Tottenham have struck a deal with Swansea to sign Ben Davies and Michel Vorm with Gylfi Sigurdsson and cash going the other way.
Saturday 19 July 2014
Another 'Sons Of Anarchy' Teaser, Another Anxiety Attack
FX has released a second teaser for the final season of "Sons of Anarchy," which premieres Sept. 9.
Preston 1-2 Liverpool: Kristoph Peterson scores late on to hand Brendan Rodgers' side their first pre-season victory
Emre Can lasted just 21 minutes of his Liverpool debut as the post-Luis Suarez era in England started with a whimper.
AFC Wimbledon 2-3 Chelsea: Sub John Terry scores twice as Jose Mourinho's side complete comeback
Chelsea continued their pre-season preparations with an entertaining 3-2 win against League Two side AFC Wimbledon at Kingsmeadow.
George Takei Tells Bill Maher Why He Can't Stand William Shatner
The fact that "Star Trek" costars George Takei and William Shatner don't get along in real life is a sad thing for Trekkies to face.
While visiting "Real Time With Bill Maher," Takei addressed his longtime feud with the original Captain Kirk. Maher joked, "But he's Canadian, he should love you!" before Takei went on to explain how, for him, Shatner is the exception to that myth. "Canadians have a certain image of being even-tempered and friendly and all that,” Takei said. "He is a person who is that way with himself ... he is very self-centered."
Takei said that despite their disagreements they still acted like professionals on set, though "with a lot of difficulty." Check out the full clip above.
While visiting "Real Time With Bill Maher," Takei addressed his longtime feud with the original Captain Kirk. Maher joked, "But he's Canadian, he should love you!" before Takei went on to explain how, for him, Shatner is the exception to that myth. "Canadians have a certain image of being even-tempered and friendly and all that,” Takei said. "He is a person who is that way with himself ... he is very self-centered."
Takei said that despite their disagreements they still acted like professionals on set, though "with a lot of difficulty." Check out the full clip above.
Selena Gomez's See-Through Top Is ... Interesting
Selena Gomez wore a see-through outfit to a press conference during the Ischia Global Film & Music Festival in Italy. This outfit involved a long-sleeve collared shirt embroidered with roses, a cute white bra to match and a skirt that maybe doesn't match. Earlier this week, Gomez wore a pretty floral maxi dress and took selfies with shirtless fans in Ischia. That looked like more fun.
Selena Gomez's See-Through Top Is ... Interesting
Selena Gomez wore a see-through outfit to a press conference during the Ischia Global Film & Music Festival in Italy. This outfit involved a long-sleeve collared shirt embroidered with roses, a cute white bra to match and a skirt that maybe doesn't match. Earlier this week, Gomez wore a pretty floral maxi dress and took selfies with shirtless fans in Ischia. That looked like more fun.
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International Cricket Council label Trent Bridge as poor following first Test
The much-criticised Trent Bridge pitch for the drawn first Investec Test has been rated as "poor" by the International Cricket Council.
Friday 18 July 2014
Vincenzo Nibali extends his Tour de France lead as Richie Porte struggles in mountains
Stamping his dominance in the mountains and on the race overall, Vincenzo Nibali won Stage 13 of the Tour de France in the Alps on Friday up the hardest climb so far.
A Newspaper Delivery Saved This Store From Being Robbed
Here's an argument in defense of newspapers:
One local convenience store is safe from theft because a newspaper delivery scared off the two robbers on Friday.
WOWT 6 reported that the two suspects walked into a store in Omaha early Friday morning with a gun demanding money. The suspects ran away when a newspaper delivery worker walked in.
The deliverer reportedly tried to chase after the suspects with no luck.
(h/t: Poynter)
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One local convenience store is safe from theft because a newspaper delivery scared off the two robbers on Friday.
WOWT 6 reported that the two suspects walked into a store in Omaha early Friday morning with a gun demanding money. The suspects ran away when a newspaper delivery worker walked in.
The deliverer reportedly tried to chase after the suspects with no luck.
(h/t: Poynter)
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This Is How The Media Chooses To Profile A Female Activist
Cecily McMillan, the 25-year-old Occupy Wall Street activist who was jailed for elbowing a police officer during a protest, returned to court on Thursday, where a cadre of hard-hitting journalists greeted her with questions about her courtroom attire.
"My editor told me to ask who you're wearing," a photographer was spotted eagerly asking McMillan, according to The Village Voice.
