The bikini has come a long way over the past 67 years.

On this date in 1946, French fashion designer Louis Réard hired a nude dancer to sport his two-piece creation after the runway models he approached refused to wear it.

He called it the Bikini after the nuclear testing site Bikini Atoll because he believed it had the power to shock the public just as much as a nuclear bomb.

Since then, the bikini has been immortalized in song, provoked controversies from morality to skin cancer, and is now a beach staple around the world.

One thing's for certain: The teenie weenie suit is here to stay.

Additional research provided by Simone Foxman.

It's believed that the Greco-Roman world had bikinis due to statues and mosaics discovered in Sicily that date to 286-305 AD. The images show women playing sports in two-piece outfits.

Bathing suits for women slowly came into vogue during the early 20th century. Pictured here are three different types of one-piece suits women could wear. The "maillot" was particularly revolutionary with no sleeves.

Hollywood starlets made the one-piece fashionable with low backs and straps you could take off for tanning. Fabrics such as latex and nylon made swimsuits tighter and more form-fitting throughout the '30s.

Although it might seem like the days of the drive-in movie theater have passed, drive-ins around the country are seeing a resurgence in popularity. 

And why shouldn't they?

Most drive-ins are substantially cheaper than ordinary theaters, and movie-goers can bring their own comfortable chairs and use their cell phone all they like. Even better, there are no sticky floors or mysterious substances on the seats. 

While some of the drive-ins on our list have been around for more than half a century, others were built in the last decade, and one was built just last year. Most have a cool retro atmosphere and are open roughly from Memorial Day until Labor Day, making them the perfect low-key summer outing for almost anyone.

SEE ALSO: US Cities With The Most Expensive Movie Tickets

Shankweiler's Drive-In Theater, Orefield, PA

This classic drive-in theater, located in Orefield, Pennsylvania, claims to be America's oldest: It's been in continuous operation since 1934, according to its website.

Open April through September (depending on the weather), this local institution still draws sizable crowds of moviegoers each weekend and shows no signs of closing anytime soon. Adult tickets cost $9, children 12 and under enter for $5 and those under the age of 2 enter for free.

The Warwick Drive-In, Warwick, NY

The Warwick Drive-In has been going strong since 1950, although it's changed hands quite a few times since then. It's one of the only movie theaters in the Warwick area, which may explain why it's still so popular.

According to their site, the theater can play up to three movies at once, and current movie options are almost identical to what one might find at an ordinary theater. Adult tickets are $10, seniors and kids get in for $6 and children under age 4 are free.

Saco Drive-In, Saco, Maine

This Southern Maine drive-in offers two movies shown on separate screens each night starting at 8:45.

Moviegoers can get any item on the food menu for under $5, and the prices can't be beat — just $15 pays for an entire car, no matter how many people are in it! The theater has been in operation since 1950, but due to rising movie industry costs it's now in danger of closing. 

Sitting where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Arctic Ocean, Iceland is a special place full of other-worldly treks and a truly magnificent volcanic landscape.

A 40-minute drive from Reykjavík, the Blue Lagoon is a gorgeous geothermal spa that's one of the most-visited places in Iceland.

At an average temperature of around 100 °F, the lagoon's nutrient-rich waters are reported to fix all sorts of skin ailments, from psoriasis to eczema. People travel thousands of miles to bathe in these nutrient-rich waters. Others come to simply relax.

Besides swimming, you can have a drink at the in-water bar, pamper yourself with a massage or skin treatment, or relax at one of the exclusive lounges. 

The waters of the Blue Lagoon form when seawater meets volcanic magma deep underground and mixes to create warm sulphur-rich water.

The water temperature averages averages 37–39 °C (98–102 °F), and the waters are said to have all sorts of healing powers.

Though the land is natural, the lagoon is actually fed by a nearby geothermal power plant, which heats and renews the water every few days.

Like so many great plane features, high-definition television is reserved to those who fly in private jets.

The reason is simple: You need a lot more bandwidth for a plane with 200 passengers than for one with ten.

Back in 2007, Freesky Research predicted in-flight internet connections would expand, but that private jets would "be one of the leading segments of the market."

That prediction has held true: HDTV is a common feature in new private jets, while some (but certainly not all) commercial jets offer WiFi that is at best decent.

Fortunately for those who can't afford to own their own aircraft (or who don't fly enough hours every year to make it worth the money), bandwidth availability is steadily increasing, Kent Statler, Executive Vice President at avionics company Rockwell Collins said in an interview at the Paris Air Show.

It's increasing quickly, too. "It will evolve through time," Statler said, and by 2020, "there will be bandwidth available" to give passengers on large jetliners HDTV.

So while air travel is unlikely to get any less crowded or more pleasant in the near future, at least there's high-quality tv to look forward to.

SEE ALSO: We Went To France To Find Out How Airbus Builds The World's Biggest Passenger Jet

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Folks in San Diego witnessed what was either the worst Fourth of July fireworks celebration — or the absolute best — when a technical malfunction caused all of their pyrotechnics to go off at the same time in 2012.

The annual Big Bay Boom extravaganza began and ended in spectacular fashion when an inadvertent signal set off the explosions about five minutes early and caused the entire 18 minute show to take place in about 15 seconds.

Confused spectators waited around for what they thought was going to be the rest of the show, but were sent home and told the show (that was supposed to be choreographed to music) was canceled. 

Some fans may been been disappointed, but at least the rest of us got some cool pictures and video out of it.

