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Make your own homemade bacon with 'The Original Bacon Kit'

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bacon sandwichBacon. One of life's greatest pleasures.

Homemade bacon is always better than the stuff you get at diners. However, not everyone knows how to make it well.

This kit will help you turn a five-pound pork belly into some delicious bacon.

It comes with a curing bag, thermometer, cure, maple sugar, and (to make your life easier) instructions.

Enjoy.

The Original Bacon Kit: $22.00bacon


 

SEE ALSO: 'Carnivore' is the ultimate cookbook for meat lovers

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The complete story of the time Dan Loeb outbid Carl Icahn for a fancy apartment in a powerful NYC building

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Dan Loep 15CPW Apartment

This post is an excerpt from House of Outrageous Fortune: Fifteen Central Park West, the World's Most Powerful Address by Michael Gross.

“Complete bulls---!” barks Carl Icahn. The fourth-richest resident of New York City, Icahn, seventy-seven, is typically described as a corporate raider by detractors, an activist investor by admirers.

All acknowledge that he strikes fear in the hearts of his prey. And he was cursing a blue streak at me. He’d started almost as soon as I began telling him a story I’d just heard about an attempt he’d made, in fall 2005, to buy a new Manhattan apartment. And not just any apartment. It was one of a baker’s dozen of penthouses atop Fifteen Central Park West, a two-tower luxury condominium then under construction at the southwest corner of Central Park.

Or rather, two of its penthouses, which Icahn, who already owned one about ten blocks away, hoped to combine into something Brobdingnagian, the kind of home only a man like him might be able to afford, and more important, to fill, not just with possessions but with personality, a presence as awesome as the building’s location.

But I’d also heard that this lion of finance had tried to haggle with 15CPW’s developers, demanding a price cut, which certainly seemed in character for someone who’d picked fights with Phillips Petroleum, USX, Texaco, TWA, and Time Warner. But that had turned out to be a tactical error, because the developers, Arthur William Zeckendorf and William Lie Zeckendorf, the third generation of a New York real estate dynasty, weren’t inclined to bargain.

Instead, the Zeckendorfs sold the double penthouse to the bidder behind door number two, Daniel Loeb, an equally prominent and pugnacious hedge-fund runner, another activist investor cut from the same cloth as King Carl. Only Loeb was a quarter century younger and willing to pay the full asking price. Which caused Icahn, on learning that he’d been outbid, to launch an epically profane tirade at Will Zeckendorf.

house of outrageous fortune“‘F--- this, f--- that.’ He said ‘f---’ five or six times in thirty seconds, then slammed the phone down,” says Will. “Dan was in there early. He was a fabulous buyer.”

They didn’t really know Loeb when he’d called them up just as they’d begun selling apartments at 15CPW. Icahn had gotten to them first, introduced by one of the Zeckendorf brothers’ two partners, an Israeli-born billionaire named Eyal Ofer, who had invested with Icahn.

Earlier that year, Ofer had pointed to 15CPW out the window of Icahn’s office at Fifty-Ninth Street and Fifth Avenue and said, “Look at that.” His new building, rising above the tree line on the opposite side of the expanse of Central Park, was an impressive sight.

It was also an impressive site: Fifteen Central Park West occupies the first full-block lot on the periphery of the park to be developed in decades—and likely the last for years. Its position is equivalent to oceanfront property in California, an Eiffel Tower view in Paris.

Besides its immediate proximity to that 843-acre masterpiece of urban landscape design, 15CPW is also walking distance from Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the city’s best stores and restaurants.

carl icahnNot long after Ofer pointed the building out to him, Icahn was invited to a small cocktail party in a temporary sales office near the 15CPW construction site, where the Zeckendorfs themselves showed him and his wife, Gail, a model of the Robert A. M. Stern– designed, limestone-clad building and floor plans of some of those penthouses. One had already been reserved for Ofer, another for Will Zeckendorf.

But the rest were still available, and Icahn focused on the building’s thirty-ninth floor, with two apartments that, so early in construction, could easily be combined into the largest in the building, with 10,643 square feet of interior space, two terraces of 677 square feet, fourteen-foot ceilings, eight bedrooms, ten bathrooms, and 360-degree views of Manhattan and beyond. And it would cost a mere $45 million (plus $28,607.34 in monthly charges).

“We saw it, we liked it, I told them I was interested,” Icahn says. “I wasn’t that excited by it. I don’t invest in apartments.”

But Gail Icahn liked it, and Gail wanted to move; a new building was planned right next to their current one, a few blocks to the southeast, and it was going to block the sunset from their fifty-second-floor terrace.

“I love the terraces,” Icahn says dreamily. Even billionaires dream. But the risk of losing his view was real and Icahn understands risk and value in his bones.

“We talked about price at the cocktail party,” he continues. “I said it seemed high.” Zeckendorf recalls that Icahn offered him only half the asking price. Icahn remembers it differently: he wanted only one of the two apartments.

“There was no hondling,” he insists. “Bulls---.”

Eyal Ofer laughs often and loudly when telling his version of the story.

“Icahn has got a problem. He refuses to pay. I said, ‘Carl, listen to me. This is not business. This is lifestyle. You will not find another ten thousand square feet in Manhattan. And it’s within walking distance from your office because you don’t like to take a car, it’s too expensive.’ And he said to me, ‘But you want too much money!’ I said, ‘Carl, this apartment will be worth double. Close your eyes and buy it.’ And then Will came and said, ‘Eyal, you brought in Carl, but I have Loeb, who wants it.’ He said Loeb wants to pay more than Carl. So I said, ‘Be fair to Carl. Tell him that you’ve got somebody who is prepared to pay more, but we are prepared to sell it to you, if you’ll confirm it now.’”

