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keirnytee · 7 years

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THE DECISION

After my 26th birthday and an epic trip to Seoul, South Korea last year, I knew I had to somehow make turning twenty 7 even better. I initially planned on going to Turkey but the political climate was too much for me to risk a visit. I was very staunch in finding the perfect place to mark another year of life. Per usual when I make plans, I extended an invitation to some friends but ‘adulting’ got the better of them and so they couldn’t make it. If you recall my last travel blog you’ll know that I have no qualms about traveling alone. Then it hit, I watched so many episodes of reality tv shows with the cast going on these extravagant trips, so why can’t I do the same? That goal was achieved when I booked my holiday for Bali, Indonesia. As an avid viewer of Bravo and a fan of The Real Housewives of Orange County, I recalled how much fun they had in Bali and I knew that would be the right fit. I mean, you don’t have to be affluent to travel, so Bali had better brace itself for the Keirn Up. (cc: my good friend @scheanamarie)

SOARING TO PARADISE

On February 14 I boarded China Eastern Airlines flight MU744 for Bali. As I sat in the plane, all I could think about was how much fun this whole experience will be. I was more anxious than ever before for the plane to take off. As most of my friends know, I can fall asleep anywhere and at the oddest times, which is what happens every time I travel. It doesn’t matter if it’s a 30 minutes car ride or a 16 hour flight, Keirn will be knocked out. Like clockwork, I was out like a lamp and before I could change sleeping positions, the stewardess interrupted with “Excuse me sir. Would you like chicken and rice or beef and noodles?” I couldn’t be angry at her because if it’s one thing I love about flying, is the delicious and well prepared airplane food (you can disagree if you want haha). I had layover in Beijing, China and had to switch planes but it wasn’t long before I was back in the air. I was a bit shocked to see so many Chinese traveling to Bali. Yes, I boarded a plane in China but that meant nothing. LOL. Oh, in case you were wondering, I took the chicken.

After 3 hours and 20 minutes of flight from Nagoya, Japan (NGO) to Beijing (PEK) and 9 hours of flight from Beijing (PEK) to IGusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), I was finally in Bali.

“It was so hot, the heat hit me like a mack truck driving at 120 MPH on the freeway”

SALAMAT DATANG DI BALI (WELCOME TO BALI)

Unlike the housewives, I had no grand greeting party nor a luxury vehicle waiting for; or so I thought. When booking my trip, I opted this time to use Airbnb. (A man’s gotta save some coins for a rainy day :D). I didn’t want to be in the centre of the tourist area nor did I want to be too far out of the city and have to worry about transportation, so I reserved a quiet Joglo in Denpasar which was only 30 minutes or less from the airport. It was also very accessible to the beaches and close enough to the key attractions. Rudy, my host, had arranged my pick up from the airport. I walked around and saw my name on a sign being hoisted in the air. It felt surreal. I’ve never had my name written on a sign before, nor did I ever have a driver wait for my arrival. Coming off of the tourist high in Seoul, I felt more confident in this new role and fully embraced the character I’d assume for the next couple of days. While I didn’t have a greeting party, I did have a luxury vehicle and that was enough for me. Take that OC!

It was so hot, the heat hit me like a mack truck driving at 120 MPH on the freeway. I began peeling off layers of clothing in the airport parking lot while Mandus, my driver, retrieved the car. For some reason, I forgot that my comfy winter attire wasn’t right for this Bali weather.

It wasn’t long before we arrived at our destination and instead of a house, cuz that’s what I pictured it to be, I shocked to see a fully functioning resort of some kind. I was tired, not because jet lag, but the heat had sucked every life out of me. I was given a key, shown my room and off to bed I went. No, I didn’t give my driver a tip. I have great excuse I’ll share later. (Hopefully it’ll hold up LOL)

DAY 1 – SHARED TOUR WITH NEW FRIENDS

I slept like a newborn after being suckled by his mum on fluffy white clouds for pillows. Never have I ever felt so rested. I heard birds chirping in the distance and reached for my phone to stop the alarm. To my amazement, it wasn’t my phone that emitted those sounds, but actual birds in the garden. I was indeed in paradise. Without hesitation, I took a warm shower and went to the garden to see what the plan was for the day.

Last year, I stayed at a guesthouse which included breakfast but since this was an Airbnb I had to pay. Given my budget of 500USD (about 6.7 million rupiah ‘IDR’) I didn’t want to take the chance of purchasing breakfast so I gobbled down my bottle of water with the utmost urgency. Water never tasted so good. It sounds cheap but I had no idea if the cost for breakfast was more expensive when compared to restaurants on the island. Besides, I had plans for more my birthday that would require me to use most, if not all my cash.

I met the host, Rudy, and other members of staff. They were extremely warm and friendly (as they ought to be). I was informed of a shared day tour that they had planned and asked if I was interested. Um…did they think traveled all the way from Japan to sit in my comfortable room? Not that it was a bad idea haha! “Heck yea!” I chirped. (Chirped. Get it? LOL) This also meant that transportation (45USD) for the day would be split three ways. Not a bad way to start I might add.

Ben, Faye and I boarded our vehicle and headed for our first stop on the day’s tour. This time, we had a different driver than the one who picked me up from the airport. Rudy seemed to have thought about everything as our driver, Wayan Sudar, spoke English really well so he was able to provide valuable information when requested. Remember when I said I’d tell you why I didn’t tip the first driver? As it turned out, Ben and Faye had the same dilemma. We didn’t know the acceptable amount to tip someone in Bali. It was agreed that it was better to not tip than to offer money that can’t even buy gas. We arrived at a Batik place that made sarongs. I’ve heard about the work that normally goes into making these lovely pieces of art but seeing it up close made me so appreciative of this experience.

Astonishing work

Making a sarong

We then visited Taman Ayu Luwak Coffee where our palates were met with the most scrumptious teas and coffees, Luwak Coffee, you could ever find. What was even more astounding was how the beans are harvested. That I’ll spare you the details cuz you may never look at coffee the same way again.

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Batuan Temple was next, which would set the precedent for what to expect when visiting temples in Bali. It was here that we learnt one very important use of the sarongs. Upon entering every temple ground in Bali, one has to cover themselves if they aren’t covered properly from the waist down. As with every culture and religion, the Balinese have their traditions and practices so we had to abide by the rules. Else, risk being denied access and being seen as a rude, obnoxious tourist. I was fascinated by the amount of tourists that were at the temple. As one group left, another would enter. I was once again part of this tourist brand and it was a damn good feeling. Let me just say, if you’re ever planning on visiting this temple, though free, a contribution of about 75USD is expected. “Don’t moan about it, just do it.” I thought to myself, this is what being a tourist meant.

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If you thought Day 1 was even ready to be complete, you better think again. It was noon just noon and already we had a bellyful of knowledge about some Balinese culture. The sun and heat were brutal. We needed to seek refugee. Luckily, we had a well air conditioned car that would provide solace. Ben and Faye are from England, which meant lunchtime was just as important them as it was for me. Wayan drove us to Grand Puncak Sari Restaurant for lunch. When we arrive there, we noticed it was buffet style setting. My belly let out a growl so loud from hunger, you’d think it was Gerald Butler as Leonidas in the movie 300, yelling, this is SPARTAAAAA! At that moment, any consideration about my budget was out the window. I cared very little for taking a picture or snapping shots of the restaurant. The hunger was real and I wax extremely ravenous. Heck, I’m even getting hungry writing this. LOL! We sat down and in little time, devoured our first round. I felt like I had one an olympic gold medal for having lasted 3 hours without food (due in part to my own misery ways). Lunch was divine but after two rounds, it would have been gluttonous to pursue a third. We were done.

Beyond the restaurant was the Kintamani Volcano. I’ve never been that close to a volcano in my life and I was both intrigued and nervous. It last erupted 10 years ago, so do the math. Haha!!

Kintamani Volcano

HOT SPRING AND A KECAK DANCE

Exhaustion from viewing the beauty of Kintamani Volcano called for a relaxing time in one of Bali’s most famous hot springs, Toya Devasya. I had no plans of actually bathing in the spring but when I entered the premises, I was enchanted. The property was adorned with an purple elephants, accentuated by the black an white paint. This felt like the advertised Bali you’d find in a pamphlet. The cost was about 100USD and once again, my budget flew out the window. To top it all off, I didn’t pack any swim trunks so I had to purchase one for a measly 50USD. FML!

Day 1 was almost over. I didn’t think anything could make even better. I was wrong. You can’t go to Bali and not attend the Kecak Dance. The dance is usually accompanied by 100 men in chorus which tells the story of how Rama rescued his wife Sita from the devious Ravana. The dance was a sight to behold especially when one of the dancers danced over, on and the fire.

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The Kecak ended around 8pm and I was ready to head back to Rudy’s. When you’re having fun, time really flies. Since I was on a spending spree, I ordered dinner from the kitchen and was given a traditional Balienese meal, Nasi Ayum Betutu. I wish I had taken a picture of this well prepared meal but hunger got the best of me.

Day 1 was filled so many new and exciting experiences. I could only imagine what the rest of the holiday would be like. Stay tuned for part 2.

Till next time.

reallyGOBBY: Keirn

Twenty 7 in Bali: Part 1 THE DECISION After my 26th birthday and an epic trip to Seoul, South Korea last year, I knew I had to somehow make turning…

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pakostdramalyrics · 7 years

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Gal Gadot in Wonder Woman (2017)

REVIEW OF WONDER WOMAN 2017

“Wonder Woman” hits movie theaters around the world next summer 2 June 2017 (USA) when Gal Gadot (Diana Prince / Wonder Woman) returns as the title character in the epic action-adventure from the director Patty Jenkins (“Monster,” AMC’s “The Killing”). Joining Gal Gadot in the international cast are Chris Pine as Steve Trevor (the “Star Trek” films), Connie Nielsen as Queen Hippolyta (Fox’s “The Following,” “Gladiator”), Robin Wright as General Antiope (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” Netflix’s “House of Cards”), David Thewlis (the “Harry Potter” films, “The Theory of Everything”), Danny Huston (“Clash of the Titans,” “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”), Elena Anaya (“The Skin I Live In”), Ewen Bremner (“Exodus: Gods and Kings,” “Snowpiercer”), and Saïd Taghmaoui (“American Hustle”).

Before she was Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, when an American pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside the man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers…and her true destiny.

Gal Gadot in Wonder Woman (2017)

Patty Jenkins directs the film from a screenplay by Allan Heinberg and Geoff Johns, story by Zack Snyder & Allan Heinberg, based on characters from DC Entertainment. Wonder Woman was created by William Moulton Marston.

The film is produced by Charles Roven, Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder and Richard Suckle, with Rebecca Roven, Stephen Jones, Wesley Coller and Geoff Johns serving as executive producers.

Joining Jenkins behind the camera are director of photography Matthew Jensen (“Chronicle,” “Fantastic Four,” HBO’s “Game of Thrones”), Oscar-nominated production designer Aline Bonetto (“Amélie,” “A Very Long Engagement,” “Pan”), Oscar-winning editor Martin Walsh (“Chicago,” “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit,” “V for Vendetta”), and Oscar-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming (“The Dark Knight” trilogy, “Topsy-Turvy”).

