VampireS SUMO

Casinos have always been a destination for the wealthy and the famous, however, these days they are hoping to be a regular stopover. But the gambling cannot be confined to one spot. However gone are the days when Las Vegas was the all and all destination for serious gambling.

The success of Las Vegan model inspired a lot of other states to legalize the concept of gambling resorts and palatial casinos as sources of churning hefty revenues.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 was path breaking in more then one way. Not only did it permitted casinos on land controlled by Indians, but it also proved to be the forerunner of a plethora of other laws aimed at liberalizing gambling scenario of the nation.

The act injected much needed money into the sagging and cash deprived economies of the states and was by and large successful on doing so simultaneously also providing a large number of jobs.

Another concept that soon emerged on the scene was that of River boat Gambling. Though the name strikes all the right chords in the heart and creating images of garishly decorated boats moving to and fro on the river Mississippi and other inland waterways. However there is one twist to the tale. While yes the boats are with the most exquisite of the Victorian decoration and to stir up a lot of chords, but they never leave the docks!! Thus they are nothing but casinos on water. While the rules in actuality vary from state to state and in some states such casino boats are actually allowed to cruise through water also!

The busy life of the up town leaves people with hardly any opportunity to have exclusive gaming holidays. The entire country of US today can be traversed with al the fun and frolic a gambler would ever want. The acts of different states though are a bit different. Starting with the northeastern experience there are various reasons that make the make state and districts such attractive destinations of gambling. The facilities available in them and what are the legal requirements for gambling in these states though vary to an extent.

Mid Atlantic is another popular destination the regulatory authorities in these states however ensure that the avenues for gaming are ample. The avenues available to any one planning a trip around the US with only one aim, and that being gambling are vast to say the least.

Gambling travel in the states can be best planned if some information which foremost includes the laws governing gambling in that state and the right places to be looked for are known. Following are the regions classified which cover the entire length and breadth of the US and to get the most out of the country’s best gambling experience each one must be paid homage to.

These include:

* Northeast

* Mid-Atlantic

* Southeast

* South Central

* Midwest

* North Central

* Central Plains

* Southern Plains

* Northwest

* Western

* Nevada

Any plan should make sure that best of the above-mentioned are covered in totality.

Mansi aggarwal writes about american gambling topics. Learn more at gamblinginamerica.com gamblinginamerica.com.

Black and white photography has long been a staple product of the art world. There is something about capturing the world around us and rendering it, and the people in it, in such a stark medium as black and white. In a way, this type of art takes away any preconceptions one might have about the given subject and allows the viewer to see the content as it really is, and even add their own ideas.

There is really no end to the amount of beauty that black and white photography can capture. Whether it be of a tranquil forest scene or an all-encompassing, towering mountain, black and white landscape photography is only one of the varying themes that a photographer may capture within his/her art. Helyn Davenport, a well known photographer, does a wonderful job of appropriating the perfect perspective within his art. In one of his more peaceful landscape pieces, “Bog”, Davenport seems to grasp the serenity of the world he is viewing and the subtle way in which he denotes the shadows falling over the water creates a beautiful contrast within the picture.

People and cultures have always been a favorite subject for these artists because the black and white medium can recall the detail and emotion within a person’s face and emote that sense to any art lover who might be interested in the experience. Diane Arbus has created works of black and white photography that have, in the past, grabbed the interest of many in the photojournalist world and are now considered fine pieces of art. Within in her photo, “Puerto Rican Woman with Beauty Mark”, one can almost feel the emotion expressed within her subject’s eyes. It is easy to imagine many different stories to explain the pain visible in the woman’s gaze, this aspect is exactly one of the traits that denotes a well done photograph.

Although there are many sub-genres within black and white photography, black and white digital photography seems to be becoming very popular because of new technology within the world of cameras. Digital photography has made it easier for the artists to download their images onto a computer, thereby giving them the ability to incorporate new elements that would not have been available in a traditional dark room setting.

There is something of a romantic and antiquated sense to black and white photography that has kept the art world interested from the time that it was invented. Within such art there is a stillness, and yet, the subjects captured are somehow so alive to the viewer. Because of the emotions that this type of photography brings, galleries around the world will most likely always make it available to the public. Many online galleries are available, such as imagekind.com/ Imagekind, and offer a great selection and convenience when searching for additions to any collection.

