Hey hey hey, which 'Blurred Lines' cover is best?

Music

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper TODAY

13 hours ago

Hey hey hey, it's the summer's hottest viral video/mashup/lip dub/cover song, Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines." You know the drill: Last summer, it was Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" that was covered by everyone from the Olympic swim team to Cookie Monster. (We rounded up the different versions in this post.)

Getty Images; EPA

Bill Cosby, Kermit the Frog and Alan Thicke all star in versions of Thicke's son Robin's hit, "Blurred Lines."

This year, the hot song is a bit more controversial than Jepsen's blockbuster -- some critics dubbed Thicke's song "rapey" for such lyrics as "I know you want it ... but you're a good girl." (Thicke says those charges are hogwash, by the way.) And the video features topless women holding goats. (We don't know.)

The controversy hasn't stopped everyone with ears from throwing together a fresh take on the "Blurred" phenomenon, often featuring famous people. From presidents to Muppets to Robin Thicke's own actor dad, everybody's blurring the lines. Here are a few of our favorites. (Note: Language is sometimes explicit, images are sometimes risque.)

'Blurring Pains'
It was inevitable. Robin Thicke's song meets his dad Alan's iconic 1980s-90s family sitcom, "Growing Pains." Retro still rules.

'Cosby Show'
Speaking of nostalgia, another awesome mashup takes the opening credits from the 1980s "Cosby Show" and shows the Huxtable family dancing to Thicke's hit.

Bill Clinton
The former president's romantic reputation makes him a believable parody topic for the sexy song. And current President Barack Obama gets to steal the show with a soulful line of his own.

Kermit the Frog and the Muppets
Oh yes, Kermit the Frog is popular with the ladies -- just ask Miss Piggy. He leads the other Muppets in an entertaining romp through Thicke's tune. It's not easy being green, but Kermie nails it.

Vampire Weekend
There's no video, just audio, but all the better to highlight this goofy-fun cover by the rock band, who don't always remember Thicke's lyrics.

Mod Carousel
Thicke's video was criticized by some for featuring several lovely topless women stalking around while the men remain fully clothed. This risque version, by "boylesque" troupe Mod Carousel, reverses the genders for some equal-opportunity almost-nudity.

Jimmy Kimmel
The host of "Jimmy Kimmel Live" showed his own take on the video on his talk show. Let's just say Thicke, Pharrell and his crew of models are not so thrilled to have Kimmel and pal Guillermo trying to nudge their way into the action -- especially when Kimmel gets up close and personal with Thicke's face.

Super Mario Bros.
Mario, King Koopa and the whole 1980s video game crew get into a whole weird 8-bit area with this version. Thank you, Mario, but our princess is in another castle.

There are plenty of other versions out there -- including a country-western take and yes, even a kids' version (which substitutes G-rated lyrics like "I know you wanna ... join a Kids' World").

Lines getting too blurry for you? Vote in our poll and pick your favorite version.

Source: http://www.today.com/entertainment/hey-hey-hey-which-blurred-lines-cover-best-6C10738309

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Mobile connected devices drive CE industry; resurgence in auto ...

Mobile connected devices drive CE industry; resurgence in auto, audio, TV segments, finds CEA forecast

Press release, July 25; Alex Wolfgram, DIGITIMES?[Thursday 25 July 2013]

Mobile connected devices, including smartphones and tablets, continue to drive consumer electronics (CE) industry sales, according to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). CEA also found there has been positive growth in segments within automotive technology, audio products and TV displays. Overall CE industry revenue will hold steady relative to 2012 levels, growing an estimated 0.2% in the US in 2013, said CEA, adding that its forecast for July 2013 also introduces sales data for new categories: fitness technology, desktop 3D printers and Bluetooth/airplay-enabled speakers.

"Despite uncertain economic conditions, 2013 CE industry revenue will remain consistent with 2012 levels," said CEA president and CEO Gary Shapiro. "Fueled by innovation, the CE industry is constantly noted for rapid evolvement, yet the industry has emerged as a consistent and steady force, influencing positive growth and job creation. While on-year sales remain even, we believe the future of the industry remains bright, particularly with the emergence of exciting new product categories like Ultra HD TVs, wearable electronics and 3D printers."