McMillan, who was earlier this month released from Rikers Island -- one of the country's most notoriously violent jails -- explained that although she was free, she no longer felt safe in New York "because I was sexually assaulted and then put in jail for it," according to the Voice. McMillan has alleged from the start that the officer involved in her assault case forcibly grabbed her breast from behind during the protest; after elbowing him, she was promptly arrested and put in jail.
Upon hearing her explanation Thursday, a Post reporter responded, "Well, you look fabulous! But you should eat more."
The interactions resulted in a blatantly sexist portrayal of McMillan sprinkled with mocking details about her fashion choices -- all of which fail to mention that she was asked such questions by the press.
The Daily News went straight to the sartorial details with the headline, "Occupy Wall Street protester wears Calvin Klein to court."
The Post's own coverage included a previously dated photo of an emotional McMillan with the caption, "McMillan cries in court in May after being given an outfit she had already worn." The paper led with the headline "Rikers Island: The new way to lose weight."
Rikers is currently at the center of damning allegations of officer abuse, contraband smuggling by officers, regular beatings of the mentally ill, and corruption.
McMillan has been using her newfound freedom to speak out against the treatment of inmates at Rikers -- a cause that is essentially being buried for more important notes on her outfit choices. Well done, New York media!
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"My editor told me to ask who you're wearing," a photographer was spotted eagerly asking McMillan, according to The Village Voice.
McMillan, who was earlier this month released from Rikers Island -- one of the country's most notoriously violent jails -- explained that although she was free, she no longer felt safe in New York "because I was sexually assaulted and then put in jail for it," according to the Voice. McMillan has alleged from the start that the officer involved in her assault case forcibly grabbed her breast from behind during the protest; after elbowing him, she was promptly arrested and put in jail.
Upon hearing her explanation Thursday, a Post reporter responded, "Well, you look fabulous! But you should eat more."
The interactions resulted in a blatantly sexist portrayal of McMillan sprinkled with mocking details about her fashion choices -- all of which fail to mention that she was asked such questions by the press.
The Daily News went straight to the sartorial details with the headline, "Occupy Wall Street protester wears Calvin Klein to court."
The Post's own coverage included a previously dated photo of an emotional McMillan with the caption, "McMillan cries in court in May after being given an outfit she had already worn." The paper led with the headline "Rikers Island: The new way to lose weight."
Rikers is currently at the center of damning allegations of officer abuse, contraband smuggling by officers, regular beatings of the mentally ill, and corruption.
McMillan has been using her newfound freedom to speak out against the treatment of inmates at Rikers -- a cause that is essentially being buried for more important notes on her outfit choices. Well done, New York media!
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5 Ways Concealer Will Change Your Makeup Game
After a late night or when faced with an unexpected acne breakout, concealer is one of the first things we reach for in our makeup bag.
And like most cosmetics, concealer has many uses beyond what it says on the label. Here are five different ways to make your life a little easier with a just a few dabs.
1. Make your lipstick last longer.
No lip liner? No problem. With an applicator or your finger, line and fill in your lips with the cover-up, making sure to blend so there aren't any uneven spots. Allow it to dry and then apply your lipstick.
Concealer helps your lip color last longer, adds dimension to the shade and prevents feathering. A dab of this product on your cupid's bow will make your lipstick radiate even more.
2. Give your lashes more volume.
Volumizing mascaras don't always do the trick, but a little concealer can help your eyelashes go the distance. With a small brush, apply a liquid formula to your lashes -- make sure to extend the brush to the tips. Then put on your mascara and marvel at the results!
3. Create the ultimate neutral eyeshadow.
During the morning rush, sometimes you just want something to refresh your eyes without eating up your time. Fulfill this makeup dream with cover-up.
4. Stop your eye makeup from running.
Quickly combat streaks of eyeliner and splashes of shadow by blending concealer into the problem areas -- that consistency will rub out the color, while giving you a fresh slate for touch-ups.
5. Enhance your flushed cheeks.
Whether you're looking to mattify your face or you want to amp up your glow, concealer will transform your bright or brooding blushes.
There are two ways to go about using concealer to enhance blush. One: Place small dots of cover-up along your cheeks and blend up with your fingertips, adding a powder blush on top. Two: Mix a little bit of concealer with a cream blush to add more warmth to your face.
Have you tried any of these concealer tricks? Let us know in the comments section!
Get your fill of makeup tips and tricks on HuffPost Style's Pinterest!
Follow HuffPost Style's board Makeup Tips & Tricks on Pinterest.
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And like most cosmetics, concealer has many uses beyond what it says on the label. Here are five different ways to make your life a little easier with a just a few dabs.
