Saturday, June 15, 2013

Hands-on with Asphalt 8: Airborne

During E3, Gameloft announced the latest iteration of their long-standing racing series, Asphalt 8: Airborne. Asphalt 8 introduces a new aerial element where you're launching your car off ramps to do freakin' sweet spins and flips. It's basically mixing in Tony Hawk with your classic racing game.

There are also massive improvements in graphics, with a ton of new particle and lighting effects that will definitely raise the bar for iOS racing games. Expect the usual stuff from the Asphalt series here, including customizable cars and multiplayer options.

Ridiculous and unrealistic as it may be, it's tons of fun. I've always been a big fan of Asphalt for its arcade feel and wanton disregard for real-world physics. Asphalt 8 promises to be a fast-paced, challenging joyride when it launches later this summer for $0.99.

    


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Friday, May 24, 2013

Kristin Braswell: In Search of Pura Vida: The Magic of Costa Rica

2013-05-21-arenal.jpeg

A simple breakfast and stunning view at Nayara Hotel.


Pura vida is a simple phrase that means "pure life." It is a greeting heard as frequently as "hello" -- on every street corner, restaurant and even home in Costa Rica. At the beginning of my travels to La Fortuna de San Carlos in the La Ajuela province, I smiled fondly in response to the phrase from the people who spoke it. But, by the end of my weeklong trip, I internalized these words and understood them deeply.

The ride from San Jose is scenic, with hills of majestic green stretching as far as the eye can see. Cattle roam freely on roadsides, and it is clear that there is no real barrier between humans and animals, and no hierarchy either. After about a three hour drive, which entailed a sloth sighting, a local plate full of chicharron, beans and rum, we arrived at our hotel in La Fortuna.

I chose Nayara Hotel & Spa Gardens because of its great reputation and proximity to the outdoor activities that many who come to Costa Rica search for: ziplining, horseback riding, hiking, canyoning, white water rafting and, of course, the hot springs. Nayara did not disappoint on any level. From the hospitality of its staff, pristine grounds and diverse dining options, to its breathtaking views of the Arenal volcano and endless rainforest, Nayara is a nature lover's paradise.

You have not ziplined until you have ziplined in Costa Rica. Never have I felt more fear and exhilaration as I whizzed across the rainforest, 650 feet high in the air. A stunning view of Lake Arenal sat in the distance, seemingly as limitless as the trees below. It is these kinds of experiences that remind you that life is bigger than your cubicle and student loans.

A trip to the Arenal Hanging Bridges is also a wonderful way to be suspended on a walkway in the heart of the rainforest. Thanks to conservation efforts, the rainforests in Costa Rica are protected and well-preserved. They are also a great reminder that human beings are not the only living things on this earth trying to sustain a life. During our tour, we spotted wild boars with their babies, birds searching for food, poisonous frogs, rainbow colored reptiles, and a few very persistent mosquitoes.

After a full day of hiking and ziplining, it was time to unwind. Back at Nayara a hot stone massage and milk bath at the resort's spa melted my muscles and the tension that city living often causes. The sound of cicadas, birds and who knows what else filled my ears, and in this moment, I found absolute peace.

The next day entailed a visit to Tabacon Thermal Springs. The springs comprise 97 percent rain water, three percent magma and 100 percent sheer paradise. You can easily spend a full day in one of the 16 pools, surrounded by lush gardens and the sound of streaming water. To avoid crowds, arrive before noon.

The only thing better than a relaxing day at the hot springs is good food, of course, and we experienced a plethora of that during our stay. Nayara's sushi bar and Nostalgia wine bar are not to be missed. Our wine pairing included some of the freshest ceviche and vegetables I've had outside of the states. In the town of La Fortuna, Anch'io Ristorante is a nice spot to stop by if you are craving an American food fix of pizza. And then there's Novilitto's Steakhouse. This was a highlight meal I will not soon forget. A simple roadside restaurant, Novillito's tender steak was grilled right in front of us, served with fried yucca, rice and beans. The portions are generous and the prices, more than fair. Add to this the hospitality and laid back feel of Tico culture, and it is an ideal restaurant for anyone visiting the area.

