text:
The European Union should become the de facto world regulator for the security of the Internet of Things, according to one of the speakers at the IoT Security Foundation conference in London today.
Ross Anderson, professor of security engineering at the University of Cambridge, argued that the European Union should set the pace for IoT security because it is the largest government in the world that cares about the issue.
He said that whereas the United States has shown leadership in setting standards for autonomous vehicles, when it came to IoT, such as medical devices, it had shown little interest in regulating the industry.
He drew a parallel with development of privacy software which organisations like Google undertake in Germany because it has the strictest rules around this and if you can make it work in Germany, it will work anywhere.
The growth in autonomous cars will drive greater interest in IoT security, he said. Toyota says that by 2019 all of its cars will come equipped with all the sensors they need to drive autonomously. The actual functionality would then be rolled out through automated updates, in much the same way that Tesla cars do now.
Prof Anderson said that within 10 years, all new cars will depend on a monthly software patch. The US, as the leading consumer of automobiles in the world, will have a great influence on how this is rolled out.
However, in the world of medical devices, there is a crying need for action to be taken to standardise the software and the hardware.
He said that when you go into the hospital, you can be dependent on 40 to 50 computers running monitors and therapeutic devices. But many of these devices are completely nonstandard, so that on one machine you press "1" to increase the quantity of drugs being pushed through a drug pump while on another device it's "5".
Is it any wonder that 2000 people a year die in the UK from mistakes involving medical devices?
"We have known for 20 years the need to upgrade the Internet of Things for security but now it's moving up the agenda, front and centre," he said.
Unfortunately, safety regulators are behind the curve. For instance, he pointed out that automobile safety testers still go through a regime of crashing cars into barriers and video recording crash test dummies.
Although that process works on a product that has a three-year development cycle and 10 year lifecycle, it's not adequate for an industry where the adversary can discover a flaw today and use it to target a million devices tomorrow.
There are dozens of regulators at the EU level and hundreds in the member states that are addressing these issues.
However, the EU could do more by updating the product liability directive, require vendors to certify for their CE marks that their products are secure by default and update the NIS Directive.And the EU or individual states need to bear in mind that cyber-security is not all about counter-terrorism. We need an agency staffed by security experts who are working on behalf of consumers, not focused on national security, he said.


text:
These tips are ideal for entrepreneurial folks who plan on opening a bamboo dealership. Read this before you start!
If you can't see the forest from the trees, maybe you shouldn't rush to open a bamboo dealership.
(article continues below)
How to Write an Effective Bamboo Dealership Business Plan
It's virtually impossible for your bamboo dealership to succeed without an effective business plan.
Accuracy and an eye for detail count when writing a business plan. To be reliable, your business plan can't include best guesses or intentional exaggerations.
The more effort you invest in the details of your plan, the greater the payoff you will receive from your efforts. As a further guide, consider what the experts say about business plan writing.
Evaluate the Competition
Prior to opening a bamboo dealership within your community, it's a good idea to find out how many competitors you have. Try our link below to find competitors near you. Just enter your city, state and zip code to get a list of bamboo dealerships in your community.
Gain a knowledge of how existing firms have positioned themselves in the marketplace, and then design your business in a way that sets you apart from the others.
Getting Advice from Experienced Entrepreneurs
After you've evaluated your local competitors, the next step is to talk to somebody who is already in the business. If you think your local competitors will give you advice, you're being overoptimistic. It'd be crazy for them to teach you the business.
However, a fellow entrepreneur who has started a bamboo dealership in another town can be a great learning resource for you, after they realize you reside far away from them and won't be stealing their local customers. Many business owners are happy to give advice to new entrepreneurs It can take a while to find an entrepreneur who is willing to talk, but it's well worth the effort.
Where can an aspiring entrepreneur like you find a bamboo dealership owner who is willing to talk to you but doesn't live nearby?
Here's how we would do it. Try the useful link below and key in a random city/state or zipcode.
Tips for Buying a Bamboo Dealership
It's fairly common for bamboo dealership entrepreneurs to gain entry through a business acquisition.
To avoid common mistakes, it's important understand the critical factors to consider when buying a business. The first criteria to consider is whether the existing business can be adequately adapted to your business philosophy.
If the business appears to meet your requirements, you'll need to verify your impressions through broker-assisted due diligence and legal research.
Is Franchising the Right Option?
If you are launching your first business venture, it might be wise to contemplate buying a franchise rather than starting a business from scratch.
If you are thinking about opening a bamboo dealership, you ought to check out whether there are good franchise opportunities available that might make it easy to get started.
The link below gives you access to our franchise directory so you can see if there's a franchise opportunity for you. You might even find something that points you in a completely different direction.
More Advice for Startups
These additional resources regarding starting a business may be of interest to you.
Consideration Before Buying a Franchise
Conversation Board
How can we improve this article on launching a bamboo dealership? We enjoy hearing your comments, insights and suggestions
Already Own a Bamboo Dealership?
If you currently own a bamboo dealership, these resources will come in handy:
Marketing a Bamboo Dealership
Selling a Bamboo Dealership
Are You Selling to Bamboo Dealerships?
If you sell to bamboo dealerships, you're in the wrong place. These resources are more appropriate for you:
Selling to Bamboo Dealerships
Mailing Lists for Bamboo Dealerships
More Startup Guides
If you are interested in starting a different kind of business, please browse our directory of guides below.
Additional Resources for Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneur FeaturesEmployee to EntrepreneurSmall Business EthicsGood Business BooksStudying EntrepreneurshipHow Kids Make MoneySocial EntrepreneurshipMergers and AcquisitionsEntrepreneur Blogs

subset: commoncrawl


text:
That's exactly what would happen, if new legislation proposed by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez passes. Bernie and AOC announced new legislation to cap credit card interest rates at 15%. It's a move they say is designed to "help protect consumers from the greed of the credit card and banking industries."
A better description would be protecting us from ourselves, after all, nobody forces you to apply for a credit card, let alone start charging on it and then not paying it off every month, because as we all know, if you pay off your card every month, you don't get charged any interest. But apparently we as consumers, can't do that, so it's Bernie and AOC to the rescue.
On the surface as a credit card customer myself, this sounds great. For those of us who use a card and don't pay of our balances every month and pay above 15% interest, it will save a lot of money….but here's the problem with this plan.
If you cap the rate at 15% the banks will no longer afford to give credit cards to those who Bernie and AOC say are in most need of credit cards…low and middle income families. The risk of default will be too high. That's why high risk card holders are charged higher rates than low risk card holders.
The banks are in business to make money, not lose it. They also must make their shareholders happy and you don't do that by losing money on credit card customers who don't pay off their balances.
The biggest problem I have with this plan, is this…Who in the world do Bernie and AOC think they are, to think they can tell anyone how much profit they are allowed to make on services the business offers?
I had a discussion with a bar owner recently who is in favor of capping the interest rate at 15%. If you're in favor of this, I will ask you the same question that I asked him.
As a business owner, would you be in favor of capping what you charge for a service, like serving alcohol at 15%? I pointed out to him, that a bottle of vodka he sells in his bar costs about $30, so the profit on a bottle of Vodka would be about $34.50. As anyone who has ever paid for a martini knows, the actual profit on a bottle of vodka or gin is actually closer to three or four hundred percent.
So how could he be in favor of capping the profit that a credit card company makes at 15% and not also be in favor of capping his services at 15%? He didn't have an answer.
There are so many problems that weren't thought out with this proposal. Why did they choose an arbitrary number like 15%? Why not 10% or 5% or prime plus 1%? If you're going to help consumers and screw businesses, let's really do it.
Banks are going to make their money some way, plus there are ways to get around the 15%. They can charge $20 or $30 a month in service fees or instead of making it free to have a card they can do like some banks already do and charge a yearly sign-up fee of a couple hundred dollars.
However if Bernie and AOC truly are serious about helping consumers by capping the rate at 15%, why not include in the proposal that the government will cover all defaults on credit cards. Banks would probably be fine with that, knowing they didn't have to cover any losses and could just count on the 15% profit margin that they would be guaranteed. But as we all know, if the government is covering the losses, what that really means is that you and I and our taxes are covering the losses.
If they really wanted to help consumers and this was truly all about helping people, they would have introduced legislation that requires at least a 670 credit rating to even get a credit card. Think about it, if credit rating isn't good enough to get a credit card your interest rate is 0….and 0 is way better than 15%
If you have thoughts or comments, email me at email@example.com


text: This is a great place to have your child. The care that they provide is top notch. The staff really cares about your child. They have many things that your child can do from fun games to great learning things that will help them out in school. I feel very comfortable with them when my child is with them. I am 100% pleased with them and I am sure you will be also.


text:
Friday, December 23, 2005
How Did the "Public" Really Feel about the Strike?
According to this article in the Daily News, news directors on local radio stations were surprised by the level of public support for the union:
In a WWRL poll, 71% of respondents blamed the MTA and only 14% blamed the transit workers, which Bishop said he found "a little surprising. I would have thought it would have been more even."
Almost every station that took calls found support for the transit workers. "I've used the transit system for years," said Margaret, a caller to WOR, "and I've talked with many workers about the horrible conditions. We need to support them."
"Perhaps surprisingly, there's a lot of support for the strike," said WOR news director Joe Bartlett. He suggested residents were coping with the strike "because this is a city that doesn't cave under pressure. New Yorkers thrive on adversity."
The local CBS affiliate did a poll and found 63% "angry" about the strike after the first day, but if you look at the comments from people who bothered to write letters, many are supportive of the strikers and aggravated with the media coverage. ABC did a poll asking "which side are you on," and found over 50% in support of the union. MYDD has an article on polls which finds high public support in spite of negative media coverage.
My guess is that despite all the lip-service to poor people being inconvienced by the strike that the major vocal opposition to the strike came from the middle and upper class, who talked in the abstract about people earning $20,000 who were hurt by it, but that poor people felt the sacrifice was worth it if it meant a better deal for the workers. Does anyone out there have any numbers on that, besides the Marist report showing the 60% support for the strike from African Americans?
Some took advantage of the strike and the temporary ban on single-driver vehicles to promote transportation alternatives.
1 comment:
Public support for slavery? (via Nathan Newman
"...a quick point that's the most basic about the Taylor Law-- and any law that prohibits strikes.
They are slave laws, nothing less. They tell people they must show up to work on threat of government-backed punishment.
Early in the 20th century, the courts regularly banned most strikes, even in the private sector, and labor progressives denounced those court decisions as a violation of the 13th Amendment ban on involuntary servitude. The Norris-LaGuardia Act of 1932 ended much of that power to ban private strikes but left intact the ability of governments to enforce slave conditions on their employees-- covenient that. (Of course, the 1947 Taft-Hartley Act and followup laws led to the banning of a range of other private strikes as well).
Getting paid is not enough to make someone free. They have to have the right to refuse to work, which is why the right to strike is promoted as a basic international human right.
Lech Walesa recently led a group of Nobel Prize winners who condemned US labor practices. It's worth remembering that all those Solidarity strikers in the Lenin Shipyard were government workers. Yet the same folks who loved illegal union actions in Poland often denounce public employees in the US going on strike.
Commuters don't have to love the transit union strikers -- although they should since they are fighting not just for themselves but a whole range of workers -- but should be ashamed of themselves if they endorse the Taylor Slave Labor Law."