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with, an Atlas Entertainment/Cruel and Unusual production, “Wonder Woman.” The film is scheduled for release on June 2, 2017, and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

here are some pictures from the movie

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CHECK OUT THE TRAILER OF WONDER WOMAN 2017

EPIC ACTION ADVENTURE MOVIE WONDER WOMAN REVIEW REVIEW OF WONDER WOMAN 2017 “Wonder Woman” hits movie theaters around the world next summer…

#Action #Adventure #Fantasy #REVIEW OF WONDER WOMAN 2017 #WONDER WOMAN 2017 Offical Trailer #WONDER WOMAN 2017 Review #WONDER WOMAN TRAILER

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deadideaspod · 7 years

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https://media.blubrry.com/deadideas/ia601506.us.archive.org/5/items/DeadIdeas55CuneiformVIITempleProstitutesFactOrFiction/Dead%20Ideas%2055%20Cuneiform%20VII%20Temple%20Prostitutes%20Fact%20or%20Fiction.mp3

Was the famous/infamous institution of temple prostitution in ancient Mesopotamia ever really a thing? And if so, what was that like?

Be sure to support the show at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod to get your portrait drawn!

Time/place: Ancient Mesopotamia, c. 3000 BCE – 300 CE

Dead Idea: Cuneiform

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A Map of Ancient Sumer, c. 3000 BCE, by Adam McKithern

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Main Sources

Bahrani, Z. (2001). Women of Babylon: Gender and Representation in Mesopotamia. New York: Routledge.

Baruch, Book of. 6:43. Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition. Retrieved 6-20-17 from: https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Baruch%206%3A43

Bertman, S. (2005). Handbook of Life in Ancient Mesopotamia. New York: Oxford University Press.

Black, J., Cunningham, G., Robson, E., and Zólyomi, G. (2004). The Literature of Ancient Sumer. New York: Oxford University Press. – “A Supervisor’s Advice to a Young Scribe”

Bottéro, J. (2001). Everyday Life in Ancient Mesopotamia. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

Bottéro, J. (2004). The Oldest Cuisine in the World: Cooking in Mesopotamia. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Budin, S. (2006). “Sacred Prostitution in the First Person.” In: Faraone, C. A. & McClure, L. K. (2006). Prostitutes and Courtesans in the Ancient World. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press.

Bullough, V., and Bullough, B. (1987). Women and Prostitution: A Social History. New York: Prometheus Books.

Chalcier, P. (2011). “Cuneiform Culture’s Last Guardians.” In: Radner, K., and Robson, E. (2011). The Oxford Handbook of Cuneiform Culture. New York: Oxford.

Civil, M., Trans. “Hymn to Ninkasi.” Retrieved May 14th, 2017, from: http://www.piney.com/BabNinkasi.html

Faraone, C. A. & McClure, L. K. (2006). Prostitutes and Courtesans in the Ancient World. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press.

Fink, S. (2013). “The Genealogy of Gilgamesh.” Classica et Christiana, 8(1): pp. 81-107.

Fisher, D. S. (2008). Representations of the Poor in The Poor Man of Nippur and The Eloquent Peasant. Thesis. Nashville, Tennessee: Vanderbilt University.

Foster, B. (1982). “Administration and Use of Institutional Land in Sargonic Sumer.” Copenhagen Studies in Assyriology, Vol. 9. Copenhagen.

George, A., Trans. (1999). The Epic of Gilgamesh: The Babylonian Epic Poem and Other Texts in Akkadian and Sumerian. New York: Penguin.

Glassner, J. (2003). The Invention of Cuneiform. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press.

Harris, S. (2010, Sep. 16). “Prostitutes of God.” Vice. Retrieved 6-20-17 from: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/prostitutes-of-god-episode-1

Herodotus. (1890). The History of Herodotus. Macaulay, G. C., Trans. Retrieved 6-20-17 from: http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/hh/hh1190.htm

Jacobsen, T. (1987). The Harps That Once…: Sumerian Poetry in Translation. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.

Kramer, S. N. (1963). The Sumerians: Their History, Culture, and Character. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Lafront, B. (2001). “The Ordeal.” In: Bottéro, J. (2001). Everyday Life in Ancient Mesopotamia. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

Lahtinen, S. (n.d.). “The Naditum as Businesswoman: The Economic Role of the Naditum in Old Babylonian Sippur.” Thesis. Uppsala University. Retrieved May 17, 2017, from: https://www.academia.edu/354008/The_Old-Babylonian_naditu_as_businesswoman?auto=download

Nemet-Nejat, K. R. (1998). Daily Life in Ancient Mesopotamia. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

“Proverbs, Collection 1.” The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature. Retrieved May 27, 2017, from: http://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/proverbs/t.6.1.01.html

Radner, K., and Robson, E. (2011). The Oxford Handbook of Cuneiform Culture. New York: Oxford.

Roth, M. T. (2006). “Marriage, Divorce, and the Prostitute in Ancient Mesopotamia.” In: Faraone, C. A. & McClure, L. K. (2006). Prostitutes and Courtesans in the Ancient World. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press.

Silver, M. (n.d.). “Temple/Sacred Prostitution in Ancient Mesopotamia Revisited: Religion in the Economy.” Retrieved May 29, 2017, from: https://www.academia.edu/2360254/Temple_Sacred_Prostitution_in_Ancient_Mesopotamia_Revisited

Stone, E. C. (1982). “The Social Role of the Naditu Women in Old Babylonian Nippur.” Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient, 15(1): 50-70.

Superdrug Online Doctors. (n.d.). “Perceptions of Perfection.” Superdrug Online Doctors. Retrieved 6-20-17 from: https://onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/perceptions-of-perfection/?utm_source=affiliatewindow&utm_medium=affiliate

Visicato, G. (2000). The Power and the Writing: Early Scribes of Mesopotamia. Bethesda, MD: CDL Press.

Maps, pics, references, and more at http://www.deadideas.net. Music and graphic design by Rachel Westhoff. Map by Adam McKithern.

Cuneiform VII: Temple Prostitutes – Fact or Fiction? Was the famous/infamous institution of temple prostitution in ancient Mesopotamia ever really a thing? And if so, what was that like?

#ancient/classical #asia

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nicholasrossis · 4 years

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How to Kill a Word

I came across this great slideshow by Patrick McLean on Slideshare (many thanks to Laura for the tip!)

As a big part of writing and, particularly, editing is removing redundant words, I thought you’d enjoy it as much as I did!

[tweetthis]How to Kill a Word[/tweetthis]

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#editing #Patrick McLean #Slideshare

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worldfootprints · 5 years

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What once was old is now new in Florida’s Marion County. One of the “newest” attractions in the city of Ocala, has roots going back nearly 100 years, commemorating an epic FBI shootout with a notorious gang that ended the era of gangsters in the United States. Other attractions in the north-central Florida area are even older—dating back to the 19th century, though they have been repurposed to offer a unique Florida experience.

Ma Barker House

In January, the Ma Barker House, opened for tours to commemorate one gang’s demise in one of the most famous shootouts in FBI history, during an era notorious for gangsters like Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly. The Barker boys— Arthur, Herman, Lloyd, and Fred— committed a string of murders, robberies, and kidnapping across the country and were in and out of prison beginning in 1910. Abandoned by their father, their mother Kate Barker tried to protect and excuse them; some say she was one of the gang.

Fred Barker, the youngest son, born in 1901, began his criminal career as a juvenile but his first arrest as an adult was in 1926 when he robbed a bank in Winfield, Kansas. In prison, Fred joined forces with another gangster, Alvin Karpis, a burglar, and in 1931 they formed the Barker/Karpis Gang, which included some of the other Barker boys.

The gang operated between Chicago and St. Paul, Minnesota much of the time. In St. Paul, Police Chief Thomas Brown protected them so crime was profitable and safe until they kidnapped two prominent people. The FBI was brought into the case because kidnapping is a federal crime and the gang decided to flee the area and hide out in Florida where they were unknown.

Outside of Ma Barker’s House. Photo: Kathleen Walls

Hiding Out in Florida

Fred, Karpis and other gang members moved in with Kate “Ma” Barker, to the Marion County, Florida house she’d rented under the pretext that Ma was a grieving widow who needed some peace and quiet. She and her sons used the alias of Blackburn. The FBI discovered their hideout after Arthur (Doc) Barker was arrested and the FBI found a map of the area and a letter from Ma mentioning a large gator nicknamed “Gator Joe.”

The FBI traced the gang to the Ocala area and located their hideout. On January 16, 1935, when only Fred and Ma were at the house, the FBI raided it. They surrounded the house and ordered the two to surrender. Fred refused and both sides fired back and forth. The shootout lasted hours, until fire from the Barker house stopped and the FBI convinced a neighbor to enter the home. No one was left alive.

J Edgar Hoover’s Proclamation

After the shootout, J. Edgar Hoover, head of the recently established FBI, realized that shooting a 61-year-old widow might not look so good in the press. He claimed that Ma Barker was, “the most vicious, dangerous, and resourceful criminal brain of the last decade.”

In later years, surviving gang members, including Alvin Karpis, who was likely the real mastermind behind the gang’s activities, refuted that. Karpis and others said Ma was sent to the movies while crimes were being planned to keep her out of the way. Another bank robber friend of the Barkers, went so far as to say Ma, “Couldn’t even plan breakfast.”

Chair with bullet holes still in it from the Barker shootout with the FBI. Photo: Kathleen Walls

A Tour of the Gang’s Lair

Rumored to be haunted for years, the house where the shootout and the Barkers death took place, was moved from its original location outside of Ocala to county-owned land and turned into a museum. The house is furnished as it was at the time of the shootout.

The tour begins in the living room which has a brick fireplace and natural wood floors with rugs around. The furniture is nice but not luxurious. The place is filled with pictures of the original owners of the house as well as the Barker family.

Upstairs is the spooky part. One bedroom for the Barker boys contains an iron bed and another has a bed with no head or footboard. Pictures show there at the time, there were many cots set up all around the house to accommodate other gang members. Ma’s room is the nicest with a sled bed and Queen Anne type furniture.

The bodies of Ma and Fred were found in the upstairs front bedroom. That room holds a chair with bullet holes that would have been set near the window in the bedroom where Fred and Ma were shot. Many of the bullet holes from the shootout are still visible in the house.

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Silver Springs State Park

For a more uplifting outing in Ocala, visit nearby Silver Springs State Park, the gateway to the Ocala National Forest. It was originally known as Silver Springs Nature Theme Park, the oldest attraction in Florida dating back to 1878, but became a state park in 2013.

Statues underwater taken from the glass-bottom boat. Photo: Kathleen Walls

Glass Bottom Boats in the park take visitors over some of the largest artesian springs in the world with water so clear you can see the bottom. Aside from the natural formations, fish, turtles, alligators and grasses, there are remains from the many movies and television series that were filmed here. Three statures named for Greek gods lurk in the depths. They are remains of the 1960 television series I Spy filmed here.

Abundant wildlife can be found here including many birds like anhingas or egrets. You might even see a rhesus monkey in the trees on the bank, the result of a theme park import gone awry—the monkeys escaped and formed feral colonies all around the Ocala area.

If you want more watery adventures, you can rent a kayak or canoe. On land, you can hike on Ross Allen Island or visit a boardwalk that contains shops, café, an ice cream parlor, and an exhibit about the former reptile attraction, Ross Allen Reptile Institute.

Wading birds at Silver Springs. Photo: Kathleen Walls

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Ross Allen Exhibit at Silver Springs. Photo: Kathleen Walls

King snake. Photo: Kathleen Walls

The Canyons

The Canyons Zip Line and Canopy Tours, opened in 2011, is another “new” attraction with historical roots. At the turn of the 20th century, the area was full of limestone mines. It’s now been transformed into an attraction with canyons, springs, caves, horseback riding trails, and the largest zip line in the country.