“I called Zeckendorf back,” Icahn says. “He said, ‘Hey, I sold it.’ I said okay. I was almost glad. I didn’t want to move anyway. I don’t remember arguing with him. The fact that he didn’t call me back was off-putting. It’s not like he’s a bad guy. That’s what they do. He probably said, ‘Icahn’s looking at it, Dan, hurry up.’ We didn’t hear. Then I called or Gail called and he said it was gone. ‘Loeb’s got it.’ People love this shit. I love the terraces I got.”

After their phone call, Will reported back to Eyal Ofer. “He said that he had never been treated so poorly in his life,” Ofer recalls. “Now, every time I see Carl, he says, ‘You owe me an apartment!’ But he could not bring himself to pay the full amount. And he lives to regret it.”

Excerpted from House of Outrageous Fortune: Fifteen Central Park West, the World's Most Powerful Address with permission from Atria.  

SEE ALSO: These are the big shots who live at 15 Central Park West, the world's most powerful address

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10 reasons New Yorkers should be elated Chick-fil-A is finally coming

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S. Truett Cathy

Fast food chain Chick-fil-A will open its first New York City restaurant this summer as part of a national expansion. 

The three-story restaurant will be located on 6th avenue and West 37th Street in the Midtown neighborhood of Manhattan, Crain's New York Business reports.

The company is now planning a massive national expansion.

Here's why Chick-fil-A is so popular. 

1. Chicken sandwich

This chicken sandwich is unrivaled. According to Chick-fil-A, it's "a boneless breast of chicken seasoned to perfection, hand-breaded, pressure cooked in 100% refined peanut oil and served on a toasted, buttered bun with dill pickle chips." While no one knows the secret sauce, copycat recipes call for the chicken breast to be brined in pickle juice. chick-fil-a-chicken sandwich2. Waffle Fries 

The waffle fries are perfectly crispy and delicious every time. They're also a nice alternative to the classic fries available at most other fast-food chains. chick-fil-a waffle fries 3. Milkshakes 

In addition to the classic flavors, Chick-fil-A has peach and cookies and cream versions. The hand-spun milkshakes are made with Chik-fil-A's own "IceDream" softserve and they are topped with whipped cream and a cherry. The company also offers seasonal flavors. chick fil a milkshake4. Awesome breakfast. 

Chick-fil-A's chicken biscuit has an avid following. The buttery, warm bread crumbles in your mouth and it's a perfect complement to the juicy, uniquely seasoned fried chicken patty. Other breakfast options include breakfast burritos, parfaits, and oatmeal. chick fil a chicken biscuit5. Special events. 

Chick-fil-A restaurants often host special events. Recently, it hosted all-you-can-eat nuggets nights. 

6. Sauces. 

Chick-fil-A has more condiments than the average fast-food joint. Sauce options include buffalo, buttermilk ranch, barbecue, honey mustard, Polynesian, and the famous Chick-fil-A sauce. chick fil a bbq sauce7. Ice Cream

Chick-fil-A's "IceDream" softserve is so good it even has its own fanpage on Facebook. chick fil a ice cream soft serve cone8. Chicken nuggets. 

Forget the processed meats of other fast-food chains. Chick-fil-A's chicken nuggets are actually made from whole meat chicken. chick fil a chicken nuggets

9. Healthy options

Chick-fil-A just revamped its salads and wraps. The company spent years and $50 million perfecting the grilled chicken recipe. chick fil a wrap grilled healthy10.  Chick-fil-A now welcomes everyone. 

Two years ago, Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy made controversial anti-gay comments that led to a wave of protests. 

But in a recent interview with USA Today, Cathy apologized for his comments. 

"All of us become more wise as time goes by," he said. "We sincerely care about all people." nsskd chick fil a

SEE ALSO: The Best Fast Food In America

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NOW WATCH: This super sexy Carl's Jr Super Bowl ad has gone totally viral








The most famous author from every state

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mark twain

First we scoured coast to coast to find the most famous book set in every state. Now we're hitting the books to discover the most famous author from every state.

Not all the choices were cut and dry. To qualify for this list, the esteemed wordsmiths had to be born in their respective states, but not necessarily live out their years there.

We considered the authors' fame in terms of ubiquity, literal acclaim, and financial success — and awarded bonus points if the author showed state pride by setting their works there.

Did we get your state right? Let us know in the comments if you have another pick.

Click the map below to learn more about each author.

Most Famous Authors From Every State graphic

ALABAMA: Harper Lee

Known for: "To Kill a Mockingbird"

Harper Lee was born and raised in Monroeville, the inspiration for her classic novel's fictional town of Maycomb. The Monroe County Courthouse, where Lee watched her father practice law as a child, currently operates as a museum.

The University of Alabama alumna continues to live there, just a short drive from the Mockingbird Grill and Radley's Fountain Grille.

Click to buy her book »



ALASKA: Marty Beckerman

Known for: "The Heming Way"

Marty Beckerman got his start in humor writing as a freshman at the Anchorage Daily News, which published his weekly column about trying to pick up girls.

In his twenties, he self-published "The Heming Way," a cheeky guide to masculinity based on the life and works of Ernest Hemingway, and it hit No. 1 on Amazon.com for parody.

Click to buy his book »



ARIZONA: Jeannette Walls

Known for: "The Glass Castle"

Jeannette Walls' memoir examines her struggle as a child and young adult to overcome poverty and become self-sufficient. Her dysfunctional family were nomads of the Southwest, but the first place she remembers living is a small trailer park in Arizona.

A veteran of "writing what she knows," Walls more recently published a biography of her grandmother, an iron-willed Arizona cattle rancher, titled "Half Broke Horses."

Click to buy her book »



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7 of the most expensive watches you can buy

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On Monday, Apple’s Watch presentation drummed up a lot of buzz surrounding its $17,000 gold timepiece.

But that’s nothing compared to a $55 million diamond-encrusted watch.

We rounded up the latest top timepieces that cost over a million dollars, disregarding auction prices and past sales. We only included watches that are currently on the market that you can actually buy.

That is, if you can afford it. 

Keep reading to see seven of the most expensive watches in the world.

The Roger Dubuis Excalibur Quatuor watch costs $1.1 million

Roger Dubuis Silicon Excalibur Quatuor watchDebuted in 2013, the Excalibur Quatuor silicon watch took 2,400 hours to build and over 7 years of research to create. Each of its balances pulse four times per second, so instead of a classic ticking watch, it sounds more like a whirring machine.

Only three of these watches exist in the world, each made of 590 parts and with a $1.1 million price tag. Read more about the Excalibur Quatuor here.

Jaeger-LeCoultre's Hybris Mechanica à Grande Sonnerie timepiece costs $1.5 million

Jaeger-LeCoultre Hybris Mechanica à Grande SonnerieWith 1,472 parts, this is one of the most complex watches in the world. It has a perpetual calendar, flying tourbillon, and took five years to the develop.

The watch also comes with a Hybris Mechanica 55 Safe which is a part of the extreme price. It’s a leather-coated trunk that is code-secured with a sound system within the safe that allows the chiming of the Hybris Mechanica à Grand Sonnerie to be heard. 

The Greubel Forsey Art Piece 1 watch costs between $1 million and $2 million

greubel forsey artpiece 1Along with 30-degree double tourbillons, a beautiful blue dial cover, and sapphire case back, this watch has a tiny work of art by British artist Willard Wigan. It’s a tiny gold ship which you can see by looking through what looks like a second crown but what is actually a 23x magnifier that displays the microscopic sculpture.

The price for this exquisite Greubel Forsey design isn’t technically known (it’s only available for serious buyers), but it’s estimated to be between $1 and $2 million. 

Richard Mille's Tourbillon RM 56-02 Sapphire watch retails for over $2 million

 Richard Mille Tourbillon RM 56-02 SapphireWith a transparent case made from solid sapphire, this Richard Mille watch has titanium movements and is both scratch-resistant and water resistant up to 3 meters.

Only 10 of the Tourbillon RM 56-02 Sapphire were made and they cost $2.02 million. Each watch “requires 40 days of continuous 24/7 machining for the case followed by 400 additional hours” of finishing work, according to Watch Time

A. Lange & Söhne's Grand Complication timepiece costs over $2 million

grand complication watch A. Lange & SöhneThis A. Lange & Söhne watch debuted at a price tag of €1.92 million ($2.05 million at today's conversion rates) with 876 individual parts.

It takes a full year for the watchmaker to complete each watch. Since it debuted in 2013, there’s only been one of these watches released each year — the last and final watch will be sold in 2018. Read more about the Grand Complication here.

Patek Philippe’s The Grandmaster Chime watch costs $2.6 million

Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime 2In honor of the storied Swiss watchmaker’s 175th anniversary, Patek Philippe unveiled this gorgeous watch with 20 complications, two dials, and 214 parts.

It took eight years and over 100,000 man hours to develop. Only seven of the two-faced watches were produced, each retailing for a whopping $2.6 million. Read more about the Grandmaster Chime here.

The Graff Diamonds Hallucination watch costs $55 million

graff diamonds hallucination watchBlowing away the competition is also the only watch for women on the list — the gem-studded Graff Diamonds Hallucination from Graff Jewelry, a new name in the watch business that debuted at last year’s Baselworld watch show.

The bracelet has a tiny face and huge colored diamonds all set in platinum. Only one was made and as far as we know, it’s still up for sale if you're interested.

Only time will tell if Graff outdoes itself at this year’s Baselworld later this month.

Did we forget an amazing watch over $1 million? Let us know in the comments!

SEE ALSO: 9 beautiful watches that cost $10,000 and won't become obsolete

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The first time Bill Gates asked Melinda Gates out on a date, she turned him down

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Bill Gates Melinda Gates

Bill and Melinda Gates first met in 1987, shortly after Melinda was hired as a product manager at Microsoft. 

A few months later, Bill asked her out on a date. 

"You know I was thinking maybe we could go out — if you give me your phone number — maybe two weeks from tonight," Bill said, according to an interview Melinda gave with AOL's Makers site.

"And I said to him, 'Two weeks from tonight? I have no idea what I'm doing two weeks from tonight.' And I said, 'You're not spontaneous enough for me.'"

But Bill wasn't ready to give up just yet. 

"He called an hour later and said, 'Is this spontaneous enough for you?'" Melinda told Makers

She agreed to the date. They were married in a secret ceremony on the island of Lanai on January 1, 1994, after seven years of dating.

The couple has two daughters and a son together. Their work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has included everything from eradicating diseases across the world to developing sources of food for impoverished people.

SEE ALSO: The 15 richest people in tech

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7 Russian taboos you should know before doing business there

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Russian paratrooper whistling

In Madagascar, children cannot say their father's name or refer to any of his body parts. In Taiwan, it is inconceivable to write messages in red ink. 

