Martin Cid's Blog: Martin Cid Magazine, page 1128

Top TV Shows Tonight: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Chicago Fire, The Flash

It’s Tuesday and it’s time for Top TV shows tonight. As always, we have three recommendation for you, we hope you like it. The first one is for Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Today’s episode: Maveth. Season 3. Episode 10. 9:00 pm. ABC.

Our second choice is for Chicago Fire. Today’s episode: Short and Fat. Season 4. Episode 9. 10:00 pm. NBC.

And the last one is for the series from the CW, The Flash. Today’s episode: Running to Stand Still. Season 2. Episode 9. 8:00 pm. CW.

We hope you enjoy the shows. Have a very nice day, dear friends.

Video: Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD 3×10 Sneak Peek #3 “Maveth” (HD) Winter Finale

Famous Birthdays Today, December 8: Ian Somerhalder, Nicki Minaj, Teala Dunn, AnnaSophia Robb, Sam Hunt

Well, he’s a great guy and I really appreciate his work for the animals. Of course, he stars on The Vampire Diaries and he’s Ian Ian Somerhalder. He was born in Covington in 1978 and, from Yareah, we wish him and his family all the best in this special day. Congratulations and happy birthday, Ian Somerhalder!

Top#5 Sexy Actors on TV: Ian Somerhalder. Source: flickr. Author: vagueonthehow

I can write with absolutely perfect penmanship with my feet. If I broke both my arms, I could still write a girl a love letter using just my toes. Ian Somerhalder

We’re made up of energy, so who’s to say you can’t transmit through electrical means? If you could transmit yourself wirelessly, then it’s Armageddon pretty much. Ian Somerhalder

And today is also the birthday of the rapper Nicki Minaj. All the best of luck for her too. Happy birthday, Nicki Minaj!

Famous Birthdays Today, Dec. 8: Nicki Minaj Launches Pink Friday Perfume 2012 – Sydney, Australia. Source: flickr. Author: Eva Rinaldi

When people see my makeup, they think all types of crazy things that I’m doing to my skin, but it’s makeup. It’s the weirdest thing. They’ll see contouring and think you had surgery on your nose. No. No. No. Look at ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ and you’ll see… you can make your nose look… what ever shape you want it. Nicki Minaj

Your victory is right around the corner. Never give up. Nicki Minaj

More famous birthdays today, December 8: Teala Dunn, television actress born in New Jersey in 1996; AnnaSophia Robb, actress born in 1993; and Sam Hunt, country singer.

Happy birthday to all of them. Have a very nice day, dear friends.

Video: 7 Things You Didn’t Know About Ian Somerhalder

Industry and education must ‘adapt or die’ to the digital revolution – Innovisions conference

GE’s Mark Elborne talks Industrial Web

Organisations in all sectors will have to radically change their operational and business models if they are to survive the digital revolution, delegates at NEF’s annual Innovisions conference heard last week.
Innovisions, the 11th annual conference by NEF: The Innovation Institute brought together industry leaders and influencers from a broad spectrum of sectors including transport, power generation, defence, construction, banking, education and healthcare.

Delegates heard how new technologies such as big data, mobile technology, cognitive computing and the internet of things are speeding up the process of innovation. But sectors and industries that do not adapt to the new digital landscape risk being left behind or could even reach paralysis, delegates heard.

Mark Carne, CEO of Network Rail stressed the importance of digital innovation for transforming major infrastructure industries such as rail. More than 4.5 passengers use the railway in Britain every day and this number is predicted to double within the next 25 years. Carne said:
“Use of our rail system is growing faster than anywhere else in Europe. Building new railways such as HS1, HS2, Crossrail and Thameslink only partly addresses the problem. Creating a digitised signalling system could unlock enormous capacity in our network. In urban areas we could potentially increase the number of trains we run by as much as 40%. A digitised railway will lead to more reliable trains, safer journeys and increase the safety of our maintenance workers.”

He added:
“Our industry needs a complete transformation. If we don’t tackle this problem fast, we are going to hit a capacity crisis. We need to build a strong coalition with a very fragmented industry to find ways to overcome the barriers to innovation.”

Mark Elborne President and CEO of GE, UK and Ireland described the escalating power of the industrial internet of things, which has the potential to drive 20% efficiencies across all industrial sectors. Predicting that 50 billion machines would be connected to the cloud by 2020, he emphasised the importance of open innovation, adding:
“By 2020, the industrial internet of things could be worth US$225 billion. As soon as companies embrace this technological revolution, they will reap the financial benefits.”

