So, I fired off two more emails…  One to Subway, and one to my new friend Mr. Jones at Quiznos.  No response from Mr. Jones yet, but we do have one from Subway.  I’ll share it all below!

OK, so email one, to Subway:

From: ERiC AiXeLsyD world.and.lunar.domination@gmail.com
To: “Bridenbaker, Mack” m.bridenbaker@sfaft.org
Cc: Paula Gomez gomez_p@subway.com; Kevin Kane kane_k@subway.com; Anna Marie Seeley seeley_a@subway.com
Sent: Mon, November 23, 2009 10:24:20 AM
Subject: Re: Subway [Customer ID: 1918316]

Hello Mr. Bridenbaker,

It’s been over a week since your email to me saying that Ms. Gomez would address my concerns and I’ve yet to see any sort of response.  I still haven’t had a reply to my initial message to Ms. Seely, or  from anyone on your team.  I’m disappointed in the lack of comment overall, my first message which was sent on Oct. 28th has still gone unanswered.

I now understand why the employees in your stores have an “I don’t care” attitude.  It trickles down from the top, and certainly must be passed on in franchise owners, hiring, & training.

I’m amazed at your total lack of concern for the decline of your once championing establishment.  I should perhaps pass on my shellfish allergen and cross-contamination concerns to some allergy awareness groups.  Perhaps allergy awareness lobbyists will warrant some attention.  Everyone I know already hates Jared and the $5 footlong commercials, so I don’t need to push the issue on that one.  The concept of cheese tessellation will obviously elude the average sandwich artist from now until the end of time, so we have no hope there.

Perhaps in copying Quiznos’ idea of toasting subs, you should also adopt their business model in using better quality ingredients and customer service policies.  I have had a continued dialog with them regarding your lack of customer service and their seemingly misleading Toasty Torpedo ads with the very tiny hands.  They proudly stand behind their ads (however creepy), their innovation, and their customer service.

Not signed.  On purpose.  Notice all the Cc’s, everyone hates that… I don’t care who you are.   I tried to poke at every issue and make empty useless claims about allergy awareness groups, and I brought up that Quiznos is the trend-setter while noting that they’re also not perfect.

And, on a friendlier note to Quiznos, I decided to reveal my intentions to an amicable Mr. Jones:

From: ERiC AiXeLsyD world.and.lunar.domination@gmail.com
Date: Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 9:22 AM
Subject: Re: The Quiznos Toasty TorpedoT ads?
To: “Jones, Tony” TJones2@quiznos.com

Thanks Tony,

I must confess, I do have a blog and I have been chronicling my email escapades there.  I like to play them as part consumer advocacy, part humor and all goofy.  I used to write snail mail letters, but email has made it so much easier & faster.  Some friends have encouraged me to keep writing, so I have.  I really enjoy the open & honest dialogue that we have going on, and appreciate that you stand behind the product & integrity of your company… and take the time to respond to emails such as mine.  Also, you obviously have a sense of humor, which has to be a “must” for any kind of customer interaction.  I’m sure you get goofier emails and phone calls from actual crazy people.

I’m intrigued at your suggestion that I get into consulting or franchise journalism.  Do you know how I would even go about this?  Would I need to obtain a degree in something?  I hope to grab followers to my blog just for amusement, but am unaware as to how to make it a profitable venture, ha ha ha.

Thank you once again for your time, I’m actually waiting to hear from some of your Quiznos colleagues, and Subway has still not given me a response beyond “someone will respond”… not that I’m at all surprised by that at this point.

Rock on!
-Eric

Hopefully he writes back in a positive light, and still finds all of this amusing.  Still waiting for further comment from his other colleagues, none of which have really delivered so far.

And, now, the fun part… Subway’s response (or lack thereof):

From: asksubway@subway.com
Date: Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Subject: Subway
To: world.and.lunar.domination@gmail.com

Monday, November 23, 2009

Dear Mr Aixelsyd:

First, allow me to apologize. Secondly, I would like to thank you for taking the time to contact us and share your comments.

At each SUBWAY® restaurant, it is the goal of every owner; manager and employee to produce each sandwich and salad properly made to order.

Our customers provide us with valuable input, which we use to improve our operations. Your comments were shared with the regional office in your area as well as the owner of the SUBWAY® restaurant that you have visited.  Since all restaurants are individually owned and operated it is the owner who would be the person to contact you in response to your concern.

I have gone ahead and copied our Training Department so that further lessons can be addressed with owners and their employees on proper handling.

Again, I appreciate you taking the time to contact us. SUBWAY® looks forward to your continued visits.

Sincerely,

Paula Gomez

Heh.  “First, allow me to apologize” not followed by an apology is extremely profound, and hopefully intentional.  Then, she thanks me for writing, probably through gritted teeth.

This line reeks of copy & paste:  “At each SUBWAY® restaurant, it is the goal of every owner; manager and employee to produce each sandwich and salad properly made to order.”

And, I love the long winded “it wasn’t me”/”it’s not my fault”/”it’s not my problem”:  “Your comments were shared with the regional office in your area as well as the owner of the SUBWAY® restaurant that you have visited.  Since all restaurants are individually owned and operated it is the owner who would be the person to contact you in response to your concern.”  Basically, she’s telling me that I’m being ignored by a lower level.

“I have gone ahead and copied our Training Department so that further lessons can be addressed with owners and their employees on proper handling.”  With what?  Cross-contamination?  Cleanliness?  Cheese tessellation? How to reply to customer emails?

“SUBWAY® looks forward to your continued visits” …so we can spit in your food?  Did she read my emails?  Perhaps this whole thing is just a reading comprehension issue.  I find it amusing that the e Subway spokesperson declined to comment.  Perhaps now is the time to move into old-school W(aL)D mode, and reply that Subway will not be allowed on the moon when I’m emperor.

Are there any psychologists or psychiatrists out there reading this?  I’d love to get your take (…if you can tell me without telling me what my own problems are, ha ha ha).

If you haven’t been following,you may want to check out the back-story rundown here:  If we’re keeping score, that’s Subway 1 and Quiznos 3½. That should explain the last email, and at the bottom there’s a rundown of all the ones that came before it (with links) if you’re interested.

Also… lots of people have been telling me they’re following… by word of mouth, or Facebook, or Twitter, and even via text message… but I beg you, if you’re reading… post a comment here, and others may have a comment about your comment.  I see by the stats that people are reading.  Don’t be shy.  We’re all friends here.  Except for you, people at Subway… Except for you.

Se você achava que num futuro próximo todos os navegadores “iriam falar a mesma língua” e a dor de cabeça de construir código compatível com todos eles iria acabar, pode tirar o cavalo da chuva, porque tem coisa revolucionária vindo por aí. Apresentando… o HTML 5!

Principal mudança entre o HTML atual para o 5 já deve ter sido imaginada por alguns desenvolvedores, está na Semântica, no significado da estrutura html do seu site. No momento em que estávamos acostumados a criar um <div id=”rodape”> agora a galera nos ajudou, bastando um <footer> , bem, além disso temos também o seguinte:

• Tags com valore semânticos.  adição de valores semânticos com a criação das geniais tags footer, header, time, nav por exemplo;
• Áudio e Vídeo.  incluir vídeo e áudio era coisa de outro mundo? não mais! Foram criadas as tags <audio> e <video> que fazem com que essas mídias sejam incluídas numa página sem a necessidade de plug-ins extras. Estuda-se até o caso de incluir legenda nesses vídeos, imagina só! Tudo isso totalmente “de grátis”;
• Desenhos dinâmicos. o novíssimo HTML 5 permite que você trabalhe com os arquivos vetoriais baseados em XML e com código aberto, os chamados SVG (Scalable Vetorial Graphics);
• Drag and Drop. sim, agora vai dar para mover objetos e customizar a experiência do usuário na página com apenas algumas poucas linhas de código;
• Geolocation API. você vai poder localizar os dados de um usuário facilmente, sem a necessidade de depender de sites externos para isso;
• Armazene dados no cliente. existirá uma espécie de base dados no computador do cliente, da até pra trabalhar offline! Isso vai dar pra fazer estrago com Javascript.

Essas novidades são o “coração” do novo HTML, mas a página que contém a documentação tem uma rolagem sem fim.

Mas eu já posso usar?

Na minha opinião pessoal eu acho que ainda não é viável cair de cabeça na utilização da liguagem, mas estudá-la já está na hora. A documentação ainda é muito nova, sua aplicação precisaria de uma flexibilidade para mudanças. A documentação final está prevista para 2012, então ainda há tempo.

Pense no seu público-alvo e faça seus testes com prudência. O Internet Explorer 6 e 7 não oferecem suporte ainda, porém existe um Javascript, capaz de fazer estes navegadores interpretarem HTML 5 ,  em todos os artigos que li para elaborar este meu os escritores e blogueiros não aconselham você esperar a empresa do tio Bill Gates para um suporte completo dos IE ao HTML 5, isto duria séculos, mas também não é pra menos né, até hoje não acertaram com o IE8. Já com o Chrome e o Firefox, apartir das versões 3.0,  a história é diferente e você consegue sim ver as mágicas acontecerem. 

E o que mais?

Tá aí…

<article>: Define um artigo.
<aside>: Define algum conteúdo relacionado ao artigo.
<audio>: Define um streaming de áudio em um documento HTML
<canvas>: Define a criação de gráficos em uma página web
<command>: Define um botão de comando, como um radiobutton, uma caixa de seleção ou um botão.
<datagrid>: Define uma lista de dados selecionáveis. O datagrid é exibido como uma árvore.
<datalist>: Define uma lista de dados selecionáveis. Utilize esse elemento juntamente com o elemento input, para fazer uma lista suspensa para um valor de entrada.
<datatemplate>: Define um recipiente para o modelo de dados. Deve conter elementos filho que são <rule> para definir um modelo.
<details>: define os detalhes de um elemento, no qual o usuário pode ver, e clicar para ocultar.
<embed>: Utilizado para incorporar conteúdo no HTML, atuando como um plugin.
<eventsource>: Define um destino para eventos enviados por um servidor.
<figure>: Especifica ilustrações, imagens, fotos, associado juntamente com alguma legenda.
<footer>: Define o rodapé de uma seção ou documento. Normalmente, contém o nome do autor, data em que o documento foi escrito e / ou informações de contato.
<header>: Define o cabeçalho de uma seção ou documento.
<mark>: Define texto marcado. Utilize a tag <mark> se você quiser destacar partes do seu texto
<meter>: Define uma medição. Usado apenas para medições com conhecimento de um valor mínimo e um valor máximo.
<nav>: Define uma seção de links de navegação.
<nest>: Define o ponto de incício para criação de elementos em um <datatemplate>, utilizado em conjunto com o elemento <rule>.
<output>: Define a saída de diferentes tipos de dados, por exemplo, o cálculo efetuado por algum script.
<progress>: Define o progresso de uma tarefa de qualquer tipo.
<rule>: Define as regras para atualização de um datatemplate. Usado em conjunto com os elementos <datatemplate> e <nest>.
<section>: Define as seções em um documento. Tal como capítulos, cabeçalhos, rodapés, ou quaisquer outras seções do documento.
<source>: Define recursos para elementos de mídia, como <audio> e <video>.
<time>: Define tempo ou data, ou ambos.
<video>: Define vídeo, como um clipe de filme ou vídeo de outros fluxos.

(fonte: pinceladas da web)

A W3C liberou a documentação oficial no meio do ano de 2009 mas ainda é passível de alterações portanto não é definitiva. Ela é a mais completa e confiável fonte de informações sobre a linguagem e você encontra aqui neste link. (inglês).

Existem exemplos?

 Haram… olha aí:

http://bit.ly/1Hw1ED (resize & drag and drop de fotos)
http://bit.ly/HkYnp (post-its que são arrastados e armazenados offline)
http://www.html5gallery.com (galeria de sites em html5)
http://bit.ly/fPMxn (resize & drag and drop de videos)
http://bit.ly/2F3i1K (desenho escalável de um tigre em SVG)
http://bit.ly/1Hw1ED (resize & drag and drop de fotos)

(fonte: Luiz Tiago)

E afinal?

É uma questão sem solução atualmente adequada. Se por um lado existe um suporte à navegadores desatualizados o que cria a disponibilidade à todos os seus usuários, por que não usar?  Por outro lado, se ainda não existe uma documentação finalizada e consistente, para que começar?

Fica com você!

Vamos discutir sobre o assunto?

Pisa, cade aereo militare C-130: cinque morti

© IL GIORNALE ON LINE S.R.L. – Via G. Negri 4 – 20123 Milano – P.IVA 05524110961

Monday November 23, 2009  3:17 PM

5 Ways to ALWAYS Win

I was in the shower and the idea came to mind to list 5 ways to always win. Must have been the inspiration of cleansing that sparked the idea, but it really does not matter why. So check out the post.

1. WIN IN YOUR HEAD

Number one is pretty much self explanatory, but I will explain it in depth. I will tell you what I’m “talkin bout…” Say you are in a competition, “I am in a competition…”, just kidding but bare with me. If you are in a competition where there is an imagined winner and an imagined loser, you feel that there are only two outcomes. If you look at it from the “TRUE” standpoint there really is no loser. There really is no competition. The competition is all in your head, the stress from the competition is all in your head.

So no matter what happens in the “competition” know that you are a winner regardless.

You are the only consciousness in your reality, everybody else thinks of you the way you think of you. So however you WIN is how you will WIN.

What you imagine you WIN is up to you.

If I’m at the local park and I play a basketball game, what do I actually win?

I have asked myself this many times, respect, bragging rights, mental superiority? None of these things are really things. They are all in the head.

So now number one is simply WIN in your head.

Find something to derive good from and focus on that.

2. Evaluate what you think losing is.

In order to figure out how to always win, you have to find out what you feel is losing.

What are you losing when you lose? Is there anything you see yourself as winning. An even better way to look at it is to say “There is no losing.”

If I have lost then I have actually won, because losing teaches me what I need to do to win. I can never lose. I can only lose what is not real, and in any case what is not real is an illusion.

So if the “Game” is not real, then I don’t lose anything that is real, I will only lose illusion.

When I lose illusion it is replaced with truth. The truth always wins.

3. NEVER hold on to FAILURE

Never ever hold on to failure. Failure is not real. The only way it becomes real is when you think about it. Other then thinking about it, or making it possible, you never fail. Are you failing right now as you read this blog?

You are perfectly ok as you read this blog. If you are in this moment and not thinking about the future or past then you have no failure. If your attention keeps going back to times that you have failed, then you will think of yourself as a failure.

The spirit can’t hold onto things that are not real. Meaning anything that is not perfect love will not be with your spirit. Just like your body will not be with your spirit. Are you a failure when you leave earth and leave your body behind?

You can’t hold on to your body, so why would you try when it is left behind. That’s why you should never hold on to failure. Mainly because it is a trick of your mind.

4. Know that you are neither a loser nor a winner

Another way to always win is to realize that winning and losing doesn’t exist.

What the heck do I mean?

I’ll find myself in a separated mind if I believe the two are real. The separated mind is the breeding ground for the “EGO”, the EGO is not edible like EGGOS, especially for the spirit.

The spirit, to inspire, inspirational, I’m inspired, is the internal knowing that exists beyond the perception of the mind. So to the spirit there is no concept of winning because it cannot be separated from truth.

It is truth.

When you remember this  it becomes easy to always win, because you know that you cannot lose. No matter what happens in the competitions set up in your mind, the losing and winning are all in your mind. Which means they are subject to your perception. Which means if you want to win when it looks like you have lost, just simply WIN.

HAHA

Nothing is stopping you but you.

5. Heal your mind from LOSS

Whenever you have thoughts about loss in your mind, forgive your self for believing that you have lost. Heal your mind of the illusion and find something that you have “won”  to focus on.