Author at a cave in the Canyons.

In addition to three zip lines, that reach 60 miles per hour, there is a wagon tour, that gives the history of that place from the time of the mining operation. There are remnants of the old mines all around the property; an old train trestle, a huge rusted metal door from one of the old building, and even Civil War musket shot and artifacts from the Seminole wars.

Since Ocala is horse country you can also visit the stable and ride the horses, including to the top of a canyon where a sparkling blue lake lies over 100 feet below.

Marion County is one of Florida’s lesser-known treasures, with many historic sites updated for contemporary visitors.

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Gangsters, Monkeys and Mines: Exploring the Diverse History of a Florida County What once was old is now new in Florida’s Marion County. One of the “newest” attractions in the city of Ocala, has roots going back nearly 100 years, commemorating an epic FBI shootout with a notorious gang that ended the era of gangsters in the United States.

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ralseinumberonebiggestsupporter · 10 months

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can you draw ralsei vibing to music?

im an ac/dc man

#deltarune #my art #ralsei #asks #req #flashing #epic slideshows 300 #my poor soon he listens to good music

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wohltech · 6 years

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いつでもどこでもiPhoneと一緒♥️

今回は「ちょっといいイヤホンのススメ（第5回）」として、「iPhoneで本格的にいい音を聴こう！」と題してお送りします。

ちょっとどころか、かなりいいイヤホンを独断と偏見でご紹介します！

おすすめイヤホンにはじまり、おすすめポタアンからハイレゾ再生Appまでお話ししていきますからね！

今回はまずイヤホンから。

超個人的な趣味で、バランスド・アーマチュアー型の超おすすめIEM（In Ear Monitor）をご紹介します！

超おすすめ！バランスド・アーマチュアー型 IEM

Astell&Kern IEM-JH Audio THE SIREN SERIES-Michelle Limited

posted with カエレバ

アユート 2017-11-24

Amazon

楽天市場

Yahooショッピング

これはIEM入門機として、かなりおすすめです！

Astell&KernとJH Audioのパートナーシップ契約により誕生した、ユニバーサルタイプIEM(インイヤーモニター)「THE SIRENシリーズ」の3way 3BAドライバーモデルになります。

これは先代モデルの「Michelle」（ミシェル）の本体シェルをリシェイプして、新しいサウンドチューニングが施されています。

リデザイン後の本体シェルもMichelle譲りの優れたフィッティングを実現。新たなチューニングによるサウンドも個性を放ちます。

仕様・特徴

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　ドライバー：カスタムメイド・バランスドアーマチュアドライバー（L/R各3ドライバー/High 1,Mid 1,Low 1)、3ウェイ構成

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　インピーダンス：18Ω

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　ノイズアイソレーション：-26dB

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　コネクター形状：カスタムIEM 2pinタイプ

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　付属品：キャリングケース、IEMケーブル (3.5㎜/3極)、IEMケーブル（2.5mm 4極バランス)、シリコンイヤーチップ (L・M・S)、イヤホンクリーナーブラシ

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　新開発カスタムB.A.ドライバーを、3ウェイ構成で搭載（高域×1、中域×1、低域×1)

高域用ドライバーは情報量の全てを再生し、中域用ドライバーは10Hzから5kHzまで限りなくフラットなサウンドを提供。そして低域用ドライバーは、歪を限りなく最小限に抑え、より深い低音再生を実現。

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　独自のチューブウェイブガイド「freqphaseテクノロジー」を採用

多数のドライバー構成での時間軸と各帯域の位相を正確に制御する特許技術。独自のチューブウェイブガイドにより各ドライバーの信号を0.01ミリ秒以内に確実に到達させ、IEMとしての役割を適切に行います。

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　カスタムIEM 2pinタイプ採用、新開発イヤホンケーブル

銀メッキ銅線を圧縮し、平らにした状態で強化繊維のケブラーに巻き付けます。結果、高い伸張強度を備えた適度な反発力により、イヤホンケーブルとしての取り回しの良さを提供しながら、音楽のダイナミックレンジを損なわない高純度伝送を可能にします。カスタムIEM 2pinタイプ採用で着脱可能。 3.5mm/3極プラグケーブルと、2.5mm/4極バランスプラグケーブルが付属します。

インプレッション

[wpfa5s icon=”check” size=”lg”]　ハウジングが前モデルと比べて丸みかかっており、ステムの取り付け角度が変わったおかげで、耳への収まりが自然で楽です。簡単に耳ズボしてベストポジションで聴くことができます。

[wpfa5s icon=”check” size=”lg”]　外観も前モデルとは異なり、フェイスプレートをはめ込んだデザインになっています。つるりとした前モデルよりラメが入った嵌め込みのフライングエンジェル部分が、特段格好良くなっています。JH Audioファン心をくすぐります。

[wpfa5s icon=”check” size=”lg”]　2pinコネクターを取り付けるところが台座状に変わり、先代とは異なって穴位置の分かりやすい張り出した形状になっています。たいていの人はこの形状の方が格好良く、ケーブルを交換する時に使いやすいと感じるはずです。

画像：PHILE WEB　　Michelle Limited（左）と前モデルMichelle（右）

[wpfa5s icon=”check” size=”lg”]　サウンドに関しては、エージングもすんでいない新品を聴かせてもらったので断言はできませんが、前モデルよりも高中音域の抜けがよりクリアになり、それでいてBASSもしっかり響いてくれます。ステージは広く、それでいて定位がビシッと定まった立体感のあるサウンドを聴かせてくれました。

[wpfa5s icon=”check” size=”lg”]　前モデルを踏襲して、豪華な革のケースに2.5mm/4極バランスプラグケーブルが付属しています。わざわざバランスケーブルを買い足さずにこの価格なので、コストパフォーマンスは相当高いです。

この革製ケースが持ち運びにとても便利！聴かない時はシリカゲルと一緒にしまっておきましょう（イヤホンは湿気が大敵）。

[wpfa5s icon=”check” size=”lg”]　ケーブルは独自の編み込み式でタッチノイズも無く、絡まりにくくて、丈夫で断線しにくいのも高ポイントです。

まとめ

バランスド・アーマチュアー型のイヤホンは、3ドライバーのものに名機が多いと言われていますが、これも間違いなく名機の内に入ると思います。

前モデルのMichelleを持っていますが、Limited発売当初には買い直そうかとも思いました。

現在の実売価格は、発売当初より1万円も安くなっているので、お得感も強いです。

初めてのバランスド・アーマチュアー型IEM選びで悩んでいる人には、超おすすめです。

Westone UM Pro30 リデザインモデル

Westone ウェストン UM Pro30 ユニバーサルイヤホン 3バランスドアーマチュアドライバ IEM WST-UMPRO30-2017

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ウェストン

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Wシリーズのリスニング用コンシューマー向けとは違い、UM Proシリーズはプロミュージシャンがステージ上で生の音を拾って聴く為に開発されたものになります。

その中でもUM Pro30は、手頃な価格とパフォーマンスで、BA入門機として最適です。

仕様・特徴

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　ドライバー：バランスド・アーマチュア・ドライバ　3基（低域×1、中域×1、高域×1)、3Wayパッシブクロスオーバー

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　再生周波数帯域：20 ～ 18KHz

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]��入力感度：124dB

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　インピーダンス：56Ω

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　パッシブノイズ減衰：25dB

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　入力端子：3.5mm ミニ端子

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　ケーブル/コード長：EPIC脱着可能ケーブル（MMCX)/128cm（Y字型）

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　付属品：イヤーチップ各種、ミニモニターヴォルトケース、クリーニングツール

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　低域、中域、高域各1基の3BAドライバと最適化された3Wayクロスオーバーネットワークにより、低音から高音に至るまでスムースなつながりとフラットな周波数特性を実現し。また、このリデザンモデルは、前モデルよりもコンパクトな仕上がりになっています。そのお陰で、耳への収まりも良好です。

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　UM Proシリーズはプロミュージシャンの厳しい要求にも応える音質チューニング工程を経たバランスド・アーマチュア・ドライバを採用。低音から高音まで楽器に忠実な音を再現します。

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　その音質はピュアでクリア。ステージ上のミュージシャンが求める「クリアでピュアな音質」をそのまま伝えるWestoneのロングセラーシリーズです。

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　プロアーティスト向けにチューニングされたモニターで、クリアでバランスがよいです。

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インプレッション

[wpfa5s icon=”check” size=”lg”]　リスニング用にWシリーズ、モニター用にUM Proシリーズと棲み分けされていますが、楽曲の全体像をとらえながら、エレキやベースのアタック音、エレアコをピックでかき鳴らしている時のかすれる音まで伝わってくる、優秀なイヤホンだと感じました。

[wpfa5s icon=”check” size=”lg”]　楽器のみならず、ヴォーカルもしっかり前面に出て聴きやすく、ブレスまで伝わってくる様なチューニングは、流石Westoneだと思います。

[wpfa5s icon=”check” size=”lg”]　ハウジングがコンパクトなので、耳への収まりはとても良好です。

[wpfa5s icon=”check” size=”lg”]　低音域から高音域まで、バランスの取れた耳に心地良い鳴り方をします。解像感は良いながら少しウォームな音作りなので、リスニング用IEMとしても危機疲れすることなく楽しめると思います。

[wpfa5s icon=”check” size=”lg”]　付属品するイヤーチップの種類が豊富で、リデザインされたシェル形状がどんな耳の形状をした人にもフィットする、ユニバーサルタイプIEMです。

まとめ

またまた3BAの名機登場です。

個人的にはダイナミック型に比べて、音の解像感やセパレーションがBAの方が高いので好みです。

ケーブルの質感は高く、絡まりにくくタッチノイズもありません。

低音域の圧ではやはりダイナミック型に譲る部分があるものの、不満に感じるほどではありません。

プレーヤーのイコライザーでいくらでも調整出来るので問題ないと思います。

Westoneは昔、「3BA以上のものを作っても意味が無い」的なことを言っていた記憶があるのですが、今や8ドライバーのものまで作ってます。

これもBA型の良さを分かってもらう入門機としては、価格的にもパフォーマンス的にも格好のアイテムだと思います。

ただ、Westoneで注意して欲しいのが、リケーブルしても思ったような効果が無いと言う意見が多いです。

メーカー的にも、本来のチューニングから外れるので、リケーブルは推奨していないようです。

Westone UM Pro50 ユニバーサル 5バランスドアーマチュアドライバ IEM リデザインモデル

Westone ウェストン UM Pro50 ユニバーサルイヤホン 5バランスドアーマチュアドライバ IEM WST-UMPRO50-2017

posted with カエレバ

ウェストン

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仕様・特徴

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　ドライバー：バランスド・アーマチュア型シングルドライバ　5基（低域×1、中域×2、高域×2）、3Wayパッシブクロスオーバー

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　ドライバー再生周波数帯域：20 ～ 20KHz

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　ドライバー入力感度：115dB

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　インピーダンス：45Ω

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　パッシブノイズ減衰：25dB

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　ドライバー入力端子：3.5mm ミニ端子

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　ケーブル/コード長：EPIC脱着可能ケーブル（MMCX）/128cm（Y字型）

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　付属品：イヤーチップ各種、ミニモニターヴォルトケース、クリーニングツール

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　ステージ上でスタジオレベルのディテールを必要とするアーティストやすべての楽器の音をステージ上で聴くために理想的なモニターです。

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　パワフルな低域と明確な中域と高域が広がりがある詳細な音場を再現します。

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　カスタムイヤホンES50と同じテクノロジーを使用しているため、カスタムイヤホンと同じサウンドクオリティをお楽しみ頂けます。

インプレッション

[wpfa5s icon=”check” size=”lg”]　流石5BAです。音の解像感は高いです。3BAのUM Pro30とは全く違う音の世界へ連れて行ってくれます。

[wpfa5s icon=”check” size=”lg”]　高音域はめちゃ伸びます。すーっと伸びてキラキラしながら消えていくので、とても綺麗です。

[wpfa5s icon=”check” size=”lg”]　中音域は分厚く迫力があり、ヴォーカルの細かい音再現が上手いと感じました。

[wpfa5s icon=”check” size=”lg”]　低音域も1BAである割にはインパクトのある音を鳴らしてくれます。BASSが籠もることは無く、クリアでしっかりとタイトに鳴ってくれる印象を受けました。

[wpfa5s icon=”check” size=”lg”]　音場は狭くはないのですが、広いと言うほどでもないです。中高音域（ヴォーカル音）を圧倒的解像度でとても近くに感じます。まるで目の前で歌ってくれているような印象を受けました。

まとめ

UM Proシリーズのハイエンド機になります。

このシリーズは全てリデザインされており、耳への装着感は以前のものに比べてとても良くなっています。

デザインもクリアハウジングからファイスプレートのアクセントの付いたものになっており、格好良いです。

低音域が1ドライバーという点に少し残念な気持ちを抱きながら購入前に視聴してみたのですが、5BAの圧倒的解像度には驚かされました。

全域で絶妙にバランスの取れたチューニングが施されており、低音域1BAの不満はありません。

ただ、リスニング受けするドンシャリ感はあまりありません。あくまでモニターイヤホンです。

しかし、この「圧倒的な解像感」は、とてもリッチな音楽体験を与えてくれます。

エージングが進めば、もっと大化けするポテンシャルを持った素晴らしいイヤホンです。

エージングが終わる前に手放してしまったのが、惜しくなりました。

また、UM Pro50をリケーブルしてバランス駆動（Nobunaga）にしたことがあるのですが、セパレーションやスケールは確かに向上したのですが、全体的なチューニングが少し破綻した感じがして、元のケーブルに戻しました。

試聴できなかったもの・在庫が無かったもの

JH Audioは好きです。いや、大好きです。

フェイスプレートにトレードマークのフライングガール、格好いいですよね！

その見た目の格好良さ以上に、音の鳴らし方も突き抜けて凄いです。

感動するレベルです。

JH AUDIO JH13V2 PRO UNIVERSAL IEM Performance Series

JHAUDIO カナル型イヤホンリケーブル対応 JH13V2 PRO UNIVERSAL IEM JHA-0591 バランスド・アーマチュア型(BA型)

posted with カエレバ

JHオーディオ(JH Audio)

Amazon

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仕様・特徴

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　ドライバー：独自開発のバランスド・アーマチュア型（BA型）8 ドライバー（Low x 2, Mid x 2, High x 4）、3ウェイ・クロスオーバー

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　採用独自技術：

soundrIVe Quad Driver Technology：「soundrIVe Technology」と名付けた独自のミニクワッドドライバーを採用したことにより、高域の特性を改善

FreqPhase Time Phase | Waveguide；freqphase Technogyは、マルチドライバー構成での「時間軸」と「各帯域の位相」を正確に制御する為の独自技術です。それぞれの音導管が各ドライバーからの信号（音）を「0.001ミリ秒」以内の誤差で確実に到達させ、アーティストが伝えたい音を限りなく正確に再現してくれます。

Variable Bass Output Adjustable Cable：独自開発したIEMケーブルはＬＲの低域が調整可能。自身で最高のサウンドポジションをコントロールすることができます。

4pin Cable Connection with Twist Lock：独自開発した4 pinコネクターは、アーティストがライブパフォーマンス中でも耐えられるよう、ロック式を採用。

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　周波数特性：10Hz – 20kHz

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　入力感度：112dB

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　インピーダンス：28Ω

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　遮音性：-26dB

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　入力端子：3.5mm ミニ端子

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　コネクター形状：4pin Cable Connection with Twist Lock

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　付属品：IEM Cable（Variable Bass output）Black DiamonDyzed、 Aluminum Round IEM Case、Wax Tool、ドライバー（低域調整時使用）、イヤーチップ（シリコン・フォーム）、保証書（1年間）

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　世界最高クラスのライブステージの現場で生まれたJH Audioの「Performance Series」は、ユニバーサルフィット型のIEMでありながら、JH Audioが手掛けるカスタムIEMモデルと同等のサウンド・クオリティや製造技術を持つ、新しいシリーズです。

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　私たちのJH13は、世界中のオーディオファイルからも人気を集めるモデルで、この新しいJH13V2は旧JH13 PROと比較し、新しいバランスド・アーマチュア型ドライバーとクロスオーバー技術を採用したとこでアップグレードを行っています。ドライバー数は8ドライバーとなり、音導管はスチール製の音導管を採用、Moon Audio社の高品質IEMケーブルを付属し、音の再現性、ディテール感など全てをより良いものに作り変えています。

インプレッション

試聴していないのでインプレッションもあったものではないのですが、去年から13V2、16V2、ROXANNEのどれを買おうかと悩み続け、11月になってしまいました。

以前、Siren Series RoxanneII（FULL METAL JACKET（アルミボディ＋チタンベゼル）、soundrIVe Quad Driver Technology、FreqPhase（ステンレススティールチューブ・ウエイブガイド）、4pin Cable Connection with Twist Lock）をOPPO HA-2で試聴する機会があったのですが、

「格が違う！」

と思いましたね。

ただ、本体シェルは私には少し大きく、耳にフィットさせてベストポジションを探すのに苦労した記憶があります。

それに比べてPerformance Seriesは、本体シェルがSiren Seriesの金属製から樹脂製になり、軽く小さく（40％）なっているので、ステムを耳ズボさせてベストポジションで聴けると思っていたので、あの鳴り方の感動を引きずってしまい、購入しようと考えていたわけです。

しかし、2019年2月頃に、新シリーズが出るとの噂もあるので、それまで我慢です。

JH Audioは、新シリーズが出るとそれまでの現行機種は投げ売りする傾向があるので、その時にあらためて悩みたいと思っています。

追記）

Performance Series Roxanneを先日試聴することができました。

OPPO HA-2SEとハイレゾ音源を組み合わせての試聴でしたが、「音がどこまでも拡がっていく！」という強烈な印象を受けました。

それは決して悪いことではなく、IEMのクリアな音にして、まるでステージの上で聴いているかのような空気感の拡がりを感じるとでもいうのでしょうか？

そんな錯覚を覚える凄い鳴り方をするのです。

とにかく驚きました！

iPad Proを購入していなかったら、衝動買いしていたかもしれません。

Siren SeriesのRoxanneはシェルが大きい印象がありましたが、Performance Series のRoxanneは、耳へのフィットは全く問題ありませんでした。

音の分離感や拡がり方を重視するバランス駆動派の私ですが、ことRoxanneに関しては、それ以上の体験ができたと感じました。

うぅ、Roxanne…欲しい！

JH AUDIO JH16V2 PRO UNIVERSAL IEM Performance Series

JHAUDIO カナル型イヤホンリケーブル対応 JH16V2 PRO UNIVERSAL IEM JHA-0607 バランスド・アーマチュア型(BA型)

posted with カエレバ

JHオーディオ(JH Audio)

Amazon

楽天市場

Yahooショッピング

仕様・特徴

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　ドライバー：独自開発のバランスド・アーマチュア型（BA型）10 ドライバー（Low x 4, Mid x 2, High x 4）、3ウェイ・クロスオーバー

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　採用独自技術：

soundrIVe Quad Driver Technology：「soundrIVe Technology」と名付けた独自のミニクワッドドライバーを採用したことにより、高域の特性を改善

4pin Cable Connection with Twist Lock：独自開発した4 pinコネクターは、アーティストがライブパフォーマンス中でも耐えられるよう、ロック式を採用。

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　周波数特性：10Hz – 23kHz

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　入力感度：119dB

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　インピーダンス：28Ω

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　遮音性：-26dB

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　入力端子：3.5mm ミニ端子

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　コネクター形状：4pin Cable Connection with Twist Lock

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　私たちのJH16は、世界を飛び回る多くのツアーミュージシャンが愛用するインイヤーモニター（IEM）の一つです。この新しいJH16V2 PROは、旧JH16 PROをアップグレードした新しいIEMです。新しく再開発したバランスド・アーマチュア型ドライバーを搭載した事で低域と高域の再現度が増し、JH Audioが特許を取得した低音の可変技術を搭載させた事で中高音のパフォーマンスに影響を及ぼすことなく低域のコントロールが可能となりました。新しい高域向けクアッド・ドライバーは、23kHzまでの帯域を確保しています。

JH AUDIO ROXANNE UNIVERSAL IEM Performance Series

JHAUDIO カナル型イヤホンリケーブル対応 ROXANNE UNIVERSAL IEM/BLACK PEARL (国内限定カラー) JHA-0621

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JHオーディオ(JH Audio)

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JHAUDIO カナル型イヤホンリケーブル対応 ROXANNE UNIVERSAL IEM/SILVER CARBON JHA-0614

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JHオーディオ(JH Audio)

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仕様・特徴

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　採用独自技術：

soundrIVe Quad Driver Technology：「soundrIVe Technology」と名付けた独自のミニクワッドドライバーを採用したことにより、高域の特性を改善

4pin Cable Connection with Twist Lock：独自開発した4 pinコネクターは、アーティストがライブパフォーマンス中でも耐えられるよう、ロック式を採用。

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　周波数特性：10Hz – 23kHz

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　入力感度：119dB

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　インピーダンス：28Ω

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　遮音性：-26dB

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　入力端子：3.5mm ミニ端子

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　コネクター形状：4pin Cable Connection with Twist Lock

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　ROXANNEは2年以上も前にリリースされ、瞬く間に伝説のIEMとなりました。革新的な最初のSIRENシリーズのIEMとして、私たちが開発したロック式の4ピン端子を搭載し、ケーブル上で低域の調整が可能な仕組みを発表しました。

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　この新しいROXANNE UNIVERSAL IEMは、JH Audioが特許を有する最新のクアッド・ドライバーとFreqphaseテクノロジーを搭載し、新しくデザインされたイヤホン筐体は、旧ROXANNE UNIVERSAL FITと比べ、筐体サイズを40％小型化させ、ノズルの角度10度調整し、装着感を向上させました。これまで以上により良いフィット感とサウンドを提供する新しいユニバーサルフィットIEMです。

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これ、すっごく欲しいです！

とっても気になるハイブリッド型IEM

Unique Melody MAVERICK II Re;UNM-6455

500台限定生産モデルとして、Unique MelodyとBeat Audioがコラボレーション。歴代MAVERICKの思想を継承する新作ユニバーサルIEM。

Unique Melody MAVERICK II Re; UNM-6455

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ユニークメロディー(Unique Melody) 2018-09-27

