Monsters lax. Monster Elite Lacrosse: Empowering Girls to Excel in the Sport

How does Monster Elite Lacrosse help girls progress to the next level. What opportunities and tools does the program provide for success. Why is commitment and hard work essential in lacrosse.

The Monster Elite Lacrosse Program: Nurturing Female Talent

Monster Elite Lacrosse stands out as a premier program dedicated to fostering the growth and development of young female lacrosse players. With a clear mission to provide girls with the necessary tools and opportunities to advance their skills, this program has become a cornerstone in the lacrosse community.

The program’s philosophy revolves around the belief that success in lacrosse stems from a combination of commitment and hard work. By instilling these values in their players, Monster Elite Lacrosse aims to create not just skilled athletes, but also individuals with a strong work ethic and determination.

Key Aspects of the Monster Elite Lacrosse Program

• Skill development opportunities
• Exposure to higher levels of play
• Emphasis on commitment and hard work
• Supportive coaching environment
• Focus on both individual and team growth

Breaking Down the Monster Elite Lacrosse Roster

The Monster Elite Lacrosse program boasts an impressive roster of talented players across various age groups and skill levels. Understanding the composition of this roster provides insight into the program’s reach and impact on the lacrosse community.

Player Distribution by Age Group

• 18 Players in the youngest age group
• 61 Players in the intermediate age group
• 54 Players in the advanced age group
• 37 Players in the elite age group
• 7 Players in the most senior age group

This distribution demonstrates the program’s ability to cater to players at different stages of their lacrosse journey, from beginners to those on the cusp of collegiate play.

Spotlight on the 2023 Roster: A Diverse Pool of Talent

The 2023 roster for Monster Elite Lacrosse showcases a diverse group of players from various high schools across New York state. This diversity not only enhances the competitive nature of the program but also provides players with exposure to different playing styles and strategies.

Notable Players and Their Positions

1. Natalie Myslinski (Clarence Center, NY) – Versatile player covering Attack, Midfield, Defense, and Draw specialist
2. Jaelyne Twomey (Fairport, NY) – Goalkeeper
3. Lily Schoenweitz (Rochester, NY) – Defender
4. Ashlee Volpe (Painted Post, NY) – Attacker
5. Marlee Green (Honeoye Falls, NY) – Midfielder

The variety of positions represented in the roster highlights the program’s commitment to developing well-rounded teams and players proficient in all aspects of the game.

The Importance of Positional Versatility in Lacrosse

Monster Elite Lacrosse places a strong emphasis on positional versatility, as evidenced by players like Natalie Myslinski who can play multiple positions. This approach to player development offers numerous benefits to both the individual athletes and the team as a whole.

Advantages of Multi-Positional Players

• Increased tactical flexibility for coaches
• Better understanding of the game from different perspectives
• Enhanced adaptability during matches
• Improved overall skill set
• Increased value to college recruiters

By encouraging players to develop skills across multiple positions, Monster Elite Lacrosse prepares them for the dynamic nature of high-level lacrosse and increases their chances of success at the collegiate level.

Geographical Representation: A New York State of Mind

The Monster Elite Lacrosse program demonstrates a strong presence in New York state, with players hailing from various cities and regions. This geographical diversity not only speaks to the program’s reputation but also its ability to attract talent from across the state.

Key Regions Represented

• Rochester and surrounding areas (Irondequoit, Fairport, Honeoye Falls)
• Syracuse and Central New York
• Buffalo region (Clarence Center, Orchard Park)
• Southern Tier (Corning-Painted Post)

This wide-reaching representation allows for a rich exchange of playing styles and fosters a sense of state-wide camaraderie among the players.

The Role of High School Programs in Player Development

While Monster Elite Lacrosse provides exceptional training and opportunities, the importance of high school programs in player development cannot be overstated. The synergy between club programs like Monster Elite and high school teams creates a comprehensive development pathway for young lacrosse players.

Notable High Schools Represented

• West Genesee High School – Known for its strong lacrosse tradition
• Pittsford Mendon High School – Consistently produces top-tier talent
• Jamesville-DeWitt High School – Renowned for its competitive program
• Canandaigua Academy – Has a history of success in lacrosse

The collaboration between these high school programs and Monster Elite Lacrosse creates a powerful ecosystem for player growth and development.

Preparing for the Future: The 2022 Roster and Beyond

Looking at the 2022 roster provides insight into the program’s continuity and its ability to consistently attract and develop talent. The players from this cohort serve as mentors and role models for the younger athletes, creating a cycle of leadership and skill transfer within the program.

Standout Players from the 2022 Roster

• Ava Plata (Orchard Park, NY) – Midfielder and Attacker
• Emma Cecile (Syracuse, NY) – Versatile player covering multiple positions
• Rylee Gonzalez (Camillus, NY) – Attacker, Midfielder, and Draw specialist
• Theresa Grosso (Syracuse, NY) – Midfielder and Defender

These players exemplify the program’s focus on versatility and comprehensive skill development, setting a high standard for future participants.

The Impact of Specialized Training on Player Success

Monster Elite Lacrosse’s approach to player development goes beyond general skills training. The program offers specialized training in crucial aspects of the game, such as draw control and positional skills. This focused approach contributes significantly to player success and team performance.

Key Areas of Specialized Training

• Draw Control Techniques
• Defensive Positioning and Tactics
• Attacking Strategies and Shooting Skills
• Goaltending Techniques and Mental Preparation
• Midfield Transition Play

By honing these specific skills, players are better equipped to excel in their respective positions and contribute effectively to their teams’ success.

Building a Winning Culture: The Monster Elite Lacrosse Philosophy

At the core of Monster Elite Lacrosse’s success is its commitment to building a winning culture. This culture extends beyond mere victories on the field; it encompasses personal growth, teamwork, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Elements of the Monster Elite Winning Culture

• Emphasis on personal accountability
• Promotion of teamwork and camaraderie
• Celebration of individual and team achievements
• Commitment to continuous improvement
• Focus on sportsmanship and ethical play

This cultural foundation not only produces successful lacrosse players but also well-rounded individuals prepared for challenges both on and off the field.

The Role of Coaching in Player Development

The success of Monster Elite Lacrosse can be largely attributed to its coaching staff. These experienced mentors play a crucial role in shaping the skills, attitudes, and aspirations of the young athletes in the program.

Key Responsibilities of Monster Elite Coaches

• Skill development and refinement
• Tactical and strategic instruction
• Mental preparation and sports psychology
• Player motivation and encouragement
• College recruitment guidance

The coaches’ expertise and dedication ensure that each player receives the support and guidance necessary to reach their full potential.

College Recruitment: Bridging the Gap to Collegiate Lacrosse

One of the primary goals of Monster Elite Lacrosse is to prepare players for collegiate-level competition. The program’s reputation and network of connections provide valuable exposure to college recruiters, increasing the chances of players securing spots on collegiate rosters.

Monster Elite’s Approach to College Recruitment

• Participation in high-profile tournaments and showcases
• Development of player profiles and highlight reels
• Guidance on NCAA recruitment rules and processes
• Facilitation of communication between players and college coaches
• Preparation for college-level play through advanced training

This comprehensive approach to college recruitment has resulted in numerous Monster Elite alumni continuing their lacrosse careers at prestigious institutions across the country.

The Future of Monster Elite Lacrosse: Expanding Horizons

As Monster Elite Lacrosse continues to grow and evolve, the program looks towards expanding its reach and impact on the sport. This forward-thinking approach ensures that the program remains at the forefront of youth lacrosse development.

Potential Areas for Future Growth

• Expansion into new geographical regions
• Development of youth programs for earlier skill development
• Integration of advanced technology in training methods
• Establishment of international partnerships and exchange programs
• Creation of mentorship programs pairing alumni with current players

These initiatives will not only benefit the players within the Monster Elite program but also contribute to the growth and development of lacrosse as a whole.

Measuring Success: Beyond Wins and Losses

While competitive success is certainly a goal of Monster Elite Lacrosse, the program’s definition of success extends far beyond wins and losses. The true measure of the program’s impact lies in the personal and athletic growth of its participants.

Key Indicators of Success in Monster Elite Lacrosse

• Player skill improvement over time
• College recruitment rates and scholarship offers
• Personal growth and character development
• Team cohesion and collaborative success
• Long-term engagement with the sport of lacrosse

By focusing on these holistic measures of success, Monster Elite Lacrosse ensures that its impact on players’ lives extends far beyond their time in the program.

Community Engagement: Lacrosse as a Vehicle for Positive Change

Monster Elite Lacrosse recognizes the power of sport to effect positive change in communities. The program actively engages in community outreach and service initiatives, using lacrosse as a vehicle to promote social responsibility and civic engagement among its players.

Community Initiatives by Monster Elite Lacrosse

• Youth clinics in underserved areas
• Equipment donation drives for new lacrosse programs
• Partnerships with local charities and non-profits
• Environmental stewardship projects
• Mentoring programs for at-risk youth

These community engagement efforts not only benefit the local areas but also instill a sense of social responsibility in the program’s participants, shaping them into well-rounded citizens.

The Role of Parents in the Monster Elite Lacrosse Experience

Parents play a crucial role in the success of Monster Elite Lacrosse players. The program recognizes the importance of parental support and actively involves parents in the development process of their children.

Ways Parents Contribute to Player Success

• Providing emotional support and encouragement
• Assisting with transportation to practices and tournaments
• Reinforcing program values and work ethic at home
• Volunteering at events and fundraisers
• Participating in parent education sessions on college recruitment and player development

By fostering a strong partnership between coaches, players, and parents, Monster Elite Lacrosse creates a supportive ecosystem that maximizes each player’s potential for success.

Embracing Innovation: Technology in Lacrosse Training

Monster Elite Lacrosse stays at the forefront of player development by incorporating cutting-edge technology into its training regimen. This innovative approach enhances player performance and provides valuable insights for coaches and players alike.

Technological Tools Used in Training

• Video analysis software for technique refinement
• GPS tracking devices for performance metrics
• Virtual reality simulations for strategic training
• Mobile apps for player-coach communication and scheduling
• Biomechanical analysis tools for injury prevention

By leveraging these technological advancements, Monster Elite Lacrosse provides its players with a competitive edge and prepares them for the increasingly tech-savvy world of collegiate and professional sports.

The Mental Game: Psychological Preparation in Lacrosse

Recognizing that success in lacrosse requires more than just physical skills, Monster Elite Lacrosse places a strong emphasis on mental preparation and psychological resilience. This holistic approach to player development sets the program apart and contributes to the long-term success of its athletes.

Key Aspects of Mental Training in Monster Elite Lacrosse

• Visualization techniques for performance enhancement
• Stress management and anxiety reduction strategies
• Goal-setting and motivation workshops
• Team-building exercises to improve on-field communication
• Mindfulness and focus training

By addressing the mental aspects of the game, Monster Elite Lacrosse ensures that its players are prepared to handle the pressures of high-level competition and perform at their best when it matters most.

Through its comprehensive approach to player development, commitment to excellence, and focus on both individual and team growth, Monster Elite Lacrosse continues to shape the future of women’s lacrosse. By providing girls with the tools, opportunities, and supportive environment they need to succeed, the program is not just developing skilled athletes, but also nurturing the next generation of leaders both on and off the lacrosse field.

