what makes you want to become the Talossan citizens?

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

@Carter Montana In one of my responses I mentioned being involved in something called the Talossan Book of Cuisine. We collect favorite recipes from Talossans. I know you are not yet Talossan but by the time the next issue comes out you hopefully will be.

Do you have a favorite recipe that you'd be willing to share for publication?

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

Big question is: we want to warn prospectives about the "missing stair", but how can we do this without scaring newcomers away? (Like, should we even be talking about this in this thread?)

I think you make a fair point -- I don't know, I guess maybe someone's going to have the talk with folks after they immigrate.  Thanks for the reminder about being circumspect.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

I think you make a fair point -- I don't know, I guess maybe someone's going to have the talk with folks after they immigrate.

Now that I know this is happening for sure. I will be sure to share information as well.

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

Now that I know this is happening for sure. I will be sure to share information as well.

What are you talking about? Almost the whole country has been warning people about you for months. The legislature even passed a bill about it.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

What are you talking about? Almost the whole country has been warning people about you for months. The legislature even passed a bill about it.

The whole country is not Wittenberg, Baron. Your tendency towards exaggeration and sensationalization continues. A whisper campaign towards new people coming into this country is a very different thing and it is unacceptably toxic and destructive.

[Mic’haglh Autófil, O.Be]

for me, i have three main reasons:

1- Talossa rich history and culture especially the Talossan language which make me as a kinda language nerd fascinated.

2- stability. Talossa have been in existence since 1979 but it's so rare for Talossa to go through any serious internal or external conflicts which make me as a person who hate war/conflict, really wanna participate in the Talossan life and help develop its even more further.

3- opportunity. one of the main reasons i decided to join the micronational world is because i wanna gain experience as a leader, even if it on a small scale and this lead me to Talossa, a nation full of opportunities and lessons waiting for me to take part.

I would say my reasons pretty much sum up as:

- Taking part in a (mostly-)functioning democracy and actually seeing results is appealing.
- Constructed languages have always been something I am interested in (even though my Talossan is rudimentary for now)
- The "trappings of statehood" (flags, heraldry, etc.) have always interested me.

Of course, most micronations, even tiny ones, can offer these. So why Talossa specifically? Simply put, its size and longevity. When I immigrated a few years ago, Talossa had already been doing its thing for over 40 years. Now it's over 45! That lends a good, organic character to the whole thing that you don't get in many other micronations.

There is a Talossan citizen who was once very prominent in both the Kingdom and the Republic who summed it up like this: "The great thing about Talossa...is that all these people are doing stuff that would otherwise be very solitary, but they're together. Like, I design and play my own games, I write and play music, I'm interested in writing sketch comedy and parody, and for years I've designed my own religions. So I'm sitting here doing all this stuff, but it's all solitary - I'm alone. And I think everyone in Talossa feels that way. We all have our selfish indulgences we do by ourselves. But Talossa is a place where we can do them together, rather than as isolated geeks all over the country, which is essentially what we are."

[Miestră Schivă, UrN-GC]

I think you make a fair point -- I don't know, I guess maybe someone's going to have the talk with folks after they immigrate.  Thanks for the reminder about being circumspect.

After immigration might be too late, if the prospective has already been persuaded that the missing stair is a good guy and will simply not believe/be interested in new information (read: Bråneu's comments during his renunciation); but whether the warning comes before/after immigration, a warning which can be mistaken for a personal grudge or political skullduggery will be ignored anyway; which would indicate that a non-political source would be preferred, but since the victim in this case is the SoS, then we're back to square one.

It's a knotty problem which is perhaps best discussed in another thread.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

After immigration might be too late, if the prospective has already been persuaded that the missing stair is a good guy and will simply not believe/be interested in new information (read: Bråneu's comments during his renunciation); but whether the warning comes before/after immigration, a warning which can be mistaken for a personal grudge or political skullduggery will be ignored anyway; which would indicate that a non-political source would be preferred, but since the victim in this case is the SoS, then we're back to square one.

It's a knotty problem which is perhaps best discussed in another thread.

The problem here is that you yourself are guilty of the things you accused me of Miestra. What if the missing stair is the one proclaiming others as a missing stair? I promise to share information on what you did, with evident pride, to the Baron as well.

[Miestră Schivă, UrN-GC]

I think you make a fair point -- I don't know, I guess maybe someone's going to have the talk with folks after they immigrate.  Thanks for the reminder about being circumspect.

Sorry, forgot to add: the point that "Wittenberg is not the whole country" is a very good one, and the Ziu is not the whole country for that matter; so sanctions which are restricted entirely to those fora aren't even going to reach less active citizens, let alone prospectives.

