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Meet China's Most Famous Artist Not In Custody
With eminent artist-activist Ai Weiwei whisked away by an increasingly repressive regime in Beijing, star performance artist Zhang Huan shows how to be careful with his words, but fearless in his work.
ChinaSourcesSocietyLE MONDECountries
Florence de Changy
MACAO - Dressed in the bluish-green uniform worn in old factories, sporting sneakers and a cap on which sit a pair of hip designer sunglasses, Zhang Huan gives himself over without hesitation to the requirements of being the star that he is.
During the opening of his latest show "East Wind, West Wind," which occupies the second floor of Macao's Louis Vuitton store, he smiles a satisfied smile before his monumental statues of Christ and Buddha made from compressed ash. Zhang poses with one arm up and one arm down with a group of super chic visitors in front of a wall of photographers for the show, which runs through June 19. The artist is serene, determined, energetic. One quickly realizes he is one of the greats.
"In the West, all eyes are on China, but in China, we look at what is happening in the West. If I put Buddha and Christ face to face under the same roof, it is because I believe they have things to say to each other," Zhang tells us. He is a Buddhist, a fervent one. Hence his preferred medium in recent years: the ash from incense sticks used in temples, which he uses for both statues and paintings.
"The ashes symbolize hope for the future, since death for a Buddhist is rebirth. It is turning humanity toward its future while paying homage to the past. Reconstituting it through ashes is a work of remembrance," Zhang says. Conceptual art is not yet easy to propose to the Chinese, who are at the moment crazy about 'Mao pop," a sweet non-challenge of sorts.
Born in 1965 in Henan province, Zhang Huan started as a teacher of art history. Eventually he would begin using his body, mostly naked, as a canvas, as a brush, as a language toward the world. In 1994, he covered himself with honey and fish oil and offered himself up to the flies in public bathrooms in his Beijing neighborhood.
In 1998, at the age of 33, he took the "new Silk Road" from the Pacific toward the United States. A series of stunning photographs immortalize his work during that time.
Performance art that lasts
"Zhang Huan is certainly the greatest performance artist," writes the exhibit's curator and art critic William Zhao. "He integrates his established work into his performance and, inversely, transforms his performance into enduring work."
On April 3, a few days before the Macao show opened, the artist and blogger Ai Weiwei was arrested by Chinese authorities as he tried to board a plane. His family says the famous artist has not been heard from since.
Upon mention of his fellow artist's plight, Zhang smiles before an oblique reply. "If you are the president of a large country and you have an enormous scar on your face, a scar that you see every single day when you wake up and with which everyone identifies you, do you really need someone to constantly point it out for you?"
He says that he does not feel at all threatened. Zhang says he is like "a fish in water because the earth is my earth." He adds, weighing his words, "I don't know of any country in the world where people are freer than China." He explains that anything that is banned exists underground and that the government is perfectly aware of it. "We may never have had so much freedom as now."
Zhang knows Ai Weiwei, eight years his senior, very well. "Like Ai Weiwei and like all Chinese artists, we love our country. And in spite of all the bad events of the past, we hope to build a better world. It is this which we must keep in mind, not only a better China."
What they share
The two artists have much in common. Both left their native lands for the United States. Both delight in the "artistic concept" brilliantly. Both work on the theme of memory and remembrance. Both chose to return to China where they are less well known. And both are wealthy.
Zhang Huan, for his part, could hardly be anything but rich. He is one of the artists of choice for two great patrons, French billionaires Bernard Arnault and François Pinault. For the moment, he is no longer complicating his life. If he has an idea for a piece that he knows will please one of his patrons, Zhang will make something similar for the other.
In his immense three-hectare workshop outside Shanghai, he employs nearly 200 people. "The masters of the Renaissance who filled orders from around the four corners of Europe operated the same way," says gallery owner Edouard Malingue, who will host the artist at the end of May in Hong Kong.
But it is the future of humanity that Zhang Huan mines for material. "Man is facing an amusing dilemma: He would like to live longer and does much to this end, but at the same time, and much more efficiently, he destroys what could guarantee his survival," he says. "How is man only able to spend so little time on the planet? Is he too stupid or too smart?"
Photo - Steve Punter
This leading French daily newspaper Le Monde ("The World") was founded in December 1944 in the aftermath of World War II. Today, it is distributed in 120 countries. In late 2010, a trio formed by Pierre Berge, Xavier Niel and Matthieu Pigasse took a controlling 64.5% stake in the newspaper.
Argentina Forever? I'll Remember Every World Cup Moment, My Son May Forget It All
Reflections from a still celebrating padre ...
December 18, 2022, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Argentinian fans celebrating their World Cup victory.
Roberto Tuero / SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire
SocietyRECALCULATINGSourcesIdeas
Ignacio Pereyra
"I'm overwhelmed and I'm not even Argentinian — happy to see people happy," a friend who lives in Greece, where his partner is from, wrote to me. My friend, who is half-German and half-American, was moved by the jubilant images of millions of people celebrating in the streets of Argentina after Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup in Qatar.
His message came to me while I was reading about how the title might or might not affect the country and its people, but, above all, as I was also asking myself something simpler: Why are Argentine fans so happy — even weeks after winning the World Cup?
Why are we wishing each other a happy 202⭐⭐⭐, with the three stars symbolizing Argentina's third World Cup victory? Why are we so happy that Messi won the only title he was missing? Why did it make me so happy, in an irrational way, to see so many people celebrating in Argentina — so much so that I keep playing videos of those exuberant, exaggerated, impromptu collective rejoicing?
There is something powerful in the happiness of others: When it doesn't generate envy, it is usually very contagious. Yes, something can make us very happy even if we do not understand it, and are not the main protagonists.
"Goooool!"
I actually think that's what happened to my son Lorenzo, who will soon be four years old. He only saw a few images of the World Cup and doesn't understand what soccer is all about, but for the first time he saw me, his father, celebrate so emotionally during the Argentina-France World Cup final.
It went like this: Lorenzo was playing with some friends and was surprised to hear us adults screaming. I hugged him after each goal Argentina scored and I realized that he was disoriented from what was happening around him. When we had finally won, he celebrated with the other children too: We lit sparklers they could hold. I have his smile engraved in my mind.
That one, that one, that's Messi!
Lorenzo never commented directly on that unforgettable Sunday, December 18, but over the holidays I understood that something had marked him — and not only because he now asks for sparklers. A few days ago, while we were sharing an afternoon with friends, Lorenzo started kicking a ball around and, suddenly, he shouted "goooool!" He immediately asked us all to celebrate by hugging each other, as I had done with him for every Argentine goal (and as he must have seen the players do while I was telling him: "That one, that one, that's Messi!").
"I was just one more in the tide, experiencing a joy that made me neither better nor smarter nor bigger, just happier. And despite the fact that night always comes and with it come the ghosts and the stones, those hours of sun and crowds taught me an unknown dimension," wrote Argentine journalist Joaquín Sánchez Mariño on Instagram after participating in the celebrations in Buenos Aires.
A reason to feel
I was neither in Qatar nor in Argentina for the celebrations. But sharing my joy in the hugs with Lorenzo in the final was something unique. As well as seeing Irene, my partner, teary and overly nervous, trying hard to stay calm in the face of every French kick and not forgetting that she was holding and feeding our other son, the almost two-month-old León.
What's the point of Argentina winning the World Cup? In and of itself, neither soccer nor any other cultural consumption — no matter how massive — will solve the country's economic, political and social crisis, which has been deepening for decades and exceeds even the crises we faced at the time of the two previous World Cup victories (1978 and 1986).
But this shouldn't be a reason to prevent those who want to celebrate from celebrating. I love seeing people celebrating. Don't we celebrate birthdays even if we know we are going to die? Everyone has their own reason to party and be intoxicated with joy. A reason to feel, that's what it's all about. Is it so hard for us to dare to feel?
"Happiness was and is total. At least for a few days, weighed down by all our problems and even knowing that the teeth of reality will come back to bite us, Argentina today is the best place in the world to spend the end of the year," wrote journalist Pablo Perantuono in Coolt.
Celebrating Argentina's victory in Buenos Aires
Florencia Martin/dpa/ZUMA
A message that transcends borders
Then, there is something quite ambitious, a whimsical illusion upon seeing the collective joy that overflowed into the streets of cities all over the country: to take advantage of this enthusiasm for something more.
"We demonstrated once again that Argentines, when we fight together and united, we are capable of achieving what we set out to do. The merit belongs to this group, which is above individualities, it is the strength of all fighting for the same dream that was also the dream of all Argentines ... We did it!!!," Messi wrote on Instagram, in a post that was liked by more than 74 million people — the most liked post ever on the social network.
Messi talks about Argentines, but the number of likes on his post far exceeds the country's population of 46 million. His message transcends borders. If the world shared goals for the common good and truly struggled, if it tried with its heart, it could, eventually, achieve much more. That this sounds (is) naive does not mean it is not true.
"I don't know how long the country will remain united around soccer because we tend to divide. We are difficult," wrote Jorge Valdano in El País, where he added that he was sure of one thing: "If ever we need an example of how to do something, even creating a country, let's appeal to Qatar, where a group of passionate players defied all difficulties together to reach the top, under the thunderous optimism of a fan base that spread faith and love of soccer."
Great changes take patience
Could it be that Argentina, from the periphery of the developed world, has won the World Cup and that, in any case, the challenge is for us to take advantage of it in some way?
How many times do I say I will not get mad at Lorenzo when he yells for no reason?
Besides: Great changes — social, economic, political — do not happen at the speed of a ball but, like great sporting achievements, they are built with patience (a lot of it), struggle (more than a lot), love, dedication and perseverance.
And something else: Understanding a new lesson takes time. How many times during the week do I realize something? How many times do I say I will not get mad at Lorenzo when he yells for no reason, but I keep doing it wrong for a whole year? It takes effort and dedication.
So in soccer, as in a country (and a family), the team spirit must rise above any individual pretension. And it also takes luck or something (destiny?) that I don't know exactly what it is or what it's made of but that I can recognize as a combination of factors with a hint of mystery.
I am afraid to keep watching the ball that Emiliano Dibu Martínez saved with his foot in the last breath of the match: I fear that in some replay France's Kolo Muani could actually score a goal. The Argentine goalkeeper did everything perfectly but he also had a share of luck or was helped by pure chance. I don't even want to imagine what would have happened if the Frenchman hit it wrong and the ball had a strange effect, or if he lifted his shot two centimeters more?
This reminds me of another certainty: Even doing your best may not be enough (that could be a consolation for Mbappé, for example, and also for many parents in relation to their children). For when it is necessary — perhaps in each of our daily defeats — the World Cup left another positive symbol that I hope to be able to assimilate: it was not only France that suffered a defeat — there were also other great teams: Brazil, Germany, Spain, England — nor was Argentine alone in its celebrations.
It is true that only one team won the tournament, but there were more who could celebrate: like Morocco, with its people in the streets for reaching a historic fourth place. It is even possible to celebrate for one match, as Saudi Arabia and Tunisia did, when they beat Argentina and France, even if they were eliminated in the group stage.
Why highlight this? I would like to enjoy the process more and celebrate the small victories. To free myself from the dictatorship of nothing being ever good enough.
A third way
I know that soccer is full of contradictions — like every other minute of life! Thousands of articles, like this one by Gabriela Siadón, say so, but let's explore further. Wasn't this the first World Cup in Argentina to have a match (Switzerland-Cameroon) narrated and commented only by women (Angela Lerena and Lola del Carril)? This is no small feat for a sport and an environment as sexist as soccer.
The good thing about contradictions is that they provide a way to analyze complexities. It is almost never the case (or at least it shouldn't be) that there is only room for one option. It is not Messi or Maradona. Why not think first if it can't be "and" instead of "either/or"? Why not believe that there is (almost) always a third way and that not everything ends up in an absurd dilemma? Does anyone believe that it is still valid to ask "mom or dad"?
Without linear readings, Emiliano Martínez is a good example of "and." The national team goalkeeper, a hyper-professional athlete and star of the most popular sport in the world, said that in difficult moments he asked his therapist for help. For how many omnipotent males will this be an invitation to abandon self-sufficiency?
"On the one hand, he has some bravado, as seen in the penalties, but, on the other hand, he is a guy who said in front of millions of people what his psychologist had told him. He showed his fragility, something that very few elite athletes do," said Daniel Jones, a social scientist and independent researcher at Argentina's National Scientific and Technical Research Council.
Jones called it a "hallucinating" gesture that "goes beyond the omnipotence" of men: "It is not usual for a leading figure to say it. What leading politician says that he does therapy? What trade unionist does it? What other active sportsman does it?"
A teaching moment
But there is more from the goalkeeper: After the final, as prizes were handed over, he put a glove-shaped trophy at the level of his genitals. There was nothing easier than crucifying him for a gesture that, why not, could be a teaching moment for those who were so scandalized: Is it so difficult to explain to a child what it means and why what Martínez did is not good?
The severe criticism of the goalkeeper seems to me, besides exaggerated and uncompassionate, a way of forgetting that we are all part of the same society and that, in one way or another, we all reproduce more or less violence. On this, I like what Argentine sociologist Luciano Fabbri said: "One day they turn him into a promoter of male mental health and the next a phallocentric exponent of rape culture. Capturing subjects to make them functional to their arbitrary analyses is perhaps also somewhat 'objectifying.'"
"It's absurd, it's illogical"
Anyway, we should not ask much more from soccer, right? We can even ask nothing from it, as humorist and radio host Sebastián Wainraich said in an interview when asked about his passion for soccer.
Will he remember the sparklers?
"I don't know why I want one team to beat another. It's absurd, it's illogical, but it happens to me. I'm not going to repress it or deny it [...] A team wins and I get happy? That's a lot! Not so many things make me happy in life. And do you know why I like being a fan too? Because it serves no purpose. And today everything has to have a purpose or another, everything has to be productive. Well, being a soccer fan is good for nothing."
In 1986, when Argentina and Maradona touched the sky with their hands in Mexico, I was four and a half years old. I don't remember anything at all. I feel that I wasn't even born for that World Cup victory. I wonder what it will be like for Lorenzo, who is not yet four years old. Will he remember the sparklers and hugs of the celebrations? In any case, he will have this text, which can be a helpful reminder or make the memory from scratch.
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Irene Caselli
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Anyways – one thing I did find annoying that the AirPlay name is "Apple TV-RHD", and I wanted to be able to customize it to something more appropriate, like "Bedroom" or "Patio". I have not solved the problem completely yet as even though I can set a custom name, it still suffixes it with "-RHD".
1. SSH to your AppleTV (usually appletv.local), I use CyberDuck on Mac to be able to copy/replace files via a GUI.
5. Reboot your AppleTV and enjoy your (almost) custom AirPlay name.


