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As both a movie lover and a ginormous geek, I like to periodically set movie-watching goals for myself. I'll try to tackle the films in a certain genre, or featuring a certain character, or built around a certain theme. And as a writer and a ginormous geek, I also tend to document some of these challenges. In the past, I've done film study projects about the history of horror, the legacy of horror/comedies, my favorite TV Christmas specials and, one memorable December, 25 different incarnations of Ebenezer Scrooge. That I missed out on that Family Ties episode where Alex P. Keaton plays the part is my one regret in life.
Like so many other things, though, my movie watching habits had to evolve when my wife and I had a baby. It simply wasn't feasible to set aside an entire month to watch slasher movies and write a detailed analysis of each one. So in 2018, I set a different kind of goal for myself: to watch as many superhero movies as possible, and in the case of those I've seen before, determine whether my original impressions of the film hold up. Four and a half months into the year, I've ranked 65 movies and shorts as of this writing (you can keep track of the full list on Letterboxd). With school about to end for the summer, I'm hoping to ramp things up soon.
Thus far, I've had no rhyme or reason behind which movies I've watched -- I watched whatever I felt like at the moment, or whatever was on HBO, or what YouTube link I came across. In fact, there has only been one specific goal to date: rewatching all of the films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (including shorts) prior to Avengers: Infinity War. Since this is the tenth anniversary of the MCU, I thought a good place to begin my reflections on my Superheroic Cinematic Odyssey would be here, with the biggest franchise in the world.
The MCU, I don't think anyone will deny, has been wildly successful. The films have long since made back the $4 billion Disney paid for the company, and both the characters and actors are now household names. If I had gone to school as a child and tried to talk about what Yondu did in the most recent issue of Guardians of the Galaxy, people would have looked at me as though I had grown a red fin of my own. Now, if you just say the character's name, fifty percent of the population will fire back, "I'm Mary Poppins, y'all!"
The question, then, is what has made the MCU work so well? There are several reasons, of course, but I think it has to start with casting, and with the casting of the first Iron Man movie. Robert Downey Jr. famously went through a very public cycle of substance abuse and self-destructive behavior. What better way to rehabilitate his image and career than by channeling that into Tony Stark, a character who is known for facing those same demons? Downey went from being a guy who couldn't get fired in Hollywood to being one of the most famous actors in the world, and that happened because he totally embodies Tony Stark. And while his performance is, of course, informed by the comics, it goes both ways. It would almost be impossible to find an Iron Man comic from the last ten years that doesn't bear his stamp.
It was maybe even a bigger shock when lightning struck again in the form of Chris Evans. A lot of people were skeptical that the guy who had played the Human Torch just a few years prior would be an effective Captain America. But look at him now. The poise, the posture, the persona is Steve Rogers. He's strong, brave, confident, and fearless in the pursuit of what he believes is right. The aura of command, of leadership about the man is almost tangible. If Evans put on that voice and told me to go fight Thanos single-handedly, I'd probably pick up a gun and run to my death because that wouldn't be as scary as the idea of letting Captain America down.
Although a lot of the casting in the MCU is spot-on, these two stand out to me as being two of the top five superhero performers of all time. (The other three, for the record, are Christopher Reeve as Superman, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman.)
The next crucial part of the MCU's success is the world-building. They did it right, starting with four films that could have been left completely unrelated, but linking them together almost immediately. As a result, the entire first Avengers movie felt like a massive payoff for what would become known as "Phase One" of the MCU. Since then, they've not only continued the momentum of those films, but expanded to characters nobody ever would have considered for a major motion picture 15 years ago like Ant-Man and Doctor Strange. As great as Tom Holland is as Spider-Man, and as cool as it would be to have the Beast join the Avengers, I think it's been oddly beneficial that Marvel did not have the rights to Spidey or the X-Men when they started. If they had, they would have started there, and it seems highly unlikely that things like Guardians of the Galaxy would have ever been made.
This is not to say the MCU has been flawless. As many have pointed out, they have a villain problem. Far too many of their villains have been bland, unmemorable, and had cookie-cutter motivations for their misdeeds. Even Black Panther, which got a lot of praise for its villain, didn't escape this entirely. Michael B. Jordan's performance as Killmonger was strong, and his motivations certainly had more depth than most other MCU villains, but in the final reel of the film we got what amounted to the hero fighting an evil version of himself, just like in Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, and Ant-Man. Captain America: Civil War was a great movie not because it had a great villain, but because the conflict between the two heroes was so compelling.
