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Thursday, December 31, 2009
Happy New Year From Around The Mouse!
Happy 2010, everyone! Hope, Chance and I decided to brave the crowd and hit Epcot for New Year's Eve, and it was AWESOME - what a party! We'll have a full review with tons of pics very soon, but for now we're wishing you a happy, healthy and magical 2010!
Posted by Brian LaFrazia at 11:19 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Things To Look Forward To In Early 2010
There is so much going on at Walt Disney World during the fall and winter months that it's easy to forget about some of the great things that happen at The Mouse after the 1st of the new year. Here are some of the things we look forward to most as we roll through the winter and into the spring of 2010!
Can't wait to see what the Health & Fitness Expo
is all about during Marathon weekend
Disney's 2010 Health & Fitness Expo (January 7th - 9th, 2010), Disney's Wide World Of Sports
Of course we're excited about the Marathon itself, as Hope goes for the Mickey Medal for the first time. We'll be there to cheer her on the whole way. But before the Marathon comes the Expo. We've never been to the Expo before, and being a family who is as passionate about health and fitness as we are about Disney World, this is something that will be a big part of our weekend. Even if we buy nothing, just surrounding ourselves with everything that's going on will be a huge amount of fun and very inspirational as well.
The 2010 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (January 7th - 9th, 2010)
This is going to be a wonderful weekend to share with fellow runners and guests. We've been to The Mouse before during the weekend to cheer on other runners, and the atmosphere there is amazing. So many people, cast members and guests alike, get behind the runners and add to the festive atmosphere. We can't wait to be part of it again, and tracking Hope's progress will be an incredible experience. But before that, as we mentioned, the Expo takes place Thursday - Saturday, and on Friday, my brother Kevin and his wife Melanie will be running in the Family Fun 5K through Epcot. And of course we can't wait to see all the obscure Disney characters that only come out for this weekend of fun and fitness!
Low(er) Crowds
OK, I know what you're saying - lower crowds? Where? Well, come the 2nd week of January, the crowds DO go down - at least somewhat. According to the Unofficial Guide's crowd calendar, you're looking at mostly 4's and 5's - meaning more breathing room, more walking room, more openings at restaurants and shorter lines at the attractions. You're also talking about cool, comfortable temperatures which makes for in my opinion a much more enjoyable time at the parks. In my opinion, the best time to visit Walt Disney World is between Thanksgiving and Spring Break - and cooler temps is a big part of it all.
Brian with brother Kevin & sister-in-law Melanie
with NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton at ESPN The Weekend
ESPN The Weekend (February 26th - 28th, 2010)
One of the great things about Hollywood Studios are the special events, most notably Star Wars Weekends and ESPN The Weekend. During ESPN The Weekend, the park transforms into Pro Sports Central...pro athletes and celebrities are everywhere you look. Live interviews with Hall of Famers under the giant Sorcerer's Hat. Live SportsCenter broadcasts. Trivia games with the athletes. And, of course, the ESPN Sports Zone that opens up being Rock N Roller Coaster where you and your family can participate in all kinds of sports-related activities including hitting in the batting cages, throwing pitches off a mound to test your pitch speed, 3-point shooting contests, football receiving drills and much more. It changes around a little every year and there is almost always pro athletes wandering around giving pointers to kids and even participating in some of the activities. Autographs are also very plentiful this weekend. It also helps that this happens right in the middle of MLB spring training, so baseball players are all over Florida during this event - and plenty love to visit Walt Disney World. If you're a sports fan, this event is a can't miss.
We aren't Braves fans, but the fact that
they have Spring Training in The Mouse is pretty cool
MLB Spring Training (Mid-February through March, 2010)
Speaking of pro sports and MLB spring training, The Mouse has a MLB team in The House for those two months - The Atlanta Braves. The Braves practice and host their spring training games from the soon-to-be-named ESPN Wide World Of Sports complex right there on property. It's a great place to watch a game or take in a practice. If you're interested in attending, don't wait too long to get tickets, because games at Champions Field sell out quickly.
Brian and Hope in front of the Peter Pan
Flower & Garden topiary from 2007
Epcot International Flower And Garden Festival (March 3rd - May 16th, 2010)
What a great event at Epcot. Flower and Garden gets slightly overlooked because it plays second fiddle to the International Food & Wine Festival, but it really shouldn't. Epcot is a great park to stroll around to begin with, but when it's dressed up during Flower and Garden, it just looks phenomenal. Bring the camera and get ready!
Katie and Chance in the Butterfly Garden
at Flower & Garden
Give A Day, Get A Disney Day
Disney's promotion for 2010 is unique and is a great idea, in my opinion. It officially opens on January 1st and that's when the list of participating charities are made known to the public. Put in a days work with one of the charities and you can get a voucher for a free day at a Disney World theme park. If you're a passholder and don't need a ticket, you can give the voucher to someone who could use it. I'm really looking forward to this and our whole family is going to be participating.
Posted by Brian LaFrazia at 12:08 PM 0 comments
Friday, December 25, 2009
New Year's Resolutions Around The Mouse
It's that time of year again - time for New Year's resolutions! We're interested in what your Walt Disney World New Year's Resolution will be. So let us know what you resolve to do at The Mouse this year - perhaps getting over your fear and riding Expedition Everest for the first time? Or maybe trying Escargot during Food & Wine Festival. Whatever it may be, we hope you have fun trying to get it done. Now, here's a few of the things we are determined to do in 2010:
Watch Hope cross the finish line and get her Mickey Medal at the 2010 Walt Disney World Marathon.
Swing on a Caribbean Beach Resort hammock with Hope after the marathon is over.
Keep feeding Chance plenty of veggies so he gets tall enough to ride Rock N Roller Coaster.
See how many times we can trick Katie into drinking Beverly.
Take a Segway tour at Epcot or Fort Wilderness.
Try an item of food I've never tried at the International Food & Wine Festival - from each country! Kidding. Just one item of food will do.
Go to any one of the four parks and dedicate the entire day to doing attractions that I don't usually do. And just enjoy them for what they are.
Give away 100 fastpasses to a people/families over the course of the year. Spread some magic!
Break our family Surrey Bike record of 7 laps in 30 minutes around Crescent Lake at the Boardwalk.
Fulfill the Do A Day, Get A Disney Day promotion and give the Day to someone who could use it.
Go to Jellyrolls for the first time.
See the Yankees play the Braves at Champions Field in the ESPN Wide World Of Sports during the 2010 Spring Training season.
Sing Karaoke at Kimonos. Van Halen's "Panama" comes to mind.
Fill up our bags at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.
Ride on the Breathless II with friends and family.
Continue to envelope ourselves in the magic.
And to never lose sight of one thing...that it was all started by a Mouse.
Posted by Brian LaFrazia at 7:17 PM 1 comments
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas from Around The Mouse
We'd like to wish every one of our friends out there in the Walt Disney World community a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Enjoy the time with your family, and be safe.
And as Walter Cronkite says during the Holiday tag on the end of Illuminations, "During this glorious time of year there is one message that rings out around the world in every language. Peace on earth. Good will to men is a wish to hold in our hearts throughout each passing year. A gift of immeasurable value. A treasure being handed down with care, from generation to generation. And so our holiday wish is that everyone, everywhere share in the spirit of the season. Peace on earth, good will to men."
Posted by Brian LaFrazia at 9:55 AM 1 comments
Sunday, December 20, 2009
The Frugal Mouse
A day at Walt Disney World doesn't have to break the bank. In fact, even after all trip planning discounts are accounted for (hotel deals, flight deals, Tables In Wonderland discounts for ADRs, Dining Plan considerations, etc.), you can still save money after you arrive. Little things add up, and at The Mouse, they add up quickly. Here are are few recommendations for how to save addition pennies during your trip.
Bring your own breakfast. This is a BIG money-saver. Eat breakfast before heading out (in your room, or at home). I know that unless you're in a DVC Villa, you probably don't have access to a stove that will allow you to make that egg sandwich in the morning. Most of the breakfast items that are served around The Mouse are very overpriced and generic in nature: oatmeal, bagels, yogurt, waffles (even though those are in the shape of our favorite mouse). Not a lot special here, so why spend several times the amount you would if you were to just buy something similar at the store or bring it from home? If you're going to be on the Dining Plan, I'd also not use any points on table service breakfasts either - use those for more expensive table service lunches and dinners and spend money on your own breakfast food instead. If you have a room with a mircowave, we can personally recommend a healthy and delicious oatmeal, Quaker Oats Weight Control Instant Oatmeal. They come in individual packets that you just throw in a bowl with some water and into the microwave for 1:45 and you're done! Not eating a Disney breakfast can save you major $$$ for a day, and it can be much healthier, too.
Bring A Water Bottle.
Re-fill all day long. Prices of bottles of water at Disney are outrageous; there's no need to purchase any water there when you can buy a dozen bottles at a supermarket for the price of 4 bottles inside the parks/resorts. For the really hot days, you may even want to freeze the bottle the night before and have it melt as you walk around the next day - guaranteed ice-cold bottled water!
Free Cups Of Ice
Ask for a cups of ice from counter service restaurants - they'll always give it to you. I find the ice chips perfect to keep in my mouth while I'm burning away in the middle of August. I've been known to put a few on the top of my head as well! Don't knock it 'til you try it!
The Earl of Sandwich, Downtown Disney
Eat lunch or dinner at The Earl. We've sung the praises of the Earl before... for $5.95, you can get a whole sandwich, and the variety they offer is outstanding. The bottom line is that the food quality is very good (unlike many Disney counter service offerings), and the price is very reasonable (unlike nearly ALL Disney counter service offerings). Consider this against most counter service restaurants, and it's a great deal. In addition, they have free refills on their fountain drinks.
Bring Snacks With You
WDW has let their hair down and relaxed about this a little. We've brought snacks in my sling bag for almost every trip we've made in recent months, and they haven't stopped us once. We'll pop microwave popcorn and divvy it up in ziplock bags and throw those in there. Crackers. Cookies. Apples. Bananas. Pistachios. Little Clementines. Pretzels. I'll even bring protein powder on the days I need to fuel up if I worked out that morning. Another idea is the Larabar, which is another great and healthy snack (made from pure and natural ingredients, minimal processing and no preservatives - I feel like a Biggest Loser commercial!) In other words, if it doesn't need to be refrigerated, we've brought it as a snack in a sack. Security check has never said a thing. They seem to know if they force people to buy their food exclusively inside the park, they will soon be losing out on people actually coming inside the park...
Disney Transportation
Save gas if you brought a car - ride the monorail or ferry boats or buses to get around between parks, resorts or Downtown Disney. It takes a little longer, but gas can add up quickly. Plus, there is SO MUCH to see and experience using Disney Transportation that you'll miss if you take a car. Don't get me wrong, as a local, I love the freedom of having the car available. But there is just something about taking Disney transportation that makes it Plus the experience most of the time.
Club Cool, Epcot
For a free treat, try Club Cool. Most of us know all about this wonderful place in the Future World section of Epcot just outside the Fountain of Nations. When those in your party crave something little more than water, go here. Free samples of international Coca Cola products are in abundance.
Rain Ponchos
Bring your own rain ponchos. They are several times more expensive if they are bought inside of The Mouse than they are if purchased at Walmart or Target. Disney knows that if people are poncho-less during one of Florida's patented afternoon downpours, LOTS of guests will feel compelled to go buy a poncho. Don't be one of those people spending $50 on ponchos for your family when you could have gotten them for $8 and just threw them in your backpack's side pocket instead.
An Option For Photopass
Don't get me wrong - we love Photopass. It's a great service - it's just expensive if you decide to purchase it afterward. So don't be afraid to ask the Photopass people to snap a few of your party with YOUR camera. They will do this every time. To buy your photopass photos after your trip can run you big time, so allow them to capture the same image with your personal digital camera. Sure, you won't have Stitch popping up through the sidewalk in your photos, but you'll also save $100+ dollars as well.
Free Things
If you have kids, take advantage of several of the FREE things that are available throughout the World. Some of these free souvenirs can take the place of incredibly expensive store merchandise. See one of our early Tip Of The Tail articles (October 2, 2009) for a comprehensive list of our favorite free things at The Mouse.
The Penny Press Machines
These can also be an inexpensive souvenir for kids. Stash a few quarters and pennies away and it might very well quench that desire to buy something else - something expensive.
Kidcot Stations in World Showcase, Epcot
Kidcot Stations are a gift to parents. There is something magical in the spell they cast over kids. It gives them a creative outlet as they color the mask that was given to them by CM from that country. Countless magic markers are available (a kid's favorite past time) for them to decorate their own mask and the CM will gladly write a message on the mask in their native language if you ask them.
The economy has indeed touched many of us loyal Mouse fans. And as we've cut back and taken advantage of these money-saving techniques, we've found that we really don't miss the other stuff all that much...and actually allows us to appreciate the occassional ADR all the more.
Posted by Brian LaFrazia at 1:28 PM 0 comments
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Holidays Around The World
A lot has been made of WDW's recession cutbacks, and in particular the elimination of the Lights of Winter display at Epcot. And while I definitely wasn't happy about that, and a few of the other things I've noticed that are gone (the odd "puff-balls-on-a-stick" display just before the World Showcase breezeway, etc.), I've still gotta say Epcot is incredible when it comes to this time of year.
What's the best part about Epcot during Christmastime and the Holidays? Is it Santa over at the American Pavilion?
Is it Helga telling the story of the Tannenbaum?
Or the life-size nutcracker soldier at Germany?
Is it Pere Noel in France?
Is it Father Christmas in the UK?
Is it Sigrid and Julenissen in Norway?
Is it La Bafana in the Italy pavilion?
Is it the Mickey and Minnie just as you enter the park?
Is it the Fountain of Nations dancing to Christmas music?
Is it the huge tree at the beginning of the World Showcase?
Is it the Candlelight Processional?
Is it the Holiday "Peace On Earth" Illuminations ending (narrated by Walter Cronkite)?
Or is it the great Mickey nutcracker (sorry - they probably sell this at EVERY park now...)???