In this research, students' scientific attitude, computer anxiety, educational use of the Internet, academic achievement, and problematic use of the Internet are analyzed based on different variables (gender, parents' educational level and daily access to the Internet). The research group involves 361 students from two middle schools which are located in the center of Konya. The "general survey method" is adopted in the research. In accordance with the purpose of the study, percentage, mean, standard deviation, independent samples t-test, ANOVA (variance) are employed in the study. A total of four scales are implemented. These four scales include a total of 13 sub-dimensions. The scores from these scales and their subscales are studied in terms of various variables. In the research, students' scientific attitude, computer anxiety, educational use of the Internet, the problematic Internet use and academic achievement (gender, parent educational level, and daily access to the Internet) are investigated based on various variables and some significant relations are found.


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The Spherical Sun Power Generator
German Architect Andre Broessel believes he has a solution that can "squeeze more juice out of the sun", even during the night hours and in low-light regions. His company Rawlemon has created a spherical sun power generator prototype called the beta.ray. His technology will combine spherical geometry principles with a dual axis tracking system, allowing twice the yield of a conventional solar panel in a much smaller surface area. The futuristic design is fully rotational and is suitable for inclined surfaces, walls of buildings, and anywhere with access to the sky. It can even be used as an electric car charging station.
Whirlpool turbine creates fish-friendly hydropower
Turbulent's goal is to provide sustainable energy for remote communities in a manner that causes no harm to the environment. Using the constancy of the flow of water as the power source, Turbulent's hydropower generators work around-the-clock.
Wave energy generation
The floaters draw energy from incoming waves by converting the rising and falling motion of the waves into an clean energy generation process. More precisely, the movement of the floaters compresses and decompresses hydraulic pistons which transmit bio-degradable hydraulic fluid into land located accumulators. In the accumulators, at a pressure is being built. This pressure rotates a hydraulic motor, which rotates the generator, and then the electricity is transferred into the grid, via an inverter.
Tidal energy is a renewable energy powered by the natural rise and fall of ocean tides and currents. Some of these technologies include turbines and paddles.
Different Types of Tidal Energy Systems
GE to Manufacture Offshore Wind Turbines
GE, the US industrial group, is promoting and showing confidence in offshore wind technology by buying ScanWind, which makes direct-drive turbine components. This move will help in generating thousands of new jobs in the field of designing and manufacturing turbines. This move will affirm the confidence of investors in the fledgling offshore wind industry, which has been weighed down by concerns about costs and reliability. GE is moving ahead with establishing turbine manufacturing facilities to serve the European markets at first.
Floating Solar Panels: A Viable Solution?
Since 2011, French Company Ciel & Terre has been developing large-scale floating solar solutions. Their innovative Hydrelio Floating PV system allows standard PV panels to be installed on large bodies of water such as: drinking water reservoirs, quarry lakes, irrigation canals, remediation and tailing ponds, and hydro electric dam reservoirs. This simple and affordable alternative to ground-mounted systems is particularly suitable for water-intensive industries who cannot afford to waste either land or water.
Solar panel driveways
Solar panel driveways may soon be powering all our households with clean electricity thanks to this Budapest-based startup.
For the last five years, Platio Solar has been developing new ways of implementing solar technology into urban spaces—and one of their latest developments is a residential solar paneled driveway made out of recycled plastic bottles.
According to a video that was published by the company last week, the solar system is the first to generate power from the pavement of a residential household.
Water pipe turbines
The LucidPipeTM Power System generates environmentally-friendly hydropower with no impact on water delivery. Unique, spherical turbines are installed inside large-diameter (24" – 60") gravity-fed water transmission pipelines. The turbines spin as water passes through them, converting excess head pressure into electricity. Multiple turbines can be mounted in series, one after the other, to maximize energy output.
Nissan Launches 7-seater Electric Minivan
Ever wanted to own an electric car, but didn't think any of the current options were practical? Think again! Nissan is turning over a new leaf with it's new 100% electric e-NV200 — a 7-seater electric minivan — perfect for cargo, families and even taxis. Previously only available as a 5-seater, the new model has two seats in the front, three in the middle and two in the rear. The new model was debuted at the recent 2015 Geneva Motor Show, and will go on sale in Europe in April.
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If you have been following me on Instagram you will see my serious obsession with Fall. I can't get enough! The colors, scarves, fleece jackets, sweaters, pumpkin everything, apple cider and carmel apples bring me lots of joy and warm and fuzzy feelings.
This past weekend I was able to get to my family's cabin, in Northern Wisconsin! It truly is my favorite place in the world. I have been going there ever since I was born and am so thankful to call my family a lake family! Don't get me wrong I love the beach, but there is something about a lake that really draws me in and gives me peace and calm. It is hypnotizing in a way-the fresh crisp clean air, the crystal clear still water, and the sparkles that reflect off the water when the sun shines down. For me it has always been a place where you learn, grow, create memories, explore, try new things and spend time with family and friends.
The last 2 years have been a lot of change at the lake. It has been extremely hard to be there without the man who made it all possible, my dad. It was my dad's favorite place too! It was his hideout, his retreat, his oasis and a place that brought out another side of this suit and tie business man. This is the place that brought out his creativity and put my dad behind the camera. He has taken so many amazing pictures and I am so honored to get the privilege to continue taking pictures with his camera! It is a little piece of my dad that I get to keep and use to continue building memories and telling stories at the lake!
I hope you enjoy the story I am telling with these photos.


