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In recent months I've been concerned with the Climate Crisis brought to my attention by the Extinction Rebellion movement. In response I started painting clouds on old roof slates. The slates came from the roof of my north London house, where they have sheltered me and my family for decades. Their worn surface holds the imprint of the London weather, the climate that is now changing so quickly. I wanted to use the marks already on the surface and add my own images of cumulus clouds. The fragility of our ecosystem and air we breathe cannot be taken for granted, we need to act now to save what we cherish and don't want to loose.
I have recently spent time in Margate and love the quality of light there - especially the spectacular sunsets. I started painting the dramatic sky-scapes, noticing the wind-turbines on the horizon, but not including these in my paintings. Afterwards I thought about the elegant turbines, providing hope for the future. JMW Turner looked out at the same scene in Margate - but he didn't see the wind-turbines, or the Climate disaster in its making.
Looking through the window, I painted quick watercolour sketches to capture the colours as they changed moment by moment. Back in my studio I painted this series in oil paints on canvas and acrylic paints on carved wood.
Oil on Canvas 30 x 30cm
Oil on Canvas 30 x 30cm
Acrylic on Carved Wood 30 x 30cm
The Isle of Iona
The Bright Field is a series of paintings inspired by the RS Thomas poem (see below). I noticed the sun shining on a bright field with the trees dark in the foreground and thought of the poem and knew I wanted to paint it. Now every time I swim in Hampstead Ladies Pond I am reminded of the Bright Field as I look through the trees.
I started painting oil on canvas but my recent work has led me to carve images of trees into plywood, acrylic paint layered and chiseled, giving depth and texture.
The Bright Field
I have seen the sun break throughto illuminate a small fieldfor a while, and gone my wayand forgotten it. But that was thepearl of great price, the one field that hadtreasure in it. I realise nowthat I must give all that I haveto possess it. Life is not hurrying
on to a receding future, nor hankering afteran imagined past. It is the turningaside like Moses to the miracleof the lit bush, to a brightnessthat seemed as transitory as your youthonce, but is the eternity that awaits you.
R S Thomas
List of Paintings:
Bright Field iv - Acrylic on carved wood
Bright Field v - Acrylic on carved wood
Bright Field - Oil on Canvas
Bright Field iii - Acrylic on Wood
Resonance - Acrylic on Wood
Morning Light i
Morning Light ii
Morning Light i - work in progress
Bright Field ii - Acrylic on Wood - SOLD
Bright Field iii - Oil on Canvas - SOLD
Bright Field iv - Oil on Canvas - SOLD
Paintings and Prints are for Sale, please contact - email@example.com
Oil Paint on Canvas
I want to explore the resonance of colour and light. My work is to do with a sense of wonder in the middle of the ordinary. Walking around the streets of North London, I notice the silhouette of trees against bright sunlight, the way chimneys glow in the evening sun, the rusty red of autumn leaves in the road. I am interested in the hidden, overlooked aspect of the city. When I see the sun shining gold through a leaf it makes my heart sing. In my art practice I question what this is about, I find myself trying to capture the colour or glow that I noticed. I want to reflect back what I have seen so that the colours resonate the way they did when I noticed them. This takes me into the realm of abstract expression, but the form of trees still remains an anchor point, represented by the vertical brush-strokes.
I am struck by the way trees have a magnificent presence throughout the year. They are the lungs of our city and hold a resonance – with all the noise of life their presence is like a song.
Acrylic Paint on Fabric
"Oh what a multitude they seemed, these flowers of London Town" (Songs of Innocence, William Blake)
I regularly walk across Bunhill Fields, the ancient burial ground, where the poet William Blake lies peacefully. His 'Songs of Innocence and Experience' include a lament against child poverty -"The flowers of London Town' . These 'flowers' are his reference to street children – a subject dear to my heart.
Walking through Bunhill Fields, I take in the changing colours of the flowers first the primroses and daffodils giving way to bluebells then the explosion of leaves on the trees – this place of death giving us a breath of life. It brings together different elements that Im interested in, especially the need for green spaces and trees as the lungs of our city.
The idea for the 'Southwark Trinity - After Rublev' came about a few years ago when I attended a conference about Diversity in Church. Dr Elizabeth Henry, keynote speaker, showed an image of Rublev's 'Trinity', with 3 white angels. She commented that in most Churches even the Icons and paintings are white. The thought came to me that I could re-paint the Rublev Trinity, with black and ethnic minority angels. I asked 3 friends from St Lukes Church, West Holloway to sit for me and from these photos I created the painting 'Trinity - After Rublev' for St Lukes Church. This was borrowed by St Paul's Cathedral for their service to celebrate Black and Ethnic Minority Saints in November 2016, then by Southward Cathedral for a similar service in November 2017. Southwark Diocese then commissioned me to paint a version, using members of the Southwark Diocese. They identified 3 people from Southwark to represent - history, story and legacy, in view of the 70th anniversary of Windrush.
The 'Southwark - Trinity After Rublev' painting was blessed as an Icon in Southwark Cathedral on 6th October 2018. It will remain in the Cathedral through October, for Black History month and the Windrush Anniversary, then will be on loan to other Churches in Southwark Diocese.
My original painting - 'Trinity - After Rublev' is in St Luke's Church, West Holloway, London N7 9RE.
The third version of this painting was inspired by a week on the Isle of Iona. It is still in progress, with an image of Dora from Uganda, Methodist Minister Inderjit Bhogal and Mia from Glasgow, to represent the diversity of the Iona Community.
Acrylic paint on wood
Washing LInes:
I enjoy hanging washing out to dry - this mundane domestic chore is transformed by the sun and wind into a moment of creativity.
At 90 years old my mum still knits her love into every hat or baby shawl. She knits every day at home and takes her knitting with her wherever she goes.
My dad plays the concertina, he plays simple choruses and old hymns, fingers dancing over the keys.


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Jump is proud to be a socially-impactful company: our commitment to community means we share our skills with registered charities for cost price. It's our way of doing what we can to help those around us.
Knowing our policy on charity work, Northamptonshire Community Foundation approached us to help their client, Teamwork Trust, showcase their impact across the past 12-months.
A few hours of design and illustration later, the Teamwork Trust 2016/17 Impact Review was born:
Teamwork Trust will be handing these A5 mini-brochures out to clients and at fundraising events to showcase their work across Northamptonshire.
We were only too pleased to be able to help – and look forward to seeing their current impact in another 12 month's time.

subset: commoncrawl


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The all-new Transit is the biggest van in the range. And with a wide choice of wheelbases, cab-styles, roof-heights, engines and more, it provides you with an extensive range of options to specify your vehicle. In short, name your business, list your requirements and you'll find a Transit purpose-built for the job.
A long list of state-of-the-art technologies includes Ford SYNC with Emergency Assistance, Adaptive Cruise Control and Curve Control. All are there to make life easier and many of these systems work automatically, leaving you free to concentrate on more important things. Other technologies, such as Smart Regenerative Charging, also help make the all-new Transit's powerful new engines even more fuel-efficient. As for cargo space, how much do you need? The all-new Transit has a vast maximum load area of up to 15.1m3 and the flexibility to stow items up to 4.2m long (with standard bulkhead in place). There's also a maximum trailer plate of up to 3.5 T.
And whatever you carry, ultra-tough locks and sophisticated alarms will protect both your load and your vehicle
Every millimetre of the all-new Transit is made to help you run your business effectively, productively and cost-efficiently. The van is more capable, tough and durable than ever. While its exterior design creates a striking, contemporary image and a profile that makes the vehicle more aerodynamic, further improving fuel economy. The interior is stylish, comfortable and car-like. But this is a Transit, so it's also practical and built to last.
Urban streets, motorways, town and country roads… the all-new Transit will keep you comfortable and connected wherever work takes you. A range of innovative technologies make driving and parking easier. And in your well-equipped, stowage-filled cab you can use voice control to make and take calls on the move. So while you keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, you can do business on the move.
One, two or more passengers. Medium, Long, Long Extended and Jumbo Long Extended wheelbase. High, Medium or Low Roof. Choose an all-new Transit and you can configure a van that's almost custom built for your business.
The all-new Transit has earned its reputation for capability and flexibility. Whichever wheelbase, roof height, or cab style you go for, you're guaranteed vast cargo space and long load length. The layout of the load area is specifically designed to maximise available space. As a result there's room for up to four Europallets across the range and up to five in the L4 (Jumbo) model. Side and rear doors are designed to make it easy to load and unload your vehicle too. And while the van's efficiency can help your business make money, its low cost of ownership will help you save it
A range of new 2.2 litre TDCi diesel engines, with 6-speed transmissions, deliver high levels of power and torque along with exceptional fuel efficiency. Combined with technologies that include Smart Regenerative Charging, Acceleration Control and Auto-Start-Stop, Transit is built to save you fuel, lower your cost of ownership and maximise the return on your valuable investment
From taking the stress out of hill starts to a system that can call the emergency services for you: the All-New Transit is equipped with a long list of technologies that make life easier. The vehicle also incorporates a wide range of systems that protect you from almost every eventuality and your van (and its cargo) from even the most determined thieves


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Finding It Funny
April 29, 2014
- 110 Criminal Law
- 110XXXI Counsel
- 110XXXI(F) Arguments and Statements by Counsel
- 110k2088 Matters Not Sustained by Evidence
- 110k2091 k. Personal Knowledge, Opinion, or Belief of Counsel.
In context of entire record, prosecutor's closing argument did not improperly interject his personal opinion when he stated, "it's rare that I say this, but sometimes there are certain defenses that are truly laughable. They are funny."
Leiker v. State, 994 P.2d 917 (Wyo. 1999)


