Toto Tells It Like It Is… "Let the Truth Be Known" - An Epic "Wizard of Oz" Adventure for the 21st Century Reader

The Wizard Was Odd Trilogy

A couple of days in Oz equals a year in Kansas where Uncle Henry is dying; If the Wizard will provide the cure, will Dorothy return home…and in time?

Alongside Toto, you will ride in the front seat of a thrilling and emotional roller coaster throughout the magical Land of Oz…and beyond. This Wizard of Oz takeoff is a multidimensional plot-twister that includes an updated original cast and a host of other wondrous quirky social misfits. This complex and intriguing parody has as much tongue-in-cheek humor as it does original content, adventure, mystery, fantasy, and romance. 

Yesteryear

First published in the year 1900, electrical lighting, indoor plumbing, and automobile ownership were not widespread. There were less than 8000 cars on the road and no more than ten miles of paved roads. "Technology" was a train that could travel in six days that a covered wagon would take six months.

Today

"Technology" means medical miracles, lasers, drones, stealth bombers, satellite surveillance, space station, cyber warfare, and quantum computers. Incredible graphics in games, like Minecraft and Fortnight, and in films, like Harry Potter and Star Wars, have raised the bar. Today's fantasy lovers expect "fantastic" and it takes "awesome" in books and films to meet those expectations.

The Wizard Was Odd trilogy has that kind of universal appeal. The glorious Lands of Western Oz, with elements of fantasy, steampunk, and science fiction coupled with its bizarre inhabitants, and their extreme subcultures will draw today's fantasy readers and game-minded fans into an Oziian world unlike any other.

Kiss of the Good Good Witch

• The Library of Congress has declared The Wonderful Wizard of Oz "America's greatest and best-loved homegrown fairytale" and "the most watched film ever." It has also been said that one fifth of the world's population has in one way or another enjoyed one version or another of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

More About The Wizard Was Odd Trilogy:

Book One, "Toto's Tale" and Book Two, "Trail of Tears" form a complete series. In Book Three, the title, settings, themes, plots, and new characters will be chosen from the ideas of contributing readers of "Toto's Tale" and "Trail of Tears".

The overall theme: A couple of days in Oz equals a year in Kansas where Uncle Henry is dying; If the Wizard will provide the cure, will Dorothy find her way home…and in time, to make a difference?

Toto's Tale, the first of The Wizard Was Odd trilogy brings the 21st century reader a cast of new and updated characters. Often bizarre and always unique, their personalities have depth and a complexity in tune with our times.

The story line, situations, and characters’ relationships, though off-world, are real-world with complicated plots, unexpected twists, subtle romance..., mystery, lots of wonder, and some serious magic. Toto's Tale, loosely follows Baum’s yellow brick road to the Emerald City. However, not all yellow brick roads are the same. With larcenous literary and artistic license, copious wit, and tongue-in-cheek humor, Toto’s Tale will appeal to readers of all ages.

In Trail of Tears, the second book of the trilogy, much of the setting takes place with new characters and in the lands of Western Oz where the comrades agree to accept a mission from an eccentric Wizard to secure an all-seeing spyglass held by the Black Queen of the Western Commonwealth.

Circumstance require the comrades return East, to Oz, by Devil’s Walk through the Underworld. Deadly, dark, and dismal, this treacherous expanse is inhabited by unimaginable evil. The pocks, pockets, and caves that belch sulfur and volcanic heat harbor hungry Firewalkers, the spawn of Hell’s Hearth, Godless spider-like half-human miscreation’s.

Elsewhere, in the Valley of the Vegans, the sweet scent of nightshade and cool forest mist brings peace and contentment to the weary traveler while intelligent soul-seeking plants, spiritual vampires subtly work to seduce their victims.

Bedraggled and beaten, those who return come to realize that the Wizard they staked their future on is devious, treacherous, and probably lacking the sanity, magical skills, and desire to grant their wishes. Unpredictable twists of fate lead the reader to an ending unlike any other adaptation, spin-off, rendition, sequel, or Oziian reinterpretation.

