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Friday, November 15, 2013
Looking To Exchange W/ My PR3 Entertainment Blog
Action Game or Sports Game?
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How Much Time Do You Spend Online?
There was a similar thread on another webmaster forums, couldn't find one here
I used to spend LOT more before, maybe 14 - 16 hours, now i trying to balance at 8, lol
Cheers
Thursday, November 14, 2013
4 Ways to Ruin Guest Posting by Turning it into Spam
Undoubtedly, guest blogging is a favored strategy for those looking to acquire links from top quality niche sites. Prominent blog owners are usually inundated with emails asking whether they accept guest articles. Since guest blogging or guest posting is a popular means for self and blog promotion, Google is keeping a close eye on how blog owners and authors If operate with their posts. While guest posting is beneficial and powerful as the site owner receives fresh content while the guest blogger receives a link, it comes with its own set of pitfalls.
If you aren’t too familiar with guest posting and the key principles behind how to operate, it’s easy to make mistakes. In fact, you could easily become a spammer if your guest articles are poorly constructed.
Here are four ways which can turn your guest posting efforts into spam which not only harms your online reputation, but also your business.
#1. Crank Out Guest Posts (One After Another)
The first and foremost point of guest posting or guest blogging is that it isn’t another form of article marketing. When you are either invited or accepted to do a guest blog post, you are expected to bring something of value to the table.
No blog owner wants to see recycled, poorly constructed content which adds zero value to their audience being sent for review. There are a number of ‘would be bloggers’ who mass produce low quality articles and class them as guest posts with the view of pumping them out to as many blog owners as they can in the hope someone will accept.
This is when guest blogging starts to become spam. If you want to make the most of your opportunity (and so you should), you should take the time to study the site owner’s blog, the type of audience they receive by reading through their comments and of course, the niche they are focused in.
The true weight of anchor text on SEO results has diminished since our favorite animal updates late last year. Google reduced the relevance of anchor text because it was being heavily manipulated by a number of online marketers. Yes, on the back of Google’s Panda and Penguin updates, you need to maintain a variety of anchor text links. If you draw your attention entirely on money keywords and manipulate the anchor text through guest posting, you are a perpetrator of spam activity which is damaging to your site’s health. I don’t need to remind you about this, the results will show in due course (and they won’t be good).
When guest blogging , choose and use anchor text in a way that looks natural to Google and the other search engines.
This one drives me crazy, even when operating my personal blog – I receive countless guest posting requests from individuals who don’t have established author accounts set up. In fact, some lazy guest bloggers set up fake Google+ accounts for the primary hope of being accepted as a guest blogger.
Guest posting is not child’s play – it’s for real authors who are looking to establish a personal brand for themselves. If you want to maximize the benefits of guest posting, why not establish yourself as a real author and try to set up your personal social media profiles in the process. 8/10 times I personally turn down guest posting requests if the author doesn’t have an active Google+ account – social proof is too important in today’s world.
Are you familiar with the concept of AuthorRank?
#4. Buy Social Shares
Last but certainly not least, another infamous method of turning guest posting into spam can result off the back of purchasing hundreds of social shares for your guest articles. If your guest post truly adds value, there is no need to purchase fake social shares – the blog’s audience will share the article openly! Instead of consuming your energy on guest posting strategies to manipulate the fame of your poorly constructed guest post, why not divert your attention to writing a top quality guest post which will naturally be a success with this new audience you otherwise wouldn’t have reached.
Use your guest articles to provide real value to readers. In this way, you’ll showcase your knowledge in a particular niche and build your brand in the process. This can lead to further opportunities to guest post or potentially a situation where a reader employs your services – the opportunities are simply endless.
BONUS VIDEO: Promote Guest Posts and Get More Traffic with CommentLuv
Are you spamming the web too, in the name of guest posting? Feel free to share what you feedback via the comments section below.
Tagged as: Guest Posting, spamTiina Intelmann: The United States and the ICC: Support From Outside of the Rome Statute System Matters
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On April 3, 2013, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry published an article in this newspaper, explaining how the U.S. War Crimes Rewards Program had been expanded to offering up to $5 million for information that leads to the arrest, transfer or conviction of the top three leaders of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) -- Joseph Kony, Okot Odhiambo, and Dominic Ongwen, as well as the military commander of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), Sylvestre Mudacumura.
All four individuals are subject to arrest warrants by the ICC for war crimes and crimes against humanity. As Secretary of State Kerry highlighted, "Impunity is the enemy of peace. Accountability is essential to preventing atrocities from taking place in the future."
This article was published a few days after the United States, together with another non-State Party, Rwanda, faced issues directly linked to the International Criminal Court in Kigali. On March 18, 2013, Bosco Ntaganda, who is subject to two ICC arrest warrants and accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), presented himself at the American Embassy in Kigali and stated that he wanted to surrender to the ICC. A few days after, Ntaganda was transferred to The Hague.
These are just a few examples of how much the ICC depends on the assistance and support not only from States' Parties to the Rome Statute, but also from non-States Parties and the broader international community for the sake of justice and accountability for atrocity crimes.
The way the Court has been operating since its establishment in 2002 has clearly shown the strengths and weaknesses of the Rome Statute as put in place in 1998. It is a court of last resort ready to step in if everything else fails, and over the past ten years it has gained wide recognition for its work. At the same time the Rome Statute system is lacking enforcement mechanisms in cases of a refusal to cooperate.
The Court certainly depends on continued assistance and support, at all levels and from different international actors. But not only that: States also should assist each other in strengthening domestic capacity to ensure that investigations and prosecutions of serious crimes of international concern can take place at the national level. As the Preamble of the Rome Statute reads, it is the "duty of every State to exercise its criminal jurisdiction over those responsible for international crimes.
As it stands now, in 2013, concerted efforts are still needed to ensure that domestic capacity to investigate and prosecute international crimes becomes a practical reality.
Follow Tiina Intelmann on Twitter: www.twitter.com/TIntelmann
Get AlertsJamie Krauss Hess: The 5 Biggest Changes You'll Find in Fire Island Pines This Summer
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It's that time of year again: time to buff up, bare all and hit the beach. Any good gay knows that Fire Island, specifically the Pines region, is one of the most beautiful, historic and hedonistic summer destinations in the world. You may also know that the Pines had it rough over the past couple of years. A devastating fire leveled the beloved Pavilion nightclub in 2011, and Hurricane Sandy took its toll in 2012. But much like the resilient population that inhabits its shores, the Pines won't be quieted. In the face of adversity, it rises up stronger than before. And how could it not? This year marks the Pines' 60th anniversary. Here are five things that will make summer 2013 in the Pines the best one ever... and why you'll want to be there to experience it.
Loading SlideshowLike a phoenix rising from the ashes, so goes the Pavilion. Finally rebuilt after the fire that demolished it two years ago, the space was reimagined by the acclaimed design firm Hollwich Kushner (HWKN). The resurrected venue includes a first-floor Welcome Bar and a second floor that boasts a 2,760-square-foot terrace outside and a 2,000-square-foot dance floor inside. "We designed the new Pavilion around the Fire Island community," says Matthias Hollwich, co-founder of HWKN. "The building forms intimate spaces out of a single volume." Hollwich adds, "Aside from designing a building with personality, our primary focus was to recreate the social engine that was so unique to the famed Pavilion of the '90s."