When you heal your mind of loss, you don’t have loss anymore. Think about it.

When heal your mind of the loss of a material item like a car, you no longer feel like you have lost anything. Because you haven’t. Just like the body, you can’t take the car with you when you leave this earth. But you can heal your mind from thinking that you have lost something.

Forgiveness is the new sexy. When you heal your mind, you always. Win.

Speaking of “winners” check out the video below.

Now as I post this I imply nothing about religion or anything material. I see that this man had a different idea of winning and it was his truth. Some people will say he really lost, but to him he won.

So I say to you to whom does it really matter that you have won? To yourself right? So why not ALWAYS win through the TRUTH within yourself?

Kevin Morrow out….Watch the video

Abertas as hostilidades pela Mercedes com o lançamento do Classe E, segue-se agora a BMW que criou alguma aura de mistério com o novo Série 5. A marca bávara continua o recuo no vanguardismo do estilo e com o Série 5, fecha o ciclo Chris Bangle com uma réplica à escala do magnífico Série 7.

No capítulo da estética, o Série 5 poucas surpresas exibe, pois conta com um capot longo e um a traseira mais curta, rodas encostadas aos cantos da carroçaria e por isso mesmo uma longa distância entre eixos, a maior da categoria. A traseira será o ponto menos conseguido, pois é demasiado banal e facilmente confundido com um série 3. Na frente, lá está o duplo rim a fazer de grelha, com a particularidade de como sucede com o 5 GT, estar inclinada para diante. A linha do tejadilho mostra-se tensa e bem integrada na silhueta quase tradicional do novo Série 5.

No interior, o tema BMW está presente em todos os detalhes e o estilo é muito semelhante ao que podemos ver em qualquer outro modelo da marca alemã. Tem pelo menos a virtude de nos dar rotinas pois quem entre num E30 dos anos 80, entra num Série 5 e sente-se em casa…

Outra preocupação da BMW com o novo Série 5 reside na defesa do ambiente e nesse aspecto, o novo modelo mostra-se competente: todos os motores cumprem as normas Euro5 e o 530d com a opcional tecnologia BluePerformance satisfaz as exigências da futura norma Euro6. Para isso, a BMW recorreu a uma tecnologia inteligente de construção ligeira aplicando alumínio no berço do motor, guarda lamas e portas.

No capítulo das motorizações, a gama 5 irá surgir em Março de 2010 com um mV8, três seis cilindros e dois seis cilindros diesel. O 550i está equipado com o V8 duplo turbo com 407 CV, seguindo-se o 535i com o seis cilindros também com dupla sobrealimentação e 306 CV, ficando o seis cilindros atmosféricos do 528i e 523i com, respectivamente, 258 e 204 CV. No lado dos turbodiesel, o 530d recorre ao conhecido seis cilindros com 245 CV, enquanto o 525d possui 204 CV.

No futuro próximo, a BMW irá lançar o 520d com motor de 4 cilindros que passará a ter 184 CV, equipado com o sistema “Stop&Start” que assim permitirá consumos de 5 litros/100 km e emissões de CO2 de 132 gr/km! Outra novidade é a caixa de velocidades com 8 relações, de série no 550i.

O BMW Série 5 possui um conjunto de suspensões avançado com duplo braço sobreposto à frente e eixo integral em V independente multibraços atrás, o que lhe confere um comportamento excelente, ajudado pela direcção assistida eléctrica (EPS) com sistema Servotonic, de série pela primeira vez no Série 5. A direcção assistida activa inclui direccionalidade no eixo traseiro com um máximo de 2,5 graus. O sistema BMW Dynamic Driver Control, disponível com o pack Sports Automatic, Dynamic Damper Control e o Integral Active Steering Control, permite alterar e personalizar todas afinações do carro.

O uso de aço de elevada dureza aumentou a rigidez do chassis em 55 por cento e relação ao anterior modelo, permitindo ao mesmo tempo optimizar o peso geral do veículo.

Grande segurança – com profusão de airbags e de sistemas de protecção – habitabilidade generosa, completas soluções telemáticas e equipamentos que aproximam ainda mais o Série 5 do mais luxuoso Série 7.

Veja aqui em primeira mão as fotos do novo Série 5 e as primeiras imagens da nova berlina da marca alemã.

DESCRIÇÃO/SINOPSE”

Loucademia de Polícia (1984)
Primeiro título de uma das mais populares séries cômicas do cinema. O departamento de polícia de uma grande cidade baixa os padrões de alistamento e o resultado é um grupo de trapalhões que acabam tumultuando tanto a academia de policial quanto o dia-a-dia da cidade.

Loucademia de Polícia 2 – Primeira Missão (1985)
Mahoney (Steve Guttenberg) e seus amigos estão formados na Academia de Polícia e têm sua primeira missão. Animados com a nova posição, não levam em conta suas deficiências. Mas estarão realmente prontos para combater uma gangue de pichadores e criminosos?

Loucademia de Polícia 3 – De Volta ao Treinamento (1986)
O orçamento da polícia é cortado e uma das academias terá de ser fechada. Para que isso ocorra de maneira justa, elas terão de competir entre si e a vencedora continuará em funcionamento. O Comandante Mauser (Art Metrano) convence dois oficiais veteranos a lhe dar mais chances de ganhar, mas o resultado não sai como o esperado.

Loucademia de Polícia 4 – O Cidadão se Defende (1987)
Nesta quarta seqüência, o comandante da Academia de Polícia mais maluca dos EUA cria um plano para combater o crime: qualquer cidadão que tiver o treinamento necessário poderá atuar como voluntário, o que garante muita confusão. Destaque para a participação de Sharon Stone, bem antes de se tornar famosa.

Loucademia de Polícia 5 – Operação Miami Beach (1988)
O velho comandante Lassard (George Gaynes), chefe da Academia de Polícia, vai para a Flórida receber o prêmio de Policial da Década. Chegando lá, tem sua bagagem trocada e fica com uma mala cheia de jóias roubadas, tornando-se alvo de uma quadrilha de ladrões perigosos. Os homens da Academia entram em ação para salvá-lo, com as tradicionais trapalhadas.

Loucademia de Polícia 6 – Cidade em Estado de Sítio (1989)
Os policiais mais atrapalhados da história agora tem de prender uma gangue que assalta bancos e jóias. Mesmo sob os cuidados do esquadrão, um valioso diamante é roubado e agora eles tem de ir atrás do prejuízo.

Loucademia de Polícia 7 – Operação Moscou (1994)
Os russos precisam de ajuda para acabar com a máfia e para isso chamam os integrantes da Academia de Polícia. Eles vão até Moscou para encontrar provas contra Konstantine Konali (Ron Perlman), que vendeu um jogo de computadores no qual pessoas de todo o mundo têm acesso e permite entrar ilegalmente nos sistemas da polícia e do governo.

INFORMAÇÕES DO FILME ”

Tamanho:700 Mb (por filme)

Formato:DVDRip

Indioma:Inglês

Download abaixo”

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Jeg er i utgangspunktet noe skeptisk til superheltfilmer, men i de siste årene har vi blitt bombardert med stadig flere filmer og noen av dem har vært av svært god kvalitet. Selv har jeg falt for X-Men-trilogien (det utelukker dette makkverket) og de to nyeste Batman-filmene. Disse filmene er interessante fordi de bidrar med noe mer enn kampen mellom godt og ondt og imponerende spesialeffekter. “Watchmen” føyer seg pent inn i denne klubben. Filmen er basert på den kritikerroste tegneserien med samme navn og låner mye av det visuelle utrykket til originalverket. Historien er i mine øyne filmens sterke side. Den er intelligent, interessant og manøvrerer stort sett utenfor de verste klisjeene. Ettersom jeg ikke har noe kjennskap til originalverket kan jeg ikke uttale meg noe om hvordan filmen klarer å overføre historien mellom mediene, men en viss grad av forenkling er det nok snakk om.

Kort oppsummert var dette en film jeg koste meg til. Regissør Zach Snyder (mannen bak den langt mindre interessante “300″) klarer å være temmelig innovativ og eksperimentell til tider uten at det blir påtatt og overdrevent. Dette gjelder det visuelle og spesielt musikken, som stort seg beveger seg innenfor nyere og eldre pop og rock, et klart brudd med pompøs klassiskinspirert musikk som dominerer denne typen filmer. Jeg har sansen for de fleste av de involverte skuespillerne og jeg synes de fungerte godt sammen på lerretet (eller PC-skjermen om du vil). To av karakterene (Dr. Manhattan og Rorschach) er blant de mest interessante jeg har sett i en film noensinne. Jeg kom dessuten i et filosofisk humør etter å ha sett filmen, noe som må sies å være litt av en prestasjon. Denne filmen havner i kategorien av filmer som jeg liker fordi de er severdige samtidig som de skiller seg fra alt annet, derfor blir det: terningkast 5.

generally, my weekend went well..

..apart from the row i had with my dad about how closed away i was from my family.. and not counting the constant thoughts about how sick a person could make me.

if you can list 3 reasons for why you shouldn’t like him, don’t like him.

ah.. never mind.

- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

so, the weekend..

saturday was boring, but on sunday, as i said, i went to this attraction park called tivoli world with maria (my best friend ) and both our families to see my sister dance at this one show. after the show, we had some fun on the rides.

after tivoli world, we all went to mcdonalds! for lunch. i had a cheeseburger, a medium french fries thingy, 3 mcnuggets, a large sprite and a kitkat ice-cream cone. mm.. yum yum.

there was a funny text written on the sprite cup :

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i’ve nearly finished twilight. and i realized one thing.

the book is great. it’s the 5th time i read it and i’m still enjoying it just as much, especially the edward-bella relationship at the start-ish.

but catherine hardwicke fucked up everything. she cut out half the main characters’ relationship and she chose the wrong actors, or at least she gave them the wrong roles and characters to play. bella was too dull to be bella. edward was too human and girly to be edward. jacob was too grown-up-looking and well-built to be jacob.

hopefully, the new director has done all they could to fix things up a little. because new moon was a very enjoyable book and i’m going to re-read it this week before going to the cinema to finally watch the movie. and it better not be fucked up. because i want to get it on dvd later, just like i have twilight.

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i bit off two of my nails on saturday :L

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can’t wait for friday.

i’m going to miramar, the shopping centre, with maria and then i’m gonna watch new moon with her and i’m also planning to buy myself an agenda-diary for 2010 and possibly a folder for some personal stuff.

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man.. just as i was writing, i got a phone call from my dad who went to drop my sister at flamenco lessons that they had had a car crash, a really bad one. O_O i got shit scared then. he told me they were totally fine, though they really did fuck up the car loads, and they crashed with another car (though i don’t YET know whose fault it was.. though probably my dad’s :S) and the police was there..

hopefully everything turns out fine.. :S

well.. although at least they came out unscathed. thank god for that at least.

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do to this week:

• to finish reading twilight
• to read all of new moon
• to go to miramar with maria on friday
• to buy the agenda i really wanted in bookworld españa
• to watch new moon
• to criticise new moon and post my opinion of it on my blog
• to take some cool photos and post them up on photoblog
• to do all of my homework this week

as for now..

byebye

xx

PS.. i’m gonna upload some pics and videos a little later.. have no time atm.

ull’uso delle bici in città abbiamo sentito diverse opinioni, motivazioni e soprattutto giustificazioni: “ci sono poche piste ciclabili…è pericolosa…me la rubano quasi sempre…non so dove metterla perché non ho spazio…faccio prima in macchina “… Le nuove generazioni, cresciute con automobili, autobus, metropolitana, danno per scontato di non muoversi diversamente; nel traffico delle nostre città va però rivalutato questo mezzo di trasporto economico, veloce, anti-stress, silenzioso ed ecologico.  Le nostre 5 “folding bikes” vogliono stimolane una riflessione, rispondendo in modi diversi a molte esigenze pratiche; inoltre…sono molto cool.

XS  A-bike

Progettata da Sir Clive Sinclair, può essere facilmente portata in una borsa in metropolitana, in autobus, persino in aereo (misura 67×30x16cm piegata, per 5,8kg di peso). Il telaio è di nylon rinforzato con fibra di vetro, la catena protetta per non impigliarsi nei vestiti. Nonostante le ruote molto più piccole del normale, la pedalata risulta piuttosto agevole.

Invented by Sir Clive Sinclair, A-bike is the result of a five year research and development project by his team at Sinclair Research. Sir Clive said, “…the idea is if you had a bicycle which was seriously lighter and more compact than anything existing at the moment, it would change the way in which people saw bikes.” So named, because of its ‘A’ like shape in use, this original styled A-bike feels very much like a normal bike to ride. However unlike other folding bikes it can be slipped easily into a bag while you hop on the tube, train, bus, or even a plane. The frame is made from nylon reinforced with glass fibre — similar to that used in the aerospace industry. Interestingly, although the wheels look very small, the pedal power required isn’t all that much different from a regular bike, and because the chain system is fully enclosed, you don’t have to worry about getting your catching your clothes on the mechanism. It is completely oil-free so it won’t make you dirty either.

www.sinclair-research.co.uk

www.a-bike.co.uk

S  Strida

Mark Sanders ha progettato per Strida una bici veloce, leggera, compatta (110×51x23cm piegata), armoniosa e pulita. Il suo leggerissimo telaio in alluminio è garantito a vita e permette alla bici di pesare meno di 10 Kg.
Strida si apre e si chiude in meno di cinque secondi. Quando è chiusa la si fa scorrere sulle ruote per trasportarla, non bisogna sollevarla. Utilizza una cinghia di trasmissione senza grassi che non macchierà mai i vostri pantaloni.

www.mas-design.com

www.strida.it

www.strida.com

M Puma-Biomega “UM”

Pensata per i congestionati e talvolta degradati spazi urbani, la UM (urban mobility), disegnata da Jens Martin Skibsted di Biomega in co-branding con Puma, ha una struttura e un sistema di freni dimensionati per affrontare qualsiasi situazione, anche dove le tradizionali bici da città si trovassero in difficoltà. Caratterizzata da un sistema di chiusura che è parte integrante della sua struttura (tagliandolo la bici diviene inutilizzabile per il ladro, ma riparabile) e, nella versione Glow Rider, da una vernice fluorescente che la rende visibile al buio, è facilmente pieghevole per permettere di trasportarla in metropolitana, in ascensore, in auto.

www.skibstedid.com

www.biomega.dk

www.um.puma.com

L  Cannondale”ON”

Questa concept bike (la commercializzazione è prevista non prima del 2010) nasce da una ricerca di Philippe Holthuizen e Rodrigo Clavel per il settore Industrial Design della Cannondale. Concepito per un forte impatto visivo e con una tecnologia rivoluzionaria del telaio e della trasmissione, questo prototipo urban unisce comodità, facilità e pulizia della manutenzione a dimensioni compatte una volta piegata.

www.pholt.net

www.coroflot.com/rodrigo_clavel

www.cannondale.com

XL  Cube

Gregor Dauth, uno studente dell’Università di scienze applicate di Coburg, in Germania,  ha sviluppato con il marchio tedesco Cube il concept di una bici pieghevole da città basata sul principio del coltellino svizzero. Il telaio si ripiega intorno a uno snodo centrale, consentendone il trasporto a mano o in uno zaino, una volta smontate le ruote. Il telaio in fibra di carbonio pesa 17kg. Non è in programma per ora la produzione industriale.

 www.formathirn.de

www.cube-bikes.de

Lagrange 34

La pasticceria Gertosio di Torino, insieme allo studio Jjuice, propongono una ricerca innovativa nel design della tradizionale tavoletta di cioccolato: sei formati pensati per coinvolgere l’intera sfera sensoriale – vista, tatto, udito, olfatto e gusto – ed esplorare le relazioni fra il gusto e l’oggetto-cibo. Un approccio sinestetico al concetto di design.

www.jjuice.it

www.pasticceriagertosio.it

www.lagrange34.com

Metromint

La Soma Beverage Company produce dal 2004 Metromint, un’acqua purificata aromatizzata con essenza di menta, priva di zuccheri e calorie. Negli anni Metromint, sempre rivolgendosi ad un pubblico salutista, ma indulgente al gusto, si è declinata in una serie di nuovi varianti, fra cui quella aromatizzata alla menta e essenza di cacao. La possibilità di concederci il piacere del cioccolato senza nessun senso di colpa, col sano pretesto dell’idratazione, non dovremmo proprio lasciacela sfuggire.

www.metromint.com

Typolade

I designer Sandra Kϋbler  e Christine Voshage producono a Stoccarda i loro caratteri tipografici di cioccolata. Perfetti per qualsiasi messaggio vogliate comunicare, la loro percentuale di cacao di almeno il 60% ne garantisce il gusto pieno e il colore scuro che richiama gli originali in piombo a cui si ispirano.

www.typolade.de

Rompibollo

Rompibollo è una tavoletta di cioccolato in cui ogni porzione, differente dalle altre, esprime il proprio contenuto in calorie; ognuno dovrà trovare il proprio personale equilibrio fra piacere e senso di colpa.Nata da un’idea di due designer torinesi, Cinzia Curitti e Ferruccio Palumbo, per il concorso “Food Design 4”, sarà prodotto da Luca Montersino con il marchio Golosi di Salute.

www.adieffe.com

www.golosidisalute.com

Chocolate mail

Toby Ng è uno studente di Honk Kong recentemente diplomatosi in Grafic design a Londra. Pensando a una soluzione che metta d’accordo quanti amano e quanti odiano leccare la colla dei francobolli, ne ha progettato uno al sapore di cioccolato, disponibile in tre gusti: fondente, al latte, bianco. Il foglio completo ha le dimensioni e l’aspetto di una tavoletta di cioccolato.

www.toby-ng.com

Combining jet fighter technology with Formula 1 grade parts and German build quality, the GRACE street legal electric two-wheeler will start to be shipped in limited numbers next year. As well as offering a couple of city travel options, GRACE is also available in an off-road version too. The company has even manufactured a demonstration-only racy model capable of speeds up to 70kmh (44mph). Like the eRockit, Elmoto and Mosquito, GRACE is hails from Germany, which is fast becoming a hub for the new wave of electric two-wheelers. With an aircraft grade CNC-aluminum frame consisting of 70mm diameter tubing (apart from downtube which is 78mm), a custom made 1.3Kw brushless electric hub motor powered by 70 lithium-ion battery cells arranged into five stacks connected in series (which fit inside the frames tubing and precision components), GRACE certainly looks the business. The battery configuration has a range of between 20km (12.5 miles) and 50km (31 miles), depending on how GRACE is used. The 48V city motor is capable of delivering more than the street legal 45kmh (28mph) but is prevented from doing so by the controller (modifications to which will invalidate the guarantee). GRACE is also available with a 48V mountain motor which is tuned for power rather than speed, giving a maximum of 30kmh (19mph). A sport version of GRACE has been produced to show what the vehicle is capable of given the right ingredients. It has a 96V motor capable of a 70kmh (44mph) maximum speed but is strictly demonstration only and not available for sale. There are three possible frame builds available in three different sizes. The race frame’s seat is positioned higher than the handlebars for better aerodynamics. A more upright seating position is offered by the city frame which will suit most riders but a female-friendly universal frame is also available. Build quality would appear to be at the very heart of GRACE. Along the underside of the downtube is the specially developed IP67 water resistant controller housing. This contains the 48V DC to 12V DC converter, charger plug, fuses, horn and plugs. The company behind GRACE claims to have taken a financial hit in its choice of circular connector. In choosing the Souriau Formula 1 grade circular connector, the additional cost has not been passed onto the consumer. The high tech approach continues with the choice of power switch. Instead of opting for a cheaper switch that would have added significant dimensions to the set up, a smaller (but more expensive) ETA switch used in the A380 and Euro-fighter jets has been chosen instead. A display in the center of the handlebars offers speed, power and battery level information. In the same housing are the two 55W ultra compact ellipsoid front lights and color-coded micro-switches for controlling the lights, horn and computer. The back and brake lighting is incorporated into the saddle. Each build comes with its own custom options such as SRAM gear systems, Magura 204mm disc brakes and pedals although options can add significantly to the overall cost. Continuing the customization theme, customers are offered a choice of 64 different powder coating color options and three anodized color options. The company is taking orders for its first limited edition GRACE now, with prices starting at €5877 (about US$8737), production time will be about 4 months (customers outside Germany are advised to contact GRACE prior to ordering). Motor liability insurance is likely needed, as is a good helmet. As the actual number of limited edition models produced will not be revealed to the public and the company reports a lot of interest, the window for ordering (originally set to close on 4th January 2010) could be closed at any time. Fear not though as orders for the second edition will run until May 2010.

www.grace.de

Is this the peak of architecture in Berlin? Sitting at top Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh it is possible to see a complete 360 degrees of the city encircling the 251m peak in the Scottish capital. It is a feature which makes Edinburgh quite unique, and could be the inspiration behind German architect Jakob Tigges’ concept design for The Berg.

The 35 year old has proposed a 1000 m high mountain be ‘constructed’ where the recently closed Tempelhof airport currently stands in Berlin, to create the world’s greatest man-made icon…and a tourist attraction like no other. His concept suggests that The Berg would be snow covered from September to March offering the perfect skiing climate. The concept has already garnered the support of almost 3,500 fans on Facebook and has been widely published in the German press.

While the project certainly seems outlandish, Tigges manifesto illustrates a clear intention to break boundaries: “While big and wealthy cities in many parts of the world challenge the limits of possibility by building gigantic hotels with fancy shapes, erecting sky-high office towers or constructing hovering philharmonic temples, Berlin sets up a decent mountain… Hamburg, as stiff as flat, turns green with envy, rich and once proud Munich starts to feel ashamed of its distant Alp-panorama and planners of the Middle-East, experienced in taking the spell off any kind of architectural utopia immediately design authentic copies of the iconic Berlin-Mountain.” You can see more images of The Berg and details of the project at:

 www.the-berg.de

 Mentre altre grandi e ricche città del mondo sfidano i limiti del possibile costruendo giganteschi alberghi dalle forme ricercate, innalzando torri alte fino al cielo o costruendo templi della cultura che sembrano fluttuare sull’acqua, Berlino si concede una montagna. Una montagna che tuttavia Berlino non ha bisogno di costruire per possedere: anche se non c’è, la montagna per noi semplicemente c’è. Ce la raffiguriamo così intensamente che la possiamo perfino vedere… è più alta di 1000 metri! La sua cima è innevata già in autunno e lo è ancora in primavera. Quelli di Amburgo schiattano d’invidia e quelli di Monaco cominciano a vergognarsi del loro, un tempo caro, panorama alpino. I progettisti del medio oriente, esperti in ogni genere di utopia architettonica, già si lanciano a progettare copie della montagna icona di Berlino. Tempelhof non è più solo nei pensieri dei berlinesi. Genti di tutte le parti si affollano per venire a vedere la montagna che non c’è. Per maggior informazioni visitate:

www.the-berg.de

or sure if you’re ever likely to suffer from Acrophobia (from the Greek: akron , meaning “peak, summit, edge” and phobos, “fear” and meaning an extreme or irrational fear of heights), then Sears Tower in Chicago is the place that’ll surely bring it on. Standing at 1,450 feet and 110 stories, Sears Tower is the tallest building in North America and the third tallest building in the world. The building recently added a new attraction as part of an updated Skydeck Chicago experience. Christened “The Ledge”, it’s a series of glass bays on the 103rd floor that offer visitors unobstructed views of Chicago – 1,353 feet straight down. The Chicago office of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM), the building’s original designers, provided an innovative plan for this architectural and engineering achievement. SOM designed The Ledge so that the fully enclosed glass boxes rest between conveyer belts. The boxes retract into the building, allowing easy access for cleaning and maintenance.

Extending from the tower’s west side, each box can accommodate four to five people at a time, with views over Wacker Drive and the Chicago River. “The Sears Tower set architectural and engineering standards when it was first built and now we were able to carefully craft new elements that expand the capabilities of the original design while retaining its integrity,” said Ross Wimer, design partner, SOM. “The Sears Tower has always been about innovation. For this new Skydeck experience, we have kept with that tradition. Cantilevering out from the side of America’s tallest building, the viewing platform will allow visitors to experience the incredible city of Chicago literally beneath their feet. This is a great addition to the Sears Tower and to Chicago,” added Bill Baker, structural engineer partner, SOM.

The multi-media elevator gives visitors one of the fastest rides in the world up more than one hundred flights, while giving visitors points of reference for the heights they are ascending along their journey to the 103rd floor. Design and branding firm Hornall Anderson developed the visitor experience to showcase the tower’s story as both a Chicago and global icon. Combined with The Ledge, the Skydeck Chicago experience will provide visitors from all over the world an encompassing view of the building and the city. “The Skydeck attracts more than 1.3 million visitors annually who enjoy views of up to 50 miles and four states,” Stancik said. “Now, visitors will be taken on a ‘one stop Chicago’ journey from the building’s inception and role in Chicago, to the daring experience that awaits them on The Ledge.

In a single trip up to 103, visitors see and learn about the best that Windy City has to offer.” MTH Industries, the Chicago-based 120-year-old glass and architectural metal contractor that installed Cloud Gate in Millennium Park, installed The Ledge’s glass panels. Each glass box is comprised of three layers of glass laminated into one seamless unit. The low-iron, clear glass is fully tempered and heat-soaked for durability. In addition, the motorized system that projects and retracts the boxes from the building utilizes steel LinearBeams. The Sears Tower Skydeck on the 103rd floor attracts more than 1.3 million visitors per year.

alla Polonia un attacco ai paesi più ricchi sulla gestione dell’influenza A/H1N1. Un intervento in parlamento firmato dal ministro della Sanità, che accusa senza mezzi termini i governi, mette in discussione gli accordi con le case farmaceutiche e conclude: “Siamo in grado di distinguere una situazione oggettiva da una truffa”. Le domande sull’efficacia del vaccino, uniti alle polemiche sui ritardi delle consegne, alimentano dubbi e incertezze non solo in Italia. In questo clima ha colpito molto l’intervento di Ewa Kopacz, titolare del ministero della Sanità polacco, che ha denunciato pubblicamente la “truffa” ai danni dei cittadini da parte delle case farmaceutiche che producono i vaccini. In un discorso in parlamento (pubblicato integralmente sul web dove sta facendo il giro del mondo, tradotto in varie lingue) il ministro pone una serie di dubbi, almeno una ventina, sugli accordi che i “governi di paesi più ricchi del nostro, hanno stipulato con i produttori di vaccini” e su quanto è stato proposto alla Polonia. Qual è, si chiede Kopacz, “il dovere di un ministero della Sanità? Concludere accordi che facciano l’interesse dei cittadini oppure siglare accordi che facciano l’interesse delle case farmaceutiche?”. Da qui parte un attacco preciso. “So che ci sono tre vaccini disponibili oggi sul mercato, realizzati da tre produttori diversi. Ognuno di loro ha una differente quantità di sostanze attive, non è strano che siano trattati tutti alla stessa stregua? Non è dunque ragionevole che il Ministero della Salute e i suoi esperti nutrano alcuni dubbi in proposito? E’ possibile che uno di questi, magari quello con una quantità inferiore di sostanze attive, sia solo acqua fresca, alla quale attribuiamo il potere di curare l’influenza?”. Il ministro cita quindi l’esempio della Germania che “ha acquistato 50 milioni di dosi, di cui solo il 10% è stato finora utilizzato” contrariamente a quanto accade normalmente “perché i tedeschi hanno una percentuale di cittadini che si vaccinano molto alta, cioè se in Polonia si vaccinano 52 persone ogni 1000 abitanti, in Germania lo fanno in 238, ovvero il 23%”. Quindi si chiede: “il loro governo ha comprato il vaccino, lo ha reso disponibile gratuitamente e loro non lo vogliono? Cos’è successo?”. Quindi passa alle controindicazioni. “Ci sono siti web nei quali i produttori di vaccini sono obbligati a pubblicare gli effetti collaterali della vaccinazione.

Le vaccinazioni in Europa sono iniziate il primo di ottobre 2009. Vi invito a visitare uno qualsiasi di questi siti web” prosegue, “non esiste un solo effetto collaterale: hanno inventato il farmaco perfetto. E, visto che il farmaco è così miracoloso, come mai le società che lo producono non vogliono introdurlo nel mercato libero e assumersene la completa responsabilità?”. Ewa Kovacz insiste sulla questione. “Non abbiamo risultati di test clinici, nessun elenco di ingredienti e nessuna informazione sugli effetti collaterali. I vaccini sono arrivati al quarto stadio di controllo, controlli molto brevi a dire il vero, e ancora non abbiamo queste informazioni. Inoltre, il controllo sulle persone è stato molto ridotto”. Dopo aver elencato i dubbi, il ministro ribadisce il suo ruolo: “Io voglio essere molto sicura nel raccomandare questo vaccino. E’ una nostra competenza: durante la fase di negoziazione dobbiamo prenderci il tempo che ci serve e utilizzarlo per scoprire quanto più possibile su questo farmaco. Poi, se la commissione sulla pandemia accetterà il vaccino, allora e solo allora lo compreremo”. Infine il confronto con l’influenza stagionale. “Ci sono 1 miliardo di persone con l’influenza stagionale ogni anno in tutto il mondo. Un milione di persone muoiono ogni anno, sempre per l’influenza stagionale, su scala mondiale. Non sono statistiche di un anno o due, ma dati raccolti in anni e anni di osservazioni. E’ mai stata annunciata una pandemia a causa dell’influenza stagionale?”. Tra l’altro, l’influenza stagionale è molto più pericolosa di quella suina, ricorda Kovacz. “A quelli che mi spingono a comprare il vaccino voglio chiedere: come mai non avete gridato e sbraitato l’anno scorso, due anni fa e nel 2003 quando abbiamo avuto 1 milione e 200mila polacchi con l’influenza stagionale. In quell’occasione, per caso qualcuno in quest’aula ha gridato ‘Compriamo il vaccino per tutti’? Non riesco a ricordarmene”. Il ministro conclude: “Da ultimo vorrei dire una cosa. Lo Stato polacco è molto saggio, i polacchi sanno distinguere la verità dalle balle con molta precisione. Sono anche in grado di distinguere una situazione oggettiva da una truffa”. E in Italia… Oltre un milione e mezzo le persone colpite dal virus H1N1, quasi 70 i decessi, più di 160mila le persone vaccinate). Gli esperti continuano a tranquillizzare gli italiani sostenendo che la percentuale delle vittime correlate al virus H1N1 è lo 0,0038% dei malati, contro lo 0,2% dei decessi causati dalla normale influenza stagionale. A fronte della campagna vaccinale in corso, l’Agenzia italiana del farmaco (Aifa) ha reso noto che sono 190 le sospette reazioni avverse al vaccino (l’elenco e i dati pubblicati sul sito dell’agenzia), ma si tratta di reazioni prevedibili (ad esempio si segnala la comparsa di cefalea, febbre, dolori articolari) e, rassicura l’Aifa, “allo stato attuale non sono stati evidenziati segnali di pericolo con la somministrazione del vaccino pandemico”.

Looking for a new cordless phone can make you feel lost in a sea of jargon and tech talk. Should I go with DECT 6.0? Or am I better off with a 5.8 GHz phone system? I could also choose an older, but tried and true 2.4 GHz system that will likely save me some money. The answer to these questions lies in understanding what advantages each frequency offers.

within your own home. Quick Comparison: 2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz phone is that its frequency band is less congested than the 2.4 GHz phone. If you use these items in your home, consider purchasing a 5.8 GHz phone system? I could also choose an older, but tried and true 2.4 GHz band, resulting in less interference. 5.8 phones GHz are plentiful in the marketplace today and competitively priced. DECT 6.0 Your cordless phone is actually a radio signal, but unlike the GSM standards does not specify any internal aspects of the fixed network itself.

Connectivity to the fixed network. This platform has been used for a portable unit such as integrated answering systems, caller ID, speakerphones and support for multiple handsets. The main disadvantage of this frequency is that many household appliances use it, including baby monitors, microwave ovens and wireless networking gear. This may create persistent interference problems on your 2.4 GHz band, resulting in less interference. 5.8 phones GHz are plentiful in the marketplace today and competitively priced.

DECT 6.0 DECT 6.0 DECT 6.0 phone. 5.8 GHz and DECT 6.0 models. As with the more popular platforms, 2.4 GHz 2.4 GHz system that will likely save me some money. The answer to these questions lies in understanding what advantages each frequency offers. What’s the right call to make ? The right phone can help you catch important calls, ensure privacy, and even manage a busy household. As one phone jack can be branched to an increasing number of years in Europe and has proven to provide brilliant quality of voice and sound, high protection against eavesdropping and better range than 2.

4 GHz system that will likely save me some money. The answer to these questions lies in understanding what advantages each frequency offers. What’s the right call to make ? The right phone can help you catch important calls, ensure privacy, and even manage a busy household. As one phone jack can be branched to an increasing number of phones, you can create a custom phone network within your home and interference from other electronic devices. Here are some general guidelines for choosing one of the four platforms: 2.

4 GHz band, resulting in less interference. 5.8 phones GHz are plentiful in the marketplace today and competitively priced. DECT 6.0 technology is the latest cordless platform, providing improved range without needing to boost the power. The DECT standard fully specifies a means for a new cordless phone use, which means that DECT 6.

Forget your traditional definition of an amusement park, Wannado City leaves behind the cotton candy, the solicitors of large stuffed animals, the mindless entertainment and trash. Instead the “city” has redefined child entertainment with aspirational activities, all of which are framed around the question: “What do you wanna do when you grow up?”

Wannado City was crafted from the vision of Mexican-born Luis Javier Laresgoiti, who had a eureka moment while watching his daughter “play executive” on his business phone. Laresgoiti, with the backing of several major corporations has crafted a dream world where children are encouraged to take on an adult profession and see where it takes them. The park is located in Sawgrass Mills Mall in Southern Florida.

Each venue has its own concentration, such as the Motorola-sponsored M-Lab that focuses on innovation and invention. The M-Lab turns each visitor is given a white lab coat and transformed into an “M-Ventor.” The children are encouraged to work together on a technology-based game to solve a difficult problem. Once they’ve solved the situation at hand, they’re greeted with a congratulatory “Mission Accomplished”

M-Lab however, goes far above and beyond the standard protocol for children’s playthings. The space was designed in collaboration with Motorola and Gensler, a self-proclaimed “global design, planning and strategic consulting firm.” The M-Lab lures passer-bys with its façade — clad in stark aluminum and panelite — which contrasts with the surrounding “quaint village” motif. Inside there are seven chambers, each meticulously designed depending on the room’s task at hand. The end result is a realistic series of rooms that embrace each child’s fantasy of becoming the next influential innovator.

It’s the ultimate experience for kids, a night in an alternative universe at the Kids Sphere Hotel in Belgium. Known as the Atomium, a replica of an iron molecule with nine aluminum spheres (built for the World Fair of 1958), the complex has been renovated and updated to include overnight accommodation for childrens dubbed the Kid Sphere hotel – set amongst the fascinating sci-fi exhibitions and original spheres. Kids are entertained by a packed calendar of events including films and there’s a restaurant at the top of the structure boasting panoramic view of the city of Brussels.

Cool designs does not have to be limited to spaces used by adults as we see with these unique areas designed to enhance places of learning. Forget the “concrete jungle” archetypal school, complete with bars on windows. This school’s hallways (pictured above) have been inspired by the imaginary landscape of the Silver Dragon. This environment is created to read like a story book; the further you progress through the hallways, the higher your senses are delighted. With shimmering walls, glowing ceilings and a fantasy feel resonating throughout the architecture, the children engage on a higher social level within the school environment. Traditionally, libraries also suffer from an image problem. Hordes of books coupled with the ’sshhhh’ factor doesn’t make for a very cool environment. By installing colorful interiors such as oversized book sleeves, a learning space such as the library is transformed into an area which kids see as cool, and therefore are inspired to read and learn.

A tree-inspired day care center is a far cry from fake grass enhanced playgrounds. The tree trunk is the very foundation of the center, and as such creates the security blanket for the entire structure. This center evokes a warmth which the youngsters respond to. Dream Blossoms grow out of the trunk and create sleeping areas for the habitants to snuggle and nap in. Above the blossoms sprawls the canopy of the

In Lego-bright contrast to the gloomy fate H.C. Andersen prescribed to his original Little Mermaid (that would be death, no less), today’s blond little school-going Danes are encouraged to do the sort of things for which some of us got spanked.

Visual artists have created a school with fascinating interiors that feature high window seating for watching the world outside; green platforms with round, red holes where discussions can buzz and bubble, and large upholstered tubes where kids can hide with a good book or spend some time alone. You can do that at school? Unfortunately, only in Denmark. Children’s bookstores, on the other hand, have not suffered by the traditional libraries image problem. Generally, these stores are designed and merchandised to inspire children to enter and purchase. The Kids Republic bookstore in Beijing (pic below) has taken that concept and run with it. Incorporating the core design elements of a kid’s playground, these slipperyslide-inspired-shelves house books in an incredibly fun way. Breaking from the traditional table and chair reading areas, padded L shaped reading stools are used and enjoyed by tiny readers. Dull lighting is replaced by snakelike fittings that radiate a variety of colors whilst providing adequate light to read with.

The choices for kid friendly restaurants, where both parents and kids can enjoy a meal and an environment which caters to both are rare finds. McDonalds have probably lost count of how many times they have dialed 911 to have a parent rescued from inside a playground slippery tube where they have been stuck whilst attempting to get their child to come home.

In a beautiful Dutch village, 10 minutes out from Amsterdam’s centre, a parents dream like, kid friendly restaurant exists. Praq is a restaurant where parents, outerwear and even business people can enjoy a meal and co exist without complaint. Children feel the sense of independence by being seated in a kids area within moms view. There, they can play with giant puzzles, draw, and order from their very own menu whilst seated at their specially designed kids table. The secret to the restaurants success is the use of space. Praq has been careful in separating these eating spaces whilst still allowing a parent to keep an eye on their child. The light spacious room creates the impression of separation, whilst keeping safety in mind. The children’s food is so good, they don’t need to promote it by adding in a free toy.

Traditional cooking schools have always looked like a giant classrooms full of mini kitchens. A kids cooking school in Japan has broken that mould by having design guru Moureaux create a studio space and new corporate identity for them.  The cooking school, which is set in the heart of a shopping area in the city of Kyoto, has created a space which eliminates the intimidation factor which students encounter when entering cooking schools. By seating the class amongst brightly colored decor and sleek table and chairs, the environment feels less like a class room. Here the kids can not only cook in the casual teaching environment, they can socialize and eat their homework too.

With U.K parents said to be lashing out a cool GBP 1 billion a year on kids birthday parties, its easy to see that the kids party industry is a gold mine. As children’s taste develop, so too does their demand for the latest and greatest. The hotel has it’s own children’s Sleep over Suite, a theme room which caters for up to six sleeping princesses who can indulge in the ultimate girls slumber party. The sound proof room is perfect for 3am giggling fits and Justin Timberlake blearing throughout the night. The suite is divided into two areas. The party area features an over the top entertainment system, karaoke machine (‘I will Survive’ – Chipmunk version) mini dance floor and a pink fridge filled with ice cream. The sleeping area boasts chill out beds which connect into one big bed for six occupants, a wall to wall mirrored bathroom which is flowing with pampering products from U.K’s leading top brand superdrug (limitless branding opportunities here).  At £300 pounds per night (US $560), mom and dad have outsourced the kids birthday party and only have to worry about the drop off and pick up.

Offering a kid a lollypop to welcome them into hospital is so 1950’s. Today, that sort of a deal just doesn’t cut it. Instead of bribery through confectionary, this children’s hospital in London has reinvented the concept of infirmary and transformed it into inFUNery. Adorned with cheerful, gently winding hospital corridors which lead to wards which look more like kids bedrooms, the hospital has mapped out themes for each of the wards. From the Seashell Ward located on Beach level one, through to the Sky level, each kids ward uses decor and medical equipment that is colorful, creative looking and non threatening. With a glass atrium dividing the hospital, patients from either side of the wards can look across to see an inviting garden filled with plants, trees and yes, Juggling clowns. From cool schools to hip learning environments, kids design is forging ahead, meaning the next generation of adults will have been exposed to the elements of cool since childhood, creating adults with a hightened sense of good design. If you know of other interesting kids spaces, let us know.

The playful, colorful and juicy Taka-Tuka-Land kindergarten in Berlin evokes a rambunctious reaction. You hear the kids at play. You see the bright colors. You sense the kids are happy. So it is no wonder that the students who designed and created this funhouse call their approach “sensuous architecture.”

Baupiloten is a group of architecture students who during their studies at Faculty VI, Institute for Architecture at Berlin Technical University (Technische Universität Berlin) develop their own projects from concept to implementation under professional guidance. Architect Susanne Hoffmann founded Baupiloten (Bau=build, Piloten=pilot) in 2003 and has headed it since 2004.

The Taka-Tuka-Land kindergarten was originally erected as a temporary solution, but with the fantastic Baupiloten approach to the refurbishment, it has become a permanent place for children. The Taka-Tuka-Land is part of the Pippi Longstocking lore created by the Swedish author Astrid Lindgren. Pippi in Taka-Tuka Country is a movie based on one of her novels. The children at the kindergarten and their teachers created collages, models, drawings and ideas based on Taka-Tuka Land with bridges, huts, merry-go-rounds made of blossoms and thrones made of seashells. The Baupiloten students then spent several days with the children observing their daily routines, their schedules and their ways of communication.

From this extensive groundwork, the design story for the space was developed. The building itself is Pippi’s old oak tree that contains a lemonade factory. The lemonade breaks through the bark of the tree and flows outside creating padded play areas. The story of the building is a trip through the seven stages of the lemon tree, each facilitating a different activity: The lemonade tree, Glittering lemonade in the sun, Lemonade drops, The lemonade island, Waiting for the parents, Lemonade gallery, The bark breaks open, and Delving into lemonade. Pippi’s most likely verdict would be “Jätte god!”

To many of us it seems like advancements in technology are moving at an extremely accelerated pace, but to those who are following in our footsteps, the rate of change could not be fast enough. For some school children in Camden outside of London, Gollifer Langston’s prototype transportable Classrooms of the Future will deliver information and communication technology (ICT) on a flatbed truck in the form of an oblong gray pod capable of providing a sufficient ICT facility that many schools are unable to install within their own environments. The mobile classroom will move from school to school, and is designed to hold 15 students at a time.  Once the pod is delivered, a set of hydraulics expands the unit wider, and creates an entrance as well as a stage and a small-cinema-sized screen for presentations and performances.  The work space will provide mainly high school students a place to explore music and filmmaking. The Classroom of the Future will have capabilities of adapting for additional needs as technology races beyond what even the next generation can predict.

One of the easiest ways to make a boring space more vibrant is to use colour. However, as so many of us can remember, obvious opportunities to do this have been missed for decades in schools, universities and hundreds of other places where young people are more or less stuck for long periods. Luckily, today’s kids have better luck – at least in the schools where Amsterdam’s i29 has had its say.

 
i29 Interior Architects consists of two interior designers – Jaspar Jansen and Jeroen Dellensen – and is known for clear, bold solutions. A good example of this is their custom furniture project for a Het Veer. It is a public school in Almere, a city located 25 kilometers east of Amsterdam and often referred to as the most modern city in Europe. Het Veer is a school for children with learning and concentration difficulties and the objective of i29’s work was to express and entice concentration, playfulness and movement. Their eight different white and red tube furniture pieces can be mixed and matched creating various formations. They play off the Buzz Wire science game that teaches about electric circuits and is based on concentration and hand coordination.

 
At the Caland Lyseum in Amsterdam, 1,500 students work in a sport-centric environment where they receive coaching for their specific sport and in academic topics. i29 was asked to envision  the public spaces – including the main hall, staff room, library and computer/media room – for the new Bos & Partners architects-designed building with its gray brick, glass walls and unusual floor plans. They used large images of the school’s famous sports hero alumni and then custom-created multi-functional tables, benches and signage, plus a color scheme for the common areas. The award-winning solution matches the dynamic and multicultural life of the school yet lets the buildings features dominate.

We feel no sympathy at all for any kid in Berlin who complains about school if their school is Erika-Mann Grundschule II. Not only do the principles of their school seem like they were actually created for children, the school’s recently revamped environment is amazing – perhaps not surprisingly as it was designed by the kids themselves with Baupiloten, a group of architecture students.

 
Some time ago, we wrote about Taka-Tuka Land Kindergarten which was also designed by the same Baupiloten studio. It is a group of architecture students at the Technical University of Berlin led by architect Susanne Hoffmann who founded the studio in 2003. 

 
Baupiloten projects allow the architecture students to experience all facets of a real-life project, from design to budgeting, cost control and site supervision. The students also learn to present to clients and to convince them that their solutions are viable and practical. A group of just under 10 architecture students worked on the Erika-Mann Grundschule II project. The kids who are using the space participated actively in the design process, giving the architecture students their views on how they will actually use the space, how it should function and what they’d love to see in their school.

 
Together they sought to lighten and cheer up the heavy and authoritarian air of their old school building from 1915. They developed a playful concept based on a fantastical world of the Silver Dragon. The farther into the building one moves, the stronger one feels the presence of the Silver Dragon whose spirit changes, moves, glows and shimmers. The different spaces are called Snuffle Garden, Snuffling Room, Chill Room and Dragon’s Breath, each starting with a clean white background and offering freedom of expression in the form of flexible furnishings.

 
The Chill Room located on the third floor includes one and two-person seating platforms covered with foam, tarp and various textiles. Meter-high petals protect each pedestal creating little isolated cocoons, each of which is also moveable and changeable by the children depending on what they wish at the time. The Snuffle Garden on the second floor is furnished with horizontal and sloping surfaces for sitting, lying down or sliding. No wonder that the school was named one of Germany’s best schools at the end of 2008.

Kids have boundless imaginations. No matter how poor, colorless and toyless their environment, they’ll find a way to play. They will play with stones, twigs, grass and water, and they will play with each other. They’ll think up ways of turning mundane items into creations that have all the life of the latest computer game. But only if they are lucky enough to have the free time to play, are not too hungry to move about, or have water to play with.

Every dedicated kids’ arts organization will be able to point you to reams of research reports that show that early access to arts and arts education aids children in all aspects of their lives later on.

They will build self-confidence; discover their abilities, skills and talents; and in the best of circumstances, they will grow to be fantastic contributors in their communities. Yet another reason to make sure our kids live and play in environments that are rich in creativity, arts and inspiration. If this generation of children is going to be responsible for solving the problems of a world where children are still too hungry to play at all, then we should be paying closer attention. We should be giving our kids — regardless of their resources — all the support and inspiration we can.

Anyone with creative ideas, energy, staff and money, can give to kids in his or her neighborhood. Who knows what could happen, if we as individuals, companies and cities paid as much attention to our kids’ play environments as we do to our own?