เทคนิคอุปกรณ์เดินป่าและแค้มปิ้ง-การเตรียมตัว ไปแค้มปิ้ง กับครอบครัว

การเตรียมตัว ไปแค้มปิ้ง กับครอบครัว
ใกล้เข้าหน้าหนาวแล้ว ก็ใกล้จะได้เวลาออกไปใช้ชีวิตกลางแจ้ง โดยการไปแค้มปิ้ง กับครอบครัวอีกแล้ว สำหรับมือเก่า คงไม่มีปัญหาหนักใจอะไร เพราะคงชำนาญการดีอยู่แล้ว แต่สำหรับ นักแค้มป์ มือใหม่ และยิ่งเป็น คุณพ่อ คุณแม่มือใหม่ ด้วยแล้ว คงจะกลุ้มใจกันน่าดู ดังนั้นเราจะมาแนะนำกันในเรื่องของการเตรียมตัว ไปแค้มปิ้งกับครอบครัวกันก่อนอื่นต้องขอบอกว่า เดี๋ยวนี้การไปกางเต็นท์แค้มปิ้ง ตามอุทยานแห่งชาติต่างๆนั้น ค่อนข้าง สะดวก สบาย และปลอดภัยขึ้นมาก ส่วนมากจะมีพื้นทีกางเต็นท์เป็นสนามหญ้า เขียวๆ นุ่มๆ มีห้องน้ำบริการ แยกชาย หญิง บางที่มีร้านค้าสวัสดิการ ขายทั้งของกิน ของใช้ และยังมีร้านอาหารบริการด้วย ลองเข้าไปดูข้อมูลของอุทยานฯ ต่างๆ ได้ที่นี่ครับ http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/nationalpark.asp?lg=1  อีกประการหนึ่งที่ค่อนข้างสำคัญ ถ้าเป็นไปได้ ควรรวมตัวไปด้วยกันหลายๆครอบครัว ที่มีเด็กๆ รุ่นราวคราวเดียวกัน เพราะเด็กๆจะได้มีเพื่อนเล่น และสนุกสนามได้มากยิ่งขึ้น คราวนี้ เรามาดูรายการของที่ต้องเตรียมบ้างครับ

เสื้อผ้า และของใช้ส่วนตัว ในการไปแค้มปิ้ง 1. เสื้อผ้าชุดท่องเที่ยว และ ชุดใช้ใส่อยู่ในบริเวณที่พัก ควรเผื่อชุดกางเกงขายาว เสื้อแขนยาวไว้ใส่เดินป่า และกางเกงขาสั้น ไว้เผื่อใส่เล่นน้ำ
2. เสื้อผ้าชุดนอน ควรเป็นควรชุดกางเกงขายาว เสื้อแขนยาวผ้าที่หนาสักนิด เพราะอากาศในป่าค่อนข้างเย็น
3. ชุดชั้นใน
4. เสื้อกันหนาว เผื่อไว้ช่วงหน้าหนาว
5. เสื้อกันฝน เผื่อไว้ช่วงหน้าฝน
6. หมวกใช้กันแดด และใช้กันน้ำค้าง
7. ถุงเท้า ใช้ใส่กับรองเท้าหุ้มส้น และใช้ใส่นอนตอนกลางคืนด้วย
8. รองเท้าแตะ ใช้ใส่ไปห้องน้ำ ไปอาบน้ำ
9. รองเท้าหุ้มส้น ใช้ใส่เดินทางท่องเที่ยว เดินป่า
10. ผ้าเช็ดตัว ผ้าขาวม้า ผ้าถุง ใช้อาบน้ำ และผลัดเปลี่ยนเสื้อผ้า
11. ผ้าอ้อมสำเร็จรูป สำหรับเด็กบางคนยังจำเป็นต้องใช้ ควรติดไปเผื่อมากๆ

ของใช้อื่นๆในการแค้มปิ้ง 1. อุปกรณ์อาบน้ำ สบู่ แชมพู แปรงสีฟัน ยาสีฟัน หวี แป้ง ครีมทาผิว ครีมกันแดด ยาดับกลิ่นตัว
2. ยาทากันยุง กันแมลง
3. เชือกใช้ทำราวตากผ้าใช้ผูกมัดของทั่วไป
4. ถุงพลาสติกหูหิ้ว ใช้ใส่ของเปียก หรือขยะ
5. ไฟฉาย และถ่านไฟฉาย ตะเกียง ( ตะเกียงธรรมดา, ตะเกียงพลังแสงอาทิตย์หรือเรียกว่าตะเกียง Solar Cell )  เทียนไข
6. แว่นขยาย กล้องส่องทางไกล
7. กล้องถ่ายรูป กล้องวีดีโอ สมุดบันทึก ปากกา
8. เป้เผื่อไว้ใส่สัมภาระเวลาเดินเที่ยว
9. มีดสนาม ไว้ใช้ทั่วไป

ยา และอุปกรณ์ปฐมพยาบาล1. ยาสามัญประจำตัว ยาแก้ปวด ลดไข้ แก้แพ้ แก้โรคกระเพาะ แก้ท้องเสีย ผงเกลือแร่
2. ยาหม่อง ยาทากันยุง กันแมลง
3. พลาสเตอร์ปิดแผล ยาใส่แผลสด สำลี ผ้าพันแผล
4. ยานวดแก้ เคล็ดขัดยอก แก้ปวดเมื่อย