Here's two of the best. First a photo (above),  posted on Instagram by user Ben Baller (and "liked" by about 10,000 people) then one of several videos of the show posted on YouTube.

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More From The Atlantic Wire:
The Worst Of Last Night's Fireworks Disasters
Two Popes Are About To Become Saints
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It's July 4th weekend, and nothing goes hand-in-hand with fireworks and sparklers like a hearty plate of barbecue.

From New York to Chicago to L.A., Zagat scoured the States for the shining stars of barbecue around America.

Here are 16 barbecue spots in 13 cities around the country you need to try this summer.

ATLANTA: Fox Bros. BBQ

1238 DeKalb Avenue N.E., Atlanta

Fox Bros. BBQ cooks their meat low and slow with hickory wood. They have all the southern staples (pulled pork, beef brisket, baby back ribs), which are available in both adult- and kid-sized portions.

They also sell their homemade barbecue sauce so you can make Fox Bros. barbecue at home, but don't worry if it doesn't turn out as good as what they offer on site.

AUSTIN: Louie Mueller BBQ

206 W. Second Street, Austin

Since 1949, Louis Mueller has been one of the most beloved barbecue joints in Austin. Not only has it been featured in five movies, but it got the thumbs up from Guy Fieri on an episode of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.

The website warns out-of-towners that they often sell out of their smoky fare, and that it's best to place orders ahead of time.

AUSTIN: Snow's Barbecue

516 Main Street, Lexington

Snow's is only open on Saturdays, and from the moment they unlock the doors at 8am to the moment they sell out there's usually a line out the door. Their menu is simple—brisket, sausage, chicken, pork, ribs, and a few sides—but customers drive hours from all over the country just to get a taste.

Not in Texas? Not to worry; Snow's does mail orders of their barbecue.

A sofa is one of the biggest furniture investments you'll make — and one of the most permanent.

Even if you're just buying one for a temporary fix, it'll eventually get demoted from the living room to the family room to the basement and, finally, the dorm.

Before you know it, a decade or more has passed, and that impulse purchase has become part of your life. So give some thought to it before you buy.

Quality sofas should feel solid and heavy. Flop around on one to test its sturdiness, then lift it up by the corner and shake it a bit.

If it feels light or wobbly, take a pass. Look for a frame made from a kiln-dried hardwood such as oak, alder, birch, maple or, alternatively, high-quality hardwood plywood or marine plywood.

Eight-way, hand-tied springs are a hallmark of fine furniture, but sinuous S-shaped springs can provide nearly as much comfort. Drop-in coil springs are a less costly alternative.

Most cushions have a core of polyurethane foam; the denser the foam, the heavier it is and the longer it will last. In the cheapest furniture, the cushion is filled with just the polyurethane foam core.

In better furniture the core is wrapped with Dacron batting. Higher-quality options include poly-down cushions, which have down mixed with the batting; spring-down cushions, which feature a core of springs surrounded by foam and feathers; and all down, which is all feathers (and all work, so avoid this unless you have servants).

The best sofas have joints that are double doweled and fitted with corner blocks that are both glued and screwed (not stapled) into place. Quality pieces have legs that are part of the frame, not just attached to it (although removable feet do make it easier to get items through doorways).

Buy the best-quality sofa that you can afford. Your purchase will be amortized over many years. Plus, it's usually cheaper to reupholster a good sofa than to buy a new one of comparable quality.

Choose a sofa that complements the style of your decor. If your interior is traditional, look for a sofa with rolled arms, a contoured back, skirting or tufted cushions. Contemporary sofas tend to have cleaner lines, fewer flourishes and understated upholstery.

Consider the proportions of the room and determine what height, length and depth of sofa would look best in the space. If you're uncertain, mock up a footprint on the floor using masking tape or blue painter's tape. Or consider "building" a sofa out of empty boxes — then live with it for a few days to see how it feels.

If you plan to spend a lot of time lying on the sofa for reading or naps, make sure it has enough space between the arms. Don't rely on overall length alone, as the width of the arms will affect the space between.

If you’re short on space, think about buying a sofa with low arms or no arms — it’ll make your room look larger.

How many people do you want to seat? That might sound like a silly question, but the truth is, nobody likes sitting on the crack. So if you get a sofa with two cushions, expect just two people to use it.

To accommodate more people, get a sofa with three cushions or a single long cushion, called a bench cushion.

Sofas generally come with one of two types of backs: a pillow back, which has removable cushions or pillows along the rear; or a tight back, in which the upholstery is tailored to the contours of the sofa’s back.

Pillow-back sofas are generally considered more comfortable and inviting, but there’s a downside: Unless you’re diligent with your fluffing, the cushions will usually look slightly askew. If you’re the kind of person who is driven to distraction by something like that, you might want to consider a tight back.

When it comes to sofas, one size does not fit all. The depth of the seat and the angle of the back will influence how comfortable you feel.

How do you know what depth is right for you? Let experience be your guide. If there’s a sofa or chair that you find particularly comfortable, measure the distance from the inside of your knee to the spot where your lower back hits the back of the sofa, then buy a sofa that has similar dimensions.

Since sofas are such a big investment, you'll want yours to stay in fashion as long as possible. Given that, it's best to stick with a neutral fabric. You can always add color and pattern with throw pillows. Plus, pillows are easy and inexpensive to change if you decide to redecorate.