Legendary New York promoter Tony Fornabaio has signed on as Entertainment Director, promising to bring back the true "sound of the Pines." Once known for its cutting-edge music, the Pines was the birthplace of a unique set of sexy, sultry sounds -- a special brand of beachy house and nuevo disco. "We're looking to recapture the unique sound the island used to have," explains Fornabaio. "Musically, the island has moved away from what it used to be. It's become reliant on pop music. While there is nothing wrong with pop, it is our intention to bring back that memorable, soulful sound that Fire Island is known for." Just what does this mean? Take a look at the opening-weekend lineup. With disco legends like Robbie Leslie and Michael Fierman commanding the DJ booth, the dance floor is sure to be awash in that sexy Fire Island vibe. Nostalgia not your thing? Don't worry. Eddie Elias and Tony Moran are on hand Saturday night to deliver their special brand of beats, treats and hard-hitting circuit sounds. (Photo courtesy of the Fire Island Pines Historical Preservation Society)
Let's face it: Sometimes the Pines gets a bad rap. People think it's all about partying, hot guys and... ahem... you know what. True, the Pines vacationer traditionally likes to get his drink on, and there's nothing wrong with a little cruising during High Tea. But this summer, the Pines will up the cultural ante with an elevated roster of interesting, innovative programming and an infusion of visual and performance art. When the Pavilion is not busy pumping out beats from its state-of-the-art sound system, it will play host to variety shows (comedians, drag shows, vaudeville and burlesque), as well as the return of the popular "Boardwalk Talks" series, which, last year, offered discussions with the likes of Larry Kramer. Ben Rimalower is performing his one-man show Patti Issues throughout the summer, Haus of Mimosa will bring a hilarious review unlike anything you've ever seen, and the infamous Candis Cayne will be back in the Pines frequently, bringing her trademark glamor and pizazz. Art will be another main focus this summer, appearing in ways Pinesgoers have never experienced. Matthew Blesso (CEO of Blesso Properties, the managing owner of the Pines) is known for infusing art into everything he does (take a look at his Tantalo Hotel in Panama City) and has planned for a major art infusion to run throughout the commercial district. Dotting the landscape will be sculptures, murals and temporary installations curated from a global portfolio of artists. Be prepared for an exciting upgrade with this forward-thinking aesthetic. Trust us, this ain't your granddaddy's Pines experience!
Because between all the partying, you are on vacation, after all! General Manager Constantino Papadakis promises a fully upgraded, unmatched hospitality experience for residents, guests and daytrip visitors alike. "Fire Island is a magical getaway for people, and we want to make sure that every person who steps off the ferry is made to feel welcome and accommodated," he explains. "Bartenders that are smiling and friendly, highly trained wait staff and a management team that helps people navigate the intricate ins and outs of the island -- this finely tuned staff will be in place, and available to our guests like never before." The food and beverage experience has changed too, with the introduction of all-new menus at the Canteen and Blue Whale that include organic and gluten-free options. The wine selection is all locally sourced from wineries in upstate New York and Long Island, and master mixologiest Sean Labbe (Top of the Standard, aka the "Boom Boom Room") will ensure that drinks at the Pool Deck, the Pavilion and the Blue Whale and the smoothies at the Muscle Bar are all over-the-top creative. As if you needed another reason to get tipsy.
In the midst of sunny, beachy days and wild, salacious nights, it's nice to also feel that you've done something good for humanity and the environment. The Pines has got you covered. Blesso has enacted a sustainability plan for summer 2013 that has never been attempted in the Pines. In addition to composting food for fertilizer and introducing an updated recycling program, they acquired all "green" materials for food and beverage service, including sourcing biodegradable materials for the 200,000-plus cups used for serving booze (yes, folks, that's how many drinks you go through in a summer!). Charitable efforts abound all summer long, kicked off by the Worldwide Orphans fundraiser in July, which will be hosted by Rosie O'Donnell. Papadakis is also cultivating a wide range of charitable partnerships, including the launch of the HERO program, which will offer discounts to public safety service personnel, such as members of the military, law enforcement and firefighters.
Get AlertsArticle Writer Wanted - Events
Hi,I have seen this thread come by several times in the last few weeks. Are you having this much bad luck with writers or is there another reason you have to keep looking for writers? A little more info would also be nice, like a ballpark figure what you have in mind for those articles, how many do you need, etc..
