Pylsur - Icelandic Hotdogs

                                 Although Iceland is notorious for exotic foods such as hákarl or Svið, hotdogs could very well be considered the national dish. Like most of Scandinavia, hotdogs are serious business and pylsur stands are found everywhere. I've had layovers in Reykjavik a few of times and I always have a couple pylsur while I'm walking around. I like the air in Iceland. It's crisp and fresh, and it make me hungry.

Next to the indoor fleamarket is Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, Icelands most famous hotdog stand. Everyone eats here, and so did I. Ordering “ein með öllu” is how it done here, but "one with everything" is the proper way to get a hotdog wherever you travel, as far as I'm concerned. In Iceland everything means ketchup, mustard, remoulade, raw onions and crispy onions. Pylsusinnep is the sweet mustard especially for hotdogs. Remoulade is the king of condiments in Scandinavia, a sweet tartar type sauce. The set up is almost the same as a ristet pølse you get at pølsevogn in Denmark. The best thing about Icelandic hotdogs are the sausages themselves. Made of lamb, pork, and beef, their meaty, slightly smokey, and have a good bite. Sláturfélag Suðurlands seems to provide the SS Pylsur to almost all of the hotdog stands in Iceland including Bæjarins Beztu, and because the condiments are all store bought, the Icelandic hotdog experience is pretty much the same no matter where you go. So if the line-up at midnight on a Saturday is to long at Bæjarins Beztu don't panic, just go down the walking street and you will find the exact same thing at another place.

Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur

Icelandic style hotdogs are pretty good, but the condiments are too sweet, and too messy. Everything drips everywhere and soaks into the bun. Although it may upset Icelanders, Danish remoulade and Danish hotdog sennep are far superior. Thicker and tangy they cling to the hotdog and don't soggy the bun. At least Icelanders understand the concept of the bun, unlike Danes, who serve a tiny roll on the side and eat the hotdog with their fingers, dipping it in the condiments like barbarians. In Iceland the onions are placed in the bun before the hotdog. This stops them from falling all over the place. I put all the condiments on top in the lead photo to highlight them.

The Messy “ein með öllu” from Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur

Store Bought SS Pylsur

You can buy everything you need to make an authentic Icelandic hotdog at the airport when you leave, which is what I did. Make sure to buy a couple of packs of the SS Pylsur, even if you don't want to carry around the condiments to go with it.

Building an Icelandic Hot Dog

1. Poach SS Pylsur, or the best quality natural casing hotdogs you can find, in a bottle of hoppy beer. Yes beer.
2. Place the onions inside the bun and lay the hotdog on top. Fresh chopped as well as crispy dried. The dried shallots you find in Chinese supermarkets are as good if not better.
3. Mustard. Honey mustard is an ok equivalent to pylsusinnep, but Bavarian style Weißwurst Senf would be better.
4. Remoulade. This is hard to find outside Scandinavia. Mix English style piccalilli with Miracle Whip and blend as a substitute.
5. ketchup. I don't think Heinz is good on hotdogs. Aylmers Ketchup in Canada is much closer to the Scandinavian brands. Cheap generic brands in the USA are also better on hotdogs for some reason.

Verði þér að góðu!

Kjammi and a Coke

I find that when I'm at a bus or train station wherever I travel, I find some kind of unique local food. Arancini in Palermo, currywurst in Berlin, or noodle bowls in Asia, they can be both tasty and authentic. But the bus station in Reykjavik, Iceland has the most interesting dish I've come across so far. Kjammi.

Kjammi, or svið is a halved and boiled sheep's head usually served with mashed potatoes and turnips, or as part of a selection of traditional Icelandic dishes during the winter festival called Þorrablót. At the canteen Fljótt og Gott in Reykjavik's main bus station, the kjammi are sitting on the counter pre-plated waiting to be ordered. Apparently it was a popular drunk food and people used to head here after the clubs to have a kjammi og kók, like most people get kebabs elsewhere, but this tradition is not that common anymore.

I've been to Reykjavik 3 times and it wasn't until I was leaving for the airport that I decided to buy one. Lugging the kjammi along with fermented shark and other delicacies to Copenhagen, I took a few photos before eating it with mustard and rhubarb jam on bread. The taste and texture is similar to dry pork rillettes, and if I buy one again that's what I'll make. Mix the pieces with seasoned duck fat, garlic and cognac. That would be delicious. 

 Fljótt og Gott claims to sell over 10000 portions of kjammi a year, which is over 30 a day, so I think they'll keep making them for the foreseeable future, but make sure to buy one the next time you're in Reykjavik, as these type of food traditions tend to fade away over time.

