Wavelength

What makes a good computer game? A strong narrative with a protagonist along with elements of jeopardy, drama and surprise... perhaps this is nothing new; just the ancient art of story telling... but games offer more: they take us in, we become immersed as part of the landscape and increasingly we share the experience. The Legend of Zelda, The Secret of Monkey Island.... The Elder Scrolls. There are endless whole worlds out there, made for us to explore.

'He knows not where he's going, for the ocean will decide, it's not the destination, it's the glory of the ride.' Unlike Zen Dog, Michelle has both the journey and the destination in the form of Babiroo: an ethical business keeping new born babies cozy and warm, in the softest organic Egyptian Cotton. Amazing how ice-cream, nursing and theatrical performance have lead to a brand that is about to take the world by storm.

On paper a business can be boiled down to numbers, but when you've invested time and energy and battled with critics - perhaps even your demons - to create something that you love... you'll understand the emotion that goes way beyond value and good will. When it comes to selling you want buyers who appreciate all of these things... and you could do no better than to work with Lyn: she's been there and she's done it.

From small purchases and big loans to savings and investments - money governs the opportunities and choices that we have. Strange that many of us have such a poor grasp of finance given that we understand very well the effect on our lifestyle. Good advice can be hard to find, but it often comes from people who live and work among us... Sam is such a person; with a whole heap of experience and her caring approach, it's good to know that genuine help is at hand.

'Diastasis Recti' says it all really... child birth is as old as the hills, but that's not to say that it's easy; sure we hear stories of babies flying out like wet fish, but most of us - men and women alike - know that labour & birth are often traumatic. Recovery can take time and many women suffer both physically and mentally for months after having a baby. The MUTU System and its community are here to help and Lyssa-Fee is here to tell us some facts of life that not all will be familiar with.

WISP recognises that women & girls are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and maths; the goal is one of gender equality. As Lorna shares her journey we can see why WISP is important, but we go further; scientists & engineers are more than pipette squeezing spanner bashers; they live and laugh and worry among us. All biology is chemistry... all chemistry is physics... and all who hold down jobs in these sectors are people - just like us. We all need to break down the stereotypes.

A 'multi-functional kitchen gadget' or the 'smallest most intelligent kitchen'? Hmm... which ever way you care to cut it the Thermomix has more to it than meets the eye... weigh, chop, bend, mix and cook - no problem - and it will even provide recipes with a sprinkling of know-how; just as well this gadget is confined to the kitchen or we'd all being looking for a new job. German engineering too: 'advancement through technology' as they say.

A riddle: "I have a grand hall that many will visit with guest rooms and gardens that some may elicit, but what of the rooms and majestic suits - the secret chambers where everyone meets? These charms are yours, but remain a secret; I offer the key and invite you to keep it. What am I?" The answer is LinkedIn.. the 'Stately Home' where too many loiter at the entrance. Let Sarah be your guide to take you through the red rope barriers into a whole world of new contacts, fresh leads and more business.

You live, you die and you leave your Will to make clear your wishes, but what if things don't quite go to plan? Is contesting a Will ever an option or is this the stuff of a Dickensian narrative where we should take heed from his words: "The little plaintiff or defendant, who was promised a new rocking-horse when Jarndyce and Jarndyce should be settled has grown up, possessed himself of a real horse and trotted away into the other world." Luckily for us Anna has some practical advice.

There's a lot more to playing retro and new games than meets the eye. Sure there's the fun, role-play and tactics, but games have the power to reach deeply into us; they bring us together - we interact and connect. Nothing wrong with a classic game of Coppit that takes you back to a rainy day in the summer; we all love those feelings of nostalgia, but for many games offer a valuable therapeutic path back into society, reducing anxiety and helping people with many aspects of their mental health...