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https://www.wikihow.com/Catch-a-Chicken | How to Catch a Chicken | To catch a chicken, start by putting a little feed on the ground to get the chicken to come closer to you. Next, approach the chicken slowly from behind, hover over it for a moment, then bend down and gently scoop up the chicken. Be sure to keep your arms over the chicken's wings so it can't flap out of your hands. You can also grab the chicken by the back and tail and gently scoop it up from underneath. If you're having trouble catching the chicken with your hands, try using a poultry hook! | Consider waiting until Nighttime to catch your chicken. It is often easier to catch chickens at Nighttime. Chickens roost at night, making them less mobile and easier to catch off guard. If you have a coop you can catch them after they roost for the night on the roosting rods. If a chicken has escaped, find where it is roosting and catch it there. You should try to be as quiet and gentle as possible. Approach the chicken quietly with a flashlight. Avoid making too much noise or sudden movements. Point the light towards the ground. If you are in the coop and shine the light directly at the birds on the roosting rod, you risk waking or startling them. Approach the chicken slowly. Grab the chicken. You can do this slowly and gently without disturbing the whole coop. Cup your hands and grab the chicken over the wings. This will prevent the chicken from flapping its wings and disturbing the other birds. Hold it close to your body tightly, like you would a pet. Bait the chickens. Try putting a little bit of feed out and they will flock to it. Try doing this in your chicken coop if you have one. It is a more contained area and it will be easier to catch the chicken you want inside of it. If your chickens won't come to you for regular feed, you can try pieces of bread as a treat, but these should be used sparingly. Once chickens have flocked to their food, you can approach them. Approach the chicken slowly from behind. If you move quickly, you will risk disturbing the hen and scaring her into a run. Be as quiet as possible. Don't make sudden movements. Hover over the chicken. This may cause the chicken to stop, crouch down and open its wings. This is what they do during mating. Grasp the chicken. You can do this a number of ways. The easiest and gentlest way to grab a chicken is to bend down and gently scoop up the chicken. Keep your hands or arms over her wings so she can't flap them to get away. You can also grab the chicken by the back and tail. Cup your hands and scoop up the chicken gently, scooping up from underneath. If the chicken runs forward grasp the tail feathers and grab the chicken from the front by the shoulders. Avoid having to grab the tail feathers as much as possible, as chickens dislike this. You can also try to grab the chicken by its legs underneath. Avoid holding the chicken upside down from its legs if you do this. Try using a poultry hook if you can't grab a chicken by hand. This is less gentle and quiet, but it is effective. Poultry hooks are long handled sticks with a hook made of wire on the end. Try hooking the chicken by the leg and pulling her toward you. You can also use a handled net to catch particularly stubborn bird. Prevent chickens from escaping by building a chicken coop. You should use a quality wood and high grade chicken wire. A chicken coop is a structure that will house chickens. Most chicken coops will be elevated structures with latched doors and chicken wire windows. Chicken wire will prevent the chickens from escaping and it will keep predators out. Most chicken coops will have roosting bars for the chickens to roost on and nesting boxes for the chickens to lay their eggs in. Plan the chicken coop size. You will want the chickens to have enough room in the coop. Plan for at least 2-4 square feet of floor space per chicken in your flock. You will need a nesting box for every 3-4 chickens. For example, if you had 12 chickens, you would need at least 24 square feet of floor space and at least 6 nesting boxes. Consider making elevation platforms for your chicken coop. Elevation is necessary to prevent predators from digging into the coop. You can elevate your coop with cement blocks, bricks, or a wooden platform. Lay out the size of the coop on the ground and place your elevation platforms at each corner. To make these more sturdy you might drive them into the ground to steady them. Make your flooring. Most chicken coops have a wood flooring if they are raised from the ground. Plywood covered with inexpensive linoleum is a preferred and cost-effective chicken coop flooring. Linoleum covering on a chicken coop floor will be durable as well as easy to clean. If you have decided against elevating your chicken coop you can use a dirt floor, but this won't prevent predators. If you don't have an elevated coop, you can also lay out concrete for flooring. This will keep out predators and be simple to clean. Build the sides and door of your chicken coop. You can start with a plywood frame. Make sure the coop is ventilated. This means that most of the sides should be windows rather than a solid wooden wall. Cover the open sides of the frame with a high-grade chicken wire. This will keep your chickens in the coop and predators out. Make a door with a latch. This latch should be a locking eye-hook type. Raccoons and other predators have been known to open sliding latches. Build nesting boxes. This is where chickens will lay their eggs. These should be about 12 inches square. You will need one for every 3-4 chickens in the coop. You can place these at floor level or on a platform. If they are on a platform, build a small ramp or ladder so the chickens can climb into them. Place roosting rods high in the chicken coop. These should be above the nesting boxes. If the roosts are placed below the nesting boxes, the chickens will be tempted to sleep in the nesting boxes. This will cause them to be soiled and unsuitable for eggs. Plan on using a wooden rod with at least 8 inches of space per chicken. Avoid metal roosting rods. These will get cold in the wintertime. Plastic should also be avoided as it can get slippery. Build a secure roof. This can be sloped to avoid rainwater from collecting or flat. Make sure it is solid and free of holes. You don't want your chickens to be wet in the rain. You will also want to make sure your chickens have shade. Some chicken coop kits and plans have shingles for sealing the roof. You can use these or make your own. Add bedding to the floor and nesting boxes of the coop. This will provide a cozy cushioning for the birds. Avoid using hay, as it can get moldy. Sand and sawdust can become wet, soiled, and harbor bacteria. Straw or pine shavings make the cleanest and best bedding. Keep regular maintenance of the pen. You will have to make sure the coop is clean and free of escape points. You should plan on cleaning your chicken coop often. Chickens will soil the coop, so you need to replace the bedding and wash down the flooring regularly. Make sure the latches, chicken wire, and platform are secure and free of holes. | Consider waiting until Nighttime to catch your chicken. Approach the chicken quietly with a flashlight. Grab the chicken. Bait the chickens. Approach the chicken slowly from behind. Grasp the chicken. Try using a poultry hook if you can't grab a chicken by hand. Prevent chickens from escaping by building a chicken coop. Plan the chicken coop size. Consider making elevation platforms for your chicken coop. Make your flooring. Build the sides and door of your chicken coop. Build nesting boxes. Place roosting rods high in the chicken coop. Build a secure roof. Add bedding to the floor and nesting boxes of the coop. Keep regular maintenance of the pen. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Job-in-Indian-Railways | How to Get a Job in Indian Railways | If you'd love to work for Indian Railways, there are thousands of job opportunities with them every year. Usually, you'll need to have a bachelor's degree to be eligible, but check the requirements for individual jobs. You can find job adverts on the Indian Railways website and in the job section of local newspapers. If Indian Railways like your application, they'll invite you to take a recruitment exam. You can study for the exam using online resources and practice tests, or take a course from a coaching institute. Indian Railways jobs are very competitive, so don't take it to heart if you don't get the job. Just keep trying, since lots of people get the job after a few attempts. | Meet the eligibility criteria. Before you start preparing or apply for an exam, you must make sure that you fulfill the eligibility criteria for taking the exam. There are basically two eligibility criteria for this recruitment exam: Educational criteria: For most Indian Railways recruitment exams, having a graduation/ bachelor degree is the basic eligibility criteria. Each candidate must possess a bachelor degree from a recognized university. Age requirements: Age is another restriction for gaining railway jobs. Check the job notification to make sure that you fulfill this criteria, it will be stated in the application forms. Be appropriately trained for the exam. Training is an important part of any examination. If you have applied for a railways exam, but you're not prepared for it, you may not succeed in the exam. Join a coaching institute for exam training and preparation. Or you can also go with self-study for railway recruitment exams Ensure that you have the right resources. Along with exam training, you must also focus on doing sufficient self-study for the exam; prior practice with test exams is very important. Get hold of the right educational resources and study materials for your next railways exam by using such helpful items as online study resources, practice tests, training and other resources for better exam preparation. Stay updated about job opportunities. Indian Railways has different branches and all of them recruit thousands of candidates for various posts through different recruitment exams every year. Make sure that you get the right information at the right time so that you can apply for an exam before its last date. Here are some useful ways to do that: Subscribe to some popular job alerts Read the newspaper job advertisements daily Keep yourself updated via the Indian Railways website (Indian Railways: http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/ ). Stay confident and hopeful. "Life does not end with an exam." So what if you do not succeed at your first attempt? Try again! Many people find success after hundreds of attempts. Keep moving forward and keep trying until you get what you deserve. Stay confident and hope for the best. | Meet the eligibility criteria. Be appropriately trained for the exam. Ensure that you have the right resources. Stay updated about job opportunities. Stay confident and hopeful. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Dal-Makhani | How to Make Dal Makhani | To make dal makhani, soak and strain your beans before placing them in a pressure cooker over a high heat for 10 minutes. Next, heat some ghee in a large frying pan to toast cumin seeds. Then add onion, garlic, and ginger until everything is golden brown. Add tomatoes, chili powder, and tumeric to the onion mixture and continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes. Pour the beans into the frying pan and use your spoon to mash most of them up. Finally, season with garam masala and salt. | Gather your supplies and ingredients. The quickest and easiest way to make dal makhani is with a pressure cooker, but you can also cook the beans in a lidded pot. Along with your ingredients and the pressure cooker, you'll also need: Large bowl for soaking the beans Strainer Large frying pan Wooden spoon Soak the beans. One of the main features of dal makhani is that it's creamy and rich. To get the right consistency and texture, the beans must be soaked so that they become soft. Place the beans in a large bowl and cover them with 3 to 4 cups of water. Allow them to soak overnight. If you don't have time to soak the beans, place them in a large pot with water, and bring them to a rolling boil for five minutes. Turn off the heat, cover the beans and water with a lid, and let them sit for an hour. The black lentils that you use for this dish are also called black gram and urad dal. You can also use split black lentils if you prefer. Cook the beans. After soaking, strain the beans and discard the water they were soaking in. Place the beans into the pressure cooker with 4 cups of water. Lock the lid and heat the pressure cooker over high heat until it reaches proper pressure. When the pressure cooker whistles the first time, reduce the heat a little and continue cooking the beans over medium–high heat for about 10 minutes, until the beans are soft. If you don't have a pressure cooker, cook the beans over medium–high heat in a lidded pot for 45 minutes to an hour. Remove the beans from the heat when they're ready. Toast the cumin. Heat the ghee over medium heat in a large frying pan. Add the cumin seeds and toast them until they become fragrant and start to change color. Ghee is clarified butter, but you can also use regular butter or oil to toast the cumin. Sauté the onion, garlic, and ginger. When the cumin is toasted, add the chopped onion, garlic, and ginger to the frying pan. Heat over medium heat until everything becomes golden brown. Stir the mixture regularly so the garlic doesn't burn. Burnt garlic becomes bitter, and this will change the flavor of the dish. Add the tomatoes, chili powder, and turmeric. Add the ingredients to the onion mixture and turn the heat up high. Cook for five to 10 minutes, until the tomatoes soften and reduce to a thick pulp or sauce-like consistency. Continue stirring regularly to prevent the tomatoes from burning to the bottom of the pan. You can also substitute tomato paste for some or all of the tomatoes to give the dish a deeper color and richer flavor. Add the beans to the sauté mixture. Pour the beans into the frying pan along with the water they cooked in. Using the back of your spoon, mash most of the beans to release the meat from within. Mashing the beans will thicken the dal and give the dish it's characteristic creamy texture. If the mixture is too thick, add some fresh water. The dal should be about as thick as a thick soup. Season with garam masala and salt. Then reduce the heat to low and simmer the dal for about 15 minutes. Stir in the cream and cook for another few minutes, long enough to heat the cream through. Use heavy cream for the richest flavor, or regular cream or milk for a slightly lighter version. Taste the dish before serving and add more salt if desired. You can also stir in a pinch of dried fenugreek leaves to give the dal a slightly sweet and nutty flavor. Gather your supplies. To make restaurant-style dal, you take a batch of home-made dal and add smoke flavor to it using the dhungar method, which is a way of smoking dishes using hot charcoal. To do this, you will need: Hot and freshly prepared home-style dal in a large pot or pan with a lid Small piece of natural lump charcoal (not charcoal briquettes, which are treated with glue and other ingredients) Open flame Tongs Small heat-proof bowl Heat the charcoal. Grab the piece of charcoal with tongs and heat it over the open flame. You can use a candle, a torch, or the flame from a gas stove. Turn the charcoal regularly so that it heats evenly. Heat the charcoal until it becomes red hot. When it's ready, carefully place it into the small heat-proof bowl. Smoke the dal. Place the bowl with the hot charcoal in the center of the prepared dal dish. Drizzle the oil over the charcoal and let it smoke and sizzle. Immediately place the lid over the dal and the charcoal and let the smoke infuse into the dal for about two minutes. Remove the charcoal. After two minutes, remove the lid and use the tongs to remove the bowl of charcoal from the dal. Set the bowl aside and allow it to cool. Give the dal one final stir before serving. Garnish and serve. Remove the dal from the heat when it's cooked and serve it hot. You can garnish each serving with an extra drizzle of cream and a sprinkle of coriander leaves. | Gather your supplies and ingredients. Soak the beans. Cook the beans. Toast the cumin. Sauté the onion, garlic, and ginger. Add the tomatoes, chili powder, and turmeric. Add the beans to the sauté mixture. Season with garam masala and salt. Gather your supplies. Heat the charcoal. Smoke the dal. Remove the charcoal. Garnish and serve. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Repair-Oxidized-Cloudy-Headlights-with-a-Headlight-Cleaner | How to Repair Oxidized Cloudy Headlights with a Headlight Cleaner | Before you clean your headlights, protect the paint around the lights with masking tape. Dab a small amount of toothpaste onto a damp, soft cloth, then use the cloth to scrub the headlight in a circular motion. Add more toothpaste to the cloth as needed, taking care not to get toothpaste on the car's paint. When the headlight appears clear, rinse the toothpaste off of the headlight and dry it with a paper towel or a cloth, then apply wax or polish to seal the plastic. | Determine whether the damage to the lens is on the outside or on the inside (if inside you may notice moisture,[2]
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and you may need to remove the lens, if possible and/or drain and dry it). Before trying any of these steps, try a "Headlight Deoxidizer" which will save time and is non-abrasive. Some of these steps may be unnecessary depending upon the damage or oxidation of your headlight lenses. Some headlights will require more work and some may be so bad that replacement is a better option. Try cleaning the lens with a glass cleaning solution like Windex if damage is on the outside of the lens. You can also use a watered-down degreaser to clean the headlight lenses. Follow this with a car polish or plastic polish available anywhere. Follow directions on the polish bottle and do not apply in sunlight. Be sure not to get it on black, rubberized plastic parts as it will make a white film that is hard to remove. Use a rotary buffer to make this process faster and obtain better results. To make this repair last longer seal with car wax or silicone sealer. Get a lens repair kit. Easy-to-use kits like the lens repair kit from 3M are available at local automotive retailers. Tape, sandpaper, lens polish and directions are included, and there's an online video that shows you how to do it. Mask around the headlight. Protect your car's finish with masking or painting tape. Don't use duct tape as it can ruin or lift the paint off your car. Clean the headlight lens. You can use sandpaper, but remember sandpaper scratches. If your lens has heavy/severe discoloration with apparent scratches/imperfections, this requires a rougher grit sandpaper, like the 600 grit. If the headlight lens has light discoloration with no apparent scratches, start with at 2500 grit. Whichever grit you use, you want to wet the sandpaper in a bucket or cup of soapy water. Wet the rag with a commercial plastic lens cleaner or degreaser. Make sure you wet the rag instead of spraying the headlight; this keeps the spray from getting on the paint. Wash the lens with a clean rag or a shop towel. Remove oxidation. Dip one finger into a plastic polish or a compound designed for plastic. With the lens still wet, apply the polish evenly over the entire headlight. Grab a sanding sponge or a soft hand pad and take out the starting sandpaper which you decided earlier, in most cases, the 600 grit sandpaper. Fold the sandpaper in three around the Soft Hand Pad Or Sanding Sponge. Dip the sponge and sandpaper into the soapy water. Sand, using a side to side motion, applying even pressure, periodically wetting the sponge and the sandpaper in the soapy water. (Avoid contacting paint and other surrounding surfaces.) Sand while keeping the surface wet . Continue the sanding process using a 1200 grit paper, then even finer 2000 grit and finally 2500 grit sandpaper to remove scratches left by the previous grit. Apply the plastic polish/ compound after sanding with the 2500-grit sandpaper. This time, let it haze, then buff/wipe off with a shop towel. Clean the lens with a plastic lens cleaner or soap and water. This is to remove any polish residue. Apply wax (protectant) to the headlight lens when the lens is clear. If you are not satisfied with the clarity of the lens, repeat Steps 1 – 5 until the lens is clear. Seal the lens with wax or silicone sealer. Fold a shop towel into four and squeeze a quarter-sized amount of wax or polish onto it and let it soak in for a few seconds. Apply to the lens using a single stroke going from left to right gradually working your way down the entire lens. Check for clean headlights. Remove the masking tape. The headlight repair is complete and you should now have clean headlights that look as good as new and restored optical clarity for safe night driving. Try any toothpaste, including a gel type; wear rubber gloves. Almost any kind — especially whitening ones — have an abrasive such as silica, other fine grit or soda. Wash your headlight lenses to clean of grit and road film. Avoid getting any of the cleaner or polish on paint, chrome, plastic or rubber. Be careful and consider masking tape and plastic sheet over the other surfaces to be protected. Rub on dabs (not great gobs) of toothpaste with a dampened soft cloth or towel to the cool lens, rubbing in a circular motion in part of the headlight that needs it. Remember to work on the edges if dulled or scratched. Add toothpaste as needed. Use enough paste and enough pressure to rub out the scratches; so, don't rub too lightly. As you work you will notice the plastic getting clearer. Increase the amount of water to toothpaste and cloth, as it begins to appear better. For each headlight you need to spend about 3, 4 or 5 minutes. Notice if it seems about as clear as it will get; stop rubbing, wash off and rinse with clean water and dry with a paper towel, or cloth. Wax or polish to seal the plastic, protecting and making it glossy. | Determine whether the damage to the lens is on the outside or on the inside (if inside you may notice moisture,[2]
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and you may need to remove the lens, if possible and/or drain and dry it). Try cleaning the lens with a glass cleaning solution like Windex if damage is on the outside of the lens. Follow this with a car polish or plastic polish available anywhere. Follow directions on the polish bottle and do not apply in sunlight. Use a rotary buffer to make this process faster and obtain better results. Get a lens repair kit. Mask around the headlight. Clean the headlight lens. Remove oxidation. Sand while keeping the surface wet Apply wax (protectant) to the headlight lens when the lens is clear. Check for clean headlights. Try any toothpaste, including a gel type; wear rubber gloves. Wash your headlight lenses to clean of grit and road film. Avoid getting any of the cleaner or polish on paint, chrome, plastic or rubber. Rub on dabs (not great gobs) of toothpaste with a dampened soft cloth or towel to the cool lens, rubbing in a circular motion in part of the headlight that needs it. Add toothpaste as needed. Increase the amount of water to toothpaste and cloth, as it begins to appear better. Notice if it seems about as clear as it will get; stop rubbing, wash off and rinse with clean water and dry with a paper towel, or cloth. Wax or polish to seal the plastic, protecting and making it glossy. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Turnover-Rate | How to Calculate Turnover Rate | Your company's turnover rate is the rate at which your employees come and go. To work out your turnover rate, divide the number of employee separations for a given period by the average number of employees during that period. If you don't already know your average, just add up the number of employees for each month and divide it by the number of months in that period. Employee separations include those who left voluntarily and those who were dismissed for any reason. For example, if you had 50 employee separations for a given period and an average of 1,100 employees over that period, you'd divide 50 by 1,100 to give you a turnover rate of 4.6 percent. | Learn the turnover rate formula. The turnover rate formula is (Employee separations for the period) / (Average number of employees during the period). Some businesses use the word “termination” instead of separation. Both terms refer to a worker leaving the company. Separations can be voluntary or involuntary. A voluntary separation refers to an employee who retires or resigns. In both instances, the worker is making the decision to leave. For example, if Bob is 65 years old and decides to retire, his departure his considered a voluntary separation. When employees are dismissed, that action is considered an involuntary separation. A layoff is also categorized as an involuntary separation event. For example, if Joe is dismissed from the firm after a series of poor performance reviews, his departure is considered an involuntary separation Calculate turnover for your firm. Most businesses calculate the turnover rate at least annually. You can calculate the rate for a shorter period of time, such as a fiscal quarter (3 months). Assume that your total number of workers is 1,000 on January 1st. By December 31 of the same year, the total is 1,200. Your total employee separations for the year is 50. Your average number of employees for the year is (1,000 + 1,200)/ 2 = 1,100 workers. Your turnover rate is (50 separations) / (1,100 average number of workers) = 4.6% (with rounding). Compare your turnover rate with the rates in your industry. That comparison will help you assess how well you supervise and manage employees. The turnover rate also has a big impact on your costs. Say, for example, that you manage a fast food restaurant. This industry normally sees a 30% annual turnover rate. You determine that your restaurant has a 15% turnover rate for the year. Your rate is much lower than the industry average. The lower rate is an indication that you're managing your staff effectively. If the restaurant had a 50% turnover rate, you need to find out why. If your rate is higher than the industry average, you may not be managing or selecting workers effectively. Your turnover rate is higher than expected. Something is not working properly and that issue needs to be addressed. Analyze the reasons why people leave the company. Workers leave your firm for different reasons. If you know why people are leaving your firm, you may be able to take steps to reduce your rate of turnover. Reducing the turnover rate can save you time and money. If the 50 separations in the example are dismissals, they may occur throughout the year. There may not be a specific event that drives dismissals, however there is sometimes a specific cause, such as hiring under-qualified workers. You'll need to analyze the problem before coming to a conclusion. This is also true of resignations. While you can't control retirements, you can take steps to reduce dismissals and resignations. Analyze how you hire, manage, and counsel your employees. See if you can make changes to reduce turnover. The 50 separations could be due to a single layoff due to lost business. Losing business may be a sales and marketing issue instead of a human resources issue. In this case, the changes you need to make are not related closely to managing people. Consider separation costs. When workers leave your business, your firm will incur several types of costs. Some of these costs are due to regulations and laws that are designed to help workers who are dismissed or part of a layoff. Your workers may be eligible for unemployment compensation. Typically, firms pay into a state unemployment fund to cover the cost of paying unemployment compensation. The more workers your firm dismisses or lays off, the more the company must pay toward unemployment compensation. Dismissed employees and workers involved in layoff are also eligible for continuing health insurance coverage through their former firm's insurance company. This is due to a federal law known as COBRA. Former workers on COBRA health insurance coverage may generate additional costs for your firm. Add up your replacement costs. If you dismiss a worker, or lose staff due to retirement or resignation, you may incur costs to replace that employee. In addition to the costs, you and your staff will have to spend time interviewing and assessing new candidates. To find good candidates for your open position, you may have to pay a recruiting company or a headhunter to find applicants. Your company may need to pay the travel costs for job candidates who interview with your firm. Nearly all firms now perform a background check on potential employees. Your firm will need to pay someone to perform these checks. Think about training costs. The cost of finding a new employee usually pales in comparison to the cost of training that employee to become productive within the company. Training costs include both any materials used and the time taken by the manager or other employees to train the new hire. On average, companies spend 32 hours and $1,200 per year on training each employee. You can avoid the additional costs incurred by training new hires by retaining old employees. Also consider the mistakes made by new hires. Any new employee must adjust to the workplace's system and accidents are inevitable. These accidents could end up costing the company both time and money. Take steps to reduce turnover. To reduce your turnover, you need to review your entire process for hiring and managing employees. This includes performing exit interviews with people who retire or resign. Ask them why they are leaving your firm. Create a formal annual review process for each employee. Make sure that workers receive timely and relevant feedback on their performance. Each manager's annual review should include an analysis of how well they manage their employees. This is a critical role for a manager, and they should be assessed on how well they perform. If you take action and improve how to manage employees, you can increase staff morale. If your workforce is satisfied with how they are managed, they may be more productive. | Learn the turnover rate formula. Calculate turnover for your firm. Compare your turnover rate with the rates in your industry. Analyze the reasons why people leave the company. Consider separation costs. Add up your replacement costs. Think about training costs. Take steps to reduce turnover. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Test-a-Transistor | How to Test a Transistor | To test your transistor, first clamp the black probe of a multimeter to the transistor's base. Then, touch the red probe to the emitter and read the display to see if the resistance is high or low. Next, move the red probe to the collector, and check that the reading is the same as it was before. Once you have those readings, remove the black probe from your transistor and clamp the red probe to the base. You can then touch the black probe to the emitter and collector and look at the new readings. Your transistor is good if your previous readings were both high and the current readings are both low, or the opposite is true. | A transistor is basically 2 diodes that share one end. The shared end is called the base and the other 2 ends are called the emitter and collector. The collector accepts an input current from the circuit, but it can't send the current through the transistor until allowed to by the base. The emitter sends a current out into the circuit, but only if the base allows the collector to pass the current through the transistor to the emitter. The base acts like a gate. When a small current is applied to the base, the gate opens and a large current can flow from the collector to the emitter. Transistors may operate by junctions or field effects, but both come in two basic types. An NPN transistor uses a positive semiconductor material (P-type) for the base and negative semiconductor material (N-type) for the collector and emitter. On a circuit diagram, an NPN transistor shows an emitter with the arrow pointing out ("Never Points iN" aids remembering). A PNP transistor uses an N-type material for the base and P-type material for the emitter and collector. The PNP transistor show an emitter with the arrow pointing in ("Points In Permanently" is the memorizer). Insert the probes into the multimeter. The black probe goes into the common terminal and the red probe goes into the terminal marked for testing diodes. Turn the selector knob to the diode test function. Replace the probe tips with alligator clamps. Determine which leads are the base, emitter and collector. The leads are round or flat wires extending from the bottom of the transistor. They may be labeled on some transistors or you may be able to determine which lead is the base by studying the circuit diagram. Clamp the black probe to the base of the transistor. Touch the red probe to the emitter. Read the display on the multimeter and note whether the resistance is high or low. Move the red probe to the collector. The display should give the same reading as when you touched the probe to the emitter. Remove the black probe and clamp the red probe to the base. Touch the black probe to the emitter and collector. Compare the reading on the multimeter's display to the readings you got previously. If the previous readings were both high and the current readings are both low, the transistor is good. If the previous readings were both low and the current readings are both high, the transistor is good. If both readings you receive with the red probe are not the same, both readings with the black probe are not the same, or the readings don't change when switching probes, the transistor is bad. Clamp the black probe to 1 of the leads of the transistor. Touch the red probe to each of the other 2 leads. If the display shows high resistance when each of the leads are touched, you have found the base (and you have a good NPN transistor). If the display shows 2 different readings for the other 2 leads, clamp the black probe to another lead and repeat the test. After clamping the black probe to each of the 3 leads, if you don't get the same high resistance reading when touching the other 2 leads with the red probe, you either have a bad transistor or a PNP transistor. Remove the black probe and clamp the red probe to 1 of the leads. Touch the black probe to each of the other 2 leads. If the display shows high resistance when each of the leads are touched, you have found the base (and you have a good PNP transistor). If the display shows 2 different readings for the other 2 leads, clamp the red probe to another lead and repeat the test. After clamping the red probe to each of the 3 leads, if you don't get the same high resistance reading when touching the other 2 leads with the black probe, you have a bad PNP transistor. | A transistor is basically 2 diodes that share one end. Transistors may operate by junctions or field effects, but both come in two basic types. Insert the probes into the multimeter. Turn the selector knob to the diode test function. Replace the probe tips with alligator clamps. Determine which leads are the base, emitter and collector. Clamp the black probe to the base of the transistor. Touch the red probe to the emitter. Move the red probe to the collector. Remove the black probe and clamp the red probe to the base. Touch the black probe to the emitter and collector. Clamp the black probe to 1 of the leads of the transistor. Touch the red probe to each of the other 2 leads. Remove the black probe and clamp the red probe to 1 of the leads. Touch the black probe to each of the other 2 leads. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-White-Gold | How to Clean White Gold | To clean white gold, start by mixing mild dish soap and warm water together in a bowl. Then, soak your white gold in it for 20-25 minutes. If your jewelry has pearls or onyx stones, apply the soapy water with a cloth instead. Next, make a paste out of water and baking soda and scrub your jewelry with it using a soft-bristled brush. For particularly dirty jewelry, you can use white vinegar instead of water. When you're finished, rinse off your white gold and dry it with a microfiber cloth. | Inspect your jewelry for loose stones or broken clasps. Before you begin, take your piece of jewelry and gently look it over. Loose stones or broken pieces need to be dealt with before you submerge the jewelry in water, otherwise you might lose something. If you notice loose or wiggling pieces, take your jewelry to a professional to have the piece repaired. Use a resealable plastic bag to transport it so that nothing gets lost along the way. Mix mild dish soap with warm water to soak your white gold. Use about 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of mild dish soap and 1 to 2 cups (240 to 470 mL) of warm water. Stir the water with your fingers or a spoon to make the water bubbly. The warm water and soap will gently dislodge any dirt or grime on your jewelry. If your jewelry is really dirty, add 3-4 drops of ammonia to the soapy water. Don't use hot water to clean your jewelry. Soak your jewelry in the soapy water for 20-25 minutes. This is the easy part! Just gently place your pieces in the water, set a timer, and walk away. If your jewelry has pearls or onyx stones, don't soak it. Rather, wrap the metal parts in a soft cloth that has been soaked in warm, soapy water. Make a paste out of water and baking soda and scrub the pieces. In a small bowl, use about 1/2 a tablespoon (10 grams) of baking soda and just enough water to create a thick paste. Remove the jewelry from the water and scrub each piece with a soft-bristled brush, like a toothbrush. The baking soda and brush will reach those tiny crevices, and it'll also make your pieces brighter. If your jewelry is really dirty, you could sub out the water for ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of white vinegar instead. Rinse off the soap and baking soda under warm water. When the pieces are shiny and there's no more visible soap or paste, you can stop rinsing. Be sure to let water flow between any clasps to thoroughly rinse everything away. Either plug the sink or rinse the items out over a colander to prevent losing anything down the drain. Dry and buff the jewelry with a microfiber cloth. Gently rub each piece until it is dry. Spend time getting between clasps and in small areas that might be hard to reach. The microfiber towel will dry the white gold without leaving any lint or fabric behind. You could also use a special jeweler's cloth, if you have one. Clean your white gold once a month to keep it in good shape. If you have a piece that gets a lot of use, like a ring , you may even want to clean it every week. Regular cleanings will keep your jewelry shining—set a reminder on your calendar for a monthly cleaning so you don't forget. Excessive cleaning can wear down the rhodium plating more quickly, so make sure to avoid abrasive cleaning products. Use a white gold cleaning product if soapy water doesn’t work. Sometimes white gold might have more build-up on it and need something tougher than water and baking soda. Use a spray designed for white gold and follow the manufacturer's instructions to clean your pieces. Lots of common jewelry cleaning products shouldn't be used on white gold because they'll eat away at the rhodium plating. Have a jeweler replate your white gold in rhodium if it’s turning yellow. This is not uncommon for white gold—overtime, the rhodium does wear away, which will make your jewelry look worn down, regardless of how much you clean it. Visit a reputable jeweler and pay to have them refresh the rhodium coating. Depending on what you're having done, replating will cost anywhere from $40 to $135. Store white gold apart from other kinds of jewelry to prevent scratches. White gold scratches and dents easily, so store it somewhere it won't bump up against other, harder, pieces. If you have a jewelry box, dedicate one section to white gold, or you could even wrap each piece in a small microfiber cloth for extra protection. Keep white gold away from high heat. Don't store it near a heating vent or radiator. Take off white gold jewelry if you’re going to be swimming in chlorine. Chlorine will eat away at the rhodium plating. Avoid wearing your white gold pieces in the pool. If you're out at a public pool, store your jewelry in the glovebox of your car, or put it down inside a bag to keep it safe. You should also consider taking off any white gold pieces, like rings, when you shower. Soap scum and hard water can build up on pieces over time. Wear gloves when using abrasive cleaning products. In addition to eating away at the plating, the chemicals can get behind mountings and cause them to deteriorate, which could loosen stones overtime. If you don't want to wear gloves, just remember to take off your white gold rings before cleaning. | Inspect your jewelry for loose stones or broken clasps. Mix mild dish soap with warm water to soak your white gold. Soak your jewelry in the soapy water for 20-25 minutes. Make a paste out of water and baking soda and scrub the pieces. Rinse off the soap and baking soda under warm water. Dry and buff the jewelry with a microfiber cloth. Clean your white gold once a month to keep it in good shape. Use a white gold cleaning product if soapy water doesn’t work. Have a jeweler replate your white gold in rhodium if it’s turning yellow. Store white gold apart from other kinds of jewelry to prevent scratches. Take off white gold jewelry if you’re going to be swimming in chlorine. Wear gloves when using abrasive cleaning products. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Ice-Cubes-From-a-Tray | How to Remove Ice Cubes From a Tray | If you're having trouble getting your ice cubes out of the tray, there are a few things you can try. One option is to turn the ice cube tray upside down over a bowl and pour cold water over it so the ice cubes fall out. You can also try hitting the bottom while the tray is upside down. Alternatively, hold the tray at each end and twist it back and forth to free the ice. If you only need a couple of ice cubes, lick your finger and press it against the ice cube to make it stick. To get the ice cube off your finger, just dip it in your drink. | Pour cool water on the bottom of the tray. Regardless of what kind of ice cube tray you're using, it's always a good idea to start by running some cool water over the underside of the tray. This will help break the seal that's keeping the ice cubes stuck to the tray material. Don't use hot or even warm water, otherwise, you might melt the ice. Hold the ice cube tray over the sink and run water from the tap over the bottom of the tray. Place a bowl or colander in the sink under the ice cubes in case any come loose and fall out. Flex the ends of the tray in opposite directions. Flip the ice cube tray over so it's right-side up. Hold one end of the tray in either hand and gently twist each end of the tray in opposite directions. With one hand, flex the tray away from you while flexing it toward you with the other hand. Release the flex, then twist the sides in the other direction. Flexing the tray like this allows air to enter between the ice and the tray, which will release the cubes from their pockets. If you have an old metal tray with a lever on it, pull up the lever to shift the metal divisions and release the ice. Lick your finger and touch an ice cube to lift it out. To remove a single ice cube from the tray, lick the tip of your index finger. While it's still wet, tap your finger onto the ice cube you want. The liquid on your finger will freeze upon contact with the ice and form a bond, so when you lift your finger, the ice cube will easily come out of its pocket attached to your finger. To get the cube off, simply dip the tip of your finger into your drink and allow the bond to melt. Dump the ice into a bowl. If you want all or some of the ice from the tray and not just a single cube, position the tray over a wide-mouthed bowl. Hold the tray in one hand and use the other hand to cover the ice that you want to remain in the tray, then flip the tray over so the ice falls out into the bowl. If necessary, give the bottom of the tray a quick bang with your hand if some of the cubes are still stuck. Don’t overfill the tray. Ice cube trays have individual pockets for each ice cube for a reason, and making sure the water stays within the boundary of each pocket will help make your ice cubes easier to get out of the tray when they're frozen. If the water in the ice cube trays is connected, it will freeze as one large block of ice, which will be harder to break up and remove from the tray. Don’t stack ice cube trays. When you stack ice cube trays on top of one another, cold air from the freezer can't get in between the trays, will causes the ice cubes in the bottom tray to freeze from the bottom up. Because water expands when it freezes, the bottom will then expand into the bottom of the tray, thereby sticking to the tray. If you need multiple batches of ice for a party or special recipe, freeze the ice cube trays one at a time, and then stack them once they're all frozen. Clean out trays before refilling them. People will often refill a half-full ice cube tray to make sure they have enough ice, but this can cause the ice to stick to the tray. Instead, empty the ice cube tray completely and let it dry out before adding fresh water to make more ice. Once frozen, ice can always be transferred to a sealable plastic bag or freezer-safe container if you need to free up the tray to make more ice. Try a soft silicone tray. While ice cube trays were traditionally made of metal, plastic is now the material of choice. However, some newer ice cube trays are made of a pliable silicone, and these can be great for ice because you can actually poke or pinch the bottom of each ice cube pocket to release it from the tray. To remove ice cubes from a silicone tray, flex both sides of the tray to loosen the cubes. Hold the tray in both hands, and place an index or middle finger under a single ice cube on the bottom of the tray. Push against the bottom of the cube with that finger, and the ice cube will pop out. Grab it with your other hand while still pushing it from the bottom. Silicone trays work best when they are clean and don't have a cloudy residue inside, so wash them out with hot soapy water and a brush between every filling. | Pour cool water on the bottom of the tray. Flex the ends of the tray in opposite directions. Lick your finger and touch an ice cube to lift it out. Dump the ice into a bowl. Don’t overfill the tray. Don’t stack ice cube trays. Clean out trays before refilling them. Try a soft silicone tray. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Train-a-German-Shepherd-to-Be-a-Guard-Dog | How to Train a German Shepherd to Be a Guard Dog | To train a German shepherd to be a guard dog, start by training it to listen and respond to basic commands, such as sit and stay, 2 to 3 times per day. Once your dog masters the these commands, begin teaching it to bark and be quiet on cue so you can help it learn to not bark at friends but to bark at certain strangers. Start by making a noise that will prompt your dog to bark, then name the behavior by saying "bark," and praise your dog for doing it. When your dog stops barking, say “quiet,” and praise it again. Reinforce these commands by practicing them daily for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. | Socialize your German shepherd when he is a puppy. In order to have a well-trained guard dog, you will need to start socializing your German shepherd from a young age. Puppies are more receptive to new things until they are about 18 weeks old. During this time, the things that they see, hear, and smell are less frightening. It is important to make sure that your German shepherd puppy is well-socialized during this time so that he will confident rather than anxious or fearful. To socialize your puppy, make sure that you expose the puppy to all sorts of different situations. Walk him past schools when kids are around, walk beside busy roads, take him out in the rain to see people with umbrellas, expose him to a vacuum cleaner and hair dryer, and introduce him to lots of other types of dogs and people. Try to make the experiences as wide and varied as you can. Find a dog trainer or obedience course. To teach your German shepherd to be a guard dog, he will need to be well-behaved and you will need to train with him every day. The best way to go about this is to find a good trainer or obedience course to help you. Look for a dog trainer or training class in your area that uses modern, well-informed methods of training based on either clicker training or reward-based training. Clicker training is a method of training that marks positive behavior with a clicking sound. Trainers who use this method also use rewards such as treats and praise, but the clicker helps to mark good behavior. Reward-based training uses praise, treats, and other things that will motivate your dog to follow your commands. Do not use old-fashioned methods of dominating a dog, such as alpha-rolls or scruffing techniques. These methods are outdated and ineffective. Teach your German shepherd to follow basic commands. Before your German shepherd can become a guard dog he needs to learn how to listen and respond to your commands. That is why it is a good idea to start with basic training commands such as sit, stay, and come back. Once your German shepherd has mastered basic commands, he will be ready to take on more challenging ones. Take good care of your German shepherd. Make sure your dog is well cared for, fed good quality food, and receives plenty of exercise. You want the dog to be fit and mentally stimulated. A bored, out of condition dog is more likely to overreact in the face of an intruder, which may lead to one of your friends or neighbors getting injured. Develop a regular training routine. Train your dog daily, ideally in two to three sessions a day. Each session varies in length depending on the attention span of the individual dog, but German shepherds are often capable of being trained for 20 minutes at a time. End each training session on a positive note. Your German shepherd will enjoy training more if it always ends with a treat and some praise. If your German shepherd starts to make mistakes, bring the lesson to a close with a simple command that you know the dog is capable of doing. That way you will be able to reward him and end the session on a positive note. Teach your German shepherd to bark. Make a noise that will make your dog bark, such as knocking on the door. After he starts barking, praise your dog and give him a reward. By following up his behavior with some praise, you will be letting your dog know that his behavior is good. Label the behavior. Next, add a cue or label to the barking, such as “Speak.” Say this cue the next time you tap on the door to help your dog associate the behavior with the word. Make sure that you reward and praise him as well. Reward him for being quiet. When your dog stops barking, praise and reward him so he knows that being quiet is also good. If your dog does not stop barking, then you can distract him with a few small treats until he quiets down. Feed him pieces of a cut-up hot dog or some other small treat one at a time to keep him quiet. Name the behavior. The next time that you practice this command with your German shepherd, add the word "Quiet" to help him associate the behavior with the word. When German shepherd stops barking, then say “quiet” as soon as he stops and the give him his reward and praise. If your dog needs to be distracted with treats, then say “quiet” as you are feeding him the treats. Reinforce both of these commands by constant repetition. You will need to practice these commands with your German shepherd every day so that he will understand what you want him to do. Set aside a daily time slot of about 10-20 minutes to work on training. After a while, try giving the cue word only to trigger the behavior. Start with "Speak" and when he starts barking, praise him and give him his reward. Then, say "Quiet" and reward the silence. Ask a friend to hang around outside your house. You might want to train your German shepherd to bark when he hears potential intruders outside your house. To do this have a friend hang around outside. Then, have your friend make a little noise sufficient to trigger the dog's guarding instinct and wait for him to bark. Praise your German shepherd to reinforce the barking. After your dog starts barking at your friend, praise him and give him a treat to reward the behavior. Then, give him the “quiet” command to get him to stop barking. Make sure that you praise and reward him for being quiet as well. Reinforce this behavior only when your German shepherd is at home. It is not a good idea to teach your dog to bark at strangers when you are out on walks or at the veterinarian's office. To be a good guard dog, your German shepherd should not regard strangers as a threat. To reinforce calm behavior around strangers, praise and reward your dog when he is calm around people outside of your home. Stage a break-in. A good guard dog needs to be confident. To help your German shepherd develop some more confidence in his guarding abilities, you can stage a break-in with the help of a friend. Ask a friend to pretend to break into your house. If your dog knows your friend, then you might want to have the friend put on a mask or wear a hoodie. Control your German shepherd during the staged break-in. First, make sure that you have control of your dog by keeping him on a leash or holding onto his collar. Then, have your friend come in through a window or sneak in the back door. When your dog starts barking at your friend, hold your dog's collar and praise him. Then, have your friend run away and leave the house, as if he has been scared away by your dog. This staged break-in will give your dog the message that his barking made the threat go away and he will feel more confident in his ability to guard and protect. Give the “quiet” command when the “intruder” is out of sight. When your friend is out of sight, give the "Quiet" command. Then, praise and reward your German shepherd for alerting you to the intruder and scaring him away. Do not let your dog chase after your friend or he may do serious harm to him. That is why it is a good idea to keep your dog on a leash or have a tight hold on his collar to prevent him from going after your friend. | Socialize your German shepherd when he is a puppy. Find a dog trainer or obedience course. Teach your German shepherd to follow basic commands. Take good care of your German shepherd. Develop a regular training routine. End each training session on a positive note. Teach your German shepherd to bark. Label the behavior. Reward him for being quiet. Name the behavior. Reinforce both of these commands by constant repetition. Ask a friend to hang around outside your house. Praise your German shepherd to reinforce the barking. Reinforce this behavior only when your German shepherd is at home. Stage a break-in. Control your German shepherd during the staged break-in. Give the “quiet” command when the “intruder” is out of sight. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Superworms | How to Care for Superworms | To care for superworms, keep them in a plastic container with a substrate of bran. Then, keep the container in a room with a temperature between 70 and 80 degrees F, which is the best temperature to encourage the superworms to grow. To feed your superworms, give them slices of fruit and vegetables, like apple and carrot. Don't worry about giving them water since they'll get it from their food, and extra water can cause health problems. Before you feed superworms to your pet, give the superworms a gutload food. | Choose a container. A plastic container can work well for superworms. You can also pick up an aquarium at a local pet store. The container should be large enough that its top will be at least three inches away from the substrate. You can easily use a plastic container you have lying around the house for superworms. For example, you can use a plastic tub used to store old clothing. Make sure the container has smooth sides. This will prevent superworms from crawling out. Provide ventilation. Superworms need some ventilation to thrive. It's a good idea to go for a container with a mesh lid. If your container does not have a mesh lid, you can poke very small holes near the lid to allow ventilation. Make sure the holes are small enough that superworms cannot crawl out. Add substrate. Substrate refers to the material that lines the bottom of an aquarium or cage. It serves as both bedding and food for creatures like superworms. Bran, wheat bran, or uncooked oatmeal are all suitable substrate for superworms. They provide some moisture without harming the worms. Substrate should be at least four inches thick so the worms have room to burrow. Make sure any substrate you add is dry. Too much moisture can kill superworms. Maintain the right temperature. Never refrigerate superworms as you would meal worms. This will kill them. The temperature should be roughly between 70° and 80° F (approximately 21°-27° C), which is generally within room temperature. It's usually safe to store superworms in an area of your home where the temperature is consistent. Superworms can tolerate temperatures slightly higher or lower than room temperature on occasion. It may stunt their growth, however. If you have a room that is consistently a little hot or a little cold, do not keep superworms here. Provide fruits and vegetables as food. Superworms feed on fruits and vegetables. You can feed them leftover produce from your kitchen. As superworms should not be exposed to water, opt for produce that can provide moisture such as potatoes, apple slices, carrots, and fresh greens. These vegetables will help keep your superworms hydrated. Always feed your superworms fresh, high-quality produce. Whatever you feed your superworm will ultimately go into your reptile, so offer healthy food! Feed your superworms at night. Superworms are nocturnal, so they do most of their eating at night. They are good eaters, and will go through food quickly if it is given at the right time. Keep water out of the habitat. Unlike other insects, you should not mist a superworm container or place water in it. Superworms should never be exposed directly to water as this can cause health problems. Keep water out of a superworm's container as much as possible. Gutload your superworms before feeding them to reptiles. In order to provide proper nutrients for your reptiles, you will need to prep your superworms with an enhanced “gutload” diet. You can purchase specially formulated gutload diets at most pet supply stores. High-quality gutload foods are high in calcium and low in phosphorous. Make sure your superworms have access to the gutload food for 24-48 hours before you feed them to your reptiles. Separate the larvae into chambers. You may want to allow some of your superworms to grow into beetles. The beetles can then breed, providing you with more superworms. If you have reptiles that feed on superworms, this can save you money. To start, separate larvae into chambers. Chambers should be tiny containers. Film canisters or vials work well. Make sure to punch small holes in the lid of your containers for ventilation. Use wheat bran or oatmeal as substrate. You should also add a small slice of carrot for moisture. If you do not separate the superworm larvae from each other, they can live in the larval stage for six months to a year. They will only pupate when isolated. Remove worms from the container when they morph into pupae. The second life stage for superworms is the pupal stage. It takes about 10 days in a chamber for a superworm to pupate. In the pupal stage, superworms will curl up into a round ball. Once they reach this stage, remove them from the chambers so that the larvae and adult beetles do not eat them. Put each pupa in an individual container, slightly larger than their original chambers, stocked with fruits, vegetables, and substrate. Prepare a breeding container for beetles. While you wait for the pupae to turn into beetles, make a breeder container. You will transfer beetles to this container so they can breed. Use any type of plastic container with smooth sides, such as a Rubbermaid container. Add an inch of substrate such as wheat bran. Place part of an egg crate in one corner. Beetles will gather here to breed. Use a ventilated lid on the container. Transfer beetles into the breeding container when they emerge. Check your pupae daily until you see beetles have emerged. Once your pupa has turned into a beetle, place it in the breeding chamber. Add each new beetle to the chamber. They will continue to breed until they die. You can remove superworms as you see them and feed them to your reptiles. Feed the beetles daily. Adult beetles should be fed fresh produce, just like superworm larvae. If the beetles don't get enough to eat, they will eat their eggs. | Choose a container. Provide ventilation. Add substrate. Maintain the right temperature. Provide fruits and vegetables as food. Feed your superworms at night. Keep water out of the habitat. Gutload your superworms before feeding them to reptiles. Separate the larvae into chambers. Remove worms from the container when they morph into pupae. Prepare a breeding container for beetles. Transfer beetles into the breeding container when they emerge. Feed the beetles daily. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Know-if-a-Guy-Is-Cheating-on-You | How to Know if a Guy Is Cheating on You | If you're worried that a guy is cheating on you, there are some red flags you can watch out for. If you smell a strange perfume on him or you see a lipstick stain that's not yours, you should be suspicious. A guy who's cheating may also be protective of his phone and never let it out of his sight because he's talking to someone else. Notice if his behavior has changed recently since guys who are cheating often become more distant. He may be prone to mood swings or be less affectionate with you. Keep in mind that abnormal behavior isn't always a sign of cheating, so it's best to ask your guy what's wrong. Find a time where you can both sit and down and have an honest conversation. Try to stay calm and avoid being confrontational. You could say, “I feel like we're growing apart, and I'm upset about it. Is something going on?” | Look for obvious evidence of another woman. It may seem like a cliché, but finding a smear of lip gloss in a shade you don't wear on his shirt is a good sign that he's cheating. Smelling another woman's perfume on his hair or clothing is another warning sign. If you notice a lipstick stain or strange perfume on your boyfriend once, it may just be from a friend or relative, so you shouldn't necessarily worry. However, if it happens more than once, you may have cause for concern. Take note of changes to his physical appearance. When a guy starts seeing a new woman, he often starts to take more pride in his appearance, so he may starting working out more, using self-tanner, or whitening his teeth. If his grooming routine begins to change, it may mean that he's seeing someone else. A guy who's cheating may shower more often because he's trying to wash away another woman's perfume, so if your boyfriend is suddenly showering two or more times a day, you may have reason to be concerned. Notice if he is obsessed with his phone. Most of us have our phones with us at all times, so there's nothing suspicious if that's the case with your boyfriend. However, if he never lets it out of his sight so he even takes it to the bathroom with him, that may be a sign that he's hiding something like another girl. Even people who are in a relationship deserve privacy, so it's never a good idea to go through your boyfriend's phone to look at the call log, text messages, or emails. That's true even if you suspect that he's cheating. Watch out if he's always on social media. There's nothing wrong with having a Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and/or other social media account. However, if your boyfriend is constantly scrolling through his Twitter or Instagram feed, it may be a sign that he's no longer committed to your relationship. If your boyfriend is a social media addict, he may be using the apps to communicate with other girls or even meet new people. Just as with his phone, you should respect your boyfriend's privacy even when you're suspicious. Don't try to figure out his social media passwords, so you can go through his accounts. Notice if he's constantly closing doors behind him. That's a classic sign that he has something to hide, particularly if he always used to leave them open before. He may be calling or texting another girl and trying to prevent you from finding out. Even if your boyfriend isn't closing doors in order to communicate with other people, it can still be a sign of a problem in your relationship because it signifies emotional distance. Listen to warnings from your friends. If friends and family members that you trust start dropping hints that your boyfriend may be seeing someone on the side, you may want to evaluate your relationship and see if there may be truth to their suspicions. Always consider the source when it comes to accusations that your boyfriend is cheating. Some friends and family members may be genuinely concerned about you, but others may be letting their own baggage affect their perception. For example, if you have a friend who's recently had a significant other cheat on her, she may be more likely to accuse your guy, even if he's done nothing wrong. Take notice if he's prone to mood swings. If he's happy and upbeat when he's saying goodbye to you but quiet and withdrawn when you're together, it may be a sign that he's seeing another girl. Balancing more than one relationship is difficult, so it may start to take its toll on your boyfriend. Problems in one relationship can carry over to the other, so if your boyfriend is fighting with his other girlfriend, you may deal with the fallout in your relationship. Pay attention if he stops saying “I love you. ” It's probably obvious, but if your boyfriend used to tell you how he felt all the time and now no longer communicates his feelings, it can be a significant warning sign. That's because he may no longer have much emotion to invest in your relationship if he's putting all of his feelings into another relationship. See how he reacts when you say “I love you.” If he's reluctant to even say “Me too,” that's a big red flag. Observe how affectionate he is with you. If he's no longer as affectionate as he used to be, it can be a sign that he's seeing someone else and saving his affection for her. A noticeable decrease in kisses, hugs and other physical displays of affection can be a sign that he's cheating. All affection doesn't have to be physical. If he stops using his favorite nickname for you or doesn't use your special emojis in texts, you should also pay attention. Notice if he's more attentive than usual. Sometimes, guilt can cause a guy to overcompensate so if he's cheating, he may try to make up for it by being overly nice. Showering you with gifts, taking you to your favorite restaurant, or allowing you to choose what you watch on TV can all be signs that he's trying to ease a guilty conscience. Guys are usually plagued by guilt and become overly affectionate in the early stages of cheating. As the relationship with the other woman continues, the guilt -- and the increased attention -- may diminish. Pay attention to how often he picks fights. He may try to start arguments with you, so he has an excuse to leave and go see another girl. If your boyfriend suddenly starts picking fights every time that you're together and you didn't use to fight that often, it's probably a cause for concern. Take note if he's suddenly suspicious of you. If your boyfriend starts accusing you of cheating even though there's no credible evidence, it may be a sign that he's seeing someone else. That's because he may be projecting his own behavior onto you -- he knows that he's cheating, so he assumes you must be too -- or he may simply be trying to deflect the guilt that he feels. Ask if something's wrong. You don't necessarily have to accuse your boyfriend of cheating, but tell him that you feel like something is off with him. Being unable to communicate with your partner can cause significant problems in a relationship, so it's best to just confront the issue directly. Make sure to choose a time to talk with your boyfriend when you know you won't be interrupted. If you want to have a serious, honest conversation, neither of you should be taking phone calls or answering texts. Try to stay as calm as possible. If you immediately put your boyfriend on the defensive, you're probably not going to get any real answers. Remember that your goal is a conversation, not a confrontation. Point out changes in his behavior. You don't want to come across as irrational or paranoid, so it helps to cite the specific evidence that's led you to suspect him, even if it's just the fact that he's stopped calling you pet names or always takes his phone into the bathroom. For the best results, you should be as non-judgemental as possible when you're laying out the reasons that you've come to suspect your boyfriend of cheating, so try to start your sentences with “I” and not “you.” For example, you might say, “I feel like we're growing apart and I'm upset about it.” That can make your boyfriend more likely to listen to what you have to say. Ask point blank. If explaining the changes in your boyfriend's behavior that concern you doesn't lead to the topic coming up, you may want to just ask him directly if he's cheating. You're probably going to be angry and upset, but don't resort to name calling or physical violence. The calmer you stay, the more likely you are to get a straight answer from your boyfriend. Give you boyfriend a chance to answer your questions. Don't yell at him or assume you know what he's going to say. He may have an explanation for his actions that will relieve your fears. Trust your gut. Unless you have ironclad proof that he's cheating, your boyfriend is most likely going to deny whatever accusations you level at him. In that situation, you have to listen to your instincts. If you really feel like you can't believe what he's telling you, then the trust is already broken in your relationship, and that can be difficult to bounce back from. | Look for obvious evidence of another woman. Take note of changes to his physical appearance. Notice if he is obsessed with his phone. Watch out if he's always on social media. Notice if he's constantly closing doors behind him. Listen to warnings from your friends. Take notice if he's prone to mood swings. Pay attention if he stops saying “I love you. Observe how affectionate he is with you. Notice if he's more attentive than usual. Pay attention to how often he picks fights. Take note if he's suddenly suspicious of you. Ask if something's wrong. Point out changes in his behavior. Ask point blank. Trust your gut. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Protect-Your-Cat-from-Mosquito-Bites | How to Protect Your Cat from Mosquito Bites | To protect your cat from mosquito bites, use a mosquito repellent designed for cats that has picaridin in it, which is effective and safe for use on cats. Avoid using human or dog mosquito repellents on cats since they could be toxic and even fatal. In addition to using a mosquito repellent, you should give your cat a heartworm prevention medication monthly so it's safe even if a mosquito does manage to bite it. Additionally, if your cat is an outdoor cat, try to avoid letting it out at dawn, dusk, or night since that's when mosquitoes are the most active. | Provide your cat with a heartworm prevention product. Perhaps the most common risk for cats associated with mosquito bites are heartworms. Heartworms are transmitted through mosquito bites and can destroy your cat's cardiovascular system and cut their lifespan short. Heartworm prevention is typically administered to dogs and cats monthly. Heartworm prevention can be given to your cat orally or topically. Heartguard and Revolution are popular heartworm prevention brands. Use a picaridin product designed for cats. Out of the many popular mosquito repellants, picaridin has been shown to be safe for cats. As a result, when looking for a repellant product, you may want to choose a picaridin product that is formulated for cats. Consult your vet before using a specific product. Picaridin products may come in spray or lotion form. Avoid using bug spray products not approved for cats. Many human (and dog) products are not safe for cats. If you give your cat certain products, you may poison or even kill it. Don't give your cat any products with DEET. Permethrin products can kill cats. This is one of the most common ways that cats throughout the world are poisoned. Check with your vet before using any repellant on your cat. Avoid letting your cat out at certain times of the day. While mosquitos are active throughout the day, there are certain times that are a lot worse than others. Mosquitos are especially bad at: Dawn Dusk Nighttime Limit time out during the summer or rainy season. Just as certain parts of the day are worse than others, so are certain parts of the year. As a result, you should consider limiting your cat's outdoor time during certain parts of the year. Don't let your cat out during the rainy season. If it rains daily or several times a week, you'll likely have a much larger population of mosquitos around your home. Keep your cat in when daily highs begin to move above 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit (13 to 18 degrees Celsius). Turn your cat into an indoor cat. If you are really concerned about the risk of mosquito bites, you might consider turning your cat into an indoor cat. By keeping your cat indoors, you'll dramatically decrease the risk of mosquito bites and mosquito-borne illnesses. If your cat is used to playing outside, you may need to provide plenty of new toys so it will have something to do inside. If your cat has been an outdoor cat for many years, it might be very hard to successfully transition it to a life inside. You will need to judge for yourself how your cat reacts to their new life. Ask your vet if there are any steps you can take to protect your cat. Your vet likely has insight into ways you can protect your cat from mosquito bites. Thus, you should initiate a conversation with your vet about it. Tell your vet you are concerned about mosquito bites and mosquito-borne diseases. For instance, say “Yoda spends a lot of time outside, and our yard is fairly wet. I'm concerned he's getting bit by mosquitos.” Ask your vet's advice about what you can do to limit the chance of your cat getting bitten by mosquitos. For example, say “Is there anything I can do so Yoda doesn't get bitten all the time?” Keep annual and semiannual appointments. Despite all the steps you take to protect your cat, it may be impossible to eliminate the risk of mosquito bites. As a result, you need to keep annual and semiannual appointments so your vet can evaluate your cat's health. Your vet will physically examine your cat. If mosquito bites present an issue, they may be able to observe this. Your vet will run blood work on your cat so they can have a better idea of if your cat suffers from mosquito-borne disease (or other health problems). Talk to your vet about mosquito bite hypersensitivity. A minority of cats have mosquito bite hypersensitivity. This is a condition in which the cat's immune system will have a substantial reaction to a bite. It could cause severe skin issues and possibly lead to a dangerous allergic reaction. Your cat may have mosquito bite hypersensitivity if it develops red, inflamed, lesions around the site of a bite. Your vet may take a biopsy of the affected area of skin. Your vet will ask you to confine the cat indoors for up to a week to see if the skin lesions disappear. Your vet may treat mosquito bite hypersensitivity with corticosteroids. | Provide your cat with a heartworm prevention product. Use a picaridin product designed for cats. Avoid using bug spray products not approved for cats. Avoid letting your cat out at certain times of the day. Limit time out during the summer or rainy season. Turn your cat into an indoor cat. Ask your vet if there are any steps you can take to protect your cat. Keep annual and semiannual appointments. Talk to your vet about mosquito bite hypersensitivity. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-Stray-Kitten | How to Care for a Stray Kitten | To care for a stray kitten, try to find a mother cat who is already nursing. If that's not an option, get kitten formula from a pet store. Warm up the formula slightly, put the kitten on its tummy, and hold the bottle at a slight angle to feed it. Then, pat its back gently to burp it. Try to feed and burp the kitten this way every 2 hours. Finally, put soft blankets or towels inside of a box or laundry basket and nestle the kitten inside to keep it warm. | Be sure the kitten is actually abandoned. Mother cats are not always able to stay with their kittens, they have to leave the kittens alone in order to find food for themselves. If you find one or more stray kitten, you need to be sure it has actually been abandoned by its mother before you take it inside. Unfortunately the only way to know for sure if the kitten is abandoned is to wait and watch the kitten. You'll need to do this from a distance where the mother cat cannot see or smell you. If you wait a few hours and the mother cat doesn't return, there is a good chance she's not going to return. If the mother cat returns, it is best if the kitten stays with her until the kitten is weaned. Until then, you can help the mother cat by providing her with food, water, and some shelter. Once the kitten is weaned, you can decide if you want to bring her inside and try to socialize her, or leave her to live outside. Many stray cats and kittens actually live in colonies. If a kitten is at least 4 months old it can survive in the colony on its own. Estimate the kitten’s age. A kitten needs different care depending on its age, so the first thing you should do is try to estimate how old the kitten is. You can perform this estimation before touching the kitten and bringing it inside, if you can see her clearly. A newborn kitten who is less than a week old will: weigh approximately 3 to 8 ounces, have her eyes closed, have her ears folded down, and be unable to walk. She might even have a piece of her umbilical code still attached to her belly. A kitten who is between 1 and 2 weeks old will: weigh 8 to 11 ounces, have slightly open blue eyes, slightly open ears, and will attempt to move around. A kitten who is around 3 weeks old will: weigh 8 to 15 ounces, have open eyes and ears, be able to take tentative steps, and respond to noises and other movements. A kitten who is between 4 and 5 weeks old will: weigh 8 to 17 ounces, be able to run and play with her litter mates, be able to eat wet food, and will no longer have blue eyes. Try to find a mother cat who is already nursing. Mother cats who are nursing have very strong maternal instincts and have been known to adopt other kittens into their litters. Since a mother cat's milk is the absolute best food a kitten can be given, and a mother cat already knows how to take care of a kitten, being able to give the kitten to a nursing mother is the best option. Call your local humane society, veterinarian offices, and rescue organizations and ask if anyone has a mother cat who could take on an extra kitten (or two). Even if the kitten can be given to a nursing mother, you can still agree to take the kitten back once it's been weaned. Keep the kitten warm and dry. Kittens have a lot of trouble regulating their own body temperatures (in fact, they cannot control their body temperatures at all until they're at least 3 weeks old), therefore they need a lot of help to stay warm. Usually kittens will cuddle with their mother to keep warm, or they'll cuddle with each other (often in a pile, one on top of the other). If the kitten is cold to the touch, warm her up with your own body heat. Use your hands to rub her body and increase blood circulation. Use a box, laundry basket, plastic tub, etc., and build the kitten a nest. Put blankets and towels inside the box to help keep her warm and prevent her from falling or climbing out. You can also put a heating pad inside the box (under a towel) if you need to, but make sure it's only under a portion of the towel so the kitten can move away from the heat if she's too hot. Because the kitten doesn't have a mother cat to clean up after her, the bedding is going to get messy. Make sure to change it often so the kitten doesn't get wet. If she does get wet, wipe off the mess and dry her with a towel. Purchase kitten formula. A kitten can only drink kitten formula. Do not ever give a kitten any other type of milk that you may have on hand. This likely means you'll have to go out and purchase some kitten formula at the pet food store as soon as possible. In addition to the formula, you'll also need to purchase a bottle for the kitten. They're likely sold in the same section as the formula. If available, purchase an elongated nipple for the bottle as they're easier for the kitten to drink from. Make emergency kitten formula. If you need to feed the kitten, but there are no stores open, you can make up an emergency formula from things you may have at home. If you don't have all the ingredients, chances are there's a grocery store open even if the pet store is closed. This formula should only be used for emergency purposes, as its ingredients can potentially be dangerous for the kitten. Milk can cause diarrhea and eggs can contain salmonella, both of which can be fatal to a kitten. Option 1 — Mix together an 8 ounce can of evaporated milk with 1 egg yolk and 2 tablespoons of karo syrup. Strain the mixture to remove any lumps. Keep the mixture in the fridge until you need it for feedings. Make a bottle with ½ this mixture and ½ boiling water when it's time for a feeding. Allow the mixture to cool before giving it to the kitten. Option 2 — Mix together 2 cups of whole milk, 2 raw egg yolks (organic if possible), and 2 tablespoons of protein powder. You may need to use a fork or a whisk to mix these ingredients together. Warm them up by putting the bottle in a bowl of warm water. Feed the kitten based on a schedule. Kittens need to be fed as often as every 2 hours, depending on their age. Kittens also need to be fed while on their tummies, with the bottle upwards but at a slight angle. The milk you feed a kitten must also be warmed up, but not hot. Kittens 10 days old and younger need to be fed every 2 hours, around the clock, including the middle of the night. Kittens between 11 days old and 2.5 weeks old need to be fed every 3-4 hours, around the clock. Kittens between 2.5 and 4 weeks old need to be fed every 5-6 hours, around the clock. Once a kitten is 4-5 weeks of age, you can start weaning them off the bottle. You can do this by mixing formula with wet food and giving it to the kittens in a bowl, instead of a bottle. You can also start to give them dry food to see if they're interested. Burp the kitten after a bottle. Just like human babies, kittens who are drinking formula via a bottle need to be burped when they're done feeding. A kitten will usually stop drinking when she's full, unless she's having trouble latching onto the nipple of the bottle. If the kitten isn't latching onto the bottle, you can pull on the nipple when she's trying to drink to help encourage her to suck harder. You can also move the nipple around, again, to encourage the kitten to suck harder. If the kitten is ill you may need to feed them via a tube directly into their stomachs. You'll need to go to a veterinarian before you attempt to do this. Once the kitten has finished drinking, place her on your shoulder or on her belly and pat her back gently until she burps. Once she's burped, use a warm and wet cloth to wipe her off and remove any excess milk that might have missed her mouth. Stimulate the kitten so she pees. Kittens under the age of 4 weeks need help going pee and poo. Normally their mother will lick them to stimulate them to pee and poo, but since they have no mother, you'll have to do this. Thankfully you don't have to lick them, you can simply use a soft tissue or warm, moist cotton ball to do the job. Use the tissue or cotton ball to gently rub their bum until they pee and poo. While they're only drinking formula, a kitten's poo won't be solid or in normal poo shapes. Think carefully about your decision to take in the kitten. A kitten is adorable and it can be really hard not to want to take care of them. But raising a kitten (especially one that is still nursing) and socializing it to be a pet is a difficult and long process. You need to be sure you're ready for that type of commitment. Also keep in mind that a stray kitten will need veterinarian care at some point. Standard care (e.g. vaccinations, spay/neuter, flea treatment, deworming, etc.) can cost several hundred dollars. Non-standard care (e.g. emergency visits, treatment of parasites or ringworm, upper respiratory infections, and more) can be very expensive and it can be hard to predict which kittens will need such treatment. If you aren't able to take on such a commitment, you might be able to find someone else who can. Start with animal control and your local humane society. Also try local cat rescue organizations and other rescue organizations. You can also call veterinarian offices to inquiry if they know of someone who can help. Weigh the kitten regularly. In order to ensure the kitten is growing, weigh her every day. You might want to get into a schedule of weighing the kitten before every feeding, or at the same time every day. Record the kitten's weight on a chart so you can keep track of it over time. A kitten should double her weight in the first week of her life. Begin litter training. Once a kitten is 4 weeks old you can start teaching them how to use a little box. If a kitten starts looking for a place to go to the bathroom before 4 weeks of age, you can try putting out a little box even earlier. Use a very shallow box for kittens. Many shelters and rescues use the box canned cat food is packed in. Use non-clumping litter for kittens. Do not use paper or towels to train a kitten as this may cause them to develop bad litter box habits that a future owner may not appreciate. After the kitten has eaten, place them in the litter box to encourage them to use it. You can also put a used cotton ball or tissue in with them to give them the idea of what they're suppose to do. Watch the kitten for health problems. Unfortunately kittens, especially those who were born outside, can have a variety of health problems when they're young. Watch for these problems while you're taking care of them and take them to a veterinarian if you notice any of these problems developing. Upper Respiratory Infections (URIs) are very common in kittens. If a kitten has yellow discharge coming out of their nose, or they're having trouble breathing while they eat, they may have an URI. Depending on the severity of the infection, they may need to be given antibiotics. Fleas can also be quite common on cats that have come from the outdoors. For a kitten fleas can be deadly. If the kitten you're caring for has fleas, start by combing them off with a flea comb, then give them a warm bath. Do not use flea shampoo on a kitten or a parasite medication like Revolution. Parasites can also be found in kittens from the outdoors. Parasites usually cause poo problems. If you notice this, take the kitten to your veterinarian who can provide you with a deworming treatment for a kitten as young as 10 days old. Take the kitten to the veterinarian for a wellness exam. As your kitten gets older, you need to take her to the veterinarian for a wellness exam and vaccinations — assuming you haven't already taken her to the vet due to illness. Vaccinations are usually given in multiple doses over several weeks or months. Put the kitten in her own room. While a kitten is very young (less than 2 months at least) she should be kept by herself someplace safe and warm. As she gets older, you can expand the amount of space she has to move around and play. Make sure the location doesn't have any hiding spots that your kitten can get into. You can use a cage if you don't have a room small enough. Make sure their space has a bedding area, a litter box (when she's older), and a place for food and water dishes. The bedding should be setup in such a way that the kitten can comfortably hide in the blankets should she feel scared. Keep things quiet. Whenever you're around the kitten, move slowly and quietly. You should also speak to her often so she gets use to human voices — but speak softly. Make sure the room she's in doesn't have a lot of outside noise (if possible) and don't play music in that room until she's really comfortable. Once the kitten has been in your house for a little while, consider leaving a radio playing softly in her room when you're not there. If the kitten isn't scared, put her cage or bed in a more common area of the house (when you can supervise) so she gets use to the hustle and bustle of the house. Avoid punishment or scolding. A kitten is not going to know any better, so she may do things that you consider to be “bad.” If this happens, do not punish or scold her. Instead, reward her for good behaviour so she begins to realize the type of behaviour you'd like her to have. Once she catches on, she'll start to repeat that good behaviour over and over. Be patient. Depending on how old the kitten was when you brought her inside, it can take a while to socialize her and get her use to humans. Don't rush the process. If you're taking care of more than one kitten, consider separating them and spending one-on-one time with each of them. Use food as an incentive to be around humans. All kittens love food — so you can use it as an incentive to help encourage your kitten to be more social. While you can leave dry food out for the kitten all day, only feed her wet food when you're in the room. Get her to associate the wet food with you (the human) so she appreciates a human's presence. Put the wet food bowls as close to you as possible while the kitten is eating. Gently pet and touch the kitten while she's eating to get her use to your touch. Feed the kitten with a spoon to help them get use to you as well. You can also use pure meat baby food as a treat for a kitten. It cannot have anything else mixed in, only meat. Play with the kitten at least 2 hours a day. You should spend at least 2 hours a day with your kitten. This can be all at once, or multiple short periods, whatever works for you. Play with your kitten at ground level. If you have more than one kitten, take the time to handle each kitten individually everyday. Hold the kitten as much as you can, especially cuddling her close to your body. Introduce toys once the kitten becomes interested. Introduce your kitten to new friends. If a kitten is comfortable with you and not stressed, you can start introducing her to other pets. You should always supervise these interactions as you cannot predict how anyone will behave. You can also start introducing the kitten to other humans, so she gets use to humans other than you. Give the kitten more room to play. Once your kitten get older and starts to play with toys, you can make her play area larger and include more fun stuff for her to play with. In addition to toys, you can add a scratching post or cat tree (start with a short one), tunnels, cardboard boxes, etc. | Be sure the kitten is actually abandoned. Estimate the kitten’s age. Try to find a mother cat who is already nursing. Keep the kitten warm and dry. Purchase kitten formula. Make emergency kitten formula. Feed the kitten based on a schedule. Burp the kitten after a bottle. Stimulate the kitten so she pees. Think carefully about your decision to take in the kitten. Weigh the kitten regularly. Begin litter training. Watch the kitten for health problems. Take the kitten to the veterinarian for a wellness exam. Put the kitten in her own room. Keep things quiet. Avoid punishment or scolding. Be patient. Use food as an incentive to be around humans. Play with the kitten at least 2 hours a day. Introduce your kitten to new friends. Give the kitten more room to play. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-the-Best-Gas-Mileage-from-Your-Toyota-Prius | How to Get the Best Gas Mileage from Your Toyota Prius | To get the best gas mileage from your Toyota Prius, limit the amount you press down on the accelerator. When you reach the speed limit, try taking your foot off the accelerator and let the car glide. You can also change your driving based on your Energy display to get better mileage. For example, if the Energy display shows that the car's energy isn't moving to the wheels and battery, lift your foot off of the accelerator to redirect it. | Drive at slower speed when possible. Try to take routes that have long stretches with few stops with speed limits of at least 30–35 mph (48–56 km/h). At speeds less than 45 mph (72 km/h), when you reach speed, remove your foot from the accelerator pedal, this turns off the gasoline engine. Slowly depress the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed while keeping the indicator below the ECO line. Pick the least windy route you can find. The Prius is streamlined for head-on gusts and tail-winds. or coast down any hill you encounter. Glide Avoid cold starts. A Prius will get its poorest gas mileage until it has warmed up several minutes after starting it. Combine errands to reduce the number of warm-ups you'll do to your vehicle. Use your Prius on warmer days rather than on cold when possible. The air is less dense and will produce less air resistance. Avoid rush-hour traffic. It's torturous with any car, and with the Prius, all the stops and starts to waste gas. Try to avoid driving during rainstorms or snowstorms, or where the roads have become a slushy mess. Check the owners manual to find the proper inflation for each tire. Try to maintain this pressure, plus 2 PSI at all times. Never use the pressure stated on the tire sidewall, as this is a maximum inflation pressure for the tire, without consideration to what type of car it is mounted on! Follow your car manual when determining the gas you use to fill up your vehicle. For the 2014 Prius you should use 87 octane rating or higher. Be aware of the road conditions. Take your foot off the accelerator as soon as you know you'll need to to slow down or stop. Put your car into "Glide" mode under these circumstances. Create space between your car and the car in front of you, to give yourself time to stop and coast. Use the Energy display to watch the direction of the arrows. This alone will show you the direction of what part of your car's system is powering the other. Monitor it. Drivers get the best mileage when they are able to read changes in the display. By pressing on the accelerator and brakes to move energy from the gasoline engine to the wheels and/or batteries-or to get all the arrows to disappear. This form is called glide mode. Accelerate steadily from a standstill in slow traffic conditions of less than 25 mph (40 km/h). In other conditions, accelerate quickly until at speed then maintain your desired speed. Lift your foot slightly and reapply your foot after a few seconds until the Energy display shows energy going to the wheels and battery. This is an especially critical tool to use when you find you need energy (such as at night with the battery at a low charge). {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f7\/Get-the-Best-Gas-Mileage-from-Your-Toyota-Prius-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-the-Best-Gas-Mileage-from-Your-Toyota-Prius-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f7\/Get-the-Best-Gas-Mileage-from-Your-Toyota-Prius-Step-14.jpg\/aid1669206-v4-728px-Get-the-Best-Gas-Mileage-from-Your-Toyota-Prius-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Push the accelerator pedal quickly downwards when you need to accelerate onto a highway or when needing to speed up quickly. The battery power will assist the engine, thereby reducing your gas use. Set cruise control on highways to 55 mph (89 km/h) to get the best results. For every mph over 55 mph (89 km/h), you loose approximately one mpg. Learn the art of braking by using the glide,coast, regenerative braking and mechanical braking measures. Use the all electric mode sparingly, such as when you move the vehicle from one part of the driveway to the other. Avoid using your air condition and heating system, as much as you can stand. Use the vent system along with the fan's temperature to properly control the vehicle's temperature. Try not to use the "Max" setting, at all costs. Turn off the heating, cooling, lights and all other electric accessories, as much as possible. On hot days, set the air conditioning two degrees lower than the outside temperature, or to 85 (whichever is lower). On cold days, once the cabin is at a comfortable temperature, turn off the climate control. At highway speeds it will maintain that temperature purely by the air rushing into the car's interior. Try to use cruise control for most travel situations. It works well on flat roads, and is excellent on non-congested higher-speed highways. Cruise control is not good in hilly terrain, or where uphills produce aggressive driving and too much regenerative braking on downhills. Give the car a little push on the accelerator when you disengage regenerative braking. Decrease the number of times you brake. The Prius does a good job stopping quickly, coast more than stop whenever possible, thereby decreasing the amount of gas you use. Follow road signs, but hold off on braking until the last few moments. Just like you learned when you first learned to drive an automatic car: Never, under any circumstances, keep your foot on the brake and accelerator pedal at the same time. every 5000 miles[1]
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. Change your oil Change your air filter every 30000 miles[2]
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. Avoid the use of your car's roof-rack, if it is supplied with one. Change your spark plugs every 100000 miles[3]
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. Clean your fuel injector system every 3,000 miles (4,800 km). Try to keep your acceleration steady. Don't put the "pedal-to-the-metal" the second the light changes from red to green, or when entering the freeway and/or passing that slow car in your lane. Get a front end alignment every once in a while. Make sure to have your car inspected every year in states that have inspection laws. Keep your car tuned, engine and transmission fluids at the proper level, and all other areas cleaned (inside and out). | Drive at slower speed when possible. Pick the least windy route you can find. or coast down any hill you encounter. Avoid cold starts. Combine errands to reduce the number of warm-ups you'll do to your vehicle. Use your Prius on warmer days rather than on cold when possible. Avoid rush-hour traffic. Try to avoid driving during rainstorms or snowstorms, or where the roads have become a slushy mess. Check the owners manual to find the proper inflation for each tire. Follow your car manual when determining the gas you use to fill up your vehicle. Be aware of the road conditions. Use the Energy display to watch the direction of the arrows. Accelerate steadily from a standstill in slow traffic conditions of less than 25 mph (40 km/h). Push the accelerator pedal quickly downwards when you need to accelerate onto a highway or when needing to speed up quickly. Set cruise control on highways to 55 mph (89 km/h) to get the best results. Learn the art of braking by using the glide,coast, regenerative braking and mechanical braking measures. Use the all electric mode sparingly, such as when you move the vehicle from one part of the driveway to the other. Avoid using your air condition and heating system, as much as you can stand. Try to use cruise control for most travel situations. Decrease the number of times you brake. every 5000 miles[1]
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. Change your air filter every 30000 miles[2]
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Research source
. Avoid the use of your car's roof-rack, if it is supplied with one. Change your spark plugs every 100000 miles[3]