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Ark: Survival Evolved Taming Calculator
Ark: Survival Evolved Taming Calculator
17 points Utility
Usually spawn on the swamp side of the redwood is mainly where I see them
More Thylacoleo Utility Tips
775 points Utility
Thylacoleo are capable of pinning down flyers in mid-flight (anything but the Quetz and Wyvern, I believe), other Thylacoleo, and even Therizinos. You can also jump from object to object by holding down the jump button while pouncing from a tree or cliff (have to hit it at the right angle, however). Upvote to inform others!
358 points Utility
Hah, who needs kangoroos. These can jump almost 4 walls high and have so much stamina.
219 points Utility
Don't fly next to them, they will eat your bird...
168 points Utility
This dino, also has a good abilitty at harvesting pelt
155 points Utility
Climbs almost anything, great for raids but is a little buggy


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The evening was off to a spirited start even before the 18:00 start time as many eager members gathered just as the doors opened. After navigating the reception table to check in, pick up their door prize tickets and their cash or cheque returns, it was off to mingle with friends, old and new. By 19:00 the buffet tables were being loaded and folks asked to find their seats. At this time Cheryl Reid was asked to say a few words of blessing and thanks before dinner. With some help from the Commodore, the lineup for eats went smoothly and soon all were tucking into some delectable food. Many of us were very happy to see the seafood salad/antipasto make a return appearance as it was a favourite last year.
While lingering over delicious desserts, the business of handing out rewards was kicked off by Mariesa and Richard Tielen. The Friday night Beer Can race results were:
- 1st Place: Colin Bolen
- 2nd Place: Les Galicinski
- 3rd Place: Jim Robinson
Pretty good going to the Robinsons to take 3rd the first season with a new-to-them boat.
We then heard from Cheryl Reid who announced the 'Veronica's Cup' winner. This year the number of boats who tried this do-it-yourself race course was up and the winner was Les Galicinski. That man certainly knows how to get the most out of his boat!
Next on the agenda was the announcing of the recipient of the Commodore's Award, 2014. When Ron Marsh's name was announced, he received a standing ovation. It would seem the membership agreed with the choice.
An addition to the list of presentations was next. Pat and Frank Belchamber presented Mariesa and Richard Tielen with a mysterious box to open. When all was uncovered, it was found to contain his grandfather's cuckoo clock—and it was in decidedly better shape than the last time he had seen it. If you aren't aware of the story behind this, stop by Richard's picnic table next season, or the Belchamber's, and either will be happy to regale the tale.
It was then time to turn the band loose. They cranked out some lively tunes to get the crowd up and working off those yummy desserts.
During the first break the band took, the business of drawing for door prizes was undertaken. This took some time as the table was loaded with goodies provided by members and a number of boat-related businesses. Thanks to all who contributed prizes.
This continued to well into late night as the crowd slowly drifted home to massage some tired feet and the realization of one of the best Commodore's Balls became a warm memory. If you weren't one of the 95 attendees at this year's blast, better plan to make it to next year's event.
Brought to you by Hans & Joan


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Electrical Engineering graduate program
Electrical Engineering has become an essential part of people's lives. It involves solving a wide range of problems relating to power generation, communication, healthcare and the environment. The department's research activities are therefore strongly focused on these societal fields. Smart, innovative electrical components and systems are designed, analyzed and made. As well as working at its own innovative research, the department works closely together with research and development departments in industry. The Electrical Engineering discipline is constantly changing. As a graduate of the program you will be able to find yourself a position that involves research, discovery, exploring new boundaries and leadership.
The nine Electrical Engineering research programs combine to address the three themes of the department: The Connected World (communication), Care and Cure (healthcare) and Smart and Sustainable Society (solutions for environmental issues). In general, the research program consists of fundamental, applicationoriented and design-oriented projects. Students are actively involved in the research by means of internships and their final project. Within the Electrical Engineering graduate program, the following programs are available:
Master's programs
- Electrical Engineering
- Broadband Telecommunication Technology*
- Care and Cure *
* This is a special Master track
PDEng program
- Design of Electrical Engineering Systems (DEES)
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)*
- Healthcare Systems Design (HSD)*
* This is a track within the DEES program


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Here is the rest of our tale... I think.More painting...
Remember that "experience" I wrote of earlier? The Plaster of Paris, and we didn't know what the heck we were doing thing?
Well, turns out, when it's thrown onto the ground, it makes a sort of "breaking glass" or, well, "breaking pottery" sound.
Oh - a big hit!
Er - with all of us, as the babes like it, and Mama doesn't freak.
"Help, Mom! There's a baby drowning in quicksand!!!""Mom! I think this egg is ready!"
"Let me see... no, Bub, it's still cold, and not done yet...."
Play, play play.
Two point two seconds, or thereabouts pass...
"I've got something to tell you, Mom, this egg is broken, and it's a baby dilophasaurus!, but it wasn't my fault!"
And the residue of our happy, chaotic day?....and then the happy ending...


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The three-year project aims to sustainably improve the health and livelihoods of four underprivileged communities, in the rural Massinga District, thanks to access to clean drinking water, improved nutrition and sanitation facilities. More specifically, in each community, a new water well will be drilled, a manual hand pump installed and a water oversite committee of 23 persons elected. Committee members will be trained in well maintenance and repair, hygiene and sanitation and sustainable agricultural practices. The project aims to achieve full latrine coverage in all households. At each school, sanitation centres will be constructed, including menstrual hygiene rooms and hand washing stations. Community gardens with drip irrigation will also be constructed at the schools and agricultural techniques will be implemented in the school curriculum. 20-30 citrus trees, donated by the Massing District Government, will be planted by the students and teachers around the school and water well. Women will also be taught innovative agriculture techniques to be implemented in their homes in order to provide food security and income from the sale of the surplus from the harvest.
The NGO:
Water Underground is an American non-profit organisation that aims to empower people in the most underprivileged communities in rural Mozambique through access to clean water, sanitation, agricultural innovation and through education and learning new skills.
May 2018 – April 2021
Massinga District
With whom
Water Underground
Three new projects validated in March and June 2018
The Addax and Oryx Foundation granted funding for three new projects at its March and June Board meetings.Read more


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On a recent Saturday morning my son Mark and grandson Ryan stopped by on their way to the local zoo and asked if I would like to come along with them. Mark attacks the zoo the way he attacks a shopping mall--you view the animal briefly and then move on to see the next one. This approach actually is preferred when you have an eighteen month old with you.
The zoo was very crowded because of the new baby giraffe, Kiko. All summer long people here in the area awaited news of the impending birth. He finally was born in late October . You can actually view the birth here and also watch him on a live feed. The live feed may only be available for a couple more months.
Here is baby Kiko. His name means Autumn's child.
Here are Kiko and his mother, Autumn:
We saw many other animals such as Joy the elephant, who is one of Ryan's favorites:
Near the exit of the zoo is a small area with barnyard animals that the children can interact with. Ryan enjoyed communing with the pig and the goat while having a refreshing drink of milk.
He also loves monkeys. Here is a picture of him with his favorite:
We had a visit from this unusual species at our house recently:
I hope you who are local will get to visit little Kiko soon or at least watch him on the zoo's website or webcam.
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text: Who wouldn't be happy to have more money? To pay off the credit card or buy that needed furniture. Yet, the huge wealth of the 'fat cats' who run large companies in the UK has astonished us. By October 2011 the pay packages of directors of FTSE 100 companies had increased by 49% in a … Continue reading Happy life – Does this require affluence?


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After one teaser, Wiesmann introduced the exclusive GT MF4-CS at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. Celebrating company's 25th anniversary, the new Wiesmann GT MF4-CS will be manufactured in a very limited edition of just 25 units, each priced from 193,193 EUR (basic net price including standard equipment).
As we said before, the new Wiesmann GT MF4-CS is a Clubsport version of the GT MF4-S, and its aim is perfect driving. Saving up to 20 kg, the new GT MF4-CS is powered by a V8 engine delivering 420 hp.
With a total weight of 1350 kg, the new Wiesmann GT MF4-CS has a power/weight ratio of 3.2 kg/hp and it is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.4 seconds and has a top speed of 293 km/h or 182 mph.
Regarding the design, the GT MF4-CS features a wider wheel arch and modified front with large splitter, daytime running lights and a carbon rear wing.
The Clubsport package includes a a roll bar and a fully adjustable chassis developed by the manufacturer that adapts to road conditions and the driving style of the driver. Sport brakes are also available as well as a specially tailored rear axle ratio for faster acceleration.
Furthermore, the roof part is made from carbon fiber, giving the MF4-CS rigidity and reducing the weight. Other improvements are the sports bucket seats, superlight polycarbonate windows and even the lack of door handles.
Moreover, the car does not feature air conditioning or an audio system. An optional carbon pack for the interior is also available. Also, the optional track pack with four point harness, sport brake pads and Michelin Cup tires make the Wiesmann ready for "the perfect lap".


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Gillian Bennett took her life enfolded in the arms of West Coast nature.
The 85-year-old woman, dealing with early dementia, ingested Nembutol last year at her favourite mossy spot on a rocky outcropping in the forest of Bowen Island, loving husband at her side. As Bennett put it, she wished to take her final rest in nature's garden where she could go thankfully into that good night. She was, she said, determined "to make up my own rules and to live by them."
A freethinking ecological spirituality informed Bennett's self-chosen death. That has been the case for many British Columbians who have campaigned for decades for the ruling supporting "death with dignity" that the Supreme Court of Canada delivered on Feb. 6.
This pro-euthanasia environmentalist spirituality of B.C., as well as of Oregon and Washington, is captured in the book Religion and Public Life in the Pacific Northwest: The None Zone, edited by two American scholars, Patricia O'Connell Killen and Mark Silk.
Pacific Northwest residents' passion for legalizing assisted suicide is rooted in libertarian, spiritual-but-not-religious and liberal Christian world views, Killen says. Supporters of assisted suicide have maintained they are bringing together "individual freedom, loving social relationships and natural beauty into a moment of profound human dignity."
Residents of the Pacific Northwest, also known as Cascadia, have made an outsized contribution to the cause of assisted suicide.
In 1994, the people of Oregon, fighting concerted religious opposition, became the first in the U.S. to vote to legalize and regulate assisted suicide. Washington state residents approved a similar law in 2008.
Required by Canada's political structure to make their impact on the federal front, British Columbians' role in the campaign for assisted suicide has also been out of the ordinary.
It was the B.C. Civil Liberties Association that took the recent case to the Supreme Court of Canada, championing two strong-minded terminally ill B.C. women, Kay Carter and Gloria Taylor (a member of the liberal United Church of Canada).
The B.C. team won the overturning of the Supreme Court of Canada's 1993 ruling against another B.C. activist, Sue Rodriquez, who had help in ending her life in the presence of former B.C. NDP MP Svend Robinson.
B.C. is also home of noted suicide researcher Russel Ogden, who has uncovered hundreds of underground assisted suicides, many of which have been botched. Ogden is founding director of the Farewell Foundation for the Right to Die, an intervener in the recent case.
In addition to Bennet's high-profile suicide on Bowen Island, Vancouver Island's Evelyn Martens was in 2004 found not guilty of aiding in the suicide of two women, including a former nun. And Wanda Morris, the influential CEO of Dying with Dignity Canada, is also from British Columbia.
Why have so many Pacific Northwest residents (particularly women) been at the forefront of the fight for assisted suicide?
Part of the answer is this is the least religious region of the continent — and one of the most anti-institutional. The residents of Cascadia are more likely than other North Americans to tell pollsters they have no religion (which leads to them being dubbed "religious nones").
Gillian Bennett was among those who bridled at institutional power. She wrote on her website: "Three outsized institutions: the medical profession, the Law, and the Church will challenge and fight any transformative change" toward legal assisted suicide.
Yet, Bennett was astute enough to realize change was gradually occurring even within each institution. She found it "hopeful" some in the medical profession, the law and liberal Christian churches were slowly "transforming themselves."
While the Pacific Northwest-led movement for assisted suicide has opposed many pillars of the establishment, it has embraced other values.
Angus-Reid pollster Andrew Grenville has found residents of Cascadia are more open than other North Americans to the unconventional — including homosexuality, marijuana and the idea that people should have a great deal of autonomy.
In the book, Cascadia: The Elusive Utopia, Grenville's unique polling shows how residents of the Pacific Northwest are keen to "accept differences," to "trust others to do what is right" and to believe in a "do-it-yourself" philosophy — while respecting the cycle of life.
This world view, Grenville says, is shaped in part by the region's overwhelming mountains, forest and ocean, which are hard to ignore, unlike in much of North America, where the landscape has "been blasted into submission." Wilderness here is seen as a teacher.
One may ask, however: What about Quebec?
Last year, the Quebec Assembly became the first government in Canada to bring in legislation supporting assisted suicide.
Seizing on its unique constitutional ability to sidestep certain federal laws, francophone Quebec has indeed been another leader in the euthanasia campaign, for some reasons similar to B.C., Oregon and Washington.
Ever since the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s, when residents rebelled against the once-mighty power of the Roman Catholic hierarchy, Quebec's citizens have promoted secularization and, similar to those in Cascadia, had some of the lowest rates of religious attendance.
Pollster Reg Bibby says Quebeckers, along with British Columbians, are the most liberal in Canada regarding premarital sex, homosexuality and abortion — as well as the least loyal to "two institutions that have upheld traditional morality," the church and the family.
And as Ipsos Reid's Darrel Bricker and writer John Ibbitson suggest in their book, The Big Shift, the campaign for assisted suicide has emerged out of B.C. and Quebec despite large immigrant populations in both provinces.
The Big Shift points out that Canada's immigrants are, for the most part, "socially conservative" on everything from homosexuality to assisted suicide. As a result, it is mostly people raised in Canada who have battled for the right to die.
How exactly has their campaign, particularly on the West Coast, been fuelled by ecological spirituality?
Just as environmentalists fight for careful use of the planet's resources, Bennett wrote on her website, Death at Noon, she did not want to waste the finite resources of her (well-off) family or the government. She felt it absurd to have medical staff fussing over her body while it was an "empty husk."
In Oregon, another family emphasized how their mother's assisted suicide took place in nature, "overlooking the Willamette River, in a room filled with love." Their mother "was proud to be an Oregonian, to live in a state less bound by convention and more open to independent and free thinking."
While opponents of assisted suicide have maintained it is unnatural to take one's life because it is "playing God," the pro-euthanasia movement in Cascadia has turned the tables and argued assisted death is in many cases the most "natural" thing to do.
"Proponents of assisted suicide argue it is no more disruptive of natural processes than the extraordinary measures taken to prolong life," Killen writes, "and they chide opponents for viewing death as some kind of failure."
Right or wrong, assisted suicide advocates in the Pacific Northwest maintain they are bringing together the values of freedom and beauty.
"They point," Killen says, "to an emerging aesthetic and theology that situates individuals within nature and human life within planetary life."
As Grenville says, many residents of B.C. and the rest of the Pacific Northwest would be proud to drive around with licence plates bearing the motto: "Live and let live."
But many might also be pleased if the plate read: "Live and let die."
Blog: www.vancouversun.com/thesearch


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Epic Pairings
Wine and cheese is undoubtedly one of the world's greatest duos. If you've experienced one of these epic pairings then it's easy to understand why wine and cheese have such a natural affinity for one another. After all, many of the same flavor profiles that we use to describe wine, like nutty, fruity, buttery, earthy, herbal and even smoky, can also apply to cheese. And if you haven't experienced wine and cheese nirvana, you need to get yourself to the next Wine & Cheese Tasting Class at Vino Venue pronto! I recently attended the March class for the first time and am already looking forward to the next one.
High Class Cheese
In addition to learning about the history of the wines and cheeses tasted, Michael Bryan, the founder of Vino Venue and the Atlanta Wine School, shares his knowledge on the production of cheese, how to select cheese, how to pair it with wine, appropriate serving temperatures and even a few unexpected entertaining tips and ideas. You also get to taste a wide variety of high-quality artisanal cheeses that are not ordinarily available in stores, and after class you have the opportunity to take home your favorites with a 10% discount.
Gouda Entertaining
The tasting class walks you through the fundamentals of wine and cheese pairings. You will taste, first-hand, how a carefully selected cheese changes the taste of the wine, often for the better. You'll leave with the understanding of how protein and fat in cheese balance out the acid and bitter components, like tannins and sometimes alcohol, in wine, making it taste smoother and rounder. In turn, those same components in wine cleanse the palate of the buttery richness enabling you to fully experience the flavors in the cheese. Not every cheese is capable of complimenting every wine, but this class will help you learn the basic guidelines for pairing wine and cheese, so you can host the ultimate tasting at home.
Tour de Fromage
Michael carefully selects each cheese and accompanying wine for the class and provides notes complete with pricing information. Like most wine tastings, the March class started out with light and crisp white wines paired with creamy and tangy soft cheeses, like a French Triple Cream paired with sparkling rosé and an Italian Robiola paired with a crisp Pinot Grigio. We then progressed to moderately creamy and semi-firm cheeses paired with light red wines, like a Vermont Coupole Goat paired with an Italian Pinot Nero and a French Epoisses paired with Oregon Pinot Noir. You know how I enjoy big, bold red wines so I was highly anticipating the next flight, and it did not disappoint. We tasted a Spanish Manchego paired with one of my favorite value French wines, a 100% Carignan from the Roussillon, an Italian Parrano with a Grenache-based blend from the Languedoc, and an aged Vermont Cheddar with a Napa Zinfandel. No tour around the world of cheese and wine would be complete without a dessert course. Our delightful journey concluded with an aged Gouda paired with a rich glass of honeyed-amber Bual Madeira. Madeira grapes are grown, as you might have guessed, on the Island of Madeira which is located off the coast of Portugal and comes in four different styles of varying levels of sweetness.
Taste the Terroir
Just like no two visits to wine country are identical, you can expect a completely different experience each time you attend this wine and cheese class. Eight different wines paired with eight complimentary cheeses and other bridge ingredients, like fresh honeycomb, balsamic vinegar and jam, are tasted each time. Anyone who has been, knows that there is nothing quite like a visit to wine country. When you taste a wine near the land where the grapes were grown and the wine was made along with the typical cuisine of the area, you get a certain sense of place and belonging. Michael's re-counting of his wine country travels and philosophical discussions with wine makers is the next best thing. His vividly fascinating storytelling captivates and instantly transports you to that place just long enough to taste the terroir. And that's what keeps everyone going back for more!
The Fine Print
My participation in the wine and cheese class was complimentary but the opinions expressed herein are unsolicited and honest. I absolutely love Vino Venue and highly recommend it for learning, shopping and dining. You can check out the wide variety of classes and other events on their website or visit them at 4478 Chamblee Dunwoody Road in Dunwoody.


