Adidas Wilson's Blog, page 98
August 11, 2017
The next ‘Game of Thrones’ episode will feature a Jon Snow moment fans are dying to see
The seventh season of “Game of Thrones” has been packed with reunions and meetings between characters, and we’re about to get another highly anticipated encounter — Jon Snow and Drogon.
Jon was surprised by Drogon flying overhead when he first arrived on Dragonstone, but so far we haven’t seen Jon get an actual face-to-face encounter with one of Daenerys’ dragons. All that is about to change with the upcoming episode Sunday.
In the preview for “Eastwatch” released by HBO, we see Daenerys atop Drogon and Jon Snow standing in front of them:
Drogon roars in Jon’s face, but is Daenerys really trying to intimidate him? HBO
Drogon is looking ferocious as usual. Jon was literally floored the first time he saw Drogon, but this time he appears to be standing his ground.
Jon looks slightly concerned, but he doesn’t seem to be flinching. HBO
This is a huge moment for many “Game of Thrones” fans. More than anything, Jon interacting with Drogon will be thrilling for viewers at home who know the truth of his parentage. Jon’s real father is Rhaegar Targaryen (the now-deceased older brother of Daenerys).
Since Targaryens are known to have a type of “connection” with dragons, seeing the half-Targaryen Jon Snow get some personal time with Drogon could be really special.
Some people even wonder if Jon will ride one of Daenerys’ dragons before the end of the series. One of her dragons, Rhaegal, is named after Jon’s father.
Will Drogon recognize Jon as the Blood of the Dragon? I literally cannot…. #GameOfThronespic.twitter.com/VWJJgdbtt1
— Lady
Daenerys’ Dragon Will Meet an Icy Fate, According to This Tragic Fan Theory
White Walkers are a great threat to Westeros for many reasons, but one of the Night King’s scariest abilities is the power to reanimate the dead — any dead. It’s this ability that’s birthed one awful new fan theory, and unfortunately, it’s plausible.
According to YouTuber The Book of White Walkers, one of Daenerys’ dragons will die and be brought back to life by the Night King before Season 7’s end. As the theory goes, the episodes will culminate in an epic battle wherein Daenerys, Jon Snow, and others go up against the Walkers. During this battle, one of the Khaleesi’s dragons will be murdered — possibly by the Night King’s ice spear — collapsing to its death, only to be revived by said king and becoming an “Ice Dragon.” Some proponents of this theory believe Viserion will be this dragon, and that he’ll go on to shatter The Wall.
Interestingly, The Book of White Walkers has already been correct in that Thrones‘ beloved giants would be reanimated by the King. They also allege that Stannis Baratheon, who viewers assumed was dead after a brutal run-in with Brienne of Tarth in Season 6, will make a comeback… in one form or another.
In the ’80s, A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin set the precedent for the Ice Dragon when he published a children’s book about them, aptly entitled The Ice Dragon. The book tells the story of a child who partners with an Ice Dragon to battle several Fire Dragons. Together, the two win the fight, the Ice Dragon ultimately melting away. Martin has since claimed the two universes are not the same, but it’s hard not to draw some sort of comparison when the same mythological creature is in both fictional works.
HBO
While The Book of White Walkers takes the Ice Dragon theory in a dark direction, there are contradictory theories claiming the creatures will actually assist Jon Snow in defeating the Walkers.
Dragons are arguably the most beloved creatures in the GoT universe, so if one goes bad, there’s sure to be a coup amongst fans. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
Game of Thrones returns to HBO August 13, 2017.
Source:
http://www.zimbio.com/TV+News/articles/_aQ58m__MnE/Daenerys+Dragon+Will+Meet+Icy+Fate+According
3D printing homes for Mars
A team competing in NASA’s 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge worked with Techmer PM to develop materials that could one day be used to house human visitors to Mars.
Teams of citizen inventors are participating in the competition to innovate technology to support deep space exploration and also advance Earth-based construction capabilities. A partnership between freeform 3D printing startup Branch Technology and architecture firm Foster + Partners, collaborating with Techmer, won third place in the most recent level, which involved 3D printing a structural beam using plastics and simulated Martian soil.
The team also took first place in the previous level, creating a truncated cone and cylinder from the material they developed. Next, they will be tasked with printing a dome structure for mechanical testing.
The idea is to enable customizable habitat options using locally available materials and potentially recycled plastics.
“If you think of a place like Mars — but also it could be remote places on this planet — if you try to build a structure, you’d have to send all these tools and materials and so on,” said John Manuck, Techmer’s CEO. “But if you could 3D print the structure, of course the 3D printer, you’d have to send that there, and some of the raw material, but then it can produce a whole range of products.”
