Personal Velocity

The first Picador edition of Rebecca Miller’s debut book “remind[s] us that good material is everywhere” (The Washington Post). The vibrantly fresh and lustrous stories in Miller’s collection explore the multifaceted lives of women in seven arresting portraits. Modern and diverse, these women of different classes and ages struggle with sexuality, fate, motherhood, infidelity, desperation, and an overriding will to survive. We meet Greta, a cookbook editor who is chosen by Tavi, the hottest writer of his generation, to edit his new book. The book becomes a best-seller and Greta is propelled out of her marriage by her own ambition and success. Other characters include Paula, a pregnant twenty-one-year-old, who is on the run from the horror of a man who was hit by a car and died while walking her home from a nightclub; Delia, an abused working-class wife who goes into hiding with her children; and Louisa, a painter who moves rapidly from one lover to the next, acting out a self-perpetuating drama over which she has no control. Rebecca Miller, who also adapted Personal Velocity for the screen, has crafted an edgy, fearless, and beautifully spare collection of short fiction.

Self-awareness-- knowing your nature, your abilities, and how you react to people and situations-- may well be the greatest life-management skill you can have. The Acorn Principle is a guide to doing a complete "life checkup" that will help you pinpoint your talents and strengths. Nurturing those strengths is the key to the success you've always wanted but didn't know how to attain. By reading this book and doing the simple exercises, you'll learn things about yourself that you and most people don't even suspect. You will learn: *Why some people attract you and others repel you *How to predict your instinctive reactions to various situations to understand what circumstances you thrive in and why *Where your intellectual blind spots are *Why you like and dislike certain things and how to use that knowledge to motivate yourself *Who are the most influential people in your life and how to connect with them and others more effectively *How to control your simple daily actions in such a way that you develop new abilities and continually grow a better life. The potential to live the life of your dreams exists within you. The more you explore your talents, your relationships, and the patterns in your life, the more readily you will be able to tap into those potentials. A more fulfilling and meaningful life is possible for you without changing your nature; it will come from discovering who you already are. The mighty oak sleeps within you...right now.

The space shuttle commander delivers “a great read, shares important elements of the modern ‘Right Stuff,’ and will benefit those aspiring to lead” (Hon. Buzz Aldrin, Colonel, USAF retired, Astronaut). As a leader in the dynamic, stressful, and sometimes dangerous endeavor of human space exploration, Astronaut Rick Searfoss has had many unique experiences. However, the success principles he applied in commanding the most complex and successful human space research mission ever are universal. They apply to any venture. Liftoff shares the keen insights of an astronaut commander leading the way. It will enable you to: Employ a proven, balanced-leadership model in support of a greater purpose Drive stellar operational results with a comprehensive, objective-centric execution system Apply a countdown of twelve purposeful performance principles for outstanding outcomes Strengthen your ability to lead and perform at the front lines to achieve mission success The author also shares a myriad of thrilling, inspiring, and relevant stories, told from the extraordinary perspective of one of a mere handful of humans who’ve ever been in space. Should you launch your leadership to the highest level possible? Absolutely, so let’s “light this candle” and lift off to success! “His unique perspective on leadership in action will help you achieve ‘execution excellence’ no matter what task you are undertaking. Read this out-of-this-world book and become a more successful leader here on earth!” —Ken Blanchard, #1 New York Times–bestselling coauthor of The New One Minute Manager® “Powerfully shows how trust and purpose amplify effective leadership in the most dynamic of situations.” —Stephen M.R. Covey, New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal–bestselling author of The Speed of Trust

Containing reviews written from January 2002 to mid-June 2004, including the films "Seabiscuit, The Passion of the Christ," and "Finding Nemo," the best (and the worst) films of this period undergo Ebert's trademark scrutiny. It also contains the year's interviews and essays, as well as highlights from Ebert's film festival coverage from Cannes.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • This ebook edition contains a special preview of Dean Koontz’s The Silent Corner. If you don’t take this note to the police . . . I will kill a lovely blond schoolteacher. . . . If you do . . . I will instead kill an elderly woman active in charity work. You have six hours to decide. The choice is yours. The typewritten note under his windshield seems like just a sick joke. But in less than twenty-four hours, Billy Wiles, an ordinary, hardworking guy, is about to see his life take on the speed of a nightmare. Because a young blond schoolteacher is murdered—and now Billy has another note. And another deadline. This time he knows it’s no joke. He’s racing a killer faster than evil itself. And Billy must accept his terrifying challenge: The choice is yours. Think fast. Fear never slows down. . . .

