DOHA, Qatar Dalilah Muhammad had no idea whether she had even won when she crossed the finish line on Friday night at Khalifa International Stadium. She had to look at the scoreboard to learn the results, she said, and it was only then that she realized what she had accomplished.

Muhammad, 29, had not only won the womens 400-meter hurdles title at the track and field world championships she had broken her own world record, too.

It feels good to have it come together when it matters most, she said.

Muhammad held off Sydney McLaughlin, her young American challenger, in the final meters to win in 52.16 seconds, four hundredths of a second better than the world record she had set in July at the United States championships. McLaughlin, 20, was runner-up in 52.23, which was a personal best and the third-fastest time ever.

Shes amazing, McLaughlin said of Muhammad, who grew up in Queens. Shes been doing this a long time, and Im just constantly trying to learn from her.

It has been an eventful couple of months for Muhammad, the reigning Olympic champion. A few weeks after her record run in July, she was soundly defeated by McLaughlin in Zurich.

Muhammad returned to California, where she lives and trains, and acknowledged that she was struggling with her mental approach ahead of the world championships. The world record had been on her mind for so long, she said, and she was wondering what she could find to motivate herself moving forward.

If nothing else, Muhammad wanted to claim her first world title after finishing second in 2013 and 2017. And there was the looming threat posed by McLaughlin, who may have more pure speed and appears primed to be the future of the event.

On Friday, though, Muhammad showed that the future is not now, even as she continued to dismiss the suggestion that she and McLaughlin have a rivalry.

I dont focus on Sydney or anyone else in the field, Muhammad said. I just try to focus on me and the finish line.

Muhammad and McLaughlin were the clear class of the field. Rushell Clayton of Jamaica finished third in 53.74, over a second and a half behind McLaughlin.

Muhammad earned a $100,000 performance bonus for setting a world record, according to the International Association of Athletics Federations.

Original post:
Dalilah Muhammad Breaks Her Own World Record in the 400-Meter Hurdles - The New York Times

PASADENA, Calif. Taking a spin around Oregon State football with 10 takeaways following the Beavers 48-31 win over UCLA in the Rose Bowl:

1. Oregon States offense might be best in Oregon

We heard for months this offseason what Oregon had for an offense. A Heisman Trophy-candidate quarterback. One of the countrys top offensive lines. OK. But now that were five games into the season, which offense would you rather have: Oregon State or Oregon? Could be the Beavers. While well acknowledge the Ducks have faced better FBS defenses than OSU, the gap isnt that great. OSU has scored 36-28-45-28-48 points this season. Thats good offense. The Beavers dont turn it over they have the countrys fewest turnovers with one and have balance, No. 39 rushing offense, No. 40 passing offense. Jake Luton is every bit as effective at quarterback as Oregons Justin Herbert in 2019, perhaps better. Luton has 14 touchdowns, no picks. The Beavers offensive line can hold up with just about any in the Pac-12, as theyre giving just over one sack a game. OSU probably has the Pac-12s best set of running back in Artavis Pierce and Jermar Jefferson. And, as the cherry on top, heres what Oregon doesnt have: Isaiah Hodgins. Hes proving to be the best receiver in the Pac-12, and perhaps among the top five in the country.

Might be best in state? Truth is, its probably not close.

2. Has Chip Kelly lost it?

Not sure who is wearing the head coachs headset on UCLAs sideline, but it cant be Chip Kelly. That cant be the coach who once led Oregon to a level it had never been before, and unlikely will return. Kelly used to be a guy who was three steps ahead of everyone. Now? Nearly a year and a half into their current jobs, Oregon States Jonathan Smith has a better record (4-13) than Kelly (4-14). And its plays like these that are driving Kellys Bruins into the ground.

Trailing 7-0, UCLA faces fourth-and-1 at its 34. Kelly, ever the gambler, decides to go for it. No problem there. But the call? Sheesh. Rather than run a short yardage power play, running back Joshua Kelley lines up seven yards in the backfield and takes a deep handoff. Oregon State, one of the Pac-12s best teams at getting into the backfield, has plenty of time to run down Kelley and hes thrown for a five-yard loss. Its soon 14-0.

Later in the game, with UCLA mounting a mild rally, the Bruins kickoff from midfield following an Oregon State personal foul penalty. Perfect time to try something on the kickoff, with little risk, as the Beavers did in a similar situation in recovering an onside kick during the first quarter. Instead, the Bruins boot it into the end zone, and Oregon State quickly snuffs out any momentum UCLA may have had with a long touchdown drive.

3. This team is Jake Lutons

Just in case there was any question. And yes, there were questions, after the Beavers came up short in three-point losses to Hawaii and Stanford. Why have a sixth-year senior at quarterback if he cant give the Beavers some big senior moments when they need it most? Might as well turn to sophomore Tristan Gebbia and begin the future. Gebbias turn will have to wait, because whatever doubt anyone had in Luton was erased in the Rose Bowl. Luton was fantastic, rarely missing a throw during a school record-tying six touchdown (five pass, one run) performance. Luton made big plays, often took time to occasionally check out of a play, and when the Beavers needed a savvy presence down the stretch to close out the win, he was there to provide it. Luton has a chemistry with Hodgins that, barring injury, is going to lead to one of the greatest quarterback-receiver duos in Oregon State history.

4. Is Isaiah Hodgins the best receiver in the country?

Oregon State has had two Biletnikoff Award winners, given to best receiver in the country, in its history in Mike Hass (2005) and Brandin Cooks (2013). Hodgins might be the third. At least hes in the conversation following a 10-catch, 123-yard, three-touchdown performance against UCLA. Hodgins made several showstopping catches, including one for the Beavers first touchdown, and another on a sideline grab for a first down. Nationally, Hodgins ranks second in receiving yards per game (126.4) and receptions (8.6), fifth in receiving yards (632). Hes second among receivers in touchdowns with nine.

Be sure to watch the final seven games of Hodgins 2019 season, because it seems almost certain the OSU junior will be catching passes in the NFL in 2020.

5. Special teams return some special

A week after Stanford arguably beat Oregon State 31-28 because the Cardinal special teams were better, the Beavers special teams got back on track and made a difference. Punter Daniel Rodriguez had one of his best days at OSU. He had a career-tying 62-yard punt, and provided the drop kick that led to an onside kickoff recovery by the Beavers David Morris during the first quarter. UCLA came into the game with one of the countrys top punt return units, but did little against OSU. Yes, there was the missed extra point, which predictably led to some on social media to blast Jordan Choukair again, but thats for another day.