text:
|Aktif Ziyaretçi
|Bugün Toplam
|Toplam Ziyaret
The New Aphrodite
Carl Anton Paul Ruck
The tale of Eros and Psyche is known from its Latin version as Cupid and Psyche, encapsulated in the novel titled the Metamorphoses or Golden Ass (Asinus Aureus) of the second-century CE Apuleius from a Roman colony in northern Africa. It survived antiquity perhaps in a single manuscript and excited great interest in Florence of the Medici Renaissance because of its Neoplatonic motif of the transcendent mystical escape from the Cave of delusionary appearance. Apuleius was an initiate into the Egyptian Mystery religion of Isis, and probably also the great Mystery of Greek Eleusis. The tale had been told as well by his Syrian Greek contemporary Lucian and was already sacred in fourth century BCE Magna Graecia at certain cave sanctuaries where the promiscuously sexual love goddess Aphrodite was jointly worshipped with Demeter, the goddess of fertility, and her daughter Persephone, as patrons of the union between husbands and wives. The tale employs the peculiar monogamous mating of the butterfly and its metamorphosis within the cave-like excreted exoskeleton of its golden chrysalis. It is an allegory of the incarnation of spirit in physicality that produces a new version of sexuality as love, rewarded with immortality, and a superior version of beauty endowed with mortality.
KEY WORDS: Aphrodite, Greek Myths, Dionysus, Mystery religion
Gollnick, J., Love and the soul: psychological interpretations of the Eros and Psyche myth. Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 1992.
Lewis, C.S., Till we have faces: a myth retold. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. 1956.
Merkelbach, R. Roman und Mysterium in der Antike. Munich: C.H. Beck'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1962.
Neumann, E. Amor and Psyche: the psychic development of the feminine: a commentary on the tale of Apuleius Princeton; Princeton University Press. 1956.Ruck. C.A.P, and Hoffman, M.A., Entheogens


text:
WTB: Neumann KM86
*Gear*ed towards individuals who are buying/selling - NOT a place for businesses to post their goods for sale.
Moderators: TapeOpLarry, tomb
Post Reply
1 post • Page 1 of 1
WTB: Neumann KM86
Looking to make a pair out of the one I've got. Would also be interested in trading one of my KM84s plus balance in cash. Located in Akron, OH.
Post Reply
1 post • Page 1 of 1
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 33 guests


text:
About Studio 9
Studio 9 was founded in 2004 by mother-daughter team, Anna and Jessica Yee. Together, they launched a dance studio that would cater to the unique needs of each student. Small classes would allow the instructor to focus more attention to each student than traditional dance class sizes. Unlike other dance studios, we focus more on the creative upbringing and individual development of the student than competition. Many students were attracted to this idea simply because the ideology allowed them to dance to their own liking, with the rigours, discipline and training from a qualified instructor without worrying about being in a competitive environment.
We boast students of all ages, genders, abled and disabled. Each staff member loves to teach, choreograph and inspire dancers of all ages. We are passionate, qualified and educated in their field, and this is apparent in their teachings. We dreams to inspire future dancers and dance instructors to teach and dance with passion and compassion. The studio places much emphasis on the healthy dancer, incorporating imagery and strength training into all classes.
We are also very involved in the Toronto community, participating in events such as CNE - Chinese New Year 2004, Yee Hong Annual Dance Show, or fundraising for charitable events. We hope to provide all students who wish to perform with positive and exciting performance experiences while building their self-confidence and their awareness for social conditions.
Studio 9 Profiles
Jessica Yee
Artistic Director, Choreographer and Principal Instructor
BATD Stage Associate
York University Dance Degree
Jessica Yee has over 20 years of professional and pre-professional dance training. She began dance at the age of five, and she has now graduated from the York University Dance Program. Prior to York, Jessica studied several different disciplines in the fine arts, including dance, singing, martial arts, and music. She has participated in many competitions where she has earned many medals and awards, including Fifth overall in the Ottawa Region, and First in her category Internationally.
Jessica trained at several different dance schools and academies such as Debbie Dance Academy, Rideau Lake School of Dance, Brockville School of Dance, Zhonghua Arts and Language Academy, Ten Talent Management and Chi Ping Dance Group. Through her extensive training, she has developed her personal unique choreographic style to be a blend of different dance disciplines as well as being influenced by her oriental heritage. In 2002, Jessica earned her BATD Stage Associate and had taught part-time at the York University's recreation program for 2 years and at her private studio "Studio 9". Jessica's students have performed all over Ontario and Montreal at various events as well as appearing on national TV in Canada.
Jessica has performed and choreographed with the Chi Ping Dance Group in various events and productions. She is also part of the Le Stelle Music Theatre Program where she first appeared as one of the stepsisters in "Cinderella". She recently performed in the lead role of "The King and I" as well as Tszitel in"Fiddler on the Roof".
Anna Yee
Director and General Manager
Anna Yee has been involved in the dance scene for over 20 years. She began as a supportive parent, driving her daughter to and from classes, and today, she is the rock of Studio 9. Anna is the costume director, adminstrator, book-keeper, agent, handy-person, critic and much more. She has over 30 years experience in the business world, operating several businesses since the mid 1970's. Her sewing expertise has been widely used in various recitals, productions and events.
Frances is a dance teacher at Studio 9. She has been dancing and training for 9 years in Hong Kong, 4 years in Canada with Jessica, and 2 years of teaching experience at Studio 9. She has done ATOD jazz exams and other ballet exams when she was training in Hong Kong. She is recently in the senior performance class at Studio 9. Frances Lee is an enthusiastic and active person. She is a certified life guard and has involved with different fitness school teams like wrestling and dragon boating. She is currently studying in Ryerson University in the Food and Nutrition program.
Vasilis (DK)
Vasilis is a charismatic individual with over 12 years of experience break-dancing and competing throughout the GTA as well as New York in the break-dance community. Alongside his Crew Saiko Skematiks, he has performed for a wide variety of audiences ranging from kids online entertainment programming to festival performances and even private parties for members of parliament. Vasilis is known for his emphasis on more abstract styles of breakdancing and has a deep passion for helping his students reach their creative potential while keeping them motivated in a fun learning environment.
Arshiya was born in India, in a small city called Jammu. Her passion for dancing began at the age of 5; when her mother took her to her very first dance class. She shorty left India and arrived in Canada at the age of 8. It has now been over 15 years, and dance has never left her life. She is now part of two professional dance teams and performs at various events. She has performed at renowned events such as Iffa awards, DesiFest, Raptors, and even in a Bollywood movie called Dr. Cabi. Arshiya is a free style dancer but incorporates various dance styles such as Bollywood, Hip Hop, Contemporary and Belly Dancing. She is currently teaching her own class called Bellyfit; consisting of belly dance and Yoga. Arshiya hopes to bring happiness through her dance, not only within her culture but all over the world.
Cassandra's desire for the art of dance was evident from a early age, and dance soon became a driving force in her life. Receiving her formal training from Young Dancers Of Canada, All That Dance, And Art And Soul Dance Company she now continues to train with professionals in the industry. Throughout her competitive years, Cassandra achieved much success completing her R.A.D ballet exams and winning many prestigious awards. Cassandra is presently choreographing in Toronto and has finished her studies at University Of Toronto as a Physiotherapist.
Jennifer is a dancer, assistant, and a teacher at Studio 9. She has tried many styles of dance including ballet, lyrical, jazz, and tap. Jennifer enjoys interacting with the teachers and students of Studio 9 as it exemplifies a positive and family-friendly atmosphere for all to learn and be encouraged to pursue their artistic goals. Jennifer dances for various reasons and encourages anyone interested in finding a source of creative outlet, to exercise, or just to have fun, to try dance. She teaches a creative dance class for young dancers and assists in various other classes, as well. Apart from dance, Jennifer's favourite hobbies are listening to music and snacking.
Ashley initially entered the dance world through acrobatics and gymnastics at an early age. After competing provincially with Seneca Gymnastics, her interests later expanded into other styles of dance such as lyrical ballet and jazz. As part of the Studio 9 staff, she incorporates her background knowledge into her choreography and teaching style in Beginner and Intermediate Acrobatics.
Mary began dancing at the age of six, going into jazz, ballet, and lyrical. She uses her dance experience to teach beginner jazz to both children and pre-teens. She also assists in the morning creative dance class, where she gets to work with younger children. She loves being part of the Studio 9 staff because the people are extremely kind and accepting; they're empathetic towards anyone and everyone. She recommends dance to everyone out there because it's a great form of expression. It allows you to cram some exercise into your busy schedule and alleviate your daily stresses as well. Outside of dance, Mary also plays many instruments and takes part in five ensembles at her school. Her interests include music, reading, and, evidently, dance.
Assistant Instructor
Catherine is an assistant and dancer at Studio 9. She has been dancing with Studio 9 since 2007 and does a variety of styles such as ballet and jazz. Catherine attends an art school and has experience in the other performing arts (dance, music, drama and visual arts). She has a great personality, wild imagination, loves to smile, is energetic, and loves to work with different people. As an assistant at Studio 9, she works in different classes with younger students and enjoys assisting and providing help for students to achieve their personal goals. She enjoys working in a wonderful environment filled new opportunities and kind people around her. Other than dance, Catherine also expresses her artistic features through music and the other arts. Catherine loves to dance to express, entertain, enjoy, exercise, make others smile, learn and most importantly to have fun at Studio 9.
Assistant Instructor
Alexa's love of dance begins with classical ballet, leading her to other forms of dance including lyrical, contemporary, jazz and hip-hop. With over 10 years of dancing experience, she performed at various events throughout the GTA, choreographed performance for school graduation, and received distinction in the RAD exams. Art and music are her inspirations for creating dance and assisting classes.