View from the airport bus to Reyklavik

Grilled Fish From the Tonlé Sap

Sometimes simpicity is best, and the salt grilled tilapia that you get at the markets around the Tonlé Sap lake in Cambodia is one of the fish dishes I've enjoyed the most. I spent a month touring the towns along the south bank of the lake and had this lemongrass stuffed whole fish wrapped in a banana leaf to go several times.

The Tonlé Sap is the largest fresh water lake in South East Asia, and the 3 million Cambodians living around the lake depend on fish for 70 percent of their protein intake. The markets are full of fish. Fresh and dried, large and small. The snakehead fish and tilapia are the most common large fish in the lake and are used in many of the most famous recipes in Cambodia.The snakeheads are usually sold alive, wriggling around in bins. A woman will kill it and clean it for you right on the spot. This makes a lot of sense as the heat would spoil the fish quickly. You will see smoked and dried fish in the region for the same reason. Smoked fish is a standard in congee, salads and many other traditional dishes. Every evening around 5pm the hawkers will set up their grills and serve dozens of exotic foods from amok to intestines for the locals to take home. Restaurants are not the norm in the smaller towns, so many times I would buy food at these stalls and take it to my guest house to eat. Everyone seemed amused at the farang walking around with little bags of fish and curries. I bought some plates and cutlery to keep in my backpack. I recommend it to everyone travelling in this area.

Here is a video I took of the market in Pailin. You can see the bins of live fish for sale

 

I spent a couple of days in Krakor near a special village called Kompong  Luong. Kompong Luong is a true "floating village". The town is completely floating on water and moves around the Tonle Sap lake according to the seasons. It's between 2000 and 3000 people with shops, schools, hospital, pagodas, and workshops with waterways dividing everything into neighbourhoods. You can tour around on a motorized canoe, and stay in one of the 2 guesthouses in the village.

During my tour, I ran into the "meat lady" selling her meats from door to door. She wouldn't stop laughing! To see more photos of  Kompong Luong check out my photo blog

The Meat Boat

Besides eating grilled tilapia , I had fried frogs, smoked fish papaya salad, and stir fried clams. everything was delicious and it was fun trying to communicate with locals, as no one knows English. It was a relaxing few days and nice to hang out and do nothing but watch the boats motor past.

Morning at the docks of Kompong Luong

Whole grilled salted fish is a great dish for the BBQ and not too difficult to prepare.Here's a recipe:

Serve with jasmine rice and lots of fresh Thai basil and mint

GTA 5 was developed with Next Gen consoles in mind.

It's obvious that V was developed with the next-gen consoles in mind for a long time. The build logs suggest that the PC version has been in the works since at least early-to-middle 2012, and 'Orbis' is mentioned in the game files, which happens to be the OS of the PlayStation 4.

I'd imagine that when developers are done with the raw assets of their project, they start to work on the platforms their game is supposed to release for. In which case the aforementioned assets are downscaled to a quality each given platform is capable of. Since PC happens to be the platform with the most power, games also have higher resolution textures, higher poly models and higher quality audio files [and probably cut-scenes] on it compared to their console counterparts

PS4 and Xbox One's architectures are basically the same as the PC, so porting games from the latter is fairly easy. The only major difference between those platforms is the way the system and video RAM are utilized, the different Operating Systems and the different APIs. But other than that, it is easy to work with them and it's easy to port assets between each of them.

Personally, I found a next-gen release rather unlikely about a year ago or two. However, given the huge success of the PS4 and Xbone it was kind of obvious that Rockstar wouldn't want to miss out the opportunity and release GTAV for those platforms. Who knows, maybe Microsoft and Sony had expected their new consoles to be as successful as they turned out to be, which would explain why R* started to work on the PS4 version over a year ago. Or maybe they knew that a next-gen release would be profitable either way, since it is GTA. Just take a look at GTA IV, the game was released in 2008 when about four to five times less PS360's were on the market compared to now, and it sold in six years almost as much as San Andreas did in ten years, which, in turn, was released at the end of the console generation.

The series is becoming more popular with each new release, and they made so much money with V on the PS3 and Xbox 360 that there is practically nothing that could hurt them financially, at this point.

Credit to: Andreas (GTAFORUMS)

Andreas

GTA 5 was a next-gen game from the start

I somewhat have a suspicion that GTA 5 was originally built for the high-end systems anticipated in 2014, but was downscaled in features and graphics for PS3 and XBOX360 to start selling.

 Why do i think this way?
It's more easier to scale down the done features, than to develop new ones from the scratch or low-poly template. This would also save a lot of work. Before the official release, Rockstar was less bound by deadlines, than to this fall, so i guess they plan to say something like "you ain't seen nothing yet" to excite the crowd again and push up the sales.