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. Clean your fuel injector system every 3,000 miles (4,800 km). Try to keep your acceleration steady. Get a front end alignment every once in a while. Make sure to have your car inspected every year in states that have inspection laws. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Arm-Knit | How to Arm Knit | To arm knit, start by getting some arm-knitting yarn, which is much thicker than regular yarn. Then, make a slipknot on one of your wrists by looping the yarn around your wrist twice and then pulling the first loop through the second one. Once you've fastened the yarn to your wrist, grasp the tail of the yarn at the base of the slipknot with the same hand, twist it once counterclockwise, and slip it over your wrist to create a new stitch. After each stitch, make sure you pull the yarn taut so the stitches are all the same size. When you've finished knitting, make 2 normal stitches as usual. Then, use your second hand to pull the first stitch up and over the second one. After that, knit 1 more stitch, then pull the new first stitch up and over the one you just knit and tie it off. | Make a slipknot on your wrist. Loop the working yarn around your wrist 2 times, then pull the first loop through the second loop. Pull the tail end of the slipknot to tighten it. You can place the slipknot onto your dominant or non-dominant wrist to start, whichever feels more comfortable to you. Just keep in mind that you will be switching back and forth either way. Make sure to leave a tail of yarn that is 24 in (61 cm). Create a new loop and pull through to cast on a new stitch. Grasp the yarn tail next to the base of your slipknot, twist it 1 time counterclockwise, and slip it over your wrist. Then, grasp the working yarn and pull this through the loop on your wrist to create a new cast on stitch. Repeat this until you have cast on the desired number of stitches. Maintain even tension as you cast on. Pull the yarn taut after each cast on stitch to ensure that the stitches are all the same size. Keeping even tension as you cast on and knit will help to ensure that your finished project has an even look to it. Do not pull the yarn so tight that you cannot remove the stitches from your arm at the end of the row. Grasp the working yarn with your stitch hand. This is the same hand as the arm you have cast onto. If you cast on to your right arm, then use your right hand to grasp the working yarn. If you used your left arm, then grasp the yarn with your left hand. Use your other hand to pull the working yarn through. Bring the yarn through the first cast on stitch while holding onto the yarn with the cast on hand. Use your other hand to lift the first loop on your arm up and over your hand. Then, slip the loop of yarn on your hand onto your other arm. This completes 1 stitch. Repeat the stitches to the end of the row. Continue to knit the rest of the stitches on your arm in the same way, transferring them from 1 arm to the other. When you get to the end of the row, knit the stitches back onto your other arm again. Keep working rows in this fashion to complete your project. Bind off the stitches when your project is the desired size. To bind off, knit the first 2 stitches in the row as you normally would. Then, use the hand of the arm holding the stitches to pull the first stitch you knit up and over the second 1. Knit 1 more stitch, then pull the new first stitch up and over the one you just knit. Continue to bind off stitches until you reach the end of the row. Tie off the last stitch. After binding off the last stitch in the row, you will have a single loop. Pull the end of the yarn extending from the stitch through the loop and tie it in a knot. This will secure the end of your project. Weave in the loose ends if desired. If you want to work the tails of yarn that are left over after you finish knitting, use your fingers to weave them in and out of the edge of your finished project. Keep weaving in the end until you cannot weave any more! If there are any tails of yarn poking out that you want to get rid of, cut them as close to the stitches as possible. Just be careful not to cut through any of the stitches! | Make a slipknot on your wrist. Create a new loop and pull through to cast on a new stitch. Maintain even tension as you cast on. Grasp the working yarn with your stitch hand. Use your other hand to pull the working yarn through. Repeat the stitches to the end of the row. Bind off the stitches when your project is the desired size. Tie off the last stitch. Weave in the loose ends if desired. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-T-Shirt-a-Tank-Top | How to Make a T Shirt a Tank Top | To make a T-shirt a tank top, start by flipping the T-shirt inside out, and placing the tank top over it by aligning the shoulders. Then, place straight pins along the edges of the tank top to keep it from moving. Next, cut the T-shirt using the tank top as a guide, with ½ inch added around the outline for seam allowance. Afterwards, unpin the tank top from the cut shirt, fold down the seams, and press them flat with an iron. Stitch the folded edges down by hand or with a sewing machine, then flip the tank right side out so that the seams are on the inside. | Find a tank top to use as a template. Since you'll be using it as a model, make sure that the fit is just right and looks good on you. If you don't have a tank top to use as a template, don't worry. You can still make a tank top. Choose a t-shirt you won't mind cutting up and turn it inside out. The shirt does not need to fit well, unless you want a fitted tank top. If the shirt is a brand new shirt, wash and dry it first. Fabric tends to shrink after you wash it the first time, and you want the shirt to be the right size before you start working on it. Iron both shirts to remove any wrinkles. Even if your shirts are already nice and smooth, it might be a good idea to do this. Ironing will smooth the fabric and make it easier to work with. Place the tank top on top of the t-shirt, and align the shoulders. Lay the t-shirt flat on a table, then lay the tank top over it. Make sure that the shoulders of the tank top are aligned with the shoulders of the t-shirt. Also, make sure that the front of both shirts is facing upwards. Pin the tank top to the t-shirt to keep it from moving. Place straight pins all along the edges of the tank top. Take care to pin all the way through all layers of both shirts. This will keep the shirts from moving, and make your cutting more even. Cut the t-shirt, using the tank top's armholes and neckline as a guide. If you'd like a finished hem around the armholes and neckline, leave a ½-inch (1.27 centimeters) seam allowance. A finished hem is not a requirement for t-shirt tank tops, as the fabric does not fray. A finished hem will look nicer, however. If you don't have a tank top to use as a guide, cut the sleeves and collar off of your t-shirt. Consider folding the shirt in half before cutting it, so that both sides will be even. Unpin the tank top from the t-shirt and put it away. Take the pins out and put the tank top away. Make sure that the t-shirt is still inside out at this point. You won't be turning it right side out until the very end. Cut the front neckline and armholes wider, if desired. Some tank tops will have a lower neckline in the front than in the back. The same goes for the armholes. Don't trim too much off, if you plan on having finished hems; remember to leave a ½-inch (1.27 centimeters) seam allowance. Fold the cut edges down, pin them in place, and press them flat with an iron. Fold the edges down by ½-inch (1.27 centimeters). Secure the folds with straight pins, and press them flat with an iron. When folding, make sure that you are folding towards the outside, not the inside. If you'd like the edges to be raw and un-hemmed, you can skip this step. T-shirts are made from jersey material, which does not fray. Stitch the folded edges down using a ¼-inch (0.64 centimeters) seam allowance. You can sew by hand or use a sewing machine for more professional, durable stitches. If you are using a sewing machine, try to use a stitch intended for knit fabrics. It looks like a straight stitch, except that it is broken up by a V every few stitches. When you are done sewing, remember to tie the ends of the threads off into tight knots, and to snip the excess tail ends off. Remove the pins, turn the tank right side out, and try it on. The tank top will be a little loose, unless you used a fitted t-shirt or trimmed the sides down. Start with a t-shirt you won't mind cutting up. Make sure that the shirt is washed. If this is a brand-new shirt, throw it into the washer and wash it; be sure to dry it afterward. Brand new shirts may shrink a little bit after you wash them the first time. You want the t-shirt to fit you properly before you begin cutting it and turning it into a racerback. A racerback tank top has wider armholes in the back, leaving a skinny band of fabric between the shoulder blades. Cut the sleeves off. Start from just under the armpits, then cut straight up towards the shoulders. Cut the hem off your shirt, then snip it to make a long strand. Cut right along the bottom hem of your t-shirt, using the stitching as a guide. When you are done, you will end up with a large, fabric ring. Cut this ring apart, close to one of the side seams, so that you end up with a long, fabric strand. You will use this to decorate the back of your tank top. Trim the back of the armholes into a racerback shape. Turn the shirt over so that the back is facing you. Trim the back of the armholes further until there are only a few inches of fabric between them. Be careful not to cut the armholes on the front of the shirt. Make sure that you cut the same amount from each side of the shirt. Cut the armholes deep. They should be a few inches apart when you are done. Cut a deep V-shape into the back of your shirt. Find the back center of the neckline, then cut a deep V-shape. Keep the point of the V-shape between the armholes. This will help keep the fabric from bunching up when you tie it up. Do not cut the front of the shirt; you are only cutting the back. Racerbacks have a plain collar in the front. If you prefer a plain racerback, you can skip this step, and wear your racerback. The next few steps will teach you how to make a fancier racerback. Tie one end of the fabric strand to the bottom of the V-shape. Find the bottom of the V-shape and measure up a few inches/centimeters. Take the fabric strand you cut from the hem of the shirt earlier, and tie it around that point. The fabric strand should be gathering the fabric between the two armholes on the back of your shirt, Wrap the strand around the fabric moving downward. Try to wrap as tightly as you can, so that the fabric between the armholes turns into a "rope." Stop when you reach the bottom of the armholes. Wrap the strand back towards the top of the shirt and secure the end. You can do this simply by tucking the end under the wound fabric. For extra security, tie the two ends of the strand together into a tight knot first. Consider trimming the bottom of your tank top to give it a high-low look. Spread the shirt down sideways, so that you see only the side seam, the armhole, and half of the front and back. Find the folded front side of the shirt. Measure up a few inches, then start cutting downwards towards the back of the shirt. When you are done, your shirt will be shorter in the front, and longer in the back. Wear your racerback. You do not need to worry about hemming, because t-shirt fabric does not fray. Racerback shirts are perfect for layering over bandeau tops and for working out. | Find a tank top to use as a template. Choose a t-shirt you won't mind cutting up and turn it inside out. Iron both shirts to remove any wrinkles. Place the tank top on top of the t-shirt, and align the shoulders. Pin the tank top to the t-shirt to keep it from moving. Cut the t-shirt, using the tank top's armholes and neckline as a guide. Unpin the tank top from the t-shirt and put it away. Cut the front neckline and armholes wider, if desired. Fold the cut edges down, pin them in place, and press them flat with an iron. Stitch the folded edges down using a ¼-inch (0.64 centimeters) seam allowance. Remove the pins, turn the tank right side out, and try it on. Start with a t-shirt you won't mind cutting up. Cut the sleeves off. Cut the hem off your shirt, then snip it to make a long strand. Trim the back of the armholes into a racerback shape. Cut a deep V-shape into the back of your shirt. Tie one end of the fabric strand to the bottom of the V-shape. Wrap the strand around the fabric moving downward. Wrap the strand back towards the top of the shirt and secure the end. Consider trimming the bottom of your tank top to give it a high-low look. Wear your racerback. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Set-Timers-on-Alexa | How to Set Timers on Alexa | *' "Alexa, set a timer for 15 minutes." Starts a 15-minute timer. | Say "Alexa". Say the wake command to wake Alexa and she will begin listening for your next command. The default wake command is "Alexa," but if you've changed it to "Echo," "Amazon," or some other command, then use the wake command you previously set. Ask Alexa to start a timer for an amount of time. Say, "Alexa, start a timer for," and say the length of time you want Alexa to track. For example, if you wanted to set a 5-minute timer you would say "Alexa, set a timer for 5 minutes." {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Set-Timers-on-Alexa-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Set-Timers-on-Alexa-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Set-Timers-on-Alexa-Step-2.jpg\/aid9588025-v4-728px-Set-Timers-on-Alexa-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":334,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"529","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} You can also say, "Alexa, set timer," and she will ask you "For how long?" You can set a timer up to 24 hours long. Name a timer when you set it. You can name your timer when you set it with Alexa. This can be especially helpful for situations when you need to set multiple timers and don't want to get them confused. For example, "Alexa, set an oven timer for 1 and a half hours." Ask Alexa the status of your timers. You can ask Alexa to tell you the status of all the active timers currently going. For example, you could say "Alexa, check my timers," or just "Alexa, timers," and Alexa will list off the remaining time on each of your timers. You can get the status of a specific timer by specifying the timer's name. For example, if you wanted to check how much time is left of the timer named "Oven", you would ask "Alexa, how long on the oven timer?" Stop or cancel an active timer. To stop or cancel a timer, you would say "Alexa, stop timer." This will cancel and stop the current timer before it goes off. You can also say, "cancel" instead of "stop." You can stop a specific timer by specifying its name. For example, to cancel the timer named "Oven" you would say, "Alexa, cancel the oven timer." You cancel all the current timers by saying, "Alexa, stop all timers." Silence a timer that's gone off. When a timer goes off and starts ringing, you can silence it by saying "Alexa, stop." Saying "quiet" instead of "stop" won't stop the timer, it will only decrease the volume. Open the Alexa app. On your Android or iOS phone, open the mobile Alexa app and sign in to your Amazon account. It's the light-blue app with a white outline of a speech bubble. Make sure you are signed in to the same Amazon account that you registered your Alexa device with. Tap ☰. It's in the top-left corner. This opens a pop-out menu on the left side of the screen. Tap Reminders & Alarms. It's the fourth option in the menu, under the "Lists" option. Tap and select the correct Alexa device. Tap the down arrow at the top of the screen and then select the Alexa device that you created the timer on. Tap the TIMERS tab. It's in the top-right corner of the page. Tap the timer you want to manage. This will display the options for the timer. You can cancel it or pause the timer. You can only pause timers within the Alexa app. | Say "Alexa". Ask Alexa to start a timer for an amount of time. Name a timer when you set it. Ask Alexa the status of your timers. Stop or cancel an active timer. Silence a timer that's gone off. Open the Alexa app. Tap ☰. Tap Reminders & Alarms. Tap and select the correct Alexa device. Tap the TIMERS tab. Tap the timer you want to manage. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Plant-Lettuce | How to Plant Lettuce | To plant loose leaf lettuce, wait until the ground outside has thawed and then mix compost and fertilizer into a bed of soil in a sunny spot. Next, spread the seeds over tilled soil, then scatter ½ inch of soil on top. Stagger the planting at 1 to 2 week intervals to get harvests throughout the season. After planting the seeds, water the soil thoroughly and keep the lettuce watered as it grows. | Choose a head lettuce variety for indoor planting. Head lettuces take longer to mature. If you start the seeds inside, the plants can benefit from an earlier planting date, and therefore a longer growing season. Iceberg and romaine are two common types of head lettuce. If you're planting loose leaf lettuces, skip down to these instructions. If you are planting in late spring or summer, you may need a heat-resistant variety such as Jericho. This is especially important if you live in a hot climate. Prepare seed trays. You can start your lettuce seeds in store-bought seed trays or make your own out of an old egg carton, box or newspaper. Fill the seed trays to within ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) of the top with a soilless growing medium. Moisten the medium in preparation for sowing the seeds. Seeds already contain the nutrients they need to germinate, so you can plant them in a soilless growing medium. You can buy a growing medium or make on from an equal mix of vermiculite, perlite, and milled sphagnum moss. Since the seeds will be moved to the ground once they sprout, the aesthetics of your seed trays aren't as important as their functionality. Sow the seeds 4-6 weeks before the last spring frost. This will give them time to germinate and sprout before the ground gets soft enough to plant them outside. Scatter seeds evenly into the compartments in the seed tray. Use your fingers to gently press them into the growing medium. Give the seeds plenty of sunlight and water. Place the tray in a sunny window and keep the growing medium moist at all times. If you let it dry out, the seeds may not be able to grow. You can cover the seed trays with a few layers of newspaper for the first week or so, until the seeds sprout. Keep the newspaper moist with water at all times, and remove the newspaper when you see green shoots coming up. Don't overwater the seeds. If they get waterlogged they may not be able to grow. Transplant into the garden. The earliest you can transplant your seedlings is two weeks before the last spring frost date. Dig holes in rows 16 inches (40.6 cm) apart, just deep enough to plant the root balls underground. Lift the lettuce seedlings from the seed tray and place them into the holes. Gently pat soil around the roots so that the seedlings stay upright, planted to the same depth they were in the trays. Water the seedlings thoroughly. For best results, "harden off" the seedlings first by placing the tray in a sheltered outdoor area part of the time. Do this for two or three days, increasing the amount of outdoor time each day. You can continue to grow indoor seedlings and transplant them outside throughout the growing season. Select heat-resistant varieties for summer transplanting. Use a watering can or a hose with a diffuser spray nozzle to water the lettuce garden. Don't completely drown the seedlings in water; just make sure the soil is damp. Fertilize the lettuce three weeks after transplanting. Use alfalfa meal or slow release fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen. This will keep the lettuce growing fast and strong. Cut mature leaves. When the leaves look mature enough to eat, resembling lettuce leaves you'd buy in the grocery store, cut them with a harvest knife or scissors. After a few weeks, when the plant is mature, you'll want to cut the whole plant from the ground. If you leave it in, the lettuce will eventually go bad. Harvest leaves in the morning. They acquire a crispness overnight, and they'll retain it if you harvest early. See How to Harvest Romaine Lettuce for harvesting this type of lettuce. Lettuce starts to "bolt" in hot conditions toward the end of the growing season. It begins producing seeds and acquires a bitter taste. You can keep this from happening by pinching off the center of the plant. If a lettuce plant does end up bolting, go ahead and pull it up. Store harvested lettuce in the refrigerator. If you don't eat your lettuce right away, you can store it. If you put it in a plastic bag with some paper towels, it should keep for up to ten days. Choose a loose leaf variety for outdoor planting. Loose leaf cultivars are the brightly colored, nutritious lettuces often sold in a "spring mix." These lettuces tolerate warmer temperatures and a shorter growing season than other varieties, so they are usually scattered directly in the garden. Head lettuce should generally be planted indoors instead. Hot weather triggers "bolting" in lettuce, halting leaf growth and introducing a bitter flavor. In hot climates, such as the southern U.S., you'll need to plant the lettuce as soon as possible, or look for a heat-resistant variety. Prepare the planting bed. You should plan to plant the lettuce as soon as the ground is workable. Choose an area with soil that drains well and gets plenty of sun. Use a soil tiller or a spade to break up the soil and remove rocks, sticks and roots from the area. Lettuce is hardy, but there are certain conditions that won't allow it to grow properly. Make sure the soil isn't too soggy, and that it has plenty of nitrogen. Make sure the soil is humus rich as well. Talk to someone at your local nursery to discuss ways to enrich the soil in your particular region to make it excellent for growing lettuce. Fertilize the bed. Mix in compost or a balanced fertilizer into the bed at least one week before planting. Optionally, you can apply a nitrogen-heavy fertilizer alongside the plants after about three weeks, when leaves are four inches (10 cm) wide. Broadcast the seeds. Lettuce is cold-hardy, so you can usually plant them directly in soil about two weeks before the last expected spring frost, or up to six weeks in advance if protected by cold frames or tunnels. Broadcast the seeds over tilled soil, then scatter about ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) of soil on top of them. One seed packet will cover about 100 feet (30.5 m). Water the seed bed thoroughly after planting. Stagger the planting at one or two week intervals to get harvests throughout the season. Keep in mind that most lettuces do not grow well in hot temperature, so the last planting date depends on your local climate and the needs of your lettuce cultivar. For best results, use heat-resistant varieties or plant in shade for the final sowings. Keep the lettuce watered. If the leaves look wilted, they need to be watered. Give the lettuce a light sprinkling every day, and any time the leaves look a little limp. Cut away mature leaves. When harvesting looseleaf lettuces, use scissors or a knife to remove the mature leaves without harming the rest of the plant. You can start doing this as soon as the leaves reach the size you'd see in a grocery store. Remove the whole plant after a few weeks, or the plant will turn bitter and start to seed. Harvest in the early morning for the crispest leaves. Pinching off the center of the plant will extend the harvest period. Store lettuce leaves in the fridge for up to ten days, keeping them in a plastic bag with a couple paper towels. | Choose a head lettuce variety for indoor planting. Prepare seed trays. Sow the seeds 4-6 weeks before the last spring frost. Give the seeds plenty of sunlight and water. Transplant into the garden. Fertilize the lettuce three weeks after transplanting. Cut mature leaves. Store harvested lettuce in the refrigerator. Choose a loose leaf variety for outdoor planting. Prepare the planting bed. Fertilize the bed. Broadcast the seeds. Keep the lettuce watered. Cut away mature leaves. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Bathe-a-Kitten | How to Bathe a Kitten | To bathe your kitten, start by filling either a sink or basin with an inch of warm water and slowly lowering your cat into it. Then, use a cup to pour warm water over your kitten until it's completely wet, avoiding its face. Next, squirt a small amount of shampoo into your hands and gently rub it onto your kitten, starting on its back. Once you've washed it's entire body, rinse your kitten off with clean, warm water to wash off the shampoo. Finally, take your kitten out of the bath and dry it off using a clean, fluffy towel. | Recognize when your kitty needs a bath. The fact of the matter is, many cats don't need to be bathed at all, since they are masters at grooming and cleaning themselves. However, if your cat has fleas, if he's an outdoor kitty who has stepped in something vile, or if he just looks and feels dirty, then it may be time to give that kitty a bath. If your kitty is very young, then you should wipe him off with a wet or damp washcloth instead of giving him a full-on bath. Talk to your vet about when is a good time to give your little kitty a full-on bath. According to the Animal Compassion Network, you should wait until your kitty is at least 8 weeks old before giving him a full-on bath. One benefit to bathing your kitty when he's young is that this will make him used to bathing if he routinely gets dirty. Just remember that cats spend about 30% of their time grooming and that they really shouldn't be bathed more than once or twice a year unless they get really dirty. Trim your kitten's nails. Even the most mild-mannered kittens will protest a bit when you bathe them, especially if it's for the first time. To protect yourself from getting scratched by your favorite furry creature, you should make sure to trim his nails a bit so he's less likely to hurt you when you're bathing him. Though a kitten's scratches may not be as ferocious as those of a full-grown kitty, you could still get hurt. It's better to do this to keep yourself safe, even if your kitty protests a bit. You shouldn't trim your kitten's nails right before you bathe him, however. Do it the day before or at least a few hours before. A lot of cats get a bit feisty and riled up after their nails are trimmed, and you want your little critter to be in a calm frame of mind before you begin the bath. If you haven't trimmed your kitten's nails yet, you're better off leaving quite a bit of time between nail trimming and bathing — even a full day. Nail trimming can be a new and scary experience for a young kitty, and you don't want to make it worse by adding a bath into the mix. Brush your kitten's fur. Before you soak your little kitten, you should brush his fur, getting his coat, his legs, his belly, and even the top of his head. This is important because you'll be making sure that his fur is free of tangles and knots. If you put a kitty with uncombed fur into the bath, then you will be making those knots and tangles worse and will be creating a problem that could be avoided. Don't overlook this important step. Some kitties actually love having their fur brushed and look at this as a very relaxing process. However, others get a little panicked or agitated when their fur is brushed. If this process does not relax your cat, then give him an hour or two at least to calm down before the bath begins. Playing some soft music in the background will also relax your kitty and help draw his attention away from the pending bath. Giving your kitty a little treat after brushing him in time to the music can make the process feel more positive. Wear protective clothing. Don't bathe your kitty in a little tank top that exposes your arms and chest. Instead, put on a long-sleeved shirt with decent thickness, so your kitty is less likely to scratch you. Some extremists say you should even protect your hands, but this is only if you know that your cat loves to bite and scratch. It's better to be safe than sorry, and wearing a long-sleeved shirt can keep you from having scratches up and down your arms. You should also try to pick a thick cotton material for your clothes so your kitty doesn't get his nails caught on your clothes. Pick something that is hard to claw through. Have your kitty shampoo ready. Kittens need a special baby shampoo, and cats with fleas need one formulated to kill fleas, flea eggs, etc. Cats without fleas can use general cat shampoo. Go to a pet store, your veterinarian, or shop at an online retailer. If you are in doubt, ask a sales associate for information on the best shampoo. Don't just bathe your kitten with soap or with general shampoo, or you can really hurt your kitty or irritate his skin. Don't use dog shampoo if you have it on hand, either. It needs to be tailor made to suit your kitty's needs. Get your kitty bathing materials ready. When you are ready to bathe the cat, get a cup for pouring water and a towel to dry the cat with. Get the shampoo ready. If you have an extra person to help you, that's great, too! Having all of your supplies ready in advance can help you bathe your kitten when the moment comes. You don't want to finally get your kitty in the bath to find that you've left the shampoo or towel in the other room. It's also a good idea to close the door of your bathroom to keep your kitty from running off. Make the bath appealing for your kitten. If your kitten is new to baths and new to the world, you can try to make the bath a less scary place for your kitty. You can take some of his favorite toys and place them in the sink or basin you're using, or even associate the area where you're bathing him with fun and joy, so he doesn't think of it as a scary place. You can even play with him in the sink or basin without bathing him there at first, so he gets comfortable in that environment. When the time comes to bathe your kitten, you can even throw in a few of his favorite toys, or a few bath toys, to make him comfortable. You can even get him used to playing with the bath toys in a dry environment first. Bathe your kitty when he's feeling calm. This is a very important point. Don't bathe your kitty one minute after you've played for half an hour and gotten him all riled up, or after he's gotten agitated after spotting a bug in the room. Avoid bathing him just before his usual mealtime, or he's likely to be agitated and anxious, wanting food instead of a bath. Instead, pick a time when he's usually calm, resting, or just relaxed and not in need of anything. Though he'll naturally get excited pretty fast, it's better to start off with a calm kitty so you make it easier for yourself and your little creature to get through the bath. You can also schedule a play session that tires your kitty out and then wait half an hour for him to get tired and to rest before bath time. Prepare your kitty's bath. The most common places to bathe your kitty are either in the sink or in a basin. Smaller enclosures make it easier to bathe your kitty and to maintain control of him. An entire bathtub will make it much harder to bathe your kitty. Though some people like to fill the basin and then "dip" their kitty into the water, this can actually cause your little one to panic, so you should only try this as a last resort. More commonly, you should place your kitty in the basin and then slowly pour lukewarm water over him. You can also consider putting a rubber bath mat at the bottom of the sink or basin to help keep your kitty from slipping. Some people like to fill the basin with just an inch or two of lukewarm water to get kitty's paws used to the water before the bath begins. You can even do this as a training run in preparation for later bathing, if you like. If your cat is really afraid of water, then you may have to ease the little guy into the process. Help keep your kitty calm. The cat will most likely cling to everything in an attempt to avoid the bathtub. Just take him down gently, one paw, then the other. Put him back in the sink. You might try gently holding the front shoulder section in front of his chest downward and using the other hand to shampoo the back of the cat while you keep his lower part down. Keep the panic or worry out of your voice and your kitty is likely to feel more calm and reassured. If you start freaking out, he'll sense that you're worried and will be more likely to mimic your reactions. Pet your kitty while keeping a firm grip on his back or shoulders. If he's more calm sticking partly out of the basin with his front paws, then you can keep him in this position instead of placing his entire body in the basin. Just add water. While the cat is in the kitchen sink or basin, start using the cup to pour lukewarm water on the cat until it is completely wet. Pour it gently over your kitty, even petting and stroking his fur while you do it so he feels calm. If you have a helper, then one person can help maintain control of the kitty by holding onto his shoulders while the other person pours the water. Pour no more than half to a full cup of water over your kitty at a time, and try to avoid his face at this point. Alternatively, you can fill the sink partway and dip the kitten in the water. If you choose this approach, then you can first place your kitty into just a little bit of the lukewarm water until his paws are wet, compliment him, and then dip him in more water. If you do this, though, try to fill the basin or sink when your kitty is in the other room, because some kitties are scared by the sound of running water. Shampoo your kitty's body. Use a small amount of shampoo, rub it together, and start on the cat's back. Work through the tail, hind legs, front legs, and neck. Be sure to get the tummy as well. If your kitty is really not liking this process, you can shampoo a little bit of kitty at a time, wash him off, and repeat. You don't want to cover your kitty with soap and then find it impossible to rinse him off before he runs off. You can use your hands or even a washcloth to help clean your kitty. You should gently massage the shampoo into your kitty's fur and body. Treat it like it's the hair of a baby and avoid stroking his fur too hard. Be kind and gentle and your kitty is more likely to relax. Your kitty may really not like the shampoo. Just keep reassuring him or her and try to keep kitty calm by staying calm yourself. Try to keep the soap out of your kitty's eyes. You don't want to hurt the little critter in the process of bathing him. Rinse the cat off with lukewarm water. Once you've cleaned your kitty with the shampoo, you should begin to rinse him off. You can gently pour water onto your kitty from a pitcher, using your hands to wash his fur, until the water runs clear. If your kitty is in a sink, you can drain it so the soapy water disappears. Keep pouring a bit of water at a time over your kitty's body until he is shampoo free. For extra help, you can also use a wet washcloth and run it over your kitty's body. Some kitties love and are fascinated by faucets. If your cat is not scared off by faucet water and you're bathing him in a sink, you can use a gentle stream of lukewarm water to help rinse off your kitty. Make sure the water isn't hot, as the kitten could get burned. Wash your kitty's face with water. There's no real need to wash your kitty's face with shampoo. Just a bit of water on his face will help keep him clean and fresh. You can use a wet washcloth to dab his face to make it easier. Take care not to get water in your kitty's eyes or nose and to be gentle with his face. Some kitties don't like to have their faces touched, especially when there's water involved, so you should be as gentle as possible. Whatever you do, do not place your kitty's face underwater. Doing so is guaranteed to make him panic. Blot your kitten dry. At first, it can help to blot your kitty dry with a towel before you wrap him in a towel. This will help get off some of the dampness and will keep him from feeling like you're trapping him in a wet enclosure. Just gently blotting his face, body, and fur can make your kitty feel a bit more relaxed before you place him in a towel. Some people even use hair dryers on the lowest setting to help dry their kittens. You have to do what works best for your cat. Some are fascinated by the dryer and some are are terrified of it. If your kitty is okay with the hairdryer, then place it on the lowest heat setting and gently dry his fur just as you would with your hair, only taking a bit more care not to scare your kitty or harm him. Wrap the kitten in a big fluffy towel to dry him off. Once you manage this, you should quickly dry the cat to get most of the dampness off. Be aware that small animals can lose a great deal of body temperature through damp fur so dry the kitten as much as possible, before providing a heat source for him/her to dry in front of. The towel may make the kitty feel a little claustrophobic and he may panic a little, but it's important to dry him off as much as you can. Your kitty will likely also shake the water off himself, like a dog. If you have a long-haired kitty, then you should brush his fur after the bath to get rid of any tangles that maybe have been caused by the bath. Reward your little one for a job well done. Afterwards, offer treats, cuddles, hugs, and kisses. Your poor baby has just experienced one of the worst things it can. Most cats hate water! (However, two exceptions are the Turkish Van, and Bengal breeds. ) Even if your kitty will get used to the baths, the initial experience is likely to have been a bit upsetting, and you should acknowledge that. Also, if you give your kitty treats after the bath, then he will associate baths with good things instead of bad, and he'll be more likely to want a bath in the future. | Recognize when your kitty needs a bath. Trim your kitten's nails. Brush your kitten's fur. Wear protective clothing. Have your kitty shampoo ready. Get your kitty bathing materials ready. Make the bath appealing for your kitten. Bathe your kitty when he's feeling calm. Prepare your kitty's bath. Help keep your kitty calm. Just add water. Shampoo your kitty's body. Rinse the cat off with lukewarm water. Wash your kitty's face with water. Blot your kitten dry. Wrap the kitten in a big fluffy towel to dry him off. Reward your little one for a job well done. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cream-Butter | How to Cream Butter | To cream butter, soften it first by leaving it out at room temperature or microwaving it for 10 seconds. Then, put the softened butter in a large bowl and gradually mix in sugar. Once you've added all the sugar, quickly mix the butter until it's thick and creamy. When the butter and sugar are thoroughly mixed, you're finished. | Allow the butter to reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 degrees Celsius). Take the butter out of the fridge about 10 minutes before you intend to work with it, and cut it into 1/4 in (6.45 mm) pieces. Cold butter does not blend well when mixed and will leave chunks of butter throughout the finished product. While "room temperature" is standard advice, slightly cooler than room temperature is actually better. Once the butter reaches about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius), it's too warm to retain much air, which can result in denser baked goods. For best results, test the temperature using a digital thermometer. If you don't have one, you can test the butter by giving it a poke with your fingers; if the butter is soft as a ripe peach and your fingers easily leave an indentation, it's ready to use. However, if the butter is squishy and shiny it has probably started to melt, which is not ideal for creaming. Place the butter back in the fridge for 5 to 10 minutes until it firms up a little. Grate the butter. Don't worry if you forget to take the butter out of the fridge in advance - all chefs forget from time to time. You can cheat by using a cheese grater to grate the hard butter into thin strips. The increased surface area will allow the butter to soften very quickly and you'll be ready to cream in no time. Microwave the butter. If you're really in a rush, you can also cheat by warming the butter in the microwave. Be very careful with this though - if the butter melts, it will not cream properly and you will have to start again with new butter. To microwave: Cut the cold butter into even sized chunks (this will ensure that they soften evenly), place the chunks in a microwave safe bowl and heat for no more than 10 seconds. Take the bowl out and check the butter - if it is still too hard, place it back in the microwave for 5 seconds at a time. Place the softened butter into a suitable mixing bowl. Beat the butter with a hand-held or stand mixer on a low speed, until it becomes soft and creamy. Start adding the sugar gradually. Add the sugar to the butter a little at a time. The purpose of adding it slowly is to allow you to work it into the butter so that it dissolves and doesn't leave lumps or granules of sugar in the mixture. As the sugar is beaten, it cuts through the butter, leaving bubbles of air behind. This aerates the mixture, allowing it to rise and giving the final product a light, fluffy texture. Most recipes will call for caster or superfine sugar when creaming butter. This is because superfine sugar has the perfect consistency for creaming - it has enough of a surface area that it will adequately aerate the butter as it is beaten (unlike powdered sugar), but it is fine enough that it will not give a coarse texture to cakes and cookies (unlike granulated sugar). Increase the speed of the mixer. Once all of the sugar has been added to the butter, increase the speed of the mixer (high on a hand mixer, medium/high on a stand mixer) and continue beating until the entire texture is smooth and creamy. Don't forget to scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl with a rubber spatula from time to time, to reincorporate any sugar or butter that has stuck to the sides. Also try to scrape out any mixture that has become trapped in the beaters. Know when to stop mixing. As you continue to beat, the butter and sugar mixture will increase in volume and become increasingly lighter in color. When the sugar and butter has been perfectly creamed, it should be off-white in color and have almost doubled in volume. The texture should be thick and creamy - almost like mayonnaise. Be careful not the over-mix the butter and sugar. Once the mixture is pale and creamy, and forms slight, soft peaks, you should stop beating. If you keep mixing, it will lose most of the air you worked in and the final product will not rise very well. As a guideline, your butter and sugar should be perfectly creamed in about six or seven minutes, when using a mixer. Use as required in your recipe. If you've creamed the butter and sugar well, the baking process should proceed smoothly. Place your softened butter in a mixing bowl. You can use any type of mixing bowl you like, however, some chefs recommend using a ceramic or stoneware bowl for creaming butter. These type of bowls have rougher surfaces which catch the butter and speed up the creaming process. Metal or plastic bowls have smoother surfaces which do not catch the butter. Start mixing the butter. Before you add the sugar to the bowl, you should cream the butter on its own first. This will make adding the sugar much easier later on. Use a fork, wire whisk, spatula or wooden spoon to mush up the butter before you begin to mix. Like with the ceramic or stoneware bowl, it is believed that a wooden spoon will catch the butter more easily and speed up the creaming process. Gradually add the sugar. Little by little, incorporate the sugar into the butter, beating after each addition. This will give the sugar a chance to dissolve and prevent it from flying out of the bowl as you mix. Continue beating the butter and sugar once all of the sugar has been added. Beat vigorously but steadily - you will have to work at it for a while so you don't want to tire yourself out too soon! Switch hands if you need to. Just think of all the calories you'll burn while beating - you'll certainly deserve that extra cookie once they're done! Know when to stop beating. Really with hand beating there's no way to over-mix the butter and sugar...but you'll have to stop at some point. When it's ready, the mixture should be creamy and lump-free. It should be slighter paler in color too. A good test is to drag a fork through the mixture - if you see any streaks of butter, you'll need to keep beating, if not you can continue with your recipe. If you leave streaks of butter in your mixture, this means that it's not uniform and your final product will have an uneven texture. | Allow the butter to reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 degrees Celsius). Grate the butter. Microwave the butter. Place the softened butter into a suitable mixing bowl. Start adding the sugar gradually. Increase the speed of the mixer. Know when to stop mixing. Use as required in your recipe. Place your softened butter in a mixing bowl. Start mixing the butter. Gradually add the sugar. Know when to stop beating. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Chest-Acne | How to Get Rid of Chest Acne | If you have chest acne, wash the affected area daily with a cleanser containing 2% salicylic acid until the breakout goes away. If you still have breakouts, treat bumps with an acne-fighting cream made with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. You can also make a paste from 1 teaspoon of water, 1 teaspoon of honey, and 2 crushed aspirin tablets. Apply the paste to the affected area and let it dry for about 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water. | Choose a cleanser that fights acne. Use an exfoliating glove and a cleanser with 2% salicylic acid while you're in the shower. Make sure to replace your gloves at least once every 3 months as they are breeding grounds for bacteria. Soaps containing these ingredients serve as shedding agents, which will help to curb acne. If you scrub too roughly, you'll deplete your skin's natural oils, and you'll irritate your acne. Always scrub your chest gently to get rid of dead skin cells. Take a shower every day. If you don't clean your skin, you invite sebum and bacteria to collect on its surface, causing acne. Apply a topical "zit zapper. " The cream should have a concentration of salicylic acid between 0.5 and 2 percent. Smear the cream directly over your acne to dry out and heal spots quicker. Use benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide fights the bacteria that cause acne, and assists in drying out and peeling dead layers of skin on the epidermis. Make sure to exfoliate. Exfoliating is removing the dead layers of skin on the epidermis, or the top layer of skin. Exfoliating can help decrease the incidence of chest acne and help acne marks fade. Chest acne is often the result of clogged hair follicles or pores, which causes sebum to build up. This ultimately leads to acne. Men tend to have chests covered with hair while women tend to wear more tight-fitting bras and tops. Both of these may contribute to chest acne, making exfoliation very important and make sure to wipe down with a cleansing toilette or toner after excessive sweating during a workout. Smooth on a mask. Look for masks made of mud or charcoal or try a mask that contains mandelic acid. Mud or charcoal mask. Rub this mask on your chest twice per week and then rinse it off. A mask will cleanse the area and unclog your pores. Mandelic acid mask. These masks are usually applied 10 to 15 minutes before a shower. Then, you'll rinse the mask off with some specially formulated acne wash. You can also try a clay-based mask or a mask containing tea tree oil. Many people think that tea tree oil is a good treatment for a variety of skin conditions. Make an aspirin paste. Aspirin actually contains salicylic acid, which both dries out acne and reduces inflammation caused by acne. This makes it the perfect candidate for an effective paste. Crush 2 aspirin tablets and combine with one teaspoon of water and one teaspoon of honey. Apply to the chest, or where necessary, and let dry for 10 minutes. Wash off with cool water. Wear cotton or linen tops. Cotton and linen are the most breathable fabrics, and they let sweat evaporate instead of forming a layer on your chest that clogs your pores and invites bacteria to grow. Change your diet. Eat a handful of walnuts every day to reduce skin inflammation. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Get lean protein, such as poultry breast or soy, into your diet, along with whole grains and omega-3 fatty acids. People who eat more fruits and veggies, and less milk and sugar, tend to have less acne. Make sure you get 5 to 9 servings of healthy vegetables (especially leafy greens) per day. Healthy fats, like omega-3s, help fight inflammation and promote healthy cells. Omega-3s are damaged by oxygen, meaning if you eat foods that are rich in omega-3s, try to eat them raw. Foods rich in omega-3s include: Fish, particularly salmon, sardines, and herring. Seeds and nuts, particularly flaxseed. Leafy greens, particularly spinach and arugula. Drink plenty of water. Your skin is the largest organ in your body. Like other organs, it needs plenty of water to stay hydrated and functioning on a healthy level. Many doctors recommend that you drink between 9 and 12 cups of water per day (2.2 to 3 liters), depending on whether you are a girl or guy. Cut sweet, sugary drinks like sodas, juices, and smoothies out of your diet. Although the evidence has been disputed for decades, new reports seem to indicate that diets do have a substantial effect on acne, listing sugar as a trigger. Sugars cause a spike in insulin, which in turn stimulates a certain pimple producing hormones. Unsweetened green may work, too. Green tea contains antioxidants that help fight free radicals; free radicals affect the cells that may be responsible for signs of aging in the skin. For a healthy alternative to water, brew some tasty and healthy green tea! Skip dairy products. Dairy products contain hormones from cows, and these hormones stimulate your pores and your oil glands. If you have to drink milk, choose skim milk. The hormones are largely concentrated in the fatty portion of the milk, so drinking skim will limit your exposure. Use non-comedogenic body lotion to prevent additional breakouts. Look for labels that say "non-comedogenic" or "oil-free." Comedogenic ingredients have a tendency to clog pores. Comedogenic ingredients include cocoa butter, pigments and dyes, coal tar, and isopropyl myristate. If your skin is oily, you should always look for non-comedogenic lotion and cleansers. Wash your hands after you go to the bathroom. If you have germ-ridden hands and then touch your chest, you transfer bacteria onto your chest skin that can clog your pores. So wash up. You'll not only prevent acne but also a variety of diseases. Remove as much unhealthy stress from your life as possible. Doctors aren't completely sure why, but they do know that there is a link between stress and skin disorders, specifically stress and acne. Somehow, the cells that produce sebum, which is the stuff that ultimately causes acne, become unregulated when a person experiences a lot of stress. Get plenty of rest. Doctors know that the less you sleep, the more likely you are to experience stress throughout the day. And the more stress you experience, the worse your acne gets. Exercise. Exercising is almost a universal panacea. In this case, exercise promotes healthy circulation and helps ease anxiety and stress. So find an excuse to run — or walk — around the block, join an intramural sports team, or hit the stationary bike. Shower after you exercise. This is very important. Your pores may be clogged with sweat after you exercise. If you shower and clean them, there's a good chance that you might avoid some of the chest acne that is caused by simple neglect after exercising. Dab your blemish with a cotton swab that you've soaked in hydrogen peroxide. Alternately, dab a blemish with a Q-Tip that you've soaked in eye drops (used for redness relief). Eye drops can help reduce inflammation and the visibility of redness. For added relief, place the soaked Q-Tip in the freezer for 30 to 60 minutes before applying. Apply a concealer that contains salicylic acid. Choose a concealer that's 1 shade darker than your skin tone. Add a layer of foundation that matches your usual skin tone. Dust your chest with powder. You should be good to go. Try calamine lotion if you don't want to use makeup. The pink color masks the acne while providing relief from the irritation. | Choose a cleanser that fights acne. Apply a topical "zit zapper. Use benzoyl peroxide. Make sure to exfoliate. Smooth on a mask. Make an aspirin paste. Wear cotton or linen tops. Change your diet. Drink plenty of water. Skip dairy products. Use non-comedogenic body lotion to prevent additional breakouts. Wash your hands after you go to the bathroom. Remove as much unhealthy stress from your life as possible. Exercise. Dab your blemish with a cotton swab that you've soaked in hydrogen peroxide. Apply a concealer that contains salicylic acid. Add a layer of foundation that matches your usual skin tone. Dust your chest with powder. Try calamine lotion if you don't want to use makeup. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Loner-in-High-School | How to Be a Loner in High School | If you're a loner in high school, remember that there is no shame in wanting privacy and solitude. Find a secluded space on campus where you can escape, like an empty classroom or the school theater, and avoid crowded areas. Instead of giving in to peer pressure to socialize when you don't want to, focus on cultivating your interests or look for a new hobby, like learning a musical instrument. If you feel lonely, find friendship in some other loners at school who understand you. Additionally, search online for some loner mentors, like musicians or writers that you admire, to learn about their high school experiences. | Keep conversations brief. If someone begins to talk to you, try to keep your answers short and to the point. Providing very little information or encouragement will let them know that you are not interested in a long chat. However, do listen carefully in case they say something of importance to you. Avoiding eye contact will make your classmates less likely to approach you for conversation. Instead of looking directly at one person, try to skim the room with your eyes. Being a loner doesn't mean that you can't provide a reaction to what someone says to you. If a person is talking and you feel like offering your sympathy, do so. In fact, introverts are often known for their emotional awareness. Noncommittal responses such as, “Uh-huh,” and, “Mm-hm,” often signal to other people that you are not engaged in the conversation. This will usually lead to a talk being cut short. Head directly to the bus after school. Instead of hanging around in the hallways or outside of the school to socialize, make your way to your ride home. The sooner that you get home, the sooner you can recharge in peace and privacy. If you take this same action every day it will become a routine and your classmates will know what to expect. You may want to time your arrival at the bus carefully, otherwise you could end up sitting and waiting for it to fill up. Use technology as a distraction. Cell phones are generally not allowed in the classroom. However, you may be able to bring your headphones and wear them in the cafeteria and other public spaces. You can also use your phone in permitted areas. Getting on a library computer also sends a message that you want your space. Just make sure that you are still aware of your surroundings as you immerse yourself in technology. For example, watch where you are walking as you make your way around campus. Stay away from crowded areas. Find a place to sit away from others in the cafeteria. Try to walk on the edges of the hallway away from where people are congregating. Don't hang around in the classroom immediately after class. The fewer people you encounter, the fewer random conversations and forced social interactions you will have. It is a common misconception that all loners are shy. Many loners are perfectly fine in social situations, they just prefer to avoid them if possible. Loners can often be classified as introverts at heart. Find a private space of your own. Get to know your school environment and look for a few places that you can escape to during the day for some privacy and solitude. This is especially important to do if you find your classroom time to be mentally draining. Escaping in this way shows that you are a loner by choice, not by circumstance. If one of your fellow students questions you about your habit of disappearing, simply tell them that sometimes you prefer to be alone. Look for places currently not in use, such as the school theater or empty classrooms. Avoid major social events. Instead of attending the seasonal dance with a large group, go by yourself or not at all. You could always spend that time pursuing a hobby that you enjoy, such as painting. If you attend a function requiring tickets, purchase the seats around you to ensure your solitude. If someone makes a big deal about you not going to a particular event, just remind yourself that your peers are busy with their own lives, so everything will blow over rather quickly. Locate one or two trusted confidantes. This is not a necessity, as it may make you feel like less of a 'true' loner. However, everyone needs help on occasion and having a few classmates you can turn to for assistance is never a bad idea. Just remember to return any favors as soon as possible so that you don't feel indebted to anyone. Just because you are a loner in high school doesn't mean that you can't have friends or a social life outside of that space either. If you have a best friend from childhood, who goes to a different school, look to that person for support. Stick with your own fashion style. Don't feel the need to follow all of the latest trends. Embrace your own unique appearance and work to refine it over time. Wear clothes that suit your personality and mood. Being comfortable in your own skin will give you more confidence in all of your choices, including being a loner. Most people are aware of the stereotype of the trench coat wearing, troubled loner teen. If you choose to dress this way do so because you enjoy it, not to conform to some image. Stay polite. No matter how frustrated you become with other people attempting to reach out to you, avoid the desire to head into rude territory. Stay true to your morals and give them minimal time, but not an abrupt brush-off. Most people are extroverts and have no clue how to interpret your loner signals. Some polite ways to exit a conversation include saying, “Okay, well, I have to make my next class,” or, “I've got to go now or I'll be late.” Develop some individual hobbies. Being a loner doesn't mean you can't be interesting. In fact, many loners become recognized artists due to their abilities to channel their inner energies outward. Investigate learning a musical instrument on your own. Or, try your hand at another artistic pursuit, such as writing or painting. One of the reasons that Bruce Springsteen started playing music was to find an outlet for his feelings as a high school loner. Just because you are a loner doesn't mean you are alone in your experiences. It is also possible that you gravitate toward being a loner because you hold potential friends to higher creative standards as a result of your own artistic impulses. Being aware of this can help you to reassess your expectations of others, if you desire. Be confident. Try your best to not care about the opinions of others, including those of your peers. Focus on your own inner strength and take actions that make you feel comfortable, not the ones that will make you 'fit in.' Part of being a confident person is not accepting bullying. Don't allow anyone to victimize you for your loner status. Choose a few loner idols or mentors. Search online for the stories of other loners. You will find that many celebrities self-identify as former, or current, loners. Your research will show you that, for most loners, there is nothing unhealthy or unnatural about this affinity. You simply crave privacy. Be a survivor. Be aware that your loner status may make you a target for ridicule in your present, or future, life. So, it is important to be flexible and to adapt to your situation the best that you can. Perhaps you need to wait until the end of the day to get alone time. If that is the case, then so be it. Perhaps you have to discuss your work in a group project setting. If that is the case, then so be it. Change your behaviors if you are lonely. Practice introspection on a daily basis and ask yourself if being a loner is making you happy. If the answer is yes, then continue as is. If the answer is no, then start to open yourself up a bit more to social experiences while in high school. Pay attention to any feelings of loneliness, in particular. Your decision to be a loner can be reversed, if you choose to do so. Loneliness actually leads to the build-up of stress within your body. Over time it can cause a host of health problems if it is not addressed. Watch out for the stereotypes. Humans usually reach out for social interaction, so, as a loner, you may be the focus of other's curiosity or fear. In particular, as a result of some of the violent acts committed by self-described loners in school environments, some of your classmates may attach negative stereotypes to your choice. Try to alleviate their concerns by being polite and engaged, just busy with other concerns. Don’t give in to peer pressure. Some of your peers may try to ply you with alcohol or drugs in order to get you back into the social group. Be prepared for this and feel confident in your refusal. Others may assume that you are interested in these illicit activities simply because you are a loner. Brush these advances off as well. If you are offered drugs or alcohol, you might simply say, “Sorry, I'm not into that.” Talk to the school counselor. If you feel as if your emotions are bottled up as a result of your loner status, reach out to professionals at your school. They will keep these conversations confidential and you can unload what is on your mind. Be aware that you can also visit with your counselor to discuss how happy you are as a loner. If you are satisfied with your life as a loner, your counselor may be able to offer suggestions regarding future career options that will suit your personality. Many loners find satisfying work as writers or completing other solitary pursuits. Talk to your parents. Your parents may be concerned about your life as a loner, especially if they are both extroverts. Spend time talking with them and let them know that you are okay and happy. If you are unhappy, you can also reach out to your parents for assistance and ask for their advice. Talk to a medical professional. If you feel like hurting yourself or others, you should talk to your parents or school professionals and get them to make you a counseling appointment outside of the school environment. It is important that you don't keep these feelings bottled up. There are ways to improve your situation, but you have to go against your natural instincts and reach out to others. | Keep conversations brief. Head directly to the bus after school. Use technology as a distraction. Stay away from crowded areas. Find a private space of your own. Avoid major social events. Locate one or two trusted confidantes. Stick with your own fashion style. Stay polite. Develop some individual hobbies. Be confident. Choose a few loner idols or mentors. Be a survivor. Change your behaviors if you are lonely. Watch out for the stereotypes. Don’t give in to peer pressure. Talk to the school counselor. Talk to your parents. Talk to a medical professional. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Replace-Brakes-on-a-John-Deere-5105-Tractor | How to Replace Brakes on a John Deere 5105 Tractor | You can replace the brakes on your John Deere 5015 tractor at home if you have mechanical experience and the right tools. You'll need wood wedges, floor jacks, a jack stand, and a set of torque wrenches and sockets. First, jack up your tractor's rear end and remove the rear wheels. Then, remove the fender, fuel tank, rollover protection structure, final drive, connecting shaft, metal disks brake pads, then the shaft and seal from the final drive. Once you've removed the brakes, install a new seal and shaft. The shaft that connects the final drive and transmission can be installed in the final drive. Then, put new brake pads and a metal disk inside the final drive. Put a seal maker on the edge of the final drive housing before pushing it back to the tractor. You'll also need to replace the hydraulic filter before you reassemble your tractor. | Find a good work area, preferably in a closed in shop. Also, make sure the work area is clean. Make sure the tractor is cleaned before pulling it into the work area. Acquire the proper tools for the job. The following are the tools required: wood wedges, 3 ton floor jack and jack stands, a cherry picker hoist, short chain with hooks, 1/2" drive impact socket set, 1/2" drive impact, 1/2" drive torque wrench, a set of wrenches and a 3/8" drive socket set with ratchet. With the tractor in the work space, put the wedges between the front axle and the frame. Place the jack on the rear end of the tractor and jack it up until the rear tires are a 1/2" off the ground. Place the jack stands under the tractor and be careful not to place them under the final drives. The best place to place the jack stands is under the transmission. Once jack stands are in place the tractor can be set down and the jack removed. Remove the wheels from both sides of the tractor. Remove the fenders, fuel tank, and ROPS. Be sure to set them out of the way and start draining the hydraulic oil from the tractor. Remove the linkage for the brakes from the final drives and start unbolting the final drives. Leave two bolts loose in the final drive and wrap it with a chain and hook the cherry picker hoist to it. Wiggle the final drive loose and then remove the two bolts. Once the bolts are removed the final drive can be pulled away from the tractor and set down. Turn the final drive up so the hub for the wheel is on the bottom and the brakes can be accessed. Remove the shaft that connects the final drive to the tractor and set it on a rag in a clean place. Access and pull out the brakes. There should be a metal disc, brake pad, metal disc, brake pad, then the brake piston. A bolt from one of the clips might need to be loosened to remove the metal discs and brakes. Remove the shaft for the linkage from the final drive and remove the seal for it. Insert the new seal and the shaft can be reinstalled. Put the new brake pads and metal disc back inside the final drive. Make sure if the clamp was loosened to tighten it back. The shaft that connects the final drive and transmission can be installed in the final drive. Remove the hydraulic filter and install a new one. Also, remove the strainer and either clean or install a new one depending on the condition. With the new filter on and the strainer cleaned, reinstall the final drives. Lift them with the cherry picker. Put a seal maker on the edge of the final drive housing before pushing it back to the tractor. The final drives may need to be wiggled and turned some for them to line up. Start 2 bolts in the housing, one in the top and one in the bottom. Slowly turn the bolts to pull the final drives in to the transmission. Install the rest of the bolts. Use a torque wrench and the proper torquing procedure to tighten the bolts to 75ftlbs. Reinstall the fuel tank, ROPS, and fenders. Put the wheels back on the tractor. Replace the hydraulic oil. Jack the tractor up off the jack stands and lower the tractor back on the ground. With the tractor safely on the ground, adjust each brake pedal separately. Each brake should have about 2 1/2" of travel and should both have equal amounts of travel. Start and test drive the tractor. Test the brakes and make sure they are working properly. If they aren't they might have to be adjusted more or something was done wrong in the repair process. | Find a good work area, preferably in a closed in shop. Make sure the tractor is cleaned before pulling it into the work area. Acquire the proper tools for the job. With the tractor in the work space, put the wedges between the front axle and the frame. Place the jack on the rear end of the tractor and jack it up until the rear tires are a 1/2" off the ground. Remove the wheels from both sides of the tractor. Remove the fenders, fuel tank, and ROPS. Remove the linkage for the brakes from the final drives and start unbolting the final drives. Wiggle the final drive loose and then remove the two bolts. Turn the final drive up so the hub for the wheel is on the bottom and the brakes can be accessed. Remove the shaft that connects the final drive to the tractor and set it on a rag in a clean place. Access and pull out the brakes. Remove the shaft for the linkage from the final drive and remove the seal for it. Insert the new seal and the shaft can be reinstalled. Put the new brake pads and metal disc back inside the final drive. Remove the hydraulic filter and install a new one. With the new filter on and the strainer cleaned, reinstall the final drives. Start 2 bolts in the housing, one in the top and one in the bottom. Install the rest of the bolts. Reinstall the fuel tank, ROPS, and fenders. Put the wheels back on the tractor. Jack the tractor up off the jack stands and lower the tractor back on the ground. With the tractor safely on the ground, adjust each brake pedal separately. Start and test drive the tractor. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Put-on-an-Alternator-Belt | How to Put on an Alternator Belt | To put on a new alternator belt, you'll need to disconnect your car battery and remove the old belt so you can thread the new one through the pulleys. Start by putting on eye protection and gloves to keep yourself safe as you work. Disconnect the car battery and loosen the auto-tensioner using either a breaker bar or a socket wrench. Once the tension is released, slide the belt off the pulleys. Get the new alternator belt and run it through the pulleys in the same way as the old belt, snaking it around the alternator pulley last. Use a wrench to tighten the bolts on the alternator pulley to increase the tension on the belt. Ensure that there is very little give when you try and wiggle the belt, as this shows the belt is aligned properly on the pulleys. If the belt has the correct tension, reconnect the car battery. | Locate the alternator or serpentine belt. In older model vehicles, engines often came equipped with multiple belts that each powered a different accessory. However, most modern vehicles use only one belt to power the alternator as well as the power steering, air conditioning, and any other accessories. Depending on the make and model of the vehicle, this belt (often called the serpentine belt) is often located on the front or side of the engine. Many American made vehicles with V6 engines or larger have the serpentine or accessory belts on the front. These engines are considered “longitudinally mounted,” with the engine mounted lengthwise on the chassis. Many four cylinder vehicles have transverse mounted engines, meaning the engine is mounted at a ninety degree angle from the chassis, placing the belts on the side of the engine bay instead of the front. Look for cracks in the belt. A significant sign that your alternator or serpentine belt needs replacing is visible cracking along the belt. Modern serpentine belts are designed to prevent cracking and will last much longer than older accessory style belts, but all belts are prone to cracking over a long enough timeline. If the belt appears dried out and cracks have formed, it will need to be replaced. Use a flashlight to get a good look at the belt in areas that aren't as visible to look for signs of cracking elsewhere on the belt. Look for other signs of belt damage. While cracks are the most common sign of a worn out belt, there are other common signs of damage that you should be on the lookout for. Look for chunks of the belt missing in places, frayed fabric along the back of the belt, or signs that the belt has been rubbing on something. You may want to start the engine to watch the belt moving to look for signs of damage along the entire belt. If something has been rubbing on the belt, you will need to identify it and move it before installing your new belt. Use a gauge to measure belt wear. Even with no visible signs of damage, your alternator or serpentine belt may still be too worn. You can purchase an inexpensive plastic belt gauge at most auto parts stores than can tell you if your belt needs to be replaced by measuring the depth of the grooves on the belt. Simply slide the gauge into one of the grooves and take note of how far it goes in. If the plastic gauge seats into the belt far enough for the handle to make contact with the belt, it is too worn and will need to be replaced. You can do this test with the belt on or off of the vehicle. Use a smartphone to measure belt wear. Instead of purchasing a belt depth gauge, you can purchase and download a smartphone application that can tell you if your belt needs to be replaced. Applications like PIC gauge and Gates Programs Belt Wear allow you to simply take a picture of the belt threads to have the application analyze their depth. If it deems the depth to be too shallow, it will tell you to replace the belt. There are applications for both iPhone and Android smartphones that can measure the depth of the tread on your belts. It's important to remember that the application is not an expert opinion and may not always provide accurate information. Put on the appropriate safety gear. Any time you work on your vehicle you should start by putting on the necessary safety equipment. Eye protection will prevent dust, fluids or debris from falling into your eyes if you have to get under the vehicle. Gloves can also provide protection against scratches, pinches and cuts that may result in working in your engine bay if you choose to wear them. Always wear eye protection when working on your vehicle. Gloves can protect your hands, but are optional for this project. Disconnect the battery. Open the hood of your car and locate the battery. It's important to note that some vehicles keep the battery in the trunk instead of the engine bay for space saving or weight distribution. Once you've located it, use a hand or socket wrench to loosen the bolt holding the ground cable to the negative terminal on the battery. The negative terminal can be identified by looking for the negative symbol (-) or the letters NEG. Loosen the bolt until you can slide the cable off of the terminal. Tuck the cable to the side of the battery to prevent it from coming in contact with the negative terminal. This will ensure the engine cannot be started while you're working on it, protecting you and the engine from damage. Use a breaker bar or socket wrench to loosen the auto-tensioner. Many newer model vehicles come equipped with an auto-tensioner pulley. The pulley presses upward as the belt wraps around it so the belt remains under constant, steady tension. Use a half inch drive breaker bar or socket wrench, and slide the portion of the wrench that would normally go into a socket into the square opening in the center of the pulley. It is possible that your vehicle uses a 3/8 inch drive or even a bolt on the tensioner pulley, so refer to your particular vehicle's service manual to ensure you have the appropriate tools. Rotate the wrench clockwise to relieve the pressure it is placing on the belt. It may take a good amount of pressure to rotate the tensioner pulley down. Be careful to release it slowly with steady pressure to avoid injuring yourself or damaging the vehicle. As soon as you let the tensioner go, it will return to its usual position and put pressure on the belt again, so you will need to hold it in place as you remove the belt. Not all vehicles are equipped with an auto-tensioner. Consult your specific vehicle's service manual to see if yours is. Loosen the alternator bolts if there is no auto-tensioner. If your vehicle does not have an auto-tensioner, you can still relieve the tension on the belt by loosening the bolts attaching the alternator to the engine. As you loosen the bolts, tilt the alternator forward to create slack in the belt. Be careful not to damage the threads of the alternator bolts by allowing it to sit tilted under pressure for too long. If your vehicle has an alternator belt instead of a serpentine belt, this is the method you will need to use. Be careful not to damage the wiring going into the alternator. The alternator provides the power the engine needs to run through those wires. Slide the belt off of the pulleys and remove it from the car. Once the tension is off the belt, slide it off of the first or highest pulley. Once it is off of one pulley, you can release the auto-tensioner if that is the method you used to reduce the tension. Make a note of how the belt is wound throughout the different pulleys if it is a serpentine belt, as you will need to slide the new belt on in the same way. If you do not have a diagram on the vehicle or in your service manual laying out the direction your serpentine belt travels through the pulleys, take a picture of it with your phone to refer to when installing the new belt. A strictly alternator belt will likely only go around an alternator pulley and the crank pulley at the bottom of the engine. Compare the lengths of the new and old belts. Before you begin installing the new belt, compare it to the old one to ensure it is the proper length and width. Different vehicles have different sized belts and installing the wrong size could result in failing to power the accessories or even damage to the engine. If your old belt was loose because it had stretched over time, take that into consideration when comparing the two belts. Make sure both belts have the same number of “ribs” or threads spanning the width of the belt. Run the new belt through most of the pulleys. Using a diagram or the picture you took to guide you, snake the new belt around all the necessary accessory pulleys except the auto-tensioner or alternator (depending on whether or not your vehicle came equipped with an auto-tensioner). With many serpentine belts, this can be difficult, as some pulleys will be hard to access with your hands, so be patient and make sure to seat the belt properly around each. You will need to keep tension on the belt with your hands as you slide it into place to ensure it doesn't fall off while you're looping it around pulleys. If your vehicle has a belt only for the alternator, you will need to only slide it around the crank pulley at the bottom of the engine. Loosen the auto-tensioner and slide the new belt on. If your vehicle is equipped with an auto-tensioner, use a breaker bar or appropriately sized ratchet to lower the auto-tensioner pulley last. With the belt around all of the other pulleys, slide it over the tensioner pulley with pressure still on the breaker bar or wrench. Once the belt is in place, slowly reduce the pressure on the wrench, allowing the tensioner pulley to tighten the belt. Do not simply release the auto-tensioner, as that could damage the belt and cause injury. Instead, reduce the pressure you place on it slowly. Remove the wrench or breaker bar from the tensioner pulley once this is done. Slide the belt over the alternator pulley. If you loosened the alternator to remove the old belt, reverse that process by sliding the belt back over the alternator pulley. Again, take care not to place too much pressure on the loosened bolts of the alternator. If the belt is too taught to slide it over the pulley, loosen the bolts a bit more to allow the alternator to tip forward further. Try not to remove the bolts to the alternator completely, as they will be difficult to reinstall under the pressure of the belt. Make sure the belt seats on the alternator pulley completely. Tighten the alternator bolts. With the serpentine or alternator belt safely seated on the alternator pulley, use the same wrench you used to loosen to the bolts to tighten them again. As you tighten the bolts, the alternator will stop tipping forward, which will increase the tension on the belt. Don't tighten one bolt completely before moving to the next one. Instead tighten one halfway, then the other, before coming back to the first. If the belt seems to be putting too much pressure on the alternator, check again to make sure you have it run through all the other pulleys properly. Check the belt tension. Once you have released the auto-tensioner or tightened the alternator bolts, check the tension of the belt to make sure it has seated properly on all pulleys. Pinch the belt between your thumb and index finger and try to wiggle it. There should be very little give to a properly installed alternator or serpentine belt. You can purchase belt tension testers at many auto parts stores that will tell you for certain that the tension in your belt is sufficient. If the belt feels loose, check to make sure it has been run through all of the necessary pulleys properly. Reconnect the battery. Once the belt is securely in place, slide the ground cable back onto the negative terminal on the battery. Use the same wrench you used to remove it to tighten the bolt, then wiggle the connection with your fingers to ensure it is not loose. Make sure the ground cable is tight and won't come off while driving. A loose or disconnected ground cable could cause the engine to die. | Locate the alternator or serpentine belt. Look for cracks in the belt. Look for other signs of belt damage. Use a gauge to measure belt wear. Use a smartphone to measure belt wear. Put on the appropriate safety gear. Disconnect the battery. Use a breaker bar or socket wrench to loosen the auto-tensioner. Loosen the alternator bolts if there is no auto-tensioner. Slide the belt off of the pulleys and remove it from the car. Compare the lengths of the new and old belts. Run the new belt through most of the pulleys. Loosen the auto-tensioner and slide the new belt on. Slide the belt over the alternator pulley. Tighten the alternator bolts. Check the belt tension. Reconnect the battery. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Disconnect-a-Washing-Machine | How to Disconnect a Washing Machine | To disconnect a washing machine, turn off the water valves located behind the washing machine by turning them clockwise. Next, pull the machine away from the wall and unplug it. Place a bucket behind the machine to catch water drainage, then turn the ends of the hoses counterclockwise to detach them from the wall. You may need pliers to loosen them! Then, remove the drain hose to complete the disconnection. | Turn off the water valves. Valves for the supply of hot and cold water are usually located behind the washing machine and in a washer box attached to the wall. Turn off the valves by turning them clockwise until they cannot be turned any further. You'll want to turn these off first thing. This will protect you from major spills if you should accidentally tear a hose in step 2. Pull or drag the washing machine away from the wall. If working alone, grab one side and move it forward, then do the same with the other side. If you have help, try pulling on opposite sides simultaneously. Pull the machine as far out as you can without putting stress on the hoses. Ideally, this will be far enough away from the wall that you can step behind the machine. If your house is on the newer side, some new water boxes are above the washer so it's easier to reach the lines without moving the machine. Unplug the washing machine. Make sure the washing machine is not running, and pull the plug out of the outlet. This will disconnect the washing machine from its power supply. Get a bucket. Place a water pan or bucket behind the washing machine, under the water lines where it will catch water. Surround the bucket with several towels to catch any additional leaks or water that may spill out when the pipes are detached. Detach the hoses from the machine. If they are attached with clamps, turn the screws atop the clamps counterclockwise until the clamps are loose. Then, point the ends of the hoses toward your bucket to drain any water. Alternatively, you can place them in the drain, located in the washer box. It's a good idea to double-check that your valves are still off before doing this. Some styles of faucet handles are easy to accidentally turn back on, and this could have occurred as you moved the machine or when you stepped behind it. You may find it helpful to wait a few seconds after turning off the valves to try to remove the hoses, as this will allow the pressure in the hoses to abate, making them easier to remove. Turning on a few other faucets in the house may help them drain more quickly. Remove the hoses from the wall.Turn the ends counterclockwise until the hoses detach. You may need to use adjustable pliers or a pipe wrench to loosen the hoses, especially if the machine hasn't been disconnected in a while. Once you've removed them, drain any remaining water into the bucket. Remove the drain hose from the drain. Depending on your plumbing setup, this might be a laundry sink, a floor drain, a wall-mounted drain, or a tall stand-pipe. Each of these requires a slightly different process of hose removal. Consult the instructions that came with your machine if it is not immediately obvious. Point the free end of this hose toward your bucket as well, to allow any water to flow out. Empty the water bucket. Before moving the machine, get the water bucket out of the way. Wipe up any spills or drips. You wouldn't want to slip while moving the machine. Double check your connections. Ensure there are no additional plugs or hoses connecting the washing machine to the wall. Continue moving the machine out of its place. There may be water inside the washing machine. Clean the intakes. If you are keeping this washer, this is a good opportunity to clean the water intakes with a bristle brush to remove any debris that may have accumulated over the years. Remove the power cord. Unless you are setting the machine back up in the same spot, it's a good idea to remove the power cord or, if it is not removable, tape it in place. This will protect the plug and prevent the cord from being pulled out accidentally during moving. It's also a good idea to remove any knobs that can come off the machine, to prevent loss. Secure the drum. If you will be moving the washing machine any significant distance, it is important to secure the "drum," the inner chamber of the washer that moves. Depending on the model of your machine, this can be achieved with special bolts, a large y-shaped piece of foam, or even simply tightening some screws in the back. Consult your manual on how best to secure the drum in your machine. You may need to buy a special kit for this. Wrap up your parts. If you are planning to move the machine any distance, leave your cords attached to the machine. You can tape any dangling cords to the sides of the washer to keep them out of your way. | Turn off the water valves. Pull or drag the washing machine away from the wall. Unplug the washing machine. Get a bucket. Detach the hoses from the machine. Remove the hoses from the wall.Turn the ends counterclockwise until the hoses detach. Remove the drain hose from the drain. Empty the water bucket. Double check your connections. Clean the intakes. Remove the power cord. Secure the drum. Wrap up your parts. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Skittles-Vodka | How to Make Skittles Vodka | To make Skittles vodka, start by sorting some Skittles by flavor. Then, take around 25 Skittles in the flavor you want to use and add them to a bottle of vodka. Next, after you add the Skittles, let the vodka sit for 1-2 days, shaking it occasionally. Finally, strain out the Skittles using a coffee filter and refrigerate your flavored vodka overnight. | Separate the colors of Skittles that you want to flavor the vodka with. Many people choose to leave out the green, which is lime if you're using original Skittles, and purple, which is grape in the original style, as they can create a weird taste combination or a less than appealing color for the final product. However, you can put them in if you want. If you don't mind mixed flavors, you can just skip this step altogether. Note that if you choose to mix the flavors together, you will create an unappetizing brownish color. Add six Skittles to 25ml of vodka. Keep swirling the mixture until the Skittles are almost completely dissolved. Note that the ratio of Skittles to vodka varies from recipe to recipe. You should experiment to find your preferred mix before making larger bottles. Filter out the remaining Skittle bits. With single servings like this, you can decide which flavor(s) you like best and proceed to making bottles, if you desire. Pour out some vodka from a bottle to make room for Skittles. Separate the Skittles by color. If you want two flavors mixed together, separate them together. Add the Skittles (20-25 per 350ml/11.8 fl oz). Let the mixture sit for a day or two. Shake occasionally so the flavour mixes well. Strain out the Skittles using a filter, such as a paper coffee filter or a clean T-shirt. Refrigerate overnight. Separate the colors from five bags of 200g Skittles. Using 5 x 700ml/23.6 fl oz bottles, pour 300ml/10.1 fl oz of vodka into a jug and fill each bottle with skittles. Place the bottles in your dishwasher and put on an intensive cycle. One third of the way through the cycle, shake all bottles vigorously. Two thirds of the way through the cycle, shake all bottles vigorously. Once the cycle has finished, shake all bottles vigorously again. Then place in the freezer for 2 hours. Once the vodka is cold, it should be syrupy. Take a sieve, line it with a piece of cheesecloth (muslin) or a coffee filter, place above a large jug and pour the vodka through slowly. Once the first bottle has been filtered, wash out the bottle and pour the Skittles vodka back in. Repeat the above two steps for all bottles, ensuring that everything is cleaned between uses to prevent color contamination. Place all of the bottles in the freezer until you are ready to drink. Don't worry, the vodka won't freeze. You are finished. Enjoy your tasty creation. | Separate the colors of Skittles that you want to flavor the vodka with. Add six Skittles to 25ml of vodka. Filter out the remaining Skittle bits. Pour out some vodka from a bottle to make room for Skittles. Separate the Skittles by color. Add the Skittles (20-25 per 350ml/11.8 fl oz). Let the mixture sit for a day or two. Strain out the Skittles using a filter, such as a paper coffee filter or a clean T-shirt. Refrigerate overnight. Separate the colors from five bags of 200g Skittles. Using 5 x 700ml/23.6 fl oz bottles, pour 300ml/10.1 fl oz of vodka into a jug and fill each bottle with skittles. Place the bottles in your dishwasher and put on an intensive cycle. Once the cycle has finished, shake all bottles vigorously again. Once the vodka is cold, it should be syrupy. Once the first bottle has been filtered, wash out the bottle and pour the Skittles vodka back in. Repeat the above two steps for all bottles, ensuring that everything is cleaned between uses to prevent color contamination. Place all of the bottles in the freezer until you are ready to drink. You are finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-Maple-Seeds | How to Eat Maple Seeds | To eat maple seeds, start by peeling off the outer skin and squeezing out the seeds inside, which will look like peas or beans. Then, boil the seeds in water until they don't taste bitter anymore, replacing the water each time you taste them. Finally, season the seeds with butter, salt, and pepper and enjoy. | Gather seeds in the spring or summer. Maple seeds are at their ripest in warm weather. As the weather gets colder, the seeds start entering their winter modes and become much more bitter. Ripe seeds have a full, green pod. If the pod is starting to shrivel or turn brown, the seeds will probably be bitter. Seed pods fall off the tree when they're ripe. To get the freshest seeds, pick up newly-fallen pods that are still all green. Find smaller seeds for a sweeter taste. All maple seeds are edible, but some taste better than others. As a general rule, smaller maple seeds are sweeter and larger ones are more bitter. Seek out smaller seeds for the sweetest taste. The taste of the seeds can also vary from tree to tree. Try harvesting seeds from several to find the best taste. If you can only find bitter seeds, don't worry. You can improve the taste by roasting or boiling the seeds. Soak the seed pods in water for 1 hour. Removing the seeds from the pod is much easier after they've been soaked in water. Fill a pot or bowl with water and let the seeds soak for 1 hour. If you're using water out on a hiking trail, make sure it's clean. If you aren't sure, boil the water over a fire for 1 minute to kill any germs. Remove the seeds from the pod. Each maple pod usually has 2 seeds, if both wings are still connected. Peel away the pod and any remaining pieces of the outer skin. The outer skin is not dangerous, so don't worry if you leave some behind. It just may not taste great. Lay the seeds on a baking sheet. Spread them out so all the seeds get equal seasoning and bake evenly in the oven. Don't let them pile up or they won't cook evenly. Sprinkle on the seasonings of your choice. Here you can get creative and add any flavoring you want. Salt and pepper are always good options. For some extra spice, try ground cayenne pepper. Drizzle some olive oil on the seeds for extra flavor. Cinnamon can pair nicely with a maple flavor. Maple seeds are small so don't cover them in seasoning. Scoop some into a spoon or your fingers and just sprinkle the seasonings to add extra flavor. To sample different flavor pairings, put seeds on several baking sheets and season each one differently. See which one you like the best. Bake them in the oven at 350 °F (177 °C) for 8-10 minutes. Check on the seeds periodically. They should turn slightly brown during the roasting process. If they're turning black, they're starting to burn. Remove them at this point. Avoid burns and let the seeds cool before you eat them. Put the seeds in a pot with water. You can easily boil the maple seeds whether you're at home or on the trail. All you need is a pot and a flame. Start by loading the seeds into the pot, then fill it with water. The pot doesn't need to be completely full. Use enough water to cover all the seeds. Boil the seeds for 15 minutes. Bring the water to a boil, and then lower the flame so the water simmers. Leave the pot on the flame for 15 minutes. If you're doing this on a campfire, control the amount of heat on the pot by raising or lowering it. Turn the flame up if the water stops bubbling. Drain the water. Use a strainer and pour the water and seeds through it. Then pour the seeds into a bowl and let them cool. When the seeds are cool enough, squeeze a few to make sure they're soft. If they're still hard, they weren't boiled enough. Season the maple seeds however you want. Boiling improves the taste of maple seeds, but you can also add whatever flavors you like. Salt, pepper, butter, and other spices all jazz up the seeds and add flavor. Cinnamon adds a nice touch to a fall meal. Remember to just lightly season the seeds. Take a pinch in your fingers or in a spoon and sprinkle it over the seeds. Taste them and see if you need more flavor. Eat the seeds raw for a convenient option. Eating maple seeds raw is not dangerous, and some hikers recommend picking them for a snack while on the trail. Raw seeds can have an unpleasant, bitter taste, however, so other options for preparation improve their taste. Snack on cooked seeds for a nutritious snack. Whether they're raw, roasted, or boiled, maple seeds are an easy and convenient snack to have plain. Grab a handful whenever you feel like it. Load the seeds into a plastic bag for convenient carry. Then you can snack on them in the car or on a walk. Sprinkle the seeds on a salad to add crunch. Seasoned maple seeds make a great salad topping. Make your favorite salad , then add the seeds as a finishing touch. There are vinaigrette dressings that use maple flavoring. This dressing would pair nicely with fresh maple seeds in your salad. Be careful not to choke when eating a salad with maple seeds. They're very small and can get stuck in your throat if you swallow them whole. Chew all your bites carefully. Grind the seeds to use them as a seasoning. Throw the seeds in a food processor to grind them up into powder. Ground seeds can be used for extra flavoring in your cooking, or even as flour. Ground seeds can be used as a tasty soup thickener. Sprinkle ground seeds into mashed potatoes for extra flavoring. Replace wheat flour with the maple seed flour in your recipes for a gluten-free option. Be careful when using a food processor. Keep your fingers away from the blades. | Gather seeds in the spring or summer. Find smaller seeds for a sweeter taste. Soak the seed pods in water for 1 hour. Remove the seeds from the pod. Lay the seeds on a baking sheet. Sprinkle on the seasonings of your choice. Bake them in the oven at 350 °F (177 °C) for 8-10 minutes. Put the seeds in a pot with water. Boil the seeds for 15 minutes. Drain the water. Season the maple seeds however you want. Eat the seeds raw for a convenient option. Snack on cooked seeds for a nutritious snack. Sprinkle the seeds on a salad to add crunch. Grind the seeds to use them as a seasoning. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-a-Gun-in-Florida | How to Buy a Gun in Florida | To buy a gun in Florida, you must meet the criteria set by the state. The basic requirements include being at least 21 years old, not being convicted of any felony, and not having a history of drug or alcohol abuse. Visit a federally-licensed dealer to purchase either a long gun or a handgun. Bring a current, valid form of identification with you, such as your Florida driver's license. After you pick out the gun you want to buy, complete a background check form. Wait as the firearms dealer completes the background check to grant approval for your purchase. You'll then need to wait a further 72 hours before you can receive the gun. This waiting period is in place to try and prevent impulsive acts of violence. | Understand the purpose of a concealed weapon license. In Florida, most forms of open carry (that is, openly brandishing or displaying your firearm in public) are illegal unless the gun owner is participating in certain legal activities (like target shooting, performing military/police work, and so on). To be able to carry a gun on one's person for personal protection, it's necessary to have a concealed weapon license. Carrying a concealed gun without this license is a crime that can potentially result in a felony. Note that, in Florida, the concealed weapon license also certifies you to carry certain other weapons besides guns, including knives, billy clubs, tear gas guns, and other weapons. Determine whether you meet the eligibility requirements. Florida's Concealed Weapon License has requirements that are slightly more restrictive than those to simply purchase a firearm. The main requirements are: You must be 21 years old. You must be able to demonstrate competency with your firearm. Except in certain cases (such as if you are a member of the armed forces), you must be able to prove that you reside in the United States. You must not have certain crimes or demerits on your official record, including but not limited to: felony convictions, two DUIs in the last three years, a violent misdemeanor conviction in the last three years, evidence of substance abuse, dishonorable discharge from the armed forces, evidence of domestic violence. Demonstrate proficiency with your weapon. The biggest difference between the requirements for buying a Handgun and those for obtaining a concealed weapon license is that the applicant must provide proof of competency with their weapon. There are a number of officially-recognized ways to prove this, including: Completing a state hunter education course Completing a National Rifle Association training course Completing a firearms safety course by any certified law enforcement agency or educational organization Completing a firearms safety course as part of job training (e.g., for police and security work) Submit your application. The application for the concealed weapon license can be viewed and downloaded from the official website of the Florida Department of Agriculture. The application can be completed at home and mailed in with all required documentation or via an in-person appointment at one of eight regional offices located throughout Florida — the addresses of these offices are also available online. In addition to your completed application, you must also include a color photograph and a legible record of your fingerprints (submitted electronically via your local law enforcement agency). Include payment for your license. Don't forget to include a payment of $112 for first-time applicants ($70 for processing the application, $42 for processing the fingerprints) with your application. License renewal is $60 and replacement/duplicate licenses are $15. Note that several exceptions to this fee structure exist: for instance, if you have already submitted your fingerprints electronically, you don't need to pay the $42 fee, and if you are a consular security official, you will be subjected to additional fees — consult the official application fee instructions for more information. Wait for approval. Once you've completed and submitted your application, all you need to do is wait! Your application will be reviewed by the state licensing agency, and, if it is approve, you will receive your license shortly. While you wait, you may want to use the official Florida licensing website to monitor your progress online. Know where concealed carry is illegal. Once you receive your concealed carry license, you are legally allowed to carry your firearm with you for personal protection purposes in Florida and are not required to disclose this information. Note, however, that there are certain places where it is illegal to bring a firearm even if you have a valid concealed weapon permit. These include: Courtrooms School campuses Police stations Polling places Most government buildings Airports Any place where federal law prohibits guns Verify that you meet Florida's criteria for buying a long gun. Like buying alcohol, smoking tobacco, voting, or driving a car, purchasing a long gun (a long-barreled gun braced against the shoulder, like a shotgun, rifle, etc.) is legally off-limits to certain categories of people in the state of Florida. While most law-abiding adults will have no problem meeting these qualifications, if you don't, you can't legally purchase a gun — no exceptions. The basic requirements are: You must be at least 21 years of age. You must not be a convicted felon. You must not have a history of mental illness. You must not have a record of domestic violence. You must not abuse drugs or alcohol. Note, however, that it is legal to possess and use a gun from age 16 onward (and at younger ages with adult supervision) for certain legal activities (hunting, target shooting, etc.). Visit a federally-licensed dealer to buy the gun. The state of Florida does not require firearms dealers to carry a state license. However, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) still requires gun sellers to obtain a federal-level license. Refer to a Florida city phone book or, alternatively, perform an internet search to locate a firearms dealer in your area. Don't forget to bring current, valid identification (such as your Florida driver's license) with you to the firearms dealer to prove your age and identity. The name and address on your identification must be current. Complete the background check form. After selecting the gun you want to buy, the firearms dealer will provide you with a form to complete that they will then use in conducting the background check with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. This part of the process is required for every purchase — you can buy as many guns as you wish at once, but each time you make a new purchase, you'll need to complete another background check form. The background check form will ask you to provide basic personal information including your name, date of birth, contact information, and more. Note that possession of a concealed weapons permit from Florida or any other state does not exempt you from the background check. Wait for the firearms dealer to complete the background check. After receiving the completed form, the dealer will call the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to receive an instant background check based on the information you provided. If you pass this check (in other words, if your official records don't contain evidence of mental illness, domestic violence, felony convictions, etc.), you will be approved and you may purchase your gun. Note that some firearms dealers may require you to pay an eight dollar fee for the background check. Wait 72 hours to receive your gun. Florida is one of ten states that imposes waiting periods on people who wish to buy guns. After the completion of a background check, the purchaser must wait three days (72 hours) to be able to receive their gun. This law is designed to prevent impulsive acts of violence like suicide and murder by giving potential perpetrators a chance to "cool down" before they get potentially lethal firepower. Be 21 years old in addition to the long gun criteria. In Florida, the process of purchasing a Handgun is slightly more regulated than the process of purchasing a long gun. In addition to meeting all the restrictive criteria for buying a long gun, a person who wants to purchase a Handgun must also be 21 years old — not 18. Technically, a Handgun is a firearm designed to be held and fired with one or both hands (not against the shoulder like a rifle). This includes most semiautomatic pistols and revolvers. Buy your gun through a licensed dealer as normal. Just as with long guns, the State of Florida doesn't require any sort of special license or permit to sell hand guns commercially. However, the same federal licensing rules apply as with long guns, so only purchase from dealers that are licensed by the ATF. Additionally, hand guns require the same background check as with long guns. This is true regardless of whether the purchaser has a concealed license permit from Florida or any other state. Wait 72 hours to receive your gun. Florida is one of ten states that imposes waiting periods on people who wish to buy guns. After the completion of a background check, the purchaser must wait three days (72 hours) to be able to receive their gun. This law is designed to prevent impulsive acts of violence like suicide and murder by giving potential perpetrators a chance to "cool down" before they get potentially lethal firepower. Note that weekends and legal holidays do not count as part of the 72-hour waiting period — only business days. Note also that there are two major exceptions to this rule: you are not required to wait 72 hours for your gun if you have a permit that allows you to carry concealed weapons or if you are trading in a handgun. | Understand the purpose of a concealed weapon license. Determine whether you meet the eligibility requirements. Demonstrate proficiency with your weapon. Submit your application. Include payment for your license. Wait for approval. Know where concealed carry is illegal. Verify that you meet Florida's criteria for buying a long gun. Visit a federally-licensed dealer to buy the gun. Complete the background check form. Wait for the firearms dealer to complete the background check. Wait 72 hours to receive your gun. Be 21 years old in addition to the long gun criteria. Buy your gun through a licensed dealer as normal. Wait 72 hours to receive your gun. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Ride-a-Bicycle | How to Ride a Bicycle | To learn to ride a bicycle, first find a flat, open area that's far from traffic. Put on a helmet in case you fall, and consider wearing knee and elbow pads when you're first learning. Place your bike on a flat surface, and adjust the seat so both of your feet can touch the ground while you're seated. Before you try riding your bike, walk next to it and practice pressing on the brakes until you get a feel for how they work. Then, sit on your bike, place one foot on one of the pedals, and place your other foot on the ground. When you're ready, push off with your foot that's on the ground, and see how long you can glide on your bike without pedaling. Keep your eyes forward and look toward where you want to go, which will help you balance. If you feel yourself starting to tip, place your foot back on the ground to catch yourself. Keep doing this until you're comfortable balancing on your bike. Then, do the same thing again, but this time start pedaling with your feet. Continue pedaling and steering in the direction you want to go. The faster you pedal, the easier it will be to balance. If you need to come to a stop, stop pedaling and press down on the brakes. Consider asking a friend to spot you as you practice pedaling farther distances! | Find a fitting location. When you're learning, you want to find a place that's comfortable and far from traffic. A good place to start is a flat, smooth stretch of ground such as your driveway or your sidewalk. Those who don't have space at home can practice in a parking lot or park. Starting off on grass or smooth gravel helps since falls there hurt less. These surfaces make balancing and pedaling harder though. If you plan on practicing balance and pedaling on hills, find locations with gentle slopes. Check your local laws to see if it is legal to ride on sidewalks or other paths. Wear riding clothing. Knee and elbow pads insulate joints and protect against scrapes, so they are recommended for all riders. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants also help protect against falls and can be combined with pads. Avoid baggy pants and long skirts. These may get caught in the gears and tires, and may result in you falling down. Avoid open-toed shoes. These leave your feet exposed to the bike and ground. Put on a helmet. Helmets are recommended for beginners and experienced bike riders alike. You never know when an accident will happen. A broken bone can usually be fixed, but head trauma, common in bicycle accidents, leaves a lasting impact. Also, some areas have laws requiring riders to wear helmets. Helmets are measured to fit the head. A good one fits tightly and comes down to an inch (two and a half centimeters) above your eyebrows. It will also have straps that keep your helmet tight while still letting you move your mouth. Commuter helmets are one common type. They are rounded, made of foam and plastic, and can be found online or in retail stores where bikes are available. Road helmets are elongated and often have vents. They're also made with foam and plastic but are popular on roads or in competitive racing. Seek them online or in retail stores. Youth (age 10-15), child (age 5-10), and toddler (under 5) helmets are all smaller commuter or road helmets. Toddler helmets are the only ones with more foam. Mountain bike helmets and professional sports helmets come with visors and neck bracing for tough off-road conditions. Go out during the day. Riding is possible at night but not recommended for beginners. You'll be spending a lot of time learning to balance. This means that, as you get acclimated, the bike can swerve into traffic or other dangers you'll have a hard time seeing. At night, drivers also have a more difficult time seeing you. If you have to go out at night, wear light-colored clothing, reflective stickers, and use bike headlights. Begin on a flat surface. Flat surfaces such as a driveway, sidewalk, quiet road, or park trail are stable. There are no slopes, so the falls are shorter and you will have an easier time balancing and coming to a stop. Short grass and smooth gravel are also surfaces you can use. Falls will hurt less, but these surfaces force you to pedal harder to move the bike. Adjust the bike seat. Lower the bike seat far enough that whoever's riding can put both of their feet flat on the ground while seated. A low seat allows you to stop yourself with your feet before you fall. Adults don't need to use training wheels, but young children can use these or specialty balance bikes. It is possible to remove the pedals to keep them out of the way, but it isn't required. Test the brakes. Find out how the brakes work on the bicycle. Stay off the bicycle. Keep it next to you and walk it. Push the brake buttons to get used to their location, how they feel, and how the bike reacts to them. Once you've learned this, you'll feel more comfortable because you'll be able to make an emergency stop when needed. If your bike has brakes on the handlebars, test each one to see which controls the front and which controls the rear wheel. These can be switched by professionals. Notice how squeezing the back brake causes the rear wheel to skid. Squeezing the front brake causes the bike to pitch forward. If your bike doesn't have brakes on the handles, it should have backpedal (coaster) brakes. To brake, press down on the pedal closest to the back end of the bike as if pedaling backwards. If your bike is a fixed wheel and hasn't been modified, it has no brakes. Instead of braking, you will need to either slow the pace of your pedaling or skid by leaning forward and holding both pedals horizontally with your feet. Plant one foot on the ground. It doesn't matter which side you choose, but your dominant side will feel more natural. A right-handed person, for instance, can stand on the left side of the bike. Lift up your right leg, reach it over the bike, and put it on the ground on the other side of the bike. Hold the bike upwards between your legs. Feel the weight of the bike between your legs and try to keep it balanced as you lower yourself. Having feet on the ground prevents the bike from toppling while you acclimate. Maintain your weight in the center of the bike, evenly distributed between your left and right sides. Sit up straight instead of leaning. Start gliding. Rather than pedal, push yourself off by foot. Tuck your feet upwards and onto the pedals. While in motion, maintain the bike's balance as long as you can. Once you feel the bike beginning to tip, catch it by putting one foot to the ground, then push off again. Keep your eyes straight ahead. When you look at obstacles, your bike heads towards them. Concentrate on looking towards where you want the bike to go. It takes some practice to avoid distractions from road hazards or other sights. Before you have complete control, go where the bike goes. When starting, the bike tends to go to the side or in circles. Instead of stopping, let it go and try to maintain balance while it does. If you are helping a child or friend, you can hold onto their lower back to help them stay steady while they practice. Start pedaling. Start with one foot on the ground. Your other foot should be flat on a pedal pointed upwards. Push off, put that foot on the other pedal, and go! Keep going as long as you can maintain balance. Going faster makes balancing easier, but don't go so fast that you lose control. Dismount from the bike. Don't stop by foot. A better practice is stop by using the brakes. Stop pedaling, shift your weight onto the lowest pedal, and squeeze both handbrakes, if the bike has them. Once the bike has stopped, raise yourself a little and step off onto the ground. Putting your feet down too early while using the brakes stops the bicycle abruptly. Your momentum won't stop and you'll whack into the handlebars. Practice gliding down gentle slopes. Walk the bike to the top of a slope, mount it, and glide down, allowing the bike to slow naturally in the flat area at the bottom. Dismount and repeat as necessary until you get used to balancing and controlling the bike. Keep your weight focused in your feet. Stay pressed against the seat, keep your elbows bent, and your body relaxed. When you are confident you can coast to the bottom, try riding down with your feet on the pedals. Brake while gliding down hills. Once you have become comfortable keeping your feet on the pedals, try again, this time gently squeezing the brakes while descending. You'll learn to slow the bike without swerving out of control or pitching over the handlebars. Try steering. Once you can coast, pedal, and brake in a straight line, try going down the hill again. Move the handlebars until you change the direction of the bike without losing control. Feel how the slope changes the way the bike acts and adjust your balance to match it. Pedal through the bottom of the slope. Use the techniques learned while gliding to pedal and steer without stopping at the bottom of the hill. Transition to the flatter surface while practicing sharper turns, then brake to a stop. Pedal up the slope. From the flat bottom of the hill, start pedaling. The slope requires additional work. Lean forward into the pedaling or even stand up to gain extra power. Bike up and down the slope several times until you feel comfortable. Once you feel confident, bike halfway up the slope, come to a stop, and start pedaling upwards again. | Find a fitting location. Wear riding clothing. Put on a helmet. Go out during the day. Begin on a flat surface. Adjust the bike seat. Test the brakes. Plant one foot on the ground. Start gliding. Keep your eyes straight ahead. Start pedaling. Dismount from the bike. Practice gliding down gentle slopes. Brake while gliding down hills. Try steering. Pedal through the bottom of the slope. Pedal up the slope. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Date-Girls | How to Date Girls | To date a girl, take her somewhere special, such as your favorite restaurant or a scenic picnic spot, so she can see that you put some thought into it. Wear nice clothes that make you feel confident so you'll look and feel your best. Once you arrive for the date, ask her questions about the things she likes, to show you're interested and keep the conversation flowing. For example, if she mentions she likes rock music, ask something like, “Do you go to many shows? What's the best band you've seen live?” When you talk about yourself, be honest instead of trying to impress her, since girls prefer guys that are genuine. | Project confidence. One of the most attractive qualities to women is palpable confidence. Girls will be interested in you if you seem to have a lot going on: you're involved in activities, you have friends, you speak your opinion, and you have long-term goals. Confidence can stem from a lot of places. You don't have to be a basketball star to attract a girl; just get involved in something that shows you at your best. What activity allows you to shine? There's a big difference between confidence and arrogance. Confident people are admired by others for their talent, but also their grace and humility. If you're confident in yourself, you won't find the need to brag about it. Be genuine. Don't pretend to be someone you aren't - girls will be able to see right through it. There's nothing wrong with reading up on a band you know a girl likes so you can have a conversation about it later, but don't pretend you know how to play the guitar unless you're prepared to play her a song at a moment's notice. Be real, and you won't have to lie. Present yourself well. Every girl has different preferences, or “types,” but don't worry too much about trying to wear all the latest trends. Dress appropriately for the situation - no sleeveless shirts at a martini bar, for example - and don't overdo it with the cologne. If you show up to a party dressed at your personal best and feeling confident, you'll act that way - and there's a good chance the girl you're trying to impress will forget she even has a type. Don't dwell too much on a girl's appearance. Everyone likes receiving compliments, especially when they've obviously gone out of their way to dress up and look good, but that shouldn't be the main topic of conversation. Give the girl you'd like to date a chance to be more than the cute dress and heels she's wearing. Especially avoid making sexual comments about a girl's appearance when you're trying to date her. Stick to tasteful comments about her clothes, hair, or smile. Be a sincere conversationalist. Avoid pick up lines, because they don't sound sincere. When you're talking to a girl, say something you actually mean. When she responds, don't just pretend to listen, really listen, and try to move the conversation to a place that feels “real.” Of course, the conversation should be appropriate for the setting. If you're in a noisy bar, the girl you're chatting up might not be in the mood to talk about personal or philosophical subjects. Still, it should be possible to say something meaningful about the music, the crowd, or the feel of the evening that shows her you're enjoying the moment with her. Let her get comfortable. When you've just met a girl and you want to ask her on a date, it's very important that she feels comfortable being herself with you. Enjoy her quirks and unique qualities, and try not to be judgmental. If you say something critical, even in jest, it could come off the wrong way and make her close up. Ask a lot of questions and follow up with comments that let her know you're listening and care about what she's saying. Joke around to keep things fun, but avoid making fun of the girl, her friends, her family, or anything else that hurt her feelings this early in the game. Put effort into your first date. Take her somewhere special. It doesn't have to be expensive, but it should be clear you put some thought into it. Share your favorite restaurant with her, or take her to a beautiful scenic spot for a picnic. If you know she likes a particular sports team, buy tickets to a game. Don't get too nervous. Don't focus too much on the structure of the date. Instead, try to genuinely have a good time getting to know someone you've recently met. Think about all you have to learn about her, and all she has to learn about you. If you enjoy her company now, chances are she's enjoying yours, too. Get physical. Whether you place your hand on her back while you're waiting in line for tickets, hold hands during a movie, or go back to your place after dinner, some kind of physical touch will increase the intimacy you feel with the girl you're dating. Just make sure it's all consensual. Call her when you say you will. If you ended your first date with a promise to call, follow up within the next few days. If you reflected on the date and realize you're no longer interested, give her the courtesy of letting her know you don't think it's going to work out. If you want to continue the relationship, don't play hard to get. Be consistent in your communication. Introduce her to your friends. Once you've gone on a few dates, a great way to get to know each other better is to introduce the girl you're interested in to your friends. If they hit it off, you might be encouraged to take the relationship to a deeper level. Throw in some surprises. Consistency is important when you're dating, but you should also throw in some romantic surprises. The surprises will depend on the personality of the girl - maybe she'd love it if you cooked dinner for her, sent her flowers at work, or planned a fun weekend trip. She'll be impressed by your thoughtfulness if you mix it up sometimes. | Project confidence. Be genuine. Present yourself well. Don't dwell too much on a girl's appearance. Be a sincere conversationalist. Let her get comfortable. Put effort into your first date. Don't get too nervous. Get physical. Call her when you say you will. Introduce her to your friends. Throw in some surprises. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Host-Your-Own-Talk-Radio-Show | How to Host Your Own Talk Radio Show | Before you can host your own talk radio show, volunteer or intern at a local radio station to gain experience and make contacts. Once you've learned how things operate, pick a theme or format for your show before you begin broadcasting. Moreover, you'll want to schedule your show's time, blocking out segments for things such as introductions, interviews, ads, calls, and goodbyes. This will also help you have a consistent and recognizable structure, which listeners like. | Get involved with a local station. If you're starting with zero experience, the best way (bar none) to get any sort of radio show is to start participating in the process of creating an existing radio show. Working or volunteering in a radio station gives you an introduction to the workflow and regular tasks that go into producing a successful radio show. It also gives you much-needed experience to put on your resume when you're applying for airtime. Most importantly, it gives you a chance to make contacts inside the station. Knowing someone in the industry can make all the difference in the world when it comes to landing your first show — radio station staff are much, much more likely to hire people they know and trust to be show hosts than they are to hire strangers. One great idea for building up your radio station experience is to try volunteering for a local community radio station (like, for instance, a college radio station). These stations are usually not operated for profit and depend on the work of volunteers to stay on the air, which means it can be relatively easy to find a place on the staff compared to a for-profit station. Get an internship. Some radio stations offer internships and apprenticeships to interested applicants, especially young students. Some of these internships are integrated with a local school or college's communications department, which means that they usually recruit solely from the pool of students in the department, while other internships may accept applicants from the general public. Depending on the amount of time you work, an internship can sometimes be more useful for getting a show than working from the bottom up in the station. Good internships are career-focused and offer opportunities for employment after the completion of the internship. However, even with an internship, it may be necessary to work in the radio industry for several years before getting a show. If possible, get a broadcasting education. Following the correct educational path for becoming a radio host will only help your chances of getting your own show. Also, as noted above, educational programs often pave the way for valuable internship and apprenticeship opportunities. If it's financially feasible for you to do so, consider earning a degree in communications or broadcasting to boost your resume and give you valuable background knowledge and experience. It's worth noting that an educational background in communications or broadcasting isn't absolutely necessary for a successful career in radio. Several of the most recognizable names in radio, like Howard Stern, have communications degrees, but others have no pertinent educational background. For instance, Adam Carolla, one-time host of Loveline and The Adam Carolla Show , completed only a partial junior college education which included work in a ceramics major. Be prepared to pay for time on for-profit stations. Though all stations will have their own rules for their show hosts, generally, local for-profit stations will charge the hosts for their show time. Times where listener numbers are high (like morning and afternoon commute times) are generally expensive, while less-popular times are generally cheaper. The hosts can pay for their shows with their own money, solicit donations from viewers, or sell advertising time to third parties. If they make more money from advertising fees than it costs to keep the show on the air, they generally keep the difference as a profit. Successful radio hosts can support themselves this way. Understanding ahead of time that you may need to pay for your show time is crucial — you don't want to pursue a coveted time slot only to find out that you can't afford to run your show. Because of the cost of hosting a radio show, it's often a wise idea to retain another job (at least until you can generate enough advertising revenue to support your show). Dedicating yourself full-time to your radio career is great for your show, but not if you run out of funds and have to go off the air in a few months. Costs vary. For instance, at some local stations, radio time can cost anywhere from $60-$200 per hour, depending on the time slot. Consider starting with internet radio. For first-timers to the world of radio broadcasting, the internet offers a way to get your voice hear with very few (if any) up-front costs and no experience requirements. If you have the computer know-how, you may want to set up a dedicated audio stream to broadcast your show (see How to Stream Live Audio or an online guide, like the one here ). You may also want to try a cheap or free online broadcasting service like Live365.com (cheap; free trial) or Radionomy.com (free for 9 months with conditions). The downside of having an internet radio show is that it's basically up to you to promote your own show and grow your audience — you won't have the resources of an established station to help you. Another great option is to record a regular podcast. Podcasts are essentially pre-recorded talk radio shows that listeners can download and listen to as they please. For more information on podcasts, see How to Start Your Own Podcast or scroll down to the podcasting section below. Pick a theme or format for your show. Before you start broadcasting, you'll want to have decided on a "purpose" for your show. While many shows are remarkably flexible in terms of their structure and the topics they cover, in general, most successful talk shows have a pre-defined theme or goal. This can be quite broad, so don't feel the need to pigeon-hole your show with an extremely specific theme. Simply ask yourself, "what is my show about ?" Below are a few common talk radio show themes to get you started: News/current events Political commentary Music news/Underground music discussion Humor/parody Educational topics (history, science, etc.) Advice (relationships, DIY projects, etc.) Niche topics (paranormal, conspiracy theories, etc.) Schedule out your show's time beforehand. Don't "wing it" in the studio unless you're an experienced broadcaster. Scheduling (or "blocking") out the time you have available for your show is a must, especially if it's your first show. Having a plan beforehand allows you to keep the momentum of the show high and makes it harder for you to run out of things to talk about. During your first few shows, you'll inevitably discover that your schedule doesn't perfectly match with reality — some segments may take longer than you anticipated, while others take less time. Take note of these differences and adjust your schedule as needed. Let's say that we've just gotten our first 90-minute political talk radio show. Here's an example of a schedule we might have for our first show: (5 minutes) Theme song and introductions. (20 minutes) Guest interview: Author Jane Smith. (15 minutes) Discussion topic 1: Minimum Wage — too high or too low? (5 minutes) Ads. (10 minutes) Take calls. (15 minutes) Discussion topic 2: Gerrymandering — how big of problem is it in the modern age? (5 minutes) Ads. (10 minutes) Take calls. (5 minutes) Allow guest to plug upcoming events. Follow with farewell and outro music. Have a consistent, recognizable structure. When it comes to talk radio, consistency is key. Listeners want to be confident that they'll be able to hear the same content and style of discussions whenever they tune into your show. Some change may be unavoidable: for instance, if a particular aspect of your show isn't working out, it's better to drop it than allow it to limp along as an unpopular part of the show. However, whenever possible, you'll want to keep the basics of your schedule the same from one show to the next while allowing for fresh content in the form of new segments and so on. Invite new guests and old favorites to participate in your show. One way to keep your show fresh and interesting while keeping its format consistent is to continuously invite interesting, exciting guests on to your show. Guests bring their own knowledge and conversational style to the show, contributing to enlightening (or at least entertaining) discussions. Usually, in exchange for coming on the show, the guest is allowed to promote his or her personal projects on-air. The types of guests you should invite will vary based on the format of your show. For instance, if you're running a serious art criticism talk show, you might invite guests who offer new perspectives and unique expertise, like professors and artists. On the other hand, if you're hosting a crass "shock jock" comedy show, you might want to invite fellow comedians or even bizarre local personalities. Take calls from listeners. It's almost always a good idea to encourage a friendly, open atmosphere between yourself and your callers. If you've got an active audience, it's easier to keep the momentum of your show's dialog high than if you don't. Opening up your phone line to callers allows you to briefly take a break from thinking up new, interesting avenues of discussion. Instead, you can let your listeners direct the conversation for you — all you have to do is respond. If you're on a station with rules against profanity, be on the lookout for prank callers. Always know how to quickly disconnect a call. If your station operates on a time delay, be aware of how to delete the last few seconds of airtime in the event that a caller says something inappropriate. Most stations will have an easily-accessible delay button somewhere near the main sound board. If you're broadcasting online, you may want to experiment with taking callers via voicechat software like Skype. Otherwise, you may want to have a text chat channel for your listeners which you occasionally monitor for relevant discussion. Avoid "dead air". Whether you've got a show on community radio with a tiny local audience or a nationally-syndicated morning show, you'll want to follow the golden rule of radio broadcasting: avoid "dead air" (distracting periods of silence). Ordinary pauses in conversation are one thing — you don't need to be talking for every single second of your show. However, you will want to avoid stretches of silence that are more than a few seconds long. These are awkward to listen to, sound unprofessional, and can lead to an immediate dip in listenership if it sounds like you're having a technical error. You may find that it's a good idea to keep a piece of new music (or a similar audio clip) queued up and ready to play in the event that something takes you by surprise and you need a few minutes of time. Seek out advertisers. As noted above, it's a very real possibility that you may have to pay for your show's airtime. To help pay for your show, try to find advertisers who are willing to put up a little money to have their message broadcast on-air. Advertisers can pay you a fee or agree to cover some of the costs of your show in exchange for you dedicating a chunk of your airtime to ads. Some radio show hosts read the advertiser's ad themselves, while others opt to play pre-recorded ads. Generally, rates for radio advertising increase with the length of the ad, the desirability of the time slot, and the number of listeners to the show. Ad prices can also vary greatly by market. For instance, 60 ads in a market like Los Angeles can cost up to $500, while the same number of ads might go for as little as $3 in a small rural town. Don't forget to promote your show. Never forget that as a radio show host, you live and die by your listeners. The more listeners you have, the better. With more listeners, you can charge your advertisers more per ad, negotiate more lucrative deals with your station, and promote yourself and your guests to a wider audience, so always be trying to increase your listenership by promoting your show. One great way to do this is by advertising on other shows (especially those in desirable time slots) that broadcast from the same station as you. Many stations offer a reduced in-house rate for cross-promoting your show. Consider recruiting a co-host. For talk radio shows, having a second (or third, or fourth...) person in the studio with you every show makes your job easier in just about every way imaginable. Most importantly, co-hosts offer their own unique personality and thoughts to every discussion you have, ensuring that your own voice and views don't get stale. It also allows you to have friendly debate — the back-and-forth between a pair of co-hosts who can lovingly bicker is often one of the most entertaining parts of a talk show. If you're thinking of getting a co-host, make sure it's someone you get along with and who understands the commitments of the job. Co-hosts have other benefits, too. For instance, some may be willing to split the cost of airtime with you or help search for and book guests. Schedule regular features. For the listener, some of the fun of listening to their favorite shows is from anticipating, listening to, and even participating in their favorite recurring features. As long as you obey the rules of your station (and, of course, local laws) there's virtually no limit when it comes to what sorts of segments you can run, so be creative! Below are just a few ideas to get you started: Call-in trivia contests for prizes or recognition Live or pre-recorded man-on-the-street segments "100th caller wins" type contests Soliciting listeners for certain types of stories On-air creative comedy/improv exercises Create memorable one-off segments. Just because your viewers are likely to appreciate the consistency of recurring segments doesn't mean that you should necessarily shy away from special one-time events and features. Experimenting with new ideas while keeping the basic format and structure of your show intact allows you to continually innovate and surprise your audience. It's also a good way to find new directions for the show to go in — anything that gets an especially good reaction can eventually be made a recurring segment. Build a relationship with frequent contributors. If you notice that certain people seem to call in to the station on a regular basis or that certain guests seem especially popular with your listeners, don't let these people go to waste! Instead, try to create a friendly working relationship with them. Talk to these people off the air and ask if they'd like to become a regular part of the show. Even if they aren't interested in joining the show as a dedicated cast member, they may appreciate being made a "friend of the show" or gaining recognition as an official contributor. For instance, if one of your callers has a boisterous, outrageous personality and insane political beliefs, you may want to have a semi-regular segment where he calls in and comments on the issues of the day. Create an on-air persona. Some talk radio shows, especially those that examine or critique serious topics, are dignified affairs. However, many talk shows are known for the exaggerated, crass, or outlandish characters assumed by their hosts. If your show is mainly interested in entertaining your listeners, consider creating such a character for yourself. The interplay between a crazy host character and a straightman co-host or an unwitting caller can make for great radio. When in doubt, learn from the greats. No one's radio show is perfect from the get-go. It can take years of experience to develop your broadcast craft to the point that you can deliver a great show every day. During this time, it's a great idea to look to some of the best radio shows and podcasts in the world for inspiration. There's no shame in getting ideas from those who are already successful — they, too, had role models in the world of broadcasting before they became famous (for instance, Howard Stern cites radio host Bob Grant as an influence). Below are a few great radio shows and podcasts you may want to consider listening to: This American Life — Politics, serious issues, human interest stories The Howard Stern Show — "Shock jock" style raunchy humor The Ron and Fez Show — humor, chat Car Talk (no longer running) — automotive advice Comedy Bang Bang (podcast) — absurdist comedy, improv The Bugle (podcast) — news, politics Record your show. To the listener, the difference between a radio talk show and a podcast is minor — both involve listening to a host and/or a set of co-hosts talk about familiar subjects with or without a guest. However, for you, the host, recording a podcast is a little different than recording a live show. You'll perform your show basically as you normally would, but rather than broadcasting it live, you'll record it and offer it for download on the internet. To do this, you'll need to an equipment setup that allows you to record reasonably high-quality audio files and sufficient hard drive space to store them. For the most basic podcasting needs, you can get away with a computer and a reasonable-quality microphone, which usually run upwards of $100 at audio equipment stores. Edit your audio file. After recording your show, you may want to listen to your audio file and, if necessary, cut out any portions that you don't want to make the final podcast. To do this, you'll need audio-editing software (some free programs, like Audacity, are available online). Insert ads, intro, and outro music, or anything else you'd to add to your podcast. When you're done, save your file in a widely-used audio format that will be easy for your audience to use, like.mp3. Upload your show to a hosting site. Make your podcast available to your listeners online. A variety of free hosting sites, like Youtube.com, Soundcloud.com, and many others allow you to upload audio files with a free account. Note that, with these sites, per-file-bandwidth limits may require you to split your podcast into multiple parts. You may also want to try hosting your podcast on online audio stores like the iTunes Store, Google Play store, and so on. Generally, most podcasts are offered to the listener for free and are supported by donations, sponsors, or advertisers. Charging money for your podcast can decimate your potential listenership when you're competing against literally hundreds of good free podcasts, so it's not usually a good idea. Optionally, create a blog or website for your podcast. Generally, the most professional podcasts have their own websites which contain links to the podcast episodes, as well as podcast news, a store for merchandise, and so on. You may want to purchase your own domain name and build your site from scratch, but for many, a free blog-creation service like Wordpress.com works perfectly well. For more information, see How to Make a Website. | Get involved with a local station. Get an internship. If possible, get a broadcasting education. Be prepared to pay for time on for-profit stations. Consider starting with internet radio. Pick a theme or format for your show. Schedule out your show's time beforehand. Have a consistent, recognizable structure. Invite new guests and old favorites to participate in your show. Take calls from listeners. Avoid "dead air". Seek out advertisers. Don't forget to promote your show. Consider recruiting a co-host. Schedule regular features. Create memorable one-off segments. Build a relationship with frequent contributors. Create an on-air persona. When in doubt, learn from the greats. Record your show. Edit your audio file. Upload your show to a hosting site. Optionally, create a blog or website for your podcast. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Nail-Polish-from-Skin | How to Remove Nail Polish from Skin | To take nail polish off skin, soak a cotton ball or towel with acetone or nail polish remover and rub the affected area. You can also try some common household items, such as white vinegar or rubbing alcohol. If you have sensitive skin and the nail polish is still wet, try using a baby wipe or coconut oil. To remove polish from around painted nails, wipe wet polish off with a toothpick or use a paintbrush and polish remover for dried polish. | Get a bottle of acetone or nail polish remover. Keep in mind that these products can be very drying and harsh on the skin. They are not recommended for small children or for those who have very sensitive skin. If this happened to you, click here. Non-acetone nail polish remover can work, but it is not as powerful as acetone and will require more work. If you want to remove nail polish from around your nails, click here. Choose something to apply the acetone or nail polish remover with. For small areas, a cotton ball would work just fine. A towel will work better on larger areas, such as hands, arms, and feet. If you just did your nails, consider using a Q-tip; you can hold the Q-tip by one end, and use the other end to buff the polish away. Consider putting on some latex gloves. If you just did your nails, any acetone or nail polish remover will destroy your hard work. If you can't find a Q-tip, it might be a good idea to put on a pair of latex or plastic glove to protect your pretty, painted nails. Dampen the cotton ball or towel with the acetone or nail polish remover. You want the cotton ball or towel to be wet, but not soaking or dripping. If necessary, squeeze out the excess moisture with your fingers. If you are using a Q-tip, dip it into the acetone or nail polish remover. Wipe off any excess on the rim of the bottle. Rub the affected area until the polish comes off. If needed, re-soak the cotton ball or towel. Eventually, the nail polish will come off. Rinse your skin with soap and water. If you have sensitive skin, you may also want to treat the area with some hand cream or lotion. This will help prevent any dryness. Remove the nail polish while it is still wet using a baby wipe. Wet nail polish is easier to remove while it is wet. The oils in the baby wipe will also help dissolve the nail polish, making it even easier to remove. It is ideal for young children and sensitive areas, such as the face. Try using baby oil, coconut oil, or olive oil on sensitive areas, such as the face. Dampen the corner of a soft towel with some oil, and gently rub the affected area. The oil should help dissolve the nail polish, and make it come off. Remove any oily residue with some warm water and gentle soap. The oil will also help nourish and soften the skin. Use non-acetone nail polish remover on hands and feet. Do not use non-acetone nail polish remover on the face. Dampen a cotton ball with some non-acetone nail polish remover and rub the affected area until the polish comes off. Rinse the area with some soap and warm water. Non-acetone nail polish remover is gentler than regular nail polish remover, but it may still leave the skin feeling dry. If this happens, try rubbing some hand lotion or cream over the area once you are done. Try taking a bath or shower. Sometimes, soaking in water and a little bit of scrubbing with soap and a wash cloth may be all that's needed to loosen up dried nail polish. Be sure to use warm water, soap, and a mildly-abrasive washcloth or sponge. Gently scrub the area until the nail polish peels off. The warm water should also help it come off. Plan on the bath taking 15 to 20 minutes for best results. Let the nail polish wear off on its own. The nail polish will eventually wear off after a few days. Throughout the day, the skin will come in contact with clothing, toys, pillows, and towels. All of this will create friction, which will be enough to help peel the polish off. Young children may also learn from this experience, and not paint their face with nail polish again. Try using rubbing alcohol or an alcohol-based product. Rubbing alcohol is not as powerful as acetone or nail polish remover. It won't be as effective and may require more work; however, it is gentler and less drying than acetone or nail polish remover. Simply chose an item from the list below, apply/wipe/spray it to your skin, then wipe it off with a clean cloth or towel. Be sure to wash your skin afterwards with soap and water. Here are some things that you can try: Body spray Hand sanitizer Hair spray Perfume Rubbing alcohol Spray-on deodorant Anything else that contains rubbing alcohol Use some more nail polish to remove dried polish. Brush on some nail polish onto the affected area and leave it on for a few seconds. Wipe it off using a clean cloth before it dries. The fresh polish will help peel off the old polish. You may still have to wash the area afterwards with some soap and water. You can also try using a topcoat. Try picking the polish off. If the polish is in a small area, you can try scratching at it with your fingernail until it peels off. Use vinegar to wipe off nail polish. Don't use this method around cuts or scrapes. White vinegar works best, but you can also use apple cider vinegar instead. Dampen a cotton ball or Q-tip with the vinegar, and wipe it over the nail polish. Keep rubbing until the polish comes off. Wash your skin afterwards with soap and water. You can also make the vinegar more acidic by mixing it with lemon juice. Use one part lemon juice and one part vinegar. You can also use pure lemon juice. This method has had mixed reviews. It works for many people, but not for others. Try to remove the polish while it is still wet. If you just painted your nails, wipe it off using a hard, pointed object, like a cuticle pusher or a toothpick. If the nail polish won't come off, wait until it dries before continuing. Find a thin, flat brush. Choose a brush with stiffer bristles, such as a lipstick brush. Make sure that you won't be using this brush for anything else again. Get some nail polish remover. You can also use acetone instead. It is harsher and more drying than nail polish remover, but it works faster. Dip the tip of the brush into the nail polish remover. Try not to get the metal crimp wet, or the glue holding the bristles will melt. This is especially important if you are using acetone. Get rid of off any excess nail polish remover. You can do this by sweeping the bristles across the rim of the bottle. If you have too much nail polish remover on your brush, it may drip onto your nails and ruin your manicure. Carefully outline your nails with the brush. Always tilt your finger towards the brush. This will help keep the nail polish remover from dripping onto your manicure. For example, if you got nail polish on the left side of your finger, tilt your finger slightly to the left. If you get too much nail polish remover on your finger, it will drip down the side of your finger instead of onto your manicure. Wipe the area clean with a tissue. Fold a tissue in half, and wipe it around the cuticle area of your nail. This will pick up any residual nail polish remover. Know what to do in the future. There are a few things you can do to prevent nail polish from getting on your fingers the next time you paint your nails. The most common are to outline your nails with Vaseline or white school glue. These create a barrier between your skin and the nail polish, making clean up a lot easier. Use a Q-tip to apply Vaseline to the skin around your nails before starting your manicure. Once you are done painting your nails, wipe the Vaseline off with another Q-tip. Draw a thin line around your nails using white school glue. Let the glue dry, then paint your nails. Peel the dried glue off when you are done with your manicure. | Get a bottle of acetone or nail polish remover. Choose something to apply the acetone or nail polish remover with. Consider putting on some latex gloves. Dampen the cotton ball or towel with the acetone or nail polish remover. Rub the affected area until the polish comes off. Rinse your skin with soap and water. Remove the nail polish while it is still wet using a baby wipe. Try using baby oil, coconut oil, or olive oil on sensitive areas, such as the face. Use non-acetone nail polish remover on hands and feet. Try taking a bath or shower. Let the nail polish wear off on its own. Try using rubbing alcohol or an alcohol-based product. Use some more nail polish to remove dried polish. Try picking the polish off. Use vinegar to wipe off nail polish. Try to remove the polish while it is still wet. Find a thin, flat brush. Get some nail polish remover. Dip the tip of the brush into the nail polish remover. Get rid of off any excess nail polish remover. Carefully outline your nails with the brush. Wipe the area clean with a tissue. Know what to do in the future. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Bake-Scallops | How to Bake Scallops | If you want to bake scallops, first, rinse them under cold water for a few seconds and dry them completely before removing the side muscle on each scallop. Next, grease a baking dish with butter and place your scallops in it with enough space so they aren't overlapping. Pour melted butter over the scallops and use your hands to coat them thoroughly. For added flavor, sprinkle your scallops with chopped parsley, dried basil, salt, and pepper. To cook your scallops, place the dish in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes or until the scallops are opaque. In general, you want to undercook scallops, since overcooked scallops can be really tough, so keep a close eye on them as they cook. | Purchase 2 pounds (910 g) of fresh scallops. Pick scallops that are white, pearly, and have moist and springy meat. Try to avoid scallops that are squished or torn. Torn and squished scallops are often mishandled and not fresh. Wet-packed scallops are the most commonly sold and are more affordable. However, their meat is typically tougher because they've absorbed more water. Dry-packed scallops are very fresh when they're sold, but spoil more quickly. Diver-caught scallops are very expensive but environmentally friendly. Instead of dredging up the ocean floor to collect scallops, the divers hand pick them. Bay scallops are smaller and sweeter than sea scallops but aren't as common. You can also buy frozen scallops, but they're less likely to be fresh. If you buy frozen scallops, make sure to thaw them by leaving them overnight in the refrigerator or sealing them in a plastic bag and running cold water over them. Wash the scallops and pat them dry. Just rinse the scallops under cold water for a few seconds. Then, set them in between 2 paper towels and pat them dry. If they aren't completely dry, they won't cook properly in the oven. Wash your hands before handling the scallops. You can use a clean kitchen towel if you don't have paper towels. Remove the side muscle on the scallops. Pinch the muscle between your thumb and pointer finger and rip it off. The muscle will feel rectangular and tougher than the rest of the scallop. You'll find it on the side of the scallop. Don't worry if you can't find the side muscle. It sometimes get removed during the harvesting process. Grease a baking dish with butter. Cut off around 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) of butter and use your hands to rub it over the dish. Choose a large and shallow baking dish that is big enough to have 1 single layer of scallops. You may need to use more than 1 dish. Wash your hands before touching the butter. If you don't want to get butter on your hands, then wrap the butter in a paper towel. Place 1 layer of scallops in the baking dish. Use your hands to gently place the scallops in the baking dish. While the scallops should touch, they shouldn't be on top of each other. Pour 0.5 cups (120 mL) of butter over the scallops. Try to pour the butter evenly over the scallops. Then, use your hands to coat the scallops entirely in butter. If you want to keep your hands clean, consider using a kitchen spoon to mix the scallops. Just be careful not to tear or squish the seafood. Sprinkle the scallops with the parsley, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Evenly cover the scallops in 3 tablespoons (44 mL) of finely chopped parsley, 1.5 teaspoons (7.4 mL) of crumbled and dried basil leaf, 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of salt, and 0.25 teaspoons (1.2 mL) of pepper. For more texture, you can add breadcrumbs during the baking process. Preheat the oven to 350 °F (177 °C). Let your oven heat while you prepare the scallops to speed up the whole process. Set a timer to let you know when the oven is ready. Bake the scallops for 5 minutes. Place the dish with the scallops in it in the oven carefully. Use an alarm to remind you to take the scallops out of the oven. When taking the scallops out of the oven, use heat protection. Keep children and pets away from the oven when it's open. Stir the scallops to keep them moist. Take your scallops out of the oven and use a kitchen spoon to stir the dish gently. Keep stirring carefully until you've redistributed the moisture to fully recoat the scallops in the butter and herbs. For more texture, sprinkle bread crumbs or panko over the top of the dish. You can make the layer as thin or thick as you like. Bake the dish for 15 to 20 minutes. Carefully put the dish back in the oven and let it cook for up to 20 minutes. By the 20 minute mark, the scallops should be cooked through, but still moist. To tell if your scallops are done cooking, poke them with a fork. If the fork bounces back slightly and the scallops are opaque, then they're done cooking. It is better to undercook than overcook scallops because overcooked scallop meat is really tough. If you used breadcrumbs or panko, the crumbs should look toasted and brown, not burnt. Serve your baked scallops immediately. Do this quickly so they don't get cold! You can also drizzle them in lemon, eat them plain, with pasta, vegetables, or rice. Just use heat protection and be careful when moving the scallops from the oven dish to plates. To preserve your cooked scallops, store them in an airtight container and put the container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. You can also put the container in the freezer for up to 3 to 4 months. | Purchase 2 pounds (910 g) of fresh scallops. Wash the scallops and pat them dry. Remove the side muscle on the scallops. Grease a baking dish with butter. Place 1 layer of scallops in the baking dish. Pour 0.5 cups (120 mL) of butter over the scallops. Sprinkle the scallops with the parsley, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Preheat the oven to 350 °F (177 °C). Bake the scallops for 5 minutes. Stir the scallops to keep them moist. Bake the dish for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve your baked scallops immediately. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Leeches-As-Pets | How to Keep Leeches As Pets | To keep leeches as pets, buy an aquarium that provides at least a half a gallon of space per leech. Next, line the bottom of the tank with 2 inches of gravel. Then, fill the tank about 75% of the way with water from a nearby pond or stream, or you can use dechlorinated tap water. Finally, install a submersible or hang-on heater to maintain a water temperature of 60 to 70 °F and feed the leeches live earthworms once a week. | Purchase a glass tank that is at least 1⁄2 gallon (1.9 L) large. Visit a local fish or animal store and invest in a fish tank. Leeches are adept at living in close quarters—at the most, about 50 can live comfortably in 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water. However, this ultimately depends on the type of leech and their environment of origin. In general, 50 leeches at most can live in a 10 gallon (38 L) aquarium. Pond leeches do best with 1 to 2 leeches per gallon. Catch your leeches from a pond or buy them from a bait store. If you catch leeches on your own, use a small dip net to collect them from a pond or remove them gently using forceps. You can also visit a local bait store of science supply shop to buy them. If you buy leeches from a store, ask the staff about what kind of food and space they require. Fill the fish tank 75 percent of the way with water from a pond or stream. Leaving some space free at the top of the aquarium creates a barrier to stop leeches from escaping. Always use spring water, dechlorinated tap water, or water from the collection site. Never use purified water or chlorinated water—the former is harmful to the leeches' metabolic balance, while the latter contains harmful substances like copper and chlorine. Be sure that the water is cool and clean. To get rid of chlorinate in tap water, fill a container with the water and let it set for 1 to 2 days. Once the smell of chlorine fades, you're good to go! You can also purchase a water dechlorinator from a home hardware store. Keep your tank's temperature between 60 to 70 °F (16 to 21 °C). A temperature range of 76 to 80 °F (24 to 27 °C) is recommend for most aquariums, but you can widen this range a bit for leeches. In fact, they can tolerate quite a range of temperatures—anywhere from 40 to 80 °F (4 to 27 °C). A submersible or hang-on heater are the best options for temperature maintenance. For small tanks, make sure the heater is 5 watts per gallon. Larger tanks require about 3 watts per gallon. Keep an eye on your tank's temperature regularly and adjust the heater as necessary to keep it within the proper range. Pour 2 inches (5.1 cm) of gravel into the bottom of the tank to create hiding places. You can pour more if you'd like, but around 2 inches (5.1 cm) is a standard amount. This gives your leeches places to hide. You can also add shells and plants for some variety! If you get your leeches from the pond, take some plants from the area around it and add them to your tank. Purchase shells and plants for your tank from pet stores. Put your leeches in the tank and cover it with a tight-fitting lid to prevent them from escaping. Gently pour your leeches into the tank. If you have a small amount, you can also place them in one-by-one with forceps. Always secure the top of your tank with a tight-fitting lid, such as a screen lid. Leeches have the ability to lengthen their bodies and squeeze through small openings—never skip the lid! Purchase a screen lid from a local pet store or online supplier. Keep your tank in a cold, dark place away from light. Most leeches are nocturnal and don't like any form of light. Be sure to keep them in an area out of both direct sunlight and artificial light—they can harm the leeches. You can also cover your tank with a towel if you can't find a location away from light exposure. In the winter, you can place your aquarium outside as long as it is partially covered with a towel to prevent direct exposure to sunlight. Change tank water every 3 to 7 days or when the water gets dirty. When the water looks dirty or starts to smell, it's time for a change. Additionally, keep a lookout for skin, which looks like slimy, whitish-clear particles and is a sign the water is dirty. To change the water, use a bowl or measuring cup to scoop out old water from the top of the tank. After removing 25 to 50 percent, fill the tank back up. Don't change more than 25 to 50 percent of the water at a time. Any more and you risk sudden temperature changes that can harm the leeches. Be sure to change your water at least once a week. Feed the leeches once a week. Remember that leeches can go months—even up to a year—without eating. But for captive leeches, once a week is best. In terms of food, meal choice can depend on the type of leeches you have, so always ask your supplier for food recommendations. However, 1 earthworm per leech usually works for all leech types. Remove the dead food remains about 1 hour after putting them in the tank. If you caught your leeches in a pond, feed them pond snails. Medical supply center leeches typically require fresh beef liver. Frogs, fish, and earthworms are great food sources for many kinds of leeches. If you're unsure, stick with one of these food sources. Don't feed your leeches in the winter. | Purchase a glass tank that is at least 1⁄2 gallon (1.9 L) large. Catch your leeches from a pond or buy them from a bait store. Fill the fish tank 75 percent of the way with water from a pond or stream. Keep your tank's temperature between 60 to 70 °F (16 to 21 °C). Pour 2 inches (5.1 cm) of gravel into the bottom of the tank to create hiding places. Put your leeches in the tank and cover it with a tight-fitting lid to prevent them from escaping. Keep your tank in a cold, dark place away from light. Change tank water every 3 to 7 days or when the water gets dirty. Feed the leeches once a week. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-a-Difficult-Co%E2%80%90worker | How to Deal With a Difficult Co‐worker | To deal with a difficult coworker, don't take anything they do personally, and try to remember that they might be acting difficult because they're going through something in their own life. If you can, just try to ignore them and not let it get to you. However, if the issue is too big to ignore, try politely bringing it up with them and seeing if you can resolve things. Or, in serious circumstances, consider talking to HR about the problem. | Try to understand other people's perspectives. If you're having a hard time working with a coworker, take a minute to look at the situation from his perspective. You may realize that he is acting the way he is because he is overworked, because he is dealing with an unreasonable customer, or because he is just having a bad day. Realize that a difficult coworker may have insecurities. If you're dealing with a bully at work, it's important to remind yourself that she may be treating you badly because she is insecure about her own performance and jealous of your success or ambition. While this is no excuse for her behavior, it may help you understand your coworker. Make sure you're being fair. Take a minute to think about why you dislike your coworker, and make sure that it is actually because of things that this specific person has done. It can sometimes be easy to hold grudges against people because they somehow remind you of other people who you don't like. Don't expect everyone to work the way you do. Everyone is different, and you can't expect all of your coworkers to operate exactly the way you do. Before you jump to the conclusion that your coworker is difficult or irrational, take a minute to consider what it is you are expecting of her. You may discover that you are imposing completely unrealistic expectations on your coworker. Don't try to be everyone's friend. It's great to be friendly with your coworkers, and you should always try to be as nice as possible to everyone at work, but that doesn't mean that everyone is going to be your best friend. Don't let it bother you if you don't get along with a particular coworker. Instead, try to think of ways you can work together effectively even though you don't like each other. Ignore the coworker. If you don't have to work directly with the difficult coworker, do you best to stay away from him. When you do need to interact with this person, keep your interactions brief and pleasant. Be professional instead of giving the person the cold shoulder or being rude. Depending on the situation, it may be best to simply ignore certain behaviors as well, even if they are exhibited by coworkers with whom you work closely. Remember, you need to pick and choose your battles. Talk it out. If you're having a problem with a coworker who you really do need to work with, try talking to the person openly about the issue. Make sure to communicate what the problem is, listen to her perspective, and offer your own suggestions for resolving the problem. You don't need to be afraid about bringing up an issue for fear of hurting your coworker's feelings; you just need to be diplomatic. Try to keep your conversation directed at the specific issue at hand, instead of making it about your coworker as a person. For example, instead of saying, "You need to get your act together and work harder or we're going to miss our deadline," say, "I'd like to talk to you about what we can do to get that project you're working on finished sooner." Make your perspective known. It may be that your difficult coworker simply has a different style of communication than you do, which can make it difficult for the two of you to understand each other. Make sure to communicate to your coworker if you feel that there is something he needs to do to improve your working relationship. You also need to be willing to step in and do your part. Avoid accusing your coworker of anything. For example, instead of saying, "You never give me enough time to prepare for presentations," say, "I work best when I know about a presentation two days in advance. Can you try to let me know by then?" Don't take offense if your coworker offers you some constructive criticism in return. Do your best to learn from it, assuming it is reasonable. Point out negativity. If you have a coworker who is constantly bringing other people down with her negative attitude, let her know how you feel about it. Everyone has different ways of venting frustration, and she may not have any idea how her negative attitude affects you. If you don't want to confront her directly, try responding to your negative coworker with an abundance of positivity. She will most likely get the hint that you don't like her negative energy. Know when it is appropriate to report a concern. In some circumstances, the best thing you can do is to tell a superior, such as a manager or your company's HR department, about your coworker's unacceptable behavior so they can handle the difficult employee according to company policy. The appropriateness of this option will depend upon the unique situation and your office culture. Make sure you take a minute to think about whether the situation is really worth reporting before you go running to your boss. Before reporting a coworker's behavior to your superiors, you should make sure that you are doing so because you believe the behavior is genuinely harmful to the company and/or employees, and not because you are feeling angry or want to get someone in trouble. You should also ask yourself if the problem could be more easily resolved if you confronted your coworker about it directly. Keep in mind that if you go over his head, he will likely feel threatened. Stand up to office bullies. You have the right to feel safe and respected at work. If a coworker's behavior is simply unprofessional, make sure he knows that you won't stand for it. You can try telling him that you will report his behavior to your manager or to HR if it happens again, but if you say this, you have to follow through. It's important not to let the bully see that his actions are affecting you the way he wants them to. Be strong and don't react emotionally. An office bully will be at their worst whenever you've made a major mistake. However, that doesn't mean you can't partly salvage the situation by handling failure at work with honesty and integrity. Document your grievances. It's a good idea to keep a record of your coworker's bad behavior, just in case it gets to the point that you feel you need to report it. Keep hard evidence like emails or voicemails if you can. If you don't have anything like that, simply keep a log of your coworker's bad behavior. Don't take disagreements too personally. Everyone gets upset for different reasons, and it is important to keep in mind that just because a coworker upset you, does not mean that it was her intention to do so. Try to take a deep breath and let go of the conflict if possible. If you still feel personally insulted by something your coworker did or said to you, even after you've had some time to think about it, try explaining how you feel. Avoid complaining all the time. You don't want your other coworkers or your boss to think you are whiny or a troublemaker, so don't go running to others with every little problem. Before you report something, make sure you can't handle the issue on your own. Even if you have a perfectly valid reason to complain, keep in mind that your negativity can be contagious and bring your coworkers down. Try to be a source of positive energy in the office. Don't gossip. It may be tempting to spread gossip about the coworker you don't like, but it is always best not to get involved. If another coworker is spreading gossip, just walk away or tell him that you're not interested in hearing about it. Avoid talking about anything that is not directly related to work with coworkers who are known gossipers. Be a team player. You may be able to get jealous or overly competitive coworkers to work with you if you just acknowledge the role they play on your team. Treat everyone with respect, praise the achievements of the whole team, and show them all that you value their input. Calm your coworker down. If your coworker is the type to get overly stressed out and overreact about everything, respond to him calmly and rationally. Don't let the stress wear off on you. Ask helpful questions. Instead of trying to argue with a coworker who doesn't want to hear your opinion, try acknowledging his point of view and asking him to explain his ideas further. This might make him more open to having a dialogue with you. Communicate accountability. If everyone in your department knows exactly who is responsible for doing what, then you won't have to worry about a coworker who isn't pulling her weight or refuses to take responsibility for her actions. Try to encourage clear communication with your whole team. Think before you speak. You don't want to end up saying something you regret in the heat of the moment, so if your coworker has said something that really upsets you, always take a moment to cool down before responding. Keep in mind that if your coworker is purposefully upsetting you, he wants you to lose your cool, so don't give in. | Try to understand other people's perspectives. Realize that a difficult coworker may have insecurities. Make sure you're being fair. Don't expect everyone to work the way you do. Don't try to be everyone's friend. Ignore the coworker. Talk it out. Make your perspective known. Point out negativity. Know when it is appropriate to report a concern. Stand up to office bullies. Document your grievances. Don't take disagreements too personally. Avoid complaining all the time. Don't gossip. Be a team player. Calm your coworker down. Ask helpful questions. Communicate accountability. Think before you speak. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-Dark-Poems | How to Write Dark Poems | Before you write your dark poem, think of a moment you felt sad, lonely, or depressed to use as the topic for your poem. As you begin your poem, write out some sensory details such as how the flowers smelled at a funeral or the sounds you heard when you were alone in the bathroom at school. You might also try including some literary devices like a simile. For example, you could say “these walls are like a prison cell” to describe feeling trapped and alone. To learn how to avoid cliches in your dark poem, read more from our Creative Writing co-author. | Learn the common themes in dark poetry. Most dark poetry focuses on emotions that may be morbid or disturbing. This could be feelings of loss, loneliness, death, depression, or anxiety. Dark poetry can act as a way to release these feelings and process these emotions. Many poets find dark poetry cathartic, almost like a form of therapy. There is also a sense of longing in dark poetry, as many dark poems romanticize death or dying. Often, poets see death existing right next to life. Death may be given sexual undertones or be portrayed as a figure of romance, but in a dark way. Read examples of dark poetry. There are many examples of dark poetry, as this genre of poetry is popular among many different poets throughout literature. You may read several examples to get a better sense of the style and tone found in dark poems, including: “Song” by Christina Rossetti. “Minstrel Man” by Langston Hughes. "The Pond Museum" by Brandon Shimoda. "The morning after/my death" by Etel Adnan. "Romance Sonambulo" by Federico Garcia Lorca. Analyze the examples. Once you have read over the examples, you should think about how each poet discusses darkness or dark themes in their work. Some poets may view darkness in terms of love and loss or darkness as more of a concept, where the speaker sees darkness in everyday moments or events. Ask yourself several questions about the poems, such as: How does the poet explore darkness in the poem? Does the poet focus on a specific moment of darkness? How does the poet use sensory detail and descriptive language to describe darkness? For example, in Rossetti's “Song”, Rossetti asks her lover not to mourn her death, but instead to move on with their life. Rossetti romanticizes death by arguing it has no domain over her once she is gone. She also uses rhyme and rhythm to give the poem a light quality, even when it is addressing heavy themes. In comparison, Hughes' “Minstrel Man” looks at how minstrel shows in America hide a lot of darkness in plain sight. His speaker is a minstrel man who performs racist shows for American audiences. Hughes contrasts the apparent joy and happiness the minstrel man performs for his audience with the pain and suffering he experiences internally. This gives the poem a disturbing quality that is finalized with the last line of the poem, “I die”. Make a list of keywords that relate to darkness. To get your creative juices flowing, it may help to list keywords that relate to darkness and dark themes. Write darkness in the center of a piece of paper and then list words around the center that relate to darkness. Do not try to edit to your list or think too much as you write. The idea is to generate terms and words that conjure up darkness for you, which you can then use later when you sit down to write your poem. For example, around “darkness”, you may write “black”, “grey”, “death” “alone”, “anger”, “powerful”, and “hidden”. You could then try to integrate these terms into your poem or use a specific feeling, such as “anger”, as the inspiration for your poem. Remember a moment when you felt sad, lonely, or depressed. One way to brainstorm ideas for your poem is to think about a specific moment when you experienced dark emotions, such as sadness, loneliness, or depression. Focusing on one specific moment and writing down words that relate to that moment can help you get ideas for the voice and tone of your poem. For example, maybe you recall a moment in the girl's bathroom at school where you felt lonely or sad. You may then try to describe the scene and how it felt to be standing in the girl's bathroom with these feelings. Focus on a specific dark event. You may also decide to write about an event in your life that was particularly dark or difficult. Try to rely on your memories of the event and write about this event from your perspective. Doing this will make the poem feel intimate and honest. For example, maybe you relate a lot of dark emotions to the death of your grandfather. You may then try describing how it felt to attend his funeral and see him in his casket. You may also contrast memories of his death with memories of his life to give the poem levity. Describe a person or place that signifies darkness to you. You may also focus on a specific person or place that represents darkness to you. Maybe a person pops into your head as soon as you think of darkness or a specific location that you have visited in the past. Describing a tangible thing, such as a person or place, can help you hone in on specific images for your poem. For example, maybe there is a next door neighbor who seems to represent darkness or dark emotions for you. Or, maybe there is a family relative that scared you as a kid. You may also remember a dark experience in a house you once lived in or associate dark feelings with a house in your neighborhood. Maybe there was a family vacation that you went on to a specific place in the States that you associate with dark or disturbing emotions. Avoid cliches. When you are writing about subjects like darkness, sadness, loneliness, and death, it can be hard not to fall into cliches and familiar language. A cliche is a description that has been so overused it has lost its meaning. Many readers will gloss over a cliche and/or question the poet's creativity when they come across a cliche. Avoid leaning on cliches in your writing and focus on creating more unique and unfamiliar ways of approaching darkness. Try to stay away from cliches like “dark as night”, “lost and alone” or “so lonesome I could cry”. Come up with more original descriptions and images in your poem, especially when you are addressing dark themes and elements. One way you can address cliches in your writing is to go over your poem and look for any familiar terms or phrases. You should then underline them and focus on replacing certain words or replacing the phrase so it is less familiar and feels more original. Add sensory detail. Make sure you are using sensory detail in your poem, as this will make the poem come alive and contain descriptions that are memorable. Think about how a moment looks, sounds, tastes, smells, or feels. Use all five senses to create detailed moments in your poem. For example, maybe you are writing a poem about your grandfather's death. You may focus on the smell of the white lilies at his grave or the gray, thin appearance of your grandfather in his casket. You may also describe the food you ate at his wake and the feeling of holding your grandmother's hand at the funeral. Use literary devices. Literary devices like metaphor, simile, and rhyme can help to strengthen the language in your poem and add depth to your writing. Try to use literary devices strategically, especially in a shorter poem. Every line should not be full of metaphors or similes only. You should vary up how you use these literary devices so your poem still flows well and does not seem wordy or long-winded. For example, you may use a metaphor to describe the loneliness of standing in the girl's bathroom at school. You may write, “The stalls are blank eyes in the face of this room”. Or, you may use a simile to describe the look and smell of the bathroom. You may write, “The floor is as slick as the surface of a lake” and “The sinks smell like rotten eggs”. Some poets, such as Rossetti in “Song”, also use rhyme in their dark poetry. Rhyme can be useful for adding some levity and lightness to a poem about heavy, dark subject matter. But it can also make your poem sound too sing-songy and silly. Use rhyme sparingly. Read your poem out loud. Once you have written your first draft, you should read your poem out loud to yourself or to a sympathetic audience. Listen for any awkward phrases or words and highlight them. Ask the listener for feedback on your writing. You should also pay attention to any images that are confusing or lines that are not as strong as they could be. Make sure you are not using cliches in your writing. Your poem should use unfamiliar and interesting images and descriptions that are true to your style and voice. You should go back and edit the poem for clarity once you have read it out loud. Adjust any problem phrases or words you identified and make sure you are using strong, interesting language throughout the poem. | Learn the common themes in dark poetry. Read examples of dark poetry. Analyze the examples. Make a list of keywords that relate to darkness. Remember a moment when you felt sad, lonely, or depressed. Focus on a specific dark event. Describe a person or place that signifies darkness to you. Avoid cliches. Add sensory detail. Use literary devices. Read your poem out loud. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Letter-Asking-for-Scholarship-Money | How to Write a Letter Asking for Scholarship Money | To write a letter asking for scholarship money, begin with a compelling personal anecdote, then explain why this story relates to your goals. In your first body paragraph, briefly describe 2-3 of your major accomplishments, and how those experiences shaped you. Then, use the third and fourth paragraphs to explain what you'd use the money for, and what you will accomplish in the future if you're given the opportunity. In your conclusion, re-visit your opening anecdote and describe how it relates to the organization's goals and mission statement. | Learn the requirements. Now that you've identified your scholarships you will find that there are often different, specific requirements for each, including forms. Print out these requirements and paperclip each scholarship's list and gathered material separate from all other scholarship applications. Keeping everything separate will make the process infinitely faster. Most forms, if not all, will be downloadable via the Internet. Make sure when you download them that you paperclip them with the correct scholarship and gathered supporting information. Fill out forms. Make sure you are providing an answer to every question. Leaving something blank is pretty much a guarantee for disqualification. This goes for honesty as well. Fudging answers can lead to immediate and automatic denial. Don’t rush. As the saying goes, haste makes waste. There's no faster or easier way to do this. Take your time and do it right. It will pay off in the end. Keep in mind that any question requiring a lengthy or well thought-out response should be flagged and held for later. Always take the proper time to think about the best possible answer. Once you've thought about it, write out a practice version first, then go and fill your final answer in. Prepare once, use repeatedly. You will need the same basic information for every single letter you write, regardless of the recipient. That means a job well done now creates a faster and less intensive process later on. When you write your second letter, third letter, and so on, you will use the 5 paragraph essay structure for each and simply highlight different information to more accurately fit each recipient. Write your academic and career goals. Rewrite them until you can state them in one sentence. Now you have a clear, concise plan for your future as well as an important reason for applying for your scholarships. Make sure these are clear and specific. "I want to go to medical school and become a doctor" is fine, but it isn't as specific as "I want to attend Johns Hopkins and become an obstetrician serving rural areas." Prioritize your academic achievements. Identify what courses/fields of study in your past performance are directly related to your future academic/career goals. Now, take those that are the most relevant and in which you have had the most success and put them at the top. You will highlight these in your letter. Focus on your strengths and leadership skills. Write down everything you have done that can outline the depth and breadth of your skills and potential. Include academic achievements you may have earned such as being valedictorian, school club president, or graduating with honors as well as non-academic activities such as work history, volunteer/community work, awards, sports honors/awards, and internships. Include anything that shows your strength and potential as a leader. List your needs. Scholarship committees don't want to hear about how much you need the money. They want to know that you know how to use it. So make a list that shows them you do. For instance: Tuition Books Housing Supplies Fees Organize your paragraphs. Use the standard five paragraph essay format. This format will structure your letter in a clear, concise, and compelling manner. It consists of an introductory paragraph, three main body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Outline your introduction. Your introduction should focus on your immediate educational and career goals. This sentence is already written in your preparation stage so you should be able to place it right into this part of your outline. You will briefly discuss how your particular interests within your chosen field of study developed and state why you want to continue your education. Remember that these bullet points are for your reference so you can see just how much you've accomplished thus far. When you write, it'll be up to you to turn this list into a compelling "story". Create bullets for paragraph two. In this paragraph you will focus on your strengths and leadership skills including academic achievements, extracurricular activities, community and/or volunteer, and awards. Again, you have these listed. Now put them in a bulleted list here. Were you class president? Did you write a story that won a competition? Did you write for the school newspaper? Were you captain of the Lacrosse team? Did you volunteer in a political campaign or at the food bank? Do you hold down a job with management responsibilities? Do you work with kids? Have you been nominated for academic awards? Create bullets for paragraph three. This paragraph will develop your reason for applying for this particular scholarship and why you should be considered. Be professional and direct and do not say that you need the scholarship money but rather mention what you will be using it for. Examples would be to help pay for tuition, housing, books and supplies. This is the part of the story about the future. How do your goals and vision match up with theirs? And what would you pay for if you had that opportunity? Create bullets for paragraph four. Now that you've told them about yourself, show them that you are deserving of their scholarship and how you will wisely use their funds. Highlight your ability to successfully complete the college program for which you are requesting a scholarship as well as a clear intention on what you plan to do with your course of study. Remember: you are investment. They want to know you'll pay off. This an expansion of your introductory paragraph regarding your academic and career goals. Now you provide greater detail that illuminates just how strong your knowledge and passion are and how you could you change your life and the lives of others with this scholarship. You've already shown them who you are, "now show them who you will become and how that will benefit them". Outline your conclusion. Reiterate within this closing paragraph your interests in applying for the scholarship. Then explain what you – and by extension they – will gain from you having received this particular award. Remember, they want to award successful candidates. Their success going forward is contingent on choosing candidates who successfully complete their education and move on to productive careers. Be sure you let them know this is exactly your plan. Be careful not to use redundant words or phrases from earlier paragraphs. Think of this paragraph as one in which you are paraphrasing an article, paragraph, or even a book: summarize but do it in a different way. Make it new, unique, and fresh. As they say, “Take it to the next level.” Determine your audience. Do a little research on the organization's website before you write your individualized letter. See if you can find their goals or mission statement. Often, these will influence their decisions when awarding scholarship money. Keep your audience in mind as you develop the letter. If you are creating a letter to the National Engineer's Association, for example, what you highlight will be different than your letter to the NAACP. Flesh out each paragraph. You have all the information you need already organized and ready to go. Create strong, dynamic and clear sentences that capture the essence of each paragraph concisely. Use active voice. Passive voice puts you, the "do"er, last: "Being elected as class president was a highlight of my high school career." Instead, phrase this actively, focusing on what you accomplished: "As class president, I focused on developing a peer anti-bullying group." Use expressive action verbs. Instead of saying "I volunteered at Habitat for Humanity," use action verbs that say exactly what you did: "I coordinated volunteers from my high school and helped construct houses for Habitat for Humanity." Avoid the “introduction is a summary” pitfall. Your first paragraph is not a summary. You want to grab their attention from the get-go with your introduction and a summary won't get the job done. Approach it like you're telling the beginning of a story to your friends so they'll "need" to know what happens next. Remember the art of the Hollywood thriller: what comes next? If you telegraph where your introduction is going (e.g., by summarizing what follows) you will capture their interest and make them want to read to find out “what happens next.” A descriptive short anecdote is often very effective. For example, you could start off telling about the time you held your mom's hand as she screamed in the hospital room. You could describe how you felt as your baby sibling came into the world. Then follow it up with your goal statement: "This experience made me realize that I am called to serve rural communities as an OB/GYN." Build on your introduction’s mystery. Make sure your second paragraph keeps the mystery and suspense going. Who are you? Where have you been? What have you done? What sets you apart? What is so unique about your story? At the risk of answering a rhetorical question, "you" are what makes your story unique. Remember, you intrigued them with the introduction so don't fall into the “summarize my strengths and leadership skills” trap in paragraph 2. You may choose one, two, or at most three to highlight, "'choosing those that directly reflect the scholarship's purpose"'. Think of your overall strengths/leadership skills as a theme that infuses your second paragraph. It's not about making a list, it's about painting a picture. Show them "who you are" (create a narrative paragraph), don't "tell them" who you are (make a list). Be specific! Don't say "I'm a people person." Say "In my job at the grocery store, I have never met a stranger. I strike up chats with each customer and have often been commended for my friendliness." Structure paragraphs 3 and 4 like a symphony’s crescendo. First show them what you would do with their scholarship now (degree, course load, tuition, room & board, etc.) and then show them how it would benefit everyone in the future. Imagine you're the underdog in a sports movie. You're Rocky Balboa. You're Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger. You have it all – everything except that one big break. You're ready to grab that break and become a champion. Are they ready to give it to you? If so, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS! Use strong transitions between paragraphs. Avoid dry, momentum-killing transitions like, “First,” “Second,” “In addition,” “In conclusion,” etc. Make each paragraph flow naturally into the next like it would in a conversation. The most compelling writing is the writing that makes the reader want to read the next line rather than reading a by-wrote list of why they should be reading. A natural flow in a story never uses these types of clunky transitions and your letter is a story. Look at it that way and transitions become much easier. Keep each paragraph short and to the point. Remember, you only have two pages maximum. That means each paragraph can't be much more than one-third of a page. Be pointed, be brief, and be strong. Format your letter. Use a 12-point font type, double-spaced so that it is easy to read. Use professional quality stationery paper if you plan on mailing the letter using the postal service. If the organization has given you specific requirements for the letter. follow them precisely. It would be a shame if your essay is DQ'ed straight out of the gate for being too long or in the wrong font. Read and review your letter. This should be done numerous times to check for grammar, typos, layout, organization, and clarity. If you can say something in 12 words instead of 20 then do so. Add or delete content and check for proper punctuation each and every time you read it. Make any needed corrections and edit where necessary. | Learn the requirements. Fill out forms. Don’t rush. Prepare once, use repeatedly. Write your academic and career goals. Prioritize your academic achievements. Focus on your strengths and leadership skills. List your needs. Organize your paragraphs. Outline your introduction. Create bullets for paragraph two. Create bullets for paragraph three. Create bullets for paragraph four. Outline your conclusion. Determine your audience. Flesh out each paragraph. Avoid the “introduction is a summary” pitfall. Build on your introduction’s mystery. Structure paragraphs 3 and 4 like a symphony’s crescendo. Use strong transitions between paragraphs. Keep each paragraph short and to the point. Format your letter. Read and review your letter. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Dry-Milk-Taste-Like-Fresh-Milk | How to Make Dry Milk Taste Like Fresh Milk | If you want to make dry milk taste like fresh milk, try using vanilla extract. Add a few drops to a quart of milk and you'll notice an improvement in the flavor. If you don't have vanilla extract, add a spoonful of sugar instead. There's already sugar in dry milk, but adding more will help hide unpleasant flavors. A small pinch of salt will also do the trick if you don't want to use sugar. You can also mix dry milk with ultra-high-temperature milk to boost its fat content, which will make it taste more like fresh 2-percent milk. | Choose your dry milk. "Instant" dry milk is the most common type, and the easiest to mix. "Regular" (or "non-instant") dry milk tends to taste worse. "Whole milk powder" has a richer taste (and may be satisfying enough on its own), but a much shorter shelf life. In the United States, dry milk labeled "extra grade" has passed certain taste and quality tests. Whole milk powder can be difficult to find in stores. You may need to order it online. Reconstitute the dry milk. Start by mixing the dry milk with cold water. You can follow the instructions on the package, or use this approach (for one liter / one quart milk): Mix 315mL (1⅓ cups) instant dry milk into 500mL (2 cups) cold water until dissolved. Add in another 500 mL (2 cups) water and stir until well mixed. Let stand a few minutes and stir again. For regular dry milk, use 175mL (¾ cup) of the powder instead. Dissolve it in a small amount of hot water before adding to the cold water. Mix with whole milk. Mixing nonfat dry milk with an equal amount of whole milk gives you a result roughly equivalent to 2% milk. If you buy dry milk for shelf life reasons, use UHT ("ultra high temperature") milk, which can last unopened for six months at room temperature. If you buy dry milk to save money, use ordinary milk and mix in as much as your budget allows. UHT milk tastes slightly sweeter than regular milk, and not everyone likes the extra flavor. Chill the milk. Alone or mixed with real milk, dry milk tastes best cold. If you do not have a refrigerator, wrap the container in a wet towel and put it in a cellar or other cool location. If your milk is lumpy, chill overnight and stir again the next day. Lumpy milk can result from old or poorly stored powder. "Regular" (non-instant) powder tends to form lumps even when fresh. Store the remaining powder. After opening a dry milk package, pour the leftover powder into a glass or metal container (plastic can add an unpleasant odor). Seal tightly and store in a dark, dry location. If you live in a humid climate, add a desiccant pouch. Reconstitute the milk as usual. If you're using instant nonfat dry milk powder (the most common type), mix in 315mL (1⅓ cups) powder into 1 liter (1 quart) water. A blender is recommended for this method, but you can whisk by hand instead. Mix in egg powder. Egg is an emulsifier: it allows you to combine ingredients that do not normally mix. In this case, it will let you mix in fat that restores richness to your nonfat dry milk. Egg powder is recommended since it is shelf-stable and safe to eat without cooking. Blend in the following amount with the reconstituted milk: To make 1% (low fat) milk, mix in 1.25mL (¼ tsp) egg powder. To make 2% (reduced fat) milk, mix in 2.5mL (½ tsp) egg powder. To make whole milk, mix in 15mL (1 tbsp) egg powder. Note: If you don't mind buying specialty ingredients, you can add 3 to 10g soy lecithin instead to avoid egg flavor. Blend in a neutral vegetable oil. Choose an oil with little to no taste, such as refined canola, safflower, or sunflower oil. Blend or whisk it into the milk thoroughly, until you can't see any oil droplets. The amount to add depends on the flavor you're going for: For 1% milk, use 10mL (2 tsp) oil. For 2% milk, use 20mL (4 tsp) oil. For whole milk, use 30mL (2 tbsp) oil. Note: You might get a more authentic milk flavor from "butter powder" instead, which you can find online. This is untested, so try it at your own risk. Butter powder is not as dense as oil, so you'll need to use more than the amounts listed here. Shake well before using. The oil will start to float to the top within a few hours. Shake the bottle well to mix it again. If the milk doesn't taste quite right, add a little sugar or other flavoring. See below for suggestions. Add vanilla extract. A drop or two of vanilla extract in a liter (quart) of reconstituted dry milk can greatly improve the flavor. Mix in sugar. Reconstituted dry milk contains just as much sugar as regular milk, but extra sweetness can hide unpleasant flavors. Stir a small spoonful into your glass, or make a pitcher of "dessert milk" by adding 30mL (2 tbsp) sugar in one liter (quart) of milk. Chocolate syrup covers poor flavors even more. Add a pinch of salt. This may surprise you, but a small amount of salt can enhance other flavors without making your milk taste salty. Stir it in well and you may notice a sweeter taste to your milk. Steep a carrot in your milk. Peel a carrot, chop it into large pieces, and let it sit in a refrigerated jug of milk. Strain it out when you're ready to use the milk. This won't have a major effect, but it can improve the taste a little. | Choose your dry milk. Reconstitute the dry milk. Mix with whole milk. Chill the milk. Store the remaining powder. Reconstitute the milk as usual. Mix in egg powder. Blend in a neutral vegetable oil. Shake well before using. Add vanilla extract. Mix in sugar. Add a pinch of salt. Steep a carrot in your milk. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Fight-a-Parking-Ticket | How to Fight a Parking Ticket | To fight a parking ticket, read the ticket carefully to check if any information is inaccurate, like the type or color of the car, since inaccurate information can be a reason for the ticket to be overturned. You should also call the number to contest the ticket as soon as possible to make sure you don't miss the deadline, which can be as little as seven days. When you're speaking to the official, ask for an in-person hearing, which will allow you to present evidence to contest the ticket. On the day of your hearing, show up in clean, professional clothes on time, and present your evidence to the hearing judge. For example, you could show pictures or a video of the parking spot to show that the “No parking” sign wasn't visible from your car. If you have witnesses, you can also invite them to speak. | Read the procedure and deadlines carefully. Your ticket will have information explaining how to contest the citation and how long you have after the citation was issued. Contest the ticket right away if possible. Even though you may have as many as 30 days to request a hearing or contest your ticket, do it as soon as possible. For example, in Chicago you have only seven days to contest a parking ticket. If there is a phone number you can call to contest the ticket listed, go ahead and call it immediately so you know you won't miss the deadline. If you can't do this immediately from your car, do what you need to do to contest the ticket as soon as you get home. Note any mistakes on the ticket. Review the information the officer wrote on the ticket before it was left on your car, and make sure everything is correct and accurate. The mistake has to be a major thing. For example, if you drive a silver Honda Civic and the ticket lists a green Volkswagen Beetle, that's clearly not your car. However, if the officer wrote the ticket for a "gray Honda Civic," that's probably not enough of a difference to defeat your liability for the violation. Look for changes or alterations. Because ordinances in some cities prohibit officers from making a change to a parking ticket, any scribbled or scratched out information could constitute an unlawful alteration. Take photos of the area where you parked. Try to take photos before you move your car, especially if you have a dispute about whether the space is marked appropriately. Typically it is a defense to a parking ticket that any signs or notices of prohibited or restricted parking were removed or obscured. For example, if a sign is obstructed and not clearly visible from your car's position, take a picture clearly showing this. If the curb should have been painted yellow in a no-parking zone and the yellow paint ended before the space where you parked your car, take a picture of the curb and your bumper. Keep in mind that in many cities the burden of proof for the government will be much lower than at a criminal trial. For example, in Chicago the city's burden of proof is "preponderance of the evidence." This means that taking all circumstances into account, it was more likely than not that you violated the city code section referenced in your citation. Take video of a broken meter. If the meter where you parked was broken, you need to show it in action if you want to fight that ticket. If possible, use your phone to take a video of you trying to put money in the meter, making sure the meter's read-out is clearly visible and shows that the money you're putting in the meter isn't registering. You should do this as soon as possible, not as an afterthought later, since a broken meter may be fixed in the interim and cause you to lose your evidence. Talk to witnesses. If you have a friend with you, or if a passerby agrees with you that you didn't deserve the ticket, make sure you write down names and numbers so they can testify at your hearing. For example, if a stranger walking by mentions that she also thought it was legal to park where you parked, ask her if she'd be willing to help you fight your parking ticket. Parking ordinances often state that adequate notice of no-parking or restricted-parking zones is required, so multiple people testifying that notice was not adequate might defeat your ticket. Request a hearing. An in-person hearing, if possible, is preferable to contesting your ticket online or through the mail. Often fighting a parking ticket is a matter of being willing to take the time to wade through the procedure. Most people would rather simply pay the ticket than go to an extended effort to fight it, so if you put forth the effort you may be rewarded. Study the local ordinances. Break down the ordinance you are cited with violating into distinct elements and analyze your parking in light of that ordinance. Look carefully at what the statute requires, and whether the language in the statute allows for any subjective reasoning. For example, if the ordinance you were cited for violating includes language such as "if practicable" or "safety permitting," you have room to argue that the condition required by the ordinance didn't exist in your case. Appear at your hearing. Dress in clean, professional clothing and arrive for your hearing a few minutes early. Most hearings are not as formal as a court proceeding, but you should treat them with the same level of respect and decorum. In many jurisdictions, the officer who wrote your citation must appear at your hearing. If that officer doesn't show up, the ticket will be dismissed automatically. Present your defenses. Explain clearly and succinctly to the judge or hearing officer why you should not have to pay the parking ticket. Be honest and respectful to the judge or hearing officer, and try to avoid getting defensive or emotional. Stick to the facts and keep your remarks brief. After your initial statement, refrain from speaking anymore beyond answering direct questions. If the officer who wrote your ticket is present, don't argue with him or interrupt him when he speaks. Typically, if the officer speaks at your hearing, you will have the opportunity to ask him questions. If you took pictures or videos at the scene, have them with you so the judge or hearing officer can review your evidence. Also bring several copies of any documents you have such as the original citation. If you have witnesses, you may call on them to speak. The city may have witnesses as well, including the officer who issued your citation. | Read the procedure and deadlines carefully. Contest the ticket right away if possible. Note any mistakes on the ticket. Look for changes or alterations. Take photos of the area where you parked. Take video of a broken meter. Talk to witnesses. Request a hearing. Study the local ordinances. Appear at your hearing. Present your defenses. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Learn-Hawaiian | How to Learn Hawaiian | To learn Hawaiian, try listening to Hawaiian music so you pick up on different words and phrases. You can also read children's books written in Hawaiian, which will introduce you to basic grammar and vocabulary. If you're looking for a fun, easy way to learn new Hawaiian words, try labeling all of the objects in your house in Hawaiian, like your fridge and the food in your pantry, using sticky notes. | Say most consonants the same as you would in English. The Hawaiian alphabet has a total of 7 consonants, 6 of which are always pronounced exactly the same as they are in English. There are only 12 letters total in the Hawaiian alphabet, so if you can speak English you already know how to pronounce half of the Hawaiian letters. W is the exception. When it comes after an a , it can be pronounced either like an English v or like an English w (as in "Hawaii"). It is pronounced like an English v when it follows an i or an e , and like an English w after a u or o. Practice the 5 Hawaiian vowels. The Hawaiian language has the same 5 vowels English does: a, e, i, o, and u. Unlike in English, each of these letters has only 1 sound. Long and short vowels do not make different sounds. A is an ah sound, like the a in the English word father. E is an eh sound, like the e in elephant. I is an ee sound, like the ee in bee. O is an oh sound, like the o in ocean. U is an oo sound, like the u in blue. Draw out vowels with a macron ( ¯ ) over them. A macron (called a kahakō in Hawaiian) is used to indicate a long vowel. They have the same basic sound as the regular vowel, you just draw the sound out a bit longer. ā sounds like aah. ē sounds like eeh. ī sounds like eee. ō sounds like ohh. ū sounds like ooo. This can take some practice if you are a native English speaker, since how long you draw out a vowel makes no difference in how an English word is understood. However, ignoring the difference can lead to some serious miscommunications. For example, the word maka means face , while the word māka means target. Pause when you see an 'okina. The 'okina is like an apostrophe between syllables in a Hawaiian word. The symbol indicates that you pause briefly before pronouncing the next syllable. You'll frequently see it between 2 identical letters, although it also appears in other contexts. The 'okina is technically a consonant. It always appears in front of a vowel. It is also never the last letter of a word. As with the kahakō, ignoring an 'okina can result in miscommunication. For example, if you omitted the pause when talking about the beautiful ko'a (coral), a Hawaiian would instead hear the word koa , which means "warrior." Pronounce every letter in Hawaiian words. The Hawaiian language doesn't have any silent letters. Once you get the hang of the Hawaiian alphabet, you can sound out even the longest and most intimidating Hawaiian words simply by breaking them down into syllables. For example, you may be familiar with the name of Hawaii's first king, Kamehameha. His name is pronounced kah meh hah meh hah , not kameamea , as you might have heard. Break Hawaiian words into syllables. Hawaiian words often have a length that can seem intimidating if you aren't familiar with the language. Syllables in Hawaiian are only 1 or 2 letters long, and never end in a consonant. A single vowel can be a syllable, but a single consonant is never a syllable. For example, try this word: humuhumunukunuku'āpua'a (it's the word for the Hawaiian state fish). If you remember that the 'okina is a consonant, you can break it down easily into syllables like this: hu-mu-hu-mu-nu-ku-nu-ku-'ā-pu-a-'a. Pronounce the letters as you've already learned, and this seemingly intimidating word becomes relatively easy to say. The Hawaiian rules for syllables are also helpful with shorter words. For example, take the word honu (the Hawaiian word for "turtle). At first glance, you might pronounce it hone-oo. But recall that a Hawaiian syllable cannot end with a consonant, and can only be 1 or 2 letters. The correct pronunciation, therefore, is hoh-noo. Distinguish sets of vowels in Hawaiian. You might see words with 2 vowels together that produce their own unique sound. Linguistically, these blended vowels are called diphthongs. Under the rules for syllables, 2 vowels would not exist in a single syllable. However, these specific vowel clusters are considered a single letter for the purposes of a syllable. ae is pronounced similar to the word eye. ai is pronounced similar to the i in ice. ao is pronounced similar to the ow in how. au is pronounced similar to the word ei is pronounced similar to the ei in the word eight. eu has no equivalent in English, but is the sounds eh-oo blended together in a single syllable. iu is pronounced similar to the ew in few. oi is pronounced similar to the oy in boy. ou is pronounced similar to the word owe. ui sounds like the ooey in gooey , except blended together into a single syllable. Use variations of the word aloha. You are likely familiar with aloha , a Hawaiian greeting that is also symbolic of the island lifestyle. By adding other words to aloha , you can greet people at different times of the day. Aloha kakahiaka means "good morning." Use it in the early morning hours, before 10:00 a.m. Aloha awakea roughly means "good noontime." Use it late morning and midday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Aloha 'auinalā means "good afternoon." Use it between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Aloha ahiahi means "good evening." Use this greeting after 5:00 p.m. Follow up a greeting with "Pehea 'oe? " This question means "how are you?" It is commonly the next thing you'll say when speaking to someone, after aloha. If the other person asks you first, respond "maika'i au," which means "I am well." If the other person asks you first, you can also say "Maikaʻi, a ʻo ʻoe?" This means "good, and you?" Use "e 'olu'olu 'oe" to say "please. " While speaking in Hawaiian, make sure you're minding your manners by including this phrase whenever you ask someone for something. The phrase literally means "be nice, you." If you're saying "please" at the end of a sentence, add a k sound to say "ke 'olu'olu 'oe." Thank people by saying mahalo. This is another word you may already be familiar with. While it is generally used to mean "thank you," its use is a bit broader than than its English equivalent. For example, you can also use mahalo to mean congratulations. When using the word mahalo in an English sentence, use it the same way you would use the word "thanks." For example: "Mahalo for the fishing tips! You're welcome at our bonfire tonight!" You can also use "mahalo nui," which means "thank you very much." If you're extremely grateful, use the phrase "mahalo nui loa," which means "thank you so very much." Say ʻAʻole pilikia to respond to mahalo. This phrase means "no problem," and is generally used to mean "you're welcome" (when said in response to "thank you"). You might also hear "'a'ohe pilikia," especially from older speakers. While the phrase "e komo mai," also means "you're welcome," it is never used in response to "thank you." This phrase is used to welcome someone into your home or another place. A literal translation would be "enter this way," so you might think of this phrase as similar to a host saying "right this way" as you enter a restaurant or other establishment. Take free Hawaiian language courses online. If you want to take a more structured approach to learning Hawaiian, a high school or college language course may work best for you. Several educational institutions in Hawaii offer free online courses. Go to http://ksdl.ksbe.edu/hawaiian_resources/kulaiwi to access free video lessons, workbooks, and other resources from the Kamehameha School District. You can also try http://www.olelo.hawaii.edu/ , which is the website for the University of Hawaii – Hilo's College of Hawaiian Language. Listen to Hawaiian music. Search online or on your favorite music app for Hawaiian music that you can listen to while doing chores or commuting to work or school. There are also many Hawaiian radio stations that you can listen to online. Many of them may be primarily in English, but you will hear Hawaiian words and some music with Hawaiian lyrics. KPOA 93.5 is a Hawaiian radio station based in Maui that has a live stream at http://kpoa.com/. You can also watch videos and read articles about news and events in Maui. You can also stream from Hawaiian Music Radio at http://www.hawaiianrainbow.com/. Most of the music played on this internet radio station is in the Hawaiian language. This station doesn't stream directly from the website. You may have to download a free music player to listen. Label items around your home with their Hawaiian words. Use an online Hawaiin/English dictionary, such as the one found at http://wehewehe.org/ , to learn the words for objects you frequently see and interact with around your home. You can write the Hawaiian word on a sticky note and stick it to the object. Start with larger, more basic objects, and move to more detailed things. For example, you might start in your fridge with major appliances, and then label food in your fridge and panty. Keep in mind that many of these words will be English loan words, so they may not be any different from what you already know. Leave labels for words that are different in Hawaiian than they are in English. Read books in Hawaiian. Once you have a little basic grammar and vocabulary under your belt, expand your understanding of the language by reading books written in Hawaiian. Children's books in particular can be helpful, because they use simple grammar and a more limited, basic vocabulary. Ulukau ( http://ulukau.org/ ) is an online electronic library with books, newspapers, and other resources written in Hawaiian. | Say most consonants the same as you would in English. Practice the 5 Hawaiian vowels. Draw out vowels with a macron ( ¯ ) over them. Pause when you see an 'okina. Pronounce every letter in Hawaiian words. Break Hawaiian words into syllables. Distinguish sets of vowels in Hawaiian. Use variations of the word aloha. Follow up a greeting with "Pehea 'oe? Use "e 'olu'olu 'oe" to say "please. Thank people by saying mahalo. Say ʻAʻole pilikia to respond to mahalo. Take free Hawaiian language courses online. Listen to Hawaiian music. Label items around your home with their Hawaiian words. Read books in Hawaiian. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Sonnet | How to Write a Sonnet | To write a sonnet, make each line 10 syllables long and follow the rhythm of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. Then, arrange the lines into 3 stanzas of 4 lines and end with a 2 line stanza. The quatrains should follow an ABAB rhyme scheme, and the last two lines should rhyme as well. When you choose your poem's subject, keep in mind that Shakespearean sonnets are usually love poems, but could be adapted to any subject. | Use the Shakespearean rhyme scheme. The Shakespearean sonnet is a good place to start if you're a novice sonneteer because it has the most regular and straightforward rhyme scheme and structure. The rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet always follows this pattern: ABABCDCDEFEFGG These letters represent the sound that appears at the end of each line. So, following this pattern of alternating rhymes, we find that the last words of the first and third lines must rhyme; the second and fourth; the fifth and seventh; the sixth and eighth; and so on, ending in a final rhyming couplet. Write your lines in iambic pentameter. Iambic pentameter is a type of poetic meter, meaning that it's a way of measuring out the rhythm of a line. Iambic pentameter is a very regular meter and is one of the most common meters in English-language poetry. “Pentameter” derives from the Greek word pente (meaning five), and thus has five poetic "feet." Each foot is a unit of two syllables; thus, there are ten syllables in a line of pentameter. “Iambic” means that each foot is an “iamb.” Iambs are comprised of an unstressed, followed by a stressed syllable, resulting in a “ta-TUM” rhythm. The word “hel-LO” is an example of an iambic foot. So a line of iambic pentameter is a line of five iambic feet, resulting in a 10-syllable rhythm of ta-TUM ta-TUM ta-TUM ta-TUM ta-TUM. An example of a line of iambic pentameter is “Shall I / comPARE/ thee TO / a SUM / mer's DAY?” (from Shakespeare's “Sonnet 18”) Vary your meter from time to time. Although the majority of the lines in a Shakespearean sonnet should be written in iambic pentameter, the rhythm can get plodding and predictable if you use it exclusively. By varying the stress pattern slightly at key moments, you can break up the pattern and make the poem more aurally interesting for the reader, and also use the variation to draw attention to key phrases in your poem. For example, the third line of Shakespeare's “Sonnet 18” begins with a spondee, meaning two stressed syllables in a row: TUM-TUM After two lines of perfect iambic pentameter, he wrote: “ROUGH WINDS / do SHAKE / the DAR / ling BUDS / of MAY” This both breaks up the rhythm for a little variation and draws attention to the roughness of the rough winds being described. Follow the Shakespearean sonnet's stanzaic structure. A Shakespearean sonnet is composed of three heroic quatrains and a heroic couplet. A heroic quatrain is a group of four lines of iambic pentameter in an ABAB rhyme scheme; a heroic couplet is a group of two lines of iambic pentameter in an AA rhyme scheme. In a Shakespearean sonnet, the three heroic quatrains are the “ABAB CDCD EFEF” portion of the rhyme scheme The heroic couplet is the “GG” closing. You can separate these stanzas with blank lines, or leave them all together in an unbroken poem, but the sonnet should move as a function of these discrete stanzas. Develop your stanzas thoughtfully. Although your poem should have a single focus, each stanza of the sonnet should develop the idea further. Think of each quatrain as a little thought bubble, like a paragraph, in which you explore an element of the subject of your poem. Each quatrain should build toward the final couplet, where you will have a turn, or a volta. The turn, which occurs in the 13th line of the Shakespearean sonnet, offers a resolution or insight into to the problem developed in the first three quatrains. It may help to examine an example, such as Shakespeare's "Sonnet 30" : Quatrain 1 introduces the situation: Sometimes, when I think about the past, I regret the things and people I've lost. This quatrain uses legal terminology to get the point across: sessions and summons. Quatrain 2 begins with the transition word “Then,” suggesting that it is connected to Quatrain 1, but moving on to a further development of the idea: when I'm in a nostalgic mood like that, I can cry freely about friends who have passed away or been otherwise lost to me. In this quatrain, he uses the language of commerce to develop the idea: cancelled woe and expenses. Quatrain 3 begins again with the transition word “Then,” and further develops the idea using the language of commerce (accounts, payment): Not only do I cry, but I cry heavily, as though I've never mourned this loss before. The closing couplet marks a turn with the word “But,” which suggests that this is not a continuation (like “Then”), but a new thought. There is no resolution to the problem of mourning here, but there is insight into grief and loss: to think of your memory is wonderful enough to make me feel as though I never lost anything. Again, this couplet continues the imagery of commerce (losses). Choose your subject matter carefully. Although you can write a Shakespearean sonnet about anything, they are traditionally love poems; you might keep this in mind if you want to write a purely traditional sonnet. Note too that because of the top-heavy stanzaic structure of the Shakespearean sonnet, the form does not lend itself well to highly complex or abstract subjects. The turn and resolution must come quickly, in the final two lines, so choose a subject that can be easily resolved with a witty closing couplet. If you have a more contemplative subject, a Petrarchan sonnet may lend itself better to what you want to say. Write your Shakespearean sonnet. Remember to follow the rhyme scheme, to write in iambic pentameter while inserting metrical variation from time to time, and to develop the subject matter through each of the three heroic quatrains, before offering a turn and resolution/insight in the closing heroic couplet. Use a rhyming dictionary if you have trouble finding rhymes for the ends of your lines. Use the Petrarchan sonnet's rhyme scheme. While the Shakespearean sonnet always has the exact same rhyme scheme, the Petrarchan sonnet does not have a single pattern. Though the first eight lines (the octave) always follow a rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA, the closing six lines (the sestet) have some variation. There are five patterns, though, that are most common in the tradition of the Petrarchan sonnet : CDCDCD CDDCDC CDECDE CDECED CDCEDC Use the same iambic pentameter meter as the Shakesperean sonnet. All lines should follow the “ta-TUM ta-TUM ta-TUM ta-TUM ta-TUM” pattern, but remember to insert metrical variation from time to time to enliven the rhythm and draw attention to key phrases. Develop content as the Petrarchan stanzaic structure demands. Whereas the Shakespearean sonnet has a top-heavy structure of 3 quatrains and a couplet, the Petrarchan sonnet is a little more balanced, using an eight-line octave and a six-line sestet to develop the poem's subject. As such, it's well-suited to complex issues that require a lot of room to resolve, rather than the easy, witty resolution of a Shakespearean sonnet's closing couplet. The octave introduces and presents a problem. The turn, or volta, occurs at the beginning of the sestet (Line 9); the sestet offers new insight into the dilemma presented in the octave. Consider William Wordsworth's “Nuns Fret Not at Their Convent's Narrow Room” as an example for analysis : The octave progresses through a series of examples of creatures and people who are not bothered by restricted spaces. The progression moves from the most revered element of society to the lowliest: from nuns, to hermits, to scholars, to manual laborers, to insects. The turn in this sonnet actually occurs a line early, at the end of the octave. Although this is not purely traditional, poets throughout history have experimented with the form and manipulated it to their needs. You should feel free to do the same. In Line 8, “In truth” marks the volta or turn; now, Wordsworth will give more insight into the idea of being comfortable in restrained spaces. The sestet suggests that the formal restrictions of the sonnet — with its rhyme scheme, iambic pentameter restriction, and strict octave-sestet structure — is not a prison, but a way for the poet to free himself and “find solace.” He hopes that the reader, too, shares this feeling. The sestet provides insight that allows us to consider all the people and things in the octave with a deeper understanding. Write your Petrarchan sonnet. Just as you did with the Shakesperean sonnet, keep in mind the Petrarchan rhyme scheme and stanza structure, and remember to write in iambic pentameter with occasional metrical variation. Note that, just as Wordsworth did in "Nuns Fret Not at Their Convent's Narrow Cell" by moving the volta up from the traditional ninth line to the eighth, you can manipulate the form to meet the needs of the poem you're trying to write. The sonnet has changed in many ways throughout history, so make it work for you. An example of a Petrarchan sonnet that beautifully manipulates the form to make a point is Edna St. Vincent Millay's "I Will Put Chaos into Fourteen Lines," which is a sonnet about writing a sonnet. Millay employees the Petrarchan rhyme scheme and meter, but interrupts her lines with enjambments (splitting the line in the middle of a sentence or clause) and occasional disruptions of the meter to emphasize her struggle with the sonnet form itself. Explore proportion through the curtal sonnet. This form was developed by Gerard Manley Hopkins, and takes its name from the “curtailed” nature of its manipulation of the Petrarchan sonnet form. Mathematically, the curtal sonnet is precisely 3/4 of a Petrarchan sonnet, shrunk proportionally. By experimenting with this form, you can explore how the ratio of the Petrarchan sonnet works within a more concise space. Consider whether or not you think anything changes in the relationship between the two halves of the poem when you transition from the full Petrarchan structure to the condensed curtal structure. The curtal sonnet is composed of a sestet with a rhyme scheme of ABCABC and a quintet (five line stanza) of a rhyme scheme of either DCBDC or DBCDC. Though it appears to be 11 lines, which is a little more than 3/4 of the normal 14-line Petrarchan sonnet, it is actually 10.5 lines; this is because the final line of the curtal sonnet is half a line of iambic pentameter — sometimes even less. Other than the last line, the curtal sonnet is still written in iambic pentameter. Hopkins' “Pied Beauty” is a famous example of a curtal sonnet. Note that the final line, “Praise him” truncates the 11th line to the 3/4 proportion intended by Hopkins. Play with line breaks and fluidity using the Miltonic sonnet. This form, developed by John Milton, also takes the Petrarchan sonnet as its basis, and is almost identical in form to it. However, the Petrarchan sonnet treats the octave and sestet as two discrete sections separated by a turn; Milton wanted to explore what happened to the Petrarchan sonnet when you rid the poem of all separations. A Miltonic sonnet has a Petrarchan rhyme scheme of ABBAABBACDECDE, and is written in iambic pentameter. However, it omits the turn/volta at the beginning of the sestet, and instead emphasizes “enjambment.” When you break a line or a stanza somewhere that is not a logical syntactic end (somewhere where you'd normally find a period, comma, or semicolon), that line or stanza is said to be enjambed. An example of an enjambed line is: “God doth not need / Either man's works or his own gifts: who best / Bear his mild yolk, / they serve him best” (Milton, “On His Blindness”). See Milton's “On His Blindness” for an example of a Miltonic sonnet. Note how it makes use of enjambment both in individual lines and in the melding together of the octave and sestet. Explore a different type of rhyme pattern using the Spenserian sonnet. Whereas the curtal and Miltonic sonnets took the Petrarchan sonnet as their basis, the Spenserian sonnet, developed by Edmund Spenser, is modeled after the Shakespearean sonnet. However, it explores an interlocking rhyme scheme. It is composed of three heroic quatrains and a heroic couplet, just like the Shakespearean sonnet. Furthermore, it is also written in iambic pentameter. However, the rhyme scheme differs from the Shakespearean sonnet in that it is interlocking: The second rhyme sound from each quatrain becomes the first rhyme sound of the subsequent quatrain. This results in a rhyme scheme of ABAB BCBC CDCD EE. Contrast that against the rhyme scheme of the Shakespearean sonnet: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The interlocking rhyme scheme results in the three quatrains being closely linked aurally by the repeated rhyme sounds, especially in the transition between quatrains, when the second rhyme of one stanza is immediately repeated as the first rhyme of the next. Just as the Miltonic stanza explores the relationship between parts of the Petrarchan sonnet by using line breaks and enjambments, the Spenserian sonnet explores the relationship between parts of the Shakespearean sonnet by using interlocking rhyme patterns. Explore shorter stanzas and different rhyme schemes using the terza rima sonnet. With the exception of the curtal sonnets, all of the sonnet forms we've looked at thus far make use of quatrains in their first section. The terza rima sonnet, though, is written using interlocking tercets, or stanzas of three lines. It is still written using iambic pentameter, and still has 14 lines. However, it has a rhyme scheme of ABA BCB CDC DAD AA. Note that the “A” rhyme from the opening tercet is repeated in the sandwiched ending of the fourth tercet, and also in the rhyme of the closing heroic couplet. Even more than the Spenserian sonnet, the terza rima sonnet asks you to consider the relationship between the stanzas in the poem, as developed not only through subject, but through sound. By splitting the first part of the poem into groups of three rather than four lines, it asks you to develop the ideas in each stanza more quickly and concisely. An example of a terza rima sonnet is Robert Frost's “Acquainted with the Night.” Experiment with the sonnet form on your own. As you can see from the variety of sonnet forms presented thus far, poets have taken liberties with the sonnet throughout its history. Though the form came to prominence with Petrarch, after whom the Petrarchan sonnet is named, it evolved greatly in the hands of British poets like Sir Thomas Wyatt, Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, and, of course, Shakespeare, who brought the form to its greatest popularity. However, Hopkins, Milton, and Spenser felt free to change the rules of the two more established sonnet forms, and so should you. Some things you can explore might include: Line length — what changes when you write a sonnet in iambic tetrameter (four iambic feet: ta-TUM ta-TUM ta-TUM ta-TUM) instead of iambic pentameter? Meter — what happens when you abandon the ta-TUM rhythm of iambic meter entirely? Consider Gerard Manley Hopkins' “Carrion Comfort,” which follows all rules of the Petrarchan sonnet except for its iambic pentameter meter. Rhyme scheme — what happens when you write the octave of a Petrarchan sonnet in heroic couplets (AA BB CC DD) instead of repeated Italian quatrains (ABBAABBA)? Does a sonnet need to rhyme at all? Many contemporary sonnets do not. Consider Dawn Lundy's “[When the bed is empty…]” as an example. | Use the Shakespearean rhyme scheme. Write your lines in iambic pentameter. Vary your meter from time to time. Follow the Shakespearean sonnet's stanzaic structure. Develop your stanzas thoughtfully. Choose your subject matter carefully. Write your Shakespearean sonnet. Use the Petrarchan sonnet's rhyme scheme. Use the same iambic pentameter meter as the Shakesperean sonnet. Develop content as the Petrarchan stanzaic structure demands. Write your Petrarchan sonnet. Explore proportion through the curtal sonnet. Play with line breaks and fluidity using the Miltonic sonnet. Explore a different type of rhyme pattern using the Spenserian sonnet. Explore shorter stanzas and different rhyme schemes using the terza rima sonnet. Experiment with the sonnet form on your own. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Plop-Your-Hair | How to Plop Your Hair | To plop your hair, start by shampooing and conditioning your hair. Then, use a microfiber towel to squeeze out any excess water and apply a small amount of leave-in conditioner to your hair to prevent frizz. Next, lay a T-shirt down with the sleeves closest to you, bend over, and flip your hair over so it's falling toward the ground. Position your head in the center of the shirt and lower your curls down so they coil naturally. Finally, pull the top of the shirt over the back of your head, and knot the sleeves to hold the shirt in place. | Shampoo and condition your hair. The plopping method requires damp hair, so it's best to do it right after you take a shower. Use your favorite shampoo and conditioner, ensuring that your hair is nice and clean. If you want your hair wrapped up overnight, take a shower before going to bed. Scrunch out excess water from your hair after showering. Use a microfiber towel to gently squeeze your hair, removing extra water so that it's just damp as opposed to dripping wet. You can also put your hair up into a microfiber turban for about 20-30 minutes to absorb the moisture. Use a microfiber towel as opposed to a terry cloth one to reduce frizz. If you don't have one, use a t-shirt instead. Make sure to use a separate t-shirt for when you plop your hair. Make sure you don't rub the towel against your hair—only blot or gently squeeze it. Apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair to prevent frizz. Pick out a leave-in conditioner from your local drug or big box store. If it's a cream, squeeze out a dime-size dollop for thin or short hair, and a quarter-size dollop for long or thick hair. If it's a spray, mist your hair evenly. Massage the leave-in conditioner into your hair using your fingers, rubbing your hands in a circular motion throughout your hair. Try to concentrate the conditioner on the ends of your hair, as these tend to dry out more. Smooth the products into your hair from the ears down to avoid greasy roots. Comb your hair to distribute the product evenly. If you've applied product, use a brush with natural bristles or a metal comb to gently remove any tangles from your hair. This will help ensure your hair doesn't become stuck in knots after you put it up in a towel. Lay a towel or T-shirt flat with the sleeves closest to you. If you don't have a spare T-shirt to use, you can also use a microfiber towel, but a T-shirt works best. Spread the shirt out on the bed so that it's completely flat, with the sleeves closest to you. Use an extra-large T-shirt to ensure you can tie the shirt around your head. You can use a long-sleeved T-shirt to make fastening the shirt around your head much easier, but you will have to deal with more weight on your head. If you're using a towel, opt for a microfiber one instead of a towel made of terry cloth to reduce frizz. Bend over and flip your hair out in front of you. Shake out your hair in front of you as you're bent over so that it's falling towards the ground. Reach towards the back of your head to make sure that every strand of hair is in front of you. Lower your curls onto the T-shirt or towel so that they coil naturally. Position your head over the lower-middle of the T-shirt. Lower your hair straight down so that the ends are touching the shirt. Continue lowering your head so that your hair creates a pile as you get closer to the surface, stopping once the crown of your head gets to the T-shirt. You don't need to arrange your hair in any specific way on the T-shirt with your hands—just let your hair fall naturally onto the shirt. If you're using a towel, lower your curls onto the towel just as you would a T-shirt. Pull the top section of the shirt or towel over the back of your head. Reach above your head to pick up the flat section of the shirt or towel. Pull this flat end over the back of your head so that it's flat. The end of the shirt or towel should reach to the top of your neck after it's been folded over. Knot the sleeves of the T-shirt or twist the ends of the towel to hold it in place. Take the sleeve on the left side of your head in your left hand and the sleeve on the right side of your head in your right hand. Bring the sleeves together at the back of your head and tie them in a knot, securing the sleeves over the top half of the shirt. If you used a long-sleeved shirt, fold each sleeve across the back of your head and bring them to the front, tying the knot there. If you used a towel, you'll be left with 2 long ends where your ears are after you bring the top section of the towel over the back of your head. Twist these 2 ends tightly, and then bring the 2 ends together to tie them on top of your head in a knot. You can also use large hair clips to clip the ends of each twist to the towel turban. Secure any loose parts or stray sections of T-shirt or towel. Fold the ends of the T-shirt sleeves under the knot so that they're out of the way and won't come undone. Fold in any other T-shirt or towel sections that are sticking up as well, creating a smooth T-shirt or towel turban. You can also use bendable hair clips to secure any loose sections. Let your hair dry completely. If you washed and plopped your hair during the day, wait until your hair has dried—this could take anywhere from 2-6 hours depending on your hair type. If you completed the process before bedtime, go to sleep with the T-shirt turban on and let your hair dry completely overnight. Make sure the knots are tied tightly enough so that they won't come undone during the day or while you're asleep. Curly hair that's super thin or short will dry much faster than long or thick curly hair. If you're sleeping in your plop, make sure the knot and/or clips are in a position that won't hurt your head as you sleep. Undo the T-shirt or towel to reveal bouncy curls. After waiting until your hair is completely dry, untie the knot that's holding together the T-shirt or untwist the towel. Use your fingers to separate and comb through your hair as you admire your fresh curls. If needed, use a curling iron to touch up any unruly strands of hair. Just make sure to use a heat protectant on your hair first to prevent damage. Avoid brushing through your curls once you've taken the T-shirt or towel off, or your hair might get frizzy. | Shampoo and condition your hair. Scrunch out excess water from your hair after showering. Apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair to prevent frizz. Comb your hair to distribute the product evenly. Lay a towel or T-shirt flat with the sleeves closest to you. Bend over and flip your hair out in front of you. Lower your curls onto the T-shirt or towel so that they coil naturally. Pull the top section of the shirt or towel over the back of your head. Knot the sleeves of the T-shirt or twist the ends of the towel to hold it in place. Secure any loose parts or stray sections of T-shirt or towel. Let your hair dry completely. Undo the T-shirt or towel to reveal bouncy curls. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Training-Program-for-Your-Dog | How to Choose a Training Program for Your Dog | To choose a training program for your dog, decide whether professional training, like group obedience classes, or training at home will be more effective for your pup. For example, if you have an untrained puppy, try taking it to an obedience class to help it learn training basics while socializing with other dogs. Alternatively, if your pup already knows basic commands, consider training it at home, which is also a great way to bond with it. As you start training your dog, remember to follow training basics like positive reinforcement. To do this, reward your dog with treats and praise every time it does something good. Keep in mind that most dogs don't respond well to punishment, so if your dog misbehaves, simply ignore the behavior. | Use positive reinforcement. It is extremely important that whatever training program you choose relies primarily on positive reinforcement to teach your dog desirable behavior. Whether training your dog on your own, with family members, or through a professional, training techniques must always be humane. Examples of positive reinforcement include rewarding appropriate behavior with treats, attention, play, and/or verbal praise. Positive reinforcement is only one component of a category of training methods called operant conditioning. Operant conditioning focuses on manipulating your dog's environment, so that good behaviors are reinforced with favorable consequences, and bad behaviors are punished with negative consequences. The methods outlined in the following steps make up the most common, effective, and ethical training programs. Ignore undesirable behavior. Before your dog is trained, they will likely engage in inappropriate behavior. The best way to respond to lapses in good behavior is often to ignore it, which trains your dog to stop what they are doing via positive punishment. Meanwhile, be sure that positive reinforcement is withheld into the dog engages in the behavior you want to see. For example, if your dog is begging for food, neither yell at them nor give them anything. Simply ignore them. Instead, train them to lay down away from the table during meals, and reward them with a treat when they do so. Another example of positive punishment is turning away whenever your dog jumps up. By ignoring this undesirable behavior, you're teaching your dog not to do it anymore. Be consistent. Consistency is extremely important to any training regimen. For instance, you and others that spend time around your dog encourage and disallow the same behaviors. If you are training your dog not to sit on the couch, but other family members do allow them to, they will be confused. Whether training your dog at home or having them trained professionally, talk to everyone in your household about the commands the dog is learning, and the importance of consistently following the training guidelines you share with them. The importance of consistency holds no matter what training program you choose. Variation from whatever training program you're working on with your dog may even confuse your dog about what behaviors are encouraged. Make training fun. The more that you and your dog enjoy training sessions, the more productive they will be. Games, praising, and hugging are some of the most effective training techniques to use in your program. One easy way to associate training with fun is by always giving a command before your dog gets to do something they enjoy. For instance, have your dog sit before they are fed, go out for a walk, or before a stranger is allowed to pet them. Avoid yelling at your dog. Yelling should never be used a part of a training program. While it may temporarily stop an inappropriate behavior, it will not teach them that the behavior is inappropriate. Of course, You will want to use different tones with your dog for praising, directing, and disciplining your dog. In disciplinary situations, use short, loud commands to indicate that your dog should do something immediately. For instance, say something like “Down Boy!” or “Spot, No!”. In emergency situations only, you can use a forceful voice to get your dog's attention and interrupt a potentially dangerous scenario. Never abuse your dog. The training process can be frustrating, especially when your dog makes progress but reverts to negative behavior momentarily. However, you must never abuse your dog. Not only is abuse unethical, it can also confuse your dog and make training harder for both you and your pet. Never hit or shake your dog. Further, do not tug or jerk on their leash violently. Finally, forcing the dog onto their back, sometimes called alpha-rolling, is not recommended. Avoid using painful training aids, like prong, choke, and pinch collars. These may result in long lasting behavioral issues, including fear and aggression. A a general rule of thumb, you should never do anything to intentionally frighten or cause pain to your dog. Use only non-abusive negative punishments. Negative punishments are another category of operant conditioning training techniques that can be effective. A negative punishment de-incentivizes a behavior by taking away something that your dog likes, such as a toy. For instance, while training your dog to play catch, they may try to jump up and grab the item you are throwing. You can hold the item out of the reach, in a location that they will clearly not be able to get it. This may indicate to them that you want them to stop. While techniques that rely on negative punishment may work for some training situations, they are generally not as effective of other training methods, such as those based on positive reinforcement. Remember, punishments of any type should only be used in contexts where you can safely and ethically convey to your dog that they are doing something they should not be doing. Physical punishments, like hitting, swatting, or rubbing your dog's nose in messes, are abusive and should be avoided. Improve communication with clicker training. Clicker training has become increasingly popular as a way to help you tell your dog that they did something you wanted them to do. It is based on behavioral psychology, and can add to the effectiveness of positive reinforcement training methods. Get a clicker designed for clicker training online or from a pet supplies store. As soon as your dog accomplishes an commanded task, such as fetching some thing you had made them wait to retrieve, use the clicker to send an auditory message and then reward them with a treat. Over time, they will learn that the clicker is a positive sign, and the click itself becomes a way to positively reinforce desired behavior. Start training as early as possible. By the time your puppy is three months old, they've essentially reached the equivalent of their teenage years. In other words, they grow up fast. As they develop the ability to interact with the world around them, they will also become increasingly interested in doing so. Some breeds are easier to train than others. Dogs that were bred to hunt or herd, like Border Collies, will learn faster than dogs that were bred to guard livestock, like bulldogs. However, when it comes to basic training, the harder-to-train breeds should only take a month longer with good training practices. It's especially important to start potty training early. Keep in mind that small breeds may take longer to potty train than large breeds due to their smaller bladders. Emphasize obedience training. Setting limits and introducing your puppy to basic commands is the best way to prepare your dog to begin a more comprehensive training program. Teaching a puppy to sit and stay, however, may be harder than you anticipate. To teach your dog to sit, say “sit” while you guide them into a sitting position by placing one hand on their chest and another behind their back legs. Once they are sitting, reward them with a treat. This is an example of positive reinforcement, which can be applied to many different obedience commands. Stay patient and consistent. The importance of teaching these commands is coupled with the importance of teaching your puppy to listen. Once these commands are consistently followed, your dog is not only able to begin further training, but the process will become much easier. Focus on the basics. Aside from a command to sit and stay, there are other important basic components that every training program should include. For instance, a command to “lie down” can be useful during meals or while traveling in a vehicle. “Stand” can be useful during grooming and vet visits, and “come” is vital before you ever allow your dog off leash. Leash training is also important, but will likely require that your dog is used to being trained. As such, you likely want to teach a few more basic commands before beginning leash training, especially if you're training a puppy. Play nice for the first year. Especially if you have a male puppy, it is important to play gently between four and ten months of age. High amounts of testosterone will lead to boundary-pushing other types of aggressive behavior. As such, positive reinforcement and non-aggressive play are especially important during this period. As you play, your puppy is learning. Avoid games that may encourage them to be aggressive at a young age. For instance, hold off on wrestling and tug-of-war until they're a bit older. These may convey that pulling and jumping are generally accepted behaviors, which can lead to training challenges later on. Play with your dog before training sessions. Puppies have notoriously high energy levels, and this can prevent them from focusing during training sessions. To burn off some of that energy, take your puppy out to play before you begin each training session. Try playing fetch, tug-of-war, or taking your puppy for a walk. Experiment with a new game each week to see which games your dog enjoys the most. Don't forget to give your puppy a bathroom break before you begin your training session. Keep training sessions short and focused. The younger your dog is, the shorter their attention span will be. Instead of giving your dog one long training session, give them multiple shorter sessions throughout the day. Training sessions should last between one and ten minutes. Try to end the session before your dog loses focus. Enroll your dog in a group class. Professional training can be a great way to improve your dog's behavior. Group classes have many advantages, and are often more than sufficient to help teach a dog basic commands, as well as proper behavior around other dogs. The best choice for an initial group training class, especially if your dog is largely untrained, is a group obedience class. Enroll puppies in classes for their age group. Young puppies benefit from socialization with other dogs immensely. While dogs of any age can benefit from group training, this is especially true for puppies. If your dog is between two and five months old, group puppy classes are ideal. Hold off on group classes until your puppy has received their full set of vaccinations. Talk to your vet to see what vaccinations your puppy needs. Consider private training sessions. If you're looking to correct a specific behavioral problem through training, a private training with a professional is a good option. Issues that can be corrected with training include over-protectiveness of food or toys, poor behavior on a leash, separation anxiety, and aggressiveness. Make sure any professional trainer working with your dog on these issues is trained specifically in behavioral therapy for dogs. Other issues, like potty-training, excessive barking, and chewing can often be corrected in group classes. Ensure a professional trainer is well qualified. Don't simply sign your dog up for a class wherever. Always ensure that anyone training and caring for your dog does so with compassion and genuine interest in improving the dog's behavior. Never assume that membership in a dog trainer association means that someone is fully qualified to train your dog, especially in terms of behavioral therapy. Look for professional trainers through recommendations. Ask your vet, your local humane society, or your dog groomer about experienced trainers near you. Talk to a professional trainer beforehand. Important things to consider are how much experience a trainer has, as well as the training methods they employ. These are both good things to ask a prospective trainer. Further, ask about talking to others who have completed a program. For instance, “Do you have an references of people who have completed the same class or program with their dog?” If you're considering a group class, ask if you can sit in on a class before signing up your dog. Look for signs that the trainer enjoys what they are doing and only ever treats both dogs and people with patience and respect. Expect costs to vary widely. Depending on where you live, what types of training your dog needs, and the type of class you're looking for, prices can range from affordable to extremely expensive. Generally, private lessons are priced per-session, while group lessons charge for a several-week course. Check with your local shelter to see if they offer subsidized training programs. They are especially likely to offer low costs classes to a dog you have adopted from their shelter. Some pet supplies stores will also host classes. For instance, Petsmart offers specific and general classes for individual dogs ranging from puppy obedience to advanced trick training. The cost for most of these classes is $119. Veterinary clinics or community groups, like 4-H in the US, often offer classes as well. Consider day training. One option is having your dog trained by a professional while you're at work, or booking your dog for a short stay in a overnight program for intensive training. Day training is great if you already have someone else watch your dog during the day. By leaving them with a trainer, they can work together on specific issues, like coming when called or interacting positively with other dogs. Board-and-train programs can be especially helpful to correct significant behavior issues. However, these programs are often expensive, and require you to keep up with training guidelines provided by the program to maintain the dog's improved behavior. | Use positive reinforcement. Ignore undesirable behavior. Be consistent. Make training fun. Avoid yelling at your dog. Never abuse your dog. Use only non-abusive negative punishments. Improve communication with clicker training. Start training as early as possible. Emphasize obedience training. Focus on the basics. Play nice for the first year. Play with your dog before training sessions. Keep training sessions short and focused. Enroll your dog in a group class. Enroll puppies in classes for their age group. Consider private training sessions. Ensure a professional trainer is well qualified. Talk to a professional trainer beforehand. Expect costs to vary widely. Consider day training. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Relieve-Knee-Pain-at-Night | How to Relieve Knee Pain at Night | If your knee pain is keeping you tossing and turning during the night, there are a few ways you can help relieve your pain. Before you go to bed, apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel to your knee for 20 minutes. This will help reduce any inflammation and numb the pain. Alternatively, apply a hot compress for 20 minutes to soothe the joint. While you're applying ice or heat, keep your knee elevated on a few cushions to help reduce the swelling. You can also sleep with your knee raised if it's comfortable. If you're still in pain, try taking over-the-counter painkillers or applying a topical analgesic to your knee. | Ice your knee for 20 minutes before bedtime to reduce inflammation. Wrap a flexible gel ice pack in a thin towel and place it around your knee. Make sure that your entire knee is covered for the best results. Hold it there for 15-20 minutes to reduce pain and inflammation. Then, wait about an hour and ice it again. Do this 3-4 times a day until your pain subsides. Do not leave the ice pack on for more than 20 minutes, as this can cause damage to your skin and nerves. A bag of frozen veggies will also serve as an effective ice pack for your knee. In general, ice is more soothing to the area than heat, especially if there's any swelling in the area. Alternate warm and cold therapy throughout the day. Try applying a cold compress for 10 minutes, then following it with a warm compress for 10 minutes. Elevate your knee before bedtime to reduce swelling around the joint. Position a firm pillow under your swollen knee in a way that allows you to lie down comfortably. If you are able to sleep this way, leave the pillow in position all night to help relieve knee pain. If not, elevate your knee for 20 minutes or more right before you go to bed to reduce pain-causing inflammation. Elevating your knee throughout the day will also be helpful. If you have an adjustable bed frame, adjust it to elevate both your knees at the same time. Try to sleep with your legs straight to prevent strain on your knee joints. When you go to bed, position yourself so that your legs are extended and your knees are only slightly bent. This will prevent strain on your knees that may worsen your knee pain. To stay in a straight position, try sleeping with a long body pillow to keep your legs in place. You don't have to keep your legs completely straight—that would feel unnatural and probably uncomfortable. You can also purchase a memory foam knee pillow online to support your knees during the night. Consult your doctor about taking an over-the-counter pain medication. Ask your doctor if you should take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to ease your knee pain at night. NSAIDs relieve pain and reduce inflammation, making them doubly effective at easing joint pain. Alternatively, your doctor may recommend paracetemol, the main alternative for pain relief for those who can't take NSAIDs. NSAID drugs include ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac. Follow the specific dosage directions, and talk to your doctor about how long you should use NSAIDs. These drugs are intended for short-term use, not for treating chronic knee pain. Your doctor may advise against taking NSAIDs if you are pregnant, have had stomach ulcers, have heart, liver, or kidney problems, or are taking other medications that may interact with them. NSAIDs may cause indigestion, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, or allergic reactions. If you are already taking NSAID medication and find it ineffective, try switching to one with a slow-release or “12-hour” dose. Apply a topical analgesic at night as an alternative to oral medications. If you don't wish to take an oral NSAID medication or can't for medical reasons, ask your doctor about topical analgesics containing NSAIDs. These creams, gels, sprays, and patches can be applied directly onto your sore knee at night before you go to bed. The active NSAIDs will soak through the skin to target the painful area directly, potentially providing some relief for discomfort. Apply the topical analgesic as directed by your doctor or pharmacist, 2-4 times a day. Don't combine oral and topical NSAIDs without your doctor's specific approval. Topical analgesics may cause redness, itching, and other skin irritation. Talk to your doctor about supplements that may relieve joint pain. Ask your doctor if there are any natural supplements that may ease your knee pain. For instance, tumeric, ginger, and omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and arthritis-related conditions. Your doctor will be able to advise you of any possible side effects or interactions with other medications. Find more information about supplements on the National Institutes of Health website at https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/herb_All.html. Treat any knee injury right away to prevent long-term damage. If you experience trauma or blunt force to your knee, see a doctor as soon as possible to assess the damage and receive proper treatment. Depending on the severity of the injury, surgery or physical therapy might be necessary for your knee to heal properly. In the case of more minor injuries, resting your leg and icing your knee in 20-minute intervals several times a day is key to fast healing. Follow your doctor's advice for healing time and safe activities while your knee is injured. If your knee is locking, giving out, or swelling substantially, see your doctor right away. If it's more of a minor aggravation, you might wait a couple of days to see if it improves on its own. Do exercises to strengthen the muscles around your knees 2-3 days a week. The best way to relieve knee pain is to strengthen the muscles around them, reducing pressure on your knee joints. Especially focus on exercises that strengthen your quads and gluts, as well as those that stretch your hamstrings. Do 8-12 reps of these exercises about 2-3 times per week to see results. These should include: The chair squat, which is essentially a basic squat performed while holding the back of a chair for support. Calf raises Hip raises, where you lie flat on your back, raise your hips off the ground and then bring them back down slowly. Raising a straightened leg while sitting or lying down. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet to minimize knee pain. Improve your diet by adding fresh produce, fiber, healthy fats, and lean protein as much as possible. These foods will help to reduce inflammation in your body while promoting a weight loss that will prevent strain on your knees. Avoid processed, salty foods and opt for: Fish containing omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and tuna Fiber-rich green vegetables like kale, spinach, and broccoli Antioxidant-rich berries like blackberries, strawberries, and blueberries Extra virgin olive oil, which contains heart-healthy fat Beans such as pinto beans, kidney beans, or garbanzo beans, which are rich in fiber, protein, folic acid, and minerals | Ice your knee for 20 minutes before bedtime to reduce inflammation. Elevate your knee before bedtime to reduce swelling around the joint. Try to sleep with your legs straight to prevent strain on your knee joints. Consult your doctor about taking an over-the-counter pain medication. Apply a topical analgesic at night as an alternative to oral medications. Talk to your doctor about supplements that may relieve joint pain. Treat any knee injury right away to prevent long-term damage. Do exercises to strengthen the muscles around your knees 2-3 days a week. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet to minimize knee pain. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Knit-a-Lap-Blanket | How to Knit a Lap Blanket | To make a lap blanket, start by deciding how big you want your blanket to be since larger projects will need more yarn. While a small blanket can measure 24 to 48 inches, a large one will be more around 50 to 60 inches. Depending on what size you want, you'll likely need 5 to 10 regular size balls of yarn. You'll also need a pair of size 10 regular or circular knitting needles. Once you have your supplies, cast on the number of stitches you'll need to get your desired width. After you cast on, knit across all of these stitches using a basic knit stitch. Continue to knit all of your rows until you reach your desired size. To finish your blanket, cast off and weave in the ends. | Decide how big you want your blanket to be. Lap blankets can range in size from very small to very large. If you are knitting this project for yourself or for someone else, then consider what the ideal measurements might be. You might even consider measuring the width of someone's lap and the length of their legs to decide how large your blanket should be. For a small lap blanket, the final measurements may be about 24 to 48 inches. For a medium lap blanket, the final measurements maybe about 30 to 50 inches. For a large lap blanket, the final measurements may be about 50 to 60 inches. Choose your yarn. You will need between five and 10 regular sized balls of medium weight yarn to complete a lap blanket. The larger you plan to make the blanket, the more yarn you will need. However, you can also get extra-large balls of yarn that are meant specifically for knitting blankets. Check the yarn label to determine how many balls you will need to complete your project. If you are in doubt, then it is better to get an extra ball or two. If you're making a winter blanket, choose a heavier yarn, like wool. Go with a lightweight yarn, like cotton, if you want a blanket that you can use in warmer climates. Use any color or colors you like. You can choose just one color, a couple of colors, or make a rainbow-like blanket with several colors. Select your knitting needles. You can use regular knitting needles or circular knitting needles to make a blanket. If you opt for regular needles, just make sure that they are long ones so that they will be able to hold all of the stitches. You can also use a pair of circular needles. The length of nylon suspended between the two circular needles will easily hold all of the stitches. Check the label on the yarn to see what size needle you should use. A pair of size 10 regular or circular needles (32 or 40 inch) is a suggested size for medium weight yarn. However, if you decide to go with a bulky yarn, then you might want to use larger needles, like size 13 needles. Circular needles are usually meant for knitting in the round, but you do not have to knit in the round when you use them. If you decide to use circular needles, knit across all stitches as you usually would and then turn the stitches around and knit across the row in the opposite direction. Gather other items you will need. Before you get started you will need to gather a few more items. You will need: Pair of scissors. Having a good pair of sharp scissors is always a good idea when you are knitting. You may need them when you switch colors and you will definitely need them when you finish your project. A large eyed needle for weaving in ends. You can find plastic needles in the knitting sections of craft stores. These are useful for weaving in ends and finishing projects. Something to keep your yarn in while you knit. If you have a knitting bag, then this is ideal. If not, then you can use an empty box or a bag (canvas or plastic). This will help to keep your yarn from rolling all over the floor while you knit your blanket. Pattern (optional). If there is a pattern that you want to follow or use as a basic guide, then this may also be helpful as well. However, you do not need a knitting pattern to make a simple lap blanket. Cast on your stitches. To get started, cast on the number of stitches that you will need to get your desired blanket width. To determine how many stitches to cast on, check the gauge of your yarn and needles or use the yarn label to guide you. You can determine how many stitches to cast on by multiplying the gauge by the desired dimension. For example, if you want a lap blanket that is 24 inches wide and your gauge is 4 stitches per inch, then you would need to cast on 96 stitches. A 96 stitch cast on would result in a small lap blanket. If you want a medium sized blanket, then try casting on 120 stitches. For a large lap blanket, cast on 160 stitches. For an extra-large lap blanket, cast on 200 stitches. Knit across the first row. After you have cast on your stitches, knit across all of these stitches using a basic knit stitch. However, if you want to try a different stitch or add some embellishment stitches, then you may also do that. Continue to knit all rows until you reach the desired size. Getting your blanket to its final length will take time, especially if you are using a medium or light weight yarn. Try to be patient and just work on the blanket in short sessions every day. Over time, the length will grow. Just keep in mind that it may take several weeks of regular work to complete a blanket. Finish the blanket by casting off and weaving in the ends. When you have finally achieved the desired length, you can finish the blanket. To do this, you will need to cast off your stitches and weave in any loose ends that were left when you switched skeins. Use a plastic needle to weave in the ends. You can simply sew them into the edges of the blanket to hide them. If your ending stitches are too tight, your knitting may pucker up. It may help to use a larger needle when you're binding your stitches. Add ribbing. Ribbing is a simple way to add some flair and texture to a lap blanket. To create ribbing in a knit garment, all you have to do is alternate between knitting and purling. For example, you could create ribbing by knitting 2 stitches and then purling 2 stitches. You would follow this pattern of knit, purl, knit, purl through the whole blanket and it would create a striped effect. . Do a basketweave stitch The basketweave stitch is another simple way to add texture and interest to a lap blanket. To do this, you need to create small squares of knit stitches and purled stitches. These can be as small or as large as you want them to be. For example, you could make squares that are 4 stitches by 4 stitches. You would simply follow a pattern of knitting 4, then purling 4. After four rows, you would switch the pattern so that you start with purling 4, then knitting 4, and so on. Try adding cable stitches. Cable stitches give knitting projects a twisting embellishment, and they are easier to do than they look. Making cables in your lap blanket will require a special cable needle and some practice to get the cable stitch down. However, it can add some pretty details to your project. If you want to add cable stitches to your lap blanket, then you may want to use a stockinette stitch for the background. This will help to make your cables stand out more. Use a seed stitch. The moss stitch or seed stitch adds dimension to knitting projects. If you want your lap blanket to have some texture and dimension, then this is a great way to accomplish that. Try practicing the seed stitch to ensure that you have it down before you use it. To do this stitch, perform a knit stitch, bring the yarn to the front in between your needles, then do a purl stitch. Keep alternating the stitches, and when you get to the end of the row, turn it over. Start with the opposite stitch from what you see at the beginning of each row, so they alternate. | Decide how big you want your blanket to be. Choose your yarn. Select your knitting needles. Gather other items you will need. Cast on your stitches. Knit across the first row. Continue to knit all rows until you reach the desired size. Finish the blanket by casting off and weaving in the ends. Add ribbing. . Try adding cable stitches. Use a seed stitch. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Handle-Rejection | How to Handle Rejection | To handle rejection, start by giving yourself permission to be upset and allow yourself some time to process everything. Discuss your feelings with a trusted friend, family member, or counselor and try to avoid using social media to air your grievances. After taking time to come to terms with the rejection, do your best to let it go as early as possible. Remember that the rejection isn't personal and it doesn't define you. | Have an appropriate grieving period. You are going to feel upset because of a rejection, whether it's having your manuscript rejected, an idea rejected at work, being rejected by a potential romantic partner. You are allowed to be upset about that, and, in fact, it's healthy for you to give yourself some time to process and grieve. Make sure that you don't go overboard and spend days sitting in your house wallowing in your misery. That will only make you feel worse in the long run. Talk to a trusted adult, like a parent or teacher. Now, this is not to say you get free rein to shout your pain about the rejection from the rooftops. This will only tell people (your potential publisher, that girl that you liked, your boss) that you're whiny and dramatic and can't handle life. So get a trusted friend/family member or two and talk it over with them. The friend you want is the one who will tell it to you straight. They can help you sort out what went wrong (if anything; sometimes there aren't things you can change and you should just let it be). They can also make sure that you stay on track with your grieving period so that you don't start wallowing. Avoid getting on social media to air your grievances. The internet never forgets and when you're trying to get that fab new job, your employer might check the internet and see that you don't handle rejection well. No matter how upset or angry you are, just don't. Don't complain too much. Again, you don't want to wallow in the rejection, otherwise you're going to work yourself up into a state of righteous (or depressed) fervor. Don't start in about your rejection every time you're talking with your friend. If you think you've gone overboard, make sure to ask them "Am I dwelling on this rejection too much?" If they say yes, adjust accordingly. Accept the rejection early. The earlier you accept the rejection and attempt to move on from it, the easier a time you're going to have. It will also mean that you won't let rejections in the future absolutely flatten you. For example: if you don't get that job you were really hoping for, allow the appropriate time to be upset and then let it go. It's time to start looking for something else, or examining what maybe you could change for the future. It's good to keep in mind that when one thing doesn't work out, something else usually will and usually in a way you didn't expect. Do not take rejection personally. Remember that the rejection says nothing about you as a person. Getting rejected is part of life and it is not a personal attack. For whatever reason the publisher, the girl, your boss, wasn't interested in a particular thing. Rejection isn't your fault, per se. The other person (or people) was rejecting something particular that didn't work for them. They were rejecting the request, not you. Remember, they can't reject you as a person because they don't know you. Even if you've gone on a few dates with someone, that doesn't mean they know everything about you and are thus rejecting you as a person. They are rejecting a situation that doesn't work for them. Respect that. For example: you asked out that girl you really liked, and she said "no." Does this mean that you are worthless? Does this mean no one will ever want to date you? No, of course not. She simply isn't interested in the request (for whatever reason; she could be in a relationship, she could be not interested in dating, etc.). Do something else. You need to get your mind off the rejection after the appropriate grieving time. Don't immediately get back to work on whatever it was that was rejected, because you'll still be dwelling on the rejection. You need a little space and time from it. For example: say you sent a novel manuscript off to a publisher and it got rejected. After grieving for a bit, move on to a different story, or take some time trying your hand at different writing (trying out poetry, or short stories). Doing something fun can be a great way to get your mind out of the rejection and to help you other focus. Go out dancing, buy that new book that you really wanted, take the weekend and go to the beach with a friend. You cannot let rejection bring your life to a screeching halt, because you are going to have lots of instances of rejection in your life (as everyone does). By moving on with your life and doing other things, you aren't letting rejection ruin your life. Re-frame the rejection. Remembering that rejection is not about you as person, it's time to re-frame your rejection into something else. People who talk about "being rejected" tend to take rejections more poorly than people who re-frame the rejection into something that focuses on the situation itself, not them. For example: If you ask someone on a date and they say no, instead of saying "they rejected me," say "They said no." This way you aren't framing the rejection as something bad about you (they aren't rejecting you after all, they are saying no to a proposition you made). Some further examples of ways to re-frame the rejection are "the friendship grew apart" (instead of a friend rejected you), "I didn't get the job" (instead of "they rejected my job application"), "we had different priorities" (instead of "they rejected me"). Know when to quit. When something doesn't work out, that doesn't always mean you should give up, but it's important to recognize when it's time to give up and move on. Often not giving up, actually means, moving on from that particular instance, but trying again in a more general sense. For example, if you asked someone out and they said no, not giving up means not giving up on the idea of finding love. Move on from them (do not hound them to give you a chance), but don't give up on asking other people out. Another example: if your manuscript gets rejected by one publisher, it is good to stop and reflect on what it was that didn't work for them, but you should keep trying with other publishers and agents. Always remember, you are not entitled to a "yes" response. Since it doesn't invalidate your existence to be rejected, don't turn it around and blame someone for the rejection. Don't allow it to control your future. Rejection, as has already been said, is a part of life. Trying to avoid it, or dwelling on it will make you unhappy. You need to be able to accept that things don't always work out the way you want them to and that's okay! Just because one thing didn't work out, doesn't mean you're a failure, or that nothing will work out. Each instance is unique. Even if that one guy said no to a date, it does not mean that every guy you are interested in will say no. Now, if you start to believe that you will always be rejected, you will! You will set yourself up for failure each time. Keep yourself going forward. Dwelling on the past rejections are going to keep you mired in the past and won't let you enjoy the present. For example: if you keep thinking about the number of times you were rejected for jobs, you're going to have a hard time sending out resumes and pursuing different avenues. Use it to improve. Sometimes rejection can be an important wake-up call and can help you improve your life. The publisher might have rejected your manuscript because you still need to work on your writing (it might not have been publishable, but that doesn't mean you'll never be publishable!). If you can, ask the person who rejected you to give you some feedback on why they weren't interested. For example: maybe your resume wasn't up to snuff and instead of going off in a huff and saying no one will ever hire you, you ask the potential job what you could do to improve. They may not get back to you, but if they do they might offer you valuable insight for your next attempt. For a relationship you can ask why they aren't interested in dating you, but it could be something as simple as "I just don't see you that way." There's nothing you can do to change their mind, so the lesson here is how to deal appropriately with that disinterest and how to keep being positive about the potential for a relationship in your life (even if it isn't with that person!). Stop dwelling on it. It's time to let that rejection go. You've already given yourself time to grieve, you've talked it over with a trusted friend, you've learned what you can from it, and now put it in the past. The more you dwell on it, the bigger it will become and the more you'll feel like you can never succeed. Remember you are allowed to say "no. " This can be a hard one for a lot of people, especially women, but you are under no obligation to say "yes" to something you don't want to do. Of course there are caveats; when the flight attendant says "sit down" you do so. If someone asks you on a date and you don't want to go with them, you can tell them in a straightforward manner that you simply aren't interested. If your friend really wants to go on a trip that you don't want to do/can't afford, it won't destroy their world if you say no! Be direct. One of the best ways to reject a proposal is to be as direct as possible. Don't be cagey or talk around it. Direct does not equal mean, although some people will take it that way. There isn't any way to reject someone's proposal (of anything: a date, a manuscript, a job) without giving some pain. For example: someone asks you out and you aren't interested. Say "I'm really flattered, but I don't feel that way about you." If they won't take the hint, get angrier and tell them in unequivocal terms "I am not and will not be interested and the fact that you won't leave me alone is making me even less likely to ever be interested." From the second example above, when your friend proposes the trip say, "Thanks for thinking of me! I really can't afford to go on vacation, even for a weekend. Maybe next time." This way you don't cut off possibility of future fun, but you tell your friend straight up that you don't want to go without saying "maybe" and things like that. Give specific reasons. While you don't owe anyone an explanation, it can help the person whose proposal you're rejecting if you're specific about why you aren't interested. If there are areas of improvement (especially in things like a manuscript or a resume) you might mention those as things that could work on. For a relationship one, simply tell them that you're not interested and you don't feel that way about them. If they press for more reasons, tell them that attraction and love aren't things you have control over and that they need to accept that you're not interested. If you're rejecting someone's poem from your magazine (and you have time), explain what about the poem didn't work for you (poem structure, clichés, etc.). You don't have to say that it was terrible, but you can say that it needed some work before it was publishable. Do it quickly. By doing the rejecting as soon as possible you aren't letting emotions build up and fester. It's like ripping off a band-aid (to use a cliché). Within as short a period as possible, explain to them that the proposal (a trip with a friend, a date with someone, a person's manuscript, etc.) doesn't work for you. | Have an appropriate grieving period. Talk to a trusted adult, like a parent or teacher. Accept the rejection early. Do not take rejection personally. Do something else. Re-frame the rejection. Know when to quit. Don't allow it to control your future. Use it to improve. Stop dwelling on it. Remember you are allowed to say "no. Be direct. Give specific reasons. Do it quickly. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Feel-Beautiful-on-the-Inside | How to Feel Beautiful on the Inside | If you want to feel beautiful on the inside, it's important to work on how you interact with others. For example, become a grateful person by meditating on the things you are thankful for and saying thanks to friends, teachers, or parent who have encouraged or helped you. Another way to develop inner beauty is by getting involved with your community. You can help out at a homeless shelter or assists an elderly neighbor. By getting involved, not only do you become a role model, but it can reduce depression and improve functional abilities. | Ask yourself what beauty means to you. How do you define inner beauty? Is it a person who is always smiling? Someone who has kind words for everyone she meets? Or, is your definition of beauty more complex? A person who endures, loves, and personifies strength? Take a moment to reflect on what beauty means to you. Grab a pen and a notebook and jot down adjectives or even nouns that help you describe inner beauty. Remember that inner beauty is subjective, meaning it's up to you how you define it. Don't depend on society's viewpoint, trust your instincts. Without doing any research or asking for anyone else's opinion, attempt to establish your own standards of what it means to be beautiful on the inside. Conduct a self-assessment. Humans can be described through a long list of positive traits. These may include honesty, integrity, fairness, compassion, leadership, forgiveness, hope and open-mindedness. After you have made your list of traits that mark a person who is beautiful on the inside, see how your own character strengths compare. Odds are, many of the traits you listed as being important will overlap with traits you actually hold. Visit the VIA Institute on Character to complete your character strengths inventory. Research shows that when people are knowledgeable about their own character strengths (and make use of them) they enjoy enhanced well-being and life satisfaction. Uncovering your virtues can help you make greater use of them and understand who you are. Ultimately, recognizing what you have to offer can also help you to feel more beautiful on the inside, too. Look beyond the mirror. Acknowledge that what you look like on the outside is only a fraction of your beauty. Don't allow yourself to be limited by societal definitions of your outward appearance. When it comes down to what's on the inside, your physical attributes can never measure up to certain attributes such as patience, kindness, and empathy. Magnify all the wonderful little traits you hold that are not clearly visible. Think of yourself as a book. Like the old saying goes, "you should never judge a book by its cover". If you only pay attention to people's surface looks, you can miss out on all the other amazing qualities they possess. Don't try to change yourself for others. Recognize that there is something uniquely special about you, just as there is about all human beings. Don't depend on others' impressions of you to determine how you view yourself. If you ever have doubts about who you are and why you're special, go back and look at the results of your character strengths assessment. This is proof that you have something of value to offer the world. Learn to love and accept yourself as you are. Just as you shouldn't try to change yourself to appease others, you also shouldn't compete with others. The only person you should be trying to compete with is yourself. If you want to improve something about yourself, do it for your future self, not for anyone else. Have confidence in who you are. In addition to highlighting your character strengths, you can apply other strategies to feel more confident. Frequently engage in activities in which you perform well. This can be anything from making music to playing sports. Doing things you are good at builds self-esteem. Stop comparing yourself to others. There will always be someone who is better at a given skill than you. Comparing yourself only serves to diminish your strengths rather than amplifying them. You should also be cautious of where you get feelings of confidence. If these good vibes only come when someone else has found approval in your abilities, your confidence is unstable. Don't count on others' approval of you to maintain your approval of yourself. Smile and laugh more. Try smiling. Even if you don't quite feel up to it at the moment, just arranging your face into a smiling expression can radically change your mood. Smiles can lead to a more positive mood and a more hopeful attitude. Furthermore, you should try to laugh as much as possible. Laughter is contagious. It can lead to you not only feeling beautiful inside, but causing others to radiate towards you and improve your outer beauty, too. The benefits of laughter are numerous. Longer lifespan, greater immunity, optimism, and hormone regulation can all be influenced by a good chuckle. Notice the beauty around you. A surefire method to enhancing your own inner beauty is adopting the habit of seeing the beauty in everything. All around you, every day, there are wondrous people, places and things. Make an effort to slow down and acknowledge these daily. In the morning, listen to the birdsong. Take in the rising sun. Literally stop and smell the roses. Instead of rushing through your morning routine, strive to be mindful of the tiny moments that come together to create your life. Notice the old lady's smile as she crosses the street. Allow children laughing at the playground to be a soundtrack to your lunch hour. Acknowledge little kindnesses like people holding doors for others, or buying a coffee for the person behind them in line. Be grateful. Gratitude is defined as "the quality of being thankful" or "readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness". There are myriad ways you can express gratitude. Say thanks to a friend, teacher, parent, or sibling for all that they do to encourage or help you. Express appreciation to the universe, the earth or a higher power for your life and for sustaining your life. Exhibit gratitude by meditating on all the things you are grateful for, keeping a gratitude journal, praying, and writing "thank you" letters. However, you do it, gratitude offers a wide range of benefits for the grateful. Benefits of gratitude may include: Decreases your likelihood of being superficial or judging others by their possessions Increases your likelihood of sharing with others Improves relationships Reduces stress, anxiety, and depression Encourages you to help others Increases life satisfaction Leave people, places, and things better than you found them. In other words, make a positive impact on all you encounter. No matter where your life's journey leads you, make a commitment to helping those around you or the environment rather than hurting them. In your job, at school, in your community, and in your relationships, strive to make an impression that makes people happy to see you come and sad to see you go. Be of service to others. Get involved in your local community. Help out at a homeless shelter. Babysit your neighbors' kids so they can enjoy a well-deserved date night. Assist your elderly neighbor with household chores. Be a positive role model to the youth. Make a difference in someone else's life and you will surely feel more beautiful inside and out. Studies reveal that volunteering, or community service, helps you to transform your own and the lives of others, strengthen communities, form connections, and solve problems. Offering help to those in need can also reduce rates of depression, improve your functional abilities, and decrease mortality. Think positively. Your outlook on life can have a major influence on how beautiful you feel inside. If you are pessimistic and continuously looking at the glass as being half-empty, you have a tendency to create a self-fulfilling prophecy in which how you think determines your reality - a negative one. On the other hand, if you look at the glass as being half-full, you are more likely to see and more grasp opportunities. What's more, positive thinking can lead to better immune functioning, greater physical and mental well-being, and improve stress management. Optimism can be learned. The first step, however, is to recognize and identify when you are thinking negatively. Negative thoughts tend to be irrational and over-generalizations. "Yesterday was a horrible day. This whole week is ruined." Plus, you can often tell through physical signs (i.e. heaviness in your chest, doomed feeling) when negative thoughts are running through your head. Once you learn to be aware of negative thinking, try to alter these thoughts into more positive or realistic versions. For example, rather than generalizing that the whole week will be ruined based on one day, a positive version may sound like, "Today was tough. I will get a good night's rest and hope tomorrow is an improvement." Be courteous. Feeling beautiful on the inside has just as much to do with how you treat others as it does how you treat yourself. Practicing proper etiquette in social situations is vital to building a good character. This goes back to behaviors you were taught in grade school: maintain eye contact when you're speaking with someone, greet others when you enter a group, smile, remember people's names, hold doors, etc. For more detailed explanations of proper etiquette in certain settings, like at an interview, at a party, or at dinner, check out this guideline from Binghamton University. | Ask yourself what beauty means to you. Conduct a self-assessment. Look beyond the mirror. Don't try to change yourself for others. Have confidence in who you are. Smile and laugh more. Notice the beauty around you. Be grateful. Leave people, places, and things better than you found them. Be of service to others. Think positively. Be courteous. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Boyfriend-in-a-Week | How to Get a Boyfriend in a Week | Getting a boyfriend in a week may sound impossible, but it can be done. You should start by meeting guys through any way you can. Hang out at places where men you would be interested might also be, like a coffee shop or bar, parks, the gym, or anywhere else you might like. If you're over 18 years old, you could also try signing up for dating sites and apps like Tinder, Bumble, or OkCupid. Once you meet someone, you'll have to move quickly and show your attraction. Wear clothes that accentuate your best features, send signals with your body language, and be confident in who you are! Your goal should be to get out of the friend-zone and make him think about you romantically. | Think about who you want. First things first: decide who you'd like to have a relationship with and write it down. Use this list to narrow down your search and concentrate your focus on boys that you think you'll get along with. Come up with a list of potential guys you know that are single and that you find interesting. Think of all the pros and cons for each guy: for example, one might be especially cute, but maybe you don't have all that much in common with him. Don't just go for looks, but think about who you'll actually get along with and will want as a boyfriend. Don't be afraid to include boys you're already friends with but would be interested in as a boyfriend. He might feel the same about you, but you might never find out if you don't get the ball rolling in that direction. If you want to go for someone new that you don't know yet, think about what personality, physicality, and intellectual type of guy you're interested in. This way you'll know what you're looking for when you meet new guys and know if they're potential boyfriend material for you. Get out there and start looking. Hang out at places where the type of guys you like tend to frequent -- whether it's a coffee shop, library, gym, or the beach. Be sure to appear open and approachable, don't have your nose buried too deeply in a book at the coffee shop, for example, or be distracted by hanging out with friends. Go to places alone, dressed to impress, and try to catch someone's eye with a look and smile. Search through internet dating sites (if you're over 18). Many internet dating sites give new members a free 7-day trial, so you can comb through their pool for potential boyfriends. Sign up for at least 3 sites so that you will have the widest selection of guys. Find 5 guys you might be interested in and that meet your age, location, personality, or other requirements and send them an email. Starting with 5 increases your chances of hitting it off with 1 of them and striking up a romance by the end of your 7 day trial. Go on a "singles" meetup. Another sure fired way to meet potential guys in a short amount of time is to attend a “singles” themed weekend activity or meetup group. Not only will there be lots of eligible, interested bachelors, but you'll already have a hobby in common. Drum up potentials through speed dating (if over 18). Speed dating is becoming an increasingly popular way to strike up a romance and find a boyfriend fast. Search the web for any speed dating nights in your area and signup. You'll go on several 30-60 second "dates" with a dozen or so guys in that one night. You might just find someone you'd like to see more of after just one night of trying to find someone! Get out of the “friend zone. ” Most simply defined, the “friend zone” is when there is a mismatch of romantic feelings -- for example, when someone wants you to date you when you “just want to be friends.” It can helpful if you're already friends with the boy you're interested in, but you'll want to move onto boyfriend and girlfriend territory by sparking some chemistry and making yourself more attractive as more than just a friend. Wear flattering clothing for your body type and colors that compliment your skin tone, eyes, and/or hair color. Enhance your best features with some extra makeup or hair styling. You don't have to go too glam, but do make a little extra effort during the week you're trying to catch your boy's eye. Cultivate an attractive attitude and personality. Looks aren't the only thing that go into attraction. Your behavior and attitudes can also be a turn-on or turn-off. Be confident. Be brave and take the initiative to talk with the boy you're interested in. Confidence is an attractive quality, and he'll start to get the hint that you like him if you make the effort to give him attention. Play it cool. Don't overdo it and be too forward or aggressive in your interactions, especially if your boy's a bit on the shy side. Try to make him feel comfortable and at ease in your conversations by keeping things fun and light and open enough for him to make a move on his own too. Be sure to compliment him frequently so that he feels confident around you. Speak good body language. Your mannerisms can go a long way towards communicating that you're available and interested in turning you male friend into a boyfriend. Subtly play with your hair while talking. This signals availability while also drawing attention to your lovely locks. Sneak glances at him from across the room and keep eye contact while you're talking. Occasionally touch his arm during your conversation to grab his attention and show that you're warm, outgoing, and physically comfortable with him. Send Facebook friend requests to guys you meet. Don't worry, this isn't going to get you stuck in the dreaded “friend zone.” Rather, it's an important first step especially if you just met him; it shows initiative and indicates that you're interested in the guy while establishing a portal for further communication. Find opportunities to cross-paths. The more you two happen to bump into each other, the more face-time you'll have, and the more chances for you to win him over. Frequent the places he likes to hang around at school, work, restaurants, or around town. Obviously, you don't want to be stalker-ish and be waiting for him around every corner, but strategically plan to cross paths once a day during the next 7 days. Get involved in the clubs and activities that your love-target is interested in. You'll show that you share common interests, but you'll also end up seeing a lot more of each other if you're involved in the same activities. Ask him out on a date. Don't wait for him to do it! You can take the lead as a modern, empowered girl and ask him yourself. Clearly verbalize your feelings by telling him you're interested in him as a boyfriend and that you'd like to go on a date that weekend. If he says yes, success! You've got yourself a date and (likely) a boyfriend. If he declines, don't sweat it. If he isn't into you it wouldn't be fun trying to date him anyway. Move on to someone else ---- there are plenty of other boys out there, and at least one who will dig you for you. | Think about who you want. Get out there and start looking. Search through internet dating sites (if you're over 18). Go on a "singles" meetup. Drum up potentials through speed dating (if over 18). Get out of the “friend zone. Cultivate an attractive attitude and personality. Speak good body language. Send Facebook friend requests to guys you meet. Find opportunities to cross-paths. Ask him out on a date. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stretch-Clothes | How to Stretch Clothes | To stretch your clothes, start by soaking them for 10 minutes in a basin filled with warm water and 1/3 cup of baby shampoo or hair conditioner. Next, squeeze the clothes to remove most of the water, then roll them in a towel to absorb even more moisture. After that, lay the clothes flat and gently stretch them to the desired size before pinning them down with heavy objects, like coffee mugs, to keep them in place. Leave the clothes in that position until they're completely dry to keep the fabric fibers from contracting as they dry out. | Prepare a gentle soak with warm water and a light cleaning solution. Fill a sink or basin full of warm water. Add about 0.33 cups (78 ml) of baby shampoo or hair conditioner to the water. Alternatively, add a capful of a delicate detergent for wool items. Note that this soak is intended for items made from knit fabrics like cotton, cashmere, or wool, which can be shrunk and unshrunk much more easily than synthetic fibers or silk. Soak your garment for 10 minutes. Gently place your clothing item into the water. Leave it there for a full 10 minutes to relax the fabric fibers. The item should be fully submerged under the water during this time. If your clothing is made of a thick knit fabric, soak it for 20 minutes or more. Do not leave it to soak for longer than 2 hours. Drain away the water and gently squeeze the garment. Remove the stopper from your sink to drain it or pour out the liquid from the basin. Gently squeeze the knit garment to remove as much wetness as possible. Do not wring the clothing, which may alter its shape. Do not rinse the clothing with clean water after draining the liquid. Lay the clothing out on top of a large, clean towel and roll it up to absorb moisture. Carefully remove your clothing item from the sink and position it flat on a clean towel. Starting at one end, gently roll up the towel with the garment inside. This motion will help the towel pull moisture away from the garment. After doing this, the clothing item should be damp, but not wet. Trace the outline of a larger garment on a large piece of parchment paper. Choose an item of clothing that is the size you want your knit garment to be. Lay the item out flat on parchment paper. Carefully trace its outline with a pencil or ballpoint pen. Do not trace the clothing with a felt tip pen or marker as the ink may run and stain your garment. Do not use regular paper, which may get mushy and lose its shape when damp. Lay your damp garment on top of the tracing and gently stretch it out. Place the wet, knit garment you want to stretch flat on top of the parchment paper outline. Gently stretch the edges of the garment to fit the traced outline. To prevent damage, avoid stretching the fabric in large, aggressive motions. Pin down the edges of the knit clothing with heavy objects. Once you have stretched the garment to the desired size, secure it by weighing it down. Place heavy items with smooth edges around the outline of the sweater to keep it in place. Such items could include paperweights, smooth stones, coffee mugs, or small hand weights. Do not use anything with sharp or uneven edges to pin down the garment, as these items could rip or damage the fabric. Leave the garment in this position until it is dry. Do not remove the garment from the parchment paper until it dries completely. Depending on the garment, you may have to let it dry for a couple of hours, or overnight. If you remove it from its stretched out position when it is still damp, the fabric fibers are likely to contract as they dry. Make a baking soda soak in a sink or basin. Dissolve 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of baking soda into 2 litres (8.5 c) of hot water. Let this mixture sit for several moments until the baking soda is dissolved. Do not place your garment into the soak until the baking soda is completely dissolved as it may stick to the fabric. Note that this soak will work better with natural fabrics like cotton and wool than with synthetic fabrics like polyester or rayon. Dip the garment into the soak and remove excess moisture. Completely submerge the item of clothing you want to stretch in the baking soda soak. Pull it out of the water and gently squeeze away excess moisture. To avoid damage, do not wring it out. Stretch the garment gently with your hands. Gently pull the fabric of the garment in all directions to stretch it out. Be careful not to pull too hard or damage the fabric. Stretch the entire garment evenly to avoid an asymmetrical shape. Use rubber gloves to protect your hands form the baking soda if you have sensitive skin. Let the garment soak for an hour, then drain the water. Once you have stretched the item to the shape you desire, place it back into the baking soda soak. Make sure the item is completely submerged in the water. Let it sit for an hour, then pour out or drain away the water. Rinse the garment with a vinegar solution. In a small bucket, mix 1 litre (4.2 c) of warm water with about 0.25 litres (1.1 c) of white vinegar. Pour this mixture over the clothing item. The combined effects of the baking soda and vinegar should help to soften and stretch the fabric. Lay the garment out flat and let it air dry. Lay your jeans out on a clean, dry surface. Remove any items you may have in your jean pockets. Place your jeans on a clean surface like a table or counter top. Smooth them out so that they lay flat. Spray the tight-fitting areas of your jeans with water. Mist the parts of your jeans that are too tight, such as the calves or the waist. If your jeans are too tight all-over, spray the entire surface of your jeans. Be sure to spray the jeans on both the front and the back. The water will help to loosen the tightly-knit fibers, which will help the jeans stretch. Stretch the jeans in all directions to loosen the fabric. Pull the jean fabric up and down with your hands, length-wise and width-wise. Focus on the tightest areas to add flexibility to the material. Do this repeatedly for several minutes to ensure that the fabric is reshaped. Since jean fabric is tough and resilient, you do not need to worry about ripping it. Be careful to avoid any decorative touches that may be on your jeans, such as rhinestones or intentional rips in the fabric. Lay the jeans out flat and let them air dry. Once you have stretched the jeans, allow them to air dry. Putting them in a dryer will likely shrink them. Lay them out flat to ensure that they keep their new shape. | Prepare a gentle soak with warm water and a light cleaning solution. Soak your garment for 10 minutes. Drain away the water and gently squeeze the garment. Lay the clothing out on top of a large, clean towel and roll it up to absorb moisture. Trace the outline of a larger garment on a large piece of parchment paper. Lay your damp garment on top of the tracing and gently stretch it out. Pin down the edges of the knit clothing with heavy objects. Leave the garment in this position until it is dry. Make a baking soda soak in a sink or basin. Dip the garment into the soak and remove excess moisture. Stretch the garment gently with your hands. Let the garment soak for an hour, then drain the water. Rinse the garment with a vinegar solution. Lay your jeans out on a clean, dry surface. Spray the tight-fitting areas of your jeans with water. Stretch the jeans in all directions to loosen the fabric. Lay the jeans out flat and let them air dry. |