Sales of mobile connected devices, namely smartphones and tablets, continue to drive industry growth. These two devices alone will represent 32.2% of CE industry revenue in 2013, CEA believes. Smartphones are expected to maintain their position as the leading revenue driver for the industry in 2013, with unit shipments projected to reach 127 million during the year. Additionally, smartphone revenues are expected to surpass US$37.8 billion in 2013, a 14% increase from one year ago. Tablet computing will continue double-digit growth in 2013. Unit sales of tablets are projected to reach 87.1 million in 2013 and revenues expected to surpass US$27.3 billion.

"The success of tablets and smartphones underscores the importance of mobility and connectivity today," said Steve Koenig, CEA's director of industry analysis. "These trends are also generating opportunities in many other categories across the industry including audio, video and automotive technology."

Audio continues to see positive growth in 2013, with stronger than anticipated shipments during the first half of the year, added CEA. Home audio unit shipments are projected to increase by 11% to 11.4 million shipments. Major bright spots in audio are soundbars and Bluetooth/Airplay-enabled speakers. Soundbar shipments are projected to increase by 40% over 2012 to reach 2.8 million units, while portable connected speakers should generate US$302 million in total revenue in 2013 ? an increase of 35% on year.

CEA also found there is increasing demand by consumers to integrate their mobile devices into their vehicles. An increase in sales for in-vehicle electronics has led to overall sales revenues for factory-installed systems to reach US$9.2 billion in 2013. The integration of mobile devices is also helping in the aftermarket. Unit growth for head units equipped with Internet radio control or apps is projected to grow by double digits in 2012.

Sales of innovative digital displays continue to increase, despite a steady decline in average wholesale prices. TV sales remain influential to the industry's bottom line, with total TV sets and displays projected to reach US$19.3 billion in 2013, down 3% from 2012 (US$19.9 billion), the firm noted.

Source: http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20130725PR205.html

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Choue re-elected as World Taekwondo Federation President

By Emily Goddard

July 15 - Chungwon Choue has been re-elected to serve a fourth four-year term as President of the World Taekwondo Federation at the organisation's general assembly in Puebla.

The 65-year-old South Korean held on to his seat at the top of the sport's world governing body unopposed after his only challenger Hong Moon-Jong, a member of South Korea's National Assembly, pulled out of the race for the position last week, despite controversially calling for a "single candidacy" ? that would have seen Choue to step aside to give him a free run at the Presidency ? earlier this year.

Although he ultimately ended up being the only Presidential candidate, Choue still asked the assembly to cast their votes rather than award him the position by default.

"I ask you to confirm me to remain in this position," Choue had said ahead of the election.

"Our organisation has grown too great to expect anything less."

Choue was first elected in 2004 when he replaced the controversial Kim Un-Yong after he was arrested on embezzlement and bribery charges in South Korea, which ultimately led to him being expelled from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Choue completed the year that Kim had left on his term and was re-elected in 2005 for a four-year mandate, and then another one in 2009.

Under Choue, taekwondo has grown to become a more global sport, evidenced in the retention of its place among the Olympic core sports after Rio 2016 having initially been believed to have been under serious threat.

Electronic protective vests and socks for scoring, along with instant video replays, helping eliminate the judging controversies which had overshadowed the tournament at Beijing in 2008, are just some of the innovations that have been adopted under Choue's leadership.

The scoring system was also changed ahead of the London 2012 Olympics, with fighters earning a maximum four points for a turning kick to the head, compared to a maximum two points for a kick to the head in Beijing.

The new scoring system left the competition wide open and led to some high-scoring bouts and come-from-behind victories as the eight gold medals in London were shared by eight different countries, making the sport one of the most universal on the Olympic programme.

Also elected as today's general assembly were 14 council members ? 11 of which were re-elections ? for four-year terms.

The three new members come from Mexico, Korea and Jordan.

The WTF general assembly took place as Chouewelcomed 1,500 athletes from 136 nations to the Mexican state to compete in the 2013 World Taekwondo Championships, which run until July 21.

"It is so fitting that we hold the first championships after the London Olympics here in Puebla to set a new standard for our sport," Choue told the 6,500 capacity crowd at the Centro Expositor of Puebla stadium.

"If you look around, you will see that Puebla is the new standard."

The championships will see three sessions take place each day and will be broadcast throughout 62 countries across the globe.