This strategy they seem to follow, when they hadn't introduce vehicles and features from the start of GTAO, only to introduce them later bit by bit in the updates. What i'm trying to say, that Rockstar could done much more work before the release, than we saw in GTA 5 and all this we're bound to see in the PC version. I'm looking forward to it.

Credit to: Alvarez (GTAFORUMS)
GTA 5 was a next-gen game from the start

GTA 5 Next- Gen, PC Release date - September, with Proof

So because it seems that not everyone goes back through all the pages to read all the comments, here again a somewhat brief summary of why delay and other LATE release dates are not viable for Take2 nor R* and also why they aren't that plausible:


Take2 Interactive told us at the 2014 financial phone conference that they expect a 45% share of the total revenue from R* for this fiscal year, which ends in march 2015, so to reach that amount they would have to release it earlier than 2015 to make up for that, i don't think the game will make 45% of the revenue in a few weeks, it will need a couple (with couple i really mean 2-4 months) to get to such amount, don't get me wrong, but since the X1 hasn't been released in some countries and the PS4 isn't in stock in a lot of places (atleast in the Netherlands for example or big parts of West-Europe)

I think it's only logical to release it with such a time gap. I mean a company with such a big prospect, wouldn't make the mistake to release it like 3 weeks before the fiscal year ends, they want a rock solid amount of time to make that share percentage and even more. I myself am a PC fan so that not being in stock issue doesn't count for me, but with respect to the console gamers that would be only fair.
 So here is also the so-called repudiation or renunciation of the people calling for release dates in October/November/December 2014, in other words: Why those given dates can't be true!



We will start with October:
October can't be the release month of the game because of the following: In this month a lot of games will release and most importantly a lot of games from 2K Games. If you didn't know it 2K games is a company part of Take2 Interactive, which is the mother company of Rockstar Games and also 2K Games. So in October the following will release: NBA 2K15, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, WWE 2K15 and ofcourse Evolve, the new IP from 2K Games. So it would be really illogical to release GTA V in that month, in which a lot of blockbuster triple-A titles will be released. All the spotlight will be given to these games, and this is only the line up of 2K-games.

In the same month, October, Dragon Age 3: Inquisition will be released and also Alien Isolation and not to forget Battlefield Hardline (only for last-gen though), but also The Evil Within etc. So it will only be a stupid move from a marketing and sales perspective to release the game in October. And since October is the same month in which 2K Games releases most of its games for this year and 2K Games and Rockstar Games are both companies owned by Take2 Interactive, it won't happen. Take2 Interactive takes these things into account, so to make the most revenue you must divide the releases.

Also DriveClub is coming out for the PS4 in that month, which is a huge release for PS4, but still this release adding up to the others only helps the foundation of my argument.

So that was that for October, there are more logical arguments why it can't be October but you can deduce that from the information i have given you in the text above.

November:
November simply is the month in which it won't be released in for the same reason as above: The spotlight and revenue.
These games will be released in November:

• CoD Advanced Warfare (only for Next-Gen and PC)
• Halo: The Master Chief Collection for X1
• Far Cry 4
• Little Big Planet 3
• Project Cars
• Assassin's Creed: Unity -> 28th of October and only releases for Next-Gen and PC
• Disney Infinity 2.0: Marvel Super Heroes
• Forza Horizon 2
• NHL 15
• The Crew (only for Next-gen and PC, probably anticipated in November)
• and Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth (only for PC and Mac, probably anticipated in November)

While not all of these titles are big titles, a lot of them are and they will be released in November so that's why it wont be the month November.

And now December:
It simply wont be December, because of the time of the year, it's just too close to the end of the fiscal year. So R* probably wont earn 45% of the revenue for this fiscal year if they release it in december.

Any other thoughts of delay or release of GTA V in 2015 is invalid because of my previous arguments including the info given on the Take2 Interactive Financial Call Conference.

Last of all: 
Even though some titles are meant for Last Gen + PC, it wont happen because of the given spotlight argument. People nowadays dont have enough money to buy several games in a month since all the games are being sold for the full price.

So a recap/summary:

October: Too much 2K Games releases + other triple A titles.
November: Same reason but from other developers/publishers.
December: Time of year + Too close to the end of the fiscal year.

So my prediction finally:

September, why you may ask?

1. -No big releases in September, next to Dead Rising 3 but that isn't a lot of competition since it will only re-release for PC.
2. -A one year anniversary for GTA V.
3. -Most logical choice.