It's unseemly for newcomers to see citizens pointing at each other and saying "watch out for that character", but it's possibly a better alternative than waiting until someone's in the door to whisper to them, after the miscreant's been "love-bombing" them during the examination period.

[Carteir Montagnhă]

I would say my reasons pretty much sum up as:

- Taking part in a (mostly-)functioning democracy and actually seeing results is appealing.
- Constructed languages have always been something I am interested in (even though my Talossan is rudimentary for now)
- The "trappings of statehood" (flags, heraldry, etc.) have always interested me.

Of course, most micronations, even tiny ones, can offer these. So why Talossa specifically? Simply put, its size and longevity. When I immigrated a few years ago, Talossa had already been doing its thing for over 40 years. Now it's over 45! That lends a good, organic character to the whole thing that you don't get in many other micronations.

There is a Talossan citizen who was once very prominent in both the Kingdom and the Republic who summed it up like this: "The great thing about Talossa...is that all these people are doing stuff that would otherwise be very solitary, but they're together. Like, I design and play my own games, I write and play music, I'm interested in writing sketch comedy and parody, and for years I've designed my own religions. So I'm sitting here doing all this stuff, but it's all solitary - I'm alone. And I think everyone in Talossa feels that way. We all have our selfish indulgences we do by ourselves. But Talossa is a place where we can do them together, rather than as isolated geeks all over the country, which is essentially what we are."

i agree with everything you've said here. it just made me realize that sometimes i'm kinda lonely but if i have something to do especially with people who are committed to do it with us or just willing to help us abit throughout the whole thing or maybe just being there is already a way to bring happiness and isolated loneliness from us.

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

After immigration might be too late, if the prospective has already been persuaded that the missing stair is a good guy and will simply not believe/be interested in new information (read: Bråneu's comments during his renunciation); but whether the warning comes before/after immigration, a warning which can be mistaken for a personal grudge or political skullduggery will be ignored anyway; which would indicate that a non-political source would be preferred, but since the victim in this case is the SoS, then we're back to square one.

Yeah, I don't know.  I think the strength of the response does have to count for something when it comes to later persuasion; it's fairly simple to refer people to the bill about him which passed with zero votes against and which specifically names him and his behavior.  And anyone can see how isolated he has become, despite being one of the most social Talossans. 

It's a knotty problem which is perhaps best discussed in another thread.

Agreed.  Let's take it up further, elsewhere.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

Yeah, I don't know.  I think the strength of the response does have to count for something when it comes to later persuasion; it's fairly simple to refer people to the bill about him which passed with zero votes against and which specifically names him and his behavior.  And anyone can see how isolated he has become, despite being one of the most social Talossans. 

Agreed.  Let's take it up further, elsewhere.

Yes, my party

Yeah, I don't know.  I think the strength of the response does have to count for something when it comes to later persuasion; it's fairly simple to refer people to the bill about him which passed with zero votes against and which specifically names him and his behavior.  And anyone can see how isolated he has become, despite being one of the most social Talossans. 

Agreed.  Let's take it up further, elsewhere.

I again want to thank that URL member for supporting the bill calling out Miestra's rough music. :)

[King Txec]

Talossa certainly has a lot to offer and I fervently hope you stick around and help make us even better!

-Txec R

[Carteir Montagnhă]

@Carter Montana In one of my responses I mentioned being involved in something called the Talossan Book of Cuisine. We collect favorite recipes from Talossans. I know you are not yet Talossan but by the time the next issue comes out you hopefully will be.

Do you have a favorite recipe that you'd be willing to share for publication?

thank you for asking, i've been a fan of food all my life, i really like to cooking food for myself and learn new technique.

i have a few favorite recipes, and they are all from my homeland, such as:

1. Chha Kh'nhei (ឆាខ្ញី – Stir-fry with Ginger)

When eaten: Usually for lunch or dinner, often cooked when someone is sick because ginger is "warming."

Ingredients:

- 300g pork, chicken, or eel (thinly sliced)

- 80–100g fresh ginger (julienned)

- 3 cloves garlic (chopped)

- 1 tbsp oyster sauce

- 1 tbsp soy sauce

- 1 tsp fish sauce

- 1 tsp sugar

- A handful of green onions or spring onion tops (cut 3 cm)

- Fresh black pepper

- 1 tbsp cooking oil


Steps (Khmer style):

1. Heat oil in the wok. Fry garlic until lightly golden.


2. Add meat, stir until half-cooked.


3. Add fish sauce, oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sugar. Stir well.


4. Add ginger and a little water if dry. Stir until fragrant.


5. Toss in green onions and black pepper just before removing from heat.


6. Serve hot with plain rice.

_______________


2. Beef Lok Lak (ឡុកឡាក់ – Stir-fried Marinated Beef)

When eaten: Restaurant favorite, but families also make it for guests. Usually served with the lime-pepper-salt dip.

Ingredients:

- 400g beef sirloin (cut into cubes or slices)

- 1 tbsp oyster sauce

- 1 tbsp soy sauce

- 1 tsp fish sauce

- 1 tsp sugar

- 1 tsp cornstarch

- 1 tbsp vegetable oil


Dip:

- 1 lime

- 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper

- ½ tsp salt


To serve:

- Lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion slices

- Fried egg (optional but popular in Cambodia)


Steps (Khmer style):

1. Marinate beef with oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, cornstarch, and oil. Rest at least 20 mins.


2. Heat pan very hot, quickly stir-fry beef until just cooked (don't overcook or it gets tough).


3. Arrange lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and onion on a plate. Place beef on top. Add fried egg if desired.


4. Mix lime juice, pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Use as dipping sauce.


5. Eaten with rice, dipping each piece of beef into the sauce.

_____________


3. Cha Kroeung (ឆាគ្រឿង – Stir-fry with Lemongrass Paste)

When eaten: Daily home cooking. Every family makes some version of "cha kroeung" with chicken, beef, or even frog.

Kroeung Paste (basic yellow):

- 3 lemongrass stalks (thinly sliced)

- 3 cloves garlic

- 2 shallots

- 2 slices galangal

- 1 thumb fresh turmeric (or ½ tsp powder)

- 2 kaffir lime leaves

- 2 bird's eye chilies (optional)


(Pound everything with mortar & pestle until fine, or blend.)

Other Ingredients:

- 300g chicken or beef (sliced)

- 1 tbsp fish sauce

- 1 tsp sugar

- 1 tbsp oil


Steps (Khmer style):

1. Heat oil, fry kroeung paste until very fragrant.


2. Add meat, stir until coated.


3. Add fish sauce and sugar, stir until meat is cooked and infused with kroeung.


4. Add a little water if needed, but usually it's kept dry and fragrant.


5. Garnish with sliced kaffir lime leaves.


6. Serve with hot rice.

_____________


4. Bok Lahong (បុកល្ហុង – Papaya Salad)

When eaten: Popular street food and snack, eaten in the afternoon or with grilled meats. Khmer version is saltier and funkier than Thai som tam.

Ingredients:

- 2 cups shredded green papaya

- 1 carrot (optional, shredded)

- 2 long beans (cut into 5 cm pieces)

- 5 cherry tomatoes (halved)

- 2 garlic cloves

- 2–3 bird's eye chilies (to taste)

- 1 tbsp palm sugar (or normal sugar)

- 2 tbsp fish sauce

- 2 tbsp lime juice

- 2 tbsp dried shrimp or a little prahok (fermented fish) or fermented crab (optional, very Khmer)

- 2 tbsp roasted peanuts (crushed)


Steps (Khmer style):

1. Pound garlic and chili in mortar until crushed.


2. Add long beans and tomatoes, pound lightly.


3. Add sugar, fish sauce, lime juice, and dried shrimp/prahok/fermented crab (if using). Mix well.


4. Add shredded papaya and carrot. Pound and toss until everything is combined.


5. Sprinkle peanuts on top. Serve fresh.

(i strongly recommend doing more research, such as watching videos on YouTube, if you're not sure, because i understand that the process of making these dishes can be a bit complicated.)

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

thank you for asking, i've been a fan of food all my life, i really like to cooking food for myself and learn new technique.

i have a few favorite recipes, and they are all from my homeland, such as:

1. Chha Kh'nhei (ឆាខ្ញី – Stir-fry with Ginger)

When eaten: Usually for lunch or dinner, often cooked when someone is sick because ginger is "warming."

Ingredients:

- 300g pork, chicken, or eel (thinly sliced)

- 80–100g fresh ginger (julienned)

- 3 cloves garlic (chopped)

- 1 tbsp oyster sauce

- 1 tbsp soy sauce

- 1 tsp fish sauce

- 1 tsp sugar

- A handful of green onions or spring onion tops (cut 3 cm)

- Fresh black pepper

- 1 tbsp cooking oil


Steps (Khmer style):

1. Heat oil in the wok. Fry garlic until lightly golden.


2. Add meat, stir until half-cooked.


3. Add fish sauce, oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sugar. Stir well.


4. Add ginger and a little water if dry. Stir until fragrant.


5. Toss in green onions and black pepper just before removing from heat.


6. Serve hot with plain rice.

_______________


2. Beef Lok Lak (ឡុកឡាក់ – Stir-fried Marinated Beef)

When eaten: Restaurant favorite, but families also make it for guests. Usually served with the lime-pepper-salt dip.