Emily Olson researches for Imagekind.com Imagekind.com where she also writes articles that encompass the different genres and styles within the art world.

The nodes (south and north node) are two points in an astrological chart that possess priceless information about one’s karmic past and soul-destined future. Calculated by using the birth data of the individual, the nodes symbolize the unique life path that one is on and can answer many questions about his own, as well as his partner’s, inner struggles and desires — answers that can transform not only his relationship but his life.

Since there are twelve signs of the zodiac, there are also twelve unique nodal positions — each pair of nodes (north and south) representing two opposite signs of the zodiac. For instance, a Leo Sign North Node is paired with an Aquarius Sign South Node because they are opposites. And because they are opposites, they create a clear picture of the dualistic struggle that resides within the Leo north node/Aquarius south node individual.

Often, the individual is unaware of the war taking place inside, a situation that could go on for years. As time passes he is dumfounded by his inability to progress in life - professionally, emotionally, and spiritually. He doesn’t understand why he keeps repeating the same mistakes over and over again and continues to dwell on the past as he desperately dreams of the future.

All of us have our own set of visible (and invisible) struggles to work through — obstacles that the Nodes of the Moon can help us isolate and resolve while simultaneously freeing us to move forward on our destined path.

We all know that knowledge is power…and that’s why I offer a bit of it to you…to give you the strength and courage you need to not only live, but thrive.

This week I′d like to begin with a brief overview of the Leo Sign North Node/Aquarius Sign South Node position.

To start, let’s take a look at some keywords. These words describe the polarity between these two opposing signs and can offer you a glimpse of the soul journey that the individual with this nodal position is on.

Just remember that the south node represents the comfortable but not necessarily healthy habits within your personality - patterns that have accumulated over lifetimes that now need to be acknowledged and released. The north node, on the other hand, represents your soul’s potential - the direction of the future…the behavioral habits that will lead you to greater happiness and the kind of life that you will find fulfilling.

Here are a few Aquarius South Node traits that should be put to rest, sort of speak, if the individual with this nodal position is to live an emotionally rich life:

Overly logical…remote…repressed…impersonal…opinionated…too unpredictable…aloof…erratic…radical…cold…intolerant…oblivious…too detached.

Here are a few Leo North Node traits that the individual might at first find foreign but eventually will need to acquire if he is to connect to his true soul potential and live the life he was meant to live:

Generous…courageous…fun loving….leader…heart-centered…commanding…inspiring…dignified…influential…dramatic…willing to act…whimsical…self-confident.

The journey from an Aquarius Sign south node to a Leo Sign north node will take some work. But then again, so does everything that’s worth doing. Obstacles are simply strategically placed hurdles that are to teach and show us the power of our own strength and courage. So as long as the Leo north node individual remembers to never lose sight of the ultimate goal, he should have no problem achieving and holding it firmly within his hands.

The Leo Sign north node reveals a soul that has spent lifetimes dependent on other people’s ideas and opinions. Therefore, as he arrives into this world, he still feels a strong pull towards groups…toward sharing common interests…toward accomplishing unified goals.

Unfortunately, this dependence on the “group” as well as his friends only leaves him disappointed at the end. Each time he reaches out for support, he is left standing alone on his own two feet. The abandonment hurts, but this is what his soul wants him to feel. Because his soul mission in this lifetime is to develop his own identity…his own will…and his own courage. To stop relying on others and begin depending on himself…expressing his own opinions rather than those of whom he represents. He must finally learn to be a leader and forget being a follower.

The request mentioned above is only the first of three favors asked by his Leo Sign north node. The second would be that he reconnects to his heart. This individual has spent lifetimes as an aloof, impersonal, and somewhat cold person – always keeping contacts at a comfortable distance. In this lifetime, his Leo Sign north node will ask him to depend less on his intellect and reason when dealing with others, and instead, make a conscious effort to interact with others in a more loving, involved, and personal manner. This reawakening of the heart will allow him to connect to his solar power so that he can use it to become the “spiritual king” he is meant to be.

The last but not least request of his Leo Sign north node will be that he bravely expresses the unique individuality that belongs only to him. This individual is so used to thinking for the collective and is such a worshiper of complete equality, that he has forgotten what it is like to remain an individual within the group.