Elborne said that GE was building a ‘digital thread’ that connected all parts of its manufacturing process including product design, engineering, supply chain partners and service operators.
The company has designed and created an industrial-strength cloud-based platform, Predix which not only supports and accelerates innovation at GE, but is also open to developers of industrial applications in any sector.

Elborne added: “Continued investment in traditional technologies is no longer enough. Industrial companies need to think about the cloud and big data and digital platforms and to think about people and talent differently.”

Other keynote speakers included Julian Wilson, Head of Mobile Innovation at Barclays, who talked about the challenges and opportunities that crypto currencies and mobile payment mechanisms are bringing to the financial sector. Andres Martin Diana, Global Digital Health Director for Bupa, described how big data and mobile phone applications are being used to improve the health and wellbeing for large sections of the population at low cost. Bupa has launched a range of applications to tackle common health issues including helping people to quit smoking and to improve their stress levels.

Hosting the conference, NEF: The Innovation Institute’s Chief Executive Professor Sa’ad Medhat said:
“The digital revolution is accelerating the pace of innovation across all sectors. In order to stay ahead, organisations must be prepared for radical change: rebuilding their models and processes as well as sharing data more widely.

“As we have heard today, this presents enormous challenges for our trainers and educational institutions. The UK is predicted to have the largest digital skills gap in Europe by 2020. It’s estimated that we will require an extra 150,000 workers with digital skills annually from 2017.
“The message is loud and clear, if the UK is to remain competitive, we need to significantly expand our investment in digital training for the next generation.”

To see all four keynote presentations at Innovisions go to: http://www.thenef.org.uk/innovisions_2015

Cornwall Innovation at Plymouth University receives sector-first national accreditation

Plymouth University’s Innovation Award

Plymouth University has become the first higher education institution in the country to receive a national innovation accreditation in recognition of its support for small and medium-sized businesses in Devon and Cornwall.

The University has been given the Investor in Innovations Award for its management of the three Innovation Centres in Cornwall, which are now home to over 110 innovative high growth businesses, and which since their launch in 2011, have helped create more than 200 jobs.

Awarded by NEF: The Innovation Institute, the accreditation also covers the University’s Formation Zone incubation centres on campus and in Cornwall, which nurture embryonic businesses, including graduate start-ups from Plymouth and local colleges.

Professor Simon Payne, Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said: “Universities have the potential to be innovation engines for the economy, using their knowledge and expertise to catalyse socioeconomic development – and Plymouth is very proud of its track record in this field. To be recognised for having made such a difference to so many businesses in our region is a tribute to the hard work and diligence of so many people.”

During the accreditation process, members of NEF: The Innovation Institute visited both the Plymouth campus and the Tremough Innovation Centre in Penryn and spoke with managers and staff about the work being done at Pool, Tremough and the Health and Wellbeing facility in Truro. Businesses from the centres were also present to offer their perspective.
NEF singled out a number of areas, including the entrepreneurial experience of the centre managers, the focus and support for client businesses, particularly young entrepreneurs, and the methods of engagement such as with business competitions and entrepreneurs-in-residence. They also praised the levels of community engagement, with 16,000 visitors interacting with the centres in four years across a variety of events.

Professor Sa’ad Medhat, Chief Executive of NEF: The Innovation Institute, said: “It’s exciting to see Plymouth playing such a vibrant role in the economic ecosystem of Devon and Cornwall. The clusters of expertise that are developing within the Innovation Centres are aligned with the region’s economic priorities and are already invigorating the local supply chains. Plymouth is an inspiring example of what can be achieved by matching technical specialist knowledge with in-depth business development in a supportive, collaborative environment.

Bernard Curren, Director of Cornwall Innovation, added: “Since we launched our first Formation Zone in 2008, we’ve been on a journey, a learning curve that has resulted in the creation of an incubation, innovation and acceleration model that supports business development, through expert advice, opportunities to network and access to investment. It’s a model that we believe could be used in other areas of the country to stimulate innovation and economic growth.”

Dr. Who. The TARDIS Lands in Canary Islands for Series Finale

Doctor Who. Peter Capaldi as the Doctor

On Saturday, for the finale of Series 9 of Dr Who, the Doctor returned to the Canary Islands, where the first two episodes of the series were filmed. The Doctor wasn’t on holiday, however – the landscapes of the island group, which vary greatly, make them ideally suited to the science fiction genre.

Produced by the BBC and starring Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman and Michelle Gomez, the iconic programme used the volcanic landscape of Mount Teide in Tenerife in the first two episodes to replicate an alien world. The final episode of Peter Capaldi’s second series was shot, in part, on the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura.

