brianscircle

Russian Settlement on Spitsbergen

2015-03-01T15:09:00.001+01:00

In early 1900 was Barentsburg a place for temporary accommodation for whalers and hunters. Today the main Russian settlement on Spitsbergen and centre of operation for the Trust Arcticugol mining company. Since 1989 also accessible for international tourists.
The mining is absolutely necessary for the settlement and important for Russia in an geopolitical sense. The company is digging out tons of coal for consumption by Russian industries and Barentburgs power plant. The coal company own everything and the only hotel has a view over Grønfjord. The facilities have a touch of another culture and give an idea of the difference of Russian and Norwegian settlement in Spitsbergen.The infrastructure in Barentsburg is low or in inferior standard. There is now neighbouring settlement and parts of the year there is non turist transportation at all, except for a long snowmobile ride from Longyearbyen. Visitors are surprised to find a school, sport center and a local brewery that belong to the mining company and worth a visit.

My Spitsbergen Summer

2015-01-25T20:37:00.000+01:00

The islands of Spitsbergen consist of an uninhabited arctic where nature reigns supreme. Cliffs of ice, polar bears and thousands of birds nest in rock bluffs. Longyearbyen is the capital and oldest existing settlement in the archipelago. Today the growing interest of Spitsbergen travel has led to year round flights from the Norwegian mainland.
Whalers and hunting tourism have been here for over a hundred years before coal. The Arctic Coal Company was founded in 1906 by Americans Ayer and Longyear. The first mine is still visible. Production was limited at only a couple 1.000 tonnes a year. Longyear City as it was called at the beginning. Populated by 73 men and women mostly Norwegians. By the winter 1912 production had reached 30.000 tonnes and population had risen to 385. Norway secure interest in buying the American mining company. In 1916 ACC was sold to a syndicate for 1,5 million NOK. Today visitors find a modern town with shopping centres and other practicalities. There is also a priest in the world´s northern most church and probably the most difficult parish to get around.
There is no full life circle community and no service for elderly people who need assistance. Once the family can no longer take care of them, they have to leave to the mainland.
The living condition for families in general is that they have all necessary resources for managing there own daily life.
Spitsbergen is still unspoiled as a whole and tourism is central attraction. The most popular season is April to early May, followed by the summer, while the dark period of the year is still a challenge to attract tourist.

Rhinoceros Horn Fever

2014-01-13T16:55:00.000+01:00

What makes Africa is its amazing wildlife and the only thing we have learnt from history and the preservation of Africa´s wildlife, is that we have not learn anything from history. The increase of Africa´s population and organized poaching gangs that try to make fortunes from the decimation of black and white rhinos, have an immense impact of the generation of rhinos that grow up today. The horn of a rhino has a huge market in East Asia and by the time it gets there a single horn can be worth as much as 3,700,000,00 €. Powdered rhino horn is worth more than cocaine or heroin and prison terms for trafficking are a fraction of equal amount of narcotics for a first-time smuggler.
The revelations of poached rhinos per day have attracted immense attention and public concern. A rhino is poached each day just in South Africa and we have to give rhinos a future. Poaching is putting rhinos at risk of losing their culture. A rhino teaches its babies how to be a rhino in the wild and needs its horn as a human needs an arm. How will young rhinos learn to survive the wild when there mummy is killed for her horns. The gangs are well organized and educated people from the army, and the problem of protecting rhinos is part of larger social and economic problems facing Africa. Unless conservation engage with issues such as corruption and economic development it is unlikely to succeed.
Rhinos have been roaming free for millions of years in Africa and the fear is that we end up with a few rhino populations behind fences in private sanctuaries with armed patrols shooting poachers on sight. The source to blame for these killings are not only the organized gangs that make money for these killings but also the consumers. While their are people out there buying products from the horns there will be people who will kill innocent rhinos just to make money.
Education is needed on what health benefits the rhinos horn does and doesn't offer and what substitutes are out there. In fact the health benefits of the rhinos horn is a long traditional myth and offers no benefits at all. What a waste of a beautiful animal for a tradition that should end.

Sunday Everyday

2013-06-25T19:25:00.000+02:00

If you long for leisurely filled days of summer or meeting people and their stories, cruising around Adriatic or Mediterranean Sea is just the thing for you. Forget tourist traps and where you shall eat, because the glories of cruising don’t stop at the views. Cruise liners have daily tours to magical destinations and you can be in a different country each day. Once the ship docks at the location go ashore for site seeing adventures by strolling around or travel on an air conditioned bus. Experience the culture, interesting food and shopping before its time to heading back.
The ship which is your luxurious home away from home has everything you could need or want. Go to one of the many eating areas and choose from a range of food and desserts. You can then work off the calories on the top decks walking track or in the fitness centre. If you want to relax you can take a swim and lie in the sun, read a good book or go back to your cabin for a nap or a little TV. Their are many things to do on the ship apart from planning your trips ashore, eating, working out, swimming and sunning. So if you find extra time have a look at the many shops on board where products are sold at discount prices. If you feel lucky try out the casino or go to watch just for the experience. If you don't mind heights you could try rock climbing for a great view at the top or keep your feet on the ground for a game of mini golf. Looking for some more entertainment head to one of the theaters where artists will perform and entertain you until the early hours of the morning or dance the night away with the band. Try and have a reasonably early night because you need strength for more fun aboard and ashore the very next day - Bon Voyage.

Fabulous Green Cycling

2013-05-30T08:54:00.000+02:00

The road is full of color and shades, the scent of the season and the beautiful nature make you smile as you peddle on. The sound from the asphalt travels through the air and you look with excitement through your sunglasses as you near your destination. Cycling has inspired me a lot in life, most of which I believe that biking increases your sense of freedom and independence. The effect of biking in our surroundings is tremendous. By encouraging biking we are reducing our impact on the environment and protecting the beautiful places we work and live in everyday.
In our modern society, politicians are forcing different bike share programs and investing in bicycle infrastructure and facilities in cities and metro areas. The idea of a bike share program increases the interest of many people in big cities around the world. Not only is it great exercise and fantastic for your health, but it’s also an investment for the future of our planet. You don´t have to be a scientist to understand that biking prevents pollution and reduces waste. It is a great alternative form of transportation as you have bicycle lanes and at the end good parking facilities. Usually goes public transportation hand in hand with bicycle traffic, so good parking facilities at transport hubs encourage you to use your own bike, because your bike ride will help to reduce the impact on the environment and lead to a more sustainable life.
In a historic perspective, Horace Dobbins built the first bicycle superhighway from Pasadena to Los Angeles in 1897, when bicycling having a great time of prosperity. A few years later Horace become the Mayor of Pasadena. The bike share program started in Amsterdam as an anarchist project in the 1960´s, you just help yourself with a white second-hand painted bike and then leave it later for someone else to pick up. Today China has the largest bike share program in the world. It´s not necessary to own a new safe bike that functions to perfection in a big city. To participate in a bike share program is easy and a great value for money if you do not have your own bike, or cannot afford to by one.
To improving our cycling culture is to take action in your own community and encourage others to get involved with the development of a more relaxed bicycle atmosphere. Many cyclist are eager for security and adopt helmet for a safer ride. Let´s hope for more well designed network of bicycle superhighways and traffic cameras in bicycle lanes during rush hour, so a wider audience can follow the traffic in their smartphone for to know what path to take for the best journey. Your ride should give delight and pleasure, because cycling is more than transportation, it´s poetry.
To expanding bicycle lanes and tracks will bring more people back to cycling. Our community is founded on the principal of education and promoting action that last for a very long time. This way we have the privilege of falling in love with the place we live in and enjoy the time we spend there. Biking is providing us with a brighter future and celebrating a green way to get around cities.

100 Days of Collection

2013-02-05T20:09:00.000+01:00

A collector tells a story, a story about objects and its activities. One of the greatest collectors I know about is architect John Soane and artist Donald Judd. Soane lived before my time, so I don't know so much about him except for his magnificent collection and museum in Lincoln´s Inn Fields. Judd was perhaps the most influential minimal artist of his time. Despite the familiarity of his work, it is often analyzed as an isolated object and not related to its context. I had the opportunity to met Judd in Marfa when I was there on my scholarship at Chinati Foundation. To study Judd´s collection and talk to him about the art of collection was a great experience and gave me an insight in the mind of a collector. Judd let me have full access to his hole collection. I lived with them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Today, I still think about the great opportunity I had. To walk around in his buildings and to study his marvelous collection as much as I wanted.

Judd was a warm and generous person and made shore you had everything you needed. He came to visit me in my studio when I first arrived at the Chinati Foundation and asked if the table I was working on was to small. I was very happy with my original designed Judd 2 meter table so we moved onto another subject and I thought nothing more about it. The next day when I went to my studio I found Judd with his sketches, a carpenter and my new 5 meter table. Judd loved his large ocean like tables and one of his studios had 4 of these. Another one of his great collections and very practical. We took a trip to Mexico to collect an award he was given. After a fantastic award ceremony with the Major we walked around the town while Judd collected ideas and inspiration on Mexican architecture and a few bottles of tequila. Judd was a living collector of memorabilia for a lifetime. Even 20 years after his death everything he touched lives on. He was not only an artist, designer or architect but so much more. I was fortunate to meet Judd in Sweden and offered a scholarship to the Chinati Foundation in Marfa. To watch him build his dream of the Foundation, his home, buildings and ranches was an opportunity of a lifetime. I had access to a living unique man, his dreams, ideas, inspiration and collection while he was creating his Utopia. Now his footprint lives on forever and ever.

As an artist I have explored different ways of seeing and perceiving. I love collections and I hate them as much, specially museum collections that tells a sleepy story of objects of a certain quality that are just accepted into the collection. My art project "100 Days of Collection" tells about memory and objects visually experience over a period of time. Through out of this time I systematically seek and acquire objects for 100 days. Move them into a particular position to show how diversified and unique everything is. The collections are widely varied from small stones, to insect I have found inside my house. The project reveals an enormous variety of objects within each category common in our daily life. My interest lay more in investigating variations on categories rather than development toward a formal ideal, a critical attitude toward the heritage of museum collections detached from history.

brianscircle's photostream

2012-12-20T08:57:00.001+01:00

brianscircle's photostream on Flickr.

Photograph the nature of vision and see the difference between how you see reality and how the camera records it.

Destination Black Bear

2012-11-11T19:30:00.000+01:00

You seldom see bears when you live in a city, except when they are made of chocolate, or jelly and found in the lolly section. Seeing a wild black bear is a memory for a life time. You can find black bears in most part of North America, such as mountains, deserts, subarctic tundra, and even in residential areas. If you have bears in your area, minimize availability and odors of food, so put out garbage on the day of pick up and not the night before. Bears will eat everything from the garbage, such as glass, bottle caps, aluminum foil and other package material that can be harmful to their teeth, throat and digestive system. Bears quickly become accustom to our food and will teach their cubs to do the same. Clean your barbecue area and store the barbecue with pet feed and garbage in a solidly built storage. Also bird feeders should be out of reach for bears and take the feeders down when natural seeds and nectar are available for the birds. If you have fruit trees, pick all ripe fruit from the tree and keep the ground clear from fallen fruit. Most of the wild bears haven´t lost their fear of humans. Bears activity intensify in the spring when they move out from their dens and during the fall when they are bulking up for the winter. Black bears rely on natural food, such as acorns, berries, insects, vegetation, fish and other live prey for proper nutrition. To prevent bears from becoming a problem. We must keep our food away from them. Plan an area of open land through your community, so bears allow to pas without any disturbance. Establish a neighbor calling network to warn each other if there is a bear in the area. Clear all vegetation away from playgrounds and position swings and play set´s in the centre with viewable space around them. All wild animals have the potential to be dangerous. Allow them to do their daily routine to earning a living for food. You are responsible for your safety and the safety of wildlife. Warn children never to approach wildlife and squealing, or making animal noises.