text:
When Thomas Watson announced that "… there is a world market for maybe five computers." he had clearly underestimated the power of computers as well as the technology that came with it. This was many years ago and we have come a long way since then. Formerly computers were huge and immobile compared to their smallness and mobility nowadays. We can now use the existing infrastructure and the given abstraction to not deal with all the underlying burden of servers and just focus on delivering the best experience through serverless technologies.
weXelerate was happy to welcome IBM and the startup Txture on December 12th for a Tech Breakfast with the focus on serverless computing. The term serverless computing refers to a cloud a computing model, whereby code is executed on servers, but the abstraction means that you do not have to care about the server anymore, dynamically managing the allocation of machine resources. Pricing is based on the actual amount of resources consumed by an application, rather than on pre-purchased units of capacity. Therefore, serverless computing is not a solution for a few but it will be transforming the way developers deploy and manage complex software, and it has vast implications on how organizations deliver their applications.
weXelerate has asked the two speakers from the Tech Breakfast – Hannes Höttinger, ML expert at IBM and Matthias Farwick, CEO at Txture – to share a few insights on this topic.
weX: Matthias, Hannes, welcome and thank you for your time for a few questions. To start off, could you define the term "serverless computing" for end-users like me?
Hannes: Well, let me try to explain it with an example. There are online services like the ORF tvthek that don't have the same number of users every day. On Tuesday noon fewer people might use the service compared to a Friday night. Serverless computing enables companies to offer their services in the same quality to a few as well as to many users. Engineers do no longer have to worry about the infrastructure, they just provide the code and a particular business function. The business functions are run on the open source framework Open Whisk. The service is scalable, customers only pay when their online service is actually in use.
Matthias: I couldn't have defined the term better.
weX: Is there a current project or cooperation between IBM and Txture?
Hannes: No, we don't have a current project, but at the moment IBM is evaluating the Txture tools for future use in our transformation projects with other companies.
Matthias: Today's presentation at the Tech Breakfast showed that both companies are working in serverless computing, an area, which is of much interest to companies and consumers alike. It's quite easy to imagine for me that Txture and IBM will be partners for future serverless computing projects.
weX: What do you think about the weXelerate Accelerator program?
Matthias: We are happy to be part of this program. Many opportunities have opened up for us. Especially the mentoring program has been really helpful, we have connected and networked with a number of interesting people.
Hannes: We like the weXelerate idea, but are still working out how we fit into the weXelerate ecosystem.
weX: As experts do you think that serverless computing is just another fashion-trend or will we still use this technology in a few years' time?
Matthias: I wouldn't go as far as calling serverless computing a fashion trend. I think that some companies and business areas are more likely to make use of this technology than others. For example, BMW announced on an Amazon Web Services event that they are using serverless for their online car-configurators.
Hannes: There are three stages with every new technological trend Research/Experimentation, Commercialization and Growth As far as I know, serverless computing is already in stage three and being used by many companies. Consumers might not know it, but Amazon's Alexa is running on this technology.
weX: Well, an exciting future is ahead of us. Thank you for your time and the interview.
Hannes: Thanks, my pleasure.
Matthias: Thank you.


text:
Gas fired tables and fire pits add a warm and cozy glow to any outdoor space. A gas fire pit it easy to maintain and definitely create a focal point to any outdoor living space. Your neighbors will be so envious of this design statement that you will have in your backyard.
Please keep in mind that you can choose the shape that you desire, the size you have in mind, and the base stone that you would like to use. Another choice is the cap stone that you prefer and what type of gas you have to use. Our designers can help you choose the style of your pit area, be it Contemporary, Modern, Eclectic or Traditional.
Knowledge Base | Glossary | Accessibility | Asheville | Bryson City | Charlotte | Cherokee | Franklin | Raleigh | Sylva | Waynesville


text:
Here are two of my highlights from the day:
International Playtime; 45 minutes of fun run around games......it was at this point I realised that I was wearing the most inappropriate footwear for the day but to my delight I was not the only one! This game slot was quite an interesting one for me as most of the games were ones I have played or facilitated within a theatrical context so I was completely in my comfort zone but what made it fun and interesting for me was watching other people's reactions and interactions with the game and the other participants. Within 45mins a group of complete strangers are immediately connected in a way that would only ever happen through play and not real life.


text:
"Crzypengu. Communications have been restored. If you see Rookie, tell him to visit my office. Immediately."
Pretty neat EPF Message don't you think? I am glad these came back as I missed talking about them. Anyways please leave a comment below on your thoughts of this message and I will put up more updates on the way.


text:
Want to Become a Bank, Central / State Govt Officer in 2020?
Join the Most awarded Coaching Institute & Get your Dream Job
Now Prepare for Bank, SSC Exams from Home. Join Online Coure @ lowest fee
Lifetime validity Bank Exam Coaching | Bank PO / Clerk Coaching | Bank SO Exam Coaching | All-in-One SSC Exam Coaching | RRB Railway Exam Coaching | TNPSC Exam Coaching | KPSC Exam Coaching
Daily Current Affairs ( Oct 18, 2018) like many other sections is inevitable and this also helps to score in the Banking awareness , Static GK and Financial Awareness sections. Remember, Banking Awareness and Static Awareness Questions are asked from the General Awareness section. This will also help you to ride your preparations for the forthcoming exams.
Muzaffarpur's Shahi Litchi Gets GI Tag
Bihar's Shahi Litchi — mostly grown in Muzaffarpur and adjoining areas of East Champaran, Vaishali, Samastipur and Begusarai districts — now enjoys the geographical indication (GI) tag.
The GI registration was done in the name of Litchi Growers Association of Bihar, which had applied for the tag.
Geographical indication is used on a product of specific geographical origin that attains its uniqueness or reputation because of its place of origin.
Litchi happens to be the fourth agricultural product for which Bihar has got GI tag. In December last year, three agricultural products — Bhagalpuri Zardalu, Katarni rice and Magahi Paan — had been given GI tags.
India's 1st Cryptocurrency ATM installed In Bengaluru
Bengaluru-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="http://s3-eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/bankersdaily/wp-content/uploads/20181018163902/Indias-1st-Cryptocurrency-ATM-Installed-In-Bengaluru-300x200.jpg 300w, http://s3-eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/bankersdaily/wp-content/uploads/20181018163902/Indias-1st-Cryptocurrency-ATM-Installed-In-Bengaluru-530x353.jpg 530w, http://s3-eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/bankersdaily/wp-content/uploads/20181018163902/Indias-1st-Cryptocurrency-ATM-Installed-In-Bengaluru.jpg 750w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />The virtual currency exchange Unocoin has installed a currency deposit and dispensing ATM at Kemp Fort Mall in Bengaluru.
The kiosk, installed by Unocoin, allows its customers to deposit and withdraw minimum amount of Rs 1000 from the platform.
First of its kind in India, this ATM circumvents the RBI regulation against bitcoins transaction. RBI has ruled earlier this year that financial institutions associated with RBI are not permitted to deal with cryptocurrencies.
6th Meeting Of UAE-India High-Level Joint Task Force Held In Mumbai
The sixth meeting of the UAE – India High Level Joint Task Force on Investments ('the Joint Task Force') was held in Mumbai to review the progress being made in addressing the agreed actions of the previous meeting held in Abu Dhabi in January 2018 and to elaborate a number of new key issues of mutual importance.
The meeting was co-chaired by H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, and H.E. Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Civil Aviation, Government of India.
To facilitate investments and resolve issues relating to UAE Investments in India, a special UAE desk 'UAE PLUS' shall be established in Invest India, the National Investment Promotion Agency of India.
12th Asia Europe Meeting Summit Begins In Brussels
The 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit begins in Brussels, Belgium.
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, will lead the Indian delegation at the two-day summit.
The theme this year is, 'Global Partners for Global Challenges'.
The summit will prioritise issues related to connectivity, trade and investment, sustainable development, climate change, terrorism, migration, maritime security and cyberspace.
During his stay, the Vice President will also hold a meeting with prominent Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and CEOs of Belgium. He will address the Indian Diaspora at the Jain Culture Centre in Wilrijk, Antwerp.
Canada Becomes 2nd Country To Legalize Recreational Cannabis
Canada has become the second country after Uruguay to legalise possession and use of recreational cannabis. Medical marijuana has been legal in the country since 2001.
Ontario, Canada's most populous province, will only begin opening retail stores next spring, though residents will be able to order cannabis online.
Cannabis, also known as marijuana among other names, is a psychoactive drug from the Cannabis plant used for medical or recreational purposes.
RBI issues guidelines for facilitating money transfer among e-wallets
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released guidelines to facilitate payments among different mobile wallets, a move aimed at promoting digital transactions.
As per the road-map laid down in 2017, interoperability of all KYC-compliant Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs) was to be enabled in three phases – interoperability of PPIs issued in the form of wallets through Unified Payments Interface (UPI), interoperability between wallets and bank accounts through UPI, and interoperability for PPIs issued in the form of cards through card networks.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued consolidated guidelines for enabling all phases in order to prepare better for implementation of interoperability.
Union Minister MJ Akbar Resigns
MJ Akbar, Minister of State For External Affairs, has resigned from his post in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment made by several women against him.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ramnath Kovind has accepted resignation of Minister of State For External Affairs MJ Akbar.
Suheil F. Tandon wins International Olympic committee (IOC) award
Social Entrepreneur Suheil F. Tandon has won the International Olympic Committee's Sport and Active Society Commission's Grant Award for his contribution to sports for development.
Suheil is the Founder of Pro Sport Development (PSD) and Executive Director of Martha Farrell Foundation.
The award ceremony was held during the Olympism in Action forum at Buenos Aires.
India Ranks 58th in Global Competitiveness Report 2018
India has been ranked as the 58th most competitive economy on the World Economic Forum's global competitiveness index for 2018, which was topped by the US.
India's rank rose by five places from 2017, the largest gain among G20 economies, the WEF said.
On the list of 140 economies, the US is followed by Singapore and Germany at the second and the third positions respectively. India was ranked 58th with a score of 62.0 in the latest Global Competitiveness Report.
'Maharana Pratap: The Invincible Warrior': A Book Authored By Rima Hooja Released
A new book on Maharana Pratap named "Maharana Pratap: The Invincible Warrior" authored by historian Rima Hooja has been released.
In Maharana Pratap: The Invincible Warrior, noted historian Rima Hooja describes in detail how Maharana Pratap managed to elude capture by the mighty Mughal army for so long and never bowed down to Akbar.