เตรียมเต็นท์และอุปกรณ์เครื่องนอน ไปแค้มปิ้ง 1. เต็นท์
2. ผ้าใบหลังคา (fly sheet) ใช้คลุมเต็นท์ กันแดด กันน้ำค้าง หรือใช้เวลานั่งเล่นนอนเล่นนอกเต็นท์
3. แผ่นปูรองนอน 
4. หมอนใบเล็กๆ
5. ถุงนอน หรือผ้าห่ม
6. ผ้าพลาสติกปูพื้น (ground sheet) ใช้ปูนั่งเล่น นอนดูดาว นอกเต็นท์
7. ชุดโต๊ะ เก้าอี้ปิกนิก และเก้าอี้นอน สำหรับผู้ใหญ่บางคนอาจจะสะดวกสบายกว่า การนั่งกับพื้น
8. กระดาษทิชชู หรือเศษผ้าขี้ริ้วผืนเล็กๆ ใช้เช็ดถู ปัดกวาดทำความสะอาด

อาหารรายการอาหารจริงๆ แล้วมีมากมาย หลากหลายมากๆ แล้วแต่ชอบ แต่ก็ควรมีพวกอาหารง่ายๆ อาหารกึ่งสำเร็จรูป หรืออาหารแห้งด้วย
1. ข้าวสาร โจ๊ก บะหมี่กึ่งสำเร็จรูป
2. ไข่สด ไข่เค็ม
3. ปลากระป๋อง หมูแผ่น หมูเค็ม ไก่ย่าง (เอาไปย่างซ้ำอีกที ก็ยิ่งอร่อย) 
4. ผักสด เครื่องแกง เครื่องต้มยำ
5. น้ำมันพืช น้ำปลา พริก เกลือ น้ำตาล
6. ของว่าง เช่น ต้มถั่วเขียว มันเทศเผา ข้าวโพดปิ้ง
7. น้ำดื่ม เครื่องดื่ม น้ำแข็ง

ขนมลูกอม หมากฝรั่ง ขนมปัง ของขบเคี้ยว เผื่อไว้ยามหิว

อุปกรณ์ทำครัว ทำอาหาร 1. จาน ชาม ช้อน ส้อม แก้วน้ำ
2. หม้อ กระทะ ทัพพี ตะหลิว
3. เตาแก๊ส เตาถ่าน 
4. มีดทำครัว
5. แก๊สกระป๋อง ถ่านไม้ ไว้ทำอาหารประเภท ปิ้งๆ ย่างๆ
6. กระติกน้ำแข็ง ใช้แช่อาหาร เครื่องดื่ม หรือผลไม้

ของชิ้นโปรดของเด็กๆ เด็กๆ บางคนยังติดสิ่งของ เช่น ผ้าห่ม  ผ้าผืน ตุ๊กตา หรือ หมอนบ้าง สิ่งของเหล่านี้ลืมไม่ได้ครับ ต้องนำไปด้วย เพราะถ้าลืม จะทำให้เด็กๆหมดสนุก นอนไม่หลับ และงอแงครับ ส่วน พวก โน๊ตบุ๊ก เกมส์หรือทีวีพกพา ถ้าไม่จำเป็นก็ไม่ต้องเอาไปครับ ไปแค้มป์ มีกิจกรรมต่างๆ มากมายให้ทำร่วมกันมากมายครับ

กิจกรรม ที่น่าสนใจเมื่อไป แค้มปิ้ง การไปแค้มป์ปิ้งกลางแจ้งนั้น มีกิจกรรมต่างๆมากมายที่น่าสนใจ น่าสนุกที่จะได้ทำร่วมกันในครอบครัว เรามาลองดูกันว่ามีอะไรบ้างครับ

กิจกรรมพื้นฐานของการไปแค้มปิ้ง1. หาสถานที่กางเต็นท์ และช่วยกันกางเต็นท์
2. ช่วยกันหาฟืน ไว้ก่อกองไฟ (ในพื้นที่อุทยานฯ ส่วนใหญ่ เดี๋ยวนี้ไม่อนุญาตให้ก่อกองไฟแล้ว แต่อาจมีสถานที่ของเอกชนบางแห่งที่อนุญาตให้ก่อกองไฟได้)
3. ก่อไฟ หุงข้าว ทำอาหารร่วมกัน (สุกบ้าง ดิบบ้าง อร่อยหรือไม่อร่อยก็ช่วยๆกันกิน)
4. ทานอาหารร่วมกันใต้แสงเทียน หรือแสงตะเกียง
5. อาบน้ำในลำธาร เล่นน้ำตก
6. เล่านิทานรอบกองไฟ ร้องเพลง หรือนอนตากน้ำค้าง นอนดูดาว
7. นอนคลุมโปงด้วยกันในเต็นท์

กิจกรรมพิเศษ อื่นๆ ที่ต้องใช้อุปกรณ์เพิ่มเติม หรือต้องเป็นความสนใจสวนตัว เช่น 1. เดินป่า ดูนก ดูผีเสื้อ ดูต้นไม้ ดอกไม้
2. ถ่ายรูป
3. วาดรูป ระบายสี
4. ปั่นจักรยาน
5. ยิงธนู
6. ตกปลา
7. เล่น ฮูลาฮุป โดดเชือก โดดยาง
8. เล่นจานร่อน เล่นว่าว

Cr  :  thaioutdoor family 

Mexican singer Ariel Camacho killed in car crash

Ariel Camacho, a popular 'grupera' singer in Mexico, was killed in a traffic accident late Wednesday while leaving a concert. 
 
Young, up-and-coming Mexican singer Ariel Camacho has died in a traffic accident after leaving a concert, his record company confirmed Thursday.

Camacho, already popular in his home state of Sinaloa and parts of the U.S. as a singer of the "grupera" genre, was touring when he was killed on Wednesday, Los Angeles-based DEL Records said in a statement.

The studio said he was 22, though local media reported his age as 23.
He was a guest performer at the concert of another band, Clave Azul, singing his latest hit, El Karma, in the town of Mocorito.

There were varying reports of other deaths in the accident in Sinaloa state. Camacho was reportedly traveling with three others, and photographs show the car was destroyed.
The Associated Press could not immediately confirm other details of the accident.

