www.nttconsultants.com: December 2014

Sore knee sidelines LeBron James

Kaley Cuoco Doesnt Consider Herself A Feminist

Don't call Kaley Cuoco a feminist.

The Big Bang Theory star spoke about equality in an interview with Redbook for the magazine's February 2015 issue. When asked if she considers herself a feminist she responded in the negative.

Is it bad if I say no she asked. It's not really something I think about. Things are different now and I know a lot of the work that paved the way for women happened before I was around ... I was never that feminist girl demanding equality but maybe that's because I've never really faced inequality.

She then went on to discuss the gender roles in her household with husband Ryan Sweeting whom she married in a surprise ceremony on New Year's Eve last year after a whirlwind romance.

I cook for Ryan five nights a week It makes me feel like a housewife I love that. I know it sounds old fashioned but I like the idea of women taking care of their men. I'm so in control of my work that I like coming home and serving him. My mom was like that so I think it kind of rubbed off.

As far as empowerment goes the 29 year old opened up about how getting breast implants in 2004 gave her a boost of confidence.

I had no boobs she said. And it really was the best thing ever I always felt ill proportioned. My implants made me feel more confident in my body. It wasn't about trying to be a porn star or wanting to look hot and sexy.

Read more from Cuoco's interview in the February 2015 issue of Redbook on newsstands Jan. 6.

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AirAsia Flight 8501 Crash Highlights Booming Indonesia Airline Industrys ...

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Robin Williams Art Show and Celebration to Hit San Francisco This Saturday

click to enlarge One of the pieces featured in the show. Christopher Paddock We probably all remember where we were when we heard of Robin Williams passing. From Williams more lighthearted roles such as Mrs. Doubtfire and the voice of the Genie in Aladdin to his more serious roles like those in Good Will Hunting and Dead Poets Society Williams was one of the most versatile actors of his time.

This Saturday San Franciscans will get the chance to honor Williams and celebrate his films and the impression they left.

Ezra Croft the mastermind behind the Nic Cage art show last February and the Christopher Walken art show last month is hosting another art show this time dedicated to all things Robin Williams.

The show will feature artistic depictions of Williams as well as stories from people who had an interaction with Williams that they want to share burlesque and circus performances live music and sets from stand up comedians Kate Willett Kurt Weitzmann and Johan Miranda.

Croft says he's been wanting to do a show honoring Williams for a while but wanted to wait roughly six months after his passing in order to be respectful.

We didn t want to capitalize on the immediency of his death Croft says. I have really weird mixed emotions about the show . It s a sad situation.

Croft adds that the show is going to focus more on celebrating and less on mourning.

We are going to approach it with a really celebratory kind of attitude Croft says. Williams is a Bay Area icon someone who made people laugh in so many movies.

The show will be hosted by Jamie DeWolf the host and creator of the Oakland based performance art show Tourettes Without Regrets.

The show is to celebrate who Williams was and his art and also the community behind it the inspiration he gave so many people and to continue with that spirit DeWolf says. It s a celebration of his irrepressible sense of humor.

A large amount of the proceeds from the show will be donated to the Oakland Children s Hospital.

If you have any stories about personal Robin Williams encounters you d like to share or Williams themed art you d like to have in the show please contact Ezra at ejc.artshows gmail.com. Story and art submissions will be accepted up until the day of the show.

I don t think it s going to be depressing show DeWolf adds. It s going to be an awesome show. I think it s going to be as wacky as Williams would want.

The show will be held this Saturday January 3 at Public Works from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Admission will be $10 before 9 30 p.m. and $15 after. Visit the event page on Facebook for more info about the show.

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U of L falls to UGA in Belk Bowl 37 14

Louisville's Brandon Radcliff looks for running room in the first half during the 2014 Belk Bowl in Charlotte North Carolina Tuesday evening. Dec. 30 2014 By Matt Stone/The Courier Journal

CHARLOTTE N.C. Something was wrong Tuesday night and Keith Kelsey noticed.

The University of Louisville football team had packed its nine wins and its heralded defense and its us against the world mentality and traveled to Charlotte to the 2014 Belk Bowl against the University of Georgia.

But when the 20th ranked Cardinals took the field here at Bank of America Stadium things that had come so naturally to them all season somehow seemed harder.

They dropped interceptions. They jumped offside on a critical fourth down play. They couldn't get their substitutions into the game at the right times.

Petrino talks about the Cardinal's 37 14 loss to Georgia his first bowl game since returning to Louisville. Video by Matt Stone The Courier Journal

The tumbles led to a 37 14 thumping at the hands of UGA Louisville's most lopsided loss since Oct. 24 2009.

Those are plays we'd usually been making all year said Kelsey a linebacker who was Louisville's second leading tackler this season.

We just let them off the hook.

It didn't help that Georgia (10 3) had freshman running back Nick Chubb whose 266 rushing yards set a bowl game record for UGA and made it awfully tough for U of L to get any traction after tying the game at 7 7 in the first quarter.

Chubb took 33 carries and averaged 8.1 yards per attempt bullying his way to two touchdowns and setting another record with a Belk Bowl best 82 yard run in the third quarter that set up Sony Michel's 2 yard scoring sprint.

MORE Sullivan Petrino has credible first season back

MORE Game Rewind UGA Chubb rout U of L

MORE Mauldin adds another forced fumble

His rushing total surpassed that of every team Louisville faced this season and he alone was responsible for the most rushing yards allowed by U of L since a 2012 loss at Syracuse.

Nick Chubb is a good running back Louisville linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin said. He likes to break tackles and get yardage after contact. He reminds me of (Miami running back) Duke Johnson.

But like Kelsey said U of L (9 4) just seemed off on Tuesday night. The Cards held Johnson to 90 yards in the season opener and 45 of Johnson's yards came from two runs. Louisville did a bunch of simple things to keep Johnson in check shedding blocks and corralling him toward the middle of the field.

Louisville LB Keith Kelsey We let Georgia off the hook

They had no such luck against Chubb.

He's hard to tackle and he's got great vision U of L coach Bobby Petrino said. There were a number of times where we had guys there to make the play and he just made them miss or ran over them. It was a tremendous performance by him.

COURIER JOURNAL

Belk Bowl live blog Louisville Georgia football updates

As Chubb ran wild Louisville's offense couldn't stay on the field for sustained stretches.

The Cardinals scored on their second drive of the game marching through 84 yards in nine plays. Surprise starting quarterback Kyle Bolin whistled a perfectly placed 11 yard touchdown pass to Gerald Christian in the back of the end zone.

From there Louisville's drive chart looked like an offensive coach's worst nightmare Punt punt interception turnover on downs punt interception punt touchdown interception punt.

We never really got any consistency and we weren't able to get into a rhythm Petrino said.

Perhaps some of Louisville's rhythmic challenges came from a predetermined coaching decision to insert freshman quarterback Reggie Bonnafon into the game for U of L's fourth and fifth series.

Bolin's first time out didn't go so well he was 1 for 3 for three yards. But his second drive the one capped by the Christian touchdown seemed to give the redshirt freshman some mojo. He was 4 of 5 for 58 yards and even though Louisville punted on its next possession Bolin said he'd begun to feel comfortable.

Sometimes it hurts coming out and getting cold but Reggie's a great player and he deserved to go in there and get an opportunity to play Bolin said.