Just trying to figure out if applying for this is worth it and thought I'd save everybody some time by asking it in the thread
John Zipperer: The Week to Week News Quiz for Friday, May 17, 2013
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Scandals real and imagined rocked Washington this week. See how good of a muckraker you are by taking our news quiz.
Here are some random but real hints: That would make it bankers 0, IRS employees 1; at least it was kicked off the front pages by the real scandals; if he actually succeeded, then this would be a great cover; and maybe each hour is like two hours. Answers are at the bottom of the quiz.
1. Journalists reacted in outrage that the FBI had snooped on what news organization?
a. United Press International
b. The New York Times
c. Fox News
d. Associated Press
2. Attorney General Eric Holder announced a criminal investigation into charges that the IRS had targeted whom for extra scrutiny?
a. Mitt Romney's family
b. Right-wing organizations seeking tax-exempt status
c. Manufacturers of pressure cookers
d. Muslim organizations seeking tax-exempt status
3. Who reacted to the IRS by asking, "Who's going to jail over this scandal?"
a. President Barack Obama
b. IRS Commissioner Steven Miller
c. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder
d. House Speaker John Boehner
4. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro blamed anti-government forces for the shortage of what in his country?
a. Oil
b. Smartphones
c. Toilet paper
d. Missile technology
5. What did President Obama on Monday call "a sideshow"?
a. GOP criticism of IRS scrutiny of conservative groups
b. GOP criticism of Obamacare
c. GOP criticism of his administration's handling of the Benghazi attack
d. GOP criticism of Michelle Obama's bangs
6. According to estimates from Goldman Sachs, the U.S. federal budget deficit has changed from 13% of GDP in 2009 to what today?
a. 4.5%
b. 8%
c. 14%
d. 22%
7. According to a survey by Public Policy Polling, what percentage of Republicans who say Benghazi is the worst political scandal of all time don't know what country Bengahzi is in?
a. 39
b. 5
c. 10
d. 19
8. Why did Russia expel a U.S. diplomat on Tuesday?
a. It was retaliation for the U.S. expulsion last week of a Russian for spying
b. Russia was signaling its discontent with Western policy toward the Syria conflict
c. The diplomat allegedly was trying to recruit a Russian to spy for the U.S.
d. The U.S. levied $44 billion in duties on Russian goods
9. What did actress and filmmaker Angelina Jolie reveal in The New York Times this week?
a. She will direct a film based on the life of Hillary Clinton
b. She has not spoken to her father, Jon Voight, in 29 years
c. She and Brad Pitt are moving from their summer home in Africa due to the encroaching civil war there
d. She had a pre-emptive double mastectomy after she learned she carried a very high probability for breast cancer
10. Dr. Joyce Brothers died at the age of 85 this week. Before she became a popular public psychologist, on what game show did she make a name for herself?
a. The Gong Show
b. The $64,000 Question
c. Jeopardy
d. Family Feud
BONUS. What former TV series is getting a relaunch on Fox?
a. Star Trek
b. 24
c. Golden Girls
d. Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?
If you like politics and news, join us this Friday, May 17, for our next live Week to Week political commentary program with a news quiz at The Commonwealth Club in downtown San Francisco, featuring Huffington Post's Aaron Sankin, San Francisco Examiner's Melissa Griffin, and San Francisco Chronicle's C.W. Nevius.
ANSWERS: 1) d. 2) b. 3) d. 4) c. 5) c. 6) a. 7) a. 8) c. 9) d. 10) b. BONUS) b.
EXPLANATIONS OF THE HINTS: In Washington, IRS criminals are treated more harshly than the people who collapsed the global economy; the IRS and FBI/AP scandals grabbed the headline space that had been used for the Benghazi flap; if the U.S. diplomat actually succeeded in turning the Russian agent into a double agent, but they made it look like he'd failed -- someone should call John le Carré; and 24 used to have each hour of the program represent one hour in the day, but only 12 episodes are to be shot of this revival series.
