So much going on. So much to do. So much to plan. So many presentations to write.

So….naturally, I’m surfing!

BIONIC
I’m still really excited about the Bionic Pancreas. I know that when we hear of new research it’s often about mice, labs, five years’ time etc. So hearing and reading about the ‘real-life’ applications of this technology has been so very exciting. And hopeful. I interviewed someone who participated in the Melbourne trials (you can read about it in the next edition of Conquest). And for another beautiful, goose bump-inducing read about it, here’s what Kerri wrote at Six Until Me.

BLUE CIRLCE APP
A couple of months ago, the IDF launched a new photo app to help raise awareness of diabetes.  You can add a blue circle to any photo and then share on social media. Here’s my latest masterpiece:

Blue Circle APP

ZOE BOWIE SINGS
Earlier this year, I sat on a Google Hangout panel with Jamie Tripp Utitis who recently presented at the Doctors 2.0 and You conference in Paris about her beautiful new book ‘Zoe Bowie Sings, Despite All Sad Things’. Jamie wrote this book for kids with a parent with MS. Jamie writes an awesome blog of her life with MS. You can read it here.

WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE?
I threw a huge tantrum let out a huge sigh of defeat when this appeared in my (virtual and real) inbox today. It’s the promotion of a conference in Melbourne later this year about the future of primary care. One of  the focuses is patient outcomes. Looking through the myriad speakers what do I find? Not. A. Single. Patient. In. Sight.

SCRIBBLES
Mike Lawson (who I was lucky enough to meet briefly at year’s ADA conference) recently started ‘Scribbling My Life Away’, a blog of his drawings. It’s not really, diabetes-related (although there is the occasional diabetes reference) but nonetheless very cool. (And, Mike, if you’re reading this, can you please do me a scribble of a jar of Nutella and a big spoon. I’d like to put it up in my office?)

SWEET PRETTY THINGS
Totally, completely and utterly not diabetes-related, but I can’t stop looking at the gorgeous artwork of Aussie Illustrator Kerri Hess. I am trying to work out how I could commission a life-size piece that would fit perfectly on a big blank wall in our bedroom.

MEOW
In other news, a cat café opened in Melbourne this week.

CRAZY BIKE RIDING TYPE 1 PEOPLE HEADING TO VIENNA
Last year a group of mad folk with type 1 diabetes  rode from Brussels to Barcelona as part of the mHealth Grand Tour. Not content with this achievement, the group known as Team BG, will be doing it all again, kicking off in Barcelona and heading to the location of this year’s EASD conference, Vienna, where I intend to greet them and call them all crazy. I might then buy them a beer.

HAVE YOU REGISTERED YET?
A reminder that TODAY IS THE LAST DAY to get the early bird rate to attend the first ever ADS-ADEA Consumer Outreach program. Book now!