TDTD has announced Lisa Brooks as the new manager at the Dyersburg Welcome Center; and Davis Fox as the new manager at the Smith County Welcome Center.
Previously, Lisa Brooks spent the last seven years with the Tennessee Department of Corrections in Henning. During her time at TDOC she worked as a correctional officer, correctional clerical officer, inmate relations coordinator and correctional sergeant.
Davis Fox has more than 20 years of management experience, most recently with Amazon in Murfreesboro. He received his Bachelor's degree from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville.Lisa Brooks (left) and Davis Fox (right) are the new managers at the Dyersburg and the Smith County Welcome Centers, respectively.


Fruit from Valais forms the basis of a variety of original products. You can find the fresh flavours of Valais fruit and plants in the form of sweets, fruit pastes, ice cream and sorbets bearing the Valais brand. These seductive delicacies are made in Valais with milk, fruit, plants and wild flowers from the region.


Quality and reliability are the name of the game when it comes to manufacturing marine parts and accessories. Your clients expect perfection whether you are supplying products for control, navigation or comfort.
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When considering the everyday challenges of the industry, it is easy for owners and management to isolate operational needs such as production deadlines and budget and performance issues, all while providing clients a high-end product. But beyond those issues there is also the need to protect the assets of the company. Even with the best business strategy and employees there are still accidents and they can be costly and time consuming.
Working with a company that can help protect your investments is a crucial decision. That is where Merrimac Marine comes in.
Take a few moments and see all the ways Merrimac can help insure your business... and your peace of mind.


We opened the doors of All About Health in 1998 to provide knowledgeable service that makes a difference. From vitamins, minerals, herbs to supplements, our extensive inventory fulfills your health goals. Even stop by for a post-workout smoothie that contains fresh fruit and supplement add-ins. Additionally, we've introduced Rejuvenate Georgia, a functional medicine clinic, inside of our store. Their services range from B-12 shots to fully custom blood panels tailored to their customers. Find out what separates us from the competition and stop by today!
We offer a personalized, health-improvement experience, unique to each individual. Our emphasis on education ensures that our patients feel empowered to take charge of their health.


Even though in every Russian family Olivier salad is made in their own way with some secret ingredient, like grandma used to do it, let's try to remember where this dish came from and give thanks to the Russian chief of French origin named Lucien Olivier who invented the salad any New Years table seems empty without.
Famous salad Olivier has been coined by the chef Lucien Olivier in 1860s. Lucien has been not only a cook, but he also owned "Hermitage" restaurant at Trubnaya Square in Moscow. His restaurant could easily compete with any Parisian establishment. His crown dish was the famous salad nicknamed after him which recipe he kept in complete secrecy. After chefs passing story of his dish got surrounded by rumors and the recipe was considered lost. There were many attempts to find Olivier's records, but nobody was able to do it.
In 1904 few chefs have recovered the recipe based on their knowledge of main ingredients. The following ingredients were on the list: pressed caviar (0.25 lbs), two grouses, veal tongue, boiled crayfish – 25 pc, soy – 0.5 can, 2 cucumbers, green salad leaves – 0.5 lbs, assorted pickled vegetables – 0.5 can, capers – 0.25 lbs, 5 hard-boiled eggs. Sauce required French vinegar, two eggs and province olive oil (i.e. province mayo).
Now, this salad is prepared based on many recipes.
My recipe was very popular in St.Petersburg, it has chicken or can be cooked with any other bird meat. Another name for this version of Olivier is "Capitol salad" (Stolichniy Salad). This dish is very popular it is an absolute favorite on every New Year feast table. Bon appetite and happy New Year!
Place the potatoes and carrots (don't peel them) into a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and allow to steam dry for a minute or two. Let it cool. When the vegetables are cool, peel them and dice them into a large bowl.
Next step is easy, just add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Place the salad in a salad serving plate or individual glass bowls. Sprinkle with a fresh dill.
nice. this is a typical Polish salad without chicken only.
This salad looks so good and wonderfully festive!
Our youngest grandson is named Olivier so I love this already..Looks wonderful Yelena..
Прекрасный салат. Имея возможность сделать другие, возвращаюсь к нему.
Хочу поздравить Вас с наступающим Новым годом. Желаю здоровья, счастья и благополучия.
QUERIDA YELENA, me ha encantado tu ENSALADA de patata. El día de año nuevo voy a prepararla; pero ya que he dejado la carne atrás, la prepararé con salmón y creo que funcionará bien.
UNA DESPEDIDA DE AÑO LLENA DE BUENOS MOMENTOS Y UNA ENTRADA DE 2015 PROPÍCIA PARA LA SALUD, EL BIENESTAR Y EL AMOR.
I love this salad and we always make it for New Year celebration. Happy New Year!!!
I am busy making your Medovnik, and was just scrolling through your Russian recipes out of curiosity. The Medovnik is going really well BTW.
My Russian mother-in-law taught me to make this, mine is never as good as hers, but it's getting there. Its always a long production when she makes it – I think I lack her patience.
I see from your recipe that her ingredient list differs from your as she adds dark mustard and apples to her salad. But this salad is amazing in any form.
A marvelous salad! My potato salad has never looked so appetizing and pretty.
A very healthy and happy New Year dear Yelena! Your blog is great inspiration for me! So many great recipes and great images!


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Report chapter, 2018
Report on National ICP IM activities in Sweden in 2016
Lundin, Lars; Rönnback, Pernilla; Löfgren, Stefan; Bovin, Kajsa; Grandin, Ulf; Pihl Karlsson, Gunilla; Moldan, Filip; Thunholm, Bo
The Swedish integrated monitoring programme is run on four sites distributed from south central Sweden (SE14 Aneboda), over the middle part (SE15 Kindla), to a northerly site (SE16 Gammtratten). The long-term monitoring site SE04 Gårdsjön F1 is complementary on the inland of the West Coast and has been influenced by long-term high deposition loads. The sites are well-defined catchments with mainly coniferous forest stands dominated by bilberry spruce forests on glacial till deposited above the highest coastline. Hence, there has been no water sorting of the soil material. Both climate and deposition gradients coincide with the distribution of the sites from south to north (Table 1). The forest stands are mainly over 100 years old and at least three of them have several hundred years of natural continuity. Until the 1950's, the woodlands were lightly grazed in restricted areas. In early 2005, a heavy storm struck the IM site Aneboda, SE14. Compared with other forests in the region, however, this site managed rather well and roughly 20–30% of the trees in the area were stormfelled. In 1996, the total number of large woody debris in the form of logs was 317 in the surveyed plots, which decreased to 257 in 2001. In 2006, after the storm, the number of logs increased to 433, corresponding to 2711 logs in the whole catchment. In later years, 2007–2010, bark beetle (Ips typographus) infestation has almost totally erased the old spruce trees. In 2011 more than 80% of the trees with a breast height over 35 cm were dead (Löfgren et al. 2014) and currently almost all spruce trees with diameter of ≥20 cm are gone. In the following, climate, hydrology, water chemistry and some ongoing work at the four Swedish IM sites in 2016 are presented (Löfgren 2017).
The Swedish integrated monitoring programme; climate; hydrology; water chemistry
Reports of the Finnish Environment Institute
2018, pages: 53-57
Book title: 27th Annual report 2018: convention on long-range tansboundary air pollution: international cooperative programme on integrated monitoring of air pollution effects on ecosystems
ISBN: 978-952-11-4953-5, eISBN: 978-952-11-4954-2
Publisher: Finnish Environment Institute
Lundin, Lars
Rönnback, Pernilla
Löfgren, Stefan
Bovin, Kajsa
Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU)
Grandin, Ulf
Pihl Karlsson, Gunilla
Moldan, Filip
Thunholm, Bo