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仕様・特徴

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　格別の存在感を放つ、嗜好性を極めた濃艶なアビスブルー筐体：「MAVERICK II Re;」のために考案されたこの濃艶なアビスブルーカラーのイヤホン筐体は、深海をイメージし、デザインされ、一際特別な存在感を放ちます。この筐体はUnique Melodyが扱う他のイヤホン筐体よりも、３倍以上の製作時間を要します。一つ一つの筐体が熟練した職人によりハンドメイドで作られ、同じグラデーション模様、レイヤー模様の筐体は存在しません。

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　歴代のMAVERICKをベンチマークとし、その設計思想を継承する：2014年10月の発売以降、常に進化し続けてきたハイブリッド型イヤホン「MAVERICK（マーベリック）」。「MAVERICK II Re;」では、これまでに発表されてきた歴代のMAVERICKのサウンド・クオリティがベンチマークとなり、設計思想も継承された、素晴らしいリスニング体験をもたらす次世代のMAVERICKです。音導管には金属製サウンドチューブを採用。ベント配置によるチューニングを駆使し、ダイナミックレンジを拡張しています。低域の再現には歴代のMAVERICKと同様、バランスド・アーマチュア型ドライバーとダイナミック型ドライバーのハイブリッド・デザインを採用し、MAVERICKにしか出来ない、オリジナルサウンドを実現しています。

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　Beat Audioの銀メッキ銅導体イヤホンケーブルによる高音質化：Unique MelodyとBeat Audioがコラボレーションした「MAVERICK II Re;」には、Beat Audioが今回特別に手掛けた銀メッキ銅導体イヤホンケーブルが純正ケーブルとして採用されています。この特別仕様のイヤホンケーブルは、アビスブルーカラーの筐体デザインに合わせてケーブルのパーツやケーブルジャケットのカラーなどが選定され、エレガントなルックスに仕上げています。

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　メタリックブルー・アルミニウム製イヤホンケース：「MAVERICK II Re;」向けのイヤホンケースには、筐体デザインに合わせた、メタリックブルーカラーのアルミニウム製イヤホンケースが付属します。このイヤホンケースの直径は通常のUnique Melody製品に付属するアルミニウム製イヤホンケースよりも約5mmほど大きく、これは付属するBeat Audio製アップグレード・イヤホンケーブルを収めるため、特別にイヤホンケースのサイズを最適化した結果です。

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[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　ドライバー：ハイブリッド型（ダイナミック型ドライバー + バランスド・アーマチュア型ドライバー）

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　ドライバー数：5 ドライバー

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　ドライバー構成：Low x 2（Dynamic x 1 + BA x 1）, Mid x 1, High x 2

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　クロスオーバー：4ウェイ・クロスオーバー

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　周波数特性：20Hz – 20kHz

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　入力感度：107dB

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　インピーダンス：23.7Ω

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　ケーブル導体：銀メッキ銅

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　ケーブル長：約120cm

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　入力端子：3.5mm ミニ端子

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　出力端子：Custom 2pin 端子

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　付属品：アルミニウム製イヤホンケース（メタリックブルー）、Beat Audio製イヤホンケーブル、クリーニングツール、イヤーチップ（シリコン、フォーム）、保証書（1年間）

インプレッション

スペックと外観を見ただけで欲しぃー！となってしまいました。

限定500個という売り言葉にも心が揺らいでしまいます。

レビューもなかなかの高評価なのですが、来年のJH Audioに賭けます！

AKG N5005

AKG N5005 イヤホン Bluetooth対応/カナル型/ハイレゾ対応/ケーブル着脱式ピアノブラック AKGN5005BLKJP 【国内正規品/メーカー2年保証付き】

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AKG 2018-03-30

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仕様・特徴

究極のサウンド体験を実現する5ドライバー4ウェイカナルイヤホン：

高音質と優れたデザインを兼ね備えた「Nシリーズ」から、さらなる音質向上にフォーカスした「N5005」は、中高音域用にバランスド・アーマチュア・ドライバー4基、低音域用に9.2mm径ダイナミック・ドライバー1基の合計5基を搭載。個々のドライバーの特性を活かし、クリアで繊細な中高音域にはバランスド・アーマチュア・ドライバーを、力強い低音域にはダイナミック・ドライバーを採用することで、10Hzから40kHzまでのワイドレンジ再生を実現しました。また、サウンドバランスのチューニングは、フラッグシップモデルの「K3003」と同様に、音質劣化につながる電気的なネットワークを一切搭載せず、アコースティックに調整。これにより自然な音のつながりを可能にしました。さらに、振動板の振幅時に発生する背圧を最適化する「ベンチレーション・システム」を搭載し、広々とした空間表現を実現しました。加えて、ハイレゾ規格に対応しているので、CDの約3～6.5倍の情報量を持つハイレゾ音源の繊細さや力強さを表現豊かに再現でき、原音に近い音質を体感いただけます。ミュージシャンやエンジニアが作り出す、音の歪みや揺らぎのない純粋で繊細なスタジオサウンドクオリティを再現します。

4種類のメカニカル･チューニング･フィルターでサウンドカスタマイズが可能：

音楽の特性や接続する機器に合わせ、自分好みの音質に調整ができるメカニカル･チューニング･フィルターを採用。シンバル、ピアノ、ヴァイオリンなどの高音域をクリアに表現する「HIGH BOOST（ハイ・ブースト）」、ボーカルを豊かにする「MID-HIGH BOOST（ミッド・ハイ・ブースト）」、中庸なサウンドバランスを実現する「REFERENCE （リファレンス※装着済）」、ベースやドラムの低音域を増強する「BASS BOOST（バス・ブースト）」の透過性の異なるフィルター4種類からお選びいただけます。また、チューニングフィルターも電気信号を使用しないフィルターのため、電気的なロスがなく、音源をありのままに再生します。

耳掛け式ケーブル採用＆スピンフィットイヤチップの付属により、快適な装着感を実現：

耳掛け式ケーブルの採用により装着強度や密閉度が高まり、安定した付け心地に加え、遮音性が上がり高音質を余すことなく楽しむことができます。また、タッチノイズが低減されるため、ストレスなく音楽をお楽しみいただけます。さらに、N5005には、4サイズ(XS、S、M、L）のシリコンイヤチップに加え、スピンフィットイヤチップ付きの3サイズ(S、M、L）をご用意。耳の奥までスムーズに挿入できるスピンフィットイヤチップは、密閉度が向上し、付け心地のよいフィット感と快適な装着感を実現しました。

MMCX着脱式カナルイヤホン：

MMCX端子を採用した着脱式ケーブルのため、お好み応じて付属のケーブルと付け替えができます。また、ケーブルが断線した際もケーブルのみを交換でき、大切なイヤホンを長く、安心してお使いいただけます。

プレーヤーや使用シーンに応じて選べる3種類のケーブルに加え、AKG純正アップグレードリケーブルを追加で同梱：

「N5005」は、プレーヤーや使用シーンに応じて使い分けができる3種類のケーブルが付属していますが、日本仕様には、さらにAKG純正リケーブル「CN120-3.5」を追加で同梱しています。 3種類のケーブルは、φ3.5mmのリモコン付きツイストケーブル、φ2.5mmのツイストバランスケーブル、Bluetoothケーブルの3種類と使いやすいケーブルを付属。ツイストケーブルの導体には高純度OFCを採用しているので、解像度が高く、切れの良い音質をお楽しみいただけます。また、リモコン付きツイストケーブルは、Android用、iOS用の切り替えができる「4極プラグ対応スマートホン用マイク付ユニバーサル3ボタンリモコン」を搭載しており、高��質なハンズフリー通話も可能です。さらに、Bluetoothケーブルは、繋げるだけでBluetooth対応ワイヤレスイヤホンになり、ケーブルに煩わされずに自由にアクティブに音楽を楽しむことができます。ワイヤレス再生は最長8時間再生が可能で、長時間のリスニングにも電池切れを気にすることなくお使いいただけます。使用シーンに合わせてお好みのケーブルをお選びください。※再生時間は使用環境により異なります。加えて、日本仕様には、発売以来ご好評をいただいているAKG純正アップグレードリケーブル「CN120-3.5」を同梱。汎用性が高いφ3.5mmのストレートケーブルの「CN120-3.5」は、さらなる音質向上を目指し、ケーブルの導体に高純度6N-OFCを採用。信号の伝送ロスや歪みを抑え、低音域から高音域にいたるまで音楽の情報をありのままに表現し、「N5005」の性能を最大限に引き出します。

イヤホン本体に光沢のある上質なセラミック素材を採用したスタイリッシュなデザイン：

イヤホン本体に光沢のある上質なセラミック素材を採用。プライベートだけでなくビジネスシーンでも使いやすいシンプルでシックなデザインに仕上げました。

専用キャリングケース付属：

シックなデザインの専用キャリングケースを付属。外出時にもイヤホンを傷つけることなく安心して持ち運びいただけます。

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[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　ドライバー：密閉4ウェイ5ドライバーハイブリッド型（カナル）（中高域用）バランスド・アーマチュア・ドライバー×4（低域用）9.2mm径ダイナミック・ドライバー×1

周波数特性：10Hz ～ 40kHz

感度（1mW）：99dB/mW

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　インピーダンス：18Ω

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　入力プラグ：φ2.5mmツイストバランスケーブル、φ3.5mmリモコン付ツイストバランスケーブル、Bluetoothケーブル、AKG純正アップグレードケーブル（φ3.5mmストレート）

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　ケーブル：φ2.5mmツイストバランスケーブル：1.2m、φ3.5mmリモコン付ツイストバランスケーブル：1.2m、Bluetoothケーブル：左右間長さ0.7m、AKG純正アップグレードケーブル：1.2m

Bluetooth バージョン：バージョン4.1　（伝送範囲：Class 2、通信距離10m、障害物がない場合）

Bluetooth 対応プロファイル：A2DP v1.2, AVRCP v1.4, HFP v1.6, HSP v1.2

Bluetooth 連続使用時間：充電時間約2時間、音楽再生約8時間※充電・再生時間は使用環境により異なります。

[wpfa5s icon=”check-square” size=”lg”]　付属品：イヤホンケーブル3種（リモコン付ツイストケーブル、ツイストバランスケーブル、Bluetoothケーブル）、AKG純正アップグレードリケーブル「CN120-3.5」、メカニカル・チューニング・フィルター4種（HIGH BOOST、MID-HIGH BOOST、REFERENCE、BASS BOOST）※ REFERENCE装着済、イヤチップ（XS/S/M/L） ※Mサイズ装着済、スピンフィットイヤチップ（S/M/L）、専用キャリングケース、フライトアダプタ、クリーニングツール、USB充電用ケーブル、シリアル番号プレート

インプレッション

試聴できていないのですが、これは凄いです。全部入りです。

アンバランス、バランス、ワイヤード、Bluetooth等々やりたいことがこれ一つで全て完結できます。

レビュー記事を見ても、なかなかの高評価ですね。

聴いてみたいです！

おわりに

iPhoneでこの様なIEMを聴くとなると、ポタアン（ポータブルアンプ・DAC）は必要です。

そのまま聴くと、力不足を感じるでしょう。

次回は、個人的趣味で選ぶポタアンを紹介したいと思います。

ではまた！

iPhoneで本格的にいい音を聴こう！｜ちょっといいイヤホンのススメ（第5回）いつでもどこでもiPhoneと一緒♥️ 今回は「ちょっといいイヤホンのススメ（第5回）」として、「iPhoneで本格的にいい音を聴こう！」と題してお送りします。ちょっとどころか、かなりいいイヤホンを独断と偏見でご紹介します！おすすめイヤホンにはじまり、おすすめポタアンからハイレゾ再生Appまでお話ししていきますからね！今回はまずイヤホンから。超個人的な趣味で、バランスド・アーマチュアー型の超おすすめIEM（In Ear Monitor）をご紹介します！超おすすめ！バランスド・アーマチュアー型 IEM

#AKG N5005 #Astell&Kern IEM-JH Audio THE SIREN SERIES-Michelle Limited #JH AUDIO JH13V2 PRO UNIVERSAL IEM Performance Series #JH AUDIO JH16V2 PRO UNIVERSAL IEM Performance Series #JH AUDIO ROXANNE UNIVERSAL IEM Performance Series #Unique Melody MAVERICK II Re;UNM-6455 #Westone UM Pro30 リデザインモデル #Westone UM Pro50 ユニバーサル 5バランスドアーマチュアドライバ IEM リデザインモデル

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lakenonakw · 6 years

Text

Chick-fil-A -slated Lake Nona

By Jack Witthaus – Staff Writer, Orlando #Business Journal

Sep 24, 2018, 5:12pm EDT Updated Sep 25, 2018, 10:52am

A 75,000-square-foot retail development soon could be home to #Lake Nona's first Chick-fil-A.

