#best budget geiger counter

[bestpickme]

5 Best Geiger Counters of 2023

[seinternational]

How Radiation Detection Can Save Your Life

Everyday we’re exposed to naturally occurring radiation as well as artificial radiation. In many cases, exposure to artificial radiation occurs in the workplace, depending on your occupation. When you work in a profession that requires regular exposure to radiation, you must take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.  

Protective equipment and regular monitoring are effective ways to protect yourself from excessive exposure. Professions such as oncologists and X-ray technicians are individuals who must monitor their work environments regularly to ensure their exposure is at a minimum. This is accomplished through the use of radiation detectors. These devices are becoming quite common, and they’re a major contributor in saving the lives of the professionals exposed to radiation, which, in turn, can help save lives. In the medical field, radiation detectors also save the lives of patients just as much as it saves the lives of medical professionals.

In this blog, we will learn about the basics of radiation detection and how it can help keep you safe.

What Is Radiation?

You might be wondering what radiation is. Simply put, it's a type of energy that comes from unstable atoms. And if you're exposed to radiation, it can have some damaging consequences, like causing cancer.

That's why it's so crucial to have radiation detection equipment on hand. It can help you detect radiation before it does too much damage and gives you time to evacuate the area.

Radiation detectors are available in all shapes and sizes, so there's one for every budget. And the good news is that they're not just for use in emergencies. You can also use them daily to ensure your building is safe from radiation exposure.

What Are the Dangers of Radiation?

You might think that radiation is only a problem for people who work in nuclear power plants or hospitals—but that's not the case.

Radiation is all around us, and it can be extremely dangerous if it's not monitored. That's why radiation detection is so important.

There are all sorts of radiation detectors on the market, and each has its benefits and drawbacks. It can be tough to decide which detector is correct for you, but that's where S.E. International comes in. We can help you find the correct detector for your needs, and we'll ensure you learn how to use it properly.

How Can Radiation Detection Save Your Life?

Radiation measurement tasks are done in places where radioactive materials are known to be present and need to be watched. The goal of this kind of detecting is to make people aware. Awareness of how strong a radioactive field is, how big a radioactive area is, or just how far radioactive contamination has spread. These are places where radiation is expected or thought to be likely to be present. In these situations, detectors need to be able to measure over a wider range or be changed to look for only one type of radiation. Being aware of how much radiation you’re exposed to is one of the biggest life-saving aspect, especially if you work in a field where you’re constantly exposed to it. There are, of course, plenty of other situations where having a radiation detector on hand can come in handy, like during a nuclear emergency or a terrorist attack.

So, the next time you think about buying a radiation detector, remember this: it could save your life.

What Are the Best Radiation Detectors?

When it comes to radiation detection, there are different options to choose from. So, which one is the best for you?

The answer to that question depends on your needs and what you're looking for in a radiation detector. For example, if you're looking for something very portable and easy to use, then a Pico Geiger counter might be the right choice for you.

On the other hand, if you're looking for something that's more robust and can detect a different radiation type, then a fully-featured Geiger counter might be the better option.

No matter what type of radiation detector you choose, ensure that it has been tested and certified by a reputable organization. That way, you can be sure that it will provide accurate information in a radiation emergency.

How to Use a Radiation Detector

Here's how you use a radiation detector:

First, make sure the detector is turned on. To do this, press the power button. The detector will start beeping, and the indicator light will turn on.

Second, hold the detector up to the object you want to test. The indicator light will start flashing, and the beeping will get louder as you get closer to the radiation source.

Third, keep the detector still and wait for it to stop beeping, which means that you've found the radiation source. Note the level of radiation and take appropriate action.

Tips for Living in a High-Radiation Area

Living in a high-radiation area can be scary, but with the right tools, you can protect yourself and your loved ones. Here are a few tips for living in a high-radiation area:

Make sure you have a radiation detector. A radiation detector will help you quickly identify any radiation hotspots in your area.

Stay informed about the latest developments. Keep up-to-date on the latest news and information about radiation levels in your area.

Keep track of your local radiation levels. Make sure to keep track of the radiation levels in your area and take precautions when they're elevated.

Stay indoors as much as possible. When the radiation levels are high, it's best to stay indoors as much as possible.

Keep a safe distance from radioactive materials. If you come in contact with radioactive materials, ensure to keep a safe distance from them and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

Have a disaster plan ready. If the worst happens and the radiation levels get too high, ensure you have a disaster plan to go.

Conclusion

You never know when radiation will be a threat, so it's crucial to always be prepared. By having a radiation detector on hand, you can quickly assess any situation and make the right decisions for your safety.

Radiation can come from various sources, so it's vital to be aware of your surroundings every time. A radiation detector is a great way to stay safe and secure in any situation.

Whether you’re in the public safety or healthcare industries (and more), to get the ultimate detection of radiation, contact S.E. International to learn more about radiation detections or for assistance with placing an order and get more knowledge about how radiation detection can save your life.

[spinoguy]

The Victims of Atomic Testing in Gojira

Typically, giant monster movies are not thought of as cinematic masterpieces, especially in the middle of the twentieth century.  This is hardly an unfounded opinion, as many of the monster movies of the time were low-budget and poorly written affairs. THEM! (1954), The Black Scorpion (1957), and The Monster That Challenged the World (1957) are all examples that I recommend watching for that exact kind of movie.  Gojira (1954) is not that kind of movie.

The first in the long running and ever-expanding Godzilla franchise, it is also incredibly different when compared to the rest.  Most Godzilla movies usually involve giant monsters fighting, goofy acting, and an incredibly loose plot to see those two things happen. In fact, there are many in the series that are straight comedies.  There is enjoyment to be found in those, as I am a massive fan of the series, but it’s rather jarring to have watched those movies first and then going to watch the first.