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Credit to DutchVeteran 

PS4 Cinavia protected movies list

PS4 Cinavia protected movies 

Here is a list of movies that are Cinavia protected and will not work on the PS4's unfortunately. This list is updated within minutes of discovering a newly found Cinavia protected movie. The list goes from top to bottom, at the bottom being the new releases. For a real time updated list, go here: http://sh.st/rmY9M

The Losers*
The Karate Kid (2010)*
The Karate Kid (2010) [4K]*   
The Other Guys     14dec
The Other Guys [4K]
Resident Evil: Afterlife*   
Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D*
Salt   
The Social Network
Takers
Burlesque   
The Tourist*
How Do You Know
The Green Hornet
The Green Hornet 3D
The Roommate   
Battle: Los Angeles
Battle: Los Angeles [4K]   
Priest (2011)
Priest 3D (2011)
Dylan Dog: Dead Of Night*
Zookeeper   
Bad Teacher   
Larry Crowne*   
30 Minutes or Less   
The Smurfs   
The Smurfs 3D
Friends with Benefits
Life, Above All*   
Straw Dogs   
Colombiana*   
Midnight in Paris*   
The Guard*   
Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark*
Moneyball   
Moneyball [4K]
Courageous   
The Ides of March*
Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star
Restless (2011)   
Drive*
The Thing (2011)*   
Anonymous   
The Rum Diary*
Take Shelter*
London Boulevard*   
The Adventures of Tintin*   
The Adventures of Tintin 3D*
The Skin I Live In*
Jack and Jill
Carnage*
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
In the Land of Blood and Honey*   
A Dangerous Method*
The Vow   
Underworld: Awakening*
Underworld: Awakening 3D*
The Woman in Black*
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance*   
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance 3D*
In Darkness*   
Project X (2012)
Wrath of the Titans
Wrath of the Titans 3D
21 Jump Street     Sony Pictures
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen*
Lockout*   
Footnote   
Meeting Evil
Detention   
The Raid: Redemption*
A Separation*
Think Like a Man
Darling Companion*
The Pirates! Band of Misfits   
The Pirates! Band of Misfits 3D
Starship Troopers: Invasion
Where Do We Go Now?*
Hysteria*
Men in Black III
Men in Black III 3D
Resident Evil: Damnation   
Resident Evil: Damnation 3D
Damsels in Distress
Rock of Ages   
Neil Young Journeys   
That’s My Boy
Safety Not Guaranteed*
The Campaign   
Arthur Christmas   
Arthur Christmas 3D
The Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man [4K]
The Amazing Spider-Man 3D
Sparkle   
Hope Springs (2012)*
Total Recall (2012)
Total Recall (2012) [4K]
Premium Rush   
Resident Evil: Retribution*   
Resident Evil: Retribution 3D*
The Words*   
Looper*   
Frankenweenie     Disney   
Frankenweenie 3D
To Rome with Love*   
Searching for Sugar Man*   
Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning*   
Seven Psychopaths*   
Hotel Transylvania   
Hotel Transylvania 3D
Here Comes The Boom   
Celeste And Jesse Forever*   
Company of Heroes   
Playing For Keeps*   
Robot & Frank*     06mar   
Smashed   
Zero Dark Thirty*   
Rust and Bone*
Adventures in Zambezia*   
Small Apartments   
Iron Man: Rise of Technovore   
Django Unchained*   
Parker*   
The Last Exorcism Part II*   
The Call*   
No*
Dead Man Down*   
The Gatekeepers   
Evil Dead (2013)*   
Olympus Has Fallen*   
The Company You Keep*   
Amour*
At Any Price
Love Is All You Need*
The Kings Of Summer*
This Is The End
After Earth
Before Midnight
White House Down
Grown Ups 2
The To Do List*
The Smurfs 2
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones*
Battle Of The Year
2 Guns*
Elysium4K
One Direction: This Is Us
Kick-Ass 2# Universal Studios
Insidious: Chapter 2*
I’m So Excited!*
Parkland*
Blue Jasmine*
Captain Phillips (only 4k)
In a World…
Last Vegas*
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2
Bonnie & Clyde
Austenland
Wadjda*
The Armstrong Lie
Oldboy (2013)
Cold Comes the Night
Inside Llewyn Davis*
The Hungover Games
Kill Your Darlings*
American Hustle*
The Past*
47 Ronin
Bad Milo!*
The Invisible Woman*
Bad Country
Stalingrad (2013)
That Awkward Moment*
The Monuments Men*4K
About Last Night (2014)
Pompeii (2014)*
Her*
Gambit (2012)*
How I Live Now*
Endless Love (2014)#
Tim’s Vermeer
Nebraska*
Afflicted
The Lunchbox*
Jodorowsky’s Dune
The Raid 2: Berandal*
The Zero Theorem*
Heaven Is for Real
Make Your Move (2013)*
The Amazing Spider-Man 2

For a real time updated list, go here: http://sh.st/rmY9M