Monster Elite Lacrosse | ConnectLAX

Monster Elite Lacrosse | ConnectLAX

Microsoft has stopped supporting Internet Explorer in favor of Edge, and thus we’ve stopped supporting it as well. Please use Edge or other browsers such as Chrome, Firefox or Safari to safely access our platform. Thank you.

You may be using an out-of-date browser. Please make sure your browser is up-to-date, and use a supported browser such as Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. Thank you.

It is the program’s goal to give girls the opportunities and tools to progress to the next level while enjoying the road to success. Success comes from commitment and hard work.

18 Players

61 Players

54 Players

37 Players

7 Players

7 Players

5 Players

4 Players

18 Players

20 Players

22 Players

7 Players

24 Players

23 Players

8 Players

14 Players

7 Players

View @monsterelitelax on Instagram

California Girls LAX Camp | LAX Camps Near Santa Barbara

Additional Add-Ons:
EXOS Strength & Conditioning Morning Session: $275 per week

LAX Airport Round Trip Transportation:  $250

SBA Airport Round Trip Transportation:  $100

SB Airbus Round Trip Pick Up in Carpinteria:  $25

Weekly Linen Rental:  $30

About EXOS:

Cate Sports Academy offers an exciting opportunity for athletes looking to enhance their camp experience.  Campers will be woken up a little earlier than their peers and with have a 90 minute strength and conditioning session Tuesday – Friday with our EXOS Certified Trainers. This program has been implemented at Cate School for their athletes this past year and not only have they seen increased performance, it has also drastically reduced the number of injuries during season across all sports.

Evening Activities

Evening activities are planned and supervised by Cate Sports Academy counselors and may include dodgeball, kickball, human bowling, capture the flag, ultimate frisbee, outdoor movie night, trips into Carpinteria, wiffle ball, ice breakers, ping pong tournaments and more!

Traveling to Cate

If you are driving to Cate, the School is easily accessible off Highway 101. If you are flying first to Southern California, the Santa Barbara airport (SBA) is a 30 minute drive from the Cate campus and the Los Angeles airport (LAX) is a 2 hour drive from Cate.

If you are accompanying your child to camp, please plan to arrive to Cate between 9 and 10 am for boarding campers and 10 and 10:30am for day campers on the first day of the session and between 4 and 5:30pm on the last day of the session.

If your child will be flying as an unaccompanied minor, please notify Jessica Seriano. We will pick up campers from the Santa Barbara airport for a fee of $100 and from LAX in Los Angeles for a fee of $250.

Driver Pick Up times:

LAX – Flights arriving Monday between 8am and 10am

SBA – Flights arriving Monday between 8am and 12pm

Driver Drop Off times:

LAX – Flights departing Friday between 2pm – 4pm

SBA – Flights departing Friday between 12pm – 2pm

For those taking the Santa Barbara Airbus from LAX to Carpinteria, we will pick up campers in Carpinteria for a fee of $25. Once you have arranged your travel information, please let Jessica Seriano know.

If you plan to spend any time locally, please check on the School’s main admission visit page for local hotel information.

Anyone needing assistance with booking travel, we recommend contacting SB Travel for assistance. Cate School has worked closely with Santa Barbara Travel Bureau for many years, and they will be able to help arrange travel for students attending Cate Summer Institute. A ticketing fee of $40 per ticket covers researching the best times and fares and monitoring any subsequent flight schedule changes. Please contact Andrew Seligman at (800)266-5452, [email protected].

FAQs
How is rooming determined?

Majority of the dorm rooms at Cate School are singles. Athletes are placed in gender and age appropriate dorms. We do our very best to accommodate every roommate request. If you have such a request, please let us know in writing.

How do you handle homesickness?

We understand that homesickness is normal for kids, especially for young children and those new to sleepover programs. We educate and train our staff on how to manage homesickness. Homesickness is most common in the first few days of the week. During this time, our directors and head counselors monitor all athletes closely. We believe in open and honest communication with parents if your child is homesick. We will call you, discuss the situation, and create an action plan.

How does my child communicate with us while at Cate?

Although cell phones are allowed during certain times, we encourage parents to send an email to their child through the CSA email box. The office will deliver all emails to dorms. There will be time during the day or evening for your child to respond via email or he or she may choose to send a letter or postcard. You are also welcome to send a care package and letters.

We will take many photos of all sports and activities through the week and post regularly on the Cate’s Facebook and Instagram page.

To send mail:

Athlete’s Name

Cate Sports Academy

Cate School

1960 Cate Mesa Road

Carpinteria, CA 93013

How is laundry handled?

Campers are responsible for their own laundry. There are washers and dryers available in all dorms, operated with a laundry card that can be purchased at Cate. Counselors are available to help if necessary. We provide laundry detergent.

What is the technology policy?

We understand the role cellphones have in our society today and the ability to get in touch is comforting. Cell phones will be allowed during Cate Sports Academy in the dorms only. All campers will give their cell phones to the Counselor on duty at 10pm, and cell phones will be returned at 7:30am the following day.

Other than cell phones, we do not permit electronics while on campus. This includes video games, laptops, iPads, Kindle, etc… Cameras and devices that play music only, such as a radio or iPod/MP3 are acceptable.

Cate Sports Academy provides campers a unique opportunity to make friends with other adolescents from all over the world. By eliminating electronic consumption on campus, participants are able to focus on the program and create relationships and memories that will last a lifetime!

Will my child need money while at CSA?

We recommend approximately $25 per week. This can be used for snacks, drinks, or souvenirs from our Cate student store, the Blue Ewe. If you would like to open a credit to use during the week, we will take credit card information on the first day and bill your card at the end of the week.

How does the school store (Blue Ewe) work?

The Blue Ewe is open on Opening and Closing Days of each camp session, from 12pm – 1pm Monday through Friday, and 4pm – 8pm Tuesday and Thursday. Each camper has an account that is billed to a credit card on file. The store carries emergency toiletries, limited items for class use, snacks, and a broad selection of Cate School clothing. The Blue Ewe gives campers the opportunity to budget and plan for their purchases. We encourage each family to talk realistically with their camper(s) about their expectations for camp store usage.

What is the food like?

Aramark manages our camp dining room and most of our dining staff have been working at Cate for over 20 years! The food is organically and locally sourced when possible, and we do our best to provide healthy choices that also appeal to the tastes of our campers. Lunch and dinner comes with a choice of two hot dishes with sides, and we also have a well-stocked salad and sandwich bar with numerous toppings and condiments. Breakfast always features cold and hot cereal, egg dishes, fruit yogurt, and something from the griddle. We have fresh whole and sliced fruit at every meal, and our beverage bar is soda-free. If your child has a food allergy, please let us know so that we may alert the dining staff.
Daily Schedule – CLICK HERE

Check-In Overnight Campers:

Monday 9am-9:30am
Check-In Half Day & Full Day Campers:

Monday 9:30am-10:00am
Check-Out:

Half Day Campers: 12:30pm (except last day)

Day Campers: 5pm daily (except last day)
Friday Check-Out (ALL CAMPERS): 11:30am-12:00pm>

2021 – Monsters Lacrosse Academy – Sarasota, Florida – Lacrosse

• Sports
• Products
• About
• Support
• Sign up
• Log In

2021

2021

Monsters Lacrosse Academy – 2021



January 2nd, 2017


Joined Hudl

2 January 2017





LA Times Crossword 4 Dec 21, Saturday

Today’s Wiki-est Amazonian Googlies

Across

15 HS course that may be lit? : AP ENGLISH

The Advanced Placement (AP) program offers college-level courses to kids who are still in high school (HS). After being tested at the end of an AP course, successful students receive credits that count towards a college degree.

16 Ambitious sort : TYPE-A

The Type-A and Type-B personality theory originated in the fifties. Back then, individuals were labelled as Type A in order to emphasize a perceived increased risk of heart disease. Type-A personality types are so-called “stress junkies”, whereas Type Bs are relaxed and laid back. But there doesn’t seem to be much scientific evidence to support the linkage between the Type-A personality and heart problems.

18 Twist : WRING

Oh how I remember my mother passing the clothes through the wringer out in our backyard. When did I get so old …?

19 City on Presque Isle Bay : ERIE

Erie is a port city in the very north of Pennsylvania, sitting on the southern shore of Lake Erie. The city takes its name from the Erie Native American tribe that resided in the area. Erie is nicknamed the Gem City, a reference to the “sparkling” water of Lake Erie.

20 Audio engineer’s accoutrements : EARPIECES

Accoutrements are accessory items, often pieces of clothing.

23 Low-carb alternative to oats : NUT MEAL

Nut meal is similar to nut flour, although oilier and grittier as it comprises ground whole nuts. Nut flour is prepared by grinding the cake that remains after oils are pressed from nuts.

25 Princess Margaret portrayer in “The Crown” : HELENA

Helena Bonham Carter is an actress from London. Some of her more famous roles have been Bellatrix Lestrange in the “Harry Potter” films and Queen Elizabeth in “The King’s Speech”. Bonham Carter is also well known for her appearances in movies made by director Tim Burton, who was her domestic partner from 2001 until 2014. She also had a 5-year domestic partnership with fellow actor Kenneth Branagh.

“The Crown” is a historical drama produced for Netflix that covers the life of British Queen Elizabeth II from her marriage to Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. For the first two seasons, Elizabeth is played by Claire Foy and Philip by Matt Smith. For the next two seasons, Olivia Colman and Tobias Menzies take over as Elizabeth and Philip.

34 Bob Odenkirk title role : SAUL

“Better Call Saul” is a spin-off drama series from the hit show “Breaking Bad”. The main character is small-time lawyer Saul Goodman, played by Bob Odenkirk, who featured in the original series. “Better Call Saul” is set six years before Goodman makes an appearance in the “Breaking Bad” storyline. The lawyer’s real name is James Morgan McGill, and his pseudonym is a play on the words “S’all good, man!”

36 Umbilicus formation : OUTIE

The navel is basically the scar left behind when the umbilical cord is removed from a newborn baby. One interesting use of the umbilicus (navel, belly button) is to differentiate between identical twins, especially when they are very young.

37 __ the People: razor brand : OUI

OUI the People is a beauty product company that specializes in providing high-end razors. The company was founded as OUI Shave in 2015 by Karen Young. Young changed the name to OUI the People to recognize the diversity of her customer base.

38 Gulf of Guinea capital : ACCRA

Accra sits on Ghana’s coast and is a major seaport as well as the country’s capital city. The name “Accra” comes from a local word “Nkran” meaning “ants”, a name chosen because of the large number of anthills found in the area when the city was founded.

The Gulf of Guinea is a large gulf that forms part of the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast of Africa. One of the Gulf of Guinea claims to fame is that it is home to the intersecting point between zero degrees of latitude and zero degrees of longitude, i.e. where the Equator and Prime Meridian cross.

