The most common way to be involved in a 12 Step Program is through Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Thanks to the anonymity factor of AA, you will not have to fill out paperwork or give personal information to anyone at such meetings. This allows people to feel more at ease and relaxed during the meetings. The meetings are open to anyone regardless of gender, race, sexual affiliation, nationality, age, or income level. Depending on where you are attending a 12 Step Program, such as through a mental health clinic, in a church basement, or at an alcohol treatment facility, you will be able to attend meetings anywhere from twice daily to once a week. These meetings are free to those who want to attend. Throughout a meeting, the 12 Steps are part of the process, and everyone in attendance will be at a different point in the 12 Step Program.
In Providence, RI at Butler Hospital, you can receive inpatient treatment via the Alcohol and Drug Inpatient Unit. Here the residents are involved in daily treatment programs and activities as part of their recovery plan. One of the programs offered at Butler Hospital is Alcoholics Anonymous, which incorporates the 12 Step Program into its framework. Those who are inpatient attend AA every morning at 10:30 am followed by an evening AA group session at 7 pm. The AA meetings are the main source of alcohol abuse and dependency treatment provided for the patients.
At the Providence Center Adult Behavioral Services in Providence, RI the 12 Step Program is made available to those living in residential care. The residential treatment facility is a sober living center that promotes recovery through programs. As a result, those living in the Providence Center residential services program have access to the 12 Step Program via group meetings. Those staying at this center have the option to stay for up to 1 year, dependent on their recovery process. Other options available at the center include low-income housing, employment services, case management, and counseling on an individual and group level.
In Warwick, RI the facility of Bridgemark, Inc. provides alcohol treatment and recovery services including the 12 Step Program. Note that this is a residential program that is for men only. During the treatment program, each person works through four levels of treatment. As part of these four levels the residents are given access to 12 Step meetings so to aid them through group therapy and social support for their alcohol treatment and recovery. Bridgemark, Inc. offers six residential homes for men to live in, and the program also incorporates individual and family therapy sessions.
You are not alone as you seek treatment for alcohol abuse or dependency. We at AlcoholTreatment.net are here to support your needs as you battle through the dark days on your way to recovery. Let us be part of your support team. Contact AlcoholTreatment.net to discover the information regarding treatment programs in Rhode Island and tips for dealing with alcohol dependency issues.


Simplehuman designed a plunger that doesn't leave drips behind! A unique magnetic collar secures the cover to the plunger so you can carry them together — without a single drip hitting the floor. The dome-shaped cover discreetly hides it, while the large opening at the back makes it easy to detach. The plunger's flange is specially designed with a narrow profile to work more efficiently with modern toilets. Dimensions: 7.9D x 7.1W x 23.1H"


Higher education is the surest path to opportunity and earning power. It provides not only the hard skills necessary in the job market, but also critical thinking skills, a path to individual and personal growth, and the chance to give back to your community.
Our state's six public universities and 34 community and technical colleges are helping hundreds of thousands of students prepare for successful careers and prosperous lives — and they can do the same for your student.
Every student's interests and goals are different, so we encourage you to explore the range of options available, from the different areas of study that will prepare them for their career to the many scholarships and financial aid options that will put a diploma within reach.


JAKARTA, Feb 19 – Indonesia will release the final report into last year's AirAsia plane crash by August, the transport minister told AFP this week. The Airbus 320-200 went down in the Java Sea on Dec 28 in stormy weather with 162 people on board, during what was supposed to be a short trip from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore.
"(The NTSC) promised (the final report) will be released by August," Transport Minister Ignasius Jonan said in an interview, referring to the National Transportation Safety Committee which is conducting the investigation. The NTSC reports to the president and coordinates with the Transport Ministry.
Jonan said that the parties involved in the investigation, including plane manufacturer Airbus and AirAsia, must accept the committee's findings and not interfere in the inquiry. "I have instructed the NTSC that the report must be as independent as possible," he said.
ICAO has stated the investigation should aim at preventing future accidents, not apportioning blame or liability. The minister refused to reveal anything further about the investigation, pending publication of the final report. The NTSC has so far shed little light on what caused QZ8501 to crash, or what occurred in the moments before the tragedy.
The committee has confirmed French co-pilot Remi Plesel was flying the plane, not former fighter jet pilot Captain Iriyanto. It also found the plane climbed from 32,000 feet to well above 37,000 feet in 30 seconds, likely in an attempt to avoid a menacing storm. It then quickly returned to 32,000 feet before "gradually" descending towards the sea.
So far more than 100 bodies or body parts have been recovered from the sea. Under International Civil Aviation Organisation guidelines, the state conducting the investigation should release a final report within a year of the accident.


Vinie Kiziah Head Ribron, 71, of Nahunta, passed away Monday morning (Aug. 10, 2015) at her residence following an extended illness.
Born in Waverly, she was the daughter of Willie "Bill" Head and Martha Wilson Head. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Elzie Ribron, two infant daughters, a daughter, Vinie Kay Ribron, a grandson, Sheldon Rocky Flowers Jr. "Little Man," two brothers, Richard Head and David Head, and two sisters, Polly Head and Mary Whitley.
She was a homemaker and she enjoyed fishing, singing and her grandchildren. She was of the Baptist faith. She was known as "Nannie" to all the children who knew her.
Survivors include her two sons and daughters-in-law, William and Sheila Rousey, of Waynesville, and Richard and Amanda Rousey, of Nahunta; a daughter and son-in-law, Elsie "Sissi" and the Rev. Alton Cribb, of Nahunta; five grandchildren, David Rousey (Taylor), Jennifer Rentz (Richard), Cassie Rousey, all of Nahunta, Roxie Flowers, of Hortense, and Dalton Cribb, of Waynesville; three great-grandchildren, Trenton Rentz, Ashton Rentz and Wyatt Rousey; two special nieces, Aubrey Marie Benson and Taylor Lynn Benson; her best friend, Polly Wainright; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
A funeral will be held Thursday evening at 7 o'clock at Nahunta Church of God with the Rev. Jason Marden, the Rev. Charles Florey, the Rev. Alton Cribb and the Rev. Iane Sastre officiating.
Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service, starting at 6 o'clock.
A funeral for Eric James Moore, 22, of Blackshear, took place Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock at Youmans Chapel Baptist Church with the Rev. Bryan Gunter and the Rev. Randall Gunter officiating.
Serving as pallbearers were Chad Bristow, Garrett Taylor, Tim Varnadore, Rusty Ritchie, Jim Scales and James Sandusky.
Burial followed in Waters Cemetery in Blackshear.


When Gold isn't enough, there is SA Gold! New to the forum and find the UE route a bit scary? Take a look at my diary here and judge for yourself. I am now saving the money each month that was making little difference to the balance and not a bit of difference to my credit file as a result of finding AAD.
This one has probably been sorted out long ago, but just in case it hasn't I'll offer my thoughts anyway. They might still help anyone who is in a similar position.
Clydesdale looks like a pretty good basic account, but like Yorkshire Bank it comes with a Maestro card and not VISA. If you were prepared to be flexible, it might not be a bad solution.
Nationwide is one of the better basic accounts, and it does come with the VISA card you are looking for. It does, however, have three major disadvantages, which may or may not affect you. The first is that the online banking portal does not work on a Linux operating system. Why, I've no idea, but it doesn't. What makes this worse is that there is nothing to tell you this until you try to access it and find that it doesn't work. If you never use Linux, then of course you will not have any problems.
The second drawback is that the VISA card cannot be used outside of the United Kingdom. I know you went to Amsterdam some time back, so you obviously do go overseas from time to time. You can get prepaid debit cards which can get you round this problem, including a Virgin Money card denominated in Euros or US dollars, but you might still want to look elsewhere if you travel often.
The third problem only applies if you want to upgrade to one of the Flex accounts once your credit file is clear. Nationwide seem to operate in the opposite way to most banks, who improve your internal score when you use the basic account and maintain it well. If you want a Flex account in the future, you are probably better off staying away and only approaching Nationwide once your file is clear.
The Santander basic account is poor, and not recommended. It does not come with a debit card of any kind, so the only way to make it usable is to run it in conjunction with something like a Kalixa Pay or Orange prepaid Mastercard. You'd then need to do an online transfer every time you wanted to buy something with the card. If you've got better alternatives, I'd use them!
So, out of the choices you've listed, it probably comes down to whether the card being VISA or the ability to use the card overseas is the most important factor. If it is you and Mr. D both looking for accounts, you could always get one Clydesdale and one Nationwide so that each account covers the weakness of the other one.
One other possibility – If you've got three years of clean history, you could also try the Metro Bank/Bank of Baroda combination which I use. It is more than likely that Metro would give you a full current account with a cheque book and you'd never need to worry about basic accounts again. The combination would give you a Mastercard, a VISA card, two cheque books, and two accounts on which you could set up direct debits. One cheap day trip to London on a National Express overnight coach, and you could have everything you'd need for years.
All times are GMT0. This page was generated at 17:36.


Shot on our VariCam Pure cameras, BMW UK "Balance is a powerful thing - The new BMW M5" video combines creativity and agility. Watch our cameras in action.
Offering mobility, functionality and top quality finished images, the new AU-EVA1 is tailor-made for handheld cinematic shootings and also works with efficiently drones or gimbals. Explore more.
Whether it's for live streaming or fixed-rig TV production, our remote cameras support the most difficult indoor and outdoor shooting conditions. Explore our range.
Panasonic has supplied professional cameras to some of the world's famous landmarks, events and organisations, delivering the best viewing experience. Learn more about how you can too.
With a history of superior image capture, Panasonic continues to innovate to bring outstanding reliability, speed and rewrite performance to you. Discover more.
Whether it's medical, life science, ProAV or industrial, we offer lightweight and high-performing micro cameras capable of producing high quality imaging. Learn more about our range.
Panasonic Australia launches EVA1 compact cinema camera. Here it is, the Panasonic AU-EVA1 , a 5.