6. Kudos to Artavis Pierce for sticking around

Who could have blamed Artavis Pierce had he turned tail and found another program following Jermar Jeffersons freshman campaign in 2018? Pierce was Jefferson, until he sustained an elbow injury early in the 2018 season. By the time he returned, Jefferson had become a star and became the Beavers clear No. 1 option at running back. Pierce says he never considered transferring to another school, even though its a move that has become all too common and easy in college football these days. Pierce stuck it out, and it paid off. With Jefferson hobbled the past month with an ankle injury, Oregon States running game remains strong, as Pierce put up his second consecutive 100-yard performance with 119 yards against UCLA. Pierce also gives the Beavers an element of toughness, as he has no problem running between the tackles for his yardage.

7. Tim Tibesar hot seat talk has been put on ice

Oregon States defense had plenty to prove this season, following the forgettable 2018 campaign. At the forefront was defensive coordinator Tim Tibesar; perhaps it wasnt fair to judge him last year since he inherited a defense sorely lacking in quality Pac-12 level players, but thats part of the job. The heat from outside the program didnt lessen after the 2019 season opener, when Oklahoma State and running back Chuba Hubbard lit up the Beavers for 52 points. But five games into the season, theres no doubt the Beavers are improved in nearly every defensive facet. OSU is second in the Pac-12 in tackles for loss at 7.8 per game, have a breakout star in outside linebacker Hamilcar Rashed, and theyre tackling better. While the Beavers continue to rank near the bottom half of FBS in many defensive categories, its not the gouge-my-eyes out performance of a year ago. With the Oregon States offense humming, its good enough to give the Beavers a chance on most Saturdays.

8. Field position helped Oregon State beat UCLA

Driving the length of the field for four quarters is tough way to win a football game. Thats one reason behind OSUs success Saturday night. UCLA never had a cheap opportunity, as the Bruins best starting position among their 11 drives was their 35. UCLA started seven drives at its 25, and twice began inside the 20. Meanwhile, the Beavers began two drives in UCLA territory, and the result was drives of five and one play for touchdowns.

9. Nothing but program building behind Jack Colletto redshirt move

Jack Colletto had planned to redshirt heading into the season, and that intent apparently didnt change when he didnt make the trip to UCLA. The junior linebacker/quarterback is shutting it down for 2019 barring significant injury --after playing in four games, the maximum allowed in order to preserve a redshirt. While the Beavers would love to have Colletto available for short-yardage quarterback situations, theyll now have a better version of Colletto for two full years. Colletto wants to learn the position of linebacker, a position he didnt play in high school. Hell also give Oregon State some quarterback depth next season as Luton leaves the program after the 2019 season.

10. What does this win mean?

Wont have to wait long to find out, as up next is Utah, perhaps the Pac-12s best team. The Beavers havent faced a defense like the Utes, who rank No. 14 nationally in total defense and fourth in run defense. Utah didnt play last week and come to Corvallis fresh after silencing Washington States offense in an easy win on Sept. 28. Now that Oregon State has beaten a UCLA, the next step is showing up for four quarters against a quality, top-20 opponent. That is an unknown for the Beavers, but whats certain is theyll have some confidence coming out of the Rose Bowl to give it a go.

--Nick Daschel | ndaschel@oregonian.com | @nickdaschel

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Is Oregon States offense the best in state? 10 takeaways from the Beavers 48-31 win over UCLA - OregonLive

On a warm summer night 15 years ago, the lighthouse at Lake Sumter Landing illuminated for the first time. Villagers danced around the Pavilion at Lake Sumter Landing Market Square in celebration while listening to the rock n roll sounds of Derek and the Slammers. It was that same night that Tony Pacelli, 88 at the time, commented on how impressed he was with how far The Villages had come in his 20 years in the community. Pacelli, one of the founding fathers of softball as we now know it in The Villages today, has since passed away, but his predictions for the squares future have come true. You can bet people from all over The Villages will come here for entertainment and the shops and eating places that will be here, Pacelli said on that opening night, according to The Villages Daily Suns coverage of the event. It will be a drawing attraction for all types. It has been 15 years since the lakefront downtown of Lake Sumter Landing opened to the community.

And today, the areas lighthouse glows just as brightly as it did in 2004, with no signs of dimming any time soon.

As Bill and Joyce Burns, of the Village of Country Club Hills, sat eating their lunch at Lighthouse Point Bar & Grille on a recent summer day, they said the lighthouse was a highlight of the area for them, and theyve been returning to the square to enjoy it for more than six years.

The area instantly drew my attention, Bill said. The view and the food are outstanding. Its just a nice place to come and relax and have a nice meal.

Businesses at the square

Although some things have changed over the years, many things havent.

The Old Mill Playhouse, Ambrosia on the Square, The Purple Pig, Bear Dance Boutique, Hallmark and R.J. Gators are still there, as are about 20 other businesses that opened prior to December 2015.

There is a great synergy between the retail, restaurant, service and office uses there, said Scott Renick, director of commercial development for The Villages. Most of the businesses that have come to Lake Sumter Landing over the years have thrived off of each others customer traffic, and the energy around the center continues to be an attractive quality.

The Villages second movie theater, the classically designed Old Mill Playhouse, opened just days after Lake Sumter Landing, and it has stood the test of time.

Jeffrey LeFrancois, assistant manager at the theater, was there when it opened. At the time, he was an usher.

It was mobbed here when we first opened, he said. We had some old movies that had been out for a while, but people were still coming to see them.

Lefrancois said that its hard to believe its been 15 years because he enjoys coming to work so much.

The staff here makes it fun, he said. It doesnt feel like work.

Lefrancois said the theaters biggest milestone was when it started using digital projections about eight years ago, a feature that all three Villages movie theaters have now.

It took us from static fuzziness to something crisp and clear, like looking out the window, he said.

But even though its been 15 years, the theater is still developing and is constantly active.

At the beginning of the year, Lazy Macs Taco Shack was installed in the lobby, and many events, like a recent Downton Abbey tea party, are held inside the theater.

With the recent opening of Chop House at Lake Sumter and The Flying Biscuit Cafe, Lake Sumter Landing is more than 99% occupied. Both Spanish Springs Town Square and Brownwood Paddock Square are 97% occupied.

(My husband) likes Thai Ruby, and we both enjoy walking around down here by the water and the shops, said Carleen Richardson, of Arlington Ridge in Leesburg. We bring our grandchildren here too because they enjoy looking out over the water and walking the boardwalk. Theres just a lot to do here. We can grab a cup of coffee at Starbucks or a bite to eat at Panera (Bread) and check out the many shops around the square.

Entertainment

Business isnt the only thing booming at Lake Sumter Landing. Entertainment and special events have been a staple at the square for years.

Lake Sumter Landing has hosted numerous political rallies for candidates, including Sen. Mitt Romney, Sen. Paul Ryan, President George W. Bush, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and former Florida Gov. Rick Scott. It also has been the site of several live television events, including Glenn Beck, Fox & Friends 15th Anniversary Show, Sean Hannity and more.

Over the years, the square also has been the site of many large festivals and special events put on by The Villages, including St. Patricks Day festivals, Christmas tree lightings and many car shows.

We have seen a consistent growth in attendance over the years, especially recently, said Chalsi Goheen, special events manager with The Villages Entertainment. During this time, we have also continued to expand our events to both keep up with demand and to keep things new and exciting.

As snowbirds return this year, Lake Sumter Landing will offer monthly events.

There will be Tai Chi on Tuesday; Total Body Workout in November; Ukulele in December; Group Synergy in January; Cardio Drumming in February; Interval Training in March; an Earth Day event in April; Zumba in May and Yoga on the Square in June.

The three squares

Even with all of Lake Sumter Landings events and entertainers, those who frequent other areas of The Villages should not feel left out.

Goheen said Spanish Springs Town Square still holds the most events per year, and Brownwood has been increasing the number of events at its location as well.

Weve been working hard to bring more balance to that, Goheen said.

But she said Lake Sumter Landing does typically get the largest crowds due to both its central location and larger physical size.

The project itself was unique in the commercial real estate sector, as there were very few like it at that time, Renick said. The area was modeled similarly to Spanish Springs but larger. And having been constructed all at once was also a differentiator for Lake Sumter Landing.

Renick credits the central location and diverse mix of local and national businesses, most of which have been in place for many years, as contributing factors to the success of the square.

Although each square is set up differently, with its own unique features and strengths, one thing they have in common is the variety of nightly entertainment.

At this point, I would say that there isnt one favorite square overall, Goheen said. Everyone has their personal favorite square, but ultimately weve seen all of them get equal favor. One thing that does make Lake Sumter Landing special is the scenery, especially that beautiful view over the lake. It really creates a comfortable, inviting and relaxing atmosphere.

Senior writer Kristen Fiore contributed to this report. Staff writer Monique Meeks can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5387, or monique.meeks@thevillagesmedia.com.

Read the original:

Reflecting on 15 years of Lake Sumter Landing - The Villages Daily Sun

A release from the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce:

The Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce will host a Family Health and Wellness Fair on Tuesday, Oct. 15th from 58 p.m. in the Beantown section of Jordan's Furniture, 50 Walker's Brook Drive in Reading. This family friendly event will feature exhibits and demonstrations. All are welcome and this event is free to attend.

"We are excited to showcase these talented local providers and resources at our inaugural Family Health and Wellness Fair," commented Chamber President, Francine Coughlin of Bark n' Roll.

Gold Sponsors include Lahey Health, MelroseWakefield Health Care and Austin Prep. Jordan's Furniture is the host sponsor. The Silver Sponsor is The Residence at Pearl Street. The Event Partners are ABC Home Healthcare, PDA Dental Group, Thai Chi Acupuncture and Wellness andCentered Soul Yoga.

Robin Krane, Event Chair and Owner of Fitness Within noted, "Mark your calendar and plan to come to Jordan's on October 15th . It will be a great community event with lots of hands-on demonstrations from local experts."

Dana Farber will be hosting a blood drive that day from 12:30 7:30 PM in the Jordan's parking lot. Online appointments are encouraged and you can sign up here. Fitness Within will offer a prize wheel where guests can win boot camps, small group training sessions and personal training sessions will offer body fat assessments. Natural Food Exchange will be raffling off a spiralizer. Winchester Hospital will be offering a free Breast Cancer Risk Assessment, which calculates your lifetime risk for developing breast cancer, and to learn more about the potential risks for developing breast cancer. Genetic counselors will also be onsite to answer your questions about the benefits and limitations of genetic testing. Fuddruckers's will be offering a dining for dollars with a portion of the bill of all diners who mention the Health and Wellness Expo going to Understanding Disabilities, which operates in the Reading schools. Gymsource will be offering 20% equipment that evening (with some restrictions).

See the rest here:

Chamber To Host Family Health and Wellness Fair At Jordans - Reading, MA Patch

Whilst Thailand is often nicknamed the land of a thousand 7-elevens, with a convenience store on just about every corner, there are none of these in Vietnam, yet.

With the Thai Baht on a high at the moment, along with the TM30 crackdowns and changes in visa rules, some expats say theyve had enough and are heading to Vietnam, or some other south east Asian country where they improve their situation.

For an expat pensioner, on a fixed income, from a country where the Thai baht has risen against your currency, Thailand has indeed become a more expensive option. The British pound, for example, has gone from around 55 baht to the pound four years ago, to now around 37 baht, a big loss of value. Meanwhile the cost of living in Thailand, on some items, has risen.

But Vietnam has its own challenges and, whilst being an amazing place to explore and be a tourist, may not be to everyones taste as a place to retire or enjoy your extended stay. If you think its better than Thailand to live as an expat youre in for a few rude shocks.

The Thaiger has lived in Thailand and travelled to Saigon, Hanoi, Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An and Phu Quoc in Vietnam. We love Vietnam but estimate it has another decade or so until its ready to cater for longer-term expats, unless you work there of course.

Heres a few things to consider.

If youre looking for some additional hard facts on a move to Vietnam, try this site HERE.

The people

Both Thais and Vietnamese are proud cultures Thailand because weve never been colonised (which youll hear ad nauseam any time the topic comes up), and Vietnam because theyve fended off the Chinese and French, and beaten the Americans in the Vietnam War.

Both are very elegant cultures, rich and exotic and rooted in similar cultural festivals and Buddhist traditions.