Follow John Zipperer on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cwclub
Get AlertsWednesday, November 13, 2013
Business Card Advice
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My main concern here is coming up with something other than 'Website Designer' as that is only one small aspect of what I do. I dont want it to feel so limited.
'Website Developer' makes it sound like im just a programmer.Are there any more general terms that you think would work great and still keep the card very simple?
WHERE: A Few of Our Favorite Breweries
To the brewers, those of you who end your days with grain chaff in your cuffs, whose entire existence has a yeasty odor and who labor in a world of chilled stainless steel vessels, we writers and editors at Where want to thank you for brewing the malt, for double hopping the IPA and for making the bitter extra special. In honor of Craft Brew Week, we raise our beer glass to you -- a glass filled with a frothy ale you provided us. And in honor of you, our Where editors from around the world would like to thank the people behind some of our favorite craft breweries. Travelers, if you're in these cities and need some suds, consider these well-brewed destinations for a flavorful pint of repose.
508 GastroBrewery, New York, N.Y.
This charming brewpub marries the rustic Mediterranean-American dishes from chef and owner Jennifer Hill, with an in-house brewing program from Chris Cuzme that is garnering positive reviews from patrons and critics alike. Cuzme’s love of beer led him to help organize NY Craft Beer Week with Josh Schaffner, held earlier this year. At the pub, the warm room, with communal tables, muted, mottled walls and ubiquitous candles, encourages flirtatious conversation over a Colonial Nugget Stout, Beauty Booty Blond Ale, Spraytan (the unpale ale) or Hamber Smoked Amber Ale.
508 Greenwich St., New York, N.Y., 212.219.2444
Black Acre Brewing Company, Indianapolis, Ind.
Nestled in the Irvington neighborhood, on Indy's east side, Black Acre has come roaring onto the local brew scene. Recent offerings on tap include Street Lamp Blonde, Goat Race Maibock, Saucy Intruder, a hefty 9.3 percent ABV tripel, along with nearly a dozen guest taps showcasing craft offerings from around the country. Add in a small-but-mighty menu with an extreme locavore focus (ham, capocollo, pastrami and other meats from Smoking Goose, baked good from Roll With It Bakery, house-cut fries and sweet potato fries), and you've got all the makings of a good, long visit.
5632 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, Ind., 317.207.6266
The Boston Beer Company, Boston, Mass.
Back in 1985, Jim Koch debuted his first beer, and in doing so, fermented the modern, American craft beer movement. Today, Koch’s acclaimed original Samuel Adams Boston Lager remains a full-bodied favorite, as do other familiar flavors like Cherry Wheat, Noble Pils, Whitewater IPA and Cream Stout. Visitors can tour the flagship Samuel Adams Boston Brewery located in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood and then sample a few of Boston Beer Company’s more than 50 beers on every day but Sunday.
30 Germania St., Boston, Mass., 617.368.5080
Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, Fla.
This rustic brewery is home to some well-known beers that have hit the craft beer shelves in the United States such as Jai Alai and Florida Cracker. Their tasting room is home to all the beers they brew and offers pints starting at $5. A tour of their 6,600 square feet of brewing space will leave you more knowledgeable on Tampa Bay’s brewing history all thanks to their passionate staff. Cigar City Brewing often hosts weekend food truck roundups so you can pair your brew with some delicious grub. Check their online calendar for weekend events.
3924 West Spruce St., Tampa, Fla., 813.348.6363
DC Brau, Washington, D.C.
In 2011, Brandon Skall and Jeff Hancock opened D.C.’s first distribution brewery in 60-plus years. The drafts and cans premiered to huge crowds at Meridian Pint. And soon scores of other bars and restaurants served The Corruption, The Citizen and The Public, the last an American pale ale described as “a beautiful abundance of hops” with “tawny hues of caramel and amber.” Now beer lovers also go directly to the source. The brewery, brightened with quirky art like Pixel Pancho’s “Robot Reindeer,” opens for free tours and tastings most Saturdays from noon to 4 pm and fills growlers to go.