In fact, it's all of these things, and more. Pound for pound, Epcot offers more Holiday extras to the guest this time of year than any other park, even with the cutbacks. Hollywood Studios has Osbourne Lights (which is incredible), Magic Kingdom has Holiday Wishes on certain nights, Cindy's castle lights, Main Street USA decorations, and of course, the Very Merry Christmas Party (although that's a hard-ticket event, so it really doesn't count when discussing what the parks do to Plus the regular guest experience), and even the Animal Kingdom dresses up their Jammin' Jungle Parade so that it Jingles a little. But none of these 3 parks can touch the total number of holiday-specific offerings that Epcot does that's included in the price of regular admission.
My family especially enjoys the Holiday Storytellers in the countries. It's fascinating to hear about how almost every culture in the World Showcase has traditions that have melded into current and contemporary American Christmas and Holiday tradition. As usual, the offerings at Epcot are unique in Disney - a true Walt-inspired idea of "edutainment" and enrichment. In the vast majority of instances, Epcot doesn't dumb down its entertainment for the masses. It isn't afraid to have high expectations of those who visit and to hope they have a desire to learn something interesting about our past or future. Holidays Around The World honors that Epcot tradition and, as usual, it's well worth our time.
Posted by Brian LaFrazia at 5:26 AM 1 comments
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Exclusive: Interview With A Disney Mom
It all started when she first met Cinderella at age 3...and ever since she's been obsessed with the Castle. She's the quintessential Disney Mom; she's been going to Disney World for more than 20 years and has seen it all. In this exclusive interview, Hope talks about a few of her favorite things from around The Mouse.
What are your top 4 favorite parks in Walt Disney World?
1. Magic Kingdom
"MK is my favorite because it encompasses the magic of Disney. There is nothing else in The World like walking down Main Street USA and viewing the Castle. Every little girl dreams about living in a castle and meeting the princesses. And this park is your opportunity to really be little girl again."
2. Epcot
"I like Epcot because it is so unique from all the other parks; it's a strolling park. You don't have to be rushed because part of the charm is to notice all of the details."
3. Hollywood Studios
"This is a thrilling park with some HUGE rides. But it also has my favorite princess's (Belle) stage show. It also has my favorite end-of-night spectacular, Fantasmic, where Mickey saves the day."
4. Animal Kingdom
"I hate to rate this last, but it's only because the other 3 are SO great. Animal Kingdom is a great theme park for its beauty and it displays Walt's love for animals. It also has some thrilling rides in Everest and Dinosaur. Oh...and the American Bald Eagle's name in Flight of Wonder is named Hope!"
Favorite Disney Water Park: Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach?
"I like Typhoon Lagoon better because for its theming, wave pool and the fact that I think Blizzard Beach is ugly."
What are your top 5 favorite rides/attractions?
1. Cinderella Castle
2. Haunted Mansion
3. Expedition Everest
4. Tower of Terror
5. Dinosaur
What is your top 3 favorite fireworks shows?
1. Fantasmic
"I like Fantasmic the most because you get to see all the Disney characters - especially Mickey...in an epic battle between good and evil...where of course, good prevails."
2. Illuminations
3. Wishes
What is your favorite restaurant?
"Chefs De France. It has a warm, romantic glow...and I will always remember eating there on my honeymoon. The food and service were both superb."
"Chefs De France. It has a warm, romantic glow...and I will always remember eating there on my honeymoon. The food and service were both superb."
What are your 3 favorite ice cream snacks?
1. Kid's S'mores Ice Cream from Ghirardelli -
"Kids price, big serving, tastes awesome."
2. Dole Whip -
"I love the Dole Whip because of nostalgia sake. It was the one splurge my parents would get when we'd visit when I was young."
2. Ice Cream Shop on Main Street -
"Ice cream with a view."
Favorite Pin?
"My engagement pin. I love it because it commemorates my engagement in front of the castle. And also, it was my first pin."
Which party did you like more: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party or the Not So Scary Halloween Party?
"First, both are excellent. I would choose the Christmas Party though. Disney does Christmas better than any other holiday. There's something truly special about that time of year at the Magic Kingdom. And the hot cocoa and cookies are awesome."
What is your favorite memory of going to walt disney world?
"How can I choose between meeting Cinderella when I was 3, and KNOWING that it was REALLY her, getting engaged in front of her castle, sharing the magic with my daughter when she met Cinderella, our first date at Epcot, our Honeymoon at the French Quarter and wearing the wedding ears, so many birthday celebrations, the kids first time on each of the rides, especially the big ones...just too hard to choose one."
Which was your favorite hotel we stayed at?
"Port Orleans French Quarter. Love the theming of the hotel and very much loved the horse-drawn carriage ride along the river. If you ever meet Doug, the horse, tell him we say Hi."
What is your least favorite ride/attraction in WDW?
"Sorry Walt - Country Bears. It has to go."
What is the first thing you think of when you think of WDW?
"Hmm, so many great things. But I would say, 'Walt Disney World is magic. It's ageless, it's timeless, it's happiness."
Posted by Brian LaFrazia at 6:39 AM 0 comments
Thursday, December 10, 2009
That's a DOLPHIN?
Alright, I admit that on the exterior, it's ugly. It's an eyesore. It's theming has nothing to do with Disney World. It's a pyramid with HUGE dolphins on it - or are they koi fish? You can see the green pyramid while walking the World Showcase, and that takes something away from the vista. It's just too darned much. But that's all OK, because the Dolphin is a GREAT hotel.
Being local, we haven't stayed on property all that often - Port Orleans French Quarter, All Star Sports, Pop Century, Fort Wilderness Campgrounds and the Dolphin are about it. All were vastly different, but we did very much enjoy all of them and for different reasons (we'll review each in the future).
The Walt Disney World Dolphin is wonderful, though, if for no other reason than these two reasons:
location and beds.
As far as location goes, the Dolphin sits amongst the Epcot resorts across from its companion, The Swan, and down just a little from the Boardwalk Inn and the Yacht and Beach Clubs. It's within easy walking distance of Epcot and Hollywood Studios. It's also within very short walking distance of what is now the best nightspot on property: The Boardwalk.
Personally, I'm a little biased toward the Epcot hotels, because Epcot is my favorite park. And there is nothing better to me than staying around the Boardwalk area knowing that Epcot is just a short 5-10 minute walk away. Ahhhhhhhh...
As we mentioned above, not only can you walk to Epcot quickly, but you can also make the short hike to Hollywood Studios. As highlighted in our previous article And She Told Me To Walk This Way (Nov. 29th, 2009), you can walk from any of these Epcot hotels, including the Dolphin to the Studios in about 15 - 20 minutes or so on this path. It's a nice walk, especially when it's not hot out. Otherwise, you can take the Friendship boats around Crescent Lake (or from Epcot's International Gateway area) to Hollywood Studios in about 20 - 25 minutes. If you want to add more of an active element to your Disney trip, this little walk is a good way to log some activity (there's no shops or attractions to stop your walk - make it a bit of a speed walk and all the better!).
The Dolphin also has several great restaurants, including one of my absolute favorites in The Mouse, Mediterranean Fresh Marketplace (check out our October 30th article, A Taste of The World - A Breath Of Fresh Air for a full review). The Fountain is also a very good table service restaurant; reasonably priced and the food was very good. I compare it somewhat to The Plaza Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom (but with a larger selection): food quality and service are heads and shoulders above counter service restaurants, but the prices are only slightly higher. So if you want something more than a counter service, but don't want to pay the typical prices of a Disney table service restaurant, I suggest The Fountain. I can speak for the Fresh and Fountain, because those are the two we've tried at the Dolphin. But there are many restaurants available, some with huge, well-known names: Shula's Steak House and Todd English's Bluezoo among them. Beware though - BIG $$$'s come with those.
We mentioned the beds as another huge perk to the Dolphin. I first heard about these on the DisUnplugged podcast...Pete and Co. were raving about their Heavenly Beds. Wow, they didn't disappoint - one of the most comfortable beds I've EVER slept in. They were indeed that good. Heavenly Bed is actually the registered/trademarked name for those beds...and it's a very apt name. So whether you use the Dolphin itself as a major part of your resort vacation or if you're just needed a place to put your head down at night, you can't go wrong by staying here. I should also mention that while the rooms are not themed like Disney resorts, the rooms themselves are very spacious...and most have a great view of either the Boardwalk or Epcot. Spacious and very comfortable beds. Really, what more could you want?
Also, since the Swan and Dolphin are companion hotels and right across the breezeway from one another, you can frequent the Swan to take advantage of what they have to offer as well. I can recommend one great place to eat and have fun at the Swan: Kimonos. This is a Japanese bar and grill with karaoke! The tempura platter is particularly good here, and the singing is fun to listen to...although I can say I haven't personally set foot on stage...NO WAY. Kimonos comes highly recommended though, as another quality place to spend an evening after the parks close, or if you're looking for something "adult" to do...another reason why the Boardwalk area in general is now the best nightspot on property.
Lastly, staying at the Swan and Dolphin comes with all the perks of staying at any Walt Disney World resort - the complimentary transportation, Extra Magic Hours, etc. I've heard some confusion on this in the past, but it is indeed the case.
I would definitely stay here again if I get the opportunity. And they have rates at certain times of the year that are about on par with most Disney moderate hotels - and I think this competes with any of those for quality (and probably competes with most Deluxe hotels, too)...especially since you're a 5 - 10-minute walk from the World Showcase!
This is a Dolphin???
Posted by Brian LaFrazia at 9:43 PM 0 comments
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The reason for these reminders about our limited time, the pure intentions behind it, is to help us realize we don't have forever. Time is running out. We must carpe diem and live without regret. This is something we already know, so it basically serves to feed our bubbling fear. We must do everything every child could ever want because time is limited!
The reality, however, is that we all have very real limitations. It sounds nice to make a grand bucket list and systematically check them off, however, real life doesn't lend itself to that. Here are some of our limitations.
- Money: A huge limit to any bucket list is money. Taking a long vacation to somewhere exciting every summer sounds fantastic. Is it affordable? Not for most.
- Time: Beyond the money these bucket lists require, do you have time? And not just time you can take off for a vacation, but what about time to spend every minute of every day constructing amazing memories. Do you also need to clean, cook, garden, shower, and sleep? How about sit for a minute and breath? What about reading your scriptures? Leave time for the truly essential.
- Stamina: Bucket lists require a lot of your energy, and also a lot of energy from your children. How much can they give? Are you leaving time for them to do nothing? They need time to be bored.
- Responsibilities: Our children don't just need to play. They need to learn to work. They need to have time to read and time to play with friends.
- Schedule: eating and sleeping are just as important in summer months as the rest of the year. We take a bigger, fun vacation each year as a family at this point, but we didn't start that until Brayden was in fourth grade. Before that, we did more simple things closer to home. We did a lot of camping. None of it would be looked at by the world as grand nor glamorous. The children love it, though, and it worked with our babies.
Those are just a few limitations we face.
I totally get it. I want to make the most of what time we have together as a little family before Brayden leaves home. I can't neglect everything else about life in order to do so, however. I have to find and strike a balance. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your summer and still live a normal life.
Have a Bucket List
The bucket list idea sounds cheesy, but it is very helpful as a first step toward prioritizing what you want to do over the course of a time period. My husband and I have a list of places we would like to go on family vacations before Brayden moves out. It is a long list of ideas that we re-prioritize once a year.
Look, it really isn't part of the parenting requirements to show our children everything the world has to offer. I am not even sure how that would be possible. There are plenty of things I didn't see until after I moved out of the house (actually, a lot. Our vacations mostly were trips to see family out of state. I don't feel bitter about that). Decide what makes sense to you in your family situation. Our list is a list of what makes sense for our family. We have some things on the list simply because they are closer to us and therefore easier/cheaper for us to do. There are some places my husband and I would love to go, but haven't included because we can do that sometime without the children. There are amazing places our children can go to after they are adults if they so choose. Their lives don't end when they turn 18. When they move out, their life goes on. They can still go places.
I also have a list each major season of what I want us to do. For this summer, I have a list of things I would like us to do so I can be sure we fit our musts in there. You can't always fit in everything that sounds fun. Make a list and decide what will work and what won't.
Have a List of the Mundane
What needs to be done each day? What chores do you and your children need to get done each day. What would a normal, summer day look like at your house, without any fun excursions? Know the little, daily things that need to be done.
I hate to make this part of "mundane," but because it isn't novel, be sure to include simple things like going to the library regularly.
Make a Plan
Write out a plan of what to do. Get a calendar out and write in pencil what you will do when. Leave down time in there. Leave time for chores and teaching your children to work. Leave time for the kids to wonder what to do with themselves. Leave money in the bank. You don't have to do it all this summer. You can save some for next summer.
Sometimes you make a plan, and once you get going, you realize the plan was a bad one for whatever reason. If your plan isn't working, change it. Evaluate it each week and assess if it is what you want to stick with the upcoming week.
Know that Time at Home is Enough
It is okay if your summer is full of sidewalk chalk, backyard sprinklers, and playing catch. Don't feel guilty for spending time at home with your family. Events don't have to be expensive or far away from home to be memorable or special.
In Action
With all of that said, here is how I have gone about planning our upcoming summer.
- I made a list of the fun stuff we would like to do. A bucket list.
- I made a daily routine of what we need to do on a normal, boring day.
- I made a list of anything I want my children to learn over the summer. What new skills do each of them need to learn to do next? Summer is a great time to work on it.
- I have a calendar where I write down our basic plans. This is not every detail (I use an app called Cozi for that). This is just the big things. As the summer goes along, my husband and I will evaluate each Sunday evening what we want to add to that week. I want there to be downtime. I don't want each day full. We need to be able to relax. We also need to get some things done around the house. We need money to be available in the bank when summer is all over. We will look at what is planned and decide what we want to add in from our bucket list.
I have a lot of helps for you in planning out your summer. Here are some posts to get you there:

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1 Results for Silvija Perrauskaite
Looking for silvija perrauskaite? Below are the results from the UK Electoral Roll and Company Director data. You can narrow your search by adding a location above if you wish.
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Silvija Perrauskaite
Age Guide: 16-20
|St Austell, Cornwall, PL26 Full Address


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Drivescape Ltd are a family run business based in Semington, Trowbridge.
We undertake all types of works from driveways, patios, pathways to landscaping.
We do not require a deposit or payment until the work has been completed and the customer is completely satisfied with our services.
We encourage all potential customers to view our website: www.drivescapeltd.co.uk so you can see for yourself how happy our clients are after we have completed their works.
We are reliable and methodical in our work, as well as being meticulously clean and tidy. As the working day ends, we endeavour to leave the property or site as tidy as possible, and remove any rubbish from that day. The foundation(s) are the most important part of any job, so we dig out all of our driveways and start from scratch with new foundations. Once this has been completed, we work closely alongside the customer to provide them with a driveway, patio or landscape they have envisioned.
Johnny is the owner of Drivescape Ltd and he has worked fiercely and tirelessly over the last 10 years to build and defend his company reputation. Since Johnny was a boy, he has worked with his Father and has gained vast amounts of experience and knowledge within the industry. Now on his own, Johnny maintains the same business ethos that was instilled in him by his Father: a satisfied customer is the best advertisement one can secure.
If you require a free no obligation quotation, advice or any of our services we offer, please contact us and we will happily assist you with your requirements.
Please feel free to visit and like our Facebook page.
Thank you for your time in reading about us.
Trowbridge, Chippenham, Tetbury, Corsham, Melksham, Box.Bath and all Wiltshire Area


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Butterfly Conservation
Interest in butterflies used to be almost solely the domain of a relatively few amateur collectors and professional lepidopterists. But in recent years there has arisen a broader concern among the public for the conservation of butterflies and their habitats.
To date, no butterfly species found in Canada has become extinct, although a subspecies of the Large Marble (Euchloe ausonides), formerly found only on southern Vancouver Island, is now believed to be extinct. There is a growing number of butterflies of limited North American range that are considered endangered in Canada. All of these occupy ecological niches that are restricted or face huge pressures from human populations. These are mostly localized species of endangered habitats close to the U.S. border in Canada, such as virgin prairie, pine-oak barrens, and mountain valleys.
Most Canadian butterflies occupy wide ranges and are in no present danger. Over time, more species that occupy localized habitats can be expected to decline and could become threatened if habitat loss continues. In addition to threats to nationally or regionally vulnerable species, there are also local eliminations of butterfly populations. Every lepidopterist can tell of a favourite butterfly spot that has disappeared to the bulldozer. There is much less wetland now than there was a hundred years ago. Fortunately, many of our more significant wetlands are now in protected areas.
Some conservationists believe that laws to prevent the collection of butterflies are necessary to protect species. A growing number of countries have such laws and it is illegal to collect butterflies in national and provincial parks. In some cases, some protective legislation may be required, but the need to ban collecting of all species has never been demonstrated. By far the greatest danger is the steady elimination of the habitats that butterflies depend on to live and reproduce.
Why would anyone care if a butterfly species or even subspecies disappeared? Every life form has unique properties that make it an integral part of its ecosystem. When one species disappears, others, or maybe even all, could also be threatened. We are all a part of this web of life. Butterflies, because they are so noticeable, often act as a bell-wether for scientists to determine if a habitat is under threat.
Canada has, perhaps, more wilderness than any other country on this planet. But most of these large, wild areas are in the north where species diversity is relatively low. It is in the localized, threatened habitats of southern Canada where most endangered butterfly species are found, and it is these habitats in particular that need protection. Every local, provincial, or national park established will help ensure the preservation of some or many butterfly species. Every backyard planted with larval foodplants and nectar sources will help to ensure there are still butterflies to be enjoyed.
Several attempts have been made to classify butterflies found in some parts of the country as to their threatened status. Guppy et al. (1994) in British Columbia and Holmes et al. (1991) in Ontario used criteria established by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and by the Nature Conservancy (United States) for suggesting a status for species and subspecies of concern in those two provinces.
Only two provinces in Canada have attempted to protect threatened butterfly species by legislation. The West Virginia White (Pieris virginiensis) was the first butterfly placed on the Ontario Endangered Species list. However, after new, more widespread, populations were discovered it was withdrawn in 1990. Two other species from southwestern Ontario, the Frosted Elfin (Incisalia irus) and the Karner Blue (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) have recently been placed on the list, but they are probably already extirpated in the province. New Brunswick has recently placed the Maritime Ringlet (Coenonympha nipisiquit) on its "Endangered Species" list because of its very limited range and specialized habitat. The Monarch (Danaus plexippus) was placed on the list of "Vulnerable Species" in1997 by COSEWIC because of continued habitat destruction at the overwintering sites in Mexico.
The following are the truly endangered habitats and butterfly populations in Canada. Every effort should be made to ensure their preservation.
Pine-Oak Barrens
Found only in the northeastern United States and a few isolated locations in southwestern Ontario, these sandy barrens have contained some unique butterfly species. The most notable examples are the Pinery Provincial Park and the St. Williams Forest Reserve. The Karner Blue (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) (considered endangered throughout its North American range) at both locations and the Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus) at St. Williams have had long-standing, but unstable colonies. The larvae of both butterflies feed on wild lupines, which require periodic fires to keep the habitat open. Neither butterfly has been seen in Canada since 1991.
Carolinian Woodlands
Like the pine-oak barrens, this habitat is found in the eastern United States, and is limited in Canada to extreme southern Ontario, where it is somewhat more widespread - from Point Pelee in the southwest to remnants north of Kingston in eastern Ontario. It is characterized by tree species such as the Tulip-tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) and the Black Oak (Quercus velutina). Agriculture has eliminated almost all of these woodlands. Butterfly species in Canada limited to Carolinian woodlands include the Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) and the Spicebush Swallowtail (P. troilus). Hackberry-feeding butterflies, such as the American Snout (Libytheana carinenta) and the Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) are also mainly limited to this habitat in Canada. Significant stands of Carolinian woodlands in Canada are found in Point Pelee National Park and Rondeau Provincial Park.
Tall-Grass Prairie
This is an endangered habitat throughout central North America where settlers ploughed up the prairie for growing crops. Only an estimated few per cent of the original habitat is still left. In western Canada, it occurs in a few scattered locations in southern Manitoba, for example near Lundar. Some prairie butterflies, including the Dakota Skipper (Hesperia dacotae), Poweshiek Skipperling (Oarismapoweshiek), and the Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia ), are limited to this habitat and are considered threatened species throughout their range. There are also a few outlying prairie remnants in extreme southwestern Ontario, particularly on Walpole Island and the Ojibway Prairie near Windsor.
Garry Oak Woodlands
This specialized habitat exists in Canada only in the lower Fraser Valley, on southern Vancouver Island, and on adjacent Gulf Islands in the Georgia Strait. There are nine butterfly subspecies localized to this habitat that are now considered extinct, endangered, or vulnerable in Canada because of urbanization, industrialization, or agriculture. Although Garry Oaks still exist widely as ornamental trees, the open meadows and grassy knolls associated with the trees and important to the butterflies are disappearing. One of these restricted subspecies, an unnamed subspecies of the Large Marble (Euchloe ausonides) is now considered globally extinct, while a subspecies of Edith's Checkerspot (Euphydryas editha taylori) and the vulnerable nominate subspecies of Moss's Elfin (Callophrysmossii mossii) are considered endangered in Canada. For an in-depth analysis of the conservation status of the butterflies of this and other threatened habitats in British Columbia see Guppy et al., 1994
British Columbia Southern Interior Valleys
The dry, desert-like valley bottoms of the southern interior of British Columbia are home to a variety of unique and now endangered butterflies in Canada. Many species reach their northern limit here, andthe lands are now being rapidly developed, especially the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys. Some butterflies in particular danger are the Mormon Metalmark (Apodemia mormo), Behr's Hairstreak (Satyrium behrii), and Sooty Hairstreak (S. fuliginosum).
In addition to habitat loss, the widespread use of insecticides also has a major negative effect on butterfly populations. DDT, before it was banned, had a large, but difficult to quantify, impact on butterfly numbers. Aerial spraying to control the Gypsy Moth kills off many caterpillars of harmless species. During the 1970s the use of BT (Bacillus thuringiensis, a biological agent) to control the Gypsy Moth in eastern Ontario, where isolated populations of butterfly species such as the West Virginia White (Pieris virginiensis) and the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) live, seriously depleted butterfly populations.
However, butterflies do have many friends. Naturalists across the country have organized to preserve habitats and even enhance degraded habitats to bring back butterflies. An example is the establishment of a butterfly meadow at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden in Ottawa, where once only grass grew. Now female Black Swallowtails (Papilio polyxenes) and Monarchs (Danaus plexippus) lay their eggs on the garden plants.
An organization called the Xerces Society has been established to help preserve the world's invertebrates, including butterflies. It got its name from the Xerces Blue butterfly (Glaucopsyche xerces) that went extinct in the San Francisco area in the middle of this century. The Society now has many Canadian members.
Reproduced with permission from The Butterflies of Canada by Ross A. Layberry, Peter W. Hall, and J. Donald Lafontaine. University of Toronto Press; 1998. Specimen photos courtesy of John T. Fowler.
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Today I had the rafting and it was fantastic and it was freezing as well and I should know cuz it was. There were sometimes where I nearly fell in but I stayed in (whew).
In the afternoon we did the rock climbing and it was ok and I think everyone enjoyed it and Kate got to the top 2 times in a row.
And this concludes the scout 2009 France trip
Jack R
Alpine Adventure 2014 > France 2009 >


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Fall Fest
Join the Creekside community for Fall Fest, a Thanksgiving celebration! Fall Fest takes place at Squaw Valley the week before Thanksgiving break as a way to get together and celebrate friendships. This is a potluck event, so please sign up to bring a dish to share. Sign Up on Google Docs Here


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Created in collaboration with Tim Rundle, the latest collection from SP01 combines a fresh Australian design approach with the brand's signature Italian-made quality.
Featuring ten character-driven designs including armchairs, occasional tables and mirrors, the series combines industrial materials, such as, tubular steel with highlight finishes in glass, brass and pewter and luxurious upholstery.
Each chair, table and mirror in this collection is subtly influenced by another era, resulting in a series that is both contemporary and timeless.


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Fan Creations
New England Patriots Fans Welcome Wooden Sign
Boston Celtics Fans Welcome Wooden Sign
My Dog Loves the New England Patriots Wooden Dog Bone Sign
New England Patriots All I Need is Football, Friends and Family Wooden Sign
Join today and receive 10% off your purchase and be the first to know about new arrivals, offers and more.
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The Jerusalem Post reports: Helen Mirren, the much-acclaimed Oscar-winning actress, will host the prestigious Genesis Prize award ceremony in Jerusalem on June 23, it was announced on Wednesday.
The Genesis Prize is a $1 million annual prize, first awarded in 2014, and will be given this year to the renowned violinist, educator and advocate for individuals with disabilities, Itzhak Perlman.
The prize, dubbed by Time magazine as "The Jewish Nobel," is awarded to individuals who have "made a significant contribution to humanity, and inspire others through their engagement and dedication to the Jewish community and the State of Israel," according to the Genesis Prize Foundation.
Perlman has announced, as the two previous prize laureates did, that he will direct his $1 million award to philanthropic projects in the fields of music and support for individuals with special needs.
Read more here


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Utilize este identificador para referenciar este registo:
|Identification of africanized honey bee (Hymenoptera: apidae) mitochondrial DNA: validation of a rapid polymerase chain reaction-based assay
|Pinto, M. Alice
Johnston, J. Spencer
Rubink, William L.
Coulson, Robert N.
Patton, John C.
Sheppard, Walter S.
|Africanized honeybee
A. m. scutellata
Mitochondrial DNA
mtDNA haplotype
|Entomological Society of America
|Pinto, M. Alice; Johnston, J. Spencer; Rubink, William L.; Coulson, Robert N.; Patton, John C.; Sheppard, Walter S. (2003) - Identification of africanized honey bee (Hymenoptera: apidae) mitochondrial DNA: validation of a rapid polymerase chain reaction-based assay. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. ISSN 0013-8746. 6:5, p. 679-684
|Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-ampliÞed mitochondrialDNA(mtDNA)assays have been used in studies of the Africanization process in neotropical feral and managed honey bee populations. The approach has been adopted, in conjunction with morphometric analysis, to identify Africanized bees for regulatory purposes in the United States such as in California. In this study, 211 Old World colonies, representing all known introduced subspecies in the United States, and 451 colonies from non-Africanized areas of the southern United States were screened to validate a rapid PCR-based assay for identiÞcation of Africanized honey bee mtDNA. This PCR-based assay requires a single enzyme digestion (BglII) of a single PCR-ampliÞed segment of the cytochrome b gene. The BglII polymorphism discriminates the mitochondrial haplotype (mitotype) of Apis mellifera scutellata L. (ancestor of Africanized bees) from that of A. m. mellifera, A. m. caucasia, A. m. ligustica, A. m. carnica, A. m. lamarcki, A. m. cypria, A. m. syriaca, and some A. m. iberiensis, but not from that of A. m. intermissa and some A. m. iberiensis. Nonetheless, given the very low frequency ( 1%) of African non-A. m. scutellata mitotype present before arrival of Africanized bees in the United States, cytochrome b/BglII assay can be used to identify maternally Africanized bees with a high degree of reliability.
|Peer review:
|Aparece nas colecções:
|CIMO - Artigos em Revistas Indexados à WoS/Scopus
Todos os registos no repositório estão protegidos por leis de copyright, com todos os direitos reservados.


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DANIA -- One day after state officials removed an elderly man with severe medical problems from a controversial boarding home, another resident was taken out by his niece, who feared he would not receive proper medical treatment.
Bernice Marchionni removed her uncle from R & R Boarding Home on the spot on Friday after she entered the home and called it ``a concentration camp.``
``The place is a disaster,`` she said tearfully, as she wheeled her 67-year- old uncle toward her van.``I heard about what happened yesterday on the news, and I came to take him out of here.``
On Thursday, state officials prohibited R & R from admitting any new residents and removed a 74-year-old man from the home and took him to Memorial Hospital in Hollywood because he was dehydrated and had bedsores.
The action came one day after state inspectors visited the home, which has a history of health and safety problems, after they learned that there had been a fire in the recreation building over the weekend.
On Friday, nearly a dozen officials returned to the home for the elderly and mentally ill to find that owner Rholanda Higgs-Rule refused to grant them access to the residents` rooms and would allow in only three inspectors at a time.
``Mrs. Higgs is setting demands in violation of state laws allowing us free access to the facility,`` said Bill Kelsey, program director of the area Office of Licensure and Certification. ``We may have to get a court order to assess damage done by the fire.``
But by late Friday afternoon, officials said they would not be taking legal action because Higgs-Rule had allowed three nurses to enter the home at 720 SW Sixth St. and check seven residents reported by authorities who visited the day before to have medical problems.


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A.R.Rahman taking Tamil film music to a global arena.
The Mozart of Madras made Indians around the world proud with his double Oscar win for Slumdog Millionaire. And now, music maestro A.R. Rahman has composed a Tamil song for the Hollywood film Couples Retreat, taking Kollywood, especially Tamil film music, to a global arena.
Couples Retreat has been directed by Peter Billingsley and has Vince Vaughn in the lead. Rahman composed and sang the romantic melody Kuru Kuru Kangaliley Ennai Aval Vendraaley, which features prominently in the album. But how did Tamil music enter the film? The humble Rahman reveals, "Initially, Peter (Billingsley) wanted some African tunes for this particular track and I asked him to try out a Tamil song for a change. He agreed, try out a Tamil song for a change. He agreed, and eventually, when the song was composed, it fit the romantic mood perfectly."
Sunday, October 11, 2009 | 4 Comments
Wake Up Sid Movie Review
Ranbir Kapoor as Sid (Sidharth Mehra) is really cool; Debutant director Ayan Mukerji's Wake Up Sid is happy, smart and complete with a few Karan Johar's one-tear moments; Ranbir and Konkona Sen Sharma (Aisha Bannerjee) make an unlikely but likeable couple. But that's mainly because you want to like what Sid likes. If he had fallen for that pearly girl, it would have been cool, too. And if he had shacked up with that slutty babe, we won't have cribbed too much.
Wake Up... begins in Sid's colorful world of cartoons, comics, PSP, iPod and drinks and hi-jinks bought on daddy's credit card. He's in final year of college and it's exam time. In a lovely opening scene, Sid's trying to get through a book of financial accounting. But it's dull. So he doodles, clicks pictures of his hip socks and has scary thoughts in the examination hall.
Dad (Anupam Kher) promises Sid a Porsche if he joins his bathroom fittings business for a month. Sid barely lasts a week.
Sid is clueless about life, knows it, and doesn't care. He meets his opposite in Aisha who has just arrived in Mumbai to become a writer. She is sorted, plucky and sits on the cusp of pretentiousness. Aisha gets a job as the editor's assistant at a city magazine, editor being dishy Rahul Khanna.
Sid helps Aisha do up her flat in a bright and quirky Good Earth way and then finds out that while his closest friends, Rishi and Laxmi, have passed, he has flunked. He fights with mom, dad and leaves home. Aisha and Sid start living together, as friends.
He messes up the house, she cleans it. She goes to work, he gets bored, starves. But he's beginning to change. He learns to make eggs, gets a job, bonds with his mom (Supriya Pathak), and presents his first paycheque to his dad.
Aisha, who was sort of seeing her jazz-loving editor, realizes that she loves Sid. But Sid will have to wait for Mumbai's first raindrop to figure.
Wake Up... is a cheery and warm-at-heart coming of age tale of one of Bollywood's most hackneyed protagonists -- bade baap ka bigda beta. Though the story is straight forward and most of its characters are cliches, its lingo is new and its disheveled chic look is fresh. The movie is tightly edited, has some lovely moments, smart dialogues, and a mix of peppy and rainy-day numbers.
It was brave of Ayan Mukerji to cast Konkona opposite Ranbir, cast Konkona opposite Ranbir, that too in this frothy city flick. Though the movie explains that Aisha looks older than Sid because she is, a lesser actress would have wilted. Konkona is good, but happiness doesn't sit easy on her.
She has too many layers. Happy is just a single-note state of being.
And Ranbir's Sid gets there effortlessly, without a single false note. Sid could have been exasperating, but Ranbir's infectious fun makes him so damn adorable that you not only understand his contempt for his dad's showerheads business, but even excuse his embarrassment at his mom's awkward English. I watched Ranbir's Sid with fascination and affection and was dying to run through his cupboard and try on his socks.
Monday, October 05, 2009 | 0 Comments


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10U: Little League
11U: Cooperstown
12U: Cooperstown
13U and up: NFHS
Tournaments are a 4 game guarantees with the opportunity for up to 5 games through championship rounds (weather permitting).
2 Umpires for all games (except 10U, for this level there is 1 umpire for pool play and 2 umpires for playoffs)
Teams receive complimentary housing service for reservations.
Tournaments will be held exclusively in the Niagara Region of New York (15-20 minutes from Niagara Falls and Buffalo).


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Piano Movers Boston
Moving pianos takes professionalism and care. Benny's Moving & Storage is One of the best Piano movers throughout New England and long distances.
Individuals who are moving and need to bring their pianos can trust Benny's Moving & Storage to ship their pianos quickly and with care. Some Boston Piano movers will charge high rates. Benny's Moving & Storage can offer flat fees and can make sure you won't have to pay unreasonably high rates to have your piano moved.
If you need only your piano moved or are making a larger move where you have other items, Benny's will wrap your piano in protective blankets and won't need to disassemble the entire piano like other piano movers.
Benny's A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau means you can trust Benny's over other Boston moving companies. Your piano will be given the attention and care it deserves.
When you move your piano this summer, call Benny's Moving & Storage in Watertown. Benny's crews are professional and will handle your piano with care.


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Takes over new position February 1
OTTAWA: Deepak Chopra is the newly appointed president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Canada Post Corporation for a five-year mandate, effective February 1, 2011.
Until recently, Mr. Chopra was the president and CEO of the Canada and Latin America region at Pitney Bowes in Toronto, a $6-billion global mailing and communication technology company with over two million customers worldwide. Mr. Chopra held several executive positions at Pitney Bowes over his career, including that of president of the newly created Asia-Pacific and Middle East region, and vice-president of the Finance and Operations Branch for the Europe, Africa and Middle East region. Mr. Chopra is a fellow of the Certified General Accountants of Canada and holds a postgraduate diploma in business management and a graduate degree in commerce.
The Canada Post Corporation is a Crown corporation and one of the largest employers in Canada. In 2009, Canada Post delivered approximately 11 billion pieces of mail to 15 million residential and business addresses.