text:
VIVO cybersecurity B站 machine learning automation LG Discord future Lazada Tencent AWS DST AI Nitro MWC Amazon CRM TikTok 资讯 5G SAAS Mobileye Shopify AMC OPPO Redmi Google ABB IDG revolution iPhone TCL Airbnb COSTCO SHEIN Sprint Counterpoint Wechat GSMA OnePlus Verizon Facebook Reddit Anker RPA
Review: AirPods Max don't make it easy to justify the price
The new AirPods Max are turning heads with a high price tag and excellent audio quality. But is what you get worth the $549? AirPods Max design AirPods Max come in five different colors, sky blue, green, pink, silver, and space gray. Each color is two-toned, featuring a lighter color on the anodized earcups and a darker one for the headband. AirPods Max have one of the most bespoke designs ever created for a set of headphones. The top portion of the headphones is made of stainless steel before being coated with a premium soft-touch material akin to silicone. The canopy is made from a proprietary mesh that is designed to wrest just atop your head. AirPods Max
Each arm of the AirPods Max extend to accommodate user's heads of different sizes. Anodized aluminum makes up the cups themselves, which is lighter than the steel and allows for the svelte anodization Apple is known for. Each of the cushions on the earcups are a similar mesh material filled with some form of memory foam. They are easily detachable thanks to magnets, enabling them to be replaced or swapped for another color. Removable mesh ear cushions on AirPods Max
We don't mind the mesh fabric but aren't sure everyone will. Leather is more typical on high-end headphones, but we know that isn't everyone's cup of tea, either. Leather can get quite warm in the summer months, while the mesh is more comfortable year-round. It wouldn't be surprising to see third-parties launch their own replacement leather cushions. If that does come to fruition, it would be great to have swappable replacements handy. AirPods Max Digital Crown
As far as physical controls, AirPods Max have two buttons located atop the right earcup. Apple has borrowed the Digital Crown from Apple Watch and planted it right on the AirPods Max. It is subtly different, including roughly double in size. Apple also neglected to include the original Digital Crown's haptic feedback that emulates the physical click of a wheel. It still retains the auditory click, so as you rotate the wheel, you'll hear a faint clicking noise in your ear. The Digital Crown can be pressed to pause or play your content, double-clicked to skip songs, and triple-clicked to go to the previous track. Holding it down will summon Siri, though you can also use "Hey, Siri." It is a delightful way to interact with the headphones, though it is prone to accidental bumps. [embedded content]
Between the steel, the batteries, and everything else, the AirPods Max are a bit on the heavy side. They weigh in at almost 14 ounces. Competing headphones typically clock in around eight ounces. Picking up the headphones, you can tell they are hefty, yet it gives them a much more premium feel. We've worn AirPods Max for many hours In our few days with the headphones, and for us, the weight hasn't been an issue. We feel as though it makes the headphones feel sturdy and solid. This will undoubtedly vary person-to-person as we've already seen on social media and comments on existing coverage. Like with any headphones, it will always come down to individual comfort. Only one port graces the exterior of the AirPods Max, a single Lightning port used for charging and using the headphones in wired mode. Many will undoubtedly rant and rave about the lack of USB-C, but on the positive side, if you're using the headphones with your iPhone, you only need one cable. That case… Many people have strong feelings about the origami fabric that is the AirPods Max Smart Case. We won't go as far as to say we hate it, but certainly, more could be done. It comes off as different for the sake of being different and winds up sacrificing functionality and practicality. AirPod Max Smart Case
Apple designed the case from a single piece of precision-cut fabric folded, glued, and shaped into a pliable case that the headphones can be inserted into. The case barely covers the two ear cups. The anodized aluminum ear cups are arguably the most vulnerable part of the headphones and most likely to be scratched if tossed into a bag. The main point of a case is to offer protection to your headphones, but the Smart Case skirts its responsibility. With the case on, parts of the cups are still exposed. There are large gaps on the underside as well as the top that could still be scratched inadvertently. We don't mind the lack of top protection on the Max, as it does make them easier to grasp and they take up less space when in our bag. We took ours with us on a road trip and when in our backpack, it was much quicker to pick up the headphones right from the headband. Recently, we've been comparing the AirPods Max to other popular headphones such as the Sony MX4 and Bose NC 700. The Bose has a case that is quite a bit larger than the Max, takes up more space in our bag, and is harder to remove. Had Apple crafted an appropriately luxe case that more adequately covered the earcups, we'd be happier. Smart capabilities and battery life Protection aside, the case has a few practical benefits — notably, conserving a portion of your battery life. The case has a magnet in it, it can sleep and wake the headphones, similar to the line of smart covers for the iPad. That magnet is the extent of the smart capabilities. AirPods Max Smart Case
When AirPods Max are slid into the case, they immediately go into a low-power state but Bluetooth and Find My tracking remain active. After 18 hours of sitting idle in the case, they slip into an even lower state of sleep where Bluetooth and Find My are disabled to conserve even more battery. We're of a mixed mind about this, given that it doesn't save all that much battery power, even when in the deepest sleep. That said, this isn't crucial to the use of the AirPods Max. Outside the case, the headphones slip into the low power mode automatically after five minutes of sitting stationary off your head. They then drop into the ultra-low power mode after 72 hours. So if you don't want to use the case, you don't have to, and you will only lose a few battery percentage points as the tradeoff. Interestingly, Apple is not just detecting when they don't have audio playing or are on your head, but they watch for motion as well. That way, if you are moving around with the headphones, they wake up and enable Bluetooth, so they connect instantly when you need them. If they are in the case and moving, they will stay in the low power mode rather than the ultra-low-power mode. In practice, this is handy because it keeps Find My active. So if we were traveling or just carrying them around, we'd have that last location in Find My or the ability to track them down if we left them somewhere nearby. Apple could undoubtedly boost battery life ever so slightly by changing how these low power modes work, as well as the Smart Case, but what we got is a good balance of usability versus other concerns. AirPods Max connectivity Apple's H1 is part of what gives the AirPods Max an industry-leading hundred-foot range. As a general rule, this compares very well to a typical 30 foot range on typical headphones in the class — which we will be discussing more about very soon. The rest of the range equation comes from Apple's use of Class 1 Bluetooth audio. Class 1 is harder on battery life than the alternatives, which is why most others don't use it. In conjunction with the pair of H1 chips, the Class 1 audio provides a more robust signal, cutting way back on any dropouts from a challenging RF environment that may otherwise occur. The H1 chip allows for effortless setup
Aside from Bluetooth, you do have the option to use AirPods Max in wired mode. There are limitations. To use AirPods Max wired, you need a Lightning to 3.5mm aux cable, which isn't included in the box. We're torn on how we feel about the lack of included cable. On the one hand, the vast majority of users will not be using AirPods Max wired. If Apple had the cable in the box, it would be mostly unnecessary and contribute to the growing pile of e-waste. At the same time, those who do require the cable are forced to shell out an additional $35 for Apple's inadequate cable. Apple's cable is far too thin, fragile, and short for our liking. As usual, third-party companies will make their own, but it relies on non-Apple vendors to fix the issue. It would have been a better comprise if Apple did sell the cable on its own but dropped the price to something more manageable, especially for what it is. While using it in wired mode, the Digital Crown can still control volume though it is incapable of controlling playback, and the noise control button can toggle the ANC mode. Block out external noise — and letting it in Just as with AirPods Pro, there are two ANC modes present on AirPods Max. There are active noise cancelation and transparency modes, which is Apple's branding for the pass-through audio mode that allows the noise around you to be heard. ANC Active noise cancelation is even better here on the Max than it is on the AirPods Pro. The larger drivers and additional microphones are likely contributing to that. There are nine microphones on the AirPods Max, eight of which are used for ANC and three used for voice control and phone calls. AirPod Max are covered in microphones
In all environments we tested, it removed any background noise as well as its competitors. This is easily best-in-class ANC and one of the best features Apple has baked in here. Transparency mode Transparency mode is also quite good, though it has a few shortcomings during our tests. In normal conditions, it worked well with only a slight hiss in the background as the exterior audio is passed through. It works exceptionally well, enabling you to be aware of your surroundings, which is vital when you're wearing over-the-ear headphones. Our only gripe is with high-pitched noises, even subtle ones. Walking around the studio, our shoes on the wood flooring creates a slight shuffling sound at times, and that gets amplified very loudly through the headphones when transparency mode is on. Many other noises get boosted like this and we can't see a fix for it. AirPods Max Audio fidelity Turning to audio, we're underwhelmed. In short, they produce above-average audio but fall short of other $550 headphones. Baked into AirPods Max are 40mm Apple-designed dynamic drivers. Apple seems to be targeting a neutral audio profile, with excellent fidelity on the mids and highs but no extremes on either end. The soundstage is fantastic and more significant than most comparable models, which is fantastic for listening to music and watching movies. Bass isn't bad but is volume dependent. The lows were disappointing when turned down, but as we hit 50 percent or louder volume, the bass came in punchy and strong. At near-max volume, the bass was enough to near shake the cups on your head during a bass-heavy song. Overall, the audio sounds clean and clear. The simplest way to describe it is as "pleasing." While that may not suffice for audiophiles, the average consumer who picks these up should be just fine with it. Spatial audio is another feature altogether that needs highlighting. Between spatial audio and ANC, it is a unique experience to use these headphones. In our testing, we kicked back to watch the latest episode of The Mandalorian through Disney+ on our iPad Pro. Initially, we legitimately thought our headphones weren't working, and we were hearing the audio come straight from the speakers in front of us, especially as we moved our heads. Audio continued to come right from the characters on-screen as we turned our heads in any direction. It is surreal. It wasn't until we removed the headphones that we confirmed that the effect was coming from the AirPods Max. Listening to Apple Music on AirPods Max
Aside from the effect of audio's direction coming from the device, spatial audio also allows audio to come from all around you when mixed in Dolby 7.1 surround or Dolby Atmos. With Atmos the effect is especially impressive as sound can come from above, behind, or any direction. It is a next-level listening experience and makes us want to listen more on headphones on our TV due to the better effects. The only hang-up is the lack of options. At the moment, spatial audio is limited to a few content providers. Apple's own content, HBO Max, and Disney+ are just a few of the apps that support spatial audio, but big players like Netflix currently don't. Developers will need to get on board with this because it does make a big difference in media consumption. Outside of video, developers can integrate spatial audio into games and other apps as well. Apple has opened it up as an API, so as you are playing a racing game, a first-person shooter, or anything else, the action can be happening around you. We can't wait for this to become more prevalent, and we hope Apple finds a way to designate spatial audio support for apps, perhaps in the App Store listing. Going the wired route As we said, most everyone will use AirPods Max wirelessly, though there are times when wired makes sense. For us, it is when we need a lag-free experience, such as while recording voiceover or recording the HomeKit Insider podcast. When wired, it is nice that you can still control the volume with the Digital Crown. We also appreciate the slightly higher level of volume you get. There's also a bit more clarity in the subtle details of songs we listened to. Not enough that we will prefer wired every time — and it certainly looks ridiculous trying to use it wired with our iPhone, but it is nice that is an option. The downside is that this doesn't work via USB audio. You can't use a Lightning to USB-C cable and get audio over USB — you have to use Lightning to aux. Had Apple gone the USB-C route, we're sure this would have been a different story. Are AirPods Max worth the splurge? If you don't put any value in having a set of headphones tied closely into the Apple ecosystem, we'll never be able to convince you AirPods Max are worth it. Simply put — they don't sound like a pair of $500 headphones. They are absolutely above average and compare favorably to many popular models like the Sony XM4, Bowers & Wilkins P7, or Bose NC 700, but they fall short at the $550 price point. That said, for us and our uses, they are worth the price Apple set — but just barely. The build quality is exceptional. The audio quality is fantastic and is going a long way towards bringing Hi-Fi to the masses. And the tight integration into iOS is a far cry from what third-parties can even hope for. How these are controllable through Siri, how you can adjust them in Control Center, the ability to automatically switch between your devices, the easy setup process, and the fantastic 100-foot range are all invaluable additions to a set of headphones. AirPods Max in Sky Blue and Space Gray
Again, spatial audio is the real killer feature for us. Watching videos with these is fantastic and unparalleled to any other headphones we've used. Those features, though, are all secondary. If you are buying headphones purely for the audio quality, you can do just as good for less. It's up to you what you can justify for a set of headphones. For us, Apple made it worth the splurge. Excellent, premium design
Dual H1 chips for audio processing, range, and signal robustness
Extremely comfortable
Deep iOS integration
Spatial audio is killer
Better than average audio
Good battery life
Excellent ANC
Solid physical controlsThe case — enough said
Controls are easy to bump when removing headset
Audio quality could be better
Transparency mode harsh on highs
No aux cable included and Apple's is expensive and fragileRating: 4 out of 5 — assuming you're embedded deeply in the Apple ecosystem. Otherwise, maybe look at some of the other options we've mentioned above. Where to buy AirPods Max AirPods Max are available to purchase at leading Apple resellers like Amazon, Adorama and B&H Photo, with the best deals at your fingertips in the AppleInsider AirPods Price Guide.
AirPods Max review: Stunning sound and premium…
Don't like the default setting on the AirPods Max…
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text:
<?php namespace Valorin\Vest\Command;