Petrino said both quarterbacks knew the plan coming into the game and should've been prepared for the swap. But Bonnafon was just 1 for 3 for 14 yards and an interception and Bolin never rediscovered his moxie.

COURIER JOURNAL

Video Georgia Coach Mark Richt on win over Louisville

It just didn't work out the way we would have liked to see have seen it Petrino said.

Looking at the postgame box score it's fair to think Louisville could've won Tuesday's bowl game had it avoided all those miscues.

Star wideout DeVante Parker had eight catches for 120 yards. Running back Brandon Radcliff hustled his way to 89 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Even Bolin who'd only played two and a half quarters all season threw for 300 yards and a touchdown.

But three interceptions between Bolin and Bonnafon plus two dropped interceptions and seven painful penalties from the defense did the Cardinals in.

Last SlideNext Slide

They'd come here to Charlotte hoping to unravel another brand name opponent in a bowl game. They'd already stunned Florida in the Sugar Bowl and bulldozed Miami in the Russell Athletic Bowl in the past seasons.

They weren't perfect in either of those games and they didn't have to be here at the Belk Bowl but they limited mistakes and made big plays to separate themselves from their opponents.

Georgia was the team that did all those things on Tuesday. The Bulldogs had 15 plays go for 10 or more yards. They converted 12 of their 18 third down conversion attempts and they won the turnover battle.

They did everything Louisville expected to do. They did everything Louisville had (mostly) done in its nine wins this season.

And they left Charlotte with a 23 point win over a stunned U of L team that must regroup after graduating some of the successful players in program history.

We should've never gone down like that Radcliff said. This whole offseason this'll motivate the team. If not there's something wrong with you.

Reach U of L beat writer Jeff Greer at (502) 582 4044 and follow him on Twitter ( jeffgreer_cj).

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See Bruce Springsteen Lady Gaga Bruno Mars Honor Sting at Kennedy Center

By Kory Grow December 31 2014

Sting waved his fists victoriously in the air and grinned from ear to ear when Bruce Springsteen took the stage to pay tribute to the former Policeman at this year's Kennedy Center Honors broadcast Tuesday night. The other honorees of the evening were Al Green Tom Hanks Lily Tomlin and ballerina Patricia McBride. Springsteen put a gritty spin on I Hung My Head Sting's tale of manslaughter and guilt that first appeared on his 1996 album Mercury Falling and was later covered by Johnny Cash. When the E Street Band frontman played a rapid fire solo just before a gospel choir came out to sing along Sting just closed his eyes.

Lady Gaga toasted Sting as well singing and playing piano for a performance of If I Ever Lose My Faith in You off the honoree's 1993 album Ten Summoner's Tales. The platinum wigged singer gave the song's middle section some extra bluesy growl after which Sting wore a blank expression that looked neither happy nor displeased as if he were holding back his emotions. But when she announced Ladies and gentlemen Sting toward the end of her performance he couldn't hold back a laugh.

Another singer who got Sting to break his steely Britishness was Bruno Mars who performed two Police songs So Lonely and Message in a Bottle. The singer gave the former song a reverent performance that didn't stray far from the original's rocky skank. For the latter Mars put down the guitar for some impassioned Oh yeahs and welcomed a crew of backup singers the cast of Sting's Broadway musical The Last Ship which drove Sting to tears. By that point even Steven Spielberg and President Obama were singing along. Gaga Herbie Hancock and Esperanza Spalding (the latter two of whom played Sting's Fragile earlier) came out and joined Mars onstage and Meryl Streep and Springsteen came out and joined them for the finale.

Elsewhere in the broadcast Jennifer Hudson paid tribute to Green with a soulful rendition of Simply Beautiful which drew a smile from the singer. Mavis Staples and Sam Moore sang Take Me to the River to each other while Usher snapped his way through Green's enduring hit Let's Stay Together. The latter performance got the audience up and dancing including the Obamas and the evening's other honorees.

The Kennedy Center celebrates five extraordinary individuals who have spent their lives elevating the cultural vibrancy of our nation and the world Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein said in a statement prior to the event. Of the two musical honorees he said Al Green's iconic voice stirs our souls in a style that is all his own Sting's unique voice and memorable songwriting have entertained audiences for decades.

Sting previously performed Springsteen's The Rising at the event in 2009 when the E Street Bandleader was honored. Last year's musical Kennedy Center Honors recipients included Hancock Billy Joel and Carlos Santana.

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Giada De Laurentiis Announces Split From Husband Todd Thompson

Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis and husband Todd Thompson are calling it quits.

De Laurentiis announced her split from Thompson after 11 years of marriage in a Facebook post Monday night. They separated over the summer and have decided to end their union.

She also tweeted a thank you to her 1 million Twitter followers.

Thanks so much for your support in this time of change... http //t.co/X4tyQqLjAr

Giada De Laurentiis ( GDeLaurentiis) December 30 2014

The 44 year old met the fashion designer when she was in college and the two married in 2003. In 2008 they welcomed daughter Jade now 6.

Last year in an interview with Parade magazine De Laurentiis credited Thompson with helping her balance parenthood and her career.

I thought for sure when I had my daughter this career would have not gone away completely but slowed way way down. I didn t think that I could do as much as I do. And truly I can only do that because I have a great husband who really does support me and is able to get Jade up and the morning and put her to bed at night even with a full time job of his own she said. I guess I never realized what a true partnership was until now and I ve been with my husband for 22 years It wasn t until Jade came along that we really started juggling all of these pieces. That s been the biggest surprise.

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Notre Dame Football Finds New Offensive Identity in Bowl Victory

5 Excuses NFL Teams Have About Mark Helfrich

December 31 2014 by Alex Drude

Several NFL teams are looking for a coach but Oregon s Mark Helfrich won t be hotly pursued this year by the league because of five major objections that turn out to be ridiculous. Read More

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Transgender teen Leelah Alcorn My death needs to mean something

Early Sunday 17 year old Leelah Alcorn died after being hit by a tractor trailer while walking along a stretch of Interstate 71 near her Ohio hometown.

The death was eventually ruled a suicide after a pair of social media posts which the Kings Mill woman posted on the blogging site Tumblr garnered notice and served as a flashpoint for transgender progress in 2014.

Continue reading below

Alcorn s suicide note which she scheduled for posthumous posting explained how she reached the breaking point At 14 she came out to her parents as transgender and they reacted by taking her to conversion therapy and cutting her off from social media. After protracted periods where she felt isolated and depressed she wrote I realized that my parents would never come around and that I would have to wait until I was 18 to start any sort of transitioning treatment which absolutely broke my heart.

Alcorn s passionate post which talked about the despair she felt and her hopes for a more inclusive future had been reposted nearly 200 000 times on Tumblr as of Wednesday morning.

In a subsequent note Alcorn addressed her friends with a particularly sharp rebuke to her parents. You just can t control people like that she said. That s messed up. Shortly after her death Alcorn s mother Carla posted a short note to Facebook identifying Alcorn as Joshua (her name at birth) and with male pronouns it has since been deleted and her account has been made private.

Continue reading it below

Video blogger shares his transgender journey

A pioneer in the transgender movement Acton native Skylar Kergil reached out across the globe via YouTube.