           It is first and foremost a tragedy, born in the minds of director Ishiro Honda and producer Tomoyuki Tanaka after the end of World War II, the primary focus of the film is how disastrous the atomic bombs dropping on Hiroshima and Nagasaki truly was.  This is a somber and sorrowful film, with no happy ending. This is possibly best exemplified in the “climatic” final scene.

           Before I continue, I feel I must mention the 1956 American reedit of the movie, titled Godzilla, King of the Monsters!, starring Raymond Burr.  I won’t be discussing that version, but it does keep the tone of the movie surprisingly intact, so if that is the only copy on-hand, it should be enough to get the overall experience.  The only major difference in the ending is added shots of Burr and an ending narration that spells out the tragedy of the movie.  It’s a decent watch.

           First, I’m going to give a little background to the scene in question.  The key players are Dr. Daisuke Serizawa, Dr. Kyohei Yamane, Emiko Yamane, and Hideto Ogata. The city of Tokyo, Japan was just destroyed by a giant, radioactive creature called Godzilla (or Gojira, if you want to call him by his Japanese name) in an impressive display of special effects, perhaps the best at the time in the Japanese film industry.  Tokyo itself looks exactly like Hiroshima and Nagasaki did after the bombs were dropped, and massive amounts of radiation are left behind. There is one memorable moment of a doctor moving a Geiger counter in front of a small child, and the massive goes crazy, signifying the child’s inevitable and painful fate.

           The immediate scene before the climax is a tense confrontation between Serizawa, Emiko, and Ogata.  Serizawa is a scientist who has discovered a potentially horrifying new weapon called the Oxygen Destroyer.  As the name suggests, it destroys the oxygen in the surrounding area, most effective in water.  That is what the device is supposed to do, at least.  In practice, is simply disintegrates any living creature in water. Ogata and Serizawa have a brief scuffle over potentially using this horrific weapon.  One could argue that this particular scene is the true climax of the movie, rather than the city destruction or final defeat of Godzilla.

           After Serizawa reluctantly agrees to use the device on Godzilla, and making sure all of his blueprints are destroyed, the scene starts with a shot of a fleet of battleships with a triumphant score in the background, composed by the excellent Akira Ifukube.  This, along with the music, should get the audience in the mood for a storm on Godzilla’s proverbial castle.

           After this shot, however, an interesting choice is made.  Until we see Godzilla again, there is no music heard on screen, not even diegetic music. The closest we get is the Geiger counter going off some more, showing they are above the lair of Godzilla.  In fact, there are moments where, aside from the movement of the waves beneath the boat, there is no sound at all.

           Follow a look at the radiation counter, Serizawa informs Ogata that he intends to plant the device himself in an old-fashioned scuba suit.  He and Ogata try to argue, but Serizawa is resolute in his goal to see this through. Ogata then demands a suit of his own to assist Serizawa in planting the device.

           As we cut to them getting prepared for the sea-floor walk, it is interspliced with flashes of concern on Emiko’s face in an extreme closeup, at least for the 1950s.  She is looking between Serizawa, her friend since childhood that she is set to engage; and then, she sees Ogata, the man for whom she truly has feeling for. The camerawork shows this conflict within her, unsure of if she’ll ever see either of them again.  Her father, Dr. Yamane, is also looking on in terror, although for him it’s for the potential loss of a great scientific study in Godzilla.

           We then get our first real look at the devastating Oxygen Destroyer device.  A large ball is held in the middle of a cylindrical container.  As Serizawa is handed it, the camera is close on his face, showing the horror that he is about to unleash.  Serizawa is played by actor Akihiko Hirata, who portrays a man tormented by his own creation, helped along nicely by the camerawork’s framing.

           Ogata and Serizawa make their descent to the sea floor.  During the minute long, silent trek towards Godzilla’s resting area, there is still no music, and whenever the camera cuts to a closeup of one of the two characters, it shows the fear of the task set before them.

           Finally, the camera cuts to a low angle of Godzilla. His entire body doesn’t fit in the entire screen, and the camera is forced to pan up in order to get a good look at him.  Instead of the loud, destructive music or a scene of him laying waste to a helpless city, the creature is simply sleeping.  This sudden change in perspective on Godzilla is jarring to the audience, who had been up to this point been assuming that he was a force of evil and destruction.  Rather, he is in his own way a victim of the atomic bombings.  Godzilla’s own life was disrupted by these weapons of mass destruction, and he in turn attacked Japan.

           The low angle is also extremely effective in showing off how big Godzilla is.  While it isn’t as overt in this scene, as very little of Godzilla himself is shown in the ending, this reveal of him sleeping is perhaps the most effective use of the low angle shot in the movie.

           The music of the scene must also be discussed, as after five minutes of near silence, it finally returns, but not with a bombastic “final-battle-type” score.  Instead, the music is somber and quiet, reflecting the underlying tragedy of the entire scene.  This isn’t a heroic moment for the protagonists, but a necessary step in order to ensure Japan isn’t wiped off the map by a fire-breathing dinosaur.

           Godzilla awakens fully and starts to advance on them, and we get another low angle shot of him moving towards Ogata and Serizawa. The effect of Godzilla underwater was tackled rather ingeniously, they actually just placed the suit behind a pane of water.  If they just shoved Haruo Nakajima, the man portraying Godzilla himself, into a suit and underwater, he would have drowned.

           Serizawa drops the Oxygen Destroyer onto the ground, which activates it.  Ogata is quickly repelled up, but notices Serizawa is not following him.  The camera instead follows Ogata as he is screaming at Serizawa to follow him.  The anguish on Ogata’s face is genuine, fearing for a friend.  Serizawa’s face, meanwhile, is only one of resignation and acceptance.  Once Ogata is back on the boat, he begs and pleads Serizawa to come up.