During my six days in La Fortuna, I was in awe of the Arenal volcano, of nature and its constant ability to renew itself and grow. I was awakened by the sounds of monkeys, birds, lizards and beautiful rolling thunder. After experiencing a small glimpse into Costa Rican culture and the richness of its people, pura vida came to take on a new meaning for me. Pura vida means to live life with a deep appreciation for everything around you, despite your circumstances. It is the recognition that everything is full of life -- from a small frog, to a young kid on the street selling jewelry, and that everything is worthy of deep respect. This reverence for life is a feeling that I plan to practice each day. Costa Rica, I will be back.

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristin-braswell/in-search-of-pura-vida-th_b_3313894.html

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Thursday, May 23, 2013

Google's conversational search goes live with latest version of Chrome

Google's conversational search goes live with latest version of  Chrome

After revealing it at I/O 2013 only days ago, Google's new conversational voice search function is up and running on Chrome 27. If you've got that version, you'll now get a spoken response on top of a web page display when using the voice search function (the microphone in the main search window), for starters. More interestingly, the new feature also includes semantic search, meaning you can ask follow-up questions without repeating needless info -- for instance, "who's the CEO of GE?" can now be followed up with "how old is he?" and Google will know who "he" is. We gave it a spin for ourselves and found that when it worked, it worked well, however, the system may be overwhelmed by the launch and is giving us a "no internet connection" message most of the time -- not exactly what we're looking for.

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Via: Search Engine Land

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/22/googles-conversational-search-goes-live/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget

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Learn To Respond To Triggers With An Anger Class Online ...

When a person feels angry, it?s generally the result of a deeper emotion such as embarrassment, rejection, anxiety, or hurt. It is normal for something that someone has said or done to make you angry once in a while, but if you find that you are angry all the time, it?s time to make a change. This doesn?t mean you need to completely overhaul your entire life. Instead, you can take the time to learn better coping skills to help you manage your anger so when a trigger arises, you can rationally respond to it rather than react.

Simply willing yourself to stop getting so angry isn?t a long-term solution. Rather, there are a number of research-based tools that a person can learn to employ to gain control of his or her anger. It?s the same idea as improving your skills at a sport. You focus on the topic at hand; learn the proper techniques to succeed from a trained professional, and practice, practice, practice. It might take a while, but with serious desire and commitment, you will end up improving and succeeding.

One solution to overcoming your angry behavior is to take a cognitive therapy based anger control course to learn how to do accomplish this goal. Anger management classes can be highly beneficial for many reasons. First, they teach participants how to deal with stress by identifying what is causing it and addressing the emotion with specific stress reduction tips. Furthermore, individuals learn how to increase their empathy to better listen and communicate with others on a daily basis. Online anger programs also address negative thoughts you might have about yourself. Changing the way you interpret certain situations in a more positive light is an important component of anger control.

The most convenient, educational and flexible way to learn these skills is to take an anger management course online. With any Internet connected computer device such as a Smartphone, Tablet, PC or laptop, you can enroll and take a class at any time of the day or night. This format alleviates the stress of having to miss work, school or family time to drive miles away to make a traditional weekly in-person program.

Online anger management classes are available to take for self-improvement as well as court ordered requirements. It is suggested that participants get prior approval from the judge, probation officer or attorney, to take an online class to fulfill their specific court order. Once approved, the participant can login and out at his own pace. This gives the client the ability to finish the course in one day or over a weekend if a deadline is looming. Once the client finishes the course, a Certificate of Completion is sent out to the address specified. This documentation proves to the court system that the mandate was successfully fulfilled.

Learn how to overcome and respond to the daily life triggers that get are getting you so angry. An anger control course taken from your very own home can be a life-changing experience.

Source: https://www.angerclassonline.com/blog/post/Learn-To-Respond-To-Triggers-With-An-Anger-Class-Online.aspx

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Source: http://clemonslester.typepad.com/blog/2013/05/learn-to-respond-to-triggers-with-an-anger-class-online.html

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acutezza replied to your post: GUNNERKRIGG COURT I was gonna scream about it on facebook but I...

