Presentation
Being a fan of the show is not a requirement when playing this game; it’s an action/adventure title with 10+ hours of gameplay and is loaded with an intuitive combat system, challenging platorming sequences, and well-thought out puzzle-solving scenarios. As Ben, you travel across the galaxy and alternate dimensions to prevent the evil Vilgax from taking over planet Earth. Vilgax Attacks is the first game in the series to offer 10 alien forms to play with at one time. Each alien is designed with unique abilities that help in overcoming enemies and obstacles in the environment. The story itself fits with the TV series for several reasons; light-hearted humor, appearance by all the main characters, and it was written by one of the show’s writers. The original cast from the animated series have lent their voices throughout the game, so from a branding standpoint the game is rock solid. The game looks the best on the Xbox 360, and if you’re playing it on the other platforms (excluding the DS), it’s the exact same game. The game’s developer, Papaya Studio, did a fantastic job of getting the game to perform nicely on several platforms with varying technical specs.

Gameplay
Vilgax Attacks is evenly divided between puzzle solving, platforming, and combat. Every level also ends with a boss battle, which get better with each passing level. Fighting enemies is very easy to manage as the combo system is designed around 3 buttons: doesn’t matter how old you are, you’ll be able to fight and perform great-looking attacks. New combos can be earned as Ben gains experience throughout gameplay. Puzzle-solving is made up of multi-layered solutions, similar to the God of War series. Some puzzles are solved with a simple pull of a switch, where others involve numerous steps and creative thinking through the use of several alien forms. Platforming is fun, and never over-challenging or unfair. Characters like Spidermonkey, Big Chill, and Jetray are great to traverse difficult platforming setups. With plenty of great puzzles, enemy encounters, and platform jumping spread throughout the game, fans of God of War and Prince of Persia will like what they see in Vilgax Attacks.

Conclusion
This is a no-brainer if you like the Ben 10 series; just go out and get the game. If you’re not familiar with Ben, Gwen, Kevin, and Grandpa Max, then allow Ben 10: Alien Force Vilgax Attacks to introduce you to Cartoon Network’s number TV show, and enjoy a solid gaming experience in the process.

Final Score: 8.8/10

It’s a good thing when a contestant happens to be from a part of the country where AI viewers are low in numbers. As a result, their hometown support just doesn’t match up to another singer from a large metropolitan area. The rule also protects against the short term memory loss of the American Idol viewer. Some contestants have rock solid performances all throughout the season, but because of one missed note lose their place in the contest. The save rule allows the judges to save the contestant from being punished for that one missed note. The public also tends to forget that American Idol is a singing competition. There are times where one contestant is clearly not the best singer, but remains in the running due to their quirky personality or appearance (Sanjaya). Meanwhile, better singers are given the boot because they didn’t wear a silly Mohawk, or because they didn’t make a fan with down’s syndrome cry on national television. In these cases, the judges’ veto power is relevant and acceptable.

But why institute a veto rule when half the show’s success is based on the American voter? AI is popular not only because it finds diamonds in the rough, but because every home viewer can shape the evolution of each season. Also, it would be strange to see the judges save a contestant when the night before that same contestant was given poor feedback for their performance. The veto rule seems to be very contradictory to many of the show’s foundational procedures.

The rule has already been used in the French version of Idol, and apparently it works. It’s going to be a love-hate event when it happens in the land of the free.

I had the privilege of working and meeting with Mask back when I was making the UFC games for the Sega Dreamcast. At that time, Tapout was a new clothing line and Mask was busting his rump to make the company a success.

What I remember most was his energy and enthusiasm, and especially his posse; a bunch of wacky dudes who could easily stand out in a crowd.

He hooked me up with some slick Tapout gear back then. My prayers are with him, his family, and with Tapout. He is certainly one of those guys you just don’t expect to leave so soon.

• In response to a series of requests for military aircraft, one Defense Department official wrote, “Any chance of politely querying [Pelosi's team] if they really intend to do all of these or are they just picking every weekend?… [T]here’s no need to block every weekend ‘just in case’… “ The email also notes that Pelosi’s office had, “a history of canceling many of their past requests.”
• One DOD official complained about the “hidden costs” associated with the speaker’s last minute changes and cancellations. “We have… folks prepping the jets and crews driving in (not a short drive for some), cooking meals and preflighting the jets etc.”
• The documents include a discussion of House Ethics rules and Defense Department policies as they apply to the speaker’s requests for staff, spouses and extended family to accompany her on military aircraft. In May 2008, for example, Pelosi requested that her husband join her on a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) into Iraq. The DOD explained to Pelosi that the agency has a written policy prohibiting spouses from joining CODEL’s into combat zones.
• Documents obtained from the U.S. Army include correspondence from Speaker Pelosi’s office requesting an Army escort and three military planes to transport Pelosi and other members of Congress to Cleveland, Ohio, for the funeral services of the late Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Pelosi noted in her letter of August 22, 2008, that such a request, labeled “Operation Tribute,” was an “exception to standard policy.”
• The documents also detail correspondence from intermediaries for Speaker Pelosi issuing demands for certain aircraft and expressing outrage when requested military planes were not available. “It is my understanding there are NO G5s available for the House during the Memorial Day recess. This is totally unacceptable… The Speaker will want to know where the planes are… ” wrote Kay King, Director of the House Office of Interparliamentary Affairs. In a separate email, when told a certain type of aircraft would not be available, King writes, “This is not good news, and we will have some very disappointed folks, as well as a very upset [s]peaker.”
• During another email exchange DOD staff advised Kay King that one Pelosi military aircraft request could not be met because of “crew rest requirements” and offered to help secure commercial travel. Kay King responded: “We appreciate the efforts to help the codel [sic] fly commercially but you know the problem that creates with spouses. If we can find another way to assist with military assets, we would like to do that.”