This is a fun illustrated wall print featuring an illustrated, bearded sailor.
Funny, unique and attractive, this art print is sure to start a conversation once it is framed and on your wall. This art print features a bearded sailor wearing a blue hat. Keep this print for yourself or give it as an unusual gift to the sailor in your life!
If you love this art print then you might like the other prints from our sailor collection. This print can be hung on its own or with our other bearded sailor prints.
This print is A3 in size and comes unframed. It has been digitally printed on high quality 250gsm paper. This art print has been drawn by Megan at Neon Magpie and has been printed in the UK.


text:
What California's Trans Fat Ban Teaches Us About Federalism
By MICHAEL C. DORF
Tuesday, Jul. 29, 2008
Last week, California became the first State in the Union to ban trans fats in foods sold in restaurants. With the ban, which is set to go into effect in 2010, California joins New York City and a handful of other jurisdictions that forbid trans fats.
Critics of the ban will no doubt decry it as one more example of "nanny state" excesses. Proponents, by contrast, will point to the positive health effects for the millions of people—including minors, who cannot be expected to make responsible nutrition choices—in the nation's most populous state.
In this column, however, I will put to one side the question of whether the trans fat ban is wise social policy, in order to consider a broader phenomenon that the ban represents: the impossibility of following the Framers' original vision of federalism in a highly-integrated national economy.
American Federalism, From Thomas Jefferson to Clarence Thomas
To understand how California's trans fat ban challenges traditional notions of federalism, we must begin with those traditional notions. Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution enumerates most of the powers of Congress, while the Tenth Amendment reserves to the States those powers not enumerated. This division of labor has sometimes been called "dual sovereignty" to express the idea that, depending on the subject matter, sovereignty will reside either in the national government, or the state governments.
Yet from the very earliest days of the Republic, federal power threatened to swallow that of the States. President George Washington asked two of his ministers, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, to prepare competing memoranda on the constitutionality of a proposed Bank of the United States. Hamilton, an ardent nationalist, thought that the power to create the Bank could be inferred from the powers enumerated in Article I, Section 8, even though no express power to create a national Bank was included in the Constitution. Jefferson, in contrast, thought the Bank was unconstitutional. He foresaw that permitting implied powers in the way that Hamilton favored would logically lead to a virtually omnipotent federal government.
Hamilton won the argument in the Washington Administration and, ultimately, in the Supreme Court. When the issue finally reached the Court in 1823, Chief Justice John Marshall repeated most of Hamilton's analysis en route to upholding the Second Bank of the United States in McCulloch v. Maryland.
Yet Jefferson's anxieties were never fully expurgated. Under the Court's expansive reading of congressional power to regulate interstate commerce, there was almost nothing Congress could not do. Accordingly, from time to time, the Court tried to rein in Congress. In the late Nineteenth and early Twentieth Centuries, for example, the Justices distinguished between federal laws that regulated shipment of goods (permissible) and those that regulated their manufacture (impermissible). For example, in the 1918 case of Hammer v. Dagenhart, the Court struck down a federal law that forbade interstate commerce in goods manufactured by child labor. The Court reasoned that under the pretext of regulating interstate trade, the law really sought to regulate intra-state manufacturing.
But even as the Court was asserting such formal limits on congressional power, its categories were becoming obsolete as a result of vertically-integrated business organizations. Could it really be said that coal mines were not engaged in interstate commerce because the coal was found in one state at a time? From the perspective of steel companies that sited their mills in proximity to freight rail lines, these distinctions were highly artificial. Thus, in the late 1930s, the Court abandoned formalistic distinctions and essentially acknowledged that the only real checks on congressional authority in favor of the States were political.
The Jeffersonian anxiety resurfaced once again in the 1990s, when the Rehnquist Court invalidated a variety of federal laws as exceeding the scope of congressional power. Even as the Court insisted that some subjects must remain the exclusive domain of the States, however, it became clear that this domain was tiny, relative to the scope of congressional power. Only one Justice—Clarence Thomas—has sought to revive the distinction between shipping and manufacture. For the balance of even a conservative Court, what was once described as a "federalism revolution" has amounted to little more than tinkering around the edges.
The Challenge of a National Economy
Critics of the modern Court's federalism jurisprudence, including internal critics like Justice Thomas, sometimes complain that it is not the Court's job to update the Constitution. The Framers understood the difference between manufacturing and trade, this argument goes, and they empowered Congress only to regulate "commerce," a term synonymous with trade but excluding manufacturing and other local activity, such as agricultural production.
That is an appealing argument, especially if one takes seriously the structure of Article I, Section 8, which really does appear to take for granted that there exists some substantial body of activity that the States alone can regulate. Nonetheless, the critics' argument mischaracterizes the nature of the problem. Proponents of broad national power like myself do not say that the Court should update the Constitution to keep it in tune with the times. Rather, we argue—or at least some of us argue—that the growth of a national, indeed, global, economy, means that activities that might have been carried out in relatively discrete local markets in 1789 are now undoubtedly part of interstate and international commerce.
Indeed, it is simply impossible to restore the States to their role as individual sovereigns with respect to local commerce, as the California trans fat ban illustrates. Suppose you are an executive for a national restaurant chain. In order to comply with California's ban, you could either devise distinct menus for California while continuing to use trans fats in most other jurisdictions, or you could simply stop using trans fats everywhere. Clearly, there will be efficiencies to be gained from the latter course, and thus, unless the sale of foods containing trans fats is especially lucrative, the ban in California and New York City will end up as a de facto national ban, at least for national chains.
Now suppose that you are a legislator in a State other than California—let's say Ohio—who thinks that the market should decide whether particular restaurants use or don't use trans fats. At least with respect to national chains, you will find yourself frustrated by California's actions.
Is there anything you can do about that? Sure. You can try to persuade Congress to pass a nationwide law permitting trans fats and also pre-empting state laws that forbid trans fats. Such a law would work much like the federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act, which not only prescribes warnings on cigarette packages and advertisements but also prohibits States from requiring additional warnings.
But such a federal law pre-empting state trans fat bans would hardly restore state autonomy in matters of food regulation. While the hypothetical federal law happens to coincide with the policy outcome favored by our hypothetical Ohio legislator, it forbids California and like-minded states from pursuing a trans fat ban.
Simply put, on matters as to which economies of scale encourage national chains to comply on a nationwide basis with the most stringent regulation imposed by any large jurisdiction, there will be no way for each State to pursue its own regulatory policy completely independent of its sister States. The Jeffersonian ideal of state regulatory autonomy was undone by the nationalization of the economy itself, not by the expansive interpretation of the Commerce Clause to which it led.
These developments are not entirely welcome. The displacement of Main Street businesses by WalMart, McDonald's, Home Depot, and their ilk brings lower prices for consumers but can depress wages and destroy local character. In the early Twentieth Century, Progressives like Louis Brandeis accordingly perceived the bigness of national chains as no less a threat to American freedom than the excesses of big government. But for better or worse, the Progressives largely lost that battle. Even their one victory—the federal antitrust laws, once seen as a bulwark against industry concentration—have been reinterpreted by conservative judges as focused almost exclusively on efficiency.
To the extent that Justice Thomas seeks to revive an ideal of locality traceable to Brandeis and thence back to Jefferson, his ambition is noble. But the means no longer fit the end. Even wholesale scaling back of the Commerce Clause will not restore a world that was already fading fast a century ago.
Michael C. Dorf is the Robert S. Stevens Professor of Law at Cornell University. He is the author of No Litmus Test: Law Versus Politics in the Twenty-First Century and he blogs at michaeldorf.org.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Pacific Worlds works in partnership with PREL, the Hawai'i Geographic Alliance, the Center for Pacific Island Studies (University of Hawai'i, Manoa), and the Native Hawaiian Education Association to host teacher workshops in the region. These workshops are held two or three times per year in different locations, depending on funding and interest.
Our workshops are intended to serve two purposes. The first is to provide an integrated teaching package that utilizes Pacific Worlds resources for teaching about Hawai'i and the Pacific with an indigenous-values approach. Emphasis is given to understanding Indigenous Geographies as cultural systems to be understood in their own terms, and to cross-cultural comparison between island locales and between indigenous and "Western" ways of knowing. Workshop modules are being specifically tailored to address Hawai'i DOE standards for History and Geography. Specific types of lesson plans and exercises can be found in our curricular materials.
Second, the workshops also introduce teachers to data collection and website compilation methodologies. While teachers may not actually build their own websites, the data collection process on their own local areas is one ready project they may employ with their students.
Pacific Worlds has also held workshops in conjunction with the College of Extended Programs at Towson University, Maryland, to provide one university credit. This can be done either as graduate credit for teachers holding BA degrees, or as undergraduate credit for those without. 1 credit hour means 15 hours of contact time. This requires a two-day intensive training session.
Use the links at the right to read participant feedback from the workshops that have been held to date.