text:
CATCH Dubai Launches a Brunch For the Modern Diner With Food You Can't Resist At last! A brunch in Dubai where it's all about the food! CATCH Dubai is set to dish up an irresistible menu as part of the newest Brunch in town. The talented Chef's have designed a unique Brunch menu where they truly aim to satisfy. From 1pm-4pm every Saturday, kicking off on Saturday 17th … [Read more...]
Ladies Night at Stage 2, VIDA Downtown Dubai
Tuesdays are the new Thursdays! It's time to slip on your favorite heels and head over to Stage 2 at VIDA Downtown Dubai for a memorable girls' night out. When you are looking for the perfect venue to catch up with close friends, good food and drinks are a must! Stage 2 offers the ideal setting for your girly get together with its chilled out atmosphere, delectable nibbles, … [Read more...]
Sanjeev Kapoor opens first restaurant in Abu Dhabi
Ask celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor what his latest Abu Dhabi restaurant serves, and his answer is simple: "Joy and happiness." The journey of Sanjeev Kapoor has been a significant one. The first restaurant of UAE in Dubai of Sanjeev Kapoor was founded 18 years back. Kapoor, who is famous for his signature Indian food around the world as well as his appearances on television … [Read more...]


text:
Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap is a remake of the 1989 Master System platformer Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap. The developer Lizardcube has announced that the title will be coming to Android on May 30th. Once the game is launched, you'll be able to pick it up for $8.99, though if you'd like to save 30% off the retail price, you can pre-register on the Play Store to receive that discount.
There's no denying that this remake looks fantastic, thanks to its gorgeous hand-drawn graphics. Reviews for the console and PC edition have remained positive since its launch, so unless the Android port takes a wrong turn somewhere, this is looking like a notable release for any fan of classic platforming action.
The gameplay of this remake has been reverse engineered from the original Master System version, and you can switch back and forth between the new hand-drawn graphics and the older 8-bit graphics. The story revolves around an adventurer that's afflicted with a curse. In order to remove this curse, the player must journey through an assortment of lands in search of dragons. Once these dragons are defeated, the curse will be lifted. Along the way, your character will unlock a few different animal forms that will be helpful in defeating the game's many enemies, which is an enjoyable mechanic that keeps the gameplay evolving as you progress.
Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap will land on Android as a premium release, which means no in-app purchases are expected. Bluetooth controller support should also be included, as well as Shield TV support.
Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap should appeal to fans of classic platformers, and thanks to its graphics swapping feature you can enjoy the game in its original 8-bit form or the newly-polished hand-drawn version. The inclusion of controller support is also very welcome, as this can be a challenging title, plus it will be nice to sit back and enjoy the game on the Shield TV, which should be more fitting for those that prefer a console experience. All in all the Android release of Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap sounds like it is shaping up to be a solid port, so make sure to keep an eye out for its official Play Store release on May 30th.
Press Release
Dotemu Bringing Modernised Classic Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap to iOS and Android on May 30th
Remake of Beloved Fan Favourite Nears Half a Million Sold Across PC and Console
Publisher and retro masters Dotemu and Playdigious today announce Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap, the critically acclaimed re-imagining of Westone and SEGA's cult classic adventure, will invite mobile gamers into its breathtaking hand-drawn world on May 30th, on iOS and Android devices, as well as the Nvidia Shield, for £7.49. Those who pre-register via the Google Play Store will be notified via email to receive a whopping 30 percent discount when the game is available.
The mobile adaptation will offer the full premium experience of one of this generation's most warmly received remakes by fans and critics alike. Redesigned for PC and console in 2017 by Lizardcube, the game has been optimised by development studio Playdigious for mobile, including the iPhone X to best present its gorgeous, fluid depiction of Monster Land's charming environments and menacing baddies. Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap features the same beautiful hand-drawn animation from its PC and console counterparts, bringing every moment within its vibrant world to life, as shown in this new trailer showcasing handheld gameplay:
Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap's mobile version has been adjusted for touchscreens and will allow players to enjoy the action platformer on the go. Each of the remake's highly lauded additions will be present, allowing fans to switch between classic and remastered visuals and audio on the fly, enter retro passwords discovered from the original 1989 release, and experience the playable debut of Wonder Girl.
For more information on Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap on mobile, be sure to follow @Dotemu on Twitter and visit the official site: http://www.TheDragonsTrap.com/.
About Dotemu
Dotemu is a french video game company specialising in modern releases of beloved retro games. Our mission is simple: give every gamer access to yesteryear's classic video games on today's platforms, including PC, mobile, console and more. Working alongside the world's most cherished and recognised publishers, the Dotemu team has produced a number of global top-sellers across both PC and console, including Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap, Windjammers 1 and 2, Streets of Rage 4, several games in the Ys series and more.
Founded in 2007, Dotemu leverages its considerable technological know-how to maintain the original spirit of classic games while giving them a second life as rediscovered gems for a new generation of gamers.
About Playdigious
Based near Paris, France, Playdigious is a publisher founded in 2015 with in-house porting capacity currently working on high quality indie games on mobile and soon on additional platforms. We thrive to provide gamers with quality indie titles that stand out in terms of graphics, story and gameplay.
- Source:
Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap is officially available on the Play Store
It was previously announced that Wonder Boy: The Dragon would be coming to the Play Store on May 30th, and lo and behold the developer has delivered. Typically, the game will retail for $9.99 on the Play Store, but it's currently on sale for $6.99 in celebration of its launch, so if you want to pick up this gorgeous platformer at a discount, you should probably do so sometime soon. As previously mentioned, this is a premium release, which means there are no advertisements or in-app purchases included. Physical controllers are supported out of the box, and the title is indeed compatible with the Shield TV, which makes this the perfect platformer to play on the couch.
Press Release
Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap is available on iOS, Android and Nvidia Shield
- The cult title of SEGA comes with a new trailer -
Paris - May 31, 2019
Dotemu and Playdigious retro specialists announce the release of Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap on mobile today. This new vision of the legendary Westone and SEGA RPG is available on iOS and Android , as well as on Nvidia Shield for $ 8.99.
Players who pre-ordered the game on the Google Play Store get 30% off.
Redesigned from the ground up by Lizardcube on PC and consoles in 2017, the cult game of 1989 is worn by one of the great specialists of the genre, Playdigious, on behalf of the retro specialist DotEmu. Particularly well received by the public as criticism and sold more than 500,000 copies on PC and consoles, it retains all its aesthetic charm and playful mobile.
This version of Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap always has breathtaking animations made by hand, exceptional environments and threatening creatures that spoil every nook, not to mention its many playable characters and its unusual path to the world. 'time. Monster Land is more resplendent than ever.
It is always possible to find, on the fly, the graphics and the soundtrack of origin, to dive back into the past as to embrace the excellent work done by Lizardcube and Playdigious. All the novelties of the remake are obviously present in this mobile version - secrets and bonuses, new playable character - which also has controls perfectly adapted to the touch, and the famous password system that made the reputation of the original game thirty years ago. No concessions have been made to allow everyone to live this unforgettable adventure wherever they want.
All information about Wonder Boy: Dragon's Trap on mobile is on Twitter @Dotemu and on the official game site http://www.TheDragonsTrap.com/ .
About Dotemu:
Dotemu is a French video game publishing and development company specializing in modern retro games releases. Our mission is simple: to give all players the opportunity to access the great classics of video games on today's platforms, such as PC, mobile, consoles etc. Working alongside the most famous and recognized publishers, the Dotemu team has produced a number of great hits on PCs and consoles, including Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap, Windjammers 1 and 2, Streets of Rage 4 and several games of the Ys series, among others.
Created in 2007, Dotemu capitalizes on its exceptional technical know-how to keep intact the spirit of video game classics while giving them a second youth for a new generation of players.
About Lizardcube
Lizardcube is a Parisian development studio founded by industry veteran Omar Cornut (Wonder Boy: Dragon's Trap, Pixeljunk Shooter, Tearaway, Soul Bubbles, Dear ImGui) and the specialist in traditional animation and animation. Ben Fiquet (Streets of Rage 4, Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap, Soul Bubbles).
About Playdigious
Playdigious is a video game publisher based near Paris, France, which has been operating since 2015. It has a quality home-based solution for carrying independent games on mobile, and soon on other media. We strive to provide high quality independent games to players who stand out for their graphics, story and gameplay.


text:
The design an organization chooses impacts however a possible client perceives them. From color option to vogue, totally different parts add up to make a primary impression.
This means that dangerous style – or lack of style – will have potential customers closing the browser and seeking different businesses. As a result, your company's style will have an effect on many elements of your digital promoting strategy, and this can be especailly true of content promoting.
What is content marketing?
Content marketing is the follow of business enterprise content that doesn't directly advertise a company's product or brand, however generates interest in those things by providing relevant and useful data.
For Example, Home Depot Has an entire section on their site dedicated to DIY projects and ideas, where they publish guides and tutorials to help homeowners and other's make simple repairs themselves, in place of hiring a contractor or other professional.