1. Make your lipstick last longer.
No lip liner? No problem. With an applicator or your finger, line and fill in your lips with the cover-up, making sure to blend so there aren't any uneven spots. Allow it to dry and then apply your lipstick.
Concealer helps your lip color last longer, adds dimension to the shade and prevents feathering. A dab of this product on your cupid's bow will make your lipstick radiate even more.
2. Give your lashes more volume.
Volumizing mascaras don't always do the trick, but a little concealer can help your eyelashes go the distance. With a small brush, apply a liquid formula to your lashes -- make sure to extend the brush to the tips. Then put on your mascara and marvel at the results!
3. Create the ultimate neutral eyeshadow.
During the morning rush, sometimes you just want something to refresh your eyes without eating up your time. Fulfill this makeup dream with cover-up.
4. Stop your eye makeup from running.
Quickly combat streaks of eyeliner and splashes of shadow by blending concealer into the problem areas -- that consistency will rub out the color, while giving you a fresh slate for touch-ups.
5. Enhance your flushed cheeks.
Whether you're looking to mattify your face or you want to amp up your glow, concealer will transform your bright or brooding blushes.
There are two ways to go about using concealer to enhance blush. One: Place small dots of cover-up along your cheeks and blend up with your fingertips, adding a powder blush on top. Two: Mix a little bit of concealer with a cream blush to add more warmth to your face.
Have you tried any of these concealer tricks? Let us know in the comments section!
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Here's Your First Look At The New Queen Elsa From 'Once Upon A Time'
Bow down, there's a new queen in town.
Since news broke that a "Frozen"/"Once Upon A Time" crossover was definitely happening, we've been wondering who would play our favorite ice queen. Georgina Haig was cast as Elsa of Arendelle shortly after the show found the actors who would take on the roles of Princess Anna and Kristoff, and we have to admit, we were a bit worried. Sure, she had the right color hair and the big blue eyes -- plus she'd proven her acting ability starring alongside Joshua Jackson on "Fringe" -- but could she really step into those Disney-sized shoes? The jury's still out on that one, but at least she looks the part.
A few photos snapped at the Vancouver set where "OUAT" is currently filming it's fourth season reveal what real-life Elsa will look like on the show, and it's pretty similar to her animated counterpart. From the bedazzled light blue gown to the glass slippers (and of course those silver locks styled into a beautiful braid), everything seems to be on point.
The actress even gave fans some insider info on what it takes to transform into her Disney alter ego via Twitter -- apparently that dress is what you'd want to be wearing in a game of strip poker.
"Once Upon A Time" premieres Sunday, Sept. 28, at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.
Since news broke that a "Frozen"/"Once Upon A Time" crossover was definitely happening, we've been wondering who would play our favorite ice queen. Georgina Haig was cast as Elsa of Arendelle shortly after the show found the actors who would take on the roles of Princess Anna and Kristoff, and we have to admit, we were a bit worried. Sure, she had the right color hair and the big blue eyes -- plus she'd proven her acting ability starring alongside Joshua Jackson on "Fringe" -- but could she really step into those Disney-sized shoes? The jury's still out on that one, but at least she looks the part.
A few photos snapped at the Vancouver set where "OUAT" is currently filming it's fourth season reveal what real-life Elsa will look like on the show, and it's pretty similar to her animated counterpart. From the bedazzled light blue gown to the glass slippers (and of course those silver locks styled into a beautiful braid), everything seems to be on point.
The actress even gave fans some insider info on what it takes to transform into her Disney alter ego via Twitter -- apparently that dress is what you'd want to be wearing in a game of strip poker.
Useless Elsa costume fact- this outfit has 8 pieces to it. Perhaps one is tremendously bad at strip poker and is covering ones ass.
— Georgina Haig (@GeorginaHaig) July 18, 2014 "Once Upon A Time" premieres Sunday, Sept. 28, at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.
Pretty Little Liars 506: "Run, Ali, Run"
For the fifth season of Pretty Little Liars tvtag is teaming up with Jaymie Bailey of All Things PLL to break down our favorite moments. Spoilers ahead if you haven't seen "Run, Ali, Run."
VB: Seriously this season is just on fire! The character development, the relationships, the dynamic with Ali back as a regular Rosewood-fixture-- things are getting explosive in so many different ways!
JB: Character development in Season 5 is the best it's ever been in the entire series. I think that has a lot to do with Alison, but I just see the episodes getting better from here on out!
Which couple were you rooting for tonight? Ezria, Haleb, Emison - all of the above?