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

acutezza replied to your post: GUNNERKRIGG COURT

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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Sony mulls hedge fund's entertainment sale idea

Sony President and CEO Kazuo Hirai speaks during a press conference at the Sony Corp. headquarters in Tokyo, Wednesday, May 22, 2013. Hirai said the company's board will discuss a proposal by U.S. hedge fund manager Daniel Loeb to spin off up to 20 percent of its movie, TV and music division. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

Sony President and CEO Kazuo Hirai speaks during a press conference at the Sony Corp. headquarters in Tokyo, Wednesday, May 22, 2013. Hirai said the company's board will discuss a proposal by U.S. hedge fund manager Daniel Loeb to spin off up to 20 percent of its movie, TV and music division. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

Sony President and CEO Kazuo Hirai speaks during a press conference at the Sony Corp. headquarters in Tokyo, Wednesday, May 22, 2013. Hirai said the company's board will discuss a proposal by U.S. hedge fund manager Daniel Loeb to spin off up to 20 percent of its movie, TV and music division. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

Sony President and CEO Kazuo Hirai speaks during a press conference at the Sony Corp. headquarters in Tokyo, Wednesday, May 22, 2013. Hirai said the company's board will discuss a proposal by U.S. hedge fund manager Daniel Loeb to spin off up to 20 percent of its movie, TV and music division. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

Sony President and CEO Kazuo Hirai speaks during a press conference at the Sony Corp. headquarters in Tokyo, Wednesday, May 22, 2013. Hirai said the company's board will discuss a proposal by U.S. hedge fund manager Daniel Loeb to spin off up to 20 percent of its movie, TV and music division. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

Sony's logo is seen outside the company's headquarters in Tokyo, Wednesday, May 22, 2013. Sony's CEO Kazuo Hirai said Wednesday the company's board will discuss a proposal by U.S. hedge fund manager Daniel Loeb to spin off up to 20 percent of its movie, TV and music division. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

TOKYO (AP) ? Sony's CEO Kazuo Hirai says the electronics giant's board will discuss a proposal by U.S. hedge fund manager Daniel Loeb to spin off up to 20 percent of its movie, TV and music division.

Hirai was asked about the proposal at a corporate strategy presentation Wednesday. He did not give a timetable for a decision, and would not give his own opinion about the suggestion raised by Loeb, who is CEO of hedge fund Third Point LLC.

"This will be deliberated by the board and we will come up with a response," Hirai told reporters. "We have only just begun to study this."

Loeb said money from the sale could be used to shore up Sony's ailing electronics manufacturing unit.

Hirai said Sony Corp. did not believe Loeb was proposing that Sony make its entertainment business a separate entity, but wants to make that part of the company public.

"It is an important proposal from our shareholder," Hirai said. "We want a constructive dialogue at all times with our shareholders."

Sony initially responded to Loeb by saying its entertainment business was not for sale, though some analysts said the strategy might help Sony unlock value from its wealth of audio and video content. Sony has fallen behind powerful rivals such as Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. in profitability and innovation.

Hirai, who took over as Sony's president a year ago, outlined various plans for revitalizing Sony's electronics business, focusing on mobile devices, imaging and games. The company intends to return its TV business to profitability by promoting more expensive large-screen TVs. It will focus on cameras and other imaging products that have "value-added" technology such as image sensors and higher-powered zooms.

Sony reported its first net profit in five years for the fiscal year that ended in March. Hirai has sought to reinvigorate the once dominant electronics maker by tapping into what he calls Sony's DNA, and ensuring all its products have "wow."

"Creating new markets cannot be done without taking risks," he said. "If we cannot change we cannot grow."

Hirai defended Sony management's handling of its restructuring over the past few years, noting that top executives had given up bonuses for failing to return the electronics division to profitability, and some had taken salary cuts.

Asked if Sony's practice of having some long-serving employees move to a "career development room" amounted to "bullying" of rank-and-file workers, he insisted it did not.

"The career development room is not an office for getting rid of employees but providing re-employment assistance," he said. "We are trying to find new jobs for the employees and we will continue to do so."

Sony's shares jumped 5.9 percent in Tokyo trading to 2,290 yen.

___

Follow Elaine Kurtenbach on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ekurtenbach

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/495d344a0d10421e9baa8ee77029cfbd/Article_2013-05-22-Japan-Sony/id-69af0a03b4f24891ae46b0fbef39aac7

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Amar?e Stoudemire Welcomes a Son

The New York Knicks forward and wife Alexis have welcomed their fourth child - a son - Stoudemire announced.

Source: http://feeds.celebritybabies.com/~r/celebrity-babies/~3/vQ47xDgamgo/

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