Giving Away Fortunes to Pets

Many families have pets these days. For children it's a way to teach them responsibility along with other valuable lessons. I personally grew up with a black Labrador named Shadow. But now I believe some are taking the love of a pet too far. Most recently a 94 year old, Maria Assunta, left her 4-year-old stray cat, that was rescued from the streets of Rome,$13 million fortune! That is a lot of money for a cat.  The wealthy widow of an Italian property tycoon had no children or living family members and suffered from loneliness. Tommaso was a alley cat she rescued. Tommasos new riches include cash, properties in Rome, Milan and land in Calabria. You may be wondering who might look after Tommaso now? The answer to that is the nurse, Stefania, who took care of Maria before she passed away two weeks ago. 


This is not the only case where a pet has been left a fortune although Tommasos is at number 3. Kalu the chimp's owner left him $80 Million dollars. While the top spot goes to a German Shepherd, Gunther IV, who inherited $372 million dollars from his father, Gunther III, a pet of a German Countess! 


Although in some cases such as Trouble's the family members will contest the will. Trouble was left $12 million originally by a real estate tycoon Leona Helmsley. But her family members contested and Trouble was left with $2 million instead.


If you would like to read the full article go to: http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/woman-leaves-13m-fortune-pet-cat-123953959.html

Journal #5- The Blackest Day of the Year

 Some of you may know what day I am talking about considering it was the day after Thanksgiving. Most know the Friday after Thanksgiving to be Black Friday, where everyone is going crazy over low prices and adrenalin rushing through their body. I personally have only gone Black Friday shopping only twice in my life. Everyone is rushing around trying to get everything they want. To be utterly serious going shopping on that Friday can be dangerous. Just this year a woman used pepper spray on shoppers Friday at a Los Angeles Wal-Mart super store. Pepper spray! Now this is definitely getting out of hand! This woman left nearly 20 shoppers with minor injuries, at 10:20 p.m. Thursday shortly after an Xbox display was unveiled at the store.  This woman has reportedly turned herself into authorities and the police confirmed. The woman was questioned and released. They are doing further investigation and after coming to a conclusion they will ask the victims if they would like to press charges or not.

Wal-Mart, along with other stores, is opening earlier each year. A few years back the normal earliest time stores would open was between 3 and 4 A.M. This is a big difference from opening at 10 P.M. the night BEFORE “Black Friday.”  Wal-Mart opened at 10 P.M.  on Thursday, Target opened at 12 A.M. Friday, and a few other stores moved their opening times up to compete with Wal-Mart and Target.  One mall was even offering a special seven shot espresso drink for those hard core shoppers to keep them going. Two-Three shots of espresso alone is equal amount of caffeine as one cup of coffee. Just think what seven shots of espresso in one drink is equal to! At another mall their metal detectors got trampled when initially opening. Luckily no one was hurt or even killed. I believe that in some aspects Black Friday shopping is getting too out of hand and something should be done about it.

If you would like to read the whole article and short video on the woman who pepper sprayed other shoppers go to: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57331853-504083/report-walmart-black-friday-shopper-suspected-in-pepper-spray-melee-surrenders/

Journal #4: Winter's Bone

This movie is different from most right off the bat. Most movies have pre-credits but this one starts right into the movie with two children jumping on a trampoline. Ree Dolly, played by Jennifer Lawrence, is trying to support not only her severely depressed mother but her two siblings due to her father,Jessup, being absent. Ree finds out when the sheriff stops by that her father is out on bond and put up their house and land up for his bond. Jessup's trial is in a week and if he's a no-show Ree and her family will lose everything. So Ree sets out on the near impossible task of tracking down her father. Risking her life and challenging her families code of silence, she tries to sort through the lies. To find out how this movie ends you will just have to go out and rent it. This movie is rated R for drug material, language, and violent content.

Journal # 3: A Klutz and An Ethereal Weirdo

There are two ways a film maker can make a female lead in a romantic comedy. One is by making her “The Klutz” or "The Ethereal Weirdo". The klutz is where the woman is always running into things along with spilling or dropping everything. The ethereal weirdo is completely different where the lady is in a way free spirited and yet emotional at times. In real life you are more likely to see a klutz than an ethereal weirdo. Personally I am a klutz in a few aspects; tripping over my own feet and dropping things all the time. In “Flick Chicks,” Mindy Kaling describes these types of women; the klutz and the ethereal weirdo. Along with what role they play in the majority of romantic comedies to make it more appealing to others.