A commemorative series from a unique perspective, Toto's! A multidimensional plot-twister w updated cast of wondrous, quirky misfits. Alongside Toto, you will ride in the front seat of a thrilling and emotional roller coaster throughout the magical Land of Oz…and beyond. This Wizard of Oz takeoff is a multidimensional plot-twister as told from Toto's perspective that includes an updated original cast and a host of other wondrous quirky social misfits. With many surprises along the way, this complex and intriguing parody has as much tongue-in-cheek humor as it does original content, adventure, mystery, fantasy, and romance. If blockbuster series with witches, wands, warlocks and magic kept you coming back, then "The Wizard Was Odd Trilogy" will grab you and won't let you go!

Valley of the Vegans: Manticore Saves Dorothy from the Seekers of Souls; Devourers of Life Force, Essence, and Spirit

About The Author:

Bob Moyer (pseudonym - Peeky) has been writing fiction for children, young adults, and adults young at heart for nearly ten years. The following childrens stories/writings will be posted to his website at Oziian.com or WizardWasOdd.com in the near future. 

"The Calamitous Attitude of Kat Katitude" is about teenage and young adult cats living together as roommates. Another is a bedtime ditty - "No Such Thing", "Fast Food" is a picture book without words about a slow spider trying to catch fast insects, and the list goes on. 

Bob began writing for children in 2010 and belonged to the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) for many years. In 2012, he and his wife Janet concluded a busy week with a night on the town. His opening question to her was, "So Dorothy, how is Toto?" From that nugget, he created a version of the Wizard of Oz featuring Toto as the main character. 

With the input of the readers first two books, he intends to create the third book of the trilogy by 2020. This series will be a celebration of the 120th year of the first printing in 1900 of the original "Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum.

SOURCE: Peeky (AKA Bob Moyer)

Related Stories:

• 'The Wizard of Oz' 80th Anniversary Screenings Break $1M at the Box Office
• Why Donald Trump Should Read The Wizard Of Oz Before Becoming President

Five Non-Invasive Ways to Treat Arthritis

 Old hands typing (Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay)

Arthritis is a common health problem among many people. Recent statistics indicate approximately 22.7% of adults in the United States have been diagnosed with some form of this condition.

If you’re one of them, you know how important it is to be familiar with various remedies and treatments. The following natural options are particularly worth your attention. They’ll help you relieve your arthritis discomfort without turning to medicine or invasive treatment.

Lose Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is important for many reasons. Reducing arthritis pain is simply one of them.

When you’re obese, excess weight puts your joints under significant stress. Losing weight reduces the stress, thus reducing your pain as well.

Sticking to a nutritious diet is part of losing weight. However, you should also develop a safe exercise routine. Engaging in physical activity has been shown to alleviate pain and stiffness in people with arthritis. Just make sure you’re coordinating with a professional if your arthritis is particularly severe.

You may even want to contact a physical therapist in your area. For example, if you’re based in New York, direct access to physical therapy can put you in touch with nearby experts. This is a convenient way to learn how to combat your condition, especially because you want to make sure all exercises you perform are safe.

Use Topical Remedies

Traditional topical pain remedies have been shown to be ineffective at treating arthritis. However, new remedies have been developed for the specific purpose of alleviating arthritis discomfort. Although it’s too soon to tell how effective they are for the average patient, these anti-inflammatories may help you manage your condition. They are certainly worth trying.

Apply Capsaicin Cream

Capsaicin cream, when applied topically, has helped reduce discomfort in patients struggling with a range of chronic pain conditions. It’s also available without a prescription.

Researchers aren’t sure why it has this effect. Currently, one theory proposes that capsaicin may interfere with the transfer of pain information from the nerves to the brain.

Consider Acupuncture

Don’t dismiss acupuncture as a “fake” treatment. Studies have indicated it can relieve discomfort in people with arthritis. While results may vary on a case-by-case basis, you should consider trying it to find out if it works for you as it has for others.

Electrostimulation

Again, it’s important to coordinate with professionals when working to treat and manage your arthritis. Doing so offers many key benefits. For example, you may get access to treatment options you wouldn’t have known about otherwise.

Consider electrostimulation. Physical therapists sometimes use this technique to reduce pain and swelling by targeting key nerves with electricity. It’s another natural remedy that may deliver the results you seek.

Keep these in mind if you’re looking for ways to reduce arthritis pain while staying away from treatments that may cause you to experience unpleasant side effects. Although you should always listen to your physician’s advice when you have this type of condition, you should also consider all your options. One or more of these may help you.