If you have kids and a neutral sofa sounds like an invitation to disaster, consider a darker color or a sofa with a subtle overall pattern.

As a rule, synthetic fabrics are more durable, colorfast and cleanable. Tightly woven fabrics and fabrics that are heavy will stand up to wear and tear better, as will leather. Avoid satins, brocades and damasks unless the sofa won't get much use.

Whatever fabric you choose, ask the store for a sample or cutting that you can take home on approval before you buy. (If no sample is available, ask for a cushion.)

That way you can see the material under the light in your room and with other pieces of furniture. When you're spending this kind of money, the last thing you want is a surprise.

Related:Could Your Living Room Be Better Without a Sofa?

More From Houzz:

• From designer seating and desks to credenza, create your dream home office
• Browse living room ideas, from sectional sofas to unique chandeliers and floor lamps, for your next interior design project.
• Light up your living spaces with recessed lighting, a designer chandelier or even a row of pendant lighting

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With the U.S. housing market continuing down the road to recovery, inventory remains tight as home sellers are waiting it out, hoping to regain some of their home equity lost during the downturn. One buying and selling option often overlooked by consumers is property auctions.

Because property auctions are not considered a traditional method of selling or buying, misperceptions and myths abound about the auction process. Here are several myths debunked.

Myth No. 1: I won’t get the price that I want

Truth: Home auctions allow interested buyers to compete with one another for the home they want. It’s this competition that brings out the true market value of a home. On auction sites, bids are placed in a transparent marketplace, so buyers can see offers and interest in real time. Additionally, sellers set a reserve price, which is the minimum amount of money they will accept for their home. Meanwhile, buyers benefit by seeing exactly how much money it will take to be the “highest bid” instead of wondering why their offer wasn’t accepted in a traditional process.

Myth No. 2: Auctions are complicated

Truth: While the auction process may be unfamiliar, it is actually geared toward transparency and simplicity. On most auction sites, pertinent property information, disclosures and auction terms are provided to buyers weeks before bidding starts. Open houses are held on many properties, and buyers are often able to complete a home inspection before bidding. Having a set auction date also reduces the uncertainty that buyers and sellers face with a traditional real estate transaction. Many auction sites are available to answer questions from home buyers and sellers.

Myth No. 3: Auctions don’t benefit agents

Truth: Auction companies often work with agents to generate more listings and sales. Agents can focus on building their network of prospective clients, listings and industry contacts while the auction site handles the property marketing and auction logistics. Agents conduct open houses, upload quality photographs and answer questions about the home and neighborhood. Listing agreements between sellers and agents and commissions stay intact during the auction process.

Myth No. 4: Auction fees are expensive

Truth: There are different types of fee structures for property auctions, depending on the auction house. In many cases, a fee equal to a small percentage of the winning bid is charged to the buyer. Some auction companies may charge the seller a nominal fee to market their home. On Auction.com, there is no cost to homeowners or agents to sell properties, and there is no cost to bid. There is a buyer’s premium (5 percent of the winning bid price), which is paid when the transaction closes.

Myth No. 5: Buyers have to pay cash

Truth: While paying in cash is certainly an option, many homes can be financed through a traditionalhome loan. Buyers are usually only required to put down a deposit, which then gives them between 30 and 45 days to close the loan and the deal.

Myth No. 6: Auctions are only for distressed properties

Truth: While auctions have been a beneficial way to buy and sell bank-owned homes, they are also commonly used for non-distressed properties, short sales, commercial properties and luxury homes. Any individual looking to buy or sell a home would be wise to explore their options when it comes to property auctions. Transparent and streamlined procedures, far-reaching marketing and the simplicity of online bidding make auction sites an additional choice for buying and selling.

Related:

• How to Avoid Seller’s Remorse 
• Why Buyers Should Consider Foreclosures and Short Sales
• How to Buy a Home Below Current Market Value

Auction.com is the nation’s leading online real estate auction marketplace. At Auction.com, we believe that bringing buyers and sellers together with an easy, transparent platform yields the true value of any real estate asset, whether it be a luxury home, a multi-story Class A office building, an entry-level foreclosed home, or a self-storage facility. – See more at: http://www.auction.com/blog/

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow.

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Google Chairman Eric Schmidt is on the hunt for a new home in London and he's tapped one of Prince William's old school chums to help him, reports Ed Hammond from the UK business publication Financial Times.

Schmidt is in the market for an abode that costs around the £30 million ($44 million) and is reportedly looking at a family-sized properties in the upscale Chelsea or Holland Park neighborhoods.

He's hired realtor Thomas Van Straubenzee, a former classmate of Prince William who recently married the daughter of the Duke of Northumberland, reports Hammond. As you might imagine, Van Straubenzee specializes in exclusive real estate listings in cities like London, Dubai and Hong Kong.

Although these areas are some of the most expensive in the world, often priced above £3,000 per square foot, £30 million still buys quite a lot, such as the 6,725 square-foot town home with 5 bedroom suites pictured below. It includes another six bedrooms for servants/staff and comes complete with an elevator.

This town home may not be private enough for a celebrity billionaire like Schmidt, but it gives you a flavor of the type of abode he could be looking at.

SEE ALSO: Marc Benioff Loves Wrist Computers So Much He's Wearing Two Right Now

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There is nothing better than a steak done the right way.

Earlier this year we met Chef Michael Lomonaco of Porter House New York, a classic American-style steakhouse, who shared some of his key grilling tips.

