Tuesday, May 25, 2010

A day at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Universal Studios Hollywood is a movie studio and theme park in the unincorporated Universal City community of Los Angeles County, California, United States, and is the original Universal Studios theme park. It is one of the oldest and most famous Hollywood movie studios still in use. Its official marketing headline is "The Entertainment Capital of LA", though during the summer it is often advertised as "The Coolest Place in LA."There are many Universal Studios around the world like Universal Studios Florida, Universal Studios Japan, Universal Studios Singapore and the upcoming Universal Studios Dubai land, Universal Studios South Korea theme parks. And it is tone of the best among them.
If you are in California don’t miss to see Universal Studios. When I visited first time I took yearly pass and visited almost more than 5 times. It includes participation on 2009 New Year calibration too! And still if I get a chance it will be always a preferred place to me visit for me. I just want to share my experience with Universal Studios.
Basically attractions here can be roughly divided in to 3three categories- Studio Tour, Shows , Rides and water Play.Remmber if you want to cover everything here be here on time when it opens for public @ morning. We have reached here morning finished up ticket formalities and they have issued one slip which tells us the schedule of the shows. This is very important to cover all the shows inside the studio. In order to cover all the shows by one day we need to literally run between the shows. So doesn’t rest come with me...
Studio Tour: The Universal Studios tour takes you through several well-known movie scenarios, actually putting you "in the action." There's the famous run-in with King Kong where the big ape tears up a reproduction of New York. This two hour tour is an actual tour of working studios. So the chance of seeing a star behind or in front of the camera is excellent. Its fun to see some of their classic film sets, but you'll learn little about films are made on this tour. Traveling through the back lot, The residential Colonial Street, once Beaver Cleaver's hood, now plays Wisteria Lane on "Desperate Housewives". Up the road loom the creepy "Psycho" house and Bates Motel. Next door, the smoldering wreckage of a jet airliner litters a huge outdoor set built for Stephen Spielberg's "War of the Worlds. And friendly shark Jaws, the caves of The Mummy. We also went into a sound studio for Bones and it was freaky. Water falling all over us, stunt buses and trucks being thrown at us. Don’t even know how fast these 2 hours will go. Once this is completed we head to various shows which are open. These were some of the shows :
Uiversal Studios Hollywood Shows.
Everything at Universal Studios Hollywood has a movie theme.
House of Horrors: An carnival fun house updated movie-style, this walk-through attraction (which has some stairs) is full of screams and surprises. You'll see skulls, bones, evil-looking dolls, and other "scary" scenes. Beware for costumed creepies to pop out at you! How scary is the House of Horrors? If you go through when many other people are both ahead of you and behind you (which is most of the time!) it's not very scary at all. You'll already know where the spooks are going to jump out at you. And, it's hard to think that fake skulls are scary when there's a crowd around. On the other hand...it might send quite a chill up your spine if you could go through it alone. So Get ready for scream loud inside this scary house.
Shrek 4-D: Take adventure to the next dimension in Shrek 4-D — the attraction that puts you in the action with hair-raising, eye-popping, butt-busting effects so real, all your senses will be on ogre-time. The fourth "D" is nothing but your seat, which seems to be constantly moving, which means it is designed to make viewers feel what they are watching. For example when Donkey sneezes, the front of the seats spray mist into viewers' face. It also has movable seats, air jets and rubber tubing, to simulate other effects such as air, "creepy crawlies" and other movements. The story is cute, like the film. Use stationary seats in the back row if you'd rather not get jostled. You will really love this show with the 3D glass they have provided.