39 Neuron speed unit: Abbr. : M/SEC

A nerve cell is more correctly called a neuron. The branched projections that receive electrochemical signals from other neurons are known as dendrites. The long nerve fiber that conducts signals away from the neuron is known as the axon. A neuron that has no definite axon is referred to as “apolar” or “nonpolar”. In apolar neurons the nerve impulses radiate in all directions.

40 Movie monster term meaning “alien form” : XENOMORPH

The antagonists in the “Alien” series of films are extraterrestrials, described at one point in the script as “xenomorphs”. The term “xenomorph” was coined for the screen using the Greek roots “xeno-” (other, strange) and “-morph” (shape).

42 Zoom sesh, e.g. : E-DATE

Zoom is a videoconferencing app that became remarkably popular in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The market deemed Zoom to be the easiest to use of the free videoconferencing apps. I’ve been using it, but really prefer Google’s Meet offering …

Session (abbreviated to “sess.” formally, and “sesh” informally)

45 Protective legwear : GAITER

A gaiter is a heavy cloth or piece of leather that covers the leg from the instep up to the ankle or perhaps knee.

46 Atsukan, at a sushi bar : HOT SAKE

Sake, often referred to as Japanese rice wine, is a beverage brewed from rice. The drink goes by different names depending on the temperature at which it is served:

1. Reishi (chilled)
2. Joon (room temperature)
3. Atsukan (heated)

51 Idaho has the only one designed by a woman : STATE SEAL

Idaho’s state flag features the state seal with the words “State of Idaho” below, on a blue background. Idaho’s Great Seal was designed in 1891 by Emma Edwards Green, who is the only woman to have designed an American state seal.

55 Italian university city : PISA

Even though the University of Pisa was founded way back in 1343, it is only the 19th continuously operating university in the world, and only the 10th in Italy. The oldest existing university in the world is the University of Bologna (1088). The University of Oxford (1096) is the oldest in the English-speaking world.

56 Old orange-roofed eateries, for short : HOJOS

The Howard Johnson (sometimes “HoJo”) chain of hotels and restaurants was the largest restaurant chain in the US in the sixties and seventies. There are only two HoJo restaurants left now. One is in Bangor, Maine and the other is in Lake Placid, New York. I just realized that I’ve been in both those restaurants …

57 Reggie Jackson nickname : MR OCTOBER

Former baseball player Reggie Jackson is known as “Mr. October”, because of his memorable postseason performances.

60 Big name in gaming : ATARI

Founded in 1972, electronics and video game manufacturer Atari was once the fastest-growing company in US history. However, Atari never really recovered from the video game industry crash of 1983.

61 Charades skill : PANTOMIME

Our word “pantomime” comes from the Greek word “pantomimos” meaning “actor”. The literal translation of the Greek is “imitator of all”, from “panto-” (all) and “mimos” (imitator). We use the term today to describe communication by means of facial expression and physical gestures. On the other side of the Atlantic, pantomimes (often “pantos”) are also very popular Christmas entertainments based on nursery tales like “Mother Goose”, “Aladdin” and “Jack and the Beanstalk”. Great, great stuff …

In the parlor game known as charades, players take turns acting out words or phrases. “Charade” is a French word describing a literary puzzle that was popular in 18th-century France. In said game, the word or phrase was broken into its constituent syllables, with each syllable being described somewhat enigmatically. This puzzle evolved into “acted charades”, which we now refer to simply as “charades”.

62 Whammies : HEXES

“Hexen” is a German word meaning “to practice witchcraft”. The use of the word “hex” in English started with the Pennsylvania Dutch in the early 1800s.

“Whammy” is a slang term describing a hex, a supernatural spell.

63 Rapt : ENGROSSED

Back around 1400, to engross was to buy up the whole stock, with “engross” coming from the Old French “en gros” meaning “in bulk”. We use the term “engross” figuratively today, meaning “absorb the whole attention”.

Down

2 Sydney attraction : OPERA HOUSE

The stunning building that is the Sydney Opera House was designed by the Danish architect Jorn Utzon. The Sydney Opera House was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, making Utzon only the second person ever to be so honored during his own lifetime.

4 Hacky Sacker’s option : KNEE

A footbag is a small bag used to play games that involve kicking it in the air repeatedly, usually in an attempt to prevent the footbag landing on the ground. Although footbags have been around for a long time, the most famous one today is the Hacky Sack, made by Wham-O.

5 Ice-T’s “SVU” rank : SGT

Rapper Ice-T must be tired of having his name come up as an answer in crossword puzzles (I know I am!). Born Tracy Marrow, Ice-T has been interested in acting for decades and made his film debut in the 1984 movie about breakdancing called “Breakin’”. He has also played Detective Fin Tutuola in the TV show “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” since the year 2000.

“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” is a spin-off from the TV crime drama “Law & Order”. “SVU” has been on the air since 1999, and is set in New York City. Interestingly (to me), there is a very successful Russian adaptation of the show that is set in Moscow.

7 Yak : TIBETAN OX

The English word “yak” is an Anglicized version of the Tibetan name for the male of the species. Yak milk is much prized in Tibetan culture. It is made into cheese and butter, and the butter is used to make a tea that is consumed in great volume by Tibetans. The butter is also used as a fuel in lamps, and during festivals the butter is even sculpted into religious icons.

8 Major religion of Indonesia : ISLAM

Over 50% of the world’s population consider themselves to be adherents of the “big three” Abrahamic religions: Christianity (2-2.2 billion), Islam (1.6-1.7 billion) and Judaism (14-18 million).

11 Instrument depicted on Keats’ gravestone : LYRE

The lyre is a stringed instrument that is most closely associated with ancient Greece, and with the gods Hermes and Apollo in particular. According to myth, Hermes slaughtered a cow from a sacred herd belonging to Apollo and offered it to the gods but kept the entrails. Hermes used the entrails to make strings that he stretched across the shell of a tortoise, creating the first lyre. Apollo liked the sound from the lyre and agreed to accept it as a trade for his herd of cattle.

English poet John Keats died in Rome in 1821, and is buried there in the Protestant Cemetery. His last wish was that his grave be marked with a tombstone bearing just the words “”Here lies One whose Name was writ in Water”, and no name nor a date. Keats’ friends honored his request to some extent, as the words were included on the stone and no name is given. The full epitaph reads:

This Grave
contains all that was Mortal
of a
Young English Poet
Who
on his Death Bed, in the Bitterness of his Heart
at the Malicious Power of his Enemies
Desired
these Words to be
engraven on his Tomb Stone:
Here lies One
Whose Name was writ in Water.
24 February 1821

13 Nobelist Cassin : RENE

René Cassin drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights after WWII that was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1948. This work led to Cassin being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1968.

21 __-12 : PAC

“Pac-12” is an abbreviation for the Pacific-12 Conference, a college athletic conference in the western US. The Pac-12 has won more NCAA National Team Championships than any other conference. The Pac-12 was founded in 1915 as the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC). Over time as it grew, the conference went by the names Big Five, Big Six, Pacific-8, Pacific-10 and became the Pacific-12 in 2011.

23 “The Craft” actress Campbell : NEVE

Neve Campbell is a Canadian actress whose big break in the movies came with the “Scream” horror film series, in which she had a leading role. I don’t do horror films, so I haven’t seen any of the “Scream” movies. Nor have I seen the TV series “Party of Five” that launched the acting careers of both Campbell and Jennifer Love Hewitt in the nineties.

“The Craft” is a 1996 teen horror film. I don’t do horror …

24 Paris article : UNE

In French, feminine nouns take the indefinite article “une”, and the definite article “la”.

26 German camera brand : LEICA

Leica is a German optics company that is famous for production of lenses and cameras. The 1913 Leica was the first practical camera that could use 35mm film, a size chosen because it was already the standard for film used in motion pictures.

28 Dandy accessory : ASCOT

An ascot is a wide tie that narrows at the neck, which these days is only really worn at weddings or part of a dress uniform. The tie takes its name from the Royal Ascot horse race at which punters still turn up in formal wear at Ascot Racecourse in England.

A dandy is a man who is overly fastidious with regard to his personal appearance. There’s a suggestion that the term originated in Scotland, where “Dandy” is a diminutive of the name “Andrew”. Back in the early 1800s, when the use of “dandy” was at its height, the female equivalent was a dandizette.

29 Bird mummified by ancient Egyptians : SACRED IBIS

The ibis is a wading bird that was revered in ancient Egypt. “Ibis” is an interesting word grammatically speaking. You can have one “ibis” or two “ibises”, and then again one has a flock of “ibis”. And if you want to go with the classical plural, instead of two “ibises” you would have two “ibides”!

31 Nice handle? : NOM

In French, one might look up a “nom” (name) in “un annuaire” (a directory).

The French city of Nice is on the Mediterranean coast in the southeast of the country. Although Nice is only the fifth most populous city in France, it is home to the busiest airport outside of Paris. That’s because of all the tourists flocking to the French Riviera. Something described as “à la niçoise” is “of Nice”.

32 Col. on a planner : TUE

We have seven days in a week because there are seven classical planets in the Solar System. The days were named for these “planets” during the Roman era:

• Sun (Sunday)
• Moon (Monday)
• Mars (Tuesday)
• Mercury (Wednesday)
• Jupiter (Thursday)
• Venus (Friday)
• Saturn (Saturday)

38 BFF of Brittany : AMIE

Brittany is a large peninsula in the northwest of France that is known in French as “Bretagne”. A native of Brittany is a Breton.

Best friend forever (BFF)

44 Aurora counterpart : EOS

In Greek mythology, Eos was the goddess of the dawn who lived at the edge of the ocean. Eos would wake each morning to welcome her brother Helios the sun. The Roman equivalent of Eos was Aurora. Rather delightfully, Homer referred to Eos as “rosy-fingered dawn” in both “Iliad” and “Odyssey”.

47 Home of Arizona State : TEMPE

Arizona State University (ASU) has a long history, and was founded as the Tempe Normal School for the Arizona Territory in 1885. The athletic teams of ASU used to be known as the Normals, then the Bulldogs, and since 1946 they’ve been called the Sun Devils.

48 That’s a wrap : SARAN

What’s known as plastic wrap in America, we call cling-film in Ireland. The brand name “Saran” is often used generically in the US, while “Glad” wrap is common down under. Plastic wrap was one of those unintended inventions, a byproduct of a development program to create a hard plastic cover for cars.

51 Persian for “king” : SHAH

The last Shah of Iran was Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, who was overthrown in the revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979. The post-revolution government sought the extradition of the Shah back to Iran while he was in the United States seeking medical care (he had cancer). His prolonged stay in the United States, recovering from surgery, caused some unrest back in Iran and resentment towards the United States. Some say that this resentment precipitated the storming of the US Embassy in Tehran and the resulting hostage crisis.

53 Mighty warrior of myth : AJAX

Ajax was a figure in Greek mythology, and was the cousin of Achilles. Ajax is an important figure in Homer’s “Iliad”. According to Homer, Ajax was chosen by lot to meet Hector in an epic duel that lasted a whole day. The duel ended in a draw.