All countries seem to have a baffling number of foreign practices, and Russia has an especially extensive list of taboos that a business traveler would be wise to avoid.

According to Richard Lewis' book, "When Cultures Collide: Leading Across Cultures," it's important to remember these seven things the next time you visit Russia:

1. Don't wear your coat indoors.

It is considered bad etiquette to wear your overcoat inside. Even if the heat is broken, buck up and hang your coat immediately.

2. Don't keep your hands in your pockets.

It is bad form to walk around or stand with your hands in your pockets. If you're doing business in Russia, keep your hands visible to avoid looking sloppy.

3. Do not sit with your legs apart.

In addition, do not sit with your ankle resting on your knee, and never show the soles of your shoes or let them touch your seat, since shoes are considered dirty.

4. Do not whistle in the street.

Whistling in the street — and indoors — is frowned upon. Play it safe, and avoid whistling all together.

5. Do not eat lunch on park lawns.

No matter how beautiful the weather, forget picnicking. 

6. Do not ask people where the toilet is.

It is poor form to ask people where the bathroom is, particularly those of the opposite sex.

7. Do not shake a hand through a doorway.

Russians are known to be very superstitious. It is considered bad luck to shake hands across any threshold, according to The Moscow Times, so save your greeting until you're fully indoors.

SEE ALSO: 8 Taboos You Should Never Break In Japan

Join the conversation about this story »

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Steve Jobs' biographer says the Apple Watch makes perfect sense


'Top Gear' is the greatest show on TV — but it's in danger of being pulled off the air

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Top Gear BBC

"Top Gear" has been pulled from the BBC's television lineup and its lead host Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended by the network after a fracas with one of the show's producers.

For the first time since its rebirth in 2002, the show is facing the very real specter of cancellation. That means Jeremy Clarkson's latest indiscretion may do what the world's most treacherous terrain, dangerous cars, and a lynch mob in Argentina couldn't accomplish – stop "Top Gear." 

Should Clarkson remain sidelined by the bosses at the BBC, "Top Gear" simply would not be able to function. It is only with the sparkling chemistry among the show's charismatic trio of hosts — Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May — that the show can thrive. "Top Gear" is in the middle of its 22nd season with three episodes yet to air. There's no word from the BBC when those episodes will hit the airwaves.

In the meantime, lets take some time to enjoy the show's unorthodox and irreverent approach to automotive journalism that has made "Top Gear" popular with fans and critics worldwide.

In case you need any reminding, here's why "Top Gear" is can't-miss TV, even if you aren't a car nut or addicted to that veddy British sense of humor:

1. "Top Gear's" storytelling method gives it universal appeal.

New viewers to "Top Gear" shouldn't mistake it for a run-of-the-mill car show. Because it isn't one. 

At its core, the show aims to be informative, but does so with a unique blend of hyperbolic comedy, action, and drama that crosses the boundaries of age, gender, and culture. According to CBS's 60 Minutes, "Top Gear's" unique storytelling method and irreverent attitude helped the show generate 350 million viewers a week worldwide, as well as a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most-watched "factual" TV program.

When asked by 60 Minutes to explain the show's appeal, "Top Gear" executive producer Andy Wilman joked, "It's a journey into the male mind, which I believe, is a really, potentially, very funny place — 'cause, let's face it, nothing happens there." 

He's right — but 40% of "Top Gear's" audience is actually female!

In fact, the show's near-universal appeal has helped turn it into a $1.5 billion brand, with spinoff series in Russia, Australia, South Korea, and the United States.

2. The show's 3 hosts have the greatest on-camera chemistry in TV.

Even though "Top Gear" has spawned an American version on the History Channel, what makes the original the most fun is the inimitable chemistry between the show's trio of hosts. In fact, the program is propelled as much by their sometimes caustic camaraderie as it is by cars. One of the highlights of the show is the constant personality clash between the pedantic James May (nicknamed "Captain Slow" because he favors a non-thrashy driving style) and the bombastic Jeremy Clarkson (who doesn't really have a nickname).

3. Richard Hammond was nearly killed in a jet car crash during filming and didn't miss an episode.

In 2006, Richard Hammond was nearly killed when the right-front tire of the Vampire jet car he was driving burst at nearly 300 mph, leading to a catastrophic crash. The accident, which caused the host to suffer memory loss and brain damage, had safety activists calling for the show's cancelation. Fortunately, Hammond, known on the show as "The Hamster" due to his diminutive stature, returned to show just three months later without missing a single episode.

Richard Hammond Jet Car Crash

4. Due to the "unique" way the BBC is funded, "Top Gear" is able to be brutally honest.

Unlike most American network shows, the BBC and "Top Gear" are funded by British taxpayers, which means the hosts can pretty much say or do whatever they want without fear of retribution from sponsors. In fact, when Jay Leno turned down NBC's American spinoff of Top Gear, the comedian cited the potential influence of sponsors on the opinions expressed in the show as a main reason for his decision. 

5. The "Clarkson Effect" is real, and car companies hate it.

Jeremy Clarkson has long been a popular automotive journalist in the UK, but "Top Gear" has catapulted his influence into the stratosphere. In what has become known as the "Clarkson Effect," a positive or negative review from the host can make or break a product. When MG Rover entered bankruptcy in 2005, many at the automaker's Longbridge factory blamed Clarkson's negative reviews for torpedoing the company's sales.