Source:
http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20170811/NEWS/170819974/3d-printing-homes-for-mars
Netflix in Talks With Disney on Marvel, ‘Star Wars’ Movies for 2019 and Beyond
Netflix isn’t going to get Disney’s “Frozen 2,” but it’s not yet frozen out of potentially getting streaming rights to Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars” franchise and Marvel Entertainment movies.
Netflix remains in “active discussions” with Disney about a deal for Lucasfilm and Marvel titles after the companies’ current movie-output deal expires in 2019, chief content officer Ted Sarandos said in an interview with Reuters.
On Tuesday, Disney said it plans to introduce its own direct-to-consumer Disney-branded subscription VOD service in 2019; it’s also looking to roll out an ESPN over-the-top streaming service in early 2018.
The Disney OTT service will exclusively offer movies from Pixar and Disney studios starting with 2019 releases — so Netflix won’t have those. But Disney has yet to decide whether it will re-up with Netflix for the Marvel and Lucasfilm lines. Those could be bundled into in the Disney-branded service, broken into their own subscription VOD services, or licensed to a third party — whether that’s Netflix, HBO, or another partner.
Sarandos told Reuters that Disney’s streaming service was a “natural evolution” for media companies and opined that the Mouse House’s OTT offerings will be “complementary” to Netflix. The exec added, “That’s why we got into the originals business five years ago, anticipating [negotiations to license content] may be not as easy a conversation with studios and networks.”
Netflix and Disney inked the licensing pact for the U.S. pay-TV window in 2012, under which Netflix secured streaming rights to the Mouse House’s films starting with 2016 releases. Netflix has had a similar “pay one” agreement for Disney titles in Canada starting with 2015 releases.
Disney’s 2019 theatrical slate includes the second “Frozen” movie, “Toy Story 4” and a live-action version of “The Lion King” from the Disney and Pixar lines.
Shares of Netflix dropped after Disney announced the plans for its direct-to-consumer streaming services and ending the deal with Netflix for Disney and Pixar films. After hitting record highs last month, Netflix’s stock has dropped 7% since Monday.
Separately from the Disney movie pact, Netflix has an extensive, multiyear deal with Marvel for original series based on Marvel’s street-hero characters, including “Daredevil,” “Jessica Jones,” “Luke Cage” and “Iron Fist.”
Source:
Netflix in Talks With Disney on Marvel, ‘Star Wars’ Movies for 2019 and Beyond
Applebee’s is closing up to 135 locations across the US after ditching its ‘Middle America roots’ to win over millennials
Applebee’s locations are disappearing across the US.
On Thursday, executives announced that the chain plans to close between 105 and 135 locations this year.
“We are long overdue in rationalizing the size of our system and closing poorly performing restaurants,” Dine Equity CEO Richard Dahl said in a call with investors.
In March, Applebee’s said that it planned to close 40 to 60 locations in 2017. In 2016, Applebee’s closed 46 locations.
Dine Equity, which also owns IHOP, reported that its net income in the second quarter was $20.9 million, down from $26.4 million in the same quarter last year. Applebee’s same-store sales decreased 7% in the quarter.
Executives blamed difficulties in part on Applebee’s attempt to win over millennial diners.
“Over the past few years, the brand’s set out to reposition or reinvent Applebee’s as a modern bar and grill in overt pursuit of a more youthful and affluent demographic with a more independent or even sophisticated dining mindset, including a clear pendulum swing towards millennials,” John Cywinski, Applebee’s brand president, said Thursday.
“In my perspective, this pursuit led to decisions that created confusion among core guests, as Applebee’s intentionally drifted from its what I’ll call its Middle America roots and its abundant value position,” he continued. “While we certainly hope to extend our reach, we can’t alienate Boomers or Gen-Xers in the process.”
In 2016, Applebee’s launched what it called a “comprehensive business transformation” in an attempt to modernize the chain. Changes such as installing fire grills in all 2,000-plus locations across the US — a $40 million investment by the chain’s franchisees — and redesigning locations were supposed to distinguish Applebee’s from other casual dining chains.
Moving foward, Cywinski said that Applebee’s will focus on “routine traditionalists” who actually enjoy casual dining chains and have favorite menu items, as well as “value seekers” who are looking for deals at sit-down restaurants.
Restaurants slated for closure are either in areas with declining traffic, such as restaurants near once bustling but now dead malls, or locations with low sales that offer customers a “substandard experience,” according to executives.
Source:
http://www.businessinsider.com/applebees-is-closing-up-to-135-locations-2017-8
Robots to replace Disneyland Actors
What kids love the most at Disneyland?
Probably it is meeting, greeting and snapping a photo with Mickey himself!
Over 1200 character actors portray Mickey, Goofy and other characters at Disneyland and they might lose their jobs soon.