use Illuminate\Console\Command;
use Illuminate\Support\Facades\App;
use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Config;
use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputArgument;
use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputOption;

class Vest extends Command
{
    /**
     * The console command name.
     *
     * @var string
     */
    protected $name = 'vest';

    /**
     * The console command description.
     *
     * @var string
     */
    protected $description = 'Runs the Vest Testsuite';

    /**
     * Create a new command instance.
     *
     * @return void
     */
    public function __construct()
    {
        parent::__construct();
    }

    /**
     * Execute the console command.
     *
     * @return void
     */
    public function fire()
    {
        // Check for the 'testing' environment
        if (!App::environment('testing')) {
            $this->error("Please run vest in the 'testing' environment: ./artisan --env=testing vest");
            return 0;
        }

        // Check for list
        if ($this->option('list')) {
            $this->listGroups();
            return 0;
        }

        // Check valid group
        $group = $this->argument('group');

        if (!Config::get('vest::'.$group)) {
            $this->error("ERROR: Unknown group '{$group}'");
            return 1;
        }

        // Run group
        $this->banner($group);
        return $this->runGroup($group);
    }

    /**
     * Displays the available vest groups
     *
     * @return void
     */
    protected function listGroups()
    {
        $this->info("Available Vest groups:");

        foreach (array_keys(Config::get('vest::config')) as $group) {
            $this->comment('* '.$group);
        }
    }

    /**
     * Displays the banner listing the group being run.
     *
     * @param  string $group
     * @return void
     */
    protected function banner($group)
    {
        if ($this->option('quiet')) {
            return;
        }

        $banner = "== Running Vest group: <comment>{$group}</comment> ==";
        $strlen = strlen($banner) - 19;
        $this->info(str_pad('', $strlen, '='));
        $this->info($banner);
        $this->info(str_pad('', $strlen, '='));
    }

    /**
     * Runs the specified test group.
     *
     * @param  string $group
     * @return void
     */
    protected function runGroup($group)
    {
        // Resolve commands
        $commands = $this->resolve($group);

        // Run Commands
        return $this->runCommands($commands);
    }

    /**
     * Resolves linked and nested commands from the configuration into a list of useful commands.
     *
     * @param  string $group
     * @return array
     */
    protected function resolve($group)
    {
        // Load config
        $config   = Config::get('vest::config');
        $commands = array();

        // Loop steps
        foreach ($config[$group] as $key => $value) {

            // ignore empty values
            if (!$value) {
                continue;
            }

            // Reference to another step
            if (is_numeric($key)) {
                $resolved = $this->resolve($value);
                $commands = array_merge($commands, $resolved);
                continue;
            }

            // Array of values
            if (is_array($value)) {
                foreach ($value as $val) {
                    $commands[] = $this->resolveOptions($key, $val);
                }
                continue;
            }

            $commands[] = $this->resolveOptions($key, $value);
        }

        return $commands;
    }

    /**
     * Resolves the key value into key value, and options.
     *
     * @param  string       $type
     * @param  string|array $command
     * @return array
     */
    protected function resolveOptions($type, $command)
    {
        // No options
        if (!is_array($command)) {
            return [$type, $command, []];
        }

        // Extract
        $options = $command;
        $command = array_shift($options);

        return [$type, $command, $options];
    }

    /**
     * Runs the specified commands.
     *
     * @param  array
     * @return void
     */
    protected function runCommands($commands)
    {
        // Switch working directory
        chdir(base_path());

        // Loop commands
        $failed = array();
        foreach ($commands as $command) {

            // Extract components
            list($type, $cmd, $options) = $command;

            // Switch types
            switch ($type) {

                // Artisan Commands
                case 'artisan':

                    if (!$this->option('quiet')) {
                        $this->question("Artisan: {$cmd} ".json_encode($options));
                    }

                    if ($this->call($cmd, $options)) {
                        $this->error('Command failed!');
                        $failed[] = "Artisan: {$cmd} ".json_encode($options);
                    }
                    $this->comment('');
                    break;

                // Exec command
                case 'exec':

                    if (!$this->option('quiet')) {
                        $this->question("Exec: {$cmd}");
                    }

                    system($cmd, $code);
                    if ($code) {
                        $this->error('Command failed!');
                        $failed[] = "Exec: {$cmd}";
                    }
                    $this->comment('');
                    break;
            }
        }

        // Check status code
        if (!count($failed)) {
            $this->info("All commands executed successfully!");
            return 0;
        }

        $this->error("One or more commands failed:");
        foreach ($failed as $fail) {
            $this->comment(' > '.$fail);
        }
        return 1;
    }

    /**
     * Get the console command arguments.
     *
     * @return array
     */
    protected function getArguments()
    {
        return array(
            array('group', InputArgument::OPTIONAL, 'Run the specified test group.', 'all'),
        );
    }