55 Little dogs, briefly : POMS

The Pomeranian is a small breed of dog named for the Pomerania region of Europe (part of eastern Germany and northern Poland). The breed was much loved by the royalty of Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. In the 19th century, Queen Victoria owned a particularly small Pomeranian. Due to the notoriety of the monarch’s pet, the Pomeranian was bred for small size, so that during the Queen’s admittedly long reign, the size of the average “pom” was reduced by 50% …

58 Lisa Leslie’s WNBA position : CTR

Lisa Leslie is a former professional basketball player who played in the WNBA with the Los Angeles Sparks. Leslie is rather tall, and was the first player to dunk the ball in a WNBA game.

Complete List of Clues/Answers

Across

1 Applies sustained effort : WORKS AT IT
10 Caution : ALERT
15 HS course that may be lit? : AP ENGLISH
16 Ambitious sort : TYPE-A
17 Bean, e.g. : VEGETABLE
18 Twist : WRING
19 City on Presque Isle Bay : ERIE
20 Audio engineer’s accoutrements : EARPIECES
22 Hold back : DAM
23 Low-carb alternative to oats : NUT MEAL
25 Princess Margaret portrayer in “The Crown” : HELENA
27 __ act : CLASS
31 Anticlimactic happenings : NON-EVENTS
34 Bob Odenkirk title role : SAUL
36 Umbilicus formation : OUTIE
37 __ the People: razor brand : OUI
38 Gulf of Guinea capital : ACCRA
39 Neuron speed unit: Abbr. : M/SEC
40 Movie monster term meaning “alien form” : XENOMORPH
42 Zoom sesh, e.g. : E-DATE
45 Protective legwear : GAITER
46 Atsukan, at a sushi bar : HOT SAKE
49 Quick swim : DIP
51 Idaho has the only one designed by a woman : STATE SEAL
55 Italian university city : PISA
56 Old orange-roofed eateries, for short : HOJOS
57 Reggie Jackson nickname : MR OCTOBER
60 Big name in gaming : ATARI
61 Charades skill : PANTOMIME
62 Whammies : HEXES
63 Rapt : ENGROSSED

Down

1 Shook one’s hand? : WAVED
2 Sydney attraction : OPERA HOUSE
3 Strictly organized : REGIMENTED
4 Hacky Sacker’s option : KNEE
5 Ice-T’s “SVU” rank : SGT
6 Following : A LA
7 Yak : TIBETAN OX
8 Major religion of Indonesia : ISLAM
9 “Finished!” : THERE!
10 Whenever one wants : AT WILL
11 Instrument depicted on Keats’ gravestone : LYRE
12 Sprawling tale : EPIC
13 Nobelist Cassin : RENE
14 Handles : TAGS
21 __-12 : PAC
23 “The Craft” actress Campbell : NEVE
24 Paris article : UNE
26 German camera brand : LEICA
28 Dandy accessory : ASCOT
29 Bird mummified by ancient Egyptians : SACRED IBIS
30 “You pick” : SURPRISE ME
31 Nice handle? : NOM
32 Col. on a planner : TUE
33 Folk music gathering, often : SING-ALONG
35 “Well, __-di-dah!” : LAH
38 BFF of Brittany : AMIE
41 Whiskey barrel wood : OAK
43 Grad school hurdle : THESIS
44 Aurora counterpart : EOS
47 Home of Arizona State : TEMPE
48 That’s a wrap : SARAN
50 Clipped : PARED
51 Persian for “king” : SHAH
52 Subscriber’s bonus : TOTE
53 Mighty warrior of myth : AJAX
54 Bolted : TORE
55 Little dogs, briefly : POMS
58 Lisa Leslie’s WNBA position : CTR
59 Moreover : TOO

Criminals Pillage Where ‘Lax On Crime’ DAs Rule

GUEST COLUMN – Los Angeles and San Francisco have been hammered by a brazen crime trend: the “smash-and-grab” robbery.

A pack of thieves, armed with sledgehammers, smash their way into a high-end store, grab tens of tens of thousands of dollars of merchandise, and flee with the loot.

Retailers are doing what they can to protect themselves and their customers. They have hired extra security, put up barriers, and created “checkpoints” to regulate access.

Some people have blamed this crisis on Proposition 47, the 2014 statewide referendum that reclassified many felony theft offenses as misdemeanors. While petty retail theft skyrocketed more than 20 percent soon after Prop 47, the law isn’t the only problem. There’s clearly something else going on.

It’s the leadership.

The Los Angeles and San Francisco prosecutors’ offices are both led by men – George Gascón and Chesa Boudin – who seem to care more about defendants than they do about crime victims or public safety.

Gascón has tapped a group of former public defenders to be his key policymakers and advisors, most of whom have long advocated for the abolition of prisons and the criminal justice system. One advisor has openly encouraged people not to report crimes to the police. Without a hint of irony, Gascón made her Interim Director of the Bureau of Victim Services.

Another Gascón advisor called a victim’s rights attorney a “monster” for her pro bono work advocating for the next of kin of murdered victims. Amid last year’s riots in the Fairfax District, that same advisor took to social media to encourage her followers to “burn that shit down.”

When these are the people making policy, are we surprised that criminals believe that the District Attorney is no longer in the business of holding people accountable?

Accountability is a cornerstone of our justice system. Justice is served when those who do wrong are held accountable. Criminals are deterred when those who do wrong are held accountable. The public’s confidence in the system improves when those who do wrong are held accountable. Without accountability, there is chaos. And we are starting to see these effects.

2014 was one of the safest years in American history. This year we are seeing an explosion of crime. Watts, one of Los Angeles County’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods, saw a 150 percent rise in homicides during the first six months of the year compared to a similar time period in 2020. On the other side of the city, mobs ransacked the Grove in Mid-City and a shopping mall in the San Fernando Valley. Armed robbers terrorize areas untouched by crime for over a decade. Graffiti blights large swaths of our city, some of it put there by gang members claiming “territory.” Sure, the police catch the criminals. But by the time the arresting officer has written the report, those same criminals are walking out of the station, ready to commit their next crime.

This chaos has consequences. The National Retail Federation ranks Los Angeles and San Francisco among the top ten American cities hit hardest by this type of retail theft. In San Francisco and Oakland alone, the estimated cost to business is $3.6 billion, according to the California Retailers Association.

Governor Gavin Newsom, said, “I have no sympathy, no empathy whatsoever with people smashing, grabbing, stealing people’s items, creating havoc and terror in our streets…None.” Mayor Eric Garcetti had similar words: “There’s no place for this kind of criminal behavior…It needs to be addressed. There need to be consequences.”

Both Newsom and Garcetti can, and should, dedicate law enforcement resources to catching these criminals and reducing this type of crime. But they don’t have the power to prosecute it. And ultimately, that is the only way to hold criminals accountable. Neither Gascón nor Boudin seem interested in that task.

“My heart just aches knowing that the prosecution is not on our side anymore.” This statement came from the cousin of a murder victim whose family has seen the devastating effects of Gascón’s juvenile and resentencing policies.

My heart aches too. What has happened to the prosecutor? Why aren’t Boudin and Gascón on the side of crime victims, business owners, and the community? Where is the leadership?

It’s a good question.

Several local media outlets, including KTLA and CBS, asked Gascón to comment on the rise of “smash-and-grab.” The response from L.A.’s top prosecutor, “not available.”

Eric Siddall is Vice President of the Association of Los Angeles Deputy District Attorneys, the collective bargaining agent representing nearly 1,000 Deputy District Attorneys who work for the County of Los Angeles.

 

 

GOP Congressman posts gun-themed Christmas picture just days after school shooting / LGBTQ Nation

Rep. Thomas Massie and his familyPhoto: Twitter screenshot

A Republican Congressman is getting criticized for his “deranged” Christmas family picture that he shared on social media just day after a school shooting.

“Merry Christmas!” Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) tweeted. “ps. Santa, please bring more ammo.”

Related: Another school shooting happened while you weren’t looking

The picture shows him, his wife, and his children smiling maniacally and holding rifles.

Criticism was rampant on Twitter, partly because of Massey’s timing, sharing the picture just days after the Oxford High School shooting in Michigan that left four students dead and 7 injured. 15-year-old shooter Ethan Crumbley has been arrested.

Crumbley’s parents Jennifer and James Crumbley have also been arrested and charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter for allegedly giving Ethan access to the weapon. Prosecutors believe that they had a very lax attitude about guns and made them “a family hobby.”

“LOL I’m not mad at you. You have to learn not to get caught,” Jennifer Crumbley allegedly texted her son after he was caught searching for ammo on his phone at school the day before the shooting.

This is disgusting.
It would be under any circumstance but knowing what just transpired in Michigan, it is especially so.
There are parents in MI who won’t have their kids with them this Christmas.
Why?
Because a classmate gunned them down at school.
Take this down.
You monster.

— Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) December 4, 2021

Last week, 4 beautiful young kids had no idea that they were celebrating their last Thanksgiving with their families.

My question for you is: What part of your family picture is “ Merry” & has anything to do with Christmas & birth of the original, anti violence man on earth?

— truth diviner? (@truthdiviner) December 4, 2021

I’m pretty sure that’s what Ethan Crumbly said. Maybe you should talk to the parents of these murdered children and the victims who survived to see if they think this is cute.

Tate Myre, 16
Madisyn Baldwin, 17
Hana St Juliana, 14
Justin Shilling, 17

— Laura Rich??? (@TryChick) December 4, 2021

They’ve gone from “ thoughts and prayers” as a response to school shootings, to outright trolling school shooting victims.

— Marcel Loup (@marcelloup) December 6, 2021

What exactly is the point of this? How do you not understand how disturbing this is? We’re mourning the deaths of 4 precious kids who went to school only to be murdered by a classmate in yet another School Massacre & you post this?

— ??PeaceLove&Outrage ☮️?? (@1980Dorothy) December 4, 2021

This is so sad. And what’s worse is you have no idea how sad it is.

— Mx. Amanda Jetté Knox (@MavenOfMayhem) December 5, 2021

Alexa, show me everything that’s wrong with America in one photo

— Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) December 4, 2021

Great message there, right after the Crumbleys attitude about guns resulted in 4 kids being gunned down and 7 more in the hospital.

You realize Ethan was caught “looking for ammo”, and his mom joked about it, right? RIGHT?

How to show the world you don’t care about life.

— dac (@dac37799066) December 4, 2021

you cannot underestimate how much ordinary people think this tweet is so far off the scale of decency. Evangelical America is in a dark dark place.

— Felix Silvestris (@Glenlyon17) December 5, 2021

But one person really liked the picture: Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO).

“That’s my kind of Christmas card!” she said in response to Massie’s picture.

The Science of ‘Planet of the Apes’: Could Simians Get Scary Smart?

Is the film plausible? Kinda sorta, say experts.

20th Century Fox

There’s only about 1.2 percent of genetic difference between human beings and chimpanzees. It’s not much of a separation from our evolutionary relatives—though, as with any relatives, we cherish a fair amount of distance.

But what if the gap closes? The Rise of the Planet of the Apes, which opens today, taps into the fear that our primate kin could transform into angry biological doppelgangers. An origin of species story, the film is a prequel to the 1968 classic—and 2001 re-make—that portrayed modern man traveling through space and time to find the ultimate evolutionary uncanny scenario. Rise depicts scientist Will Rodman, played by James Franco, performing Alzheimer’s research on apes at a pharmaceutical company. In doing so, he produces Caesar, a chimpanzee with cognitive powers that rival our own.

