Health Management Technology - June 2015 Issue

I served as the Features Editor for the June 2015 issue of Health Management Technology. 

 

Read the June 2015 Digital Issue Here:
PDF Backup

Check Out HMT's Website:
http://www.healthmgttech.com

News: TeleTracking to collaborate with NAHTM, set patient transportation standards

TeleTracking Technologies recently announced a partnership with the National Association of Healthcare Transport Management (NAHTM) for an effort to identify workflow snags and map productivity standards for patient transport within a hospital.  

Read the Story Here:

Health Management Technology

News: Dr. Karen Salvo nominated as HHS secretary, to possibly leave role at ONC

President Obama announced his intent to nominate the Director of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), Dr. Karen DeSalvo, to the position of Assistant Secretary to the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).

Read the Story Here: 

Health Management Technology

Health Management Technology - May 2015 Issue

I served as the Features Editor for the May 2015 issue of Health Management Technology. 

 

PDF Backup:

HMT

Check Out HMT's Website:
http://www.healthmgttech.com

Health Management Technology - April 2015 Issue

I am credited as the Features Editor for the April 2015 issue of Health Management Technology.

Read the April 2015 Issue:

• PDF 
• Online

 

Check Out HMT's Website:
http://www.healthmgttech.com

Fit 941 Magazine - Issue 2 - March/April 2015

 

Check out the March/April 2015 issue of Fit 941 Magazine.

For this issue, I contributed editorial and news to the magazine and associated website, including the Friday Night Fights feature story. Additionally, I served as the editor for much of the content. 

Read the Magazine:

• Digital Edition
• PDF Backup
  

 

 Check out the Website:
Fit941.com

HVAC & Refrigeration Insider (Florida Edition) - 2014

I contributed to the September and October (2014) issues of the Florida HVAC & Refrigeration Insider. Check out the full print editions below.

September 2014:
Read it here

October 2014:
Read it Here

Various Custom Publications - 2014 (Part 7)

I worked on several custom publications as an editor, writer, and occasional photographer. Below is one such magazine. 

Comfort Zone: 

• Read the Magazine
• PDF Backup
  

 

Various Custom Publications - 2014 (Part 6)

I worked on several custom publications as an editor, writer, and occasional photographer. Below is one such magazine. 

Comfort Zone:

•  Read the Magazine 
• PDF Backup
  

 

Various Custom Publications - 2014 (Part 5)

 
I worked on several custom publications as an editor, writer, and occasional photographer. Below is one such magazine. 

Comfort Zone:

•  Read the Magazine 
• PDF Backup
  

Various Custom Publications - 2014 (Part 4)

I worked on several custom publications as an editor, writer, and occasional photographer. Below is one such magazine.

Comfort Zone:

•  Read the Magazine 
• PDF Backup
  

Various Custom Publications - 2014 (Part 3)

 
I worked on several custom publications as an editor, writer, and occasional photographer. Below is one such magazine.

Comfort Zone:

•  Read the Magazine
• PDF Backup
  

 

Various Custom Publications - 2014 (Part 2)

I worked on several custom publications as an editor, writer, and occasional photographer. Below are two of those magazines.

 

Crystal Clear (Issue 2):

• Read the Magazine
• PDF Backup
  

Crystal Clear (Issue 3):

• Read the Magazine
• PDF Backup
  

 

Various Custom Publications - 2014 (Part 1)

These magazines are uploaded to "BlueToad". So, here's a photo I took of a frog. 

I served as the editor, primary staff writer, and occasional photographer for several custom publications. Below are links to two of the magazines.

Building Connections:  

• Read the Magazine
• PDF Backup
  

Cooling Zone:

• Read the Magazine
  
• PDF Backup
  

Fit 941 Magazine - Issue 1 - Jan/Feb 2015

Check out the January/February 2015 issue of Fit 941 Magazine.

I contributed editorial and news to the magazine and associated website, and wrote the American Ninja Warrior cover story in this premiere issue.

Read the Magazine:

• Fit 941 Magazine
• PDF Backup
  

 

 Check out the Website:
Fit941.com

 

 

 

 

New Realms: Joining ‘Mardu’ at the Fate Reforged Pre-Release

I attend the Fate Reforged Pre-Release event and give my initial reaction on what it's like to play the latest Magic: The Gathering set.

Read it here:
New Realms: The Blog

Xbox 360 Review: Alien: Isolation from Creative Assembly Delivers Genuine Scares

'Alien: Isolation' sets the foundation for what a proper game in the series should look like.

After last year's abysmal Aliens: Colonial Marines, the prospect of playing yet another title based on the famous film franchise filled me with dread. Thankfully, Alien: Isolation makes it clear out of the gate that this isn’t some action-based shooter that makes poor use of the license, but instead a tried-and-true homage to the original Ridley Scott classic, complete with a slick retro vibe and a gloomy, foreboding atmosphere that conjures the spirit of the timeless science fiction-horror masterpiece.

Fans who have been waiting to see Alien translated into a proper videogame finally have what they've they been looking for: A fun game that delivers the tense thrills and cheesy fun of the original movie. While not without its flaws and frustrations, Isolation's adherence to classic survival-horror mechanics and its dark cyberpunk setting make it a must-play for anyone craving some effective Xenomorph scares.

Movie Review: Men, Women & Children (2014)

A preachy, disjointed disaster. 

 

When leaving the theatre after seeing Men, Women & Children, the latest from Juno director Jason Reitman, my friends and I had varying views of what the movie was about. Discussions ranged from how it examines the irony of communication technology breeding a generation of poor communicators, to how it exposes the human race as a helpless collections of molecules, cursed to live on a giant rock in a vast universe that's doomed to collapse. At the time I presented another alternative. But I can’t recall what it was. To be honest, I don’t have a clue what the larger moral of the story is, but I am positive there is one, glaring at me and shoving itself in my face from beginning to end, like a reactive father trying to teach a complicated lesson that he himself had never thought of before this moment.

Movie Reivew: X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

Loosely based on the Chris Claremont comic arc of the same name, X-Men: Days of Future Past opens in a dark dystopian future, where a war with robotic soldiers -- called "sentinels" -- has left the mutant population devastated and helpless to fight back. On the run and fighting for their survival, the remaining mutants of the world have only one plan left: Send one of their own back in time, in hopes of stopping this bleak future from ever happening.

It’s an almost ironic plot, considering how truly horrible some of the X-Men film entries have been. Those who were hoping this outing would act as reboot for the dying franchise can rest easy: X-Men: Days of Future Past is not only the hands-down best film in the series, it may very well be the best comic book adaptation of all time.

Movie Review: Godzilla (2014)

The original 1954 Gojira ("Godzilla") was a dark film about the atomic bomb, in which a monster destroys everything in sight, and leaves little room for hope. It was a cathartic experience for a Japanese audience: An unstoppable force is causing destruction, and man is helpless to contain it, so they largely accept it. Riddled with metaphor, the film was Japan’s reaction to a horrible war crime that destroyed two cities and caused the death of millions of innocent people.

Godzilla then spawned a plethora of sequels, most of which abandoned the serious tone in favor of men in silly costumes fighting each other over the fate of the world, with the audience rooting for the now-likeable Godzilla. Typically the stories involved some monster menace wreaking havoc, and our scaly antihero would emerge from his slumber to kick some dopey-looking shrimp monster’s ass. Needless to say, these movies are loved largely only for their “B” charm.

So, which take does this new 2014 Godzilla remake go with? The simple answer is that it goes with the latter, all the while attempting to capture the tone of the former. The result is a monstrous disaster, culminating in a film with a script too weak to sell you on either its philosophy or its monster fights. Godzilla is neither smart nor fun, and considering the deceptive quality of the film’s trailer, it ends up being one of the biggest disappointments in modern memory.

Movie Review: Noah (2014)

 

When the opening credits rolled for Noah, a woman in attendance with me yelled “praise the Lord!”, which was then inexplicably followed by cheers from the crowd. It was obvious that a church group of some sort was in the theatre with me, made up of people likely unaware of the abstract moral complexity that is typically characteristic of a Darren Aronofsky film. I suppose the presence of Godly folk should be expected whenever one sees a movie based on a Bible story. Luckily for this congregation, they picked a relatively safe Aronofsky film to see, one that shies away from philosophizing about the backwards ethics at the heart of this Biblical end-of-the-world myth.