    /**
     * Get the console command options.
     *
     * @return array
     */
    protected function getOptions()
    {
        return array(
            array('quiet', 'q', InputOption::VALUE_NONE, 'Mutes all announcements.'),
            array('list', null, InputOption::VALUE_NONE, 'Lists the available Vest commands.'),
        );
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
A fun time getting 'snake bit' on the Potomac
Walt Young
sports@altoonamirror.com
In June 2002, a fisherman discovered a northern snakehead in a pond near Crofton, Maryland. The northern snakehead is a large, predatory freshwater fish native to China, Russia, North Korea and South Korea and is also regarded as an important food fish in those places.
Maryland officials, however, rightly considered snakeheads a threat to the Chesapeake Bay watershed and drained the pond, finding two adult and more than 100 juvenile snakeheads. A man later admitted releasing into the pond two adult snakeheads that he purchased in a New York fish market. Unfortunately, that effort didn't stop the snakehead invasion.
During 2004, 19 snakeheads were captured in the lower Potomac River, where it was confirmed that the species had already established a breeding population. Any non-native species has the potential to become invasive if introduced into a new environment, and that proved to be especially true of snakeheads in the Potomac. These fish are prolific breeders that reach sexual maturity at age two or three, and a single female can produce as many as 100,000 eggs a year. With that kind of reproductive capacity, a population of snakeheads can double its numbers in as little as 15 months, so sadly, it wasn't long before these Asian invaders were present throughout the tidal Potomac River and its many tributary creeks.
As predators, snakeheads feed primarily on baitfish as well as frogs and crayfish, much the same diet as largemouth bass. For that reason, bass fishermen on the Potomac began catching snakeheads five pounds or more on a variety of lures while targeting largemouths. My friend and longtime Potomac fishing guide Ken Penrod was one of them.
I have fished with Ken for many years when he moves his base of operations to Duncannon for six weeks each spring to pursue Susquehanna River smallmouths. When Ken returned to his home waters on the Potomac each season, I continued to follow his weekly fishing reports on the Internet, which began to include more pictures and accounts of snakehead encounters. And I knew I wanted to fish for those exotic critters but never seemed to find a spot in my schedule to do so.
Last winter, however, my brother and I went to the Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg to book a trip with Ken for Susquehanna smallmouths. During that visit, we also began a conversation with his son, Kenny Penrod, about snakehead fishing on the Potomac. Kenny retired five years ago after a 27-year career as a homicide detective for the Montgomery County, Maryland, police department and joined his dad in the guiding business. I had also followed Kenny's fishing reports for the past several years and knew he had acquired considerable experience targeting snakeheads, both on guide trips and in his personal fishing.
Kenny caught his first snakehead from the Potomac in 2005 on a plastic worm while fishing for bass in front of George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. Since making the transition from a police detective to a fishing detective, he now spends about 110 days a year on the water.
For the past two seasons, he brought his snakehead knowledge to his business and began offering guided trips for snakeheads during the summer and early fall. His personal best snakehead topped the scales at 18 pounds.
Kenny's snakehead strategy is simple and enjoyable: fish topwater lures at the edges of dense weed beds in shallow back bays and creek mouths. His lure of choice for this work is a black, hollow-body popping frog. He fishes the frogs tied directly to 20- to 40-pound braided line on medium-heavy baitcasting gear in order to haul these stubborn fish from their weedy hiding places once hooked. We couldn't resist that opportunity and booked a snakehead trip with Kenny for the end of June, which we completed last week.
When we arrived at the launch ramp at sunrise, Kenny already had his 21-foot Ranger tied to the dock. A short boat ride later, we were set up to cast to a good-looking weed bed. Almost immediately we saw small swirls and other telltale signs of snakeheads patrolling the edges for breakfast prey. Despite their aggressive, predatory nature, snakeheads can be quite spooky and would bolt if the lure landed on top of them. It wasn't long, however, until we had action.
The first two snakeheads that struck our frogs didn't result in a hookup. Unlike bass, snakeheads have small mouths for their body size and take a surface lure more deliberately. On the next take, Kenny connected with a 6-pounder and promptly put the fish in the boat. Maryland law requires any snakeheads caught to be immediately released or killed to prevent the transportation of live snakeheads to other waterways. Having heard snakeheads were good eating, I wanted to keep some to try, so after some photos, we dispatched the fish.
We boated three more snakeheads that morning and hooked and lost two or three more. I had two snakehead strikes but failed to hook either of them. I didn't go fishless, however, as I caught a 5-pound largemouth on a topwater, which was a thrill.
Overall, it was a wonderful day on the water with a great guide, I'm planning for a rematch later this summer or early fall. If you are interested in making a trek to the Potomac for snakeheads, contact Kenny Penrod at 240-478-9055, or check out hi Facebook page at Kenny Penrod III.
As exciting as it can be to fish for snakeheads, they are, after all, an invasive species. To persuade anglers who fish with him to keep the snakeheads they catch, Kenny offers $10 off the price of his guide trips for every snakehead caught and kept. And if you like fish, I would encourage you to try eating snakeheads if you have the chance.
The meat is white and flaky with a mild, clean flavor and can be prepared in just about any manner you prefer. They are not difficult to fillet and have few bones. Just be sure to use a sharp, stout knife because their hide is tougher than any other freshwater fish I have filleted.
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We had this salad on Sunday and Monday. It is very spring, very light and very lovely. It also used up all of the fruit and veggies left over from our CSA Box—win-win.
Toss the arrugula and lettuce together. Place in a platter or large dish. Slice radishes, fennel and mint finely. I used a mandolin to slice the radish and fennel. Sprinkle them on top of lettuce. Segment out the oranges and place on top. I segmented the oranges over the salad platter so that the juices from the orange fell into the salad. Just before serving, drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Now, isn't that an adorable radish?
Two factors were at play that resulted in the creation of this dessert. First, cinnamon toast is a favorite breakfast treat around these parts. Second, last Sunday I made an angel food cake to bring to our friend Jeff and Peter's *new* place.
I wish I could claim that the inspiration for this amazing ice cream was my own. But alas, it was inspired by dessert at The Boxing Room. A few months ago, I had the best day ever. It started by sleeping in with my boy and my puppy. Then the boy went to work and some lovely old friends picked me up. We drove over to the house (complete with back porch!) of some really wonderful new friends. We sat on the back porch and devoured a cooler of fabulously fresh oysters and some wine and cheese. Something like 100 oysters split between six people! Did I mention it was 70 degrees and we were sitting outside in the sunshine? Yep, this is all true.
We wrapped up the oyster feast and then I came home to change. I put on a pretty dress and met Jordan at the San Francisco ballet. He looked really handsome in his fancy clothes. We enjoyed the ballet and then went out to dinner at The Boxing Room, a fabulous southern restaurant with emphasis on the creole just around the corner.
After some soul-satisfying creole cuisine, we had dessert … cinnamon toast ice cream. It was amazing—a hint of vanilla, a hint of cinnamon and a hint of buttered toast. But how did they get the buttered toast flavor? I had to know and so I asked the waiter. He said the chef soaked brioche in the custard overnight to infuse the buttered bread flavor into the ice cream. Genius.
Fast forward two months and we're here. I merged two of David Lebovitz's recipes for the custard and followed the bread soaking advice of our waiter. The results are phenomenal. Ice cream that tastes like buttered toast? Yes, sign me up.
Heat the whole milk, sugar, salt, vanilla bean and cinnamon sticks over low heat until it is just about to simmer. Turn off the heat, cover and set aside for the vanilla and cinnamon to infuse for about an hour. After an hour, reheat the milk to just simmering. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs. Temper the eggs by pouring the hot milk into the bowl slowly while whisking. Put the egg and milk mixture back into the saucepan. Heat over low heat until the custard begins to thicken and is just about to boil. Strain through a mesh strainer back into the bowl and whisk in the cream. Once it has cooled slightly, add the vanilla. Cool the custard over an ice bath. Cut the brioche slices in half and then submerge them in the custard. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, strain out the brioche and squeeze the out custard that is has absorbed. Freeze in an ice cream maker. Ta-da! A miraculous ice cream that tastes just like cinnamon toast, but much richer.
Ps. Apologies on the lack of a final product photo. It was too quickly eaten, but you can use your imagination.
Goodness me, we've reached a whole new level of pork devotion and oh it is glorious. During the past month, we've been busy—busy curing our own pork! Inspired by our friend Jessi and in collaboration with our supper club (food nerdom complete), we made pancetta. Pancetta is basically the Italian version of unsmoked bacon—pork belly that has been seasoned, rolled into a log and hung for a few weeks to cure. It's typically cut into thin slices or small cubes then sautéed and added to pasta or vegetable dishes.
Because it takes about three weeks total to prepare, pancetta is certainly a commitment—of both time and closet space. But it is worth it, especially if you have a few friends to split the resulting 8 pounds of pancetta with.
Home-cured pancetta is complex. It is herby and slightly sweet, porky but also a little beefy. We were surprised by how many different flavors the pork belly acquired during the three-week curing process.
We followed the recipe from Charcuterie by Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn. You can also find a step by step guide of the recipe complete with videos from Chow. Because their instructions are so thorough, I am going to skip the detail and just go with a photo overview of the process.
First you rub the slab of pork belly with herbs (rosemary, thyme, juniper berries), pepper, sugar and salt.
Make sure you really massage those seasonings into the belly.
Then wrap the pork belly in large plastic bags and put it in your fridge under a heavy pot or pan. Refrigerate it for a week, flipping it once a day.
After a week of refrigeration, take the pork belly out and wash of the seasonings. Pat it dry and sprinkle a bunch of cracked peppercorns on the inside. Roll it up nice and tight and truss those puppies.
Hang in a cool, dark place with some air circulation (and out of puppy's reach) for two weeks. Ours replaced our jackets in the hall closet. Oh it just made us smile when we opened the door to grab our shoes and saw two gigantic logs of pork hanging there.
After two weeks, cut the pancetta down and slice off any little bits of mold. Slice into one-inch thick slices and share with your best foodie friends!
So far we've made spaghetti alla carbonara and pasta with vodka sauce. I'm thinking pancetta wrapped asparagus next. Any other ideas for me?
Jordan and I had a pretty lovely brunch for two last Saturday. The night before I had made a few different tapas. With leftover bits and pieces from that meal, some refrigerator odds and ends and a little inspiration from Jose Andres, we made this surprisingly great dish.
Whisk together eggs, milk, a good pinch of salt and some pepper. In a nonstick saute pan, saute the asparagus, shallot and garlic in a little olive oil over medium heat. Saute for about 5 minutes until the asparagus is just tender. Remove from the pan and set aside. Turn the heat to low and add the butter.
When the butter is foamy, pour in the eggs. Scramble them taking care to not let the eggs burn or over cook. Runny scrambled eggs are a good and tasty thing. When your scrambled eggs are just cooked, scoop them into a bowl and top with the cheddar and asparagus. Enjoy with some fresh fruit, leftover potatoes, and coffee.
Well, well, this post is a bit delayed considering I cooked the lamb on Easter, but it was delicious and most certainly worth writing about. Holidays around these parts mostly focus on the food and to celebrate Easter I cooked my first leg of lamb. I love lamb, but rarely have a reason to cook more than a few shanks or meatballs—being a family of two and all. This year I decided to go all out and invited 10 people plus a leg of spring lamb to the party!
I used Judy Rodger's recipe from the Zuni Cafe Cookbook. Her roasted meats have never let us astray. For this recipe, you'll want to salt and tie the meat a day or two in advance, but it will only take about an hour to cook and rest. It is crucial not to overcook the lamb and loose the tenderness of a young lamb.
One day before you plan to cook the lamb, salt both the inside and outside of the lamb leg. Judy recommends a scant 3/4 teaspoon of sea salt per pound of meat. I followed this recommendation and it was perfection. On the inside of the leg, press the garlic cloves into the flesh and sprinkle with the rosemary. Tie up the leg like a typical roast. Wrap lightly in the paper from the butcher or plastic wrap and refrigerate.
Two hours to three before you plan to cook the lamb, take it out of the fridge and bring it to room temperature. This is also a crucial step. Preheat an oven to 400 degrees.
Meanwhile, scrub and slice the vegetables. Toss them with some olive oil, salt and pepper and arrange them in a roasting pan with room for the roast in the center.
Once your roast has come to temperature, place it and the vegetables in the oven. A 3 – 4 pound roast will cook for about 40 minutes. You'll want the internal temperature to 124 degrees at the thickest part of the leg for a just-pink roast. I'd recommend you check it a few times while cooking.
Once your roast has reached the correct temperature, remove it from the oven and place on a cutting board. Tent it with foil and let it rest for 15 – 20 minutes while you make the pan sauce.
Remove the veggies from the pan and place in a serving dish. Turn your oven to warm and put the veggies inside.
Place the roasting pan over two burners over medium heat. We didn't have much fat in the pan so we added some butter. Once the butter is foaming, add the flour and cook until light brown. Deglaze with some red wine. Add the chicken broth and let the sauce reduce until thickened slightly. Season with salt and pepper and pour into a serving dish.
Slice the lamb into 1/2 inch slices. Serve with veggies and a spoonful of sauce. We also served mashed potatoes to sop up that glorious lamb sauce. Super easy, minimal active cooking time and a crowd pleaser.
Yay! Asparagus season is officially upon us! I love asparagus and happen to think it goes just wonderfully with cheese. Exhibit A: Grilled Cheese with Asparagus and Preserved Lemons. Exhibit B: Fettuccine Alfredo with Asparagus.
Put a large pot of salted water to boil. Slice the asparagus into one inch slices. In a small saucepan over low heat, heat the cream, butter and garlic. Once simmering, whisk in the parmesan. Season well with salt and pepper.
Add the pasta to the boiling water. After the pasta has cooked for 10 minutes, add the asparagus to the boiling water. Cook another 2 – 3 minutes and drain. Pour the sauce over the hot pasta. Toss and enjoy!
This is a real crowd pleaser and super easy to make, plus the asparagus addition makes it seem slightly less indulgent. Just do it. Your friends and lovers will be thrilled. And there's few things better than being happy and full.
Like I said, cheese sandwiches are all the rage. I had a version of this sandwich at Mission Cheese Shop a few weekends ago and it was delicious. I had to recreate it at home for Jordan.
Turn on the broiler. Spread the asparagus on a baking sheet. Drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil the asparagus for a few minutes, until al dente and browned slightly.
Spread the bread with butter. Heat a nonstick saucepan over low heat. Put the bread in the pan butter side down, layer with cheese, asparagus and preserved lemon, top with another slice of bread. Cover the pan and let cook for about 5 minutes, until golden brown. Flip and cook the other side until golden. Cut in half and serve hot.
Cheese sandwiches have been pretty popular in Chez Jojonoodle as of late. We're both in the thick of things at work and at school; we need quick and satisfying meals in a big way. Bread + cheese + hot pan = an undeniably good thing in less than 15 minutes. Plus, not much goes better with grilled cheese on a rainy day than tomato soup.
In a dutch oven or large saucepan, saute the onion in olive oil over medium heat. Once translucent, add the garlic and saute for a few more minutes. Add the tomatoes and their liquid, vinegar, sugar and a good pinch of salt to the onion mixture. Simmer for 20 minutes and then puree. Season with more salt and pepper.
While the soup is simmering, spread the butter the bread. Heat a non-stick pan over low heat, place the bread butter side down, spread an even layer of cheese and top with another slice of bread. Cover the pan. Let cook for about 5 minutes until golden brown and flip. Cook the other side until golden brown and serve alongside a warm bowl of tomato soup!


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901st MP Detachment bids military working dog Vito farewell
CAMP ZAMA, Japan (Sept. 21, 2020) – The Soldiers of the 901st Military Police Detachment (Military Working Dog) held a retirement ceremony for Sgt. 1st Class Vito here Sept. 17, praising him for his nearly nine years of dedicated service to the Army as a military working dog.Vito, a Belgian Malinois who served as a Patrol Explosive Detector Dog and deployed to Qatar and Iraq, will spend the rest of his days at "Fort Couch"—slang for a place to relax—in Custer, South Dakota."He's definitely earned it," said Capt. Amie Young, the detachment's commander, at the ceremony. "I'm glad that he made it back from deployment OK … and get retired. He's a very sweet dog and definitely made his mark and did his job in the Army for several years."Spc. Jericho Arengo, Vito's handler for more than two years, said his stepfather and mother, the "commanders" at Vito's new home, are adopting him, and he looks forward to seeing Vito again when he is home on leave.Fort Couch is a coveted assignment among all military working dogs, Arengo said, including Vito. "He's retiring, and he loves naps, and therefore a couch is a perfect place for any dog," he said.Vito should have plenty of years left to enjoy his retirement, Arengo said."As an older dog, you would think that he would slow down, and you'll see every now and again that age is coming up to him, but there are some days where you wouldn't think he's 11 years old," Arengo said. "He acts like a puppy, running around, still chasing tennis balls, sprinting as fast as he can."Arengo said he has enjoyed working with Vito while they were stationed together at Camp Zama, and considers himself fortunate to have deployed to Iraq with him. Unfortunately, however, Vito's back gave out during the deployment."We had to come back from our deployment early, and that's what made the vets decide to retire him," Arengo said.In addition to Soldiers from the 901st MP Det., Lt. Col. Demetrick Thomas and Command Sgt. Maj. Edgar Rodriguez, command team of the 35th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, as well as Soldiers from the Camp Zama Veterinary Treatment Facility, attended.Vito received the Army Commendation Medal during the ceremony, signed by Col. Thomas Matelski, commander, U.S. Army Garrison Japan.In part, the certificate read: "Sgt. 1st Class Vito's dedication to duty and professionalism contributed significantly to the detachment's overall success. His performance is in keeping with the finest traditions of the Military Police Corps and reflect great credit upon himself, the 901st Military Police Detachment, U.S. Army Garrison Japan and the U.S. Army."After he received the medal, Vito barked as everyone clapped.Arengo, who joined the Army about three years ago and has been a military working dog handler for more than two, thanked his fellow Soldiers for their support."I was very fortunate for all of your advice on how to be better with Vito and also for giving me the trust with Vito in going to Iraq," Arengo said. "I couldn't ask for a better team."Sgt. 1st Class Luis Berber, the detachment's kennel master, told the audience that Vito has had a good career in the Army, and he wishes him all the best in his remaining years."Thank you, Vito," Berber said. "Thank you for all you've done."
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Archive for 'James "Jimmy Henchman" Rosemand'
Man Writes From Jail "I Shot Tupac"
Thursday, June 16th, 2011 at 10:41 am
As we celebrate the life of Tupac Shakur, someone has come out admitting that he is responsible for the first shooting. Dexter Issac a current inmate has written a letter claiming he was paid $2,500 dollars by his former friend, James "Jimmy Henchman" Rosemond inside New York City's Quad Studios. Check out the interview below as well as an interview with Rosemond.
My name is Dexter Isaac. On Monday, May 23, 2011, James Rosemond released a statement in which he named myself and another individual, Mr. Winston Harris (who I do not know), as government informants. I would like to clear the record on that statement; I have never been a rat for anybody and I do not have any deals nor have I made any promises by any government agency for information on Mr. Rosemond.
Mr. Rosemond has crucified good reporters like Chuck Phillips, at the LA Times, and Alison Gendar, at the Daily News, for telling the truth about him and his activities. He claims they had no proof that he was a rat for the government, which is an outright lie, because Mr. Rosemond, you signed a proffer agreement with the U.S Attorney's office in New York on 10-20-1998. Mr. Rosemond, I have copies of your presentence report from North Carolina dated 1-13-1997 and other documents about you working with the government sending people you befriended to prison so you can maintain your own freedom. I have met with individuals on whom Mr. Rosemond has told. READ MORE


