In a time when the sharing economy is generalizing eco-friendly solutions for a sustainable development, a European startup has brought up to date one of the oldest tourism ideas in the world to lower the carbon footprint on your next vacation. It’s called swapping or more precisely, NightSwapping.
A simple idea that is enjoyed for its human dimension, authenticity and the absence of money between members.
It is therefore with the utmost respect for traditional cultures, local territory and people that NightSwapping represents a new model for a sustainable tourism.
Has it not become common for travelers to stay at a local’s rather than hotels or resorts?
These new behaviors seem motivated by the desire to draw closer to local cultures and pass down certain values to our young ones…
Within this changing industry, a European concept has found a way to challenge the giants from the Silicon Valley. NightSwapping is the Sharing Economy at its core: no money exchanged, just sharing and authentic experiences.
A promising idea that continues to convince travelers around the world. For the Silo, Quentin Mittelett.
Have you tried this? Would you try this? Let us know in the comments below.
SUP- Stand up paddling is a popular sport along the Grand River system. image: grandriverrafting.ca
Is the water level in the river going to be okay for canoeing or kayaking on any given weekend?
This is a common question that people call the GRCA to ask. It is also an important question. Usually what they mean is ” will there be enough water?”, but occasionally, there is actually way too much water for most people to canoe or paddle safely.
Fly fishermen too need to check river levels so they are safe and don’t get swept off their feet by a strong current.
An angler will likely move to a different area rather than take a chance. As an organization, the GRCA does not make recommendations as to appropriate water flows for recreational activities along the Grand River and its tributaries because there are many variables to consider. Some people have the expertise and training to enjoy high flows that could be fatal to inexperienced and ill equipped paddlers.
Very low flows make for slow going as there may not be enough water for the canoe to float and it may need to be pulled to deeper water at certain times. A skilled paddler will be able to read the water to find the deepest water and will have fewer problems. Some people have a bad day if they have to step out of their boat even once, while others are more tolerant of low flows. That is why there is no definitive answer to this question.
Appropriate water levels are a favorite discussion among paddlers. Those who paddle regularly have their own personal chart, whether it is in their head or on a spreadsheet.
Checking flow information
Many avid river recreation enthusiasts in Southern Ontario bookmark the River Data section of the GRCA’s website and check it when trip planning. This is one of the most visited sections on the GRCA’s website and provides hourly updates on river flows from 39 gauges on the Grand and eight tributaries. Some gauge information is also posted on an Environment Canada website that includes rivers in other parts of Canada, but the GRCA site has data for more gauges from this
watershed.
The main chart here is called the Flow Summary.
Recreational users should pay attention to the column headed “flow.” This one is measured in cubic metres per second or cms. If the rate is 10 cms, that means that 10,000 litres of water is moving past the flow gauge each second at this part of the river. The cms gets bigger as the river moves towards Lake Erie. There are huge changes in river flow due to seasons, weather, ice jams and dam operation.
Compare this to the “summer lowflow” which is the average flow during the dry summer months and you will see in relative terms how much water is flowing down the river. Following this Flow Summary is a list of sections of the rivers and tributaries with graphs. For example, one of the most popular sections of the river for a day trip, Cambridge to Paris, a paddler would check the Galt gauge on the “Middle Grand River“section. The graph will tell you if the level is going up, down, or holding steady. Occasionally a flow gauge does not operate and the information can be inaccurate, so the information is provisional. There is also a River Flow Information line that is updated regularly and can be reached at 519-621-2763, ext. 2511.
Photo by Judi Thompson
Outfitter information
There are several local outfitters in the area and they have cut off levels, when they stop canoe rentals. Canoeing the Grand in Kitchener has a safety section on their website with a five step rating chart for paddling. This scale goes from “Excellent” to “No Go” with five levels, depending on the paddler’s age, skill, expertise and river conditions.