But, whereas the Thais have weaponised their trademark smile into a cultural tourist attraction, the Vietnamese remain a bit more, well, unsmiling. This is not because theyre rude or not embracing of westerners and western tourism, its just they are a bit more reserved in expressing an outward smile, unless its deserved. On the other hand, the Thai smile can mean 20 different things, not always in your favour.

Whilst many westerners fall in love with Thailand, its difficult to see that same sort of love being associated with Vietnam. Whatever magic spell Thailand seems to weave on western tourists doesnt seem to happen as much in Vietnam. Thats not to say you wont have wonderful and astonishing experiences in Vietnam, but its palpably different.

Costs

For a tourist the costs can vary a lot in both countries between the out-of-town locations and the tourist magnets. For tourists, youre just going to pay more in both countries, compared to the locals. Hotels and transport will cost you much the same in both countries for things like hotels and bike rentals.

For a long-stay expat finding long-term accommodation in Thailand is easy theres an oversupply of condos, villas and old houses. In Vietnam its a lot more complex to find something and probably more expensive, like-for-like. Thats mainly to the immaturity of the property market which, again, is catching up fast.

Finding a cheap beer will be easier these days in Vietnam but the culture of bars and nightlife is completely different in Vietnam, when compared to the infamous bar culture in Thailand. The bar girls serve you drinks and wash dishes in Vietnam whilst we know the bar girls in Thailand often provide additional services. If youre heading to Vietnam for a vibrant and crazy nightlife youre going to be a bit disappointed.

Food, once you get out of the tourist hubs and cities in Vietnam, is very cheap and delicious but youll never have the same choice or range of flavours you enjoy with Thai food.

Language

English is much more commonly used in Thailand, especially in any of the popular tourist spots, and is a compulsory subject in Thai schools. But out of the tourist zones any English spoken is basic at best.

Outside the two cities or tourist spots in Vietnam, youll be battling with English or any other foreign language. English is not a part of the Vietnamese school curriculum.

Driving

The Vietnamese drive on the opposite side of the road, the right side, compared to Thailand. This may not be a huge issue but is certainly something youll need to adapt to quickly to avoid potential disasters on the roads.

Speaking of the roads

Roads

Vietnam is catching up to Thailand fast in the way of infrastructure but, beyond the major cities, youll find Vietnams roads a lot less drivable than roads in Thailand. As a rough guess, Vietnams road network is 30 years or so behind Thailand for now, but catching up quickly.

Beyond the physical roads, the behaviour of Vietnamese drivers is entirely different from Thailand, and the west. The key word here would be merge. Just go with the herd and dont drive defensively. When you come to an intersection the ability for Vietnamese drivers to weave through the traffic is one of the great wonders of the modern world. The busier the intersection, the more amazing it is to watch.

Whilst appearing completely chaotic to an outsider the system all works very well.

The actual road toll in Vietnam isnt much better than Thailand, which is pretty bad! The annual road toll in Vietnam, per capita, is around 25% less than Thailand.

And then theres the tooting of horns. Whilst tooting someone in Thailand with your car or motorcycle horn will get some serious looks (and sometimes the cause of serious road rage), in Vietnam its common. Actually, more than common, just part of the soundtrack of Vietnams roads. Usually just a mere courtesy to traffic youre passing, Vietnamese drivers will routinely toot a motorbike or car as theyre about to pass them. So get ready for a whole new realm of noise pollution.

Influences

Both countries have long and rich traditions, Thailands recent history a lot more stable than Vietnam which became a colonial punching bag in the middle of the last century, in the form of the Indo-Chinese War with the French then the Americans. In the case of the latter, a drawn-out 20 year invasion by the US left Vietnam a crushed and divided country and caused the collapse of governments in neighbouring Cambodia and Laos. For Cambodia the consequences were disastrous. Both countries now are ruled by communist governments.

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy and the former king, King Bhumibol, was greatly loved and respected. His son, King Maha Vachiralongkorn, now maintains the customs and traditions of the Thai monarchy. His coronation was an elaborate ceremony in May 2019 celebrated by all Thais.

The main religion in Thailand is Theravada Buddhism. Monks retain high status and are a big part of daily life, from festivals to daily blessings. Young Thai men become novice monks for a period usually 1-3 weeks to earn merit for their families.

Thailand is a hodge podge of old culture and traditions fused with modern western influences often at the same time. Thais celebrate everything and are reasonably tolerant to all cultures. Thai people always try and make their work and daily life fun (or sanook) and have a huge passion for food. Thais never eat alone.

On the other hand Vietnam has a more defined cultural contrast than Thailand and can be a bit more opaque to western travellers. Unlike Thailand that has not had any major colonial influences, Vietnam has been hammered with three key impacts to its recent history China, France and the US.

Centuries of Chinese occupation has had a profound historical legacy on Vietnamese thinking and customs. This heavily influences their customs, traditions and beliefs. The legacy of French colonialism, which lasted six decades from the 1880s, has mostly influenced distinctive French architecture and food.

To that end, Vietnam has maintained a more authentic local culture whilst Thai culture has been more flexible to accommodate the large influx of tourists and investment. Vietnam will certainly have more cultural surprises which many travellers will find more interesting. But that also makes travelling, and living in Vietnam, more challenging.

There is also lingering suspicion of the west, particularly Americans and particularly in the north of Vietnam, but only with the over-50 generation whose memories are more shaped by the horrors of the 20 year conflict that finished in 1975, leaving the country divided and battered by war.

Getting around

Thailand wins hands down with convenience, options and comfort. Travelling around Vietnam, although progressing quickly, is still more of an adventure.

In Vietnam, air transport is excellent and opening up fast, but the countrys road and rail transport infrastructure is still a challenge. If youre travelling to Vietnam you may find it more convenient to take organised tours at this stage as the FITs (free and independent travellers) will certainly need more patience than they would in Thailand.

Thailand is already highly developed in tourism with airlines serving both international and domestic routes. You are spoiled by choice. Theres plenty of local transportation, not necessarily cheap anymore, with options in the cities from tuk tuks, taxis and motorcycles. Bangkok has a modern mass transport system that now links most of the citys main locations. Theres also thousands of tour companies and options for just about any sort of holiday. Its one of the worlds most popular tourist destinations for good reason.

In comparison, there are not that many international flights from western countries to Vietnam, but the situation is changing fairly quickly.

Thailand is served by far more airlines, from all over the world. Thailand also has much better domestic travel facilities and services than Vietnam.