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September 1, 2014 report
Best of Last Week – Superabsorption theoretically demonstrated, sailing stones mystery solved and origin of anger face
(Phys.org) —It's been a strong week for physics. One team showed that theoretically, superabsorption could be demonstrated using quantum engineering techniques—real world materials that take advantage of it could include quantum camera pixels, the transmission of power via light, and solar cell technology. Also, researchers working at Fermilab announced that they are set to test the very nature of the universe—they want to know if we actually exist in a 2D hologram. Another team working in Vienna has developed a revolutionary new imaging method—they've created an image of a cat without bouncing light off of it using entangled photons. Meanwhile, another team working at the University of Wisconsin has fabricated a qubit with an integrated micromagnet that increases the speed of quantum manipulation in silicon—another step in the march towards creating a true quantum computer.
Less complex but still interesting are the results of experiments carried out that solved the mystery of the sailing stones of Death Valley, California—the odd trails they leave behind have puzzled those who have seen them for hundreds of years. Also of interest, a combined team of researchers from several universities has begun work on what they're calling Robo Brain—a computer network that scours the Internet for informational content and then makes it available via a robot interface—leading, perhaps, to robots in the home or at work that can provide on-the-spot information about whatever needs attending to—how to fix your clothes dryer, for example, or when is the best time to fertilize your lawn. In completely unrelated news from Canada, a team of researchers has confirmed that "invadopodia" plays a role in the spread of cancer—they found cancer cells have tentacle-like structures that allow them to latch onto other organs, leading to the growth of tumors in the new location. This is good news because if a drug can be found to stop the latching, it would mean an end to the spread of cancer. Also, in perhaps worrisome news, a team exploring the ocean depths has found over 500 gas plumes bubbling off the east coast of the U.S.
And finally, if you've been wondering why your mug morphs into a hideous amalgam of stretched and folded flesh when your temper flares, you might be happy to know that a team of researchers has identified the origin and purpose of the anger face—and it's quite menacing.
© 2014 Phys.org


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Best Note Taking Apps for Students
Last week, Lifehacker rounded up the five best note taking apps. As students, we are constantly taking notes, both in and out of the classroom. When did that emperor die again and who succeeded him? What's that equation? When am I supposed to be at that meeting? There is not an hour in the day when I'm not constantly taking down notes on all of the stuff I have to remember.
That's why Lifehacker is super awesome in providing this roundup of the best note taking apps. Some of them you will have clearly heard of before, and some of them might be new to you. For their full review, check out their article here.
Duh. Come on. HackCollege freaking loves Evernote. Perhaps one of the most awesome things about Evernote is that you can get to it on just about any piece of technology you have. It has a webapp, desktop app for both Windows and iOS, mobile apps for iOs, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone 7. I mean, there is no escaping Evernote. It's a great organizing tool to tag and collect notes, whether it's lecture notes or just a quick jot to remind you to do something. It also lets you capture pictures and save them too, which is really helpful for when you get an assignment sheet. Take a picture of it, save it with Evernote, and now you don't have to carry the sheet around with you wherever you go.
Shep would probably marry Evernote if he could. Here's his great review of the service for students. that was featured on Evernote's blog.
According to Lifehacker, Springpad is the best at automatically guessing what you've just uploaded. After you've uploaded something from online, a picture, or a note, it organizes it into your folders without needing prompting from you. Now that is organizing. Just like Evernote, Springpad also has a webapp plus mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Microsoft OneNote
Functioning like a word processor, OneNote takes Word to the next level. It saves automatically, gives you much more freedom on the type of information you enter and where you put it, and also lets you create specific notebooks for different projects or classes for greater organization. You can download OneNote with MS Office for both your computer and with your phone. This option is definitely more expensive than free services like Evernote, but if you are gung-ho on MS applications, OneNote may work better for you.
Another free application (yay free!), Simplenote is an up and coming note taking service. It has a great developer community that keeps coming up with new add-ins to make the service more functional and easy to use. One of the most interesting features of this service is that it allows you to search through revision history for your notes. If you're looking for a fresh new way to take your notes, you should check out Simplenote.
Google Docs
Although this didn't make it onto Lifehacker's list, Shep and I have proved that Google Docs is a really awesome note taking tool. Google Docs is especially useful when you're in class with someone you know. Check out how to use Google Docs for collaborative note taking.
This revolutionary way of taking notes has been around since, well, okay it's been around for basically forever. As Lifehacker did their roundup, they found that a lot of people actually prefer to take notes with your basic pen and paper. In fact, in a follow up survey, 35% of people said that they use pen and paper, following just behind Evernote with 36% of people. I actually find this really interesting and wonder if this percentage stays true when the demographic is younger and in college.
Personally I am actually a big fan of handwriting notes, of certain kinds. My to do list is invariably in a little fat notebook that fits perfectly in my pencil pouch. I don't have to take out my phone or computer to just jot down something quick I need to remember to do or buy that day. For class notes, I take faster (and actually legible) notes on a computer, but for day to day notes, I prefer handwritten notes.
What is your preferred style of note taking? Have you tried any of the above applications? Let us know in the comments!
[via Lifehacker]


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Call logging
Log and manage incoming calls with the user-friendly Call Logging feature, which lets you record calls quickly and easily. Once calls have been scheduled, the system also allows engineers to file a Field Report against that call, either from the main office system, or the Call2Field Mobile engineer software. Field Reports enable engineers to describe work carried out on site, recording this data along with all the other information about that particular call. What's more, engineers are able to record what parts they've used, fill out a risk survey and answer specific questions to record other detailed information about this Call Type.
Call Monitor
Monitor outstanding calls logged in your system using Call Monitor. This allows you to keep an eye on the status of open or recently completed calls, so that you can keep on top of jobs that still need completing.
To make it easier to see what needs doing, you can also filter the information by type of call and site location. There's a colour-coded system that allows you to see immediately what the status of the call is, along with the response time remaining, which makes it simple to prioritise those for which the response deadline is close.
Call Diary and Call Scheduling
View the calls you have scheduled in an Outlook-style calendar using Call Diary, which gives you a quick way to view engineer availability and manage sick days and annual leave. You can then use this information to schedule engineer visits, using a simple drag and drop functionality to assign calls to available engineers. Simply click the call to see more information about it, or filter the results to see calls that fall into a particular category.
Call Mapping
See the location of Calls plotted on a map using the Call Mapping feature. This handy feature colour codes outstanding jobs based on their response time, and you can double click them to see more information. By pairing this with information overlays showing Engineer sites, home addresses or warehouse locations, this allows you to prioritise jobs and assign the nearest available engineer to the job.
Call Dashboard
Get a live view of what's going on with the Call Dashboard, a screen that continually updates itself to show you the information you want to see, allowing you to stay on top of call scheduling with ease. For example, you could choose to display unassigned Calls, which will disappear once they've been assigned to an engineer.


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Turku, Finland, 28 August 2014:
Montisera Ltd ("Company"), a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel therapeutics from its proprietary novel 6,7-disubstituted-isoquinoline derivatives platform, announces that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a Notice of Allowance for U.S. Application Serial Number 13/814,987, a patent which covers the use of novel 6,7-disubstituted-isoquinoline derivatives as a medicament, and particularly in the treatment of alcoholism, drug addiction and CNS related diseases. Montisera announces that also the European Patent Office (EPO) intends to grant a patent for the novel 6,7-disubstituted-isoquinoline derivatives, and the medical use thereof. The issued patents, based on applications drafted and prosecuted by Kolster Oy Ab, the leading intellectual property service agency in Finland, will provide an exclusivity period until August 2031.
Substance use disorders are a major public health problem. The most common substance of abuse and/or dependence is alcohol. The World Health Organization estimates that about 140 million people throughout the world suffer from alcohol dependence. In the United States and Western Europe, 10 to 20 percent of men and 5 to 10 percent of women at some point in their lives will meet criteria for alcoholism. Most alcoholics develop alcoholism during adolescence or young adulthood. There is also broad consensus regarding alcoholism as a disease state; the American Medical Association considers alcohol a drug.
"These Notices of Allowance follow the recent launch of our Company's novel and fast drug development concept, with only few years of pre-clinical research in the field" stated Heikki Vuorikoski, founder and Acting CEO of Montisera. "The CNS related diseases are numerous, and drug addiction and alcoholism are among the two key targets of our novel platform of drugs. E.g. in the field of treating alcohol use disorders we are seeking ways to better tailor care and to make that care responsive to a patient's changing needs. Furthermore, it will be important to combine the drug based treatment options with the existing treatment framework—such as behavioural therapies, and mutual help groups—that have been shown to have a significant impact on many people's efforts to change their drinking".
About Montisera Ltd
Founded in 2012, Montisera is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel therapeutics from its own and partners' product platforms in a broad range of disease areas. Montisera utilises a novel drug development strategy, emphasising the power of cooperation between drug development companies, biotechnology companies, academy, individual scientists and investors. This strategy follows the one first implemented on a broad scale by Chorus, an autonomous division of Eli Lilly and Company.
Forward-looking statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect Montisera's current expectations regarding future events, including statements about whether the subject patent would be issued and adequately protect Montisera against competition, Montisera's plan to protect the commercial potential of its product candidates, and the future status of pending patent applications. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events could differ materially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors, including (inter alia), the success of the Montisera's research strategies, the applicability of the discoveries made therein, the successful and timely completion of uncertainties related to the regulatory process, and the acceptance of products by consumer and medical professionals. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Montisera undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.