Aronofsky succeeds in telling the story of the Great Flood in a way which exposes its glorious absurdity. But he ultimately pulls his punches, seemingly out of fear of offending the Christian masses who will lead Noah to box office success. Inevitably, some of the faithful are going to be offended by what they see here regardless, but if the theatre I was in is any indication of how the public will react, many of the God-fearing are going to feel vindicated by this holy adaptation.

Instant Reaction: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)

I remember leaving the theatre after seeing Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and I turned to my  

girlfriend at the time to ask her what she thought of the movie. She shrugged, and we continued our walk in silence, secretly reflecting on what we had just witnessed. After another minute of walking, the tension inside her boiled over and she let her feelings fly: “That movie is so beautiful that it makes me mad", she said, with genuine passion in her voice. "It’s so bad, but I’m so moved by it that I have to love it." She looked seriously distressed, but not necessarily in a bad way.

Tears were almost in her eyes as she recalled some of the film’s greatest moments; like the opening scene that sees a pirate boy hanged, or an astonishing ship battle in a whirlpool that left her in a state of awe. I share her sentiment completely; there’s so much to dislike about this film in terms of story, plot, and Johnny Depp antics. But when you focus on the score, the photography, and the truly fantastic special effects, it’s difficult not to lose yourself in the spectacle.

Once I was hooked in by the overwhelming quality of the score and visuals, I couldn’t help but love the characters and the witty dialogue. Further, once I began to let loose my rational inhibitions and let the film wash over me, the crazy antics, such as a marriage conducted during a sword fight, began to reveal their uniquely cinematic charm.

At World’s End strikes me on a purely visceral level and compels me to love it, even though the logical side of my brain can't stand it. And its successful in its mission, forcing me into its world despite my resistance. Even seven years after its release, I find myself still watching it and enjoying it. You could say it’s a guilty pleasure of mine, yet I feel no guilt nor shame for loving it. It’s a technical masterpiece, one that's truly awesome to be behold.

Directed by: Gore Verbinski
Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightley

Movie Review: The LEGO Movie (2014)

 

My fear going into The LEGO Movie was that it would be an obvious 90 minute ad for the brand, sacrificing a chance to create a truly unique stop-animation feature. Strangely enough, my fears were partially realized. It is true that the movie is little more than a glorified advertisement, yet everything about it is so charmingly wonderful that I can’t help but love it, even if it’s trying to sell me a product. With incredible animation, a hilariously anarchic tone, and a surprisingly smart story, The LEGO Movie is a huge win. It intelligently blurs the line between art and commerce, forcing me to rethink the way I view advertising, which apparently can be a legitimate form of expression. This is the first great film of 2014, not to mention one of the best animated features in upwards of a decade.

The Most Underrated Movies of 2013

Critics shunned them, moviegoers ignored them, and award shows laughed at them. Still, despite all the negative press, some of the “worst” films of 2013 may actually be worth your time. Here’s a short list of “bad” movies that you should judge for yourself. 

Instant Reaction: In a World... (2013)

In a world where comedy is becoming uninspired and derivative, a new hero has arrived to breathe life into the genre. Her name is Lake Bell...

Hopefully you added appropriate emphasis and pauses while you read that. 

Ok, let me explain my cheesy intro. In a World… is a comedy with a rather unique concept, one that’s sure to please film buffs: Since the death of voice-over legend Don LaFontaine, the cliché words “in a world” have never been uttered during the opening of a film trailer. But a new wind is about to blow. It seems Hollywood is ready to revive the phrase which, as we’re told, is an extremely big deal for anyone who sweet talks a mic for a living. Every hilariously egotistical voice actor in the business dreams of a chance to fill the shoes of the late LaFontaine -- and if not, at least this is a fresh idea for a comedy.

In a World… is unexpectedly original and super charming, putting the talents of auteur writer/director/star Lake Bell on display in glorious fashion. If this is a sign of what’s to come for Bell, we may finally live in a world where someone other than Wes Anderson has the exclusive rights to make quirky comedies for hipsters. But only time can tell us for sure.

Directed by: Lake Bell
Starring: Lake Bell, Fred Melamed, and Demetri Martin