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Boating & Watersports Participation Surges to Highest Level Since 2007
Participation rates in core boating and watersports activities surged in 2013 according to research released by by BMF, MCA, RNLI, RYA, BCU and MMO.
A total of 3.5 million adults (7.1% of the population) took to the water across a number of activities including power boating, sailing, canal boating and rowing/skulling.
This reflects an increase of 23% in the number of participants from 2012 when 2.8 million adults, took part in at least one of the activities. Within this total, canoeing and kayaking in particular proved popular, recording an all-time high of 1.5 million adults (3% of the population). Read more: http://www.britishmarine.co.uk/news__press/press_article.aspx?ArticleId=4282
Water sport safety information from the NWSF: http://www.nationalwatersafety.org.uk/professional/advice.asp
Neknominate 'game' leads to a false emergency call
After receiving reports from that a teenager was threatening to jump into the rough seas, Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre sent the Redcar RNLI Lifeboat to Saltburn Pier. When the teams on scene couldn't find the teenager further investigations revealed that he was at home. He had posted his intention to jump from the Pier on social media. Humber Coastguard Watch Manager Bev Allen said;
"If you have been drinking, your judgement will be impaired and you will be more likely to be overcome by the cold, dark sea. Your acceptance of the dare is highly likely to be life threatening. Alcohol is a contributory factor in a significant number of coastal drownings every year. Alcohol and sea water really don't mix" http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07-home/newsandpublications/press-releases.htm?id=96B5848B506AE7DC&m=2&y=2014
National Watersports Month
The British Marine Federation (BMF) and strategic partners the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), British Canoe Union (BCU) and British Rowing are working together on a new initiative, to encourage the nation to get on the water this coming May.
National Watersports Month will focus on promoting events across the country providing a variety of boating and watersports activities. Sailing, windsurfing, rowing, canoeing, kayaking, inland waterway cruising events and more will be taking place – to find out more and to get involved visit: http://www.watersportsmonth.co.uk
MAIB Safety Bulletin 1/2014 – Eshcol
Carbon monoxide poisoning on board the scallop-dredger Eshcol in Whitby, North Yorkshire resulting in two fatalities. Read the report: http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/Safety%20Bulletin%201_2014.pdf
MAIB Safety Bulletin 2/2014 – ECC Topaz
MAIB Safety Bulletin on the fire and subsequent foundering of workboat ECC Topaz 11nm east of Lowestoft on 14 January 2014, was published on 26 February 2014. http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/Safety%20Bulletin%202_2014.pdf
Accident Investigation Report 6/2014: Sirena Seaways
MAIB Report on the investigation of Sirena Seaways's heavy contact with the berth at Harwich International Port on 22 June 2013. Download report: http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/SirenaSeaways.pdf
Accident Investigation Report 7/2014 Prospect
MAIB Report on the investigation of the fv Prospect grounding on Skibby Baas and foundering in the North entrance to Lerwick Harbour, Shetlands Islands.Read more: http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/Prospect.pdf
Accident Investigation Report 8/2014 Danio
MAIB's investigation into the grounding of the general cargo vessel Danio in the Farne Islands nature reserve, off the east coast of England. Read more: http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/Danio.pdf
Posted in ADVICE, NEWS	| Tagged Accident Investigation, Accident Reporting, Annual Report, Coastguard, MAIB, MCA, Rescue, Research, UK, Watersports Safety, Weather
NWSF News & Updates October '13
The 2012 UK Water related fatalities; Water Incident Database Report has been released!
This report is the first release of WAID fatality information for 2012, and has been compiled by members of the National Water Safety Forum.
We gratefully acknowledge those organisations that have contributed data and special thanks are also extended to the contributing police, fire and rescue services. For further information on the WAID service please see: http://www.nationalwatersafety.org.uk/waid
Previous WAID UK Annual Fatal Incident reports, dating back to 2009 are available on the Forum's website: http://www.nationalwatersafety.org.uk/waid/reports.asp
MAIB Safety Bulletin 3/2013 – Wacker Quacker 1 / Cleopatra published
Summary: The MAIB has issued Safety Bulletin 3/2013 following the sinking of the DUKW amphibious vehicle Wacker Quacker 1 in Salthouse Dock, Liverpool on 15 June 2013 and the fire on board the DUKW amphibious vehicle Cleopatra on the River Thames, London on 29 September 2013. Issued 28 October 2013. Safety Bulletin 3_2013.pdf (4.38 kb) http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/Safety%20Bulletin%203_2013.pdf
Arklow Meadow Accident Investigation Report 21/2013 published
Summary: MAIB Report on the investigation into a release of phosphine gas during cargo discharge on board Arklow Meadow, Warrenpoint, Northern Ireland on 5 December 2012. Report No 21/2013. Published 3 October 2013. View or download the full report: http://www.maib.gov.uk/publications/investigation_reports/2013/arklow_meadow.cfm
mv Amber Accident Investigation Report 22/2013 published
Summary: The MAIB report on the investigation of the contact and grounding of the bulk carrier mv Amber at Gravesend Reach, River Thames on 15 November 2012, was published on 24 October 2013. Report No 22/2013. View or download the full report: http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/mvAmber.pdf
Busiest summer in years – Says the RNLI
The RNLI have released provisional figures from over the summer period, showing sharp rises in the number of lifeboat launches across the UK. Across the UK and Republic of Ireland, the charity's lifeboats launched 4,300 times – the most in 24 years – and lifeguards attended 14,814 Incidents.
Wales – Lifeboat launches across Wales between June – August rocketed by 43 per cent compared with summer 2012. Statistics reveal RNLI lifeboats and lifeguards across Wales have been exceptionally busy, with RNLI lifeguards responding to 946 incidents and RNLI lifeboats launching 726 times. Of the 31 lifeboat stations in Wales, 24 reported an increase in emergency calls with some experiencing dramatic rises. http://rnli.org/NewsCentre/Pages/RNLI-in-Wales-reports-busiest-summer-in-24-years.aspx
Northern Ireland – The lifeboats in Northern Ireland launching 138 times during the months of June, July and August, an increase of 20 per cent on the previous summer. The charity's lifeguards were also busy on ten beaches with 259 recorded incidents, an increase from 142 incidents in 2012. http://rnli.org/NewsCentre/Pages/RNLI-figures-show-busy-summer-for-Northern-Ireland-lifeboats-and–lifeguards.aspx
Manx Lifeboat – Lifeboat launches across the Isle of Man between June – August rocketed by nearly 50 per cent. Of the five RNLI lifeboat stations on the island, Douglas, Peel and Ramsey have all reported a marked increase in call-outs. The most notable rise has been in services by the island's all-weather lifeboats which have increased from 13 incidents in 2012 to 26 in 2013. http://rnli.org/NewsCentre/Pages/Rise-in-Manx-lifeboat-launches-as-RNLI-reports-busiest-summer-in-24-years.aspx
East of England – 15 stations in the east coast of England launched a total 319 times between June and August 2013. This represents a very small drop of just 4.7 per cent from the 335 launches recorded in 2012. In addition, the charity's lifeguards, which operate on 15 beaches in the east of England, were kept busy as they responded to 904 incidents during the 2013 summer season. http://rnli.org/NewsCentre/Pages/A-busy-summer-2013-for-lifeboat-crews-and-lifeguards-in-the-East-of-England.aspx
London's lifeboat – Statistics from the charity, which runs lifeboats from three bases along the River Thames, show there were a total of 263 separate lifeboat launches between June and August 2013. This is just a handful more than the 253 launches recorded in the same period in 2012. Once again two of the RNLI's London lifeboat stations were in the top five busiest of all 236 lifeboat stations around the UK and Republic of Ireland. The busiest was Tower station, which operates from a floating pier below Waterloo Bridge. Meanwhile Chiswick station, situated at Corney Reach Pier in the town, was ranked third busiest overall. http://rnli.org/NewsCentre/Pages/Lifesaving-statistics-show-a-busy-summer-2013-for-RNLI-London-lifeboats.aspx
North of England – The charity's volunteer lifeboat crews carried out 598 rescue launches in June, July and August – a 28.9% increase on the previous year. Only the summers of 2003 (632 launches) and 2009 (634 launches) were busier. RNLI lifeguards also experienced a busy season in the north, dealing with 1,408 incidents compared to 1,143 last summer – a 23.2% increase. http://rnli.org/NewsCentre/Pages/Busy-summer-for-the-RNLIs-lifesavers-in-the-north-of-England.aspx
South-West Region – RNLI teams across the South West have been kept busy this summer, provisional statistics for the period June, July and August show a 24% increase in incidents for RNLI lifeguards, and lifeboat crews attending 652 rescues. RNLI lifeguards dealt with 10,615 incidents across the south west, including water based rescues, major and minor first aids and missing children.http://rnli.org/NewsCentre/Pages/Summer-sunshine-keeps-south-west-RNLI-lifesavers-busy.aspx
Scotland – There were more than five lifeboat launches a day Scotland-wide, during a busy summer for the RNLI's lifeboats. The total number of launches for June, July and August was 476 across Scotland's 47 stations, just short of the record-breaking Summer of 2008 when there were 480 launches. There were 440 launches during the 2012 summer.
The busiest station in Scotland was Broughty Ferry with 43 launches for its two boats, compared with 23 the previous year.
http://rnli.org/NewsCentre/Pages/Tobermory-RNLI-is-busiest-all-weather-lifeboat-station-in-Scotland-in-Summer-2011.aspx
Ireland – RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews in Ireland were kept busy this summer, with the charity's lifeboats launching 571 times during the months of June, July and August. The figure represents an increase of 43 per cent on the previous summer.
http://rnli.org/NewsCentre/Pages/RNLI-figures-show-major-increase-in-Irish-lifeboat-launches-during-busy-summer.aspx
Posted in NEWS, WAID	| Tagged Accident Investigation, Accident Reporting, Annual Report, Coastguard, Lifeguards, MAIB, Rescues, Research, RIP Currents, RNLI, Statistics, Summer, UK, WAID
NWSF News & Updates August '13
England rugby star James Haskell launches RNLI Respect the Water campaign
The RNLI launched a new drowning awareness and water safety campaign – 'Respect the Water' – in Brighton during August. The campaign, was launched by England Rugby International and London Wasps flanker James Haskell, and was trialled throughout August in Sussex, Kent and Hampshire aiming to highlight the risks around the coast, with the long-term goal of reducing the number of incidents and fatalities. To highlight the need for the campaign, the charity has revealed some key statistics about coastal fatalities:
– Around 150 people die around the UK coast each year – that's more than those killed in cycling accidents.
– Six times more men drown around the coast each year than women.
– Key causes of coastal drownings are rip currents; cold water shock; slips, trip and falls; alcohol and fatigue.
– Cold water shock can occur in any temperature below 15 o C. The average sea temperature in the UK is just 12o C.
The campaign, which offers key safety tips, has a particular focus on men aged 25-65, as this demographic represents the biggest number of fatalities.
Key causes of coastal fatalities in the UK are: rip currents; cold water shock; slips, trip and falls; alcohol and fatigue.
For more information and safety tips go to: http://rnli.org/NewsCentre/Pages/England-rugby-star-James-Haskell-launches-RNLI-Respect-the-Water-campaign.aspx
Calling all divers! Help compile the 2013 BSAC's Annual Incident Report and contribute to a research project…..
BSAC's Annual Incident Report 2013 deadline fast approaching
The closing date for incident submissions for BSAC's Annual Incident Report is 14th October 2013.
Every year, BSAC compiles a comprehensive Annual Incident Report to aid diver safety by sharing information and allowing all divers to learn from the reports of others.
The reporting year runs from 1st October to 30th September each year to fit with both the diving season and to allow compilation of the report in time for publication. It is important that all reports are submitted as soon as possible in order to be included in this year's report and so we would remind all members to submit reports for any incidents, occurring between 1st October 2012 and 30th September 2013, by Monday 14th October. The data provided by in BSAC's Annual report is also used by the WAter Incident Database, and contributes to the Annual UK water related fatality reports. About WAID: http://www.nationalwatersafety.org.uk/waid/index.asp
Incident Report Form: Copies of an electronic Incident Report Form are available for download (where you can also download copies of previous reports) Please note that all reports are treated in strictest confidence and reassurance that names and other identifying characteristics are not included in the published report.
Divers called on to help RNLI with safety research
Divers and dive instructors are being called on to help lifesaving charity the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) with important research into participation and attitudes to risk and safety in the sport by taking part in an online survey. Last year alone, 314 diving incidents were reported to the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC).
With the support of BSAC, the RNLI, in partnership with the British Diving Safety Group (BDSG), is asking divers and dive instructors in the UK to take ten minutes to complete an online survey, which looks at their reasons for participating in diving, how often they take to the water, preferred methods and locations, experience and training, awareness of possible hazards and use of safety measures.
The findings will be used to help the RNLI and BDSG develop tailored and relevant safety messages for the diving community, to help make the sport even safer. Launched on 27 August, the survey run for nine weeks, during which time anyone who dives in the UK – no matter how often or what level of experience, can take part. Take a few minutes of your time to support this valuable research and complete the survey at http://www.rnlidiving.substance.coop
Invitation for all Hire Boat Operators to Attend Open Forums – to improve safety
The UK's inland waterway navigation authorities are inviting boat hire operators and other interested parties to participate in a general review of hirer safety, and especially to attend regional open forums across the UK. These are the key questions at the top of the review –
How safe is hire-boating?
What are the biggest risks?
What, if anything, should we do to reduce them?
The review, which is limited to self-drive, powered hire boats, with or without overnight accommodation, has the intention of striking an appropriate balance between the roles and responsibilities of the navigation authorities, hire operators and hirers in ensuring hirer safety.
The outcomes will influence the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) standards for hire boats, which were last reviewed in 2002, as well as ensure that safety-focused licensing conditions for hire boat operators are proportionate. By the end of the event, participants will have:
– Shared their knowledge and experience of hirer safety
– Had the opportunity to influence the BSS hire boat requirements and navigation authority hire boat licensing conditions relevant to hirer safety
– Helped to define the roles and responsibilities that the navigation authorities, hire operators and the hirers themselves have for safe boating
To find out more about the hirer safety review and, if you are a hire operator to find the link for the event booking form go to http://www.boatsafetyscheme.org/hirer-safety-review-2013 .
150 Incidents in three months: Do you know how to operate your Personal Water Craft?
In the past three months, HM Coastguard has seen an increase in the number of calls about jet skis or personal water craft (PWC). From 1st May to 1st August 2013, the number of incidents logged on HM Coastguard's database totalled more than 150. These ranged from mechanical issues, running out of fuel or even concern that PWCs were too close to swimmers. In comparison to the same period last year (2012), HM Coastguard recorded 95 incidents. Chris Turner, HM Coastguard's National Liaison Officer for Jet Skis and PWCs, said:
"You need to make sure you know how to operate these powerful machines. The last thing you want is to find yourself in the water after being thrown off. This is also why we always recommend that you wear a buoyancy aid and ensure you're using a kill cord, so if you end up in the water, the engine will stop. It's also worth taking with you a hand held VHF radio, so you can contact the Coastguard if you get into difficulty. A Personal Locator Beacon ( PLB) may be useful for more remote locations, along with mini flares and a charged mobile phone. Jet skis and PWCs have gone too fast and too close to shore. This is a concern to us as it's putting swimmers and other beach-goers in danger. The advice is simple. Check if any bylaws are in place, stick to them and be respectful of others in the water. If you see anyone in difficulty at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard." http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07-home/newsandpublications/press-releases.htm?id=F6E274551527E6F7&m=8&y=2013
The 2013 RoSPA National Water Safety Seminar: "Risk research and reality: empowering local prevention" is to be held on October 17th, at The Lowry, Salford Quays.
Organised by RoSPA with the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF), the RoSPA National Water Safety Seminar is recognised as the key annual multi-discipline update event for UK water safety professionals.
Opening with the introduction of the UK's first water safety and drowning strategy, the seminar provides a mix of conference style learning updates, multiple topic tracks, and outdoor workshops – aiming to inform and resource you in your own role. For further information please contact : events@rospa.com
Posted in EVENTS, NEWS	| Tagged Annual R, Annual Report, BSAC, Divers, Hire Boat, Hire Boat Code, HM Coastguard, Incident, Perconal Water Craft, PWC, Research, Respect the Water, RNLI, RoSPA, Sub Aqua, WAID
The ASA School Swimming Manifesto
The ASA six-point manifesto aims to improve central and local government support for swimming and make school swimming lessons a priority.
The manifesto, titled 'Save School Swimming, Save Lives', is in response to the recent research carried out by Kellogg's and the ASA revealing that one in three children are leaving primary school unable to swim.
The six points included in the manifesto are:
Every child learning to swim in primary school
Improve training for primary school teachers
Robust monitoring of school swimming at Ofsted
Swimming as a school budget priority
Support at secondary schools
Help keep school pools open
Find out more details on the ASA School Swimming Manifesto.
Posted in ADVICE, NEWS	| Tagged ASA, Education, Learn To Swim, Research, Schools, Swimming, Swimming.Org
SLS GB Launch Event Water Safety guidance
Last week (26 April), SLS GB in partnership with RoSPA and with the support of SLS GB insurer Sportscover, launched a new national guidance document on the management of event water safety.
The guidance document, a product of extensive research thanks to the support of Sportscover and Derby University was launched at the RoSPA National Water Safety Conference to an audience of more than 100 experts for further consultation.
With the recent rise in mass participation and charity events there has been much demand on the expertise of SLSGB's clubs to provide support to these events in the form of safety cover. However, in the absence of national guidance on hazard identification, risk management, competencies and equipment, SLSGB members often found themselves working under varying standards of event management. A draft copy of the guidance will be available shortly for you to provide your feedback to the consultation. Read more on the Surf Life Saving GB website…
Posted in ADVICE, EVENTS, NEWS	| Tagged Event Water Safety, Guidance, National Water Safety Conference, Research, RoSPA, SLS GB
Diver tracker survey
BSAC members are being invited to take part in survey to help develop a diver tracking system.
a small technology company has developed a system to track divers all the time on the sea surface, with support from the European Space Agency.
The team has developed a prototype that proves the concept. It tracks multiple objects in real time, up to 4.5km. The next stage is to consolidate results, miniaturise it, and get the system ready for a production run.
To ensure they produce a system that fulfils the needs of the diving community, they have created a survey for users.
If you wish to feed your experience into the design of a device aimed specifically at diver safety, please go to the BSAC website…
Posted in NEWS	| Tagged BSAC, Diving Safety, Research
Investors urged to keep pressure on firms to prepare for climate change
Less than half of major UK companies have plans in place to protect them from climate change even though over 80 per cent of businesses say climate change is a substantial risk to them, new research commissioned by DeFRA has found. Less than half of major UK companies have plans in place to protect them from climate change even though over 80 per cent of businesses say climate change is a substantial risk to them, new research commissioned by DeFRA has found.
Environment Minister Lord Taylor has today called on investors and shareholders to keep the pressure on their business interests to prepare for climate change so they can achieve long-term growth. The research, carried out on behalf of DeFRA by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), found that while 80 per cent of FTSE 100 companies surveyed identified substantial risks to their business from climate change, only 46 per cent said they have included adaptation plans in their business strategies. Read more on the DEFRA website…
Posted in NEWS	| Tagged Carbon Disclosure Project, Climate, DeFRA, Research
Majority of England's bathing waters meet strict quality standards
A huge majority of England's bathing waters continue to meet rigorous quality standards, new figures from Defra reveal. Nearly 80 per cent of England's bathing waters met the tightest guideline standard with close to 98 per cent meeting the European Commission's minimum water quality threshold in 2011.
Read more on the Defra website…
Posted in CAMPAIGNS, NEWS	| Tagged Bathing Water Directive, Beach Safety, DeFRA, Environmental, Inland Water Safety, Research
Rip current survivors needed to help with RNLI research
Rips are strong currents running out to sea that can easily take swimmers from shallow water, out beyond their depth. They are especially powerful in larger surf, but are also found around river mouths, estuaries, and man-made structures like piers and groynes
The RNLI has appealed for people rescued from rip currents to help with "potentially lifesaving" research. The lifeboat charity is working alongside the University of Plymouth to establish how people behave when caught in a rip current. The research is designed to help the RNLI teach people the best ways to avoid getting caught in one.
Last year, rip currents were the cause of 38% of sea-based incidents the charity's lifeguards responded to.
Adam Wooler, RNLI head of coastal safety and research, said: "Rip currents are consistently one of the biggest causes of incidents that the RNLI's lifeguards deal with each year."But very little is currently known about how people react when they become caught in one, which means it's difficult to know how to educate people to avoid getting caught in one in the first place."
Quantitative research will take the form of an online survey, which the RNLI & the University of Plymouth recently launched for anyone who has ever been caught in a rip current. It will ask about swimming ability, where the rip experience took place, and how the respondent reacted and escaped. Take the survey at rnli.org.uk/ripsurvey.
The RNLI and the University of Plymouth have are also researching the physical characteristics of rip currents, to help develop models to predict when and where rip currents are likely to occur. Empirical research using cameras, GPS equipment, and speed meters have been set up at Perranporth, one of the UK's most popular surfing beaches on the north coast of Cornwall, to study the tides under a range of conditions. The drifters are released and their progress tracked to ascertain how rip currents work.
This data is used as part of a wider experiment to gain a greater understanding for beach safety advice and lifeguard operations. Related Internet links:
Read more about Rip currents…
Posted in CAMPAIGNS, NEWS, PROJECTS	| Tagged Beach Safety, Coast, Plymouth University, Research, RIP Currents, RNLI
Maritime and Coastguard Agency diving report released
HM Coastguard responded to 66 decompression illness and 32 rapid ascent incidents in 2010 according to the MCAs newly published diving report. Medical emergencies accounted for 32 incidents. The total number of incidents has increased in the last two years, sadly, including 12 fatalities.
Buoyancy remains a problem with many incidents of divers losing control of buoyancy, whilst at depth, on ascent and on the surface. The deployment of delayed marker buoys at depth and loss of buoyancy control whilst wearing a dry suit were significant causes of loss of buoyancy control. The report advises that divers familiarise themselves with new or different gear before planning deep dives and that they always dive within their limits.
Coastguard diving liaison officers based all over the UK support local diving and organise events in their own areas, to prevent accidents and support safe diving practices. Divers are welcome to visit or contact coastguard stations to obtain the latest safety advice.
Ken Bazeley the Maritime and Coastguard Agency national diving liaison officer offers this advice to divers:
Make sure that you're adequately qualified and experienced for your diving plan, keeping a close eye on weather and sea conditions, and making your personal fitness a top priority for safe diving.
You can view the report at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/2010_diving_report.pdf
Posted in CAMPAIGNS, NEWS, PROJECTS	| Tagged Coast, Coastguard, Diving Safety, Drowning, Research, Sea Safety