In the wake of Alcorn s suicide note being made public hashtags containing her name circulated widely on Twitter as did more general awareness ones like protecttranskids.

The closing lines of Alcorn s suicide note Gender needs to be taught about in schools the earlier the better. My death needs to mean something. .... Fix society. Please. are a sobering coda to a year where transgender issues were treated with more gravity than in years past.

Orange Is The New Black actress Laverne Cox and Against Me lead singer Laura Jane Grace both took the pop culture spotlight for their groundbreaking work and their matter of fact presentation of themselves as transgender. But writer Parker Marie Molloy told the Globe by e mail there s still a long way to go as far as true acceptance.

I ve learned to be cautiously optimistic about these types of things said Molloy a Chicago based journalist who frequently writes about transgender issues. For example The New York Times declared 2010 The Year of the Transsexual. This year Time proclaimed that we ve reached a transgender tipping point. ... Declaring a tipping point is great for raising trans awareness but it makes it far too easy to ignore the struggles such as healthcare discrimination poverty unemployment and increased risk of becoming the victims of violent crimes.

The formation of gender identity during adolescence is also one of those struggles as Molloy notes and as Alcorn s death illustrates.

Trans kids need love and acceptance for who they are said Molloy. A 2011 National Center for Transgender Equality/National LGBT Task Force study found that trans children who are rejected by their families are 60 percent more likely to attempt suicide at some point during their lives compared to children who were welcomed with open arms and the type of unconditional love parents typically afford their children. Simply put the single most important resource a trans child can have is a loving parent(s).

Alcorn s Ohio hometown is approximately 25 miles northeast of Cincinnati which this year made strides in being inclusive toward transgender individuals.

While Cincinnati led the country this past year as the first city in the Midwest to include transgender inclusive health benefits and we have included gender identity or expression as a protected class for many years Cincinnati City Council member Chris Seelbach wrote in a response to Alcorn s death on Facebook the truth is ... it is still extremely difficult to be a transgender young person in this country. We have to do better.

Related

Video blogger shares his transgender journey

Transgender employees get new US protection

Teaching kids what it means to be transgender

Led by the child who simply knew

Simmons College welcomes transgender students

Camp unites transgender kids on outskirts

Advocates push for transgender rights in military

Maura Johnston can be reached at maura.johnston globe.com. Follow her on Twitter maura.

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Christine Cavanaugh Utah native and voice of Babe dies at 51

When Babe was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture Cavanaugh attended the 1996 Oscars ceremony carrying a jeweled pig shaped pink handbag designed by Judith Leiber.

Cavanaugh was born Christine Josephine Sandberg on Aug. 16 1963 in Layton Utah to Waldo and Rheta Sandberg. She was raised by her mamma Margaret Sandberg. When Christine was 15 Margaret died and Christine was taken in by Kirt and Linda Johnson who she considered her parents for the rest of her life according to a paid obituary written by her family.

Christine graduated from Layton High School in 1981 and attended Utah State University before transferring to the University of Hawaii. That s where she met her future husband Keith James Cavanaugh. They married in 1985 and later divorced.

Cavanaugh s acting career began in 1988. Her big break came when she voiced the role of Gosalyn Waddlemeyer Mallard on Disney s TV series Darkwing Duck.

Her other voice credits included The Critic Aaahh Real Monsters and Sonic the Hedgehog. Her on camera roles included guest spots on ER Everybody Loves Raymond and Cheers and a role in the 1996 movie Jerry Maguire.

Cavanaugh retired from acting in 2001 and moved back to Utah to be closer to her family.

She is survived by her adopted father Kirt Johnson and his wife Paula Thompson in Cedar City siblings Deionn Masock and Kirtis Johnson six half siblings and numerous nieces and nephews.

According to her paid obituary the family conducted a memorial stone cemetery on Antelope Island one of Cavanaugh s favorite places.

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Jeremy Renner Wife Sonni Pacheco Split After 10 Months

Jeremy Renner and his wife Sonni Pacheco have split after secretly marrying ten months ago TMZ reports.

The divorce documents filed earlier this month by Sonni cite irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split and there s some surprising information listed in the documents as well.

Sonni is demanding that Jeremy return her stolen passport birth certificate and social security card. Sonni also says a prenup is in place but should be invalid because of fraud.

She wants spousal support and custody of their 1 year old daughter Ava. She also wants him to pay her rent and moving expenses.

Jeremy and Sonni didn t reveal their marriage until September of this year.

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Google looks back at 2014 trending topics with New Years Eve 2014 Google ...

The doodle playfully pays tribute to Flappy Bird the simple but addictive game which became a global sensation.

It then acknowledges the football World Cup in Brazil which was the highest trending search in the UK and the second highest globally.

Finally the moving graphic pays testament to the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge craze and the Philae Lander which became the first spacecraft to successfully land on a comet in November.

Robin Williams was the most searched for trend worldwide in 2014 after the American star sadly committed suicide in August.

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The year we said goodbye to Peaches Geldof Robin Williams and Philip ...

Some were young some were older but all left a legacy within their respective field.

Among the more shocking were the deaths of Robin Williams Peaches Geldof and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Hoffman and Geldof both died of drug related causes while Williams took his own life in August following a long term battle with depression. The news left Hollywood reeling and prompted a wider discussion about issues surrounding mental health.

In the literature world Adrian Mole author Sue Townsend died in April after a short illness followed by Nobel Prize winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez who passed away the same month aged 87. Maya Angelou who was celebrated for her book I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings died in May with Barack Obama hailing her as one of the brightest lights of our time .

Bob Hoskins Joan Rivers Lauren Bacall Lynda Bellingham and Richard Attenborough were all remembered in the entertainment world after their passings this year. Rik Mayall s sudden death in June prompted a slew of tributes led by David Walliams and Stephen Fry.

In music we remembered Acker Bilk Joe Cocker Rolling Stones guitarist Bobby Keyes Primal Scream guitarist Robert Young and Tommy Ramone the last surviving founder and drummer of the seminal punk band.

The death of 25 year old cricketer Phil Hughes prompted international condolences after the sportsman died from a serious head injury on 27 November. The sports arena also said goodbye to Argentinian footballer Franco Nieto who died after being struck on the head with a stone in a hooligan attack in December aged 33 and South African captain and goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa who was shot dead while trying to protect his pop star girlfriend Kelly Khumalo from intruders at her home. Tennis player Elena Baltacha also passed away aged 30 after being diagnosed with liver cancer in January.

The political world paid tribute to Lord Barnett Tony Benn Ian Paisley and Ariel Sharon who all died this year. Barack Obama praised Sharon for dedicating his life to the State of Israel .

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Flappy Bird cheats top google searches for Mississippi in 2014

HATTIESBURG MS (WDAM)

According to BGR.com cheating was on the brain for Mississippians in 2014.

Cheating at the game Flappy Bird that is.

According to a graphic by BGR.com the most googled topic for Mississippi in 2014 was Flappy Bird cheats. The graphic shows the entire nation and the most popular topics people and events each state googled more than any other.

The list for Mississippi searches also included the recording artist Ciara and whether or not she was pregnant.

Other popular searches for the state included Cee Lo Green Robin Thicke Raven Symone and The Ultimate Warrior James Brian Hellwig.

Check out the graphic to see what the rest of the nation googled in the year 2014.