Grand River flow rates chart
When river flows skyrocket
As the graph above shows, the Grand River may not give much warning of a sudden increase in river flows, which is why the GRCA must sometimes issue high water safety warnings to the public. This is the flow information from the week of May 2 to 9 from a few years ago. Note that it shows heavy rain on Thursday night May 3 in the northern part of the watershed meant flows ballooned from 8 cms to 120 cms within a couple of hours, as the data from Marsville shows. The GRCA issued a warning after the storm. The rainwater gushed down the river and by the afternoon of Friday May 4, flows were dropping at Marsville but skyrocketing at West Montrose. By Saturday May 5, the river flows in Brantford were extreme and then they peaked at York on the southern Grand on Sunday.
A final important note, Dams can make the impact of a rainstorm less severe but they don’t eliminate flooding or high flows.
For the Silo ,Janet Baine, GRCA Communications Specialist
Everyone experiences sporadic digestive symptoms such as an upset stomach, heartburn, nausea, gas, diarrhea, or dreaded constipation. Symptoms often go away on their own; however, they can cause major disruptions to your life when they occur frequently.
Fortunately, lifestyle and diet changes can have a positive influence on your gut health and some simple home remedies may ease discomfort.
In this article, we discuss a few ways that can help you to have better digestive health. Enjoy reading!
Relax (Manage Stress)
Anxiety and stress can affect the digestive system. Many people have a nervous stomach before a big event or important occasion, but sustained stress can affect the connection between the brain and the gut, causing continuing problems. There is a bond between physical and mental health, and reducing stress can positively impact both.
When you’re having a busy day, it can be tempting to rush your meals, but that can cause indigestion and stomach discomfort. Make the time to relax, especially before and after eating.
In addition, reducing stress by seeking support and making lifestyle changes may improve problems with digestion. It is well known that meditation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, acupuncture, and yoga have improved digestive symptoms.
Include Fermented Foods in Your Diet
Fermented foods are partially or wholly broken down by microorganisms such as bacteria. These microorganisms work to preserve food, and they can also benefit your gut health.
Kimchi- Lactic acid produced by bacteria during fermentation creates a tangy, pungent flavor similar to that of sauerkraut.
Bacteria occur naturally in the gut. There are good bacteria that help digest food, but there are bad ones that can cause problems with digestion if there are too many in the body. Furthermore, fermented foods contain good bacteria (probiotics) that may help you maintain a healthy digestive system. You can easily increase your probiotic intake by incorporating these fermented foods into your diet: probiotic yogurt, sourdough bread, sauerkraut, kefir, or miso.
Probiotic yogurt is particularly known as a good choice in a fight with gastrointestinal disorders. Moreover, it’s an easy way to meet your daily probiotics goal, and it contributes to healthy gut flora.
Stay Hydrated
Low fluid consumption is a frequent cause of constipation. Experts recommend drinking 50–66 oz. (1.5–2 liters) of non-caffeinated drinks per day to prevent constipation.
An additional way to help fulfill your daily fluid intake needs is to include vegetables and fruits high in water, such as cucumber, zucchini, peaches, tomatoes, melons, celery, strawberries, and grapefruit.
Chew Your Food
We all know digestion starts in your mouth. Your teeth break down the food into smaller pieces, and that way, they support the enzymes in your digestive system to also break it down better.
So keep this in mind next time you eat. Remember to chew your food slowly and make it ready for digestion!
To sum up, simple diet and lifestyle changes may help improve your digestion if you experience occasional, frequent, or even chronic digestive symptoms. In order to relieve some of these symptoms, try our suggestions from above. You will be surprised by the results!
The Bod-e-Tune Naturopathic Health Aid is designed to protect you from interference from electronic devices that may alter your body’s natural electrical frequencies and can potential cause many health issues.
You are at risk, your children, loved ones and even your pets are all being affected by EMF’s.
Bod-e-Tune tunes the cells of your muscles, bones and nervous system optimizing cell function and allowing the body to do what it should naturally.
Bod-e-Tune utilizes the latest in Nano Technology Research and people world-wide are reporting exciting results with conditions, such as;
* Arthritis
* Joint Pain
* Muscle Pain
* Carpal Tunnel
* Fibromyalgia
* Migraines
* Chronic Fatigue
* Old Injuries
* Neuropathy
* Increased Strength
* Increased Stamina
* Better Nights Rest
* And Much More
We are continuously exposed to electrical pollution from cell phones, wifi, tv’s, lights, microwave and other electrical frequencies. Bod-e-Tune is a tune-up to the electrical frequencies of the cells of your muscles, bones and nervous system. It puts your frequencies where they should be and protects you from interference.