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You are here: Home / 2012 / Archives for November 2012
Is There Really Going to be a Dawson's Creek Reunion?
November 21, 2012 Teresa Te
TV and movie fans who were loyal followers of Dawson's Creek in the late 1990's would be very happy to see a reunion of the TV drama's cast. But whether it's going to happen, we're not sure just yet. News of a reunion of this popular teen cast is hot again after Katie Holmes … [Read more...]
Reviews, TV, TV Series Dawson's Creek, Katie Holmes, TV, TV drama series, TV Series
Spears Keeps her Cool as X Factor Judge
November 3, 2012 Teresa Te
Pop princess Britney Spears finally makes her debut as judge of a popular live singing competition on TV. Spears was described a cool and composed during the first live episode of The X Factor. She was wearing a figure-hugging dress that highlighted her curves. Also debuting … [Read more...]
Reality Shows, Reviews, TV, TV Series Britney Spears, good judge, Khloe Kardashian\, Simon Cowell, The X Factor
How "The Walking Dead" Changed My Life
November 2, 2012 Erati TV
I can't even begin to explain how baffling the popularity of the hit AMC series, "The Walking Dead" has become. As an avid viewer and enormous fan of the show, I struggle to find words to explain why the show has gained so much popularity. Aside from the fact that the show is … [Read more...]
AMC, TV, TV Series AMC, Bart Vale, Jeffrey Demunn, Shane, television, Television program, Walking Dead, Zombie

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


It is with great pleasure that Bakers S.A. Limited welcomes Rolf Calitz to our executive team in the role of Executive: Operations WBG (White and Brown Goods).
Mr. Calitz will assume the role on 1 December 2018, and brings to the position more than a decade of experience in managing complex logistics networks within the WBG sectors.
His skills lie in his ability to maintain and sustain operational excellence through effective problem solving. Bakers believes that his prodigious understanding of data analytics will ensure a continuous improvement in key performance indicators and efficiencies.
The appointment fits in with Bakers' strategies for growth and transformation, which he will undoubtedly drive. Through the collaboration and commitment of all stakeholders, the Bakers' team and Mr Calitz, we aim to build a strong foundation to a beneficial relationship for all moving forward.
We would like to warmly welcome Rolf Calitz to the Bakers family and look forward to the flare and positive influence we know he will bring to the Executive team.


As Torch readers know, last month FIRE exposed the fact that Tufts University had punished a student publication, The Primary Source, for "harassment" for running articles criticizing affirmative action policies and Islamic violence. Its punishment is that it is now forbidden to run any unsigned articles—unlike every other publication on Tufts' campus, and unlike just about every newspaper in America. This sanction makes a lot of sense when you realize that this will make it much easier for future bogus charges of "harassment" at Tufts to be lodged against individuals, instead of just a publication. After all, you can ruin a student's career with harassment charges, but the worst you can do to a publication is shut it down!
Unless the mayor of New York City is an avid reader of the Tufts Daily, the information for his speech must have come from either Tufts administrators or from his own research, which was undoubtedly performed before Tufts decided to punish the students for the articles just ten days before the commencement address. If I were Mayor Bloomberg, I'd be pretty angry that Bacow or one of his flunkies didn't see fit to inform me that one of the pillars of my commencement speech—in fact, the example I used to illustrate the value of "respect"—was no longer factually correct.
Dear FIRE Editors, I am the parent of a Tufts student. The day before Bloomberg's commencement speech, I spent an hour on the phone calling various numbers within the mayor's office, essentially begging press officers, advisors, advisors to advisors, assistants to advisors, etc. to be sure to inform the mayor of Tufts' decision to sanction The Primary Source for exercising free speech.
That evening, I got a call back from the Mayor's press office advising me that the mayor's close staff had been informed and thanking me for the information. Now, I am not naive enough to believe that the mayor did not know about the witch hunt before my calls… I was only calling him to voice advance appreciation IF something about TPS could be slipped into his speech. I never thought it would happen.
Today, when I read his speech… I was stunned. Clearly the mayor's staff was not given the big picture when they contacted the school for confirmation. They were only told that TPS "lives" without informing the mayor's people of the campus trial and the "new authoring rules" that only happen to apply to one publication.
The future of TPS is up for grabs and I will be calling the mayor in the morning to make sure he knows how he was swindled.
From this account, it looks like the mayor did do his homework by calling Tufts for confirmation, and was told by Tufts that no punishment had been levied! Not a surprise, really, but disappointing nonetheless. It seems clear to me that Tufts owes Bloomberg an apology—and if Mayor Bloomberg doesn't get one, he ought to demand it, or at least feel free to criticize Tufts for "swindling" him.


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| Remembering Zaha Hadid
Remembering Zaha Hadid
On March 31st, 2016, Zaha Hadid died at the age of 65 from a heart attack. Born in Iraq and a citizen of Great Britain, she is an inspirational example of what can be accomplished when talent and perseverance come together within one truly powerful woman. She will be missed as a great contributor and visionary of modern architecture, as well as a strong and respected leader in a career once believed to be only for men. Her resume is extensive, including countless, breathtaking, and legendary designs found all across the globe.
Zaha Hadid was the first woman and the first Muslim to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize, winning it in 2004. She twice won the Ripa Stirling Prize; once in 2010 for the Maxxi Museum in Rome and again in 2011 for the Evelyn Grace Academy in Brixton. In 2012, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. In 2015, she received the Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba) Gold Medal award, which she accepted this past February. With these relatively recent accolades and over 30 years of experience already behind her, there is no doubt that her best work was still to come.
In 1979 she established her own architectural firm, Zaha Hadid Architects, and at the time of her death employed over 400 designers. Some of the most well-known examples of her "neo-futurism" style include the Vitra Fire Station in Weil am Rhine, Germany; the Broad Museum in both Michigan and Los Angeles; the 2012 Olympics Aquatic Center in London; and the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati.
During her speech in February, she spoke to her own experience as a female architect, as well as the struggles that many women in the workplace encounter. She noted that there are many more successful women in her field than when she began but, "That doesn't mean it's easy. Sometimes the challenges are immense. There has been tremendous change over recent years and we will continue this progress."
Her imagination and creativity was endless – she truly redefined what modern architecture was capable of becoming, as well as what a woman was capable of accomplishing in the world of design. Senses Cultural applauds and greatly respects the contributions of Zaha Hadid, and knows she will be greatly missed as a powerful contributor and trailblazer of the modern aesthetic.
By Silvana Gargione
The Dream to the Reality of the Journey: an Interview with Sarah
In the fight against Human Trafficking, there are some real heroes and heroines in the fight. As a young girl...


James Brendan Bolger, (born May 31, 1935, Opunake, North Island, New Zealand), New Zealand farmer and politician who served as prime minister of New Zealand from 1990 to 1997.
Bolger was born to newly arrived Irish Roman Catholic immigrants who had taken up dairy farming in Taranaki province. He left school at age 15 to help his parents on their farm. His first involvement with politics was with a local branch of Federated Farmers. Bolger moved to central North Island in 1963, established a farm of his own, and from that base became vice president of Federated Farmers Waikato (provincial) division and won election to Parliament with the National Party (NP) from 1972. After Bolger stood for three years in opposition to Norman Kirk's one-term Labour government, he was appointed undersecretary both for agriculture and fisheries and for Maori affairs by the new prime minister, Robert Muldoon.
As labour minister in the next two Muldoon governments, he championed a bold assault on compulsory unionism. He made unsuccessful challenges for the posts of deputy leader in 1981 and leader in 1984 before replacing Jim McLay as party leader in 1986. The following year he failed to upset David Lange in the August triennial elections. The NP won the 1990 elections by a landslide, and Bolger became prime minister. Reconciliation with the Maori was a major concern, and in 1994 his government reached an agreement with the Tainui, a North Island Maori tribal federation, for lands and resources taken from the Maori in the mid-19th century. Bolger's popularity increased in 1995 when he opposed French nuclear testing in the South Pacific.
In the 1996 elections, which were the country's first under the mixed-member proportional system, the NP failed to win a majority and was forced to form a coalition with the New Zealand First Party (NZFP). Although Bolger continued as prime minister, he began losing support as critics charged that he gave the inexperienced NZFP too many cabinet positions. In addition, his health and educational policies were not popular, and a pension reform, a compulsory retirement savings plan, was rejected in a referendum in September 1997. In November Bolger resigned as prime minister and as leader of the NP. Jennifer Shipley was named head of the party, and on December 8, 1997, she became New Zealand's first female prime minister.
In 1998 Bolger resigned from Parliament and subsequently became New Zealand's ambassador to the United States, a post he held until 2002. In addition to serving on the boards of several companies, he became chancellor of the University of Waikato in 2007. Bolger was made a member of the Order of New Zealand in 1997.


Singapore and Tokyo, Japan January 29, 2019 — Silver Peak®, the global SD-WAN leader, delivering the transformational promise of the cloud with a self-driving wide area networkTM, today announced the appointment of Dean Vaughan as vice president of sales for Asia Pacific and Japan to accelerate business expansion and customer acquisition through the company's enterprise and service provider channels across the region. Recently recognized as a Leader in the Gartner 2018 Magic Quadrant for WAN Edge Infrastructure, Silver Peak currently has more than 1,000 global production customer deployments of its business-driven Unity EdgeConnectTM SD-WAN edge platform.
Today's executive appointment dovetails a series of executive leadership and channel partner program announcements that underscore the company's strategy to recruit the industry's best talent as it pursues market leadership in the hyper-competitive market for SD-WAN edge infrastructure. Silver Peak is now expanding into Japan, hiring seasoned sales teams to work hand in hand with partners to address the unique wide area networking requirements of Japanese enterprise customers.
A 22-year industry veteran with a proven track record in building winning sales teams, Dean Vaughan is responsible for Asia Pacific and Japan enterprise sales, including go-to-market and channel strategies to drive partner engagement and customer acquisition.
Prior to Silver Peak, Vaughan served in various enterprise technology sales leadership positions at Oracle, most recently as senior director of Cloud Platform Solutions for ASEAN where, in a short period of time, he significantly expanded the public cloud IaaS and PaaS businesses. Vaughan began his career at Oracle in 2009 where he established and scaled the Oracle Virtualization and Linux business units in Australia and New Zealand. By 2012, Vaughan was promoted to oversee the Cloud Infrastructure business unit for Asia Pacific and Japan. During this time, Vaughan delivered consistent double-digit annual growth by expanding the business to India, Korea and Japan and restructuring the business in China, ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand. Previously, Vaughan built NCR Corporation's Cisco Systems Network Integration business across Asia Pacific.


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Williamson Inc
You are here:Home-BW-News, BW-Real-Estate, Featured - SHHP, Spring Hill-ROUNDUP: Five of the latest and largest housing developments in Spring Hill
ROUNDUP: Five of the latest and largest housing developments in Spring Hill
Spring Hill is currently the second-fastest growing city in the state, behind Mount Juliet, according to HomeSnacks.
With that rapid growth, comes waves of new housing development.
Here are 5 of the largest, and latest housing developments. This list includes some nearing completion, and others still in the design stage.
All of these development projects have business before the Spring Hill Planning Commission regular voting meeting on Monday, August 13.
Buckner Road Townhomes / 166 townhomes
T-Square Engineering is seeking sketch plan approval for 166 townhomes on the northeast corner of Buckner Road and Columbia Pike.
The density of the proposed project would be roughly 3.6 dwelling units per acre, and span over an area of 45.01 acres.
Concept art of the proposed project Southhaven II. Courtesy of the city of Spring Hill.
Southhaven II / 108 multi-family residential lots
Crunk Engineering is seeking site plan approval for 108 multi-family residential lots that would be located north of Solomon Lane and east of Ray Williams Drive.
The 108 units would be spread across six multi-unit buildings. The density of the proposed project would be roughly 15.2 units per acre, and span over an area of 7 acres.
Enclave at Oaklawn / 55 single family residential lots
Huntly Gordon is seeking neighborhood concept plan approval for 55 single-family residential lots on 3357 Denning Lane, just west of Kedron Road.
The density of the proposed project would be roughly 2.74 units per acre, and span over an area of 20.04 acres.
Director of Planning Steve Foote said "there's some history associated with this site," saying Gordan has submitted a number of different zoning applications previously.
The property on the proposed site is currently labeled as conditional agricultural: meaning under most circumstances, the land would be prohibited from any type of dwelling residences, save for an appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Foote said the board would not recommend the project for approval due to failing to meet the city's criteria.
Gordon said he believed the property was "treated differently than other similarly zoned properties," to which City Attorney Patrick Carter said was "disingenuous" to argue. Carter said Gordon had submitted a rezoning request to the BOMA in 2017 only to abandon it.
Southern Springs Phase 4A / 43 Single Family Residential Lots
ESP Associates is seeking final plat approval for 43 single family residential lots on the intersection of Kedron Road and Saturn Parkway.
This would be an expansion of the Southern Springs community, which had its original neighborhood concept plan of 602 single family residential lots approved by the city in 2015.
Phase 4A would see 43 residential lots constructed over an area of 12 acres.
Sewanee Retreat / 24 multi-family residential lots
Crunk Engineering is seeking site plan approval for 24 multi-family residential lots that would be located on the south side of Buckner Road.
The density of the proposed project would be roughly 7.61 units per acre, and span over an area of 3.15 acres.
By alexander.willis| 2018-07-25T19:34:17-05:00	July 25th, 2018|Categories: BW-News, BW-Real-Estate, Featured - SHHP, Spring Hill|Comments Off on ROUNDUP: Five of the latest and largest housing developments in Spring Hill
About the Author: alexander.willis
A Brentwood payment processing company acquires a payroll business serving employees without a bank account
Truck stops invest in Franklin fuel payment processing company
JUST SOLD: Property transfers recorded as of June 18, 2019
Memphis' First Tennessee bank has opened a new trust office for Middle Tennessee
A father and son team from Franklin wants to start a network of outdoor clothing brands
Prison healthcare company takes out $25 million loan after securing new contracts
Brookdale Senior Living and activist investor Land and Buildings continue to battle July 17, 2019
A Brentwood payment processing company acquires a payroll business serving employees without a bank account July 15, 2019
Truck stops invest in Franklin fuel payment processing company July 14, 2019
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FIRST EPISODE OF MOOMINVALLEY VIEWED BY OVER ONE MILLION IN FINLAND
Animated prime-time family drama MOOMINVALLEY has surpassed all expectations by attracting a total of 1.38 million viewers in just four days in Finland, where the first episode aired on Monday (25 th February).
With a total population of 5.5 million people, this means an incredible one in four Finns tuned in to watch the first episode, Little My Moves In.
MOOMINVALLEY is airing in Finland on public broadcaster Yle's TV2 channel. The first screening of the first episode was watched by over 597,000 viewers, which rises to 1,188,000 including reruns. It has also been watched over 200,000 times on the broadcaster's online platform, Yle Areena, where it is competing to become the most viewed content of all time.
The response to the series has been a national topic of conversation in Finland over the past week, with fans praising it for its magnificent, three-dimensional visuals and the way that it has treated this beloved property with reverence and respect while also providing surprises, excitement and a fresh take on the much-admired Moomin stories of Tove Jansson.
Ville Vilén, Director of Creative Content at Yle, said: "Taking on such adored characters is no mean feat even for the most talented team, but the overwhelmingly positive response reassures us that we have succeeded in creating something that will be enjoyed by fans for many, many years to come."
Marika Makaroff, CEO of Gutsy Animations and executive producer of MOOMINVALLEY, said: "I can't put into words how delighted I am at the incredible reaction of fans in Finland, and I am confident that viewers around the world will love MOOMINVALLEY just as much. The Finns are likely to be our toughest critics, given the national pride in Tove Jansson's body of work, so we are of course very encouraged by their heart-warming response."
MOOMINVALLEY is based on the beloved Moomin stories by Finnish-Swedish author and artist Tove Jansson. Each series will consist of 13 x 22-minute-long episodes. A Finnish-British co-production, it is directed by Academy Award® winner Steve Box (Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit) and produced by Gutsy Animations in association with Yle and Sky.
MOOMINVALLEY will premiere in the UK on Sky One, Sky Kids and Now TV from Good Friday, 19 April 2019, and in Japan on NHK BS4K on 4 April.
For further information please contact Caitlin Allen at Riot Communications on
020 3174 0118 / 07814 403 000 / caitlin@riotcommunications.com
About MOOMINVALLEY
MOOMINVALLEY is a brand new adaptation of the much-loved Moomin stories of Tove Jansson, a Finnish-Swedish writer and artist whose books have been translated into over 50 languages. Directed to a family primetime audience, the drama fantasy series is full of life and laughter for lifelong Moomin fans and complete newcomers alike.
MOOMINVALLEY has benefitted from Business Finland's Audiovisual Production Incentive. This production incentive is intended to increase international interest in Finland as a production location and to promote the development, growth, and internationalisation of Finnish companies.
Gutsy is a team of creators and producers who believe that the world is in need of funny, clever, gutsy and – above all – meaningful content. All of its productions are aimed at international audiences and based on a concept of genuine social impact.
About Moomin Characters
Oy Moomin Characters Ltd is the owner, originator and official company responsible for supervising and managing the Moomins' brand, copyright and registrations. The company was started in 1958 by Tove Jansson and her brother Lars Jansson and even today is run by family members. Sophia Jansson, Lars' daughter and Tove's niece, is Chairman of the Board and Creative Director at Moomin Characters. All characters from Moominvalley are registered trademarks. MOOMINVALLEY has the approval of Moomin Characters and Bulls Licensing, their global licensing agent.