He showed us how to select the right piece of meat, how long to cook it for, and how to take care of your grill.

Chef Lomonaco walked us through some of the important terms and concepts you need to understand to cook delicious steaks right at home.

The terms "prime meat" and "dry-aged" really do matter when it comes to quality.

Prime meat has a "great deal of marble or fat within the beef, the fattiness makes it so delicious," says Chef Lomonaco. It serves as a natural source of flavoring when it cooks.

Dry-aged meat is kept in a specially controlled locker.

By controlling the temperature and humidity of the space, the meat's enzymes are able to develop and interact creating more complex favors.

Specifically, Chef Lomonaco explains, "dry-aged beef has a particular flavor, a nutty aroma, and pronounced beef flavor."

In addition to the flavor, aged-beef is firmer than non-aged and has less moisture content. The reduced moisture helps tenderize the meat and concentrate the flavor. 

Because the meat is more tender is feels firmer than regular beef and this can affect the "finger test" when trying to gauge doneness. More on the "finger test" later.

You don't always need to get the most expensive cut to get a great steak.

Sure when you go to a steak house you want to get the prime, dry-aged rib-eye that you only find at the finest restaurants. But when cooking at home, a simpler cut can still get stunning results. 

Chef Lomonaco recommends skirt steaks or hanger steaks for home cooking because these cuts have a great flavor and quality and can be cooked easily on the grill or in a cast iron pan. They are also a lot cheaper than the pricier prime cuts. 

This can even be true at restaurants. New York Magazine gave its coveted top 2012 steak award to a modest $15 hanger steak in Brooklyn.

Let the meat reach room temperature before cooking.

And this goes for chicken and fish too! The meat will cook more evenly if it is the same temperature throughout.

Professional kitchens that have super high-powered grills, like Porter House NY's 1800º F grill, can cook a frozen piece of meat just fine.

But if you are cooking on your home grill (which probably maxes out at around 500-600º F) letting the meat reach an even room temp will help you control the temperature of your meat better as you cook it.

Vegas is a city that is decidedly over-the-top, so it’s no wonder that it’s host to some of the most luxurious hotel accommodations in the world.

We’ve selected five of the city’s most jaw-dropping, high-roller-worthy suites that we think embody modern Las Vegas decadence.

Forget the kitsch and tacky opulence of yore; these beauties are sleek, sophisticated, and, well, pricey.

The Villas at The Mirage, Las Vegas

The Villas at the Mirage have an affirmed reputation as havens for high-rollers and A-listers — and it’s no wonder. The private gated entrance ensures extra privacy, and each villa comes with its own heated pool, putting green, and 24-hour butler.

See more photos of Villas at the Mirage

Penthouse A at the Palms Casino Resort

This off-the-Strip hotel is known for its crazy parties and celebrity stopovers, and there are certainly A-lister-worthy accommodations on offer. Penthouse A has a fireplace, private pool on an outdoor terrace, pool table, and stunning views.

See more photos of Penthouse A

SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand

Skylofts is the luxury section of MGM Grand, offering some of the most exclusive accommodations not just within the hotel but in Vegas.

All of the rooms are one-, two-, and three-bedroom duplex lofts (they start at 1,400 square feet) with big living areas and sophisticated but understated urban decor; prices are usually upwards of $1,000 a night. High-end extras include airport transfers in a Rolls-Royce Ghost limousine.

See more photos of the Two-Bedroom Loft

Fans of noodles and Chinese food which, let's face it, should be everybody, will be eager to go through this list.

The Chinese Ministry of Culture in conjunction with the first annual noodle fest, has released a list of the top 10 kinds of noodles.

From CNTV:

The first Culture of Chinese Noodles Festival has released its list of the top ten most popular Chinese noodles. The list covers famed dishes from all across China, including Wuhan hot noodles, Beijing noodles, Shanxi sliced noodles, Henan Xiaoji stewed noodles, Lanzhou ramen, Hangzhou Pian Er Chuan, Kunshan Aozao noodles, Zhenjiang pot cover noodles, Sichuan spicy dandan noodles and Jilin Yanji cold noodles.

This video walks through the whole thing.

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Five Indonesian men remained trapped up a tree Sunday three days after being chased into its branches by Sumatran tigers who also mauled their friend to death, police said.

Four of the snarling animals were still surrounding the base of the tree following their initial attack on Thursday, which they launched after the men accidentally killed a tiger cub.

Humans and animals are increasingly coming into conflict in Indonesia -- but in most cases, it is the animals who end up the losers.

The men entered the Mount Leuser National Park in the north of Sumatra island on Tuesday searching for rare incense wood, district police chief Dicky Sondani told AFP.

"The wood is very expensive... but they run a risk looking for it as they have to go to more remote parts of Leuser where there are many tigers and elephants," he said.

The men set up traps for deers and antelopes for food -- but accidentally trapped and killed the tiger cub.

The adult tigers reacted by attacking the men. They killed a 28-year-old identified only as David, but the five others took refuge up a tree, Sondani said.

"Four tigers are still surrounding the men under the tree," he added.

Thirty rescuers including police and soldiers set out on Saturday to rescue the men after villagers who tried to help them turned back after seeing the tigers.

But the rescuers would take two to three days to reach the men, Sondani added.

"If the tigers remain under the tree, we may have to shoot or sedate them to rescue the five people," he added.