Promotes an unconventional, quantum leap strategy for achieving breakthrough performance. This powerful new method replaces the concept of attaining gradual, incremental success through massive effort. Instead, it puts forth 18 key components for building massive success while expending less effort. Your staff learns to multiply their personal effectiveness, leverage their gifts, and leap beyond ordinary performance expectations.

As chief collaborators with the directors on a film, cinematographers are artistic masters in their own right. In Cinematography sixteen of the world's greatest "painters of light" share their insights, anecdotes, and technical achievements through a series of exclusive interviews. Fascinating for both film fans and practitioners, this book is the perfect companion for anyone who wants to stand on the other side of the camera, with some of the greatest film artists of our time.

Write Your Screenplay with the Help of Top Screenwriters! It’s like taking a Master Class in screenwriting … all in one book! Discover the pitfalls of writing to fit a budget from screenwriters who have successfully navigated these waters already. Learn from their mistakes and improve your script with their expert advice. "I wish I'd read this book before I made Re-Animator." Stuart Gordon, Director, Re-Animator, Castle Freak, From Beyond John Gaspard has directed half a dozen low-budget features, as well as written for TV, movies, novels and the stage. The book covers (among other topics): Academy-Award Winner Dan Futterman (“Capote”) on writing real stories Tom DiCillio (“Living In Oblivion”) on turning a short into a feature Kasi Lemmons (“Eve’s Bayou”) on writing for a different time period George Romero (“Martin”) on writing horror on a budget Rebecca Miller (“Personal Velocity”) on adapting short stories Stuart Gordon (“Re-Animator”) on adaptations Academy-Award Nominee Whit Stillman (“Metropolitan”) on cheap ways to make it look expensive Miranda July (“Me and You and Everyone We Know”) on making your writing spontaneous Alex Cox (“Repo Man”) on scaling the script to meet a budget Joan Micklin Silver (“Hester Street”) on writing history on a budget Bob Clark (“Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things”) on mixing humor and horror Amy Holden Jones (“Love Letters”) on writing romance on a budget Henry Jaglom (“Venice/Venice”) on mixing improvisation with scripting L.M. Kit Carson (“Paris, Texas”) on re-writing while shooting Academy-Award Winner Kenneth Lonergan (“You Can Count on Me”) on script editing Roger Nygard (“Suckers”) on mixing genres This is the book for anyone who’s serious about writing a screenplay that can get produced! Grab it today! ★★★★★ "A perfect read for anyone who wants to write a film script or for anyone who just enjoys watching movies." Fred Willard, Actor, A Mighty Wind, Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman "This volume is packed full of useful little nuggets of information." Jonathan Lynn, Director, My Cousin Vinny, Clue, Nuns on the Run, The Whole Nine Yards “Packed with war stories and savvy advice for beginning screenwriters.” Larry Gross, Screenwriter, 48 hrs., Streets of Fire, True Crime

We?re all on the journey of life, but how do you know you?re going in the right direction? What?s your purpose? How do you discover it? Your life is your vehicle to design, drive, and maintain. Unfortunately, too many people end up back seat driving through life or driving other people?s vehicles and never take the driver?s seat of their own lives. Using the 8 Cylinders of Success? framework, this book and workbook will help you design the vehicle of your life and achieve your highest personal velocity in your personal and professional life.The 8 Cylinders of Success? is a framework created by Jullien Gordon based on academic research in performance optimization, self-motivation, positive psychology, and happiness and the in depth study of some of the world?s most successful people. The 8 Cylinders of Success? includes your: principles, passions, problems, people, positioning, pioneers, picture, and possibility. Together, they lead to your purpose, which is your personal GPS system that continuously guides you in the right direction throughout life.

Despite years of propaganda attempting to convince us otherwise, popular media is beginning to catch on to the idea that the home is one of the most dangerous and difficult places for a woman to be. This book examines emergent trends in popular media, which increasingly takes on the realities of domestic violence, toxic home lives and the impossibility of "having it all." While many narratives still fall back on outmoded and limiting narratives about gender--the pursuit of romance, children, and a life dedicated to the domestic--this book makes the case that some texts introduce complexity and a challenge to the status quo, pointing us toward a feminist future in which women's voices and concerns are amplified and respected.