Domestic flights in Vietnam are very convenient, and there are many flights between the main cities. But domestic buses and trains are basic in Vietnam, compared to Thailand which has more comfortable options.

Visas

You cant just land in Vietnam and get a visa on arrival. It doesnt exist except for ASEAN countries (for less than 30 days), and a handful of other countries for 15 days only (the situation changes often so ask Mr Google before you book your flight).

There are three ways of obtaining a visa for Vietnam via a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate, an E-Visa, or a Visa on Arrival (which requires a sponsor letter and pre-approval). The E-visa is a pilot electronic visa system launched in 2017 visitors can apply for a 1 month single-entry visa by paying US$25 via the official immigration platform.

Business visas are a little trickier. Applicants need to get an official entry clearance from their sponsor, usually their employer. This visa allows for multiple entries and lasts for up to one year. If you plan to apply for a business visa, you have to obtain approval from the Vietnamese Immigration Department through your sponsor. If you do not have a business partner, employer, or other sponsor who can provide you with an entry clearance, you can also apply for a business visa for a stay of up to 90 days.

Diplomatic and official visas can be applied for without having to pay any visa fee.

For long-termers you better consult your local embassy because the situation changes fairly often. Suffice to say, you cant just come and stay in Vietnam without a lot of paperwork and occasional frustration.

There is a Permanent Resident Card but its qualifications are fairly odious and would require the assistance of a proper immigration lawyer or agent.

Only in Phu Quoc, the southern tropical-island-Phuket-wannabe, off the coast of Cambodia, can you arrive without a visa. You can get stamped in for free for up to 30 days, but youll then need a visa if you want to take the ferry or fly to Ho Chi Minh City, for example.

Thailand is much more convenient with respect to visas. Passport holders from 57 countries, including the citizens of most European countries, Australia and the US, can enter Thailand for up to 30 days without having to apply for a visa beforehand.

For long-termers there are a number of categories, including business visas, retirement visas, smart visas and a few other categories. All require application and plenty of paperwork.

Recently the Thai government has cracked down on the enforcement of qualification for many visas which is causing problems for some long-termers that have fallen through the cracks in the past but are now finding visa extensions a bit more difficult.

In both cases, youll need to provide some proof of assets to stay long-term. Vietnam is starting to become much more stringent as it starts to become more popular and, like Thailand, you can find a lot of variation in application of the immigration laws, depending on where you are.

Food

Thai cuisine is better known than Vietnamese cuisine. Anywhere in the world youre going to find more Thai restaurants and the flavours and dishes of Thailand are easier to define and describe that their Vietnamese counterparts.

But Vietnamese cuisine has its own features and is becoming more popular. It can also be spicy and pungent, with plenty of fresh herbs, although generally less spicy than Thai food. But youll be able to dine cheaper in Vietnam than in Thailand, whether in the capitals or on the streets in the countryside.

Vietnamese food also has a French influence with a developed coffee culture and excellent bakeries.

And whilst Thailand is often nicknamed the land of a thousand 7-elevens, with a convenience store on just about every corner, there are none of these in Vietnam, yet.

Currency

In Vietnam you can use Dong or the USD. Its always best to carry some Dong for local purchases. Local shop owners or taxi drivers will probably accept your USD but will have their own commission added to the exchange. Currency exchange is easy in most parts of Vietnam, certainly in the cities.

In Thailand its the baht or nothing. Your USD will be of no use on the streets and youll need to get it changed into the local currency.

There are exchange booths everywhere in tourist hot spots and ATMs will dispense you local baht but be careful of the exchange rates and fees when doing international currency exchanges via an ATM.

Medical care

Thailand has a much better developed medical and health care system than Vietnam at this stage. Relative to western countries, the standards of the hospitals are very high and the medical costs still reasonable although private hospitals have become noticeably more expensive over the last decade.

Vietnam is still decades behind Thailand in this respect although catching up fast. Make sure you have comprehensive health insurance when travelling or living in either country.

Seasons

Thailand generally has a hot season, which usually lasts from March/April to June/July. That turns into the hot and wet season that continues until November as the southwest monsoon swings into action sweeping in moist air from the Indian Ocean. The cool season running from December to March, is drier and more comfortable in the north getting quite cold on some days, in the south drier but never dropping below 20 degrees.

Vietnam has a more diverse climate. The south is divided between wet and dry seasons, which is similar to Thailand. Da Lat and the Central Highlands have their dry season from December to March until the southwest monsoon season. The central lowlands, such as Nha Trang, are protected by the mountains and enjoy a long dry season from January to October.

North Vietnam has a distinct winter and summer, completely different to much of Southeast Asia. The winter, from November to March, is wet and cool. The summer, from May to October, is hot with the occasional typhoon swimming in from the South China Sea.

Scams and annoyances

Both have their fair share.

Vietnam Visa scams Certain websites offer online visas in exchange for a fee. Vietnamese embassies have issued a message to warn travellers that those websites are not official, and that they often fail to issue visas. Also, certain travellers thought they were covered by these websites, but once at the airport in Vietnam, the authorities refused them the entry, and they had to go back to their country of origin.

Cheating in the shops can be one of the most annoying problems for travellers to Vietnam. Shops may attract customers by advertising lower prices, but the price may increase at any time and you may end up pulling out more money than what was originally asked for. Continue to read Vietnam Tourist Traps and Scams.

In addition, cheating may even happen as you change money. Since the denominations of dong are very large, sometimes travellers may be confused by the trail of 00000s.

Cheating and scams also happen in Thailand, especially tourist locations. Some restaurants have two menus, one for locals and the other with higher prices for foreigners. The same applies at some tourist attractions although the two-tier pricing in this case is bracingly rubbed in your face. Beware of taxi and tuk tuk drivers that offer to take you to a cheap gem shop, a massage shop or a tailor, or know a friend with a cheap hotel. It will end up an expensive ride.

The prices in those shops will certainly shock you, for they will be two or three times higher than the normal prices.

The bar scene in Thailands tourist hot spots with its girlie bars will delight you with pumping music and tight hot-pants but, as the song One Night in Bangkok says The bars are temples but the pearls aint free. The sex scene in Thailand is, at the same time, strictly illegal, and also in-your-face. The drinks are expensive and the after-drink entertainment might cost a lot, lot more.

Read more:

Transformers-inspired robot rolls out green message in Vietnam - The Thaiger

Bombay Bicycle Clubs first tour since 2014 has been pretty seamless so far, says guitarist Jamie MacColl. Besides the British indie bands ride.