The Leuser ecosystem is home to around 5,800 of the remaining 6,600 critically endangered Sumatran orangutans as well as elephants and tigers, but it is threatened by commercial logging and clearance for palm oil plantations.

The Sumatran tiger is the world's smallest tiger. There are only an estimated 400 to 500 still alive in the wild.

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BEIJING (AP) — The two people who died in an Asiana Airlines plane crash at San Francisco International Airport were Chinese schoolgirls, Chinese state media said Sunday.

Ye Mengyuan and Wang Linjia, students at Jiangshan Middle School in eastern China, died in the crash, state broadcaster China Central Television said, citing a fax from the airline to the Jiangshan city government.

The South Korean airline said in a statement that Ye and Wang were both 16.

A group of 29 students and five teachers had set off from the highly competitive school in Zhejiang, an affluent coastal province. A woman from Zhejiang's education department had said earlier that they had lost contact with two students. The woman gave only her surname, Tang.

Of the 291 passengers onboard, 141 were Chinese. At least 70 Chinese students and teachers were on the plane heading to summer camps, according to education authorities in China.

The flight slammed into the runway while landing at the airport Saturday and caught fire, forcing many to escape by sliding down the emergency inflatable slides as flames tore through the plane. Officials said 182 people were taken to area hospitals.

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I have a terrible secret to share with you: for the better part of my life, I was a jerk. Picture in your mind every single jerk you have ever met. And then imagine that amalgamation of jerks had a mentor. I was that mentor. The kind of man who was the archetypal reference point in Greg Behrendt’s He’s Just Not That Into You. The kind of man who would have reveled in being Tucker Max’s wingman (beer and hell, here we come). The kind of man who would do anything, anything at all, just for the sake of having a great story to tell his friends.

I do not want to mislead anyone; this is not a cautionary tale nor is it a moving story of my eventual redemption. My wife has dealt with the tumultuous road of my maturing and it is reflective of the strength of our relationship and her faith in me that we are even married at all. The reason I mention this previous version of me (the “beta version” if you will) is because this shadowy figure has followed me into fatherhood and it is time that I dealt with him, once and for all.

♦◊♦

I am the proud father of a beautiful 4-year-old little boy. He is intelligent, sincere, sweet, honest and utterly affectionate. Every single day, he amazes me with his wit, his humor, and his sense of curiosity. Like all parents, I have the highest expectations of him. And this is where the problems generally begin.

My wife thinks I expect too much of him. She has a professional background in education and a degree in Early Childhood Education and Development. By default, she knows when our son has reached age-specific milestones and when my expectations of his growth and behavior are simply beyond his age group.

I, on the other hand, don’t think that I should ever lower my expectations of him. As a stay-at-home dad, I spend nearly 10 hours alone with him every weekday and have seen how attentive, responsible and mature he can be. Whenever he is having a moment where he is not listening, when he is making the “wrong choices,” or when he is simply being a precocious toddler, she understands the underlying reasons for his behavior. To me, he is simply being bad. And I will not tolerate or excuse bad behavior simply because he’s young.

While I have always believed that my counter-argument was based on logic and empirical evidence (believe it or not, I have documented observations that he can be a well-behaved little boy), my militaristic standards for appropriate behavior for a 4-year-old are actually based on one fear. I am afraid that he will grow up to be me.

I look at my son and I see all of the amazing qualities that he has. And, yet, I want more for him; I want more from him. And now I worry that the shadow of my former self is stopping me from becoming a better father. My fear motivates all of the negative attributes that I have recognized in myself as a father. All of the times when I am impatient with him, when I don’t listen to his explanations, whenever I do not take the time to explain why his behavior is inappropriate, it is because I am terrified that, if I lower my expectations of him, then he will lower his expectations of himself. I push him, harder than anyone else in his life, because I am afraid that he will not live up to the infinite amount of potential I see in him.

♦◊♦

As parents, we all carry what is probably an unhealthy amount of fear with us every single day. Some is justified as part of our instinctive need to protect our children. But how our fears manifest can impact our children negatively. Worrying that my son will grow up to be an unforgivable little jerk has engendered my unattainable expectations of him. For other parents, it can be the fear of their child getting hurt that prevents them from letting their child take part in certain sports. For others, it can be the fear of finally letting go of their child that prevents them from allowing their child to stay on-campus during their college years.

At the risk of sounding like a daytime talk show host, I do strongly caution parents to check their motivations when making decisions for and about their children. I have always maintained that parenting is an individual experience, shaped by the specific traits and needs of each child. Nevertheless, at the same time, as parents we do share universal emotions: joy, love, pain, pride, and (biggest of all) fear. Never let fear guide any of your decisions. And most especially when it comes to your kids. Your fears will place a stricter restriction on their potential than any lack of effort from their part ever will. In trying to do the best for them, ironically, your fear will establish boundaries for them and limit their experiences. For me, I have realized that in forcing him to listen to me and do things my way, I am only ensuring that he will grow up to be just like Daddy; in trying to make sure he would live up to his potential, I have prevented him from having the very experiences that would guarantee he would surpass my expectations.

The other night, exhausted after a day spent reprimanding my son and cleaning up after the numerous messes he had created, I prepared myself to go to bed. As is my habit, I crept into the room to check-in on him before going to sleep. The room was cold and I carefully pulled up his comforter to make sure he was warm. The door was open a bit and, as the light fell on his face, I was amazed by how angelic he looked while he slept. I gently kissed him on the forehead and realized that, no matter how much of my blood is in him, he would never grow up to be a jerk like me.