I've never been the biggest fan of Ezria, but I know they are soulmates. They'll be together in the end, so no need to worry. Alison makes me nervous with her feelings towards Emily. A part of me wants to believe she's being honest, but another huge part of me believes Alison is still hiding something. First and foremost, I want Emily happy and confident in who she is. So, I'd have to say this week I was rooting for Haleb! Hanna and Caleb need to be together -- it just needs to happen already. Travis is a great guy, so Hanna, I'll take him off your hands and you go back to Caleb.
I loved the Haleb scenes this week, I'm rooting for that couple more than any other and I'm with you: I'm really concerned for Emily and how she's reacting to Ali's return. "A" threatened to kill Ali if she tried, but should she leave Rosewood anyway? It seems like Ali's a target no matter where she is, at this point.
Alison is making things hard for everyone in Rosewood by sticking around. One of her best friends was doing everything but shoving her out the door in this week's episode. But since Alison's a target no matter where she is, she needs to stay in Rosewood. She is essential to solving the identity of "A" and I think if she left, it would cause even more tension between the girls, especially between the girls and Emily. The "A" torture isn't going to stop if she leaves Rosewood, so the girls need to figure out how to protect themselves and Alison until unlocking the mystery of the "A" game.
One mystery seemingly solved this week is the root of Peter Hastings' shady behavior. He denies killing Mrs. D or Bethany Young and explains away his behavior by admitting he suspected one (or both) of his daughters of murder. Spencer forgives him and feels awful for doubting him but do you think he's still involved somehow?
Peter Hastings knows more than he's letting on, and I think his older daughter, Melissa, is key. I think her secret is going to affect everyone around her, especially Alison and the Liars. One thing I've learned from this show is that Spencer should never doubt herself, even if a suspect is her own father. Mr. Hastings is also a master manipulator, so it's no surprise that he likely has Veronica Hastings back in his corner and that he turned the situation back on his daughters. But whatever Peter's hiding, it's going to rock Spencer Hastings' world.
Alison got her world rocked at the end of the episode this week. It looks like Tanner takes over this season as the member of law enforcement bent on nabbing the Liars. How much do you think she knows about Shana and the Philly/NYC trip?
Tanner is really smart, and she knows that people in Rosewood are expert Liars, especially our five favorite girls. I think she's got an idea of what happened in New York, but she still needs more people to bury themselves in lies they can't get out of that easily. Shana was in New York at the Fitzgerald Theater the night Ezra got shot. Tanner knows this can't just be a coincidence. And Aria, why do you leave your belongings sitting around in Ezra's apartment? Everyone knows the weird animal-print accessories belong to you!
The teaser for next week is that "Answers are near." Which questions do you most want the answers to?
When it comes to answers in Rosewood, I look at the short term. If we get long-term answers (who is A?) then there is essentially no longer a need for the show. So, right now, I mostly want to know what Melissa Hastings is hiding, who killed Mrs. DiLaurentis, and the answers to more secrets about what's hidden in Radley. I think we're going to start getting some of those answers as the summer season comes to an end.
Pretty Little Liars airs Tuesdays at 8pm on ABC Family, image used with express permission.
VB: Seriously this season is just on fire! The character development, the relationships, the dynamic with Ali back as a regular Rosewood-fixture-- things are getting explosive in so many different ways!
JB: Character development in Season 5 is the best it's ever been in the entire series. I think that has a lot to do with Alison, but I just see the episodes getting better from here on out!
Which couple were you rooting for tonight? Ezria, Haleb, Emison - all of the above?
I've never been the biggest fan of Ezria, but I know they are soulmates. They'll be together in the end, so no need to worry. Alison makes me nervous with her feelings towards Emily. A part of me wants to believe she's being honest, but another huge part of me believes Alison is still hiding something. First and foremost, I want Emily happy and confident in who she is. So, I'd have to say this week I was rooting for Haleb! Hanna and Caleb need to be together -- it just needs to happen already. Travis is a great guy, so Hanna, I'll take him off your hands and you go back to Caleb.
I loved the Haleb scenes this week, I'm rooting for that couple more than any other and I'm with you: I'm really concerned for Emily and how she's reacting to Ali's return. "A" threatened to kill Ali if she tried, but should she leave Rosewood anyway? It seems like Ali's a target no matter where she is, at this point.
Alison is making things hard for everyone in Rosewood by sticking around. One of her best friends was doing everything but shoving her out the door in this week's episode. But since Alison's a target no matter where she is, she needs to stay in Rosewood. She is essential to solving the identity of "A" and I think if she left, it would cause even more tension between the girls, especially between the girls and Emily. The "A" torture isn't going to stop if she leaves Rosewood, so the girls need to figure out how to protect themselves and Alison until unlocking the mystery of the "A" game.