See the graphic here.

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Happy New Year Now Look Back At The Most Popular Stories Of 2014

i i

The story of Peggy and John Fugelsang's wedding was one of the most popular on NPR.org. Courtesy of John Fugelsang hide caption

itoggle caption Courtesy of John Fugelsang

The story of Peggy and John Fugelsang's wedding was one of the most popular on NPR.org.

Courtesy of John Fugelsang

With a few hours left before we turn the page on 2014 we decided to get nostalgic.

We ran numbers we swear we only do this once a year to reveal what the NPR.org audience most appreciated.

Here are three top 10 lists using different metrics.

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Happy New Years Sayings Greetings Wishes Quotes

It s New Year s Eve so get your Happy New Year greetings ready. If you re looking for the best New Year s quotes to use in decorating your NYE party favors or you want to wish your loved ones a Happy New Year check out all these sayings greetings wishes and quotations for the holiday.

Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one. Brad Paisley American singer songwriter and musician

New Year s Eve where auld acquaintance be forgot. Unless of course those tests come back positive. Jay Leno

Out with the old in with the new may you be happy the whole year through. Happy New Year

I hope that in this year to come you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes then you are making new things trying new things learning living pushing yourself changing yourself changing your world. You re doing things you ve never done before and more importantly you re Doing Something. So that s my wish for you and all of us and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious amazing mistakes. Make your mistakes next year and forever. Neil Gaiman

Many people look forward to the New Year for a new start on old habits. Anonymous

Leave behind the demons of the past and look forward to a brand new start in 2015. Happy New Year

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. Oprah Winfrey

Learn from yesterday live for today hope for tomorrow. Albert Einstein

As I think about our friendship and how happy it has made me I want to wish you happiness in the year to come.

I had a New Year s kiss once. But it was like Let s start the year off together and then we wound up breaking up the night after Joe Jonas

Be at war with your vices at peace with your neighbors and let every new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin Founding Father of America

What you do for Jewish New Year is you go down to Times Square It s a lot quieter than the regular New Year. It s just a few Jews walking around going sup John Stewart

New Year is the time to remember all the memories we share all the fun things we did and all the secrets we poured out for distance is the last thing that can create a rift in our friendship.

This year my New Year s resolution was to stop saying Seacrest out after I ejaculate. Zach Galifianakis

My New Year s Resolution List usually starts with the desire to lose between ten and three thousand pounds. Nia Vardalos

On the road to success the rule is always to look ahead. May you reach your destination. May your journey be wonderful. Happy New Year.

Lauren Weigle is Heavy's celebrity editor. She has an extensive background in entertainment fashion PR lifestyle and journalism. Reach her at Lauren heavy.com. December 31 2014 12 55 pm

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Profiles of some of the victims of AirAsia Flight 8501

Dec. 31 2014 Haidar Fauzie 60 holds up a picture of his daughter Khairunnisa Haidar 22 who was a flight attendant on AirAsia Flight 8501 at Juanda International Airport in Surabaya Indonesia. (AP Photo/Eileen Ng)

SURABAYA Indonesia For many it was a family trip to Singapore to ring in the new year a chance to go shopping and enjoy the city's famed restaurants. One family was going to visit their 15 year old daughter who had just begun studying at a Christian girls' school. Others were taking a familiar flight to a city they visited often for getaways.

As searchers began recovering bodies and debris from Java Sea waters relatives and loved ones recalled the stories of some of the 162 people aboard AirAsia Flight 8501 which crashed Sunday

SUDDENLY ALONE

Just 15 Chiara Natasha lost her entire family in the tragedy.

Chiara's parents and two brothers were flying to visit her in Singapore where she had just moved in early November to study on a Singapore government scholarship.

The family had sent her off from Surabaya airport less than two months ago promising to visit her to celebrate New Year's and help her settle into dormitory life at the Methodist Girls' School said her aunt Linda Patricia.

Chiara a petite teenager with long black hair had flown back to Surabaya herself on Sunday the day Flight 8501 went missing and waited at the airport Monday and Tuesday for clues about the plane praying hard that her family had survived.

News that some wreckage from the plane had been spotted and six bodies retrieved left Chiara in shock and she kept crying when relatives tried to console her her aunt said. Chiara didn't come to the airport on Wednesday.

Her older brother Nico Giovanni 17 has been studying in Singapore since last year. He had returned to Surabaya for year end holidays and was due to start his new term at the St. Andrew's Junior College said Linda who has been with her niece since her return.

Chiara's father Herumanto Tanus was a 46 year old accountant and Linda's youngest brother. Her mother Indahju Liongsih was a homemaker.

Chiara's younger brother Justin Giovanni was 9. Many Indonesians use one or two names but no family name.

We are all heartbroken and Chiara still finds it hard to accept her family members' deaths Linda said. I am thankful that the plane has been found. My only hope is that all their bodies will be found and evacuated no matter what the condition is so that we can have a proper closure.

She said Chiara has agreed to eventually return to Singapore to study as she didn't want to disappoint her parents.

In Singapore is her future Linda said.

LIVING HER DREAM

Khairunnisa Haidar 22 had always dreamed of becoming a flight attendant.

We couldn't have stopped her said her 60 year old father Haidar Fauzie. From the start we already know the risks associated with flying.

His wife cried hysterically when they heard the flight had gone missing.

They had been looking forward to their only daughter's return on Jan. 6.

Haidar said they had visited her apartment in Surabaya earlier and found that she had packed everything neatly in anticipation of her holiday back in Palembang on the island of Sumatra and also had booked her ticket home.

She had asked my wife to make her favorite fruit pudding and a local vegetable samosa filled with carrots potatoes and eggs he said. He showed a photo of his daughter on his mobile phone posing in her red AirAsia uniform in an aircraft. She is a filial beautiful and smart daughter. It is a painful loss.

Haidar said he was thankful for support from the airline and the government.

It is a natural disaster. Nobody is to be blamed he said. AirAsia is still the best.

He was calm about his loss. We accept God's will. She belongs to the Almighty. We will see her again one day he said with a smile.

MY ONLY SON

The tragedy appears to have hit Surabaya's Christian community particularly hard.

Pastor Philip Mantofa of the Mawar Sharon Church in Surabaya was shocked to discover that 41 of the 162 passengers and crew were members of his church. He said it was it not unusual for many members to travel to Singapore for holidays.

More than 100 people gathered as Mantofa led a service of prayers and songs Wednesday at the Surabaya airport.

Some things do not make sense to us but God is bigger than all this he said.

Counselors from the church hugged and prayed for relatives including Linca Gonimasela who lost her 13 year old son Adrian Fernando.

It was supposed to be a fun trip to Singapore with his aunt uncle and their 3 year old daughter. All four were aboard the plane. Linca couldn't go on the trip as she had to work.

He is my only son she said. At first he didn't want to go but later on he was persuaded to join them for the New Year holidays.

A FAVORITE FAMILY TRIP

Charly Gunawan a jovial textile businessman in his late 40s was traveling with his wife three children his daughter's fiance and the fiance's mother a group of seven.

His family frequently flew to Singapore for vacations and he had planned the trip as a special family trip for New Year's according to his brother Ifan Joko.

As work got busy toward year's end Gunawan considered skipping the trip but in the end decided to stick with the family holiday.