           The camera is focusing closely on the doctor’s face, the same static shot as before, but this time he is tearfully telling Ogata that his device is working.  He also calmly asks Ogata to take care of Emiko, being long aware of their true feelings for each other.  The next shot is of Serizawa pulling out a knife and cutting at his rope.

           Ogata demands they begin to pull him back up, but all they get back are the cut rope and air supply.  Serizawa killed himself to ensure that his creation can never fall into another’s hands for evil.  That this would be the one and only time such destruction would be unleashed upon the world.

           Suddenly, the ocean churns, and Godzilla bursts out of the sea with a blood-curdling scream.  At first it seems that the plans to attack the remaining passengers of the boat before he falls back down through the waves.  His remains actually float somewhat gently to the seafloor, as he makes one final gesture, attempting to get up before his struggles cease.  His flesh is eaten away by the device, leaving only the skeletal remains.  Even that, too, is eventually gone, leaving only a shot of the seafloor.

           Back on the boat, Ogata relays to Emiko the final message left by Serizawa, causing her to break down in tears.  Dr. Yamane has a forlorn look on his face, mourning the loss of a good man and a great scientific achievement.  The music throughout the scene is melancholy, showing that this victory came at a huge cost, and that there were more victims than just the people of Tokyo.  The film even ends on the ruminations of Yamane, fearing that another Godzilla may rise due to the testing of nuclear weapons.

           This film is almost an anthesis of the monster movies of the time.  Whereas the other monster movies of the era are simply mindless beasts who kill and destroy everything in their path, Gojira gives a reason as to why Godzilla is a force of destruction.  The atomic bomb was the motivator to making this movie, and more than anything else, this final scene shows just how truly destructive it was for everybody.  The music and camerawork go a long way to help along this message.

[regressionanxiety]

Dr. No (1964)

I am watching all of the James Bond movies, they are very bad and I love them. These are some of my thoughts as I watch, it’s basically a recap so you know, spoilers...

It starts with some murdering. James Bond is called into work, goes through the waiting room and meets with M.  He gets a new gun because M insists, he’s very proud that under his leadership 00-deaths have gone down. Moneypenny is the best as always.

James Bond arrives in Jamaica and is instantly spotted, of course he is, he is after all, the worst spy. He is looking for a Taxi, but there is a driver waiting for him. Not at all suspicious. Bond makes a phone call. Is being spied on. Then goes to the car, and tells the driver to “just take me for a ride.” I know he’s just stalling, but I will use this line as support for my argument that James Bond is a chaotic bisexual. 

Now Bond points his gun at his driver, questioning him, as he well should. The driver kills himself with cyanide hidden in a cigarette. Bond takes the car and drives to wherever he’s going, dead guy in the back seat. Tells a person when he arrives: “'sergeant, make sure he doesn’t get away.”

He  drinks and puts out snooper traps in his room before he goes out to investigate his case futher. Chatting with some men, being his very best Miss Marple her, non threathening, pleasant conversationalist, even when the topic is grim. He’s directed to a man with a boat, Quarrel, who doesn’t want to talk to Bond and gives him some sass (everyone should give Bond sass) and turns him away. Bond, of course, isn’t deterred and approaches the man just as he’s having a bear. Now he wants to talk, because it’s private. They go into a storage room of some kind. The man has a knife and the guy at the bar (I think), grabs bond from behind. Bond easily throws them both into some neatly stacked (and empty) Red Stripe cartons, product placement or just an attempt to convince us that we’re really in Jamaica right now?

Bond thinks he has the upper hand now, but no! The man from the airport (not the dead driver - this isn’t that kind of movie) with his sunglasses is there, and he has a gun! 

“gently, gently, let’s not get exited” the man says. With those sunglasses it’s hard not to mister. They are talking suits, like real gents. The other guy is CIA, and his name is Felix Leiter. They’re friends now, with drinks (and i’m sure fucking - those sunglasses can only mean one thing). Underneath the mango tree plays.

A woman takes their picture, now they need to get her. They question her a bit, Bond destroys her film, but gives her the camera back, they send her off. She calls them rats and says they’ll be sorry. 

Bond learns about an island Crab Key (?) owned by a Chinese guy, apparently Quarrel and missing guy Strangways went there to collect geological samples. Locals won’t go near it, some have and never came back. They know very little of the man, except that his name is the titular Dr. No.

Bond is exiting a taxi, and the men who dealt with Strangways earlier are back, sneaking around with a gun pointed at Bond, but a car roars by and they miss their chance at an easy assassination.  

Bond is talking to a professor Dent (one of the men he chattet with about Strangways before) about the geological samples from Strangways, he claims to have thrown them away because they weren’t anything. Bond is batting his eyelashes and being his best Miss Marple again. He knows the man is a liar!

Prof. Dent goes straight to a boat to get to Crab Key. These bad guys are really dumb. Anyway; crab key is guarded by men with big guns. 

Very dramatic room. The professor is being berated by a disembodied voice for coming during daylight hours, stricktly forbidden. This still isn’t that kind of movie, but Dr. No is clearly a vampire. There’s a spider in a cage on a table. If guns don’t work on Bond, try spider bites?

Bond is back in his room. Checks his intruder revealers and as expected they have been disturbed. He wants some vodka, throws ice in a glass, opens the bottle, thinks twice, sniffs it, then puts it back down and opens a drawer and pulls out another bottle. Uses this instead. I’m not sure why that bottle would be safer, unopened and sealed somehow?

Ruh roh! Someone feels a little spidey! Bond killed it, his first murder in this film! 

