LIFESTYLE37 THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2014 Features Secret Machines founding guitarist Curtis dead at 35 enjamin Curtis, the Dallas-based indie rock guitarist and drummer Bwho was a part of the Secret Machines during their 2004 breakout “Now Here is Nowhere,” has died after a yearlong battle with cancer. He was 35. According to the Dallas Observer, Curtis died Sunday night in New York. Curtis, a native Oklahoman, was a staple in the Dallas music scene, where he and brother Brandon played for local band UFOFU in the mid 1990s. Benjamin played drums for Tripping Daisy for a few years before the Curtis brothers re- teamed with Josh Garza to form Secret Machines, whose new take on space- rock was a critical darling in the mid to late Aughts. In this Nov 13, 2006 file photo, Though it never sold gangbusters, Benjamin Curtis with the band the band’s 2004 album “Now Here is Secret Machines performs at a Nowhere” made Rolling Stone’s list of launch party for Microsoft’s new overlooked gems from that year. They music player Zune at Westlake opened for U2s Vertigo Tour in Mexico Park in downtown Seattle. —AP in 2006; the Irish supergroup’s guitarist The Edge called “Now Here is Nowhere” School of Seven Bells with Alejandra “the last record he fell in love with” in an Deheza. He announced his diagnosis interview for the Uncut magazine. with T-cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma in Curtis left the band in 2007 to form February. —Reuters File photo shows Beyonce performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl XLVII Halftime Show football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens, in New Orleans. —AP NASA responds to Beyonce’s Challenger sample use ASA officials say the Space Shuttle astronauts as we carry out our mission to who have lost loved ones and to remind us Challenger disaster “should never be reach for new heights and explore the uni- that unexpected things happen, so love and Ntrivialized” in response to a new song verse.” appreciate every minute that you have with from Beyonce that features an audio sample NASA’s response came after Beyonce those who mean the most to you. The song- recorded just after the craft exploded on take- explained the use of the short snippet in a writers included the audio in tribute to the off in 1986, killing all seven crewmembers. The statement to ABC News Tuesday that stopped unselfish work of the Challenger crew with space agency issued the statement late short of an apology. The sample appears at hope that they will never be forgotten.” Joseph Ruskin Tuesday after the pop star began to receive the beginning of her song “XO” from her new Beyonce released her new self-titled “visual criticism from Challenger families and others self-titled album. Among those critical of the album” earlier this month that included 14 for using the short sample that includes the sample was June Scobee Rodgers, widow of songs and 17 videos. Much of the initial dis- ‘Prizzi’s Honor’ actor words “major malfunction” as an allusion to a Challenger commander Dick Scobee. She told cussion about the album had to do with its failed relationship. ABC in a statement that she was disappointed surprise release and platinum sales until the “The Challenger accident is an important and described the use of the sample as “emo- reaction to the Challenger sample began to part of our history; a tragic reminder that tionally difficult.” circulate. “XO” is about a failing relationship Ruskin dead at 89 space exploration is risky and should never be “My heart goes out to the families of those and taking the time to appreciate what one trivialized,” said the statement from Lauren B lost in the Challenger disaster,” Beyonce’s has in the moment because life changes. ilm, television and stage actor His last performance was on the Worley, NASA’s press secretary. “NASA works statement said. “The song ‘XO’ was recorded Beyonce’s publicist did not return messages Joseph Ruskin has died of natural stage this year in the Anteus Theatre every day to honor the legacy of our fallen with the sincerest intention to help heal those left Tuesday by The Associated Press. —AP Fcauses at the age of 89. Ruskin gar- Company’s production of “The Crucible.” nered 124 television credits, including Ruskin was born in Haverhill, Mass. He “Mission: Impossible” and “Star Trek,” and studied drama at Carnegie Mellon appeared in 25 films, namely “The University and began his professional act- Magnificent Seven,” “Prizzi’s Honor” and ing career at Pittsburgh Playhouse and “Smokin’ Aces.” The Screen Actors Guild- the Rochester Arena Stage before finding American Federation of Television and success