https://www.wikihow.health/Prevent-Heat-Exhaustion | How to Prevent Heat Exhaustion | To prevent heat exhaustion, wear light-weight clothing that fits loosely to allow air circulation. Your clothes should also be light-colored, since darker colors absorb more heat. Additionally, protect your skin from sunburn by wearing sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. To keep cool and hydrated when it's hot, drink plenty of water and avoid dehydrating beverages like alcohol and caffeinated drinks. When you can, stay in cool spaces during the hottest part of the day, and take frequent breaks during physical activity. If you have to go outside or be physically active during the day, try to do it in the morning or evening. | Wear light-colored, loose, well-ventilated, and lightweight clothes. This sort of attire will keep your body cool. Lighter colors can help reflect heat away from your body. Loose-fitting clothes allow air circulation around your body. Clothing with built-in ventilation panels or that is made from material that “breathes” will help to cool your body. Lightweight clothes will also retain less heat. Conversely, having your shirt off can actually increase your odds of heat exhaustion. Without a shirt you are exposed to more sun. A sweaty shirt can also act as a cooling device. Protect your skin from the sun. Use sunscreen when you go outdoors. Try to cover your face with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Sunburn prevents your body from cooling down efficiently. Sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher is best for warm weather. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Although there's no specific amount of water you need to drink every day, aim to drink 6 mL (0.20 fl oz) per 1 kg (2.2 lb) of body weight every 2-3 hours while you exercise. Even if you do not feel thirsty, keep drinking sips of water throughout the day. This will keep your body hydrated and help you to continue producing enough sweat to cool down your body. OSHA recommends you drink water once every 15 minutes. Avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol. Caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, tea, and energy drinks, can dehydrate you, so it's important to avoid drinking these or at least moderate your intake. These can act as diuretics, which move fluids out of the body too quickly. They can quickly dehydrate you, putting you at risk of heat exhaustion. Sugary drinks, like sodas, slow down the absorption of water into your system. Overly cold drinks can cause stomach cramps, which can also be a problem when exercising in warm weather. Avoid warm areas when possible. Air conditioning can significantly reduce the risk of heat stroke; if you don't have any consider going to a public place that does, like a shopping mall or library. Avoid places like the inside of a car, where temperatures can become particularly extreme. Never leave children or dogs in your car for any period of time, even a very short one. Take frequent breaks during physical activity and acclimate gradually. This is especially important when you are exercising in hot or humid conditions. Giving yourself frequent breaks and taking it slow will give you time to drink, rest, and prevent your body temperature from rising too swiftly. Your body will start to cool down a little each time you rest and hydrate. You will be less likely to become overheated this way. Schedule vigorous activities for cooler times of the day. The hottest times of the day are between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. When possible go outside before or after this time frame. Recognize the symptoms. If you experience the following symptoms of heat exhaustion, start to cool yourself down immediately: Cool and moist skin Heavy sweating Faintness, dizziness, fatigue Weak and rapid pulse Muscle cramps Nausea Headaches Pale pallor combined with prickly heat sensations Obvious coordination problems, especially in athletes Dehydration (signs include concentrated urine, with a stronger color and smell). Be careful with the young and old. Those under four-years-old and over 65-years-old are most likely to suffer from heat exhaustion. Show extra precautions with people in these age groups. Be careful with medication. Certain medications affect your ability to stay hydrated and regulate heat. These include high blood pressure and heart medications, allergy medications, tranquilizers, antipsychotics, and particularly diuretics. Some illegal drugs, like cocaine and amphetamines, have similar effects. Ask your doctor if any drugs you have been prescribed increase your chances of heat exhaustion. Be mindful of weight. Obesity makes it more difficult to regulate body temperature. Your body will retain more heat putting you at greater risk of heat stroke. Beware of sudden changes in the heat index. The heat index factors in both temperature and humidity. It might take your body a couple of weeks to adjust to a higher heat index than you are accustomed to. If you have recently relocated to a place with a much higher temperature or humidity, take some time to adjust before spending much time outside. Humidity increase the likelihood of heat exhaustion as much as the actual temperature. High humidity prevents your sweat from evaporating, so that your body has more difficulty cooling itself. Take a break after experiencing heat exhaustion. You are especially susceptible to heat exhaustion after you have already experienced it. Wait a week before spending extended periods exercising in warm weather. Rest in a cool location. When you suspect that you are experiencing heat exhaustion, you should move to an air-conditioned location. If that is not possible, find shade. Rest on your back. Elevate your legs above your heart. Drink cool liquids. Water or sports drinks — below room temperature — will help to cool down your body. Other types of liquids, like alcohol, might make the situation worse. Run cool water over yourself or immerse yourself in cool water. Take a cool shower or immerse yourself in a cool bath. Another option is to wrap towels soaked in cool water over your body. Loosen or remove clothing. If possible remove your clothing altogether, or at least heavier items, such as a jacket or long-sleeved shirt. You can also loosen up the clothing so that you can get additional air circulation around your body, such as by unbuttoning your shirt or rolling up your sleeves. Know the signs of heat stroke and seek emergency medical attention. Heat exhaustion can progress into heat stroke, which can be potentially fatal. Seek medical attention immediately if: Your skin feels hot or dry but you aren't sweating. Your body temperature is over 103°F (39.4°C). You are confused or lose consciousness. (Often others will notice confusion or strange behavior before you do.) You experience frequent vomiting. You have shortness of breath or any trouble breathing. | Wear light-colored, loose, well-ventilated, and lightweight clothes. Protect your skin from the sun. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol. Avoid warm areas when possible. Take frequent breaks during physical activity and acclimate gradually. Schedule vigorous activities for cooler times of the day. Recognize the symptoms. Be careful with the young and old. Be careful with medication. Be mindful of weight. Beware of sudden changes in the heat index. Take a break after experiencing heat exhaustion. Rest in a cool location. Drink cool liquids. Run cool water over yourself or immerse yourself in cool water. Loosen or remove clothing. Know the signs of heat stroke and seek emergency medical attention. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Biryani | How to Make Biryani | To make biryani, rinse basmati rice until the water runs clear, then soak it for at least 30 minutes. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat, then add cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon to the oil. After a few seconds, add onions and saute until they turn transparent, then add all of the remaining ingredients except for the rice. Saute these ingredients for a minute or two, then pour in 8 cups of water and bring to a boil. Add the rice and lemon juice, cover the pot with a tight lid, and let the rice cook until it's done. | Wash the basmati rice. Before you begin cooking, you need to wash the rice. Fill a large bowl with cold water and pour in the rice. Use your hand to stir the rice in one direction. The water should get cloudy, so pour off the cloudy water. Refill the bowl with water. Continue rinsing the rice until the water is clear. Washing the rice removes surface starches and any debris. Soak the rice. After you have you rinsed the rice, soak it. Place the rice in a bowl of cold water and let it soak for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Soaking the rice helps the grains expand and be fluffy. You can soak the rice in the water you plan on boiling it in. If you do this, then the amount of water you need to use is 1.25 times the amount of rice. For 2 cups of rice, use 2 1/2 cups of water. Chop the vegetables. If you are adding mixed vegetables, such as carrots, beans, tomatoes, cauliflower, or peas, cut them into smaller pieces. Make sure you wash the vegetables and set them aside, ready to be added to your rice. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon to the pan. Sauté for a few seconds, then add onions. Sauté until the onions turn transparent. Add tomatoes and cashew nuts after the onions turn translucent. Add mint leaves, coriander leaves, and green chilies to the pan. Stir and Sauté for a minute or so. Then add the ginger and garlic paste. Stir into the mixture in the pan, then Sauté for a couple of minutes. Add garam masala, chili powder, carrots, peas and beans. Sauté for a few more minutes, stirring regularly. Pour in 8 cups of water. After adding the water, add salt to taste. Stir everything together, then bring the mixture to a boil. Add the rice. Pour the rice into the boiling water. Add the lemon juice. Cover the pot with a tight lid. Let the rice cook until done. The rice is done when it is al dente, not mushy. As you check the rice, refrain from stirring. This will break the rice grains. Add more water to the pot if you believe the water level is getting too low. Recover the rice and continue letting it cook. Serve. Once the rice has cooked, serve the biryani hot. Try serving the biryani rice with rich curries or other delectable Indian main courses. | Wash the basmati rice. Soak the rice. Chop the vegetables. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add mint leaves, coriander leaves, and green chilies to the pan. Add garam masala, chili powder, carrots, peas and beans. Pour in 8 cups of water. Add the rice. Serve. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Into-Nursing-School | How to Get Into Nursing School | It can be hard to get into nursing school, but if you study hard and plan ahead, you'll have a much better chance of getting in! After high school, choose whether you want to complete a 2-year associate degree or a 4-year bachelor of nursing program. An associate's degree program is typically less competitive, but you'll have more job opportunities with a bachelor's degree. To improve your chances of being accepted into a program, apply to 2-3 different schools, and take any assessment exams required by each school. | Graduate from high school. Graduating from high school or the equivalent is required to get into any nursing program. You should try to make very good grades and have a high GPA. You should also do well in your science coursework. Decide which nursing degree you will pursue. You can go to school for an associate degree (ADN) or a baccalaureate (BSN) degree. BSN programs are more competitive and have tougher admission standards. ADN programs take only two years to complete and are less expensive. BSN programs require additional coursework and take four years to complete. Having a BSN degree will provide you with more job opportunities, a higher salary, and more career advancement opportunities. There is also a licensed practical nursing degree, which is the lowest level nursing degree. It is usually an 11 month program for licensed practical nursing. Talk with current nurses. Speaking with someone who is already working in the profession will give you a better idea of life as a nurse. If you do not know any nurses personally, you can contact a doctor's office or hospital and let them know you are a prospective nursing student. Most likely, they will happy to speak with you. Get experience in the healthcare field. You can volunteer or work part-time in the healthcare field. This will help you decide if nursing is the right career for you. You can also put this experience on your resume when you apply to school. Many hospitals have volunteer programs. It is imperative that new incoming nurses have a realistic and accurate degree of their job responsibilities as well as know the responsibilities of their allied professional help. A great way to do this is by beginning as a certified nursing assistant. Develop your criteria. You should create a checklist by which you evaluate each school. Your checklist should include personal factors that are important to you, such as the location, tuition prices, and your career goals. Other important considerations are the pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) , graduation rate, career placement services, and the faculty. Determine the school's accreditation status. The school you choose should be accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education ( CCNE). The school should also be approved by a state board of nursing. Make a list of schools that you will apply to. This list will help you stay organized throughout the application process. Your list should include the application deadlines and the application requirements. Also pay attention to any prerequisites you may need. Some nursing schools will admit students on the basis that all general education coursework is complete before the start of the program. These courses may include anatomy and physiology, microbiology, general psychology, and human development. Attend an information session or open house. Many schools invite students who are interested in applying to an information session. These sessions discuss the application process, program curriculum, and tuition. Ask any questions you may have if you are attending one of these sessions. Note that this is not the same as applying to the nursing program. Take necessary admission assessments. Nursing classes demand that you have math, reading, and language skills. The Health Education Systems Incorporated ( HESI) and the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) are the most common tests. These tests help schools decide if you will do well in nursing school. To ensure that you get into nursing school, study for this test beforehand so you can do your best. Online practice tests and study guides are available for both the TEAS and the HESI. Do not forget to sign up for any other testing the school may ask for. One example is the College Placement Test, or CPT. This is to determine if you are ready for college in general. You might need to study for this exam to make sure you get the highest scores possible. Request official transcripts for any and all colleges you have attended. Some schools also want high school transcripts; if you are fresh out of high school, your high school transcript alone will suffice. Many schools have an online transcript request form you can fill out and they will send it electronically, cutting out some of the footwork you have to do. There may be a fee to send transcripts, no matter if they're paper or electronic. Write your admissions essay, if required. Many nursing schools require potential students to write an essay on why they want to be a nurse or on the roles of a nurse. The essay will allow the administration to see who you are as a person. Follow the instructions they give you and make sure your essay has no spelling or grammatical errors. If you know someone who has successfully gotten into nursing school, ask to see their essay for inspiration. You should also let someone else give you feedback on your essay. Schools will be checking to see that you have a good understanding of the reality of nursing. It is a tough job and one that is physically, emotionally, and intellectually demanding. Complete the application. It is important that you pay attention to application deadlines and submit your application as soon as possible. Turn your application packet in as early as possible, as some schools review them on a first-come, first-served basis, and nursing is extremely competitive. Nursing schools look at many factors when choosing applicants. Your grades, extracurricular activities, and references are important as well. Schools are looking for well-rounded people. The Nursing Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS) allows you to apply to multiple schools using a single application. All nursing schools do not participate in this service. Make sure the schools to which you are applying use this system. Make sure you have completed the application fully and submit any supplemental materials (essay, test scores) along with it. An incomplete or late application will not be reviewed by the admissions committee. Prepare for your interview. Some schools require an interview as part of the application process. It is important that you present yourself well and let the interviewers see that you will be a great addition to their nursing program. The interview is a time to sell yourself. You should dress professionally for the interview. You should be knowledgeable about the school and program for which you are interviewing. You should do plenty of research ahead of time. Be sure to turn your cell phone off, make eye contact, and have a firm handshake. Have another person do a practice interview with you. You should practice talking about your career goals, experience, education, and why you want to become a nurse. | Graduate from high school. Decide which nursing degree you will pursue. Talk with current nurses. Get experience in the healthcare field. Develop your criteria. Determine the school's accreditation status. Make a list of schools that you will apply to. Attend an information session or open house. Take necessary admission assessments. Request official transcripts for any and all colleges you have attended. Write your admissions essay, if required. Complete the application. Prepare for your interview. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Teach-a-Red-Bellied-Parrot-to-Speak | How to Teach a Red Bellied Parrot to Speak | To teach your red bellied parrot to speak, start by saying short phrases to your bird, like “hello,” “goodbye,” or “treat.” Practice with your bird for 10-15 minutes each day by repeating phrases to it in a slow, clear voice. During this time you should make sure any distractions such as TVs or radios are turned off. Whenever your bird vocally responds to your voice, give it a treat or a neck scratch to encourage it to speak. | Choose a short phrase. Teaching too many words at the beginning might confuse your parrot. Find a simple one or two word phrase, such as your name, “hello,” “goodbye,” or “treat.” Use only this phrase during training. Give a lesson at least once a day. Every day, your red bellied parrot should have at least one speech lesson that lasts about ten or fifteen minutes. Take them out of their cage. Let them sit on a perch or on your finger while you teach them. Most birds are chattiest in the morning or around sunset. These may be the best times to give lessons. Turn off any music, television, radio, or other distracting sounds during this lesson. Repeat the phrase. Parrots learn sounds by repetition. During their lessons, state the chosen phrase over and over again. Say it in a slow, clear voice so they understand it. When saying the word, try to use the same inflection and tone of voice each time. This will help the parrot learn the word quickly. Reward them when they respond. At first, your parrot may just chirp in response to your voice. Give them a treat or scratch behind their neck when they respond. As time goes on, they may start to use more human-like sounds. Keep praising them. Eventually, this will develop into a word or phrase. Every parrot will learn at their own rate. Some may learn in a few days. Others may take a few weeks, especially if they are new to your home. Slivered almonds, sunflower seeds, and grapes are all great treats to reward your parrot with. You can give three or four small pieces per training session. You may want to use a clicker before you give them their reward during training. Click the clicker whenever the parrot does something good and then give it a treat. Eventually, the bird will start to associate the clicking sound with good behavior and a reward, which means you'll be able to mark good behavior more easily. Take a break before teaching a new word. Give your parrot a few weeks between teaching each new word or phrase. You can still have daily training lessons focusing on already learned words if you want. This will help them memorize the phrases they do know while reducing stress for the parrot. Keep using whatever words they have learned around them. This will encourage them to continue talking. Once they learn their first few words, red bellied parrots may learn other phrases more rapidly. If you spend enough time with your parrot, you may find that they are picking up words or phrases on their own. Build upon shorter phrases. If your red bellied parrot has mastered a few greetings or names, you can expand the phrases into sentences. Repeat the longer phrase around the parrot, just as you did with the shorter phrase. For example, if you taught your red bellied parrot how to say their name “Polly,” you can start teaching them to say “Polly wants” whenever they want something. Eventually, they may say, "Polly wants banana.” Associate words with actions. Once your red bellied parrots starts speaking a few words, they can begin to learn what the words mean. Use phrases when doing a certain action, and your parrot may begin to connect the word with the act. For example, greet your parrot every morning by saying “good morning.” They may begin to say good morning when they wake up. If your parrot has a certain trick that you enjoy, say the name of the trick every time that they do it. For example, you can say “dance” when they start bobbing their heads. They may learn to do it on command. Teach them the names of food. Hold up a piece of their favorite fruit or nut so that they can see it. State the name of the treat clearly before giving it to them. Soon, your parrot may start asking for their favorite foods. For example, you might give them a slice of apple while stating “apple.” Play CDs when you are gone. Parrot-training CDs or recordings will repeat a variety of sounds, whistles, phrases, and songs for your parrot to learn. Play these recordings when you are not around. Your parrot may pick up a few of the songs or phrases. Recordings can be found at pet stores, on video streaming websites, or through online shops. You can make your own recordings to teach your parrot specific phrases or songs. Put together a mix-tape of your favorite songs, or record your voice using a smartphone app. Start young. Unlike other parrots, which may not learn words until after they are weaned, some red bellied parrots may learn phrases as young as three months of age. Starting when the parrot is young will increase their chances of learning to speak. Spend time with your parrot. Even when you are not training your parrot, your parrot should spend plenty of time around you every day. They will get used to the sound of your voice, which will help them learn how to speak. It is helpful to keep their cage in whatever room you spend the most time in. A living room or home office are good places. Bond with your parrot. Parrots who have bonded with their owner are more likely to speak because they are more motivated to communicate. There are many things that you can do to encourage your red bellied parrot to trust you. Spend at least one hour every day playing with your parrot outside of their cage. You can play fetch, peekaboo, or hide-and-seek. Parrots also like hanging out with people. Let them sit on your shoulder as you read or watch TV. Scratch behind their neck or stroke their head. Use a harness and a leash to take your parrot on a walk outside with you. Reduce how often you curse. Parrots may pick up angry or passionate words more easily than other phrases. Unless you want to teach your red bellied parrot how to curse, avoid using expletives around them. Avoid forcing your red bellied parrot to speak. Not all parrots learn words at the same rate, and a few may not learn any words at all. Do not punish your parrot if they don't speak. Training should be a positive and comforting experience for them. If they are stressed by it, they will be less likely to talk. | Choose a short phrase. Give a lesson at least once a day. Repeat the phrase. Reward them when they respond. Take a break before teaching a new word. Build upon shorter phrases. Associate words with actions. Teach them the names of food. Play CDs when you are gone. Start young. Spend time with your parrot. Bond with your parrot. Reduce how often you curse. Avoid forcing your red bellied parrot to speak. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Improve-Your-Self-Esteem | How to Improve Your Self Esteem | To improve your self-esteem, use hopeful statements, like “Even though this is a challenge, I can handle it.” Additionally, set realistic goals and expectations for yourself so you can feel a sense of accomplishment. You should also take care of yourself by eating well and exercising, which can boost your self-esteem by releasing the "happy chemicals" known as endorphins. As you work on building your confidence, try to avoid comparing yourself to others. Instead, focus on your own accomplishments and how you can better yourself. | Be deliberate with your thoughts and beliefs. Try to focus on positive, encouraging, and constructive thoughts. Remember that you are a special, one-of-a-kind person that deserves love and respect - from others and from yourself. Try these strategies: Use hopeful statements. Be optimistic and avoid the self-fulfilling prophecy of pessimism. If you expect bad things, they often occur. For example, if you anticipate a presentation going poorly, it just might. Instead, be positive. Tell yourself, "Even though it's going to be a challenge, I can handle this presentation." Focus on "can" and avoid "should" statements. "Should" statements imply that there is something you ought to be doing and this might cause you to feel pressured if you can't meet these expectations. Instead, focus on what you CAN do. Focus on the positive. Think about the good parts of your life. Remind yourself of things that have gone well recently. Consider the skills you've used to cope with challenging situations. Be your own cheerleader. Give yourself positive encouragement and credit for the positive things you do. For example, you might note that although you're not getting all the exercise you'd like to be getting, you have been doing to the gym one extra day a week Give yourself credit for making positive changes. For example, "My presentation might not have been perfect, but my colleagues asked questions and remained engaged — which means that I accomplished my goal." Set goals and expectations. Write of lists of things you want to accomplish and set out to achieve these goals. For example, you might decide to volunteer more, take up a new hobby, or spend time with friends. Make sure your goals and expectations are realistic. Striving for the impossible will only deflate, not enhance, self-esteem. For example, don't suddenly decide that at age 40 your dream is to play professional hockey. This is unrealistic and your self-esteem will likely take a hit once you realize how far away and unattainable that goal is. Instead, set more realistic goals, like deciding to learn how to play the guitar or a new sport. Setting goals that you can consciously work towards and eventually meet can help you stop the cycle of negative thinking that services low self-esteem. When you set and meet goals successfully, you will feel a sense of fulfillment and more able to let go of your feelings of low self-esteem for not meeting idealistic and fundamentally unattainable life goals, like being the perfect girlfriend or perfect cook or perfect whatever. You could also set goals that help to you see and feel your own competencies. For example, if you feel like you want to be better informed about the world, decide that you are going to read a newspaper every day for a month. Or, say you want to empower yourself in knowing how to fix your own bike and opt to learn how to do your own tune-up. Meeting goals that address things that help you feel powerful and capable will help you feel better about yourself as a whole. Take care of yourself. Some of us spend so much time worrying about and caring for others that we neglect our own physical and mental well-being. Alternatively, some of us feel so bad about ourselves that we think it's pointless to put time and effort into caring for ourselves. Ultimately, taking care of yourself can also help improve your self-esteem. The healthier you are in mind and body, the better the possibility that you will be satisfied with your self. Note that taking care of yourself doesn't mean that you have to be skinny, super fit, and flawless. Instead, in means doing your best to be healthy , whatever that may look like for you individually. Some pointers include: Eat at least three meals a day that are based on healthy and nutrient-rich foods, such as whole grains, poultry and fish, and fresh vegetables to keep yourself energized and nourished. Drink water to hydrate your body. Avoid processed, sugary, and caffeinated foods and/or drinks. These can affect your mood and should be avoided if you're concerned about mood swings or negative emotions. Exercise. Research has shown that exercise can give a real boost to self-esteem. This is because exercise causes the body to release the "happy chemicals" called endorphins. This feeling of euphoria can be accompanied by increased positivity and energy. Try to get up to at least 30 minutes of vigorous exercise at least three times a week. At the very least, set aside time for a brisk walk every day. Reduce stress. Make a plan to reduce the stress of your everyday life by designating time for relaxation and activities that bring you joy. Meditate, take a yoga class, garden, or do whatever activity makes you feel calm and positive. Note that being stressed can sometimes make it easier for people to overreact or let negative feelings dominate. Look back on your life and your accomplishments. Chances are that you are not giving yourself enough credit for everything that you've done throughout your life. Impress yourself, not others. Take some time to reflect and look back at your past glories from big to small; this will not only help you become more aware of these accomplishment but can also help validate your place in the world and the value you bring to the people and society around you. Grab a notebook or journal and set a timer for 20-30 minutes. During this time, write a list of all of your accomplishments. Keep in mind that everything should be included, from big accomplishments to the little everyday things. Your list can include things like learning how to drive, going to college, moving into your own apartment, making a great friend, cooking a fancy meal, getting a degree or diploma, getting your first "adult" job, and so on. The possibilities are endless! Return to the list periodically to add to it. You'll see that you have lots to be proud of. Scan through old photos, scrap books, yearbooks, trip mementos, or even consider making a collage of your life and accomplishments to date. Do things you enjoy. Set aside time to do something that makes you happy every day, whether that means cooking, reading, exercising, gardening, or spending an hour just talking with your spouse. Don't feel guilty for this time you've set aside to enjoy; you deserve it. Repeat that statement as needed.. Experiment with new activities; you might learn about talents or skills you didn't know you possessed. Maybe you take up running track and discover that you are really good at long-distance running, something you'd never thought of before. This can help increase your self-esteem. Consider taking up artistic activities such as painting, music, poetry, and dance. Artistic endeavors often help people learn how to express themselves and attain a sense of 'mastery' of a subject or skill. Lots of community sentences offer free or reasonably-priced classes. Help someone. Research has shown that people who volunteer tend to feel happier and have higher self-esteem. It may seem paradoxical that to feel better about yourself you should help someone else, but the science does indeed that feelings of social connectedness that accompany volunteering or helping others make us feel more positive about ourselves. There are endless opportunities to help others in the world. Volunteer at a retirement home or a homeless shelter. Get involved with your church in a ministry to the sick or the poor. Donate your time and service to a humane animal shelter. Be a Big Brother or Big Sister. Clean up a local park on a community-organized occasion. Adjust your self-image as needed. You change all the time, and you need to update your perception of yourself to match your current self. For example, increasing your self-esteem is pointless if the image you hold of yourself isn't accurate. Maybe as a kid you were really strong in math but now you can barely calculate the area of your house. Maybe you were once deeply religious but now you identify agnostic and no longer attend church. Adjust your perception of yourself to match up with the realities of your current life. Don't expect yourself to be great at math or to have some attachment to spirituality. Evaluate yourself based on the NOW and your current skills, interests, and beliefs, and not on some past version of yourself. Let go of the idea of perfection. Nobody is perfect. Make that your new mantra. You're never going to have the perfect life, the perfect body, the perfect family, the perfect job, and so on. Neither will anyone else. Perfection is an artificial notion created and proliferated by society and the media and it does a great disservice to most of us by suggesting that perfection IS attainable and the problem is simply that we're not up to snuff. Focus on effort rather than the desire for perfection. If you don't try something because you're afraid you won't do it perfectly, then you don't stand a chance in the first place. If you never try out for the basketball team it's a guarantee that you won't make the team. Don't let the pressure to be perfect hold you back. Accept that you are a human being and that human beings are fundamentally imperfect and make mistakes. Maybe you spoke too harshly to your child or told a white lie at work. It's okay. People make mistakes. Instead of berating yourself for your errors, view them as opportunities to learn and grow and as things that you can rectify in the future. Maybe you'll realize that you need to think more carefully before you speak or that lying is never a good thing to resort to. Forgive yourself and move forward; this isn't easy but it's key to avoiding that cycle of self-pity and low self-esteem. Find the triggers of your low self-esteem. Think about any troubling conditions or situations that might be related to why you feel badly about yourself. For many people, typical triggers may include work meetings, school presentations, interpersonal problems at work or home, and significant life changes, such as leaving home, changing jobs, or separating from a partner. You may also need to think about people who make you feel badly about yourself. You can't control anyone else's behavior; what you can control is how you respond and how you let their behavior impact you. If another person is unjustly rude, mean, or dismissive or disrespectful towards you, understand that he may have his own problems or emotional issues that is causing him to act negatively towards you. However, if this person is triggering your low self-esteem, it is best if you can walk away or remove yourself from situations where that person is present, particularly if they respond negatively if you try to confront him about his behavior. While other people's opinions and ideas have their place in your life, don't set your life according to them. Listen and take on board what works for you. You are the governor of your own life. No one else can do that for you. Be aware of thought patterns that chip away at your self-esteem. For a lot of us, negative thoughts and beliefs can become so normal that we just assume them to be accurate reflections of reality. Try to be aware of some key patterns of thinking that harm your self-esteem: Turning positives into negatives - You discount your achievements and positive experiences. For example, if you get a promotion, instead of seeing it as a reward for your hard work, you diminish your personal responsibility: "I only got the promotion because the boss lives in my neighborhood." All-or-nothing or binary thinking - In your mind, life and everything you do only has two paths. Things are either good or bad, positive or negative, etc. For example, if you don't get in to your top-school but get into five others, you still insist that you're a total failure and worthless because you didn't get into Harvard. You see things as either all good or all bad. Mental filtering - You see only the negative side of things and filter out everything else. This usually results in distortions of individuals and situations. For example, if you made a typo on a report, you assume that the report is now worthless and that your boss is going to think you're stupid and not up to the job." Jumping to negative conclusions - You assume the worst when there is almost no evidence to support that contention. For example, "My friend didn't respond to the invite I just sent a half hour ago so she must hate me." Mistaking feelings for facts - You infer that how you feel is reflective of a larger fact. For example, "I feel like a total failure, so I must be a total failure." Negative self-talk - You talk to yourself in negative terms, including put-downs, name-calling, and self-deprecating humor. For example, if you're five minutes late, you scold yourself repeatedly and call yourself "stupid." Take a step back from your thoughts to reevaluate them. Repeat these negative thoughts to the point that they become absurd or almost as if someone else is saying the words. Think about how if you repeat the same word over and over again it begins to break down (try doing this with "fork" for an example). You could also write your negative thoughts down using your nondominant hand in order to see them differently. It probably won't even look like your handwriting! Such exercises can help you get some distance from your thoughts so you can observe them with greater objectivity, almost like you are an outside observer. You will also see that these negative and self-defeating thoughts are really just words, nothing more. And words can be changed. Accept all of your thoughts—even the negative ones! Though the old adage is typically to change or resist certain negative thoughts and feelings, this can in some causes only compound your poor self-esteem as you realize this is easier said than done. Instead, accept these thoughts without necessarily validating them. Negative thoughts come into your head. They exist. They may not be right but they do exist. You don't have to like them, but you do need to accept that you're having those thoughts. Instead of trying to control negative thoughts, endeavor to lessen the power they hold over you. Realize that negative thoughts are counterproductive and try not to let them fundamentally affect how you feel about yourself or your value in the world. Pair negative thoughts with positive thoughts. Transform the negative things you think about yourself into positives. For example, if you tell yourself you are ugly, you could tell yourself that you look nice today. If you tell yourself you never do anything right, tell yourself that you do lots of things right and give some specific examples. Consider doing this exercise in a journal to keep track of your positive thoughts. Read them before you go to bed and when you get up. Make signs on post-it notes with these positive statements and put them where you can see them, such as on the bathroom mirror. This can help reinforce these statements and ingrain them in your mind. Hopefully, over time, the positive thoughts will supplant the negative ones. Stop comparing. Comparing ourselves with others almost always results in lower self-esteem. Your friend won a scholarship and you didn't. Your sister got a job right out of undergrad and you didn't. A colleague has 500 Facebook friends and you only have 200. The more you compare yourself to others, the more you are going to feel as though you come up too short. These comparisons are unfair, not least because they assume each situation is equal. Maybe your sister got a job really quickly because she did a practical program with lots of openings. Or maybe your colleague has so many "friends" because he will add just about anyone he meets. Keep in mind, moreover, that you don't know the ins and outs of anyone else's life but your own. Sure, your friend may have a scholarship, but maybe his parents can't afford to help him and he works 20 hours a week at a part-time on top of school. What you should focus on is yourself. Compete against yourself. Challenge yourself to be better. You want the scholarship? Then challenge yourself to get it next year but putting in more hours of school work outside of class. Remember, the only behavior you can control is your own, so that's what you should focus on. | Be deliberate with your thoughts and beliefs. Set goals and expectations. Take care of yourself. Look back on your life and your accomplishments. Do things you enjoy. Help someone. Adjust your self-image as needed. Let go of the idea of perfection. Find the triggers of your low self-esteem. Be aware of thought patterns that chip away at your self-esteem. Take a step back from your thoughts to reevaluate them. Accept all of your thoughts—even the negative ones! Pair negative thoughts with positive thoughts. Stop comparing. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Mold-Plastic | How to Mold Plastic | Before molding plastic, start by washing or wiping down the item you're using so that you end up with a mold without bumps or unevenness. Once the item is dry, apply a commercial release agent to ensure that it will pop free from the mold. Then, coat it with a layer of Bubble Buster to prevent air bubbles before placing it in a heat safe container. Afterwards, melt the reusable molding material in the microwave and pour it into the container to create the mold. Finally, remove the mold from the container once the molding material cools and hardens. | Prepare the master part. The master part is the item that you will use to create the mold. To prepare the master part, first wipe down or wash the item. Once clean and dry, apply a release agent to the original item—this will ensure that the master part will pop free from the mold. Coat the item with a layer of bubble buster—this product prevents the formation of air bubbles around the master part. Place the master item into a heat safe container. The container must be slightly larger than the item. Melt your reusable molding materials in a microwave. Reusable molding material is easy to use and mistake proof; you can melt, mold, cast, and de-cast reusable molding material up to 35 times. Place the container of reusable molding material into a microwave. Follow the instructions on the product to properly melt the materials. Heat the material for short intervals, roughly 15 to 20 seconds, until you understand how the microwave affects the materials. If you do not have a microwave, you may use a double boiler. Pour the melted material over the master part. Carefully pour the melted molding material over the master part. Allow the product to cool and harden. Gently remove the mold from the heat safe container and the master part from the mold. Create a catalyzing solution with soap and water. When a high concentration of dish soap is combined with water, it forms a catalyst bath for silicone—it allows the silicone to cure faster. In the large bowl, combine approximately 64 ounces of water with 4 ounces of blue dish soap. Mix the soap and water together with your hands. Catalyze the silicone. Use a pair of scissors to cut off the tip of the 100% silicone. Insert the bottle into a caulk gun. Empty enough of the 100% silicone into the catalyst bath to surround your master part. If you are unsure how much you will need, use the entire bottle of 100% silicone. Knead the 100% silicone in the catalyst bath. Submerge your hands into the catalyst bath and slowly gather the strings of 100% silicone into a ball. Massage the ball with your fingers. Pull, stretch, and fold the 100% silicone as you knead it. Continue to knead the 100% silicone until it stiffens and becomes less malleable. Form the mold. Retrieve your master part. Carefully flatten out the 100% silicone so that it is ½ inch thick. Cover the master item with the 100% silicone—press the 100% silicone into all of the knocks and crannies of the master part. Once you have formed the mold, attempt to wiggle the master item out and back into the mold. If you can easily achieve this, the mold is ready to cure. If you can not, reform or cut away parts of the mold. Applying a release agent to the master item will make it easier to remove from the mold. Allow your mold to cure. Pour soapy water onto a paper plate so that it just coats the surface—this will prevent the silicone from adhering to the plate. Set your mold and master item onto the plate and allow it to cure for 1 hour. When the mold is no longer tacky to the touch, remove the master item. While the mold is curing, it is essential that the master item remain within the mold. Draw a centerline on your master part. The separate sides of a two-part mold join along the centerline of the master object. Retrieve your master item, a permanent marker, and a ruler. Draw a straight centerline around your master item. Embed half of the master item in a clay bed. Set a block of non-toxic and non-drying molding clay on your work surface. Embed the master item into the clay up to the centerline. The top of the item should line up with the top of the clay bed. There should be a 1 inch border of clay surrounding the remaining 3 sides of the item. Attach 4 alignment keys to the top of the clay bed. Alignment keys join the 2 halves together perfectly. Retrieve four ½ inch alignment keys and a bottle of temporary adhesive. Apply a thin layer of temporary adhesive to the flat side of the alignment key. Place the key in ¼ inch from the top left corner and adhere it directly to the clay. Place 1 key in each of the remaining 3 corners. Secure the master part to a retaining wall. In order to fill the mold, you must provide an opening. For this mold, the opening will appear at the top of the clay bed. Apply a thin layer of temporary adhesive over the top of the master item—the side not embedded in clay—and the top side of the clay bed (the side directly below the top of the master item). Press this side flush against a wooden or metal retaining wall. Allow it to dry. Cover the master item’s exposed half with silicone mold putty. A layer of silicone mold putty will form 1 of the mold's inner walls. Coat the master part with a release agent. Apply a layer of mold putty to the exposed half of the master item. Apply mold putty to the clay bed's surface, carefully covering the alignment keys. Extend the molding putty ½ inch up the retaining wall. Attach a second retaining wall. Apply a thin layer of temporary adhesive to the bottom side of the clay bed (the side parallel to the top of the master item). Press this side flush against a wooden or metal retaining wall. Allow the adhesive and the molding putty to cure for 1 hour. Create a durable mother shell. Due to the flexibility of cured molding putty, it is necessary to create a second more durable shell, known as a mother shell. You will create the mother shell with plaster sheets. Cut 4 to 6 sheets of plasters. Each sheet should be 6 inches longer than the mold. Layer the sheets on top of eachother. Dip the sheets in bowl filled with room temperature water for 1 second. Remove the excess water by squeezing the sheets over the bowl. The sheets should be wet, not dripping with water. Lay the sheets over the mold and up the retaining walls. Press the sheets into the mold so that they form to the shape. Crease the edges along the retaining walls into crisp 90° angles—the plaster sheets lining the retaining walls will serve as feet. Allow the plaster to cure for 30 minutes. Remove the retaining walls and clay bed. Once the plaster has hardened, remove the two retaining walls. Flip the entire mold over so that it is resting on the 2 plaster feet. Carefully remove the clay bed and any remnants remaining on the master part. If the key alignments do not come off with the clay bed, remove these as well. Create the second half of the 2 part mold. When creating the second half of the 2 part mold, you will repeat the process you just completed: Apply a release agent to the master part. Attach the top of the mold to a retaining wall. Coat the master part in a layer of molding putty. Attach the bottom of the mold to a retaining wall. Create a mother shell out of plaster sheets. Remove the master part from the mold. Once the plaster has cured for 30 minutes, you can safely disassemble the mold. Remove the two retaining walls from the mold. Place the mold upside down on your workspace. Remove the mother shell and carefully peel away the silicone mold. Set aside the master part and reassemble the mold. Prepare your work area. Find a flat work space that is well lit and ventilated. Cover the work space with clean paper towels or scrap paper. Newspapers are not advised as the print could come off on your molds or your finished plastic parts. You may also cover the surface with a trash bag or an old vinyl tablecloth. Prepare the mold. Proper treatment of the mold is essential to the success of your project. If you are using a pre-made mold, wash it thoroughly under hot water to remove the film of cornstarch. Dry it with a clean cloth. Coat your mold with a layer of release agent. If you are using a 2 part mold, coat both sides and reassemble it. Mix the plastic resin. Plastic resin is comprised of 2 parts, typically labeled part A and Part B. The resin is formed by mixing equal parts A and B. Retrieve 2 plastic disposable cups. Determine how much resin you will need to complete your project. Pour equal parts A and B into cups 1 and 2 respectively. Pour the contents of cup 2 into cup 1. Stir with a wooden popsicle stick. Cast the mold. Pour the resin into your mold. To combat the air bubbles rising to the surface, spray the top of the resin with a releasing agent. Smooth and scrape off any excess resin with a metal putty knife. Allow the resin to set for the time specified in your product's instructions. Remove the item from the mold. Once the resin has set, you may carefully remove the item from the mold. If you are using a pre-made mold, a silicone mold, or a mold made from reusable materials, apply pressure to the back of the mold with your fingers and pop the item out. If you are using a 2 part mold, disassemble the mold to remove the item. | Prepare the master part. Melt your reusable molding materials in a microwave. Pour the melted material over the master part. Create a catalyzing solution with soap and water. Catalyze the silicone. Knead the 100% silicone in the catalyst bath. Form the mold. Allow your mold to cure. Draw a centerline on your master part. Embed half of the master item in a clay bed. Attach 4 alignment keys to the top of the clay bed. Secure the master part to a retaining wall. Cover the master item’s exposed half with silicone mold putty. Attach a second retaining wall. Create a durable mother shell. Remove the retaining walls and clay bed. Create the second half of the 2 part mold. Remove the master part from the mold. Prepare your work area. Prepare the mold. Mix the plastic resin. Cast the mold. Remove the item from the mold. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Give-Selamectin-to-Cats-with-Parasites | How to Give Selamectin to Cats with Parasites | In order to give Selamectin to cats with parasites, first hold the cat still by swaddling it gently in a towel. Next, open the container of Selamectin by holding it upright and pressing down on the top of the cap the seal on the tube breaks. After removing the cap, expose the skin behind the neck by moving the fur and slowly squeeze all of the Selamectin onto the cat's neck drop by drop. Once it's applied, hold the cat for a few minutes until you think the medication has been fully absorbed. | Verify that you are using the recommended dosage. The minimum recommended dosage for Selamectin is 2.7 mg per pound (or 1.22 mg per kilogram) of body weight. However, the medication comes in a variety of pre-filled application tubes. Make sure that you are using the correctly sized application for the size of your cat. In most cases, your veterinarian will prescribe a certain size of application for your cat, based on its size. When you get refills of the medication, make sure you are still getting the correct size. Hold the cat still. In order to apply Selamectin, you will need to limit your cat's ability to move. If your cat is particularly docile, you may just be able to hold it still in your lap. However, if your cat is active, you may need to restrain it. In order to restrain a cat without injuring it, you can swaddle it with a towel. Have someone else help you. Place a towel out on a table, have the helper place the cat in the middle of the towel, and then wrap the towel around the cat. If you can get it snug enough to keep your cat's paws inside the towel, but not so tight that it hurts the cat, then this restraint will work for applying Selamectin. Open the tube. Open the container of Selamectin by first holding the tube upright. Then press down on the top of the cap until you hear a clicking sound. This signals that the seal on the tube has been broken. Once the seal has been broken, you can remove the cap. Apply the medication to the back of the cat's neck. Whether you are holding your cat lightly or you have it restrained, move the fur at the back of the neck apart, so that the cat's skin is exposed. Then place the tip of the tube on the skin and slowly squeeze the contents of the tube onto the cat's neck. In order to make sure that all the medication makes it to the skin, you may need to empty the application container slowly. Allowing a few drops at a time to make contact with the skin will ensure that all the medication makes it onto the skin and not just onto the cat's fur. While you are at your veterinarian's office, consider having the veterinarian show you how to apply this medication. Make sure all the medication is applied. As you remove the tube, you should keep it squeezed until it is clear of the medication that has been deposited. This will ensure that none of the medication is sucked back up into the tube. If you accidentally do suck some of the medication back into the tube, take the time to reapply it to your cat's skin. It is important that your cat has the full dose in order to keep parasites off of your cat. Don't let the cat disturb the application area. Continue to hold the cat still for awhile after you have applied the medication. You want to let it absorb as much as possible into the skin before letting the cat go. Once you think the medication is mostly absorbed, you can let the cat go. The location of the application is designed to make it very difficult for the cat to disturb it. However, if your cat is very persistent and rubs or claws at the area, then you may need to keep an eye on it to make sure that it leaves the area alone. Wash your hands. Selamectin can be irritating to human skin. After you have finished applying the medication to your cat, you should thoroughly wash your hands and any other area that might have been splashed with the medication. Apply monthly, or as directed. Your veterinarian will likely recommend a monthly dose of Selamectin. If applied as directed, this should protect your cat from fleas, ticks, heartworms, and a variety of other parasites. Be sure to only give this medication to your cat monthly. If you apply it too often you run the risk of poisoning your cat. Signs of poisoning include hair loss at application location, vomiting, diarrhea (with or without blood), lethargy, excessive salivation, and fever. Wait until your cat is old enough. Cats cannot take Selamectin until they are at least 8 weeks old. This allows the cat to develop enough before introducing the parasitic into their system. If your cat is younger than 8 weeks old and you think that it may have a parasitic infection, then you need to get it veterinary care immediately. An infection at this young age can threaten the cat's life. Take your cat to a veterinarian. In order to get your cat on Selamectin, you will need to have it assessed by a veterinarian. They will give the cat an exam and determine what dosage of Selamectin you should give it. This product should not be used on sick or underweight animals, so your veterinarian should make sure your cat is healthy before prescribing it. It is especially important to take your cat to be seen by a veterinarian if you spot the signs of a parasitic infestation. This could include spotting fleas or flea dust on your cat, noticing your cat is scratching itself a lot, or identifying the symptoms of heartworms, which include vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing. Discuss medication options. There are a variety of products that can be used on cats to control parasites, only one of which is Selamectin. Discuss the different products that are available and follow your veterinarian's suggestions if you trust their opinion and advice. Selamectin is a great product to use on cats because it protects against so many different parasites. | Verify that you are using the recommended dosage. Hold the cat still. Open the tube. Apply the medication to the back of the cat's neck. Make sure all the medication is applied. Don't let the cat disturb the application area. Wash your hands. Apply monthly, or as directed. Wait until your cat is old enough. Take your cat to a veterinarian. Discuss medication options. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Shrinky-Dinks | How to Make Shrinky Dinks | If you have a Shrinky Dinks plastic sheet, create a design on the rough side of the sheets, or use permanent marker to decorate the smooth side. Cut the design into your preferred shape, then lay your shrinky dink on an aluminum-lined baking tray, rough-side-up. Preheat the oven to 325°F then put your Shrinky Dink into the oven for 1-3 minutes or until it's flat. | Draw, trace or copy an image onto a Shrinky Dinks plastic sheet. Shrinky Dinks are usually sold as 8-inch by 10-inch plastic sheets. Use colored pencils, markers, and ink on Shrinky Dinks. Use the colored pencil on the rough side of the sheets, and use Sharpie or permanent marker on the smooth side. Some Shrinky Dinks come pre-cut and with designs already outlined on them, and others will just be the plastic sheets. Don't use oily or waxy substances like crayons or oil paint on Shrinky Dinks because they will melt in high heat. Some sheets are machine-sanded frosted sheets that usually come in packs of 10. Some Shrinky Dinks come as non-sanded sheets, though; that version requires permanent markers. Printing from a computer directly onto a sheet is also possible, and works great with photos. Print letters in a mirror image so they can be read from the nicer shiny side once shrunk. Tracing is popular as well. Cut a design or punch holes in the plastic. You may want to add decorative edges to the plastic, cut out your design, or punch holes in it to make it into a necklace or charms for a bracelet. Use paper punches if you want holes in the plastic. You might want holes if you are making jewelry or just for decoration. Punch any holes before you bake the Shrinky Dinks. Cut out your design with decorative or regular scissors. Line a cookie sheet tray with non-stick aluminum foil or baking paper. You could also create a mock tray by folding aluminum foil. Place the Shrinky Dink cut-out designs on the tray, rough side up. Leave space between the Shrinky Dink plastic shapes or they might stick together. Ovens should only be used with adult supervision. Preheat the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. You probably only need to pre-heat the oven for 1 to 3 minutes. You can use a toaster oven or a conventional oven. Once the oven is preheated, put the tray with the Shrinky Dinks into the oven. You only need to bake them for 1 to 3 minutes. At first the Shrinky Dinks will curl up, but they will flatten back out. Once they flatten back out, bake for 30 more seconds. Remove the tray from oven. Use a potholder so you don't burn yourself, and be careful. You could flatten your Shrinky Dinks more by pressing them flat with folded paper. However, this step may not be necessary. Let the Shrinky Dinks cool for a few minutes before handling them. The finished piece will shrink to 1/3 the original's size, but it will become 9 times thicker. The artwork will be brighter and bolder, and you can more easily preserve it. Obtain a piece of #6 plastic. For example, this is the kind of plastic often used in salad bar containers. Look for a “6” on the bottom of the plastic. The plastic needs to be relatively thick to work. Cut away the extra plastic until you are left with a flat square. Draw your design on the plastic, using permanent marker. It's best with this kind of plastic not to use colored pencils. Once baked, the image will shrink to about a third of its size and will increase in thickness. Cut your design out and/or punch holes in it. Round the corners a bit as edges may sharpen upon baking. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Put the rack in the lowest oven position. The reason the plastic works for designs is because it's made out of polystyrene just as Shrinky Dinks are. Make a tray out of aluminum foil by folding it until it's thick enough to hold the plastic. Put the plastic designs on the tray. Bake for about 3.5 minutes. The plastic will curl, and then straighten itself out. Remove, and allow to cool. Finished. | Draw, trace or copy an image onto a Shrinky Dinks plastic sheet. Cut a design or punch holes in the plastic. Line a cookie sheet tray with non-stick aluminum foil or baking paper. Preheat the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the tray from oven. Obtain a piece of #6 plastic. Draw your design on the plastic, using permanent marker. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Annotate | How to Annotate | Before you annotate a text, read it thoroughly so you can identify the main points or themes that you want to focus on. Next, highlight important passages and use different markings to identify things you want to make note of. For example, you can circle the names of any new characters as they appear, or underline statements relating to the theme. Then, create a legend by listing what each type of annotation means so that you can quickly find it again later. Finally, write an index of your notes on the text by writing down the page numbers and a short description of your observation on a separate paper. | Read the assignment carefully to identify priorities. If you annotate everything you read, your annotations won't really help you find what you need when the time comes. Before you start reading, decide what you are looking for. If you are in secondary school, you may want to ask your teacher for a list of suggested annotations. Clearly annotate the thesis and key parts of the argument in an essay. Underline evidence that you find questionable. This will be useful if you want to argue that the author's thesis is wrong. Annotations on works of literature usually identify plot, character, and theme. However, they can also include setting, vocabulary and figurative language. If you are reading for pleasure, highlight points that you found very interesting and that you might want to go back to. Consider, for example, annotating quotes that you really like and might want to use later. In addition, if you run across a big idea that changes the way you think, highlight it so that you can return to it. Read closely. Successful annotation is only possible if you are always reading actively. Consider reading shorter works multiple times, circling things you had trouble understanding the first time. Slow down. Read aloud verbally or in your mind. Don't skim through the text. You can also underline key terms or put brackets around longer phrases. Highlight the theme or thesis. No matter what your assignment is, you will need to understand the big idea of the text. Any part of the book that seems to speak to a major idea, should be clearly marked. Consider drawing a big asterisk in the margins so that you can easily find these elements later. In an essay, the thesis is typically in the first paragraph, but not always. It summarizes the main point or idea of the essay. The theme won't be a sentence. Instead, look for the repetition of certain ideas or significant passages (usually during the climax of the story). Keep writing utensils on you at all times. If you miss something important it can be very difficult to go back and find it. Yellow highlighter is the best way to mark text without making it hard to read. Pencil is easy to erase if you want to correct something or return the book to a pristine condition after you finish. </ref> A pen is not recommended because you can't erase it if you make a mistake. It may also take away from the sell-back value if this is a text book. If you choose to use a pen, consider blue. It will stand out from the black text of the book, but it won't detract from it, like hot pink or purple might. Write notes on Post-It notes if you want to keep your book clean. If you can't stand the idea of marking your book or it's a book you can't keep like a library book or a borrowed textbook, use Post-It notes instead. Write your comments or annotations on the note, and stick it in the margin. This will also make it easier to find your notes when you are done. Cut Post-It notes into narrower strips, and use those to mark important key terms or words. This will help reduce clutter. Use different colors for different types of annotations. For example, you could use yellow for general annotations, pink for quotes, and orange for themes. Highlight important passages. Taking a yellow highlighter to important parts of the reading is the best way to mark relevant sections without making it harder to read. Consider using different highlighter colors for different parts of the text. For example, you can use yellow for longer passages, and pink for important key terms. Most e-book readers will allow you to highlight passages. Some will even allow you to use multiple colors when highlighting the text. If you don't have a highlighter, put brackets around the passage instead. You can do this with a pencil or a colored ballpoint pen (i.e.: pink, purple, blue, red, etc). If you're a visual learner, you can also artistically annotate important passages by drawing them and then writing an explanation of what your drawing is. Use different techniques to identify characters or literary tropes. Use circles, boxes, multiple colors, and so on. The more techniques you use to annotate the text, the easier it will be to find specific types of information. You can, for example, circle vocabulary you have trouble with so you can easily skim through and find vocabulary later. How you use each type of annotation will depend upon what you need to look for in the text. For example, you may want to circle new vocabulary, box figurative language, underline thematic statements, and place parenthesis around descriptions of setting. Most e-readers don't allow so many different types of annotations, but some, like Clearview, offer at least a few types of annotation. You can use different color highlighters to identify text relevant to character, theme, or setting. You can also use different color highlighters to identify important statements about different characters. You can create different symbols to make it easier to identify relevant pages. For example, an asterisk in the margins or top of the page could identify pages with major parts of the argument. You can use arrows to point to quotes that you know you will use during the essay. Create a legend for your annotations. Make a list that explains what each type of annotation you use means. If you are using a print out, write the key on a blank piece of paper attached to the printout. The front or last page of a book can also be a great place to write out your index. For an e-reader, write a note at the beginning of the text. Be consistent, when possible. Try to develop a method that you can use for future assignments. After several assignments, you may no longer need to use a legend to keep your annotations straight. Keep in mind that one method of annotating may not work for every assignment. In this case, develop several different methods, and alternate them as needed. Only highlight information that will be useful for your assignment. Overly underlined or marked text can be hard to decode. Be sure to identify what you are looking for in advance and limit annotations to text that is relevant to your assignment. If you annotate everything, your annotations won't help you find what you need when you review the book. Try to have a preliminary thesis as you read so that you know what quotes will be useful for your argument. Your thesis can, and probably should, change as you read. But having something at the beginning will help you identify important material. Write out your own original ideas in the margins. When you find a passage that may apply to your assignment, create brackets around the text. Then, record significant observations or ideas in the margins. Be prepared to explain how the passage or quote relates back to your argument or thesis for the assignment. A common mistake with annotations is to underline too much and take too few notes. Your notes will help you to make important connections that you can refer to later. Otherwise, you might forget what it was that you found to be important about the underlined section. E-readers also allow you to place notes in the text of the book and sometimes to export them to your computer. Most allow you to instantly search through your notes for keywords. “Skim” allows you to include different types of notes in the text and automatically creates bibliographies with your notes. Make predictions as you read. Write down predictions so that you can return to the text later and remember where you think the text was going. This can be a good way to think about how the story or argument evolves and to pick out any curve balls the author might have thrown. You won't always have to do this, especially if it is an essay. Consider making your predictions on Post-it notes or on a separate sheet of paper. This will free up your margins for more important information. Keep an index of key information. Write down page numbers and a short description for the most important parts of the book. Try to group these comments by relevant subject, like theme, character change and repetitive figurative language on your additional note pages. For a book, consider putting the index on the front page. Otherwise, write them on a separate page, or in a word file. Keep a list of themes and important figurative elements. This is especially important if you are going to be asked to do a literary analysis or write an essay. You can write these on a separate piece of paper, or on blank page in the front of the book. While you're reading the text, also keep track of moments when major characters change or evolve. List comments and page numbers under each theme. The more detailed you are, the easier it will be to write a paper and provide evidence. Summarize every chapter. Summarize the important points of each chapter. This will make it easier to go back and find relevant material. In addition, it will force you to digest what you read. Consider writing your own title for the chapter. This will help you think about the theme and major events of each chapter. In a book, you can write this in the space between chapters. For e-books, write notes at the end of the text in the chapter. You can also write comments on a separate piece of paper or in a word file. You can also make a list of reflective questions to ask yourself at the end of every chapter so it's easier to summarize them. Write down questions that you have. When you hit parts of the book that you have trouble understanding or that you think require deeper analysis, write questions in the margins. Return to these after you finish the book to see if you can answer them. Questioning the text is a good way to produce original opinions about it. Write these in the margins in pencil or on a separate sheet of paper. When you get the answer, go back and write it under the question. If it's too long, write the page or paragraph number that the answer can be found on. Write definitions. When you encounter a word that you're having trouble with, circle it. Look it up when you can and write the definition next to it. If there is enough space, you can write the definition under the passage. For example, text books often have several line breaks between paragraphs. Take advantage of these. Take note of any key terms as well. Mark these in the passage so that you can see how they are used. . Record new vocabulary words Create a list of words that you circled. Go back and study it before you re-read the chapter. This will make it easier to understand the passage the second time. Number important steps in plot development or argument. When you are trying to understand a process or a plot line, write down numbers on the margins. Number each step in the process as you encounter it. Then, when you go back, you can quickly identify how something happened. If, for example, you are reading a book on chemistry, you could number each step necessary to produce a chemical reaction. | Read the assignment carefully to identify priorities. Read closely. Highlight the theme or thesis. Keep writing utensils on you at all times. Write notes on Post-It notes if you want to keep your book clean. Highlight important passages. Use different techniques to identify characters or literary tropes. Create a legend for your annotations. Be consistent, when possible. Only highlight information that will be useful for your assignment. Write out your own original ideas in the margins. Make predictions as you read. Keep an index of key information. Summarize every chapter. Write down questions that you have. Write definitions. . Number important steps in plot development or argument. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Prickly-Pears | How to Grow Prickly Pears | To grow prickly pear from seeds, start by covering the bottom of a garden pot or plastic cup that has a hole in the bottom with a layer of small rocks to allow water to drain. Next, fill the pot with soil and sand, lay 1 to 2 seeds on top of the soil, and gently press the seeds into the soil. Then, add a small amount of water to the pots, and place them in a warm and shady place. If you live in a climate that doesn't get too cold, you can transplant your cactus outdoors in the late spring by digging a hole deep enough to cover the roots, covering the cactus with soil, and watering it every 3 or 4 days. | Obtain the seeds. You can do this by purchasing them from a nursery or garden store, or you can extract them from prickly pear fruit. Prickly pear fruit is a red, egg-shaped fruit that grows off the top of the prickly pear plant. To remove the seeds from a fruit: Put on gloves to protect your hands from the thorns. Slice the ends off the fruit. Stand the fruit up on one end. Make a thin, vertical slice down one side of the skin, and carefully stick a finger underneath. Peel away the skin by unwrapping the fruit like an orange. Use your fingers to break apart the flesh to find the seeds, which are studded throughout the fruit. Prepare a garden pot. Take a small garden pot that has a hole in the bottom. Cover the bottom of the pot with a layer of small rocks, which will allow water to drain better. Fill the pot with soil that contains about half soil and half sand, rough pumice, or loam. These soils drain better than ones with a high clay content, and are more similar to the natural desert soils a cactus prefers. You can also purchase a pre-mixed cactus or succulent potting mix. If you don't have any garden pots, you can use a plastic cup. Poke several holes in the bottom to allow water to drain out. To grow multiple prickly pears, prepare several garden pots in this way. Plant the seeds. Lay one or two seeds on top of the soil. Gently press the seeds into the soil and cover them with a light dusting of soil. Add a small amount of water. You want the soil to be moist, but not wet. Keep the pots in a warm but shady place. Cactus seeds don't need direct sunlight the way established plants do. Keep the pots in a shaded area that's surrounded by sunlight to allow for a warm climate. As the seeds grow, keep the soil moist until they germinate. Water the soil when it starts to become dry to the touch. Prickly pears grown from seeds tend to take longer to grow than propagated plants, and the resulting cacti could take three to four years to produce flowers and fruit. However, growing plants from seeds is important for ensuring genetic diversity. Find an establish prickly pear to propagate. Another way to grow prickly pear is to use a cutting from an established plant. Ask friends and neighbors if you can take a cutting from one of their plants if you don't have any established prickly pears of your own. To propagate prickly pear from existing plants, you use cuttings from the pads of the plants, which are actually modified stems or branches. The pads are the flat, green, fleshy parts that make up the majority of the plant. Cut off a pad. Select a healthy pad that's medium or large in size, and between one and three years old. Ideally, look for a pad that's free of damage, specks, or any deformities. To take a cutting, hold the top of the pad with a gloved hand and slice the pad above the joint where it attaches to the rest of the plant. Don't cut the pad below the joint, because this can cause infection and the plant will rot. Let the pad form a callous. To prevent infection and rotting, you must let the cactus pad cutting form a callous where it was cut before you can plant it. Lay the pad on a bed of soil or sandy soil for one to two weeks, until the cut has healed. Leave the pad in a shaded area while you're waiting for the callous to form. Prepare a garden pot. Fill the bottom of a medium planting pot with stones to allow for drainage. Fill the rest of the pot with sandy or loamy soil, which will also allow for good drainage. The ideal soil will be a half-and-half mixture of soil and sand or pumice. Plant the pad when the cut has healed. Make a one- to two-inch hole in the soil with your finger. Place the pad upright in the garden pot, with the cut end in the soil. Bury the end. Do not bury the end more than one or two inches deep, otherwise it could rot. If the pad is having trouble standing, surround it with a few rocks to prop it up. Water the plant. Water the plant only when the soil looks dry, about once or twice per week. Place the pad in the sun. Unlike prickly pear seeds, pads need plenty of direct sunlight. However, the pads can sunburn in hot sun, so it's important to protect the pad from direct sunlight between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., when the sun is strongest. To avoid having to move the prickly pear constantly, you can position the plant so the broad sides of the pad are facing east and west, so the thinner sides of the pad are facing the sun when it's at its hottest. This will protect it from sunburn so that you don't have to move it out of the sun every afternoon. Once the cutting has established roots it will be ready for full sun exposure. Choose a permanent location for the cactus. You can continue growing your prickly pear in a pot, or you can transplant it into the ground. To transplant the cactus, choose an outdoor location that gets lots of full sun exposure. Even if you keep the prickly pear in a pot, it still needs to be positioned somewhere that gets full sun. If you live in a climate with colder winters where temperatures dip below 14 degrees F (-10 degrees C), keep the prickly pear in a pot so you can move it indoors when the weather gets cold. Transplant the cactus. The best time to transplant a prickly pear is in the late spring, when the risk of frost and excessive rain are done. Dig a hole that's about the same size as the pot the cactus is in. Get the pot as near to the hole as possible. Gently tip the pot upside down and cup the plant with a gloved hand. Place the roots in the hole and cover it with soil. Pack the soil down with your hands and saturate it with water. During the first week, water the plant every three to four days. After that, water the cactus every three to four weeks. After the first year of establishment, it will not need any extra watering aside from the rain it gets. Harvest pads and fruit once the plant is established. Let the prickly pear establish itself for several months before harvesting pads or fruit. Wait for the plant to grow a second or third pad before harvesting pads, and wait until there are at least eight blooms on a pad before harvesting the fruit it produces. Cut pads with a sharp knife in the late morning or early afternoon. This is when the acid content is lowest. Remove the pads just above the joint. Harvest fruit by twisting the fruit and gently pulling it away from the pad. You know the fruit is ripe when the glochids, or thorns, fall off the light or dark colored bumps on the fruit. Be sure to wear gloves to protect your hands from thorns when harvesting from the prickly pear. Cover the soil with mulch in winter. To prevent damage from the cold, even if you live in a warm climate, cover the soil surrounding the prickly pear with mulch in the fall. If you live in a cold climate and have your cactus in a pot, bring the prickly pear inside in the fall to prevent it from freezing. | Obtain the seeds. Prepare a garden pot. Plant the seeds. Keep the pots in a warm but shady place. Find an establish prickly pear to propagate. Cut off a pad. Let the pad form a callous. Prepare a garden pot. Plant the pad when the cut has healed. Water the plant. Place the pad in the sun. Choose a permanent location for the cactus. Transplant the cactus. Harvest pads and fruit once the plant is established. Cover the soil with mulch in winter. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Dress-Up-Jeans | How to Dress Up Jeans | To dress up jeans, start by picking out a well-fitting pair of jeans without holes or stains, and opt for darker colors in a straight or boot cut. Then, select an appropriate top for the occasion, like a button down for a more clean-cut, professional look, or a silk blouse for an elegant outfit. Since you're wearing plain jeans on the bottom, you might select a top with a print, a bold design, or embellishments to add some interest to the outfit. You can also dress up your jeans by picking fancier shoes, such as pumps, wedges, or dressy flats. | Make sure your jeans fit properly. Choose a pair of jeans that flatters your figure and fits your body. Avoid jeans that are too snug in the hips and thighs. For a dressy look, you should also avoid jeans that are loose and baggy. Choose jeans which fit well in the waist. Make sure your jeans rise high enough in the waist to provide coverage when you sit down. Low-rise jeans usually look more youthful and casual than other styles, so opt for a medium or high rise for a dressier appearance. Avoid jeans with holes or stains. Distressed jeans are popular, but they give off an extremely casual vibe. If you're trying to dress up, make sure your jeans don't have holes and are free from stains. Choose dark jeans over lighter colors if you have them. You can still dress up light to medium wash jeans, but darker shades of denim look nicer and more formal than lighter shades. Dark wash jeans are also the most appropriate for casual business occasions. In addition to dark blues, you could also choose black jeans and dark gray jeans. Go with a classic cut, such as boot-cut or straight, for versatility. A skinny jean may work under some circumstances, but they can look more rock-star than dressy. Boot-cut or straight-leg jeans more closely resemble trousers, and they will work for nearly anything from a fun night out with friends to a casual meeting with a new client. Wear a colored jean for a bold, stylish look. Black or white denim can be dressed up with relative ease. You might also be able to create a dressy look by pairing a brightly-colored denim with a blouse in a coordinating color or pattern. Wear a classic button-down shirt for a crisp look. A long-sleeve button-down shirt looks crisp, clean, and business-like when you tuck it into a pair of jeans. Look for a shirt in a plain color or one with vertical pinstripes, then pair it with a pair of dark jeans for a business-casual look. Try wearing a white, long-sleeved button down tucked into a pair of boot cut jeans in a dark wash for a preppy look. Choose a silk or lace blouse for an elegant look. Feminine fabrics like lace, chiffon, and silk instantly make any outfit look dressier. The sophistication of your top will likely prove more than enough to counteract the casual nature of your jeans. A flowy silk blouse and a pair of pumps is a good option if you want to dress up a pair of jeans in a medium wash. Try a nice sweater with jeans to dress up on a cool day. Shy away from bulky sweaters and stick with stylish cuts. Look for sweaters with an interesting neckline, such as a boat neck, v-neck, or crew neck. Dress up a pair of slim-fitting jeans by wearing a solid-colored sweater over a collared shirt. Pick a collared shirt in a bright hue to bring an unexpected pop of color to your outfit. Choose a bold print if you love to be the center of attention. Striking geometric prints, wide stripes, and bold florals are all great prints to pair with dark jeans to dress them up. If you do opt for a daring print, keep your shoes and accessories simple. To keep your bold top from taking over your outfit, try layering it under a jacket. For example, you could wear a tee with large horizontal stripes under a blazer. When worn with a pair of jeans in a relaxed fit, you'll have a look that's cool and casual while still being appropriate for most settings. Choose a delicate print for a more subtle look. If you're looking to blend in rather than stand out, you could look for a top in a delicate print, like a small floral pattern, pinstripes, or Swiss dots. A button-down shirt with pinstripes paired with a dark-wash denim and a pair of loafers will have you ready for Casual Friday. Pair a sparkly top with jeans for a night out. Sequins and metallics can really dazzle under bright lights, but jeans will keep you from looking overworked. This is a great look for a girls' night or a date. A black shirt covered with black sequins is a classy way to get the sparkle you love. Pair it with your favorite heels or flats for a night-time look that's just right. Throw a dress over your jeans for a feminine look. Pick out a playful, flowing spring or summer sundress to throw over a pair of skinny jeans. Gravitate toward knee-length dresses. Also stick with dresses that are a little more casual in nature, rather than formal dresses or work dresses. A knee-length, empire-waist dress in a bold color looks cute when worn over a pair of slim-fitting ankle-length trousers. Pair with platform pumps to elongate your legs. Choose a plain, fitted t-shirt or tank top to show off accessories. On its own, a plain shirt and jeans may still look casual, but the combination makes a perfect blank canvas for tailored jackets, sparkly shoes, and rich accessories. Stick with solid colors over graphic tees, and gravitate toward neutral colors like white, black, and brown for the greatest versatility. If you have an accessory like a necklace or a belt buckle you really want to show off, wear an open jacket and tuck a plain T-shirt into your jeans. Add a blazer over your top to create a more professional look. A classic blazer can easily dress up a simple shirt and jeans, transforming it from everyday casual to business-casual. Look for a fitted blazer in a traditional color, like black, navy, or deep gray. Alternatively, look for a blazer in a bright color to add a little spice and personality to your look. Any pair of jeans looks great with a crisp white tee, a blazer, and a sharp pair of shoes. To make the look more feminine, add on a statement necklace or a stack of eye-catching bracelets. Wear a jacket with a strong shoulder for a high-fashion look. Structured shoulders make a fashion statement, so look for a jacket with interesting shoulder details. A look this strong benefits from being dressed down with a pair of jeans. A leather jacket with strong shoulders looks great worn with slim-fitting jeans, ankle boots, and a simple tee or tank. Try a belted jacket to emphasize your waist. A belted jacket adds structure to your outfit, easily dressing up even the simplest of shirt/jean combinations. Wear a pair of straight-leg jeans in a dark color with a belted trench coat and a pair of practical shoes for a no-nonsense look you can wear almost anywhere. Slip on a fitted cardigan sweater for a feminine look. When you want to play up your femininity, a fitted cardigan in cream or white is just the thing. Look for a cardigan with feminine details, like faux pearl buttons, in order to make your jeans look even dressier. Wear your fitted cardigan over a pretty top, like a lacy camisole. Complete the look with a pair of boot-cut jeans, a strand of pearls, and Mary Janes. Don your favorite heels for a quick way to dress up jeans. Adding a pair of heels is one of the fastest way to make denim look dressier. Stiletto heels work especially well, but kitten heels can also work. Go for black or another neutral for a classic look, while a bright shoe can add a bold touch. A low pair of heels can dress up a simple T-shirt and boot-cut jeans combination, while a pair of stilettos will bring elegance to relaxed straight-leg jeans. Wear a pair of flats for simple elegance. A nice pair of flats is a classic way to look pulled together. Choose ballet flats for a feminine look or boat shoes for a dash of vintage style. Embellishments such as bows or gems can add more flair to a pair of flats. Wear a crew-neck sweater with straight-leg jeans and a pair of boat shoes for a classically preppy look. Choose a bold shoe to make your outfit pop. If you have dark jeans and a dressy top in a neutral color, consider a bright shoe, like a red pump or a crocodile skin flat, to add a chic twist to your outfit. Show off your cool street style with a pair of brightly-colored suede shoes and a pair of ankle-length jeans with a tucked-in Oxford shirt. Try an ankle-high fashion boot for a modern look. Leather boots have a naturally sophisticated look, and ankle-length boots have become especially popular in recent years. Ankle-length boots work well with nearly any cut, from the classic boot-cut to the more modern skinny leg. Wear a pair of ankle boots with a low heel under a pair of boot-cut jeans and a T-shirt topped with a scarf for the perfect fall look. Choose a knee-high fashion boot to dress up snug skinny jeans. Knee-high boots can also look trendy, and if paired with a dark jean and a nice blouse, they can make an outfit look city chic. Pair these boots with a snug skinny jean and zip the boot up over your jean. Wearing these boots beneath your jeans defeats the purpose of having a boot with such a tall height. Wear knee-high riding boots with skinny jeans and a long sweater for preppy winter style. Opt for a conservative pair of loafers for the office. Instead of getting too casual with your shoes on casual Fridays, keep your footwear professional. Stick with high quality leather loafers to add structure and professionalism to your jeans. An Oxford shirt paired with dark-wash, straight-leg jeans and a pair of leather loafers is the perfect blend between laid-back and dressy for an informal work meeting or a dinner with friends. Experiment with shoe clips to add extra glam to your look. These look like barrettes for your shoes, and they provide a quick, easy way of dressing up an otherwise simple pair of flats. Try wearing a plain black shirt and a pair of slim-leg jeans to really show off your sparkly shoe clips. Throw on a fashion scarf to dress up a plain top. A silk or satin fashion scarf in a bright, bold color dresses up your jeans for a number of occasions. You can wear one with a button-down shirt to dress up your jeans for the office, or you can wear one with a fitted t-shirt to dress up your jeans for the weekend. Wear a belt to add structure to your outfit. A nice belt can be just the thing you need to bump up your ensemble from casual to chic. Look for a nice leather belt, but don't be afraid of an eye-catching belt buckle. Tuck in your shirt for extra polish. Opt for pearls to create a classic, conservative look. Pearls are the ultimate in timeless sophistication. A simple strand of pearls around your neck or subdued pearl post earrings can even make jeans look dressy. Throw a colorful bag over your shoulder for a fun, playful look. Like colorful necklaces and bracelets, this style element can help transform your outfit into a semi-dressy ensemble for a night out with friends. It may not, however, work for the office or a more demanding occasion. Carry a leather satchel for a masculine look. Carrying a leather bag instantly makes you look like you're going somewhere important. Look for a bag in well-made leather, with quality hardware and seams to make sure it lasts. Make your business-casual look seem even more pulled-together by adding a rich camel leather bag to your tucked-in Oxford and dark boot-cut jeans. Choose a smaller, more subtle purse for dressier occasions. For a romantic date or an evening function, consider a clutch or other small purse that hangs off a delicate strap. Smaller purses naturally look a little dressier than larger purses, especially in a neutral color like black or brown. Dress up your appearance using cosmetics if you wear makeup. For an classic look that's not overwhelming, focus on one feature and play it up. Wear a bold shade of lipstick or give yourself smoky eyes, then keep the rest of your look simple. Try a chunky, colorful necklace or bangle bracelets for a night out. These may not make your outfit look more professional, but a colorful piece of jewelry may help transform it for a night out with friends. | Make sure your jeans fit properly. Choose jeans which fit well in the waist. Avoid jeans with holes or stains. Choose dark jeans over lighter colors if you have them. Go with a classic cut, such as boot-cut or straight, for versatility. Wear a colored jean for a bold, stylish look. Wear a classic button-down shirt for a crisp look. Choose a silk or lace blouse for an elegant look. Try a nice sweater with jeans to dress up on a cool day. Choose a bold print if you love to be the center of attention. Choose a delicate print for a more subtle look. Pair a sparkly top with jeans for a night out. Throw a dress over your jeans for a feminine look. Choose a plain, fitted t-shirt or tank top to show off accessories. Add a blazer over your top to create a more professional look. Wear a jacket with a strong shoulder for a high-fashion look. Try a belted jacket to emphasize your waist. Slip on a fitted cardigan sweater for a feminine look. Don your favorite heels for a quick way to dress up jeans. Wear a pair of flats for simple elegance. Choose a bold shoe to make your outfit pop. Try an ankle-high fashion boot for a modern look. Choose a knee-high fashion boot to dress up snug skinny jeans. Opt for a conservative pair of loafers for the office. Experiment with shoe clips to add extra glam to your look. Throw on a fashion scarf to dress up a plain top. Wear a belt to add structure to your outfit. Opt for pearls to create a classic, conservative look. Throw a colorful bag over your shoulder for a fun, playful look. Carry a leather satchel for a masculine look. Choose a smaller, more subtle purse for dressier occasions. Dress up your appearance using cosmetics if you wear makeup. Try a chunky, colorful necklace or bangle bracelets for a night out. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Act-Silly-with-Your-Boyfriend | How to Act Silly with Your Boyfriend | Acting silly with your boyfriend is a great way to have fun and bring you closer together. Try starting a tickle fight or wrestling him on the floor. If you're washing the dishes, splash him a little when he walks past. Call him silly nicknames and speak in funny accents. Or, do a goofy dance as you cross the room to make him laugh. If you get bored, get him to take silly selfies with you. You can also steal things from him, like his hat or car keys, and make him chase or wrestle you to get them back. | Embrace your unique personality. To act silly around your boyfriend, stop worrying about what he thinks. Commit to being yourself instead of trying to change your personality for him. If he doesn't appreciate your genuine personality, he's definitely not worth your time. Make a list of all your strengths, and read it daily to give yourself a confidence boost. When you're feeling unsure, stop for a moment and remember a time when you felt super confident. Try to recall the sights, sounds, and smells of that moment. Bringing yourself back to a moment of high confidence can help you feel more confident in the present. Listen to some confidence-boosting jams! You can even make a “confidence playlist” to psych yourself up. Be present. Part of being silly is being completely present. Instead of worrying about being funny or saying the right thing, focus on having a great time with your boyfriend. If you feel yourself starting to worry, focus on your breathing. Then, bring your attention to what you see, feel and hear around you. Notice your boyfriend's smile, the feeling of his hand in yours, and the sound of his laugh. Be more spontaneous. If you feel the urge to do something silly, do it right away. After all, being silly is about letting go. The longer you wait, the more likely you are to hold back. Try channeling your goofy inner child who doesn't care what others think. If you're sitting by the lake, start a splashing war! Propose an impromptu game of hide-and-seek or tag. Don’t take things too seriously. While there's definitely a time for seriousness, there's also a time to laugh and be goofy. Not every conversation with your boyfriend needs to be deep and emotional. Having silly, lighthearted interactions is important for a strong relationship, too. Don't take yourself too seriously, either. It's ok to act like a fool sometimes. In fact, it can actually be pretty fun! Have a wrestling match. Challenge your boyfriend to a wrestling match, or surprise attack him from behind! Have fun with it, but keep the fighting under control. You don't actually want to hurt each other. Pretend to fight in a specific fighting style like boxing, martial arts, or sumo wrestling. Take turns being the announcer. If your boyfriend is much stronger than you, make a few rules to level the playing field. For example, you could make him fight with one of his arms behind his back. Plan a surprise pillow fight. Next time you're lounging on the bed or couch with your boyfriend, grab a pillow and whack him. Next thing you know, you'll have a full blown pillow war. Choose a great weapon! The best pillow-fight pillows are soft and filled with down, polyester, cotton, or wool. Play King of the Ring. The first person to fall off the bed or couch loses. Try Pillow Ninja. Hold one pillow in each hand, and whack each other. If you drop one of your pillows, you lose! Have a dance party. Turn on your favorite jams and have a dance party! You can do a silly partner dance, or have a dance off. Don't be afraid to bust out all your hilarious dance moves. Try playing a dance video game together, like Dance Dance Revolution or Just Dance. Watch a video of professional dancers and try to copy their crazy moves. Put your own spin on a Dancing with the Stars performance and let the hilarity ensue. Play with your food. When you're baking cookies in the kitchen with your boyfriend, blow a little flour on his nose. When he blows some back at you, throw a couple of chocolate chips at him. Let the food fight commence! Play catch with your food. Throw him a few jellybeans or grapes and have him try to catch them in his mouth. Start a tickle war. Ambush your boyfriend in the middle of a movie with a tickle fight! The two of you will be doubled over in laughter in seconds. Find his most ticklish spots. Try his ribs, tummy, armpits, and even the soles of his feet. Give him a funny nickname. The options are endless. You could pick nickname that reflects a funny habit of his, or one that's hilariously mismatched. If your boyfriend is has an intense obsession with Star Wars, call him Chewbacca. If your boyfriend is a super tall, call him Tiny. Do some gentle teasing. Playful banter is flirty and fun. Make fun of one of his quirks, do a light-hearted imitation, or give him a backhanded compliment. Keep the teasing gentle and fun. His insecurities shouldn't be the subject of your jokes. Stop right away if he looks upset or asks you to stop. Hurt feelings are certainly not funny. Say something like, “Wow, you're not so bad at cooking for someone who lives on Ramen noodles.” If he has a crazy laugh, do your best impression. Take goofy selfies. Make your weirdest faces and snap a ton of selfies. Try to recreate famous photos or paintings, or use Snapchat filters to make your photos even more bizarre. Then, look through them together and appreciate your silliness. Send your boyfriend one of these goofy photos a few weeks later with a text like, “Why are we so attractive?” Act out a scene from your favorite movie. Put on the scene, turn down the volume, and do your own interpretations of the dialogue. Don't be afraid to be ridiculous--the sillier, the better. For a hilarious contrast, do goofy dialogue for a super intense romantic scene. Use foreign accents to spice up your scene. Steal something of his and make him chase you. Grab his hat off his head, swipe a shoe, or snatch a cookie off his plate. Give him a playful smile, and dash away. Use furniture for cover as you dodge him. | Embrace your unique personality. Be present. Be more spontaneous. Don’t take things too seriously. Have a wrestling match. Plan a surprise pillow fight. Have a dance party. Play with your food. Start a tickle war. Give him a funny nickname. Do some gentle teasing. Take goofy selfies. Act out a scene from your favorite movie. Steal something of his and make him chase you. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Distilled-Water | How to Make Distilled Water | To make distilled water, first place a round baking rack in the bottom of a 5-gallon (19-L) stainless steel pot and fill the pot halfway with tap water. Then, place a glass bowl in the water so it floats. Turn the cover to the pot upside down, place it over the pot, and fill it with ice. Bring the water in the pot to a boil and let it boil for around 45 minutes. Replace the ice whenever it melts. The boiling water will turn to steam, rise up, and condense on the cold lid. When it condenses, it will drip back down into the bowl and fill it with distilled water. Once you have enough distilled water, turn off the heat and take off the lid. Use gloves to carefully remove the bowl full of water. Finally, let the distilled water cool before using it. | Fill a 5-gallon (18.927 L) stainless steel pot about halfway full with tap water. Place a glass bowl in the water. Be sure it floats. The bowl should not touch the bottom of the pot. If the bowl doesn't float, remove it from the water and set a round baking rack on the bottom of the pot. Then place the bowl back in the water The water in the pot must be boiling before going to the next step. This is to boil off chemicals such as methanol and ethanol. Create a condensation effect with a hot/cold barrier. You can do this by inverting the pot's lid and filling it with ice. When hot steam hits the cold lid, it will create condensation. Boil the water in your pot. As the water continues to boil, it will cause steam to rise and condense on the pot's lid. The condensation will drip into the bowl. Allow the distillation process to continue until you have enough distilled water in the bowl for your needs. Watch the water collecting in the bowl. This bowl water will be hot but should not boil. If the bowl water begins to boil, turn down the heat on the stove so that just the pot water is boiling. Remove your pot from the heat and take off the lid. Take the bowl of distilled water out of the pot of boiling water. Use caution when doing this so you do not burn yourself. You can allow the water to cool before removing the bowl, if you prefer. Allow the distilled water to cool before storing it. Get 2 glass bottles for making distilled water. This process works best if at least 1 of the bottles curves outward from the neck, preventing the distilled water from sliding back into the other bottle. Fill 1 bottle with tap water. Stop filling about 5 in (12.7 cm) from the top. Join the 2 bottles together at the neck and secure them tightly with duct tape. Use a 5-gallon (18.927 L) stainless steel pot of boiling water to distill the water. You want just enough water to cover the bottle filled with tap water. Tilt the bottles at about a 30-degree angle, leaning the top, empty bottle on the inside of the pot's rim. The angle makes it easier to collect the evaporated distilled water. Rest an ice pack or a bag of ice on top of the bottle on top. This will create a hot/cold barrier, causing the evaporation of water in the filled bottle to condense into the cooler bottle. Continue the distillation process until you collect enough distilled water in the bottle for your needs. Put a large, clean container outside to catch the rainwater. Leave the container outside for 2 full days to allow the minerals to dissipate. Store the distilled water in clean jugs. Note: While this method can produce drinkable water, it's possible for pollutants and harmful bacteria to remain in the water. It's always safest to filter, boil, or chemically treat rainwater before drinking, unless you know it's safe otherwise. | Fill a 5-gallon (18.927 L) stainless steel pot about halfway full with tap water. Place a glass bowl in the water. The water in the pot must be boiling before going to the next step. Create a condensation effect with a hot/cold barrier. Boil the water in your pot. Watch the water collecting in the bowl. Remove your pot from the heat and take off the lid. Take the bowl of distilled water out of the pot of boiling water. Allow the distilled water to cool before storing it. Get 2 glass bottles for making distilled water. Fill 1 bottle with tap water. Join the 2 bottles together at the neck and secure them tightly with duct tape. Use a 5-gallon (18.927 L) stainless steel pot of boiling water to distill the water. Tilt the bottles at about a 30-degree angle, leaning the top, empty bottle on the inside of the pot's rim. Rest an ice pack or a bag of ice on top of the bottle on top. Continue the distillation process until you collect enough distilled water in the bottle for your needs. Put a large, clean container outside to catch the rainwater. Leave the container outside for 2 full days to allow the minerals to dissipate. Store the distilled water in clean jugs. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Spider-Webs | How to Get Rid of Spider Webs | To remove spider webs, use the nozzle attachment on a vacuum to suck up any webs you might find. For hard-to-reach places, like behind furniture, around tight corners, or above cabinets, use a soft duster with a long handle. Additionally, you can also create your own duster by securing an old sock to the end of a yard stick with a rubber band. If you need to remove webs from windows and screens, use a hose or spray bottle to knock the webs out. | Watch for webs during your daily cleaning. Spider webs should be removed as you see them. This can help spiders from infesting your home. As you move through your day-to-day cleaning, be on the lookout for webs. Make a note of any webs you see to clean later on. Remove webs using a vacuum. The best means to remove spider webs is by simply using a vacuum. A handheld vacuum would be easiest to maneuver. However, if you don't have a handheld vacuum you can also use a vacuum with an extension nozzle. Simply use the nozzle or handheld vacuum to suck up any webs you see. If webs are stuck in, you may have to go over the area quite a few times. If you notice any cobwebs on furniture or curtains, vacuum over them. Then, use a lint roller to remove any leftover bits of web. Be sure to check under furniture. Some types of spiders may make webs in dark areas. Once a week, flip over your couches, chairs, tables, and other items of furniture to check for webs. If you notice any webs, vacuum them up. Use a soft duster with a handle for hard-to-reach places. Some places may be difficult to reach with a vacuum cleaner. Any nooks or crannies you cannot reach with a vacuum can be cleaned using a soft duster with a handle. If you don't have one, use a rubber band to secure an old sock to the end of a yard stick or ruler. You can then use this tool to remove webs. Use duct tape and a paint roller on speckled ceilings. Speckled ceilings, also known as popcorn ceilings, can be difficult to clean. Spider webs on these kinds of ceilings can be frustrating to remove. Using duct tape can be a good trick. Take a regular paint roller and wrap duct tape around it, with the sticky side of the tape facing outward. Then, roll this over your speckled ceiling in order to remove cobwebs. It may take a few rolls to get the webs out completely. Spray down windows and window screens. Spiders often make webs in the corners of windows, settling between the screen and window. If you want to remove spider webs from these places, follow guidelines often used for cleaning older windows. Spray down the window and screen with water. You can use either a hose or a spray bottle. If you're spraying from outside, a garden hose with a spray nozzle attached can be sprayed onto the window. You can spray into the screen, aiming at the unwanted spider webs. If you're spraying inside, just use a standard spray bottle. Remove the screen and use a smaller spray bottle to dislodge any remaining spider webs. From there, clean the windows with your chosen cleaning supplies. You can use window sprays you would buy at a local department store or simply use soap and water. Clean the window thoroughly, making sure to remove any remaining residue from the spider webs. To prevent reoccurrence, replace screens that have cracks and tears in them. This will stop spiders from getting into your home to begin with. Double check hard-to-reach spots of your home for webs and egg sacs. Go over the nooks and crannies in your home. Double check for spider webs or infestations in these places. If you live in an area where poisonous spiders are a hazard, you want to make sure your home is free of webs. The best way of preventing spider infestations is catching them before they start. Prepare a mixture of bleach and water. You can also use a combination of bleach and water to address spider webs. This is best used for live webs rather than cobwebs. This will get rid of spider eggs and kill any spiders still living in them. You can buy bleach at a local department store or online. Make sure to read any instructions provided before use. Always dilute bleach with water to the levels recommended on the container. For most homes, one gallon of bleach is all you'll need. If you're spraying bleach outside, you'll need to purchase some kind of bleach sprayer. You can do so online or at a local department store. You also may need a garden hose or adjustable spray nozzle. If you're bleaching in your home, a big sprayer might have too much force. You can simply mix bleach and water in a small handheld spray bottle. Make sure to wear protective gloves when handling bleach. It can be corrosive to skin. Always mix bleach with lukewarm or cold water, not hot water, which can cause the release of harmful chlorine gas. Never mix bleach with other household chemicals. Survey your home for webs. Before you begin the process, survey your home for webs. This will help you determine where you need to spray or wash. When spraying outside, you should spray in 10 to 15 square foot sections. Look for areas that contain spider webs and decide how to break your home into sections. Watch out for things like exterior light fixtures or electronic components of your house. You should make sure you don't damage such areas of your home with bleach. You can try to manually remove spiders with a cleaning brush if you notice webs in such areas. Put on protective gear. As bleach can be harmful to skin and eyes, you'll need to put on protective gear before you begin spraying. You should have protective clothing, goggles, and gloves. Spray the webs. Pump the sprayer towards areas infected by spider webs. Your sprayer's settings should allow you to spray bleach somewhere between a solid stream and a gentle mist. You might want to test the sprayer on sidewalk or cement before using it on your home. Apply a generous amount of bleach water to any areas you notice that contain eggs or webs. As you notice the webs and sacks loosening, spray another layer of bleach and water. If webs are stuck on hard, use a cleaning brush to manually remove them. Store leftover bleach safely. Once you've sprayed down any webs you found in your home, store the leftover bleach safely. Keep it in a secure container away from children and animals. Manufacturer's instructions should provide details on how to store or dispose of bleach safely. Spray bleach inside. When cleaning with bleach in your home, make sure to let the bleach sit for a minute after spraying it on a web or infested area. Then, wipe the web or egg sacs away with a towel and spray on another layer of bleach. It's best to let the bleach air dry after applying it rather than recontaminating the area with a towel. Keep children and pets away from areas in your home that you bleached recently. If you feel dizzy, open the windows to provide ventilation. Try sprays. If you have a spider infestation in your home, basic spider killer sprays can be purchased to treat the infection. These are usually used outside the home. You spray the perimeters of your home, as well as any cracks or crevices spiders may use to enter your house. Choose a spray at a local department store. You should know the basic build of your home before going in so you know what sprays are safe for your house. Go around the perimeter of your home. Spray around the house's foundation. Also, look for potential entryways for spiders. Pay special attention to cracks in windowsills and garage entryways. Specifics regarding safe use depend on the type of spray you're using. The bottle or package should provide safety instructions. Always read these carefully before using any spider sprays. Use essential oils. If you're wary about using chemicals around your home, essential oils can help. Try creating a mixture using essential oils and see if you notice a difference. Spiders tend to dislike the taste of essential oils. You can purchase essential oils online or at a local health store. For best effect, use neem oil and tea tree oil. Mix about two tablespoons of dish soap into warm water. Then, add 5 drops of tea tree oil and an ounce of neem oil. Sprinkle this mixture around your home in areas where you've noticed spiders. Be careful, however. Make sure you do not leave the spray close to children or pets. Tea tree oil can be harmful if swallowed. Look into insecticides. There are a variety of insecticides you can use to ward off spiders. Stop by your local hardware store and review your options. Dust insecticides are best used if you're treating cracks and crevices. They can be easily applied to hard-to-reach places in your home. Powder insecticides work best for spot treatment. If you've only seen spiders in a few spots in your home, consider a powder insecticide. If you're trying to create a boundary around your home, look into a liquid insecticide. They are usually mixed with water and then used to cover large areas around the home. As always, make sure to carefully review safety instructions of any products you buy prior to use. Try out an electronic repellant. Many people feel more comfortable with electronic repellants as they don't involve spraying your home. Electronic repellents generate electromagnetic waves that repel spiders and other pests. You can find them online or at a hardware store. Read product reviews carefully before making a purchase, however, to make sure the repellent works for most people. Get professional help, if necessary. If you have a serious spider infestation, you may not be able to treat it on your own. In this case, you should hire a professional exterminator. You should be especially proactive about this if you live in an area where poisonous spiders are common. | Watch for webs during your daily cleaning. Remove webs using a vacuum. Use a soft duster with a handle for hard-to-reach places. Use duct tape and a paint roller on speckled ceilings. Spray down windows and window screens. Double check hard-to-reach spots of your home for webs and egg sacs. Prepare a mixture of bleach and water. Survey your home for webs. Put on protective gear. Spray the webs. Store leftover bleach safely. Spray bleach inside. Try sprays. Use essential oils. Look into insecticides. Try out an electronic repellant. Get professional help, if necessary. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Eating-Chocolate | How to Stop Eating Chocolate | To stop eating chocolate, brush your teeth or chew a piece of gum whenever you're craving it, which will make the chocolate taste bad if you eat it. You can also try drinking more water during the day so you're less hungry for chocolate. Craving chocolate can be a sign that you have a magnesium deficiency, so try eating foods that are high in magnesium, like bananas, cashews, and broccoli. If you're really desperate for chocolate, drink chocolate-infused tea, which doesn't have all of the added sugar and fat that regular chocolate has. | Eat fulfilling meals. Eating meals rich in fiber and protein will make you feel fuller for longer, helping you to reduce your cravings. For breakfast, eat a bowl of oatmeal or two eggs with toast and a side of fruit. Make a turkey sandwich packed with lettuce, tomatoes, and a boiled egg for lunch. When dinner comes around, eat protein-rich foods like chicken or beef with a side of vegetables and a dinner roll. Other foods rich in fiber are raspberries, apples, bananas, pasta, brown rice, whole wheat bread, beans, almonds, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, corn, and potatoes. Foods rich in protein are chicken, fish, beef, pork, tofu, yogurt, beans, eggs, and cheese. Avoid skipping meals. Skipping meals can cause you to crave foods high in sugar, or reach for a quick fix like a chocolate bar. By eating every 3 to 4 hours, you can reduce hunger pains throughout the day. Eating meals every 3 to 4 hours will help keep your metabolism stable as well. Drink water. Being thirsty is often mistaken for being hungry. The next time you are hungry and craving chocolate, drink a full glass of water. Additionally, drink water with your meals and in between meals. It is recommended that you drink 8 cups (1.9 l) to 13 cups (3.1 l) of water per day. Add magnesium-rich foods to your diet. You may be craving chocolate because you have a magnesium deficiency. Because chocolate contains high levels of magnesium, your body may be craving it to boost your levels. Foods high in magnesium are almonds, bananas, cashews, tofu, milk, corn, and broccoli. Common symptoms of a magnesium deficiency include dizziness, shaking, an irregular heartbeat, twitching, and in extreme cases, seizures. If your magnesium deficiency is severe, contact your doctor. Replace milk chocolate with dark chocolate. Look for chocolate that contains at least 70 percent cocoa. The darker the chocolate the better. Not only is dark chocolate healthier than milk chocolate, it is also richer. Eating 2 to 3 squares of dark chocolate instead of your regular candy bar should do the trick. Drink chocolate-infused tea. Chocolate-infused tea will give you the taste of chocolate without all of the added sugar and fat. Whenever you are craving chocolate, make yourself a mug of chocolate tea. You can purchase chocolate-infused teas online or from your local health food store. Alternatively, drink any type of herbal tea instead of eating chocolate, like English breakfast or dandelion. Take a 15-minute walk outside. Stress could be causing you to indulge in chocolate. Instead of eating chocolate after a test or before an important meeting, go walk outside for at least 15 minutes. The fresh air and increased blood circulation should reduce your stress levels. Alternatively, do breathing exercises for one minute. Find a quiet place. Close your eyes. Breathe in through your nose, filling your stomach. Then exhale through your mouth. Brush your teeth whenever you feel like eating chocolate. Brushing your teeth will distract you from your urge to eat chocolate. Additionally, since the taste of toothpaste does not mix well with chocolate, brushing your teeth may prevent you from wanting to eat it afterward. Keep a chocolate log for one week. Record the time of day, what you ate, and how much of it you ate. Write down what you were doing and feeling 30 minutes before eating the chocolate. Also write down how the chocolate made you feel afterward. For example, write down if it made you feel safe, confident, loved, understood, happy, or less stressed or anxious. Review your log after one week to identify your triggers. Look at what you did before you ate the chocolate and how it made you feel immediately afterward. Try to make a connection between the activities, your feelings, and the chocolate to see what triggers you to eat it. You may discover that feelings of stress are triggering you to eat chocolate. If you tend to eat chocolate to help you feel more confident or happy, then you may be suffering from insecurity issues or depression. Exercise to relieve stress and anxiety. If you are eating chocolate due to stress or anxiety, then try exercising for at least 30 minutes, 3 days a week. Exercise by walking, biking, running, or by joining an intramural sports team at school or your local gym. You can also relieve stress and anxiety by meditating or by practicing breathing exercises. Write a reassuring note to yourself. Feelings of inadequacy or a low self-esteem may be causing you to find comfort in chocolate. If this is you, try boosting your confidence by writing a note to yourself. Alternatively, set a realistic goal to boost your self-confidence. For example, if speaking in public is causing your anxiety and chocolate cravings, set a goal to improve your public speaking skills by taking a class. Write, for example, “It is ok to struggle with your self-confidence. Everyone does at one point or another in their lives. But remember that you have friends and family who support you and want the best for you. So you should want the best for yourself, too. You deserve the best.” Talk to a school counselor or a therapist. If your issues don't seem to be getting better despite your efforts, then you may need to find more serious help. Ask your primary care physician for a therapist referral, or call your local psychological association to find therapists in your area. You can also find therapists by contacting your community mental health center, or by asking a local religious institution, like a church or synagogue, for help. | Eat fulfilling meals. Avoid skipping meals. Drink water. Add magnesium-rich foods to your diet. Replace milk chocolate with dark chocolate. Drink chocolate-infused tea. Take a 15-minute walk outside. Brush your teeth whenever you feel like eating chocolate. Keep a chocolate log for one week. Review your log after one week to identify your triggers. Exercise to relieve stress and anxiety. Write a reassuring note to yourself. Talk to a school counselor or a therapist. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Muscle-Twitches | How to Stop Muscle Twitches | To stop minor muscle twitches, try massaging the muscle to release the tension that could be causing it to contract. You can also simply wait for the twitches to pass, which should not take longer than 48 hours. For recurring muscle twitches, first address lifestyle habits that can contribute to the problem, like being under too much stress, drinking too much caffeine, and not getting enough sleep. Additionally, certain medication can cause muscle spasms, such as diuretics and estrogen, so discuss this with you doctor if it becomes an issue. | Massage your muscle. If you have a muscle that is twitching because it is tight, this can often be relieved by massage. Moving the muscle around can release the tension that is causing the muscle to contract. Gently rub muscles that are twitching if it is comfortable for you to do so. If the muscle begins to hurt, or twitch more, then you should stop rubbing it. Get enough rest. Muscle twitches can be more frequent when you do not get enough rest. Make sure that you are sleeping through the night and that you give yourself additional rest during the day if you are feeling particularly tired. If you are having a hard time getting rest, try to avoid eating or drinking chemicals that can interfere with sleep, such as caffeine. You should also set a calming routine before bed, including doing an activity that will make you drowsy, such as reading or meditating. There is no scientific proof that lack of sleep causes muscle twitches but getting more rest can allow your body function better and manage its nerve impulses more effectively. Reduce your stress. Some muscle twitches can be minimized by being less stressed out. While the cause of muscles twitches in the eyelid are not well understood, it has been proven that reducing your stress can minimize them. Some easy ways to reduce stress include exercising regularly, spending quality time with your friends and family, working on a hobby you enjoy, and getting mental health support from a mental health professional. Minimize your use of stimulants. Some muscle twitches can be minimized by reducing your intake of stimulants, such as caffeine. Drinking fewer caffeinated drinks can make you generally less jittery and less twitchy. Instead of completely cutting out caffeine cold turkey, you can reduce your intake gradually. For instance, start drinking coffee that is half caffeinated and half de-caffeinated or switch to a mildly caffeinated tea. Give the twitches time to pass. There are some muscle twitches that will simply pass with time. The clearest example is hiccups. Hiccups are a form of muscle twitching that are caused by spasms in the diaphragm muscle. Hiccups can come and go quickly or can last for hours. In general, you should wait 48 hours before seeking medical treatment for hiccups that won't stop. Some cases of hiccups can be related to medical issues, such as tumors and multiple sclerosis, so get yourself checked out if they continue indefinitely. Change medications. There are some medications that are commonly prescribed that can cause muscle twitching. If you are taking diuretics, corticosteroids, or estrogen, the medication could be causing your twitching. Discuss changing your medications with your doctor. You should never change or reduce your medication without first discussing it with a medical professional. Assess the severity of your muscle twitches. Pay attention to how long the muscle twitches are lasting. Most muscle twitches are short lived and do not impact your quality of life. However, if you are having strong twitches or you are having twitching often or constantly, you should think about getting a medical evaluation. Track the frequency of the twitches. If they are happening daily and are lasting more that a minute or two, and you have no exacerbating factors, such as stress, then you should contact your doctor. Have a medical evaluation done. If you have long lasting muscle twitches that are impacting your quality of life and are not stopping, contact your doctor and get a check up. While rare, there are some serious illnesses that can cause muscle twitching, and you will want to rule them out as the cause of your twitching. Your doctor will likely do a general medical evaluation and then run specialized testing if they think there might be an underlying medical condition. Some serious, yet rare, medical conditions that can cause muscle twitching include Tourette syndrome, Huntington's disease, muscular dystrophies, spinal muscular atrophy, Isaac's syndrome, epilepsy, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, brain tumors, liver failure, kidney failure, nervous system disorders, and genetic disorders. Treat the underlying condition. Medical conditions that cause muscle twitching should be treated by a doctor. Depending on what medical condition you have, muscle twitching will oftentimes be controlled when the condition is controlled. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can sometimes cause muscle twitching. Once these imbalances are fixed, the twitching should cease. There are some rare progressive neurological illnesses that begin with symptoms such as minor muscle twitching. With these illnesses, such as Lou Gehrig's disease, the twitches may get progressively worse and will be uncontrollable. Since tumors can cause muscle twitching, having surgery to remove them can eliminate the twitching. Take medication for muscle twitching. If treating your underlying medical condition does not minimize muscle twitching, there are medications that can be prescribed that can target the twitching specifically. Medications that are commonly prescribed for controlling muscle twitching include muscle relaxants and neuromuscular blockers. Talk to your doctor about whether one of these medications will work with your larger treatment plan. | Massage your muscle. Get enough rest. Reduce your stress. Minimize your use of stimulants. Give the twitches time to pass. Change medications. Assess the severity of your muscle twitches. Have a medical evaluation done. Treat the underlying condition. Take medication for muscle twitching. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cut-Foam-Board | How to Cut Foam Board | To cut foam board, use a pair of heavy duty scissors to make curved or straight lines in the foam. Alternatively, use a utility knife or a bread knife to make the cut. You can make the blade cut through the foam more easily by rubbing candle wax onto the knife. If you want to cut foam that's 1/2 inch thick or less into a specific shape, try using a cookie cutter. For thicker foam, clamp it to your work surface and cut through it with an electric knife. | Use scissors to cut through soft foam. To cut thin or flexible foam, get out a pair of heavy-duty scissors. You can cut curves or straight lines, but you may want to lightly draw your design on the foam with a permanent marker before you begin cutting. Make long smooth cuts so you don't get choppy edges in the foam. Wax a blade to cut the foam. For basic straight cuts, choose a blade with a handle that's comfortable to hold. You could use a utility knife, old kitchen knife, bread knife, or box cutter. Take a white candle and rub it against the blade before you slice through the foam. The wax will make the blade slide smoothly in the foam. It's best to use these simple blades with soft or thin foam. If the blade begins to catch on the foam, just rub the candle on the blade again. Cut the foam with cookie cutters. To cut soft or rigid foam that's 1/2-inch (12 mm) thick or less, lay the foam flat on your work surface. Select a metal cookie cutter in the shape you want to cut and press it down evenly through the foam. The cutter should cut completely through the thin foam. You may need to press against the foam to pop the cut piece out. Slice through foam using dental floss. If you're trying to cut through sheets of thin foam, pull out a long strand of dental floss. Place the dental floss on your work surface and lay a sheet of foam down on the floss. Position the sheet so the floss lines up to where you want to make the cut. Hold the foam with one hand and use your other hand to pull the end of the floss towards you. Dental floss works best for straight cuts. If you want to cut through multiple sheets of foam, slice them separately to get clean cuts. Secure the foam to your work surface, if necessary. If you're using a foam saw that's attached to your work surface, you'll be able to move the foam as it's cutting. However, if you're using an electric knife or wire cutter, you should keep the foam from moving while you're cutting it. You can hold the foam with one hand, secure it to the table with clamps, or set the foam in a vise. Ensure that the part of foam you'll be cutting extends away from the clamps or vise so you have room to cut it. Wear protection. Always use caution and wear eye protection when you're using electric cutting tools. If the cutting will make fine foam dust, you should also wear a face mask to avoid breathing it in. Use an electric knife. To cut through thick or stiff foam (up to 4 or 10 cm thick), stack the foam together. Plug in an electric knife and turn it on before you touch it to the foam. Use the thinnest blade on the knife to make straight or curved cuts. Go slowly through the foam as the electric knife cuts so you get a clean cut. If you're cutting a very soft foam, avoid pushing down while you cut with the electric knife. This can make it difficult to cut or can move the blade away from where you want to cut. Cut foam with a saw. If you cut a lot of foam on a regular basis, consider buying a foam cutting saw. The saw is supported by a base that you set on your work surface. The blade runs vertically, so you'll hold and move the piece of foam against the blade to make your desired cut. If you'd rather hold the foam and move the saw, you can remove the base on most foam saws, or use a common jigsaw for thinner foam boards. Heat a wire cutter to cut through the foam. Plug in a small wire cutter until the wire is hot. Avoid touching the wire. Push the foam through the blade to make straight, smooth cuts. If you'd like to cut more details (such as waves, curvy lines, or circles), consider using a hot wire foam cutting table. You'll be able to select the thickness of the blade when you buy a hot wire cutter. This will determine the size of foam that you're able to cut through. | Use scissors to cut through soft foam. Wax a blade to cut the foam. Cut the foam with cookie cutters. Slice through foam using dental floss. Secure the foam to your work surface, if necessary. Wear protection. Use an electric knife. Cut foam with a saw. Heat a wire cutter to cut through the foam. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Confident-in-Your-Beauty | How to Be Confident in Your Beauty | You can be confident in your beauty by writing down things you like about your appearance and thinking about them when you're feeling down. When you start having negative thoughts, try to quiet them by practicing talking to yourself in a kind way, like the way would talk to a friend. Another easy way to improve your confidence is to smile more. It may feel awkward at first, but over time it can actually make you feel better about yourself. If you're feeling bad because of something a friend said about your beauty, realize that you may need to stop being friends with them. Instead, try to surround yourself with people who are supportive and don't criticize and judge! | Identify the source of your lack of confidence. Ask yourself why you feel less confident about your beauty. In some cases, this may seem like a simple question because there is an obvious connection to your physical appearance. For example, someone may have made a comment to you directly about a specific feature. But in other cases, the connection may be more subtle. Media portrayals often narrowly define beauty, which can make people feel inferior. ). There may even be an indirect connection to your decreased confidence. For example, uncertainty about the future may create anxiety. Because you cannot easily control or alleviate this anxiety, you focus more on other, smaller sources of anxiety that you can control, such as your looks. Look at yourself in the mirror. There are a number of different cognitive behavioral techniques to improve your “beauty self-esteem.” These techniques focus on evaluating the source of your self-esteem, questioning your negative opinion of your looks, and thinking about ways to think about your looks more positively. Take a good look at yourself in the mirror. Focus on sitting or standing up straight while looking in the mirror for maximum confidence while doing this exercise. Write down 3 positive things about your looks. Think about your favorite physical attributes and write them on a list. Write a sentence about each of these qualities, such as: “I have long curly hair. It looks so full and bouncy, especially just after I leave the hair salon.” Write down 3 positive personality traits. This exercise also requires you to appreciate the qualities that are part of your personality or character. Write a sentence about each of these traits. For example, you might write, “I help others. I volunteer every week for a local charity and always call my friends back right away when they need to talk.” Rank these 6 traits in order of importance to you. Combine your lists of personality traits and physical features. Rank the qualities, putting the one you think is your best or most important. This will help you determine which qualities are most important to you. Most people tend to rank personality features above beauty features. This emphasizes that that our self-esteem is influenced more about how we feel about our personality. Other people tend to be influenced by our personalities as well. Look at yourself and see what thoughts come into your head. When you look at yourself in the mirror, you might think certain thoughts. But consider where those thoughts come from. Whose words are they? Are they your own words, or someone else's words? Do the words remind you of bullies, parents, or friends? Question the accuracy of your thoughts. When you consider these words, think about whether these descriptions are true. Are your hips really that big? Are you really that much taller than other people? Is that really a bad thing? Quiet negative thoughts. If your friend was asking you about her looks, think about how you would talk to her with appreciation, acceptance and kindness. When you're thinking thoughts about yourself, ask yourself if this thought about yourself is a kind thought, and whether you'd say it to a friend. Consider how you would talk to a friend. Now think about how you can talk to yourself that way. Talk to yourself positively. Find what you like about yourself in the mirror. From now on, whenever you look in the mirror, look at this attribute first. Tell yourself what you like about this attribute. This helps you stop focusing on what you perceive to be your “flaws.” Instead, you'll focus on your positive attributes. Soon, you'll see more of your attributes as positive. Choose your friends wisely. Pay attention to your friends and how they make you feel. Surround yourself with people who don't criticize or judge you because it can negatively affect your body image. Smile a lot. As easy and obvious as it sounds, smiling can lower stress, even when you are forced to do it. Giving a big grin can actually make you feel better about yourself. Furthermore, people will see you as approachable and trusting. Take a compliment. If you get a compliment, don't deflect it, take it! If you are uncertain about your looks, it may feel awkward to get compliments and your anxious reaction might be to deflect or down-play the compliment. But you should accept the compliment instead. Once you do this a few times, you'll feel more comfortable with accepting compliments. For example, if someone compliments your shirt, you might tell them it is a hand-me-down that you only wore because all of your other clothes are dirty. This is a reflection of your anxiety about your looks and can make both you and the person who complimented you uncomfortable. Instead, just say thank you and fully enjoy the compliment you earned. Be kind to others. When a person is judgmental, critical or downright mean, others may not perceive you as beautiful. This type of person is not fun to be around. He's not a good friend and he's not a source of positivity. Drop the negative comments and find something positive to say about other people. You'll find that people will, in turn, respond to you much more positively. Become media literate. Remember that the media's portrayal of beauty is designed to make you feel inferior so that you will buy beauty products and new clothes. Keep in mind that body images are not the average. They are also usually enhanced by digital software like Adobe Photoshop. People who recognize this and who are more media savvy often have better self-perceptions. , Read up on media literacy to learn how to recognize how the media exaggerates physical qualities. Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable. Researchers have found that the clothes we wear really has an effect on our self-esteem. For example, wearing a superhero costume can boost confidence and make people feel stronger. Women perform better on a math test in a sweater than in a swimsuit. A white coat gives people more “mental agility.” Focus on wearing clothes that make you feel comfortable, such as a nice soft sweater, your favorite jeans, or a suit and tie. Examine your wardrobe and make sure your clothes fit your style. Wear colors that you like - these will help boost your mood. If you can't decide on a color you like, a good go-to color is blue because people general respond positively to it. Choose clothes that suit your body type. Find outfits that will look good to you when you look in a mirror because they match your body type or include accessories that show off your good features. There is no perfect body type, but there are good and bad clothes for particular body types. Clothes that fit because they match your type are more likely to look good on you. For example, if you have broad shoulders and narrow hips, avoid scarves with patterns (calling attention to your shoulders), shirts that accentuate your shoulders, and footwear that looks small for your body type, but do wear pants that make your hips look bigger and shoes with wider heels or boots with buckles that call attention to your feet. If you have a round body type, avoid too much fabric in the middle of your body, belts, and skirts less than knee-length, but do wear details above your bustline and below your hipline. Keep yourself groomed. When you look like you think about your appearance and are taking care of yourself, your self-confidence is boosted. You will also help others focus more on you as a person, rather than one minor aspect that may be perceived as a flaw. Take care of your skin. Wear sunscreen and have a good daily cleaning regimen. Keep your fingernails trimmed and clean. Have a hairstyle that suits your face. Iron your clothes if they are wrinkly. Have good posture. Sit and stand with your shoulders straight. Get some exercise. Whether or not exercise actually changes your physical appearance, it can change your perception of yourself. This can lead to increased self-esteem. A national survey of physical activity and weight showed that people who were not satisfied with their body size were less likely to be physically active, regardless of how much they actually weighed. This finding suggests that just being physically active can be related to a better self-image. The amount of exercise needs to be enough to give you a sense of accomplishment. You should regularly exercise. But you don't need to do any specific type of exercise, nor do you need to exercise for any specific amount of time. Eat a healthy diet. Certain foods, such as those high in carbohydrates and fat, can cause you to become sluggish and negatively affect your mood. Foods that can improve your mood are those that are low in fat and release their energy slowly. These foods give energy for sustained periods of time. They do not carry the risk of weight gain, bloating, and irritability. Certain foods can also help you grow stronger hair and nails. These benefits can improve your overall self-image. Keep a gratitude journal. Being thankful can help you recognize that you have good things in your life. You can get more enjoyment from life if you spend some time acknowledging the things that make you happy. Spend some time every few days writing down moments that make you happy. You don't need to make a laundry list; instead, focus on a few specific instances and write more about those instances. Find joy in the everyday. Being open to positive experiences can help you enjoy life to the fullest. When you find joy in small moments, you will appreciate life and learn about what you want and need to be healthy. Be present in the moment, and take notice of the good things that surround you. For example, take a walk in nature. Look at your surroundings. Notice how the wind rustles through the trees. Notice the ladybug climbing up a leaf. Watch the sun filter through the tree branches. Paying attention to the little things will help you find happiness. Be authentic. Being honest and true to yourself will help you stay in touch with the real you. When you spend all your time pretending to be someone else or trying to please others, you start to lose a sense of what you really like and need. Be an authentic person. For example, your friends want to go dancing but you'd really like to get a good night's sleep so you can go hiking the next morning. Do what feels right for you, not for them. Be sensitive towards other people's needs, but don't override your own needs. Try meditation. Meditation is a great way to connect with your inner strength and beauty. This will help clear your head of negative thoughts – both from you and from others. Find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed for at least 10-15 minutes. Breathe deeply, inhaling for a count of 4, holding your breath for a count of 4, and exhaling for a count of 4. Feel your breath expand your stomach. Hold your hand over your stomach to feel this. Focus your thoughts on your breath. When your thoughts start to wander, acknowledge the thoughts and let them go. Return your focus to your breath. Seek help from a therapist. If your appearance is interfering with daily life or causing you distress, then you should seek the help of a mental health professional, such as a therapist. You may be suffering from a deeper problem, such as body dysmorphic disorder. This may be the cause of your confidence issues. | Identify the source of your lack of confidence. Look at yourself in the mirror. Write down 3 positive things about your looks. Write down 3 positive personality traits. Rank these 6 traits in order of importance to you. Look at yourself and see what thoughts come into your head. Question the accuracy of your thoughts. Quiet negative thoughts. Talk to yourself positively. Choose your friends wisely. Smile a lot. Take a compliment. Be kind to others. Become media literate. Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable. Choose clothes that suit your body type. Keep yourself groomed. Get some exercise. Eat a healthy diet. Keep a gratitude journal. Find joy in the everyday. Be authentic. Try meditation. Seek help from a therapist. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Know-when-You-Need-a-Tetanus-Shot | How to Know when You Need a Tetanus Shot | You should get a tetanus shot if you've never gotten one before or if you don't remember the last time you got one. Alternatively, if you've recently experienced a puncture wound from wood, glass or teeth, you should get another shot. You should also get a tetanus shot if your wound has been exposed to soil, dust or manure. Additionally, if your injury was caused by something crushing a part of your body, you should get a tetanus shot. If you're unsure whether or not you need the shot, visit your doctor just to be safe. | Get a tetanus booster shot after certain injuries. Usually, the bacterial toxins enter the body through a break in the skin caused by an object contaminated with tetanus. If you have one or more of the following injuries or wounds that are prone to tetanus, you should get a tetanus booster shot. These include: Any wound visibly contaminated with soil, dust, or horse manure. Puncture wounds. Objects that can cause these types of wounds include wood splinters, nails, needles, glass, and human or animal bites. Skin burns. Second degree (partial-thickness or with blisters) and third degree (full-thickness) burns are at higher risk for infection than first degree (superficial) burns. Crush injuries that damage tissue by squeezing it between two heavy objects. They can also happen when heavy objects are dropped onto parts of the body. Wounds involving necrotic, or dead, tissue. This kind of tissue has no blood supply, increasing its risk for infection (along with severely compromised tissue). For example, areas of gangrene (dead body tissue) are at increased risk for infection. Wounds with foreign objects in them. Wounds that have foreign bodies, such as splinters, glass shards, gravel, or other objects in them are at higher risk for infection. Know if it's time to get your tetanus shot. If you never received the first series of tetanus shots (primary vaccination series) or you're not sure when you had your last tetanus shot, you should go get a tetanus shot. If you've been injured, you may be wondering whether you need to get a tetanus booster shot. You will need a tetanus booster shot if: Your wound was caused by a “clean” object, but your last tetanus shot was over 10 years ago. Your wound was caused by a “dirty” object and your last tetanus shot more than 5 years ago. You're not sure if the wound was caused by a “clean” or “dirty” object and your last tetanus shot was over 5 years ago. Get the shot while pregnant. In order to help transfer tetanus antibodies to your baby, you should get a tetanus vaccine when you are between 27-36 weeks pregnant. Your doctor will likely recommend the inactivated Tdap (Tetanus, Diptheria and Pertussis) vaccine during the third trimester of your pregnancy. If you have not had the Tdap vaccine before and don't have it during pregnancy, you should get vaccinated immediately after giving birth. If you get a dirty cut or wound while pregnant, you will likely need to get a tetanus booster shot. Become immunized. The best way to "treat" tetanus is to prevent it in the first place. Most people don't experience serious reactions to the vaccine, but there are a few common mild reactions. These include localized swelling, tenderness, and redness at the injection site, but these often clear up in 1-2 days. Don't worry about getting an extra tetanus booster. There's usually no problem if you don't wait the 10 years in between shots before getting the shot. There are several vaccines that protect against tetanus. They are: DTaP. The diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine (DTaP) are usually given to babies at ages 2, 4, and 6 months, and again at 15 to 18 months old. DTap is a very effective vaccine for small children. Kids will need another booster between ages 4 and 6. Tdap. Over time, protection from tetanus decreases, so older children need to get a booster shot. It has a full dose of tetanus and lower amounts of diphtheria and pertussis. All people between the ages of 11 and 18 are advised to get the booster, preferably around 11 or 12 years old. Td. If you're an adult, get a Td (tetanus and diphtheria) booster shot every 10 years to stay protected. Since some people may lose the protective antibody levels after 5 years, a booster vaccination is recommended if you get a deep, contaminated wound and haven't had a vaccination in more than 5 years. Learn who is likely to get tetanus and how it's spread. Nearly all cases of tetanus occur in people who have never gotten the tetanus vaccine, or adults who don't stay up to date with their 10-year boosters. The disease is not spread from person to person though, which makes it very different from other vaccine-preventable diseases. Instead, it's spread by bacterial spores that usually enter the body through a puncture. These make a powerful neurotoxin that causes muscle spasms and stiffness. Complications from tetanus are highest among people who have not been immunized or in older adults with inadequate immunization in industrialized countries. You may also be at increased risk of tetanus after a natural disaster, especially if you live in a developing country. Reduce your risk for tetanus. As soon as you get an injury or wound, clean and disinfect it. If you delay disinfecting the new wounds by more than 4 hours, you increase the chances of tetanus infection. This is even more important if the wound was caused by an object that punctured the skin, which can force bacteria and debris deep into the wound, making it an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria. Pay attention to whether the object that caused your wound is clean or dirty to decide whether you need a tetanus booster. A dirty, or contaminated, object has dirt/soil, saliva, or feces/manure on it, while a clean object does not. Remember that you can't necessarily know if an object has bacteria on it. Be aware of developing symptoms. The incubation period for tetanus varies from 3 to 21 days, with an average of 8 days. Tetanus severity is determined by a graded scale from I through IV. The longer it takes symptoms to appear, the more mild the disease is likely to be. Common symptoms of tetanus (in order of appearance) include: Spasm of jaw muscles (commonly referred to as “lockjaw”) Stiffness of the neck Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) Board-like rigidity of the abdominal muscles Recognize other symptoms of tetanus. The diagnosis of tetanus relies solely on recognizing its symptoms. There are no blood tests that can diagnosis tetanus, so it's important to pay attention to any symptoms. You may also notice fever, sweating, elevated blood pressure, or rapid heart rate (tachycardia). Understand possible complications, including: Laryngospasm, or spasm of the vocal cords, which can make breathing difficult Bone fractures Seizures/convulsions Abnormal heart rhythms Secondary infections, such as pneumonia, as a result of prolonged hospitalization Pulmonary embolism, or blood clots in the lungs Death (10% of reported cases are fatal) Get medical attention. If you think or even suspect you have tetanus, seek medical treatment immediately. It's a medical emergency and you'll need to be hospitalized, because tetanus has a high mortality, or death, rate (10%). In the hospital, you'll be given a tetanus antitoxin, like tetanus immune globulin. This will neutralize any toxin that hasn't already bound to your nervous tissue. The wound will be thoroughly cleaned and you'll get a tetanus vaccine to prevent future infections. Being infected with tetanus does not give you immunity from future infection. Instead, you'll need to get the tetanus vaccine to keep from getting it again. Have a doctor determine your course of treatment. There are no blood tests that can diagnosis tetanus. So, lab testing is not useful in the evaluation for disease. Because of this, most doctors do not take a wait and see approach, but instead opt for aggressive treatment if infection is suspected. Doctors will base their diagnosis mainly on the symptoms and clinical signs that are present. The more severe the symptoms, the more rapid the course of action. Treat the symptoms of tetanus. Since there is no cure for tetanus, treatments are directed at symptoms and emerging complications. You'll be given antibiotics intravenously, by injection, or orally and you'll also get drugs to control muscle spasms. Some of the drugs to control muscle spasms include sedatives from the benzodiazepine group (like diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), alprazolam (Xanax), and midazolam (Versed). Antibiotics are not generally effective against tetanus, but they may be prescribed to keep the Clostridium tetani bacteria from reproducing. This can help slow the production of toxins. | Get a tetanus booster shot after certain injuries. Know if it's time to get your tetanus shot. Get the shot while pregnant. Become immunized. Learn who is likely to get tetanus and how it's spread. Reduce your risk for tetanus. Be aware of developing symptoms. Recognize other symptoms of tetanus. Get medical attention. Have a doctor determine your course of treatment. Treat the symptoms of tetanus. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Caramel-Sauce | How to Make Caramel Sauce | To make caramel sauce, first add 1 cup (200 g) of granulated sugar and 1/3 cup (80 mL) of water to a saucepan. Heat the sugar and water over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add 6 tablespoons (90 g) of butter to the pan. Stir the ingredients until the butter melts into the sugar, then remove the pan from the burner. Whisk the mixture to break up any clumps then place the pan back on the stovetop and slowly add 1/2 cup (120 mL) of heavy cream. Add 1 teaspoon (6 g) of salt, and mix everything together over high heat until it comes to a boil. Let the mixture cook for 1 more minute before turning the heat off. Pour the caramel sauce into a glass container and let it thicken and cool. It will store well in the fridge for up to 1 month. | Gather your ingredients. The cream and the butter should be measured out, sitting next to the pan and ready to be added. Making caramel sauce is a fast process; if you are wasting time looking for ingredients when your sugar is burning, you're not going to end up with caramel sauce you'll want to eat. Combine the butter and sugar. On medium-low heat, add the butter and sugar to a heavy-bottomed, 2- or 3-quart saucepan. Do not stir the sugar and butter as it dissolves. If you need to, swirl the mixture gently to combine the ingredients, but not much. You want the caramelization to start from the bottom and let it work its way up. Heat the mixture. Leave the sugar and butter mixture on medium-low for 5 to 8 minutes. Keep an eye on the caramel sauce. Swirl the mixture if necessary to prevent burning, but do not stir. If you find that you end up burning some of the sugar before the rest of it is melted, the next time you attempt your caramel sauce, add a half cup of water to the sugar at the beginning of the process. This is called a "wet" caramel sauce. (See below.) The wet caramel sauce recipe will help the sugar to cook more evenly, although it will take longer to cook—the water will need to evaporate before the sugar will begin to caramelize. Check the color. After 5 to 8 minutes, the mixture should turn a light brown. You should still see small bunches of sugar crystals which have not yet crystallized. If sugar crystals start forming on the sides of the pan, use a brush to wipe them back down into the mixture. Keep the sauce on medium-low. Continue cooking until the remaining crystals caramelize and bubbles start to form. The color should be deep auburn. This could take two minutes, or it could take another five. This is the time to really guard against burning. You don't want to leave the sauce unattended at this point. If you're worried about the sauce burning, you can turn the heat down to low. It's better to take a little longer cooking than to hurry the process and burn the caramel. Keep resisting the urge to stir. Swirl if you need to, but don't stir yet! Remove the pan from the burner. After all the sugar crystals have caramelized, take the pot off the burner, and mix in the cream a little at a time. Now is the time when you can finally use a whisk to stir. Mix in the cream in small batches and stir vigorously. The mixture will foam up and grow in volume. As you mix in the rest of the cream, the sauce will turn a darker color. The sauce will keep on bubbling as the cream gets incorporated into the sugar and butter. Strain the mixture. Pour the caramel into a heat-resistant bowl or jar, through a strainer. Any uncaramelized crystals left will not make it into the final mixture. Let the sauce sit to cool to room temperature. Except, of course, the caramel that you put on your ice cream! Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Warm it up before serving. Gather your ingredients. The cream and the butter should be measured out, sitting next to the pan and ready to be added. Making caramel sauce is a fast process; if you are wasting time looking for ingredients when your sugar is burning, you're not going to end up with caramel sauce you'll want to eat. In a 2- to 3-quart saucepan, combine sugar and water. Turn heat on high and wait for mixture to start boiling, stirring constantly. When the mixture comes to a boil, turn the heat down to medium-low, and stop stirring completely. Allow mixture to boil undisturbed until it turns a deep amber. It should look like the color of dark beer. Remove the sauce from the heat. Mix in the butter into the sauce, then slowly and carefully pour the cream into the caramel, stirring regularly. Careful: the sauce will bubble up furiously! Scrape the thick parts that settle on the bottom. If lumps develop, put the pan on the heat again, and stir until the lumps dissolve. Get it to a nice, viscous consistency. The mixture should be uniform after cooling slightly and stirring. Strain into a heat-resistant bowl or jar and wait until caramel sauce is cool enough to serve. Place the butter into a heavy-based saucepan. Heat gently (low heat). Add the sugar and cream. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes over low heat. Stir constantly; this prevents the sugar from crystallizing. Remove once the sauce has just thickened. Add the vanilla extract. Stir through. Serve. This sauce can be used warm or cold. If you need to store, this sauce will keep for up to 7 days if covered and refrigerated. | Gather your ingredients. Combine the butter and sugar. Heat the mixture. Check the color. Keep the sauce on medium-low. Remove the pan from the burner. Strain the mixture. Let the sauce sit to cool to room temperature. Gather your ingredients. In a 2- to 3-quart saucepan, combine sugar and water. Remove the sauce from the heat. Get it to a nice, viscous consistency. Place the butter into a heavy-based saucepan. Add the sugar and cream. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes over low heat. Remove once the sauce has just thickened. Add the vanilla extract. Serve. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Wood-Furniture-with-Vinegar | How to Clean Wood Furniture with Vinegar | To clean wood furniture, start by dusting or vacuuming your furniture. Then, mix 3 tablespoons of white vinegar with 1 cup of water. Next, spray some of the liquid onto a cloth and wipe down the surface of your furniture, taking care not to make it too wet. When you see the cloth getting dirty, wash it out with clean water or use a new one. Finally, combine equal parts vinegar and olive oil to polish your furniture once you've finished cleaning. | Remove hardware and cushions. Pull the furniture away from the wall, if applicable. Set aside any cushions, pillows, and other such objects from the surface of the furniture. Take off any hardware you'll be able to put back on, such as screws or decorative knobs. Don't take off any hardware that's holding the furniture together. Vacuum or dust the furniture. Use a non-spinning brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to gently clean the cracks and surface of the furniture. Alternately, dampen a clean cloth just a bit and wipe the wood down instead. You'll need a stationary brush attachment because a spinning attachment can leave scratches. Clean cushions, if applicable. Check the tags on your furniture or cushions to determine what type of fabric they are so you'll know how best to clean them. You'll want to clean cushions or pillows before putting them back on your clean wood furniture. For instance, if the tag says “W,” that means to clean it with water. “S” and “S/W” should be professionally dry-cleaned. “X” means vacuuming only. Dilute white vinegar with water. Mix three tablespoons (45 mL) of vinegar for every cup (240 mL) of filtered water. You can also add a small amount of mild scented dish soap to the mixture to cover over any vinegar scent. Find an inconspicuous area to test. For instance, you may want to test the solution underneath the furniture in a spot that isn't easily seen. Dampen a cloth with your solution, so that the cloth is moist, not dripping. Apply a small amount of the solution to the test area, then buff it dry with a clean cloth. If you don't notice any negative effect to the test area, you can proceed with cleaning the whole piece. In addition to or instead of the test area, consult with the manufacturer of your furniture via their website to find the proper care instructions for your furniture. Wet a cloth with the solution. Use a soft, clean rag or a piece of cheese cloth. You can spray the solution onto the rag or dip the cloth in the bucket of solution. Make sure to completely wring out the cloth so that it's not overly saturated. Too much liquid can penetrate the wood and cause damage. Don't spray the furniture directly. Rub the furniture with the moistened cloth. Make circular motions. Rub with the grain to remove water marks. Rinse the cloth or switch to a clean one when you see it becoming visibly dirty. Buff out excess moisture. Use a clean cloth to buff the wood in circular motions. If you notice any spots that didn't get clean, use the cleaning solution on them and go back to buffing. Make sure to buff away moisture as the last step. Dilute white vinegar with olive oil. Mix one part olive oil to one part vinegar. Add a small squirt of lemon oil or fresh lemon juice, if desired. You won't need a lot of solution; you can pour the mixture in a jar, put a lid on the jar and shake to mix. Instead of olive oil, you can try 1/4 cup (60 mL) fresh lemon juice, 1/8 cup (30 mL) distilled vinegar, and 1/8 cup (30 mL) flax oil to restore your wood furniture. Olive oil and vinegar polishes, restores moisture to dry wood, and can remove light scratches and rings from water condensation. Besides having an attractive fragrance, lemon is acidic, so it works as a cleaning agent. Find an inconspicuous area to test. For instance, you may want to test the solution in a small area underneath the furniture. Dip your cloth to get just a bit of solution on it. Rub the cloth on the test area, then buff it dry with a clean cloth. If you don't notice any negative effect to the test area, you can proceed with cleaning the whole piece. In addition to or instead of the test area, consult with the manufacturer of your furniture via their website to find the proper care instructions for your furniture. Apply the solution to a cloth. Use a soft, clean rag or a piece of cheese cloth. Dip the rag to get a small amount of the mixture on it. Too much liquid can penetrate the wood and cause damage. Don't pour solution directly onto the furniture. Rub the furniture with the moistened cloth. Make sure to distribute the polish evenly. Rub with the grain to remove water marks and scratches. Switch to a clean area of the cloth, or a new cloth, when you see it becoming visibly dirty. Buff out excess moisture. Use a clean cloth to buff the wood in circular motions. If you notice any spots that didn't get clean, use the cleaning solution on them and go back to buffing. Make sure to buff away moisture as the last step. Polish the wood one to two times per year. Annual or biannual polishing will give your wood furniture moisture and shine, and help prevent it from looking dry and worn. | Remove hardware and cushions. Vacuum or dust the furniture. Clean cushions, if applicable. Dilute white vinegar with water. Find an inconspicuous area to test. Wet a cloth with the solution. Rub the furniture with the moistened cloth. Buff out excess moisture. Dilute white vinegar with olive oil. Find an inconspicuous area to test. Apply the solution to a cloth. Rub the furniture with the moistened cloth. Buff out excess moisture. Polish the wood one to two times per year. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tame-a-Stray-Cat | How to Tame a Stray Cat | Before you try to tame a stray cat, take it to the vet so it can be treated for diseases, fleas, and other ailments. Then, bring the stray cat home and keep it in a small, contained area for 2 days while it gets used to its new home. Although it might be hard, try not to touch the cat during this time since it could get agitated and hurt you. After a couple days, try giving the cat treats and feeding it some food so it feels safe in your presence. Once you've been doing this for several days, try picking up the cat to see if it's comfortable with you yet. | Identify a cat to tame. If you see a stray cat in your neighborhood that seems friendly and not averse to humans, you may be able to tame it. Taming a stray cat can be a difficult process that lasts several months. A feral cat may never behave the same way a domesticated house cat would, but many reach a point where they make loving pets and are able to live indoors. Some stray cats are actually lost cats that were previously domesticated. Providing food, shelter and attention is often the only thing required to tame a lost cat. Try leaving some food out for them and then petting them when they come close. If they allow it, there is a good chance they are a lost cat. Try to track down the owner before claiming the cat as your own. Look around town for any posters or fliers that might have been put up for this lost cat. Talk with your local human society and veterinarians to ask if anyone is looking for the cat you have found. It's much easier to tame feral kittens than feral adult cats. Kittens have yet to learn the behaviors of either indoor or outdoor life. Adult cats are set in their old ways and habits and it can be tough to retrain an older cat. Socialize a feral kitten before it is eight weeks old. Socializing early on will help them grow comfortable with behaviors expected from an indoor cat. You should also let kittens stay with their mother until they are four weeks old. Newborn kittens will still have an umbilical cord stump on their stomach. They will also no open their eyes until seven to fourteen days have passed. If the kittens incisor teeth have grown in, it's likely about two weeks old. If you notice any teeth behind the canine and incisor teeth, where our molars are, the kitten is at least four weeks old. If the kitten has all of it's adult teeth, you can assume it to be around four months old. If a cat seems aggressive or hostile towards you, leave it alone. Trap the cat. You won't be able to simply pick up a feral cat with your hands. Feral cats are wild animals that must be handled with extreme care. The best way to start the process of taming a feral cat is to set out a trap. Feral cats may hiss, spit and scratch so let the trap take the abuse. Use a special trap designed for cats. Do not use traps designed for other animals. You can get traps from your local trap-neuter-release organization. Set the trap in a place where the cat spends most of its time. You'll need to bait it with a little tuna or other food to lure the cat inside. Bring the cat to the vet for inspection. Place the trap on a blanket or towel in your car and drive it to the vet. Feral cats can carry diseases, and they usually have fleas and other ailments. Have the cat treated for these problems before you bring it home. Be careful not to handle it yet. The cat will not want to be touched. Seek medical attention immediately if you get scratched or bitten. Cat scratches and bites can lead to serious infections. Put a towel over the trap to help it feel more comfortable. Transfer the cat to a prepared containment area. Don't do this until the vet has treated the cat and given the OK to take it home. The cat should spend its first few days in your house in a small, contained area to get used to its new setting. Use a carrier big enough for a litter box, bedding, and dishes for food and water. Keep the carrier in a room away from family members or other pets. Let the cat stay contained for two days before you touch it. Make sure it has enough food and water for two days. Put a full box of kitty litter in the cat's litter box. Make sure the cat won't be able to escape as it may cause harm to the cat or your home. It is normal for the cat to be agitated during this time. Gradually give the cat more room. Spend time near the carrier and speak in soothing tones until the cat seems calm when you're nearby. When the cat is used to your presence and no longer acting as wild, you can allow it more space to move around. Allow the cat to leave the carrier but stay in a small room that you have cat-proofed. Don't force the cat to come out, let it willingly come to you. Provide a private hiding space where the cat can go to reduce stress levels. Make sure it's an accessible spot so you can reach the cat if necessary. Make sure there's no way the cat can escape through a door, window or crack. Smaller rooms make the best socialization rooms. Alert your family members so that the cat won't escape the room if they enter. Enter the room with a bag of treats. Plan to settle in for a few hours to help the cat get used to your presence. You can entice it to come closer by setting out a trail of treats leading to where you are sitting. Sit on the floor to get closer to the cat's level, and be patient while it gets used to you being there. Do this every day, possibly for weeks, until the cat comes close enough to be handled. Don't make eye contact with the cat, as they view it as a threat. Try lying on the floor to help the cat feel more comfortable, as you will appear smaller. Consider luring the cat to you using the advantage of hunger. If the cat doesn't seem comfortable coming up to you even after several days, adjust how and when you feed the cat. Don't leave food out for the cat when you leave the room. Bring food in with you when you visit the cat and be with it while it eats. Keep the food dish close to you while you're feeding the cat. When the cat is finished eating and you're ready to leave the room, take the food with you. Don't starve the cat, make sure it is actually eating. You should leave water in the room at all times. Approach the cat and pick it up. After several days, most cats will begin feeling more comfortable approaching you for food and treats. Now it's time to advance to helping the cat feel safe while being picked up or petted. When the cat comes close, use a towel to lift it into your arms. Lift the cat gently and carefully. If he cat runs away or hisses, try again tomorrow. Never use your bare hands to pick up a feral cat. You might want to go in wearing thick jeans, long sleeves and gloves. Don't scare the cat or force interaction. This will undo any trust. When holding the cat, try giving it some treats. Pet the cat’s head from behind. When you successfully have the cat in your arms, pet the cat's head from behind, very gently. Speak to the cat in soothing tones. Stroke the cat's head and back for several minutes. If the cat resists, let it down. Do this every day until the cat comes to you to be picked up. Never approach from the front, as this will startle the cat. Always reward the cat for good behavior with some treats. Play with the cat every day. The last part of the taming period can last more than a month. Keep working with the cat until it no longer exhibits fear or has any problem being handled and petted. Eventually the cat should feel comfortable being handled. Change the cats food and water daily. Pick the cat up, pet it, and talk to it at least once a day. The cat could remain skittish for quite a long time. Invite your friends to visit the cat to help it get used to people in general. The cat will eventually not require treats when you pick them up. Keep the cat or place it up for adoption. Once the taming period is complete, the cat is ready for a normal domestic life. You may decide to keep the cat in your house or bring it to a shelter to put it up for adoption. If you keep the cat, be sure to get it neutered or spayed. Introduce the cat to other pets in your household slowly. Learn about the Trap-Neuter-Return program. This program has been shown to be an effective way to keep wild cat populations down. The trap-neuter-return program is a non-leathal way to control feral cat populations. Populations left to grow unchecked can be bad for both cats and the neighborhood they live in. Cats that go through a trap-neuter-return program do not need to be house trained. These cats will go back to live outside, but they'll be much healthier if they're part of the program. See if there's already a program happening in your neighborhood. Talk with a local shelter or vet about resources available in your area. Set the trap in areas where you see feral cats. Use a special trap provided by your local trap-neuter-return program. Set the trap in an the alley, backyard, or other place where you see a lot of cats hanging out. Trap cats and help them through the program one at a time. Do not try to trap a cat with a trap used for other types of animals, as it may injure the cat. Do not approach a stray cat and try to touch it with your bare hands. Seek medical attention immediately if you are bitten or scratched. Bring the trapped cat to the vet. The vet will examine the cat for signs of disease, fleas and other maladies. Most importantly, the vet will spay or neuter the cat, so it won't be able to keep producing litters. After the cat has recovered, the vet will release the cat back into your care. Medical procedures and surgery should be free under the trap-neuter-return program. Some programs clip a cats ear, marking that they are in the program. Return the cat to the neighborhood. Bring it back to the same spot where you trapped it, and release the cat back into the neighborhood. If you were feeding the cat before, continue to do so, and allow it to live out its life outdoors. Don't try to force any interaction with the cat. Repeat with other feral cats. Continue the process until the population has been reduced and the cats are all neutered or spayed. Without help, this could take many months to accomplish. Monitor the amount of feral cats in your neighborhood to check how successful your work is. Try to recruit neighbors to help with the program and increase results. | Identify a cat to tame. Trap the cat. Bring the cat to the vet for inspection. Transfer the cat to a prepared containment area. Gradually give the cat more room. Enter the room with a bag of treats. Consider luring the cat to you using the advantage of hunger. Approach the cat and pick it up. Pet the cat’s head from behind. Play with the cat every day. Keep the cat or place it up for adoption. Learn about the Trap-Neuter-Return program. Set the trap in areas where you see feral cats. Bring the trapped cat to the vet. Return the cat to the neighborhood. Repeat with other feral cats. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Solve-a-Cryptogram | How to Solve a Cryptogram | To solve cryptograms, all you need to do is learn a few easy patterns and tricks to help you crack the code. For example, look for the most common letters that appear in English, like “e,” “t,” “a” “o,” “i,” and “n.” These letters typically appear in a few predictable patterns, so once you get to know them you'll move more quickly through your puzzles. You can also use what you know about letter frequency to work on short, 2-letter words, like "of," "to, "in," "it," and "so." Additionally, try to pin down the one-letter words, like “I” and “a.” Another trick is to look for apostrophes since these words will either be contractions or possessives. If you see an apostrophe with one letter behind it, try “t,” “s,” “d,” or “m.” | Understand the way a cryptogram works. Most cryptograms or cryptoquotes are basic substitution ciphers, meaning that the letters of the alphabet are being represented by other letters. In some ciphers, different sorts of symbols may be used. The rules should be described somewhere on the particular cipher you're attempting to solve. A cryptogram in Klingon wouldn't be any more difficult than a cryptogram in Cyrillic, because the symbols act as patterns in the end. Find the patterns and you'll crack the code. In general, the better you can divorce yourself from the letters themselves and look for the patterns underneath the letters, the closer you'll be to solving the puzzle. Try to disassociate yourself as much as possible from the letters you're looking at. Cryptograms don't try to play tricks on you, however difficult they may be. In almost all cryptograms, letters will never stand for themselves. In other words, the "X" in the puzzle you're trying to work out definitely doesn't stand for "X" in the alphabet. Solve one letter at a time. It's unlikely that you'll recognize one mess of jumbled up nonsense letters as a particular word right away, no matter how long you look at it. try to figure out the most likely single letter words, then carry that substitution through the rest of the puzzle, filling in as many blanks as possible with educated guesses, then filling in the remaining blank spaces. Completing a cryptogram is a slow process that'll require lots of guessing. You'll weigh lots of possibilities and make the best guess at the time. If, later, that guess turns out to be wrong, then change it. Make the best guess, then guess again. When you've got a bunch of blanks in the words, you'll eventually have to start plugging and chugging. You might exhaust all the short words and the obvious single-letters relatively quickly, meaning you'll have next-to-nothing to work with. Learning to recognize common patterns can help you to make the most high-probability bets, so you can learn to play the odds and increase your chances of making the right guess. Work in pencil. Even if you're a code-crackin' pro, the name of the game is guess-and-check, making it almost a sure thing that you'll have to change things up at some point. The best way to work a cryptogram is to do it on paper, in front of you, with a pencil. It's a good idea to also keep handy a dictionary, to look up the proper spelling of words, and some scrap paper on which to scratch out possibilities. Write out all the letters in order of their most common use in the language on your piece of paper, so if it comes to blind guessing, you can use the most common guesses first. The English alphabet organized in frequency of use, reads like this: E, T, A, O, I, N, S, H, R, D, L, U, C, W, M, F, Y, G, P, B, V, K, J, X, Q, Z. As you discover the value of each letter, write it above corresponding letter on your scratch key. Embrace your mistakes. Working on a wrong assumption can be a good thing. If you've been cruising along on a puzzle, then find out you've been working with the wrong substitute for "G" for the last hour, celebrate! You know one more letter that you can eliminate as a possibility, meaning that you're one letter closer to having the cryptogram cracked. Any time you find yourself in a position in which you're sure about something, it's a good moment for a code-cracker. Join the E.T.A.O.I.N tribe. No, it's not a shadowy puzzle organization with decoder rings and secret handshakes. The letters e, t, a, o, i and n appear more commonly than any other letters in the English language, making this an extremely useful collection to learn to recognize. If you learn to quickly and efficiently recognize the patterns in which they appear, you'll be a pro cracker in no time. Do a quick count of the most commonly-recurring letters in your cryptogram and circle them. There's a much-higher probability that that letter will be one of these. Learning to combine frequency of appearance with pattern recognition will reveal the substitutions. try to pin down the one-letter words. Because cryptograms often use quotes from people, the word "I" is almost as common as the word "a," so be careful before making assumptions about words you see appearing alone. The trick to figuring out if it's "I" or "a" is to experiment with the letters in other words and look for common patterns. If there is a three-letter word beginning with that same letter, the letter is almost certainly the word "a." There are a number of common three-letter words beginning with "a" and very few which start with "i." If a possible three-letter word doesn't give you a good indication, try "A" first, since it's the third-most-common letter in the language. Substitute it through the rest of the puzzle and start working it. If it turns out to be wrong, you'll at least know it's got to be "I". Look for contractions and possessives. Another secret-weapon in helping to get your first couple of letters cracked is the existence of the apostrophe. Signifying either a contraction (can't) or a possessive (hers), apostrophes give you an excellent indication of what's behind the apostrophe, or at least help you narrow down the possibilities. An apostrophe with one letter behind it has to be either t, s, d, or m. Apostrophes with two letters behind, have to be either "re," "ve," or "ll." To distinguish between possessives and contractions, look at the letter before the apostrophe. If it's always the same, you almost definitely have the "n't" combination. If not, then you're more likely dealing with the possessive. Start on two-letter words. Using what you know about the frequency of letters appearing and what you've gathered from context clues about individual-word letters and apostrophes, you can get cracking more by starting in on the short two-letter words. The most common two-letter words are: of, to, in, it, is, be, as, at, so, we, he, by. If you find two two-letter words where the letters are reversed, you've got either "no" and "on." You just have to figure out which is which! Start in on the three-letter words. The word "the" is extremely common and can be measured against "that" for a good indication of letters. For instance, if a sentence contains both "BGJB" and "BGD," you can be pretty confident that you're on the right track, and B = T. In the same cryptogram, "BGDL" would most likely be "then" and "BGDZD" would be "there." The most common three-word letters in English are: the, and, for, are, but, not, you, all, any, can, her, was, one, our, out, day, get, has, him, his, how, man. Look for common prefixes and suffixes. Words longer than 5 or 6 letters will most of the time include some kind of common prefix or suffix, of which you can learn to look for, to make discovering the substitutions much easier. Common prefixes include: anti-, de-, dis-, en-, em-, in-, im-, pre-, il-, ir-, mid-, mis-, non-. Common suffixes include: -able, -ible, -al, -ment, -ness, -ous, -ious, -ly. Identify digraph patterns. Digraphs are two-letter combos in English that result in one sound, and most often one of the letters is an "h". These are especially useful if you find an "h" in the last position of a word, because you know only so many letters can combine with it in the correct way. It's likely either a c, p, s, or t. Other common digraphs include: ck, sk, lk, ke, qu, ex. Related two-letter combination lucky breaks include double-letters. These won't show up too often in cryptograms, but they're extremely helpful when you find them. "LL" is the most common double-letter combo, shortly followed by "ee". Look for vowel patterns. Vowels are present in every word in English and represent almost 40% of the words in a given text. They'll almost never come three-in-a-row, or four. To narrow down the vowels and start filling in more blanks, you can learn a few vowel tips. The most common vowel is "e"; the least common is "u". Unless the text is about skiing or vacuuming, a doubled vowel is probably "e" or "o". A pattern of repeating letters in a long word usually indicates vowels, like the "i" repeating in the word "civilization." However, if adjacent letters repeat, they're more likely to consonants. Use clues from punctuation. If your cryptogram includes any punctuation, pay particularly close attention to the words on either side of it. Commas, periods, and other punctuation can clue you into several possibilities and help you start narrowing it down from there to make more educated guesses. Conjunctions like "but" or "and" will often follow commas. A question mark often implies a "wh" somewhere in the clause preceding it. Start looking for possibilities, if you've got a question mark at the end of the cryptogram sentence. Learn to identify common cryptogram words with recognizable patterns. Like crossword, word search, and other puzzle-makers, cryptogram writers have a particular sense of humor, and know the rules and the difficulties of solving the puzzles inside and out. Look for the following relatively common words that appear in cryptograms with identifiable patterns. That (or high, says, else, dead, died) There/Where/These (in any case you've identified "h" and "e") People Always Everywhere Somewhere William or Kennedy (if a name, otherwise look for "million" or "letters") Never (or state, fewer, color, level) Let the context of the cryptograph affect your guesses. Most puzzle cryptograms are relatively obscure quotations, usually aphoristic statements about "people" or "society," meaning cryptograms are small compact little philosophies. Because you know this for sure, you can sometimes start narrowing the focus in terms of the content of the cryptogram to make more educated guesses about the words. Big concepts and abstracts are the order of the day for most cryptogram puzzles. Comparative and superlative words like "always" and "everywhere" will often appear in cryptograms because of the nature of the content. Other common words in this category include more, less, nobody, usually, better, worse, everything, often, and rarely. Tackle the author's name in cryptoquotes. Cryptoquotes usually will usually end with the name of the author of the quote. Authors are usually identified as "first name last name", but some exceptions can be exploited."Anonymous," for example, wrote a lot of great quotes. A two-letter word at the beginning of the author's name is probably Dr. A two-letter word at the end of the author's name is probably a suffix like "Jr" or "Sr" or a Roman numeral as in "Pope Paul VI" A short word in the middle of a name might be a common nobiliary particle like "de" or "von." Use the structure of English sentences to fill in the blanks. You probably don't need to diagram out the sentence in your cryptogram, but if you can anticipate the placement or definite and indefinite articles, linking verbs, and other common constructions, you'll be a lot closer to the answer. Look for nouns after personal pronouns like "his" or "hers." Recognize helping verbs, like am, be, been, or have, which precede another verb, in a sentence like, "I am helping you learn to solve cryptograms." They are usually never more than 5 letters. Understand repetition and counterpoint and exploit it in your solutions. Many sentences will work in some kind of parallel structure, recalling a different form or iteration of the same word somewhere later in the line. Since cryptograms are often taken from quotes and speeches, this is especially common in those rhetorical devices. Many aphorisms will include binaries to compare and make a rhetorical point. If the word "truth" appears, you might also look for "lie" somewhere later in the sentence. Look for alternate forms of the same word. "Pleasure" and "pleasurable" might both show up in a cryptogram. Don't bang your head against the wall trying to figure out what other word it could be that looks almost exactly the same. | Understand the way a cryptogram works. Solve one letter at a time. Make the best guess, then guess again. Work in pencil. Embrace your mistakes. Join the E.T.A.O.I.N tribe. try to pin down the one-letter words. Look for contractions and possessives. Start on two-letter words. Start in on the three-letter words. Look for common prefixes and suffixes. Identify digraph patterns. Look for vowel patterns. Use clues from punctuation. Learn to identify common cryptogram words with recognizable patterns. Let the context of the cryptograph affect your guesses. Tackle the author's name in cryptoquotes. Use the structure of English sentences to fill in the blanks. Understand repetition and counterpoint and exploit it in your solutions. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Watch-Movies-for-Free | How to Watch Movies for Free | To watch movies for free, go to archive.org and search for movies that are out of copyright, which you'll be able to watch online for free. Or, you can look for a documentary to watch since most documentaries are made available for free online. You can also try to find movies for free on YouTube, where they're usually broken up into 2 or 3 parts. If all else fails, check out a free movie from your local library, or see if any good movies are playing on TV. | Look for movies out of copyright. Search online for movies whose copyrights have expired. Many classic old films are now available to watch for free simply because they are out of date. Try going to the internet public access archives at http://www.archive.org to look for your favorites. Search for documentaries. Because the makers of many documentaries are more concerned about their information coming to light, they offer free viewing of them online. Try a video streaming site. There are many popular video streaming sites on the web that offer not only short clips of shows, but full length films. The movies may be broken into two or three parts in order to allow for the video to meet the space requirements, but the entirety of many films is available this way. Youtube.com is great for watching many movies or videos for free. Look here for films that may be broken into parts. Hulu.com is known for its excellent quality archives of many popular TV shows and movies. If you want, you can choose to pay a low monthly fee to receive access to their complete library of films. Download a torrent. A torrent is a program that takes bits of video and information from all over the internet and compiles them on your computer for you. Using torrents is illegal because it violates the copyright laws in place for films and videos. Try using www.utorrent.com, deluge-torrent.org, or vuze.com for free torrent downloads. Use a pirating website. These sites pirate complete films and videos from all over the internet and allow you to stream them for free. The aptly named PirateBay is a good site to search for your favorite movies. Check out movies at your public library. That's right, your local house of books is actually the home to movies as well. Many libraries offer movies for loan in both the educational and entertaining genres. If you aren't sure what yours has, call ahead and ask the nearest librarian what's up for grabs. Look on your television. Many free TV channels offer popular movies, both at scheduled times and on a 24 hour run basis. Look at your local listings to find what movies are playing on the channels you already have access to. See what’s playing in your neighborhood. Many cities offer free movie showings at local theaters for weekend festivals and summer nights. Contact your local city center or parks and recreation office to find out if there are any films showing near you. Go garage-saling or thrifting. You can find many popular movies for sale in their DVD form at yard sales and thrift stores. Often these movies are being sold for a dollar or less - a definite deal! Join a monthly video provider. In the last few years, many new companies have started offering a monthly subscription of around $10 or less to watch unlimited free movies. They often offer free online streaming in addition to being mailed the hard DVD version of your films. Look for on-demand movies on your television. Multiple cable providers offer an on-demand film option where you can order from a selection of hundreds of movies and watch them instantly. If you're a movie buff, this option might be a great low-price choice for you. | Look for movies out of copyright. Search for documentaries. Try a video streaming site. Download a torrent. Use a pirating website. Check out movies at your public library. Look on your television. See what’s playing in your neighborhood. Go garage-saling or thrifting. Join a monthly video provider. Look for on-demand movies on your television. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-Reliable-Information-About-Coronavirus | How to Find Reliable Information About Coronavirus | Finding reliable information about the coronavirus can feel difficult, especially with all of the misinformation out there, but there's plenty of reliable, factual information available once you know where to look. The websites for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization are both great resources that have up-to-date information about the virus. Visit your local government website for updates that are specific to your area. If you're reading or watching the news, stick with mainstream outlets that are known for accurate, unbiased reporting, like Reuters, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, NPR, and BBC. When in doubt, verify a story by checking multiple reliable sources to see if it's accurate. | Check the Centers for Disease Control site for news about the US. The Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, is the United States' federal health agency. Its website has a dedicated page for coronavirus news that is reviewed by health professionals and is updated constantly. It provides information on the virus, steps that the US and local governments should take to prevent the virus from spreading, and ways you can protect yourself. It's the main website for Americans to get good information about the situation. The CDC COVID-19 page is https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html. The CDC site is also good if you're outside the United States. It has technical details about the virus and steps you can take to prevent it that are useful no matter where you are. Use the World Health Organization website for international news. The World Health Organization, or WHO, oversees the worldwide coronavirus situation. WHO has monitored the virus since it first broke out, and its doctors have considerable experience with the situation. Go here for information verified by health experts throughout the world. For WHO's dedicated coronavirus page, visit https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019. The page has a Situation Report tab where you can read the latest news from WHO. Scroll down the page for videos explaining how you can protect yourself and others from catching the virus. Listen to instructions and updates from your local government site. Besides national governments, state and local governments also maintain information pages about COVID-19. These pages usually present updates about measures your town or city is taking to contain the virus, so they're useful for learning how your daily life might be impacted. Follow any specific instructions or precautions that your local government gives you to protect public health. In the US, sites that end in.gov are run and maintained by the government. These usually have the most reliable information. Local websites are useful for understanding the specific situation in your area. Your hometown may not be very affected by the virus, for example. Look for .edu or .org websites for more trustworthy information. These tags indicate either schools or professional societies, both of which are generally more trustworthy than.com sites. They're good sources of quality information about the virus and how you can respond to it. While most.edu websites are reliable,.org websites sometimes aren't. Not all organizations have the best information available. Compare the information on these sites with other sites that you know are reputable. A.org is best if it represents a health organization or hospital. For example, mayoclinic.org represents the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and hopkinsmedicine.org represents the Johns Hopkins Medical Center. Search trustworthy websites for information rather than a search bar. A general internet search bar like Google doesn't always present the best information. Instead, they usually show you the pages that rank highest without assessing if the information is accurate. If you want to search for something specific, use the search tab on a site you know is reliable instead. For example, if you want to know the best ways to protect yourself from the virus, go right to the CDC or WHO website and search there. Starting on Yahoo or Google might lead to some inaccurate claims, like the one that oregano helps kill the virus. If you do come across information on Google or another search engine, verify it on a reputable site. If you can't verify information with a reliable source, then don't believe it. Follow health organizations on social media for real-time updates. Many health organizations like WHO and the CDC have Twitter and Facebook pages where they post information. These sites might be updated sooner than the organization websites, so follow and check these social media pages for the most up-to-date information. Be careful with social media. A lot of false or unverified information can spread quickly. Only accept information from verified, reliable accounts to avoid believing rumors. Ask government officials if there are local precautions in place. If your local government is monitoring the situation, then they probably have instituted measures to prevent the virus from spreading. If you have any questions about these precautions, then try to get in contact with a local official like your mayor. They can inform you of the procedures in place and what you should do. While government officials might know the latest procedures in place, they might not necessarily have the latest health information. Check with health organizations for specific details about the virus. Most governments also post this information on their webpages, so you might not have to contact anyone directly. This might be much more difficult in a large area like New York City. In this case, it's best to listen to the official announcements that the local government makes online, over the radio, or on local TV stations. Call your local health department if you have specific medical questions. Your local health department is probably monitoring the situation in your town or city. If you have questions about the virus or what to do if you're sick, then call the health department for this information. Speaking directly to an expert can help you feel better during this stressful time. Remember that health departments are extremely busy right now, so they may not be able to get to your question right away. It might be faster to check for updates online. Talk to your doctor for more health information. If you have questions specific to your health, then your doctor is probably the best resource. Call the office and ask for the best strategies to keep yourself and your family healthy. The doctor can provide you with advice and dispel any rumors you may have heard. Remember that doctors might be overwhelmed from the number of patients they're seeing. Don't call too often for non-emergency situations, or you could be taking the doctor's attention away from other patients. If you think you may have COVID-19, then call your doctor and tell them before you come in. They may want you to go right to the hospital or contact the health department instead of coming into the office. Be suspicious when you first hear a news report. News cycles move fast, and different networks might be in competition with each other to release a story first. This sometimes leads to fact-checking mistakes. Use caution whenever you hear news and wait to see if official organizations confirm this news. For example, if NBC reports that the coronavirus can infect cats, wait a little while to see if any other networks report on this or if the CDC releases a statement. If not, then this news was probably inaccurate. Confirm stories with multiple sources before believing it. Most news networks have access to the same information, so they tend to report on similar news. If only 1 news network releases a story, then that's a sign it might not be accurate. Check if other networks are reporting a story before you believe it as fact. Better yet, check an organization site like the CDC for similar statements. This can verify the news as true or false. If Fox runs a story one night but no other networks report on it within a few hours, then it's a good bet that this story isn't accurate. Even if multiple news networks are running a story but the CDC or a similar organization hasn't confirmed it, then be suspicious. Sometimes 1 network running a story sets off a lot of speculation in the media, which could spread inaccurate news. Check if stories were written or reviewed by a doctor. A lot of non-medical professionals are commenting on the situation. While some might be well-informed, others might not have the latest or best information. It's best to look for articles written or reviewed by a doctor so the news is medically accurate. Some stories also quote or interview doctors. This is also a good thing. It's helpful to investigate the doctor as well. For example, if a doctor on TV lost their license in the past, then their information might not be the most trustworthy. Use the most up-to-date information as long as it’s reputable. The coronavirus situation changes constantly, so news that's only a few days old could already be outdated. Check back on reputable sources regularly to see if there are new precautions you could take to stay healthy. Remember that news organizations like to get information out quickly, so they might make fact-checking mistakes in the process. Only use the most current information available from reputable sources like government sites or health organizations. Stick with mainstream sources known for accurate, unbiased reporting. Like most people, you might not have time to research everything you hear in the news. In this case, try to get your everyday news from outlets known for accuracy and unbiased reporting. An organization with a good track record for accuracy is probably trustworthy during the covid-19 outbreak. Some organizations that consistently earn high marks for accuracy are Reuters, Wall Street Journal , New York Times , NPR, Bloomberg, and the BBC. Weekly or monthly publications that have good reputations are Foreign Affairs , The Atlantic , and The New Yorker. These news sources also have strong social media presences. Try following them all to get information from many different angles. | Check the Centers for Disease Control site for news about the US. Use the World Health Organization website for international news. Listen to instructions and updates from your local government site. Look for .edu or .org websites for more trustworthy information. Search trustworthy websites for information rather than a search bar. Follow health organizations on social media for real-time updates. Ask government officials if there are local precautions in place. Call your local health department if you have specific medical questions. Talk to your doctor for more health information. Be suspicious when you first hear a news report. Confirm stories with multiple sources before believing it. Check if stories were written or reviewed by a doctor. Use the most up-to-date information as long as it’s reputable. Stick with mainstream sources known for accurate, unbiased reporting. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Cauliflower-Soup | How to Make Cauliflower Soup | To make cauliflower soup, start by boiling the florets from a head of cauliflower in 4 cups of water with 2 teaspoons of salt for 4 minutes, or until they're soft and tender. Next, purée the cauliflower in batches by filling your blender ½ full of the boiled cauliflower and ¼ full of the remaining cooking water for each batch. Once the puréed mixture is smooth, put it into a separate saucepan with 1-2 tablespoons of butter and ½-1 teaspoon of salt. Then, bring it to a boil, give it a final stir, and serve while it's still hot. | Prepare the cauliflower. Rinse the cauliflower first, then chop off the leaves and thick stem. Cut the cauliflower into florets, then set it aside. Bring the water and salt to a boil in a medium-sized saucepan. Fill a medium-sized saucepan with 4 cups (950 milliliters) of water, then add 2 teaspoons of salt. Give the water a stir, then bring it to a boil over medium to medium-high heat. Add the cauliflower florets, and cook for 4 minutes, or until the cauliflower turns soft and tender. If you have not yet done so, rinse the cauliflower, cut off the stem, then chop it up into florets. Add it to the water, then continue to cook it until it turns soft, about 4 minutes. Fill a blender or food processor halfway with the cooked cauliflower. Use a slotted spoon to scoop the cauliflower out of the saucepan. Save the salted water, and keep the rest of the florets in the saucepan. You will be puréeing them in batches. Fill the blender or food processor a quarter of the way with the cooking water. Again, leave the rest of the water and cauliflower in the saucepan. If you'd like, you can keep the saucepan covered to keep the liquid nice and hot. Purée the cauliflower until it turns smooth. The longer you purée it, the smoother your soup will become. If it is too thick, you can add more cooking water. You may not end up using all of the cooking water. Pour the mixture into a separate saucepan, then continue puréeing the rest of the cauliflower. How many batches you make will depend on the size of your blender or food processor; most will require only two batches. Pour each batch you complete into the other saucepan. Use caution when opening the blender. The built up heat and pressure may cause splattering. It would be a good idea to open the lid a crack first. Add some salt and butter. You will need about ½ to 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 grams) of butter. Once you have added in the salt and butter, give the mixture another quick pulse to combine. Alternatively, you can season the soup with some bouillon instead of salt. Chicken or vegetable is recommended. Bring the soup back to a boil. Stir it until it thickens and the butter melts. If you added in some bouillon, it might be a good idea to use a whisk in stead to help the bouillon mix in better. Give the soup a final stir, then serve it while it is still hot. There is enough soup to serve 8 people. You can serve it as is, or garnish it with some olive oil and chopped chives. If you have any leftovers, cover them, and store them in the fridge. Prepare the vegetables. Rinse the cauliflower, cut off the stem and leaves, then chop it into florets. Rinse the carrot, cut off the leaves, then shred it. Lastly, rinse off the celery, then chop it into ¼ to ½-inch (0.64 to 1.27-centimeter) pieces. Put the vegetables into a large saucepan, then add the water and bouillon. Give everything a stir to combine. You can use either chicken or vegetable bouillon. Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer it for 12 to 15 minutes. Turn the heat up to medium or medium-high, and let the water come to a boil. As soon as it starts to boil, reduce the heat to low, then let the water simmer for 12 to 15 minutes. You are ready for the next step when the vegetables turn tender. Do not pour the water out. You will be using this as part of your soup base. Melt the butter in a separate saucepan. Make sure that the saucepan is large enough to hold the rest of your ingredients, including the milk. Stir the butter occasionally with a rubber spatula to help it melt. Stir in the flour, salt, and pepper. Use a whisk or fork to mix in the flour so that it doesn't clump up too much. You can vary the amounts of salt and pepper to suit your personal tastes. Slowly pour in the milk while stirring with a whisk. 2% milk is recommended for this recipe, but you can use whole milk for a richer soup, or fat-free milk for a lighter one. Be sure to stir the mixture well so that the butter and flour mix in evenly. Boil over medium heat for 2 minutes. Turn the heat up to medium, then wait for the mixture to boil. Let it boil for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. You are ready for the next step when the mixture thickens. Reduce the heat, then stir in the Cheddar cheese. Turn the heat down to low, then add the cheese. Stir the mixture with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until the cheese has melted and mixed evenly into the milk. Slowly stir the milk mixture into the vegetable mixture. Use a whisk to blend the two mixtures together. Keep stirring until everything is evenly combined. Serve the soup while it is still hot. You can serve it as is, or you can garnish it with some croutons. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Pour 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of extra-virgin olive oil into a large saucepan. Turn the heat to medium, then wait for the olive oil to get hot. Add the onion and garlic, and cook until they turn soft, about 5 minutes. If you have not done so already, chop 1 small onion, and mince 2 cloves of garlic. Add both to the hot oil, and cook them until they become soft. Stir them occasionally with a rubber spatula so that they don't brown. Add the cauliflower and the chicken stock. If you have not yet done so, rinse the cauliflower, then cup off the stem and leaves. Cut it into florets, then add it to the saucepan along with the chicken stock. If you are vegetarian, or simply don't like chicken, you can use vegetable stock instead. If you cannot find any liquid chicken stock, you can make own by dissolving a bouillon cube or powder in 4 cups (950 milliliters) of hot water. How much bouillon you use depends on the brand that you are using; each brand requires different ratios of bouillon to water, so be sure to read the package. Simmer the mixture, covered, for about 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, and let the mixture simmer for about 15 minutes. You are ready for the next step when the cauliflower turns soft and starts to fall apart. Take the saucepan off the burner, then purée the mixture. You can do this using a hand-held immersion blender, or you can do it in two batches in a blender or food processor. If you are using a blender, be sure to open the lid a crack after blending to release any built-up pressure. Stir in the Parmesan cheese. If you used a blender or food processor to purée your soup, pour it back into the saucepan first. Next, add the Parmesan cheese, and stir until it melts and everything is smooth. Season the soup, if needed, then serve it warm. Give the soup a taste, then add as much salt and pepper as you'd like. Serve the soup while it is still hot. | Prepare the cauliflower. Bring the water and salt to a boil in a medium-sized saucepan. Add the cauliflower florets, and cook for 4 minutes, or until the cauliflower turns soft and tender. Fill a blender or food processor halfway with the cooked cauliflower. Fill the blender or food processor a quarter of the way with the cooking water. Purée the cauliflower until it turns smooth. Pour the mixture into a separate saucepan, then continue puréeing the rest of the cauliflower. Add some salt and butter. Bring the soup back to a boil. Give the soup a final stir, then serve it while it is still hot. Prepare the vegetables. Put the vegetables into a large saucepan, then add the water and bouillon. Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer it for 12 to 15 minutes. Melt the butter in a separate saucepan. Stir in the flour, salt, and pepper. Slowly pour in the milk while stirring with a whisk. Boil over medium heat for 2 minutes. Reduce the heat, then stir in the Cheddar cheese. Slowly stir the milk mixture into the vegetable mixture. Serve the soup while it is still hot. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and cook until they turn soft, about 5 minutes. Add the cauliflower and the chicken stock. Simmer the mixture, covered, for about 15 minutes. Take the saucepan off the burner, then purée the mixture. Stir in the Parmesan cheese. Season the soup, if needed, then serve it warm. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Ballroom-Dance | How to Ballroom Dance | Ballroom dance is a general term for a lot of different styles of dancing, including the Rumba, Cha-Cha, Tango, Waltz, and Fox Trot. While learning how to ballroom dance might sound hard, it's actually easier than you'd expect. First, decide what kind of style you want to focus on by watching some videos and seeing what you like the best. Then, find a teacher or dance school that specializes in ballroom dancing. If you live near a college, you can also see if any of the student clubs have a ballroom dancing group. You can also practice some basic moves at home by watching videos that give you the basic sequence of steps and body movements. If you have a friend who is also interested in dancing, ask them about practicing with you. | Choose a dance style to focus on. Keep in mind that ballroom dancing is an incredibly broad genre of dance, and it doesn't refer to a single style. Some popular types of ballroom dance include the Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Cha Cha, East Coast Swing, Mambo, Samba, and Bolero. Opt for a dance like the Waltz or Foxtrot if you'd prefer a smoother dance style, or learn something like the Cha Cha or Rumba if you'd like to focus on something more rhythmic. There are a lot of different variations in ballroom dancing, with the most obvious being the American versus International style of dance. There are also multiple versions of certain dances, like the Waltz and Viennese Waltz, along with the East Coast Swing and West Coast Swing. Stretch and warm-up your body before you start dancing. Get ready to dance by moving in place for 1-5 minutes, which helps get your pulse up slightly. Focus on stretching your ankles, hips, and arms before you start dancing with your partner. This will help you feel stretched and ready to start your dance practice! For instance, you can spin both of your ankles in circles for 10 reps so your feet are stretched and ready to go. You can also lay on your back and perform 5-8 reps of arms circles. Sign up for a ballroom dancing class or club if you want focused instruction. Search online for classes or clubs in your area that focus on some form of ballroom dances. Attend these classes on a regular basis so you can get pointers and tips on how to practice and improve your dance form, which can really help you flourish as a ballroom dancer! Some colleges and universities have ballroom dance teams that are open to students. Stand 1 ft (0.30 m) apart with your right and left hands clasped. Face your partner on the dance floor and stand pretty close together. Start by holding your partner's right hand in your left. Place your right arm beneath your partner's left shoulder blade, and make sure that your partner's left hand is resting on your right arm and shoulder. This dance position helps the dance flow more smoothly. These instructions apply to the leader of the dance. If you're following, do the opposite dance moves of your partner. It may feel a little uncomfortable to dance so closely with someone, which is completely normal! Just try to focus your energy on the dance itself. Step forward with your left foot. Support your partner as they step backward with their right foot. Try to step slowly, which will help you maintain a good rhythm. Take a step to the right with your right foot. Move your right foot to the right, guiding your partner along as you go. Continue moving slowly so you can stay in time with your partner. The Waltz is a calm and controlled dance, so there's no need to rush any of the movements! Try to take your time and relax so you can enjoy the dance. Move your left foot to meet your right foot. Move your left foot to the right so that both of your feet are together. To make the dance look smoother, try stepping with your left foot instead of sliding. At this point, both of your feet will be together. Step backward with your right foot. As you lead the dance, take another step back with your right foot, guiding your partner forward as you go. Keep your gaze and posture centered as you change directions so the waltz continues to flow smoothly. If you're following the dance, do your best to trust your partner and do a mirror image of their movements. It's okay if you don't get the steps right at first! Move your left foot in a backward diagonal line to restart the dance. Step in a backward left diagonal direction with your left foot. At this point, reset the dance by bringing both of your feet together. Once you've done this, you've completed one cycle of the dance. Repeat these dance steps while counting to 3. Count to 1 as you step forward with your left foot, then count to 2 as you step to the right. Continue counting to 3 as you bring your feet together. Count to 1 as you step backward, 2 as you step diagonally, and 3 as you bring your feet together again. Face your partner with your hands and arms clasped. Stand about 1 ft (0.30 m) away from your partner before you start dancing. Hold your partner's right hand with your left hand. Rest your right hand beneath your partner's left shoulder blade, and check that your partner's left hand is resting on your own right arm. Like most ballroom dances, you'll be in pretty close proximity with your partner. These instructions only apply to the dance leader. If you're following the dance, do your best to mirror your partner's steps. Move your left foot 1 step forward. Start with both of your feet together on the dance floor. If you're leading the dance, take a slow step forward with your left foot. The leader and follower will be doing steps that are mirror images of one another. Take another step forward with your right foot. If you're leading the dance, perform another step with your right foot. Try to keep your movements slow and fluid so the dance looks as graceful as possible. It's okay if your dance steps and technique are a little unsteady at first! Everyone learns ballroom dancing at their own pace. Step quickly to the left with your left and right feet. As the dance leader, move your left foot in an upward left diagonal line. Keep in mind that this transitional step will be quicker than your original steps. Afterward, rapidly shift your right foot in a left diagonal direction so both of your feet are together. Both of your feet will be together at this point. This movement needs to be as quick as possible to help the dance continue on. Step backward slowly with your left and right feet. Move your left foot backward in a slow step. At this point, take another step back with your right foot. This is essentially a repeat of the beginning of the dance, but in reverse. Step diagonally to the left with your left and right feet. Move your left foot backward and to the left if you're leading the dance. Afterward, slide your right foot backward and to the right so both of your feet are together. Try to do these steps more quickly than the forward and backward steps. Rotate with your partner and continue the dance. Guide your partner slowly, continuing the traditional dance steps as you go. Turn your partner so you can repeat the Foxtrot in the opposite direction on the dance floor. You can repeat the dance as much as you'd like until you feel more confident in your dance moves! Hold your partner securely before starting the dance. Clasp your partner's right hand in your left, and place your right hand beneath their left shoulder. Try keeping your knees bent as you start the dance, which will make your tango look smoother and more fluid. These instructions apply to the person leading the dance. If you're following the dance, do the opposite of your partner. Take a slow step forward with your left and right foot. Start by taking a large step forward with your left foot, then following with a slow right step. Guide your partner backward as you make your way forward, keeping your knees bent as you go. Note that a slow beat counts for 2 beats of music. Step forward quickly with your left foot. Speed up the dance slightly, moving more quickly as you step forward with your left foot again. Take your step within 1 beat of the music, continuing to guide your partner as you go. Take a quick step to the right with your right foot. Move your right foot in a forward diagonal direction. Note that this step is quick, and only takes up 1 beat of the music. Continue to push forward while keeping your knees bent. Drag your left foot to meet your right foot. Slide your left foot slowly along the ground, taking up 2 total beats of music. Bring both of your feet together so you're ready to turn and repeat the dance again. Turn your partner and continue these dance moves. Rotate your partner as you start the dance over again, guiding them in a new direction on the dance floor. You can repeat the Tango dance as many times as you'd like, or until you feel more comfortable and confident with the steps. | Choose a dance style to focus on. Stretch and warm-up your body before you start dancing. Sign up for a ballroom dancing class or club if you want focused instruction. Stand 1 ft (0.30 m) apart with your right and left hands clasped. Step forward with your left foot. Take a step to the right with your right foot. Move your left foot to meet your right foot. Step backward with your right foot. Move your left foot in a backward diagonal line to restart the dance. Repeat these dance steps while counting to 3. Face your partner with your hands and arms clasped. Move your left foot 1 step forward. Take another step forward with your right foot. Step quickly to the left with your left and right feet. Step backward slowly with your left and right feet. Step diagonally to the left with your left and right feet. Rotate with your partner and continue the dance. Hold your partner securely before starting the dance. Take a slow step forward with your left and right foot. Step forward quickly with your left foot. Take a quick step to the right with your right foot. Drag your left foot to meet your right foot. Turn your partner and continue these dance moves. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Kiss-a-Boy-Passionately | How to Kiss a Boy Passionately | When you go in for a passionate kiss, open your mouth slightly so that his lip fits between yours, but don't fully extend your tongue just yet. When you feel ready to French kiss, gently move your tongue in his mouth and massage it against his tongue or the roof of his mouth. For more passion, try kissing his neck or gently biting his lip. You can also try running your hands through his hair, beard, or over his shirt to make him feel good. | Relax. You have nothing to prove and nothing to lose. Kissing is a two way street and the guy is probably more nervous than you are. Take deep breaths, but don't make it too obvious that you're trying to calm yourself down. Match the energy of the person you're with. Passionate kissing can be frenzied, calm and meditative, or anywhere in between. There is an unspoken process where both parties will try to match the type of passion the other is aching for. It helps to synchronize breathing rates. Keep a conversation. A good way to begin building sexual tension is to keep him talking. Be in a location that is secluded. Having the option to sit is an extra bonus. Just keep a conversation no matter how mundane it feels. The bleaker the conversation the higher your chances are that he's thinking about kissing you. Use your eyes. A great way to signal that you're ready to kiss is to go back and forth from looking at his eyes and his lips. This will create tension that is necessary to have a truly passionate kiss. If he repeats and looks at your lips, he is ready for those kissing sparks to fly. Lean close to him. There are ways of being sly about getting close to him, but you want this move to be obvious. This is another clue for him to know that you want to start kissing. It will help if your bodies are slightly touching. Even if your body contact is ever so slight, it will feel exciting. Touch him. Try and keep the conversation going, and touch him on the thigh or his arm. Another good spot to excite and comfort him is to put your hand behind his neck. Be sure to keep your eyes fixed on his eyes, but take quick glances at his lips. Move in for the kiss. Tilt your head slightly and move close to his face and pause right before you reach his face. You shouldn't do all the work, but initiating the kiss yourself will excite him. It isn't as popular for the girl to make the first move, but there isn't a rule book to kissing! Open your mouth. You do not want to open your mouth too wide or else he might feel strange. Just open it big enough to fit his lip securely between yours. Show your tongue ever so slightly. Don't fully extend your tongue at this stage. Start slow. Start gently kissing your partner on the lips, don't rush. It is good to build the pace naturally. Rushing into the kiss can decrease the potential passion. Use your fingers. Run your fingers through his hair, his beard, or his shirt, and grab onto them. Pulling him into the heat of the moment is a good way to fire up his passion. Use your tongue. Again kissing is a two way street. You might want to wait, if this is your first time, for him to initiate french kissing. Gently massage his tongue with yours while his tongue is inside your mouth. When you're ready you can try entering into his mouth. Then gently massage his tongue and the roof of his mouth. Don't force your tongue into his mouth too quickly. You also don't want to go too deep. Ease the kissing. After you've been french kissing for a while, try moving your head away momentarily. Look at him and smile. Then either he'll come back in for the kiss, or you can go back for it. Kiss his neck. This is another way to enhance the passion. Lightly bite and suckle his neck. Do not do this for too long or else he will get a hickey. If you want to show off a hickey on his neck, then go for it. Feel out the vibes from him. Bite his lip. While your kissing, one way to show your passion is to bite his lip. Don't bite too hard or he might bleed. Only do this if you're confident and think he might like it. Pick the right time. You don't want to start initiating a kiss in a location that isn't opportune. You're looking for somewhere secluded and where you can hopefully sit. Go with the flow. Passion can't always be planned out in a step by step process. You need to be flexible and able to easily adapt with the mood of your partner. Be spontaneous. A boy will be into it if you are spontaneous and confident. If you're going on a walk and see a picturesque trail, then grab his hand and pull him along. Exploring places with someone will increase your security and bond together. Pick the right guy. This can be the hardest part about passion and kissing. Only go with this guy if he does something for you. Not just buying you material products, but if he excites you or makes you laugh, he may be worthy. Touch him. Periodically through your date with this guy you should give him slight physical attention. You don't need to overdo this, but every once in a while grab his arm when he says something funny. | Relax. Match the energy of the person you're with. Keep a conversation. Use your eyes. Lean close to him. Touch him. Move in for the kiss. Open your mouth. Start slow. Use your fingers. Use your tongue. Ease the kissing. Kiss his neck. Bite his lip. Pick the right time. Go with the flow. Be spontaneous. Pick the right guy. Touch him. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Transfer-Text-Messages-from-iPhone-to-iPhone | How to Transfer Text Messages from iPhone to iPhone | To transfer text messages from iPhone to iPhone, start by opening your phone's settings and tapping on your Apple ID. Then, tap "iCloud," followed by "iCloud Backup." Next, tap "OK" on the window that pops up, and tap "Backup Now" to back up your text messages to iCloud. Finally, start up your new phone, connect to Wi-Fi, and tap "Restore from iCloud backup" to upload all of your text messages. | Open your iPhone's Settings . You'll usually find this app on the home screen. Tap your Apple ID. It's at the top of the menu (the option with your name). Tap iCloud. Your iCloud settings will appear. Tap iCloud Backup. A pop-up message will appear, warning you that if you proceed, your iPhone will no longer sync automatically with iTunes. Tap OK. Tap Backup now. Your iPhone's data, including your text messages, will now back up to iCloud. Turn on the new iPhone. You'll be greeted with the “Hello” screen. If you have already set up your new iPhone, you'll need to reset it before you can proceed. Here's how: Open your iPhone's Settings. Tap General. Tap Reset. Tap Erase all content and settings. Follow the on-screen prompts to rest your iPhone. Follow the on-screen instructions until you reach the Wi-Fi screen. Join a Wi-Fi network. Tap the network you want to join, then enter the access code if required. Tap Restore from iCloud backup. Sign in to iCloud. Use the same account you used to back up your previous iPhone. Select the latest backup. If you've only backed up your data once, it will be the only available option. This will start the backup. Stay connected to the internet throughout the entire restore process. This ensures that all of your data is restored, including photos, apps, and text messages. | Open your iPhone's Settings . Tap your Apple ID. Tap iCloud. Tap iCloud Backup. Tap OK. Tap Backup now. Turn on the new iPhone. Follow the on-screen instructions until you reach the Wi-Fi screen. Join a Wi-Fi network. Tap Restore from iCloud backup. Sign in to iCloud. Select the latest backup. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Handle-a-Biting-Dog | How to Handle a Biting Dog | To handle a biting dog, take it to your vet to determine why it's biting, since it could be caused by a medical issue. For example, arthritis can make a dog irritable and cause it to bite. If it's a puppy, consider ignoring the biting, since it will interpret any reaction as attention, which will encourage it to bite again. Instead of crying “ouch,” give your puppy a toy so it has something to bite. Otherwise, if your adult dog is biting, reward positive behavior with petting or treats so it learns how it should act. You should also avoid letting it get into trigger situations, such as stopping it from going to the door when someone visits your home. Once you've tried these steps, consider engaging a professional behaviorist if your dog continues to bite. | Ignore the bite. When puppies bite, it's usually to get attention for playtime. A puppy will do this with its littermates and won't see the problem with biting you, too. However, you will need to discourage this biting. Rather than saying 'Ouch!' when your puppy bites, simply ignore the bite. If you say 'ouch!' or act like you're hurt, your puppy may interpret that as attention. Your attention is your puppy's reward. If your puppy doesn't get attention from the bite, it will not see the benefit in continuing that behavior. Give your puppy a toy. Biting and nipping helps a puppy learn how to control its jaws. You don't want your puppy's jaws on you, though! After acting like your puppy's bite never happened, calmly get up and get your puppy a chew toy. This will redirect your puppy's behavior toward something good. Give your puppy some verbal praise and extra petting when it begins chewing on its toy. This will encourage your puppy to chew on the toy instead of your hand. Small rawhide bones are great chew toys for puppies. Keep an eye on your puppy so it doesn't choke on the bone. In general, your puppy should have a variety of toys to play with. The more toys your puppy has, the less likely it will be to nip or bite you. Put your puppy in ‘time out. ' When a puppy is really tired, it may start running around and biting everything it sees. If your puppy is doing this, put it in its crate (if you have crate trained it) with a long-lasting chew toy, like a Kong toy. After a few minutes, don't be surprised if your puppy has fallen asleep. Another 'time out' strategy is for you to get up and leave the room for 30 to 60 seconds. Then, come back and continue what you were doing with your puppy. When you leave the room, do not come back until your puppy is calm. This may take longer than 60 seconds. Leaving the room will take away your attention, meaning your puppy isn't getting rewarded. When you come back, play with your puppy and reward good, non-biting behavior. Engage in play that doesn’t encourage biting. If you let your puppy nip and bite your hands during playtime, it won't learn that it shouldn't bite. Choose games that keep your hands away from your puppy's mouth. For example, play fetch with your puppy. If your puppy still tries to bite you, redirect its attention toward a chew toy and away from your hand. Teach your puppy to ‘drop it.’ If your puppy bites your hand, the ‘drop it’ command will teach your puppy to take your hand out of its mouth. After your puppy successfully follows the command, immediately reward it with verbal praise and its favorite chew toy. Make your hand undesirable. Your puppy will stop biting your hand if it doesn't taste good. Put a bitter substance (like Bitter Apple) on a cotton glove and wear the glove when you're around your puppy. Be aware, though, that your puppy may learn it's the glove that tastes bad, not your hand. You can find Bitter Apple at your local pet store. Take your dog to your vet. Puppy biting can usually be easily corrected. Correcting an adult dog's biting, however, can be much harder. If you have an adult dog that's biting, take it to your vet to rule out medical causes of biting. Painful conditions like arthritis can make a dog irritable and aggressive, causing biting. Adult dogs can also bite because they were not properly socialized as puppies. Without proper socialization, adult dogs are more fearful and more likely to bite because of that fear. This fear biting is a form of aggression. If your vet determines that the biting is not due to a medical condition, then they will talk with you about changing your dog's behavior to stop the biting. Discuss the biting problem with your vet. When you take your dog to your vet, you will need to have a detailed discussion about your dog's biting problem. The more information your vet has about the problem, the better they will be able to devise a treatment plan. Give the following details to your vet: History of any behavioral problems (destructive behavior, growling, not following commands) Situations when your dog is most likely to bite (seeing other dogs, guarding its toys or food bowl, meeting new people, being petted) Who your dog has bitten Work with a professional behaviorist. If your vet thinks your dog's biting problem is complex, they may refer you to a board-certified veterinary behaviorist. The behaviorist will take a closer look at your dog's behavior to determine why it's biting and come up with a plan to stop the biting. Choose someone (such as a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, a certified professional dog trainer, or an applied animal behaviorist) that has experience with aggression in dogs. Your vet can recommend which type of professional to go to. Follow instructions. Handling an adult biting dog takes a lot of patience and consistency. The treatment plan prescribed by your vet or the behaviorist will involve a lot of work and will require you to follow all instructions carefully. Make sure you understand what you are supposed to do and what your dog is supposed to do. Ask questions if any part of the treatment plan isn't clear to you. Identify and avoid trigger situations. If you know when your dog is most likely to bite, then avoiding those situations will help you handle your dog's biting. For example, if your dog has bitten a professional groomer, then you'll want to avoid that groomer and possibly do the grooming yourself. If your dog has bitten a delivery person, keep your dog away from the door when you are expecting a delivery. Decrease your dog’s fear. If your adult dog is fear biting, you will need decrease that fear. Decreasing fear involves processes called desensitization and counterconditioning. Desensitizing makes the fearful situation seem normal, while counterconditioning pairs the fearful situation with something positive (treats, toys). Desensitization and counterconditioning take time and will vary according to what the fearful situation is. Your vet or professional behaviorist will develop an individualized plan to decrease your dog's fear. With time, your dog will feel more confident and less likely to engage in fear biting. Use reward-based training. Handling an adult biting dog involves making positive behavioral changes. Training your dog to change its behavior will go more smoothly when you reward it with treats, verbal praise, and extra petting. When you reward positive behavior, you will reinforce that behavior and encourage your dog to behave well and not bite. The rewards must be consistent. When your dog knows it will get a reward from you each time it behaves well, it will make the positive behavior changes more consistently and be less likely to bite. | Ignore the bite. Give your puppy a toy. Put your puppy in ‘time out. Engage in play that doesn’t encourage biting. Teach your puppy to ‘drop it.’ If your puppy bites your hand, the ‘drop it’ command will teach your puppy to take your hand out of its mouth. Make your hand undesirable. Take your dog to your vet. Discuss the biting problem with your vet. Work with a professional behaviorist. Follow instructions. Identify and avoid trigger situations. Decrease your dog’s fear. Use reward-based training. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Spend-Your-Free-Time-(Girls) | How to Spend Your Free Time (Girls) | Whether you want to do something productive or just relax, there are plenty of fun ways for you to spend your free time. If you're trying to relax, watch a movie, read a book, or take a nap to catch up on some lost sleep. You could also listen to a podcast or watch a documentary to learn something new while you relax. If you want to try to be more active in your free time, take a walk or jog around outside to work up a good sweat. You could also go to the gym or take an exercise class like yoga or pilates to get active while you have the time. Another option is to try something new like starting a garden or working on an arts and crafts project. | Soak in the bathtub. Fill your tub with warm water, and make sure the temperature isn't too hot for you. Pour in some bubble bath and soak in bubbles, or throw in a bath bomb to add some fun and color to your bath. Either way, you'll feel relaxed in no time. Soak for about 20 or 30 minutes--or until you get pruny! Listen to music and dance. Play your favorite CD or put on a playlist. Turn up the volume, follow the beat, and move to the rhythm. Exercise will destress you, and uptempo music will boost your mood. Dance for just a few songs or a few albums! Meditate to clear your mind. Sit straight and take some deep breaths. Fill up your lungs all the way with air, and exhale as deeply as you can. Repeat this for five or ten minutes. Use a timer, and focus on your breath until time is up. Deep breathing and staying in the present moment will make your stresses disappear while filling some time. For deeper relaxation, look up “guided meditation” videos on the internet and follow along. Take a nap to catch up on some zzzs. This is especially helpful if you are busy or tired from a long day. You can nap for 20 minutes or 1 hour, whatever feels right and works with your schedule. Watch a movie. Turn on a classic or one you've never seen before. Use DVDs or try streaming services like Netflix or Hulu. You can also substitute for a television show if you prefer. If you have the time, binge-watch your favorite program! Start an arts and crafts project. Find a DIY tutorial and get creative! Search for DIY activities online, like making home decorations, creating a personalized gift, or repurposing old clothing. Also try making jewelry , scrapbooking , or painting. Buy coloring books and fill in the pages. There are a ton of coloring book options depending on your age. Grab some colored pencils, markers, or crayons, and flip open to a fun page. If you run out of time, you can easily stop working and pick up where you left off. Read a book. Reading helps you unwind by taking you out of yourself and into a different narrative. Grab a favorite or a new best seller and start reading to relax and spend time. Hang out with your friends. What's more fun than hanging with your friends? Grab a few pals and get brunch at a new restaurant. Have a girls day with a trip to the nail salon and a sleepover. Rent some movies and make some popcorn. Spend time with a few people, or invite everyone! Go shopping. Visit a shopping mall, department store, thrift shop, or grocery store. Treat yourself to something nice, or keep your spending within a budget. You can also do this while spending time with friends or family! Surf the web. Explore the internet by browsing social media sites, looking up something of interest, or reading neat articles or news stories. Use Google to learn more about things that interest you, such as fashion trends, new recipes, or current events. Visit a nearby city. Travel to a city within an hour or two from where you live, and spend the day there. Try a restaurant, walk around shops, and try a museum or gallery. Exploring something new is exciting and fun way to spend time. Decorate for the upcoming holidays. Depending on the time of year, find decorations for the next holiday and hang them around your house. Easter , Fourth of July, Halloween , Thanksgiving, and Christmas are great times to decorate. Take a walk or go jogging around your neighborhood. Go outside for a walk or jog, and exercise for at least 20 - 30 minutes. You can also go to a park. You can go in a loop so you'll come back around the opposite way from where you started, or you can go to a spot in particular and turn around. Go for a hike. Drive to a nearby park and find a trail to hike. Getting out in nature is a great way to spend your free time while exercising or exploring someplace new. Try an exercise class like yoga or pilates. A class can be a fun and interactive way to learn a new exercise. Yoga classes can relax you, and pilates will get you moving. Other classes you can try include spin classes or zumba. Join a sports team. Sign up for softball or soccer. This will give you a way to consistently spend your free time every week. You will not only exercise but also meet new friends and learn what it's like to be in a team. Go to the gym. The gym can be a space for you to spend time in the morning, or you can go after school or work. Try to do cardiovascular exercises like using the treadmill or elliptical machine as well as building muscle with weights or machines. . Work out at home Turn on an exercise DVD or watch a video online. There are a ton of videos you can choose from, like circuit training, yoga, or pilates. You can also watch videos that focus on particular parts of your body, like abdominals, chest, or arms. Practice a new language. Use references like books, phone applications, or websites to help you learn and rehearse words in different languages. You can also get a tutor or take language classes. Try Spanish, French, German, Chinese, or Japanese. Listen to a podcast. There are podcasts on a wide variety of subjects, from cooking, to art, to history, to sports--anything you can name. You can listen to podcasts on phone apps like YouTube or online. Search for one you like and press play. Go to the library. You can look for a new, interesting book, and borrow things like CDs, movies, and e-books. Sit and read for awhile, or bring your laptop and get some personal work done, like budgeting or scheduling. Visit an arts or history museum. While museums are popular and fun destinations, you can also learn quite a lot when visiting one. Pick a topic you'd like to learn more about, such as modern art, civil war history, or animals, and visit a museum near you that features artifacts on your topic. Find a new recipe and try it out. Learn how to make a new dish or dessert. Use recipe books or search for one online. You can use ingredients you already have at home, or go shopping based on what the recipe calls for. For example, bake cookies, brownies , or a cake. Watch a documentary. Find one that seems interesting on DVD, Netflix, Hulu, or online. Documentaries can take up 20 minutes or 2 hours depending on the topic and director. You can learn things like biographies on politicians, explorations to the jungle, or controversial moments in history. Start a garden and grow your own food. Learning to start a garden is a fun way to spend your free time, and you will also be able to grow produce to use while cooking. Start simple with an herb garden or salsa garden, or plant a variety of vegetables. Either way, you'll grow your own ingredients to use in the kitchen. Get a head start on upcoming school assignments. Work ahead on homework assignments, or study for your upcoming midterm. It may not be super fun, but you'll feel much better if you get those pesky assignments out of your way! | Soak in the bathtub. Listen to music and dance. Meditate to clear your mind. Take a nap to catch up on some zzzs. Watch a movie. Start an arts and crafts project. Read a book. Hang out with your friends. Go shopping. Surf the web. Visit a nearby city. Decorate for the upcoming holidays. Take a walk or go jogging around your neighborhood. Go for a hike. Try an exercise class like yoga or pilates. Join a sports team. Go to the gym. . Practice a new language. Listen to a podcast. Go to the library. Visit an arts or history museum. Find a new recipe and try it out. Watch a documentary. Start a garden and grow your own food. Get a head start on upcoming school assignments. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Fish | How to Cook Fish | To cook fish, start by lining a baking tray with aluminum foil or wax paper. Then, brush some oil or melted butter on the fish and put it on the tray. Bake the fish in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes for every inch of thickness. To cook fish on the stove, start by heating some oil in a pan over medium heat. Then, cook the fish in the pan for 1-2 minutes before lowering the temperature. Cook the fish over low heat, flipping it over once, until it's flakey and easy to cut. | Source the freshest fish available. Of course, fresh ingredients are important anytime you're cooking, but with fish, it's especially important. You can disguise some three-day old chicken pretty easily, but it's much tougher to disguise some cod that's been sitting around for three days. In order to cook the best fish of your live, you'll want to get cozy with your fishmonger. The best trick to getting the freshest fish available is to simply ask. Go up to the fishmonger manning the fish in your local grocery store and ask them what's fresh today. This will sometimes require being flexible about the kind of fish you cook, but it's for the better. Fresh fish almost invariably tastes better than old fish, whether it's salmon, mackerel, tuna, or swordfish — the list goes on. The freshest fish will smell of the sea (briny) but not fishy; the gills should be bright and moist; the meat firm and springy; and the scales should not be dull or flake off easily. Get familiar with your thermometer. The secret to cooking fish is knowing the temperature at which they're finished cooking. In order to do this, you'll want to use a food thermometer until you get the hang of things and can tell whether your fish is done by touching or merely looking at it. Most fish are perfectly cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 120° - 145°F (~49° - 63°C). Know that it's okay to undercook most fish. Ever heard of sushi ? Or how about ceviche ? These are two fish dishes that are not cooked at all. Unlike undercooked poultry, which carries the risk of salmonella, fish are okay to eat undercooked or even raw. Although raw or undercooked fish can contain parasites, the incidence rate of serious health concerns is serially overstated. You should feel very safe eating undercooked fish. Some fish are better raw (or undercooked)! Fish like tuna are often given a light sear on both sides before removing from the heat and serving. Tuna tartar, famously, isn't cooked at all. Know the three basic kinds of fish. Fish come in three basic varieties, each of which tends to be cooked in a different way and contains different nutritional properties. Knowing your way around the basic varieties will help you become a better cook: White fish — cod, plaice , sole, hake and haddock, among others. These fish have translucent skin that turns an opalescent white when being cooked. Usually battered and deep fried, they form the basis of the classic English fish and chips. Oily fish — salmon, trout, kipper and sardines, among others. Oily fish are oilier than other varieties, but contain good oils (omega 3 fatty acids). They are often grilled, baked, or steamed. Shellfish — shrimp, scallops, mussels, and oysters, among others. Shellfish are categorized either as "crustaceans" (shrimp) or "mollusks" (oysters). Commonly bottom feeders, shellfish are harder to digest than either white or oily fish. Experiment with marinades, but know that most fish taste wonderful with just salt and pepper. There are tons of different marinades that you can experiment with when cooking fish — soy sauce and honey works great on salmon, while olive oil and lemon work nice on whitefish. But ultimately, great fish — like great meat — tastes exquisite when you let the taste of the actual fish, and not the marinade, take over. Cook with your fish as dry as possible. Dry off your fish before cooking, whatever method of cooking you decide to use. Especially important for frying or pan-frying, excess moisture will cool down hot oil. Try to pat down fish fillets or steaks with a dry paper towel before cooking for best results. Thaw your fish before cooking. For best results, of course, you'll want to use fresh fish. But let's face it — fresh fish is expensive, a luxury that not all of us can afford. Frozen fish is a nice alternative, but you'll want to thaw your fish for a day in the refrigerator before cooking for best results. Oh, and remember to pat it down to remove excess moisture before cooking! You can bake frozen fish, for example, but you'll want to double the normal cooking time from your recipe. Cooking frozen fish is very tricky however, and shouldn't be done as a rule of thumb if you can afford it. Try grilling fish. Perfect for summer months, grilling fish is both easy and enjoyable. With your coals or gas grill, you'll want to try to make a hot pile and a cold pile, so that you can cook the fish over low heat for the majority of the time, and then give it some color by finishing the cooking over high heat at the very end. Be sure to use the thermometer to get the temperature correct, and remember that fish cooks extremely quickly! When grilling fish, be sure to oil the grill and the fish generously before cooking. A well-oiled fish and grill will keep the fish from sticking to the grate when you choose to flip it. If you want to, you can also use an aluminum foil pouch to keep the fish in as it cooks; this saves cleanup time and cooks the fish very nicely. Remember to choose the right kind of fish for grilling. Meaty, hearty fish like salmon , halibut, and swordfish work best on the grill, especially if you can get them cut into steaks. Delicate white fish like cod, flounder, or sole tend to fall apart easier on the grill, making for a less than ideal marriage between grill and fish. Bake, bake away. Probably the healthiest cooking option available, baking relies on dry heat and less oil to thoroughly bring the fish to perfection. Line a baking tray with wax paper or aluminum foil, thoroughly oil the fish (or paint with a dab of melted butter), and cook at a lower heat for a longer time. Here's some more specific pointers for you to remember as you bake fish: If you're baking with a fish fillet that has a thicker center and thin sides, curl the thin sides underneath the fish as it cooks. That way, the sides won't be overcooked be the time the rest of the center is done. Decide on your cooking temperature. Because fish are delicate and dry out easily, a lot of cooks recommend baking fish at low temperatures (think 250° F) for longer periods (20 minutes for fillets). For thicker (center cut) fish, many chefs recommend cooking at higher temperatures (400°F) for less time (15 minutes), although cooking times depend on the thickness of the cut. Try the 10-minute rule for baking fish, or "Canadian cooking method." Measure the cut of fish at its thickest point. For every inch of thickness, cook for 10 minutes at 400° - 450°F. Pro-rate the ratio for uneven thicknesses. For example, a 1.5 inch (3.8 cm) center cut piece of salmon should be cooked for 15 minutes at around 425° F. For added flavor and moisture, think about adding herbs and aromatics to your baked fish. Lemon and capers or dill works great with salmon as well as with other types of fish. Bread crumbs work well with white fish, particularly tilapia. . Pan-fry your fish to perfection Pan frying gives you the option of being a little more creative with your fish. Not only can you dredge your fish in flour or cornmeal to get a nice crunchy exterior, but you can also make sauces from the juices leftover in the bottom of the pan. Here are some secrets for pan-frying fish to perfection. Start off with enough oil and a hot pan. Oil your steel pan generously but not excessively and get it hot. Starting off hot helps cook the skin on the fish quickly, allowing it to adhere to the meat of the fish for nice presentation and an even nicer feel in the mouth. Always pan-fry with skin side down to begin with. That way, your skin browns evenly and adheres to the meat of the fish. After a minute or two on medium or high heat, turn the heat down to medium-low or low. Cook the fish slowly from here on out. Cook too hot at the moisture will evaporate from the fish before it's fully cooked, leading to a drier fish. Flip once! Start off cooking the fish skin side down at high temperature. Turn the temp down significantly, and continue cooking for a little bit. Flip the fish once, and only once. Continue cooking the fish until your thermometer reads about 137°F. If you don't have a thermometer, you can tell that the fish is cooked if you can easily cut and flake the meat with a fork. Poach your fish. The idea behind poaching is to cook the fish through by submerging it in a hot or simmering, but not boiling, liquid inside a covered pan. The liquid should consist mostly of water, but other ingredients are usually added to increase the flavor. White wine and salt are commonly used, along with herbs (thyme, rosemary, parsley, etc.) and/or vegetables (onions, celery, carrots, etc.). Try poaching with court bouillon, an excellent poaching liquid. Court bouillon is commonly made out of water, salt, white wine, vegetables (usually mirepoix) and a bouquet garni Make Bouquet Garni , or herb bouquet. There are two ways to poach: The "deep" poach, which is completely submerging the fish in a poaching liquid, or the "shallow" poach, where the fish is partially submerged in poaching liquid. Deep poached fish typically do not need a cover for the pot, while shallow poached fish typically do. In general, your poaching liquid should only be about 160 - 180ºF. This means a slight shimmering or quivering on the surface of the liquid, and maybe a bubble or two there. For hotter, simmering poaching liquids, the cooking time will decrease significantly. Which fish are great for poaching? Arctic char, barramundi, halibut, mahi mahi, striped bass, sturgeon, and tuna all work excellent in poaching liquid. Fry fish. Fried fish feeds the soul. Although it is less healthy than poaching or baking, it can elevate an "ordinary" fish like catfish into an art form. Fish are usually battered and then dunked into a hot pan filled with oil. Here are some basics for you to remember as you fry fish: Decide on dredge vs. batter. You can dredge your fish in flour and egg, making for a lighter fish, or whip up a batter out of beer or buttermilk for a thicker, crunchier shell. Cooking times do not vary significantly for either method. You'll most likely want your oil to be at around 375ºF when you start frying, and cook the fillets for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until golden brown. One trick for determining whether you've got the right heat for frying is to float a strike-anywhere match on top of the frying liquid. The match has a flash point of 365ºF, around the ideal cooking temperature. It's not a Martha Stewart-approved trick, but it will definitely get the job done! . Make almond crusted salmon The crisp nuttiness of almonds marries perfectly with the rich, unctuousness of the salmon. A no-nonsense alternative to breaded salmon! Grill up a whole sea bass. That's right, a whole fish. In many cultures the eyes and cheeks of a fish are considered a delicacy. Stuffed with some fruits, veggies, or herbs, this makes a truly transcendent dish. Try fennel topped trout. This recipe involves fennel, which doesn't overpower the delicate trout. Add in ginger, shallot, and lemon peel, and you've got a nice little slaw to go over your trout. Make some lemon-baked cod. Cod can be baked to perfection with just a little bit of butter, lemon, and onion. Delicious! Fry up some flounder. This bottom-feeding fish with two eyes on one side of its face is surprisingly delicate, seeing as it doesn't move around very much and thus has a high fat content. For a quick but tasty morsel. | Source the freshest fish available. Get familiar with your thermometer. Know that it's okay to undercook most fish. Know the three basic kinds of fish. Experiment with marinades, but know that most fish taste wonderful with just salt and pepper. Cook with your fish as dry as possible. Thaw your fish before cooking. Try grilling fish. Bake, bake away. . Poach your fish. Fry fish. . Grill up a whole sea bass. Try fennel topped trout. Make some lemon-baked cod. Fry up some flounder. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Being-Alone | How to Deal With Being Alone | To deal with being alone, spend time learning a new hobby that interests you. For example, learn how to knit, speak a foreign language, or build model planes. Physical activities like running, biking, skateboarding, swimming, and dancing are also great choices! If you prefer to use your alone time to relax, try meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises. If the thought of being alone bothers you a little bit, don't worry! That's totally normal. If you're feeling too lonely, you can always sign into social media and interact with people online. | Make plans to spend time alone. Sometimes alone time is necessary because plans fall through or nothing is going on, but it is also a good idea to make plans to spend time on your own now and then. Try setting aside about 30 minutes per day to be alone and do something that you want to do. It might feel strange to plan alone time at first, but over time it will become easier and you may even begin to look forward to it. Try setting aside a specific block of time that you will spend by yourself. For example, you might decide that you are going to spend some time alone from 5:30 to 6:00 pm every evening. Decide what you want to do during your alone time as well. If you are not sure what you want to do, you can start with something simple like taking a walk around your neighborhood or going to a coffee shop by yourself to read. Choose activities that you will enjoy doing during your alone time. To help make alone time more fun, plan to do something that you want to do. Alone time is a great way to indulge in your hobbies and to get to know yourself better, so think about what you would really like to do during your alone time. Try learning a new hobby, such as a sport or craft that you've always wanted to get into. Some good sports for alone time include running, biking, skateboarding, swimming, and dancing. Good hobbies for alone time include knitting, baking, sewing, building model planes, writing, reading, and scrapbooking. Consider filling your alone time with a project that will take some time, such as a knitting an afghan or learning how to skateboard. That way you can use each of your alone time slots to work on the project and you will feel a sense of accomplishment when you finally complete it. Take care of yourself. It can be hard to pamper yourself when lots of people are around, but alone time can provide you with the opportunity to pamper yourself and see to other personal needs as well. Try using your alone time to do things that you want to do for yourself. For example, you could use your alone time to see to personal care needs, like taking a bath, styling your hair, or giving yourself a manicure. Learn something new about yourself. When you are alone, you can focus more on the things that you want to do without being interrupted or distracted by other people. Try using your alone time to get to know yourself better. For example, you could start a journal to write about your thoughts and feelings during your alone time. Or, you could try listening to a new genre music, try out a new hobby, or identify a new goal that you want to work on. Relax during your alone time. Being with people all of the time creates stress and takes a lot of energy. Spending some time alone each day can give your body and mind the chance to recharge. To relax during your alone time, you could try meditation, yoga, tai chi, or deep breathing exercises. Solve a problem that you have been facing. When you spend time with others, you may not be able to focus enough to solve difficult problems. Having some alone time each day can allow you to spend time deep in thought and work on solutions to problems.Try using some of your alone time to just sit and think about a problem that you have been trying to solve. For example, you might be facing a difficult personal problem that you need some time to think about. Or, you might have a challenging project coming up at work or at school that requires some deep thought. Seek out people when you need to talk instead of turning to social media. You might be tempted to turn to social media when you feel lonely, but it is better to call someone or speak to someone face to face when you need social interaction. Social media may seem like a good substitute for human interaction, but it can increase feelings of isolation. If you need someone to talk to, then call a friend or go somewhere where you can talk to people. Watch television in moderation. If you have difficulty getting out or making friends, then you may try to find substitutes for human interaction, like watching TV. But watching TV when you feel lonely instead of spending time with people can make matters worse. Try to limit yourself to an hour or two of television per day and do not use it as a replacement for interacting with other people. Limit your use of alcohol when you are alone. Having a drink by yourself now and then is not a problem, but using alcohol to cope with being alone can cause major problems for you. You should not need to drink or use other substances to make alone time bearable. If you are relying on alcohol (or drugs) in order to deal with being alone, then you should seek some help from a mental health professional. Learn the difference between being alone and being lonely. Being alone and being lonely are two different things. Being alone just means that no one else is around, while being lonely is when you feel sad and/or anxious because you want to interact with other people. During alone time, you should feel content and comfortable. When you are feeling lonely, you may feel depressed, hopeless, or like you are an outcast. If you are feeling lonely because of too much alone time, then you may want to speak to a therapist about these feelings. Remember that fear of being alone is normal. It might help you to remember that it is normal to be a little afraid of spending time alone. People crave human contact, so spending time alone may not always seem like a fun prospect. That is why it is important to find a balance between being alone and seeking appropriate interactions. Keep in mind that it is normal to feel a little fearful of alone time, but it is unhealthy to avoid it all the time. If you think that you have an extreme fear of being alone, then talk to a therapist about ways that you can overcome this fear. Seek out healthy relationships and let go of unhealthy ones. While it is important to maintain your good relationships, you should let go of any relationships that are unhealthy or that make you feel unhappy. Some people stay in unhealthy relationships out of a fear of being alone, but doing so may be more harmful than helpful. If you are in a relationship that makes you unhappy, but you are afraid to end it because you don't want to be alone, talk to someone who can help. Arrange to meet with a trusted friend, a spiritual leader, or a counselor to discuss your situation. Make sure that you grow and maintain your support network. Part of dealing with being alone is having a solid support network of friends and family that you can turn to when you need help. Look for ways to meet new friends and maintain your current friends, such as taking a class at your gym, meeting up with a friend for coffee, or joining a special interest group in your area. | Make plans to spend time alone. Choose activities that you will enjoy doing during your alone time. Take care of yourself. Learn something new about yourself. Relax during your alone time. Solve a problem that you have been facing. Seek out people when you need to talk instead of turning to social media. Watch television in moderation. Limit your use of alcohol when you are alone. Learn the difference between being alone and being lonely. Remember that fear of being alone is normal. Seek out healthy relationships and let go of unhealthy ones. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tie-a-Swivel | How to Tie a Swivel | To tie a swivel to your fishing line, try using an improved clinch knot. First, thread the line through the swivel and double it back. Then, twist the line 5 or 7 times and feed the end through the loop created by your twists. Finally, pull the short end and the main line to tighten your knot. | Make a loop and thread it through the swivel. Fold the fishing line back over on itself about 4 inches (10 cm) from the end of the line to make a loop. Then, thread the loop through the swivel. Push the swivel through the loop when making a basic knot. Wrap the loop around the line and tuck it through the hole that is created, as if you were going to tie a basic knot. Before you pull it tight, push the swivel through the original loop you made. Tighten the knot. After pushing the swivel through the loop, hold the swivel in 1 hand and the line in the other. Pull both ends firmly to tighten the knot. Trim the excess fishing line. Use scissors or a knife to trim the extra fishing line off. Be careful not to cut yourself! Loop the line through the swivel and twist the line. Thread 1 end of the fishing line through the swivel, then thread that same end back through the swivel to create a loop. Twist the loop once right above the swivel. Fold the loop back over the line. Take the loop above the swivel and fold it back over the swivel so it overlaps the line. Put the fingers of 1 hand where the loop meets the line to hold it in place. Push the swivel through the opening 3 to 6 times. Rotate or spin the swivel through the opening of the loop and line 3 to 6 times. Ensure the swivel makes a full rotation each time to create coils in the line. Pull the line to create the knot. Hold the swivel in 1 hand and use the other hand to pull the line tight. This will cinch up the knot and secure the swivel to the line. There won't be any excess that needs to be trimmed off. Thread the line through the swivel and double it back. Thread 1 end of the line through the eye of the swivel. Pull about 6 inches (15 cm) of line through the swivel then double it back against itself so it's folded over the swivel. Twist the line 5 to 7 times and thread the end through the loop. Leave about 1 in (2.5 cm) of space between the swivel and the twists to create a loop. Twist the line 5 to 7 times, then bring the short end of the line through the loop just below the swivel. Pull the short end and main line to tighten the knot. It can be helpful to moisten the short line so you can grip it easily. Pull both the short end and the main line to tighten the knot against the swivel, but be careful that the coils don't overlap. Trim off any excess line. | Make a loop and thread it through the swivel. Push the swivel through the loop when making a basic knot. Tighten the knot. Trim the excess fishing line. Loop the line through the swivel and twist the line. Fold the loop back over the line. Push the swivel through the opening 3 to 6 times. Pull the line to create the knot. Thread the line through the swivel and double it back. Twist the line 5 to 7 times and thread the end through the loop. Pull the short end and main line to tighten the knot. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Winstrol | How to Take Winstrol | Winstrol is a steroid that can be prescribed to you if you have anemia or hereditary angioedema. If you're considering taking Winstrol, only do so under medical supervision, since it has serious side effects that must be managed. If you have a condition such as hereditary angioedema or aplastic anemia, consult your doctor to get a prescribed dosage. When you take Winstrol tablets, drink plenty of water to make sure they dissolve properly. This will help prevent stomach irritation. While you're taking steroids, avoid drinking any alcohol, since you'll risk damaging your liver. If you take anti-coagulant medication, avoid taking Winstrol altogether. This is because it can accelerate blood thinning, which may lead to internal bleeding or bruising. | Consult with your physician before taking any steroids. Anabolic (meaning protein and muscle building) steroids are powerful medicines with various health benefits, but all are considered controlled substances that require a prescription due to their potential for abuse and serious side effects. Your family doctor is not likely to prescribe anabolic steroids for you unless you suffer from angioedema, aplastic anemia (both blood disorders) or some muscle wasting condition. Wanting bigger muscles or greater strength is not a valid reason for an ethical doctor to write you a prescription for anabolic steroids. For hereditary angioedema, adult dosage recommendations usually start at 2 mg, three times day. If successful at reducing swelling, dosages are reduced after one to three months to 2 mg daily. For aplastic anemia, adult and childhood dosages typically start at 1 mg/kg per day and can be slowly increased from there. Winstrol comes in round pink tablets (meant to be taken orally) and in a serum meant to be injected directly into muscle tissue. Usage ranges from a few weeks to about six months at a time. Take Winstrol with lots of water. If you are taking Winstrol orally (via tablets), remember to always drink a full glass of water with it. Drinking water helps the tablet dissolve quicker and also prevents stomach irritation. The pills contain a compound called c17 methyl, which helps the stanozolol from being destroyed in the stomach and liver so it can work on muscle growth; however, the downside to c17 methyl is that it irritates the stomach and is toxic to the liver. Drinking lots of water with the pills will help lessen the impact of c17 methyl on your body. Start with at least an 8-ounce glass of water with each pill you take. Avoid acidic juices as they may contribute to stomach irritation. Taken orally, stanozolol doesn't lose its potency (compared to injecting it) as much as some other anabolic steroids do. Don't drink any alcohol while on steroids. All types of steroids, particularly anabolic steroids, are damaging to the liver because they are toxic (difficult or impossible to break down into harmless by-products) and stanozolol is no exception. As such, you shouldn't consume any alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, liquor) even in moderation while on anabolic steroids because alcohol (ethanol) is also toxic to the liver — combining the two is like a "double-whammy". Any potential benefits of moderate alcohol consumption (blood thinning, antioxidants) does not outweigh the potential negative side effects when combined with steroid medication. Don't let the lack of alcohol consumption impact your social outings. Switch to "virgin" cocktails, soda, seltzer water, and/or grape juice if your friends are drinking. Don't take Winstrol with anticoagulant medication. Anticoagulant medications (also called blood thinners) such as heparin or warfarin reduce the body's ability to make a clot, which can be helpful for some cardiovascular diseases. Anabolic steroids, however, tend to increase your sensitivity to anticoagulants, which increases your risk of internal bleeding and bruising. As such, either don't combine the two different types of medication, or have your doctor decrease your anticoagulant medication to more appropriate levels. Antiplatelet drugs (such as aspirin) should also be avoided while you're on anabolic steroids. Blood thinners reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, so they often take precedent over anabolic steroids if your doctor thinks the two can't be combined for safety reasons. Consider using Winstrol if you have hereditary angioedema. The primary indicated use of Winstrol (stanozolol) for people, according to the FDA, is to help prevent and/or decrease the frequency and severity of attacks of hereditary angioedema. Angioedema causes swelling of the face, extremities, genitals, large intestine and throat. Stanozolol may decrease the frequency and severity of attacks because it stimulates protein synthesis. Hereditary angioedema is a genetic disorder caused by a deficiency in C1 esterase (enzyme) inhibitor, which leads to widespread inflammation and swelling in blood vessels. A blood test taken during a flare-up can determine if you have this condition. Angioedema-related swelling is similar to hives, but the inflammation is under the skin instead of on the surface. Consider using Winstrol for aplastic anemia. Aplastic anemia is a rare and serious disease (usually beginning in childhood) that involves dramatically reduced production of red blood cells. The disease causes severe fatigue and increases the risk of infections and uncontrolled bleeding. Long-term treatments for aplastic anemia include blood transfusions or stem cell transplants, although short-term use of steroids such as stanozolol can stimulate red blood production according to a 2004 study. The 2004 study showed that stanozolol induced a remission of aplastic anemia in 38% of children given the drug for an average for 25 weeks at a dosage of 1 mg/kg per day. Stanozolol is considered ineffective for severe forms of aplastic anemia. However, stanozolol is not the best steroid for aplastic anemia. In earlier studies, it was found that fluoxymesterone and others are more effective than stanozolol for treating aplastic anemia in adults. Try Winstrol short-term for muscle wasting diseases. Stanozolol is commonly used in veterinary medicine to help debilitated animals gain muscle mass, strength, weight and energy. The steroid also has the same effect in people, although it's not approved by the FDA directly for such use. Your doctor may decide to recommend Winstrol (stanozolol) "off-label," which means for uses other than initially intended. Diseases that lead to muscle wasting include polymyositis , amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), Guillain-Barre syndrome, neuropathy, polio (poliomyelitis), anorexia nervosa, advanced forms of cancer and debilitating infections such as HIV. The benefit of using Winstrol (stanozolol) compared to other steroids for increasing muscle size and gaining weight is that it's strongly anabolic (builds protein and muscle quickly), but it doesn't lead to as many negative side effects. Stanozolol also doesn't convert to estrogen (the main female hormone) in the bloodstream, unlike many other steroids, which is beneficial to men who want to avoid gynecomastia (breast tissue growth) and other estrogen-related side effects. Using prescription medications "off-label" is legal and ethical if a doctor determines the benefits to a patient outweigh the risks. Don't take Winstrol illegally to enhance athletic performance. Stanozolol is an anabolic steroid (and a synthetic derivative of testosterone), which means it promotes muscle building. As such, Winstrol has a long history of abuse by athletes who want to quickly and greatly increase their muscle mass and strength in order to perform at higher levels within their sports. Without a prescription, this strategy is illegal and also dangerous because of all the serious symptoms and side effects that are related to anabolic steroid abuse. Besides making muscles bigger and stronger, anabolic steroids such as stanozolol help athletes recover from workouts quicker by reducing the muscle damage that occurs while straining muscle fibers. This enables athletes to work out harder and for longer periods of time. Anabolic steroids also create an aggressive mood in users, which can be helpful in competitive sports, but not always so beneficial in other daily situations that require patience. Side effects of stanozolol usage includes: liver toxicity, liver failure, male pattern baldness, increased facial/body hair growth, testicle shrinkage, over-aggressiveness, and acne. | Consult with your physician before taking any steroids. Take Winstrol with lots of water. Don't drink any alcohol while on steroids. Don't take Winstrol with anticoagulant medication. Consider using Winstrol if you have hereditary angioedema. Consider using Winstrol for aplastic anemia. Try Winstrol short-term for muscle wasting diseases. Don't take Winstrol illegally to enhance athletic performance. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Letter-of-Intent | How to Write a Letter of Intent | In the first paragraph of your letter of intent, introduce yourself and state any relevant information like what department or organization you're applying to. Then, get into specifics about why you're writing the letter. Include when you first learned about the job, what you're excited about, and what credentials you have that are relevant to the field. Conclude the letter by requesting an interview, and make sure you provide any necessary contact information like phone number and email address. | Read the instructions. All applications, proposals or other procedures requiring a letter of intent will have specific instructions regarding what information will be required in said letter. Review these directions before beginning to write a letter of intent. Visit the business' or school's website. All necessities should be outlined accordingly. If you cannot find what you're looking for, make a phone call. Determine the name and address of the person to receive the letter. A quick phone call to the institution or place of business can usually get you the information you need if you cannot find the info online. If your letter is going to a whole team, be as specific as possible. If you know all their names, great! Include them. Your research will be impressive. Make notes. Write down what you will want to include in the letter of intent, such as your personal information, past accomplishments and achievements, awards that have been won, particular challenges that have been overcome, and successes you are most proud of. Write down what you plan to do, at school or in business or with whatever you will achieve in the program you're applying to. A letter of intent is generally more comprehensive than a cover letter, though they are similar. It not only addresses the objectives outlined for a cover letter, but also defines your career objectives and goals, professional experience, leadership skills, and unique attributes to set you apart from the rest. Introduce yourself at the beginning. They don't call it an "introduction" for nothing. If you are writing to a college, include what school you attend and what year you are. If you're applying to a business, name the career field or organization/employer with whom you are interested in applying to and for which quarter. Personalize the letter. Make sure the letter of intent addresses the specific institution or organization to which it is being submitted. If it is a letter for graduate school, note why that school is the right choice for you. If it is a business proposal, highlight something that you have done which demonstrates a specific skill set that will apply to that company or organization. Start getting into specifics. Here's where your letter starts getting good. You need to sell yourself and show adequate knowledge of the program. The next few paragraphs should be dedicated to this. Describe why you are writing the letter. Describe how you first learned about the internship or job position and why you are excited about it. Why are you interested in it and not their competitors? State your credentials. Don't be shy! Tell the reader why he should consider you for this school/program. Use specific examples of technical or general skills, knowledge, experience (paid or unpaid), languages, and computer software that are relevant to the field. This can be in paragraph form or a bulleted list of your accomplishments. Be specific and be honest. Say some good things about the school/program. Flatter the reader, but do not overdo it. Describe why you find the position appealing, and how your strengths and interests would be a good fit for the position. In the conclusion, request a response. Express your desire for an interview. Make sure that you include all of your contact information in the letter so you can be contacted for the interview. You may have to follow up as well, depending on the policy of the organization. It's best to cover all your bases. Write a final draft. If your first draft was a bit haphazard, grab your notes and the instructions and write a second, final draft. Use proper grammar and spelling, and include all the information that is required. Make sure to look at your work on a micro and macro level. Not only should the words be accurate, concise, and fit together, but the paper needs to fit together as a whole. Does it seem to gel? Would any reordering make it better? Proofread and edit your work. Take a break before you start editing -- your mind needs different stimuli to process to break up the monotony and find the smaller errors. Once you're ready to go back, read the letter of intent and make necessary changes to ensure it reads clearly and everything makes sense. Edit ruthlessly to avoid repetition and make the writing flow smoothly from one paragraph to the next. Have a fellow student or co-worker, or a family member or friend read it for you. A new set of eyes will see a new set of things. Submit the letter of intent. Include the letter of intent with any other application materials, and submit the entire package to the institution according to the directions. If you have more than one page, you may want your name on each one (small and in the corner) in case the pages get separated. | Read the instructions. Determine the name and address of the person to receive the letter. Make notes. Introduce yourself at the beginning. Start getting into specifics. In the conclusion, request a response. Write a final draft. Proofread and edit your work. Submit the letter of intent. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Lower-a-Car | How to Lower a Car | To lower your car, remove the leaf springs from the back and place the axel on top of the springs instead of below them. If you want to reduce the height even more, purchase lowering blocks online and install them on top of the axel. Alternatively, remove your car's 4 coil springs from the front or back suspension and take them to an auto shop to have them shortened, or cut them yourself with a grinder. Another option you can try is to adjust your vehicle's torsion bars with a torsion key. | Alter your vehicle's leaf springs. Leaf springs consists of thin strips of spring steel banded and bolted together. Remove the leaf springs from the rear suspension of the vehicle. Take them to a spring shop and have them de-arched, or use a reverse shackle. Another option is reversing the set up by placing the axle on top of the leaf spring, which is called a flip kit. This can be done by a home mechanic with common hand tools. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/25\/Lower-a-Car-Step-2Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Lower-a-Car-Step-2Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/25\/Lower-a-Car-Step-2Bullet1.jpg\/aid1426853-v4-728px-Lower-a-Car-Step-2Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} To get even greater or increased drop, couple the flip kit with lowering blocks. These are available online or from your local auto parts store. They come in differing heights and will enable the vehicle to drop extremely low. They can be installed by a home mechanic. Depending on how low you go, you may have to install a C-notch above your real axle. The purpose of the notch is to give you a greater clearance between your frame and axle. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a3\/Lower-a-Car-Step-2Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Lower-a-Car-Step-2Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a3\/Lower-a-Car-Step-2Bullet2.jpg\/aid1426853-v4-728px-Lower-a-Car-Step-2Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Manipulate your car's coil springs. Coil springs can be found on a car's front and/or back suspension, and are attached onto the A-frame or the axles. You can remove the stock coil springs and replace them with shorter springs, or take your springs to a spring shop and have the coils softened and shortened. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Lower-a-Car-Step-3Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Lower-a-Car-Step-3Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Lower-a-Car-Step-3Bullet1.jpg\/aid1426853-v4-728px-Lower-a-Car-Step-3Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} You can also cut the coils yourself. Use a grinder, cutting wheel, or torch to cut them. Start with cutting in quarter- or half-coil-turn increments, because cutting a coil is a permanent action. You may have to install shorter bump stops or cut your stock ones to fit. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Lower-a-Car-Step-4Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Lower-a-Car-Step-4Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Lower-a-Car-Step-4Bullet2.jpg\/aid1426853-v4-728px-Lower-a-Car-Step-4Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Replace the springs and shocks. Trade them out for adjustable airbag units available at a local auto supply store or from an online auto parts seller. In addition to installing the airbags to replace the springs, this method of lowering your car also requires installation of air lines, an air compressor, air reservoir tank and system activation switch. This process can be done at home. If you have rear leaf springs, you will need to get rid of them and replace them with a 4 link setup. This process usually needs a professional fabricator. Replacing your car's springs with hydraulic cylinders. Hydraulics can be installed on 1, 2, 3 or all 4 suspension corners of your car. Installing a hydraulic system also requires installing an internal control system, hydraulic pumps and batteries to operate the pumps. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a6\/Lower-a-Car-Step-6Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Lower-a-Car-Step-6Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a6\/Lower-a-Car-Step-6Bullet1.jpg\/aid1426853-v4-728px-Lower-a-Car-Step-6Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} One drawback to this method of lowering your vehicle is the large amount of battery power required to operate each hydraulic pump in the system. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/Lower-a-Car-Step-6Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Lower-a-Car-Step-6Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/Lower-a-Car-Step-6Bullet2.jpg\/aid1426853-v4-728px-Lower-a-Car-Step-6Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Adjust your car's torsion bars down using the torsion bar key. This will sag your vehicle so it is lower to the ground. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b8\/Lower-a-Car-Step-7Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Lower-a-Car-Step-7Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b8\/Lower-a-Car-Step-7Bullet1.jpg\/aid1426853-v4-728px-Lower-a-Car-Step-7Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Torsion bars come factory equipped on vehicles and consists of a spring steel bar that's used in place of a coil or leaf spring. The torsion bar key is part of the torsion bar, which allows the vehicle ride height to be adjusted at the factory when the vehicle is built and as needed afterward. It's easily adjusted with a small hand wrench at home. | Alter your vehicle's leaf springs. Remove the leaf springs from the rear suspension of the vehicle. Manipulate your car's coil springs. You can also cut the coils yourself. Replace the springs and shocks. Replacing your car's springs with hydraulic cylinders. Adjust your car's torsion bars down using the torsion bar key. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Snow-Cones | How to Make Snow Cones | To make snow cones, start by putting ice in a blender and puréeing it until it's finely chopped. Next, scoop the ice into cups or paper cones and drizzle fruit juice or soda over the top to flavor it. Alternatively, make a natural syrup by mixing 1 part water with 2 parts fruit juice. You can also make a Kool-Aid syrup by simmering 2 cups of sugar with 1 cup of water in a saucepan. Then, add a packet of Kool-Aid mix and stir it until it's completely dissolved before pouring it over the crushed ice. | Crush ice to your blender. You can add a little bit of ice to make a personal snow cone, a moderate amount of ice to serve a few people, or you could fill the blender with ice to create many servings. Be sure to follow the directions that came with your blender for best results. Depending on your blender, you might have many different settings to choose from when crushing your ice. In many cases, the puree feature will give you finely crushed ice, which is ideal for snow cones. You might like your snow cones with larger bits of ice. If so, you should blend your ice for a shorter period of time. Extra fine ice can be achieved by running the ice through the blender for longer. If you don't have a blender, you can put your ice in a heavy duty plastic bag and smash the ice with a rolling pin, hammer, or tenderizing mallet. You could also drop your ice repeatedly onto a hard surface to crush this ice, though this may take some time. You can also make your snow cone out of fresh, clean snow. You should exercise caution when doing this, though. Some snow may contain impurities that are unhealthy to consume. Remove the ice from your blender. You can leave your ice in the blender and scoop it out for the snow cones, but you should be careful that no one accidentally cuts themselves on the blades at the bottom of the blender. To prevent this, you may want to pour or scoop your ice from the blender into a bowl. For especially large parties, you might have to prepare several blender's worth of ice and put it in a bowl for serving. You can keep your ice frozen until you're ready to serve it by keeping the blended ice in your freezer. You shouldn't leave your blended ice in the freezer for too long. If you do, it may refreeze leaving you with a bowl of solid ice. Scoop the ice into a cup. Traditionally, at fairs and summer events, snow cones are served in paper cones. These are a cheap and disposable way of serving your snow cones, so you may want to use these yourself. You could also use a mug cup, a paper cup, or a plastic cup, depending on your preference. You should fill your cup until it is full of crushed ice. You can use a large serving spoon, but you may want to use an ice cream scoop to give your snow cones a rounded shape. Drizzle flavoring over your snow cone. There are many different ways you can flavor your snow cone. You can use juice, soda, or specially made syrups. In most cases, one to two tablespoons per two scoops of ice should be enough to flavor your snow cone. Be careful not to add too much flavoring to your frozen treat! The temperature difference could cause your snow cone to melt quickly, turning your snow cone to a slush cone. Enjoy your flavored ice treat. With a paper cone, it's easy enough to eat a snow cone without any utensils. For regular shaped cups or deep cups, you may want to serve your cones with a spoon. Create a Kool-Aid syrup. Add 2 cups of sugar and 1 cup of water to a saucepan or small pot. Heat this on your stove on high until the mixture comes to a simmer and the sugar is dissolved. Then add your favorite Kool-Aid to the mix and stir until the Kool-Aid is completely dissolved. You should wait until your Kool-Aid syrup is completely cooled before you use it. This kind of syrup can often be kept in the refrigerator for up to a month. Make a natural juice syrup. This natural syrup can be made from your choice of fruit juice mixed with water. You should combine the two in a 2 to 1 ratio; 2 parts fruit juice to every 1 part water. For example, for every 2 cups of fruit juice, you should add 1 cup of water. You may notice that natural syrups have a slightly different taste than out-of-the-box flavors. You may need to thin the mixture with water to make it suit your tastes. Mix a sugar free syrup. You'll need a sugar free flavoring packet, like Crystal Light or Everly, but you could also use a mix of Kool-Aid and Splenda. Add these together until you achieve your desired flavor. Drizzle this on your snow cone and enjoy. Make a New Orleans Style snow cone. This special preparation of snow cone can be made with sweetened condensed milk and your choice of syrup. Sprinkle your choice of syrup over your shaved ice then add sweetened condensed milk liberally until you reach the desired level of sweetness. You may find this works easiest when using a squeeze bottle or a container with a spout. An example recipe you might try at home uses 2 cans of sweetened condensed milk, 2 cans of chocolate syrup (or 2 squeeze bottles), 8 cans of evaporated milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Combine these ingredients in a bowl, chill the mixture, and then you can drizzle it over your crushed ice. You can adjust the amount of syrup and sweetened condensed milk to suit your tastes. Another alternative you could use in place of sweetened condensed milk is marshmallow fluff. Top your snow cone with a fruit puree. Since you've already got the blender out, it should only take you minutes to whip up a fruit puree. Add fresh or frozen fruit to your blender and hit the puree button until your fruit reaches the desired consistency. Then add the fruit to the top of your snow cones. If you have berry flavored syrups, you might consider making a berry medley puree. Add blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries to your blender, blend, and you'll have a tasty snow cone topper. If you've made a fresh fruit puree, you can freeze this to give it the same consistency as your crushed ice. Simply make your puree and allow this to freeze in your freezer overnight. Depending on how much it hardens, you may need to run it through your blender again. Mix in sweets with your snow cones. If you want a decadent dessert, you can use a spoon to stir in chocolate chips, M&M's, Sno-Caps, or whatever else you think might make a flavorful addition to your snow cones. You should stir your crushed ice and topping thoroughly to ensure an equal distribution of the sweets you've added. Be sure you take into consideration allergies. If you've added a sweet to your snow cone that is a common allergen, like the peanuts in peanut M&M's, you should inform others of this when you serve the snow cone. Create adult snow cones with a dash of liqueur. Liqueur is a sweet alcoholic spirit that can add a potent flavor to your snow cones. Some liqueurs you should consider include Frangelico (hazelnut flavor), Grand Marnier (orange flavor), and Limoncello (lemon flavor), and so on. | Crush ice to your blender. Remove the ice from your blender. Scoop the ice into a cup. Drizzle flavoring over your snow cone. Enjoy your flavored ice treat. Create a Kool-Aid syrup. Make a natural juice syrup. Mix a sugar free syrup. Make a New Orleans Style snow cone. Top your snow cone with a fruit puree. Mix in sweets with your snow cones. Create adult snow cones with a dash of liqueur. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Wear-an-Infinity-Scarf | How to Wear an Infinity Scarf | To wear an infinity scarf, start by placing the scarf behind your neck and let the ends drape over your shoulders. Then, put your hand through one loop and grab the other end of the scarf. Next, pull the end back through the loop and pull it down to tighten the scarf. To wear the scarf as a double loop, start by putting your head through the middle of the scarf. Then, cross the sides in front of you before putting the lower loop back over your head. When worn this way, the top layer of the scarf can also be pulled over your head as a hood. | Place the scarf behind your neck. Grab the ends of the scarf so that the scarf is stretched horizontally behind your neck. The scarf should be parallel to your shoulders. The entire scarf should be behind your neck. Do not insert your head through the loop of the infinity scarf. Drape the ends over your shoulders. Bring the two ends of infinity scarf to the front of your body. Let go of both ends so that the scarf drapes over each shoulder. Do not cross the ends of the scarf. Insert one end through the other. Grasp the right end of the scarf, keeping the end closed. Insert the right end through the open end of the left side. The end being pulled through should be treated as a single portion of fabric rather than a loop. Tighten the scarf. Pull the entire closed end of the scarf through the loop so that the scarf fits snuggly below your chin. Allow the one end to hang down in the front of your torso. Adjust the scarf to fit comfortably around your neck. Be careful to not pull the scarf too tight. The scarf should fit comfortably around your neck and allow plenty of room to breathe. Insert your head through the scarf. Let one side of the infinity scarf rest behind your neck. Allow the scarf to hang. Adjust the scarf so that the majority of the fabric is hanging down in front of your body. The scarf may hang low, depending on the length of the scarf. Hide the seams. Readjust the scarf so that the seams are no longer visible. If you have a single perpendicular seam connecting the fabric into a loop, hide it at the base of your neck. If there are seams along the inside of the scarf, position the scarf so that these seams are against your body instead of facing out. Insert your head through the scarf. Allow one side of the scarf to rest behind your neck. The rest of the fabric of the scarf should hang down the front of your body. The first step of the double loop is the same as the first step of the single loop. Cross the scarf in front of your body. Create a figure 8 in front of your body by crossing the lower right portion of the scarf over the lower left portion. The cross should be directly in front of your neck. This will create two loops. One loop will be around your neck. The other will be right in front of your neck. It does not matter which way you cross the fabric. You could also cross the lower left portion of the scarf over the lower right portion. Insert your head through the lower loop. Pull the lower loop up and over your head. Both ends of the loop should now be at the back of your neck. The point of intersection created by crossing the scarf should now lie in front of your neck. Adjust the scarf. Pull on the ends of the loops until both loops are as big or small as desired. Create a layered look by making one loop slightly longer than the other. Create a hood. Pull the top layer over your head, creating a hood. Adjust the scarf as needed. Slip your right arm through the scarf. The top of the scarf should hug your right shoulder. Allow the rest of the scarf to hang behind your shoulder. Slip your left arm into the loop. Bring the scarf around your back and insert your left arm into the opening. The opposite end of the scarf should now hug your left shoulder. Adjust the shawl. Adjust the fabric so that it fits comfortably on your shoulders. There should be an even amount of fabric on each shoulder. The portion of the scarf crossing your back should be flat and snug. Place the infinity scarf around your waist. Slip the scarf over your head. Instead of hanging it from your neck, bring it down to your waist. One side of the scarf should be hugging the back of your waist. The rest of the scarf should hang loosely in front of your waist. Cross the scarf in front of your waist. Create a figure 8 in front of your body by crossing right side of the scarf over the left side. The intersection of the scarf should be right in front of your belly button. Slip the loop over your head. Pull the upper loop up and over your head to create a vest. Adjust the fabric so that it sits comfortably around your waist and neck. The scarf should cross in front of your bust, resembling a vest. | Place the scarf behind your neck. Drape the ends over your shoulders. Insert one end through the other. Tighten the scarf. Insert your head through the scarf. Allow the scarf to hang. Hide the seams. Insert your head through the scarf. Cross the scarf in front of your body. Insert your head through the lower loop. Adjust the scarf. Create a hood. Slip your right arm through the scarf. Slip your left arm into the loop. Adjust the shawl. Place the infinity scarf around your waist. Cross the scarf in front of your waist. Slip the loop over your head. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Fix-a-Garage-Door-Spring | How to Fix a Garage Door Spring | If your garage door isn't opening and closing properly, you'll probably have to replace the torsion springs. You'll want to replace both the left and right springs at the same time to save yourself having to repeat the job. Once you unplug the garage door opener and clam the door to the track to keep it from opening, you'll need to release the springs by unscrewing the screw set holding them on and then unwinding each spring with your winding bar. After removing the rest of the hardware, you can slide the springs, cables, and the cable drums off. When the spring is off, you can measure its length, inside diameter and the size of the coils so you can buy the replacement springs. To install the new springs, you'll need to slide them onto the tube along with the cable drum, center bearing, and cones. When everything is in place, thread the cables and tighten the drums before winding the springs. Finally, tighten the screw sets around the springs, lubricate them, and remove the clamp keeping the garage door closed. | Unplug the garage door opener and clamp the door to the track. Disconnect the garage door opener so the door remains closed. Use locking pliers or a C-clamp to secure the door to the track to keep it from opening when you release the tension on the springs. Loosen the set screws while holding each spring with a winding bar. Position a sturdy ladder to the side of the springs, rather than working directly in front of them, for safety reasons. Put on eye protection and leather gloves. Push a winding bar into the bottom hole of the winding cone on the outside of 1 spring. Use a wrench to loosen the 2 set screws. Keep a firm grip on the bar as the the spring will expand powerfully as the screws are released. Repeat on the other side. If you don't have winding bars, you can make your own. Purchase 2 pieces of 18 in (46 cm) long metal bar stock with a ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) diameter. To ensure the bars fit securely into the winding cone holes, file down the ends. Using a screwdriver, pin punch, or plier handles to unwind the bars could result in serious injury, as these tools aren't designed to hold the spring in place. Avoid standing on a bucket or chair to reach the springs. Use a sturdy ladder to minimize the risk of injury. Unwind each spring with the help of 2 winding bars. Position the second winding bar into a hole on the winding cone at a perpendicular angle to the first. Unwind the spring ¼ turn at a time, moving 1 winding bar to the next open perpendicular position after each ¼ turn. Repeat on the other spring. Remove the nuts and bolts, then slide the springs to the end bracket. Using a wrench, remove the 2 nuts and bolts that secure each spring cone to the center bracket. Then, slide each spring toward the end bracket. Secure the tube and remove the springs, cables, and cable drums. Use locking pliers or a C-clamp to secure the torsion tube to the center bracket to keep it from moving. Then, use a wrench to loosen the set screws on both lift cable drums. Disconnect the lift cables, then slide the cable drums and springs off the torsion tube. Securing the tube is an essential step that will prevent the tube from moving around and potentially injuring you, so be sure to fully lock the tube in place. Measure the length of the relaxed spring. Unfortunately, you can't measure the springs while they're installed as the tension on them would provide you with the wrong measurement. Now that you've removed the springs, use a tape measure to find the length of the entire spring, from one end to the other. You'll need this information in inches to order replacement springs. If one spring is broken, measure the other one for the most accurate numbers. Determine the inside diameter of the spring and the size of the coils. Run a tape measure across the opening at one end of the spring. Carefully measure the inside diameter of the spring so you can provide the supplier with this information. Then, use a tape measure to find the length of 10 coils on the spring. Divide the length by 10 to determine the measurement of a single coil. Coil sizes range from 0.0135 to 0.625 inches (0.034 to 1.588 cm). The standard inside diameter of a torsion spring is 2 inches (5.1 cm). Many torsion springs are 24 inches (61 cm) long. If you suspect the coils are the wrong size, which could be contributing to the issues you're having with the garage door, use the size and weight of the door to calculate the correct size from a spring weight manual. Order replacement springs. Many manufacturers and distributors only provide torsion springs to professionals, and won't sell them directly to the customer. Luckily, they are available on the Internet, so search online to find replacement springs. Make sure they match the coil size, length, and interior diameter of the springs you removed. Also, be sure to order both a “left-hand” and a “right-hand” spring as the coils are wound in different directions. It's best to purchase double-life springs, which are stronger and last longer than standard springs. It's worth the extra $50-$60. Ask the supplier for a recommendation on how many times to turn the springs to apply the right amount of tension when reinstalling them. Check for other worn or rusted components. While the tension is off the door, inspect the other components. If you notice any worn or rusted pieces, replace them before installing the new springs. For instance, if you spot a frayed cable, replace it now to avoid taking the door apart again later. Slide the left spring onto the tube and add the cable drum. When your new springs arrive, put the new left spring (the 1 with the end facing up and to the left) on the torsion tube, making sure that the stationary cone on the end of the spring faces the center bracket. After sliding the new spring into place, replace the cable drum and insert the torsion bar into the left bearing bracket. Install the center bearing and the right spring, then secure the cones. Slide the torsion bar to the left then add the center bearing. Slide the right spring onto the bar and press the bearing into the stationary cone. Connect both of the stationary cones to the center bracket with the nuts and bolts you removed previously. Remove the locking pliers or clamp from the center bracket. Thread the cables and tighten the drums. Run the lift cable between the roller and the doorjamb. Slip the lift cable stop through the cable slot on the drum. Then, attach locking pliers to the torsion tube to secure it in place. Spin the drum to wind the cable into the grooves, then tighten the set screws. Repeat on the other side, leaving the locking pliers in place. For the door to operate properly, you need the same amount of tension on both sides, so take care to tighten each side evenly. Wind the springs. Insert 2 winding bars into the winding cone so they are perpendicular to each other. Use the bars to turn the spring ¼ turn at a time, moving the bars to new holes in the cone as necessary. Follow the supplier's recommendation for the number of turns to complete. Repeat on the other spring. Generally, you'll need 30 quarter-turns for a 7 ft (2.1 m) tall door and 36 quarter-turns for an 8 ft (2.4 m) tall door. Winding the spring too tight could cause it to break and injure you, so be sure to follow the supplier's recommendation and don't over-wind the spring. Stretch the springs out 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm). When the spring is fully wound, leave 1 winding bar in a slot of the cone that is perpendicular to the floor. Tap the winding bar with a hammer to stretch the spring ⁄ 4 inch (0.64 cm) out from the center. Repeat on the other side. Tighten the set screws. Use your fingers to tighten each set screw until it contacts the torsion tube. Then, tighten each screw ½ to ¾ turn more. Tightening the screws more than this could distort or puncture the torsion tube, so be sure to make less than 1 full rotation once the screws touch the torsion tube. Lubricate the springs. Slide a grocery bag or piece of cardboard behind the spring to protect the garage door. Spray each spring with garage door lubricant. Wipe off any excess, then repeat the process on the other side. Remove the clamps or pliers. It is now safe to remove the clamps or pliers you used to hold both the torsion bar and the garage door itself in place. Test the door and reconnect the opener. Lift the door up about 3 feet (0.91 m) high and let it go. If it stays in place, you did the job correctly. If it doesn't, add a ¼ turn to each spring. Test the door again and add another ¼ turn if necessary. Once you're satisfied, plug the garage door opener back in. | Unplug the garage door opener and clamp the door to the track. Loosen the set screws while holding each spring with a winding bar. Unwind each spring with the help of 2 winding bars. Remove the nuts and bolts, then slide the springs to the end bracket. Secure the tube and remove the springs, cables, and cable drums. Measure the length of the relaxed spring. Determine the inside diameter of the spring and the size of the coils. Order replacement springs. Check for other worn or rusted components. Slide the left spring onto the tube and add the cable drum. Install the center bearing and the right spring, then secure the cones. Thread the cables and tighten the drums. Wind the springs. Stretch the springs out 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm). Tighten the set screws. Lubricate the springs. Remove the clamps or pliers. Test the door and reconnect the opener. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Oil-Paint-on-Canvas | How to Oil Paint on Canvas | Oil painting on canvas is a great way to paint for long sessions and even over several days. To get started, you'll need to pour some paint thinner into a pot and squeeze out a small amount of each paint you want to use onto your palette. If you don't want to go in completely free-hand, draw an outline of your design in pencil first. When you paint on your canvas, you'll need to dip your brush in paint thinner first, then dip it into your paint until it's thin and light. Paint the lighter sections of your canvas first, then move onto the darker sections. Use more paint thinner for the lighter colors and less for darker ones. Oil paintings take at least 2 weeks to dry, so you can leave your canvas overnight and come back to it the next day if you want. Just make sure you wash your brushes in paint thinner after each use. | Purchase good quality oil painting materials, the best you can afford. If you're just starting out, you can find many of these things by looking at gift sets that include all or most of them, sometimes in a nice wooden storage box or a table easel. What you will need at a minimum is: A stretched canvas the size of the painting you would like to do. It's a good thing to also purchase several small "canvas boards" for practice and preliminary studies. You can also use canvas paper or canvas that comes in pads, as long as they say they're suited for oil painting and are gessoed. Try to choose a small board with the exact proportions of the stretched canvas but if it's not, get one larger so that you can mark up that shape on it. Tubes of oil paint in a basic palette. If you're purchasing a set, it probably has all the most essential colors. The smallest essential palette has red, blue, yellow, Burnt Sienna and a large tube of white. If it's Winsor and Newton open stock, get Lemon Yellow, Permanent Rose and Ultramarine or French Ultramarine (they are chemically close.) If it's choosing primaries out of a set with more colors, use Alizarin Crimson or whichever the more purple cast red is, not the orange red. You could do without the Burnt Sienna but there's a reason for it besides mixing. If your set doesn't have it, use the reddish brown. Buy the oil and thinner. Linseed oil is a traditional oil painter's medium. Some artists like walnut oil better. If you want your painting to dry faster, choosing a medium like Winsor & Newton's "Liquin" will make the oil painting dry faster. You will also need turpentine, or odorless turpentine substitute, sometimes called turpenoid, or white mineral spirits. This is a thin liquid that has a strong or slight odor, it's a paint thinner as opposed to a medium. Odorless paint thinners, like Weber's Turpenoid or Gamsol, are reputedly healthier to use, but always have proper ventilation when using volatiles. Oil paint itself is not toxic in the way that turpentine is in that it doesn't give off toxic fumes. But some oil paints contain toxic ingredients like cadmium and cobalt that can be quite harmful if ingested. Never eat, drink or smoke while using oil paint. Buy some removable artist grade varnish such as Damar varnish intended for oil paintings. Varnish will probably have some toxic fumes and should be applied outdoors or in a well ventilated area. Definitely choose a removable artist grade varnish. Varnish is supposed to be added after the oil painting has completely dried all the way through and chemically changed to "cure." At that point a clear removable varnish gets added to give it a nice glossy finish and protect the paint layer. Every 25 to 30 years, the varnish should be removed by a conservator (or the artist or owner) with a varnish remover solution and reapplied, because the varnishes become yellow over time and aren't intended to be permanent. This is why very old oil paintings turn brown. They often just need cleaning and a clear new coat of varnish to look as bright as if they were painted last year. You don't need to buy the varnish before finishing the painting, since you won't use it till the painting's done and completely dried. "Retouch varnish" can be used as soon as a painting is touch dry. It doesn't hurt the paint layer, but the painting should feel thoroughly dry and you should wait a good month before using it. That gives a temporary finish if you want to sell the painting sooner. Buy the brushes. Stiff ones are preferred. Bristle brushes are less expensive at the cheap end but good ones of either white synthetic fiber that's as stiff as bristle brushes are just as good. Some oil painters also use a soft sable brush with a long handle for different effects. Get a range of sizes, large medium and small, for blocking in areas, painting in the forms and objects and quite small ones for final details if you like detailed realism. A soft "rigger" brush with very long thin soft hairs gets used for ship's rigging, cat's whiskers and other long linear details in realism, it holds a lot of very thin paint and can be used to write your name small or do long smooth lines. For a beginner, it's recommended that you try a variety pack of bristle or synthetic bristle brushes with different shapes and sizes to discover the style each one creates. Palette knife, painting knife or non serrated butter knife to serve as one for mixing paint. Palette knives are pretty cheap though if you get the plastic ones. The nicer metal ones don't stain and will last for years if kept clean. Painting knives have different shapes like trowels and angled things, each has a different effect and you can use those instead of brushes to do your whole painting. Charcoal or a violet pastel pencil to sketch on the canvas. A palette to put your oil paints on while using them. This can be an actual palette with a thumb hole or you can improvise with a cheap plain ceramic, glass or melamine plate. Something that could stand up to being washed off with turpentine is good. Many artists prefer a gray palette because the colors show up truest on gray. If you use a flat piece of glass on a table (very cheap if you take it out of a cheap photo frame) you can put gray paper under it to have a gray easily cleaned palette for every time you need it. Two small cups for oil (or Liquin) and thinner. Some sets come with a "double dipper" that clips onto a palette, if so then your set probably also has a palette. Painting rags. These can be any kind of clean rags. Strong paper towels will work but cloth rags are reusable if washed. Cloth baby diapers that have been used and washed, even worn out stained ones, make really good painting rags. Paper towels wear out fast––it's better to use old clothes that are soft like old t-shirts and stuff like that, actual rags. Try not to use fuzzy ones that shed though, since you may be wiping out painted areas with the rags. Use rags that are about at the end of their usefulness, unless you want to wash them out and keep reusing stained ones over and over. An easel to work at, either a table easel set up on a table or a standing easel. This doesn't need to be expensive. The cheapest "display easel" will hold up any reasonably sized canvas at a comfortable working angle and its legs will adjust to a standing or sitting height. Unless you're disabled by age, disease or injury limiting the amount of time you can stay on your feet, it's much healthier to stand at the easel. This will also let you stand back every few strokes to see how the painting looks before adding to it, which makes for a better painting. You can also prop up the painting against a chair or other support, or otherwise improvise something. A "painting horse" is a bench with a board sticking up at the end that you straddle and prop the canvas into a groove. Sketching supplies to plan the painting - pencil or charcoal, sketchbook or drawing paper or even scrap paper. They don't need to be archival since these are working sketches but if you like your sketches, you might as well get an actual sketchbook and use a soft pencil or even a pen or marker for it. Just something to sketch with and something to sketch on, your favorites. Your usual sketchbook and favorite drawing tools. A safe, dust free place to put the wet painting to dry where nothing is going to bang into the wet side to smear it. Drying times for oil paintings vary from a few days to several months. Some types of oil painting take up to a year to "cure" before they can be varnished. Sketch a "notan" of the painting in your sketchbook or on scrap paper with a gray pen and a black one, or a pencil and a pen using the pencil as the gray. If it's a square, that's square. If it's rectangular or oval, decide if it's going to be vertical "portrait" orientation or horizontal "landscape" orientation. Do the notan drawings very small, just to place the light, dark and medium areas on the design. They can range from a large postage stamp to a business card size - the idea is to see it as if it was at a distance or a thumbnail. Do lots of them till you find the best design without worrying about the details. Using charcoal or the pencil, make a value drawing in your sketchbook. It can be quite detailed and shaded carefully or just loose to show you where the shadows and highlights are. This partly depends on how detailed and realist you want the painting with. A looser painting style can have a sketchier value sketch, but should still have one with more than "white middle and black" so that you can tell where there are at least five values - white accents, light value, medium, dark, black accents. Some painters like to not use pure black and white but just use "light, light middle, middle value, middle dark, dark" for the five values. It depends on the effect you want. If you don't like the sketch keep trying different versions of it till you get one you like. In the sketch, make sure the light falling on the person, objects or landscape elements is all going in the same direction. Pay attention to where the shadows go. They should all go the same direction and are shorter when the sun or lamp is high, longer if it's later or earlier in the day and the sun is low (or lamp is low). Directional lighting will make all the objects look more three dimensional. Draw the shapes of the shadows carefully and most of your subjects will look three dimensional at that point. This makes for good Impressionism or realism. If you want to do an abstract, do the pencil sketch loosely and work out where you want particular effects like spattering or strong texture strokes. Or skip the sketch stage on paper and proceed to the next. Sketch the subject on the canvas board, canvas paper or canvas pad. Use charcoal or your violet pastel pencil. Mark up the exact proportions of the canvas on the board or pad if it's not exactly the same shape, so everything's placed the way it is in the planning sketches. Do this drawing as pure outlines. You can get detailed for realism by marking up eyes, mouth, any important shapes on it or you can keep it very simple just to the main shapes and main shadow shapes. Either way it should look like a Paint By Numbers canvas when the sketch is done. If you make mistakes, wipe off the charcoal or pastel pencil with a damp cloth, let that area dry and draw it again. Very correctable. Squeeze out a little of the paint on your palette and mix your colors. Set out your yellow, blue, red and a larger dab of white with some distance between them. Optional, use Burnt Sienna as well. Leave all the other colors in the box if it was a gift set. Paint the color study "Alla Prima. " Just paint right over the sketch into the areas of each color. Because this doesn't need to be detailed, you can try painting the color study with the palette knife or painting knife. If you don't like any of your color choices, use the palette knife to scrape off that bit and put the mixed-up paint off to the side on your palette in case you need some muddy brown. The mix of all three primaries will harmonize throughout the painting and so the mixed up paint can be separated and mixed with a little more to turn it into pale or dark browns and grays. No waste with a simple primary palette. Keep playing with the Color Study until you like it as a simple, bold painting done with a fairly big brush and not much detail. If necessary, do more than one of them till you work out what mixtures and colors you like. You're doing this little practice painting with the paint right out of the tube. It doesn't need either thinner or oil for this technique. If you like the look, you can do the big painting the same way just by using the palette knife and tube paint with bold strokes onto the canvas, no extra oil and no thinned out layer. That's a style of oil painting that's fast and powerful. Draw the outline using a soft pencil or a thin stick of charcoal. On a landscape painting, using a violet pastel pencil is a very good choice because that color blends well with all the landscape colors without darkening or staining light colors as much as black. Charcoal and the violet pastel pencil are both easily corrected with a damp tissue or rag, so don't worry about making changes to the sketch! Draw it in, if you get it wrong wipe off the wrong bit and try again. Prepare some oil in a cup and some thinner in another one. Wipe your brushes and palette knife clean. Wash the brush you used if you used it for the color study, using the turpenoid - just dip it in the thinner and squeeze it out with a painting rag. Put a small dab of Burnt Sienna on your palette. Or if there isn't any white or much white in the three-color mud mix, use that for your brown thin layer. Thin it out by dipping your brush into the thinner, turpentine or turpenoid or Sansodor (the Winsor & Newton brand is good). Dip the wet brush into a little bit of paint and squeeze it around till you have very thin, transparent paint that's light. Paint in the light areas on your painting following the notan. Using a little more paint, do the medium light and successively darker areas with the Burnt Sienna, still thinning it till it's like ink in texture. Even the dark areas should have a fair amount of paint thinner in them. The more thinner you use, the faster this transparent Burnt Sienna value layer will dry. Wow. The transparent value painting in Burnt Sienna usually looks pretty cool at this stage. It's still easy to change if you got it too dark somewhere or too light somewhere. Take a rag and wipe off the part you don't like and redo it the right value, or add a little more color. Or wipe out and change the shape. Gee, you thought oil painting had to be perfect, nope, it's very easy to correct and make changes all the way through. This stage will dry pretty fast, within a few minutes to half an hour. The thinnest parts may be touch dry by the time you finish the other corner. It only needs to be touch dry. Remember the rule "Fat Over Lean. " This is structural. That first layer - the value sketch you paint over - was very lean - almost all turpentine or turpentine substitute, very little oil. Just the amount of oil in a little bit of staining paint to make it show up. It looks almost like watercolor on paper at that thinner layer. You can do successive washes in different colors if you want a fun technique at the "wash" layer. The next layer is "Alla Prima" or paint right from the tube the way you did the color study. That's sort of medium fatness, like someone who's not fat or skinny. After that, the more oil or Liquin that you add to the paint, the fatter it is. The problem of Lean Over Fat is that the oiliest layers dry the slowest, so the faster drying paint should be under it. Otherwise the outside will dry before the inside and the inside might remain squishy and sealed. Worst case, a painting that has Lean over Fat can slide off the canvas on a hot day, losing all paint cohesion. This happened at least once to a past student of a teacher who told the story. Never use oil pastels under oil paint because their oil formula includes mineral oil that never dries. You can optionally add oil pastel marks on the last layer of an oil painting when it's touch dry. Block in the colors in general for major areas first, then add a little more paint to make details lighter or darker, redder or yellower or bluer. Mix your colors half on the palette, half on the canvas. Start with getting the main areas of light and shadow blocked in with the right general colors, then add in more paint to modify them. Shade gradually and blend them gently where you want the paint to be smooth without showing much brush strokes. Dab on lots of it and leave it where you want strong textures like an Impressionist painting, or use knife strokes to make bold textures. Contrasting smooth textures and bold ones so that some parts of the painting are raised "impasto" texture and others are smooth and carefully painted is very lively. So vary the amount of "alla prima" texture you put on. Mix some of the oil into the paint if you want to lay it on thin and brush out the brush strokes to keep it smooth. As long as it's still wet, you can mix more oil or more paint in to make that layer fatter or thinner. But if it starts to dry or skin over, don't put anything leaner over what has fat in it. Unless you want a really ugly special effect, like painting a zombie's face and putting a big pocket of fat in on the cheek, then letting it dry wrong, then ripping it open to have the paint skin dangle down and the clump of brownish-red fat paint hit the air and dry solid, maybe dripping over the rip. Almost any mistake can be turned into a special effect once you know how it works. Make changes as needed, for oil paints stay wet for days. This means you can paint all day, fool around with it, go to bed, put an empty box over the palette so your cat won't walk in it, start over tomorrow and keep making changes while it's wet. Use the palette knife to scrape off whole areas of it before it dries and start over. Oil paint's slow drying time allows plenty of changes before you decide it's done and let it dry. Leave it to dry. It would take at least two weeks unless you used Liquin as your medium. Liquin dries faster than paint from the tube, so use at least a bit of it into all the paint so that it all bonds well. It's not fat, but oil right from the tube is. You can also get alkyd oils that have alkyd (the main ingredient of Liquin medium) right in the tube paint, where the painting may take only a couple of days to a week to touch dry depending on how thick the paint is. You can help to speed up the drying process for oils a little by storing the painting in a warm, well-ventilated and well-lit room. Try one of the traditional Old Masters techniques that doesn't rely much on brush textures. Start as described in the previous part, doing the thin Burnt Sienna layer, then using tube texture paint and carefully brushing it, do a realistic black and white painting with all the details of your subject just using Ivory Black and Titanium White. Let that "grisaille" or "dead layer" dry thoroughly. It will look like a black and white photo in a way, very detailed. Then start mixing oil with all your colors, using them very thin, start painting over the grisaille layer. Covering the black and white painting with various transparent colors will let the light bounce back and forth within the dried layers and give it a unique luminosity. Only slow, heavily layered colored pencil rendering comes close to the effect. It's one of the things oil painting is famous for. You can try this method if you have a lot of time to let each glazed layer dry before doing the next. But if you don't want to take that long, just let the grisaille dry, add a bit of oil, paint over it in the right colors and add one final glaze when that layer's dry. You can get as elaborate or as simple as you like with oil painting. When you finish a day's painting session, clean your brushes by dipping them in the thinner and then use the painting rag to squeeze the paint out of them. Repeat several times till almost all the paint is off before swishing them in thinner, otherwise it wastes thinner. Store your painting rags and supplies away from any open flame or electrical circuits or heaters or anything that can start a fire. Seal them in a metal can if you have one handy. If you store your palette with paint squeezed on it in the fridge, it will slow the drying and you can use the squeezed out paint longer. But don't let anyone mistake it for food. Store wet paintings somewhere safe that's free of dust, dark and cool if possible. You can build a vertical drying rack with a home built cabinet where you put peg board panels a couple of inches apart to lean one wet painting into each slot. If you do a lot of oil painting, this is a good DIY project to leave you more garage space. Since you are creating fumes with the thinner, it's a good idea to use the garage and other areas that people don't spend as much time in or have very good studio ventilation. Storing them in vertical slots reduces the amount of dust that falls on the painting while it's drying, it'll mostly accumulate on the top edge instead of the front of the painting. With a "Gallery" canvas that is an inch and a half deep, you don't need to frame an oil painting. Just paint the sides too, either wrap the painting around or paint them black or put a design, do something fun with it. Then you don't need to buy a frame to either sell it in a gallery or give it as a present, it's ready to hang when it's dry and varnished. Wait at least a month after the painting is touch dry to use retouch varnish and give the painting a temporary shiny, finished look. Some colors dry matte and flat, others shiny, it can be annoying till the varnish is on. Then wait another eleven months to add Damar varnish or any other removable conservator varnish and let that dry for a few days. Your painting will now last longer than you will. | Purchase good quality oil painting materials, the best you can afford. Sketch a "notan" of the painting in your sketchbook or on scrap paper with a gray pen and a black one, or a pencil and a pen using the pencil as the gray. Using charcoal or the pencil, make a value drawing in your sketchbook. Squeeze out a little of the paint on your palette and mix your colors. Paint the color study "Alla Prima. Draw the outline using a soft pencil or a thin stick of charcoal. Prepare some oil in a cup and some thinner in another one. Put a small dab of Burnt Sienna on your palette. Remember the rule "Fat Over Lean. Block in the colors in general for major areas first, then add a little more paint to make details lighter or darker, redder or yellower or bluer. Make changes as needed, for oil paints stay wet for days. Leave it to dry. Try one of the traditional Old Masters techniques that doesn't rely much on brush textures. When you finish a day's painting session, clean your brushes by dipping them in the thinner and then use the painting rag to squeeze the paint out of them. Store wet paintings somewhere safe that's free of dust, dark and cool if possible. With a "Gallery" canvas that is an inch and a half deep, you don't need to frame an oil painting. Wait at least a month after the painting is touch dry to use retouch varnish and give the painting a temporary shiny, finished look. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Approach-a-Stray-Cat | How to Approach a Stray Cat | To approach a stray cat, start by putting a bowl of dry cat food and water outside. When the cat begins eating, slowly move toward it while talking in a quiet, calm manner. As you approach the cat, see if it becomes skittish, which is a sign to back away and give it space. Alternatively, if the cat seems friendly, squat down and allow it to approach you. If the cat doesn't have any tags but is friendly, assume it is a stray, and try to take it to a safe place by putting food in a container or in your car as a way to entice the cat. | Leave out a bowl of dry cat food. You will need to start by gaining the cat's trust, as this will make approaching the cat much easier. You can gain the stray cat's trust by leaving out a bowl of dry cat food where they can see it. The stray cat is likely hungry and will be more inclined to approach your area if you present it with food. Place the dry cat food in a bowl close to the cat or in the area where the cat is hanging out. You may also leave out a bowl of fresh water for the cat to drink. Then, step away and wait quietly for the cat to approach and eat from the bowl. Let the cat continue eating and drinking without approaching it. If you are not worried about approaching the stray cat right away, you may continue to leave food and water out for the cat every day until the cat seems comfortable staying in the same area. Move toward the cat slowly and quietly. Do this while the cat is eating from the food bowl. Talk quietly to the cat as you move towards it slowly. You may say, “Good kitty” under your breath or simply, “Hi there, kitty.” Talking to the cat in low tones will show it you are non-threatening and friendly. If the cat appears spooked by your presence, take a few steps back and wait. Once the cat appears less freaked out by you, you should take a few steps forward and continue talking quietly. Over time, the cat should realize you are not a threat and be more comfortable with your presence. Allow the cat to come to you. Do not try to force the cat to come to you or attempt to grab the cat as this will just scare it more. Instead, allow the cat to approach you. Squat down a few feet away from it and continue to speak softly to it. The cat should come to you and rub your leg or sit near you but just out of reach. These are signs it does not view you as a threat. Avoid trying to reach out and pet the cat or stroke the cat. This may spook it and cause it to run away. Be patient and allow the cat to approach you. Lure the cat into your car or into a container. If you have confirmed the cat is a stray and it appears okay with you approaching it or it approaches you, you may be able to lure it to a safe place. You should try to lure the animal into your car by placing food on the seat and leaving the door open. If the cat does go into your car, you should close the door and go get help. You can also try luring the cat into a container, such as a cardboard box or a plastic bin. You can leave food in the box or bin and see if the cat will enter it willingly. Once the cat is in the box or bin, you can then call for help. Try to find the cat’s owner. If you are able to transport the cat in your car, you should take it to the nearest animal shelter. The shelter may then be able to help you find the cat's owner, if it has one. You should also check the cat for any identification, such as a collar or a tag. You may be able to find the owner through the information on the cat's collar. You should make sure the shelter scans the cat for a microchip. If the cat has a microchip, scanning it will make it easier to identify the cat's owner. You can help the shelter find the cat's owner by posting a “found” ad in your local newspaper or online. You can also put up “found cat” posters in your neighborhood with an image of the cat. You may decide to keep the cat if the owner is not found through the shelter. If so, you should notify animal control that you have the cat and then take the cat to the vet for a check up. The vet will confirm the cat does not have any diseases or illnesses. Watch for signs of aggression. The stray cat may appear frightened and scared by you, especially if is it not used to other people or to being outside. A frightened cat may hiss, growl, or spit at you. These are normal signs of fear and the cat may just be reacting to being lost, away from its owner, or outdoors. An aggressive cat may howl at you and its eyes may be dilated, with its fur on end and its head cocked back. If the cat starts to act aggressive, it may be feral. Feral cats are cats that have always lived outdoors and have not been socialized to people. They usually cannot be adopted and may end up in a kill shelter if they are caught. You may try to approach the feral cat anyway to ensure it is not sick or in danger, but do so with caution. If the cat allows you to approach it or if it approaches you, it is likely not feral. A stray cat will be okay with rubbing your leg or being close to you. A feral cat will likely not approach you at all and may hide or run away at the sight of you. Stray cats also tend to walk like house cats, with their tail up. Feral cats may stay low to the ground, crouching or crawling, and protect their body with their tail. Feral cats also will not make eye contact with you and will not purr, beg, or blink at you. Wear gloves and long sleeves. You should approach a frightened or feral cat with caution and protect yourself against getting scratched or injured by the cat. Wear rubber gloves and a long sleeved shirt so your skin is not exposed. You should also have a towel or blanket ready to throw over the cat. Putting a towel or blanket over the cat can make it easier to put up the cat and transport it without getting scratched or attacked. Let the cat approach you. Though the cat may appear frightened or scared, it may eventually approach you if you place a bowl of dry food and water in its area. You should leave the food and water out so the cat can eat and drink. Stay a few feet away from the cat so it does not feel threatened by you. You may then be able to move closer to the cat or get it to approach you by talking quietly to it. You may say, “Here, kitty” or “Hello there.” With enough coaxing, the cat may come to you. If the cat is feral or acting aggressive, it may not approach you. You can try throwing the blanket or towel over the cat. Then, lift it by the nape of its neck and try to put it in a box or in a container. Call animal control if the cat is too aggressive. If the cat appears too aggressive, you may want to contact animal control so they can remove it safely and efficiently. Give animal control your contact number and ask them how long it will take for someone to get to the scene. Try to stay in the area until animal control arrives to make sure the cat is picked up safely. If you are not able to stay on the scene, you should describe where the cat is located by giving animal control a description of any road names, landmarks, or mile markers in the area. This will make it easier for animal control to locate the stray cat when they arrive. | Leave out a bowl of dry cat food. Move toward the cat slowly and quietly. Allow the cat to come to you. Lure the cat into your car or into a container. Try to find the cat’s owner. Watch for signs of aggression. Wear gloves and long sleeves. Let the cat approach you. Call animal control if the cat is too aggressive. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Chicken | How to Clean a Chicken | To clean a chicken, start by pulling out the giblets and kidneys. Once the inner cavity is clean, trim the excess fat and gristle around the neck and tail area with a sharp knife. Then, rinse the chicken inside and out with cold water. Make sure the water is cold since using warm water can raise the temperature of the meat and accelerate bacterial growth, causing it to spoil. | Keep your work area clean. Raw chicken often contains a host of bacteria that can be harmful if ingested. For this reason, it's a good idea to clear your work area of other exposed ingredients, as well as personal items like your cell phone, in order to prevent cross-contamination. Avoid putting your hands in your mouth or touching nearby objects after handling raw chicken. If you're not careful, you could end up spreading germs all over your home. Don't forget to wipe down any surfaces that you may come into contact with during prep, such as the faucet or drawer pulls. Cover your work surface with a layer of paper towels. The paper towels will act as a barrier to keep the juices from the chicken from getting all over your countertops or cutting board. You can also use paper towels to gently pat your chicken dry after thawing it. Allow frozen chicken to thaw. Poultry that's been stored in the freezer will first need to be thawed to bring it up to room temperature. The best way to do this is to simply stick it in the refrigerator and leave it to sit overnight. If time is of the essence, dunk the (wrapped) chicken into a cold water bath, draining and running fresh water every half hour. It will take about 24 hours for every 5 pounds (2.3 kg) to thaw in the refrigerator, and about 30 minutes per 1 pound (0.45 kg) in a water bath. Make sure you plan accordingly so you can have dinner on the table on time. Always cook chicken immediately after you thaw it. Remove the chicken from its packaging. Most of the time, whole chickens are sold in sealed plastic bags. Snip the end off the bag with a pair of scissors, then reach in, grab the chicken by the drumsticks, and lift it out. Be sure to hold the bag upright to prevent the collected juices from leaking out all over the place. Discard the chicken packaging right away so that bacteria present don't have a chance to spread to your surroundings. Cut away any materials holding the chicken together. Butchers sometimes use twine, wire, or rubber bands to secure poultry in a more compact shape. If the chicken you're preparing comes trussed, clip the binding with a pair of scissors, being careful not to damage the skin or meat. Make sure you have direct access to the cavity near the tail end. Like the rest of the packaging, these materials should go straight into the trash. Binding is intended to make whole chicken easier to package and roast, but it will just get in your way during the cooking process, and can even interfere with the meat's ability to heat through evenly. Pull out the giblets. Whole chickens sometimes come with their giblets, or internal organs, packaged and stuffed inside. Reach into the cavity near the tail section and feel for a large plastic or butcher paper packet. Remove this packet and set it aside. Give plastic packets a quick rinse before placing them on your work surface. You can use the giblets to prepare stocks, broths, and gravies. Many chefs also enjoy frying them up and serving them on their own for their rich nutritional content. If you're not interested in saving the giblets, make sure you discard them along with the rest of the packaging. Remove the kidneys. Now that the giblets are out of the way, examine the inside of the cavity for the kidneys. They'll look like small, round, dark red or brown protrusions on the backside of the bird just above the tail. To extract them, take hold of them where they connect to the tissue and give them a sharp tug. They should come right out with little resistance. The kidneys are sometimes left intact or passed over when chickens are butchered. This is more common when buying poultry from a farm or organic food market rather than a supermarket chain. Trim the excess fat and gristle. Fat deposits can most often be found around the neck and tail area. When you come across unwanted tissue, pull it away from the meat with one hand and use a sharp knife to shear it off carefully. Dispose of the fat, or hold onto it and find another use for it. Chicken fat is useful for greasing fry pans and casserole dishes prior to cooking or as a way of imparting some extra flavor to soups, stocks, or stir fries. If you want to save chicken fat for cooking, you'll first need to render it. Once it's been rendered, the fat will be easier to store and can last up to 4 weeks in the refrigerator. Refrigerate the chicken uncovered for 1 hour. Place the chicken into a roasting pan and slide it onto the bottom shelf. That way, any juices that happen to escape won't come into contact with other food. A short rest period will give the chicken a chance to dry thoroughly after thawing, resulting in more evenly-cooked meat with a crispier finish. To make the best use of your time, begin preheating the oven 15-20 minutes before the chicken comes out. If you're short on time, you can just dry the chicken thoroughly with paper towels and get right to cooking. Never leave raw chicken sitting at room temperature. Sanitize your work area. As soon as you're done handling the chicken, wash all used tools and materials with antibacterial soap and hot water. Next, gather up the paper towels and put them in the trash. Finally, spray the countertop or cutting board with a strong disinfecting solution, let it to sit for a few minutes, and wipe it down. For the sake of you and your loved ones' health, be vigilant about cleaning any other areas where germs may be lurking, like the area around the sink or trash can. Remove the trash containing the packaging and discarded bits to an outside receptacle. Otherwise, it can quickly begin to stink up your kitchen. Cook the chicken as desired. Now that it's clean, it's ready to be seasoned and roasted. For maximum flavor, stuff the cavity with flavorful aromatics like lemon wedges, a few sprigs of rosemary, or whole garlic cloves. Injecting your favorite brine or marinade under the skin will help make the chicken more tender and juicy, and can be a great way to jazz up a boring bird. Be sure to keep the chicken refrigerated until just before it goes in the oven. To ensure that your home-cooked chicken is safe to eat, make sure you heat it to an internal temperature of at least 165 °F (74 °C). | Keep your work area clean. Cover your work surface with a layer of paper towels. Allow frozen chicken to thaw. Remove the chicken from its packaging. Cut away any materials holding the chicken together. Pull out the giblets. Remove the kidneys. Trim the excess fat and gristle. Refrigerate the chicken uncovered for 1 hour. Sanitize your work area. Cook the chicken as desired. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Dry-Chapped-Lips | How to Prevent Dry Chapped Lips | To prevent chapped lips, apply lip balm made with beeswax, petroleum, or dimethicone every 1-2 hours to seal in moisture and protect your lips from outside irritations. If you'll be in the sun, choose a lip balm with an SPF of at least 16 to prevent sun damage, which can lead to chapping. You can also apply a lip moisturizer containing shea butter, emu butter, vitamin E oil, or coconut oil to your lips once a day. | Use lip balm. Apply a lip balm to promote healing and prevent chapped lips. Lip balm also helps to seal in moisture and protect your lips from outside irritations. Apply lip balm every hour or two to treat dry lips and to keep them healthy. Use balm with SPF of at least 16 to save your lips from sun damage. Apply lip balm after you have applied a moisturizer. Find a balm that has beeswax, petroleum, or dimethicone. Try using petroleum jelly. Petroleum jelly (e.g., Vaseline) can help seal and protect your lips, acting as a balm. Using petroleum may also help to protect against the sun, which may dry and crack lips. Apply a sunscreen formulated for lips under the petroleum jelly. Apply a moisturizer. Using a moisturizer will help your lips to stay hydrated and to absorb moisture more easily. Moisturizers are an essential part of keeping your lips as hydrated as they can be. Look for the following ingredients in your moisturizers: Shea Butter Emu Butter Vitamin E Oil Coconut Oil Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. If you live in a dry climate, prevent dry chapped lips by keeping your air humidified. You can purchase humidifiers at most big-box stores and drug stores. Aim for a humidity level in your home of between 30-50%. Keep your humidifier clean by washing it according to the manufacturer's instructions. Otherwise, it could become moldy or host bacteria and other nasty things that could make you sick. Start wearing less lipstick. Lipstick can dry out your lips so wear tinted lip gloss or better yet, embrace your bare lips. If you must wear lipstick, stay away from matte. It is very drying. Avoid going out in harsh conditions without protection. Exposing your lips to the sun, wind, and cold will dry them out. Always apply a lip balm or cover with a scarf before venturing out. Seal in moisture with a lip balm or chapstick that contains sunscreen to prevent sunburning (yes, lips can sunburn too!). Apply thirty minutes before going outside. If swimming, re-apply the product often. Check your intake of vitamins and other essentials. Having any vitamin deficiencies can cause your lips to dry and crack. Make sure you are getting enough of the following vitamins and minerals, and speak with your doctor if you aren't sure you're getting enough: B Vitamins Iron Essential Fatty Acids Multivitamins Mineral Supplements Drink plenty of water. Being dehydrated can cause dry, chapped lips. Try to increase the amount of water you drink to help keep your lips hydrated. Winter has especially dry air, so make sure to increase hydration during this season. Drink at least the recommended 8 glasses of water a day. Rule out allergies. You may be allergic to substances that come in contact with your lips. Fragrances and dyes are common culprits. If you frequently get chapped lips, use only products on them that have no fragrances or dyes. Toothpaste is another common culprit. If your lips itch, feel dry or painful, or blister after brushing your teeth, you may be allergic to the ingredients in your toothpaste. Try switching to a natural product with fewer preservatives, dyes, or flavorings. Lipstick is the most common cause of contact cheilitis (contact allergy) on the lips for women, but toothpaste is the most common cause for men. Don't lick your lips. Licking your lips will cause more chapping. Even though it might seem like this helps keep them hydrated, it actually dries lips out. In fact, "lip-licker's dermatitis" is frequently seen in people who lick their lips too much, and can cause an itchy rash around the mouth. Use a lip moisturizer instead. Avoid using flavored lip balms, as this may encourage licking your lips. Don't over-apply any product as this may also cause you to lick your lips. Don't bite or pick your lips. Biting lips removes their protective covering which causes further drying. Allow your lips to heal and function without picking or biting them. Pay attention to when you bite or pick your lips as you might not notice doing it. Ask a friend to remind you not to bite or pick if they see you doing it. Avoid certain foods. Spicy and acidic foods may irritate your lips. Pay attention to your lips after eating and look for any signs of irritation. Try removing these foods from your diet for a few weeks to see if that irritation subsides. Avoid anything with hot peppers or sauces. Don't eat any highly acidic foods such as tomatoes. Some foods, like mango peels, contain irritants that should also be avoided. Breathe through your nose. The constant flow of air caused by breathing through your mouth can dry your lips out and cause them to chap. Breathe through your nose instead. If you have trouble breathing through your nose, see your doctor. You may have allergies or another health condition causing congestion. Look at your medications. Certain medications may dry your lips out as a side effect. Talk to your doctor to learn if any of your medications might be responsible for chapped lips. Medications may include prescription and non-prescription drugs used to treat: Depression Anxiety Pain Severe acne (Accutane) Congestion, allergies, and other respiratory troubles Never stop any medication without a doctor's approval. Ask your doctor for alternatives or how to manage this side effect. Know when to see a doctor. In some cases, chapped lips may be the sign of another medical issue that will require a doctor's care. If you have any of the following, see your doctor: Persistent chapping despite treatment Very painful chapping Swelling or drainage from the lips Chapping in the corners of your mouth Painful sores on or near the lips Sores that don't heal | Use lip balm. Try using petroleum jelly. Apply a moisturizer. Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. Avoid going out in harsh conditions without protection. Check your intake of vitamins and other essentials. Drink plenty of water. Rule out allergies. Don't lick your lips. Don't bite or pick your lips. Avoid certain foods. Breathe through your nose. Look at your medications. Know when to see a doctor. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Beat-a-Field-Sobriety-Test | How to Beat a Field Sobriety Test | While you should never drink and drive, knowing how to beat a field sobriety test can help keep you from failing just because you're nervous. One common sobriety test is when you're asked to follow an object using just your eyes, so make sure to keep your head still and keep your eyes focused on the object. Alternatively, if you're asked to perform the Walk-and-Turn test, walk 9 steps heel-to-toe, then turn and walk back the same way. Finally, the officer may ask you to stand on one leg and count out loud. Try to stay as still as possible without losing your balance. However, always keep in mind that if you're not sure you can pass the tests, call someone to give you a ride rather than risking a DUI or an accident. | Make sure you are sober enough to drive. You should never drive if you feel intoxicated, even if you know you are under 0.08 blood alcohol content. If you have been sitting for a while, get out of your seat and move around. You often feel more sober while sitting down. You may realize when you stand that your drink was a little stronger than you thought. Calculate your BAC. Even if you feel completely sober, your BAC may disagree. In general, it takes about somewhere between 3 and 5 drinks to put most people past the legal limit of 0.08. However, due to an array of variables – such as chemical changes in your body, and how well hydrated and nourished you are – you may not be in the clear with even 1 drink. Don't make the mistake of trusting yourself to have the low BAC you expect and find out the hard way that you don't. How much gets you to 0.08? People 120 pounds and less can generally have 2 drinks before they hit 0.08 People 120-160 pounds can generally have 3 drinks People 160-200 pounds can generally have 4 drinks People 200-240 pounds can generally have 5 drinks Check your mirrors and lights. Since you don't want to give the police a reason to pull you over, make sure to go over those safety procedures that you should always be performing. Turn on your car and lights, and walk around the car to make sure everything looks and sounds right. Make sure your mirrors are at a good angle for you to see out of. If you need to do anything, such as adjust the seat, do it now so you aren't trying to do it while you drive. Make note of the speed limit. This is another tip that you should always be doing. Don't go more than a couple miles per hour over or under the speed limit. Watch out for speed limit changes. They usually have a reflective neon stripe above on the sign, but not always. Don't let yourself become so distracted by looking for speed limit signs that you become unsafe! Stay alert as you drive. Don't let yourself zone out while you drive. Cars are heavy, dangerous machines. Keep the music turned down and open the window to let rushing air keep you alert. As always, keep your cell phone in your bag or the back seat for the duration of your drive. Avoid changing up driving habits. Doing something out of the ordinary will take your mind off driving and make you seem more nervous. For example, some would advise you to chew gum to cover up the scent of alcohol. Police have heard this advice too – so it may instead be an indicator to them that you are covering something up. Besides, if you have only had 1 drink, your breath won't reek of booze the same as someone's after a half bottle of whiskey. Experienced police officers know the difference. Forget about 'tricking' the test. There are many myths about how you can fool a breathalyzer. Pennies, batteries, and onions won't change the reading, so don't bother. They will also indicate that you have something to hide. Don't drive if you are even concerned about your BAC and you will have nothing to worry about. Be respectful. Police officers aren't five-armed monsters. They will respond well to someone who is respectful and friendly. Answer their questions simply with as few words as possible. Don't take it too far by trying to strike up a casual conversation with them. The more cooperative and concise you are, the quicker you can get back on your way. Feel confident about your sobriety. Don't try to prepare for SFSTs. They are based on your body's natural responses to certain stimuli. Besides, if you are not drunk, you have nothing to worry about. Research has shown that police officers are correct in assessing drunkenness in SFSTs 91% of the time. Know what to expect. There is nothing wrong about the public knowing what is legally prescribed to police to assess drunkenness. There are 3 standard tests performed by most police officers, and you may decline to take these tests. However, the consequences for declining are unpleasant, depending on the state. The officer may take your driver's license on the spot, and you could lose it for months. If you are sober, you have nothing to worry about. Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) involves the police officer assessing your eyes for signs of drunkenness. When you are drunk, your eyes jerk and twitch when moving from side to side. Police officers are also looking to see if you have trouble following an object moving in front of you. They may use a pen as the prop for this, or just their finger. Walk-and-Turn (WAT) is the well-known test in which the driver walks 9 steps heel to toe, turns, and comes back in the same fashion. Make sure you follow all the directions. Don't begin until instructed to. Losing balance is another indicator of drunkenness. Failing in 2 of these areas indicates intoxication. One-Leg Stand (OLS) is similar to WAT. It is performed outside the car and has a set of criteria which indicate whether a person is drunk. They are looking to see that you are following their directions. Losing balance or doing anything to catch your balance are signs of intoxication. Since you are required to count the 30 seconds out loud, verbal cues are also a sign. Like WAT, failing 2 of these indicates intoxication. Be ready for alternative testing methods. A police officer may choose another method for determining your level of intoxication. This might be asking you to recite the alphabet backwards, counting out loud, or an alternate dexterity test. They will also be assessing your voice for signs of intoxication like slurring. Respect the breathalyzer. Though they are not foolproof, they are the final say in a field sobriety test. If you feel the reading is wrong, live to fight another day. Contact a lawyer to appeal the DWI after the ordeal is over. Also keep in mind that you can be given a DWI in spite of a BAC under 0.08 if you display other signs of intoxication. | Make sure you are sober enough to drive. Calculate your BAC. Check your mirrors and lights. Make note of the speed limit. Stay alert as you drive. Avoid changing up driving habits. Forget about 'tricking' the test. Be respectful. Feel confident about your sobriety. Know what to expect. Be ready for alternative testing methods. Respect the breathalyzer. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Start-Over-in-Life | How to Start Over in Life | If you want to start over in your life, start by taking note of your past failures and successes so you can decide what you want to change and stay the same. Once you've thought about that, try to discover your purpose going forward so you have a clear idea of what you're aiming for. For example, do you want to teach yoga, be a professional singer, or help people change their own lives? Once you've decided on your purpose, set small, actionable goals for yourself that will help you achieve your vision. You should also accept that you'll make mistakes along the way, but this is important to learning and growing as a person. | Accept the past. You can't start over in your life if you're still holding onto the past. Whether be a relationship, job, family or other situation, you need to accept what has happened. Acceptance doesn't necessarily mean forgiveness or understanding. It just means that you have realized something has happened, you acknowledged it, and you are ready to move on from it. Remember that pain and suffering aren't the same thing. You will feel pain and hurt when you're life isn't going in the direction you want, but you don't have to suffer. Suffering is a choice. Nothing last forever, including pain. So acknowledge it, experience it, and move on from it. Don't center your life around the hurt and the failures; get out of that story and avoid the drama (e.g., "I will never find love again" or "I will never be able to get another job"). Remember that things happen for a reason. This is not to say that you are powerless and that things are just "fated" to be a certain way. Rather, nothing has meaning besides the meaning you assign to it. It's up to you to make every event, incident, and moment in your life empowering or disempowering. The lessons you are to learn won't be obvious; you instead have to discover what your life is telling you. For example, what if you are asked to step down from a position in your career because your ideas for the business are too big or you are taking things in a different direction than what management envisions for the company? Instead of reading this as a failure on your part, think of it as confirmation that you and your boss have fundamentally different visions and that perhaps it's time to part ways so you can realize your vision elsewhere. Take stock of your failures and successes. You can't "quit life", so instead of getting down when things aren't work out as planned, ask yourself, "What is or was working in my situation or circumstance?" Write it all down. Keep notes to yourself about your successes, even the small ones. Write every night about something that went well that day. Focusing on the positive helps attract more of it! Then think about how can promoting what is or was working for you even more. For example, maybe you realize that in you were great at talking with customers but that the location wasn't right for your business and that you need to change venues to an area with more foot traffic. Think about what works or worked for you and how you could improve on that even further. Don't announce that you are starting over. Just do it. You don't need to validate your choices to make a change in your life. You don't need to tell other people or ask them what they think you should do; often when we feel insecure, we consult others so that we feel better about our plan or to prepare them for the transformation. But your life is YOUR life. Move on and people will grow with you. Those that don't perhaps aren't meant to be in your life in the first place. Your next steps in life aren't about anyone else but you. Ignore what everyone else says. A lot of their resistance will be about them and not you because it makes them question their own lives. Remember that only you need to feel comfortable with your choices and decisions. Discover your purpose. Thinking about the meaning of your life is one of the first major steps toward making big changes. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? What are you passionate about? What makes you feel like you matter? Answering these questions is key to figuring out what will make you happy and give you a fulfilling life. Say, you love yoga and have been going to yoga classes 3 times a week for 5 years. Maybe it's not your hobby, but your passion! Maybe you'd like to shift from being the student to the teacher. Think about what truly satisfies your life and makes you feel like you are making a difference and make that the core of your new life. Life is only worth living if you are really living. If you've always wanted to teach yoga, why not go for it? You get one one life, so make sure you are doing the right things with it. Don't wait around for a reason to start living your life the way you want. Set goals and make decisions. Once you have determined your general purpose and big life goals, decide specifically how you will reach these goals and then make the needed changes. Are you going to break up with your current partner? Are you going to move to a new city? Are you going back to school? Set short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals for yourself. Write them down and put them somewhere where you can see them daily (e.g., a refrigerator door or stuck to your bedroom mirror). Organize your life. You can't change your life if you're living a crazy unorganized way. Once you know exactly what change you want to effect and what goals you want to reach, you can begin to plan to make the necessary changes. Take a new route. Do something different and surprise yourself; you'll probably learn something you didn't know about who you are and what you can do. One of the best ways to jolt yourself out of a life you're not satisfied with is to do something completely different. Go on a trip to some place you've never been. Start learning a language. Take up a new sport or exercise, whether it be gymnastics, kick boxing or cycling. Even if you think you might be terrible at it, give something new a try. Trying something new things mentally and physically challenges us and also gives us a fresh excitement for life as we can see the endless possibilities of the next day. Yes, the unknown is scary, but it is also equally scary to do what you know and continue down a disappointing and unsatisfying path. You might feel nervous or insecure about starting over but you need to think about whether this is worse than the disappoint and lack of fulfillment you feel with your life as it stands. Make Sense your new motto. Live in the moment and know that's the only moment that really matters. Give it your full attention. It's your reality. And when that moment is over, move to the next moment. Are you still breathing? Yes. Then, consider that moment handled successfully! Move on to the next moment that will bring you one step closer to engaging in your life again. Take one day at a time. This may sound clichéd, but that doesn't make it less true. Do what needs to be done TODAY—not tomorrow, not next week. This is what makes starting over manageable. Trying to face the next 365 days can seem impossible, but trying to face the single day ahead seems possible! Get over yourself. You don't know everything. You make mistakes. Knowing how to change your own oil, cook a fancy French dinner, or understand the ins-and-outs of macro-economics does not make you a better person. It just makes you more knowledgeable about some things. Is it knowledge you desire or the ability to prove something to others? Ask yourself why it matters. Does it make you happy? If the answer is no, stop it! You can't do everything and you don't have to. If you're actually interested in learning how to do something, go for it! But if you're doing something to prove to others that you can do it or that you're an everyman or every woman, then knock it off. You're enough in and of yourself. You don't need to prove anything to anyone. Rely on others and ask for help. Once you are comfortable with the idea of not needing to know everything, take a look at what you're doing that's not your expertise, skill set or something that you simply have no interest in doing. Hire it out; pay someone to change your oil or to wash the windows. Make decisions about how you want to spend your time and what you can afford to do. Ask for help when you need it and rely on those with expertise in a certain area when you're unsure of how to do something. Needing, asking for and hiring help doesn't make you weak but instead makes you smart and resourceful. Everyone has different skills and no man is an island. Prepare for moments of weakness. Sometimes you will feel like your new plan is not working and you will want to revert to your old life. Plan for these moments. This might mean deleting the numbers of people you call or text when you're down and need validation, like an old ex-boyfriend or girlfriend. It might mean not buying junk food for the house if you know you're a stress eater. Having moments of weakness is common. We all stumble and vacillate between what is best for us in the FUTURE and what is easy RIGHT NOW. Challenge your "now" and replace it with your vision for your life in the long term. Celebrate your progress. Remember to acknowledge all progress toward your new goal. Some of your milestones might be in the very long term and sometimes you can lose sight of what you're working towards. Instead, remember that the long run is a bunch of shorter runs and celebrate your successes along the way. Feel good about each step you take towards that new life, whether it be ending a relationship with a toxic person, sending out resumes, or joining a class in something you've never tried before. All of these small pieces are helping you create and realize the new life you've imagined for yourself. Keep moving. Life is always evolving and so should you. Stopping to smell the roses and embrace the moment is one thing, but simply stopping and standing still is another. You don't want your life to become stagnant again. There are always new people, new opportunities, and new experiences waiting for you and you should seek them out! | Accept the past. Remember that things happen for a reason. Take stock of your failures and successes. Don't announce that you are starting over. Discover your purpose. Set goals and make decisions. Take a new route. Make Sense your new motto. Get over yourself. Rely on others and ask for help. Prepare for moments of weakness. Celebrate your progress. Keep moving. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Grout | How to Remove Grout | The easiest way to remove grout is using a rotary grout removal power tool. Before you get started, put on a pair of thick gloves and some protective eyewear. If you're planning on keeping your original tiles, line the edges of each tile with painter's tape. Then, set the tool to the lowest setting, and cut a line through the center of the grout. Carefully guide the saw back and forth with the blade parallel to the length of grout. As you get close to the edge of the tile, work slowly and carefully to carve the grout out in thin layers. You can also remove grout using a manual grout removal tool, but keep in mind that it will take longer. To use a manual grout removal tool, drag the blade through the center of each line of grout that you want to remove. Then, scrape along the sides of the tile to carve the grout away. If necessary, hold the grout scraper in place with your nondominant hand and strike the back with a hammer to use it as a chisel. Continue scraping until you remove all of the grout. To get the grout out, use a broom to brush the dust to the nearest flat floor and sweep it up. Use a damp cloth to absorb any hard-to-remove dust. When you're done removing grout, peel away any painter's tape you used and vacuum up the remaining grout. Use a damp cloth or scraper to gently wear away any residue that's sticking to the tile, and you're done! | Get the necessary tools. There are a number of tools which you can use to remove the grout. Those you choose will depend on how much money you wish to spend, how much and which type of grout you need to remove, and how often you intend to remove grout. You can use power tools. There are a variety of tools, called grout removal tools or re-grout tools, which will help you remove grout quickly and with much less effort. These are helpful if you have a large amount of grout to remove or remove grout often. You can use manual tools as well. If you for some reason cannot use power tools but find that you have a reasonable amount of grout to remove, use a manual grout removal tool. This will look like a small trowel. If you only have a small amount of grout to remove or it is something soft like rubber grout, you can use a standard razor blade, like an exacto knife or a utility knife. If you are planning to keep the tiles and removing just the grout, cover the edges of each tile with painter's tape. Cover the surfaces of the appliances you are planning to keep. As the grout is removed, flying debris can cause damage. Drape a large blanket or drop cloth over the appliances, making sure they are fully covered. If necessary, use tape to secure the edges of the protective covering and make sure to cover drains completely. Don protective clothing before starting the grout removal process. This should include safety glasses, dust mask and cut resistant gloves. For the purpose of comfort, consider wearing knee pads, as it can take a while to remove grout. Make sure to wear pants and boots as well. Make the center incision. Make an incision down the middle of each grout line using a grout saw, preferably one with a carbide blade. Do this to all the grout lines that you want to remove. Remove the grout. Remove the grout from between the pieces of tile with a grout scraper, using the incision as a starting point. Insert the triangular tip of the grout scraper into the incision you made with the grout saw. Apply firm pressure and drag the scraper along the grout line about the length of one tile, but be very careful to avoid scraping the tile. Lift out the grout scraper, return to the starting point and repeat the process until you have removed all the grout in that area. If you do not have a grout scraper, use a small, cold chisel and hammer or a knife blade. Angle the chisel away from the edge of the tile and tap if with the hammer until the grout is freed from the floor and edges of the tile. Finish the edges. Clean up the edges of the tile by chipping out any remaining grout remnants. Hold the chisel so that it is parallel to the floor and the cutting edge of the chisel is touching the edge of the tile. Lightly tap the end of the chisel with the hammer until the grout is loosened. Sweep up the broken pieces of grout from between the crevices using a dust broom or a shop vacuum. Remove tape and clean grout lines. Peel off the painter's tape from the edge of the tile, then wash out the grout lines with soap and water. You may need a scouring pad to scrub away any remaining grout from the edges of the tile. Gently scrub the edges of the tile until the grout has been completely removed. Clean the tile. Wipe down the tile immediately if you are planning on keeping it, and then buff the area out a few times. Grout residue can quickly harden onto the tile, making it difficult to remove without damage. Fill a spray bottle with half vinegar and half water. Spray the tile and allow the solution to sit for a couple of minutes before wiping it away with a clean cloth. If dried grout reside does harden onto the tile, you can try to remove it using vinegar, a chisel, or a diluted sulfamic acid solution. | Get the necessary tools. If you are planning to keep the tiles and removing just the grout, cover the edges of each tile with painter's tape. Don protective clothing before starting the grout removal process. Make the center incision. Remove the grout. Finish the edges. Remove tape and clean grout lines. Clean the tile. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Read-Fast | How to Read Fast | To read fast, hold a ruler or pen on the page and move it so it's always under the line you're currently reading, which will help prevent you from re-reading a sentence by mistake. Also, make sure you're not mouthing the words or saying them out loud as you read, which can cause you to read significantly slower. You can also train yourself to read faster by timing yourself as you read a passage and then trying to read it again in a shorter amount of time. | Understand the average reading speeds for adults. An average college student can read between 200 and 300 words per minute (wpm) if they are reading fiction and non-technical materials. A strong reader can read 500-700 wpm and an excellent reader can read 1000 wpm. This means the average reader may be five times slower than a good reader and ten times slower than an excellent reader. Improving your reading speed if you are an average or even a good reader means you will need to try several techniques for speeding up your reading rate and be willing to practice improving your reading rate for a consistent period of time. Though your reading speed may fluctuate based on the type of text used and your level of familiarity with the reading material, in general: A poor reader has a wpm rate of 100-110 words. An average reader has a wpm rate of 200-240 wpm. A good reader has a wpm rate of 300-400 wpm. An excellent reader has a wpm rate of 700-1000 wpm. Keep in mind ESL readers may struggle to maintain more than 200-300 wpm when reading a text that is not in their native tongue. Many educators argue that ESL readers should try to maintain a slower reading rate to ensure they can comprehend the text. Be aware of the relationship between your reading speed and your reading comprehension rate. Being a faster reader does not necessarily mean you will be able to comprehend the finer details or points in the text. In fact, your ability to comprehend a text may decrease as your reading speed increases. Less-commonly known words or longer words take longer to read and comprehend. Speeding through the text may cause you to skip over key words and your understanding of the text may start to fade. Many linguistic experts argue that it's important to improve your vocabulary and broaden your exposure to many different types of texts, in addition to improving your reading speed. This will ensure your reading comprehension rate stays at the same level or improves along with your reading speed. Test your reading speed. Determine your reading speed using a practice text and a timer. Use a text that is at least five to ten pages long on standard 8” x 11” paper. Count the number of words in five lines of the practice text. Divide this number of words by five and you will have the average number of words per line in the text. For example: 70 words/5 lines = 14 words per line. Count the number of text lines on five pages of the text and divide this number by five to determine the average number of lines per page. Then, multiply the average number of lines per page by the average number of words per line and you will get the average number of words per page. For example: 195 lines/5 pages = 39 lines per page. 39 lines per page x 14 words per line = 546 words per page. Once you have the average words per line and words per page, time yourself reading the text for one minute. Try to read as fast as possible, but also make sure you understand the idea or point in each sentence. After one minute, stop reading and count how many lines you read in one minute. Multiply the number of lines you read by the average words per line to determine your words per minute rate. For example: You managed to read 26 lines in one minute. 26 x 14 words per line = 364 words per minute. Your wpm rate is 364 words per minute, which means you are considered a good reader. Practice a rate build up exercise. This exercise will help you learn how to read material and process it more quickly. The purpose of this activity is to reread “old” material quickly and to glide on to the new material until you can read and comprehend it faster. You will need a practice text that is at least 1-2 pages long and a timer. Set the timer for 60 seconds and try to read as much of the text as possible. Stop the timer at 60 seconds. Start the timer at 60 seconds again and read again from the beginning of the text. Try to read more material during this 60-second period than you did in the first reading period. Repeat this exercise a third and a fourth time. Try to read more of the text during each exercise until you read more of the text during the fourth time. Do a timed repeated reading. This is a longer activity where you will read the same short passage over and over again until you improve your reading speed. Keep your reading speed in mind as you complete this exercise and use it as a benchmark. Try to improve your reading speed so it becomes faster during every rereading. Begin with a 100-word paragraph. Set the timer to two minutes. Try to read the paragraph four times during the two minutes. Aim for a reading speed of at least 200 words per minute. Once you are able to read the paragraph four times in two minutes, move on to reading a 200-word paragraph eight times in four minutes. As you continue to do this reading drill, your reading speed should improve. Use a ruler or pen as a marker or tracker on the page. You may slow down when you read due to rereading or regression, where you skip back over a phrase or term due to an inability to follow the lines of text on the page. To help make your eye placement on the page more accurate and efficient, you can use a pen as a guide. Hold the pen in your dominant hand, with the cap on. Hold it under your hand, flat against the page. Set the timer for one minute. Use the pen to underline each line of text as you read. Keep your eye fixed above the tip of the pen. The pen will act as a useful marker on the page and will help you maintain a consistent reading speed. At the end of one minute, calculate your wpm based on the number of lines you read. Note if your reading rate improves with the use of the pen. Try not to talk to yourself as you read. Many readers tend to vocalize the text as they read, where they move their lips and read words out loud. You may also subvocalize, where you talk to yourself in your head as you read silently. Both of these habits can slow down your reading rate, as speaking is a relatively slow activity. The average speaking rate is 250 wpm, which is not considered a very fast reading rate. Limit your reading habits so it involves only your eyes and your brain, rather than actual speech. Vocalization will slow your reading down and cause you to try to do two things at once, rather than focus on the text. Poetry and plays are texts that are meant to be performed, so it can be difficult not to vocalize as you read these texts. In fact, vocalizing while you read these texts can help you understand them better. You may find speaking the dialogue in a play or a line of poetry can enhance your understanding. However, it will likely slow down your reading rate. Preview the text before you read it in full. If you are aiming to improve your reading rate and your reading comprehension rate, you can do a 30-60 second preview of the text before you read it in full. Start by reading the title of the text, such as the chapter title. Read all the headings and subheadings. Look over any marked, italicized or bolded text. Look at any pictures or illustrations, as well as any charts or graphs. Read the first sentence of every paragraph, particularly the first sentence of the first and last paragraphs of the text. After you have previewed the text, ask yourself: What is the main idea of the text? What is the author's purpose for writing the text? What is the style of the writing: formal, informal, medical, legal? You should be able to answer these basic questions if you preview the text properly. Chunk the text into sections. Chunking is when you group words in the text into short, meaningful phrases that are three to five words long. Rather than read every word, and risk forgetting the beginning of a sentence by the time you get to the end of the sentence, you can chunk the text into groups of words that will help you comprehend the text quickly and effectively. Many teachers will use chunking in the classroom to help students comprehend large texts. You may be given a statement of purpose to guide you as you go through the text and look for specific sections you can chunk together. Keep in mind excessive chunking can limit or reduce your comprehension of the text. Try to use the statement of purpose given to you by your teacher to guide you as you chunk the text. Read the text with a goal in mind. Approaching the text with a question or in a questioning manner can make you a stronger reader and possibly a faster reader. Look at the text as if you were searching for something, or trying to reach a goal. Take the heading or title of a chapter and turn it into a question. For example, if a heading of a section in the text is “The Causes of Global Warming”, you can switch it into a question, such as: “What are the causes of global warming?” You will then approach the text with a goal, and will be looking for the key answers to this question in the text. Your reading will now be goal-oriented, allowing you to possibly read faster and not lose your reading comprehension ability. Challenge your reading rate by practicing with more difficult texts. Once you start to improve your reading rate using assigned texts in a class or out of a book that is considered suitable for your reading level, you should try to vary the types of texts you practice with to improve your reading rate. Varying your texts will also expand your vocabulary and help you avoid having to reread or pause over a certain term or word when you are reading. Keep in mind legal material and medical material are not meant to be read quickly, so it can be difficult to maintain a high reading rate when you practice with these types of texts. Take your time with these types of texts and work on improving your reading rate slowly, over time. | Understand the average reading speeds for adults. Be aware of the relationship between your reading speed and your reading comprehension rate. Test your reading speed. Practice a rate build up exercise. Do a timed repeated reading. Use a ruler or pen as a marker or tracker on the page. Try not to talk to yourself as you read. Preview the text before you read it in full. Chunk the text into sections. Read the text with a goal in mind. Challenge your reading rate by practicing with more difficult texts. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Bees | How to Keep Bees | If you want to keep bees, figure out where you'd like to put your hive, then check your city's zoning requirements and ask your neighbors if any of them have bee allergies. Then, purchase a manmade hive, a hive stand to put it on, and protective gear. It's a good idea to get a hat with a veil, gloves, and a smoker, which is a cylinder with a slow-burning fire inside of it that you can use to calm your bees. Once you have all your supplies, contact a local beekeeper to purchase an established hive. | Buy a home for your bees. While honey bees can create hives in all sorts of spaces, most naturally occurring hives don't respond well to having honey harvested from them. Store-bought hives are designed to allow you to collect the honey with minimal effect on the honey bees. Langstroth Hives are the most commonly used in the beekeeping industry because they provide movable frames that won't interfere with the bees inside when removed. Langstroth Hives will not stick together because they were designed to provide passage for the bees in the gaps between the movable pieces. Top Bar Hives are designed to be more shallow and sit higher for people who have trouble bending over and may be a good choice for people with back issues. Ware Hives are shaped a bit like a house and can be difficult to manage large colonies in, but are great for small hives. Find a place for the hive. You can keep one colony in most typical sized housing lots. While many people think that means their backyard may be big enough to house a hive of honey bees, there are some other things you will need to consider before placing your hive. Find out if there are any zoning requirements for keeping a bee colony in your local area. Make sure no one in your family has a bee allergy. Let your neighbors know about your hive to see what concerns they may have about their families or health. Make or purchase a hive stand. You will want to keep your honey bee hive off of the ground to make it easier to access and prevent the wood from rotting. A good hive stand will stand about eighteen inches off the ground to protect the hives from wild animals as well. A typical hive stand is made of treated 2x4 pieces of lumber laid across stacked cement or concrete blocks. Consider putting down mulch, gravel, or stones under your hive stands to limit the mud you will have to deal with. Keep the legs of the hive stand in a container of water to prevent ants from getting inside and attacking your bees. Purchase protective gear. Honey bees are not the most aggressive species of bee, but their sting can still be quite painful. You will need to purchase honey beekeeping protective equipment to prevent them from stinging you as you check on them and harvest the honey. A simple hat and veil is often enough protection for most beekeeping activities. A light jacket offers additional protection and is often enough for regular beekeeping needs. A full suit with gloves is advised for times when the weather is rather windy or the bees seem aggressive. You can also make your own beekeeping suit out of ripstop nylon. Get a smoker. A smoker is a cylinder with bellows attached that houses a slow burning fire. As the fire burns, you squeeze the bellows so smoke comes out the nozzle. This smoke is an excellent way to calm bees down as you work around their hive. Burning pine needles, old burlap, wood or purchased smoker fuel are all effective methods of calming bees down. Smoke tricks bees into thinking they need to escape a fire and interferes with the pheromones they use to communicate within the hive. Catch a wild spring swarm. A wild spring swarm is a cluster of bees that have left their hive. You can usually find them temporarily hanging from a tree or bush during the springtime. During that time of year, the swarms will be relatively docile while they prepare to establish a new hive. This is the least expensive, but most dangerous method. With beekeeping gear on, you can gather the bees and their queen into an empty hive. Place a box below the branch of a tree or bush the bees are currently swarming on. You may be able to shake the branch, causing the majority of the bees to fall in the box but this could anger the bees. Instead, simply cut the branch they are swarming on off the tree and place it in the box for transport. This method is not recommended without support from an experienced beekeeper. Purchase an established hive locally. You may be able to purchase an established hive from a local beekeeper. This can be the easiest way to get started as well as a great way to provide you with a contact that has beekeeping experience. These hives usually only cost between $50 and $100. Make sure the hive you purchase has been formally inspected by an apiarist or the state department of agriculture. Either test is free to have conducted and can prevent you from having to destroy colonies with communicable diseases. Order bees by mail. The easiest and most common way to make sure you can establish a hive of healthy honey bees is to order your bees through the mail. The U.S. Postal Service will actually deliver your bees right to your door. A beginner order would usually cost about $30 and entail the following: A 3-pound box with 10,000 worker honey bees One mated queen that is ready to start laying eggs Sugar water to feed the colony during shipment Place the bees in their new home. It's surprisingly easy and safe to transfer your bees from the package they came into their new hive that you purchased for them. This process is detailed in instructions that often come with the bees as well. Simply place the separately caged queen into the empty hive Pour the bees out of the box onto the queen The bees do not currently have a hive to defend and will be disoriented so there is very little risk of being stung during this process. These colonies will take the first year to build up the number of bees inside and will not yield honey until the second year you have the hive. Start with a friend that has experience. It's important that you learn the proper way to behave around a beehive from someone with experience. An experienced beekeeper can provide you with wisdom and guidance that may be difficult to find online. A seasoned beekeeper's poise will show you how to remain calm if you get nervous around the hive. Having support can make the situation less frightening until you are accustomed to working with bees. Check on your bees at least every 10 days. You will need to check on the status of your hives more often than you will be harvesting honey. When checking on your hive, simply wearing a hat with a veil is often considered enough protection, but you may also choose to wear a jacket. Visit the bees on a sunny day when flowers are in bloom so the majority of the bees will be out and working. Wash any clothing bees may have stung previously when visiting, the residual pheromones could incite another attack. Use a smoker to fill the hive with smoke and keep the bees docile when opening it to inspect. Inspect their honey-making progress. Once you have approached the hive, you'll need to open it and remove some of the interior frames to check on your bees' progress in developing the hive and making honey. Remember to liberally use your smoker throughout this process to pacify the remaining bees. Use your hive tool (a small crowbar) to pry up the corner of one of the interior frame walls, then slide it up slowly. In different frames you slide out you will find honey or even frames filled with the queen's larvae. Frames that are capped in beeswax are full of honey and ready to be harvested. Harvest your honey. It's finally time to reap the reward of beekeeping, a harvest of fresh honey! You may choose to wear your full beekeeping suit to protect yourself during this process, though if you're careful, it may not be necessary. You can purchase a “bee escape” which is a bee trap that allows the bees to enter a container but not leave. As you smoke the hive, most bees will enter the bee escape, allowing you to harvest the honey safely with most bees temporarily displaced. Use a pocket knife or small blade to cut the honeycombs out of the frames. The beeswax honey making up the hexagons is also edible. A centrifuge specially designed to separate the honey from the honeycombs can also be purchased at specialty stores if you would prefer only the pure honey. Treat bee stings. It's inevitable that you will get stung at some point while working with bees. Most experienced beekeepers have been stung many times, but eventually learn to avoid most situations that may result in getting stung. If you are stung, treating a bee sting is fairly easy: Remove the stinger as quickly as you can and wash the area with soap and water. Apply a cold compress and keep an eye out for signs of an allergic reaction. If signs of a moderate allergic reaction arise, take an antihistamine and apply a cortisone cream to the site of the sting. If a more severe reaction seems evident, use an epinephrine pen if available and seek medical treatment immediately. | Buy a home for your bees. Find a place for the hive. Make or purchase a hive stand. Purchase protective gear. Get a smoker. Catch a wild spring swarm. Purchase an established hive locally. Order bees by mail. Place the bees in their new home. Start with a friend that has experience. Check on your bees at least every 10 days. Inspect their honey-making progress. Harvest your honey. Treat bee stings. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Know-if-Your-Older-Dog-Suffers-from-Separation-Anxiety | How to Know if Your Older Dog Suffers from Separation Anxiety | Your older dog may suffer from separation anxiety if it paces or trembles when you leave, which are signs of agitation. Additionally, listen at your door for howling, barking or whining, which can indicate your dog is in distress. Next, after you return home, check your dog's food bowl to make sure it ate while you were out because not eating may be a sign of separation anxiety. Additionally, look for signs your dog tried to escape your home, such as scratches on the door, which may mean the dog has separation anxiety. | Watch how your dog behaves before you leave the home. If a dog is beginning to develop separation anxiety, it's not uncommon for it to begin displaying anxious behaviors before you even leave the home. Before you leave, watch your dog and see if it appears agitated. Your dog may begin pacing, panting, drooling, trembling, and whining as soon as it sees you're trying to leave. Your dog may also look very sad. Your dog may appear lethargic or depressed prior to your leaving. Listen for barking after you leave. One of the most frustrating issues regarding separation anxiety is that dogs often react by whining or howling when left alone. Listen when you leave the house. After you, say, step out of your apartment, stand in the hallway. If you hear barking, whining, or howling, your dog may have separation anxiety. Check to see if your dog eats food when you're gone. If your dog is nervous or depressed in your absence, it may stop eating. Pay attention to how full the food bowl is before and after you're gone. If it rarely looks like your dog eats in your absence, this may be a case of separation anxiety. If you feed your dog on a schedule, try giving your dog its regular meal before you leave. If you get back and your dog has not eaten, this may be separation anxiety. Notice if your dog tries to escape. Dogs with separation anxiety issues often dislike being left home alone so much they try to escape. You may see marks by your doors and windows, indicating your dog has tried to paw or chew through these areas. If your dog has gotten loose while your gone before, this is also an indication of separation anxiety. Take note of any risk factors. If you're noticing symptoms of separation anxiety, think about whether your dog has any special risk factors making it more prone to the disease. Separation anxiety can sometimes happen with age, or get worse with age. However, any recent changes in your home could potentially be a cause of separation anxiety. If a household member recently moved away, this can cause separation anxiety. If you moved to a new home recently, this can also cause separation anxiety. A major change in your schedule can also cause separation anxiety. Your dog may get increasingly agitated if you, say, recently took on a more demanding job and are gone from the home more often. Pay attention to house soiling. It's not uncommon for separation anxiety to lead to other behavioral issues. One of these is house soiling. If your dog is urinating or defecating inside the home, this can indicate separation anxiety. Usually, urinating or defecating while you're home is not a cause for separation anxiety. Dogs suffering from separation anxiety will only urinate or defecate when you're gone. House soiling can be a sign of a medical issue. This should be addressed by a vet. Do not assume it's due to separation anxiety without confirmation from a vet. Listen for excessive vocalization during other times. If a dog is developing anxiety, it may become more vocal in general. In addition to barking when you leave, a dog with separation anxiety may bark or howl more often throughout the day. If your dog is anxious, it may bark or howl at very small noises and triggers even while you're home. This can also be a sign of an underlying medical issue and should be addressed by a vet. Watch for destructive behavior. With separation anxiety, it's not uncommon to come home to find your dog has been behaving in a destructive fashion. Dogs with separation anxiety may dig, chew, or destroy household objects. If you frequently come home and find your dog has chewed something up or gotten into the garbage, this may be separation anxiety. Destructive behaviors caused by separation anxiety often border on self-harm. A dog with separation anxiety may have broken teeth or scrapes on their paws and nails. Destructive behaviors that are due to separation anxiety rarely occur in the guardians presence. You're unlikely to ever see your dog being destructive in your presence if your dog has separation anxiety. Recognize the difference between boredom and anxiety. Dogs also act out when their bored. If your dog is bored, you may mistake this for separation anxiety. However, there are several ways to differentiate between negative behaviors caused by boredom and those that are caused by anxiety. Dogs who are bored tend to bark in a monotone. Their barks are usually in response to something outside, such as another dog or a car, rather than their owner leaving. Destructive behavior in a bored dog usually has an obvious cause. A bored dog will get into the garbage to get food. If you, say, recently threw out leftover chicken, a bored dog will get into the garbage to get this. Bored dogs will also chew items that give off a fragrant smell, such as leather. Anxious dogs engage in destructive behavior without an obvious trigger. They will chew any item that's left out, regardless of how it smells, and get into the garbage even if there's nothing of interest in it. See a vet to rule out underlying medical issues. Any change in behavior can indicate a medical condition. If a dog is acting strange, it may not be feeling well physically. Therefore, you should see a vet to rule out an underlying medical condition. If an underlying medical condition is not detected, your vet can help you find a treatment plan for separation anxiety. Your vet will give your dog a medical exam and may also order certain tests, depending on your dog's current health and medical history. Let your vet know about all the symptoms your dog is displaying. This can help the vet make as informed a diagnosis as possible. Work on counterconditioning. Counterconditioning is a process by which you work on changing your dog's reactions to a variety of situations. It requires a lot of time and patience, but it can be a successful means to treat separation anxiety in dogs. For counter conditioning, you work on replacing a fearful situation with one a dog loves. For example, if your dog starts howling each time you put on your shoes to leave, give your dog a treat when you put on your shoes. This can help your dog feel more positive and relaxed about your leaving. It can also help to give your dog something to do while you're gone. Like any animal, dogs crave stimulation. Many owners find it's helpful to leave their dog with a puzzle toy that contains food. Instead of getting anxious about their owner leaving, dogs see this as exciting as they're given a toy and a treat. Talk to your vet about medication. In severe cases, a dog may benefit from being medicated for separation anxiety. Talk to your vet about medication if you believe it would help your dog. Usually, medication is recommended when other treatment options aren't working. Usually, a dog is given anti-anxiety medication. The medication your vet selects depends on your dog's history and current health. As older dogs are often on existing meds, your vet will want to find a medication that does not interact poorly with your dog's medication regimen. Medication is rarely used as the only means to treat a dog's separation anxiety. Usually, it's used alongside behavior modification. Try having someone watch your dog during the day. If your dog's separation anxiety is severe, sometimes you need to have someone watch your dog. Older dogs may be very resistant to change. If possible, try to leave your dog with another household member or look into doggy daycare. Do not punish a dog for anxious behaviors. Never punish a dog who's suffering from separation anxiety. Berating an already anxious dog for, say, urinating in the house will only increase its anxiety. Remind yourself your dog is acting out due to anxiety and the behavior is not deliberate. Punishing an anxious dog will not stop the behavior. | Watch how your dog behaves before you leave the home. Listen for barking after you leave. Check to see if your dog eats food when you're gone. Notice if your dog tries to escape. Take note of any risk factors. Pay attention to house soiling. Listen for excessive vocalization during other times. Watch for destructive behavior. Recognize the difference between boredom and anxiety. See a vet to rule out underlying medical issues. Work on counterconditioning. Talk to your vet about medication. Try having someone watch your dog during the day. Do not punish a dog for anxious behaviors. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-Someone-That-You%27re-Suicidal | How to Tell Someone That You're Suicidal | Telling someone that you're suicidal can be really hard, but it's the first step to getting yourself the help you need. Tell a friend or family member you trust. You might not want to upset or worry them, but they'd be even more upset if anything happened to you, so it's important to reach out now. Let them know you need to talk and schedule a phone call or a conversation so they have a little time to prepare themselves. When you talk, say something like, “This may be hard for you to hear, but I've been thinking about killing myself recently and I needed to tell someone.” If you don't want to tell them in person, write them a letter or a text to explain how you're feeling. Alternatively, tell your doctor or call a suicide hotline if you'd feel more comfortable talking to someone you don't know. Things might seem hopeless right now, but once you get some help, you'll start to feel better. | Decide to talk to a trusted friend or personal confidante. While it's necessary to tell someone that you're considering suicide, doing so is not an easy task. When considering who to tell, select a person that you feel you can trust, and who will respond to the information you share with them in a calm, compassionate way and without passing judgment. The person can be a friend, a family member, a co-worker, or a mental-health professional. Some individuals may respond with judgment, or tell you to “just deal with” your suicidal urges. If someone says this to you, ignore the advice, and find a different person to confide in. Choose a trusted adult to talk to if you’re a teen. If you're comfortable telling your parents, they're most likely your best option. Or, reach out to an adult family member that you trust, like an aunt, uncle, or grandparent. If you're not close to any family members, talk to an adult you know and trust, like your school's counselor or a member of your religious organization. If you're a teen, you might feel like you should tell a peer, but friends of your age may not be able to effectively handle the situation. Talk to a trusted adult instead. Call a suicide hotline if you’re considering committing immediate suicide. Suicide hotlines exist for people who feel that they have nobody else to tell about their suicidal thoughts, or who are considering immediate suicide. If you're seriously thinking about killing yourself within a short period of time—say, 1 hour—and nobody's around, call a suicide hotline. If you live in the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. If you can't call a hotline on the phone for whatever reason, search for online crisis hotlines or text messaging services. Let someone know that you’d like to have a serious conversation. The conversation will be most effective if you let your confidante know in advance that you'd like to discuss a serious, personal topic with them. Instead, you could say to the person, “There's something personal I wanted to talk to you about and it's very important. Can we talk privately after dinner?” If the person says “no,” or doesn't seem interested in helping you, reach out to someone else. Tell your confidante that you’re thinking about suicide. This conversation may be difficult, but it's not the time to use euphemisms or vague phrases. Do not say things like, “I'm through,” or “I can't deal with everything anymore.” Instead, use direct language. Say something like, “This may be hard for you to hear, but I often think about killing myself. It's hard to resist these thoughts. I'd like to be able to confide in you about these impulses.” Also tell the person if you have a specific plan for how you might commit suicide. You might be afraid of upsetting your confidante, but understand that if you do take your life, this person and many others will be far more upset. Continue the conversation if the person reacts with shock. Hearing that a child, friend, or family member has suicidal thoughts can be surprising or difficult to hear. Ideally, your confidante will react with support and sympathy. However, they may initially react with surprise or disappointment. If they do, don't give up on the person as a confidante. Keep explaining your thoughts and impulses to commit suicide. Ask your confidante how they feel about this information, and talk through their feelings if necessary. If the person who you confide in reacts with surprise or dismay, say something like, “I understand that this is a lot for you to deal with all at once. If you need to take time to process this information, I understand. But, I'd like to be able to still talk to you about this issue in the future.” Allow your confidante to bring in additional help. In order to help you, your confidante may need to tell others (e.g., a mental-health professional) about your suicidal thoughts. During your conversation, explain that it's alright with you if your confidante mentions your suicidal thoughts to others. Say something like, “If this is too much for you to handle alone and you need to tell someone else, I'll understand.” Or say, “If you want to tell a counselor or therapist that I'm suicidal, that's okay with me.” Write down your feelings if you’re not comfortable speaking them. Telling someone that you're considering killing yourself can be incredibly difficult and emotionally taxing. If you don't think you're up to the task, try putting your suicidal thoughts into words. Give the letter to your intended confidante and, if possible, sit with them while they read it. For example, write your parents a letter that begins with a couple sentences like, “Mom and Dad, I have a serious issue I want to tell you about, but I can't bring myself to say it out loud. I often think about killing myself, and am worried that I may act on these thoughts.” Build a safety plan with people you trust. A safety plan is a set of specific steps that you can act on any time you're feeling suicidal. A primary step in your suicide safety plan should be to call your doctor or counselor. Also make a list of friends and family members who you can call when you're having suicidal thoughts. Avoid spending time alone if you're having suicidal thoughts. No matter the time of day or night, if you're thinking of ending your own life, spend time around others until the suicidal thoughts subside. Be sure to confirm beforehand with your friends and family members that they're willing to be called when you're suicidal. Seek out a therapist or psychiatrist. If you have recurring thoughts of suicide, especially if they're accompanied by depression, bipolar disorder, or any other mental-health disorder, it's important to see a mental-health professional. A therapist will be able to suggest alternate thought processes and mental habits that can help you think of suicide less, and can also prescribe medication as needed. Keep in mind that therapy is not a “quick fix” for suicidal thoughts. It can take months or years to fully work through these thoughts and to stop thinking about suicide. Suicidal thoughts can also be the result of another condition or a medication you are taking, so be sure to give your therapist or psychiatrist a thorough overview of your situation. Establish a support system of trusted family and friends. A mental-health support system is an invaluable resource in processing suicidal thoughts and avoiding suicidal behaviors. Your support system should comprise various individuals in whom you can confide your thoughts and feelings, and who can be “on-call” should you have strong suicidal feelings at any point in time. A support system can include: Parents and family members. Your therapist or counselor. Members of your church or other religious organization. A support group for people dealing with suicidal thoughts. Avoid self-medicating. Abusing drugs (illicit or prescription), alcohol, and/or other substances as a way to feel better and control your pain is called self-medicating. If you find that you are becoming dependent on 1 or more substances, then seek help immediately. Talk to your doctor or therapist and let them know what is going on. | Decide to talk to a trusted friend or personal confidante. Choose a trusted adult to talk to if you’re a teen. Call a suicide hotline if you’re considering committing immediate suicide. Let someone know that you’d like to have a serious conversation. Tell your confidante that you’re thinking about suicide. Continue the conversation if the person reacts with shock. Allow your confidante to bring in additional help. Write down your feelings if you’re not comfortable speaking them. Build a safety plan with people you trust. Seek out a therapist or psychiatrist. Establish a support system of trusted family and friends. Avoid self-medicating. |
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