A recent report speaks of the “‘Frankenstein fear’ that the medical research which creates ‘humanised’ animals is going to generate ‘monsters.’”

Director Rupert Wyatt sets the movie in the present day, inviting viewers to imagine the imminent reality of his premise. Aspects of the film seem pretty believable. We have been enhancing both animals and humans for years, through everything from selective breeding—which brought us “designer dogs” like the Puggle—to the wakefulness drug, Provigil. And scientists have taught apes to communicate using sign language, just as Ceasar does.

What’s more, there’s some eerie validity to the on-screen science. The technique used to treat Alzheimer’s in Rise, for example, has been tried in labs. Scientists can engineer what amounts to a genetic delivery system—a virus sent out to the brain that infects neurons with desired genetic material. Once the transfer is made, those genes can change or improve cognitive functioning.

This has been done experimentally, says Dr. Lary Walker of Emory’s Yerkes National Primate Research Center. But usually on mice; never on apes. And the results aren’t quite as extraordinary (or quick) as those seen in the movie. “The idea that the next day, they’re going to be Einsteins—or that at any point they’re going to be Einsteins—is not going to happen,” he says.

Like Franco’s character in the film, Walker is an Alzheimer’s researcher. He spent a portion of his 25-year career in the pharmaceutical industry before returning to academia. While he brushes off any comparisons between him and the movie’s protagonist, he gives the Rise filmmakers some credit for their nods to reality. “They did their homework,” he says. “But when you take it in aggregate, it all tends to fall apart. It had elements of good science, but in the end, it was science fiction with the accent on fiction.”

There are, however, scientists raising alarm about the possibility of a real-life plot line that mirrors the movie’s. A report released last month by the Academy of Medical Sciences in the U.K. warns against certain types of research that incorporate human genetic material into animal cells, stating that “there is a ‘Kafkaesque concern’ which we need to take seriously, alongside what one might call the ‘Frankenstein fear’ that the medical research which creates ‘humanised’ animals is going to generate ‘monsters.’”

That “Kafkaesque concern” alludes to Franz Kafka’s 1917 short story, “A Report to an Academy,” about an ape who is shot, captured, and trained to become human. Like Caesar, he comes to recognize the painful constraints of his captivity. “Muffled sobbing, painfully searching out fleas, wearily licking a coconut, banging my skull against the wall of the crate…these were the first occupations in my new life,” Kafka’s ape tells scientists. “Apes belong at the crate wall—well, that meant I had to cease being an ape.”

Nature magazine published a report last year suggesting that non-human primates with sections of human DNA implanted into their genomes at the embryonic stage—through a process called transgenics—might develop enough self-awareness “to appreciate the ways their lives are circumscribed, and to suffer, albeit immeasurably, in the full psychological sense of that term.”

“That’s the ethical concern: that we would produce a creature,” says bioethicist Dr. Marilyn Coors, one of the authors of the Nature report. “If it were cognitively aware, you wouldn’t want to put it in a zoo. What kind of cruelty would that be? You wouldn’t be able to measure the cruelty—or maybe it could tell you. I don’t know.”

Although Walker doesn’t know of anyone doing research to enhance cognitive function in apes, and Coors knows of no transgenic apes, Coors points out that scientists theoretically have the technical capability to produce them.

Transgenic research is most commonly performed on mice—which Walker calls “the workhorse model”—or other rodents. But animals closer to us genetically are often the next step, and in 2001, scientists created the first transgenic non-human primate. In 2008, researchers studying Huntington’s disease produced a transgenic rhesus monkey.

Monkeys are reasonably close to humans biologically, but less so than the great apes featured in Rise: gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, and bonobos.

Beyond the ethical issues, Coors said research in apes is expensive, the gestation period is long, and studies can be hard to justify because there are no standardized ways to measure increased cognition in an ape.

Still, she said, the U.S. has “one of the more lax climates in which to do research on non-human primates than elsewhere in the world.” In the U.K., the used of great apes is banned for most research.

In April’s Journal of Medical Ethics, the director of Duke’s clinical ethics program, Dr. Philip Rosoff, wrote that if enhancement research looks promising enough, scientists will pursue despite extreme ethical objections. “I suppose it is possible that such cognitively enhanced animals would recover from the enhancement procedure (whatever that may be) and immediately start ‘acting human,’ but that is unlikely to be the case,” his report says. With no one coaching them in language ability as we do with human infants, young chimps—however clever they may be—would lack the proper environmental conditions to communicate on their own.

“The fears are there, but the possibility that this work is going to lead anytime soon to any hybrid species as the apes represented in the movie, is still quite a ways down the road, if it ever will happen,” Walker says. “But it is something that we as scientists need to deal with.”

Perhaps, he suggested, and his colleagues from the lab will all go together to see the film. At the very least, it’s an entertaining thought experiment.

90,000 What to watch on Halloween: Rebecca, Love and the Monsters and The Witches with Anne Hathaway

Under the heading “Past rental” film critic Stanislav Zelvensky keeps track of new interesting films that he recommends to watch. This Halloween episode features under-Hitchcock, Anne Hathaway as the arch-witch, wolf men, exploding schoolchildren and giant insects.

Love and Monsters

A charming mid-budget adventure movie for almost any audience : if there were more such films in cinemas, you see, they would not have to be buried now.After the apocalypse (asteroid plus rockets, it doesn’t matter) survivors hide in bunkers, and mutated fauna flourishes on the surface: giant ants, snails and toads. The hero, a young man (Dylan O’Brien, star of “The Maze Runner”), decides to show his character for the first time and go to the colony where the girl lives with whom the apocalypse separated them seven years ago. On the way, he meets a dog, a robot, Michael Rooker and many insects.

This is practically a Fallout game (only without radiation) and at the same time, in general, a comedy.The most amazing thing is that the American debut of a young director from South Africa to the end retains a sense of originality and freshness, although it would seem that all this has happened a million times. A funny text, a well-chosen protagonist, quite tolerable special effects, unobtrusive greetings to 1980, and a conclusion so much needed now that the end of the world is not the end of the world.

“Spontaneous”

Directorial debut of Brian Duffield, writer of Love and the Monsters (and our favorite movie The Babysitter).Also a genre cocktail: partly romantic black comedy, partly young adult – drama, , a little bit even horror . In the graduating class of a provincial school, an epidemic of incredible deaths begins: students explode one after another like bloody balloons. While the adults are puzzling over what to do about it, two of the potentially doomed classmates begin an affair.

And again, a fantastic situation that echoes the covid reality: the heroes are in quarantine, waiting for either a magic pill, or imminent death, sinking deeper and deeper into the absurd.The soloist – in the popular image of “overly witty schoolgirl” – Catherine Langford from “13 Reasons Why”, and her lover, who abuses movie quotes, with the usual languid charm is played by Charlie Plummer. In some places the film is a little annoying, but in general it is both cute, and somewhere unexpected, and very dashing for an essay on the hackneyed theme of “teenagers and death”.

“The Wolf of Snow Hollow”

The second full-length footage of Jim Cummings, author of Thunder Road, a tragicomedy about a police officer flying off the reels, which made a splash in indie circles.He obviously enjoyed wearing the uniform (in both films, he plays a major role at the same time). Here Cummings is the actual police chief in a town in Utah: the sheriff, his father, is too old and weak (this is the last role of Robert Forster). A serial killer begins to operate in the district – either a man or a wolf tearing women apart.

Despite the horror surroundings and greetings to “The Silence of the Lambs” and the Coens, this is again primarily idiosyncratic comedy in the “sensitive policeman” genre : the hero is supposed to unravel the crime, but it is mainly his colleague who plows the work (wonderful, as always, Ricky Lindhome ), and he himself fights in hysterics, rushes at people, returns to alcoholism and almost never lowers his voice.The film is doomed to polarizing reactions, but it is funny and certainly unusual.

“The Witches”

New adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book, from which Nicholas Rogue and Jim Henson’s puppeteers made a strange and scary little film thirty years ago. This time it’s Robert Zemeckis, a lot of money and CGI. The story was transferred from England to the American south of the 60s, and the main characters became African-American (which, however, surprisingly, was almost not reflected in any way).Otherwise, everything is the same: the orphan boy moves in with his grandmother (Octavia Spencer) to a luxurious hotel, where a convention of witches is taking place, who are going to turn all the children of the world into mice with the help of a special elixir.

The main – and only, as it turns out – attraction: Anne Hathaway as the Supreme Witch, a villainess with gutta-percha body parts, a blistered bald head, a gold bra and a Nazi accent. This is Hathaue’s Joker , an extremely extravagant, almost cartoon work (somewhere it is really drawn, of course, unlike Angelica Houston at the Horn).Alas, Hathaway shines against an expressionless background. The film has a protracted beginning, a trivial middle, a loose ending, uncharacteristic characters, it is too childish for adults, too old for children and depressing for everyone.

Topic details

Who, if not a mouse: what you need to know about “The Witches” – a new film by Robert Zemeckis

Who, if not a mouse: what you need to know about “The Witches” – a new film by Robert Zemeckis

Rebecca

And one more remake that no one needed: another version of the novel by Daphne du Maurier, based on which one of his most famous films was directed by Hitchcock.The author is the ambitious and talented but somewhat lost Briton Ben Wheatley; it is difficult to say what he wanted to say with this piece. “Rebecca” – a neo-Gothic melodrama-thriller : a girl from a poor family (Lily James), the companion of an American bitch, in Monte Carlo meets a beautifully yearning aristocrat widower (Armie Hammer), who marries her and takes her to his family estate Manderlei, where everyone only says that about the previous owner, the late Rebecca.

It’s even incomprehensible how such a bland stew was obtained from such spicy ingredients.If you try to say something good about the film, you will have to remember the beautiful costumes. Still not bad Sam Riley in a supporting role. Otherwise, the trouble is: the artists seem to fall asleep on the go, there is no sexual tension, Wheatley has zero interesting ideas, and even Christine Scott-Thomas, who plays the fatal housekeeper Mrs. Danvers (her ending was slightly changed), fails her trump exit.

Topic details

Streaming Dumb: We Know What You Will Watch This Halloween

Streaming Dumb: We Know What You’ll Be Watching This Halloween

Predatortale | Undertale AU Wiki

* Pheh, this is a bit creepy, don’t you think so? Attention! This AU is a horror movie, so the faint of heart shouldn’t read this article

* Also, I’m twelve.Kids my age might say something is MUCH worse. Attention, child! If you are a child, then do not read this page!

* I see that the Creator has not finished this article, so I have to help him. Would you like to join? .. * What was I just talking about? Oh yes…! This is a stub It contains incomplete information You can help the Undertale AU Wiki by supplementing it.

WOW-VI! LIKE, I COMPLETELY INVESTIGATED THIS AU! FU-UH … MY WORKING HERE IS ENDED! IT IS POSSIBLE TO COME AND TO OTHER UNIVERSES! Attention! The AU presented in this article is complete and will not be supplemented.