text: The following reply was made to PR kern/157534; it has been noted by GNATS. From: Marius Strobl <marius at alchemy.franken.de> To: bug-followup at FreeBSD.org, eugene at zhegan.in, emz at norma.perm.ru Cc: Subject: Re: kern/157534: [mpt] freeze when disk is removed/died from geom_mirror/zfs raid Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2011 14:33:37 +0200 Could you please give the following patch a try? http://people.freebsd.org/~marius/mpt_MPI_EVENT_QUEUE_FULL_non_member_MPI_EVENT_SAS_DEVICE_STATUS_CHANGE.diff It should make mpt(4) report the SAS device discovery and departure events to cam(4) but I don't know whether higher levels like geom_mirror(4) or zfs(4) will handle these properly. Marius


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Why did I get all the lemons in life and my best friend all the apples? Is there some justice out there?
I lost my husband to a terrible road accident 13 months ago. I was left all alone grappling with a 10-month old baby at the breast and no career (or financial security).
My best friend on the other hand seemed to have it all – a great career, two beautiful children and a loving marriage. I have spent days wondering what could be the reason behind such an unfair situation.
At this point, my life felt like a skittle – being pushed around by circumstances that were happening to me, and not of my own volition.
Ajay's going changed my life in many ways, in an instant.
Many friends will tell you that I am unlucky. Some will say I am brave. Some can't fathom the practical issues beyond the obvious emotional ones. Some will feel that I have to be stronger because there is no room for more chaos in my life. Some are sympathetic. Some are empathetic. Some are taken aback at how normal I seem and then confused and condescending if I have a meltdown.
Whatever other people's reactions are, tragedy does separate the wheat from the chaff. Tragedy also teaches us many things, if we are willing to learn.
If one is self-aware, it also sharpens one's intuitions to remarkable levels. It almost becomes a form of self-protection.
My Buddhist practice has helped me understand that certain things happen to certain people, not because they are lucky or unlucky; but because they are provided an opportunity to make the correct response.
Situations are often out of our control but how we choose to respond to a situation or play the cards we are dealt, is totally our choice.
What is the correct response then? We'd only know this when we are self-aware.
We need to introspect about our actions, thoughts and feeling in all circumstances. In joyous circumstances for instance, in good health, financially stable conditions, with a happy family, are we responding with arrogance? Are we secretly contemptuous of those who don't have the same? Do we take our good fortune for granted and then squander it away? Do we disrespect the relationships we have?
On the other hand, in a tragic situation, do we sit, fold our hands and allow life to happen to us, then later weep for our misfortune when things don't look anything like we hoped they would.
Do we even know what we want? Or do we simply know what we don't want?
Our responses to life are based on our clarity – to know what we want, and on our assertiveness – to know how to get it. Our responses are based on how we feel about ourselves, how we see our lives with or without the external circumstances. They are based on how much we are willing to learn and push ourselves to improve as human beings.
I am choosing to respond in a way that allows me to lead my life as I'd like to and also embrace all those around me with equal ease.
Over the last 13 months, my life has changed in many ways.
Despite having a rough time managing my schedule, my career and the baby, I am happy, aware of my responses and in control of them.
"We are not defeated by adversity, but by the will to strive and respond correctly." Daisaku Ikeda


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Now, I get that you most likely do not offer legal advice, so you may not be sure of how to help, and I hope my story here does not come across as a confusing, rambling manifesto either. But I don't want a lawyer. In fact, I finished with my previous lawyer, as he never kept me out of jail. I'd represent myself if I have to.
Basically, I had two women removed from my support rota like 5 or so years ago, amid concerns I was obsessing over them. One of them is Spanish and she used to be my key worker. I've got a form of autism referred to as a Pervasive Development Disorder, and so I feel lonely. Before they were taken off my rota, they kind of started being nasty to me after initially being very nice, probably to try to put me off from 'hitting on' them, I assume, and I did not want to speak up about their attitude adjustment, in case they got removed. After they were removed regardless, the people in charge (called the "Seniors") lied and said they were still my support workers, and that they were just busy, and I was in a flat where they supported me. Clearly, I knew they were lying. The ladies were removed at separate times, but in both situations, the lies the bosses told me were practically similar each time. Even before that carry on occurred with these two ladies, I got abused by a male worker who pretended to know my ex, and the higher-ups were informed about him sending me emails with a fake name. But I really don't know if he left or got fired, because they never spilled the beans. He did admit to me personally that he was doing that, which is really creepy.
I once asked my key worker why she wanted to work with autistic people...and she said it's because she got "bored". I'm not kidding - she said that!
Anyway, I got angry about losing them, because I did really like them as people, and so I lashed out at the staff over and over again, because I lost my cool. Eventually, I got remanded in jail for breaching my bail terms prior to a court appearance, because I kept on contacting them trying to make amends, and I was even assaulted in jail. After I attempted to offer an apology, which is something I've actually attempted over and over again in vain, I got remanded once more. It made me feel like garbage and I haven't felt happy in years now. I've actually not even got a social life any more, and I struggle to go on buses or visit a shop, and social services did not bother trying to find me decent, alternative help, and they probably just view me as a "problem" nowadays.
The year after, the head of the agency duped me into ending my tenancy, by getting me to sign a blank piece of paper. When I rang up the council, what they told me about my so-called rent arrears did not match what she said. It seems that they simply chose not to take any accountability over what they did.
This occurred in March of 2015. The court had me living with my parents and I ended up stuck there for years, until I got the flat I am in now. Then a few months after I lost my other [supported] flat, I got remanded in jail for 3 months, as the court fully committed me for trial for breaching a supervision order. Due to emails I sent, where I said dirty things (but I was just venting), the jail decided to send me to a prison 50 miles from home unexpectedly, and I had to share a cell with sex offender types and my mother nearly had a stroke after she found out I'd been carted off to Barlinnie. The sheriff that was dealing with this garbage corrected the false accusation, but you obviously know that lies like that can be very hurtful.
Last year, I contacted the former key worker of mine, who split up with her partner. I had no idea they had separated. I contacted him too, to ask what his problem with me is, as he badmouthed me on Facebook before, but I generally did not say anything nasty. So months later, cops put a card through my door saying they wanted to see me and they were from West Lothian, in Scotland. Eventually, I agreed to be interviewed with my solicitor present. After all, they never give up until they have talked to you, right?
The sheriff in Livingston wanted to get a social report, which is often what they do to get the "facts" of what happened. So I saw them and obviously, instead of doing the smart thing and saying what the social workers wanted to hear, they likely just wrote back to the court that I'm obsessed or that I'm bound to commit analogous offending, as I'd been getting reported by other people in the past over petty incidents to do with social media.
I got sentenced to 70 days in jail 'due to my circumstances' on 17 August, and I was sent to HMP Addiewell, because my former key worker resides in that general area. In jail, they gave me paperwork as well, refusing me an early release via the HDC option. So that made the third different jail I was incarcerated in, after Edinburgh and Barlinnie. Anyway, I had to go to court yet again on 2 October for not carrying out 120 hours of community service to do with a different matter altogether, which stems from me pestering a former pop star on Twitter earlier in 2018. Although I sent him money as an apology with PayPal, he was very cold and nasty, but I was not supposed to contact him again. The GP I'm with stalled giving me a medical note to excuse me from doing the work, but the sheriff dealing with that matter was not the same one as who sentenced me in August, but she was made aware that I was serving time in jail. She gave me a concurrent sentence which lasted to 7 December, but the police gate arrested me on the morning I was meant to be liberated, over something else they wanted to interview me about. Fortunately, I was taken home as they had no evidence.
Now I feel fed up and like my life is essentially over. At home, all I do is sit in front of the laptop all day long. It depresses me. Some of the staff members in jail were not nice either. And I recently posted a complaint form about my current (or former?) social worker, as people in jail tried to contact him and it seems he finalized my care package months ago without even telling me. Yet when I contacted him on the phone once after not hearing from him in ages, he made out he wanted to see me at my flat, but I could sense he was fobbing me off. He is a liar, but anyway: I want to know how to get the ball rolling on having these ex helpers taken to court. The law is definitely corrupt, and sometimes I think I'd be better off never attempting to get a social life.


