will find them growing until you can stand up in the fullness of what God has for you in this last day and hour.

Sometimes a seed is found that a bird has apparently picked up on one continent and dropped onanother. If the fowls of the air can do that, what about the activity of angels in this day? What about the activity of the Holy Spirit in this day That which is happening in our services is a transaction between Heaven and Earth. As we are sowing to the heavens, God is taking that which we sow and is bringing forth revival glory to the ends of the Earth. He says, I will make of you a great nation, and I will cause your name to be great Believe for it.

God has not only raised up America for this last day revival. He has used this nation to bring into being every type of modern technology to cause the Gospel to go forth to the ends of the Earth.

In November of 1997 I was in Greenville, Texas, just south of Dallas. In the service I suddenly began to see the multiplication of the voice. I saw satellite television, and I stood and began to declare it although I had no way of knowing just how God would do it. A month or two later God made it possible for a friend of mine who has a television station in Dallas to go on satellite television across America, and soon he gave me the opportunity to multiply my voice by broadcasting from his station. In a single half-hour program on satellite television, we could reach more people than Abraham reached in a lifetime, more people than I had in all my travels (which cost many thousands of dollars in airline tickets and great physical effort). In a single half-hour programon television we could reach out in a way that we could not otherwise have done in a lifetime. What a wonderful day in which we live!☕️Ruth Heflin