I know the plane has crashed but I'm still praying they are alive Ifan said. As long as their bodies are not found who knows

Gunawan liked to crack jokes had many friends and often donated sacks of rejected clothing to the poor and needy said a friend Nasaruddin.

He is a good man Ifan said.

COMMUNITY MAN

Capt. Iryanto flew F 16 fighter jets in the Indonesian air force before becoming a commercial airline pilot. He had more than 20 000 flying hours under his belt of which 6 100 were with AirAsia on the Airbus 320.

Papa come home I still need you Angela Anggi Ranastianis the pilot's 22 year old daughter pleaded on the Path social networking service late Sunday which was widely quoted by Indonesian media. Bring back my papa. Papa please come home.

He was also respected in his community which had appointed him neighborhood chief the last two years said Bagianto Djoyonegoro a friend and neighbor.

At Iryanto's house in the East Java town of Sidoarjo neighbors relatives and friends gathered earlier in the week to pray and recite the Quran to support the distraught family. Their desperate cries were so loud they could sometimes be heard outside where three LCD televisions had been set up to monitor the search for the plane.

A MOTHER DAUGHTER OUTING

Just a week before the flight accountant Lina Soetanto 24 had surprised her mother Ang Mie Jong with vases of beautiful white roses for her 52nd birthday.

Ang suffered shoulder pain for months while Lina had a painful urinary tract infection Ang's best friend Susilowati said.

They planned to go for medical check ups at Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospital and had saved up for the trip she said. Ang had brought her 12 year old niece Thurza Aureliza along with her for the trip.

Indonesia is crying said Pastor Hanny Lawantara of the Happy Family Center Church which Lina attended.

SUCCESSFUL CAREER SHIFT

Throughout his career as an engineer for the energy company Total Remi Plesel wanted to fly.

So a few years ago the Frenchman quit his job and learned to do just that.

He got a job with AirAsia and at the time of the accident he had earned 2 275 flying hours. He had been living in Indonesia three years his sister Renee told France's RTL radio. She last had contact with him on Dec. 26.

Aviation was his passion and he was able to make it real she said. He told me that things were going well that he'd had a good Christmas. He was happy. The rains were starting the weather was bad it was raining a lot. He was going to work the next day.

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See Bruce Springsteen Lady Gaga Bruno Mars Honor Sting at Kennedy Center

By Kory Grow December 31 2014

Lady Gaga toasted Sting as well singing and playing piano for a performance of If I Ever Lose My Faith in You off the honoree's 1993 album Ten Summoner's Tales. The platinum wigged singer gave the song's middle section some extra bluesy growl after which Sting wore a blank expression that looked neither happy nor displeased. But when she announced Ladies and gentlemen Sting toward the end of her performance he couldn't hold back a laugh.

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The year we said goodbye to Peaches Geldof Robin Williams and Philip ...

Some were young some were older but all left a legacy within their respective field.

The political world paid tribute to Lord Barnett Tony Benn Ian Paisley and Ariel Sharon who all died this year. Barack Obama praised Sharon for dedicating his life to the State of Israel .

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Flappy Bird cheats top google searches for Mississippi in 2014

HATTIESBURG MS (WDAM)

According to BGR.com cheating was on the brain for Mississippians in 2014.

Cheating at the game Flappy Bird that is.

The list for Mississippi searches also included the recording artist Ciara and whether or not she was pregnant.

Other popular searches for the state included Cee Lo Green Robin Thicke Raven Symone and The Ultimate Warrior James Brian Hellwig.

Check out the graphic to see what the rest of the nation googled in the year 2014.

See the graphic here.

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AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl Three thoughts

Charlie Strong s team stumbled to the finish line.

After looking like an improved team during a late season stretch of four wins in five games Texas disappeared in its final two games a pair of humiliating losses to TCU and Arkansas. UT s 31 7 loss Monday night in the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl at the hands of the Razorbacks sends the program into the offseason searching for hope.

Here are three thoughts on the Longhorns' Texas Bowl loss

Happy New Year Sydney starts 2015 with spectacular firework display over ...

Fiji and New Zealand welcomed 2015 with fireworks and celebrations at 11am GMT followed by AustraliaNew Years Eve celebrations have begun around the globe with thousands gathering in SydneyDisplay in the Sydney Harbour featured seven tonnes of fireworks and is thought to have attracted 1.6millionBeijing will celebrate with an event in the Olympic Park to highlight its bid to host the 2022 Winter OlympicsHundreds gathered in Hogamanay Scotland for a New Years Eve eve party on Tuesday night

By Sara Malm for MailOnline

Published 05 19 EST 31 December 2014 Updated 11 52 EST 31 December 2014

View comments

One should start the new year as one wishes to continue it and these two Sydney locals made sure that 2015 will be a year of love.

Demi Bryant 22 and James Hundt 28 celebrated the beginning of the New Year atop a high rise overlooking the iconic Sydney Harbour display which featured seven tonnes of fireworks.

An estimated 1.6million people turned up to watch more than 10 000 aerial fireworks 25 000 shooting comets and 100 000 pyrotechnic effects on show during this year's New Year's Eve display over Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

Scroll down for videos

Arriving in style Sydney locals Demi Bryant 22 and James Hundt 28 celebrate the beginning of the New Year atop a high rise overlooking the iconic Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks sitting on a Ford Mustang

And we're off An estimated 1.6million people gathered on the shores of the Sydney Harbour for the midnight fireworks show

Heavy artillery This image shows just some of the seven tonnes of fireworks that were set off around midnight in Sydney

Nearly there Thousands of people watched the fireworks in Sydney from some 50 vessels in the water

Happy New Year The midnight show over Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House welcomes 2015

What a way to go Sydney and Australia say goodbye to 2014 as the new year rolls in across the globe

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Hundreds of umbrellas and tents began popping up on Sydney's Blues Point early Wednesday morning as people settled in to wait for the symphonic light display with huge queues forming overnight to secure a prominent view.

While much of the evening was dedicated to celebrating floral tributes to Martin Place siege victims Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson were on display amid the evening's fireworks.

Let the party begin Massive crowds jostle for the best... Cheers More partygoers to celebrate New Year's Eve with... Times Square tightens security ahead of New Year s Eve ... Infographic reveals Birmingham is the cheapest city for a... Here comes 2015 Scotland's build up to Hogmanay party goes...

'It is in memory of the two young and talented people that we lost because of that siege ' said Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.

'We remember the trauma the hostages experienced the bravery of the police and we remember the way Sydney responded as we expected an inclusive welcoming multicultural community ' he said.

Sydney Harbour will be a beacon of celebration as Australia farewells another year sending 2014 off with an extra round of fireworks. In what is believed to be a first drones will be used to live stream the fireworks as they launch from the Harbour Bridge the Opera House and several barges in the water.

