| Through the lens, digitally
To meet the new Bollywood, you need to get out of Mumbai. We found it 125 km down the highway from Mumbai, next to a bicycle repair shop and a tea seller, in a large village called Neral. The only theatre here, the single-screen Mahesh Talkies, was on the brink of being shut down before being reincarnated last year. It now downloads films on a satellite link, using a technology that few have begun to use across the globe. From themes to work ethics to the way films are written, sold and distributed, the world's most watched movie industry is going through its biggest transformation ever. In ways visible and invisible, this change will touch the lives of millions of people across the globe — including those who watch it and those who live off it. All that, however, would have could come to nothing if theatre owners like Srinivas Dasrath Dhule in Neral did not ride the new wave.
BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept
Yesterday, DailyTech reported on VW's intention to bring a diesel-electric hybrid Golf to market. The hybrid powertrain would boost fuel economy to nearly 70 MPG on the small two/four-door hatchback. BMW also has diesel-electric hybrids on the brain with its new Vision EfficientDynamics concept vehicle. The concept is based on the X5 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) and uses a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder Variable Twin Turbo diesel engine. The diesel motor develops 204 HP and 295 lb-ft of torque. Unlike the previous BMW X6 ActiveHybrid concept vehicle which was a full hybrid, the Vision EfficientDynamics is a mild-hybrid vehicle. A 15kw generator boosts total power to 221 HP, while regenerative braking steps in to help power the vehicle's electrical systems and recharge the rear-mounted lithium-ion battery pack.
Cold doesn't deter tough cyclists
Most Iowans park their bicycles in the garage when snow, ice and subzero wind chills arrive.
But some dedicated cycling enthusiasts are ignoring the risk of frostbite and are pedaling to work all winter long.
People like Gary Hlavka, a civil engineer for the city of Des Moines who uses a mountain bike with studded tires when his commute requires maneuvering through snow. He rides a recumbent bicycle after the streets are cleared.
Chris Guevara, who lives on Des Moines south side, is also a regular winter bicyclist, riding downtown daily to his job at Principal Financial Group.
Ernie Fisher of West Des Moines has been riding his bicycle to work daily, year-round, for 42 years. Most of those years involved a 17-mile round trip when he taught at Monroe Elementary School in Des Moines.
Ronnie Thomson Touched Many Lives
MACON, GA (BRAIN)Ronnie Thomson didn't live to see 69 this Thursday, but he did live long enough to touch everyone in the bicycle industry including most of all his employees. "Ronnie always said the best marketing was to have the best product," said The L.H. Thomson Company marketing manager David Parrett. "He expected the very best out of all of us and anyone who did business with us." Thomson passed away in the middle of the night at his home over the weekend. Parrett said that Thomson was recovering from bladder cancer, but said his "sudden" death had nothing to do with that, and more likely was a "stroke or heart attack." "Ronnie was always like a father figure," said Karen Glass, accounts coordinator for the company, who had known Thomson for almost 10 years. "I know this will be a rough road for the entire Thomson family.
American Idol Buzz
It was nice to see some of those legends, especially James Ingram and Georgia's own Gladys Knight (Smokey Robinson didn't sound good at all), but I'm not sure this will be a must-watch week in and week out. I can also live without Lee Ann Womack or Michael Bolton. Too bad they couldn't get any rock stars or even pseudo rock stars like Bryan Adams or Rod Stewart. Of the others, Lucy Lawless has potential and looks hot as a blond. Alfonso Ribeiro is goofy and has great stage presence, even if his vocals can get sloppy. He'll be around awhile. A surprisingly stiff Cheech Marin reminds me of some random dude at a late-night karaoke bar. David Foster was much too kind to him. I can see him going home quickly. Lea Thompson has some skills and she's aging like fine wine. Hal Sparks? A white boy trying way too hard.
Hip-Hop Rumors: Joel Ortiz Off Aftermath? Is Bow Wow Crazy? Amy ...
Wow Bow doesn't have to do this. He doesn't. He can still make his name Bow Wow again. The rumor is that he got pissed off at Chris Brown and spit on his R&B counterpart. That's word to Omarion! Anyway apparently at a show in Dallas, Wow Bow ended his set off and accused Brown of messing up his set. How? I'm not sure how. Chris Brown is the headliner of the show, but I don't know what he did. Anyway, Wow Bow had to be restrained and out came the spit. I know this is only a rumor, but I have to ask: IS WOW BOW CRAZY?
Now that I got a good laugh out of that, you should know that Wow Bow has stated on the record that this never happened. Chris Brown hasn't issued any denial.
OBAMA HAS A SHOT!
OK, I know one doesn't have anything to do with the other, but I thought I would say this anyway.
Rising diesel costs could put TriMet in a bind
Rising diesel costs could force TriMet to dig deep into its reserve funds and possibly increase fares. TriMet's board of directors approved a plan to deal with increasing fuel costs Wednesday morning that includes using at least $1.5 million of its contingency fund and, as a last resort, raising fares for the fourth time in three years. So far a fare increase is just a possibility, said Peggy LaPoint, TriMet spokeswoman, and no amount has been determined. The board's plan would use contingency funds first, then increase fares if fuel costs continued to go up, she said. This is the second time in two years that TriMet has taken steps to deal with rising fuel costs. In October 2005 the agency adopted its first "corrective action plan" to cover a $4.5 million budget shortfall due to increasing diesel prices.
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