Bond gest a package, finds that the files on Crab Key are missing, sets up a date with a secretary (the stunning miss Taro) he caught eavesdropping. Business as usual. His package was a geiger counter? He checks some samples with his pals Leiter and Quarrel, and yes, they are radioactive. The professor is a liar! Gasp! Who knew! Now they must go to Crab Key, but in the night, after his date. But wait! there’s a note for him at the hotel reception. He calls miss Taro, she wants him to come to her and gives him some directions, a car starts following him, trying to drive him off the road? Oh noe, a crane or something is in the road, what will Bond do? His little car goes under, the bigger car that follows? Not so much, goes over and burns up. 

“How did it happen?” The man who has the crane thing asks. “I think they were on their way to a funeral,” Bond replies.

He finally arrives at Miss Taro’s, shes just out of the shower, drying her hair, while wearing a tight toweldress???? Clearly not expecting him. He kisses her, and she protests. 

The phone rings. She promises to try to keep him there. He really does seem to be a terrible kisser. They fuck. He pretends to want italian food so he calls a taxi, despite getting there by car. She is confused, he kisses her again to distract. Then the car comes, and she’s arrested. She spits in his face, which he deserves. He goes into her house again, creates a scene: pours some drinks, leaves his jacket, puts on a song (underneath the mango tree, again), goes into the bedroom and uses a pillow to make it look like someone is in it. Then he waits.

The professor walks through the door and shoots up the pillow. They have a chat. Bond shoots him. Then meets up with Quarrel to go on to the island. Makes a quip about it being a break from being a clay pigeon, but I somehow I doubt it. Leister is worried offers to go instead, but Bond refuses him. 

Wait, why is bond asleep on the beach? Was that the plan? Did I miss something?

Ah, the bikini. It isn’t a very good one is it? They’re hiding from guards with guns now. Bond promises he’s no threat to this woman, Honey Ryder, but we all know that’s a lie. They must hide, they’ve been spotted on radar. They get shot at, the woman’s boat is ruined so she has to tag along. They sneak up some kind of river I think. Almost get caught, but don’t, hiding under water using reeds as breathing tubes. Honey claims Dr. No killed her father, a marine biologist, who came to Crab Key to never be seen again.

Now she’s telling Bond about how she killed her landlord (who raped her) via spiderbite. It took him a week to die. Bond just pouts at her, probably knows he might have deserved that spiderbite earlier...

The rumored dragon is nearby, and Bond, who knows it isn’t actually a dragon, wants to see it. 

they’re captured, Quarrel is dead, and claimed to be contaminated. Geiger counters going wild! They need to be hosed down. Then they’re put in very nice quater and treated as guests. because why not. They have some coffee, it’s drugged and they pass out. Bond breaks a perfeclty good cup in the process - that brute. A mysterious figure, with shiny latexy gloves takes a look at Bond in bed. Dr. No presumably, he lifts the cover a little before we cut to the next scene. Sean Connery really isn’t that attractive Dr. just kill him already!

I’ve always wanted an evil lair. Finally the elusive Dr. No is revealed. Are you a good Bond villain if you don’t have a physical disability? It appears that he doesn’t have hands, because of errors in his work or something. He finds Bond a worthy adversary or some such. Bond has Honey sent away from the dinner table - ostensibly to save her. Dr. No quickly realizes that Bond is in fact just a policeman, not smart enough to join his criminal gang after all, SPECTRE (Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion) has no need for the likes of Bond, though if they did he’d prefer the revenge department. He is apparently being tortured, we don’t get to see that, but his clothes are ruined when we next see him in a cell he quickly escapes from by going into the pipes that keep this underwater facility with air. He falls down one of them and gets to take his shirt off. Oh no! Water rushes in and Bond must hold on! 

He gets out, finds his way into a radiation suit (stylish, with a very square hood, he looks like a Doctor Who villain in an episode where they ran out of budget) and infiltrates a control room! They’re talking about a vehicle and say the word radiation a lot. Bondis trying to figure out how to sabotage their sabotage (of a rocket launch). Big science words! No time to think for Bond, just punch everyone! Chaos! Alarms blaring, abort abort! 

Bond vs Dr. No. Bond wins and Dr. No goes down in what may be boiling radioactive water? Doesn’t seem like a delicious way to go. Everyone is fleeing the facility, Bond somehow finds Honey and frees her (she’s tied up on some ramp with water coming in, were they going to let the tide drown her? This is not how you kill people effectively). 

Lots of footage of people fleeing, flinging themselves into the ocean etc. Bond and Honey get a boat, the facility goes boooooooooooom! 

The boat runs out of fuel, and Bond and Honey settle in to wait for rescue, Leiter show up and start to give them a tow, but Bond lets the rope go so he and Honey can fuck. Leiter shakes his head and smiles at them in an overbearing manner. 

THE END

[feelingfredly]

A Fork in the Road

My crashing the 007 Fest party! :) First 007 fandom post--hopefully not my last.

Headcanon: Q hates plastic cutlery.

“Knock, knock, Quartermaster!” Eve said, rapping a knuckle on the partially open door. “I bring you glad tidings of great joy.” She waved a sack that smelled divine into the small opening.  “And although it isn’t exactly Christmas, I do have Massaman curry from that place you like so much over in Pimlico.”

Q pushed his chair back with an embarrassed groan and ran a tired hand through his hair.  “Oh, I am a right arse. How late am I?” He glanced at his phone and sighed.  He’d meant to just tie up his loose ends and meet Moneypenny to go for fish and chips at the Red Lion… two hours ago.

Q looked at the stack of paperwork occupying the only other chair in his office and grimaced. Having one chair typically ensured only one idiot bothered him at a time.  If he happened to pile things on it regularly, it wasn’t an intentional effort to reduce that number, but it happened to work that way, and who was he to complain?

“Just shove the dinosaur fodder out of the way.  I am so sorry. I meant call you. I was running a little late already, and then 009 did what 009 does and I ended up having to erase half an hour of him rampaging through the streets of Vienna on a stolen motorbike.  Luckily, they haven’t changed their CCTV security codes since the last time I had to scrub them, but by the time I’d finished that R had found a problem with one of the programs we’re supposed to be sending 002 out with Friday, and, as you can see,” he waved an apologetic hand at his computer screen, “down the rabbit-hole I went.”

Eve dropped the bag in front of him before picking up the stack of offending papers and setting them on another pile threatening to topple over on his second desk.

“Don’t let Marianne hear you call these dinosaur fodder,” Moneypenny said, settling into the plastic monstrosity of a chair more gracefully than should have been possible. “Those hard-copies are the only record Accounting has for some of those expenses.  Double-Ohs aren’t exactly on-the-record all the time, you know.”

Q’s stomach rumbled and suddenly he realized he was starving. He pulled the still hot tray out of the bag and took a deep breath.  Heavenly.

“Well, Marianne should join me in my perennial request to the powers-that-be to update the system so that important things like that aren’t single-point-of-failure items anymore.” He started patting his pockets, and when he didn’t find what he was looking for, started searching his desk.  Damn it.  Where did it go?

“I know, I know,” Moneypenny nodded, having heard the argument at least a dozen times before, “but for now, you should smile and nod and let her think her forms in triplicate are as fascinating as her grandchildren.  You’ll get your budgets approved faster.”

Q shifted his second tablet to the side, and then lifted his laptop to peer under it.  Still nothing.

“What are you looking for?” Eve asked, watching him excavate his desk with more energy than she usually saw from him unless a deadline was looming or someone was getting shot at.

Q stopped his search momentarily and looked up a little awkwardly. “Ah, I was looking for my…” There! He saw it, the end of a pen peeking out from behind a tin of tea. “This!  Just this.”

He held up the pen and Moneypenny shook her head and laughed.  “You don’t have to sign for your dinner, darling.  I’m not that fashed that you skipped out on the pub.”

Q held the pen still for a moment and then pulled the cap off.  “It isn’t actually a pen.” He held it up with a flourish and Eve raised an eyebrow in polite enquiry. “It’s actually something I came up with a while ago.  I found it useful to have when I would get stuck here over mealtimes.” Q activated the hidden mechanism and the handle split open to reveal a slim fork, tines expanding to full-size as they cleared the casing.

“A fork?” Moneypenny was laughing again, but Q just nodded.

“Yes.  The tines are made of titanium, see?  It’s lightweight.  Strong.  I thought about making more for the agents, but somehow the thought that one of them would end up stabbing someone in the eye with it kind of ruined the whole thing for me, so I stopped after this one.”

“Q. Darling,” her eyebrow was still cocked, “there’s at least half a dozen plastic forks in that bag.  You didn’t need to go all Doctor Livingstone just to eat your supper.”

Q shifted uneasily in his seat as he pried the lid from the takeaway container.  “I know.  I simply prefer to use something a little more substantial, I suppose.”

He felt the weight of her eyes resting on him and knew she could tell there was something more going on than a disdain for plastic sporks, but she was too polite to ask. Sometimes he hated having a trained observer of human nature as his best friend.  It kept things interesting, but it made personal space difficult to maintain.

To be fair, she’d never used her inside insights against him.  Even his drunken confession of an unrequited something after Bond ran away with Dr. Swann had gone no farther than the floor of his loo where she held his glasses whilst he reacquainted himself with the intricacies of modern plumbing.

“You do love your toys.”

It was true, as far as it went, and he could leave it there.  But maybe letting her know a little of the rest wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe. Oh, well... hell.

“My file doesn’t say much about the time before M, my M, found me. Mostly because there wasn't much before that.”  He focused on the curry in front of him, letting the words fill the space between them. “I guess I was sixteen?  My parents were…  well, let’s just say there’s a reason I don’t like to fly, and I’d been on my own by that time for about a year.  School was boring, and I was grieving and angry, but one does what one must, right?”

He’d heard the rumors—he’d hacked MI5.  He’d been an international criminal.  He’d set his resume as the wallpaper on M’s personal computer.  The truth, though, was much less exciting.  “Life insurance and a healthy estate made things much easier than they could have been, but having no one but a state-appointed guardian leaves a lot to be desired as far as care and keeping goes.” He sighed at looked across the office.  There was no pity on Eve’s face, but her lips might have been a little tighter than usual. “I pushed through my A-levels at fifteen.  Entered Uni at sixteen. That was when someone referred my file to MI6, and they started watching me. Then, two degrees by twenty, and an offer from MI6 by the time I’d gotten halfway through my third. On paper, it was a very successful time.”

He looked up and braced himself f the rest. “But, at the end of every day I was alone in an empty house. Every meal was takeaway. Plastic cutlery and paper plates. Years of it.” He shrugged as if it didn't matter. “If I never use another plastic fork it will be too soon.”

Q held up the pen-fork. “M knew I needed something else or I’d burn out completely.  Either that or turn into a world class villain, but I don’t think she thought I had that much imagination honestly.”  He didn’t say that she changed her mind later, but it was one of his favorite memories.

“So, she offered me a position and I came to Q Branch. Most everyone was older than I was, and there was more than a little suspicion about my qualifications—you know how it is to be the youngest in the room—but I understood them. I spent a lot of time in the labs hanging out with the other rats working on pet projects. Most of them were weapons, but I loved working on the subtle bits.  The cuff links that were Geiger counters.  The miniature cameras. The fork idea impressed Q.” He laughed softly. “The man had a huge soft spot for things that looked like other things, but they had to work. He told me that seeing the effort I put into this—the miniaturization, the durability, the attention to details—was what convinced him I was in the right place, and after that he made sure that I knew it, that I had a place.”