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The first day of the running of the bulls at the annual San Fermin festival in the Spanish city of Pamplona was held on Sunday. 

The festival lasts for eight days. Every morning at 8 a.m. hundreds of people are chased by six fighting bulls that run a little more than half a mile from outside the city into a bull ring where the animals meet an almost certain death.  

On the first day of the run four people were injured, but no one was gored, the AP reported, citing officials. 

Below is an incredible picture from the event. 

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Resident Sarah Lambersky provides a sophisticated guide to the best of what this eclectic city has to offer.

On your first day here, seeing this is a must:  On your first day in Prague, get high — in elevation, that is.  Put on your hiking shoes and walk up to the top of one of the city’s hills to take in a macro view of the skyline. Petrin Hill (Prague 5) or Letna Park (Prague 7) is best. I often hear visitors remark that Prague is a small city, when in fact, they haven’t ventured beyond the confines of Old Town (Stare Mesto). Standing on a hill offers a unique perspective of Prague that will most likely be missed by relying on GPS or maps handed out at hotels. Starting your trip from a vantage point above the Vltava River, you can stand back and appreciate the city’s red rooftops, interesting architecture and expansiveness.

Most people don’t know this, but to get a true taste of the local culture… Escape Old Town! (Yes, this means going off the map.) To get an authentic sense of the city, spend time in a neighborhood and you will get a true taste of the local culture. Neighborhoods are great because you can stop by some of the city’s best bakeries and sample delicious bread or baked goods made with poppy seeds or tvaroh (quark), dine at a restaurant that does not have an English sign touting “traditional Czech food,” or drink a Czech beer in a local pub. Each neighborhood has a different vibe but all will offer visitors a non-touristy experience. If you are like me and define culture and travel by food, then hop on the tram (7, 18 or 24) to “Albertov” and have a meal at Restaurant Pod Slavin (Svobodova 144/4, Prague 2). Here you will find an excellent, low key and authentically Czech restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating (smoking and non-smoking), lots of beer and lively groups of locals chowing down on large platters of some of the Czech Republic’s best food. Other neighborhoods to visit to get a taste of the local culture include: Vinohrady (Metro Stop Namesti Miru), Zizkov, Karlin (Metro: Krizikova), Holesovice or Dejvice/Bubenec (Metro Dejvicka).

For a glimpse of daily life, I recommend this form of transportation:  Prague has a very popular and extensive tram system that will take you almost anywhere you need to go in the city. They are cheap and run often; however, if you are looking to take a tram past midnight, you should know that they tend to be less frequent. A few words of caution: you cannot purchase a ticket on the tram. You must either buy it at a yellow machine which are at some (not all) tram stops, or you must find a metro station, a convenience store or tobacco store that sells tram tickets (the fun in this is guessing which stores actually sell tickets as there are no signs/stickers indicating whether or not the store offers them). Tickets are available for purchase in 30 minute, 90 minute, 24 hour and 72 hour blocks of time. Once you get on the train, you will be expected to validate your ticket by inserting it into one of the machines. Prague’s transportation system runs on the honour system, so no one regularly checks tickets, but you are expected to pay your fare.  Keep in mind that there are random spot checks by undercover transportation agents and it’s just not fun to be caught, fined and kicked off a tram, so best be on the safe side and buy a ticket. Note: If you are travel ling during the hotter months, trams are not air-conditioned and body od our can be overpowering at times.

I had my best night’s sleep at: I live in Prague and have not personally stayed in a hotel in the city, but I have sent several guests to the following spots (all of which received good reviews): The Augustine Hotel — a luxury hotel located in a former converted monastery with a brewery and an excellent spa in the basement; The Icon Hotel — a modern boutique hotel with large rooms and a restaurant on the main floor known for its hamburgers; Andel’s Hotel — good location that appeals to a business clientele and has good service with a bright and welcoming interior design.

The meal at this local eatery had me salivating for days: Prague is known for many things, but a culinary destination is not one of them; unless of course you consider beer and beer-related cuisine to be things that will make you salivate. Personally, I don’t know if I would go so far as to say that any meal in particular has left me salivating for days, but I have found some decent spots for food. For something offbeat and different, I would go to Luka Lu in Mala Strana for Balkan food. Luka Lu has lots of grilled meats, fish, salads, Balkan cheeses and excellent bread. If you are looking for Italian, I would go to Aromi in Vinohrady, which is known for its pasta and fish. For soup, a Czech staple, I love Polevkarna, a tiny soup “kitchen” in Karlin that serves up a solid rotation of vegetarian and meat-based soups. Finally, for something more sophisticated and experiential, try the tasting menu at Sansho, one of Prague’s highly regarded restaurants serving Asian cuisine in tapas style (meant to share). One newcomer to the restaurant scene that I highly recommend is Essence Restaurant located in Zizkov (Prague 3).  Essence has a bit of everything on its menu, a modern interior, great service (an anomaly in the city) and an eager chef who aims to please.

Best place to find artisan handicrafts:  The Czech design scene continues to grow in choice and popularity year after year. Strong suits in this city lie in ceramic and glass/crystal pieces. If you can time your trip when Designblok (October) or Design Supermarket (December) are happening, you will be sure to discover some of Prague’s best up and coming and established industrial designers. Otherwise, I would recommend visiting Artel (crystal/glass), Qubus(ceramic), Batusek (ceramic), the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art shop, de-sign.cz (ceramic + jewelry + fashion) and Manufaktura (ceramic, wood).