As you read this article you are able to understand where Kaling is coming from. The aspect of a romantic comedy with a completely normal woman is less appealing to others and almost boring. But if you were to have a woman who is slightly difficult to get along with it is more appealing to an audience. Also when you read this article you can relate this information to many movies you have already seen. For example, The House Bunny is a perfect example of a Klutz and in the movie the Backup Plan; Jennifer Lopez is both a klutz and an ethereal weirdo.

If you would like to read the full article go to http://www.newyorker.com/humor/2011/10/03/111003sh_shouts_kaling

How to Carve a Pumpkin

How to Carve to Pumpkin

By: Jennifer Potts, Natasha Lindquist, Megan Birkholz, Karli Mueller

          The season of caramel apples, corn mazes, haunted houses, and pumpkin carving has arrived.  Carving your own pumpkin allows you to show off your creative side. Some people carve pumpkins professionally, but most just do it to have fun. This can be an enjoyable, family activity for all ages; however, without the appropriate knowledge this can be a messy project. Carving a pumpkin can be made easy if you follow these simple steps and have the proper tools.

Now before getting started you will need to gather some tools to use:

·         Paper sac

·         Tape

·         Large spoon

·         Marker

·         Different sized knives

The first step to successfully and safely carving a pumpkin is the cover the entire surface that you will be carving on, such as a table. It is important to do this before you begin carving your pumpkin because it will keep the table from getting full of sticky pumpkin guts. You can use basically anything with a paper base to cover the table: newspaper, paper bag, cardboard, etc. If desired, you may use tape to tape the paper to the table. This will prevent the paper from sliding around.

The next step in this process is to put the pumpkin on top of the paper. You will want to make sure to set the pumpkin directly in the middle of the paper. This will help keep a large mess from getting onto the table.

          The third step is to use your large knife to cut a circle on top of the pumpkin. You will need to be very careful and in some cases may need to refer to an adult because the pumpkin may be thick and hard to cut through. The proper way to cut the top of the pumpkin out is to carve on a slight angle. This will ensure that the pumpkin’s lid does not slide into the pumpkin after you have carved it.

   

After cutting out the top of your pumpkin, the next step is to remove all the guts. First get as much of the insides out with your hands, once this is done take a large spoon and scrape of any remaining guts stuck to the sides of your pumpkin. If you wish to keep our pumpkin seeds simply separate them from the guts.

     

Next, grab a marker and draw the design you wish to carve. It's always easier to do this on paper first just to make sure you are happy with it. Have fun and experiment with different shapes and ideas.

Once you have a design you like, transfer it on to the surface of your pumpkin. You can do this by either redrawing your design with your marker or by taping your original drawing to the pumpkins surface. Also if you don’t know what to do with your pumpkin there are plenty of resources online for ideas and printable templates to use.

While working with your pumpkin you have to be very careful, especially when you are cutting the design into your pumpkin. For best results, cut at an angle and as little as possible. To perfect your pumpkin, you can do back and cut more or with different sized knives and specialty carving utensils made especially for pumpkins.

After you cut out your complete design, there may be left over guts inside to scrape out. Carefully gather them all and put them with the rest of the guts. Most people through the guts out then, but if you want to get creative, they could be used in another project.

          After getting completely finished with your carving move your pupmkin off the paper sac. Then roll up the paper sac and throw it away.

Once you have finished your masterpiece, you can set it outside for all to see. If you want, you can also put a small candle on the bottom of the pumpkin for some extra pizazz. Make sure to set it on a flat surface so it doesn’t fall over.Your completed pumpkin will serve as a nice decoration outside for the Halloween and Thanksgiving season. This experience was hopefully a joyful one that may possibly become an annual tradition with your family, friends, or children.

The New Three Musketeers'

 Paul W.S. Anderson has been known for bringing video games to the movie screen, such as the Resident Evil series, has now moved on to the printed word with The Three Musketeers. The Three Musketeers(PG-13) is about The hot-headed young D'Artagnan joins forces with three rogue Musketeers in this reboot of Alexandre Dumas' story. They must stop the evil Richlieu and face off with Buckingham and the treacherous Milady (http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810175478/details). 


This movie has not been doing well in the theaters as of late. This may be due to the similarities or copying of pirates of the Caribbean and Sherlock Holmes. Along with a hint of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles without the colorful bandannas. 




Source:http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/150478-the-three-musketeers/ 

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