Who have been Marvel's best baddies? Tom Hiddleston's Loki is iconic now, with his smooth, smarmy charisma, but he's always straddled the line between being a true villain and simply being a selfish opportunist. He even lapsed into being a heroic figure in Thor: Ragnarokand Infinity War. Josh Brolin's Thanos is given a great motivation that makes sense in a severely warped kind of way (which is essential for a great villain) and he plays the part wonderfully. But for my money, the MCU's best villain to date? Michael Keaton as the Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Performance aside (and a fine performance it was), he gave us Marvel's most relatable villain: a blue-collar guy who got pushed around one too many times and leapt when he saw an opportunity to push back. He's not out to rule the world, not even to change the world, he just wants money to provide for his wife and daughter. The conflict stems not from some deep-seated need for revenge, but because he's committing crimes (that's what criminals do) and Spider-Man wants to stop the crimes (that's what superheroes do). It's so simple it almost feels like a mistake.
The conflict doesn't become personal between them until the final act switcheroo when we discover that the "Liz" Peter has been crushing on the whole movie is not Liz Allen, as longtime comic readers were supposed to assume, but the daughter of Keaton's Adrian Toomes. Even then, Toomes has no beef with Peter at first. It comes about in a frankly brilliant scene where he's driving Peter and Liz to a school dance. He discovers Spider-Man's true identity not because of some convoluted coincidence or because of some staggeringly stupid mistake or slip of the tongue on the hero's part, but through the perfectly natural conversation any father might have with the boy taking his daughter on a date. The pieces fall into place cleanly and snap together like the inevitable LEGO sets based on the film. The tension in this scene is as thick as the Rhino's skull, the performances by Keaton and Holland are magnificent, and the writing is flawless. It might be my single favorite scene in the entire MCU.
This is one of the more recent MCU movies, of course, and the creators have a lot of experience now. Earlier movies relied more on coincidence and switcheroos that didn't work as well, but there's one movie that I found I liked considerably more in the rewatch than I did when it first came out, and that's Iron Man 3. While the revelation that Ben Kingsley's character was not really the Mandarin seemed weak at the time, in retrospect, I like it more. I think I'm less precious now about comic book movies being strictly faithful to the source material, more open to weirder interpretations. What's more, the stuff about Tony Stark struggling with PTSD after the events of the first Avengers movie was pretty compelling, and I'm a little disappointed that this thread largely disappeared after this film, not really coming back strong until Infinity War. At the time, I ranked Iron Man 3 as my least-favorite Marvel film, but I like it a lot more now, moving it ahead of even Iron Man 2. (My least-favorite MCU film now, after the rewatch, is Thor: The Dark World, for those of you keeping score.)
One last thing about the MCU: let's talk about the shorts. For a while, Marvel did "One-Shots," short films they included as DVD extras that expanded on the side characters from the films. "The Consultant" explained the Tony Stark cameo in Incredible Hulk, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer" let Agent Coulson show how badass he can be, "Item 47" dealt with the aftermath of the Battle of New York, "All Hail the King" was a funny look at Kingsley's character in prison, and "Agent Carter" was sort of a mini-pilot for the ABC television series. The shorts were a lot of fun, but Marvel apparently ran out of time to do them as their film slate got more and more crowded. Disney recently asked Marvel to start the program up again, but Kevin Feige essentially said they're still too busy. I hope they find a way to get them back, because this would be a great way to showcase fan-favorite characters like Shuri, Wong, and Peter Parker's buddy Ned, or even introduce minor heroes that have fan followings but may not support a movie of their own, like Night Thrasher, Firestar, Slapstick, or Quasar.
The MCU feels like it's in a very good place right now. Even after the end of Infinity War, the franchise has more creative steam than anything else in the movies, and I frankly can't wait for the announcement (when it finally comes) of what awaits us beyond Ant-Man and the Wasp, Captain Marvel, and Avengers 4.
Blake M. Petit, who knows perfectly well he's probably the only person who would buy a ticket to a Slapstick movie and doesn't care, has been pontificating about pop culture online for over a decade. You can follow him at BlakeMPetit.com and, if you're feeling generous, check out his books on Amazon.