Terminator 2:3D: “Terminator 2: 3D” combines thrilling live action stunts with the most sophisticated digital imaging technology ever created, projected on the world’s largest 3-D screen to achieve the immersive effect of a virtual adventure experience. Starring the original cast from “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong and Robert Patrick have reunited with triple Oscar-winning “Titanic” writer, director and producer James Cameron in the filming of the spectacular 3D film sequel. This action-packed, 3-D film depicts a battle at Cyberdyne Technologies and is full of loud noises, strobe lights, fog and effects. Also the feel of this show is really remarkable. You'll feel like you can reach out and touch the characters (and feel like the cyborgs can reach out and touch YOU as well). Featuring both familiar characters from the Terminator movies and an array of all new characters, it's a totally unique experience that will have you saying "Hasta la vista, baby" to entertainment as you know it. It is so engaging, audiences regularly rise and cheer Arnold and the gang with a standing ovation at the film's conclusion.
Water World: This stunt show is a shorten version of the movie of the same name. The stunts were excellent and the pyrotechnics could be felt in the back row. A little loud for my taste but what would you expect from all those explosions. First few rows is a good place to get wet during the summer. If you sit in the green seats, you'll get wet. It is a real time show by the Hollywood acteres.I herd that these actors will change each day. And this is really risky real time show. This is also one of the major attractions of Universal Studios. Never miss this.
Special Effects Stage: A three-part show that introduces the audience to motion picture special effects. Stage 1: Virtual Studio. Stage 2: Universal's Creature Factory. Stage 3: The Sound Lab .Learn the secret of how sound and visual effects are created and how monsters are made. This is something learning curve. How different back ground sounds are creating and they have served this covered with sweets and humors.
Back draft: Backdraft is a live show that combines amazing fire effects with pyrotechnics and surprising but minor "drop" as you watch a scene from Backdraft flow into life. Includes a pre-show, where the director and actors of Backdraft talk about the movie and how dangerous fire is. Then you head into the next room, where a demonstrator shows you how they create some fire effects. And then you finally enter the big show where the madness begins! Intense, fire-based show recreates the film's final scene, a chemical warehouse fire with exploding barrels and falling catwalks. Stand in the back row to stay cooler. I don’t like much this compared to other shows but this was something interesting no doubt.
Universal's Animal Actors show: One of the Universal Studios California shows that is sweet and endearing...and always leaves the audience cooing "Oh, how CUTE!"...is the "Universal Animal Actors" show. This entertaining live performance is a can't-miss attraction for animal lovers. Even the kiddies will sit still when they see the adorable cats, dogs, birds, chimps...and more...acting on stage. A few lucky kids even get to act as volunteers!Billboards around the park give show schedules for The Blues Brothers and Universal's Animal Actors. You can visit The Universal Experience any time. It's an interactive exhibit featuring props, costumes and other memorabilia from Universal's long film-making history.
You'll also find favorite cartoon characters around the park. Daily schedules show where and when. And don’t hesitate to have a click with them!