In 2011, Tesla sued "Top Gear" unsuccessfully for libel after Clarkson's exceedingly negative review of the company's Roadster caused panic among investors and led a few customers to cancelled their preorders. When asked by the BBC News about Clarkson, Tesla CEO Elon Musk replied, "He can be very funny and irreverent, but he does have a bias against electric cars. His two pet peeves are American cars and electric cars, and we're an American electric car." 

6. "Top Gear" has an awesome mascot called "The Stig."

One of "Top Gear's" most popular characters is the show's unofficial mascot and mysterious resident professional test driver. Producers created the mute, helmet-clad character because they needed an adequately skillful driver to navigate the show's test track, located at a former air force base. The BBC has gone to great lengths to keep the true identity of the Stig a secret, even resorting to legal action to prevent the release of the information

Top Gear Stig Tom Cruise7. The hosts drove to the North Pole, through the Bolivian Jungle, and the plains of Central Africa.

"Top Gear" takes its style of automotive journalism to the extreme via over-the-top globetrotting adventures. Instead of simply telling viewers whether a car is good or bad, the show will also subject vehicles to extreme real-world conditions. In 2007, Clarkson and May became the first people to drive to the North Pole, when the pair piloted a modified Toyota Hilux truck through the Arctic. 

Top Gear North Pole Toyota Hilux8. It features some of the most beautiful cinematography ever seen on the small screen.

"Top Gear's" groundbreaking use of camera filters and cinematic wizardry has completely changed the way car shows are presented.

Top Gear Pagani Gif9. Then there are hilarious celebrity appearances. 

Nearly every episode features a segment called "A Star In a Reasonably Priced Car," in which a celebrity is asked to tackle the "Top Gear" test track in an underpowered economy car. The result is a series of very entertaining sequences showing off each celebrity's driving prowess — or in many cases, lack thereof. 

 10. Top Gear even has a live stadium show.

"Top Gear's" hosts have enhanced their rock-star status by going on a live stadium tour, complete with pyrotechnics, car stunts, and comedic gags. So far, "Top Gear" live has made its way through 24 counties. Sadly, it does not seem the live action show will come be coming to America any time soon. 

Top Gear Live Screen Shot

SEE ALSO: These 40 cars prove the Geneva Motor Show was the greatest in history

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Larry Ellison pays the lowest-ranking sailors on his America's Cup team $300,000 a year, court filings show

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larry ellison

A wrongful termination suit filed by a former sailor on Oracle Team USA is revealing secrets about how billionaire Larry Ellison runs his championship America's Cup sailing team.

According to court filings shared by the Wall Street Journal, fired Oracle sailor Joe Spooner was being paid $25,000 a month — or $300,000 a year — as compensation for his work as a grinder.

There are six grinders on a typical 12-person sailing team, and they tend to be the lowest-paid of the bunch. Sailors responsible for more difficult tasks, like standing at the helm, might be paid even double what a grinder makes, according to the WSJ.

Spooner reportedly asked for his compensation to be raised to $38,000 a month so that he could relocate from San Francisco to Bermuda, where the next America's Cup race will be held in 2017. 

Team Oracle declined to increase Spooner's pay as the request was outside of their relocation policy, and Spooner was dismissed from the team in January. 

"For these reasons, and in the light of the stated position that you will not otherwise relocate to Bermuda, this letter constitutes prior written notice of termination," team Oracle general manager Grant Simmer wrote in Spooner's termination letter, court filings show.

Spooner is seeking $725,000 in wages over a 2.5-year period. He was part of the team that won America's Cup in 2013, a campaign that Oracle team executives have said Ellison paid more than $115 million in total to win. 

The boat that was sailed in the 2013 race was seized by federal marshals Monday. Spooner had filed a lien to prevent the boat being shipped to Bermuda. 

SEE ALSO: Why Oracle Founder Larry Ellison NEEDS To Have The World's Greatest Competitive Team

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5 hard-to-find iPhone tricks only power users know about

Business Insider is hiring a paid travel intern

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best for budget travelers dominican republicBusiness Insider is looking for a paid intern to join our travel team on the Lifestyle vertical.

This internship is for the person who loves seeing the world, exploring new cultures, or just living vicariously through others' adventures.  

There's no fetching coffee during this internship! Instead, you'll be putting together beautiful slideshows of exotic places, liaising with our syndication partners, and researching the best destinations domestically and abroad. You will also have the opportunity to write about your own experiences.  

The ideal candidate should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, possess excellent communication skills, and be excited about covering travel for a digital news site. A background in journalism is a huge plus, as is an interest in social media.

APPLY HERE with your resume and cover letter if interested.

Please note that this internship requires that you work in our Manhattan office. The internship term runs for approximately six months, with some flexibility on start and end dates.

SEE ALSO: The 14 Best Tech Companies To Work For

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This custom-built $2 million supercar will race in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring

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This feat of engineering and design at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show is the SCG003C from developer Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus. The race car isn't based on any existing model and is very similar to its road-ready version, the SCG003S. 

The car carries a price tag of over $2 million and there are plans to sell no more than a dozen of them. The SCG003C is headed to race the famed Nürburgring 24 Hours after everyone in Geneva picks their jaws up off the floor. 

Produced by Jason Gaines. Video courtesy of Associated Press.

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7 great smart watches to buy if the Apple Watch isn't your thing

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The new Apple Watch is out.

But it might not be what you're looking for — there are lots of cool smart watches out there.

We've put a list of the best non-Apple smartwatches on the market right now. Check them out.