Predatortale

Owner (s)

Foxy-Sierra

Status

Completed

Creators

Foxy-Sierra

Predatortale (from the English predator – predator) is a comic book based on the universe created by Foxy-Sierra, where monsters need to eat human meat to maintain life. Dr. Alphys came up with an artificial substitute that allows the monsters to somehow live, but in order to fully get fed, one substitute is clearly not enough for them, from which all the monsters are very lethargic and saddened.

Background

Once upon a time … Two races ruled the surface …

People and Monsters. However, Humans lived in fear of monsters.

And all because of the nature of the existence of monsters.

To maintain their bodies, they had to take human lives.

This resulted in severe bloodshed due to the frequent hunting.

After the loss of many, the People began to act.

The sacrifice of seven brave Men, the Monsters were imprisoned deep underground, doomed to perish.

Many years later, legends began to be made about the demonic Mount Abbott.

They said that everyone who climbs on it will disappear, swallowed up by the mountain.

About those fools who nevertheless climbed the mountain …

Nobody ever heard of it again.

History

It all starts with one child falling into a dungeon. There, the main character meets Flowey, who looks intimidating, but he says that he will not kill the hero, since he has not seen people for a long time and he is interested in how far Frisk can go.He then tells Frisk to run.

From fear, Frisk flees deep into the Ruins, where he tries to avoid hungry and predatory monsters.

Moving on, the child finds a well-groomed and beautiful home. Going inside, she hears a woman’s voice and calls out to her. Toriel comes out to meet him, delighted that she has guests, but after that she is surprised that her guest is a human child.

Toriel was friendly and apologized for not being able to meet him earlier because she was unable to leave the house.Embracing the child, she invited him to take a nap.

After putting the child to bed, Toriel goes down to the basement, where Sans was already waiting for her outside the door. Toriel asks Sansa for a promise that he will take care of the person if he comes here. Sansa replied that he would try but promise nothing.

Further in the comic, we are shown Toriel, who was horrified to discover that the artificial substitute, which should have been enough for a month, is almost over. Frisk comes to her kitchen, but she tells him to leave as soon as possible and close in his room.Frisk was about to leave, but Toriel, distraught with hunger, chased after him, howling and screaming inhumanly.

She drove the child to a dead end, after which she attacked him with her magic. Frisk begged her to stop, after which he noticed that she hesitated, but could not control herself. He hugged her, trying to reason with her, after which Toriel regained consciousness. She realized that it was too dangerous for the child to stay here and he must leave the Dungeon as soon as possible. She tells him that he must be careful and must get to the barrier as soon as possible, otherwise Asgore can kill him.

Leaving the Ruins, Frisk meets Flowey again.

Once in the forest, Frisk noticed that someone was following him. He turns around and notices Sans, who does not allow him to escape, magic raising the child above the ground. Sans says that they need to leave as soon as possible before “they” come. Frisk trusted the skeleton and he brought him to his home. Sans went upstairs to check on his brother, leaving Frisk downstairs. The child heard a voice from the kitchen and saw Papyrus lying in the darkness. He said that he tried to change the burned out light bulb, but felt dizzy.Frisk and Sans, who suddenly appeared next to him, lifted him up, helping him to get to the couch. Sans tells his brother that he found the child in the forest and brought it here before the hunters overtook them. Papyrus tells Frisk that in this place it is too dangerous for him and he must leave. Sans began joking about food, as if hinting that Frisk might be their dinner.

Having dragged Frisk into the kitchen under the pretext of “talking”, Sans began to threaten him, saying that if he somehow hurt his brother, Sans would find him in any part of the dungeon and kill him.Sans also said that the Papyrus is against killing people.

After that Sans, together with the man, prepared spaghetti for Papyrus, while Sans gave his brother a substitute. After that, he says that Frisk will not want to see them in a state of hunger. The child replied that he would definitely not want to see something like that again again. These words worried Sans.

When the child took a nap, Papyrus found Sans standing next to the child. He said that he only wanted to cover the child with a blanket, but Papyrus did not believe him.The elder skeleton left the house and walked towards the Ruins, hoping that Toriel was okay.

Using magic, Sans grabbed Flowey who was pursuing him. The flower tried to say that it was not necessary to leave Papyrus with the child, but Sans said that he was aware and he knew that being near the “food” Papyrus would not be able to hold back for long. Sans then kills Flowey.

Frisk wakes up and finds Papyrus sitting next to him not in his best condition. He was transformed, his skull looked like a Gaster Blaster, and his bones were breaking through his clothes.Papyrus begged the child not to approach him, because he cannot control himself, but Frisk does not listen. He wishes to help the skeleton and runs to the kitchen in search of the substitute that Sans recently gave him. Unable to restrain himself any longer, Papyrus attacks the child, biting into his shoulder.

Sans comes to the door to the Ruins, but does not receive an answer from Toriel, after which, he opens the door and sees the dust of Toriel, believing that Frisk killed her. Most likely, Toriel committed suicide.

Frisk jumps back in horror from Papyrus while he sits in the corner and asks for his forgiveness. He wanted to treat the child’s wound, but at that moment Sans returns to the house. In an attempt to save the child, Papyrus teleports him outside.

Frisk runs away to Waterfall and finds someone’s jacket. He washes the wound with water and bandaged his arm with a jacket.

Frisk meets Temmie, whose foot is stuck between the boards. Temmie says they need to run away quickly before the “angry fish” arrives. At this moment, the bridge breaks and Undyne crawls out of the water.Frisk grabs Temmie and escapes with her, escaping Undyne’s attacks. They run to the end of the bridge and accidentally fall down, right on the spikes. However, at this moment they are saved by Gaster, which takes them aside, not allowing them to fall on sharp stones.

Sans comes to the laboratory to Gaster and starts yelling at him because he knew all this time, but was silent about where the person was. Sans was about to go and catch the man, but Gaster stopped him, saying that he would not let him interrupt the fun.

Running away further, Frisk starts crying and screaming that he is hurt, scared and hungry. Then Muffet comes out to meet him, who says that she can provide him with help. She said that she would not kill Frisk, because he saved her friend and, in principle, the murder itself is meaningless. She also says that no one wants to catch the eye of Sansu and it is better for them to go for cover. Suddenly Sans attacks them with a Gaster Blaster.

Muffet rescues Frisk, helping him escape and detains Sans herself.After that, they start to fight and during the battle Sans tries to kill Muffet. Having caught up with her, he snatches out one pair of her hands.

Frisk finds himself in Temmi’s secret lair, but they refuse to help him and are not going to go further with him. He was in a huge spider-web dome. In the distance, Frisk saw Muffet calling him. Following her, the child stumbles upon a huge spider.

The scene moves to Sans, who tells Gaster that he was able to kill only one of Muffet’s puppets, but did not find her.After that, Gaster sent him the coordinates.

Sans, on Gaster’s orders, finds Undyne and tries to talk to her, but she screams and attacks him.

Frisk woke up in the lair of the real Muffet and almost screamed when he saw her. This upset the spider, but Frisk apologized, saying that he did not want to offend her. She said that Frisk was safe with her, but, contrary to her words, an angry Undyne bursts into her lair, breaking the floor. Sans saved Frisk from falling by landing him on the ground.During the fight, Muffet falls into lava. Sans started yelling at Frisk due to the fact that he cried over her death. The skeleton said that the child is to blame for the fact that Toriel is dead, and his brother is now on the brink, but so far he does not kill him, because Gaster needs Frisk alive and therefore he took him to the laboratory. After that, he drags the child and throws him to Gaster. He says that he fulfilled his part in Gaster’s plan and now he must fulfill his own, and he teleports to Papyrus, hoping to help him.

Gaster approaches the child, but he jumps away from him in horror.Gaster, assuming such a child’s reaction, begins his speech, from which we learn that Frisk initially had no choice, and that they were simply led to their destination. After all the dialogues, Gaster says, “I guess you wanted to come to the surface to escape the dungeon. Let me grant this wish,” after which, he pierces Frisk with a bone. Sans, returning home, sees that Papyrus has died, most likely due to hunger. Sans cries, but after a while, gets angry with Gaster and comes to the Last Corridor.

Sans comes into the hallway and yells at Gaster, asking what he has been doing all this time. Gaster says he doesn’t know why Sans didn’t expect the result that happened, and that the “pills” that Sans gave Papyrus simply accelerated the process of breaking the latter’s promise, and that the thought that Gaster could have saved Papyrus was stupid. Sans, no longer wanting to listen to Gaster, with the words “Shut up, you filthy fratricide!” shoots the latter, but to no avail. Gaster says that Sans has always been a rebel, but this act was too stupid.So Gaster releases his new creation, H-002 – a hybrid of a man and a monster-boss (Frisk with the soul of Asgora). As Gaster himself says, this is an improved version of his other project, H-001. One of the innovations is that H-002 is a person with a monster soul, and not a monster with a human soul, like H-001.

Sans is outraged that Gaster allowed Papyrus to die just to revive the failed experiment, but Gaster reiterates that he did not “revive” it, but simply tweaked it to create the perfect killing machine.After these words, Gaster orders N-002 to kill Sans and not leave the Last Corridor until he completes the task. Sans immediately throws blue dice at H-002, but to no avail, and he ends up behind Sans, inflicting heavy damage and knocking Sans against the wall. Gaster says that if Sans doesn’t want to die like his brother, then he advises to concentrate all attention on H-002. The latter tries to repeat the last trick, but to no avail, and Sans dodges him. Then H-002 uses the king’s soul and begins to burn Sansa.Sans suggests that if H-002 has the soul of Asgore, then he also has 6 human souls, so if he kills H-002, then he can take souls for himself and take revenge on Gaster by killing him. After that, Sansa’s head looks like a Gaster Blaster, and he also has a bony tail. Sans uses all his strength, and does H-002 a lot of damage, but as a result, he still loses.

Gaster, sitting on the throne of Asgore, believes that Sans is dead, and N-002 has done his job. So Gaster is already planning to do the rest of his plan, but Sans suddenly enters the hall and fires a huge blaster, but to no avail, and N-002 finally finishes him off.Gaster is angry that H-002 left the Last Corridor without killing Sans, so he says he will be punished. Gaster and H-002 destroy the barrier and come to the surface. At the end, Gaster says: “I have already forgotten how beautiful the sky is. And now, I will lead the remaining monsters into an age of prosperity. I will recreate a new world in which People serve one purpose – to be food for monsters. A world in which my word is law “.

Interesting details

• Apparently, Sans does not hesitate to taste not only human flesh, but also the monsters themselves.
• In Falls, Frisk finds Monster’s sweater, stained with dust. There is an assumption that he died of hunger, or committed suicide, judging by the echo colors that repeat his last phrase, where he apologizes to his parents for not being strong enough.
• In the comic itself, this is not disclosed, but there is also an assumption that Undyne, distraught with hunger, could no longer be the main royal guard, from which it disintegrated and some “hunters” came to their place.

Monstera leaves turn yellow, diseases and pests

Why do monstera leaves turn yellow?