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Willdan Energy Solutions
A subsidiary of Willdan Group, Inc.
The application of IoT and other new technologies in smart cities offers significant benefits to the public; however, it also opens up another avenue for malicious cyber-attacks, such as denial of service (DoS) or unauthorized control, posing potential threats to the system security. Recent attacks affirm that cyber-security is an ongoing problem in IoT design. Security is a foremost concern in considering networked devices in a smart city such as streetlights, traffic lights, sensors, and more.
Willdan's smart city team can conduct a cyber-security assessment of the networked systems, and identify security vulnerabilities in remote control servers and wireless communication protocols. Our assessment will also standardize IoT devices and communication protocols to establish a cyber-secure smart city.
Mehdi Ganji, 415.722.0132 or Patrick Burgess, 847.334.2742
Corporate Home | Civil Engineering | Electrical Efficiency Engineering | Financial and Economic Consulting | Emergency Preparedness
About | Services | Investors | News | Careers | Client Links | Locations | Contact Us
© Copyright Willdan 2015. All rights reserved. This website is optimized for IE 10+ | Contact Webmaster


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Future applications
New machines and new uses of the Tocircle design
At Tocircle, we are committed to capitalize on the full potential of our unique machine design. Several customer-specific versions of the Tocircle machine have already been designed on commission from industrial customers. Numerous other designs and application-specific units will be developed in the near future, addressing uses such as liquid pumping, vacuum, propulsion, or pressure recovery.


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There was a time when we used to buy CDs, DVDs just to get the desired movies, sometimes for the music tracks and most of the times for games, computer softwares and other similar things but with the advent of time things have changed and got pretty much simple and easier in the computer world. The demand of CDs and DVDs is getting lowered down since a thing named Torrent has taken birth. Downloading anything that is of GBs in size, is just not hard now. As this is the era of portability and things are getting shifted to the smaller devices, whether it may be smartphone or a tablet, and when it comes to the operating system, there is no other mobile phone operating sytem like Android and it may allow you to use many features of a computer straight on your small screened phone. Ever wondered that you can download the massive files directly on your phone keeping your portability atop anytime, at any place? Well, its possible with Android now, you got to give a little time to this post.
Torrent downloading has always been a marvelous option whenever you need or want to download heavy files just as I said above, in separate intervals of time without interrupting the file that is being downloaded and giving your PC a little rest. While it didn't take long for Android to take over the smartphone world, most of the hands acquire an Android device today and you may own one, this tutorial is probably for you as you will learn about downloading torrents straight to your Android smartphone.
In case you still don't know what a torrent is, and its advantages, a little googling may help you. I would like to make it short now, all you got to do in order to download torrents on Android is, you need to install an app that will do the job for you. Let's have a look on the available apps and on their functionality.
Apps to download torrents on Android:
- Utorrent – Download Here
- BiTtorrent – Download Here
- Ttorrent – Download Here
Using Utorrent:
Utorrent is the official app by BitTorrent Inc, the famous PC torrent client developers. The app allows you to download torrents at unlimited speed. There is a free version available in the play store, but if you want more features you may go for the Pro.
- Download and Install Utorrent on your Android smartphone.
- Open the internet browser on your phone.
- Use the search button in the torrent client to find your desired torrent.
- Alternatively, open any torrent site like kickasstorrents, extratorrent, isohunt, mininova, h33t etc.
- Search your required torrent and download it.
- Open the torrent using any file manager, select utorrent, BitTorrent or ttorrent to open it.
- As soon as you open the torrent selecting any torrent client, it will ask you for the location where you want it to be downloaded.
- Select the location and torrent downloading will begin.
- Whenever your internet gets disconnected or the connection is out of reach, the torrent will automatically pause.
- It will resume the download upon connecting the WiFi.
- Using the settings icon at the bottom, you can set download limit if you want, by default its "0" that means unlimited.
- You can also specify whether you want to use your data connection for downloading as well, or you just want to use the WiFi.
- You can download multiple files, manage the files using the uTorrent's home screen on your phone.
Using BitTorrent:
BitTorrent is another app by the developers of uTorrent, BitTorrent Inc. The app is quite similar to uTorrent, is available for free and a paid version is there as well.
The working functionality, layout, settings are same as that of uTorrent, follow the guidelines explained above to use BitTorrent.
Using tTorrent:
tTorrent is another lite Torrent client for Android based smartphones/tablets. This app is also available in both free and paid versions. The differenceis noticeable here as the free version has a download limit and lots of ads that may bother you. While the paid version has no download / size limits and is ad free as well. Though we highly recommend using uTorrent or BitTorrent, but tTorrent may help you just in case anyone of those doens't work properly.
That's all. We hope that this guide helped you to download movies, games and other stuff straight to your Android smartphone. Don't forget to recommend it to your friends. In case you got any queries, suggestions or face any difficulties regarding Torrent downloading on your Android smartphone, please feel free to stop by the comment box below. We will try our best to get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks All!
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In spite of the normality of England and an inital wave of news media and information, the heart still glows with the memories of being out in the winds of the trip. I expect this to condense down into something of greatest hits package over time but presently I can still access some of the detail, so I'll try to mention a few things before they get compressed and filed away until I am old.
I remember driving with Helen back from the meeting in Tesaria; both sites of the pillars of Hercules visible to the left and down separated by a great swathe of water. I remember meeting people who seemed similar to other people I know or have known in my life including some very similar versions of 'the original': Chris was very much like Chirs; Benji a bit like Matt etc. I remember having met the Antonios and walked past an old Moorish city wall in Seville, then taking the bus and finding myself on a kind of high. I can feel the dissonance between expectation and reality challenging my tourism of the otherness of places like Morocco where their point of relating is largely out of desperation and our point of relating is out of curiosity. I can see the influence of power and politics allowing and preventing travel and grading citizens of nations into classes according to their nations relative power and prestige, as well defining borders that include or exclude (or both at the same in the case of Gibraltar) and so go on to influence the language, customs, belief, prosperity and values of the relative territories.
I could feel the ego straining against the reality of being a tourist whilst wishing to be doing something entirely unknown and original; finding people on remarkably similar itineraries to my own. I guess, though, if they were going to anywhere, they'd be in Andalucia. I can feel a sense of a liberal American confidence, with an international presence, growing strong now that the figurehead of the Iraq travesties, Bush, has been removed. I know that the adventurous heart would not, of its own accord, wish the Faustian pact to be over with; it does not relish the routines and rigours of London life.
I can feel that I am perhaps more defined by my hopes, beliefs and faith than by anything else. I can see these flags flying above the level of hardship and pointing to a fulfilment that one's present circumstances may seem to preclude. It is these keep the body moving forward through what ever it has to face; the roots in the heart that allow me to answer 'yes' to the question 'is it worth it?'


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Nintendo announces a Pokemon Sun & Moon-themed New Nintendo 3DS XL, with cover art highlighting the game's two new legendary Pokemon, Solgaleo and Lunala.
With a new iteration of the long-running Pokemon series on its way – Pokemon Sun & Moon – Nintendo has fittingly announced a Pokemon-themed New 3DS will premiere to celebrate the new entry.
The latest version of the New Nintendo 3DS XL features the two legendary Pokemon from the upcoming Pokemon Sun & Moon on the cover, Solgaleo and Lunala, outlined in white on a black background. The Pokemon Sun & Moon New 3DS XL's design is stylized, making it a more subtle choice for fans than the Pokemon Red & Blue New Nintendo 3DS. However, gamers should be aware that the handheld won't include a copy of Pokemon Sun or Pokemon Moon, following in the footsteps of other game-themed 3DS releases like The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes New Nintendo 3DS XL. This does allow Nintendo to release the 3DS prior to Pokemon Sun & Moon's release, however, so gamers can scoop one up on October 28th in preparation for the new series if they so choose.
This is Nintendo's latest handheld Pokemon release, following a veritable Poke-palooza of Pokemon-themed handhelds in celebration of the series' 20th anniversary. This year alone has seen the Pokemon 2DS in Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow released in Japan, as well as the Pokemon Red & Blue-themed New Nintendo 3DS. It's also not the first iteration of a Pokemon-themed 3DS, with Pikachu variants of the original 3DS and 3DS XL releasing a few years back.
It may be worth pointing out that Pokemon Sun & Moon is expected to play completely normally on the original 3DS handhelds, so upgrading to a New Nintendo 3DS XL isn't necessary. However, the New Nintendo 3DS XL does offer superior 3D viewing from varying angles as well as a faster processor that's capable of playing more technically advanced games like Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, so it's ultimately a personal decision for gamers to decide whether it's worth upgrading at this time.
Gamers who have already picked up the New Nintendo 3DS XL will probably be a bit disappointed since the handheld has interchangeable plates, yet there's no sign of Nintendo offering the cover of this particular handheld for sale by itself. This is in keeping with other new variants of the handheld, like the Galaxy Style New Nintendo 3DS. Thankfully, there are plenty of other plates featuring Pokemon available for the New Nintendo 3DS, so chances are die-hard Pokemon fans will be able to find something that suits them and shows their love for the series.
The Pokemon Sun & Moon New Nintendo 3DS XL will release on October 28th (November 11th in Canada) for $199.99 USD ($239.99 CAD).
Source: Twitter