This allows your body to achieve a significant improvement in cell function instantly and allows your body to function at a significantly higher level.
Daily functions such as getting up out of a chair, walking, lifting, anything requiring the use of strength, balance and flexibility become easier. Within days of wearing your Bod-e-Tune Health Aid, you may experience less pain, greater flexibility, possibly more energy and improved game play allowing you to perform daily activities as you did years earlier.
So whether you simply want to be protected, you have a pain that you would like to get rid of or you are a sports enthusiasts who is looking for better game play, the Bod-e-Tune Health Aid may be just what you have been missing.
Results of an independent blind study show an average of 48.9% increase in strength and stamina alone from wearing the Bod-e-Tune Health Aid.
In the laboratory, chronic exposure to low level electromagnetic fields clearly affects growth and development, stress response, immune response and many neurological functions. This is not surprising because at the cellular level we are all electrical beings. Epidemiologic studies relate electromagnetic fields to birth defects, psychosis, childhood leukemia and to other cancers, especially brain and reproductive tumors.
Close up view of a frequency tuning disc.
The Bod-e-Tune Health Aid does not do the healing, it tunes your frequencies and allows your body to do what it should do naturally and do it better. Bod-e-Tune works in much the same way as tuning up your car for better performance. By tuning up and enhancing the functioning of the cells of your muscles, bones and nervous system your body works faster, better and stronger, the way it was meant to.
Twelve years ago to the day, back in the year 2009 – a Video game called #Minecraft was unassumingly released. The sandbox video game became the second best selling PC-based game in history and was bought by Microsoft for $2.5B usd in 2014.
In keeping with our look back celebration, let’s check out this wonderful book for Minecraft lovers everywhere: Beautiful Minecraft ($19.95, 112 pp., 4C, hardcover).
As they pore over the pages in this remarkable collection, Minecraft lovers of all stripes will find themselves immersed in a world of astonishing creations like floating steampunk cities, massive alien worlds, detailed classical sculptures, fantastical landscapes, and architectural marvels. The sculptures and scenes throughout the book are built from thousands to millions of blocks and represent months and even years of design work on the part of their creators.
I wanted to show how a video game can become a true artistic medium…how players can become artists.
“Beautiful Minecraft is the sort of thing that fans of the game are sure to love because it brings them even closer to the game they love,” said No Starch Press founder Bill Pollock. “Since my first visit to MineCon in 2011, I’ve been inspired by the passion Minecraft fans have for something that is much more than a game. Beautiful Minecraft shows us how in game creations can be high art, and the results are nothing less than amazing.”
For the Silo, James Delaney-author, managing director of BlockWorks: a team of Minecraft artists from around the world. BlockWorks has created artwork for companies like Disney, Microsoft, Warner Brothers, and The Guardian.
Publisher: No Starch Press
Author: James Delaney
Print ISBN: 978-1-59327-765-9
Price: $19.95
Specs: 112 pp., 4C, Hardcover
You Might Also Be Interested In:
The Game Console by Evan Amos
The Arduino Inventor’s Guide by Derek Runberg and Brian Huang
The Hardware Hacker by Andrew “bunnie” Huang
About No Starch Press
No Starch Press has published the finest in geek entertainment since 1994, covering topics like LEGO, hacking, science, math, and programming for all ages. Our titles have personality, our authors are passionate, and our books tackle topics that people care about.
Summer is almost here and so is the time for everyone’s favorite footwear: flip-flops. Let me introduce you to the world’s first flip flop that turns a summer stroll into a unique beach experience. How? Zakistar flip-flops have beach pebbles attached the sole so you can take the beach with you wherever you go.