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At the very beginning of this series, I said I don't do over-the-top birthday parties. And normally, I don't. I prioritize accessible over ostentatious, easy over extravagant, because I don't think kids need a crazy shindig to feel celebrated and loved. (See: the past 30 days of posts.)
Every once in a while, I splurge. It's not the norm, it's not competitive. It's about that child, that year.
Which brings us, friends, to the last birthday party of 31 Days of Birthdays.
The Theme:
The Princess Party
Like many preschool girls, Teyla was enamored by all things princess by the time her fourth birthday rolled around. I figured I'd do some sort of a pink-filled party for her. But then Corey and I went to our school's annual auction, and up for bid was a party package for eight from Minneapolis-based Princess Party Pals. The chance to have a real live Disney Princess of our choice come to our house and throw a party for our daughter? We jumped. Yes, the price point was higher than usual for a birthday party us, but consider what a party package like this entails.
Cinderella came to our front door on a cold January morning and greeted our birthday girl like it was the most natural thing in the world.
(The look on Teyla's face? Priceless. That right there was worth the price of the party.)
She proceeded to set up a face painting station in our kitchen, and cheerfully helped Teyla and each arriving guest choose a design which she expertly painted on.
She gathered the girls around and read them her story. (You've never seen girls so transfixed by the story of Cinderella as when they are getting told the story by the princess herself.)
She opened up her trunk full of princess clothes and helped the girls choose skirts, tiaras, boas, wands and accessories so they, too, could be true princesses.
She taught the princesses-in-training to curtsey, to bow, to twirl and to dance.
She sent each girl down a red carpet and introduced them as princesses of the court.
She then sat down and had cupcakes with Teyla and the girls, never breaking character once. When the girls left, she handed out gift bags she designed and filled…
...collected her goods, cleaned up as best she could and left in her car (the pumpkin carriage was in the shop, she was terribly embarrassed).
Teyla floated for days. And Corey and I were impressed beyond words. Nicole, the woman behind the dress, is a professional actress, and it shows. Thanks to the magic of amazing costumes and make-up, she can appear at a party as almost any of the Disney Princesses (or Dora or a rock star, should your child choose). She was an utter delight throughout the party, gently guiding Teyla and her guests through a morning of activities, and always ALWAYS in character. Teyla was so in awe that Cinderella was in her house that it took most of the party for her to let her guard down. (I mean, that would be unnerving, right?) But by the end of the party, she was in heaven, asking Cinderella if she would sit next to her during the birthday song, serving her a cupcake, chatting her up as if they were old friends.
Teyla still asks when Cinderella is coming over again. I'm telling you, I can't really put a price tag on this party. If you live in the Twin Cities area and you want to indulge a little girl who loves princesses, I highly recommend Princess Party Pals. This is a splurge worth every penny.
The Cake:
The only thing I did for this party was make cupcakes - and that was my choice, because I'm a baking goober.
I made the best chocolate cake ever and used foil cupcake liners to add a touch of sparkle. I piped pink buttercream (of course) on top and sprinkled pink sanding sugar and pearl candy on top of that. They were simple, beautiful and yummy. Princess approved.
Princess Birthday Party
Posted by Kelly @ Love Well on Thursday, October 31, 2013
Labels: Birthdays
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When my parents decided to come to Germany for our son's graduation this month, I encouraged them to turn it into a two week visit so we could enjoy his celebration and also tack on a few days in "Bella Italia." My folks have visited me quite a few times over the years in Germany, however, we've never made it to Italy. Now having been there myself several times in the last few years, I knew I had to introduce them to the culture, the food and my friends.
If you are stationed here near Stuttgart, Italy can be a quick trip. Traveling through the Swiss Alps will get you to the Riviera in only seven hours, Tuscany a mere nine hours, and then there's Venice at only six. Well, the way I drive it is. Here is a look at our amazing five day journey and itinerary. If you have family visiting this summer and need to squeeze in an Italian experience, I hope this helps you put something together. Let me know if you need additional help by commenting below!
Day 1 – Piemonte
Having discovered the Piemonte region with my friend Ellen a few years ago and making new friends, I knew I would have to make a stop in Canelli with my parents to see the beauty of this land and it's people. Canelli, Piemonte is a frequent stop on my tours through Italy, our TWW trip to the Riviera will include a wine tasting with my friend Claudia Cordara of Cordara Wines.
When we were planning the trip, I emailed Claudia to ask her where we should spend the night and she recommended Affitacamere Il Castelleto with Enrico and Gaia. A new B&B just around the corner from her winery and what a lovely stay we had, we wished it was for longer.
What an authentic experience for my family. Enrico and Gaia made us a beautiful meal for dinner in the lovely dining room and then we took a stroll through the countryside because of our "very full bellies!"
If you haven't met my folks yet, they are very active and love to walk, run, practice yoga, spin, bike and do "muscle pump." Sitting idle was not an option unless it was to enjoy a aperitif on the veranda on this trip.
The next morning we woke up early to walk the hills again, this time in another direction and we discovered the little village of Calamandrana. Here they celebrate the ancient farmer who discovered "truffles." While we were there the church bells rang out gloriously to wake up the residents to begin their day of work. Upon our return Gaia and Enrico pampered us with cappuccino, tea and fresh juices as well as a very hearty breakfast.
After saying our "Ciao's" with hugs and promises for our next visit we headed down the hill to see Claudia for a special wine tasting. Then it was off to the Riviera.
Day 2 – Riviera
Only a few hours drive from Canelli is the Italian Riviera. There are many, many places to stay on the Riviera. For some reason, my heart loves the little ancient town of Diano Marina. It is far from perfect, well-manicured or austere. It's real. It's a beach town and has been for generations and generations. It shows wear and tear but also survival and beauty. It's people genuinely greet me upon my return and I can see from their faces they are glad it's a sunny day.
Tourism has been hit hard this season all over Europe because of the weather and all the rain. I hear this in every store, B&B, hotel that I stop in, from Germany to Italy.
We stayed in a typical summer resort, the Hotel Gabriella. I've stayed here before for spring break last year, so I knew our accommodations would include a view of the Riviera, wonderful beaches (rocky) and exceptional breakfasts, (full with scrambled eggs and bacon.)
After we changed into our bathing suits we headed out for a walk along the beach and found ourselves at a seaside cafe where we enjoyed charcuterie (salami plate), cheese, complimentary chips and, of course, a few drinks, including a Bellini, (a peach drink with champagne.) The board walk was alive with a flea market, something my little one, Jessica was very excited about.
We had dinner that night at one of my favorite restaurants, Fra Diavolo. Be sure to make reservations if you have a large group. While in the Ligurian region, I must have pizza. So close to Genoa, Genovese Pesto is everywhere. If you like pesto, you'll love it here.
Day 3 – San Gimignano and Cortona
Our next stop was Cortona but not before we stopped in the tower town of San Gimignano. Last year I stayed four days in this little town with my older daughter Katy and we fell in love. My heart is filled as I see the streets lined with tourists, yay! San Gimignano is only three and a half hours from Diano Marina and our GPS took us all along the coast which was excellent because we could enjoy and admire more of the Riviera.
Once you make the climb to the San Gimignano, it's just beautiful. There is parking outside the walled city that makes it easily accessible by foot. I typically try to park in the P1 or P2 parking lots. The cost will range between €1.50 & €2/hour for parking.
After a short stroll through the main alley of this walled city we decided to stop for lunch. There are many places for you to choose from, whether it's the main square or one of the side alleys. We chose DulcisinFundo ristorante in San Gimignano. Here we enjoyed pasta, gnocchi (potato pasta) and Tiramisu.
Next was, Il Negozio delle Curiosità, an exceptional hand-made Italian pottery store and buying a few more souvenirs from Gianni Martini. Gianni was wonderful and told me all about the pottery of the region. My interest is peaked and already I begin formulating another trip to see my new friend.
So back in the car we go, heading towards Cortona. At this point, you can stop in Florence or Siena. Both beautiful towns and worthy of a stop, we just didn't have enough time. Maybe on another trip.
Day 4 – Cortona
In Cortona, you must park outside the city, no problem, it's FREE! Typically, only residents are allowed to park inside this steep, cobblestoned covered alley and walkway town. Be prepared for a little trek. I made reservations with Paolo at Cortona Astrico, I knew I would like her instantly through our email correspondence. We also signed up for cooking classes in her kitchen. I was so excited since both of my parents are amazing Chef's and have been in the kitchen most of their lives and still are to this day. We had a small hiccup with our room reservations though, mostly because of my lack of Italian. Something I hope to remedy this year.
Paolo was sweet enough to walk us across the alley to a friend's hotel, the Hotel San Michele. This 15th century renovated palace was stunning. Here is where we met Matteo, who was gracious enough to tell us what to see while we were in Cortona. A recent graduate of the hospitality college near Cortona, his warmth, humor and welcome were exactly what you think of in "Bella Italia."
On our fourth day, we did join Paolo back at Cortona Astrico for our authentic Tuscan Cooking class. This is when we also met the other "Paolo." The Paolo's were an amazing team in the kitchen, completely professional and simply perfect. We learned how to make fresh pasta, (gravy/ragu/sauce), chocolate almond anise biscotti, bruschetta and so much more. I'll let the pictures speak for this though.
My parents are movie buffs, so am I, my girls too. Therefore, our visit to Cortona would not be complete without looking for Bramasole. The beautiful villa that Frances Mayes restored in her book and whom Diane Lane so eloquently played in the 2003 movie "Under the Tuscan Sun." This famous book and movie have forever made this ancient city famous. Forever grateful to Matteo for giving us walking directions and learning that an "Italian mile," is slightly different than an American mile. However, needing to walk off the amazing lunch we prepared with Paolo it was time for a little hike through the hills of Cortona.
I always have a story on my trips. This trip is no different, on our return walk to Cortona a farmer in a truck stopped to show us his DVD (in Italian) of the movie and say in very loud voice how much he loved Frances Mayes. Much to his wife's chagrin. This little story provided us moments of laughter throughout the rest of the trip.
After a very "full" day, I went to rest. Meanwhile, everyone else headed out for some pizza and gelato on the square. Happily, my daughter and her grandfather shared how they watched the Euro soccer game on the big screens in the piazza when the Italian's scored. She also told me, "Mom, they are super affectionate when they score!" I know this is a memory she will never forget either.
Day 5 – Lake Garda
Today was a sad day when we knew we would have to say "Ciao"to Italy and head back to Germany. But not before we stopped in Lake Garda, a popular lake spot for Germans, Swiss and the French for vacation travel. This gorgeous mountain lake town of Desanzano Lake Garda is a perfect place to grab a bite to eat not too far off the return home.
However, it became cloudy and misty, so after a nice lunch and more gelato on the Marina and a stroll through town we got back on the road. Luckily, the views are breathtaking and this time our GPS took us through the Austrian Alps.
An absolutely amazing trip in five short days, but oh so much to see, taste and do. Once again, I met amazing people along the way, learned more about their culture and customs and this time I was able to share it with my family. Every time I visit Italy, I learn something new. I look forward to my next trip in September where we learn more about the region of Tuscany and Umbria.
Notes for traveling in Italy
Tolls, tolls, tolls – you WILL have tolls throughout Italy if you are driving
- our tolls totaled – €83.40
- Switzerland (€46)
- Austria (10-day pass) €10.10
- You can pick these up at any ADAC office
- MUST have them to travel from Germany through these countries
- **very expensive fine**
- ESSO cards are ONLY used in Germany not Italy
- Rations for a rental car over 7 days are for 200l
- total gas cost – €264.42
Credit/Debit cards
- notify your bank that you will be traveling to other countries, prior to your departure
- if you stop at an ATM, don't take out large sums, I don't take out any more than €200 at any given time (for safety and for spending) helps me both ways.
PLEASE don't tip!
- I can't emphasize this enough. If you feel you must then just round to the nearest Euro. It is actually discouraged in Italy because your service fee (tip) is included in your price. The locals get unhappy with us when we do it because expectation builds. Fight that American urge to tip more than that, and enjoy the rest on your trip for wine or souvenirs.
- In Italy sometimes pan-handlers and begging happens. However, due to an increase in these events some towns/cities actually fine the "giver," not the asker. Please be aware of your surroundings.
Go with the flow…
- when you are traveling, no matter how organized you are, things happen. Try to go with the flow if you can. By embracing Paolo's suggestion for a new hotel we were able to stay in a beautiful palace overlooking the Cortonese valley as well as build new connections.
Until next time… happy travels!