One mystery seemingly solved this week is the root of Peter Hastings' shady behavior. He denies killing Mrs. D or Bethany Young and explains away his behavior by admitting he suspected one (or both) of his daughters of murder. Spencer forgives him and feels awful for doubting him but do you think he's still involved somehow?
Peter Hastings knows more than he's letting on, and I think his older daughter, Melissa, is key. I think her secret is going to affect everyone around her, especially Alison and the Liars. One thing I've learned from this show is that Spencer should never doubt herself, even if a suspect is her own father. Mr. Hastings is also a master manipulator, so it's no surprise that he likely has Veronica Hastings back in his corner and that he turned the situation back on his daughters. But whatever Peter's hiding, it's going to rock Spencer Hastings' world.
Alison got her world rocked at the end of the episode this week. It looks like Tanner takes over this season as the member of law enforcement bent on nabbing the Liars. How much do you think she knows about Shana and the Philly/NYC trip?
Tanner is really smart, and she knows that people in Rosewood are expert Liars, especially our five favorite girls. I think she's got an idea of what happened in New York, but she still needs more people to bury themselves in lies they can't get out of that easily. Shana was in New York at the Fitzgerald Theater the night Ezra got shot. Tanner knows this can't just be a coincidence. And Aria, why do you leave your belongings sitting around in Ezra's apartment? Everyone knows the weird animal-print accessories belong to you!
The teaser for next week is that "Answers are near." Which questions do you most want the answers to?
When it comes to answers in Rosewood, I look at the short term. If we get long-term answers (who is A?) then there is essentially no longer a need for the show. So, right now, I mostly want to know what Melissa Hastings is hiding, who killed Mrs. DiLaurentis, and the answers to more secrets about what's hidden in Radley. I think we're going to start getting some of those answers as the summer season comes to an end.
Pretty Little Liars airs Tuesdays at 8pm on ABC Family, image used with express permission.
Monty Python's Life of Brian Turns 25 (And Gives Aome Bad Advice)
(Co-written by David B. Feldman PhD)
It's something to rejoice about! Monty Python, the iconic comedy troupe, has reunited on stage this week. It's a big year for the group, given that it also marks the 25th anniversary of one of the their seminal achievements, The Life of Brian . Over the past few days, we've taken a quick-and-dirty poll of friends and Python aficionados, asking what stuck with them most from this classic film. The winner: the final scene, in which our titular hero finds himself crucified. The man next to him, sharing a similar fate, implores poor Brian in song to "always look on the bright side of life."
Great scene, but poor advice. Yes, the scene was meant to be tongue-in-cheak. But it's a piece of advice many people follow. So, for a moment, let's take the song literally and look at why it might not be great advice...
So far, the song holds true. To leave comedy behind for a moment and focus on brutal reality, there are a lot of things to make us swear and curse. This year roughly 13 million people will be diagnosed with cancer, 10 million people will be affected by traumatic brain injuries, and 50 million people will survive car wrecks. In bringing up these statistics, we aren't trying to scare anyone. But, according to the research, some kind of trauma will occur at some point in the lives of somewhere between 50 and 80 percent of us. So, the majority of us will face the task of recovering and rebuilding from such adversity. What helps?
While thinking positively is certainly better than thinking negatively, life probably isn't so simple. There's nothing inherently bad about thinking positive, yet to do so at the expense of denying reality is potentially damaging. In writing our book, Supersurvivors: The Surprising Link Between Suffering and Success , we reviewed more than two decades of research on resilience and performed over 100 interviews with trauma survivors in search of the factors that help people to bounce back, and in may cases, to bounce forward, after tragedy. Whether it was a leukemia sufferer who went on to win Olympic Gold, a young man who permanently lost his sight and ended up being the first to cross the Atlantic in a rowboat, or a woman who survived genocide in Rwanda to eventually become an Obama appointee, we were surprised that many told us that positive thinking had very little, if anything, to do with their recovery. So, what did?
Whistling and dancing might take you away from a terrible situation temporarily, but research shows that more lasting resilience doesn't necessarily flow from forcing yourself to think positively.
The supersurvivors we interviewed told us about a much more realistic, yet still forward-looking kind of thinking, than simplistic positive thinking. We've come to call this kind of approach Grounded Hope. Building partially on the research of University of Kansas psychologist C. R. Snyder, it's an approach to life that's more realistic than positive thinking, yet more positive than pessimism.