Fortunately (a bit painful to him at the time), his Leo Sign north node will urge him to take center stage and receive applause. It will ask him to stop expecting approval and force him to move forward with his beliefs even in the absence of support. And it will help him let go of his fear of standing out in the crowd, and the world at large, while simultaneously encouraging him to use his unique abilities to lead others toward progress.

The Leo Sign north node individual is meant to play, inspire, and love. He can teach us how to be courageous when we want to retreat, how to use the power of our will to achieve our goals when we are ready to give up, and how to develop the unshakable spirit we need in order to stand up against the expectations of the world.

The life journey of the Leo Sign north node individual might in the beginning be somewhat lonesome. Because he will have to spend at least a part of his life alone in order to develop his inner strength. However, once he is strong and ready to take the throne, there is almost nothing that can stand in his way. Nothing!

Having said all that, it might not be such a bad idea to fill your surroundings with as many symbolic representations of the Leo Sign as possible. Surrounding yourself with Leo sign colors, Leo sign fragrances, and Leo sign ornaments will remind you of the soul mission you′re on and help you find your unique path to fulfillment.

Now if it’s your mate that has the Leo sign north node, and you do that for your mate, well…that’s about the greatest gift that you could ever give him/or her. Because there’s nothing like the feeling one gets when he realizes that he has found someone who really gets him — a true friend…lover…and the irreplaceable soul companion he’s been searching for his entire life.

…that soul companion who is you!


Have an adventurous journey my friend!

You may freely use this article on your blog, website or newsletter provided the above credit and active link are retained.

Copyright 2006 Romantic-ideas-for-life.com and Julia Simkin

Julia Simkin is the co-founder of romantic-ideas-for-life.com/ romantic-ideas-for-life.com. Always in search of the yet-to-be-discovered, Julia strives to offer her readers inspired ways of looking at both love and life. An Aquarian visionary of both mind and spirit, Julia is a facilitator for those seeking a different truth and deeper meaning. To learn more about your soul mission, go to romantic-ideas-for-life.com/north-node-birth-chart-data.html Julia’s North Node Chart to find your north node position or directly to the romantic-ideas-for-life.com/leo-sign.html Leo North Node Page if you already know that your north node is in the sign of Leo.

“These two have no idea what they’re about to walk into. Down here to have a good time, they figure ‘why not give poker a try?’ After all, how different can it be from the home game they’ve played their whole lives?”

–Matt Damon as Mike McDermott in “Rounders”

For most of us, our first poker experience was nowhere near a casino. Either we learned from friends or family members in home games, or we plugged into the online poker craze. Still, the idea of playing poker in an actual brick and mortar (B&ampM) casino, with all the attendant sights and sounds, is very tempting for most. So what do you need to know when transferring your home or online skills to casino play? There are many distinctions between online and B&ampM play, but two factors you may immediately want to consider are tells and casino type.

1. Tells

The main concern most people have when moving from online to B&ampM play regards tells. A tell is a physical action a player performs that may give opponents a clue to his hand, such as putting a hand to the face when bluffing. Online, since your opponents cannot see you, physical tells are not really concern (there are online tells, but that is beyond the scope of this article). In fact, one popular poker site has an advertising campaign where they invite those players who have a “bad poker face” to join, since no one can see your face online. In the movie “Rounders,” quoted at the beginning of this article, the villain is undone by the way in which he handles an Oreo cookie depending on whether or not he has a big hand. In reality, tells are rarely this extreme. Most of the time when you play in a casino, especially a “tourist” casino (see following), your opponents are much more concerned with what they are holding than what you are. Even when an opponent scrutinizes you, staring you down while contemplating a call, they’re generally just considering how much they like their own hand. Real tell-spotting requires long, careful observation of a player’s tendencies; you’re not likely to give much away on an individual hand. Professionals like to give the impression that they can just look right into your soul and know what you’re holding, but there’s a lot more to it than that. If you’re really worried you can buy a pair of reflective sunglasses to wear so no one can see your eyes. You can also always wait a predetermined amount of time (five or ten seconds) before acting whether your hand is strong or not so strong and pick a predetermined spot on the table to stare at while waiting for someone to respond to your action.