College Park, Ga.-based Chick-fil-A Inc. is in talks for signing a lease at Tyson’s Corner, a retail development at the northeast corner of Narcoossee and Tyson Road, sources told Orlando Business Journal. It would be the first Chick-fil-A location in Lake Nona.

A Chick-fil-A spokeswoman said the company hopes to have more to confirm about a Lake Nona location in the weeks to come. "We would very much like to have a new location in the Lake Nona area, but we have no new locations to confirm at this time," spokeswoman Jessica Ferrell told OBJ.

Meanwhile, several other tenants either have signed leases or are in talks for space inside Tyson’s Corner. Click through the slideshow below to see which tenants could be coming to the retail center.

Tyson's Corner

Aldi is in talks for a new location in Tyson's Corner at the northeast corner of Narcoossee and Tyson Road.

5 photos

About 9,000 square feet of space is left inside the shopping center. Blake Hunter — who is handling leasing and is a senior vice president with SRS Real Estate Partners — could not immediately be reached for comment.

SRS brokered the purchase for the 9.69-acre Tyson’s Corner property on June 15, according to Orange County records. Entities related to Clearwater-based Epic Development Co. bought the property for $9 million from entity Lake Nona Holdings LLC. "We like the demographics and the growth,” said Epic Development Managing Member Andrew Hupp, who declined to confirm tenant interest in Tyson's Corner.

The site may break ground in February with potential tenants moving in by summer 2019, said Hupp. Holiday-based FWH Architects Inc. is the architect, and Palm Harbor-based AVID Group is the engineer. Epic typically handles the general contracting itself, but Hupp said it was too early to start accepting subcontracting bids.

The property, which is next to Lake Nona High School, adds to new retail #construction in Lake Nona. The largest retail project is the $300 million piece of Lake Nona Town Center, which is expected to make a big retail and #entertainment splash for the growing southeast Orlando community, which already boasts more than 11,000 residents, 5,000 employees and 14,000-plus students at its schools.

Chick-fil-A -slated Lake Nona Read more on: Maycumber Keller Williams

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todaynewsstories · 6 years

Text

Spawning ‘epic’ rainfall and floods, Florence marches inland in Carolinas

WILSON, N.C. (Reuters) – Tropical Storm Florence dumped “epic” amounts of rain on North and South Carolina as it trudged inland on Saturday, triggering dangerous flooding, toppling trees, cutting power to nearly a million homes and businesses while causing at least five deaths.

Florence’s intensity has diminished since roaring ashore along the U.S. mid-Atlantic coast on Friday as a hurricane. But its slow march over the two states, crawling west at only 2 miles per hour (3 km per hour), threatens to leave much of the region under water in the coming days.

“This system is unloading epic amounts of rainfall, in some places measured in feet and not inches,” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper told a news briefing about a storm that forecasters said was 300 miles (480 km) wide.

(GRAPHIC: Hurricane Florence to pummel U.S. Southeast for days – tmsnrt.rs/2oZFKSb)

With flood waters rising rapidly in many communities, people trapped in homes awaited rescue, while tens of thousands hunkered down in shelters after fleeing their homes as the storm approached. Authorities warned about potential landslides and numerous roads were closed.

Utility crews worked to restore electricity. An estimated 772,000 people remained without power in North Carolina, along with 172,000 in South Carolina.

In Wilmington, a city of about 120,000 people on North Carolina’s Atlantic coastline along the Cape Fear River that is home to historic mansions and even a decommissioned World War Two-era battleship, streets were strewn with downed tree limbs and carpeted with leaves and other debris. Electricity remained out for much of the city, with power lines lying across many roads like wet strands of spaghetti.

‘A BLESSING’

“The fact that there haven’t been more deaths and damage is amazing and a blessing,” said Rebekah Roth, walking around Wilmington’s Winoca Terrace neighborhood.

The National Hurricane Center said the storm would dump as much as 30 to 40 inches (76-102 cm) of rain on the southeastern coast of North Carolina and part of northeastern South Carolina, as well as up to 10 inches (25 cm) in southwestern Virginia.

At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT), the hurricane center said Florence had maximum sustained winds near 45 miles per hour (75 km per hour) and continued to produce catastrophic flooding in the Carolinas. It said it was located about 40 miles (65 km) west of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and forecasters predicted a slow westward march.

A damaged house is seen after Hurricane Florence struck in Winnabow, North Carolina, U.S., September 15, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Drake

Cooper said many people in his state who may think the storm has missed them have not yet seen its actual threat to their regions, advising residents inland that rivers will rise days after the rain has stopped. He said five deaths were confirmed from the storm and “several others are under investigation,” and urged people to heed evacuation orders.

Florence already has set a North Carolina record for rainfall totals, exceeding that of Hurricane Floyd, which struck in 1999 and caused 56 deaths. Floyd produced 24 inches (61 cm) of rain in some parts of North Carolina while Florence already has dumped about 30 inches (76 cm) in areas around Swansboro, North Carolina, with more on the way.

“It’s like being stalked by a turtle,” Federal Emergency Management Agency official Jeff Byard told reporters.

On Thursday, Florence was a Category 3 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale with 120-mph winds (193 km). It was downgraded to Category 1 before coming ashore on Friday near Wrightsville Beach, near Wilmington.

A mother and baby were killed when a tree fell on their home in Wilmington. A Pender County woman died of a heart attack. Two men died in Lenoir County, one electrocuted attempting to connect extension cords and the other killed when he was blown down by high winds while checking on his hunting dogs.

In New Bern, at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent rivers in North Carolina, Florence overwhelmed the town of 30,000.

Officials in New Bern, a town dating to the early 18th century whose downtown area was under water, said more than 100 people were rescued from floods on Friday, with 60 to 75 people awaiting rescue on Saturday. Some local residents described a harrowing retreat as the storm hit early on Friday.

“It was pitch black and I was just scared out of my mind,” said Tracy Singleton, who with her family later drove through torrential rain and high winds from her home near New Bern to a hotel some 80 miles (130 km) away.

More than 20,000 people were in 157 shelters in North Carolina, with 7,000 more in South Carolina shelters.

Schoolteacher Leslie Ochoa said she and her family loaded up 10 adults, 5 children, 14 goats, 10 dogs, two cats and one guinea pig and evacuated from Jacksonville, North Carolina to Columbia, South Carolina last Tuesday. As her son fed the goats in a hotel parking lot, she said she might not be able to return home until the middle of next week.

“Our friend behind our old house, they have gators swimming in the water. So yeah, not safe,” Ochoa said.

The White House said President Donald Trump approved making federal funding available in some counties. Trump plans a visit to the region next week.

Slideshow (25 Images)

As the United States dealt with Florence, a strong typhoon tore across the northern tip of the Philippines on Saturday, killing at least three people, wrecking homes and triggering landslides before heading toward Hong Kong and southern China.

Additional reporting by Ernest Scheyder in Wilmington, North Carolina, Anna Mehler Paperny in Wilson; North Carolina; Gene Cherry in Raleigh; Scott DiSavino and Gina Cherelus in New York; Andy Sullivan in Columbia, South Carolina; Jason Lange in Washington and Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles; Writing by Will Dunham; Editing by Jason Neely and Chizu Nomiyama

Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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corwinideas · 6 years

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It’s been a little bot since I’ve posted here, and that’s because the last month and some change have been so, incredibly, ridiculously full of activity, driving, and networking that I feel like I’ve barely been able to slow down enought to change my underwear, not to mention write a whole blog post.

However, this post has been sitting in drafts since the beginning of May. Other stuff just kept on happening, and I kept on waiting to post it. So, here comes the whirlwind update with lots and lots of photos!

A little over a month ago I was pushing hard to get back to work and reality after a whirlwind weekend involving 40 hours of driving, two days of competition awesome-ness, 4 states, another country one whole thesis reading and a fair amount of laughter (plus a whole audiobook).

It all started on a Wednesday evening. For the last few years, I’ve been quietly working on my Master’s Degree in Creative Writing. It’s actually the reason this whole blog came to be and has given me a lot of neat opportunities. It’s also been a fair amount of work! But, all in good fun. That Wednesday evening was my Thesis Reading. It was the thing I’ve been working on since the first class I took at Mt. Mary and I had to read part of it to a room full of people to see if they liked it.

The general consensus was positive. But you can check it out yourself! Here’s a link to the full, glorious escapade on YouTube!

It was an evening full of words, stories, and neat ideas. I was one of four people reading and all the readers did a great job! Everyone told me it was great, so we’ll go with that. I’m always my own worst critic, so you’ll have to take a gander at it and let me know what you think.

After this reading, I had a celebratory beer and wings (literature!), then straight into the car to begin the epic drive (with my Dad!) to Quebec City, Canada. It was a 19-hour drive and we were starting it at 10:00pm.

It was a VERY long day.

After an eye-searing 27 hours or so, which did involve a pit stop in Kalamazoo (Thanks, Blake!) We were in Quebec City!

The next morning we were up and exploring the city a bit. We found some pretty cool stuff.

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Once we finished our wandering and had some pretty kickass crepes for breakfast, it was time to get to work.

The whole reason for going to Canada was to compete in and photograph/video/write about the Quebec Open. This is a tournament that has been something of a rising star in the NASKA circuit for the last few years. The whole event was fantastic, and I loved it. If you want to know exactly what I thought of it, check out the SportMartialArts.com article here! Then look at some photos. I took some of them. I can’t tell you which ones, but lets just go with “the cool ones.”

I didn’t do too bad myself in the runoffs, but I also didn’t make it to the nighttime stage. Which is where the real glory of the Quebec Open struts its stuff.

Just look at that!

It was like something out of a movie and it was completely fantastic. For my first time, it was everything I was hoping for and a bit more. There were phenomenal competitors and the entire event ran incredibly smoothly and with a great sense of camaraderie. Plus, I had more than a little fun with all the staff at SportMartialArts.com and managed to have a great time with my Dad as well. This was actually his first time coming to a big tounament like this with me and seeing how it all runs and works from the non-spectator side. We had some good talks.

After the night show, I jumped into the car, picked Dad up from the hotel, and we drove through the night to get back to Madison.