To be bear aware when you are out and hiking. Read all signs where the trail begins and let someone know where and when you coming back. You should never pose for a photo with a wild animal. Use your camera with common sense and photograph from the trail and observation areas. For your safety carry bear spray , make your presence know and hike in a group. Look out for bears signs along the trail, such as claw marks, diggings, torn apart logs and stumps. If you are approach by a bear or other animal, back away and maintain a safe distance. If a bear approaches you, be calm and do not run, face the bear and slowly back away. Use your bear spray if the bear attacks you and fight back with everything in your power. Carefully choose a campsite away from animal trails and place your tent, so there is viewable space around it. Use a sound food storage 3,5-meters up in a tree and about 60-meters from your camp. Place all your scented items, such as soap, tooth past, lotion, and all food and garbage in the tree. Pack everything away and never hide anything underground, or burn it in a fire pit. Keep your sleeping area free from food and odors, also clothes that you wore while cooking or handling fish must be kept away. Have in mind that bears and other wildlife may pass through your campground at anytime. Ask a ranger at the site about bear safety and how to store your food. A bear seeking food from humans can be aggressive and may have to be taking away. Please keep bears wild and do not approach or feed them.

Staying Fit Above

2012-10-07T14:06:00.000+02:00

For a sweet ride in the air, try to relax while flying and dress appropriately. The ultra skinny jeans and sparkling top for super chic seduction, may seemed like a good idea when you are at home, but on a plane they bind in at all wrong places. A thumb rule is if you wouldn't go to bed in your outfit, don't where them on a plane ride. To be successful, dress lose and casual, take your shoes off and drink plenty of water, avoid to much alcohol, tea or coffee. When sitting on a crowded plane with the person seat in front of you almost on your lap and someone's foot resting on your armrest from behind - remember that the flight will end, so breath in deeply, relax and walk around.

Deep Vein Thrombosis has long been associated with air travel. DVT is a blood clot in a deep vein and a thrombosis is a clot inside a blood vessel. It usually occurs in the leg but can also occur in the arms, neck and abdomen. The danger of blood clots means that parts of your body are not receiving normal blood flow and oxygen, another danger is the clot may come loose and travel to the heart, or lungs which may be life threatening. To avoid DVT, more and more people are wearing Compression Stockings. These stockings have sharply reduced the levels of DVT in airline passengers. The stockings are firm fitting, below the knee and applies pressure at the ankles assisting with correct blood flow. Movement is the best way to keep the blood flowing, so make sure you get up and walk around in the cabin and stretching, avoid sitting with your legs crossed as this restrict circulation. You don´t need to be a physical therapies for to do some exercises. I have great difficulty in sleeping on planes and have long flights constantly throughout the year. These exercises can be done every hour and only takes a few minutes, but it breaks up a long flight beautifully and you feel more refreshed when you land. Here are five easy movements that you can do from your seat, as usual never do anything if it causes pain or injury.

FEET: With heel on the floor, stretch your toes upwards. Do 10 times, also with other foot. Then, keep your toes on the floor, stretch your heel upward, also with other foot for 10 times.

ANKLES: Lift one foot on the ground. Rotate your foot in circular motions in one direction and then the other. Do the same with the other foot for 15 times.

KNEES: Lift your knee toward chest, decreasing the amount of joint space at the back of the knee. Do the same with the other knee for 30 times.

SHOULDERS: With your hands relaxed by your side. Rotate your shoulders in a circular motion in one direction for 5 times.

LEGS: Bend forward slightly, hold your knee and raise it to your chest for 15 seconds. Do the same with the other leg for 10 times.

Stock a light traveling bag with items you need for a comfort flight and tuck it all away in the bag when not in use. If you are afraid of flying, there is an App for that, both for iPhone and Android, learn more from the VALK Foundation.

valk.org

Magnificent 3000 K´s

2012-09-09T19:10:00.000+02:00

Traveling across the USA by car has pretty much everything to offer for an exciting holiday, full of adventures and inspiring moments of delight. It´s easy to get there from most places in the world, and with access to the Web, airfare has become so much cheaper and detail travel so much easier for a happy holiday. Driving within USA is efficient, convenient and safe, at any time you can find lodging along the way. One of the most iconic road trips is to follow the Pacific Coast, a border to border drive through California, Oregon and Washington State.

Make it memorable by starting in San Diego, and discover the Spanish and Mexican roots for to better understand how California came to be. In 1869, Rudolph Schiller photograph Old Town and the San Diego river, where the native Americans Kumeyaay had lived for thousands of years before the Spanish colonization of California began in 1769. Today Old Town pays tribute to the cultural influence that makes California so special. Two hour´s drive north to Orange County, the natural home of TV´s reality show Laguna Beach, The Hills and the off spin The City began exciting careers of tremendously rich nameless youth. Further up coastal highway sprawling Los Angeles, with it´s colorful history of old Hollywood glamour, Venice Beach and architectural landmarks. The weirdest architectural marvel is the Walt Disney Concert Hall, made in curvilinear steel by architect Frank Gehry. A stunning catalyst for masterly architecture and audacious skill of engineering.

Malibu is not always scenic here are the mansions that links so much of today´s history and its diverse communities. Follow Highway 1 to peaceful Santa Barbara, harmonious Spanish revival architecture, and a sun drenched Mediterranean climate make Santa Barbara to a quiet retreat to the big city bustle. From here on, the road is slow and winding, a good bet for hairpin turns and sublime vistas. After a thrilling stretch make a stop at Hearst Castle in San Simeon. A holiday paradise for newspaper baron Randolph Hearst and his Hollywood friends. Architect Julia Morgan labored between 1919 and 1947 to create this illusion of southern European Renaissance estate, stuffed with museum pieces from the finest auction houses. After a few minutes north on Highway 1, is the playground of West Coast sea life. Meet elephant seals bask in the sun on the beaches at Piedras Blancas. The subadult males are exiting to watch, they like to spar and play, and challenging each other with their changing voices. The adult are just here to molt, after their feeding journey to Alaska.

To see San Francisco in all its glory is sit still in your car and drive, or go to prison on Alcatraz Island for some tremendous vistas. The boat ride give you the best postcard look over the city and Golden Gate Bridge. The architect couple, Irving and Gertrud Morrow gave the iconic bridge its lightning and color. One of California´s greatest landmarks since 1937. Take Highway 101 north, the route bristles with coves crags and looming pines interspersed with homey wineries along State Road 128. Follow Highway 101 to exploring the Redwood National Park. A monarch of the North Coast, treasures of nature and culture. In 1800 redwood exploration replaced gold fever, the trees start to fell and seeming endless at first. A living link to the age of dinosaurs. Congress created Redwood National Park in 1968 to protect the world´s tallest trees and life along the coast. The park lie also in territories of native Americans groups, who lived along the coast for thousands of years. About 100 K´s north from the Park you crossing the border into Oregon, where the coast mountain range meets the dunes and the ocean. No trip along the coast is complete without a hike through Oregon Dunes between Florence and Coos Bay. The dunes is like no others in North America, formed by forces of wind and water for about 55 million years. Drive north along Highway 101 and finally you reach Astoria, crossing the mighty Columbia River into Washington State. Home to Olympic National Park, one of the rainiest places on earth, which create massive trees and lush vegetation with snow feed rivers. If you here for a hike in the rugged mountains, a stroll in the rain forest, or on intriguing beaches for to see the tides. To really appreciate all this, you need to stay in the park for a day, or more. Heading then to Lake Quinault Lodge, an extravagant lakeside lodging designed by architect Robert Reamer. The perfectly preserved two-story main lodge with its centered fire place was built in 1926. Here you can spend your time in front of the masonry fireplace, playing lawn games, and enjoying quality chair time in front of the lake. From lake Quinault, follow Highway 101 to see the mystical town Forks where Stephenie Meyer based here Twilight book series. Before you leave the Olympic Peninsula, visit the remote native American Makah Museum in Neah Bay. The museum features archaeological discoveries from the coastal village Ozette, where the Makah people have lived for 500 years as whalers, sealer, fishermen, hunters, gatherers, crafts maker and warriors before the white man came in double decker ships. Seattle is the final stop on the trip and was the starting point for gold seekers in 1897. Tens of thousands came to the small waterfront town, for to be outfitted for the goldfields of Alaska and Canada. Discover more of the glory days of Klondike Gold Rush at the historic Cadillac Hotel in Pioneer Square.

Rock Carving Fever

2012-07-15T14:21:00.000+02:00

Many are unaware of the artistic heritage in rune stones and a great way to explore some of them around Stockholm is by bicycle. Bike lines runs through the city and enjoy the rare pleasures, fresh air, birdsong and wind in your hair. You´ll find the most amazing stones interplay between the city and the urban nature and travel in time with public declaration and messages from 400 AC.

There is around 6000 rock engravings left in the world and 2500 of them are in Sweden, nobody know how many of them they where in the beginning.The carvings was executed by scratching, pecking and grinding the rock to break the surface, then grinding the depth with stone a hammer and point.There is 24 writing signs, each sign represent the sound of the wording, during the viking era the language change drastically and modify to 16 signs. The writing are done between two lines with a dragon like head in the beginning and a snake tail at the end. There is no numbers in rune writing and you have to write all the numbers, for example 1967 is written onethousandninehundredsixtyseven. Rune stones forge a link with the past and must be one of the first twitter messages that´s been executed in Sweden, or Svithiodh as they said in the viking era. It´s breathtaking to know that they twitted already 1600 years ago - so nothing new under the sun. The stones where often placed along the route, coastline and rivers, so they could be seen by many people as possible. There messages is a statement from the past, written as poems or fairy tale, so attractive that everyone that stopped would be seduced by it. Civilization began in a tranquil countryside and the stones is part of the Swedish cultural identity, where many western styles and habits are regarded as the superior. Today´s generation isn´t even sure what Swedish tradition is, they don´t know what is being lost if the stone´s sweeping away in city development and only exist as a collective memory. In the old days, back to 1600 century rune stones where used as building materials in the floors and foundation, in Uppsala Cathedral they have found 14 of them in the floors and foundation. As today´s twitter, there have been very productive and leading rune writers, a couple of them sign there stones with Öpir and Fot and they engage with society, created entire tradition from scratch - it´s 1600 years of ancient tradition that need to keep alive.

www.stockholmslansmuseum.se/faktabanken/runkarta/

www.raa.se/cms/extern/en/about_us/our_mission/our_mission.html

Contemporary Awareness

2012-06-18T11:14:00.000+02:00

Celebrate an earth day more then the annual calendar date by doing it weekly and feel good about contributing as much as you can for the planet, yourself and our future. Here are some tips to get you started on saving for this important resource.

Unlike energy, we can control our usage of water relatively easily, and with seemingly small steps you can help our individual impact on water protection. Use only water you need when you clean your vegetables and fruits by swishing them around in a bowl of water instead of rinsing them under a tap that is constantly running, and reuse that water for houseplants. Wait until you have enough laundry to run a full load for your washer, and same goes for your dishwasher. Both options will save water and your appliance runs more efficiently. Consider what you eat as this accounts for about half of your water footprint. Water is required to produce the meat we buy therefore, by eating less meat will help reduce water use and be kind to animals at the same time. Paper creates waste and takes its toll on the water supply, and reducing your shower time by just one minute will save 9.5 liter of water. Have you heard of the Australian 3 minute shower - first minute shampoo and rinse hair, second minute condition hair and soap body and third minute rinse. Plastic is also bad for our water consumption, 3 liters of regular water goes into making just one liter of bottled water, use the tap instead and buy a reusable bottle, but check first with your local water drinking regulations. You can also shop to support the environment, buy items that are energy efficient, made from recycled materials, buy multi packs and try to buy used, or trade with friends. We might not think of it as essential when we do your holiday shopping, but by avoiding items that damage the natural resources. It´s easy to be misled and get false information, and if you plan to by a product from crocodile, snake and coral, check that your product has a permit from endangered species of wild fauna and flora before your purchased, and don´t buy any tiger products, it´s illegal. By supporting World Wildlife Found you can make a different for the wildlife, a meaningful animal adoption helps to protect wild animals and their habitats. Use public transportation, or walk, jog or ride a bike to get from one place to another. Think in different steps, reuse and take something that is disposable and transform it into something of use instead, and always recycle metals, plastics and paper. Environmental action means taking simple steps in different places on the planet where we all live.

http://worldwildlife.org/home-full.html

Kites for all

2012-05-21T20:59:00.002+02:00

Somewhere in a park in central China you see kites swinging high in the air. During the Cultural Revolution kite flying was banned and kite makers who ignored the ban were sent to jail by the Red Guards. During the Qing Dynasty, it was believed that flying a kite and then letting it go might send off one's bad luck and illness. Kite flying originated some 2300 years ago, Mo Zi a Chinese philosopher and skilled carpenter spent years making a mechanical bird from wood which flew. Mo Zi whittled bamboo into pieces put them together and wound up with a magpie shaped model that flew up in the air. Todays kite making following an old traditional Chinese handicraft, with a bamboo frame covered by silk or paper. The invention of paper made kites cost less and quickly spread among the common people. Kites has served many purposes since its invention. In the southern Dynasties era an emperor flew a kite with a secret message which he hoped would get out of his capital besieged by rebel forces to his remote reinforcement. In the summer of 1752 Benjamin Franklin did his famous experiment with a kite to prove that lightning is an electric phenomenon and his discovery became the basis for the invention of lightning rod. The kit flying tradition has evolved over many centuries in China. Beijing has produced many big names Kite artisans including Cao Xueqin who ancient Chinese classics dream of Red Mansion. He made a passing references in his novel to a few kite like Big Phoenix, Big red bat, Big fish and Seven geese. He also discribed a game called kite scramble in which one kite flyer was supposed to screw up the thread of another and capture his or her kite. Nantong have an excellent kite museum full of local kite tradition. Famous for being outfitted with whistles that could be heard whir above the Nantong sky. The international kite festival in Weifang each year in April, is all about flying kites and sharing them with other competitors from all over the world.

www.weifangkite.com/index1.asp

Generation filmjölk

2012-04-19T19:06:00.000+02:00

Or fil as they say in Sweden, is a cultured dairy product similar to yoghurt from the most fantastic parts of Sweden. Technically it is a fermenting cow's milk with a variety of bacteria from the species Lactocococcus lactis and Leuconostoc mesenteroides, it helps achieve your goals when it comes to improving one´s health. Filmjölk is a taste from childhood, when I was growing up there was just one type. You added table sugar, fruit and knäckebröd packed with fiber, to treat your tummy to a power breakfast. It taste a little bit like natural yoghurt full of nutrition, and is a great start for a big day, or a snack in the afternoon before dinner. Today´s filmjölk is completely different, you don´t need any table sugar anymore, you have a great range of smooth tasting fruits to choose from, top it with knäckebröd, nuts and berries full with antioxidants. Every occasion has all you need for a healthy nutrisional meal, and to fill your hungry tummy with yummy stuff. If you once started with filmjölk there is no turning back. I love my filmjölk, and I love the smooth taste of fresh fruit and crunchy knäckebröd and nuts - it doesn´t get better than this and it´s quick and easy.

Language of less

2012-03-12T16:28:00.000+01:00

A 2005 art pice made in Perth, Australia. My favorite artwork for many years, that take its own measure, a measure of its place. I take impulses from spatial relations and social systems, it has no boundaries. A space within a space that proclaims its social function, a space we cannot enter. Like transparency in architecture, a contradictory camouflage, an illusion of absolute openness, sexual abstinence, strict equality and collective morality. All the things in our society is organized in some terms of simple permutations. Its a moment of amazement when turning the audience into the public display, a new way of seeing, and to understand the building itself as a medium. I have a great interest in architecture and architectural codes. My attitude to material is central and determines its own language. I like the fact that you can purchase the materials in any hardware store, and anyone can make them. I also liked the idea, that after display they could be used for anything else, and have no value as art.

Vaccination is your life

2012-03-06T16:06:00.000+01:00

If you are a traveler, you have should consider Hepatitis A and B vaccinations. If you come in contact with contaminated food or water, injections, piercing, tattoos, or have parenteral contact with infected body fluids. There are some lessons to be learn. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, and most commonly caused by a virus infection. The disease is closely connected with lack of sanitation and poor personal hygiene. You may have seen an ad or commercials on TV about Hepatitis. They can be hard to understand and difficult to know if it actually helps you. Hepatitis occurs worldwide. Hepatitis A symptoms can include fever, loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark-colored urine. Recovery from symptoms following infection may be slow and take several weeks or months. Hepatitis B virus can cause an acute illness with symptoms that last for a long time, including yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. It can take you several months to a year to recover from the symptoms, can also cause a chronic liver infection, that can later develop into cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer. You don´t have to worry about the diseases if you being vaccinated with Twinrix. The Hepatitis vaccine has an excellent record of safety and effectiveness.

who.int/en/

Winterland

2012-02-20T20:27:00.001+01:00

When we moved to an arctic climate some years ago, we knew you had to start wearing hats, gloves, scarfs and thick socks for winter activities. To make winter activities even more fun it´s important to dress right before heading out into the cold crispy snow. Always use the three layer principles when you dress and you will be rewarded. First layer should be a functional base layer that transports moisture from your body, through a second warming layer to the third protective layer. When you come home, warm your cold cheeks with hot chocolate, or spiced wine. To make a yummy chocolate, heat milk and mix it with chocolate powder, add brandy and serve with a topping of cream and cinnamon. A spiced wine, mix red wine with a strong liquor, heat it up carefully with sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves and cardamon seeds, serve it with raisins and blanched almonds.

Laundromat

2012-02-13T08:51:00.001+01:00

It´s easy order in the laundromat and you become Mr. Clean. Make shore before you wash to separate darks from whites. Wash darks in a short cycle and to keep brights bright, separate color by intensity and turn the items inside out. Always wash whites separately in the hottest water and if you have a desire to boost the whites, increase the cleaning power of detergent, adding bleach, bicarb soda or color remover. When you wash pillows or winter clothes with filling material, throw a clean tennis ball into the dryer to restore it´s fluffiness. With the right equipment and proper way to iron, you can save a lot of time and trouble. Try always to work with damp garments, such as cotton, linen, rayon and silk. Work in sections, for example collar, back, front and then sleeves and cuffs, and always hang the garment after ironing.

This is Melbourne

2012-02-12T12:26:00.002+01:00

City of charm and easy living. Bold ideas with good example of both new and Victorian architecture. Visit Palace Cinema Como at Chapel Street in South Yarra, which has an impressive, sensual and modern looking interior design. Loose yourself in the comfort of the big black leather sofa's while you are served drinks from the magnificent majestic bar. Have fish and chips in charming Williamstown it is well worth the visit. A 50-minutes boat tour that goes down the Yarra River and into Hobsons Bay. Experience spectacular scenic views from Melbourne´s tallest building. The Eureka Tower, a new generation of skyscraper that captivates more through stylistic shape than its measurement. The tower dominates Southbank skyline, which is lined by wide pedestrian promenades offering cafes and eatery strip. End up your day with a picnic at majestic Royal Botanic Gardens, it´s open to sunset.

eurekaskydeck.com.au

melbcruises.com.au/

This is Stockholm

2012-02-12T10:58:00.000+01:00

With so much accessible history nearby for example Gamla Stan with it´s medieval history, classical architecture and narrow alleys where you can lose yourself. The Royal Palace, this gigantic 600 room palace in Italian baroque style was completed in 1754. It is the official residence and entertainment place for His Majesty the King and Queen. The impressive and beautiful Royal apartments are open to public between official receptions. Close to the Palace is Storkyrkan where Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel got married in the summer of 2010. Also spend your time at one of over seventies museums with in the city and enjoy quality time. Nobel Museum is worth a visit, check out the yummy cakes and sandwiches at the café. Make sure to take a dinner cruise to the beautiful archipelago with Waxholmsbolaget. Stay at the fantastic hostel af Chapman and Skeppsholmen in front of the Royal Palace. At Chapman you can also have all your traditional Swedich dishes with a international touch. If you visit during winter, try some ice skating through out the city. It´s amazing experience that takes your breath away. Learn from someone who has professional knowledge and always wear safety equipment. The best way to get to the city from the airport is by the incredible fast train arlandaexpress, which is a 20 minute ride at 200 km per hour.

stfchapman.com
iceguide.se