2025-01-04T15:34:02Z Read in app Angle down iconAn icon in the shape of an angle pointing down. I've gone on cruises with all different lines and have had some of the same experiences across the board. Amanda Adler This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? There are still things I hate about cruises, even after more than 50 sailings.Cruises can require lots of planning and limited port time, which kills spontaneity.Loyalty programs can make it hard for those of us without status to make reservations.After more than 50 sailings, it's clear that I love cruises and keep coming back for more.However, even as a cruise enthusiast, there are still some things that drive me nuts about this form of travel.From pricey upcharges for specialty dining to limited port time, here are my top gripes with modern cruising. Trying to get poolside lounge chairs and seats at crowded events can feel like an Olympic sport.I've often seen people sitting on floors just so they could participate in popular onboard events, like trivia. Amanda Adler Although it's understandable that cruises are limited by space and can only provide so much seating in each venue, the lack of chairs in many ships' most popular areas continues to be a source of frustration for me.On every cruise I've been on, you've got to get up pretty early in the morning if you want a deck chair by the pool.Passengers stake their claim on loungers with towels and personal items often before sunrise meaning that if you snooze, you lose your opportunity to soak up the sun.Finding a seat can also prove challenging at popular onboard events, like trivia, where I've often seen participants resort to sitting on the floor. Planning is often required if you want to make the most of your trip.Sometimes we're worried about missing out on shows or special meals. Amanda Adler Gaining access to other in-demand cruise activities can be an equally daunting task.Although I enjoy the Broadway-style shows found on most modern cruise ships, these incredible performances naturally draw big crowds.To manage them, many cruises require travelers to reserve their seats weeks before a ship departs if you miss the booking window, you could be out of luck. I've found spots can fill up quickly for popular shows.A similar process is common for specialty dining venues at sea. In many cases, coveted extra-cost eateries have run out of reservations long before I boarded the ship.Whenever I did snag a sought-after reservation, I hated having to plan the rest of my day around one meal.On cruises, I prefer a more laid-back spontaneity, and having to book things so far in advance spoils my sense of freedom. Loyalty programs can create a system of "haves" and "have-nots."It's hard to get certain perks unless you're a frequent cruiser with a particular line. Amanda Adler One way to secure early access to the popular bookings I mentioned above is to earn status.Major lines have loyalty programs that reward repeat cruisers with perks, including the ability to book offerings earlier than other travelers.Unfortunately, this can create an unbalanced system and make it tough to want to experiment with different cruise lines.Even as a seasoned cruiser, I don't have amazing loyalty perks with most lines because I've sailed with so many different ones.My highest status level is with Disney Cruise Line, so I tend to book its ships whenever possible so I can have a leg up in securing my top choice of port adventures, dining options, and more.I'd love to branch out and try other cruise lines, but the barrier to entry for a first-timer can be steep. Cruises offer limited time in each port, which can make some experiences feel rushed.I feel like we didn't get to spend enough time in some incredible ports. Amanda Adler There's nothing I love more than leisurely days spent soaking up the culture of the place I'm visiting.From sipping coffee and people-watching at a caf to wandering through a town center, I adore taking in a destination's simple pleasures as much as its major tourist attractions. However, this type of unhurried exploration is rarely possible on a cruise. When I set off to explore a port, I know I must be back on the ship at a certain time. That deadline looms over my head throughout my visit.Time is of the essence when you're only docked for a few hours, and I feel pressured to make the most of my limited sightseeing time.Although this frenetic pace is not my ideal way to see a new city, I've learned to embrace it somewhat and treat my cruise stops as a sampler a highlight reel of what that locale has to offer.This helps me determine which cities I want to come back to in the future to explore more thoroughly. CruiseCruisesTravel More... Close iconTwo crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.

The show biz satire set behind the scenes of a superhero movie ended after one season.

Stockholmshem HQ Skrholmen / Sderberg SderbergSave this picture! Mikael OlssonOffice BuildingsStockholm, SwedenArchitects: Sderberg SderbergYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Mikael Olsson More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. AB Stockholmshem, a company run by the City of Stockholm, is one of Sweden's largest public housing firms. The company's new high-rise headquarters in the Stockholm suburb Skrholmen holds offices, a Youth Centre, and 102 flats of different sizes. It was commissioned to Sderberg Sderberg by the City Council in 2013 as part of a general ambition to move central City administration away from the city center and 'closer to the people'. The new building aims to bring more people into the Skrholmen Centre, day and night, and will hopefully communicate some of the tenants' lives and commotion to the neighborhood.Save this picture!Skrholmen, where the new building stands right in the center, is one of the first Swedish 'million program' suburbs; a scheme spanning from 1965 to -75 when one million publicly owned apartments were to be built. Inspiration for the original planners and architects in Skrholmen came partly from ancient Rome a mixture of alleyways, public squares, terraces, monumentality, and personality. Famous today for the first IKEA warehouse and an extensive international food market, Skrholmen has Sweden's largest mix of nationalities; a cultural hub that also faces social challenges.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Skrholmen is spread out, flat, and relatively low. The new, centrally placed, 23-floor high-rise relates to its immediate context but also the stepped housing developments on the hill north of the site a landmark in and for the district and the City of Stockholm, up close and at a distance. The building's plan is systematically built up through a pillar deck system with a 7.20-meter module a 1.20-meter module grouped into larger units. The outer walls throughout have modularly placed windows and window doors made possible by fully covering balcony bands on each floor. The balcony's transparent glass railings attach to the grid system of pillars and beams covering the entire building. The roofs above the office and residential areas have planted terraces with accessibility for residents and staff. Entrances are in the four corners, in the southwest through a common, accessible entry for all.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The function of the facade gives the building its appearance. The balcony strips prevent the spread of fire between stories, enabling full-height windows and doors in all openings for light, accessibility and increased visual contact between the inside and outside, also providing the required noise reduction through soundproof but transparent glass railings and sound-reductive roof elements. The Terrazzo grid covering the exterior sorts out the messy whole that balcony-covered facades usually entail. Closely spaced pillars provide a safer stay on high balconies. Shadows move over pillars and walls, varying appearances throughout the day. Columns, balcony fronts, and facade cladding are executed in brushed, mild green cement mosaic; a 'noble' concrete of Roman origins that can be found in the surrounding 1960s architecture as well as in its inspirations.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Stockholm, SwedenLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeSderberg SderbergOfficeMaterialsGlassConcreteMaterials and TagsPublished on January 04, 2025Cite: "Stockholmshem HQ Skrholmen / Sderberg Sderberg" 04 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1024775/stockholmshem-hq-skarholmen-soderberg-soderberg&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

SummaryThis podcast episode explores the challenges and techniques involved in creating real-time visual effects (VFX) for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). The guest, Ashif Ali, a VFX expert, explains the unique challenges of these platforms, such as the need for high performance optimization, seamless integration with the real world (in AR), accurate scale and perspective (in VR), and real-time interaction with the user. He then discusses key techniques like optimized particle systems, dynamic lighting for AR, spatial audio in VR, and depth masking for AR. Ali also covers performance optimization strategies such as using level of detail (LOD), efficient shaders, and avoiding overdraw. Finally, he provides insights into the future of VFX in AR/VR, highlighting advancements in environmental interaction, haptic feedback, AI-driven VFX creation, and cross-reality experiences.

"New Year, new me," is a cliche, and yet, each year we set New Year's resolutions. Recent research says that most of us elect to make New Years resolutions each year, like exercising more or eating better, even if the resolution may not last past January.According to a new survey from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine/Morning Consult, nearly half of all adults in the U.S. will start a new diet as part of their New Years resolutions.The findings indicate that the diets the study participants wanted to start included a plant-based diet, the keto diet, and counting calories. Whatever the reason these participants wanted to start a new diet, whether it be for weight loss or overall health, the survey found that less than 10 percent of participants selected the diet with a proven track record for weight stability and health.Which Diet Is Best?The survey team polled 2,174 American adults about the diet they would start in 2025. The results showed that 40 percent would eat fewer calories, 26 percent said they would eat a low-carb diet, such as keto or Atkins, and 17 percent would try intermittent fasting, among other diets.The surveyors noticed that only 8 percent of participants were starting the Mediterranean diet, and 7 percent were going to focus on a plant-based or vegan diet. Both of these diets are considered some of the best in terms of weight loss and wellness, primarily because they consist of fresh foods versus overly processed foods.But overall, trying a new diet can be difficult, and there is so much information out there that the choice can feel overwhelming and can trigger negative emotional responses towards food.Counting calories can be time-consuming and create a negative relationship with food for some people. And low-carbohydrate diets come with a range of side effects," said Roxanne Becker, MBChB, DipIBLM, with the Physicians Committee, a health advocacy group with 17,000 physician members, in a press release.Research has shown that plant-based diets are effective for weight loss without purposefully restricting or counting calories. This is because plants tend to be naturally lower in calorie density and higher in fiber, which promotes a feeling of fullness," said Becker in the release.Basic NutritionFinding the right diet isnt easy. It takes a lot of time and effort. And if the desired results arent happening fast enough, its easy to feel negative about the process. However, something that is crucial to remember is that changes to your health take time.According to the Massachusetts General Hospital, if youre looking to make changes to your diet, start with basic nutrition. Instead of jumping into crash or fad diets, which can be extremely restrictive, focus on a diet thats well-balanced, sustainable, realistic, and something you can enjoy in the long term.For some, a well-balanced diet can include Mediterranean and vegan diets, especially because they are full of whole foods, delicious recipes, and are sustainable....While a plant-based diet is effective for weight loss, it also reduces the risk of obesity-related diseases like heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, and certain cancers, can save money, and is best for the environment, Becker said in the release.Finding the right diet is complicated. Certain diets may help you lose weight but could be negatively impacting your mental health. Thats why its important to remember that a healthy diet is more about a lifestyle change than a quick fix. Its about finding balance and moving away from overly processed foods, and moving towards foods that are in the Mediterranean and plant-based diets. On top of a balanced diet, making sure youre being active can assist in your health resolutions. This article is not offering medical advice and should be used for informational purposes only. Article Sources:Our writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article: Massachusetts General Hospital. New Year, New Diet?A graduate of UW-Whitewater, Monica Cull wrote for several organizations, including one that focused on bees and the natural world, before coming to Discover Magazine. Her current work also appears on her travel blog and Common State Magazine. Her love of science came from watching PBS shows as a kid with her mom and spending too much time binging Doctor Who.

We've just hit a 'critical inflection point' on the road to scalable quantum computers. Here's why.

Will the striking design of the Hawke Endurance be matched by its performance?

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Guys, please share where you get work, such a condemnation that no one needs 3d at all. submitted by /u/TwinKinggg [link] [comments]

A prominent Pokemon leaker has kicked off the new year with a cryptic post potentially hinting at future content, asking players to choose from several Pokemon. The massively popular monster-catching franchise is set to have a major year in 2025, with a main title already confirmed to be on the way. The Pokemon Company officially revealed Pokemon Legends: Z-A early last year as a follow-up to 2022's Pokemon Legends: Arceus, set in the Kalos region specifically centered in Lumiose City. Now, a well-known leaker may be dropping a hint at some of the game's content.