Brexit Britain's Weakness Exposed in US Trade Deal Documents

Taking a tough stance. (EPA/Peter Foley)

The US has published its objectives for a proposed trade agreement with the UK – and its thinking highlights just how weak Britain’s bargaining position will be in the post-Brexit global economy.

The US trade representative outlines many of the usual ways to increase trade between the two countries – namely, reducing tariffs and ensuring both sides share the same standards and regulations. But the emphasis is very much on the UK aligning itself with US standards. This will have major implications. It will move the UK away from the EU standards it currently has, which will harm trade with its most important trading partner and generate potential hurdles in a future trade deal with the EU.

The US is taking a tough line from the outset on a number of issues. With a population of 66m and GDP of roughly US$3 trillion, the UK is dwarfed by the bloc it is leaving – the EU’s population is 500m and has a combined GDP of US$20 trillion. Plus, the UK has a transparent need to both replace existing EU trade agreements and create new ones.
In Britain, concerns over food safety have been at the heart of debate over a potential US-UK trade agreement. The expectation of American chlorine-washed chicken entering British markets as part of a deal quickly became politically contentious, splitting Theresa May’s cabinet twice in 2017.

⏩ Read more: Chlorine-washed chicken Q&A: food safety expert explains why US poultry is banned in the EU

But the quandary facing the British government extends well beyond concerns over the consumer safety implications of US mass production methods. With US agricultural imports would also come US agricultural and sanitary and phytosanitary standards, which are in place to protect against diseases. This will create hurdles for British agricultural exports heading to the EU, as it will no longer meet EU standards.

For British farmers, the wholesale removal of trade barriers with the US may also come at a time when the industry is particularly vulnerable. Following Brexit, British agriculture will lose access to the EU subsidies it receives through the Common Agricultural Policy. While the UK government has promised to replace these, questions about its ability to fund its many post-Brexit promises remain.

Beyond agriculture

British manufacturers face the same demands to harmonise their regulations from the US trade representative, creating similar difficulties for exporters targeting the EU. Then, when it comes to services, US demands are much more dramatic.

Britain’s service sector brings in a substantial trade surplus – something the US will be loath to add to its growing trade deficit. Central to US plans will be to privatise and deregulate British services, such as healthcare provision or utilities and infrastructure, to enable easy market access for internationally-engaged American enterprises. These same corporations are actively engaged in the trade agreement process on the US side.

There’s a lot more than just chickens at stake in a US-UK trade deal.(Shutterstock)

American ambitions for bringing UK regulations in line with its own also extends to trade of digital goods and services, potentially causing a tremendous shift away from EU regulations, which concern everything from intellectual property rights to data protection and digital privacy.

Beyond trade

As part of the deep integration objectives, the US-UK trade agreement will cover additional non-trade issues. These include labour standards, environmental protection and anti-corruption measures – all areas where the UK arguably is currently tougher than the US.

It is telling that the wording of the US objectives focuses explicitly on the UK obligations in upholding these kinds of standards. In contrast, US objectives for negotiations with Japan refer to both “parties”, rather than specifically Japanese obligations.

Perhaps the differences in wording is a result of different teams writing the documents. But it could also reveal the extent to which the UK is viewed by the US team as the weaker party to their deal, which will likely have extensive effects on the concessions the UK negotiating team can manage to extract from the US opening position.

Relinquishing control, not taking it back

Rather than taking back control, the starting point for US-UK trade negotiations is one where the British government cedes sovereignty over a wide range of issues. Britain’s size and detachment from the EU single market limits its bargaining power with large trade partners, whose governments will have no concern for the effects on the British public.

While harmonising standards with the US will pose a barrier to future trade with the EU, the deal could also increase limitations on British foreign policy more broadly. The US is also pursuing a clause that allows it to withdraw from a US-UK agreement if the UK agrees to an agreement with certain countries such as China. Similar terms are included in the US-Japan trade agreement objectives, as the Trump administration tries to limit China’s economic influence across the globe. There is also a section in the US objectives that is designed to limit Britain’s independence over its Middle East foreign policy.

The hard line taken by the US, along with the wide range of concessions demanded of the UK clearly point to the UK’s weakened bargaining position outside the EU. And the US is not the only trading partner seeking significant concessions in exchange for a deal. India, Japan, and South Korea have all signalled similar expectations in preparations for their own deals. All of this sits in stark contrast to the Brexit campaign’s promise to “take back control”.