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The 2018 Superhero Watch: Reflections on the Marvel Cinematic Universe
- Created by: Blake M. Petit
- Published: 05-16-2018, 03:29 PM
- 5 comments
The 2018 Superhero Watch: Reflections on the Marvel Cinematic Universe
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Blake M. Petit commented05-17-2018, 07:59 AMEditing a commentGough and Simmons are both great in their roles. If I were to start expounding on supporting characters, I'll have to throw in Margot Kidder as Lois Lane and Gary Oldman as Comissioner Gordon as being other perfect choices.
Craig Reade commented05-17-2018, 08:14 AMEditing a commentKidder absolutely yes. Oldman is nothing like I would have pictured Gordon, but he's such a brilliant actor, he still pulled it off.
Blake M. Petit commented05-17-2018, 08:17 AMEditing a commentI'll certainly be writing about the Superman and Batman movies in their own reflections later on, but now you've got me thinking about a piece specifically about the supporting players...
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Question 1: Can I ride these bikes on the road?
Answer 1: Yes, however, please refer to your state's bicycle laws to clarify which roads you are allowed to ride on. Some states do not allow you to ride bikes on the freeway.
For example: Bicycles are considered vehicles under Pennsylvania Laws and must obey all the rules of the road which apply to vehicles. However, in Pennsylvania, no person shall ride a bicycle or pedalcycle on a freeway.
Please visit our Legislation, Laws and Regulations page for a copy of the Pennsylvania Bike Law and other Road Riding Tips.
Question 2: Can I ride these (small kid-size) electric scooters on the road?
Answer 2: No, most of the scooters designed for kids and teenagers can ONLY be ridden on private property. However, some parks have special areas set aside for riding scooters like these. Some states allow you to ride scooters on the sidewalk, others have made them illegal to ride anywhere but your own property. Please refer to your local or state laws to clarify where you are or are not allowed to ride these scooters.
Question 2: What is a Scoocycle? I have never heard of that before.
Answer 2: A Scoocycle is a new word the owner of PA Electrics "coined" - which combines the words Scooter and Bicycle. Which is exactly what a Scoocycle is - a Bicycle that looks like a Scooter. It looks like a Scooter - but has Bicycle pedals. And it is also legally considered to be a bicycle - so it does not need to be insured or plated.
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This is a really close cousin to Dutch apple pie, actually maybe more like a crisp, and there's no crust to roll out! French apple dessert has a buttery crust, and is packed with apples, cinnamon and nutmeg.
It's covered with a hard-to-resist crumbly streusel topping of brown sugar and pecans, that is crisp and delicious and sweet.
My "go-to" apple for desserts is Honeycrisp, use your favorite apple for baking this dessert. I make it with Splenda instead of granulated sugar, you would never know the difference!
I used a 9 x 13-inch Pyrex baking dish, making it much easier to cut into squares instead of making in a pie plate and cutting into wedges. For smaller squares, cut into 15 servings, it's on the rich side.
You are going to love a helping of this with whipped cream or ice cream, or just on its own!
We've had lots of celebrating here lately: our 51st anniversary, my birthday and now Mother's Day shortly...
This is a perfect treat for Mom and everyone on Mother's Day!
Printable recipe
- 1. Heat oven to 325°F. Spray a 13 x 9-inch pan or a 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray.
- 2. In small bowl, mix 1/2 cup Bisquick mix, the brown sugar and nuts.
- 3. Cut in 2 tablespoons butter, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until crumbly; set aside.
- 4. In medium bowl, mix apples, cinnamon and nutmeg. Spread in pie plate.
- 5. In medium bowl, stir remaining ingredients until blended. Pour into pie plate. Sprinkle with streusel.
- 6. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean and top is golden brown. Cool 5 minutes.
- 7. Serve warm, room temperature, or chilled.
Store covered in refrigerator.


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For those inspired by the unspoiled hidden treasures of the Indochina, or simply curious to find out what the buzz around this region is all about, this extraordinary tour offers the active enthusiast a truly remarkable way to experience Vietnam like no other -- featuring an uncommon bicycle journey along the Mighty Mekong with sights little known to the typical tourist. Your expedition to Vietnam begins in the vibrant metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon and forever known as the "Paris of the East". In recent years, Ho Chi Minh City has rapidly blossomed as one of Asias hottest spots, offering visitors Vietnams best cuisines, a bustling nightlife, and momentous remnants of the Vietnam War. After two enchanting nights in the Big City, we embark on a nature and culture-inspiring bicycle journey to the road less traveled, through Southern Vietnams lush countryside starting with My Tho, one of the poorest cities in the Mekong Delta, known for its fishing and agriculture importance; then to Vinh Long, an ethnic Khmer-influenced town crisscrossed by canals famous for its Khmer pagodas; followed by Can Tho, an important commercial center and river port of the Mekong that boasts a colorful floating market and ancient architectures. Best of all, because this is a fully supported private tour, you can ride at your own pace to get the very most out of your trip as you travel back in time on this spectacular Vietnam expedition. This is an adventure that goes beyond the ordinary. Get ready for the trip of a lifetime!
Day 1: Arrival Ho Chi Minh City
Day2: Ho Chi Minh City
Day3: Ho Chi Minh City / My Tho
Day4: My Tho / Vinh Long
Day5: Vinh Long / Tra Vinh
Day6: Vinh Long / Can Tho
Day7: Can Tho / Ho Chi Minh City
Day8: Depart Ho Chi Minh City
Day 1. Ho Chi Minh City
Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel. If time permits, enjoy a city sightseeing tour with visits to the Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, City Hall, War Remnants Museum and the Ben Thanh Market in Cholon (Chinatown). Accommodations at the RENAISSANCE RIVERSIDE HOTEL.
Day 2. Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast, enjoy a full day excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels, an underground network stretching 200km built by the Vietcong, connecting command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories that was never discovered during the War. Next, visit to Tay Ninh, headquarters of one of Vietnams major religions, Caodism, where you will visit several historic temples and monuments. Lunch at a local restaurant. (B)
Day 3. Ho Chi Minh City / My Tho
Transfer to the outskirts of Saigon and begin cycling on beautiful countryside roads, passing rice paddies and fruit orchards before taking the local ferry to My Tho. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing boat trip to the Mekong river islands near My Tho, stopping to visit a fruit orchard and listen to traditional music in a farming household. Before returning to My Tho, explore the small canals and lush jungle scenery by hand-rowed sampan. Approximate distance cycled is 65 km* over even terrain. Overnight at CHUONG DUONG HOTEL in My Tho*. (B)
Day 4. My Tho / Vinh Long
Depart from the hotel by bicycle and continue along the Upper Mekong River along shaded back roads. The itinerary passes through small villages, giving excellent opportunities to observe daily life. Continue to Cai Be, famous for its floating market. From Cai Be, continue by boat to Vinh Long along picturesque canals. Approximate distance cycled is 40 km*. Overnight at the CUU LONG B HOTEL* in Vinh Long. (B)
Day 5. Vinh Long / Tra Vinh
Todays excursion takes you to the Khmer town of Tra Vinh, located on a peninsula at the intersection of the Tien and Hau branches of the Mekong River. There are over 140 Khmer pagodas in the province inhabited by about 3000 ethnic Khmer. Sightseeing includes several significant Khmer pagodas and temples. Return to Vinh Long for overnight. (B)
Day 6. Vinh Long / Can Tho
Journey southwest in Vinh Long Province to Can Tho, the capital of the province and the political, economic, cultural and transportation center of the Mekong Delta, where rice-husking mills provide a major local industry. Enjoy spectacular sights including the Munirangsyarm and Cantonese Congregation Pagodas, Central Market, and the Ho Chi Minh Museum as you journey by bike to Can Tho. Overnight at the VICTORIA CAN THO. (B)
Day 7.Can Tho / Ho Chi Minh City
Todays journey take you back to Ho Chi Minh City, beginning with a boat excursion to Cai Rang Floating Market, followed by a visit to a fruit orchard tugged in the many canals of the region and a rice processing plant. Enjoy a bike Journey by first crossing the Hau Giang River by ferry then to Vinh Long, a medium-sized town along the banks of the Mekong River midway between My Tho and Can Tho. Transfer to Saigon and overnight at the RENAISSANCE RIVERSIDE HOTEL. (B)
Day 8 . Depart Ho Chi Minh City
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B)
End Of Service
Includes 7 nights hotel accommodations per itinerary
Daily Breakfasts at hotel
Private Tour: Sightseeing & Transfers by private car, driver and Professional English-speaking guides
Private cycling tour with full support
7 nights hotel accommodations per itinerary
Excludes Air fares of any kind
Rates not valid for peak season 19Dec 2012 – 15Jan 2013
Compulsory Gala Dinner on 24Dec 2012 and 31Dec 2012
Services not mentioned above
Extra charges, personal expenses
Surcharge for peak/festival season if any (upon booking)
Optional tours /meals if any, drinks excluded
Travel insurance, visa fees
Air fares of any kind
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy Price includes all entrance fees, hotel taxes & service charges Ground transportation by air-conditioned vehicle Price excludes airfares, personal expenses, beverages, gratuities to guides and drivers A visa is required to enter Vietnam. Not included in package. *Actual biking distance may be altered according to passengers fitness level and local conditions All services subject to availability at time of reservation


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15 days in Mongolia:
Starting from US$ 1 764 per person
Get an in-depth knowledge of the country shared by the locals, explore various landscapes and discover the Mongolian way of life. This 16-day trekking tour with Wind of Mongolia is a perfect combination of sports and culture.
Your detailed itinerary in Mongolia
Day 1 / Arrive in Mongolia
- Visit the main monastery of Ulaanbaatar, Gandan.
- Visit the natural history museum.
- Explore the streets of the capital and see yurts right in the city center.
- Lunch in town.
- Welcome dinner in a restaurant and overnight in the hotel.
Day 2 / Khatgal
- Domestic flight to Mörön.
- Afterwards you'll take a car ride towards Khatgal.
Khatgal is a small hamlet at the southern point of Khuvsgul lake. An ancient Russian colony, this village was once very prosperous thanks to its trade between Mongolia and Russia. The remains of the past persist in the outskirts of the village.
- Check in at Wind of Mongolia base camp.
- Overnight under the yurt.
Day 3 / Horseback riding
- One day rest in Khatgal, relaxing, walking around and discovering of the Mongolian lifestyle.
For the past 20 years, Khatgal has been losing its importance little by little, as well as a big part of its population. Its harbour remains active, but nowadays it has a touristic vocation.
- Enjoy a 3 to 4 hours horseback ride to discover the area.
- Evening at Wind of Mongolia's base camp.
Day 4 / Trip towards Uran Dush
- In the morning start your journey towards Kharuul Zangi, then Khirvesteg and finally Uran Dush.
- We go through the Jankhay pass in order to reach Kharuul Zangi, a small promontory at the end of a large cove, then Khirvesteg and later on Uran Dush.
- Uran Dush is the end of the suitable track for car and rarely could vehicles travel further.
- Setting up of the bivouac.
- Evening on the banks of the lake.
Day 5 / First day of your trek
- This is your day to ''warm up'' and take your bearings.
- Picnic break in Khar Uus.
It's a small lake created by the waves and currents of the lake, a mineral rich source devers it's water in this « magic » lake, which confers to it a particular power… especially as this small lake never freezes, even in the coldest of the winter…It is a mythical place for the locals.
- After, you will find a mystical place called Jigleeg.
Jigleeg is the only way between the massif, a deep gash in these wild mountains, sole access for the nomads between Khuvsgul and Tsagaan Nur, a large part of the nomads spend the winter on the banks of the lake and on the other side they spend the beautiful season in the vast green valleys.
- Setting up your bivouac near the wooden cabin of a fisherman's family.
Day 6 / Jigleen
- Day to explore Jigleeg: Discover a beautiful first step that will open on gorgeous panoramas. The conditions in this region could be particularly tough, the pass could become very fast an icy wind corridor. Jigleeg opens also on the narrow valley in the heart of the massif, thus creating a micro-climate and an perfect passage for fauna. At the foot of the schist massif we find several zones of swamps, pine and larch forests. It is from Jigleeg onwards that is found the biggest density of permafrost in Mongolia. Lichens are abundant and in this zone we will still encounter the kind lichen reindeers enjoy, even if the Tsataans now hardly ever come in this area to graze their livestock.
Day 7 / Ikh Nor Gol River
- We will reach the highest part of massif, going upstream along the Ikh Nor Gol River. The valley goes deep in between two summits that culminate at 2500 and 2800m.
- Explore the forests, boulders, wild landscape before reaching the Arsain Sair small pass.
Day 8 / Hiking to the East
- The circuit goes the East, following the bed of a small dried up stream meandering between two large massifs, before reaching a wider valley carved out by Arsain river.
The landscape, the view become uninterrupted… the lake appears in front of you, between two large summits. In this area where the visitors are rare, lives a rich and varied fauna. An incursion inside a world where nature keeps all its rights.
- Bivouac with a view to the sea.
Day 9 / Trekking
- The itinerary follows the course of Arsain River, until under a large and gorgeous summit, completely flat, Uran Dosh, which means the anvil.
- From there, the track ascends along the Mongoliin Khast River.
- We continue to trek some hours aiming at the pyramidal summit, before setting up the bivouac at the heart of this mineral universe.
Day 10 / Ikh Uul
- Climbing towards the 2960m summit.
Stop on Ikh Uul. It is a longish climb, however largely compensated by an incredible view over the massif, the lake… a panoramic 360 view.
- After go down towards Yamaatyn River and reach the small valley of Baishintiin Door.
- Bivouac on the banks of the stream.
Day 11 / Khuren stream
- This trekking trip will lead you back towards the much softer part of the massif, the summits have gone down to 2300m, the valleys have been flattened and the landscape begins to be softer.
- Bivouac on the banks of Khuren stream.
Day 12 / Back to the lodge
- Last trekking day in the heart of Khorido Saridag.
- You will go down slowly in this valley in order to join an ancient track created during the soviet period for mining surveys.
- This is where our team will bring you back to the Lodge Wind of Mongolia.
- Overnight at the yurt or in the chalet.
Day 13 / Khatgal
- A day in Khatgal to relax after the trekking.
- If you want, you can have a last horse riding.
- Evening in the lodge.
Day 14 / Ulaanbaatar
- Way back to Mörön passing by Furgon.
- Lunch in Mörön.
- Transfer by plane towards the capital.
- Settling in the hotel and shopping in Ikh delguur to purchase few souvenirs.
- Dinner in downtown.
Day 15 / Departure
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Transfer to the International airport of Ulaanbaatar.
- The transfer can be arranged at any time, depending on the schedule of your flight.


text: If you have seen Red Fort (Laal Quila) so far only in TV during the Independence Day's parade, then here's your chance to see it in real. A glowing example of architectural superiority of Mughal era, the hotbed of Indian politics, a photographer's dream- Red Fort is all rolled into one and many more. Before planning your schedule with one of the tour operators in Delhi- you must exclude Sunday as the day of your visiting Red Fort, because the place gathers maximum crowd on that day. The construction of Red Fort started in the year 1638 by Emperor Shah Jahan. Since then, this fort observed the most important parts of Indian history under Mughal as well as British regime. That it was from Red Fort, Kohinoor diamond was looted– should be the reason enough to visit it during your Delhi Agra tour. On any given day, the security there is pretty high. Once you entered into the premise of Red Fort, get ready to be pleasantly surprised by the cleanliness of the whole area. Though some places are restricted for the common public to visit- the ornamented walls, the various gates and mahals are sufficient to make up for it. Once you are done with visiting Diwan-i-Khas, Delhi Gate, Moti Masjid, Hira Mahal and other such wonders that Red Fort has to offer, do visit the Freedom Struggle Museum also. Lastly, your sojourn with Laal Quila shall be incomplete if you don't wait to see the spectacular light-and-sound show during the evening.


text:
Desire paths
2 December 2013
A desire path is a path that is formed when people choose not to use the path that you have paved for them. It's the shortest or otherwise most convenient way for them to get from point A to point B. A popular desire path shows by the erosion that has been caused to the land beneath it:
You can tell a lot about whether urban planners have done a good job in designing the roads of a given area from the desire paths that run through it. Good design should take the natural behaviour of people into account and lay roads accordingly; a desire path shows you where the optimal path runs. It's a shame that concrete and asphalt don't erode well enough for us to tell where the desire paths run in modern concrete jungles.
Rumour has it that in Finland urban planners study desire paths in parks by observing where the first paths are formed after a snowfall has covered the official pathways. These observations can then be used to decide where the new official paths should run. According to another story, there is a university that didn't lay any paths in their new campus during its first year. After the first year had passed, they built the pathways according to the desire paths that had been naturally formed. Regardless of whether these stories are true or not, they are nice examples of good design thinking.
However, desire paths exist beyond parks and other urban settings. They exist in your products, services, and organizations. The paths that you have designed into your products are often not the paths that people actually tread along when they use your product. The way that people access public services is often not the way that the authorities designed them to be accessed. People don't necessarily enter your organization through the front door, but rather by talking about you on your unmonitored backyard.
Sometimes the problem is that you cannot easily see where these desire paths run. You might not have the luxury of a snowfall covering the official paths; the ground is covered with concrete revealing nothing about people's behaviour. In these cases it is only through careful observation and rigorous data collection that these desire paths can be uncovered. User studies should be about learning how people actually want to use your product; web analytics is an example of a data collection method that can help you to map where the desire paths run on your website.
Whatever it is that you are building, knowing where the desire paths run and laying the official paths to run along them will lead to a better experience for the people treading on the turf that you are creating for them.


text:
2019 Audi A7 Spy shots are here.
Audi is all set to bring its next-generation A7 in the year 2019. These days the automaker is working enthusiastically in order to bring this beauty near finalization. We recently spotted the 2019 A7 prototype which was seen for the first time being tested on roads.
The car was heavily disguised and taking an accurate measure of the body cut seemed impossible. However we were still able to locate a few things and to point out some obvious changes. The design of this new prototype shows immaculate resemblance to the Audi's Prologue that was revealed in Los Angeles Auto Show in 2014.
The person who is behind this look of A7 is none other than Marc Lichte who is the new Design Boss of Audi. According to Motorauthority, he said that they wanted the A7 to look very much different from the A6. Thus the customers can look for visible difference between these two.
He supervised the new A8 model for the first time after being hired for the new rank. This A8 model is all set to release in year 2018. The new A6 and A7 are going to be launched in the year 2017. Both of these will be available in market for sale in year 2019.
The new cars will follow the design of a hexagonal-shaped grille and chiseled surfaces. On the A7 we are expecting the crease line to be as intense in the older models.
Along with that we can see a partially extended rear wing too. This car will follow the platform of VW's MLB Evo. It will be present on 2017 Q7 as well. This new platform is perfect for reducing weight and supporting a high powertrain.
We are expecting a 2.0 liter engine for this A7 with a horsepower of about 252. Along with that one can expect many other high tech features in the car too.


text:
Prices, specials, features and availability subject to change.
Welcome home to elevated living at 340. Brand new luxury apartments located in Chicago's premier Streeterville neighborhood. Choose from a variety of unique studio, convertible, one, two and three bedroom apartment homes to suit your lifestyle. Downtown living comes with more than its fair share of perks. North Water puts you in the center of a vibrant community of art, entertainment, fashion and culture. At North Water apartments, you will enjoy breathtaking views, quality finishes, and world class amenities exclusive to you. Fall in love with our pristine outdoor pool, inviting community lounge areas, fully-equipped professional kitchen, and expansive neighborhood windows. Be a part of the city experience you deserve. Stop by today to see it all for yourself!
Our lease terms are: 12 months (Please note that lease terms may vary, are subject to change without notice, and are based on availability. Inquire with property staff for complete details).
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text:
A vegan café has gone to the extremes of charging male customers 18 percent man tax in bid to address gender pay gap. The feminist vegan hopes the move will provoke people into discussing unfair treatment of women.
The café is without a doubt making waves after it began charging blokes more money in a bid to close the gender pay gap.
The owner of Handsome Her eatery in Melbourne, Australia, is making them pay an 18 per cent "man tax" as well as giving women priority over seating.
The owner of the premise, who was identified as Alex O'Brien, told Broadsheet website: "I do want people to think about it, because we've had this for decades and decades and we're bringing it to the forefront of people's minds.
O'Brien also pointed out that he likes the fact that men are stopping to question their privilege. Reports from Ms. O'Brien reveal that the response from her customers has been positive, with one man even donating $50 (£30) to the cause.
She revealed that only positive energy has come from both the males and females. Alex O'Brien, left, dreamed up the idea to make men take the issue of unequal pay more seriously.
However, the reaction on social media has been mixed, with some praising while others are outraged.
One tweet said: "This makes me sick. What the hell is wrong with these stupid women. Rules for men to enter?"
The extra money will be donated to the Elizabeth Morgan House which supports Aboriginal women and children. This comes as a row broke out over the gender pay gap after the salaries of top BBC earners were revealed.
A full list of the 96 individuals who earn more than £150,000 was published by the broadcaster, exposing a huge disparity in wages, with just one woman featuring in the top ten best-paid stars. The woman was identified as Claudia Winkleman.
The figures were blasted by Prime Minister Theresa May. She called for the pay among men and women to be the same.
Men deserve this for working more hours and choosing well-paying careers.


text:
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text: Ellie Mae who is a therapy dog, was one of the offical NM State Fair Ambassadogs. She wore her pink boots to help protect her feet from the hot pavement. I didn't realize the attention she would get. She wore the boots out, she needs a new pair! She wore them proudly!