If you take care of the plant correctly, then diseases rarely affect the bush and leaves of the monstera. In case of violation of the conditions of detention, Monstera signals the onset of problems with its appearance: changes in color, abscission, dryness, change in shape, as well as underdeveloped leaf size. For clarity, we will consider specific changes in the appearance of Monstera (leaves turn yellow or dry, the appearance of spots, etc…)

Florists often complain that the leaves of the monstera turn yellow. Why it happens? The main reasons are bay, cold, too much sun, lack of light and lack of food. Since the problem is common, let’s take a closer look at it.

• If only the lower leaves have turned yellow, small brown spots have appeared on them, and fresh leaves are dark and small, then there is not enough moisture – watering should be increased.
• A case of global yellowing of the leaves followed by a pale color indicates that the plant is receiving too much sunlight.Save the bush from direct sunlight by covering the window with a light curtain.
• Meanwhile, insufficient lighting also provokes their yellowness, but under such circumstances they still begin to fall off. If you do not increase the light supply in time, you can get a bare trunk with several apical leaves of a pale green color.
• The appearance of yellow leaves with signs of wilting and decay indicates the plant is overrun. In this case, the yellow leaves should be removed and the moisture reduced.
• The best measure for detecting rotten roots is an emergency Monstera transplant. In this case, rotten roots should be removed, and the remaining ones should be sprinkled with charcoal. Transplant the plant into a pot of smaller diameter and do not moisten the soil for three days.
• Do the leaves continue to turn yellow? Then it’s all about the lack of food. Fertilize the soil with a special product or wood ash (2 tablespoons in a three-liter can of water).
• Small and poorly cut leaves indicate a lack of light.To solve this problem, it is enough to increase the flow of sunlight. Meanwhile, the appearance of a pale color of the leaves speaks of the opposite problem – it is required to reduce the sun’s rays on the plant.

Problems in the process of growing Monstera

– Monstera leaves dry .
In the case of drying out and falling of the lower leaves, we can talk about an excessively high temperature in the room. Often, such cases are recorded during the heating season, if the plant is located next to the radiators; or in summer – when the bush is in direct sunlight.Moving the plant or lowering the temperature can fix the problem. Meanwhile, the regular loss of a few bottom sheets is the usual path of Monstera’s development. It happens that only the edges of the leaves dry and turn brown, such cases are observed when the pot is too small for the Monstera or it needs increased nutrition.

– Sluggish leaves of monstera .
As a rule, the problem of sluggish leaves appears during the winter months, when low air temperatures are accompanied by abundant soil moisture.To restore health to the leaves, you need to even out the temperature background and reduce watering. Along with lethargy, yellowness may be observed, which will also go away when the recommendations are followed.

– Leaves are curled .
The facts of leaf curling indicate that it is too hot in the room, especially often such problems are observed in winter. The normal temperature regime in Monstera is a corridor from 15 to 20 degrees with plus Celsius.

– The appearance of spots on the leaves .
Brown spots on the leaves of Monstera may indicate that the bush is in a draft. To solve the problem, it is enough to move the plant. It should be noted that when placing the Monstera on the aisle, you can expose it not only to a draft, but also to the risk of deformation of the leaves, which, when touched, break easily. Darker spots on signal bush bay. In this case, the plant should be transplanted according to the above recommendations. In general, excess moisture is fraught with heavy restoration of the bush.

– Monstera leaves turn black .
The reasons for the appearance of blackness on the leaves are a lot. To find the root of the problem, you need to observe the plant. If blackness is preceded by yellowing and dryness, then often it’s all about a lack of moisture. Moisten the soil liberally and spray the bush. The case of the color of the green leaves immediately turning black – signals that the plant is excessively flooded with water. In this case, the leaves can begin to rot and become covered with black drying spots. If not only the leaves have become black, but also their rudiments inside the buds, then the land in which it grows is not suitable for Monstera.It should be transplanted, adhering to the composition of the soil indicated above.

Diseases and pests of Monstera

Spider mites, as a rule, appear in excessively dry air. On the stems, a cobweb appears in the internodes, the leaves wither and fall off. To bring the Monstera back to life, you need to wipe the plant with a damp sponge and soap or wash the bush under a warm shower. Then regularly spray the leaves with water. If the spider mite infestation is strong, then spraying should be carried out with actellik solution (0.15% at the rate of up to 2 milliliters per liter can of water).

Scabbards – with such a lesion, brown plaques form on top of the leaves and stem, sucking the cell sap from the monstera. In this case, the leaves dry out, lose color and fall off. To cure a plant, you need to carry out the same measures as when fighting a spider mite. You can also try rubbing the affected leaves with a solution prepared according to this recipe: mix liquid soap (20 grams) with alcohol (1 teaspoon) and warm water (1 liter). Leaves should be wiped on both sides every other day.

Aphids – the presence of such a pest can be determined by the curvature of the tops and stickiness of the leaves. Then black fungi may appear on the plant, interfering with the process of photosynthesis. The rate of destruction of aphids is rapid. To combat effectively use this recipe: boil 20 grams of mustard powder with boiling water, let it brew. Spray the leaves and stem of Monstera with this solution. Shows itself well in the fight against aphids and a decoction of garlic or onion husks, which should also be regularly sprayed with the bush.

Thrips – the appearance of this pest is provoked by a high ambient temperature coupled with low air humidity. As a rule, numerous thrips colonies appear on the lower parts of the leaves, and light dots on the upper parts. As a result of damage, the upper surface of the leaves acquires a brownish-gray tint and a characteristic silvery sheen. To cure Monstera, you should spray the bush with insecticides (intra-vir, phytoderm, actellik, decis).

Mealybugs – this disease affects the shoots and young leaves of the plant.The leaves dry, bend and fall off, and the plant gradually dies. Measures to combat this phenomenon are identical to the methods of getting rid of Monstera from a spider mite.

Do you like the information? Share it with your friends!

loading …

And don’t forget about our forum community! Join the ranks of florists and plant lovers!;)

Plush Monsters – MK

+
A
–

ALICE.Gorbushka

Traditionally, Alisa’s concerts break not only the hearts of music lovers, but also other parts of the body, not to mention interior items. Passionate live performances are perhaps the only thing left of the former “Alice”. The music that the group is now recording can hardly be called harsh and even more aggressive, Konstantin Kinchev himself became a peace-loving and very religious citizen, but at concerts the rebellious beginning of “Alice” unexpectedly comes to life, and real rock and roll begins.It was he who reigned in Gorbushka, where Kinchev and Co. recently opened a new concert season.

How it looked

How Alice’s concerts should look like, that is, demonically. At the beginning of the eighth, the lights went out, two lanterns lit up on the stage, the musicians appeared and immediately brought down Tsoev’s “Night” on the audience. It was a win-win move. The people howled, five bright fire bombs flashed in the orchestra, the firemen goggled their eyes in fright, but just in case they did not climb into the crowd.In general, there was a feeling that control over the situation was about to be lost and it was not clear how it would all end. Such emotions are quite typical for “Alice’s” concerts, as well as the fact that the finale of Kinchev’s performances has been quite peaceful lately. Like the Cave of Fear ride. On the one hand, you can put it in your pants, but on the other, everyone knows that monsters are plush. All and sundry have already said about the rapidly growing plushness of Kinchev. Probably, the leader of “Alice” is really not that terrible monster who is a drug addict and could fight with the police, but at the same time…

Pluses

Kinchev is almost the only classic frontman in his generation . And the classic frontman is not a blurred-eyed philosopher or a wheezing bard. This is the type who, to the accompaniment of loud and primitive music, jumps across the stage in tight jeans and heavy boots, makes faces, yells in a bad voice and does not look like a clown. In the fifth ten, Kinchev is just like that. Lean, muscular, pliable and charismatic.In general, where we fall short of our voice, we use facial expressions and gestures. And the leader of “Alisa” managed to write songs that will allow him to experiment and release sluggish albums for a long time. The main thing is a competent set list at a concert, and here she is – a rock legend. And if a tolerable sound is added to this, then the audience does not want a greater reward. This time, everything worked out with the songs and sound, and the frontman’s task was significantly simplified, because the audience sang more than half of the concert for him.

Cons

With all due respect to Tsoi and Vysotsky, three covers in one performance are still too much.As a result, the popular request remained unfulfilled, and the fans lost “We Are Together” and even “My Generation”. And after a short break, the keyboard player reappeared in the group. True, they didn’t let him take a walk, but sometimes he gave out very strange sounds, which made some people compare the sound of “Alice” with the sound of the famous English gothic band “The Mission”. Something really similar. But just as much as Gorbushka resembles the London hall of Brixton Academy.

Party phrase

“Dude, I’m into the meat!” – shouted one of the soldiers of “Army” Alice “.However, it turned out that it was not about alcohol intoxication. Beer in Gorbushka is clearly expensive for young people. This is how the real hotheads indicate their intention to plunge into the parterre riot.

90,000 ROC against the Pasta Monster: A Brief History of Pastafarianism in Russia

In general, when the ROC MP had just registered the first group, the explanation for this was extremely simple: we are a religious group, but there is a law on the protection of the feelings of believers, and we are also believers so we want to protect our senses in this way.But now, it seems, no one wants to take this opportunity – to file a lawsuit against “God’s will”, whose members hoot and called their religion heretical, and Bobby Henderson – a false prophet.

“We are a peaceful religion,” Borodin believes. “And we will fully achieve our goal by simply defending ourselves against their attack. This will be a passive defense, and that will be enough. Although, of course, we must work out a clear common goal, somehow fight against people carrying the truth, for example, the Christian, with fire and sword.But first you need to strengthen yourself.

Amir, who is clearly facing a fine, is going to protest:

– I do not plead guilty and will never plead guilty. Since childhood, I didn’t like it when they tried to sew on something that I didn’t do, and I’ll never love it. We will fight to the end to be acquitted. It won’t work, well, that means we’ll pay a fine.

As for the protection of his feelings, he also sees no reason to take advantage of the law on the protection of feelings: it is extremely difficult to offend his feelings.

– I am against counterclaims. We will continue to carry out pasta moves, standing, sitting, celebrating the pirate’s day. Let “God’s will” come, let it. We were detained because we were in colanders, so we will probably dress normally now so as not to provoke the police. How are we to be? Give up our faith? Many Pastafarians want us to canonize Enteo, because without his speeches so many people would not have learned about Pastafarianism, Amir reflects. “And thanks to Pastafarianism, I have found people who think in the same way as I do.I cannot convey in any words the feeling when you meet people and see their open minds and hearts. This is very powerful.

We were detained because we were in colanders, so we will probably dress normally now, so as not to provoke the police.

Vadim, pastriarch Pasta Kama I, is trying to look a little further into the future.

– I’ve read somewhere about us and these events, that in the current conditions people of dissent, in order not to get into politics, got into such humor.But here they don’t understand humor either, – he throws up his hands. – Despite the repressions against humor, the flow of people only increased, this suggests that people cannot be stopped. There is only one alternative – to sit at home and be fully integrated into the system, lie under it. Or say what I have the right to say. This is a conflict. And oddly enough, Pastafarianism turned out to be the way that drew a clear line between people who are truly believers and fanatically believers. This is why it was worth doing, because our opponents look absurd in the eyes of sane people.