Contact the writer of this story at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Related stories
April 2013:?South Koreans set to go head-to-head for World Taekwondo Federation top job
April 2013:?We will not rest on our laurels say WTF as details of development programme are announced
?August 2012:?London 2012 taekwondo competition has been great advert for our sport, says WTF President
October 2009:?Choue promises to heal rifts after re-election as WTF President
October 2009:?Choue wins controversial World Taekwondo Federation election

Source: http://www.insidethegames.biz/sports/summer/taekwondo/1015096-choue-re-elected-as-world-taekwondo-federation-president

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Sheila MacVicar latest hire for Al Jazeera

NEW YORK (AP) ? Sheila MacVicar, a longtime London-based correspondent for American television networks, is the latest hire at Al Jazeera America.

The news network that plans to launch next month and has been hiring personnel for offices in New York and Washington, and on Monday announced MacVicar's job. Other contributors include former CNN anchors Soledad O'Brien and Ali Velshi.

MacVicar started her career in Canada and worked for ABC, CNN and CBS News. She left CBS in 2010 for some consultancy work, following her husband to a job in Paris. Her husband transferred a year ago to Washington, giving MacVicar the opportunity to report on a country she has largely watched from a distance during her career.

Her reports will appear on "America Tonight," a five-day-a-week newsmagazine that is being modeled after "Nightline" during Ted Koppel's era.

The opportunity to work for a news organization she respects at a time of expansion proved intriguing, MacVicar said.

"The one thing we will not be reporting very much on is what the Kardashians are doing and that, I think, is very refreshing," MacVicar said. "I think there is a real market for this."

She said she was surprised moving to the United States at the extent of opinion instead of journalism on TV news. She said that "I like to get my hands dirty" digging up facts, so the new network seemed a good place for her.

MacVicar said she had read about, but had no firsthand knowledge of, problems involving Al Jazeera coverage of Egypt. Several Al Jazeera journalists there resigned last week, claiming the network had been biased in its coverage toward the Muslim Brotherhood.

"I wouldn't have signed my contract if I did not believe I would have editorial independence," she said. "If at any point somebody suggests that I should be reporting a certain story in a particular way because it would serve someone's interests, then I would be out the door. And not quietly."

___

Follow David Bauder on Twitter http://twitter.com/dbauder.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/sheila-macvicar-latest-hire-al-jazeera-141303030.html

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August Programs at the N.C. Museum of History | Triangle Arts and ...

?History of the Harvest? demonstration planters.

Escape from the heat with cool August programs at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh. You won?t have to sweat the prices either ? all August programs are free.

Watch the 1976 Academy Award-winning film All the President?s Men, starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman. In this political thriller, Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein uncover details of the Watergate scandal that led to President Nixon?s resignation. While at the museum, be sure to check out the exhibit Watergate: Political Scandal & the Presidency.

The month?s Artist at Work is Catherine Bolen, a knitting enthusiast who will demonstrate her craft. Every Thursday in August, young children can enjoy the program Storytime in the Gallery. There?s all this and more in August. Parking is free on weekends.

PROGRAMS

*Storytime in the Gallery
Thursdays, Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
10-10:30 a.m.
Ages 3 and up (with adult)
Meet a staff member at the information desk and follow your guide to one of the museum galleries. There, you can look around and listen to a history-related story.

2nd Saturdays Program: Artist at Work: Catherine Bolen
Saturday, Aug. 10
Noon-3 p.m. (drop-in program)
Watch Bolen turn yarn into useful objects, from baby caps to purses to afghans. This talented knitter loves to experiment with different yarns, colors and textures to make beautiful items. Watch out . . . you might get hooked on knitting!

*2nd Saturdays Program: Make It, Take It: In Stitches
Saturday, Aug. 10
Noon-3 p.m. (drop-in program)
Watch a knitter at work and try your hand at finger knitting. Make your own bracelet (sans knitting needles) to take home.

Saturdays in the Garden
Saturday, Aug. 17
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Join the museum?s garden staff for an informal tour of the History of the Harvest, a block-long exhibit flourishing in planting beds along Bicentennial Plaza. See what?s going on in the garden this month, and check out this year?s new additions. Tours begin at the information desk in the lobby.

The chronological exhibit connects North Carolina?s agricultural past with today?s cutting-edge research and development by universities and companies such as Syngenta.

At the Movies: All the President?s Men
Sunday, Aug. 18
2 p.m.
In this political thriller, Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein connect a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., to President Richard Nixon?s White House.