2. Type of Casino

All casinos are not created equal. Ten years ago, before the explosion in poker popularity, most casinos did not have a poker room at all, or at best, a small section of the blackjack floor partitioned away where two or three $1 to $2 limit games might take place. Obviously, things are different now, but there are still distinctly different types of casinos where one might play poker. The first is a Card Club. These are most commonly found in places like California, where poker as a game of skill is legal, but some other gambling games are not. Although they have expanded to other games, these clubs are primarily designed to play poker. As such, you are likely to find the most experienced poker players here, although not necessarily the strongest and they have their share of tourists as well. The more common type of casino is a Las Vegas Style Casino. These casinos have made fortunes on blackjack, slot machines and roulette and did not really focus on poker in the past as it is not a big money maker for the casino. Unlike the other games, which are against the House (the casino) and are structured so that the House always wins in the long run, poker is a game where the casino only makes money by taking a percentage of each pot (called “the rake,” usually no more than $4 a pot) for themselves. Although now rare, some casinos take “time” instead of a rake, meaning every half hour a representative of the casino comes around and collects a predetermined amount of money from each player in the game.

Of these Las Vegas Style Casinos, you will find what I think of as Poker Casinos vs. Tourist Casinos. A Poker Casino is one that has always had poker as part of its draw. These include The Bellagio and The Mirage in Las Vegas and the Taj Mahal and Borgata in Atlantic City. A Tourist Casino is one of the aforementioned casinos that did not have poker at all until the recent boom made it worthwhile as a draw to get players into their casino. Of course both of these types of casinos cater to tourists, but the Poker Casinos are where you are more likely to find professionals. Which of these types is more to your taste is for the individual to decide.

The most important thing to remember is that whether it’s online or in the casino, poker is poker. Play a smart game and you should rake in the chips, whether they’re virtual or made of clay.

Tom Shannahan has been playing poker since he was 16. He grew up watching his father play with friends once a week. He currently writes part time for

Spring is here! Here are seven photography tips for the new season.

Shoot birds as they are now coming back from the winter. Use the longest lens you have to get the bird in full frame. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/500 second. These critters move fast and are usually restless even while perched so you need to be prepared for their quick moves.

Shoot in black and white. The sun′s still not out quite as much so on overcast days try shooting in black and white to get whatever contrast you have to stand out.

Shoot reflections. Puddles, pools of water, moisture on objects, closeups of dew, all make good subjects while we are still experiencing rain in most parts of the country. After spring rains, creeks, streams and waterfalls are at their most picturesque. So spring is a great time to photograph these waterways.

Shoot flowers. An oldy but goody. Spring flowers and blossoms are always a good subject if you need an idea.

Stormclouds and cloudy sky scenes make interesting patterns. Try this with black and white and see what results you get.

Take advantage of the best light. Usually morning light for warm yellow tones, late afternoon or evening light will give you a warmer hint of red to full red.

Finally, check your photo gear and prepare for a full on photo year. Clean your camera, lenses and gear, check and recharge all your batteries. Read up on what new accessories can enhance your shooting.

Enjoy the sights, sounds and fresh air as you go about capturing the freshness of spring!

Rayman L is a travel, photography and technology enthusiast. He runs multiple web information sites based on travel, technology and gadgets. See lensandpixels.com lensandpixels.com for more photo ideas and news.

His latest sites are miniguidebooks.com miniguidebooks.com and an imgiver.com Internet Marketing site.

Stan Lee, in my mind, has to be one of the all time most recognizable individuals in the
“Comic Book Industry”. Most lovers of comic books have known his name all their
collecting lives. For those of you who don’t know his name, I am sure you have heard of
his creations. The X-Men, the Fantastic Four, the Incredible Hulk, Daredevil, and the
very well known Spider-Man are all from the mind of Stan Lee. For the last forty years
or more and as an employee of Marvel Comics, he has entertained us through the art of
comic book imagination.

Well, by now you would think that an individual of this caliber would be taken seriously
and treated with respect from his employers. Apparently not! In 2002 Stan Lee decided
he had to file a lawsuit against the comic giant, Marvel. It appears the agreement between
Lee and Marvel was that 10% of the income generated from TV and movies using Lee
characters, was to be his. Seems Marvel didn′t see it that way. Typical of conglomerates,
isn′t it? The boys in the suits seem to want to make all the rules. Stan at one time had
even been a suit. Among other positions held at Marvel, Lee had even been president of
the company for a while.

Years ago when Stan Lee had created most of his characters, he had done it through a
write-for-hire agreement, so he doesn’t own the characters. Stan was then, just a “meat
and potatoes” kind of guy, trying to put meat and potatoes on the table. But over the
years, he was very instrumental in putting Marvel Comics on the map.

When the 10% deal was formally put together, apparently most individuals involved
didn’t realize the windfall that comic book character movies would become. Now is that
any reason to hold back Stan’s piece of the pie? I think not. Just corporate bigwigs trying
to increase their lot in life. Now this is just my opinion so don’t rant back at me as being
unfair.

As luck would have it, a federal judge agreed and ruled in favor of Lee. How much
monetary compensation does this mean? Well to put it in perspective, the two Spider-
Man movies thus far, have reaped on the order of 800 million dollars apiece, in world
wide ticket sales. This settlement could mean tens of millions of dollars for Lee, but the
battle is not over. Marvel, will quite probably appeal the verdict and the case may be tied
up in the courts for years.

Now don’t go feeling too badly for Stan Lee. He is still pulling down a salary from
Marvel on the order of a million dollars. Still not to shabby in my mind. And Lee has
mixed feels because he has been loyal to Marvel for 60 years. To have his lifelong
employer trying to, shall we say, stiff him, for being so loyal, I′m sure, does hurt. Had it
not been for Lee, Marvel may not have been in the financial position they are today.

At 82, Stan Lee does have a comfortable and successful life. And if even his settlement is
held up in the courts for years, Stan won the first round. He didn’t bow down to the
corporate hammer. Just another “Joe working class hero” yelling out, hey guys, let’s play
by the rules.

Dave Gieber, a former rocket engineer, has decided to take up residency on the Internet.
He is the owner and editor of several websites, one of which was built around one of his
childhood passions; comic-book-collection-made-easy.com comic-book-collection-made-easy.com . You can visit here to
keep up to date on the world of comic books and comic book collecting. Feel free to sign
up for my comic book ezine.

The multi table tournaments are very popular and they gain more and more fans because amongst no limit multi table tournaments we can count the WSOP and The World of Poker tour. People try to get into them and they must play multi table tournaments to do this. People avoid no limit because they are scared of what they can lose and you can see rarely no limit games outside a tournament.

At the beginning of a no limit tournament you must keep in mind that you are not playing your average no-limit ring game. Keep the bluffing in modest limits because as you will see, because of so many people, the chips each one has are smaller than the pot. And this means you can lose much more bluffing than you can actually win, so bluffing is usually out here. So, when still at the beginning, and when your stack is comparable to the stack others have, you should try and play by the rules, don’t push your luck and gamble as little as possible because gambling just doesn’t pay off here.

When arriving to the middle of the tournament, if you made it that far, you will need to change the strategy. Here you must focus on stealing the blinds and you will experience the side effects of the gap concept: it will take not so good hands to steal the blinds but you need much bigger hands to call that raise or any raise at all. In the middle rounds everyone will just try to survive, so act accordingly. Increase the chips you have one bi tat a time and have patience for them to grow. Unless, of course you already have a very big stack in which case you should be in control, raise a lot and attempt to get others out of the game.

As you approach the end of the tournament, the blinds will become very big and the stacks will do that also. So, if your stack is low you can wait in the pre-flop for the opportune moment and go all-in. When having a big stack, be aggressive and, again, try to control the game by any means.

Going all in should aim not for the best hand, but for at least a marginal one like a pocket pair or an ace with a good kicker. That should give you a nice slice and should keep you going for a little more.

For a free poker-reviews-online.com/titan-poker/ Titan Poker bonus code and a limited time poker-reviews-online.com/europoker/ EuroPoker bonus code offer, visit poker-reviews-online.com/ poker-reviews-online.com/

This is a poem based on the act of a grieving son to come to terms with the death of his father. The process of planting a tree can prove very therapeutic.

When the crabapple blooms, I will remember you,
remember the pain that you felt.
When its dark blooms appear, my thoughts turn to you,
thoughts of suffering that make my heart melt.

The plant was a gift from good, loving friends,
who stood close at hand in my pain.
In their kind, loving words, they suggested to me,
that this tree would live on in your name.

When the crabapple blooms, I will remember you,
remember the pain that you felt.
When its dark blooms appear, my thoughts turn to you,
thoughts of suffering that make my heart melt.

The day it was planted, by the strength of my hand,
I watered it freely with tears.
as each drop of sorrow fell onto its roots,
my heart was relieved of its fears.

When the crabapple blooms, I will remember you,
remember the pain that you felt.
When its dark blooms appear, my thoughts turn to you,
thoughts of suffering that make my heart melt.

The prayer that I prayed, as I covered that mound,
was that the young sapling might live.
I still cry out to God, in a daily report,
“May it have all of the strength you can give.”

When the crabapple blooms, I will remember you,
remember the pain that you felt.
When its dark blooms appear, my thoughts turn to you,
thoughts of suffering that make my heart melt.

While the blooms they remind me that things go on living,
and that life yet comes through when we die.
Still their pedals bring sadness and cause me to ponder,
the reason for the tears that I cry.

When the crabapple blooms, I will remember you,
remember the pain that you felt.
When its dark blooms appear, my thoughts turn to you,
thoughts of suffering that make my heart melt.

The flowers bring beauty to the eye of the beholder,
the fruit provides food for the birds.
The branches give shelter from the threatening weather,
and offer comfort like well-spoken words.

When the crabapple blooms, I will remember you,
remember the pain that you felt.
When its dark blooms appear, my thoughts turn to you,
thoughts of suffering that make my heart melt.

As the crabapple grows, gaining strength and endurance,
a symbol of health it will be.
When the birds leave its branches, and soar to the heavens, it reminds me that you are now free.

When the crabapple blooms, I will remember you,
remember the pain that you felt.
When its dark blooms appear, my thoughts turn to you,
thoughts of suffering that make my heart melt.

Roland Cavanaugh is on staff at a large church serving as the Pastor of Congregational Care and Sr. Adults. He has self-published a book about his late father, “For As Long As I Can.” You can find ordering information at amazon.com/gp/product/1597816515/ref=cm_plog_item_link/102-2861005-6918529? amazon.com/gp/product/1597816515/ref=cm_plog_item_link/102-2861005-6918529?

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies, and others like them, are what I like to consider true horror movies, or even terror movies. They have the ability to really put a fear into someone. At least they’re the type that puts a fear into me. Friday the 13th, Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, these movies are of the fantastic, not what is real; therefore they have little scare power. They may be able to get you to jump, if my wife sneaks up on me she′ll be able to momentarily frighten me, but she′s not scary. Quick thrills, or quick scares are not horror movies to be. Horror is beyond such simple tricks, to truly be horrified you have to care, and who cares about a bunch of pot smoking punks taking a summer off to have sex when they should be working to pay for school!

You may be thinking to yourself how the Texas Chainsaw movies are any different. They′re not real either, and you’re right they aren’t technically real. But what they represent is an actual part of society. Tobe Hooper, the creator of the Texas Chainsaw, based the main horror figure on a real life person. Ed Gains. Now Hooper was young when he first learned of Gains and the image of him became distorted, Hooper based Leatherface (the manic who wears womens faces and skins) on what he picture Gains to be like. Now of course Gains looked normal, but he was very similar to Leatherface. Gains would rob graves for body parts to make almost anything, furniture, soup bowls, whatever he wanted. He also did some other things that are much worse but I won’t delve into too much detail on those. These people actually do exist. Murders who haven’t been caught, mass murders that haven’t been caught.

Sure the original Friday the 13th was based on a concept that might be true, child drowns, mother seeks revenge, sure it’s possible. But what about the next 10 movies? The characters in these movies are indestructible, or so it seems, by the end they have some kind of plan that will usually work. In the Texas Chainsaw movies however, most don’t even get a chance to fight, the family knows they are regular people who can be damaged just like anyone else. It is realistic.

Fear to me only exists if I think it is possible that what I′m afraid of might exist. I don’t think it’s possible that a psycho family in Texas will kill me, but maybe there’s a psycho family right next door to me, or down the street, or in the next place I intend to visit. These are practical fears in my mind. Of course I′m not as worried of being murdered as I am of getting into a car accident or something much more probable, but when I′m watching the movie I let myself be drawn into the fear, that’s the fun. Movies that don’t even stand a chance of being even remotely true just don’t do it for me. The Ring for example, yes some good effects but when I got home that night I wasn’t bothered by the TV. However I watched the Blair Witch Project at a cottage and the forest was suddenly frightening, not because I thought a witch might live in it, but because I could easily get lost in it.