Comments: The show becomes a highlight of the tour for several reasons. The concert is broadcast to the home of MTV contest winner John Harris in England. MTV crews at John's house also beam footage of John and his girlfriend back to the Stockholm concert, resulting in Bono and John having several conversations throughout the show.
At the end of "The Fly," the rapid rolling text ends with: "BE AT SELLAFIELD. 11AM. JUNE 20th." Promoting a Greenpeace protest that U2 will participate in at the Sellafield nuclear power plant.
Bono pulls a fan on stage during "Trying To Throw Your Arms Around The World" to dance with then help run the video camera.
ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson join the band on-stage for "Dancing Queen."
Bono recites or snippets something over the end of "Streets," which can't be made out.
At the end of the main set, after Bono has left the stage, The Edge sings the last full verse of "Stand By Me."
Bono pulls another fan out of the crowd to dance with at the end of "Love Is Blindness."


text:
Delayed angioedema after administration of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 messenger RNA vaccine
Melissa M Watts, Laura E. Maurer, Leslie C. Grammer, Carol A. Saltoun, Whitney Wyatt Stevens
Medicine, Allergy Division
Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2021.10.021
10.1016/j.anai.2021.10.021
Watts, M. M., Maurer, L. E., Grammer, L. C., Saltoun, C. A., & Stevens, W. W. (Accepted/In press). Delayed angioedema after administration of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 messenger RNA vaccine. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2021.10.021
Watts, Melissa M ; Maurer, Laura E. ; Grammer, Leslie C. ; Saltoun, Carol A. ; Stevens, Whitney Wyatt. / Delayed angioedema after administration of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 messenger RNA vaccine. In: Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. 2021.
@article{86eaff944f07420287b13e0e4006e8c0,
title = "Delayed angioedema after administration of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 messenger RNA vaccine",
author = "Watts, {Melissa M} and Maurer, {Laura E.} and Grammer, {Leslie C.} and Saltoun, {Carol A.} and Stevens, {Whitney Wyatt}",
note = "Funding Information: Funding: This work was supported by the Ernest Bazley Foundation. ",
doi = "10.1016/j.anai.2021.10.021",
journal = "Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology",
publisher = "American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology",
Watts, MM, Maurer, LE, Grammer, LC, Saltoun, CA & Stevens, WW 2021, 'Delayed angioedema after administration of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 messenger RNA vaccine', Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2021.10.021
Delayed angioedema after administration of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 messenger RNA vaccine. / Watts, Melissa M; Maurer, Laura E.; Grammer, Leslie C.; Saltoun, Carol A.; Stevens, Whitney Wyatt.
In: Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, 2021.
T1 - Delayed angioedema after administration of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 messenger RNA vaccine
AU - Watts, Melissa M
AU - Maurer, Laura E.
AU - Grammer, Leslie C.
AU - Saltoun, Carol A.
AU - Stevens, Whitney Wyatt
N1 - Funding Information: Funding: This work was supported by the Ernest Bazley Foundation.
U2 - 10.1016/j.anai.2021.10.021
DO - 10.1016/j.anai.2021.10.021
JO - Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
JF - Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Watts MM, Maurer LE, Grammer LC, Saltoun CA, Stevens WW. Delayed angioedema after administration of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 messenger RNA vaccine. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2021.10.021


Doula serving the greater Kansas City Metro area.
Shauna Burgee, a Kansas City birth doula, certified through Doulas of North America (DONA). A mother of two awesome boys, and a little girl. Birth is fascinating to me. I fell in love with birth after having my own little ones, and experiencing the power of my body. The beauty in each of their births put me in awe of myself. There is something about bellies and babies that I can't get enough of! Each one is so special, and unique to each family. What an honor it is to be invited to journey with expecting mothers and fathers during the childbearing time.
I am a DONA Certified Doula, and it is my hearts passion to help and assist other women achieve their own birth vision. Whether that vision is a homebirth with a midwife, or a hospital birth with an epidural, I am there. I have also attended cesarean sections in the surgical suite. Whatever your birth plans are, I am here for YOU and YOUR family as you desire. That's just what a Doula does. I am here to hold space, and help you create the birth of your dreams.
Every women should have as much information, as well as tools at her fingertips when making childbirth decisions as her family grows. As a Doula I recognize that women have the power to birth within themselves, and assisting mothers who wish to access their own "inner mother" during that transition is very dear to me.


text:
Here's What I think Of Google's Nexus 7 Tablet After Playing With It For An Hour
Photo: Steve Kovach, Business Insider
I've been playing with Google's first-ever tablet, the Nexus 7, for about an hour now.(By the way, big ups to Google for being super cool and giving me a tablet before most of the other developers and press here at I/O got a chance to see it. They're all waiting in a massive line to get one as I write this. Thanks!)
I'll have a full review of the Nexus 7 up in a few days once I've had a chance to thoroughly explore everything it has to offer. In the meantime, I thought it'd be cool to share some initial thoughts with you.
I really like the concept behind the Nexus 7. Like the Kindle Fire, it focuses mostly on content. As soon as you boot the device up, you get recommendations for music, movies, magazines, books, etc. I was happy to see Google finally lock down deals with major movie and TV studios to make that happen.
The Nexus 7 is incredibly well built. I'm not surprised. Asus made this thing, and it's the same company behind my favourite Android tablet, the Transformer Prime. The rubbery back makes the Nexus 7 easy to grip. And it's not covered in cheap plastic like many other Android tablets are.
Finally, the Nexus 7 ships with Android Jelly Bean, the next version of Google's mobile operating system. Jelly Bean is a minor upgrade to the last version, called Ice Cream Sandwich, so the look and feel is pretty much the same.
My favourite feature is the new search bar. It's a Siri-like companion that uses the power of Google to come up for the answer you're looking for. It's pretty good.
For example, I asked the Nexus 7 "When is the next Mets game?" Within a second, a voice told me "The Mets play the Dodgers tomorrow at 7 p.m." It felt way smoother than Apple's Siri or Samsung's S-Voice. Of course, I'll have to do a lot more testing before I can proclaim it better than either of those services.
I'll have a lot more on the Nexus 7 and the new home entertainment device, the Nexus Q, over the next few days. Stay tuned.
Don't Miss: Unboxing photos of the Nexus 7 >
android google nexus 7 tablets tools-us


text:
News » Bar news
Frankfurt Favourites
By Jan Warren
Published: 10 July, 2017
Jan Warren finds there's far more than sausages to this bustling central German city
I've been travelling a lot for work lately. This year I've been as far south as Santiago in Chile and as far north as Stockholm. I've seen some beautiful natural sights and, of course, visited a ton of bars on the way. My latest trip took me to Germany and I was particularly struck by three of the bars I visited in Frankfurt.
Walking through the Bahnhofsviertel in Frankfurt might not be one of the most glamorous things you can do in town, but it certainly must be among the most adventurous. Once a flourishing red light district and party area, lately many of the people on the street are more interested in speedballs than highballs. I felt strangely at home, as it reminded me of the Lower East Side of Manhattan that I grew up with. Hidden on perhaps the most heavily trafficked block, under a hotel that surely rents rooms by the hour, is a tiny bar, bereft of daylight or, indeed, windows. The door, which is reached by stepping over the bodies of the inebriated, is nearly unmarked. You ring the doorbell and wait, then are ushered downstairs to a welcoming, womb-like space, where magic awaits.
I've never worked in a programme that employed a rotary evaporator, or any other hi-tech lab gear and am perhaps easily impressed, but what I saw in that basement amazed me. There were about 20 custom distillates on a small shelf and everything I tasted sparked a fire of possibility in my bartender brain.
My favourite drink? The Mojito. Crystal clear, no mint or lime juice in visual evidence. The first sip? Like diving into a patch of fresh mint splashed with fresh lime juice. What looked like a simple Sprite, or soda water, had as much flavour as any Mojito I had ever had.
Those geniuses redistilled white rum with fresh mint leaves, leaving a super-clean and grassy mint flavour in the rum, then added clarified lime juice and vanilla sugar to complete the flavour profile and continue the illusion of nothingness. Even David Arnold would be proud of this combination of innovation and liquid intelligence. No surprise, as the bartenders at Kinly Bar hold him in very high regard.
In stark contrast, the approach to Roomers is a walk down wide boulevards lined with trees, and the parking area is littered with supercars. It felt a little intimidating, walking through tall double doors and approaching the ebony, oval bar. The bartenders are impeccably dressed, and move with a practiced and easy elegance.
My girlfriend ordered an Americano, which was delivered stirred and poured over a rock, with a small carafe of soda ON THE SIDE! This tiny change to normal service was perfect as it allowed her to control the amount of soda in the drink.
The bartender there also made a Clover Club cocktail, using an egg white infused with truffle oil. I am not, in general, a fan of truffle oil, as it usually dominates, but the technique used made the truffle an ephemeral flavour instead of an overpowering one.
My favourite thing about travelling and visiting bars all over the world is constantly learning new things. Eggs, packed in cotton wadding soaked in flavoured oils, will absorb the flavour of those oils through their permeable shells.
Last, but not least, we stopped in at Parlour Bar, an unmarked place on a very small street in a residential neighbourhood. The bar was long and wide, and the space was moodily lit. Drinkers huddled in pockets of light, and the menu was full of interesting drinks. My favourite was some sort of Margarita analog, with a cinnamon salt rim. I wish I could remember more about this bar, but it was late, I was very tired, and the German predilection for smoking in bars had begun to exact a heavy price.
We walked out into the warm German night, in search of the eponymous frankfurter, or rindwurst…


specializing in occupational and environmental medicine with over 200 members in the state of Texas.
As the nation's workplaces become more complex, physicians who practice occupational and environmental medicine play an increasingly visible role in preventing diseases and promoting wellness among workers. The health of America's workforce is a central factor in the nation's overall prosperity, stability and security. More than 130 million Americans spend most of their waking hours either at the workplace or in some way connected to it. Their health status determines everything from our national productivity on the global stage to the long-term stability of programs such as Medicare and Social Security. As the workplace has evolved and changed in recent decades, employers increasingly have begun making the connection between good health and the overall success of their enterprises. In this environment, the demand for physicians trained in understanding the complex interplay of factors that affect worker health has grown significantly.