Local celebration not to be missed: Prague’s Christmas markets, which pop up all over the city in December, are so much fun! They are great places to try local holiday foods and pastries, drink honey wine, and shop for small gifts such as wooden toys or kitchen items, glassware, cookie cutters, ornaments and other fun trinkets.

Favorite pastimes: I would say most people come to Prague to party.  However the city offers much more than its vibrant night scene. The city offers wonderful classical music and opera, concerts (a lot of big names pass through Prague), film festivals, and miles of running trails and bike paths.

For a more bucolic/green setting I escape here: Stromovka Park, located in Prague 7. It is one of the larger parks in the city and is a favourite among the local community. Stromovka Park used to be the Royal Hunting Grounds for Ottokar II, the King of Bohemia in 1268.  Today it is no longer a hunting ground but still has beautiful ponds, trails and trees and is used for its running and in-line skating paths. It is a green space perfect to take the dogs and/or kids to picnic, feed the ducks or just relax. When you are in Stromovka, you get the feeling you are sitting in a special place.

The art/music scene is alive and well here: Prague is a great city for music. Everywhere you go you will see posters and flyers advertising concerts, bands, DJs and festivals. When in doubt, walk to a tram or metro stop to read the posters plastered on the billboards, or pick up a copy of the Prague Post newspaper or go to a website such as Expats.cz, which has both a listings section on what’s playing and who’s in town.  The art scene is not as established as some of the other major European cities but DOX Contemporary Art Gallery and the Museum of Young Art both have interesting contemporary exhibits.

Where the locals get tipsy: This city is certainly not short on bars or beer. When I first arrived in Prague, all I could smell was beer wafting out the doors of the numerous pubs. People drink all the time, as alcohol is accessible throughout the city’s vast network of pubs, bars, clubs, restaurants and cafes. If I had to choose, I would suggest checking out Lokal, U Fleku (a brewery and a restaurant), the Letna Park beer garden and Hemingway Bar and Tretter’s Club for a serious mix of cocktails.

Most ludicrous stereotype about the people here: Czech people are miserable and don’t smile. I hate stereotypes and hear this one all the time. I think, in comparison to other cultures, Czech people might be more reserved towards foreigners, but that does not warrant the stereotype of “miserable." It takes time to make friends and meet people in any new city, but everywhere you go, it is common practice to greet people “dobry den” (hello) and “na sheldanou” (goodbye). As a tourist, get in the habit of learning these two simple phrases. Try greeting people in shops, in apartment building elevators, in restaurants, and in museums. As a local, I certainly appreciate this polite formality of hello and goodbye as I go about my day.

If I had only 24 hours to explore Prague I would:  If I only had 24 hours to explore Prague, I would start my day off at Muj Salek Kavy (Karlin) for breakfast and have the BEST coffee in the city. Then I would make my way over to the Kubista gallery to check out their collection of art deco and cubism work. Next, for a pick me up, I would walk over to Wenceslas Square and duck into Dobra Cajovna, a well-known tea house that is tucked away in an alley off the main strip.  Recharged, I would take a tram across the water and walk from Mala Strana up to the castle through the narrow streets taking in the sights. Once back down from the castle, I would go to Cukr Kava Limonada (Mala Strana) for lunch (it’s an adorable café with a sizeable menu of salads, sandwiches, pastries and fresh juices). Following lunch, I would cross back over the bridge and wander around Old Town and the Jewish area (the Spanish Synagogue is a must), and perhaps meander down Parizska Street for some window-shopping. After all this walking, I would step into the closest Thai Massage parlor (literally all over the city) and get some reflexology or a full body massage. For dinner, I would go to Essence in Zizkov followed by some wine at Veltlin (Karlin), a wine bar themed on growing regions from the former Hapsburg Empire.

Originally from Toronto, Canada, Sarah caught the travel bug early on and has had the opportunity to live in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, New York and now Prague. In Prague, she teaches several marketing classes at Prague College’s business school, blogs about design-inspired travel on Lamb411 and recently launched Countlan, a quarterly digital magazine dedicated to exploring how people all over the world entertain at home.

SEE ALSO: A Local's Guide To Shanghai

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From fresh, crunchy locusts to eggs hard-boiled in urine, cultural ideas about what constitutes a delicacy vary drastically by region.

But the world is getting smaller, and ideas about what's acceptable to eat are changing. The U.N. recently told people to suck it up and learn to eat bugs, which are filled with protein and fiber.

And in the wake of the January's horse meat scandal in the U.K., many people wondered aloud: Why don't we eat horses when we eat cows and other similar mammals?

We found 18 amazing pictures of some of the most extreme cuisines from around the world, and it turns out that people living in Western nations are pretty picky when it comes to what they will and won't put on their plates.

Be warned: Some photos are not for the faint of heart (or stomach).

A woman drops a skinned frog into a blender in Peru. Some Peruvians believe that frog juice or "extracto de rana" can be a powerful aphrodisiac.

Source: Reuters

A butcher in Bolivia slices into a boiled sheep's head. Sheep's head soup is a popular dish in Bolivia.

Source: Reuters

A worker cuts up a roasted cat in the back room of a restaurant in the Ivory Coast. Cat meat is a traditional food in much of Africa and Asia.

Source: Reuters

MONTROUIS, Haiti (AP) — The Club Indigo beach resort north of the Haiti capital was crowded with U.N. peacekeepers, aid workers, diplomats and missionaries on a recent Sunday. But the only real, live tourists seemed to be Anne Fournier and her husband.

The young couple from Montreal is a rarity in this afflicted country. Crime, health scares, hurricanes and the monster earthquake of January 2010 have badly damaged the tourism that was once a mainstay of the Haitian economy, attracting the likes of Mick Jagger and Jackie Onassis.

Now the government is pinning its hopes on a surge of private investment in hotels and resorts, plus a Venezuelan-financed $13.2 million airport and new infrastructure on the southern island of Ile-a-Vache, and an $8 million development of the historic coastal town of Jacmel.

The Tourism Ministry's budget has more than doubled. Under the previous government it was $2 million plus a $1 million loan from Venezuela's PetroCaribe oil fund. Now it's $4.7 million, and Petrocaribe is paying $27 million to finance development on projects that include Ile-a-Vache and in Jacmel.

It says it has signed off on 15-year tax breaks and exemptions from import duties for 11 hotel and resort projects costing a total of $160 million, with nearly $100 million more in the pipeline or completed. It's also training a force of 53 "tourism police officers" who will learn Spanish and English and be trained in first aid and customer service.

While many in Haiti welcome anything that can create jobs, some worry that the country isn't ready for a tourist invasion. For one thing, the Tourism Ministry says it has only 3,200 hotel rooms. For another, medical services are woefully lacking, a point underscored in U.S. and Canadian travel advisories.

The government hopes to double the number of hotel rooms in two years. But the critics say Haiti first has to improve its infrastructure.

Sen. Francois Anick Joseph said the country needs paved roads, drinking water and reliable electricity. "There are a lot of things that need to be done before we can attract tourists," he said in a telephone interview.

Tourism Minister Stephanie Villedrouin says Haiti has to stand on its own feet. "If we want to be a sovereign country, if we don't want to depend on other countries, we need to figure out ourselves how to move forward and how to get revenue, and tourism must be no.1 on the list."

Each hotel room built creates two jobs and four indirect jobs, she said.

Officials say the tourism push will create more than 1,600 direct jobs and 6,500 indirect jobs. Tourism generated $200 million last year, Villedrouin said. The country's entire budget is $3 billion.

Haiti was once a haunt of the rich and famous who came in search of late-night Voodoo ceremonies and rum-fueled revelry. But an AIDS scare in the early 1980s sent the tourists packing, and years of political instability continued to keep them away. Officials say the 2010 earthquake killed 316,000 people, and a cholera outbreak nine months later took more than 7,750 lives.

Last year the U.S. State Department designated Haiti a "major drug trafficking country." Meanwhile, the country faces tough competition from Caribbean neighbors offering cheaper holiday deals.

Today, the only mass tourism — 600,000 a year, according to Villedrouin — comes from cruise ships stopping at Labadie on the north coast where passengers can frolic for a few hours in a fenced-in resort.

Villedrouin couldn't say how many other tourists came on longer stays last year.

Air Transat, a Canadian charter carrier, flies weekly between Montreal and Port-au-Prince, and says it has brought in 120 tourists this year on holiday packages in Haiti costing $1,399 to $1,600.

At the beach in the town of Montrouis, 60 kilometers (38 miles) north of the capital, Fournier sipped juice from a coconut while relaxing with her husband, Sadrack Duclair, under the straw-hut canopy. Earlier, they had hired a car and driver to show them around.

"I knew coming here that it was going to be a big adventure," said 28-year-old Duclair, who left Haiti as a child and last visited in 1999. "I think it began at the airport, the first day. After that I was like, Haiti!"

Fournier, 26, said the tourist shortage has its advantages.

"You can tell that the tourism isn't very developed yet, and that's the big charm of it," she said. "Everything is an adventure here."

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Trenton Daniel on Twitter: http://twitter.com/trentondaniel.

SEE ALSO: 35 Beaches You Should Visit In Your Lifetime

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Zaha Hadid is no stranger to the marriage of architecture and fashion.

She’s designed runways for Chanel, shoes for Lacoste, and was even named Woman of the Year by Glamour Magazine in 2012.

On her quest to feed a constant desire for experimentation and innovation, she has turned to the world of smaller-scale objects in order to work out new fabrication techniques and possibly even redefine formal relationships.

Her latest foray into fashion—designing shoes in collaboration with Rem D. Koolhaas’s brand United Nude— brings her architectural style to the feet of ladies willing to shell out $2,000 USD for a pair of daring, cantilevered heels.

Launched July 4 at United Nude’s Paris store, the nOVa shoe draws on structural principles, letting it stagger over a height of 16cm (6.25 in) and creating the illusion of an “unsupported” high-heel.

United Nude claims that the digitally-designed footwear (made of vinyl, rubber, fiberglass and leather) is not only comfortable but revolutionary: “the NOVA is the first shoe in history to employ rotation molding, which is the only molding technique that allows for such a smooth and seamless result.”

On her collaboration with “the original shoe architect,” Rem D Koolhaas, Hadid says, “I have always appreciated those who dare to experiment with materials and proportions. Our collaboration with United Nude reinterprets the classic shoe typology; pushing the boundaries of what is possible without compromising integrity.” You can pre-order the limited-edition shoes on United Nude’s site.

SEE ALSO: The Otherworldly Architecture Of Zaha Hadid

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