A patent application reveals Disney’s plans to create children-friendly “Soft” Robots. The soft-bodied robots are adapted for physical interaction with humans, particularly children. The robots also incorporate sensors and control software intended to reduce impacts on collision during human interaction.
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Disney may sell toy sized soft robots. Large sized soft robots can interact with visitors at Disneyland.
Moreover, the robots will be able to mimic movements of an animated character. So the robots would act as the character they are playing
Disney has always discouraged actors from revealing who is behind the costume in order to preserve the fantasy peddled in its theme parks. The actors believe this is in violation of their constitutional rights. Disney might be able to preserve the fantasy with these soft robots.
Patent Number : US20170095925 A1
Source:
https://thenextweb.com/contributors/2017/08/10/robots-replace-disneyland-actors/#.tnw_8cUU8C45
Game of Thrones: Arya Stark Looks So Much Like Ned Now It’s Insane
During the most recent episode of Game of Thrones, “The Spoils of War,” a long-awaited reunionbetween separated sisters Arya and Sansa Stark finally happens. They hug and catch up in Winterfell’s crypt, standing in front of the tomb of their late father, Ned Stark. Although Arya remarks that the stone statue looks nothing like him, it’s hard not to notice in that scene in particular who does look like Ned: Arya herself.
Over the course of seven seasons, the deadly assassin has undergone a major transformation. She starts off Game of Thrones as a scrappy young girl who just wants to learn how to sword fight rather than becoming a lady of a castle and marrying some lord. Arya clearly has a special bond with her dad from the get-go, and seeing him brutally and tragically beheaded in King’s Landing is what kicks off her mission to get revenge on everyone who harmed her family.
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With each new season of the series, Arya has subtly transformed into her father as she matures and becomes savvier about the world around her. From their half-up, pulled-back hairstyles to their layered cloaks, the resemblance between the characters is uncanny (they even wear a similar leather X detail over their chests).
This isn’t the first time one of the Stark children has physically taken after Ned, either. In season six, Jon Snow ditches his typical Castle Black attire for a brown leather coat of plates. The vest is the same one that Ned wears in previous episodes and is traditional attire for House Stark (Robb also dons similar armor in earlier seasons). Not only that, but Jon’s habit of tying his hair into man bun earns him some Ned comparisons every now and then, as does his personality overall since both are brooding, fantastic leaders.
Despite the fact Ned has been dead and gone since season one, it’s touching to see his legacy still living on in his children in different ways. With the Starks back in control of the North, it will be exciting to see how Jon, Sansa, Arya, and Bran choose to rule.
Source:
https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/Arya-Stark-Similarities-Ned-Stark-Game-Thrones-43851565
Teenage Groot Will Return In Avengers: Infinity War
We’ve known for quite some time that the Guardians of the Galaxy will all appear in Avengers: Infinity War, but after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 hit theaters this summer, a new question about the Guardians’ involvement surfaced. During one of the five post-credit scenes in Guardians 2, fans got their first look at Teen Groot, when Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) came into his room and started complaining that he hadn’t cleaned it yet, as Teen Groot continued to play video games, as teens are known to do. Director James Gunn has confirmed that fans will be seeing Teen Groot in Avengers: Infinity War.
While it still hasn’t been released to the public quite yet, the Infinity War Comic-Con footage, which was also shown at the D23 Expo, featured the Guardians and what looked like the same Teen Groot from the Guardians 2post-credit scene. Cinema Blend spoke with James Gunn, who was promoting the home video release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 when he confirmed that fans will be seeing Teen Groot in Infinity War. Here’s what he had to say below.
“He’s exactly the same. That’s exactly the Groot we designed for Infinity War.”
It had previously been confirmed that the post-credit scene in question took place four years after Guardians Vol. 2, which means that Infinity War is also set four years after the sequel. James Gunn hesitantly confirms this, stating, “Well, those are at the same time.” After Groot sacrificed himself at the end of the first Guardians movie, fans saw him come back to life as the adorable Baby Groot in the Guardians of the Galaxy post-credit scene where he was dancing to “ABC” by the Jackson 5. When asked if that “restarted his life cycle,” James Gunn didn’t want to state anything on record, admitting it’s an aspect of Groot that he wants to use in future stories, most likely Guardians of the Galaxy 3, which he’s currently working on. He did hint, though, that the life of a creature like Groot is nothing like our own.
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“Well, you know, it’s complicated. I think you have to stick through future movies to find out exactly what the story of Groot is. I get a lot of questions, and the thing I say that bums people out more than anything else is that Baby Groot doesn’t have the memories of Adult Groot. But it’s complicated! His life is not like our lives… It’s his aging, and Groots, where they come from and how they do their thing. It’s pretty much worked out in my head, but we’ve only let out pieces of that.”