3178-B Bladensburg Rd. NE, Washington, D.C., 202.621.8890
Deep Ellum Brewing Co., Dallas, Texas
The brewmasters of DEBC are a little obsessed. Just one read through their “Beerfesto” and it’s obvious these guys have an addiction to high-quality, craft-brewed beer. Head to their brewery in the heart of Dallas’ music district for a tasting tour on a Thursday or Saturday, with a wide range of year-round, seasonal and small-batch lagers, IPAs, ales, porters and more to choose from. Or stop in during one of the tasting dinners or special weekend events for food, live music and lots of beer-sipping.
2823 St. Louis St., Dallas, Texas, 214.888.3322
Guinness Storehouse, Dublin, Ireland
Ireland’s most famous export (in addition to U2) is celebrated in this huge venue, once the site of where the mighty Guinness stout was brewed. It was founded by Arthur Guinness in 1759, and stands very close to his former family home. Inside the storehouse, you can see the World Of Guinness exhibition, which includes fascinating adverts from over the decades, plus explanations of how the world-famous pint is created. The highlight (literally) is the breathtaking glass-enclosed Gravity Bar on the top floor, almost 200 feet above ground, where you can enjoy a pint of the black stuff, included in your ticket price.
St. James Gate, Dublin 8, Republic of Ireland, +353 1 408 4800.
Goose Island Brewpub, Chicago, Ill.
Before it was snatched up by Anheuser-Busch in 2010, Goose Island Brewpub fueled its own local buzz thanks to its quality craft beers. With two brewpubs, one in the bustling, hip Lincoln Park neighborhood, the other within sight of Wrigley Field, the brand is now delivering beers to all 50 states and in Europe. See where it all began 25 years ago by touring the original Clybourn brewery. With a Goose Island brewer leading the way, you’ll get to try six current beer selections, or if you’re on the lookout for the next great brew, stop by on Thursday nights, for a tap and taste of the weekly premiering beer. Their summer brew, 312, is slightly hoppy, fruity and smooth; the Green Line Pale Ale is exclusive to Chicago.
1800 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago, Ill., 312.915.0071
Heist Brewery, Charlotte, N.C.
This newcomer to the Queen City’s burgeoning craft-brewing scene is already a local favorite. The brewpub is housed in a historic textile mill in the North Davidson Arts District (that’s “NoDa” to locals) and is loved not only for its tasty craft options like hefeweizen and oatmeal stout but its industrial interior. The inventive menu offers up both hardy and healthy options from salads to burgers and flatbreads, but you won’t want to miss the oven-roasted beer cheese—perfectly paired with pretzel sticks.
2909 N. Davidson St., Ste. 200, Charlotte, N.C., 704.375.8260
Maui Brewing Company, Maui, Hawaii
Cherries, lilikoi and papaya seeds may be common ingredients found in a Hawaiian chef’s pantry, and now they’re also starting to show up on labels at Maui Brewing Company. Since 2005, Garrett Marrero has been on a mission to create lagers and ales that are distinctly different from the Millers and Budweisers. Embracing the craft beer culture, Marrero and his spouse Melanie first took over what was once the Fish & Game Brewing Company & Rotisserie and turned it into a seven-barrel brew pub with more than 20 beers on tap, including Bikini Blonde, Coconut Porter and Big Swell IPA. Tours: Friday: 3, 3:30 and 4 pm; Saturday: 10:30 and 11:30 am; and 12:30 pm. Private tours are available for groups of 10 or more during tasting room hours (Tue-Fri: noon to 5 pm; and Saturday: 10 am to 2 pm).
Brew Pub: Kahana Gateway Center, 4405 Honoapiilani Highway #217, Maui, Hawaii, 808.669.3474; The Brewery: 910 Honoapiilani Highway #55 Lahaina Town, Maui, Hawaii, 808.661.6205 or toll free 877.628.4273
NOLA Brewing Company, New Orleans, La.