The "grounded" part of Grounded Hope refers to being grounded in a realistic understanding of one's life and oneself. Supersurvivors seem to avoid the temptation to paint a smiley face over what has happened to them, to deny it or distort it to make themselves feel better temporarily. Instead, they bravely look reality in the face and say, "Yes, I've just lost my leg in accident," or "Yes, I'm only 24 and have lost my vision." While this may at first sound depressing, the power in this approach is that by seeing the situation clearly, without distorting it or trying to make it seem better than it is, it's possible to work toward recovery.
But supersurvivors don't stop there. Next, they ask the incredibly hopeful and forward-looking question: "Given what's happened to me, what am I going to do about it? How can I build a better life on top of it?" They marshal their personal strengths and nurture confidence in their ability to plot out what happens next. They set goals for themselves and find sources of motivation to pursue those goals. This is the "hope" part of Grounded Hope. Over two decades of research have shown that such hope is associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety, as well as greater satisfaction and meaning in life.
As the song takes this sharp turn toward existentialism, we think Monty Python has finally got it right with this line. Here, the lyrics begin to mirror the science, which explains how, under some circumstances, reflecting on death can lead to a better life.
While writing the book, we met a designer and urban planner named Candy Chang. She was leading a successful life, but had not given much thought to the meaning of her life until a close fiend passed away suddenly. This event threw Candy for a loop. For the first time, she viscerally realized that anything could happen at any time, and that life could be shorter than any of us anticipate. She began examining her values and asking herself what she really wanted in life. This motivated her to move to New Orleans shortly after Hurricane Katrina, with the motivation to help in the rebuilding efforts.
Her particular neighborhood was hard hit, and she felt as though what it needed was an emotional center. So she and a few friends got up one morning and brought buckets of chalkboard paint to one of the neighborhood's most bombed-out-looking houses. She painted an entire side of the house, making it into a blackboard. At the top, she stenciled in white paint: "Before I die I want to..." and drew 80 blanks underneath. She left some chalk behind for people to fill in answers. But, honestly, she thought little would come of it. The house wasn't on a main road, and she figured that by the next day gang members might even graffiti over it. But to her surprise, the next morning all 80 blanks were filled in, with answers spilling into the margins: "I want to see my child graduate." "I want to found a company." "I want to climb a mountain." She erased the wall, and the next day others filled in the blanks once again. These walls now span 75 countries.
It's just a wall, just chalk. But what's incredible is that, for the eighty people who filled in those blanks, we can see that just below the surface rests amazing dreams. And it's probably that way for most of us. But we often don't share these dreams with others. We keep them to ourselves, and most of the time we don't act them. There's something about reflecting on our mortality that allows us to access those dreams in a more vivid or motivating way.
University of Minnesota psychology researcher Philip Cozzolino, along with Angela Staples, Lawrence Meyers, and Jamie Samboceti, performed a series of experiments in which they asked participants to reflect upon death in deeply personal way. They not only asked participants to imagine their deaths, but also prompted them, among other things, to reflect on the life they had led up to that point. It's reminiscent of the way some survivors of traumatic experiences say their lives flash before them, or the question Candy Chang asked passersby to consider. As a result, participants who normally were oriented toward extrinsic goals (e.g., money and fame) became less greedy and more spiritual.
While looking on the bright side of life is certainly preferable to the alternative, there's something to be said (and sung and whistled) about bravely facing the present, and boldly embracing the future. In the meantime, we can always embrace the past with another viewing of The Life of Brian .
Lee Daniel Kravetz and David B. Feldman PhD are the authors of Supersurvivors: The Surprising Link Between Suffering & Success (Harpercollins, Summer 2014)
It's something to rejoice about! Monty Python, the iconic comedy troupe, has reunited on stage this week. It's a big year for the group, given that it also marks the 25th anniversary of one of the their seminal achievements, The Life of Brian . Over the past few days, we've taken a quick-and-dirty poll of friends and Python aficionados, asking what stuck with them most from this classic film. The winner: the final scene, in which our titular hero finds himself crucified. The man next to him, sharing a similar fate, implores poor Brian in song to "always look on the bright side of life."
Great scene, but poor advice. Yes, the scene was meant to be tongue-in-cheak. But it's a piece of advice many people follow. So, for a moment, let's take the song literally and look at why it might not be great advice...
"Some things in life are bad. They can really make you mad. Other things just make you swear and curse."