The wheels did fall of our bus literally three days ago, MacColl says before a show in Toronto. The last three days have bee quite stressful.

The wheel-challenged bus will roll into Brooklyn for two shows at Brooklyn Steel Monday and Tuesday. Mondays show had sold out, but a few tickets opened up as of press time.

After five years off the road, a band cant predict the demand for tickets when it returns.

I just feel so grateful to be able to do this, the guitarist says. Were very lucky to be able to do this and just even luckier that people care about it. For my generation, the way people are consuming music streaming, Spotify, whatever people carry on listening to you. Youre always there on a playlist. So I dont think people quite forget about you as they might have done 20 or 30 years ago.

Formed in London in 2005, Bombay Bicycle Club took a hiatus after 2014, their most successful year, which saw their fourth album, So Long, See You Tomorrow reach No. 1 in the UK and the band sell out hometown Earls Court Exhibition Centre the final show at the famed, 20,000-seat, London venue, which featured a guest appearance from Pink Floyds David Gilmour, a MacColl family friend.

If anything, the process has been much easier than in the past since reconvening, says MacColl. I think it was good for us to have a break away from it. When we started in a band we were all teenagers, we were 15, and for 10 years it was all we knew, so it was good to have some time away and do some personal development that you can bring back to the band.

Some of the members of the band which includes Jack Steadman (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Suren de Saram (drums) and Ed Nash (bass) worked on solo material, but MacColl did a lot of weird things. He earned degrees from Kings College London and Cambridge war studies and a masters in international relations, respectively and worked at a think tank in Washington, DC, and as an intelligence analyst at a social security company.

When the band started playing live again, I was less used to it than the others were, he says. It was newer and fresher to me. I think outside of that, it also made me realize that life being a touring musician is all Ive known since I was a teenager, but life for the most part is incredibly different to that, and it probably made me realize I had to grow up and develop.

Bombay Bicycle Clubs fifth album, Everything Else Has Gone Wrong, will be released Jan. 17. The first single, Eat, Sleep, Wake (Nothing But You) was released in August. The album is broadly about finding solace in music, MacColl says, when everything around you is going to st, whether in your personal life or politics or kind of whatever you perceive is going wrong.

For Bombay Bicycle Club, the New York shows represent a return to the soil that spawned much of the music that inspired the group.

Really formative stuff, a lot of the New York bands like LCD Soundsystem, The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, MacColl says. That was incredibly cool to us as 13-year-olds in London and still is now. But I think even then we were really at the start of the streaming generation, where I think it was probably like those illegal peer-to-peer, file-sharing sites like LimeWire and Napster, and that just meant you felt you had so much music available to you at your fingertips. I think we were eclectic even as 13-year-olds.

When I speak to teenagers now which doesnt happen that often Im always surprised that they jump around from different genres so much. Theyll listen to like rap music and emo and everything in between.

Link:
Bombay Bicycle Club gets back on the bus - New York Post

Degrowthers argue that, on a planet of finite resources, endless growth is impossible and harms not only the world around us, but also our wellbeing

Author: Sophie Perryer

7 Oct 2019

In every sphere of our commercialised, consumerist world, growth and success are seemingly inseparable. From national economic expansion to personal development, growth has become a proxy for obtaining health and wealth through constantly striving for bigger, better and more.

Yet, according to proponents of the degrowth movement, our environments can only support this consistent upward trajectory for so long. Degrowthers argue that, on a planet of finite resources, endless growth is impossible and harms not only the world around us, but also our wellbeing. Instead, they advocate a transition away from growth and towards a more equitable and sustainable society that fulfils all of its economic actors.

The radical nature of degrowth principles has historically inhibited their spread outside of left-leaning academic circles. In recent years, however, with environmental issues becoming increasingly difficult to ignore and confidence in traditional economic markers such as GDP declining, the movement is gathering pace.

Sustainabilitys sisterThe term degrowth was first proposed in the 1970s by the Franco-Austrian philosopher Andr Gorz, but it did not emerge as a movement until the late 2000s, when the first international degrowth conferences were held in Paris and Barcelona in 2008 and 2010 respectively. These were landmark events that cast this radical movement onto the global stage, Brendan Gleeson, Director of the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute, told European CEO.

Some of the ideas associated with the degrowth movement have since entered mainstream socioeconomic debate, particularly in connection with sustainability. For example, Sara Fromm, a sustainability activist and member of Research & Degrowth, has noticed the term being used by the Spanish media in reference to mass tourism in Barcelona. [Their reporting] probably doesnt cover everything that the degrowth movement wants to express with this term, but it still encompasses a lot of the values that those in the movement want to touch upon, particularly in terms of aviation, she said.

The degrowth movement pushes for a total redefinition of the way we live, centred on the rejection of expansionist economics

The degrowth and sustainability movements certainly share common ground, particularly with regards to reducing consumption. Taking fewer flights, eschewing fast fashion, purchasing less packaged food and committing to growing produce at home are all examples of mutual initiatives. Degrowthers, however, recognise that these individual changes, while valuable in contributing to wider environmental goals, will not achieve the sort of systemic change that they believe is necessary.

Most sustainability advocates, including policymakers in government, still seem locked into the growth paradigm, holding on to hope that technological advances and green policy will be able to achieve sustainability without transcending the growth paradigm, said Gleeson. Degrowth does not accept that techno-optimistic faith.

Less is moreThe degrowth movement pushes for a total redefinition of the way we live, centred on the rejection of expansionist economics. This extends beyond lifestyle and into political activism, along with a radical shift in working culture. Degrowthers argue that to transition away from growth we must reduce our working hours and dedicate more time to voluntary, community-led activities that promote fulfilment through non-consumptive means. This does not mean committing to an impoverished life, but rather to finding joy and pleasure and satisfaction in new non-consumerist ways, said Gleeson.

This is something that Fromm has grappled with since engaging with the degrowth movement. She is currently a part-time consultant on sustainable projects, but dedicates the rest of her working week to voluntary work, spending time with family and advocating for the degrowth cause. However, she has found that her decision to eschew the traditional working week raised eyebrows among her peers. I have certainly experienced people being confused about the choices I made because they have a different understanding of how to live your life and how much money you need to [sustain that], she said.