About Today's Contributor:

Michael Plouffe, Lecturer in International Political Economy, UCL

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. 

Emerging Collective Unveils New Art Space in Atlanta with Installation on Police Brutality by Activist Artist Ann Lewis

Ann Lewis with her installation, ...and counting, in Emerging Collective's new art space in Decatur, Atlanta.

On the anniversary of Martin Luther King's assassination, artist Ann Lewis will present her acclaimed work, …and counting, as the debut exhibition in Emerging Collective's new space in Downtown Decatur.

Lewis' chrono-reactive installation of 1,093 toe tags presents the details of each police-related death in the United States during 2016. 

"That year saw several reactions to police brutality – Colin Kaepernick's viral protest, the strengthening of the Black Lives Matter movement, and a multitude of news coverage," said Lewis. "…and counting was my way of trying to document this pervasive epidemic and through the process garner a greater understanding of the issue. My practice centers on using creativity to offer opportunities for solution-centered discussions on social justice and environmental issues."

Curated by Emerging Collective, this show is a call to action in response to the ubiquitous tragedy of deaths at the hands of police. From afar, the installation's beauty lies in its simplicity and symmetry. However, up close, viewers benefit from an experiential opportunity to confront the details of each stolen life. 

Completing the installation is Lewis' A History of Assault, a brooding 24-minute audio track summarizing life in the modern American police state.

"It's incredible to have our own space in Atlanta, a city that is in hyper demographic flux and well positioned to be a center of cultural change," said Raj Udeshi, Founder of Emerging Collective. "Our departure from New York is just more evidence of the larger creative exodus. It's clear that people in Atlanta are hungry for our kind of visual arts programming."

Programming:

The exhibition will run from 12 March to 12 April 2019, at 115 North McDonough Street in Decatur, across from Decatur High School. 

An artist reception will take place on Thursday 04 April from 7-10 p.m., including a panel discussion with Ann Lewis and Atlanta artist Fabian Williams, whose activist mural depicting Colin Kaepernick and Muhammad Ali was destroyed just in time for the Atlanta Superbowl. 

⏩The panel discussion will be followed by an open mic townhall, for those who wish to put forward ideas on solutions to police brutality.

On Friday 05 April, Emerging Collective will host a dinner, where local art patrons and activists will get the chance to engage with Ann Lewis, and discuss her crossover between activist and fine art. 

On Saturday 06 April, Emerging Collective will host a daytime activation with youth participants from neighboring schools followed by a screening of The Hate U Give, the polemic 2018 film which confronts police brutality head-on.

About Ann Lewis:

(Via Emerging Collective)

Ann Lewis (American) is a multidisciplinary activist artist using painting, installation, and participatory performance to explore themes related to American identity, power structures, and justice. She often creates these works in our public spaces. In early 2014 the artist garnered national media attention when she installed an oversized police tape banner that read ‘GENTRIFICATION IN PROGRESS’ at the former graffiti mecca 5 Pointz in Queens, New York. She exhibited at the White House in the fall of 2015 during the Obama Administration's reflection on mass incarceration. 

Most recently her mural See Her reflecting upon the humanity of incarcerated women received an Americans for the Arts 2018 Public Art Network (PAN) Year in Review Award. Her work has been acquired by the New York Historical Society Museum and the US Library of Congress. 

Since receiving her bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from the University of Wisconsin- Madison, her art has been reviewed in Hyperallergic, Artnet, Interview Magazine, The LA Times, The Guardian, and The New York Times. She has exhibited in solo and group shows throughout the US and abroad including shows at Petzel Gallery in New York, Seyhoun Gallery in Tehran, Iran, and Truth to Power during the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia...

About Emerging Collective:

Emerging Collective is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization supporting artists working at the intersection of activism and the avant-garde. 

Pioneering the concept of Art NGO, Emerging Collective promotes fine art that advances political + social dialogue. 

Its aim is to catapult the most promising activist creatives, empowering them to serve as agents of cultural change.

SOURCE: Emerging Collective

Experience The Cult Horror Game, "White Day," Through VR In The Latest Title: "White Day: Courage Test"

Experience the cult horror game, "White Day," through VR.