Universal Studios Hollywood rides.
Now let’s go to all the rides:
The Simpsons Ride: The most entertaining attraction in the park combines a wild, cartoon ride through Krustyland with a motion simulator. Once you board your vehicle you're in for one surprise after another, over-the-top ride through the park... flying, floating, and more or less crashing your way through Krustyland's kiddie attractions, stunt shows, and thrill rides. Be sure to keep an eye out for many of your favorite characters from the TV series in this all-new animated adventure, which takes you through Springfield and beyond... it's the first-ever attraction based on the show!. This really one of the most exiting ride for me even thought it was simulated, it was remarkable.

Jurassic Park - A fun, well-done ride. This powerhouse has beautiful theming and details from the original movie, as well as the climactic and long final drop. The beginning section of the ride has a nice atmosphere, and the part where the boat takes a wrong turn is nicely recreated to look like a scene of the legendary movie. Once the boat starts climbing up the hill the ride gets better and that drop is just awesome, drops you down an 80-foot waterfall. Getting wet? Guaranteed. Experience this location where the world famous Oscar winning Jurassic Park shooting location.
The Adventures of Curious George: A water play area for the kids. But don’t miss, just go there and get wet yourself here! You are grown up, well, don’t wait, go inside and enjoy. You will automatically get back your child hood.
Revenge of the Mummy - is an indoor dark ride roller coaster. The ride features warrior mummies, treasures and tombs, a sudden launch, a scarab beetle attack, forwards and backwards motion and surround sound speakers inside the vehicles. You'll plunge in total darkness, plagued on all sides by huge fireballs, swarms of scarab beetles and an army of warrior mummies. Universal Studios has taken all the terrifying thrills and spine-tingling excitement of The Mummy motion pictures and placed you right in the middle of the action. Come face to face with the Mummy as he attempts to capture your soul for all eternity. Besides the Mummy theming, it goes forward, treats you to a creepy effect and then gets you back in reverse. Don’t tell anyone, this was one of the scary rides in Universal Studio and I did not go. But somehow I managed to take this ride in my last visit. So I advice don’t even think to miss this ride.
CityWalk: Wehave just came out from all the shows and near the entrance is a lively shopping and dining complex open to the public. It's a good place to eat dinner or to do a little shopping, or even go to a movie after a day at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Best Time to Visit: Halloween Horror Nights are busy throughout their run, but the first weekend and weeknight any time are your best bet.I could not able to include all the photos here and I am not a good clicker too.Well, my plan was to share my experience here in my words.So dont wait, entertainment capital of LA calling you !





Wednesday, May 12, 2010

My GM Diet Experience

There are a lot of diets that are popular  for a variety of reasons. Some of them are easy to sustain, some of them have instant effects and some of them have long-term effects. There are a few diets that combine all of these traits, and the GM diet happens to be one of them.It is believed GM diet was formulated by General Motors for their employees. The program was developed in conjunction with the grant from the US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration.
It is designed to flush your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well being. After seven days you will begin to feel lighter by atleast 10 pounds. You will have an abundance of energy and an improved disposition.The diet was so effective in losing about 7-10lbs within a span of seven days that it became hugely popular worldwide- The diet itself is very simple. It is a seven day program with very strict restrictions on what can be eaten on each day.
Well,  here I will share my experience with GM diet. This is not the first time I am doing this.I started searching for a good diet program, when my scale started showing 232.3 lbs = 105.6 kg. And it was my  friends suggested me to do GM diet.I did some research and decided to go ahead with GM and this is my fourth experience and out of that one was failure. This time I had a long term target of bringing my weight under 200 pounds.

Day One:
Today Scale shows my weight as of 208.6 lbs = 94.8 kg.
Notes: Today we are preparing our system for upcoming program. Only source of nutrition is fresh fruits. Fruits are nature’s perfect food. They provide everything you can possibly want to sustain life except total balance and variety. Eat fruits from melon family will give you more results!

Started day with 60 minutes work out. I took half watermelon, Grapes, Oranges, cantaloupe and honey dew etc. By evening I started feeling weak with a slight headache. Had 2 liters of water. I could not control by that time and had 2 avacado!!But I will not recommend having this as this contains more FAT. Other than that the first day went very well. Before going bed I had one glass of water melon Juice without sugar.
Day Two:
Notes: Today we need to starts with fix complex carbohydrates in the form of a boiled potato. This is to provide energy and balance. The rest of the day too consists of vegetables which are virtually calories free and provide essential nutrients and fiber.
Today Scale shows my weight as of 206 lbs = 93.6 kg.
Started my day with 45 minutes workout. I had my breakfast with a large cooked potato. For lunch we had cooked cauliflower .And for dinner served with mix of cooked carrot and beans. Today also there was headache and weakness. Today we can also add any kind of vegetables – cabbage, Spinach, Broccoli, beetroot etc in both cooked and uncooked form. Also filled my day with 2.5 liter water.
Day Three:
Notes: Today avoid potato because you get your carbohydrates from fruits. Your system is now prepared to start burning excess pounds. You will have cravings which should start to diminish by day four.
Today Scale shows my weight as of 204 lbs = 92.7 kg.
Good work. This is the main attraction for GM as day passes it is started showing quick results. Started my day with 40 minutes workout. Today we can have any mixture of fruits and vegetables of your choice. Any amount, any quantity. I enjoyed this day with Fruits – Apple, Orange, Grapes and had lunch with cooked Spinach and Broccoli. And for dinner I had a small piece of cooked melon and end my day with half glass of water melon juice without sugar. Also I took around 2.5 liters of water throughout the day.
Day Four:
Notes: Today bananas and milk. You are in for a surprise. You probably will not be able to eat all the bananas allowed. But they are therefore the potassium you have lost and the sodium you may have missed the last three days.
Today Scale shows my weight as of 203.2 lbs = 92.4 kg.
Today reduced my work out to 30 minutes. I took one glass of skimmed milk and one banana for breakfast and for lunch I made milk banana shake with one spoon of sugar added in to it. For dinner had 1 banana with one glass of milk again. Somehow I managed with 3 bananas! The lightness felling I am having today can’t express, you have to come and feel it
Day Five:
Notes: Today Rice and tomatoes. The rice is for the carbohydrates and the tomatoes are for the digestion and the fiber. Lots of water purifies your system. You should notice colorless urine today. Do not feel you have to eat one cup rice, you may eat less.But you may eat six tomatoes.
Scale shows 200.8 lbs = 91.3 kg.
Yes I am nearby my target.I started my day with 30 minutes of work out and 2 tomatoes. For Lunch I had one hamburger with 2 tomatoes. Dinner as well served with tomato soup. And I had increased my water intake to 4 liter today. In between I had half glass of black tea without sugar.
Day Six:
Notes: It is similar to five. Vitamins and fiber from the vegetables and carbohydrates from the rice. By now your system is in a total weight loss inclination. There should be a noticeable difference in the way you look today compared to day one.
Scale shows 199.4 lbs = 90.6 kg.
It’s a feast for the dieters this day. You can have lean unlimited beef or one cup of rice along with vegetables in unlimited quantities. As usual I started day with 30 minutes work out and had Carrots as breakfast, Lunch with a cup of rice with cooked Broccoli. Today I felt weakness so for dinner I bought one Sub Way without Cheese and any dressing and taken without bread! As usual 3 liter water today too.
Day Seven:
Notes: You may celebrate with champagne. All surveys done to measure the success of the program, General Motors employees have always preferred champagne to white wine.
Scale shows 198.3 lbs = 90.1 kg.
This is the final day of the program and it allows fruit juice for the first time. You can also eat brown rice, and all the vegetables and fruits you want. I have taken 3.5 liters of water today.
Day Eight:
Got up early and directly went to check my weight. It shows 198.6 lbs = 90.3 kg.That means 10 lbs = 4.5 kg less than when I am started. I am really feeling the light feeling .Thanks again to GM Diet.
Additional Comments
The key thing to remember is that if you are hungry at any time, then you are not following the diet correctly. Almost all people give up the diet when they are hungry because of dieting. The secret of this program is that you should never hungry. If it is a vegetable day, eat so many vegetables so that you are never hungry. If it is a fruits day, eat so much fruits that you are never hungry. You may be bored of eating vegetables all day, but you should not be hungry. You can take any amount of General Motors wonder soup on any day.The most important element of the program is the 10 tall glasses of water a day. You can also flavour the water will some lemon to make the drink easier. While on the program, take only black coffee and never more than one teaspoon of suger. Preferably do not use oil because the high calorific content. No fruit juices before day seven.
I personally experienced and feel this diet is extremely effective.That too more than three times in a year span.Some people claim that once we back from the diet we will regain all the weight we lost.For those people I want to give an advice from my experience :- take this as a Kickstart and control your food then after as well as try to do reguler workout . And effectively keep the weight.Enjoy the lightness. I suggest everyone should try it once...it really helps.