All said and done, we put something like 3,000 miles on the car in 4 days. It was a whirlwind of gas stations, a Jack Reacher Audiobook, and a whole lot of conversation about every topic under the sun, and then a few that no light of day has ever seen.

It was absolutely fantastic.

The thing about crazy long road trips, however, is 9 hours or so after I got back to my apartment, I was back in the car and driving to work. Hello Monday, I sincerely don’t like you today!

But, being able to talk about both my tournament, the things I have learned, and the great competition I was able to be a part of, is something that I always think is invaluable to me, and to my students.

Fast forward a few days. It’s now Sunday. Lia and I have our first day together in what feels like 100 years and we bump around Madison on a gloriously sunny day, shopping, exploring, and generally being a couple together. Something that doesn’t happen nearly as often as it should (darn schedules!).

And we were able to have this moment on a sunny day over some local beer.

We had another beer.

First grey hair! We laughed, we almost cried, and we had another round.

Fast forward another week and I’m at the Infinity National Championships.

Y’know. Doing karate stuff.

I could tell you all about it, but I ALSO wrote an article for them, which you can find here.

So, y’know, read that instead…

Last year I’d torn my hamstring and wasn’t able to compete. This year I was fully healthy and had a great time cimpetiting! I was able to snag first places in all of my divisions and wona spot in the night show. Which Mr. Jacob Wolfmann has made an amazing video about. Check out Martial Studios for some really top notch work.

This tournament is always a lot of fun for several reasons.

It’s down the street and I can relax and not worry about lots of travel.

Many people there I’ve known for 10+ years. So, we just laugh a lot and do all the things we tell our students NOT to do at tournaments.

It’s got some great competition.

This year delivered on everything and then a little more.

And there’s the InfiniGreen!

I wasn’t able to pull the win in the finals, I did, however, have a whole lot of fun and hang out with some pretty great martial artists.

But, this wasn’t the end of my adventures. Because there was one thing looming on the horizon that I had been quietly planning and not prepping for AT ALL for a few months.

We bought a family of boxes!

Nah, we moved.

Across the street.

Due to reasons of being less money. There was an apartment across the street that was opening up and we got a lot more bang for our buck. So, we moveds across the street and it involded something like 12 volunteers, two hand carts, a lot of swearing and donating a whole pile of stuff (which felt AWESOME).

And now we’re in the new place and we love it. And I’ve made the promise to never move again until the next time.

Nobody else thought that was funny, either.

But there was yet more going on. This past weekend was something very special.

I’ve also had a crew of candidates working their tails off at the dojo since February. This past weekend they pulled it all together and put on one heck of a test to earn their black belts. It was an absolutely wonderful thing to be a part of, and I couldn’t be prouder of all of them.

I also graduated with my M.A. I would write more about it, but I honestly can’t remember where it falls in the midst of all the other stuff.

Despite all of this. In the face of all of the activity, accomplishments, adventures, and driving. There are still the moments where I don’t feel it’s enough. There is always so much more out there waiting for me to get to it. The other night I was thinking about the concept of Sonder.

Sonder is a neat idea. Let’s say you’re in a plane, looking down on a city through the window. There are all the lights and cars and busy activity that reminds you so much of an anthill. Sonder is the realiztion that each of those tiny little specks is another human with a life as rich, and complex, and varied as yours. It really snaps into focus the breathtaking complexity of humanity and has a way of grounding you (me, anyway) in the idea that we’re all a little lost at sea and just doing the best we can.

I was applying this idea of ridiculous complexity and depth to most things I seem to come across. Every adventure I listed up there had so many more facets that had to be taken care of and handled before I could compete, or go, or achieve. The final culmination is a molecule thin limning of sparkle over the enormous amount of work, effort, stress, and pressure that was required to get there.

It’s simultaneously wonderful and depressing. As are so many things in the world. I think of that like an emotional umami.

But, I digress.

Anyway, especially over the last month this conceptual Sonder has been a thing that I’ve appreciated more and more. Becuase it doesn’t just apply to my achievments. But to everything else. Throughout all of these adventures I’ve been watching huge efforts and sky high dreams become realized and I think about all the work that dedicated crew of people had to do to get there.

It’s really cool, inspiring, and more than a little humbling.

So, to all the people out there working on their dreams, or even on something that’s just hard. It’s worth it. And that depth and feeling of drowning that you might sometimes hit? It’s not just you, we’re all right there with you. Keep on keeping on and share that idea with the world.

I know I’m excited.

A List of Ingredients to a Jam Packed Month: Literature, Karate, Extreme Roadtripping, More Karate, Graduation, Moving and then some Karate. It's been a little bot since I've posted here, and that's because the last month and some change have been so, incredibly, ridiculously full of activity, driving, and networking that I feel like I've barely been able to slow down enought to change my underwear, not to mention write a whole blog post.

#Beer!#Canada!#Competition #Driving until my eyes bleed #LEARNING!!!#NASKA #Oh #Writing

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thereviewsarein · 6 years

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SHANIA TWAIN PHOTO REVIEW

Shania Twain‘s tour rolled into Edmonton for a two-day stint and set the house on fire!

Accompanied by an amazing cast of dancers, backup singers and musicians, the Queen of country music came to Edmonton and left her mark. Singing, dancing and reminding us all how much we love her, the singer played for almost two hours and showed no signs of tiring.

Her stage show was hypnotic and epic. The visual extravaganza was breathtaking and completely engaging. And let’s talk about the multiple spectacular costume changes. From the amazing elegant formal dresses to her on-point cowgirl outfit, Shania rocked them all. The almost sold-out crowd of al ages ate up the hits and the new music and would have been happy to hear more. Twain’s interaction with the crowd was warm, friendly and super genuine, and her laugh. It’s soft and kind, and it makes you feel so humbled and loved.

There are still tickets available for tonight’s show, so if you’re ready, she’s willing!

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Related: Now – Shania Twain Album Review

Shania Twain’s Now Tour Rolls Into Edmonton SHANIA TWAIN PHOTO REVIEW Shania Twain's tour rolled into Edmonton for a two-day stint and set the house on fire!

#country #Edmonton #Rogers Place #Shania Twain

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cstesttaken · 6 years

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Introducing the HTC One A9 Smartphone

We’ve been hearing about the new HTC One A9 for a while, and it’s finally official. A decent mid-range phone, rocking Android Marshmallow 6.0 (the first non-nexus device) comes with HTC’s signature build. You can check out the official specs and press release below.

HTC One A9 Specs

Display: 5 inch 1080p (Gorilla Glass 4) Cameras: 13 megapixel rear-facing camera (with OIS) / UltraPixel front-facing camera Processor / RAM: Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 , octa-core/ 3 GB RAM or 2 GB for 16GB storage Memory: 16GB / 32GB Internal Memory (with an expansion slot) Battery: 2,150 mAh battery / QuickCharge Connectivity : Bluetooth /Wi-Fi / OS: Android Marshmallow 6.0 with Sense skin Features: OIS / Fingerprint Sensor / RAW image capture /

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Pricing and Availability

Pricing on the HTC One A9 will be offered through main carriers at their own pricing. You can order an unlocked version from for $399. It will be available starting next month (November 2015) globally and through carriers in 3 colors Opal Silver, Deep Garnet, Topaz Gold. Pre-orders start today for the US. You get HTC’s Uh-Oh protection and 6 months of Google Play Music with purchase (on the unlocked version from HTC).

HTC One A9 Press Release

NEW YORK – October 20, 2015 – HTC today unveiled the latest addition to the award-winning HTC One family, the HTC One A9. Melding the best of HTC’s acclaimed design and innovation with the latest from Google’s Android, this is a stunning, no-compromise smartphone that stands out from the crowd. Built for people who want a better choice, the HTC One A9 is a smartphone that combines striking design on the outside with the newest features of Android 6.0 Marshmallow with HTC Sense on the inside to create an unrivaled smartphone experience.

“HTC is a smartphone pioneer, having delivered the first Android smartphone, the first Windows smartphone, the first 4G smartphone, and the first all-metal smartphone,” said Cher Wang, chairwoman and CEO, HTC. “Today we’re taking that heritage of innovation to the next level, unveiling a phone that stands apart in a market increasingly dominated by a company which controls every aspect of your phone. The HTC One A9 breaks from this trend by offering an incredible design, fantastic performance, cutting-edge software features and the freedom to take full control of your smartphone experience.“

Metalmorphics: A new standard of all-metal design excellence

An evolution of the iconic HTC One family design, the HTC One A9 draws on the natural beauty around us, by using rich, striking colors and unique finishes – an approach called “metalmorphics.” New curves, refined edges, and precision-cut ridges on the power button flawlessly combine with the super-thin metal frame giving the phone a natural and lightweight feel. The elegant dual finish, available in a Carbon Gray, Opal Silver, Topaz Gold and Deep Garnet1, is painstakingly brushed with hairline detail and bead-blasted before the sides are polished, giving additional depth and richness that is unique to the smartphone market. Finally, in a stunning fusion of metal and glass, a 5-inch, edge-to-edge, 2.5D Corning® Gorilla® Glass 4, Full HD AMOLED screen cascades into the metal frame, giving you brighter and more vivid colors for brilliant graphics and gaming, even in direct sunlight.

Unleash your inner photographer

Your best camera is the one you use whenever the moment strikes, so it should be able to capture stunning shots in any situation. The HTC One A9’s front and rear cameras, coupled with powerful yet simple editing tools, mean epic photos and videos are only a tap away. Its main 13MP rear camera features Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), which automatically minimises hand shake and corrects vibrations to give you a crystal-clear picture every time. Meanwhile, the front UltraPixel camera delivers the best self-portraits in any lighting condition, using HTC’s UltraPixel sensor to capture 300% more light than conventional smartphone cameras.

With the HTC One A9, no detail is too small. Offering an optional Pro mode to capture the perfect photo without being a photography expert

audio at 24-bit, 192KHz quality – better than CD quality – it provides a richness and depth like you’ve never before heard from your music collection. A powerful high-output headphone amplifier, with double the output of other handsets, provides more power and dynamic range so you can hear every nuance of your favorite music, videos and games. Optional high-resolution audio certified HTC Pro Studio Earphones deliver both noise isolation and truly immersive sound.

Cutting-edge software: Android 6.0 Marshmallow

The first non-Nexus smartphone powered by Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the HTC One A9 brings Google’s latest innovations and the simplicity of HTC Sense right out of the box. Combined with a multi-directional fingerprint scanner, Android Pay makes purchasing items as secure and as easy as “tap, pay, done.”5 Google’s Now on Tap feature also intuitively provides contextual information about whatever is on your screen – look up reviews for a movie from a text, hear a song mentioned in a blog post, or book seats at a restaurant from an email, all at the press of the home button.

With so many new features, the HTC One A9 has also been designed with all new power-saving capabilities to maximize battery life. Doze automatically turns off power hungry applications when your phone is left idle, such as when charging overnight, while App Standby knows when an app open in the background isn’t being used and shuts it down until you need it again. In addition, the phone’s new processor, AMOLED screen and support for the optional HTC Rapid Charger 2.0, for 75% faster charging6 are all optimized to maximize battery life throughout the day7. In real terms this means, for example, that you can play 12 hours of HD video on one charge.