Initially released in 2001, White Day -- A Labyrinth Named School, is a renowned cult horror classic game, which is now making a comeback as a VR game. Sonnori has announced that it will be launching a new title in the White Day series: White Day: Courage Test.

The White Day series was initially released as a PC game in 2001. It was also released as a paid mobile app, which has had over 600,000 downloads. The White Day series was also released for PS4 and Steam.

• Specifically designed for VR theme parks, White Day: Courage Test has been developed using the latest Unreal Engine and VR optimized game play to be a motion-based game providing an extremely immersive experience.

When the game begins, the player is a student who has entered the school at night as a part of a school club's test of courage. He/she explores the school, looking for various hidden items, while also trying to find the way out of the school. Strange things begin to happen during game play.

With a focused composition optimized for VR theme parks and programmed "randomness," White Day: Courage Test offers fresh entertainment for repeat players. 

Also, the visual and sound effects that perfectly recreate a school at night provide horror-filled fun that differentiates White Day from other VR horror games.

White Day: Courage Test features a tutorial that guides the player from the start about how to play the game, eliminating the need for training staff and making game operation in VR theme parks a lot easier.

• White Day: Courage Test differs from normal VR theme park games because only one person can wear the VR head-mounted display (HMD). However, in White Day: Courage Test, users can interact with other players during game play. Secondary players can hide or move objects in the game via a wirelessly connected tablet PC, getting in the way of the main player or challenging the main player to a battle of wits. 

White Day: Courage Test is a new game that aims to maximize the attraction of the White Day series. Its quality outranks any horror game that may be enjoyed in the general VR theme park. Users can uniquely interact with other users through the "dual play" setting. 

An official at Sonnori said, "Currently, we are focusing on sales of the B2B version for the VR theme park. We have tested it in Korea over the past year and it has been upgraded into a more stable version. We will work with our international partners to distribute the game globally."

⏩ Visit the White Day: Courage Test Introduction Page for more info.

SOURCE: Sonnori

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Madame Tussauds Orlando Reveals Two Exciting Additions to Justice League: A Call for Heroes

The Flash and Cyborg (Image via ScreenCrush

Madame Tussauds Orlando's action-packed Justice League: A Call for Heroes experience is growing at... err... lightning speed with the addition of, not one, but two new DC Super Heroes. 

⏩ On April 12, the all-star cast from the blockbuster film Justice League will finally be reunited with the debut of Madame Tussauds latest wax masterpieces: Ezra Miller as The Flash and Ray Fisher as Cyborg. 

Designed in collaboration with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC, each figure has been recreated to identically mirror the DC Super Heroes' appearance and costumes from the film, including authentic replica props, and each figure will also have its own thrilling mission for guests to complete inside the exclusive experience at Madame Tussauds Orlando.

• Half-man, half-robot, Cyborg's wax figure portrayal will be equally dynamic and interactive with his bionic pose! In the experience, guests must locate a hidden code and transmit it to Cyborg through a nearby keypad. Cyborg will then harness the power of technology to project a hologram revealing the location of the device Lex Luthor has used to wreak havoc on the city.

• Racing to join forces with Madame Tussauds' epic lineup of DC Super Heroes, The Flash will fight crime in an alleyway that features original artwork from the Justice League film. Positioned in his iconic running pose, guests will race alongside The Flash and see if they have what it takes to be a Super Hero at lightning speed! As they run in place a speedometer shows your speed as you run alongside The Flash.

"We are ecstatic that the Justice League: A Call for Heroes experience now unites the ENTIRE DC Super Hero cast!" said Madame Tussauds Orlando General Manager James Paulding. "With the two new heroes, guests will become totally immersed in the epic saga as they race alongside The Flash, harness Cyborg's power of technology and join the rest of the Justice League to save the world."

Justice League: A Call for Heroes (Image via LoupDargent.info)

Justice League: A Call for Heroes debuted exclusively inside Madame Tussauds Orlando and Sydney last year and continues to offer an unrivaled experience for fans of the iconic DC Super Heroes. 

 Part of a seismic shift within the Madame Tussauds brand, the experience features special effects that include a series of hands-on, interactive missions and a larger-than-life-set where fans can become the stars of their favorite stories. 