“For the first time I didn’t end my days alone.”  Q looked pointedly at the tin foil tray of curry on his desk but there was no dissatisfaction in it. “The meals may still be takeaway, but the rest…” he looked at Eve and though he flushed at the soft look around her eyes, it made telling her worth it. She understood. He handed her a cup of sweet mango rice and one of the loathsome plastic spoons with a half-smile. “There’s nothing disposable about the rest.”

[cks11]

Boekel Scientific Infrared Sauna Review - Relax in Your Own Home

Boekel Scientific Infrared Sauna Review - Relax in Your Own Home

There are a few bowel scientific device manufacturers that have been around for quite some time and they are Lever Technology, Inc. They are based in South Pittsburg, TN. For awhile, they were the only company that made boekel scientific devices. Recently, they have bought out their competition and purchased the rights to a number of well known brands such as Boheme, Boheler and Kromhout. They are re-branding a number of well known brands such as Boheme, Bionicle, and Kromhout as Lever Science. They currently produce and sell under their own brand name. In fact, they are re-branding Kromhout as Lever science also. As you can see, they have quite the stable of products.

The most popular boekel scientific devices are the boekel boilers which are used to boil milk and they come in many different sizes. Other devices are the boekel vacuum packagers and the boekel extractors. There are many more sub-brand products such as, boilers, extractors, and purifiers. It is very hard to describe everything that is available on the boekel scientific product line.

One boekel scientific device that is a favorite in many homes is the boekel infrared sauna. This is an infrared sauna that is used by many people all over the world. This unique bezel scientific device heats water from outside the house and the inside of the sauna. This type of sauna has a number of benefits and uses. First off, it is safer than an open flame or a wood burning stove.

Another benefit is that it can be used as a detoxifier, an analgesic, an antiseptic, and a bronchodilator at the same time. Some people even say it can heal your lungs. The infrared heat works from the outside in. It comes from the sun, the heat of the summer and then from infrared light. You get the best of all worlds by using this type of boekel sauna.

There are a few bowel scientific devices that you can buy for home use. For example, one device is the boekel pot. These pots are made from copper, which gives them a lovely copper color. They are available in many colors and styles. They work very well to boil water and make hot beverages. They also look great and are sure to give your kitchen a nice design.

The boekel scientific  market research report infrared sauna comes with many different settings to suit your needs and tastes. They include different temperatures and humidity levels. You can find these saunas at a variety of places including health stores, spas and even some restaurants. Some even have lessons available for you if you're just getting started with boekel infrared saunas.

If you're looking for a way to get fit and healthy, you may enjoy boekel infrared saunas. You'll get the benefits of the infrared light, without the high heat and sweat. If you start today, you can reap the rewards for years to come. You may just find yourself taking booked classes if you haven't already.

As you can see, there are a number of boekel scientific device options for your home. Get online today and start shopping for the boekel infrared sauna you've always wanted. It's time to reap the rewards and live your life to the fullest!

You can even choose the boekel infrared sauna that's right for you. There are all kinds of options that will fit into your budget. Some even come with a book that explains the ins and outs of bowel saunas. With boekel infrared saunas, you can get the benefits of the sun without having to deal with all of the hassles and fuss that come with using the sun. You'll be able to turn on the sauna and reap the benefits of relaxing in your own home.

With the boekel scientific sauna, you'll get all of the benefits of a traditional sauna without spending any money. The boekel infrared sauna is affordable and is well worth every penny. It's time to relax and reap the rewards, no matter what your budget or your schedule may tell you. Take the next few minutes and explore boekel infrared saunas. You won't be disappointed.

The boekel scientific infrared sauna is made to give you the maximum amount of enjoyment for each cent spent. The boekel scientific infrared sauna offers the same benefits as you'd get with a traditional sauna. If you're looking for a way to take a bit of "heat" from your daily routine, check out boekel infrared sauna. You'll enjoy the heat, the relaxation, and the benefits that come along with boekel. You'll love it!

Summary

The report forecast global Radiation Detection In Industrial and Scientific market to grow to reach xxx Million USD in 2019 with a CAGR of xx% during the period 2020-2025 due to coronavirus situation. The report offers detailed coverage of Radiation Detection In Industrial and Scientific industry and main market trends with impact of coronavirus. The market research includes historical and forecast market data, demand, application details, price trends, and company shares of the leading Radiation Detection In Industrial and Scientific by geography. The report splits the market size, by volume and value, on the basis of application type and geography. First, this report covers the present status and the future prospects of the global Radiation Detection In Industrial and Scientific market for 2015-2024. And in this report, we analyze global market from 5 geographies: Asia-Pacific[China, Southeast Asia, India, Japan, Korea, Western Asia], Europe[Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Netherlands, Turkey, Switzerland], North America[United States, Canada, Mexico], Middle East & Africa[GCC, North Africa, South Africa], South America[Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Peru]. At the same time, we classify Radiation Detection In Industrial and Scientific according to the type, application by geography. More importantly, the report includes major countries market based on the type and application. Finally, the report provides detailed profile and data information analysis of leading Radiation Detection In Industrial and Scientific company.