LG Electronics G Watch R

LG Electronics G Watch R - Smart WatchYou'd never guess that this is wearable tech, would you? This amazing looking piece connects with Android TM 4.3 or higher, and gives you notifications about missed calls, messages, upcoming meetings, events, and even local weather forecasts. Plus, it's also water- and dust-proof. 

Price: $379.00


Samsung Gear 2 Smartwatch

smasung gear 2 smart watch The Samsung lets you receive instant notifications, comes with a fitness motivator, and has a built in camera — in case you needed to snap a photo while getting your sweat on. The biggest downside of this one, however, is that it's only compatible with Samsung phones like the Galaxy S5. 

Price: 299.99


Annswer Bracelet

annswer braceletIf you're looking for an un-flashy fitness-focused smart watch, then this one's for you. The bracelet lets you know when you get calls, tracks your steps and calories, and will remind you to move every 30 minutes.

Price: $39.99


Motorola Moto 360

motorola moto 360 smartwatchThe smartwatch is made of stainless steel, genuine leather, and scratch resistant glass — so it feels high end. The gadget responds to your voice, acts as an activity tracker, and tracks steps and calories. The only downside is that it only hooks up with Android 4.3 or higher.

Price: $299.99 $292.87[2% off] 


Pebble Steel smart watch

smart watch pebbleYou can read email, texts, incoming calls, calendars and access you favorite apps on your wrist. You can also use it to control music, including iTunes, Spotify, and Pandora.

The battery lasts 5-7 days on a single charge.

Note: available on March 12, 2015.

Price: $249.95


Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch

samsung smart watchThis smartwatch comes with a 1.63 screen and a 1.9 megapixel camera. You can place and answer calls from it. It's compatible with the Galaxy Note 3 and other Galaxy smartphones.

Price: $299.99$130.00[57% off]


 

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Photos of the abandoned Olympic Village built for the 1936 games in Nazi Germany will give you chills

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1936 berlin olympic village

The 1936 Berlin Olympics are shrouded in myth and tragedy.

The International Olympic Committee granted Germany's capital city the right to host in 1931, just as Adolf Hitler was rising to power.

By the time the games rolled around, the oppressive Nuremberg laws were in effect, and the Olympic flag hung alongside banners bearing the swastika.

Today, the 1936 Olympic Village, which actually lies in Elstal, Wustermark, on the edge of Berlin, remains in ruins. Photographer Sylvain Margaine visited for his book, "Forbidden Places: Exploring our abandoned heritage," and website Forbidden-Places.net. With permission, we've published a selection of his photos here.

In 1931, Berlin won the right to host the 1936 Summer Games. The city threw all available resources behind an extravagant village, erecting 145 buildings and a 120,000-seat stadium.



As construction of the Olympic Village ramped up, so did the Nazi’s reign. The newly passed Nuremberg Laws marginalized Jews and stripped them of most political rights.

Source: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum



Here we see Hitler (center) and two aides enter the Olympic Village for an inspection. The gateway inscription reads, “To the Youth of the World."



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Make fancy cocktails at home with Winware's Boston cocktail shaker set

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old fashioned cocktail at the W Hotel in HobokenOne way to impress your date or friends is by making fancy cocktails.

And, no — we're not talking about cranberry vodkas.

We mean the real stuff: Pisco Sours, Suffering Bastards, and even the Income Tax.

To make those you're going to need the proper cocktail making items in your kitchen.

We recommend the Winware Boston cocktail shaker gift set. It comes with all the basics you'll need: a Hawthorn strainer, a muddler, a bar spoon with masher, 25 ml and 50 ml jiggers, and even a pocket-sized cocktail-making guide.

So what are you waiting for? There are White Russians waiting to be made.

Winware Boston cocktail shaker gift set: $39.99

cocktail making kit gift

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7 real Indian dishes you should try instead of the Westernized knockoffs

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It’s a scientific fact that Indian food tastes good, mainly thanks to the abundance of spices and flavors.

There’s also quite a variety in Indian cuisine, with dishes ranging from North to South and sometimes by kitchen to kitchen. Punjabi, Bengali, Rajasthani, Goan, Gujarati, and Maharashtrian are just the tip of the delicious iceberg.

And that doesn’t even take into account all of the Anglicized versions of classic Indian dishes, from curry to chutney.

Here are nine authentic Indian dishes you should try instead of the Western knockoffs.

Instead of chicken tikka masala, order chicken tikka 

chicken tikka indian foodAs the story goes, an Indian chef named Ali Ahmed Aslam invented chicken tikka masala dish while cooking in Scotland. The improvised mixture of yogurt, cream, spices, and tomato soup was poured over chicken after a customer complained about the meat being too dry. Wherever it originated, the dish caught on with the Western palate.

And while the sauce does add a lot to the flavor of the dish, a much more authentic meal to try would be chicken tikka, boneless chicken pieces baked on skewers after marinating in spices and yogurt (basically tandoori chicken, but without the bone).

Instead of eating naan with every meal, try making rotis instead

roti bread indian foodMost British and American eaters will only consume their Indian food with a side of naan bread. And while the naan is the same baked fluffy flatbread that is eaten in India, it’s usually only reserved for special occasions.

Roti is the bread-of-choice in India. Roti is unleavened wheat-flour bread that is thinner than naan, and can be paired with just about anything from honey and cream for breakfast to curries.

Instead of dishes made with curry powder, try using a more unique mixture of spices 

Spice selectionWhat we think of as “curry” are dishes that have been cooked with curry powder, typically with pre-mixed flavors of turmeric, ginger, chillies, and coriander, among others.