The attraction also marked the first-time-ever that super fans could get up close and personal with some of their favorite DC Super Heroes including Jason Momoa's Aquaman, Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman, Henry Cavill's Superman and Ben Affleck's Batman, as they fight to save the world from Lex Luthor's evil corporation, LexCorp. 

Madame Tussauds Orlando is issuing a challenge to the bravest of Justice League fans (Image via LoupDargent.info)

⏩ For tickets and more information, please visit madametussauds.com/orlando.

SOURCE: Madame Tussauds

Related Stories:

• Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Announces New Aquaman Exhibit
• Madame Tussauds Orlando Reveals Jason Momoa as Aquaman!
• Royal Canadian Mint Launches Justice League Coin Collection at 2017 Central Canada Comic Con
• Who Cares About Batman Vs Superman? Wonder Woman Finally Steals The Show

Marvel Music And Hollywood Records Present Marvel Studios' Captain Marvel Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Captain Marvel artwork

Marvel Music/Hollywood Records are releasing Marvel Studios' Captain Marvel digital soundtrack, featuring an epic orchestral score by award-winning composer Pinar Toprak. Marvel Studios' Captain Marvel opens in U.S. theaters today.

Toprak's diversity as a composer is evident in her body of work ranging from the jazz-inspired score for "Purl" a new Pixar SparkShort, the TV series "Krypton," the hugely popular video game "Fortnite" to "The Wind Gods" documentary.

The film's directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck said, "We loved that Pinar was willing to take some wild swings with her music in her early demos. Not all of it is in the movie, but it was her fearlessness and playfulness and the emotional resonance in the music that really surprised us. Her ability to balance all of that while still managing to make a cohesive, singular score is what most impressed us."

On working with Boden and Fleck, Toprak commented, "We clicked from the start and wanted to find the right sound for the Cosmic scenes and how we can bring the 90s Earth feel into the score...our sensibilities really did match and it's been a wonderful collaboration."

Toprak's score is a blend of electronics and orchestra, and was recorded with 90 musicians at London's Abbey Road Studios. 

 On her theme for "Captain Marvel," Toprak said to Variety, "She's one of the most powerful beings in the universe, but she's also very human. Emotions don't take away from her strength. She's strong yet sensitive. I wanted to hear the humanity instilled in the hero."

About Pinar Toprak:

From epic orchestral scores for superhero sagas to custom created sounds for one of the world's most popular video games, composer Pinar Toprak brings versatile stories to life by creating a unique sound and mood to her projects across medium, genre and tone.

Pinar's most recent work is for Marvel Studios' "Captain Marvel," starring Brie Larson. Additionally, Pinar composed the jazz inspired score for the Pixar SparkShort, "Purl" about an earnest ball of yarn who gets a job and finds herself asking how far she is willing to go to fit in and get the acceptance she yearns for.

Having studied and practiced music from a very young age, Pinar earned a degree in film scoring and a master's degree in composition at age 22 before working alongside legendary composers including Hans Zimmer and William Ross. 

Pinar then went on to make a name for herself scoring dozens of projects across many mediums including the massively popular video game "Fortnite," Syfy TV series "Krypton," thriller "The River Murders," period drama "The Lightkeepers" and additional music on box office hit "Justice League." 

Her additional credits include the films "Behind Enemy Lines II: Axis of Evil," "The Challenger," "Breaking Point," "Light of Olympia," "Say It in Russian," "The Angel," and "The Wind Gods," video game "Ninety-Nine Nights," and TV series "Falling Water."

About Captain Marvel:

Set in the 1990s, Marvel Studios' "Captain Marvel" is an all-new adventure from a previously unseen period in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that follows the journey of Carol Danvers as she becomes one of the universe's most powerful heroes. While a galactic war between two alien races reaches Earth, Danvers finds herself and a small cadre of allies at the center of the maelstrom.

The film stars Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Djimon Hounsou, Lee Pace, Lashana Lynch, Gemma Chan, Rune Temte, Algenis Perez Soto, Mckenna Grace, with Annette Bening, with Clark Gregg, and Jude Law.

Marvel Studios' "Captain Marvel" is produced by Kevin Feige and directed by Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck. Louis D'Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Jonathan Schwartz, Patricia Whitcher and Stan Lee are the executive producers. 

The story is by Nicole Perlman & Meg LeFauve and Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck & Geneva Robertson-Dworet, and the screenplay is by Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck & Geneva Robertson-Dworet.