Merry new years tidings Fireworks explode over Malaysia's landmark Petronas Twin Towers during New Year celebrations in Kuala Lumpur

All over the globe Fireworks explode over the Victoria Harbour as Hong Kong celebrates the arrival of 2015

Konnichiwa 2015 Some 2 000 people release balloons beside the Tokyo Tower to celebrate the New Year in the Japanese capital

People are gathered as fireworks explode over the Yokohama port during new year celebrations in Yokohama near Tokyo

Worldwide cheer Hundreds of South Koreans gather to celebrate the New Year at the Imjingak Pavilion near the border village of Panmunjom which has separated the two Koreas since the Korean War in Paju north of Seoul

Moment of peace Buddhists light candles during New Year celebrations at Jogye Buddhist temple in Seoul South Korea

Silent prayer A woman prays during New Year celebrations at Jogye Buddhist temple in Seoul

Religious holiday Buddhist monks and believers pray during a ceremony to celebrate the new year at Bongeun Buddhist temple in Seoul

First up A grand fireworks display lit up the sky at the stroke of midnight in Wellington New Zealand

One down New Zealand along with Fiji was among the first nations to welcome the new year at 11am GMT

More joy Fireworks were set off from the top of the Sky Tower to welcome the New Year in Auckland New Zealand

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Local news reporter warms up by rapping Alphabet Aerobics

Watch video

Shocking moment woman repeatedly runs over her neighbour

Watch video

The shocking moment off duty cop slams woman into car

Watch video

Ndamukong Suh steps on Aaron Rodgers' ankle

Smashing show More than 10 000 aerial fireworks 25 000 shooting comets and 100 000 pyrotechnic effects are expected to be used

For the world Drones will be used to live stream the fireworks as they launch from the Harbour Bridge the Opera House and several barges

Honuring those lost Tributes to the Martin Place siege victims are planned amid the evening's fireworks in the harbour

more videos Watch video

Indonesian TV shows images of a body floating in the Java...

Watch video

Mayhem in Dollar Store Moment 10 year old goes on a rampage

Watch video

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Indonesian television shows debris floating in the Java sea

Watch video

Moment man pulls world's longest ingrown HAIR from his face

Watch video

Horrific moment bullied teen suffocates after collapsing in...

Watch video

ON BOARD flight VS43 during petrifying emergency landing

Watch video

Local news reporter warms up by rapping Alphabet Aerobics

Watch video

Shocking moment woman repeatedly runs over her neighbour

Watch video

The shocking moment off duty cop slams woman into car

Watch video

Ndamukong Suh steps on Aaron Rodgers' ankle

In the Chinese capital Beijing eight hours ahead of London an event will be held in the Olympic Park designed to highlight the capital's bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Skaters will perform and Olympic medalist figure skater Zhao Hongbo Paralympics gold medalist swimmer Yang Yang and pianist Lang Lang will appear.

Japan prepared for 'osechi ryori' the country's biggest traditional holiday on New Year's Day. At midnight temple bells will strike 108 times the number of evils or temptations as defined by Buddhism.

There will be fireworks and bonfires around the nation as millions of people flock to neighborhood temples and shrines to pray for health and happiness.

In Rio De Janeiro two hours behind London and Greenwich Mean Time more than 1million people are expected to flock on Copacabana beach where two dozen artists and DJs will perform on three stages. Tourists and locals routinely party until dawn on the beach staying awake to watch the tropical sun rise for the first time in 2015.

A massive fireworks display blasted from boats in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean will light the sky over the crowd which traditionally dresses in all white a Brazilian New Year tradition to bring purification and a peaceful year.

Another tradition calls for partygoers to enter the sea up to their knees and jump over seven waves shortly after the New Year begins for luck.

Europe get ready A visitor writes '2015' with a light pen in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris France ahead of the new year

Incoming 2015 is written in the air with a sparkler at the frozen Mana River in the Taiga district outside Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk

Anniversary A floating installation of 25 000 wishing spheres line Marina Bay Singapore as the sovereign city state prepares to celebrate its golden jubilee of 50 years of independence from Malaysia in 2015

Annual display in the Sydney Harbour will feature seven tonnes of fireworks and is expected to attract 1.6million

The harbour is expected to dazzle as 50 vessels carrying over 8 000 people erupt in light shortly after the first round of fireworks at 9pm

Thousands of people have already started the festivities on Wednesday morning streaming into Sydney's CBD in anticipation of the evening's spectacular fireworks

New Year's Eve celebrations have already started across North America with New York's traditional crystal ball already in place in Times Square.

The Waterford crystal ball will drop at midnight in a tradition being increasingly copied across the United States with twists celebrating local icons. Las Cruces New Mexico is spicing up New Year's Eve with its first chili drop. In Miami a 10 meter (35 foot) neon orange will light up while Atlanta and Nashville Tennessee will drop a peach and a musical note respectively.

Flagstaff Arizona celebrates with a 2 meter (6 foot) pine cone that drops from a downtown hotel. Nearby Prescott drops a 2 meter (6 foot) spurred cowboy boot in a nod to its western culture.

On Lake Erie in Port Clinton Ohio the community will carry on its tradition of dropping a 270 kilogram (600 pound) walleye made of wood and fiberglass.

Michigan's Upper Peninsula will ring in 2015 with a nod to its mining history with a replica of a pasty a baked pastry filled with meat and potatoes traditionally associated with Cornwall in the UK to drop in Escanaba one of the remote region's largest cities. The meal was popular by miners who immigrated to Michigan decades ago.

In Scotland celebrations have been underway since Tuesday night when Edinburgh kicked off the Hogmanay festival which is the UK's biggest outdoor winter music festival

Large crowds are expected at the world famous street party which will see performances from Twin Atlantic Twilight Sad Eddi Reader and this year's Mercury Prize winners the Edinburgh based act Young Fathers.

The concert in the gardens is being headlined by Lily Allen who will be joined by special guests Bjorn Again and Soul II Soul. A midnight fireworks display will welcome in 2015 followed by the traditional mass rendition of Auld Lang Syne.

In London fireworks will light up the sky above the South Bank at midnight and celebrations will carry on until 12 45am with a live DJ set.

Gearing up Fireworks are set off over Calton Hill during Edinburgh's Hogmanay festival on Tuesday night

They sure know how to party Men dressed as Vikings take part in the torchlight procession as it makes its way through Edinburgh for the start of the Hogmanay celebrations on Tuesday

How they do A midnight fireworks display will welcome in 2015 followed by the traditional mass rendition of Auld Lang Syne (pictured is celebrations on Tuesday night)

Let it burn burn burn A fire surrounded by revellers in viking costumes burns on Calton Hill during Edinburgh's Hogmanay on Tuesday

Doing it big Edinburgh's Hogmanay which kicked off last night is the UK's biggest outdoor winter music festival

Don't drop the ball Workers test out the lighting on the New Year's Eve ball used in the Times Square celebration in New York

Jeffrey Straus president of Countdown Entertainment and Brent Shafer CEO of Philips North America watch the Times Square crystal ball which is illuminated with 32 256 LED lights and is made up of 2 688 Waterford crystals

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LeBron James (left knee soreness) ruled out against Atlanta Hawks

Drag this icon to your bookmark bar. Then delete your old SI.com bookmark.

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Notre Dame QB Battle Will Be College Footballs Biggest Storyline of 2015

NASHVILLE Tenn. While Brian Kelly has remained steadfast that Notre Dame football s quarterback situation in the Music City Bowl matchup with LSU was about 2014 not 2015 the future implications are now impossible to overlook.

Sure Notre Dame s 31 28 victory over the No. 23 Tigers on Tuesday shatters a four game winning streak and helps soothe some of the pains of a 59 day stretch in which the Irish didn t win a game. But the unknown future at quarterback sits squarely and solely at the forefront of the discussion surrounding the 2015 Irish and possibly even the college football season at large.