But the word “curry” was coined by the English and is an oversimplification of Indian cuisine, which uses a variety of spices (masalas) all individually added as you cook so that the mixture is much more unique and varying depending on the region and sometimes by specific kitchen. 

A few of the key spices to have on hand are turmeric powder, cumin seeds, coriander power, cinnamon, red chili or cayenne powder, cardamom, ginger, garlic, and mustard seeds. Don’t be afraid to branch out and experiment.

Instead of mango or “Major Grey’s Chutney,” try different kinds of chutneys

different chutneys lined upChutney was a favorite among the British when Imperialism was still in its heyday. The most famous was Major Grey’s Chutney with mango, vinegar, raisins, lime juice, onion, tamarind, and other spices.

But there are so many different chutneys to try, most of which are less jam-like and more runny than the Anglo-Indian counterparts. 

In Indian cuisine, chutneys can range the gamut from sweet to savory. Pineapple, coconut, olive, walnut, and fig are just some of the variants — it it’s a fruit, spice, or herb, you can make a chutney with it.

Instead of eating kedgeree, try the much more authentic khichdi

khichdi indian foodThough American readers may not be as familiar with kedgeree, it’s a type of British curried rice usually made with smoked haddock and hard-boiled eggs with some curry powder thrown in. Needless to say, it is a British version of an authentic Indian dish. 

It likely originated from khichdi, a rice and lentils dish that varies heavily by region. No matter what recipe you choose, it’s generally considered to be comfort food and makes a fantastic side. It ranges from plain (lentils, rice, and salt) to chock-full of veggies and spices.

Instead of ordering mulligatawny soup, try rasam over rice

Rasam soup indian foodSurprise, surprise — another British version of a classic Indian recipe. Mulligatawny, loosely translated as “pepper water,"  is made with chicken or lamb broth, vegetables, and lots of spices. 

It’s based on a sauce known as rasam that’s typically eaten with rice, though it can also be eaten as a soup. It’s usually prepared with tamarind juice, tomato, chili pepper, pepper, and cumin, though there are many different kinds of rasam to enjoy. 

Instead of the Anglicized comfort food meatball curry, order malai kofta

malai kofta indian foodMeatball curry is an Anglo-Indian comfort food classic with minced beef or chicken, coriander, chilies, potatoes and more all simmered into a delicious and easy meal.

For a more authentic and still tasty counterpart, try malai kofta. It’s a North Indian meal with fried vegetable balls and tomato-based gravy with coriander, cumin, chillies, cardamom, cream, and more. This is a good one for any vegetarians out there, too.

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I'm going to buy an Apple Watch — in 3 years (AAPL)

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Matt SISTEM 51

The Apple Watch is the only Apple product I've even been super-interested in.

I like watches and always have, and I think Apple's design guru, Jony Ive, and his team did a great job, for the most part, in creating Apple's first true luxury device.

That said, I have no plans to buy and Apple watch anytime soon.

The watch fascinates me, and I'm looking forward to visiting an Apple Store to "play" with the "piece," as they say in the world of horological enthusiasm.

But the only thing I really want the Apple watch to do is tell time. Sure, some of the other features sound quite cool and probably have unforeseen potential, particular the quickie, minimalist messaging stuff and the ability to send your heartbeat to someone.

The combination of ever-changing watch faces and Apple quality is what, to me, is cool about the Apple Watch. I also sort of like the idea of owning the first of some Apple something. I just bought a new watch, a Swatch Sistem 51 (I wrote about the timepiece here), mainly because it's the first of its kind.

But I'm not going to buy the Apple Watch when it goes on sale, because I intend to wait three years and pick one up used, when perhaps the only thing it can still do is function as a watch. I don't expect Apple to crack the planned obsolescence curve with the watch — my family has numerous old Apple devices that kinda sorta work, like a 10-year-old iBook that's a glorified typewriter and a first-gen iPhone that takes awful photos. Basically, they've been reduced to performing a single duty.

In the watch world, depreciation is a much-discussed subject. The bottom line is that almost all the watches ever made and being made will be worth next to nothing almost right after they're purchased. Even watches in the $500-$1,000 realm won't be worth very much on the resale market.

The two brands that reliably don't depreciate that much are Rolex and Patek Philippe (there are others, but those are the Big Two). The right models from these major Swiss watchmakers will hold value over time, although they will depreciate somewhat (they can retain about 70% of their original prices as a baseline, and then depending on what model you've bought, even appreciate over the decades).

If you're an aspiring collector, the advice you'll most often hear is to buy a used Rolex or Patek, with all the correct certifications and documentation, at auction or from a reputable dealer. The deprecation from new has already taken place, so you can wager on the value of watch remaining somewhat stable over time.

The buy-in here is maybe $5,000 for a Rolex — a Submariner, for example — and substantially more for a Patek, perhaps $10,000 to $20,000 for an iconic model, such as the Calatrava.

These are watches with automatic or mechanical movements that, if cared for properly and serviced on schedule, could last forever — or as long as replacement parts are being made. 

The Apple Watch isn't a mechanical watch, so presumably it will suffer a much bigger initial drop in value. I don't want to fool with the entry-level model, which has an aluminum case. The larger stainless-steel version, with the link band, is where I'd start. My understanding is that it will be priced at about $1,000.

The significance of the watch may prevent it from losing half its value straightaway, so I'll assume that there's a "newness" premium that it will retain. But I still think its loss of functionality and displacement by newer Apple Watches will grind the value down. Plus, if people wear their Apple Watches every day, they're going to beat them up. 