Performance designed for the way YOU use your phone

Featuring the newest Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 617 processor with integrated X8 LTE and 64-bit octa-core CPUs, the HTC One A9 is designed to deliver a perfect balance of powerful performance, fast connectivity and better battery life. With support for epic LTE wireless speeds through next-generation carrier aggregation technology, it delivers more high-definition streaming videos, more pulse-pounding high-resolution audio and more storage in the cloud to hold everything your heart desires. The phone is available in both 16 and 32GB configurations and features expandable memory, supporting up to 2TB in SD card storage, perfect for storing all your apps, games, photos, music and videos.

To protect your smartphone, pair it with the HTC Dot View™ II case, available in Obsidian, Deep Garnet, Sea Coral and Turquoise Blue. Its retro-inspired dot matrix cover reveals instant notifications, weather updates, caller ID and more, even while closed, and simple gesture controls bring music, flashlight, radio and voice recording tools closer than ever.

The HTC One A9 and accessories will be available worldwide, both at retailers and at htc.com, beginning November 2015.

Analie Cruz is a Mobile Editor for Tech We Like. She specializes in mobile reviews for the site. A lover of all things technology, she uses gadgets for work and fun, but mostly fun. Your typical girly girl, one phone isn't enough. Currently using an iPhone 7 Plus and a Samsung Galaxy Note 5. You can find her playing with her many gadgets, pets or enjoying the many sites New York City has to offer. Her latest quest? Finding all things chic and geek! Follow her on social media as @YummyANA (on Twitter, Instagram, Periscope, and Snapchat) for updates!

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http://www.techwelike.com/2015/10/20/htc-one-a9-official/

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martens-movie-reviews · 7 years

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Release Date: June 14, 2013 Running Time: 2 hours 23 minutes

“With the imminent destruction of Krypton, their home planet, Jor-El and his wife seek to preserve their race by sending their infant son to Earth. The child’s spacecraft lands at the farm of Jonathan and Martha Kent, who name him Clark and raise him as their own son. Though his extraordinary abilities have led to the adult Clark living on the fringe of society, he finds he must become a hero to save those he loves from a dire threat.”

Because of the anticipated release of Justice League on Friday November 17, I’ve decided to write reviews of all of the movies that make up the DC Extended Universe so far. There have been a lot of talks about how long this franchise will last, but as a comic book fan, and huge lover of movies, I never want movies to be bad. I’m hoping that it’ll be amazing. You can find the dates for when the reviews for the other DCEU movie will be released at the link here. I wrote the review for Wonder Woman around the time it came out, and it can be found here.

DC Extended Universe – Source: Warner Brothers Entertainment

Man of Steel Trailer: Source – Warner Brothers Entertainment

Cast & Crew

The director of Man of Steel was Zack Snyder, whose work includes films that I enjoyed such as ‘Watchmen’ in 2009 and ‘Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole’ in 2010, as well as films that I didn’t enjoy so much such as ‘Dawn of the Dead’ in 2004, and ‘Sucker Punch’ in 2011. The film that in my mind, he’s the most known for is ‘300’, which while visually amazing, was more of a meh kind of film for me. He has since directed the sequel to this film ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’, and most of ‘Justice League’ before having to step away due to personal reasons.

Man of Steel was written by David S. Goyer, based on the story that he and Christopher Nolan wrote. Nolan’s work as a writer includes ‘Memento’, his ‘Batman’ trilogy, and ‘Inception’ prior to working on this film. He has since wrote ‘Interstellar’ in 2014, and ‘Dunkirk’ in 2017. Goyer’s previous writing jobs includes the ‘Blade’ trilogy from 1998 – 2004, working with Nolan on the ‘Batman’ films previously mentioned as well as the sequel ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance’ in 2011 prior to working on Man of Steel. He’s since wrote the ‘Constantine’ television show, as well as ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ in 2016. He was recently announced to be one of the writers for the ‘Green Lantern Corps’ that will be coming out in 2020.

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Cast includes Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Ayelet Zurer, Russell Crowe, Antje Traue, Richard Cetrone, Mackenzie Gray, Laurence Fishburne, Christopher Meloni, Richard Schiff, Cooper Timberline and Dylan Sprayberry.

Review

The character of Clark Kent / Kal – El was played by Cooper Timberline, Dylan Sprayberry and Henry Cavill, with the latter also playing Superman. I feel like all three of them did a good job at playing the Clark Kent character, and I was surprised at how consistent they were in terms of character. Cavill’s acting in the role of Kal – El was rough at first, with some very wooden delivery of some lines, however that could also be the script or the direction that he got. I enjoyed the portrayal that we got, even if it was a ‘darker’ and ‘broodier’ version of what he is supposed to be, I still thought it was well done at the end. Cavill’s Superman still needs some work, but seems to have a lot of potential, and I was pleased with the improvements in the character in the follow up film.

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The character of Lois Lane was played by Amy Adams, in which she did an alright job with what she was given. I didn’t enjoy what they did with her character overall, but I will go into more detail about that further below. I feel like Adams was a good choice for the role that they put her in, but didn’t give off the Lois Lane vibe that I remembered from the few comic books that I read of Superman(read both Marvel and DC as a kid, but enjoyed Marvel more).

Michael Shannon as General Zod was a good choice in my mind for the role, as he demands the attention when on screen, and you need someone with a presence to portray Zod. I feel like the character could have been used a lot better, but from I enjoyed the performance that we got from Shannon. It demanded more than what we ended up getting.

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The Kent parents were played by Diane Lane and Kevin Costner, who I feel was really well cast in those roles. I would have prefered a lot more from Costner’s character, and the way he died was just stupid, but from the acting standpoint, I really enjoyed that Lane was able to capture Martha Kent’s essence of trying to connect with Clark on the emotional level, while Jonathan Kent was the moral compass of doing what’s right at the right time. I didn’t enjoy the fact that they made him say the word ‘maybe’ when asked if Clark should have let his classmates die.

The Kryptonian parents Lara Lor-Van played by Ayelet Zurer, and Jor – El who was portrayed by Russell Crowe was a mixed bag of emotions for me throughout this film. I loved everything about Zurer’s performance from the flashbacks to Krypton, and the struggle to send her child away for a chance for survival. It’s something that I wish would be explored more in the future, with the A.I. Jor – El talking about his wife to their son. Russell Crowe’s performance was a problem for me in this role. I don’t think he fit the role of Jor – El, whatsoever, and I didn’t like that they made him capable of beating General Zod in a fist fight. That was one of the problems with certain characters in the film.

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One thing that was really unexpected in the movie, was that it opens with the birth of Kal – El, literally Lara in labour, the first time that a natural birth happened on Krypton for centuries. I enjoyed what they did with the movie, in a way to make Kal – El ‘special’ in that sense, however I really wish that they will elaborate on the Codex. That is something that would be very interesting if ever they were going to have a new Krypton eventually in the universe, however I feel like they’ve already forgotten about it.

Seeing Krypton was absolutely amazing. I thought that the scenery and the animals in that sequence was very much inspired by James Cameron’s movie ‘Avatar’. The cinematography in general for this movie was beautiful. I thought that the way that they captured Krypton, Smallville, and the Arctic was extremely well done. It’s one of the better looking films in the past 5 years, and part of that quality is thanks to the cinematographer of the film – Amir Mokri. His work includes ‘Coyote Ugly’ from 2000, ‘Bad Boys 2’ in 2003 and ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’ in 2011 prior to Man of Steel.

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The score for this film was put together by one of the most well known and fantastic composer since the early 2000s. Hans Zimmer‘s work has sadly been given a lot of slack in recent years for the loud ‘BWAM’ that marketing people love putting in trailers, which have become annoying, I have to admit. In my opinion, his work is on the same level in terms of quality and how memorable they are as other great movie score composers such as John Williams, Howard Shore and Danny Elfman. Zimmer’s work in this film was strong, hopeful, and sometimes inspiring while still having those epic moments that is required in big budget films.

Movie scores are what I listen to while I’m working at my desk, or writing these reviews, or when I was studying while in school. I just looked at my ‘instrumental’ playlist that I’ve had and been adding to it for the last 10 years and Hans Zimmer has 61 out of the 250 songs on that playlist. His work includes such soundtracks as ‘The Lion King’, ‘The Prince of Egypt’, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl’, ‘The Last Samurai’, ‘August Rush’, ‘Sherlock Holmes’, and ‘Inception’. I really enjoyed the music in this movie, and I know that a lot of people were disappointed when the Superman theme was never incorporated into the score, however I feel like Zimmer added a sense of wonder and grandness that was needed for this version.

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The flashbacks in Man of Steel was very much hit and miss for me. I feel like the two younger version of Clark Kent did a good job in their portrayals, and I was happy to see that they were providing some backstory to who he is, while at the same time not lingering too much on it.

One of the stupidest death scenes that I’ve ever watched was the flashback scene of Jonathan Kent being swallowed up by the tornado (twister, not entirely sure of the difference, if you know, tell me in the comments below) while telling Clark to stay where he was, and stupidly sacrificing himself. I feel like Clark could have easily saved him, but they wanted to make the film ‘darker’ and make Clark go on this long and arduous journey to find out what his place on Earth is, and to find out what kind of man he wants to become, but I was pissed off at that death scene.

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One of the bigger mistakes in this film was that Lois Lane was made to be an integral piece of the film. She was involved in everything, and while I know that she’s a reporter and loves getting information, the fact that she took a picture of cliff face, and saw a man enough to know to zoom in, then can somehow scale a mountain, and thinks she can escape the authorities after being called is funny. I feel like they should have kept her as a supporting character rather than one of the leads in the movie. I’m not happy that they made her find out that Superman is Clark Kent right away, as there’s a lot less in which they can explore and do in further films.

A small problem with the movie, is the magical appearance of the suit, with the crest of the house of El on it, that just happened to be on a spaceship that crashed on Earth 18 000 years ago, while also having one of the passengers on that ship survive and get out of their sleeping pod. Where are they? I don’t think we’ll ever find out.

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One of the most amazing things in the whole movie was that they were so casual with the destruction of Metropolis, and causing so much damage to the city, and they cry out that Superman is a hero. Yes, it wasn’t entirely his fault, but from the look of it, he did very little to save anyone, going as far as throwing Zod towards buildings full of people.

I enjoyed the nice touches of the greater plans that they might or might not have been planning towards the DCEU. Including the Wayne satellites, and the LuthorCorp trucks.\

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The most controversial part of the movie – the death of General Zod, is one of the most hated things about this movie, and I’m still upset about this to this day. Superman does not kill, yes, he’s killed Zod once in the comics, but that was one story that they had out of thousands of different stories. I feel like the circumstances of the death was stupid as well, I would have much prefered if Zod had gone into the Phantom Zone with everyone else when the ship collided with the World Engine. It would have been a much satisfying ending, rather than the whole air punching fight scene that caused so much damage to the city and to the Superman character as a whole.

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Overall, I feel like this was a solid film that had amazing music and cinematography, a little shaky on the characters and the acting, with an ending that is extremely divisive amongst the fans. I love Cavill’s performance as Superman, but there’s still a lot of room to grow. At the end of the day, I don’t have much more to say about this film, and I would end up giving this movie a final score of 7.5/10.

What did you think of Man of Steel? Are you excited for Justice League? Let me know in the comment section below!

Thanks for reading,

Alex Martens

Man of Steel Review Release Date: June 14, 2013 Running Time: 2 hours 23 minutes "With the imminent destruction of Krypton, their home planet, Jor-El and his wife seek to preserve their race by sending their infant son to Earth.

#Comic Book Movie #DCEU #Movie Review

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