"My heart is broken by the loss of Ariel Camacho," Angel Del Villar, CEO and founder of DEL Records, said in the statement. "Ariel was like a son to me. I knew he was going to transform the genre in Mexico and the United States. Millions of people would have become fans and would have gotten to know the man I did. We send our condolences to the families of all those involved in the accident."

Dozens of Mexican musicians including Bob Vega, Luis Coronel, Karla Sierra, Gerardo Ortiz, and Fidel Rueda expressed their condolences on social networks and published photos with Camacho. Several came to the wake in the Sinaloa town of Guamuchil with their guitars to sing in his memory.

Camacho and his group, Los Plebes del Rancho, were part of a new generation of singers known as the "altered movement," singing explicit ballads about the realities of drug trafficking and uncontrolled violence. Other artists in the movement include Ortiz and the Kommander, the stage name of Alfredo Rios, who wrote on his Twitter account: "My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ariel Camacho.

May God console you for this terrible loss. Rest in peace."

Camacho was born in Guasabe, Sinaloa, and his songs were about his small-town roots and the narco-culture of Sinaloa, home to Mexico's most powerful drug cartel of the same name. He performed acoustically with his group, a second guitar and tuba, and had mastered the smaller, higher-pitched requinto guitar, according to DEL records.

The record company called his style "real and raw" and said it depicted "the story of his fans — hard-working people from every walk of life."

Camacho was on tour promoting his album, El Karma, and was also in the recording studio with a new project. He was to perform several shows this weekend in Southern California, where he was becoming very popular.

Cr  :  New York Daily News

Ben Woolf Dies from Head Injury

EXCLUSIVE

Ben Woolf from "American Horror Story: Freak Show" has died in an L.A. hospital from injuries suffered last week when he was hit by a passing car.
A source close to Woolf tells us he died from a stroke on Monday afternoon. He had been heavily sedated at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center since the accident last week.
TMZ broke the story ... Woolf -- who played Meep on the hit show -- got clipped in the head by the side view mirror of an SUV as he was crossing a street in Hollywood. The driver was not arrested or ticketed because Ben was jaywalking.
Woolf's family tells us -- "We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from all over the world for our beloved Ben. He touched so many hearts in his 34 years."
Over the weekend, doctors upgraded his condition to stable -- but warned it was still touch and go since he had not woken up.
We're told Ben's organs are being donated and will help about 50 people.
Family members tell us they're planning a memorial service in Santa Barbara.

Cr : TMZ.com

Alessandro Volta’s 270th Birthday

Google honors Italian physicist who invented the battery : Alessandro Volta

 

Google has celebrated the 270th birthday of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta with a doodle on its homepage.

Volta, who was born Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta, is best known for inventing the first battery.

Born in Como, Italy, he gave his name to the electrical unit 'volt' in 1881.
In 1774, Volta became the professor of physics at the Royal School of Como. A year later, he invented the electrophorus: a device used to generate static electricity.

During his tenure at the university, he also discovered and isolated methane gas.
By 1779, Volta was appointed to the chair of physics at the University of Pavia.
 
The turning point for Volta’s development of the battery was in 1780, when his friend Luigi Galvani discovered that contact of two different metals with the muscle of a frog resulted in the generation of an electric current.

Volta began experimenting in 1794 with metals alone and found that animal tissue was not needed to produce a current.

Just six years later, Volta invented the first electric battery, which he would go on to showcase at year later in front of Napoleon in Paris. The leader was so impressed that he made Volta a count and senator of the kingdom of Lombardy.
Later, the emperor of Austria made him director of the philosophical faculty at the University of Padua in 1815.

Volta died on 5 March, 1827 in Como.

Cr : The Independent

Lady Gaga & Taylor Kinney Engaged: Singer & Actor Getting Married

Congrats are in order! Lady Gaga is reportedly engaged to actor Taylor Kinney after he proposed on the most romantic day of the year. So sweet — find out all the details here!

Lady Gaga has anything but a bad romance. In fact, the sexy singer, 28, just became engaged to actor Taylor Kinney, 33, after he proposed on Valentine’s Day. The happy couple allegedly celebrated their engagement at her family’s restaurant NYC restaurant, Joanne Trattoria, a new report claims.

Taylor Kinney & Lady Gaga Engaged — Actor & Singer Are Getting Married

The happy news was first reported by Us Weekly. The site claims that Lady Gaga was pictured outside her NYC apartment on Feb. 16, smiling from ear to ear. Wearing a purple fur coat, she strategically covered her ring finger with her other hand.

Gaga and Taylor first met on the set of the singer’s “You & I” music video in 2011. Interestingly, she wore her mother’s wedding dress in scenes of the video, which starred the Chicago Fire actor.
 

Lady Gaga’s Engagement Ring — Singer Shows Off Diamond Ring On Instagram

 

They started dating a few months later, but split in May 2012 before reuniting the following month.

Apparently, Lady Gaga has been ready to say “I do” with Taylor for quite some time. During a recent interview with Howard Stern, she said, “He is the right guy. How do we know? It’s this feeling…”

Lady Gaga’s Dream Wedding

So what will their wedding be like? She teased it a bit during the same interview with Howard Stern.

“If I get married, I’ll be hanging out in a pickup truck at a David’s Bridal while my stylist is screaming at me,” she said.

HollywoodLife.com has reached out to both Lady Gaga and Taylor’s reps for comment.
What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers? Are you happy for Lady Gaga and Taylor Kinney? Are you surprised they’re engaged? Tell us how you feel!

Cr  :  Hollywoodlife / Chris Rogers

Chinese Spring Festival 2015

Spring Festival, widely known as Chinese New Year in the West, is the most important traditional festival, and most important celebration for families in China. It is an official public holiday, during which most Chinese have 8 days off work. The Date Is Based on the Lunar Calendar 12 Chinese zodiac animal signs, Read more on Chinese zodiac   Chinese New Year 2015 begins on Thursday 19 February, and end on 5 March. It is day one month one of the Chinese lunar calendar, and its date in January or February varies from year to year (always somewhere in the period January 21 to February 20). The Chinese lunar calendar is associated with the Chinese zodiac, which has 12 animal signs: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, Rooster, dog, and pig. Each animal represents a year in a 12-year cycle, beginning on Chinese New Year's Day. 2015 is a year of the goat.  2015 — a Goat Year (“Wood Goat”) 2015 is a year of the “Goat” according to the Chinese 12-year animal zodiac (Heavenly Stem) cycle. If you were born in a Goat year you should be particularly careful in 2015, according to Chinese astrology. See more on how to be lucky in the year of the Goat. 2015 is furthermore a year of the “Wood Goat”, according to Chinese Five Element (Earthly Branch) Theory. A “Wood Goat” year occurs every 60 years. See a Five Element Character and Destiny Analysis for People Born in a Year of the Goat. What China's New Year Festival Is The Longest Public Holiday in China In 2015 most Chinese will be off work from Wednesday, February 18 (New Year's Eve) to Tuesday, February 24 (the 6th day of Chinese New Year). Officially only the first three days of Chinese New Year (February 19–21, 2015) are statutory holiday. Chinese New Year's Eve and three more days are always added to give seven consecutive days of holiday. These four extra days are taken from weekends: the weekend closest to the statutory holiday is included, while the Sunday before (February 15, 2015) and the Saturday after (February 28, 2015) are worked. A Festival for Families to Be Together Chinese New Year's Reunion Dinner Chinese New Year is a time for families to be together. Wherever they are, people come home to celebrate the festival with their families. The New Year's Eve dinner is called Reunion Dinner, and is believed to be the most important meal of the year. Big families – families of several generations sit around round tables and enjoy the food and time together. The importance of reunion during the Spring Festival has caused some difficult situations for China's increasingly women's lib. couples in recent years, who want to go to different homes for the festival. Divorce has happened because of disputes over going to whose home for the festival. (In the past a married couple would always go to the man's home unless the husband joined the wife's family at marriage.) How Chinese New Year Is Celebrated Traditionally Spring Festival History The Spring Festival has a history of more than 4,000 years. It is said that it originated from a belief in deities that had to be sacrificed to every year. When the solar terms changed, dictating farming activities, especially at the end of a year, people would sacrifice to the deities and pray for a good harvest. Rarely Seen Cultural Activities to See Chinese New Year lion dance Many cultural activities occur during the festival. Rural areas and small towns retain more traditional celebrations, such as setting off firecrackers, ancestor worship, and dragon dances. Setting off firecrackers and fireworks are common during the Spring Festival season all over China; dragon dances and ancestor worship less so in the city. At temple fairs in many Chinese cities traditional performances can be seen: dragon dances, lion dances, and performances representing palace events like an emperor's wedding. A great variety of traditional Chinese products are on offer there, and strange Chinese snacks, rarely seen the rest of the year. Beijing's temple fairs are held in parks from the first day of the lunar year to the Lantern Festival.    In North China people perform various versions of the Rice Sprout Song (扭秧歌 Niǔyāng Gē /nyoh-yang ger/ ‘twist sprout song'), a traditional Chinese dance performed by a group of colorfully-dressed women and men. Lucky Decorations Everywhere Red lanterns hang in a park in Beijing Every street, building, and house is decorated with red. “Red” is the main color for the festival, as it is believed to be an auspicious color. Red lanterns hang in streets; red couplets are pasted on doors; banks and official buildings are decorated with red New Year pictures depicting images of prosperity. As 2015 is the year of goat, decorations related to goats will be commonly seen. There are red goat dolls for children and New Year paintings with goats on. Read more on Chinese New Year Decorations. Red Envelopes — the Most Popular Gifts Like Christmas in the West, people exchange gifts during the Spring Festival. The most common gifts are red envelopes. Red envelopes have money in, and are given to children and (retired) seniors. It is not a customs to give red envelopes to (working) adults. Read more on Chinese New Year Gift Ideas Foods with Lucky Meanings Are Eaten Chinese Dumplings is a must for Chinese New Year Certain foods are eaten during the festival because of their symbolic meanings, based on their names or appearance. Fish is a must for Chinese New Year as the Chinese word for fish (鱼 yú /yoo/) sounds like the word for surplus (余 yú). Eating fish is believed to bring a surplus of money and good luck in the coming year.  Another traditional Chinese New Year food is Chinese dumplings. Because the shape of Chinese dumplings looks like  silver ingot - a kind of  ancient Chinese money, Chinese people believe eating dumplings during the New Year festival will bring more money and wealth for the coming year.  Other New Year food includes spring rolls, glutinous rice cakes and Sweet Rice Balls. A Season of Superstitions — How to be Lucky in 2015… Chinese people believe that, as the Spring Festival is the start of a new year, what you do then will affect your luck in the coming year. There are many taboos for the Spring Festival season. These taboos usually apply up to a month before the festival and continue to the end of the festival (day 15, the Lantern Festival). They are strictly followed in rural areas by the older generations, but the younger generations and people in urban areas may not know them. Some Chinese people believe that they mustn't do cleaning and wash their hair in the first three days as that will sweep/wash away good luck. A cry of a child is believed to bring bad luck to the family, so the young are placated fastidiously. To ask for a loan is a big "no-no". Another interesting thing is the red underwear. You will see red underwear sold at supermarkets and street markets. Red is believed to ward off bad luck and misfortune. For the people born in a year of the goat (1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003), red underwear is a must for 2015. To pray in a temple during the Chinese New Year is said to be blessed, and will lead to a smooth coming year. In Shanghai, China's biggest city, thousands flock to Longhua Temple, the city's biggest temple, praying for good fortune. Read more on Things You Cannot Do During Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year Now — Modern Activities 1.3 Billion People Are on the Move — Traffic Is in Chaos Packed Guilin Railway Station It seems the whole nation is on the move during the festival. The festival is the busiest travel season in China, when trains and buses are fully packed. Even flight tickets are hard to get. Chinese people do whatever they can to go home to see their families: buying a ticket from scalpers at several times the price, queuing for three days, fighting for a ticket to stand for more than 20 hours in an over-packed train, or riding a bus with 20 extra passengers on stools down the aisle for 12 hours or more. China's migrant workers are the main force during this migration. They carry large and heavy bags full of their worldly possessions and gifts, traveling generally from China's rich east back to their hometowns. A Rough Time for Singles — Rent a Fake Boyfriend? Chinese New Year is a joyful time for most, but for singles above the normal matrimonial age it is not so. Parents and relatives think they should be settled down. In China, females are said to be marriageable before 30, and males before 32. Those who don't get married before these ages are thought to be the dregs of society. For these singles, parents are extremely anxious. So New Year's Eve is heighted by embarrassing interrogations of the singles. Parents even arrange dating for their single children. To solve this problem an interesting, and often ridiculous, solution has appeared — renting a boyfriend or girlfriend for the New Year. There are websites and agents specialized in this business. Taobao, China's largest online retailer, has a section for fake boyfriend and girlfriend rentals. The price is about 100 yuan (16 USD) a day.   Sending Lucky Chinese New Year Cell Phone Messages — ‘Three Goats Bring Harmony’ Sending cell phone messages has become the main way to greet people on Chinese New Year's Eve. In the past people sent New Year cards or called each other to express their good wishes during the Spring Festival. Now most people use cell phone text messages or WeChat (微信 Wēixìn /way-sshin/) to greet their friends. There are plentiful messages online for people to choose from when New Year is coming. Long or short, these messages are filled with warmth and good wishes. An old favorite greeting for a year of the Goat is 'three goats bring harmony' (三羊开泰 s开泰onyng k i tti /san yang kigh tigh/). It comes from Taoism. The third month has three yangs (阳 from yin-yang theory), and corresponds to earth-sky (in Eight Trigram theory), meaning harmony. Later the yang (阳) was replaced with the yang (羊) for goat, which sounds the same, giving the saying. Read more on Popular Chinese New Year Greetings. Cr  :  Chinahighlight

George Lucas beats Steven Spielberg to title of Hollywood's richest movie mogul

Research firm names Star Wars creator as Tinseltown’s wealthiest film-maker, with fellow director-producer Spielberg in third place

Top of the heap ... George Lucas. Photograph: Brad Barket/Brad Barket/Invision/AP

Star Wars creator George Lucas has been named as Hollywood’s richest mogul in a survey published by Wealth-X, a Singapore-based organisation which describes itself as “the world’s leading ultra-high net worth (UHNW) intelligence and prospecting firm”.
Wealth-X say Lucas has a personal net worth of $5.4bn (£3.5bn), the majority of which would appear to derive from the $4bn sale of his production company, Lucasfilm, to Disney in 2012. Lucas has also benefited from producing six (and directing four) Star Wars films, and controlling the ancillary merchandising and spin-off materials.
Just behind Lucas is the veteran Israeli producer Arnon Milchan, responsible for Once Upon a Time in America and Pretty Woman, and whose New Regency Productions is a profilic independent outfit within Hollywood, counting LA Confidential, Mr and Mrs Smith and Fantastic Mr Fox among its credits. Next is Steven Spielberg, who aside from his celebrated directorial career has credits on a string of films through his Dreamworks studio, including the blockbuster Transformers films.
No woman features on the list, and the majority of the names are over age 50. The youngest person on the list is 40-year-old Ryan Kavanaugh, whose production company, Relativity Media, has been involved in such films as American Gangster, A Serious Man and The Social Network. James Cameron, director of the two biggest-grossing films of all time, Avatar and Titanic, manages 10th place on the list.

Full list of richest moguls

1. George Lucas – $5.4bn
2. Arnon Milchan – $5.2bn
3. Steven Spielberg – $3.3bn
4. Austin Hearst – $1.9bn
5. Ryan Kavanaugh – $1bn
6. Jeffrey Katzenberg – $910m
7. Thomas Tull – $870m
8. Jerry Bruckheimer – $850m
9. Steve Tisch – $720m
10. James Cameron – $670m

Cr  :  The Guardian

9 fascinating celebrations of love from around the world

Photo by Grant Legan

 For some it means chocolates or flowers and for others it means black noodles or book signings. Either way, most countries have given at least one day a year to the best feeling there is, Love! Here is Dreame’s round-up of the most fascinating and adorable celebrations of love around the world.

China: Date: 7th day of 7th month on the Chinese Calendar, August 20th, 2015

The Qixi Festival, “Chinese Valentine’s Day, “ celebrates a day remembering a famous cowherder, Niu Lang, and a weaving maid, Zhi Nu, were finally allowed to be together after a tumultuous courtship. It is a romantic tale of kindred hearts, a symbolic story for the celebration of love.

In Chinese culture, there is an observance for lovers, called ‘The Night of Sevens.’ According to the legend, the Cowherd star and the Weaver Maid star are separated by the Milky Way but are allowed to meet by crossing the stars only on the 7th day of the 7th month of the Chinese calendar.

Customs include women preparing delicious fruits to offer Zhi Nu, widely regarded as a beautiful women who is apt at sewing, in order to be endowed with the masterly sewing skill. Women are also hoping to be granted with a sweet love like Zhi Nu. The Elderly often orally transpose this tale of love to the young. While this legend is still known in rural towns, it is considered archaic in China’s cities.

 Magda’s dream artified by Egle

Finland:
Date: February 14th, 2015

Ystävänpäivä “friends day” celebrating your friends. It is not romantic in nature. Its core value lies in the celebration of friends. Rather than gifting chocolates and cards to a significant other, you spend the day showering your friends with gifts to show your love and admiration. Still, it is a common day for the Finnish to get married or engaged

 Mirkalaukka_villaverliina

Iran:
Date: 5th day of Esfand in the Solar Hejri, February 24th, 2015

In Iran, the Sepandarmazgan, or ‘Earth’s Guardian Angel,’ originated from the deity Spandarmad in the 20th century B.C. Spandarmad is said to have been the protector of the Earth and the ‘good, chaste and beneficent wife who loves her husband.’
According to the deity, the festival used to be dedicated specifically to women, and men would hand-craft them presents symbolizing their love. Today, it is a celebration of women, adoration, and earth. It is a festival where people express love towards their mothers and wives. Mothers, who symbolize the nurturing of earth and all of it’s land, animal, and creatures, are given willows and other gifts by their children and husbands.

Silvia’s dream artified by Egle

Israel:
Date: 15th of the month Av, July 30th, 2015

In Israel, the Jewish ancient tradition of Tu B’Av has remained partially intact and has also been transformed to encompass customs of the Western world’s Valentines Day. In ancient times girls would wear white dresses and dance in the vineyards as a ceremony of love. Today, Tu B’Av is celebrated as a second holiday of love (after Valentines Day) by secular people. While Israelis celebrate Valentine’s Day the same way any Western country would, with flowers and gifts, Tu’ B’Av is treated as less of a commercial holiday and more of a day for grandiose actions of commitment and love. In modern Israeli culture Tu B’Av is a popular day to pronounce love, propose marriage and give gifts like cards or flowers.

Shira Nagar

Japan:
Date: March 14th, 2015, ‘White Day’

The Japanese celebrate Valentines Day the same way Americans do. However, on this day women give chocolate to men rather than the common-place tradition of men gifting women with tokens of love. This is rumored to be a tradition which originated from a translation error of a chocolate company during the initial campaigns marketing Valentines Day. It is customary for working women to give chocolate to their co-workers. In Japan, gifts such as greeting cards, candies, flowers, or dinner dates are uncommon, and most of the activity is about giving the right amount of chocolate to each personal co-worker.
Unpopular co-workers receive only ‘obligatory’ sweets or cheap chocolate. This contrasts with honmei-choko ‘favorite chocolate.’ This chocolate is given to a loved one. It is also customary for younger girls to give chocolate to friends.

To combat the lack of gifts for women the Japanese National Confectionery Industry Association launched a campaign to make March 14th a ‘reply day’ also known as ‘White Day’ to resemble the white chocolate that is given to women. On this day men return the favor by giving chocolates to all of the women who gave them sweets on Valentine’s Day. This day is termed  ‘White Day’ for the color of the chocolates being offered.

On White Day men must return gifts that are at least two or three times more valuable than the gifts they received on Valentine’s Day so not to be perceived as placing themselves in a position of superiority. Returning a present of equal value is considered to indicate an undercut to the relationship.

shiangyingcox

Singapore:
Date: February 14th, 2015

Singaporeans celebrate Valentines day in essentially the same way as all other Western countries: flowers, chocolates, nice dinner, and jewelry. However, Singaporeans are remarkable in that they are amongst the biggest spenders on Valentine’s Day. Though this small country has only been celebrating since their Independence in 1956, it is reported that 60% of Singaporeans claim that they spend between $100 and $500 on gifts…during the season leading up to Valentines Day!

Lynda’s dream artified by Munkyeong

South Korea:
Date: April 14th, 2015, ‘Black Day’

South Koreans use Valentines Day as a day to mourn the single life. If they are in a relation, they celebrate similarly to the Japanese: women give chocolate to men on February 14th, and then the men reply by gifting candy to women a month later (White Day). The outstanding difference between South Korean tradition and Japanese tradition comes on April 14th. This day is considered Black Day for those who did not receive anything on Valentines Day or White Day.  These bachelors and bachelorettes convene at Chinese restaurants to eat black noodles and ‘mourn’ their singleness.

For Koreans the 14th of every month symbolizes a reason to celebrate love. From January to December they have: Candle Day, Valentine’s Day, White Day, Black Day, Rose Day, Kiss Day, Silver Day, Green Day, Music Day, Wine Day, Movie Day, and Hug Day. Each day is used to commemorate love, so there are many opportunities for Koreans to make up for ‘Black Day.’

Mark’s dream artified by Julianna

Wales :
Date: January 25th, 2015

Dydd Santes Dwynwen, the Welsh day of love, is based on an oral tale dating back to the 5th Century. As the tale goes, beautiful Dwynwen fell in love with Maelon Dafodrill, but for an undisclosed reason they remained estranged lovers. A few rumored reasons include the rape of Dwynwen by Maelon, her father’s forbiddance of the pair to marry, her father’s promise of her hand to another suitor. Dwywen desperately wishes to fall out of love with Maelon as she cannot manage the sorrow of life without him.
Dwywen falls asleep in the woods and is visited by an angel who appears carrying a sweet potion concocted to erase her memory of Maelon and to turn him into a block of ice.  God then grants Dwywen three wishes. First she wishes that Maelon be thawed, second that God fulfill the wishes and dreams of all true lovers, and third that she should never be married. All three wishes are granted, and as repayment to God Dwynwen  devotes herself to His service by becoming a nun.
Although still not as popular as Valentine’s Day, Dwynwen’s Day is becoming more common among Welsh Citizens. Dwynwen’s Day gained momentum in 2003 when the Welsh Language Board teamed up with Tesco (a UK grocery chain) to distribute 50,000 free Dwynwen’s day cards in all 43 of its Welsh stores.

Paola’s dream artified by Rachel

Catalonia:
Date: April 23rd, 2015

Sant Jordi Festival is the most romantic holiday of all of Barcelona’s celebrations. Saint Jordi Festival is a celebration of  the Saint George, the chivalrous patron saint of Catalonia. The tale goes that Saint George rescued a Princess from the dragon, bringing her a delicate rose to commemorate his undying devotion to her. The tradition of woman giving her beloved a book is said to be rooted in commemorating the death of Cervantes, the great Spanish author of Don Quixote, which falls on April 23rd.