Fromm believes that part of this scepticism can be attributed to social attitudes surrounding part-time work. From my perspective, when it comes to enterprises, it is still not a very common thing, she said. [Part-time workers] can be regarded as possibly a bit less important, not in leading positions, or oftentimes women that are caring for children. I would like to see it become accepted and implemented not only for those people but for anyone [who] has decided, for any reason, that they dont want to spend as much time on paid labour.

All or nothingChanging peoples perceptions of work, however, is just one hurdle to overcome: theres also the financial aspect, which, in an inflationary society, presents a greater challenge. Degrowth theorists present two solutions to this issue: first, they suggest heavily investing in basic services such as healthcare and education to close the chasm that lower incomes will create. They argue that this would also help tackle social inequality by ensuring everyone has access to the same care and support.

The second, more controversial, proposed solution is the provision of a universal basic income (UBI), paid by the state to every citizen over the age of 18. This would allow people to do more work within their communities and be among friends and family, said Fromm. The concept is not a new one, but it has gained traction in recent years and has been trialled in Canada, Uganda, Kenya and, most recently, Finland.

During the two-year Finnish programme, participants were given 560 per month, no strings attached. While UBI was not found to affect the participants ability to find work, it did have a positive impact on the health, stress and concentration levels of those receiving it compared with those in the control group. Those in the test group were also considerably more confident in their own future and their ability to influence societal issues, noted the researchers who carried out the study.

The wellness-boosting aspect of UBI certainly fits in with the degrowth movements overall ethos of turning away from expansion in favour of more holistic markers of success. Paradoxically, the fact that the UBI did not have an impact on the participants ability to find work also supports the argument that individual degrowth policies will not prove successful on their own. Introducing a UBI in a society that is still geared towards growth will not work as the two are fundamentally at odds with one another. For the UBI to bear fruit, it must form part of a systemic shift.

The all-or-nothing nature of the degrowth movement makes it somewhat intimidating, but Gleeson argues that the first and most important step is persuading people that a non-materialistic life is a more fulfilling one. Consumer culture promises people that the path to happiness lies in increasing material wealth but this is just a flawed conception of the good life, he said. We need to structure our societies to ensure that everyone has enough, but our systems and cultures should then redirect energy away from materialistic pursuits and promote the good life through non-materialistic sources of meaning and happiness. In short, less (but enough) stuff, but more time and freedom.

Radical actionThis culture change is already underway in some countries. In May this year, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a new wellbeing budget for the country, with billions in new funding allocated to mental health services and measures to reduce child poverty.

Ardern said at the time: Were embedding that notion of making decisions that arent just about growth for growths sake, but how are our people faring? How is our environment doing? These are the measures that will give us a true measure of our success. Bhutan has taken this philosophy further still by adopting gross national happiness instead of GDP as the ultimate social goal. Its arguably an example of a post-growth society, said Gleeson.

Unquestionably, degrowth is a radical philosophy but we live in a time that requires radical action. Every environmental marker points to the fact that our world as we know it will not exist in 50 years if we continue at the current rate of resource consumption. Ultimately, an economics of sufficiency is needed if we are going to live within the sustainable carrying capacity of the planet, Gleeson concluded. There is no alternative.

Read more from the original source:
Cutting back: how the degrowth movement could save the planet - EuropeanCEO

To achieve success, as per your own definition of this abstract thought and feeling, if it is considered by you as a matter of destiny or the consequence of toil, labour and hard work, will determine your outlook towards self development. While stars, fate, and fortune have a role in our lives, hard work and the resolve to get where one wishes to go is equally critical. Here, I shall dwell only upon hard work, attitude and courage to improve oneself. Once armed with these, even Dame Fortune, is forced to befriend, you.

There is no person, who doesnt wish to succeed in life, regardless of the vocation or pursuit. All the new joiners at the entry level aspire to be the president/ CEOs of the company they start their career with. Some make it by hard work, while some dont, largely due to lack of personal attention and focus.

A university degree gets you to open ajar or break upon the latch to the world of opportunities -a first class degree does not guarantee numero uno position on the hierarchical chart. So, what is it required, beyond the university degree, to achieve success? Stated simply it is, personality development. And how does one explain and achieve personal development?

In this piece, the focused addressees are those readers, who are in the age band of 25years to 50years -a limiting factor of 50 years of age is clamped only to indicate, that if until that age an individual has not clarified to his/her self, of what they want from life, then the task to reset life is arduous and difficult, but not impossible. Recall, Ronald Reagan, the great communicator, became President of USA at the ripe age of 72 years. And in history, such examples are aplenty.

So, what exactly should this age group concentrate on for attaining a personality, that is found ready, willing and able; appropriate and appealing, to the board for placement as say, the managing director; fine, since such positions are a few, so let us focus on the desire to being, manager of people and business.

The attention has to be on few fundamentals. I am identifying only a few here; there may be numerous others that will give an enabling environment, for personality growth and success in the corporate sector and per se at the job assigned.

The most formidable of traits required is the development of the habit of reading. It allows you to remain abreast with the latest developments in the market and enables opportunities for improvement in skills. The knowledge you acquire must be of relevance to the assignment and not general in nature. Reading maketh a man".

All leaders have to be dreamers, first. So is true for the manager. The destination has to be in mind. Again have a plan and strategy in place to get where you wish to go. Develop with clarity the blueprint of a well-thought out vision, preferably that is timeless. If the goal posts are not known, team members will make a spectacle of themselves, not knowing which side of the arena they are playing. Strategy, goals and targets are set by dreamers. Be a dreamer, with faith, in your potential and abilities. This confidence dawns only where there is self-belief. This belief must not be imaginary, but has to be for real. You must have an attitude, sans arrogance, and you will find that colleagues and team members begin to acquiesce. In doing so, it is important to discover the seen and the unseen of the colleagues personality. What must not be obscured from any analysis of an individual is that a man of action will possess a strong dosage of pride, egotism and an air -no harm, only if it is confined within the traits self-restraint. In the improvement of personality, the element of smart approach, hard work and application, cannot be underestimated. In life there are no short cuts. The midnight lamp has to be burnt all through the night. Hard work and its results are usually in sync. One has to learn to do, rather than be in mere possession of knowledge, on how to execute. Execution is the crux of the usability of any knowledge. You can do, only if you think, you can.