USA TODAY Sports

It s an oversimplified breakdown of the 2014 season but consider this Notre Dame ascended to No. 5 in the country with a healthy defense and Everett Golson playing at a high rate. The Irish struggled when Golson struggled and when injuries ravaged the youthful defense. So how good can the Irish be next season

We want to be national champions Irish sophomore linebacker Jaylon Smith said. When we come back from break starting in the weight room. We need our leaders to step up and we need to continue to get better.

Of Notre Dame s 22 starters against LSU 20 have eligibility remaining. The Irish will lose senior running back Cam McDaniel and senior tight end Ben Koyack. Defensively graduate student cornerback Cody Riggs is out of eligibility.

This team can be great next season Irish sophomore wide receiver Will Fuller said. As a team we re only losing a couple people. We re going to be a force to be reckoned with.

In actuality so much of that of course depends upon Notre Dame s quarterback play. In his first career start redshirt freshman Malik Zaire completed 12 of 15 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown. He added 96 rushing yards and a score on 22 carries. He didn t commit a turnover.

Golson played as well going 6 of 11 for 90 yards and tallying a six yard rush.

This really was just about this game Kelly said afterward. Playing both of them my focus was about winning this game and we ll figure out the quarterback situation in January. This was just utilizing both of their skills to get a win today.

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Before even addressing a quarterback competition it s worth asking if a two quarterback system is a viable possibility for the Irish moving forward.

I m not really sure Irish junior slot receiver C.J. Prosise said. I guess we re gonna have to see. It definitely worked out today.

Kelly is on the record as saying in a perfect world he d prefer to use one quarterback. But with two quarterbacks with different skill sets could Notre Dame survive using both Zaire and Golson in 2015

Part of playing Malik and starting him was trying to figure out how we were going to utilize him in the game and how to construct playing two quarterbacks Kelly said. So part of the making the decision to start him was to find out how we are going to move forward and effectively craft and put together a game plan for both of them.

Prosise said there aren t many drawbacks of deploying both quarterbacks even though Kelly admitted Golson profiled more as the passer and Zaire as the runner down the stretch against LSU.

Not really because Malik can still throw. Everett can still run said Prosise when asked about defenses adjusting to their roles.

An alternative is utilizing Zaire as the starting quarterback and calling on Golson in certain situations.

If Golson returns in 2015 he should be in Rees role from 2012. Reliever only in on certain passing situations. Probably best for him to go

George Dohrmann ( georgedohrmann) December 30 2014

Agree MT georgedohrmann If Golson returns he should be in Rees role from 2012. Relief in on certain passing situations. Probably best to go

Matt Fortuna ( Matt_Fortuna) December 30 2014

It s total speculation of course but that doesn t sound too appealing for Golson. It s only December but those decisions surrounding Notre Dame s quarterback quandary will be a major storyline of college football next season. Whatever happens the freshman and sophomore littered (and healthier) Irish are in a position to be vastly improved in 2015 especially if the quarterback position becomes a net positive not a net negative.

Against LSU Zaire did his job. Spearheading a run heavy offense (Notre Dame called 51 rushes against 26 passes) Zaire and the Irish piled up 263 rushing yards.

We had to have a game plan for today said Kelly when asked if Notre Dame could turn to a run based identity. We know what we have with both quarterbacks. We re going to continue to utilize Zaire s strength he s a very good runner of the football. I think it s fair to say that both of them can give us some balance in both of those areas.

Zaire said he was simply focused on being a facilitator commanding the offense and protecting the football. And in turn Notre Dame won.

NotreDame is now 16 0 under Brian Kelly when it doesn t commit a TO. Will Fuller If we re not turning the ball over no one can beat us.

Mike Monaco ( MikeMonaco_) December 31 2014

ND won because Kelly stopped trying to run HIS offense and instead ran offense ND needed to win games. Hopefully he's learned.

George Dohrmann ( georgedohrmann) December 30 2014

The fates of Zaire and Golson and Notre Dame s offensive identity are still uncertain. Is Notre Dame ready to turn to Zaire based on less than two full games of work Is Notre Dame ready to relegate Golson to backup duty Could both quarterbacks be used Will Notre Dame shift toward a run first attack Those answers could shape the college football landscape.

They re both great quarterbacks Fuller said. As long as they don t get in over their head stick with the plan and don t turn the ball over we ll be unstoppable I think.

The stakes are high.

All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Mike Monaco is a lead Notre Dame writer for Bleacher Report. Follow MikeMonaco_ on Twitter.

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Pittsburgh Ready To Celebrate First Night 2015

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) It s New Year s Eve and there will be plenty of activities Downtown as part of First Night 2015.

There are about 150 family events scheduled and it all starts at 6 p.m. with a performance by an electronic brass band called Beauty Slap.

Of course no First Night would be complete without Cheryl Capezzuti s towering puppets. They ll be part of a parade that starts at the Convention Center and makes its way through the Cultural District to the Byham Theater.

With that many activities there really is something for everybody not to mention the sparkling 1 000 pound Future of Pittsburgh ball to ring in 2015.

Joel Kennedy has had the honor of pressing the button for the past four years.

It s fun. I need to be dressed warmly and make sure everything is working beforehand because when it s show time you can t really. Not much you can do Kennedy a technician for the ball said.

The ball is made of aluminum and plastic essentially aluminum frame and plastic skin which is actually made from recycled components. Apparently there s some pop bottles in there Kennedy said. The ball also has 1 100 LED lights on the outside almost 50 strobes and over 70 dimmable internal halogen lightbulbs.

When the ball rises at midnight the public will get to see a spectacular fireworks show. If the kids come an early fireworks show is scheduled for 6 p.m.

We have the River City Brass Band at the Benedum. We have Cello Fury Texture Contemporary Dance collaborating on a wonderful piece that will take place at the Byham Theater and we have live music on the Highmark Stage also the Dollar Bank Stage Janis Burley Wilson with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust said.

Some big national acts like Nashville s Swon Brothers will be performing too.

It s our big open house for the community. We welcome everyone to come down and ring in the new year with us Burley Wilson said.

You can pick up your First Night button at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust box office for $8 in advance and $10 at the event.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are also in town tonight. As a result the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust suggests parking on the North Shore and taking the T into Downtown for free.

If you can t make it Downtown join us live tonight at 11 30 p.m. as Christine D Antonio and David Highfield help to ring in 2015 on KDKA TV

For more information visit

FirstNightPgh.org Schedule of Events Buy Your Admission Button

You May Also Be Interested In These Latest News StoriesSuspect Sought After Robbing 2 South Hills Village EmployeesMan Arrested In Connection With Monroeville Armed RobberyPittsburgh Ready To Celebrate First Night 2015Police Investigating Possible Connection Between 3 Local RobberiesJoin The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook PageStay Up To Date Follow KDKA On Twitter

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Notes Panthers carry momentum into playoffs

CHARLOTTE Head coach Ron Rivera readily admits he's glad the Panthers don't have a bye week to start the postseason.

Am I glad Yes Rivera said. Definitely.

Bye weeks haven't been good to the Panthers during Rivera's tenure. Counting last season's NFC Divisional Playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers Carolina is 0 5 after a bye week under Rivera who joked that he's often reminded of that statistic.