This holiday is much more symbolic than cards and candy, it is a celebration of both culture and love. Barcelona’s tradition is for the lady to offer her counterpart a book in return for a rose. The two lovers stroll the Boulevards, perusing the book carts which mark every corner, looking for the most exquisite read to compliment this special day. During Saint Jordi Festival authors line the boulevards, signing their books for blushing women and doting men, with the smell of roses lingering in the air.

Cr  :  Dreame

 

9 Fabulously Unconventional Valentine's Day Ideas

Tired of fancy dinners, chocolates and roses? Here are a few unusual Valentine's Day ideas.

Like birthdays, Valentine's Day celebrations become repetitive after a few years. If you've grown disenchanted with fancy dinners, chocolates and roses, worry not, because YourTango's rounded up a series of unconventional Valentine's Day ideas to combat the season's predictability. After all, what's romance without a little adventure?

1. Get cultured. Every culture celebrates the day of love a little differently. For instance, in Japan, women give men chocolates on February 14th, while some parts of Britain serve buns baked with caraway seeds and raisins. After checking out YourTango's feature on Valentine's Day around the world, try mixing a couple of fun new traditions into your date night.

2. Throw a Quirkyalone Day party. As much as we love batting heart-shaped piñatas during "Singles Awareness" parties, we'll concede that hating Valentine's Day can be just as trite and obnoxious as the day itself. Instead of throwing an anti-Valentine's party, participate in International Quirkyalone Day, where singles around the world throw feel-good parties celebrating empowerment, romance and gratitude. Sometimes, these get-togethers encourage mingling; other times, they're just an excuse to enjoy Valentine's Day without the collective self-pity that often accompanies other singles' parties. For ideas, check out the movement's website, which recommends hosting an event at a public place, such as a library, and advertising for it a few weeks ahead of time on Craigslist or Flavorpill.

3. Do touristy things in your own town. Since plenty of people already dismiss Valentine's Day as corny, plan a few touristy activities that you and your honey have never gotten around to doing, and don't be embarrassed to take a zillion couple-y pictures while visiting those attractions. For example, if you live in New York City, ride a carriage through Central Park, have dinner at Serendipity, and play arcade games at Dave & Buster's in Times Square. Actually sounds pretty romantic, eh?

4. Have a group date at someone's house. Gather a bunch of people for a stay-at-home group date and split the duties. For instance, the men buy flowers, cook and serve the women dinner, while the women plan games, decorate or provide gifts (we suggest baked goods!). Keep in mind that if your party consists of both singles and couples, there should be an even number of single men and women so that no one ends up feeling like a third wheel.

5. Volunteer. Valentine's Day is a celebration of love, so consider branching out from romance into charity and friendship. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, send flowers to nursing home residents, or check online listings for Valentine-themed fundraisers for reputable non-profits. Contact local women's and domestic violence shelters to ask how you can best show love to those who live and work there. Baking cookies or sending letters of appreciation to caregivers can make all the difference for people who have suffered because of corrupted relationships.

6. DIY your gift. By do-it-yourself, we don't just mean cooking dinner and making mix a CD. Scout around for a personalize present she won't expect. For instance, Blends For Friends, creates a blend of loose leaf tea based on the recipient's personality. Simply provide your S.O.'s date of birth, hobbies, personality and physical appearance and see what the service comes up with once the box arrives in the mail. Or put a contemporary spin on homemade scrapbooks, by using Blurb.com to compile a book of love poems, photographs or literary passages that describe your relationship.

7. Have a date at the dog park. A global poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos revealed that one in five people would rather spend Valentine's Day with their pet than a partner. If you're having a hard time picking between the two, spend the afternoon at a local pet park before hitting the town on date night. Or, if you're single, forego the ice cream-laden night alone and take Fido out to play in your city's dog run. Who knows, you might just meet the dog-lover of your dreams.

8. Celebrate on a different day. Restaurants sure are expensive and crowded on Valentine's Day, so postpone your date night to February 15th and spend the holiday itself indoors, relaxing with takeout and a couple of romantic movies. Go all-out the following night with bouquets and a reservation at a classy restaurant you've always wanted to try.
9. Give an alternative bouquet. Roses may be the symbol of love, but they're also a little generic. If your lady's down with non-traditional presents, try substituting roses—heck, even flowers—with a different kind of "bouquet." Send a potted plant, a bonsai or even a miniature tree to her home or workplace. If she's got a sweet tooth, send her a candy bouquet, and if you're good with crafts, make flower bouquet using origami.



Cr  :  Denise Ngo

Super-size my Channing by Magic Mike XXL

Channing Tatum has released the first trailer for the Magic Mike sequel, which suggests there may be one or two shots of men without shirts in the finished film – though none of them will be Matthew McConaughey

The boys are back ... the Magic Mike crew Photograph: Claudette Barius/AP 

 

 

Three years ago, Magic Mike became one of those sleeper hits that surprised everyone. Conceived as a vehicle for Channing Tatum to display his dancing skills and his physique (and partially based on his experiences as a stripper), it turned out to be a movie about much more than that. Although, of course, there was lots of male stripping. 

 
The much-anticipated trailer for its sequel was first premiered on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and it’s pretty much what we would expect: Tatum dancing alone, then dancing with the others, then stripping. Quite the trailer fans were hoping for.
The plot picks up three years later, when a retired Mike decides to strip one last time for a convention in Myrtle Beach.

 So we can only imagine there will be plenty of shirtless scenes. Matthew McConaughey and Alex Pettyfer have not returned for the sequel, but Tatum is still joined by Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Adam Rodriguez, Gabriel Iglesias and Kevin Nash. Is that XXL enough for you? Let us know in the comments below.