SOURCE: Marvel Music/Hollywood Records

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Facebook And Google Veteran Marissa Orr Uncovers The Truth About Women, Power And The Workplace In Upcoming Book, "Lean Out"

Marissa Orr to release new book titled “Lean Out: The Truth About Women, Power, and the Workplace” via HarperCollins Leadership on June 11

Marissa Orr, Facebook and Google veteran, will release her debut book "Lean Out: The Truth About Women, Power, and the Workplace" on June 11, 2019 via HarperCollins Leadership (available for preorder now).

More than half a century since the equal pay act, the wage gap still hovers at 80%. Half a billion dollars are spent annually on corporate diversity programs, yet only 5% of CEOs in the Fortune 500 are women. "Lean Out" is an ambitious attempt to answer the question few dare to ask: what have we've gotten wrong about women at work?

Based on in-depth research and personal experiences, "Lean Out," follows the journey of Orr, a single mom of three trying to find success in her 15-year career at the world's top tech giants. In an eye-opening account, Orr exposes the systemic dysfunction at the heart of today's most powerful corporations and how their pursuit to close the gender gap has come at the expense of female well-being.

"Fewer women at the top is a clear signal that the system is broken," says Orr. "With female-dominant strengths such as empathy and consensus-building being the future of business, the headlines forecast that women will dominate the future generations of corporate leaders. But that won't happen until we stop mistaking empathy for weakness and realize that female success shouldn't hinge on us being more like men."

The antithesis to Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg's "Lean In," Orr's "Lean Out" provides a new and refreshingly candid perspective on what it's really like for today's corporate underdogs, while challenging modern feminist rhetoric and debunking the philosophy that suggests everyone has to be the same in order to be equal. 

Offering a compelling new argument for the reasons more women don't make it to the top, "Lean Out" is not simply a retort to Sandberg's premise, which Orr believes is based on a male worldview, but a revolutionary path forward to change the trajectory of the lives of women in the corporate world and beyond.

Featuring key chapters such as The Leadership Ambition Gap, The Confidence Gap, The Power Reward, and Well-Being vs. Winning, "Lean Out" is divided into three sections and addresses the significant need to reexamine the business world's paradigm of a "successful leader." 

Part one unravels the current "conventional wisdom" on women in the workplace, part two offers a new model of understanding for the causes of the corporate gender gap, and part three suggests a new way forward for women individually and corporate America at large.

"Right now, we are on the precipice of change," says Orr. "And with 'Lean Out,' I hope to provide a fresh voice for a new generation of thinkers."

Marissa Orr (image via MarissaOrr.com)

About Marissa Orr:

Marissa Orr began her Google career over 15 years ago as a founding member of Google's Sales Operations & Strategy team, after which she worked as Vertical Marketing Manager at Facebook. She has conducted talks and workshops for thousands of people at diverse organizations across the globe. 

Originally from Miami, she now lives in New Jersey, with her three children.

SOURCE: HarperCollins Leadership

eBay Teams Up with Influential Women in Comics to Launch Superheroine HQ, the World's First All-Female Superhero Store

eBay launches “Superheroine HQ” – the world’s first online shop dedicated to female superheroes offering rare and right now comics, collectibles and merchandise all in one place  ("Superheroine HQ" by comic illustrator Cat Staggs)

Female superheroes are more popular than ever and a force of leading ladies are taking off in Hollywood and on eBay - one of the world's largest destinations for comics and collectibles. 

To celebrate this moment, eBay partnered with legendary writer Gail Simone and notable comic illustrator Cat Staggs to launch the world's first online shop dedicated to superheroines. 

Legendary comic book writer Gail Simone

The new destination, "Superheroine HQ," offers a curated selection of comics and memorabilia featuring female superheroes.

Beginning today, fans and collectors can shop thousands of female superhero comics, collectibles and merchandise all in one place at "Superheroine HQ." 

Top items include: 

• Wonder Woman #1 CGC 8.0 ($149,950.00) 
• All Star Comics #8 CGC 5.0 ($87,495.00) 
• Ms. Marvel #1 CGC 9.8 signed by Stan Lee ($4,350.00)  
• Batman Adventures #12 CGC 9.8 - 1st Appearance of Harley Quinn ($1,949.99) 

Newly released, limited edition Captain Marvel: Braver & Mightier #1 comic book 

⏩ Additionally, eBay is offering a newly released, limited edition Captain Marvel: Braver & Mightier #1 comic book with an exclusive variant cover designed in collaboration with eBay, Marvel and eBay seller MyComicShop.