There are benefits to walking on pebbles. See supplemental section below. Image: emargo.com
We love walks along sandy beaches and we’re positive you do too. The pebbles on Zakistar flip-flops increase the blood circulation in your feet and are therefore very beneficial for your wellbeing. The massage effect with every step also helps reduce the strain of stress in your everyday life.
You do not have to give up style to get maximum comfort. Zakistars are designed to grab attention. They are simple and elegant and go well with everything. Wear them to work, beach or your next shopping trip.
What are they made of?
Quality was our first priority at Zakistar, and we only use the best quality materials. The Vibram sole is used by many outdoor sport footwear brands because it does not slip on any surface. The straps are genuine leather which offers support and durability.
Kickstarter, we’re coming!
Every Zakistar flip-flop is a unique piece. They are hand made with love and care. To keep the quality at its best, we require molds and special tools for the production of our flip-flops. This is why we have decided to apply for a Kickstarter campaign. Kickstarter is an internet platform for collecting funds for innovative ideas. If our campaign is as successful as we hope, it will give us a chance to expand our production and bring new ideas to life as well.
Health in your feet.
We all know that walking barefoot is the healthiest option. There are countless pressure points and nerve endings on the soles of our feet and by pressing on those correctly, you can benefit from reflexology. This is something that is already integrated into the Zakistar flip flops.
Who is the face behind Zakistar?
A young ambitious Aljaž Pazlar from Bled is a man of many original ideas, and Zakistar is only one of them. More than 20 people have joined in and helped him with this project. Their aim is to improve our everyday life with pure and simple means.
Origin of the idea.
Aljaž spent some of his free time walking along the shorelines of the Sava river, contemplating about his ideas. After he paid a visit to one of our greatest inventors Peter Florjančič, the seed was planted and it grew into an amazing idea which has now become a reality. For the Silo, Lojze Žust.
Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and the Leader of the Official Opposition, issued the following statement calling on Justin Trudeau to withdraw Bill C-10:
“In a democratic society, abuses of power and authority can and should be called out without fear of retribution. Social media has rapidly become the platform for this purpose, from cellphone videos of interactions with police to social media posts by survivors of sexual assault and harassment leading to the #MeToo movement.
“But in the midst of a pandemic, while Canadians are stuck at home and relying on social media for information, connectivity, and entertainment more than ever before, the Liberal government is quietly moving to radically change how Canadians use the internet.
“In a society that values freedom of speech and expression, Bill C-10 leaves the door open for a massive abuse of power on the rights of Canadians.
“Canada’s Conservatives support creating a level playing field between large foreign streaming services and Canadian broadcasters, and championing Canadian arts and culture. A Conservative government would do so without compromising Canadians’ fundamental rights and freedoms.
“We are calling on Justin Trudeau to withdraw Bill C-10 today. If this is not done, a Conservative government will stand up for Canadians and repeal this deeply flawed legislation. While the NDP and the Bloc may look the other way on the freedom of expression, Canada’s Conservatives will not.”
Le chef des conservateurs Erin O’Toole demande à Justin Trudeau d’annuler le projet de loi C-10
Ottawa (Ontario) – L’honorable Erin O’Toole, chef des conservateurs du Canada et de l’Opposition officielle, a fait la présente déclaration demandant à Justin Trudeau d’annuler le projet de loi C-10 :
« Dans une société démocratique, les abus de pouvoir et d’autorité peuvent et doivent être dénoncés sans crainte ni représailles. Les médias sociaux sont rapidement devenus la principale plateforme à cet effet, qu’il s’agisse de vidéos d’interactions avec la police réalisées à l’aide de téléphones portables ou de messages publiés sur les médias sociaux par des victimes d’agressions et de harcèlement sexuels, qui ont donné naissance au mouvement #MeToo.
« Or, en pleine pandémie, alors que les Canadiens sont coincés chez eux et dépendent des médias sociaux pour obtenir de l’information, se connecter et se divertir, plus que jamais auparavant, le gouvernement libéral a discrètement tenté de changer radicalement comment les Canadiens peuvent utiliser les médias sociaux.
« Dans une société qui valorise la liberté de parole et d’expression, le projet de loi C-10 ouvre la porte à un abus de pouvoir et à une atteinte aux droits des Canadiens.
