Star (heraldry)

In heraldry, the term star may refer to any star-shaped charge with any number of rays, which may appear straight or wavy, and may or may not be pierced. While there has been much confusion between the two due to their similar shape, a star with straight-sided rays is usually called a mullet while one with wavy rays is usually called an estoile.

While a mullet may have any number of points, it is presumed to have five unless otherwise specified in the blazon, and pierced mullets are common; estoiles, however, are presumed to have six rays and (as of 1909) had not been found pierced. In Scottish heraldry, an estoile is the same as in English heraldry, but it has been said that mullet refers only to a mullet pierced (also called a spur revel), while one that is not pierced is called a star.

Terminology

The use of the word star in blazons, and how that charge appears in coat armory, varies from one jurisdiction to another. In Scots heraldry, both star and mullet interchangeably mean a star with five straight rays; the official record from 1673 gives Murray of Ochtertyre azur three Starrs argent ... (Public Register, vol 1 p 188), while the Ordinary of Arms produced by a late 19th century Lyon King of Arms 'modernizes' the original as Az. three mullets arg. .... In Canadian heraldry the usual term is mullet, but there is also the occasional six-pointed star (e.g. in Vol. IV, at p. 274 and in online version of the Canadian Public Register), which is what others would blazon as a six-pointed mullet. The United States Army Institute of Heraldry, the official heraldic authority in the United States, uses the term mullet in its blazons, but elsewhere, as in US government documents describing the flag of the United States and the Great Seal of the United States, the term star is constantly used, and these nearly always appear with five straight-sided points.

Celebrity

Celebrity is fame and public attention in the media, usually applied to a person, or group of people (celebrity couple, family etc.), or occasionally, to animals or fictional entities. Celebrity status is often associated with wealth (commonly referred to as fame and fortune) and fame can often provide opportunities to make money.

Successful careers in sports and entertainment are commonly associated with celebrity status; political leaders often become celebrities. People may also become celebrities due to media attention for their lifestyle, wealth, or controversial actions, or for their connection to a famous person.

History

Throughout recorded history there are accounts of people who attracted the trappings of celebrity which would be recognized today.

Athletes in Ancient Greece were welcomed home as heroes, had songs and poems written in their honour and received free food and gifts from those seeking celebrity endorsement.Ancient Rome similarly lauded actors and notorious gladiators and Julius Caesar appeared on a coin in his own lifetime (a departure from the usual depiction of battles and divine lineage).

Star (702 album)

Star is the third and final studio album from American R&B group 702, released March 25, 2003 by Motown.

The album peaked at number forty-five on the Billboard 200 chart. and is mostly remembered for its cult classic single "I Still Love You".

Release and reception

The album peaked at forty-five on the U.S. Billboard 200 and reached the twenty-second spot on the R&B Albums chart.

Andy Kellman of Allmusic gave the work a rather dismissive review, stating that "it continues in the group's tradition of being able to deliver a couple of solid singles surrounded by middling to fair album tracks."

Track listing

Chart history

Album

Singles

Personnel

Information taken from Allmusic.

Brainstorm (1983 film)

Brainstorm is a 1983 science fiction film directed by Douglas Trumbull and starring Christopher Walken, Natalie Wood, Louise Fletcher and Cliff Robertson. It was Wood's final film appearance, as she died during production, and was also the second and final major motion picture to be directed by Trumbull.

The film follows a research team's efforts to perfect a system that directly records the sensory and emotional feelings of a subject, and the efforts by the company's management to exploit the device for military ends.

Plot

A team of scientists invents a brain/computer interface that allows sensations to be recorded from a person's brain and converted to tape so that others may experience them. The team includes estranged husband and wife Michael and Karen Brace, as well as Michael's colleague Lillian Reynolds. At CEO Alex Terson's instruction, the team demonstrates the device to investors in order to gain financing.

One team member, Gordo Forbes, has sexual intercourse while wearing the recorder, and shares the tape with Hal Abramson. Hal splices one section of the tape into a continuous orgasm, which results in sensory overload - leading to his forced retirement. Tensions increase as the possibilities for abuse become clear.

Chess Mates

Chess Mates is a computer software program, released in 1996, designed to teach the basics of Chess. Combining humor and cartoon animation, it was marketed as an easy way for children to learn the building blocks of becoming a successful chess player.

Development

Chess Mates was developed by Stepping Stone (a division of Presage Software, Inc.) and published by Brainstorm (Division). It was released for Windows in 1996 and Macintosh in 1997.

Reception

Although relatively few copies were released, the game has received favorable reviews. Often cited are the game's appealing graphics, sense of humor, and effective teaching of the various aspects of Chess.

Compatibility

This game is for Windows 95, Windows 3.1, and Macintosh. It is not compatible with later versions of Windows, however newer Macs with the Application Classic (Mac OS X) are still able to run the game through the application. Technical support for Windows compatibility can be found on the Interplay website.

References

Brothers Grym

Brothers Grym (also known as Ghetto Repaired Young Minds, or The Bee-Geez) was a New York hip-hop group formed by Too Poetic (born Anthony Berkeley on November 15, 1964 – died July 15, 2001) and his two younger brothers, lyricists Brainstorm (born Joel Berkeley in 1969) and R&B hip-hop producer E# (born Edward Berkeley in 1971, aka E Sharp, Goalfingaz).

Biography

Early years

The first incarnation of the group was formed around 1989 in Amityville, Long Island, New York, although the family grew up in Wyandanch, Long Island. The family of four brothers (Anthony, Richard, Joel, and Edward) and one sister (Dawne), of which Poetic (Anthony) was the eldest, were born to Trinidadian parents who moved from Trinidad and Tobago in 1971, making their first residence in Queens, New York for a short time, then moving to Wyandanch. John Berkeley (a pastor and a local businessman) and Ela Berkeley (a homemaker, cook-nutritionist, and teacher) were both singers and artistic in general, and they encouraged artistic expression in their five children. The family was well-rounded musically, singing gospel and R&B up to their early teens all around New York, other states, and Canada as "The Berkeley Singers". Anthony (Poetic), Dawne, and Joel (Brainstorm) sang, accompanied by Richard on the drums and Eddie (E-Sharp) on the piano or keyboard.

Song 2

"Song 2" is a song by English rock band Blur, the second track from their 1997 eponymous fifth studio album. The hook features Damon Albarn yelling "woo-hoo!" as the distorted bass comes in. Released in April 1997, "Song 2" appropriately reached number two in the UK Singles Chart, number four on the Australian ARIA Charts, and number six on US Billboard Alternative Songs (previously called Billboard Modern Rock Tracks).

At the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards, "Song 2" was nominated for Best Group Video, and Best Alternative Video. At the 1998 Brit Awards the song was nominated for Best British Single, and Best British Video. In December 1998, BBC Radio 1 listeners voted "Song 2" the 15th Best Track Ever. In October 2011, NME placed it No. 79 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".

Blur intended "Song 2" to be a satire of grunge. The song was nonetheless their biggest hit in the United States. The song has often featured in popular culture, and first appeared in the hit video game FIFA: Road to World Cup 98.