Andrew Taylor, Professor of Political Science at N.C. State University, will lead a discussion and Q&A session after the movie. Be sure to see the exhibit Watergate: Political Scandal & the Presidency.

* marks programs of interest to children or families

Lead-glazed earthenware. Image by Gavin Ashworth, courtesy of Old Salem Museums & Gardens.

NEW Closing Date for Exhibit!
The exhibit Art in Clay: Masterworks of North Carolina Earthenware will close on Sunday, Aug. 18, at 5 p.m. (Original closing date was Sept.1.) Don?t miss this selection of nearly 200 examples of earthenware pottery from the 18th and 19th centuries ? all made by Piedmont potters.

Admission is $5 per person; $5 for school groups (per person); and free for museum members and children ages 4 and under. Art in Clay was organized by Old Salem Museums & Gardens, with support from the Chipstone Foundation, the Caxambas Foundation, the Marion Stedman Covington Foundation, and Mr. and Mrs. W. Trent Ragland Jr.

Image:?Dish, probably made during Gottfried Aust?s tenure as master of the pottery at Salem, North Carolina, 1775-1785.?

For more information about the Museum of History, call 919-807-7900 or access www.ncmuseumofhistory.org or Facebook.

# # #

About the N.C. Museum of History
The museum is located at 5 E. Edenton Street, across from the State Capitol. Parking is available in the lot across Wilmington Street. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. The Museum of History, within the Division of State History Museums, is part of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources.

About the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources (NCDCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state?s cultural resources to build the social, cultural and economic future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary Susan W. Kluttz, NCDCR?s mission to enrich lives and communities creates opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history and libraries in North Carolina that will spark creativity, stimulate learning, preserve the state?s history and promote the creative economy. NCDCR was the first state organization in the nation to include all agencies for arts and culture under one umbrella.

Through arts efforts led by the North Carolina Arts Council, the North Carolina Symphony and the North Carolina Museum of Art, NCDCR offers the opportunity for enriching arts education for young and old alike and economic stimulus engines for our state?s communities. NCDCR?s Divisions of Archives and Records, State Historic Sites, and State History Museums preserve, document and interpret North Carolina?s rich cultural heritage. NCDCR?s State Library of North Carolina is the principal library of state government and builds the capacity of all libraries in our state, developing and supporting access to traditional and online collections such as genealogy and resources for the blind and physically handicapped.

NCDCR annually serves more than 19 million people through its 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, the nation?s first state-supported symphony orchestra, the State Library, the N.C. Arts Council and the State Archives of North Carolina. NCDCR champions our state?s creative industry that accounts for more than 300,000 jobs and generates nearly $18.5 billion in revenues. For more information, please call 919-807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.

Source: http://triangleartsandentertainment.org/event/august-programs-at-the-n-c-museum-of-history/

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From Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page to Van Morrison, military broadcasting helped inf...

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Source: http://www.facebook.com/thepentagonchannel/posts/10151484035350986

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Mentor?s new journey: North Bend?s Todd Reynolds ends fire career, readies for international church mission

Among the mementoes waiting to be packed, the coat stood out.

The heavy bunker jacket was special, signed by dozens of firefighters and volunteers, all wishing Todd Reynolds the best in his next adventure.

With two days until retirement, Reynolds, 56, Snoqualmie Fire Department?s assistant chief and training officer, was boxing up the memories from his second fire career.

It was April 2007 when Reynolds arrived in Snoqualmie from arid Pendleton, Ore. He had recently retired after 28 years as a fire captain with that city of 16,000 people. But Reynolds wasn?t quite ready for the retired life.

?I just wanted to do something a little different,? he said. When his church pastor?s family found him a more challenging job in a new place, right here in Snoqualmie, Reynolds pondered the big change.

?I don?t know if I have the horsepower for that job,? he wondered.

But his Pendleton chief encouraged him to apply, and Reynolds beat out the other applicant.

Snoqualmie was an adjustment at first.

In the Pacific Northwest, ?all this rain gets me down. But when it?s sunshiny out...!? he grins. He lives below Mount Si, and loves the encounters with bears, cougars and elk, the kind of wildlife he never saw in Pendleton??it doesn?t get better than that!?

Reynolds and his wife Kate have a grown son and three adopted daughters.