So far, the song holds true. To leave comedy behind for a moment and focus on brutal reality, there are a lot of things to make us swear and curse. This year roughly 13 million people will be diagnosed with cancer, 10 million people will be affected by traumatic brain injuries, and 50 million people will survive car wrecks. In bringing up these statistics, we aren't trying to scare anyone. But, according to the research, some kind of trauma will occur at some point in the lives of somewhere between 50 and 80 percent of us. So, the majority of us will face the task of recovering and rebuilding from such adversity. What helps?
"When you're chewing on life's gristle, don't grumble. Give a whistle.
And this'll help things turn out for the best."
While thinking positively is certainly better than thinking negatively, life probably isn't so simple. There's nothing inherently bad about thinking positive, yet to do so at the expense of denying reality is potentially damaging. In writing our book, Supersurvivors: The Surprising Link Between Suffering and Success , we reviewed more than two decades of research on resilience and performed over 100 interviews with trauma survivors in search of the factors that help people to bounce back, and in may cases, to bounce forward, after tragedy. Whether it was a leukemia sufferer who went on to win Olympic Gold, a young man who permanently lost his sight and ended up being the first to cross the Atlantic in a rowboat, or a woman who survived genocide in Rwanda to eventually become an Obama appointee, we were surprised that many told us that positive thinking had very little, if anything, to do with their recovery. So, what did?
"If life seems jolly rotten, there's something you've forgotten, and that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing. When you're feeling in the dumps, Don't be silly chumps. Just purse your lips and whistle. That's the thing."
Whistling and dancing might take you away from a terrible situation temporarily, but research shows that more lasting resilience doesn't necessarily flow from forcing yourself to think positively.
The supersurvivors we interviewed told us about a much more realistic, yet still forward-looking kind of thinking, than simplistic positive thinking. We've come to call this kind of approach Grounded Hope. Building partially on the research of University of Kansas psychologist C. R. Snyder, it's an approach to life that's more realistic than positive thinking, yet more positive than pessimism.
The "grounded" part of Grounded Hope refers to being grounded in a realistic understanding of one's life and oneself. Supersurvivors seem to avoid the temptation to paint a smiley face over what has happened to them, to deny it or distort it to make themselves feel better temporarily. Instead, they bravely look reality in the face and say, "Yes, I've just lost my leg in accident," or "Yes, I'm only 24 and have lost my vision." While this may at first sound depressing, the power in this approach is that by seeing the situation clearly, without distorting it or trying to make it seem better than it is, it's possible to work toward recovery.
But supersurvivors don't stop there. Next, they ask the incredibly hopeful and forward-looking question: "Given what's happened to me, what am I going to do about it? How can I build a better life on top of it?" They marshal their personal strengths and nurture confidence in their ability to plot out what happens next. They set goals for themselves and find sources of motivation to pursue those goals. This is the "hope" part of Grounded Hope. Over two decades of research have shown that such hope is associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety, as well as greater satisfaction and meaning in life.
"For life is quite absurd. And death's the final word. You must always face the curtain with a bow. Forget about your sin. Give the audience a grin. Enjoy it. It's your last chance, anyhow."
As the song takes this sharp turn toward existentialism, we think Monty Python has finally got it right with this line. Here, the lyrics begin to mirror the science, which explains how, under some circumstances, reflecting on death can lead to a better life.
While writing the book, we met a designer and urban planner named Candy Chang. She was leading a successful life, but had not given much thought to the meaning of her life until a close fiend passed away suddenly. This event threw Candy for a loop. For the first time, she viscerally realized that anything could happen at any time, and that life could be shorter than any of us anticipate. She began examining her values and asking herself what she really wanted in life. This motivated her to move to New Orleans shortly after Hurricane Katrina, with the motivation to help in the rebuilding efforts.
Her particular neighborhood was hard hit, and she felt as though what it needed was an emotional center. So she and a few friends got up one morning and brought buckets of chalkboard paint to one of the neighborhood's most bombed-out-looking houses. She painted an entire side of the house, making it into a blackboard. At the top, she stenciled in white paint: "Before I die I want to..." and drew 80 blanks underneath. She left some chalk behind for people to fill in answers. But, honestly, she thought little would come of it. The house wasn't on a main road, and she figured that by the next day gang members might even graffiti over it. But to her surprise, the next morning all 80 blanks were filled in, with answers spilling into the margins: "I want to see my child graduate." "I want to found a company." "I want to climb a mountain." She erased the wall, and the next day others filled in the blanks once again. These walls now span 75 countries.
It's just a wall, just chalk. But what's incredible is that, for the eighty people who filled in those blanks, we can see that just below the surface rests amazing dreams. And it's probably that way for most of us. But we often don't share these dreams with others. We keep them to ourselves, and most of the time we don't act them. There's something about reflecting on our mortality that allows us to access those dreams in a more vivid or motivating way.