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Q: git-bash -- Control-Z not working I am trying to follow git commit-tree example in http://rypress.com/tutorials/git/plumbing using git-bash.
I am supposed to type a commit message after executing the command, then type Ctrl-Z then Enter.
However as soon as I type Ctrl-Z, the git-bash window closes!  I have tried it several times.
I also tried Ctrl-D (at the beginning of a line) instead but that has no effect.
How can I do this example in git-bash?

A: i tried messing with stty settings for eol and eol2 and nothing worked.
finally switched to Git CMD and did the same command, typing ctrl-z.  the commit-tree worked there and i just switched back to bash for the rest.  nice curve ball in the last few pages of the course :)

A: What system are you using?
On Unix, CTRL-Z is the default suspend character; it suspends the current process. You must type the eof character, by default CTRL-D (at the beginning of a new line, ie. after ENTER).
You can query the current settings with stty -a. Look for eof = ^d and susp = ^z.
If you don't want to end the message with ENTER you need to use two eof characters (CTRL-D) to signal end-of-file to the terminal.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Q: Getting the function table from a x64 process I want to walk the stack of a x64 process.
I read that in order to do so, I need to get the unwind information stored in the exe or DLL.
I've seen that there is a RtlAddFunctionTable but I could find any way to get this function table in the first place...
How can I do this?

A: Have you seen StackWalk64?

A: You can also use the 64 bit version of WinDbg which ships as part of the DDK/SDK http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/gg463009.
Once you attach you can then load the windows symbols:
.symfix;.reload;

You can also point it at your applications pdbs and you should be able to see full call stacks so long as your pdbs do not have the private symbols stripped from the release version.

A: You can use RtlLookupFunctionEntry (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/api/winnt/nf-winnt-rtllookupfunctionentry) to get the function table entry (struct RUNTIME_FUNCTION) associated with a particular code address.


Our ancestors saw a vision of the arising of the creator from the darkest of beginnings.
In the massive and infinite void of Ginnungagap, that sublime and ancient mystery that was the open space of all potential, timelessly charged with the root-powers of Wyrd, consciousness and form, there arose the first giant life-powers, and the shape of the cow Audhumla. From Audhumla's udders flowed the hot streams of life-sustaining milk that nourished the primal life-forms, and from her ceaselessly activity of exploration and motion arose the bright face of the first God.
Light filled the darkness of the beginning from his face and body, and his marriage to maidens who arose from the first living beings brought forth his grandsons: Odin, Vili, and Ve. In that primordial trinity, we see the six eyes and six hands of the creator-spirit, the Allfather; we see the shape of He who was the penultimate embodiment of the creative power of Wyrd.
At the hands of the Allfather and his brothers was the primal mass of living matter divided and arranged into the many worlds; at their will the plants grew, waters flowed, mountains were raised, clouds went to fill the airs, and many wights knew their birth. Their greatest act of creation was in their shaping of mankind: as Wyrd moved them, they bestowed their beauty, hue, vitality, and spirit onto the first men and women, who were given form from the primal forms of two trees which were growing in the first world. From the earth, the primal, giant goddess earth below, did they grow. Into the creative hands of the Allfather and his brothers did they pass, to arise as mankind. From two divine sources do all human beings descend, and this true heritage is central to understanding the dignity of the human being.
This creation, this world, and all others, are acts of majesty, acts of creativity, rooted in the provedential unfolding of Wyrd, established in the Ur-Law, the primordial layers of reality, and executed in manifestation by the six hands of the bright trinity of the Gods.
In this final age of the world, the beauty of the creation, the profound arising of eternal Wyrd, is not dimmed. It is still there for those who understand the sacred dimension of nature and reality. In this age of spiritual dullness, humans witlessly fall into patterns of belief that cause a certain blindness to the sacred. Many have come to accept lesser myths that have long ago lost their power to awaken the human mind to the sacredness of life; others have accepted the mechanical, cold and empirical explanations of scientists who are themselves blind to the sacred. If this final age can be said to be in a state of degeneration, it is only in the minds of humans that this degeneracy is found, in the forgetful and dull condition of mind that reveals the faded vision that people miscall their lives.
For so long we have wandered amid trees and grasses, winds and rains, all without feeling and perceiving the sacredness of those events. For too long we have been taught to look upon the forces of nature as "mundane", "things of the world", and lacking in sacred dimension, when the truth is this: these things manifest the sacred in the most tangible way.
The eyes of human beings have searched the distant heavens seeking a hint of a faraway paradise, without seeing the sacredness spread out before them, and the divine spirit living inside them.
Can we re-awaken this awareness of the sacred? If one person can, surely everyone can- but will they? Has Wyrd the mighty, the weaving of Fate, ordained that we should? While I cannot say for certain, I feel that perhaps the answer is no. In the last age of the world, the vision of sacredness may be only for a few. But I do know what all can do- all can realize that life must be sacred, by reason of their ability to know the value they place on their own lives and the lives of their loved ones. We can still appreciate the regenerative power of nature that we all feel, when we go for long walks amid forests or streams, or when we see a scene that evokes a reaction of awe from deep within, like a burning sunset or a gem-like moon in the night.
What humans need more than anything is a sense of companionship and relationship with one another, and with the natural world, such that they comprehend their duties to their fellow man and the common bulk of life, alongside which they forever walk. That sense of relationship can and should extend beyond what can easily be seen, and into the reaches of the other worlds, where our first and greatest ancestors dwell and watch over us- Odin and his brothers, and all the sacred kindreds, are still alive and well, carrying out the timeless work that Wyrd has ordained for them. They still feel care and love for the descendants of the first humans that they bestowed their holy gifts upon, for those gifts have been passed down to each of us.
We must learn to recognize their godly work in Nature, and understand that they are preparing for the consummation of the age. All that they do, all their preparations involve us and all that live. We are partners in this work, whether we intend to be or not. The Gods do care for mankind; they care for all life, for they are not independant of life- their Fate is tied to ours, as ours is tied to theirs. This is the teaching of sacred ecology, and the vision of the Heathens.
The message is a simple one: Do not fear. You have a task, a sacred purpose, and you are not walking alone in the web of Wyrd. You are of Godly ancestry, and you will take your place in this world, and the world that is to come, for Wyrd holds all fast to a purpose. In the interim, before Fate is revealed fully, you are experiencing the numinous life that was passed down to you from the Gods through your ancestors. Enjoy it; recognize it; celebrate it; protect it, and protect others. This is the universal call to sacred participation in Wyrd that is the birthright of each human being.


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Q: Jmeter load distribution How to emulate different loads from LG's for single thread group (i.e My First LG should emulate only 200 users, second LG should emulate 50users and my third LG should emulate 250 users)
IS it possible in Jmeter?

A: If you use distributed testing - you can take the following approach:

*

*Define number of virtual users in the Thread Group using __P() function as ${__P(users,)}

*On your load generator machines locate user.properties file (it lives in /bin folder of your JMeter installation) and add the following line to it:

*

*users=200 - on the 1st LG

*users=50 - on the 2nd LG

*users=250 - on the 3rd LG

*etc.

See Apache JMeter Properties Customization Guide for more information on JMeter properties and ways of setting and overriding them.


Last year in March, Mentoor participated in local trials he saw advertised on social media. The trials were live streamed to America and Mentoor was one of 19 boys from South Africa, Ghana and Zimbabwe who were selected to participate in a soccer showcase in Florida in July last year, the end goal was a scholarship to play and study in the USA.
Around 70 boys participated in the Africa Showcase, and of the 19 who were selected, Mentoor was successful in getting the scholarship and left to Florida on Wednesday 16 January.
"I heard the news in November. There was a lot of paper work that I needed to do. I had to make sure my education was up to standard. I use finish my first two years there to finish high school and then I will finish college there too. I need to then decide what I want to study," says Mentoor.
He had a sleepless night before leaving, joking about his nerves.
"I would like to do soccer as a career, but I do want to become a chef or fireman," he says.The school he will be attending is a science school, dealing with robotics and other science subjects.
Mentoor from Strandfontein, was a learner at Muizenberg High School and started his soccer career at the age of four-years-old.
"My family says I liked playing with a ball when I was a baby," says Mentoor.
"When he started to walk he took a liking to a ball and it never stopped. My rear windows have been double plated because they were all kicked broken. That is when we enrolled him at Strandfontein AFC," says his father Jomosnè.
From the first trials, he says he has learnt valuable lessons about the sport.
"I would not say it was very challenging, but I learnt so much. I took home that I need to work hard toward what I want in the future. In America, they are very focused on school. Their training is a lot different than here. Their soccer training is very intense," says Jermaine who adds he is looking forward to the challenge.
"I have to do everything for myself now. There will be no parents there to help me. I need to become independent. I have to work hard at soccer so that I can be scouted. You never know who is watching," continues Jermaine.
"There are many scouts in the USA because this is a fairly new sport on school level in USA," says Jomosnè.
"My next dream is to play at the next world cup in five years. That is the next step for me," says Jermaine.


Beginning traders go broke taking big losses. Novice traders fall victim to attrition through multiple small losses. Advance traders falter taking small profits. Where are you on the evolutionary chain of traders?
The ability to pick market direction reigns as the most important factor for success for all option traders. Understanding option pricing helps traders magnify gains, and avoid losses.
Many new option traders dig themselves such a deep hole they can't climb out. At least, can't climb out fast enough. Stock prices go up, they go down, they may end up where they started, but time always passes. Sometimes, there just isn't enough time.
Have you heard the joke, "Convicts are the number one buyers of options, nothing makes time fly like owning an option." If you break a Law of option pricing, you don't go to the jail house, you go to the poor house!
An option's rate of erosion shouldn't surprise or scare anyone. Option buyers can calculate time's expense before buying. This is done with the Greek called Theta. Option sellers can predetermine maximum returns. Traders can know the cost of carrying option positions, both long and short. Hedged position traders can profit from the continual and constant passage of time.
Time value and time decay ranks as one of the easiest components of option pricing to understand. The time value of an option includes everything but the intrinsic value. Time costs money! More time, more money. Less time, less money. It's that simple.
But options can't be simple, they have to have some complexity. Time passes rhythmically with the tick of a clock, but time value erodes at a different tempo. Time value decays at its square root.
The square of a number is the product of a number multiplied by itself. 1 x 1 = 1, 2 x 2 = 4, 3 x 3 = 9, etc. The square root is the other side of the equation. It's the equal divisor. The square root of 1 is 1, the square root of 4 is 2, the square root of 9 is 3, etc.
The Laws of option pricing dictate time value is highest for the At the Money (ATM) option. Not sometime or most of the time but always. Time value drops as the strike prices move In and/or Out of the Money (ITM, OTM). Strike prices Deep In and/or Out of the Money (DITM, DOTM) have the lowest time value. Not sometime or most of the time but always.
To better understand time value and its rate of decay, one should think in price units and time units. Price units include dollars and cents; In the case of options, dollars and fractions of dollars. Time units can be days, weeks or months. You can even use hours, minutes or seconds. We won't discuss an option's blink of an eye decay rate, but we could mathematically figure it out.
Insert the time period of your choice, months, weeks, days. Insert the price unit of your choice dollars or fractions of dollars. For our example, lets make it months and dollars.
We could extrapolate, the nine month option would cost only $ 3.00 (Square Root of 9 = 3), the 16 month option's price would be $ 4.00 (Square Root of 16 = 4).
We could replace months with weeks and dollars with fractions, such as 1/2. Therefore if the one week option were priced at $ .50, the four week option should be $ 1.00, the 16 week option would be $ 2.00.
If we assume four weeks per month, the consistency of the pricing of time becomes evident. We can see the one month option and the four week option are both priced at $ 1.00. $ 2.00 buys the four month option and/or the16 week option. Continuing the math, the 16 month/64 week (LEAP) option would be priced at $ 4.00.
16 Time Periods = The Square Root of 16 Price Units.
16 Months = The Square Root of 16 Dollars.
16 Months = 4 Dollars.
64 Time Periods = The Square Root of 64 Price Units.
64 Weeks = The Square Root of 64 ½ Dollars.
64 weeks = 8 x .50. = 4 Dollars.
Stock prices go up, they go down, they may end up where they started, but time always passes. The passage of time can be a profitable journey.


Coldstone Creamery rules. Any ice crean store where the employees will sing for tips is just damn cool.
Apparently the Emacs people fixed whatever bug was screwing up syntax highlighting after using nxml-mode.
The readdir implementation on Mac OS X can bite me.
My parent's beach house looks totally different (and damn nice) with it's new deck.
In related news, my Dad's friends who actually built the deck are just too damn good at estimating, both in the amount of time it would take to build and in how much raw material would be required. If I could estimate half as well at my job I'd be a god.
In virtually every park in Paris, regardless of the size, you'll see a signboard illustrating and explaining the trees, flowers, and other plants of the city.


Survey - NPCA Areas of Focus - What Should We Prioritize?
We would like to welcome you to the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority's (NPCA) 2018-2021 Strategic Planning process.
The NPCA is establishing a new dialogue with the people of its watershed, and will use the community feedback obtained through this survey to help form decisions and prioritize the six Strategic Areas of Focus.
Thank you for providing this valuable information. Your participation today will help shape the future of your community.
Please provide us with your feedback on what you think we should prioritize.
What Areas of Focus Should NPCA Prioritize?
Thank you for making the time to have your say in the future of the Niagara Peninsula watershed.


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Breastfeeding Uncovered: Who really decides how we feed our babies?


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30Jun/064
Madness took its toll
My hatred toward what he has done to us finally solidified when she told me that she wasn't sure. I had come close to breaking up before, but this time I snapped. A week from now I might feel sorry for injecting so much malice and spite into my words, but right now, I don't. For a few seconds I can feel calm, but I quickly remember what I lost and why I lost it. I remember who started its destruction and who finally gave her peace. As many times as I may try to say to myself that it was inevitable, and someone would have filled his role anyway, I still abhor him.
In a way, I hate what she did to me too, but I'll get over her. I won't ever get over him.
As we walked on rocky ground, it flashed in my mind for a second that I should stay with her so that the bastard never got what he wanted. I shunted it from my mind because that's no way to run a relationship.
I wish her the best and I wish him the worst. Her ostracism is so I never hear the details about those two desires conflicting, and so that I have no regrets, because I can't ever see myself stop giving less than three.
Goodbye, Cristen.
Filed under: Life, Sad, Sentimental 4 Comments
Being a musical madman
I realize that even when you're alone, there's something to be said about having another body next to you. Perhaps not the confession of love, but the sychronization and disembodiment of movement, the comforting display of empathy and sympathy, not the feigned apathy feebly covering up the antipathy of loneliness.
No, that still does not excuse you.
Filed under: Musings, Sentimental 4 Comments
Commenting fixed
I've updated WordPress and SpamKarma 2, so commenting should work properly now.
From what I recall, when you posted a comment it would lead you to a blank page. It would end up not posting your comment; instead, it left it in the trash bin (mine too! traitor!). I've taken the liberty of digging through that trash to pull out all the legit comments in the past few days.
Filed under: Announcements 2 Comments
A Canticle for Cain
Written in the space of several hours the night before its graciously extended due date for Mr. Bonsignore's Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing final paper. Emo? Perhaps. But it was an emo that let me pass the course..
Five inches? That's a bit risky, thought Inanna. There are only two guards from what she can see by peeking through the doorway, and by the look of the blood caked onto the blades hanging by their dirty red robes, they're not very experienced. Strange, considering the book is in this room. Might be a trap. Best start with four inches.
Cain taps her on the shoulder, giving her a pleading look. No, shoots back Inanna, he can't do it. She gives him a stern, knowing look, reminding him of the last time he tried. Cain slinks back dejected, but Inanna places a comforting hand on his arm, then turns back to the other room.
The skinnier guard moves away from the pedestal he was watching and walks toward the shabbily dressed female prisoner bound to the wall next to a pedestal holding a book. The guard sneers at her before drawing his blade and tormenting her by lightly tracing it against her skin. The more heavyset guard smirks and approaches her with the same glint in his eyes.
Inanna's eyes flare up with hatred. Screw four. These guys deserve six inches.
Inanna unsheathes the crucifix dagger from her belt and uncorks a vial of holy water. As she dips the blade in and takes it out, the drops of holy water that roll off of the dagger land on the floor and vaporize, leaving scorch marks. Inanna rolls up her sleeve to reveal an arm with numerous scars on it, but does not pause before taking a deep breath and cutting a six inch gash down her arm. Inanna brings the dagger back up and starts drawing a symbol in the air. The blood flows freely from the wound toward the dagger, defying gravity by being suspended in the air. It trails the dagger like ink to a calligrapher's brush, this particular instrument six inches thick. As she finishes the large, intricate pattern, Inanna twirls the dagger to release its hold on her blood, then quickly severs the blood design's connection to her wound. The wound immediately seals up and leaves another scar, as well as leaving Inanna dropping to one knee and panting.
"In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti," Inanna mutters, before a blinding light fills the room.
The two guards are immersed in the prisoner when they notice a bright flash off to the side, near the doorway. As they turn around with swords in hand, they see Inanna and Cain walk into the room. The lustful smiles quickly turn into expressions of confusion and panic as a behemoth follows them through the doorway. The angelic humanoid figure stands over seven feet tall, his aqua skin covered in bundles of white robes with gold stitching. He shoots a confident and commanding gaze at the pair of guards from his unearthly grey eyes as he raises his arms a bit, palms upward. The air around him crackles with energy, streams of pure white light starting to swirl around in the palms of his hands.
The two guards regain their wits, and the skinny one makes a quick, short stab at the prisoner's artery before drawing a pattern in the air like Inanna did. Unlike hers, his strokes are fast, thin, and jagged, with few curves. The bulkier guard rends the prisoner's stomach, then makes large sweeping strokes in the air with the blood trailing behind the sword. Within seconds, the two finish off their patterns and exclaim, "In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti!"
The symbols transform into pitch black portals with the blood patterns hanging in front of them, a temporary gate to usher in the two demons that leap out of them. The scrawny guard's demon resembles a cheetah with oversized teeth and burnt patches of fur. The other gate produces a dark red minotaur that exhales small jets of flame from its nostrils.
The two demons charge the angel, but he has already spent enough time collecting divine essence. The energy has materialized into spheres, and when he clenches his fists to absorb them, power flows through his arms and enlarges his muscles. The cheetah easily speeds ahead of the lumbering minotaur and leaps at the angel's throat, but he catches it in midair and uses its momentum to slam it against the wall headfirst, causing it to crumble into dust.
The angel then braces himself and stops the minotaur's charge by grabbing onto its horns. Slowly forcing the angel down, the beast draws in its breath, intending to roast the angel in close quarters. The angel mutters a word and a large translucent disc appears in front of the minotaur's mouth as it exhales. Flames erupt from its mouth, but they are redirected back towards the minotaur because of the divine shield. It does not hurt the minotaur, but the flames make it lose sight of the grappled angel. He takes advantage of this by ducking and letting go of one its horns, using his free hand to thrust through its chest.
As the minotaur falls apart, the ashes of it and the cheetah are sucked back into their portals. The symbols that called them forth become etched onto the guards' foreheads, and the guards keel over from an invisible agony. The angel walks toward the kneeling figures and lays his hands on their heads as if to absolve them. Power courses out of his arms, forcing their souls out of their bodies with one last agonizing twitch.
Gotta work fast before others arrive, Inanna thinks as she dashes past the angel toward the pedestal. She gives a single pitying glance toward the prisoner, but her eyes are set on the book lying on the altar. An awfully nondescript cover for such an evil artifact, thinks Inanna. She reaches toward the book and meets a little resistance as a red barrier forms around it, like the one the angel summoned.
"Corinthian, if you would?" The angel moves beside her and violently rips away the shield from the book with a single yank. Cain takes his place and quickly flips through the pages. He stops after a few seconds – bingo – and tears out one particular page to stuff in his pocket.
"Ave Maria, gratia plena; Dominus tecum," Inanna murmurs with her hands over the book, and the lettering fades to leave a completely blank book. She closes the book and anoints her dagger again. Instead of cutting herself, she thrusts it through the angel, who begins to lose shape. The angel's essence is used as the drawing medium, this pattern being a thin but long design with graceful curves. Inanna finishes off the design with the usual "In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti." Another bright flash marks the disappearance of the angel and the summoning of a gigantic pure white owl. Inanna and Cain mount the beast and she kicks it into action, flying out of the room into a passageway at a blazing speed. Inanna wishes she could fight every single cultist and free every prisoner that she passes by. Cain clutches the beast for dear life.
It's kind of beautiful, seeing the City of the Christ from the outside. Buildings as high as any owl could fly, with thousands of people milling back and forth in peace. All secure in the comforting image of their Christ. Or rather, the Antichrist. Inanna feels a pang of remorse thinking of all the people below acting as good citizens in order to be whisked away at the Third Coming. Inanna knows the truth. She has seen the warm interiors of the Church, and the fiery hellholes underneath them. She knows what the fanatical converts are given to do, starting with tormenting the "wicked" and moving on to using otherworldly beings in order to further their cause. Justified as long as they can be part of the next Rapture. Whatever it takes.
Inanna knows the truth, and Inanna knows better.
The owl touches down at a much more desolate place, a flimsy wooden shanty at the edge of town. Despite its appearance, a flood of relief washes over Inanna was she dismounts and lets the owl fly away into the sky so that she and Cain can enter the shack.
Home sweet home, or as sweet as a set of smelly, connected sewers can be. Inanna nods to many infirm and sick residents as she walks by the holes in the wall that serve as living spaces. The dimly lit tunnel leads to an even darker central gathering place, which remains gloomy despite candles and flashlights strewn everywhere. The Church would certainly pick up any attempt to tap into the power supply, and they barely had enough resources to survive, much less ease everyone's eye strain.
Cain then strides proudly in front of her, marching toward one particular table in the center.
"Abel, I did it! Err, we did it," glancing at Inanna. "With this sheet of paper, we can amplify our angels the same way they did to their demons when they destroyed Outpost #5."
Cain pulls the torn piece of paper from his pocket and presents it to Abel as Inanna catches up and meets them at the table.
Abel warmly smiles at Cain. "You did a fantastic job, Cain, and you too, Inanna. Got exactly what we were looking for with nary a scratch on either of you."
Cain seems humbled at the compliment, and asks in a much lower voice, "Do you think that I have been forgiven now? Will God accept my blood?"
A pained look flashes across Inanna's face, which does not pass by Abel unnoticed as he gently says, "I believe that God is proud of you, brother, but it is not for me to decide. Before the end of the day, let us convene with our priest. Perhaps he will shed some light on the matter."
The ambiguous statement gives Inanna the chills. No one knew why Cain's first summoning had produced a demon, but it was the first time one had ever entered the sanctum and the last time Cain was allowed to summon.
"I understand, brother. I will try to be…patient." Cain's voice hints at something more, but neither of the two notice.
"In the meantime, start work on deciphering the text. We ought to fully understand its implications before we try to utilize the same amount of power that leveled the outpost."
Cain nods, and scurries away with the paper to a slightly brighter room.
"And as for you," Abel says to Inanna, perhaps you ought to get some rest. Sending out a call strong enough for angels to hear takes a lot of self-sacrifice, and it does not come without a toll. All of-," Abel stutters as he looks toward Cain's room, "most of us have been through it and know the fatigue that it brings."
"I'm perfectly fine," Inanna protests, "perhaps I can help plan another mission? Save some of our captured?"
"I would not want you to be among their ranks should you faint after a summoning. This sanctum may seem populated, but our numbers are very few. We can't afford to lose any more."
Inanna nods, and immediately feels guilty for forgetting about the friends and family she has lost to the Church. She wanted to help, but did she not vow to her diseased brother that she would live on in his memory? The sight of a few crucifix dagger-wielding members leaving the sewers lifts her spirits a bit, and she hugs Abel before retreating back to her bunk at the damper part of the sewers. She doesn't sleep well, but she sleeps.
An earthquake jolts Inanna out of bed, and all she can see is dust and grit in the air. Coughing, she picks up her weapons and runs back into the main part of the sanctum. As she travels, she notices that for an earthquake, the rumbles have consistent pauses in between them. Strange behavior, she thinks, and realizes her error when she reaches the gathering place. The ground was shaking not because of tectonic movement, but because a twenty foot tall demon was pounding its massive feet into it as it lumbered toward the encampment.
It is in the shape of a chimera, but its moves are sluggish and pained despite the amount of force behind them. The eyes in its lion's head roll around in a lazy stupor, giant veins bulge from its goat body, and its serpent tail trails along lifelessly, only to lash out at a blinding speed at random intervals, demolishing sections of the wall.
Enormous…even Abel can only make a thirteen foot angel, and that put him in bed rest for weeks. At least he's doing what he can against that monstrosity, thinks Inanna as she sees Abel standing on a table directing his forces, forming lines of soldiers in practiced positions. Smaller demons stream out from behind the chimera, which the front line summoners slit their skin and start conjuring angels to meet. The air fills with flashes as more angels enter the fray, and the battle becomes fierce but immobile, neither side gaining or losing ground. Yet the colossus is on everyone's mind, seeding dread and panic in the ranks.
The chimera is about to reach the front lines when a cry of agony pierces the air – from Abel. He vehemently rips out his heart and stakes it to the ground, slumping as a flash brings forth a goliath almost as mighty as the chimera. He hovers right above the ground, toes pointed down, arms outstretched to form a cross with his body. As he opens his sleeping eyes and sees the melee, his gentle visage turns into a grimace, and his radiant skin flares into a dazzling orange and it launches itself at the chimera. The two tumble around the corridor into the main room, crushing angels and demons alike.
No more death, no more friends…lost…no more friends, cries Inanna as she watches the violent struggle. She almost slips into a withdrawn state but is broken out of it as she hears cackling behind her, Cain's voice permeating the air.
"Yes! Of course! Pure blood!"
Inanna pulls her eyes away from the frenzy in order to look behind her, seeing Cain running toward her holding a bundle of cloth in his arms.
"I know how they did it! I know how I can do it!"
Cain pulls out a crucifix dagger, and Inanna's mind is filled with confusion. What does he think he's doing? And then she sees the cloth slip away from the bundle.
"The purer the blood, the stronger the summon. That's why I couldn't do it, because I needed pure blood!"
He is screaming his lungs out as he runs toward the central room, but Inanna doesn't comprehend it. No, no, no, NO! That's your son you're holding!
Cain's eyes fill with rabid, zealous tears. "I'll show you, Abel! I'll show you all! I'll make you proud, brother!"
Cain onto the table that Abel is lying dead on, and slices open the baby's throat on top of him.
A portal opens in front of him, but it is neither a bright flash nor a black hole. Instead, it widens to reveal a red throne on top of a mountain of skulls, all in front of a scorched red landscape with geysers of fire and demons scuttling all around. The last thing that Cain's ecstatic eyes and Inanna's tear-filled eyes could see were clawed hands pulling a truly demonic horned head out of the portal. The last thing they heard was it rumble, "Pure blood for pure gain for pure evil."
The remaining angels abandoned Earth, for they had no power in a Hell.
Yep, zomg, Steven isn't totally ignorant! He actually knows about the Rapture and the Second Coming! I tried to fit in as many references and points of irony as I could, because it made it all the more fun to write. It's hard to be referential without being obscure, sadly.
Filed under: Musings, School 3 Comments
+cha to attack, +level to dam
There is an ass that needs to be kicked. In fact, I still do feel that his ass deserves a severe pounding, a passionate pounding, even. I restrain myself not out of fear of the local law enforcement, but because it is unbecoming to go into a fit of rage in front of one's girlfriend.
But fool me twice and you're a dead man.
As for me? I'm going to continue giving this relationship my all despite the pain.
Filed under: Musings, Sad 7 Comments


