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Turk lied to Amateur Alex and told him that he’s noticed that there are a lot of Tim Horton’s Roll Up The Rims in the dumpster across the street. Amateur Alex jumped right on that and headed to the dumpster with a hazard suit and gas mask. Watch the video below to see how it went!
Amateur Alex received 9 winners… 5 coffees, 4 donuts! We awarded them to our first 9 callers!!! Enjoy your free coffees and donuts!
“[People] believe in the system, but the system is letting them down,” said director Lee Hirsch, addressing Dodd. “We need leadership and your faith … to overturn” this ruling.
“Bully,” which will be released by the Weinstein Co. in Los Angeles on March 30, centers on five families whose children have been victims of bullying. The fly-on-the-wall film does not contain an abundance of explicit content; however, in one scene, one teen hurls harsh profanities at another child.
In an interview, Dodd added that even if there was, he couldn’t ignore a perceptual issue. “I’m stuck,” he said. “If we change the ruling in this case, I’ll have 10 other filmmakers lined up saying they shouldn’t be given the R. And who are we to say why this film should be different than the others?”
The issue has turned into a hot-button issue for activists — and a major publicity headache for the MPAA. After the group’s ratings board denied a Weinstein Co. appeal, grass-roots organizers and the Weinstein Co. publicity machine went into overdrive. As Weinstein Co. issued statements about the unfairness of the ruling–they argue, among other things, that the scene comes in the context of a documentary and is there for authenticity’s sake–a Michigan teenager who was a victim of bullying started an online petition to change the rating.
The petition soon came to the attention of Weinstein Co. chief Harvey Weinstein, who at this year’s Oscar ceremony alerted celebrities such as Meryl Streep. The actress signed the document, as have Drew Brees, Ellen DeGenres and Justin Bieber. The number of signees now exceeds 300,000. (Many signatures also trigger personal emails to the MPAA; at least one official at the group has seen his in-box flooded with more than 200,000 such messages.)
The rating controversy has touched off a debate about the practices of an industry trade group that self-polices its content, prompting calls for more transparency and flexibility. “Why can’t [the movie] get a PG-13 with an ‘E’ for ‘Exception’ next to it?” Weinstein said in an interview at a D.C. hotel before he appeared on the panel Thursday. “There’s nothing stopping them from looking at this and doing something about it.”
Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Lakewood), who is part of a group of more than two dozen lawmakers drafting a letter to Dodd asking for the decision to be overturned, told The Times that she saw an irony in the MPAA’s ruling.
“This is a movie that’s all about protecting kids, and the fact that they would offer a rating that won’t let kids see it seems really counterintuitive,” she said.
Meanwhile, Weinstein and Hirsch have said they won’t edit the scene. To do so, they said, would be to dilute its impact, a position echoed by the film’s subjects.
“Our reality is not censored,” Kelby Johnson, a teen who appears in the film, said as she stood up to speak from the audience at the panel. “Since when did curse words become more important than children’s lives?”
As panelists and victims pressed Dodd, he sought to steer the subject back to the issues raised by the film. “I don’t want [the ratings issue] to step all over what Lee crafted,” the MPAA chief said.
But Hirsch remained steadfast. “The R is stepping over it, and that’s the problem,” he said.
The discussion grew sufficiently intense that Weinstein, who has a longstanding relationship with Dodd, came to his defense. “I just want people to understand that the senator is a good man,” Weinstein said. If he had a vote on the appeals board, Weinstein added, “I have a feeling…he would have voted our way.”
Weinstein said that he wants to use the film as a lever to help pass the Safe Schools Improvement Act, an anti-bullying bill that has been stalled on Capitol Hill for several years.
Weinstein said in an interview that if the MPAA didn’t lower the film to a PG-13 he would choose to release the movie without a rating, a risky move because, while it means teens could go by themselves, many theater chains shy away from showing unrated films in the first place. (The head of AMC, one of the nation’s largest chains, has suggested that he would show it even if it was unrated.)
Parents who appear in the film also have criticized the MPAA’s decision. David Long, whose son Tyler hanged himself as a result of bullying, said that he was at a loss to explain the MPAA’s policy that multiple four-letters word net an R, but a single instance rates only a PG-13.
“If it can be said once, what’s the difference between one and six?” he said on the panel, as he implored Dodd to change the rating so that schools will be more willing to show it. “I mean, [the obscenity] is already out there.”
Lawmakers say they see another false distinction, particularly when it comes to violent movies such as the upcoming “Hunger Games,” which did not get an R.
“The hypocrisy is that the very movies that contribute to violence can be seen by teenagers because they get a PG-13,” Rep. Hansen Clarke (D-Mich) told The Times. “And the one film that actually teaches them to respect others is given an R.”
One thing you can’t do… Mouth off to a cop. BEWARE: There is strong language.
A kid in Chicago screams in a cops face and then the cop grabs a hold of him.
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March 21st, 1945 – During World War II, Allied bombers began four days of raids over Germany
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Whether your aim is to lose five pounds, stop buying shoes or choose books over the boob tube, there is one thing essential for the winner’s circle. Willpower. The bad news: This is never going to change. The good news: It is possible to strengthen your stick-to-it-iveness, so there’s no reason why we all shouldn’t be healthier, happier, brainier people by this time next month. Here, some tips to build up your iron will.