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Representatives of "ELGAMA-ELEKTRONIKA" are to participate in the boosting event EUROPEAN UTILITY WEEK 2015 this year taking place in Vienna, Austria in November 3-5. Our team welcomes everybody at our stand No A.d17 (located in ESMIG pavilion) where key developments in smart metering and new functionalities introduced in our products will be demonstrated.
Read more about EUW15
Representatives of "ELGAMA-ELEKTRONIKA" Ltd. are to participate in the 7th international exhibition Central Asia Electricity World 2015 which will take place in Almaty, Kazakhstan in September 8-10. The event is widely-known as an electrical engineering, power generation and lighting trade show where key players of these sectors participate. "ELGAMA-ELEKTRONIKA" Ltd. kindly invites everybody interested in our company, its newly developed products and solutions to visit our stand No C200 at the exhibition pavilion. Read more about the exhibition in: Central Asia Electricity World
"ELGAMA-ELEKTRONIKA" Ltd. participates as a strategic partner at the 5th Smart Communications & Technology Forum taking place in June 11, in Warsaw. The annual event is focused on exchange of knowledge and presentation of major achievements on the topics of Smart Grid and Smart Metering. Every year the forum includes a wide spectrum of professionals from the areas of energy and gas markets, utility and administration personnel, solution providers, engineers, associations, and government representatives. Experienced team of "ELGAMA-ELEKTRONIKA" Ltd. apart from participating in discussion panels will present technological development, R&D solutions and possibilities as well as future plans of the company.
Read more about the event: Smart Communications & Technology Forum


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Ann Stewart1,2*, David Wong2,3 and Soo Chan Carusone1,4
2Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
3Toronto Western Hospital Francis Family Liver Center, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
4Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
Received date: August 14, 2014; Accepted date: November 19, 2014; Published date: November 25, 2014
Citation: Stewart A, Wong D, Carusone SC (2014) Complex Interactions of Darunavir in Patients with HIV and Multiple Comorbidities: Understanding Toxicity in Two Cases with Very Different Outcomes. J AIDS Clin Res 5: 377. doi:10.4172/2155-6113.1000377
Copyright: © 2014 Stewart A, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Visit for more related articles at Journal of AIDS & Clinical Research
Complex patients with multiple comorbidities are rarely included in large randomized studies. As a result, little is known about the optimal management of these cases. The following two cases occurred within a six month period in 2013 and were seen at Casey House, a community-based facility specializing in HIV/AIDS in Toronto, Canada. Both cases involved a serious assault to the liver believed to be drug induced liver injury (DILI) caused by darunavir. In the first case, Patient A, a 50 year-old male with a CD4 count of 454 cells/mm3 presented with tense ascites, jaundice and pedal edema. He had recently started a new anti-retroviral combination including darunavir. The ARV medications were stopped, liver function improved and his ascites was reduced with paracentesis and infusions of albumin. Chronic hepatitis B was identified. The patient was started on a new anti-retroviral regimen effective for hepatitis B. His liver failure resolved and he continues to live well in the community. In Patient B, a 49 year-old woman with CD4 count of 20 cells/mm3 and Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) and hepatitis C was started on a darunavir-based regimen. She developed abdominal pain, jaundice, elevated liver function tests and anemia. HIV medications were held, and then restarted. Her symptoms worsened. Eventually all medications were stopped. Although the patient's liver began to recover, her CD4 count remained very low and the patient developed pneumocystis pneumonia (PJP) and died. These cases are presented with a view to better understanding darunavir and its potential toxicity. The literature concerning darunavir toxicity in the setting of complex comorbidity will be reviewed.
HIV, darunavir, liver failure, adverse effects, comorbidities, hepatitis, case study
We are just beginning to understand the complex interactions of medications in patients with HIV and multiple comorbidities, particularly hepatitis B/C. New complications associated with HIV and aging, combined with inflammation, immuno-compromise and immune reconstitution syndrome can make patient management challenging. Darunavir is a widely used and generally well tolerated anti-retroviral (ARV) medication [1]. Some studies suggest that it is safe to use even in the presence of hepatitis B/C [2-4]. However, in rare cases darunavir can cause severe hepatotoxicity and even death (FDA report, package insert). Co-infection with hepatitis B or C increases the risk of liver failure, as does a low CD4 count [5,6]. Although some drug trials for darunavir included patients with infectious hepatitis [3], patients with active AIDS defining illness, history of substance use, active liver disease, and cardiac dysfunction were excluded (see clinicaltrials.gov for a complete list of inclusion and exclusion criteria).
Here we discuss two cases of liver toxicity believed to be caused by darunavir. The patients were seen at Casey House, a community-based facility for patients with HIV/AIDS. The liver toxicity presented in a similar fashion with abdominal pain, jaundice and increased girth. Potentially due to the other comorbid conditions, the ultimate outcome of the two cases was different. One patient survived and went on to do well in the community. The other patient is now deceased.
Patient A: A 50 year-old Caucasian male, diagnosed with HIV in 1993. CD4 count at admission was 454 cells/mm3, with a viral load of 107 copies/ml. The patient had a number of complications of HIV, including peripheral neuropathy and history of oral candidiasis. At the time of admission the patient reported a history of untreated hepatitis C as well as a history of asthma and a seizure disorder not yet diagnosed.
He presented to Casey House with tense abdominal ascites, jaundice and pedal edema. He was not coping at home, and was unable to eat a full meal, or perform activities of daily living. Approximately 3 months previously the patient had started a new ARV regime with his community provider, including darunavir (600 mg BID), ritonavir, etravirine, maraviroc and tenofovir. Within a few days of starting these new medications the patient noticed abdominal bloating and discomfort. At a six week follow-up appointment, the patient was found to have jaundice, scleral icterus, abdominal pain, abdominal distension with ascites and enlarged spleen, as well as pedal edema. The patient was sent to general hospital. Hospital laboratory investigations showed liver function tests (LFTs) as follows: bilirubin 221 μmol/L, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 472 U/L, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 182 U/L and an international normalized ratio (INR) of 2.4. He was diagnosed with a drug induced liver injury believed to be caused by darunavir. At that time his ARV medications were stopped. Gradually his jaundice began to resolve, and LFTs started to decrease. Because of ongoing tense ascites and edema he was unable to cope in the community and he was admitted to our facility.
Ascites began to resolve with paracentesis and the administration of albumin. In total, he received 4 transfusions of 25% albumin (200 ml). He was also treated with ceftriaxone 2 gr IV x 7 days for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. He was diuresed with furosemide and spironolactone. Gradually he recovered. Over the course of months his condition improved. Ascites and edema resolved and he gradually resumed activities of daily living. His INR and bilirubin improved. LFTs also improved with AST 2-3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) and ALT normal (Table 1).
|Total bilirubin (0-23 µmol/L)
Table 1: Liver function test results over time for Patient A. *Patient A was not on darunavir at the time of admission. ARVs were stopped in mid-February 2013. ARV medications were restarted April 25, 2013 with: emticitibine/tenofovir (for hepatitis B), raltegravir and maraviroc.
Eventually results from public health indicated that Patient A had chronic hepatitis B infection (HBsAg positive, HBeAg positive, HBV DNA >1.70 × 108 IU/mL, ALT 30 U/L, AST 90 U/L). There was no evidence of hepatitis C (anti-HCV negative, HCV PCR negative). A new ARV regimen was devised for the patient, including emticitibine/tenofovir (for hepatitis B), raltegravir and maraviroc. While starting this regime the patient was monitored closely, but appeared to tolerate these medications well. His liver function tests resolved, and he was discharged, and now lives independently in the community.
Patient B: A 49-year-old Caucasian woman originally diagnosed with HIV in 1995. She reported poor tolerance to HAART due to nausea. Her CD4 count one month prior to admission was 20 cells/mm3 (8%) with a viral load of 131, 318 copies/ml. About one month prior to admission this patient was seen in an ambulatory care clinic and found to have systemic Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). She was started on ethambutol, rifampin and azithromycin with an intended course of treatment of at least 12 months. Anti-retroviral therapy was held to avoid immune reconstitution syndrome. She was known to have untreated hepatitis C, genotype 3A (viral load 2.68 × 105 IU/ml). The patient hoped to have this treated when her HIV was better controlled. The patient had a history of opioid use and was on methadone replacement therapy. At the time of admission she was noted to have chronic problems with pain in the back, and abdomen as well as chronic problems with urinary tract infection. At the time of admission her weight was 83.4 pounds. Reasons for her admission were to gain weight and strength, for support with medications, and to start ARV therapy.
Based on genotyping and consultation with the patient's infectious disease specialist, she was started on emtricitibine/tenofovir, darunavir (800 mg once daily) and ritonavir. Within 3 weeks, she developed worsening abdominal pain, with increased abdominal girth, jaundice, scleral icterus and peripheral edema. On laboratory testing she had elevated liver function tests (Table 2) as well as anemia (hemoglobin 65 g/L, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) 110 fL) and acute renal failure (serum creatinine of 124 μmol/L).
|Total Bilirubin (0-23 µmol/L)
Table 2: Liver function test results over time for Patient B. *Patient B was on ARV therapy between January 9 and February 1, 2013 with: emtricitibine/tenofovir , darunavir and ritonavir. From April 19 until May 17th, 2013 the patient was on: 3TC, raltegravir, etravirine, darunavir and ritonavir.
She was sent to the emergency room. All medications were stopped. She was transfused with 1 unit of packed red blood cells (PRBC) and gradually improved. MAC treatment was restarted after 19 days. Anti-retroviral therapy was reconsidered. Liver function tests did not resolve to baseline after MAC medications were restarted. It was believed that the elevated liver function tests were due to progression of her chronic liver disease. It was not possible at the time to treat for hepatitis C in the presence of untreated HIV and multiple comorbidities with the HCV antivirals available in 2013. Consultation was made with nephrology and infectious disease and the following regimen for HIV was started 8 weeks later: 3TC, raltegravir, etravirine, darunavir (600 mg BID) and ritonavir. Within 2 weeks the patient again developed jaundice, abdominal pain and swelling, and pedal edema. Her LFTs showed AST of 136 U/L, bilirubin of 121 μmol/L and an INR of 1.47. The patient was seen by hepatology. She was given a diagnosis of darunavir toxicity, and a poor prognosis with 10-50 percent survival, "likely lower given comorbidities". At the time of this diagnosis AST was 5.9 x ULN and ALT was 2 x ULN. Total bilirubin was 10 x ULN.
She was treated with a course of N-acetyl cysteine, an unproven but non-toxic attempt to reduce liver toxicity. All other medications were stopped, except pain medications. At one point the patient experienced a very low level of consciousness, and a CADD pump was started. Throughout this time the patient's family continued to give lactulose, as they had been told it was to reduce confusion due to liver disease. For a brief time the patient improved. Unfortunately, her CD4 count, which had recovered only slightly to 48 cells/mm3 declined after ARV therapy was stopped. She became acutely dyspneic with fever. The patient was transferred to hospital where a chest ×-ray and bronchoscopy revealed pneumocystis pneumonia (PJP). At the request of the patient's family, attempts were made to treat the PJP. The start of new medications caused the liver failure to worsen and the patient died in the ICU.
As patients with HIV age, they experience an increasing number of medical comorbidities. The literature has commented on this extensively [7-9]. There is increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, endocrine disorders, as well as cognitive impairment [10-13]. There are also increased numbers of non-AIDS defining malignancies [14]. Because of the increasing numbers of comorbidities, patients are placed on more and more medications to treat these medical complications. With this increasing complexity combined with cognitive impairment patients may become confused about their condition and provide unreliable details about their medical history.
It is not uncommon to see aging patients with comorbidities on as many as 20 medications for their various disorders [15]. Quite often these medications interact, and doses or types of medication have to be adjusted to compensate. In addition, some patients are experienced with the treatment of HIV, and have resistant virus that requires additional HIV medication.
Frequently HIV/AIDS patients are co-infected with hepatitis B or C, viral illnesses which progress with time and may or may not be treated [16]. As in the case of Patient A, some patients go untreated because they are not aware of the presence of chronic hepatitis B. Hepatitis C patients may go untreated because until recently treatments for hepatitis C involved an extended course of interferon and ribavirin. These medications have poor efficacy and have serious side effects, including depression and pancytopenia as well as risk of liver failure in those with advanced cirrhosis. Also, the guidelines indicate that HIV should be optimally managed before hepatitis C treatment begins [17]. Patient B could not be treated for hepatitis C because she already had platelets <90 E9/L and albumin <30 g/L. Low platelets and low albumin are risks associated with worsening liver failure secondary to pegylated Interferon and ribavirin which were the best treatments available in 2013.
Other patients may have a long history of intolerance or non-adherence to ARV medications. These patients often present with very low CD4 counts, which increases the risk of Immune Reconstitution Inflammation Syndrome (IRIS). Their comorbidities can provide additional inflammation, which can exacerbate underlying medical conditions. Hepatitis B is known to flare during immune reconstitution. This can present with elevated transaminases, which resolve within weeks [18]. There are few guidelines about how best to manage these patients and frequently they have been excluded from the studies which might clarify this problem (see clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00650832). A case in point is darunavir, a protease inhibitor, widely used for the treatment of patients with HIV/AIDS. It has been on the market since 2007 (FDA approval in 2006). It was initially welcomed as a protease inhibitor for treatment experienced patients with drug resistant HIV. The drug is known to interact strongly with the protease enzyme [1]. The product monograph describes it as well-tolerated, with rash as the most common side effect in 7-10% of patients. Headache (3.8%), diarrhea, constipation and abdominal pain are also among the listed side effects. Many reports in the literature have indicated darunavir is generally well-tolerated with less overall toxicity than some anti-viral medications [1-4,18]. However, it should be noted that in the POWER studies, complex patients with comorbidities such as active AIDS defining illness, history of substance use, active liver disease, and cardiac dysfunction were excluded.
A subsequent letter to the FDA reported rare cases of hepatitis (0.5 percent), with liver failure and even death [19]. This is noted in the package insert. Darunavir toxicity initially manifests itself with low level transaminitis, with elevated levels of AST and ALT ranging from 2-5 times the upper limit of normal. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) may be unaffected. If darunavir is left in place, further liver damage can occur resulting in actual changes to liver function including elevated bilirubin, decreased albumin and eventually elevated INR [5]. Clinically affected patients present with fatigue, anorexia, abdominal pain (generally in the right upper quadrant), inflammation of the liver, jaundice, dark urine, ascites and peripheral edema (package insert) [5].
Darunavir use has also been connected with other rare complications, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome [20]. There is one case report of an acute demyelinating polyneuropathy which was initiated after the start of darunvir/ritonavir and resolved after the cessation of the drugs [21].
It is well known that many ARV drugs are linked to drug induced liver injury (DILI) [5]. Following the start up of ARV therapy, laboratory abnormalities linked to hepatic function have occurred at an incidence rate of 24 per hundred person years, the second most common type of laboratory abnormality during this period [22] (the most common being lipid abnormalities). There are different patterns of hepatotoxicity including cholestatic injury, with elevated ALP, hepato-cellular injury (with elevated ALT relative to ALP) and also mixed cholestatic and hepato-cellular injury pictures. Several grading systems exist in the literature to rank the severity of the injury [5]. Much of the literature has focused on nevirapine and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs); however, the darunavir package insert does explicitly state that darunavir/ritonavir can cause severe ALT elevation in 5.6-6.9% of cases. This is consistent with a hepato-cellular injury; ALT greater than 5 times the upper limit of normal with bilirubin greater than 2 times the upper limit of normal and elevated INR, ascites, encephalopathy or other organ failure [5].
Quite often, during the initiation of ARV therapy, elevation of liver enzymes is mild, and lasts only a few weeks, thus not requiring a change in therapy. This is particularly true of newer agents such as darunavir [18]. However, some authors have suggested stratifying patients with increased risk of liver abnormalities, such as those infected with hepatitis B/C, and providing increased monitoring [22]. The standard of care is for follow-up of any ARV start within 2-8 weeks (aidsinfo.nih.gov), and includes blood work to check for transaminitis. Some have suggested that elevation of aminotransferases related to ARV interactions with hepatitis B/C may not occur for several months [22], requiring follow-up only every 3 months. However our cases show elevation of liver enzymes within weeks.
Severe liver toxicity on ARV medications appears linked to co-infection with hepatitis B and/or C [5,18,23,24]. Acute liver failure and death have been observed following some ARV starts, and there are reports of fatalities in HIV-HBV co-infected patients [6]. Severe elevation of liver enzymes (greater than 10 times the upper limit of normal) is not common, and acute liver failure is rare. If acute liver failure develops, the rate of mortality among HIV positive patients is high [6]. CD4 count also plays a role, since HIV-HBV co-infected patients are at risk for immune reconstitution and may experience a hepatitis flare as CD4 counts improve. It is difficult to separate this viral hepatitis-linked immune reconstitution from drug hepatotoxicity. Because of this, some liver experts have suggested initial treatment of hepatitis B with agents that do not have activity against HIV such as adefovir [6].
When treating patients with complex comorbidities associated with HIV, factors such as aging, multiple medications, co-infection with hepatitis B or C, and potential for immune reconstitution must be kept in mind. A history of viral hepatitis must be confirmed with lab test results. Clinicians should be mindful that a low level elevation of transaminases followed by jaundice can lead to liver failure and even death.
These cases highlight some of the additional complications involved in the medical management of complex HIV patients. Extra effort is required to communicate with a multidisciplinary team. When ARV medication is started in these complex patients, we recommend liver function be closely monitored- perhaps even twice weekly. Symptoms of abdominal pain, although sometimes vague should be regarded as serious. And drug toxicity even with generally well-tolerated agents such as darunavir must be considered.