Beer has a long and heady history in the Crescent City, dating to the mid 1800s and owing to the large number of Germans who settled here. At one time, 10 breweries operated within the city limits. Today there’s just one: NOLA Brewing Company. In addition to its signature lagers and ales (NOLA Blonde, NOLA Brown Hopitoulas, 7th Street Wheat), the craft brewery also produces seasonal offerings, such as its fittingly named summer release, Hurricane Saison. Sample a pint fresh from the tap during the brewery’s free weekly tours and tastings, each Friday from 2 to 3:30 pm.
3001 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, La., 504.896.9996
Sweetwater Brewing Company, Atlanta, GA
Founded by college roommates Freddy Bensch and Kevin McNerney in 1997, Sweetwater is now the 24th largest craft brewery in the nation. Specializing in aggressive West Coast style beers, the brewery’s award-winning lineup includes SweetWater 420, IPA, Exodus Porter, Blue, LowRYEder IPA and Georgia Brown, plus specialty and seasonal beers throughout the year. Taste it for yourself during fun (and very social) tours of the brewery, which are offered Wednesday through Saturday (Sunday tours are available beginning June 2).
195 Ottley Dr NE, Atlanta, GA, 404.691.2537
Urban Chestnut Brewing Company, St. Louis, Mo.
They call it "beer divergency," which is a high-falutin' way of saying they learned the rules of brewing inside and out ... so they could know best how to break them. The renegades at UCBC produce side-by-side lineups in their "Revolution" (artisanal, craft upstarts) and "Reverence" (homage to heritage-brewed classics) series. The handsome tasting room is a convivial place to sit and practice your pronunciation of "Zwickel" and "Wolpertinger" ... but you can also just point and smile. Great small bites and a charming, twinkle-lit patio make this a must-visit.
3229 Washington Ave., St. Louis, MO, 314.222.0143
Westbrook Brewery, Charleston, S.C.
Tucked away but worth a tasty trip, Westbrook Brewery is known in the Lowcountry for its White Thai and IPA, as well as rotating seasonals and one-time specials -- like Weisse Weisse Baby, Vanilla Tree Dubbel and Mexican Cake. It all started with homebrewing: Morgan Westbrook’s family had a history with beer, her husband had a great chef’s palate, and after seven years of brewing to friends’ rave reviews, the pair decided to “start a brewery or just stop talking about it.” Get a sample sip on tap in the tasting room, or take a bottle, can or growler to go.
510 Ridge Rd., Mount Pleasant, S.C., 843.654.9112
Wicked Weed Brewing, Asheville, N.C.
This newcomer to Asheville’s hops scene has already made a name for itself. While best known for its saisons and IPAs, you’ll also find unique tastes like bourbon-barrel-aged porters and stouts. Upstairs is a high-quality brew pub restaurant which is often packed thanks to its downtown location; downstairs is all about the brews, served in a rustic-industrial tasting room. If it's nice out, take your pint outside to one of their two patios. The name? That comes from a King Henry VIII quote: “Hops are a wicked and pernicious weed.”
91 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, N.C., 828.575.9599
Yazoo Brewing Co., Nashville, Tenn.
After years of home brewing, one-time Bridgestone tire engineer Linus Hall and his wife, Lila, decided it was high-time to open their own brewery. So Linus quit his job, got a business degree from Vanderbilt, a craft brewing education at the American Brewers Guild and some hands-on experience at Brooklyn Brewery English. Now the microbrewery offers eight British, Irish and Scottish-style ales, stouts, porters and wheats to choose from including Gerst Amber Ale, created in partnership with Nashville’s original brewery, Gerst Brewery. The taproom is open Wednesday through Saturday, or take a brewery tour on Saturday.