Postseason bye weeks afford teams rest and advancement to the next round but they can also disrupt momentum. In the Panthers' case they are excited to take the field again this weekend after winning four consecutive games to end the regular season.

I do agree with that. Being able to carry momentum into (the playoffs) is a lot better than all of the sudden you've got to pause and take a breath. Your mind wanders a little bit. It's hard to maintain that especially when you know you've got a break Rivera said.

INJURY UPDATES The Panthers suffered no significant injuries during Sunday's win over the Atlanta Falcons but there is still some concern regarding running back DeAngelo Williams (hand) and linebacker A.J. Klein (ankle) who were both inactive.

Still a little bit of concern with A.J. going forward. A little bit of concern with DeAngelo Rivera said. I expect (DeAngelo) to be out there (practicing) and expect him do the things that we need him to do.

Cornerback Josh Norman was stepped on in the fourth quarter but Rivera said he's fine. The Panthers elected to play it safe by removing him from the game.

He could have come back in Rivera said. With the situation what it was we felt we should get Melvin (White) in there. We also wanted to get Carrington Byndom some opportunities.

PRACTICE PROCEDURE Last week the Panthers practiced indoors for the first time all season. They'll do it again this week in preparation for Saturday's NFC Wild Card Playoff versus the Arizona Cardinals.

Carolina will practice at the Charlotte Convention Center tomorrow before returning to the practice fields at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday.

We are doing it for two reasons Rivera said. One is to get away from the crowd of people that will be out here (for the Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium). But two and more importantly we are going to go inside and slow the tempo down. We don't want these guys going full speed. We are going to try and take care of our guys. It'll be a toned down tempo practice.

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Happy New Year Celebrations begin in Fiji and New Zealand as 2015 starts ...

By Sara Malm for MailOnline

Published 05 19 EST 31 December 2014 Updated 10 56 EST 31 December 2014

View comments

One should start the new year as one wishes to continue it and these two Sydney locals made sure that 2015 will be a year of love.

Demi Bryant 22 and James Hundt 28 celebrated the beginning of the New Year atop a high rise overlooking the iconic Sydney Harbour display which featured seven tonnes of fireworks.

Scroll down for videos

And we're off An estimated 1.6million people gathered on the shores of the Sydney Harbour for the midnight fireworks show

Heavy artillery This image shows just some of the seven tonnes of fireworks that were set off around midnight in Sydney

Nearly there Thousands of people watched the fireworks in sydney from some 50 vessels in the water

Happy New Year The midnight show over Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House welcomes 2015

more videos Watch video

Indonesian TV shows images of a body floating in the Java...

Watch video

Mayhem in Dollar Store Moment 10 year old goes on a rampage

Watch video

Fox News host mocked for speculating over missing AsiaAir...

Watch video

16 firefighters on leave following investigation sparked by ...

Watch video

Indonesian television shows debris floating in the Java sea

Watch video

Horrific moment bullied teen suffocates after collapsing in...

Watch video

Local news reporter warms up by rapping Alphabet Aerobics

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ON BOARD flight VS43 during petrifying emergency landing

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Man pulls the world's longest ingrown hair from his face

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Big dog vs tiny bed Great Dane tries to get comfortable

What a way to go Sydney and Australia say goodbye to 2014 as the new year rolls in across the globe

Hundreds of umbrellas and tents began popped up on Sydney's Blues Point early Wednesday morning as people settled in to wait for the symphonic light display with huge queues forming overnight to secure a prominent view.

While much of the evening was dedicated to celebrating floral tributes to Martin Place siege victims Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson are planned amid the evening's fireworks.

The tribute will appear on the pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge three times on Wednesday night when seven tonnes of fireworks will be let off to illuminate the night sky.

'It is in memory of the two young and talented people that we lost because of that siege ' said Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.

'We remember the trauma the hostages experienced the bravery of the police and we remember the way Sydney responded as we expected an inclusive welcoming multicultural community ' he said.

First up A grand fireworks display lit up the sky at the stroke of midnight in Wellington New Zealand

One down New Zealand along with Fiji was among the first nations to welcome the new year at 11am GMT

More joy Fireworks were set off from the top of the Sky Tower to welcome the New Year in Auckland New Zealand

more videos Watch video

Indonesian TV shows images of a body floating in the Java...

Watch video

Mayhem in Dollar Store Moment 10 year old goes on a rampage

Watch video

Fox News host mocked for speculating over missing AsiaAir...

Watch video

16 firefighters on leave following investigation sparked by ...

Watch video

Indonesian television shows debris floating in the Java sea

Watch video

Horrific moment bullied teen suffocates after collapsing in...

Watch video

Local news reporter warms up by rapping Alphabet Aerobics

Watch video

ON BOARD flight VS43 during petrifying emergency landing

Watch video

Man pulls the world's longest ingrown hair from his face

Watch video

Shocking moment woman repeatedly runs over her neighbour

Watch video

Ndamukong Suh steps on Aaron Rodgers' ankle

Watch video

Big dog vs tiny bed Great Dane tries to get comfortable

Smashing show More than 10 000 aerial fireworks 25 000 shooting comets and 100 000 pyrotechnic effects are expected to be used

For the world Drones will be used to live stream the fireworks as they launch from the Harbour Bridge the Opera House and several barges

Honuring those lost Tributes to the Martin Place siege victims are planned amid the evening's fireworks in the harbour

more videos Watch video

Indonesian TV shows images of a body floating in the Java...

Watch video

Mayhem in Dollar Store Moment 10 year old goes on a rampage

Watch video

Fox News host mocked for speculating over missing AsiaAir...

Watch video

16 firefighters on leave following investigation sparked by ...

Watch video

Indonesian television shows debris floating in the Java sea

Watch video

Horrific moment bullied teen suffocates after collapsing in...

Watch video

Local news reporter warms up by rapping Alphabet Aerobics

Watch video

ON BOARD flight VS43 during petrifying emergency landing

Watch video

Man pulls the world's longest ingrown hair from his face

Watch video

Shocking moment woman repeatedly runs over her neighbour

Watch video

Ndamukong Suh steps on Aaron Rodgers' ankle

Watch video

Big dog vs tiny bed Great Dane tries to get comfortable

Incoming 2015 is written in the air with a sparkler at the frozen Mana River in the Taiga district outside Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk

In the Chinese capital Beijing eight hours ahead of London an event will be held in the Olympic Park designed to highlight the capital's bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Skaters will perform and Olympic medalist figure skater Zhao Hongbo Paralympics gold medalist swimmer Yang Yang and pianist Lang Lang will appear.

There will be fireworks and bonfires around the nation as millions of people flock to neighborhood temples and shrines to pray for health and happiness.

Another tradition calls for partygoers to enter the sea up to their knees and jump over seven waves shortly after the New Year begins for luck.

Annual display in the Sydney Harbour will feature seven tonnes of fireworks and is expected to attract 1.6million

Long wait Revellers hide form the sun under umbrellas as they wait for the fireworks to start on the steps of the famous opera house

The harbour is expected to dazzle as 50 vessels carrying over 8 000 people erupt in light shortly after the first round of fireworks at 9pm

Thousands of people have already started the festivities streaming into Sydney's CBD in anticipation of the evening's spectacular fireworks