Fandom for superheroines is at an all-time high. eBay has seen a 63 percent spike in sales year-over-year for Captain Marvel and a 34 percent jump in sales year-over-year for female superheroes overall. With the launch of the store, eBay and industry power team Simone and Staggs are working together to put superheroines at the forefront.

"Spotlighting the amazing spectrum of women in comics has long been my passion, both the characters in the books, and the writers and artists who create them," said Gail Simone, writer of such titles as Wonder Woman, Batgirl, and Domino. "I believe these fantastic women can inspire readers everywhere to the limits of their imagination and creativity. That's why I'm teaming up with eBay to bring more attention and accessibility to comics featuring strong female characters of past and present."

Additionally, Staggs, who has worked on popular titles, including Smallville Season 11, Adventures of Supergirl, Wonder Woman '77, and Orphan Black, celebrated the launch with original artwork showing the power of comics. Staggs' eBay Superheroine HQ poster illustrates a young girl discovering her passion for comics and imagining herself as a future superhero.

"With the rising popularity of superheroes like Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel from comic books to the big screen, we've seen this same interest resonate on eBay," said Sam Bright, Vice President of Merchandising, eBay North America. "We're proud to encourage a more diverse and evolving marketplace among not only our millions of buyers and sellers, but also the merchandise that we offer, giving everyone access to rare, iconic, and exclusive inventory that puts a spotlight on female superheroes."

SOURCE: eBay Inc.

Citizen Watch Sponsors World Premiere Of Marvel Studios' Captain Marvel And Unveils Official Captain Marvel Timepieces

Marvel Studios’ Captain Marvel

Citizen Watch was a proud sponsor of yesterday's highly anticipated premiere of Marvel Studios' Captain Marvel, a cinematic look at Marvel's biggest female superhero.

For the occasion, Citizen welcomed its Marvel ambassador, Josh Peck, to unveil three new Captain Marvel timepieces. Peck unveiled the brand's inaugural Marvel Collection at Comic Con New York in 2018. Together with Peck, Citizen celebrated the official e-commerce availability of the entire collection, which are the first light powered and eco-friendly timepieces featuring the iconic Marvel Studios' characters.

Captain Marvel Timepiece by Citizen.

The novelty Captain Marvel assortment offers three distinct designs reminiscent of Captain Marvel's iconic suit, featuring star detailing and gold piping.

Fans were invited to tune into Marvel's social media channels to countdown to premiere time, courtesy of Citizen.

Leading up to the premiere, Citizen lent its support to non-profit organization, We Have Stories, and their 'Captain Marvel Challenge,' a program aiming to send a few young ladies to the March 8th theatre premiere of Marvel Studios' Captain Marvel. 

• To lend your support, visit: gofundme.com/CaptainMarvel.

Citizen Marvel Ambassador Josh Peck at Captain Marvel Premiere (Credit: Getty)

About Marvel Studios' Captain Marvel:

Set in the 1990s, Marvel Studios' "Captain Marvel" is an all-new adventure from a previously unseen period in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that follows the journey of Carol Danvers as she becomes one of the universe's most powerful heroes. While a galactic war between two alien races reaches Earth, Danvers finds herself and a small cadre of allies at the center of the maelstrom.

The film stars Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Djimon Hounsou, Lee Pace, Lashana Lynch, Gemma Chan, Rune Temte, Algenis Perez Soto, Mckenna Grace, with Annette Bening, with Clark Gregg, and Jude Law.

Marvel Studios' "Captain Marvel" is produced by Kevin Feige and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. Louis D'Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Jonathan Schwartz, Patricia Whitcher and Stan Lee are the executive producers. 

The story is by Nicole Perlman & Meg LeFauve and Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck & Geneva Robertson-Dworet, and the screenplay is by Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck & Geneva Robertson-Dworet. 

Captain Marvel - Poster (Image via LoupDargent.info)

• "Captain Marvel" opens on March 8, 2019 in U.S. theaters.

SOURCE: Citizen Watch Company of America, Inc.