So for me, the sweet spot to pick one up will be at the midway point of the second upgrade cycle. Apple Watch 1 will have been displaced by Apple Watch 2, and we'll be eagerly awaiting Apple Watch 3. I'm guessing that Apple will update the watch on a two-year cycle, so that means I'll be buying sometime in 2018.

My wager is that I'll be able to find the model I want, in reasonable working condition but with outdated technologically, for about $100, maybe a bit less. It will still tell time, but that's maybe about all it will be able to do. And if not, well ... I have a few old watches that don't work anymore that I sometimes just wear because I like the way they look.

Now, watches are more collectible than old iPhones, so there's every possibility that other collectors may have the same idea — and that a resale market for "vintage" Apple Watches may develop that keeps prices higher than they would be otherwise. And perhaps it would make more sense to avoid buying Watch 1, waiting for Watch 2, which will have a lower historical value. 

We'll have to see if that happens. I may have to cough up $200.

Anyway, I will own an Apple Watch. I just won't own one until I'm a bit older and grayer.

And as an aside, I certainly expect Apple stock to be worth more tomorrow than it is today. So it would be interesting to take the $800-$900 I won't be spending on a new Apple Watch and buy Apple shares instead.

SEE ALSO: Here's the thing about the Apple Watch — it isn't really a watch

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Some Wall Streeters will be attending a party 'for the sexual elite' in NYC this weekend

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emma Sayle

A London-based sex club for the "elite" is hosting its first-ever New York City rollick on Saturday, and you can expect some Wall Street faces to show up.

Killing Kittens, which was founded by Kate Middleton's old friend Emma Sayle, holds regular members-only sex parties in London that feature some of Europe's smartest and hottest people, the New York Post reports.

Planning to attend this weekend's party in New York City's Flatiron district are a group of British female bankers from UBS, along with about 60 other guests, the Post's report said. 

Past attendees have included a man whose "name is on multiple buildings in New York" and who is "from a well-known family in banking," according to one member interviewed by the Post.

"It’s like 'Eyes Wide Shut,'  but realistic," said the member, who reportedly works in consulting in Mississippi and will fly to New York for the party.

There will of course be some rules this weekend. For example, men must be accompanied by a woman, and they're never allowed to approach women first.

The dress code is cocktail attire and masks.

Guests must also be between the ages of 18 and 50, and, of course, physically attractive.

Read the full story in the Post >>

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Why a couple working in tech ditched their San Francisco condo for an Airstream trailer

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airstream couple

Michael Fortson and Nancy Broden were ready for a break from San Francisco.

Both had found successful careers in tech — Fortson as a developer for apps like Tophatter, Sounder, and Qik, and Broden as a veteran designer at Twitter.

They owned a two-bedroom condo near AT&T Park, which they had bought in 2007, at the peak of the housing crisis.

"We had a mortgage payment that was just unbelievable," Broden said. "We knew that we were ready to sell, but we also knew that we weren’t ready to buy."

In July of 2014, they sold their condo and moved into a rented in-law apartment in Tiburon, California. The move required that they downsize their belongings. 

"It's really a cathartic thing to get rid of most of your stuff," Fortson said. 

Broden added: "We discovered we don’t need a lot of the kitchen stuff."

After a few months in Tiburon, they decided to buy an Airstream trailer, where they moved full-time in October.

Economically, it was a huge improvement. Mortgage payments cost the couple only $495 a month, about $1,500 a month if you include parking and insurance fees.

"As you might imagine, that's a small fraction — well under a quarter — of what it cost us to live in our condo in downtown San Francisco," Broden said. 

airstream couple

Moving into the Airstream gave the couple the chance to cut the anchor for a while, to explore the West without having to commit to one particular place. 

"We like the coast, and we like the mountains" Broden said. "The Airstream was a good way to try it all out."

"The backyard is wherever you want to stop," Fortson said.

It was also an opportunity to get out of the tech-saturated culture of San Francisco for a spell. Broden and Fortson first moved to the city in the early 2000s, just before the dot-com bubble burst.

"It can wear on you a little bit. At every coffeeshop you hear the same conversation," Broden said. "We actually spend more time together now. We interact more with the people around us, in the campgrounds we stop in ... I like to see a bit more diversity." 

airstream coupleairstream couple

But they couldn't cut themselves off from the tech world completely. The couple had the trailer's interior remodeled so that they could both work remotely without disturbing each other.

"The main thing was so that we could get work done at opposite ends of the trailer," Fortson said. "It’s remarkably well laid-out, all on one main passageway."

The trailer now has two desks, one at each end of the trailer. A standing desk can be assembled in the bedroom, effectively turning it into an office. 

"It doesn’t feel as cramped as you might think. The kitchen might be bigger than the one we had in the condo," Broden laughed.

airstream coupleairstream couple

They installed exterior antennas that pick up 4G and LTE signals, and they have decently speedy WiFi. Last time Fortson ran a speed test, it was at 30 mbps.

Plus, by using lithium batteries and solar panels installed on the trailer's roof, the couple can be energy independent.

"It’s amazing what you can do to be productive from anywhere these days," Fortson said.

airstream couple

Fortson and Broden are big San Francisco Giants fans, so they're heading to Scottsdale, Arizona for spring training. 

"Baseball is a major passion of ours," Broden said. "We go where they go. The Airstream was a way of doing that."

SEE ALSO: For tech entrepreneurs in Silicon Beach, surfing is the new golf

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