There are several ways to respond to this:

First, for those who cannot stand the sight of Old Lady Pelosi, this is a clear representation of her arrogance and abuse of power. Mentally, she believes she’s owed certain benefits, like having the U.S. Air Force cater to her traveling needs. She feels her role in the government is more important than the value of the staffing, fuel, and maintenance costs required to haul her geezer fanny around the country. As she struts through the halls with a lifted nose, she sends out her pawns to do her bidding. She arms them with the threat of “upsetting the speaker,” should her requests be denied. She boasts to her family and friends about how she can fly anywhere at anytime. Her pride permanently lifts her eyebrows.

Second, for those who support Nancy Pelosi, these documents only prove how busy a schedule she keeps, and how her expertise is critical to our government’s functionality. The House Speaker is on 24 hour call, and should be given the opportunity to travel to any destination to fulfill her duties as a government officer. Her loyal staff is also aware of the key position she holds in office, and they are committed to ensuring her important tasks are completed quickly and precisely.

Visit www.judicialwatch.org for more details.

What exactly is the Uptick Rule? It’s simple. Those who want to short sell a stock will only be allowed to do so if they short it at a price higher than its previous trade value. If you’re not sure what short selling means, it’s even easier to understand that the Uptick Rule. Short selling stocks is the opposite of buying stocks: you’re betting that the stock will go down in price. However, it’s not always easy to short a stock and make a profit. First, you have to find a broker that will accept a short sale of the stock. This means that the broker is willing to lend you the stock for a certain price, and that they’ll accept payback of the stock at a lower price. The broker, though, might only have a small amount of shares available. Additionally, the broker may put a limit on the short sale, a month. Here’s an example:

You believe that Company X’s stock isn’t worth its current price of $10, because it has been dropping every day for over a month. In fact, you feel that the price will continue to make a drastic fall in value. So you go to Etrade, and find Company X’s stock. Turns out, Etrade has only a hundred shares for you to short. You initiate the transaction, which means Etrade has now given you a thousand dollar loan against the stock (obviously, your account would have to have a balance much larger than a $1000; broker’s don’t just hand out cash that easy). Good news, the stock value continues to drop for the next two weeks to $5. You decide you want to cash out, so it’s time to pay back the loan. Luckily for you, the hundred shares are only worth five dollars: your loan payoff amount is $500. You keep the other $500.

The Uptick Rule will definitely not cause a complete reversal in the market, and it will certainly not hinder folks from short selling altogether. To be honest, in my experience, most short sellers’ profits are made the day after a stock has gone up in price. Whenever a low-value company’s stock jumps in price for no good reason, you can almost count on it dropping a small percentage the next day. I just shrug my shoulders at the return of the Uptick Rule. It won’t stop me from spotting an easy short sell and striking when the time is right.
Investopedia Uptick Rule Definition

1. Inspiration

You need to ignite the fire that once burned inside you when your great story idea was conceived. Watch your favorite movies again. Jot down notes about the elements in those movies that personally touch you. What made that scene so perfect? Why is that character so intriguing? What made the film’s climax so powerful? All you have to do is observe and write notes. You’re going to find a correlation in the notes you take for each movie, and it’s these similarities that you’ll want to craft into your script to get you excited about writing.

Beyond watching your favorite films, search online for the actual scripts (they’re easy to find). Follow along with the script as you’re watching the movie to see how the words are interpreted on the screen. You’ll be shocked at how simple a scene is written, even though it appears deeply complex in the movie. Doing this will eliminate the roadblocks that are keeping you from writing certain scenes that you feel won’t translate well onto the big screen. You’ll also learn how to correctly format certain script elements. Many new screenwriters are broken by the fear that their script will not conform to Hollywood standards. Getting hold of a professional script is the best way to improve the quality of your formatting.