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Top Wan Chai hotels that guarantee great fine dining restaurants, swimming pools, and spa time
by Kristy Or | Jul 02, 2020
Don't miss a dip in the St. Regis Hong Kong swimming pool
Want to stay in the heart of the city? We've found the best hotels in Wan Chai for you to dine and relax at away from home
There are a great number of hotels that offer a perfect staycation in Hong Kong – think the most pampering hotel spas and mouth-watering boozy hotel brunches. Considering that Wan Chai is a popular area for central accommodation with great vegetarian restaurants and cosy dive bars, we've put together a list of our favourite Wan Chai hotels (that include swimming pools, fine dining restaurants and luxurious spas). Have a great stay and relax!
Check out these top Wan Chai hotels
1. The St. Regis Hong Kong
The well-appointed guest rooms at The St. Regis Hong Kong are beautifully designed
The newest hotel on our list, The St. Regis Hong Kong is a little slice of something special. Step inside, and immediately you will feel like you're no longer on the crowded streets of Hong Kong. With elegant design by Andre Fu and the team at AFSO, there's no detail left unthought of. Sample afternoon-tea at The Drawing Room, enjoy a drink at the gorgeous St. Regis Bar, or indulge in Cantonese cuisine at Rùn before heading up to wonderfully chic guest rooms. Workout at the gym, take a dip in the pool, or enjoy some relaxation at the pool, best of all, you've got the best of Wan Chai at your doorstep if you're looking for some action.
The St. Regis Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Drive, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 2138 6888
2. Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
Chill out poolside and enjoy a cheeky cocktail at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong is known for its classy outdoor swimming pool and its boozy brunches. Offering a stunning view of Victoria Harbour, the hotel is interconnected with the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, making it a great choice for those in town on business. The 542-room hotel offers nine restaurants and bars that serve local and international cuisine. We are big fans of the treatments available at the luxury Plateau Spa too, definitely one of our favourite Wan Chai hotels!
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 2588 1234,香港島灣仔港灣道一號
3. The Fleming
The maritime theme continues into the rooms at The Fleming
Looking for a Wan Chai hotel with exceptional design? The Fleming is a boutique hotel that promises excellent service and a wonderful stay. The design ini inspired by the cross-harbour ferry, bringing brass, blue and striped details into many of the spaces. Downstairs, Osteria Marzia serves coastal Italian food and whips up great cocktails.
Read our full review on The Fleming here.
The Fleming, 41 Fleming Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 3607 2225, 香港灣仔菲林明道41號
Catch the sun at these beaches in Hong Kong
4. Mira Moon
Mira Moon – Hong Kong's Most Awarded Boutique Hotel
#MiraMoon is the very first 5-star boutique hotel within the Mira Hotel Collection conceived under the creative direction of the famous design guru – Wanders & YOO. Equipped with 91 one-of-a-kind guestrooms and suite, all five guestroom types and the striking suite of Mira Moon are the modern rendition of the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival mythology. Tech-savvy features are available at your finger tips allow you to stay connected at all times including portable Wi-Fi On The Go, Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and more.
Posted by Mira Moon on Monday, August 8, 2016
The design at this 91-room hotel, is influenced by a contemporary abstract interpretation of Chinese culture, drawing inspiration from the moon festival fairytale. Located in the heart of Wan Chai, Mira Moon has a friendly environment and tech-savvy features that are perfect for those staying for business. Eat and drink from one of their three restaurants and bars – we like to hangout on the Secret Garden Terrace – or workout at their gym that is available 24 hours.
Mira Moon, 388 Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, p. 2643 8888,香港銅鑼灣謝斐道388號
5. The Upper House
With its contemporary design and amazing service, The Upper House is one of our favourite hotels in Wan Chai/Admiralty
While technically in Admiralty, it would be remiss of us to leave The Upper House off our list. Designed by Andre Fu, The Upper House is a contemporary luxury hotel and one of the coolest destinations in town. The hotel offers modern European dining at Cafe Gray Deluxe on the 49th floor which also has an extensive wine and champagne list, and a great view of the city. Recharge with yoga lessons available every Saturday and Sunday morning, and let off some steam with a ride around the city on the hotel's complimentary bicycles or work-out at the fitness centre that is open 24/7.
Find out why we're mad for the revitalising menu at Cafe Gray deluxe at The Upper House.
The Upper House, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong, p. 2918 1838,香港金鐘道88號太古廣場
6. Hotel Indigo
The rooftop swimming pool at Hotel Indigo is one of Wan Chai's best kept secrets
Sitting in an interesting part of Hong Kong between the wet markets and heritage buildings, Hotel Indigo's exterior features a shimmering bronze dragon created by solar fins. The animal-friendly hotel offers guest rooms that are enclosed by ceiling to floor windows providing a panoramic view of Wan Chai. Hotel Indigo has a fitness centre for you to sweat it out at, and also has a beautiful cantilevered glass-bottom infinity pool, which is one of the most secret in Hong Kong. Eat at Cafe Post which serves up local favourite Cantonese cuisine including Dai Pai Dong-style street noodles.
Hotel Indigo, 246 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 3926 3888,香港灣仔皇后大道東246號
7. Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel
Enjoy stunning views of Victoria from the rooms at Renaissance Harbour View Hong Kong
Adjacent to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, and with a beautiful view of Victoria Harbour, Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel is a 10 minute walk from the closest subway station, and is within minutes from the central business district and the major shopping areas. Swim in the heated outdoor swimming pool and workout in the fitness centre and tennis courts, or hang out at Dynasty, one of the tastiest Cantonese restaurants in town.
Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel, Hong Kong Convention And Exhibition Centre, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 2802 8888,香港灣仔港灣道一號香港會議展覽中心上蓋
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Kristy Or
Kristy was born and bred in Australia, living by the beautiful beaches in Sydney. She moved to Hong Kong in 2016 to rediscover her roots, and spends her weekends looking for vintage art pieces and drinking at traditional tea houses.
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Environment & Economy By Tracey Watson 209 Views
Scientists: Long history of fertilizer use on land is threatening our water quality today
Imagine you're driving down a long, straight road through rural farmland. One either side of you are beautiful green farms. The produce being grown on these farms looks healthy and appears to be thriving. Now picture the land beneath those farms as massive sponges. Like all sponges, put enough liquid in and eventually the absorption capacity of that sponge will be reached, leaving the remaining liquid with nowhere to go.
In much the same way, over a period of time, phosphorous in the chemical fertilizers used in conventional farming exceeds the amount that can be absorbed by the land and the remaining phosphorous becomes runoff which is discharged into and pollutes downriver water systems.
A new study by researchers from the Université de Montréal, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, set out to quantify the exact level of phosphorous the land can absorb before that "sponge" gets too full. Their research is a source of great concern because it turns out that the absorbable amount is "shockingly low." (Related: Organic fertilizer can be used to increase crop yield in plants grown in rotation.)
Water quality under threat
The two main sources of phosphorous pollution in waterways are the fertilizers and animal manure accumulated through conventional farming, and sewage from humans. In conducting their research, the team focused on the 23 watersheds that feed Quebec's St. Lawrence River. Science Daily explained the methodology used:
Using Quebec government data, the researchers matched the estimated accumulation with phosphorus concentrations measured in the water for the last 26 years. Since the watersheds they studied had different histories — some had been used intensively for agriculture for decades whereas others were forested and pristine — this method allowed the researchers to establish a gradient of different phosphorus accumulations among sites. In so doing, they were able to see at what point the watershed "tipped" or reached a threshold and began to leak considerably more phosphorus into the water.
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Using this method, the researchers determined that the tipping point at which the phosphorous begins to leak into the water supply is 2.1 tons per square kilometer of land. Once this level is reached, a "significant acceleration" in phosphorous runoff begins to occur, according to the research team. (Related: Too much fertilizer causes loss of plant diversity.)
Based on the current rate at which fertilizers are generally applied in conventional farming, the study found that the tipping point can be reached in just 10 years. Shockingly, the study found that some of the older Quebec watersheds reached that level 100 years ago. Experts warn that even if all phosphorous use was stopped immediately, eliminating what has already accumulated in Quebec watersheds would take between 100 and 2,000 years!
Shockingly, in some countries, including the USA, so much fertilizer is used that the saturation point can be reached in just five short years.
The problem with phosphorous
So, our water is polluted with massive amounts of phosphorous that could take thousands of years to eliminate, but why should we be concerned about this? As reported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), though nitrogen and phosphorous are always present in aquatic ecosystems, too much of either of these nutrients causes air and water pollution. This can cause multiple problems, including algae that grows at a faster rate than the surrounding ecosystems can handle.
The EPA warns:
Significant increases in algae harm water quality, food resources and habitats, and decrease the oxygen that fish and other aquatic life need to survive. Large growths of algae are called algal blooms and they can severely reduce or eliminate oxygen in the water, leading to illnesses in fish and the death of large numbers of fish. Some algal blooms are harmful to humans because they produce elevated toxins and bacterial growth that can make people sick if they come into contact with polluted water, consume tainted fish or shellfish, or drink contaminated water.
Unfortunately, nutrient pollution is not the only problem we need to worry about when it comes to our water supply. Watch the movie Biosludged to learn about the horrific mass pollution of North America's soil with a toxic stew of human and industrial waste collected by municipal waste processing centers across the country.


After 'Station to Station', his traveling exhibition that crossed America before arriving in London for an exhibition at the Barbican Centres, Doug Aitken has also come to Frankfurt on the Main for an exhibition at Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt. Entitled Doug Aitken, the exhibition concentrates on the American multimedia artist, more precisely on his video installations.
Lights, sound, installations, natural phenomenon, fauna; their common point is to all being part of Aitken's show. Through his video installations, he displays a very unique, however eloquent and reachable language, with yet never using any speakable one. The trailer reveals a very peculiar and attractive universe in which animals are the users of human's commodities while humans feel uneasy in a wall-deprived habitat in which fire, water, earth and fire are guiding the lines. Aitken delivers his video vision of a world full of individualities and irregularities supported by their background sound.