text:
A cyber-age thrilling novel about the Internet, capitalism, cyber-security and collective behaviours that stands between Mr.Robot and 13 Reasons Why digging in the shadows of our era with a literary touch and reflecting on the quest for identity in our contemporary, always connected world.
One morning in mid-September of 2008, the 50-year-old Marco Limo, watching TV report on the resounding bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers' business bank, recognizes the ItalianAmerican Greg Lamberti among his newly-dismissed employees. Forty years earlier, in that uncertain phase in childhood dissolving into adolescence, Greg lived in Italy and the two were the protagonists of an obscure and incoherent episode, and have since lost touch. But when Greg is framed by the cameras, it's for Marco as if forty years had not passed. The temptation to look for the friend is irresistible. When they finally meet, for him it is as if the bubble of caution, mental reserves and hypocrisy in which he almost unconsciously found himself living, breaks into pieces.
Prior to Lehman Brothers, Greg was among the founders of Numenor, a software house that after 9/11 developed counterterrorism surveillance programs for the US government; Marco is a former bank employee who has just founded Kleos, an agency that deals with laundering its clients web reputation. Greg has a dream, Marco has long since no dreams anymore, and
maybe that's why he can not resist to the proposal of his friend: using the structure of Numenor's old software, Kleos to develop the embryonic version of a new "deep-action" social network.
The launch of Twins, the new platform, is a planetary success: having a profile, or rather a "projection", becomes a major obligation among the younger ones. Twins quickly modifies collective behaviors and lifestyles. Marco and Greg have succeeded, they managed to achieve a common dream. But when, on a summer morning, the corpse of twenty-four-year-old Milena is found, after she jumped from the sixth floor, the entire scenario begins to change rapidly.
pp. 291
Rights sold: Bompiani [Italy]
Download Italian Original Full
Download English Sample
Download Press Corriere della Sera (English)
Download Press Corriere della Sera Original
Download Sellsheet


text:
Photo: Michel Filion/Flickr
The housing finance market in Canada is unsustainable and needs more competition, according to a report published this week by the Bank of Canada's deputy governor.
While the Canadian housing finance system withstood a sharp drop in liquidity and house prices spurred by the global financial crisis, Lawrence Schembri believes imbalances in the housing market have since arisen that expose the government and, inevitably, Canadian taxpayers to too much risk.
One notable suggestion Schembri makes to rebalance the market is to transition the framework away from government and towards the competitive private sector.
"Given the dominance of a small number of large banks in the Canadian housing finance market, there is also a desire to promote competition within this market by helping to ensure that smaller financial institutions can get adequate funding to remain active market participants," he said in the report, which was published by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, a British think tank.
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), a Canadian government Crown corporation, guarantees the majority of mortgages in Canada. In the past, the Bank of Canada has expressed concern over "overheated" markets in Toronto and Vancouver, though they've never described it as a bubble. While many economists do not believe that a bubble exists in the Canadian housing market, the government would be on the hook if there was ever a significant downturn.
Although some measures have already been taken to manage risk exposure — the government has put limits on publicly guaranteed mortgage insurance and the CMHC has raised insurance premiums and reduced the range of mortgage insurance products it offers — Schembri says more action needs to be taken to sustain the market, particularly the development of a liquid private-label securitisation market, which Canada has never had.
Follow Kat Sieniuc on Twitter: @katsieniuc


text:
All passengers safe, transferred
3 April, 2018, 12:00 am
ALL 180 passengers who were on board the MV Spirit of Altruism which drifted on to the Cakau Davui Reef near Levuka were safely off loaded onto the Spirit of Harmony, says Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji chief executive officer John Tunidau.
He said MSAF had been in contact with vessel owners, Patterson Brothers Shipping Ltd soon after the incident occurred.
"The ship did not run aground, it suffered engine problems and drifted on to the reef," he said.
Mr Tunidau said the ship owners confirmed they had despatched a second vessel as soon as the incident happened to begin rescue efforts.
"The ship owners were also on the scene and we are satisfied with the action they have taken.
"The Fiji Navy co-ordinated all rescue efforts. Two tugboats have been deployed to pull the Spirit of Altruism off the patch of reef."
Mr Tunidau said while a marine notice cautioning small seagoing vessels against travelling in inclement weather had been issued, the same did not apply to larger ships.
"These are big vessels. It's only the small vessels we need to stop. There was a directive given to smaller vessels to be careful of the weather. This was a big vessel with big engines but unfortunately incidents like this do happen. When we give a non-clearance, we give it to certain areas of Fiji and especially to smaller vessels."


text:
"Go to Belliveau Cove Farmer's Market", the local fisherman advised in Acadian flavoured English. "Go get Connie's Traditional Fricot" (pronounced free-coh).
What's Fricot? Amongst Acadians (the French) of Nova Scotia this thick chicken soup/stew with dumplings is a point of pride and one of the signature dishes of their community. And no better than when made by Connie Theriault at the Belliveau Cove Farmer's Market every Saturday, all summer long.
Connie shared that the secret, really, is in the dumplings. They are translucent and an integral part of the flavor and texture. She confidently offers a sample cup to first-timers with good reason. One taste and you're hooked. The Fricot was far beyond anticipations. Thick, luscious in the mouth and smooth on the palate. But it was the dumpling surprise that made the experience truly unique. We finished one portion and got another to go. Connie and her sister Simone, serving and smiling throughout. Incredible! It was my first time on the scenic Evangeline Trail in Western Nova Scotia but the culture, the people and the Fricot will forever stand out in my mind!
Belliveau Cove Farmer's Market is festooned with displays of jewelry, paintings, carvings, local photography, arts and crafts, basket weaving and stacks of gift ideas. Purchase locally grown organic produce, venison, or organic breads. Treat yourself to freshly baked sweets, jams and jellies... the experience is made even better for facing the Bay of Fundy but as the old Frenchman said, "Go to Belliveau Cove Farmer's Market, go get Connie's Traditional Acadian Fricot!"
Copyright © Mick Huerta 2014. All Rights Reserved.
All Accordin' - Travel, Culture, Food, Wine!


text:
- English (United States)
- 日本語
I was good even allowed to MEMO before much more, how to determine the identifier (UDID) is frequently a split, because or there is a need to have examined communicated to various people, I have written while too late .
While developing an iPhone application, in order to have to register into "Devices" of iOS Provisioning Portal the device used for a test, It is necessary to contact various persons and to have UDID of the owned device investigated by an own hand. (If a test machine is good only at its device though natural, I do not need to get people to investigate)
Comparatively hard [ to also explain ], since there are various persons in a world.
By saying, it writes here with a screen shot. The people who Finding of UDID do not know well, first, let's guide this page.
UDID is investigated by iTunes and it is a copy.
It is convenient to use iTunes, in order to investigate UDID. iPhone at hand, iPad, and iPod Touch are connected to the personal computer of Mac or Windows by USB, and iTunes is started. (iTunes which synchronizes usually is good.) In case it will synchronize accidentally .
- If it connects, please choose a device to acquire and display the "outline" column in the place called "device."
- I think that it came to be displayed as "an identifier (UDID)" although what must be clicked such once why was unknown.
- Since it is serious to copy this character string, let's copy.
Click the place called "serial number" currently displayed there.
Postscript (2015.5.21): Carry the latest screen shot.
[Caption id = "attachment_5988" align = "alignnone" width = "300"] Screenshot of iTunes 18.104.22.168 (2015.5.21 now) [/ caption]
String Do stomach over are displayed here is the UDID.
I think "that it will be a copy about an identifier (UDID) if an Edit menu is opened." When "you are a copy about a serial number", please open a menu after returning to the above-mentioned step and clicking a serial number portion.
since the identifier (UDID) was copied above — e-mail and a messenger — please be alike, paste and tell developers this long character string. If it attaches of which device of a stock it is a thing like "being UDID of my iPhone4S" in that case, I will think that it is good.
東京造形大学卒業後、マクロメディア(現アドビ システムズ)に入社。Quality AssuranceやテクニカルサポートマネージャーとしてFlash、DreamweaverなどのWeb製品を担当。独立後、虫カゴデザインスタジオ株式会社を設立。最近は、ZBrush、Xcode(Swift)、Firebase、Unity、Adobe Creative Cloud関連にフォーカスしています。モバイルアプリ開発情報を主としたブログ「MUSHIKAGO APPS MEMO」の中の人。


text: "Mothers are angels with the wings removed…it makes them easier to hug." ÊMom can know just how much you love her every time she's in the kitchen with this little reminder. ÊPotholder is blue with a terry-lined pocket for grasping hot items. ÊIt has a hook for easy hanging and measures 6.5 inches square.


text:
I had started these WAY back in march I believe, they were supposed to be for mom for mothers day, but using smaller needles than called for and me being a tight knitter, they fit Naiomi's feet... she was happy, well having them sitting for months and months with one sock completed and the other needing 2 inches plus the toe decreases, I finally put my mind to it and finished them for her.
I used bernat sock yarn... not to sure of the lot numbers off the top of my head
and 2.5 mmm needles
Old Shale sock pattern
and even is going to wear them to school tomorrow
and here's what I have done on my sock so far.. just about up to the ankle on the first sock!
that just rocks... hopefully the second sock will go as fast!
and this is actually a good pic of the colors..
now how could I not buy this yarn??