Cr  : The Guardian

Windows 10 for Raspberry Pi 2

We’re excited to announce that we are expanding our Windows Developer Program for IoT by delivering a version of Windows 10 that supports Raspberry Pi 2. This release of Windows 10 will be free for the Maker community through the Windows Developer Program for IoT.

Windows 10 is the first step to an era of more personal computing. This vision framed our work on Windows 10, where we are moving Windows to a world that is more mobile, natural and grounded in trust. With the Windows for IoT developer program we're bringing our leading development tools, services and ecosystem to the Raspberry Pi community!
We see the Maker community as an amazing source of innovation for smart, connected devices that represent the very foundation for the next wave of computing, and we’re excited to be a part of this community.

We are excited about our partnership with the Raspberry Pi Foundation and delivering a version of Windows 10 that supports Raspberry Pi 2, and we will be sharing more details about our Windows 10 plans for IoT in the coming months.

Join the Windows for IoT Development program today

By joining our program you will be amongst the first to receive new information about the Windows Developer Program for IoT including product information, beta programs and releases.

Cr  :  Windows.com

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Facebook on Thursday launched a new feature that automatically provides tips about places where members of the social network might be, potentially challenging review websites like Yelp. - See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/digital-life/more-digital-life-stories/story/facebook-adds-tips-about-places-potential-yelp-challeng#sthash.IGCGnaLF.dpuf

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Facebook on Thursday launched a new feature that automatically provides tips about places where members of the social network might be, potentially challenging review websites like Yelp. - See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/digital-life/more-digital-life-stories/story/facebook-adds-tips-about-places-potential-yelp-challeng#sthash.IGCGnaLF.dpuf

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Facebook on Thursday launched a new feature that automatically provides tips about places where members of the social network might be, potentially challenging review websites like Yelp.
"Place tips will show you fun, useful and relevant info about the place you're at," Facebook product manager Mike LeBeau said of the capability making its debut on the version of the social networking application tailored for iPhones.
The new feature could pose a challenge to crowd-sourced review service Yelp by giving people the option of seeking the opinions of friends regarding restaurants, hotels, and other venues.
GPS tools in smartphones coupled with Wi-Fi and cellular carrier signal information provide an idea where people are, then Facebook sends prompts in the form of icons atop News Feeds.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/digital-life/more-digital-life-stories/story/facebook-adds-tips-about-places-potential-yelp-challeng#sthash.IGCGnaLF.dpuf

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Facebook on Thursday launched a new feature that automatically provides tips about places where members of the social network might be, potentially challenging review websites like Yelp.
"Place tips will show you fun, useful and relevant info about the place you're at," Facebook product manager Mike LeBeau said of the capability making its debut on the version of the social networking application tailored for iPhones.
The new feature could pose a challenge to crowd-sourced review service Yelp by giving people the option of seeking the opinions of friends regarding restaurants, hotels, and other venues.
GPS tools in smartphones coupled with Wi-Fi and cellular carrier signal information provide an idea where people are, then Facebook sends prompts in the form of icons atop News Feeds.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/digital-life/more-digital-life-stories/story/facebook-adds-tips-about-places-potential-yelp-challeng#sthash.IGCGnaLF.dpuf

Facebook on Thursday launched a new feature that automatically provides tips about places where members of the social network might be, potentially challenging review websites like Yelp. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Facebook on Thursday launched a new feature that automatically provides tips about places where members of the social network might be, potentially challenging review websites like Yelp.
"Place tips will show you fun, useful and relevant info about the place you're at," Facebook product manager Mike LeBeau said of the capability making its debut on the version of the social networking application tailored for iPhones.
The new feature could pose a challenge to crowd-sourced review service Yelp by giving people the option of seeking the opinions of friends regarding restaurants, hotels, and other venues.
GPS tools in smartphones coupled with Wi-Fi and cellular carrier signal information provide an idea where people are, then Facebook sends prompts in the form of icons atop News Feeds

- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/digital-life/more-digital-life-stories/story/facebook-adds-tips-about-places-potential-yelp-challeng#sthash.IGCGnaLF.dpuf

Facebook on Thursday launched a new feature that automatically provides tips about places where members of the social network might be, potentially challenging review websites like Yelp. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Facebook on Thursday launched a new feature that automatically provides tips about places where members of the social network might be, potentially challenging review websites like Yelp.
"Place tips will show you fun, useful and relevant info about the place you're at," Facebook product manager Mike LeBeau said of the capability making its debut on the version of the social networking application tailored for iPhones.
The new feature could pose a challenge to crowd-sourced review service Yelp by giving people the option of seeking the opinions of friends regarding restaurants, hotels, and other venues.
GPS tools in smartphones coupled with Wi-Fi and cellular carrier signal information provide an idea where people are, then Facebook sends prompts in the form of icons atop News Feeds

- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/digital-life/more-digital-life-stories/story/facebook-adds-tips-about-places-potential-yelp-challeng#sthash.IGCGnaLF.dpuf

Hand cream for your hard day

Heavy-duty hand creams

I don’t work with my hands. They hold a pen and a dictaphone, touch a keyboard, find their way round a mug of tea. But now I’m renovating an old, crumbling house and I am developing builder’s hands, with the neglected, cracked skin to match. So I’ve found a new respect for people who work with their hands – and a reason to care for my own with the most hardcore of creams. Some of the most effective are exceptionally rich – Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve (£14, kiehls.co.uk) has a lovely medicinal smell and is what they call a “barrier” formula, soothing but also protecting against moisture loss. For something fragrance-free, I am also very fond of Burt’s Bees Ultimate Care Hand Cream (£8.99, burtsbees.co.uk).

Alternatively

Dr Hauschka Hydrating Hand Cream £12.50, dr.hauschka.com Hand Chemistry Intense Youth Complex £8, boots.com
L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream £19, loccitane.com
Balance Me Super Moisturising Hand Cream £14.50, balanceme.co.uk

Cr  :  Megan Conner / The guardian