It is not only television companies that have been drawn to Tenerife – the island’s filmography also includes a number of blockbuster films, including Fast & Furious 6, the 50th highest-grossing film of all time, and the Clash of the Titans and Wrath of the Titans films, which were huge box-office successes.

The fifth instalment in the Bourne series, starring Matt Damon, was also filmed on the island. In the film, the Tenerifan capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife stands in for Athens. But what draws these world-renowned productions to such a small island, only slightly larger than Greater London?

In an area of just over 2,000km2 Tenerife has a huge range of potential film settings. Holidaymakers might be aware of the black sand beaches and breathtaking cliffs, but may not have ventured far enough to see deserts, subtropical forests and volcanic areas, and the island’s two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Teide National Park – containing the world’s third-largest volcano – and San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a colonial city founded at the end of the fifteenth century.

Sharon Backhouse, Director of London-based company GeoTenerife, which champions the diverse regions of Tenerife, said, “Tenerife’s natural beauty makes it perfect for film, but what’s even more incredible is how many different settings can be found there. The volcanic peak of Teide looks like the surface of another planet, and to think that within a short drive a production company could be in a unique laurel forest, a desert or beneath breathtaking cliffs is incredible.

“Add to this a charming and well-preserved fifteenth-century city and a wealth of modern architecture, plus one of the most consistently sunny climates in the world.

“Tenerife’s importance to the global film, television and commercial production industries has been cemented in recent years as companies realise the benefits of working on the island. That is why now is an opportune time to meet with industry leaders in London and discuss the ways in which they can take advantage of this unique location with the help of the assistance of the Tenerife Film Commission, which has been valuable to a huge number of productions.”

The Tenerife Film Commission supports all foreign film production projects on the island, giving advice about locations, introducing appropriate local companies to support and much more.

Tenerife’s versatility in terms of filming locations is just one factor that attracts production companies to the island, however:

1. Excellent transport links

Although its landscape and weather are unlike those found in Europe, Tenerife’s relative proximity makes it an attractive film destination. Only a two-and-a-half hour flight from Madrid and four hours from other major European cities and with the same time zone as the UK, Ireland and Portugal, it is very close to Europe.

2. Experienced professionals

Tenerife has a healthy local film industry. Whether actors, extras, producers or equipment is needed, the Tenerife Film Commission helps to connect foreign production companies with the best local talent.

3. A film-friendly island

Having welcomed many film, television and commercial production companies to the island, Tenerife’s government and residents have earned a reputation for being film-friendly. For example, a section of newly-built motorway was made available to the makers of Fast & Furious 6.

4. Consistently good weather

Tenerife’s latitude and its position in the Atlantic mean that it enjoys 3,000 hours of sunshine a year (an average of eight hours and fifteen minutes a day) and average temperatures of 23°C. This makes it ideal for outdoor filming.

5. Unbeatable tax incentives

Tenerife is in the Special Canary Zone, which means that businesses pay 4% corporation tax, compared to a European average of 25%. On top of this, foreign producers can qualify for a 35% tax rebate if they invest at least €1 million in the Canary Islands and hire a local production company.

6. Brilliant accommodation and service infrastructure

Tenerife’s hotels are regarded some of the best in Europe, and it has 75,000 beds at three, four and five-star establishments.

The Dr Who series finale can be found here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06s609f

Top TV Shows Today, December 7: Scorpion, Supergirl, Major Crimes

Yes, it’s Monday and it’s time for great shows and television series. Our Top#1 Top TV Shows Today is for Scorpion. Today’s episode: The Old College Try. Season 2. Episode 11. 9:00 pm. CBS.

And our second choice is for the series from the CBS, Supergirl. Today’s episode: Human for a Day. Season 1. Episode 7. 8:00 pm. CBS. Premise (From Wikipedia): Twenty-four-year-old Kara Zor-El (Benoist), who was taken in by the Danvers family when she was 13 after being sent away from Krypton, must learn to embrace her powers after previously hiding them.[1] The Danvers family teaches Kara to be careful with her powers, until she has to reveal them during an unexpected disaster, setting her on her journey of heroism even when it comes to protecting National City.  Kara discovers that hundreds of the criminals her mother Alura Zor-El (Laura Benanti) prosecuted on Krypton are hiding on Earth, including her mother’s twin sister Astra (also played by Benanti), who seeks to rule the world. In addition, Kara learns that her new ally, Hank Henshaw (David Harewood), may have secret agendas of his own. She is also being targeted by Earth’s criminals as the result of her relation to another Kryptonian survivor: Superman. She is aided by a few close friends and family who guard her secrets, which also serves as a major plot in high tech mogul Maxwell Lord’s (Peter Facinelli) scheme to expose Kara’s identity.

And our last recommendation is for Major Crimes. Today: Thick as Thieves. Season 4. Episode 16. 9:00 pm. TNT.

We hope you enjoy the shows. Have a very nice day, dear friends.

Video: Scorpion 2X11 “The Old College Try” Promo

Famous Birthdays Today, December 7: Larry Bird, Jasmine V, Sara Bareilles, Sara Bareilles, Nicholas Hoult

Well, he’s one of the most impressive players I’ve ever seen. He’s Larry Bird and he’s our Top#1 Famous Birthdays Today, December 6. He’s now the president of the Indiana Pacers, he was born in West Baden, Indiana in 1956 and, from Yareah, we wish him and his family all the best in this special day. Congrats and happy birthday, Larry Bird!

Famous Birthdays Today, December 7: Larry Bird’s photo at Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis. Author: Kurt Shimala

Leadership is diving for a loose ball, getting the crowd involved, getting other players involved. It’s being able to take it as well as dish it out. That’s the only way you’re going to get respect from the players. Larry Bird

As far as playing, I didn’t care who guarded me – red, yellow, black. I just didn’t want a white guy guarding me, because it’s disrespect to my game. Larry Bird

More famous birthdays today, December 6: Jasmine Villegas, singer born in San Jose, California in 1993, known as Jasmine V; Sara Bareilles, singer-songwriter who sang Love Song, born in Eureka, California in 1979; and Nicholas Hoult, actor.

Happy birthday to all of them. Have a very nice day, dear friends.

Video: Larry Bird Top 10 Plays of Career

Sunday Poetry with Jenean C. Gilstrap. Today: The Other Andromeda

Andromeda chained to a rock as a sacrifice to sate the monster, before being saved from death by Perseus, her future husband.

the other andromeda

she knew

standing there

on the slippery precipice

how could she not know

the danger

the darkness

the death

that awaited her

as the soft silky mist

swirled

enveloped her soul

twirled

surrounded her

whirled

held her gently

but held her still

as her life

poured into

the liquid torrent

that was

his

tortured

heart

she knew

she knew

as she leaped

into the

dark

abyss

that was

his

lost

soul

she

knew

~

Top TV Shows Tonight: Quantico, Blood & Oil, Once Upon a Time

It’s Sunday and it’s time for great television shows. We love ABC and we love this show, Quantico. It’s about some FBI students and a terrorist attack. Who did it? The answer is complicated but we love it. In this episode –according to the promo- a second bomb is ready to explode. Quantico. Today’s episode: Quantico. Season 1. Episode 10. 10:00 pm. ABC.

Our second recommendation is for the series Blood & Oil. Today’s episode: Art of the Deal. Season 1. Episode 9. 9:00 pm. ABC.

And yes, our last choice is for another one from the ABC. This time, Once Upon a Time. Today’s episode: Swan Song. Season 5. Episode 11. 8:00 pm. ABC.

We hope you enjoy the shows. Have a very nice day, dear friends.

Video: Quantico 1×10 Season 1 Episode 10 “Quantico” Promo (HD)

Famous Birthdays Today, December 6: Stefanie Scott, Wesley Stromberg, Dulce Maria, Johnny Manziel

Yes, she is great and she is our Top#1 Famous Birthdays Today, December 6… Stefanie Scott! She is an American actress and singer and she appeared on the series A.N.T. Farm and in the film Flipped, She was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1996 and, from Yareah, we wish her and her family all the best in this special day. Congrats and happy birthday, Stefanie Scott!

Famous Birthdays Today, December 6: Stefanie Scott in 2011. Source: Wikipedia. Author: RealTVfilms

When I’m not working, I love going to the beach. I am from Florida, so I definitely love the beach life. I love horse-back riding. Just to go out to a barn, it’s fun. It’s kind of like a get-away from the city. And also, I love animals. Stefanie Scott

I know it sounds cliche, but to give back is important. Sometimes we’re given so much, we need to do something for other people. I think that’s really important. Stefanie Scott

More famous birthdays today, December 6: Wesley Stromberg, member of the group Emblem3, born in Washington in 1993; Dulce Maria, Mexican singer born in 1985; and Johnny Manziel, football player born in 1992.

Happy birthday to all of them. Have a very nice day, dear friends.

Video: INSIDIOUS 3 – Stefanie Scott & Hayley Kiyoko’s Scary Moments on Set!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipftw...