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How To: Host a Backyard Beer Tasting
Josh Garcia
We may be an ocean and a solid grand away from Germany's Oktoberfest celebrations, but it's starting to cool down outside (I am feeling really good about wearing a sweater the other day), and there's no reason we can't gather in the name of good beer on our home turf. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado who knows a thing or two about the fermentation process or a novice (like me) who takes heat for loving Coors Light, a backyard beer tasting is a fun and easy way to refine your taste or learn something new in the company of good friends. To guide you, we've compiled a list of pointers to help bring a little bit of Deutschland to your backyard this October.
1. Select the beer: The goal of attending a beer tasting is to leave with a better understanding of beer and its many varieties. For this reason, it's important to make sure that there will be a range of varieties to try. Ask your guests to bring a specific category of beer. Let the size of your party determine how many categories you're able to cover across a range of light and wheaty to heavy and malty. For our tasting we sampled the following varieties: wheat, lager, pilsner, pale ale, India pale ale, brown ale, and stout. Be sure that your guests know to bring enough for everyone to taste.
2. Read up: As the host, you'll to want to be a little more knowledgeable than some of your guests. For the already educated enthusiast, this shouldn't be a problem. But if you're learning along with your guests, read up beforehand so you can explain the difference between lager and ale or malt-based versus hop-based beer. To keep your guests involved, ask each of them to do some reading of their own and to share about the beer they bring with the group. This will keep the pressure off you to know everything and will engage your guests in the tasting process.
3. Set the table: A few things you'll want to supply: First, crackers and water. It would be unfortunate to leave a beer tasting thinking each beer tasted like the one before it. You'll want to make sure everyone is able to cleanse their palates. Eating plain crackers and sipping some water between beers will help cleanse the palate and prepare guests for the next taste. Some guests may also want water to rinse out their glasses as you progress. Next, provide a dump bucket. Everyone isn't going to enjoy every beer they try. Have a container available to pour out unwanted leftover servings. No need souring the palate before a beer that might be otherwise enjoyed. Lastly, have some snacks for after the tasting. You'll want to avoid eating much during the tasting to prevent the confusion of flavors, but afterward it would be nice to have some food that pairs well with beer. (I mean, who would say no to a cheese tray?)
4. Serve: Being intentional about the order in which the beer is served can make all the difference. Following a heavier beer with a lighter one can hinder the taster's ability to experience the subtle complexities of the latter beer. For this reason, serve in a progression from light and subtle to heavy and robust. Give your guests some paper to jot down their thoughts. One of the fun things about tastings is learning new things, and they may want to keep notes for later reference. Encourage everyone to rate the beer so that they don't forget which ones were their favorites and which ones they perhaps didn't like as well.
5. Enjoy: The best thing about gathering around any table is the sense of community that grows out of quality time. Enjoy the company of your guests, be grateful for their friendships, and find rest in the act of hospitality. Once all of the beer has been tasted, help yourselves to the food, settle in with a pint (or two) of your favorite beer from the evening, and savor in the time shared together.
Josh Garcia is a commercial photographer who landed in Jackson in 2008. With a B.A. in English from Union University in his back pocket, he's abandoned other adjectives for "home" when describing this city. He enjoys reading, writing, photography, and cultivating community around the dinner table. #INFJ
Photography by Josh Garcia.


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Do Modern Restaurants Need Celebrity Chef Hype?/
The restaurant industry is so saturated with openings, there has been talk of the "bubble" that is about to burst. A shortage of cooks and an abundance of new concepts — along with rising rent, increasing minimum wages, and a more demanding customer audience — is putting more pressure than ever on brands to stay relevant.
This challenge is no doubt much easier for a celebrity chef to tackle, considering they "aren't just people — they're majorly successful brands," as Cornell University School of Hotel Administration professor Alex Susskind told journalist Eileen Ogintz. With so many options to choose from, how many guests are restaurant risk-takers and how many prefer a brand that is tried-and-true?
"Having a reputation and a clientele that's developed over time really helps. It's a big advantage.... People want an experience that is proven. They come because they like the brand," Charlie Palmer, the brains behind the popular Aureole in New York, said to Fox News.
"Celebrity chefs tend to come with media buzz," Avery Fletcher, who teaches at the NYU School of Professional Studies, said in the same article. "The more people talking about the restaurant, positively, the more people will want to try it…Attention tends to beget more attention…and business."
Celebrity chefs have shaped what consumers watch and what they eat, but perhaps celebrity status does not guarantee success. Millennials have shifted the market, as they are seeking a more authentic, unique experience at a more convenient price point. As a result, upscale concepts have moved to casualization, giving birth to a more laid-back sister restaurant.
"This is something which many of the older and more famous brands have had a hard time in providing, as formulas that have worked in the past no longer work today," Anderson Pugash of The Dorian and Palm House said. Read More

subset: commoncrawl


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A Very Crunchy Radish Wedding
By Miranda Hammer
Published: October 1, 2014
For our rehearsal dinner, we knew we wanted a setting that represented shoreline Connecticut and offered a classic New England atmosphere. We found that at Oyster Club- just rated by Travel and Leisure as one of the best oyster bars in America. We could not agree more. A causal fine dining spot with a fantastic raw bar and rustic charm, the menu changes daily based on what is caught or procured at the farmers' market. It was here where we kicked off the weekend festivities with the most incredible minerally and plump local oysters, chowder with house made oyster crackers, pole caught local tuna, and plum crisp topped with fresh cream. Flowers were created by my amazing Man of Honor, Kevin Michael Ericson, and the incredible photographs you see here, were shot by the dear multi-talented Georgi Richardson of Maggie Marguerite. Guests who arrived on Friday met us in the Treehouse, the rooftop bar of the Oyster Club, where the revelry continued with the backdrop of bistro lights and Mystic river breeze.
Source: http://crunchyradish.com/lifestyle/2014/10/1/a-very-crunchy-radish-wedding-part-i


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Tebis 4.0 2015 is cracked by us and already avaliable for download
Tebis is a CAD/CAM software solution for applications such as die, mold or model making. The software is primarily used in the generation of toolpaths for chip-breaking manufacturing such as drilling and milling, but also in Wire EDM and Electrode EDM. These toolpaths control multi-axis CNC machines. Other applications include manufacturing planning, design, reverse engineering, quality assurance, CNC machining and assembly. The software features interfaces for neutral file formats as well as proprietary formats of third-party manufacturers (STEP 203/214, VDAFS, IGES, DXF, STL, Parasolid, Catia V4/V5, Creo, SolidWorks, NX, JT).
The new release features a new visual design, intuitive access to the functions through self-explanatory icons and more feedback for the operator all without sacrificing tried and proven features.
The user interface features color blending of modern colors as well as an updated typography that characterize the interface's appearance. The familiar Tebis blue will continue to be used in the future to highlight the selected functions. The dark color scheme used for the display is designed to optimize daily work on the monitor, be easy on the eyes, and facilitate individuals' work, thanks to improved contrasts.


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Like the Oscars ... for Bloggers (or just geeky people)
No, not the Webby's - those are more like the Daytime Emmys, but with less prestige and with an award that looks just like the Simpson's Olympic episode mascot, Springy.
What I'm talking about is the new, updated Scoble blogroll.
I admit it. I read Robert Scoble's blog. While too many blogs out there tend to be about blogs, and are navel gazing, I find Robert's blog to be an interesting read that covers a vast array of topics.
And, well, I made the blogroll. Like getting an Oscar. Or, something. It was pretty cool and interesting to see my blog up there.
Scoble blogroll speech: I would like to thank all my readers, my friend Kyle for getting me into blogging, the other PR people out there that are working to make blogs and PR a better place, the Auburn students for being fun, and all those special people I didn't mention.
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text: Theatre Please note this event has already taken place and you are viewing an archived page of the Lakeside website.For a list of current events, exhibitions and workshops, please click on 'What's On' in the menu above Museum: Archaeology Now The Vikings Then and Now: Researching and Exhibiting the Viking Age All talks take place at 1pm in the Djanogly Theatre. Please book your place in advance with the Box Office on 0115 846 7777. British Museum curator Dr Gareth Williams is a specialist on Viking coins and exchange systems, and on Viking warfare and military organisation. He also curated the recent 'Vikings: life and legend' exhibition at the British Museum. This lecture presents an overview of some of his current research projects, and explores the challenge of trying to balance highly specialised academic research with presenting to the broader subject of the Vikings to the general public. The lecture will include discussion of the recent BP Exhibition 'Vikings: life and legend' at the British Museum, the cinema presentation 'Vikings Live from the British Museum' and the forthcoming exhibition 'Viking Voyagers' at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall. Following the talk there will be the opportunity to handle material from the University Museum Collection. Dr Gareth Williams, Coins and Medals Department, British Museum.


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The WACC-SIGNIS Human Rights Award 2010 has been given to the documentary 'The Garden at the End of the World', directed by Australian film-maker Gary Caganoff.
The film explores the legacy of devastation and trauma in Afghanistan and illustrates the tragic consequences of war and the widespread hunger, homelessness and lawlessness that it causes. In particular, it shows the impact on the lives of widows and orphans, who now number tens of thousands.
'The Garden at the End of the World' follows the work of two remarkable women, humanitarian Mahboba Rawi, and internationally recognised permaculturalist Rosemary Morrow, who offer alternatives to international 'reconstruction' efforts that have patently not worked.
The documentary reveals how urban and rural families and communities have disintegrated after losing fathers, husbands, and brothers to 30 years of political conflict, poverty and the drug trade.
Rosemary Morrow, a Quaker, "brings a holistic perspective to these experiences, emphasising the links between sustainability and genuine empowerment", says the award citation.
Mahboba Rawi, a refugee from the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, lives in Sydney, Australia. In 2001 she established a not-for-profit organisation called Mahboba's Promise, to assist homeless widows and orphans.
She was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2010, in recognition of her services to international humanitarian aid in Afghanistan.
"Through the eyes of these remarkable women Caganoff elicits stories and images of Afghanistan rarely seen before. Neither sentimental nor sensational, the film reaches into the dark depths and complexities of war torn Afghanistan," say WACC-SIGNIS.
The World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) promotes communication for social change (http://www.waccglobal.org/). It believes that communication is a basic human right that defines people's common humanity, strengthens cultures, enables participation, creates community and challenges tyranny and oppression.
WACC's key concerns are media diversity, equal and affordable access to communication and knowledge, media and gender justice, and the relationship between communication and power. It tackles these through advocacy, education, training, and the creation and sharing of knowledge.
WACC's worldwide membership works with faith-based and secular partners at grassroots, regional and global levels, giving preference to the needs of the poor, marginalised and dispossessed.
SIGNIS (http://www.signis.net/) is a non-governmental organisation that includes members from 140 countries. As the World Catholic Association for Communication', it brings together radio, television, cinema, video, media education, Internet, and new technology professionals.
The association was created in November 2001 from the merger between two organisations (Unda, for radio and television; and OCIC, for cinema and audiovisual) that were both created in 1928. Its very diversified programmes cover fields such as the promotion of films or television programmes (juries at important festivals: Cannes, Berlin, Monte Carlo, Venice and Ouagadougou), the creation of radio, video, and television studios, production and distribution of programmes, supplying specialised equipment and training professionals.
SIGNIS has consultative statutes with UNESCO, Ecosoc (United Nations in Geneva and New York) and the Council of Europe. It is officially recognised by the Vatican as a Catholic organisation for communication.


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I launched the Productivity and Self Management course in 2011 to address a growing need for productivity training within corporations. The course is based on my Holistic Productivity™ approach that acknowledges that people are multifaceted by nature and that a positive shift created in one area of life positively impacts all other areas of life to a large or a small degree. The course encourages introspection, favouring self management over time management and takes a highly practical approach that includes an introduction to David Allen's Getting Things Done® (GTD®) methodology and best practices for using technology effectively. I've had the pleasure of sharing this course with a wide range of people at both large and small companies in Canada and the United States. Clients include a multi-national aerospace firm, numerous design and advertising agencies, market research firms, a consortium of CEO's and a coaching and training organization.
To date, Productivity and Self Management has only been available to employees of the host organizations. I've had numerous requests for a public course and am happy to announce that I'm offering the first public course on September 25, 2013. This full day (9am - 5pm) course will be held at the trendy Macfanatic Learning Studio, located in the heart of Vancouver's historic Gastown district. The technology portion of the course caters specifically to people using Mac and iOS devices. Enrolment is limited to eight people to allow for an engaging and interactive learning environment.
For more information and to register online, visit the Productivity and Self Management page on this website. If you're interested in hosting this course in your organization contact me and I'll be in touch.
[button link="http://techsimp.staging.wpengine.com/courses/productivity-and-self-management/"]More Info[/button]


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Are You Stuck in a Rut?
Working With Words
A weblog devoted to spurring a conversation among those who use words to varying degrees in their daily work. Hosted by John Ettorre, a Cleveland-based writer and editor. Please email me at: email@example.com. "There comes a time when you realize that everything is a dream, and only those things preserved in writing have any possibility of being real." --James Salter
Saturday, April 25, 2009
6 Comments:
- At 7:27 PM, Diane Vogel Ferri said...
Impressive - but how do we break out of the mindless habitual behavior????
- At 9:52 PM, John Ettorre said...
That's of course the $64,000 question, Diane. But we apologize: our brain doesn't work well enough on weekends to tackle that answer. Anyone else care to address it?
- At 3:14 PM, John Ettorre said...
Okay, Diane, it's Monday afternoon, and the thinking cap is now back on. Let me throw out three possible steps that could help get one started down new paths:
1). Find a new professional group/association in a subject area that's perhaps outside your main area of interest/employment, but in an area you're interested in either moving or at least learning about, and make a point of attending a few of their meetings/events and trying to meet a couple new people.
2). Ask friend(s) who knows a lot about subjects such as physics, design, poetry, engineering, painting or biotechnology (choose at least one) what the best books is/are about their field(s) that would be intelligible for a generalist, and make a point to read at least a couple.
3). Bookmark a site (www.aldaily.com) that's perhaps the best single online gateway to the best writing in the English language (the links along the left column), and make a point of sampling a new publication each week.
Okay, folks. Now it's your turn to add your ideas. Diane deserves to hear from some others as well.
- At 7:03 AM, Erin O'Brien said...
I just kick myself in the ass when it starts. Well, maybe not immediately after it starts.
- At 8:24 AM, John Ettorre said...
Do post some of that video, will you?
- At 6:47 PM, John Ettorre said...
Come on, people, you're letting me down. Doesn't anyone have any ideas for Diane? Hell, I can't do all the work around here...


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Campaign for Socialism isn't the only organisation on the Labour Left. In Scotland and across the rest of the UK there are other fraternal organisations and fellow travellers who also seek to win the Labour Party to socialist policies and increase party democracy. Below is a guide to some of the organisations we support, work alongside and sometimes overlap with!
The Campaign for Labour Party Democracy (CLPD) organises across the UK for an increase in party democracy with particular focus on Party Conference.
Labour Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) campaigns with the Labour Party, and CfS is fully supportive of the aims of not renewing Trident and scrapping nuclear weapons.
The Labour Representation Committee (LRC) is a network of left-wing Labour activists and representatives organised across the UK. It is in effect a sister organisation to CfS and focuses more on England and Wales.
Left Futures is the best blog for Labour Left news and views. It will provide information on internal elections and draw on contributors from across the Labour Left.
Momentum arose from the Jeremy Corbyn for Labour Leader campaign, and is an attempt to build on the enthusiasm and energy which that election unleashed. Momentum is a UK-wide sister organisation to CfS, which will continue to organise the Labour left in Scotland as a separate organisation. However, both organisations have agreed a joint membership scheme which allows CfS members to vote in Momentum elections and vice versa. CfS has also has a reserved seat on Momentum's National Coordinating Group.
The Morning Star is the only socialist daily newspaper published in Great Britain. It is supportive of the Labour left, taking contributions from CfS members and MSPs, and provides a much need class-based analysis and coverage to the daily news.
The People's Assembly Against Austerity is an attempt to bring together as broad a coalition of groups as possible - both inside the Labour Party and outside - to protest against austerity and argue for an alternative to cuts. CfS is a formal supporter of the People's Assembly.
Red Labour are mostly organised on social media, having a large number of Facebook and Twitter followers. They seek to use social media campaigning and posts to raise awareness of Labour Left politics.
The Red Paper Collective was established in 2012 and follows in previous Red Paper publications going back to 1975. CfS members have contributed to its examination of constitutional and class politics.
Revitalise is an informal network of Scottish Labour Party activists who support the strengthening of democracy within the Scottish Labour Party. On their website you'll find frequent reports from the Scottish Executive Committee and articles on the Scottish Labour Party's structure.
The Trade Union Group of Labour MPs was re-launched in 2013 to ensure that trade unionists had an organised voice in Parliament.
Young Labour Trade Unionist Network seeks to bring together young Trade Union members of the Labour Party.


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Three firefighters were injured battling an early-morning fire in a strip mall in Providence, Rhode Island.
According to necn affiliate WJAR, the fire at Sunny Market Place on Reservoir Ave happened around 6 a.m. Wednesday.
The extent of the injuries is unknown.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.


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Metahistory by Hayden White
What does it mean to think historically? What are the unique characteristics of a historical method of inquiry? In the 19thcentury historians, philosophers, and social theorists considered history to be a specific mode of existence comprised of historical consciousness: a distinct mode of thought and historical knowledge: an autonomous domain in the spectrum of human and physical sciences. 20th century continental thinkers such as Heidegger, Sartre, Levi-Strauss and Foucault challenged history to be placed among the sciences. Additionally, many Anglo-American philosophers believed that history as a whole was not to be taken seriously and should not constitute as a rigorous science or a genuine art. Hayden White's Metahistory: The Historical Imagination in Nineteenth-Century Europe investigates the way historians write in different types of styles, and how various milieus shape history and ideas. His exegesis on the deep structure of historical imagination of 19th century Europe elucidates a fresh perspective on the debate over the nature and function of historical knowledge. Moving away from Romanticism, Idealism, and Positivism (cultural movements), and Liberalism, Radicalism, and Conservatism (ideological movements) that dominated the historicism at the time, White used a formalist approach to show the overlooked aspects that were inherent in historical works. Analyzing prominent historians such as Ranke, Michelet, Tocqueville, and Bruckhardt and four philosophical abrogations of naive realism of Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche and Croce, White was able to specify different levels of engagement, structural components and models. This more nuanced view showed the extent of aesthetic, epistemological, ethical, and linguistic engagement determined the ideological apparatus and structure of the narrative that the specific historian wrote about. Therefore, White was able to define and distinguish the difference between history proper and philosophy of history.
White distinguished the various levels of conceptualization of historical work (1) chronicle (2) story (3) mode of emplotment (4) mode of argument and (5) mode of ideological implication where the historical work represents an attempt to negotiate the historical field, historical record, other historical accounts and an audience. Historical elements are organized into a chronicle by their temporal occurrence; then it is arranged into components of a "spectacle" or process of happening, which has a discernible beginning, middle, and end. The transformation of chronicle into a story is affected by the characterization of some events in the chronicle in terms of inaugural motifs, of others in terms of terminating motifs, and of yet others in terms of transitional motifs.
"The king went to Wesminster on June 3, 1321. There the fateful meeting occurred between the king and the man who was ultimately to challenge him for his throne, thought at the time the two men appeared to be destined to become the best of friends…" This event that was reported naturally in a certain time and place becomes an inaugurating event. This transitional motif tells the reader to seize expectations until a terminating motif appeared.
"While the king was journeying to Westminster, he was informed by his advisers that his enemies awaited him there and that the prospects of a settlement advantageous to the crown were meager." Lastly, a terminating motif shows a potential resolution of a situation or process.
"On April 6, 1333, the Battle of Balybourne was fought. The forces of the king were victorious, the rebels routed. The resulting Treaty of Howth Castle, June 7, 1333, brought peace to the realm-though it was to be an uneasy peace, consumed in the flames of religious strife seven years later." Encoding a set of events in these motifs allows a reader to move from a diachronic process into a synchronic structure where analysis can begin through a series of questions. Why or how did that happen? What happened next? How did it end? These denote a connection between an event and are different than say What does it all add up to? What is the point of it? These questions concern themselves with the overall structure of the entire set of events and use a synoptic judgment to identify or uncover other potential stories. Questions can be answered by three types of explanation, (1) emplotment (2) argument and (3) ideological implication.
A historian uses explanation by emplotment to provide meaning behind his narrative and readers can ostensibly identify this type of story. The four different types of emplotment are Romance, Tragedy, Comedy, and Satire where the historian "emplots" a whole set of stories into one comprehensive story form.
The emplotment of Romance is a drama that symbolizes transcendence or victory. This self-identification symbolized dramas of good over evil, and resurrection of Christ in Christian mythology.
Satire is the antithesis of the Romantic drama where man is fettered to the world, and insufficient to overcome evil, death, and other dark forces. Hopes, and possibility are Ironic, is different than the truths found in Romance, Comedy and Tragedy. It prepares consciousness to revert back to a mythic conceptualization of the world and its processes.
Unlike Satire, Comedy shows the possibility of a limited liberation from the Fall of man, where there is a potential reconciliation of forces. These are symbolized through festive occasions, where the reconciliations of men with men and men with world and society. This act transforms society in a more positive and purer state due to the conflict that harmonizes these elements together. Tragedy is similar to Satire, however, there are fictitious and misleading occasions, where man must accept the conditions of the world, and work within them. Man is imposed of limits to what can be aimed at for security in the world.
Additional to the four forms of emplotment, Formal Argument is used by a historian to explain the events of a story (or the form that was imposed by emplotment in a specific mode) that are surmised by logical necessity. Examples such as "what goes up must come down" and the most famous Marx's relationship between Superstructure and the Base where they are used to explain a certain event or phenomenon e.g. The Great Depression.
White uses the analysis of Stephen C. Pepper in World Hypotheses to differentiate four paradigms of "argument" make take form in: Formist, Organicist, Mechanistic, and Contextualist.
The Formist removes the apparent similarities shared by objects in the field, in order to properly identify them by specific types of attributes and labels. In order to be considered a Formist explanation, every object must be uniquely identified. These explanations are found in romantic historians and historical narrators.
Organicist used reductive operations in order to depict specifics within the historical field as parts of the synthetic process. Historians such as Ranke, and most of "nationalistic" historians in the 19th century like Sybel, structure their narrative in parts to whole relationship, where they are concerned with the internal process and individual elements over the whole in a deterministic fashion.
Mechanistic explanations are reductive instead of synthetic where the acts of inhabiting agents of the historical field are manifestations of extrahistorical agencies. Historians that use this method such as Marx, and Taine search for causational laws and the overarching operations that write history.
Assuming events can be explained by being within the context of occurrence, Contextualism, is a spectacle that is shown through specific relationships to other events. The explanations of the field are identified by the interrelationships that existed among the agents and agencies at that specific time. However, the first and last of the causational chain can never be known. This line of thinking was found in Herodotus and Jacob Burckhardt.
Explanation by ideological implication is an ethical assumption that historians use to draw conclusions of past events in order to comprehend the present. White uses the analysis of Karl Mannheim in his bookIdeology and Utopia for define the four ideological positions: (1) Liberalism, (2) Anarchisms, (3) Conservatism, and (4) Radicalism. These do not represent insignias of political parties and are meant to be general ideological definitions and preferences.
Conservative defined change in a "natural" rhythm or gradual like a plant.
Liberal defined change in a "social" rhythm, also known as education and voting.
Radical deemed structural transformation as a necessity. A utopian society would be created through a cataclysmic transformation.
Anarchist believed society to be corrupt and men must destroy the current establishment to bring a new community.
Lastly, White uses four types of tropes to analyze poetic or figurative language in an unambiguous way.
Synecdoche – Symbolizes an inherent quality: "He is all heart".
Metaphor – Similar to and difference from: "My love, a rose".
Metonymy – A part of something is substituted with a name as a whole: "Fifty sail" to "Fifty ships".
Irony – Negation on figurative level for what is positively affirmed on literal level: "Blind Mouths".
One of the master historians White analyzes is Hegel, where exemplified the trope of Irony. Hegel assumed that history was a superlative fact of both consciousness and human existence. It then moved to Metonymical and Synecdochic modes of comprehension, where metonymical comprehension became the base for physical scientific explanations. In doing so, it limited occurrences to cause and effect relationships. Synecdochic consciousness had a more general application to both nature and history, where the human world was comprehended in a taxonomic form comprised of species, genera, and classes. Therefore, the mind properly organizes the natural world through logical considerations only. Every formal coherence is a logical assumption found above it, identical to its logical assumption below it. However, due to the nature of species never changing or evolving, none of the formal coherences are the antecedent of the other.
Hegel believed that if history was denoted through consciousness, taxonomic characterizations, and causational logic only, then it would show the problems inherent in mechanism and formalism. A purely mechanistic approach to history was absurd because the whole of history was predetermined and no change or development occurred. This form of explanation would only rearrange elementary elements in different combinations and conclude that there was no advancement of religion or culture from primitive humans to the present. Formalist explanation of a historical process made sense where it differentiated higher and lower forms of life, however, it had no principles to explain the evolution from the various levels of forms. Also, it had no criteria that it could use to assess the ethical significance of evolution. Identical to the mechanistic historic approach, the formalist approach had to choose between history randomly appearing and disappearing or an infinite recurrence of the identical set of formal coherencies.
Criticism extended to "comparative analysis" which is the end form from which Metaphorical consciousness takes shape when it is projected as a theoretical trajectory into a method. Formalist explanations and Epic plot structures that characterize its stories are morally dangerous and are void of meaning. Hegel also criticized the emphasis on beauty as a way of distracting from the actual substance of history, where its narrative could find genius and poetry everywhere, but could not distinguish form and content.
In Encyclopedia and Lectures on Aesthetics expounded upon his theory of historical writing, which he defined as one of the verbal arts. Although not frequently noted, Hegel ostensibly defined his theory on historical works as something that was conceived under aesthetic consciousness. Characterizing and delineating a boundary between poetry and prose, poetry inherently could produce other tropological modes, Metonymy, Synecdoche, and Irony. What is expressed through poetry is a way to attain the idea of verbal self-expression. "Four thousand here from Pelops' land Against three million once did stood (Herodotus, The Histories, bk. VII, chap. 228, p.494)"
Four thousand men fought against three million was the content, however, the main point is that it "communicates to contemporary life and posterity the historical fact, and is there exclusively to do so (Aesthetics, 23 [241])." This poetic mode of expression is able to convey the content austerely while simultaneously embodying it with a definitive purpose. Poetry or a verse had an increased value where it attempted to replace an insipid sentence or prosaic speech. In comparison, prosaic speech would leave the writing unaltered, and not configure itself as an intimate union of content, which is only a poetic assertion. Therefore, the birth of poetry is from the segregation of consciousness from its object and the need to conjoin once again. The poet assumed a specific task of uniting consciousness and the world in thought by making universal terms specific and abstract concrete.
The distinction between prosaic speech and poetry created the two classes of poetry Classical (universal/particular expression) and Romantic (objective/subjective expression). The tension between these two classes created three different types of poetic composition: Epic, Lyric, and Dramatic. Epic and Lyric represent the effectively stable perspectives, both externally and internally, while Dramatic envisages resolution of the tension and unity of subject with object. The Epic "gives us a more extensive picture of the external world; it lingers by the way in episodical events and deeds, whereby the unity of the whole, owing to this increased isolation of the parts, appears to suffer diminution." The Lyric "changes conformably to the fluctuation of its types, adapts itself to a mode of presentment of the great variety: at one time it is bare narration, at another exclusive expression of emotion or contemplation; at another it restricts its vision," and so on. In comparison to Epic and Lyric, Drama "requires a more strenuous conjunction" of internal and external reality. Using speech and poetry as a tool that mediated consciousness and the world, Hegel historicized poetry and drama, as well as poeticized and dramatized history.
Another master historian of his time, Leopold von Rank created the historical method that was the antithesis of Sir Walter Scott's representations in his novels of romance. Originally inspired by Scott's pictures, Rank investigated and did research on the sources of medieval history and contemporary accounts, and became disillusioned by Scott's false depictions. Finding the truth to be much more satisfying than representing history in a false light, Rank limited his writings that were only supported by historical documentary. Overall, he excoriated any ideology that prohibited the historian from seeing the historical field in its immediacy e.g. Hegel's a priori philosophy and Mechanistic principles. White defines Ranke's unique concept of realism as "doctrinal realism", which "…is derived from no specific preconceptions about the nature of the world and its processes, but which presumes that reality can be known 'realistically' by a conscious and consistent repudiation of the forms in which a distinctively modern art, science, and philosophy appear."
Ranke's rebuke of Positivists, Romantics, and Idealists was favored by many historians of his time because his oeuvre exemplified what a "realistic" historical consciousness should be. The new age of historiography was prefigured in the mode of Metaphor, which was primarily concerned with the particularity and uniqueness of events. Subsequently after, it would use the Synecdochic comprehension and the final unity through analogy to the nature of its parts. Therefore, Ranke believed history might aspire to use a narrative description, which was the highest kind of the historical process.
High standard of research, prolific writing and superlative talent for narrative representation allowed Ranke to use a Comic mythos as his plot structure for most of his writing. Accumulating gargantuan amount of research allowed him to view different sides of conflicts with abundant evidence to decipher significant from insignificant events. Ultimately, Ranke concluded that world history was set in a metahistorical prefiguration of the historical field as a set of conflicts where nature was superseded by a society. Relying on an Organicist insight, he emphasized the process towards something where the movement abided by a specific rule and order. Therefore, history moved in an achieved system of relationships which is eternal and never changing.
Many historians believed that individuals were governed by natural or animal laws, and were inherently disorderly and destructive. According to Ranke, however, the church and the state were instruments that directed the energy of the people and could push them into collectively beneficial projects. Established by God, these institutions constituted the ordering principles in historical time. It was only through them that the disorderly world could become more directed and focused towards the conception of a nation.
During the Middle ages, the state and church gained excessive power in a way where it could constitute themselves as "universal". Anxiety and fear overtook citizens where progress and the development of nationhood was hindered. However, at the end reformers held firm to the essential truths of religion and culture to band together to fight off the idea of "universal" church and statehood. This became the true significance of the Renaissance and Reformation because the nation emerged as the self-consciously governing principle to the direction of more orderly and humanly ways.
Because the idea of the nation functioned as an absolute value, ubiquity and individual freedom is the antithesis of history itself. A historian's task was to maintain and re-enforce this principle of nationality in order to safeguard itself from barbarism. This conservative attitude did not want any new types of community that may allow the restrictions by churches and states to be removed.
Often denied the proper title as a historian, Alexis De Tocqueville's doctrine is mostly positioned as a sociologist. Although most Tocqueville scholarship concerns his influence on sociology, Liberalism, and Conservatism, White contends that his work as a historian is Radical. Through tracing Tocqueville's thought's on history from Democracy in America to Souvenirs proved that he studied history to determine the various causational laws that governed its operations. "…He was implicitly committed to a conception regarding the manipulation of the social process of the sort that we associate with Radicalism in its modern, materialistic form. This implicit Radicalism is reflected in the Tragic mythos that underlies and provides the macrohistorical context of both of Tocqueville's major works…"
Unlike Ranke, Tocqueville believed that the reconciliation of man with man in society was almost improbable. He placed man's existence on two poles, one of social order that was a necessity in order for him to be a man, and the other an inherited demonic nature that halted him from becoming purely human. This oscillation and consciousness of his existence forced an individual to raise himself above the inherited animal that has been suppressed. The metaphysical existence of primordial chaos accentuates Tocqueville's thoughts on history, society, and culture, where it is both a conundrum and blessing. Man's being was a mystery and hindered him from obtaining monumental gains due to the forces that governed world processes. Therefore, like the tragic agon, he conceived that history was a permanent contest with and a return to himself. This Aeschylean and Sophoclean became the basis of his ideas on Liberalism.
Analogous to man's existence, Tocqueville believed that the culture of his age oscillated between the older aristocratic idealism and democratic materialism. The critique of aristocratic Idealism made by the Enlightenment emphasizes that men should be concerned with the world external to them. It was not the sole emphasis of the time, but a transitionary period where Tocqueville believed "…thought and imagination would become fixed on "man alone" and more specifically on the future of mankind (II 76,77)."
Tocqueville's paradox of despair and aspiration in human consciousness also applied to the future while simultaneously fighting against suffering. He believed that the future, the coming of age was the combination of social systems and a new vision that was not exclusively either aristocratic or democratic. Placing the task of the historian in a mediative role, his job was to assistance in showing the desire for freedom was inherited in both forms of government, aristocracy, and democracy.
During the time that he wrote Democracy in America, Tocqueville's thought became dialectical and aligned himself with Hegel. Democracy in America depicted the chronological development and articulation of elements within the historical system. Although the revolution appeared to be inevitable where all men and events attributed to its cause, it's destiny was Tragic. Europe had entered a transitional period where it established a path away from aristocracy but had no ideas to deem it beneficial.
Additionally, Tocqueville believed that Democracy in America was abominable and a monstrosity. It represented a development of extremities, discordant of the principles and sinew of Western civilization. The inception of European aristocracy was beneficial for a society because it supported independent thought and action, which America lacked in its ideal of ubiquitous rights. In the opening chapters of the second volume of Democracy in America, he elaborated that the independence of thought found in Luther to Voltaire was enervated in America by the concept of common opinion. Therefore, America's future was uncertain due to the possibility of conjoining freedom with the tyranny of the majority found in the state.
Tocqueville's meditation on America and democracy was cynical and Ironic in its extremity. He had concluded that the revolution could not bear anything beneficial to humanity and believing in deterministic principles would create "feeble men and pusillanimous nations."
Differentiating from Tocqueville's exchange between irreconcilable elements, Burckhardt believed that there was no process of development. History taught pensive truths, where political and religious motivations lead to oppression. Also, they did not suggest that humanity would sustain itself. Beginning where Tocqueville ended, Burckhardt's Ironic stance where he found very little use in other ideas such as Romance, and Comedy. Although he aligned himself with old European aristocracy, he did not want to rejuvenate it and remember it for what it was.
One of the sections in The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy, "The State as a Work of Art" compared the political situations of Germany, France, Spain and Italy, where each country had an external enemy that it fought against. The engagement in warfare could be used by a monarchy to unite people. Italy's situation was much different because it was fettered to the ecclesiastical state, where it hindered the unity of the nation. The existence of the papacy caused Italian politics to miss an opportunity to conjoin its people, which Burckhardt portrayed with a sense of melancholy.
"The State as a Work of Art" was one of six parts that analyzed a different aspect of Italy's culture throughout the Renaissance. Bruckhardt viewed the Renaissance to be a milieu which the cultural movement was alleviated from its subsidiary position to politics and religion. In this way, art could determine what type of form it would take, and human existence could be transformed into an art. Society and life were free from pragmatic and aesthetic concerns, and would show things for what they truly are. "Burckhardt's picture of the Renaissance reminds one of a combination of the themes of a painting by Piero di Cosimo and Raphael, a painting bathed in the tired light of Burne-Jones and Rossetti. The tone is elegiac, but the subjects of the picture are both savage and sublime. The 'realism' of the subject-matter stems from the refusal to hide anything crude or violent, yet all the while the reader is reminded of the flowers that grew on this compost heap of human imperfection." Therefore, the Renaissance was Ironic and represented the antithesis of the modern world.
Published after his first major publication, The Age of Constantine the Great, the guidebook The Cicerone: Guide to the Enjoyment of the Artworks of Italy continues his line of brilliance and at his best. Indulging in art, Bruckhardt reflected on historical objects in a way that the past did not. Artistic products and their contents or meanings were not mediated by verbal language, these objects were present and part of perception. He believed that history operated in a similar fashion because the text the documents could be coherent without having a relationship to the essence of what they professed to represent.
The Cicerone described a hierarchy of architecture, sculpture, and painting, in accordance to Schopenhauer's aesthetics. Bruckhardt's meditation on painting revealed a great deal of principles that where he placed them upon historical data. The taxonomic division began by comparing various forms and phases of Western art. "The paleo-Christian and Byzantine phases of Western art were regarded as inferior by virtue of the tendencies toward "mere mechanical repetition" which dogma and authority enforced upon the artists of the time. The art of the Romanesque period was viewed primarily as mythical and symbolical, though evidence of an essential healthiness was contained, in Burckhardt's estimate, in the appearance of a 'simple narrative' style (The Cicerone, Clough ed., 18). The Gothic period in Italian art (as distinguished from its northern counterpart) was presented as signaling the birth of that naturalism which flowered in the Renaissance. Painting was liberated from service to architecture; and, though it remained in the service of religion, it was released to the development of its own unique potentialities of representation…" Specific artists were also compared to one another such as Giotto, Michelangelo and Raphael.
Coming to the center of intellectual thought, Schopenhauer influenced not only Bruckhardt, but many individuals from artists and historians. He also became admired by many intellectuals of the century such as Nietzsche, Wagner, and Freud, who all shared one thing in common, the dissatisfaction with life. Another attraction to his philosophical system, Schopenhauer accommodated Darwin's concept of purposeless nature. It then became tacit that that man's life was purposeless as well.
Although Schopenhauer did not have a definitive philosophy of history, his entire systematic thought attempted to show that social concerns and historical interests were unnecessary. Additionally, Schopenhauer's world was egotistical in its extremes, where individuals were imprisoned with their own desires. In this way, Georg Lukas concluded that Schopenhauer represented German bourgeoisie ideology that came to prominence when the abandonment of humanistic values for egotistical gains allowed the middle class to formulate itself.
Schopenhauer envisaged a taxonomy of arts based upon abandoning the attempt to copy reality and transcend the temporal and spatial boundaries. "Fantasy is superior to fact, which means that poetry is superior to history. Within a given art form the same ranking can be made; thus tragedy is superior to comedy, comedy to epic, and so on. The same is true in the plastic and visual arts. Architecture is inferior to sculpture, since the practical interests of the former inhibit its aspiration to formal consistency. And sculpture is inferior to painting, since in sculpture the spatial determination is greater. Similarly, poetry is superior to painting, since words can be more freely arranged than visual images. But poetry is inferior to music, since the latter liberates itself from words altogether and aspires to the contemplation of pure form beyond the limits of time." Therefore, he concluded that the highest form of art was will, and the world's purpose was to reconcile with itself. The concept of will was narcissistic, and egotistical, where salvation was never available to a community, only an individual. The community could only be seen as contending wills view individuals as objects in their field of vision.
Through the analysis of the main forms of historical consciousness in the 19th century, White's general theory of structuring historical works showed that specific linguistic nomenclature preconfigured the historical field prior to the explanation found in the records. This methodology allowed him to view historical narrative was much different than the ones designated by the schools of thought in the 19th century. A more nuanced view, it revealed the various levels of engagement (e.g. ethic, and linguistic) where it could determine the degree of influence of Liberalism, Romanticism or Idealism over the structure of the historians works. Additionally, White was able to show the division between Philosophy of history and history proper, where the philosophy of history uses a specific order of consciousness, and criteria to understand both the meaning and significance of the historical process. Therefore, every master historian that he analyzed with the possible exception of Marx to be a Philosopher of Language.
Although Metahistory may be criticized for overgeneralizing or not being applicable to the historical narrative of the present, White's study can dispel or reveal the inherited biases where visions of history were superficially chosen between preferences of moral or aesthetic biases. In order to come to a neutral viewing of history, historical ideology had to remove itself from (at that time) 20th century Ironic perspective. This anti-ironic viewpoint would allow historians to conceptualize history and perceive the contents in its rawest form possible. At that stage, historians could impose their moral and aesthetic biases or aspirations while simultaneously conjoining the 19th century with the connection of the 18thcentury.


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Happiness is...
The Stoics took seriously the risks of life. For them, a life necessarily must be insulated from the goods of fortune. The strengths of Stoic control are not without merit. But according to Daniel Russell, scholar of antiquity, letting go and giving in is not the end of the world. In fact, the good life could depend on it.
- Daniel Russell
- Professor of Philosophy
University of Arizona's Freedom Centre
Percy Seymour Reader in Ancient History and Philosophy at Ormond College, University of Melbourne
- Presenter
- Joe Gelonesi
- Producer
- Diane Dean
Comments (10)
Kelly :
15 Jun 2013 11:10:35am
Happiness is a bikini wax and waiting for your nails to dry. Happiness is a colored pencil scribbled all around your eye!
Jose :
14 Aug 2013 10:10:56pm
Good job on the Zappa ! Love it! So much of his prophecies I beginning to take place, he was such a visionary.
Jose :
14 Aug 2013 10:11:44pm
Zappa is a visionary!
Meredith :
16 Jun 2013 5:42:13pm
Happiness is listening to RN in front of a fire with an affectionate cat curled up in your lap.
David Curlewis :
17 Jun 2013 2:27:45pm
Schopenhauer approvingly quotes Aristotle saying "Not pleasure, but freedom from pain, is what the wise person will aim at" which isn't bad advice. He also finds truth in a saying of Voltaire "Happiness is but a dream and sorrow is real" - not ideas that the happiness industry is going to embrace, of course!
Natalia :
17 Jun 2013 3:15:27pm
Always remember that your inherent heart-disposition wants and needs Infinite, Absolute, True Eternal Happiness.
Eternal and total freedom, wisdom, and happiness are the primary needs and ideas of Man.
The fundamental human urge and need is not food, sex, power, things, or even physical survival.
The fundamental human urge and need is happiness, but not in the mere satisfaction-of-self sense.
The fundamental human urge and need is ECSTASY, or the free exercise of the ability to step outside or to effectively exceed and transcend, the point-of-view bondage of egoic and mortal self-identity.
Ken :
17 Jun 2013 7:36:35pm
And do you experience this state of mind all the time Natalia? If not, then why not if you are so wise in its conception?
David :
17 Jun 2013 9:48:53pm
Lucretius is the key source for the idea of Epicurus on happiness, and Epicurus is the key ancient philosopher to discuss the idea of happiness.
An excellent volume of Lucretius's De Rerum Natura is The Nature of Things, John Mason Good, 1805 which can be found for free on Google books.
Good's translation is not so interesting for the translation itself but for the copious and fabulously erudite footnotes. The footnotes form a very useful compendium of the development of ideas to 1805, sprinkled with a sparkling array of observations from various ages.
Good's translation of Lucretius, Vol1
Vol 2
25 Jun 2013 7:52:20pm
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments.
Psalm 112:1
Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery.
Mr Micawber in 'David Copperfield', by Charles Dickens.
Happiness is a clean floor and everything in its right place.
James Broadbent :
26 Sep 2013 11:39:16am
With all due respect to the learned interviewee, I believe he has totally missed the point of Stoicism. The Stoics advocated an involved life, both on a personal level, and on a societal level. It was the Cynics who advocated the life of a hermit in a cave, and the Epicureans who would invest in relationships in a shallow way, like a dilettante, and withdraw when it suited them. The Stoics offered tools whereby we could use our reasoning faculties to control our emotions (which are the source of our grief, when uncontrolled). Everyone will feel some degree of grief due to serious loss, but we all have the power to control it. Some people seem threatened when they hear of that degree of control. It's not normal in today's society of psycho-drama, so it must be wrong, or even pathological, right? No. It's just a skill that anyone can practice and get better at. The alternative is endless wallowing in pointless grief, or an ongoing counselling and psychoanalysis. At some point the grief process needs to progress to resolution (or stable state). Where is the harm in getting there quicker, via tools that you use yourself?


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On Saturday, November 2, 2013, I will participating in what will be THE most difficult physical challenge of my life. From ToughMudder.com: "Tough Mudder events are hardcore obstacle courses designed to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie. With the most innovative courses, over one million inspiring participants worldwide to date, and more than $5 million raised for the Wounded Warrior Project, Tough Mudder is the premier adventure challenge series in the world."
There are three reasons why I'm doing this:
1) AnnMarie asked me to. :)
2) To challenge myself and say I've done it.
3) Most importantly, to support the Wounded Warriors Project.
Please support me in benefitting the Wounded Warrior Project by clicking THIS LINK to donate on my behalf.
My goal is to reach donations of $200. Please consider donating and helping me exceed expectation. Thank You!!
Follow me here on Facebook for before and after pics at the event.
Here's a motivating video that showcases a number of the obstacles:


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Haunted Homestead 2016/
October is here and that means you need to be ready for all the ghosts, goblins, and things that go bump in the night. Get into the holiday spirit with a collection of fun and thrilling events at Frontier Homestead State Park providing a perfect lead in to All Hallows Eve. Starting off Frontier Homestead presents Haunted Homestead running on October 10 and 11 from 6-8pm. This family friendly event will get you and yours into the Halloween spirit. Not only will we be providing some unique Halloween themed games, we also will have spooky crafts, ghost stories told by local storytellers, and other haunting surprises. Come explore the Homestead and see our spooky decorations. Be sure to enter the "Haunter" House, if you dare. Admission is $5.00 per family or $1.50 per person. Friends members get in free.
On Wednesday the 12th join our very popular cemetery tour. This year our tour will be begin at 6:30 pm in the museum parking lot. Come learn about some of the more interesting headstones and stories about the graveyard. You may even hear about the rabid coyote. Please dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. Admission is free to this event.
Thursday October 13 we present the very popular More than Ghost Stories program. Are ghosts real? Do spirits walk among us? Most everyone has had some type of experience they can't explain. If you're a believer, or just curious, you can join local paranormal investigators as they recount their ghost hunting adventures over the past year and share their findings with the public. The
team has conducted investigations at numerous locations in an attempt to separate folk lore and stories from genuine paranormal activities. Evidence from the investigations will be presented and discussed, allowing you to come to your own conclusions – is it real, or just your imagination?
At our Homestead Halloween events there is sure to be something to make you think, shake, or laugh so come join us. For more information call us at 435-586-9290, visit our facebook page www.facebook.com/fronteirhomestead, or our website www.fronterhomestead.org


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Scanlon, Eileen; Jones, Ann and Waycott, Jenny
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Recent developments in mobile technologies have offered the potential to support learners studying a variety of subjects. In this paper we explore the possibilities related to science learners and in particular focus on science learners in informal settings and reflect on a number of recent projects in order to consider the prospects for such work. The debate on informal learning acknowledges the complexity of the area and the difficulty of defining informal learning. One view is to consider the settings in which learning takes place as a continuum from formal settings, e.g. university, to social structures, e.g. friendship groups (Sefton-Green, 2004). The literature on science learning with mobile devices at this very 'informal' end of the spectrum is currently sparse and so in the paper we reflect on some projects and possibilities across the continuum. Our main focus is how mobile devices can support informal learning in science and research possibilities. Some of the recent research on mobile learning has used an activity theoretical perspective, including one of the case studies we discuss and in the final part of the paper we highlight the influence of activity theory in helping us to consider the complexity of the learning settings.
|Item Type:
|Journal Item
|mobile technologies; informal learning; science education
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|Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS)
|Research Group:
|Centre for Research in Education and Educational Technology (CREET)
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|Eileen Scanlon
|Date Deposited:
|01 Feb 2007
|Last Modified:
|10 May 2019 01:23
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Lazy Sunday afternoon
My Sunday was spent brunching, walking and knitting and that's just the way I like it. The walk was to the Toronto Public Library to pick up Knitting Around by Elizabeth Zimmermann. I didn't know much about Zimmermann until learning of her from Jess of Fig & Plum. Jess has since started up Zimmermania, and since I'm thinking about knitting some mittens from the book (and then probably buying a copy of the book to keep), I might have to join in the fun. I then played with my Knitpicks Palette for a while to try to find some mitten appropriate colours, as well as to try to figure out if I can knit the Enid Cardigan using it as well. I'm not so sure that I'm going to be able to knit the cardi using yarn from my stash, and I'm wavering on the pattern itself anyway since I would be faced with more endless rounds of stockinette before the fun colourwork on the yoke. Speaking of endless rounds of stockinette, I'm almost finished the body of my top-down cardigan knit from my Boxing Day sale score. I also managed to cast on for a pair of socks that will also be, you guessed it, stockinette. As for Demi, I didn't actually knit anything yesterday, I just took a progress photo of the sleeve. I'm finding this pattern pretty slow going, and it's unlikely that I'll be finished in time to wear it this season. I'm a little sad to think that I might have to wait a year to wear it, but it's all about the process anyway, right?


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Thanksgiving Dinner in Amish Country
There are a lot of terrific cooks in Amish Country. Most people living in Amish Country have grandmothers or moms who roast beautiful birds and tasty hams and wonderfully delicious pies. Aunts and cousins help round out the dinner with delectable side dishes. Unfortunately, my mom lives in Texas and my mother in law does not like to cook. My grandmother, who always made the best chicken and noodles for any special occasion is also in Texas.
And since preparing the whole meal overwhelms me, I'm grateful that some restaurants and stores know that people like me exist and work hard to make a great Thanksgiving meal for us. From smoked turkeys to whole meals including dessert, these places offer plenty of options to create a fantastic Thanksgiving feast.
Amish Acres goes all out for Thanksgiving. You can order a complete meal to take home, or you can dine in the restaurant on Thanksgiving day from 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Dining is first come first serve, and there are no reservations.
The Essenhaus makes a traditional Thanksgiving meal that you can pick up by November 23. Just make sure you order well in advance.
Mattern's Butcher Shop and Corner Deli offers fresh and smoked turkeys and hams. Just make sure you order by November 17th. They're making pies too.
Old Hoosier Meats has fresh, frozen and smoked turkeys and hams for your Thanksgiving table. Make sure you order the week before Thanksgiving.
South Side Soda Shop will bake all your pies so you can cross that extra work off your list. Make sure you order by the 22nd. And if you forget, they do make extra for that day—but there's no guarantee.
I know my Thanksgiving will be great. And knowing that my meal is from my local restaurants and butchers makes it even better.
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Welcome to the Casual Veggie Potluck!
How are you guys liking the book? Isn't it awesome?
If you're not sure what I'm talking about, it's the Casual Veggie Cookbook! A cookbook featuring veggie-licious recipes from over 45 other talented bloggers. This cookbook is great if you're one of those people that tends to get in a veggie-rut (steamed green beans, anyone?). This cookbook not only gives you 166 recipes featuring all these vegetables, it gives you buying guides and storage tips. It is an electronic cookbook but all of the pages are printable in case you are old-fashioned like me.
To celebrate the launch week of the cookbook, the Casual Veggie contributors are hosting an autumn-themed potluck. I thought long and hard about what to bring and finally decided on this Cauliflower Stuffed Acorn Squash. Make sure you check out the other posts below to see what the other bloggers brought...I hope you're hungry!
Is cauliflower all the rage right now, or what? It seems like everywhere I turn there is something cauliflower. Cauliflower steaks, buffalo cauliflower bites, cauliflower mash, cauliflower pizza crust, cauliflower rice, Spicy Cauliflower Sandwiches...the list goes on and on.
I decided to jump on the band wagon, but in an anticlimactic way. I simply roasted it, mixed it with some bulgar, raisins, pine nuts, and rosemary, and stuffed it into some acorn squash.
It might sound anticlimactic but once you taste it, you will realize it is far from it.
Oh, did I mention that this dish is packed with nutrition? The acorn squash, like most winter squash, is full of fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin C. The bulgar provides you with a complex carbohydrate and some protein. The raisins and pinenuts provide a pop of flavor and texture while also giving you some iron (in the raisins) and healthy fat (in the pine nuts). And the cauliflower, well since it's all the rage right now, it must have some health benefit. Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable which gives it automatic points in the cancer-fighting department. It also helps reduce inflammation. This is all thanks to the isoflavones, indoles, and isothiocyanates (big words that means it's good for you #thumbsup).
Ok, so onto the recipe...
Oh wait, one more thing. Don't forget to check out the links below for the other delicious things people are bringing to the potluck :)
Cauliflower Stuffed Acorn Squash
Serves 4-6
*Note: This recipe makes enough filling for 6 smaller acorn squash. The amount of filling you will use for each squash will depend on how big of a cavity to create. I usually stuff 2 to 4 squash and bring the leftover filling to work for lunch. You can make the filling ahead of time to save on time.
1 head cauliflower, cut into florets and then sliced in half lengthwise
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons rosemary
4-6 acorn squash
1 cup bulgar
2 cups apple cider
1/2 cup raisins soaked in boiling water for 10 minutes to plump
1/4 cup pinenuts, optionally toasted
Balsamic vinegar, to taste (I used about 1 T per serving)
1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees. On a large baking sheet, toss the cauliflower with 2 tablespoons olive oil, rosemary, and salt, to taste. Roast until lightly browned, about 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through.
2. Meanwhile, microwave squash for 5 minutes to soften. Slice squash in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds and pulp. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Season inside of squash liberally with salt. Place squash cut side down on the baking sheet. When the cauliflower is done roasting, set cauliflower aside and decrease oven temperature to 400 degrees. Roast squash until tender, about 30 to 40 minutes depending on the size of your squash.
3. While the squash is roasting, prepare the bulgur. Combine bulgar and apple cider in a small sauce pan over medium high heat. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce to a simmer. Cook until liquid is absorbed, 25 to 30 minutes.
4. In a large bowl, combine bulgar, roasted cauliflower, raisins, and pine nuts. When the squash is done roasting, decrease oven temperature to 350 degrees. Flip squash over on the baking sheet and fill squash with cauliflower mixture. Place squash back in the oven and cook until filling is heated through, about 10 minutes. When finished, drizzle with balsamic vinegar, to taste.
*This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I'll receive a commission. This helps to put food on my table and on the blog! :)
A Southern Grace - Black and Tan Orange
Family Food on the Table - Fall Harvest Rice Salad
Family For Health - Autumn Squash Chicken Stew
My Happy Belly - Sweet Roasted Squash
Parsley and Pumpkins - Kohlrabi Cranberry Salad
Real Simple Good - Kale and Cabbage Salad
The Weekly Menu - Italian Veggie Popover Pizza
Treble in the Kitchen - Kale Salad with Acorn Squash and Spiced Walnuts
Where is my Spoon? - Cauliflower in Tomato Sauce


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Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST) issued recruitment notification for 56 Vacancies of Assistant Director, Security Guard, Cook/Hostel Attendant, Cleaner, Peon,Messenger,Chowkidar, Operator/ Attendant/ Attendant, Work Supervisor (Civil), Electrician, Accounts Assistant/Cashier, Assistant Manager (Gust House), Stenographer and Junior Engineer (Civil) posts.
All eligible and interested candidates can submit application on or before 28th 01st June, 2015. For further details regarding educational qualification, age limit, selection process please refer below. For detailed official advertisement go to the below link. If you are interested in applying for other Sarkari Naukri or Government jobs in Jammu & Kashmir, Subscribe our website to receive daily job updates.
SKUAST Jammu Recruitment 2015 Notification:
|Name of Posts
|No.of Posts
|Pay Scale
|Assistant Director (Statistics)
|Post Graduation in Statistics/ Agri. Statistics/2 years experience as Statistical Officer in Govt. Department/University.
|Rs.15600-39100/- + G.P Rs.5400/-
|Security Guard
|Matriculation or HSC Examination pass/ Ex.Serviceman candidates applicable.
|Rs.4440-7440/- + G.P Rs.1300/-
|Cook/Hostel Attendant
|Matriculation or HSC Examination pass
|same as above
|Same as above
|same as above
|Peon,Messenger,Chowkidar, Operator/ Attendant/ Attendant
|Same as above
|same as above
|Work Supervisor (Civil)
|ITI in respective Trade/HSC Examination Pass with 2 years trade experience/ Matriculation pass with 2 years trade experience
|Rs.5200-20200/- + G.P Rs.1900/-
|Matriculation pass/ITI in respective Trade
|same as above
|Accounts Assistant/Cashier
|Graduation in any discipline
|Rs.5200-20200/- + G.P Rs.2400/-
|Assistant Manager (Gust House)
|Graduation in any discipline with Diploma in Hotel Management/Graduation in Hotel Management
|same as above
|Graduation in any discipline/ Shorthand speed 50 words/min & typing speed 30 words/min.
|same as above
|Junior Engineer (Civil)
|Graduation in Civil Engg./ Diploma in Civil Engg. with 5 years experience .
|Rs.9300-34800/- + G.P Rs.4200/-
- Last Date for Submission of Application: 1st June, 2015
- Application Fee : General categories – Rs.1200/- for Assistant Director (Statistics) post./PWD categories – Rs.600/- for Assistant Director (Statistics) post./General categories – Rs.500/- for other posts/PWD categories – Rs.250/- for other posts and Payment made by Bank Demand Draft in favour of Comptroller SKUAST-Jammu, payable at Jammu
How to Apply
Interested & Eligible candidates may send their applications along withnessessary documents to "The office of the Assistant Registrar (R&C), Sher-e-Kashmir, University of Agri. Sciences & Technology of Jammu Chatha, Jammu (J&K)-180009" on or before 1 June 2015.
More details: http://skuast.org/site/Templates%20HTML/jobs.html


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Flint Energies awards $5,000 grant
Columbus Family Network and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation received a $5,000 grant from Flint Energies Foundation, a non-profit arm of Reynolds, Ga.-based Flint Energies.
Part of the money comes from Flint Energies' Operation Round Up program. Members of the electric cooperative can chose to "round up" their energy bill to the nearest dollar. For example, if a bill is $75.25, the member pays $76, with 75 cents going directly to the Flint Energies Foundation.
Members also contribute almost $300,000 every year to the foundation, which supports causes in the 16 counties it serves.
Columbus Family Network and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation will use the money to host family network events for families with children who have diabetes.


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Color lovers, rejoice: the Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadow has arrived in the PH
When I was very young, my mother gave me art materials for Christmas. She included boxes of pencils, oil pastels, and water colors along with fresh paper. That was the most memorable gift I've ever received in my life. My mother didn't just give me stuff - she gave me possibilities, the means by which I can explore whatever talents I might have. I don't remember asking for art materials but she figured out I would love them.
Until this day, getting a box full of colors make me feel disproportionately happy. I collect paints and colors in different mediums for my art hobby and I also love getting palettes and pots of makeup. Who knew a fairly inexpensive Christmas present would define who I am today? (That, and books). I would be a different person had I never received it.
Anyway, the introspection is brought to you by this press kit from Maybelline! I was at the launch of the brand's latest cream color, the Color Tattoo Eyeshadow (P375), yesterday. You'll remember that I reviewed and loved them last year so I'm pleased that they're finally here! These are excellent long-wearing and uber pigmented eyeshadows that don't even require a primer - or brush, for that matter.
I won't go into detail describing these as I've already posted a review. All you need to know is that if you don't have one (or three), you better run and shop. This is a cream eyeshadow that definitely deserves your hard-earned money. They're easy to work with, they're pigmented and come in beautiful colors, plus they stay on all day with very mineral creasing (if at all). Oh and did I mention they're quite affordable? They're selling for P375 each locally!
I highly recommend getting Barely Branded (a metallic warm beige) and Bad To The Bronze (rich, warm bronze) to start your collection with. These are shades you can use everyday. Later on you can move on to the more exciting colors, which you can use not only as eyeshadows, but as eyeliners too.
Here are the swatches!
I loved that Maybelline created this fun color guide in the press kit. Now I know which colors to wear when I say, I can buy you and your friends! Or when I run into my ex. Lol. Kudos to the Maybelline team for coming up with these pairings.
So there you have it. Hope you enjoyed the swatches! :) Let me know which colors you love the most! I'm loving Audacious Asphalt and Edgy Emerald, aside from the neutrals.
PS For my next wish, Maybelline, please bring the Color Tattoo Mattes here soon! Dying to try those out!


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#1 Women's Golf Wins First League Title in Program History
With a lineup that featured two juniors, one sophomore and two freshmen, Cleveland State was the last team standing at the Horizon League Championship to claim the first title in program history.
After an opening round 319 put CSU in fourth place, the Vikings carded a tournament-low round of 302 during the second round to vault into first place by one shot after 36 holes. Four teams – CSU, Northern Kentucky, Youngstown State and Oakland – were within four shots of the lead heading into the final 18 holes and traded the top spot of the leaderboard throughout the day.
Ellie Cronin and Emily Turski both shot 77 on the final day and Kaylee Neumeister's dramatic eagle on the par-five, 18th hole solidified CSU's lead. And when Rayna Oosterhuis came in with birdies on three of her final seven holes, it allowed the Vikings to clinch the League title by three shots over YSU.
Oosterhuis put together a strong three days with rounds of 74-74-75 (223) to finish as the individual runner-up and earn a spot on the all-tournament team. Her first two rounds of 74 were career-low rounds as she posted her best finish at CSU.
Neumeister, who was named to the All-Horizon League first team, was sixth overall at the League tournament, while Cronin tied for 11th place. Turski, who shot an opening round 91, rebounded with a career-low round of 75 and 77 over the final two rounds to tie for 20th place. Junior Sophie Kelner, who was voted to the all-league second team, tied for 27th place.
The Vikings were selected to compete in the NCAA Columbus Regional after capturing the Horizon League's automatic bid. CSU finished the 2016-17 season with a single season school record scoring average of 317.2, breaking the old mark by three shots.
In addition, the Vikings won two events this year and had the second lowest round in school history with a 301 in the final round of the EKU Colonel Classic.
#2 Men's Golf Wins Fourth Straight Horizon League Championship & Eighth in Last 12 Years
Cleveland State's reign over the Horizon League continued in 2017 as the Vikings won their fourth straight League title and eighth in the last 12 seasons to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA regionals.
The Vikings led the League tournament from start to finish, carding rounds of 294-302-291 to earn a seven shot victory over runner-up Oakland.
Sophomore Anton Krecic claimed medalist honors at the League tournament to lead the Vikings, defeating Horizon League Player of the Year Ryan Wenzler of Wright State in a playoff. Krecic shot rounds of 71-75-69 (215) and won the playoff on the second hole. He became the seventh player in program history to win the individual title at the League championship.
Senior Patrick Luth finished sixth overall at the League tournament with rounds of 73-76-72 (221) and became the first player in program history to play in the NCAA regionals four times. Luth's scoring average of 72.7 this year was the second lowest for a season in program history, while his career average of 75.1 is sixth best in CSU history.
Junior Joey Krecic tied for 10th place at the League championship, while junior Blake Prince was 13th and sophomore Nick Infanti tied for 21st.
CSU was selected to compete in the NCAA West Lafayette Regional, finishing 13th at the Kampen Course.
#3 Volleyball Wins Horizon League Championship
The Cleveland State volleyball team continued its dominance of the Horizon League by winning its second straight tournament title in November.
After going 14-2 in the League and claiming the top seed in the League tournament, the Vikings earned five set wins over Oakland and Green Bay to capture the Horizon League's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
Junior Alexis Middlebrooks was named the tournament MVP for the second straight season after posting 35 kills and six blocks, while hitting .353 in the two tournament wins. She had 20 kills in the championship match vs. Green Bay.
Juniors Gina Kilner and Shannon Grega joined Middlebrooks on the all-tournament team. Kilner led the Vikings to a .224 hitting percentage, dishing out 101 assists with 16 digs in the two matches, while Grega posted 17 digs in both the semifinal and championship matches.
Senior Grace Kauth led the Vikings throughout the regular season en route to earning Horizon League Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year honors. Middlebrooks and Kilner joined Kauth on the all-league first team, while Aaliyah Slappy was an honorable mention all-league. Sara Skeens was tabbed the Horizon League Co-Freshman of the Year. Chuck Voss was voted the Co-Coach of the Year.
CSU fell to Arizona in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, the fourth time that the Vikings have earned an NCAA berth.
The 2016 season marked the second straight year that the Vikings claimed the Horizon League regular season and tournament crowns. Over the last two years, CSU has combined to go 51-13 overall and 27-5 in Horizon League matches.
#4 Philipp Sikatzki Qualifies for NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships for Second Straight Season
Philipp Sikatzki, the most-decorated swimmer in program history, concluded his brilliant career with his second straight trip to the NCAA Championships where he competed in three events.
Competing at the NCAA Championships in Indianapolis, Sikatzki finished 42nd in the 50 free with a career-best time of 19.85, 20th in the 100 fly in 45.99 and 35th in the 100 free with a time of 43.52.
He was the only athlete to finish among the top 40 in the 100 fly that did not hail from a school in a Power Five conference.
Sikatzki was the Horizon League Men's Swimming & Diving Athlete of the Year and Men's Swimmer of the Meet at the League Championship. He became the first individual in League history to earn Men's Athlete of the Year in back-to-back seasons.
Over the course of his three-year career at CSU, Sikatzki won eight individual titles at the Horizon League Championships. The first athlete in program history to earn first team All-America honors (2016), Sikatzki leaves CSU as the owner of school records in five individual events. Along with his teammates, he also holds school records in four different relay disciplines.
In addition, Sikatzki was selected to the CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team for his 3.93 cumulative grade point average as a health sciences/pre-med major with a double minor in biology and chemistry.
#5 Nick Corba Wins Two Matches at NCAA Wrestling Championships
Junior Nick Corba finished second at 184 pounds at the EWL Championships and earned one of five at-large bids in the weight class to the NCAA Championships.
At nationals, Corba dropped his first match, but showed tremendous resolve in winning each of his next two matches, claiming a major decision and a pin to advance to the second day of competition.
Corba's first win at the NCAA Championships was a 13-2 major decision over Villie Heino of Campbell who was ranked among the top-15 by various outlets entering the championships. In his second consolation match of the day – and his third match on day one – Corba earned a victory over fellow EWL competitor Michale Fagg-Daves of Rider with a fall in 1:38.
It was the first fall by a Viking grappler at the NCAA Championships since 2005.
Corba's run at the NCAA Championships came to an end against ninth-seeded Nathan Jackson of Indiana on day two, just two wins shy of earning All-American status. Corba became the first Vikings to post two bonus-point wins at an NCAA Championship since 1995.
Corba finished the season with a career-high 25 wins, including 15 bonus-point victories.
#6 Men's Lacrosse Hosts Michigan for Inaugural Game
The men's lacrosse team hosted Michigan for the inaugural game in program history on Feb. 4 in the Krenzler Dome in front of a sold out crowd.
The Vikings began their existence as the 71st Division I program in the country by scoring the opening goal of the game off the stick of midfielder Nick Wendel just 3:23 into the contest, giving CSU a 1-0 lead.
CSU would fall to Michigan, 13-8, and would go on to play five ranked teams over the course of the season, including top-ranked Denver (Feb. 25) and Penn State (March 25).
The Vikings finished the inaugural season with five wins, including a 13-6 win over Detroit Mercy at Krenzler Field in the season finale, marking the first win over a Division I team for the program.
#7 Women's Tennis Claims Horizon League Regular Season Championship
For the second straight season, the Cleveland State women's tennis team clinched a share of the 2017 Horizon League regular season title, posting an 8-1 mark in League play.
It marked the third time out of the last four years that the Vikings captured at least a share of the regular season crown (2014, 2016, 2017).
Seniors Victoria Bensimon and Princess Gbadamosi, junior Aleksandra Golawska and freshman Blanche Lenoan all went 7-2 in League play this year to lead the squad to the regular season title.
Bensimon and Isabella Spindler were both named to the All-Horizon League second team for their efforts. Bensimon went 20-15 this year and finished her career with a 28-4 record in Horizon League regular season singles matches. Spindler, CSU's No. 1 player for a majority of the year, earned a spot on the all-league second team for the second straight season.
#8 Alexandria Derkacs Earns All-League Honors at Horizon League Track & Field Championship
Competing at the Horizon League Track and Field Championship for the first time in program history, the Vikings best finish at the championship came from sophomore Alexandria Derkacs who finished second in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:03.43.
The personal best time allowed Derkacs to earn second team All-Horizon League honors and bettered her time in the prelims by two seconds.
Derkacs, who transferred to CSU from Notre Dame College, was competing in her first season at the Division I level and was named the team's Rookie of the Year.
#9 Karen Barrientos Earns All-League Honors at Horizon League
Cross Country Championship
Junior cross country runner Karen Barrientos earned first team All-Horizon League honors with a fifth place finish at the Horizon League Championship on Oct. 29 in Milwaukee.
Barrientos finished the 6K race with a time of 22:10, becoming the first runner to earn first team all-league honors under head coach Joe Jaketic. Her fifth place finish was also the best finish by a Viking under Jaketic.
Her time of 22:10 was the fastest 6K time in program history.
Barrientos was CSU's top finisher in all eight races in 2016 and posted five top-10 finishes (LHU Invitational-1st, Friendship Invitational-5th, Horizon League Championship-5th, Storm Invitational-6th, Jenna Strong Fall Classic-6th) during her first season at CSU.
#10 - Men's Tennis Advances to Horizon League Championship Match as No. 6 Seed
The Cleveland State men's tennis team earned the sixth and final seed in the Horizon League tournament, but that didn't stop the Vikings from making a spirited run to the championship match before falling in a thrilling final.
CSU was the first six seed in Horizon League history to make an appearance in the championship match.
The Vikings opened the tournament with a 4-3 win over Green Bay – a team that swept the Vikings in the regular season finale less than one week earlier – as Benjamin Slade clinched the win with a win at No. 3 singles. The following day, CSU upset second-seeded Detroit Mercy, 4-1, to advance to the League championship match for the eighth time in program history.
Facing top-seeded and heavily favored Valparaiso, the Vikings were in a 3-0 hole before singles wins by Kevin Goth (No. 6), Mirko Radosevic (No. 4) and Slade (No. 3) evened the contest at 3-3.
The deciding point came down to No. 5 singles then, with William Malm battling back for a 7-6 (2) tiebreak victory in the second set after dropping the opening frame 6-2. The third and deciding set also went to a tiebreaker, with Malm fighting back from a 5-2 deficit, but coming up just short in a 7-6 (4) tiebreak score.


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October 4th, 2017 marks one year on the road for us!
Before leaving the USA we researched and read many blogs to see what this venture would cost us. We wanted to be prepared. It can be hard to gauge, but we started out with a goal of spending an average of $50 or less a day ($25 each). We set this goal based on a number of other nomadic backpackers' blogs and what they spent. Admittedly, we are both very competitive and at times it was almost a game for us to try and beat this number.
Our actual spend was $13 each per day. That's $4,775 a year per person.
This includes all living expenses except health insurance, surgeries and charitable giving. In addition to housing, food and clothing, the $4.8K also includes entertainment such as zip-lining, a day in a hot springs resort, 13 dives including getting certified, paragliding, and other fun things.
So how can you travel for less than $5,000 a year?
Live like a local
We didn't set out to travel the world in order to live in the little pieces of America in the countries that we visit, like El Poblado in Medellin, or Escazú in Costa Rica. We would have just stayed home in the USA. After all we do love America, we just wanted to see and experience more of the world. We wanted to partake of the lifestyle and food of each place we visit.
Food: Cook your own meals but avoid planning your meals too far ahead. Sounds counter intuitive, but we normally did not plan our meals before arriving at the grocery store. Instead we chose our meals based on what was available at the store for the best prices. Local grown food is often the best way to go, and normally the least expensive food on the shelf is what the locals also eat. Make sure to check the unit price. In Central America we found that the unit price on many items was often cheaper on the smaller packages. This works out great for backpacking as bulk items would have been a pain to carry.
The choice of grocery store also matters. Shop in Pali instead La Colonia. In Colombia we liked the D1 chain of grocery stores.
When we did eat out we would look for the places where the locals hang out. Normally that is the best food and the best price. In some areas eating out was just as economical as cooking our own meals. When a huge meal is less than $2 and cooking that same meal would be a similar price we definitely took advantage of the break from cooking (or, to be more specific, Trin took a break from cooking).
Water: We don't drink water straight from the tap like the locals do, but neither do we buy bottled water. We have a small Sawyer water filter and it works great. Not only does it save us a lot of money, we're also not filling the landfills with plastic bottles. We even use it on hikes to drink from a local stream. We did not have to carry as much water on our backs for the long, hot trek, and the water from the stream was cold.
Transportation: For the most part we travel overland using public transportation – the transportation that locals use, not the gringo busses and rarely ever take taxis. We have only taken two flights. Once between Panama City and Cartehena Colombia (because you can not cross overland on the darian gap. Our second flight was from Santa Marta to Medellin because the flight was cheaper than the bus!
We could have taken a flight to the Corn Islands, but the trek there overland, down a river, and over the sea was a great adventure. It was also much cheaper.
Lodging: One of my favorite lodgings was a cinderblock home in Salento. It was typical of a local home. It was build for functionality, not luxury. I really enjoyed its simplicity and its push for me to continually reevaluate need. We were comfortable, had a hot shower (hot water is not a given) and privacy.
Airbnb: We used Airbnb (you can use this link for $40 off your first Airbnb stay) for about 35% of our nights. It is often recommended to make sure a home has good reviews, however quite a few times we took the risk of booking with new listings as they often offer a good introductory rate in order to get a few good reviews to get them going.
In several cases we found beautiful places that would normally be worth far more than we paid. So far almost all the hosts have been wonderful and we got to live with locals. Only once was the place so filthy and the owner so creepy that we cancelled our second night and moved on.
Other Lodging: We used booking.com a few times. Another 143 nights were through workaway, housesitting, or other volunteer lodging that ended up being free. In places like Nicaragua that are not really online yet we walked around each new town upon arrival and found a place.
You don't need brand new
In the developed world it has become second nature to throw away broken or ripped items. In our quest for having new shiny items we fill landfills and spend much more money then we actually need to.
Be willing to fix your stuff. I patched one particular pair of pants over 10 times before finally giving in to the fact that they were done and I replaced them. Still, the old pair of pants was re-purposed into a headband, and pockets for another pair of pants lacking pockets.
After my knee surgery I needed a walking stick. Hiking sticks were not only hard to come by in Panama but the cheapest was over $50. I bought a broomstick for less than $3 and it works just fine. It's what the locals do.
In Jinotega, Nicaragua, I replaced my worn out shoes with a pair of used Ecco sandals from a Ropa Americana, thrift stores selling used clothing from the USA. The sandals were in great shape and actually of better quality than what any brand new stores in Nicaragua had to offer.
Include down time
Since this is not a gap year for us but instead our new adopted lifestyle it is important to travel at a pace that is sustainable for years.
In Panama we had a couple of months of downtime. A major part of the reason for staying so long was I required surgery on my knee that I had injured on a volcano hike in Costa Rica. We found a beautiful hacienda through WorkAway where we stayed for free if we cooked meals for the rancher. Meals were included! Huge cost savings, a great place to recover, and join in at the cabalgata and parties.
In Colombia we took another break by House Sitting. We spent 3 weeks taking care of dogs and hiking the beautiful mountains surrounding the home. We watched the home while the owner was on vacation in exchange for free lodging. The hardest part of this homesit was saying goodbye to sweet little Lola. 😦
You don't need an arranged tour or guide for everything
On a two week vacation that you have had little time for planning because you are busy at home working and taking care of all your other obligations it makes sense to arrange tours and guides. After all the point of short vacations is to relax and not have to do everything yourself.
With travel as a lifestyle take the time to plan your own treks. It also helps to have a handheld GPS. You can find GPS tracks on wikiloc.com. We did this on our trek up Telica Volcano in Nicaragua that would normally have cost us $120. We did it free and were able to go at our own pace. There is a lot of information online about many of the "places to go" and blogs are a great resource for how to do it yourself.
Where we spent the $9.5K this past year
|Spend Type
|Yearly total for two
|Daily average for two
|Entertainment & Other
How to live financially free so that you can travel the world?
Our "About Us" page talks a bit about how we saved in order to retire at the age 43, but ultimately it's about choices. I recognize that we were blessed to be working in a free country that allowed us to make these choices and allowed us to become financially free.
Given that opportunity the choice is to sacrifice a luxury now to fund the ultimate dream later. It's about spending money on what is most important to us. It's about living below our means so that if an opportunity to move on comes along there is freedom to do so. It's about not being so far in debt that you are not a slave to your job because you have to maintain a certain level of spend.
What would happen if all of America cancelled their cable service and put that money to something they truly desired? Cable is just an example- insert something you could give up for just a little more financial freedom. We truly don't need as much as we think we do to live.


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Essex Abseil 2017
Book Your Place
Click on the button below to sign up to take part in this abseil. If you are between 11-18 and would like to take part then please call 0300 123 1022 to register over the phone.
Please note that phone registrations will be closed from Friday17th to Monday 20th February and will re-open on Tuesday 21st February.
About the event
This Spring, Cancer Research UK is offering you the exciting opportunity to abseil down one of the oldest churches in Essex and help raise money to fund research into children's cancer.
Join us on Saturday 4th March 2017 to conquer your fears and help beat cancer sooner!
Tickets cost £20.
Key Information
Please note that participants must:
• Be aged 11 or over to take part in the abseil event
• Not be pregnant
• Recommended weight limit of 16stone
• Be sufficiently fit and capable of climbing 110 steps
• Commit to fundraise a target of £250 for Cancer Research UK
The Essex Abseil is kindly sponsored by AllClear Travel Insurance