Silent Wednesday Week 19 - Power Rangers

Energy-Packed Food For Fitness Fans

If you've been inspired by the marathon to take up exercising or a fitness regime, then it’s likely you’ll need to be making some changes to your diet. Athletes and fitness fans will be well aware that they need plenty of energy rich foods to maintain stamina and to help repair muscles following long hours of training. But which are the most effective performance boosters?

Kellie Anderson is a health educator, nutritionist, recipe developer and food writer. She’s keen to promote the benefits of seasonal produce and nutritious ingredients to improve vitality and health. We spoke to Kellie to find out her top recommendations for athletes who want to keep energy levels high and boost performances before, during and after a workout, without relying on protein bars and shakes.

America's Top 10 Green Buildings of 2014

 The American Institute of Architects' committee on the Environment selects ten buildings each year as the best in innovation, sustainability, green design and smart construction. This tradition has been going on since 1997. The projects vary in their types and purposes, so often the top ten cover a variety of ideas, methodologies and approaches. 

From renewable energy to passive energy system to modular architecture to modern materials to smart orientation and positioning, these buildings introduce the best modern technologies with the hopes to start the charge to a sustainable and smart cities.

This year the event took place on the 22th of April in Washington D.C., however, the awards celebration will happen at Chicago at the AIA National Convention and Design Exposition. For those (like me) who won't have the chance to attend the expo here are this year's winners.

1. The Arizona State University Student Health Building

Location: Arizona

The project transforms the structure from an outdated, inefficient and sterile clinic to a modern state-of-the-art construction. The new facility is scores an energy performance is 49% higher than the standard and exceeds the expectations and target of the 2030 challenge.

The health facility is now more organised and welcoming, which is a strong criteria when talking about people's willingness to entrust their health into somebody's hands.

The project received a LEED platinum certification.

2. Bud Clark Commons

Location: Portland, Oregon

This building is the core of Portland's 10-year plan to combat homelessness. It provides a number of services to help homeless individuals find permanent accommodation and turn their lives for the better.

The commons offers a 90-bed temporary shelter and a 130 completely furnished and energy efficient studio apartments for those seeking permanent shelter. Additionally, there is a day centre, with it's own public courtyard and access to support services.

The design aims to establish a welcoming structure and trust-worthy sanctuary to those in greatest need.

The whole complex features greywater recycling systems, stormwater collection units, solar powered hot water and high-performance construction, which alone saves 60 thousand dollars each year.

3. Bushwick Inlet Park

Location: Brooklyn, NYC

The project is the starting point of the transformation process of the Greenfront – Williamsburg waterfrom. The current industrial strip, left to the time and elements is to become a multipurpose public park with numerous facilities open to the people.

Playfields, public meeting rooms, classrooms and maintanence facilities have been integrated into the site, including a 100% public open green hill to the western side of the park. The hill offers tremendous views of Manhattan. Bellow the green roof are located a number of building systems like rainwater harvest and storage, drip irrigation, ground source heat pump wells and et cetera. The building will gain fifty percent of it's energy via solar panels.

4. Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building

Location: Portland, Oregon

This renovation process aimed to create on of the top performing constructions in energy efficiency in the entire country, while preserving it's historical assets and even exposing parts of the original building. The construction is a model to be applied for U.S. General Services Administration in the entire country.

The previously energy-draining ancient, now tops the United States in innovative, sustainable building. It integrates a complex solar harvesting system along with rainwater collection and smartly orientated façade to capture the most sunlight and reduce lighting costs.

5. Gateway Center – SUNY-ESF College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry

Location: Syracuse, NYC

This building is of significant importance, as the organisation symobileses the national stewardship towards environmental conservation.

It bears the LEED platinum certification. The project aims to reduce carbon footprint by utilizing renewable energy production methodologies. The design incorporates passive solar harnessing, through it's form, along a combined power and heat plant.

The roof is densely covered in plants, which is to provide for practical teaching environment and research site.

The resource systems provide 60% of the total heating consumption and 20% of the power needs annually.

6. John and Frances Angelos Law Centre

Location: Baltimore

With this project, the University of Baltimore makes it's first step to introduce sustainable architecture and join the fight against global warming emissions.

The Law Center is highly sophisticated and innovative in it's design. The project focuses on harnessing the free energy provided by the environment and lower it's reliance on energy resources, artificial lighting and forced ventilation.

7. Sustainability Treehouse

Location: Glen Jean, West Virginia

Possibly the most interesting project to the general public is the large treehouse, erected in the forests of the Summit Bechtel Reserve.

The structure aims to provide a unique visitor experience, while serving as an educational platform for everybody.

The building features indoor and outdoor platforms, which allow any visitor to spectate and explore the eco-system in all levels above the ground.

Integrating in it's system, solar, wind and water harnessing technology, the treehouse is highly efficient and almost self-dependent from externally produced resources.

8. The David and Lucile Pickard Foundation Headquarters

Location: Los Altos, California

The foundation is a rally point that brings together employees, partners and grant clients together to combine forces in a joint effort to establish broad organizational sustainability.

The location is tied with the the foundation for the past fifty years, so it makes a logical case to erect the structure at Los Altos.

Also, “the hights”, as an English translation to the Spanish name, brings a needed doze of symbolism as sustainability should be the hight the entire world strives to achieve.

Since the foundation expanded over the years, it's operations have been scattered throughout the city for about twenty years. This project aims to match the organisation's global aims and bring everybody together for the common cause.

The building itself is estimated to see the company through this century and possibly into the next, before a major update is required.

9. U.S Land Port Of Entry

Location: Minnesota-Canadian Border

This large complex of three separate structures is to accommodate the U.S. Customs and Boarders Protection services along with the federal agencies enforcing border security and control.

The site is constructed in a way to secure a micro-climate to the workers, while they perform their outdoor duties. It protects the entire complex from seasonal winds and allows access to daylight in 91% of the work areas.

Smart design addresses all the site and purpose specific issues of the structures. Of all materials, used in the construction, 22% come from recycling plants.

10. Wayne N. Aspinall Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse

Location: Great Junction, Colorado

This renovation project tackles two problems at the same time. The Apsinall Federal Building dates back to 1918 and as such, it's a major historical asset of the United States. The construction aimed to preserve it's value as a nearly century old building, but bring it to the 21st century.

The Wayne N. Aspinall Building features a roof 123 kW photovoltaic array, passive geo-exchange system, energy recovery systems, LED lighting.

The design is so successful, it brought the building on the top of the chain in American sustainable, historical constructions, marking one of the highest scores in both green building and renovation of landmark assets.

Amazing Spider-Man 2 Review

Really sweet movie, tell you that. I mean, have you seen Emma Stone's eyes? Really big and hypnotizing. And also Spider-man was there and he is a cool guy. You have to go watch it.

Spider-Man is one of the most beloved superheroes of all time. Captain America and Superman are big and popular, but your friendly neighbourhood web-slinger is kinder, funnier and is a regular guy under the costume. A person with emotions, problematic personal life, hard childhood, awkward teen years and love issues. It's easier to picture yourself as Spider-Man than Iron Man, because he is more down to earth and more human. That's why we love him.

When we were kids we had the Animated Series - they made me start the comicbooks. Then we got the Tobey Maguire trilogy. Big movies which will remain a big part of Marvel movies history (except for Spider-Man 3 - that movie sucked). But those three films didn't feel exactly like I was watching the Spidey I remember.

They were less funnier and M.J. wasn't hot. Tobey is a good actor, but was not exactly perfect for the role. But Garfield on the other hand, proved he is worthy and he can become the real web-slinger, like the one from the books.

Silent Wednesday 18 - The Most Majestic Beards in The Universe

Pop Culture References in Dexter's Lab You Didn't Know About

For most people from my generation, when you think of your childhood, the most memorable things were the cartoons. We loved them so much, we still watch them from time to time. And which were the best ones? Courage The Cowardly dog, SpongeBob, Johnny Bravo, the three Eds, Scooby Doo, Tom and Jerry, Batman, Spider-man, Rugrats, Looney tunes... Actually there were tons of high-quality animations.

Heck, I will continue - Samurai Jack, Powerpuff Girls, Pokemon, Swat Kats, Digimon, Eek! The cat, Kids next door, Cow and Chicken, I am Weasel, Iron Man... okay I'll stop. It's just so many.

Cartoon Cartoons

But one cartoon will always be my favourite - Dexter's Laboratory. It just brings all the nerdy things I love in one place. It had so many references and hidden jokes, it took me years to figure out. Don't know if you have seen 8 Naughty Jokes On Dexter's Laboratory That You Probably Didn't Get As A Kid, but you should take a look at it.

But Here I'll talk about references and spoofs.

Just Du It

We all remember the episode with the epic phrase Omelette du Fromage. With this simple phrase Dexter became a huge celebrity. If only life was so simple. But did you remember he was even making adverts for popular brands?

Silent Wednesday Number 17 - Funny Cats

Outsourcing is King

Last night I watched a video that just became viral and was featured on most social networks. “Who pays the price?” is a video that uncovers the ugly truth behind electronics manufacturing and the impact it has on the ones who do the actual work.

Uncovers is not really true in the sense that it's a new discovery, it simply reminds the issue and stacks the facts against the well know apple corporation.

When I looked for the producer of the video I found an American non-profit organization, which aims to develop green economy and sustainable technology, so the world will be free of problems... Fat chance...

Anyway, I was directed to a digital petition to the head of Apple, Inc. – Tim Cook. Infuriated by the video, I was a click away from sending the pre-written message, when I glanced to see what I was actually sending.

The Return of The First Avenger

*This Review Contains Spoilers*

When I went to see the Captain America: The Winter Soldier I wasn't expecting much. The First Avenger  was kind of incomplete, but not a bad movie in general. Yet, people don't talk about it much. So I wasn't expecting for Marvel to make the sequel any better. They prove me wrong.

winter soldier by Orlando Arocena

What I saw was something quite different. It grabbed me from the beginning and held me until the end. And after the success of Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World, I must say - Phase 2 is a lot better. This time it's not just some filler movies, but ones which want to dominate the Box Office.

What Really Got me?

First of all - Captain America is becoming more and more mature. You see his struggle with living in this modern world. It's been two years since he was defrosted, but that 70-year gap is hard to fill. Not only Cap has grown up, but Chris Evans as well. When I first saw him it was back in 2001 in Not Another Teen Movie he was the typical Jock. Since then he has played in many comedies and romantic films, but this is different.

Silent Wednesday #16 - Worst Tattoos

Best of The Internet - Number 6

Another week has passed, another issues is here. This time it's a little shorter, but probably because we weren't browsing that much. You'll see a few scientific discoveries, cool forms of art, funny posts, cute things, and some comic books.

Kids Have all The Answers in Life

These are some of the purest answers you've ever seen. No one can answer a question like a child - so honest, so pure. And at the same they are quite clever and brave. Back in my school days I wouldn't even imagine writing such answers, but these kids know how to win the respect of their teachers.

My most favourite one is Number 5 - The Situation. It's just... Nobody can answer a question better than this kid. He or she should become a president some day. When they ask him all the complicated stuff, he'll have the smartest answers.

College Humor

Make Art and Faces with Everything

Thanks to the Internet we are able to witness more and more talented people everyday. And the creativity of some folks never stops to amaze me. Right here you can see how the artist has used regular objects like pens, scissors, grapes, walnuts, razors etc., to create art.

How I Met Your Step-Mother

The hype around the series finale of How I met Your Mother is slowly fading. There is no big buzz, nobody talks about it, only a few Facebook friends mention it, Reddit is silent and if you haven't seen it, you wouldn't even know these 9-year-old series have ended. But why? Most finales are grand and significant. They make the prime-time news, they are remembered forever, people are talking constantly over it, crying about the departure. Things seem different with the Mother.

They were so young

*Spoilers Ahead*

Probably because it really sucked. It's very easy to criticise and really not original, but I wasn't happy with the finale. It was neither what I expected, nor what the series deserved. And because I don't want to sound like another disappointed fan, I'll use some arguments.

Bad For The Health Is Good For Business

       PM2.5 has been a buzzword in China for the last couple of years. With the Air Quality Index (AQI) scaling beyond the borders of the scale itself, the air pollution in the biggest cities of the country has reached new levels of bad.
Due to the heavily industrialised east coast of the country and the severely outdated technology in production, the air in major cities and centres has become seriously hazardous to the inhabitants.
PM2.5 is a particle of size 2.5 micrometers or less. It's easily inhaled and is the reason for many lung and respiratory problems including cancer. It's small enough to lodge in the cavities of the insides of the lungs and stay there for good (...or rather - bad).

That said, you must already know that buzzwords are the manna of God to business developers and entrepreneurs. You see, the thing with buzzwords is everybody has seen or heard of them, even though they might not know what they mean or stand for. They're recognizable and identifiable within seconds, and that is exactly what the people mentioned above aim for.

To create a brand everyone knows and has heard of takes years and years of marketing campaigns and advertising efforts, but buzzwords are already at that step, without time or investment.
So what do you do? You incorporate them into the product you develop and research and BAM! – instant publicity and mass recognition. Your product is already there with the simple word written on the label, or the packaging.

With PM2.5 being the major leader in the ladder in terms of health in China, naturally, people have found a way to make serious money from it.

Silent Wednesday #15 - Batman 75 Years