text:
The latest issue May-June 2020
Subscribe to Climber
A Walk on the Southside – Kinder South Cragging
Words by Keith Sharples
The Peak District is famous for easy access, cragging opportunities. As such it doesn't usually feature on the lists of those looking for a day out in a mountain environment. But switch moorland for mountain and it's a different perspective as suddenly the whole of the upper Dark Peak comes into play, specifically, the Chew Valley, Bleaklow and Kinder.
We're not talking about a three hour walk-in as required to the likes of Scafell East Buttress, but there's plenty that'll take you a good hour's hard uphill walking to get to at around the 1,500-2,000ft mark, and in a place that doesn't look and feel a million miles off a mountain environment. If you're looking for a get away from it all crag-to-yourself, then the northern crags on Kinder are a good place to look for some adventure. If, however, you're looking for a sunny outlook then head for the southern Kinder crags.
The popular myth is that Kinder is a big, boggy hill and by association the crags are wet for much of the time and only really come into condition at the height of summer and/or for limited periods. That might be the case for some of the Kinder crags but it's certainly not the case for the Southern Kinder crags that ring the Edale Skyline. Many of these hardly take any seepage and are dry for much of the year. I used to think that Kinder is no place for a self-respecting crag-rat to be seen. But when I finally got off the sofa and mustered the effort to head up there, I was shocked by what I found and if only I'd known just how good it was up there, I would have gone earlier.
The Kinder South crags are split naturally into western and eastern areas, the split coming where Crowden Brook hits the Kinder Plateau. For starters, the western crags: Upper Edale Rocks, The Pagoda, Crowden Towers and Crowden Clough Face are less extensive that their eastern cousins. There are two approaches, either target one or two of the harder routes on these crags or else go light and visit all of them in turn for a great day out. Three-star routes like Herford's Route (HVS 5a) on The Pagoda or Arabia (E2 5c) on Crowden Clough Face are amongst the best routes anywhere. For harder routes try The Mentalist Cupboard (E7 6c) at Upper Edale Rocks or Groove Rider (E7 6b) at Crowden Clough Face which should provide an 'interesting' day out. And whilst there's not unlimited numbers of routes to do there's a decent selection of excellent routes around the E1 to E5 grades too. What these crags lack in volume they more than make up for with the fine rock architecture.
Crossing Crowden Brook we come to the eastern crags. Although there's eight crags in this group, two of them, Upper Tor and Nether Tor shine out. However, let's firstly talk a little about the other crags as there's worthwhile climbing on these crags that shouldn't be missed if you have the time and inclination. Fox Holes, the most southwesterly of the crags, actually faces northeast and overlooks Grinds Brook itself so it's a bit of an anomaly, getting the morning sun only. Amongst the two dozen or so routes at Fox Holes, there's four cracking E1s: Nightshift, Gillott's Point, Three Babbling Idiots and The Powers That Be. It takes a little time to dry out but if it's hot then it's a great place to get out of the heat of the afternoon sun.
Grindsbrook Towers are the next crags along overlooking Grinds Brook where it leaves the Kinder Plateau. Byne's Crack (E1 5b), first climbed by Eric Byne in 1933, is an impressive piece of climbing. It's a weird place to be honest and the grit is well-rounded which adds to the bold and impressive feel to the place. Working eastwards, Far Upper Tor, Grindsbrook Rocks, Secret Buttress and Ringing Roger are all smallish crags generally tucked below the skyline.
Seen from Edale – the obvious approach point – both Upper Tor and Nether Tor are easily identifiable. Both take about 60 minutes to approach but they can be connected easily by a short 15-minute walk along the good path on the lip of the plateau so visiting both in the same day is not only easy but recommendable. So park up in Edale, the railway station is a good bet, and then head up into the village of Edale and then keep going. Depending upon whether you go to Nether Tor first or Upper Tor will dictate exactly which path you take but follow instructions in any of the guides and you be fine. If it helps you decide which to visit first, Upper Tor gets the sun earlier in the day and Nether Tor keeps it later into the evening.
Upper Tor
Upper Tor is a quality, compact crag offering a good selection of routes from Diff through to E7. This is a great place to lose your Kinder virginity. The rock is rough, clean and refreshingly unpolished; hardly surprising given the location. It's not unlike stepping back in time 25 or perhaps even 50 years in that the cracks still have rough pebbles within them and the surface of the rock offers a friction that climbers who solely frequent the more popular Eastern Edges can only dream about. Aesthetically, Upper Tor has tower-like abutments featuring well-rounded cracks and breaks as well as some big roofs.
On the far left (facing in) Upper Tor Wall (HS) is an uber classic not only offering a three-star route with big moves and big features – one of the best at that – but it gifts your best mate a grand opportunity to photograph you amidst the scenic splendour. The Ivory Tower (E1 5b) is the next classic on the list. This feels a big route and in fairness it isn't short for grit given that it's 20m long. It weaves its way up the buttress finding the passage of least resistance. Assuming that you survive the traverse left and so are able to get established onto the upper reaches of the route, the wrinkled headwall is a joy to climb. It's been described as 'varied, devious and interesting' but really that doesn't do justice to one of the best routes around. Brutality (E1 5b), a smidgen farther right, is everything that you'd expect of a route labelled with such a moniker; brutal, further description seems somehow superfluous. Don't walk on by though, it's actually steady-away until the final crack which provides both the crux and the brutality bit.
The next target, and one of the more impressive features at Upper Tor, is the big roof to your right taken by Robert (E2 5b) and Do the Rocksteady (E7 6c). Chances are that you'll marvel at the latter and shake a stick at the former. You should, it's well worth the effort. By the way, Robert was formerly graded E1, so at E2 it's something of a gift as it's well-protected, short and offers good finger locks. In truth, it probably is E1 but everyone deserves an easy tick every now. As for Do the Rocksteady, that looks gnarly and no gift at all. It took Sam Whittaker, and his mighty biceps, to send that beauty back in 2001.
Nether Tor
Finally, then, Nether Tor out to the east is the final jewel in the crown of South Kinder. Visually, it's quite different in appearance to Upper Tor, less rounded and flatter with more walls and arêtes to climb. It's bigger, more spread out and not quite as vegetation-free, though that's not to say it's a rambling mess – it isn't – but it just isn't as compact as Upper Tor.
Moneylender's Crack (VS 5a) is the first classic route to get stuck into. At 20m it's another long route and the top is steep and thought provoking. Generally, there are good holds throughout and it climbs well. Right again, the crag loses height somewhat but there's a striking arête which, whilst being shorter than most of the route thereabouts, is one of the finest E4s on the moors; Edale Bobby (E4 6a). Vintage Steve Bancroft, Edale Bobby dates back to 1987 although small cams have tamed it a little. Nevertheless, the usual bold, technical climbing is excellent although it does need a confident and skilful approach. Farther right again, just before the crag splits into an upper and lower tier in fact, is Flash Wall (VS 5a). This is steep but well-protected and although it's based on a crack it climbs like a wall and is very definitely one of the best classics of the area.
Moving right and onto the upper tier, there are two arêtes which offer good climbing – Recoil Rib (E3 5c) and T'Big Surrey (E5 6b). Moving right again, the crag rears up in a manner not dissimilar to Hen Cloud. The Roman Nose (HVS 5b) and Never Say Never Again (E1 5b) both take the full height of a 27m-high tower and given their height alone it's worth getting them done if you're passing. Finally, Three Step (HS 4b) and Pocket Wall (VS 4c) are the best of the rest, giving good, if challenging, climbing for their grades.
So there you have an outline of the cragging on Kinder South. Head up there on a spring or summer's day with a rack of gear and a pair of ropes between you and a mate and you'll come back down at the end of the day knowing that you've earned your ticks. All the routes mentioned definitely aren't out of place in a list of the Peak's best routes and you'll be amongst the few that will have done them as well.
A longer version of this article appeared in Climber magazine. To get the full articles and more subscribe to Climber by clicking here
« Back to Rock
About Climber
Climber magazine provides all you need to know about rock climbing - indoor and outdoor, mountaineering and bouldering. Each print / digital issue and the website is packed with detailed coverage of key news, destination articles, interviews, gear reviews, Regular columnists Caroline Ciavaldini and James Pearson, stunning photography, coaching and training.
info_AT_climber_DOT_co_DOT_uk
Website by Little Fire Digital
© Climber Magazine 2021
Get all the latest news and info on climbing gear
Find out how gear performs with reviews of all your favorite brands latest kit
New gear updates on the latest kit


BitBox leads the way in design and manufacture of electronic hardware and software to the highest standards.
"We have found BitBox's engineering and production teams professional and reliable, throughout quotation, design, testing and delivery."
"The Clear Blue Energy team has worked with BitBox for several years now... They always bring a highly professional and enthusiastic approach regardless of the size of the job, taking the time to understand our needs and always delivering on their commitments."
Starter exists to design and realise prototypes professionally and efficiently so that customers can demonstrate proof of concept and begin the journey of realising their vision.
Great ideas start as something small. With time, attention and care they grow in to something special. Starter exists to take the mustard seed of an idea and make it great.