2. Organization

You have these cool characters acting out memorable scenes in your head. You have a twist that you know will take your audience by surprise. Bits of clever dialog loop continuously on your tongue. You’re major plot points are thought out, and the hero’s journey is covered step by step. At this point you can dive right into your script and blaze a trail, which works for some folks. However, you’re not one of those folks, otherwise you’d have a finished screenplay. There will be a time, though, when you can blaze a trail, but first you’re going to need to take some time and write a simple road map to follow. A major road block for us writers is not knowing EXACTLY what we want to write. A good movie can’t be made without a script, which is the movie’s road map. Therefore, a good script can’t be made without some sort of organized framework. It’s as simple as writing a sentence or two for each important plot step from the start of your script to the end: in layman’s terms – an outline. You’ll discover that more than 50% of your outline (once it’s finished) had to be created along the way. This is proof that no matter how thorough you think your story is in your head, you need to physically write it down in order to get a genuine feel of the size and scope of your masterpiece. With a good outline in place, all you have to do is fill it in with scenes.

3. Discipline

This is where I fail as a writer, and from what my writing peers tell me, they do, too. Discipline requires sacrifice. You need to take your writing seriously, and when you’re writing you have to tell yourself, “I mean business!” Listen to Mozart’s “Jupiter Symphony”, or Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 5″. These men were very serious about how they used their gifts, and you can hear it in the complexity and beauty of their compositions. They meant business, they wanted to show people how writing music should be done. Approach your writing in the same way. Set aside time to write each day, and be anal about sticking to your schedule. Treat it as a priority, which means you’ll have to pass on other plans that might pop up. This is the only way you can train yourself to be a consistent writer.

When you schedule your writing time, make sure it occurs when you’re feeling most creative. For me, I’m most creative in the mornings. More specifically, during and after my morning shower. For others, it happens after dinner, or in the middle of the night. You probably already know when your creative hours are at their strongest, so plan accordingly.

In closing, you need to remember that “writing” is a verb. An action. You need to take action and make your story a reality. How will you know how good a storyteller you are without writing? You can keep on hallucinating about how fantastic your story is, or you can honor the gift you have been given by sharing it with those who thirst to be entertained. You have no story until others can read it.

Breaking away from past award show formats, Sunday night’s ceremony introduced an extremely classy way to introduce the nominees in the actors categories. Previously, a celebrity or two would read off the names of those nominated, and then tear open the envelope bearing the winner’s name. This year was different. For the Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress categories, five past winners walked out on stage simultaneously, and each one would speak kind words directly to each nomimee congratulating them on their nomination. I reiterate how very classy and stylish this form of praise was, because although there could only be one winner in each category, to be honored and even thanked in front of their peers for the outstanding performances accomplished in their respective films was enough to make each nominee appreciate the Academy’s recognition for their creative efforts. The intent being to make each celebrity feel like a winner regardless of whether or not they were handed the Oscar. I hope this is done in future Academy Awards shows.

“Slumdog Millionaire” won in eight of the ten categories for which it was nominated; including Best Picture, Best Director – Danny Boyle, and Best Adapted Screenplay – Simon Beaufoy. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” was awarded three Oscars. Sean Penn won for his portrayal of Harvey Milk in “Milk”: his second win in five Best Actor nominations. After being nominated six times in the past, Kate Winslet won her first Oscar in the Best Actress category for playing the role of Hanna Schmitz in “The Reader”. For his role as the Joker in “The Dark Knight”, the late Heath Ledger won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, which was accepted by his parents and sister. Penelope Cruz was awarded the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in Woody Allen’s “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”.

The full winners list can be found here:
Oscar.com

I went ahead and bought a new pair, and today did a short 2.5 mile run. It’s too early to tell how my knees will react, but if the pain doesn’t get any worse, then I made the right choice in buying a new pair of Saucony’s. So what does this all mean for you who enjoy running or are training for a marathon?



1. Take your training seriously by investing in a shoe specifically designed for marathon running. You’ll want to visit a running store versus a generic sporting goods establishment. At a running specialty store, the sales associates will ask you to run a short distance in order for them to determine what type of running step you have (I’m a moderate overpronator). Then you’ll try on several pairs of shoes that support your step-type until you find the pair that feels naturally designed for your feet.
2. Find out the life span of your shoe so that you can budget ahead of time for future purchases. Good shoes cost around $100. So in my case, it looks like I’ll be buying a new pair every 3 to 4 months. Thus, my overall shoe budget would be $25-$30 per month.
3. Concerning the life span of your shoes; you need to consider your body weight. Companies promote the life span of their shoes based on a runner of average size. For men that’s 5′7″, 160-180lbs. Women; 5′2″, 115-130lbs. I’m 6′, 210lbs., so with each step i’m putting much more weight than the average-sized runner. This intensifies the amount of traction-grinding and shock absorption that my shoes are forced to endure; thus, lowering the life span of my shoes by a large percentage. Be sure to keep this in mind.

At my current pace, I hope to run a 4-hour marathon in San Francisco. I can do a 1hr50min half marathon thanks to running with the right shoes. Of course, it’s not just the shoes that have made me faster. I’ll try and write about other training tips in the near future.

Run safe!