text:
- Bike Checks
- Photos
- Videos
- Product
- News
- Forum
- More ▾
After dealing with the major disappointment that was the Motocross of Nations, I guess Eli Tomac decided a million bucks would probably make him feel a little bit better. He was the fastest rider on track the entire night, and he was able to make passes and gap the field on a track that frankly wasn't easy to pass or make up time on. It seemed like he has the 2019 bike pretty dialed in already, which is quite impressive considering he hasn't been riding it for very long. If anything, Eli's performance on Saturday should worry just about everyone in the class outside of Marvin Musquin, who was actually faster in qualifying and ran a similar pace to Eli in the first race. In other news, it was cool to see a fan win a million smackers because of Eli. That was an unexpected addition to this year's race and probably one that someone (aka whoever has to pay out the $2 million) isn't too pumped on right now.
I've loosely followed Max through social media for the past year or so and he is looking faster all the time. Yes, it's early in his "career". He's still on a supermini and you never know how a rider is going to develop once he moves up to the bigger bike that he'll ride as a pro. However, he looked dialed in on Saturday and dominated his class without ever looking out of sorts. He's also fairly tall already and looks like he's about to outgrow his supermini, so I don't think his size will be a problem when he moves up to the bigger bike. Don't be surprised if you start hearing his name more and more over the next couple of years.
Now THIS is the Joey Savatgy we want to see. He has only been riding the 450 for a couple of weeks, but he already looks comfortable on it. He got three good starts, led some laps, and scored a third overall in his 450 debut. That's basically the equivalent of a win to him and Monster Energy Kawasaki. Joey's always had a smooth riding style which clearly didn't always fit the 250, but I wasn't sold on him being any better on the 450 purely because of how rough 2018 was for him. He had the speed in qualifying almost every week on the 250, but just couldn't make it happen during the races. He says he was in a funk last year and maybe that really was the problem, and the change to a bigger bike and new team helped him snap out of it. As far as "Let Eli By Gate" goes, what exactly did everyone expect to happen? It was Joey's debut with the team and Eli Tomac, arguably the biggest name in American motocross right now, is his new teammate AND he was one position away from securing a million dollars....of course he pulled over. It was a lose-lose situation for Joey (he either makes his team or fans mad), but he chose the best option for himself. I'd be willing to take a little heat from fans if it means I get to avoid pissing off my teammate at my first race with the team. Plus, Joey was going to be on the podium regardless and I'm sure Eli is going to toss him a little bit of cash as a thank you present. I understand why people don't like the move. Everyone wants races to play out fairly, and everyone feels a little cheated when someone gives up a spot without a fight, but sometimes it happens, especially when teams are involved. Congrats to Joey on a great 450 debut.
P.S. Joey's Just1 gear setup is actually pretty sweet. I'd never really been a fan of the brand, but their gear is pretty minimalistic and overall good-looking. I'm a little curious about how the Just1 goggles stack up against other brands, though.
Oof, Saturday night was a pretty big pile of caca for KTM. Jordon Smith (who is normally a 250 rider) was the top finisher for the brand in ninth place. Blake Baggett was the only other one in the top ten, and honestly, he was a ghost the entire night. If I had just watched the broadcast and didn't look at the results, I would've guessed Blake just skipped the event. He didn't get the best of starts, but he also didn't move up a whole lot in the races and kind of just stayed where he was. This is an off-season event so we can't assume a whole lot for the guys who were hanging around mid-pack, but combine this performance with basically all of 2018 and it's looking a little worrying for Blake. 2019 is going to be a big year for him to show that he can still win races and make regular podium appearances. It's weird how he made a huge surge in 2017, but then through 2018 and now Monster Cup he has been back to the results he was getting when he rode for Suzuki. Weird stuff, and hopefully he gets the train back on track in 2019.
The first race of the night was promising for Cooper Webb. He got sixth and looked decent out there. The rest of the night didn't go so well, though, as in the second race he was involved in a crash (with, ironically, Tyler Bowers) off of the start and then in the final race of the night he got pushed off of the track on the first lap. So, it was basically a wash for his debut with Red Bull KTM. We didn't get to see a whole lot and can't get much of a feel for how he's gonna do next year. However, Cooper isn't in his rookie contract anymore. He's on a bike that fits shorter riders well, and he will be on a solid training program. If he doesn't perform in 2019 and 2020, no excuses can be made. It's time for him to show what he can do in the 450 class.
If there's one thing that has become evident over the course of Monster Cup's lifespan as an event, it's that whichever rider wears the #1 at the event is bound to encounter some bad luck. Ryan Villopoto, Justin Barcia, Ken Roczen, Eli Tomac, and now Marvin Musquin all either crashed or had some sort of issue while running the number one plate at this event. Davi Millsaps is really the only one that survived unscathed, and he just didn't perform that well. Just a trend I noticed that continues to prove true. Anyway, Marvin's day started out very well when he qualified first. That's about where it ended, though. He was on pace with Eli (for the most part) in the first race but by the time he got up to second place Eli had already established a gap and Marvin wasn't able to cut down on his lead enough to challenge him. His chances at a million dollar repeat were gone just like that. In the second race, he was looking to make a charge before running into a stalled-out Chad Reed, and then in the final race he got shoved wide in the first corner by Malcolm Stewart and pulled out of the race shortly after. So it didn't pan out the way he was hoping, but the speed to challenge Eli (and Jason Anderson when he gets up to speed) is clearly there which is really all we need to know for now. We still have a few months, but it's looking like 2019 is going to be a dog fight for the title between the three big names of the sport: Eli Tomac, Marvin Musquin, and Jason Anderson.
Words by Grant Dawson
Photos by Steve Giberson


text:
Tell us a little about who you are and where you came from...
What was the attraction for you to leave a large board/casual business at Volcom to run a smaller, technically-oriented brand like Troy Lee Designs?
How did your relationship with Troy Lee Designs build to the point where you joined forces?
One of the recurring stories from within the cycling business is that the injection of sophisticated corporate leadership from outside industries most often ends in disaster. How do you protect Troy Lee Designs' organic vibe and, at the same time, aggressively grow and reorganize the business?
Is there a perfect size for a business like TLD, or is there always the potential that a strong brand name, combined with good products and serendipitous timing can lead to Red Bull status?
Historically, the bike side seemed like a secondary business for TLD, but lately, there seems to be a focused effort towards our market. What are your thoughts?
With the millennials maturing and melting into day to day life, there seems to be a new wave of athletes coming into bike and moto who are displacing them – a group that Volcom seems to have successfully connected with. Is that a realistic statement? Will this drive stylistic changes for TLD?
Are you having fun? TLD must be like stepping out of limo and getting behind the wheel of a Lambo…
About UsContacts
Cool FeaturesSubmit a Story to Pinkbike
RSSPinkbike RSS Feed