text:
Q: Loading Microsoft Reports the proper way I'm using Wpf to View Some reports using Report Viewer .. I designed the a report using sql report builder 'ReportByTopic.rdl' added it to the solution  .. the DataSet inside the rdl file named 'Dataset1' and there are three parameters @TopicId ,@SDate, @EDate
tested the query and it's working fine
I am trying to load filterd data into ReportViewer but no data is viewed
and here's the code
private void reportViewer_load()
{
    ReportParameter[] Params = new ReportParameters[3];
    Params[0] = new ReportParameter("TopicId", "4");
    Params[1] = new ReportParameter("SDate", "2009-01-01");
    Params[2] = new ReportParameter("EDate", "2017-01-01");

    ReportDataSource rds = new ReportDataSource();
    rds.Name = "DataSet1";

    reportViewer.LocalReport.ReportPath = "Reports\ReportByTopic.rdl";
  reportViewer.LocalReport.DataSource.Add(rds)
    reportViewer.LocalReport.SetParameters(Params);
    reportViewer.Refresh();
}

so where did I go wrong
UPDATE
Based on the answers I made some changes to the above code. First I used a method 'GetData' which returns a datatable of all the data I need using the same query I used to design the rdl file .
The edited code
    private void reportViewer_load()
{
    ReportParameter[] Params = new ReportParameters[3];
    Params[0] = new ReportParameter("TopicId", "4");
    Params[1] = new ReportParameter("SDate", "2009-01-01");
    Params[2] = new ReportParameter("EDate", "2017-01-01");

    ReportDataSource rds = new ReportDataSource("DataSet1", GetData());

    reportViewer.LocalReport.ReportPath = "Reports\ReportByTopic.rdl";
  reportViewer.LocalReport.DataSource.Add(rds)
    reportViewer.LocalReport.SetParameters(Params);
    reportViewer.Refresh();
}

the datatable gets filled correctly with 900 rows, but still the reportViewer doesn't

A: You omitted to pass the data to the report, when creating the ReportDataSource pass the DataSet name and the data to its constructor:
IEnumerable data = GetFromDataBase(...);
ReportDataSource rds = new ReportDataSource("DataSet1",data);

reportViewer.LocalReport.ReportPath = "Reports\ReportByTopic.rdl";
reportViewer.LocalReport.DataSource.Add(rds)

Take a look to ReportDataSource constructors for more details.

UPDATE:

From your update I spot a problem. You are invoking the Refresh method of the control base class, when you actually want to invoke RefreshReport. They are used for two different things. So your last four lines need to be replaced by this:
reportViewer.LocalReport.ReportPath = "Reports\ReportByTopic.rdl";
reportViewer.LocalReport.DataSources.Clear() //Added line
reportViewer.LocalReport.DataSource.Add(rds)
reportViewer.LocalReport.SetParameters(Params);
reportViewer.RefreshReport(); //Replaced line

Note that I first invoke Clear method before setting the datasource. This is useful when you want to reload/refresh report without closing it.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


... And as I start to upload this album, "May I have some more penny piece? A big one!" my daughter asked. Umm, like she has not eaten enough for the day!
It is a delicious, crispy, paper thin St.Lucian ginger treat, traditionally eaten during the Lenten Season. Nowadays, it can be found on supermarket shelves, all year round. I loved it so much, and I remember my grandfather would bring a brown paper filled with it from Aunty Christine's mom who used to live on High Street, in Castries. Sadly, my grandfather and Aunty Christine's mom have since long passed away.
Fortunately though, my mom taught me to make it when I was a child, so I know exactly how to make my own. I usually make it every Easter, and although my husband is not a fan, my daughter absolutely loves it. Even on this recent trip to St.Lucia, it's the first St.Lucian goody she demands, especially since her granny, my mom may just have some in store.
In 2009, I posted the following pictures to a Facebook album, "A St.Lucian treat, 'Penny Piece'. I was teaching her to make it and she was my little helper. ... And at the rate in which she devours them, I'm glad she's learning. It's also wonderful to think she may some day make them for her family, passing on the tradition to her family. Even a German FB friend was inspired to make her own.
6. Keep up the pace. LOL!
... And though, I make my own without any help of a recipe. You can alter to suit your taste needs, may it be more or less ginger, or more or less syrup. Instead of powdered ginger, I prefer fresh ginger for a flavor kick. ... And though some may use sugar, I make a simple syrup which I make by boiling sugar and water. You can use brown sugar or white sugar. I usually use white. The goal is to make a dough which can be rolled paper thin and then moved over to a cookie baking sheet. So you don't want a very damp or gummy dough. The tedious part is rolling the dough and then keeping a constant eye on the oven, since they bake so quickly. So usually by the time, you roll and place on cookie sheet, the ones in the oven are done. Should be a golden brown color. I have noted the longer it stays in the oven, the more the sugar burns, giving it a bitter taste. Over the years, I've also learnt how to bring stale soft penny piece back to (edible) life ... just pop in the oven. Let it cool and it should be crispy and very tasty again.
I think it is a good thing that you taught her because then she would keep the tradition. Now a days the older folks die with their recipes. They do not share them of which I find is selfish because you are moving on, those coming would like to continue with the tradition. Thanks for the recipe. God bless.


Honor them by sending this cheery Oh Happy Day! bouquet of gerberas, lilies, delphinium and other bright seasonal flowers from The Old Homestead Market and Floral! You may call us to send flowers or order flowers online anytime, day or night!


Police have asked people living in the Camborne area to leave their lights on when they're out to try and put a stop to a house burglary surge in the town.
Camborne, Pool and Redruth Police are asking people living in Camborne to be vigilant due to an increase in home burglaries which are mainly being committed in the late afternoon and early evenings.
The most recent report of a burglary took place at a property in Garland Place between 4:30pm and 6pm on Thursday January 17.
Entry was gained via an insecure door and jewellery and cash were stolen.
Elderly residents and those in bungalows are particularly being urged to make sure that doors and windows remain secure, even when at home.
Police officers also asked people to consider security lighting and screening to give the appearance of someone at home.
Valuables should also be stored securely wherever possible and not readily on view.
Anybody with any information or CCTV in the area mentioned is asked to phone 101 quoting crime CR/005332/19.
Anybody who hears or sees any suspicious activity should phone 999.


The VitaGenum team comprises of scientists specialising in nutrigenomics, nutrigenetics, genetics, dietetics and human nutrition.
The company's main scope of activity encompasses decoding and interpreting information included in the human genome. Thanks to the innovative combination of knowledge in the area of genetics, nutrigenomics, nutrigenetics and dietetics early health prevention, diagnosis of various health problem causes and improvement of living comfort are possible.
The VitaGenum company also conducts research and development activity (R+D). In the scope of this activity, as a consortium member, it initiates or supports research projects in diverse fields of science in the area of implementing molecular biology methods.


STDs and AIDS are still present in Spain, as in all European countries.
There is no risk from food and water in Spain.
What vaccinations are required before travelling to Spain?
These are the recommended vaccinations for travel to Spain.