Ingredients:

- 400g beef sirloin (cut into cubes or slices)

- 1 tbsp oyster sauce

- 1 tbsp soy sauce

- 1 tsp fish sauce

- 1 tsp sugar

- 1 tsp cornstarch

- 1 tbsp vegetable oil


Dip:

- 1 lime

- 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper

- ½ tsp salt


To serve:

- Lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion slices

- Fried egg (optional but popular in Cambodia)


Steps (Khmer style):

1. Marinate beef with oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, cornstarch, and oil. Rest at least 20 mins.


2. Heat pan very hot, quickly stir-fry beef until just cooked (don't overcook or it gets tough).


3. Arrange lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and onion on a plate. Place beef on top. Add fried egg if desired.


4. Mix lime juice, pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Use as dipping sauce.


5. Eaten with rice, dipping each piece of beef into the sauce.

_____________


3. Cha Kroeung (ឆាគ្រឿង – Stir-fry with Lemongrass Paste)

🍲 When eaten: Daily home cooking. Every family makes some version of "cha kroeung" with chicken, beef, or even frog.

Kroeung Paste (basic yellow):

- 3 lemongrass stalks (thinly sliced)

- 3 cloves garlic

- 2 shallots

- 2 slices galangal

- 1 thumb fresh turmeric (or ½ tsp powder)

- 2 kaffir lime leaves

- 2 bird's eye chilies (optional)


(Pound everything with mortar & pestle until fine, or blend.)

Other Ingredients:

- 300g chicken or beef (sliced)

- 1 tbsp fish sauce

- 1 tsp sugar

- 1 tbsp oil


Steps (Khmer style):

1. Heat oil, fry kroeung paste until very fragrant.


2. Add meat, stir until coated.


3. Add fish sauce and sugar, stir until meat is cooked and infused with kroeung.


4. Add a little water if needed, but usually it's kept dry and fragrant.


5. Garnish with sliced kaffir lime leaves.


6. Serve with hot rice.

_____________


4. Bok Lahong (បុកល្ហុង – Papaya Salad)

🍲 When eaten: Popular street food and snack, eaten in the afternoon or with grilled meats. Khmer version is saltier and funkier than Thai som tam.

Ingredients:

- 2 cups shredded green papaya

- 1 carrot (optional, shredded)

- 2 long beans (cut into 5 cm pieces)

- 5 cherry tomatoes (halved)

- 2 garlic cloves

- 2–3 bird's eye chilies (to taste)

- 1 tbsp palm sugar (or normal sugar)

- 2 tbsp fish sauce

- 2 tbsp lime juice

- 2 tbsp dried shrimp or a little prahok (fermented fish) or fermented crab (optional, very Khmer)

- 2 tbsp roasted peanuts (crushed)


Steps (Khmer style):

1. Pound garlic and chili in mortar until crushed.


2. Add long beans and tomatoes, pound lightly.


3. Add sugar, fish sauce, lime juice, and dried shrimp/prahok/fermented crab (if using). Mix well.


4. Add shredded papaya and carrot. Pound and toss until everything is combined.


5. Sprinkle peanuts on top. Serve fresh.

(i strongly recommend doing more research, such as watching videos on YouTube, if you're not sure, because i understand that the process of making these dishes can be a bit complicated.)

Ohmygosh! Thanks so much, delighted to include this in the next issue.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

@Carter Montana I've added the recipes to the draft but wanted to check on pictures. If you have any pictures please feel free to share them to copebh@gmail.com. They are not required but I wanted you to know.

[Carteir Montagnhă]

@Carter Montana I've added the recipes to the draft but wanted to check on pictures. If you have any pictures please feel free to share them to copebh@gmail.com. They are not required but I wanted you to know.

i'll be happy to send as much picture as you need. i will send them once i'm done collecting it.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

i'll be happy to send as much picture as you need. i will send them once i'm done collecting it.

Confirming receipt of recipe pictures. Thanks Carter.

[Max Maltezos]

I wanted to learn about the land of my birth, and I am also a language freak. Talossan should be in greater use (and in my opinion should be the prerequisite for citizenship).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Joseph Morris]

For me, Talossa is an interesting outgrowth of the internet. The internet creates new spaces and challenges definitions. Talossa is a microcosm of that, as Talossa exists primarily online (our territorial claims notwithstanding) and thus challenges the standard Montevideo criterion of a nation as having a physical space to inhabit.