910 Division St., Ave., Nashville, TN, 615.891.4649
Photo credits (from top): ©Katie Allen; ©Seegull Media; Courtesy Samuel Adams Boston Brewery; Courtesy Cigar City Brewing; ©Katie Knorovsky; ©Tait Lifto; Courtesy Mark McGovern and Philip Ryder, Guinness Storehouse; Courtesy Goose Island Brewpub; Courtesy Heist Brewery; Courtesy Maui Brewing Company; Courtesy NOLA Brewing Co.; Courtesy Sweetwater Brewery; ©D. Lancaster; ©Colin Robison; Courtesy Wicked Weed Brewing; Courtesy Yazoo Brewing Co.
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Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Troy Roness: Pushing Back for Individuality
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I'd like to believe that even though I speak and write publicly about my eating disorder, my advocacy and my personal struggles, when it comes to "real-life" experiences and day-to-day interactions, I am a very private person. This fact is difficult for my personal acquaintances to fathom, but that doesn't make being private a fault.
Life is not about keeping secrets, but it is not about telling everything to everyone else, either. I guess I have never felt comfortable shouting to the world the nitty-gritty details of my life. Much of it is no one's business anyway. Being so open all the time leaves you vulnerable to negative emotions in the end, in my opinion.
Being a private person is a positive trait that is underappreciated in a noisy world. Our culture is obsessed with sharing our lives all the time. Society tends to uplift the loudest out there, and if you are being talked about, then you are on top. People constantly compete to be seen and heard. What a load of garbage.
Making the most of your time and efforts, whether public or private, can seem daunting when you don't even know who you are. I've muddled through that question time and again, and I know exactly where things lie for me. Being male, having an eating disorder, being Christian, having conservative views and being a sexual minority tend to make audiences question why I stand where I do and where my reasoning comes from.
For example, in the past six months I've heard, overheard, read and been told plenty of things regarding my personal life:
"You are nothing but a facade."
"You don't date much, and you need to have a better sex life. You are a very lonely person."
"You are so hard to love (platonically)."
"You concern and confuse people, and you never communicate what is going on in your life."
Not to mention finding out that a very immature individual I'd previously dated had publicly communicated with others about me. That just takes the cake.
Now, not only did I massively overhaul the sorts of people I surround myself with, but, more importantly, I adopted a completely different approach to how I view myself. I found out that my biggest adversary was me. Life lessons, therapy and all that jazz have taught me one thing: I will never need someone or something to make me complete, even if society tries to tell me otherwise.
Unfortunately, in today's world, self-acceptance is largely determined by how we feel we are viewed by those around us whom we deem important. Just as I subconsciously let events and thoughts give rise to the eating disorder that I've battled for far too long, allowing myself to die slowly because of my own thoughts and because someone else's feelings didn't match my own, I've found that I was still allowing the other's influence to dictate my own outlook.
To build healthy individuality, we must undertake the task of understanding ourselves and our feelings. This involves appreciating the not-so-simple act of self-disclosure. For us to truly understand ourselves, and to stop being concerned about others' opinions of us, we ought to be able to disclose what our true beliefs are. After all, allowing an influence that is fundamentally ingrained inside us is detrimental to our well-being.
When we candidly admit to ourselves that we aren't perfect but are all we've got, we can begin to benefit from a finely tuned self-acceptance. Getting rid of people we've surrounded ourselves with may be the hardest thing we try to do, but consider the cost of preserving their presence in our lives. Our attention, polluted with hurt, is not only counterproductive but dangerous given the wrong person and situation.
Letting go can be extremely helpful, and I cannot emphasize enough that this process is just that: a process. It cannot be done overnight. Working on and coming to terms with who we are doesn't have a timeline.
It is impossible to please everyone. Do your best to accept that and make yourself a priority. Remember, you aren't responsible for anyone else's expectations. Knowing yourself (and the world around you) is one of the hardest things in the world to figure out. The beginning of wisdom happens when we are honest with ourselves. I've always believed that life's events happen for a reason, and all through my journey I've found that hardships definitely enhance the strength to hold on.
For more by Troy Roness, click here.
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