« Les conservateurs soutiennent des conditions égales entre les gros services de diffusion continue étrangers et les radiodiffuseurs canadiens, ainsi que la défense des arts et de la culture du Canada. Un gouvernement conservateur le ferait sans compromettre les droits fondamentaux et la liberté d’expression des Canadiens.
« Nous demandons à Justin Trudeau d’annuler le projet de loi C-10 aujourd’hui. Si cela n’est pas fait, un gouvernement conservateur défendra les intérêts des Canadiens et abrogera cette loi profondément défectueuse. Le NPD et le Bloc peuvent fermer les yeux sur la liberté d’expression, mais pas les conservateurs. »
Who is Sir Norman Foster? A British born architect world renowned for his ground-breaking interpretations of neo futuristic and post-modern design, that’s who.
Perhaps most famously known for designing and constructing “The Gherkin” tower in London, England at a cost of 138 million pounds. This office building is sure to turn the heads of tourists and Londoners alike.
Aleya Dao was a successful alternative health practitioner undergoing a sound healing session herself when she had one of those extraordinary ascents into an entirely expanded level of cosmic consciousness. And what she discovered in those few minutes and the days and years afterward, was how ready her Higher Self, her Body Deva and an array of personal multidimensional Team members were to help her overcome her own perceived shortcomings, destructive habits and life’s speedbumps. She decided on change. The woman she is today is not the woman she was then–and she gives full credit to the Higher Realms for helping her evolve to the happy and fulfilled trailblazing spiritual teacher, healer and author that she has become.
In her astonishing and powerful book, Seven Cups of Consciousness: Change Your Life by Connecting to the Higher Realms (New World Library), Aleya offers a direct manual on how to engage with the higher dimensions to advance your own evolution–to create a life filled with happiness and purpose, always connected with a divine and perfect aspect of yourself, protected and guided by a loving angelic presence. She shows how this kind of life becomes possible when we learn to consciously connect at the spiritual level with higher dimensions.
“When you explore your inner realms, along with the higher dimensions, your life will change in amazing ways,” writes Aleya, a sound healer, Doctor of Oriental Medicine, acupuncturist and spiritual guide for 20 years in the Southwest. She practiced in Telluride, CO, before moving to Santa Barbara, CA where she currently serves an international clientele. “The basic idea is that all your work is done at a level higher than your physical reality. There are aspects of you that exist in higher dimensions, at the spiritual level. I call these parts of you your energy self or your Higher Self.”
Seven Cups of Consciousness offers step-by-step practical guidance for reaching beyond one’s limited physical experience and energetically opening to the guidance and support of multidimensional resources.
Her book outlines specific processes built around “cups of consciousness” that are designed to give readers access to the energetic realm and the innumerable resources it contains. “The physical realm is only one of many. You are a multidimensional being expressing yourself in multiple dimensions,” writes Aleya. “You are never alone. Using your angelic resources can assist you in enormous ways.”
Just as a cup of coffee or tea helps you wake up in the morning, Aleya promises readers that sipping from the “cups of consciousness” she offers will help them awaken to higher levels of consciousness and energetic support:
First Cup – You Live in a Multidimensional Reality
Second Cup – You Are Never Alone
Third Cup – You Can Change Your Inner World
Fourth Cup – Your Challenges Can Help You Grow
Fifth Cup – Your Body Is a Nature Spirit
Sixth Cup – You Have Soul’s Wisdom
Seventh Cup – You Are Perfect
Aleya has created energetic practices designed to help readers release old patterns and gain access to a higher consciousness for each of the seven cups. Links to eleven powerful downloadable audio meditations that guide readers through these processes are also included.
Become acquainted with your own River of Light, adjacent to the front of your spinal cord
Dialogue with your Team to resolve old “stuff” that keeps you mired in lack, limitation, real world problems and broken romances
Communicate with your Body Deva, the nature spirit that is embodied as your physical self
Begin living a multidimensional life, so that you solve problems from a vantage point that you cannot by living a 2D existence
Enable your Higher Self, Team and Body Deva to support you in living a life that is fully expressed with joy, fulfillment, purpose, self-love and even romance!