in television. He served as SAG’s Radio Artists said Tuesday that Ruskin 1st national vice president for eight years died at UCLA Santa Monica Hospital on and was the first western regional vice Saturday. president of Actors Equity Association. Armani’s new floral women collection Hank Williams, Jr performs at the Fifth annual New Year’s Eve Bash on nchanted, suspended visions Colours and shades of technical fabric, flaunt a flaw- Visions and allusions Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee. —AP of gardens at the beginning A horizon of bright blue, blue- lessly clean line achieved by The flower effect is recreat- Eof time, where stretches of grey and dawn pink. Floral designs means of heat-sealing in the place ed with pleats, biases, fabric calm or rippling water reflect shad- in leaf green and the intense of seams. In the Guru version, they movements, iridescent ribs, ows of plants, flowers and clouds. shades of tropical blooms. are matched with slim-hip trousers and inlays on openwork Modern Etiquette: This is the legendary natural scene Different floral patterns juxta- with double pleats and flared legs leather jackets, or at times that inspires the new Emporio posed with minimal black micro stretching as far as the ankles. even just with a pocket square, Armani collection, which through motifs, such as geometric shapes Look out for the sandals with shaped like a small water lily, Interjections hurt your image the use of colours and elementary reduced to their pure essence. floral motifs and the lightweight peeping out of the Guru jacket emember the kids who used to pepper in three ways: what we say, how we say it, and shapes conjures up a symbolic leggings that cover the skin like a pocket. their conversations with “uh”? Or the next what we look like as we speak. You may have fas- modernity. Poised between realism Line and proportions tattoo and complete the look of A dusting of crystals, heat generation, which started generously cinating anecdotes to relate as you sit in an inter- and abstraction, Emporio Armani The lightness of the fabrics and dresses and skirts, conveying the sealed on tulle, brightens up R sprinkling in “you know”? Canadians have their view. Yet, if all the “likes” you spew forth outnum- suggests an evocative future in materials creates subtle shapes for effect of an uninterrupted brush- the garden by night - on dresses own seasoning, which they liberally apply to the ber all the other words - or even come close to it - which nature is reflected in the rig- women of apparent fragility. Soft, stroke that heightens the sense of flowing off the body, accentuat- end of sentences. An “eh” here and there is a dead you are in trouble. What can a person do to ors of high technology. flowing jackets, sometimes made the entire figure. ing a joyfully happy nature. giveaway. Now the rage among the 11-to-30 expunge such poor parts of speech from their year-old-set is “like”. When added to an ample personal usage? Do note that it takes approxi- pinch of “omigawd”, “totally”, and “whatever”, mately three weeks to create a habit - even what you end up with is a tasteless stew of words. longer for behavior to become automatic. Many of us find ourselves counting the number of times “like” is used in a single sentence, instead Try tape recording of understanding what the conversation was For one thing, try tape recording yourself. Just supposed to be all about. turn on the recorder and forget about it as you Interjections such as “uh”, “you know”, and go about your activities. Play it back at day’s end. “like” are used to allow the speaker’s mouth to You will be surprised how much you are abusing catch up with his or her brain, or to make sure the this four-lettered word. Ask your best friends, listener has a chance to at least try to attempt to trusted colleagues or significant others to correct get the meaning of what is being said. People you every time you use the dreaded word. And tend to use “like” more when they are relating do not get angry with them when they stop you something which is of particular interest to them, short every sentence or two. In the long run, they when the words just seem to want to tumble out. are doing you a favor. Most people are so inured to such a manner of Try consciously slowing down your talking speaking that they do not even realize how often speed. Wear a rubber band on your wrist and they are using these interjections. snap it every time you catch yourself using the The problem is that this type of speech will unwanted word again. Your wrist will be pretty brand the speaker as an airhead or clueless and sore at first, but, as William Wordsworth said: uneducated.