Key Content of Chapters as follows (Including and can be customized) : Part 1: Market Overview, Development, and Segment by Type, Application & Region Part 2: Company information, Sales, Cost, Margin etc. Part 3: Global Market by company, Type, Application & Geography Part 4: Asia-Pacific Market by Type, Application & Geography Part 5: Europe Market by Type, Application & Geography Part 6: North America Market by Type, Application & Geography Part 7: South America Market by Type, Application & Geography Part 8: Middle East & Africa Market by Type, Application & Geography Part 9: Market Features Part 10: Investment Opportunity Part 11: Conclusion

Market Segment as follows: By Region Asia-Pacific[China, Southeast Asia, India, Japan, Korea, Western Asia] Europe[Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Netherlands, Turkey, Switzerland] North America[United States, Canada, Mexico] Middle East & Africa[GCC, North Africa, South Africa] South America[Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Peru] Key Companies Mirion Technologies Hitachi Aloka Thermo Fisher Scientific Ludlum Measurements General Electric Landauer Fluke Biomedical Chiyoda Technol Ametek ORTEC Fuji Electric Smiths Group HelmholtzZentrumM?nchen ATOMTEX Bertin Technologies CIRNIC Tracerco Polimaster Panasonic Begood Radiation Detection Company General Atomics S.E. International FujiFilm Holdings Market by Type Geiger Counter Scintillation Detector Solid State Detector Others Market by Application Energy General Industrial Scientific

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[film-adaptaton-abbie-jamieson]

Week 8: Costume

I have never focused on costume design for a project before so I decided to research different post apocalyptic costumes. Quickly I realised there are a lot of over the top costumes that fit more into a fantasy genre. Although these looks are very cool, 1) we do not have the budget to make these costumes and 2) we want out costume to look realistic and to make the characters look more like survivors of this time period. We want it to look like average people, people like you and I, have ended up in this cruel and harsh world, and to show how humans respond to it.

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To get some more guidance on where I should be looking, and how I should approach this, I found this really useful video. It explained how there are typically two types of post apocalyptic costume: the realistic and the unrealistic. And they used the comparison of The Last of Us

Interesting Points from the Video:

is it realistic or unrealistic 

what is the environment like? is it a desert wasteland, or snowy forest? what is the weather like? 

are they in thin, light clothing? 

in heavy clothing: big jackets, thick trousers? could they get frostbite if they aren’t covered? 

where are they? what country?

could help determine the weather or the style of clothing

when is it taking place? modern day? the past or the future? 

look up the best clothing to survive in - or do the survivors have very little resources to work with? 

colour patterns tend to be dark - browns, olive green, tans, black

bright colours are typically on bright when a character is in a hazmat, or uniform - white could work for winter

accessories 

what do they need to protect themselves from? what equipment do they need?

do they need gas masks, do they need a Geiger counter, weapons (we won’t be able to use them for our shoot for safety reasons)

do they need a backpack? what size, shape, colour? whats in the backpack? food, hand warmers, first aid?

you can add pins, spikes, or leather on it to look cool - careful it doesn't look tacky 

do they have googles? do they have belts? holsters, belts, sheaths?

did they make these with left overs from the world? like scraps, cloth

once you have an idea of costume: ask yourself:

do the clothes look worn enough? 

would the character realistically survive in this world? 

does everything look “cool”? 

do they say anything about the character?

[kimjauhiainen]

“Tremors” – welcome to perfection

(originally published on Talkbacker.com on April 8, 2014)

You only need to catch a glimpse of the “Jaws”-parodying poster for “Tremors”, and you’ll know exactly what to expect. These filmmakers aren’t about to throw blood and guts or dark stuff at ya. This is strictly tongue-in-cheek; there ARE underground monsters, they eat people, there will be deaths, but there will also be hilarious dialogue, great characterizations, gorgeous desert vistas, and some high-quality filmmaking and practical effects-work here.

Someone should deserve a special award for casting Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward as the main protagonists in this film. As we are introduced to Valentine “Val” McKee (Bacon) and Earl Basset (Ward), the instant and natural chemistry between these two is palpable. It’s a match made in movie heaven. Val and Earl wake up in the desert, in true cowboy-style, one sleeping in the back of their pickup truck, the other sleeping under it. The cowboy analogy actually reminds me of another great pairing, Butch and Sundance. That’s probably the closest comparison of the character dynamics that’s going on between Val & Earl.

Val is the younger one, a dreamer, a womanizer (with a very special list of qualities he expects from a woman: “You will have long blonde hair, big green eyes, world class breasts, ass that won’t quit and legs that go all the way up.”) and the more restless soul. Earl is the older, wiser, laconic, practical man. But the unifying quality of both Val and Earl is, they are not the all-knowing, all-powerful movie heroes. They are actually both kinda…dummies. In a good way. In an entertaining way. I don’t know how much Bacon and Ward hung out or rehearsed before the shooting of this film, but they are clearly having a blast with their characters. Most of the stuff they do has a spontaneous, improvisational feel to it. I would certainly like to see them work together again sometime.

Earl Bassett: “Is this a job for an intelligent man?” Valentine McKee: “Well, show me one and I’ll ask him.”

Val and Earl are the for-hire “handymen” in the Town of Perfection (population 14), located in a vast Nevada valley surrounded by mountains from all directions. As the town’s survivalist nut Burt Gummer (more about HIM later) states: “that’s why we chose this place. Total isolation.” Besides Val and Earl, the township consists of: storeowner Walter Chang (the great Victor Wong), pottery maker Nancy (Charlotte Stewart) and her daughter Mindy (“Jurassic Park”‘s Ariana Richards), Melvin (Robert Jayne), Dr.Wallace and his wife (Conrad Bachmann and Carol Marcus – I mean, Bibi Besch), Miguel (Tony Genaro), Nestor (Richard Marcus), Old Fred (Michael Dan Wagner), Edgar Deems (Sunshine Parker) aaaand of course, the aforementioned Burt Gummer and his wife Heather (Michael Gross and Reba McEntire). Also in town is a graduate student of seismology, Rhonda LeBeck (Finn Carter), who is the EXACT opposite of everything in Val’s list, but it’s pretty obvious what’s going to happen there, isn’t it?