“The key lies in your ability to focus on your inner world, using your imagination and intent as a way to connect to other dimensions,” writes Aleya. “You will learn that your real power comes from within and from beyond. As you develop these tools, your consciousness will evolve, your challenges will transform, and a deep inner peace and empowerment will bloom.”
In this game, has The Dark Knight become (dare we say it) too dark?
Batman: Arkham City Review – Rated T (for Xbox and Play Station)
Welcome ! I am going to begin this review with a confession: I am a retro gaming fan and somehow have missed out on a number of wonderfully aging titles. In fact, I had never played Batman: Arkham Asylum. It’s not that I was never interested, in fact quite the opposite, but our paths just never seemed to cross. Before beginning Batman: Arkham City I figured it was best to equip myself with some knowledge of its precursor. With an effortless search of Google I quickly found myself lowering my head in shame for all that I had missed out on. Nevertheless, I managed to convince myself that this was an opportunity to go against the grain, travel the road less traveled and yes, play out of sequence!
And so begins the adventure and the review. . .
After reading the necessary details and other reviews for Batman: Arkham Asylum I had a pretty good hunch that it’s follow up, Batman: Arkham City would be nothing short of fantastic. This game is a true indication of how far video games and their technology have come and the possibilities that still remain. Now, I could dive in to the guts of the game and discuss graphics, weaponry and overall gameplay but that would be jumping on the band wagon (which I’ve already determined is not my game plan). Instead, I feel there is something else that stands out above all other criteria: the theme of filth and decay. Darkness and death consumes Arkham City, its people and even Batman himself.
From the game’s beginning we are placed in a world that is full of shadows, crime in every dark corner, filth and grime smeared on every surface yet somewhere, within this dismal world, an intricate story unfolds.
A section of Gotham city has been walled off and is home to some of the city’s worst criminals and madmen, each of whom are fighting for power and fighting each other for it. With only a few far fetches Batman: Arkham City represents a world not unlike our own.
Take Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, for example.
It has its own areas of the city that are run down, considered ‘ghetto’ and known for acts of crime. Imagine if the mayor decided to build a wall around these areas and seclude them. The people within those walls are now left to fend for themselves – finding their own food, shelter, warmth and safety. It is only a matter of time before those communities begin to deteriorate more and more in to a state of delusional chaos. Stores shut down and become abandoned, buildings are neglected and covered in graffiti, and even the weeds are breathing new life now that there is no city maintenance.
If you can imagine such a scenario and the feeling that one might experience living in such a place, then you now know what playing Batman: Arkham City is like. I think that’s part of the reason why I enjoyed this game so much. Unlike almost every other video game, I could actually see Arkham city as a feasible scenario within our own world, hell, our own city! Furthermore, this allowed me to really sink my gaming fingers into Batman’s character and get a feel for what it might be like to be the cape crusader of Steel Town.
Some of the greatest things about Batman are his gizmos and gadgets which I used religiously throughout the game.
Soaring high above the city and the smog I could see crimes happening and swoop in on un-expecting villains and their goons. Whether I was using my trusty zip line to quietly whiz from point A to point B or using the cover of darkness to conceal my presence, I was using my surroundings, my city – my home. Or perhaps I should say what was my city and what used to be my home. Like the city of Arkham, Batman too deteriorates as the game goes on. His suit and cape become more battered and torn the more fights he’s in and the more evil he defeats. Once again I can only draw on the parallels of our own local cities and communities. Living within the confines of a dying city is a great recipe self-deterioration both physically and mentally.
When it comes to villains, enemies and ‘bad guys’, Batman: Arkham City I applaud you.
I was happy to see appearances by the Joker, Penguin and even the Mad Hatter! However, these guys are not quite how I remember them to be from the cartoons as a kid. No, no – these ugly, vile villains are far more disturbing. Each character that we encounter looks as though they are decaying in some way, shape or form. Some have cuts and scars all over their bodies, while others are losing their minds with insanity. Some just visually look broken down, worn out and even dead (much like the city they are trying to run). Each character has their own story to tell adding to your understanding of the plot and overall game.
Now, if we take a minute, once again this is not unlike the people within our own communities. Okay, we may not have a Riddler running around town leaving giant green question marks on things or gigantic science experiments who can shoot lightning bolts at us but every person has their own background and a story. All these details help explain why they are the way they are and why they live their lives the way they do. For all we know, there are Jokers and Penguins living amongst us, walking our streets and plotting their victories. Scary thought.
Another great addition to the game is the inclusion of Cat Woman and Robin characters.
Each character has their own missions and side tasks to complete apart from Batman. The world still stays the same but the stories become completely different. For example, if you are playing as Cat Woman the side missions that the Riddler has littered all over Arkham are different yet unique to your character in comparison to the tasks given to Batman. Inevitably, you are playing an entirely different game depending on the character you choose. The upside to this is being able to play as a character that you yourself might have a better connection with. Personally, I loved playing as Batman but Cat Woman did connect with my female side and added a certain finesse to my gameplay.
Besides Catwoman, another of The Bat’s fem fatale nemesis makes an appearance in Arkham City- the lovely Harley Quinn
So, I find myself with yet another finished game to add to the shelf however, there still remains a vacant slot for which to place the predecessor of this game. Playing out sequence and blazing my own trail did not seem to hinder how I played Batman: Arkham City, in fact I was able to grab the concept of Batman: Arkham Asylum quite well with help from various hints and stories provided by characters throughout the game.
Not every video game you partake in has the ability to draw you in and allow you to become immersed in its world. Batman: Arkham City however, does just this. Every aspect within this game from the setting, the characters and the missions themselves all have incredible attention to detail, making its world more realistic.
Don’t get me wrong, I love burrowing into the world of fantasy every once and a while. I love being taken into a world where there is no comparison to the world outside my window and furthermore, fantasy worlds require you to play with a different type of gameplay and mindset. But then again, those games don’t necessarily evoke the same response or feelings that a gamer might experience while playing a game that’s hits a little closer to home. The realistic components to Batman: Arkham City is what did it for me. The frightening parallels, the visuals and the overall story within this game gave me goose bumps.
If there are two pieces of advice I can give to my fellow retro gamers it is this: I encourage you to do as I did and every once in a while throw caution to the wind. Play to the tune of your own gamer heart and don’t be afraid to start in act three in a five act play. Also, don’t hesitate to drench yourself in all that an old video game has to offer. Take your time, smell the fumes of sewer smog and embrace the dark shadows that lurk in every corner. After all, you’re Batman – you laugh in the face of danger. For the Silo, Holly LaRue.
It’s a self-inflating, self-propelled, remote paddle operated beauty!
Standup paddleboarding already has a loyal core of followers and its popularity is growing fast. As the world’s first self-inflating standup paddleboard, SipaBoards is changing the direction of this sport for the better and making it easier and more accessible for everyone.
Its innovative design opens up paddleboarding to children, beginners, and anyone else who is curious, but still hasn’t given the sport a try. The board pumps itself up in just a few minutes, getting you on the water more quickly, and the motor helps you keep stability and direction, making it easier to paddle further and stay out on the water longer.
According to those in the know, SipaBoards have come up with the smartest innovation in paddleboarding in recent years. The “no extra parts” philosophy of SipaBoards’ founder, Sebastjan Sitar, led him to design the motor’s housing so that it seamlessly fits into a whole in the board’s center of gravity.
The second innovation, named aptly the SipaDrive, is an integrated jet propulsion system, which gives the paddler assistance up to 3 knots. Everything is “smartly” operated wirelessly by buttons built into the paddle itself, so that communication with the motor is interrupted and the motor automativelly shuts off immediately if the paddle falls into the water.
Accelerating the Slovenian Economy by 3 knots
Sebastjan Sitar, a sportsman and entrepreneur, has his mind on the significance of this business challenge ahead of the launch:
“Slovenia was hit hard by the economic crisis, and we realize that the country needs a fast way out of these difficulties. Our solution will accelerate this recovery by 3 knots.” Sipaboards on Twitter