As part of personality development, to keep time management in focus, is of critical significance. Set, your schedule every day, with definite key results to achieve. Those who cant master their control over time are bound to find themselves being captive to a rudderless and listing life. Because of its inelastic nature, one has to develop ability to pack 25 hours of productivity in a twenty four day. This requires a regime of following strict discipline. Apportion your time wisely, between investing in the future and enjoying the pleasure of present time. The past has value, limited in nature, it is to be looked at only to ensure, the errors of past arent repeated.

The speed of technological revolution is a thing to contend with. Spend enough resources to keep yourself aligned with the latest developments on how to improve ones productivity through the use of the platform of technology. This scribe does not believe that being active on the mostly ridiculous social media apparatus is akin to being proficient technically. In fact, it is a major distraction to many -and such dont realise, until it is late in the day. Acquire knowledge and expertise in new software and hardware that allow you to catapult into being a higher source of productivity.

To succeed, you have to be courageous. Courage is the most lethal attribute of a great leader. A person possessed of courage and character is always a formidable competition to all. Bravery is not possession of knowledge of the cowardice of colleagues; it is about compassion and ability to utilize others strengths, without compromising ones own values. Courage is the antidote of fear. Those possessed of fear will fail in taking new ventures with confidence. The vulnerability that strikes through fear leads to the undoing of the resolve.

A man is known by the company he keeps. Choose your friends with caution. People generally judge by the adage, birds of a feather flock together. If you spend time in the company of losers, you will soon be classified as one. The habits of successful people are deadly contagious, that is possible, only if you consciously make an effort to befriend them.

Develop, with consciousness, a pleasing disposition. At the workplace or otherwise too, exercise strict control over stress and anger. Laugh often -it helps in keeping good health too. The blood pressure remains in the normal range, helping you to keep your clam even in the tensest situations. It creates happiness in the environment; increases immunity to viruses of diseases, both of medical nature and corporate viruses.

Be of a forgiving nature. Holding retaliation, especially when possessed of power to do, is a great personal victory, over the negative self. Let forgiving be your nature. It is no sign of weakness. Only the brave forgive. Expunge fear from your dictionary. Let the self-propelling wheels of internal motivation override feelings of fear. Fear is an enemy of innovation, creativity and action. Bid it good-bye. Remember, no fence of fear, separates between the greener and the less green grass. Failure is never irrevocable. The revocability of all factors is the most important belief to be had for attaining success. Retreat is not defeat. Learn to demonstrate strong ethical, moral, and cultural standards.

The writer is a senior banker and a freelance columnist

Original post:
Be prepared - The News International

JERUSALEM, Israel - A sprawling 5,000-year-old city dubbed the "New York" of the Early Bronze Age was discovered in northern Israel's Ein Iron area.

The massive city was uncovered during excavations funded by the Netivei Israel Company that have been in progress for two and a half years. Experts say it is one of the first and largest cities of the ancient Near East.

Thousands of teens and student volunteers uncovered the settlement, which spans over 650 dunams (160.6 acres) and would have accommodated around 6,000 inhabitants.

"There is no doubt that this site dramatically changes what we know about the character of the period and the beginning of urbanization in Israel," said Itai Elad, Dr. Yitzhak Paz and Dr. Dina Shalem, directors of the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

The city, which operated at the end of the 4th millennium BC, was surrounded by a fortification wall, with streets, alleys, and residential and public areas.

Archaeologists discovered a temple in the public areas of the city, pointing to the spiritual life of the inhabitants.

The temple had a courtyard and a large stone basin used during religious rituals. Researchers also found burnt animal bones - evidence of animal sacrifices. They also found rare figurines in the temple facility.

The directors of the excavation said the city is evidence of how the inhabitants of Canaan were consolidating their identity in newly established urban sites.

"Such a city could not develop without having behind it a guiding hand and an administrative mechanism. It's impressive planning, the tools brought to Israel from Egypt found at the site, and its seal impressions are proof of this. This is a huge city a megalopolis in relation to the Early Bronze Age, where thousands of inhabitants, who made their living from agriculture, lived and traded with different regions and even with different cultures and kingdoms in the area," said Elad, Dr. Paz, and Dr. Shalem.

Excavators also uncovered an even earlier site dating back to the Chalcolithic period from 7,000 years ago underneath the city's homes.

The volunteers who uncovered the site were a part of the Israeli Antiquities Authorities Sharing Heritage Project, which aims to connect participants with the history and culture of the land.

"The challenges the archaeological excavation presented the students, and the uncovering of its findings, contributed both to their personal development and enriched their acquaintance with the country's landscape, its sites, and history," said Noah Shaul, a guide on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Figurines found at the excavation site: Photo Yoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority

Figurines found at the excavation site: Photo Yoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority

An animal figurine uncovered at the excavation site. Photo: Yoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority

Now that the site has been uncovered, officials are working to protect and preserve its remains.

Excerpt from:
Israeli Archaeologists Uncover Massive 5000-Year-Old 'New York City' of the Middle East - CBN News

Sure, theres no shortage of great creativity-related podcasts out there heres a list of 40 of our favourites, if you missed it but a new pod on the scene called Method in the Madness uniquely looks to combine great design-related interviews with broader stories around personal development.

Method in the Madness is the creation of Gregor Matheson, who works on it as a side project outside of his role as head of design at the digital agency Signal. That personal development side was vital for Matheson; and he wanted to share his own and other peoples advice on how the successful tools, habits and strategies used within creativity and leadership can have a profound effect on other areas of your life.

This is because he says he witnessed them: he tells us that ten years ago, as a recent grad, he was "obese and felt stuck in a city and a job that made him miserable. After a stark wake-up call, he decided to take control of his unhealthy and unproductive habits and managed to transform his life: losing 45kgs in just six months, moved his life to a different city and found the fulfilling start in the creative industry that he was looking for, all in the same year."

Image courtesy of Gregor Matheson

So far, as well as insights from designers and creative industry types, guests on the show have included as inventors, typographers, creative directors, photographers, founders of businesses, a chocolatier and even an Antarctic explorer.

"My hope in all of this is that I can share insights, strategies and stories from interesting guests that will not just have a positive effect on the listener's work, but other areas of their life too," says Matheson, "The podcast is an opportunity for me to sit down with great creative thinkers from all over the world, pick their brains and find out the 'why' and how behind 'what' they do."

Its well worth a listen, and free to do so across platforms including Apple Podcasts,Spotify, SoundCloud, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Stitcher and YouTube.

Link:
The podcast combining design advice, productivity tips and a very personal weight loss story - Creative Boom