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Visuo-Motor Behavior Rehearsal (VMBR)
Overall Aspiration
To train the client to be in anxiety-related settings but with the achievement of a relaxed, rather than an anxiety, state.
To identify errors in motor performance and to modify them with visualization practice and correction (Lane 1977)
For who? Anyone who needs aid in:
Injury rehabilitation, confidence enhancement, attention focus control
(This could be specific areas like sport, work, and school, or just in general)
Useful Resources
Visual Aids
- Photos & videos
Help to:
notice where there is error/faulty movement
what the correct standard is
understand how one can achieve "perfection" in the required performance
feel relaxed and confident about one's ability
Relaxation Exercises
- Rhythmic/Controlled breathing
- Progressive (muscle) relaxation
Basic Steps of VMBR
1. Case history
2. Psychological assessments
3. Relaxation training
4. Visual presentation of correct skill
5. Checking of relevant performance related knowledge base
6. Visual presentation of erroneous performance/skill
7. Checking information concerning performance error
8. Repeat correct presentation
9. Development of imagery (creation of mental picture from errors to correct behavior)
10. Visualization of images
11. Practice images with relaxation until development of mastery
VMBR technique was designed by Richard Suinn (PhD Psychologist) in 1976
Two important components:
1. Relaxation exercise – to enhance clarity of mental image and reduce distraction; to connect mind-to-body and relieve muscle tension
2. Imagery training – to practice visualizing successful performance and prepare (mentally) for errors that increase anxiety/stress
Gill, Williams: Psychological Dynamics of Sport and Eercise 3rd Ed.
Kylie Millsaps
Helps to reduce anxiety (stress) and improve self-concept
General Statistics
VMBR is mutimodal - combines cognition and relaxation
Suinn, 1993 & Ungerleider, 1996
Visuo-Motor Behavior Rehearsal is mainly practiced with athletes who get anxious before or during performance which can greatly hinder their skill.
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Visuo-Motor Behavior Rehearsal (VMBR)
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Kylie Millsapson 31 March 2014
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