Get to bed
Regardless of your ambition, you will be in better shape to achieve it if you get good and regular shut-eye – but if the ideal eight hours seems impossible, just focus on regular sleep patterns, meaning you are rising and retiring at the same time every day.
“Being well rested will improve brain power in your prefrontal cortex, which is where willpower resides,” says Kelly McGonigal, a psychologist and author of the new book The Willpower Instinct. Dr. McGonigal says trying to achieve your goals (and avoid bad habits) while tired is the equivalent to trying to do so while you’re a little bit drunk, and we all know that the drive to do just about anything (except have another cocktail) is considerably depleted after a drink or two.
Be a willpower athlete
“Like any form of strength, we can improve our willpower through training,” says Dr. McGonigal. You probably wouldn’t run a marathon without completing a lot of smaller athletic goals first, and the same principle applies.
Before kicking off a big challenge like quitting smoking, prep by taking on less difficult challenges. “It’s almost irrelevant what you choose – it could be something as simple as improving your posture.” says Dr. McGonigal. “The key is that you’re practising the act of paying attention to your behaviour and being in control.”
Give yourself a hug
Most of us tend to be self-critical when we fall off the willpower wagon, even though the research is clear: Negativity is a far less effective motivator than being your own biggest fan. “We tend to think these failures have deeper implications about our own worth and intelligence, which is simply not the case,” Dr. McGonigal explains, adding that a person will often wave the white flag after a small setback as a form of escapism – next stop, the nearest bar/bank machine/bag of chips.
Instead, she says it’s important to give yourself a figurative hug, then regroup. Use even a minor slip-up as chance to recommit and refocus on the end game. Try writing in an achievement journal, which is a great way to keep your head in the game. “Being mindful of your actions is one of the most important factors in avoiding negative behaviour patterns,” she says.
Don’t negotiate
An alternate path to achieving your goals involves a more latent form of willpower, where you simply cease to view the desired behaviour as something you have any choice about. An aspiring runner, for example, may look out the window and decide it’s a crummy day, thus setting into motion a battle between good and evil. “This type of negotiation can only happen if you view the activities as optional,” Dr. McGonigal explains.
Shutting down your inner terrorist isn’t possible for everyone, but doing so will let you achieve goals on auto pilot, thus freeing your brain from endless negotiations about that double fudge brownie.
Find your tribe
No matter how unusual your mission, chances are there are others out there trying to achieve it. In some cases (whether that’s AA or The Running Room), this group will be obvious, while other times finding your tribe will require more effort. “Willpower, just like temptation, is contagious, so finding people who want the same thing as you is invaluable,” Dr. McGonigal explains.
Research groups in your area or online. Who knows, maybe you’ll even find a new set of BFFs, which is especially great if your old BFFs are a pack of chain-smoking, hard-boozing, brownie-eating, TV-watching, slouching hedonists.
And don’t do this: Worry yourself into a frenzy. Self-control is fundamentally incompatible with stress.
IF TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY:
The most important thing over the coming 12 months is that you do not allow yourself to be limited by old habits. Physical habits are bad enough but mental habits will hold you back from realizing your potential. Let them go.
ARIES (March 21 – April 20):
Be careful what you ask for today because you won’t be able to give it back later if you change your mind. Jealousy could also be a problem if you feel someone is getting more attention than you are!
TAURUS (April 21 – May 21):
You may find it hard to resist something that’s bad for you today but, just this once, maybe it’s okay to give in to your less disciplined side. Life is supposed to be fun and the really fun things are those we are not supposed to have.
GEMINI (May 22 – June 21):
A friend or work colleague will have a profound effect on your opinions and beliefs today, but don’t go changing your entire outlook on life. While Mercury, your ruler, is moving retrograde nothing is for sure in the world.
CANCER (June 22 – July 23):
There is a danger you could make some illogical decisions over the next 24 hours. On the work front, especially, you need to think carefully before taking action. And make sure you have the option of changing your mind.
LEO (July 24 – Aug. 23):
Not everyone sees the world through your eyes and you would do well to remember that fact today. Other people’s values (or lack of them) may dismay you but you have no right to insist they change their ways.
VIRGO (Aug. 24 – Sept. 23):
You may be worried about your money situation but that’s okay because it will encourage you to search harder for a solution. A friend or relative will come up with an idea to improve your cash flow. It’s a good one.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 – Oct. 23):
A relationship is going through major changes at the moment and it may seem as if there is no way you can patch up your differences. That simply isn’t true, so don’t make any hasty decisions. There’s still time.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24 – Nov. 22):
You need to face up to reality. You need to admit that something is wrong. The sooner you can do that the sooner you will find a solution to the problem – and it won’t be as painful as you fear.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 – Dec. 21):
You will have plenty to smile about today as cosmic activity in the most dynamic area of your chart brings about some startling events. Changes in the wider world will lead to new opportunities for you personally. Be ready.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 – Jan. 20):
Someone you are close to emotionally will do something that takes you by surprise, although with hindsight you will admit that you should have seen it coming. Never believe that other people always think the same way as you.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 – Feb. 19):
Things won’t happen the way you expect them to over the next 24 hours but if you leave well alone and refuse to worry everything will come right in the end. Believe that fate is kind, and it will be.
PISCES (Feb. 20 – Mar. 20):
Life is not a zero sum game: there does not have to be a loser every time there is a winner. Bear that thought in mind today and look for ways you can help other people do well when you are doing well too.
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