It is believed that we’ll get to see Groot back to his full-grown self by the time Guardians of the Galaxy 3 rolls around, which will be part of Marvel’s Phase 4 lineup, although an exact release date for that movie has yet to be given. Spider-Man: Homecoming 2 has been confirmed as the first Phase 4 movie, hitting theaters July 5, 2019, just two months after Avengers 4 arrives on May 3, 2019, with the studio setting three 2020 dates, May 1, 2020, August 7, 2020 and November 6, 2020. With production now wrapped on Avengers: Infinity War, and filming starting soon on Avengers 4, hopefully we’ll find out more about these highly-anticipated projects soon.
Source:
http://movieweb.com/avengers-infinity-war-teen-groot-confirmed-james-gunn/
Google CEO Cancels Gender-Diversity Meeting After Employees Targeted Online
Shockwaves continue to rattle Google after the company fired an engineer who posted a lengthy screed suggesting that women are genetically less capable than men of working in high-tech.
On Thursday afternoon, Google CEO Sundar Pichai informed staffers in a companywide email that a town-hall meeting to discuss diversity issues was canceled after individual employees were singled out online — and several had expressed fears for their personal safety.
“We had hoped to have a frank open discussion today as we always do to bring us together and move forward,” Pichai wrote in the memo, sent shortly before the meeting’s scheduled 4 p.m. PT start time. But questions submitted by staffers beforehand “appeared externally this afternoon, and on some websites Googlers are now being named personally,” he wrote, and some employees were “concerned about their safety and worried they may be ‘outed’ publicly for asking a question in the Town Hall.”
Google’s firing of the engineer, James Damore, has rallied conservative agitators who are angry about what they perceive as the internet giant’s suppression of free speech and persecution of the male employee.
On Wednesday, right-wing firebrand Milo Yiannopoulos posted the Twitter bios of eight Google employees — who apparently had criticized Damore’s memo — on his Facebook page, with the comment, “Looking at who works for Google, it all makes sense now…”
Pichai in his memo Thursday wrote, “In recognition of Googlers’ concerns, we need to step back and create a better set of conditions for us to have the discussion. So in the coming days we will find several forums to gather and engage with Googlers, where people can feel comfortable to speak freely.”
Damore has spoken out since his firing, airing his grievances against Google. In an interview with Bloomberg TV on Wednesday, he accused Google execs of “trying to smear my image rather than just looking at the evidence” and said he felt “betrayed.”
Google on Monday released a memo from Pichai to employees, in which the chief executive said that while the company values critical discussion of its diversity programs, parts of Damore’s essay crossed the line “by advancing harmful gender stereotypes in our workplace.”
“To suggest a group of our colleagues have traits that make them less biologically suited to that work is offensive and not OK,” Pichai wrote.
Source:
Google CEO Cancels Gender-Diversity Meeting After Employees Targeted Online
Benchmark sues former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick
Benchmark, the Silicon Valley venture firm and early investor in Uber, has sued former CEO Travis Kalanick.
In a Delaware Chancery Court filing, originally identified by Axios’ Dan Primack, the suit alleges that Kalanick committed fraud, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty. Both Kalanick and Benchmark hold Uber board seats.
Accusing Kalanick of being “selfish” by packing Uber’s board with “loyal allies,” Benchmark alleges that the ousted CEO broke the law by trying to pave the way for his own return. Reports have suggested that Kalanick has been telling people that he’s “Steve Jobs-In it” and will be back at the helm.
If successful, the Benchmark lawsuit could kick Kalanick off the board of directors, making his return impossible.
Much of the complaint revolves around a June 2016 decision that expanded the size of Uber’s board from eight to 11. Kalanick was given the right to choose those seats. Kalanick eventually gave one of those to himself when he lost his CEO seat. The other two are still unfilled.
Benchmark is claiming that it would never have given Kalanick the power to choose those seats if the team had been aware of the gender discrimination, sexual harassment and other misconduct.
Uber has had a tumultuous 2017. After a former Uber employee wrote a story detailing sexual harassment and an environment that discriminated against women, former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder oversaw an investigation into the company’s culture. This ultimately led to a series of executive departures and Kalanick’s resignation.
Uber has also been embroiled in a patent lawsuit with Waymo, the self-driving car division owned by the Google parent. Unsurprisingly, it’s another major point of contention in the new lawsuit. In a long list of items that Benchmark characterizes as “gross mismanagement” by Kalanick is his “personal involvement in causing Uber to acquire a self-driving vehicle start-up that, according to a confidential report not disclosed to Benchmark at the time (the ‘Stroz Report’), allegedly harbored trade secrets stolen from a competitor.”
The stakes are high because Uber is the most valuable private company at $70 billion. Benchmark and Kalanick are amongst the largest shareholders.
Source:
Benchmark sues former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick