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The Tahrir Square Moment
Constitution, pg 1
The Bill of Rights (1791)
Amendments XI-XXVII
The Civic Arena
Future Voting
Media Freedoms
The Middle Class
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Democracy Witness has no partisan or electoral purpose. This is, rather, an effort to bring together key groups across the political spectrum to forge a better future, by cooperating constructively or by putting the principle of service ahead of the perceived value of one's own factional interests.
It is inconceivable to radicals, conspirators and hardliners, that such constructive cooperation could come to exist, but we believe it is possible.
We need to revitalize our civic engagement, by countering unjust manipulations of the process and by restoring the hope and enthusiasm, to as many people as possible, about the possibilities of constructive, inclusive civics. Part of that is to recognize that parties have the role and their virtues, but that their role must also be limited. We cannot afford — and the whole world is watching us come too late to this awareness — to allow party-first politics to create more opportunities for despair than for good faith engagement.
We are advocates for the optimism of explorers and world-builders. We are all involved in building the future; we must be smart, committed, collaborative optimists, or we will fail to build a future that works for people, for democracy, and for the natural and human treasures we most value.
An optimist is not a wishful thinker; an optimist is someone who aims for the best possible outcome and steadfastly puts all effort into achieving that best possible outcome. It is necessary to use imagination to see clearly through to possibilities that are better than the status quo or the unjust past. The optimist does not indulge in lamentations about what might not be; the optimist gets busy solving problems to make sure we don't lose the possibility of the best-case future.
When Democracy Witness began, it was called 'Independents of Principle', established to provide a forum for discourse that could speak to the broad, and often hidden, political center, where most people don't have time for partisan rhetorical combat and where most citizens identify as independents.
In 2011, when the people of Egypt flooded into Tahrir Square, we saw Christians standing guard to protect Muslims at prayer, as the protesters came under ferocious attack, showing Christian and Muslim leaders embracing and calling for an end to tyranny, showing well-to-do business executives joining young students and working-class strikers, women young and old, children and grandparents, secularists and religious parties, joining together to call for justice and democracy. The clarity and courage of that common purpose, in defense of human dignity and the right to self-determination, was the impetus for launching this publication.
"Independent voters want something other than the ideological equivalent of trench warfare. They want to see imaginative, heroic civics of the kind we've seen blooming across the landscape of Egyptian politics in 2011." (see 'Rise of the Revolutionary Moderate')
Engagement does not guarantee the outcomes we aspire to. Tahrir Square has also come to show us that. But, without engagement, without that civic commitment, to stand together first as citizens, and then to work out policy together, we lose contact with the basic reality of what a free society is and must be.
The true political center is not a no-man's land between right and left or between liberal and conservative; it's something we are all a part of, and which has roots in all of our interactions. Human judgment, basic decency, the desire for independence, and the instinct to build the best home and the best future possible for those we care about: these are not ideologically driven behaviors; they are essential qualities of what we commonly call values.
What we value is not an ideology; it is quality, liberty, relevance, legitimacy. Honoring this was the original mission of Independents of Principle project, and holding to that open, non-partisan perspective will be central to the Democracy Witness project—as we move forward with periodic analyses of issues of consequence for human dignity, liberty and resilience.
Our thoughts, feelings, needs, and votes, are not pre-determined by ideological leaning. We have the freedom to choose, and we should retain that freedom, and demand it be recognized, so that we can enjoy the fruits of an engaged democracy.
If we believe it is possible, even necessary, to secure ourselves against the perils of a world in which arbitrary abuses threaten personal liberty; if we believe it is right to find common cause and to look for unity, even with those who think differently; if we believe democracy is better than dictatorship and dysfunction, then we need to learn that each human mind is independent in the political sense, free to think and to shape the world and to carve out a landscape in which what is dreamt in the best of ourselves may become possible.
Cooperation should be celebrated as service.
Published: February 11, 2011 (updated: January 11, 2021)
Posted by J.E. Robertson
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It might add a lot wanted insulation to the entrance of your home. You'll lose much less heat by your entrance door, and additionally, you will not lose as much warmth when your front door is opened when you open it into an enclosed porch.
It might enhance security. Toughened glass and an additional secure door can provide you peace of mind and actual security. Never leave anything valuable in a porch though.
It may give you further space. A spot to hang coats, leave wet shoes, and even put your tumble dryer.
It may well improve the worth of your private home and make it more saleable.
It may give you extra privacy. Should you open your entrance door to someone you do not know, you don't really need them seeing into your home. A porch may also help with this problem.
It might probably improve the looks of your house. A properly-designed porch might be very enticing and might add visible interest to the entrance of your property.
So you've determined you would like to set up a double glazed porch. What do that you must contemplate? Get in touch with C A T Windows & Doors.
1.	In case you are in a conservation area, then you will not be likely to get permission for a porch. Be certain that there are no restrictions on constructing one.
2.	Size. For instance, if you happen to park a car on the entrance of your house, make sure you depart sufficient area for the automobile to be parked after the porch is installed. Some folks truly fail to take this into consideration!
3.	Finding a dependable contractor. That is very important. A porch needs to be professionally put in, and needs to adjust to Constructing Regulations. Get costs from several companies, ask for references, or ask buddies, households or neighbours to suggest a company.
4.	Do not be pressured into signing an agreement immediately. Though double glazing sales strategies aren't as excessive strain as they was, you'll typically get higher offers should you shop around and wait a while. Any company that pressures you into signing an agreement instantly is unethical at best.
5.	Look carefully at the types which might be available. Some are half glazed and a few are absolutely glazed. The roof form will even be important. Additionally, you will have the ability to select the scale, form, glass style and colour. Do not forget to choose secure locks and enticing door furniture to boost the new addition to your own home even more.
A double glazed porch can actually improve your home and it's one thing you need to definitely take into account as an investment.


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Dame Laura Davies has some sage advice for her peers
By Ron Sirak
She also questions whether many of those youngsters will have careers as long as hers.
"I don't really know what burnout means, but I just think they will be fed up with it because when you spend every week … even when they have a week off, they are practicing and playing," Davies said Wednesday at Royal Birkdale. "I think eventually it will become a job, and it's never been a job for me."
Davies is the oldest players in the field -- "Only because Juli [Inkster] is not here," she noted -- and says that except for a bruised heel, she feels as good as she ever has.
"The enthusiasm is still there," said Davies, who famously avoided practicing like it was a three-putt green. "In my mind, I'm good enough. I've not given up on the chances of winning this week."
Earlier this year, Davies was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). In 1988, she was made Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and in 2000 was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), all for services to golf.
The latest honor means she will always be known now as Dame Laura Davies. "There's been various versions from my friends, but I haven't necessarily used [it] myself," she said with a smile, suggesting she's received some guff from her mates about the honor.
"It's obviously an unbelievable thing to happen to a golfer," she said. "To be awarded this is quite extraordinary, but I don't think you'll ever get used to people calling you Dame."
If broad powers over the game of golf came with her title, there are two things Dame Laura would do straight away. One would be banning the common practice in women's golf of caddies lining up players.
"It shouldn't be allowed," she said. "You're not allowed to get a grip that's perfectly set for you. Why should you have someone stand behind you and tell you where to aim? I don't understand why the USGA and the R&A haven't sussed that one out yet because it just seems basic. And it slows the game down."
The other rule change?
"Making me putt when I've made a bad putt. Two-putt maximum," she said with a laugh.
Keeping things light-hearted is exacty how Davies has kept golf from becoming a job. There might be a lesson in there for young players.
And like that, Dame Laura was off. Where to was not exactly clear, but for a betting person -- and Davies is such a person -- the odds are with the lunch room and not the practice range. After all, it's only a game.
Follow @ronsirak


As much as any bride or groom would like it, the stress-free wedding has not been invented yet. Think about it-it is one of the most important and significant days of your life and you want to make the right impression and create the right moment. Not only do you want your wedding to be memorable and special for you and your fiance, you also want it to be special for the people you invited. You probably invited lots of family and friends and other people whose opinions matter a lot to you. Regardless of whether you hired a professional wedding planner or event coordinator, the stress is still there. Sure, you might have freed yourself from all the legwork and details, but there are still so many other things you have to keep an eye on. At the very least, you need to be aware of the quality of the event and be in the loop regarding any major event planning decisions. Make no mistakes about it, if you decided to plan a wedding, it won't be a walk in the park. Be that as it may, there are ways you can reduce your stress level before, during, and immediately after one of the happiest days of your life.
If you thought a three-month head start on your wedding planning activities is good enough, think again. In fact, you should always look to quadruple or triple the amount of time you initially thought you needed to get a great wedding going. For example, if you thought three months of lead time will do the trick, adjust that to one year or, at the very least, nine months. Why so much time? There are a lot of details to mind. From the venue, to the guests, to the themes, to the bit players in the ceremony, to the music, to food, and other logistics. Things can also get out of hand if you have a lot of guests or you are booking your event at a place that has tight scheduling requirements.