True terror, and maybe you don′t want to experience true terror, but if you do, watch the Texas Chainsaw with an open mind, think how you would handle yourself in that situation. The good thing that comes from horror movies is that we get to experience an emotion that we really don′t want to experience in real life. I don′t want to be in a position that causes real fear, but I want to get a rough idea of it, and true horror movies do just that. They give you a taste of the real thing. There are two very good reasons for wanting to feel what it’s like to be afraid, one, it can be a huge rush adrenaline is the best drug, the movie is the method, roller coasters accomplish the same feat. The second reason is that you may have some insight into how you’ll react in a real life situation. Obviously you’ll never really know until you are in a bad situation and hopefully most of us won′t even be in such a situation. If you even have a taste though, you may know if you’re a fight or flight kind of person.

Understanding why your brain is reacting in any given way will allow you to make rational decisions in irrational situations. You may want to run but if you know why you want to run you may be inclined to stay when staying it really the right thing to do. This does not only apply to life or death situations it can apply to almost anything. Have you ever felt bullied by a car salesman? These are confident people you’re dealing with and if you’re not as confident as they are, you should still be able to walk out without being ripped off. So what am I saying? I guess I’m saying if you want a deal on a car, go shopping after you watch a good horror flick. Saw II is in the theatres as of the writing of this article that would be a good example of what I call a true horror movie. Go show that car dealer who’s boss, just don’t bring your chainsaw.

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[1964] With the corner of his eye he saw Larry, he carried a light coat, it was early summer, he looked as if he came from a baseball game, there were several of them that came down the stairs to the basement party, uninvited, to invade the party. Larry had punched out a wise guy earlier at the party and now he wanted his friends to get revenge for him. John saw them all coming down the stairs, and the big guy, the heavy one, asked, “Where is Larry?” but had saw Larry from the corner of his eye anyway, he knew him by instinct. Larry was half drunk, fumbling about, and he remarked, across the dance floor, softly, watching the man sidle past a few guys to get to him. John looked like he was ready to pass out but watched what was about to unfold closely, as I did, and was flinging his hands about. The party members were swaying with the music, flashing lights; the basement party was cramped, eager.

“I’ve seen what you’ve done to my nephew (whom was brushed badly, beaten like hamburger),” said the big man about two inches taller than Larry, who was perhaps six-foot one inch tall, and the big man perhaps forty pounds heavier than Larry, whom was all of 190-pounds himself. Most of the kids at the party were part of the Cayuga Street, unofficial gang, part of what the Police called “ Donkeyland.”

“I’m Larry,” said Larry to the big guy. A punch came from the big guy’s right hand, it stunned Larry—then he grabbed Larry like a wrestler and hit him again, but then Larry checked him, and with speed, a jerk here and there, he hit the guy four times, but the big guy absorbed the punches, and Larry could not dance and box like he wanted. Everything was too cramped, too hot, Larry was too drunk; as a result, the man hit Larry again, and his head jerked back. I had never seen Larry beaten in a fight before, and this was looking like a defeat in the makings.

I was at this time 16-years old, in three months, I’d be all of 17, and my friend John, the same age, a relative of Larry’s joined in on the fight, with one of the friends of the big guy, and got slaughtered in the corner of the basement: a puffy face to boot. A few others got involved with the fight, then Larry who had fell to his knees, got back up, his lightening punches did not put the man out only punish him to the point of using his bruit force to push him down again, but he was puffing like a train, losing his breath but he anticipated, Larry anticipated this I think, said, “Let’s go outside and fight, I got more room there.” And everyone, perhaps twenty kids, everyone from fourteen to twenty-five, went outside in the backyard, University Avenue was close by, a busy street, and behind that was the house were an alley divided the house and a bar.

Now outside, Larry waved the guy on to fight, and he started to and Larry got into his dance, like Clay, and the man before throwing a punch, trying to lift those heavy arms, received two from Larry; thus, Larry was now the aggressor, on longer on the protective side of the fight; hence, the big guy quickly picked up his coat from where he threw it on the ground, threw it over his shoulder, jumped in a car that had pulled up, jumped on the seat quick, as Larry picked up a long board, and chased the car, smashing the sides of it several times, but it got away.

The fight was over, Larry leaned back, caught his breath, “Let’s go back to the neighborhood,” and we all left to get drunk down in Donkeyland, on what was called: Indian’s Hill as usual.

Written 6/3/06 [Part One: Donkeyland the Cayuga Street Gang of the 60s]

See Dennis′ web site: dennissiluk.tripod.com dennissiluk.tripod.com