text:
Didja blink? Cos August is almost over. #SayWhatNow. It's the same ol' same ol' every time this series rolls around, because time is fleeting and we are flying through 2018. The biggest reality check of all is the growing bump on me, since the clock is counting down to ANOTHER HUMAN being in the Gwynn casa. One of the most important things I've come to realize + do the past few months is really just savor the moments – the big, the small, the everything in between. Because moments are fleeting, too, and sometimes the most meaningful are the most simple. Like finding the *best* new frozen treat at the grocery store, or a new signature scent for fall. Check and check. Checking of a whole LOTTA boxes like that in this month's Monthly Favorites; they're all things that have just genuinely enhanced the little moments to make them so much more special as life whirs by around us. So I hope you find some new favorites from the mix, too. 🙂 Let's dive in!
Whenever I'm in Nordstrom, Ulta or Sephora, you can find me in the Beauty section sniffing every perfume on the shelf. I'm THAT GIRL. 😉 So I had smelled Flowerbomb before and knew it was a winner. Then the Viktor&Rolf PR team found out I was pregnant and sent over a little bottle as congratulations, since 1,000+ flowers are used to make each bottle and it's better than a bouquet. HOW SWEET IS THAT?!? I teared up reading the note, justbecause it was so stinkin' thoughtful. But not actually stinkin', since it smells fabulous. 😉 Its notes start with bergamot + orange blossom on top, jasmine, rose, + freesia in the middle, and then base notes of vanilla, praline, + patchouli. Truly a fab combination. If you're a fan of YSL's Black Opium fragrance, I think you'd also lovelovelove Flowerbomb. They have similar-ish notes And if you already know + lovelovelove the Flowerbomb scent, there's a hair mist for that. 😉
2.) FOREO Luna Go
As seen in my most recent huge pregnancy skincare routine roundup! This bad boy is petite but powerful. It's a vibrating facial cleanser that is PERF for travel purposes because of it's size! But I lovelovelove most that it gets the job done without being overly abrasive. It's the perfect mix, I think, between my Dew Puff – which I use everyday in the shower – and a Clarisonic, which is obviously a deeper, more aggressive cleanse (which is still good to get every now + begin, but not everyday if you have more sensitive skin – I can use my FOREO daily!). FOREO makes multiple Luna varieties, but the GO is great for travel, which is what I lovelovelove keeping in my toiletry bag for on the go! ALSO before I forget – code ERICA20 will save ya 20% on any FOREO device, so if you've been considering trying one – treat yo'self! 😉
3.) Hooded Ruffle Sleeve Terry Sweater
One of my latest hunts has been for the best + cutest maternity wear. I'm not a fan of quite a bit of the stereotypical maternity wardrobe staples out there, since they just scream I have to wear this because I'm pregnant. Maybe that's not a bad thing? Ha! But I just wanted to find some cute things that weren't big bold floral maxi dresses. I'm SO happy I stumbled upon Pink Blush – they have so many good options that are legit CUTE and not what you'll find in every other department store and its mom, and many of their pieces comes in maternity AND non-maternity. This ruffle sleeve terry sweater was a no brainer for me – I mean, HOW FRIGGIN' CUTE?!?! The sleeves. The hood. The terrycloth material. It's lightweight enough to wear right now, but will transition to fall SO darn well. I really couldn't lovelovelove it more – and it's so ADORBS!!!!! It's one of their gems that comes in maternity AND non-maternity, in grey AND black, and is only $37. I'm so impressed, yo.
4.) Trader Joe's Organic Coconut Sesame Seed Clusters
Another A+ snack option right here! I picked these up on my last TJ's run after seeing one of my favorite bloggers talking about how yummy they were, and they do NOT disappoint. If you're a coconut fan, you will loveloveLOVE. They're literally just clusters of toasted coconut, with black + white sesame seeds and a light tapioca syrup to bond everything together. SUPER simple, super yummy. Ate the entire bag in two days. Not sorry one bit.
5.) Yasso frozen Greek Yogurt bars
Help! I've jumped on the Yasso bandwagon and I'm never getting off! DUDE. Can we talk about Yasso for a hot sec??? Have you tried? If you have not tried, your sole task for this Tuesday is to make it to the grocery store to pick up a box. They're absolutely bombdotcom. These bad boys are frozen Greek Yogurt, so they feel (+ actually are) healthier than a straight up ice cream bar. They've got 5-6 grams of protein in each bar, which is music to my ears since I'm growing a human. And they're only 100 calories! Their tubs are equally addicting, but right now, I'm hooked on grabbing a bar and going. Also, their website is so cute + colorful.
6.) "Into the Water"
For as much as I lovelovelove a good self-help-ish book, I also can't resist a solid fiction thriller. Especially in summertime – they just feel fitting for a beach somewhere amiright?? I had gone through The Girl on the Train and The Woman in Cabin 10 each in only a few days, and I had heard word on the street that Into the Water was a similar style (heck, it's the same author as The Girl on the Train, so I knew it seemed promising!). I'm juuuuuuust about done, and I've got a feeling I'll need to take a day off to get through the ending. It's such a page turner, and I legit have NO idea what's going to happen – and I'm such a fan of being held on edge until the very end! If you've got a flight or trip coming up, definitely pick up as a travel accessory. 😉
7.) Lancome Miel-en-Mousse Foaming Cleansing Makeup Remover
I don't remember how I stumbled upon this Lancome product, but BOY am I glad I did. It's something I don't think I would've reached for naturally in the store, but it's a little miracle worker product! This is basically a cleanser + makeup remover in one. It feels like straight-up HONEY on your skin (it has acacia honey in it, so makes sense 😉 ), but it melts to dissolve makeup + foam a bit once it's emulsified with a bit of H2O. Normally, I'm pretty skeptical of makeup removers that feel frilly, because I'm SUPER picky with makeup remover and just want something that gets the job actually DONE in one fell swoop, without leaving behind residue or requiring a second go-around. This stuff not only removes makeup, but leaves my SKIN feeling completely clean, too. I was legit shocked upon trying it out – it's kinda a unicorn, folks. Kinda a unicorn.
8.) Tula Pro-Glycolic 10% pH Re-Surfacing Gel
I think Tula is just gonna need their own resident spot on Monthly Favorites lists from this point going forward. 😉 TULA, STOP BEING SO GOOD DANGIT. Last month I shared their Purifying Cleanser, which is just a must for EVERY skincare routine, in my opinion. A total must for all, regardless of skin type, age, etc. Cleanser for all. THIS product is one of my personal favorites. I would jump to say it's "for oilier skin" justbecause of the nature of the product, but it actually works for all skin types yet again! (Tula is GREAT for that – their formulas are really designed well to work with individual pH levels instead of a general skin type class, so they work with YOU). Their pH Re-Surfacing Gel is an alcohol-free toner with probiotics, glycolic acid, + beetroot extract, formulated to gently exfoliate your skin (it's a chemical exfoliant!). I use it every single night without fail, since it leaves my skin looking + feeling clearer, brighter, and healthier all around! Also mentioned in my last skincare routine update here. My coupon code for you guys is COMINGUPROSES, so drop that at checkout for 20%, and get free shipping on any order over $50!
9.) L'Oreal Colour Riche Shine lipstick
Today's the day to TREAT YO'SELF to a new lippy. MK? MK. 🙂 This L'Oreal lipstick is a *fantastic* formula – it feels so glossy + hydrating upon application! The color payoff is also great. I have quite a few in my collection at this point, and they're a great option for applying on the go since you don't really need a mirror! I've gotten my mom hooked on it, too. If you've been wanting/need a new lipstick that isn't drying in the SLIGHTEST and/or isn't a total pain in the hiney to apply unless you're a skilled makeup artist, then this is fo' you!
10.) Zella high-waisted Live-In leggings + Mamasana maternity leggings
Zella leggings really shoulda/woulda/coulda been in a Favorites roundup MONTHS ago. They're my fave black legging for everyday wear, hands down. The High-Waisted Live-In legging is where it's at, yo! Here are all of Zella's black leggings options – so if you prefer a crop cut or lower waistband, etc, you can shop around!
Zella *also* makes a bombdotcom pair of maternity leggings, which I discovered in this year's Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I tried 'em on a whim knowing that they very well might be what I LIVE in come fall with a bigger bump, and SURE ENOUGH. 😉 Def recommend for any other preggers chicas in the house!
Have you tried any of my Monthly Favorites yet yourself?
What have been YOUR monthly favorites lately? TELL ME TELL ME. ?
P.S. ICYMI and wanna get caught up on Weekend Reading and/or last month's favorites, just click here!


text:
Market leader Ford will be holding the official European launch of facelifted versions of the UK's bestselling van, the Transit Custom (pictured), along with the passenger-carrying Tourneo.
The new Transit Custom features exterior and interior changes, including a new steering wheel, new seats and an 8in touchscreen with Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system. The van's blind spot information system will now have cross-traffic alert, and it also gets adaptive cruise control with pedestrian detection.
The firm will also stage the official launch of a revised Transit Connect and Tourneo Connect, show a revised Transit Courier, and exhibit a new special edition Ranger pick-up.
Other features of the stand will be a multi-modal delivery solution, involving bikes, and there will also be news regarding connectivity.
Ford is placing a lot of emphasis on the show, with the manufacturer updating its entire CV portfolio over the next 18 months.
Product marketing manager Iain Brooks said: "It's the biggest stand we have done to date in the UK."
A major focus of the April Birmingham show for the fuel card provider will be its Allstar Plus card.
Largely aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises that want more than just a fuel card, it has a Visa card built in, but with controls. This means, for example, that a building company could authorise its drivers to use the card at builders' merchants.
Isuzu is keeping its cards close to its chest ahead of the show. It says there will be two unveilings, one of which will be a limited edition model.
It will also be exhibiting two conversions, the exact details of which are to be confirmed.
The manufacturer says that this year it is aiming to build on a successful 2017, which saw the launch of the D-Max pick-up.


text:
Manhattan in Colombia: TED Says Food Matters Everywhere
Looking Down on La Juanita Finca Verde
TED Talks, for some time, have been something I've loosely disregarded. They were interesting, informative, and free, but my friend Bryant Hand was just a little too eager to share them with me. Perhaps I thought I was too young (2 years less than him) and too hip (I have a beard past my figurative collar while he actually wears dress shirts), but maybe I should've given my old friend a bit more credit. Bryant never managed to turn me into a fan, and I never expected visiting Colombia would turn me into another TED enthusiast. But, it did.
Michael Pollan: A plant's-eye view
A couple of months ago I took a tiny bus out of Bogota, Columbia, then changed to another tiny bus at a place called La Playa (it was not a beach but rather a convenience store just before a highway turnoff), and got off at a lakeside restaurant, Los Pinos ("the pines"). From there, my directions were "go back twenty meters and take the dirt road on the right." It was the first farm I'd come to: La Juanita Finca Verde, a few kilometers outside the town of Guatavita, which most Colombians I'd talked to hadn't heard of.
La Juanita is what I imagine farms of the future to be like (and maybe what the farms of the past were). It's a small holding, about four acres, with a humble but comfortable country house in the center. The gardens sort of grow out of the lawn, a thick carpet of grass suddenly giving way to a mishmash of produce that, at once, seems as abundant as anything I've ever seen and also somewhat untended. The plants spiral around on mounds of dirt, half of the vegetation left to flower. The beds are covered in dense blankets of straw that, when pushed back, usually reveals tufts of salad leaves. There are greenhouses stuffed with plant-life. Permaculture.
Permaculture Beds Outside the Kitchen Door
The kitchen looks like something from J.K. Rowling's imagination. Plants festoon the rafters: Tobacco drying here, ears of corn hanging there, an entire aloe vera plant suspended, tiny bunches of flowers turned upside down and bound with string, edible potions cluttering every shelf, a spread of vegetables and bowls of beans on the table. A keg of home-brewed beer sits next to the fridge. Giant jars of kombucha ferment in the darkened corners next to an eclectic collection of rudimentary tools: a grinder, dinged-up canteens, a big brass dinner bell, and an array of baskets.
It does not look like a center for international exchange but rather the abode of a reclusive green-thumb, off-the-grid and content to stay there. But, Felipe is nothing of the sort.
In the last half-decade, TED Talks have quickly risen to such prominence, the demand for deeper and innovative information so high, that TEDx was formed. Now independent wings host specialized talks based around particular subjects, and around the world satellites tune in for live feeds of the talks. The events put forth a mix of experts and inspirers at the top of their field, and they provide these speakers with a platform to share their ideas, their latest discoveries, and their solutions to world issues. La Juanita is one of the satellites that presents these events from afar.
When looking at the volunteer posting for La Juanita, I had no idea what this — being a TEDx satellite — meant. I imagined… but didn't know exactly what to imagine. Bryant had exposed me to TED Talks, so I had an idea of what that meant. But, I still didn't know who TED was, didn't know what the x entailed, and had no notion of who would attend a TEDx event in the middle of the mountains in Colombia. I figured these were all reasonable questions, and I also knew that I'd stumbled onto one good way of finding out.
At 6:30 when I climbed down the ladder from our (my wife Emma has been part of this all along) loft above the kitchen, Felipe smiled and offered me coffee, as is the ritual. He was going over his notes for the day. He expected about 20 people to show, all of whom needed to be fed and comfortable. I swept. Emma prepared breakfast to feed us all, and then she fed the worms in the worm bed with our kitchen scraps. We set up a projector in the living room, clearing the fireplace mantle so that the wall above was a screen, with the machine hanging from a rafter.
Watching the live feed of TEDx Manhattan together
Around 11:00 people began to trickle in — several English-speaking Colombians as well as expats from the US. They were carrying potluck dishes, boxes of crops from their gardens, and home-recipe beer. No one seemed too bothered that the internet had collapsed in the morning, and we'd missed the bulk of the first session of the event. After all, there were two more to come. So, people lounged in the garden and explored the permaculture beds and hothouses while we all began to prepare food — a group of mixed friends and strangers, all together.
TEDx Manhattan is, as one might guess, a New York-based event, but what isn't so readily obvious is that it's all about food and the food movement. Speakers address issues that both affect specifically the US and the world at large, sharing some of the most up-to-date information of what's the what, telling incredibly inspiring stories of food renegades, and bonding over a mutual interest in the topic. This event, entitled "Changing the Way We Eat", streamed three sessions, with Chef Tom Colicchio as the grand finale. When it finished, I started watching clips from last year's session.
Tom Colicchio: Vote food
That afternoon, a little late as is the local custom, we ate like people who would gather on a Saturday to watch hours of lectures on food, the food industry, and how to live better within and without it. There was homemade hummus, babaganoush, skillet flatbread, gigantic fresh garden zucchini stuffed with brown rice and newly plucked spinach leaves, a chickpea salad (much of which came from the garden outside), an avocado garden salad (much of which came from the garden outside), an herb vinaigrette (much of which came from the garden outside), a carrot-ginger soup, homemade cheese produced from milk that came from a nearby farm run by two old ladies that have run it since before any of us in attendance were born…. You get the idea.
The talks went all afternoon, with people drifting in and out, watching a lecture here before taking a walk outside. I sat in an armchair off to the side, barely breaking my attention from the event. Each speaker brought with them something new to the offering table, pledged themselves to a common cause between us all, and spoke with passion, knowledge, experience, courage and — mostly — belief. I sipped at a rotating mixture of whatever people were preparing — a slew of herbal teas, local coffee, and home-brew beer.
Lighting the Russian doll at the
end of the day
At the culmination of the event, we all went outside. It was March 1st, and one of the people in attendance was Russian. She'd been working on creating a traditional straw doll, an evil doll, outside that is burned each year to welcome the Spring and bid a long-awaited farewell to the winter. I couldn't help but think about all I'd heard, couldn't help but consider the idea of Spring and its place in our lives and histories throughout the world, and couldn't help but note the hopefulness of it all. What a day, brought to me by TEDx.
Now, what my friend Bryant realized that I didn't seem to grasp was TED events can pretty much happen at anytime, even in a regular old evening at home over a bowl of chili (hopefully not out of a can) and a can of beer (hopefully not imported). The problem is, and maybe this will change by the time I return to Guatemala, he keeps sending emails instead of becoming a TEDx satellite host, a post for which he is well-tailored.
As for me, I never thought volunteering on a farm in rural Colombia would expose me to the technological marvels of the modern world, never thought it would bring together such an eclectically diverse yet similarly interested group of viewers, and absolutely never thought it would turn me into a TED man. Now my challenge will be trying not to share and forward every new video I watch.
Johan Rockstrom: Let the environment guide our development