University of Minnesota psychology researcher Philip Cozzolino, along with Angela Staples, Lawrence Meyers, and Jamie Samboceti, performed a series of experiments in which they asked participants to reflect upon death in deeply personal way. They not only asked participants to imagine their deaths, but also prompted them, among other things, to reflect on the life they had led up to that point. It's reminiscent of the way some survivors of traumatic experiences say their lives flash before them, or the question Candy Chang asked passersby to consider. As a result, participants who normally were oriented toward extrinsic goals (e.g., money and fame) became less greedy and more spiritual.
"Always look on the bright side of death, just before you draw your terminal breath."
While looking on the bright side of life is certainly preferable to the alternative, there's something to be said (and sung and whistled) about bravely facing the present, and boldly embracing the future. In the meantime, we can always embrace the past with another viewing of The Life of Brian .
Lee Daniel Kravetz and David B. Feldman PhD are the authors of Supersurvivors: The Surprising Link Between Suffering & Success (Harpercollins, Summer 2014)
Todd Akin: 'The Legitimate Doesn't Apply To Rape'
Former Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) spoke with HuffPost Live on Friday about his infamous comments about "legitimate rape," saying people misunderstood the meaning of the phrase.
"The legitimate doesn't apply to rape," Akin said.
Akin said "legitimate rape" and "legitimate case of rape" are terms used by law enforcement in his home state of Missouri. HuffPost Live host Marc Lamont Hill pointed out that many law enforcement experts claim they've never heard the term.
Akin also shared what he learned from the controversy that came after he said victims of "legitimate rape" rarely get pregnant while campaigning in 2012.
“No male [running for election] should ever use the word ‘woman,’ or ‘rape,’ or any of those topics," Akin said.
Akin is currently making the media rounds to promote his book, "Firing Back."
Watch Akin's comments on HuffPost Live above.
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"The legitimate doesn't apply to rape," Akin said.
Akin said "legitimate rape" and "legitimate case of rape" are terms used by law enforcement in his home state of Missouri. HuffPost Live host Marc Lamont Hill pointed out that many law enforcement experts claim they've never heard the term.
Akin also shared what he learned from the controversy that came after he said victims of "legitimate rape" rarely get pregnant while campaigning in 2012.
“No male [running for election] should ever use the word ‘woman,’ or ‘rape,’ or any of those topics," Akin said.
Akin is currently making the media rounds to promote his book, "Firing Back."
Watch Akin's comments on HuffPost Live above.
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CBS Chief Says Network Would Be Interested In Buying CNN
CBS would be interested in buying CNN if it were for sale, CBS president and CEO Les Moonves said Thursday.
Reuters reported that Moonves was at a Television Critics Association meeting in Beverly Hills, California, and reporters asked him to comment on the possibility of CBS buying the cable news network.
"We've always talked about doing things with CNN," Moonves said. "We'll see. It's something I'm sure we will look at if that becomes available."
The possibility of a CNN sale arose after Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox offered to buy Time Warner for $80 million. The bid was rejected, but Fox has said that if a deal were to go through, it would sell CNN.
Analysts have estimated CNN's worth anywhere from $5 billion to $10 billion.
CBS and CNN talked on and off for years about a potential partnership. The talks didn't go anywhere, according to former CBS News executive vice-president Paul Friedman, because CNN was non-union.
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Reuters reported that Moonves was at a Television Critics Association meeting in Beverly Hills, California, and reporters asked him to comment on the possibility of CBS buying the cable news network.
"We've always talked about doing things with CNN," Moonves said. "We'll see. It's something I'm sure we will look at if that becomes available."
The possibility of a CNN sale arose after Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox offered to buy Time Warner for $80 million. The bid was rejected, but Fox has said that if a deal were to go through, it would sell CNN.
Analysts have estimated CNN's worth anywhere from $5 billion to $10 billion.
CBS and CNN talked on and off for years about a potential partnership. The talks didn't go anywhere, according to former CBS News executive vice-president Paul Friedman, because CNN was non-union.
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via IFTTT
Late Gary Ballance wicket leaves Test in the balance as India strike at the end of day two
Alastair Cook's poor form with the bat continued as the England captain was dismissed for another low score - but Gary Ballance put his off-field issues behind him as he scored his second Test century.
Rory McIlroy makes birdie despite pheasant during The Open 2014 at Hoylake
Rory McIlroy scored two birdies on the par four ninth at Hoylake - as he managed to negotiate the hole in just three shots despite the presence of a local pheasant.
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