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Is there any free online software available for determining exact size of protein bands on PAGE gel?
Submit your paper to J Biol Methods today!
protein band size determination
Started by ram, Jan 26 2009 03:36 AM
2 replies to this topic
Posted 26 January 2009 - 03:36 AM
If you don't know it, then ask it! Better to ask and look foolish to some then not ask and stay stupid.
Posted 26 January 2009 - 08:20 AM
try imagej
talent does what it can
genius does what it must
i used to do what i got paid to do
Posted 13 March 2009 - 09:59 PM
protein sizes on the gels are always relative.


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Behold 2 Chainz "Feeling You" Video, a new offering from 2 Chainz, which was released on Tuesday, June 21st, 2011. 2 Chainz's rap artistry continues to improve with every release, something which is most definitely evidenced on 2 Chainz "Feeling You" Video. His ever - expanding catalogue is definitely better for it, and we're looking forward to the next piece of the puzzle - aren't you?
Let us know what you think, folks.
Check out the latest video from 2 Chainz, 2 Chainz "Behind The Scenes of "Pimps" Video" Video.
If you're feeling this, make sure to hit up 2 Chainz's profile page for the latest info, news, songs, and mixtapes. Remember to follow 2 Chainz on Facebook and Twitter.


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Upon arriving on the island, I was greeted by a coworker who took us to the office and offered us our first meal in Belize. When I landed I was pretty hungry, so I was willing to eat anything. The lunch was a simple salad with grilled chicken, corn, tomato, and the best croutons I've ever had in my life. We were told the salads came from Sabine's Corner and to visit when we were looking for a place to eat dinner. This quickly escaped my mind, because I learned so much that day that it was hard for me to process anything fully.
After a few days of getting situated, I found myself thinking about the croutons that we had and wanted to revisit that delicious experience. I was pleased to learn that the home of those croutons was just a few minute's walk from the office.
Naturally, being new to the island, I was willing to try anything and everything. Like most of my experiences in Ambergris, I was accompanied by my good friend that I traveled to Belize with. We walked into Sabine's Corner and were greeted by a smiling tattooed woman that we later learned was Sabine herself. The dining room looked like it was located on a porch, and the rest of the restaurant could have been a small house complete with a full bar.
The dining area features five tables and is decorated with lights and a variety of hand-written and printed signs, with one big sign that reads, "Sabine's Corner: Austrian Comfort Food." There was only one table open; the rest were filled with people eating or sitting satisfied with their full stomachs.
We sat down and Sabine excitedly offered the special for the evening, meatloaf. I knew immediately that's what I wanted. It was delicious. I'm not a food critic, so I can't tell you all of the ingredients I tasted or describe the texture (or any other food-related descriptors), but I can tell you that this meatloaf was everything that was promised to me; hot, tasty, and comforting. The meal was filling and satisfying. She asked if we saved room for dessert. I hadn't, but we split a fried Snickers bar anyway. Again, it was amazing.
Since our first visit, we have been hooked. Almost daily we contemplate walking down the street just to see what the specials of the day are. We've fallen into the habit of visiting Sabine every Tuesday. We walk from the office and are greeted by Sabine's enthusiasm. She'll tell us the specials, which always sound delicious, or encourages us to try the schnitzel, her favorite item on the menu. The food comes out fast, a factor that I find to be the most satisfying because I'm very hungry by the time the work day has come to an end. Meals at Sabine's always leave me stuffed. My favorite meal so far has been the stuffed peppers.
I began noticing a trend on the island. Many of the restaurants and businesses are owned by expatriates. I thought it was amazing that people from all over the world were coming to Ambergris and opening restaurants, grocery stores, and businesses. The mixture is eclectic and I began to wonder how everyone found themselves on the island and opening up shop. I selected Sabine's as my first place to explore.
Sabine is a graphic designer from Grac, Austria, and continues to practice graphic design while on the island, working remotely. Her parents, Elizabeth and Eddy, were on a trip to several Central American countries and found themselves in Ambergris Caye permanently. Two months later, Sabine joined them and hasn't looked back. She said she loves it here and has no plans of leaving. She says the weather is perfect and she has everything she needs here.
Sabine's family are very active members of the community. Elizabeth runs the kitchen, cooking out of the small kitchen in the back. She prepares the food that her family grew up on. Sharing her cooking talents with the people on the island is a gift, one that I will remember after my time here. Elizabeth's husband, Eddy, teaches exercise classes in the area.
When she's not working, Sabine loves to sing. I've had the chance to hear her sing karaoke at Crazy Canucks and she is very talented. One gentleman I talked to compared her singing ability to that of Janis Joplin.
Going to Crazy Canucks and seeing expatriates and vacationers coming together is an inspiring image. People from different countries and backgrounds have all found beauty in Ambergris Caye and have made it their homes or their favorite place to visit. Ambergris Caye, Belize, is a true community and is always growing.
If you're ever visiting San Pedro and are looking for a nice home-cooked meal, I highly recommend Sabine's Corner. Try the schnitzel!
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Cloud Stife Outfit DLC Preorder For Lighting Returns: Final Fantasy XIII/
Cloud Stife is back, well sort of. Square Enix announced today that Cloud's DLC will be available for those who preorder the game. The outfit DLC will also include Cloud Strife's legendary weapon, the Buster Sword, Soldier's Band, the victory fanfare and finishing animation from FINAL FANTASY VII. Specific abilities that come with the Cloud outfit and weapon will be announced at a later time. The DLC will be available at launch from the Games Store on the Xbox Live® online entertainment network for the Xbox 360® games and entertainment system from Microsoft and via PlayStation®Network for the PlayStation®3 system.


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SysTutorials › Forums › QA › System Call Tracking without ptrace,strace,etc.
How could I log system calls made by another process without using current built in functions like ptrace, strace, audit etc.
I think two options are intercepting the system call table, and another is modifying the entry_64.s file. I want to output these system calls to a file.
Can't find any suggestions on this anywhere.
Related topics
May 11, 2018 at 11:22 pm


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As a player, the moment the first leaf on one of the trees in Regina turns orange, the season blows by you at the speed of sound. One day you're packing for a road game, and it seems like the very next day you're boxing up your belongings to ship home...it happens that quick.
That brings us to episode 14 of our OFFSIDES PodCast. 2015 is going to start moving incredibly quickly for the guys in Green and White, and very soon we'll be transitioning out of the CFL talk and onto the off season phase of our work!
So while we're still in it, literally and figuratively if you're the Saskatchewan Roughriders, we can expect to be handed some good conversation pieces as we near the playoffs and Grey Cup Championship picture.
Todays conversation touches on how the CFL should feel as a league if a 5/6 win team actually makes the playoffs. One of the points of emphasis here is that if the CFL wants to improve the quality of play, then it has to improve the quality of coaching.
My favourite part of the PodCast is our discussion on WHY it's so hard for some players to transition into successful coaches. Usually Etch will question the validity of a "thin-resumed" former player as a coach, but this episode he actually broke down for us some of the potential barriers that prevent guys from transitioning from the field to the Coaching Office. You'll love the "Mike Tyson" reference Etch hits us with, but the whole segment was a bit of an eye-opener.
Check it out our work below, and don't forget that it's downloadable by clicking on the title.
Thanks for checking in with us today, we'll talk soon!!!