Earl Bassett: “We gotta run. We’ve got a schedule to keep.” Valentine McKee: “Yeah. See, we plan ahead, that way we don’t do anything right now. Earl explained it to me.”

But as the story begins, the number of characters begin to decrease. In fact, one of them is already gone at the point where the movie begins. As Val and Earl finally have had enough of this shit (literally, as emptying a septic tank blows in their faces), they come across Edgar Deems, sitting on top of an electrical tower. Edgar, who apparently was a town drunk, has actually died from dehydration. As the doctor diagnoses, he’s been sitting up on the tower, probably for days. Here’s the first sign, that something’s rotten in Perfection. Well, UNDER it, to be more precise.

Now, the director, Ron Underwood, does even more emulating from “Jaws” that just the poster. The underground creatures appear mostly off-camera for the longest time, much like the shark. The following attacks on people, Old Fred and the doctor and wife, are filmed very efficiently, adding mystery to the monsters while also showing their viciousness and extreme strength, as the doctors wife is sucked inside the ground while hiding inside a Ford station wagon! These creatures mean business. Also, two road-construction workers who are working on the only road in and out of town, get quickly dispatched and the resulting rock slide cuts Perfection completely off from the outside world. The scene includes a brilliant physical jackhammer gag, that’s like something right out from a Warner Brothers cartoon. And in this latest viewing I noticed, that there are a LOT of cartoon gags in the film.

Underwood is clearly using a Tex Avery-playbook in the way he shoots action, and it adds an extra level of fun to the overall tone of the film. Especially the demises (spoiler there) of each of the creatures are a carefully balanced mix of cartoon and grossness. From a creature coming in contact with concrete at full speed with a big “boink”-sound effect into the last one taking a Wile E. Coyote-swan dive off a cliff. And in the end of the second act, a creature entering “the wrong goddamn rec room” – Gummers’ basement – and getting drilled with more bullets than in your average John Woo film.

The Gummers. Ahh yes, the Gummers. Let’s talk about them for a bit.

Earl Bassett: What kind of fuse is that? Burt Gummer: Cannon fuse Earl Bassett: What the hell do you use it for? Burt Gummer: My cannon!

Until “Tremors”, Michael Gross was basically known as the liberal, ex-hippie father Steven Keaton in “Family Ties”. One day after filming the last episode of that show, Gross began filming “Tremors”. Now talk about switching gears; Burt Gummer is a polar opposite of Steven Keaton. He’s a paranoid survivalist, definitely right wing, a gun nut with a capital “N”. The Gummer home is basically a bunker, set up for end-of-the-world conditions. Or as Burt states after the monster attack: “Food for five years, a thousand gallons of gas, air filtration, water filtration, Geiger counter. Bomb shelter…” That tells all about good old Burt’s world views. As does the license plate of his car: UZI 4U.

His wife Heather is played by country singer Reba McEntire in her first film performance. She does a damn good job too. Heather is likable, but also just as tough-as-nails as Burt and can certainly handle guns as well.

The creatures – Graboids, as they have been known since, in sequels and TV-series alike – are designed by Tom Woodruff and Alec Gillis’ company Amalgamated Dynamics and they are some of the best and most realistic creature work that’s been ever put on screen. Basically pre-historic worms – although the characters are trying to make up all kinds of explanations for them, from being aliens to government-built monsters to be used against invading forces. AD has worked on the “Alien”-franchise since “Aliens”, and one can see that the “double-mouth”(biting tentacle tongues shooting out from a larger mouth) has evolved from the star-beast’s similar one. These creatures are strong, fast (moving like armored freight trains underground) and smart. That is always a welcome thing in monster films. Graboids are constantly adapting, and the means that the heroes use to avoid them, don’t necessarily work for a second time. Of course they have a weakness, this time it being loud noises, as they basically sense everything by vibrations. Smart, almost “National Geographic”-approach. Nothing hokey or supernatural. Just the way I like it.

Earl Bassett: “Hey Rhonda – you ever seen anything like this before?” Valentine McKee: “Oh sure, Earl. Everyone knows about them – we just didn’t tell you.”

Pretty soon the remaining residents of the town are forced into exile, trying to escape into the mountains while pursued by the hungry beasts, the final confrontation happening on the edge of a tall canyon. “Tremors” was shot – with the exception of two sets – on location. Outside in Lone Pine, California. And you can basically SMELL the desert, and the heat,  in every frame of the movie. The setting, as well as the look of the town, evokes memories of the great westerns. In fact – the third sequel for the movie IS a western, going back in time to the golden years of Perfection.

Too bad the sequels are of diminishing quality, adding unnecessary sci-fi elements (such as FLYING Graboids, WTF?) and poorer quality effects. The unifying element in the sequels (as well as the quickly cancelled after 13 episodes TV-show) is Michael Gross’ Burt. But to be absolutely frank, Burt Gummer is not a leading man. He works best in small doses. The driving force in this film is the tag team of Val & Earl, arguing, bickering, rock-paper-scissoring through near-death scenarios and finally coming up as winners (spoiler).

I’m sensing a pattern in my reviews (besides all so far being from 1990); “Tremors” was only a modest hit at the box office, but it went on to become a huge hit on home video and subsequent media. But as I go through my lists of great films, such seems to be the case with almost all of them. “Tremors” is funny, well-paced, beautifully shot thrill ride, with wonderful characters and rich, quotable dialogue. If that is not the sign of a cult classic, I don’t know what is. Ron Underwood proceeded to direct films like “City Slickers” (keeping up with the western tone from this film), “Heart and Souls”, “Speechless” and finally “Pluto Nash”, which basically killed his mainstream career, reducing him into mostly a TV-director.

Too bad – perhaps another low budget monster movie is what he should try again…?