Femme fatale
A femme fatale (/ˌfæm fəˈtɑːl/ or /ˌfɛm fəˈtɑːl/; French: [fam fatal]) is a stock character of a mysterious and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations. She is an archetype of literature and art. Her ability to entrance and hypnotise her victim with a spell was in the earliest stories seen as being literally supernatural; hence, the femme fatale today is still often described as having a power akin to an enchantress, seductress, vampire, witch, or demon, having power over men.
The phrase is French for "fatal woman". A femme fatale tries to achieve her hidden purpose by using feminine wiles such as beauty, charm, and sexual allure. In some situations, she uses lies or coercion rather than charm. She may also make use of some subduing weapon such as sleeping gas, a modern analog of magical powers in older tales. She may also be (or imply that she is) a victim, caught in a situation from which she cannot escape; The Lady from Shanghai (a 1947 film noir) is one such example.
V.A.M.P. (G.I. Joe)
The V.A.M.P. is a fictional vehicle from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series.
Toys
The V.A.M.P. (Vehicle: Attack: Multi Purpose) was first released in 1982. Packaged with the action figure Clutch, the design was essentially a Jeep, with dual-mounted 7.62mm machine guns that swiveled and elevated. The V.A.M.P. Mark II was released in 1984 with a tan-painted Clutch, and instead of the original's green color and twin machine guns, it too was painted tan and equipped with a quad-mount missile launcher (carrying the fictional Stinger XK-1 missile). A Sears exclusive included the V.A.M.P. four-wheeled drive vehicle with the HAL artillery laser. The design of the V.A.M.P. was influenced by the Lamborghini Cheetah prototype.
In 1988, the V.A.M.P. Mark II was repainted and renamed the "Tiger Sting" for the Tiger Force sub-team.
The 2007 version, which lacked the rear guns, was a G.I. Joe convention exclusive. It had a release in 2008, with the figure 'Doubleclutch' (a version of the original), its filecard describes the vehicle being used in attacking Cobra Island.
Séries+
Séries+ is a Canadian French language Category A specialty channel devoted to scripted comedy and dramatic programming. The channel is owned by Corus Entertainment.
History
On May 21, 1999, Alliance Atlantis Communications (AAC) and Premier Choix Networks (a division of Astral Media) were granted approval by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch a national French-language specialty television service called Canal Fiction, described as a "service devoted to drama."
The channel was launched on January 31, 2000 as Séries+ at 6pm EST.
On January 18, 2008, a joint venture between Canwest and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners known as CW Media purchased AAC and gained AAC's interest in Séries+.
On October 27, 2010, Shaw Communications completed its acquisition of Canwest and Goldman Sachs' interest in CW Media, giving it control of CW Media's 50% interest in Séries+.
On March 4, 2013, Corus Entertainment announced that it would acquire Astral Media's stakes in Séries+ and Historia, as well as several other properties, under separate transactions with the two companies. The purchase was tied to Bell Media's pending takeover of Astral Media; an earlier proposal had been rejected by the CRTC in October 2012 due to concerns surrounding its total market share following the merger, but was restructured under the condition that the companies divest certain media properties. In a separate deal, Corus also acquired Shaw's interests in Séries+ and Historia, giving it full ownership. The deals were approved by the CRTC on December 20, 2013 and Corus officially become the full owner of the channel on January 1, 2014.
203 series
The 203 series (203系) is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated in Japan between 1982 and 2011 by Japanese National Railways (JNR) and later by East Japan Railway Company (JR East), and currently operated by KRL Jabodetabek in Indonesia and Philippine National Railways (PNR) in the Philippines.
Operations
The 203 series sets were on through services between the Joban Line and Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line until they were replaced by E233-2000 series EMUs, and finally withdrawn from services in Japan in September 2011.
Formation
The sets were formed as follows.
Cars 3, 6, and 9 were each fitted with one PS21 pantograph.
Interior
Interior view, September 2007
Interior view, September 2007
Priority seating, November 2010
Priority seating, November 2010
History
Withdrawal
The trains were gradually replaced by new E233-2000 series EMUs, and the last set ran in revenue service on 26 September 2011.
Overseas operations
Indonesia
Five former 203 series sets have been sent to KRL Jabodetabek (KCJ) in Jakarta, Indonesia. All trains are in operation in the Jabodetabek area with 8 cars per set, due to the short platforms at most stations in Indonesia.
281 series
The 281 series (281系) is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West). It was introduced on September 4, 1994 for passengers travelling to/from Kansai International Airport. Provisions are made for luggage racks and dedicated luggage room.
Design
Built jointly by Kinki Sharyo and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the trains are used on the Haruka limited express service via the Kansai Airport Line in 3- or 6-car formations.
Formations
Sets are based at Hineno Depot, and are formed as shown below.
6-car sets
3-car sets
Interior
281 series standard-class interior
281 series standard-class interior
281 series Green (first class) car interior
281 series Green (first class) car interior
References
External links
Podcasts:
