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This Startup Is Designing Out-Of-This-World Office Spaces For NYC's Hottest Tech Companies

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Softbank office

It's no secret that working at a startup can come with enviable perks, including some really cool work environments

A startup called Homepolish aims to take work spaces to the next level, and it's starting to grab the attention of other startups, thanks to their unique vibe and unconventional pricing.

Interior designer Noa Santos and former Buzzfeed coder Will Nathan founded Homepolish in January 2013, hoping to make interior design more accessible and transparent. Unlike traditional designers, Homepolish doesn't charge commission, which means that their services go at about a third of the industry rate. 

"The industry standard is to take almost every client over budget," Santos said to Business Insider. "The whole idea is that when you're not working on commission, your incentive is to get the best deal for your client."

Initial consultations with senior Homepolish designers cost $80, or $50 to consult with junior designers. After that initial meeting, hourly rates run at $130 and $100, respectively. Fueled Collective office

Though they also work with individuals, Homepolish has designed offices for 80 startups in just a year of business, including GILT, NewsCred, Bark & Co., and Venmo.

"I think the reason it's caught on is that startups, like savvy clients in general, don't mind paying, but they want to know what they're paying for," Santos said. "We've had startups come to us saying, 'We move in in three weeks. Will you help us?'" 

According to Santos, designing for a startup requires a completely different approach. 

"I think the biggest factor is that the startup work environment can be somewhat unstructured in the sense that startups want their employees to work as much as possible, but be productive and happy," Santos said. "That might not mean sitting in a desk chair." 

For many startup offices, it means mimicking home environments so that employees will want to spend more time there. At Venmo, for example, couches, stadium seating, and private music rooms are so comfortable that employees sometimes go there over the weekend just to hang out. Venmo stadium seating

When envisioning a space, the designers usually start out by gathering information about the company's style preferences, asking employees if they work in groups, and of what size.

Groups of two or three tend to benefit from having smaller meeting rooms and individual breakout areas. For companies that work in groups of five or 10 (or more), the team tries to add large living areas with couches or even a bar where they can get a round of drinks.  Betterment kitchen

The competition for cool office space can get a little heated among startups. 

Codecademy nap room"I think most startups want a little bit of crazy in their office," Santos said. "One thing I think is really interesting that's happening in the startup community is that offices are a recruiting tool. Ultimately they want to have certain things that other startups don't have."

Hidden rooms accessible through secret entry points like armoires or bookcases have become especially popular. At Codecademy, coders who need a break can rest in a nap room revealed behind a bookcase that swings inward from a brick wall.

They can also grab a drink at the 25-foot bar, which Homepolish was able to install for less than $5,000 thanks to discounts they get from using local vendors. 

That left the budget wide open for installing other features, like a snack wall and 20 feet of window seating. 

"We get some pretty interesting ideas, but I think since we're able to do them affordably, startups can trust us," Santos said. 

And it seems no startup office is truly complete without a ping-pong table, though Santos has an explanation for why that is. 

"The only method behind this madness is that when startups start to get too crowded, ping pong tables can be used as work tables, unlike other gaming tables," Santos said. Betterment ping pong tableHomepolish started in Manhattan before spreading to Brooklyn, Long Island, and Westchester. Now they're expanding to Los Angeles, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, where they hope the prevalence of startups and an early adopter culture will make them even more successful. 

"Since Homepolish is really new, some people find that frightening, but San Francisco has a different mentality when it comes to newness," Santos said. "There's a certain social clout to getting on board with a company early."

SEE ALSO: Venmo's Office Space Is So Cool, Staffers Sometimes Hang Out There On Weekends

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Americans Are Still Moving To The Suburbs

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residential neighborhood suburb

Americans still love the suburbs, and are still moving there from big cities.

According to the Census Bureau's most recent release on inter-county migration shows that in some of the nation's largest cities, the trend is to move out to far-flung suburbs. The Census keeps track of population flows between different counties by using data from the 2007-2011 American Community Survey.

Here are the 25 largest net annual population flows — that is, the pairs of counties with the largest number of people moving from the origin to the destination, minus people moving in the other direction: 

For nearly all of these, the move is from a county containing a large city to a nearby, less urbanized county. Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, New York, and Houston all show up more than once — they all have nearby suburban counties with large flows of people going from city to suburb.

The flows that are not going from cities to suburbs are in Southern California, in which people are shuffling between different suburbs of Los Angeles, and New York, which is complicated by the fact that the city itself is made up of five separate counties.

The Census bureau also has a handy mapping tool to see where people are coming and going.  Here's a screengrab.

net migration

SEE ALSO: These Maps Show The Geography Of Interracial Marriage

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The 26 Coolest Small Businesses In Denver

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Denver Patio Ride pub crawlLike its residents, the small businesses of Denver are pretty cool.

They're finding clever new ways to bring a unique, local flavor to the city's food, retail, and services businesses.

The aptly named Mile High City is also a pioneer, sparking debate and new ways of thinking about America's drug culture. On January 1 it became legal to buy marijuana in Colorado without a prescription, which has inspired a growing number of cannabis-friendly companies and services.

From food trucks to barbershops, Denver's laid-back attitude is exemplified in its small businesses.

Atomic Cowboy/Denver Biscuit Co./Fat Sully's Pizza

3237 E. Colfax Avenue and 141 S. Broadway

What it is: A split personality bar/biscuit joint/pizzeria.

Why it's cool: Satisfying all your needs under one roof, Atomic Cowboy opens at 8 a.m. and starts serving "Denver's Best Bloody Mary" until the moment they close. But from opening until 2 p.m., customers can also enjoy crazy biscuit creations made by their "morning personality," the Denver Biscuit Company.

Then from 11 a.m. until close they become Fat Sully's Pizza and serve ultra-large New York-style pies, while Atomic Cowboy's happy hour goes on from 4-7 p.m. Now operating from two locations in Denver, guests can enjoy all three personalities from each.



Brown Palace Hotel

321 17th Street

What it is: An elegant Denver hotel with its own honey bee hives on the roof.

Why it's cool: The Brown Palace Hotel has been a beloved landmark in downtown Denver since it was built in 1892. With its sky-high, cathedralesque atrium lobby and detailed architecture, the Brown Palace Hotel is best known for the bee hives on the roof that supply the honey that sweetens the hotel's baked goods served at its famous afternoon tea. The hotel also has an artesian well that supplies water for the entire hotel.



Craftsy

Online, based in Denver

What it is: An online community for crafters.

Why it's cool: Craftsy offers step-by-step instructions and patterns for craft projects of all kinds, and sells the supplies you need to make them. They also offer online video classes, taught by expert instructors, on everything from cake-decorating to knitting to quilting, with close-up instructions in the virtual classroom and Q&A sessions with the teachers.



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GoPro Video Shows Russian Daredevils Climbing The World's Second Tallest Building Without Equipment

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teens climb shanghai tower vertigo

Teens in Eastern Europe have been making headlines recently for their death-defying (and vertigo-inducing) videos and pictures.

This one, by two Russian daredevils named Vitaliy Raskalov and Vadim Makhorov, might be the scariest yet.

Posted on Reddit by user Vintage_Milk (and first found via Daily Picks and Flicks), the video shows the teens climbing the second tallest building in the world: the Shanghai Tower in China, which is still under construction and will stand at over 2,000 feet tall.

The truly dizzying heights start around the 3-minute mark, and then get terrifying at 4 minutes.

SEE ALSO: A Ukrainian Daredevil Defies Death In These Crazy Photos

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Video Shows The Moment A Bunch OF Rare Corvettes Plunged Into A Sinkhole

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Early Wednesday morning, a sinkhole opened under the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ky, swallowing eight classic cars. No humans were hurt.

The museum has released security footage that shows the Earth stealing some of mankind's best creations. The first chunk of floor disappears about 13 seconds into the video, and things get crazy after 30 seconds in:

These are the damaged cars:

  • 1993 ZR-1 Spyder
  • 2009 ZR1 Blue Devil
  • 1962 black Corvette
  • 1984 PPG Pace Car
  • 1992 White 1 Millionth Corvette
  • 1993 Ruby Red 40th Anniversary Corvette
  • 2001 Mallett Hammer Z06 Corvette
  • 2009 white 1.5 Millionth Corvette.

And here's a photo from a few hours later, courtesy of the museum:

corvette museum

SEE ALSO: Things Got Crazy When 1,000 Motorcycle Riders Met On A French Beach For A Winter Race

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A Single Guy Quit His Job And Spent A Year Interviewing Couples In Love — This Is The Best Relationship Advice He Learned

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kissing, dating, couple

Nate Bagley says he was sick of hearing love stories that fell into one of two categories — scandal and divorce, and unrealistic fairytale.

So he started a Kickstarter and used his life savings to tour the country and interview couples in happy, long-term relationships.

He then took to Reddit's /r/IAmA to share what he learned (just in time for Valentine's Day), and to post podcasts of the couples' journeys and advice.

"I've interviewed gay couples, straight couples, rich couples, poor couples, religious couples, atheist couples, couples who have been together for a short time, and couples who have been together for over 70 years," he said in his Ask Me Anything. "I've even interviewed couples in arranged marriages and polygamous couples."

He now hopes to make a documentary from the interviews, and has many of them already uploaded on his website, The Loveumentary. This is some of the best advice that he shared with Reddit:

On the key things that make a relationship successful:

"This was actually one of the most surprising things I learned on the journey.

Self Love: The happiest couples always consisted of two (sometimes more) emotionally healthy and independently happy individuals. These people practiced self-love. They treated themselves with the same type of care that they treated their partner... or at least they tried to.

Emotionally healthy people know how to forgive, they are able to acknowledge their part in any disagreement or conflict and take responsibility for it. They are self-aware enough to be assertive, to pull their weight, and to give love when it's most difficult.

Commitment: After that emotional health came an unquestioning level of commitment. The happiest couples knew that if shit got real, their significant other wasn't going to walk out on them. They knew that even if things got hard - no, especially if things got hard — they were better off together. The sum of the parts is greater than the whole.

Trust: Happy couples trust each other... and they have earned each others' trust. They don't worry about the other person trying to undermine them or sabotage them, because they've proven over and over again that they are each other's biggest advocate. That trust is built through actions, not words. It's day after day after day of fidelity, service, emotional security, reliability.

Establish that foundation, and you're in good shape.

Intentionality: This is the icing on the cake. There's a difference between the couple who drives through the rainstorm and the couple who pulls their car to the side of the road to make out in the rain. (Yes, that's a true story.) There's a difference between the couple who kisses for 10 seconds or longer when they say goodbye to each other rather than just giving each other a peck... or nothing at all. There's a difference between the couples who encourage each other to pursue their personal goals at the expense of their own discomfort or inconvenience... even if it means their partner has to stage kiss another woman.

The couples who try on a daily basis to experience some sort of meaningful connection, or create a fun memory are the couples who shattered my perception of what was possible in a loving relationship."

On the best advice he was given:

"One woman in Georgia gave some pretty amazing advice. She and and her husband have been married for over 60 years, and after being asked what her best relationship advice would be, she paused and said...

'Don't be afraid to be the one who loves the most.'"

old couple ford model tOn the best way to solve disagreements:

"Resolving disagreements was one of the topics that came up the most.

Here's what I learned:

Don't Fight To Win: A huge number of couples talked about how they didn't fight against each other. I mean, if you're in love, you should be playing for the same team. Your goal should be to resolve the issue, not to emerge victorious over the love of your life... and let's be honest, you just feel guilty when you win anyway.

Seek to Understand: If you're having a hard time playing on the same team, stop fighting and instead try to understand why your partner is upset. Typically what's being talked about isn't the real issue. People are inherently bad at being vulnerable, especially in threatening situations. Be willing to ask sincere questions. Let the answers sink in. If she is complaining that you're spending too much time at work, maybe the real issue is that she misses you, and wants to feel connected with you. Rather than arguing about how you're providing for the family, and she needs to respect how hard you work, try to listen to what she's really saying. Then hold her. Come home early one day, and surprise her with a date, or some special one-on-one time. Reassure her that she, and your relationship, are a priority for you. If you don't want that same issue to arise again, keep investing in the solution.

Just Be Nice To Each Other Seriously. Don't be a jerk. Don't call names. Don't take jabs. Don't try to hurt the other person. Argue naked if it helps... but just be kind and civil ad respectful. It will prevent so many bad things from happening."

And his favorite quote from all the interviews:

"At the end of Ty’s life, I want him to be able to say, 'Terri was the greatest earthly blessing in my life — the best thing that ever happened to me — and that I’m a better man because of how she loved me.' And that’s the goal that I live with every day. That’s how I want to love this man."

Read the entire Reddit AMA here.


NOW WATCH: Dr. Oz's 3 Health Tips For A Happier And Longer Life

 

SEE ALSO: The Most Romantic Restaurants In 15 Big Cities Around The US

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What It's Like To Rent A Boyfriend In China

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Alibaba rent a boyfriend

Single women in China are under such intense pressure to find a mate that some are resorting to renting "boyfriends" online to accompany them on dates and trips to see their families. 

On Taobao, China's biggest online marketplace, women can choose from hundreds of temporary companions and reserve them for hours or days at a time at a time by paying a deposit.

Melanie Lee, a news blogger for Alibaba— which owns Taobao — recently decided to give the service a try, and she shared her experience via email with Business Insider.

After scanning her options online, Lee said she paid 1,500 yuan ($264) for her day-long date. During the outing, her hired boyfriend told her all about his odd clients — who have apparently included "gangsters" looking for someone "harmless" to entertain their mistresses.

His price, "which is more than the average monthly income for a Chinese family, would buy his undivided attention for a day," she said. "Kissing, hand-holding, and other dodgy physical contact not included."

They decided to meet at the Hangzhou East Railway Station, and Lee said she initially feared he might be a serial killer.

Here's a photo of the first meeting. Lee has covered his face to protect his privacy:

Alibaba rent a boyfriend"He said he was tall, university-educated and good with parents, but I couldn’t help but wonder how presentable he would be," Lee said. "I was nervous. After I spotted him and we chatted for a minute, I could see how parents might like him. He was unassuming and average-looking. To me he looked like he could be the world’s nicest guy, or canniest serial killer."

Lee had arranged for a daylong tour of the city of Hangzhou. Inside a taxi, "we sat as far apart as possible as I hadn’t quite let go of the serial-killer thought," she said.

Here they are in the car:

Alibaba rent a boyfriendThen her date revealed a bit about his life as a hired boyfriend. She didn't tell us his name to protect his privacy. 

"My date (we’ll call him Zhang) is nearly 30," she said. "He tells me he is usually hired by older single women to ward off the merciless harangues of family. Sometimes, he stands in for actual boyfriends, married guys or gangsters in need of someone harmless to look after their mistresses in their absence."

Zhang said he's usually briefed by clients a few days before a date on what kind of companion he should be.

"He could be a rich businessman from a coal mining town or a food delivery boy from Shanghai," Lee said. "Either way, Zhang said the most important thing was to make the character believable."

Here they are on a boat tour:

Alibaba rent a boyfriendLee said she expected Zhang to be charming, but described him as "diffident" and "detached." 

"He told me he entered China’s lifestyle services industry because the job pays the bills, requires little skill and allows him to travel on someone else’s dime — an explanation little different from that of the average drug mule."

After the boat ride, Zhang displayed some brief intimacy but putting his arm around Lee for this photo:

Alibaba rent a boyfriendAfter lunch, the "couple" headed to Lingyin Temple, a Buddhist temple located in the tea fields of Longjin Village.

There, he explained some of the disadvantages of being a bachelor in a country with a predominantly male population. 

"Men are expected to have a lot of money before they start the search for a wife and women face a lot of pressure to get married young," Zhang said, according to Lee. "If you are like me, nearly 30 with not a lot of money, your chances to marry soon are low."

"I began to wonder if he was expecting a big tip," remarked Lee.

Alibaba rent a boyfriendAbout four hours into the excursion, Lee said conversation stalled and they began texting friends, "just like a real date."

But he eventually opened up about his dating history over an ice cream chocolate fondue, Lee said.

Alibaba rent a boyfriendHe said his only serious relationship ended after he lost his savings in the Shanghai stock market and he's not expecting to find anyone to date in his current job. None of his clients would take him seriously because of his social status, he said.

Shortly thereafter, the date ended on Heng Feng Street in Hangzhou.

Alibaba rent a boyfriend"It’s here that I paid Zhang for his time and we parted," Lee said. "He counted the money methodically and wished me a good life in a businesslike manner. Zhang wasn’t too charming or chatty on this date but he has provided me insight into the broad pressures facing young Chinese people as they search for love whilst juggling immense familial and societal pressure. I wished him all the best and told him I hoped he found love soon."

Here they are parting ways:

Alibaba rent a boyfriend

SEE ALSO: China's Biggest Online Retailer Has A 'Rent A Boyfriend' Section — Here's What You'll Find There

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8 Surprising Facts About The $17 Billion Valentine's Day Industry

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victoria secret fashion show 2012, armory, bi, dng, lingerie, models, cute, attractive, hot, beautiful, sexy, underwear, modelAmericans will spend $17.3 billion on Valentine's Day gifts this year, according to the National Retail Federation

We compiled some surprising facts about gifting during the romantic holiday. 

  • Men have higher expectations than women. Men expect their partner will spend $230 on a gift for them, while women only expect $196, according to a survey by Chase bank. 

  • Consumers spend an average of $135.10 on Valentine's Day gifts. That's up 4% from last year, according to a study by IBISWorld. 

  • Married couples don't try as hard. Dating or engaged couples spend $20 to $30 more than married couples, according to a study by Big Research. 

  • A ton of people don't spend anything for Valentine's Day. About 18% of people in relationships surveyed by RetailMeNot were planning on spending $0 on their partner. 

  • Most people are pleased with the gifts they receive. RetailMeNot reports that 63% of people thought their significant other was a "great gift-giver." 

  • Impractical gifts still rule. About half of Valentine's Day customers will buy candy, 37% will give their partner flowers, and 19% will purchase jewelry, according to the National Retail Federation. Practical gifts like clothes or electronics were less popular. 

  • Men spend twice as much as women. Men spend $108.38 on gifts, whereas women shell out $49.41, according to the National Retail Federation. 

  • Popular gifts like jewelry and lingerie are actually cheaper in February. According to DealNews, major retailers discount these items in order to get customers in stores. 

Still need to go shopping? Here Are Valentine's Day Gifts Your Sweetheart Will Actually Appreciate

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This Pit Bull Can Do Awesome Tricks

What Life Is Like In Williston, The North Dakota Oil Boomtown Where Tiny Apartments Top $2,000 A Month

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No Women In Williston, North Dakota

Ten years ago Williston, North Dakota was a quiet agricultural town with a population of around 12,000.

Now, oil prices and drilling advancements have turned Williston into one of America's biggest oil boomtowns, pushing its population to over 30,000.

The influx of workers has caused apartment rents to skyrocket. According to Apartment Guide, it's now the most expensive place in America to rent an entry-level apartment, with 700-square-foot, one-bedroom, one-bath apartments topping $2,000 a month. That's more than a similar apartment would go for in New York or San Francisco

Simply put, there aren't enough apartments to meet demand from workers arriving in town, many of whom are lured by six-figure salaries. 

And these workers aren't paying top dollar for ultra-luxury buildings with fancy amenities. According to Apartment Guide, many new buildings feature mudrooms in the front, where workers can remove their dirty shoes and overcoats. Even trailers are expensive. The ratio of men to women in Williston is about 12 to 1.

We visited Williston in March 2012 to see how the oil boom was changing the once-sleepy town. Click through to see what life is like in what is now America's most expensive town.

Julie Zeveloff contributed to this article.

Williston, North Dakota is in the Northwestern portion of the state, not far from Montana and Canada.



The town happens to sit in the center of the large Bakken oil formation — 640 square miles of oil, holding up to 34 billion barrels.



Recent advancements in fracking allow operators to go deeper, more precisely than ever before.



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HOUSE OF THE DAY: Real Estate Mogul Now Trying To Sell His Insanely Ornate California Mansion For A Discounted $68.8 Million

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calfiornia $78.8 million house

A real estate mogul is having a tough time unloading his insanely ornate, 47,000-square-foot mansion in Bradbury, Calif.

According to Curbed, the owner, Don G. Abbey of the Abbey Company, chopped the price on the home from $78.8 million to $68.8 million when it failed to sell after a year on the market.

The house is a newly built Mediterranean-style mansion that took eight years to complete. It sits on eight acres, and has five bedrooms and 10 bathrooms.

Over-the-top perks include a two-story great room, two-story library with marble floors, a cross-shaped infinity pool, tennis court, guest house, and trout pond.

Meredith Galante contributed to this article.

Welcome to 91008, one of the most expensive zip codes in the country.



The home has a covered walkway, so guests won't get wet.



We love the chiseled columns leading up to the front door.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider
    






We Were Blown Away By The 'Miracle' Berry That Makes You Want To Eat A Whole Lime

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"Oh my god!" — That was the reaction we got from transportation reporter Alex Davies when he bit into a lime 15 minutes after taking a Miracle Berry tablet

The tablet, also known as mBerry, consists of powder from a West African fruit called Synsepalum dulcificum, or miracle fruit. When consumed, the berry alters your taste buds in a way that sour foods become extremely sweet.

It's a truly mind-boggling experience. Watch and see for yourself how it all works.

Produced by Will Wei. Additional camera by Justin Gmoser.

Music: "Guilty Pleasures" by Igor Dvorkin, Duncan Pittock, & Ellie Kidd

NOW WATCH: Sitting At Work Is Deadly, So We Tried A Treadmill Desk

Follow BI Video: On Facebook

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Charming 102-Year-Old Typographist Explains Why English Makes Absolutely No Sense

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Edward Rondthaler, who died in 2009 at 104 years old, spent his life trying to tame 26 ruffians — the letters of the alphabet. 

Rondthaler, a famous typographist, wanted English to adopt phonetic spelling, or the spelling of words exactly as they sound. As chairman of the American Literacy Council, he had some pull — but apparently not enough to change the way we spell English during his long life.

Some people consider English one of the most difficult languages to learn. But Rondthaler argued that writing English phonetically would promote literacy and increase foreigners' access to dense literature, like John Keat's "Ode to a Nightingale" (or rather, "Oed to a Nietingael"), according to his New York Times obituary.

Even if the thought of phonetic spelling makes you cringe, we can all agree our language contains some idiosyncrasies. Check out these GIFs of Rondthaler, at 102, explaining the most egregious examples.

First of all, "bomb" doesn't rhyme with "tomb."

bomb tomb Rondthaler

And "tomb" doesn't rhyme with "comb." At this point, by switching just three letters ("c," "t," and "b"), Rondthaler changed the vowel sound three times.

tomb comb Rondthaler

Logically, we should spell "home" as "homb" because of "comb." We don't.

comb homb Rondthaler

We change the "b" to an "e."

homb home Rondthaler

And then "home" doesn't rhyme with "some."

home some Rondthaler

Following that, we should spell "numb" as "nome" because of "some." Nope.

some nome Rondthaler

Instead, we change two letters — the "o" to a "u" and the "e" to a "b."

nome numb Rondthaler 

As another example of English's confusing sounds, consider the word "ghoti," which could technically spell "fish." Use the "gh" sound in "tough," the "o" sound from "women," and the "ti" sound from "nation"  — and you get the word fish from "ghoti."

Watch Rondthaler's full video here:

SEE ALSO: The Historical Origins Of 6 Swear Words

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MAP: The Most Expensive Places To Rent An Apartment In The US

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Here's a reason to stop complaining about the rent on your New York apartment.

According to apartment-finding website Apartment Guide, Williston, North Dakota, an oil town that's seen explosive growth in the last few years, was the most expensive place in the country to rent an entry-level apartment.

The company looked at the average cheapest rent price for every town in the U.S. on December 31, 2013, meaning it took the price of each apartment community's least expensive floor plan and averaged them for each Core Based Statistical Area (CBSA).

According to Apartment Guide, a 700 square-foot, one bedroom apartment in Williston can cost upwards of $2,000 a month — more than many apartments in New York or San Francisco.

These 10 cities topped the list, with average monthly rents for entry-level apartments:

1. Williston, ND ($2,394)

2. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($1,881)

3. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($1,776)

4. Dickinson, ND ($1,733)

5. Key West, FL ($1,640)

6. Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH ($1,537)

7. New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA ($1,504)

8. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA ($1,411)

9. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($1,387)

10. Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Goleta, CA ($1,346)

Hover over the interactive map to see all the regions included in Apartment Guide's results, or visit Apartment Guide for the full report.

SEE ALSO: What Life Is Like In Williston, The North Dakota Oil Boomtown Where Tiny Apartments Top $2,000 A Month

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Tour Hong Kong's Awesome Airport, Home To A 9-Hole Golf Course And An IMAX Theater

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hong kong international airport terminalHong Kong International isn't just one of the busiest airports on the planet for people and cargo; it's a giant entertainment complex as well.

Home to the largest IMAX screen in Hong Kong and a nine-hole golf course, this airport has earned its spot on 55 "best" lists for cleanliness, shopping, dining, and atmosphere.

So we weren't shocked when Vice President Biden recently visited the airport and said it makes New York's LaGuardia feel like a "third world country."

And it's getting even better: The airport is undergoing a $136.2 billion dollar expansion scheduled for completion in 2030.

The airport opened in 1998 on the island of Chek Lap Kok and replaced one of the world's most notorious airport runways, Kai Tak International — which was nestled among skyscrapers and mountains.

 



It connects more than 100 airlines to about 180 locations worldwide, including 44 destinations on the Chinese mainland.



If you happen to have a long layover ...



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12 Awesome Gifts Ideas That Appeared On 'Shark Tank'

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shark tank

ABC's reality pitch show "Shark Tank" isn't all about drama and suspense — it's also about neat inventions.

Throughout the show's five seasons, the Sharks have seen some impressive pitches with products that have gone on to do quite well.

Some of the best pitches are products that "appeal to the masses," Andrew Figgins, a Chicago-based entrepreneur and owner of the fan site InTheSharkTank.com, recently told Business Insider. 

The following "Shark Tank"-approved items (all were picked up by Sharks on the show) are certainly appealing, and would make fantastic gifts for the "Shark Tank" fan in your life.

To keep their memories close, buy a subscription to GrooveBook.

In Season 5, Mark Cuban and Kevin O'Leary invested in GrooveBook, which sends users a booklet of 100 photos every month that are printed on special photo paper. With their smartphones, customers can choose which of their photos to print each month, and GrooveBook sends the pictures in the mail is 1o-12 days.

Buy it: $2.99/a month in the Apple store



The 180 Cup is perfect for college students and young professionals.

In Season 5, Daymond John almost didn't invest in these multi-use cups that function as both a beer cup and shot glass. He ended up making a deal though, much to the delight of the founder and college students everywhere. These cups are stackable, disposable, and built tough enough to handle any drinking game.

Buy it: Pack of 50 cups for $10 on Amazon



Travelers can shut out unwanted light with the Hoodie Pillow.

The Hoodie Pillow is an all-in-one neck pillow, sleep mask, and ear warmer that Robert Herjevic invested in during Season 4. The neck pillow will keep you from falling onto your neighbor's shoulder on a long bus ride or flight, and when you need some shut-eye, just pull the drawstrings so that the hood tightens and shuts out the light.

Buy it: $20



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How One Woman Built Manhattan's Most Exclusive Millionaires' Club From Scratch

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jennie enterprise

"This was a piece of dirt," Jennie Enterprise said over lunch in her flawless dining room at Manhattan's CORE: club.

"I found out who owned the dirt."

Since opening in 2005, the CORE: club on East 55th Street has become a gathering space for the world's most transient species — millionaires and billionaires. For them, CORE: is a second home (or office, or gym, or theater, or art gallery, or dining room). It is not a place to merely play squash and see everyone you know; it is a place to conduct the business of life. 

Enterprise, the club's founder, designed it that way. She turned that "piece of dirt," an empty space in Midtown Manhattan, into a stage where the world's dealmakers can play out their own dramas. That's how she tells it.

"Everyone here understands that every moment is a live or die moment," said Enterprise. Her staff is trained to understand how that moment could vary from member to member. 

Hedge fund manager Mark Lasry, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, former Microsoft Chief Technology Officer Nathan Myhrvold all pay the $50,000 initiation fee and $15,000 annual membership fee for access to the club's facilities and its most important resource: its members.

Click here to check out what's inside the CORE: club>

If you meet Enterprise, you get the sense that she could've built the 40-story building (the club takes up six floors, the rest of the highrise houses condos) herself, beam by beam. She has an infectious energy that pushes everything in her presence forward — people, conversations or ideas.

It's probably what drove her, as a 13-year-old from the Bronx, to start a summer tennis camp on Shelter Island as her first job. She made $10,000 in three months.

"To be perfectly candid I wasn't even a particularly good tennis player," she said.

Enterprise broke into the business world in 1991 after cobbling together the people, the dollars, and the plan for what would become The Reebok Club. That's her talent: getting things together and making sure everyone and everything is on the same page.

CORE: club was the perfect outlet for her skills, and it would take every one of them. Enterprise started the project before September 11, 2001, but after that tragedy, funds were scarce. It was a delicate time to approach anyone, especially New York-based investors. 

So Enterprise found a different way to fund the club. "Founding members" committed $100,000 each. She set up a war room where she broke down the world's most successful people into 13 industries, from retail to finance to technology. Regardless of the type of business, the internet was creating a new class of entrepreneur that Enterprise knew would prefer the inertia of a club like CORE: over more traditional establishments.

Then she invited them to her space — a space in which every corner was constructed to serve an architectural purpose. The invitation was hand-delivered in the form of a white box, care of one of the founding members who had connections with those who were invited.

"I knew that if something represented innovation to them, they would pay attention," Enterprise said over a simple plate of scrambled eggs. She had already had a few meetings over meals that day. From her perch in the corner of the dining room, she was as much a part of the scene as she was observing it.  

"I have my finger on the pulse of interesting, accomplished people that are changing the world," said Enterprise.

And in hosting them, she gets to learn from them too. That's what really feeds her.

This is what you see when you walk into the CORE: club.



The screening room is also on the ground floor. Last month, Hank Paulson was there giving a talk about the newest documentary on his role in the financial crisis. Hollywood makes an appearance too. George Clooney and Ed Norton have hosted screenings at CORE:, just to name a few.



The foyer before the screening room. CORE: has a program of 200 different events per year.



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6 Reasons Why Everyone Should Learn Spanish

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carolina zarate

We've read the arguments for learning French, but let's be honest: Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Russian, or any other language with growing global importance would be a better choice.

Spanish may be the best choice of all for a second language, which is why its popularity in schools is soaring worldwide.

Here are some reasons why you should estudiar.

1. Spanish isn't a foreign language anymore.

In the U.S., Spanish is rising ahead of any other non-English language at a rapid pace, with a steady flow of new immigrants from Latin America and growth in the already large Hispanic population. According to a Pew Research Center report, an estimated 37.6 million people in the U.S. speak Spanish as their first language and analysts predict the Latino population will reach approximately 128.8 million by 2060, likely making it the largest Spanish speaking country in the world. Proportionally, Hispanics will rise from around 16% of the U.S. population in 2010 to 30% by 2050. There are countless reasons for wanting to improve communications with such a big portion of the country, including things as simple as expanding your dating pool on OKCupid.

2. Learning Spanish will help your career.

With such a large Latino population in the U.S., employers are desperate for people who speak Spanish. There is a huge demand in the U.S. for Spanish-speakers in nursing, construction management, and media, among many other positions. Big corporations are realizing the importance of reaching a market that will represent $1.5 trillion in purchasing power in the U.S. by 2015.

3. The Hispanic world is only getting more important.

 

Latin America received a record $174 billion of foreign investment in 2012, and companies everywhere are expanding there, such as PepsiCo announcing a $5 billion investment in Mexico.

3. It will help you help you get better service.

It's true, there are lots of Latinos in the service and construction industry. Hispanics in the U.S. accounted for 41% of housekeepers, 58.6% of drywall installers, 44% of grounds maintenance workers, 32% of cooks, 44% of grounds maintenance works, among other overrepresented jobs according to the BLS. Speaking Spanish will help you communicate effectively with these and many other Spanish-speaking workers.

4. It will unlock a world of travel destinations.

There are approximately 329 million native Spanish speakers in the world, and they populate some of the coolest destinations in the world. You can leave behind the touristy resorts in Cancun and explore thousands of miles of cheap and beautiful Latin America cities, beaches, and trails. Venezuela, for instance, has the longest Caribbean sea coastline of any nation and is considered one of the most mega diverse countries on the planet, with more than 40 percent of its territory protected. Even if you do go to popular destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean, speaking the local language will help you get off the beaten path and see some real culture. And then of course you can book a trip to Spain and see the wonders of Barcelona, Madrid, Andalucia and more.

5. You can enjoy amazing books and movies.

Around 100 successful authors from 54 countries voted "El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha" by novelist Miguel de Cervantes as the best book of all time, and while the 17th century book is widely available in other languages, it, like any book, is best in its original language. Other Spanish-language authors you'll want to read are Chilean poet Pablo Neruda — many of whose works have not been translated — Gabriel García Márquez, Roberto Bolaño, Mario Vargas Llosa, and many more. And then there are the movies. Star directors Pedro Almodóvar, Alfonso Cuarón, and Guilermo Del Toro — who all have movies in their native language — should be enough to convince you of the richness of Spanish-language cinema. 

6. Spanish is easy to learn.

Arabic has a completely different alphabet, French spelling and pronunciation is incredibly specific and tricky, and Chinese requires learning unique tones. Written Spanish, on the other hand, is almost completely phonetic — look at any Spanish word, and you can tell how it is pronounced. While mastering the grammar of Spanish can be a challenge, basic grammar is straightforward enough and many vocabulary words are similar to English. Since the number of Spanish speakers in the U.S. continues to rise, chances are it will become even easier to learn and practice this language.

7. Even the British are swapping French for Spanish.

The British Council's “Languages of the Future” report ranks non-English languages in order of importance for British citizens to learn, based on a thorough analysis of cultural, economical, and diplomatic factors. Spanish topped the list, followed by Arabic, French, and Mandarin. If the home territory of the English language — which is located just miles from France and which doesn't even have that many Spanish-speaking immigrants — has decided that Spanish is the best second language, then who are we to argue?

SEE ALSO: 7 Reasons You Should Teach Your Children To Speak French

Join the conversation about this story »


    

7 Reasons Why Everyone Should Really Learn Spanish

0
0

carolina zarate

We've read the arguments for learning French, but let's be honest: Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Russian, or any other language with growing global importance would be a better choice.

Spanish may be the best choice of all for a second language, which is why its popularity in schools is soaring worldwide.

Here are some reasons why you should estudiar.

1. Spanish isn't a foreign language anymore.

In the U.S., Spanish is rising ahead of any other non-English language at a rapid pace, with a steady flow of new immigrants from Latin America and growth in the already large Hispanic population. According to a Pew Research Center report, an estimated 37.6 million people in the U.S. speak Spanish as their first language and analysts predict the Latino population will reach approximately 128.8 million by 2060, likely making it the largest Spanish speaking country in the world. Proportionally, Hispanics will rise from around 16% of the U.S. population in 2010 to 30% by 2050. There are countless reasons for wanting to improve communications with such a big portion of the country, including things as simple as expanding your dating pool on OKCupid.

2. Learning Spanish will help your career.

With such a large Latino population in the U.S., employers are desperate for people who speak Spanish. There is a huge demand in the U.S. for Spanish-speakers in nursing, construction management, and media, among many other positions. Big corporations are realizing the importance of reaching a market that will represent $1.5 trillion in purchasing power in the U.S. by 2015.

3. The Hispanic world is only getting more important.

 

Latin America received a record $174 billion of foreign investment in 2012, and companies everywhere are expanding there, such as PepsiCo announcing a $5 billion investment in Mexico.

3. It will help you help you get better service.

It's true, there are lots of Latinos in the service and construction industry. Hispanics in the U.S. accounted for 41% of housekeepers, 58.6% of drywall installers, 44% of grounds maintenance workers, 32% of cooks, 44% of grounds maintenance works, among other overrepresented jobs according to the BLS. Speaking Spanish will help you communicate effectively with these and many other Spanish-speaking workers.

4. It will unlock a world of travel destinations.

There are approximately 329 million native Spanish speakers in the world, and they populate some of the coolest destinations in the world. You can leave behind the touristy resorts in Cancun and explore thousands of miles of cheap and beautiful Latin America cities, beaches, and trails. Venezuela, for instance, has the longest Caribbean sea coastline of any nation and is considered one of the most mega diverse countries on the planet, with more than 40 percent of its territory protected. Even if you do go to popular destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean, speaking the local language will help you get off the beaten path and see some real culture. And then of course you can book a trip to Spain and see the wonders of Barcelona, Madrid, Andalucia and more.

5. You can enjoy amazing books and movies.

Around 100 successful authors from 54 countries voted "El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha" by novelist Miguel de Cervantes as the best book of all time, and while the 17th century book is widely available in other languages, it, like any book, is best in its original language. Other Spanish-language authors you'll want to read are Chilean poet Pablo Neruda — many of whose works have not been translated — Gabriel García Márquez, Roberto Bolaño, Mario Vargas Llosa, and many more. And then there are the movies. Star directors Pedro Almodóvar, Alfonso Cuarón, and Guilermo Del Toro — who all have movies in their native language — should be enough to convince you of the richness of Spanish-language cinema. 

6. Spanish is easy to learn.

Arabic has a completely different alphabet, French spelling and pronunciation is incredibly specific and tricky, and Chinese requires learning unique tones. Written Spanish, on the other hand, is almost completely phonetic — look at any Spanish word, and you can tell how it is pronounced. While mastering the grammar of Spanish can be a challenge, basic grammar is straightforward enough and many vocabulary words are similar to English. Since the number of Spanish speakers in the U.S. continues to rise, chances are it will become even easier to learn and practice this language.

7. Even the British are swapping French for Spanish.

The British Council's “Languages of the Future” report ranks non-English languages in order of importance for British citizens to learn, based on a thorough analysis of cultural, economical, and diplomatic factors. Spanish topped the list, followed by Arabic, French, and Mandarin. If the home territory of the English language — which is located just miles from France and which doesn't even have that many Spanish-speaking immigrants — has decided that Spanish is the best second language, then who are we to argue?

SEE ALSO: 7 Reasons You Should Teach Your Children To Speak French

Join the conversation about this story »


    






7 Reasons Why Everyone Should Really Learn Spanish

0
0

carolina zarate

We've read the arguments for learning French, but let's be honest: Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Russian, or any other language with growing global importance would be a better choice.

Spanish may be the best choice of all for a second language, which is why its popularity in schools is soaring worldwide.

Here are some reasons why you should estudiar.

1. Spanish isn't a foreign language anymore.

In the U.S., Spanish is rising ahead of any other non-English language at a rapid pace, with a steady flow of new immigrants from Latin America and growth in the already large Hispanic population. According to a Pew Research Center report, an estimated 37.6 million people in the U.S. speak Spanish as their first language and analysts predict the Latino population will reach approximately 128.8 million by 2060, likely making it the largest Spanish speaking country in the world. Proportionally, Hispanics will rise from around 16% of the U.S. population in 2010 to 30% by 2050. There are countless reasons for wanting to improve communications with such a big portion of the country, including things as simple as expanding your dating pool on OKCupid.

2. Learning Spanish will help your career.

With such a large Latino population in the U.S. and booming Latin economies outside the U.S., employers are desperate for people who speak Spanish. There is a huge demand in the U.S. for Spanish-speakers in nursing, construction management, and media, among many other positions. Big corporations are realizing the importance of reaching a market that will represent $1.5 trillion in purchasing power in the U.S. by 2015. Meanwhile, Latin America received a record $174 billion of foreign investment in 2012, and companies everywhere are expanding there, such as PepsiCo announcing a $5 billion investment in Mexico.

3. It will help you get better service.

It's true, there are lots of Latinos in the service and construction industry. Hispanics in the U.S. accounted for 41% of housekeepers, 58.6% of drywall installers, 44% of grounds maintenance workers, 32% of cooks, 44% of grounds maintenance works, among other overrepresented jobs according to the BLS. Speaking Spanish will help you communicate effectively with these and many other Spanish-speaking workers.

4. It will unlock a world of travel destinations.

There are approximately 329 million native Spanish speakers in the world, and they populate some of the coolest destinations in the world. You can leave behind the touristy resorts in Cancun and explore thousands of miles of cheap and beautiful Latin America cities, beaches, and trails. Venezuela, for instance, has the longest Caribbean sea coastline of any nation and is considered one of the most mega diverse countries on the planet, with more than 40 percent of its territory protected. Even if you do go to popular destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean, speaking the local language will help you get off the beaten path and see some real culture. And then of course you can book a trip to Spain and see the wonders of Barcelona, Madrid, Andalucia and more.

5. You can enjoy amazing books and movies.

Around 100 successful authors from 54 countries voted "El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha" by novelist Miguel de Cervantes as the best book of all time, and while the 17th century book is widely available in other languages, it, like any book, is best in its original language. Other Spanish-language authors you'll want to read are Chilean poet Pablo Neruda — many of whose works have not been translated — Gabriel García Márquez, Roberto Bolaño, Mario Vargas Llosa, and many more. And then there are the movies. Star directors Pedro Almodóvar, Alfonso Cuarón, and Guilermo Del Toro — who all have movies in their native language — should be enough to convince you of the richness of Spanish-language cinema. 

6. Spanish is easy to learn.

Arabic has a completely different alphabet, French spelling and pronunciation is incredibly specific and tricky, and Chinese requires learning unique tones. Written Spanish, on the other hand, is almost completely phonetic — look at any Spanish word, and you can tell how it is pronounced. While mastering the grammar of Spanish can be a challenge, basic grammar is straightforward enough and many vocabulary words are similar to English. Since the number of Spanish speakers in the U.S. continues to rise, chances are it will become even easier to learn and practice this language.

7. Even the British are swapping French for Spanish.

The British Council's “Languages of the Future” report ranks non-English languages in order of importance for British citizens to learn, based on a thorough analysis of cultural, economical, and diplomatic factors. Spanish topped the list, followed by Arabic, French, and Mandarin. If the home territory of the English language — which is located just miles from France and which doesn't even have that many Spanish-speaking immigrants — has decided that Spanish is the best second language, then who are we to argue?

SEE ALSO: 7 Reasons You Should Teach Your Children To Speak French

Join the conversation about this story »


    






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