text:
8305 Shoal Creek Blvd, Austin, TX
drsholar@skinsciencesoul.com
Facebook-f Instagram Pinterest Linkedin
Dr. Alina Sholar
SkinRx Analysis
Custom Facial
SkinWave HydroFacial
Lunchtime Laser Facial
Facial Experience Add-Ons
Resurface & Refine
CoolPeel Laser
VirtueRF Microneedling
Subnovii PlasmaPen
LimeLight IPL PhotoFacial
PICO Melasma Treatment
Fractional Laser Resurfacing
Facial Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatments
Face Services
AESTHETIC INJECTABLES
Smooth Lines
Lips, Lines & Folds
Cheeks, Chin & Jawline
Double-Chin
In-office Surgery
Lip Shortening
Body Services
VirtueRF
EMSella
Laser Leg Vein Treatment
Celluma BodyPod
MediBolic Fat Loss Plan
Regenerative Stem Cell Therapy
AcuNeedling
Gut-Skin Connection
DNA Insight Healthy Weight
Fees & Financing
skin soul science by dr. sholar
Ask one of Dr. Alina Sholar's Skin Science Soul patients why they love her medical aesthetics and plastic surgery practice, and they will tell you that it's all about how Dr. Sholar connects with them to understand their needs and of how she can help them feel beautiful, strong, and confident. They ultimately leave feeling comfortable, inspired, and empowered.
Through her leadership, not only of Skin Science Soul, but also of Serenity Medical Centers and Sage Practice Solutions, Dr. Sholar travels deep in the wilderness of female-led healthcare business, blazing a trail that will certainly benefit Austin and beyond. But where did it start? Her Texas roots.
Texas Roots
Dr. Alina Sholar, known for her unparalleled medical background and true connection with her patients, has an easy girl's girl relatability. Perhaps this comes from growing up with a family rich with a history of farming and ranching and traditions from her deep Texas roots.
Dr. Sholar was born in Port Arthur and grew up in Orange, TX, excelling in art, music, and science throughout her early school years. Because both of her maternal and paternal families came to Texas as tenacious immigrants in its early historical Republic days, she is a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, whose mission it is to perpetuate the spirit of those women who achieved the independence of Texas. With this independence of spirit, and being raised with the strongest of work ethic, a love of animals, and a deep understanding the importance of the conservation of her family's land, connection is an indelible part of who Dr. Sholar is. Leading by example, Dr. Sholar not only 'talks the talk,' but 'walks the walk' when it comes to advocating for her patients' best selves.
The Mind of a Physician
Dr. Sholar is the first physician in her family, but she knew even in her elementary years what she may become. At age 7, she predicted she would be a doctor- either for people or animals. After receiving a full-tuition merit scholarship from the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation in Orange, she received her BS degree in Biomedical Sciences with Magna Cum Laude honors from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University in December 1994.
She started medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch in 1995. During her medical education, it became apparent that a surgical specialty was her calling. She did surgical research in an esteemed scientific laboratory at University of Texas with her culminating in publication in a prominent scientific journal, Perfusion. She was there awarded the prestigious Janet M. Glasgow Memorial Award and Achievement Citation for Women in Medicine, along with other meritorious honors and accolades like the Robert Wood Johnson Fellowship Award in medicine. She graduated from University of Texas Medical Branch in 1999 then went on to her surgical residencies.
She completed a full five-year residency, including Chief Resident, in General Surgery at the University of Louisville in 2004, where she was awarded Best Resident Instructor and Mentor by the students of the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Dr. Sholar published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology during her General Surgery residency.
She continued her study of surgery by completing an additional residency in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Tennessee, serving as Chief Resident in 2006. Her plastic surgery training included not only aesthetic surgery, but also dermatology, non-invasive and laser aesthetic treatments, reconstruction related to cranio-facial surgery, microsurgery, hand surgery, burn surgery, and breast surgery. She received multiple awards and publications in research areas such as the efficacy of treatment at Tertiary Care Wound Centers and the advanced reconstructive techniques required after major facial trauma and infections in journals including the prestigious Annals of Plastic Surgery. During this time, she also had the privilege of spending time on mission trips in the Republic of Panama where she repaired cleft lip and palates and assisted in complex reconstructive craniofacial procedures for children. She was certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery in 2008.
Superior Credentials
She has additionally received training and certification from the World Health Organization in Operational Planning regarding preparedness and response for COVID-19, as well as from Johns Hopkins for Epidemics & Outbreaks.
More than just a doctor
An Artistic Soul
When she's not in the office or operating room, she can likely be found on her back porch painting on a big canvas. In addition to her professional endeavors as a plastic surgeon, Dr. Sholar is a medical illustrator and an accomplished professional artist, with personal artwork displayed in galleries and storefronts.
Her medical artwork has been published in prestigious medical journals and textbooks such as the Annals of Plastic Surgery, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Journal, Annals of Surgical Oncology, and Cameron's Current Surgical Therapy. From a very young age, Dr, Sholar was creating beauty. This natural artistic talent and understanding of human anatomy is demonstrated in her ability to create beautiful and natural enhancements in cosmetic aesthetic surgery and advanced techniques in non-invasive injectable treatments.
And A Philanthropic Heart
Skin Science Soul, Sage Practice Solutions, and Serenity Medical Centers have a global service initiative as well as locally in the Austin community. Skin Science Soul purposefully supports woman-owned businesses and donates to causes that benefit women and children and the communities they live in. For example, she held "Beauty Brunch" events, where she used profits to purchase a school bus for a community church to bring women and children in need to their doctor's appointments, to attend church and take advantage of church resources, and to be able to come together and connect at community functions.
Dr. Sholar also provides pro bono business consulting for women entrepreneurs in need. On the global scale, Dr. Sholar encouraged and coached a young woman- a single mother of two in Chennai, India- who was financially and physically oppressed by her employers, to start her own medical billing business. Through close counsel of Dr. Sholar, she now has been in business for more than one year and has gained financial independence for herself, but she also now employs 3 other women whose families are 100% sustained by her business as well- a beautiful example of the ripple effect we have on women.
Honoring her own professional upbringing in biomedical sciences, medicine, surgery, and finally business, she mentors young women in STEM and medicine, young female physicians and non-physician entrepreneurs. In the medical field, only 35% of physicians are women, so it already starts out as a lonely group. By the time they finish residency, only 19% of surgeons are female. As far as plastic surgeons, just 2% are women. And to narrow it down even further, an estimated measly .025% are also independent entrepreneurs running their own businesses full of regulation and commitment above and beyond any ordinary business environment. So, she fully understands how difficult it can be.
Some of the issues challenging women in leadership positions in medicine are the same as those in the non-medical business world such as pay disparity, sexual harassment, gender inequality and perception from colleagues, the public, and patients alike. Dr. Sholar herself has been the target of more instances of these types of issues that she cared to admit. It is difficult for women in any business to navigate without mentorship and support, so Dr. Sholar has dedicated herself to be available for them. They together even tackle topics like body shaming, imposter syndrome, and other issues that are bothersome for many female leaders and can hold them back. She has female college students and medical students shadow her in the operating room, in the business office, and in executive meetings, guiding them to make solid decisions for their careers in and outside of medicine.
Looking towards the future
On the Inside:
More Than What Meets the Eye
Today, Dr. Sholar owns Skin Science Soul by Dr. Sholar, her plastic surgery and medical aesthetic practice, as well as being the owner and CEO of Serenity Medical Centers in Austin and San Antonio, and Sage Practice Solutions- a medical practice consulting firm in Austin.
Dr. Alina Sholar is blazing a trail in female-led health care businesses, owning and leading Skin Science Soul, Sage Practice Solutions and Serenity Medical Centers. Her Skin Science Soul patients are loyal to her practice because Sholar makes them feel beautiful, strong and confident. Likewise, Sholar offers her clients at Sage Practice Solutions the tools, strength and confidence to start their own medical practices and medical revenue-cycle management companies. At Serenity Medical Centers, Sholar's leadership style is centered on personal and professional development to give her team the resources to expand their careers. Through these businesses, and in honoring her own professional upbringing in biomedical sciences, medicine, surgery and business, she mentors young women in STEM and medicine and passes on her business acumen to women around the globe to build their own startups.
An Interview With Dr. Sholar
Where did the idea for your career come from?
When I became a plastic surgeon, I really had the vision of providing not just cosmetic surgery for my patients, but a complete support system where they could feel empowered to be their best. I wanted to operate a totally different type of medical practice business philosophically and literally. After 20 years in surgical practice, I realized that women need a better way to beauty- smarter skincare with scientific substance- but it's just as much about her soul. I wanted to encourage women to reflect their beauty and strength within to the outside, and in turn, feel their most confident, sexy, and strong in their 30's, 40's, and beyond. I wanted to give women Beauty With Substance much more than any regular "medspa" ever could, thus Skin Science Soul was born.Skin Science Soul Medical Aesthetics is where I have brought together all my surgical knowledge, aesthetic artist's eye, and clinical wisdom as a plastic surgeon with my life's mission to empower women to feel confident and beautiful both inside and out. However, not only have I been a physician, but my entrepreneurial experience of the last 11 years brings more to the table.
How do you bring ideas to life?
When the lightbulb goes off, I write it down. Even if it's in the middle of the night, I'll be sure to write down my thoughts right then and there. The ideas never coalesce like when they first pop into your head. Then, I make a plan. I break down the goal into a step by step action plan. The rest is delegation of individual action items to the right people to carry them out, orchestrating the individual pieces to be glued together, and finally, persistence until it materializes. If I find I am spending too much time on an idea without it going anywhere, or worse, procrastinating, then it's time to reach out to my best staff members and allow them to take off with the idea.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
Cultivating a vision. I sculpt and mold those middle-of-the-night ideas into a vision of what I want my business to look like. I am very clear and specific on WHY my vision is what it is, and what the business' overarching purpose in the world is meant to be. I don't keep it to myself either. I share it with my staff, which ensures that all are aligned with the vision, our purpose, and our goals. I constantly hold that entrepreneurial vision out ahead of me, considering what I want my business venture to become, what it will look like, what the driving forces are to bring it to fruition, and what values and culture should surround it. Maintaining that vision keeps me, and my staff as well, on track.
Tell us something that's true that some may not agree with you on.
Some say, "Anybody can do that!", whether it's in business or plastic surgery. Self-proclaimed "experts" are a dime a dozen, but there are genuine experts out there to guide you and serve you. Invest in yourself by using them! The value of their education and experienced advice is worth the money.
For instance, there really is a science to what we do in aesthetic medicine. Not just anyone can do aesthetic medicine and plastic surgery. It takes years of accumulation of expertise and skill, including formal and diverse medical education and training, to become a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon. Someone may go to an aesthetician injector and think their experience is just fine, but they are missing out on a plastic surgeon's experienced hand, a trained and keen eye for the art of beauty, the knowledge that something can always go wrong, and knowing how to best prevent complications from occurring. Then if they do, how to properly treat those issues. They are also missing out on a true connection with their plastic surgeon- the sacred doctor-patient relationship that exists only between doctors and their patients. In my practice, it's one thing that patients over and over state they love about coming to see us- the connection that comes from listening to their needs and understanding what their goals are.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
Failures are truly part of the process. The first mistake of my career was a real doozy! I made the mistake of partnering with someone who I didn't know very well. I got caught up in the idea of "making it big" and didn't take the time to learn who he was, what his values were (or lack thereof, in this case), and what his ulterior motives may be. Because our ethics and core values were at odds, so much time and attention was taken away from my practice focus and business goals. When I finally learned the truth about him, I was sickened that I, in many ways, had been inadvertently endorsing my partner and his dealings inside and outside of the business. Unfortunately, his way of doing life was very different from mine. I finally had to make the decision that I had to remove myself, and the resulting avalanche that followed was a terrible disaster. However, it was the right decision, and it ultimately pushed me into another passion- to create my own business and be my own boss.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
First things first, I start the day at home at a slower pace with my rescue dogs and a cup of coffee, then some prayer and meditation. I then hit the ground running, managing daily business administrative tasks while my staff preps for patients. They do the ultimate job in making our office the most comfortable and safe experience possible for our patients. I typically spend some time each day on budgeting, accounting tasks, following up on delegated duties, and, most importantly, idea development. I need that thinking-time to keep my creativity flowing and keep my mind refreshed. I make sure to give dedicated time to each function, prioritizing by need and time-blocking for maximum efficiency, rather than attempting to multitask- which never works. At the end of the day, the most important tasks on my checklist are complete and I can start the next day with a refreshed sense of accomplishment.
What's one trend that excites you?
One trend in aesthetic medicine that really excites me is all the new technological innovation in non-invasive, non-surgical skin and body rejuvenation. In my office, we understand the science behind the tech and the biology beneath the skin to really make our patients' results far beyond what your average medspa could ever offer. So, when we offer new tech like our Skin Rx Biometric Analysis or the VirtueRF Microneedling, we see really exciting things happen for our patients. This is just as fulfilling for our staff, too. That excitement from the patient drives them to learn more and perform better every day. We provide many services that are completely unique to us in the area, so it elevates the business beyond the average medspa.
Then, in the business world in general, one trend I always get some tug on the heartstrings about is brands with purpose. I just adore that companies are bringing some soul to the typically hard business space with a lovely message or a heart-felt purpose. What the world needs now is love, so it's a beautiful thing when positivity and business come together.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Listen to your inner queen, because she's right about who you are. Keep finding the inspiration to be the best version of yourself every day, and don't lose sight of that- even if the naysayers tell you that you are not good enough and that you should settle for less. Because, when all is said and done, the only person you answer to is yourself.
What is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Read a lot. I am constantly learning and curating ideas from books and articles that I can implement in my business or further my medical knowledge and surgical acumen..
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
There actually is a strategy to it all- mostly cultivating my vision from the start, then holding it as the standard to which all choices are measured, asking myself, "does this fit in my plan or not?" From there, business growth occurs at the level of overcoming any obstacles that may pop up, then learning how to forsee those barriers to success in order to avoid them from that point onward. I also break down growth into specific areas of my business- staff development, capital investment, and community outreach and visibility, for instance. Each area requires a strategic plan to make the full vision materialize.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I just indulged in a gorgeous pair of Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses that absolutely make me feel fabulous every time I wear them!
What is your favorite thing to do on weekends?
I do love to explore all the interesting and off-the-beaten path things, fun places, and amazing food that Austin and the Texas Hill Country has to offer, but, to be honest, may absolute favorite thing is to snuggle up with my pups. I have 6 dachshunds and a mastiff- most of whom were rescues for whom we are happy to provide loving life. You just may find handsome dachshund, Presley hanging out with his mom in the office a few days a week, too!
We Are Skin Science Soul.
Not only is she leading the way for women, her Skin Science Soul MedcaliAesthetics is an Austin woman's ultimate resource for healthful, soulful , evidence-based medical aesthetics in their 30's, 40's, 50's, and beyond.
Meet Dr. Alina Sholar
Easy As 1, 2, 3!
We promote healthy, beautiful skin naturally by identifying each person's unique lifestyle and beauty needs.
© 2010 Optimized360 LLC. cosmetic-surgery Website Designed with ❤ in CA by O360® | Legal


MOVING ABROAD IS all fun and games until you realise you can't get decent chocolate or tea in your new found home.
Enter, the Original Irish Box co, who want to ease those cravings on a monthly basis.
A bit like your favourite make-up boxes, the Irish Box is delivered to your door every month (or once off, if you'd prefer) and promises to contain a rake of tasty Irish goods.
They'll be available to order from St Patrick's Day (March 17) as a gift or for yourself.
They have 100 items they'll rotate in the boxes, and are also open to taking suggestions. What's the one thing you miss?
Everyone misses home at some point and especially some of the home comforts and we aim to fill this void. Its the perfect gift to send a loved one who has gone overseas!
Email "A new subscription box service for emigrants promises you tasty Irish treats every month".
Feedback on "A new subscription box service for emigrants promises you tasty Irish treats every month".


text:
Search sherwoodparknews.com
Sherwood Park News
Share this Story: TFC's Altidore believes he still has years to go at top of his game
TFC's Altidore believes he still has years to go at top of his game
Feb 09, 2019 • February 9, 2019 • 4 minute read
Toronto FC forward Jozy Altidore wants to stay with the club beyond this season. (THE CANADIAN PRESS)
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — There's nothing very subtle about Jozy Altidore's game, but Altidore did drop a subtle — though very pointed — message on Saturday. Reading between lines, the big forward suggested that Toronto FC would be making a mistake letting him go after the 2019 season.
"I still have 5-6-7 great years ahead of me," said the veteran forward, who has one year (2019) left on his contract. "I haven't had a muscle injury since 2016 and I feel good about that. It's been three years now and all I've had is a broken foot and the ligament tear in the ankle. But surgery fixed those and I'm back to 100% fit. And I showed last year that I can still score goals when I'm on the field. So for me, there's no worries at all (about staying healthy) and the club knows my situation. They know how fit I am and what the expectation is with that."
TFC's Altidore believes he still has years to go at top of his game Back to video
Altidore underwent surgery to remove bone fragments from his right ankle in October and is said to be about two weeks away from being able to participate in full workouts.
He has been a major part of Toronto's success since joining club in 2015 and was major contributor in Toronto's historic, treble-winning campaign in 2017, scoring 17 goals and adding six assists in 31 games across the regular season and playoffs.
Foot and ankle injuries limited his appearances last year, though he still scored some big goals, particularly in the Champions League.
But rumours that he is on his way out have dogged the Livingston, N.J., native and that doesn't seem to be sitting well with the U.S. international. Altidore has made in known on many occasions that he doesn't want to play anywhere other than Toronto, but there was a sense of resignation in voice on Saturday — that perhaps it's a done deal and he's not long for the Reds.
"Of course. I want to stay in Toronto," Altidore told the Toronto Sun. "For me and my family, Toronto is home, Toronto is everything. And we stressed that to Mr. Tanenbaum (MLSE chairman Larry Tanenbaum) and to everybody at Toronto FC. But if the direction is something else, it's no problem. Like I said, it would be, 'Thank you very much for the time' and in the summertime I'll have to look for a new team.
"But I love this place. I think I've given my body to Toronto in every way," he continued. "I tried to score all the big goals I could and I just love the city. It's given me so much. I don't know how many ways I can say that this is where I want to be. But I get that there is a business side and I've cooperated on that end as well. But I can't do anymore than say I want to be here and try to do all the right things. But I hope in the end that I'm a Toronto player for the rest of my career."
Altidore said his agent and TFC management are talking, but there doesn't seem much happening, which he admitted is disappointing. Team captain Michael Bradley is in the same boat, though there's not a sense that he is going anywhere anytime soon.
Contract angst aside, Altidore said he is extremely excited to get back on the field and play and he believes, despite the club's struggles in MLS play last year (missing the playoffs after winning pretty well everything in 2017), that the Reds can bounce back.
"I still think we have a pretty strong core," he said. "Again, we lost some very key players (in Sebastian Giovinco and Victor Vazquez), but I think the opportunity and the time is there to (come back strong) if we make the right choices and get the right pieces.
"For us as players we have to remember what we've been about the last 4-5 years — a team that plays hard, wants to have the ball, wants to press, wants to score goals. The MO for us, that DNA, can't change. We just have to learn how to go about it in a different way."
TORONTO A HOT DESTINATION
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Rumours are rampant that TFC is about to announce the acquisition of at least a couple of quality international players and veteran forward Jozy Altidore believes that, more and more, such players are looking at Toronto as a place to be.
Altidore said the first-class way TFC operates has made Toronto a destination for players toiling in Europe or South America leagues who want to try something new, but continue to play for a solid organization in a league that is constantly improving.
"I think Toronto is for a lot of players now a preference," he said. "And I think that says a lot about the fans, the organization, the city, but also the players and what the players have done over the past five years here, what we've been able to build that other players from outside MLS, from Europe, can see.
"They say, 'Wow, Giovinco had success there, Altidore had success there, Bradley had success there' and they can perhaps replicate our experience."
News Near Sherwood Park
Follow the Sherwood Park News
© 2021 Sherwood Park News, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited.


Please Don't Let Me Fall!
Since they are human, there is ever the possibility that they could be distracted by something and step away at just the moment you are "trusting them" as you fall back. It is also remotely possible that they could, heaven forbid, decide to see what actually happens if they step back and watch you fall. Your life and health are in their hands. So you say, "Please, don't let me fall." I thought of this story after realizing that I might not be trusting God the way that I should, the way the Bible teaches, or the way that some people I love and respect trust Him. So I am into my second week of exploring the subject and have been profoundly affected already.
My first realization was discovered when I found an online quote in answer to the question, "What is trust?" Here is one answer, "Trust is believing that the person you are in a relationship with means good for you." That statement bolted through my consciousness. I realized that at the heart of my "trust issue" was the fact that I was not sure that God meant good for me. I was afraid He would let me fall.
This led me to the next question. Does God ever cause destruction, pain and failure? I think not, but rather at the first sign of trouble, He sweeps in to bring every ounce of good and benefit and blessing out of anything that comes our way. It doesn't matter if it comes to us through our own mistakes, consequences of our actions, life, or the enemy of our soul. He is there. He will not let us fall. A loving parent can't, and really shouldn't, stop every unpleasant thing from happening to their child, yet they are always available and rush in to help, love, advise, comfort, and restore. They can be trusted. Just like this, God is always there to rush in to help love, advise, comfort, and restore, to strengthen, guide, and love through it all. By doing this He brings forth treasures we could never have had otherwise. Yes, He can be trusted.
Taking it a step higher, by staying close, close, close to Him, we will avoid many of the troubles that would have come our way had we trekked out on our own course. Yes, I can trust Him. He wants my good, He alone knows how to lead me to fulfill His Plan for me. Without a doubt, as I walk and talk with Him throughout the day, He loves and leads, guides and encourages. He can be trusted. He will not let me fall!
I had the same problem for many years. I finally learned to totally trust God and my life has been drastically changed for the better. It was letting go of a huge burden.
Thanks for your comment, Barbara. I look forward to reading more of your inspirational writings!


Many of us dream about traveling to exotic places but give up because it's just too expensive.
Outside of all-inclusive vacations, travel deals don't really exist. What you should be looking for is ways to minimize costs or ways to stretch your dollar.
Your dream vacation can still be a reality, all you need is information.
Set a budget and stick to it. I find that having a budget in place makes planning easier; I look at all my options and try my hardest to make the numbers work, if they don't add up I abandon that idea.
With a budget in place vacations become stress free, there is no worry about how you're going to pay it off.
This should be obvious; if you have friends or family living abroad and they have offered to host you for free, start packing!
Who knows how long they'll be abroad so make it a priority to go visit them. You want to take advantage of these situations but be sure not to abuse their generosity.
Generally speaking flights are your biggest expense, finding a deal is rare but there are a few ways to maximize your dollar.
Free Stopovers – Many destinations have natural stopovers you can book at no extra charge.
Let's say you're interested in Hong Kong, with Air Canada you can choose to fly direct or take a stopover at Tokyo. This means when I book my ticket, I can choose to stopover in Tokyo for a few days before continuing to Hong Kong.
By taking advantage of natural stopovers you can visit another destination without having to book an extra flight.
Google Flights is a great way to reference what flight paths are available.
Book a Multi-Destination Ticket – You can book your ticket so you fly into one city and out of another. This allows you explore more cities/countries and it's actually quite easy to get around these days (see below).
Multi-Destination tickets can save you money sometimes if you're flexible with where you fly in/out of. Avoiding flying into popular tourist cities could mean lower airport taxes.
Newsletters/Social Media – Sign up for every major airlines mailing list; sales, promotions and contests are always sent out via e-blast first so this is a great way to monitor prices. Or if social media is your thing, the same deals are always posted to their Twitter and Facebook accounts.
YYZdeals.com, YEGdeals.com, and YVRdeals.com. Chris finds some crazy deals but they are often last minute.
Standby tickets no longer exist and waiting until the last minute will almost guarantee you'll pay a premium. If you're looking for a deal for a specific location at a specific time it's probably not going to happen.
Okay so you've booked your flights but how are you now going to get between your destinations? This is one area that can make your trip affordable, especially in Europe.
Skyscanner.ca is the main site I use when searching for cheap flights between cities. They list all carriers including budget airlines which normally don't show up on sites such as Expedia and Kayak.
Speaking of budget airlines, don't be afraid of them. I once flew from Barcelona to Dublin for $45 Canadian, that's cheaper than my cab ride home from the airport in Toronto.
Ryanair, easyJet and airBaltic are the most popular budget airlines in Europe.
The key is to understand what they charge for, which is everything; priority boarding, checked luggage, food/drink, using a non-partner credit card. Despite what you may have read, they will not charge you to use the bathroom.
Within Asia you don't even need to use budget airlines, the regular price on all airlines is quite cheap already. Again, Skyscanner.ca is your best friend.
Budget airlines are perfectly safe and make travel affordable, just take a look at some of their flight routes.
When I went to Egypt last year I decided to fly to London from Luxor via easyJet before heading home to Toronto. Doing this saved me $600 a person and I was able to visit friends and family in London.
Train tickets can be tricky especially when travelling across multiple countries, but to get a quick cost and time breakdown use Rick Steve's Europe Map.
Rail passes are of great value, you just need to check to see if the amount of times you use it will be worthwhile. Don't forget train stations are always right in the middle of the city so no long treks from the airport.
If time is not a factor for you consider taking a bus. It will take longer but it will almost always be the cheapest option. In some countries their bus network is actually quite good, in others it might be your only option.
Last week, Andrew from She Thinks I'm Cheap talked about 3 Value Destinations Explored. Let's take this a step further, consider visiting countries with Political Unrest.
I'm serious, I mentioned above that I visited Egypt a year ago; people thought I was crazy to go after seeing the protests on the news.
If you pay attention you'll notice that all the protests took place around Tahrir Square. The Egyptian Pyramids were not on fire and no one was looting The Valley of the Kings. Outside of the protest area life went on.
Think of this as an opportunity, during these times tourism goes down so that means hotels will reduce their prices. The people who work in tourism will treat you better because they want you to return home and tell people how great their country is.
With Tripadvisor.ca it's easy to get the real story from locals and you can ask questions if you're concerned. I trust people on the ground more than what I see on TV.
The Canadian Travel Advisory is also pretty accurate with what's really going on and lists any warnings for all countries.
Turkey, Israel, and Lebanon are worth looking into. Jordan also offers great value, it has amazing sites and friendly people but because they share a border with Iraq and Syria tourism has been down.
Pay attention to what's going on with currencies in the world. Most recently the Japanese Yen has taken a 15% dive.
If you look at South America, the Argentinean peso and Brazilian real have been trading at 20% lower from just over a year ago.
There are even more ways to save when on the ground but that's a post for another day.
So forget about all-inclusive and cruise vacations, as you can see with the right information you can travel anywhere on a budget.
Great article Barry. So what about getting out of Canada? Do you recommend flying out of Toronto or is it best to drive down the the States?
Does it matter as much on a long haul trip across the pond?
I'd just like to add that for flights within China the cost/time to buy is backwards to Canada. The cost of a flight, say, from Beijing to Guilin will go down the closer you get to takeoff, if the flight is not filled. So for those flights it's best to wait till a month or a few weeks before your travel unless you are worried about the plane filling up. We found ctrip.com good to book in-China flights, and friends use eLong. The telephone agents speak fluent English, if that matters.
@Harold It's tricky with Canada. Pearson has some of the highest airport taxes in the world and Canada doesn't exactly have any discount airlines. Well maybe Porter.
Driving down to the U.S. is always an option but you just gotta look at your time wasted vs. money saved.
Generally speaking I try to minimize costs on the ground at my destination as opposed to looking to save a few bucks by crossing the border to fly out.
But I do try to avoid high seasons. Flights to Europe can be found for under $800 on AirTransat off peak.
Great article Barry. We found travel by train to be very quick and easy in Europe. When we went to Italy, we flew into Rome and returned from Frankfurt. Taking the train enabled us to visit Lucerne and Strasburg on the way home.
Just having options is the greatest part of Europe. You can easily zig zag right across all of continent with relative ease.
One trip I planned I considering flying into Amsterdam, then flying to Prague. I then would have trained to Vienna, then train to Budapest before flying to London and flying home from there.
Love this post, full of great minimalist advice.
Just one thing: although Asian airfares are pretty cheap already you can save even more by using the low-cost carriers. Using Air Asia or JetStar is now no different from catching a bus and often a similar price – really.
Having said that – do look out for good safe bus routes, such as KL to SG – where you can save 50% of the cost of flying _and_ arrive faster then you would if you took the plane.
Excellent tips and with a new high speed train being built between Kuala Lampur and Singapore flight prices are expect to drop.
Just by having different options I find travelling to be affordable.


University video game design programs have been spreading like wildfire around the world over the last ten years. They allow students, researchers and game developers to work on their craft in an academic environment away from the harsh realities of the market, and have led to some interesting products like Fl0w from USC and Ulitsa Dimitrova from Germany. Both games take on topics not often addressed in mainstream games and do so in simple, poignant ways that aim to influence the rest of the game design community as these people make their way out of school and into the industry.
Along those lines, the GAMBIT MIT Singapore Game Lab is an endeavor that has produced some really cool results. This joint venture between MIT and the Singaporean government seeks to, like so many game labs around the world, bring academics, students, and industry folks together to see how they can change the gaming world. Most of the four full-scale games the project has created are cool games, and some have won IGF and other prestigious indie game awards. But they lack the social power and importance of GAMBIT's most recent work: A Closed World.
The gameplay reminds me of Costume Quest, but with the comedy replaced by an earnest discussion of the sexual identity of young people. It follows a teenage protagonist, male or female, as they journey through a mysterious forest, battling their inner demons. The battles (above) are classic JRPG faire starring a simple rock-paper-scissors mechanism, couched in a battle beween logic, passion, and ethics. When each demon is defeated, a beautiful little cutscene (below) will reveal more of the story that led our young hero to wander a forest full of demons alone at night.
LBGTQ issues have long been even more taboo in games than elsewhere in entertainment. Dragon Age 2 is one of only a handful of games that feature homosexual romance, and it took a lot of flack from some circles for it. Hatespeech against homosexuals is rampant on multilplayer servers around the world. Game companies fear all of this, and thus stay away from these very real and important issues.
Fortunately, the students at GAMBIT are not constrained by shareholders, profit margins, and fear of media backlash. They're starry-eyed college kids and thoughtful academics with a message they want to convey: being one's self is always okay, and is the only way anyone will ever be happy. The game is free to play in-browser here, and only takes about 20 minutes to beat. Support it, and hopefully it will help take games to a more honest and socially relevant place.