In August, he and Kate are going on a mission trip to the Ukraine through their Church of the Nazarene in Snoqualmie, to build missionary homes and work with an orphanage. The Ukraine has been an open field for missionaries for a while, and Reynolds is learning some of the language with help from mission leaders. He?s made one similar trip in his life, to Tijuana, Mexico.

The trip looks to be life-changing, and ?my wife and I are both really excited.?

Getting started

Reynolds chose his career as a 17-year-old. Leaving the Pendleton dentist?s office with his mother, he noticed the fire substation next door.

?I asked my mom, ?What do they do there?? She said they work one day, get two days off. I said, ?That?s what I want to do!??

Visiting his sister in Salem, Ore., Reynolds was one of the last applicants to get into the firefighting program at the local community college.

He got a ?sleeper? position at a fire station in Monmouth, Ore., and learned to be a firefighter, going on calls and taking classes, graduating in 1977. He got his first real job in Pendleton two years after applying and waiting on their list.

As assistant chief and trainer, Reynolds is a teacher, mentor, surrogate dad and confidante.

When a volunteer needs to chat, ?we?ll come in, close the door and talk about families, talk about ?stuff.? It?s kind of hard to put into words.?

He makes the schedule for the career firefighters, volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians, or EMTs.

Volunteers supplement the paid force, working a minimum of two nights every month. Some volunteers leave after a few years. Others stay for years; a number have been serving their Snoqualmie neighbors for a decade.

Training recruits

Volunteer firefighting is getting more challenging, with stringent training programs and time commitments. And yet Reynolds has managed to grow the program in Snoqualmie. He credits the people who are coming in: ?It helps when you have good material.?

Recruits in Snoqualmie often come from good jobs and high-tech careers.

?A lot of them are looking for something to do with their lives that gives back to the community, getting away from a desk and being committed.?

In Pendleton, ?you take a warm body, anybody who signs up. Here, it?s not that way. We pick and choose.?

Recruits go through an interview, testing on agility and knowledge, and must commit to 12 weeks of training and study, amounting to several days a week, to become an emergency medical technician volunteer. After that, they spend six months serving on the city?s medical aid car, two nights and 10 hours per week. After that, they?re evaluated, and can become volunteer firefighters, going through another series of training on nights and weekends. At the end, they are firefighters, and receive a modest stipend for their troubles. The department saves a small chunk of the pay for a Christmas bonus.

?We?re pretty picky about who we get in here,? says Reynolds. ?They?ve got to be able to do the job and make a commitment.?

Many new volunteers want to become professional firefighters.

?Everybody has a chance if they work hard at it,? says Reynolds. ?Once in a while, we get somebody, and we have to tell them, ?You might have to think about doing something else.? We do that with tact.?

Firefighting is a career where there are always more applicants than there are jobs?Reynolds estimates the ratio at 50 to one.

?You?ve got to be good and you?ve got to be at the right place at the right time,? just like he was. ?We tell our guys to apply everywhere?don?t just put your eggs in one basket,? he says. He expects them to be neat, clean, eager and ready for everything.

?I tell them, never let an officer roll a hose,? he said. ?If you see anybody wiping down a rig who?s over you in seniority, you?d better take that chamois away and start wiping it yourself. Show appreciation and eagerness in everything you do.?

The typical citizen won?t know who?s a volunteer and who?s a full-timer on the Snoqualmie fire force.

?It doesn?t say volunteer on their shirts,? says Reynolds. ?You wouldn?t know?and we?re proud of that.?

For firefighters, respect is a two-way street. New volunteers must earn it.

?We tell these guys, if you want respect from these guys, you?ve got to work hard and earn it. And they do.?

He?s proud of the lifesaving moments that his teammates have made, particularly the water rescues made by firefighters Darby Summers and Brian Busby in recent years.

A lieutenant will step into Reynold?s position on an interim basis.

As his signed coat shows, Reynolds have been given a warm send-off.

?The career guys and volunteers have been unbelievable,? he says.

He?ll miss the connections he?s made here.

?You have a tie to these guys?you know about their families, how the football game went, where their kids are going. All of a sudden, you?re not there anymore.?

?When they say, come on in and have coffee with us, that makes you feel good,? Reynolds said.

?

Source: http://feeds.soundpublishing.com/~r/svrnews/~3/VAoswU03Nas/214993391.html

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