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2014 Formula One Eithad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Tickets go on sale
More ticket packages and extra activities headline annual extravaganza as circuit capacity rises to 60,000.
Fans to benefit from up to 30% 'earlybird' discount.
Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit (Monday, 31 March, 2014) – Yas Marina Circuit today announced an increase in capacity for the 2014 Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to cope with an expected record demand from fans.
An extension has been made to the popular Abu Dhabi Hill grassed area introduced last year - meaning it can now accommodate 3,000 more fans - and with the Paddock Club boosted by 1,500 extra guests, the event will now host 60,000. The previous record, set last year, was 55,000.
Tickets went on sale today online at www.yasmarinacircuit.com and through the Yas Marina Circuit Call Centre (800 927) as well as through all Etihad Shops and www.ticketmaster.ae.
Organisers are responding to what is set to be the most exciting Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ever, with the circuit hosting the last race of the season and, for the first time, double the points on offer to drivers.
Ticket prices for the four-day showpiece weekend, running from November 20 through to the November 23 Grand Prix, have been frozen at 2013 levels for 2014 and an incredible 'earlybird' discount of up to 30% is being offered until May 31.
In addition to the range of Grand Prix tickets, a new 'GP Parks Package' will allow access to all four event days and entry to either Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world's largest indoor theme park, or the award-winning Yas Waterworld aqua park. For overseas visitors Etihad Airways is also offering a number of all-inclusive packages, consisting of grandstand tickets, flights, hotel accommodation and more, which can be booked on the Etihad Airways website (www.etihad.com) and retail outlets.
All ticket holders will be able to watch the international artist concerts each night at the du Arena - and will be entered into a draw to win return economy flights for two people on the next generation Etihad Airways Boeing 787Dreamliner, which enters service later this year.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi will come alive with musical excitement with the return of Yasalam, the largest city-wide programme run by any F1 host city.
Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO at Yas Marina Circuit, said: "Every year we strive to make this showpiece event better and offer more to the fans. We are constantly responding to what people want and this year we're launching even more ticketing options and specially-created packages that really mean there is something for everyone.
"With an expected capacity crowd of 60,000, more fun activities for fans and double points for the final race – which means more exciting on-track action than ever - the atmosphere promises to be tremendous."
More than 6,000 people have already pre-registered online, 80% of whom are from overseas. The number of international spectators is expected to rise from 43% to 46% with Abu Dhabi Tourism &Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) promoting tickets through 10 overseas offices.
Plans to deliver a bigger cultural experience in the Oasis Fan Village are in place, with initiatives to educate visitors about Abu Dhabi and the UAE's rich history, diverse culture and vibrant society.
"This is a showcase that gives us the chance to speak to a worldwide audience within our home base," said Faisal Al Sheikh, Director, Events Bureau, TCA Abu Dhabi. "We will deliver an engaging experience that hopefully will entice visitors to stay on after the race and discover more about our emirate and it's rich culture."
At the event, technology will play a bigger role, with greater fan involvement and even more opportunities for interaction and socializing through digital media.
Crowds will be wowed with a packed programme of world-class events including international performers, stunning firework displays and a flypast of Etihad Airways' new Dreamliner.
"As title sponsor of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, we look forward to bringing even more visitors from across the world to experience the thrills of this year's race weekend and the many other wonderful attractions in our Abu Dhabi home," said Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways.
"With increased capacity at Yas Marina Circuit this year, we have enhanced our popular range of all-inclusive packages, which consist of Grand Prix tickets, flights, hotel accommodation and more. Adding to demand, our global network is expanding with the introduction of nine more destinations this year, while our much-awaited Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 will also enter service in the fourth quarter of 2014."Back to news


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"Arsenal To Play Without Dicks" is FALSE
The meme below telling a story of one Arsenal player named David Dicks has been circulating round the web since the early 2000s:
However funny the meme is though, it probably isn't TRUE.
First, no info about a David Dicks known to have played for Arsenal exists anywhere.
The only David Dicks we could find out about is 39-year-old Australian sailor who became the youngest person to sail non-stop and solo around the world.
Another David Dick who was an Australian rules footballer never played for Arsenal before his death in 1982 (the funny event in the meme is said to have occurred in the 90s).
Also, in some other memes with just the same story, "David Dicks" is replaced by "Newton Dicks", who again could not be confirmed as an Arsenal football player.
So the meme story, like many of its kind, is certainly false news.


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EMPLOYERS in Asia remained cautious about hiring in the last quarter of 2016 on the back of regional and global concerns stemming from China's weakening economy, UK's Brexit vote and Donald Trump's rise to power in the tumultuous US elections.
The Chinese economy, the world's second largest after the US, marked its slowest growth since 1990 last year when it expanded by just 6.7 percent, compared with 6.9 percent a year earlier. The data sounded alarms across the world as a slowdown in China, as a key driver of the global economy, poses serious concerns for global investors.
Robert Walters in its Asia Job Index for Q4 2016: Asia At a Glance said one upshot on the job market was that many firms, taking cognisance of uncertainties in the global economy, became more cost-conscious as the year came to a close and tightened hiring budgets and offshore services to lower cost locations compared to the corresponding period in 2015.
However, the international recruitment consultancy said there was a particular surge in demand for professionals within the financial services and information technology, driven by new market entrants and exponential growth in these sectors.
Due to the entrance of tech start-ups and the drive to strengthen technology infrastructure and boost consumer engagement, the IT sector saw a 10 percent increase for technology professionals, such as user interface designers, with experience in developing the latest technologies and platforms.
The legal and compliance sector saw a nine percent increase in demand, with new and stricter regulatory and compliance laws that ensured demand for legal and compliance professionals remained healthy.
SEE ALSO: Tech in Asia launches jobs portal to 'build Asia's tech communities'
"With the rise of anti-money-laundering functions in safeguarding firms, candidates with specialist skills in transaction monitoring and subject matter expert advisory remained particularly sought after," Robert Walters said in a press release.
Hiring for Human Resource talent, according to the report, remained steady across industry, with the majority being for replacement roles.
"With many firms focused on retaining staff, there was a rise in demand for roles in talent management, leadership development and compensation and benefits." – report
"Localisation of talent was a priority across most markets, and firms continued to seek both domestic talent and those returning from overseas to fulfill key strategic positions," the report further said.
For the Asia job index, the firm tracked job advertisement volumes for professional positions across the leading job boards and national newspapers in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore.
In China, job advertisement volumes remained "healthy" during the last quarter and were specifically high within the technology and e-commerce sectors as the government continued its drive to build a high-tech and high-value economy.
Job vacancies in IT rose by 25 percent across the digital and financial technology industries last quarter, mainly due to robust ongoing development of the sectors and the government's "Internet Plus" strategy. The consultancy firm said professionals with technical skills in big data, Internet finance and robotics in particular, were in demand.
Hong Kong recorded a 12 percent increase in overall job advertisements, with early signs of returning market optimism driving the rise in annual job advertisements last quarter.
Matthew Bennett, the consultancy's managing director of the Greater China region, said there was a slight upturn in activity in the third quarter of 2016, which encouraged businesses to be a little more confident about expanding hiring budgets.
Bennett pointed out the 27 percent rise in demand for legal and compliance professionals was mainly due to stricter regulatory and compliance laws which impacted the banking and financial services sectors, among others.
"Specifically, compliance experts proficient in anti money-laundering, corporate crime, fraud investigations and policy review were sought after by employers." – Bennett
Malaysia, on the other hand, recorded a mere one percent increase in job postings in the last quarter of 2016.
Robert Walters Malaysia's managing director Sally Raj said the slight rise in annual job advertisements was not surprising as professionals remained cautious about changing jobs due to challenging market conditions.
SEE ALSO: India: Apple to create 4,000 jobs with new office in Hyderabad
"Firms also slowed hiring at the end of the year as companies reviewed budgets and business plans for the following year," she said.
However, she said new jobs were generated as new market entrants continued to expand their operations in Malaysia.
"This was mainly thanks to the country's low operating costs," Sally said.
She said a number of e-commerce startups, for example, created more job opportunities for IT experts such as software developers and those proficient in cyber-security.
"To overcome talent shortages in these areas, many employers focused on attracting Malaysians based overseas and we expect this demand for returning Malaysians to remain healthy through 2017." – Sally Raj
Singapore was the only country in the index to see a decrease in volume of job advertisements, which Robert Walters managing director for Southeast Asia Toby Fowlston said saw decreased hiring budgets in a bid to save costs and continued offshoring to cheaper cost locations, especially in the investment banking sector.
Fowlston said sectors such as oil and gas and manufacturing also remained under duress due to ongoing economic uncertainty.
However, he said more firms shifted from traditional retail to e-commerce supported by rising government investment in the local tech start-up ecosystem.
"This drove vacancies for IT experts proficient in developing latest technologies and platforms," Fowlston said.
With more firms investing in technologies that boost consumer engagement, Fowlston said IT job advertisements grew by 30 percent.


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With the World Cup in full swing, along with obligatory controversy (not to mention the 2022 edition), mega events in cities are back in the spotlight. It is hard to ignore the fact that there has been a paradigm shift in how these events develop.
Increasingly so, developing nations have won bids to host World Cups and Olympic Games in a way previously unseen, with China, Brazil, South Africa, Russia and Qatar hosting the last, current and future editions of such. This is both good news and bad news depending which side of the coin one looks at.
It is true that there are huge investment opportunities that pump good money to the local economy to develop decaying, inefficient, outdated infrastructure amongst other things. Additionally, such events give a massive boost to national and local sentiments, and place traditionally overlooked nations on the spotlight for a couple of weeks, as we saw in South Africa in 2010. Little known places such as Sochi, Manaus and Durban all of a sudden are on par with cities like New York or London, truly giving citizens a sense of place and belonging.
It is also hard to miss the issues associated with mega events in their host cities, as these may outweigh the events themselves. Sochi Olympics brought a once declining Black Sea resort back into the spotlight at the cost of becoming the most expensive Olympics to date; the money many locals would assert went directly somewhere other than Sochi. Brazil's World Cup has been riddled with delay and protests, and has put social divisions on par with the event itself. And further down the line, Qatar 2022 is in the middle of a possible bribery scandal of how the event was secured in the first place.
So what's the role of these so called mega events? Are they truly engines for growth and development in cities across the globe or are they detrimental to the most important unit of our cities, its citizens?
Join us at 7PM BST/2PM EDT this Wednesday, June 18th along Future Cape Town as we discuss, futbol, Olympics and their place in our cities. Follow along on Twitter using the #citytalk tag.
Alejandro Echeverria is Editor of This Big City en español
Image via Gabriel Cabral