text:
1 Cluny Road
#01-K1 Bukit Timah Visitor's Services Kiosk
Singapore 259569
11:00am - 08:00pm
Day 4: This Juju Bowl from @thejujubar was my 2nd breakfast :p My first breakfast was prata with fish curry! This is the regular sized bowl and I think they rotate their flavours daily. Pictured is the half dragonfruit, half acai bowl with peanut butter, chia seed pudding, frozen blueberries, bananas, and granola [$8.5] Personally, I thought the bright pink dragonfruit was so pretty but the acai won my heart over! Acai is the best, helped me walk 10km in the afternoon heat today lol ❤😋
Vegan bowl. Was really excited to try this, but found it disappointing. The sesame flavour in the soft serve was not strong enough, and the accompaniments in the bowl were strange - some salty granola, half frozen mushy blueberries and half frozen coconut flavoured chia pudding.
Got the cacao soft serve and the acai soft serve and it was super yums!!! Their flavours are on rotational basis :-) it's also naturally sweetened and vegan! A healthy afternoon treat in this sweltering heat. The botanics outlet used to be on beyond but it no longer is now :-(
Made with fruits like acai, watermelon and dates, this was a healthier dessert option! The acai was not very sweet and it came with a drizzle option, chia pudding and a buckini mix
Vegan acai softserve that comes with chia pudding, berries, bananas and cacao nibs. Superfood that's refreshing to beat the heat!
Tried a mixed bowl of their seasonal mandarin orange flavor and açai.
Don't know if it's because I'm eating it in the hot sun at Botanics instead of at home, but the açai and orange both had this gritty taste. My friend found the gritty taste to be more "natural" which makes sense because they use dates to sweeten the bowls iirc. Personally, I prefer the smoother texture of the past. Bring it back please!
Anyway, flavours were good! I love this place. Try it out when you're feeling outdoorsy enough to walk in Botanics hahaha


text:
Have you talked to your kids about the United States Presidential Election? It's an important topic and a great teaching opportunity for you!
The months leading up to the Presidential Elections are so frustrating for me. My usually level-headed friends and acquaintances shout their political beliefs and preferences on social media and then threaten to unfriend people who don't feel the same way. The radio stations and TV stations share their thoughts on candidates and issues and depending on which station you watch or listen to, you can get an opinion that is very biased in one direction or the other. Rather than celebrating our freedom of speech and our freedom to vote for the person that most embodies our beliefs, many people belittle others for not sharing the same beliefs and values.
As election coverage and analysis heats up, this is a great time to help your kids make sense out of it all and understand the serious issues at stake. Use the presidential election to teach your kids about becoming informed citizens.
United States Presidential Election & Why You Should Talk About It With Your Kids
1. Teach civic values.
You want your kids to be happy and productive members of society. Elections are an opportunity to start conversations about individual rights and responsibilities and how they relate to the common good.
2. Provide a balanced perspective.
Negative campaigning is persistent because it works. Your input presents a kinder and gentler alternative message to help kids evaluate what they see in the media.
3. Improve voter turnout.
Less than half of all 18-year-old citizens are registered to vote according to Project Vote. That's a rate 22 points lower than the general population. By getting your kids involved in the process early, you can help turn things around and make it more likely that the next generation will exercise their rights.
Steps To Take Before the United States Presidential Election
1. Review the Constitution.
Introduce your kids to the Constitution. While they have to wait until they're 18 to vote, they can learn about the system and all its intricacies like the branches of government, Electoral College and amendment process. Depending on the age of your kids, you may want to watch the movie Born Yesterday. And if it's not appropriate for your kids, watch the movie yourself and learn the Amendments song. It's a great way to remember the amendments!
2. Research issues.
Select issues that are relevant to your kids. Discuss how laws to protect the environment help preserve clean air and water. Explain why students protest when budget cuts make it more difficult to attend college.
3. Collect political cartoons.
Cartoons can spice up your civic lessons. Small children may enjoy the images of donkeys and elephants while teens study the effectiveness of satire.
4. Analyze campaign advertising.
Point out the campaign signs posted around your neighborhood and listen to the ads on radio and television. Rate them for how much insight they provide into the candidate's positions.
5. Hold your own debates.
Let the televised debates serve as a springboard for your own events. Encourage your kids to present facts to back up their opinions and respond to challenges with civility.
6. Discuss ballot initiatives.
Describe how citizens sometimes vote directly on issues such as school bonds. Your local board of elections can help you find the ballot measures coming up in your community.
7. Contact candidates.
Give your kids an assignment to discover the names of their representatives in Congress and in your local government. Attend town meetings or send them an email with a question or comment.
8. Study history.
Stimulate your child's curiosity about how today's elections compare to those of the past. Read old newspapers or interview grandparents about who they voted for.
Steps To Take on Election Day
1. Take your kids to the polling place with you.
In most states, children 17 or younger can go with their parents to the polling place and even accompany them into the voting booth. Make it a festive occasion by getting up early and going out to breakfast afterwards.
2. Watch the returns together.
Get caught up in the excitement of election night. You can all make your own predictions and see who comes closest to guessing the final results.
3. Learn from acceptance and concession speeches.
It's an educational experience whether your favorite candidate comes out on top or goes down in defeat. Focus on the moment when most candidates thank their volunteers and pledge to work together for the common good regardless of the outcome of the election.
Talk about politics with your kids. You'll help them to understand why voting matters and get them eager to participate fully in the democratic system.


text:
Ramadan 2018: Iftar of the Day – Al Nafoorah, Jumeirah Emirates Towers
Fuss free and delicious, this is the perfect Iftar this Holy Month
While nutritionists advise that Iftar meals should be kept light and not an excuse to binge after breaking your fast, the spread at most Ramadan tents prompt you to do otherwise. From starters to soups to the mains to the desserts, hotels revel in over-feeding patrons during the Holy Month. Well, we all love great food and this is perhaps the best time to relish the time-tested Arabic delicacies together with your friends and family but wastage is a serious problem during this phase and let's admit it, the lavish buffets do play a part in it.
That's perhaps the reason why we admire the Iftar at the iconic Al Nafoorah, the popular Lebanese restaurant at Jumeirah Emirates Tower so much. The spread was just right – neither too much, nor too little – and served with minimum fuss and maximum taste! It's all traditional Arabic classics here from salads to soups, mains to desserts, but what sets it apart from the rest are the flavours and the taste.
Lamb Ouzi
The menu, on a rotation basis, has all the favourites such as bemey Bil lahem, majbos, samkeh harra kofta bel seney, djej bil senyeh, kebbeh bil laben, mixed grill and shish barak, umm ali among others but each has been prepared with so much care, that you cannot just have one helping. Our meal began well when we tasted the vermicelli chicken soup. Light, delicious and extremely flavoursome, this is one recipe I am dying to try out at home. From among the mains, special mention must be made of the shish barak, with the delicious meat dumplings in yoghurt sauce proving to be very comforting and a perfect foil to the majboos and shish tawook. Speaking of which, I loved the grills. Succulent, juicy (thankfully not dry) and robust, the lamb and chicken were top class.
Traditional Lentil Soup
A delectable meal, with a nice selection of desserts, the buffet at Al Nafoorah ticks all the boxes for a satisfying iftar. Highly recommended.
INFO: Daily Iftar Buffet, Dhs 195 per person (Dhs 95 for children between 6 and 12 years, under 6 for free), until 8.30pm