Vadim understands that in this conflict he will sooner or later face a choice: between convictions that are clothed in such a stupid form from the outside, and between business. He intends to postpone the moment of choice, so he is not ready to disclose his surname, from September he plans to make the post of pastriarch a replaceable one – every month a new pastriarch. Transfer the site to foreign servers and minimize the possible damage for all members of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Oddly enough, Pastafarianism turned out to be the way, which drew a clear line between people and true believers and fanatical believers.

– As for the protection of those people who have become public, of course, I will always protect them. I have already told them: “If they are kicked out of work, I’ll take it to my place, we will open a business, we’ll come up with something.” I won’t take all fifteen thousand, of course, but all the same. As for my personal responsibility, as soon as the time comes, I will answer.

The only thing that all the main figures of the ROC-MP agree on is that their future is not at all obvious at all. A couple of months ago, only a handful of network geeks knew about them, now, in support of them, two hundred people in Rome are picketing the Russian embassy.One thing is clear – the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate will continue to take people to the rallies, try to joke, not realizing that the jokes have long since ended. “God’s will” will continue to come to their meetings, it will still incite the police, it will still scribble slander, it will still point the finger and provoke. And the whole question is what, because of this, the Russian Pastafarian Church of Pasta Pastriarchy will turn into: a full-fledged dish or a boiled mess.

Photo: Illustrations: Evgeny Tonkonogiy

Do you often check your mail? Let there be something interesting from us.

Deathwing. Space marines in the labyrinth / Overclockers.ua

	Space Hulk: Deathwing
Developer	Streum On Studio
Publisher	Focus Home Interactive
Official site	spacehulk-deathwing.com
Release date	December 2016
Genre	Shooter

The Warhammer universe takes on more and more virtual incarnations.Different studios periodically delight players with various projects. Among them is the recently released shooter Space Hulk: Deathwing from Streum On Studio and Focus Home Interactive. The gloomy world of Warhammer 40,000, harsh Space Marines and endless battles with monsters – the game threatened to give players exactly what one can expect in this theme. This was partly successful, but the game turned out to be ambiguous.

Space Hulk: Deathwing tells the story of an elite squad of Space Marines from the Deathwing unit of the Order of the Dark Angels.Along with other soldiers, our squad is organizing a sweep on an ancient cluster of spaceships, the so-called Space Wanderer. And the whole point of the game is in the methodical destruction of all evil spirits in the dark labyrinths of the inner compartments of a huge pile of spaceships. There is some history, but the level of player involvement is minimal. The plot is presented simply, in the form of small text notes before missions and during the briefing. The story can get some kind of movement forward after the discovery of the desired object, but everything is so arranged that what is happening looks as impersonal as possible.

The game begins with a pretentious cutscene, followed by a sluggish introduction and a long aimless wandering through the corridors before shooting and cutting down monsters begins. The developers have relied on the atmosphere. Space Hulk: Deathwing demonstrates gloomy interiors with an original design, when moving, the heaviness of a combat suit is fully felt, the sound of footsteps and luscious voice acting of the weapon well emphasizes the feeling of a formidable armored “tank”.

We are opposed by tyranid monsters who crawl out of different cracks and tunnels.The movement of Space Marines is limited by the impressive dimensions of the suit, so we often have to naturally cut our way through crowds of enemies. There is an element of randomness in the appearance of monsters, they are generated at different points like Left 4 Dead. Therefore, with a new passage of the mission, each battle will develop differently. The intricate structure of the levels also contributes to some variability. You can look for new ways in this maze, break through doors, lock doors behind you, blocking the path of enemies.

The problem is that even with some variation, the game looks the same. Despite the presence of different varieties, in fact, two main types of monsters can be distinguished – some run in droves to reach us with their claws, others act from a distance using weapons. As the game progresses, their appearance changes slightly, new subspecies and larger tyranids appear as mini-bosses, but the monsters do not differ in behavior. The game does not seek to build any original situations.You just make your way from one point to another, fighting off enemies, sometimes holding a position for a given time. Situations with more cunning conditions are extremely rare, where, for example, you need to beat off the supports and close the gate, cutting off the monsters. There should be more such moments, somehow affecting the monotonous gameplay.

The fights themselves can be very fierce at times, especially in key areas that are the ultimate goal of your mission. Immediately from all the cracks monsters run in, forcing your hulking fighter to control different directions and follow your partners.In single player mode, you will be supported by a couple of additional fighters who will support with fire and distract clusters of monsters. One of his comrades is a medic, and on command he can heal any member of the squad. The problem is that a fighter caught in cross-blows can quickly lose health, and you will not have time to react. To replenish health, there is also the possibility of calling a portal, which will move everyone to a safe place where you can revive the fallen, heal the wounded and upgrade weapons.During the mission, you use a limited number of heals and portal calls, which forces you to act more carefully.

The hero’s initial arsenal consists of an assault rifle and a sword. As you progress, you will receive new types of weapons, as a reward at the end of the mission or through the search for relics in the level. Each type of weapon is unique in feel and properties, has its own pros and cons. The rapid-fire light machine gun has a strong recoil and takes time to spin up.The powerful Plasma Rifle tears enemies apart easily, but the rate of fire is very low. Each partner can be assigned their own set of weapons, endowing it with a separate specialization. However, in single mode, balance is needed so that the fighters can stand up for themselves in different conditions.

The game has the possibility of cooperative passage, and here players can concentrate on one thing – for example, get rid of rifles completely in order to equip themselves with a shield and a powerful hammer. When playing with other players, a clear division of specialization has its advantages, you just need to act as a team, so that melee fighters and shooters cover each other.

The main character also has psi-abilities in his arsenal. Enemies can be scattered with a force wave or be struck with lightning. At the end of the missions, special points are issued, which are spent on upgrades for one hero and the whole team. Three branches of development give some new skills, psi-abilities or bonuses to defense. The limited number of points forces you to stick to one branch if you want the maximum upgrades, although you can partially pump several directions.

All combat skills are actively used in combat.You cut off monsters-shooters from firearms or plasma weapons, attack nearby, chop with a sword or club, not forgetting about lightning and other psi-skills. Massive skirmishes quickly turn into a colorful show with an abundance of flashes, flying carcasses and bright explosions in the background. In some places, explosive containers are carefully placed, separate pipes release luminous streams of liquid. So there is even some level of interactivity, although the overall interaction with the world is very limited.The weapon would be perceived even more convincingly, whether there were hints of the destructibility of individual interior elements or shrapnel when hitting them.

Visually, the game conveys the style of Warhammer 40,000 well. Gloomy dark corridors of technical rooms are combined with Gothic temple halls. There is a strange combination of industrial age and iconic gigantism in all of this.

Development of levels and detailing of the environment at a good level, there are hints at the individuality of each new location.Although the abundance of cramped corridors still plays an aggravating role, which is why the game sometimes seems to be of the same type, even visually.

Thanks to the Unreal Engine 4, the game demonstrates a good and modern picture. In places it is not felt to the fullest due to the too dark environment (blurring sensations and abundant post-effects), but in other places the game just flourishes.

Space Hulk: Deathwing puts high demands on the performance of graphics accelerators.And we decided to supplement the review with a small comparative testing of three video cards, which will give a general idea of ​​what level of the solution will stretch the maximum graphics quality. Testing conducted with our standard graphics card benchmark using NVIDIA GeForce 376.19 and Radeon drivers: AMD Crimson 16.12.1. The fps limiting has been unlocked by editing the configuration file GameUserSettings.ini . It is enough to register two lines there in the first section of the settings:

FrameRateLimit = 999
bSmoothFrameRate = False

A certain sequence of actions was replayed at the beginning of the first mission – examining the level, walking and shooting barrels.

During the moments of fights with large groups of monsters, performance may drop lower, but such moments in the game are difficult to repeat due to the random generation of enemies.

If we evaluate the test results taking into account the possible load in battle, then we must admit that smooth performance with an acceptable frame rate will be provided by video cards of the GeForce GTX 1060 level. The video adapter Radeon R9 290 is capable of this during overclocking. The old GeForce GTX 780 is not much worse at higher frequencies, but it may have more difficulties in action moments due to the small amount of memory.In the test scene, the game loaded up to 4.5 GB of video memory, and used even more during long gaming sessions.

Decreasing the graphics parameters from the maximum level to the high level will expand the list of video cards that allow you to play comfortably. In this case, the visual changes will be weak. The amount of video memory still plays an important role, since even with high parameters the game uses about 4 GB of memory.

The main advantage of Space Hulk: Deathwing is the presence of the Space Marines themselves, who famously deal with hordes of monsters.And although the heroes are not particularly quick in their movements, they are sometimes played very cheerfully. Unfortunately, the game suffers from monotony, creating the same type of combat situations. And although the difficulty is gradually increasing, the game does not give new impressions. It unfolds too quickly, and the weak plot content provides little incentive for further progress. In a campaign with real players, Space Hulk: Deathwing should be perceived more vividly, but it is hardly worth counting on bright impressions. But this is the only modern shooter based on Warhammer 40,000.If you want solid “meat” with chain swords (which are not here), you should remember the action game Space Marine, released back in 2011. If you recall the entire galaxy of games from different eras of Warhammer, then fans of joint battles against monsters, the not-so-old action game Warhammer: End Times – Vermintide will delight more than the current project Streum On Studio.

90,000 Yamaha ATVs: Reliability for Active Leaders

17 Oct 2017, 02:45

Today, leading an active lifestyle is not only useful, but also fashionable.

More and more people are starting to get involved in sports, preferring extreme recreation instead of the usual pastime in the country or switching channels, sitting on a sofa with a TV remote control. And off-road walking is a great option for entertainment, which will give you a lot of positive emotions.

Benefits for body and mind

Yamaha Sports ATVs are field-proven monsters. These ATVs are not afraid of impassable thickets, they conquer them.Reliable and practical, they will make you feel like a real pioneer.

Why do psychologists recommend such entertainment as “team building”? Because this way, breaking into teams, office workers get excitement, adrenaline. Stresses are relieved, emotional clamps spill out. In addition, off-road walking allows you to make them decisive, show strong-willed and leadership qualities. Ultimately, this affects productivity.

Experienced company leaders spare no expense in the knowledge that the investment pays off.

For active purposeful people

Why is it a great option for families and friends? Shish kebabs and sluggish gatherings are boring. Ball games too. Today they choose an active lifestyle in everything. It is not for nothing that in recent years interest has increased not only in ATVs and difficult trails and tracks, but in paintball and skydiving.

Why is the Yamaha Grizzly ATV so good? He makes you fight the road, overcome its resistance, conquer new paths and achieve your goal.This is entertainment and leadership exercises, pumping your own body and brain.

The reliable choice

Yamaha ATV is not without reason designated by the abbreviation ATV, which stands for All Terrain Vehicle. You can ride with it on any terrain. This brand is considered a leader in its niche: agile, passable, relatively easy to operate – this already captivates.

Yamaha Grizzly is a heavyweight ATV. It does not fail, it allows you to achieve the goal. It doesn’t matter for what purpose it is purchased: for road quests or practical use at work, in a suburban area.